Beowulf - movie

After catching glimpses of the standard definition TV commercials, I didn't realize Beowulf was a CG movie. It was a lot more obvious in IMAX 3D...The characters look like Anthony Hopkins, John Malkovich and co. but they are not. Beowulf breaks new ground in the Uncanny Valley and boasts some truly awful horseback sequences. Ever dreamed of seeing norsemen riding Shrek's Donkey? - your fantasy has been realized.

Beowulf attempts to capitalize on the western, homo-erotic, macho violence market - it is successful to a point but 300 does a better job (at least in this author's opinion)...The film storyline runs fairly true to the source material which is to say it still falls down badly near the end. :P Having said that, the movie twist on traditional events and motives actually works quite well.

The martial score for the opening credits gets the blood flowing, ready to be spilled, and the theme is repeated at intervals. Unfortunately the credits close with a drippy, sappy, soppy, saccharine vocal track (Robin Wright Penn's minimalist version is not bad), searing an unpleasant aftertaste into an already confused palate.

Transformers (live action movie)

Watching a Michael Bay movie can be like watching a fireworks display without the deep, intricate plot and clever, well delivered dialog. It helps if you've had a few drinks, are warmly wrapped up and are safe in the knowledge that your good parking spot will allow you a fast escape should the fog roll in or the screaming (agony) become unbearable.

Pearl Harbor, Armageddon and The Rock are some of my least favorite flicks (I concede that millions of punters and dollars disagree) but MB had some prolific, highly paid "acting talent" to aid his efforts to churn those out. (I admit Scarlett and Ewan somehow saved The Island for me). Thankfully, the stars of his latest big budget venture are stompy robots from Cybertron and even MB cannot prevent the polished genius of Industrial Light & Magic shining through.

The attempts at comedy become grating, the plot is frequently laughable, the incessant product placement is (literally) rammed down your throat with a truck, but I could still watch Autobots and Decepticons transform and/or fight all day long.

PS I still think Michael Bay should not be allowed to work with humans...

PPS I do not condone drinking and driving...

28 Weeks Later

(Still) an intense downer. The opening scenes reminded me of everything that the original (28 Days Later) excelled in - a brilliant score, terrifying "infected" and unmerciful violence.

The third one could be quite interesting. :-)

Spiderman 3 (movie)

After having my expectations set pretty low by some friends, I thoroughly enjoyed this. Yes, it's dumb and ridiculous but it's a comic-book-movie. Get over it.

Spoiler Alert

• The special effects are solid especially for Sandman.
• The "New Goblin" is Super-Lame but as he's never on-screen alone, he's easy to overlook.
• Venom is very well done but not around for long enough.