Review - Skyfall 007

      
Daniel Craig is back, as James Bond in a truly gripping new story 'Skyfall' where Bond's loyalty to M is tested when her past comes back to haunt her. Whilst MI6 comes under attack from unknown and dangerous forces, 007 must track down and destroy the bad guy, no matter how personal the cost.

Hey Everyone

Welcome to another Dr.Film review. In today's review I will be looking at the latest James Bond adventure, Skyfall written by John Logan, Directed by Sam Mendes and stars Daniel Craig as 007, Dame Judi Dench as M and Javier Bardem as Silva.

This movie is truly amazing, there is no doubt in my mind that tells me that Skyfall is not a bad film. I'm no James Bond fan, but from what I gathered from the Internet and the publicity stuff, it seemed that they intended to step things up a noch in order to celebrate 50 years of Bond, and I think they pulled off that task brilliantly.

This film came out in Britain on the 26th of October 2012 and arrived in America on the 9th of November.

SPOILER ALERT: Again like with my review of 'The Hobbit' I feel I don't need to post a spoiler warning out for Skyfall. Because I'm sure pretty much everyone has seen it. It's one of the most successful films made in Britain ever, the DVD is out, It's on demand. Those who wanted to see it have seen it by now. But just in case you haven't please don't read this review until you've seen the film, it's not worth spoiling for yourself.

I really think that 'Skyfall' is brilliant. It is such a treat for all of the 007 fans, again I'm not a James Bond fan so I can't really go into the depths of what fans deserve and what they don't, But what I do know is that Skyfall is a fantastic thriller which entertain as well as amaze the viewer. It certainly in my top 10 films I've seen.



Daniel Craig is back as Bond, a really great performance from Daniel Craig in this film. He played the character dead straight and proper and apparent. which is what you should do impersonating such an iconic role such as James Bond.

Daniel Craig is my favourite Bond, he's gritter than all the previous Bonds, He brings new levels of strain to the character, he makes me believe he is a spy or secret agent, he's a great action man and above all he's the Bond of my generation, that's why I like him so much.



Dame Judi Dench back as M. The stern boss, the woman who gives Bond his missions. I thought she brought brilliant new aspects to her personae of M, I haven't seen Casino Royale or Quantum of Solice so I don't have a clear understanding to her character, I only gained the background of her M and the personal messages from Skyfall. I have to say she is a fantastic M. She really did a fantastic job in Skyfall. Judi Dench is an actress I think is wonderful anyway, naturally she's going to give a great performance.



Javier Bardem from 'No Country for Old Men' playing a Bond villain, He was brilliant to. His character of Silva is an echo terrorist who has an old score to settle with Judi Dench's M. He was very good at showing his anger and frustration, and also showing his charm and lack of good spirit, his character of Silva is a very cold character and Bardem has the look of someone who could be evil, he has a dodgy look in his eyes which makes his performance ever more convincing.

The rest of cast were splendid, people like Ben Wishaw (Q), Ralph Fiennes (Gareth Mallory), Naomi Harris (Eve Moneypenny) and Bérénice Marlohe (Severine) all really strong performances which complement each other.

The effects and action sequences I loved to, all the punch ups, and gun fights, and things blowing up, the train crash I thought was brilliantly done. My favourite effect is when the huge house blew up and we got to see this massive authentic explosion coming out in a vibrant and excessive way. I loved that effect, blew me away.

The Directed Sam Mendes clearly did a fantastic job as director,I'm not familiar with him as a director but should he go one to direct more action movies like Skyfall, I'll be there. great direction on this film.

Adele also did the theme song, a really great song, she's a fantastic artists doing her bit for the Bond 50th anniversary celebrations.

And what a love about 'Skyfall' is it doesn't try to be all proper and traditional, It tries to be different, and bigger and better. And with the ending absence to Judi Dench and the coming in of Ralph Fiennes as the new M. I sense a great change for the James Bond films today.



Though there is a strong personal message and concentration in the plot of Skyfall, the effects and the acting is fantastic, grippingly tense and such a treat for all of the Bond fans.

I give Skyfall 9/10

1 Gold Star to Daniel Craig
1 Gold Star to Judi Dench
1 Gold Star to Javier Bardem

1 Platinum Star to Sam Mendes

NEXT WEEK: For all of next week, I will be reviewing all eight Harry Potter movies, from Philosopher's Stone - Deathly Hallows.

I will start my Harry Potter reviews on Monday the 1st of July 2013

Review - The Hobbit : An Unexpected Journey

An Unexpected Journey : A tale of the younger and more reluctant Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, who sets out to embark on an "unexpected journey" to the Lonely Mountain with a wizard known as Gandalf the Grey and a spirited group of Dwarfs to reclaim their stolen homeland from a dastardly evil dragon named Smaug.




Hello Everyone !

Welcome to my newest review, today I will be taking a little detour to middle earth to talk about the first 'Hobbit' film. Directed by Peter Jackson and starring Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins and Ian McKellan as the forever wise Gandalf the Grey.

I'm pleased to say I hope to be pleasing all Hobbit fans today as I talk about 'An Unexpected Journey', because I feel it was a very enjoyable, fantasy adventure that one can just get lost in and enjoy it for what it is, a story.

'Unexpected Jouney' arrived in the UK on the 13th of December 2012, and came to the USA on the 14th of December 2012. It is now available to purchase worldwide.

SPOILER ALERT: This may sound silly for me doing an spoiler alert on this occasion, because I'm sure all of the kean 'Hobbit' fans have seen it by now. But just encase you haven't got round to seeing 'The Hobbit' for whatever reason, I suggest you watch it now, before you have things being spoiled for you.

So after all these years we've waited patiently for 'The Hobbit', it took a long while but it finally arrived and now the first one has been released, and we have two more still to go. It was great to be back in middle earth once more. I considered it a pleasure to see all the lovely sets and valleys of Bagend again, because they are very vibrant and excessive and they make Tolkien's words on paper a reality, which in turn is very authentic and a visually brilliant.

Bilbo Baggins finally tells Frodo his story of how he was included into a valiant quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome evil dragon Smaug. Approached from out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining in a company of thirteen dwarfs led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield.

Their journey will be no easy task, as they are inclined to walk into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders. Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain they first must survive the wrath of Stone giants, avoid getting eaton by bickering trolls and escape the goblin tunnels.

It is in the deep dark areas of the caves where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever ... Gollum. Alone in the dark with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, Bilbo doesn't only discover the depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum's "precious" ring.

Bilbo uses the ring to escape, and rejoins his Dwarf party and pleases Gandalf. They party are attacked by a group of Orcs, as Thorin angusihes a blood thirsty vengeance against his nemesis the white orc, Bilbo saves his life. And it is a flock of flying eagles that save them all. At the end of the film we witness the waking of Smaug, leading into events of the second Hobbit film which will be out later in the year.

So all in all it was really good. I thoroughly enjoyed 'Unexpected Journey' It had some fantastic battle scenes, it was funny, lots of running about, It's a lot more adventurous and light hearted than 'Lord of the Rings' which is what I love. I liked the fact that Peter Jackson didn't want to go down the same roots with 'The Hobbit' as he did for 'Lord of the Rings'. It just gives 'The Hobbit' something different to come by with the target audience and with those of a much younger audience that like fantasy drama.



The only problem I have with 'The Hobbit'  is that it is far too long, I got to end of it and you think. 'That didn't need to be as long as it was' so it is a shame things dragged on as far as the plot and storytelling was concerned, after a while it can get a bit boring.

But overall, I do like 'The Hobbit' a lot I believe it to be a film that the whole family can sit down and enjoy.

