WALL-E is not good.

A watched this film recently and was surprised at how some have given this film such generous reviews. the storyline is clever but extremely slow. I watched 20 minutes or so before anything remotely interesting happened. The home of wall-e shown about 5 minutes into the flm is very clever and the portrayel of his loneliness is very good but this is seriously slow and slightly repetitive. For example a scene where he meets his new friend takes 4 minutes alone for eachother to get eachothers name. very boring. This film is beautifully made with the animation the best i have ever seen but this cant balance out the fact that wall-e is a film out of character for disney-pixar which are normally superb.
so, the film is worth watching if you have patience(unlike me) and/or you like admiring the brilliant animation by pixar (which is why i was so keen to see this film)which is outstanding. A mixed review from me.
3 stars.

Hancock, hancock, hancock...

Amazing first half of the movie, delivers what you want...will smith as an alcoholic superhero who does more damage than he does justice. However, his later reformation, which could have been handled well, pulls down the movie. A slight dent upon this flick, if it were not for the dummest plotline ever in the second Half that will bore you to no end. Be rid of Charlize Theron and Possibly Jason Bateman, and this could have been an immense movie.

A Rare Film Better Than the Book

In the centuries since we were last in Narnia, things have changed. The Telmarines have overrun the country, sending the real Narnias (you know, the talking animals and mythological creatures) into hiding. The country is currently under the rule of King Miraz (Sergio Castellitto) until his nephew, Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes) is old enough. But on the night that Miraz's son is born, Caspian flees and goes into hiding. In great danger, he blows the ancient horn of help.

Meanwhile, in our world, only a year has passed for Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie (William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Skandar Keynes, and Georgie Henley). They are waiting for a train when they are suddenly called somewhere else. At first, they don't realize where they are, but it doesn't take long for them to realize they are once again in Narnia. Only years have past since their first visit since the castle around them in is ruins.

When they learn of the plight of the true Narnias and Caspian, they set out to join forces and free the country. But with Aslan (voiced again by Liam Neeson) long gone, what can four children and a prince do?

Let's get the obvious out of the way first. They royally changed the story here. And as someone who has never been fond of this book in the series, I will say that many of the changes were for the better. They cut much of the first half of the book, which is the slowest part of the story. They made the battles (yes, they added one) more epic.

But not all the changes were beneficial. The movie felt more like a retread of the first, something I've never felt before. Peter here is moody and touchy, not the leader he is. That sub-plot and the theme of faith vs. reason and power are never fully developed but glossed over for the battle sequences. And let's not forget the romantic sub-plot that felt forced but harmless to me.

There is one major change I thought I wouldn't like. It expands on a scene from the book and sends the characters further down a path of darkness. Some will find it scary and upsetting, but I think it worked and was one of the better examples of the theme.

For anyone disappointed by the battles in the first movie, you'll be happy to hear this one makes up for it. The battles are epic and gorgeously choreographed. Couple those with the wonderful special effects we have become spoiled with, and you've got a great feast for the eyes.

But I digress. I was discussing the book versus the movie. I reread parts of the book after I saw the movie. Yes, they changed the story, but they also include some great lines from the book. Ultimately, they made a good movie. Even with the changes, the movie never overcomes the fact that the story is essentially straight forward and weak. But I like this version better than the book. (Is an avid reader allowed to admit that?)

Having made that confession, I will list my biggest disappointment. Trumpkin the Dwarf (Peter Dinklage) and Reepicheep the Mouse (voiced by Eddie Izzard) are not given enough time to develop here. What is here is wonderful. But these two characters are one of the redeeming features of the book for me, so I wanted to see more.

Ultimately, I really did enjoy this film. I was drawn into the world, the characters, and their struggle. I laughed multiple times and was moved to tears as well. It was a great escape film with some good themes to think about later.

WOW!

