The Killers destroy the O2

"playing to the London fans..."

The Killers - live at the O2 Feb 24th 2009

Reaction by Matt Adcock

As a big Killers fan I've seen them live several times and they always rock but the latest O2 show was again something special...

Along with the amazing 'blow the roof off' Spaceman, Mr Brightside, When You Were Young and All These Things That I've Done etc the playlist included many of my personal favs including: Sweet Talk, Dustland Fairytale, This is Your Life, This River is Wild...


"UFOs spotted over the Killers whilst on stage..."

Genius stuff... Highly recommended!

Previous Darkmatters posts on The Killers

http://darkmatt.blogspot.com/2008/10/are-we-human-or-are-we-dancer.html

http://darkmatt.blogspot.com/2006/09/matt-gets-killers-tickets-wife-very.html

http://darkmatt.blogspot.com/2006/09/he-doesnt-look-thing-like-jesus.html

Darkmatters Film Review - Push

Push (12a)

Dir. Paul McGuigan ‘Lucky Number Slevin, Gangster No.1’

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

I have seen the future; it involves telekinetic powers, stylish visuals and a desperate struggle between good and evil but doesn’t it always? This time however we’re deep in neon throbbing Hong Kong in the company of a 13-year-old ‘Watcher’ Cassie (Dakota ‘Man on Fire’ Fanning) who draws pictures of what is yet to happen. Cassie meets up with ‘Mover’ Nick (Chris ‘Street Kings’ Evans) who can move things with his mind. Together they look to thwart a dastardly scheme by global hero abducting organisation known as ‘Division’ headed by baddie ‘Pusher’ Henry Carver (Djimon Hounsou) who can push suggestions into people’s heads.
Also in the mix is another pusher named Kira – she is the only hero to have survived the Division’s insidious programme to make an army of super powered telepaths and is now on the run.
Push is a superhero thriller that will please fans of TV’s ‘Heroes’ – it plays out with a smart plot, cool action scenes and some lush visuals. Director McGuigan knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat, my son Luke admitted to being seriously impressed (and as he’s nearly a teenager it takes quite a lot to elicit that kind of response nowadays).
The mix of super-humans includes freaky Chinese guys who can kill with their screams – called ‘Bleeders’, people who can create illusions called ‘Shifters’ and bloodhound like ‘Sniffers’ who can track people by the scent they leave on objects. There’s also ‘Stitchers’ who can heal and ‘Wipers’ who can remove memories, it all makes for a vibrant and highly entertaining package. Push also has surprising depth in that it raises some deep questions about predestination, free will and the repercussions of our actions. As Carver tells Cassie at one point: “I don't know why you're even trying. You already know the ending to this story,” superhero films generally follow a tried and tested formula (even the amazing Dark Knight which has now grossed over $1million world-wide).
But Push is a breath of fresh air – encompassed by Cassie’s sassy response of: “We're going to change it.”

I’d recommend this to people who found Twilight too girly or have been cheesed off by mediocre sci-fi efforts like last year’s Jumper, in a gloomy economic downturn, Push is just the sort of exciting escapist nonsense required.

Arbitrary Darkmatters final rating of: ööööööö (7 - Good)

Darkmatters quick reference guide: Action 8, Style 8, Babes 8, Comedy 6, Spiritual Enlightenment 6

Quote: "I don't have to be a Watcher to see where this is going."

Darkmatters Film Review - Slumdog Millionaire (it is written)

Slumdog Millionaire (15)

Director: Danny Boyle (Sunshine, Trainspotting)

Starring: Dev Patel, Irrfan Khan, Madhur Mittal, Freida Pinto, Anil Kapoor

Is destiny written?

You join us here tonight on the brink of history being made…
The lights go down and a hushed audience are on the edge of their seats…
Before them an 18-year-old Mumbai slum kid named Jamal (Dev ‘Skins’ Patel) is about to face the winning question on 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?'…
But things don’t always run according to plan, and before you can say ‘police brutality’ Jamal is arrested and tortured – accused of cheating. We get a ringside seat not only at the interrogation but also to a series of fascinating, exciting, heartbreaking flashbacks whereby Jamal explains how he came to know the answers.
This is could have been a schmaltz-fest of sob worth proportions charting the story of a poor, uneducated Indian teenage slumdog beating the odds, winning big and maybe even getting the girl in the process… Rather, I’m delighted to say that in the hands of Danny ‘Sunshine’ Boyle Slumdog Millionaire sparkles, crackles and captivates with a soul pleasing vibrancy. There is enough grit injected to make this a credible and altogether excellent film, worthy of all the high praise that is being directed at it.
The cast are top, Older brother Salim (Madhur Mittal) and absolute stunner love interest Latika (Freida Pinto) are both superb, as is the slimy and detestable host of the game show Prem Kumer (Anil Kapoor).
The interplay between Jamal and Prem is compulsive e.g. as the tension builds to the climax Prem asks him: “So are you ready for the final question for 20 million rupees?”
Jamal replies : “No, but maybe its written, no?”
Just great stuff…
Slumdog looks great and cracks along with a fast pace. You’ll laugh, you’ll smile, you’ll winch and maybe even bite your nails. From the moment you witness brave young Jamal leaping into a pile of crap in order to meet his hero film star, you’ll know that this is something a bit special that exceeds whatever preconceptions you might have.

