Borat

Rating: R16 – Contains Offensive Language, Sexual Material & Other Content May Offend.
Duration: 80 mins.
Genre: Comedy, Political Comedy, Spoof.
Actors: Sacha Baron Cohen.
Director: Larry Charles.
Release Date: Available Now.

"Kazakhstan greatest country in the world.
All other countries are run by little girls.
Kazakhstan number one exporter of potassium.
Other countries have inferior potassium."

If the (full) title or the “lyrics” to the Kazakhstan national anthem (above) doesn’t make you even the slightest bit curious, then you’d best stay away from Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.

You see it’s either the type of humour that has you doubled over in stiches, or it’s gonna offend you like nobody has before.

And that is I guess, where all the controversy comes from; people who just don’t get Sacha Baron Cohen’s sense of humour.

In reality this kind of humour has been around since the dawn of television, with Candid Camera. It’s all about seeing how far you can push people into accepting (or doing) the unbelievable, and along the way (especially in the case of Borat) uncovering bigoted attitudes.

It’s a Michael Moore documentary without the conspiracies, though the “fat guy” himself does appear in the special features.

So what is this movie all about?

The basic premise is a road trip, where by Kazakhstan’s most famous (probably only) television personality travels to America to see what he can learn form the wealthiest country in the world to help Kazakhstan, the poorest country in the world.

In documentary style, he interviews or interacts with numerous facets of American society, and in most cases the people he interacts with come away with egg on their collective faces.

Though it’s not all-poking fun at innocent people, Borat has a healthy attitude to poking fun at his own character as well.

Anti-sematic I hear you ask. Sure there is a fair bit of anti-Jewish comedy in Borat (the Kazakhstan population apparently hate the Jewish people with a rabid fear) but the humour is so clichéd and over the top as not to be taken seriously.

And then there’s the Pentecostal Church scene, that begins like a page out of Under The Overpass, and ends up giving Borat a slightly softer personality and a more philosophical outlook on life;

“If you chase a dream, especially those with a plastic chest, you can miss the real beauty in front of your eyes.” –Borat

The Jewish question even goes 180 degrees by the end of the movie.

Crass and sleazy in places, Borat does push the boundaries of what is deemed acceptable in popular culture, but fortunately sees the sense, and the additional humour, in using “black bars” to cover up the “naughty” bits in one particularly unbelievable and funny scene in a hotel.

Overall, if you push past the “I’m setting you up for a fall” style of humour, you can see that Borat is actually teaching us something about our own attitudes towards people who don’t belong to our own “group.”

There is almost no one in this movie that doesn’t exhibit some kind of disdain to one segment of society or another, and if we use this as a warning and take an honest look at ourselves in the mirror, we could actually come away from Borat a better person.

Food for thought:
Is Borat a bigot for showing us how bigoted we are?

Rent or Buy?
Tough decision, with Borat firmly in the you’re either gonna love it or hate it camp, renting might be the safest option, unless you saw it at the cinema and loved it, then you’re gonna want to buy it and convert all your friends to Borat’s way of life!

Sony’s Inferiority Complex?

I had to pop into Harvey Noman in Manukau yesterday to look for a modem. I wasn’t really looking forward to going, as I knew they were having a PS3 day, with Mai FM broadcasting live, Spacifix performing and a PS3 give away.

I wasn’t looking forward to the crowds and all the hype and bull.

The first thing I noticed when I arrived was that they had blocked off a premium section of the car park for the Spacifix gig, but there didn’t seem to be too many people around.

On entering Harvey Norman, everything looked normal until I reached the entrance to the electronic section; almost blocking the entrance was a humongous PS3 IDU.

The thing was huge, so big in fact that it reminded me of the old saying about guys who drive big cars….. And it had one kid playing on it.

The modems proved to be overpriced, so I left, had some lunch down by K-Mart and by the time I got back to the car Spacifix were playing to an embarrassingly small crowd, which begs the question:

Have Spacifix had their day, or does Mai FM just not have the listener ship, or does the PS3 just suck big time?

Happy Birthday XBox 360

Yesterday I got home to a lovingly, if somewhat small package from Microsoft. Inside was a yummie Xbox 360 chocolate cupcake with a single candle.

MMMmmmmmmm, Happy Birthday XBox 360.

