Prince of Persia: Sands of Time (Directed by Mike Newell)

IMDB LINK
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Gemma Arterton, Ben Kingsley, Alfred Molina

He said:
I have to say of all the failed video game to film adaptions that I have seen (see Super Mario Brothers, Street Fighter, and Mortal Kombat films) This film really held up well, as Helen says below it is fairly predictable at times, and it seems like the costumes department did everything they could to put Gemma Arterton in to to skimpy.

The action scenes in this film are top notch, the parkour (or free running if you prefer) was fantastic. This film has an excellent energy and spot on energy. Definitely worth watching and a fun blockbuster of a film. I give this [[[4 out of 5]]]

She said:

I wasn't convinced I was going to like this film but in actual fact I had a lot of fun watching it. I think I was a little skeptical because it was so big, so blockbuster-y, and so commercial. But then, as I sat down in the cinema, I remembered... what the hell is wrong with that? I love big obscenely over-budgeted action flicks. It is what Hollywood is all about! So when I had this brain nudge I just sat back and took in the film and, as I said, I really quite liked it.

Jake Gyllenhaal and Gemma Arterton had a great chemistry although I feel the script writers forced it a little in places. They were both funny and heroic and reminded me of the Fraser/Weisz pairing in the Mummy i.e. underestimated beautiful woman and a rough and tumble action man. It is a classic combination for a reason I guess! I was hoping they wouldn't use every possible opportunity to put Gemma Arterton in a skimpy outfit though... I guess they couldn't resist.

I have no knowledge of the game that this film was adapted from so I can't comment on the accuracy of it. But I believe that the story in the game held up well as an action-adventure film. It is the type of film that, if I didn't know it was based on a game I would say 'they could make a great video game of this'.

Overall this film is a great family flick with a good amount of action and humour. It teeters on the line of predictability in its mode of storytelling sometimes but it is a forgivable sin. Not the best film you'll see this year but I'd still recommend it. I give this film 3 out of 5.

They said:
This is a great summer film and worth watching, if you are looking for a big action blockbuster and you already have seen Iron Man 2 than you should check out this film. We give this film {{{7 out of 10}}}

Shutter Island (Directed by Martin Scorsese)

IMDB Link

Starring:
Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams

He said:

Shutter Island is adapted by a book written by Dennis Lehane. This is Scorsese at his most unrestrained. I am completely torn with how I feel about this film on the one hand I really wouldn't tell everyone I know to run to theaters and see it as soon as you can, on the other I have gone over the film in my head numerous times and really think that a second viewing of the film is really worth while.

With out spoiling anything I will say there is a line of dialogue towards the end of the film that completely flips your perception of the third act of the film. It isn't a twist, this is not the next Sixth Sense, it really is just a simple statement that floods the viewer (in my opinion) with unexpected emotion

This is not a film for everyone, it is slow and you have to pay attention. The story is very well constructed and it has managed to keep me thinking about the film two days after my sunday night viewing. This is not a film that tells you what is right and wrong, it very much presents both sides and lets you make the decision.

I honestly think this is a film worth watching. As my rating shows I wasn't completely won over, but I was entertained I think you might want to wait for it on DVD so if you too feel the need for a second viewing you will have it available. I give it {{{{3 out of 5}}}}

She said:

I enjoyed this film, but like James it did not blow me away. Overall it was an interesting concept. As a person who works at a mental health hospital I am always intrigued by interpretations of old asylums. It is interesting to see the differences in health care... but I am probably alone there. Unless everyone reading this works in the area of mental health too!

My reservations are based on the plot. I don't want to give anything away so I will talk in general terms. I find that this film didn't match expectations. With suspense thrillers such as this the audience has become used to multiple twists and turns in the plot and (thanks to Lost) we are perfectly happy not knowing what the hell is going on because of the complesity of storylines.

This film was more simplistic than that. But I don't know whether that was clever, and I enjoyed the play with the overly savvy viewership... or whether I wanted that little bit extra. I mainly want others to see it so they can help me figure out what I made of it.

One thing I am sure of is that the mise-en-scene was impressive. I enjoyed the feeling of isolation and remoteness both geographically and emotionally in this production. The issues toyed with trust, betrayal, heartbreak, mystery and perception of reality. I give this film {{{3 out of 5}}}

They said: One of those heavy on the thinking light on the fun films, "better than a poke in the eye" you might say. Leo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo are also pretty awesome. We give this film {{{6 out of 10}}}