I will admit from the very beginning that I went to see this purely because I love Zac Efron. I will also admit that I thought this film was going to be some rubbish biography of some dude that I had heard of but didn’t really know much about. When I walked into the cinema auditorium, the only other people there were elderly people and I immediately thought I would find it boring. But, I was wrong.
I will safely say that Efron was cast so the film would appeal to a younger audience and also Claire Danes, most famous from Romeo + Juliet and Stardust. Efron plays Richard, a student who aspires to be an actor. One day, he stumbles across the opening of The Mercury Theatre and while everyone is outside he meets Orson Welles, who offers him a part in his production of ‘Caesar’ by Shakespeare. Naturally, Richard says yes and dives into the adult world of theatre acting. Along the way, we find out that Orson is having an affair despite the fact his wife is pregnant; he likes to always be in control and will ruin a person’s reputation for disagreeing with him. Basically, what Orson says goes. After his romance with Sonja (Danes) goes awry, Efron realises that theatre was not all it’s cracked up to be and that he does not admire Welles after all.
The plot does seem quite thin but that really all there is to do it. But, that isn’t a bad thing. The idea of the film is to focus on a period in Orson’s life -The Mercury Theatre. In fact, the actor who plays Orson, Christian McKay, is absolutely brilliant. I did not know much about the man himself before watching the film and even after research, I am still unsure if Orson Welles is the arrogant, selfish man that he is portrayed to be in the film. At least I know that the facts are correct. Most of the actors in the production of Caesar are truthful to the real ones in Welles’ time. The name of his wife and lover remain the same, as does the outcome of the show. I would say that the film sticks pretty close to the facts with maybe a bit of embellishment concerning his personality.
Although Zac Efron is usually the star, McKay definitely steals the show as the boisterous, outlandish Welles. You would probably say that Zac is only there because he can sing, dance and is good-looking. Whether that is true or not, I’m glad he was cast in this because it shows he can act in a drama rather than his standard musicals aimed at the younger audience.
Me and Orson Welles is an interesting piece. It is set in 1930’s New York and the street scenes and state of the theatre look authentic. You can learn a lot about Orson just by watching this and discover what sort of man he was. It actually inspired me to research more about him after feeling bad because I didn’t know who he was. I would say this is not a fun film or something you would see on a date but it is lovely all the same. It is nice to have a film which does not use special effects or elaborate settings and just focus on the story or subject. It is not a bad film whatsoever, I just think you have to be interested in Orson Welles or Zac Efron in order to want to watch it because it does not have a broad appeal.
Thursday 10 December 2009
Friday 4 December 2009
2012
This is a film only CGI lovers will want to see because that is all the film really offers. In that department, it is fantastic. Think of the effects in ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ and multiply it, because it is so much better. 2012 follows in the same vein as it is also a disaster, apocalyptic type film. No wonder, considering they are both directed by Roland Emmerich, who is also famous for Godzilla and Independence Day.
According to the Mayan calendar, the world will end in 2012 but nobody ever listened. However, scientists discover that fatal changes are occurring within the Earth’s make-up and they inform the Government. These changes will cause sea levels to rise, land to crack and volcanoes to erupt, called earth crust displacement causing the end of the world. The Governments plan is to build ‘Arks’ in China so that people and animals can go onboard to start a new life when the crust has stopped moving. To do this, they do not inform civilians about what is happening and just let the wealthiest people pay their way onto the ships. They are ultimately letting innocent people die and this is where the film has a good message. Scientist, Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is trying to convince the politicians that everyone should have a chance to be let onboard or at least be warned of the forthcoming apocalypse.
While this is occurring, Jackson Curtis (John Cusack) is trying to save his children, his ex-wife (Amanda Peet) and her husband after their home in California falls through the cracks in the earth. They race against time to get to China so they have a chance to get on the Arks too, despite not having any financial bargaining power. Their storyline is the same old sentimental fare that you see in most films like this- a family puts aside its differences in order to save each other. The children realise their dad isn’t the bad father they thought he was, that type of thing.
The science behind the plot makes it sound believable. The Mayan mythology part is actually true, but obviously the science bit is fictional (we hope!) and most of it went straight over my head so I just assume it all makes sense. The script is not the best I’ve ever heard but this film is about special effects and it really delivers with those. The destruction of highways, buildings and landmarks are impeccable and I cannot fault them. Look out for the destruction of St Pauls Cathedral in the Vatican, Rome, it is amazing.
It is an enjoyable film but I found that it went on for far too long, coming in at 158 minutes. There are some funny moments, especially with Woody Harrelson who plays some lunatic who has all the inside gossip on what’s going on. There are also some thrilling moments but these are combined with some scenes where I feel the talking has gone on for too long and it’s unnecessary. The ending situation for the Curtis bunch is predictable and pretty soppy but it still makes you smile. It does have a happy ending which is a relief after over two hours of doom and gloom. Go see, even if just for the special effects.
According to the Mayan calendar, the world will end in 2012 but nobody ever listened. However, scientists discover that fatal changes are occurring within the Earth’s make-up and they inform the Government. These changes will cause sea levels to rise, land to crack and volcanoes to erupt, called earth crust displacement causing the end of the world. The Governments plan is to build ‘Arks’ in China so that people and animals can go onboard to start a new life when the crust has stopped moving. To do this, they do not inform civilians about what is happening and just let the wealthiest people pay their way onto the ships. They are ultimately letting innocent people die and this is where the film has a good message. Scientist, Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is trying to convince the politicians that everyone should have a chance to be let onboard or at least be warned of the forthcoming apocalypse.
While this is occurring, Jackson Curtis (John Cusack) is trying to save his children, his ex-wife (Amanda Peet) and her husband after their home in California falls through the cracks in the earth. They race against time to get to China so they have a chance to get on the Arks too, despite not having any financial bargaining power. Their storyline is the same old sentimental fare that you see in most films like this- a family puts aside its differences in order to save each other. The children realise their dad isn’t the bad father they thought he was, that type of thing.
The science behind the plot makes it sound believable. The Mayan mythology part is actually true, but obviously the science bit is fictional (we hope!) and most of it went straight over my head so I just assume it all makes sense. The script is not the best I’ve ever heard but this film is about special effects and it really delivers with those. The destruction of highways, buildings and landmarks are impeccable and I cannot fault them. Look out for the destruction of St Pauls Cathedral in the Vatican, Rome, it is amazing.
It is an enjoyable film but I found that it went on for far too long, coming in at 158 minutes. There are some funny moments, especially with Woody Harrelson who plays some lunatic who has all the inside gossip on what’s going on. There are also some thrilling moments but these are combined with some scenes where I feel the talking has gone on for too long and it’s unnecessary. The ending situation for the Curtis bunch is predictable and pretty soppy but it still makes you smile. It does have a happy ending which is a relief after over two hours of doom and gloom. Go see, even if just for the special effects.
Tuesday 1 December 2009
Paranormal Activity (15)
This is a film which people will either love or hate. Those who love clean, polished Hollywood horrors will not like this because it is rough, low-budget and with no extravagant special effects.
This is another “found footage” film, like Quarantine (2007) and The Blair Witch Project (1999). It was allegedly shot on a budget of $15, 000 and since it finally got an international release; it has so far made around $107 million, making it the most profitable independent in history. The actors are unknowns, it was filmed in the director’s house in a week and was shot by the character Micah in a documentary style.
The story is based around a couple, Micah and Katie who buy a camera to find out what ghostly phenomena is haunting their house. Katie has been experiencing paranormal activity from an entity periodically since she was young and it has followed her from home to home. The hauntings have begun again, for the first time since she has moved into a house with Micah. A psychic tells them it is a demon in her house and it wants something from Katie. She wants to put an end to it and Micah believes the camera will help because it can capture the goings on. What we see is the “unedited” footage that was found some time after the three weeks the hauntings took place.
The hauntings are slow-burning and full of suspense. There is not a load of blood and gore or major sound and visual effects but it is still very effective. They generally happen at night and the atmosphere becomes very tense when they go to bed. It begins with small things, like the door moving or a thump on the stairs and proceeds to get scarier around Night 17/ 18. Each night, the suspense is built up and when it hits its peak, it is very very scary. I did not see the ending coming and it is very shocking and it really freaked me out. There is no better way to describe it. I’m still reeling from it now.
The fact that it was made by handheld camera makes it so much more real and makes you think if it could actually happen. It captures moments that you feel like you shouldn’t see, like Katie brushing her teeth or crying and you really do believe that these actors are a couple and that these hauntings are actually happening to them. You see what their daily life is like, what their hobbies are, how they interact and the dynamics of their relationship. You feel so much more involved in this film because it isn’t polished and because the actors aren’t sticking to a script. It builds up the tension so well, you know that soon the hauntings are going to get worse and soon as the film turned to nightfall, I started getting scared. It plays on peoples’ fears that you don’t know what happens when you are sleeping and that you think you are safe in your home and your bed, but you’re not. I think this is what makes the film more effective than Blair Witch- it is closer to home, literally. It is a definite must-see, but prepare to be scared.
This is another “found footage” film, like Quarantine (2007) and The Blair Witch Project (1999). It was allegedly shot on a budget of $15, 000 and since it finally got an international release; it has so far made around $107 million, making it the most profitable independent in history. The actors are unknowns, it was filmed in the director’s house in a week and was shot by the character Micah in a documentary style.
