LE MANS ’66 (FORD VS FERRARI), 15/11/19

LE MANS ’66 (FORD VS FERRARI)

Trailer

Synopsis

Carroll Shelby, an American automotive designer and Ken Miles, a fearless race car driver do battle with the laws of physics, corporate interference at Ford Motor Co and personal demons to build a revolutionary vehicle. Up against the likes of Enzo Ferrari race cars, amongst others, together they plan to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France 1966.

Cinema

ODEON

Run Time

Two hours, thirty two minutes (2h, 32m)

Current Rating

92%

Cast

Carroll Shelby – Matt Damon
Ken Miles – Christian Bale
Mollie Miles – Caitriona Balfe
Lee Lacocca – Jon Bernthal
Henry Ford II – Tracy Letts
Leo Beebe – Josh Lucas
Peter Miles – Noah Jupe
Enzo Ferrari – Remo Girone
Phil Remington – Ray McKinnon
Roy Lunn – JJ Feild
Head of Security – Gian Franco Tordi
Jack McMullen – Charlie Agapiou
Bruce McLaren – Benjamin Rigby
Donald N. Frey – Joe Williamson
Dan Gurney – Alex Gurney
Gianni Agnelli – Giovanni Cirfiera
Corrado Invernizzi – Franco Gozzi
Dr Granger – Wallace Langham

Movie details

Mid – Credits: No

End – Credits: No

Before the Review: I had to give way to a very aggressive Vauxhall Corsa driver on a roundabout, who was in the wrong lane to begin with. A near six foot tall dude blocked the view of at least four people when taking his jacket off, for nearly two minutes whilst the trailers were rolling in the cinema. Those four people would quiz the dude after the movie about his antics. And another cinema goer had their Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker tickets wrongly printed out.

Review: I’m not a petrol-head or particularly interested in cars in that way. However, Christian Bale is one of my favourite actors, ever since he starred in The Dark Knight Trilogy and personified the words: “I’M BATMAN.” (We’ll ignore Exodus: Gods and Kings). He stars alongside Matt Damon, whilst hes not particularly one of my favourites, he is still a very good actor.

The 92% rating is quite spot on. A lot went on in this movie and I was able to follow it all. Based on the real life events of Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles, the movie kept me interested throughout, possibly because of Christian Bale, and does really well to capture the mood of the intensity of what FORD were trying to accomplish at Le Mans.

Taking a step away from the IMAX screens, this movie does boast some comical moments; feel good music during some races that somehow draw you in and, at times, suspense. It seems like the actors who portrayed iconic figures, like Enzo Ferrari, kind of reminded me of how Bruce Lee was portrayed in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. It may have just been to build up the story. I always feel satisfied when watching these kind of movies, as before the credits start rolling, you are sometimes reminded of actual events based around the movie’s premise, but you also feel educated.

MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL, 02/11/19

MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL

Trailer

Synopsis

As young Aurora’s upcoming wedding to Prince Phillip beckons, Maleficent travels to the grand grand castle to witness the event. Whilst there, she meets Aurora’s future mother-in-law, a queen who whilst conniving, is also hatching a devious plot to destroy fairies amongst the land. To stop this plan from happening, Maleficent joins forces with a seasoned warrior, along with a group of outcasts to battle the queen, and her powerful army.

Cinema

ODEON

Run Time

One hour, fifty eight minutes (1h, 58m)

Current Rating

41%

Cast

Maleficent – Angelina Jolie
Princess Aurora – Elle Fanning
Queen Ingrith – Michelle Pfeiffer
Conall – Chiwetel Ejiofor
Diaval – Sam Riley
Borra – Ed Skrein
Prince Phillip – Harris Dickinson
Knotgrass – Imelda Staunton
Thistlewit – Juno Temple
Flittle – Lesley Manville
King John – Robert Lindsay
Lickspittle – Warwick Davis
Gerda – Jenn Murray
Percival – David Gyasi
Shrike – Judith Shekoni
Udo – Miyavi
Ini – Kai Alexander
Narrator – Aline Mowat
Pinto – Emma Maclennon
Jungle Warrior – John Carew
Young Peasant – Freddie Wise

Movie details

Before the Review: A people carrier forced itself into my lane from a T-junction, no breaks and no indicators. This meant the car in front of me needed to do an emergency avoidance manoeuvre otherwise there would have been casualties. At the cinema, an unsupervised child managed to pull down a whole shelf of canned fizzy drinks, lots of written off product but a very delighted child. An animated customer started fuming that their Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker tickets had been printed off in advanced, and not “Joker”.

