Minions

Posted on November 21, 2015 by Craig M

Viewed – 19 November 2015 Blu-ray

It has to be said, those little yellow guys from the Despicable Me movies have become a runaway merchandising goldmine, and so following their slapstick pratfalls in those two highly entertaining outings … getting their own movie was an obvious no brainer.

Kevin, Bob and Stuart are members of a tribe of ‘minions’; peculiar little guys born to serve an evil villain. However after centuries of missteps and blunders in search of their perfect leader, the three friends are given the task of setting off on a journey to track down famed super villain Scarlett Overkill, who just so happens to be attending a villain convention in Orlando.

It’s silly stuff no doubt, but packed with energy and plenty of in-jokes and site gags. The minions are endlessly appealing and watching them get into scrapes is a lot of fun. One stand out chase involving The Queen and The Crown Jewels is hilariously gripping. However the villain, despite best efforts from Sandra Bullock is tiresome and clichéd and brings very little to the admittedly wafer-thin story. Her henchman is also pretty lame. The constant mickey taking of Brirish stereotypes got old quickly too. But that being said, with uniformally ‘gorgeous’ CGI animation (sorry, but give me hand drawn animation any day of the week over such ‘pristine’ pixels) and bags of personality in the little fellas – I still got a kick out of this. Does it do much I wasn’t expecting? No. But did it entertain? Certainly.

Verdict: 3 /5

Gravity

Posted on March 9, 2014 by Craig M

Viewed – 08 March 2014 pay-per-view

The type of movie that sells itself from the trailer alone. Seeing Sandra Bullock being flung around space as a space station shatters around her was both exhilarating and exciting … what was this? It felt fresh and new, a whole new cinematic ‘experience’ that finally warranted the dawn of 3D.

I can’t watch 3D, something to do with the fact I am only partially sited in one eye. Shame I know, but for the most part I’m not bothered. This however was the first movie I have seen where I really wish I could have seen it in all it’s multi-dimensional glory. Sandra Bullock is an astronaut working at a space station orbiting earth along with seasoned astronaut George Clooney. However when disaster strikes they are left stranded and floating in the ominous void of space with limited oxygen and limited hope, with no communication with back home. Will they survive?

I thought immediately this was a stunning looking movie, with the special effects, sound-design and camera work all state-of-the-art, transporting this viewer right there and believe me, that’s a unnerving place to be. Director Alfonso Cuarón (Children Of Men) cements his growing reputation as a visual auteur, delivering moments that truly challenge what is possible on film. How some of these shots were achieved baffles me, but that’s the magic of cinema. Bullock is very good in the central role, even if I’d have liked a bit more desperate emotion out of her (but still looks great in and erm, out of her suit), and Clooney is basically Clooney, charismatic but nothing we haven’t seen from him a dozen times. Also that moment Bullock starts barking to a radio transmission … bit odd that.

Yet this is a movie that is all about experience, about being there, about feeling disorientated and about hoping everything turns out ok. In which respect, it excels.

Verdict: 4 /5

Top Ten Movie Crushes

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Craig M

Inspired again from a post over at The Sporadic Chronicles Of A Beginner Blogger and further more from the idea posted over at Cinema Parrot Disco, here are my own (to best recollection) ten movie crushes … in no particular order.

Scarlett Johansson in Lost In Translation

Back when she was a little less glamorous, she is an image of innocent beauty, and makes for a great partnership with Bill Murray. First Johansson film I ever saw too.

Winona Ryder in Reality Bites

So many images in this movie of Winona looking sassy, cool, beautiful … her hair, those eyes, and it’s a great romantic drama too.

Mila Kunis in Black Swan

Seductive and dangerous. Kunis at her sexy best.

Bridget Fonda in Point of No Return (aka The Assassin)

Vulnerable, tough and sexy. This role should have made her a star, but sadly the movie bombed.

Maggie Gyllenhaal in Secretary

Launched this quirky, gifted actress and as a more girl-next-door-type, exudes subtle sexiness and weirdness. My kinda gal!

Marion Cotillard in Inception

DiCaprio’s phantom wife, seductive and deadly, but also tragic. A great actress and such smoky eyes!

Katherine Isabelle in Ginger Snaps

One of the hottest actresses to ever turn into a revenant snarling wolf – Isabelle exudes sex and eroticism, whilst also being rather funny!

Michelle Pfeiffer in Batman Returns

Forget Anne Hathaway, THIS is the only Cat Woman the movie industry ever needed. Part dominatrix, part tragic victim, and Pfeiffer at her sexy, beautiful best.

Sandra Bullock in Speed

Again another first and launched the career of this very likable actress. Looking her prettiest and girlfriend-like in this classic thriller.

Maggie Cheung in The Heroic Trio

Fell for her during my Hong Kong Action Cinema phase in the 90s … a stunning example of a hot female badass action hero!! Oh and she’s a very good actress too, see ‘Hero’.

So a few unusual choices there you might think, a few obvious ones but kind of sums up the kind of females I tend to crush over in movies. Have you a list of your own? Give it a go and lets see!!

Update

Posted on November 5, 2013 by Craig M

Ok, going to be making some effort to watch a few movies gathering dust on my desk of late. Wont say here what they are, but expect reviews to turn up in the next few days … I know, very teasy of me! Unfortunately I am not sure I’ll get around to seeing Gravity, that very interesting looking Sandra Bullock movie, but I am still crossing my fingers, and the currently released Thor sequel is probably going to get missed also. Cinema is just not happening right now (sad face). Oh well. With my birthday on the horizon (11/14 readers!!), I see a few more Blu-ray’s happening and even a bit more gaming (yes, late to the party, but it will be Batman Arkham City: Game Of The Year Edition).

Last few days I managed to finally complete Hitman Absolution – a very good but very challenging entry in the franchise, but easily the best in the series I have played … awesome graphics, very cinematic and the gameplay was very cool. Also managed to finish the excellent, very emotional and engaging The Last Of Us of which I spoke about in an earlier post. Both games should be on your to-play list if you enjoy solid story driven experiences. However, Dead Space 3 is still on my shelf … it’s a good game but not been in the mood for that kind of intense fright-fest lately. One day … one day.

That’s all from me for now. Back soon!