My Nintendo Problem

By the end of January it’s almost safe to predict that the NPD Numbers for the US will contain within them the single largest monthly sales number of a console since, well, ever. The Wii decimated the November record (by a cool 700,000 units, or nearly as many as the Xbox360 sold all month) and is bound to do the same again, the current record of 2.7 million PS2’s is in serious jeopardy. Now I think it’s easy to take these numbers in without really appreciating the sheer scale of this achievement. Just to think that over 2 years since its release the Wii is still hard to find, it is still the number 1 searched for and desired gift. Its sales are only getting bigger as supply finally begins to meet demand. From Nintendo’s position 3 years ago this would have seemed impossible and faintly ridiculous, yet now its constant outselling of all the other consoles combined is not only expected, it has become the norm.

As a Nintendo fan this has made me happy, I liked the Gamecube but as it drew to the end of its life I held out hope for the Wii, but only to keep Nintendo in the game for one more round, I honestly couldn’t see them catching up to Sony and Microsoft, let alone breezing past them as if they weren’t even there. You see Nintendo have always marched to the beat of their own drum and I liked their focus on the games rather than the technology, and their step away from the macho one-upping of Sony and Microsoft was a wise one. They were never going to have the resources to be able to compete on that level and by creating their own market they have changed the rules, moved the playing field and left Sony and Microsoft to fight for second place.

So why is it that I can’t help feeling twinges of disappointment and regret when glancing at the Wii sat in the corner of my room? Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not writing it off, nor assuming in anyway that this feeling will prevail but it is worth analysing I feel. I think the sense of regret is what has been lost in the clamour for this new market, this new way of playing. Nintendo have gained a huge audience, massive popularity and shedloads of money, but their cutting edge has been dulled, their innovative company line compromised at the altar of the all-powerful dollar. Case in point the latest Animal Crossing game, a game I was anticipating upon its announcement, the promise of an online world which is customisable and inhabitable by people all over the world sounded exciting. Having only played a bit of the previous games I was struck by the possibilities available on the Wii. Even with the friend code restrictions the idea of visiting friends within the same game world and impacting their game was intriguing. Maybe there would also been tasks and challenges you could complete together online? The annual celebrations could be witnessed globally perhaps, and the idea of leaving presents, or notes and messages with others and receiving such thing yourself on returning to the game was an appealing one. Animal Crossing to me always felt like a game hindered by a lack to true connectivity and one that would, or could, flourish in an online environment.

Yet the final game achieves very little of this inherent promise, it is in fact more an upgrade of the Gamecube and DS games, retaining all the previous features and adding very little new. The voice chat add-on is welcome but restrictive and has no great purpose in the game. The graphics and world are near identical to those that have gone before and the much touted ‘city’ of the title is a small collection of shops previously accessed from inside your own village. More than any recently released or even historically released first party Nintendo game this is the one that has felt most like a lazy and cynical upgrade. And the worrying sign is that this may well be the direction Nintendo head towards as time goes on. Now I don’t think that the major franchises will ever be treated with such disdain (Mario Galaxy after all was a magnificent game full of innovation and creativity) but I feel that this style of more casual releases (apologies for using the word, I am not a fan of categorising everything into hardcore and casual games much in the way that I would not categorise films as art-house or populist) will be one we see more of.

For starters next year sees the beginning of Nintendo’s re-releases of Gamecube games with added Wii controls, another fad that has plagued the Wii from becoming home to truly new and innovative games that are built to take advantage of its unique control style. Now I will concede that for games that never saw the light of day on a Nintendo console such as Okami this can be a good thing, and I am enjoying the game very much, but for games such as Pikmin it feels like another rather lazy way of gaining some extra money rather than pouring resources into creating new games. Just because the Wii isn’t much more powerful than the last generation of consoles doesn’t mean it should languish alongside them in terms of content and gameplay.

But what’s wrong with milking something that is so popular for some more money? After all there is a definite justification in spending a small budget on an upgraded game and gaining the same or even more revenue than you might from spending millions on a new and innovative product. I understand the business logic and Nintendo are perfectly justified in doing this, you could even argue they would be foolish not to. But this is where, as a fan, it hurts. Nintendo have never been a logical company, whilst everyone else moved to CD’s they stuck to cartridges out of a stubborn dislike of piracy. Rather than use DVDs with the Gamecube they manufactured their own mini-DVD’s and their fabled reluctance to get involved with online gaming is well documented. But that is partly why I loved them; they zagged when everyone else zigged, they planned crazy add-on’s and extras for bizarre Japanese games such as the N64 DD and gained fame from naming a Gorilla after a Mule. So for a company like this to suddenly seem so profit-focused and predictable feels a little bit sad. Now I’m not saying Nintendo were not profit oriented before, the prevalence of Mario licensed games in their history is more than testament enough to this, but they always had this crazy edge as well and they always had a focus on quality and innovation; even when it didn’t always work. Now it seems that beyond the Wii remote itself there have been fewer and fewer glimpses of this in recent years.

But all this does not mean I have given up hope. 2008 was a quiet year in terms of gaming from Nintendo and it has been a barren few months for Wii owners in terms of games as 3rd party developers get to grips with the system and how to produce quality games for it, but 2009 is full of promise. Nintendo’s recent strategy of announcing games only months before they will be release may well prove successful this year, the thought of a new Zelda, Mario or Pikmin game (or an entirely new game of course) being announced in May and released in November is an exciting one and much more preferable to the old system of announcement then release 2 or even 3 years later.

Where they go from here no-one knows, but the fan in me has his fingers crossed that the old Nintendo makes an appearance soon, if only briefly, to confuse and surprise us once again.

On blogging...

It’s all Steven Spielberg’s fault. Everything else looks alright, the system is working. Until now. Except for that damn Jurassic Park 3.

My Spielberg problem highlighted above as you may have worked out was related to the organisation of my DVD collection. You see I don’t want to simply go alphabetical, as I have some series of films or groups by the same director that seem to go well together. For example all the Pixar films or Studio Ghibli films belong together, they may have different directors but they shouldn't be scattered throughout the shelves. So I put all the Spielberg films together, except in doing so I separated the Jurassic Park films, leaving number 3 in the J’s on its own. Gah, and it was all going so well.

You see blogs are personal things, even when what you write about isn’t. Some will identify with my DVD dilemma, others, probably quite rightly, will think me rather odd. The focus within blogs on opinion and instant reaction lends itself to the format perfectly, but in doing so you assume, I think, a certain amount of narcissism. To think that what you think about something matters. But I love reading peoples opinions or reactions to things. Or even just finding people engaging about the things I too am interested in. A moment of shared opinion and agreement with something written thousands of miles away by someone you have never met is always thrilling, and I find it fascinating and rewarding that the personal reaction I can have to certain things, be they films, games or even world events, are not unique and that others can share my feelings unknowingly. I guess what I’ve been wrestling with this year in this site is the notion that it’s okay to put my opinion out there, and to do so without expectation or ego.

