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.
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