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Beowulf
Cert: 12A
Starring: Ray
Winstone, Angelina Jolie, Brendan Gleeson, Anthony
Hopkins, Robin Wright Penn, John Malkovich
Director: Robert
Zemeckis
Running Time: 114
minutes |
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Director
Robert Zemeckis brings us the latest in fantasy films, based
on his interpretation of the old Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf.
While in celebration, a Danish king Hrothgar (voiced by Anthony
Hopkins) and his warriors are plagued with attacks from a demon
known as the Grendel (voiced by Crispen Glover). A foreign warrior
Beowulf arrives to kill the monster, and as reward he is crowned
king after Hrothgar's death. But, many years later, when life
all seems to have gone so well, Beowulf must now face the monsters
mother and her wrath.
When the direc-tor of this movie announced some years ago he
wanted to cont-inue working only with perform-ance/motion capture
movies, his first offering, The Polar Express was not what everyone
expected. However this film shows quite a step forward in the
techniques used and is visually very good.
As a movie it is not without it's faults as some may find the
dialogue a little stark at times, with a couple of the performances
seeming a bit over the top. With all these things considered
the film still manages to remain entertaining. The main thing
to keep in mind here is that this is a film to be seen on the
big screen to really appreciate the visual effects used, especially
for those who get to see the 3D version that is playing at an
IMAX cinema. Some may still find it difficult to watch a movie
without real actors and life like animation, but for those that
can, and are looking for a fantasy film it is worth a watch. |
Fred
Clause
Cert: PG
Starring: Vince
Vaughn, Paul Giamatti, Miranda Richardson,
Elizabeth Banks, John Michael Higgins, Rachel
Weisz, Kathy Bates, Kevin Spacey
Director: David
Dobkin
Running
Time: 116
minutes
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Fred
Claus (played by Vince Vaughn) has grown up living in the
shadow of his brother Nicholas (played by Paul Giamatti).
But while Nicholas became a saint, Fred went down a very
different path! While trying to swindle shoppers to raise
money for a business he lands himself in jail, and is forced
to ring his estranged brother.
Santa Claus is willing to loan his brother the money he needs
in exchange for work during the preparations for December,
so Fred reluctantly travels to the North Pole. Santa has
also his own share of problems, the increasing demand for
toys means that a callous efficiency expert Clyde (played
by Kevin Spacey) has everything under careful examination.
This is not really what Santa needs as his brother Fred could
just cause enough mayhem to get the North Pole shut down.
This is basically a movie of sibling rivalry and is an interesting
twist on this sort of film, but does not quite live up to
what it could have been. The script is a little too messy
and Vince Vaughn seems miscast in this role, with his type
of humour not quite fitting in. It is not all bad as Paul
Giamatti gives a good performance of an over burdened Santa
and it does have some humourous moments. As long as you're
not expecting too much it is an entertaining family film
for the Christmas season. |
Shrooms
Cert: 18
Starring: Lindsey
Haun, Max Kasch
Director: Paddy
Breathnach
Running
Time: 84
minutes
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Five
American students arrive in Ireland for a camping trip
with their old college friend Jake (played by Jack Huston).
Spirits run high as Jack promises them the 'trip' of a lifetime
as this is the place that contains the best magic mushrooms
in the world. But after an evening of listening about local
legends events begin to turn when one of the party, goes
missing. Tara (played by Lindsey Haun) is unsure if the gruesome
premonitions she is having are due to the mushrooms she accidentally
ate, or if something more sinister is happening in the woods.
The biggest problem with Paddy Breathnach's slasher/horror
movie is it is all too familiar. The character types are
what we have come to expect, as is the story line.
Seeming very much a cross between Cabin Fever and Blair Witch
Project there is not much to hold your attention. It is well
filmed with good use of location which helps to add suspense
and does manage to give the odd jump here and there, but
it's far from frightening and the ending is predictable.
It may give horror fans a giggle but is hardly a movie to
rush out and see. |
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