I look forward to seeing the second one when it comes out this December, because it looks amazing.

In terms of what I thought of the cast, I really liked 'Martin Freeman' as Bilbo. he gave a fabulous performance as the lovable Hobbit.

Ian McKellen returning to the role of Gandalf for the first time in nine years, it felt like he was never away, he jumped back in the zone and was Gandalf. incredibly good performance, because he's a fantastic actor.

All the guest cast for the Dwarfs were well cast, I liked Richard Armitage, Jimmy Nesbit, Ken Stott they were all really good. Sylvester McCoy as Radagst the Brown was brilliant as well, Sylvester McCoy has a fantastic personality, very wacky and over the top, but then again very serious and stern eyed, so he has an incredible sense of control as an actor of identifying between the two.



I'm going to give 'The Hobbit' 8/10

Thank you for reading this review, If you agree or disagree with my thoughts than leave a comment below, I'm interested to know what you thought of this film. as second opinions do count.

NEXT TIME : I will review 'Skyfall' James Bond's latest adventure. Starring Daniel Craig, Judi Dench and
Javier Bardem.

I will post that review on Saturday the 29th of June 2013

Review - Hitchcock

Hitchcock - By the time of the late 1950's influential filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock is about to face his toughest challenge yet. along side his wife Alma Reveille showing full support, the two of them bend over backwards to finish filming Hitch's latest ambitious project - Psycho.

Hey Everyone

Welcome to another rant of a film review, in Today's review I will be talking about Hitchcock. The latest film looking into a section of the lives of Alfred Hitchcock himself, and his wife Alma. This section of Hitchcock's life and career as a director is very important, because it was the time when he was making 'Psycho', his most ambitious and successful film he ever made.

Hitchcock came to British screens on the 8th of February 2013, and was released in America on the 14th of December 2012.

SPOILER ALERT: Just a warning to say I will be revealing the odd spoiler or two, as I talk about the film. If your not ok with that, you should probably turn away now.

This film certainly does have a sort of "King's Speech" feel to it. It has that sort of feel that this is something special and worth seeing, It certainly aroused my interests. I thought the cast list looked very promising indeed, and the story was very appealing because it's about Hitchcock giving himself a challenge, and sticking to it.

Back in 1959, Alfred Hitchcock and his wife, Alma, were at the top of their game in the field of creativity as filmmakers amid disquieting insinuations about it being time to retire. In order to recapture his youth's artistic daring, Alfred decides his next film will adapt the lurid horror novel, which in this instance turns out to be - Psycho.  Already we got a good story forming together.

Over everyone misgivings. Unfortunately, as Alfred self-finances his house and labours on this new production, Alma finally loses patience with his roving eye and controlling habits with his actresses. When an ambitious friend of hers invites her to collaborate on a work of their own, the resulting marital tension colours Alfred's work even as the novel's inspiration and haunts his dreams.

Alfred and Alma work together as a team, to finish the film and publicise it as best as they can. It is to their amazement that the film is a success. Later goes on to be Hitchcock's most successful film he ever made.

And what I loved is 'The Birds' hint at the end with the raven on Hitch's shoulder. I thought that was humorous as well as historically accurate. and also it felt to me very animated and well shot as well.



 If I'm being honest, I didn't expect to like it as much as I did. I mean I got very hyped up by all the trailers and the publicity stuff. It was something I felt was worth watching, It was very good indeed. It was very historically accurate to Hitchcock's life and career. It was diverse, It was funny as well.

It did get a bit boring after a while, things didn't progress as well as I thought they would. This is a film that you really need to sit down and watch, and your attention needs to be on it.

Though I thought all the sets were authentic, The Studio settings very original made it look like a 50's film set. The costumes were accurate, very plain colours to show the mood of the characters and the people the actors were playing, hair and make up I thought was all very well done, the music was well composed and automated to fit within scenes - for instance the scene where they editing the scary music into the shower scene was an example of that.

I thought Anthony Hopkins as 'Hitchcock' was really good, although mind you he is unrecognisable in all his make up and latex mask that he's wearing. But then again it's done so well, you as a viewer would believe he is his 'Hitchcock' because he looks like him and resembles him.

I thought Dame Helen Mirrin as Alma also gave another great performance, because she's a really good actress. She plays the role as it is with no strings attached.

I think they worked well together as a pair. There certainly was a relationship somewhere between the characters.



So would I say 'Hitchcock' is worth watching. I would say 'Yes' but only if you are prepared to give your full attention to it,and your willing to sit down and watch it.

I will give it a 6/10

Thank you for reading this review.

NEXT TIME : I will review the beginning of an incredible journey for lovable Hobbit - Bilbo Baggins as I talk about 'The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey'.

I will post 'The Hobbit' review on Friday the 28th of June 2013.

Review - Life of Pi

The Life of Pi - Ang Lee's interpretation of the Yann Martel novel about a young man who survives a disaster, at sea is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. Whilst a cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor: a fearsome Bengal Tiger.




Hello Film Lovers.

Welcome the newest Dr.Film review, today I am happy to say that I am finally reviewing a visually spectacular movie, which is Ang Lee's 'Life of Pi'. Based of the award winning novel written by Yann Martel. The book is treasured by millions. I feel that although this film is based of a book, it helps the viewer to visualise the story and take things away from just being words on page.

This film was released in the USA on the 21st of November 2012, and came to the UK on the 20th of December 2012. The DVD and Blu-Ray of it is available to buy now, from all good retailers.

SPOILER ALERT: You know the drill, there's going to spoilers. If you don't want to know the secrets of this film, please don't ruin it for yourself. Read this review after you've seen it. 'Life of Pi' is not a film worth spoiling. it's an experience worth sharing.

I'll start off by saying, I went along to this not really expecting much. I saw this film a few days after it came out, and it was exceedingly popular. I remember going along to an afternoon showing of it, the screen was packed. I was seeing it in 3D and  I could tell that most people were interested in seeing the special effects as well wanting to get caught up into the fantastical world of Ang Lee.

The Story is set in Canada. It's about a writer who goes to visit an Indian storyteller Pi Patel and asks him to tell his life story, so he can write about it and put into a book. So already there is some relation to the book were Ang Lee has chosen to make it feel like what happened actually did happen and the writer in this film represents Yann Martel, who would later go on to write the book and tell Pi's story to the world.

Pi tells the young writer the story of his childhood in Pondicherry, India, and the origin of his nickname. One day, his father, a zoo owner, explains that the municipality is no longer supporting the zoo and he has hence decided to move to Canada, where the animals the family owns would also be sold. They board on a Japanese cargo ship with the animals and out of the blue, there is a horrendous storm, followed by a shipwrecking.

Pi survives in a lifeboat with a zebra, an orangutan, a hyena and a male Bengal tiger nicknamed Richard Parker. Pi is adrifted in the Pacific Ocean in a small boat, and with an aggressive Rickard Parker getting hungry. Pi needs to find a way to survive and quickly.

The moral line of 'Life of Pi' is visualising it for yourself and making up your own mind later, Storywise it was about Pi surviving out in the ocean and his relationship with the Tiger. But the twist that I picked up was right at the end where the Tiger vanishes on the beech, that scene really played on my mind and got me thinking, It bugged me for quite a while as to what message that was about until I cleverly figured out to my amazement. I think there was no tiger, I believe the whole animals on the boat thing was how Pi wanted us to see it and the reality of matter in this film is seeing is believing.

When Pi arrives at the Japanese embassy and explains the story that we saw, with the animals. they don't believe him. When he rewords the story and breaks it down and tells us all a story we can believe that's when it started to kick in for me. It was so cleverly done, you couldn't mistake it. It was brilliantly done.