Mid – Credits: No

End – Credits: No

Review: It’s not very often I attend an Angelina Jolie movie; actually I would say this was first movie starring her. And truth be told, upon looking at the release posters, I thought I was looking at Vertigo Comic’s Lucifer, before realising it was in fact, the sequel to Maleficent, which I saw in 2014, a somewhat different take on the story from Sleeping Beauty.

The movie itself I thought showed Maleficent’s turn as an adoptive mother to Aurora, their bond stronger than ever. The added humour, at times synched up rather well, in particular with one reminding me of when a young John Conner tries to teach the Terminator how to smile in Terminator 2: Judgement Day.

We also have a more back story to the Dark Fae, Maleficent’s own kind (Race), much like in Kung Fu Panda 3, again with a twist from the original story. Lots of character building in regards to Maleficent’s especially, with build ups and slight expectation shocks, one concerning a warrior fae with a seeming passion for war with humans. Lots of animation with twists and feel good scenes as well. A hint of a future continuity for eager listeners.

TERMINATOR: DARK FATE, 26/10/19

TERMINATOR: DARK FATE

Trailer

Synopsis

A Hybrid cyborg human, alongside Sarah Conner, must protect a young girl from a new kind of Terminator from the future, one which consists of newly modified liquid.

Cinema

ODEON

Run Time

Two hours, fourteen minutes (2h, 14m)

Movie Rating

67%

Cast

Sarah Connor – Linda Hamilton
T-800 (Model 101) / Carl – Arnold Schwarzenegger
Grace – Mackenzie Davis
Daniella (Dani) Ramos – Natlia Reyes
Rev 9 – Gabriel Luna
Diego Ramos – Diego Boneta
Carl’s wife – Alicia Borrachero
Mr Ramos – Enrique Arce
Rigby – Steven Cree
Maria – Cluadia Trujillo
Mexico City Cop – Mario de la Rosa
F-35 Pilot – Nick Wittman
Major Dean – Fraser James

Movie details

Mid – Credits: No

End – Credits: No

Review: So, I had to deal with an SUV driving up a “No Entry” lane in the car park and causing major congestion, another SUV with its hazard lights on and closing down a lane to exit via barriers as the driver or passengers had not paid to valid their parking ticket and an SUV forcing drivers of their lanes (no indicators used) and then illegally manoeuvring on the roundabouts (Again, with no indicators). The person sitting next to me frightened easily, all this before finally settling down to write this review. Phew.

So, Terminator: Dark Fate, the heavily advertised return of Sarah Conner, did not disappoint. From the very first Terminator movie in the franchise from 1984 to the current one, I have followed each of them (Granted the first Terminator movie arrived before I was born and my mother would’ve thought I was batsh*t crazy to want to watch Terminator 2: Judgement Day in 1991)

The movie itself brought back a feel I have when watching a Terminator movie: “So mankind has or will lose control of a machine, again. *Eyeroll*” You almost get the sense that Ultron (Marvel) may have influenced a more grounded killer machine, which is sent back in time to alter the timeline so the core (almost hive mind like) machine remains virtually unopposed.

The T800 that Arnold Schwarzenegger portrays has been moved aside in favour of a female hybrid type of machine to do the saving this time around. Quite a bit of humour involved, strong language and  CGI plays a heavy role, quite nicely as well. There have been hints of alternative timelines and the climax of the movie is left open.

There are also lots of subliminal messages in the movie regarding the state of technology and politics of certain countries in the current era. This movie kind of feels like a soft reboot in the mould the first Terminator and Terminator Genisys, but definitely upbeat and has more development of the story to come. 

GEMINI MAN, 11/10/19

GEMINI MAN

Trailer

Synopsis

An elite assassin, Henry Brogan suddenly finds himself a target of a mysterious operative who appears to anticipate his every move. Henry, to his horror, soon discovers that this operative that is trying to hunt him down and kill him, is in fact a younger, faster and a cloned version of himself.

