Aug 23

Review: Salt (12a)

Directed by: Phillip Noyce
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber

Synopsis: When seasoned CIA spook Evelyn Salt (Jolie) is named as a Russian double agent she goes on the run to find her husband and clear her name. The only problem is Salt may well be everything that she’s accused of being. As the foretold “Day X”, the proposed start of World War 3, draws nearer the truth about Salt must be uncovered to save the world.

Bourne with boobs? Well, not quite. From the synopsis and, indeed the trailer, you might well get that impression but Salt is a whole different being all together. Firstly it’s a lot more tongue in cheek. The plot gets pretty ridiculous even before Jolie slaps on the facial prosthesis to become the most freakishly effeminate male NATO officer in recorded history. Insane leaps between moving vehicles, weaponised spider venom and super-Hollywood CIA headquarters are the order of the day here. Think more along the lines of the Mission: Impossible series than the all more serious Bourne trilogy.

salt

Ridiculous as it may be this doesn’t mean it’s a bad movie. Jolie is clearly at home here as she slides comfortably back into her action boots after her hiatus from acting due to becoming a mother (to one of her own children). And she’s back with a bang. Salt is easily better than the two ill-conceived Tomb Raider movies and with Jolie front and centre she gets enough screen time to expand on the great action set pieces she hinted at in Wanted. Although Salt lacks the subtlety and ironic sub-plot of Mr and Mrs Smith it still ambles along at a decent enough pace to satisfy. There are certainly enough twists and turns to keep most happy for the duration as well. You might guess some of them but I doubt you’ll get them all.

Supporting cast perform admirably and, as is pretty much the law, don’t steal focus from Jolie. Schreiber, in particular, more than pleased as he took up much the same character as he played in The Sum of All Fears, with added suit. That’s all I can say about that.

Noyce did a pretty good job in the directors chair, so long as he wasn’t trying to make anything too taxing… because it wasn’t. Action set pieces played out well and there was enough suspense on the build up to them. A satisfying conclusion to wash down the popcorn leaves us with a well rounded action movie, but not much of a thinker.

Verdict: starstarstarstar

Jul 12

Geek-up in the Steel City

So I went to Sheffield with Rick on Saturday to get some coffee and meet up with Ash. It actually turned into a pretty cool impromptu geek-up with Mark coming along with Ash and then Chris joining us in town shortly after. Here are some photographs I took using my iTelephone. Enjoy.

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Jun 29

Are we too quick to label people “stupid”?

Just a quick one today in response to Andy Clarke’s tweet about strangers on a train wanting to play with his iPad. It got me thinking about how quick we web people are to label average Joe as stupid because he or she isn’t as quick to pick up technological stuff as we are. First, though, a couple of points. I hold Mr. Clarke in the highest esteem. I’ve followed his work for years and even seen him speak about his craft. As such this isn’t a personal dig, it was simply his comment that lead me to write this. Secondly, I know I am guilty of doing this; I’m not saying I’m innocent. Hell, anyone who knows me knows damn well I am the most judgemental and cynical of bastards. I need to change, too.

Continue reading Are we too quick to label people “stupid”?

Jun 1

Weekend Viewing: A round-up.

This weekend I watched some movies. Get a cup of tea and have a read of my mini reviews. Also, let me know if you like this format because I think it could be a pretty decent way to post in the future.

Continue reading Weekend Viewing: A round-up.

May 18

All the phones I’ve ever had

Just for fun, I want to give you my personal mobile phone history. Good or bad; this is every mobile I’ve ever owned.

I had to rack my brains and do some serious internet combing to find model numbers and pictures of them all but I think I’ve documented them fairly well. So have a read… if you’re a total nerd like me.

Continue reading All the phones I’ve ever had

May 15

Review: A Nightmare on Elm Street (18)

Directed by: Samuel Bayer
Starring: Jackie Earle Haley, Kyle Gallner, Rooney Mara

Twenty-six years and seven sequels later, Wes Craven’s most recognisable horror creation is re-booted. This re-imagining of the classic horror tale has been on my radar for some time now as I was a huge fan of the 1984 original starring Heather Langenkamp, John Saxon and Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger. When I heard that Jackie Earle Haley (Rorschach from Watchmen) was set to play Krueger in the reboot I was even more excited to see what could be done with Craven’s over-worked baby.

Continue reading Review: A Nightmare on Elm Street (18)

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