 Ang Lee, a brilliant director who did a brilliant job. I really liked Ang Lee's work on this film. really had emotional depth to it which in turn brought out a great story.

I thought the effects were just fantastic, experiencing them in 3D is something I'll never forget.

All the scenes shot in the boat were cleverly done, done up with green or blue screen to make it look like a landscape of just water for miles on end. So believable and authentic.

However after while the scenes in the boat although they were very well shot and done, they progressed very slow. It board things out for me as far as the story telling was concerned, and the switch overs between scenes were a little distracting, I personally blame the Producer or whoever was editing it, clearly missed a few marks. wasn't as clean cut as it should have been.

In a nutshell 'Life of Pi' is a visual spectacular which plays on the mind. It really moved me. I didn't expect it to have such an emotional effect on me as it did.

I'm going to give it 8/10

Thank you for reading this review, a bit short this time but that's only because I didn't think dragging my opinion out would help matters, you very much need to make up your own mind with this movie, because it is a mind bender.

NEXT TIME: I will review Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirrin who star in 'Hitchcock'

I will post the 'Hitchcock' review on Thursday the 27th of June 2013.

Review - A Good Day to Die Hard

A Good Day to Die Hard - John McClane is back. In his newest Die Hard adventure, He travels to Russia to help out his seemingly wayward son, Jack, only to discover that Jack is a CIA operative working to prevent a nuclear-weapons heist. The father and son to team up to fight against the hostile underworld forces.



Hello Film lovers

I hope you had a good weekend, to start this week off I will be reviewing the latest Die Hard movie.

SPOILER ALERT: Warning, this review contains spoilers so if you do not wish for the surprises in the film to be ruined by my critical examination, you should read this review a bit later.

Good Day is the fifth adventure in the Die Hard legacy, starring Bruce Willis as action man John McClaine.  This film came to the UK and the US on the same day which was the 14th of February 2013, so apparently Valentine's Day was 'A Good Day to Die Hard'.

This film has a lot more to offer than the previous Die Hard's, there's more action, more graphic violence, more heavy action, interesting villains, vibrant setting. It has all the ingredients to be a high tense action thriller which will excite as well as entertain the audience.

Speaking as a Die Hard fan, I loved the first two films, so when I approached this I was aware that things had changed and it was more modern and not as dated as the first two. However I thought 'Good Day' brought the McClaine family together for the audience, it very much focuses on John's relationships with his children which is nice, gives out background and depth to the character. In comparison to the first two films it was about John saving his wife from danger, in 'Good Day' he's going out to Russia to help his son, who shot someone out in Russia.

And at first we as the viewer sense not a very loving and affectionate relationship, we actually get the exact opposite. Jack would rather have John stay out of his business entirely, where as John is the one risking his life to help Jack, and Jack isn't all that grateful. So already there's a fuse, a loose wire between the two of them as Father and Son. But I think that makes things more interesting because if they did get on, it wouldn't be as good, the tension between characters wouldn't be there and the action cliche's wouldn't be that apparent.



The Story is basically about Iconoclastic, take-no-prisoners cop John McClain who for the first time, finds himself in foreign country after travelling to Moscow to help his son Jack - unaware that Jack is really a highly-trained CIA operative out to stop a dangerous nuclear weapons heist. With the Russian underworld in pursuit, and battling a countdown to war, the two McClain's discover that their opposing methods make them unstoppable heroes, and as it turns out two McClain's are better than one.

Effect wise, I thought some of the action sequences were a little bit over exaggerated, which in turn didn't make it that believable. You got lots happening in this film you got huge military vechilces crashing into cars, you got cars getting squashed, insane traffic jams, helicopter being shot down, highly exaggerated explosions which together create a massive effect, but also gives the viewer a sense of realisation that what their watching is not real, so as much as I liked the effects, they could of toned things down a bit. I felt that production wise it got a bit carried away with 'we have to make this the biggest Die Hard yet'. It doesn't need that. The first two films accomplished a good story and great effects hand in hand.

The director John Moore obviously wanted to created a drastic drama story, with heavy action to keep all good 'Die Hard' fans happy. I feel he didn't do a bad job, he certainly brought something different to the Die Hard legacy, which I approve of. He was very clean cut with his camera angles, I liked his sense of direction of what should happen when, what I mean by that is when things should be quick they were fast passed. when there was an intimate talk scene, he'd slow things down and allow the tension to built up.

I felt the story could of been better, It wasn't all that fantastic as the first two were. I some how found it difficult to follow the plot on 'Good Day' it lacked that essence of comparative story telling for me, which is a terrible shame.

I failed to understand, why the writers on this film felt the need to drag out all this unneccary humour. I mean the whole 'Im on vaycastion' joke. It worked the first time, but they dragged that joke out completely and after the third time John said it, it just stopped being funny. so don't understand why they had to over exaggerate the humour side of things, I feel the humour could of been toned down.



I thought Bruce Willis, as John McClaine was really good. He played the character as it is. I'm pleased he didn't try to change the character in anyway that would allow me to dislike him. because I do like John McClaine - the character. I think he's a brilliant action man, and an iconic hero in action movies now.

Jai Courtney who played John's son Jack, again really good casting. did a much better job in Die Hard then he did in 'Jack Reacher'.

I also thought the actress who played John's daughter was good, I can't remember the actress's name, but she was good in the bits she was in. I only wish they would of included her in more so I could see more of her, maybe if they make a Die Hard 6 we'll see more on John's relationship with his daughter who knows.




Overall 'A Good Day to Die Hard' is just an 'okay-ish' movie for me. I don't think it stands up as well in comparison to the first two.

I'm going to give it 7/10

1 Gold Star to Bruce Willis

Thank you for reading this review

NEXT TIME :  I will review Ang Lee's 'Life of Pi' - I will post that review on Wednesday the 26th of June 2013.

Review - Unknown

Unknown - After a saviour life threatening car accident, Dr Martin Harris falls into a coma, he wakes up only to discover that someone has taken on his identity and that no one, not even his wife, believes or remembers him. With the help of a young woman, he sets out to prove who he is, but a very dangerous organisation is determined to stop him.

Hello Film lovers

Welcome to my next Dr Film review. In today's review I'm placing my thoughts on an action,mystery, thriller 'Unknown'. In which Liam Neesan plays a scientist, who's identity gets replaced after he wakes from a coma.

SPOILER ALERT: You know the drill.

People who I have talked to about this film have all said that they were a bit sceptical. things were slow, it was eventually just 'The Bourne Idenity' with Liam Nessan. Now I don't wish to discredit the opinions of others because they have a point and they're partly right, I personally think 'Unkown' is a fresh,new mystery thriller, that is very different to anything else that went out at the time. It's not brilliant, but then I'm not expecting it to be. All films have their faults and people seem to misjudge 'Unknown' for having a lot of faults. I intend to prove through my opinion, that some of the faults are there, but not neccacarly all the way through the course of the film.

This film came out in the US on the 18th of February 2011 and opened in the UK on the 4th of March 2011. It is now available to buy to DVD and Blu-Ray. On Itunes, and to download worldwide.

I'll be honest, I was pleased to see Liam Neesan back playing the main role in an action type movie. Obviously because he was brilliant in 'Taken'. It seemed natural that fans of Liam Neesan such as myself, would go in feeling happy to see our star back on the screen again. I liked the background of his character Dr.Martin Harris, I thought Liam Neesan's involvement involvement in the film was intriguing. I thought he played the part brilliantly and dead straight.

