xentrix667

For every Citizen Kane or Godfather, we need movies like this where you can get swept away on the positive energy and feel good comfort of it all.

De Niro is incredible in this role, as he is in everything he does, and Hathaway plays alongside him so well that you would think they've worked together for decades.

Robert de Niro plays 70 year old Ben, a widower who previously had a job for 40 years looking after phone book printing. He's now retired but bored and keen to get back into the workforce. He gets a job as part of a program for senior citizens to work as interns and is assigned to About the Fit, a company started by Jules Ostim, played by Hathaway, and is immediately given the job of interning for Jules directly.

Ben soon proves himself an incredibly capable employee who uses both his life and business skills to shine and soon forms a strong friendship with Jules.

Jules is facing pressures at work and at home and soon finds the support of Ben to be exactly what she needed at this time in her life.

This movie could easily have become a boring drudge of mediocrity and saccharine but is elevated by strong direction and a tight script by Nancy Meyers, and two very strong performances supported by a very likeable (for the most part) cast.

Sudden Death is an action-packed thriller that brings the intensity of Die Hard to the icy confines of a hockey stadium. Directed by Peter Hyams and starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, this film delivers, just not all the way .

The film follows John McClane... er, I mean Darren McCord (Jean-Claude Van Damme), a former firefighter, who finds himself embroiled in a hostage situation during a hockey game at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena. The stakes are high as terrorists, led by Hans Gruber...sorry, did it again... I mean Joshua Foss (Powers Boothe), threaten to blow up the stadium unless their demands are met.

The setting inside a stadium is a good one, and is used well to add to the tension. It adds a claustrophobic element to it, much like Nakatoma Plaza did to the first Die Hard. Just here the stakes are even higher as there is a full stadium at a game 7, as well as the Vice President in attendance

I am a sucker for Van Damme films, and here he truly does shine as the resourceful and determined hero, bringing his signature martial arts skills to the table.

Powers Boothe is always good in everything he does and brings a level of sophistication to this role, playing the villain with a sinister charm. He creates a believable and menacing antagonist who is the perfect foil for Van Damme.

The supporting cast, including Ross Malinger and Dorian Harewood, also contribute solid performances that enhance the film's overall impact.

The action sequences are well-executed and choreographed, with plenty of thrilling moments to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Hyams' direction is solid, just not brilliant.

While Sudden Death may draw comparisons to Die Hard, including by me, it stands on its own as a gripping and entertaining action movie. Van Damme has an earnestness I've always appreciated and his martial arts is always entertaining to watch. He's no Oscar winner by any stretch, but what he lacks in acting chops he makes up for in literal chops and kicks and punches.

7/10.

I love Cunk. I've seen all of her shows to date and love them all. I was so excited for the new one and put it on without a moment's hesitation.

And then... Just underwhelmed all the way. Jokes felt flat and repetitive. The experts are repeats and are clearly in on the joke by now that their reactions just don't feel sincere.

I'm not sure what's gone wrong behind the scenes, but the formula that worked so well, and was borrowed heavily from the Borat/Ali G playbook, didn't work here. Maybe it's me, maybe my expectations were too high, or maybe the ideas tank is dry and they're treading the same ground without anything new or fun left to do. Probably a bit of both.

It's a shame. I hope they can find their spark again. Until then, I'll continue to enjoy what was.