Some films I've seen over the winter...

I've not been to the cinema much (but I've seen a lot of stuff at home on disc instead, including the amazing Dredd, and the rather average One Day) but here is what I've seen on the big screen over the last few months...


Skyfall

I saw this feature, the 23rd (official) "007" film, released on the series' 50th Anniversary, a week after it opened. I was lucky enough to go with my friends Mark and Mandy at the Coventry Odeon. That date tied in with when we were all available, and with the ice hockey game that Mandy and I were going to that evening at the ice-rink next door. Anyway, it was lovely to get together with them again and have a good catch-up!

I thought the film was tremendous, I absolutely loved it and really got into the story and action at that screening. Daniel Craig has certainly made Bond his own, playing it as a thug in a Saville Row suit but now with, I feel, more confidence. This allows him to be a little playful within the role. There is an improved script this time around, compared the muddled and supposedly rushed Quantum of Solace. Good performances from all. I especially like Ben Wishaw as the new "Q". My favourite parts of the film were the attack on the hit man in the Shanghai skyscraper, the look of the film there was spectacular with the advertising lights dancing over the skyscraper (see picture), and the Scotland scenes compromising of the end half hour, where the typical "Bond film vibe" seemed to morph into harder action drama. Stunning. Its huge worldwide success (over $1billion taken at the box office so far) has surely guaranteed 007 films to come for many years. If they are this good, bring 'em on Sony/MGM!

"Empire" magazine review.

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Japanese poster.

At long last! Part 1 of Peter Jackson's new Middle Earth epic opened just before Christmas. I'd been waiting for these films for *years*, after being blown away by his Lord of the Rings trilogy ten years earlier. This first episode, covering roughly the first third of the book, did not disappoint. Most of the film presented here was excellent and very exciting, even though Jackson could be blamed for padding the film unnecessarily (some scenes have been added that were not in the book, but appear in the LOTR appendices, or were created for this version). The second half of the film was probably more effective than the first (picking from Rivendell and beyond) as it seemed to flow better and was more thrilling. The Gollum (Andy Serkis) v Bilbo (Martin Freeman) riddle battle was the key sequence in the film, and top notch film making it was from all concerned. Brilliant. Hats off to Gandalf (Sir Ian McKellen) and the Dwarves (Richard Armitage etc.) as well. Generally, the visual effects from WETA Digital and their prop making group were stunning, particularly the work on animating Gollum over Andy's movements in his gimp suit. Anyway, this all points to some great stuff coming in the next two films (Smaug! Giant Spiders! The Battle of the Five Armies! ...and, er..Stephen Fry!?), to be released over the next two Decembers.

I saw this film in 2D - didn't bother with the 3D or the new 3D-48 Frames Per Second version this time. I'll definitely try the 'new' format next time around to see Smaug the Dragon swooping over my head, though!

*The film just went over the $1billion mark, in terms of worldwide box office take. MGM and Warner Bros. must be happy. :)

"Empire" magazine review.

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Les Miserables

I was intrigued by this musical (the latest of a few non-musical film versions made over the years) especially as the stage version has been such a worldwide success. I didn't think it was that bad, but wasn't amazed by it. I had some doubts over the running time (I got a bit bored, to be honest), the pop-style vocal talents of Russell Crowe (pictured), but generally this film is done pretty well and everyone is trying their best, what with singing live in front of the camera. I had some quibbles with some of the way the sets looked: a bit "stagey", but maybe that was the point, or they had run out of budget! Anyway, an average...3/5 from me.

"Empire" magazine review.

Next up will be Oblivion at some point in April, followed by Iron Man 3.

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