Go See Ghostbusters

/

I remember Ghostbusters first time around. Most enjoyable (although the sequel was a bit rubbish). Now we have a new one. And it's awesome. I don't think I'm giving too much away by noting that the ghostbusting crew are a bit different this time around, but the film is much the better for that. Otherwise it would just be a retread. The dialog is whip smart and everyone plays their part really, really well. 

Go see. And I hope they make a sequel. And if they do I think it will be good this time.

Captain America Civil War - worth the trip

/

We nearly didn't go and see "Captain America Civil War", but I'm rather glad we did. Even though you know that the plot is the cinematic equivalent of an irresistible force meeting an immovable object, it is still worth your time. The story is good, just about everyone plays their part well (although I do worry about the non-super members of the team whenever they go into battle) and there are some great one-liners.

Ant Man and Spiderman turn up and add to the mix and everything is set up nicely for the next movie(s) in the franchise. Which I think is probably what this film was really all about. 

I genuinely marvel (no pun intended) at the way they can turn these movies out on a regular basis. In the olden days (i.e. seventies Superman) we'd have a superhero film every couple of years, each of which had a few little fight sequences leading up to a grand finale. Nowadays a film with open with a huge set piece, and then has two or three more leading up to a really big one at the end. Computer graphics help a lot, but when you consider that all the fight sequences had to be choreographed, shot and then integrated into a whole, it's hard not to be impressed. 

Worth a trip I reckon. 

Go See Zootropolis

/

Who wouldn't want to go and see a picture about a cute bunny who wants to be a cop?

Actually, Zootropolis (or Zootopia in some parts of the world) is the best film I've seen in ages. Better than Inside Out. Close to The Incredibles. Just awesome.  It gives you a strong story, inventive characters and environments and a proper message. If you've got kids, take them along and then talk about it afterwards.

We live in pretty torrid times at the moment, with general nastiness being stirred up on all sides. This film is the perfect antidote to that. 

Go See 10 Cloverfield Lane

/

We went out to see a movie today. We weren't sure what to go and see. Nobody was convinced about "Batman vs Superman". When you know all about the film (and I mean all about the film) from the title there doesn't seem much point in sitting in the dark for several hours. 

Number one son suggested 10 Cloverfield Lane. Good call. Proper scary, story that keeps you guessing, and plenty to talk about when you leave the cinema. Well worth the trip. 

Star Wars - the Force Awakens

/

Went to see the new Star Wars movie today. Instant opinion? If you like Star Wars you'll love the new movie.  

A fear of giving away spoilers means that I can't really say just how many elements of the original film have been crammed into the new one.  But it really is pretty much all of them. But not in a bad way. And we can't really complain about this. James Bond films have been recycling the same plots for much longer than Star Wars. 

Go see "The Martian"

/

The new Bond movie opened on Monday. So we went to see "The Martian" instead.

It. Is. Brilliant. Proper science, well told story, amazing special effects and even Sean Bean. What's not to love?

I read the book a while back and really enjoyed it, although I did wonder how they would manage to change something that was mostly internal dialogue into a proper film. The answer is: very well. The film has a very well told earthbound story that adds a lot to the whole affair.

It's a great film, go see.

When we got back from the film we fancied something to eat. I was going to have some cooked chicken and number one wife fancied a boiled egg. But we couldn't decided who should eat first.

Mission Impossible: You get what you pay for

/

I really enjoyed the latest Mission Impossible film. It has all the things that you want from the folks at the IMF. Diabolical baddies, shiny gadgets, mysterious femme fatale agents, Tom Cruise jumping on and off things etc etc. There are some lovely set pieces which are just crackers, but you don't mind because things are rattling along at such a pace.

The cast is all well up to the job and everyone turns in a good performance. Even Alec Baldwin, who does a fantastic job of appearing just like Alec Baldwin. If you like this kind of film, then go see.

Mad Max: Fury Road

/

Over last weekend we went to see Mad Max: Fury Road.  Wow.

