This starts off full of promise, but…

Harry Brown (Michael Caine) is an elderly ex-Marine making the best of his miserable lot. He lives in a low-rent housing estate terrorised by marauding gangs of youths and drug dealers. He ventures out only to visit his terminally ill wife, who lies in her hospital bed unable to recognise him, and to have an ale and a game of chess with his pensioner mate Len (David Bradley) at the local pub. His wife dies, then his grief is compounded when police come knocking on his door to inform him that they are investigating Len’s murder. And at this point, the movie goes off the tracks, ultimately descending into farce. Continue reading ‘Harry Brown’ – Movie Review →

Mindful of the acclaim that was heaped on the first Iron Man movie, I went along to Iron Man 2 with an optimistic attitude. I liked the idea of a ‘Marvel superhero movie for adults’ with more developed, complex characterisation etc etc. I’d read that Iron Man, alias Tony Stark, is endearing for his all-too-human flaws, particularly so to female audience members, who are supposedly drawn to his ‘vulnerability’. Well, I dunno about the first movie, but in this one ol’ Tony Stark came across to me as an attention-seeking spotlight-basking wannabe rock star partyboy with not much going for him. In fact, I’d sum him up as an out and out dickhead when he’s not kicking bad-guy arse in his metal suit. Always did wonder about women’s taste in blokes…

Look, perhaps the debut Iron Man movie was the goods. As you’ll have noted, I didn’t see it. But Iron Man 2? I have to suspect that the few critics who are persisting in chirping on about this being a standout of its genre are drawing on credit points accrued by the first movie. I’m with the rest – part of the majority, for a change! – who are underwhelmed by this follow-up. Continue reading ‘Iron Man 2’ – Movie Review →