I have just finished watching this and I can truly say WOW! This is much better than the original even though the first Hellboy rocked. This film takes us deeper into the world of Hellboy with all its fantastic demons, trolls and hulking gold robots that are just awesome. There are great little funny quips here keeping this sequel edgy, funny and scary. The FX are some of the best I have seen in years, the CGI use is kept at a minimum for many of the hundreds of creatures within this film. I do hope they make a 3rd as this really did make me pine for more.

Star Wars is back

This is a fantastic film and addition to the star wars universe. I took my four year old son to see it at the cinema (the first time he had ever been) and we both loved it. We now watch the new series and my son has become a star wars fan. The critics of this film should 'chill out' a bit and remember that stars wars is not just reserved for adults and lifelong fans. The orginal movie was made a success beacuse young children bought into the whole adevnture and played with toys, etc. Without this youthfull experience the whole thing would never have been as big. Now it is another generations turn to enjoy the expanded universe - you cannot keep to the same format for each and every release. The enjoyment that my son and I get from this is fantastic (even for a lfelong fan!!) - I even get to play with the toys once more - how cool is that!!!

Watch this with an open mind and you will enjoy it, particularly if you have kids as the joy of the star wars experience is about sharing with other people. The animation is very good and I was very impressed. There is lots of humour and plenty to pick up on repeat viewings. Watch the series if you get a chance - great yoda action.....

As for the comments about the lack of extras - who actually has time for extras anyway?? All I tend to watch is the film anyway.

This is a great experience - enjoy!!

Superb

Released in 2007 and based on Neil Gaiman's 1998 novel, Stardust is an unexpected gem among recent SF and fantasy films, a fairytale with some interesting and modern twists delivered by a cast on fine form.

The movie opens with young Englishman Dunstan Thorn crossing the forbidden wall near his village to investigate the magical kingdom that is said to lie beyond. There he has an amorous encounter with a young woman claiming to be a captive princess. Nine months later, after Dunstan's return home, a baby is deposited outside his house. Dunstan raises Tristan (Charlie Cox) to become a fine and adventurous young man, who becomes besotted with the most beautiful girl in the village, Victoria (Sienna Miller). After they see a shooting star fall beyond the wall one night, Tristan vows to find the fallen star and give it as a gift to Victoria to prove his worthiness.

Unfortunately for Tristan, the shooting star is the result of a scheme by the late King of Stormhold (Peter O'Toole), who has hurled his amulet from his bedchamber and decreed that whoever of his surviving sons who finds the amulet will be worthy to succeed him. The amulet's return to Earth has knocked a star named Yvaine (Claire Danes) out of the sky, forcing her to take human form. Tristan swiftly locates her and decides to fulfil his promise to Victoria, but their return to the wall is strewn with obstacles, not least in the form of the witch Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer) who wishes to find the star and consume it to restore youth and long life to herself and her sisters. The King's squabbling sons are also searching for the star as well. The result is a road movie taking in an airship commanded by a fearsome pirate (Robert De Niro) who harbours a secret, a magically-created inn, a unicorn and lots more as well.

Stardust is a tremendously good movie. The number of fantasy films (excluding Lord of the Rings) that have really worked in the last few years is pretty low, and you arguably have to go back to The Princess Bride to find the last undisputed classic in the genre (although no doubt some would speak up in favour of The Dark Crystal or Labyrinth). Stardust works because it has excellent pacing, fantastic acting, great dialogue and a strong script which shoots down inconsistencies and plot holes whenever they show up. Charlie Cox and especially Claire Danes make for appealing protagonists and De Niro gives his all in a gift of a role with the self-contradictory Captain Shakespeare. Pfeiffer's excellent turn makes you ponder why she doesn't seem to crop up very often in movies any more. Ricky Gervais is less successful in a minor cameo, but luckily (despite his appearance on the DVD cover) he is in the movie for barely two minutes, so that isn't an issue. The story takes some highly unexpected twists and turns before an impressive showdown is reached, and the ending, whilst a happy one, isn't exactly saccharine (the body count needed to get there is quite high).

