Title: District 9
Director: Neill Blomkamp
Starring: Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope, David James
Genre: Science-fiction thriller
Certificate: 15
Rating: ****
Apart from a rather slow start, this film proved to definitely be worthwhile watching. The special effects were absolutely stunning for such a low-budget film, whilst the acting was brilliant, along with the screenplay. There was the exact right amount of gore, and in places, some of the actions of all the characters were appalling.
This is by no means one of the best films ever made, but it is definitely worth watching, and enjoying.
Saturday, 30 January 2010
Monday, 25 January 2010
Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Title: Inglourious Basterds
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Genre: War/black comedy
Starring: Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, Mélanie Laurent
Certificate: 18
Rating: *****
This is an outstanding film. Tarantino again proves that he is one of the finest directors in the history of film. Brad Pitt portrays his character BRILLIANTLY, and the mixture between French, German, and English works extremely well.
One of the things I respect and admire most about Tarantino's work is the way the scenes just play out, in so much more of a realistic way: each scene is long, yet they never become boring. Every little attention to detail is there - the actors are cast perfectly and seem to have the crucial understanding of their characters. Not to mention that this film is HILARIOUS.
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Genre: War/black comedy
Starring: Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, Mélanie Laurent
Certificate: 18
Rating: *****
This is an outstanding film. Tarantino again proves that he is one of the finest directors in the history of film. Brad Pitt portrays his character BRILLIANTLY, and the mixture between French, German, and English works extremely well.
One of the things I respect and admire most about Tarantino's work is the way the scenes just play out, in so much more of a realistic way: each scene is long, yet they never become boring. Every little attention to detail is there - the actors are cast perfectly and seem to have the crucial understanding of their characters. Not to mention that this film is HILARIOUS.
Death Proof (2007)
Title: Death Proof
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Genre: Action
Starring: Kurt Russell, Zoë Bell, Rosario Dawson, Vanessa Ferlito, Jordan Ladd, Sydney Tamiia Poitier, Tracie Thoms, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Rose McGowan.
Age certificate: 18
Rating: ***
This has got to be one of the most pointless films ever made. For the majority of the time it is on, nothing is happening, then suddenly, a load of action takes place. Although the visuals are stunning, and Tarantino does, as always, a brilliant job, it is still nowhere near his best work, and is actually pretty boring most of the time.
What redeems this film are the brilliant fight/death scenes, at the middle, and right at the end.
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Genre: Action
Starring: Kurt Russell, Zoë Bell, Rosario Dawson, Vanessa Ferlito, Jordan Ladd, Sydney Tamiia Poitier, Tracie Thoms, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Rose McGowan.
Age certificate: 18
Rating: ***
This has got to be one of the most pointless films ever made. For the majority of the time it is on, nothing is happening, then suddenly, a load of action takes place. Although the visuals are stunning, and Tarantino does, as always, a brilliant job, it is still nowhere near his best work, and is actually pretty boring most of the time.
What redeems this film are the brilliant fight/death scenes, at the middle, and right at the end.
Monday, 2 November 2009
All the Real Girls (2003)
Title: All the Real Girls
Year: 2003
Director: David Gordon Green
Starring: Paul Schneider, Zooey Deschanel, Shea Whigham, Patricia Clarkson
Genre: Romantic drama
Certificate: 15
Rating: **
I decided to watch this film after seeing Zooey Deschanel in (500) Days of Summer, and, fancying a romance, this seemed like the film to watch.
Although the plot (and script) of the film is interesting, the way in which it is presented just does not work. I hasten to add that the second-half of the film is much better than the first, however it seems like some scenes are only put in there to make the films seem more beautiful, and have nothing to do with driving the plot forwards. The characters are hard to understand, and, although probably a more realistic take on love than a lot of films, they tend to be slightly boring.
I'm not saying the whole film is bad - the second half, and the acting, is good, it's just the way the film is that makes it not work.
