(film review) - The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

I've been thinking, how do I start this review. Well first of all, it is human nature to compare, so let me get that off my chest first and foremost. Secondly, If you haven't seen this film, you will need to actively remember that, this film is a PREQUEL to the events which happened in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and a lot of the charcaters are not in this new one, so be mindful of this. Oh and that the film is over 2hrs long. With this as "preparation", you should be able to enjoy the beauty of what Peter Jackson has put together.

Now, as you ought to know, I'm not one for spoiling a film unless everything you see in the trailer is the film in it's entirety, then I'd just explain or describe from what has been seen in it. In regards to this film, if you loved the sequel trilogy, then you oaught to like this one as it carried the same magic and story telling as the sequel trilogy.
Starting out as story telling, Bilbo Baggins (Ian Holm) talks to Frodo (Elijah Wood) about how he hasn't told him everything about all his adventures and as he begins to write, is where the story begins with a younger Bilbo (Martin Freeman)somewhat 60 years earlier with a visit by Gandelf (Ian McKellen). After a "House Party" they set off on an unexpected adventure and this is where you get to meet and understand all what is going on, on middle earth, what has happened and what needs to be done along with 13 Dwarlfs.

This is a 3 part prequel Trilogy on which tells a story in which you already know the end. Think of Star Was Episode 4-6 then bringing in episodes 1-3 and then Clone Wars. However, with that said, this prequel trilogy tells another story unmentioned, which then leads to the Sequel Trilogy.
The film is absolutely beautiful in terms of the cinematography. The story and the way it plays out is excellent, no faults there and even the action was simple and easy to follow. I actually found myself in awe when watching this film where in the sequel trililogy, there were lots of awe moments, but the sheer fact that Gandelf towers above EVERYONE and he is normal size had me thinking, 'WOW, I can't even tell if it's green screen or not'. Not to say that the previous sequel trilogy made this obvious, but with 4 half-lings & a dwarf compared to 13 Dwarlfs and a half-ling, visually, this is very obvious and I guess the natural thing would be to kind of step out of the story for a moment and think, 'this is green-screen, right? or are they really dwalfs?' Bottom line, visually, excellent. Story thus far, excellent. A few funny bits, but not overly comical. The story eased into the action and didn't take long to get going so I didn't think it got boring for me in the slightest. The intro set things up nicely for the story to take place and more of an insight to the story as to what has happened which involved a lot of action and then we are introduced into the characters.

I don't even know what else to say about this film other than, there are some real good moments, especially the moment with Gollum. The animation. I cannot fault this film at all. If i were to mention a few other things, I'd be giving you insight into what happens or some of the characters, so I won't. Just know that the characters aren't as dynamic asd the sequel trilogy characters but is a very good film none the less. Enjoy.

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(film review) - James Bond: Skyfall

I was born in the very early 80's which means, there were Bond films a plenty. For me, Roger Moore was THAT guy. Swarve, cunning, thought on his feet. He did't mind a fisticuff and he had gadgets galore.  No utility belt, but he had a white under water Lotus. You cannot look me square in the eye and say you never wanted one. Two, that jaws guy.

So, this film is buzzing with the critics and people are saying it's perfect or near perfect. 5 Stars. 9 out of 10. All sorts. My verdict? Well, if you grew up on Bond like myself, then there is no reason NOT to like this film.
I'll explain.

