Danish director Tobias Lindholm (whose previous credits include writing last year's terrific drama The Hunt and many episodes of hit TV series Borgen) skilfully blurs the lines between fact and fiction with this tense and powerful thriller about a cargo ship taken over by Somali pirates.
The film switches readily between the hostages and their captors on board the ship and the company who owns the ship back on the mainland. It focuses specifically on the ship's cook who is tasked by the pirates' negotiator to help end the ordeal and the head of the company who takes it on himself, against expert advisement, to come to a financial agreement.
The film has an almost slavish obsession with capturing a gritty docudrama feel and it benefits the drama greatly. It never resorts to easy answers, emotional manipulation or contrived plot twists - the upcoming Hollywood version of the situation, Captain Philips starring Tom Hanks, probably won't be as adept at avoiding these pitfalls - instead offering brutal and uncompromising realism.
We never feel like this is an artificial situation (Lindholm drew from true events, including using a real life security specialist) and are kept firmly in the chaotic action as time ticks by, with the hostages becoming more and more weary as the suits back in the comfort of the company office try and think of ways to bring this awful situation to an end. We see much of the events from the perspective of the hostages who are cooped up in the small rooms within the bowels of the ship, forced to live among their own filth for months. And we are left in the dark a lot of the time right alongside the hostages as they wonder just what the cold and calculating pirates will ultimately decide to do with them as they hold control over them at the barrel of AK-47s.
The cast all add to the believability of the situation, from Pilou Asbæk as the cook desperate to get back to his family to Søren Malling as the CEO of the hijacked company who is caught between trying to suppress emotions so as to not give the pirates the upper hand and showing he's not just a faceless head of a company that only cares about money. The film says some interesting things about human (and humane) responsibility in life or death situations, the worth of a human life in big business and how different kinds of people react to tense situations. It's a fascinating character study as much as it is a nail-biting reality-infused thriller and one of the very best films of the year.
im glad that Itv finally put this on the box, their Monday nights drama are unbeatable. 10 episodes following the rise of Harry Selfridge from when he arrived in London. the sets are incredible and the eye to detail is pure and just by watching the first episode you can tell this wasn't cheap to shoot. there are many other character's life's we as an audience get to know inside and out. harrys right hand men who make the shop operate. no wonder it is coming pack for series 2 next year. 8.5/10.
the dvd covers the making of Mr Selfridge with interviews with the cast and a look around Selfridges.
Account life of Harry Selfridge - from inside the store to his mistress.
I don't watch family films a lot however I was impressed with this film, Normally I get the impression its all American sweet looking however i found this movie different as its not about losing a child (such as Home Alone) however it is about gaining someone special in your life. there are elements of love and there are parts which are predictable however i enjoyed the picture as its not just parents that can teach children things, parents learn from kids to. - up beat picture. 6/10
A couple who cant have kids, plan and bury a secret box in the garden, will their wish come true after all? uplifting drama- clever and something for the family.
This is a warning. The BBC Sherlock Season 2 DVD is a trap. Once you start watching it you'll be there until it spits you out gasping and dazed at the end. You won't mean to get caught but you will be. One minute you're sitting down with a nice cup of tea and a packet of Hobnobs to keep you company and the next you're crawled up in a ball with nothing but a cold cupper and a pile of crumbs to comfort you.
The first series of Sherlock was a phenomenal hit for the BBC. Everybody loved it. So, obviously, expectations were high for the second series. How could it possibly be as good? Well, once again, Steven Moffatt and Mark Gattiss have managed to surprise their audience by producing a series that might even be better than the first.
There can be a lot of problems with bringing a popular book to the screen. Scenes have to be missed out, characters lost and nobody is going to agree with the casting. Moffat and Gatiss have managed to satisfy everyone with their modern day adaptions that are different from the books but somehow hold just the same charm.
One trick that has helped in transferring the books to T.V. is the casting of younger actors in the main roles. Traditionally played by older actors, Holmes and Watson have been transformed into Sherlock and John. Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are both perfect in their roles. Separately they would be excellent but together they are magnificent.
All the supporting roles are perfectly cast too. In a role that sometimes can get overlooked, Una Stubbs brings Mrs Hudson to wonderful life. Rupert Graves, Mark Gattiss and Lara Pulver are never less than perfect and I cannot see anyone else playing Moriarty now except Andrew Scott.
