Certificate:

Director: Guillem Morales

Release Date: 20 May 2011

Tagline: You can’t hide in the dark.

Main Cast:

Belén Rueda … Julia Levin / Sara

Lluís Homar … Isaac

Pablo Derqui … Ángel

This is a real treat!

In a nutshell, Sara and her twin sister, Julia both suffer from the same degenerative eye problem that is untreatable. After Sarah is found hanged at her home, Julia and her husband temporarily move in to Sarah’s home to deal with the funeral and such like. However, Julia suspects that her sister was murdered and tries to get to the bottom of it. As her own sight begins to falter things take a turn for the worse and she finds herself in a very dangerous situation.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Certificate:

Director: Duncan Jones

Release Date: 1 April 2011

Tagline: Make every second count.

Main Cast:

Jake Gyllenhaal … Colter Stevens

Michelle Monaghan … Christina Warren

Vera Farmiga Colleen Goodwin

I’m not a believer in parallel universes (I think it’s an easy cop out for scientists when they can’t explain something), so I’m in two minds (one in this universe and one in another?) about this. I really enjoyed it up until the end when it got all sentimental and schmaltzy. Source Code is basically Groundhog Day with peril and some dodgy acting (Michelle Monaghan is bland and uninteresting).

As was explained to us early in the film, they have the ability to put the consciousness of one person (x) into the mind of another person (y) in the last eight minutes of y’s life (in this case Colter in to a man called Sean Fentress). For reasons that will become apparent, it is mentioned that the scientist chose Sean because of his physical similarity to Colter. A train on its way into Chicago is blown up (nice SFX here), and Colter is sent into an alternate/parallel universe to discover the identity of the person who placed the bomb on said train. He is told that he cannot affect the outcome as he can’t change the past – his mission is simply to find out who the person is so that they can stop him from further bombings. I could have told him who it was in the second attempt and saved him the bother

MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW!

In the end, the story gets really bogged down in its own quantum physics complexity. Christina obviously knows who Sean is – she is travelling with him. She also has a bit of a thing for Sean. As each attempt is in its own separate timeline she should find his behaviour odd every time, but she doesn’t seem all that bothered. Now, here’s where the ‘physical similarities’ comes in. Guess what? Colter, in between trying to find the bomber, falls in love with her. It’s a good job they put him into that handsome male body and not the pale and spotty geek or, Heaven forbid, the old lady on the top deck! She’s also a deus ex machina – a sloppy plot device if ever I saw one.

I thought that they’d actually come up with a plausible and poignant ending (the freeze frame scene), but that was wrenched away only to be replaced by a ‘lovely’ ending.

So, what happened to Sean in the timeline where Colter saves the day and gets the girl? I don’t think we’re supposed to ask this! Is it even morally ethical for Colter to steal Sean’s body? Surely someone as conscientious as a heroic soldier wouldn’t do such a thing. Oh – wait a minute – in this timeline Sean doesn’t die. Which means that Colter could not have entered his mind because there would be no ‘last eight minutes’ for Sean.

The things that we are asked to suspend disbelief for the sake of stupid endings never ceases to amaze me.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Certificate:

Director: Luc Besson

Release Date: 3 February 1995

Tagline: A perfect assassin. An innocent girl. They have nothing left to lose except each other.

Main Cast:

Jean Reno … Léon

Natalie Portman … Matilda

Gary Oldman … Stansfield

Danny Aiello … Tony

I watched this film shortly after it was released. I say “watch”, but I switched it off because of Gary Oldman’s excruciating and embarrassing over acting, amongst other things. So, “why?” I hear you ask, “are you reviewing a film you watched fifteen or so years ago”. Well, it was leant to my husband so I thought I’d give it another chance. This time I watched it all, and I still don’t like it.

A hitman (who is really a gentle soul at heart) ‘inherits’ a young girl who’s family have been gunned down by a team of corrupt cops. Not only are these cops inept, but they look pretty ridiculous too. And yes, you’ve guessed it, Gary Oldman plays the and megalomaniacal leader of this ridiculous bunch. He’s some kind of drug addict (prescription?) who, when chewing his pill behaves like Hannibal Lecter (Silence of the Lambs) on acid. I don’t want to spoil the ending for you (if you still want to watch it) but I’m guessing that women and children were killed during the finale.

Natalie Portman is excellent as Matilda, but the character is unbelievable and unlikeable.

Leon is cliche ridden and pretentious. It’s like the Beatles and Elvis. You don’t dare say that you don’t like them/him because everyone else are sheep and will deem you to be a tasteless being who is clearly from another planet. Ask yourself this – have you ever come across anybody who says that they don’t like the Beatles or Elvis? No, of course you haven’t. Unless you know me, that is.

Rating: 1.5 out of 5 stars

Certificate:

Directors: Doug Liman (Identity), Paul Greengrass (Supremacy and Ultimatum)

Release Dates: 2002, 2004, 2007

Main Cast:

Matt Damon … Jason Bourne

Franka Potente … Marie

Chris Cooper … Conklin

I’m reviewing these all together as they are all of the same quality, which is not bad!

The Bourne films are, overall, pretty good films. As usual though (with this type of film) you have to suspend disbelief as there are quite a few situations that are, when you think about it, pretty ludicrous. However, all three films are consistently good and are well worth watching. I recommend that you watch all three back to back, as there are one or two confusing aspects which make more sense when watched in quick succession.

