Good Moments In Bad Films

It Came from Below: Deep Blue Sea

In Renny Harlin's unashamed 1999 B Movie, it contains one of Samuel L Jackson' more memorable moments. There's no better end to a monologue than having a shark coming out of nowhere! Better than the entire running time of Snakes on a Plane!

First Person Shooter: Doom

Doom was always going to be a tricky one to adapt for the big screen and to director Andrej Bartkowiak he made an honest stab at it. Having a first person shooter moment was always a must for die hard fans and for a few brief minutes it elevates things. I swear if you listen hard enough, you can hear smiles spreading for the first time in 2 hours.

Penis Song: The Sweetest Thing

These days a Cameron Diaz comedy isn't the sure fire winner that it used to be. In this 2002 effort, the laughs were pretty thin on the ground. One bizarre sequence however was a few moments of funny yet zany bliss. Never thought that anyone could make a song about someone's man-parts, here lies proof that there is an exception to the rule.

Clark Kent v Superman:| Superman III 

The final two installments of the caped crusader were tragically both misfiring efforts. In a movie that is more or less spoiled by including Richard Pryor, Superman III does possess one sequence that stands out. All through the movie, Superman has been wrestling with himself since being infected by Kryptonite. This sequences sees the ultimate battle for his soul and we pray for Clark Kent to be the victor. 

A Cold Front: Batman & Robin 

About the only redeeming feature of Joel Schumacher's campy and embarrassing second Batman outing is the one liners of Arnold Schwarzenegger. As Mr Freeze he seems to be the only one aware of just what a joke the whole thing has become. Where would the entertainment factor be without lines such as "Everybody...Chill!"

Double Edged Sword: Stars Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace 

This will be the only time that I ever mention the words 'Phantom Menace' with good. Many people have rightfully trampled on George Lucas' unfortunate prequel. One quality it did possess was a decent fight sequence and the moment where Darth Maul (Ray Park) unveil his ultimate fighting weapon still sticks out.

Days of Future Past: Review of Terminator: Genisys

Terminator: Genisys

Director: Alan Taylor

By Alex Watson

The Terminator series has been showing signs of fatigue in recent outings, sadly Terminator: Genisys failed to raise it from the slump. Director Alan Taylor tries his hardest and does present some good visual flair. A poor script from Laeta Kalogridis and Patrick Lussier becomes the films undoing early on. Arnold Schwarzeneggar may have returned, but even he cannot breath life into this dying franchise. Even though we want to love this installment, we can't help but wonder about its future?

While fighting the machines in the future, soldier Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney) is sent back through time to protect Sarah Connor (Emilia Clarke), mother of his leader/friend John Connor (Jason Clarke). When transported back to 1984, Kyle finds the timeline is far different from what he was told and Sarah is far stronger person. Also to complicate things, the T-800 (Arnold Schwarzeneggar) has become an ally rather than a killer!

The main problem with Terminator: Genisys is that it doesn't quite seem sure precisely what it is doing. On the one hand it is a remake, on another it is a re-imagining. Constantly overlapping the time-lines hinders the story and leaves a rather hollow after effect. Sarah Connor in this installment has transformed into the gun wielding badass too prematurely. Emilia Clarke would have suited as the original shy and scared 1984 Connor, but here she doesn't have enough gusto to really convince. Things are also not helped by a really hoaxy central plot where we are transported to 2017 where Skynet has now been redeveloped as a killer application!


Stopping Judgement Day again is not as fun an adventure this time around and one element that lets it down is a rather poor central twist (fittingly revealed to audiences in the trailer). Throwing a new T-1000 (Lee Byung-hun) into the mix is one that underwhelms rather than thrills. Taylor earns some kudos for some good special effects tricks (such as his recreation of 1984 version of Arnie), but sadly even he cannot spark what is essentially a rather dull ride. One sequence sees our gang engaged in an battle in the air by helicopter- sounds exciting on paper, but falls to earth with a tired thud.

Although it is nice to see Arnold back again, he doesn't quite have the same effect as before. The Terminator is now looking both old and obsolete and you feel another outing would just weaken the original punch. Jai Courtney disappointingly is far too bland to be a worth successor to Michael Biehn's Kyle Reese. Given little to do other than look impressive in a tight t-shirt, Courtney is really wasted here. After impressive stints on Unbroken and A Good Day to Die Hard, it is sad he can't raise the game. Jason Clarke although a hard hitting presence feels miscast as John Connor. Problem here is that Clarke has to essential go against every original concept of this hero and become something entirely different. In this instance, it is hard to put blame firmly on this performance.

Terminator: Genisys despite some high hopes cannot carry forward the masterpiece that James Cameron so wonderfully brought on us. If the studio executives have their way, there will probably be another installment, but they might want to think about stopping the rot.