Darkmatters Top 10 FIlms Of 2013

The Darkmatters Top Films of 2013


As we gear up for another year of cinematic spectacle in 2014, let’s recap the top 10 movies of 2013…

SO from 10 to 1 here they are... (also read on below for the amazing Tom Wade's alternative top 15!?)

10. Zero Dark Thirty

Kathryn ‘The Hurt Locker’ Bigelow’s heavy duty Homeland-esque take on the hunt for Osama bin Laden. This delivers military grade thrills that make Call of Duty look tame.

Darkmatters Review

9. Cloud Atlas

Everything is connected in this bonkers, beautiful and totally awesome cinematic experience. Three hours of top entertainment that will stir your soul, dazzle your eyes and win your heart.

Darkmatters Review

8. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

“I am fire, I am death!” Witnessing Smaug the dragon on the big screen is something every fantasy fan should do. Middle-Earth has never looked so good.

Darkmatters Review

7. Elysium

The near future wants a word with you in this is smart, gritty sci-fi movie that delivers a compelling action thrill ride and carries a good moral message at heart, too. Big guns are standard.

Darkmatters Review

6. Captain Philips

A superb exercise in taut edge-of-your-seat thrills, Tom Hanks is excellent in the lead role and the fact that it is based on real events from the recent past only serves to make it even more tense.

Darkmatters Review

5. 2 Guns

“You're my people and we have a code. You fight for the guy that's fighting next to you."

Meet Robert 'Bobby' Trench (Denzil Washington), an undercover DEA agent and Michael Stigman (Mark Wahlberg) a sharp shooting Navy Special Forces operative. Put them together and let the good times roll as they rob a bank (inadvertently stealing over $40 million of the CIA's cash) and that's when things go really nuts. Action film of the year!

Darkmatters Review

4. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

Ron Burgundy is back baby – tearing up the 24hr news desks of the early ‘80s in his own unique style. Wrong, funny and OTT Anchorman is the funniest comedy of the year by miles – approach with caution as you’ll laugh until you cry!

Darkmatters Review

3. Gravity

This incredible ‘survive-em-up’ under the careful direction of Alfonso ‘Children of Men’ Cuarón, is a masterful life and death exercise in eye-popping tension, blessed with jaw-dropping space vistas and the kind of special effects that are so good you forget that they aren’t actually real.

Darkmatters Review

2. Rush

Rush really lives up to its name, covering the exhilarating true story of how two people pushed themselves to the very edge of physical and psychological endurance in their desire to win. You don’t need to be a racing fan to love this movie where can almost smell the 1970s cologne alongside the engine fumes and burning rubber!

Darkmatters Review

1. Man of Steel

What if a film dreamed of becoming something other than what society had intended?
What if a filmmaker aspired to something greater?
The result would be a fantastic cinematic experience – it could be ‘super’ in every sense. Man of Steel is that film…
This big budget Dark Knight- influenced Superman reboot is the film I’ve been waiting for ever since I used to tuck a red towel into the back of my shirt collar as a 6-year-old. Believe!!

Darkmatters Review

Near misses:

Star Trek - Into Darkness: Review
Lincoln: Review
Stoker: Review
Kick Ass 2: Review
You’re Next: Review
Spring Breakers: Review
Iron Man 3: Review

TOM WADE's alternative list...

15.The Hobbit 2
14.Saving Mr Banks
13.Zero Dark Thirty
12.Lincoln
11.Blue Jasmine
10.Stoker
9.Frances Ha
8.Nebraska
7.Mud
6.Room 237
5.Before Midnight
4.Blue is the warmest Colour
3.Gravity
2.Captain Phillips
1.Act of Killing


What will 2014 bring?

Darkmatters Review: The Hobbit - The Desolation of Smaug

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (12a)

Dir. Peter Jackson

Reviewed by Matt Adcock
Read the Newspaper version of this review at: The Thame Gazette

“Truly songs and tales fall utterly short of your enormity, O Smaug the Stupendous...”

After last year’s fun ‘Unexpected Journey’ the Lord of the Rings prequel bursts back onto the big screen in all its Hobbity goodness for more fantasy geek action with – ‘The Desolation of Smaug.’ And just who is Smaug? Why he is none other than J. R. R. Tolkien’s great dragon (voiced and even motion captured by the excellent Benedict Cumberbatch no less).

