Film Review: Madagascar

Madagascar (U)
Dir. Eric Darnell & Tom McGrath

Reviewed by Matt Adcock


See the majestic lion Alex – surely he is a sight to behold. Watch in wonder at how the king of beasts stalks his prey, marvel at how he erm, seems to like his steaks served to him on a platter and at how he’s now having a laugh with what I thought was his prey but it fact turns out to be his best mate – a Zebra named Marty… Things aren’t running according to their natural order here - these animals obviously weren't born in the wild... But they are about to get shipped there!
Madagascar is the latest CGI animation funfest from Dreamworks (home of both Shrek and Shark Tale) and whilst it might be absolute lightweight nonsense – it delivers a fun couple of hours for kids and adults alike. Ben Stiller has a lot of fun playing Alex the lion, he’s the main attraction at New York City Zoo, his every need is catered for and he’s lost his killer instinct. His best friend Marty (Chris Rock) however is hankering to know what it would be like to live in the wild and gets chance to find out thanks to a mad cap botched escape attempt involving some scene stealing psychotic penguins. So Marty, Alex and their friends Melman the neurotic Giraffe (David Schwimmer) plus Gloria the sassy Hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith) are marooned on the mental lemur infested island Madagascar. And there is lots of fun to be had watching the jokes, pratfalls and obligatory film references – look out for the excellent Chariots of Fire reunion and the American Beauty ‘steak’ dream. Also on hand is British comic Sacha Baron Cohen (Ali G) who’s insanely over the top ‘king of the lemurs’ is a great counter foil to the NYC animals. Watching them discover the meaning of what it means to be ‘carnivore’ or as Marty asks Alex at one point: “Why are you biting my butt?” is great ‘food for thought’…
OK, the animation isn’t going to win any awards and it’s a shame but at no point does Madagascar reach the glorious humorous heights of the Shrek series but surely only a truly bitter, wretched person could possibly not enjoy the antics of these overly domesticated “wild” animals…
Remember – it’s a jungle out there – and it’s waiting for you at your local cinema.


Darkmatt Rating: ööö (all age 'wild' fun)

Reviews of other films and stuff you might want to read indexed here

Film Review: Dark Water

"FFS can't you use the toilet like everybody else!?"

Dark Water (15)
Dir. Walter Salles

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

Yes it’s another of those freaky Japanese horror movies reworked for the Western market but Dark Water is a prime cut above The Ring et al. Boosted immensely by having the gorgeous Jennifer Connelly in the lead role – Dark Water is a slow burning mystery that amps up the freakiness towards the bitter end. Yes Dark Water doesn’t cop out with an unbelievable feel good ‘happy ending’ – this is a malevolent head squeezing exercise in unnerving the audience and it works a treat.

OK so there aren’t many ‘jump out of your seat’ moments but it’s not that type of film. Dark Water is more likely to make you start to look around nervously, check for any shadowy areas on your ceiling and basically never ever investigate weird cases of missing children…

So, single mother Dahlia (Connelly) moves with daughter Ceci (Ariel Gade) to a grim apartment complex on Roosevelt Island – can’t think how I missed checking this hellhole out when visiting NYC last year!?

Things start to go ‘bump’ in the night and it quickly becomes clear that they are ‘not alone’ in their squalid new abode – or is Dahlia losing it? One thing is for sure – there is evil black water dripping from the ceiling and a definite sound of footsteps in the deserted apartment above… This cues up some nasty flashback scenes and plenty of genuinely unpleasant moments of tension.

The supporting cast are good too - including Tim Roth as a lawyer who operates out of his car and Pete Postlethwaite as the building’s Scooby Doo type of dodgy janitor who may know more than he’s letting on about the missing little girl… John C. Reilly though steals his scenes as a complete bastard of an estate agent, he’s a sleazeball dirtbag of the highest order to whom who bullsh*te is a way of life…

Dark Water is for those out there looking for some above average mysterious goings on…

And I’m not kidding about the ending…

Darkmatt Rating: ööö (a worthy freak out)

Reviews of other films and stuff you might want to read indexed here

"JC's still 'doing it' for me"

Jessica Alba: "Fantastic" Interview coming soon!!

