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.
Thursday, 12 November 2009
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
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