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Moth87
Reviews
Lockout (2012)
A cheesy blend of action where one guy is just trying to get the job done.
When I initially saw this advertised I was naturally a bit apprehensive. Having memories still fresh in my mind of how terrible Die Hard 5 was, I was hardly sure I was ready for another John McClane style action flick. The thought of it being in space filled my mind with even more dread and brought back bad memories of Moonraker with it's overly cheesy plot and dialogue (sorry to the fans of good old bond, but really? James Bond in space?), I thought, oh no, here we go again.
However, having soldiered on and putting my fears to one side I was pleasantly surprised to find out Guy Pearce is not such a bad action hero after all. For all his character's abrasive nature throughout the film, there are often funny moments which detract away from what could have just as easily been a much harder edged storyline. For me I thought it was a needed relief especially when his character is seemingly taking nothing that's happening around him seriously, this in part helped me to happily settle into the film. Maggie Grace was also a welcome relief, okay she's pretty and she's the President's daughter and the reason for the whole embargo but it's nice to see her also handle her own later on with her 'take no crap' attitude even if she does have the odd weeping moment she ultimately proves you shouldn't judge a book by its cover.
Yes, there were a few poor CGI moments in the film, but none more shocking in my opinion than you would find in the new Star Wars trilogy. This did make it easier for me accept that I could happily go on without feeling such an overwhelming hatred of the main plot and enjoy the film for exactly what it is, a cheesy blend of action with a guy trying to save the girl.
I found myself enjoying the over the top nature of the storyline, and also found it somewhat nostalgic in bringing back memories of those good old days of the Demolition Man style anti-hero action films, which leave you more often than not feeling quite satisfied that you haven't just wasted your time and money. All in all it was a fun film with some good bad guys and over the top action sequences with a nice new take on a classic genre.
Chocolate (2008)
A very well choreographed and entertaining martial arts movie from beginning to end.
The narrative of this film follows much of the usual conventions of most heartbreak stories, forbidden love, gangsters and money. However the focus of the film then completely shifts to the story of the daughter of this forbidden love, with the introduction of its main character Zen.
At birth we see her diagnosed with a brain deficiency that causes her to learn slower than other children, despite this seemingly life altering condition she becomes fueled at the thought of learning martial arts. While watching others practice around her and obsessively watching martial arts movies and learning as much as she can, she becomes ever more the fighting machine.
When hard times befall her mother, who is seeking treatment for cancer, Zen and a friend try and get back money they find out she has been owed. Setting out against crooked businessmen she confronts hers fears and spares no punches to get the money to save her mother.
This film brilliantly delivers a mix of story and action while at the same time managing to keep the feel of the action authentic, hard hitting, realistic and nothing over the top, as can sometimes be the case with even the best martial arts films. Demonstrating just how painful the stunts are in this film becomes especially obvious toward the end, where a montage of a few of the films more dangerous moments highlights the risks people will go to deliver a great action sequence. As someone who has always been a great fan of martial arts films this one has high praise from me for its uncompromising start from the beginning until the end.
Eleventh Hour (2006)
Eleventh Hour
First of all I'd like to start by saying it's a refreshing start to see a British Drama that finally looks and feels believable.
Patrick Stewart does the role justice as (Ian Hood), the government Science adviser, with his constant and unwavering views on authority and thoughts about the future of "real world" science and how he feels It's either being used or abused by others.
Not only is the casting thoroughly maintained all the way throughout the Series, but it makes it's characters seem more believable than most other British Drama's.
Ashley Jensen also delivers a first rate performance as Dr. Hood's Appointed bodyguard (Rachael Young), she brings a refreshing take on the unscientific, Uninterested everyday views of science, and her constant battling with Hood makes for some very funny and memorable moments between them.
The way the series keeps all the scientific elements more realistic I Find positive and more engaging than the psychobabble we are so used to in other Fiction or Science Fiction TV shows.
There are however notable disappointments with the series, every time an Episode ends I find myself disappointed that they didn't seem to cover all aspects of the plot and sometimes leaving open-ended stories unclosed.
Although bearing in mind that this is still the first series, I hope that we see a return to form in the near future where these open ended stories can finally be given a significant conclusion they so rightly deserve.
For those who enjoy more slow paced science related plot lines, this is the ideal show to watch as it always manages to stay believable and more Importantly to the point.