Movie: Spy

Good laugh here, serious actors Law and Statham doing comedy, and Melissa McCarthy the brilliant spy, (with the odd flaw).
Chuck in Miranda and 50 Cent, and you've got a riot.
9 out of 10.
Be nice if the troupe could be brought back for a series.

Movie: A Million Ways To Die In The West

Cant understand the bad reviews for this movie, been home an hour and still laughing.
The gags, I think, seem to cop the criticism, but its the whole situational comedy/farce thing that amused me, much like with The Lone Ranger.
The story's about a nerd doing all the wrong things to keep his girl, and being led to handle it right, and get to a totally more satisfying place. Don't we all wish..?
Often I asked myself where this movie was heading, then you get to see why, everything overdone for a purpose.
What makes the punchline of a joke is its coming out of left-field, and there was a ton of that in this movie.
All the lead roles were masterly done, and I'm sure gorgeous Charlize will still be in my head long after tomorrow.
I'm a big Seth MacFarlane fan, Family Guy, and Ted, the aforementioned critic cant even spell his name right.
11 out of 10.
Just the tonic I needed after a stressful work week.
Dont go see it if you're a prude.

Movie: Elysium

Set in 2154, all the wealthy folks live on a space station while the hoi polloi battle out their existence down below, and the main theme's about equalising things.
Some say Neill Blomkamp's follow-up to District 9 didnt quite make it, but I think it did, one of the better sci-fi's of late.
The slum theme was recognisably so, very realistic, in fact realistic real, those scenes filmed in Mexico.
Easy to follow plot, but again as getting more common in movies, some of the dialogue garble difficult to follow.
Matt Damon's one of my favourite action heros, and Jodie Foster looking gorgeous here.
As with District 9, Jackson/Weta Workshop had a hand in.
9 out of 10.

Movie: Oblivion

Great expectation on this one despite mixed reviews.
Tom's a great actor, no disputing that. The tech and action was spec, and the story good.
I know how it finished, but gee, I lost the thread in the last tantalising quarter, so I dont quite know how it got there.
Wasnt helped by not being able to translate from gaming/texting gibberish, the plot critical bits the girl said.
S'pose thats what happens after 60 years in suspended animation.
Actually, I missed what Morgan Freeman said about that helmet the free people were wearing too, that enabled them to avoid detection by the Drones.
3 out of 5, top movie that never quite got there.
Maybe I should go see it again.
I mean what happened to Jack II in the 3 years after his scrap with Jack I.
When Jack I arrived back with the medi-pak to treat the girl, Jack II wasnt where he was left trussed up by Jack I.
Jees........???
Maybe I've just got too old, and pointlessness is the name of the game these days.

Movie: Django Unchained

Django passes the lasting impression days after test with flying colours, another glorious, gorious, Tarantino.
Superb acting by Samuel L Jackson, De Caprio, and Christoph Waltz, really made the movie, while Jamie Foxx completed his spoof role to perfection.
Its quite a long movie, and the reprieve granted Django with the escape from the mining co. slave train was an almost un-necessary add-on, I think us punters would have gone home happy with an earlier splatter wind-up back at the estate.
But never mind, top movie.
Morricone's objection to his treatment over the score is an interesting sideshow. After hearing so much about the Django theme, I was waiting for something that didnt quite happen for me, nothing instantly everlasting like the themes from the spaghetti's or the Kill Bills.
5 out of 5.

Movie: Hansel and Gretel

Yet another case of one should never place too much value on press reviewer's comments, the Dompost bloke only gave this one a 2/5, but both AJ and I got a good enough buzz from this kiddult variation of the Grimm fairy tale. Kiddult it has to be too, the violence is a bit too graphic, if not comedic, but....., when you think about it, there is quite a violent thread in most fairy tales.
The movie featured Jeremy Renner, ex Hurt Locker and recently taken over as the next Jason Bourne, and Gemma Arterton as a credible Gretel. Famke Janssen, with some previous from Star Trek and Bond movie credit did the bad witch that AJ particularly enjoyed, ditto for the two blokes who did the ogre, Edward.
Not a long move at 88 mins so you'll be home early, and one of the better 3D productions you'll come across, 5/5.

