Real Steel (12A) ****

Real Steel (12A) ****

Dir: Shawn Levy

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Dakota Goyo, Evangeline Lilly

Synopsis: In the future, human boxing has become obsolete. Now, giant robots beat each other to death in the ring, giving the baying crowd what they want: carnage. Ex-boxer Charlie finds himself caring for his son Max and together, they find and train an outmoded robot to rise through the ranks of the robot boxing scene.

Verdict: If one thing must be said for this film, it is this: robots beating the crap out of each other is just the side story to a father-son bonding film. Although having said that, the robots beating the crap out of each other is very fun to watch.

You start off by meeting Charlie (Jackman), the ex boxer turned robot trainer/operator who i found myself taking an instant dislike too. Jackman plays the obsessive, gambling, debt ridden Charlie exceedingly well and gradually reduces it as the relationship between him and his son Max (Goyo) grows stronger. There is much inevitability in this film, making it quite predictable as far as plot goes, from the used again and again dad-who-wasn't-there growing to love his son, to the Rocky-esque bout at the end of the film.

Goyo does a superb job of playing Max. He manages to pull off a character who, all at once, is the same as his father but completely different, and instantly likable. This liking is taken further as he grows closer to both his father, and Atom, their junkyard robot. It is nice to see that at the end of the film, he and Charlie's love interest Bailey (Lilly) aren't watching the robots in the ring, but Charlie as he controls Atom and going back to his boxing roots.

Atom, despite being both a CG and an animatronic model is a whole other character. It looks constantly hopeful due to a weld (or some other kind of marking) on his face which makes it look as though it's smiling, and as the characters grow to love it, so did I.

The use of the Avatar special effects team makes this film so much better in terms of special effects than things like Transformers. And the film seems to benefit from the choice to not shoot in 3D, as it helps the focus remain on the emotional story, rather than the giant hunks of metal punching each other into oblivion.

The Three Musketeers 3D (12A) ***

The Three Musketeers 3D (12A) ***

Dir: Paul W.S Anderson

Starring: Matthew Macfadyen, Luke Evans, Logan Lerman, Milla Jovovich.

Synopsis: The Three Musketeers are down on their luck after a botched mission, leaving them a group of drunken brawlers in Paris. Until, that is, young D'Artagnan comes to join their ranks, and they find themselves embarking on a thrilling mission to stop France and England going to war.

Verdict: It may just be me harking back to the good old days of my childhood, but throughout The Three Musketeers I couldn't stop thinking about the old cartoon from my youth, Albert: The Fifth Musketeer, as well as the old video game from my youth, Final Fantasy 9. This aside, however, the film is an enjoyable watch with plenty of bang for your buck.

Lets get the big question out of the way first: the 3D. I think that the little niggle I have with 3D stands, and that is that people still haven't been able to sort out writing without their being a translucent image of the word slightly off to one side (whether it be right or left). However, the effect works in many other parts of the film. For example, the flyover of a war map, complete with figures of ships, horses and soldiers is good, as is one particular scene that caught my attention of an aerial view of Paris with clouds in frame which looked very good.

On the subject of other special effects, the CGI was very good, with the (to me) Final Fantasy inspired airships being very impressive. Alongside these are the good old fashioned pyrotechnics which no self respecting Hollywood action flick would be without. Again, though, I find myself noticing too much when the scene is filmed before a green screen which, unfortunately, detracts from the experience a little bit.

 To stop myself going off on a rant about special effects, lets now discuss the acting side of the film. The original Three Musketeers, Athos, Porthos and Aramis (played by Matthew Macfadyen, Ray Stevenson and Luke Evans respectively) are very good, ranging from the all serious heroes they are, to very comical. The comedy is enhanced somewhat by their servant Planchett, played by James Corden. His style of comedy suits the film very well, and gives the main characters of The Musketeers something to bounce off too make the audience laugh.

Then, of course, there is the cocksure, arrogant D'Artagnon (Lerman). He, more than the rest of the Musketeers, is the focus of the film, as it charts his progress from picking fights with each of the original Musketeers in turn, to becoming a part of them (The Four Musketeers being the inevitable sequel? or something more inventive?) and, inevitably, getting the girl.

Milady de Winter (Jovovich) is also very good, intelligent, evil and constantly changing sides. This is quite a juxtaposition to King Louis (Freddie Fox) who is as dense as they come, and only worried about whether his fashion is the same as Orlando Blooms' Buckingham, the evil from across the channel. This stupidity is highlighted even more by the Queen (Juno Temple), another intelligent woman who is the driving force behind getting the Musketeers to go on their mission. I think, above everything, this is what made me think so much of Albert when watching it, the similarities between the dense King Louis, the Queen, the Cardinal and Milady (although Milady was missing a quacking duck tattoo, which was a pity)

Wheels for Heroes 2011

Pat Murray (in the middle wearing a mohawk helmet)
with some of the participants at the finish line in Matlock

OVER £1000 has been raised for soldiers’ families at the Wheels for Heroes motorcycle rally.