So with a new year comes another start. Rather than reviews as have come before on the site I will instead offer my thoughts on a variety of topics that interest me, including the films I watch. I do so not because I believe I am more qualified or knowledgeable on these subjects than anyone else, nor because I believe my words deserve to be read and judged, but because I believe one of the best outcomes of entertainment in all its forms is that it promotes discussion and opinion. So often our culture is what unites and divides us, and even defines us in some respects. It’s not all going to be serious, but I hope that I can at least prompt a reaction or an interest in at least some of the things I cover. If not I can only apologise in advance.

Now to get back to my DVDs, I think I was just sorting James Cameron…

First up, Aliens.

Damn it.

Check it out Day 5: Whose Line is it anyway?

Part five of this series returns to Television, in the form of improvisational show Whose Line is it Anyway. A relatively unknown show this began life as a British gameshow hosted by Clive Anderson, the main aim of the program being a series of 'games' and sketches made up on the spot by the cast of four comedians. As the formula became the established the series made it's way to the US where talkshow host Drew Carey took over the reigns until 2006 when the show finished. The biggest draw of the program has to the Ryan Stiles and Colin Mochrie, the permanent guests on both versions of the show they are both hilarious and have such good interplay and understanding between themselves (plus watching Colin struggle on the song-based games is always fantastic!). That really is all there is to the show but it remains painfully funny throughout, the addition of Wayne Brady to the US show was another stroke of genius, his musical improv is astounding and the energy and commitment all the contestants put into the ridiculous and silly sketches is really what makes the show. As wll as Wayne though there are a host of other comedians who step in and make up the show, Greg Proops is always funny and Brad Sherwood can more than hold his own with the regulars. In many ways the show has paved the way for elements of the comedy panel shows that now adorn the BBC and Channel 4 like Mock the Week. The show used to only be able to be seen late at night on Channel 4 but Five US now shows a couple of episodes every evening so if you have sky (channel 174) or Freeview (channel 35) and this sounds like your cup of tea then I highly recommend checking it out if you have time. I have included a few example sketches below through Youtube so enjoy:

Check it out Day 4: Primer

OK, busy-ness caught up with me but in the short time I have now I'm going to keep these articles going. Today we're looking at Primer, a low budget sci-fi film made a few years ago for just $7,000 in borrowed locations / houses and yet with enough invention, smarts and intrigue to put most multi-million dollar blockbusters to shame. Its fitting maybe that the film works best the less you know about it, it is relatively brief running at uner 80 minutes with credits but warrants re-watching for its complex plot may have your mind in stiches the first time through. Despite the low budget this is an expertly crafted film with a great soundtrack and visual style, Shane Carruth the guiding vocie behind the project not only directs and stars but has his hands in all functions of the film and is definitely a name to look out for. This was not a big film by any respect but won some festivals and is out on DVD now and I highly reccomend it if you have an interest in cerebral science fiction films. Its encouraging and reassuring to be reminded that at the end of the day a good film is not about budget or stars, but a good story expertly told, regardless of the circumstances.

Check it out Day 3: Portal

Day 3 of this Check it Out series sees the first foray into gaming with Valve’s wickedly entertaining and head-bending Portal. Released as part of The Orange Box gaming collection earlier this year (comprising of the also excellent Half Life 2, Episode packs and team Fortress) Portal became a bit of a cult hit within gaming circles but its wider popularity I’m unsure of. Now the game has been released on its own outside of the pack and is well worth playing if you haven’t heard of it yet.

Portal is essentially a first person puzzle game, using the Half Life 2 Source engine you start the game to find yourself in a test chamber, the objective is the game is simply to make your way through each of the levels (you go up a floor in a lift after each stage), in true puzzle game style though it’s the how that will keep you going. The main hook of Portal is the Portal gun, a stroke of genius it is a device that allows you to create a portal in a wall, then create another ‘exit’ portal on another wall, then simply walk through one portal and you will emerge from the other. From this mind-bending premise come some of the most ingenious and head-scratching designs put into a game.

That is basically all there is to the game but Valve superb design and the game world created keep it compelling and, thanks to the genius of GLaDOS the test chamber robot who guides you through the challenges, downright hilarious at times. Portal is a very funny game at times and feels like such a breath of fresh air compared to the other games out there that it is a constant joy to play. The game is short, and can be picked up for about £15 (though the all in one package of the Orange Box for £35 is much better value). The game also includes extra levels, developers commentary and achievement challenges which will keep you coming back long after the brilliant end credits. Basically portal is one of the most fun and surprising games of recent years and hopefully its popularity will lead to similarly creative and offbeat games being produced further down the line.

Check it out day 2: Sun Kil Moon

A little more obscure for day 2 of this feature is little known band Sun Kil Moon, though they are effectively another name under which Red House Painters singer Mark Kozelak presents himself rather than a distinct gathering of musicians. Formed a few years ago it was only with their second release, Ghosts of the Great Highway that I discovered them and was instantly drawn to the music style. Slow and haunting Kozalek’s music is pretty un-commercial, tracks often drift on for up to 10 minutes and the soothing and repetitive rhythms may bore some, but deep underneath there is an emotional core which reveals itself the more you listen. Ingrained with a sense of longing, regret and melancholy Kozalek is a reflective song-writer and his songs work as odes to people and places unknown, experiences lived and fulfilled, regrets harboured and chances missed. This year they released their third album entitled April and it is fantastic. If anything the album is more restrained than ‘Ghosts’, a tense and fragile affair with echoes of sadness but also great beauty and peace. The album, and band for that matter, won’t be for everyone, but for something more laidback and relaxed,as well as emotionally stirring and moving I highly recommend you check Sun Kil Moon out, these songs are special, like jewels cast out to sea waiting to be discovered. Check out one of my favourite songs from April below:

Check it out Day 1: House

So the month of obscure recommendations and picks starts with an internationally acclaimed TV series everyone will have heard of? Well yes it does, but for a reason. Just because everyone may be aware of the show doesn’t mean they ever watched it or enjoy it, I’ve known about the series for years but only recently with the latest series have I really gotten hooked on it. One of the great things about House is the fact that you can kind of dip in and out, it is much more self-contained than many other shows such as Heroes or Lost that you really need to have seen from the start. Each episode has its own story, pay-offs and whilst there are on-going character arc running in the background these are less prominent than on other shows. In case you’ve never heard of it House stars Hugh Laurie as the titular doctor who runs a team specialising in obscure diagnostics – they get the cases no-one else can figure out. From that simple premise comes one of the most involving, interesting and funny TV shows of recent years.

The writing on the show is uniformly superb, the dialogue is razor sharp and the cases each week compelling not just because of the mystery elements (which act as a sort of medical whodunit) but the attention that is given to the patients as characters. Each week is distinct and manages to pull together complex moral issues and situations whilst remaining entertaining and mixing things up. It’s like a ridiculously complicated balancing act that the show pulls off week after week. Laurie of course anchors the show, without House it would fall apart and his performance is magnificent, right from the start he inhabits the character in such a way that even though I know it’s him he dissolves in the role. His accent is flawless and the characters acidity and self-destructive sides help paint a very unusual TV star. He is rude, unemotional and addicted to pain killers (for a bum leg which causes him to walk with a cane) and yet Laurie still makes him likeable and empathetic. However able work is done by the whole cast, Robert Sean Leonard stands out in particular as Dr Wilson House’s friend and colleague, and maybe the only person who can truly stand House on his own terms.

