Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World****

"Because you'll be dust by Monday... because you'll be pulverized in two seconds. The cleaning lady? She cleans up... dust. She dusts."

If you're a comic fan who truly appreciates the characteristics of a comic going into a film then you will enjoy this, no doubt about it. With what appears to be Pokemon-style battle scenes and captions, along with character titles and colourful cinematography, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World should have it's own category of awesomeness. It's retro, with a rocking soundtrack and the occasional sound effect you should all know if you were in the Super Mario World generation.

It's geek-chic appeal means that the women going to watch this film will be falling at Michael Cera's feet. Cera always pulls off the role of an indie geek boy well, but in this film he has almost matured a little, as he has move away from home and has his own band, but the way he acts around girls brings out that hesitant and clumsy character we all love. His ability to fight was amazing (even if he runs a bit funny); he isn't your typical superhero, he's just trying to win the thing he wants the most, in this case Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). You may not think you've seen her in the acting world much, but she played Lucy McClane in Die Hard 4, and I think she has some strong potential to take up more female leads in the future.

Her hard-to-get but charming personality makes her all the more appealing, and you can begin to understand why she has seven ex's. The only thing I felt that could have gone wrong in this film is the fact we as an audience know Pilgrim must defeat seven people, and then what? A happy ending? I am pleased to say it wasn't that straight forward. There are a mixture of characters, such as Scott's obsessive girlfriend Knives Chau (Ellen Wong) and his gay house mate Wallace Wells (Kieran Culkin) who are full of witty one liners. It was even easy to connect with non-enthusiast Kim (Alison Pill).

By the end of the film there is a lesson learned and underneath is just your typical story of a heartbreaking boy just trying not to hurt anyone. He could easily be your best friend, because the relationship problems he goes through is something we can all relate to. Director Edgar Wright has made this film genuinely funny, but we shouldn't expect any less from the man who also directed Shaun of the Dead (2004). I would say this film is aimed at the teenage generation more than anyone else, it's not something I can imagine my parents going to see because you really have to appreciate the comic elements they've integrated.

Salt****

Who is Evelyn Salt? Well I'm not going to tell you that silly, go and see it for yourself!

All I will tell you is that she is a very successful CIA agent who decides to run from her work when someone who is brought in accuses her of being a Russian spy. Director Phillip Noyce has done a wonderful job on what is another action packed blockbuster this summer. He is more involved in TV series' than films, but nevertheless, he has portrayed Angelina Jolie as more mysterious than ever, and the film definitely reflects that Jolie has still got it as an actress.

Angelina Jolie has performed in a variety of films since her Tomb Raider days, such as Wanted (2008) and Changeling (2008) but she still has the same sexiness about her as an action woman. The truth is, action films fit Jolie like a glove, and she's always suited the role. The trailer asks us "who is Salt?" but reluctantly, we don't find out until the very end, and even then we are left at an open ending which leaves the possibility of a sequel.

The film itself is full of twists and surprises, it will make you heart skip a beat as something that should have been quite obvious is made truly complex to the audience's eye. The amount of action never falters, there is barely a moments peace, keeping the audience tense. It even throws us into the action at the very beginning with Salt being tortured, which is what makes this film very different to Knight and Day, in that Jolie isn't afraid to get beaten about a little by the boys, whereas Diaz found her skills to fire a gun out of nowhere.

The stunts, explosions, and chases are still easy on the eyes, and brain, unlike Inception, but that doesn't make the mystery of Salt any easier. You would think it would be two hours of the CIA chasing Angelina, but it's not. She toughens up, and despite being seen as the bad girl, she's actually seeking to get revenge. She becomes the woman we all want to be, strong and independent, elegant yet dangerous.

With some familiar faces on the block, such as Liev Schreiber (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) playing Salt's boss Ted Winter, and Chiwetel Ejiofor (Inside Man) taking up another detective-type roll, this action movie can be right up anyone's street. You think you'll know what's going to happen next, but you'll most likely be wrong. I would definitely see it again.

