Finally getting around to seeing a few movies this year. As I suspected it has and will not be a spectacular year for movies. My fears for the Jones movie seemed to have lived true from all accounts though I have not seen it. I have not seen "Wall-e" but am eagerly awaiting Netflix to deliver it.
With the never ending parade of comic book movies, Christoper Nolan's adaptation of Batman continues to stand out. Since the last movie, Batman is an established vigilante in Gotham, but a new threat loams. His nemesis, The Joker, is wonderfully played by the late Heath Ledger. It is hard to tell it is Mr. Ledger, and boy is it different than the cowboy role. His performance shines above all others, and the others are strong including Mr. Bale who seems to always be solid. Despite the strong performances the movie does have a few flaws. It seemed too be a bit drawn out, and there just was too much going on. The error again seems to be too many bad guys. Plus who is going to be in the next one, and you know Hollywood is going to do another one. All and all it is a good but not a great movie and I would recommend it.
Bond is back and not better than ever. The stunts and car chases while impressive pretty much are the movie. There is very little plot. I expected more after Casino Royale which I enjoyed. I do think Daniel Craig could be a good Bond if given the chance or the script, but I thought the same with Mr. Brosnan, and we saw what they gave him. There were small flashes of potential, but they were very very small flashes. Additionally it did not even feel like a Bond film. No Q, no Martini shaken not stirred (though he did drink one), and no nice gadgets. I am worried, and I would not recommend going to see it or even rent it.
Oh the land of OZ. Full of kangaroos, dingos, and rough necks, and you do see all of them. It is a little bit "Lonesome Dove" and "Rabbit Proof Fence" with some comedic moments thrown in a fair attempt to be as big as the name it holds. Basically it follows the attempts of upper crust lady from England to save her late husband's dream of a ranch (for lack of any better term) in the Outback of Australia. On this ranch there is a rich case of characters including an orphaned mixed race boy, drunk accountant and the rough yet dreamy (for the girls) head drover (I think that is what they call cowboys but I could be wrong). The performances were fair but not great. The only thing taking the fun away was that it gets a bit preachy in parts, and it drags on longer than it should. Probably could have been 20 to 30 minutes shorter and I did not like the use of computer generated scenery. Mainly because you could tell it was computer generated. Why not use Australia's natural beauty? If you truly want a cattle drive adventure or a movie about Australia's Lost Generation, I would rent the previously mentioned films/series first. But if you have a spare night "Australia" would not be a bad rent. Then again I am a sucker for a bit epic :)