Movies

Pirates of the Carribean: At World's End
Release: 24/05/07
Length: 168 mins
Certificate: 12
Director: Gore Verbinski
Starring: Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley, Orlando Bloom, Geoffery Rush, Yun Fat Chow, Jack Davenport, Bill Nighy & Tom Hollander
With the aid of villainous Captain Barbossa, Elizabeth Swann & Will Turner attempt save Captain Jack Sparrow and convene the 10 Pirate Lords to fend off the forces of Davy Jones’ Flying Dutchman and The East India Trading Company. With all involved for their own ends, will this mark the final days for the Pirate Life?

In this third outing, everyone has a clearer definition of their character. So much that you thoroughly enjoy the first Jack-less 20 minutes, especially with Geoffrey Rush’s Barbossa at the helm. Even when Sparrow and The Black Pearl make their heroes return some of the best bits involve Rush and Depp as a double act. Depp’s Sparrow is as charismatic, wacky and enjoyable as ever here. Knightley clearly enjoys her role in the action and Chow Yun Fat is a welcome addition to the cast as ruthless Chinese Pirate Lord, Sao Feng. Very enjoyable also was Tom Hollander who delivered in the cold, conniving, murderous Lord Cutler Beckett, a villain who you can thoroughly rejoice in seeing get his comeuppance.

Verbinski once again shows us his flair showing action, particularly here with the final showdown between Sparrow and Davy Jones (in battle that outdoes the 3 way duel of the 2nd movie) as The Pearl battles The Flying Dutchman. The 2nd act does run a little too long as all the main characters have their story thread to tie up before the big finale. A cut of around 20 minutes here and there would have made for a better movie. Han Zimmer also has to be commended for a strikingly brilliant score.

Despite being overly long in the middle and slightly convoluted plot-wise. At Worlds End is a fun, action packed movie with plenty of surprises to be found, Take what you can and be properly satisfied. Yo Ho!
Score: 4 out of 5
- Captain Gonzo Johnson (26/05/2007)
Zodiac
Release: 18/05/07
Length: 158 mins
Certificate: 16
Director: David Fincher
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Edwards, John Carroll Lynch, Donal Logue & Alan Cox
During the 60’s a mysterious serial killer was on the loose in the wider San Francisco area and the bodies were adding up. In attempt to publicise himself like a modern Jack the Ripper, the ‘Zodiac’ Killer sent clues and codes to local newspapers and the police, taunting their efforts to catch him. This movie centres around 2 police detectives (Ruffalo & Edwards), a heavy drinking newshound (Downey Jr.) and a cartoonist who enjoys codes and mysteries. As the killer goes unhindered, their relationships and careers suffer as their obsession with solving the mystery grows.

Jake Gyllenhaal (as cartoonist, Robert Graysmith, whose book on the real life events this movie is based around) plays with the usual wide-eyed defiance seen in many of other roles but I can’t say it dosen’t work here. Downey is brilliant for Avery, the boozing crime reporter who becomes targeted by the killer. Ruffalo is solid as (seemingly Animal Crackers addicted) Detective David Toschi who becomes more and more frustrated and disillusioned as the case goes on. Actors with smaller roles such as the superb Alan Cox, Donal Logue and John Carroll Lynch all shine.

Fincher gives us his usual crafted performance, here subdued for a different type of story than Panic Room or Fight Club. Fancy effect shots are only used in during montages and some of the murder scenes, still entwined within the plot as to not be jarring. The problem with the movie is that it runs a bit too long and drags in the middle. This is to show that the protagonists frustration as the case slips away from them but will the saving grace of the last 40 minutes (when Graysmith starts actively investigating) come to late for some of the audience.

A quality piece of cinema with great performances throughout. Whilst done for storytelling reasons, the running time (with a noticeable lull in the middle) may be too much for some.

Score: 3.5 out of 5
- Captain Gonzo Johnson (19/05/2007)

Live Music

The Frank & The Walters
Whelan's, Wexford Street - 12/05/2007

Info: www.thefrankandwalters.ie - www.myspace.com/thefrankandwalters
Band Members : Paul Linehan (Vocal, Bass Guitar), Kevin Pedreschi (Lead Guitar) & Ashley Keating (Drums).
Headlining the night was Cork born indie outfit, The Frank & Walters. Around since the early 90’s (with quite a bit of success across the pond), it was no surprise that a full house of fans were at Whelan’s this Saturday. Their influences coming from Simple Minds, The Levellers and The La’s complete with choral keyboard and twanging guitar. Their confidence with a crowd is undeniable, commenting on being “On Da Tel-ley” and the availability of Ovaltine post Celtic tiger. They completely sold new tracks “Miles & Miles” & “Fight” then lead the crowd in their classic “After All”. The surprise of the night came with the opera styled vocal provided by guest singer, Heather during “New York”. To finish off they gave the crowd ‘shirtless’ (whhooooo!) renditions of their classic anthem “This is not a song” and rocked hard with the Bad Seed-esque “Country Boy”.

