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The Flying Scotsman Movie Review |
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This movie deals with the life of cyclist Graeme O’Bree and his quest for cycling glory. In 1993 he breaks the world one-hour record on a bike of his own revolutionary design, which he constructed out of scrap metal and parts of a washing machine.
Previously bullied at school, Graeme is given a bicycle by his parents for Christmas which he uses to great effect escaping the schoolyard gangs of his youth. As he reaches adulthood, Graeme also develops a thirst for winning and strives to beat the best cyclists in Europe.
Of course like any good life story worth bringing to the cinema, all does not run smoothly.
Graeme’s quest for glory has many and varied ‘bumps in the road’. To say much more will give away too much, however I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. The Scottish scenery is breath-taking as are the scenes filmed in a vellodrome in Montreal. Johnny Lee Milller, as Graeme, gives a solid performance and is backed up by a good ensemble cast including Brian Cox as his sometime mentor and coach.
All in all, The Flying Scotsman is fulfilling movie, allowing you to leave the cinema just a little the wiser about the world of cycling.
~ Pam Heinrich
The Kingdom Movie Review |
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Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner and Chris Cooper star in this very violent take on the involvement of Americans in Iraq.
This movie, literally, starts with a bang and doesn’t let up for its entire 127 minutes. I lost count of the number of explosions and deaths.
The most interesting part of this film, for me, was the first 10 minutes or so during which it is explained how the whole oil trading thing works. Many a back has been scratched along the way, it appears and still the bargaining and trading continues.
If you’re a fan of the “America the great” concept and over the top violence is your thing, this is probably the movie for you. If not, then maybe there are some other more suitable options.
~ Pam Heinrich
The Nanny Diaries Movie Review |
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I’m a rather big fan of Scarlett Johannssen and even though I didn’t see this as among her best movies, it was still a nice way to spend a couple of hours. Truth be told, it is actually actress Laura Linney, as Mrs X, who steals the show in this tale of Upper East Side Mom’s and their nannies. Mrs X is one of a new breed of non-working mothers who require the services of a nanny to assist in the care of their children while they ‘find themselves’.
Of course all is not rosy in the ‘X’ household and Mr X, played adequately by Paul Giamatti, is the usual business obsessed husband, who may or may not have a ‘bit on the side’ going on.
Even though it’s not rocket science, I enjoyed this movie as did most of the audience at the preview, judging by their laughter.
~ Pam Heinrich
This is England Movie Review |
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Make no mistake, this is a raw movie, designed to shock and offend. It is the story of 12- year-old Shaun who is lost and alone during the school holidays in the summer 1983. Seeking to fit in, he allows himself to become involved with a gang of skin-heads immersing himself in their culture and pack mentality.
This brings problems of it’s own as Shaun finds himself putting aside his own sensibilities to remain one of the gang and to be ‘cool’. I did find the amount of swearing a little off-putting at times.
Loosely based on the childhood experiences of director Shane Meadows, ‘This is England’ is a gritty tale whose portrayal of England during the early 80’s at the height of the Thatcher regime is at times alarming and confronting.
~ Pam Heinrich
Rush Hour 3 Movie Review |
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By the time you reach part 3 of a movie series, the concept is usually getting a little tired, with the possible exception of the Indiana Jones, Star Wars and Lord of the Rings sagas. Having said that, this isn’t a bad little movie.
Okay, some of the jokes are getting a bit tired and if you can’t see the ending coming a mile off you’ve probably nodded off mid way through. However, both Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker bring a warmth and familiarity to their characters. They are genuinely likable guys and it is obvious that everyone, cast and crew alike, gets on very well together.
For a bit of escapist entertainment and the opportunity to vague out for 90 minutes or so this movie is worth seeing. Not that I’ll be racing to the front of the queue for Rush Hour 4.
~ Pam Heinrich
Stardust Movie Review |
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‘The Princess Bride’ it isn’t but Stardust has many of the elements of that particular cult classic.
It is a fantasy, romance, comedy and drama all rolled into one very enjoyable movie.
Claire Danes is fast becoming quite a presence in her films and while the role of Yvaine isn’t her most challenging, she is still excellent, drawing on her wide range of acting skills to bring depth to an otherwise shallow character. It is also nice to see Michelle Pfeiffer in her second return to the big screen this year after a long absence.
Robert De Niro’s cross-dressing Captain Shakespeare alone is worth the price of admission.
Clever plot twists and pacy action keep this film above the usual teenage school holiday drivel.
~ Pam Heinrich
Bratz – The movie Movie Review |
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As a 16 year old seeing this movie, it was almost freaky how similar the school depicted was to my own school.
All the groups and “clicks” were almost identical with the same vulnerability if you are not one of the cool dudes.
I really enjoyed this movie. It made me realise how shallow people can be at times and how important real friends are.
The casting was superb. Before the characters were named, I knew exactly who was who. I felt the actresses were very clever in their portrayal of the dolls personalities.
A recommended film for 12 years up.
~ Megan Heinrich
The Seeker: The Dark is Rising Movie Review |
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The Seeker is the story of a seventh son of a seventh son, whose task it is to locate seven signs before the “Dark” can get to them. If the “Dark” gets to them first, the world as we know it will turn to black and “Darkness” will forever reign.
This film has a bit of everything. My 16 year old LOVED it. My 40+ girlfriend and I enjoyed it for what it was, but didn’t rave about it.
Some of the jokes/asides were a bit lame in my opinion. When I said this to my daughter however, she howled me down, asking me which bits I was referring to.
This film is very obviously targeted at a teenage audience with enough enjoyment for us “older” viewers.
~ Pam Heinrich
Surfs Up Movie Review |
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Sony Entertainment has managed to out Pixar Pixar with this outstanding animated movie.
From the opening credits to the closing titles, I found this to be an almost perfect film.
“Surfs Up” is the story of Cody Maverick, a penguin with a thirst for adventure, who dreams of becoming like his hero, Big Z a surfing penguin who made it big in
Pen-Gu Island.
The characters are likeable, the scenery breathtaking and the humour genuinely funny.
I marvelled throughout at the use of colour. From the stark Antarctic landscape to the luscious island scenery, the backgrounds are beautifully done and it is very hard to see it as digital.
I have really enjoyed Pixar movies over the years but this one from Sony is something special and now raises the CGI bar even higher.
~ Pam Heinrich
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