Sunday 18 December 2016

Movies: Doctor Strange (12), Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (12A), The Accountant (15), Chronicle (DVD – 15), The Wolverine (DVD – 12), Arrival (12A), Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them (12A), King Kong (2005) (DVD – 12A), Kick Ass (DVD – 15), The Purge (DVD – 15), Moana (PG) & Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (12A)

Wow it seems so long since I’ve actually posted anything so here’s a mass that’s been building up over the last months…

Doctor Strange (12) – what’s it about? Doctor Strange suffers a car accident and goes on a quest to get healed by a spiritual healer but comes away with super powers and has to save the world.

I have to admit I didn’t really know much about the comics behind this one but I thought I’d go check it out and I have to say I’m now totally going to get the graphic novels. I loved the extended universe, the whole multi-verse theories, the concept of magic and spirituality in this one, as well as the superhero aspect. Its action packed, gives a good introduction to the characters, has a nice plot and expands on the known Marvel movies. This is most definitely my top Marvel movie to date!

Rating: *****



Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (12A) – what’s it about? Jack sets out to clear the name of an Officer as they are hunted by the government.

This is very similar to the first and much of it has been done before in other movies, agent must save the day and protect his loved ones from bad guys, that said though this is still an enjoyable watch. If you liked the previous Jack Reacher movie or other action movies then you’ll probably like this one. It’s definitely one you don’t really need to think about, you can just munch away on your popcorn and watch.

Rating: ****



The Accountant (15) – what’s it about? An accountant who looks after black market deals is being pursued by the government and criminals.

So a movie about an account…well that sounds exciting right? This is actually a good movie; it’s got some good story and plot behind it, seeing things from three sides, the accountant, the government who’s trying to track him down and the company that’s employed him. It was a lot more story driven than I thought it was going to be, at points I thought it was a little too long but in all it’s a good movie and worth a watch, the plot is good as is the action.

Rating: ***



Chronicle (DVD – 15) – what’s it about? A group of school kids get in a hole and come out with super powers, they then get up to mischief.

This was one of those random buys from the shop; I just read the box and thought that could be interesting or really bad. I’m not sure how to describe this, the way its shot is like low budget as it’s all done handy-cam style but the film had enough money behind it to make the effects and everything decent. I can’t recall if this was shown in the cinema here as it was a few years ago. So if you can stomach watching a handy-cam style movie, that has some good story and interesting concepts, with some action and moral questioning thrown in then this one is worth look.

Rating: ***



The Wolverine (DVD – 12) – what’s it about? The Wolverine is in hiding, he gets found by another mutant, goes to say farewell to a dying man but gets in lots of trouble.

If you like the X-Men universe then there’s no doubt you’ll love this one. It was good to re-watch this as I haven’t seen it for ages, and it’s still as good as the first time I saw it. It gives a bit more depth to the characters, and has some good fighting and action that is classic Wolverine style. Yep gotta love the X-Men.

Rating: ****



Arrival (12A) – what’s it about? Twelve alien spacecraft arrive at different locations across the earth; humanity initiates first contact with the aliens to find out why they are here.

So at this point throw most of the alienesc films you’ve seen out of the window, usually they are fighting and action and stuff like that – this however is not. It’s more of a drama I suppose; it’s all about the first contact and the political movements that happen across the world. It was a really interesting movie and it made a refreshing change to the sci-fi genre – yeah I liked it!

Rating: ****



Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them (12A) – what’s it about? Newt travels to the US with his magical creatures, some manage to escape and he has to try to capture them all and put the magical community’s mind at rest.

So this is an off-shoot of Harry Potter if you don’t already know and I have to say I think I preferred this to Harry Potter. I don’t know maybe because it wasn’t just at school and about kids or that it was more real world (even though set in the past) or maybe it was because I could relate to it more. Anyway yeah it was an interesting watch, some cool looking creatures and mischief happening, so it’s definitely worth a look if you like the Harry Potter universe.

Rating: ****



King Kong (2005) (DVD – 12A) – what’s it about? A film crew travel to an island and discover King Kong who they bring back the US.

A remake of the King Kong story and if you like the big giant ape then this will be right up your street.  It’s got a good mix in it, some good action scenes, some humour (omg the fight scene with Kong and the dinosaurs pmsl) and the good classic story to boot. I quite liked this one but it is pretty long so be prepared for over 3 hours worth of movie!

Rating: ***



Kick Ass (DVD – 15) – what’s it about? A young lad who’s into comics decides to become a real superhero.

Ok so this is a pretty messed up movie, though it’s really amusing and really good at the same time, it actually helped inspire one of my cosplays in that you know why don’t we dress as superheroes lol. Anyway yeah the movie is action packed and has a bit of a story to boot, it’s pretty violent but it’s bloody good!

Rating: ****



The Purge (DVD – 15) – what’s it about? Once a year all crime becomes legal including murder, this is the story of one family’s battle to survive.

I did a brief review on this once and I thought as I re-watched it I’d share on it again, so this one sets the scene really for the story that has become The Purge universe. This introduces the night and just takes the perspective of the survival of a family, re-watching it its good but it doesn’t compare to the later movies in the series, the second one begins the real story and so forth, so if you’re not sure with it where it doesn’t do much I’d say stick with it and give the rest a try, they get better!

Rating: ****



Moana (PG) – what’s it about? A girl goes on a journey with a demigod to help save the world.

I wanted to see this as it looked interesting from the trailer and I have to say I wasn’t disappointed at all, though it’s a typical Disney style movie with songs and stuff it’s still pretty good and that does calm down with the singing after a while once it gets more into the story. It’s received some bad press but I think it’s still a really great movie, with a good story and adventures. I’m pretty sure the little ones will enjoy this one…and as an adult I did too!

Rating: ****



Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (12A) – what’s it about? The story of how the Rebels got a hold of the Death Star plans.

Hmmmm what to say, don’t worry I’m not going to spoil it, so how did they get those plans in the original movies? Well this answers that question and fleshes out the story more, the main characters from the originals are there but some are more cameo in this one, it introduces some more people who set out on their mission. It’s a very Star Wars story if you get my drift, it feels like the movies and the story and characters are very appropriate, though it did seem a little drawn out in parts. In short though if you love Star Wars then this is a definite must to see at the cinema!


Rating: ****