Men in Black 3 in 3D Review
Men in Black 3 in 3D
Reviewed by Rachel Geeson
Score: 3/5
It’s been 15 years since Men in Black was released. The American sci-fi comedy was clever and exciting and since then Will Smith has gone from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to a real movie star. It has also been 10 years since the sequel came out, and that film was well less interesting.
In Men in Black 3, Agents J (Will Smith) and K (Tommy Lee Jones) are back… in time. J has seen some bizarre things in his 15 years with the Men in Black, but nothing, not even aliens, confuses him as much as his cynical, cagey partner. But when K’s life and the fate of the planet are put at stake, Agent J will have to travel back in time to put things right. J discovers that there are secrets to the universe that K never told him — secrets that will reveal themselves as he teams up with the young Agent K (Josh Brolin) to save his partner, the agency, and the future of humankind.
The film is directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, who directed both of the previous Men in Black films. The screenplay is written by Etan Cohen, based on the Malibu/ Marvel comic book series called The Men in Black by Lowell Cunningham. The producers are Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald, and the executive producers are Steven Spielberg and G. Mac Brown.
The opening scene is set in a giant space prison, and introduces the new baddie named . . . Boris. Also known as Boris the animal, he is a one armed alien out to get his revenge. After the interesting start to the film we get back to Earth, with the familiar territory of the cowboy music in the car, the MIB headquarters, the bickering between Smith and Jones, the gadgets and of course the worm guys.
There were a few scenes that stood out in the film as good such as the scene in the bowling alley, the diner scenes and the last 10 minutes of the film. I’m not denying that it wasn’t a funny movie but it just seemed all over the place.
Back in 1969 you get hints of catch phrases from the future and also if you look carefully on one of the billboard for Coney Island, you see a picture of the much loved character of Frank the Pug with the caption “The Incredible Talking Pug”.
The draw to the Men in Black franchise has always been the characters and for this film although Will Smith plays a good part with his character, the real star is Josh Brolin. He was great with portraying the younger character of K. Brolin has managed to get the right tone of voice for the character and also shows us the same “grumpy face” that Tommy Lee Jones has done in the previous films.
The 3D cinematography for the film is great, especially with the addition of the new 3D glasses for Plaza Cinema Dorchester. Although I think the film has its ups and downs, it’s still a film worth watching.
Dark Shadows – Review
Dark Shadows – Review
By Kate – Maitland-Gleed
Score 3/5 
Some days, don’t you wake up and wish that you could sleep forever? Well for Barnabus Collins (Johnny Depp) he actually did! But sadly he woke up on the wrong side of the ‘coffin’ and goes on a rampage disposing of anyone who got in his way… Not the friendliest of greetings I must say! He finally gets to terms with his surroundings and finds out that he has slept for over 2 centuries and woken up in 1972. The year of blue eye shadow and rocking music as Depp soon finds out. He wanders back to his family home, which he was rudely taken away from 2 centuries ago, and finds his distant ancestors living there. Elizabeth Collins (Michelle Pfieffer), the woman of the house, welcomes Barnabus and slowly finds out his inner story as Depp unfolds the hidden secrets of the mansion. But then a dark cloud covers this family reunion as an old acquaintance comes back in to Barnabus’ life… Or rather death!
I think that this film follows the same sort of warped, dark genre that Tim Burton usually does. On the one hand, you have dark, mysterious creatures, death, blood and mild horror, but on the other hand, you have bright colours, hippies, comedy and Alice Copper… My parents really enjoyed this film because it was all the things that they grew up with… But not the vampires; they’re not that old! If the films ‘Stardust’ and ‘Death Becomes Her’ came together, it would give you a flavour of the climax of this film. There are elements of this film that would require adult guidance or supervision. Personally, I wouldn’t watch this film again as they have basically showed you all of the funny bits on the trailer, so there is not much to look forward to. Saying that, I am a very picky person!
