News | V Poster and Site

How cool is this poster? Does it not have you drooling for what’s to come in the movie? Or is it just me? And the tagline, how great is that… “People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people”. I’m lovin’ this movie and it’s still a while away.

If you’re amping for more info, as you should be, head over to the official site, like now!

News | Bourne 3?

It had to happen, and by that I mean it HAD to happen. Not just some two bit Hollywood sequel, but the last instalment of a solid trilogy. Universal have hired Tony Gilroy to write the third instalment (The Bourne Ultimatum), and seeing as he did a pretty dam good job of the first two, I’m excited.

Matt Damon hasn’t signed yet – he gets to see the screenplay first – but c’mon, he’s gonna sign, Matt won’t leave us hanging will he. Matt also has approval rights for any director that Universal chooses.

It’s all good I tell you, it’s gonna be huge.

Movie | Batman Begins

So this is the real Batman, all the previous movies were a waste of time, and their existence has now been wiped away. At least that’s what my understanding of this movie was before seeing it.

I’ve never been a fan of Batman movies – far too cheesy for my liking. In fact until X-Men, I never really gave Superhero movies a chance. So what was my reason for going to see Batman Begins? A friend was shouting me and it was the movie they wanted to see. Ok, so I figured it would be a couple of hours away from the kids, if nothing else!

To be brutally honest, there were times in BB that I wished I’d stayed at home and helped put the kids to bed and all that domestic bliss. But when the action kicked in, it got exciting. The action scenes were similar to that of the Bourne Supremacy; fast, blurry and hard to know what was going on. It seems to be a new form of cinematography that mimics real life. Instead of being a spectator to a set piece ala the Burly Brawl as see in Matrix Revolutions, we’re invited to participate. At least that’s what it feels like.

The story line was good. It managed to set up Bruce Wayne’s character, give him a reason to do what he does, and the means to do it. There was even some humour courtesy of both Michael Cane and Morgan Freeman.

Not being a comic book fan, I don’t know why Batman choose to become a bat, but BB gives very good reason.

This is a dark and brooding movie, it’s set in a Gotham that I could believe in. A little futuristic in a 1960’s kind of way at times, but the darkness of total corruption and no hope was a compelling background for a superhero to be born into.

The mysterious character played by Liam Nelson made for an interesting plot, and again gave credence to the skills that Batman uses, and the reasons why he uses them.

So all in all, BB was a well constructed, thought out and produced movie. It did of course suffer from the bane of all Hollywood movies, and in fact Superhero movies: you knew how it was going to end before it started.

DVD | The Other Side Of The Bed

I’m not sure what I was expecting, but a Spanish musical about infidelity wasn’t one of my picks for this movie. I was thinking more a romantic comedy.

Oh well, it’s good to experience new things.

It’s not that The Other Side Of The Bed is a bad movie; it’s very entertaining and funny. It’s just that I found it very off putting every time they broke into song and dance. I mean it sets out to be a serious comedy, and then they insert numerous dance scenes? It’s the kind of thing you expect from Bollywoood, not Europe.

So any way, basically the movie starts out with a friend visiting a friend and his girlfriend to talk about his split with his girlfriend. Little does anyone know but the friend’s friend is having an affair with his girlfriend. Then later in the movie the friend falls in love with the friend’s girlfriend. Confused? Good. It’s that kind of a movie where you really have to be on you toes to follow, especially when they break into signing, and the subtitles are whizzing past!

Go rent it, It’ll be a new experience!

DVD | Ten Days To Victory

Ok, if you don’t get into history or war, then stop right now. There’s no point wasting your time on this review, scroll down to National Treasure. If you do however like history, especially World War Two, then read on….

Ten Days To Victory is an interesting documentary that uses dramatic reconstructions and traditional documentary storytelling techniques to create an informative, interesting look at the last ten days of the war in Europe.

Looking through the eyes of 10 different people we see the war and it’s effects in ways that aren’t normally focussed on. We all know about the 101st Airborne thanks to the wonderful Band of Brothers. But other little know stories like the Canadians trying to prevent the Germans from flooding Holland, and how Mussolini was caught and killed.

There’s also a look through the eyes of ordinary Berliners who feared the Russians (and rightly too) and what they would do to them. Then there’s the Russians them selves who were given the ‘honour’ of taking Berlin, only because the allies figured that street fighting on that magnitude would cost too many Allied lives.

We see that last days of Hitler’s life through the eyes of his telephone operator, the struggle with reality and the dive into insanity.

All in all it’s a very balanced documentary that looks at ten of the most amazing days in modern history, where the true depth of German atrocities were discovered, and how the map of Europe was changed, from being under the control of one cruel dictator, to being under the control of another.

What Movie Am I #18

The blood in my shower is actually chocolate sauce.

