Archive for Films
Film Roundup – The Good, The Bad & The Average
Talk about the definition of a lazy weekend. I love films and recently I’ve been taking full advantage of Sky Go. Everyone’s been harking on about Netflix’s arrival in the UK and while it is indeed a good service, Sky Go has a huge selection of constantly changing films available. This weekend I’ve watched (all for the first time):
- The Good, The Bad And The Ugly
- Daybreakers
- Africa United
- Hanna (DVD)
Last weekend it was:
- The Other Guys
- Howl (DVD – it lived up to my expectations).
- The Book of Eli
Have you seen any of the above? Let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. I’m hoping to see The Artist soon.
Mini Review: The Book of Eli
The last film post I wrote was Paranormal Activity 3. Today I’m discussing The Book of Eli, a post-apocalyptic action film with Denzel Washington. Aside from religious peddling, it was actually a decent watch. I’d wanted to see it when it was released at the cinema, but Empire’s review put me off and I thought it’d be wise to wait for it to reach Sky.
The vision of a nuclear-destroyed America isn’t new – in fact, I Am Legend and The Road both deal with similar issues. Law and order destroyed, scroungers roam the barren scarred landscape, human morals destroyed – they’re grim films and The Book of Eli is no different. People do whatever they have to tosurvive. Cannibalism’s rife and it’s touched upon in an intriguing way. It’s a lingering demon, threatening the cast but never really showing its face.
Rabid cats are eaten, shampoo is the Holy Grail and Denzel chops up plenty of people in defence of a book he’s carrying. The Book in fact, or if you’re not of Christian descent – The Holy Bible. There’s a fantastic twist at the end (one that reminds me of Fahrenheit 451) and while Mila Kunis stumbles, it’s a competent film overall.
For a short, arguably male-orientated film you can’t go wrong.
Oh, and I have a Cineworld Unlimted card so I can go to the cinema as often as I want for just £17.99/month. I’ve already seen Puss in Boots and Mission Impossible 4.
Thoughts on Paranormal Activity 3
Courtesy of Kroq
It’s been a while since I shared thoughts on a film – the last piece of cinema was Rise of the Planet of the Apes. However, today’s film is a different beast so a bit of context is necessary. I advise you read up here on the first Paranormal Activity film. My review of Insidious is also fairly helpful.
Anyway, to matter at hand – the continuation of said naturalistic camera horror franchise. I didn’t discuss the second in the series because there wasn’t anything new about it. Bar some unexpected daylight shocks, it was a near carbon copy. It continued the overarching story and was proficient at providing similar horror as the first.
The third is a different beast, generally occupying a similar narrative structure until the final third when it turns the concept on its head. There are still long bouts of tension where nothing actually happens, but it’s a Paranormal Activity film – that’s to be expected.
What’s interesting is how it makes horror convention fresh. Arguably it could be considered extremely classic, sharing much of its DNA with Rosemary’s Baby. As is always the case, less is more. Seeing nothing is the way to draw terror from an audience. The human imagination is the best actor. Eyes flitter across the scene, desperately trying to decipher whether something is amiss. A limited viewpoint, often from static camera shots and actor controlled shakey-cam, keeps you from relieving your sweaty palms.
Halloscream
To discuss the conclusion of the reverse trilogy would be unfair – the cause of the horror is revealed, but in a way that retains the art of subtle filmmaking. It totally avoids over the top spectacle. Nothing will come near the original’s low budget genius and fantastic cast, but the third is a great way to bow out.
I’m hoping this is the end – it would certainly earn the film makers respect. The yearly Halloween SAW helping has its gap filled by Paranormal the last three years and rightfully so.
Sadly a box office pull of $50 million in its opening US week suggests that it might not be all over just yet. Only time will tell.
Rise of the Reboots
Copyright: Marco Fiori 2010
Last weekend I went to see Rise of the Planet of the Apes of the Talking Monkeys of the Earth of the… OK. You get the idea. I’m a massive fan of the original (1968), and by now everyone knows its iconic ending. We’ll gloss over the fact it received a ton of sub-standard sequels (although the direct sequel wasn’t too bad) and we’ll definitely burn the remake a few years ago from our minds.
Anyway, the prequel with James Franco (who I lovingly throw praise over here and here), actually caught me by surprise. The older I get, I seem to be moving more and more way from computer generation in films. It’s just unfulfilling and while mindless entertainment is all good when you’re tired, it certainly doesn’t replace the need for a good story. 3D’s an even worse devil.
However, despite being a slow burner (a good hour erupts before anything really happens), it’s a film that’s fairly strong in acting talent (although the female love-interest’s pretty pants) and convincing CG. In fact, it has the most astonishing computer generation seen since Avatar or prior to that, Jurassic Park. It’s obviously farfetched (that’s Science Fiction for you), but if you can let your imagination run a little, it’s actually an enjoyable film with plenty of respectful fan service.
There’s a great “oh, holy ****” moment in it which isn’t worth spoiling. If you’re looking for a decent reboot, go see it. It’s certainly got less penis in it than The Inbetweeners Movie.
Did I mention our client made the Sunday Times…
Harry Hitman & The Half Pint Portman
So following on from my Top 20 Games of All Time list and the fact that Sinan keeps sending shoutouts my way, I thought it would be good to revive this a little. It’s been a while since I’ve had inspiration to write on here (although you could call the Japan photographs as inspiring), but having spent a lazy Saturday watching films, I wanted to clear my head. It’s a bit like old times.
The last cinematic thing I mused about was Men of a Certain Age, a fantastic TNT series that was sadly cancelled after its second season. Film wise, it was a review of Insidious way back in May.
Today I saw the final installation of the uber-grossing Harry Potter series and on DVD, Leon (1994). Both have a trope I thought would be interesting to discuss. Ageing.
Now, growing up with film franchises is something that’s wonderful – no matter what your age, nostalgia and rose-tinted glasses will place certain films in your heart forever. For someone born in 1988, stories like Jurassic Park, Toy Story, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings do just that. Harry Potter 7 Pt 2 is probably the last film series to end that associates itself with my childhood.
That aside, it’s been fascinating as ever to watch the cast grow from stumbling early teens to young adults (aka, me). Watching people grow up on screen is an astonishing thing and in twenty years, it’ll be an a worthwhile endeavour in returning to them. There’s already been countless words written on how Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson have [fill-in-the-blank] over the years. Wide eyed stars to mature craftspeople.
What this does provide is an intriguing backdrop to watching Leon. It’s got Jean Reno (who seems to never age), Gary Oldman and a young Natalie Portman. Seeing the 30 year old star of Black Swan reverse in age to a cute, but gutsy 13 year old is surreal. Many children change substantially over the years, but Portman looks peculiarly grown up (something the direction plays upon). It’s odd sexual undertones remind a lot of Kubrick’s Lolita – it’s an uncomfrotable position for an audience to be put in, especially with the retrospective insight provided by 16 years ageing.
It certainly draws comparison with the clever Kick Ass, but we’re yet to see the effect of 16 years. Going back in time is by far more powerful – you only have to look at a young Jodie Foster in Taxi Driver to know what I mean.
Fascinating. Also Leon / Harry Potter are both great films, so if you’ve yet to see them, rectify that.
