In Average Company

In Good Company (2004)

Written and directed by Paul Weitz this film stars Dennis Quaid, Topher Grace and Scarlett Johansson. An advertising sales man gets demoted and replaced by a young corporate hotshot who needs to learn there is more to life than making money.

With the first few minutes of this film you can pretty much see the whole plot coming a mile off, there is very little originality here. While this film may be billed as a comedy it has funny moments but is not funny through out, more being a simplistic and sentimental film. There is a decent cast but mostly I think they could have made this film in their sleep.

3/5

2 Hours of superficiality

2 Days in the Valley (1996)

Directed by John Hezfeld this film stars Jeff Daniels, Teri Hatcher, James Spader, Charlize Theron and Danny Aiello. Various stories in LA overlap thanks to the murder of an Olympic athlete's ex-husband.

This film fits in with the tone of many a superficial film from that 90s that does not have much going on beneath the surface. None of the characters are interesting enough to really draw you into the film and the story does not play up the farcical elements enough to be a comedy. While there is not a lot for the good cast to work with Teri Hatcher getting a Golden Raspberry nomination seems unfair.

3/5

Just a b-movie

Last Stagecoach West (1957)

Directed by Joseph Kane this film stars Jim Davis, Mary Castle, Lee Van Cleef and Victor Jory. After the railroad puts the stagecoaches out of business bandits start robbing the the train companies.

This is a pretty lightweight b-movie western that has little in terms of originality or depth. The script is fairly weak, just going through the motions of many a similar film. What action there is does not especially entertain so it is hard to find anything to like about this film.

2/5

No deal worth doing

Savages (2012)

Directed by Oliver Stone this film based on the novel of the same name stars Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Blake Lively and Salma Hayek. Two young men that have built up a weed selling empire in California and their mutual girlfriend fall foul of a Mexican cartel.

The plot of this film is pretty disappointing on multiple levels, the basic story takes a simplistic look at the drugs trade and the main female character is there to be nothing more than a passive victim. Even the unusual central relationship does not really get any decent exploration and the ending does not really make sense on a character level either. All the acting talent here is relegated to supporting roles with bland “attractive young people” in the main roles and some of the dialogue is ham fisted at times .

2/5

Death of Gods

Wrath of the Titans (2012)

Directed by Jonathan Lebeseman this sequel stars Sam Worthington, Rosamund Pike, Liam Neeson and Toby Kebbell. The time of Gods is coming to an end in ancient Greece and with the loss of the Gods' power comes freedom for all sorts of stuff they imprisoned in hell.

In general this is a pretty much by the numbers average Hollywood action film that lacks any real character or emotional depth. The premise is actually pretty interesting but I do not think the film ever goes deep enough into themes of waning religion and free will. Like it's predecessor the film relies heavily on CGI but is most well put together even if some of the cast are clearly better than others.

3/5

Whatever happened to... ?

10 Years (2011)

Directed by Jamie Linden this film has a large cast including Channing Tatum, Justin Long, Kate Mara, Rosario Dawson and Oscar Isaac. A host of people that left their small town or stayed behind get together for a 10 year high school reunion.

There is a lot of this film that will be familiar from the stock characters to the set up but the film does do a good job of capturing the atmosphere of a reunion. While the film does lack some drama it does have a nice subtle progression through the different story lines, the Mara/Isaac one being my favourite. While this is build as a 10 year reunion from the cast it does at times feel nearer a 15 or 20 year reunion but otherwise this is a well made film.

4/5

Something stirs in the neighbourhood

The Watch (2012)

Directed by Akiva Schaffer this film stars Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill, Richard Ayoade and Rosemarie DeWitt. A group of misfits form a neighbourhood watch and get a lot more than they bargained for when they run into aliens.

The basic plot of this film is very much a by the numbers script and while it has a lot of the right elements they fail to bring any depth to the story. While there are funny moments this is not what you would call a consistently funny film and most of the jokes are of the easy vulgar type. It helps that the film has a good cast and the special effects are decent but really this is still just an average film in the end.

3/5  

Two men enter, one man leaves

Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985)

Directed by George Miler and George Ogilive this film stars Mel Gibson, Tina Turner and Bruce Spence. Max gets caught up in the politics of a desert town then runs into a tribe of lost children.

Once again the plot of this film heavily features western archetypes in a post apocalyptic setting but the story does feel a little disjointed have two clear parts. The second half with the tribe of children does bring some humanity back to the protagonist but some of the savage/tribalistic nature of the children does feel like it might have slightly racist undertones. There are some good action sequences, especially the early fight sequence, and over all this is a entry in the franchise well worth watching.