The Film is about a biochemist and his wife, who arrive in Berlin for a conference at which a scientist and his controversial Arab funder will announce his breakthrough research, to the world. While his wife checks into the hotel, he grabs a cab to return to the airport for his briefcase, left at the curb, however an unavoidable auto accident puts him in a coma, from which he awakes four days later without any identification and with gaps in his memory.

He goes back to the hotel: his wife can not recognise him and another mystery man has claimed his identity. With help from a nurse, the cab driver, a retired Stasi agent, and an academic friend, Martin Harris tries to unravel what's going on but trying to stop him are some very bad men, keane on blowing up the conference completely. creating a public scandal instead of a worldwide break through.

The twist in the tale is Liam Neesan's character is actually a member of this terrorist organisation, who prevent bad things they believe from happening to world by killing, sabotaging or blowing things up. He was supposed to set off a bomb in the hotel which he planted, but when the accident happened he had to be replaced, and the problem that Liam Neesan's character had was he just believed that he was his alter-ego. Luckily he prevents a disaster from happening, and he starts again on a blank sheet of paper. possibly events could left off could lead to a sequel? who knows? it's just a suggestion.

Liam Neesan pulls off another fantastic performance, It may not be have been one of his most memorable performances ever. I do believe that he's a great action man, and is suited to that sort of heaving action and hard hitting drama. 'Unknown' was another opportunity for him to prove that, and I thought he did very well.

The Script was intreeging, It really grabbed and aroused my interests. some good characters with depth and intellect. It gave the story something to go upon, and in all honesty drove the story forward.

The action sequences, were frequent but when there were fights and heavy action it was really good. I thought all the explosions were brilliant, very precise and clean cut. which in turn made it stand out as a vital part of the movie, it makes me as a viewer excited and very on edge, which in turn brings out different levels of enjoyment I have for the film.

I thought that the sequence with the cab, and the slow motion crash scene was done really well. a very animated effect. but gave me as a viewer a chance to see things more clearly, and have an observant point of view of what was going on. It was a great effect.



I thought all the location shots were pulled off very authentically, and gave off a dark, disheartened mood.

The Director Jaume Collet-Serra, did a brilliant job at showing how he wanted certain scenes shot. I thought he thought that the way to shoot an action thriller was to be very clean cut, which is fine. every director has his or her mark of things. But to think such a thing all the time can get a bit boring. I don't think he directed this with excessive variety. everything was very clean cut and precise. 



In a nutshell 'Unknown' is a great watch, not a brilliant film but then again, it doesn't have to be for you to really enjoy it.

I'm going to give 'Unknown' a well deserved 7/10

1 Gold Star to Liam Neesan

Thanks again for reading another review of mine :)

NEXT TIME: I will review 'A Good Day to Die Hard' which explores new depths of Bruce Willis as John McClaine.

I will post that review after the weekend on Monday the 24th of June 2013.

Review - Trance

Trance - When an art auctioneer looses his memory and a very valuable aspect of human culture - a painting of exquisite value, he gets mixed up with a group of criminals partners and a hypnotherapist in order to unlock his memory and recover the whereabouts of the lost painting.

 

Hello There

Welcome to the newest film review, on the blog this month. Today I am reviewing Danny Boyle film 'Trance' which is has a brilliant concept and ideas in it, about playing with the mind, depths of the mind and people's emotions.

This film came out in UK cinemas on the 27th of March 2013 and came out in the USA on the 5th of April 2013. It is due to be coming out on DVD and Blu-Ray, In August I believe, rated for those of 18 years and over.

SPOILER ALERT : You know the drill by now, I reveal spoilers in my reviews. If you don't want films you haven't seen yet to be spoiled then please don't read this review, until you've seen the film.

Trance is basically about A fine art auctioneer (James McAvoy) who gets mixed up with the wrong people. a gang, who want a very valuable painting which the auctioneer was supposed to steal for them, however he gets hit on the head and looses his memory and forgets where he hid the painting.

So He and the gang he's in agree to the terms of conditions of seeing a hypnotherapist (Rosario Dawson) to recover his memory and where the lost painting is. And as boundaries between to dissolve, reality and hypnotic suggestion begin to become a blur, the stakes rise faster than anyone could have anticipated.

And the films starts to come together when we learn that James McAvoy's character has a gambling problem, he went to see a therapist to deal with his problem. ended up falling into a relationship with his therapist, and things got out of control. When he broke things off with the therapist he joined the gang to hopefully get some money to pay off his debts, but things don't quite go according to plan.

It's your typical Danny Boyle extravaganza of strange, hard hitting situations with emotional depth to the characters.

I do love a good Danny Boyle film, I think that Danny Boyle is such a wonderful director. the way he writes his scripts, and brings them to the screen in a vibrant and excessive way. It really pays off with the audience being amazed because they don't know what will happen next in the story.

The one thing I will say about 'Trance' is, you really have to be in the zone to watch it, and to really get into it. Some films you can just stick on and chill out whilst watching them and you really enjoy it. Trance is not one of those films, with Trance you need to sit down and watch it, and have your attention on it in order to understand it.

I thought that 'Trance' was brilliantly cast. Danny Boyle chose his actors well, and the actors delivered 100% to the best of their abilities.

I really liked James McAvoy's character who was an unstable young man, who was emotionally undeveloped. He showed good frames of tention and frames of status around other characters, which in turn showed how important his character was.

I thought Vincent Cassell was brilliant, he's a fantastic actor with credit to his name.

I also really liked Rosario Dawson who played Elizabeth - the therapist. I previously saw her in 'Unstoppable' which was in all fairness an ok movie. In Trance she was more on edge, and more clear about how she wanted to play her character, plus she looks amazing.

Trance did have all the necessary ingredients for a successful film, the concept was there, the ideas were new and present for the audience to get into. It's just plain and simple Danny Boyle genius really.

Overall I thought Danny Boyle pulled off another great film, which we can all treasure and enjoy for many a day to come.

1 Gold Star to James McAcoy

1 Gold Star to Rosario Dawson

1 Gold Star to Vincent Cassell

I'm going to give 'Trance' a 8/10

1 Platinum Danny Boyle

Thank you all for reading this review.

NEXT TIME : I will review 'Unkown' starring one of my favourite actors Liam Neesan

I will post that review on Saturday the 22nd of June 2013.

Review - Run Fat Boy Run

Run,Fatboy,Run - Five years after ditching his pregnant fiancée on their wedding day, out of shape Dennis Doyle decides to run a marathon to win back her respect.

Hey Everyone

Welcome to next Dr.Film Blog, today I have decided to review 'Run Fatboy Run' a courageous comedy, about a man who plans to win back the respect of the girl who once loved him, by running a marathon.

As you can tell it's not your basic love and romance, but a once in a lifetime comedy about Simon Pegg running around in a shirt and shorts.

SPOILER ALERT: I will be revealing a few spoilers, as I talk about this film. So it is important that if you haven't seen this film, and you don't want it to be spoiled then to protect your own privacy, I recommend you read this review abit later.

The film came out in the UK on the 7th of September 2007, and didn't get released in the USA until the 28th of March 2008. It is now available to buy on DVD and Blu-Ray. Those with Ipads or Iphones can also download it off Itunes.

The Film is about Dennis Doyle (Simon Pegg) who is a clueless and unfit guy, who left his pregnant fiancée five years earlier. Every day since then Dennis tries to persuade the woman he loves to accept him back into his life, but everyday he fails.

When he discovers that Libby (Thandi Newton) has found anew boyfriend in the form of American Whit (Hank Azaria) the frustration grows on him, and Dennis vows, that for once in his life, he will finish something. This something ends up being a Nike River-run in London.

