MOVIES Journalist and movie critic , Anthony Sherratt , shares his (very ) honest reviews of the latest movies on DVD. out now Blended What’s it about? A series of highly implausible coincidences sees a widower (Adam Sandler) and his three daughters forced to share South African holiday accommodation with a divorcee (Drew Barrymore) who he went on a terrible blind date with and her two sons. Predictable hijinks and the titular “blending” of the families ensue. What did we think? I want to use the phrase ‘poor person’s Brady Bunch’ but that would be doing a disservice to a successful television show. There is nothing successful about Blended. It is a painful 117 minutes of generalised jokes about gender, and race stereotypes. Oh and the obligatory gross-out comedy moments of course. Trying to recreate the previous chemistry Barrymore and Sandler shared on-screen seems logical. Using this script is anything but. Blended was an early contender for worst film of the year before the new Transformers movie stole three hours of my life without providing a plot in return. Godzilla What’s it about? A natural disaster that isn’t actually natural sparks off a chain of events, which leads to a giant monster that could spell the end of the world for humanity. What did we think? The new Godzilla is like a one-night stand. It’s fun and exciting while it lasts, but the next morning you have questions and thoughts that are generally unsatisfying. Great effects and the best finishing move of all time (OF ALL TIME) mask some deficiencies in characterisation and story. The main ‘hero’ follows a journey of interconnected events that is beyond the belief of even someone who’s happy to believe in giant monsters. But for those who do, it isn’t about the frailties of the script, it’s about the giant lizard. And although we don’t see enough of the big guy, what we do see is simply good fun. There are some good twists (avoid spoilers beforehand if you can) and some genuine respect and love for the character and its history but just don’t think about it too much. Edge Of Tomorrow What’s it about? A non-combat officer finds himself caught in a time loop during a war with an alien race. He combines with a special forces officer but will it be enough to save the world? What did we think? It’s Groundhog Day mashed with Independence Day and yes it works. With more laughs than I would have expected, the latest Tom Cruise sci-fi offering has a great balance of action, good characterisation and interesting plot. Emily Blunt is amazing and it has to be said Cruise plays the unlikeable Major/Private Cage really well. The story is really well told so the repetition doesn’t (quite) grate and you’re not actually quite sure how it’s going to end, which is a nice change. Good action and effects round off a highly polished piece of entertainment, And even anti-Tom Cruise fans should enjoy it as they at least get to watch him die a hundred or so times. Pindara M 98 agazine Summer | 2014/15
Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Three
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