DVD | National Treasure

Nic Cage meets Raiders of the Lost Ark was my initial thoughts when I heard about this movie – and let me tell you, I wasn’t expecting much. Sure Nic’s had some good movies, The Rock was one, but then Sean Connery helped make it memorable.

But Nic is Nic, not much substance normally.

But still I decided to give it a go, and I’m glad I did.

Once you get past the start, and the entire BS about the Templer Knights joining the Masons blah de blah blah blah, the movie kicks in.

It’s a fun romp and Nic plays an obsessed treasure hunter, desperate to find the hidden Templer treasure, which generations of his family have sought out.

It’s light hearted and cheesy at times (the cheese comes from the American possessiveness/love of their constitution) but it’s a great popcorn action movie, with enough thrills to keep you hooked, and plot that has a few surprises, but isn’t too taxing on the brain.

The overriding theme of believing something exists and committing your entire life to it is a nice theme, though it’s a theme that could be taken both as a positive or a negative depending on your point of view.

All in all, as I said, it’s a fun romp, with no real lasting impression and a few plot holes.

What Movie Am I #17

I am based on Philip K. Dick's short story "We Can Remember If For You Wholesale".

What Movie Am I #16

Ok, this is a funny one for the weekend. I havn't seen this movie so I don't know if the clue will give it away, but it sounded so funny...

My plot contains adultery, stalking and rabbit killing.

Rabbit killing?!!!

News | Hitman

Vin Diesel?

Ok, so Vin Diesel is THE man. Well, maybe not THE man, we’ll let Samuel L Jackson take that honour, Vin can be THE white man.

Hell, he was good in The Fast And The Furious, awesome in xXx, flippen legendary in Pitch Black and pretty damn cool in Saving Private Ryan.

But I have to ask, is he really the man for Hitman?

Sure he has the hair for the role, but Hitman in the games always seems tall and skinny. Not a muscle bound brute like Vin.

I’d like to think Hitman is more articulate than Vin as well.

But hell, I can’t think who else I’d put in the role of a cold hearted killer, cept maybe Jason Statham. Damn. Now I think about it, Jason is more THE man than Vin will ever be. He should be Hitman.

Damn. I’m getting off topic. News is, the video game franchise The Hitman is getting the movie make over by Fox, and Vin has the lead role.

Hitman has sold over 10 million units, and with game play that utilises exotic locations, many forms of killing, stealth and action, it should be a great popcorn movie for action fans.

But Vin Diesel? Hhhhmmmm, we’ll see.

Talking (or is that rambling?) of video games to movies, Microsoft have found a home for the Halo movie. Fox are partnering with Universal to bring Microsoft’s over protected baby to the big screen.

Now that’s a movie where the lead role could go to anyone, personality not required as you’ll be wearing a full body suit! Hell, even George Lucus could do something with Halo, the lead character could be done with CGI, who needs actors when you have big computers? g with Universal.

News | The Day After Ice Age

Is it just me, or is this kinda funny; Fox are due to release The Day After Tomorrow as a double disk package along with Ice Age.

Two very different movies about two very different Ice Ages. Which one has the best acting...?

What Movie Am I #15b

Another clue: My opening scene takes place on a French beach.

DVD | The Battle For Midway

The Battle For Midway is another very good documentary form National Geographic. Dr. Robert Ballard (the dude who found the Titanic) sets out to find at leat one of the 5 aircraft carriers that were sunk during the battle for Midway.

Interspersing historical clips and with the present day search gives a great overview of the run up to and aftermath of the Battle, while the search goes on.

Also on the DVD is another remarkable documentary about World War 11 Combat Cameramen. This fits in very nicely after seeing all the historical film form Midway.

A great DVD for war buffs.

What Movie Am I #15

My title character, played by Matt Damon, is found two thirds of the way through me.

DVD | Oceans 12

Ok. I normally try to be positive and look for qualities that exist in all movies, but what an utter waste of time Oceans 12 was.

I mean, can anyone tell me what the point of this movie was?

Ok, so I know it was trying to be very stylish and cool, but it failed big time. I know it was trying to be funny, and to be honest, it did manage a FEW laughs.

But what about a sensible plot? What about something to keep us guessing, or at least INTERESTED? What about a movie that made you fall in love with the characters, or at the least, care about what happened to them?

Hell, I have a soft spot for Matt Damon, but not even his boyish charm could save this movie. Damn, Gerry was a hell of a lot more of a movie than this.

And even if you can get past the lack of plot, lack of the original Oceans 11 style, you have to have had your brain removed to think that the twist at the end was anything more than an added script change to justify the rest of the movie.

What a complete was of talent, money and time.

Want to be a ZOMBIE?

Ok, so maybe I’m the only one who thinks it would be cool to be a zombie, but hey, an offer like this doesn’t come along everyday!

Hip Games are looking for 3 people to become Zombies in there new range of George A Romero City of the Dead Zombie games.

For more info click [here].

Go on, you know you want to.....