If you haven’t seen part one, you may well be a little lost as Director Peter Jackson offers no catch up / recap – rather the hero and titular hobbit Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) is pressed immediately into action – and this time there is a lot of action!

"behold The Desolation of Smaug"

Middle-Earth has never looked so good, . This is a fully formed world with an incredibly rich history, intricate lore and a host of fantastic characters – and thanks to this being the follow-on film there is no need to waste time setting the scene.

The Hobbit 2 sees Halfling Bilbo - commissioned to be the designated burglar for a company of dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) that are on a mission to reclaim their home but who need an infamous stone which is hidden among the hoard of jewels and gold amassed by the dragon Smaug. A what a dragon he is… Best. Dragon. Ever!!

"dinner time!?"

Along the way the dwarves are hunted by an evil pack of orcs, run fouls of a mean bunch of giant spiders and are captured by the legendary wood elves. These various trials allow for some superb fights, adventures and full on action scenes – which will have your inner fantast nerd flipping out. The scenes of elves – including fan favourite Legolas who makes a welcome cameo – going all out in battle against orcs are some of the most exciting ever!

In addition there is also the awesome wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellan), who brings his trademarked gravitas to the whole proceedings as he works his magic to try and thwart the larger growing threat of a great dark power – the pay-off of which we will not see until the Lord of The Rings itself.

New characters include the ‘skin-changer’ Beorn (Mikael Persbrandt) who spends his nights as a giant bear, female battle elf Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly) – whose role wasn’t in the book and new heroic human Bard (Luke Evans).

"The 2 Guns prequel..."

The Desolation of Smaug is an all out fantasy epic which you need to see on the big screen – here’s looking forward to next year’s finale ‘Battle of the Five Armies’.

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

öööö1/2

(4.5 - I am fire, I am death!!)...

Awesomeness öööö – Elves steal the show but Smaug is magnificent!

Laughs ööö – some good funnies

Horror öö – not too nasty, orcs / spiders are a little scary for youngsters

Babes ööö – Evangeline Lilly makes elf ears sexy

Spiritual Enlightenment ööö – the road goes on forever and ever...

"She looks pretty good without the elf ears too!"

Darkmatters Review: OLDBOY

Oldboy (18)

Dir. Spike Lee

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

Read the newspaper version of this review at the Berkhamsted & Tring Gazette

“Ask not why you were imprisoned. Ask why you were set free…”

If you were imprisoned and isolated for no discernable reason for 20 years you’d likely be very very angry when finally released. Almost as angry as if someone had the cheek to remake one of the more provocative, visceral cult-classic thrillers out there and turn into a scene-by-scene exercise in badly judged tedium.

Just when you thought it was safe to venture back to the cinema in the light of some recent remakes not being rubbish, along comes Spike Lee with potentially the worst film of the year - enough to put the film going willies up you.

"slaughter anyone?"

The original Oldboy in 2003 was a kinetically charged, twisted, revenge-em-up that packed a seriously sick sting in the tail. Directed by Chan-wook Park, who made this year’s excellent Stoker, it delivered a superb Korean cinematic shock to the system. Alas the 2013 US version is equally nasty but lacks any redeeming features despite a cast including Josh ‘No Country for Old Men’ Brolin in the lead, supported by Elizabeth ‘Red Lights’ Olsen, Sharlto ‘District 9’ Copely and the mighty Samuel L. Jackson.

The grim tale features Joe Doucette (Brolin), he’s not a very nice man but before much can happen he is kidnapped and locked in solitary confinement for 20 years. With just a TV for company his days are spent watching crime, keep fit and martial arts shows, eventually spending his energy on working out and honing his body so that should he ever get the chance of revenge he could take it.

"like the box in Seven but bigger"

One day, without explanation, he is released and thus begins an obsessive quest to hunt down whoever imprisoned him. But things aren’t all they seem and as his violent odyssey for answers continues Joe discovers that the real mystery might be just why he was set free.

Most of the scenes from the original are duly recreated even the much discussed and admired comic book-esq thug battle but this is a badly lackluster effort that fails to commit to the manic over the top spirit required to pull off such a mind-bending plot.