Year: 2003
Director: David Gordon Green
Starring: Paul Schneider, Zooey Deschanel, Shea Whigham, Patricia Clarkson
Genre: Romantic drama
Certificate: 15
Rating: **
I decided to watch this film after seeing Zooey Deschanel in (500) Days of Summer, and, fancying a romance, this seemed like the film to watch.
Although the plot (and script) of the film is interesting, the way in which it is presented just does not work. I hasten to add that the second-half of the film is much better than the first, however it seems like some scenes are only put in there to make the films seem more beautiful, and have nothing to do with driving the plot forwards. The characters are hard to understand, and, although probably a more realistic take on love than a lot of films, they tend to be slightly boring.
I'm not saying the whole film is bad - the second half, and the acting, is good, it's just the way the film is that makes it not work.
Saturday, 17 October 2009
(500) Days Of Summer
Title: (500) Days of Summer
Director: Marc Webb
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel
Genre: romantic comedy
Year: 2009
Certificate: 12
Rating: *****
This film is a completely original, brilliant thing. It is told in a non-linear sequence, leaving the viewer piecing together their version of what has happened during events, and then either being proven correct, or incorrect. Also, the comedic side of it is actually funny, whenever it is meant to be, something rarely seen in recent comedies.
Not only is it funny, but it is also a moving and slightly upsetting film, due to it not exactly being about falling in love, more about falling OUT of it, and taking chances. Although the main characters have a very sweet relationship, it obviously will not work out as she is not quite into it enough. Another interesting thing about this film is that it is the girl who doesn't believe in love, whilst the man is a hopeless romantic, which is a pleasant change from the norm. One last interesting point is that the director obviously was not afraid to try something different, due to one scene in which he splits the screen in half, one side being how the protagonist is imagining things to go, the other side in which they actually do go. This scene is slightly out of sync, until the same things happen in both, which makes it less confusing.
This film is, definitely, a new favourite.
Director: Marc Webb
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel
Genre: romantic comedy
Year: 2009
Certificate: 12
Rating: *****
This film is a completely original, brilliant thing. It is told in a non-linear sequence, leaving the viewer piecing together their version of what has happened during events, and then either being proven correct, or incorrect. Also, the comedic side of it is actually funny, whenever it is meant to be, something rarely seen in recent comedies.
Not only is it funny, but it is also a moving and slightly upsetting film, due to it not exactly being about falling in love, more about falling OUT of it, and taking chances. Although the main characters have a very sweet relationship, it obviously will not work out as she is not quite into it enough. Another interesting thing about this film is that it is the girl who doesn't believe in love, whilst the man is a hopeless romantic, which is a pleasant change from the norm. One last interesting point is that the director obviously was not afraid to try something different, due to one scene in which he splits the screen in half, one side being how the protagonist is imagining things to go, the other side in which they actually do go. This scene is slightly out of sync, until the same things happen in both, which makes it less confusing.
This film is, definitely, a new favourite.
Monday, 21 September 2009
The Time Traveler's Wife
Title: The Time Traveler's Wife
Year: 2009
Director: Robert Schwentke
Starring: Eric Bana, Rachel McAdams, Ron Livingston
Genre: Fantasy romance
Certificate: 12
Rating: **** (good)
I would not say that The Time Traveler's Wife is a 'special' or 'different' film. It certainly is not. But what it is is something extremely enjoyable. The film has a good idea, based on what I am told is a wonderful book. However, along with all time-travel films, there are some things that are not explained well-enough. For example, why he travels, why he cannot control it and his daughter can (kind of), and how he knows when he is going to miss certain events and so travels from the future in order to make them (for example, his wedding).
Although their marriage does work out (well...he dies, but that does not exactly mean that the marriage did not work well), the film does follow the arguments that would be involved if you married a time traveler, for example, he is not always there when you need him, and carrying a baby to term is extremely difficult.
