The illusion of herring

Wanted is enjoyable brainless tosh with brutal stunts and nasty violence. I disagree with Peter Bradshaw, reviewer at the Guardian – I don’t think it’s misogynistic, or at least, no more than any other brainless mainstream action film. I have no idea why the film-makers felt compelled to add in Matrix-style cod religious mysticism though – it’s boring and makes no logical sense. I’ve read the source material graphic novel and my is it different! They’ve changed everything but the kernel of an idea from the source – oh, and the comic is nastier and more violent too.

Hancock was silly enjoyable fluff, although I much preferred it when Will Smith was drunk and surly than when he cleaned up his act later in the film. I do love Will Smith, but he is much better at comedy than serious drama - his serious face looks like he's potty-training. And I’m sorry, but the attempts to “explain” his background and powers (and the reason for his Kryptonite) are feeble. Just say you need it for the plot, and wave your hands in the air and spout technobabble – it worked for Doctor Who! Did you see the Season Finale? Sheesh… this is the reason I’ve mostly stopped watching these days. Just because you leap up and down and race through your technobabble dialogue while waving your hands frenetically doesn’t mean it makes any sense.

But then I am an old and grumpy man who somehow thinks he is entitled to logic in his films and TV… or at least the illusion of logic.

In other news, life goes on going on… and on Friday I am going to Stockholm. Hoorah! Pickled herring!