Survivors (2008) [TV Series]

The BBC decided to remake the iconic 70's Apocalyptic drama where the UK succumbs to a deadly viral epidemic, killing 99% of the population, and decided to have Julie "Sack of spanners in the face" Graham and Max Beesley in the show. Oh dear.

As always, each of the survivors have their own story to tell and have the stereotypical characters in it, such as the "loner", the "loving mother", the "prisoner" but the most interesting interaction between the characters for me were played by Chakak Patel and Phillip Rhys (the one off 24 Season 2 who was ethnic and thought to be a terrorist but in the end wasn't). Rhys played Al, a "playboy" who has never had to care for anyone other than himself, and Patel plays Najid, a deeply religious kid who is older than his years. The two of them sort of end up looking after each other.

The acting is okay at times, but the story seems to speed up and slow down at will. Max Beesley, "Prisoner", has two looks which I like to call "Scowl" and "Growl" and the other characters are un-interesting at best.

The new series will be out in 2009, and I'll watch it - it's not terrible... it's just not really great either.

Star of the show: Phillip Rhys in his role as Al.
Best bit: Nothing really stands out, so I'll go for the cinematography of the destroyed and desolate cities.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1258189/

The Dark Knight (2008)

"Why so serious?" could turn out to be one of the most iconic film lines of 2008.

The Joker is back in Gotham City and he has one objective... to cause mayhem.

This was Heath Ledger's final main role before his untimely death, and filling Jack Nicholson's boots as the Joker in a previous iteration of the series was always going to be tough. Ledger, however, makes the character his own in a way which would have propelled his career to loftier heights had he not passed on.

However, I don't think he is the real star of this film, despite the inevitable posthumous Academy Award nomination/victory. Christian Bale, as Batman/Bruce Wayne, isn't either. His growling of every line as the self-titled Dark Knight is irritating and gets very old, very quickly. Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent is a good, well played role but his smug portrayal as Gotham City's "White Knight" left me wishing for a train to hit him firmly in his chiseled jaw.

The real star is Gary Oldman as Lieutenant/Commissioner Gordon. He is expected to be the side order to the main course, but he plays the role of Gordon as someone who is genuinely doing what he believes, for the right reasons... even to the extent of faking his death to catch the Joker. Oldman is superb in the role, and really caps off what is a good film - it will always be Ledger's film, but Oldman is the one who deserves more plaudits than he'll get. Another notable mention for the legendary William Fichtner who is a bank manager of the Mob.

Star of the film: Gary Oldman
Best bit: The end scene, perfectly setting up a further episode of another film.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0468569/

Layer Cake (2004)

Daniel Craig's true break-through into cinema comes in Matthew Vaughn's film. A successful drug manufacturer plans his retirement but his boss actually gives him two final jobs - find the daughter of another prominent "businessman" and negotiate the disposal of a large amount of ecstacy pills.

This, obviously, leads to deceit and double crossing and various different story strands all coming together.

The film contains a plethora of British TV/film stars including Kenneth Cranham as Jimmy Price, Sir Michael Gambon as Eddie Temple and others including the start of Sienna Miller's film career and the continuation of Colm Meaney's career. The film's soundtrack is set to 70's/80's music mainly but it's a fine juxtaposition (especially George Harris' Morty beating up a former posse member set to Duran Duran's Ordinary World)

Star of the film: Daniel Craig's XXXX character's progression through the film is very much a tribute to Craig's acting ability.
Best Bit: I would say the escape from the warehouse, drugs in tow, followed by the police.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0375912/

Elf (2003)

Will Ferrell stars in this festive comedy, as a child who grows up at the North Pole believing he is an elf called Buddy. When his size gives him away (about 3 times the size of all of the other elves), Santa allows him to go and find his real father, played by James Caan. However, Caan is on the "naughty" list due to his general demeanour and attitude to life.

Buddy ends up teaching his father about what life means, and the Christmas spirit via a department store where he meets Zooey Deschanel's Jovie - a girl working as a store elf at the store.

The story is one of family, and learning what you can be, rather than what you are.

Ferrell plays the role well as a very unworldwise person, and Caan is also excellent in his grumpy, career-orientated role as the book publisher who won't let work go.

