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Reviews
Avatar (2009)
Beautiful... Breathtaking... Brilliant !!!
Having seen that Avatar was billed as the most expensive film ever and it was being shown in Cairo where I just happened to be, I thought why not go and give it a try. Too many times this year I have been disappointed with films, surely it could not get any worse.
On the contrary, this film turned out to be absolutely amazing.
Tremendous action, great graphics, totally absorbing and exciting, splashes of sentiment, romance and even a few chuckles - a masterpiece.... one of the best films of the decade ! I went into the theatre not having a clue what the story was going to be about so I am not going to give readers of this posting any headstart.
Except to think of parallels with the demise of the Red Indian tribes and the Amazon Indians.
This film is a must !
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Movie - prepare to be disappointed !
I am not a Harry Potter fan, nor have I read any of the books. But my daughter, son and myself have seen several, though not all, of the films. Some have been more gripping than others, but all have been enjoyable and it has been great to have seen my kids grow up with Harry Potter.
This film though is the biggest of let-downs... all three of us were really disappointed and this was the only HP film where I was bored at times, ( in fact, apart from some very good visual effects 3/4 of the film through, I found it boring for long periods ).
Has the director changed ? HP's accent has changed. And the film progresses so much slower than previous films.
Is the book so weak... this film does not seem to have a story-line nor an actual ending.
No... the Harry Potter spell is broken and will not be captivating my family anymore.
:-(
The International (2009)
Brilliant... best film of the year !
I saw the trailer and thought this might be a good film. However, trailers can be deceiving and so I knew well not to raise my hopes too high, even though Clive Owen, who is a brilliant actor, was in it.
I was absolutely captivated by this excellent film - very much in the style of thrillers of the 50s and early 60s with a modern injection of action.
The drama and suspense builds slowly and steadily helped by the background music, then explodes with a fire-fight in New York, ( in our cinema it was just after the break - perfect timing ), and then takes a strange twist towards the end.
This film will most likely appeal more to European audiences than American and may be found lacking by those seeking just a pure action film.
But for others.... brilliant - best since a long time.
The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)
Something is missing bigtime...
... something really is missing here. What a shame. This could have been a great film, some of the scenes and script are brilliant, other parts are just down right silly and unworkable. We came out of the cinema feeling yes OK but something really was missing.
The opening was interesting, then there was a mix-match of great moments with absolutely absurd incidents.
Dr Helen, in the evening at home starting to prepare a meal for her brat of a step-son, receives a call from someone to say they are going to collect her and all will be explained en route. So a knock comes at the door and this brilliant scientist opens the door without even looking through the spy-hole or fasting the security chain/latch. And she goes with them ! Without asking for their IDs or getting a proper reason why ! Even en route all she can do is whimper at one stage to stop the car.
Then, after joining the other scientists and ( she has so cleverly smuggled in her own mobile phone despite everyone else being searched ) having learned of this whopping big thingie that is going to strike out Manhattan, they are flown to their presumed deaths as they are seen hovering over Manhattan....
... and so on....
Lots of silly implausible scenes yet there are some great, dramatic scenes.
But the whole film rests on Klaatu changing his mind and calling off the destruction of earth on the basis of the simple snifflings of our beautiful scientist.
Here in Cairo, the film lasted barely 90 minutes - the intermission came after only 35. There must have been huge cuts made but still what should have, and could have been, a great film resulted in just another mediocre sci-fi spoof.
Bolt (2008)
Just another cartoon...
OK... so I am not one to go to the cinema to watch animation films and I really am against this trend of paying ransom money to hear the voices of so-called superstars but there was nothing else at the time and so I had no choice ! There are some cartoons that I have liked...oldies like Lady and the Tramp or Watership Down... and sorry to say this is simply not in the same class.
The story is fairly good, but all a bit too far fetched, and it all ends too simply and easily.
It is fairly good but not a great and rather over-rated. Good to watch at home but I would nt bother going to the cinema for it unless one is into that sort of thing.
The Dark Knight (2008)
A better style of Batman
I am not a Batman fan, but with not much else at that time, I thought I might as well suffer it.
How fortunate that I made the effort. A completely different, darker, slightly more down to earth Batman story with excellent performances by Batman, and better still by the leading good-guy Two Face, and the best of all by The Joker.