It's difficult to think of any negatives with this movie. It's light, breezy, fresh and fun but not shallow. A great story with intelligent characters it is laugh-out-loud funny in many places, but with some real moments of pathos and emotional intensity elsewhere. Fantasy movies as good as this don't come along very often these days, so check it out.

Stardust (*****) is available now in DVD in the UK and USA.

hellboy is back!

The clarity of the picture is brilliant on blue ray. The film is entertaing and passes the time quickly. Good acting and enjoyable to watch. If you like comic book heroes then get this film, you will not be disappointed.

Must have a duff (pair of) disc (s)

Just tried to play this bluray movie for the last 45 minutes. All I get is adverts then a black screen. I've tried just waiting, I've tried skipping, I've tried FFing. It's just a total waste of time and it's going back.

Either love it or hate it! I LOVED IT!

This is one of my favourite movies. It's so different from other films and I like the fact that this film wasn't afraid to be something new and unique. I don't suffer from motion sickness so the camera was fine for me and allowed me to see the film in all its edgy, experimental brilliantness. The actual plot was incredible as it allowed the viewers to come to their own conclusion as to what happened. It was a film to make you think and wonder while getting a fix of action, gore and pure fright. It was a little too short for my liking but to be honest I think any longer could have dragged it out and ruined it. It's not a film to watch if you suffer from motion sickness or if you like your films to fully explain what's happening as it progresses. It's a monster film with a difference and gets a full 5 stars from me because it's awesome.

More Re-packaging of the Greatest trilogy.

There is no need to introduce or explain the original trilogy.
Wev'e all seen them, time and time again. Ground breaking SFX,
excellent morality story-telling and wonderful music.
Of course the the first two films are five stars and of course
the Ewoks did bring down the credibilty in 'JEDI' but all in all
these films are only really challenged by Jackson's epic LOTR trilogy.

Having said all of this i'm given this 'New'? boxset only 3 stars, not
because of the films but 3 stars to Lucasfilm. George knows what we want, the entire saga (six films) on HD or Blueray. But he keeps milking the fans time and time again. He will no-doubt bring out each film of HD/BR,
and then a year later each trilogy and then finally the entire saga.
I'm going to wait for the entire saga!

Why Catherine Tate WHY!?

I've been a huge fan of recent (and all) Doctor Who but this series just.........lacked. There were a few good episodes, usually written by Stephen Moffat or Russel Davis but on the whole it just never clicked the way the other"new who" did. Cathrine Tate is fantastically irritating, although I can't help feel that's because her"comedy" series has left an ashen taint in my mouth. After the last series finale (with the master) I did get an uncofortable feeling that Doctor Who had reached it's apex, and this series proves it. Sure there's a couple of good episodes here, but none better than anything previously done on the show. Nothing new here. Davros was massively disappointing too, he himself was brillaintly realised and played but he just felt pointless. As much as it pains me to say, I think David Tennant has made the right choice to leave after next year, it's getting a bit stale. Bruce Willis for Doctor in 2010!

The result of too much time, too much money, too many 'yes men'

