Moon

Extreme bliss! The eerie feel of the space station on the Moon for Lunar Industries is incredible. Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) has come to the end of his 3 year contract with Lunar Industries, where he has to harvest and rocket back to Earth the supplies of helium-3, which is Earth’s main fuel use. There is no direct communication link available and his only real friend and contact is GERTY who is an extremely intelligent computer who helps him with food, questions and even cuts his hair. However, enough is enough for Sam, 3 years is far too long and as he has a wife and child he is missing them and wants to return to earth.

He only has two weeks to go until he goes back to earth, however, he has an accident in the harvester where he is unconscious and wakes up in the infirmary by GERTY. GERTY informs him of his accident and it is there he finds out that he needs to stay in the infirmary to recover. However, Sam decides to stand up and find GERTY, where he intercepts GERTY having a live conversation. He is forbidden to go outside the ship, but twists GERTY robotic hand, and manages to allow GERTY to release the outside doors so he can explore on the moon for any reasons for these strange occurrences. From this exploration he discovers a replica of himself in the harvester he was driving? This confused me at this point!

This twist starts countless events, which comes to an amazing climax. The body he saves is brought to life in the infirmary, the original Sam and the Sam found interact with each other. Throughout the film they are battling to prove who is the real Sam Bell. But there are too many events which make them question what is actually happening to them. There has to be something more than them simply just being two of the same person, who have the same memory and are the same person!? Are there more of them? Why has the company done this? What is going to happen to them? Is there a gradual decomposition of ‘bodies’? You need to watch the film to find this out. I have already given a lot away regarding the plot, so finish the review by watching it as it is a great film.

Directed by David Bowie’s son, Duncan Jones, who has changed his name, obviously so he can recognised separate to David Bowie. This is well deserved, this film is great and there are rumours of prequels and sequels, which I think can be possible and important in understanding more this is because it is an incredible film and storyline. The fact that Jones has used one main character throughout the film demonstrates the skill of the story and him as a director, as this feature film could have been weak from the lack of characters. It could have bored the audience, however, he has made it something different, and you want to watch more and more to find out what happens, it is all very exciting and inquisitive.

The setting of the film is amazing, I am really keen to explore more into space ships etc, such as Avatar, Aliens, Battlestar Gallactica and so on, its great, showing how it has inspired a keen film maker, showing it must be great. The ship in this was built for the actual film, so it is not a series of sets it is an actual building, which I find fantastic and it shows the amount of thought given into the film. The white setting in the space ship and the isolated environment adds to the lonely feel of the film. The set was 360 degrees being 85–90 feet (26–27 m) long and approximately 70 feet (21 m) wide. Jones also used digital models instead of animation, using Bill Pearson who worked on Alien. GERTY the robot was able to be controlled using the rails that were built in the roof of the 360 degree set. To say that this was completed with a budget of £5 million is fantastic and obviously using fewer actors meant greater money was able to be spent on the set.

On websites it has stated that Duncan Jones plans to complete a trilogy , with the next film to be an epilogue to Moon 2009.

Watch this film,

It is great.

Certainly if you are into SCI-FI

Thanks,

Claire

Avatar

Where can I start? This film was amazing. For anyone debating whether to see this film there is no question about what the answer is. The graphics were fantastic, the storyline had several stories within one plot and the actors were perfect for the role. James Cameron has once again impressed all with his futuristic stylised visionary films.

Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana and Sigourney Weaver, nominated for 4 Golden Globes, among 18 nominations and 6 wins this demonstrates how spellbinding it is. Sigourney Weaver, as always, is fantastic in her role and adds to the film as we can familiarise her acting with Aliens, also directed by James Cameron. There certainly was influence from Aliens in Avatar, the ships they were based in were similar, the machinery and the pods, these things added to the excitement and tension of the film. The film is 2 hours 45 minutes, you do feel its effect towards the end of the film, you begin to feel like you are part of the Pandora world living as an Avatar!