Star of the film: Will Ferrell, the sort of role which is made for him.
Best bit: Buddy wandering around New York City, dressed in elf's gear.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0319343/

Episode 6: The Christmas Special

Oh come all ye faithful, good mates. Baz and Gaz planned to review Santa Claus the Movie reviewed, but due to other things, it didn't happen. So they wrong a Christmas song... and described the Christmas Day process... and got two special "celebrity" guests to record a piece for the podcast... and included the WHO!

Seasons Greetings, good buddies.

G

Download the show here or subscribe - go on, you know you want to

Sideways (2004)

A film about wine-tasting. Does this sound interesting? No... well, you're WRONG.

Paul Giamatti's character, Miles, is a semi-failed writer who sounds like he might finally have a chance at getting his book published. His life is generally in the toilet. However, he takes his best friend and actor Jack (Thomas Haden Church) on a "stag" weekend to remember, drinking wine and playing golf. Or at least, that's the plan. Jack has his eye on getting his end away one final time.

Miles, after his divorce, is mentally scarred, but tries to find love with a waitress who shares his love for wine, but her friend is in Jack's sights.

It's a good film, with a sense of humour, and it isn't too self important despite the subject.

Star of the Film: Paul Giamatti - I'd never come across him apart from in the Negotiator.
Best bit: There are quite a few.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0375063/

Police Academy (1984)

A group of rag tag citizens join up the Police Academy when the new mayor opens it up for the public to join. However the police bosses don't want the recruits so they intend to make them quit. Carey Mahoney (Steve Guttenberg) can't quit however otherwise he will be going to jail himself after committing lots of petty crimes.

As the Academy begins, Guttenberg doesn't want to continue in it but knows he cannot quit but as he goes on and meets Thompson (Kim Cattrall) who he instantly takes a liking to. Hilarity ensues as the Academy guys are put through their paces, and ultimately put into a situation involving a riot.

Mahoney helps save the day, and everyone is happy as they all graduate.

The film is comedy slapstick at its best, and Guttenberg does well to, at first, portray the rebel Mahoney, but after that the officer-to-be who wants to do the right thing.

Star of the Film: Steve Guttenberg
Best bit: The scene at the Blue Oyster Bar

Arlington Road (1999)

Jeff Bridges stars in this thriller with Tim Robbins.

Jeff saves the beginning of the film by saving his neighbour's kid after he injures his hand. This helps Jeff to get to know Tim. Jeff is a terrorism expert who begins to suspect Tim isn't quite who he thought.

He conducts some research and finds out that Tim hasn't been strictly truthful and is, in fact, someone with a past to hide. Jeff's current girlfriend is then killed in an RTA after she sees Tim acting suspiciously in the shopping mall.

The tone of the film is dark with lots of fade to black shots, and dark settings. The scene is veey tense and it's a decent thriller with Bridges and Robbins both playing very different roles.

Star of the film: Close between Robbins and Bridges but probably Robbins for his totally un-nerving performance as Oliver Lang

Best bit: the ending

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0137363/

Episode 5: Dark City

Baz and Gaz review Alex Proyas' film "Dark City" as well as discussing the best Christmas films ever, and the prelude to the Christmas Review to a Kill Special.

Direct Download the file here and subscribe here

G + B x

That Thing You Do! (1996)

Set in the 60's, a school band get thrust into the limelight with a hit record for their band, the One-ders. Signed up by a local promoter and then by Tom Hanks' Play-Tone label, they break into the Billboard Charts.

Before long, they're hitting the country and singing all over the States as well as appearing in films!

Things start to unravel when the lead singer dumps his girlfriend and quits the band, the bassist enrols and the lead guitarist gets married in Vegas.

Things end up well though as Liv Tyler's character ends up with the drummer (Tom Everett Scott, the films spiritual lead role) and all ended well.

It's a bit clichéd and, at times, a bit artsy but on the whole, it's enjoyable enough. It's almost a feel good film but not quite.

Star of the film: Tom Everett Scott starts off as a lowly family electrical store employee and ends up as a national star and gets the girl. What has he ever done since though?

