Reviews

Is this one of those epics that will flop into insignificance or will it stay around forever as a grate action epic of battles, love, men a wooden horse and togas. If it was up to me to say then I would say yes it is good fun with some fantastic set peaces, magnificently filmed agents the back drop of ancient Troy.

Homer's Iliad is the inspiration to this epic movie, as with a lot of films the initial text was been elaborated and the story changed slightly, but I don't think this takes much away from the films impact. Troy has a great ensemble cast that brings together one of the greatest stories told, the sacking of Troy. It also bring forth some of the hero's of the ancient world Achilles, Hector, Odysseus and Ajax, not forgetting a large wooden horse, (‘never trust Greeks bearing gifts').

From the outset of this film I was amazed at its sheer scope, the sets are very good and in most places the effects are seamless. I always have a fear that to much emphasise is being put onto CGI but then I also find that a lot of people are now spending a lot of the time trying to spot the joins. This is a film that does rely on the composition of CGI and live action; yes you can spot a lot of it especially with the 100,000 strong Greek army marching agents the walls of troy. But just think of it in this way, they just couldn't of film it with a 1000,000 real people the feat of managing that many men in one place would have been extraordinary. On the other hand as well, it doesn't take anything from the film. This is still a great film.

The Actors: Brad Pitt, toned, bronzed and in a dress metaphorically speaking. He does a god job as Achilles and pulls of his arrogance with excellent, No Oscar for his part but still a good choice for the fabled warrior. The show is stolen though by Hector (Eric Bana) He is a very believable as Hector, warrior of Troy and leader of the armies that manage to repel Agamemnon mighty horde. This could be said as the character he was born to play. Other cast members added considerable might to the film no matter how large or small there screen time was.

I don't want to spoil this film for anyone, I just say that you should go and see it for yourself on the big screen in all its glory.

A crack in the ice cap, mass migration, flooding and heavy snow drifts, what could it be but another ice age.

The Day After Tomorrow, is a very good disaster movie. It far out passes Dante's Peak and Volcano for impact and story and rains gloriously over films like Earthquake and Towering Inferno. The effects a very good and the rapid freezing is wonderfully executed, they are a little ropy when it comes to the wolves but if you've not seen the film then I wont go in to that, leaving them for your own recognition.

The story is well directed and the acting really does bring a sense of urgency to the screen. Dennis Quad (Jack Hall) as normal does what he does best and that is act, consistently one of the best actors in cinema today. He was well cast for this film and brought a realism to his character, Jake Gyllenhall (Sam Hall) brings off a good performance as his son trapped in New York, leading a small band of survivors through the days of the global weather shift. What needs to be said though is that this is not Shakespeare by the RSC, it is a daft but enjoyable movie. It has it's touching moments and it silly ones, which are equally shared aw-inspiring moments as storms devastate cities.

This is a welcome return to Roland Emmerich doing what he is good at, a master of the special effect block busters, Star Gate, Independence Day, Godzilla and now The Day After Tomorrow. Of the four I will a happily say that this one is by far the best, and is well worth a look. A good movie and one that keeps your attention throughout go and see it, its fun.

‘Turn around, tell me what you seeeee', flying through the clouds as the titles roll. It is on every Christmas, I own it and I simply love it. The Neverending Story is one of the least offensive and nicest family films out there. It has numerous sequels, but it is the first one directed by Wolfgang Peterson that is the best of the three.

Bastian, a young boy lives in a dream world, his father wants him to grow up his school would like him to get his head out of the clouds and is tormented by bullies. On his way into school while trying get away from the bullies he runs into an old book shop. While hiding inside the owner shows him ‘The Neverending Story' a huge volume decorated with the Orin the symbol of the child like emprise of the Land Fantasia. When the owner isn't look Bastian takes the book.

This is a beautiful film; it enthralled me as a child and still does as an adult. I have watched over and over again, never tiring of it and always enjoying it. If you have young children or are an old child it doesn't matter this is pure a adventure fantasy for all ages, with colourful characters.

How far should sentiment go? 'Pearl Harbour' is the proof that it can go too far. Michael Bay's epic should have been great, it had all the right elements to propel into majesty of cinema but unfortunately it faltered. It is in short, too damn long! Full to the brim with unnecessary plot development that tried to make you care for the characters. It is a classic example of sentiment getting in the way, like 'Titanic' the film covers a moment in history that is so full of real life heroes who stories would have better been told instead of creating fictional one dimensional people.

