Film of the Week

Hello my beloved readers, I apologise for being inactive over the weekend. It was my birthday on Saturday and I've had to organise my time between working and seeing family.
BUT it's that time of week again where I suggest one of my all time favourite films to you and this week that film is;


Liar Liar (1997)

I don't usually suggest comedies but I thought I'd revert back to my childhood and give you a little insight in to one of my favourite Jim Carrey films. I have watched this film so many times and I will never get tired of it, if you're looking for a light-hearted, laugh out loud comedy with an underlying sentimental story then Liar Liar is a must see. Carrey is a comedic genius and puts his heart and soul in to his characters, it's very difficult to dislike any film he makes an appearance in. 

Liar Liar follows the story of Fletcher Reede who is a fast talking, lawyer and makes his money from telling lies. As a divorced father he struggles to find the time for his son and constantly makes up excuses which causes Max to make a birthday wish which involves his father only being able to tell the truth for the next 24 hours. When the wish comes true Fletcher realises just how much he relies on his own lies and with a big case coming up he has to find a way to win for his client and win back the heart of his son with nothing but the truth. 

If you haven't seen Liar Liar then rent it out, buy the DVD or borrow it from a friend because I promise you won't regret it. This film has the ability to make you laugh out loud even on a bad day and keep an eye out for the elevator scene, it has me in tears every single time.

54 Days

Hello guys!

I was recently given the opportunity to watch '54 Days' which is an independent feature film by Australian Director Tim R. Lea. It follows the story of 5 survivors who find themselves locked away in a steel bunker to save themselves from a recent nuclear attack that has obliterated Australia and most of the world. As they begin to run out of food, water and oxygen they realise that somebody is going to have to sacrifice themselves so that the others can survive.



54 Days (2014)

Almost immediately I was impressed by '54 days' and it's high quality; the locations and settings go above and beyond to create a sense of verisimilitude in the diegetic world, making things more believable. From the start the viewer is lured in to a sense of false security, it's a friendly party atmosphere and although there are several inner conflicts it appears as if there's not a care in the world.
I have a lot of respect for someone who is talented enough to create a film that is set in one location and still manages to keep the viewer interested in what's going on. The different stages of emotions and panic throughout the group are reflected in the mise-en-scene and smartly placed camera angles, allowing us to almost feel as though we are trapped alongside them.
The viewer isn't given much information on the main characters but I think this adds to the storyline, there are subtle hints throughout the film in regards to actions and interactions with other characters that allow us to get to know them a little bit more but the fact that we do not know any of these people makes things a little uneasy. Who can we trust? Who will be the first to snap? '54 Days' keeps you guessing all the way through and I was surprised to find that in the end, I had no idea what was about to happen. Michela Carratini (Michelle) portrays a young woman in an unhappy marriage and later in the film we discover that she is pregnant which adds another layer to her character, we sympathise with her more than the others. Carratini plays the role incredibly well, showing the inner turmoil of a pregnant woman who believes she is about to die and as she deteriorates even more with time, she makes it believable to the viewer.
I think each part of the character development works well in contrast with one another; Dirk's strange obsession with the cockroach is to fill the void that is missing now that he has lost his daughter. Anthony loses his temper quite easily and talks down to the women, which gives us information on why Michelle has been unhappy with him. Elizabeth tries to keep the peace but after several drinks becomes slightly irate and unpredictable, leaving the viewer wondering whether we can trust her or not and last but not least, Rob who we are introduced to as 'the other man' and when he comes down to the bunker covered in blood it doesn't take a genius to figure out that this guy isn't to be trusted.

The bunker in which the majority of the movie is set has incredible attention to detail, from the cracks in the stone walls, to the cold, hard flooring. The props used also help to create the atmosphere and add a sense of reality, with it's cold metal bunk beds, tattered lockers and dirty furniture. It's obvious each shot, each tiny detail has been given a lot of thought to make the film credible and I really enjoyed watching it.
The countdown throughout the film is a fantastic touch, it adds tension and pressure on the characters which is reflected in their actions as well as how they look. As the timer runs down the shots become even more fast paced to give a sense of time passing much quicker than expected.
My only problem with '54 Days' is that I felt that there were several unanswered questions; one of them being where did the gun come from that Michelle used? And why did Elizabeth turn on her friends when she had been so desperate to keep them all alive?

