Rachcore1

"Without culture, and the relative freedom it implies, society, even when perfect, is but a jungle...."

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:55:00 -0400

“Without culture, and the relative freedom it implies, society, even when perfect, is but a jungle. This is why any authentic creation is a gift to the future.”

- Albert Camus (via alexanderpaulderonde)

Knight and Day

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:22:00 -0400

Okay, so straight away I’m going to admit my dislike of Tom Cruise. It’s nothing too personal, I just can’t stand the man. I dislike him even more due to the fact that I enjoy every film he’s in. I also can’t stomach Cameron Diaz simply because she is always too happy and quirky. Don’t judge me, I’m obviously just too miserable for my own good and enjoy her films even less. Then along came Knigt and Day…..

A film that brings together my distaste for both these actors, plus Tom Cruise stating he teamed up with Diaz because he wanted a more comical role, immediately got me raring to go to slate this film.

Once more I’m disappointed. Cruise has yet again appeared in a film that I loved from start to finish. Even Diaz was appealing in this, but probably because she spends a great deal of the picture unconscious. This aspect is a brilliant method of moving the story along and successfully caused me to feel disorientated. It was, however, overly used in some scenes, scenes which were perfect opportunities for more glorious action sequences in addition to the abundance already here.

The writing too was surprisingly witty and humorous. Cruise and Diaz’s chemistry on screen works very well with the dialogue flowing smoothly to deliver comical scenes. Cruise’s quest for a more fun role seems to have started off well. Grudgingly I will admit that his choice to work with Diaz was a wise one.

To make up your own mind see the trailer at KNIGHT AND DAY

oldhollywood: Faye Dunaway in Bonnie & Clyde (1967, dir....

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 10:55:00 -0400

oldhollywood:

Faye Dunaway in Bonnie & Clyde (1967, dir. Arthur Penn)

“Never have I felt so close to a character as I felt to Bonnie. She was a yearning, edgy, ambitious southern girl who wanted to get out of wherever she was. I knew everything about wanting to get out, and getting out doesn’t come easy. But with Bonnie there was real tragic irony. She got out only to see that she was heading nowhere and the end was death.

There was a real kind of fierceness I’d seen in Bonnie that I recognized in myself as well. You look at photos of her and see it in her eyes, the set of her jaw. It takes fierceness in life to get ahead. I already knew that. Bonnie was Tennessee Williams, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof time. She knew the only way to get what she wanted was through her own sheer force of will. She was driven by her own desire. I know that territory - you do whatever it takes. She wanted to be something special, something out of the ordinary.”

This film has got to be in my favourites. Faye Dunaway portrayed Bonnie perfectly, along with the tragedies and dramas that came with her.

Here’s the trailer for Ben Affleck’s latest film The...

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 16:32:00 -0400

Here’s the trailer for Ben Affleck’s latest film The Town. It’s currently on my hit list…

The Expendable Expendables

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 16:25:00 -0400

Before I get into this let me just say that my opinion of this film has not been marred by my gender, in fact I’m quite a fan of action films. So when it was announced that all the famous icons such as Sylvester Stallone, Mickey Rourke, Jet Li and even Arnold Swarchenegger were to be mashed together into one I was surprised that my reaction was one of suspicion.

Let me explain. Firstly there’s the fact that this film has been written by Stallone. You would think his previous experience of the action genre, plus managing to cast every iconic action star known to man, would result in a strong story. The end product, however, is weak and disappointing which is a shame because of the potential this film had. The dialogue too is a let down with some scenes being awkward with clumsy interactions. There are a few witty exchanges but unfortunately they are few and far between.

As an action film it delivers the usual intense car chases and epic explosions, but it falls short of the expectations I had for it. As far as the action genre goes it has all the successful ingredients and with all the hype surrounding it due to the all star cast you expect that bit more, but unfortunately this fails to deliver.

The crazy thing though is that I still enjoyed it, despite these flaws. The non stop chases, explosions and fight scenes from start to finish make for some epic entertainment. So I can almost forgive the poor writing and hope that the rumoured sequel sees Stallone learning from his mistakes.

To make up your own mind you can view the trailer at THE EXPENDABLES

It's been a while

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 10:02:11 -0400

Recently I’ve watched more films that I’ve been reviewing so brace yourselves for a run down of the good, the bad, and the surprising. The past few weeks have yielded a variety of flicks that have tantalised cinema goers, as well as a few classics that I thought deserved to be revisited.

