REVIEW: Pandorica (tbc)

Welcome to the near future where disaster has befallen the Earth and tribes of people have become commonplace. Every so often; a leader is elected from eligible tribespeople. Their mission is to enter the forest and complete trials; and the victor becomes leader. Only one will come out alive.

This is the starting premise for director Tom Paton's low budget sci-fi dystopian movie Pandorica. Featuring a small but talented cast, the movie focuses on the three chosen to take the place of current leader Nus (Luke D'Silva). Taking up potential leadership duties include Eiren (Jade Hobday), Ares (Marc Zammit) and the impressively bearded Thade (Adam Bond). Nus suggests they are all unworthy; but the challenges have yet to come. As they delve deeper into the forest it is clear that there's more than just the quartet who are in the forest - and not all things in there are friendly. If you mix The Hunger Games with the Blair Witch Project and add a smattering of Predator you have Pandorica. 

Sterling work by the actors including an over the top, genuinely unnerving Bentley Kalu as fearsome warrior Nine, Pandorica is probably the best low budget, British movie I have seen since the excellent Dog Soldiers way back when. Special mention also goes to both the cinematography and the soundtrack which are both fantastic.  For all that it was a fairly small production, the film could rival any of those big budget movies we see all the time. Focussing more on character and story than special effects, Pandorica is a sci-fi thriller that is simple but effective.

There are plans for a sequel too; so it will be interesting to see where this rich world of characters will take us next. Overall a really well made enjoyable film.

Pandorica comes out at all good cinemas on 1st April 2016 but simultaneously on Blu-Ray, DVD and download at the same time. 

I saw the world premier at Sci-Fi Weekender 7 in Wales. 

POPSCORE: 8/10

What am I talking about? Pandorica movie
Where can I find out more? http://www.pandoricamovie.com/
If you liked this try: The Hunger Games (for trials in woodland), Dog Soldiers (for British sci fi done well), Blair Witch Project (for low budget), Predator

Anything else?
Apparently the budget for this movie was £77,000

Pandorica is lead actress Jade Fennix-Hobady's first movie role

Director Tom Paton not only wrote and directed but edited the movie too

There was a prequel comic produced that covered more about Nus and the trials

There will be a sequel called Assault on Pandorica 

Tom Paton suggested that this is the first movie of a trilogy

    

REVIEW: Divergent Series: Allegiant

With the whole Young Adult (YA) dystopia trend in full swing now, The Divergent Series : Allegiant is coming hot on the heels of the Hunger Games conclusion. Based on the third book in the Divergent trilogy; this movie has not only been changed from the book but also, as would be expected, been chopped into two parts. However not diluting the whole shebang into parts one and two, the clever boffins at the studio have instead decided to call it the Divergent Series and give part two it's own title too. So for the readers of the book - well they are confused. As for the people who just watch the movies - they think it'll just be like a Twilight style quadrilogy. Thing is... Is it any good?

It's a good sign that all the original cast return to continue on with the franchise. Shailene Woodley reprises her role as Tris, looking as cute as ever. Theo James is the brooding Four, who really doesn't have that much to do this time around except get frustrated and be eye candy for the girls. Some whippersnapper takes over the Eric type role and Miles Teller is back as mouthy Peter. Backing up the rest is Naomi Watts as Fours mom and Tris's brother Caleb who is about as as much of a liability as a 1980's Dr Who assistant. The newcomers include one Jeff Daniels as the solo named David who gets to dress Tris up in white and spend a lot of time talking with her.

Now I must say I'm a massive fan of the books. It's been a long time since it's taken for me to really get emotionally involved with a series of books like this. I love Tris and Four (as characters and as a couple) and I love Veronica Roth's writing (and the books as a whole). The story overall is fantastic and therefore I was excited to be seeing this on the big screen. However; although, now settled into their roles and the actors do a grand job, the film isn't really that good. 