Overall, I found '54 Days' to be a gripping film which looks in depth at human character's when forced in to a survival situation. It's a film I would definitely watch again, as I am a sucker for anything to do with apocalyptic situations so when you guys get the chance, please go and check out the website for the film.

http://www.54daysthemovie.com/



4/5

Happy Birthday Martin Scorsese!

Today is the 72nd birthday of the incredibly talented Martin Scorsese and to honour his special day I am going to give you a list of my five favourite Scorsese films. 
Just so you know, I didn't intentionally pick all the films with Dicaprio and DeNiro in them.

1. Shutter Island

2. Cape Fear

3. Goodfellas

4. Taxi Driver

5. Gangs of New York 

Before I go to sleep

Hello again guys! I have managed to cram a couple of films in this weekend, one including Rowan Joffe's 'Before I go to sleep'. I had a little nosey on the internet and have read several bad reviews but I never judge a film based on what other's think, I much prefer to watch it myself and decide.

Here we go.


Before I go to Sleep (2014)

Synopsis:

After suffering a traumatic attack Christine (Nicole Kidman) suffers from anterograde amnesia and is unable to create new memories, meaning whenever she wakes up she has to become reacquainted with her husband and her whole life. Christine begins to visit a doctor who persuades her to keep a video diary, in order to keep up to track with each new day but as she does this she begins to uncover some dark secrets about her own past and has no idea who to trust.



Review:

From the word go, the viewer is thrust into the disorientating atmosphere of Christine's life with very little given away in terms of characters. The ominous music makes for uneasy viewing at the beginning, causing a sudden distrust of Christine's so-called husband 'Ben' but as we are introduced to doctor Nash, it causes a string of doubts. The constant flickering between flashbacks and the present day are disorientating and allow the viewer to be much more than a spectator but the clever editing doesn't hide the fact that 'Before I go to Sleep' is extremely predictable and struggles to hold the suspense.
It's a welcoming change to see Colin Firth play a darker character and his take on 'Ben' is another positive factor in this film. Firth has a certain look about him, he tends to be perceived as a harmless, genuine guy but that makes it even more exciting for the viewer as we struggle on whether to trust him or not.

To be completely honest, I very much enjoyed 'Before I go to Sleep' and although it was rather predictable and had several flaws, it did the book justice and it's something I would probably watch again in the future. My only problem is the ending; it was a welcome surprise that everything was resolved and sentimental because I was expecting a dark twist but parts of it didn't make sense. Yes, Ben had made it clear that he had to stay away from Christine for the sake of their son but couldn't he have at least called the care home she was staying in? If he had even an ounce of love for his suffering wife then he would have called the care home and realised she was missing straight away but instead he buried his head in the sand and allowed some psycho to take care of her which I find incredibly unbelievable.


3/5

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Hi guys! So I finally got around to checking out the sequel to 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' and it's safe to say I wasn't disappointed, in fact, this one may have even been slightly more enjoyable. It boasts incredible special effects and landscape but there's much more too it than that so let's begin...


Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)

Synopsis:

The sequel takes place 10 years after Simian flu has wiped out many of the human's on Earth. Caeser, the genetically modified chimpanzee has now gained hundreds of new followers and has built a thriving colony for his species. Things take a turn for the worse when a small group of human survivors stumble across the chimps and take a shot at one of them, which then sparks tension between the two species. Caeser struggles to keep the peace and avoid an all out war but when there's an enemy within the midst of his own camp he realises that's going to be much more difficult than he first anticipated. 

Review:

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is so magical and aesthetically pleasing to watch; the special effects are breathtakingly real and as a viewer, you almost forget that these chimps aren't actually animals that have taken to the role of acting so well. Buried beneath the spectacle of scenery of this post-apocalyptic world and the amazing wonders of CGI, we realise there is a much deeper story emerging between these two conflicting species. One of the main things I enjoyed was the reflection between the main characters; for every human character there was a counter part in ape form that shared the same traits, beliefs and personalities; proving that although they make look different on the outside, they're all the same on the inside. 