The story is based around a couple, Micah and Katie who buy a camera to find out what ghostly phenomena is haunting their house. Katie has been experiencing paranormal activity from an entity periodically since she was young and it has followed her from home to home. The hauntings have begun again, for the first time since she has moved into a house with Micah. A psychic tells them it is a demon in her house and it wants something from Katie. She wants to put an end to it and Micah believes the camera will help because it can capture the goings on. What we see is the “unedited” footage that was found some time after the three weeks the hauntings took place.
The hauntings are slow-burning and full of suspense. There is not a load of blood and gore or major sound and visual effects but it is still very effective. They generally happen at night and the atmosphere becomes very tense when they go to bed. It begins with small things, like the door moving or a thump on the stairs and proceeds to get scarier around Night 17/ 18. Each night, the suspense is built up and when it hits its peak, it is very very scary. I did not see the ending coming and it is very shocking and it really freaked me out. There is no better way to describe it. I’m still reeling from it now.
The fact that it was made by handheld camera makes it so much more real and makes you think if it could actually happen. It captures moments that you feel like you shouldn’t see, like Katie brushing her teeth or crying and you really do believe that these actors are a couple and that these hauntings are actually happening to them. You see what their daily life is like, what their hobbies are, how they interact and the dynamics of their relationship. You feel so much more involved in this film because it isn’t polished and because the actors aren’t sticking to a script. It builds up the tension so well, you know that soon the hauntings are going to get worse and soon as the film turned to nightfall, I started getting scared. It plays on peoples’ fears that you don’t know what happens when you are sleeping and that you think you are safe in your home and your bed, but you’re not. I think this is what makes the film more effective than Blair Witch- it is closer to home, literally. It is a definite must-see, but prepare to be scared.
Thursday 26 November 2009
The Twilight Saga: New Moon (12A)
Considering the hype surrounding the first film, Twilight, it was given that this film was going to be a success. This sequel had a lot to live up to and I think it delivered. Being quite the Twilight fan myself, I was just as excited as most other teenage girls and I didn’t leave disappointed
The film begins pretty much where the first one left off. It’s Bella’s birthday, which means she’s considered older than Edward (Robert Pattinson) by other humans and it makes her aware of how she is going to age whereas he won’t. During the unwrapping of her presents at the Cullen house, Bella (Kristen Stewart) gets a paper cut and starts bleeding, which inevitably causes chaos. This incident makes Edward realise how much danger he is putting Bella in by having her around vampires all the time, particularly as Victoria is still hell bent on revenge after he killed her soul-mate, James.
Edward decides the best course of action is to leave Bella in Forks for her own safety and leaves her alone distraught. Months pass and Bella becomes more and more depressed, causing her father to suggest going back to live with her mother in Jacksonville, Florida. This makes her try to become more interactive with her friends, especially Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), who has a secret of his own and both develop deep feelings for each other. She discovers that doing dangerous and reckless activities make Edward reappear to give her warnings, so she proceeds to go motorcycling and cliff diving, for example. During the latter, Edward believes that Bella is dead because his sister, Alice, saw it in a vision and didn’t see her get rescued. Alice tells Bella that Edward is going to the Volturi, the vampire council, and asking to be killed because he doesn’t want to be in a world where Bella doesn’t exist. So it is a race against time to get to Edward before he sacrifices himself.
I like this film because it sticks really closely to the book, which I’m a massive fan of. The special effects, which I thought let the first film down, are so much better this time around particularly for the many fight scenes. The old director, Catherine Hardwicke has been replaced by Chris Weitz and he certainly does the second book justice.
The film may be seen as a filler between Twilight and Eclipse, but it still has a decent story in its own right. The film ends on a cliff-hanger which I found annoying, but that is what happens in the book so I can’t complain too much. Edward isn’t really the main male focus of the film and I’m sure if you have seen the trailer, you can understand why Jacob is the new heartthrob. When he first takes his top off, the audience and myself actually gasped and then laughed for being so pervy- it was brilliant. The film is better than the first so don’t let that put you off and if you think it won’t be as good as the book then you are mistaken. It was as good as my high expectations, maybe not as much as the hype, but you should go see it, even if it’s just for Jacob’s abs. I am definitely Team Jacob.
The film begins pretty much where the first one left off. It’s Bella’s birthday, which means she’s considered older than Edward (Robert Pattinson) by other humans and it makes her aware of how she is going to age whereas he won’t. During the unwrapping of her presents at the Cullen house, Bella (Kristen Stewart) gets a paper cut and starts bleeding, which inevitably causes chaos. This incident makes Edward realise how much danger he is putting Bella in by having her around vampires all the time, particularly as Victoria is still hell bent on revenge after he killed her soul-mate, James.
Edward decides the best course of action is to leave Bella in Forks for her own safety and leaves her alone distraught. Months pass and Bella becomes more and more depressed, causing her father to suggest going back to live with her mother in Jacksonville, Florida. This makes her try to become more interactive with her friends, especially Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), who has a secret of his own and both develop deep feelings for each other. She discovers that doing dangerous and reckless activities make Edward reappear to give her warnings, so she proceeds to go motorcycling and cliff diving, for example. During the latter, Edward believes that Bella is dead because his sister, Alice, saw it in a vision and didn’t see her get rescued. Alice tells Bella that Edward is going to the Volturi, the vampire council, and asking to be killed because he doesn’t want to be in a world where Bella doesn’t exist. So it is a race against time to get to Edward before he sacrifices himself.
I like this film because it sticks really closely to the book, which I’m a massive fan of. The special effects, which I thought let the first film down, are so much better this time around particularly for the many fight scenes. The old director, Catherine Hardwicke has been replaced by Chris Weitz and he certainly does the second book justice.
The film may be seen as a filler between Twilight and Eclipse, but it still has a decent story in its own right. The film ends on a cliff-hanger which I found annoying, but that is what happens in the book so I can’t complain too much. Edward isn’t really the main male focus of the film and I’m sure if you have seen the trailer, you can understand why Jacob is the new heartthrob. When he first takes his top off, the audience and myself actually gasped and then laughed for being so pervy- it was brilliant. The film is better than the first so don’t let that put you off and if you think it won’t be as good as the book then you are mistaken. It was as good as my high expectations, maybe not as much as the hype, but you should go see it, even if it’s just for Jacob’s abs. I am definitely Team Jacob.
Thursday 12 November 2009
Jennifer's Body (15)
Ok, so most guys are going to see this purely for Megan Fox. It is also clear that Megan Fox and the directing team behind the film knows that too because she is on screen pretty much all the time in probably the smallest outfits imaginable. I find that sometimes in the film, Fox acts like she KNOWS she is hot and I couldn’t quite tell if she was acting as Jennifer or being herself in these moments.
For girls, the focus on Megan Fox does not detract from the film. If you can get past the short outfits, the flashing of flesh and the gratuitous lesbian kiss, then the film is actually rather good. The film says it is a black comedy but I would say it is a more a teenage horror because it is not really that funny, except at times when the storyline is just rather ridiculous. The scenes in high school feel like something out of Mean Girls and the horror bits can actually be quite jumpy.
Basically, it’s all about these two best friends, Jennifer and Anita, aka Needy (Amanda Seyfried, Mamma Mia) who live in a small town called Devil’s Kettle. One day, Jennifer goes off into the woods with Nikolai (Adam Brody, The OC) and his band only to discover that they want to sacrifice her to the devil. Something goes wrong during this ritual and Jennifer is transformed into a demon who needs to eat boys to live. Anita cottons onto this pretty fast but nobody actually believes her and this makes her go a bit insane.
Casting Fox was a good choice for the role of a man-eater because it makes it believable that boys can be lured in really easily for her to kill but let’s face it, she cannot really act. All she does is bitchy, horny and snappy and then repeat. Seyfried on the other hand, is amazing at showing her emotions and going from a normal girl to someone who has gone a bit crazy.
There are several things I wondered about the film- why was Adam Brody cast as an evil-worshipping asshole? It is totally unbelievable especially as I cannot shake off the sweet Seth Cohen character that he used to be in The OC. Also, the fire at the local bar begins out of nowhere. One minute they are listening to Brody’s band, Low Shoulder, play and the next, the whole place is burning down and the school mark it as a ‘tragedy’ the next day. It all happened too quickly.
I found at times, the film didn’t know who its audience was meant to be. For instance, in the high school parts, it was more of a girl film and the boys I watched this with where a bit bored, saved only by the sight of Fox. In other parts, where Fox is practically naked or kissing other girls, I found it uncomfortable whereas the boys enjoyed it a lot. Whether the producers made it to suit both or it was their intention to make some scenes uncomfortable, I really can’t tell.
This film is written by Diablo Cody, most famous for ‘Juno’ and I felt Jennifer phrases things in the same way as I could imagine Juno doing. Other than those little problems I have, it is actually really enjoyable. Although I think the over-exposure of Fox is unnecessary, I’m sure many people would argue that it fits the character. I’m sure many people have different opinions on this, so all I can say is, go see it for yourself.
For girls, the focus on Megan Fox does not detract from the film. If you can get past the short outfits, the flashing of flesh and the gratuitous lesbian kiss, then the film is actually rather good. The film says it is a black comedy but I would say it is a more a teenage horror because it is not really that funny, except at times when the storyline is just rather ridiculous. The scenes in high school feel like something out of Mean Girls and the horror bits can actually be quite jumpy.