Added to that, the class of Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman and you have the cast and story to deliver a great film. Highly entertaining and full of action AND suspense.
I submitted a review before but it seems to have got lost so I had to make amends as it was such a great film.
Body of Lies (2008)
Uncannily, frighteningly realistic....
I really would have given this at least 8.5 or more, though not quite a 9 so bad luck.
Certainly a moving, realistic film with a good performance by Russel Crowe and, ( surprisingly ), an even better one by Di Caprio, ( I was not a fan of his but maybe now ), and the supporting cast.
Perhaps the abilities of the Jordanian intelligence services are exaggerated, at the expense of the CIA, but the whole storyline and the culture of the film are, for a change, very much real and, unfortunately, believable. A lot of careful research and study has gone into this production and the result is an excellent film indeed.
Quantum of Solace (2008)
Darker and darker
Not a bad film, but not brilliant either - far from it. Rather than compare it to Casino Royale which was different, and, in my opinion, weaker than many of the previous Bond films over the years, it does act as a logical sequel. The darkness that was portrayed in Casino was deepened in this film.
Daniel Craig lacks the class, charm, wit and, on screen intelligence, of previous Bonds. He is very good but would be more suited in the role of a modern Harry Palmer than a true-blood Bond. The film is too dark for a Bond film. Too much needless running around, violence and killing without any intrigue, mystery, humour or other assets that previous Bond films had that made them so entertaining. The supporting cast seemed in a second division from other Bond classics, the plot weak at best.
One comes away from the theatre thinking that it was a way to pass two hours of one's time but without any experiencing actual joy, thrills or memories.
Burn After Reading (2008)
Pleasant enough to pass the time....
The sort of film one would willingly watch on an airline's inflight entertainment schedule or maybe on a rainy Sunday afternoon... but not really worth wasting money, time and effort to go and see it in a cinema... as we did.
Not a bad film really, rather pleasant though by no means exceptional or brilliant. Great performance by John Malkovitch, and almost as good by Brad Pitt, but not quite at his best for George Clooney. But the film is rather slow starting, especially as this is no lengthy marathon, and was rather weak on the story-line and script.
Surely must be better films out there.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)
Highly entertaining and enjoyable !
Well I never saw the first Narnia in the cinema, and, anyway, missed the opening on the telly, so I can not really compare between the first and the second films. But, from what I saw tonight in the cinema, I reckon that this sequel is equal to, if not better than, the first film.
Its a great film for both kids and adults to watch in the cinema. Fast moving, plenty of action, good visual effects, great scenery and quite a few pleasantly amusing quips by the enchanting cast. The story-line is absolutely implausible but who cares - the power balance swings constantly from the goodies to the baddies and back again, making the whole film a well-worth experience.
Maybe I am being slightly over-generous in my rating, an 8.5 would be more realistic, but I just happened to be in the mood for it and for me the film really clicked.
The Golden Compass (2007)
Undecided... the jury is still out on this one.
Some great scenes, some fascinating artwork, and, although in rather short supply, some enchanting acting performances such as from Eva Green who portrayed a witch, or from Sam Elliot who was superb, or from young Dakota Blue Richards who was indeed good, and Nicole Kidman, who always is impressive though this time maybe was not at her best.
I enjoyed the film, yes, but... something was missing and I just can not put my finger on it. The film seems to rush through the story, not flow with the story. The end comes to soon, and yet no conclusions are drawn so that a sequel will obviously follow. However, whether I would bother watching it when it does come, I really am not sure.
A nice little film... but by no means brilliant.
There Will Be Blood (2007)
Quite remarkable... rather disturbing... very different
Not exactly as I imagined - indeed quite different. Not my cup of tea... rather brooding, depressing and dark at times. But most certainly an interesting, excellent well-made film with one of the best lead actor performances I have seen since Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs. Daniel well deserved his Oscar ! Excellent performances also by Ely the Preacher and the boy, HW.
My own complaint is not with the film itself but with the cinema who obviously were using an unauthorised copy. Saw it at the VIP Cinema at City Stars in Cairo - with the last 15 minutes or so being in German !!!!! OK, I know, I understand German, but nevertheless I complained and rightly was refunded.
I Am Legend (2007)
A pretty ordinary film with a few highlights.