The Departed

Rating: R16 – Contains Graphic Violence & Offensive Language.
Duration: 145 mins.
Genre: Suspense & Thriller, Crime.
Actors: Anthony Anderson, Ray Winstone, Jack Nicholson, Alec Baldwin, Matt Damon, Martin Sheen, Vera Farmiga, Mark Wahlberg, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kevin Corrigan.
Director: Martin Scorsese.
Release Date: Available Now.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not looking for sympathy here, I just want you to know that my views may be influenced by the quality of the DVD screener I was sent for review.

Most reviews I do are done on the finished product, a fully packaged DVD exactly the same as you would by from a retail shop.

Occasionally I’ll get sent screeners – advance copies of the DVD that only differ in the actual packaging.

Then there’s the poor quality screeners.

They come with a full screen presentation – so you miss half the action, the details, the subtlety. They also come with a big time-code running for the duration of the movie, along with the words ‘property of so and so, etc’ popping up at regular intervals.

What made The Departed particularly bad was it had all the features of a poor quality screener, and the actual video and in places, sound quality was worse than that of a bad pirated DVD.

Not the best start for a move hyped as it was, and the proud owner of four Oscars. You’d think WarnerBros would want to only have the best quality for reviewers on this one.

Never mind. I’ll say from the start, that despite everything that I’ve just moaned and complained about, The Departed was still very watch able.

Surprisingly so for a re-make.

And a re-make of one of my favourite Hong Kong action movies, Infernal Affairs.

So the basic plot; The mean streets of South Boston are owned by the Mob, and the police are all but powerless to control them. They decide to set up a special unit to combat the Mob, and a secret team to place a mole at the very heart of the Mob.

Of course, the Mob being the Mob, wants to stay one step ahead of the police, so send one of the own men into deep cover to infiltrate the police force.

Both sides realising after a while that they are both compromised, and thus begins the game of cat and mouse as each mole is tasked to find the other out.

If you’ve seen Infernal Affairs, you pretty much know what’s going to happen.

Scorsese does a fine job of bringing all the elements together, and doesn’t shy away from the graphic nature of the storyline, this may be too much for some to stomach, but in reality it’s the only way to tell such a story without losing credibility – or the audiences attention.

An interesting thing with The Departed is the number of a-Class actors that take part; Ray Winstone, Jack Nicholson, Alec Baldwin, Matt Damon, Martin Sheen, Mark Wahlberg and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Wow.

But this is also part of the movies weakness. Well, not the actors them selves, they all do a fine job in their respective roles, but the sheer number of important players doesn’t give Scorsese enough time to aptly do each character justice, rather the main focus is just on the three key players, Jack, Matt and Leo.

So what do the mean streets of South Boston offer us in the form of a movie.

For one, they offer a very dark backdrop for an equally dark look at corruption.

Corruption permeates this movie in an insidious way. The undercover cop soon realises that he is going to have to compromise his moral standpoint, over and over again, until he starts to become the very thing he is fighting against.

Secretes and personal vendettas become the driving force behind many of the characters ultimate choices, and it seems that all notion of hope has escaped from this dark back alley of society.

These are all fine ingredients for a decent crime movie, add to that a plot that twists and turns, keeping the story on a knife edge and the viewers nerves in tatters. Scorsese does a brilliant job at translating what would have to be one of the best re-made movies I have seen in a while.

Food for thought:
Does the end always justify the means?

Rent or Buy?
Buy it, it’s an instant classic!

Crackdown

Rating: R18 – Restricted to persons 18 years and over.
Genre: Third Person Shooter, Action Adventure.
Developer: Microsoft.
Release Date: Available Now.

OK, so Crackdown is gonna get called a GTA clone, but then that’s nothing new. GTA has become more than the name of a game, it’s become a genre in it’s own right.

Free-roaming, living city, crime style games are numerous enough to stop calling them all GTA clones.

They do however all have a commonality; free roaming gameplay, missions to complete in your own time, and plenty of people and vehicles and weapons to ‘interact’ with.

So, Crackdown is a game in the GTA genre, you know what to expect, well expect more. Expect to be totally blown away, because you will.

Crackdown is at the top of it’s genre, because it’s fun to play. It’s an absolute blast.

Let me explain.

You are a cybernetically-enhanced cop, who’s job it is, to rid Pacific City from its three gangs.

But be warned, just because you’re a cop, that doesn’t give you license to do what ever you want – kill too many ‘innocents’ and the cops will try and take you out – and not to dinner either.