Basically, it’s all about these two best friends, Jennifer and Anita, aka Needy (Amanda Seyfried, Mamma Mia) who live in a small town called Devil’s Kettle. One day, Jennifer goes off into the woods with Nikolai (Adam Brody, The OC) and his band only to discover that they want to sacrifice her to the devil. Something goes wrong during this ritual and Jennifer is transformed into a demon who needs to eat boys to live. Anita cottons onto this pretty fast but nobody actually believes her and this makes her go a bit insane.
Casting Fox was a good choice for the role of a man-eater because it makes it believable that boys can be lured in really easily for her to kill but let’s face it, she cannot really act. All she does is bitchy, horny and snappy and then repeat. Seyfried on the other hand, is amazing at showing her emotions and going from a normal girl to someone who has gone a bit crazy.
There are several things I wondered about the film- why was Adam Brody cast as an evil-worshipping asshole? It is totally unbelievable especially as I cannot shake off the sweet Seth Cohen character that he used to be in The OC. Also, the fire at the local bar begins out of nowhere. One minute they are listening to Brody’s band, Low Shoulder, play and the next, the whole place is burning down and the school mark it as a ‘tragedy’ the next day. It all happened too quickly.
I found at times, the film didn’t know who its audience was meant to be. For instance, in the high school parts, it was more of a girl film and the boys I watched this with where a bit bored, saved only by the sight of Fox. In other parts, where Fox is practically naked or kissing other girls, I found it uncomfortable whereas the boys enjoyed it a lot. Whether the producers made it to suit both or it was their intention to make some scenes uncomfortable, I really can’t tell.
This film is written by Diablo Cody, most famous for ‘Juno’ and I felt Jennifer phrases things in the same way as I could imagine Juno doing. Other than those little problems I have, it is actually really enjoyable. Although I think the over-exposure of Fox is unnecessary, I’m sure many people would argue that it fits the character. I’m sure many people have different opinions on this, so all I can say is, go see it for yourself.
Tuesday 10 November 2009
Up (U)
People that think that Disney Pixar films are just for kids need to see this film because it is a gem that will appeal to all ages. It is funny, the characters are fantastic, the visuals are amazing and it tells a lovely story too.
Up tells the story of an old man, Carl Fredricksen, who had been obsessed with exploration all his life, along with his wife Ellie. When they were just kids, Carl promised Ellie that he would move their clubhouse to Paradise Falls in South America where it was believed that their hero, Charles Muntz had set off in search of a mysterious bird. They fall in love and end up living in their renovated clubhouse. When Ellie dies, Carl becomes a recluse- a cold, unhappy person with no friends. One day he realises he never fulfilled his promise that he made to Ellie. This realisation combined with the pressure to move to a retirement home forces Carl to go on the adventure they had always dreamed about.
He takes off in his house aided with many brightly coloured balloons in search of Paradise Falls. Mid air, Carl receives a knock at his door- it is Russell, a young boy who wants to help Carl so he could achieve his ‘Assisting the Elderly” Wilderness Explorer badge. Carl hadn’t had human interaction for a long time and had become a very grumpy, unfriendly person so finds Russell’s friendliness overwhelming. Along the journey, he starts to care for Russell and the other animals and finds out that Charles Muntz was not the hero he had been obsessed with as a youngster.
It does have a message, like most Pixar films do but it is really sweet and funny all the same. Carl began as a selfish old man who had one goal- to reach Paradise Falls on his own with his house intact. Along the way, he realises that having companions on the journey isn’t a burden and he learns to appreciate Russell’s bubbly nature. When he finally arrives at his destination, he realises helping others is more important than the house and the material objects inside.
While the two leads are really good characters, I would say it is Doug the talking dog who steals the film. He is mad, very excitable and wants to help the good guys despite being part of the baddies. I could not stop laughing every time he spoke. This film is brilliant and I will definitely buy it when it comes out on DVD. The visuals will amaze you, some bits will make you sad but mostly, it will make you laugh and smile.
Up tells the story of an old man, Carl Fredricksen, who had been obsessed with exploration all his life, along with his wife Ellie. When they were just kids, Carl promised Ellie that he would move their clubhouse to Paradise Falls in South America where it was believed that their hero, Charles Muntz had set off in search of a mysterious bird. They fall in love and end up living in their renovated clubhouse. When Ellie dies, Carl becomes a recluse- a cold, unhappy person with no friends. One day he realises he never fulfilled his promise that he made to Ellie. This realisation combined with the pressure to move to a retirement home forces Carl to go on the adventure they had always dreamed about.
He takes off in his house aided with many brightly coloured balloons in search of Paradise Falls. Mid air, Carl receives a knock at his door- it is Russell, a young boy who wants to help Carl so he could achieve his ‘Assisting the Elderly” Wilderness Explorer badge. Carl hadn’t had human interaction for a long time and had become a very grumpy, unfriendly person so finds Russell’s friendliness overwhelming. Along the journey, he starts to care for Russell and the other animals and finds out that Charles Muntz was not the hero he had been obsessed with as a youngster.
It does have a message, like most Pixar films do but it is really sweet and funny all the same. Carl began as a selfish old man who had one goal- to reach Paradise Falls on his own with his house intact. Along the way, he realises that having companions on the journey isn’t a burden and he learns to appreciate Russell’s bubbly nature. When he finally arrives at his destination, he realises helping others is more important than the house and the material objects inside.
While the two leads are really good characters, I would say it is Doug the talking dog who steals the film. He is mad, very excitable and wants to help the good guys despite being part of the baddies. I could not stop laughing every time he spoke. This film is brilliant and I will definitely buy it when it comes out on DVD. The visuals will amaze you, some bits will make you sad but mostly, it will make you laugh and smile.
Monday 2 November 2009
Saw VI (18)
The series has gone on a bit too long now and after 3, 4, 5, I didn’t know what more could be done. Saw I and II were clever and violent but not needless, excessive gore that became the norm of the next few. The films are becoming more about sickening people with the disturbing violence than actually being a decent film with an intriguing plot and clever ways of teaching people a lesson.
In the first film, the standard of gore was essential to the plot and the lesson and characters had priority whereas lately, the films revolve around violence which has become more gratuitous and disgusting as they go on. Despite this, I watch the films every time, like a lot of other people so they are going to keep churning them out every Halloween. It’s starting to become a tradition or something.
I think the writers of the films must have listened to all the criticisms of the previous films because Saw VI is actually rather decent. I’m not going to say it’s a piece of genius but it is starting to go back to being more plot based and the violence this time around was not as gory as it has been previously.
In the beginning, the task involves two people having to cut body parts off in order to survive. When I saw this, I thought ‘Oh God, this is going to as bad as Saw III’ but after that first task, the gore is not so bad and the quality improves. It works on the premise of the third one though- where one man, William, goes into different rooms and does different tasks- usually involving people he knows- to save his family at the end.
William is a boss at a health insurance corporation and basically, if he denies someone healthcare, they will ultimately die. A few years previously, he had denied Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) help with his cancer and so he wants William and other people in his life to learn a lesson. Although Jigsaw is dead, his legacy and lessons still live on by instructions left in his will to Detective Hoffman and his ex-wife, Jill Tuck who execute his wishes.
There is a lot more than just gore in this film which is why I think it has improved. There are many flashbacks to show Hoffman’s involvement with Jigsaw and his assistant Amanda (Shawnee Smith) very early on. For example, we find out that he helped set up the traps used in Saw II. Saw has been using flashbacks for the past few films now to explain everything from the beginning, so although Jigsaw and Amanda are dead, they have been in every single film.
Also, Agent Perez who we thought died in Saw IV is back and on the case after her partner, Detective Straum was killed and framed for the Jigsaw killings. She gets very hot on Hoffman’s trail and his cool, calm exterior begins to falter.
I would recommend you should see this film if you are a fan of the franchise because it is a major improvement on the previous few. There is a lot more story and background and the violence is not too gross. If you do go see this, I would suggest watching Saw V first to refresh your memory.
In the first film, the standard of gore was essential to the plot and the lesson and characters had priority whereas lately, the films revolve around violence which has become more gratuitous and disgusting as they go on. Despite this, I watch the films every time, like a lot of other people so they are going to keep churning them out every Halloween. It’s starting to become a tradition or something.
I think the writers of the films must have listened to all the criticisms of the previous films because Saw VI is actually rather decent. I’m not going to say it’s a piece of genius but it is starting to go back to being more plot based and the violence this time around was not as gory as it has been previously.
In the beginning, the task involves two people having to cut body parts off in order to survive. When I saw this, I thought ‘Oh God, this is going to as bad as Saw III’ but after that first task, the gore is not so bad and the quality improves. It works on the premise of the third one though- where one man, William, goes into different rooms and does different tasks- usually involving people he knows- to save his family at the end.
William is a boss at a health insurance corporation and basically, if he denies someone healthcare, they will ultimately die. A few years previously, he had denied Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) help with his cancer and so he wants William and other people in his life to learn a lesson. Although Jigsaw is dead, his legacy and lessons still live on by instructions left in his will to Detective Hoffman and his ex-wife, Jill Tuck who execute his wishes.
There is a lot more than just gore in this film which is why I think it has improved. There are many flashbacks to show Hoffman’s involvement with Jigsaw and his assistant Amanda (Shawnee Smith) very early on. For example, we find out that he helped set up the traps used in Saw II. Saw has been using flashbacks for the past few films now to explain everything from the beginning, so although Jigsaw and Amanda are dead, they have been in every single film.