Intricately written, each episode is a gem of a puzzle that keeps you watching and guessing for the full 90 minutes. There is never a moment when nothing happens and you are constantly kept on your toes. Just as you're congratulating yourself for figuring something out a couple of seconds before Sherlock, you realise another three things have happened while you were busy patting yourself on the back. Twist upon twist can leave your head spinning but desperate to keep watching.
In the first episode of Series 2 "A Scandal in Belgravia" Sherlock meets his match in Irene Adler, a woman who runs rings around Sherlock and just about everyone else in the episode. The story is complicated and funny and the relationship between Sherlock and "The Woman" is sparky and smart. A great start to the series.
The second episode is "The Hounds of Baskerville" and is, probably, the weakest of the series but even the weakest episode is so much better than other TV dramas. Guest appearances by Russell Tovey and Amelia Bullmore help to make this episode more than just watchable. Writer Mark Gattis has taken probably the most famous Sherlock Holmes story and completely made it his own. With ghostly hounds and luminous rabbits this is an episode to watch and enjoy.
With the final episode, "The Reichenbach Fall" Steven Moffat has saved the best until last. The plot in this episode is so twisted and tangled that all you can do is cling on at the beginning and enjoy the ride. And there is so much to enjoy here with wonderful performances from every one of the cast (especially Martin Freeman) and a cliffhanger ending that people are still trying to figure out. It's a fantastic end to a superb series and guarantees we will all be tuning in to the third series when it arrives on the BBC.
Also included on this DVD is a 20 minute documentary "Sherlock Uncovered". It offers an insight into the making of the series with a lot of clips among interviews with the cast and crew.
The Sherlock Series 2 DVD is a trap. Once you're in you will never leave But it's an intricate, beautifully crafted trap so you'll be happy to stay exactly where Steven Moffat and Mark Gattis want you; completely Sher-locked and desperate for Series 3 to arrive.
Ghostbusters. Gremlins. Beetlejuice.
I can virtually guarantee that these were the movies that Jared Stern, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg had in mind while they were writing The Watch, a buddy-comedy-cum-alien-invasion-sci-fi movie that owes a huge debt to these 1980s horror-comedy blockbusters. Unfortunately, though, The Watch doesn't come close to matching the wit or warmth of these much-loved classics, instead ending up in the kind of mediocre B-list category occupied by the likes of Critters or Tremors.
That's a shame, because you would think that a film with these kinds of established comedy writers would contain more hits than misses. What's more, the movie boasts an impressive cast of seasoned comedy performers: along with Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn and Jonah Hill, there's some British talent in the form of Richard Ayoade (Moss from The IT Crowd). So what went wrong?
To my mind, it seems like there just wasn't enough work done on the script. Perhaps the people involved just assumed that there was so much comedy talent on board that it would suffice for them all to turn up, improvise a few comedic riffs around the bare bones of the plot, and they'd have a hit on their hands. But either the script was so underwritten that it didn't give them enough to work from or they just weren't up to it on the day. The result is a slightly aimless, shambling movie in which the leads look more embarrassed than anything else.
The story itself is straightforward enough, and a perfectly workable plot to base this kind of movie around. Ben Stiller (who obviously plays a character, although I've got no recollection of what his name might be, which shows you how little these things matter in a film like this) is the manager of a local supermarket who arrives at work one day to find that his night-watchman has been murdered in mysterious spooky circumstances. This leads him to assemble a loose posse of local townsfolk as a neighbourhood watch - but they get far more than they bargained for when they get embroiled in an extra-terrestrial invasion that involves replacing human beings with alien doppelgangers.
Vince Vaughn shows up as the loudmouth/cocky/not-quite-as-charming-as-he-was-in-Swingers character that he usually plays; Jonah Hill is his traditional naive/boyish/stupid/scarily intense self; and Ayoade reprises Moss-from-the-IT-Crowd in all but name (although he does get some slightly more interesting material to deal with in the second half of the film as his character develops into something more complex).
But really, you're not watching a movie like The Watch for character development: you're watching it for the laughs. And there are simply far too few of those to make this a worthwhile way to spend an hour and a half. The character comedy is predictable and tired, and obvious from the very first moment you meet each of the group members. The gross-out humour isn't gross enough or funny enough to hit the mark. And the absurd/unexpected stuff, while occasionally offering a slightly different flavour (such as the secret Swingers club being run by a local weirdo), doesn't gel closely enough with the rest of the movie to feel like it's even part of the same story.
Combine this with some weak attempts at pathos (like Stiller's character having fertility problems or Vaughn's having an unhappy home life) and you have a recipe for a horror-comedy that's neither as scary nor as funny as it should be.