The lovely Jessica Alba as 1. Sue Storm / Invisible Woman

and 2. some random Babe in a Swimsuit...

Just got the call today that Jessica Alba will be making herself available to me in a week or so's time... So however the new Fantastic Four movie turns out - I'm already looking forward to meeting the Invisible Girl herself (I think she's bringing the rest of her super 4some with her too but I think it's pretty clear who I'm most stoked about meeting!!

Reviews of other films and stuff you might want to read indexed here

London Bombs: Darkmatt not dead!!

Despite the efforts of whoever was responsible for the cowardly, unjustifiable attacks on London this morning - I'm still alive. For that I am extremely grateful, but equally sobered that if I had been 20 mins earlier then I would have got hit by one of the underground attacks on the Tube...

It makes you think, at least it made me think - in particular it made me give thanks to God and marvel that sometimes it's worth being that little bit late.

My prayers are with those injured and their families.

Film Review: War of the Worlds

"we are no longer masters of our planet"

War of the Worlds (12a)

Reviewed by Matt Adcock


Run for your lives… Big mean metallic alien killing machines are coming this way – in fact they’ve already been sighted in Luton!! Actually – if you haven’t already left you may as well forget about running – you’ll just die tired. These aliens are seriously tooled up, their massive war tripods have evil destruction beams that disintegrate you on contact, plus they have tentacles, which grab people and sling them into their holding pens. If you’re unlucky enough to be caught, there are seriously unpleasant things on the way in your future (unless the thought of having your insides forcefully sucked out appeals?).
All in all it’s looking pretty bleak for us humans and to make matters worse; the firepower of our entire armed forces has so far failed to even scratch the invaders. Where’s Will Smith when you need him eh?
But War of the Worlds is not about plucky human wisecracking heroes rising to the challenge and kicking alien butt. This is a bleak, terrifying survival tale set against the backdrop of $200million dollars of premium alien onslaught. Director Spielberg is on top form – where a lesser director might have been so enraptured with the awesome alien battle machines that he’d pack loving close ups of them into every shot – here we get to see just enough to instill their very real threat, yet not so much that they lose their mystique. War of the Worlds is at heart a very ‘human’ story, which asks the question – what would you do to survive?
Tom Cruise delivers one of his best ever roles as Ray Ferrier, a father who’s managed to alienate his family (cute daughter Dakota Fanning who turns in a stellar ‘wide eyed terrified’ performance, and Justin Chatwin who epitomises teenage slacker rebellion). Ferrier is a bad dad, selfish obsessed and juvenile but when faced with having to try and protect his children from the unstoppable threat of the unfriendly ETs – we get to see him find some kind of resolve and redemption that can give us all hope.
The action is nerve shredding in the way that makes you shout out loud at the screen – there are some spectacular shots you’ll never forget – highway bridges torn apart, ferries tipped over and battalions of alien tripods systematically exterminating people, to name but a few. War of the Worlds is so much more than just another summer blockbuster – it’s a classic retelling of a classic tale – run, don’t walk to the nearest cinema and check it out for yourself!


Darkmatt Rating: öööö (essential viewing)

Reviews of other films and stuff you might want to read indexed here

U2 Vertigo Tour: Cardiff - city of blinding lights

"Oh U2 look so beautiful tonight... in the city of blinding lights"

click here to see my photos from the gig

- Time...time...time...time...time

Won't leave me as I am

But time won't take the boy out of this man...

I have shared 13 of my wife's 34 Birthdays to date, but this year's is going to be hard to top...U2 and The Killers at The Millenium Stadium - and man it was an awesome show!!

The Killers are a band that we Adcock's love a lot, and it was great to finally see them strut their stuff in the flesh, but great as they were, they were only the tasty appetisers compared with the pleasure sensory overload that seeing U2 at their best delivered...

- Neon heart, day-glow eyes

A city lit by fireflies

They're advertising in the skies

For people like us

U2 have such a fantastic catalogue of material to call upon for a gig, but this set list was a cracker - check these highlights: Vertigo/ I Will Follow/ New Year's Day/ Beautiful Day/ City Of Blinding Lights/ Miracle Drug/ Sunday Bloody Sunday/ Bullet The Blue Sky/ Pride (In The Name Of Love)/ Zoo Station/ The Fly/ With Or Without You...