Something different - True Blood and The Wheel Of Time

I don't usually comment on anything but the current films out there, but I thought I would share with you why I'm absolutely loving season three of True Blood.

I didn't think this TV series would ever be my cup of tea, it doesn't hold back on the amount of blood and gore, sex scenes, or torture. Surprisingly, three seasons down the line, I'm well and truly hooked. It's nothing like your Edward and Bella romance; maybe it's just as intense and sloppy, but surrounding them is an increase in murders, kidnappings, and an ever growing variety of creatures appearing in little Louisiana.

The series follows the story of Sookie Stackhouse (played none other than Anna Paquin - Rogue in X Men) who lives with her brother Jason and who works in your regular family restaurant owned by Sam Merlotte. The restaurant contains most of the main characters, what with it being a small town, but this makes it easy to keep up with all of them. Then there are the vampires, mainly Bill Compton, who Sookie falls in love with, but they're not all 'good'. You'll meet Eric Northman, and Lafayette Reynolds, who deals out vampire blood. Characters come and go, mostly the really naughty ones, and it usually takes a whole season to explain who or what one character is, making it that much more gripping. Some characters have their own powers, making the humans more likeable, however you won't find out what Sookie's is til season three!

Season three has pleasantly introduced werewolves, and about time really. It's a lot darker, gorier, and you can begin to see the split between the vampires, as some take the humans' side and others such as Russell Edgington (The vamp king of Mississippi) who want to kill off the human race. So if your a Twilight fan but would appreciate a real fight between fang and fur, then get your teeth stuck into True Blood. What's not to like, especially when all the characters are appealing to look at!


Secondly on my discussion agenda, I have recently finished book one of the Wheel of Time series, and can say I actually enjoyed it. It was recommended to me by my boyfriend, and I was a little apprehensive as it sounded too much of a lad's read. Once again, I was surprised, as it turned out to be a better version of Lord of the Rings, as The New York Times describes on the cover:

"With the Wheel of Time, Jordan has come to dominate the world Tolkien began to reveal"



With even more fantasy creatures and places than LOTR, these books are appealing to me because I'm a bit of a fantasy action geek. It's a funny cross between the LOTR films and the Zelda nintendo games. It's old school, swords and crossbows instead of guns, they wear cloaks and hold staffs, and I'm not afraid to say that I miss seeing that in cinema. The thing is with fantasy worlds is that you can go your whole life just pretending to yourself they're real, you can escape from your troublesome everyday life. Considering the Wheel of Time series is divided into twelve books, with two still to come, it's something that will keep you far more occupied than LOTR or Harry Potter. There may be some parts you don't understand, it's a bit overwhelming at first, but once you get the jist, the rest follows. If you really get stuck there's even a glossary at the end of each book!

The point I wanted to get to for anyone that actually reads these books is that there is rumour of films being made for them. I think I accidentally came across this link, but I'm pretty pleased I did! You can read it here:

http://www.geekology.co.za/blog/2010/01/first-wheel-of-time-movie-possibly-released-in-2011/

Knight and Day**

Knight and Day tells the story of how just an ordinary girl, June (Cameron Diaz) becomes tangled in Roy Miller's (Tom Cruise) mysterious life; slowly being immersed into his 'ordinary' life of guns, chases and a little but very important object called the Zephyr. While all this standard action is going on, June finds herself becoming more and more attracted to Miller, however when she finds out she was just being used, she must make the decision of turning him in or sticking with him.

As an acting duo, Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise are effortlessly fantastic, they make an elegant eloping couple but it is the storyline that is what lets this film down. The action is non-stop, with a hint of sexual tension here and there, but the action is just your standard bullet-in-chest violence, nothing will really make you think "cor, I bet that hurt". The comedy is tongue in cheek, all the best bits were in the trailers and Cruise's patronising tone just really didn't do it for me. This almost out-law couple film never really gives away why it is called 'Knight and Day' either, despite the use of a small knight figure to hold Miller's secret.

