EDDIE THE EAGLE [2016]

For some odd reason director Dexter Fletcher & co. find it necessary to exaggerate an already unbelievable true story with Eddie the Eagle.
Inspired by British ski-jumper Eddie Edwards, the film follows his rise to fame as the most lovable personality to emerge from the 1988 Winter Olympics.
If they went so much to change the story, why couldn't they have avoided the endless amounts of underdog '80's sports movie clichés?  Maybe that's the point, if it is trying to emulate the films of it's time.  Thankfully Taron Egerton turns in a irresistible performance as the title subject, while Hugh Jackman is a ruggedly charming as ever as a drunken curmudgeon made up only for the film.  It's sweet enough to not leave a bitter aftertaste but leaves much to be desired.

3 dreams come true out of 5

Sunshine on Leith (2013)

An adaptation of a stage musical of the same name that, like its origin, uses songs by The Proclaimers as part of the narrative. It's a decent slice of musical drama, and most of the actors appear to be having a good time making it.
The actual songs are great, lively and catchy like many of Charlie and Craig's best works, and the cast perform their own vocals, dubbed in afterwards. That's all well and good, but the production isn't always complementary to the chosen locale. Many people won't mind that, but for me the end result is that, while the performers have the benefit of multiple takes, the ambience of many scenes feels wrong, particularly during the more fragile, heartfelt ones wherein the nakedness of the human voice in a non-studio setting would've been a more powerful and emotionally moving accompaniment.

2½ miles walked out of 5

Doom (2005)

Doom delivered pretty much what I’d expected it would; it’s a movie based on a First Person Shooter, it was never going to be high art.
It threw in a few welcome surprises to stop it being just marines in dark tunnels shooting at uglies. It had The Rock delivering some fun but corny lines that paid homage to its origins, and in one stand out scene it turned those origins into something daring that was as laughable as it was awesome. Also, to its credit, the creatures weren't all CGI.
I guess saying it’s better than the Resident Evil films isn't much of a recommendation, but it's the best one I've got.

2½ killcams out of 5

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)

Guy Ritchie's first feature is a typical heist film set in the British crime underworld. Crime is a mug's game, and there are mugs aplenty in Lock, Stock.
His ace in the hole was never allowing it to take itself too seriously. The thieves aren't the sharpest tools in the box, and when they try to be clever everything turns into a veritable shit-storm.
You may need to brush up on your cockney lingo because the dialogue is as sharp as the Aylesbury Duck. It’s all a bit Brian Clough around the edges but is chock full of style. Good stuff.

3½ dirty fingers in dirty pies out of 5