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24: Live Another Day (2014)
24 - back to its former glory - love it!
After so much build up to this 24 re-launch, I had a horrible feeling that it would all be so much hype, with nothing to justify it. I am glad to say, after seeing the premiere, this is the 24 I have known and loved and it is everything a 24 nerd such as myself could wish for! I think using London as the setting was an inspired choice, as being a Brit myself, I love London and there is so many great locations to choose from. It's nice to see that, so far, the landmarks everyone associates with the place have been absent (Big Ben etc.)and instead, we see some of the seedier areas, which to me gives a good feel for the kind of life Jack Bauer has had to endure since he disappeared 4 years earlier.
From the start, I love the energy, drive, enthusiasm and the feeling that the cast really wanted to be doing it (which is what made the Season 8 first episodes so flat because that was so obviously lacking). As ever, there are Jack's incredible escapes and anticipation of what people will do that make this always so exciting to watch. He's always one step ahead.
The new characters, even at this early stage, seemed to be getting proper development in terms of depth, and the return of the earlier characters seemed quite natural and not contrived in any way.
There is so much promise here for a powerful story, featuring the usual twists, surprises and shocks, it sure will be hard to wait for a week each episode.
All in all, this new 24 still has the power to keep me glued to the TV as it always has, something that very few other shows have ever done, and I await the remainder eagerly. Great TV!
The Sixth Sense (1999)
Outstanding film
I caught this one Sky Movies, after not having seen it for a while, and despite knowing the story very well, its power never fails to move me to tears. The acting is absolutely outstanding, especially young Osment. I don't ever recall seeing such a fine performance from a child actor.
Bruce Willis is brilliant in this role, such a difference from those we're used to seeing him in, and Toni Collette gives a very powerful portrayal of the bewildered mother.
This is such a haunting film, please excuse the pun! But that is the word for it, as it stays in your mind for long after. Even when you know the ending, the whole story is so well crafted and beautifully told, you can enjoy it all over and over.
I don't think M. Night has really done anything since that lives up to this, which is a shame as he is clearly a talented director and writer. This film is something special, so if you actually haven't seen it, treat yourself! It's worth every minute!
Star Trek: The City on the Edge of Forever (1967)
Arguably, the best episode of the original series
I love this episode and although I have seen it countless times over the years, I never fail to be impressed by the quality of the story, the acting, even the appropriate music.
I think DeForrest Kelly in particular gives an outstanding performance, suffering from madness due to the accident with the hypo.
I think it's the ending that gets to me every time I watch it! It's the grim inevitability of the climax that is so powerful.
It's a shame that the story lines in more of the "Trek" episodes weren't of this high standard, maybe they wouldn't have canned it after only 3 seasons!
Bag of Bones (2011)
Pretty good if somewhat gory
I started watching this as one of the few King adaptations I'd never seen and found it surprisingly good, especially Brosnan in a role I could not really imagine him taking on.
Most of the Stephen King films I have seen have been pretty good; The Stand, Salem's Lot, It and my favourite, The Langoliers. I have never read the book Bag of Bones so cannot comment on its faithfulness. But it was intriguing and quite clever how the story unfolded and kept me watching to the end.
As I said, there was some rather unnecessary gore involved and some really harrowing scenes which I thought were well executed. I found the relationship between Brosnan and the little girl touching and poignant.
All in all, I would watch this again. Not THAT many contemporary films I can say that about!
Rocky (1976)
This film is magic!
Although I've seen this film countless times over the years, it's been a while since I last saw it and I caught it on TV earlier today. Once again, I was touched by this story of the rise of the underdog Rocky. This film has such heart and warmth and in my experience, there is little out there to rival it in terms of you wanting to cheer for the protagonist to succeed.
Add to this some fine performances, notably Burgess Meredith. the gnarled old trainer, looking for a last chance to train a real winner.
I often thought that Rocky II was better. In some ways it was, but there is a special magic about the original, a depth, both with the characterisation and the terrific acting, that the sequels lacked.