So, for the win - is Slumdog Millionaire:

A: Excellent

B: Excellent

C: Excellent

Or D: Excellent…

Arbitrary Darkmatters final rating of: ööööööööö (9 - Superb)

Darkmatters quick reference guide: Action 7, Style 8, Babes 8, Comedy 7, Spiritual Enlightenment 8

Darkmatters Film Review - Cool Runnings 2 – Brits ‘N’ Bobs

Cool Runnings 2 – Brits ‘N’ Bobs (unclassified)

Director: some mad English guys (Jason Absalom and Andy Kent)

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

“Who will survive – and what will be left of them?”

If you’ve seen the fun Disney film Cool Runnings then you’ll know what the basic premise is for this ‘docu-sequel’ which makes excellent use of its near zero budget.

Cool Runnings 2, also known as ‘release the beast’ tells the tale of two fairly ordinary chaps who for reasons known only to themselves (and perhaps the voices in their heads) decide to embark on a ‘crash’ course in bobsleighing and then enter the British Bobsleigh Championships 2007. So if watching people zooming along icy tracks rings your bells – this just might be your film of the year.

But if you don’t like Bobsleighing then you’ll be able to relate with heroic driver Jason Absalom when he says “I don’t know when I’ve experienced this much pain…” after a rough time on the practice runs where he manages to demonstrate admirably that perhaps rocketing down an ice chute in hollowed out toboggan is a not necessarily as easy as it looks on TV…

Even as someone who has never had more than a passing curiosity in anything Winter Olympic I found myself getting drawn in and actually feeling a little tense by the time of the climactic showdown. The genuinely amusing Fast Show and Little Britain homage skits throughout help break up the footage of men in lycra going stupidly fast down a tube.

There is a pumping soundtrack featuring Leftfield, Chemical Brothers and Faithless over the snowy proceedings which helps keep the pace going.

And as the horrific tale of carnage, brutality and courage unfolds, in the glare of the cameras you’ll feel every bump, jolt and friction burn.

As Jason says "I'd always been pretty mesmerised by Bobsleigh ever since I was a small child, considering it by far the coolest event of the Winter Olympics. However, I'd also always viewed it as completely inaccessible to all but professional athletes and the military. Then we discovered Icerush, so off we went! It was an awesome experience and I'm very glad I did it. Live out your "Cool Runnings" fantasy with Icerush!

God, I miss the Kreisel. That was great fun - WEEEEEEeeeeeee!"

Sure this at heart a glorified home video but it does a decent job of capturing the spirit of this adventure… I’ll leave you with words from the original film: “Our Father, who art in Calgary, Bobsled be thy name. Thy kingdom come, gold medals won, on Earth as it is in Turn Seven. With Liberty and Justice for Jamaica and Haile Selassie. Amen.”


Arbitrary Darkmatters final rating of: öööööö (6 - Good Effort)

Darkmatters quick reference guide: Action 6, Style 6, Babes 3, Comedy 6, Spiritual Enlightenment 3

+ UNLEASH THE BEAST

Discover a great degree at degree in accounting

Darkmatters Game Review - KiIllzone 2

Ladies and Gentlemen.



It's almost here...



KILLZONE 2 - the potential shooter game of the year



Prepare to see the PS3 rock hard - read my review




"The inlaws started to bring their guns when visiting..."



BUY IT HERE



Download the free demo from the Playstation store...



Look for me when the multiplayer servers go live (cleric20).

Darkmatters Film Review - Friday the 13th

Friday the 13th (18)

Dir. Marcus Nispel 'Pathfinder, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre'

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

You don’t have to be superstitious to know that it probably isn’t a good idea to go camping on Friday the 13th near the supposed site of a mass murder. Especially when the deranged killer was never found…
But here we have not just one but two groups of good looking teens who find out to their cost that Camp Crystal Lake is not a fun, safe or long term place to stay.
Director Marcus ‘Pathfinder’ Nispel treats his re-imagining of this definitive tacky ‘80s slasher movie with more love than his overly nasty and generally not as good update of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Seems he’s listened to the feedback of horror loving geeks and has gone overboard to please them here. Friday the 13th 2009 might not be clever and it won’t win any acting accolades (unless they bring in an Oscar for ‘best topless death scene’) but it is choc full of jump moments, ‘ooh that’s got to hurt’ kills and above average production values.
Hockey-mask wearing psychopath Jason Vorhees (Derek Mears) is back on his mission to rid the world of anyone even remotely resembling the young camp counsellors who were busy fornicating while he drowned in the lake. He’s still wielding a sharp machete and packing an unquenchable blood lust, so it’s only going to end in tears for young friends Whitney (Amanda Righetti), Mike (Nick Mennell), Richie (Ben Feldman), Amanda (America Olivio), and Wade (Jonathan Sadowski). In fact they meet various sticky ends before the opening credits have even finished rolling. After this frantic and nail biting start, the film takes it slower when a few weeks later a second bunch of thrill seeking teens arrive to party at the invitation of hateable rich boy Trent (Travis Van Winkle). Will any of Jenna (Danielle Panabaker), Bree (Julianna Guill), Chewie (Aaron Yoo), Chelsea (Willa Ford), Lawrence (Arlen Escarpta), and Nolan (Ryan Hansen) survive? And what about concerned brother / rent a loaner Clay (Jared Padalecki) who is trying to find his missing sister? Don’t hold your breath because Jason has been given licence to go kill crazy – putting to shame rival horror icons such as Michael ‘Halloween’ Myers’ efforts and setting the benchmark for the mooted Nightmare on Elmstreet remake.
The crowd who I saw this with were whooping and yelling as the tension ramped up – Friday the 13th certainly delivers on the cheap thrills. If offended by nudity, bloodshed or teenagers making stupid decisions under pressure, this isn’t going to be the film for you. If however you’re looking for an effective horror shocker, there’s some guy in a hockey mask waiting for you at the cinema.

