I finally got to see Beowulf, and I’m not really sure what to make of the whole package. It’s based on an old English epic poem, and so is suitably dark and foreboding.

The techniques used in the production of the film are an unusual mixture of live action and computer graphics. I say unusual, as most films are predominantly live action with computer graphics layered on top, whereas Beowulf is computer graphics with live action layered in. The result is slightly unreal, and I couldn’t help feeling that something wasn’t right.

I also read up on the original story, and the screen play differs in a few significant points. I shan’t explain them for fear of spoiling the film, but have a look a the Wikipedia entry and make your own mind up.

Saying that, the film is still worth watching, although I’m surprised it was only a 12A!! There is much gore and sexual references!

Went to the Slough Empire this evening to watch Rataouille with some of the usual suspects. Whilst Cars was a good film in its own right, I thought it wasn’t as good as what we’d come to expect from Pixar, so I had a sense of both excitement and apprehension when I wandered into the cinema.

In true Pixar tradition, there was a very amusing short film prior to the main feature. I shan’t spoil it for those who haven’t seen the film yet, but needless to say, it set the mood brilliantly.

Every time I watch a Pixar film, I’m amazed by what they’ve managed to achieve technically.This was no exception, I spent a good amount of time watching the fur on the rats, the water effects and all manner of other computer generated wonders.

The story itself is great, with plenty of twists and turns, with the characters having all manner of difficult choices to make. The characters are very much alive, with some great voices and animation. There is plenty of humour, both of the slapstick kind, and of the more subtle variety.

Even though this film has a U certificate, it has plenty to keep both adults and children entertained. Pixar have done it again and produced a film which is well worth seeing.

Saw Déjà Vu this evening. I must admit, I was a little sceptical about seeing this film, as the blurb on the back cover sounded cheesey. It all looked like a serious version of Back to the Future, except I couldn’t see how that would work! Saying that, Denzel Washington doesn’t usually appear in bad films, although Val Kilmer has contributed to some shockers in the past! Denzel was the lead though, so there was hope.

It starts off with an investigation into an apparent terrorist bombing, with ATF agent Doug Carlin (played by Denzel) who is investigating. The story seems fairly predictable to start with, but takes a slight turn when Carlin is invited to use a device which can see past events. The device is used to see the steps of the bomber and others involved in order to aide evidence gathering. There isn’t any real explanation of how the device works, suffice to say, Carlin is a little suspicious.

I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised by the end of the film. The story had been executed skilfully, with expert direction, and good acting. Philosophical questions on the nature of time, predestination and causality were raised, with more than a passing nod to God.

For a film of this nature, the portrayal of events was balanced and necessary, instead of needless gratuitousness.

All in all, a good film.

There was nothing in my diary for this morning, so I stayed in bed for as long as I could. 🙂 After a busy Friday evening at church helping with the final holiday bible club event of the week, I figured I could do with a good sleep. Finally got out of bed some time around 11am, had a bath, hung out the washing, planted my lavender bushes in the garden and cooked some breakfast. Once I’d done all that, it was time to wander down to Feltham Evangelical Church for a baptism. Afterwards caught up with Daniella over dinner, and then on to Dave’s to watch a DVD.

Dave had chosen Children of Men, which looked interesting from the sleeve. The whole scenario, of a world where mankind is no longer able to procreate is an interesting one and one which the film portrays in a very believable and stark way. It’s a shame the story which we told which takes place in this scenario isn’t quite so interesting, with some not so subtle half-baked political commentary thrown in. Worth seeing if only for the world portrayed, despite the story.

I saw The Bourne Ultimatum, the latest of the Bourne series of films, this evening. I’d enjoyed the previous two films, and I’d also been tipped off about the plot when I read a pseudo-review of the film by David Wayne, so I entered the cinema with a small amount of expectation of this third film.

I exited the cinema with a grin. The film had lived up to my expectations.

The biblical themes of redemption were there, with a man trying to find his origins, who he really is, seeking to atone for his wrong-doing, finding both what he is and why he is, and ultimately being set free from what he is, to be restored to what he was and being set free from his former life.

The action moved along at a swift pace. The use of technology was mostly reasonable, as far as spy-films go, with only a few sillies in the use of technology marring the story (this was not Bond!) The effects were seamless, believable and superb. All the main characters were portrayed by actors who were not out of their depth, but who could add more to the film than the script alone would tell us.

Only one thought lingered in my mind.  Early on, a journalist from a well-known left-wing English broadsheet, panicked, thought he knew better and ended up dead. Was this a veiled comment about left-wing politics?

All in all, well-worth seeing, and if you enjoyed the first two then pretty much essential viewing!

I saw Transformers this evening with my brother at the Slough Empire. It’s been quite a few years since the toys first appeared, only slightly shorter since the cartoons last aired on the telly and the animated movie graced the silver screen. I must admit, it’s been so long, I wasn’t really sure what to expect!