Having heard of this, Dennis's friend Gordon (Dylan Moran) and neighbour Mr. Ghoshdashtidar (Harish Patel) tend to be by his side to help him out, Dennis begins training for the marathon he must finish. When Dennis finds out that Libby's getting married again, he's devastated and left heart broken. so much so that he refuses to run.

But it is after explaining a point to his son, that Dennis feels he has something to prove by running, so he gets himself back in the game and runs the marathon, he never gives up.



I thought this film was brilliant from start to finish. I think it sets out to prove that you should see something through to the end. You should finish what you start, you shouldn't give up because giving up defeats the point your trying to prove.

Although it's a comedy, I didn't think it was hilarious, by any means. some of the jokes are really funny, but there isn't really anything special about 'Run Fat boy Run' as a comedy. I think it shines on the more serious and sensitive side of things.

I have to say my favourite scene in the film, is the bit at the end when Dennis is carrying on with the maratahon with a sprained ankle. What's good about that scene is, he never stops. Even when he hits the invisible wall, he manages to get passed it and it's the strength and love he has for his son and for Libby that make him finish it off.

It is in every sense a feel good film, but it depends what kind of mood your in when you watch it. I do feel that you have to be in the light-hearted mood to watch it, and to really get into it.

The Director of this film, is none other than Friends star David Schwimmer. He's as good a director as he is an actor. It's great that he is trying to look at things from the other side of the camera. I think he had lots of good ideas which he presented with the actors, he was very to the point in the way he wanted a particular scene shot, I thought he was very proprietorial, very clean cut and his camera angles were a bit hit and miss.




This film has some brilliant guest stars coming in to play parts. You got people like Thandi Newton, Hank Azaria, Dylan Moran, Harish Patel,India de Beaufort, Simon Day, Ruth Sheen, Stephen Merchant, David Walliams and Tyrone Huggins to name a few.

All the guest cast delivers to the best of their abilities, and each of them has a wonderful control and personality that they bring to their characters.

I thought Simon Pegg as Dennis Doyle was brilliant. Simon Pegg is one of my favourite actors. I think he's brilliant. I liked him playing Dennis, The man who's fed up of trying but he keeps at it even though he knows he's going to fail. His character of Dennis is a guy who does what he thinks is right for his son. He's the sort of lazy chap who goes to work, has a couple of pints and fags with his friend, before he goes to bed to start the next day. He just made the character his own and that's all a good actor can do.

I thought all the settings were chosen very well, with perseverance in lighting to show when it was light and dark, shows understanding of setting a mood.

The Music was good to, again sets a mood, helps tell the story better. gives the audience another way to communicate with the story.



In a nutshell 'Run Fat boy Run' is a really enjoyable comedy which has a strong message of seeing something through to the end and not giving up.

I am going to rate this film 8/10

1 Gold Star to Simon Pegg

NEXT TIME : I will review Danny Boyle film 'Trance' starring James McAvoy, Vincent Cassell and
Rosario Dawson

I will post that review on Friday the 21st of June 2013.

Review - Law Abiding Citizen

Law Abiding Citizen - A bereaved and frustrated middle aged man decides to take justice into his own hands after a plea bargain sets one of his family's killers free. He targets not only the killer but also the district attorney and others involved in the system, he sets out to achieve revenge against the those he believes to be responsible.

Hello to All

Welcome to next film review, by me Dr.Film. My next instalment of film reviews is 'Law Abiding Citizen' which includes Hollywood stars Gerard Butler and Jamie Fox in the leading roles.

SPOILER ALERT: As I do whenever I post a review up, I leave a little warning just saying I'm going to be revealing some spoilers. If you haven't seen the 'Law Abiding Citizen' and you don't want it to spoiled, fine I can respect that. but It does mean, that this review isn't for you.

The Film came out in America on the 16th of October 2009 and came to the UK on the 27th of November 2009. Rated for people of 18 years and above. It is now available to purchase on DVD, Blu-Ray and to download off Itunes.

The Film is basically about a man, setting out to get revenge against a killer who murdered his wife and child, and to prove the point of 'The only law is vengence'. It also is about a detective trying to prove to him that violence is not the way to get the justice he seeks.

You got Jamie Fox playing the detective 'Nick Rice' who at the time when I first watched 'Law Abiding Citizen' I had no idea who he was. but when watching it I thought 'that's a very good person they've cast there' and of course Jamie Fox has later gone on to be more identified as an actor, when he played 'Django' in 'Django Unchained'. which he did another great performance in that.

Gerard Butler was cast as the bereaved man 'Clyde Shelton' which I thought was an interesting choice, because Gerard Butler is in any case an action man. He's done films like '300' and 'Olympus has Fallen' so he's quite fit and capable of performing physically as well as motionally. I thought his character of 'Clyde Shelton' was very angry,calculative and clever, anything he did he was doing for a reason, and it was up to us as a viewer to follow Jamie Fox's character to find out what those reasons are. And I thought it was that interest that drived me through the film and made me excited as to what was going to happen.



What happens is Clyde Shelton is brutally attacked and he watches his family is brutally murdered, by two vicious intruders. but the men responsible are later caught. However, because of an improper procedure, the D.A., Nick Rice only has circumstantial evidence against them. So he then decides to get one the men to testify against the other. When Shelton hears about this, he is left unsatisfied and not happy.

Ten years later, the man who ended up being convicted is sent to be executed but something goes wrong; his execution goes awry and he suffers. It is soon discovered that someone deliberately tampered with the machine. And the other one is found dead, killed in a gruesome and gory manner.

Rice then suspects Shelton, so he has him picked up. At first, Shelton agrees to a plea an agreement with Rice but then he changes his mind. It soon becomes clear that Shelton is not done yet, as he now not only blames the people responsible but blames the whole system. He soon declairs war on it going after everyone involved with his family's case. So it's up to Rice to find out what he is planning and stop him but as it happens Shelton is one step ahead of him.

I think that 'Law Abiding Citizen' is quite a good attack on American society, and it suggests that there are alot of corrupt people in the justice system and that the bad people should be punished. So although the events that happen in the film are fictional, the message is very real.

I do have to say that my favourite scene in 'Law Abiding Citizen' has to be the scene where Rice interviews Shelton, and he's asking him questions about the murder of Clarence Darby and Shelton doesn't give him clear enough answers. He says to him 'I'll give you a full confession if you give me a new matress' When you watch that scene, you'll understand why I like it so much, because it's about one man thinking he has what he needs, but it's actually about another man taking control.



I really like 'Law Abiding Citizen' it's a very dark, spine thrilling, hard hitting drama. that has alot to prove about the way people live and the how the justice system can let them down.

I do feel that this is a film you really have to be in the right mood to watch, because you really have to get into it. you have to really watch it to fully understand it. but what's good about 'Law Abiding Citizen' is it's not slow, you do get into it quite quickly because your attention needs to be grabbed.

I thought it was brilliantly written by  Kurt Wimmer, I thought he wanted to excellent a lot about what he thought on American politics. I think he communicated everything clearly, and the actors did a great job with his dialogue.

Overall I'm going to leave it up to you, If you want to watch 'Law Abiding Citizen' go for it. If your not bothered, then that's fine as well.

I'm going to give this film a 7/10

1 Gold Star to Jamie Fox
1 Gold Star to Gerard Butler

Thanks again, for reading this review.

NEXT TIME: I will review 'Run Fat Boy Run' starring one of my favourite actors 'Simon Pegg'!

I will post that review on Thursday the 20th of June 2013.

Review - Date Night

Date Night - When husband and wife Phil and Claire Foster, go out one night for a date to an expensive restaurant in New York city, they're identities get mixed up. It doesn't take long for the bored married couple's attempt at a glamorous and romantic evening, to turn into something more thrilling and life threatening.



