Mr Cineworld: part 1
In late July 2012, i decided it was about time i invested in a CineWorld Unlimited card. £14.99 a month (now £15.90) to see as many films as possible within that month. I seen this as a challenge and began to get my moneys worth, and then some. This is the list of films i have seen up till now and i will continue to add as i continue to see more. *(R)= I have reviewed this film and you can find my take on them in My Reviews.
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- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsChristian BaleTom HardyAnne HathawayEight years after the Joker's reign of chaos, Batman is coerced out of exile with the assistance of the mysterious Selina Kyle in order to defend Gotham City from the vicious guerrilla terrorist Bane.After a strong start to the trilogy with "Batman Begins", then a masterful sequel in "The Dark Knight", i was eagerly anticipating the final part of Christopher Nolan's enthralling take on the Caped Crusader.
It is an outstanding film and doesn't let it's predecessor overshadow it. The action is amazing, and the story builds to a spine tingling climax.
Everything works and you can't help but feel a sense of satisfaction in what is a magnificent trilogy of films based on the Batman. Bale continues to excel as Bruce Wayne and his alter ego , Tom Hardy has a solid performance as the Mercenary Bane and the rest of the cast follow suit. It may not stand up to the enigma that is "The Dark Knight", but it without question stands on its own as a classic.
A perfect start to life as an Unlimited card holder.... - DirectorTony GilroyStarsJeremy RennerRachel WeiszEdward NortonAn expansion of the universe from Robert Ludlum's novels, centered on a new hero whose stakes have been triggered by the events of the previous three films.Now if "The Dark knight Rises" was somewhat of a revelation, then this was a massive kick to the testicles. The Bourne movies are cult classics; packed with its own unique action scenes and nail biting chase sequences it developed a massive following and unfortunately the Hollywood Bigwigs just couldn't stop themselves from trying to cash in one more time. It should have been left unscathed; the trilogy had been done and done extremely well.
But no, they ironically name the 4th installment Legacy when all it did was tarnish the original films legacy. Yes it has some good action and good actors such as Jeremy Renner and Edward Norton, but the plot is nonsensical and completely unnecessary.I felt sorry for the actors being misused and basically being lambs to the slaughter because doing a Bourne film without Bourne is idiotic. Why not continue the trend and make the next Bond film be about somebody else and not even have Bond make an appearance. Very disappointing. - DirectorSimon WestStarsSylvester StalloneLiam HemsworthRandy CoutureMr. Church reunites the Expendables for what should be an easy paycheck, but when one of their men is murdered on the job, their quest for revenge puts them deep in enemy territory and up against an unexpected threat.It is your run of the mill action movie. Explosions at a whim, deaths every 3 seconds, big guns, ridiculously big guns and outlandish scenarios, but hey it works.
It nourishes any need for nostalgia with Stallone, Arnie, Willis, Chuck Norris and JCVD all making appearances. I really enjoyed Van Damme as the villain; makes a nice change and after seemingly disappearing into irrelevance it was good to see him back in a big film.
It is what it is; nevertheless a good movie. - DirectorLen WisemanStarsColin FarrellBokeem WoodbineBryan CranstonA factory worker, Douglas Quaid, begins to suspect that he is a spy after visiting Rekall - a company that provides its clients with implanted fake memories of a life they would like to have led - goes wrong and he finds himself on the run.Ever since it was announced that there was going to be a remake of a classic, it was bound to be compared to the excellent original. I, however tried to enjoy it for being its own film and tried to distant my mindset away from the 1990 version.
I enjoyed it, the action was great and i was on the edge of my seat for parts of it. There are similarities to the original you can't help but hone in on and associate with, but it still manages to have it's own style and differs a lot from it. It does well to stand on it's own as an individual film and it is a really good movie. - DirectorAkiva SchafferStarsBen StillerVince VaughnJonah HillFour men who form a neighborhood watch group as a way to get out of their day-to-day family routines find themselves defending the Earth from an alien invasion.Decent comedy and it was always going to be. Stiller is his usual uncomfortable character, Vaughn is the exuberant one, the excellent Jonah Hill is the rebellious self proclaimed law enforcer and Richard Ayoade bursts on to the Hollywood scene with a brilliant performance. All are funny in the film and the plot is entertaining. It's nothing special but it is a good film with some laugh out loud moments.
- DirectorMark AndrewsBrenda ChapmanSteve PurcellStarsKelly MacdonaldBilly ConnollyEmma ThompsonDetermined to make her own path in life, Princess Merida defies a custom that brings chaos to her kingdom. Granted one wish, Merida must rely on her bravery and her archery skills to undo a beastly curse.When it comes to animation films, i just can't seem to enjoy them as much as i would like to, but there's no doubt this is a good film. The visuals are stunning and the "banter" is funny at times and very witty. It of course is very unique as it is based in the hills of Scotland, though it still has the basis of a popular fairytale story. Enjoyable film.