TOY STORY 3

First on the agenda is Toy Story 3. After an 11 year wait the highly anticipated finale exploded on to our screens. The wait was definitely worth it as we follow our favourite heroes Woody and Buzz on their final journey. The plot is well thought out as we see the progression of the toys’ fate when Andy is about to leave for college. Mistaken for trash, the toys find themselves heading to Sunnyside, but don’t let the name fool you. What initially seems like a retirement haven for old toys, it’s soon revealed to be a prison run by an unassuming pink bear. All is not as it seems at the play school and our heroes are soon desperately trying to get back home. An excellent combination with prison escape parodies makes this film highly entertaining. But how will it end? All I can say is have a tissue to hand…

THE KARATE KID

Karate Kid stars Will Smith’s son Jaden in his début lead role as Dre Parker, a young boy forced to move to China with his mother. To say that this is the 12 year old’s first leading role, he does an excellent job as he graces our screens with quality acting that echoes his father’s presence. As far as remakes go I was dubious when I first heard about this film but it adapted the original story well to a modern setting. Jackie Chan is also on top form as Mr Han, this version’s equivalent to Mr Miyagi’, as he opts for a more serious approach as opposed to his signature slapstick kung fu roles. Chan successfully portrays the tragic life of his character as he pulls off emotionally charged scenes alongside his young co-star. At the core of the film is the original story in all its glory as Dre is trained to take on the bad guys in the signature kung fu stand off. An enjoyable remake that can be appreciated for its loyalty to the 1984 version as well as adding its own flavour to the mix.

GOEMON

As a fan of Eastern film, I can’t imagine why I haven’t mentioned one sooner. But Goemon is an excellent place to start. Influenced partly by a legendary Japanese bandit whose tale echoes Robin Hood and an anime called Legend of the Mystical Ninja, Goemon is a spectacularly beautiful film. It has all the great features of a historical fantasy as we see characters engaged in spectacular battles and rooftop chases. The film’s main focus centres on Goemon and his role during the Japanese Civil War during which our hero sets out on a quest for revenge after his master is betrayed and killed. The most impressive feature of this film is the incredible effects used to show Goemon take on entire armies, scale castle walls and display exceptional combat skills. The brilliant inclusion of styles like those found in anime mean that this film is ideal for those who want to experience a live action version.

CHAPLIN

The controversial and troubled life of Charlie Chaplin is explored in this 1992 film based on the actor’s autobiography. Robert Downey Jr. plays the silent era icon from his first audition, through the successes and failures of his career and personal life, his exile from America and finally his re-acceptance and recognition before his death in 1977. There are no major criticisms I can give for this film: the acting is brilliant by Downy Jr. who captures Chaplin’s essence convincingly and importantly it is historically accurate. Even if you are not a fan of Chaplin, Downey Jr’s performance is enough of a reason to admire this film. At nearly 20 years old it still manages to hold its own and deserves the 3 Oscar nominations it received.

The Toys are definitely back in town for this final instalment.

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:43:28 -0400

The Toys are definitely back in town for this final instalment.

The A Team

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:20:00 -0400

I originally went to see this film because I was waiting around for someone and had a few hours to kill. In all honesty I was expecting a decent take on the original t.v. series but nothing spectacular that would blow my socks off. So imagine my surprise that within the first 10 minutes my socks had been completely blown into orbit. No messing about, just straight into the action with Colonel Hannibal Smith being beaten to a pulp, Lieutenant Faceman Peck stuck in a pile of tires, Baracus cruising to save the iconic van and Murdock locked in a mental hospital. A brilliant introduction to each team member if ever there was one.

The film is set before the time of the television series and explores how the team came to be together, as well as their incarceration. Without revealing too much, I can tell you that the story soon takes off as we follow the The A Team on their mission to clear their names.

It is non stop action all the way coupled with clever dialogue to add a sense of style that only The A Team can achieve. The casting here also includes some excellent choices, with all performances doing the originals justice. Perhaps this is a personal bias, and I don’t care if it is, but by far the best performance came from Sharlto Copley as Mad Murdock. All the memorable scenes are definitely from him with his portrayal being both a modern adaptation of the original, as well as providing brilliant comic relief.

Even the more unbelievable ideas work in this film as the action scenes power through the absurdity to blow our tiny little minds. Perhaps the most impressive scene is as the team drive a tank…..as it falls from a plane. With sheer ingenuity that makes you believe it’s possible to steer a tank as it plummets to earth, they “drive” it to a safe landing zone. Ridiculously brilliant.

This is definitely a film to go and see as it will please fans both old and new. I’ve also been told you should stay after the credits…Enjoy!

Photo

Sat, 14 Aug 2010 06:53:49 -0400

Bruce Willis

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:17:00 -0400

“You can’t undo the past… but you can certainly not repeat it. ”

- Bruce Willis

This actually looks like a good film….Hope I’m...

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:10:42 -0400

This actually looks like a good film….Hope I’m right..

A MUST WATCH!

Sun, 08 Aug 2010 05:35:03 -0400

A MUST WATCH!

