Hold off on the Nolan box set....

If you, like me, think that Christopher Nolan has the midas touch when it comes to the big screen, then this could be good news.

In the void following the release of the last of the Dark Knight Trilogy, all eyes (ears, and digital equivalent) have been on what direction Nolan will take next.  And it looks like we might not have to wait long to find out.

Interstellar, a time travelling, sic-fi epic penned by his brother Jonathan may well be next on his list.  Originally tipped to have Spielberg at the helm, rumours are rife that the recent 'indefinite' postponement of Robopocalypse may have caused Nolan to make a move on this project before Spielberg officially put his name to it.

Let's hope there's more to follow on this soon.

Ringing in the New Year....

....the wrong way!

During the latter part of 2012, I had the opportunity to watch a reasonable amount of good films including Seven Psychopaths, The Hobbit, Argo, and even Jack Reacher.  Overall, 2012 was a great year for film in my opinion, so towards the end I got a little frustrated that I didn't have more chance to blog about the films I was watching.  It was during time spent reviewing the films that I had been to see most recently, that the picture above becomes relevant.  I was idly scanning the movies listings to see if there was anything on worth watching.  Now you might argue that Underworld: Awakening (don't forget the colon), is not worth watching, but I have to admit a soft spot for the first two films of the franchise.  I'm also entertained by the way Len Wiseman parades his wife Kate Beckinsale around in his films, and fair play to the guy, who wouldn't?

So last night, I found myself watching this fourth instalment to the franchise, and I was disappointed.  With the return of Beckinsale, and the potential for Charles Dance to add a Bill Nighy style gravitas to proceedings, I was hoping for more.  I felt nothing for any of the characters, the story was throw away, and came to no real conclusion.  The final shot, panning out from the roof top where the characters are standing, with Kate spewing forth a monologue about the war not being over, was cringe worthy.  I'm sure that the intention was to leave the door open for future Underworld films, if they decide the horse hasn't been flogged enough later down the line.

Imagine my shock then, to find out that it was the most successful Underworld at the box office.  I appreciate that the first film was poorly received, and relied on a slow burning cult following to open the door for a second.  But for it to be pulling in bigger crowds 4 films down the line, I do find a surprise.  Even as an unlimited cinema card holder, this would be at the bottom of any potential watch list I might have.  It opened alongside Red Tails, Haywire, and Coriolanus, all of which I would have rather seen at the cinema, and it took more at the box office than the 3 of them combined!

I suppose the silver lining to this cloud is that there's always the chance that we'll see Kate don that infamous skin tight outfit once more.

Welcome home, James Bond...

Skyfall is currently breaking UK Box Office records left, right and centre, and after watching the latest release commemorating 50 years of Bond (starting with Dr. No in 1962), I think it's easy to see why.

Shortly after watching the film, I went around asking people, "Which James Bond did you grow up with?".  I was shocked at the realisation that I now found myself in an older generation who answered Roger Moore, or even Sean Connery.  The majority now answer Pierce Brosnan, some will noe even answer Daniel Craig.  I believe your answer to this question will have an effect on how you view and appreciate the film, unless you are a big Bond fan who has gone back to watch all the previous films.

Pierce Brosnan's Bond had the charm, the swagger, and the gadgets.  Everything from laser watches, to exploding pens.  The one thing he lacked was any sense of peril.  No matter what the situation, Pierce Brosnan's Bond never had us concerned, just impatient to get to the bit where he mounted his escape and stuff started to explode.  This was the end of a progression that saw Bond use his quick wit and whatever was to hand less (a strand of hair across a door in Dr. No), and flashy gadgets that seemed tailor made for a situation that he seemingly accidentally found himself in, more (think laser watch escape from train in GoldenEye).

Then in steps Daniel Craig as Bond in Casino Royale, and the cycle is broken.  Bond is the more physical and violent character that we read about in the books, complete with brutal fight scenes and, the then in vogue, free running.  But more importantly Craig's Bond is only human, we see him fall in love and have his heart broken, as well as tortured and hospitalised.  An on screen process that makes you feel that you're there for the creation of the ice cool veneer that is synonymous with James Bond.  The only element that was missing from Casino Royale was the bad guy.  Mads Mikkelsen plays an excellent part, but he isn't the classic Bond villain.  There's a bigger shadowy element moving behind the scenes, a corporation of evil that runs through both Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace.  A great idea given the economic and political landscape of the times, but not very Bond.

That brings us to Skyfall (and some SPOILERS).  Here we have a classic return of the Bond villain in Javier Bardem's Silva.  He gives a stand out performance, with a character who is camp but dangerous, tongue in cheek but can still be taken seriously.  Most importantly, he has the smarts to stand toe to toe with the good guys (and they don't give a white cat to cradle in his arms during his opening monologue).