For me, what these films show is that although George Lucas is an imaginative 'ideas man', left to his own devices he ultimately doesn't cut the mustard as a writer or a director. None of the actors in these films are slouches, but if you did not know so already, you'd be hard pressed to know it on this evidence and that can only be the fault of the director!
You don't have to look too hard at the original films to see reasons for their clear superiority,
Star Wars - No budget, massive pressure and challenges from the Studio, pressure on set as director finds difficulty in communicating ideas to cast and crew. George creates something he's ultimately not happy with in what he quotes as one of the most traumatic an unhappy experiences of his life and yet the film itself turns out to great!
Empire Strikes Back - Best film of the entire saga is a result of George handing over direction and control to someone else. Natch!
Return of the Jedi - Underated episode of the original trilogy. Someone else directs again to great effect (for a PROPER example of the Emperor using subversive tactics to tempt a Jedi to the 'Dark Side' look no further), with the only real weak point being the much maligned inclusion of the accursed Ewoks, which was actually on insistance by George as Producer, when it was originally going to be the Wookies on THEIR home world (the first example of the negative impact of a George with too much power and belief in his own greatness. He did the same in Indy 4. Surprise surprise, the aleins idea was George's and he would not greenlight any other script!).
So what of this prequel trilogy?
Phantom Menace - Okay if you have not watched any of the originals too recently as it did not and does not stand up to the hype. Age gap between Anakin and Padme is too great, home planet being Tatooine is just rediculous and the end is basically an inferior replay of Return of the Jedi with the Gungans replacing the Ewoks.
Attack of the Clones - asside from the utterly rubbish title, this appeared on release to be superior to Phantom Menace due to there being much more action and it being more visually entertaining, but the writing/script make it almost unwatchable for large chunks of the movie, bringing it back down to Phantom's level. The entire Padme Anakin thing is completely unbelievable, regardless of the age thing and as for the scene just before they enter the arena, words just fail me.
Revenge of the Sith. The best of the 3, but still not 'up there' with the originals. The second half of the movie (post Anakin's turning) is better than the first (asside from the Nooooo! incident), principally because the lead up to and the 'turning' itself are utterly preposterous! Anakin actually get's more grounded in what is right as a Jedi as the film goes on! When it comes to the actual 'turning sequence itself' he's actually in the right as far as what he is calling for to happen, it is Mace Windu who is the one justifying murder. In the end he only dissarms Windu (literally), it is the emperor who kills him and then afterwards he pledges his allegiance to the ultimate antithesis of what he and the Jedi stand for? Please....
Looking at the arc of the story over the entire 3 films it's amazing that the same single writer can allow himself (or indeed BE allowed) to be the creator of so many of his own problems! With an entire universe to choose from he seems almost determined to right himself into a corner by creating multiple connections between characters and places from both trilogies that just don't need to be there and just create greater inplausability,
C3PO created by the boy whow would become Vader, R2 Being HIS droid? Okay so 3PO's memory was wiped, but what about Vader's? Funny how, even though they bump into eachother in the original trilogy Vader does not seem to be any the wiser. Not to mention the fact that R2's memory is not wiped at all, so how come he never brings it up?
Hiding the son and the arch enemy on Vader's home planet? How on earth would that EVER be a good or even plausable idea?
I could go on, but I won't.
For these to have been the films that they could and should have been, what needed to happen was for George to write the broad plot, for someone else to then flesh it out with details and a decent script and for someone other than George to direct it.

WARNING on DVD extras

Of course, you must buy this as it's the best TV series ever made bar none. BUT this is a warning to people who are discovering Buffy for the first time. DON'T WATCH ANY OF THE EXTRAS UNTIL YOU HAVE GOT TO THE END OF THE SEASON. There are sometimes extras, featurettes, etc. on Discs 1-5 [particularly on disc 3, which only has 3 episodes], but these often give away important parts of the plot that happen later in the season. So best to leave all extras to the end of the season. Note also that the 'Season Summary' extras on disc 6 and some of the commentaries can also give away parts of the plot in later seasons too. So if you're a spoiler-phobe, like me, I suggest you just watch all seven seasons without watching any of the extras. Then, when you watch Joss's masterpiece the second time (as you surely will), you can watch all the extras too, as a bonus. You have been warned. Enjoy!

Epic...but disappointing

I had high hopes for I am legend. In the end i was slightly disappointed. I like Will Smith and found he did a great job acting in the this film. As a viewer you are intrigued for the story to unfold and find out why he is alone. However, I thought the special effects were quite poor considering the size of the this movie, and also felt the ending was quite commercial in the sense that it was wrapped up very quickly (and to my mind quite boringly).