They cannot be faulted on their top notch tunes and showmanship. I have to wonder how many new fans they would be able to garner for a possible second coming. Nevertheless overall it was a great show.
Score: 3.5 out of 5

Pilotlight
Info: www.myspace.com/pilotlightmusic
First up in support were Dublin band, Pilotlight, now based (and gaining steam) in the UK. With a sound reminiscent of Echo & The Bunnymen, with maybe a little U2 and tribal style drums and thumping guitar crescendos. Coming highly recommended by the bar staff, I had too agree they did “Kick Ass”. The band finished up brilliantly with their new single “Bite Your Nails” and then “Health & Safety” with a face melting Pearl Jam like outro.
Score: 4 out of 5

Fight Like Apes
Info: www.myspace.com/fightlikeapesmusic
Next up were Fight Like Apes, who I was at first unsure of. My fears were abated when they left behind the sample heavy choir music of their intro and kicked in with full on Electric Punk Rock with breathy vocals and thumping bass lines. It was like Kraftwerk, L7, Devo and the original line-up of Hole procreated, sounds like a bad joke but somehow it really works. All with trashing and head-butting onstage and stand-out tracks (with stand out titles and lyrics) like “Do You Karate”, “Lend Me Your Face” & “Cathead”.
Score: 4 out of 5
Thanks again to the hard-working staff at Whelan’s of Wexford Street. The sound and lighting was also of particarly high quality.
- Captain Gonzo Johnson (13/05/2007)

Movies

28 Weeks Later
Release: 11/05/07
Length: 99 mins
Certificate: 16
Director: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo
Starring: Robert Carlyle, Imogen Poots, Macintosh Muggleton, Catherine McCormack, Rose Byrne, Jeremy Renner & Harold Perrineau
Britain has been griped by a deadly virus, its victims becoming rabid flesh hungry animals and the UK is quarantined. Don (Carlyle) loses his wife to an attack but manages to escape. Finally the infection is abated and the US Army begins the slow and rigid process of re-patriotisation. Don is now to be reunited with his 2 children coming back from Spain. 28 Weeks Later and the infection is about to ‘Rage’ again.

Carlyle here shows why he is one of Britain’s best acting talents, offering an honest and vulnerable turn in the first half and suitably intense one through the rest the movie. Macintosh Muggleton (I want this lad to be a success just to see that name on a billboard!) and Imogen Poots are perfect as Don’s kids - Andy & Tammy. Rose Byrne, Jeremy Renner & Harold Perrineau as three maverick soldiers trying to protect the children each hit their mark.

For this movie Danny Boyle has handed over directing duties to Spain’s Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (known previously for ‘Intacto’). He offers clever, frenetic and most of all suitable visuals never resorting to show-off ‘Guy Ritchie’ big wink-ery. Imaginative scenes included a moment with a helicopter that out decapitates ‘Dawn of the Dead’ and a night scope equivalent of ‘Blair Witch’s’ handheld shots. I does lack the humanity and optimism of the first movie (I never really got a chance to learn most of the characters names) yet this could be considered the ‘Empire’ of a supposedly larger series.

The movie lacks a little in characterisation but offers high tension, frights and edge of the seat thrills in what is a horror-drama based disaster movie lacking the off-putting gloss of it US contemporaries. ‘Rage On’.
Score: 4 out of 5
- Captain Gonzo Johnson (12/05/2007)

Live Music

Neosupervital
Whelan's, Wexford Street - 05/05/2007

Info: www.neosupervital.com - www.myspace.com/neosupervital
Band Members : Tim Vital (Digital Guitar, Vocals), Miss K (Keyboards, Backing Vocals), Jessie Love Action (Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals) & Dancin' Vin (Samples, Dancin')

Oppenheimer
Info: www.oppenheimermusic.co.uk - www.myspace.com/oppenheimer
Band Members : Shaun Robinson (Drums, Vocals) & Rocky O' Rielly (Lead Guitar, Keyboards)

As the 4 piece enter, the men donned in suit and tie, the ladies in 60’s style go-go dresses, all with the trademark shades, you immediately get a taste of what you’re in for. Neosupervital, it soon became evident, is a band you can’t fully appreciate until you’ve seen live. Their synth hooks and high octane drum machine are brought out to their foot tapping best with a venue style sound system. Onstage hi-jinks are also big part of the show with the appropriately monikered ‘Dancing Vin’ heading off stage to interact and boogie for the crowd as Lead ‘Tim Vital’ O’Donovan (Also the drummer with Bell X1) joking with the crowd (“Does Brian Kennedy open floodgates?”) and making witty observations (Like stopping mid-song to notice one of the crowd mention ‘Herpes’). This helped to hype up the initially subdued (and only just over half full) crowd.