I guessed because I wasn’t expecting anything, I found the film very enjoyable. The story was basic, it’s good vs. evil, with a good deal of reality blunders all over – ok, sentient transforming robots doesn’t give you a good starting point for reality, that and geeks getting the leading ladies. The jokes were usually simple, sometimes slapstick, sometimes adolescent verging on puerile (Did I say verging – some of it was cringe-worthy!) The characters are pretty basic, with very development. The dialogue was cheesy!

To an extent, that didn’t matter though, as the action was almost none stop and the effects were nothing short of amazing. This was cinema doing its magic.

If you’re not expecting a great film but are a fan of Transformers and effects rollercoasters, you won’t be disappointed. If you’re looking for anything else, you might want to avoid!

Saw Shrek the Third this evening. After the very original first and even better second films in the Shrek series, I had high expectations for the third. As far as films go, it was entertaining, with funny moments liberally scattered throughout. There were plenty of in-jokes, be it hat tips to other films, or references to other characters the actors have played.

Alas, compared to one and two, number three was disappointing. One and two were original and had something to say. Number three was more run of the mill, with a story as generic as they come. This isn’t to say that as a film on its own it isn’t a good film. Just as part of the Shrek trilogy, it was disappointing. I hope they don’t continue this trend and make a fourth!

It must be just me, but I’ve just been to see Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End and I just don’t get it. At the end of the film, I walked out with the same feeling of underwhelming as I did when I saw the first one. Maybe the hype had led me to expect too much.

Sure, the special effects were impressive and the action scenes were imaginative and spectacular. However, the story line was remarkably one-dimensional, being rather predictable and clichéd.

Was I expecting too much from a film derived from an amusement park ride? Possibly. After all, the film was like a good fireworks display, continuously moving along. However, a good fireworks display doesn’t go on for almost three hours!

A fun film, but don’t believe the hype.

It’s not every day an action film seen on a busy day gets it’s own review page, but I think Spiderman III is different from the usual action film. I’d gone into the cinema expecting great things, as I’d enjoyed the previous two films in the series.

Unlike most action films, whilst trying not to give too much away, the story isn’t a simple case of the good guys versus the bad guys. Instead, there is some depth to the characters, as each battles within themselves, battling with their own humanity. The struggles of how to treat others, how to treat oneself. How to deal with the highs and lows of popularity and obscurity. How the characters interrelate, their friendships and their relationships, are complex and intriguing. The film even philosophically explores the reasons why we do what we do.

It’s refreshing to see a ‘hero’ dealing with not just the baddies, but with his own desires – both good and bad. Even the baddies have issues, dealing with various issues and in so doing, showing they’re not as bad as they could be in some cases. Both goodies and baddies battle with selfishness which, if left unchecked, has the power to destroy them.

The story is ever so slightly more complex as a result of the internal tussles, and you’re never quite sure how things are going to turn out. Themes such as reconciliation, sacrifice, redemption, forgiveness and salvation loom large throughout.

Of course, being an action film, the special effects and action scenes are superb, with a great sense of pace. Above it all though stands a story which is compelling and, even though in a fantasy world of superheroes, full of very real, very human characters.

A great film which is well worth seeing!

I think my knee is almost back to normal now! This evening I managed to run around the football pitch for the usual time rather than hobbling. We won and I even managed to score a few goals.

The rest of the evening was spent round Sarah’s watching The Truman Show on DVD. Alas, this is one of those films which has been eclipsed by events, both in filmmaking and in reality. The whole idea of determining whether we’re living in a make-believe world has always been a philosophical question. Questioning the very nature of reality. The Truman Show is a modern day take on Shakespeare’s famous scene from As you Like It, and places the main character Truman Burbank in a reality TV show, except he doesn’t realise he’s in the show but accepts the show as reality. In 1998, the idea of presenting such a TV show as reality was a novelty. However a year later, The Matrix would soon show a darker, more intricate take on the ‘fiction presented as reality’ film, and television has almost fulfilled the prophetic message of The Truman Show in such ghastly programmes as Big Brother and the plethora of other reality TV shows. Saying that, The Truman Show is still a good film, and raises a lot of questions. The conversation after the film was interesting, with some differing philosophical views expressed. Will the truth really set you free?

One of those crazy Saturdays! It was another very tiring afternoon playing football on a pitch with long grass. It’s amazing how a few inches extra causes so much more effort to be required. I guess the positive side is that I got a good amount of exercise!

In the evening, I went to a talk on how God justifiably demonstrates his wrath, a subject which deserves its own entry. Watch this space. 🙂

Finally saw The Illusionist, which tells the story of an illusionist who uses his talents to get the girl he loves. The story is based in Vienna during the time of the Austro-Hungarian empire, and tells most of its story through suggestion. Of course, this leaves you to try and piece together what is actually happening, as well as trying to sift out correct and incorrect conclusions. The film is very cleverly put together and not only shows the techniques of an illusionist being used on its characters, but uses those techniques on the audience. At the end, you go away with the idea that the good guy has won, but after a little thought you wonder if he really was the good guy. Worth watching if you’re looking for a piece of light entertainment, with plenty of impressively crafted scenes, both in terms of effects and in cinematography.