Being the 11th incarnation of this show, it really had to live up to expectations or Scooby-doo could lose it's reputation. It's now been screened on 2 TV channels, Nickelodion and CBBC, but when they're on every night or Saturday, It's really hard to keep track, and I ended up missing quite a lot of episodes, so decided I would put a stop to that, buy the DVD's so I could watch my favourite TV show anytime. This, by far is the best quality DVD of Scooby-Doo Mystery Inc. that has come out, purely because is has 14 episodes and the others have 4. It's much easier to buy this DVD than buying little DVD's of 4 episodes, especially when they're the same price. Enough on the DVD's, I'll explain the actual show.
At first, I was a little bit sceptical about the reboot of this show. It introduces many new characters, including the gang's parents, new music (The Hex Girls) and other changes to voices etc, but I was wrong! The story weaves through right from the first episode to the last at the end of season 2, as Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, Scooby-doo and some of their friends track down the elusive 'Mr E', some mysterious treasure, solving mysteries along the way in their spooky hometown, Crystal cove. The sound and picture is great quality, and the faces/appearance of the gang has changed, almost to the point like you feel you're in the movie. Chuck in some romantic interest as well, and you've got yourself a great show. Also added in are the Hex Girls, a favourite pop group of the gang (especially Velma). They Pop up in a lot of episodes, and help the gang, but their music is even better! When is the hex girls album coming out?
Thats about all, but here are just some of the episodes on this DVD.
"When the cicada calls"- a group of angry bugs attack crystal cove, but who is behind it?
"Escape from mystery Manor"- getting in to the spooky mansion is one thing, how do they get out?
"A Haunting in Crystal Cove" - Fred's dad Mayor Jones is in possession of an important item that may be behind the Crystal Cove curse. But someone or something may be after it as well
"All Fear the Freak" - It's the epic finale where not only the trail of the hidden treasure is revealed, but also some startling truths and the big breakup of the gang.
Wow, just 4 of the epic episodes included. enjoy the DVD, and I hope this review was helpful.
Wow, what another great film (or should I say 14) from the popular Scooby-Doo series.
1977 - Perhaps this is woodys best film - that Is open for debate, certainly one that will make up top 5 Allen film list for years to come - Woody stars and co-wrote this.
Here he plays Alvy Singer attracted to Diane Keaton's Annie Hall, the film flips back and fourth through there relationship, a move later copied by such films as 500 days of summer. we see the good times and the bad, and back hilariously back to Alvys upbringing in Coney Island. Look out for the crab scene its brilliant! As in a few woody films the great Tony Roberts makes an appearance. This film comes highly recommended!
Woody's best?
I have to admit to coming late to the Peaky Blinders Series. I must have watched it once and initially found it difficult to follow. However, I watched the first episode again and now am completely hooked. Murphy's character, Thomas Shelby, is not immediately likeable and is feared by everyone, including his own family, except by his childhood friend, a communist, who happened to have saved Shelby's life during the war. Shelby doesn't like what he is doing but it is his obligation to him that shows the sense of honour that he has. Although he is capable of terrifying violence, there is a sense of a moral conscience, which makes all the story lines intriguing. Of course, it wouldn't be a proper drama without some sexual tension, and this is perfectly provided by the rather different Irish barmaid,Grace Burgess (Annabelle Wallis) who Shelby has concluded needed to come to England to deal with an unwanted pregnancy. Her real reason for courting him is much darker than this though and leads her into some dangerous situations. Some great cinematography, and if you are a fan of history, a good insight into the life of gangs in the 1920's. Just a few dodgy Birmingham accents, which seem to drift into cockney and scouse at times, but it doesn't spoil the overall effect. Some good horse scenes, particularly an early morning raid by the police, provided by Atkinson Action Horses (Poldark).
Verdict
Great story and raw insight into 1920's gangland culture
Breaking Bad is the best TV series to have come out of the US since The Sopranos. However, unlike The Sopranos, it doesn't take you several episodes to get sucked into the world of the show before you truly start to appreciate it. No, Breaking Bad is great from the very first episode - and as soon as you watch that opening hour of television, I can pretty much guarantee that you're going to stick around for the rest of the series.
The show revolves around Walter White, a high-school chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with lung cancer and given only a couple of years to live. So, in order to pay for his medical costs and provide for his family after he's gone, he forms an unlikely alliance with ex-student and drug dealer Jesse Pinkman, putting his science skills to good use as a manufacturer of high-grade crystal meth. Thus begins the saga of the unlikeliest drugs baron you've ever met, and his story remains just as compelling as things grow from these humble origins.