Also, Agent Perez who we thought died in Saw IV is back and on the case after her partner, Detective Straum was killed and framed for the Jigsaw killings. She gets very hot on Hoffman’s trail and his cool, calm exterior begins to falter.
I would recommend you should see this film if you are a fan of the franchise because it is a major improvement on the previous few. There is a lot more story and background and the violence is not too gross. If you do go see this, I would suggest watching Saw V first to refresh your memory.
Saturday 17 October 2009
Couples Retreat (15)
With an all-star comedy cast, a hilarious trailer and written by Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau, you would expect Couples Retreat to be very funny. And you will not be disappointed.
Couple Jason (Jason Bateman, Juno, The Ex) and Cynthia (Kristen Bell, Veronica Mars, Forgetting Sarah Marshall) feel like their marriage is at breaking point and are considering a divorce. They think the best thing for them to do is to take a vacation to Eden, a resort which specialises in helping couples work out their issues. The problem is the resort is so expensive that they can only go on a package deal- with three other couples. So, they enlist the help of their friends and head to Eden.
The couples expect a nice, relaxing holiday away from their tedious home routines but they soon discover they have itineraries beginning at 6am including counselling and skill building workshops just as swimming with sharks and stripping down to underwear. This is where the other three couples find out they have a lot of problems too and then the fun really begins.
The film is a mixture of really sweet moments as the couples ponder their relationship to laugh-out-loud moments, such as the yoga session. The main cast are very funny but the real gems are the supporting cast- watch out for Jean Leno as their group leader, Salvadore the yoga instructor and Vince Vaughn’s two children- they are just hilarious.
The ending is very predictable but regardless of that, Couples Retreat is a fun film which makes you leave the cinema with a smile on your face.
Couple Jason (Jason Bateman, Juno, The Ex) and Cynthia (Kristen Bell, Veronica Mars, Forgetting Sarah Marshall) feel like their marriage is at breaking point and are considering a divorce. They think the best thing for them to do is to take a vacation to Eden, a resort which specialises in helping couples work out their issues. The problem is the resort is so expensive that they can only go on a package deal- with three other couples. So, they enlist the help of their friends and head to Eden.
The couples expect a nice, relaxing holiday away from their tedious home routines but they soon discover they have itineraries beginning at 6am including counselling and skill building workshops just as swimming with sharks and stripping down to underwear. This is where the other three couples find out they have a lot of problems too and then the fun really begins.
The film is a mixture of really sweet moments as the couples ponder their relationship to laugh-out-loud moments, such as the yoga session. The main cast are very funny but the real gems are the supporting cast- watch out for Jean Leno as their group leader, Salvadore the yoga instructor and Vince Vaughn’s two children- they are just hilarious.
The ending is very predictable but regardless of that, Couples Retreat is a fun film which makes you leave the cinema with a smile on your face.
Saturday 22 August 2009
The Proposal (12A)
When my friend asked me to see this film, I didn't have high hopes. I'm not a massive Ryan Reynolds fan and the plot sounded ridiculous. Despite all this, I found this film very enjoyable and incredibly funny.
Both Sandra Bullock (Margaret) and Reynolds (Drew) are brilliant at their roles and show off the comedic talent. Bullock plays a reallu uptight workaholic editor reminscient of Meryl Streep's character in 'The Devil Wears Prada', who discovers that she will be deported back to her native Canada, meaning she will lose her high-powered job. To prevent this from happening, she pretends she is getting married to her assistant, Drew. To make the marriage proposal convincing, Margaret spends the weekend in at Drew's home in Alaska, a far cry from New York. The pair have to put aside their differences and work together so they won't get caught for fraud and begin to form true feelings and learn things about each other along the way.
Yes, the ending is predictable, like in every rom-com, but the audience expect a happy ending and that's what they get. People go to see these films knowing it will make them feel good. And it does. I came out with a smile on my face. Some scenes are so funny, especially the pair singing "it takes two to make things go right" and Bullock rapping and shaking her butt to 'Get Low' by Lil Jon.
The plot is a bit far-fetched but this doesn't matter because it paves the way for a really sweet and funny story that leaves you feeling positive. A must-see for girls wanting an enjoyable night in. 9/10
Both Sandra Bullock (Margaret) and Reynolds (Drew) are brilliant at their roles and show off the comedic talent. Bullock plays a reallu uptight workaholic editor reminscient of Meryl Streep's character in 'The Devil Wears Prada', who discovers that she will be deported back to her native Canada, meaning she will lose her high-powered job. To prevent this from happening, she pretends she is getting married to her assistant, Drew. To make the marriage proposal convincing, Margaret spends the weekend in at Drew's home in Alaska, a far cry from New York. The pair have to put aside their differences and work together so they won't get caught for fraud and begin to form true feelings and learn things about each other along the way.
Yes, the ending is predictable, like in every rom-com, but the audience expect a happy ending and that's what they get. People go to see these films knowing it will make them feel good. And it does. I came out with a smile on my face. Some scenes are so funny, especially the pair singing "it takes two to make things go right" and Bullock rapping and shaking her butt to 'Get Low' by Lil Jon.
The plot is a bit far-fetched but this doesn't matter because it paves the way for a really sweet and funny story that leaves you feeling positive. A must-see for girls wanting an enjoyable night in. 9/10
Thursday 13 August 2009
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (PG)
I am not a major fan of the Harry Potter franchise as it is, but I was still slightly disappointed with this film. I felt that I didn't explain the story very well and I can be a very good judge since I haven't read the books and therefore, I got confuseed. I didn't know who some of the characters were and I didn't really understand the ending all that much. I had to clarify everything with readers of the book to get it, which I think is unfair. My personal problem with the film is that it expects everyone to have read the books when not everyone wants to. It should be a full well-explained story on its own, without relying on the other knowledge people have from the books.
Other than that, I don't have any other complaints about the film. The three main characters have been criticised for their acting ability in the past but I don't think that shows now. They are so obviously friends in real life and comfortable in the role they have been playing for so long. I found the film more fun in places, particularly from Ron, who cracks me up all the time. I think Emma Watson, who plays Hermione, does the best acting job out of the three. She shows her feelings towards Ron so much more in this film and it is sweet to see the romace grow. I wasn't a fan of the Harry and Ginny kiss because it didn't seem to have any feeling to it in my opinion.
The film has got all you need- it can be fun, it can be sad, it can be jumpy, it can wow you with the special effects, it can be dark and it can be full of action. Standard for the Harry Potters really. 7/10
Other than that, I don't have any other complaints about the film. The three main characters have been criticised for their acting ability in the past but I don't think that shows now. They are so obviously friends in real life and comfortable in the role they have been playing for so long. I found the film more fun in places, particularly from Ron, who cracks me up all the time. I think Emma Watson, who plays Hermione, does the best acting job out of the three. She shows her feelings towards Ron so much more in this film and it is sweet to see the romace grow. I wasn't a fan of the Harry and Ginny kiss because it didn't seem to have any feeling to it in my opinion.
The film has got all you need- it can be fun, it can be sad, it can be jumpy, it can wow you with the special effects, it can be dark and it can be full of action. Standard for the Harry Potters really. 7/10
Monday 10 August 2009
My Sister's Keeper (PG)
This is film is absolutely beautiful and I think it is impossible to leave the cinema without a tear in your eye. It is based on the novel of the same name by Jodi Picoult.
Cameron Diaz is amazing in this, showing that she actually can act instead of playing the same comedic role in most of her rom-com type films. She plays Sara Fitzgerald, the mother of a child with leukaemia. When her daughter, Kate, is diagnosed with the disease, the doctor suggests having a donor child. This is where Anna comes in. She was genetically designed to have the exact same genes and blood type as Kate so that she could help her live. For example, she has given a kidney and some bone marrow. Anna has these taken away from her without being asked since she was a baby. The story begins with her asking a lawyer for help because she wants to be medically emancipated from her parents. This causes a massive rift in the family and they are torn in two. Should Sara be allowed to use her daughter for ‘parts’ like she has or should she let her other one die without them?
Throughout the film, we see how happy life was before Kate’s diagnosis and how it has changed the whole family’s life completely. Sara’s marriage is strained and she has given up her job to look after Kate full-time, which leaves Anna and her brother, Jesse feeling like they are loved less.
It really is a well told film and when you learn the concept of it, you know it will have a sad ending but I’m not giving anything anyway. Kate is such a strong character and how she gets through her ordeal is inspirational. Keep an eye out for Abigail Breslin, who plays Anna, she is absolutely brilliant, despite only being thirteen. Definitely watch this with some girls or your mum. 8/10
Cameron Diaz is amazing in this, showing that she actually can act instead of playing the same comedic role in most of her rom-com type films. She plays Sara Fitzgerald, the mother of a child with leukaemia. When her daughter, Kate, is diagnosed with the disease, the doctor suggests having a donor child. This is where Anna comes in. She was genetically designed to have the exact same genes and blood type as Kate so that she could help her live. For example, she has given a kidney and some bone marrow. Anna has these taken away from her without being asked since she was a baby. The story begins with her asking a lawyer for help because she wants to be medically emancipated from her parents. This causes a massive rift in the family and they are torn in two. Should Sara be allowed to use her daughter for ‘parts’ like she has or should she let her other one die without them?
