Official guidelines: how to live a longer life...

The Public Library of Science Medicine have this week revealed some simple steps to living a longer life:

- Regular excercise.
- Eating enough fruit and vegetables.
- Not smoking too much.
- Not drinking too much.

But let's be honest, what's new there? Isn't this the advice we're given to live healthier lives anyway? Aren't these the cause for debate every couple of months?
Is it me or is this just common sense? I mean it's not as if they were going to say: 'Go out and get drunk, take lots of drugs and order a take away'...

Come on people, lets get those brains into gear and research something we didn't already know!

A Golden adventure

Perhaps one of the best book to film adaptations I have seen in a long time, The Golden Compass definitely doesn't disappoint.

Phillip Pullmans Northern Lights, the first installment from His Dark Materials trilogy, has been transformed into an on screen adventure as exciting as the book, by director Chris Weitz.

Unlike most adaptions, The Golden Compass remains true to the book, with all the main characters being exactly as you would imagine them to be and none of the main aspects of the plot being missed out.

After my initial issues with the American-ized name, I couldn't help but get lost in the narrative. The film is a flurry of action that grips the audience from the first scene to the last as we follow the main character, Lyra Belacqua, on her voyage to the North.

Lyra travels with her Daemon Pantalaimon and a group of Gyptians to save her friend and other kidnapped children from the experimentation's of the General Oblation Board (or the Gobblers, as the kids call them). She makes some wonderful friends along the way including, Serafina Pekkala (a witch), Iorek Byrnison (an armoured bear) and Lee Scoresby (an aeronaught).

Dakota Blue Richards plays Lyra to perfection with her excellent portrayal of the characters sense of adventure, boldness and gift of the gab.

I was unsure about the casting of Daniel Craig as Lord Asriel and Nicole Kidman as Marisa Coulter but, both have taken well to the roles and bring something of themselves while remaining true to the characters.

Each scene is beautifully shot, from the sophistication of Jordan College in Oxford to the starkness of the scenes from the North but, perhaps the most gripping scene is that of the bear fight between Iorek and King Ragnar. The audience can't help but track every blow as they wonder which bear will prevail.

Despite the religious debates surrounding the release of The Golden Compass, it is definitely a hit and a family blockbuster that shouldn't be missed.

Hit...or Miss...

Hitman...definitely a miss in my opinion.

Hitman is the 2007 film adaption by director Xavier Gens of the video game series about agent 47.

Agent 47 is a hitman (as you may have guessed from the title of the film) who finds himself caught up in a political conspiracy.

The main protagonist, played by Timothy Olyphant, is a lone character, befitting really of the role. However, Olyphant's performance doesn't quite make the grade, he does not portray a character that the audience can take to, which is what we usually expect of the leading role.

Whether the problem is his acting technique or the script, Olyphant just doesn't seem right for the role, despite his 'hard man' appearance.

There was at least one intertextual reference to the video games in the film, (there may have been more but, as I'm not a gamer I couldn't have picked up on them) and although there was an attempt at humour with this reference, it was slightly out of place with the serious tone of the film and it finds itself wasted on audience members who are not gamers.

The hitman's 'love interest' (if you can call it that) seemed rather pointless. While it made the hitman seem more human and also tried to add some light entertainment to the film, it just didn't work. Intimate scenes between Agent 47 and Nika felt awkward and the sub-plot they shared didn't seem to move with much pace, leaving it feeling fairly mediocre.

Perhaps what struck me most about the film was the lack of fire and excitement in the action scenes, it lacked 'edge of your seat' action. This could have been compensated for if the film was supposed to be more humorous, but alas that didn't seem to be the intent either.

With such a striking film title, one would expect many more explosions, brutal fights and bloody murders...there just wasn't enough violence to carry such a title.

So, would I recommend this to a friend? definitely not, unless they are an avid fan of the games, and even then, I would imagine they would be disappointed. On a lighter note...at least the film is only and hour and a half long!

King Biggins

Congratulations to King of the Jungle and star of I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of here, Christopher Biggins.

He was a late comer to the reality TV programme but, a deserved winner from the moment he stepped into the camp. He has kept the public and the other celebrities entertained from the second he arrived.

His final task, where he fearlessly ate Kangaroo penis, Kangaroo testicles, cockroahces and a number of other beastly jungle fancies, would have undoubtedly won him a huge number of votes.

Well done to the other celebrities for taking on the challenge and to 'J' for coming 3rd and Janice for taking 2nd place.

Sleuth

Perhaps one of the most unusual films I have ever seen. I spent the whole time in the cinema wondering if I was actually enjoying the story or whether I wanted to get up and leave.

Sleuth is a strange and interesting film directed by Kenneth Branagh and starring Michael Caine as Andrew Wyke and Jude Law as Milo Tindle. It is a remake of the 1972 film of the same name, also starring Michael Caine (as a different character).

It seems strangely awkward on the big screen with only two characters and very dramatic dialogue and it feels as though it would fit better on the stage, but somehow, bizarrely...it works as a movie.

Michael Caine and Jude Law have great on-screen chemistry, the personalities of their characters bounce off one another perfectly and their absurd banter and twisted game playing is gripping.

The plot is simple yet effective, there are no complicated twists and turns or interlinking story lines. It is purely about the power battle (so to speak) between two slightly unhinged men. As usual, their conflict is centered around a woman's affections.

Sleuth is full of jump cuts, reminding the audience that it is a movie that they are watching and not a stage production. These techniques add to the unnerving atmosphere being created by the characters.

Some of the camera angles used are fresh and innovative. One of the opening shots is a birds eye view as Andrew opens his front door to Milo, all that is visible of Andrew is his hand as he extends it to greet Milo. It is such an unusual shot that it really makes you sit up and take notice.

I wouldn't recommend Sleuth to those of you who are looking to get lost in a conventional Hollywood plot line, but if you're looking for something new and different or if you're interested in film techniques then go and see it now!

Trailer

A slight variant to my usual news-y/gossip posts but....

Everyone has to follow this link and see the new Sweeney Todd trailer!

Sweeney Todd at MovieWeb

The film is directed by Tim Burton and stars Johnny Depp (as Sweeney Todd), Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman and many more.

It is due to be released on 21st December.

The trailer just seems incredible, very Burton-esque and very sinister. It seems that it will be an amazing movie!

I can't wait!!!

I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry

Another side-splitting comedy from Sandler's 'Happy Madison Productions', I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry is fresh, new and hilariously funny.

The film is an interesting tale of two straight fire-fighter friends, Chuck and Larry, who get married to protect Larry's pension benefits because as a single, widowed father of two, he is unable to name his kids as his beneficiaries.

The couple's marriage and civil partnership is challenged by the state as officials start to pry into their private life. This throws up a whole new set of obstacles as they try to prove their 'gayness' with entertaining consequences.

Adam Sandler and Kevin James have excellent on-screen chemistry and they make a strangely believable couple which means that the comedy keeps flowing. The film is definitely not short of laughs.

Sandler re-joins his old friends Allen covert and Steve Buscemi in this movie. I love his continuity in starring alongside these two in many of his films, it allows fans to feel 'in the know' as they recognise these returning faces.

I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry is definitely a film not to be missed. It's a fresh idea and is entertaining from start to finish.