Clash of the Titans [2D] (Directed by Louis Leterrier)

IMDB page

He said:
I think we both walked out of this film pleasantly surprised. I didn't go into the theatre with huge expectations, and that alone might be why I was more impressed than displeased. This is another film that unfortunately felt the need to tack on the 3D effects after the fact. Once again it is unnecessary we enjoyed this film in it's original 2D format and did not at any point feel that we had missed out on any thing.
There are things I could gripe about, as Helen says below, the music felt less of an accompaniment and more of separate character. (think Wayans' Brothers in, well any film they are ever in.)
A nod to the original film with the mechanical owl was a nice touch, though it will mostly go unnoticed by the majority of audiences that haven't seen the original film. I enjoyed this film and wouldn't mind having it on my DVD shelf for a night in need of Epic stories with out journeying into Peter Jackson's Tolkein Universe. I give this film {{{{3.5 out of 5}}}}

She said:

We went into this not expecting great things (mainly due to our cyncical yet still adoring belief in Blockbuster films) but I actually came out pleasently surprised. There were elements of this film that I could pick at - and I will do in just a moment - but overall I enjoyed this film. It was an epic fantasy which I am a sucker for and it really wasn't terrible.

Now for the picky bit. I have two main issues. One is with the music. I felt that it could have added to the epic, grandiose story rather than walk the line of fantasy meets heavy metal. I felt like it did not quite sit right. It was too self concious rather than becoming part of the whole.

My other bone to pick was about the special effects and the reason is similar. The effects were (as you would expect) fantastic. The mythological creatures were great fun but I wanted more from them. I wanted more close ups; details of these magnificant beasts. I also wanted great, epic wide shots rather than fighting for a glimpse of the whole. I think they again were being too self-concious in their teasing of the audience. I like to be teased to a point. Then I want to see the frickin monster properly.

Apart from these things - and some occasional badly directed acting - the film was very good. I would see it again. I give this film a respectable {{{3.5 our of 5}}}

They said:

If you do want to see it, then watch in 2D. You really aren't missing much. If you have little to no knowledge of Greek mythology this will probably be a fascinating watch! We give it {{{7 out of 10}}}

Avatar (in 3D)

Written and directed by James Cameron

Watched on Jan 10th

Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigorney Weaver, Stephen Lang and Giovanni Ribisi.

IMBB page

She said:

We have seen Avatar twice now. It is one of those films that is so visually brilliant you don't feel you can take it all in during a single sitting. The first time we came out of the cinema we had one word that sprung to mind: pretty. This film is stunningly beautiful. Set on a distant moon called Pandora the creators of this film have designed an incredible world with mesmerizing plantlife, colourful creatures and glowing moss.

The word pretty however gives the wrong impression overall. It is an action film at heart depicting the conflict between a greedy civilisation and the natives of a new world. It is set in a future where corporate indifference and military ignorance have met. Think Aliens meets Dances with Wolves and you will be on the right lines.

As usual with films about aliens there is a social commentary on how different human races treat each other. But with the current hot potato of gloal warming this film delves into the way we treat the world we live in. We hear that Earth has no green left, and that we have killed our Mother (Nature). The Na'vi (the natives) are a species in tune with the nature of Pandora both spiritually and biologically.

We saw the film in 3D both times and I highly recommend you do the same. It hasn't fallen into the annoying LOOK AT US WE HAVE FUN 3D EFFECTS THAT MAKE YOU THINK THINGS ARE IN YOUR FACE ISN'T IT COOL category of 3D films. It actually uses the technology in the proper way - to make the film more believable. Pandora is novelty in 3D, it is realistic.

As a side note I personally find worlds which have complete ecosystems created more believable than others. A lot of sci-fi uses Earth-like planets with distinguishable similarities. How similar is Vulcan (or was I should now say, right?) from Earth. Pandora is a complete imagining... although I swear the creature noises are from Jurassic Park.

Anyway considering this film draws a lot of parallels with other movies it is very unique. If you want to see a great example of the advancment of special effects and digital film technology then watch this film. If you would prefer a romantic yet action filled adventure... then watch this film. I give this film <<<4.5 out of 5>>>

He said:
If I am completely honest with myself I did not want to like this movie, I have been so inundated with the media saturation since Comic Con that I fully expected this movie to be a carbon copy of Dances with Wolves in space. James Cameron spent ten years developing this film and all I can say is he has done an amazing job.

Worldwide, it is estimated to garner a gross sales of 1.34 billion dollars. It has become the highest grossing film of 2009 as well as the second highest grossing film worldwide of all-time, only eclipsed by Cameron's own film "Titanic" (1.842 billion U.S. dollars). It will be the first IMAX release to gross 100 million dollars in global receipts, the North America box office authorities estimated.

As Helen has said Pandora is a beautiful moon, it feels alien and strange but completely authentic. Real-D lived up to its hype, for what is arguably the first time since it's introduction 4 years ago. The eco-system makes sense and works together (excluding that weird helicopter gecko thing, what kind of defensive mechanism is it to jump up and spin out of control?)

There are negative things that can be said about this film. While the look of the film is breathtakingly original and ground-breaking. The story concept is not. The plot and even some scenes seemed to be almost lifted from the Dances with wolves screenplay verbatim. The fact that surprised me is that it didn't annoy me, yes the subtle White guilt was heavily laid, yes tree hugging hippies will be showing this to their organic free range fed children (in their sweat shop manufactured clothing from the Gap) None of these facts take away from the quality of the film. Go now... See it. I give it {{{{4.5 out of 5 stars}}}}

They said:
We can not come up with a reason why you should not see this film other than the ridiculous afore mentioned hype (and or media saturation) An honest all around good film is rare, enjoy it....

We give it 9 out of a possible 10 stars...