I would give this film:
TO READ A BRIEF HISTORY OF TIM BURTONS WORK WRITTEN BY RACHEL GEESON CLICK HERE
A History of Tim Burton
A History of Tim Burton
By Rachel Geeson
Out this month is Dark Shadows, a film directed by Tim Burton. This is the latest edition of Burton’s work in which he has created yet another quirky movie starring the very talented, Johnny Depp. With Dark Shadows being the 17th film that Tim Burton’s directed I thought I’d give you a brief history on the wacky director.
Tim Burton was born in Burback, California on August 25th, 1958. Burbank was quintessential 1950s American suburbia, a world in which the shy, artistic Tim was not quite in step with the shiny happy people surrounding him. When I looked up photographs of Burbank in the 1950’s it did have some similarities to where Edward Scissorhands (1990), was filmed. And when researching more I found out that Burbank was considered as a possible location for the suburban neighbourhoods seen in the film, but was not chosen as Burton believed that the city had become too altered since his childhood.
Burton was not particularly good in school, and was not a bookworm. Instead, he found his pleasure in painting, drawing, and movies. He loved monster movies: Godzilla, the Hammer horror films from Great Britain, the work of Ray Harryhausen. One of his heroes was actor Vincent Price. Vincent Price was well known for his distinctive voice and serio-comic performances in a series of horror films (Tower of London 1939, House of Wax 1953 and The Fly 1958). Price’s final film was Edward Scissorhands and was his last screen appearance when he played the inventor and also did voice overs. Vincent Price died in Los Angeles on October 25th, 1993.
After Burton graduated from Burbank High School, he studied character animation when majoring in animation at the California Institute of Art. One of his classmates was Henry Selick (who later worked with Burton in The Nightmare Before Christmas 1993 and James and the Giant Peach 1996). Whilst he was a student at the California Institute of Arts, Burton made the short films Stalk of the Celery Monster and King and Octopus.
In 1979, Burton graduated and the success of his short film Stalk of the Celery Monster attracted the attention of Walt Disney Productions’ animation studio, who offered Burton an animator’s apprenticeship at their studio. He worked as an animator, storyboard artist and concept artist on films such as The Fox and the Hound, The Black Cauldron and Tron. When Burton worked as a Disney animator he didn’t really enjoy it and longed for solo projects. I mean it must have been slightly boring if you were continuously drawing characters in such a structured way. I mean for a 90 minute film that would be over 129,000 individual frames.
The studio recognized that Burton’s talent was not being utilized and they let him loose on his own projects. These included a poem and artwork that years later would become The Nightmare Before Christmas, the animated short Vincent, and the live-action short Frankenweenie.
While at Disney in 1982, Burton made his first short, a six minute black-and-white stop motion film based on a poem written by the filmmaker, and depicting a young boy who fantasizes that he is his (and Burton’s) hero Vincent Price, with Price himself providing narration. This was followed by Burton’s first live-action production Hansel and Gretel, a Japanese-themed adaptation of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale for the Disney Channel, which climaxes in a kung-fu fight between Hansel and Gretel and the witch.
In 1984, Burton created a unique version of the Frankenstein story with the live-action short Frankenweenie. After Frankenweenie was completed, Disney fired Burton, under the pretext of him spending the company’s resources on doing a film that would be too dark and scary for children to see. However Paul Reubens was impressed with Frankenweenie and commissioned Burton to direct the wildly inventive comedy Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985). The success of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure brought about other opportunities, including the 1988 ghost story Beetlejuice starring Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis and Winona Ryder. Often considered the prototypical Burton film, Beetlejuice was recognized for its visual flair and interwoven themes of fantasy and horror.
Next for Burton was Batman (1989), and was his first big budget film. For the title role, Burton chose to cast Michael Keaton as Batman following their previous collaboration in Beetlejuice, despite Keaton’s average physique, inexperience with action films, and reputation as a comic actor. Although during the production there were continuous problems, once the film opened in June 1989, it was backed by the biggest marketing and merchandising campaign in film history at that time, and became one of the biggest box office hits of all time. Its box office gross of over $250 million is also one of the highest in the studio’s history.