Not sure what all the fuss is about. Yes it does have some good moments, particularly the flashbacks. But generally the storyline is unconvincing and rather too convenient.
One man, with a dog, surviving alone for three years in a deserted city, striving to save mankind by finding a cure for a deadly virus, fighting infinite numbers of zombies, building his mansion into a fortress that even George Bush would envy, broadcasting messages on AM radio, and yet having the time to hunt deer in the city and practice driving golf balls.... oh come on.
Then he flips out and is rescued by a Brazilian accompanied by a child who, she claims, is following messages from God. Naaahhhhhhh.
Sorry... I enjoyed the film to a point but would not bother watching it again.
I would also run against some other reviews and say that quite frankly that Will Smith has done better. Or maybe the story needed a different type of character.
Live Free or Die Hard (2007)
Good action film but not a great film
A pretty good action film though definitely not a great film. Bruce looks old and tired but still does have a certain, likable, magical charm. Good performances by the other actors and some great action scenes though, sorry to say, a little bit over the top and unbelievable. Killing helicopters and F-35B fighters with cars and trucks is pushing the realms of fantasy a bit too far. The hacking skills of the goodies and the baddies appear also a bit far fetched as is the fact that although most of the leading hackers were being killed off, one of the very best was safely, and quite unnoticed, at his mum's home merrily hacking away.
Yes, in the end an enjoyable action movie, with some of the tricks and jokes of earlier Die Hards, but nothing really special to shout about.
Spider-Man 3 (2007)
Much better than expected !
Well I am not a Spiderman fan. I did see the first, did not bother with the second, and as there was nothing on at the moment that was the final choice. My son is a fan but feared that I would come away grumbling how bad the film was and that.
Not the case. Sure, the ending dragged on a bit, and it is good to get away from a cinema theatre with too many noisy kids inside, ( why, oh why, in Egypt do they let young kids - and I mean babies - into the cinemas ), but I did enjoy the film rather a lot.
The evil characters, with their completely different characteristics, for me the Sandman was by far the best, and their varying motives and agendas, as well as the split personalities of Spiderman, ( personally I prefer the more conceited or the more evil Spiderman to the original wishy washy version - as I feel that the Police Commissioners daughter would be a much better catch than that boring red headed regular girlfriend ), made for a much better, more entertaining, all round appealing film.
Mr. Bean's Holiday (2007)
Pretty little film but not really worth going to the flicks to see
Not really true Bean quality but still a delightful little film enhanced by the charm and beauty of the leading lady.
Bean seems a bit slow and aged when compared to his previous work, especially Johnny English.
Good performance by the lost son and the leading lady who are excellent throughout.
A good film worth having on DVD but not really to go to the cinema for. Would rather see JE again or as a sequel !
As the film is a little void of any content it is hard to write a review for it.
Apocalypto (2006)
Beautiful ! Amazing !
I really do not know where to begin. I did nt know much about the film. Did nt know what to expect....
Its a long film, beautifully filmed, easy to follow, and enchanting and encapturing throughout. Its magical. I would have readily stayed in the theatre for hours more to see how the little ones grow up.
Yes there are things that appear a bit far fetched... but everything can be explained simply by saying.... what if.... what if...
I adored the ending... fell in love with the characters.... and simply enjoyed immensely the whole spectacle ( beware though as there are some very grisly scenes ). The final chase should have been drawn out to show the time it would have taken to run back to his home grounds but that is my only critic.
Excellent !
Perfect Stranger (2007)
Unconvincing and boring !
Half way through the first half of this dreary film I knew I had goofed and seriously wondered whether I could slip out and go and see the Reaping instead.
The film literally plods along and really lacks any conviction whatsoever. The ending was a surprise but by that time I was too keen to leave the theatre.
The films revolves mainly about the three main characters who are, along with every other character in the film, a bunch of devious, debauched, lieing, shallow personalities - there are no heroes or heroines in this story.
The online chatting is so outdated and obviously phoney, the script so weak, the antics of the computer boff Miles nonsensical, and when Hill finds out that he has been duped by Ro his reaction is unbelievably infantile and naive for such a supposedly dynamic and creative high flying ad exec.
A big yawn here folks.... give this one a miss... I was totally disappointed.