I was a huge fan of the first film and couldn't help but back up Caeser throughout the whole thing and his character is extremely well crafted, yet again, in the sequel. The film makers have the audience exactly where they want them throughout the film and as a viewer you find yourself switching between sympathy for the human race and apes, realising there are good and bad on both sides. The action packed ending certainly doesn't disappoint either, jumping between shots of Caeser and Malcolm who are both suffering from the same predicament, it contains enough tension and atmosphere to keep you on the edge of your seat. 

Overall I believe Dawn of the Planet of the Apes has outdone it's predecessor in many ways, it manages to create an action packed war blockbuster with much more emotion and a deeper meaning, challenging it's viewer to look beyond the special effects and invest in the characters. This is probably one of my favourite films of 2014, so if you had any doubts about this sequel then I can assure you that there's nothing to worry about. Go and check it out, it'll blow your mind.

4/5

Jessabelle

Jessabelle (2014) 

Synopsis:

Jessabelle is a young girl who suffers a horrific car accident and has to return to her Louisiana home, where she discovers several VHS tapes that have been recorded by her now deceased mother. After suffering from terrifying nightmares she discovers that a malevolent spirit has been waiting for Jessabelle to come home and now she has her, she has no intentions of ever letting her go.

Review:

Another shallow attempt at a horror film. It lacks any real storyline and has so many unanswered questions that even when the film is over you're left wondering what actually happened. Sarah Snook does well in the lead role and is the only thing that makes this film bearable, her portrayal of a woman struggling to come to terms with her accident induced disability is sympathetic and believable but other than that, I have no more positives. Of course the film is full of cheap thrills and several jump scares but then again, so are hundreds of other horror films that just don't have the content to make it into a memorable movie.  The typical 'old countryside house' sets an eerie atmosphere but it's nothing we haven't seen before and the ending is completely absurd and doesn't quite tie in to everything else that has been going on, leaving me extremely disappointed and left with a lot of questions. 

2/5

Film of the Week

So, it's that time of the week again where I dig out one of my all time favourite films and try and persuade you to watch it. This week I have chosen a fantastic war film that you need to see at least once before you die. Warning: you may shed a tear (or if you're anything like me, several) but it is a powerful and moving film that tells the story of a U.S Navy Seal team that are on a rescue mission in Nigeria.
So, without further a due, this week's film is;

Tears of the Sun (2003)

Synopsis:

Bruce Willis stars as a soldier who has the dilemma and of choosing whether to follow orders or save the lives of many others.
Lt. A. K Waters and his team of Navy Seals are given a mission to escort any American citizens to safety and more importantly, Dr. Lena Kendricks but when she refuses to leave her people Waters has to decide whether to carry on and complete his mission or listen to his heart and help to save all of the people that have been left behind.




Okay, so the synopsis is a little vague but trust me, this film is worth watching especially if you're a fan of the war film genre. Bruce Willis takes up his usual persona of a hardcore soldier who is able to withstand anything  but as time carries on we see a softer side to his character. The story surrounds the war in Nigeria and the suffering that they had to endure. It can be hard to watch at times and always brings a tear to my eye but that is the reality of war and the brutal scenes aren't afraid to shy away from what really goes on.
I will give you a little tip before watching this film and that is to ensure you don't become too attached to any of the characters because you're setting yourself up for heartbreak.
Anyway, if you haven't already seen this movie then go and check it out especially if you like Black Hawk Down, Platoon and Saving Private Ryan.

4/5

The Babadook

It's 2am and I have just finished watching what just so happened to be one of the greatest horror films I have ever had the pleasure of viewing.

