Lockout - Die-Hard in space? An All Of The Above Review

Directed By: James Mather, Stephen St. Legar

Written By: James Mather, Stephen St. Legar, Luc Besson

Starring: Guy Pearce, Maggie Grace, Vincent Regan, Joseph Gilgun,Lennie James, Peter Stormare,

Guy Pearce is wrongly convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage is offered freedom if he can save the President's daughter (Grace) who is stuck on an outer-space prison over-run by blood-thirsty deranged inmates.

Now that the synopsis is out of the way I can get down to the real business, the review!

Starting with a literal punch in the face you immediately get the feeling that this film's main in the shape of Guy Pearce's Snow isn't liked by some, and you'd be correct, because Snow is a bastard in every sense of the word, but he's a bastard with a heart and that's why he's our main.

And it seems the film is full of bastards, maybe too many, maybe the film should have been titled "Bastards In Space" for that's exactly what it was. But I digress, because 'Lockout' is a low-budget Sci-fi action thriller that brings you back to the 80s action films you know and loved....because it's explosive and a tad on the cheesy side.

The script does feel a little week at points leaving loopholes for you to think about whilst the film is still playing however the dialogue does give us some great lines to think about too.

There were some great performances in this film too, coming from Joseph Gilgun (Misfits, This Is England) playing a rowdy, blood-thirsty scottish convict alongside Vincent Regan (300) the sinister convict master-mind, Guy Pearce plays a convincing bastard too.....slightly reminiscent of an 80's Bruce Willis....slightly.

The special effects were okay, some scenes looking a lot better than others (the bike chase scene looking exceptionally terrible) but as the film progressed you don't really think about it.

All in all it wasn't bad but it wasn't great either. The action scenes were good but the story really did lack that oomph that would run it along side some of the better Sci-fi action films.

See it of you like action films with a slice of cheese.

3/5 stars

By George Kleanthous

A Cabin In The Woods - an All Of The Above review

Directed by: Drew Godard
Written By: Joss Whedon, Drew Godard

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Kristen Connolly, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins

'Cabin In The Woods' is a horror film unlike any you've seen before. A story about a group of college kids consisting of hot girls, a jock, a semi-attractive book-worm and a stoner spend a vacation at a cabin in the woods to have good old fashioned fun until bad stuff starts to happen....okay so you may have seen this before but not quite like this.

It's hard to talk about this film because it's got so much in it that I don't want to spoil for you. It's funny, has a few jumps and more twists than.....something twisted. Without giving anything away, the group unknowingly choose how they would die from a plethora of amazingly cinematic ways.

There is some really great acting and some very good direction coming from D.Godard along with great effects. The characters are a great nod to the stereotypical horror film and Whedon and Godard let us know that throughout the film.

'Cabin In The Woods' can only be described as 'The Truman Show' meets every type of horror or slasher you can think of.

I highly recommend this film and try to watch it knowing as little as possible about it.

5/5 stars

By George Kleanthous

Battleship - Is It a Floater? By George Kleanthous

Directed by: Peter Berg
Written by: Eric Hoeber/ Jon Hoeber

Starting: Alexander Skarsgard, Taylor Kitsch, Liam Neeson, Brooklyn Decker, Rihanna

You may be aware of a little film which has hit the cinemas this week by the name of 'Battleship', based on the Hasbro board game in which you are pitted against your enemies fleet of ships and must guess where they are on your grid and sink them.

But Hasbro had better ideas, what's big at the moment? they ask, what has made us a ship-load of money once adapted onto the big screen? ALIENS! That's right, they turned it into a Sci-fi and banked off their incredibly successful 'Transformers' movies by duplicating it in nearly every way.

Based on the very real and most logical theory of alien visitation, 'Battleship' tells the story of an alien race responding to a message sent out by us and landing at the signal's birthplace, a satellite station in Hawaii, at the same time some of the world's best navy fleets join forces to run a navy battle exercise, which is rather convenient, as the aliens land they activate a barrier around the islands and effectively cutting off the majority of the fleets leaving three destroyers to battle them, you can guess the rest.

So far it might seem that I'm ripping on this film which I guess I am but it's really not that bad. It holds plenty of laughs, the effects are great and the action sequences are explosive, I just wish it wasn't a 'Transformers' clone.

It holds the same cinematography style as that of TF, the same sound engineers and cgi studio, Hell, they even have the same music composer in the way of Steve Jablonsky. So excuse me for feeling that the Hasbro execs weren't willing to try anything new.

All in all 'Battleship' holds it's own, it's not a bad film, in fact it's pretty darn good! People laughed, jaws dropped and Rihanna didn't have me wanting to jump ship as her acting wasn't the worst thing I'd seen. There were some particularly great moments in the film like the OAP montage (You'll see what I mean) and the use of real navy crewman and wounded soldiers was a kind and respectful nod at the armed forces. A tad bit on the lengthy side but still worth a watch!

Watch this if you liked 'Transformers' and 'Battle: Los Angeles'

3/5 stars

By George Kleanthous

Underworld: Awakening Review

Vampires and werewolves have hit our screens, but not the overly emotional gelled haired teens we all know and hate with every fibre of our beings, no, these characters are darker and aren't afraid of ripping someone's head off their shoulders. I'm of course talking about the 4th installation of 'Underworld' and this time it's in 3D.

The story continues from the second 'Underworld' movie (the third being a prequel to the lot) where Selene (Kate Beckinsale) Awakens in a lab to a world where the Humans have purged most of the Vampire and Lycan clans, Michael, her hybrid lover no where to be seen and a little girl with an interesting past.