Best bit: Any time that Everett Scott does that thing he does (get it? Ha ha) with the drumsticks before looking ultra smug.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117887/

Copycat (1995)

This thriller regarding a copycat killer is harmless enough but it hasn't aged well. Sigourney is an agoraphobic psychologist who survived a murder attempt on her life from the killer portrayed by Connick Jr. who has written a book while in prison.

On the outside, there is a copycat killer following a pattern given by Weaver's character in one of her lectures. It is on Holly Hunter to catch the killer using the help of Weaver.

However, the final killing is planned to be Ripley's so Hunter and the police have to get there in time.

The atmosphere of the film is pretty decent but it has not aged well from the technology used in the film, even to the cinematography.

Star of the film: Holly Hunter plays the role of the police officer in charge well
Best Bit: The final scenes, the tension is good and it brings the film to a close

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112722/

Enemy of the State (1998)

Typical Jerry Bruckheimer action flick starring the Fresh Prince. The Smith character is a lawyer who gets caught up in a Senator's murder by someone in the Government, namely the NSA. The story is mainly about privacy laws and technology used in the aforementioned 'Big Brother' laws.

It's the standard action followed by tension pattern used in these films but it's not done badly. It's just a bit bland. Will Smith runs around for hours trying to avoid the Government agents who would easily take down the simple lawyer. There are quite a few surveillance camera style shots which underline the privacy laws moral behind the tale.

The soundtrack is typical of Trevor Rabin and Harry Gregson-Williams and it's good action music.

Star of the Film: Will Smith simply because it's all about him... like most of his films.
Best Bit: The end scene in the Mafia restaurant.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120660/

The Mummy Returns (2001)

The sequel to the previously reviewed film is longer and features mummies again. This time, O'Connell and his now wife and son head out to another pyramid in chase of more treasure.

The cast is quite a strong one with the addition of the Rock and supporting roles again for Oded Fehr and Mr Eko from Lost.

Fraser plods his way through the film, predictably as do the other characters but it's a perfectly acceptable film to watch as long as you can manage to turn your mind off.

Star of the film: Mr Eko comes close to it, but it's Oded Fehr for his defending of the upper ground in a loosely connected strand of the story.

Best bit: The end scenes in the Oasis of Ahm Shere

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0209163/

Episode 4: 24 Redemption

The "Review to a Kill" podcast returns with a somewhat below par edition, given that the technology decided to balls up at the last minute.

The boys discuss their thoughts on the 24: Redemption TV movie, as well as discussing Jack Bauer interrogating Santa Claus, and what weapons would be in their Xmas Selection Box.

Direct download the show here or subscribe to the all-singing, all-dancing feed here.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0813980/

Normal service will be resumed soon.

The Good Girl (2002)

Both work at the Retail Rodeo, a bargain discount store. Justine, Aniston's character, is in a marriage with a pot head painter who she has been with for years and she's generally down about life.

Her and Holden (Gyllenhaal) start an illicit affair almost out of boredom with life.

The film follows their tedious existence in the Retail Rodeo and their choices in life leading up to the affair going sour and Holden's eventual theft of the takings of the store and his subsequent suicide.

The affair comes out after Holden's death and Justine has to deal with the fallout which makes things stronger in the long term.

The film is a slow one but it's not a bad flick. Aniston acts well enough and Gyllenhaal is a good, shy kid with mental tendencies.

Star of the film: Jennifer Aniston does a very good job of playing a downtrodden housewife.
Best Bit: Probably the scene towards the end of the film in the motel.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0279113/

Ultraviolet (2006)

Serial bad actress Milla Jovavich in wearing coloured wigs and leather shock. This movie just shows loads of neon lights (like a really bad disco), big energy music as Violet steals a case from some organisation with loads of security. The cinematography is good but uncalled for really and there is far too much of the "bullet time" like moves in the fight scenes. On the plus side it has the World's best actor William Fichtner in it which almost makes it worth watching. Almost. The plot is contrived (vampires and non vampires who were vying for a cure to their race) and a bit shit if I'm honest. I'm glad that I didn't go to see it at the cinema as it was a poor film. Not worth the hour and a half of my life.

Star of the Film: Hard to call but probably, begrudgingly, Milla Jovavich
Best Bit: The opening scenes

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0370032/