Spike Lee is a well-accomplished director so one can only wonder at his thinking here.

Take this as a warning – there should be only one Oldboy and it’s the original – do not fall for the vapid attraction of this rank counterfeit cinematic tripe.

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

ö

(1 - no country for oldboy)...

Awesomeness öö – even the best scenes aren't as good as the original

Laughs ö – not a funny (apart from how stupid it is)

Horror öööö – nasty indeed

Babes öööö – Elizabeth Olsen is very hot

Spiritual Enlightenment ö – limited

Darkmatters: Need For Speed Rivals

Need For Speed Rivals (PS4)

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

"I feel the need...

...the need for speed!"

Yes it's the classic Top Gun quote that surely launched this driving series of games that has run across many different platforms with varying results.

Now the Need For Speed hits the PS4 and good news is that this is the definitive version without a doubt.

Welcome to Redview County, a place where the cars are fast and the mountains are alive with the sound of music but with the roar of high powered performance cars. It's a great place to drive, drift, jump and generally live out your motor fantasies in stunning HD visuals - the like of which simply have not been witnessed to date - thanks to DICE’s Frostbite 3 engine.

"The police force in NFS are well funded!"

There is a sheer visceral thrill to take an Aston Martin or Ferrari out on the open roads and stretches of motorway but beware the constant threat of the pursuit cops who are just looking to bust your ass. Of course the joy here is that you can also sign up to be a copper and take down racers by ramming them into submission.

Channelling the spirit of BURNOUT there are some very 'ohh that's got to hurt' insane speed crashes and also exciting oh-so-close you can smell the fumes near misses.

Every corner has a new challenge for you, be it a jump record to try and break or a speed camera through which to burn and set a fastest time... All the game play is tied together by the rather clever 'Autolog' which allows you to compare stats with pals, choose new opponents or just browse through the wealth of options on offer.

"speed blur standard"

The attention to detail is lovely - blasting through forests will throw a wave of leaves up in your wake but even small things like a rain shower will glisten off the road and the gleaming bodywork of your vehicle and looks so good you will likely find yourself just staring in wonder at the graphics.

So hats off to Ghost Games’ debut which brings much of the good stuff from Criterion’s last couple of NRS games. The role play bits of upgrading is here too thanks to 'Speed Points' or SP which you gain for completing races and more - and banking it before getting busted. The fear of getting caught when you're sitting on a decent haul of SP adds a great edge to playing as a racer.

Cops don't lose their SP's though so it does feel like a safer option - but it's still immensely satisfying to 'bust' racers (especially when they are actual players as opposed to AI targets). So don't be shy - jump online and enjoy some PvP play in style.

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

öööö1/2

(4.5 - racing on the PS4 is an adrenalin overload of fun!)...

"vrooom"

Darkmatters Review: RESOGUN

RESOGUN - PS4 (exclusive)

Developed by Housemarque

Reviewed by Matt Adcock (Cleric20 on PSN / @cleric20)

 ‘save the last humans’ 

The PS4 has landed - and it's lovely...

And consoles are only as good as the games - so leading the charge (for free with your PS+ trial or subscription) is a unique, visceral, fast-paced shoot-em-up...

RESOGUN does things on screen that constantly makes you go 'ooh that's cool' showing why it was made exclusively for the PS4 - the sheer amount of detail and special effects on screen as you unleash an array of devastating weaponry including lasers, missiles, bombs and a real WMD - called 'overdrive' is just jaw-dropping.

"blue light surround optional"

Gameplay-wise your mission is to blast hordes of alien enemies that come from all sides whilst trying to rescue the last humans. It is the perfectly judged 'twitch' dual stick shooter gaming that make RESOGUN an immediately easy to pick up and play and yet incredibly addictive with a killer 'just one more go' factor.

Sure you won't have the same 'size' of game as AAA titles such as Assassin's Creed, COD, Battle Field 4, Killzone Shadowfall as there isn't a single player 'campaign' beyond blasting your way through the various levels (there are only 6 at the moment but more are on the way in DLC form). But it really doesn't matter as this is a game all about honing your high score and comparing it with your friends / the world-wide leader boards.