Stand out numbers of the night included a cover of latter era Van Halen’s ‘Why Can’t This Be Love?’ (complete with Sammy Hagar shout sample and jazz break) and from their own material the bombastic drum and fetching hooks of ‘Pathetic Human Being’, ending off with ever catchy ‘Now That I Found It’.

Support came in the form of Belfast 2-piece, Oppenheimer. Whilst playing to a very small crowd the band soon gain its attention with a secession of quality numbers. Their music can best be described (by me anyhow) as alternative choral snyth equally matched with thumping drums with a vocal style somewhere between the Beach Boys and Ash (not surprisingly as I learned as lead vocalist Shaun Robinson used to tour with the band and was schoolmates with their drummer, Rick McMurray). As they finished up with the blistering anthem ‘Saturday Looks Bad To Me’ many could be seen reach for their wallets to buy the album, me included.

My verdict is that Neosupervital earned their reputation offering up a fun-filled, energetic show (if slightly hampered by a lesser turn out). Oppenheimer in support were a revelation and I wish them all future success.

Special thanks also to the classy and hard-working floor and bar staff at Whelan’s of Wexford Street.

Score: 4.5 out of 5
- Captain Gonzo Johnson (06/05/2007)
Click on Photo to enlarge

Movies

Spider-Man 3

Release: 04/05/07
Length: 140 mins
Certificate: 12A
Director: Sam Raimi
Starring: Toby Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Thomas Haden Church, Topher Grace & Bryce Dallas Howard.
 
In this latest installment, our friendly neighbourhood webslinger must contend with The Sandman, The New Goblin (in the form of his former best friend, Harry Osborn) and an Alien Symbiote Goo intent on the corruption of his very soul (Cripes!). Meanwhile Peter has his relationship with Mary Jane and new rival in slick new photographer, Eddie Brock to deal with.

Maguire as Peter is as always the heart of the movie, perfectly transitioning from nerdy and put upon to cocky and dark and back again. Franco’s Harry Osborn is near perfect and incredibly enjoyable in his villainous moments. Church brings a sense of tragedy to his Sandman which could have been lost with a lesser actor. That 70’s Topher Grace is gift wrapped as a dead-on counterpoint to Maguire and clearly relishes his villainous turn in the movies third act. Dunst again does her job admirably but is again used as ‘Mary Jane, The Girl Hostage’.

Due to the abundance of storylines and new characters to deal with the open 20 minutes seems a little slow. This may have derailed a movie helmed by a lesser writer / director but Raimi (along with his brother and writing partner, Ivan Raimi) imbues the proceedings with great characterisations, neat pacing, imaginative visuals and some the best action sequences I’ve seen committed to film. So much so after this shaky start you should completely lose track of the time passing.

Overall a perfect summer family adventure with clever ideas, brilliant visuals and great performances. An extremely enjoyable way to spend 2 and third hours, 'Nuff Said!
Score: 4 out of 5
- Captain Gonzo Johnson (04/05/2007)

Alpha Dog
Release: 20/04/07
Length: 117 mins
Certificate: 15
Director: Nick Cassavetes
Starring: Bruce Willis, Sharon Stone, Emile Hirsh, Justin Timberlake, Anton Yelchin, Shawn Hatosy, Ben Foster and Harry Dean Stanton.
 
Inspired by the downfall of the youngest man ever on the FBI’s Most Wanted list, This film follows Johnny Truelove (Hirsh) a small-time drug dealer, trying to live up to the image of his mobster father (Willis). When a confrontation with a hopped up associate (Foster) over owed moneys turns nasty, Johnny and his hapless cohorts decide on the spur of the moment to kidnap his 15 year old half brother (Yelchin). The problem comes with what do with their young charge.

Willis and Stone give solid performances on the periphery of the story supporting its young cast. Justin Timberlake proves his acting chops as likeable crony, Frankie especially in scenes alongside Anton Yelchin, who is spot on as the stolen boy, Zach. Also standout are ever-loyal Schmidy (Hatosy) and Zach’s wired brother, Jake (Ben Foster, near unrecognisable here from X-Men 3).

Cassavetes gives us near perfect pacing up until the final ten minutes where we’ve become too caught up in the story of Frankie, Zach & Schmidy to care about Johnny. The interviews are great way to show character perspective but little overused in the 3rd Act, as are the split screens at times. The dialogue throughout on the other hand is right on the money.

For those looking for story which is far from black and white that will promote discussion, this movie is for you. The message is a little muddled in places yet this is easily saved by well paced direction and enjoyable performances.
Score: 3.5 out of 5
- Captain Gonzo Johnson (17/04/2007)