Transformers: Dark of the Moon

So it is entirely fair to say, that 50% of people reading this have already made up their mind on whether not they want to see another "Transformers" film. This polarising viewpoint stems from how you feel about Michael Bay in general. There seems to be some sort of vendetta against the man; pretty much all of his films have garnered average to bad reviews from most critics and cinema scholars turn bright red at the very mention of his name.  And yet he remains one of the biggest and most successful directors of all time. Like it or not folks, Michael Bay is here to stay. So what is it about the man that provokes such extreme responses? Is it that his name is a byword for dumb, noisy, crass, commercialism crap? Or is it a Bayword for a good ol' fashioned rollicking time at the movies? I happen to believe that while such important things like plot, character and dialogue is the very last thing on his mind, he sure knows how to present a shiny picture on screen. He is also one of the best directors of spectacle working today. What is undeniable, is that he is an auteur. You always know when you're watching a Michael Bay film and this is what I believe, gives him the edge over other similar commercialistic whores such as Stephen Sommers, Brett Ratner, or the dreaded McG. They may peddle the same absurd, mindless junk, but they could be anybody behind the camera. They have no stamp. If you hated the last two "Transformers" films or indeed, Michael Bay, then stay well away; the man has not learned from any of his past mistakes. In fact "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" may be the most 'Bay' film Bay has done. He has outBayed himself. Haters will be Baying for his blood with the amount of Bayhem he unleashes on screen. Baysically, the film is utter tosh - but my oh my, is it entertaining tosh. And there is nothing anybody can do - despite all of the negative press the film has received, it has already made squillions of dollars.

The plot as it stands again follows Sam Witwicky (LeBeouf) finding himself under appreciated just because he can't get a job despite the fact that he has giant alien robots for friends, has a new lifeless, wooden sex doll in the shape of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (by far the only truly grating thing in the film) and that he, y'know, saved the world twice . His sentient alien robot friends discover there is a thought to be long lost Autobot shuttle that had crash landed on the moon in the 60's holding the key to the salvation of Cybertron along with the remains of one of their old leaders, Sentinal Prime. Then explosions happen, Decepticons show up with a nefarious plan and all story gets thrown out the window in favour of more explosions and huge CG robot scraps. 'Genuine' actors show up along the way such as John Malkovich, Frances McDormand and John Turturro to gurn and make broad jokes and then collect their HUUUGE paycheques after promptly leaving. There are a million plot holes you could drive a big red truck through and everything is needlessly complicated and drawn out. OK, it is beginning to sound like I'm criticising everything, when in fact I actually thoroughly enjoyed this film. It features stunning special effects, and fantastic stunt work. This is a Summer Blockbuster through and through and you'll be hard pressed to find better action all year. This is down to a simple stream lining of plot that brings everything back to a straight forward alien invasion on Chicago. Sure, it takes far too long to get there, but when we do, Bay unleashes an hour of adrenaline pumping, non stop action for it's climax. If you paid to see giant robots fight, then that is what you are going to get here and then some. The 3D is easily the best seen since "Avatar" with a jaw dropping wing suit skydiving scene into an urban war zone being the stand out. This film proves that when 3D is done right (ie, not hastily converted after filming) the results are easily worth it. Again, this all comes down to a simple view point of whether or not you are into this sort of thing. There are plenty of reasons to dislike this film, but why waste your energy when it is easier to just go along with the ride? Whether it be women, shiny cars, CG effects, the military or Shia LeBeouf's over-acting, Michael Bay's camera never fails to exploit everything it see's. It may not be rocket science, but there is a nice warm fuzzy feeling when you knowingly give yourself over to advertising disguised as cinema, especially when it is done as well as this - and besides, where else are you going to see a SWAT Team escape a building as it falls over, whilst still stuck inside? Let's see art house do that.

Verdict: 6/10
Overlong, over dumb and overstuffed with CGI, this is nontheless, an often exhilarating ride of pure and utter destruction for nothing other than shits and giggles. Those who hated Bay before will be pulverised into brain dead submission long before the credits roll, but for everyone else this is fantastic Summer popcorn fare and almost better than the first entry in the series.

"Transformers: Dark of the Moon" Trailer

Trailer - "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy"

The trailer for Tomas Alfredson's first film since the instant classic "Let The Right One In" three years ago has been unveiled. Featuring what is sure to be an exciting, twist laden story with quite possibly the cast of the year pushes this into early consideration for best film of 2011. The film is released on September 16th.