There isn’t a lot more for me to say really, I’ve been devouring the DVD box-sets of this recently and encourage you that if you haven’t checked it out yet give House a try, be warned you may soon find yourself hooked.

Check it Out in October

To mix things up on the blog and resuscitate it back to life ER style I will be posting a series of articles throughout October highlighting a variety of films, TV, music and games that I would recommend. Basically it’s a way of me getting out there some of things I really like, and hopefully might even be a way for others to discover them too. There are few things like discovering something that you really love and that, for whatever reason, you just get. Not everything will be for everyone, some of it will be well known, some less popular but hopefully it will be an interesting experiment and something that might even useful to some people. So I shall see you back here tomorrow with the first entry and then throughout the month!

Eat lead slacker!

I am indeed a slacker and apologise to those who have visted only to find barren landscape of updates these past few months. Alas I cannot promise a rapid posting barrage in the coming weeks either, my current setup is not best suited to preparing and writing pieces to the standard and frequency that I would like, and I don't want to be posting half-baked ideas for the sake of posts. So for now it may remain quiet but I just wanted to let you know I am still here and to watch this space as it were, I still have plenty I want to share and many many many films lines up for possible reviews.

So until then take care, go make yourself some tea or take up knitting, and thanks for stopping by, it is always appreciated.

- Dave

Dr Horrible's Sing-along Blog

Joss Whedon, possible man-god has a new project, conceived during the writers strike and available to watch free this week. I will say no more but click along and enjoy. Part 1 is available now, part's 2 and 3 will be released later this week. Dr Horrible's Sing-along Blog If only he could be involved in every TV show...

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Nineteen years on from his last adventure the return of Indiana Jones has been the talk of the industry lately, any introduction or re-capping of the film is largely unnecessary here, others have covered Indy’s comeback in more detail and in greater depth than I could. Still in doing so quantifying the actually film becomes difficult, how do you separate out the feelings of expectation? Or the inevitable comparisons to the earlier films? In truth I don’t think you can, we all bring baggage to every film which is what makes them so fascinating and interesting, it is our own personal reactions that matter, and more than most the Indiana Jones films are personal. Many people have grown up with the films either at the cinema or at home and the reverence for the series means that any new entry will be scrutinised, loved by some and derided by others. This is just such a film, and watching it and thinking back on it I can now both see why people would not like it, and why some would adore it. Thankfully I fall much more heavily in the latter category, the film is not without its flaws, but it also irresistibly entertaining and fun and shot with the style and wisdom that only comes from someone of Spielberg’s experience, that he brings his top game to the film helps smooth over many of the cracks that may threaten to otherwise derail the film. Set in 1957 the film cleverly uses its timeframe as an advantage, the use of Russians as the bad-guys and the nature of the crystal skulls all play heavily on the iconography of the era, early scenes that play with the suspicions of communist spies and nuclear warfare play well against Harrison Ford’s now older Indiana Jones. He is not the same man he was before; age has taken its toll in some ways and the shift in tones help give the movie a different feel. Spielberg’s period films are always fascinating and the way the 50’s is recreated, especially in the opening hour is expertly done, throughout the film is masterfully shot and gives a more filmic and authentic feel. In fact the strongest section of the film is the first hour; it is slower but intriguing with a good set-up and mystery. A large part of this is due to the character of Mutt, Shia LeBeouf has taken a bit of a hit for this film but I thought he was great in the role, engaging and prickly and had good chemistry with Ford, if anything it is the nature of the character that will conflict people rather than the way it was handled in the film. Once the characters reach the rainforests of South American the action kicks in and whilst some of the sequences are expertly handled and exciting some suffer from an overuse of CGI and the fake look dampens the tension, despite promises of ‘old-school’ filmmaking there are a few key scenes that are plagued by this issue and whilst some of the effects in the film are breathtaking (one shot at the end definitely fits this bill) others stand out and take you out of the film. The ending as well is probably the weakest part of the film, it’s not bad per-se but just involves characters re-acting to events out of the their control, Indy doesn’t really take control in the way that he used to and the lack of clever puzzles or booby traps is a bit of a disappointment. There could also be criticisms that the supporting cast is under-used throughout, John Hurt’s crackpot professor has very little to do and whilst Cate Blanchett is obviously having a ball in her role as the main villain, she isn’t given enough to do at times and her supposed psychic powers are never actually utilised. Ultimately though the film won me over, it was entertaining, slick and fun and most of all felt like an Indiana Jones film. It was definitely strange seeing one on the big screen for the first time and getting used to Harrison Ford in the role again after all this time, but at the end of the day the film maintains the pulp sensibilities of the original films with enough verve and wit to pull through the awkward patches. These films were never realistic or serious and with adult eyes it is harder to view this film in the same light as the originals, there are films best watched with the eyes of a child, for escapism, heroism and adventure. For all that could have go wrong though Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is a minor triumph, it is by no means perfect but somehow manages to overcome its myriad of flaws to become an entertaining and fun piece of cinema, if you let it. The nitpickers will have a field day and many could well be justified in hating it, but for the rest of us we won’t care, we will be off once again with Mr Jones, enjoying the ride. Indiana Jones is back, whilst the setting and character have changed a bit over the years the sensibilities remain spot on and as long as your willing to let go and enjoy it there is a lot to like here. Despite the odd jarring moment this is, for the most part, a blast, quite literally, from the past.

Be Kind Rewind

As previously established Michel Gondry is an odd fellow. His previous films Eternal Sunshine and the Science of Sleep have impressed me greatly (I haven’t seen Human Nature, which by all accounts is how it should be) and the premise for Be Kind Rewind intrigued me as well. In fact its refreshingly bonkers, the kind of surreal and idealistic idea you might pitch one day thinking it was funny, turning that into a fully fledged film however is another matter. By now I’m sure you know the premise, small time video shop on the brink of closure accidentally has all its videos erased, leaving the hapless Mod Def and Jack Black to re-create the films using their home video camera. Naturally the making of these videos are the highlights of the film, Gondry’s low budget sensibilities and creativity are in full swing and he constantly manages to find hilarious ways to spoof and lovingly homage some classic and not so classic films. What is great about the film on the whole is its earnest goodness. There is barely a bad bone to be found in the film and its good natured humour is unlikely to produce full on laughs, but you will smile throughout. The story is oddly mixed, the back story of a jazz musician by the name of Fats Waller is tied up with the store and its owner, played with a sweet levity by Danny Glover. Whilst these threads of the plot seem disconnected at the start they are weaved in well to the video shenanigans to set up the films touching finale. In fact as much as the film is about creativity and expressing yourself, it is also about community and town spirit and the scenes of neighbourhood people getting involved in the films and helping out are moving, and bring back a lot of personal memories of my teenage years running around with a video camera and the bond that provides between friends. Mos Def continues to impress after his turn in the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, his earnest pained expressions are endearing and he has great comic timing, Jack Black is fairly unrestrained in the film and whilst his character easily comes across as obnoxious and annoying, he has just the right amount of empathy to traverse this and his manic energy is certainly infectious. With all that said the film does have its flaws, the story is thin and the impending sense of doom over the fate of the shop never carries much weight. Outside the main characters as well there aren’t many memorable faces, Gondry keeps our investment at a distance, the entertaining humour at times masks the films lack of depth. But that is not what this film is about, as an ode to imagination and community spirit Be Kind Rewind is a success and one destined to warm your heart and put a smile on your face. Another creative explosion from Gondry this is perhaps his slightest film yet, but his inventiveness and heartfelt message, along with some good performances, pull it through in the end.

