Sunshine

50 years into the future and mankind has forgotten the warmth of the sun. Eight astronauts are sent out to the center of the sun with a payload to reignite it. As they near the star, as usual man's best laid plans start to splinter. And so does the crew. A film that could have made its way into the list of great sci-fi flicks but stops short in spite of the fine cast and crew.

Rating: * *

The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight continues the fine tradition started by Batman Begins. Akin to how Frank Miller made Batman relevant again in the graphic novel arena, Christopher Nolan has given the brooding hero a breath of fresh intense air on the big screen. In print sometimes a certain character takes over the whole book and somehow enthralls the reader holding him in a vice like grip. Heath Ledger does exactly that in his role of the Joker. The film heralds the arrival of the laughing madman in the life of Batman and shows us the tip of the titanic struggle that will enshroud the rest of their existence. But with the passing of Ledger, one wonders who can replicate his panache and screen presence as the Joker...

Rating: * * *

The Wind That Shakes the Barley

The early 20th century sees the citizen's of Ireland in an upheaval against the ruling British empire. This struggle is shown through Damian (Cillian Murphy), who gives up a budding career in medicine to join in his brother, Teddy (Padraic Delaney) in the fight against the Irish oppressors. The events careen towards a peace treaty that only implodes the country into a bloody civil war and the IRA we know of today is born. The film tries to put a human spin to its birth though it is rather unclear if the director was a tad too sympathetic or realistic.

Rating: * * +

Intermission

Half way through the film I realized I had already seen it. Sure indication that I am seeing way too many movies :-)

John (Cillian Murphy) decides to break up with his girl, Dierdre (Kelly Macdonald, the school girl in Trainspotting). The breakup sends out ripples which have far reaching and hilarious side effects. Colm Meaney takes the cake in his role as a tough as nails detective who leaves you in splits.

I am glad I saw this film again.

Rating: * * +