Edward Scissorhands 1990 was the first time Burton had full creative control over a feature film, having written the story and also produced the movie. This film is probably one of my favourite Tim Burton films and was a hit with moviegoers and critics. This film also marked the beginning of Burton being taken seriously as an artist.
He followed it up in 1992 with the sequel Batman Returns. It was not as big a hit as the first film, and suffered a backlash from parents who considered it too dark and twisted for younger Bat fans. As for Burton’s personal life, he married German artist Lena Gieseke in 1989 (while in the middle of production on Batman). They separated shortly after filming of Batman Returns. He began dating Lisa Marie shortly after.
After finally seeing his dream project realised with the feature length stop-motion film The Nightmare Before Christmas, Burton returned to smaller filmmaking with his next project, Ed Wood. An affectionate tribute to the supposed worst filmmaker of all time, it was not a hit at the box office, but won Burton the best reviews of his career, as well as two Oscars. It was followed by an indirect homage to Wood’s films, Mars Attacks! (1996).The film was a disappointment at the box office, and scorned by many critics, but has gained a cult status over the years. Burton made something of a comeback three years later with his first real horror film, Sleepy Hollow (1999).
Burton’s personal life at that time was in a state of turmoil with his relationship with Lisa Marie ending and the death of his parents within a short space of time. Burton then radically changed in style for his next project, leaving the haunted forests and colourful outcasts behind to go on to directing Planet of the Apes (2001) which, as Burton had repeatedly noted, was “not a remake” of the earlier film. Burton then began dating one of the stars of the film, Helena Bonham Carter. Their son, Billy, was born in October, 2003 and later the still long- term couple had a daughter, Nell in December, 2007. Close friend Johnny Depp is a godfather of both of Burton’s children.
After Planet of the Apes, Burton then went on to direct, Big Fish (2003), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), starring Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka and The Corpse Bride which received an Oscar nod for Best Animated Feature Film.
Burton’s next directorial project in 2007 turned out to be the long-rumoured musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Another favourite of mine). It was released in the U.S. in December, 2007 to rave reviews, starring none other than Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. After producing the animated feature 9 (2009), Burton followed it up in 2010 with the 3D Alice in Wonderland, which, despite the title, was actually a sequel to the Disney classic, not a remake. Despite a mixed reception, the film grossed over a billion dollars worldwide.
And that pretty much brings you up to date on the history of Tim Burton. Although this article is quite a long read, I found his life very interesting. For me he is a great director and I’m sure his new film Dark Shadows will be a hit, along with his two other films out later this year Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and the remake of his 1984 short film Frankenweenie.
I’m going to leave you with a quote from the book Burton on Burton by Johnny Depp about his friend, Tim Burton.
“What more can I say about him? He is a brother, a friend, my godson’s father. He is a unique and brave soul, someone that I would go to the ends of the earth for, and I know, full and well, he would do the same for me.”
American Reunion Review
American Reunion (15)
Reviewed by Rachel Geeson
Score: 4/5
The American Pie cast are all back for the fourth film in the franchise, American Reunion. Thirteen years have gone by since the gang were all together for the first American Pie film and although they have settled in with new careers and families, they are still essentially the same characters. Little has changed, and that is not always a good thing.
The film opens up by showing us Jim (Jason Biggs) and Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) married with their two year old son. Sadly for them, their sex life has lost its spark and we are shown how they try to make themselves happy, which doesn’t turn out so great with a child in the house. They still love each other very much but the romance is suffering noticeably. Then we see Steve “Stifler” also known as “The Stifmeister” (Sean William Scott), who is acting just like his usual self, however surprisingly he’s working at an investment firm. Next there’s Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas) who has turned into a “housewife” as he works from home and watches recorded TV dramas with his wife. Oz (Chris Klein) now hosts an ESPN sports type show and is dating a very slutty woman called Mia. And Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) is well, Finch.