Juno

The runaway surprise hit from last year Juno is an indie film which achieved that rare quality of crossing over to mainstream popularity. The debut of writer Diablo Cody it tells the story of the titular Juno, a smart-alec, wisecracking teenager who discovers one day she is pregnant. Rather than freak like most people would she is pragmatic about the situation and sets off to find a suitable set of adoptive parents for the child. It is during this search she finds the Loring’s, a seemingly typical suburban family played with great subtlety by Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman. Of course alongside this Juno has to deal with the fact of being pregnant, telling her family and, of course, sorting out how she feels about the father, another great turn from Superbad’s Michael Cera as Juno’s on/off endearingly geeky boyfriend. With its own distinct rhythms and offbeat sensibilities Juno is a film that stands out immediately, though in fact its opening 10 minutes are so feel rather forced, the distinctive dialogue trying too hard, thankfully this doesn’t last and it quickly settles into its skin as an entertaining, very funny and yet also heartfelt drama. The performances are excellent throughout, Ellen Page was born to play Juno, her attitude is priceless and yet the character never comes across as a caricature, or as unlikeable. The direction the story takes is unexpected as well and the film manages to be surprising yet believable throughout, its characters flawed yet human. There is a small scene later on in the film between Ellen Page and Jennifer Garner in a shopping centre that is wonderfully touching and acted, yet restrained. In fact despite the vibrant nature of the main character Juno is a small and understated film and is all the better for it. Its quirky soundtrack is a perfect fit, each of the songs distinctive and evocative, they help rather than hinder the on-screen action. Overall Juno comes highly recommended, for those with a slightly alternative view of the world, or on the lookout for something different this could be right up your street. Never quirky just for the sake of it this feels like a genuine extension of one person’s worldview and that the case and director have gone along with it makes the film stand out. Aside the from the awkward opening this remains a confident and assured film that will keep you laughing and smiling long after the credits have rolled. Ellen Page excels in this indie comedy with heart. It’s easy to see why Juno became such a success, if you haven’t seen it yet then give it a go, you just might fall in love.

Sunshine

Director Danny Boyle is known for his knack of switching genres on a hatpin, one of Britain’s most successful directors of the past ten years he is someone who’s output is always interesting and who’s desire to test out new waters is admirable is a culture where ‘stick to what you know’ is often the mantra. After the Gritty drama of Trainspotting, the dark humour of Shallow Grave, the family friendly Millions and the horror of 28 days later, he now turns his hand to Science Fiction, a genre cruelly under utilised in recent years at the box office, intelligent sci-fi even more so. The story concerns a team of astronauts who set out to fire a massive nuclear bomb into the to sun to try and ‘re-ignite it’. You see the sun is dying and without this mission all hope for life on Earth is lost. We start the film with the mission already in motion, much in the vein of films such as Alien and 2001 this is a film as much about isolation, paranoia as it is whizzy technology. The ship itself (the Icarus, naturally) it refreshingly low-tech, it feels real and lived in and is a way away from the clean futuristic sheen found in most sci-fi nowadays. The crew is an interesting bunch, the most recognisable name is probably Cillian Murphy again impressing in another quite different role though the dynamics and performances throughout are excellent and there is a real sense that these guys have lived together for all this time. Naturally things don’t go to plan and as the ship approaches the sun the pressure greatens on the crew, the power and beauty of the sun is a repeated theme throughout the film and the way it is shot is stunning. In fact the film itself is a visual treat, created on a fraction of the budget of most Hollywood blockbusters Sunshine is a masterclass in visual management, the searing rays of the sun are perfectly captured and one sequence set on the outside of the ship is stunning. That the film shifts gears fairly dramatically towards the end comes as a bit of a shock to the system, I won’t spoil anything but it feels like a bit of a step down to more traditional fare and the ambiguous and downright bizarre ending will alienate as many as it pleases. Still even with these slight flaws this is an excellent, intelligent film that manages to cobble together elements from loads of other science fiction films and yet create something new and exciting. Always fascinating this is a brave effort that has hidden depths beyond the surface. A successful blend of intelligent sci-fi coupled with Boyle’s unique vision make this one of the most interesting and debatable films of recent years. Stunning to look at and thought provoking to the, admittedly less successful, end.

There Will Be Blood

Topping many critics ‘best of 2007’ lists There Will be Blood is Paul Thomas Andersons 5th feature film and one that came without great fanfare or anticipation, in retrospect this was a well conceived move, the unfussy nature of the film’s arrival is echoed in its execution, the project exudes a quiet confidence throughout. This is really back to basics filmmaking simply telling a great story with good characters efficiently and powerfully, and deserves all the plaudits it received early in the year. The film concerns itself with Daniel Plainview, an oil prospector in the early 20th century who’s ambition and drive are documented through the years as he seeks to find his fortune through exploiting a small town who’s land happens to be rich in black gold. Very loosely based on Upton Sinclair’s 1927 novel Oil!, There Will Be Blood is a brooding and often disturbing portrait of greed and power anchored by an irresistible performance from Daniel Day Lewis. Capturing the heart of Plainview, Day Lewis towers over this film filling its frames with his hulking presence, his twangy accent both bizarre and utterly perfect for the role and the malevolence that lies just behind his eyes ever-present especially during his tussles with the local town preacher, excellently played by the weasely Paul Dano. In fact whilst it was Day Lewis that received all the plaudits at awards season (and rightly so) Dano also impresses providing the foil to Plainview’s plans of running the town, his self-righteous religious fervour is shown to be just as corrupting in a different way. The conflicts between the two are spread throughout the film and anchor it, culminating in the darkly humorous and downright bizarre ending. The film as a whole moves at its own pace, but the faithful re-creation of the town and the attention to detail make it utterly fascinating and compelling. The first 15 minutes or so are a masterclass in setting up the story with virtually no dialogue, pitting man against nature, the cold bleak visuals offset perfectly by Radiohead collaborator Johnny Greenwood’s unsettling score. Throughout the film much of the mood is carried by the music, rising and falling and unexpectedly dancing around the action it is as much as character as anything else in the film and is plays perfectly against the slightly oddball nature of writer director Paul Thomas Anderson who once again cements his name as one of the most daring and exciting talents in Hollywood at the moment. The film will not be to everyone’s tastes however, it can be slow in places and anyone expecting a standard 3 act structure of neatly tied up character arcs will do best to look elsewhere, but for those seeking something truly different, an antidote to the Hollywood production line I urge you to check this film out. There Will be Blood is a brave, challenging and compelling character study and one that stays with you long past the ending. A fantastic film pure and simple, anchored by great performances and with a slow burning menace this is arguably Paul Thomas Anderson’s best film to date. Challenging yet entertaining and fascinating in equal measure this is a film that, like its protagonist, is hard to ignore.