This isn't a bad film but it is nothing new, but i feel it was marketed and hyped to be an amazing film. Disappointing for that reason.

The best Sci-fi story put onto the small screen bar none...an absolute classic

What can I say about this that hasn't been said before....it's almost flawless entertainment, by turns gritty, scary, uplifting, always supremely well acted & hugely involving, this is one of the best things I've ever watched, however long, on whatever size of screen, in or out of the Sci-fi genre. Hope there will eventually be some sort of follow up, as has been rumoured....if ever a drama deserved a long run at the top of the ratings in front of a wider audience it's this one.
About the package, ridiculously cheap for what it is...don't hesitate to buy

Not as good as the first, but still good

Season 1 was always going to be a tough act to follow, and perhaps unsurprisingly, season 2 comes off as inferior to it's predecessor. Being half the length does't help either, but there's a noticable lack of focus to this season, and it takes a while before the central story appears.

However, I feel it's being slightly exaggerated as to how bad this season is. Rest assured, if you liked season 1, you'll find plenty to enjoy here. The mythology and background of the world introduced in season 1 is given more depth, and complexities are added.

So, while this season is perhaps not as good as the first, I still found it to be enjoyable, intruiging and, once it gets going, exciting.

Better than Expected!

After having seen the Dark Knight I wasn't expecting this to be any good, but it's Will Smith. Proving he had the talents in films such as I am Legend, he pulled a suprisingly believanle to superhero movie. And you can't compare to Batman, Superman, Spiderman etc ... they are completly different films. This isn't so much about the action scenes but focuses on how he turns his life around. I wasn't keen on the corny ending though but in the whole it did make a good film. I'm looking forward to sequel! A must see!

Incredible Ironman!

I didnt see this film at the cinema. It past me by and I went to see The Dark Knight instead.
But what a mistake I made! Its an awesome film!
Perfectly cast is Robert Downey Jnr, who gets captured in the Middle East and forced at gunpoint to recreate one of his own companys defence missles. However, with the help of a fellow captive, he creates a metal armoured-suit and blasts his way out of his prision. Back in America, under the watchful eye of his boss and PA, he decides to re-create his design for defense purposes. But is his boss all who he seems to be?
A fun packed frolic with incredible special effects and a great script.
The blu ray quality is the best ive seen and gives you lots of extras also.
A very good movie in a very good package. Enjoy!

definately not Wanted

this film is awful. utterly and absolutely. the only thing worth watching is Jolie but even she is so bad that it makes you cringe.
please please please do not read any other comment on here and waste 90 minutes of your life by watching this film. the other comments must be by the film makers family.
the casting is all wrong. anyone who has seen McAvoy in anything else will wonder why he did this. he is a great actor but missed it big time by signing up to this nonsense. same goes for Freeman and Jolie. why oh why did they do it? surely they read the scripts beforehand. any serious actor would have walked out, especially at the worst scene of all when the train falls off the rails.
this is dire, i can't stress it enough and want to save my fellow man from watching it. it isnt a patch on the Matrix and the very word should not even be mentioned in the same breathe. the Matrix hit where this missed. the action was right and to a great extent believable - in this you would have to disconnect your brain entirely. it is bad and stupid. the worst film i have ever seen. (but now i guess it'll get a cult following for this very reason - but please don't bother)

Boring

I really didnt see the point to the film I can see why some people might like it but its just not for me I think the original idea for this film was probably a good one which got lost during filming.
So he is a bad superhero who tries to sort his life out then at the end all of a sudden he notices someone else has the same powers as him who is the wife of the guy who helped him sort his life out. I thought i would like this as I am a fan of will smiths other films.

On the plus side if you like the movie it comes with a disc that allows you to transfer the movie to your pc and psp so you can watch it again I dont think il bother watching this film once was enough for me.