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Lakeview Terrace – DVD Review

by Shane McDonald | Jun 18, 2009 | Film and TV

Lakeview Terrace is now out on DVD (having missed it when it was in the cinema). The film stars Samuel L. Jackson as Abel Turner an LAPD cop with an attitude, Patrick Wilson as Chris Mattson who moves next door to Abel Turner along with his black wife Lisa played by Kerry Washington.

Abel Turner has a problem with the fact that he is white and his wife is black. Able tries to intimidate the new neighbours into moving, through a series of psychological tricks and tactics.

The film is very well produced as for a while at the start of the film you can see why Abel has a problem with his neighbours, including some sexual antics in the pool which was observed by Abel’s kids. You can see that Abel is trying to bring up his kids right – and perhaps his tactics are warranted.

The overall plot is very well worked and without spoiling the plot, Abel loses it and becomes a man obsessed with getting rid of them.

Lakeview Terrace is actually the name of the area that the famous Rodney King beatings were ‘allegedly’ made by L.A. police in 1991. His name and famous line, “Can’t we all just get along?” is also referenced in the movie.

Excellent plot, great twist and a great ending. Well worth renting. The only down side is that the couple who move in, don’t really deserve each other – I didn’t really care what happened to them as the characters are not that likeable.

Running time : 110 mins

Overall : 8/10

Star Trek Movie Review – Star Trek Film Review, J. J. Abrams

by Shane McDonald | May 29, 2009 | Film and TV

Eventually got to see Star Trek after about 3 weeks of trying. I was not disappointed by this new take on the Star Trek franchise by the creator of Lost, J. J. Abrams. The film goes back to the roots showing the birth of Kirk, how his father saved a ship full of people and Kirk’s eventual but reluctant entry into Starfleet as a brash and very brasen young cadet. The new cadets are flung into a conflict with rebel Romulans, who will destroy Earth given half a chance. Without spoiling the story , the Trek timeline IS different … Listen to what spock explains near the end of the film as this will explain why the time line is different to the 1960’s Star Trek. Nice way the film ended too … Cool closing title theme Tune. Lots of action, good story, great casting, great effects … looking forward to more of this.

Overall: 9.5/10

(8 if you’re not a Trek fan as you need to know a bit about Srar Trek to fully appreciate the storyline) Would I watch again : Definitely Would I buy : Yes

The Damned United – Movie Review

by Shane McDonald | May 3, 2009 | Film and TV, Reviews

The Damned United depicts the story behind Brian Cloughs 44 day reign (or lack of) at Leeds United in 1974, as well as showing how he got to manage the club, with a story from 1968 – 1974. With Michael Sheen as Brian Clough and screenplay by Peter Morgan it also shows the relationship he had with Peter Taylor who helped him by scouting some of the best players he ever signed.

The Damned United – Movie Review

There is very little in the way of live action, which is usually filmed poorly with a few notable exceptions. Instead most of the key scenes are build ups, pre FA Cup matches (mainly against Leeds), Pre-UEFA Cup ties (Juventus). The retro scenes are well filmed – I was constantly looking out for continuity problems, i.e. satellite dishes on houses etc. but it could easily have been filmed in 1974.

The film could easily have been titled “Brian Cloughs EGO” as that issue is one of the main storylines. Clough was a master of football management, hiring great players, including Roy Keane at his time in Notts Forrest, however, Cloughs family have apparently discredited the movie (not sure if this is true) as the film is quite favourable – less so for Billy Bremner who is painted as quite a villan of the soccer world in 1974.

Very enjoyable as a film and one of the best soccer films in ages. There are some wonderful one liners and great quotes which only Mr. Clough could utter. You Don’t need to be a soccer fan to go see this film – that cannot eb stressed enough. This is a story about ambition, ego, a man with a desire to succeed at all costs … and then soccer.

Running Time : The movie is 90 mins with 7 mins of injury time.

Overall Score : 8½/10

Gran Torino – Film Review

by Shane McDonald | Apr 15, 2009 | Film and TV, Reviews

Just saw Gran Torino a few weeks ago and it is a great film. (Been pretty lucky with the films I’ve seen recently – no turkeys yet this year!)

Gran Torino is about a guy called Walt Kowalski (played by Clint Eastwood) who is a widower who fought in the Korean War. He still maintains his prejudices over 50 years after the war – he just does not like Koreans. Living in a Michigan neighborhood Kowalski is constantly grumpy, hates his kids (who are really terrible children) – nothing can make him happy, except his 1972 Gran Torino (car) which he has kept in mint condition since he worked in the Ford factory.

[Spolier Alert from here on!] … His Korean neighbors are Hmong and the young boy (Thao) is put under pressure from his cousin to join his gang. The test, in order to join the gang, is to steal his nextdoor neighbours Gran Torino. Caught in the act, Kowalski sets out to reform the boy and teach him some lessons. Kowalski is actually thought of as a hero in the neighbourhood and is drawn into the life of Thao’s family. To regain his familys honor, Thao is made to work for Kowalski – much to the annoyance of Kowalksi who doesn’t see the point of this tradition.

Walt begins to protect Thao, his family and the neighbourhood from the gangs and due to his defiance he too soon he becomes a target for the gangs. The climax to the film is very clever and also extremely well done.

The film could be a tad shorter but I get bored easily in the cinema. Running time is almost 2 hours (116 mins).