Wii in 2008

I have been a bit slack on the gaming posting lately, this was intended for earlier in the year but before it got to late I thought I'd better get this post written! There are a ton of great looking games coming out for all systems this year, here I will focus on the Wii as that is the platform I own and therefore have the most interest in, but I may well do a follow up post with a wider look at the games coming up for all platforms this year. With all 3 consoles firmly established the focus can finally switch to the games, with second (and third) generation titles appearing as well we will start to see the developers really get to grips with each platform and whatever console you own there will be a host of fantastic titles available this year. So without further ado onto the games, with added clips for your enjoyment... Mario Kart Wii I know it just came out but looks like great fun and online as well which I look forward to exploring! Okami A port of the PS2 game but with improved visuals and added Wii remote functionality this looks like the ultimate version of one of the best games of the past couple of years that I never got to play! Count me excited! Boom Blox A puzzle game developed by EA and Steven Spielberg this looks fun and unique. Super Smash Bros. Brawl OK, I know this is also out in the US already but not here! With enough features to last all year and online modes as well this looks like the ultimate version of one of the best party games of recent years, set a release date please! Wii Fit A hybrid of game and fitness program this still looks like it could be good fun and also practical, I predict it will take the world by storm when it is released in a couple of weeks.

Pearls before Breakfast

The always interesting and reliable Bill Harris recently linked to an article in the Washington Post that recently won the Pulitzer Prize. The story concerns what happened when they placed on the worlds finest musicians, posing as a busker, in a Washington metro station. The results were fascinating and slightly disconcerting in equal measure and it’s a fantastically written article that says a lot about the pace of modern life and appreciation of beauty in a far better way than I could ever say it, check out the article here, its well worth a few minutes of your day. This issue of appreciating art and beauty alongside the rush and hustle of modern living is a very pertinent one and is something I have a great heart for. It is so easy with the pace of modern life to get caught up on ourselves and our lives that we forget to stop and spend time with the things that matter and make a difference, be they people or more abstract creations. I know personally there is a world of literature out there, but I tend to stick to the same authors over and over, similarly with music – why is it always the known we are drawn to? I guess there are no easy answers but pieces like this remind me of the importance of this and encourage me to endeavour to spend more time appreciating and indulging in those powerful and moving creations that to me are as yet unknown. Especially to me as a Christian the appreciation of mans creations as a testament to Gods creation is a powerful concept within the discovery of such things. But even if you don’t believe that I encourage you to try something new, take some time to appreciate something new to you, you don’t have to always agree or like what you find, the beauty of beauty is that it is such a personal quality, but the importance is finding the things that resonate with you, be they films, pieces of art or music and holding them close. As someone who has always had an inbuilt desire to create it is a humbling but exciting experience to truly discover something you love and make it your own.

Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

You could say I am a Tim Burton fan, his unique sensibilities and offbeat range of work appeals to the alternative side of me and whilst not all his films are amazing they are always worthwhile and interesting, a lot than can be said for many other filmmakers who trot our generic work year on year. For this latest collaboration with Johnny Depp he turns his attentions to Sweeny Todd, the darkly comic Stephen Sodenheim musical and adepts himself well. This is definitely Burton’s darkest work yet, even the likes of Sleepy Hollow pale in comparison but that is not such a bad thing. The film, like the stage play, is in fact more of an opera than a musical with little of the film not rendered in song. While this may take a little getting used to it soon becomes normal and there is a generally great job done on all the songs by the very game cast, Johnny Depp in particular acquits himself admirable to the task at hand, his demented Sweeny Todd initially squeezing just enough sympathy from the audience before his true nature is revealed. The gothic settings and period detail make this one of Burton’s most visually spectacular and stylised films. There is no realistic portrayal of 18th century London here, and there doesn’t need to be, the fantastical nature only heightens the mood. The film also doesn’t skimp on the gore, I consider myself fairly adapt at handling gore in film but some of the scenes here still made me flinch. By having the red of the blood be one of the few bright colours in the film Burton focuses the audience on it, the black humour is well preserved too, some of the deaths are so over the top they become slightly comical, whilst retaining their innate horror. Helena Bonham Carter proves a decent foil for Depp, her Mrs Lovett is another rather terrible but sympathetic character, in fact the whole supporting cast does a great job be in Alan Rickman’s slimy Judge Turpin or Sacha Baron Cohen’s scene stealing performance as Pirelli, Depp’s rival barber. However your enjoyment of the film will largely depend on your love of the material, it is fairly faithful to the musical by all account, and the style of story. Whilst I did enjoy it and found some sections to be brilliantly created, the overall darkness of tone and ruthless nature of the characters left me rather cold, there is no hero to root for and the tragic nature of the tale makes it one your are unlikely to want to revisit. Still these are issues like I said with the nature of the story rather than its execution on screen. The film also runs rather long and sags in places, a few songs could maybe have been cut and the side story involving a young boy and Judge Turpin’s daughter could definitely have been trimmed. Still for a visual feast and some great performances this is definitely up there with Burton’s best films, but the lack of heart and soul cost the film in the end as all the death and destruction seem self-serving. A fantastic adaptation that manages to combine the core of the play with Burton’s unique vision without compromising either. The top cast and some excellent scenes however are dampened by the callous nature of the story.

Not quite ready to rock

The success of the Guitar Hero games has sort of passed me by thus far, the appeal of playing along with the songs is obvious enough but it was only when I actually had a go at Christmas that I got the addictive nature of the game, and since then I admit I’ve been tempted. But with the less than stellar reviews for Guitar Hero 3 (not to mention the myriad of problems the Wii version of the game has had) I decided to wait, what really got my interest was the game the original creators of Guitar Hero, Harmonix, went on to make next – Rock Band. After its release last November in the US the game has been a massive success, especially given that the game plus all the accessories (the game comes with a drum set, microphone and guitar and can add another guitar for the full band set up) cost $170 (£85). However the game was only available for PS3 and Xbox 360, so whilst the game looked interesting it wasn’t really on my radar. That is until the recent announcement that the game was coming to the Wii. Despite the fact that there wont an online mode (or the option to download additional content) I was still pleased by the news, the game already comes with 65+ songs and I don’t really have the time for online play so it isn’t something I would really miss. So everything seemed good again, until that is the price was announced. £180 Yes, that’s right. The same as the Wii console, MORE than an Xbox 360 core console and more than double the price of the US version? What? This pricing has only been announced for the Xbox and PS3 versions of the game (the Xbox 360 version is due out at the end of May with the Wii and PS3 sometime later in the year) but is bound to follow for the Wii. So why is it so high? Well firstly UK prices are always higher than their US counterparts, partly due to VAT and tax and other reasons but this usually results in items being 30%-50% higher. There is also the fact that in the UK EA is selling the instruments separate to the game, the instruments cost £130 with the game an extra £50 – again posing the question of why given that you need both to play the game and each is rather useless without the other. So even with these factors this doubling of the price is crazy and puts this game pretty much out of my range, even if it would be fun and last a long time, I just can’t justify that kind of expense, and by the sounds of the internet in recent days a lot of people are in the same boat. For a company to release a game 6 months late and double the price over the US version is unacceptable and it will be interesting to see how peoples reaction to this pan out over time. I think EA will have definitely have hurt their potential sales and with the general public more wary about spending as well I suspect that this announcement may cost the company more in the long term than they expect. Of course there are those who will buy it regardless whilst grumbling about the price, because we have no choice, but for those interested or on the fence about the game, this announcement may just have swayed them the wrong way.

