Stanislaus

A pleasantly spent quarter of an hour with a short to the amazing feature film How to Train Your Dragon, brimming with both humour and action. I was most amused by Gobber's animatedly distinct tales of his various encounters with Boneknapper, dominated by the hammerhead-whale and hammhead-yak, and the phlegmatic and constantly chewing sheep alongside.

Shrek meets American Idol! An average Shrek short that doesn't offend, but doesn't amaze either. Personally, I'd give first place to the three blind mice.

An incredibly silly short, marred by somewhat shoddy animation and the permanently stupid expression of the valiant knight, but on the other hand, the unconventional twist and a few good (albeit crazy) ideas were the plus points.

The Ark is a very melancholic animated short that really managed to catch my attention. The animation, the look of the characters, the soundtrack, the theme and the ending could all be described in two words: very depressing.

A Superman short in which "The Cape" tries to protect the city and the woman of his dreams from a giant lizard who likes to destroy everything it comes across. I should point out that the monster's appearance was closer to a Pre-Godzilla than a Tyrannosaurus, and I really didn't understand Lois Lane's stupid actions, but whatever.

To begin with, I have to say that next to "Murder on the Orient Express", this is undoubtedly the best mystery from Agatha Christie's pen, and it won me over completely. For three hours, we have the opportunity to watch an absolutely breathtaking spectacle that benefits mainly from a wonderfully selected cast and a very well-written story. One lonely island, one large mansion and ten people who have committed crimes in the past for which they have not been punished + one quite frightening rhyme predict the individual deaths of everyone present. I liked the incorporation of flashbacks into the plot, so we get the opportunity to learn more about each character and their crimes as the story progressed, and could form an opinion about each. Alongside this, I also have to praise the camera work, which offered both symbolic details and eerily beautiful shots of the estate on the island, alongside an equally impressive and unmistakable soundtrack that perfectly complemented the stuffy atmosphere and the impossibility of escaping the island. In short, a very well made television project that combines several of my favourite elements and aspects that I look for in films or TV shows, and which was definitely my cup of tea. And that it was damn good and quality tea!

I welcomed the idea of making a prequel to the first and second Underworld with open arms, as it was good to go back to the origins of the conflict between vampires and Lycans. I also welcomed the return of Bill Nighy, whose performance as Victor, one of the oldest vampires, was simply spot on. I was a little uneasy about the casting of Rhona Mitra in the lead role, as I don't really like her, but on the other hand I have to admit that the casting team managed to choose an actress who is very similar to Kate Beckinsale, which was the point – they really do look almost like sisters or cousins. The film doesn't lack for action, a few good scares and in this case a numerous horde of properly bloodthirsty werewolves. There was a jarring scene here and there – for example, the sex on top of the castle or Lucian's speech to the other Lycans in the cells – but that's kind of part of the franchise. All in all, a decent sequel (or rather prequel) to the first two parts, with a really good atmosphere thanks to the setting in ancient times.

Underworld: Evolution is a solid sequel to the first part, completing the rest of the puzzle and a fairly well thought out vampire-Lycanian mythology. I liked the concept of the first immortal and his sons, the founders of two houses that have been hunting and killing each other since time immemorial. I also have to mention the good connection to the first film and the flashbacks to the past, which broke up the time plane of the story so the plot didn't feel so monotonous. Similarly to the first one, the biggest weakness was the poorer script in places and some scenes that were made for effect without being logical. Despite this, though, and perhaps because of it, I like this series for its action-packed, purposefully goofy (which I mean no disrespect) look. A sequel comparable to the first one, which certainly doesn't put the series to shame and even stands out slightly from the pack thanks to its many flashbacks.

Along with Ginger Snaps, Underworld is one of those series featuring monsters that I can't get enough of, despite my mediocre rating. The first episode has a really well done and atmospheric opening, including an introduction to the mythology of vampires and werewolves that draws the viewer into the story. I liked the hierarchy and the overall concept of the world of vampires, who, compared to werewolves (or here so nobly called Lycans), seemed more "aristocratic" – for example, covens and awakening elders. Like more than one user here, I have to comment on some of the illogical or even downright silly scenes that occurred from time to time in the film, such as the floor being shot through with a pistol (overall, Selene had a lot of rough bullets as they pierced the floor and walls at rest), the shooting sequence (a ton of bullets politely losing all the way against a few shots), or (possible SPOILER! ) the final duel between Viktor and Michael, which at times kind of reminded me of an awkwardly done game of strings and flying through the air (end of possible SPOILER!). But not to be a detractor here, I have to give credit to the decently done cliffhanger, which set the stage for the sequel, and also the decent soundtrack. It's a film that I like despite these visible flaws, which is why I like to come back to it from time to time.

A mediocre Easter special about the old Ice Age gang. It has some good ideas (Easter traditions) and quite funny scenes, but as with the last two feature films (the fourth and fifth), the overly didactic tone hurts it the most.