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danwildv
Reviews
Les Misérables (2012)
A great bridge between Hollywood and Broadway.
This is less of a review and more of a reply to the negativity surrounding this film.
May I just start by saying that I saw this production on Broadway when I was about ten years old and maybe because of my age, it was never something that appealed to me but now at the tender age of 31, I find myself a lot more open minded. Not remembering the story, I was completely in the dark with what to expect from this movie. Quite honestly I was blown away and found it to be mesmerising.
Some reviewers have complained that it's nowhere near as good as the live stage production but I think that these very same people are missing the point. This is an on screen adaptation of the very well known musical and there has to be some sort of bridge here. I'm sure those who live for the theatre would rather have the full Broadway crew cast for the film but for this to work on a more commercial level, you must have some well known actors. Okay, so they can't carry out the songs with the power and intensity of stage performers but you've got to say they did reasonably well considering.
The way I see it, for someone like myself who doesn't read books and just thoroughly enjoys film, it's really opened my mind and has given me more motivation now to go to the theatre, more than I ever would before. Like I say it's a bridge between Hollywood and Broadway that I feel works very well. Hats off to the cast who really made this film what it is. Although it may look a bit of an outcast compared to the rest of my collection, this will be one Blu ray I'll be buying very soon.
PS. To the reviewer who said that it's ridiculous to get 19 years for stealing bread, had you have been paying attention, you'd know that he was given 5 years for stealing and the rest of his time given was for trying to escape. Please get your facts right before submitting your nonsense. You just end up looking daft.
Atrocious (2010)
Ticks all the boxes for me!!
Although quite a short film, I found this to be very enjoyable. I have read quite a few mixed reviews on this title, so I'd thought I'd write this review and get right down to the basics and summarise the general points of this film.
As mentioned the film is short (75 minutes to be exact) but with a film of this type you really don't notice due the build up of suspense. The majority of the film is spent building up and heightening suspense for the viewer to a climax of thrills and jaw dropping moments. Adding unnecessary scenes purely to length the film is pointless so the running time of an hour and a quarter is justified in this case.
The only other Spanish films that I've seen of this type are "Rec" and "Rec2" which I rate quite highly, and it's good to see that "Atrocious" keeps up with these titles. It seems that the Spanish can pull off a good 'handycam horror' when they want to.
Some reviewers complained that the camera shots throughout the film were too shaky. This was done on purpose to create the effect of amateurism and realism. According to the director, many films that use the same effect throughout their films, seem to lose the amateur style and become more professional as the film goes on ie. losing it's authenticity. Also, none of the actors were given a full script so they would learn the story as shooting progressed to add to the realism.
The best part of "Atrocious" for me was the waiting and expectancy of something to pop up when in the thick of it and the director did a great job not letting you see too much before you should. Sometimes you have nothing to fear but fear itself!
Along with a great twist, this film is definitely one I would recommend. It's not going to win any awards but it certainly sets out to do what it intends to do, which is get you involved in the story, get you a little intrigued and then make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up! 75 minutes well spent!