2012 will be remembered as the year independently minded film-makers finally took over Hollywood. With some of the year’s most successful films guided by those steadfastly thinking outside the cinematic square, they delivered crowd-pleasing productions with genuine depth. Their success was an interesting counter-point against the usual array of commercial movies failing to set the box-office alight. Hopefully 2013 sees further gains with traditional block-busters having some intelligence. Elsewhere independent cinema continued to flourish with some works delivered by exciting new talents.
So to this year’s best and worst – which ones made the grade and which need another spell in the naughty corner…
THE BEST
10. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
9. The Artist
8. My Week with Marilyn
7. The Avengers
6. Lawless
5. Argo
4. The Descendants
3. Magic Mike
2. Hugo
1. The Dark Knight Rises
What I said then: “It is sad thinking this is the end of Nolan’s take on the caped crusader but we should be thankful for the respect he’s shown the character. He’s made a high calibre superhero movie series which will be difficult to top from the many imitators it will influence in years to come.”
What I say now: Christopher Nolan’s amazing finish to a fantastic trilogy delivered what fans wanted while having something to say about today’s society. Full of action, excitement, drama – this one had it all and was the most memorable commercial block-buster of the year.
Honourable mentions: The Muppets, Hope Springs, Skyfall, The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
THE WORST
10. Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
9. The Lucky One
8. A Few Best Men
7. Mental
6. Paranormal Activity 4
5. John Carter
4. The Dictator
3. Killer Elite
2. Gone
1. Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2
What I said then: “With news the series may live on after this ‘final’ chapter, one should heed this cinematic threat. Its producers seem more than happy to milk this cash-cow for all its worth although hopefully its maligned stars can rest in peace even if this franchise doesn’t.”
What I say now: Choosing to make a fast dollar than something of substance, the Twilight franchise will be remembered as a typical example of Hollywood’s ability to make a series out of truly nothing.
Dishonourable mentions: Red Dawn, Any Questions for Ben?, 21 Jump Street, Rock of Ages.
That’s it for another movie-going year. May everyone enjoy a safe and happy Christmas and may 2013 be a lucky one for you all. Until next time – thanks for reading!
Agree with Patrick about his Best and Worst Movies for 2012? Then please use the comment box, titling your comments with Movie Review Best and Worst
Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at current movie releases in Australia.
(Steven Cravis - "Children of Beslan")
~*~
Newtown, Connecticut
December 14, 2012
your children are not coming home
ever again
there are no words
only the language of sobs and tears
can begin to express the shattering grief
the massacre of children
unfathomable sorrow, suffering and pain
the lives of twenty beautiful little kids
between the ages of six and seven years old
along with six caring adults were cut down
the lives they could have lived cut short
their dreams, hopes, and promise
extinguished
the lives of their families and friends
devastated
how can anyone recover?
the only answer that comes
is
Love
to weep together
hold tight to each other
reach out to those in pain
emanating more and more Love
together, supporting each other
Loving one another is the way through
my broken Heart, Love and Prayers
go out to the victims of the massacre in Newtown, Connecticut
and to their families, friends, and community
and to all victims of violence everywhere around the world.
Newtown, Connecticut
another town placed upon a list
that should never exist
Newtown, Connecticut - 2012
Wenshu Township, China - 2012
Portland, Oregon - 2012
Aurora, Colorado - 2012
Utøya, Norway - 2011
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - 2011
Tuscon, Arizona - 2011
Winnenden, Germany - 2009
Virginia Tech University - 2007
Beslan, Russia - 2004
Columbine, Colorado - 1999
Jonesboro, Arkansas - 1998
Montreal, Canada - 1998
Dunblane, Scotland - 1996
and so many, far too many more
Blake Shelton's latest release, a CD of holiday music entitled "Cheers, it's Christmas," is one of the best holiday albums ever!
Blake sings these really well and the duets are pretty special, too. "Jingle Bell Rock" features Miranda Lambert singing her heart out with Blake and that music fits in perfectly with their vocals. Blake does a superb job on "Oklahoma Christmas" which also features Reba and he sings "White Christmas;" with genuine passion.
Other tunes include "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!;" the charming "There's A New Kid In Town" that has Blake singing with Kelly Clarkson; "Santa's Got A Choo Choo Train;" "Home" that has Blake Shelton performing with Michael Bublé; "Winter Wonderland;" Blake's awesome version of `The Christmas Song;" the excellent "Blue Christmas" featuring Pistol Annies; the poignant "I'll Be Home for Christmas" which is a very favourite holiday tune to many people; "Silver Bells," a duet done by Blake and Xenia; "Time For Me To Come Home" that Blake performs with mom Dorothy Shackleford and "The Very Best Time Of Year" which shows just how well Blake performs with Trypta-Phunk.