The story is a little predictive, except for a few minor twists that get you remembering what actually happened in the last films. The film left me feeling like there was something missing in the story, one would have thought that if the humans were exterminating both clans, the two races would have put there differences aside and joined forces...but maybe that's being set up for the next film as it has clearly been left open for one.

The direction is ok, nothing special, and the cinematography is the same as the others (dark and blue-ish). One thing the film doesn't shy from is it's intense fight scenes, from the beginning it's blood and gore every-where and when you see a certain hybrid split someone's face open from there eye sockets with there thumbs (which is pretty awesome) you know why they've given it a 18 rating.

There are also a host of new characters including a pretty impressive nemesis worthy of any boss-battle in any game you've played, and when you see this thing it'll get you thinking "WTF?".

'Underworld: Awakening's' story isn't as good as the story in the third film, but it makes up for it in awesome fight scenes and cool Vamp/Lycan killing gadgets. It's not a film you have to think with, merely watch and enjoy.

My only real beef with this film is how skinny Kate Beckinsale is in it. You know its bad when your skinnier than a twelve year old! Put some weight on and you'll look a lot sexier!!

3 1/2 - 5 Stars

By George Kleanthous

New Years Eve film review- will we see fireworks in this all star cast filled film?

Brought to you by the director who gave us Valentines Day (the movie, not the actual day). Starring practically everyone that's ever been in a movie, ever. Set on new years eve (obviously) the film follows some of the lives, loves, hates and hurdles that we may all be facing this new years eve outselves. And with so many stories and characters all thrown into the mix there is no way you won't enjoy at least a little bit of it.

The film is a multi-story narrative about a number of people celebrating New Years Eve in New York, we see the lives of a singer, caterer, errand boy, hipster and a host of other characters played by a numerous amount of celebrities.

This is a typical chick flick but the comedy aspect in this romcom will keep the men entertained, if all that eye candy in shapes of Sofia Vergara, Jessica Biel and Katherine Heigl doesn't. Don't worry ladies, there's plenty of guy candy thrown in their too in the fine forms of Zac Efron, Ashton Kutcher, Josh Duhamel and Common.

Now this is the festive season so do expect some cheese on your board with this film, a particular lift experience being the Swiss. There are also some heart warming moments and a some sad bits and even a little twist in the end for those (like me) who think they can suss out a films plot and guess the end.

Out of all the story lines the biggest let down is the one containing Sarah Jessica Parker and her renegade teen, SJP is far too relaxed about her daughter's happenings and must there always be a slo-mo shot of her in a "gorgeous" dress?? I mean come on! Every film?

It's not the greatest film but who would expect as much from a movie with so many famous faces? There are even celebs I didn't expect to see which was a pleasant surprise, the slight 80s reference when Matthew Broderick makes a small appearance as Mr BUELLERton was cool and there is even a few musical numbers which comes as no surprise as that chick from Glee and Jon Bon Jovi are in it.

If you want an all star cast, glitz, glamour and beautiful people set in a beautiful city then this is for you

By Kay D @_kaymd_

All for one and all that jazz - Three Muskateers movie review

When I first saw the trailer for the 'Three Musketeers' film I automatically knew what kind of film this was going to be, an adventure movie with the intent to be something bigger, something on the lines of a certain Pirate franchise? I can safely say I was correct.

'Three Muskateers' based on the book of the same title by Alexandre Dumas père and directed by Paul W.S Anderson (Mortal Kombat/ Death Race)
Is a swash buckling adventure with a steam punk feel about, you guessed it three musketeers! Oh hold on don't forget the fourth one, D'artanian played by Logan Lermon (Percy Jackson) who manages to become a member of the King's guard after three days of being in Paris with no test or training or nothing. The film also stars that chick from Resident Evil who seems to do sexy poses between her ridiculous stunts and Orlando 'I want to be a good actor' Bloom who plays Buckingham, his best role since Legolas.

The script is poor and the performances are average at best. The 3D was ok but did nothing for the brilliant colours the film contains if watched in 2D, this still couldn't take my attention away from the piss poor acting, accents and dialogue. The action sequences were good and it was a little funny but it was lacking so much it left me questioning the storyline and it's faithfulness to the book (which I haven't read).

My other peeve is small but...why are they not wearing the musketeers uniforms they should be wearing? Are they too good for the uniform of the King's guard? Or do they need to be individualised because we as an audience won't be able to tell who they are or what style of fighting they use?

All in all if you want a swash buckling adventure but content with a sub-par version then this is for you. If you want a Pirates franchise then....watch the pirates franchise.

I give this film 3/5 stars as it's not completely terrible (like Shark Night 3D)

By George Kleanthous @GeorgeK1988

The Lion king 3D review

First released in 1994 , Simba is back and this time he is 3d! This is one of the first classics to make a reappearance in 3D with the likes of the Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast said to follow.

It's safe to say this was amazing the first time round without the 3D due to a fantastic array of characters, timeless soundtrack by Mr Elton John and stunning backdrop, but it was great fun to see some childhood favourites transformed and back on the big screen.

I have never heard anyone say they don't like this film. A treat for old fans and new.

Should We Be Afraid of The Dark?

Originally a tv movie from 1973, it has come along way from midgets in masks thanks to director Troy Nixey and producer Guillermo Del Toro.

When sent to live with her father, Sally discovers a secret beneath the house her father is renovating. Cue some creepy tooth fairies that have a hankering for children's teeth and they don't want to wait for them to fall out.
Staring Katie Holmes (Dawsons creek, Batman Begins) and Guy Pearce (Memento) this film definitely has the creep factor with plenty of tension and a few jumps to boot.

If you are a fan of Del Toro's universe (Pan's Labyrinth, Hell boy) this creature feature is worth a watch.