Annabelle: Creation

Cast: Anthony Lapaglia, Samara Lee, Miranda Otto, Lulu Wilson, Talitha Eleana Bateman and Stephanie Sigman.

Director: David F. Sandberg

Release Date: 2017

Running Time: 1hr 49 minutes

Genre: Horror

Rating: 15

Format: Sky Movies

Synopsis:

12 years after the tragic death of their little girl, a dollmaker and his wife welcome a nun and several girls from a shuttered orphanage into their home, where they soon become the target of the dollmakers possessed creation, Annabelle.

Based on the terrifying true story about a haunted doll named "Annabelle", that still to this day is kept locked away in a museum owned by real life Paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren. The most disappointing thing about this film is the fact that none of it is actually based on the true story of Annabelle Higgins. Higgins was murdered and left to rot in a field, none of which is ever mentioned or shown in the movie. Although it ties in with "Annabelle" and "The Conjuring" fairly well, it also steers away from it's terrifying originality. I was terribly dissapointed to know that director James Wan would not be returning to direct "Annabelle" or its prequel. Unfortunately like many horror movies these days, it gets caught up in the hype of Hollywood, filmmakers claim that their film is based on a true story, very rarely are they ever. More often than not, it is done as a publicity stunt.

It's a shame viewers will get more of an adrenaline rush from the documentary on Annabelle Higgins, rather than a movie, that really had the potential to tell the horrifying story in great detail. The movie starts off exceptionally good, your introduced to characters and shown a backstory, it however doesn't take long for the movie to go downhill very quickly. Director David Sandberg has relied on far too many jump scares and predicality, that viewers are left working out the puzzle before they've even been handed it. Understandably this may be why director James Wan turned down the movie, due to it's very poorly written script. The haunted doll that Annabelle is thought to possess in real life was in fact a Raggedy Ann doll, why Sandberg thought the need to change it to a wooden doll is anyone's guess.

Lulu Wilson and Talitha Bateman star as young orphans Linda and Janice, inseparable best friends with a love for dolls. Both deliver very good performances considering the script they were given to work with. It's unfortunate that a few scenes made absolutely no sense, or had nothing to do with the story itself. In one scene a scarecrow comes to life and chases after the orphans girls. Why? It was added purely for the scare factor, which considering the film is a horror makes sense, right? Yes, to a degree, it's sad that all it really did though was make for a very cheesy and irrelevant scene, that had nothing to do with the plot. This movie had so much potential, it was really let down by the script and it's execution.

The lighting department and set designers are what really make this film work. Although the doll isn't authentic in the way it looks, it's still incredibly creepy too look at. It's unfortunate that director David Sandberg essentially stole a few ideas from James Wan's incredible thriller "Insidious", the demon that lives within the doll looks remarkably like the demon shown in the "Insidious" franchise. Although the CGI is terrific, there was no originality. Sandberg has relied far too much on jump scares and the ideas of other filmmakers to produce a movie that he hoped would be the same quality as "The Conjuring", I'm sorry to say that it was nowhere near as good. James Wan knows how to thrill audiences psychologically, Sandberg still has a long way to go if he really wants to thrill his viewers. Disappointing.

2.5/5 stars

Waterworld

Cast: Kevin Costner, Dennis Hopper, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Robert A.Silverman and Gerard Murphy.

Director: Kevin Reynolds

Release Date: 1995

Running Time: 2hrs 15 minutes

Genre: Adventure

Rating: 12

Format: Netflix

Synopsis:

In the future where the polar ice caps have melted and Earth is almost submerged, a mutated mariner fights starvation and outlaw smokers and reluctantly helps a woman and a young girl find dry land.

It's been reported that "Waterworld" was one of the worst movies to have been made in the early nineties. Essentially it is "Mad Max" on water, however no two movies are the same, no matter what people may say to you. A fair amount of movie fans dislike the movie due to it's unrealistic storyline. Forgive me, but I don't remember director Kevin Reynolds claiming it to be scientific or to be a representation of the near future. It's a movie. It was made purely for entertainment purposes, not for NASA to analyze at a later date. Unfortunately if you go in with this sort of mindset you never going to enjoy it for what it is. As a member of the audience you are not told what year "Waterworld" is set in, however personally that is what makes it all the more entertaining. It could, essentially be thousand upon thousands of years into the future. As if we have a right to judge what may or may not happen?

