What more can I say? A true representation of modern love. Bryan Cranston sings, James Franco sparkles, I am enraptured in the tumultuous silliness of this idyllic and comedic tale
Reviews
7 Reviews
500 Days of Summer
(2009)
A Rom Com, but Not a Rom Com
9 July 2013
Tom Hansen (Joseph Gordon Levitt) is a man who thinks himself of no importance. Working in a greeting card company, he is wandering around almost aimlessly in his current life, doing a job he hates and being taught life lessons from his younger sister (Chloe Moretz), who was surprisingly excellent n this movie.
Until he meets Summer (Zooey Deschanel).
Tom has always believed in true love. In a Great Love no less. And he is thoroughly and adamantly convinced that Summer is his Great Love. But Summer, unfortunately has other ideas about love.
The movie was very atmospherically shot, almost as if it could have been an indie comic strip. The good days were bright and cheerful, and the bad days were dark and moody. The soundtrack was perfect, Regina Spektor and The Temper Trap contrasting beautifully with the sweeping scenes of Tom's doodled life.
I loved this movie; it was a romantic comedy, but it wasn't. It was funny, heartfelt, and injected with a surprising amount of genuine sadness. It really captured my attention, and I was pleasantly taken aback by JGL and Deschanel's performances.
I almost shed a tear.
And I quote from the movie: This is a story about love, not a love story.
Until he meets Summer (Zooey Deschanel).
Tom has always believed in true love. In a Great Love no less. And he is thoroughly and adamantly convinced that Summer is his Great Love. But Summer, unfortunately has other ideas about love.
The movie was very atmospherically shot, almost as if it could have been an indie comic strip. The good days were bright and cheerful, and the bad days were dark and moody. The soundtrack was perfect, Regina Spektor and The Temper Trap contrasting beautifully with the sweeping scenes of Tom's doodled life.
I loved this movie; it was a romantic comedy, but it wasn't. It was funny, heartfelt, and injected with a surprising amount of genuine sadness. It really captured my attention, and I was pleasantly taken aback by JGL and Deschanel's performances.
I almost shed a tear.
And I quote from the movie: This is a story about love, not a love story.
This Is the End
(2013)
Not something you want to bring your grandmother along to
8 July 2013
If you're looking for a movie that will inspire you, or a film that initiates new thoughts and feelings, and is for definite the next Oscar winner for Best Picture, you have come to the wrong movie. This is the End is what you would call 'light watching'. It is named a comedy, because it is a comedy, and delivers gags and laughs in abundance.
Set in the current time, it is almost a parody movie of the biblical apocalypse. But the underlying theme that the movie keeps reverting back to, is no matter how famous or rich you are, when there is an apocalypse, only those who are worthy and good will survive. The laughs centered almost entirely on penis jokes. And yes, most of them were hilarious. But you most certainly would not bring your in laws or grandparents along to this picture, as there would be very little to say on the car ride home!
Set with an all star cast, it was very entertaining to see the assumed characters of the celebrities we love/hate and read about every day. Michael Cera being easily the most unlikely and snigger-worthy of them all.
A pretty stupid movie in summary, but if you're looking for an easy laugh, or you're feeling blue, reluctantly pay the overpriced tickets for this, because you'll almost certainly cheer up by the time the credits roll.
Set in the current time, it is almost a parody movie of the biblical apocalypse. But the underlying theme that the movie keeps reverting back to, is no matter how famous or rich you are, when there is an apocalypse, only those who are worthy and good will survive. The laughs centered almost entirely on penis jokes. And yes, most of them were hilarious. But you most certainly would not bring your in laws or grandparents along to this picture, as there would be very little to say on the car ride home!
Set with an all star cast, it was very entertaining to see the assumed characters of the celebrities we love/hate and read about every day. Michael Cera being easily the most unlikely and snigger-worthy of them all.
A pretty stupid movie in summary, but if you're looking for an easy laugh, or you're feeling blue, reluctantly pay the overpriced tickets for this, because you'll almost certainly cheer up by the time the credits roll.
False Trail
(2011)
A good, enjoyable mystery
6 December 2012
False Trail is named, and put under the heading, of a thriller. Because of the lack of actually thrilling thrillers, this title didn't mean much to me. But Kjell Sundvall's movie really does as it says on the tin.
In this Swedish sequel, we follow Erik Bäckström, an aging policeman called down to his old home town where a young woman has gone missing. Here we watch a murder case unfold, and are not only confronted with Erik's painful past, but are lead into a deeper, more sinister mystery than we initially imagined.
What first hits you about this movie is the dark, dense setting. Set in the picturesque woods of Norrland Sweden, you're struck by wintry lakes and friendly faces. In the beginning, the characters seem like boring, basically normal people. But when we delve into the mystery, and the first inklings of doubt and suspicion creep in, things begin to escalate, and our opinions change at every twist.
