43: AUSTRALIA

Another retro post - this one at Wandsworth around the start of the year. Expecting big things - Jackman, Kidman, Australia and Baz.

It looks beautiful and it's fun spotting the Aussie actors, like Bryan Brown and Jack Thompson, but ultimately, Baz's Aussie movie behemoth disappoints. Nicole is not very good at all, the magnificent Aussie sunsets are "green screened" and there are too many endings (a la Lord of the Rings). The movie fails to reach the epic proportions it strives for.

6 out of 10

41: QUANTUM OF SOLACE

Another retrospective entry; one day I'll catch up with my blog posts, you just watch me.

Not as good as Casino Royale and comments about lack of substance have some merit - it is action packed from the start, moving ever so swiftly, so much so that plot and characters tend to trail behind. But they are there, and have enough presence to make this a worthwhile entry in the reign of Daniel Craig. Wets the appetite for the next one.

6 out of 10

34: LAKEVIEW TERRACE

Still catching up; this one seen in Feb, I think - I do remember there not being much else on at the time.

Reasonably interesting outing with good performances by all; Samuel L doing "angry" like only he knows how. Not satisfying enough for my liking though.

6 out of 10

29: DUPLICITY

Why I chose it?

To tell you the truth, I travelled all the way to Hammersmith hoping that it was showing The Damned United. Alas, it wasn't. Therefore, I was left with four movies to choose from. Duplicity was picked because I like Clive Owen and I enjoyed Michael Clayton, which was written by the director.

Where?

Hammersmith, 830pm.

Comments?

Duplicity tries hard to bring together a complex plot of mystery and intrigue and almost pulls it off. The final twist in the tale is both clever and predictable and the film is a little clunky in bringing it all together. There's not the same feeling of complete satisfaction when the plot knots are unpicked; not like, say, Ocean's Eleven, which is as good a comparison as any.

The on screen chemistry between Julia Roberts (who, in my opinion, walks funny) and Clive Owen (always good) is not too bad. The banter between the two is enjoyable but is not as "cool" or smooth flowing as others (e.g. Out of Sight). The flashbacks to how their relationship develops is slightly annoying but is reasonably well handled. The one thing I couldn't get a grip on was how this relationship would work or last, given that they don't trust each other one iota. Must be the sex.

Would I pay to see it?

Probably not. It's an enjoyable romp that can be experienced on your TV at home and not necessary for a big screen experience.

Rating?

6 out of 10

Post Movie Quote:

"Not bad for a second choice. Must review cinema times in the future."

26: REVOLUTIONARY ROAD (OSCAR SERIES)

Eye on which Oscar?

Performance by an actor in a supporting role - Michael Shannon

Where?

Wandsworth, 6pm (no time for Nandos this time, straight from work and into the cinema).

Comments?

Revolutionary Road is about a quite depressing little topic - the claustrophobic confines of a set life, whether it be the day to day repetition of a dead end job that does not excite or a marriage that is going through the motions, suppressing any urge to break free and live a fulfilling life.

Frank and April Wheeler were once a happy couple, full of promise and vigour, enchanting each other with free flowing minds and ideas of travel and wonder. Something changed over the course of their marriage: they had kids; Frank settled down in his now deceased father's job in marketing, hating the tedious working life; April is shackled to her home, cleaning and looking after the kids, totally devoid of inspiration, regularly sensing the lost magic and potential her marriage once had. The tension brought about the Wheeler's situation is tangible and many arguments occur. Infidelity seems to be the only way for them to feel anything. One day, April proposes that they do what they always wanted to do, go to Paris, allowing Frank to find out what he really wants to do with his life. For a brief moment, one that you wish would last, they set in motion plans to uproot their family and go for it, enjoying a sense of freedom that they had long thought impossible. Inevitably, things take a turn for the worse.

Although Revolutionary Road is set in 1950s America, it can easily be transferable to the current day and any location. Many people are in a similar situation to the Wheelers, but whether you are or not, the movie brings about feelings of the inadequacies of one's life to the surface. It's not an entertaining movie to say the least. Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio are both outstanding but that is the problem: they are too convincing and the arguments and choices they have to make hits close to the bone. I left the movie a little depressed, although there was an overwhelming urge to do more with my life.

Definitely not a date movie. And definitely not one to take your spouse to. If you want to express the point of this movie to someone you love, i.e. you can't allow life to remain stagnant, do it over a bottle of wine in the park and do it positively.

Oscar worthy?

Here's another very small supporting role up for an Oscar. Michael Shannon appears in three scenes in this movie, maybe totalling fifteen minutes at a stretch. That said, you do wish for more. His portrayal of a slightly crazed mathematician brought to visit the Wheelers by his elderly parents is engrossing. His frank comments hit home for Frank and April, both positively when they are glowing from their announcement to move to Paris and negatively when things go a little tits up. Very well handled indeed.

Will he snare the Oscar ahead of Heath Ledger? No. However, if his role had more screen time, it might have been a close call.

(I've mentioned this before, but it seems the Academy has been scraping the bottom of the barrel for nominations in some respects (and this isn't directed at Shannon's role at all). I checked last year's nominations for Supporting actors and actresses and all of them have meaty roles and plenty of screen time - think Ben Affleck in Jesse James, Jaiver Bardem in No Country for Old Men and Amy Ryan in Gone Baby Gone. This year, we've got at least three nominations for bit parts. Surely, Oscar, with a little bit more digging, there were better supporting roles out there? Or was it a case of production companies being a bit lazy in putting forward roles for consideration? Food for thought. Apologies to Shannon for hijacking his moment.)

Rating?

6 out of 10

Post Movie Quote:

"I'm depressed."

12: KUNG FU PANDA

Why I chose it?

After the depressing Wanted, I was looking for a bit of a pick me up and Jack Black seemed to be the man to supply it.


Where?


Cinema 5, Shaftesbury Avenue, 9pm.


Comments?


Kung Fu Panda is a lot of fun and a lot of it is down to Jack Black and Dustin Hoffman, offering up different styles of comedy in the guise of Po (the Panda) and Master Shifu (the smaller red panda). There are many humourous moments, a couple of laugh out loud funnies and the animation is top notch, making this an entertaining ninety minutes to sit through.


The plot is quite standard fare but that's all it needs to be: no need for complexity in a story about a clumsy Panda dreaming of fighting alongside the Furious Five (made up of the voices of Angelina Jolie and Jackie Chan to name two of the five). Plot intricacies aside, Kung Fu Panda's strong points include attention to detail. I can't say I know much about Chinese custom or history, but the movie convinced me that the producers did, and that gave the movie some of its originality in the crowded computer animated movie stakes.



The fight scenes are also impressive, easy to follow with expressive moves and complex duels, including those that involve Po. The scene where Po takes on Master Shifu in a duel over a bowl of dumplings using chopsticks is highly engaging and entertaining.


Kung Fu Panda is a colourful, comical romp predominantly due to Jack Black, who is in top form. The kids will love it and the adults will find it good throwaway fun.


Would I pay to see it?


Tough question with this one. It isn't as impressive as Toy Story was or Wall-E is billed to be, but it's still great fun. Not necessarily one to see at the movies; more a DVD rental or Sky movie option for me.


Rating?


6 out of 10


Post Movie Quote:


"Jolie wasn't half as sexy in this one." Daryl Nilbett