So, I ask myself, are Diaz and Cruise just getting too old for this? Cruise's flash of flesh in the beach scenes could not hide the wrinkles that are starting to appear around Diaz's eyes. When it comes down to what the audience want, it's definitely not older generation actors trying to jump around when they clearly aren't made for the action any more. Not saying they've done their time, but there were plenty of younger actors and actresses that could have made this a sexier and must more aesthetically pleasing film. A bit of a downer on the plot was Diaz being constantly drugged because she couldn't 'cope' in the midst of the action. Alas, it felt like half the action was missing because she was passing out! The audience never saw Miller getting out of a violent situation completely, and just goes to show that Diaz never stopped being the damsel in distress since Shrek.

At times the entire film felt a bit of a joke, almost like a mockery of the whole action genre itself, the way Cruise talked sarcastically in spy terms and the unsuitable soundtrack that meant every gunshot and explosion could be predicted. For a 12A, I expected nothing less, but for Cruise's comeback I expected more. I think James Mangold could have made this film a lot darker, particularly concerning Miller's family who we barely see any of. The plot overall is so simple you won't even need to pay attention half the time. There was far too much CGI and green screen noticeable, it was disappointing because a lot of the stunts on the motorbikes were impressive.

If it was this or A-Team, I would have chosen A-Team. Knight and Day is too easy on the eyes and won't get you thinking like Inception, or even Toy Story 3! Just don't bother unless you really have to.

The A-Team***

Now I wonder what word could possibly replace the A in A-Team? Amazing? It's a bit too flattering. Adventurous? Hardly. I think the word I'm looking for is adequate. Despite the generous amount of explosions and gun fighting scenes, the film was portrayed in a way that at times became confusing, such as the planning of an attack which was illustrated at the same time. It felt like an anti-climax that we didn't receive the usual build up of plan, action and consequence, but instead skipped the action which is something I thought the A-Team would be packed with.

Don't get me wrong, from the very beginning we watch Face (Bradley Cooper) being saved by fellow team mates Hannibal (Liam Neeson) and B.A.Baracus (Quinton "Rampage" Jackson), so we are thrown right into a pit of destruction. I think it was a useful idea to introduce the characters slowly one by one, as not everyone is familiar with the 80's TV series the film was based on, and director Joe Carnahan definitely made a fine selection of actors to take up the roles. However, considering the hype made for this film including all those stupid Orange adverts before any film in the cinema, I was thoroughly confused and annoyed midway through at B.A becoming anti-violent and quoting Gandhi. If you were expecting a macho film, think again, Bradley Cooper's torso may say differently but the fact that one character loses the heart to kill anyone is quite deflating.

Some of the action was a little unrealistic, particularly the flying tank scene, which in all fairness did land in a lake but really, what are the chances? I know the A-Team have to appear perfect but surely one little hiccup wouldn't have hurt. On the other hand, the closing scenes of the dockyard domino-effect showdown was spectacular to watch, and very cleverly thought out by the big brains of the team, Liam Neeson. I thought Neeson gave a genuinely strong performance, similar to the role in Taken (2008) where he must take initiative, but completely opposite to his solitary role in Love Actually (2003), reflecting his ability as an actor to accept different emotional characters.

The additional romantic plot within the film wasn't really needed between Bradley Cooper and Jessica Biel, it just felt too awkward although I guess it makes this supposed action packed blockbuster more appealing to the feminine audience being dragged along by their other halves. On the up side, seeing as I am awarding this film three stars, and this means I neither loved or hated it, there were some worthy comical moments particularly between B.A and Murdock (Sharlto Copley). The action is drawn over several locations, and these were displayed in text so the audience did not lose their footing, something I always appreciate in action films such as The Losers. However, the editing did not always assist the action and I found myself becoming disorientated with it all a bit too often.

Unfortunately I have to say, and please don't cringe, this plan didn't quite come together. It was worth the watch, but undoubtedly not predicted the best action film this year, at least by myself anyway.