I don't know whether this is down to my expectations from the book or what but it seems like there's a lot of talking and a lot of running about. To me, it suffers from that which other "part ones" that have gone before it - in that the source is one book; one story and they want to two part it. But the actual source only probably stretches for about a movie and a half. You want the big reveal in part two so part one has to be stretched out to accommodate movie length. So, like Harry Potter, Twilight and especially Hunger Games, the part one contains much needless filler and waffle to pad it out ready for the next one. Strangely the movie just ends with no sort of pointer to say they will be making another one. 

For those that have read the books - you will have seen most of it in this movie but the changes mean that if there was such a sequel coming next year, we won't have a clue what they will be doing unless they pretty much recycle this story (if they are following the book timeline). 

Overall the cast do a decent job but this movie just doesn't quite get there. It tries but fails. Probably the worst one so far but here's hoping it picks up in the next, and final, instalment. As a Divergent fan I'm hoping this is the case.

Divergent Series: Allegiant is out now.

POPSCORE: 6/10

REVIEW: Pixels

PIXELS is the latest Adam Sandler movie which preys upon people within a decade of Sandler’s age bracket and hoping that the lure of retro arcade classics will help this movie become the blockbuster that it promises to be. Up front and centre on both the poster and the trailer, is a gigantic Pac-Man that is terrorising the world. But before we go that way, where did this idea come from? Was it Sandler’s inspiration or some other source?

 

Well the truth is, is that it is based on a mini movie that had all the hallmarks of a fantastic idea. Check it out the clip, by clicking here.  It  was fantastic as an idea so it was to go without saying that someone somewhere would be wanting to take it further and sprinkle the “magic of Hollywood” ‘pon it. Sadly, it was Da Sandler who got his mitts on it. Part of the appeal of Adam Sandler films, original ones anyway, was the young goofball, wanting to be loved and trying to get the girl. Now he’s older, the template doesn’t fit quite so well, and this movie is a very similar premise, and sometimes it borders on creepy. In this movie the love interest is a really pretty girl who is visually a lot younger than the ageing Sandler and it looks more like a dad pursuing a daughter than two people who would fall in love.

 

However, besides that fact, Sandler’s character doesn’t really have any redeeming features (apart from really good at certain video games (read 80’s arcade machines)) so it’s difficult to see how those two would get together even in the constraints of this movie. There’s a sequence where the two of them are in a cupboard and it just doesn’t make any sense and feels rather strange to watch. You may have noticed that I have not even told you the names of these two characters, as the story is so weak I can't even recall them. But, IMDb promises me that Adam Sandler's character is called Brenner and Violet (Michelle Monaghan) is the love interest. Backing up those two characters, we have Kevin James (as the President of the United States?!), Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage, Josh Gad and the creator of Pac Man himself, Professor Iwatani (even if he is played by an actor).

 

The movie goes like this (but if you have seen the trailer it basically explains the premise) but it’s this – in the 1980’s NASA send a message of greetings into space to show them what our lives are like in the 1980’s – complete with the arcade games of the day, speeches and music videos from the megastars of the day and more. However, instead of a message of hello to the universe, they took it as an act of war and therefore create arcade game characters to come to Earth to destroy us. It’s times like this when they should have just stuck with The Carpenter’s “Calling All Occupants…” song and left it at that. Anyway, this premise sounds damn good on paper – but as with a lot of movies these days it seems that it is not the inspiration but the execution of it that lets the movie down. As described, we have a talented cast with a mix of experience and the film does show sparks of brilliance on occasion, but this is few and far between. This is a copy and paste sci-fi action movie that doesn’t really take anything further forward in terms of story or character development.

 

The problem with this movie is that it’s a fantastic idea and has an epic selling point, and, like most movies of that ilk, it’s the execution of the idea that it falls prey to. Character development is mostly non-existent – and for the pixelated characters it relies solely on what we know in pop culture and that’s about it. Adam Sandler exclaims each video game character as if to tag it – the only thing missing is a hashtag graphic at the same time while he says it. In fact, as cheesy as it sounds, that wouldn’t look too much out of place in this movie. The movie then is heavily special effects laden and low on just about everything else. Even the low-fi HD pixelated characters are shallow.

