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Thanks,

Claire

Inception

RELEASED: 16th July 2010

CERTIFICATE: 12A

DIRECTOR: Christopher Nolan

RUNNING TIME: 149 Min

Rotating corridors, roads that roll up like carpets, buildings crumble similar to blue cheese, the mind of Christopher Nolan, writer and director of Inception, is unquestionably unique.

Nolan, previously known for work on Memento and The Dark Knight, has kept us in the dark leading up to the release of his motion picture.  The director’s fascination with his own dreams, the processes of being able to adapt your images in your own mind, creating surroundings and the happenings, inspired the project.

Memento was certainly a head fuck, with the non-linear narrative resulted in our own much-needed interpretation of the film and forever questioning what was what.  Inception is similar, perplexing our minds; ceaselessly wondering was that a dream? Was that reality? Where the hell is Leonardo DiCaprio? I advise a second viewing, in order to capture aspects that were not clear and to take another grasp and angle on the gripping action packed movie.

DiCaprio is Dom Cobb, a specialist in “subconscious security”, a dream thief, able to plunge his victims in a dream where he extracts their secrets. Within the dream the dreamer’s projections, such as the individuals walking within the space, are the sleepers subconscious. Dream thief’s need to ensure they are particular in their behaviour and not obvious, as this can lead to fatal outcome.

DiCaprio however, can die within the dream as many times as Mel Gibson can swear and still return to life as you cannot die, but this does not mean it won’t effect your mental stability.  The ever-changing structure within the subjects mind leads to unpredictability, also an interesting viewing as were consistently surprised.

Cobb must go against the grain and do the almost impossible, plant an idea into a young heir of a dying father; this process is none other but inception. Careful planning with his sidekick Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and others such as student architect Ariadine (Ellen Page) ensures his preparation will be as in-depth as the process involved.

Cobb’s troubled past with his wife only creates problems for the team and most importantly himself, the dream thief ironically holding secrets regarding his own self and state of mind and stability.

Dreams within dreams, subconscious military projections that have been trained to kill, time-lapsing action, this film has you enthralled until the end where you’re still left gasping for more.

Inception will irrefutably have a squeal, which I am sure will match up to the standards and the outstanding results at the box office for Nolan. Superior to The Dark Knight, what does Nolan have up his sleeve next, hopefully the answer to the confusing, dream state ending he put us in to relieve us from our anguish.

A Nightmare On Elm Street

RELEASED: 7 May 2010

CERTIFICATE: 18

DIRECTOR: Samuel Bayer

CAST: Jackie Earle Haley, Kyle Gallner, Rooney Mara

RUNNING TIME: 95 Min

CORN ON A GREASY COB OF CHEESE.

As I vacated the cinema I could not help but ask myself, ‘did I actually like this film?’ Each time I recalled the events A Nightmare On Elm Street kept becoming lower and lower in my estimation. I feel like I have watched a remake of all 8 A Nightmare on Elm Street films combined, with no originality or twist. I was expecting elaborate deaths in the dream sequences, due to advances of technology; however, they were exact to the initial horror films. If anything the original horror films were more gory and realistic. Nevertheless, I have to credit the structure of the film. The opening was enticing and certainly drew me into the storyline while the flashbacks of the past explaining how Freddie Krueger had become a child killer was attention-grabbing and innovative.

The film focused on several teenagers who all went to the same high school, however, they were unaware they knew each other when they were 4 and 5 years old. One by one the film shifts emphasis on each teenager, and as the original horror films, one by one each dies in their dreams. Freddie Krueger is not your conventional murderer, he comes for you in your dreams where there is no one to protect you and all sense of reality disappears. We discover he was a child molester and was burnt alive by the children’s mums and dad’s in an old warehouse, consequently from the parents finding out about his revelations. The parents never spoke of Freddie Krueger again, hence why these youngsters were unaware of their friendship prior to high school.

My overall feelings towards this film are unenthusiastic. I feel disgruntled, I thought id come away from the cinema compelled, and instead I felt cheated. Other members of the audience were amused at parts, such as the killing scenes and when Freddie Krueger spoke to the victims in their dreams! Jackie Earle Haley played Freddie Krueger; I felt his performance was feeble in some aspects. I was not convinced by his performance, the costume and facemask was amazing and realistic, however, when he spoke I did not have an overwhelming sensation of horror similar to the originals. Instead the only thing making me jump was the use of music and sense of surprise when I was unaware of his presence.

