Last movie seen: The Men Who Stare At Goats

It's one of those films from which you don't expect much, but come away pleasantly surprised and end up recommending to all and sundry. The Men Who Stare At Goats is a ridiculous, light-hearted Coen-esque comedy that doesn't ask much of its viewers other than for them to be entertained.

George Clooney and Jeff Bridges are, as ever, perfect in their roles. The former as the protege of the latter - a New Age army general promoting peace and love above war and violence. Kevin Spacey even manages to not appear smug in his role in the film; something he hasn't managed since appearing in The Usual Suspects back in 1995.

Were it not for McGregor's inability to do any accent, the film would have a higher rating.

Director: Grant Heslov
Starring: George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey, Jeff Bridges
Year: 2009
Duration: 94 minutes

The Movie Doomsayer rating: 7/10

Last movie seen: Sleepy Hollow

There's no denying my affinity for Tim Burton movies, and equally my admiration for the versatility of actor Johnny Depp. That's why sitting down to enjoy the enchanting, tongue-in-cheek romp that is Sleepy Hollow never fails to entertain.

Based on the American legend of the same name, the movie is typically Burton-esque: beautifully shot with a gothic feel, supported by an excellent cast and witty script.

It tells the story of Icabod Crane (Depp) and his investigation into the slaying of Sleepy Hollow residents by a headless horseman (Walken). A series of twists and turns entails, with Crane becoming entwined in an awkward romantic clinch with young Katrina Van Tassel (the beautiful Christina Ricci).

The real star of the film, however, was the fantastic Miranda Richardson in the role of Lady Van Tassel. Almost intentionally overacting at times, she steals every scene in which she is present which her charisma and timing. If anything, her role - like that of Walken's bizarre cameo - was too fleeting.

Overall, the film was a perfect vehicle for Burton and comes highly recommended. A great way to spend two hours.

Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, Miranda Richardson, Christopher Walken
Year: 1999
Duration: 105 minutes

The Movie Doomsayer rating: 8/10

Coming soon: Robin Hood

Not long left to wait until Russell Crowe hits our screens in Ridley Scott's adaptation of the legedary Robin Hood.

Released in UK cinemas on May 14, the film sees the Crowe and Scott partnership return to our screens once again following the successes of Gladiator, A Good Year and the hugely underrated American Gangster.

Watch the trailer below.

Top three movies for your free time

Obviously we all have our own favourite films, and it would be churlish for me to say that the following five are the best ever. But in my opinion, having a free weekend without plans is the perfect time in which to catch up with a few cinematic masterpieces in my DVD collection.

Take a look at my top three films for a weekend alone, and perhaps add your own top five.

Ed Wood: In my humble opinion, Ed Wood is the finest movie that both Tim Burton and Johnny Depp have produced together. Funny, heart-warming, beautifully shot and brilliantly acted by the cast, I could probably watch the biopic of the worst director in history, Ed Wood, back-to-back, time and again.

Back to the Future II: Far and away the best film in the trilogy, they second installment of Back to the Future sees Marty McFly and Doc Brown head 30 years into the future to experience their future lives and, of course, the hoverboard. The year was 2015. Ergo, hoverboards should be in the shops soon. For the love of god I hope so.

The Dark Knight: I love Batman. From the comics to the 60s tv show, the Tim Burton/Michael Keaton movies to a nice pair of Batman embroidered slippers, I love it all. And then Christopher Nolan took over the reins of the franchise (hate that term) and produced two dark masterpieces: Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. With Heath Ledger's exceptional performance and Christian Bale reprising his role at eponymous hero, the movie is just incredible. If you've never seen it... what have you been doing with your life?!

"No more Rambo" according to Stallone

He may well have brought him out for one last fling, but Sylvester Stallone has told Empire magazine that Rambo is no more, foregoing rumours that a fifth installment was on the horizon.

"I think Rambo's pretty well done. I don't think there'll be any more. I'm about 99 per cent sure," he told the magazine. "I said I’d never talk about this, but with I feel that with Rocky Balboa, that character came complete circle. He went home. But for Rambo to go on another adventure might be, I think, misinterpreted as a mercenary gesture and not necessary. I don’t want that to happen."

No reals tears shed here at The Movie Doomsayer head towers. I always thought he Rambo films were lame!

Batman 3 release date announced

 

Rumours are circulating that the third Batman film to be directed by Christopher Nolan will be released on July 20, 2012. As yet untitled, it is widely thought that Christian Bale will reprise his role as the Dark Knight, having in the past stated that he had signed on to play Batman for three movies.
Director Nolan has breathed life back into the franchise that had almost been ruined beyond repair by Joel Schumacher's disastrous Batman & Robin. Both Batman Begins and The Dark Knight proved to be box-office sensations, with the latter scooping more than $1 billion in ticket sales.

Speaking to the Los Angeles Times in March, the British director said: “Without getting into specifics, the key thing that makes the third film a great possibility for us is that we want to finish our story. And in viewing it as the finishing of a story rather than infinitely blowing up the balloon and expanding the story.”

Few details are known about the film's plot, but it look set to be one of the most eagerly anticipated movies of the next two years.