Resident Evil 3D

Having never seen any of the Resident Evil films, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. Combined with the new and improved 3D glasses provided at the Cineworld in the O2 and a horrendous cold, I certainly didn’t feel in the right frame of mind to see this type of film – think more duvet, chick flick, wine than cinema, glasses and soft drink. But hey ho, I gave it a shot – and it turns out that I’m glad I did.

The film starts which a quick run through of what has happened in the previous film, before kicking into a really great opening action sequence. The film then moves from one action sequence to the next with some serious high suspense moments in between. For those who have become attached to the main character Alice, there are also the sensitive moments thrown in to boot.

I think that the main point which I took from this film was how much more advanced the 3D effects felt compared with other films I’ve seen recently. Part of this has to be put down to the fact that, being based on a game, the team behind the film were able to take more liberties with stretching what is possible, both with the action sequences and the resulting 3D effects. It sort of reminded me of being at Universal Studios and seeing Terminator 4D, with the knives etc popping out towards you. It really worked within the context of the film though – especially in the section where they were fighting this horrendously huge, faceless man. Terrifying on his own, but more so as his axe swung out towards you.

One throwaway point really is that the film also features Wentworth Miller of Prison Break fame – and what do you know, he’s trapped in a prison cell when you first meet him. Hmmm not my favourite part of the storyline I have to admit but who knows, maybe it was just coincidence?

Overall I would really recommend seeing this film. The 3D effects were really slick and I found the storyline really engaging whilst the action really kept up the pace of the film. Although I spend a fair amount of time with my eyes closed, I’d give Resident Evil Afterlife 9/10, Kx

Four Lions

Socialising with colleagues after work usually consists of heading down to the local pub (the dark, dingy and with a weird smell kind) and wasting the evening away with too much wine and too much talk of work……So this time round a small group of us decided to do something different – a trip to the cinema. An unlikely clan of us headed out on what resulted in a really funny evening of ‘wholesome’ entertainment, and the mandatory catch up on work gossip.

Armed with a Taste London card for dinner and Orange Wednesday for the cinema, we all sat smugly in the knowledge of how much we had saved…if only then to go and spend £6.50 on pix and mix (yes that was just one person). The alternative cinema treat, and my preference, sweet popcorn also led to a lot of excitement at the prospect of getting one salty piece amongst the sweet – cue licking of fingers from smb. It’s the little things in life right?

So now to the film: To describe it in one word it would be hilarious. It really is a brilliantly created satirical comedy about something you wouldn’t have ever thought was possible to laugh at – suicide bombers. However, these are not the kind to be hated or feared as they are quite frankly just plain stupid. There are too many scenes to credit in one go, but personally I loved the filming of the martyrdom videos – screwing up the lines and getting closer to the camera to make the fake toy gun look bigger, Faisal running down the hill like an idiot and tripping over a sheep and blowing up, Barry’s convictions on the different ways to become untraceable and of course the accidental wrong target at the marathon – And yes, I admit it, I even tried looking up Puffin Party the next day inspired by the characters Omar and Waj.

There were parts of the film that almost crossed a line and I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or sit in silence at the sense of reality behind suicide bombing, and the final thoughts before you press the button – just say he was smiling. However, it was always the element of humour that won out and overall this is a film I would recommend to anyone looking for lots of laughs at both dry and silly humour. This is a good film for groups of friends, perhaps even a first date if you want to avoid the awkward romance films, or nasty horror ones.

As a final thought: Don’t let the thought of a film about terrorists put you off, as it really is just harmless fun, more at the characters than the situation. It gets 8.5/10 shoes from me

Laters, Claire x