An admirable soundtrack, the use of silence to create suspense and the chilling recognisable song sang by the young children certainly supplemented to the films terror. In spite of this, I just can’t help thinking that there should have been more to this film! Judging by the exact ending of one of the original A Nightmare on Elm Street films, there are possibilities of a sequel, except I find myself fed up at this prospect. Why could they not have created a twist, or an unfamiliar ending that meant Freddie Krueger was unable to contain his reign of terror?

I am overall disappointed by the outcome of this long anticipated remake; I do not think I am in minority either. If there is a sequel let’s hope they take the advice of us critics out here!

VERDICT:

♣♣♣♣♣

2 out of 5. This remake is repetitive, unoriginal, disappointing and I substituted screams for laughter!

Hangover

RELEASED: 12 June 2009

CERTIFICATE: R

DIRECTOR: Todd Phillips

CAST: Bradley Copper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha

RUNNING TIME: 100 Min

HILARIOUSLY CATASTROPHIC!

A respectable bachelor party should unquestionably involve the loss of the groom, the addition of a wife and Mike Tyson’s tiger! Rewind, certainly not the right concoction!

Doug (Justin Bartha) has arranged his bachelor night to be situated in Las Vegas, accompanying him are his best friends, Phil (Bradley Cooper) and Stu (Ed Helms) and his wife’s brother Alan (Zach Galigianakis). As they say, ‘what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas’, for this foursome this aphorism rings true.

On the initial night, Doug plans to hit Vegas for a night on the town celebrating his final nights of singleton. However, this does not go as intended. We do not see the eventful night out, however, we see the aftermath. Including, a tiger, a chicken and a screaming baby in the hotel room, a women straddling out of the villa half naked. A hospital wristband strapped to Phil, attacked by a little Chinese guy returning for his stolen chips. Stu marries a stripper and no one has recollection. A stolen police car and a trashed Mercedes. Nevertheless, most importantly the loss of Doug!

The film features their adventure in under covering what happened to them and where their best friend has gone! Discovering Alan had drugged them with Rufus (Date Rape) the foursome find it every so hard to locate the truth. An exciting series of events with hilarious outcomes and revelations, this film is one to watch!

VERDICT:

♣♣♣♣♣

4 out of 5. We all have experienced the temporary memory loss after a night out, but Hangover takes it to the extreme!

District 9

RELEASED: 4 Sep 2009

CERTIFICATE: R

DIRECTOR: Niell Blomkamp

CAST: Sharlto Copley

RUNNING TIME: 112 Min

NEVER WANTED ALIENS ON THIS PLANET AS MUCH AS I DO NOW!

Wikus Van De Merwe (Sharlto Copley) is in charge of MNU (government’s agency/weapon manufacturer) mission to relocate District 9 further away from the city of Johannesburg in South Africa. District 9 is a slum where aliens are kept in hideous conditions. 20 years ago an alien spaceship mysteriously stopped above the city, MNU curiously investigated the stationed ship, finding malnourished aliens. Escorting the aliens to District 9 seemed an intelligent idea at the time, until unrest ruled the city with violence and murders occurring daily while the Nigerian gangsters preyed off the aliens, who are given the derogatory but accurate nickname “prawns.”

Wikus is promoted to retrieve all of the aliens’ signatures in order to move them from District 9 to District 10. Wikus is married to the daughter of the MNU boss. Violence and disruption from the ‘prawns’ result in the task being harder than anticipated. Meanwhile, Christopher Johnson, an alien existing on District 9 has concocted a substance that can be used as a fuel, from accumulating certain fluids on District 9 over 20 years. The fluid is essential for his mission in regaining control of the spaceship, which is at a standstill, to locate help from the other aliens light-years away.

