Dead Man's Shoes (2004) plus trailer

A gritty, British revenge thriller with a towering performance from Paddy Considine, who single handedly carries the film with an astounding physical and an emotional performance. The film centres around Richard, a military man returning to his hometown in an unnamed Midlands suburban village. He wanders around the town to seek revenge on the tormentors who bullied his mentally challenged brother Anthony (played with great subtly and reserved interpretation by Tony Kebbell). When he comes across one of the local bullies, they soon realise their time is up, as Richard has nothing but death in his eyes.

With such an exceptionally simple concept comes a very powerful and moving tale of one brother who will do anything to wreak vengeance and make the bullies pay for the abuse they put his brother through. From the first initial confrontation in the pub when he spots Herbie (one of the gang members) the controlled turn of anger from Considine is both shocking and gripping at the same time. A complete composure which switches at a drop of a hat. It is an electrifying and absorbing performance which is only comparable to such an actor as say De Niro.

What gives this film a different slant on the whole revenge genre is that it is almost played out like a horror film (a slasher if you will). Richard incorporates many implements of a horror film. Stalk and slash comes to mind, as he breaks into their houses and leaves his mark on them. Though it is probably the use of the old military gas mask which is put to such great affect, where Richard appears on the front door step to frighten the persecutors. What's more, it is the way in which he has complete power over them and has the ability to show them he has no fear. And like a horror film, they are all picked off one by one...

The main reason to see this, is the performance from Considine who channels a raw energy to exhibit a controlled psycho to such touching and poignant moments when he is alone with his brother. Unfortunately some of the other actors are not as strong so the performances seem a little bit uneven. Tonality of the film is spot on though. It's a very sombre affair with a surprising amount of light humour thrown in too.

Overall, a surprisingly calm and tranquil ending with a predictable outcome but nevertheless an enjoyable journey. An affecting performance with a hybrid of genres which melded well together and never looked forced or added as an afterthought. A well written script by director (Shane Meadows) and star (Considine) and fully deserving a place in anyone's movie collection.

Acting 4/5

Technical Merit 4/5

Narrative 4/5

Entertainment 5/5

17/20

Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon (2011) With Trailer

The third film in the successful franchise based on an 80s toy product. This one sees the plot revolving around Earth's manned mission to the moon in the 60s (which incorporates some good and clever use of archive footage). The real reason behind the mission is in fact a cover up for an "incident" which the world knew little about. An Autobot spaceship which crash landed on the surface on the moon, millions of years ago.

With the intriguing set up, the film unfortunately falters and flags. As the story heads back to the drama's of Sam (Shia Labeouf) Witwicky life. Set a couple of years of the 2nd film. Sam is struggling to find a job whilst his Autobot companions are out on secret missions maintain peace and order with their human allies. It isn't too long before the Decepticons make an appearance and are back to their old tricks again. We learn that within the crashed spaceship (the Ark) contains special pillars that could help the Autobots once and for all, to conquer the Decepticons and win the war....but in the wrong hands they could also lead to the destruction of the planet Earth.

To summarise the plot in such way makes the film sound interesting and exciting but it is far from it. The total lack of serious/normal characters in the film jars the brooding menace. Every supporting character is a bit weird (John Malkovich's- Bruce Bezo) or over hyperactive (Ken Jeong's-Jerry Wang). It sometimes feels like there are two films competing here. One a wacky and (un)funny comedy drama whilst the other, an explosive and eye popping special effects laden action film. I am at a loss as to why there was any need for such a need to try to use stock footage of real events for it to only throw at us such infantile humour. 

After the absolute slating that the 2nd film received you would have thought that Bay would have learnt his lesson, but far from it. Racial stereotypes are still ever present and it seems like any ethnic minority portrayed comes across in a very unpolitical correct way. A Scottish sounding Autobot is heard to say "I'll bottle ya" The humour is also not at all funny. If you do laugh, you'd be laughing at the absolute dire dialogue written for the film. I had high hopes for this film and my hopes soon turned to anger and dismay.

The other problem with the film is the pacing of the whole thing. It takes an absolute age for anything exciting to happen. When you come to see a  film like this you'd expect robots to be smashing other robots, buildings or any other inanimate object. What you get is a limp attempt at humour and character development. Too much unnecessary padding. Strip away the waste and this film may have been better.

Enough about the negatives you say, what about the positives? Well the action scenes are extremely well handled. If you watch in 3D then your eyes will be in for a treat. Bays trademark of slo-mo is in full effect and there is so much happening at one time you could get lost in which Transformer is which. With the carnage and mayhem, you're always going to be in safe hands with Bay. The 3D is also implement in such dazzling ways and the action packed set pieces are done with aplomb.

I just wish he would try to leave school boy humour and offensive pokes at other races alone. Apart from that I just about found the film tolerable. A complete mess with a tone which shifts from one extreme to another and just doesn't sit well. I now know why Megan Fox jumped ship and left this awful mess of a film. A sad waste of money, time and effort. I want my money back.

Acting 1.5/5

Technical Merit 2.5/5 (3.5/5 for 3D version)

Narrative 2/5

Entertainment 2/5 (3/5 for 3D version)

8/20 (10/20-3D)