- The more you know the less you feel

Some pray for what others steal

Blessings are not just for the ones who kneel... luckily

Apologies to those who got garbled mobile phone calls from the show - some of the moments in that stadium just had to be shared. Massive thanks and love to B&T for such a cool day... I will never forget the lightshow - there are images burnt into my subconcious and I know that I'll always have a special place in my heart for City of Blinding Lights which has some of my favourite U2 lyrics ever... as you might have noticed in this post...

- The more you see the less you know
The less you find out as you go
I knew much more then than I do now

I’ve seen you walk unafraid...

click here to see my photos from the gig

Book Review: The Universe Next Door - Marcus Chown

The Universe Next Door
Marcus Chown

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

Einstein said "The most incomprehensible thing about the universe,

is that it is comprehensible..."

Marcus Chown might not be Einstein but he's certainly game at having a crack at explaining some of the newest ideas from cosmology scientists and their type. In The Universe Next Door you get 12 "mind blowing" ideas such as 'Could time run backwards?' 'Can we live forever?' 'Are there multiple realities playing out all possible alternative histories?' 'Have I left reason town on the last train to loony-von-making-this-sh*t-up-ville?'

Some of the ideas stretch the imagination - others make you shake your head and mutter 'nutbag' under your breath but all of them are worth reading if you're even remotely interested in the origin of our planet, time, space etc...

Sample paragraph: "Humanity is unlikely to be alone in making this decision. For if, as Harrison suggests, our Universe was designed by life specifically so that it would give rise to life, then it is likely that other intelligences in other galaxies will sooner or later face a similar dilemma. Which prompts a rather obvious question. Where are the other intelligences? So far, we know of only one example of biology: our own."

Darkmatt Rating: ööö (interesting but wacky)

"Chown auditions for a part in Dark Water II"

Reviews of other books, films and stuff you might want to read indexed here

KING KONG TRAILER: is AWESOME!!

He's big, he's hairy and if you want to see him doing his thing - check the KONG trailer which went online yesterday...

kingkongmovie

Mmmmm, tasty!!

Film Review: A Lot Like Love

A Lot Like Love (12a)
Dir Nigel Cole

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

You know what they say… “There's nothing better than a great romance... to ruin a perfectly good friendship.” Man, not to mention wreck this latest romantic comedy too…
A Lot Like Love really should come with the following health warning: ‘Caution: this film may contains scenes that you find seriously dull. If you feel nauseous at any point whilst watching this steamingly unfunny, coma inducing turkey, well, you only really have yourself to blame.’
I’ve really tried to work out why A Lot Like Love didn’t work for me and the list of faults I compiled was long, distinguished and much more fun than watching the film, which can’t be a good thing?
Firstly – the main couple Oliver (Ashton ‘Dude where’s my acting career?’ Kutcher) and Emily (Amanda ‘cute / odd looking / cute depending on the hairstyle’ Peet) simply do not generate enough voltage between them to make you care if they end up together.
Secondly – the so-called ‘funny’ bits just aren’t very funny… And finally, seeing as the two leads sleep with each other before the credits have barely finished rolling there’s no ‘will they won’t they?’ dynamic which can at least give the film a tiny measure of suspense…
Director Nigel ‘Calendar Girls’ Cole obviously thinks he’s making a ‘When Harry Met Sally’ update, but he’s miles off target.
You know you’re not enjoying a film if the highlight is when your friend Mim accidentally flicks her ice cream spoon across the cinema and it’s more amusing than anything you’ve seen on screen… (She didn’t like the film either in case you were wondering).
Still, here’s a quick plot overview – a boy meets the girl of his dreams, but she is actually an alien killing machine sent to earth to destroy us all. Somehow he develops awesome super powers and battles the sexy alien killer in a series of spectacular scenes the likes of which may never be matched ever again on the big screen… Erm, sorry, that was my daydream, A Lot Like Love is actually about a goofy boy who meets a quirky girl, they get it on, then spend 7 years in different relationships but can’t forget about each other… he starts selling nappies on the internet, she gets engaged but maybe they will end up together anyway? Oh please, a better name for this film would be ‘A Lot Like Tedium’ – remember you don’t have to go and see this – you do have a choice!