Movie: Jack Reacher

Brilliant movie.
Followed Child's book "One Shot" pretty good.
Still not entirely convinced Cruise fits the Reacher mould, but hey, his acting performance is outstanding, and all kudos to him for getting a movie rights deal with author Childs.
Understandable also, why Childs has come out and said he's happy with Cruise's involvement and interpretation. He's in the movie too, look for him as a desk sergeant at the police station.
Best bits, Tom's acting, and the car chase!
Cant wait for the next one.
5 out of 5.

Movie: Les Miserables

Not your average movie, but it passed the test of lasting impression.
I guess always going to be difficult transferred to the screen when you know a stage musical so well, with all the stereotypes to overcome.
When Jackman and Crowe appear, you automatically expect acting, but you get singing, and when Hathaway sets up to Dream a Dream, we dont get the Susan Boyle rendition we've somehow accepted as standard, we get acting! 6-8 minutes of sniffing, sobbing and face-pulling, instead of soaring glorious melody, lost in the drama.
Jackman thoroughly deserved his Golden Globe Best Actor Musical I thought, despite the cheap shot of one critic who said his voice creaked "but maybe that was just for dramatic effect". I didnt notice it.
Hathaway ditto female, well maybe because there wasnt much else in the field, the role of Fantine isnt a very big one.
Russell Crowe, likeable bugger, so-so, but he did "Stars" really well.
Some reviews have suggested a bit of license taken with the story line vs the stage show's, and this was all to the good I thought, I've never really got to grips with the stage plot, but the movie tied up the plot and sub-plots pretty good, even if they were contrived somewhat, at which stage the musical became a movie again!
Never read Victor Hugo either so dunno for certain about the story.
Another observation maybe peculiar just to me, but have been moved at almost every stage show I've been to, even the local Amdram, but never got the same level of emotion with this movie.
That Dompost reviewer Tuckett says he knows nothing about musicals, but as a movie it ticks all the right boxes, and I'd agree, camera, direction, setting etc, strong contributors to the lasting impression.
You could hardly get a better score-line in a musical than with Les Mis, and the music was always going to pull this one through.
Pity about dreaming a dream.
Still, 5 out of 5.

Movie: Quartet

The hit of the holiday season.
Most critics put this in the same thread as Exotic Marigold Hotel, sure its about aging and hanging onto your character when you do, but this one's in a different class. While memorable, Marigold didnt do much for me.
Maybe it was Billy Connolly, magnetic at any time, but the four did standout performances, Tom Courtenay, Maggie Smith, and Pauline Collins, not often you find yourself rooting for more than one or two characters to succeed.
Excellent camera work, as well showing off some classy English countryside and a stately home, with more than a salute to classical music.
Convincing and entertaining support cast.
Dustan Hoffman's directing debut, at age 75, a triumph.
6 out of 5!

Movie: The Hobbit

Trouped along, as we ALL have to see this one.
Saw it at Palmerston North's Cinema Gold, to catch it in 48 fps/3D. Two issues settled.
One, all those comments from people who felt nauseated/giddy, whatever, from the high frame rate, are just dribbling, I didnt experience any problem, although I think this movie would be better watched from seating further back and a bit higher. I was about 4 rows from the front and looking up.
Two, this is a long movie, whose 3 hour cause not at all helped by at least 20 minutes in this particular PN cinema, of puerile pre-movie advertising stuff. Its like kiddies from the local gamer graphics community having a show-off. In front of an expected and large captive audience. Totally pathetic.
The movie itself could probably be justly called another Jackson triumph, excellent camera work, the 48 fps did work to my mind, and Martin Freeman did the standout acting performance, although all the dwarves were good.
Everyone else looks 5 years older, except for Gollum, creepy as usual, but still fantastic, as was the scenery.
A quip doing the rounds about school kids studying The Hobbit in class, didnt go see the movie, they read the book instead.
So the storyline, this first movie of 3 covering only 300 pages total of book, was a bit of a doddle. Like with Skyfall's shortcomings, I WANT A STORY!!
4 out of 5, begrudgingly.

