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Seraphim
Falls
Cert: 15
Starring: Pierce
Brosnan, Liam Neeson, Angie Harmon, Anjelica Huston
Director: David
Von Ancken
Running Time: 112
minutes |
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This
is a pursuit style Weston that jumps straight into the middle
of its story.
We find Gideon (played by Pierce Brosnan) high in the mountains
where he is suddenly shot from afar. So begins the cat and mouse
chase, as Gideon is spurred on purely by his instinct for survival.
The man on his trail is Carver (played by Liam Neeson), and fuelled
by revenge for an event in the civil war he and his hired posse
are on the tracks of his old foe.
Not caring how long it takes, or what distance
he has to travel Carver is determined to settle
their score.
One of the main points to the movie is director Von Ancken makes
sure nothing is ever morally cut and dry within the story, leaving
you often wondering which of the two characters could be in the
wrong.
The scenery and some of the filming certainly give this a big
movie feel and there is no doubt that Brosnan and Neeson both
manage to get into the roles that they play.
The main problem is the plot is a little thin, and with the story
unfolding just a little at a time tends to make the movie a little
slow (as well as a slightly surreal ending).
It does have its merits with its good cinematography, and good
performances, but I think it’s one that most will prefer
to see on DVD rather than the cinema. |
Knocked
Up
Cert: 15
Starring: Seth
Rogen, Paul Rudd, Leslie Man, Katherine Heigl,
Leslie Mann, Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill, Jason
Segel, Martin Starr
Director: Judd
Apatow
Running
Time: 129
minutes
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Writer/Director
Judd Apatow is known for the successful movie ‘The
40 year Old Virgin’, and now he gives us his take
on the possible hazards of a one-night stand!
Allison Scott (played by Katherine Heigl) is out celebrating
a promotion when she makes a connection with friendly slacker
Ben Stone (played by Seth Rogan), and as the drinks flow
one thing leads to another. But eight weeks (and a pregnancy
test) later what Allison hoped had ended with awkward small
talk at breakfast, could well be turning into a lifetime
commitment.
Her problems seem to be getting worse as while she tries
to get to know Ben it becomes obvious that they are not quite
the soul mates either were hoping for.
The only main criticism for this movie is two hours seems
a bit long for a comedy film, but the rest tends to work
quite well.
Apatow’s writing and directing keep the film grounded
and the characters believable, while setting us up for the
more outrageous comedy scenes (of which there are plenty).
All the characters get their chance to shine at some point
in the film, and despite following the typical romantic comedy
formula it is surprisingly insightful without forgetting
it is foremost a comedy movie.
If you’re a fan of the earlier film you will not be
disappointed with this one, and it will certainly give you
a smile or two. |
1408
Cert: 12A
Starring: John
Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, Mary McCormack
Director: Mikael
Håfström
Running
Time: 94
minutes
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This
latest movie adaptation of a Stephen King story brings
us to a talented struggling writer Michael Enslin (played
by John Cusack).
To make ends meet he pens a series of pulp guide books on
haunted locations, and while working on his latest project
receives a strange postcard warning him of a room in a New
York hotel. Deciding it would be a perfect chapter to his
book Enslin goes to New York and persuades the hotel manager
Gerald Olin (played by Samuel L Jackson) to let him stay
in the room that is normally
kept locked. Despite his cynical approach it is not long
before he begins to realise that this time it is the real
thing, and room 1408 decides to give him a display of its
paranormal best.
This is certainly a change of pace from the sort of horror
films we have been seeing of late (having far less blood
and body parts), and falls more into the category of old
school horrors such as ‘The Shining’. John Cusack
plays an understated but convincing character as the troubled
writer, but it is a shame we don’t see more of Samuel
L Jackson’s
character who only appears a couple of times in the movie.
It’s not one of the best Stephen King adaptations,
but it is still an interesting film and worth a watch if
you prefer your horrors with a little less blood. |
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