"looking good won't save you..."

Arbitrary Darkmatters final rating of: ööööööö (7 - Better than expected)

Darkmatters quick reference guide: Action 8, Style 7, Babes 9, Comedy 7, Spiritual Enlightenment 3

+ Slick and sick in equal measure, gratuitous and over the top... exactly what horror fans want basically!?

Intro line: Pamela Voorhees: Did you know a young boy drowned here? His name was Jason, he was my son. And today, is his birthday...

Black Sheep Reviews - highly recommended reading

If you're a movie fan and looking for more than just reviews and occasional ramblings of the Darkmatter variety then I'd urge you to have a look at the rather wonderful 'Black Sheep Reviews' site...

Of course we live in hope that Tom Wade may yet re-enter the reviewing fray one day, but until then it's nice to see another quality writer stepping up to the plate.

Other top film review sites I often read are:

FILMSTALKER

Dorkgasm

and

Starving Dog

We love you all!

Darkmatters Film Review - BOLT

Bolt (PG)

Dir. Byron Howard and Chris Williams

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

How awesome is your dog?
Bolt (voiced by John Travolta) is a pretty awesome mutt by anyone’s standards – the brave and invincible, laser eyed star of his own TV show. Bolt might look cute but he’s all hero, willing to fight any enemy, risk any danger and face any peril to save his owner Penny (voiced by Miley ‘Disney tweenie singing sensation’ Cyrus).
This new 3D CGI animated adventure is the first release by Disney Animation Studios since they nabbed John ‘Toy Story’ Lasseter from Pixar. It certainly starts strongly with an impressive extended action sequence where Bolt battles the forces of the evil Dr Calico (a nicely sinister Malcolm McDowell). Trouble starts however when Bolt finds his way off the TV set which has been his life – the poor little guy really thinks he has superpowers because the TV producers keep him away from the real world. But believing that Penny has been kidnapped Bolt suddenly finds himself completely unprepared for realities such as not being able to leap from moving trains or head butt oncoming vehicles without taking so much as a scratch.
Facing up to the fact that he's just a normal dog is painful but he teams up with a streetwise alley cat named Mittens (Susie Essman) and a scene stealing hamster named Rhino (Mark Walton). This being Disney we are force fed the obligatory moralising sentiment that anyone can be hero even if they don’t have superpowers. And true to form young Bolt and his pals overcome a series of comical adversity in order to save Penny and find happiness. There are many fun minor characters thrown into the fairly predictable story – my pick of the bunch being a group of wise guy pigeons who try to pitch their plot ideas for a Bolt episode to him en route.
First time directing team Howard and Williams do a good enough job but opt to play it safe where a ‘true’ Pixar film might have taken more risks. It all looks sparkly and the 3D effects work well. There are some smart lines and enough pratfalls to keep the youngsters entertained even if adults might find it a bit tame overall.
My son James (8) said: “I thought that it was a great film, the action scenes at the beginning were brilliant even though it got a bit slow in parts. My favourite character was Bolt the super dog, I hope they make a Bolt 2. I’d give this 4 out of 5.”

Thanks son - I'm gonna give it an Arbitrary Darkmatters final rating of: öööööö (6 - Decent)

Darkmatters quick reference guide: Action 7, Style 7, Babes 4, Comedy 7, Spiritual Enlightenment 6

+ Is it a bird, is it a plane? No... it's dog!?

Best lines: Bolt: "Stay back! If I stare at the lock really hard, it'll burst into flames and melt."Mittens: "Now I'm concerned on a number of levels."

Darkmatters Film Review - Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (12a)

Dir. Peter Sollett (Raising Victor Vargas)

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

Listen up hipsters the "movement" has gone mainstream.

Your clique has been blown open by Peter Sollett in Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist which shines the full glare of Hollywood on the 'oh-so-cool' culture of Manhattan's indie music kids. And for old timers like me it is a refreshing info burst of cool that wraps a charming love story around a wafer thin plot about obscure bands and wannabe rockers.Michael ' Juno and Superbad' Cera is Nick, the only straight member of gay indie band rejoicing in the name 'The Jerk Offs'. He's still smarting from being dumped by his dream woman Tris (Alexis 'Havoc' Dziena) when his well meaning band mates attempt to set him up with the super hip and generally lovely Norah (Kat 'Charlie Bartlett' Dennings). One thing conveniently leads to another and the night becomes a romantic odyssey of will they won't they get together as the newbie potential couple hunt down their favourite underground band 'Fluffy' who are doing a secret gig somewhere in town. Comic relief is provided by Nick's band mates Thom (Aaron Yoo), Dev (Rafi Gavron) and Lothario (Jonathan B. Wright) whose attempt to give Norah's drunken party girl pal Caroline a ride home only for her to think she's being kidnapped and go AWOL. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist could have been a vacuous waste of time and effort but he two leads have good chemistry, the supporting cast do their job well and the depiction of the musical subculture of kids who are only interested in knowing about the next cool band feels authentic. It also makes up for the fairly predictable plot by having some zinging dialogue - my pick being when the befuddled Caroline happens upon a religious show, phones Norah and says "I found Jesus!" Norah replies "what?" and Caroline continues "Jesus! He's much taller in person..."