 

Adam Sandler is getting older and the schtick that worked when he was younger just sparks of desperation and doesn’t seem to work in this instance. I think he needs to move on and try being a different type of character and move with both his audience and his career. The movie is below average and even the most die-hard fans of sci-fi and/or retro gaming (which demographic it is clearly gunning for) would struggle to say it’s a good movie (and yes, I’m one of them). The only film worse I have seen in 2015 is Fant4stic Four (see my review here) and this isn’t much better. If I had to sum it up – it’s all looks and no personality.

 

Pixels is out now on DVD and Blu Ray and digital download.

 

POPSCORE: 5/10

What am I talking about? Pixels movie
Where can I find out more? http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/pixels/
If you liked this try: King Kong (latest Peter Jackson version), Night at the Museum (which is far superior), Independence Day (ID4), Wreck it Ralph (which does the licensed characters a lot better)

Anything else?
The closing credits re-run a synopsis of the movie in 8-bit style.       

REVIEW: Dad's Army (PG)

Welcome to 2016... the year of revamps and remakes and the recycling of old ideas.  Actually, the truth is, I guess the world is running out of inspiration for the time being. However, in a world where superhero movies and political correctness are running rife, you may be one of those people who are pining for the past. If that is the case (and it may well be judging by the recent resurgence and popularity of retro gaming) then Dad’s Army might be for you. Based on the classic British TV show (not to be confused with M.A.S.H) Dad’s Army is a remake for the next generation using the previous generation and the generation before that. I have to say, as a neutral supporter, I have never seen the original show (I know, what a travesty!) but I watched this without prejudice. But, brace yourself. There is more to come in the old-tv-shows-being-revived situation as I hear they are remaking Porridge, Open All Hours and more for the small screen and remaking Ghostbusters (due out this year) and Dirty Dancing among others on the silver screen.

So the movie then? It’s definitely pointing in the direction of comedy, but sadly it wasn’t my cup of tea. I could see where the funny parts were supposed to be and, admittedly, there were a couple of sniggers. However, the whole movie felt like a 30 minute show stretched out to last its elongated run time. Maybe as a show it would have felt more complete, but as it is it felt like it was running out of steam. The best way I could describe it would be as a baker who was rolling out some dough but stretched it far too much than was needed and causing it to become thin and holey and therefore doesn’t quite bake to perfection. A bit more dough, then, and it would probably have been a decent enough pie.

The cast is astounding though, covering the great and the good of British acting. It’s been a long while since I’ve seen such a strong British ensemble cast (maybe Love Actually was the last one – Harry Potter doesn’t count as the main actors didn’t have established careers before then) and as people entered the scenes you were like – “oh, that’s so and so out of whatsit”. You have a nice mix of actors too – Michael “Dumbledore” Gambon, Toby “Dr. Arnim Zola” Jones and Bill “Davey Jones” Nighy are just some of the great talent on show here.

Toby Jones plays Captain Mainwaring with Bill Nighy as his second-in-command Sergeant Wilson, backed up with a slew of other British acting talent. Blake Harrison (Neil from The Inbetweeners) plays Private Pike, the youngest of the group and nephew to Sergeant Wilson. Catherine Zeta-Jones provides the glam as the love interest for, well, most of the main characters. However most of the main characters have wives and these are also featured. This female cast also includes the actress who plays Lynne in Alan Partridge as a particularly matriarchal leader of the ladies force and wife to Captain Mainwaring.

As the Home Guard are assigned to patrol an army base near the White Cliffs of Dover, the soldiers discover that a spy has infiltrated their small town and must find out who it is. They go through the motions and, as suspicions go on, they realise that it could be anyone from the general public to someone in their own ranks. Meanwhile, the men are falling head over heels for the new girl in town, the sophisticated vamp Rose Winters (who works as a journalist chronicling the Home Guard). Will they find out the true identity of the spy or will it be too late?