In a nutshell, the plot is this. A young man is rescued from the sea by a fishing boat. He has no idea who he is or what happened to him. Fortunately for him, there seems to be a fairly competent medic on board who removes bullets and such from him. The medic also removes a device that projects an image on the wall of details of a very exclusive Swiss bank account. Yes – we’re suspending disbelief from almost the word go! Anyway, the unidentified man goes to said bank to look at the contents of a security box. In it, he finds passports in various names all with his photo on them, money and a gun. He takes it that his name is Jason Bourne. His presence sets all sorts of alarms going off and he finds himself evading the security with alarming ease. He enlists a total stranger (she’s a sucker for money – money talks, after all) to drive him to Paris. Rather than just leave him in Paris, she stays with him and they *yawn* ‘fall in love’. Bourne is in the middle of a tangled web of corruption, and spends the three films in outrageous car chases and fights.

The Bourne films are perfect ‘popcorn movies’. Don’t worry about the nonsense – grab some munchies, sit back and enjoy!

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars (combined)

Certificate:

Directors: Luis Piedrahita and Rodrigo Sopeña

Release Date: 29 May 2009

Tagline: Think inside the box.

Main Cast:

Lluís Homar … Hilbert

Alejo Sauras … Galois

Elena Ballesteros … Oliva

Santi Millán … Pascal

Federico Luppi … Fermat

I enjoyed this. However, it is far too much like Cube for me to rate it too highly. In a nutshell, four geniuses have been selected (supposedly on their ability to solve a kind of mathematical problem) to attend a special gathering of elite minds. They are all directed to drive to an isolated location, and are all given pseudonyms. It soon becomes clear that they have fallen into a deadly trap and must use their intelligence and quick thinking if they are to save their lives.

There are, however, two plot holes (see here http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1016301/goofs) that are far too big to overlook. All in all, though, I did enjoy it, and would recommend watching it.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Certificate:

Director: Niels Arden Oplev

Release Date: 12 March 2010

Main Cast:

Michael Nyqvist … Mikael Blomkvist

Noomi Rapace … Lisbeth Salander

Lena Endre … Erika Berger

Sven-Bertil Taube … Henrik Vanger

This is an absolute cracker. An adult, engrossing and thrilling film that does not fail to deliver. It’s absolutely brilliant on every level, and if you are a film lover, then you need to see it.

I really can’t give anything away, but the story is about how, forty years ago, Harriet Vanger disappeared from a family gathering on the island owned and inhabited by the powerful Vanger clan. Her body was never found, yet her uncle is convinced it was murder and that the killer is a member of his own tightly knit but dysfunctional family. He employs the disgraced financial journalist Mikael Blomkvist and the tattooed, ruthless computer hacker Lisbeth Salander to investigate.

Fantastic. What are you waiting for – watch it now!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Certificate:

Director: Martin Scorsese

Release Date: 12 March 2010

Tagline: Someone is missing.

Main Cast:

Leonardo DiCaprio … Teddy Daniels

Mark Ruffalo … Chuck Aule

Ben Kingsley … Dr. John Cawley

Max von Sydow … Dr. Jeremiah Naehring

U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels is investigating the disappearance of a murderess who has escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is presumed to be hiding on the remote Shutter Island.

I really liked this. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you anything more about it, because it’s just ones of those films that you have to sit and watch for yourself. It’s worth your time though, as it’s easily one of the best films of 2010.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Certificate:

Director: David Slade

Release Date: 16 June 2006

Tagline: Strangers shouldn’t talk to little girls.

Main Cast:

Patrick Wilson … Jeff Kohlver

Ellen Page … Hayley Stark

I can suspend disbelief, and I can just about cope with a plot hole (as long as it’s not a major one).  But these conditions apply only to otherwise great films. Hard Candy, however, is not a great film.

It’s totally unbelievable and ridiculous. If you couldn’t give a monkey’s toss about realism, then you might enjoy this. It feels like it wants to be intelligent torture porn, but the reality is that it is neither. Having said that though, I felt a bit tortured watching it.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Certificate:

Director: Christian Alvart

Release Date: 17 November 2006

Tagline: The Good is the Evil in it.

Main Cast:

Norman Reedus … Polizist Schmitz

Christian von Aster … Polizist Wagner

André Hennicke … Gabriel Engel

Antibodies is the thinking man’s Silence of the Lambs. It’s a quiet paced drama that gets slowly murkier and the lines between good and evil get somewhat blurred. It’s a far darker story than the above, and is, in my opinion, better. Don’t get me wrong – I really liked Lambs, but it was undoubtedly ‘Hollywood’. Antibodies is a far more disturbing experience. I like disturbing films. They really get under your skin and make you question not only life in general, but also aspects of yourself.

Can’t say much else really, as to do so would spoil the film.

It’s not perfect, but it’s a very good film and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Certificate:

Director: Joby Harold

Release Date: 4 April 2008

Tagline: Every year, one in 700 people wake up during surgery. When they planned her husband’s murder, they never thought he’d be the one.

Main Cast:

Hayden Christensen … Clay Beresford

Jessica Alba … Sam Lockwood

Terrence Howard … Dr. Jack Harper

Lena Olin … Lilith Beresford

I really enjoyed this. I can’t tell you anything about it though as I don’t want to reveal anything.  Another pretty good solid performance from Hayden Christensen, and Jessica Alba is in reasonable form too.  I find Christensen brings a certain charm and warmth to his roles, and whilst he’s probably never going to win any Oscars, he’s one of my favourite actors.

Worth watching, definitely.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars