Reviews

Jurassic World opens up 22 years after Jurassic Park closed down with a new scary genetically modified hybrid-dinosaur to showcase, the Indominus Rex. An intelligent killing machine that is created to please the crowds and generate escapes on the fully packed amusement island. Can the islands private military rescue the situation, or will it be the original monster T-Rex or is it everyone's favourite goofy guy Chris Pratt well-trained Velociraptors that saves them all?

A new Jurassic Park film, a new leading actor, a new dinosaur and a new theme park. Jurassic World has got some good casting with the likes of the entertaining Chris Pratt, the charming Omar Sy, funny guy Jake Johnson, Judy Greer, Bryce Dallas Howard, Irrfan Khan, and with the original Jurassic Park BD Wong as Dr Henry Wu. Unfortunately the script and dialogue don't really make it happen for them to succeed. With some nods back to the first two films directed by Steven Spielberg you get some feel for it but otherwise it is just the latest addition to the Jurassic Park franchise and for new generations to pick up on.

Told through the right hand men of FBI's Most Wanted for 12 years, only being second to Osama Bin Laden and with a capture reward that is as high as it gets. Director Scott Cooper's (Out of the Furnace + Crazy Heart) crime-drama biopic tells the story about three boys of the streets of South Boston that grow up to become the main men that changed the landscape of the city forever. In particular one person, the man that became the most notorious gangster in Americas history, James "Whitey" Bulger (Johnny Depp). The ice-cold ruthless killer that led the Irish Mob from South Boston known as "Southie" develops from a small time crook to become the true Kingpin of Boston while his brother William "Billy Boy" Bulger (Benedict Cumberbatch) becomes the other most powerful person of the city as State Senator. John Connolly (Joel Edgerton) returns in 1981 to Boston as the top FBI agent with a mission to bring down the Cosa Nostra led by the Italian Mafia brothers Angiulo in Boston's North End. Allying with the boy that once saved him out of a fight during their childhood years, and helping his brother Billy run for office years later, while staying loyal to the law of the streets built on trust honor and blood, his respect towards the brothers together with their bond from their younger years creates an unbreakable pack. As Whitey tells it, " We will get the FBI to fight our wars!".

After Whitey's son dies in 1982 and his mother in 1985 he truly looses it all and with nothing else to cherish apart from his crime syndicate he becomes the true drug lord of Boston and his alliance with the FBI makes him untouchable. The Irish psychopath was involved in everything from drugs, racketeering, inciting, and killing to joining forces with IRA supporting them in the fight against the English in Northern Ireland. When the real truth gets out exposing how deep and wide spread it was, it all starts spinning out of control and the people involved can't handle the heat when the people high up want answers. To protect themselves they start spilling the beans on everything and everyone. The American government want people held responsible and someone has to pay for it. Can the loyalty towards Whitey and between the three stay true or do they all loose out in the end?

"You were just saying? "Just saying" gets people sent away. "Just saying" got me a nine-year stretch in Alcatraz, you understand? So, "just saying" can get you buried real quick."

Both Johnny Depp and Joel Edgerton do great comebacks with impressive Oscar- nomination performances based on the New York Times Best Seller "Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob" written by Dick Lehr and Gerard O'Neill. Dakota Johnson returns as Whitey's wife Lindsey Cyr since her latest blockbuster movie Fifty Shades of Grey. Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game), Peter Sarsgaard (Pawn Sacrifice), Kevin Bacon, Jesse Plemons, Julianne Nicholson, Rory Cochrane, Adam Scott and Corey Stoll also feature.

I am no big fan of the praised The Departed which is another story based on Whitey with Jack Nicholson playing the James "Whitey" Bulger character and Leonardo Di Caprio with Matt Damon in the other lead roles. While Black Mass doesn't reach its true potential for me it still delivers a dark and grim true reality completed with good performances by the entire cast. I will definitely be watching this one again though when it is released on Bluray. Black Mass is a great film with some chilling scenes that gets you off your seat, though it lacks the natural flow and speed to hit the status of a true iconic gangster film. Saying that would Martin Scorsese(Goodfellas, Casino, The Departed) have made an even better film out of it?

"Don't read everything it says in the papers" – James "Whitey" Bulgur

For more on James "Whitey" Bulgur and the biggest crime case of Boston checkout Joe Berlingers (The Paradise Lost films): WHITEY: UNITED STATES OF America VS JAMES J. BULGER from 2014.

"I thought my job was to tell the public the truth, the facts; pretty or not, and let the publishing of those facts make a difference in how people look at things, at themselves, and what they stand for!" – Gary Webb

Whistleblower and journalist Gary Webb (Jeremy Renner) exposes the American Government and the drug smugglers of Central America under the Ronald Reagen- era in this star-filled political drama based on a true story. After over-coming his life scoop Webb is warned several times by the CIA the dangers he will cross upon if he continues to research and publish his story. When everyone turns on him included his closest work colleagues who once praised him, this true hero of society continues to tell the truth. While giant publishers and institutes with trust failed the public and attacked Webb by publishing wrong and damaging content about his personal life. The Pulitzer prized journalist was found dead 7 years in his small apartment after he the story was broke. Leaving behind his son and divorced wife. Verdict: Suicide.

"I am just the elf. Blandon is Santa Claus! " - Rick Ross

Ray Liotta, Andy Garcia, Michael Sheen, Robert Patrick, Richard Shiff, Dan Futterman and Barry Papper to name a few all feature in director Michael Cuesta's biography of journalist Gary Webb's series: Dark Alliance.

Welcome to the complex, neurotic and paranoid mind of the quirky and tragic Bobby Fischer, played by the impressive Toby Maguire. In this true story you see the young chess prodigy become a pawn for the American government during the Cold War against the Russians while battling his own madness. The tensions that made this genius believe that the Jews and Russians conspired in consistently trying to make him fail that led to his true fall and his anti-semitic views. Director Ed Zwick's Pawn Sacrifice gives a snapshot of time in this Cold War clash set during the 1972 World Chess Championship in Iceland. Following the build up and actual game to what is known as the worlds best ever played chess match* between the one and only American chess world champion Bobby Fischer and his Russian counterpart Boris Spassky.

Liev Schreiber plays the very cool and reigning chess champion Spassky, speaking every word of his dialogue in Russian, a language he didn't know at all before taking on this role. Schreiber and other supporting roles by Peter Sarsgaard his (Fischer) confidante and "chess whisperer" and Fischers lawyer played by Michael Stuhlbarg should all be thought of for an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. As in earlier roles Toby Maguire delivers a well executed performance that should could lead to an Oscar as well. He also produced the film together with director Ed Zwick and Gail Katz after spending the better part of a decade developing the film for his production company, Material Pictures. The only real little down-side about the movie was that it tended to be a bit repetitive leaving it a bit to long.

"It's really the free world against the lying, cheating, hypocritical Russians," - Bobby Fischer

Robert James "Bobby" Fischer born in Brooklyn was the man who won everything and achieved the highest price becoming world champion and a super star of his time. After all that success he derailed severely with his illness retiring from chess the same year he became world champion saying no to millions in commercial endorsements, loosing his world champion title and following legal trouble in his homeland of America because he violated U.S. restrictions on participating in chess events in Yugoslavia he got asylum in Iceland and died on January 17th 2008.

* The match was played over 26 games with game 6 known as the best ever chess match played.

An ice-cold tense nail biting thriller with very detailed and realistic graphics that gets right under your skin. Presenting an insight to the drug wars between the American Government and the ruthless Mexican and Columbian Narcos that stop at nothing through the eyes of the idealistic FBI agent Kate Macer. Following Kate played by one of Hollywoods best in Emelie Blunt on her new and very confidential assignment she see's how the real world operates and the true consequences it has leaving her with experiences that change her forever. Director Denis Villenueve (Prisoners/Incendies) shows how the evil and violence spreads out into everyday life infecting the innocent people of society with this well made scary and heart beating action-fuelled-crime-drama. Benicio Del Toro takes over every scene with his mystical and über cool presence while portraying Alejandro, the Sicario (Hitman) who seems to works for anyone who can help him hunt down those who killed his family. While Josh Brolin as Matt the laid-back quick talking"No Hablo Ingles" American defence contractor (or is he CIA?) is in top shape giving one of his best performances since No Country For Old Men. Sicario is a well-made movie with a good story delivering impressive acting and great scenery, especially the night-vision-specs scenes! "I tried to have sex with my hit-man" - Kate Macer (Emily Blunt)

