I used my last 'free' trip to the cinema (well it wasn't free but it was with my unlimited card, which is now going away, since the spawn came, I just don't have the time) to go and see Twilight. I amazed at the reviews compared to the movie I saw.

Things we agree on - Robert Pattison is gorgeous, even though he spends a lot of the movie looking like he is going to throw up, and the backdrop of trees and snow are amazing. It does have a great non blockbuster type touch, and the acting is pretty good overall.

Things that we disagree on (or have been omitted from mention) - the script is pretty ropey in places and unintentionally hilarious - see the fan shot!, and the threat level is non existant. She risked it all to be with a vampire? A vegetarian vampire with a lovely family and great house? What a terrible life. And don't get me started on the angel like skin, instant true love or lack of sexy scenes. There was something definitely oddly religious going on (I know it is all supposed to be a metaphor for premarital sex, but isn't it also about vampires too?)

To sum up, as someone who loves vampire movies, this isn't a great entry. It has good things about it (and most of them are about looking at a brooding Robert) but it doesn't even have enough punch to be a great teenage movie or humour to be a comedy either. That said, there is a good chance that it will make my 'films I would buy for £5' list.

The sequel Bad Moon is due in cinemas November 2009. You have been warned!

I don't seem to have liked the Iron Man film as much as everyone else.

Sure I would give it a solid 3/5 but the suit development was about half an hour too long for my liking. Maybe I have a reduced tolerance for these things at the moment since I can't avoid at least one toilet run during the movie, but I found my attention wandering. RDJ was as good as I thought he would be, anyone who has seen A Scanner Darkly (amoung others) could be in no doubt to his talents. It was great to see a rich playboy character actually being one for a change. But what was up with the Gwyneth Paltrow casting? OK she can run in 4 inch heels, but I can't say I really felt their relationship. I read somewhere she took the part because the studio was only 5 minutes from her house in LA so she could be with her kids during filming. Fair play to the working mother, however the chance to cast another oscar nominee (that would be 4 in total) in their popcorn superhero flick may have clouded the casting director's judgement somewhat.

How did I manage to miss this movie? http://www.gabrielmovie.com/.

I usually have a pretty good spider sense for any film about vampires, werewolves, ghosts, demons or anything that has been used as a subject for a WOD supplement (old WOD, not new WOD, as far as I'm concerned it doesn't exist). It looks satisfyingly gothic and just the sort of thing I would steal the plot from for one of my games. I happened to catch the trailer attached to my rental copy of Resident Evil: Extinction.

(If you enjoyed the first two RE films, you will enjoy this one as well. I love how they took the coolest bit from the first film and reused it cleverly. It's cool girl kicking zombie butt with evil corporation trying to take over the world. Just like some good movies....

Aliens: cool girl kicking alien butt with evil corporation trying to take over the world
Tomb Raider: cool girl kicking ancient butt with evil organisation trying to take over the world
Tank Girl: cool girl kicking facist butt with evil corporation trying to take over the world
Legally Blonde: cool girl kicking legal butt with evil college girls trying to take over the world (OK maybe not)

Anyway, the flick has gone straight onto my rental list (god bless lovefilm). Shame all the people who I could use the plot on (In Nomine or Demon:TF? Such hard decisions) also saw the trailer and will also want to see the film.....

http://www.goldencompassmovie.com/?320879

Click the picture

I have to have a little rant about the Summer 07 and the dearth of hyped items with which we are being subjected to. I already hinted what I thought about Harry Potter:And The Deathly Hallows, but after seeing Transformers today I have to put fingers to keyboard.

I am fed up being disappointed with products that are hyped to the high heavens and then fall short of expectations. I admit that I am pretty hard to please, but won't the advertising industry losing faith with the people after promoting less than fantastic products?

The pity is, without the hype movies like Transformers would have been perfectly acceptable on their own and I no doubt would have enjoyed watching it. Now though all I can do is pick holes in the plot, acting, and script because I hold them to a higher standard. Why else would ever surface from fast food to tshirts via buses be plastered with them? Except to make money where the strength of movie itself cannot be relied upon it seems.

In the past we may have complained that there were no great movies to see, now I complain there are no great justified advertising campaigns.

Due to an over indulgence of alcohol on Friday night I have been recovering all weekend and watching way too much tv. I thought I would give you a sentence review of everything that I've watched (or can remember watching). You are allowed of course to ridicule me on my choices, just please, do it behind my back.

For Your Consideration (movie) - Not as funny as Best in Show, but the hollywood transformation of the lead actress has to be seen to be believed. Christopher Guest is still amusing.
Dr Who (tv) - I've just downloaded the drums song from this episode (voodoo child by rogue traders) as it got into my head and woulnd't leave. Did you see Saxon slip his wife some tongue? Nice. The early epsiodes in this series were a bit guff but they have upped their game.
Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire (tv) - I watched this in prep for the new movie and couldn't help but be surprised for all the things they don't use magic for. Thought, if Harry hadn't saved Cedric from the plants instead of going for the cup, Cedric would still be alive! Have that on your conscience! The next film looks great too, the darker the better.
Miss Match (tv) - I am unhappy that this show was cancelled after one season. I like all the romantic triangles, though everyone is a bit too perfect. Also it has got even better now that Nathan Fillion is guest starring.
Will & Grace S6 (tv) - I admit to owning 7 of the 8 series of this, I still laugh at episodes I have seen tons of times. They are the funniest dysfunctional couple on tv, and Karen kicks ass. I quote them all the time.
Shark (tv) - Today's episode was ok, I find this series hit and miss. I love shark but the detective work can get boring. The relationships are far more interesting than the crimes.
Babel (movie) - I didn't get past the first 10 minutes. I am sure there is a wonderful oscar worthy film in there, but it was so slow I wanted to go and do something else rather than watch it, which is pretty bad.
Barbarella (movie) - I remember watching this as a kid and obviously did not get all the references. I think she is pretty funny for a space bimbo with some great one liners, and the creativity behind this film was pretty good, shame about the dodgy sets. I love her outfits!
Dungeons & Dragons II (movie) - Surprisingly this actually followed on from the first one. This was more heavily into the game, but the characters were boring and you wanted the dragon to win,
E! news (tv) - I love getting my fix and calling all the hot, rich film stars names. Who said hatred isn't theraputic?
Futurama (tv) - It was a zoidberg episode. My favourite character is Bender, of course. The one with the orphans is fantastic.
Rome (tv) - You just know that Marc Anthony is going to get it soon, pride before a fall and all that. Pullo is the heart and soul and I hope he is in for a long time.
Supernatural (tv) - Just finished watching this and it is clearly a 2 parter. I hate it when you need to wait a week to get the next part. It would drive you to download tv, which I am utterly against. It was also a bit slow, I'm hoping it was setting big things up for the season finale. I think it is a great show though.