Hello Everyone

I hope you all had a nice, and relaxing weekend. Welcome to the newest film review by me Dr Film, which is hilarious comedy 'Date Night' mainly starring Steve Carrell and Tina Fey.

'Date Night' was first released in the US on the 9th of April 2010, and came out later that month in the UK on the 21st of April 2010. It is now available to buy on DVD and Blu-Ray and to download off Itunes.

SPOILER ALERT: Though I am aware people have seen this film, It is my job as a film blogger to warn those who haven't seen 'Date Night' that I will be revealing spoilers throughout the course of this review. If you haven't seen 'Date Night' yet and don't want things to be spoiled, then you should turn away now.

'Date Night' is a hilarious, fresh, new American comedy that I'm happy that everyone can share.  It does have the same effects of 'Anchorman' though, once you watch it a few times, some of the laughter wears off and things just aren't funny anymore because you know what's going to happen.

I first came into this with a completely open mind, I had no idea what this film was or what it was about. but I sat down and watched it from start to finish, laughing and being entertained the whole way through. In my opinion though, The film is much more enjoyable if you watch the extended cut version, on the DVD. Simply because there are scenes which they show on the DVD that they don't on when they show the film on television.

The Film is basically about a married couple, Phil (Steve Carell) and Claire (Tina Fey) Foster who are a couple who have been married for several years. Their days consists of an automatic system of them taking care of their children and going to work and coming home and going to bed.

But when they find time to have a date night wherein they go out for one night of the week and spend some time together as a couple. When another couple they know announce that they're separating, Phil feels that he and Claire might be too.

So when date night comes Phil decides to do something different, and a bit more adventurous. So they go into the city and try to get into a new popular restaurant. But when it's full and has no spaces, whilst still wanting to do this, Phil decides without thinking to take the reservation of a couple who doesn't show up.

While they're having dinner two men approach them and instructs them to stand up and go with them. They think the men are with the restaurant and want to talk to them about taking someone else's reservation. But it appears the couple whose reservation they took crossed someone and the two men work for. The men are after a flash drive which Phil and Claire don't have.

They spend the rest of the film, trying to uncover events and clear they're names, so they can go home.

As the night goes on, the couple get closer and closer to discovering the truth. events then result up to the dramatic ending scene on the roof, where Phil proves to Claire that he's more than just a dork and that he can surprise her.



This film is filled with American guest stars, some were quite familiar faces to me. you got people like : Mark Wahlberg,Mark Ruffalo,James Franco,Mila Kunis and Kristen Wiig. It was very much jam packed with guest stars playing small parts, just so people can familiarize themselves with the people more than the character that their playing.

In all fairness, I don't have an awful lot to say about 'Date Night' not really, other than the fact that It's a comedy, It's an American comedy, there is lots of mayhem and running around. To which I say, that's not bad thing, but I think that so much happens in such a short space of time, but it's stretched out so well, that there's always a break between action sequences, and action sequences in a comedy are not as hard hitting as the ones in an action thriller.

 




Steve Carell was fantastic. but as I said before, the man's a comedy genius so I couldn't expect any less of him.

Tina Fey was good as well, I really liked her performance, I know her character could come across to people as being quite irritating. I didn't have any problems with Tina Fey, I thought she did an okay job. I thought she worked well with Steve Carell, the two of them got on very well. They worked as a 'fake' couple.

So if your having a night in, and you don't know what to watch, I would definitely say give 'Date Night' a watch. It's only 1 hour and 28 minutes. It's not that long a film. If you watch it the first time around you really embrace the laughter and it's a very enjoyable film.

And for that reason, I'm going to give 'Date Night' a 6/10

Thank you for reading this review

NEXT TIME : I will review a dark,anger filled-  revenge story. Gerad Butler plays a man who sets out to get revenge against the men who murdered his family, and the people who denied him justice in 'Law Abiding Citizen'.

I will post that review on Wednesday the 19th of June 2013. 

Review - Man of Steel

Man of Steel - A new superman is born in the image of Henry Cavill. As the world comes under threat, Superman must act fast before a new Krypton is born, and the entire human race is wiped out for good.

Hey Everyone

Welcome my newest film review, today I'll be telling you my thoughts on the new superman movie 'Man of Steel' Directed by Zack Snyder and Produced by Christopher Nolan.

SPOILER ALERT: As I do before I begin all my reviews, I give a warning out that I am going to reveal some spoilers, so if you haven't seen 'Man of Steel' yet, then I suggest you go and see it quick, and then read this review afterwards.

The Film arrived in the UK and in the USA on the 14th of June 2013.

Before I'll begin this review, I have wonderful things to say about 'Man of Steel' and terrible things to say about 'Man of Steel'. After watching it, I thought it was a very decent film indeed. after the disappointment of the Brandon Routh movie, I think Superman fans will be pleasantly surprised with 'Man of Steel' to know that they finally have a decent Superman movie. the film has a lot depth and back story and has a lot of relation to the comic strips.

I for one am very pleased with the fact that 'Man of Steel' didn't try and go down the path of other superhero movies, it stayed true to the story of superman and told a pretty decent story, it wasn't fantastic but it was good enough to please the viewers.

The Story is about a young boy who learns that he has extraordinary powers and that he did not originate from this Earth. As a young man, he journeys to discover his true purpose in life, and to find out where he came from and what he was sent here to do.

As the past comes back to punish earth, the hero in Clark Kent / Kal El must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all of mankind.

Now I'll be honest as a storyline it was ok. I personally thought things took their course and were a bit slow.

I thought it was rather annoying that there was interchanges between scenes. you'd be in one place in the film and then something would happen which would result in a flashback, then your back to where you were in the film before the flashback took place. This occurs quite a few times in the film, and I thought it was unneccacry.

Certain effects were good, if you go an see this in 3D the effects are just amazing. They come alive and come true to the viewer watching on screen, which I think is one of the tremendous advantages of 3D, It helps covey a message which makes the film a bit more real, and it a bit more a visual experience. for example the tornado creation, I thought was incredibly impressive. It made a very heart felt scene feel real.



I thought the costumes, and the whole set up of the planet of Krypton was very convincing for the viewer to believe they were seeing another planet.

It was authentic and very impressive, the dark buildings gave off a harsh atmosphere. This is turn reflected the mood of the Krypton civilization as they are incapable of empathy destroying the human race, with no compassion.

However in contrast to that, a lot of the fight sequences particularly one that takes place between superman, two of the villains and the army. that fight sequence went on for far too long, so long in fact that It just lost my attention. I look back on that fight scene and I think 'you know what, this didn't need to be as long as it was' it was exaggerated and about 10% of that fight scene could of been cut down, and it still would been as exciting and heavy action packed.

All it is is just things going boom, planes and helicopters getting ripped apart, people screaming and Superman getting thrown around like he's a rag doll. It was pathetic. I was very disappointed with the fight scenes, they didn't need to be so long, it just dragged out the story with unnecessary violence.

Another thing I'll come to now is the villains. The Villains were dreadful, they were so weak. the whole back story with the villains was dreadful, I didn't mind them being in the film, and I didn't mind them interacting and being threatening because that what an action villain does he or she poses a threat.

But their sub plot was shit. and not only was their acting bad, they weren't very good actors. The sub plot of turning earth into a new Krypton, really didn't cut the mustard for me. especially as it started to stretch out with useless and unnecessary dialogue. I was just like 'shut up and get on with the story'.

I had no care. Michael Shannon as General Zod was so wooden it was beyond belief and his character of Zod doesn't know when to quit. he literally doesn't, and when superman finally snaps his neck and kills him I thought, 'Thank good for that' because I couldn't stand the character.




