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Tenacious
D in
The Pick of Destiny
Cert: 15
Starring: Kyle Gass,
Jack Black, Tim Robbins, Ben Stiller
Director: Liam
Lynch
Running Time: 94
minutes
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The
Pick of Destiny tells the story of how JB (Jack Black) and KG(Kyle
Gass) our lovable losers, meet and form the self-proclaimed greatest
rock band in the world Tenacious D.
Beginning with a demonstration of 10yr old JB’s passion for
wanting to be a rock star, we move to later in time as he arrives
in California to pursue his dreams. There he meets and becomes enthralled
with KG, and after much begging he agrees to become his mentor and
teach him ‘the way’ of rock. Jack becomes a model student
learning all his mentor has to teach him, until he finds that KG
is a fraud. With the threat of eviction and no money they come together
to follow their common dream! Creating the greatest rock band on
earth, even if they do have little talent and no songs.
The stakes are raised when a manager (Ben Stiller) tells them of
the Legend of the guitar pick of destiny, and how every one that
has owned it achieved fame. The pick is now kept safely locked away
in the Rock and Roll History Museum, and are duo are determined to
obtain it to secure their fame.
Make no mistake that this film has been squarely aimed at the people
who are fans of Jack Black, Kyle Gass, (and of course Tenacious D).
For those that are used to a more toned down version of Jack Black
(such as in School of Rock), this may not be what they expect, as
here he is aiming at the older audience. The script does get a little
thin at times, but Blacks energy helps to keep the movie moving at
a good pace, and in all it makes an entertaining movie for the fans. |
Step
Up
Cert: U
Starring: Ian
McKellen, Andy Serkis, Hugh Jackman
Directors: Henry
Anderson, David Bowers, Sam Fell
Running
Time: 85
minutes
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‘Step
Up’ is the latest Hollywood teen movie, and while this
sort of dance type musical doesn’t give us anything we
have not seen before, it does have some likeable characters.
And above all they can dance.
Tyler Gage (Chan-ning Tatum) is your typical no future kid
from the slums. He spends most of his time avoiding his foster
parents, playing basketball, and stealing cars. Most of this
he does with his friend, Mac (Damaine Radcliff), and Mac’s
little brother, Skinny (De’Shawn Washington).
When they are almost all caught breaking into an Arts High
school, Tyler taker the wrap. As part of his community service
he then has to work at the school as a janitor. This is where
he first sees ballet student Nora (Jenna Dewan), and when her
dancing partner obtains an injury Tyler steps up as the talented
street dancer that lacks technique.
We see the usual story line here, opposites attract, and many
lessons are learned by all.
The main thing that helps this movie is that although this
is Anne Fletchers first film as a director, she draws heavily
on her experience as a choreographer. And it shows, as it’s
the dance scenes that come alive in the movie and keep the
storyline from becoming to slow.
Your not going to go and watch this sort of film for the acting,
but for the early teen audience it should have enough to keep
them entertained. |
Casino
Royale
Cert: 12A
Starring: Daniel
Craig, Simon Abkarian, Judi Dench, Romain Duris,
Giancarlo Giannini, Eva Green, Carlos Leal,
Tobias Menzies, Mads Mikkelsen, Ivana Milicevic,
Caterina Murino, Ludger Pistor, Claudio Santamaria,
Clemens Schick, Jeffrey Wright, Michaël
Youn
Director: Martin
Campbell
Running
Time: 144
minutes
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Bond
is back! And I doubt in 1962 when the first Bond film ‘Dr
No’ was released that many would have expected that over
40yrs later so much interest would still exist in this character.
With a new actor in the James Bond role they take us right
back to the beginning with Casino Royale, which is where Ian
Fleming first introduced the world to the secret service operative
that is now so
well known.
The film begins with some pre-credit footage of Bond as he
has just obtained his 00 status, and is now making his very
first kills. We then move to a later time where Bond is a little
more the character we recognise. Ignoring his boss M (Judi
Dench), he fly’s to the Bahamas tracking a cell phone
trail of possible terrorists. The trail leads him to Le Chiffre
(Mads Mikkelsen), the man who is actually the banker to the
World’s major terrorists. Bond’s plan is to bankrupt
Le Chiffre in a high stakes poker game at the casino, and initially
is annoyed that a beautiful Treasury official Vesper Lynd (Eva
Green) has been sent not just to deliver his stake money, but
also keep track of it. But as the two of them survive a series
of attacks from Le Chiffre’s henchmen, a deep attraction
begins to develop between them. This only manages to lead them
into further danger, and to a series of events that will change
Bond’s life forever.
Taking on the role of a character that is this we-ll known
is daunting for any actor, as everyone has their favourite
Bond! But in fairness Daniel Craig does it quite well. He gives
a solid performance without relying on any traits of his predecessors.
This new film is far away from what we have gotten used to.
Gone are the endless gadgets, and a darker more believable
character is shown. The action sequences are impressive (such
as those in the construction site, with Free Running performer
Sebastien Foucan), with very little digital enhancement and
Daniel Craig doing a lot of his own stunt work.
In all they have brought Bond into the modern day, giving us
a film that is much more of an action-thriller that may appeal
more than just Bond fans. |
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