I’ve built up the movie like it would be an exciting build up, but most of it is spent watching married men bumble over the attractive Catherine Zeta-Jones. Although she is a very pretty lady, this way forward gets old really quickly and seems to be stretched out into infinity. This makes the characters seem a bit dastardly and I also feel sorry for the wives in the tale, who seem to be strong female characters but seemingly (and deliberately) far from sexy or attractive in comparison to CZ-J. The film itself is amusing but I didn’t find it funny enough to laugh out loud. I’m told there is some cameos from the original surviving cast in this movie too. When the movie concludes the iconic theme tune is played, but not until then. Also there’s a small sequence of CGI at the start to represent London in WWII, but it’s really rather poor. Most of the other effects are more physical and real, so it looked really out of place.

Overall, it was a decent stab at a remake but it could have been so much better. Two types of people will go to see this film, I think. Those are fans of the original series (who I think I think might be disappointed) and those who are impressed by the famous names to see how they get on (I’m in this second set). It’s not exactly Bad Army but more distinctly average.

POPSCORE: 6/10

What am I talking about? Dad's Army (2016) movie
Where can I find out more? http://www.dadsarmymovie.co.uk/
If you liked this try: The original TV series, Dad's Army, the movie Dad's Army (the original one), M.A.S.H, Hot Fuzz.

REVIEW: Deadpool (15)

After many, many debates on whether this movie would be made, Deadpool finally hits our screens and hits it does. Ryan Reynolds has stepped up to the plate twice now in his attempt to break into the superhero genre as a superhero himself. As well as featuring for Marvel in Blade II as Blade’s sidekick, his first real outing was actually as Deadpool in the luke-warmly received X-Men Origins: Wolverine movie. Although it was generally in the lower rated echelons of superhero movie opinions, the Deadpool portrayed there had his mouth sewn shut and was a complete waste of a character much loved by many. As if to rub salt into the wounds, or maybe take a distance from Marvel, Reynolds defected to DC to star in similarly panned Green Lantern which may have had a decent run as a franchise if it wasn’t so badly made and relied on too much CGI. Although Ryan Reynolds is a likeable guy and a great actor – he plays smarmy, arrogant or wisecracking as you require it. So he would be the ideal choice for Deadpool. But, he’s already had two strikes – this one needs to be the home run. And do you know what? It is!

 

This new Deadpool movie is all what you would expect from a movie and more and is full of blood, guts, gore and one liners. Some of the insults are both creative and zany, and with the inclusion of X-Men’s Colossus, it adds a flair to the proceedings. Poking fun at everything it can and highlighting it via quips and jokes about poo, death, blood and just about everything else, Deadpool is a Marvel movie unlike any other but also as you would expect.

 

Once again, as expected, this introduction to the character is an origin movie and charts the wise-cracking Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) in flash back format from two-bit mercenary for hire to the Merc With the Mouth. The film slams straight into the action as Deadpool takes on a multitude of enemies and proceeds to tell backstory while doing it. Once up to date, Deadpool carries on from where we left off in the most basic story of revenge, but the quips, special FX and soundtrack (which includes some Wham! and Salt 'n' Pepa to name but two).

 

Even though it is a very different Marvel movie (the closest to it would most likely be something like a Blade movie or The Punisher) and not yet a part of MCU, all the hallmarks of a Marvel movie are there – ties to other movies (in this instance the X-Men) and, of course, Mr Stan Lee features as a cameo. With added self referential items – which without giving anything away do include said X-Men mentioned above among other things, this movie is all a Deadpool fan would want. With a strong supporting cast and a funky soundtrack to boot, strap in and enjoy the ride as Deadpool is your host on this Marvel’s version of Taken. It’s a great start to 2016’s bumper crop of superhero movies to come but it’s set the bar high.

 

Of course, you have to stay to the end of the credits because it’s a Marvel movie isn’t it?

 

Deadpool is out now at all good cinemas and it’s dead(pool) good.