Throughout the film, we see how happy life was before Kate’s diagnosis and how it has changed the whole family’s life completely. Sara’s marriage is strained and she has given up her job to look after Kate full-time, which leaves Anna and her brother, Jesse feeling like they are loved less.
It really is a well told film and when you learn the concept of it, you know it will have a sad ending but I’m not giving anything anyway. Kate is such a strong character and how she gets through her ordeal is inspirational. Keep an eye out for Abigail Breslin, who plays Anna, she is absolutely brilliant, despite only being thirteen. Definitely watch this with some girls or your mum. 8/10
Tuesday 30 June 2009
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (12A)
This is a typical Michael Bay film- lots of chases, fight scenes, explosions and some sexy females- but it still very enjoyable. I can't quite decide whether it is better than the first as this is equally brilliant but it definitely funnier. No-one could believe me when I said Transformers was hilarious, but it really was. Everyone cracks out jokes- listen out for the new Autobots and especially Sam's mum who is just so funny in this movie.
This sequel is set two years after the first and sees Sam leaving Mikaela to head off to college. However, after he touches a sliver left over from the Cube, he begins to see symbols and go slightly crazy as the energy and knoweldge from it is absorbed into him. The Deceptions are onto Sam because they want this power for themselves so they can take over the world. Which of course, Sam, Mikaela, the Autobots and a few additional characters have to stop.
It's a major race against time and you are really behind them despite knowing how it will end because it is so predictable. The effects are amazing as expected but sometimes it all happens so fast, it just becomes a blur and I get confused as to what has just happened. Other than that, my only other complaint is that Megan Fox is clearly only being used for her looks. Granted, she is attractive, but is necessary to have her straddling a motorbike in the shortest skirt ever just to ring Sam?! I don't think so. Even the guy I went with said it was slightly pointless!
Overall, this is an awesome film which manages to make you laugh, feel sad and get excited by the action. The effects are spectacular, it's hilarious and just an all-round feel-good film. If you liked the first, then you definitely need to see this. 8/10
This sequel is set two years after the first and sees Sam leaving Mikaela to head off to college. However, after he touches a sliver left over from the Cube, he begins to see symbols and go slightly crazy as the energy and knoweldge from it is absorbed into him. The Deceptions are onto Sam because they want this power for themselves so they can take over the world. Which of course, Sam, Mikaela, the Autobots and a few additional characters have to stop.
It's a major race against time and you are really behind them despite knowing how it will end because it is so predictable. The effects are amazing as expected but sometimes it all happens so fast, it just becomes a blur and I get confused as to what has just happened. Other than that, my only other complaint is that Megan Fox is clearly only being used for her looks. Granted, she is attractive, but is necessary to have her straddling a motorbike in the shortest skirt ever just to ring Sam?! I don't think so. Even the guy I went with said it was slightly pointless!
Overall, this is an awesome film which manages to make you laugh, feel sad and get excited by the action. The effects are spectacular, it's hilarious and just an all-round feel-good film. If you liked the first, then you definitely need to see this. 8/10
The Hangover (15)
The Hangover is brilliant. 100% brilliant. I don't know what I can say negatively about it. The casting is perfect, the plot may be very simple but it works and I can safely say it's the funniest film I have seen this year.
The film stars four ordinary guys- Phil, Stu, Alan and Doug- who go to Las Vegas for Doug's bachelor weekend. They wake up the next morning with no clue to what happened, why there is a baby in the closet, a tiger in the bathroom or why Doug is missing. You wonder how the film can run on such an easy concept but it never drags and laughs come every minute. I thought how funny you found it would depend on your sense of humour, but my mum found it hilarious and her definition of funny is much different to me. This film appears to the majority, for sure.
The cast are mostly unknowns or people you recognise-but-can't-place-the-film and this adds to the comic effect. I don't want to give any jokes away but the best character by far is Mr Chow, who is so so funny. I actually cried with laughter.
I don't think I can big it up more than that. If you don't find it funny, you need your head checked out. A sequel is already being planned. 10/10
The film stars four ordinary guys- Phil, Stu, Alan and Doug- who go to Las Vegas for Doug's bachelor weekend. They wake up the next morning with no clue to what happened, why there is a baby in the closet, a tiger in the bathroom or why Doug is missing. You wonder how the film can run on such an easy concept but it never drags and laughs come every minute. I thought how funny you found it would depend on your sense of humour, but my mum found it hilarious and her definition of funny is much different to me. This film appears to the majority, for sure.
The cast are mostly unknowns or people you recognise-but-can't-place-the-film and this adds to the comic effect. I don't want to give any jokes away but the best character by far is Mr Chow, who is so so funny. I actually cried with laughter.
I don't think I can big it up more than that. If you don't find it funny, you need your head checked out. A sequel is already being planned. 10/10
Wednesday 10 June 2009
MTV Movie Awards 2009
I have watched these awards religiously because they are so much more fun than BAFTAs and Oscars and recognise films that are brilliant in other ways, not Oscar-types. However, I just found this evening's festivities really not that funny. For a start, not many people in the UK know who the host, Adam Sanberg, is. Usually, the hosts are people like Sarah Silverman (I'm not a fan of hers much either), Mike Myers (Austin Powers) and Justin Timberlake to name but a few. But who is Adam Sanberg?! At the time of watching, I knew I recognised him but I couldn't think from where. The host is supposed to be someone you instantly know, but I guess being the mastermind behind "Dick In a Box" and "I'm On a Boat" Youtube videos means you're good enough for the job. Those videos may be funny, but his hosting job is not, despite being a recurring presenter on "Saturday Night Live". He's trying too hard and falling flat in my opinion.
They have categories for Best Kiss and Best Fight, which I think are hilarious, especially when the actors kiss on stage when collected the award. Remember Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams when collecting for "The Notebook"? That was FANTASTIC, and I hadn't even seen the film at the time. So naturally, I was gutted when Robert Pattinson didn't actually kiss Kristen Stewart that evening.
What I was also gutted about was that Twilight won EVERYTHING it was nominated for that night, including Best Fight, Best Breakthrough Actor, Best Female Performance and Best Film. Don't get me wrong, I loved the film, I went to see it at the cinema twice, but in some of the categories, other films were just better. And it's all because Twilight has a cult following. Did you hear the screams everytime it's name was mentioned?! No other films have cult status and it clearly showed. For a start, I don't think Robert Pattinson should have won Best Male Breakthrough Performance- that should have definitely gone to Dev Patel for his lead role in Slumdog Millionaire.
Another thing which made me laugh, the Sacha Baron Cohen stunt?! What the hell was that about?! It turns out that Eminem was 100% in on the stunt. in which Cohen's latest alter-ego, Bruno, flys over the crowd barely dressed and falls on Eminem, putting his bum right in his face. Eminem looks really annoyed and walks out the auditorium, but this all for the cameras. However, this stunt turns out to be a introduction to Best Male Performance awards, but because of the everyone fussing over the stunt, when Cohen shouts out "Zac Efron!", nobody has a clue what the hell is going on. Even, Zac Efron. His face is a picture of confusion. It was the worst presentation of an award ever. Nobody knew that's what was happening and the nominees weren't even read out.
Ben Stiller won the Lifetime Achievement, which I was really happy about. I love that man and his films and he does deserve it. But again, how he got presented with that was ridiculous. Zac Efron, some puppet dog called Triumph [I hope Americans thought this was funny] and Keifer Sutherland. Zac Efron did a good job, saying all his achievements, Triumph kept saying he looked like a monkey and Kiefer just started "crying", blatently upstaging Stiller. If I was Ben Stiller, I would have been more than disappointed.
All I can say is, if MTV keep putting on such a ridiculous awards show, then I will no longer watch it religiously. It wasn't funny despite how hard it tried and the winners didn't get the credit they deserved. I will say I enjoyed the previews and trailers from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, New Moon and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and the fact that Kristen Stewart broke her award by dropping it on the floor the second she got it. Brilliant.
They have categories for Best Kiss and Best Fight, which I think are hilarious, especially when the actors kiss on stage when collected the award. Remember Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams when collecting for "The Notebook"? That was FANTASTIC, and I hadn't even seen the film at the time. So naturally, I was gutted when Robert Pattinson didn't actually kiss Kristen Stewart that evening.
What I was also gutted about was that Twilight won EVERYTHING it was nominated for that night, including Best Fight, Best Breakthrough Actor, Best Female Performance and Best Film. Don't get me wrong, I loved the film, I went to see it at the cinema twice, but in some of the categories, other films were just better. And it's all because Twilight has a cult following. Did you hear the screams everytime it's name was mentioned?! No other films have cult status and it clearly showed. For a start, I don't think Robert Pattinson should have won Best Male Breakthrough Performance- that should have definitely gone to Dev Patel for his lead role in Slumdog Millionaire.
Another thing which made me laugh, the Sacha Baron Cohen stunt?! What the hell was that about?! It turns out that Eminem was 100% in on the stunt. in which Cohen's latest alter-ego, Bruno, flys over the crowd barely dressed and falls on Eminem, putting his bum right in his face. Eminem looks really annoyed and walks out the auditorium, but this all for the cameras. However, this stunt turns out to be a introduction to Best Male Performance awards, but because of the everyone fussing over the stunt, when Cohen shouts out "Zac Efron!", nobody has a clue what the hell is going on. Even, Zac Efron. His face is a picture of confusion. It was the worst presentation of an award ever. Nobody knew that's what was happening and the nominees weren't even read out.
