It’s a perfectly pitched, at times rightly uncomfortable comedy, that brings together a quartet of inept terrorists, who when we meet them, can’t even put a video together without it falling into farce. It’s an opening scene that sets up Four Lions perfectly. And led by the terrific Riz Ahmed and the scene-stealing Nigel Lindsay, the company of actors rise to the challenge that Chris Morris sets them.

Four Lions isn’t a perfect film, though. The tone is a little uneven at times, and it’s very much one that’s going to feel more at home on a television than a cinema screen. But it’s still a daring, risky and at times extremely funny piece of work. And it’s one not afraid to pull the rug on you, either, never shielding itself away from the undercurrents of its subject matter. It’s the most ambiti...
Brilliant, 2010-09-01
Have to be honest. Never heard of this film. Saw it in Blockbuster shop and chose it on the basis of the review (12 "Funny"s from different sources surely something got to be right) And they are right - it is really funny and I thought the subject albeit extremely sensitive was pitch just right.

Basic storyline - 5 wannabes suicide bombers - all different characters - planning some sort of blowing up job - badly. The characters were fairly distinct - one an Asian born British with a more religious but peace loving brother who don't believe in concept of violence, one guy who don't really know what he's doing but hangs around, one complete mentalist convert "white" person into Muslim who's just want to do things, one Afro-Carribean Islamic guy who don't quite understand what really he's doing and another who just happen to be in it. The story also tells you a little more in detail about the main character. Similarly, it also potrays the ironicity of the other character - his peace loving brother. It's very stereotypical in one sense - but also makes you think. I really like the scene where the main character's brother and friends - all bearded in their traditional customes holding the umbrellas playing football in the rain asking him to join in. It makes you think that, a stereotypical view would consider these people "dangerous". But it also make you realise they are just another person and may not be what you perceive. So although funny, they are some poignant bits which makes you think.

There's no support of fundamentalist nor suicide bombers in the film but rather it takes a different twist on the whole issue. As I am a moderate Muslim myself, I actually thought it is beautifully done without feeling neither offended or think the subject potrayed over the top. The issues will always be difficult and you will get various response from everyone but it did make me laugh with tears in my eyes. I think you probably have to be British or have a British sense of humour to fully appreciate the jokes. Highly recommended! Well done!

Downey Jr. is more than up to the challenge too. Early scenes in Sherlock Holmes are more Fight Club than sleuth-influenced, with the hand of director Guy Ritchie behind the camera being very clear. But the film soon settles down and starts to have some fun, with the able assistance of Mark Strong and Rachel McAdams, among the supporting cast.

Yet this is Downey Jr.’s show, and he doesn’t waste the opportunity. He’s an engaging leading man at the worst of times, and he’s clearly having a ball here. What’s more, it’s immensely satisfying when his Sherlock Holmes gets down to the business of solving crimes, even though there are some really quite impressive action sequences to work through first.

There are problems, of course. There...
Smart, funny and devishly dark., 2010-09-01
Sherlock Holmes, the detective franchise that never dies. And just when all hope of a successfull reboot seemed lost, this film was announced.

Action first. The fight scenes are awesome and unusualy clever, and sherlock has a new figure that makes it look probable. Next, the detective bits. They are everything you'd expect and a little bit more. Sherlock Holmes stands out as one of the best films of 2009. The plot focuses on Sherlock and Watsons "last" case together (but no, it isn't). An aclaimed magician named Lord Blackwood gets hanged but shortly after, claims that Blackwood is back surface and logic is thrown out the window.

Overall, Sherlock Holmes is brilliant. a spellbindingly good peice of cinema. BUY IT!!!