The plot is not easy to describe, as it is so complex. Basically the main character Jake Sulley played by Sam Worthington is flying into the military and science base who are studying Pandora, which is a newly discovered world. Jake’s brother originally was going to Pandora, however, he is killed. As they are twins the science company decide the would be able to use Jake as they have similar body mechanisms. The reason for him is so he can be placed into an Avatar body, to exist in Pandora the world and to gain the trust of the Avatars. The military are involved in Pandora because there is a tree which sits over a mass amount of a certain type of rock which is worth billions of dollars, hence they want to gain insight into the structure of Pandora so they can then destroy it. Jake makes a deal with the military leader and is  his insider. Jake goes back and forth inside Pandora and back to life, where he is taught by Neytiri, played by Zoe Saldana, the ways of Avatar life, how to walk, run and talk like a native. He is chosen by the land, he continues to go back and forth, hiding from Neytiri his full intentions but at the same time falling in love with her. It is not until he becomes one of the Avatars and grows love for Pandora he finds out he is too late, when the military have all that they need to blow up the tree. They then intend to destroy the whole of Pandora, Jake however, has a plan to unite all Avatars around Pandora to save the word.

The ending is climaxing and amazing, it feels like the film ends about 5 times and regains with a new plot, I’ve not watched something as great for a long time. There are plans for a second and a third, which would be great as Jake decides to become one of the Avatars and there is still the billions pounds worth of rocks in the ground. This shows that there could be a number of directions James Cameron could take this film, he could explore the land itself or have the military involved or fight within the world or show before the word. It is just an amazing film.

The graphics and technology in this film is in a world of its own, literally, and I am very eager to see and learn how they did this.

Watch this film.

Thanks,

Claire

?

I know I have written about this before, but I am so annoyed by how filmmakers make females and males so helpless when running away from murderers. Come on we want to see some sort of fight, or make sure that there is some effort to escape and do something. I mean they must have some anger inside them that makes them want to hit the murderer so many times around the head to make sure there dead, or chop their head off so they know there dead? Or even chop them into pieces? But no, in films they make sure that the victims sit crying next to the murderer, stare at them or walk off only having hit them around the head. Then they wonder why they come after them or have the chance for the last knife plunge? Come on we know that you would do more than that, if not, I have learned from horror films that I need to make sure that you hit them around the head so many times that they can’t walk, make sure they can’t. I just wanted to get my say across and wondered if this bothered anyone else or do people enjoy watching this? I mean I do enjoy watching this because we are used to this and we wouldn’t have a film but a bit of more you know, attacking ha! Just my thoughts.

Feel happy to tackle me on this!

Thanks,

Claire

Grimm Love

This film is a classic in its own right and exceptionally unique, I was truly surprised. Its eerie feel and grainy appearance highlights the struggles the two males featured in this film had to go through throughout their life. This film was inspired by true events, stars Keri Russell, Thomas Kretschmann and Thomas Huber and released in 2007. It is based on the Armin Meiwes case; he was a cannibal who murdered a willing victim from a cannibal dating site, knowing their meeting who lead to tragic tales.

The basic plot is that Keri Russell who plays Katie Armstrong is an American student in Germany studying criminal psychology. She is studying Oliver Hartwin who is the cannibal, by visiting his house where he lived and talking to people who may have known him to gather as much background knowledge as she could. The film is non-linear so it flips back and forth to her in the present and the two males Oliver Hartwin and Simon Grombeck life at different stages.

We see Oliver’s struggles to be at one with the world and have his freedom from his restricting lifestyle. We see he never had a proper friendship or job and was struggling to come to terms with his gay feelings. At the same time we are studying the lifestyle of Simon, who also had a restricting lifestyle and has also gay feelings and taken this further to having a boyfriend. We can tell from the narrative that both males are incomplete in their lifestyles and feel something needs to be done about it; this is how they meet, through an Internet site for cannibals.

Oliver is a cannibal; he wants to eat a male, all of his body and has sexual pleasure from this. Simon wants to be eaten, especially wants his penis to be bitten off, which he wants to be accomplished and feels incomplete. The compelling narrative and style of the film makes sure we have empathy, although we cannot understand this. It is more effective by the fact that this story actually did happen, and shows that there is so much variation in this world. The story is rather tragic and makes you think, I strongly advise you check this film out. Even if cannibals or murder is not your thing, this film has something that you need to watch, need to see and understand what I am meaning.