Because more than anything, Breaking Bad is a series that's all about escalation. From Walter's humble early efforts that see him cook up a single batch of the drug for Jesse to sell, we gradually see him take on bigger and bigger projects, leading to the pair becoming more and more significant players in the local underworld. This brings them into conflict with local drugs barons and other dealers, not to mention Walter's own brother-in-law - who just happens to be a DEA officer tasked with uncovering the truth behind this latest new player on the drugs scene. This leads to continuing tension and pressure, and a constant sense that Walter is up-against-the-wall at all times, always just on the brink of being discovered by his oblivious friends and family.
Yes, just like The Sopranos, Breaking Bad mixes its more serious criminal plots with whole sections of the show that revolve around family - including Walter's pregnant wife Skylar and his disabled son, Walter Jr. And despite them playing second-fiddle to the drug-manufacturing shenanigans, it's these sections that provide some of the most meaty, compelling material in the series. As Walter is forced to confront his mortality and make some hard choices about how he and his family will deal with his cancer, we really get to know these characters intimately, with the dialogue and character relationships really getting stuck into the details of their life, where most other shows would only scratch the surface.
The main reason these sections are so compelling - and the rest of the show too, actually - is the central performance by Bryan Cranston. If, like me, you previously only knew Cranston as Malcolm's Dad from Malcolm in the Middle, you'll find his performance here to be nothing short of a revelation. Because he manages to completely escape the shadow of that more comedic role to create a completely different, yet utterly convincing new personality in Walter White.
At first pathetic and meek, Walter grows in confidence and stature as the show progresses and he begins to experience success in the drugs trade - and Cranston makes you feel that transition every step of the way. He also manages to completely get to grips with the complex morality of Walter's new career, sometimes taking the character into some unexpectedly dark and dangerous places (an early episode in which Walter must decide whether or not to kill a captured rival drug-dealer is utterly gripping and completely unpredictable - just like the show as a whole). But at all times, you remain convinced that this is a real, living and breathing, multi-faceted person rather than the kind of simple two-dimensional caricature you'd find in a lot of other shows.
For all the grimness and darkness (the show is often brutally violent and graphically gory), Breaking Bad also manages to undercut its drama with some black humour that punctures the seriousness of the show just enough to allow you the occasional breather between one gloriously compelling sequence and the next. Aaron Paul's performance as Jesse, in particular, treads the very difficult line between being inept comic relief and a legitimate character that you come to care about in his own right. His role might not be as showy or complex as Cranston's, but he's an essential part of the show's dynamic without which things just wouldn't function. Fittingly enough for a show that's all about science, Breaking Bad's greatest strength is the pair's perfect chemistry.
This first DVD collection contains just seven episodes, comprising the entire short first season of the show. But I guarantee that you won't be able to stop there, not least due to the agonising cliffhanger ending that leads you straight into season two. And with the final season due to hit DVD at the end of this year, now is the perfect time to get on board with this sleeper-hit series and see just what you've been missing.
Touching drama - nice to see de Niro being in a film without a gun- unrated film I don't think it was in cinemas
I wasn't impressed with this mania- after 2012 claiming rock vs cent was 'once in a life time' here we are again, the only change there's a title. We all know who is going to win with the dwyanes filming with fast and furious and pain and gain. I predicted all the matches right.
Match of the night was punk vs taker. 9/10 - punk takes taker to the limit outstanding performances I think this should have been the main event as no will ever know when the undertaker will return next.
Worse fight of the night- ryback vs Henry - no big thing
I understand that wwe are trying to get mania 30 the best one yet but as this one is goes wasn't worth a box office event.
Biggest ppv of the year
Cena vs rock 2 - punk vs taker - will Brock take down the game again?
I was surprised that Jude Law would have been cast for a film like this as he can be typecast as Watson or something for the ladies. However Law's performance shows his true ability of different characters and challenges.
Many would amuse a bit of a weird film - it also surprise me why haven't something like this haven't been a movie before. Well worth a watch- however if you need to stay focused as there are many turns and twists that viewers will not see coming. 6.5/10
Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren will not let audiences down in this film based around Hitchcock and his wife's relationship whilst making Psycho. Old sets and costumes really sticks out in mind giving film fans a brilliant inside look of how Alfred Hitchcock was towards trying to get one of the most popular film to the cinema.