The most important, and for me, best aspect of Skyfall is the breaking and rebuilding of Bond throughout the course of the film.  Those responsible for Die Another Day, watch carefully, and take note.  If Casino Royale exposed Bond's underbelly, Skyfall creates a genuine doubt as to whether Bond can recover fully.  This is helped throughout by references to Bond being an old school player in a new age where technology trumps fieldcraft.  Whether it's the direct question posed by Mallory, or the scene between Q and Bond in the gallery.  The rebuilding is successful however, due to Bond's successful capture of the more tech savvy Silva using nothing but a radio, and the later set piece in Skyfall house.  Here we see Bond fend of Silva and his goons using low tech booby traps using whatever is at hand.  Giving us a new take on the light bulb that you're unlikely to see on 60 Minute Makeover any time soon.

Whilst the ending sees the passing of Judi Dench's M, the credits roll with a new M in the shape of Mallory, the return of Q and Miss Moneypenny, and everything set for Bond to return in a completely new adventure (no sign of a Quantum of Solace-esque follow on.... phew).  It's only when the credits roll, however, that I understood the majesty of what had been achieved by Skyfall.  A 50 year old character, played by 8 different actors, has been successfully relaunched into a new age, with a band new generation as it's audience.

Bring on number 24....

5 Live Octoberfest

Last week, between the 11th and 13th October, BBC Radio 5 Live put on a number of live shows in Sheffield.  Until a week before, I knew nothing about it, when a friend from work announced he had a spare ticket and would I like to go.  The ticket in question was for Kermode and Mayo's Film Review show, it was like Christmas had come early.

The event took place at the Crucible Theatre, of which I had only seen during televised footage of the snooker.  It was a simple set up, and whilst I don't know what I expected to happen, it quickly became apparent that they were doing their usual radio spot live in front of us.  Part of that included the Top 10 Review, so to make use of the live audience they asked for volunteers to provide their thoughts on any of the Top 10 they had seen.  Some did their contribution as part of a pair, and I felt very sorry for the gentleman who followed the first lady to speak reviewing Looper.  It was a fantastic one line review, that I personally wouldn't have tried to follow.

I was really taken aback by the relaxed approach to the whole event.  I never imagined live radio broadcasting to be the most stressful of activities, but Kermode and Mayo were amiable and talkative between segments, with Kermode even taking the time to sign autographs and pose for photographs.

The best part of the event had to be the interview with Mark Herbert of Warp Films.  Ever since watching Dead Man's Shoes, I have been a fan of Paddy Considine and Shane Meadows.  Only later to find that Warp Films played a huge part in a great many projects involving the two.  For those unfamiliar with the work of any of the above, check out:

www.warpfilms10.com

It gives a great overview of what these guys have achieved and created, as well as details of Warp Films 10th anniversary celebratory event.  They are screening Dead Man's Shoes at the Magna Centre in Rotherham, with those involved in the original score, and guests, re-imagining the soundtrack live whilst the screening takes place.  Along with a host of other screenings and music events, £20 is a steal.  It's an early bird price, and with the event taking place on November 17th they probably won't be around much longer.

Check out the podcast of Kermode and Mayo's live event here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/kermode

Looper packs a punch...

Heading in to see Looper, I had made an effort to not look further than the theatrical trailers for information about what was in store for me.  Undoubtedly there was not much more to find out at that point, but I had a good feeling about Looper being something special, so I didn't want to take any chances.

One thing I was aware of, was the talk surrounding Joseph Gordon Levitt's prosthetics and attempt to mimic Bruce Willis.  The talk seemed to turn to ridicule in some instances.  I fully believe it enhances JGL's performance, and really adds that 'younger Bruce Willis' element.  JGL does a great job of his expressions and speech patterns as well.

Whilst they have great material to go on with the story, Bruce, JGL, and Emily play brilliant parts (Emily's character Sara has a fabulously dirty mouth).  But the performance that had me on the edge of my seat was that of Pierce Gagnon, the child playing Cid, Son of Emily's character Sara.  He has great comedy timing, is freakishly natural in front of the camera, and really nails some emotionally charged scenes.

The film starts, sets the scene, introducing the Loopers in a near future world, who act on behalf of those in a future 30 years further on.  There are some great touches to this not so distant future, solar powered cars (where cars are used and battered with solar panels crudely attached to them), and over crowding from increased population to name a few.  But the best thing it does here is not dwell on, or over think, time travel.  You know the bare minimum, even during dialogue between the 2 Joes (JGL and Bruce), this way it doesn't become a thread to pick at, distracting you from the main story.  It's illegal, and used only by criminals for the purposes of getting rid of people, this is then where the Loopers come in.

Then, once the stage is set, and the film gets in to it's rhythm, I thought for a brief moment that it was going to end by the numbers and predictable.  All this Twitter hype for the few days previous would have been just that...hype.

Then something quite remarkable happened, and it was like being punched in the face by the fist of awesomeness.

To start with, I thought the film had come to a rather abrupt and premature end.  Then, I realised that I'd been hit with the twist.  But even after that, after the credits, walking out of the cinema, and even on the drive home, the sheer brilliance of what I'd just seen was still sinking in.  So many different aspects of the relationships between people are examined during the course of the film, not least between the different incarnations of Joe, and it's only with the final twist that it all gets brought together.