4/5

Once Upon a Time in the Post-Apolcalypse

Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)

Directed by George Miller this sequel stars Mel Gibson, Bruce Spence and Emil Minty. Now a loner travelling the desert roads Max helps a small community escape a vicious gang.

Between films the setting has moved on from a crumbling society to full on post-apocalyptic and the plot fits in with a standard Western archetype. There is not much new in the basic story but the execution of the setting came to be definitive of 80s post-apocalyptic worlds. Probably the highlight is the action sequences which are much better thanks to the increase in budget and have some real scale to them.

4/5

Audience did not walk with me

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992)

Directed by David Lynch this follow up to the TV series Twin Peaks stars Sheryl Lee, Moira Kelly and Ray Wise. FBI agents investigate a murder while a high school girl lives out the final troubled week of her life.

To someone that has not seen the show the plot is a bit of a confusing mess and as someone that had seen the show previously it does seem like all the non Laura Palmer parts are superfluous. There is a really good film in here somewhere but I think it should have just focused on the last week of Laura Palmer's life as she struggles with the abuse she has suffered and the revelation of who her abuser is. The film fits in with the style but having to recast at least one part and use new locations or sets does take you out of the film a little if you have seen the series before.

2/5

The original Aussie road rage

Mad Max (1979)

Directed by George Miller this film stars Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel and Hugh Keays-Byrne. In the near future law and order is breaking down in Australia as Police take on biker gangs.

The plot of this film fits into a pretty standard heroes journey which does not really pull any surprises. Thematically there are some attempts to consider if people still need heroes and to what extent the hero must resort to the methods of the evil he is fighting. Obviously this film was made on a low budget and the dystopian setting does not always show through but otherwise the film is pretty well made.

4/5

Judge, Jury, Executioner

Dredd (2012)

Directed by Pete Travis this adaptation of the classic British comic book character stars Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, Wood Harris and Lena Headey. In a future US where crime runs rampant in massive urban cities and experienced law man takes a rookie out for assessment.

There is plenty of fun to be had with this film but it would be fair to say there is not a huge amount of depth beyond that. Bringing in a character to work along side Dredd does help the narrative and give some room for character growth that the title character can not really provide. The action sequences are probably the main draw here and the slow motion, drug induced sequences are clearly the highlight as they look excellent.

4/5

Knot unusual

The Knot (2012)

Directed by Jesse Lawrence this film stars Matthew McNulty, Talulah Riley, Noel Clarke and Mena Suvari. A couple go through a series of disasters on the day of their wedding.

As far as the plot of this film goes it is fairly standard fare with little new or insightful to say on the subject. There are some funny moments, largely of the gross out variety, but the film is not what you would call funny through out. One does have to wonder what Mena Suvari is doing turning up in this low budget British film but otherwise the cast and execution of the film are mostly unremarkable.

3/5

The usual arangements

When Harry Tries to Marry (2010)

Directed by Nayan Padrai this film stars Rahul Rai, Stefane Estes, Freishia Bomanbehram and Osvaldo Chavez. After the divorce of his parents love marriage an Indian-American seeks an arranged marriage.

Dealing with culture clashes can be a delicate subject and unfortunately this film goes for the superficial rather than anything serious. It is problematic to have a film about arranged marriage without looking at the implied darker side and instead focusing on simplistic moralising about the supposed superiority of Western ideas of love over Eastern. The cast are pretty much all unknowns who do the best they can with a weak and predictable script.

2/5

A view to getting replaced

A View to a Kill (1985)

Directed by John Glen this is the 14^th film in the Bond franchise and stars Roger Moore, Tanya Roberts, Grace Jones and Christopher Walken. After the discovery of a secret British microchip in Russian hands Bond is sent to investigate.

There are plenty of good reasons why this was Moore's last Bond film, his age may be the primary one but suffice to say this is not the strongest effort in the series. The plot is fairly average for the series but lacks iconic locations or action sequences. Grace Jones seems pretty much to be a terrible actress and the theme song is equally out of place.

2/5

You can say again again

Never Say Never Again (1983)

Directed by Irvin Kershner this unofficial Bond film stars Sean Connery, Kim Basinger, Klaus Brandauer amd Barbara Carrera. When two American nuclear missiles are stolen and NATO held to ransom 007 is put on the case.

Essentially this is a remake of Thunderball (1965) but the script manages to take out all the most impressive actions sequences from the original. Despite having a really good supporting cast and director this film managers to be weaker than the previous version in nearly every respect. Bringing back Connery was probably the only option for the producers going up against Moore in the official franchise but Connery is clearly showing his age here.