Trailer - "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol"

In the second of todays notable trailer releases, Tom Cruise is back in his signature franchise. Now while I am in the minority of people who like Tom Cruise (say what you want about the man, but he never turns in anything less than watchable on screen), it seems that most people weren't exactly clamoring for another 'Mission Impossible' film. However with the introduction of Brad Bird, in his first live action film, there seems to be plenty of smash-bang-wallop brought on board for this sequel. The trailer crams in plenty of excitement which hopefully indicates how much fun the film should be. The film is set for release on December 26th of this year.

Trailer - "War Horse"

Steven Spielbergs first live action film in three years has it's trailer debuting online. It looks as though the master has not last any of his sensibilities and if the trailer is any indication of the film, then it will it's fair share of stunning images. The only criticism of the film is that it just screams out 'GIMME AN OSCAR'. Going by it's release date smack bang in the middle of awards season shows that this is completely intentional. Hopefully the film will offer more than just Acadamy Award showboating and live up to Spielbergs past credits. It certainly ticks off requisite themes in the mans previous work: A boys inspirational bond with his only friend who happens to not be human, John Williams' rousing music, epic images and World War II. At least it can be said that what he does, he does exceptionally well. The film is released in Ireland on January 13th, 2012.

Senna

A documentary on Formula 1 racing is about the last thing I think a lot of people would expect to call 'moving'. And yet "Senna" is a profoundly moving and stirring insight into the heart of a very special man indeed. Sure the film paints it's titular driver to a near Messiah-like status, but it is done with such fervor and conviction, that it is often hard to not get swept up with it's energy and vibrancy. And I don't even like Formula 1. That is perhaps the films biggest strength; in that those who get droopy eyed just thinking about those great hulking engines doing endless loops on a rainy Sunday on the TV, will find there is much to enjoy here. Director Asif Kapadia wisely sticks to the life and times of the man, so when those racing scenes are dispersed, they fold naturally within the narrative and serve to forward the story. They are also edited impeccably. Culled from an endless ream of interviews and track footage, the film makers did a stunning job of paring it all down to the basics. It is comprised entirely of archival material with some voice over from recently interviewed key figures in the man's life. Indeed, the film may be a documentary but it is easy to forget that when the wealth of footage available is presented so exhilaratingly. Aryton Senna was a very passionate man. He drove with his heart and refused to get drawn into the politics of F1 - sometimes to his own detriment. But while the film shows his genius and skill on the track it also shows the symbol of hope to which he had become to millions of Brazilians in his home country. His triumphant win at an all important race there is an ecstatic high; while his tragic end is felt ever more keenly in the eyes of those young fans whom looked up to him so much. And in his collisions both on and off the track with Alain Prost, the film has it's own fractured dichotomy - adding to the engaging narrative drama. That is what impresses so much about the film; it has a perfectly honed and engaging study of a man, mixed with all the excitement and drive (no pun intended) you could want from a fictional drama. That creates that ever important feeling, that when the tyre screeches have long left your ear, it's stirring sentiments still linger warm inside.

Verdict: 8/10
A fantastically engaging and surprisingly affecting film about a very talented man, taken far too soon. Compelling viewing even for those who aren't gear heads.

"Senna" Trailer

Bridesmaids

It is disparaging to hear that people are as shocked by "Bridesmaids" as they are. A truly funny comedy with women, which out-grosses and outshines any other male dominated funny this year? Is it really so hard to believe?  Almost inevitably, others have lazily dubbed it, 'the female "Hangover"'. Well this is not the case, because plain and simple "Bridesmaids" is a very funny film, regardless of any comparison to any others in breaking new ground. There is no novelty to be found here; women are funny and any men going into this surprised that Kristen Wiig could make them laugh harder than anything else in multiplexes this year, really needs to get out more. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are both successful graduates of SNL, working in two of the highest rated shows on TV. Sarah Silverman might have her detractors, but that hasn't stopped her going on to becoming one of the most thriving female comediennes in recent memory. Jessica Stevenson (née, Hynes), wrote and starred in "Spaced" with Simon Pegg well before Hollywood came knocking on their doors. Joan Rivers is still delivering sardonic quips on stage and television after all of these years. If this is still under discussion after "Bridesmaids", then ignorance has completely given over to sexism. Surprise, surprise, these women are funny. Have been for years. Will continue to be. Not to say that there aren't unfunny women in comedy out there, but this pertains to there being plenty of men who also share that unfunny bone in their body. And with this film, they get the best platform in years to prove that point. Kristen Wiig has for some time now, become a quality answer to that guy who suggests that women might lack any mirth or merriment. Week after week, she completely outshines her male co-stars on SNL, being the only consistant member in the whole cast. She is a natural and gifted performer; completely giving herself over to any role, whether it be at the expense of vanity or class. That is perhaps her biggest asset; that in disregarding all these things in her search for the 'realness' in characters, she always manages to retain a sense of humanity and dignity in her comedy, even when she may look and act anything but. That the film is the success it is, is down to her.

