Alien Quadrilogy

Alien (1979) - Alien Resurrection (1997).

This series of four films, featuring the greatest heroine of the Sci Fi genre, needs no introduction. Despite more recent spin offs that have seen a bastardization of two franchises, Predator Vs Alien, the original series stands alone as one of the most successful in combining horror, action and science fiction.

Largely due to the brilliance of directors Ridley Scott, combat film specialist James Cameron, David Fincher and to a lesser extent Jean-Pierre Jeunet, all four of these movies approach the battle between humans and a remorseless killing machine known as the Alien.

The Alien species is largely based on a hive concept with a Queen Alien introduced in the second installment but it was without doubt the infamous chest burster that had audiences aghast in 1979 and unlike in space, everyone heard them scream. The basic xenophobia ingrained in all of us on some level is enhanced when the foreign can gestate inside our bodies next to the heart, the symbolic emotional core in all of us. This series was also groundbreaking in its portrayal of gender in science fiction with many suprised that the female character Ripley would be the one to survive time and time again. Even more were suprised by the conflicting imagery of a nurturing mother juxtaposed with the shooting of advanced weaponry and protecting her young. The idea of an evil company (read corporation) was also relatively new in the late 1970s and early 1980s and has been replicated many times since to the point where viewers in the 21st century are used to profit driven executives making their subordinates expendable.

Many fans of the series regularly debate over which installment rates the highest. Alien and Aliens were certainly difficult acts to follow. Production was heavily influenced by studio executives during the shooting of Alien 3, to the point where Fincher would no doubt have drawn parallels between Fox and the dreaded Weyland-Yutani Corporation. This reviewer tends to rate the first two installments equally, followed by 3 and then Resurrection. Each to their own of course.

There is little doubt that this series has fans of all persuasions. Fans of action movies, horror, science fiction and even the feminist movement can find something in these four excellent films. Worth the box set.

Snap says 9.5/10

Air Force One

(1997) Directed by Wolfgang Petersen. With Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, Glenn Close

This movie takes presidential politics to new heights as Harrison Ford aka The President says "get off my plane" to a highly organised and trained group of terrorists. These terrorists look to use The President as leverage to free their commander from a eastern European gulag. Gary Oldman plays the terrorist leader to perfection and the seemingly immortal Glenn Close plays a Vice President under siege from Chiefs of Staff wanting to give up on former air force pilot President James Marshall.

This is a classic action film in the tradition of Under Seige and popcorn flick lovers will not go away disappointed. Harrison Ford shows his age in scenes that involve a lot of physicality but more than makes up for it with his consistent and firm delivery of powerful dialogue.

When stacked up against other 'one against many' action movies, this one ticks all the boxes for mindless, check your intellect at the door, entertainment and if you dont expect anything else, you will come to the same conclusion as this reviewer.

Snap says 7/10

Rocky Balboa

(2006) Sylvester Stallone, Burt Young, Antonio Tarver.

It is difficult to separate this film from the five previous installments that defined a genre. Without doubt Stallone relies on Rocky I-V to help establish the character that is arguably the greatest underdog of cinematic history. Despite the advantages of almost three decades of cultural and pop references, Rocky Balboa is without doubt the greatest boxing film of all time.

Choosing to shoot the film in high definition, before it became popular in Hollywood, Stallone demonstrates his directorial nous and the look of the film is spectacular as a result. Viewers are taken through a journey early in the film to remind all of the love Rocky has lost and the gaping hole in his heart that has emerged as a result.

Viewers are confronted with a Rocky who has lost his wife, is estranged from his son, and is operating a restaurant where he is constantly reminded of what he used to be. Surrounded by memorabilia and forced to retell stories and pose for digital snaps that already have a nostalgic feel.

Two key monologues determine the direction of this film. The first has Rocky convincing the boxing tribunal to take a risk and give someone the right to "do what they want to do and be who they want to be". The second, is a public argument where Rocky convinces his son to take the hits that life deals out and be true to himself.

Many readers will no doubt be asking "what about the boxing?". The fight scenes remain the most realistic of the franchise and gone are the nuclear type explosions made popular in Rocky III and IV.

However, like all true masterpieces this film transcends its setting and subject matter and calls on all of us to ask whether we can put ourselves in the ring of life, knowing that we may take a beating. This film reminds us all that true inspiration still exists and that the ability to move forward despite impossible odds is the defining characteristic of the human spirit.

Snap says 10/10.

Shutter Island

Shutter Island, 2010

This effort from one of the few directors who can be called great in both the 20th and 21st centuries, Martin Scorsese, is a thoroughly enjoyable and superb, if predictable, thriller. Scorsese has combined with the greatest actor of his generation, Leo "My Man" Decaprio and managed to deliver a intriguing story that maintains the fascination of the audience throughout and even managed to stump a few of the less astute paying customers.

Whilst this reviewer wont go into terrible detail with the plot, Shutter Island will not disappoint movie goers who understand the pit falls of adapting a novel for the silver screen. Scorsese must have found it difficult to stump fans of the 2003 best seller and as a result the main reveal towards the end is about as predictable as a packet of twisties. Fortunately it leaves no questions unanswered and one can look forward to the alternate ending options on the Blu Ray release sometime in 2011.

Fans of indie flicks with plot lines concerning teenage angst and unwanted pregnancy need not apply as Shutter Island appeals to the more sophisticated movie goer. With Decaprio at the height of his game and a support cast including the mahatma himself, Ben Kingsley this flick is well worth your $20 (halves in a choc top combo), your $5.95 (twelve months later as a two night new release) and 1/5th of your $12 (as part of five weekly movies package that include at least two movies with sex scenes - the other three movies used as cover for your wanking weekend).

Snap rates it 8/10.