As usual, McAdams' performance is flawless, and so is the rest of the cast's. Quite a few scenes are well-done, including a beautiful moment that involves a hand print on a window, and the moment in which their daughter grows up, which is a kind of montage.
All in all, The Time Traveler's Wife is a good film. It's just not that good.
Year: 2009
Director: Robert Schwentke
Starring: Eric Bana, Rachel McAdams, Ron Livingston
Genre: Fantasy romance
Certificate: 12
Rating: **** (good)
I would not say that The Time Traveler's Wife is a 'special' or 'different' film. It certainly is not. But what it is is something extremely enjoyable. The film has a good idea, based on what I am told is a wonderful book. However, along with all time-travel films, there are some things that are not explained well-enough. For example, why he travels, why he cannot control it and his daughter can (kind of), and how he knows when he is going to miss certain events and so travels from the future in order to make them (for example, his wedding).
Although their marriage does work out (well...he dies, but that does not exactly mean that the marriage did not work well), the film does follow the arguments that would be involved if you married a time traveler, for example, he is not always there when you need him, and carrying a baby to term is extremely difficult.
As usual, McAdams' performance is flawless, and so is the rest of the cast's. Quite a few scenes are well-done, including a beautiful moment that involves a hand print on a window, and the moment in which their daughter grows up, which is a kind of montage.
All in all, The Time Traveler's Wife is a good film. It's just not that good.
Friday, 4 September 2009
Black Water
Title: Black Water
Year: 2008
Director: Andrew Traucki, David Nerlich
Starring: Diana Glenn, Maeve Dermody, Andy Rodoreda
Genre: Survival, horror, thriller
Certificate: 15
Rating: **** (awesome)
Black Water is similar in style to Open Water, in the fact that it is basically a bunch of people attempting to survive a deadly creature, with no means of contacting anybody to help. I expecting Black Water to be dreary, predictable, and cheesey. However, as soon as the film starts, you immediately start to like it due to its fantastic soundtrack and cast. Although the cast are not well-known, they definitely have talent, and I look forward to seeing them in other films.
Two sisters, and one of their partners, decide to go on a fishing trip, before their boat is over-turned by a viscious and hungry crocodile who immediately kills their guide. The three protagonists camp out in a tree, with no supplies and no means of escape. The crocodile also returns regularly to the source of food, and they have to devise a way to get back to their boat without being eaten, get the engine working, and sail back to the mainland.
The film has extremely good effects, keeps you perched on the edge of your seat, has you shouting at the TV screen, and your pulse racing against Usain Bolt. It is a completely non-cheesey, serious, and somewhat devastating film that will make you value your family and friends, and (most likely) fear crocodiles.
Year: 2008
Director: Andrew Traucki, David Nerlich
Starring: Diana Glenn, Maeve Dermody, Andy Rodoreda
Genre: Survival, horror, thriller
Certificate: 15
Rating: **** (awesome)
Black Water is similar in style to Open Water, in the fact that it is basically a bunch of people attempting to survive a deadly creature, with no means of contacting anybody to help. I expecting Black Water to be dreary, predictable, and cheesey. However, as soon as the film starts, you immediately start to like it due to its fantastic soundtrack and cast. Although the cast are not well-known, they definitely have talent, and I look forward to seeing them in other films.
Two sisters, and one of their partners, decide to go on a fishing trip, before their boat is over-turned by a viscious and hungry crocodile who immediately kills their guide. The three protagonists camp out in a tree, with no supplies and no means of escape. The crocodile also returns regularly to the source of food, and they have to devise a way to get back to their boat without being eaten, get the engine working, and sail back to the mainland.
The film has extremely good effects, keeps you perched on the edge of your seat, has you shouting at the TV screen, and your pulse racing against Usain Bolt. It is a completely non-cheesey, serious, and somewhat devastating film that will make you value your family and friends, and (most likely) fear crocodiles.
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