I am old enough to remember the original arcade game 'Defender' - I really enjoyed it but was never good enough to really get much value for my 10p (it was a long time ago)... RESOGUN however comes with a nice introductory 'rookie' setting which enables you to jump ahead and play as if you're a Matrix bending Neo straight from the off.

"frantic stuff"

Manoverability is your ally in RESOGUN, your fighter craft is quipped with a nifty boost option that give off an explosive shockwave when exhausted - there is a great satisfaction in pulling off a perfectly timed boost which ends in the midst of a group of enemies who are torn apart by your blast wave...

There is much to admire about this game which comes from the makers of the sublime Super Stardust HD on PS3 - the next generation has begun in fine style and shoot-em-up fans will be very happy to find RESOGUN on the PS4. Just be warned that it's very addictive - so much so that you might well find yourself playing it on remote play on a PSVITA if you have to let anyone else use the TV!!

"things you make go 'boom' in style"

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

ööööö

(5 - shoot-em-up perfection has landed)...

Darkmatters Review: Carrie

Carrie (15)

Dir. Kimberly Peirce

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

Read the newspaper version of this review at: Thame Gazette

“Carrie had some sort of power. But she was just like me... like any of you, she had hopes, she had fears, but we pushed her. And you can only push someone so far before they break...”

We know that high school can be a grim experience for many – with the threat of bullying and the fear of being the ‘oddball’ who doesn’t fit in with the cool kids. Carrie, based on the Steven King novel taps into this deep vein of pain that anyone who has been ridiculed, hurt or picked on at school will be able to relate too.

This new version is a remake of the Brian De Palma1976 original, which is hailed by many as a modern horror classic. Director Kimberly ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ Peirce brings the tale of poor young Carrie White (played here by Chloë ‘Kick Ass’ Grace Moretz) to the screen with lots of special effects and no small amount of heart.

"She's behind you!?"

Alas it never quite manages to come across as anything other than a homage and doesn’t do enough new to make it stand out apart from some social media elements and more gruesome deaths. Having said that, Peirce’s version is a least a competent retelling, which doesn’t completely sully the good name of the original like the Texas Chainsaw or Evil Dead remakes have.

Carrie just isn’t like other girls her age thanks to her domineering religious nut of a mother Margaret White (Julianne Moore who delivers good wrathful zealot). As a Christian I have always felt that the Carrie movie portrays such an unlikeable and OTT depiction of religious fervour gone insane to the point that it becomes something to be feared. It certainly isn't like any Christians that I know and I deeply hope that no-one comes away from the original or the remake with the impression that 'all Christians are like that'!?

"pool trauma"

Outcast and bullied Carrie’s life is pretty unbearable but unlike most people who get victimised, she has the gift of telekinesis and when tricked and humiliated at the school prom –she unleashes bloody vengeance on a biblical scale.

Lead bitch bully duty falls to the Chris (Portia Doubleday) who leads the school class in an malicious taunting of Carrie and then aided and abetted by her dodgy older boyfriend Billy (Alex ‘Chronicle’ Russell) set up to humiliate Carrie even more at the prom.

"car-nage"

Also involved is Sue Snell (Gabriella Wilde) who tries to atone for her part in the attack by making her popular boyfriend Tommy (Ansel Elgort) invite Carrie to the prom, thus inadvertently setting up the climatic finale.

This version went down well with my teenage son and his girlfriend and delivers a good looking spooky revenge-em-up but for a deeper insight into the tale you should still really seek out the original.

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

ööö

(3 - what a Carrie on!?)...

Awesomeness ööö – some good scenes (most of the ones from the original)

Laughs ö – not a comedy

Horror ööö – gets nicely nasty in places

Babes ööö – Wilde, Doubleday and Moretz all scrub up ok

Spiritual Enlightenment öö – the devil keeps returning and must be defeated

"locker room bullies"

"Wilde"

Darkmatters Review: Hunger Games Catching Fire

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (12a)

Dir. Frances Lawrence

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

Read the newspaper version of this review at: The Hemel Gazette

“I want you to forget everything you think you know about the games. Last year was child's play. This year, you're dealing with all experienced killers.”

The life and death Hunger Games are back on the big screen and this time the stakes have been raised even higher – thanks to Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) managing to win the 74th Games along with fellow ‘tribute’ Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson).

"on fire..."