A great tonic to the fast paced, explosion fest, blockbusters of the summer, Looper is a film that I will enjoy watching the second time just as much as I did the first.

It's Judgement time!...

On July 21st 1995, a dark shadow was cast across the world, a vile taint in the form of Judge Dredd starring Sylvester Stallone.  Many people have spent many an hour lamenting the many failings of this film, for me it saw the ruination of a comic book legend.

The removal of Dredd's helmet has to be by far the biggest error in the film.  The reasoning that they wanted to humanise the character is laughable.  Dredd is the law, unyielding, unsympathetic, hard.  He doesn't do sentiment or romance.
Rob Schneider creates 'the sidekick'.  A character we will have to endure forever more.  For those who haven't seen it, think Shia LaBeouf in I, Robot or Constantine.  Thanks Rob....thanks a lot.

17 years, 1 month and 17 days later.....

(that's a long time by the way)

Dredd is back on our screens, under the guise of Karl Urban.  Needless to say I was very excited about this, and whilst for previous big releases (Avengers Assemble for example) I have been nervous about how good a job will have been done, this time I was not.  Nothing could be worse than the Dredd of 1995, and the wait was finally over to have something to replace it.

The film is spectacular.  Action packed, dark, gruesome, unapologetically brutal, and fun throughout.  When leaving the cinema my first thought was how well it worked as a complete and self contained film.  Whilst Alex Garland (screen writer) has gone on record saying that they have worked on, and would like to do multiple films, nothing was left in reserve.  No 'you're going to have to wait until next time' bits.  That is the stand out point of this film that makes it not just good, but great.

***Here come the SPOILERS***

They do this with the angle of it just being another day in Mega City One.  Just a day on patrol for the Judges.  It just so happens on this day they run in to Ma Ma Madrigal and a Mega Block full of drug crazed cronies.  The main elements are introduced, The Cursed Earth, Mega City One, The Hall of Justice, Dredd, Anderson, and then their day unfolds.  There is no drawn out attempt to give needless back story to try and score points with the fans, they just get down to business.

Then they walk away.  Maybe for another day, maybe not.  I hope they do, but that's because I'm a huge fan.  But not because I need a sequel to explain some part of the film, or fill in any blanks.

Then there's Dredd the character.  First of all, bravo Karl Urban.  The man is a hero and a legend.  Through his portrayal of Dredd, we get one of the best realisations of a comic book that has ever been released.  The biggest compliment that I could pay to Karl is that he does such a good job, it could be anyone under that helmet.  You get 100% Dredd.  No bullshit, no softening of the edges, no sentiment, and definitely no romance.  Karl Urban's Dredd kicks ass, dispenses justice, and delivers great one liners.  All with the signature grimace.

Even walking out of Peach Trees at the end of the film, ragged, shot and bloody, all Dredd has to say about the experience is "the perps were uncooperative".

Bad....ass.....

Dredd was always going to get a small fanfare in the UK cinemas.  When I went to see it on opening weekend it was only on one of the cinema's smaller screens.  Unfortunately, it has had an equally poor reception in the US.  Having only has a modest $50 Million budget, it has only grossed $10 Million (ish) worldwide at the cinema so far.  I sincerely hope that things pick up, and it also has a surge once it gets it's DVD/BluRay release.  We need more films like this.

Whether you have seen Dredd yet or not.  Spread the word.  This is a great film, a type of which you very rarely see at the cinema anymore.  Great, solid, action packed and fun throughout, and aimed unapologetically at adults.  We need to get behind it.

WATCH IT....THEN TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW ABOUT IT!

The curse of 2 step verification...

Like millions of others last weekend, I was like a kid at Christmas with my new iPhone.  Due to my complete lack of patience, I started a new number, abandoning my previous number of several years.  I'd only just stopped getting phone calls for someone named Pete!  From what I could gather from my many conversations he was an electrician who worked in and around the South Yorkshire area.

So I get my new phone up and running, and I start using my email app to find I'm prompted for my email password to my Gmail account.  I enter it.  Nothing.  I go online and try to log in from the website, and I'm informed that a verification code has been text to my old number.

Oh yeah, I set up 2 step verification.....bugger.

Not a problem, I'll just put my old sim into my new phone, and....ah....nano sim, not micro sim.

Still no problem, 6 years in the mobile industry, sim cards are easy to change.  Go into the shop, buy a sim, and I'm told all it takes is a phone call to connect it.  That seems reasonable, no sense in the advisor wasting their time when I can make the phone call myself.  15 minutes on hold, give them all my details, and....we can't change your sim like that.  We have to send you a sim in the post, ok, I'll roll with it.  Get them sim in the post, now it's time to rock and roll.  Nope, I have to activate online....then wait up to 48 hours.

2 step verification....removed.

I wouldn't mind so much, but during this time, I've seen Dredd and by god do I want to blog about it!

So now I'm back in the land of the technological living, I think it goes without saying that my next post will be about Dredd.