When I was watching American Reunion it seemed like these characters haven’t really grown up, they are still doing the same things that they did over a decade ago. Jim is still caught in embarrassing situations, his dad is still awkward, and Stifler is still annoyingly lovable.
In the film, there are the usual immature bodily jokes from the class clown, Stifler, and a “trousers down” kitchen moment with Jim, that turns slightly graphic. And an American Pie film wouldn’t be the same without the embarrassing father and son talks that take place between Jim and Jim’s Dad (Eugene Levy). Throughout the story it is nice to see a role reversal between them, which allows Jim’s Dad a few gem moments to devilishly shine for the first time in the film series, which brings laughter from the audience.
We have as much anticipation as the boys to experience a great reunion, and predictable beginning aside to remind us of Jim’s endless troubles in the bedroom department, it’s rather comforting to be back in their awkward presence, and wonder what the weekend will bring out in them all.
Directors Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg have all the right credentials for injecting some much needed promise into this franchise and teasing out more of the bromance for these school friends. There is a far greater sense of this group’s tightness in this film, as they grow ‘wiser’ and have each other’s backs more, which is vital for the gags to work and revel in the knowing glances at all they’ve experienced.
One disappointment is there is not more of Finch in the story, and his mystery reveal is not as punchy as anticipated either. As expected, there are plenty of life morals to be learnt. However, the best gag of the lot is another Stifler triumph, a play on the “Stifler’s Mum” joke that brings a little hand punch cheer for fans.
I have to say I love the American Pie movies (the real ones, not the terrible spinoffs). And I was psyched to see American Reunion with the original cast. If you haven’t seen the first three films, this movie probably isn’t for you as the dialogue is packed with references to the earlier films, particular the first, so some of the jokes might go right over your head. But if you’re like me, and you loved the original, you should see this film. It’s not the best in the batch but it is still good.
While the film is bumpy in places, it is ultimately a success for any American Pie fans. Don’t expect your mind to be blown – just expect a few good laughs with some old friends from the class of ’99.
Marvel’s Avengers Assemble 3D Review
Marvel’s Avengers Assemble 3D (12a)
Reviewed by Rachel Geeson
Score: 5/5
Bringing together a host of Marvel characters seemed like it could have been tricky; however Joss Whedon has managed to pull it off to direct one of the best Marvel movies of all time.
In Avengers Assemble, Nick Fury (Samuel L Jackson) is the director of S.H.I.E.L.D, a secret military law-enforcement organization. He brings together six gifted superheroes to help save the world. The members of The Avengers are Captain America, Thor, Iron Man and the Hulk. With help from highly skilled spies Black Widow and Hawkeye.
To understand the plot better it does help for you to watch Iron Man (2008), Iron Man 2 (2010), The Incredible Hulk (2008), Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) and Thor (2011).
This film has a great ensemble cast; the talented actors each get the share of the spotlight having their own personal mission in the film.
Chris Evans plays Steve Rogers aka Captain America. He was frozen in the Artic for 60 years, and is the original super-soldier. In this film he is trying to find his place in the world. His character is the perfect soldier who is trying to do his job despite the challenges facing him.
Robert Downey, Jr., plays Tony Stark, the self-described genius, billionaire, playboy and philanthropist. He is better known in his armoured form as the unstoppable Iron Man. He shows a connection with another member in The Avengers. He delivers some truly witty and sparkling dialogue throughout the film that causes many laughs from the audience.
The star that shines the brightest is Mark Ruffalo who plays Dr. Bruce Banner. He describes his superhero side as “the other guy”, known to us as The Hulk. He holds a close guarded secret to himself throughout the film that is revealed towards the end giving knowledge to the audience as he attempts to come to terms with who and what he is. Ruffalo brings a real charm and strength to his role as Bruce Banner that we have never seen in this character before. Stop-motion capture has been used so Ruffalo could really play the Hulk and you can see aspects of the actor come through into the big green rage machine and that works wonderfully.