- DirectorJohn HillcoatStarsTom HardyShia LaBeoufGuy PearceSet in Depression-era Franklin County, Virginia, a trio of bootlegging brothers are threatened by a new special deputy and other authorities angling for a cut of their profits.When i looked at the cast i couldn't help but expect a great film; Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Guy Pearce, Jessica Chastain, Dane Dehaan; a mixture of experienced, in form and up and coming stars. And while it did meet my initial expectations it just seemed like it was missing something. Maybe it was missing Gary Oldman as he was only in it for around 10 minutes, maybe Shia Labeouf just wasn't the right man for the lead role. I can't quite put my finger on it but by the end i was left unfulfilled. Potential to be a classic but ended up just being great.
- DirectorSean AndersStarsAdam SandlerAndy SambergLeighton MeesterWhile in his teens, Donny fathered a son, Todd, and raised him as a single parent until Todd's 18th birthday. Now Donny resurfaces just before Todd's wedding after years apart, sending the groom-to-be's world crashing down.What has happened to Adam Sandler? Where has his creativity gone? His flare for comedy? His likability? He is becoming a major nuisance; Now Grown Ups could be forgiven as a glitch in his career, a bad apple. But then comes Jack and Jill; now i think maybe an intervention should have been initiated, but no, he then stars in this. Now even if we take that bemusing "Boston accent" and ignore it (if possible) and focus on the film, it is still garbage. Andy Samberg play the role he has to play and Sandler's role makes his look like an Oscar worthy one. I might have succumb to a few laughs, but that's it.
- DirectorFrank HarperStarsCharles DanceCraig FairbrassVincent ReganFollows two infamous London gangsters, Mickey Mannock and Ray Collishaw. Both men are top of the food chain when their world is turned upside down as they lose a shipment of the Russian Mafia's cocaine.(R)
- DirectorPete TravisStarsKarl UrbanOlivia ThirlbyLena HeadeyIn a violent, futuristic city where the police have the authority to act as judge, jury and executioner, a cop teams with a trainee to take down a gang that deals the reality-altering drug, SLO-MO.When it comes to remakes the odds are it will fail to live up to the original; remakes have been doomed to fail and 90% of them do, but every now and then there will be one that surpasses it. Dredd is one of those, but in all fairness the 1995 version was very poor. But credit has to go to Pete Travis for taking a great character in Judge Dredd and giving it the film it deserved. It was packed with action and the set up of the film was excellent. Almost "Big Boss" like having to climb the levels; becoming more and more difficult. The film builds to a great culmination and leaves you wanting more. Would love to see a sequel.
- DirectorDavid KoeppStarsJoseph Gordon-LevittMichael ShannonDania RamirezIn Manhattan, a bike messenger picks up an envelope that attracts the interest of a dirty cop, who pursues the cyclist throughout the city.Not much to this film; has its own unique vibe to it however with the dangerous cycling scenes and stunts throughout. A decent film with good performances by all. But as my description shows, there's not a lot to say.
- DirectorOle BornedalStarsNatasha CalisJeffrey Dean MorganKyra SedgwickA young girl buys an antique box at a yard sale, unaware that inside the collectible lives a malicious ancient spirit. The girl's father teams with his ex-wife to find a way to end the curse upon their child.Family? Check....... Big new empty house? Check....... Innocent little girl? Check....... Doomed artifact? Check...... Unexplainable events? Check.....One worried parent, one annoyingly in denial? Check.........More unexplainable, yet explainable, but parent still in denial events? CHECK........A priest/rabai? Check......... An exorcism(of sorts)? Check....... Just watch the Exorcist; it's a million times better than this wannabe.
- DirectorOliver StoneStarsAaron Taylor-JohnsonTaylor KitschBlake LivelyPot growers Ben and Chon face off against the Mexican drug cartel who kidnapped their shared girlfriend.Benicio Del Toro was excellent as the brutal Lado, but that's about it. The film is ok, the acting from everyone else is ok, the plot is ok and by the end it would be appropriate to rename the film, Anti-Climax.
- DirectorAndrew DominikStarsBrad PittRay LiottaRichard JenkinsJackie Cogan is an enforcer hired to restore order after three dumb guys rob a Mob protected card game, causing the local criminal economy to collapse.I really enjoyed this one; not a lot of people i know did, but i thought it was brilliant. With the story you would maybe be expecting a fast paced tale of retribution with lots of shooting and killing. But you get a more realistic and believable insight into what a mob killing may be like. And for that i was grateful; refreshing.
Brad Pitt isn't exactly the greatest actor in the world; he struggles when it comes to showing emotions, so when he is in a role where emotion is almost obsolete he fairs a lot better. He is perfect for the role; he has that unemotional face that you would imagine would be replicated by an assassin of sorts.
What is great about it is the fact in focuses on the characters more than the story; the deteriorating alcoholic hitman Mickey played well by the late James Gandolfini. The aspiring, yet wary Scoot McNairy who plays the money thirsty Frankie. Ray Liotta in such a fragile role as Markie was different. You associate him with the ruthless Henry in Goodfellas. Each actor has their own story to portray and they all do it well. It's a smooth, slick, cool mob film, and the best i've seen since the likes of Goodfellas and Casino. - DirectorChris ButlerSam FellStarsKodi Smit-McPheeAnna KendrickChristopher Mintz-PlasseA misunderstood boy takes on ghosts, zombies and grown-ups to save his town from a centuries-old curse.A very different type of animation; choosing to go with death and ghosts rather than fairytales which is commendable and it works very well. Despite it's morbid theme it is actually very funny and the story is very entertaining. Good film.