So what does a cybernetically-enhanced cop cop bring to the genre?

The ability to leap tall buildings.

Sounds like Superman, but the way you land, and the way the pavement cracks under the impact, makes you feel more like Neo.

Of course, you don’t get to leap tall buildings right off, you have to build your skills by collecting the 500 agility orbs scattered around the city, mostly on the roofs of buildings.

Getting to them isn’t always easy, but it’s always challenging fun.

Along with up skilling your agility you’ll be able to increase your shooting and driving skills along the way.

All of which is essential if you’re going to take out the gang bosses.Graphically Crackdown just blows everything else out of the water, the whole thing looks so realistic, but it’s been given a cartoon makeover, making the whole experience more surreal.

You’ve definitely taken the red pill.

Spectacular explosions, bullets literally whizzing through the air, it’s an audio-visual overload.

Perfect Crackdown isn’t. but it definitely raises the bar to a considerable hight.

Rent or Buy?
Buy, you’ll be wanting to play this over and over again.

Halo: Welcome to the Third Place

Just in from Microsoft:

The Legendary Edition ($199.95 RRP) will be released in limited quantities and arrive in a highly collectible Spartan helmet case that no hardcore Halo fan should be without! Included in the Legendary Edition are two bonus discs packed full of extra content.

The first disc provides exclusive, behind-the-scenes footage and videos and includes a high-definition* ‘Making Of Halo 3’ documentary that showcases the Bungie team and its effort to create the most anticipated title in the industry’s history.

And never before seen on a video game, the disc will also include an AV calibration tool. Custom designed by the Halo 3 graphics and audio team, this tool will make the most of fans’ high definition home theatres, for the ultimate Halo 3 and Xbox 360™ audio and video performance.

The second bonus disc, an exclusive to the Legendary Edition, includes completely re-mastered cinematic material from Halo®: Combat Evolved and Halo® 2, complete with developer commentaries, to provide a refresher course on the thrilling Halo story so far. This disc will also include a feature documenting a day in the life at Bungie and exclusive content from the creative minds of machinima artists Red vs. Blue and This Spartan Life.

Fans who purchase the Legendary Edition also receive an illuminating collection of original Halo 3 storyboard art from artist Lee Wilson, depicting key moments and pivotal scenes from Halo’s epic cinematic production.

The Limited Edition ($119.95 RRP) also includes a bounty of extras. Within a sleek metal collector’s case, gamers will receive the first bonus disc found in the Legendary Edition, as well as a special Halo fiction/art book. A must-have for Halo collectors and a source of invaluable and exclusive information, the piece is an elaborate and compelling guide to the species and factions that inhabit the worlds of the Halo universe. It includes never-before-seen art and story that expands and illustrates the depth of the Halo fiction.

And for those who crave nothing more than the highly anticipated third chapter to one of the greatest gaming trilogies of all time, the Standard Edition ($99.95) includes the Halo 3 game.

WOW, two hundred bucks for the Legendary Edition? Damn, better start saving...

Hope For Kids

Check out her blog here.

Fuzion Frenzy 2

Rating: PG – Mild Violence.
Genre: Party Game.
Developer: Microsoft.
Release Date: Available Now.

Having never played the original, comparisons can’t be made, so I’m looking at this from a purely genre ponit of view.

Fuzion Frenzy 2 is promoted as a non-stop party game, and this is where I believe its strength would lie.

As a single player game, its 40 mini games and campaign mode seem somewhat lacklustre, playing against 3 computer controlled competitors just isn’t that enthralling in this type of game.

But that’s exactly why it’s a party game. Playing with three of your mates would soon spice things up as there would be a real reason to be competitive.

Graphically Fuzion Frenzy doesn’t stand out as being anything special, but don’t blame the 360 or the developers, its just that this type of game has a certain flavour of graphics that doesn’t care whether its on a next gen console or not. But it’s graphics compliment game play, which is important.

Game play as I mentioned above really relies on having other people to play with, being that on line or split screen, as a single player game the fun is some what limited to a couple of goes.

What is good about Fuzion Frenzy 2 is that it shows that Microsoft are taking note that some people want their console for party games rather than hard core gaming.

Rent or Buy?
That depends, hardcore gamers will find it a waste of money, where as sociable people who like to have fun with other humans will find it a blast.