Ben Stiller won the Lifetime Achievement, which I was really happy about. I love that man and his films and he does deserve it. But again, how he got presented with that was ridiculous. Zac Efron, some puppet dog called Triumph [I hope Americans thought this was funny] and Keifer Sutherland. Zac Efron did a good job, saying all his achievements, Triumph kept saying he looked like a monkey and Kiefer just started "crying", blatently upstaging Stiller. If I was Ben Stiller, I would have been more than disappointed.
All I can say is, if MTV keep putting on such a ridiculous awards show, then I will no longer watch it religiously. It wasn't funny despite how hard it tried and the winners didn't get the credit they deserved. I will say I enjoyed the previews and trailers from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, New Moon and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and the fact that Kristen Stewart broke her award by dropping it on the floor the second she got it. Brilliant.
Wolverine (12A)
This film is great if you love unbelieveable stunts and special effects. You know, just like your average, jumping into a helicopter from a car really. Of course, everyone can do that.
Obviously, Wolverine isn't just anyone. In this movie, you get to see how he becomes so strong. He begins as James Logan, a mutant who joins a team of other gifted beings. His decision to leave the group is not taken lightly. Six years later, the leader of the gang, Stryker, comes to tell Logan that someone is killing members of the team. Then his wife is killed by his mutant brother, Victor, and Logan seeks revenge. Sryker puts Loganthrough the Weapon X program, turning him into an unstoppable machine. His skeleton is transformed into a virtually indestructable metal. He is now Wolverine. However, all is not what is seems and Wolverine decides to track down the island where Stryker is experimenting on mutants and stop them. Let the action begin.
This is action film and it doesn't disappoint. If you are after lots of fighting, special effects and explosions, then you've picked the right film. It is enjoyable and the plot isn't that hard to follow either. There are a few plot holes that are noticeable and some parts are unbelievable. Such as, when a falling wall is coming down on Wolverine, another mutant, Gambit, just happens to be there at that exact moment. You just have to go with it rather than be realistic. Overall, I liked this film so I'll give it a 8/10
Obviously, Wolverine isn't just anyone. In this movie, you get to see how he becomes so strong. He begins as James Logan, a mutant who joins a team of other gifted beings. His decision to leave the group is not taken lightly. Six years later, the leader of the gang, Stryker, comes to tell Logan that someone is killing members of the team. Then his wife is killed by his mutant brother, Victor, and Logan seeks revenge. Sryker puts Loganthrough the Weapon X program, turning him into an unstoppable machine. His skeleton is transformed into a virtually indestructable metal. He is now Wolverine. However, all is not what is seems and Wolverine decides to track down the island where Stryker is experimenting on mutants and stop them. Let the action begin.
This is action film and it doesn't disappoint. If you are after lots of fighting, special effects and explosions, then you've picked the right film. It is enjoyable and the plot isn't that hard to follow either. There are a few plot holes that are noticeable and some parts are unbelievable. Such as, when a falling wall is coming down on Wolverine, another mutant, Gambit, just happens to be there at that exact moment. You just have to go with it rather than be realistic. Overall, I liked this film so I'll give it a 8/10
Saturday 6 June 2009
Night at the Museum 2 (PG)
With the first film, people either loved it or hated it and I suppose it will be the same in this one. I loved the first and I LOVED the second. It may be considered simple and stupid but I don't care. It doesn't mean it's not enjoyable and I was laughing all the time.
I didn't read up on the plot before I went so I had no idea what more that could done with the premise of the last one. I went in thinking they would just produce more of the same, and I was right. Basically, it is the same concept but the characters have moved to another museum, the Smithsonian, in Washington DC.
We return to the story and Ben Stiller is now a businessman but he misses working as the nightguard so much that he regularly visits to hang out with the exhibits that come to life due to a magical tablet. One night he gets a phone call from one of the exhibits saying they are in trouble at their new museum. Stiller goes to help them and bring them back to where they belong. When he gets there, he discovers his "friends" are going to be killed by Kahmunrah (Hank Azaria), an Egyptian pharoah, who wants the tablet to unleash his minions from the underworld.
The action is similar to the previous plot- Stiller gets chased by things, blah blah blah. It may be a simple formula but it works as it's just so funny! Stiller is joined this time by Amelia Earheart (Amy Adams), who was the first female pilot. Adams is adorable and brings such enthusiasm to the mission. Every character brings humour to the film- especially Owen Wilson (Jedidiah) and Steve Coogan (Octavius) who are miniture figures with a large attitude.
The special effects are just as good this time, with paintings being jumped into, moving statues and sculptures- keep an eye out for 'The Thinking Man'- he is hilarious!
The film is simple, easy-going and obvious. It's not going to win any awards soon but that's not the point. It's supposed to entertain and entertain it certainly does. The ending is a bit cheesy but it is satisfying and leaves you with a smile on your face. 9/10
I didn't read up on the plot before I went so I had no idea what more that could done with the premise of the last one. I went in thinking they would just produce more of the same, and I was right. Basically, it is the same concept but the characters have moved to another museum, the Smithsonian, in Washington DC.
We return to the story and Ben Stiller is now a businessman but he misses working as the nightguard so much that he regularly visits to hang out with the exhibits that come to life due to a magical tablet. One night he gets a phone call from one of the exhibits saying they are in trouble at their new museum. Stiller goes to help them and bring them back to where they belong. When he gets there, he discovers his "friends" are going to be killed by Kahmunrah (Hank Azaria), an Egyptian pharoah, who wants the tablet to unleash his minions from the underworld.
The action is similar to the previous plot- Stiller gets chased by things, blah blah blah. It may be a simple formula but it works as it's just so funny! Stiller is joined this time by Amelia Earheart (Amy Adams), who was the first female pilot. Adams is adorable and brings such enthusiasm to the mission. Every character brings humour to the film- especially Owen Wilson (Jedidiah) and Steve Coogan (Octavius) who are miniture figures with a large attitude.
The special effects are just as good this time, with paintings being jumped into, moving statues and sculptures- keep an eye out for 'The Thinking Man'- he is hilarious!
The film is simple, easy-going and obvious. It's not going to win any awards soon but that's not the point. It's supposed to entertain and entertain it certainly does. The ending is a bit cheesy but it is satisfying and leaves you with a smile on your face. 9/10
Star Trek (12A)
You don't have to be a Trekkie to like this. I have never seen anything previous to this but I enjoyed the film although a few aspects confused me. But that could just be me and my easy-to-confuse brain.
Chris Pine (from "Just My Luck") stars as Kirk, who is may be the main character but is not stereotypical in the fact that he always get beaten up, without that moment where most "heroes" fight back and kick ass. He is reckless, a rookie and doesn't take life too seriously. He's so cool- he isn't perfect but can manage the Starsip Enterprise like a pro. He's a more relatable than most lead male characters in action films these days.
Zachary Quinto steps away from his most notable role as Sylar in "Heroes" to play Spock, who is half Vulcan, which means he is very clever and so he is assigned captain. My favourite characters are Scotty (Simon Pegg), who is hilarious and Chekov (Anton Yelchin) because he is so enthusiastic about the mission and beaming people up which makes him totally adorable.
The special effects are amazing and that can also be said for the stunts, costumes and make-up (mostly the Spock ears!) The plot follows a mission on the Starship Enterprise, which sounds simple but as soon as time travel gets involved, I lost it. The producer is JJ. Abrahams, the man behind Lost, so I should have expected it really. Kudos to him for simplifying the franchise to make new film watchers understand the concept.
This film is action-packed, funny and very enjoyable. It's better for boys and I base this on my friends that I went to see it with. I was much less enthusiastic about it than they were. Give it a watch, you will be surprised how much you like it. 7/10
Chris Pine (from "Just My Luck") stars as Kirk, who is may be the main character but is not stereotypical in the fact that he always get beaten up, without that moment where most "heroes" fight back and kick ass. He is reckless, a rookie and doesn't take life too seriously. He's so cool- he isn't perfect but can manage the Starsip Enterprise like a pro. He's a more relatable than most lead male characters in action films these days.
Zachary Quinto steps away from his most notable role as Sylar in "Heroes" to play Spock, who is half Vulcan, which means he is very clever and so he is assigned captain. My favourite characters are Scotty (Simon Pegg), who is hilarious and Chekov (Anton Yelchin) because he is so enthusiastic about the mission and beaming people up which makes him totally adorable.
The special effects are amazing and that can also be said for the stunts, costumes and make-up (mostly the Spock ears!) The plot follows a mission on the Starship Enterprise, which sounds simple but as soon as time travel gets involved, I lost it. The producer is JJ. Abrahams, the man behind Lost, so I should have expected it really. Kudos to him for simplifying the franchise to make new film watchers understand the concept.
This film is action-packed, funny and very enjoyable. It's better for boys and I base this on my friends that I went to see it with. I was much less enthusiastic about it than they were. Give it a watch, you will be surprised how much you like it. 7/10
Tuesday 7 April 2009
No Country For Old Men (15)
I had been wanting to see this film for ages because it was so well rated and recieved so many awards, including Best Picture at the Oscars 2008. I must say, I was not disappointed.