DVD | Paranoia Agent Vol2

In Volume 2 Paranoia Agent goes from the sublime to insane as Lil’ Slugger is interviewed by the Police, and most of the first (of only 3) episode is spent in Sluggers fantasy world where he is a saviour of people possessed by a demonic power. The events in his alternate reality match perfectly with the present day crimes.

At the end of episode 1 Slugger shows the police a vision of a witness that could clear him of some of the crimes.

Episodes 2 and 3 settle down into the groove we got used to in volume 1, but the surprises keep on coming. More attacks happen while Slugger is being interrogated, which leaves the question; is Slugger nothing more that a copy cat, or does he have the ability to be in more than one place at a time?

Only time will tell as this highly original story twists and turns through flash backs and revelations.

Volume 2 never really answers any questions, only give you more to think about, the series is heading for a huge climax in Volume 4, that’s for sure.

DVD | Breaking News

Breaking News is a very smart crime thriller, directed by Hong Kong veteran Johnnie To. The film starts with pace and never really lets up – there’s plenty of action – the running gun battle with the police at the start is the best I’ve seen since Heat.

But if this was just another Hong Kong action flick, it would be pretty disappointing. Luckily Breaking News has an original story line to base the action around:

When a violent criminal gang is intercepted by police a gun battle ensues, but they manage to elude the police and cause the police a lot of public embarrassment. So when they are tracked down holed up in a large residential apartment block, the police decide to fight back by sending edited images of the siege to the media to make the police look good again.

But the criminals decide to fight back, using video and pictures taken on their cell phones they feed the media their versions of events.

The tension builds up as both sides battle for public profile while running gun battles ensure around them.

With many clever plot twists, and a very tongue in cheek finish, Breaking News is a solid action/thriller.

DVD release is slated for July 20th.

What Movie Am I #14

In my plot, the Skynet computer system wreaks serious havoc.

DVD | Lady Snowblood

Lady Snowblood is a Samurai Slasher movie that was one of the main influences for Tarantino’s Kill Bill movies. The plot, some characters and scenes in Kill Bill are very close to those in Lady Snowblood.

In fact the only thing that makes Kill Bill worth watching over Lady Snowblood is that Tarantino does bring a clearer, more modern feel to the genre.

Watching Lady Snowblood is tiring at times, but then it was made in 1973! But the story is still compelling and raises many questions. Lady Snowblood is basically conceived for the purpose of revenge. Her mother had everything taken from her by a band of rouges and when she sought revenge, she was imprisoned. In prison she seduced every male she could in order to get pregnant so that her child could seek revenge on her behalf.

So Lady Snowblood is born dammed, with one singular purpose in life. A purpose that she trains for, and becomes very efficient at.

After watching this movie you’re left not knowing what to think. The movie is definitely entertaining (for it’s age) and has some plot twists, humour and good fight scenes. But the theme of giving birth purely for revenge seems a little harsh.

Of course you could say that the band of rogues were harsh and got what they deserved, but what kind of a life does Lady Snowblood have?

What Movie Am I #13

I am an action movie.

My story revolves around the quest for a sword.

In Mandarin Chinese my title is Wo Hu Cang Long.

I won 4 Academy Awards in 2001.

DVD | Shall We Dance?

I got sent the wrong DVD. What I ordered was Shadowlands, the CS Lewis biography staring Anthony Hopkins. Instead I get Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez.

Well, it can’t be that bad can it?

Um, yes. Shall We Dance is basically a Richard Gere vehicle, where basically Richard Gere plays Richard Gere. I guess that’s the beauty of all his movies, if you liked him in one, you’ll like him in all the others. And then there’s J-Lo. She’s basically the same, though slightly nicer to look at (from a male perspective).

But ok, so women love Mr Gere, so this could be a good movie for chick’s right? Possibly, it does have the Gere factor, and add in some great dancing (if that’s your thing) and costumes and you have a reasonable ladies night in.

The thing I find puzzling is, if this is a chick flick, then why does Mr Gere realise he has no passion left in his life (mid life crises anyone?) and then starts to notice J-Lo sitting in a top floor window on his commute home. After a few days of looking, he impulsively hops off the train to try and meet this mystery (and a lot younger than his wife) lady. And what do you know, she teaches dance.

So Gere discovers that he has a passion for dance whilst his wife played by Susan Sarandon thinks he’s having an affair. But the PI she hires assures her it’s all ok, its just a mid life crises and he’s not up to any marital infidelity.

In the end, of course you didn’t see this coming, husband an wife re-discover their passion for each other.

But hang on, wasn’t he going after J-Lo before he knew about dancing. Wasn’t it her younger, sexier body that attracted him? C’mon, he was thinking about a different kind of dance. It’s only through J-Lo’s I-don’t-need-a-relationship-right-now attitude that nothing happened.

So my question is this: how good a chick flick is this if the lead character wants to have an affair?

May be I’m reading too much into this lighthearted romantic comedy?