Alas by winning means that the two victors are now pawns of the corrupt President Snow (Donald Sutherland) who wants to use them to try and quell a rising potential rebellion.

So Katniss and Peeta are dispatched on a Victor's Tour of the districts but when the people start to see Katniss as a hero to rally behind, the Capitol prepare to get rid of her by making the 75th Annual Hunger Games – a ‘Quarter Quell’ - a special event where the previous winners must now fight to the death.

With the odds stacked against Katniss by President Snow and a new devious Games creator in post, Plutarch (Philip Seymour Hoffman), this Hunger Games may well change the future of Panem forever.

"tributes - ready!"

Catching Fire is slickly put together and directed by Frances ‘I Am Legend’ Lawrence and I’ve been told by fans that it adheres very closely to Suzanne Collins’ bestselling novel that it is based on.

Jennifer Lawrence has made the role of Katniss her own – and she’s ably supported by the eclectic range of other contestants that include Finnick (Sam Claflin), Johanna (Jena Malone) and Beetee (Jeffrey Wright) to name but a few.

There are some great special effects balanced with enough threat to stop the film feeling entirely for teens. It could have probably done more justice to the brutal elements if given a higher certificate but the director has managed to squeeze a lot of grimness out of the 12a – so it isn’t for those youngsters that are easily disturbed.

"notice the subtle fire imagery"

The film flies past even though it is over two hours long as you get caught up in the political power plays as well as the gruesome Games themselves. Catching Fire being the middle book of the trilogy means that it ends mid action which will frustrate some but does mean that you’ll very likely want to come back and see how it all ends in the obligatory two film adaptation of the final book.

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

öööö

(4 - a good continuation)...

Awesomeness öööö – fairly tasty in places

Laughs öö – not much comedy

Horror ööö – a bit brutal (but not really enough)

Babes öö – Garner is good in the lead

Spiritual Enlightenment öö – revolution baby!

"premier launch - not so much catching fire as catching cold!?"

PS4 takes London... UK Countdown

"press x to continue"

Darkmatters PS4 countdown to the UK launch...

Matt Adcock

After seeing the US blow the doors off the whole console launch thing with over a million PS4's being sold in one day - we're now fast approaching the UK (and wider Euro) launch. LINK

Nice to see SONY lighting up the London sky with their iconic PlayStation controller symbols on teh OXO tower! Also interesting to see England's future king tipping the PS4 as the console of choice: HRH wants a PS4

If you've not already checked the awesome '4 The Players' videos then do WATCH THEM HERE

Here's the UK TV advert which is packed full of PlayStation Easter Eggs:




Plus you should really check out this SIZZLE vid which includes taster footage from The Order, inFAMOUS Second Son, Drive Club, Kingdom Hearts, War Thunder, War Frame, AC4, Killzone Shadowfall, Knack, Elder Scrolls Online and more...



Later this week Darkmatters will be attending an cool screening of our favourite movie DRIVE at the awesome Den of Geek's Need for Speed: Rivals launch party!

G R E A T N E S S   A W A I T S   (but we won't have to wait for much longer)!!

Darkmatters Review: The Counsellor

The Counsellor (18)

Dir. Ridley Scott

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

Read the newspaper version of this review HERE

“I suspect that we are ill-formed for the path we have chosen.

Ill-formed and ill-prepared. We would like to draw a veil over all the blood and terror that have brought us to this place.

It is our faintness of heart that would close our eyes to all of that, but in so doing it makes of it our destiny... But nothing is crueler than a coward, and the slaughter to come is probably beyond our imagining...”

The Counsellor (Counselor if you’re American) is not alas the exposé life story of a UK Counsellor such as Kirsty Annable who I work with – but rather a dark, violent crime-and-punishment high stakes thriller. Ok, maybe not that different then!?

"The LST Counselling Dept's staff day out..."

Esteemed Brit director Ridley ‘Gladiator’ Scott brings his trademark visual flair to the screen with this the heavy-duty original screenplay by Cormac McCarthy. Blessed with a stunning triple A cast led by Michael ‘Prometheus’ Fassbender as a hotshot lawyer, only referred to as "counsellor" throughout the movie, he’s head over heals in love with Laura (Penélope Cruz still sizzlingly hot) who he plans to marry.

