MOVIE REVIEW: SKYFALL (12A)

"VINTAGE BOND"

Skyfall is an action & adventure film directed by Sam Mendes (same guy that brought us, Road to Perdition, 2002). M's past is back to haunt her as MI6 comes under attack. 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the mission becomes. 
Its starring Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Berenice Marlohe, Albert Finney, Ben Whishaw, Rory Kinnear, Ola Rapace, Helen McCrory, Nicholas Woodeson, Bill Buckhurst, Elize du Toit & Ian Bonar.

#FilmFact: This is the 23rd James bond film.
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THE REVIEW:

Daniel Craig is back for the third time as James Bond, the film celebrates its 50th anniversary of the series. 

I was able to watch Skyfall a couple days after its official release, and I can officially say... BOND IS BACK. This is worth the four year wait because it's Mr Craig's best effort as the secret agent. Time really does fly when you're having fun. Watching 007 for 143 minutes doesn't seem long enough when the storyline is amazing, and a witty dialogue that makes you want to go and watch it again. 

The back story fits well and affects everything throughout the duration of the film. The twists get better than the last, it had me on the edge of my seat, my eyes were glued to the screen. Most of the action scenes had me in awe, some may say it's a little over the top, but its James Bond for crying out loud. I was drawn to the fact that this latest Bond wasn't a clean cut gun wielding action man. He's actually very rough round the edges, yet he's still the perfect killing machine. Overall, the acting is top notch.

The director does an excellent job, it seems Mr Mendes went back to the drawing board, stripped Bond of his flashiness and basically gave him a knife. We still get to see the beautiful women, different countries & stylish cars. It just doesn't make them things the main focus. The cinematography and music blends effortlessly as 007 does his best to keep those closest to him safe. The camera work is steady making this an even better watch. I also loved the fact that most of the scenes were based in the UK. This just screams vintage bond, it felt really traditional. The only problem I found with the action scenes is that they felt a little mild mid way through. I didn't feel like our front man had enough man on man combat. I've seen countless films where the hero blasts weapons galore and bodies after bodies drop. I want to see that and more.

OVERALL:  WORTH THE WAIT.

STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5:  4.5

ONE FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE FILM:

The courtroom scene.

(if you loved another moment in the film, please feel free to share it with ME in the comments section :)

TRAILER:

MOVIE REVIEW: MY BROTHER THE DEVIL (15)

"OPEN MINDED BRILLIANCE"

My Brother The Devil is a British drama film directed by Sally El Hosaini (debut feature film). This story centres two teenage brothers who must face prejudices in order to survive. Two British Arabs on the streets of gangland London. 
Its starring James Floyd, Fady Elsayed, Said Taghamaoui, Aymen Hamdouchi, Ashley "Bashy" Thomas, Anthony Welsh, Arnold Oceng, Letitia Wright, Amira Ghazalla, Elarica Gallacher & Nasser Memarzia
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#FilmFact: Out in Cinema November 9th 2012. (SUPPORT UK FILMS)
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THE REVIEW:
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Thanks to @Bashy's management team, I was invited to a private screening of this film before its official cinema release date.

A modern tale of two brothers, one looking up to the other, and trying to emulate his gang lifestyle. While one is looking for a way out, another is heading the opposite direction. 

If I had to choose a film that depicted London gang life perfectly, then I would choose this film. It's gritty, gripping and has magnetic screen presence. This is one of the best films to come out of the UK in 2012. It's open minded, engaging and just left me wanting more and then some. Its being a while since I've been 100% in awe of a British director that takes a daring direction in film making. For a debut film this is an excellent effort from, Sally El Hasaini, Director. Every shot is captured with a purpose. 

 Storyline never goes off track, the raw emotions felt real. There's enough information about these characters to make you feel connected, it shows the types of lives some of these young men are forced to live. I've seen similar storylines, but the twists and turns it takes is what sets it apart. It tackles masculinity issues that most would run a mile from, and runs with it in a grown and sensible fashion. The cinematography & screenplay plays a big selling point, the London slang and swagger in all its glory. It's serious but still has clever comedy scenes placed in and around it. There isn't much wrong with this and is worth the watch.

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The whole cast is very impressive, a bunch of bright & young talent. Everyone brought their 'A game' making this feature so compelling. My #StarOfTheShowAward goes to Mo (Fady Elsayed). This is the first time I've seen him in his element, and he had great screen presence, but that's not trying to take anything from the main man Rashid (James Floyd). 
I left the private screening a happy man.

OVERALL:  A CONSISTENT & POWERFUL FILM.

STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5:  4

ONE FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE FILM:

The scene outside the off licence shop.

(if you loved another moment in the film, please feel free to share it with ME in the comments section :)

TRAILER:

MOVIE REVIEW: TAKEN 2 (12A)

"CHILDS PLAY"

Taken 2 is an action, crime & drama film directed by Olivier Megaton (same guy that brought us Hitman & Transporter 3). Retired CIA operative Bryan Mills and his wife are taken hostage in Istanbul by the father of a kidnapped Mills killed while rescuing his daughter. Its Starring  Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Rade Serbedzija, Leland Orser, Jon Gries, D.B. Sweeney, Luke Grimes & Kevor Malikyan.

#FilmFact: This will be the only sequel.
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THE REVIEW:

I had the chance of catching this film a few days after its cinema release. Taken 2 does not exactly bring anything new to the table. It re runs the same skeleton storyline from Taken 1 but dumbs it down to a safe level of no risks taking. This is a 12A certificated movie and boy can you tell, the director even throws in some comedy scenes. Some in car & foot chases we have all seen before in films so nothing short of cliché's here then. If you liked the first one then you wont mind this one, just don't expect it to amaze.
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I was expecting a grittier and twisted tale but the overall production is mediocre. Even with the bumps along the storyline I still felt like it was running smoothly. Where's the element of surprise? Everything felt too on cue. NOTHING unexpected really happens, Mills (Neeson) just seem to have all the moves, skills and accuracy he needs to defeat the baddies. I personally like Liam Neeson as an actor, the legacy he had already established as Bryan Mills was just not capitalised on. Even the Albanians getting killed one after the other don't have enough connection for it to really mean anything. I only needed to watch half an hour and could already figure out how it was all going to end.
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 Apart from the acting, speeches and some of the action scenes everything else about it screamed average. It may be his age but the lead actor looks breathless and his fighting scenes just about cut it. He starts off assertive, smooth, calculated and two steps ahead of everybody but as the film continues I realise that the script is written too clean and whatever happens the hero wins. Almost feels like this sequel is mocking the first one with the light hearted scenes. The hype around Taken 2 was overrated when viewing the final cut. Another sequel falls short of its potential.

OVERALL:  AVERAGE ACTION FILM.

STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5:  2.5

ONE FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE FILM:

 The scenes of Mr Mills (Leeson) and his daughter Kim (Grace) being chased in a yellow taxi.

(if you loved another moment in the film, please feel free to share it with ME in the comments section :)

TRAILER:

TRAILERS: ALL THE FILMS OUT IN CINEMA THIS OCTOBER (2012)

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- HERE ARE ALL THE TRAILER FOR MOVIES OUT THIS OCTOBER IN THE UK.

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· The Perks of Being A Wallflower (12A) (IN CINEMA 3RD OCTOBER)

· Taken 2 (12A) (IN CINEMA 4TH OCTOBER)

· English Vinglish (IN CINEMA 5TH OCTOBER)

· The Knot (15) (IN CINEMA 5TH OCTOBER)

· Liberal Arts (12A) (IN CINEMA 5TH OCTOBER)

· Sinister (15) (IN CINEMA 5TH OCTOBER)

· Some Guy Who Kills People (IN CINEMA 5TH OCTOBER)

· Sparkle (12A) (IN CINEMA 5TH OCTOBER)

· Bhoot Returns (3D) (IN CINEMA 12TH OCTOBER)

· Hit & Run (15) (IN CINEMA 12TH OCTOBER)

· Hotel Transylvania (3D) (U) (IN CINEMA 12TH OCTOBER)

· On The Road (15) (IN CINEMA 12TH OCTOBER)

· Private Peaceful (IN CINEMA 12TH OCTOBER)

· Pusher (18) (IN CINEMA 12TH OCTOBER)

· Ruby Sparks (15) (IN CINEMA 12TH OCTOBER)

· Frankenweenie (3D) (PG) (IN CINEMA 17TH OCTOBER)

· Paranormal Activity 4 (IN CINEMA 17TH OCTOBER)

· Ginger & Rosa (12A) (IN CINEMA 19TH OCTOBER)

· Madagascar 3 (3D) (PG) (IN CINEMA 19TH OCTOBER)

· Dark Tide (12A) (IN CINEMA 22ND OCTOBER)

· Skyfall  (IN CINEMA 26TH OCTOBER)

· Fun Size (IN CINEMA 29TH OCTOBER)

· Silent Hill: Revelation (3D) (IN CINEMA 31ST OCTOBER)