- DirectorNick LoveStarsRay WinstonePlan BHayley AtwellA hardened detective in the Flying Squad of London's Metropolitan police. Based on the '70s UK TV show.This film bored me to tears. They tried throwing action and suspense into it, but it just left me yawning. They tried twists and turns whilst i struggled to keep my eyes open. It was predictable, and the acting left me uncomfortable at times as it was so unconvincing. Plan B must've been his namesake because if he was first choice then something is wrong with the world.
- DirectorDavid BetonJames NunnStarsSheridan SmithJamie Thomas KingJack O'ConnellSeveral months after witnessing a murder, residents of Tower Block 31 find themselves being picked off by a sniper, pitting those lucky enough to be alive into a battle for survival.This one was a real surprise. Went in with small expectations; after seeing "St Georges Day" and the above ^ borefest, it just didn't pave well for British films as of late, but Tower Block changed that. Filmed almost entirely in one floor of a soon to be destroyed block of flats and it just worked. The acting was lifelike to some personalities that live and some that plague the streets of the UK. It has intensity and had you guessing throughout. Great British film.
- DirectorJay RoachStarsWill FerrellZach GalifianakisJason SudeikisAn incumbent Representative embroiled in personal scandal faces a no-holds-barred challenge from a naive newcomer funded by two unscrupulous billionaire lobbyist brothers.Two of the most ignited comedy actors in the past 3/4 years. Will Ferrel portraying some of the greatest characters in recent memory. And Zach Galifianakis who of course blossomed after his role as Alan in The Hangover. These two where on fire coming into this film and expectations where high. This was maybe why it didn't live up to the hype. It was very funny in parts, but very dull in others. And it was that inconsistency that led to it being below par in terms of comedies. Still, was nice to see both in the same film and hopefully they contribute their talents to a much better one in the near future.
- DirectorRian JohnsonStarsJoseph Gordon-LevittBruce WillisEmily BluntIn 2074, when the mob wants to get rid of someone, the target is sent into the past, where a hired gun awaits - someone like Joe - who one day learns the mob wants to 'close the loop' by sending back Joe's future self for assassination.
- DirectorOlivier NakacheÉric ToledanoStarsFrançois CluzetOmar SyAnne Le NyAfter he becomes a quadriplegic from a paragliding accident, an aristocrat hires a young man from the projects to be his caregiver.
- DirectorDavid FrankelStarsMeryl StreepTommy Lee JonesSteve CarellAfter thirty years of marriage, a middle-aged couple attends an intense, week-long counseling session to work on their relationship.Very average film and not being at that age yet i can't exactly relate to the issues at hand. But as both Tommy Lee Jones and Meryl Streep are very good at what they do, they contribute their great acting skills and try lighten up what, at points, can be a dull film. Definitely a film for older people but still fairly enjoyable.
- DirectorOlivier MegatonStarsLiam NeesonFamke JanssenMaggie GraceIn Istanbul, retired CIA operative Bryan Mills and his wife are taken hostage by the father of a kidnapper Mills killed while rescuing his daughter.Taken was a massive hit and with such success brings demand. I wish it didn't in this case. This was making a sequel for the sakes of it; for the money. Not because it needed one, but because they knew they could get a easy pay. I mean who wouldn't pay to see what happens next? Who does he threaten down the phone this time? And why not? Nothing wrong with supplying to demand, but at least write a good script, have a good story, try and match the intensity of the first film. They did none of that, it was lazy and basically a disaster of a sequel. See it should have ended with the first film;it made sense to end it there. So when the unnecessary retribution makes its way to Istanbul there's only a couple of ways it can go. Either they regurgitate the same stuff from the first or they have a new hero. They choose a new hero in Maggie Grace as Kim,his daughter. And it's beyond unrealistic; going from a crying mess to a cool and calm rogue;it's ridiculous. It's one of the biggest disappointments in recent times.
- DirectorScott DerricksonStarsEthan HawkeJuliet RylanceJames RansoneA controversial true-crime writer finds a box of Super 8 home movies in his new home, revealing that the murder case he is currently researching could be the work of an unknown serial killer whose legacy dates back to the 1960s.
- DirectorJonathan DaytonValerie FarisStarsPaul DanoZoe KazanAnnette BeningA novelist struggling with writer's block finds romance in a most unusual way: by creating a female character he thinks will love him, then willing her into existence.
- DirectorDavid PalmerDax ShepardStarsDax ShepardKristen BellBradley CooperFormer getaway driver Charles Bronson jeopardizes his Witness Protection Plan identity in order to help his girlfriend get to Los Angeles. The feds and Charles' former gang chase them on the road.