The balance that the film so finely straddles, is in finding the truth in even it's most outrageous moments. It carries it's fair share of disgraceful and foul mouthed humour, but it's gags would not work as well were it not for it's cast. Kristin Wiig is Annie, recently chosen by her BFF Lillian (Maya Rudolph) to be her Maid Of Honour. Unfortunately for Annie, this brings back up a swirl of passive resentment and panic that her own life, is not going as neatly or as well as it should. Along the way she has to contend with the gang of Bridesmaids and Rose Byrne's Helen, who vies with Annie for Lillians attention and approval every step of the way. With her subtle undermining of Annie, along with work, money and man woes, she begins to crack under the pressure of organising the run up to her best friends big day. Annie's reaction of trying to be happy for that special someone's achievements, when you are so very far away from them in your own life, is a searingly relatable position. Sure maybe women might inherently get it's neuroses that bit more but this should not deter men from their own enjoyment of the film. Anyone can laugh at the scatalogical gross out of that dress fitting scene no matter what your sex, especially when delivered as well as it is. Although Wiig herself co-wrote the script, she is a very giving actor, letting each of the Bridesmaids to get at least one chance to shine. In fact it is only truly in one scene that she let's herself radiate as her airplane trip from hell translates into comedy gold for us in quite possibly the funniest scene in the film. As far as the cast goes, it is Melissa McCarthy as Megan who gets the breakout here, gaining the lions share of laughs. Chris O'Dowd shows why he is making waves across the Atlantic in a confidant and charming display of his talents. Although serving only as Wiig's potential love interest, he nontheless makes the most in every scene he is in. Sure some of the maids don't register as deeply as others but the film just couldn't reasonably fit them all in, and any more would certainly outstay it's already generous 2 hour running time. But they are cast impeccably and add to the films considerable charms.

The film has been already proclaimed as the break out comedy hit of the Summer - there is usually one that the distributers bet their money on to clean up at the box office despite it's moderate budget. While there have been plenty of comedies this year that have tried and failed to make us laugh, it seems that "Bridesmaids" is the first one to truly stand out from the crowd. The film mixes deft and engaging humour, with a sweet emotional undercurrent to the madcap shenanigans. There is no trick to the films success; it is simply a perfect marriage of script and cast. Director Paul Feig, himself a graduate of TV's "The Office", "Arrested Development" and "Mad Men" handles events more than competently. In fact I'm sure on set the issue of whether or not these girls were funny was never raised; rather that they are too funny. Judging by the comfortable improvisational skills they all had, along with most being friends prior to filming, means that there must have been a heavy abundance of great stuff that just couldn't be wedged in, left on the cutting room floor. It doesn't matter whether you be boy or girl, you will find this film funny. Sure, those without X Chromosomes may wince that slight bit more at the antics on screen, but only in the same way guys may feel that only they truly get a film like "The Hangover". A good film is a good film and that fact of whether you are male or female is irrelevant to having a great time experiencing it.

Verdict: 8/10
The funniest comedy so far this year, deftly mixes off the wall, sidesplitting chunks of humour, with a genuine and none too mawkish sentiment. Although the notoriously prickly Academy tends to ignore comedy, the consideration for Kristin Wiig for Best Actress begins here. She really is that good. Of course, this is something we always knew.

"Bridesmaids" Trailer

First Look - "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey"

For many people, the most exciting news they may hear all year, has just been released. Peter Jackson has released not one, but three exclusive pictures from "The Hobbit" films. While it is fantastic to see Ian McKellen looking exactly as majestic as his Gandalf did ten years ago, it is the first new shots of Bilbo that will generate the most buzz. And Martin Freeman looks perfect in his role. Taking on comfortably from Ian Holm, it seems he fits in impeccably with Jackson's take on the Tolkienverse. And that also seems to be the first (blurry) shot of some of the thirteen Dwarves watching behind Bilbo. It appears that Jackson has assuringly stuck with the same feel and tone as it's predecessors. After waiting for so long, it is incredibly exciting to be returning to Middle Earth. Jackson it seems, has used the films many delays wisely in honing the script and it all looks set to hopefully live up to the (almost impossibly) high standards of the original trilogy. The only downer of all this is that "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" will not be released until December 14th 2012, and "The Hobbit: There and Back Again" on December 13th, 2013. That sound you hear is millions of followers noisily scribbling down those dates in their calenders.