The last superhero member of The Avengers is the golden-haired thunder god, Thor, played by Chris Hemsworth; who recently worked with the director Joss Whedon in The Cabin in the Woods, whose character in that horror-comedy wasn’t so lucky. In Avengers Assemble he has more personal anger as he is up against Loki (Tom Hiddleston) who is his little adoptive brother who is having fun stirring up trouble and has a plan to destroy the Earth.
The other two members are spies Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner). Black Widow is formally known as Natasha Romanoff who has a long history with Clint Barton known as Hawkeye, and we also get hints to a very dark and intriguing past. Hawkeye is a master archer and is recognized in comics as the “World’s Greatest Marksman”. They are the two members of the avenging group who are skilled warriors who do not have super powers.
One of the best scenes in the film takes place up in the air with an alliance between Iron Man and Captain America as they do the best to help save agents lives, whilst Thor and the Hulk battle head to head and Black Widow is using hand to hand combat against Hawkeye. It is one of the best action moments of the whole film. The fighting between themselves is just as entertaining as the fight against the enemy.
Saying that the final battle is just amazing is a bit of an understatement as the CGI is perfect when we witness the action hitting New York City with force. 
This film is a definite must see for many reasons. The script for the film is fast and witty as the dialogue between the characters is simply fantastic. The characters have a human feel about them which enables you to sympathize with them. The director has done well not to lose sight of who they are and what they represent. And lastly there is a lot of humour to this film as believe me when I say that this movie has just as many laughs as it does action sequences.
So head down to the cinema and check out the two and a half hours of superhero heaven, you definitely wouldn’t want to miss out on this triumph of a movie.
Film times for Fri 27th April to Thurs 3rd May
Film times for Fri 27th April to Thurs 3rd May
THE BOLSHOI BALLET LIVE – THE BRIGHT STREAM
Sun 4.00 – Doors open at 3.30. Tickets £10
Running time unknown at present
AVENGERS ASSEMBLE 3D (12A) (Wheelchair Access)
Fri, Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs 4.25, 7.40
Sat, Sun 1.10, 4.25, 7.40
(2hrs 45mins)
AFRICAN CATS (U) (Wheelchair Access)
Fri, Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs 5.40
Sat, 1.00, 5.40
Sun 1.00
(1hr 45mins)
AMERICAN REUNION (15)
Wed, Thurs 8.15
(2hrs 5mins)
SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN (12A)
Fri, Mon, Tues, Thurs 5.15, 8.05
Sat, Wed 2.40, 5.15, 8.05
Sun 8.05
(2hrs 10mins)
GONE (15)
Fri, Mon, Tues, Thurs 5.25, 8.15,
Sat, Sun 3.05, 5.25, 8.15
Wed 3.05, 5.25, 8.15
(1hr 55mins)
CABIN IN THE WOODS (15) (Wheelchair Access)
Fri, Sat, Mon, tues 8.10
Wed 3.20
(1hr 55mins)
WRATH OF THE TITANS (12A)
Sat, Sun 12.40
(2hrs)
PIRATES! IN ADVENTURE WITH SCIENTISTS (U)
Sat, Sun 12.30
(1hr 45mins)
MIRROR MIRROR (PG) (Wheelchair Access)
Sat, Sun 3.15
(2hrs 5 mins)
FILMS 4 ALL (EASY ACCESS SHOWS AT THE PLAZA)
PLAZA BABIES - Parent with babies only, babies go free, ground floor screen with room for buggies and changing. Lights left on and sound at a lower level
NO SHOW THIS WEEK DUE TO US HOSTING A CINEMA CONFERENCE
AUTISM FRIENDLY CINEMA SHOWS - Lights left on and sound lower level for a comfy environment. Families and carers welcome.