The Babadook (2014) 

Synopsis:

It has been six years since the death of Amelia's husband and she is still struggling to come to terms with what has happened. Her son's behaviour is out of hand and she is finding it extremely difficult to bond with him the way a mother should. Samuel constantly dreams of monsters that are going to come and kill him and Amelia, so when they stumble across a horrifying book called 'The Babadook', they don't realise what they have let themselves in for. Samuel begins to hallucinate and suffer from terrifying visions, causing him to become violent and unpredictable but when Amelia herself catches a glimpse of this illusive monster, she realises The Babadook may be real after all. 

Review:

The Babadook is an Australian horror movie written and directed by Jennifer Kent and is a breath of fresh air to the horror genre, which as of late, seems to rely on predictable jump scares and gore. This film however, is a complete work of art and relies on the atmosphere and tension of what lurks behind the camera lens. The Babadook plays with your emotions and psychological state of mind, preying on your weaknesses throughout the whole film. The whole environment mirrors the emotions and atmosphere of this dark tale, working side by side with an incredible performance from Essie Davis and magnificent cinematography and use of mise-en-scene. I can't fault this film in any way and being a huge horror fan, I struggle to find recent films that stand out and stick in my mind long after I have finished watching but I think it's safe to say before I go to sleep tonight I'll be checking underneath my bed for The Babadook.


5/5

Kicks (2009)

Hello guys, haven't done a film review for a while and today we had the pleasure of having a Q & A with successful screenwriter Leigh Campbell so I decided to watch 'Kicks' and write up my own review so here we go...


Kicks (2009)

Synopsis:

Two teenage girls strike up a friendship through a mutual obsession with a young footballer. One night they encounter Lee at a local nightclub and manage to entice him back to their caravan but things take a horrible turn when they discover that Lee and his team mates have a twisted perversion when it comes to humiliating young girls. Nicole decides to take revenge by keeping Lee tied up and threatening to end his career with a gun shot wound to the foot but will she go through with it?

Review:

The film's opening is atmospheric and even without the use of any dialogue, it allows the viewer to get an insight in to one of the main character's and the locations. There are several establishing shots of the city of Liverpool as we follow Nicole on her journey through the empty streets and it's impressive how the viewer is able to learn so much about this character just with the use of key shots. It takes a certain skill to pull off an opening that grabs the viewer's attention without using a single line of dialogue but as the film went on I became more and more disappointed. Although 'Kicks' gives off a sense of social realism, I found it extremely difficult to invest in the characters and there wasn't an awful lot of depth to them. Nicole (Kerrie Hayes) is slightly unpredictable and I found that her character traits changed throughout the film; this could be due to her erratic obsession with Lee but it seemed to switch in and out of credibility all of the time. 

Of course the film's interesting topic surrounding celebrity culture and teenage obsession is enthralling but personally, I felt as though there was so much more that could have been done with this and the girls' obsession with breast implants and WAGs portrays younger girls in a less than positive light. 

'Kicks' is a low-budget, independent film and although it does well with the materials available the climax is extremely disappointing and lacks any real drama. If you're looking for a gripping, urban, thriller that's challenging and thought provoking, then I'd suggest looking elsewhere.

2/5

Film of the Week

What's eating Gilbert Grape? (1993) 

Synopsis:
The film follows the story of Gilbert Grape, a young man living in a small, dead-end town. He spends most of his days working at the local grocery store and caring for his younger brother Arnie, who suffers from a mental disability and his morbidly obese mother who is trapped in her own home. It's not until he falls in love that he realises how consuming his family ties actually are.


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Okay, so I'm probably completely biased towards this film because it was one of the first films my mum introduced me to when I was younger and it was one of our favourites but watch it for yourself and you'll see why it has a firm place in my heart.
Young DiCaprio plays Arnie Grape, a boy who suffers from a mental illness and he takes up this role in a truly remarkable fashion. His performance is so powerful and moving that it always brings me to tears. Depp on the other hand plays Arnie's older brother 'Gilbert' a hard-working young man who's under an insane amount of pressure to take care of his younger brother and his morbidly obese mother.
What's eating Gilbert Grape is somewhat predictable but that can be excused because it's such a beautifully sentimental film. It shows us that in a small town where nothing much goes on, there are people who are the true heroes of every day.