Darkmatt Rating: ö (a lot like bollox?)

Reviews of other films and stuff you might want to read indexed here

Darkmatters Fiction: Victim Marker and Darkmatter

Darkmatters

by Matt Adcock

Senior Scientific Officer Goldiing takes to the floor of the halls of debate in the GOV parliament battle fortress's recently extended 'Deathmask Blair' wing. In attendance is the Grand Information Controller Manu Doyyle and several information and guard bots from various envoys including Razour's.

A record beam fires up and bathes Goldiing in its eerie blue glow. Goldiing looks uncomfortable and strangely 'alien' with the beam reflecting from his polished head.
"If I may begin? Please forgive me if this is overly basic but as I understand it, I have been asked to outline the co-relation between my work on the Victim Marker bio weapon programme and the Dark Matter study taking place by the L2DMC. From the data kindly made available by the DMC, I can tell you that despite our best attempts to discover exactly what our universe is made up of, we have still to determine the make up of over 90% of the 'matter' out there. This has led to us coining the phrase 'Dark Matter' in order to describe this mass - which cannot be detected using our existing technology because it simply fails to emit any light at all. Basically if this 'stuff' cannot be seen directly, why should we believe that it exists? Well, I'm no astro-physicist, but I know that its presence is inferred indirectly from the motions of astronomical objects, specifically stellar, galactic, and galaxy cluster/supercluster observations. And in addition, potential Dark Matter 'candidates' are often split into two broad categories - Hot Dark Matter (Baryonic) and Cold Dark Matter (Non-Baryonic) - these determined on their 'likely' respective masses and speeds."

Doyyle intervenes: "Officer Goldiing, please can we get to the point?"

"Erm, yes, apologies Controller, of course. Well, my access to the L2DMC's arcuter (which as you're probably aware was commissioned with an extensive study into the central surface brightness distribution of galaxies in the maxx csex~2 range) allowed me to presuppose what an isotope linked to Hot Dark Matter (HDM) might consist of. Without being too technical about it, this form of HDM isotope is a chemical element whose nuclei have similar atomic numbers to a high probability magnet projection, but totally different atomic masses. This was how I isolated its unique form and mapped to it the genetically created, concentrated fear and rage pheromone - 'IcKIL'. The resulting 'super isotope' is not only a miracle of existence because it is the first physical evidence that Dark Matter can exist in reality. But also of potential significant military use under the Victim Marker programme."

"Officer Goldiing - I think you need to speak in simpler terms please. I'm not sure that I'm following your working here..."

"Thank you, I will... In the simplest terminology I can use...

I have created an isotope made of Hot Dark Matter.

It can be used to 'mark' an individual creature or human without their knowledge - and any creature 'marked' with the isotope immediately becomes a victim or target inasmuch as every living thing that they go near will react to the isotopes' IcKIL infection and attack them.

They will not stop until the victim is dead, torn apart, mutilated and in many cases the attackers will eat parts of the victim and / or smear their body parts over their faces in a frenzy of unstoppable bloodlust!!

It is the perfect weapon - it could make you kill me right now and you wouldn't even know why you were doing it!

Ha, imagine, live on record beam you would rip me limb from limb!"

Two guardbots move to restrain Goldiing as he wildly gestures a stabbing motion, the madness in his eyes unnerving.

The Information Controller, looking slightly shaken even behind his powersuit says: "Ah, thank you Officer Goldiing. If I may just clarify one point?"

The scientist turns slowly to look Doyyle in the eye - his stare is cold and unhinged, his voice drops to a guttural growl: "What the fick could be clearer than what I just told you? Do you want to see a live demonstration?"

Now visibly unnerved and sweating Doyyle continues: "So, err, I am right in saying that you have 'created' an element of Dark Matter for this lab based 'weapons programme of yours' - whilst the L2DMC, with their unlimited funding and every cutting edge technology we have are still searching in vain for even a concrete acknowledgement from their machines that Dark Matter exists?"

Goldiing smiles: "See, looks like you were listening."

"Ah, are you absolutely sure it's Dark Matter that you have made? I mean, not to be a stickler but we really don't know what Dark Matter is..."