The Sentinel

Rating: M – Contains Violence & Offensive Language.
Duration: 108 mins.
Genre: Teen Comedy.
Actors: Kiefer Sutherland, Kim Basinger, Michael Douglas, Martin Donovan, David Rasche, Eva Longoria, Ritchie Coster, Raynor Scheine.
Director: Clark Johnson.
Release Date: Available Now.

There's never been a traitor in the United States Secret Service...until now. Such is the premise of this solid little thriller.

It’s got everything you’d expect, thrills, twists, and action galore. It even has the pre-requisite sex appeal; that is if you like Eva Longoria.

It’s also surprisingly clean in the sex department, despite a subplot that could have been exploited by an easily distracted director.

Fortunately director Clark Johnson keeps things tight and focussed.

The only downside to the whole deal is some of the actors.

For one there’s a lot of TV stars in bit roles, which is kinda weird, the weirdest of all is Sledge Hammer’s David Rasche playing the President. The oddest being Kiefer Sutherland, who I used to love as an actor, but who now has become type cast as Jack Bauer and just can’t seem to be anyone else.

All in all though, and enjoyable night in front of the TV.

Food for thought:
Which is more reliable, the evidence or the heart?

Rent or Buy?
Buy it, it’s worth watching again, even is Jack Bauer looks out of place!

Stick It

Rating: PG – Contains Coarse Language.
Duration: 105 mins.
Genre: Teen Comedy.
Actors: Jeff Bridges, Julie Warner, Polly Holliday, John Patrick Amedori, Kellan Lutz, Tarah Paige, Missy Peregrym, Nikki SooHoo, Maddy Curley.
Director: Jessica Bendinger.
Release Date: Available Now.

Stick It comes from the same stable as Bring It On, but with a little bit of street attitude.

Haley Graham, a rebellious teen, takes things too far and is landed with a choice; juvenile detention or gymnastics.

She choses gymnastics, mainly due to her belief that she can just breeze through. You see Haley has a history, and its one that she’s gonna have an uphill battle to overcome.

A few years back she walked out of the finals of the World Champs causing Team America to be disqualified.

Now she has to get back in with some of the same girls under the same trainer.

Of course this teen flick is predictable as anything, but it’s surprisingly not just about forgiveness and acceptance, it has a slightly deeper theme; standing up for what you believe in.

I won’t spill the beans and ruin the movie for you, suffice to say that the movie has some great lessons for young girls to empower them and help them feel good about what they do in life.

Food for thought:
If rules have been corrupted, who should make new ones?

Rent or Buy?
Depends, if you have young teen daughters, buy it, if not, rent it.

My Super Ex-Girlfriend

Rating: M – Contains Sexual References.
Duration: 95 mins.
Genre: Romantic Comedy.
Actors: Luke Wilson, Uma Thurman, Eddie Izzard, Anna Faris, Wanda Sykes.
Director: Ivan Reitman.
Release Date: Available Now.

My Super Ex-Girlfriend is an interesting attempt at lampooning the recent rash of Super Hero movies. The Superman references are easy to spot, as well as a couple of Neo moments.

As a whole however, it seems to be lacking any real super powers in the humour department.

Basic plot: Matt Saunders is a lowly architect, who enjoys a flirtatious work relationship with a cute co-worker, who has a boyfriend so is off limits to anything serious. But serious is what Matt wants.

Not serious in a lets get married way, this is after all Hollywood.

Serious as in I need someone one to keep me company at nights, go out with and generally have fun.

Enter stage left Jenny Johnston, an attractive met her on the train but I have no idea what she does woman. Egged on by his best mate, Matt asks Jenny out, and she eventually says yes,

A couple of dates later and some possible co-habitation later, Jenny decides it’s time to let Matt know her secret identity; she’s G-Girl, New York’s resident crime fighting Superhero.

But G-Girl comes with a lot of baggage so the fun starts to wane, and Matt tries to politely dump her.

It’s around this time that cute co-worker finds out her boyfriend has been cheating on her and finds true love in the arms of Matt.

G-Girl isn’t happy, and she has superpowers that she’s not afraid to use!

Blah, blah, blah.

Predictable, yes. Funny, generally. The problem with My Super Ex-Girlfriend is that there is no on screen chemistry between Uma Thurman and Luke Wilson, and without out this Matt and Jenny seem to be just going through the motions.

