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The Dark Knight, in cinemas now
UP-ARMOURED, meaner and moodier, Christian Bale’s caped crusader effortlessly overshadows this summer’s blockbuster offerings. Heath Ledger’s superbly maniacal Joker is the perfect foil to the troubled Dark Knight but the trump acting card goes to Aaron Eckhart’s good-District-Attorney-gone-bad Harvey Dent. The classy cast builds the drama up to the rollercoaster action and knife-edge duels brilliantly but don’t expect a Hollywood ending for everyone. Just get queueing for the IMAX performances and let eight storeys of Batman do the rest. |
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Man on Wire, in cinemas August 1
INEXPLICABLY entertaining, this retelling of a Frenchman’s madcap (and illegal) dream to walk a high-wire between New York’s twin towers is as gripping and dramatic as any of this summer’s big-money, special effects-laden movies. While the sheer insanity of Philippe Petit’s gravity- and death-defying plan to step out on to a wire 1,350ft above Manhatten is compelling, it is the personality of the film’s protagonist that captivates. Petit’s infectious passion to commit “the artistic crime of the century” will hook audiences in the same way it did his co-conspirators.
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www.manonwire.com/
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Run for the Sun, out to own on DVD now
RECENTLY debuting on DVD, this third remake of Richard Connell’s novel The Most Dangerous Game comes up short. Two star-crossed writers – one a reporter (Jane Greer) the other an author (Richard Widmark) – survive a plane crash in the Mexican jungle only to find themselves in the company of three Nazi war criminals. The film follows their bid for freedom but the race to reach the sun (Mexico City) lacks the drama and gritty content of the original novel. Save your cash. One for fans of the Boulting brothers (directors Roy and John) only.
WO2 Andy Draper, AGC
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Son of Rambow, out to own on DVD August 11
DIRECTOR Garth Jennings (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) draws heavily on his own childhood experiences of growing up in 1980s Britain in this must-watch film, which explores the impact of films on children. The bond formed by the two lead characters, engaging in the production of their own Rambo movie during a long summer, is stirring and imaginative. Son of Rambow does lose its focus midway but this doesn’t spoil the overall enjoyment of nosing at someone else’s childhood recollections.
LCpl Chris MacCallum, 242 MI Section, Int Corps |
www.sonoframbo.com
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All the boys love Mandy Lane,
out on DVD now
MANDY Lane is the most perfect girl in high school: all the girls want to be just like her and all the boys . . . well they want considerably more than that. But when her friends start disappearing it seems someone has taken their obsession a little too far. For the most part this is a standard teen slasher movie with the requisite beautiful cast and gory action. That said, it also boasts stylish photography, a cool soundtrack and a climax which wrong-foots you just when you think you’ve figured it all out.
Daniel King, MoD |
www.myspace.com/
alltheboyslovemandylane
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Robbery, out on DVD now
BEFORE all the trendy London gangster movies, there was Robbery – the original and true story of the Great Train Robbery, which became widely regarded as the “crime of the century”. Don’t expect The Italian Job, however, as this is more drama than action, with not a gun in sight. Filmed in the 1970s, Robbery is a nostalgic look at the swinging 1960s’ London crime scene, which focuses on the meticulous planning, rehearsing, and tension of the theft. This sheds some light on just how this daring crime was committed, and the mentality of those involved.
LCpl Paul Thomas, Int Corps |
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SOLDIER is on the lookout for movie reviewers.
If you fancy yourself as the next Barry Norman, Jonathan Ross or Mark Kermode (or just want to get your hands on some free DVDs) we want to hear from you.
Just send an 80-word review of your favourite flick so we can judge if you have what it takes. Write or email: Movie Reviews, Soldier, Ordnance Road, Aldershot, Hants GU11 2DU; asimms@soldiermagazine.co.uk |
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