NO SHOW THIS WEEK DUE TO US HOSTING A CINEMA CONFERENCE
ID MAY BE REQUIRED FOR 15 AND 18 FILMS AND ALCOHOL SALES, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ADMISSION TO PROTECT OUR LICENSE AND LARGE FINES IF WE DON’T BELIEVE YOU ARE 15/18 AND CANNOT PROVE IT. PARENTAL CONSENT IS NOT A VALID FORM OF ID.
Alcohol cannot be sold on all films this week except THE FILARMONICA DELLA SCALA
Coming Soon to the Plaza
AMERICAN PIE: REUNION – MAY 2
THE LUCKY ONE – MAY 4
DARK SHADOWS – MAY 11
all film bookings are subject to change at anytime, this programme is planned but is not set in stone until the Monday before when the times will be confirmed.
To contact us please email: contact@plazadorchester.com
Film Times for Fri 20th April to Thrs 26th April
Film times for Fri 20th April to Thurs 26th April
FILARMONICA DELLA SCALA LIVE – GERSHWIN (Wheelchair Access)
Sat 6.45 – Doors open at 6.30. Tickets £10
Approx 2 hours 15mins
SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN (12A)
Fri, Mon, Tues,Thurs 17.15 20.15
Sat, Sun 14.40, 17.15, 20.15
Wed 12.05, 14.40, 17.15, 20.15
(2hrs 10mins)
BATTLESHIP (12A) (Wheelchair Access)
Fri, Mon, Tues 16.55, 19.50
Sat 12.20, 15.15
Sun, Wed 14.05, 16.55, 19.50
(2hrs 20mins)
GONE (15)
Fri, Mon, Tues, Thurs 17.25, 20.00
Sat, Sun 15.05, 17.25, 8.00
Wed 12.30, 15.05, 17.25, 20.00
(1hr 55mins)
CABIN IN THE WOODS (15) (Wheelchair Access)
Fri, Mon, Tues, Thurs 17.40, 20.25
Sat, Sun, Wed 14.50, 17.40, 20.25
(1hr 55mins)
WRATH OF THE TITANS (12A)
Sat, Sun 12.40
(2hrs)
PIRATES! IN ADVENTURE WITH SCIENTISTS (U)
Sat, Sun 12.30
(1hr 45mins)
STREET DANCE 2 (PG) (Wheelchair Access)
Sat, Sun 12.00
(1hr 45mins)
MIRROR MIRROR (PG) (Wheelchair Access)
Sat, Sun 12.10
(2hrs 5 mins)
FILMS 4 ALL (EASY ACCESS SHOWS AT THE PLAZA)
PLAZA BABIES – Parent with babies only, babies go free, ground floor screen with room for buggies and changing. Lights left on and sound at a lower level
Street Dance 2 (PG) – Wed 12.00
AUTISM FRIENDLY CINEMA SHOWS - Lights left on and sound lower level for a comfy environment. Families and carers welcome.
Street Dance 2 (PG) – Wed 12.00
ID MAY BE REQUIRED FOR 15 AND 18 FILMS AND ALCOHOL SALES, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ADMISSION TO PROTECT OUR LICENSE AND LARGE FINES IF WE DON’T BELIEVE YOU ARE 15/18 AND CANNOT PROVE IT. PARENTAL CONSENT IS NOT A VALID FORM OF ID.
Alcohol cannot be sold on all films this week except THE FILARMONICA DELLA SCALA
Coming Soon to the Plaza
AVENGERS ASSEMBLE 3D – APRIL 27
AFRICAN CATS – APRIL 27
AMERICAN PIE: REUNION – MAY 2
THE LUCKY ONE – MAY 4
DARK SHADOWS – MAY 11
all film bookings are subject to change at anytime, this programme is planned but is not set in stone until the Monday before when the times will be confirmed.
To contact us please email: contact@plazadorchester.com