Thanks,

Claire

Blood Trails

Buying Saw III box set led to watching Blood Trails, I chose the box set as it was similar price to Saw III on its own, however, by viewing this film I can see why Lionsgate chose to bulk ship this film to the audience. What I mean by my comment is that this film lacks any really power in its narrative, it is uneventful and I lost interest on many occasions. This film would be great as a ten-minute film, as the key aspects of the narrative could have occurred one after another instead of gaps, which lost my attention.

Blood Trails was released in 2007, starring, Rebecca Palmer and Ben Price, and directed by Robert Krause and it did win Dawn by Dead Horror Festival Audience Award in 2006. However, even this success does not sway me towards liking this film. The basic plot, Anne, who is played by Rebecca Palmer, has a one night stand and cheats on her boyfriend. However, deciding she wants to piece it together with her boyfriend, they go into the woods, where they had spent time in cycling through the woods and staying in a cabin, in the previous stages of their relationship. Nevertheless, as they are cycling through the woods the killer happens to be there, killing her boyfriend and other individuals she comes across in the woods, eventually capturing her.

I think this plot is great however, it needs to be to a more restricted time schedule, as an hour and a half is too long for this sort of film. It focused too much on her stumbling around the woods, unsure what she was doing, who she was and where he was. I was not keen on the lack of dialogue as I was unsure why he was chasing her, I wanted to know why and I did not think she showed enough interest in trying to find out his motives. Also there was far too much cinematography of her riding her bicycle, I just thought that if there had been more dialogue or story or a shorter film it would have worked great.

One positive I loved the opening credits, reminded me of Seven, the classic film starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freedman, however, obviously not as great.

I am going to stop my ranting and say watch this film for its originality however, take into account my views, a shorter version of this film would be great and have tension that would certainly scare viewers, but for me now its not working.

Thanks,

Claire

Saw VI

 

I was finally able to watch Saw VI, after nearly having a panic about not being able to see it till March! I was fascinated by the story of Saw VI and how they were able to create tension and keep the narrative going, it also heightened my excitement to see the seventh Saw, which is currently in production. Directed by Kevin Grutert this new instalment has not failed Saw fans and the cinematography by David A. Armstrong is incredible, the colour contrast and framing is utilised effectively to add extra depth to the film. 

The plot of the film is similar to the other Saw films, there is a game at the start of the film demonstrating the meaning of Saw, to learn to appreciate your life. Focusing on an insurance company and the boss of the company and their twisted formula policy for whether the ill should receive insurance money or not to help with costs of providing support in recovering. A link between (Jigzaw) John Tramer and the boss of the insurance company brings Saw VI to a climax from the events that untell. A choice between who lives and who does not becomes essential in the theme of this film. 

Six employees of the insurance company are used on a wheel of fortune where their life is decided by their boss, each one begging for their life with different sob stories. Other games including employees of the insurance company are featured, such as a maze full with hot air, clamps surrounding bodily organs and being hung with wire. 

However, my only criticism is that they could have finished the whole Saw movies easily and I am confused how they are going to carry this on and develop the narrative? As far as we know Jigsaw’s work should be complete? However, being a hardcore Saw fan I am not going to focus on the negatives of the film. However, other people’s opinions would be good. 

I am looking forward for the next instalment Saw, should be interesting to see what they are coming up with. 

Thanks, 

Claire

Scary Movie 4

I know your thinking my blog has a similar theme throughout, either Angelina Jolie or Saw! Ha, again I am commenting on the recent film I have watched which mentions Saw. I was looking through a series of DVD’s, debating, which one would I most want to watch when I was in a impartial mood. Then I saw Saw on front of a Scary Movie film, I thought a perfect combination. So I decided to buy it after careful consideration whether I should have chose it over Gone In 60 Seconds, again another Angelina Jolie film. I loved it!

Starring the orignal cast of Scary Movie, created 2006, Scary Movie 4 takes the ‘piss’ out of scary movies, however, once they have been converted by the creators of Scary Movie there not so scary. The featured movies in Scary Movie 4 were, Saw, War Of The Worlds and The Grudge, it was a great combination however, some times there was too much focus on The War Of The Worlds.