This film focuses on Llewlyn Moss (Josh Brolin), who steals some money he finds at the scene of a drug deal gone wrong. Javier Bardem plays the psycopath on his trail to get the money back, and he will not stop at anything to get it. This is essentially a cat-and-mouse tale, but a very very good one.
It is very slow moving with many long sweeping shots of Texan desert landscapes and many scenes were there is very little dialogue. Despite this, I was interested throughout, except a couple of points when I felt Tommy Lee Jones' character was rambling for too long, particuarly towards the end. I also wasn't satisfied with the ending, which really my only problem with the film.
Brolin is amazing and the audience should be rooting for him to prevail throughout. Bardem definitely deserved his Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role- his character lacked all type of life and humanity and was quite terrifying in places. The scenes which involve both leads are especially tense and well paced.
The scenery in the film is spectacular and so is the dialgoue. No wonder the Coen Brothers won Oscars for Best Film, Best Directors and Best Writing. Rating: 4/5
This film focuses on Llewlyn Moss (Josh Brolin), who steals some money he finds at the scene of a drug deal gone wrong. Javier Bardem plays the psycopath on his trail to get the money back, and he will not stop at anything to get it. This is essentially a cat-and-mouse tale, but a very very good one.
It is very slow moving with many long sweeping shots of Texan desert landscapes and many scenes were there is very little dialogue. Despite this, I was interested throughout, except a couple of points when I felt Tommy Lee Jones' character was rambling for too long, particuarly towards the end. I also wasn't satisfied with the ending, which really my only problem with the film.
Brolin is amazing and the audience should be rooting for him to prevail throughout. Bardem definitely deserved his Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role- his character lacked all type of life and humanity and was quite terrifying in places. The scenes which involve both leads are especially tense and well paced.
The scenery in the film is spectacular and so is the dialgoue. No wonder the Coen Brothers won Oscars for Best Film, Best Directors and Best Writing. Rating: 4/5
Jumper (12A)
Hayden Christensen's acting skills have never been praised and I'm not surprised. He is on the same par as Keanu Reeves and this film proves this fact further. Despite this, Jumper is really enjoyable and easy to watch because it is mainly about the action sequences and stunning special effects.
The plot is merely just a chase between "Jumpers" and their hunters, headed by Roland (Samuel L Jackson), who wants to kill all those with the ability to teleport. Christensen plays David, who uses his ability to rob banks and finance his carefree lifestyle from surfing in Fiji one day to having lunch on top of the Sphinx the next day. Things are dandy until he meets fellow Jumper, Griffin (Jamie Bell, of Billy Elliott fame), who makes him aware of the group threatening his life and the lives of the people he loves, such as Millie (Rachel Bilson, who was in The O.C). The two jumpers then team up to fight against the hunters.
The ending is predictable, the dialogue is satisfactory and the lead actor has an inability to show emotion but I stil found the film entertaining. The highlight is a fight scene between David and Griffin, in which they "jump" through many different sets throughout the world while continually fighting. We see places such as the Ocean, The Empire State Building and in a war zone. The special effects here are amazing.
Jackson is brilliant as the villian and keep an eye out for the talented AnnaSophia Robb, most famously known for playing Violet Beauregarde in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Rating: 3/5.
The plot is merely just a chase between "Jumpers" and their hunters, headed by Roland (Samuel L Jackson), who wants to kill all those with the ability to teleport. Christensen plays David, who uses his ability to rob banks and finance his carefree lifestyle from surfing in Fiji one day to having lunch on top of the Sphinx the next day. Things are dandy until he meets fellow Jumper, Griffin (Jamie Bell, of Billy Elliott fame), who makes him aware of the group threatening his life and the lives of the people he loves, such as Millie (Rachel Bilson, who was in The O.C). The two jumpers then team up to fight against the hunters.
The ending is predictable, the dialogue is satisfactory and the lead actor has an inability to show emotion but I stil found the film entertaining. The highlight is a fight scene between David and Griffin, in which they "jump" through many different sets throughout the world while continually fighting. We see places such as the Ocean, The Empire State Building and in a war zone. The special effects here are amazing.
Jackson is brilliant as the villian and keep an eye out for the talented AnnaSophia Robb, most famously known for playing Violet Beauregarde in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Rating: 3/5.
Sunday 22 March 2009
Stardust (PG)
It has an all star cast, ranging from Robert De Niro as a transvestite captain and Michelle Pfeiffer as a witch, and this is the main catch of the movie, and the main reason why I wanted to see it. It comes across as a children's fantasy film, but it is so much more than that, it is a beautiful love story. Tristan is now the new Noah- Notebook fans will understand.
There are many different little stories going on in this film which all manage to tie up in the end. Claire Danes plays Yvaine, who is a star fallen from the sky. Tristan promises Sienna Miller's character, Victoria, that he will catch that falling star and bring it back to her to show her how much he loves her. Tristan sets off on a journey to find the star. Pfeiffer needs to kill the star to make her young again and a set of knights wants the necklace that Yvaine is wearing. All complicated to explain, but easy to follow.
The film really is enjoyable and a nice family film to watch on a Sunday afternoon. Pfeiffer is the exaggerated villain, which is typical in most childrens films and everyone will be wanting Tristan, a ordinary young boy, to win in the battle against the knights and the witches.
It is a wonderful fantasy film, great scenery and costumes and also a great sense of humour. All around entertainment that I would definitely watch again. Rating: 5/5
There are many different little stories going on in this film which all manage to tie up in the end. Claire Danes plays Yvaine, who is a star fallen from the sky. Tristan promises Sienna Miller's character, Victoria, that he will catch that falling star and bring it back to her to show her how much he loves her. Tristan sets off on a journey to find the star. Pfeiffer needs to kill the star to make her young again and a set of knights wants the necklace that Yvaine is wearing. All complicated to explain, but easy to follow.
The film really is enjoyable and a nice family film to watch on a Sunday afternoon. Pfeiffer is the exaggerated villain, which is typical in most childrens films and everyone will be wanting Tristan, a ordinary young boy, to win in the battle against the knights and the witches.
It is a wonderful fantasy film, great scenery and costumes and also a great sense of humour. All around entertainment that I would definitely watch again. Rating: 5/5
Taken (18)
It's a kidnap film. Sure, we have all seen one of these before and maybe it isn't the most original film on the block, but film is these days?! Everything is copy, a revamp, a sequel. Originality maybe not be it's strong point, but the rest of it is.
Taken captured me from the beginning and doesn't let go to the very end. Liam Neeson may not be the first action hero which pops into your head, but he does a damn good job and is very convincing as a devoted father of Maggie Grace, who plays Kim. You may recognise Grace from Lost as Shannon, the spoilt girl that screamed all the time. Not a massive stretch for the actress here then.
Kim goes on a trip across Europe with her friend Amanda and gets kidnapped by a group of dangerous Albanians who want to sell them on the black market. Neeson, her father, is an ex-spy and sets out to find her and will stop at nothing until he does.
Neeson may be getting on a bit but he is incredibly convincing as the determined machine as he races against time through Paris. The fight sequences are amazing and the audience will be striving for his character, Bryan, to kick ass, which he does of course. At times it can be frustrating as he gets so close to his daughter and then another obstacle appears. The electrocution scene might make you a bit squeamish too. Oh, and check out the action skills on Holly Valance, who sang the number one "Kiss, Kiss" back in the day.
Overall, this is an action-packed film suitable both guys and girls in where Neeson puts James Bond to shame. Rating: 4.5/5
Taken captured me from the beginning and doesn't let go to the very end. Liam Neeson may not be the first action hero which pops into your head, but he does a damn good job and is very convincing as a devoted father of Maggie Grace, who plays Kim. You may recognise Grace from Lost as Shannon, the spoilt girl that screamed all the time. Not a massive stretch for the actress here then.
Kim goes on a trip across Europe with her friend Amanda and gets kidnapped by a group of dangerous Albanians who want to sell them on the black market. Neeson, her father, is an ex-spy and sets out to find her and will stop at nothing until he does.
Neeson may be getting on a bit but he is incredibly convincing as the determined machine as he races against time through Paris. The fight sequences are amazing and the audience will be striving for his character, Bryan, to kick ass, which he does of course. At times it can be frustrating as he gets so close to his daughter and then another obstacle appears. The electrocution scene might make you a bit squeamish too. Oh, and check out the action skills on Holly Valance, who sang the number one "Kiss, Kiss" back in the day.
Overall, this is an action-packed film suitable both guys and girls in where Neeson puts James Bond to shame. Rating: 4.5/5
Monday 9 March 2009
Watchmen (18)
It was a very complex graphic novel, so of course it didn't match up.
But since I never read it, it was not an issue. I'm not a graphic novel fan, but I love the films and I really enjoyed Watchmen. It's not up there with my favourites, but it was darn good.
The slow motion action sequences were highly stylised and very impressive. This was the highlight of the film- go see it just for the special effects. The scene at the very beginning establishs whats yet to come.
The story revolves around a set of people who called themselves the 'Minutemen', who protected New York. The majority of them have no extraordinary super powers, like Spiderman, for example, but they are strong agile fighters. When the film is set, the Minutemen have retired and are living normal lives. This is until one of them gets murdered and the investigation leads to many more relevations....
The dialogue is not all that amazing, but this film is all about the action. It is quick, stylish and also quite violent. There were times when I turned away from the screen, and I am a fan of violent genres. But I'm not giving anything away.
