Tag Archives: Simon Pegg

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

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Viewed – 04 May 2012  Blu-ray

Despite what some may say regarding actor Tom Cruise’s much publicised private life and Scientology beliefs, I have always considered him the very embodiment of a movie star.  He has the looks, the charisma, the acting ability and presence of a true Hollywood talent, and I personally have enjoyed many of his movies.  So naturally this latest instalment in the hit action franchise was a tantalising prospect … the only question remains, has Cruise, now approaching 50 still got what it takes to be a credible action star?

When a mission to Moscow goes wrong and the IMF team are accused of terrorism, Cruise and his band of agents are forced to go underground in order to track down the real culprit and prevent a nuclear threat.  Cruise is super-agent Ethan Hunt, this time joined on his mission by computer expert Simon Pegg, fellow agent Jeremy Renner and token hot stuff bad ass babe Paula Patton.  Directed by Brad Bird in his live action debut following animation hits The Iron Giant and The Incredibles this is slick and exciting stuff, with several stand-out action sequences including a veritgo-inducing sequence on the worlds tallest building in Dubai, as well as car chases, fist fights and lots of cool gadgets.

Unsurprising for a Mission Impossible film, the plot gets a touch complicated, and the villains are little more that stereotypical Russian nutjobs.  That being said, it was nice to see Michael Nyqvist in the lead bad-guy role following his turn in the Swedish The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and it’s sequels, but he doesn’t add much to proceedings other than look menacing.  Jeremy Renner on the other hand is quickly becoming one of my favourite actors and is again more than just hired muscle, adding some much-needed depth.  Simon Pegg also delivers in the comedy department with his usual one liners and lovable charm.  Brad Bird directs the action well with a few funny nods to franchise clichés such as a telephone that fails to self-destruct and to top it all, Cruise has lost none of his physical ability or screen charisma over the years.  I’d have loved the Mission Impossible theme to have been better implemented (why do they keep remixing it?) but overall this was a satisfying experience and a great addition to a great franchise.

Verdict:  4 /5

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2011 a look back – part one

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Thought I would take a look back at the last twelve months on this blog and offer up a definitive review of the year.  It is going to be split into the four quarters of the year, and will conclude with my final Top Ten.  Hope you enjoy reading the following highlights and disappointments…

January – March

January kicked off somewhat underwhelming with Sci-fi horror Splice, which although entertaining, didn’t make for a particularly memorable movie overall.   That couldn’t be said of the gore & tits fest that was Piranha 3D, certainly one of the most immediately entertaining movies this year, even if it’s b-movie styling means some may pass it off as rubbish.  Scott Pilgrim Vs The World was another highlight, with its clever camera-work and comic book meets video game style, and as ever Michael Cera was a joy.   Disappointing was the Sylvester Stallone, Jason Stathan, Dolph Lundrgren testosterone orgy The Expendables, case of a great idea badly realized … Perhaps Stallone should have left directing honours to someone else?

Once we hit February however, one of the best movies was Danny Boyle’s 127 Hours; a stunning achievement in taking a true-life tale of survival and making it both powerful, gut-wrenching and funny, with a startling central performance from James Franco.  Then as if something was in the water as far as movie releases were concerned, we also got Black Swan, a heart breaking, chilling exploration of madness with a brilliant turn from Natalie Portman and top-class directing honours from Darren Aronofsky.   It was no surprise that Portman would then scoop Best Actress at the Oscars the same month.  Of course such a run of top-class movies couldn’t last long, and the enjoyable Paul starring the usually excellent Simon Pegg and Nick Frost crumbled slightly under its reliance on one gag … a funny smart-mouthed alien.  Thankfully February concluded nicely with the surprising The House Of The Devil, a great throw-back to 70’s occult horrors like Rosemary’s Baby and The Omen, and despite a low-budget, really delivered.

March seemed to be the month I (albeit briefly) got my kung-fu movie loving mojo back, and offered up two impressive examples namely Donny Yen starrers Ip Man & Ip Man 2, expertly and stylishly directed by Yen himself and both offering fascinating tales of a true-life martial arts master.   Animated comedy Despicable Me was a gem, and in my opinion outclassed Toy Story 3 for pure entertainment, and with a heart-warming story, really impressed.  Takers, a heist movie starring Hayden Christensen, Idris Elba and Paul Walker was a satisfying if unimaginative take on movies like Heat.  The Disappearance Of Alice Creed offered up a gritty brit-thriller with a brave, revealing turn from Gemma Arterton, and concluding March was Ozzy toungue-in-cheek horror The Loved Ones, offering up stalkers, unrequited love and cannibalistic ex-boyfriends!

…Stay tuned for my run down of the following three months soon.