Unfortunately this counsellor has got himself into a bit of pickle financially and is gambling everything on a potentially life changing Colombian drug deal that could make him close to $20million. But with great potential wealth comes massive risk – drug cartels not being people to cross.

"Do you want to talk about your feelings?"

Also on hand are Reiner (Javier ‘Skyfall’ Bardem) who lives a very lavish lifestyle from ill-gotten gains, Malkina (Cameron Diaz ) his glamorous but untrustworthy girlfriend, and slightly dodgy adviser Westray (Brad Pitt).

Just how far the counsellor has drifted from any sense of normality or safety is clear as soon as the shipment he is banking on is stolen. What follows is a compelling narrative and dialogue heavy descent into ultra-violence and paranoia. The few action scenes are sparingly used but they pack a serious punch – especially one character death on the streets of London that will stay with you long after the credits role.

"Death follows"

Cruz and Diaz bring counter balancing sexiness – with one playing the good woman and the other ungodly evil. Bardem and Pitt add decent scenery but The Counsellor is all about Fassbender who eats up every scene in some style.

This isn’t a film for everyone – it’s brutal and offensive in places but at heart it’s a meaty and thought provoking ‘crime does not pay’ cautionary tale.

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

ööö1/2

(3.5 - Sin is a choice - but the wages of sin is death)...

Awesomeness öööö – grissly, hard action in places

Laughs ööö – darkly comic in places

Horror öööö – gets grim and offensive too

Babes öööö – Cruz and Diaz are backed up by Natalie 'Margaery Tyrell' Dormer

Spiritual Enlightenment -öö – evil has consequences

"Dormer helps The Counselor chose some stockings - this scene is from the trailer and not used in the movie itself"

PS4 Sales Figures Released - ONE MILLION on DAY ONE!!

One Million PS4s in 24hrs!

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today announced that the highly anticipated launch of the PlayStation®4 (PS4™) computer entertainment system resulted in 1 million units sold through during the first 24 hours after it became available on November 15, 2013 in the United States and Canada.

Darkmatters asked Andrew House, President and Group CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. to comment but he too busy rolling around in a monster pile of money, when pressed though he said:

"The PS4 was designed with an unwavering commitment to gamers, and we are thrilled that consumer reaction has been so phenomenal. Sales remain very strong in North America, and we expect continued enthusiasm as we launch the PlayStation 4 in Europe and Latin America on November 29. We are extremely grateful for the passion of PlayStation fans and thank them for their continued support."

If you want to put the PS4 launch into context - the PS3 sold c197,000 units in two weeks when it hit the U.S. in 2006...

This makes the PS4 the biggest console launch of all time - and it's only just begun. Last night (16th Nov) there were almost a quarter of a million PS4 players in online playing Call of Duty: Ghosts.

"Tasty"

In two weeks the PS4 rolls out across Europe (Matt Adcock will be there for the midnight launch) - can the Eruo's bring in similar number of units at launch?

And then in February 2014 the PS4 hits Japan.

Looks like Greatness is happening - and gamers the world over are choosing PlayStation...

It's FOR THE PLAYERS

Darkmatters Review: GRAVITY

Gravity (12a)

Dir. Alfonso Cuarón

Reviewed by Matt Adcock
Read the newspaper version of this review in the Banbury Guardian

‘Houston, do you read me? I have a bad feeling about this mission…’

Mission Control: ‘Please elaborate.’

‘Well, it looks like the Russians have inadvertently caused a space incident due to the wreckage from one of their satellites is heading in our direction… All I see now are clear skies – just with a chance of satellite debris!?’

Welcome to the saviour of 3D cinema – a literally ‘out of this world’ thrill ride that sees brilliant medical engineer Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) on her first shuttle mission. The problem is, thanks to a disastrous emergency the envelops her and her team which includes veteran astronaut commander Matt Kowalski (George Clooney), this might very well also be her last ever mission.

So ‘survive-em-up’ Gravity, under the careful direction of Alfonso ‘Children of Men’ Cuarón, is a masterful life and death exercise in eye-popping tension. Blessed with jaw-dropping space visages and the kind of special effects that are so good you forget that they aren’t actually real.

"kick back and enjoy the view?"