It’s a shame as the movie starts off well, with the clichéd bank robbery and superhero foiling the heist scenario, and I love the little visual wake that follows the speeding G-Girl through the air – it’s a nice touch.

And Jenny shows an interesting side to the whole Superhero thing – she hasn’t got it together like every other superhero, in fact she is an absolute mess.

But the lack of chemistry makes you wonder how they ever hooked up past the first date, when it’s obvious as heck that the cute co-worker is the true love of Matt.

The humour generally falls into the sexual innuendo category that far too many comedies rely on these days, but climaxes in a scene involving a flying shark, that shows just what could have been done with the movie to lift it to the next level.

The main theme of this RomCom is unsurprisingly love. Love that requires you open your eyes to the people closest to you, rather than chasing a stranger who looks good, or is deemed suitable by your mate. It’s a love that is worth standing up for, and a love that is there for the long term. It’s about finding your true love.

Silly and forgettable, but if you watch it with that in mind, you’ll find yourself enjoying this low level comedy.

Food for thought:
If you had superpowers and somebody slighted you, would you seek super revenge?

Rent or Buy?
Definitely a rental.

No 360 Games Being Released on my Birthdate!

I was browsing through the list of upcoming games at GPStore's website, when I decided to see just how far in the future they were listing games.

In the interest of making sure your website has the infrastructure to keep growing, the ability to list products at a future date is often built into the programming and thus it wouldn't be silly to be able to look up just what games are due for release five years from now.

Of course, there are no games scheduled yet.

But what about February 1971, by birth month.

Well, according to GPStore, there are no X-Box 360 games due for release then either. Maybe because the X-Box 360 wasn't even a consideration way back then.

I can understand a website being able to cater for the future, but way into the past seems a little kooky.

Commander in Chief S1

Rating: M – Contains Medium Level Violence.
Duration: 737 mins.
Genre: Television Drama.
Actors: Geena Davis, Donald Sutherland, Kyle Secor, Caitlin Wachs, Harry J. Lennix.
Director: N/A.
Release Date: Available Now.

Geena Davis won a Golden Globe for her performance as President Mackenzie Allen in the first season of Commander in Chief, and well she should have as she makes a lovable President. A President that we would all love, and that can only exist in our dreams.

You see, Commander in Chief takes the success of The West Wing, but spices it up with a female President that has to deal with family issues, husbandry issues as well as being determined to elevate herself above the political-ness of politics.

But wait, there’s more. Donald Sutherland plays The Speaker of the House, a man whose political ambitions are far greater than Mackenzie Allen’s, and who will stop at nothing to get rid of her.

Sutherland plays a delightfully lovable dastardly evil enemy that gives the show it’s edge, it’s suspense, and lifts it far above what could have been a rather kitsch family drama.

Indeed without all the backroom, backstabbing, Commander in Chief would be quite the bore. It’s the politics we hate, suitably stirred with a mix of intriguing world and domestic issues, that make the show compelling.

But it’s too American I hear y’all scream. Not really, at least not anymore that most of the programmes you love to watch. Politically the politics of government are the same – on a base level – the world over. It’s all about using people to gain power.

Geena Davis does a great job portraying a person who struggles to stay above all the dirt that comes with the job, whilst refusing to back down on issues she’s convinced are for the best of the country.

A real peoples President.

And with a great supporting cast, a storyline that progresses – but doesn’t mind if you miss a week – and enduring themes, Commander in Chief makes for a great little drama.

Food for thought:
Does power corrupt, or does it just highlight your heart?

Rent or Buy?
At 737 minutes, it’s going to be tough to watch this one as a rental.

Rumour Mill

Craig, Ledger, The Devil.
He’s been portrayed by Al Pacino, Viggo Mortensen and Gabriel Byrne, and now The Devil may be materializing in yet another movie soon… portrayed by either Daniel Craig or Heath Ledger.

Producer Vincent Newman has named both actors as front runners for the lead role of the fallen angel Satan, in an adaptation of Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost that he is currently working on.

Apparently Scott Derrickson has been signed on to direct and with a $100 million budget, it sounds like they’re going all out in the effects department. Paradise Lost is one of the primary sources cited in just about any movie that has to do with demons and witchcraft and dark Christian undertones.

I’m quite excited about this, but only with Derrickson directing and Craig being the Devil. I just can’t see Ledger pulling it off.