I loved the part of the film where Saw was briefly incorporated they recreate the first game Saw ever did in their films, and invented a brother to the puppet who ends up sleeping with one of them. The other films they cover combine excellently together, I must say it is a must see. If you know the War Of The Worlds and enjoyed it, watch this film, if you liked your The Grudge watch it, if you like Saw watch it, it just makes you enjoy horror films on a different appreciation. Also if you don’t like horror films as you dont want to be scared you will enjoy it. Ha for everyone so I am trying to tell you.

Check it out

Thanks,

Claire

Paranormal Activity has ‘effected’ Paranormal Effect

It has been announced that Paranormal Effect will be released to DVD in January from Simius Films, this film has similar attributes to the recent phenomena Paranormal Activty which was relased in 2009. The Paranormal Activty plot is documenting a middle class couples’ move to a house in a typical suburban town, which at first seems normal until activity happens in the house which is unexplainable especially at nighttime. Mainly when they are trying to sleep. It is filmed by the male staying in the house using his personal camera and at nighttime placed on a tripod, this gives a sense of unreality and it has a similar style to Blair Witch Project.

Have a watch of the trailer it is a must see.

However, my main aim of this blog is to inform you on the recent copycats who want to seize onto this phenomena, which has recently began, because of  the style of film. For instance, Paranormal Effect is extremely similar to the film stated above, it is based on a young couple visiting Japan, shows how they explore the city, caves and how they come entangled in an old Japan curse. While filming they stumble across unfamiliar and tense occurences. However, this film appears to be a copycat of Paranormal Activity and lacking its own uniqueness, check the trailer below and decide for yourselves.

Thanks,

Claire

Are you ‘Wanted’?

Wanted, released in 2008, what a film! Directed by Timer Berkmambetov, I was amazed by the acting, special effects and visual style of this film, it was incredible. Basically the plot of the film is rather simple but complex in the techniques it is portrayed to the audience. Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy) has an average lifestyle, boring job, cheating girlfriend who is betraying him with his best friend, which he is aware of however, too afraid to say anything. To top this all, his boss at work humiliates him every chance she has. His life seems to be on hold, until mentor Fox (Angelina Jolie) comes and takes him from his average styled life, introduces him to the Fraternity which is a secret society of assassins and trains him up in order to kill a strayed assassin called Cross. However, not everything is what it seems, lying and cheating in his life is becoming a habit he is having to become used to and it is down to him to get a grasp on his life and take control of individuals who are taking him for a ride.

Also starring Morgan Freeman (Shawshank Redemption) this film is a must see. The car chases, explosions, gadgets and cars are incredible, I would buy the film just watch them again. So can you bend a bullet? Ha, I think I probably could, who am i kidding?

Thanks,

Claire

Do you have ‘Teeth’ lurking in your vagina?

 

Ahhhh, Teeth, I picked this up excited, thinking “man I bet this film is ace”, now I’m horrified it even made production! I mean I was a little concerned at the fact that a feature-length film was on a teenager with teeth in her vagina, I wondered where the story could possibly go? My point was proven, it was terrible, I nearly fell asleep the only thing keeping me awake was my curiosity in her actions and amateur acting and filming. Director, Mitchell Lichtenstein, and writer sadly, has certainly let himself down with this film, to my opinion anyway. I felt like I was watching a cheap knock off porno!

The basic plot, an almost Christian styled teenager preaching the value of virginity and how you should chose carefully who to lose this precious binding of love to, however, immediately falling in love for the first time she is tempted to lose her virginity? Which really confused me, she obviously was not so hard up on her Christianity. A horrid rape scene contrasted with her teeth literally chopping his penis in two really got me thinking, “what the hell am I watching?” In my opinion I find it really disturbing that her teeth in her vagina became her weapon of teaching guys a lesson, by the inevitable of chopping their penis in half, now even writing this blog I feel insane for even picking the film up. The males include, her first love she visions marrying! Her one night stand and her half-brother and get this, an old man who picks her up while she is hitchhiking?!

It’s up to you if you want to watch Teeth, which was released in 2007, which I am almost certain was taken from the cinemas in the first week. I probably advise you to watch it to see what rubbish is being released these days, where do people think of these ideas?

Check it out

Thanks,

Claire