Geek of Oz

Is there such thing as a bad Pixar film? In my honest opinion, no. While I will concede that Cars 2 wasn't their strongest work, but in no way was it "bad". Instead of expanding on an established property with a sequel, Pixar have this time delved into the Monsters Inc universe and created a prequel which establishes the relationship between a young Mike Wazowski (green beach ball with one eye) and James "Sulley" Sullivan (great big blue kitty cat). While we know the outcome, the journey to Monsters Inc is where the fun's at. Essentially, Monsters University is a Pixar version of American Pie albeit without the rude bits. After being introduced to the young and idealistic Mike we are transported to those halcyon days of college complete with bitter rivalries, crippling anxiety and parties that you were never invited to. Ahhh, those were the days.

Director Robert Zemeckis ( Back to the Future, Contact, Polar Express,   Cast Away ) returns to live action films after ten years’ experimentation with motion capture technology. He touches down with Flight , starring Denzel Washington, Kelly Reilly, Don Cheadle and Bruce Greenwood. It’s the story of a pilot who heroically saves a plane from crashing, but then has to face the subsequent investigation into the incident, as well as confront some personal demons. Simply put, this is a film about alcoholism. Denzel Washington plays Whip Whitaker, a veteran pilot and functioning alcoholic, who has spent the best part of his life skilfully masking his addictions. The very first scene of the film really sets the tone for what’s to come. Whip wakes up in the company of a birthday-suited beautiful woman, takes a call from his angry ex-wife, swigs from a corona, smokes a cigarette and does a considerable line of cocaine. They may as well have used a big neon flashing sign that reads: “...

Ben Affleck seems to be honing his craft. Film-by-film, and scene-by-scene, he is becoming a highly effective director. Say what you like about Affleck as an actor, but as an Academy Award winning screenwriter he is also showing that he can comfortably handle the burden of leading man and directing duties. Argo is his latest film, set around the events of the Iranian revolution in 1980, during which six Americans were forced to hide in the Canadian Ambassador’s residence in Iran. Based upon a true story, we follow CIA agent Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) as he leads an audacious mission to return the six people home. This is a story which was crying out to be made and thankfully it was done with precision, respect and good humour.