This is a must have for Blake's fans everywhere; and people who appreciate excellent holiday music will not be disappointed!
Track Listing:
01 Jingle Bell Rock (feat. Miranda Lambert)
02 White Christmas
03 Oklahoma Christmas (feat. Reba)
04 Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
05 There's a New Kid In Town (feat. Kelly Clarkson)
06 Santa's Got a Choo Choo Train
07 Home (feat. Michael Bublé)
08 Winter Wonderland
09 The Christmas Song
10 Blue Christmas (feat. Pistol Annies)
11 I'll Be Home for Christmas
12 Silver Bells (feat. Xenia)
13 Time for Me to Come Home (feat. Dorothy Shackleford)
14 The Very Best Time of Year (feat. Trypta-Phunk)
Just in time for the holidays, Glee brings joy to the world with the release of Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album Volume 3. The Glee holiday cheer is spread with the cast’s own festive renditions of such Christmas staples as “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” and “Silent Night”.
Track Listing
1. Shake Up Christmas
2. Mistletoe
3. We Wish You a Merry Christmas
4. White Christmas / Skinny Love
5. All I Have
6. Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
7. Wonderful Christmastime
8. Snow
9. My Only Wish (This Year)
10. Christmas Lights
11. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
12. Magic
13. Silent Night
Due to some heavy work commitments, there will no blogging for the next few days except for a couple of scheduled items.
Thanks
Graham
Directed by the aptly named Olivier Megaton, ‘Taken 2’ provides a ton of explosive action. This shouldn’t be any surprise to those knowing his work. Backed by producer Luc Besson – himself no stranger to huge films including ‘The Fifth Element’ – this sequel is just as spectacular as one hopes. Its plot may feel familiar but it does the job in providing a roller-coaster ride towards an outlandish finale.
Retired intelligence agent Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) is a man never to be messed with which his latest adversaries discover to their peril. Kidnapping his ex-wife Lenore (Famke Janssen) and daughter Kim (Maggie Grace) during a holiday in Istanbul, Bryan becomes hell-bent in seeking vengeance. With his knowledge and skills his most potent weapons, he takes aim at those standing in his way.
‘Taken 2’ finds everyone on auto-pilot. Exerting the least amount of effort for the maximum amount of audience dollars this is very much a ‘file it and forget it’ adventure. The action sequences are amazing with the Istanbul location used effectively. It’s more the generic story which is told without much flair. All go through their paces with the requisite amount of posturing and worried scowls no substitute for genuine characterisation.
Despite this lack of dazzle the script has few interesting things to say about the nature of vengeance. How the consequences of Mills’ actions from the previous movie are played out is quite interesting as is his resourcefulness. These elements make viewing passable during the mundane moments with the acting generally not amounting to much.
Offering exactly what you’d expect ‘Taken 2’ is a silly yarn quickly fading from memory. Neeson and Besson used to stand for high quality productions and hopefully they will again by avoiding this type of basic vanilla film-making slowly deflating their once glowing reputations.
Movie Review Rating: 5 / 10
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
Agree with Patrick about his Movie Review? Then please use the comment box, titling your comments with Movie Review Taken 2
Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at current movie releases in Australia.
TRAILER
SOUNDTRACK
DVD
Celtic Woman’s fourth holiday collection, which features the talents of Chloë Agnew, Lisa Lambe, Máiréad Nesbitt, and for the first time since 2007, Méav Ní Mhaolchatha, arrives just a year after 2011′s German-exclusive Celtic Family Christmas.
Offering up the usual mix of amiable holiday pop (“I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” “Winter Wonderland”) and triumphant, faith-based classics (“Joy to the World,” “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “We Three Kings”), Home for Christmas doesn’t deviate at all from the formula, which after selling over six-million records worldwide, shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise.
Track Listing:
1. I’ll Be Home For Christmas 4:12
2. Hark The Herald Angels Sing 5:01
3. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town 4:13
4. Silent Night 3:35
5. We Three Kings 3:37
6. We Wish You A Merry Christmas 3:37
7. What Child Is This 4:31
8. Adeste Fideles 4:20
9. Winter Wonderland 2:51
10. Mary’s Boy Child 3:07
11. Auld Lang Syne 3:27
12. Joy To The World
Quinten Massys - The Virgin and Child with Saints Barbara and Catherine
Current Location: The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London.