COMPTON 1986 – Cruisin down da the street in my 64'. If you didn't know it before you sure do get to know why Eazy E got Deez Nuts in this great motion picture. With an insight to the world we only have seen and heard through their songs and the 9 o 'clock news, director F. Gary Gray (Friday, Set It Off, The Italian Job) together with producers Ice Cube and Dr Dre give their story about the rappers that established N.W.A. and put gangsta rap on the international map. Get to know how these talented individuals came together and reflected the life of many Americans in the suburbs of South L.A. through their explicit music. The rise and fall of some of the biggest profiles in the industry where some are bigger than ever to this day on both sides of the law. Full of ups and downs, lows and highs, joy and tragedy – Straight Outta Compton is full of controversy, drama, nostalgia, swag, great tunes, and some awesome recreated concerts. With some great realistic performances especially by Jason Mitchells as Eazy E together with Paul Giamatti as the legendary Jerry Haller, not to forget Ice Cube's own son O'Shea Jackson Jr. as the iconic Ice Cube himself. Also starring Corey Hawkins as beat producer Dr. Dre, Neil Brown JR as DJ Yella and Aldis Hodge as MC Ren.

This ground-breaking music group exposed and mirrored the time of the days where todays news are attracting the same headlines, high-lighting the major wrongs in society and the authorities that questioned them. Snoop Doggy Dogg and Tupac are all introduced while Suge Knight is portrayed through his thug life style attitude and persona. Retelling the tragic story of the Real Mutha Phuk*in G Eazy E testing positive for H.I.V., how he (and the group N.W.A.) gets hustled by his own manager, Jerry Haller the man he stood up for so much and the huge row between his own label Ruthless Records and Death Row Records. Learn why Ice Cube leaves the group after the first album and who wrote most of the classics. This group was ground breaking and changed and influenced hip-hop, pop culture and society forever.

A murder mystery based on the novel by Gillian Flynn and directed/co-written by Gilles Paquet-Brenner. With a top billed cast featuring Charlize Theron and Christina Hendricks leading the way with some great performances in this spooky thriller. Libby Day (Charlize Theron) gets confronted about her own tragic family murder 25 years later by entrepreneur Lyle Wirth (Nicholas Hoult) from the KT (Killer Team). Did her devil worshiper brother Ben she accused kill her mum and sisters? This nail-biting thriller is right up there with Gone Girl Gone and gets the audience attached to the screen all the way through while trying to figure out the truth.

A film about youth, making friends, falling in love, tragedy and finding yourself through the challenges of life while growing up and realising your dreams might be fading away into adulthood.

Set up in Paris you follow Garage duo Paul and Stan create a DJ collective with their friends starting out in the underground scene to playing top sets including a new tune called One More Time in New York. Following the music roots of electric music grow in the hip Paris and especially an interesting duo called Daft Punk played by two French actors. The symbols of two helmets grow as well as their recognition and bookings. While the awesome soundtrack that keeps you attached as well as the story line is by the fascinating Daft Punk. As well as it is a joy to watch the innocence of being young, reckless and free. It is also a lovely music voyage to follow making you feel a bit nostalgic with some great high lights with Arnold Jarvis, NY performing at Respect's Party in Paris and watch legend Nile Rodgers get interviewed by collective member Arnoud.

Training Day duo Antoine Fuqua and Denzel Washington who plays Mr Robert McCall bring back the classic 1980's series to life in a Hollywood action/drama twist featuring new superstar Chloe Grace Moretz. Teri (Chloe) hangs out at 24/7 Everyday food joint in Boston like others who can't sleep (Denzel) or are working the night. Bonding with the ever so pleasant and charming Mr McCall she seeks wisdom and guidance from the wise "Bob".

"Man on Fire brings down Mother Russia"

Denzel is the Boston Guardian. This nice guy is like "Mister Citizen" helping everyone to achieve their goals and dreams. But behind the scenes you notice everything is not what you suppose to believe. Building up the film based on Denzel's character who takes his time, clocks every moment and thinks through every step with his ice cold look delivers detailed action scenes that sometimes can feel like a slow build up. But just sit back and relax and watch Denzel destroy the Russian oligarch mafia in slow motion one man at a time in both Cold War Powerhouse countries.

"He didn't ask for help, he was asking for permission"

A discounting thriller by Michael Mann. It had most of his brilliant touches when it comes to the feel, sound, editing etc. But it turned out to be a thriller for dummies with lead actor aka Chris Hemingway as Mr Cringeworthy, oh I mean Hathaway! Conman Nick Hathaway fights both the American and Chinese governments and crime syndicates Rambo style, breaks into the NSA and saves the world. Don't miss Cringeworthy do his Zoolander look with his Thor endeavor while trying to sneak around Korea town incognito, it's the best entertaining part of the film. With different casting and better script this could of been an alright nail biting thriller. Seeing so such much money getting spent on such crap you wish it was spent for a better cause. The one star is for the photography and soundtrack.

In a very realistic nearby future with robotic police and an ultra-violence control scheme, Neil Blomkamp's latest film reminds you of his very popular and acclaimed motion picture District 9. With ZEF movement icons Ninja (Watkin Tudor Jones) and Yolandi Vi$$er from the superbly awesome and inspiring Die Antwoord playing themselves to front the whole films statement. CHAPPiE is full of entertaining characters, humor, action and drama while asking a lot of questions from the audience you cannot resist being touched. Reminding you of classics like Charles Dickens 1893 novel, Robocop, Short Circuit and District 9. Sharlto Copley deliverers an awesome CGI robotic motion capture performance as CHAPPiE, Signourey Weaver as the profit yearning robot manufacturing CEO Michelle Bradley with her employees Hugh Jackman playing the jealous Vincent Moore, and Slumdog Millionaire actor Dev Petel playing the honest and wanting to do good for the world Deon Wilson.

CHAPPiE, named after South Africa's most popular chewing-gum, is an Artificial intelligence (AI) police robot that gains true consciousness and gets "kidnapped" by ZEF O.G's Ninja, Yolandi and Amerika. After Chappie gets damaged his creator Deon and his Mummy Yolandi treat and teach him like the innocent kid he is, but his Daddy Ninja and Amerika try and turn him into a ruthless, tough and cold killing thug. Leaving you with lots of laughs and heartaches along the action filled dramatic journey. Reject CHAPPiE is pure, like an infant, this Nr.1 Gangsta Robot from Jo'Burg is youthful, caring and emotional, full of feelings and who always wants well. You do really enlighten to CHAPPiE and cheer him on as he experiences life. Expressing to the audience how we all possibly are product's of society and environment: mutating into zombies of the controlling capitalistic society of greed, selfishness, fear, enormous stress and pressure. Leaving us with the thought that we all except very few are modern day slaves believing we live under freedom. It surely puts South Africa back on the map with it's violence and outlaw state, showing what has become and what cultures have grown from it's unpleasant Apartheid history.

At times the film felt a bit slow and repeating itself a bit, especially during the second part of the film, but upped its game again in the final third. I would also of enjoyed more of insight to what CHAPPiE could do with his sensitive emotions, the culture and lifestyle of ZEF and it's characters such as Hippo, Ninja and Yolandi. But as a whole this is a film that portrays society in a black comedy entertaining way and we might just get that insight in a sequel?

Who is the good guy? MOOSE – The Corporate Government Police Robot or CHAPPiE – The Nr.1 Original Gangsta Robot?

When the innocent English literature student Anastasia "Ana" Steele played by the beautiful and charming Dakota Johnson steps in for her sick room-mate Kate Kavanagh and visits The House of Grey in Seattle for the first time to interview it's 27 year old mystical billionaire owner Mr Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) the tension sparks off right from the start all the way to the end, leaving you with a great cliff-hangar. The innocent and naive Ana stands by her warm-hearted values and beliefs as the cold Christian seduces her right from the start and implements his control, while helplessly falling in love with her.

With a roaring temperature the moods keep swinging and rising as long as the film goes on, Presenting you with intriguing and sometimes scary insights to the secretive world of Mr. Grey and the early experiences that have shaped him into what he has become. Both Christian and Ana have concerns with their growing fondness and attraction of each other, while also loosing control over their feelings. You do ask yourself where it all will end, as well as the ever-growing feeling of who is controlling who is playing in the back of your mind.