300

The advent of CG in modern day films has not only paved the way for more immersive special effects and landscapes on films, but also allowed for more stylised and created visions to be realised on screen, the aim of which is not photo-realism but an artistic aesthetic, allowing for more creative and unique visions making their way to the cinema. As adaptation of graphic novels go it was Sin City that has provided the recent turning points, it advocacy of green screen filming with entirely CG environments allowed the creators the control to make it look exactly like the original artwork and here Zack Snyder takes it to the next level with this gorgeous to look at and wonderfully over the top re-telling of the battle of Persia, where 300 men defended the city against the approaching army of one million men. Gerard Butler play King Leonidas the leader of the impossibly muscled warriors who take it on themselves to defend their land, the sweeping slo-mo landscapes and chiselled heroes give the film a definite graphic novel look that approaches its subject matter with the air of fanboy enthusiasm. This is not a deep or realistic film by any stretch of the imagination, this is an all out action packed romp through history with some well choreographed fight scenes and some hilariously entertaining sequences. The tone is deliberately macho and sometimes the film walks a fine line between its furrowed brow seriousness and the camp homo-erotic leanings that often perturb the genre, it manages to just about stay on the side of reality thanks in part to Butlers towering central performance, you believe him as a leader and when the CG and the constant dramatic music get too much it is often Butler that saves the moment. Speaking of which the CG is great, well implemented and its use in the battle scenes help convey the ferociousness of the fighting, limbs get chopped people get mutilated, it’s nice for once to see a film primarily about swords where they actually inflict damage on their victims. The fantastical elements that sit alongside the film niggle at first but when the true nature of the film is revealed at the end they make sense and some of the creatures and enemies the army faces are excellently designed and realised. Basically the film is one long action scene, the quieter moments in between are decently done on the soldiers side, but a subplot involving Leonidas’ wife and the council back at the town falls flat, dull and unbelievable it drags time away from the conflict. Couple this to the films short run time and you get a film that in retrospect is rather thin, it doesn’t stop it entertaining but holds it back from being a film of substance that will be fondly remembered. Overall this is a film that will delight action fans and that plays particularly to its target audience. The visual look helps it stand out from the crowd and yet you get the feeling the story is never fully exploited, its slim plot and potentially cheesy set-ups help dull the emotional impact and make it ultimately more forgetful than it should be. Big dumb fun it most certainly is but at times 300 feels a little like empty calories rather than a true feast for anything other than the eyes.

The Joy of Lego Star Wars

There were many possible headings I could have used for this article, some nice force-based pun perhaps, or a more cryptic and enticing title but at the end of the day joy seemed the most appropriate word when describing Lego Star Wars. I had managed to miss the individual games when they were released a couple of years ago but since the Complete Saga was released last year I have been intrigued, and buying it has been a great decision. Now to get off to a start let me just say that the game has its share of flaws, the vehicle sections are clumsy and often frustrating, the camera often has a mind of its own, the levels can get a bit repetitive and the whole game is not that challenging to complete, or that deep in terms of design. Yet it simultaneously manages to be one of the most fun, addictive and enjoyable gaming experiences I’ve had in years. Part of this is down to the genius design of the game, in terms of structure and implementation, the advocacy of a two player throughout practically necessitates co-operative play and the ease with which characters can drop in and out and which the game has been designed around this mechanic is great, it makes the game a much more social and enjoyable experience all round and never feels tacked on or forced like many other co-op game modes.

Secondly the marring of Lego and Star Wars is inspired, a lot of care and attention has gone not only into recreating the films faithfully and cleverly, but to the Lego as well, the universal appeal of that helps the game appeal to more than just the Star Wars fanboy userbase and it somehow makes the whole game more fun to see it created out of Lego blocks. There is a good implementation of the key features of both things as well, there are plenty of opportunities to build things and manipulate the Lego, as well as lots of in-jokes and referenced to Star Wars with a great inclusion of powers and abilities and a wide range of characters you can play as. One of the best things though about the game is its hidden depths. If you want to simply play through the game and be done then you can, and that is perfectly enjoyable but the inclusion of hidden canisters and other challenges on every single level encourage exploration and increase the replay value of the title exponentially. The ability to go back and replay levels in Free Play mode where you can choose and switch between a range of characters is fantastic and so much of the clever design is revealed through these extended play-throughs, often revealing secrets and extras that are missed or not accessible during the initial run through of the level. Add in the extra characters to unlock, the collection of Lego studs which allow you to buy things, extra challenge modes for each film and a bonus room of extra levels not to mention the blue canister challenges for each level and you get a game more packed with content that many you come across. It’s a wonder as well that this rarely feels like a chore to collect, it is not necessary but for those, like me, who are compelled to see and do everything in a game and it really feeds the completionist inside.

Overall this game is great fun, yes it has its flaws but the sheer joy of the gameplay and the world that has been created and the flair with which it has been realised more than make up for it. Maybe one day the Lego-isation of film franchises will become stale and repetitive, but for now this stands as a well crafted and jam packed game that will keep you going for hours on end, if you have missed out on the phenomenon so far then I strongly encourage you to check this out, if you are in any way a Lego or Star Wars fan then you won’t be disappointed.

