I've been a comic book geek for a huge portion of my life. I've been waiting for a film of this calibre to come along, and "The Avengers" made me more than excited that the wait is over (though I still wish it was the JLA). Marvel's first super team-up movie may be somewhat loud, and laden with special effects, but it doesn't feel like that is what "The Avengers" is all about. Writer and Director Joss Whedon takes his time with the characters, making you care for them, and getting to know each one personally, in case you didn't see any of the five other films released by Marvel in the past four years. It's a magnificent stand alone film, with an ensemble cast that is absolutely seamless. Everyone gets their moments of shining glory, and plays them to perfection, keeping the audience riveted from start to finish. Each gripping action sequence is craftily directed, and never loses focus of the story, or the individuals that are on screen. If this is the quality of the summer ahead, I'm going into this summer with my head held high.
Grade: A
3D: If you must
Easter Egg: 2! Watch them both!
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Samuel L. Jackson
Director: Joss Whedon
Writer(s): Joss Whedon - Stroy: Zak Penn and Joss Whedon
RT: 142 min
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout, and a mild drug reference
It's hard to not compare British Mob movies to the work of Guy Ritchie, and with "Hard Boiled Sweets" it is almost impossible. The multiple characters scheming to obtain one item while constantly back stabbing each other, keeps films like "Snatch" on your mind throughout. There isn't really anything in this film that stands out. The plot is half-baked, the directing is mildly interesting, and the acting is bland, and some of it is downright bad. Overall this just isn't a film I could stand behind, or recommend.
Grade: D+
3D: N/A
Easter Egg: No
Starring: Philip Barantini, Elizabeth Barrington, Adrian Bower
Director: David L.G. Hughes
Writer(s): David L.G. Hughes
RT: 84 min
Rating: R
Does anybody still care about Halle Berry? If "Dark Tide" is any indication, the answer is a very quiet, "No." This is a flacid thriller about a shark expert who is hired to take a wealthy businessman, and his son, diving with sharks off of the coast of South Africa. The characters are stale, and their back-stories are mainly uninteresting. Berry's unenthusiastic performance, and her costume consisting mainly of a bikini, makes you realize that her talent was not the reason she became an A-lister. I will say that when underwater, without dialogue, the movie is shot beautifully, and the sense of danger mounts. The problem is, you care so little for the people in trouble, that you actually root for the sharks.
Grade: D
3D: N/A
Easter Egg: No
Starring: Halle Berry, Olivier Martinez, Ralph Brown
Director: John Stockwell
Writer(s): Ronnie Christensen & Amy Sorlie (also story)
RT: 94 min
Rating: PG-13 for bloody shark attacks/disturbing images, and for language including sexual references
"Jesus Henry Christ" is a fine idea, but lacks the proper execution to be a wholly great film. While there are fine performances from Toni Collette and Michael Sheen, I wouldn't count them among their best. The writing posseses an overly quirky quality, though amusing in parts, makes for a rough watch at times. The directing, however, is pretty solid, and often times reminded me of Wes Anderson. Unfortunately the film never reaches the utter glee that Anderson is often inspires, and falls short of anything he has ever done.
Grade: B-
3D: N/A
Easter Egg: No
Starring: Jason Spevack, Toni Collette, Michael Sheen
Director: Dennis Lee
Writer(s): Dennis Lee (also short film)
RT: 92 min
Rating: PG-13 for some violent images, language and smoking
Hopefully with films like "Deviation" and " ATM", the claustrophobic thriller will find its footing, and push out the found footage genre as the go-to scare. This small scale British film about an escaped prisoner (Danny Dyer) taking an unsuspecting nurse (Anna Walton) hostage, is both chilling and captivating. The premise is terrifying and realistic, and there is nothing about it that feels forced. Dyer gives such an unnerving performance it could rival any madman that has graced the screen in recent memory. Walton plays opposite him with beautifully subdued sparks of fear and cunning that make his insanity come to life.
Grade: B
3D: N/A
Easter Egg: No
Starring: Danny Dyer, Anna Walton
Director: J.K. Amalou
Writer(s): J.K. Amalou
RT: 90 min
Rating: R
