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DeadlyHedley007
Reviews
The Prestige (2006)
The Prestige
I have just seen this eagerly awaited film and have read many reviews so I sat down to watch and make up my own mind about the film. I DID WATCH AND VERY CLOSELY and found myself sitting on the edge of my seat most of the time wondering just where I would not quite get it right. I found the story fascinating and followed it to the end and it was then that I found I had been misdirected at some point - very cleaver.
Christopher Nolan's directing and the shared script with his brother was fist class. His next inspiration was to pit Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale against each other - brilliant. Hugh Jackman as the showman who puts his magic across with pure showmanship but Chritian Bale is the better magician but they are friends - but I found him to be evil. But they bounced off each other all the way through and it was a joy to watch such talents on the screen. Michael Caine of course was excellent as ever but I am still confused about all the fuss in respect of Scarlet's acting abilities. I have seen two films and - no - to me she was the limp non person in the film.
However, I thought that Hugh Jakman's performance was first class and he changed his main character so much as he started at the beginning of the film has a happy married man with his wife as his assistant but when she died he gradually became bitter, revengeful and obsessed with his magic against Bale because he was sure,and he was right that Bale was responsible for her death. But addition to that he play other characters and each with a difference each with that magical characterisation touch. Christian Bale was good his part but he did not have to progress or diverse as much as Hugh as he was himself and his own brother. He actually was the evil one because he knew he had tied the wrong knot and he was responsible for Hugh's wife's death which began the ultimate feud which would cause death.
I was with Hugh all the way through and knew he was not dead - somehow ! Nothing was given away it was just a feeling and when he was shot by Bale it was such a shock I felt myself gasp and shocked this I did not expect.
I suppose deeper thought from me should have realised that Bale had a brother because of 'I love you today' or 'Not today' As both magicians were such good friends I cannot understand why Hugh did not know about the brother.
However I thoroughly enjoyed the film - I was delighted when it appeared that Bale would lose his daughter to Jackman but she would be well looked after by Hugh but I left the cinema feeling the good guy got the bad deal and the bad guy got away with murder twice - may be even three times really - he did drive his wife to suicide.
I fully recommend this film to be seen - it is not complex if you watch it but I cannot guarantee that something will not trip you up and that is the best way a film should be and it is not often we get that delight.
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
X-Men 3 The Last Stand
Having seen and thoroughly enjoyed X and X-Men two I was more than eager to see X-Men 3 The Last Stand which would complete the trilogy. I knew this would have to be a top action movie and it was. It neatly picked up where X-Men 2left off and gave explanations of what had happened in previous years which affected today.
The opening action scene caught my attention immediately and particularly with Wolverine taking centre screen - it was dramatic - fearsome - and the little bit of humour crept in as it does in tight situations as he chomps his cigar he he he.
I knew that there were to be quite a few new characters and I also knew from reports as the film was being developments that some would die. I found it very easy to follow the smooth flowing story line between the new characters and the old. What a change there was in Jean Grey now Dark Pheonix - did she really kill Cyclops - we did not actually see him die we ??? Wolverine as always is the best character to watch - I actually believe when I am watching it he exists,his fears, his love and nightmares. His action scenes were terrific but his heart rending scene loving Jean and having to kill her on moral issues was heart breaking - he cried - I cried. I congratulate Brett Ratner for adding the extra emotions into the film it took it to a higher level - these people were not mutants or misfits without feelings - they did love, they hurt and in cases they killed and ultimately were good or evil.
Prior to the great war at the end of the film when Wolverine discovered the phials of the cure - well we all knew or thought we knew - yup Wolverine is going to get Magneto. What a wonderful ruse when he slide along the ground up to Magneto preparing to kill him, but Magneto was ready for him, how smug he was he had got Wolverine just where he wanted him. But no the fatal blow came from the back - gotcha.....hooray..
From there on Wolverine took charge of the fantastic battle and the war was raged and finally won.
Someone had to take the cure we knew well and it seemed fitting that Rogue would do this. Angel wanted to change his mind but his father was not in agreement so Angel broke free and flew away and it was spectacular - but what a treat when he came back and saved his father's life.
I enjoyed every moment of this film and congratulate Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen and Famke Jansenn for keeping the pace and emotions running high.
I was not keen on Juggernaut but loved the stunt that Kitty Pryde pulled on him when she was in the special Lab - I fell about laughing. Halle Berry is a very beautiful lady and she got more to do in the film which was what she wanted. Her actions scenes were not bad but her voice did not take command of the situation - and particularly with Hugh Jackman and his excellent delivery it showed up more.
