MOVIE REVIEW - The Ring Two (2005)

Director: Hideo Nakata
Starring: Naomi Watts, Simon Baker, David Dorfman, Elizabeth Perkins, Gary Cole, Sissy Spacek

The sequel to one of the scariest and most chilling movies in recent history 'The Ring'. Naomi Watts returns as Rachel Keller, and her son Aidan (Dorfman), are trying to start a new life a long way away from the big city in a quiet town. She is investigating another occurrence of the videotape she destroyed. But the horror she had been trying to escape is looking for her and her son.

You go into this movie expecting, as with most Hollywood sequels, something that will try to be bigger and scary. But this movie is far from that. For the first two thirds it is more drama than horror movie, just showing Rachel and Aidan Keller dealing with the fact that it isn't over and that Samarra still wants them. It is a completely different kind of horror movie to the first, a lot of the bizarre and freaky imagery is dropped for the slow plotting of Rachel and Aidan's relationship. And then Rachel's subsequent deeper investigation into Samarra's past. Only the final act comes anywhere close to what I felt watching any part of the original.

For what it is this film stands up pretty well, mainly in thanks to an excellent performance from Naomi Watts. If it wasn't for her I don't think I would have sat all the way through the film. But as many people will be expecting the big scares, it just doesn't provide, leaving the audience unfulfilled.

The Good: Naomi Watts. The deer attack sequence.
The Bad: The slow-plotting. Not 'The Ring'
The Ugly: Sissy Spacek's peformance.

Overall: A tank half-empty 5/10

Insanity reigns..

Just on Yahoo looking at news about Katrina and I notice thay Yahoo has set up a message board to help bring the missing back together. And there is one moron with the post titled "HOW MANY WELFARE WHORES ARE DEAD?". This is just sickening to me that someone could be so uncaring and insensitive at this time.

Also what is going on?? When contractors on their way into New Orleans to fix the levee come under attack from gunmen.. The police had to kill six of them. Fortunately none of the contractors were injured. Don't these people see what they are doing. On one hand you have people complaining that nothing is being done, and then its starts getting done and there is another group of people just shooting at them for coming in to help.

MOVIE REVIEW - Sahara (2005)

Director: Breck Eisner
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Steve Zahn, Penelope Cruz, William H Macy

Based on the Clive Cussler novel, this is the story of Dirk Pitt (McConaughey) and his search for a missing 'Ironclad' ship that went missing during the Civil War. Playing out like a blend of Bond and Indiana Jones it fits in the same over the top fun vein as National Treasure.

McConaughey is likable and fine in the very limited role of the action hero. Steve Zahn is great as the comedy sidekick. But the cast is outshined by William H Macy, his short time on screen is alway an enjoyable pleasure.

The movie is really brought down by some convient moments to move the plot along, for example Zahn's character just stumbles across one clue out of luck. Also the one dimensional stereotypical villians don't help either - the African warlord (Lennie James) with a penchant for antique weapons and the corrupt euro-trash businessman (Lambert Wilson).

All I can say about this film in the end is just be sure to leave all disbelief at the door and I'm sure you can enjoy this pretty good piece of escapism.

The Good: William H Macy. The desert locations look fantastic.
The Bad: The convient plot motivators. Cardboard cut-out bad guys.
The Ugly: Surfing across the desert to 'Magic Carpet Ride'

Overall: A good honest fun.. 6/10

MOVIE REVIEW - Layer Cake (2004)

Director: Matthew Vaughn
Starring: Daniel Craig, Colm Meaney, Michael Gambon

Daniel Craig is the drug dealer with no name in this brilliant british gangster flick. The plot begins as the run of the mill guy wants to get out of the business story, but like the title suggests there is more than a couple of layers to what is happening around him. Of course he gets asked to do another job by his boss, to whom no is not an acceptable answer.

Being touted as the next big brit-film in the vein of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Layer Cake is more a spiritual succesor to movies like Long Good Friday and Get Carter taking a more serious route rather than having all the stereotypes played for laughs. Don't get me wrong those stereotypes are in there, just not played tongue-in-cheek. With the Exception of The Duke.

Daniel Craig walks through the movie with a cool smoothness only comparable to the likes of Steve McQueen or Eastwood. You can also see why his name has been linked with James Bond in recent days, as in one scene it seems one look from his blue eyes and one girl is offering herself to him. And you know what, you believe he could get a girl that easily.

Other performances are also of very high standard. Especially Colm Meaney and Michael Gambon, very different from being Dumbeldore.

The direction from Matthew Vaughn is excellent and not overloaded with the visual flair often used by Guy Ritchie. There a little touches here and there which work brilliantly in the context of the film.

The Good: Performances, direction, story are all tight and well handled.
The Bad: May take a second viewing to catch all the layers. But that isn't a terrible thing.
The Ugly: Gangsters aren't the prettiest men in the world. And fouled mouthed too.

Overall: Highly Recommended 9/10