The Moon of Liberty

Hitman (2007)

Starring - Timothy Olyphant, Oleg Kurylenko, Dougray Scott, Michael Offei

Directed by - Xavier Gens

I was looking forward to this film as the last computor game to film adaptation I saw, Silent Hill, was a film a really enjoyed. Timothy Olyphant plays a hitman known just as 'Hitman 47' as he came from a background of trained killers, given numbers but not names. He kidnaps, then forms a twisted relationship with Nika (Oleg Kurylenko.) Sadly, like the film as a whole, this relationship does not spark at all.

The other part fo the story is two British detectives from Interpol investigating the attemtped assassination of the Russian President. With Hitman 47 involved, these stories intertwine to create a series of action series. Michael Offai playing Jenkins, the sidekick to Mike Whitter (Dougray Scott) was one bright spark in an otherwise dull movie, full of acting performances that at no point stirred the emotion, or any reason to care about the characters in question.

The plotline was at time convuleted and confusing, trying to do too many things at once. But the heart of the failure of this film was the Hitman himself. If at any point I found myself caring about the fate, journey or role of this character, the film may have taken off, but I didn't, and as a result the entire film felt like a pointless excersice as a result.

This film is a short, 93 minutes. If you see this I fear you will be thankful for that, I certainly was. It was a very long 93 minutes and I'm not sure I could have sat through any more. Sadly this opportunity for a series of unknown actors to step up and make a name for themselves failed on every single count. The film did have some fine choice of settings, but made nothing of them. I've never played the game Hitman, but I would be surprised if even it's own fans wil be impressed by this movie.

MOON OF LIBERT VERDICT - RATING 'D+' - A tedious film that may make others think seriously about if a game can really make a good film before producing such an adaptation in future.

The Golden Compass (2007)

Starring - Dakota Blue Richard, Nicole Kidman, Eva Green, Daniel Craig, Ben Walker

Directed by - Chris Weitz

It's almost Christmas so it must be time for a good fantasy entertainment film. The Golden Compass does the job almost perfectly. The film combining the introduction of a new child starlet in Dakota blue Richard playing Lyra, As well as the in-demand Casino Royale duo of Daniel Craig and Eva Green, with Nicole Kidman thrown in, create a fine cast to take us on a wonderful ride. Even Ian McKellam and Lovejoy himslef, Ian McShane, join in the fun as the voices behind two talking polar bears, or Ice bears as we should call them in this film.

The story is based in a universe paralell to Earth. Where as on Eartht he human soul lives in the body, in this world the soul lives alongside you in the form of an animal. Young Lyra is a rebellious young thing with an ever changing soul to match, children's souls can change as they have not 'settled' This is due to the mysterious phenomonon called 'dust' that the ruling Magisterium do not want people to find out about, but Lord Asrael (Daniel Craig) fights the establishment going to the mysterious North to try and learn more about dust and it's relation to souls and other worlds. Lyra is curious too, to the dismay of her teachers at college.

After being kidnapped and the escaping from Mrs Coulter (Nicole Kidman) who is working for the magisterium, Lyra is protected by the seafearign Gyptions, friends of Lord Asreal. Before she left college she was given a Golden Compass which allows her to see 'The truth.' She goes on a journey befreinding an Ice bear and an astronaught, in this world known as an aironought, as well as a withc (Eva Green) who makes it clear she is on the girls side. Along the way she learns how to read the compass, is able to use it to allow her Polar bear friend avenge his enemies and restore his pride, and finds herself on a journey to the North to give Asrael the compass, as she believes it will help him, and her learn more about dust.

This part of the story comes to a head when she finds a lab the magisterium are using to try and destroy children's souls. She orchastrates a rebellion that looks doomed to failure before she finds her new friends are on hand to join the fight, as well as the help of the compass.

The great cast allows this to move along at a good pace, well acted and a good fun movie. It has many comparisons with Narnia, It's Asrael not Aslan, the polar bear instead of the lion, a paralell universe devided by dust rather than a wardrobe. A little girl hero playing the lead. The similarities are great. The ending was well understated, making it quite clear this is a trilogy and there is plenty more to come. Overall it did not quite have Narnia's depth, but it is still a fine film which sets up the next stage nicely, I for one look forward to the next one.