"Shut - your - fucking - mouth - you - dumb - asshole!
I know, and I have some in my lab, maybe you should err, accompany me there and I'll show it to you?"

Other extracts from Darkmatters indexed here

Hell Fire... It's Ghost Rider

"Um, excuse me mate, I think your head is on fire!"

One of my earliest memories is of having a flaming 'demon headed' motorbike riding Ghost Rider model... Which is a little odd when you consider that I was brought up in strict Christian home - but hey... So it is fair to say that I'm more than a little interested to see how the new film starring Nic Cage as Ghost Rider / Johnny Blaze will turn out next year - and this first look at the rider himself does look pretty cool!

If you don't know much about Ghost Rider he's some background - he first appeared in Marvel Spotlight #5 in 1972. Ghost Rider was created when stunt biker Johnny Blaze made a pact with the devil to save a friend's life (as you do). The devil obviously isn't the type to be trusted and he screws Johnny over but makes him complete his side of the bargain and merges his soul with Zarathos, who's an angry demon, which most would consider to be a bad thing...

Anyway - this new fusion allowed Johnny to become a hellfire-charged, flaming skulled Ghost Rider who had the ability to morph his motorbike out of hellfire, and shoot blasts of hellfire which burned only the soul of the target. He rode across the country, seeking vengeance for murdered innocents by night, while living as Blaze during the day.

And if you really want to know - the demon was finally trapped in a Soul Crystal with another villain named Centurious which freed Johnny Blaze to ride off into the sunset....

Film reviews and stuff you might want to read indexed here

War of the Worlds - stunning visual artwork!!

"With Envious Eyes They Watched And Slowly Drew Their Plans Against Us..."

And next week we'll get to see how much full scale mankind butt kicking a $200million budget buys in the hands of Steven Spielberg... Oh yes... But remember: They've been planning this for a million years. And these are only the first. They'll keep coming.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

"Nice teaser poster - especially like the tagline"

This year Hogwarts will play host to a legendary event: the Triwizard Tournament. During which time a single student gets to represent his or her school in a series of magical contests. Eternal glory awaits the student who wins the tournament, but before that there is something almost too terrible to contemplate and it all starts to make sense when you see this latest photo from the film which shows the 'full horror' that Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire will unleash upon the world...


"Harry and his mates have become moody teenagers!!"

But there is a glimmer of hope... At least it appears that Hermione scrubs up okay (or as my 8 year old son Luke told me "she looks nice dad") - see below.

Lets just hope that the film delivers because Goblet of Fire was my favourite book so far and has bags of potential to be a nice appetiser before we all bow before the mighty Aslan of Narnia!!

"don't call me the queen of Naboo..."

Film reviews and stuff you might want to read indexed here

God loves a faithful film reviewer...

"verse for the day"

Loved this sign generator - try it for yourself by clicking the title of this post!

X Men 3... Nice poster

"Is it going to be 3rd time unlucky for Cyclops?"

I love this X Men 3 teaser poster - Wolverine's claws used to perfect effect, and despite Bret 'Rush Hour' Ratner being the new director I'm still looking forward to this next year.

One of the main reasons is that I've read some interesting rumours about plans to kill off one or more of the major characters - and I have to say right away that I LIKE IT when major characters get killed off - it makes me happy (even if I loved the character) to see writers who are prepared to show that anyone can get taken out...

The 'invincible hero' syndrome is fine for long running franchises like James Bond where he's an institution - although imagine how cool it would be if they one day killed him off? But in this world of prequels (Star Wars), resurrections (Elektra) and alternative version remakes that pay no attention to previous films (The Punisher) etc characters are never fully out of the game.

Just wait till you get your hands on the finished DARKMATTERS novel… Major character deaths are guaranteed!!

Matt Adcock meets Katie Holmes

Matt Adcock meets Katie Holmes


The ballroom of the Dorchester Hotel in London has been turned into a dark, gothic London skyline – Big Ben stands proud against and orange sky, which is all but obscured by a huge cloud of bats. I get to quickly munch a bat logo shaped ‘batcookie’ whilst waiting for Katie Holmes – who plays tough talking, no nonsense Assistant District Attorney Rachel Dawes in Batman Begins.

So, Were you a fan of Batman before doing Batman Begins?

