I might have mentioned the blog before...
Iron Man 3 (2013) Robert Downey, Jr.,Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Ben Kingsley, Jon Favreau. Dir: Shane Black.
Suffering from PTSD, an edgy Stark earns the attention of a terrorist who attacks his home. More dramatically satisfying than previous instalments, but still has too much plot and an ultimately disappointing villain. Real issue is a not-so-surprising third act twist which muddies the point – just what’s the villain after?
DDDD
Trance (2013) James McAvoy, Rosario Dawson, Vincent Cassel, Danny Sapani. Dir: Danny Boyle.
An art thief consults a hypnotherapist when he forgets where he’s stashed a painting after a concussion. You know it’s heading for a big twist, and even if you don’t guess it (it’s not that surprising) it’s quite meaningless because the characters are paper-thin and pretty dull. Pleasingly flashy.
DDD
Ghost in the Shell (1995) Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Ĺtsuka, Iemasa Kayumi. Dir: Mamoru Oshii.
In future Japan, a secret agency of cyborgs must stop a hacker who
re-writes people’s minds. Insightful, mind-bending sci-fi that asks
questions about who we are and where we’re going. Packs a colossal
amount into 82 minutes, but worthwhile if you can keep up with it.
Impressive animation and sound.
DDDDd
The Abominbale Snowman (1957) Peter Cushing, Forrest Tucker, Maureen Connell, Richard Wattis, Robert Brown. Dir: Val Guest.
An ethical doctor joins an unethical expedition to the Himalayas searching for yeti. Considering meagre budget, does decent job of creating a believable mountainside setting, and of making it suspenseful. Alas, not much happens during first hour and the interesting ideas in Nigel ‘Quatermass’ Kneale’s script are not entirely developed.
DDDd
Frenzy (1972) Jon Finch, Alec McCowen, Barry Foster, Anna Massey, Barbara Leigh-Hunt. Dir: Alfred Hitchcock.
A struggling divorcee is framed when his ex-wife falls victim to a serial killer. Hitch’s penultimate is soaked in references to his past and old London, while also embracing contemporary sexual explicitness. Has flaws – mis-placed comedy and unsympathetic lead – but proves he still had plenty of tricks up his sleeves.
DDDD
Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Benedict Cumberbatch, John Cho, Alice Eve, Simon Pegg, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Peter Weller, Bruce Greenwood, Anton Yelchin. Dir: J.J. Abrams.
After an attack on earth, Kirk and crew fly into dangerous territory to catch a terrorist. An action packed sequel that has the moral dimension missing from the first outing. It smartly steal many of the original series’ best ideas although the plot is still overspilling (cryogenic torpedos?)
DDDD
The Collector (1965) Terence Stamp, Samantha Eggar. Dir: William Wyler.
A shy butterfly collector kidnaps and imprisons a woman to make him fall in love with her. A little artificial – it’s a stretch that Eggar couldn’t overpower Stamp, but the relationship that develops between them is intriguing, as much about divisions of class and education as it is isolation and sexual obsession.
DDDD
Iron Man 3 (2013) Robert Downey, Jr.,Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Ben Kingsley, Jon Favreau. Dir: Shane Black.
Suffering from PTSD, an edgy Stark earns the attention of a terrorist who attacks his home. More dramatically satisfying than previous instalments, but still has too much plot and an ultimately disappointing villain. Real issue is a not-so-surprising third act twist which muddies the point – just what’s the villain after?
DDDD
Trance (2013) James McAvoy, Rosario Dawson, Vincent Cassel, Danny Sapani. Dir: Danny Boyle.
An art thief consults a hypnotherapist when he forgets where he’s stashed a painting after a concussion. You know it’s heading for a big twist, and even if you don’t guess it (it’s not that surprising) it’s quite meaningless because the characters are paper-thin and pretty dull. Pleasingly flashy.
DDD
Ghost in the Shell (1995) Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Ĺtsuka, Iemasa Kayumi. Dir: Mamoru Oshii.
DDDDd
The Abominbale Snowman (1957) Peter Cushing, Forrest Tucker, Maureen Connell, Richard Wattis, Robert Brown. Dir: Val Guest.
An ethical doctor joins an unethical expedition to the Himalayas searching for yeti. Considering meagre budget, does decent job of creating a believable mountainside setting, and of making it suspenseful. Alas, not much happens during first hour and the interesting ideas in Nigel ‘Quatermass’ Kneale’s script are not entirely developed.
DDDd
Frenzy (1972) Jon Finch, Alec McCowen, Barry Foster, Anna Massey, Barbara Leigh-Hunt. Dir: Alfred Hitchcock.
A struggling divorcee is framed when his ex-wife falls victim to a serial killer. Hitch’s penultimate is soaked in references to his past and old London, while also embracing contemporary sexual explicitness. Has flaws – mis-placed comedy and unsympathetic lead – but proves he still had plenty of tricks up his sleeves.
DDDD
Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Benedict Cumberbatch, John Cho, Alice Eve, Simon Pegg, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Peter Weller, Bruce Greenwood, Anton Yelchin. Dir: J.J. Abrams.
After an attack on earth, Kirk and crew fly into dangerous territory to catch a terrorist. An action packed sequel that has the moral dimension missing from the first outing. It smartly steal many of the original series’ best ideas although the plot is still overspilling (cryogenic torpedos?)
DDDD
The Collector (1965) Terence Stamp, Samantha Eggar. Dir: William Wyler.
A shy butterfly collector kidnaps and imprisons a woman to make him fall in love with her. A little artificial – it’s a stretch that Eggar couldn’t overpower Stamp, but the relationship that develops between them is intriguing, as much about divisions of class and education as it is isolation and sexual obsession.
DDDD
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