Disturbia

Shia LeBeouf rise to popularity has been something I am very happy to have witnessed. I first saw him in The Battle of Shaker Heights, a film lent to me by a good friend a couple of years ago and ever since have felt he had a special quality as an actor. Now with Disturbia and Transformers, and the upcoming Indiana Jones film I think it’s fair to say he has arrived as a name to look out for in the future. Disturbia is a modern day play on Rear Window, LeBeouf plays Kale, a fairly typical teenager who has started to go off the rails since his dads sudden death. Eventually he pays the price for his behaviour and is sentenced to three months house arrest during the summer. Tagged with an ankle bracelet he is left to occupy himself during the long hot summer. Of course things don’t stay this way and soon he is hitting on the cute new next door neighbour and starts suspecting his other neighbour is a serial killer. Slick, tense and enjoyable Disturbia is a joy to watch, it uses its set up well and the more human elements to the script, LeBeouf’s distancing from people and even the sometimes uncomfortable nature of his voyeurism are touched upon making this much more than a modern day re-make. As I have said LeBeouf has impressed me before and he does it once again here, his natural confidence and likeability immediately set the tone, as much of film is spent following him around it prevents this from ever becoming dull or repetitive. The film itself has its fair share of scares and tension filled scenes and the maker manage to wring all they can from the premise. If I had a criticism it would be that the end deteriorates slightly into more traditional horror fare, but even then the emotions we have caught up with the characters help it pull through. Overall this is a fun and exciting film that works both as an entertaining thriller and a more personal look at teenage alienation. It may not be the smartest or the most original film of the year, but its one of the ones I’ve had the best time with and one that is well worth you tracking down. A tense and exciting thriller that makes the most of its Hitchcock-like premise to provide a fun and surprisingly tense experience that doesn’t wear out its welcome, aided greatly by another fantastic performance by Shia LeBeouf.

A Rare Treat

One of the things I love about the internet is that it is so big that it must contain an almost inexhaustible supply of interesting reading and information. Of course the tricky part is locating it amongst the 99% of other rubbish that floods the net. Every now and again though you stumble across a new gem and treasure it, in my case this recently happened with Waiter Rant. Now I'll be honest, this is hardly a unknown site I am privileged to have discovered, in fact the site was listed in 50 of the most powerful blogs recently in the Guardian, but still for each individual there is a small joy in the discovery of something new and interesting, be it websites, films or music, something we find created by someone we have never met, and yet which manages to strike a nerve and create a bond of understanding. The site follows an anonymous New York waiter who recounts tales of his daily life, irate and sometimes incredibly rude customers as well as providing a fascinating glimpse into a career that goes largely unappreciated and considered. The site is equal parts funny, poignant thoughtful and entertaining and is well worth checking out. The advantage as well of discovering a site like this now is that there are over 3 years of archived posts to dig into, something I am greatly enjoying at the moment. Like the fine wines the waiter himself finds himself serving on a regular basis this is one site to be savoured. Waiter Rant.

Captivity

The Saw films have a lot to answer for in their expansion of the so-called ‘torture-porn’ style of filmmaking, where brutality and sadism are mixed with traditional serial killer plots. The horror in these horror films comes from stomaching the gore, and pushing the boundaries of torture, rather than any genuine tension or character work. To be fair the Saw films themselves are fairly decent in themselves with a clever knack for plotting. Captivity however is not. Riffing on the theme Captivity focuses on Jennifer Tree (Elisha Cuthbert) a model who is targeted and captured by an unknown assailant. Trapped in a room she is forced through mind games and torture until one day she discovers a fellow victim trapped in the room next to hers. The two form a bond and seek to escape. It’s hard to say what it is about this film especially that makes is so bad, it just feels undercooked throughout. The opening is rushed and gives us no glimpse or insight into Cuthbert’s character; with its painfully short running time anyway the least the film could have done is try and inject some character into the story. In fact the whole opening seems so oddly staged, so badly set up that it just feels confusing. There is no reason for the events that take place, little is done to establish anything about the settings or mood and it all seems co0bbled together, as if half way through someone decided that adding some pointless torture to the film would make it sell better. As the film progresses it’s stupidity only rises, Cuthbert’s character not only winds up falling for her cellmate but they end up getting together, whilst trapped in a dingy basement, whilst the killer stands behind them! Not only are the situations laughable but the whole package is filmed in such a way that you start to wonder if someone is just having a laugh. Aside from the bland / nonexistent characters and pretty hammy acting the 3rd act of the film, once the killer’s identity is revealed, switches to the more traditional horror fare, only with extra craziness. Cue the world’s worst policemen, a plot twist so obvious it must have come from chapter one of ‘horror writing for dummies’, characters turning on others for no discernable reason in the middle of scenes, oh and of course victims who refuse to actually finish the job when they can and actually escape. Coming from Oscar winning director Roland Joffè this is a fairly shocking film for all the wrong reasons. To be fair the style seems to have been forced on the film, and maybe that’s the problem, it seems like a committee discussion on current horror films with all the appropriate tick boxes crossed off except those that are meant to include believable characters or actual scares. Avoid watching if at all possible and here’s to hoping that the trend for these sorts of films dies off quickly. A mess pure and simple, confusing, nonsensical and downright stupid in parts this is a soulless affair that does nothing to boost the reputations of all involved.

Cloverfield

From the online buzz alone Cloverfield has found itself one of the most talked about movies of the year, that it is a relatively high budget monster movie being released in January makes it fairly unique from the off. Masquerading as found footage from a real; life event the film takes place solely from the point of view of a video camera, placed smack bang in the middle of an epic disaster movie, through much the of films uninterrupted takes and continued filming we follow a rag tag bunch of New Yorkers as the city comes under attack from an unknown creature, then as they venture back into the city to rescue one of their friends who lies trapped. It’s a simple premise and yet the way in which Cloverfield is presented and crafted makes it unique, the natural result of societies obsession with reality TV the film managed to perfectly capture the atmosphere of terror and confusion, all the while delivering big screen spectacle and characters you actually care about. The opening sections of the film are cleverly constructed, we follow the camera around a party for Rob (Michael Stahl-David), who is about to leave for a new job in Japan. Whilst at the party the camera is shifted to his best friend Hud (a sly nod to the Heads Up Display found in most computer game first person screens). Hud becomes the narrator and the audiences eyes and ears for the remainder of the film, so it’s a relief to find that he is a good host, funny, sarcastic and loyal and perfectly suited to the job of cameraman. Within the party setting we get a good build up of the characters in the film and their relationships, it is a perfectly crafted section that manages to be realistic and believable and also very engaging, so much so that you get caught up in the drama, the nature of the film becomes forgotten, so that when the proverbial starts to hit the fan, it is all the more jarring and unnatural. Of course once things go wrong they just don’t stop, from the moment an explosion is seen in the downtown area to the end the film rarely lets up, creating one great set piece after another, keeping it all feeling fresh though the use of the video camera POV. Unlike typical monster movies we don’t know exactly what is going on, snippets of news reports and conversations hint at a wider problem but largely our knowledge is limited to that of the characters, something that makes it all the more terrifying and tense. Visually the film is stunning, the rough and ready filming approach can jar a little, those with motion sickness may not want to sit too close to the screen, but there is always just enough shown in order to get your barings, and first time director Matt Reeves shows he has a great eye for the little details, just showing you glimpses and eventually more and more of the creature as the film progresses. The way these digital effects are blended into the handheld footage is nothing short of astonishing and is so successful at creating a believable and plausible story. Nothing in the film takes you out of the world that has been created and largely works so well because of the immersive nature of the visual effects. The acting too is impressive, often such films are let down by unbelievable performances but here all the relatively unknown actors inhabit their characters perfectly creating a genuine bond. They seem real and human, and also like they are good friends, which makes sitting through the events of the film with them enjoyable but also nerve wracking. Overall Cloverfield is a massive success, its desire to re-imagine the monster movie for the you tube generation works, the execution is grand and unique and more than any other film experience of recent times it leaves you breathless and on edge. Its short runtime is evidence that you can craft a well honed and effective story in under 2 hours and its faithfulness to its characters help it resonate long after your senses have recovered. Masterfully crafted and knowing Cloverfield revives the monster movie for the 21st century creating an immersive and powerful story with well crafted characters. The first blockbuster of the year and rightfully so.