In this post apocalyptic waterworld, people are living primarily on boats. How these people came to survive is a mystery, however that's part of the fun. I don't know about you, but I don't always want my questions to be answered. Mariner (Costner) finds himself surrounded by a community of people living on an island made from the rubble of what was once Earth. Helen (Tripplehorn) believes that he knows where dryland is. When their island is attacked by "smokers" Helen and Enola escape with him in search of dryland. A place they believe to still be inhabited by humans. Will they make it there in time though before the thieving "smokers" catch up with them? The "smokers" live on board an old oil tanker, that seems to have an infinite supply of oil and cigarettes. Interestingly, the "smokers" refer to the oil as black stuff. Are they aware of it's full potential?

Kevin Costner delivers a good performance, although it's not one of his best performances, he slips into the main role of the mariner very well. Costner pulls off action sequences brilliantly and proves once again he's the ultimate hero. Dennis Hopper delivers an excellent performance as Deacon, head of the smokers. Hopper is very good at playing the bad guy, although he found himself type cast throughout most of his career, he had an excellent way of bringing charm and humour to his more often than not, psychopathic characters. Tina Majorino steals the show as young Enola, beautifully innocent and fearless she works excellently alongside Hopper and Costner. Character development is very interesting throughout. As the human race, is this how desperate we would become to find dryland?

Although "Waterworld" certainly wouldn't go down as a piece of art, it should be for it's spectacular cinematography, something that really shouldn't be missed, considering the problems the actors faced during production. It's clear a lot of work went into the production of this film, in making it look as authentic as possible. I found myself asking a lot of questions during the viewing of this film. Where did Mariner get dirt from? Has he actually seen dryland, despite saying he hasn't? Perhaps he didn't want to disappoint others into believing there was more then there actually is? 99% of the Earth is submerged underwater. Does Enola know more than what she is letting on? Sometimes we don't need to know the answers to the questions we ask when viewing a movie for the first time. Half the fun can be trying to figure out what sort of message the director was hoping to give. A lot of effort went into making sure this film made it onto the big screen. Don't judge too harshly, I think you might be pleasantly surprised.

4/5

Baywatch

Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron, Alexandra Daddario, Priyanka Chopra, Kelly Rohrbach and Ilfenesh Hadera

Director: Seth Gordan

Release Date: 2017

Running Time: 1hr 52 minutes

Genre: Crime

Rating: 15

Format: Sky Cinema

Synopsis:

Devoted lifeguard Mitch Buchannon butts heads with a brash new recruit, as they uncover a criminal plot that threatens the future of the bay.

What possessed director Seth Gordon to base a movie on the hit tv show "Baywatch", is anyone's business. I'd recommend upon viewing that you don't go in expecting the same thing. In Emerald Bay, Mitch Buchannon (Johnson) and his incredible team of beautifully tanned lifeguards protect the bay. This Summer two new determined recruits will join their team, as well as a challenging former Olympic swimmer, who are all put to the test to prove their skills. Things soon begin to change though when a synthetic street drug begins to make its way into the bay. The Baywatch team must work together undercover to track down the culprit.

The comic timing is remarkably good, considering Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron are not comically trained actors. The problem however is the storyline, according to Dwayne Johnson, it is a  film that was reportedly not made for critics. With all due respect to Mr Johnson, I'd imagine he was thinking along the lines, it's so bad, it's good! To say it's a disaster is honestly an understatement. Why Seth Gordon felt the need to use a ridiculous amount of foul language is anyone's guess. Does it add more humour to the storyline? Not really, no. Lifeguards all around the world will be turning in their graves at the mere thought that this is how they are being portrayed on screen. I don't honestly know whether to laugh or to be embarrassed for the filmmakers.

Dwayne Johnson is the only actor to deliver a strong performance, although Efron and Johnson are hilariously funny together, Efron's performance is rather poor in comparison. Was it really necessary to have Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff make an appearance in the film? The storyline would have worked excellently if there had been a real feeling of drama in the story, unfortunately it was difficult to take anything seriously with so many cheesy one liners. Alexandra Daddario offers a good performance Summer Quinn, although she doesn't offer much to the storyline. The story skips back and forth to primarily being a film about Mike Brody (Efron) and Mitch Buchannon (Johnson)

The catchy and contemporary soundtrack works surprisingly well, I respect Seth Gordon's choice not to use the original theme. If I'm honest, it would have been a step too far. Although the story works surprisingly well as a comedy, it would have worked better as a drama. Audiences are naturally going to compare it to the original show. It's a shame the special effects looked so poor, it only added to the numerous amount of things wrong with the movie. It is what it is, it's good for a laugh!

3/5 stars

2001: A Space Odyssey

Cast: Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester, Daniel Ritcher and Sean Sullivan.

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Release Date: 1968

Running Time: 2hrs 29 minutes

Genre: Sci Fi

Rating: U

Format: Sky Cinema

Synopsis:

Humanity finds a mysterious, obviously artificial object buried beneath the Lunar surface, and with intelligent computer H.A.L 9000, sets off on a quest.