Movie: Skyfall

The best part about this movie was the opening sequence, but for those of us who've followed the franchise a lifetime, the rest of it was, OK, Bond............., but not as we know it Jim.
Daniel's a good Bond for sure, have picked up a few comments he looked a bit haggard this time, but then that's what the plot called for with his comeback from the "dead".
There wasnt any sex either, to speak of, and the best hint of it got shot.
And was the storyline a bit thin? Or was it no worse than the average other movie Bond movie?
Judy Dench was her usual attractive and good self/performance, and that and the camera work and backdrop were the other memorable carry-forwards.
Saw a recent snippet that Hugh Jackman once turned down an offer of the Bond role, but could get interested.
3 out of 5

Movie: Fresh Meat

What initially beckoned as a tongue-in-cheek offering, has turned out being my choice movie of the last 12 months.
A dysfunctional gang of crooks hide from the law by crashing a suburban family home, but get more than they bargained for, and how.....
I went partly to support the NZ film-making industry, but this one could hold it's own anywhere, indeed Variety Magazine gives it the thumbs up prior to its US premier in LA tomorrow.
What struck me greatest was the eight main characters were extraordinarily well played, flawlessly, even dare I say, fleshed out, a credit to their acting ability and direction, (Danny Mulheron).
Briar Grace-Smith's script ran a few sacred PC cows and I dunno that Tem Morrison will escape the same criticism for the umbrage taken at some of Billy T's side-swipe to "mouldy" culture, but good on him for this lot.
The film's near as bombed on its opening weekend here, there were only a handful in last nights discount-night theatre, which only accentuated the guffaws and shrieks.
The NZ Herald gave it a bum review, but this only re-inforces my opinion most NZ reviewers dont know their arse from their elbow.
Variety Magazine compliments the movie's high energy, its not a long movie, but the introduction of the characters and pacing of the storyline are impeccable, and says it has "high production values". Indeed, the camera work and production design are pretty slick.
The sound-track's appropriately pacy, "from 60's spy to fast and furious rock", noticed a bit of stomping Gin Wigmore in there.
For all the theme of cannabilism might have detracted from this movie's opening success, the technical achievement inherent makes up for it, Variety's summation "thoroughly professional technical package" of a "high gloss soap gone berserk".
All roles were stars in their own right, but I give the edge to Hanna Tevita and Kate Elliott.
As for the latter, Kate Elliott, move over Rachael, we've got another kiwi sheila icon here.
12 out of 10 on this one.

Movies: Looper, Dredd 3D

Looper, fair bit of gratuitous violence here, but it was an integral part of what made a good movie. Plenty to get your head round with the time travel thing, which got increasingly intricate as the movie evolved.
Despite what I didnt think was much advance publicity, the theatre was as full as I've ever seen it for the discount Tuesday night, and the conversations about what went on buzzed as the audience left, they got their bob's worth.
Bruce Willis brilliant as to be expected, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt pretty good also. Made of good job of aping Willis mannersisms as his younger self, similar to Josh Brolin taking off a young Tommy Lee Jones in MIB3. 5 out of 5.

Dredd, well jees, I'm speechless. I suppose it was like one of those video games, sneek round a corner, boom, shoot somebody, sneek round another corner......, touches of Robo-Cop, and the eye candy wasnt too bad, even the bad lady. Dunno, 2 out of 5 at a stretch.

Movie: Two Little Boys

Some time elapsed since I went to this one, and its endeared itself with time for some contemplation.
Got a bit corny in the ending but hey, its a comedy. One reviewer's commented its a strange movie, and I'd agree it leaves you a little bit WTF, credit to the Sarkie's odd-ball/hilarious bent I guess.
I like how the Kiwi scenery was "there", but didnt intrude on the story, like it didnt make the movie an NZ poster.
Maaka Pohatu did a brilliant job with his very credible Maori portrayal, entirely natural somewhat detached and bemused by his mate's antics.
Actors have remarked that movie acting is all about close-up face shooting, and Bret showed a lot of potential in this department for bigger more serious roles, I thought.
Nice touch was the surprise, not so much in the final twist of the plot, but in seeing someone I know personally in one of the final scenes. Peter McKenzie claps very convincingly!