Nevertheless, Wikus locates the fluid unaware of its potential. Accidentally, the fluid leaks splashes onto his face, unaware that any damage has been caused he carries on with his post. A Progression of events including black fluid from his nose, vomiting and fingernails falling off indicate he is not a happy bunny! It is not long until he begins his transition to an alien/human hybrid. High priority of the government to have this important ‘creature’ for their research and a whole lot of cash results in his carcass being national importance. On the run from the whole country and lies spread about his intentions while operational in District 9, Wilkus has no alternative but to run.

Hibernating in District 9, he locates Christopher Johnson, who understands the processes that have begun to occur. Discovering it was Wikus who confiscated his only chance of escapism; Christopher Johnson looses hope and reveals he could have cured Wikus, if only they had the fuel!

Wikus, Christopher Johnson and his son are entailed into an action packed adventure locating the fuel on the understanding they will escape, locate help and cure Wikus. Nevertheless, on discovering research labs where aliens are pulled apart, investigated and studied, Christopher Johnson’s main objective is to locate help from fellow ‘prawns’ before saving Wikus. A three-year wait before Wikus can be saved from his alien body, what will happen to him?

District 9 must have a sequel due to the aspects, which are left unanswered. Lets hope it has the same wow factor. Furthermore, the opening documentary style was excellent encapsulating me entirely; I could not take my eyes away from the screen.

VERDICT:

♣♣♣♣♣

4 out of 5. ‘Prawns’ and humans, ‘prawn’/human, it’s all going on in this documentary styled Sci-Fi film!

Cemetery Junction

RELEASED: 14 April 2010

CERTIFICATE: 15

DIRECTOR: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant

CAST: Christian Cooke, Tom Hughes, Jack Doolan, Felicity Jones

RUNNING TIME: 95 min

A GOOD OLD FASHIONED ENGLISH BORN AND BREAD FILM! COME ON THE ENGLISH!

A 1970’s comedy set in a diminutive town, Cemetery Junction.  Centered around three typical juvenile guys who cause trouble in bars, take pleasure in the ladies and worship their drink!  Freddie Taylor (Christian Cooke) has landed a new job at a life insurance company, this a important step for his life, due to the dictum of Cemetery Junction, that everyone ends up in the factories.  Disagreement from Bruce Pearson (Tom Hughes) and ‘Snork’ (Jack Doolan), his lifetime friends, alongside ‘bumping’ into first love Julie Kendrick (Felicity Jones) – the bosses’ daughter – sets Freddie’s visions for his future elsewhere.

A light-hearted, action packed yet simple film. Humor certainly is not lacking, reminding me of Trainspotting (1996). Bruce, the rebel of the threesome, has a fluctuant relationship with his father. ‘Snork’ often embarrasses himself and ruins the chances for Bruce and Freddie with women from his ‘off the wall’ stories; bread ‘Snork’ Come On! Julie is set to marry Freddie’s life insurance working partner , Mike Ramsay (Matthew Goode). While a restricted Mrs Kendrick (Emily Watson) struggles to act as if she is still living and important due to her shovanistic husband, Freddie’s boss.

It has a gritty, down to earth style and is certainly a feel good film. I found myself laughing on numerous accounts, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant should be proud! However, I must say for the women out there it will make your blood boil!

VERDICT:

♣♣♣♣♣

4 out of 5. A Gritty, humorous, down to earth, English film equals brilliance!

Avatar Modified

RELEASED: 17 December 2009

CERTIFICATE: PG-13

DIRECTOR: James Cameron

CAST: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver

RUNNING TIME: 162 Min

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT A WORLD CONSISTING OF BLUE CREATURES WOULD BE SO SPELLBINDING?

Lost for words, I ventured home convinced I was an Avatar returning to the magic of Pandora! Fantastic graphics, multifaceted, multiple storylines and a bunch of talented actors, James Cameron ticked all my boxes!

Sam Worthington – who will also appear in The Clash of the Titans (2010) -, Zoe Saldana and Sigourney Weaver star in Avatar.  Sigourney Weaver, as always, was implausible for her performance.

Jake Sulley (Sam Worthington) a paraplegic marine replaces his recently deceased twin brother on a secret mission to gain information about the Na’vi. The Na’vi are the beings that exist on the planet, Pandora, where an expensive, rare ore is buried underneath the Tree of Souls. In exchange for the spinal surgery that will fix his legs, Jake utilizes his Avatar body to infiltrate the Na’vi and to understand the structure of Pandora, for Colonel Quaritch (Stephen Lang), Chief of Security of Hell’s Gate on Pandora.

