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 The old director, Catherine Hardwicke has been replaced by Chris Weitz and he certainly does the second book justice.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.
Thursday 26 November 2009
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.
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