So can real love be found by a compatibility forged in the heat of mix CDs and late night hangouts?



Take a ride with Nick and Norah - it's a fun way to find out!

Arbitrary Darkmatters final rating: öööööööö (8 - Very Good)

Darkmatters quick reference guide: Action 7, Style 8, Babes 8, Comedy 7, Spiritual Enlightenment 6

+ Quirky enough and cool too - charming and fun, a strong look at youth culture...

Best line: "You're two penises short of a Shania Twain reimagination band!"

Where did Kat Dennings get to in my 'top ten movie babes of '08'?
Find out here: http://darkmatt.blogspot.com/2009/01/top-movie-babes-2008.html

Top movie babes 2008

"Annasophia Robb"

"Amber Heard...mmmmm"

The list is up - hosted at the great and wonderful FILMSTALKER...

Check it for your self by clicking here: http://www.filmstalker.co.uk/archives/2009/01/stalkers_top_ten_2008_matt_adc.html

Here are some of the upcoming talent to keep an eye on:

"Miss AnnaSophia Robb... looking good in bikini for new film 'SoulSurfer'"

"Dakota Fanning before her Twilight 'red eyes' period"

"Elle Fanning also looking good!"

"unknown redhead with filmstar looks!"

Other babe links:

Leighton Meester

Keira Knightley

Film Review - Valkyrie

Valkyrie (12a)

Dir. Bryan Singer (Superman Returns, Xmen and Usual Suspects)

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

Achtung!! We have new intelligence about a rare group of ‘honourable’ Nazi Soldiers who attempted to save Europe from total destruction by assassinating Adolf Hitler. These brave souls risked everything to try and cut the evil heart from the SS war machine and show the world that not all Germans signed up to Hitler’s detestable ideology.
Bryan ‘The Usual Suspects’ Singer directs a stellar cast which works to honour the memory of those who took a stand for what was right even if it cost them everything. Because let’s face it, it’s not like we don’t know that this is one mission that never quite worked out how they had planned.
So we have Tom Cruise Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, a valiant commander who realised that he could not serve both the best interests of Germany and his moustachioed Fuhrer – it had to be one or the other. He is recruited by the plot to take out Hitler by General Friedrich Olbricht (a convincingly twitchy and nervous Bill Nighy) and Major-General Henning von Tresckow (an overly smug Kenneth Branagh who struggles to keep his loviness in check). After losing a hand, an eye and what was left of his allegiance to Fuhrer in an allied attack, Stauffenberg signs up and commits what’s left of his body to the cause with vigour. Spouting superb lines such as “I am involved in high treason with all means available to me. Can I count you in?” Cruise is great value in the main role – I was won over quickly despite his accent fluctuations, he just really looks the part in his shiny Nazi boots and black eye-patch.
Valkyrie works better than many big budget Hollywood remaking of historic moment films *cough ‘Pearl Harbour’ cough*… Singer is a great director and he manages to imbibe real emotion despite the heavy weight Brit cast which contains Terrence Stamp, Eddie Izzard, and Tom Wilkinson all madly trying to out act each other.
There is palpable tension which mounts as the traitors put their audacious plan into operation. What they tried to do would have made such as massive difference and saved millions of lives that you can’t help but be heartbroken by the events that undo their scheme.
Valkyrie might not be getting Oscar attention but anyone looking for a well made military thriller should enlist today for this slick nail biter that reminds us all that while many saw evil, some tried to fight it.

Arbitrary Darkmatters final rating: ööööööö (7 - GOOD)



Darkmatters quick reference guide (new for 2009):



Action 8, Style 8, Babes 6, Comedy 4, Spiritual Enlightenment 5



+ A film that makes you want to take a stand...



Best line: " The point of replacing Hitler is to negotiate the truce with the Allies. The Allies, I suspect would be more amenable to a truce if we offer it to them before they get to f**king Berlin! ."

Film Review - The Wrestler

The Wrestler (15)

Dir. Darren Aronofsky (The Fountain, Requiem for a Dream, Pi)

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

Let’s get ready to rumble…

“In this life you can lose everything you love, everything that loves you. A lot of people told me that I'd never wrestle again, the only one that's gonna tell me when I'm through doing my thing, is you people here…” but enough about my personal life, what about this new film that sees a never better Mickey Rourke deliver the performance of a lifetime?
Who’d have thought that the tale of a bruised and haggard washed up pro wrestler could be so compelling; I’m not even a fan of the men in spandex generally. But this is a real tour-de-force that sees a lifetime of bad decisions by Rourke finally paying off in the shape of the valiant but broken Randy "The Ram" Robinson. Here is a man still living off his halcyon era back in the 80’s when he was the star of Nintendo games and had his own blonde mulleted action figure. Now he eeks out a meagre living playing staged bouts on a local scene that are large on blood and spectacle but low on athleticism. A shadow of his celebrity chair breaking ‘pay per view’ days - imagine a more weathered Rocky Balboa in day glow outfit, living in a trailer park and dreaming of finding love before it’s too late.
Director Aronofsky follows up his weird and wonderful ‘The Fountain’ with a semi documentary of a loveable perpetual screw up who might have a lion’s heart but whose weary frame is simply too old to change.
Can a terminal loser like Randy find redemption in the arms of lap dancer Cassidy (Marisa ‘Before the Devil Knows You're Dead’ Tomei)? They certainly share a bond of being past their best and as she struggles as a single mum, he is estranged from his gorgeous daughter Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood - girlfriend of Marilyn Manson - lucky swine).
The New Jersey setting is effectively used, all brutal greys and unflinchingly chilly vistas, which serve as excellent contrast to the cheesy wrestling arenas and neon strip bars.
The Wrestler is an amazing film and is rightly receiving award attention – you can’t help but feel that Rouke is exorcising personal demons in this role which drips self destructive authenticity from every battered pore. Aronofsky is gearing up to re-launch the Robocop franchise next which is a very exciting prospect given his remarkable track record for films to date. And wherever Rouke goes from here he can look back on having created an iconic screen character that will be long remembered