Jake is taught how to walk, fight and fly as an Avatar while falling in love with his teacher, Neytiri (Zoe Saldana). Consequently he finds the mission tougher than anticipated. In retaliation to the militaries’ unforgivable, destructive actions and Jake’s binding love to the Na’vi and Neytiri, he unites all Avatars’ living on Pandora to save their world from the claws of the military.

Arguably the best film out there to date! The CGI and technology is award wining and revolutionary. As a trilogy is supposedly in preparation, James Cameron will have to go an extra mile to satisfy us starving vultures that are ready for more of the blue meat!

VERDICT:

♣♣♣♣♣

5 out of 5. Once again, James Cameron has impressed the world with his futuristic, stylized, visionary film.

Paranormal Activity

RELEASED: 26 Feb 2010

CERTIFICATE: 15

DIRECTOR: Oren Peli

CAST: Katie Featherstone, Micah Sloat

RUNNING TIME: 86 Min

PLOT: Two people become haunted by an unseen presence. Strange occurences and horrifying events lead into devastating consequences. Paranormal activity wants Katie, will it succeed?

WHAT GHOST?

I turned on my television, inserted the DVD and sat back slightly edgy scared for what I was going to vision, a scary, intense horror film – or so I thought! Paranormal Activity, for me, is not this film, the storyline was weak and the outcome was somewhat predictable. I could understand if this was a true story or this happened in real life to you individually, as this would be scary. However, this is Hollywood, filmmakers have to make the film have more glamour and be intense than real life, however, this film was too slow and did not show many events, which made the fear factor certainly lack for me.

I maybe have underestimated the films qualities and horror factor as I did not view the film in the cinemas, which is undoubtedly going to be more horrific. I believe that it lacked as I was not submerged into the film at full view and I do believe I missed out on this fact. However, films such as The Grudge (2004) were able to unleash a certain degree of fear factor at the comfort of my own home.

I agree the film had certain qualities, such as the handy cam style – however, extremely similar to the other low-budget horror film Blair Witch Project (1999) – nevertheless this added to the films realism. However, I felt some of the featured parts of the film could have been avoided and other factors could have been discussed. Such as more paranormal activities should have occurred more frequently as the film developed. It felt like all I was waiting for was the bedroom scene, as this was the only time paranormal occurences happened. I know it was the place in the house which was haunted and had the activity so it was important, so in this case they could have increased the amount of times we saw the bedroom scene. It became too formulaic for my liking.

The basic plot of the film is that a couple Katie (Katie Featherston) and Micah (Micah Sloat) discover strange happenings in their home, which indicated a haunting in their vicinity. However as the film develops it appears as this unseen presence has been with Katie from when she was little in her childhood. Strange occurences happen, mainly at nighttime when they sleep. These include noises, footsteps, doors opened and closed, lights come on, and weegie boards set on fire etc. Many things occur which would scare you to the point where you would freeze if it happened to you in real life. This is one of the films credits, the realism in some of the scenes and how it makes you think what if it was you? However, the strong point of the film weakens it also, these events could have been much more intense and frequent causing us to become even more scared.

Micah decides to record all these events on camera in order to analyse the footage, to understand what is happening in their house. As the action intensifies and the paranormal activity becomes dangerous, events unfold which lead to devastating consequences.

I am glad I have watched this film, due to the low-budget factor I am impressed – as I am a filmmaker. Also the style of the film reminds me of Blair Witch Project (1990) – as stated above – which was a ground breaking film. I can guarantee there will be a sequel to Paranormal Activity as they leave it on a cliff hanger. I can see me tuning into it just to see how they go from where here. I am not saying it is a terrible film, nevertheless it could be improved in many ways and I expected more.

But give it a watch preferably at the cinemas as the events may be more terrifying. Or maybe I have just become unemotional from my horror collection!

VERDICT:

♣♣♣♣♣

1 out of 5. Maybe I have been too harsh, just feel like I have seen it all before.