THE MOON OF LIBERTY VERDICT - RATING 'B' - A very enjoyable fantasy film that is well worth seeing, hopefully they will learn from this first effort to make the remaining parts of the series even better, if so, the second film could be something special.

 

 

Saturday 9th December - Kick off 5.15 pm 

FA Carling Premiership - Venue - Madejski Stadium, Reading

Reading Vs Liverpool - Seen on Satanta Sports,

Liverpool, on a role with five straight wins came to Reading ahead of big games with marseille and Machester United ahead in the next seven days. Manager Rafael Benitez tinkered with the team, maybe with those games in mind, he brough Sissoko for Lucas in midfield, brough in Vornonin to play on the right side meaning Crouch had to play on the left in a 4-5-1 formation, changes he would today regret.

Reading came into the game having lost every single game they had ever played against Liverpool, but soon started the better of the two sides, playing a high pressure game that ensure Liverpool could not get into any sort of rythmn.

A stalemate was broken on 15 minutes due to an incorrect refereeing decision. Gunnarson was brought down by Jamir Carragher just out side the box, after consulting the assistant, the ref pointed to the penalty spot. Stephen Hunt stepped up and sent Reina in the Liverpool goal the wrong way to give the home side the lead.

GOAL - 15 MINS - STEVEN HUNT (Pen) - READING 1 LIVERPOOL 0 

Reading then had a 10 minute spell where they were in control. Bobby Convey hit a shot the Reina did well to save, nearly doubling the lead. Liverpool by contrast looked lost as their new system did not appear to suit them. Depite this they managed to get back into the game. After a route one kick from the keeper, Torres managed to control the ball and put it into Gerrard's path for Gerrard to equalise and get into double figures for the season.

GOAL - 28 MINS - STEVEN GERRARD - READING 1 LIVERPOOL 1

From that point Liverpool were on top, winning a series of corners, but without seriously threatening to take the lead. Voronin created a couple of long range efforts for himself but never really threatened the Reading goal and Reading with a degree of comfort held the score to 1-1 at half time.

Moving to the start of the second half Liverpool created a series of chances early on to take the lead. First Peter Crouch managed to dig out a cross that Torres got on the end of but could only put it wide. Then after a free kick debutant Jack Hobbs had a golden chance to give Liverpool the lead but put it over the bar from 6 yards out. Then Risse flashed a free kick towards goal that hit the bar, these lost chances were then to prove very costly.

Reading won a free kick which Nicky Shorey swung dangerously towards the goal. Kevin Doyle managed to get the finishing touch to give the home side the lead against the run of play.

GOAL - 60 MINS - KEVIN DOYLE - READING 2 LIVERPOOL 1

Reading then took control as a stunned Liverpool failed to recover. Suddenly Reading were quicker to the ball. Convey in particular bagan to boss the midfield and he played a key role in fashioning another chance on 67 minutes, Convey played a smart through ball to James Harper who went passed Risse and then clamly rounded Reina to slot home and send the home fans into dreamland. The first ever win over Liverpool was within reach.

GOAL - 67 MINS - JAMES HARPER - READING 3 LIVERPOOL 1

Liverpool manager Benitez, who will have many questions to answer, then responded to this crisis by taking off skipper Gerrard. This mystifying decision summed up Liveprool's miserable evening. Crouch had a chance late on after a smart cross by subsititue Kewell, but apart from that they had nothing left. Reading saw out a deserved victory, and while taking nothing away from them, Benitez tactics unquestionably had a major contribution to the result. Recently Liverpool fans showed there support for their manager in the face of criticism from the American owners, but after this, surely whether Benitez is the right man to get the best out of the talent he has must be seriously questioned.

RESULT

Reading             (1) 3 (Hunt (pen) 15, Doyle 60, Harper 67)

Liverpool           (1) 1 (Gerrard 28)

MOON OF LIBERTY STAR MAN - Bobby Convey (Reading) - Played a fine game in midfield, defended well when Reading were under pressure, a fine ball set up the third killer goal, and bossed the midfield battle with Sissoko and Gerrard playing a key part in winning the game.