Killer Elite

Another year, another mediocre Robert De Niro film!!!

I can't be overly cynical about a movie that involves Jason Statham, as the script was never going to be the relevant factor. Full of ridiculous OTT action - Yes!
Well, I knew what I was getting myself into so I can't really complain and will try to be constructive.

Based on a true story and set in the early 1980's, Danny (Statham) is a special ops agent forced out of retirement to save his friend and mentor - Hunter (De Niro), who's being held hostage in Oman by a wealthy sheik. Danny must hunt down and kill the people that murdered the sheik's three sons, in return for his friend's release. A six million pound reward is also on the table.

This is a massive feat as he must make all murders look accidental and force the victim to confess on camera. Also, all 3 killers are former British SAS men living in anonymity in Britain.
Danny recruits some former allies to help him in his mission to uncover his targets and ultimately kill them. Standing in their way is a secret society of former SAS agents who will stop at nothing to prevent the SAS's supposed wrongdoings being exposed to the world.

And that's basically it!!!

It's all about the fight scenes, car chases and corny macho one liners. If it was on as a two hour Sunday night drama on UTV after an X Factor fest it would be a great night of tv. However, this movie obviously wants to be more than mere TV fodder, but that's all it merits.

As for the acting, well Jason Statham is Jason Statham. He's not trying to be taken serious! Clive Owen is probably the best thing about the movie as the die hard SAS man fighting the cause. Although he is so much better than this middle of the road action farce. As for De Niro....

I'm baffled by his choices of films these days. Surely he doesn't need the money???
There is no way an actor of his caliber could have read this script and thought, yeah this is a challenge!
He's not on screen for a hell of a lot of time so I guess the producers thought that they'd throw a lot of money his way and hope that De Niro's name as top billing would make the movie a major attraction and a sure fire hit.
Well, this ceased to be the case a long time ago.

He is probably the best actor of our generation and I am a big fan but with his box office stature increasingly declining, his status as an acting legend is dangerously at risk.
There was a time when his mere name connected with a film, would guarantee an immediate buzz and interest. Nowadays it is the total opposite as unfortunately his bad reputation is exceeding him!

Wait for the DVD!


Score: 4/10

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Set in 1970's London, John Le Carre's espionage classic is eventually brought to the big screen. Already a huge award winning success on the small screen in the late 70's this movie had a lot to live up to.

Former British Intelligence agent George Smiley (Gary Oldman) comes out of retirement to investigate and ultimately uncover a soviet double agent working within the Circus (headquarters of British Intelligence MI6).
This is not Smiley's first time to be involved in this investigation. His former chief (Control) played by John Hurt and Smiley himself were forced into retirement due to a botched attempt under their command in Budapest to retrieve information about the spy. It ended in bloodshed and caused embarrassment worldwide to the Government and MI6 heads.

The new chief of MI6 Percy Alleline (Toby Jones), his deputy Bill Haydon (Colin Firth) and several other members of the board are aware of an investigation taking place and are therefore reluctant to help Smiley and his right hand man Peter Guillam (Benedict Cumberbatch) with their efforts.

Instead they mix it up with plenty of red herrings to keep the investigation off their scent. Smiley finds a ally in the shape of Ricki Tarr (Tom Hardy). British Intelligence would seem to have underestimated Tarr's work ethic and whilst giving him the dirty and more menial work within the organisation, he has come up with a source and some vital information to help Smiley expose the mole.

As the title reads, Smiley learns early on in the movie who the Tinker, Tailor and the Solider are. But who is the Spy? And who can he trust?

I didn't actually see the TV version of the show, and as it was a seven part series it kind of explains a lot about the film's main flaw. There seems to be too many characters and subplots put into only 2 hours of film.
You need to have your wares about you to keep up. It's filmed with a lot of flashback and forwards which are not always effective or very relevant.

