Shirley Manson joins Sarah Connor Chronicles

This is an interesting one, i'm a big fan of Garbage (the Scottish Rock band) aswell is the Sarah Connor Chronicles, which is a damned good series bringing scifi to mainstream audiences.  But I never thought the two would merge, especially as aacting members, but alas, Shirley Manson has acquired a regular role in the new series, which is pretty cool.  I am liking the brit actors they have used throughout this series, although I would like one of the obvious brits to be a good guy, so fingers crossed for Shirley.

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?id=54973

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Review: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

Okay then, Indy it is, I went to watch it last night, and have decided that it is one of the harder films to review whilst trying to not let my bias of the whole franchise (good and bad) overcome my opinion.  The general nature of the film, if you aren't aquainted with the film is the usual idea of taking a completely over the top concept, and show it as a possible adventure.  The previous films dealing with god, the holy grail, and voodoo among other things.  This does similar, but parts seem too scifi for my liking, dont get me wrong, I abslutely adore scifi, but that is not what I went in for when I bought my ticket.

Another point is Shia LeBoeuf, I have not been one of his greatest fans, the only film I kinda enjoyed of his I believe was Constantine, and he died in that.  This was was one of his better films, although the role he was in at times was painful.  Pushing too hard to be the next Indy, rebelious yet cool, without really pulling it off on many occassions.  Yet there are a few scenes including a swordfight (a good one aswell).

Whilst it sounds like I didn't like the film, that is definately not the case, I did, just not enough.  I wanted more Indy fun and playfulness, the one liners were a little weak, but still there.  And of course, we got the much loved, token snake scene which made me very happy.  The final scene had me worried with a hat (if you watch it you'll understand) but luckily, Lucas fixed that at the last minute with a, hell no!

So, best comparison is the star wars prequels (first one was rubbish, third one was rather good, and the second was so so with good action and some good scenes), this was comparison to the second.  It was good, and just about worthy to be part of the series, but lacked the full potential.  The concept was there, but parts let it down.

Watch it, but don't expect too much, although Harrison Ford can still pull it off in my opinion, and John Hurt, well, he's just great fullstop.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

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Terminator 4 Concept Art

What's to say!  It looks cool.

conceptart1.jpg (JPEG Image, 1000x417 pixels)

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Moffat is new lead writer and Executive producer for who

Well, I must say it is sad news to hear the Russell T Davies will be leaving the Who franchise at the end of the fifth series, but I couldn't think of anyone better to be his successer than Stephen Moffat.  For those that don't know, Moffatt was the writer of Who episodes blink and the lonely child, winning awards for both.  And also wrote the BBC series 'Jekyll', which was also, really good.

He has a good mix of humour, and fear, but shows little (if any) blood or graphic gore.  This is the sort of show I like, but would he have been more suited to Torchwood than who itself with his style?

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?id=54530

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Twilight Wtch being made - awesome!!!

Finally, the closest I have come to find that they are making the third of the 'watch' films (although it wont be called twilight watch, opting instead for dusk watch).  I really enjoyed the first film, the second, well, I enjoyed, but the ending did feel a little bit of a cop out.  Cant wait for more info on this, hopefully starting soon, now the director has finished with the comic book adaptation 'wanted'.

'Twilight Watch' Now 'Dusk Watch,' and Getting Underway - Cinematical

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Trailer: xfiles

The first trailer for the x-files movie, released in July, oh how happy that makes me feel.  It wont be a blockbuster, but I am so there!  Even Billy Connolly gets involved, what more could you want.

IGN: The X-Files: I Want to Believe Trailer, Videos and Movies

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DBZ Film: Goku first pic

Could suck, could be, umm, okay, lets wait and see, I am hoping to be nicely suprised.

nb. bear in mind I think its set somewhere between dragomball and dragonballZ

Update: First Peek at Dragonball's Goku - Superhero Hype!

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Review: Iron Man

Well, finally the day came last night, and I got to go watch the muchly anticipated (at least by me) Iron Man.  Now, I would like to state first that I had an incling that this film would be pretty rubbish, but still enjoyable for me, possible due to my comic book geekness.  Well, I was half right, I enjoyed it, but it was good, really quite good.  It was lighter than Batman of course (but then Marvel usually is), but still, aspects were rather dark and current in plotline.

This is all very surprising for a summer blockbuster, which are usually lacking in plot, and characterisation, opting for 2d characters and too much special effects.  This film mixes the two with style, and where needed.  Yes, it is still very much a summer blockbuster, but a good one to say the least.

Downey Jr has often been slated for his acting style, saying he can only act as himself, sometimes this could be a bid thing, but this, this is his perfect role, he IS tony stark.  Alcoholic womaniser with fame and fortune.  It is a realistic portrayal of his character, true to the comic, and, most impressive of all, it keeps a comic feel to the thing at the same time.  The humour in it is closely set by the turmoil of starks dark weapons manufacturing company and Stane.