Arbitrary Darkmatters final rating: ööööööööö (9 - GREAT)

Darkmatters quick reference guide (new for 2009):

Action 7, Style 8, Babes 7, Comedy 6, Spiritual Enlightenment 7

+ I never thought that a role would suit Rouke more than Marv in Sin City but this is the one...

Best line: "I'm an old broken down piece of meat and I deserve to be all alone, I just don't want you to hate me."

Film Review - Defiance

Defiance (15)

Dir. Edward Zwick (last film 'Blood Diamond' DM rated 8/10)

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

It’s 1941 and the Nazis are on the march rounding up and killing Jews. Defiance is the ‘based on true events’ tale of Jewish brothers Tuvia (Daniel Craig), Zus (Live Schreiber), and Asael Beilski (Jamie Bell) who manage to turn the forests of Belarussia into a temporary haven for their people.
Director Edward ‘Blood Diamond’ Zwick goes for a broad stroke depiction of the struggles faced by those staring extermination in the face. You can check off the scenes – Nazis search for Jews, local police aid them, the brothers have their families murdered and swear to begin to fight back… which helps of course if you’ve got the current James Bond on your side!?
You will have seen many aspects of the cliché rich two hours plus before but there is always merit in being reminded of the strength of the human spirit, lest we forget how bad things got for those persecuted by the Nazis. The hardships of starvation, the unrelenting danger of the enemies and their collaborators – there are lots of thought provoking ‘what would you have done’ moments to ponder.
The inspirational elements of the tale of the brothers who came to be remembered as the “Beilski Partisans” attempt to balance out the crushing bleakness of this dark period in history. The wartime suffering is painted brutally, there are some savagely violent encounters and some stock quotable quotes such as ‘Our vengeance is to live’... The effective combat scenes and tenacious Moses-like leading of the people through a flooded marshland whilst being pursued, ramp up the tension – especially as the fates of the brothers are withheld until the end.
Craig does his best in the lead role but is somewhat upstaged by the gutsy Schreiber as his younger brother Zus, who is excellent throughout in a trickier, more nuanced role. Love interests are on hand in the shapely forms of Lilka (Alexa Davalos), Bella (Iben Hjejle) and Riva (Kate Fahy) who all look good despite the challenges of forest dwelling.

Defiance certainly goes for the emotional blackmail juncture at several points and if not based on real events could well be taken as a purely cynical cash in on the horrors faced and the bravery shown by this group of Jews who took the fight back to the Nazis in the own way. So whilst maybe not a classic of the wartime genre, Defiance offers enough to make it a worthwhile reminder of humanity pushed to breaking point and extraordinary valour that can result.

Arbitrary Darkmatters final rating: ööööööö (7)

Darkmatters quick reference guide (new for 2009):

Action 7, Style 7, Babes 7, Comedy 5, Spiritual Enlightenment 7

+ Defiance looks the part - shot in a remote, wooded area in Lithuania, about a hundred miles away from the real location of the Bielski brothers camp....

+ (SPOILER WARNING) Craig gets to take out a platoon of Nazis in the one big firefight - it's very satisfying seeing the enemy on the recieving end of one of their own heavy machine guns...

- One of the guys I saw this with hated it and I thought he'd dig it...

Film Review - The Spirit

The Spirit (12a)

Dir. Frank Miller (last film 'Sin City' - DM rated 10/10)

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

First a confession – I’m a massive fan of comic books and am always naively optimistic when they hit the big screen, even though for every awesome Dark Knight there are several weak Phantoms or Ghost Riders to endure. Now the genius that is Frank Miller, writer of my favourite graphic novel ‘The Dark Knight Returns’ comes a noir knock off of Sin City (which Miller co-directed with Robert Rodriguez). Based on the comic books by Will Eisner, The Spirit tries hard to be a cool stylized crime busting riff starring Samuel L. Jackson as the villainous Octopus and Gabriel Macht, as the Spirit himself. Unfortunately where Sin City was stylish and hard boiled to the max, The Spirit isn’t half as compelling and has a jokey tongue in cheek plot that never really finds a satisfying groove. By turns campy, cool, comic, dark and sexy – it’s hard to work out quite why it isn’t a massive triumph but it really isn’t anything more than a forgettable experiment.
There are certainly some things that The Spirit does right e.g. it has an abundance of quality babes led by Eva Mendes as seductive bad girl ‘Sand Seref’ and Scarlett Johansson, as ‘Silken Floss’ – the Octopus' slinky right hand woman. You see The Spirit is a ladies man who just can’t resist the charms of an attractive femme fatale and he’s spoilt for choice here what with Jamie King, Paz Vega and Seychelle Gabriel all on hand. He might be a vengeful hero who has returned from the grave but The Spirit is a womanizer at heart.
Set in a stark black and white lit metropolis referred to as Central City, but it could just as well be Gotham City or Metropolis, contemporary technology is fused with near future and yet everything is dressed as ‘40s style glamour.
The Spirit has been mauled by many critics, one called it ‘the worst film I’ve ever seen’ which is pretty strong damnation. It doesn’t take long before you realise that director Miller seems wildly out of his depth without Robert Rodriguez to back up his stylish flair. The fantastic look of the film achieves a convincing ‘graphic novel come to life’ style but the action is so disjointed and the characters are so utterly unconvincing that it is hard to recommend to anyone other than rabid film noir comic book fans.