The Bedlam Awaits

One of my favourite bands, The Mars Volta just released their new album, The Bedlam in Goliath. Following on from their previous records the groups unusual mix of rock, punk, jazz, prog along with their penchant for bizarre lyrics and 10 minute songs means that the new album in unlikely to bring them any new converts. However for those who love the group it is a fantastic album, heavier and more intense than before there is less filler here and new drummer Thomas Pridgen infuses the group with new found energy. Overall this is a complex, dense and coherent album that stands up there with the groups best and is well worth checking out for fans of alternative music and those who fancy something new. I am going to see them in London in a couple of weeks which should be excellent. For more on the group check out the official site and video for the latest single below.

The Mars Volta

Vacancy

Ever Since Norman Bates’ family issues were worked out onscreen in Psycho back in the 1960s the humble motel room has become a staple of the horror/thriller genre. The notion of being stranded in the middle of nowhere and having to stay in a strange and lets face it, usually rather grotty room surrounded by strangers is a familiar one and it’s a formula that Vacancy takes full advantage of. Kate Beckinsale and Luke Wilson play a bickering couple whose relationship has fallen apart since the death of their son. Driving home one night their car breaks down, forcing them to stay in aforementioned creepy hotel. The film then quickly ticks off the appropriate genre boxes of dodgy gas station attendant, creepy receptionist guy and unsettling room which makes you feel that the couple would be better suited sleeping in their car. Or in the middle of the forest surrounded by poisonous snakes for that matter. Still making the best of a bad situation they decide to see the night out, through this we find out more about the couples past which is quite effectively done, both actors play it well and Wilson in particularly impresses, managing to shake most of his typical comedy stylings for the role. Things turn bad though when they, for no particular reason, decide to check out the rooms supply of video tapes, all of which show couple being tortured and killed in the very room they are watching the videos from. From the here the tensions ranks up the film enters its most effective section. There are some genuinely tense and scary moments as the room comes under attack and they have to find ways of escaping. However it soon becomes apparent that the filmmakers’ bag of tricks is quickly exhumed, simple nagging logic questions start to raise in the mind, and the believability slips. Unfortunately this is a state that continues to the end as the situation gets more fantastical, the lynchpin moment when you sense it all fall apart comes about an hour in where, separated and alone Kate Beckinsale’s character decided to lie down and have a nap in the ventilation duct while her husband is missing and there are people out to kill her. Seriously. It’s a shame though that what could have been a taught little thriller so frequently gives in to these dramatic devices that pull you out of the moment, and with underdeveloped bad guys with no clear motivation it is merely the attachment to the main couple that pulls you through. Still even this is not enough to save the film at the end of the day, and whilst is not a terrible film by any means, it is one that fails to live up to its effective, if derivative, opening half hour. A mish mash of horror cliché’s that never quite gel, the tension filled opening impresses but even with the short runtime this feels stretched out beyond credibility leaving it a bit of a mess. A shame.

The yearly Re-boot

Woah, just managed to get in something for February. As you may have told from the tumbleweed that have been passing through this space things have been rather hectic lately. Along with that has come a bit of refocusing on what I want the blog to be. Going forward it will become a bit more streamlined and focused on opinion pieces or articles on a wider range of subjects and hopefully more regularly. I will also try and link to interesting pieces around the net and have more general random posts as well. I will cut out the sections about football and daily life as they were sparodic at best and of limited appeal, this way the blog becomes an outlet for my views and interests. As for the film reviews, despite my huge backlog I do not want to back down from my pledge to review all the films I see this year, this will mean some major catch up in March but it's something I'm up for! There will be a bit of a change to the format with some smaller reviews appearing, most likely during this catch up period and also a change to my scoring. At the moment I mark out of 10 but am changing to the totally unique and not ripped off every review site ever, system of stars. It may be hackneyed but there is a reason for it, marking becomes easier and rather then being faced with the prospect of the 'perfect 10' score you have the 5 star option which rather less implies perfection, but can be used to represent those films that truly stand out. I will also update my old reviews to conform to this system so for an idea of how it will work check them out soon! So with February behind us I will hopefully get back on track in March and see you on the other side! As usual comments, suggestions and general chattery (it's a word... maybe) are appreciated and welcome. - Dave

Enchanted

There was a time, back in the early to mid-90’s when Disney still stood for great family entertainment, their run of classic animated films was peerless with the likes of Aladdin and The Lion King. Since then their stock has dropped considerably with lazy sequels and tie-ins and an undeniable drop in quality as they have stumbled into the world of computer animation to find themselves playing catch-up. Enchanted begins in classic Disney stile with old fashioned animation, it tells the story of Giselle, a princess who waits her prince so that she may be married. Sure enough they meet, but before they can say their vows her evil mother-in-law to be intervenes, sending Gisele tumbling down a massive well, on the other side of which she emerges in the real New York. This fish out of water set up is the basis this clever and witty homage and tribute to those classic Disney films. Giselle’s cartoon character nature threatens to get her into trouble, until she is taken in by cynical but kind hearted Robert Phillip played by Patrick Dempsey with just enough edge to avoid over sentimentality. The rest of the film concerns itself with the rest of the animated characters coming to rescue Gisele, or in the case of Timothy Spall’s henchman Nathanial prevent her from coming back at all. Pure and simply this film is a joy to watch, it is filled with a wonderfully sweet innocence and this is largely down to its very game cast. Amy Adams is the stand out with one of the greatest performances of the year, hands down. Her Giselle is not of this world, and manages to convey the luminance of classic Disney animated heroine’s without overselling it or verging into parody. She walks a tightrope and gets every moment spot on, she brightens up the screen and you can’t help but fall in lover with her. Equally James Marsden finds himself surprisingly at home in the world of comedy with his Prince Edward coming off wonderfully over the top and perpetually bamboozled by the real world. The few songs there are in the film are very atypical and yet wonderfully catchy, you will be humming them for days and the way they are built and performed somehow fit into the film without feeling trite. The only real mis-step in the film lies with the ending and the last 10 minutes or so when the fantasy world threatens to overtake the more grounded aspects of the film, it’s something that will bug some and that others will have no problem with but for me it was a twist too far. That said this is still a great film, charming and knowing and just instantly watchable it breathes new life into Disney and I’m sure it will become something of a traditional film to watch at Christmases in the future. If you can embrace your inner child and lose some modern cynicism then this could be just the pick-me-up so many of us need sometimes and a potent reminder of the magic that lies at the heart of the best stories. Inventive, funny and charming this is a very easy film to love and one filled with enough in-jokes and satire to entertain adults as well as children. A reminder of the importance of Disney and hopefully a sign that an age of revival is upon us.