Stanley Kubrick stunned audiences around the world when he released one of the most interesting science fiction movies to ever be made fifty-years ago. Film Critics and audiences alike walked out of movie theatres demanding to have some sort of explanation as to what they had just witnessed. Kubrick's intention was never for audiences to understand what was happening, Kubrick wanted audiences to think for themselves as to what they thought was happening. The beauty of this, is that everyone's response will be different. No two people think alike. The entertainment comes from guessing. Thought provoking and visually stunning, Kubrick delivers one of the most spectacular looking Science Fiction films to ever be made.

2001: A Space Odyssey is to be honest a mind boggling experience. The storyline will remind some of Christopher Nolan's "Interstellar", it's anyone's guess as to what exactly Stanley Kubrick was trying to say through this film. With little to no dialogue, Kubrick has left plenty of room for surprises. The story is essentially a journey through evolution. The monoliths (pillars), are tools of a highly advanced alien civilization. They are put into place to influence the evolutionary progression of humanity. Each monolith has a different purpose. Kubrick was fully aware when making the film that each individual watching it would experience a different emotional reaction to the story.

It's almost impossible to believe that this was shot fifty years ago. The special effects are incredible. Two experienced engineers, spent three years working with Stanley Kubrick from spaceship and interior design to spacesuit designs, to ensure that everything was as authentic as possible. Unfortunately however, there are a few errors with the story. This is one of the only movies, more so at the time that focused on human evolution, technology, artificial intelligence and exterrestrial life. 2001, is strictly a visual experience. It's very unlikely you will find a film anything like this today. The story will have you constantly asking questions.

Of course 2001, is probably more famous today, not for it's storyline, but it's beautiful and transcending score, conducted by Herbert Von Karajan. Frightening and exciting, the score changes dramatically throughout the film. Almost an evolution of music, as the story is explained more. 2001, is a film that everyone should watch at least once, if not for the outstanding soundtrack, but to experience something truly unique through stunning visuals. Magnificent, one that deserves to be in the History books.

5/5 stars

Men of Honor

Cast: Robert De Niro, Cuba Gooding Jr, Charlize Theron, Michael Rapaport and David Keith

Director: George Tillman JR

Release Date: 2000

Running Time: 2hrs 9 minutes

Genre: Drama

Rating: 15

Format: Sky Cinema

Synopsis:

The story of Carl Brashear, the first African-American U.S Navy Diver, and the main who trained him.

Carl Brashear was the first African-American to become a U.S Navy Master Diver, rising to the position in 1970, despite having an amputated leg. Carl joined the U.S Navy on February 25th 1948, not long after the Navy had been desegregated by U.S President Harry Truman. Graduating from the U.S Navy Diving and Salvage school in 1954, Brashear became the first African-American to attend and graduate from the school. It's upsetting to know that Brashear was so mistreated whilst in the Navy, facing hostility and racism. Carl retired from the U.S Navy in 1979, as a Master Chief Petty Officer and Master Diver. Director George Tillman JR, explains Brashear's life magnificently, not only is it dramatic and inspiring, it's also highly educating for those who are not aware of his heroic actions.

Cuba Gooding Jr stars as Carl Brashear, Gooding delivers an outstanding performance, he really is sensational as Carl Brashear. Gooding not only acts the part, but looks it too, looking the spitting image of Carl. Showing deep emotion in his character, Gooding really gives the audience an insight into what life was like for Carl in the U.S Navy. The constant struggles that Brashear had to face everyday, ridicule, racism, hatred. Robert De Niro delivers a remarkably impressive performance as Master Chief Billy Sunday. Bill Sunday was forced by Mr Pappy to deliberately fail Brashear on more then one occasion, purely because of his race. Cruel and degrading, both characters really empathise the seriousness of the situation that Carl found himself in.

Charlize Theron stars as Sunday's wife Gwen, although her performance is short but sweet, she looks the part and delivers a good performance. Theron is excellent at showing her thoughts through emotion in her face, You can clearly see she's unhappy, as time goes by you have a strong understanding as to why she feels this way towards her husband. The beauty of the storyline is really  seeing how determined Carl is in becoming a U.S Navy Master Diver, the determination to prove everyone wrong, especially Master Chief Billy Sunday, who is determined to do everything he can to stop him. Carl's story is not only touching, it's incredibly inspiring too. Both Brashear and Sunday find they have similar triumphs and failures.

The storyline is emotional, naturally for some audiences it does touch on sensitive subjects,in order to educate, not to cause offence. It should invoke emotion in you as well as inspire you to believe in yourself and in others that anything is possible if you are determined enough. It's unfortunate that this film is overlooked a bit and didn't do as well at the box office as it probably should have. None the less the story is magnificently and is highly influential. Powerful and emotional, De Niro and Gooding are sensational!