Mark Wahlberg: G.I.Joe
This next rumour is so funny it may just be real, but apparently Mark Wahlberg is the prime choice for a live action film of the 80’s cartoon G.I. Joe.

On second thoughts, lets hope it’s too funny to be real, cause it’s going to be bad if it gets made!

Summer is Terminator

It was just a little under a month ago that there was news from The Terminator TV spin-off The Sarah Connor Chronicles. At the time, fans were asking what part Serenity's Summer Glau had signed on for. Sci Fi Wire recently spoke with Lena Headey (300), who plays the Terminator "matriarch" Sarah Connor and she confirmed that Glau was hired to play one of the Terminators for the show.

That's right, there's not one but two Terminators. Headey told Sci Fi Wire that Glau is playing one and Owain Yeoman will be playing the other. Sci Fi Wire also reported that during their chat with Headey she also told them "One is good and one is bad; she didn't say which is which."

The show picks up where the film Terminator 2: Judgment Day left off. Headey described the pilot, saying, "it's them basically running, hiding, trying to live, trying to carve out a normal life for themselves, but always being watched and trying to locate Skynet, trying to stop [it]. But there are many, many issues in their way." The pilot was scheduled for 2007, so since shooting has wrapped it won't be long before fans get to find out just what kind of Terminator Summer Glau is going to be.

Rumour Mill

Danny Boyle’s Next
Danny Boyle might not see his Sunshine in theaters for a while but he's moved on to his next project; Ponte Tower, a film that will take place in South Africa's 54-story skyscraper.

Built in 1975, it was once one of the most desirable addresses in Johannesburg. Following the end of apartheid, gangs slowly crept into the building and it became one of the most dangerous places to live.

The film is loosely based on the novel Ponte City and will follow a young girl who moves to the tower and comes under the control of a drug lord.

The film will be shot at the Ponte City Apartments and will take place almost entirely within the tower.

Sounds like another solid, gritty movie from Mr. Boyle.

Crank 2?
Last year's action overdose Crank was so outrageously over-the-top that it nearly broke atmosphere and went hurtling into the cosmos. How could filmmakers Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor possibly exceed their debut's lunatic fusion of overkill?

Apparently they're gonna try anyway, as Variety says they "are in the early stages of a sequel" to the crazy Statham flick

Wow, and here I am waiting for Crank to come out on DVD so I can watch it!

BBC on YouTube
Clips from BBC programming are now available on YouTube, following a deal between the British broadcaster and the video website.

Under the deal, the material will be accompanied by "limited" advertising, except in the U.K.

Chris Maxey, partnership development director at YouTube, told Britain's Guardian: "We are interested in testing out this new medium. It is new for all of us and we have to see what the community likes or accepts in terms of advertising and what works for such a new medium."

Hhhhmmm, lets hope there’s plenty of Top Gear…

Just Because It's The Weekend!

Meet Xbox 360-tan. She's got thigh-high boots, Xbox hairbuns, cable locks and a wireless arm, what some fan boys do is mind boggling...

The Closer S1

Rating: M – Contains Medium Level Violence.
Duration: 577 mins.
Genre: Television Crime.
Actors: Jon Tenney, Robert Gossett, Kyra Sedgwick, G.W. Bailey, J.K. Simmons, Anthony John Denison.
Director: N/A.
Release Date: Available Now.

Not long after I got to enjoy Season 1 of Bones on DVD I get to enjoy an entirely different Police/Crime Drama series, The Closer.

Where as Bones focused on a very narrow field of crime solving, The Closer takes a far more encompassing route.

Basically it’s a little like Criminal Intent, where by the lead character, this time a Southern Gal, who’s personality won’t allow her to make polite talk – she often gets right to the point, politeness be dammed, is called in to head up the Priority Murder Squad, purely because she knows how to get a confession out of the criminals.

Of course being bought in means she’s an outsider and has upset a whole lot of people just by accepting the post. Not that that fazes her, as she just doesn’t notice that sort of thing.

So quirky is the new cool, and Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson encompasses that cool with a lovable charm that may take one or two episodes to get used too, but once you get familiar, she hooks you in and you’re a convert to her wryly charm.

But it’s not just the viewer she has to charm, Brenda has an uphill battle convincing her own team that she is suited to the job, and with the cases about to come her way, she’ll defiantly have the opportunity to prove her salt.