3/5

As empty as real politics

The Campaign (2012)

Directed by Jay Roach this film stars Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis, Jason Sudeikis and Katerine LaNasa. A long term incumbent congressman suddenly gets a new challenger in the form of a bungling corporate stooge.

While the political landscape in the US is wide open to satire the script of this film tends to be more interested in broad humour than biting satire. There are some moments with obvious real life parallels but these often come across as token efforts. Generally the film is not badly made and the cast are of a high enough quality that they can sleep walk through a film like this.

3/5

Bond goes to India

Octopussy (1983)

Directed by John Glen the 13^th film in the Bond franchise stars Roger Moore, Maud Adams, Louis Jourdan and Steven Berkoff. After 009 turns up dead it is up to 007 to investigate jewel smuggling and a nefarious Soviet plan.

The plot for this Bond film is fairly grounded but is pretty generic to 80s Cold War thrillers with a number featuring similar basic plots. As with many of the Moore films there are some tongue in cheek elements here but they do not get out of hand and do not seem drastically out of place with the tone of the film. By this point Moore was starting to seem a little old for the role but just about scrapes through here.

3/5

Bond back on planet Earth

For Your Eyes Only (1981)

Directed by John Glen this is the 12^th film in the Bond franchise and stars Roger Moore, Julian Glover, Carole Bouquet and Chaim Topol. After a secret British communications devise is lost off the coast of Greece Bond is called in to investigate.

This is a strange entry in the series in that it is pretty forgettable but more down to earth and sensible than some of the other films. Some of the actions sequences are a little long, without real story points driving them and the pre-title sequence is completely out of place which is strange given how willing the series has been to jettison stuff from the books in the past. Overall this is a much more grounded effort than it's predecessor and even has something approaching a dramatic theme which is vastly unusual in the series but still manages to be unremarkable.

3/5

Bond in spaaaaaaaaaaaaaace

Moonraker (1979)

Directed by Lewis Gilbert the 11^th film in the Bond franchise stars Roger Moore, Lois Chiles, Michael Lonsdale and Richard Kiel. After a space shuttle being transported to the UK goes missing 007 is put on the case.

The plot of this film does more than push the bounds of believability at times and some of the action sequences get down right silly. While the special effects for the film were nominated for an Oscar it is hard to find much else to like about this film. Even the theme song is one of the weakest in the franchise and marks this film as a real disappointment given it's direct predecessor.

2/5

Third time the charm

The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

Directed by Lewis Gilbert this 10^th entry in the Bond franchise stars Roger Moore, Barbara Bach, Curd Jurgens and Richard Kiel. With a British nuclear submarine missing Bond is put on the case and runs into a Russian agent on the same job.

After two weaker efforts Moore finally got a decent script to work with and this is possibly his best entry into the series. The plot stretches realism a little but this is the Bond franchise and Bond's Russian counter part provides a strong, capable female character which is a nice change in the series. Where the film does best in providing good production value in some great sets and two of the iconic action sequences of the series (the pre title ski sequence and the underwater car).

4/5

Scaramanga

The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)

Directed by Guy Hamilton the 9^th film in the series stars Roger Moore, Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland and Maud Adams. Bond travels to the far East to take on an assassin who views himself as the ultimate hit man.

The plot of this film has little in common with the novel it shares a name with and is fairly average but passable. There is some mileage to the premise of Bond facing off against his opposite and equal but this is not really capitalised on. While the previous film was heavily influenced by blaxploitation this film has an influence of kung fu films but manages to do so without the racist overtones of the previous film.

3/5

Moore Bond

Live and Let Die (1973)

Directed by Guy Hamilton this 8^th film in the Bond franchise is based on the novel of the same name and stars Roger Moore, Yaphet Kotto and Jane Seymour. Bond travels to the US to investigate the death of three British agents and a small Caribbean nation.

While the plot of this film (drug trafficking) is a little more down to earth than some Bond plots it fills the script with suspect racial stereotypes and the idea that a woman's power or magic is linked to her virginity is decidedly problematic. Moore's comedic characterisation of Bond is a departure from the more serious tone use by Connery which is fine but not necessarily to the taste of everyone. It is very easy to see the influence of blaxploitation on this film but it comes across very much as emulating rather than understanding the genre at times.

2/5

Shrooms and magic

A Field in England (2013)

Directed by Ben Wheatly this film stars Reece Shearsmith, Peter Ferdinando, Ryan Pope and Michael Smiley. During the English Civil War five men experience strange events of magic and hallucinations in a field.

