Jumper

Posted on February 20, 2008 by Craig Micklewright

Viewed – 19 February 2008 Cinema

In an age where concept is king, then as far as the idea thrown on the table is concerned, Jumper presses the big red button. You see, Star Wars’ Hayden Christensen (proving himself a credible action hero) plays a kid who after a near-death experience discovers he can teleport himself to anywhere in the world, in just a blink of an eye. Now that’s a talent, and at first it’s his key out of a crappy life where the girl at school hardly notices him (The OC’s Rachel Bilson), and he comes home every night to a drunken father who just yells at him, after the Mother walked out on them years previously.

Before long though, his new found life and riches (he’s become the ‘perfect’ bank robber), is interrupted by Samuel L. Jackson’s shady Government agent, who seems to know all about him. What follows is a very unique action adventure as this kid struggles to make sense of his abilities whilst running for his life. Hence some stunning action sequences that really knock you out of your seat. A worthy mention must also go to Jamie Bell’s vigilante who has the same skills as Hayden, and pretty much steals the movie.

Director Doug Liman, honing his talents on Bourne Identity and Mr & Mrs Smith once again delivers a unique, gritty spin on the action movie and brings to the screen what I think the Matrix sequels should have delivered a few years earlier. Roll on whatever this director comes up with next!

Verdict: 4 /5

Black Snake Moan

Posted on September 22, 2007 by Craig Micklewright

Viewed – 21 September 2007 DVD

This one will probably have slipped under the radar of most people, as its another one of those moderately acclaimed indie films that never seem to share cinema space with big hitters like Transformers or Die Hard 4.0. Yet also these films often have loads more personality and attract name actors who want to prove to the world they’re not just about glitz & glamour and can muck it out with the best of them.

This follows the story of trashy trailer park nympho Christina Ricci, who’s on a self-destructive course after her boyfriend (Justin Timberlake) leaves town to join the army, and soon she’s off getting trashed, screwing anyone who looks at her twice and generally not giving a damn if she lives or dies. She has a Mother who has more or less disowned her, is tormented by flashbacks to an abusive past possibly from an overly friendly step-dad, and really there seems like no way out for this girl. Then we have Samuel L. Jackson as a world-weary former blues musician who’s wife has just walked out on him to hook up with his own brother – and before long these two people are flung together when Jackson discovers Ricci left for dead on a roadside, half-naked and unconcious.

This story of redemption in the deep south is both heart-breaking and heart-warming and has an eye-opening turn from Ricci who is near naked through most of the film and is dam-sexy…but backs up the flashes of tits and ass with a powerful performance that surprisingly equals Jackson’s own troubled blues musician. I was also impressed by how good Sam can sing, and it would seem from this evidence, he could fill out a concert hall no problem. The film is also attractively, iconicly shot and the director obviously knows how to make Ricci look like a cult-cinema poster girl throughout. Add to this a great soundtrack, decent support from Justin Timberlake amongst others and my only criticism would be an ending that seems too nice and easy considering all the problems these characters clearly have.

Verdict: 4 /5

1408

Posted on September 13, 2007 by Craig Micklewright

Viewed – 11 September 2007 Cinema

It’s been a while since greatest horror writer of all time Stephen King wowed cinema goers. Yes, he still churns out paper back after paper back, but when was the last time we were treated to something like The Shining or Carrie? A long time, thats the answer – and even though this latest haunted hotel (room) story isn’t quite the legendary fright-fest of its ancestors, it still rocks your nerves thoroughly throughout – helped by a stellar performance from the always reliable John Cussack – easily one of my favourite actors.

Cussack plays a writer who researches supposedly haunted places in the hope of having a supernatural encounter – yet despite a wealth of experience, he has yet to see or experience any evidence of life after death – you see, his daughter died, and it set him on a mission to discover a meaning to such grief.

Yet when he stumbles upon a story involving a sinister room in a hotel, he just thinks its another tourest attraction, a creepy story to tell your kids and give them nightmares – and although skeptical at first, its not long until Cussack realises he’s entered the tenth level of hell – and the only hope he has is surving the night – or even the first hour(!). Suitable support is weighed in by the brilliant Samuel L. Jackson, who gives Cussack plenty of reason to not stay in 1408 – but this world-weary writer is having none of it – something he soon regrets.

The scares, the jumps, and some clever ideas are piled on thick and fast…yet I did feel the film played it a little safe, and could have been much more nasty and disturbing. Yet also it was refreshing to watch something that was just about mood, atmosphere and scares not buckets of blood and torture sequences.

It was like having tea with an old friend.

Verdict: 4 /5