Diversity is the name of the game with modern crime dramas and The Closer has many diverse cases that manage to keep you guessing, watching and wanting more.

With quirkiness and character, The Closer brings some freshness to the over saturated crime genre.

Food for thought:
Do you judge before you have all the facts?

Rent or Buy?
Definitely a keeper.

The Great Raid

Rating: R13 – Contains Violence & Content That May Disturb.
Duration: 127 mins.
Genre: War.
Actors: Joseph Fiennes, Marton Csokas, Benjamin Bratt, Dale Dye, James Franco, Natalie Mendoza, Robert Mammone, Max Martini.
Director: John Dahl.
Release Date: Available Now.

Saving Private Ryan this isn’t, but then it has something that Ryan didn’t, a solid foundation of actual events.

The Great Raid is a more grounded war movie; it’s a movie about the people and the events over the explosions and action.

It’s about trying to portray the realism of the situation.

And in this it succeeds.

Based on two written accounts of the Ranger lead rescue operation at the Cabanatuan POW, Great Raid on Cabanatuan and Ghost Soldiers, the film follows three main groups of people; The Rangers who undertook the five day rescue mission, the prisoners themselves and the local resistance.

The POW camp scenes are reminiscent of To End All Wars, and clearly show the Japanese contempt for soldiers who surrender, and are carried by an outstanding performance by Joseph Fiennes as malaria ridden Major Gibson, who attempts to hold the prisoners in order and give them hope of a future.

These scenes are possibly some of the most powerful of the movie.

The Rangers slow march to the campsite is just that, slow. Intermittently paced by cutting back and forth between the three main storylines, some viewers will struggle with a lack of ongoing action, but to moan about the pace would belittle the significance of what was done over these five days.

If, like me, you’ve read Ghost Soldiers, you may struggle with the movie more than others, secure in the knowledge of the outcome, but don’t let the slowness of pace, or the foreknowledge keep you from watching a well filmed true drama of World War Two.

Food for thought:
Does anyone have the right to force their views on others?

Rent or Buy?
Buy it only if you’re a WWII buff.

Another Reason To Hate The Oscars...

I was surfing the net just now, looking through some of my favourite blogs, when I came across a post titled The Funniest Bit Of The Oscars 07, and best of all, it was in YouTube format.

Unfortunately however, when I clicked play the image changed to the one above, This video is no longer available.

Not to be deterred, I clicked through to the YouTube page.

This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

What the?

I know plenty of videos get pulled everyday, and I can understand TV channels not wanting the latest episode of Lost posted on YouTube, purely from a profit point of view.

But a 4 min clip of the Oscars? It's not like the Oscars ever get released on to DVD (do they?) or if they did, it's not like anyone would buy a DVD of Oscar Night 07 (would they?).

So what's the harm in a funny video clip making the rounds a couple of days after the live broadcast? I mean hell, it might make more people interested in watching next years Oscars, goodness knows you'd need a pretty good reason to want to endure a couple of hours of Hollywood self congratulation, and a funny clip on YouTube might just do that.

If it's not the whole show, why can't big corporations just let these things be, and see them for what they are, a little bit of free promotion.

You Can Never Have Too Many Zombies...

Although a lot of recent flicks featuring the shambling undead deserved to be shot in the head and returned to the grave, the cinematic corpses will inevitably rise to consume a bit of raw human flesh. And people like Brad Pitt and BABYLON 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski will help tell the story of mankind’s full-blown chaotic conflict against deadly meat.

Paramount is getting the hungry horrors in gear (assisted by Pitt’s Plan B production company) with WORLD WAR Z. The superb novel (and even better audiobook) from Max Brooks (yes, son of Mel) is set in the aftermath of a war fought between humanity and a legion of flesh-eating zombies, and is told anthology-style through a series of “interviews” with survivors. Straczynski, a prolific comic writer, told the still-living masses at this past weekend’s New York Comic Con that he was adapting the book (subtitled An Oral History of the Zombie War), and faces the challenge of “creating” a main character – which may be played by Pitt himself. Bring on the zombie apocalypse!

Brooks has previous knowledge and devotion to the mobile deceased – he wrote “The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead”, an exhaustive reference manual on what to do in case of an infestation, from weapon and combat techniques to how to live in a world overrun by undead, plus a nifty summary on the myths and realities surround the living dead and a listing of zombie sightings throughout history.

SOURCE | Joblo