Arbitrary Darkmatters final rating: öööööö (6)


Darkmatters quick reference guide (new for 2009):

Action 7, Style 8, Babes 8, Comedy 6, 'Spirit'-ual Enlightenment 5

+ The Spirit features an amazing noir look and feel...

+ Babes are the best thing on offer, Seychelle Gabriel is my tip for the future...

- Frank Miller really can't direct solo, fingers crossed Rodriguez will prevent him from ballsing up Sin City 2...

- Most memorable quote: "I'm gonna kill you all kinds of dead."

Matt Adcock meets Russell Brand (and Adam Sandler)

Matt Adcock Meets Russell Brand (and Adam Sandler too)

As the new Disney magical fantasy adventure / comedy Bedtime Stories hits the screens I got to meet up with two of the stars of this fun family film.

Matt: I liked the ideas behind the stories your character tells the kids in this film coming to life. It must have been fun playing out the fantasy sections?

Adam: I looked great in a cowboy hat, so the Wild West scene was fun and I think I looked fantastic in leather pants in the space scene. I really looked good in the gladiator costume too. At least I am guessing I looked good judging by the reaction I got from my co-star Keri Russell.

Russell: I get to play a robot called ‘Lieutenant Mike’ in the Outer Space chapter and they were very diligent and assiduous in their make up job, painting even the inside of my mouth golden, in spite of what we learned from the film Goldfinger that being covered in gold paint can lead to death. There was one area of skin that didn’t get painted gold though… and when I went for a wee my genitals looked ridiculous, this pink organic object emerging from C-3PO’s robotic torso!

Matt: And so how did you pick Russell for the part?

Adam: We had a great part in the film for this room service guy at the hotel who was my best friend and kind of loose and great with the kids. First of all we imagined Russell doing it; we got excited just thinking about the possibility and then Russell was cool enough to say yes. I thought he would be good. He was more comfortable with the children than me in fact. Then we completed the movie and we screened it for the first time. When they ask audiences who is their favorite character, I got a score of 91 which is very high and I thought, ‘great’. But then I looked at Russell’s score and he got 96. I thought to myself: how dare he? The children of America have embraced the long and lean and handsome Russell Brand.

Russell: Thank you Adam and I look forward to in about 15 year’s time that will really start paying dividends!

Matt: What was it like making your first Disney film?

Adam: I always loved Disney movies growing up with my own family. Every Sunday we would watch a Disney movie with Kurt Russell. I was a very big Kurt Russell fan as a child and in fact I wanted to be the modern day Kurt Russell.

Russell: What I’d do is think ‘there are children here’. But it’s not mentally hard because, obviously in my life, I have friends who have got kids and hang out with kids. With them, I don’t think ‘right, now for some X-rated filth’ to pass the time. I use the usual methods I’d use socially and it’s nice to see myself doing something in a film and like it’s not all rude.

Matt: I’ve heard you’re both big sport fans – did you get to watch much whilst filming?

Russell: Sandler is obsessed with sport and, in fact, it seems to be prioritised over making the film. There were screens everywhere showing basketball, football and stuff like that next to the monitor that I’m trying my hardest to be doing my acting on. I’d say, what about that bit of acting? Was it all right?’ and someone would shout ‘they’ve just scored a touchdown’.
At least they understood the significance of West Ham United in my life. Sport was one of the things that made me feel very comfortable in that environment and enhanced my masculinity. It was like: ‘sport, hey? I like sport too. We’re not so different, are we?’


You can see Adam and Russell in Bedtime Stories from 26th December.

Read our review here and enter our competition here

Bedtime Stories - Christmas Competition

"be careful what you wish for..."

BEDTIME STORIES COMPETITION...

To celebrate the release of the new Disney film Bedtime Stories - Darkmatters have some cool prizes that you can win (if you live in the UK).

There are 4 runners up and one jackpot winner (umbrella, nightlight, book to write your own bedtime stories in...)

To be in with a chance of winning - just finish this sentence in less than 20 words and email it to:
darkmatters@another.com

My ulitmate bedtime story is the tale of......(your 20 words go here)


Editor's choice is final - winners picked by 12 Jan so get going!!