This movie really kept me alive and thinking. Its plot twists were calculated and realistic, and the acting was superb. Peter Stromare's character was fantastically played; everything we once thought we knew about him is warped and distorted until we see the character that he is. Through tongue-in-cheek gore and unprecedented acts of violence, this story will make you jump in your seat and question every motive.
Without giving too much away, notice Sundvall's directing; cutting into the truth like a fly on the wall, and letting the chaos run wild around him, until the characters realise the daunting reality just a step too late. Excellently done. In total, a well thought-through movie that did indeed thrill.
In this Swedish sequel, we follow Erik Bäckström, an aging policeman called down to his old home town where a young woman has gone missing. Here we watch a murder case unfold, and are not only confronted with Erik's painful past, but are lead into a deeper, more sinister mystery than we initially imagined.
What first hits you about this movie is the dark, dense setting. Set in the picturesque woods of Norrland Sweden, you're struck by wintry lakes and friendly faces. In the beginning, the characters seem like boring, basically normal people. But when we delve into the mystery, and the first inklings of doubt and suspicion creep in, things begin to escalate, and our opinions change at every twist.
This movie really kept me alive and thinking. Its plot twists were calculated and realistic, and the acting was superb. Peter Stromare's character was fantastically played; everything we once thought we knew about him is warped and distorted until we see the character that he is. Through tongue-in-cheek gore and unprecedented acts of violence, this story will make you jump in your seat and question every motive.
Without giving too much away, notice Sundvall's directing; cutting into the truth like a fly on the wall, and letting the chaos run wild around him, until the characters realise the daunting reality just a step too late. Excellently done. In total, a well thought-through movie that did indeed thrill.
Lawless
(2012)
yeah..
4 December 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Nick Cave's Lawless contains every variable for a fantastic movie: Tom Hardy, a rich story, and a dusty, cinematic setting. Based on Matt Bondurant's novel The Wettest Country in the World, we follow the three Bondurant brothers in 1930's Virginia as they strive to succeed in the Prohibition era.
In the town of Franklin, the law is over-run by the bootlegging gang of Forest Bondurant (Hardy). He and his brothers, the intimidating Howard (Jason Clarke) and timid Jack (Shia LaBeouf) brew and sell their Moonshine ale, with the crippled mechanic Cricket (Dane DeHaan), to surrounding counties. But when the new, corrupt deputy Charles Rakes (Guy Pierce) and the authorities are brought in to shut them down and take a slice of their profits, the real war begins.
We are introduced to the story as boys, and each Bondurant brother has their roles distinguished in the cruel shooting of an innocent pig. The story develops and continues as adults, and Forest is acknowledged as the leader of Franklin, controlling the town with fear. We see from many scenes throughout the film, he is brutally and unmerciful towards anyone who gets in the way. But when he is injured due to one of Rake's men, animosity escalates and Jack decides that it's his turn to take charge.
I realize why it is so dangerous to hype up a movie simply based on its cast members. With big names like Tom Hardy and Jessica Chastain, it's hard not to get excited. But unfortunately for Lawless, it is utterly flawed.
The setting is beautiful in a minimalist way; it captures the sand-in-every-crevice skin and weathered faces excellently. Hillcoat's directing can be hit or miss; he doesn't explain anything but the core idea. For example, he only glances at the segregation, which is refreshing, but ignores key characters like Howard Bondurant, depicting him as a pointless, violent drunk.
Looking at the acting, you could say Lawless would deserve more credit; the cast portray 30's gangsters believably. Hardy took the approach of incoherent grunting and an emotionless, cruel facade, whilst LaBoeuf went for the cocky, American-Dream boy. But as the gore and the grit came, the actors excelled. In one particular scene, when Jack is given some bad news, LaBoeuf opens up and lets his character's, and his own raw, emotional turmoil shine through the cracks.
Altogether, the film is quite good. The love interests aren't really well developed and it lacks layers in the script. The viewer is often left in the dark in the story's ambiguous turnings and concentrates on the gore and darkness of crime, as seen with Pierce's manic villain. To be honest, the idea of Lawless was better than the reality.
In the town of Franklin, the law is over-run by the bootlegging gang of Forest Bondurant (Hardy). He and his brothers, the intimidating Howard (Jason Clarke) and timid Jack (Shia LaBeouf) brew and sell their Moonshine ale, with the crippled mechanic Cricket (Dane DeHaan), to surrounding counties. But when the new, corrupt deputy Charles Rakes (Guy Pierce) and the authorities are brought in to shut them down and take a slice of their profits, the real war begins.