I'll stop talking about the villains, now and move on to performances 'Henry Cavill' as Superman and Clark Kent was amazing. I really liked what he did with the character, how he didn't try and copy what Brandon Routh did, gives him originality as an actor.

Russell Crowe who plays Jor-El was really good, Russell Crowe gets very little screen time as it is, he was probably only in the whole thing for about 25 minutes. but what I saw of him was good, he was probably the only professional actor in the whole of the cast so ultimately he's going to do a good job.

Amy Adams as Lois Lane was good, I admired her infusion towards the part and it's great to see her in a Superhero movie at last.

Zack Snyder's directing was immaculate, and clean cut. Christopher Nolan did an even better job as Producer / Co - Writer. People have to remember though 'Man of Steel' isn't a Christopher Nolan film, It's a Zack Snyder film, two people who interpret things in a very different way, and that becomes so clear when you watch it.

But I think if you have to some up 'Man of Steel' in two words it's the words 'Christopher Nolan' because without him. there would be no 'Man of Steel' there would be nothing memorable about 'Man of Steel'.

Overall I see a future for Henry Cavill as Superman, I know a second film is coming up (fingers crossed for a Superman trilogy) and the story and the characters will continue to progress now that it's started and they've done all the back story and starting things off bit. You can argue that this film is basically 'Superman Begins'.

I'm going to give 'Man of Steel' a 7/10

1 Gold Star to Henry Cavill
1 Gold Star to Russell Crowe

1 Platinum Star to Christopher Nolan

Thanks for reading this review

NEXT TIME - I review 'Date Night' a comedy starring Steve Carrell and Tina Fey.

That review will be posted on Monday the 17th of June 2013.

Review - Anchorman : The Legend of Ron Burgendy

Anchorman : A comedy which tells the story about one man. Ron Burgundy who is San Diego's top rated newsman in the male dominated broadcasting of the 1970's. To most people he is looked upon as a national tresure, there isn't anyone in town who doesn't know his name. but that's all about to changes when a new female employee with ambition to become a star arrives in his office, and steals his thunder.

Hello Everyone

Welcome to the latest film review by Dr.Film. Today I will review the comdiecally adventureous 'Anchorman - The Legend of Ron Burgedny' starring Will Ferrell as Ron Burgendy. Written by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay (The Director of Step Brothers).

This film came to the UK's attention on the 10th of September 2004, and was released in the USA on the 9th of July 2004.

SPOILER ALERT: To those of you who don't want 'Anchorman' do be spoiled for them, I recommend you read this review, later.

The Film revolves around the carrer of one man, Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) who is the top-rated anchorman in San Diego in the '70s. The Film is based around male showvanisms, it plays on sexisism, and it also focuses on how those things coherse in the 70's.

After feminism marches into the newsroom in the form of ambitious, firiy and beautiful newswoman Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), Ron and his band of merry men are willing to play along at first-as long as Veronica stays in her place, covering cat fashion shows, cooking, and other "female" interests. But when Veronica refuses to settle for being eye candy and steps behind the news desk, it's more than a battle between two perfectly coiffed anchor-persons, It's a personal war.

A War that Ron and his friends, can not possibly win. after Veronica makes her appearance offical live on the air, reporting the news. Ron decides to get his revenge but fails, and he looses his job because of a practical joke. He leaves the news office in disgrace and becomes a tramp. Only when the biggist news story of the year comes up, and Veronica goes missing, the head office call in the big guns, and Ron is back in buisness, he saves Veronica from beinge aten by wild bears, and gets his Job and girlfriend back. Leaving things very much open for the events of Anchorman 2 to take place.



 I will be honest, 'Anchorman' has its moments and sometimes it doesn't. I think after you watch it a couple of times it's just not funny anymore because you know what's going to happen. I think what makes 'Anchorman' work so well, is watching it the first time because then the jokes are really current, and very funny. I thought this film was hilarious the first time I watched it. now I don't really look upon it with a lot of foundness.

Performace wise, 'Will Ferrell' as Ron Burgendy was brilliant. he created another fantastic charcter for me. Ron Burgendy is another great comedy creation by him, so I thank Will Ferrell for making that character a reality so everyone can enjoy him.

Christina Applegate as 'Veronica Coringstone' she was basically there to show the sexist appeal, and male shovanism presented in the film. To get the message across that men and women should be presented as equals.

We as the audience understand this message in the scene when she was talking to Ron about her dream of becoming an Anchorwoman one day. I really liked that scene because it shows depth and identity to Veronica's character which in a sence gives us as people something to realte to as well, because we as individuals all have dreams, maybe not the same as Veronica's but we all have dreams to 'open a shop' or 'buy a house' or 'learn to drive' there all things we can relate to, so there's almost a piece of realism in her character which I liked a lot.

Steve Carell as 'Brick Tamland' was unbelivably funny. I think Steve Carell is a comedy genius because he's done so much good to the world of comedy, he creates so many hilarious characters whenever he does comedy he makes the role his own, and iconic so everyone knows of him and who he is as a comedian. The character of Brick, I thought was a person who is very slow minded, a bit dim witted and quite passive on some accasions. which isn't a bad thing. there just elements I picked up which I thought made his character beliveable.

This film also saw many other guest stars come in to play roles, people like Tim Robbins (The Shawshank Redemption), Ben Stiller (Night at the museum), Vince Vaughen (The Watch) I thought it was a shame that Vince Vaughn wasn't credited in the closing credits, he did an okay job as Wes Mantooth.



 Adam McKay returns to another Will Ferrell project, as director. As I said earlier he directed 'Step Brothers' with Will and John C. Rielly. So he is familiar with Will's atributes as a comedy writer and he knows what needs to be done when. He is a very precice director, very very precice, I like a director who knows his stuff.

Overall to those of you who haven't seen 'Anchorman - The Legend of Ron Bergendy' please do and imbrace the laughter. It's very funny the first time around.

I'm going to rate this film a 7/10

I hope to embrace the characters again, when 'Anchorman 2' comes out later in the year.

1 Gold Star to Will Ferrell
1 Gold Star to Christina Applegate
1 Gold Star to Steve Carell

Thanks for reading this review, hopefully you agree with what I said, if you do not then please comment below. I'd be interested to hear some feedback.

NEXT TIME - I will review the new Superman Movie 'Man of Steel' starring Henry Cavill, Russell Crowe and Amy Adams. Directed by Zack Snyder and Produced by Christopher Nolan.

I will post that review on Saturday the 15th of June 2013. You stay classy folks ! :)

Review - Sweeny Todd

Sweeney Todd - Based off a story of the 1800's which is now been made into a live Broadway musical. The infamous story of Benjamin Barker,(Sweeney Todd), who sets out to get revenge for his wife and daughter against the man who ruined his life. He reopens up his barber shop in London which is the basis for a sinister partnership with his fellow tenant, Mrs. Lovett.





Hello Everyone

Welcome to the next film review by Dr Film. today I am reviewing Tim Burton's interpretation on the hit Broadway musical 'Sweeny Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street' a story I am very found of. I do love chilling stories set in the Victorian Gaslight streets of London, it really sets a mood.

This film came to the USA on the 21st of December 2007 and was released to the UK on the 25th of January 2008. It is now available to watch on DVD, Blu-Ray and you can download it off Itunes as well.

SPOILER ALERT: Before I begin this review, I should say that there will be some spoilers revealed throughout this review. so If you don't like things being spoiled, you should probably turn away now.