POPSCORE: 9/10

What am I talking about? Deadpool movie
Where can I find out more? http://www.foxmovies.com/movies/deadpool
If you liked this try: Any of the other Marvel movies but especially Blade II, The Punisher and possibly the Daredevil (Netflix series), Ghost Rider and also the latest X-Men Movies but ...
DEFINITELY NOT X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE OR GREEN LANTERN!

Anything else?

Ryan Reynolds has been Deadpool before in X-men Origins: Wolverine and there is at least 3 sequences in the movie where he makes a reference or there is a reference to this.
Colossus, one of the X-Men, features in this movie.
This movie is not officially part of the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) because, like the X-Men and Fantastic Four franchises, the movie rights currently belong to Fox.

REVIEW: MOVIEBLAST: Crimson Peak (15) & Mr Holmes (PG)

Double review time as we go to MOVIEBLAST and binge watch on streaming site Wuaki with EE Film Club...

Crimson Peak (15) is Guillermo Del Toro's latest foray into fantasy horror starring everyone's favourite Marvel MCU antagonist, Tom Hiddleston. Backed up with other talent including Mia Wasikowska and no less than two actors from a Foxy's Favourite movie Pacific Rim (which is also directed by Del Toro) is this gorgeously shot fantasy horror.

The movie starts with a well-to-do family in America. Their daughter, Edith (Wasikowska) is coming to terms with the death of her mother (which includes seeing ghosts) and dealing with her overprotective father. When well spoken Englishman Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston) comes to America to try and get some financial backing for an invention, love gets in the way. Trying to woo her dad for cash and  his daughter for marriage, Sharpe uses his influence to try to achieve both aims. When disaster strikes. however, a love struck Edith returns to England with Sharpe and his sister Lucille (Jessica Chastain). Meanwhile her childhood friend Dr Alan McMichael (Pacific Rim's Charlie Hunnam) finds some unsettling news about these English visitors and goes to retrieve her from the ramshackled manor house in rural England.

Crimson Peak is a delightful film to look at using colour in such a lovely way. The sets, costumes and cinematography are fantastical and a pleasure to look at - however I found the movie to be a bit bland, unlike the scenery. I love most of Del Toro's works but this one just fell a bit flat. I feel maybe that it was to slow and took a while to say what it needed to. Hiddleston's look was far too similar to Loki in the MCU for my liking but his performance was strong. Alice in Wonderland's Mia Wasikowska was great in her role, even though some of her outfits looked like she raided Lady Gaga's wardrobe. The supporting actors were fab too.

Overall this movie looks the business but ultimately fails to deliver on time. It felt more like a paint by numbers horror movie; one for beginners - more fantasy than scary but it's ok nonetheless. Decent for a night in, but not much more. I loved the Johnny Depp fronted Dark Shadows, which is what I expected this movie to be like (from the DVD cover and look of the movie) but it wasn't. Not the strongest entry into Del Toro's collection but probably one of the prettiest to look at.

 

Crimson Peak is out now on DVD, Blu Ray and all good streaming sites.

 

POPSCORE: 6/10

Mr Holmes (PG) stars Sir Ian "Gandalf" McKellen as the ageing Sherlock Holmes in his twilight years. Years later, after his final assignment, Mr Sherlock Holmes has retired to the country to attend to bees and live in a country house. Estranged from Dr Watson and never married, Holmes lives alone save for his housekeeper Mrs Munro (Laura Linney) and her inquisitive son, Roger.

Holmes befriends Roger who keeps him on his toes. Roger is similar to Holmes in a way and is impressed by his mental capacity to think logically and deduce problems and mysteries. However, here's the rub - and the interesting crux of this film - Holmes is diagnosed with dementia!

I have wanted to see this film for some time. The idea of having a literary character develop dementia - (especially for one such as Holmes who is famed for his mental capacity) - is quite a unique take on the mythos of Sherlock Holmes. As his mental capacity declines, with the help of the ever inquisitive Roger, Holmes tries to piece together his last assignment of which he has forgotten.

McKellan plays the younger Holmes and the ageing one well and brings a human side to the man who was almost robot-like in his reasoning and deduction. He infers the frustration well as you would expect from a character famed for his mental capacity. Roger is played well by the young Milo Parker and I can see great things for him in the future.

