Hunter Killer (2018) Film Review

Who knew there was a submarine drama in 2018? Starring Gerard Butler and Gary Oldman? (Well, Oldman’s there, but not a lot) Not me. Thank goodness my mate was all over it, and so we did a delightful co-viewing, watching in our different houses on opposite sides of town, but chatting throughout as though we were in the same room.

It’s not Hunt for Red October or Crimson Tide but at the same time, it’s both of these films and every submarine film. There were moments of high excitement and moments of extreme tension and it was exactly what you want from a submarine film.

London Has Fallen (2016) Film Review

Terrorists are out to destroy all of the major world leaders, so once a major event with all the world leaders attending is going to happen in London, it is their perfect opportunity. US President Ben Asher (Aaron Eckhart) attends, and when things go pear-shaped, luckily Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) is around to save the day. Again. And it is like an action film on steroids. I swear, between this and the John Wick films, I think that the creatives on action films have decided to forgo detailed plot and just have a bad thing happen and lots and lots of fighting, chasing, shooting and all the good things. And there’s another of these ones too. Ace times for action films.

Olympus Has Fallen (2013) Film Review

There is a massive attack on the White House and despite there being heaps of highly trained secret service and the like around, it is only Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) who can save President Benjamin Asher (Aaron Eckhart) and his small son.

If you like a ridiculous action plot, here it is. One man against the terrorists. Wonderful. So wonderful, just like the wonderful action films from the eighties and nineties. Awesome.

How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014) Film Review

After Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) found a way for his people to become friends with dragons in How to Train Your Dragon, he spends a lot of time with Toothless investigating the wider world. And then he discovers that not everyone in the wider world is nice. And there are a whole bunch of battles and fights, and not everyone survives.

Made me laugh, made me cry. And I think was a pretty top sequel to the first one. And there are a few decent female characters – sure one chick is totally boy crazy, but she also kicks arse somewhat.

How to Train Your Dragon 2 was nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Feature of the Year and won a Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film.

 

How to Train Your Dragon (2010) Film Review

Hiccup is not like all the other Vikings. They are brave and strong and big. He’s small, but wants to be a part of killing the dragons as much as the next kid, and has an invention that could work. Unfortunately, when it takes down one of the never-seen species, it causes a lot of damage and he is shunned. When he finds the injured dragon, he quickly realises that he can train it, and starts to learn a lot more about dragons that anyone previously This knowledge helps him during his dragon killing class, and may change things for his town forever.

Fun. Very nice to look at. A very male-centric film – why are there two girls in the six member killing dragon class and yet almost no other female characters as all? Sheesh. No wonder Brave got so much of an exciting reaction. There’s a sequel coming out this year. Hope I can borrow some children and see it at the cinema.

How to Train Your Dragon was nominated for Oscars for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year and Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score.