Mark's Blog

Source Code Movie Poster

Being rather bored this evening I had a look on the playstation network(PSN) store and found that source code has now been released onto the PSN store for rental. Whilst not a particularly cheap rental at nearly a fiver for the HD version its a lot less hastle in these days of 2 megabyte plus broadband. I really wanted to see this movie at the cinema as the teaser trailer really piqued my interest. I can say that I was not disappointed.

My biggest gripe about Hollywood movies over the last five to ten years has been the lack of originality . There are far too many sequels and prequels that often fail to do justice to the original that end up tainting the brand. Look at American Pie for example the first two films of this series were really great and funny films but the later cheap cash ins have tainted an awesome pair of movies. Then we have the endless remakes of classic films and TV series often you are left thinking, why? The Italian Job being one of the best examples I can think of. The new variant wasn’t a patch on the original. Whilst I like some movie series such as the x-men franchise and the reboot of star trek, it does seem there is a lack of originality in Hollywood these days with movie and TV executives world wide seemingly adverse to trying something new and original.

Now enter Source Code a refreshingly different film whilst the layout is familiar to other in this genre of films its an interesting new take. For those that don’t want any spoilers can I suggest skipping the next paragraph?

The film starts with the film’s primary protagonist apparently in the body of another man on a train that’s about to blow up, and it is the job of the protagonist to figure out who is the bomber so that the later dirty bomb attack can be prevented. This is a thrilling film and unlike many films it takes you most of the film to figure out what is actually going. Its a complex film with many twists and turns although maybe not as difficult to remember what is going on as Inception. I really don’t want to ruin the film by giving too many spoilers and can only suggest if you wish to know more you either rent or buy the film!

Overall I’d say this was an entertaining film and well worth a watch if you are into action science fiction films. Whilst it is complex I did not find it hard to follow. If you want an entertaining way to fill a few hours then its well worth renting and I would give this an 8/10.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkTrG-gpIzE

As some of you already know I am a huge Harry Potter fan having seen all but the first movie in the cinema, and having read all the books including queuing up in the middle of Crewe at midnight waiting to get a copy from Waterstones on release night. My love of Harry Potter started when I rented the first movie on DVD, I wasn’t expecting much I had pretty much only borrowed it because I didn’t feel right trashing a movie I hadn’t seen. What can I say I loved that movie it was the first movie I had since since a kid which felt magical. Since then I have enjoyed all of the other films in the cinema, although weirdly my favourite book was always book 4(Harry Potter and the goblet of fire) but I didn’t really think much of the movie. Conversely I was never fond of book5(Harry Potter and the order of the phoenix) but up to the recent move that was my favourite of the movies. If you have yet to read and/or see a Harry Potter book and/or film I can thoroughly recommend them.

Now onto the film itself I really liked it. The acting of all three was superb with some really great scenes from Emma Watson at the beginning. It is very true to the books possibly truer than the other films have been. Now ultimately I don’t want to give any spoilers to either those that have read the book as to where it differs from the book although generally this is only slightly, and neither do I wish to spoil it for those who are following the movies and not the books; so I am very carefully considering how I put this. My biggest gripe is there were a few scenes where Ron is not with Harry and Hermione part way through the film the reason for this I will let you watch the film and see, but the point being there was a hint of something there in these scenes that I did not like. They did not portray the feeling very well and actually hinted at something else in my opinion. Elsewhere solid performances from the other actors, Beatrix by Helena Botham Carter was as usual amazing. A snivelling Mr Malfoy was always going to be a winner and portrayed so well by Jason Isaacs. Tom Felton is developing into a great actor his scenes in this movie just like in the half blood prince were brilliantly done. I have always loved Mr and Mrs Weasley and Mark Williams and Julie Walters have always played them brilliantly. Julie Walters is exactly as in the book a warm loving mother type I dont think they could have found a more natural person for the role.

Now onto the trio itself I have always thought that Rupert Grint as Ron was an amazing match this continues into this film and along with Emma Watson as Hermione they have always been great. I didn’t really think much of Daniel Radcliffe’s acting in the first couple of Harry Potter films always seemed forced and unnatural although admittedly that might have been due to what the director wanted, however in the last few films he has been excellent and I am really looking forward to seeing how he does the final battle in part two, he has possibly the toughest role coming up and judging by his recent performances he is well up to the role.

For me I think this film deserves a 9/10 only spoiled by those few scenes I mentioned earlier otherwise it would have been a 10/10. All in all great fun and really can’t wait for the second part. If you are going to watch bear in mind this is a two and half hour film, and I really started to regret that large diet coke towards the end!