The one with the mini movie review – The Boat that rocked

For some people, their impression of pirate radio is something that consists of bangin’ toons and requests to the biys crusing down Pana in the glanza. Back in the day, pirate radio was a different beast.

In the late 60’s and 70’s boats, ships and life rafts were hanging on for dear life in the North sea, broadcasting rock, 24 hours a day to over 20 million people in the UK. And this is what the boat that rocked is basically all about. A group of DJ’s on a boat, doing their thing with a coming of age story for a teenager, who’s on the boat after his mother ships him off to his uncle, as a dose of sea air will do him good.

The man behind the likes of Love Actually, Noting Hill and countless other movies, Richard Curtis is getting credited for writing and directing this time round. Theres a solid cast here including Nick Frost, Rhys Ifans, Bill Nighy, Kenneth Brannagh and of course the heavy weight of all of them, Phillip Seymour Hoffman.

There’s a solid performance from all in the boat that rocked, and you cant help but love the count, played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman who puts in a great performance. The movie, clocks in at just over 2 hours, and is paced quite well, but not quite as quick as some might like. As well as a solid performance from the cast, the movie is also constructed from similar solid materials. The boat that rocked has plenty of comedy, but for me there certainly wasnt any laugh your lungs out through your nostrils moments. So dont worry about choking on the popcorn!

On a final note, in a time where there is so much shite coming out from Hollywood with remake after remake (running moan throw recent reviews) The Boat that Rocked offers something different and original. By the very end of the movie, you cant help but feel a warm, happy feeling on the inside. The soundtrack is outstanding, but I just feel the boat that rocked could have rocked a bit more on the laughter front. Either way an enjoyable and original movie that is a great date movie and will certainly cause a cheesy smile or 4!

7/10   

The one with the mini movie review – Monsters VS Aliens (3D)

Here comes another CGI animated movie from the studio behind the likes of Shrek and Shark tale, DreamWorks Animation. Monsters VS Aliens is the latest movie to hit Cork cinemas in 2 versions. The “normal” version and the more expensive “3D” version. The difference in price of admission is around €2 more expensive for the one where you get to wear the glasses. And, you get to keep the glasses as well. Not that you’ll ever wear them in public, doing so may be hazardous to your health!

Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen, Hugh Laurie, Paul Rudd, Kiefer Sutherland are some of the many stars to lend their vocal talents to Monsters VS Aliens. The movie revolves around Reese Witherspoon’s character (Susan / Ginormica) who gets flattened by a meteorite on the day of her wedding. By the time she recovers and staggers down the aisle, shes glowing and decides to grow 70 feet. From there the military take attempt to capture her and when they eventually do, she’s brought to a secure “hotel, where the doors are always locked”.

Its here she gets to meet the rest of the Monsters, B.O.B. (Rogen), Dr.Cockroach (Laurie), the missing link (Will Arnett) and the gigantic Insectosauras. While the pleasantries are going on, aliens are on a mission to recover the meteorite that crashed landed on Susan's head. From here, the guys get together, under the instruction of General W.R. Monger (Sutherland) to battle a giant robot and eventually go off and stop the evil alien overlord.

The story is straight forward enough, and I guess it has to be given the movie is aimed at kids. That said, there wasn't a smell of a carpet crawler in a late show at 11.30pm The animation and over all look of the movie is very well polished. The cast put in an average performance, but for me the runaway success was Seth Rogen’s character of B.O.B. The majority of the laugh out loud moments are mainly supplied by B.O.B. in a selection of brilliant one liners. The rest of the comedic moments are caused by any interaction the rest of the crew have with Insecto (a gigantic bug)The story isn't going to set your pants on fire, neither will the laughs which there are plenty, but with only a handful of real laugh out loud moments. The 3D effects are used subtly and are not completely over the top, in the sense where your not constantly ducking and weaving like a Mike Tyson opponent. Don't get me wrong, you will be ducking and diving at times and the 3D effects do bring more than the occasional smile! Pay the extra for the 3D version as the kids will be blown away and the adults not too far behind them.

Monsters VS Aliens is an enjoyable movie, which adults and kids will enjoy. But I cant help but feel that is just by the numbers. Its not as clever or as detailed as past offerings from DreamWorks animation. But, that said, its 90 odd minutes of entertainment and escapism and in the current climate that's a good thing!

7/10