The story is that there is a villain and there is a threat. Nothing new. Bond is on a mission and things get hairier and hairer by the second. When details of MI6 agents get placed on Youtube, Bond must find the culprit and stop them by any means necessary.
I won't go into it too much as this is such a good film, you need to go and just watch it. Moreover, this film IS James Bond, from start to finish and doesn't stray. The film starts with action and ends with action and the very last scene had me thinking...YEEESSSS!!!. The film pays soo much homage to the previous bond films, I wanted more and more. When you watch the film, you will pick it apart and love it. Unlike other Bonds, IMO, this film could not be any more British. And why not? It was such a lovely touch to encapsulate England the way it did and at the same time not over do it with patroism.
The villian was brilliant as well. He was very serious, a genius, cunning and you might even route for him. His mannerisms made the film comical as well as serious. The same way Bond is or how M and him are. And M, is a pitball. Hard nosed and will do whatever it takes with a great performance from all. Even Niomie Harris' character will get you feeling a lil warm inside. Very hot or maybe I found ber hot all by myself. Kind of reminds me of another flirty sexy lass from the previous Bonds. #EasterEgg
In closing, this is old school Bond. Back against the wall, doing whatever it takes to safeguard England from threats and like what I said about Roger Moore's, Bond, cunning, swarve and will give you a dose of everything which makes Bond, Bond. Even the nudey lady bits. But you couldn't expect anything less from Mr. Shaken not Stirred.

I suggest you go see it.

(film review) - Dredd

I am the Law!!!

Do you remember that line? I'm sure it was in the trailer for the original Judge Dredd. Delivered by the blue or was it, grey!?! I think, grey-eyed Sylvester Stallone, way back when, in 1995 just before, well, you know, when things started going a bit bleak for the actor. I mean, Demolition Man was a great film and Cliffhanger also, but other than the Rambo's and Rocky's, what else was there?

I couldn't tell you how old I was when I watched the first Judge Dredd, but I remember watching it with my mum and thinking, this film is rubbish. At that time I thought, meh. I barely knew about the comic as I had read 1 or 2 but the film was very lackluster for me. How many years later, with what I believe to be not much hype around a brand new film based on the same character, which is not a sequel, but as a reboot for possibly a new franchise, (most likely, as they would like to do a Trilogy) one would wonder, is this reboot necessary or better yet, was it all worth it? Well, I'll put it simply. This Judge Dredd movie makes the previous Judge Dredd look like My Little Pony. I'll explain.

Dredd is set in a future where the earth has been destroyed and has become a irradiated waste land known as cursed earth. Population is high and on the east coast lies Mega-City One which inhabits 800 million residents and has a crime rate of 17,000 crimes a day. In way of law enforcement "Judges" police the city by being Judge, Jury & Executioner, on the spot. On a routine shift, Joseph Dredd (Karl Urban) is tasked with evaulating a rookie Judge, Cassandra Anderson (Olivia Thirlby) in becoming a Judge and investigate a 200-story slum tower block called "Peach Trees" where a ruthless drug lord Ma-Ma (Lena Headey) dwells who is responsible for the new drug sweeping the city called 'Slo-Mo', which slows the user's perception of time to 1% of normal time. Ma-Ma traps Judge Dredd and Anderson in the block and mark them for death in which both Judge Dredd and Anderson will need to now make a desperate attempt to bring Ma-Ma down and make it out alive.

Sounds like a horror story, right? Or better yet a computer game. It kinda reminds me of the Die Hard Triogy game which came out in 1996 where you had to work your way up the Nakatomi Plaza. I digress, but I'm sure you know what I mean. 200 levels until the end boss (drug kingpin) and 199 levels of enemies. Could you imagine how much sneaking around, bullets being fired, explosions, blood and gore there would be? Yes, this is THAT film. The 3D wasn't GREATLY in your face but it was decent enough and used effectively. I didn't get that funny feeling you (or just me) sometimes get between the eyes, but visually, I have no complaints. The cinematography is top-notch and even the slow-motion bit is used heavily, but not rinsed out to where you are bored of it. It's Stylish, it's bloody and it's also what Judge Dredd needed to be. The storyline is very linear and clear cut and the actors do a very good job. Karl Urban is a great actor and he seems to have nailed the Judge Dredd character as well as he nailed "Bones" from Star Trek. The posture, the mouth, the stubble, it's all there. If you like action, this film has your name all over it. And for me, what makes the film even more enjoyable is the simplicity of the storyline as well as the accuracy. You might not get that CLASSIC Sylverster Stallone 'I am the Law' line delivered the same way as he did, but then, didn't he take off his helmet!? And if you know Judge Dredd, Joseph never removes his helmet. Enjoy