Katie: I grew up watching the movies and saw re-runs of the television show. I didn’t read the comic books as a little girl. That was the extent of my familiarity.

And what did you think of the previous films?

Katie: Did I like them? Yeah! I was so excited to be a part of this movie. It’s a great role; in fact it’s an honour to be in such a massive movie like this.

What did you like about the character of Rachel?

Katie: I really enjoyed playing her; I loved her strength and her integrity. She is very hard on Bruce (Wayne), because she can’t understand why her best friend isn’t more concerned about the crime and corruption that are overtaking Gotham City.

(Matt: Obviously she doesn’t know what he’s getting up to at night!)

Katie: At one point she says to Bruce “it’s not who you are underneath, but what you do that defines you.” That line defines who she is – the type of person that wants to make the world a better place.

There has been a massive amount of media attention about your love life recently, how are you coping with it all?

Katie: I am so happy right now. I’m in love. I met the man of my dreams and I couldn’t be happier. I met Tom (Cruise) and I fell in love...what can I say? The media reaction, all that stuff...I really don’t care.

So, are you thinking of getting into Scientology like Tom is?

Katie: Yes, I am and I’m excited about it.

How about maybe starring in a movie with Tom?

Katie: No there aren’t any plans right now. It would be an honour.

Finally, I heard that you might be considering the part of Wonder Woman… Is that true?

Katie: Well I have nothing to report progress wise on that role but she is a ‘wonderful’ character! I was part of the majority of little girls that loved Wonder Woman.

And so with a great mental picture of Katie in the Wonder Woman costume, I leave, but not before having a quick go on the new Batman Begins Playstation 2 game, picking up my batbag of goodies and a chocolate brownie which has the bat logo cut into it. Warner Brothers are certainly pulling out all the stops to promote this film and I’m pleased report that Batman Begins is a stunning return to form for the Bat franchise, enjoy!!

Earlier post about meeting Katie Holmes

Film Review Batman Begins

My film reviews and stuff you might want to read indexed here

King Kong - First Shot of KONG Himself!!

"8th wonder of the world"

Here he is... Peter Jackson's KONG and from the promo card shot above he looks cool!

I'm excited about seeing the big ape on the big screen and am looking forward to some serious dino fighting, blonde grabbing, skyscraper scaling high jinks come December 14th... I might go and see King Kong too!?

Reviews of other films and stuff you might want to read indexed so click it if you want...

Matt Adcock - The Movie

This is fun... enough respect to Rachel W for the link!!

I swear I don't know why, but apparently my life would make an 18 rated film...

My life has been rated:
Created by bart666

Try it and let me know how you get on...

Click here to find out what your rating is!

Film Review: Mr. & Mrs. Smith

"Sexy people with guns... yes please!!"


Mr. & Mrs. Smith (15)
Dir. Doug Liman

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

I love my wife. She’s sexy, cool, fun to be with and a great mother to our children… But if I were assigned by the top-secret assassination agency that I work for to put a bullet in her lovely head, would I do it? And perhaps more importantly – would she ‘off’ me if it turned out that she too was a highly trained hitman rather than the Children’s Work Director for Stopsley Baptist Church?

Anyway, this is the situation facing the sexist on screen couple for some time - Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Resisting the urge to get into a ‘who’s the most gorgeous?’ face off – it’s tough call after all, the sexy Smiths sizzle the screen in this wry action / comedy caper. Ace director Doug ‘Swingers’ Liman delivers lots of fun by putting the Smiths’ marriage under the harsh comedy spotlight before stepping up the gunplay action to preposterous proportions. His plan is obviously to satisfy both viewers seeking a romantic comedy and those looking for high-octane explosion based excitement… and it works a treat. If you’ve ever even thought about getting married then there are bountiful delicious scenes that rip open the his / her differences that can grind relationships down. And having said that – if you’ve ever hankered after a life of weapons grade danger and fraught ‘do or die’ secret missions then you’ll go home happy having spent an evening with Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