5/5 stars

The Pacifier

Cast: Vin Diesel, Lauren Graham, Faith Ford, Max Thieriot and Brittany Snow

Director: Adam Shankman

Release Date: 2005

Running Time: 1hr 35 minutes

Genre: Comedy

Rating: PG

Format: Sky Cinema

Synopsis:

Having recovered from wounds received in a failed rescue operation, Navy SEAL Shane Wolfe is handed a new assignment: Protect the five Plummer kids from enemies of their recently deceased father - a government scientist whose top secret experiment remains in the kids house.

When Navy SEAL Shane Wolfe fails to save scientist Howard Plummer, who developed a top secret device known as Ghost, he finds himself assigned to look after his five mischievous children. Wolfe however learns that looking after five kids is going to be a lot more challenging then he first anticipated. The storyline is fun and entertaining, with it being a cross between Jackie Chan's "The Spy Next Door" and the "James Bond" series. Vin Diesel takes a step back from being behind the wheel, delivering a strong and disciplined performance as Navy Seal Shane Wolfe. Not a fan of kids, Wolfe soon finds himself in deep water.

Introducing Zoe, Seth, Lulu, Peter and Tyler. Stubborn and naughty, they don't like the idea of a Navy Seal coming in and invading their personal bubbles. Although the storyline is funny and shows a great deal of slapstick, it also focuses on very real and deep issues, including death and grief. The effect that it has on the children and how it becomes apparent that the reason behind their rebelling is due to the grief that they show for their deceased father. Vin Diesel works excellently alongside Brittany Snow and Max Thieriot who star as Zoe and Seth Plummer. Diesel shows that he is capable of taking on comedic roles as much as he is of taking on more dramatic roles too. Proving to be quite the character as Shane Wolfe.

Full of fun and tricks, the storyline is not as cheesy as it may first sound. There are references to "The Sound of Music"and Jackie Chan's stunt team also make a brief appearance. Entertaining and light-hearted, the film is sure to be a hit with families, with the storyline's perfect balance of drama and humour, children will find themselves being able to relate to the Plummer children. A fun and uplifting score coincides with the storyline excellently. The beauty of family films is that they are suitable for everyone. A terrific family film with a fun twist. Vin Diesel is the ultimate family man!

5/5 stars

Air Force One

Cast: Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, Glenn Close, Wendy Crewson, Liesel Matthews and Xander Berkeley.

Director: Wolfgang Peterson

Release Date: 2hrs 4 minutes

Genre: Action

Rating: 15

Format: Sky Cinema

Synopsis:

Hijackers seize the plane carrying the President of the United States and his family, but he an ex-soldier, works from hiding to defeat them.

Before there was "Olympus has Fallen" and "London has Fallen", there was Air Force One! Thought to have been inspired by "Die Hard", the President of the United States of America must defend himself and his plane, when it's hijacked by terrorists who are determined to kill someone on board every half an hour unless their demands are met. The terrorists aren't interested in Air Force One, their goal is to merely force the President of the United States to release General Radek, the dictator of a terrorist regime in Turkey, who is currently being held in prison in Moscow. Thrilling and packed full of action, this is definitely one for the adrenaline junkies!

Harrison Ford stars as President James Marshall, a highly intelligent man that finds himself in the arms of terrorists who shrewdly believe that he is no longer on board when they hijack it. Ford delivers a very strong and charismatic performance. He fits into the role very nicely. British actor Gary Oldman however is the man who really steals the show with his fiercely authentic performance as Russian terrorist Ivan Korshunov. Deeply terrifying and straight to the point, Oldman's performance really is outstanding. The only really disappointing aspect to the story and the film is that we do not see a great deal from other characters, the story primarily focuses on James Marshall, Vice President Kathryn Bennett and Ivan Korshunov.

It's fairly obvious that director Wolfgang Petersen was inspired by "Die Hard", more so from the second film in which a airport is held hostage by a group of terrorists who are planning to rescue a drug lord from justice. The plots are very similar, however the film stood out at the time due to it's thrilling and action packed storyline. The beauty of the film is that most if not all of the film is shot on Air Force One. Wolfgang Petersen was initially denied access until Harrison Ford asked for permission and things soon changed. The special effects looks excellent, although Peterson hasn't relied on them a great deal which has gone in his favour in making the film look more authentic. Chances are they will never make a film quite like this again, out of fear that a story will press on sensitive subjects, as we are now post 9/11.

Fantastically action packed from beginning to end!

4.5/5 stars