the_mole_8472 Reviews

The Condemned (2007)

Great potential, yet falls slightly short.

[7/10 · 4 September 2007]

I so much wanted to see this film after seeing trailers for it on WWE RAW and Smackdown, for two reasons:

1) Stone Cold Steve Austin 2) Vinnie Jones

Two self proclaimed hard-men s.o.b. types. Neither one you would want to meet in a dark alley just after spilling their beer. Anyway, I hyped myself up so much for that I was excited when I finally got to see it. Following the trend of the previous two WWE Films (See No Evil and The Marine), the films seemed to be getting better. This only increased my anticipation.

The film itself has a good story line. True, it is a mixture of previous great films like Battle Royale, Wedlok and The Running Man, but that took nothing away from it. The main problem with this film for me was the camera action during all the fight scenes. It barely focused, shook wildly, panned in and out continuously and cut from angle to angle a little too quick, it was hard to tell what was going on at times.

This film was still quite enjoyable despite the bad camera work during the action scenes. Overall I give this film a 7 out of 10.

Eragon (2006)

Enjoyable film on the whole.

[7/10 · 20 December 2006]

I have heard a lot of reviews for this film, some saying it is good, some saying it is down right awful. But it has dragons in it so I thought I would go and see for myself, which I did last night. Having never read the book (something to remedy I think) I had no preconceptions going into this movie about the story lines or the characters.

Others have made reference to the similarities between this film and Star Wars IV. True the similarities are there but in my eyes, this does not detract from the over all enjoyable story line of this film. Also, many have compared some scenes to The Lord Of The Rings. Again, whilst I can see the similarities of the two, I can't help but think that all future fantasy films with large battles in them will suffer the same treatment.

Despite the above, this film was pieced together quite nicely I think. The pace was just right so the viewer wouldn't get bored (something that happened a few times in the LotR), but not to fast as to allow the viewer to lose the plot.

All in all, I think this is a good film that parents and older children will enjoy.

The Lazarus Child (2004)

Very Touching

[8/10 · 20 December 2005]

I just managed to secure a copy of this film from a friend in Greece and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can't wait for it to be released in the UK so I can watch it on the big screens of the cinema.

Having read so much about the film since its completion in 2003, I have eagerly wanted to see it. It is a tale of love and loss. When Frankie Haywood (Daniella Byrne) is run over whilst on the way to school, her brother Ben (Harry Eden) blames himself. Three month on, she is still in a coma and the only chance of recovery is a form of new treatment that is still in the experimental stage.

This film is well filmed and the story line is extremely touching. Andy Garcia is excellent in his role as Ben and Frankie's dad. But once again, I feel the show was stolen by young Harry Eden's performance as he decides to under go hypnosis and enter his sisters mind to help guide her back to consciousness.

A great film, well worth watching.

Pure (I) (2002)

Truly Outstanding

[10/10 · 19 December 2005]

This film has quickly become one of my all time favourites. I was a bit dubious at first thinking this will be just another story of Heroine abuse, but I was wrong. This story of a 10 year old boy, played by the very talented young Harry Eden, trying to rid his mother of a terrible addiction is a touching story and will leave even the coldest heart a bit warmer towards him.

This is achieved through great screen play and acting abilities of cast members like Molly Parker who plays the addicted mother and David Wenham who plays Lenny, the pimp/dealer who is feeding Mel's (Molly Parker) addiction. But the true star of the show has to be Harry Eden who is in almost every scene and portraits just about every emotion known to man and seems to do so effortlessly.

This is a must see film for anyone that likes to be emotionally touched whilst watching a movie.

Oliver Twist (2005)

Dickens at it's best

[9/10 · 10 October 2005]

After seeing this film advertised over the summer I was eagerly awaiting it's release. Having seen 4 different versions of Oliver Twist in the past, I had yet to see one at the cinema. I must say, I was not disappointed. It was a well constructed film and possibly one of the best versions I have seen. Ben Kingsley as Fagin was a great choice. He was excellent at playing the kindly old gentleman that takes in the poor orphan Oliver. Although I really enjoyed this film, it follows the original novel by Charles Dickens very closely (a point I am not disappointed about) and it may be either difficult for younger children to follow, or maybes a little traumatic for some younger children. Given the violence shown between Sykes and Nancy, Oliver being beat and shot, it is something younger viewers may find disturbing. Extremely good film though. Definitely go back to see it again.