Movies: Hit and Run, Expendables 2

Hit and Run got a great review in the Dom so I had to take a look. The reviewer reckoned it was a well put together car chase comedy with bits of good dialogue, which I suppose it was.
Written by the lead actor, it was about a bloke breaking cover from witness protection to help his girlfriend get to LA, then coming to the notice of his erstwhile baddie accomplices via being ratted on by the guy ignored by the girl. Yawn, 3 out of 5.

Expendables 2 as could be expected got a bum review, but I loved it and so did everyone else in the theatre. Bruce, Arnie, Jason, Jet, Sly, and the other action blokes, it was great to see, and bugger me, up pops Chuck Norris with a big tongue in cheek.
Several thousand rounds got expended and heaps of baddies got deaded, and only one goodie got his beans in a dastardly way, triggering the revenge side of the plot.
Only downside was JC van Damme getting cast as the nasty, but at least in the one-on-ones we didnt have to endure the heroes getting beat to within an inch of their life, then making a miraculous comeback to prevail in the duel. 4 out 5.

Movie: Total Recall

Despite a fair bit of negative press I think this movie just made it as a stand-alone sci-fi, sufficiently divorced from the Schwarzenegger original, which happened long enough ago that nothing other than the mind-fiddling surfaced from my own memory recall.
The three pivot characters, Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsdale, and Jessica Biel, made the movie, a start-to-finish action romp that seems to be the go for flicks these days.
4 out of 5.

Movie: The Dark Knight Rises

Here's another example that one should never take notice of a media movie review.
I enjoyed this one despite a lot of the comment I've seen over the last few weeks.
Several mention the plot is wanting, I thought it was great, with a good twist at the end, in fact there were at least two or three plot threads and you have to wonder whether it was all a bit beyond the average bozo commentator.
Christian Bale played a good Batman, and Anne Hathaway a delicious Catwoman. The baddie was appropriately reprehensible, or should I say baddies, but wont elaborate further.
Its great to see the fatherly faces cropping up now and again, Morgan Freeman and Alfie Caine, and yes, I twigged onto how Robin gets into the picture.
Some reviewers have said this is the worst of the Batman trilogy, I think its the best, didnt have anywhere near the same psychosomatic drivel and dark gloom of the previous. Only one small hitch to my fervour, I cant deal with heros who take a hiding and Bane dishing it out to Battie went on a bit too long for me, and made the return bout where Battie turns the table rather easily after all the physical trauma he'd been through, a bit less believable, I mean crank transporter Statham wouldnt put up with crap like that.
Great action sequences, good camera, light on the emotional drivel, impression still in my head next day, even had me remembering the Batman comics I bought as a kid, 9 out of 10.

Movie: Safe

Phwoar, boy's night out here, non-stop gratuitous violence, shootings and punchups, Statham at his best.
Interesting to note Kevin Spacey one of the producers.
9 out of 10.
And also caught a trailer of Expendables2 in the pipeline!

Movie: Prometheus

So, us humans are the product of an ancient race who came to Earth and seeded the place with their DNA and around about 2093 some archaeologists figure out where they came from, and technology has advanced enough the spaceship Prometheus can warp out to whence the star-map says they came.
Only when they get there the welcome aint so hunky-dory.
Noomi Rapace has settled into a better role than the western thing she was in a while back, I hope she carries on as the new "Ripley" in any sequels, the yarn certainly ends leaving an opening for one.
Despite the critics giving this movie a hard time, I liked it. Sci-fi that has an aura of possibility do it for me.
8 out of 10.
Charlise Theron's in here too, exhibiting yet again her versatile cool. I see she's in a remake of Mad Max this year.

Movie: MIB3

Well, have to say it dragged a bit at the 3/4 mark, but the story-line was great and Josh Brolin did a top job depicting the young Agent K.
Jemaine Clement was an impressive baddie, nice to see the Kiwi boys doing well, following Bret McKenzie's Oscar.
Will and Tommy good as ever.
7 out of 10