Men Are From Venus...

The two main DVD releases next week are at opposing ends of the gender spectrum; one film aimed directly at females and the other at their male counterparts. I have to admit to not being a big fan of either television series and this may have influenced the way I approached each of the two films however it is important to note that both were successful at the box office and will fill many a stocking come December 25th.

Man up and get in there! 

The A-Team (or Das A-Team - Der Film as it is known in Germany) was released on 30th July this year and stars Bradley Cooper, Liam Neeson and UFC light-heavyweight Quentin 'Rampage' Jackson as B.A Barracus. The A-Team does not deviate from the tried and tested formula of the series which is no bad thing as this lends itself well to the action blockbuster. Starting with a mission in Iraq, the four horsemen are quickly double crossed and find themselves on the wrong side of the law before creatively freeing each other from the confines of federal housing and embarking on the rectification of the wrongs they have suffered. The A-Team offers little in the way of surprise but is an enjoyable watch and delivers on the big budget entertainment we all expected from the release.

Overkill is underrated

The stand out scene for me involved the steering of a tank using heavy artillery which about summarises what you can expect from the movie. Good performances from the main cast members, and enough of a narrative structure to keep your attention and build suspense.

I have never been a big fan of the Sex and the City series and was further put off the sequel to the first cinematic outing after being reliably informed, by an ardent fan, that it is "dire... it really is". The plot will be immediately familiar to followers as the recognisable protagonists continue their efforts to find love and settle down with the odd mishap added for comedic effect. The original movie was filled with references to the fashion industry to the point where it seemed like a prolonged series of product placements.

You have to take the tradition, and decorate it your way

The thing that has always stood out to me about the narrative of the series was that, for all the proposed Independence and 'girl-power', the protagonists continually strive for male assurance and companionship and it is only when this is realised that the characters can be fulfilled and the series end happily. It does however draw huge audiences and continues to bring in endless amounts of profit for the producers and stars. I am sure that, even after the poor critical reception of this sequel, this will not be the last of these characters on the big screen. Audiences were drawn to the boundary pushing of the narrative content and the frank portrayal of sex has led to a change in mainstream attitudes so the series is not without merit. I hope however that the controversy is not generated in depictions to come through the desperate escapades of the aging cast.

Both movies are out on 29th November but if neither releases tickle your fancy I would recommend a trip to the cinema for Machete or The Girl who Kicked the Hornets Nest.

Official Site
http://www.sexandthecitymovie.com
http://www.ateam-movie.com