Movie: Downfall....

Rating: 8 out of 10

Related URL: IMDB Link

This Movie was lent to me by a good friend. It has become well known on the internet as a scene of it has been redone many times that I must have seen at least twenty different versions of it at this point.

The films is a tough watch but well worth it. It follows the last twelve days of Hitlers leading of the Third Reich at the end of the second world war as the allies close in on Berlin.

The film is shot in German and I watched it with English subtitles. The film is incredibly well acted and the art direction really makes you think it is a documentary you are watching. I am really Curious as to how close it is to the actual events that took place.

This is one of those films that you have to see once. A great film that everyone should see at least once. A fantastic period film. That though a tough watch is well worth it.

Movie: Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

Rating: 7 out of 10

Related URL: IMDB link

This is the forth Mission: Impossible film and is set a few months after the events of the first film.

The film starts with Ethan Hunt in prison where he is broken out as he is needed for a very important mission for the IMF. Unfortunately this mission goes wrong and the IMF is blamed for the bombing of the Kremlin. The team have to go rouge to try and clear their names.

In this forth outing for Tom Cruise in the roll of Ethan Hunt. Though It is not directed by JJ Abrams you can really feel that he was still involved. Even the Camera work really has an Abrams feel to it. (It is still done by JJ's Production Company Bad Robot)

Cruise one again does a good job in the roll but for me the thing that really made the movie was Simon Peg reprising his roll from the last film. Now a qualified field agent he brings some much needed Comedic Relief to the roll.

The Film has many locations all over the world many you can tell were chosen for how well they will look on camera more than how they will advance the story. The film though does not quite live up to the last instalment still has a great story and is a fun watch.

The film score really works well and ties the whole thing together.

A Fun Film worth watching especially if you are a fan of the other films.

Movie: Elf

Rating: 8 out of 10

Related URL: IMDB Link

This is one of those films that I did not watch when I first came out as I thought it looked almost painful from the trailer. But on a plane flight a few years ago I watched it as I had no choice as that was all that was on and it quickly became me of my favorite Christmas films.

The film follows buddy and orphan baby who sneakes into santas sack while a baby and get raised by elf's. Finally the day comes thirty years later when he finds out that he is not an elf but a human. He travels to new York to meet is real father (who just happens to be on the naughty list). But when Santa crashes in central park will buddy be able to fix santas slay and save Christmas.

Elf has a great cast, Wil Farrell plays the lead part as Buddy the Elf. He is joined by James Cahn and Zoe dechanell who both do great jobs in their rolls. The writing is fun and it is me of those films that you can watch again and again and again.

A great fun Christmas film for all the family. Well worth a watch

Movie: Sherlock Holmes 2: A Game Of Shadows

Rating: 8 out of 10

Related URL: IMDB link

The first Sherlock Holmes film quickly became one of my favorite movies of all time. I was very excited to see the second film to see if they could carry on the momentum.

The film is set a few months after the events of the first film. Watson is ready for his stag party but Holmes is completely obsessed with tracking down Morarty and stopping whatever evil plans he has.

All of the original cast return and they are joined by a few new characters. When the film started I was a little concerned as it did not seam to have anything new to offer. It was just more of the same and it felt it was not as well done. But by the time it got to the half way point all was forgiven and the conclusion of the film leaves you wanting so much more.

Guy richie uses the same style that he set up In the first film but to even greater effect in this one. The cast all really do great in their respective rolls and it is nice to see the Swedish actress Noomi Rapace from the millennium movies in the first roll I have seen her in in a big budget Hollywood picture.

Well worth a watch, but make sure you have seen the first film before you watch it.

Movie: Valkyrie

Rating: 8 out of 10

Related URL: IMDB link

This is one of those films that really interested me when it came out but I never did get around to seeing at the time. I just watched it on DVD and I really enjoyed the film.

The film follows the true story of a plot by members of the Natzi party to assassinate Hitler in an attempt to end the war. It Centres around Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg a wounded Nazi officer who along with a group of conspirators attempt to kill Hitler with a bomb hidden in a briefcase at a briefing.

Since the movie is based on actual events you know (unless you live under  a rock) that the plot fails. I really wondered before watching it how they would draw you in considering you knew the outcome before the titles rolled. But the film makers do a great job. I am not sure how close the film is to fact. But if it is true I really had no idea how close the plot came to working.

The film has one of the best group of character actors all together in one place including the likes of Bill Nighy, Terence Stamp, Tom Wilkinson, Kenneth Branagh and Eddie Izzard. The lead roll was cast with Tom Cruise. Out of the whole cast he was the weakest however that is not to say he was bad in the roll. He just had a lot to live up too. Cruise did a good job of portraying the conflicted officer at the centre of the conspiracy.

What really makes the film come alive not including the wonderful acting is the fantastic work that was done on the costumes, sets and props. They really did not miss a singe detail. This really helps sell the film and make you believe you are watching actual events.

Over all the film is a great watch and is well worth watching. A great Historical drama.

