Unstoppable
Denzel Washington and director Tony Scott are reunited for the fifth time in this enjoyable action thriller, Unstoppable. For those that saw their last movie, ‘The Taking Of Pelham 123’, breathe a sigh of relief because it is a step up from that train wreck.
Frank (Washington) is wise and experienced after working 28 years on the railroad and has been put to work with Will (Chris Pine) who is fresh out of training, half Frank’s age but his superior which creates friction between the two as Frank questions his experience for such a position. However, a spanner, a very large spanner, is thrown into the works to change what was meant to be an every day job into anything but.
The plot is simple; there’s a runaway train. A runaway train that happens to be a half-mile long freight train. It is on a rampage and has the potential to destroy the city due to the high level of explosive chemicals that it is carrying. Oh and on top of that, there is also a train of schoolchildren that are in danger which just adds fuel to the drama. To be honest, there’s not much more you need to know other than the fact there is an unstoppable train that needs to be stopped. Simple, but enjoyable.
There are gripping moments and the stunts are well performed in a story that is helped made believable by the fact that it is actually based, loosely it has to be said, on true events that took place in 2001 in Pennslyvenia. All in all, not epic but highly enjoyable.
Megamind
How many of you have often dreamt and imagined yourself as the superhero saving your local city and adored by all? Apparently even the villains have.
Two infants drop from the sky and into our world but both have two completely different upbringings; Metro Man (Brad Pitt) was taken in by a loving family who raised him to be the loved and adored protector of Metro City while Megamind (Will Ferrell) went through the experience of being raised in prison which leads him along the path of evil, becoming Metro City’s very own super villain. Just goes to show that it really is nurture over nature.
The two fight it out for supremacy over Metro City, with Megamind always losing because that’s what villains do, until one day when he wins and finds Metro City is his to rule. But with no opposing force stopping him at any turn, he is left feeling unsatisfied and without purpose until another villain emerges. Metro City needs a hero and that hero is Megamind.
If you liked the recent ‘Despicable Me’ animation, which is still showing for those that haven’t seen it, then you’ll like Megamind. The US box office smash hit is both clever and hilarious that is filled with action and also has a good story that develops well throughout.
London Boulevard
London Boulevard is the directional debut of William Monahan who was the screenwriter for Scorsese’s ‘The Departed’ but unfortunately, London Boulevard isn’t in the same league.
Ireland’s own Colin Farrell stars as Mitchell, who has just come out of Pentoville after three years in for GBH (Grievous Bodily Harm) and he’s hoping to put the life of crime behind him as he attempts to go straight. However, luck has seemingly deserted him as he gets anything but as he becomes the bodyguard of the reclusive neurotic movie star Charlotte (Keira Knightly) but feels the pull of his former life.
This is not one to bring the kids along to as the characters are saturated in profanity and the body count rises to phenomenal heights. It does a good job of showcasing the underbelly of London’s worst and the cinematography of London at night is excellent but the romantic chemistry between Farrell and Knightly fizzles instead of sizzles and the story starts off slow without ever really getting going or becoming riveting.
The American
An American stereotype is loud and brash which ironically is everything the movie isn’t. Jack the steely, introspective assassin, also known as the American, is George Clooney in this suspense thriller.
Jack is hiding out in Italy awaiting new orders but his past is starting to haunt him and paranoia is setting in and intensifying as the story progresses. It is evident in the early scenes that the years of such a profession are having an emotional toll and when a job in Sweden goes horribly wrong, Jack decides that it’s his time to call it a day. The only problem is, how can you walk away from such a profession alive and that’s what Jack discovers as enemies start to hunt him down.
Used to living a recluse live, in this reminiscing period of his life, he creates bonds with a few of those in the village, including a romantic connection with Clara (Violante Placido), a local brothel girl which intensifies too quickly.
This is a slow burning, intelligent and well crafted movie that is short on thrills. There is a story here to be told so for those looking for over the top action, you should go see Unstoppable or London Boulevard, while those that want to sit back and fall under the spell of a methodical and thoughtful movie should see The American.
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