The event, which went from the Council offices in Swadlincote, South Derbyshire, to the Derbyshire Dales District Council building in Matlock, raised £1020 for the Royal British Legion.

Between 150 and 200 Riders rode from the Civic car park in Swadlincote, to the Derbyshire Dales District Council building in Matlock.

Councillor Pat Murray from South Derbyshire County Council, the organiser of the Wheels for Heroes event, said that it was a great success.

“It wasn’t the best of day’s weather wise, but bikers brave all sorts for a good cause.

“The public were really good as well, and people came out along the route to cheer us on.”

Stuart Allen, the County Vice-Chairman for the Derbyshire Royal British Legion was also pleased with how the day went: “It was brilliant, it went very, very well and was very well supported by all the different bike associations.

“I’m very grateful to Pat Murray for organising the event, and to all the people who turned out.”

With such a good turnout of bikers, there was a nice variety of bikes taking part in the run, ranging from 50cc Lambretta’s, to big engined sports bikes, tourers, cruisers and trikes.

Luckily, the weather stayed fine for the duration of the ride, which left Swadlincote at 11am and arrived in Matlock at approximately 12:15, taking in some of the villages surrounding Burton-on-Trent before getting onto the A38 and A6 for the Peak District town.

The ride out was the second such event organised by Cllr Murray, with a run in 2010 raising money for the Army Benevolent Fund, and a run already planned for Sunday, October 14 2012 to raise money for Soldiers, Sailors and Air Force Families Association (SSAFFA).

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (15) ****

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (15) ****

Dir: Tomas Alfredson

Starring: Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Colin Firth, John Hurt, Benedict Cumberbatch.

Synopsis: 1973. The cold war is in full swing, and an espionage battle is raging between the Soviet Union, and Britain and America. MI6 finds out there is a mole in their ranks, and bring George Smiley (Oldman), a retired veteran, to uncover the double agent.

Verdict: This is one of those films that is a marmite film. you either like it, or you dont. True, all films are marmite films, but this is one of those serious films that doesn't use action, romance or comedy to grab you, but uses its ability to make you think, wonder, and look at it in a lot of detail to try and figure it all out.

With its all star cast this film, it seems, is destined for great things. Based on the novel by John le Carre, originally turned into a series by the BBC and now a feature film, the story tackles the very real threat that could have happened during the days of the cold war. A mole in the British intelligence.

The cast is perfect for this film. Each actor delivers a great performance, but particular credit must be given to Oldman, Cumberbatch and Hardy. To be honest, the whole cast is very deserving, making me - someone who has neither read the book or seen the original series - keep second guessing who is the guilty party in the plot. This is the key to this film - it is so clever in its story (thanks to le Carre) and its delivery (thanks to Alfredson and the cast) that you constantly think: 'It's him... Or maybe him'.

This cleverness in the plot is reflected in the filming of the movie. I found myself going back to the days of films studies - examining mise en scene, lighting, and noticing certain choices that, while I still do this things, I found myself doing more for this film than others (albeit to try and find clues). I particularly liked the metaphor of a signal change and train junction clicking into place as Oldman's Smiley figured everything out.

This cleverness is balanced by a level of violence that is quite impressive, even by todays standards. There is an impressive splatter in the middle of the film (including chunks of brain and bone sliding down a wall), and a brilliant kill-shot effect at the end of the film.

While not to everyone's taste, this film is sure to do well - both at the box office and when awards season comes around. Like The Kings Speech, Tinker Tailer Soldier Spy goes to prove that simple and clever films are just as good, if not better, than the big budget all action, all comedy, all lovey dovey movies that Hollywood releases.

Fastest ***

Fastest ***

Dir: Mark Neale

Starring: Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Ben Spies, Casey Stoner, narrated by Ewan McGregor

Synopsis: Basically a recap of the 2010 MotoGP season, with highlights from previous seasons including the epic 2009 Catalunya final laps and more.

Verdict: While a good insight into the background of the MotoGP, the film seems very focused on one very famous individual in the sport. Valentino Rossi. While this is not a bad thing, I like Rossi (despite thinking that alot of his fans are just there for the glory - think about alot of Manchester United fans if you're a football fan) the film lacks a certain something that would have made it spectacular.

The film starts off with those epic final laps of the 2009 Catalunya grand prix, with Lorenzo and Rossi duking it out for the win. From there, we get introduced to Rossi's hometown fans and members of his fan club (which we dont get the pleasure of for any other of the racers), and go into the 2010 season.

The fans get to relive the crash that puts Rossi out of action with a broken leg, the rise of the current championship holder Jorge Lorenzo and the illness of Casey Stoner. The injuries and illnesses of the season are of course overshadowed by the fact that the sport is dangerous - with a touching reference to Shoya Tomizawa, and the many others who have lost their lives doing what they love over the years since the MotoGP began.

While this film is not a must see for fans of the sport, it is an entertaining and very interesting documentary into the background of the sport, the rifts between the riders that have grown during the past few seasons, and asks the very real question of 'who will be fastest now?' (a question many are asking with Rossi's current sturggle with the Ducati).