You find Ana battling with her strong feelings towards Christian, as she struggles to understand and accept why she has to submit to his desires and issues. Christian who keeps letting his own grip on his detailed rules and control decline to the attraction of love, forcing him to deal with his dark side and let true love and emotions flow. One thing is for sure; money and power can't buy love!

Director Sam Taylor-Johnson has made an exiting and playful film with an electrifying tension and build up of E.L. James novel and is a very good portray of todays time and humanity. The way he has created these characters on screen and the kind of people they are portraying are absolutely spot-on. I believe a lot of people can say they know somebody similar to the characters of Ana and Christian. Fifty Shades of Grey also gives you the impression that everyone is a product of his or her own experiences and society. They also get it right with the casting, the editing, parts of the soundtrack and cinematography, especially while showing the more dramatised intimate scenes and the " seductive glamour of the high-end rich city swagger life".

A lot of people will be leaving the cinema with a secret crush on either or both Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan while feeling they want in on some action! With it's long waited premiere nicely screened during Valentines, Fifty Shades of Grey will most definitely be one of the hottest Valentines Day in a long time. P.s. not to mention the bondage gear sales reaching skyrocket levels around the world. I've not seen a film like this in a very long time and I am really looking forward to watch the next episode. Tip: Watch this film with your partner or date!

Director Ridley Scott's Exodus: Gods and Kings epic adventure tells the story of the religious battle between the two brothers Moses and the Pharaoh Ramses. Egypt has ruled over the Hebrews for over 400 years but one man rises against the mighty empire and saves them from the horrendous ruling throughout the plague, the Red Sea parting and other historical moments.

"Stop acting like a king, your not one"

The casting didn't work well with John Turturoo's Seti, Sigourney Weaver's Toya, and especially Australian Joel Edgerton who landed the major role as the divine villain Ramses. He was nowhere near his outstanding performance as Tom Buchanan in The Great Gatsby. Christian Bale as Moses was decent, but for this line up I would of casted more Middle Eastern origins. Aaron Paul's Joshua and Ben Kinglsey's Nun worked well but you never really got a feel for them like many other characters in the film because the script was completely based on the visuals.

"Don't just say what people want to hear"

Being one of the masters of vision with productions like Alien, Blade Runner and Gladiator behind him, Ridley Scott delivers a Hollywood blockbuster with cutting edge visual special effects and awesome detailed 3D immersions. Though it is an awesome production for the eye these elements fail to engage you. To round it off Exodus: Gods and Kings is a modern day matinée of the old biblical classics delivering a visual feast that is slow paced, faulty casted and topped off with a bad ending.

Diego Luna's star filled (Michael Peña, America Ferrera, Rosario Dawson, John Malkovich, Gabriel Mann, Wes Bentley) drama documentary about the inspiring story of the incredible civil-rights activist and labor organiser Cesar Chavez. This true leader fought for better conditions for the farm workers of America via years of non violent protesting and strikes. Cesar Chavez fasted for weeks fighting for the peoples civil rights and even crossed the ocean to London for the "Delano Grape Strike and Boycott". He and his follow fighters made it all worth in the end, though you see it came at a huge price as you get to see and feel the hell and sacrifice him his family and people around him did for the bigger picture, and that would eventually include better conditions for his own family. A very important part of America's civil rights history that started in California with Michael Peña superbly portraying the true hero and leader of the people Cesar Chavez. The film brings up and rightly timed the rights of the people and the peoples fight for justice, Diego Luna's documentary about the civil-rights activist and labor organiser touches you but doesn't really grab hold of you! / Peter A Eldon. 2014-11-12.

When the wickedest pair of eye brows meets the coolest set of starring ice cold eyes in film history your up for one hell of a Spanish drug duel in this Spanish speaking action drama by Director and Writer Daniel Monzón. With the beautiful scenes of Gibraltar and Morocco in the background, some really well shot and cool actions scenes with a tricky helicopter high speed boat chase and an awesome car pursuit through the city and beaches you sure got everything you need for speed. A Spanish story about love, loyalty, dreams, ambition and the way the world works all packed in a strained and brutal ongoing drug trade between Gibraltar and Morocco!

/ Peter A Eldon. 2014-11-12.