From the opening scene, I found my self wishing for access to the fast forward button. It took too long to build up the rivalry between, Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett and also to introduce the love interest in Kate Beckinsale. There is no believability in their characters and I found this whole section of the plot pointless.

At 3 hours long I found the film 2 hours too long. The first hour leading up to the attack I found pointless, the attack it's self was stunning and well executed. But the part of the film that for me ruined it, were the Doolittle raids on Tokyo. There was no need for this to even be in this film. If it had ended once the presidents had made his address after the sacking of Pearl Harbour then I think personally that this film would be worth seeing.

The Fellowship has done but one thing and that is kept the magic of Tolkien very much alive. This is the start of the trilogy, that in my eyes has brought back the type of cinematic experience that so long ago blasted on to our screens through Star Wars.

A fantasy, the fantasy of generations J.R.R Tolkien's Lord of the Ring has finally been given the big screen treatment that is so long deserved. As a film it had for so long seem destined not to be made, John Boorman tried, but due to budget problems he turned to Excalibur (in it's own right an excellent movie). Then there was Saul Zaenth's production of Ralph Bakshi's animation, it was bold and daring but an utter failure. Then came Peter Jackson, a giant among Hobbits.

Part One the Fellowship, news rolled in a production was coming, the script written and re-written a budget that would cover all three books, and a cast containing a lot of names that would make people say who? Viggo Mortenson, Orlando Bloom, Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan who are they and what have they been in? But wow what a casting. I don't know weather it was the sheer scale of the film(s) but all casting worked no body seemed miscasts with their characters. Ian McKellen gives a powerful portrayal on Gandolf, his amazing screen presents is much how I imagined Gandolf through every reading of the books. I could think of no better casting for Aragorn, Viggo Motenson or Boromir, Sean Bean, easily his best Performance to date other than the Sharp series. The Hobbits work well together and it was a welcome return to see Sean Astin back on the big screen. John Rhys-Davies was a shock an actor well over six foot acting at four foot and doing it so well. All performances are outstanding, from the relative newcomers such as Orlando Bloom to the old hands like Christopher Lee

As they boldly step forward, a magical experience unravels before your eyes. Cinematography, sfx, editing and a mastery of directing have brought and film that is truly one of the grates, the whole film is seamless. The effects blend unnoticeable agents the awe-inspiring landscape of New Zealand. You find your self in full belief that Middle Earth is real. Peter Jackson's has defined his craft over the years in producing entertaining and immensely enjoyable films, even if they are a bit on the disturbing side (Meet the Feebles anyone). But with Lord of the Rings there is nothing more we can do but bow are heads and grovel at his feet.

Wars and drought have ravished the future, a distant reality, and the world is now a husk of its former self. Civilisation now exists in small pockets spread across the desolate landscapes. It is the time of heroes, fighters, and bronzed men who know how to kick butt in a big way.

Steel Dawn, is has an interesting premise, but as a story struggles to develop much higher than a collection of action set pieces. Swazye plays a nomad (the man with no name), who after a tangle with some strange human like creatures of the waste lands, runs into his old mentor on the way to the pub. His mentor is killed and Swazye's character is now after revenge. The film has a spaghetti western feel to it but with out the mystery.

But despite that it has its good side too, as always Swazye is enjoyable to watch and the supporting casts do an admirable job with their characters. Christopher Neame brings a likeable side to his fallen warrior turned assassin, Sho. Who after all just wanted to challenge a worthy opponent to fight. Brion James is good as Tark, Kasha's foreman, whose initial jealousy of the Nomad make him suspicious of all he does, so of course Tark's trust must be earned.

This is not an example of cinematic magic. It is in many ways though a fun film, silly and enjoyable , with out a doubt oh so cheesy.

Enjoy I did.

There is often too much written into why a film is like it is, and this is something that seems to be happening with Van Helsing.

Van Helsing is everything it promises to deliver. It has action, good special effects, the plot flows well and above it is fun to watch. You know that Dr Gabriel Van Helsing will prevail and Count Dracula will lose. So why read more into it than that. The film is a spectacle that will lose some of its impact going to DVD, but the over all experience will still be enjoyable. The charters are not one dimensional, the good ensemble cast brings colour to the characters, that they obviously had fun playing which in turn makes the film even more enjoyable.

I left the cinema after having enjoyed a film that I had been looking forward to since I'd heard of its production (so many moths ago). I would willingly have walked back into the foyer brought another ticket and watch it all over again. I would be happy to say that it would lose nothing on a second sitting.

It is a good start to a string of exciting looking summer blockbuster.