Watching Stone and Kowalski facing the truly nightmare scenario of being alone and tethered to nothing but each other as they spiral out into the blackness of space is so incredibly tense that you have to keep reminding yourself every now and then to breath.

And breathing is key to the existence of the two space farers as they face a constant battle to maintain oxygen levels in the oppressive cold dark vacuum. Watching them having to risk everything to grasp even the smallest chance of survival is seriously gripping viewing.

There is a winning chemistry between Clooney and Bullock which helps suck you in to caring about their fates, and there are some nice nods to other sci-fi films in places.

"oops"

Both the lead actors are on career best form but the real ‘stars’ of the film are the stunning views of outer space. Never before have lens-flare and solar halo light-bursts been so effortlessly committed to the screen. Gravity might fill the foreground with raw human emotion but plays out the survivalist plot against a background of the most incredible starscapes.

Oh and about the 3D - I’m no fan of most 3D films but Cuarón has created a film that demands to be seen not just in 3D but also on the biggest screen you can get to.

Remember - In space, no one can hear you biting your nails…

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

öööö1/2

(4.5 - stylish space tension that will leave you breathless)...

Awesomeness öööö – high velocity disaster

Laughs ö – couple of funny lines

Horror öö – tense rather than horrible

Babes öö – Bullock channels Sigorny Weaver and Barbarella at points

Spiritual Enlightenment ööö – the will to survive is strong

"no gravity"

Darkmatters Review: Thor The Dark World

Thor: The Dark World (12a)

Dir. Alan Taylor

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

Read the newspaper version of this review here: THAME GAZETTE


“Some believe that before the universe, there was nothing. They're wrong. There was darkness... and it has survived.”

Desperate times are afoot as in the aftermath of Avengers Assemble and Iron Man 3, earth and all the 9 realms are faced with an enemy that even Odin and the forces of Asgard cannot withstand… So it’s up to the hunky Thor (Chris Hemsworth) to step up and embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet – to face down a challenge so great he’ll even need to team up with his highly untrustworthy half brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston).

Thor: The Dark World brings a new baddie into play - Christopher Eccleston's dark elf leader Malakith who has a plan to plunge the entire universe into darkness. As luck would have it though, sexy earth scientist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) has managed to get herself possessed by the very freakish energy known as ‘Aether’ that Malakith is after to fulfill his wishes.

"things are looking up..."

Cue Thor and Loki going all out to try and save not just the universe but Foster’s cute butt in particular!? Demi Gods eh?

This being a Marvel Phase 2 film, the production values are superb – with action set pieces that feel fresh and deliver the requisite thrills plus a decent amount of humour keeps the whole film fun and light hearted.

As a Brit it is especially cool to see Thor battling dark elves on the streets of London, plus there are some great laugh out loud incidental pleasures such as Thor getting the tube and having to ask how many stops to take, or politely hanging up his hammer on a coat hook when invited in to a London flat.

"tasty"

Alan ‘Game of Thrones’ Taylor takes over the directing duties from Kenneth Branagh and Joss Whedon and proves adept at bringing exciting super combat to the big screen. Hiddleston as Loki steals the show with his excellent acting but it’s no wonder as he is given some juicy fun elements to play with including transforming into one of Thor’s Avengers pals, just to mock him.

Hemsworth might not be the best actor in the world but he sure looks the part… For the female comic book fans there is even a slow-motion scene of him washing topless!?

"brotherly love"

The rest of the cast do well with the fantasy material, Stellan Skarsgård is noteworthy as comic relief as Dr Eric Selvig and it’s always nice to see Kat Dennings.

My esteemed pal Tom Wade was moved to poetry by Thor: The Dark World... Apologies in advance but it goes like this:

I saw Thor, it wasn't a bore,

it's got beards on jaw, a chiseled core,

you will not snore, it's really top drawer,

Marvels' word is law...

It goes on but you probably get the gist!?

Overall this Thor sequel is a comic book joy that all Avenger fans should see!

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

öööö

(4 - as Empire mag said 'Thor out of Thive')...

Awesomeness öööö – nothing but a good time

Laughs ööö – some great comedy touches

Horror öö – not really grim (enough?)

Babes öööö – Portman is yummy, but so are Dennings and Jaimie Alexander

Spiritual Enlightenment ööö – comic book deity delight

"Alexandra the great"