It is as if the director had watched every Michael Bay Transformers movie and then decided that he could go to around 11 or 12 on that scale. Or more. The action is relentless, violent and in some parts a bit queasy making (at least for wimpy old me).

Tom Hardy does a great job as Max. Not that he has to say much. I think they gave him his script written on the back of a cigarette packet. Charlize Theron is great in the film as well. She has lines and everything. All the souls in the movie are tortured, torturing or both.

If you like your action fast moving and with lots of spectacle then you'll love it. If you prefer films where the most action packed thing that happens is that Lady Faversham comes to visit and they can't find the best tablecloth, then you might want to give it a miss.

Spooks: The Greater Good

/

Spooks: The Greater Good is a happy tale of fairies and unicorns, living together in "Happy Paradise Land". Everyone is nice to everyone else and there are always lots of cakes for tea.

On the other hand, this might be a lie. Why should you trust me? Why should you trust anyone? After seeing this film I won't be doing much trusting. Everybody is pretty horrible one way or another, but then again the TV show this is based on wasn't big on Rainbows and Cupcakes either.

If you like twisty stories with a bit of action thrown in, or you enjoyed the TV show, then it is well worth a trip to the cinema.

Go See Shaun the Sheep the Movie

/

As I've mentioned before, I don't go to the movies for dramatic insights into the human condition. I go for fun. And popcorn. 

Shaun the sheep is fun. It won't win any prizes for dialogue, because there isn't any. But there is a nice story, well told, with some very funny set pieces. The phrase "recommended for children of all ages" is a bit overused these days, but I reckon this one really is. 

Paddington the Movie

/

Go see Paddington. You'll enjoy it. It's a rather slight tale, but very well told. It's from the producers of the Harry Potter films. You can tell this because they seem to have employed a large number of British actors who have all worked with the young wizard. 

I wasn't exactly dragged along to the showing. I've always quite liked Paddington. We had one or two of the books by Michael Bond floating around the house as I was growing up and the TV series voiced by Michael Hordern was always good fun. But I was a bit worried about what they might have done with the story when they made it into a film. 

I needn't have been concerned. It is very well done, with some lovely set pieces and running gags. One musical joke is direct steal from "There's Something About Mary", but since they stole it from "Blazing Saddles" that's fair enough. And it was still funny.

If you are like me and want to walk out of the cinema feeling happy, then you should go along. There's enough knowing, and silly, humour to keep grown ups occupied and plenty of slapstick for the kids (and grown ups like me).

I don't go to the pictures to get depressing insights into the human condition, or to learn of the terrible things that people do to each other. I can get all that from five minutes of the news. I go the the cinema for a good time. And you get that from Paddington.

A Streetcar Named Desire

/

A few weeks ago we went to see Monty Python live at a local cinema. Tonight we went to see a proper play which was beamed all over the country from the West End.

A Streetcar named Desire is a bit of a break from my usual entertainment fare of superheroes and productions that explore how many ways it is possible to break the laws of physics in a single action sequence. But it was very enjoyable none the less.

The subject is not a happy one and anyone looking for an uplifting ending is going to leave disappointed. But the production and acting, particularly Gillian Anderson in the central role of Blanche DuBois, was top notch.  

I think I get quite a bit of my enjoyment from a play as I struggle to understand the behaviour of the characters after I have seen the whole thing. If it is a good one it is always more complicated than it seems at first glance. This is that kind of play. Well worth a look if you get the chance.

Lego Movie. Everything. Is. Awesome.

/
Lego Movie.PNG

Went to see the Lego movie today. Of course, as a kid I had some Lego, although I was more of a Meccano man to be honest. But I've always liked the stuff, even more so when they produce amazing kits like the VW Camper Van. 

So of course we went to see the film. It really is going beyond product placement .The product is the movie. And it was produced by one of the largest toy manufacturers in the world. And the shops are full of toys built around (and from) it. But it is still crazy great. 

There is enough going on at all levels to make it interesting. Plenty of smart one-liners and cultural references. Loads of stuff being blown up. Some properly sad moments and a proper ending that I reckon really works. 

Go see. And probably buy a kit or two as well....