Look at Hitchcock lifestyle whilst making one of the best well know films he had made
not the best in the series, we all saw the trailer a thousand times, making it come out on valentines day didn't do much for it. lets be serious would women like this as a present?
the film is based in Russia therefore there are alot of subtitles, so be prepared to read. plenty of action however far fetch in some parts is just beyond limits.
Cena has been at the top for a long time and every challenge that has been in his path he has over come therefore most fans would have known that john would walk away with the title.
not the best follow on ppv after mania, however some titles changed hands.
after mania things get extreme
I only watched the trailer once in the cinema and was instantly determined to go see this film for myself, the music to the trailer makes the audience feel sorry for all characters in the plot as there are quick flash of people trying to connect with their families. I don't like long movies however I didn't realise how quick the time went whilst experiencing the film. Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper are type cast for something for the women or a comedy Genre, Put The Hangover to the side and look at Cooper from a different angle as he explores his acting range. This crime film is broken into three parts with huge consequences for all characters, The place beyond the pines is a must see for all film lovers.
how far would a father go to provide for his child he has never seen before? run away, want to spend time with him or rob a bank?
a must see crime 3 part film with bradley cooper and Ryan gosling.
A family tale which puts the characters to the limit. If you are a fan of Ryan gosling you will not be disappointed.
How far would a man go to give his child a better future, take him around the world, being a wonderful dad or robbing 3 banks in a day.
Fast and Furious 6 should by rights be an utter disaster but it seems we have to wait a while for that to happen. The script does not insult your intelligence and is littered with hearty jokes and a general fun feeling with tongue firmly in cheek. Then we come to the cars. What you get is amazing extra high octane non-stop car chases mostly set in London for added drool. The fight scenes and car stunts executed to perfection along with the deep vibrating sexy roar of the cars will awaken the adrenalin junkie in you and set your heartbeat racing that you'll walk out of cinema almost feeling exhausted. When watching make sure you wait till the end of the film when the credits start to roll for the final cliff hanger. Furious fun.
A wonderful film. I laughed so hard and so many times from watching this. The characters are great. The voices are so well done. This film is brilliant and you won't see every twist coming!
A Super Villain's tale of how he defeats the Superhero. Unfortunately he then feels lost and without a purpose in life without a Superhero to fight and battles to plot.
Disney's latest feature is one that will keep the kids entertained and keep the older members of the family secretly chuckling away as well. Join Ralph as he tries to shred his image as video game bad guy, and sets of on a hilarious and adventure filled trip into different arcade games to try and get the love and admiration of everyone as the hero of the gaming world.
Wreck-it Ralph stars (voiced) the fantastic and evergreen John C Reilly and the ever growing in popularity Jane Lynch - you may know her from glee and two and half men fame. The film was directed by Rich Moore who works on the Simpsons! (so you know your in good hands)
Also starring Sara Silverman Wreck-it Ralph enjoyed major success upon release earning nominations at the 2013 Golden globes and its now available on this Blu-Ray disc with special features including Video game commercials, alternate and deleDisney's latest feature is one that will keep the kids entertained and keep the older members of the family secretly chuckling away as well. Join Ralph as he tries to shred his image as video game bad guy, and sets of on a hilarious and adventure filled trip into different arcade games to try and get the love and admiration of everyone as the hero of the gaming world.
Wreck-it Ralph stars (voiced) the fantastic and evergreen John C Reilly and the ever growing in popularity Jane Lynch - you may know her from glee and two and half men fame. The film was directed by Rich Moore who works on the Simpsons! (so you know your in good hands)
Also starring Sara Silverman Wreck-it Ralph enjoyed major success upon release earning nominations at the 2013 Golden globes and its now available on this Blu-Ray disc with special features including deleatDisney's latest feature is one that will keep the kids entertained and keep the older members of the family secretly chuckling away as well. Join Ralph as he tries to shred his image as video game bad guy, and sets of on a hilarious and adventure filled trip into different arcade games to try and get the love and admiration of everyone as the hero of the gaming world.
Wreck-it Ralph stars (voiced) the fantastic and evergreen John C Reilly and the ever growing in popularity Jane Lynch - you may know her from glee and two and half men fame. The film was directed by Rich Moore who works on the Simpsons! (so you know your in good hands)
Also starring Sara Silverman Wreck-it Ralph enjoyed major success upon release earning nominations at the 2013 Golden globes and its now available on this Blu-Ray disc with special features including deleted and alternate scenes and features explaining the processes that go into making this film, plus video game commercials!
Ralphs Excellent adventure
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