We are introduced to the story as boys, and each Bondurant brother has their roles distinguished in the cruel shooting of an innocent pig. The story develops and continues as adults, and Forest is acknowledged as the leader of Franklin, controlling the town with fear. We see from many scenes throughout the film, he is brutally and unmerciful towards anyone who gets in the way. But when he is injured due to one of Rake's men, animosity escalates and Jack decides that it's his turn to take charge.
I realize why it is so dangerous to hype up a movie simply based on its cast members. With big names like Tom Hardy and Jessica Chastain, it's hard not to get excited. But unfortunately for Lawless, it is utterly flawed.
The setting is beautiful in a minimalist way; it captures the sand-in-every-crevice skin and weathered faces excellently. Hillcoat's directing can be hit or miss; he doesn't explain anything but the core idea. For example, he only glances at the segregation, which is refreshing, but ignores key characters like Howard Bondurant, depicting him as a pointless, violent drunk.
Looking at the acting, you could say Lawless would deserve more credit; the cast portray 30's gangsters believably. Hardy took the approach of incoherent grunting and an emotionless, cruel facade, whilst LaBoeuf went for the cocky, American-Dream boy. But as the gore and the grit came, the actors excelled. In one particular scene, when Jack is given some bad news, LaBoeuf opens up and lets his character's, and his own raw, emotional turmoil shine through the cracks.
Altogether, the film is quite good. The love interests aren't really well developed and it lacks layers in the script. The viewer is often left in the dark in the story's ambiguous turnings and concentrates on the gore and darkness of crime, as seen with Pierce's manic villain. To be honest, the idea of Lawless was better than the reality.
Secret of the Wings
(2012)
A perfect children's movie
4 December 2012
Tinkerbell and the Secret of the Wings is ultimately and obviously a children's movie (For young girls in particular). From the dialog to the characters, the music and the colors, it is a movie all children would enjoy.
Although there have been many previous Tinkerbell movies, this one concentrates on Tinkerbell and her background. As Tinkerbell becomes fascinated with the forbidden Winter Forest and the Winter Fairies, she embarks on a journey of self discovery and adventure as we delve into her past and explore where she came from.
Like all Disney movies, this movie has big, bold colors, realistic textures, and of course, 3D. We see swooping shots of caricatured forests, glistening glaciers, and picturesque little animals. And once you get over the obviously cheesy dialog, it's actually not a bad film. I wouldn't see it on my own, but if you're looking for something to see with your 7 year old daughter/niece, it's the perfect choice. There's something there for both genders, and it has the feel-good factor of a classic Disney animation.
Although this is not as good as other Disney's movies, such as Up and How to Train Your Dragon, it's a nice, 'pretty' movie. Overlook the wincing humor, and enjoy this film with kids, who will no doubt find the wit hilarious. Try to make it a family day, overpriced popcorn and drinks included.
Although there have been many previous Tinkerbell movies, this one concentrates on Tinkerbell and her background. As Tinkerbell becomes fascinated with the forbidden Winter Forest and the Winter Fairies, she embarks on a journey of self discovery and adventure as we delve into her past and explore where she came from.
Like all Disney movies, this movie has big, bold colors, realistic textures, and of course, 3D. We see swooping shots of caricatured forests, glistening glaciers, and picturesque little animals. And once you get over the obviously cheesy dialog, it's actually not a bad film. I wouldn't see it on my own, but if you're looking for something to see with your 7 year old daughter/niece, it's the perfect choice. There's something there for both genders, and it has the feel-good factor of a classic Disney animation.
Although this is not as good as other Disney's movies, such as Up and How to Train Your Dragon, it's a nice, 'pretty' movie. Overlook the wincing humor, and enjoy this film with kids, who will no doubt find the wit hilarious. Try to make it a family day, overpriced popcorn and drinks included.
Drive
(I) (2011)
Poignant, with an abundance of gore
12 June 2012
This story is told with excellence; the lighting is dark and mysterious, the acting is understated and hidden, and the character an unspoken mystery. Our driver is nameless and uses long awkward silences as comebacks. The jacket, the plot twists, the smattering of blood, they add to the beautiful slow, but quick paced movie. I admit, the gore can be a bit nauseating and unnecessary in getting the point across. But I was happy to see only a few slow mo shots, as Hollywood movies seem to be teeming with 15 minute scenes of someone blinking. Whereas in drive, your heart will not be pounding with adrenaline, or your eyes close in fear. But with the retro, fitting soundtrack, the hard packed car chases that make you feel a small sweat bead on the back of your neck, and the desire for everything to work out, Drive still has your attention, and the uncomfortable feeling of being near the edge of your seat. The perspective was wonderful, the lines short an crisp. This is a refreshing view on action movies with a hint of art and silence. Utterly wonderful.
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