Taking Bond to new heights...

Sure-fire hit: Daniel Craig as James Bond in Skyfall

SKYFALL

Ballsy, brainy and brilliant.  Those three words could easily be attributed to the new James Bond movie Skyfall and leading man Daniel Craig, whose third outing as the super-spy is arguably his most impressive yet.  However, they are in fact referring to Judi Dench’s superb portrayal of MI6 boss, M.  At 77, she’s still a force to be reckoned with – providing humour, charm, pathos and a nail-biting slice of the action.

Skyfall hinges on the relationship between 007 and M, which is put to the test when a figure from her past comes back for revenge.  This gives the film an emotional grounding – something we’re not used to seeing in a Bond movie.  There are all the familiar  components: the girls, the gadgets, and the cars.  Yet these are given a modern twist, as director Sam Mendes gives a wink and a nod to some well-loved parts of the Bond canon.

Running at over two hours, Skyfall maintains a thrilling pace and beautiful vision right from the opening credits to the revelatory ending.  It is only the product placement that momentarily takes you out of the experience.  Overall, Mendes has created the Bond movie everyone wanted.  Daniel Craig is back on form (and has regained his sense humour), Ralph Fiennes and Ben Whishaw bring wit and warmth to their parts, and Javier Bardem delivers a deliciously wicked performance as the villain.  It is Judi Dench, however, who quietly steals the show.

INTERESTING FACT:  Bond needed the Stig for some of his action sequences - former Top Gear star Ben Collins was enlisted to help with the driving stunts.

Superhero supernova...

Spot the superhero: I gatecrash the Avengers party...

AVENGERS ASSEMBLE

For a while now, Marvel Studios have been carefully building towards their star-studded superhero film, The Avengers (retitled Avengers Assemble in the UK, presumably so Brits don't get confused with the 60s TV show).  It draws together characters from across the Marvel comic-book universe, many of whom already have their own individual movie franchises - most notably, Iron Man (which is returning for a third instalment in May 2013).

A lot is riding on this project - not only financially, but also in terms of credibility.  It has to satisfy hardcore fans without alienating newcomers.  Thankfully, it does this - and much more besides.  Co-writer and director Joss Whedon has managed to bring together all the individual characters, without losing their identities in a melee of superhero action:  Iron Man is still brilliantly egotistical, Thor remains thunderously God-like, the Hulk is wonderfully volatile, Captain America is sensitive and sensible, while Black Widow remains dangerously seductive, and Hawkeye is intensely focussed.  They are forced to unite on screen to defeat a common enemy (in the form of Thor's power-hungry brother Loki) and in doing so, their personalities clash to delightful comic effect.


While Robert Downey Jr, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo and the rest of the cast play their super-human roles with confidence and charm, the real superhero of this film is surely Joss Whedon, who has cleverly combined huge set pieces with intricate CGI, wickedly funny banter and a cast of A-listers - ensuring viewers have a rollicking good time, whether they're a fan or not.

INTERESTING FACT:  Mark Ruffalo dedicated his performance as the Hulk to his ten-year-old son, whose childhood tantrums inspired him.

A Marilyn moment...

Blonde bombshell: Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe

MY WEEK WITH MARILYN

Playing a screen goddess such as Marilyn Monroe is no mean feat, so credit to Michelle Williams for such a nuanced performance as the troubled young actress on her first trip to England.  The film’s based on the diaries of Colin Clark – a lowly assistant on the set of The Prince And The Showgirl.  He shared a magical time with Marilyn while she was in England shooting the movie in the summer of 1956.


Michelle could very easily have stolen the show with this film, had it not been for her excellent co-stars.  Kenneth Branagh delivers a thrilling performance as Sir Laurence Olivier, while Dame Judi Dench sparkles (quite literally given all her jewellery) as Dame Sybil Thorndike.  Eddie Redmayne gives a touching portrayal of Colin Clark – with Emma Watson making a delightful return to the screen as his sweetheart, Lucy.  Plus, Zoe Wannamaker has some seriously super specs – so keep an eye out for them!

INTERESTING FACT: Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson but baptised and raised as Norma Jeane Baker.

Spielberg's ginger-haired hero...

THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN: THE SECRET OF THE UNICORN


TinTin's first big screen outing was always going to be a big deal.  But when you've got Steven Spielberg directing and Peter Jackson producing,  it's a huge deal.  And with a stellar bunch of British actors and writers, plus music by John Williams, it's hardly surprising this film is one of the most hotly-anticipated of the year.


The opening did not disappoint.  There was superb 3D animation, a delightful score and a nod to creator Hergé in the form of a clever little portrait.  However, as the story unfolded, the use of motion capture technology became increasingly frustrating.  It was astonishing to see Jamie Bell's expressions reflected in TinTin's face, but after the initial marvel wore off it was somewhat tricky to connect fully with the characters as they felt, ironically, rather two-dimensional.

Yet overall the film is great fun - the adventure is gripping, the dialogue's slick and there's some great banter from Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as the bumbling detectives, Thompson and Thomson.  What's more, Spielberg proved he's still a movie master, with fast-paced action, thrilling chase scenes and some jaw-dropping special effects.


INTERESTING FACT:  No-one knows TinTin's real name - Hergé never revealed it.

Clooney for president...

(R-L: George Clooney, Evan Rachel Wood, Philip Seymour Hoffman)

THE IDES OF MARCH


They say men aren't good at multi-tasking, but George Clooney's proving that old adage wrong with his new film The Ides of March.  Not only is he one of the lead actors, but he's also director, co-writer and co-producer.  And he's somehow managed to combine all those roles into one sizzling political thriller.


George stars in the movie as Governor Mike Morris - a US presidential hopeful who meets his match (both in terms of looks and brains) in the form of Ryan Gosling's character, Stephen - the idealistic campaign press secretary aiming to get Morris to the White House.  With back-stabbing and betrayal at every turn, it makes you question just how dirty politics can be.


Throw in some excellent supporting performances from Philip Seymour Hoffman, Evan Rachel Wood and Paul Giamatti, and you end up with a sleek, sophisticated thriller - proof enough that all George's hard work has paid off.

INTERESTING FACT:  George Clooney initially set out to make a morality tale about Wall Street, but changed his mind after reading Beau Willimon's play, Farragut North.

The sphere of life...

THE LION KING 3D

The 3D version of The Lion King has been a roaring success at the box office worldwide.  But is this Disney classic improved by the added dimension?


Sweeping overhead views of the African savannah and wildebeest stampeding through the gorge are certainly enhanced in 3D, but overall, the movie doesn't gain a huge amount.


In my opinion, The Lion King is a joy to watch - with or without 3D.  But re-releasing the film in cinemas gives us all a good excuse to enjoy this musical movie masterpiece on the big screen once again.


INTERESTING FACT:  "Hakuna Matata" is Swahili for "no worries".