The Crazies

RELEASED: 26 Feb 2010

CERTIFICATE: 15

DIRECTOR: Breck Eisner

CAST: Timothy Olyphant, Radha Mitchell, Joe Anderson

RUNNING TIME: 101 Min

PLOT: A small town in America looses control after their water supplies are contaminated with toxic chemicals. One by one each citizen becomes insane, many killing their loved ones and other civilians of the town. Will anyone escape? Or all they all going to be part of the crazy cycle?

THIS FILM WAS CRAZY ENOUGH FOR ME

This film certainly impressed me. I was scared throughout the whole running time and I can tell you now my friends and I could have certainly done with a stiff drink! It is a remake of the original The Crazies in 1973 which was directed by George A. Romero. I was not sure what I was expecting as initially I had gone to view A Serious Man – but a stop off at a takeaway for a pizza resulted in the inevitable! As it started I began to think ‘A typical horror zombie film’ nevertheless, I was somewhat surprised!

The film begins with a breathtaking bizarre event, at a local baseball event an old man walks into the centre of the pitch and just stands there in the middle of the pitch acting odd. The police sheriff, David Dutton played by Timothy Olyphant, approaches him asking him to lower his shotgun. After the old guy raising his shotgun and appearing to go to pull the trigger the sheriff had no choice but to pull the trigger. This event is the starting point for a series of chain reactions to occur. David Dutton’s wife, Judy Dutton played by Radha Mitchell, is a nurse who looks after the civilians in the small town where these unfamiliar events begin to occur. One particular case – Judy attends to her friend’s husband, Bill Farnum, who seems to be out of it as he keeps repeating the same line again and again. At this point she is unaware how serious it is that he is acting this way and puts it down to an infection and to the audience (me and you) are just as confused as to what is about to happen throughout the town.

The film suddenly hits a series of downfalls as Bill Farnum results in killing his family by setting the house on fire. Other civilians of the town begin to ‘loose it’ and as the title says ‘act crazy’. Resulting in other deaths and them appearing somewhat zombified. David Dutton locates a massive aeroplane that has crashed in the river, but he is confused that no one has heard anything about it because of its size. As it is massive he believes and is right in thinking that this should have been reported. He works out with his team-mate Russell Clank, who is played by Joe Anderson, that the plane must have intoxicated the drinking water of the town. His efforts to stop the water fail as the mayor is stubborn enough not to budge. By this time the town is in chaos as lots of the civilians are mad and out of control.

The army are drafted into the town, they are extremely brutal with the town, separating families up into the infected and not infected. The infected are strapped down so the army can conduct tests on these civilians and the not infected are shipped out of the town into another area. However, the army has only one order in their mind to restrict any of the civilians getting out of the town, no one could leave as they were ensuring the infection was only within this town.

David Dutton and Judy Dutton are separated by the army as Judy is told she is infected. David Dutton and his partner Russell Clank manage to break free, arm themselves and find Judy Dutton and one of Judy’s helpers at her work. These four forgo an adventure where they come across many obstacles, including a car wash with insane civilians trying to attack them, a shoot out with the army and Russell Clank being shot by David Dutton. It is an exciting adventure and I won’t ruin this part for you if you do decide to watch it, as it is extremely exciting. The end of the film has a compelling climax, as David Dutton and Judy Dutton manage to escape as the army evacuate and nuke the town hence no spread of infection. Nevertheless the end of the film shows the army locating David Dutton and Judy Dutton, who are walking towards a new town, the film indicates there will be a sequel as this town seems to be under quarantine now these two possible infected civilians have walked into it.

I am hoping there is a sequel as this film was exceptional and very jumpy. I required a strong drink when I came out of that film as did my friends. I was certainly impressed by it and thought it was unique to other zombie films which are sometimes ‘samey’. If you like your horror, or Resident Evil watch this film. It is certainly unique and interesting.

VERDICT:

♣♣♣♣♣

4 out of 5. Crazy zombie humans in a small town which is took over by the army all down to intoxicated water. Exciting and well made. Watch this film certainly watch it.

New Blog Layout

After studying reviews for films in magazines I realise that my Blog needs a new style for the articles. The formulaic headings have been missed out in my previous articles and the font style and colour could be more enhanced. So please enjoy the new style for my Blog website.

Thanks,

Claire