July 2008 Archives

The Dark Knight is the best comic book movie ever made.

Set almost a year following the events of Batman Begins, we find Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) struggling between the mantle of Batman and his desire for a 'normal life', with Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal). And he's nearly there, but then a new homicidal maniac pops up by the name of the Joker (Heath Ledger). But that's not all to this very complex plot- there's the addition of Harvey Dent, Gotham's new District Attorney.

The new Gotham D.A., good cop Jim Gordon and the justice seeking Batman create for quite an interesting character relationship. What one does affects the other and in most instances, each choice each person makes fundamentally affects another.

The story is extremely well written- the Nolan brothers have done a great job of turning David S. Goyer's original story into a screenplay. Every character is played with, every relationship is messed with and every character's life is changed forever.

Chris Nolan has done an amazing job in directing the Dark Knight. Each scene is shot beautifully and each actor fits just fine with their character.

The IMAX scenes are breathtaking and tense. It's incredible that no movies have been shot like this before. The cinematography is also spot-on and Gotham is visually stunning.

You can have a huge budget, an all-star cast and a great story, but it's nothing without a dead right, resolute director. Mr. Nolan has not only created the best movie so far this year, he's created one of the greatest films of the past decade. An Oscar nod is an understatement of what he deserves with his work on The Dark Knight.

There is not one bad performance in this film, every actor plays their roles well. Bale is inspiring as a confused Batman, Eckhart portrays Harvey Dent's rise and fall very well and Gary Oldham puts in one of his finest performances yet as James Gordon. Maggie Gyllenhaal is a better Rachel Dawes than Katie Holmes ever was and Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine, both turn in their usual standards of excellence.

And then there's Heath Ledger.

Whilst Ledger's Joker is fantastically evil and unique, it is not the awe-inspiring, oscar winning performance than a lot of people seem to be making it out to be. Some of his more extreme scenes felt slightly forced, as if Heath was trying too hard.

He will no doubt at least be considered for an Oscar nomination, it may not be for the performance, but maybe for the tragic circumstances surrounding it.

So was he better than Jack Nicholson's Joker?

You can't actually compare them. They're two different characters, in two very different fictional worlds that are based on the same iconic villain. The only commonality both characters share is the name Joker, but other than that it's like comparing waking up to breathing air.

The Dark Knight (12A) is out in cinemas and IMAX nationwide.

Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins will delve deeper than any film before into the Terminator universe and show the post apocalyptic wars between the machines and John Connor's human resistance.

Christian Bale (The Dark Knight, American Physco) stars as John Connor, humanity's final hope against the machines. Connor finds the future he was raised to believe in in question, following the appearance of the mysterious Marcus Wright, a stranger whose last memory is of being on death row.

Connor must find decide whether Marcus has been sent from the future or rescued from the past.

As Skynet prepares its final attack on humanity, Connor and Marcus set upon an adventure that will lead them to the very centre of Skynet's operations where they uncover the terrifying secret behind the possible extermination of mankind.

The trailer looks good, but I just don't understand why they've decided to set this in the future and not bring back the governator for a 4th round.

Infact! Imagine they got Stallone and Arnie to star in Terminator 4....walking sticks at dawn anyone?

Your Wednesday question of the day is, what would you rather have seen, the governator back with one more round...with Stallone possibly, or a whole new post apocalyptic, futuristic take on the franchise?

Hey guys,

Sorry about the lack of updates. We've been really busy. Anyway, below is reviews of the Hulk, Hancock, Wanted and Kung Fu Panda.

The Incredible Hulk

Ed Norton is, as predicted, flamin' fantastic as the big green machine. He's just what the franchise needed. This is a 'requel' to 2003's disastrous Hulk.

We find Bruce Banner on the run from the US Army, deep in South America. He seems to be in control of his rage, that is until one tough guy pushes him too far and it's all lean, green and mean from there. Terrible, terrible pun I know.

This is a well-done Superhero movie. The all-star cast does help and while it isn't by any means a master piece, it is fun for all the family.

Oh and the cameo from Robert Downey Jr. is ace.

Wanted

Coatbridge born Mark Millar will be delighted with this adaptation of his graphic novel.

Starring Angelina Jolie, James McAvoy and Morgan Freeman, Wanted tells the story of Gibson, an average-joe who, as fate would have it, turns out to be the son of the world's greatest assassin.

Don't go into this trying to analyse or take some hidden meaning from it like you could the Matrix. There is none.

Enjoy it and marvel at the madly, overblown action scenes.

Hancock

I was really excited about this movie. Hancock is basically Superman without all the jazz- no cape, no slicked back hair and none of that boyscout attitude.

This is a very interesting concept- a Superman who doesn't give a crap.

Will Smith is great in the first of half of the film...but that is until the woeful second half unfolds and everything goes to shreds. The plot contradicts itself and there is no real climax to it all.

I was really disappointed with this movie, but if you're up for some seriously high budget laughs then you should definitely check this out.

Kung Fu Panda

This is the best of the four. Jack Black plays Po, a Kung Fu fan, who, through a series of mishaps, finds himself flung into the world of martial arts as the chosen Dragon Warrior.

Featruing an all star line-up with the likes of Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan and Angelina Jolie, this film will definitely not disappoint. What is surprising is that with cast like that, the marketing team for the movie didn't shout about them.

I had actually planned on seeing The Forbidden Kingdom but I decided to go for this instead and I have to say, this was one very good movie.

This has something for all the family and even Kung Fu fans will admire the well-put together fight scenes.

It is definitely the best family movie so far this summer.