Okay, the plot is thin – after 5 or 6 years of marriage neither suspect the other is an assassin until paid to take each other out (and I don’t mean on a date). Who will win this battle of the sexes? Can true love flourish even under a barrage of automatic gunfire? Did they actually ‘get together’ whilst on location filming the film? You might not find out the answer to that last one but if the on screen chemistry is anything to go by, you wouldn’t bet against it…
Mr. & Mrs. Smith delivers – action (superb car chases, explosions and gunfights), romance (yes the two leads get at least one convincing clinch), comedy (Vince Vaughn is excellent in a supporting role) and charm (both Pitt and Jolie know what their fans want!). In fact the only people who won’t enjoy Mr. & Mrs. Smith are those who have had their ‘joie de vivre’ surgically removed. For ‘feel good’ Summer fun – choose ‘Smith’…

Darkmatt Rating: öööö (may the 'sauce' be with you)


"women in rubber are hard to refuse..."

Reviews of other films and stuff you might want to read indexed here

Film Review: Batman Begins

"They told me there was nothing out there, nothing to fear."

Batman Begins
Dir. Christopher Nolan

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

There is something out there in the darkness, something terrifying, something that will not stop until it gets revenge…

It’s me!!

Oh, no actually I’ve just been informed that it’s Batman and having seen Batman Begins I’d have to agree. This is the long rumoured rebirth of a credible Batman on the big screen after the zap-kapow-holyturkeyfest that was Batman & Robin by Joel Schumacher, which sunk the bat’s previous cinematic run. So can the Dark Knight strike back and deliver the quality batfilm that fans have been craving? In a word ‘yes’!!

Director Christopher Nolan has successfully taken Batman back to his gritty, brooding, brilliant comic book roots, and in the process made a powerhouse of a tale that impresses on all levels. This is no kiddie film either, Batman Begins is all about fear – right from the unnerving bat swarm opening there is a sense of menace dripping from almost every frame. Batman himself (a perfect anger and guilt driven portrayal by Christian ‘American Psycho’ Bale) is a mean, tortured vengeance bringer. No cheesy quips or camp codpieces – this Batman is the harbinger of violent justice, a shadow dwelling righter of wrongs. He is the reason criminals will learn to fear the dark and yet he is also believably human. Bale does a magnificent job of balancing Bruce Wayne’s guilt wracked billionaire playboy with the slightly unhinged righteous anger of his dark alter ego. Credit must also go to Michael Caine who is excellent as loyal manservant Alfred and to the lovely Katie Holmes who is exhibits real class and sassy determination as idealistic District Attorney Rachel Dawes. Other players are ‘honest cop’ Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman who looks spookily like the comic book version) and worldly warrior / mentor Henri Ducard – Liam Neeson who also does a fine job. Morgan Freeman is useful new character Lucius Fox who handily oversees Wayne Enterprises’ Applied Sciences division – home of the funky gadgets that give Batman his edge, oh and his ass kicking new Batmobile. The Batmobile is pretty much a character in its own right – and delivers potentially the best car chase of the year as it shakes off corrupt cops on highways, back streets and even leaping across rooftops.

And of course no Batman film is complete without the villains. Oh boy, Batman Begins has one of the most trippy villains ever in The Scarecrow (the ultra creepy Cillian Murphy) – this guy is sinister even when in his ‘human guise’ of Dr Jonathan Crane. But when under the effect of his nefarious ‘fear gas’ things get nightmarish very fast and sensitive youngsters will likely be having bad dreams for months… The crunching fight scenes must also push the envelope of what can be done in a 12a rated film but are fantastic to watch. Batman Begins brings the noise when it comes to action – convict ‘six onto one brawls’, ninja sword battles, scumbag thug takedowns… Batman certainly has his work cut out and that’s without having to deal with the Scarecrow. Throw in head-cracking crime boss Carmine Falcone (a nicely smug Tom Wilkinson) and over vengeful vigilante Ra's al Ghul (Ken Watanabe) with his League of Shadows and suddenly it looks a tall order for even Batman to save the day…

Christopher Nolan and co-screenwriter David S. Goyer have delivered something very special here – Batman has never looked better or been so engaging to watch. Batman Begins rips up the previous film attempts and sets up a potentially awesome sequel. The Dark Knight has returned in style – go and see for yourself…

Darkmatt Rating: ööööö (Holy return to form Batman!!)

Read my interview with Katie Holmes: Matt Adcock meets Katie Holmes

Reviews of other films and stuff you might want to read indexed here