Movie: Puss In Boots

Rating: 5 out of 10

Related URL: IMDB link

I love the Shrek Movies ever since the first one. One of my favourite characters from the franchise is Puss in boots. Though the character was not introduced until the second film it is by far my favourite. So when they announced he was getting his own spin off film I was quite excited.

The film is set before the events of Shrek2 I think. Though it is never made quite clear. It follows Puss as a young child and the events that made him a notorious thief. The adventure includes one of the Shrek staples witch is lots of different farytale characters.

The film has some great names voicing the characters, Antonio Banderas returns as the voice of Puss. He is joined my many great actors including Billy Bob Thornton and Selma Hayek.

The film however was a bit of a let down. Though the animation and voice acting were both excellent the film did not capture the magic of the Shrek films. The story was weak and was missing most of the little touches that really made Shrek fun for both adults and children alike. Though I do think kids will like this film as it has a lot of action and fun characters, For adults it is really lacking.

Not up the standard of the Shrek films. May be worth waiting for this one to end up on TV before watching.

Movie: The Day The Earth Stood Still

Rating: 1 out of 10

Related URL: IMDB link

This remake of the classic 1951 film does not hold a candle to the original. The original film was truly spellbinding and is even to this day.

The film opens with a number of scientists being whisked away to try and find out how to deal with an incoming asteroid that is going to hit the earth. However they soon realize that it is not an asteroid but a strange sphere that lands in central park. The military's first reaction is to shoot at it. Which of course is not the best idea.

The Original is a great anti war and anti nuclear parable that really makes you stop and think even today watching it years after the fact. This remake changes it to be an environmental message. However it really does not have the same impact. The original was fantastical acted and well done. This film casts Keanu Reeves as the visiting alien which really does not seam to work. Though a lot of people are negative about Reeves I do think he works well in the right kind of roll. However this roll just was not a good fit for his style.

The Directed is boring as is the story. Though the film does have some nice special effects I have seen a lot better before.

Over all this film is a let down. If you want to watch it do yourself a favour and watch the 1951 film instead.

Movie: Kung Fu Panda 2

Rating: 3 out of 10

Related URL: IMDB link

Po and the rest of the characters you loved from the first film are back in a new adventure. But I really have to ask Why?I quite enjoyed the first film. It was a fun family film. But just because a film does well and makes a lot of money does not mean that it needs a sequel (think the terrible matrix sequels). This is just the case with this film.

The film Once again follows Po the dragon warrior who finds that he has to save Kung-fu from a new devastating weapon that may change the world for ever. Along the way he tries to discover his origins and where he really came from

The first film was a great complete story. It had a beginning a middle and and end. This film right from the beginning feels like it is struggling to use the characters.

Though the voice cast do as good a job as they did in the first film and in this they are joined by Gary Oldmen as the Evil Peacock. Though is really makes the character his own. They story is still lacking.

One nice touch is they add a number of dream sequences to the film as Po remembers his childhood. These have a very different style (they are 2d instead) to the rest of the film and because of which they really stand out. This was one touch I really did like in the film

A fun film that tries to recapture the magic of the first film but fails at it.

Movie: The Departed

Rating: 9 out of 10

Related URL: IMDB link

Re-watched this film yesterday and  was quite surprised to find I had not written a review of this film back when I originally watched it.

I firmly believe this could be Scorsese's best films in my opinion. This film deals with two men both undercover in one way or another. The first is a State Trouper deep undercover with the Boston mob the other is a State detective who is really working for the mob and protecting their interests.

This gritty crime drama is a great film though it is a little tough to watch. However it is well worth the time.

The film has one of the best ensemble casts that I have seen in many years including Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon and Mark Wahlberg amongst others. But once again it is Leonardo DiCaprio's portrayal that steals the show. I really have to say that he has become one of my favourite actors as time has gone on. He is truly one of the greats.

The film is very well written and the direction is just fantastic. Even though it is quite a long film the story sucks you in so it really does not feel like it. The time passes quickly and before you know it the film is over and you are left wanting more.

A Fantastic film that while it may be a little violent for some is well worth a watch

Movie: The Three Musketeers

Rating: 7 out of 10

Related URL: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1509767/

This film got my attention from the moment I saw the trailer. An updated re-imagining of the classic tale.

The film follows a young man named D'Artagnan who travels to paris to try and join the Musketeers, The French Kings elite operatives. When he arrives he finds that the Musketeers have been as much as shut down.

The movie tries to do for the Three Musketeers what Guy Richie did for Sherlock Holmes. The Movie uses modern dialog and a fast motion style.

The film Is a little hit or miss. The cast were fantastic in their rolls the Direction was slick and the 3D was some of the best I have seen. The film really did a great job of modernizing the story. Though it really did feel that it was trying a little too hard to be like Sherlock Holmes and did not try to do it on its own.

One thing that i think did not work was the Dialog they used modern terms which just did not seem to fit. For example someones outfit is described as "Retro". Little things like this just did not work the way they were intended.

On the whole an enjoyable film that tired a little to hard to replicate the success of sherlock when it could have been a great film in its own right.