GOOD LUCK - and enjoy the film

Darkmatters review here: Bedtime Stories Review

Did it make our 'top ten films of the year'? find out here: matt's top ten films 2008

Film Review - Bedtime Stories

Bedtime Stories (PG)

Dir. Adam Shankman

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

2008 ends with a bang as the year’s most all round family pleasing fantasy effort rocks up to cinemas making far fetched children’s bedtime stories come to life.
In a brave move by Disney they have teamed up comedy goofball Adam Sandler with Brit shock comedian Russell Brand for their big Christmas movie. It might sound like a recipe for disaster but against all odds Bedtime Stories really works and director Adam ‘Cheaper By The Dozen 2’ Shankman manages to somewhat redeem his previous crimes against cinema with this genuinely good fun romp. So we have Skeeter Bronson (Adam Sandler) the immature but hardworking handyman at a swanky hotel that used to be run by his dad. Due to a twist of fate he is saddled with looking after his niece Bobbi and nephew Patrick (Laura Ann Kesling and Jonathan Morgan Heit) and all sorts of fun ensues when the crazy bedtime stories he tells them begin to come true in real life.Sure there is a predictable romantic subplot and lots of the comedy moments are telegraphed miles in advance but Sandler goes about his slapstick role with gusto and real heart. Russell Brand is surprisingly good as Mickey – Bronson’s best pal who also works at the hotel and suffers from a comedic sleep panic disorder but even he is upstaged by a goggle eyed guinea pig named Bugsy.
Bedtime Stories makes good use of it’s ‘anything can happen and you’re only limited by your imagination’ idea taking fantasy spins through the Wild West, a medieval castle and a messy outer space showdown. The kids are suitably adorable, the supporting cast are effective, especially Keri Russell as Jill ‘the love interest’ and the lovely Teresa Palmer as the spoilt babe daughter of the hotel owner Violet Nottingham. Of course there are baddies on offer in the form of underhand work rival Kendall (Guy Pearce) and his devious sidekick Aspen (Lucy Lawless). There are some lovely throw away touches such as a bright red Ferrari horse and Russell popping up as mermaid but pick of the bunch is Band’s robot alter ego – he could be C3PO’s long lost brother!
Hardened sceptics and Sandler haters might balk at such a machine tooled Disney feel good production but when it is done this well, there really isn’t any reason not to enjoy some fantasy kids dream wish fulfillment.

Happy Christmas!

Arbitrary final rating: öööööööö (8)

Matt's top ten films 2008

Matt’s Top Ten Films of 2008

2008 had some fantastic films in just about every genre – there was high camp in Mama Mia (even if it was a bit like watching actors play SingStar on a Greek holiday), future art in Wall-E (unique and lovely)and more shoes than you can count in Sex and The City (I didn't like this but I know some women who did) but for me here’s the top ten of films that are worthy of special note:

"no one was supposed to get hurt..."

10. Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead (15)
An awesome slow burning, nerve grinding tour de force that will make you squirm as you see characters making very bad decisions and then try to deal with the consequences. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke have never been better.

"What if the stories you told came to life?"

9. Bedtime Stories (PG)
You want ultimate kids dream wish fulfillment, genuinely funny slapstick, a romantic central plot and some great special effects… Disney deliver the goods this Christmas with the unlikely but winning team of Russell Brand and Adam Sandler bringing the feel good fun of making bedtime stories come to life. Adults need not apply.

"Never Forget. Never Forgive."

8. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (18)
Johnny Depp cuts a dashing swathe as the demon barber of Fleet Street, singing whilst he delivers this biting black comedy with a very sharp edge. A full blooded musical horror show driven by homicidal tendencies and cannibalistic appetites – it isn’t for the faint of heart.

"Shoot first. Sightsee later."

7. In Bruges (18)
You might not expect a foul mouthed, crunchingly violent and darkly comic oddball film about hitmen to make you stop and consider life, honour and the nature of Purgatory but that’s exactly what In Bruges achieves… Colin Farrell is on top form as a newbie contract killer hiding out in the quiet fairytale like Belgium town of Bruges.

"A comedy about growing up... and the bumps along the way."

6. Juno (15)
Teenage pregnancy is certainly no laughing matter but cool indie film Juno manages to deliver plenty of sharp comedy as well as a refreshing edginess in tackling a difficult subject head on. Juno has so much going for it, a fantastic cast, a rich and kookily left field comic vein and even a cool soundtrack. This compulsive watching and Ellen Page is going to be a massive star!

"When Ambition Meets Faith."

5. There Will Be Blood
Paul Thomas Anderson's epic sees Daniel Day-Lewis go completely over the top in a screen eating performance that burns into the retina. This is larger than life melodrama that doesn’t know when to stop. Mesmerising but uncomfortable – this is a must see, even if it’s only once.

"They took his daughter. He'll take their lives."

4. Taken (15)
“I will look for you, I will find you. And I will kill you…” People traffickers nab the wrong girl as her CIA trained dad (Neeson) goes on a rampage to save her. The plot might be wafer thin but that hardly matters when the action is this crunching and high octane. More exciting than the latest Bourne and Bond put together.

"Fully Charged."

3. Iron Man (12)
“Is it better to be feared or respected? I'd say is it too much to ask for both?” is the mantra of Tony Stark, multi-billionaire playboy and maverick high tech weapons dealer. Stark (a never better Robert Downey Jr.) becomes the titular metal clad super hero and unlike the multitude of tortured soul reluctant world saviours we’ve had recently, he relishes the opportunity.

"You can't stop what's coming."

2. No Country For Old Men (15)
In the land of the free they say that ‘there are no clean getaways’, and No Country for Old Men takes that notion and splatters it large across the screen in a stunning, violent modern classic. No Country for Old Men is an awesome experience - a perfect storm of a talented cast, quality source material and stunning direction, mixed with jaw dropping cinematography.

