Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Cast: Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom
May see the release of one of the biggest blockbuster movies of the year: Troy. But does it live up to the hype?
The story is probably one that you are familiar with, as it’s based on one of the most ancient poems known – ‘The Illiad’, by Homer. For those who need a bit of refreshing on the classic story line, this is a tale of passion between Paris, Prince of Troy and Helen, Queen of Sparta. When Paris steals Helen away from her husband Menelaus (brother of Agamemnon, King of the Myceneans), it ignites the legendary Trojan war with the Greeks, in an attempt to steal her back.
The production of Troy was absolutely massive, with no corners cut – filming has taken place in the exotic locations Malta and Mexico, and a they even built a replica of the Trojan Horse! And it’s certainly got a stellar cast behind it – most notably Brad Pitt as Achilles, in what is being hailed as his finest role to date. Up and comer Orlando Bloom also stars as Paris, and his performance is sure to cement his new found status on Hollywood’s A-list.
Troy is a fantastically told story that is sure to please everyone. Go and see it.
Released 21st May
Director: Peter Jackson
Cast: Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom, Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett
The film that rightly swept the board at the Oscars finally comes out on DVD. The third and best installment of Peter Jackson’s epic Lord of the Rings trilogy details the climactic battle for Middle Earth and Frodo’s journey to Mount Doom.
Director: Sophia Coppela
Cast: Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson
This whimsical tale of two souls lost in Tokyo finally makes it to DVD. Despite Bill Murray’s outstanding performance, the film met a mixed reaction from cinemagoers, and understandably so. You need to have an open mind to take in the inner beauty of this movie.
Director: Edward Zwick
Cast: Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, William Atherton, Billy Connolly
This epic dealing with the Samurai culture, which clearly owes a debt to Dances With Wolves, was a disappointment both critically and commercially but still has much to recommend it, not least a superb performance by Tom Cruise.
Director: P.J. Hogan
Cast: Jason Isaacs, Jeremy Sumpter, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Lynn Redgrave, Richard Briers
Following in the footsteps of Steven Spielberg’s ill-advised Hook may seem like a foolhardy gesture, but this more literal adaptation of the adventures in Neverland and Captain Hook’s bloodthirsty pirates succeeds more often than it fails.
Director: (Various)
Cast: Gil Grissom, Catherine Willows
Since its initial airing in 2000, the Emmy Award winning CSI: Crime Scene Investigation has become a world-wide sensation. In CSI Season Three Part Two, the old favourites amongst the Las Vegas night shift crime lab team make a most unmissable factual crime drama.