MoodyB84

Fly fishing, and more specifically the making of the flies that help to catch the salmon, does not exactly sound like the most cinematically pleasing of subjects does it? Well, through his obvious passion for his subject matter, Eric Steel has managed to create an engaging documentary. Using beautiful visuals, a stunning score from Paul Cantelon and telling the story of Megan Boyd as though she were at times a mythical figure, Kiss the Water is a beautiful cinematic portrait and tribute to a woman many (including me) may never have heard of, but for those that fly fish, was the name of legend.

Her secluded and traditional lifestyle may have made Megan seem an almost mythical and poetic figure, but in the context of Kiss the Water makes for a film with a genuinely cinematic feel. The beautiful visuals and score make sure that this is no generic warts n all documentary, but a passionately made cinematic portrait. Megan herself made the flies purely as a form of art and took no pleasure in the fact they were for catching (and killing) salmon, the fact salmon are attracted to the flies is a fact that cannot be explained as the film mentions, but yet hers were by far the best at this. For that reason she was honoured by royalty, but despite that remained humble. To learn the stories of her later life within this film also evoke emotional engagement with the film, though of course I do not want to say anymore.

Kiss the Water is not a film that I expect people to rush out and see due to its apparent niche subject matter. However for anyone after a film that is made with genuine passion, as well as being an informative watch but also a rewarding, invigorating and visually pleasing tribute to one individual that was the best at she did, then I would certainly recommend Kiss the Water.

I must confess I only stumbled across this riveting and powerful but relatively unknown documentary because my local independent cinema was showing it. McCullin did actually receive a BAFTA nomination for best feature length documentary and this was fully justified. I cannot recommend this film enough; it is truly fascinating and extremely well put together that the 90 minutes of its running time just fly by. Not only is this superbly edited, but the music also enhances the mood and atmosphere.

Don McCullin himself is uncomfortable with the title of 'war photographer' and throughout his interview he gives fascinating accounts of his life and what effect witnessing the horrifying experiences that he did affected him. This documentary also serves as an insightful documentary into some of the conflicts of the second half of the twentieth century.

McCullin's firsthand accounts of what he witnessed gives harrowing but fascinating insights into scenes some of us can only imagine. As with all wars, the main victims are those innocent civilians stuck in the middle and McCullin's descriptions of such people really put life into perspective and the luxuries that we all take for granted. This is at times uncomfortable and sobering viewing, but only due to the raw honesty of McCullin's stories and photos. McCullin himself also emerges as not only a fascinating man, but a man of integrity and honesty. We could only imaging what witnessing some of the horrific events that he did would do to us psychologically and it is genuinely fascinating as he reveals what it did to him. This film also serves as a reminder to an irretrievable bygone era of journalism and does make us pose some questions about the integrity and honesty of 21st century journalism, especially photojournalism. As Don McCullin himself says: "Photography is the truth if it's being handled by a truthful person."

This is an extremely honest and genuinely powerful documentary that not only provides insight into a fascinating man, but also the horrifying truth about the effects war can have on nations and innocent civilians. This is unforgettable and devastating, and though not an easy watch at times, one I would thoroughly recommend.

Well, where to start, Rise of Cobra was loud, fast but enjoyable nonsense. Retaliation is in my view louder, faster, even more ridiculous than and just as enjoyable as its predecessor. With a few provisos of course.

This was never made with the intention of being Hamlet, so is there really any point in going through in any real detail exactly what is wrong with it? Not really as looking at the poster will probably tell you everything you need to know. The plot is as generic as any action film you will ever see, every character is a cardboard cut out caricature, the dialogue is embarrassingly clunky, the acting is cheesy, logic is left at home and Bruce Willis apparently has high cholesterol. There is even a quick catch up for those that have not seen the first film with some awful Top Trumps-esque introduction.

All this aside (!) Retaliation is actually loud frantic fun. If you don't think about the plot, or indeed logic then the action is half decent and the pace never really stops leaving a very entertaining, but obviously forgettable 90 minutes. Every aspect of this film, including the running time, action and plot show that they know what they are making and just do not care. On the subject of logic, I do not feel it is a plot spoiler to mention that Storm Shadow (Byung-hun Lee) is very much a part of the plot; he seriously died in Rise of Cobra yet appears here with not a single scratch, and no explanation. This is the kind of nonexistent logic we are dealing with here. This is also a very funny film, some of the dialogue and scenes are so bad it is impossible not to laugh, though predominantly at than with as you would expect. So anyone who hates Retaliation does quite frankly have only themselves to blame for watching it in the first place.

A footnote: Once again the 3D adds bugger all!

Basically G.I.Joe: Retaliation is exactly what it says on the tin (well, poster): Loud, frantic, nonsensical over the top forgettable nonsense but undeniably good fun if you leave your brain and logic at home and know what to expect.