If you are looking for excitement, edge of your seat Sherlock you are so looking in the wrong place - that is the domain of Cumberbatches or Downey Jr's. This is a slow burning drama, chronicling his decline in mental health and all that goes with it. I would say it's a drama... no, it would be more of an exploration of an idea on film of how this premise would pan out. There is some semblance of story - but the most exciting parts are told in flashbacks. It's not the best film in the world but has such an interesting premise it is worth a watch on a cosy night in or a rainy Sunday afternoon.

Mr Holmes is out now on DVD, Blu Ray and all good streaming sites.

 

POPSCORE: 6/10

REVIEW: The Hateful Eight (18) - 70mm Roadshow Format

Quentin Tarantino returns in his eighth movie, The Hateful Eight or The H8ful Eight. Boasting an impressive cast (and some stalwart Tarantino regulars), The Hateful Eight is an epic quasi-Western with a run time of just over 3 hours including a 10 minute interval. I was lucky enough to visit the Odeon in London’s Leicester Square, so was in the fancy room that they all do the premier’s in. As it has the benefit of lovely curtains and fancy seats, I think the 70mm Panavision Roadshow presentation was complete and the best way to watch it, rather than at my local down the road. It felt more theatrical to me in this way. However, let’s cut to the chase here, we must talk about the movie rather than the fact I was in a swish cinema environment.

 

As we entered we had the benefit of a programme (included in the ticket price) which told us more about the unique way in which Tarantino had presented this movie, a style in which has not been done since the 1960’s. The movie is broken down into chapters, not unlike other films of his, and after a rather lengthy “overture” by legendary music maestro Ennio Morricone we are out in a snow coated landscape and a stagecoach powering through until it is stopped by a very cold and snow covered Samuel L. Jackson.  After taking him on board, the stagecoach travellers the hangman (Kurt Russell with a 'tash to be proud of) and the prisoner (Jennifer Jason Leigh), head towards Red Rock so Kurt can take his prisoner to hang for murder. As the trio continue, they encounter Chris Mannix (Walter Goggins) who claims to be the new sheriff of Red Rock. Reluctantly they give him a ride and as snow storm comes in, they hole up at the establishment known as Minnie’s Haberdashery until it all blows over.

 

From there we meet the other four of the eight – including Michael Madsen, Tim Roth and two others. However, the whole movie from there evolves into a thriller/whodunit and is specifically stays within the confines of the cabin they are all trying to shelter from the storm from. This set up lends itself to a more theatre-style presentation with Tarantino overtones. The first half of the movie is heavy on typical Tarantino banter, a lot of it inconsequential or merely to get a glimpse of the characters motivations. It’s not until the final throes of part one – where Samuel L. Jackson’s character breaks into a big speech with a shock ending. By the time you return from the 10 minute interval, you are ready to see the conclusion to this set up that has lasted the length of the first part.

 

The Hateful Eight is a worthy addition to the Tarantino productions; complete with all the hallmarks you would want if you are a fan. For the casual viewer, however, it is high on banter but low on action until the last quarter of the film. Although many films would do a similar thing, the last quarter of this movie is after 2 hours and 15 minutes, which is longer than the average movie. I always have been a fan of Tarantino’s work and appreciate that he tries to do things a bit differently – playing around with genres (like From Dusk Til Dawn) or timelines (Pulp Fiction), and his creation of the art of conversation. All of these things are included in his latest movie, and so is his ongoing creativity

and attempt to make cinema not just a night out but an experience.

 

Well acted, different and contains all the hallmarks of a Tarantino movie, The Hateful Eight is another great Tarantino movie that is worth a watch – especially at a cinema. However those accustomed to action my find it a hard slog as much of it is talking until the final quarter which gets a bit more exciting, Overall, a great film.

 

The Hateful Eight was presented at most cinemas (except Cineworld) and is available in 70mm roadshow format and normal format too.

 

POPSCORE: 8/10