To say this film is strange would be a little bit of an understatement, much like the characters the viewer is constantly at sea. While the unusual and confusing can be great I am not sure it works here as it never really resolves into anything of clarity. The direction of the film very much leans towards experimental film making and contrasts sharply with the period setting but does fit with the magical or tripping elements of the story.

4/5

Lust in the dust

Duel in the Sun (1946)

Directed by King Vidor this film based on the novel of the same name stars Jennifer Jones, Joseph cotton and Gregory Peck. An attractive half-native American girl moves to live on a Texas ranch and comes between two brothers.

At the time this film was released it was hugely controversial due to the sexual content which is beyond tame by modern standards. The plot covers racism, forbidden love and temptation pretty well highlighting the problems with older attitudes. As one of the early films to be made in colour the film is not without it's problems, occasionally the image quality is not the best but is fine most of the time.

4/5

A quantum of entertainment

Quantum of Solace (2008)

Directed by Marc Forster this 22^nd entry in the Bond franchise stars Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalric and Gemma Anderton. Following on from the events of the previous film Bond seeks revenge and gets caught up in an attempted coup in Bolivia.

The plot of this film never hits the hits of it's predecessor or successor but functions as an average entry into the series. Using Bolivia as the main location is a strange choice as the barren, poverty stricken country is pretty much the antithesis of a Bond location. When it comes to the direction the heavy use of flash cutting ruins nearly every action sequence making them a muddle at best.

3/5

Royale without cheese

Casino Royale (2006)

Directed by Martin Campbell this is the 21^st film in the Bond franchise and stars Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen and Judi Dench. Recently assigned double-0 status Bond hunts down a terrorist financier.

With the first outing for Craig as Bond the film series took a turn to the more series and darker side of the character that has not really been seen since Dalton and early Connery films. The script adds some character depth to the proceedings but does not really hit the heights of Skyfall (2012) or the Lazenby film. As with all Bond films there are some great locations and the early action sequence on a building site is the highlight in that respect, some of the poker scenes however live up to the tradition of Hollywood not really getting the game.

4/5

The Fault in Our Scripts

Now is Good (2012)

Directed by Ol Parker this adaptation based on the novel “Before I Die” stars Dakota Fanning, Jeremy Irvine, Paddy Considine and Olivia Williams. A 17 year old girl dying of leukaemia wants to fall in love before she dies, luckily the boy next door is available to fall in love at the drop of a hat.

It seems that this film mostly sticks to the plot of the novel on which it is based but the script largely fails to give the characters much depth. All of the more interesting characters only exist on the sidelines and are never explained while the plot does have a tendency towards clichés. Dakota Fanning gives a good performance in the lead role but otherwise there is not a huge amount to recommend this film on.

2/5

Best Bond of all time?

Skyfall (2012)

Directed by Sam Mendes the 23^rd film in the franchise stars Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench and Naomie Harris. After being presumed dead Bond returns to action when MI6 and M specifically come under attack.

This is probably the closest any film in the franchise since On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) has come to having any real heart to it and does a good job of exploring the Bond/M relationship. While this may be Bond for a new ear it still contains some of the trademarks of a classic Bond adventure as well as being the first film to actually delve into the past of the character. There is some great photography, especially early on and the only real criticisms of the film are that it might be a little too long.

5/5

BOOM

Bet Raise Fold (2013)

Directed by Ryan Firpo this documentary features in put from many of the top names in various areas of online poker. Three people become professional online poker players following the early 2000s boom only to get caught up in a massive government shut down of the industry.

What this film does well is put a human face and story on an industry that is often misunderstood by the larger public. There are some really insightful contributions from industry insiders as well as top name players that help flesh out the story. One area I think the film could have done a little better on is showing how online poker is just one example of the many fragile online industries that have risen up but otherwise this film is really worth watching.

4/5

Fair disclosure: I did get to see an earlier cut and know one of the producers

Franchise killer

X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

Directed by Brett Ratner this film features Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen, Fakme Janssen and Patrick Stewart. The surprising return of Jean Grey who died in the previous film and the discovery of a “cure” for mutants cause new problems for the X-men.

While this film continues in a similar vein to the previous instalments using the mutants as minority metaphor is weakened when our heroes use the cure to defeat Magneto as this pretty much under cuts the whole moral point of the story. It also does not help that nearly all character moments are sidelined, stuff like Cyclops getting killed off barely registered and Rogue who was central to the previous films is relegated to a bit part here. Most of the effects are well done and there is at least one great moment where Professor X and the Pheonix face off but otherwise this is largely spectacle over substance.

2/5