There have been many versions of this story come in and out over the years, I think it's hard for the average person to have a clear identification as to what is the version for them, is it this film? by Tim Burton. The Stage Show? Other films which have been made previous? you can't call it. It's like with Les Mis, There isn't an ideal version, there's just so many. I think the viewer can make their mind up as to what they prefer. Obviously you have limitations in the theatre and a film's setting is far more precise, but a stage show can do things a film can't so I just wanted to make that point clear, what ever version of 'Sweeney Todd' you prefer that's the ideal version for you.

Speaking as a viewer who hasn't seen the stage show, I've only seen this film, I can only base my opinion of the story, based on this film.

The Story is set in the Victorian London, the barber Benjamin Barker (Johnny Depp) is married to the gorgeous Lucy and they have a lovely child, Johanna. The beauty of Lucy attracts the attention of the corrupt Judge Turpin (Alan Rickman), who falsely accuses the barber of a crime that he did not commit and abuses Lucy later after gaining custody of her.

After fifteen years in exile on an Island far far away, Benjamin returns to London under the new identity of Sweeney Todd, seeking a dark hate filled revenge against Turpin.

He meets a widow Mrs. Lovett who is now the owner of her husband's meat pie shop who tells him that Lucy killed herself by swallowing some arsenic many years ago. and Turpin assigned himself guardian of Johanna (Jayne Wisener). He re-opens his barber shop above her store, initiating a crime rampage against those who made him suffer and lose his beloved family.



I'll be as blunt as I can, I didn't know anything about the story until I watched this film, as a piece I found it quite mellow, and dark and earery. that's not neccacarly a bad thing, there was definitely something very chilling about it, but I think that's the cleverness of it. I think it's cleverly directed and thorough as a film.

I thought Johnny Depp as Sweeney Todd was just fantastic, he has an immensely good singing voice, and him as a leading role is nothing much of a surprise, because when he's in the spotlight he always tends to deliver.

Helena Bonham Carter, I feel did a much better job in this film as apposed to her slightly overtly comedic character in 'Les Miserable', she stood out. She was sinister, she grew affectionate towards her business partner, so much so in fact she was determined to have him all to herself.

Alan Rickman, was really good, doesn't have a bad singing voice, there were times were he was a little wooden. but that doesn't fault his performance in the slightest.

Timothy Spall was good as well, you can tell Tim Burton casted this really well, he knew exactly who could do what. and excel on their delivery.

You also got Jamie Bower as Anthony who forms a loving affection for Johanna, he has a very strong singing voice, I thought he was really good.

Jayne Wisener plays Johanna, I know her from an episode of 'The Inbetweeners' one might judge her as not having a very good voice, her performance was over rated. though I know everyone is in titled to her opinion, saying that Jayne Wisener's performance was over the top is a bit unfair, especially for her.





Fans of the stage show, will not be disappointed, this film contains pretty much all the songs from the original musical. So there is something to be familiar with as far as that is concerned. I thought all the sets and costumes were wonderful, it was a big task to pull off, and I thought the whole thing was executed quite well.

Overall 'Sweeney Todd' is a black comedy with good sense of atmosphere, the songs do drag out a bit but they're a vital part of the story, so you can't dismiss them unfortunately.

I'm going to give it a 7.5/10

1 Gold Star to Johnny Depp
1 Gold Star to Helena Bohnam Carter

Thank you for reading this review

My next review will be 'Anchorman - The Legend of Ron Burgendy' starring Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd and David Koechne

I will post that review on Friday the 14th of June 2013.

Review - Hot Fuzz

Hot Fuzz - When Nicholas Angel's colleagues conspire against him to get their top of the list London police officer out of the picture, they transfer him to a small county village and pair him up with a new partner, who's less intelligent than he is. It doesn't take PC Angel long to discover, a series of suspicious accidents and events.

Hey everyone

Welcome to a new Dr Film, film review. today I shall be reviewing 'Hot Fuzz' written by Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, and directed by Edgar Wright
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'Hot Fuzz' was released in the UK on the 14th of February 2007 and was released in the USA on the 20th of April 2007.

SPOILER ALERT: In all of my reviews, there's going to be spoilers. If you haven't seen 'Hot Fuzz' yet and you don't want it to be spoiled, I recommend you read this a bit later.

This is the first film, I have reviewed that stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. The two of them have done a few films together, stuff like 'Paul', 'Shaun of the Dead' and their new film 'World's End' which will be out later this year.

'Hot Fuzz' was the second time that these two actors paternerd up to do a film together, and since 'Shaun of the Dead' got such a great reaction, from the viewers and the critics, the states were high for 'Hot Fuzz' and people weren't too sure wither or not it was going to meet up to their expectations.

However, speaking as a viewer who loves Simon Pegg and Nick Frost movies, I really enjoyed 'Hot Fuzz'. the story was great, good characters, it was really funny, lots of nice jokey moments, some dark, spooky elements, heavy action sequences, lots of running about. It was in all fairness a very good film, but speaking as a viewer who loved 'Run fat boy, run' I don't think 'Hot Fuzz' cut the mustard in comparison to a light comedy such as 'Run fat boy, run' which was in some cases so much better.

The Story is basically about a top of the chart, London Police Officer, PC Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) who is good at his job. Some might argue too good. And to stop the rest of his team looking like a bunch of idiots, his department reassigns him to the quiet village of Sandford.

It is there he is paired up with Danny Butterman (Nick Frost), who endlessly questions him on the action lifestyle of being a police officer. Everything seems too quiet for Angel, until he finds that two actors were found decapitated on the road, believed to have died in a car crash.

The whole thing is called to be 'an accident', but Angel isn't going to accept that, especially when more and more people in the village turn up dead. Angel and Danny then start to clash with everyone in the village, as they try to uncover the truth behind the mystery of the apparent "accidents".

As I said earlier 'Hot Fuzz' is a very good film, to give it credit. It's well written, well acted, some could argue not as best directed as it could have been. But in all fairness, the plot was funny,dark,spooky and so overtly bloody that the viewer knows not to take it so seriously.

There are some lovely guest actors coming in to play parts, people like 'Jim Broadbent', 'Timothy Doltan','Oliva Coleman','Martin Freeman','Bill Bailey' and 'Bill Nighy'. all of which give a very fantastic performance. was very pleased with the guest cast, nice to see a few familiar faces to brighten up the story a little bit.

I thought the casting of the village, was really well chosen. I don't know what the village that was chosen was called, but still I thought it set the mood brilliantly and gave the whole thing a sense of place, so well done to the director on choosing such an elaborate place to set a very humorous, yet very dark story.

I really liked 'Simon Pegg' as 'Nicholas Angel' because Simon Pegg is a fantastic actor and script writer. he's definitely in my top 10 actors. I think he brought a sense of seriousness to the role, but was very funny at the same time.

I also enjoyed seeing 'Nick Frost' as 'Danny Butterman'. I thought he was really good, especially seeing as he was playing a character whose skills were a bit limited. but then again he wasn't stupid, his character of Danny just tends to learn from hard hitting police movies such as 'Point Break' and 'Bad Boys 2'.

I think my favourite scene in the film is were Nick and Danny sit down at Danny's and watch 'Point Break' and 'Bad Boys 2' back to back, whilst someone is getting blown up. I'm not saying that's the best scene in the film. but it's my favourite. Because it shows a lot of humour, a lot of character development, with something very sinister happening as well.

In a nutshell 'Hot Fuzz' isn't too bad. It's watchable. I'd recommend it to people who haven't seen it yet to watch it.

I'm going to award 'Hot Fuzz' a 7/10

1 Gold Star to Simon Pegg

Thank you for reading this review

Next Time - I will review Tom Burton's 'Sweeny Todd' movie musical. starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter.






 

I will post that review, on Thursday the 13th of June 2013.