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Saw
III
Cert: 18
Starring: Bahar Soomekh,
Angus MacFadyen, Dina Meyer, Shawnee Smith
,Tobin Bell, Kim Roberts
Director: Darren
Lynn Bousman
Running Time: 93
minutes
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The ‘Jigsaw’ character
returns with a new consignment of torture devises in the third of
the ‘Saw’ films.
Taking up almost where the previous film left off with detective
Eric Walters chained in the bathroom, while his former partner continues
to search for him.
While all seeming a little familiar, this is where the movie then
splits into two concurrent story lines.
The other part of the story finds ‘Jigsaw’ seriously
ill, so with the aid of his loyal follower Amanda (Shawnee Smith)
they kidnap Dr Lyn Denlon (Bahar Soomekh) and force her to perform
emergency surgery to keep ‘Jigsaw’ alive (motivated by
an explosive collar linked to his heart monitor).
Meanwhile Lynn’s husband Jeff (Angus Macfadyen) is also involved
in playing Jigsaw’s games. Confronted with a number of people
being tortured in various ways, he is forced with his own dilemma
of whether to help or not. Especially as he finds they all have a
connection with their son’s hit and run death.
The style of the movie has been kept faithful to the previous films,
which is no real surprise as screenwriter Leigh Whannel (the originator
of the Saw films), and director Darren Lynn Bousman (who was also
at the helm of Saw II) are the people responsible for putting this
movie together. There are some interesting scenes in the movie, which
help answer a few questions that people may have from the story lines
of the previous films, and also as a change to the others we do see
more development between the characters. Although this movie is quite
well put together there are signs that the premise of these movies
are beginning to get a little strung out.
For those fans of the previous movies won’t be disappointed,
as this is certainly the goriest Saw film yet, so if you do have
a stronger stomach then here is one for you to see. |
Step
Up
Cert: PG
Starring: Channing
Tatum, Jenna Dewan, Mario, Drew Sidora, Rachel
Griffiths
Director: Anne
Fletcher
Running
Time: 103
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. |
Barnyard
Cert: PG
Starring: Courteney
Cox, Danny Glover, Andie Macdowell, Kevin James
Director: Steve
Oedekerk
Running
Time: 89
minutes
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‘Barnyard:
The Original Party Animals’ is the full title of the
latest animated offering, where we are taken to the world of
the farmyard animals and what really goes on when we are not
watching.
The story revolves around Otis (voiced by Kevin James), a cow
who would rather spend all day with his friends and ‘party’ rather
than take after his father, Ben (voiced by Sam Elliot), who
prides himself as the leader of the barnyard animals. The film
does start well - Ben having to remind the other animals not
to buy human articles from the “Gopher Underground ”,
the late night parties when the farmer is asleep, and the others
trying to pay the pizza delivery guy with reviling themselves,
are all quite funny.
It’s later when the coyotes led by Dag (voiced by David
Koechner), enter the picture things get a little more sinister.
Otis is then pushed into the leadership role he has been avoiding,
and the story turns to whether Otis can find his courage.
We have had many animated films of this sort lately, and perhaps
the appeal is starting to wear a little thin. While it doesn’t
have the slick animation of Pixar, is not the problem. The
story line swings quickly from funny to some quite serious
moments, making it hard to see who the film is aimed at. It’s
a little too dark for really young kids, and a little too corny
for the older ones. It does have its moments, but this is not
going to be one of the most memorably animated movies. |
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