The film is rather long, coming in at just over two and half hours long, but I did not feel like it was dragging. There were a few boring places in which I was waiting for more action and violence and it took me a while to understand everyone's character and backstory.
You may recognise actors such as Billy Crudup, who plays Dr. Manhattan and Carla Gugino, who plays Miss Jupiter.
Obviously, the film was never going to match up to the graphic novel, but I think it did a good job. Then again, those who have read it would give a better educated opinion. I recommend this film to anyone who likes superhero films, violence and stylish fight scenes. Rating: 3.5/ 5
But since I never read it, it was not an issue. I'm not a graphic novel fan, but I love the films and I really enjoyed Watchmen. It's not up there with my favourites, but it was darn good.
The slow motion action sequences were highly stylised and very impressive. This was the highlight of the film- go see it just for the special effects. The scene at the very beginning establishs whats yet to come.
The story revolves around a set of people who called themselves the 'Minutemen', who protected New York. The majority of them have no extraordinary super powers, like Spiderman, for example, but they are strong agile fighters. When the film is set, the Minutemen have retired and are living normal lives. This is until one of them gets murdered and the investigation leads to many more relevations....
The dialogue is not all that amazing, but this film is all about the action. It is quick, stylish and also quite violent. There were times when I turned away from the screen, and I am a fan of violent genres. But I'm not giving anything away.
The film is rather long, coming in at just over two and half hours long, but I did not feel like it was dragging. There were a few boring places in which I was waiting for more action and violence and it took me a while to understand everyone's character and backstory.
You may recognise actors such as Billy Crudup, who plays Dr. Manhattan and Carla Gugino, who plays Miss Jupiter.
Obviously, the film was never going to match up to the graphic novel, but I think it did a good job. Then again, those who have read it would give a better educated opinion. I recommend this film to anyone who likes superhero films, violence and stylish fight scenes. Rating: 3.5/ 5
Monday 16 February 2009
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (12A)
This film was nominated for many Oscars, BAFTAs and Golden Globes, yet failed to win any major categories. This is a shame, because it is beautiful, well told and superbly acted.
Brad Pitt shows that he can really act here. He plays Benjamin, who was born with a biological age of an 80-year-old, with arthritis and wrinkles. We follow Benjamin's life through the years, and amazingly, he becomes younger with age. He ages backwards. When he looks on screen as the Brad us females know and love, he is in fact about sixty.
We see him progress from a wheelchair bound cripple to a fully functional man, and the obstacles he has to overcome, such as his feelings for Lily (Cate Blanchett).
The film begins in New Orleans just after WWI and spans his entire life, which means the film is quite long. A little too long for my liking and in parts, it is a bit too slow moving. Some may find this boring, but I found myself more interested and really rooting for Benjamin.
The story is told by Blanchett's daughter, whose narrations switches to Pitt's when the film shifts back in the past. The special effects to create the old Benjamin and the make-up for the teenage Benjamin are remarkable and very convincing.
Pitt deserved all the nominations for this but I didn't feel that Cate's heart was in it enough. The emotional end to the film did not hit me like emotional endings usually do.
This is a film for anyone who can appreciate it as a long, slow-moving look at someone's astonishing life. Rating: 4/5
Brad Pitt shows that he can really act here. He plays Benjamin, who was born with a biological age of an 80-year-old, with arthritis and wrinkles. We follow Benjamin's life through the years, and amazingly, he becomes younger with age. He ages backwards. When he looks on screen as the Brad us females know and love, he is in fact about sixty.
We see him progress from a wheelchair bound cripple to a fully functional man, and the obstacles he has to overcome, such as his feelings for Lily (Cate Blanchett).
The film begins in New Orleans just after WWI and spans his entire life, which means the film is quite long. A little too long for my liking and in parts, it is a bit too slow moving. Some may find this boring, but I found myself more interested and really rooting for Benjamin.
The story is told by Blanchett's daughter, whose narrations switches to Pitt's when the film shifts back in the past. The special effects to create the old Benjamin and the make-up for the teenage Benjamin are remarkable and very convincing.
Pitt deserved all the nominations for this but I didn't feel that Cate's heart was in it enough. The emotional end to the film did not hit me like emotional endings usually do.
This is a film for anyone who can appreciate it as a long, slow-moving look at someone's astonishing life. Rating: 4/5
The House Bunny (12A)
At the beginning of The House Bunny, you think this is going to be one of those overly stupid comedies, which tries so hard to be funny that it actually isn't. And you would be right in thinking that at the beginning.
I tried so hard not to like at as it seemed so fake and false to start with, especially with Anna Faris playing the lead character, Shelley. Faris, most famous for her role in the Scary Movie films, is not known for her strong acting and she does not disappoint her.
Shelley lives at the Playboy Mansion although she is not a Playboy centrefold. She gets kicked out by a rival Bunny at the age of 27 and has nowhere to live. She discovers a sorority house which is going to be shut down if they do not get any more pledges, because it is full of "losers", and Shelley decides to become their house mother.
The plot is simple and predictable. As many films before this one, you know that the losers will be transformed into "hotties" and that the sorority house will be saved in the end, with sentiments about friendship and appreciating who you are along the way.
That being said, I found myself laughing and cringing a lot. Boys will like this as Shelley spends the whole film in the tiniest outfits ever. The rivals are typical bitches which brings nothing original to the table at all. Also, listen out for Keily Williams' terrible English accent and spot Bruce Willis' daughter, Rumer, and All-American Rejects frontman, Tyson Ritter.
All in all, this is quite a funny film, which requires no thinking whatsoever so if you want to see something for a girly get-together, The House Bunny is for you. Rating: 2/5
I tried so hard not to like at as it seemed so fake and false to start with, especially with Anna Faris playing the lead character, Shelley. Faris, most famous for her role in the Scary Movie films, is not known for her strong acting and she does not disappoint her.
Shelley lives at the Playboy Mansion although she is not a Playboy centrefold. She gets kicked out by a rival Bunny at the age of 27 and has nowhere to live. She discovers a sorority house which is going to be shut down if they do not get any more pledges, because it is full of "losers", and Shelley decides to become their house mother.
The plot is simple and predictable. As many films before this one, you know that the losers will be transformed into "hotties" and that the sorority house will be saved in the end, with sentiments about friendship and appreciating who you are along the way.
That being said, I found myself laughing and cringing a lot. Boys will like this as Shelley spends the whole film in the tiniest outfits ever. The rivals are typical bitches which brings nothing original to the table at all. Also, listen out for Keily Williams' terrible English accent and spot Bruce Willis' daughter, Rumer, and All-American Rejects frontman, Tyson Ritter.
All in all, this is quite a funny film, which requires no thinking whatsoever so if you want to see something for a girly get-together, The House Bunny is for you. Rating: 2/5
Sunday 15 February 2009
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (12A)
I have to admit, I was not captured by the trailer or the premise of the film. I am also not a huge Woody Allen fan. But this film works, it's weird, it's quirky, and I liked it.
The film stars Scarlett Johansson (Cristina) and Rebecca Hall (Vicky), two American tourists vacationing in Barcelona for the summer. Vicky is sensible and engaged, whereas Cristina is hopeless in love and slightly reckless. One night they meet Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem) who invites them to stay with him for the weekend. He pursues Cristina, but then sleeps with Vicky and then his ex-wife Maria Elena returns on the scene.....
The plot is simple and the pace is relaxed, reflecting the exquisite landscape in which the film is set. It seems like a old style romance film rather than modern day, but after all this is a Woody Allen film.
The narration within it is rather annoying to say the least and I it felt like sections from a book were being read out. It pointed out obvious things, such as: 'Vicky went for walk', in which we can clearly see that Vicky is doing just that. It didn't feel right.
Things spice up when Maria Elena arrives on the scene after attempting to kill herself. She is the best character in this film and Penelope Cruz portays her unstable mind perfectly. I have never been a huge fan of Cruz in American films, but in this, she steals all her scenes and deserves her Best Supporting Actress BAFTA.
I would recommend this film to anyone wanting to watch a chilled film about love with some girl friends. This is not a film for males at all, despite the promise of a kiss between Cruz and Johansson. Rating: 3/5
The film stars Scarlett Johansson (Cristina) and Rebecca Hall (Vicky), two American tourists vacationing in Barcelona for the summer. Vicky is sensible and engaged, whereas Cristina is hopeless in love and slightly reckless. One night they meet Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem) who invites them to stay with him for the weekend. He pursues Cristina, but then sleeps with Vicky and then his ex-wife Maria Elena returns on the scene.....
The plot is simple and the pace is relaxed, reflecting the exquisite landscape in which the film is set. It seems like a old style romance film rather than modern day, but after all this is a Woody Allen film.
The narration within it is rather annoying to say the least and I it felt like sections from a book were being read out. It pointed out obvious things, such as: 'Vicky went for walk', in which we can clearly see that Vicky is doing just that. It didn't feel right.
Things spice up when Maria Elena arrives on the scene after attempting to kill herself. She is the best character in this film and Penelope Cruz portays her unstable mind perfectly. I have never been a huge fan of Cruz in American films, but in this, she steals all her scenes and deserves her Best Supporting Actress BAFTA.
I would recommend this film to anyone wanting to watch a chilled film about love with some girl friends. This is not a film for males at all, despite the promise of a kiss between Cruz and Johansson. Rating: 3/5
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