"Why So Serious?"

1. The Dark Knight (12)
The stakes are raised for Batman / Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) when he has to figure out how to fight The Joker (Heath Ledger RIP) an enemy with an irrational lust for chaos. Dark and dangerous, fast and furious, a superhero film that is far more graphic novel than comic book. The Dark Knight is gorgeous, stylish and exciting - this is 2008’s defining film.



check out last year's list here:

matts-top-10-films-of-2007

Film Review - Twilight

Twilight (12a)

 

Dir. Catherine Hardwicke (last two films: The Nativity, Lords of Dogtown)

 

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

           

Here’s something for those looking to get their teeth into an alternative teen angst relationship drama… Cribbed from Stephenie Meyer’s distinctly girly novel that takes on the live and loves of an impossibly good looking vampire Twilight oozes cool but lacks enough action or drama to make it worth more than a passing glance.

Director Catherine ‘Lords of Dogtown’ Hardwicke follows up her big screen depiction of the birth of Christ in The Nativity with a less festive tale of teenage love with a twist – one of the teenagers has been seventeen for over a hundred years!

Unfortunately it’s not as exciting as it sounds, Kristen Stewart plays Bella Swan, a love struck new girl in town who falls head over heels for goth looking Edward Cullen (Robert ‘Cedric from Harry Potter’ Pattinson). And erm, that’s about it really… Will it be love at first bite? Or is it just a pain in the neck?

My son Luke (now 11) said that he enjoyed the brief action scene towards the end where Cullen has to battle a much more evil vampire, but that the rest of the film left him cold. I can relate because  even the hand to hand combat between two super strong immortal creatures is a bit weak and over before it really has chance to raise the pulse rate. There’s a fun quidditch like game of vampire baseball at one point too but again it’s a blink and you’ll miss it few moments of light relief.

Most of the film is spent watching the two leads staring at each other, she can’t resist his vampire wiles despite his moody protestations that ‘you have to leave me alone or I’m liable to bite you’.  In fact it is Edward's repression of his bloodlust that forms most of the plot – a lumbering analogy for teen carnal impulses… Will he let his guard down and tuck into his new girlfriend or keep his fangs to himself and set up a lucrative sequel… take a wild guess… And is it just me or isn’t it a bit wrong for a guy who might look seventeen but is actually a very old man to be chasing such a young teenage girl?

Twilight has already been a pretty big hit in the States and has a series of novels to keep the films coming; I can only hope that they get more exciting as the go on.

Kristen Stewart - obvious vampire bait!

Arbitrary final rating: öööööö (6)

Film Review - The Day The Earth Stood Still

The Day The Earth Stood Still (12)

Dir.Scott Derrickson (last two films - The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Hellraiser: Inferno)

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

The world is in peril like never before; we have been tried by our celestial neighbours and found wanting… our sentence – complete annihilation… So as ominous massive spheres land around the globe, the people of earth do what they do best panic!!

Alien ambassador Klaatu (Keanu Reeves – looking distinctly inhuman) emerges from the sphere that lands in Central Park and is immediately shot and captured. Our American friends giving him the usual ‘welcome to earth’ treatment of drugging and interrogation – a great scene which sees some awesome dialogue:

"I'm going to ask you a series of control questions. Are you currently in a seated position?”

“Yes.”

“Are you human?”

“My body is.”

“Do you feel pain?”

“My Body does.”

“Are you aware of an impending attack on the planet earth?”

“You should let me go.”

Meanwhile Astro-biologist Helen Benson (Connelly) is forcefully dragged in to help the government figure out what they can do, but she takes a shine to our intergalactic guest and ends up on the run with him and her adopted son Jacob (Jaden Smith).

This remake of 1951’s sci-fi classic The Day The Earth Stood Still is a slick and relevant update, retooling the plot which then focused on the threat of nuclear war to now look at the eco disaster we’re busy creating. Director Scott ‘The Exorcism of Emily Rose’Derrickson keeps the best elements of the original including my favourite robot of all time ‘GORT’ (which stands for Genetically Organized Robotic Technology in case you were wondering). GORT is Klaatu’s bodyguard, a smooth, hulking, impassive sentinel that is so far beyond our primitive technology that we can’t even chip his armour plating.

Despite the end of the world scenario, sci-fi action seekers might be a bit gutted as this is more of the thinking thriller rather than butt kicking military battle simulator. There are a couple of action scenes and some jaw dropping effects which amp up when we feel the wrath of an impressive nanobot cloud but this certainly isn’t Independence Day 2.

Reeves is perfectly cast as Klaatu and Connelly does a good job of representing the human race, John Cleese even pops up as a professor at one point to allow for some high brow science discussions. Speaking of which the film also includes some interesting theological linkages- Klaatu gets to walk on water and raise someone from the dead. And if that isn’t enough for you, how about seeing him draw killer nanobots from the people he comes to care about and has them go into him instead… One friend suggested that this was like him taking away the sin of the world, I wouldn’t go that far but it makes for thought provoking watching. Are they saying that Jesus was one of these aliens that visited us 2,000 years ago?

Overall The Day The Earth Stood Still is a decent remake and good choice for anyone looking for something a little bit different. The eco moral running through the plot will give you lots to ponder and the eye candy special effects are very memorable.

Arbitrary final rating: öööööööö (8)