BUT will there be X-Men Four - is Professor Xavier dead, is Cyclops dead, and is it just possible that the slight movement of Magneto's hand at the end telling us ' I'm here old friend' I had just come out of hospital with three broken bones in my foot and a broken hip - but this film I was not going to miss - and I much watch it again to see what I must have missed in the excitement
X-Men (2000)
Hugh Jackman proving his presence in disguise with character
I first saw Hugh Jackman on the London stage in Oklahoma - this guy is extremely talented in all aspects of acting, singing and dancing at the highest level. His performance in BFO was outstanding and he won the much coveted Tony award for his outstanding performance together with other awards - The Fred Astaire award for dancing for example. He was also nominated for the Lawrence Olivier award for Oklahoma.
However, I digress - I was only able to obtain a DVD player last Xmas and my son gave me quite a stack of films to watch with all top notch actors. However, knowing I did like science fiction he pointed out that I would really enjoy X-Men and X-Men 2. So I thought okay I will watch that first - after all Patrick Stewart was in it. Well I nearly fell off my chair - rubbed my eyes - and watched all over again. There large as life was Hugh Jackman in a film, shows you how dozy I was I had assumed he was a stage actor visiting England and involved in Broadway only BIG MISTAKE I MADE. Look what I had been missing for ages.
What a great evening that was for me and I thoroughly enjoyed the film and say that it was very well put together and the stars acted their roles with conviction. But, Hugh Jackman with his great talent did more with Wolverene - very clever on characterisation is our Hugh - and gave us many faces to this character like love, humour,with good one liners, the tortured mind of not knowing who he was and why he had become the way he was - he made me think that he was in fact a good guy completely taken over by evil but would not quit till he found out who he was and how he would put his life back together again. The fighting scenes were excellent -but I do hope that the directors out there give him a fair chance - he leaps out of the screen and makes you notice him either with strength or gentleness, dramatically, pathos - you name it.
Well off I went and bought as many of his films as I could - which was not easy but I only need Paperback Heroes and Standing Room Only and I am waiting for his next film which I hope will give him the box office acclaim he so richly deserves
I look forward to seeing this young man in some exciting roles that can test his acting strengths - and he will deliver and we will not only have a mega star to watch but a damn handsome fella as well.
Deadly Hedley
X2 (2003)
Hugh Jackman's talent should be taken up in first rate films
I enjoyed X-Men very much but X-2 excelled in all parts but particularly Hugh Jackman. This multi talented actor can bring all the action, pathos, anxiety, happiness and sorrow to a character of fantasy just imagine what he can do in the real world.The film held my attention completely to the end. All the characters had moved on from the 1st film particularly Wolverine who is now the top character in the series.
The action scenes were outstanding - I bet there were quite a few cuts and bruises before the climax of the film and make up and wardrobe really made their mark, But the commitment and hard work of the cast, back stage and the fore sight of Brian Singer really made this a film far more worthy in the ratings that we gave it. Everyone worked together to make it work and the all got on very well - what more can I say
There is room for another X-men film particularly the many unanswered questions in respect of Logan/Wolverine. He convinced me that although he could not remember what had happened to him or why, that behind this lay a very profound and misused good guy - even though he was told 'he was a wolf and only had the claws added' but then the bad guys do try to destroy good men. Interesting concept as to where it would go and how. Needs far more imagination that I can produce -bet there is a hell of a story yet to come either in the X-Men 3 and/or plus a spin off of Wolverine. I could not imagine X-Men 3 without Wolverine it would not work. Although I would not like to Hugh Jackman stuck in a rut he is capable of so much more and I am sure he would want to do much. He has it to offer and deliver. So come on you top directors don't get in a rut get the multi talented Mr Jackman before you miss him. He has more than proved himself on the stage - there is no reason without a good director and particularly an excellent script an Oscar would be on the way to him and a very rewarding film for all with awards to all concerned. He has more than earned the chance - even his small roles always have good things to say about his performances.
Deadly Hedley
Van Helsing (2004)
Hugh Jackman is the most talented actor we have today
I have watched Van Helsing more than once. Although there is very little script for the talented Mr Jackman to work with he can sure make it count. The one liners and timing of delivery are first rate with the exact touch of tongue in cheek. The special effects were many - perhaps too many we could have done with a little more from Hugh and Kate but the script did not allow this. This was not planned to horrify the viewers it was planned to entertain us and in my case it certainly work. The OTT Dracula was a real laugh, the bad guy turning good [Frankenstein] was a real touch of days gone by - it used to touch the most hardened hearts. We use to love that. Carl {David Wenham - I apologise if I have not spelt this correctly] and Hugh worked together wonderfully.
Although Van Helsing and Anna did not really get to know each other intimately I found Hugh did it again - he made me cry with him when Anna died. Gosh he has got such talent, breath taking looks and of course when you go behind the scenes - what a personality as well. But it was apparent there were many people involved in this film all working extremely hard and it was a joy to see so many of the cast and crew getting on so well. Seems to be like that when Hugh is around. I am, as always, looking forward to the next film.
Deadly Hedley