Cinema

ODEON

Run Time

One hour, fifty seven  minutes (1h, 57m)

Current Rating

30%

Cast

Henry Brogan – Will Smith
Danny Zakarweski – Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Clayton “Clay” Varris – Clive Owen
Baron – Benedict Wong
Janet Lassiter – Linda Emond
Kitty – Theodora Miranne
Jack Willis – Douglas Hodge
Yuri Kovacs – Ilia Volok
Marino – E.J. Bonilla
Keller - Björn Freiberg

Movie details

Mid – Credits: No

End – Credits: No

Review: Well, Will Smith. I grew up on Will Smith dominating my childhood with showings like Men in Black and Fresh Prince of Bel Air. There's been ups and downs, but the anticipation to watch movies starring Will Smith still remains. Adding David Benioff of Game of Thrones fame and Jerry Bruckheimer of Lucifer fame, there was bound to be great sequences, and the poor rating doesn’t do the movie justice, unless it is aimed at the editing, then maybe I understand.

However, Will Smith plays a younger version of himself. I thought he did really well through the action sequences, when he isn’t making a black suit from Men in Black "look good", in a script that has been in limbo for nearly 20 years. Benedict Wong is fast becoming a decent supporting character, having impressed alongside Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange.

It’s great to see Will Smith diversifying as he grows older. It is difficult playing your younger self, but I think Will Smith pulled it off. If you don’t mind the editing in that some of the action sequences were sped up, then the ratings definitely don't hold down.

JOKER, 04/10/19

JOKER

Trailer

Synopsis

Failed comedian Arthur Fleck seeks a connection as he walks the streets of Gotham City, forever alone in a crowd. Wearing two masks, one which acts as his day job as a clown and another as a futile attempt to feel like a part of the world around him. Feeling isolated, bullied and disgraced by society, Flecks begins a slow descent into madness as he transforms into the criminal mastermind, Joker

Cinema

ODEON

Run Time

Two hours, 02 minutes (2h, 02m)

Current Rating

77%

Cast

Joker / Arthur Fleck – Joaquin Phoenix
Murray Franklin – Robert De Niro
Sophie Dumond – Zazie Beetz
Penny Fleck – Frances Conroy
Thomas Wayne – Brett Cullen
Alfred Pennyworth – Douglas Hodge
Bruce Wayne – Dante Pereira-Olson
Gene Ufland – Marc Maron
GCPD Officers – Bill Camp / Shea Whigham
Randall – Glenn Fleshler
Arkham Asylum Clerk – Brian Tyree Henry
Gary – Leigh Gill
Social Worker – Sharon Washington
Guest – Justin Theroux

Movie details

Mid – Credits: No

End – Credits: No

Review: Heath Ledger’s take on the iconic Batman villain was always going to be hard to match, or even overcome. Joaquin Phoenix, whether people agree or not, is a success in a dark world with an R rating (15 in UK). Granted that an origin story for the iconic villain is not really needed given his popularity and as the comics (source material), have never really established his origins as canon. White Knight, an ongoing series by DC, but not canon / connected to the main DC Universe, establishes a Joker by the name of Jack Napier, similar to Jack Nicholson’s take on the character. 

With influence from The Killing Joke and The Dark Knight Returns, this movie is more a psychological thriller than simply reintroducing the villain to the wider audience (The screening I attended was full of teenagers, who abruptly, and shockingly ceased to make any noise when the movie started, which was very ominous). If you need some inspiration on how much faith is in this movie, look no further than one of its producers, THE Bradley Cooper, aka, Rocket Raccoon of Marvels Guardians of the Galaxy.

Intended as a standalone movie, there are elements that this movie could, in theory, span a sequel. It is possibly intended to kick start DC's Black Label (Formerly Vertigo) imprint, which is not linked to the main DC Universe as it is alternative story telling, but some elements could find their way through, if the story is strong enough. Arthur Fleck’s descent into becoming The Joker was very captivating. Some comments regarding the characters portrayal look as though they know nothing of the evolution of The Joker, from the 60s (Cesar Romero) to the current day. No Ace Chemicals involved, so this is more or less an imagined origin story.