There are lots of pluses though. When you get to grips with the characters and the MI6 lingo it's really gripping and tense. The acting is amazing from a strong British cast. Gary Oldman is so at ease and convincing in the role that he doesn't need to step out of second gear.
John Hurt is as enigmatic as ever but the big surprise for me was Benedict Cumberbatch (TVs new Sherlock Holmes) as Smiley's aide. He steals every scene and was obviously not intimidated by the stellar more experienced cast.
Plus he has to have to coolest name in the business nowadays!!!

Overall this a brilliantly scripted and acted film that falls short of being called perfect viewing due to an excess of vague subplots and a glut of characters.

Definitely worth the ticket price though!


Score: 8/10

Fright Night 3D

On the back of many mediocre horror remakes comes a breath of fresh air in Fright Night. An eighties cult horror movie updated with a 3D option.

Charley (Anthony Yelchin) is an average high school guy trying to break away from his nerdy past and friends, to impress his hot girlfriend Amy (Imogen Potts). Charley lives with his mum (Toni Collette) in a suburban estate with your everyday run of the mill happenings.

Charley's next door neighbour Jerry (Colin Farrell) is a mystery to Charley and his pals and they suspect after a great deal of spying that his is a vampire!
Jerry has an enigmatic presence that attracts the ladies and much to Charley's annoyance, Jerry starts to make a play for his mum.
When some of the locals and Charley's friends mysteriously disappear, Charley decides to investigate and expose Jerry using some new evidence he stumbles upon.

This proves to be a tall order as Jerry is no ordinary vampire and mere crucifixes and garlic will not suffice. He decides to contact a high profile celebrity, gothic illusionist Peter Vincent (David Tenant) to help him assist in his conquest.
Vincent has a history with vampires and surrounds himself with various vampire repellent aids, in fear of a repeat of past events.

Fright Night starts off slow but once it hits the half hour mark it never lets up, with endless tongue in cheek gags, scary scences and good effects. The 3D is a big letdown. It's fairly pointless and adds nothing to the overall experience of the film, so avoid it if you can.

All the cast are fine in their respective roles, but David Tenant is the stand out performance as the eccentric and wonderfully camp Peter Vincent.

Not for the closed minded among us, but a treat for those who like a quirky horror!


Score: 7/10

Friends With Benefits

Billed as an alternative romantic comedy, Justin Timberlake (Dylan) and Mila Kunis (Jamie) are high powered executives at the top of their career. When Jamie headhunts Dylan for a job at GQ magazine in New York, they strike up an unlikely friendship.

Both are unlucky in love and find solace in each others pitfalls. One night while they are chilling watching a DVD, they decide if they can't find a partner they at least deserve a sex life. Who better than each other to fill this void in their lives.

They decide on a no strings attached arrangement, which initially suits them.
However, in time they find that not only does the sexual side to their relationship prove to be a hit but their feelings for each other start to grow and grow.

It doesn't go as planned as they are both in denial about their feelings but when they spend some time apart, it becomes apparent that they need to bring things further.

Friends with benefits is not exactly rocket science but certainly entertains. There is good chemistry between both leading stars. The script is quite racy and some scenes are fairly explicit, which adds to the tepid plot and jazzes the movie up. This is great for the adults as both actors are easy on the eye, but I certainly wouldn't recommend bringing anyone under 16 years of age.

There are sub-plots, among them Paul's father's struggle with Alzheimer's which never really goes anywhere. Woody Harrelson has what is probably one of the worst miscast supporting roles ever, playing one of Dylan's gay colleagues. Totally unnecessary!
Much better on the acting front are Patricia Clarkson as Jamie's irresponsible, heavy drinking mother and Jenna Elfman get's some very funny one liners as Dylan's sister.

However, it's a rom com after all so it was never gonna be ground breaking. There are some laugh out loud moments, snappy dialogue and it's fast paced but I'd wait for the DVD unless you're a big fan of either of the main stars.

Overall, a mediocre night out at the cinema but a good night in on DVD!


Score: 6/10