The film contains one line that I think is one of my absolute favourites. Rocky tells Mickey: "You stop this fight, I'll kill ya" When you see it, in the context in which it is said, you will see what I mean! I don't think there is much in Sylvester Stallone's later acting career that can rival this one. I could watch this any number of times and never get tired of it.
Back to the Future (1985)
My favourite film ever!
This is how a film should be! It has everything you could ever want to see in one. Great, original story, fine acting and characterisation, fast pace, perfect musical score, satisfying ending, ah, I could go on and on.
The chemistry between Michael J Fox and Christopher Lloyd is quite unlike anything I can think of in any other film. It is so natural, like they'd been working together for years.
I tend to judge films by how many "memorable moments" it has, that is, outstanding scenes that you remember and want to see again and again. This film has many such, more than any other film I can think of.
If you are not a film fan, or not seen this one, watch it and you'll be hooked - forever!
Incidentally, the Blu-Ray rendering of this film is easily the best I have seen for a film of its age. Absolutely stunning.
Atlantic Rim (2013)
Absolutely appalling!
This has my vote as one of the worst films ever made. Why did they bother? I've never seen Pacific Rim, which this film is clearly a cheap and nasty imitation of, so I must see that, to watch how such an interesting idea can be made into a proper film . I paid 99p to hire this from Blinkbox, perhaps I should ask for refund.
It would take too long to list all the flaws in this monstrosity - terrible acting, totally disjointed story, pathetic script, cheap effects to name a few.
To would-be film-makers, screenwriters and directors, this film should be mandatory watching showing exactly how NOT to make a good movie.
Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
Spectacular...but too many storyline inconsistencies
I've been a serious "trekkie" since the original series was aired here in the UK in 1969. I was somewhat disappointed with this, the latest offering.
On the plus side, the film is visually stunning, with some absolutely amazing CGI. The pace is fast and doesn't suffer from any long pauses in the action. There are plenty of shocks and memorable moments.
My main objection lies with the inconsistencies with subsequent Trek story lines which I cannot go into without revealing the plot details, suffice it to say that there is a serious mismatch between this and what happens later in the Trek story.
Also, one scene matched both the action (although there was role reversal in this film) and even the exact dialogue from an earlier Trek film. I saw no reason for this, something more original could have been written, plus the outcome of the scene was, frankly just silly I thought. There were other scenes that in some ways harked back to earlier films, Perhaps I'm being too purist about this - maybe. Nevertheless, I did mostly enjoy it even though to me it lacked any real emotional impact compared to its predecessors, nothing that made me want to watch it again.
If you view it without reference to other Trek story lines, I think you will find it quite an entertaining 2 hours!
Three Fugitives (1989)
Wonderful funny film
If I ever need cheering up, I watch this movie. One of my favourite comedies.
The unlikely pairing of Nick Nolte and Martin Short works wonderfully, with Nolte as the hardened ex-con Lucas, unwittingly gets involved in the bumbling bank robbery carried out by Short (Ned Perry). James Earl Jones plays the cop who has been itching to nail Lucas once again and assumes that, once Lucas is taken hostage by Perry, that they are in it together.
The first 15-20 minutes contain some pure slapstick which has me crying with laughter every time I see it.
It is particularly heartening to see the tough guy Nolte being enchanted by Martin Short's mute 6 year old daughter.
Lovely, simple and heartwarming.
Brazil (1985)
Terrific film - one of Gilliam's finest
This is the epitome of Terry Gilliam's highly original and far-sighted films. What I find so chilling about it is how it portrays a future "big brother" society, with bureaucracy gone completely mad and countless people engaged in totally pointless jobs to service this.
Interspersed with this, are constant terrorist attacks which the public seem to take for granted and "big brother" apparently does nothing about,at the same time mouthing off fatuous propaganda, trying to use these as an excuse for the total stranglehold on the ordinary person's activities.
Not too far from the sort of world we are moving towards now.
Jonathan Pryce is excellent as one of the few who realise the absurdity of this society and is obsessed with finding the woman who constantly appears in his dreams, in the hope of finding some meaning and point to his existence.
The ending is so sad and very moving.
This is a powerful film on so many levels and absorbing throughout.