There were several winks for the geeks, one at the end, after the credits.   Now this isn't the time for a rant, but stop putting things after the credits, the film has ended, it's really annoying.  Also, there is the usual cameos, and winks to future avengers and iron man II films, especially with Rhodes' line 'maybe next time'.

Definately worth a watch, really enjoyable box office flick.  Action, effects, and for once, a good plot.

Iron Man (2008)

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Trailer: The Dark Knight

The new Batman trailer, wit more Joker, and finally I get to have an opinion on Ledger and Nolans interpretation of the villain, and I must say, I approve.  The film is going to be good of course, but will it be great, I can't wait to find out, hopefully at the london IMAX aswell (due to the 3d elements apparently in the film)

Embedded Video

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Trailer: Incredible Hulk

Okay, my opinion up until now has been that the new incredible hulk film is destined to under achieve purely because the plot can surely not be made interesting for a whole 90 mins, I was never a big fun, although I must admit, the words 'hulk smash' do make me smile.  But I have now watched this new trailer at apple, and I can safely say, I am now excited.  Bring it on hulk.

Apple - Trailers - Incredible Hulk - Trailer - Medium

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Review: The Oxford Murders

Okay, final review for the day, 'the Oxford Murders'.  I went to see this last night, and as everyone I spoke to will know, I was concerned that it would try to be too clever, particular in the area of integrating mathematics with murder.  And I must say, I was kinda right to worry.

It seemed like a run of the mill murder mystery throughout, and the ending was a bit obvious, and not too big a twist at all.  It was written by an argentine mathematician and you could tell, particularly in the way the characters language constantly flicked from ordinary narrative to hard oxford elite maths and philosophy.

And what the hell were they doing dubbing Burn Gorman (Torchwoods ex medical officer Owen Harper).  It wasn't even done that well, I constantly had to shut my eyes when he was one as it was so frustrating.  Why would they do that, for crying out loud.  I am particularly offended as he was really good in the second series of Torchwood (in the first, not so great, but he obviously improved VERY quickly). 

So, yes, I was hoping for greatness, particular as I love John Hurt's films, and Elijah Wood has made several good choices in his career, particular in leaving the shadow of LOTR.  There was some really good scenes in the film, just not enough, it should have been darker, more psychological, and more fluidly spoken.

Overall, an enjoyable film, but to be honest, i'd rather have watched Midsummer Murders on BBC at home, on the sofa.

The Oxford Murders (film) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Review: In Bruges

In Bruges is a strange one.  I came out of it knowing that I had enjoyed it on various levels, yet aware it seemed hacked together.  It's one of those films that uses several Genres throughout (comedy, noir, action), and they don't appear to be merged together, more sliced, so there are sudden jumps.  This is interesting if looked at from an analytical perspective, as you could see it as the hitmens minds, having to slice this hard-life of violence, with action and comedy to help them through it.

It's based on a hit job gone wrong, and the 2 hitmen involved are sent to Bruges to wait for more instructions.  And from there on, we get various twists, and character developements.  I wish that I could be more positive, but the fact is, I enjoyed it, yet that slicing of genres keeps coming back to mind, and I do hope that it was supposed to be about their minds, but if it was, it could have been done better, and shown more obviously.  Overall, I enjoyed it, particularly the end, which upon thought, was a great ending to the film, the final words are joyous, andshow evolution.  No more said (as I don't want to spoil anything).

A good film, although not great.

In Bruges (2008)

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Review: Son of Rambow

Ok, I am very much behind on my film reviews (3 weeks in fact), so I am now going to go through a whistlestop tour of the recent flicks I have been to see.  The first of which is the kids/family/everyone film 'Son of Rambow'.

'Son of Rambow' is one of those films that harks back to a more golden age of kids films.  Where kids films were about real kids, and real situations.  Where not everything is glamorous, and what happens to them is absolutely possible (even the Goonies with it's pirate ship has elements of this, particularly when you think about the families each child heralds from).

The story is about two boys, one of which, 'Will Proudfoot', from a religious sect, known as 'the Plymouth Brethryn', which requires him to attend weekly meetings, and to not be tempted by the various medias such as radio and tv, requiring to be removed from the class when a video is shown.  This is the exact situation that sees him introduced to another child 'Lee Carter'.  Lee is much more of an anti-hero character whose parents are never around, and whose brother shows little affection for.

It's these two characters and there interactions with each others new worlds, that show a lovely character movie.  Where we have them both trying to create a home movie between the two of them.  A strong film, built around friendship and adversity, where neither characters are innocent, but end up being more after their friendship.

A must see, particular if you enjoyed classics such as Kes, and 'Danny champion of the world'.

Son of Rambow (2007)

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