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
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
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
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