Paul

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Viewed – 15 February 2011  Cinema

It’s easy to like Brit comedy actors Nick Frost & Simon Pegg, two obvious best buds whose television and movie parings have made for comedy gold, helped by their obvious talent and endless knowledge of pop culture.  Shaun Of The Dead, their big-screen debut was the perfect marriage of romantic comedy and zombie horror and remains one of the best comedies to ever come out of the UK.  Pegg has subsequently gone onto a Hollywood career, starring in the likes of the Star Trek reboot.  But as is expected, he’s right at home alongside Frost, and again we have a sure-fire hit on our hands.

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It’s my birthday!!

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Today I reached the grand old age of 35!  Yes, 35 years on this planet, 35 years of me and my funny little ways and geeky hobbies.  Well today is also Remembrance Sunday, where we remember all those that fort and lost their lives in the various conflicts the world over.  It’s also Prince Charles’ birthday!  All in all, good company to keep on this day, I think!

I had money off friends in work, had happy birthday sang to me both on Friday and today, and have two cakes to eat (although the one from work is now fully digested!!).  Presents-wise, I had the autobiography of Simon Pegg, which considering I don’t read all that often, promise myself to actually sit down and read!!  And a little game called Call Of Duty Black Ops, of which you’ll get the usual impressions soon.

Tonight I’m going to be watching the Blu-ray of Back To The Future #1, which will form another segment to my impending Back To The Future Trilogy review.  All in all, I good time will be had by all.

May I also take this time to thank any viewers and those that comment on this blog, as you are all valued and make the time I put into this, very worth while!

Bye for now.

Craig.

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A decade in movies – part two

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In continuation to my run down of what movies I think really stood out in the decade, here’s part two …

  

Shaun Of The Dead

Of the few comedies to really make people get talking this past decade, this British collaboration between TV actors Simon Pegg & Nick Frost with director Edgar Wright really struck a chord.  Not only was it perfectly timed with the renewed interest in the zombie movie following in the wake of Danny Boyles’ 28 Days Later, this clever as hell comedy doesn’t rely on cheap gags or absurd characters, but believable nobodies in a life and death situation, all topped off with a bit of romance for good measure.  Endlessly re-watchable.  The best rom-zom-com ever made.

Lost In Translation

A romantic comedy that isn’t really a comedy or particularly a romance – that’s some achievement.  It makes Bill Murray more than just that 80s comedy star with a dry sense of humour, and re-discovers Scarlett Johansson and makes anyone who thought she was just a pretty face, think again.  As a love letter to Tokyo and Japanese culture it can not be faulted, and as a representation of Sophia Coppolla, she definitely proved herself as not just the daughter of Francis Ford Coppolla, but as a director of real merit.  Poetic, subtle, and timelessly memorable.

Secretary

On paper this should be a dirty movie, but with Maggie Gyllenhaal as the nerdy, wannabe secretary and former self-harmer who discovers her kinkier side when she meets James Spader’s bizarre, secretive lawyer-boss; this erotic without any actual sex in it movie stands out for its subtlety and clever script.  At its heart it’s an unconventional love story, and also a keen observation of human nature.  It’s also very funny.  Highly recommended.

High Fidelity

This feels to me like the Woody Allen movie that was never made.  Stephen Frears’ whimsical romantic comedy has a career best from John Cusack and it can also be credited as the movie with Jack Black in it you didn’t want to switch off ten seconds after pressing play.  Based on the novel by Nick Hornby, this has so much to recommend it, not just because it has a great soundtrack, or makes a lead character that should be totally unlikable totally likable, but because it has some of the best dialogue I’ve ever heard as well as scene after scene that sticks in your head. 

O Brother Where Art Thou?

Could this be the perfect Coen Brother’s movie?  It has everything they love – deep south backdrop, a bevy of character actors in the form of George Clooney, John Totturro and John Goodman, a clever take on an old story (this time: Homer’s Odyssey) and stunning cinematography.  The comedy is first class without being silly, the situations both reflective of American history and just brilliant set ups for our hapless heroes, with plenty of iconic moments.  They didn’t come close to this again until No Country For Old Men.

American Psycho

Adapting one of the most talked about novels of the past twenty years was going to be tough, especially when said novel was often criticised for its highly detailed description of violence and murder.  Yet the novel by Brett Eastern Ellis was also a satire of 80s culture, office politics and yuppies.  Casting former child actor Christian Bale as the eerily charming Patrick Bateman, adding a cheesy 80s pop soundtrack, and also dousing the material in some surreal moments of horror, makes for not only one of the best movies of the decade, but also one of the sharpest and most fascinating serial killer flicks ever made.

 

There are many more movies I could mention, but I think this list and its predecessor form the movies that had the biggest effect on me personally.  I think they all have their own unique merits and offered something perhaps we hadn’t seen before or at least not on such a level.  I hope anyone who hasn’t seen some of the movies mentioned, takes the time to seek them out.