AD ASTRA, 20/09/19

AD ASTRA

Trailer

Synopsis

A son journeys across the Solar System in search of his missing father, who has been branded a renegade scientist whose experiments pose a threat to humanity

Cinema

ODEON

Run Time

Two hours, 03 minutes (2h, 03m)

Current Rating

82%

Cast

Roy McBride – Brad Pitt
Clifford McBride – Tommy Lee Jones
Helen Lantos – Ruth Negga
Eve McBride – Liv Tyler
Colonel Pruitt – Donald Sutherland
Peter Bello – Jamie Kennedy
General Stroud – John Finn
Lorraine Deavers – Kimberly Elise
Franklin Yoshida – Bobby Nish
Adjutant General Amelia Vogel – LisaGay Hamiliton
General Rivas – John Ortiz
Chip Games – Greg Bryk
Donald Stanford – Loren Dean
Captain Lawrence Tanner – Donnie Keshawarz
Arjun Dhariwal – Ravi Kapoor
Tanya Pincus – Natasha Lyonne

Movie details

Mid – Credits: No

End – Credits: No

Review: Well, the second movie I have seen starring Brad Pitt this year, except this time he was the lead character and had less humour. I generally enjoy space movies, especially those involving celestial bodies or otherworldly civilisations, much like Star Wars, Star Trek and both Guardians of The Galaxy movies. The misleading opening credits of Superman Returns had me believing the movie would take place in space in some form, but then didn’t.

Anyway, as an actor, I can hardly find fault with Brad Pitt. I generally enjoy his movies as he adds an extra dimension to them, like you are experiencing the movie with him. He can seem to be hogging scenes, like in Troy but honestly I wouldn’t complain. I thought he did really well in the movie’s far future setting. Also, Tommy Lee Jones is another actor whose dry humour I always find humorous.
But we get something a bit more serious in this movie from him.

The director, James Gray, wanted to do a different kind of space story, and he did. I enjoyed the space travelling and stunning visuals. This is not a superhero movie, more of a family reunion type, but with a twist.

It Chapter Two, 07/09/19

IT CHAPTER TWO

Trailer

Synopsis

The evil clown Pennywise returns after 27 years to continue to terrorize the town of Derry once again. Since leaving Derry and having gone their separate ways, the once young children have all grown up and moved on with their lives. But when people start disappearing, they are brought back to Derry as they had once sworn an oath to. As their scars from their past continues to haunt them, they must conquer their fears in hopes of defeating Pennywise, who is now stronger than ever...

Cinema

ODEON

Run Time

Two hours, 50 minutes (2h, 50m)

Current Rating

66%

Cast

Bill Denbrough – James McAvoy / Jaeden Martell
Beverly Marsh – Jessica Chastain / Sophia Lillis
Ben Hanscom – Jay Ryan / Jeremy Ray Taylor
Richie Tozier – Bill Hader / Finn Wolfhand
Mike Hanlon – Isaiah Mustafa / Chosen Jacobs
Eddie Kaspbrak – James Ransone / Jack Dylan Grazer
Stanley Uris – Andy Bean / Wyatt Oleff
Georgie Denbrough – Jackson Robert Scott
Henry Bowers – Teach Grant / Nicholas Hamilton
Dean – Luke Roessler
Pawn Shop Owner – Stephen King
Pharmacy Customer – Andy Muschietti
IT / Pennywise – Bill Skarsgård

Movie details

Mid – Credits: No

End – Credits: No

Review: I am not really a fan of horror movies, however, after seeing many episodes of TV shows where a clown or many of them are mentioned, to which I wasn’t really understanding of, until I saw the first movie It. It brought thrills, had a good story and really drew me in to the point where I didn’t want to miss the next scene. In short, it is the highest grossing horror movie because it earned it.

It Chapter Two brought something different from its predecessor. Again, a good story, had a talented cast, but added an element that is not really associated with horror movies, comedy and lots of it, throughout the duration of the movie. This takes away the anticipated thrills within the movie and you expect to see / hear the next comedy scene or event.

There were times I thought to myself that some sequences were very confusing, but it turns out there is a mix of younger and older characters trying to be balanced out to give everyone a fair amount of screen time. Visual effects were quite good and there is also more of an insight into Pennywise as well. The movie didn’t inspire me as much as the first one did, but the story has been expanded upon and lots of character build-up, for just less than three hours, so you may want to slow down on the popcorn to prolong it.