Still Not Good Enough...

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 17:05:44 -0400

3D films are rapidly appearing on a more regular basis in cinemas, and I have to say I’m not impressed. There has been a sudden surge over the past year as film makers have been taken over by some kind of 3D fever. Symptoms include the belief that making a film 3D automatically means it’s going to be better. Initially when 3D films were introduced their popularity was due to the fact that they were something new and exciting. Film goers were seduced by the idea of being “in” the film itself but the constant disappointments are set to see the relationship hitting rocky times.

Now don’t get me wrong, I like the idea of a film being in 3D when it is designed specifically for it. The best I’ve seen within the past year has been A Christmas Carol which was brilliant in 3D because it didn’t overwhelm. Plus the effects were well catered to the design of the film, which is always a bonus. What ruins the concept of 3D for me is stream of poorly made adaptations from 2D that are being reeled out to make money while the idea is on fire and selling. It sells because we, the audiences, continue to hope and dream that the films released in this genre will fulfil our expectations. But if they continue to be made in this manner that is never going to happen.

Why? Because far too often do I see film posters stating “also available in 3D” which is the first warning sign that it won’t be up to scratch. On the other hand films that are made just in 3D prove to be just as disappointing. Here is a list of just a fraction of 3D releases:

toy story 3D
Pirannha 3D
Avatar 3D
Resident Evil 3D
how to train your dragon 3D
Clash of the Titans 3D
Cats and Dogs 3D
Saw 3D
Megamind 3D
Tron Legacy 3D

FUTURE RELEASES

Thor 3D
Pirates of the Caribbean 4 3D
Cars 2 3D
Final Destination 5 3D
Madagascar 3 3D
Men in Black 3 3D

Not one of these appeals to me. Not because they’re terrible films, but because I fear that the 3D effects will be rushed simply to get the films out in time to make money from audiences who are still expecting something spectacular.

The effects side needs to improve dramatically before I eagerly look forward to the release of a 3D film. The day will come I’m certain, but at the moment it’s a small light at the end of a very long tunnel.

One final point…the glasses prove to be an issue for me. As an individual who wears glasses already for my terrible vision how am I mean to cope with wearing two pairs for 2 hours straight? I can tell you, it’s not the most comfortable experience. A small niggle I know but an important one….

Inception is Exceptional

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:43:18 -0400

First of all, apologies for the seemingly endless amount of time that has passed since I last posted on here. You would not believe the amount of hassle moving house, applying for a new university course and catching up with old friends and family can be. Or how much time it can consume. But I am back. With a few points up for discussion.

On the film front I’m ashamed to say that for the past few weeks the almost unstoppable flow of films I have coming my way nearly dried up, mainly from the shear lack of time to sit back and scrutinise relentlessly. However, that is not to say I haven’t been building up a wish list and I’m glad to say I have begun to chip away at it.

The first on my hit list was Inception which was an excellent way to restart my film reviewing. When you watch it, you can truly appreciate why it took director Christopher Nolan 10 years to write it. It is an exceptional piece of work and is unique in the fact that you can not really explain the plot, but simply must watch it. The films focuses around the concept of dreams and how they can be used to see into a person’s subconscious. This is taken one step further to explore the idea of being able to steal information from a person’s mind by entering their dreams. Sounds simple enough I know, but the logic behind these notions has been thoroughly developed and expanded to make it a believable concept.

The fact that is is dreams that are used as the main settings also allows for several paradoxes that question differences between reality and the dream world. The dream world allows for some extraordinary special effects that warp worlds and create a sense of awe. Whilst the plot is difficult to explain, this isn’t due to poor story telling: quite the opposite in fact. The narrative is exceptionally clever and draws on not just the basic element of dreaming, but also personal conflicts of the characters themselves. It explores ideas that we all have experienced at some point: falling in a dream, why we wake up if we die in our dreams, a dream within a dream and how memory can be warped by our subconscious.

Leonardo DiCaprio plays dream thief Cobb who is assigned the task of inception: instead of removing an idea he must implant one. This idea must appear as genuine inspiration and creation and soon becomes apparent that it is almost impossible to achieve. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Ellen Page play his team members Arthur and Araidne who soon begin to realise that Cobb’s own personal trauma is leaking through into the dreams of their subject. Cobb’s past and characterisation is intricately woven into the story as an element that may mean nothing, or could mean everything.

This is an amazing film and I strongly recommend you go and see it. I guarantee it will make you think and blow you minds at the same time. It is difficult to review without going into too much detail because this is a film you need hours to talk about. It’s just that brilliant.

A quick note...

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:37:19 -0400

Just so everyone knows I’ve been on holiday the past week, but will resume posting as normal once I’m back after the weekend.

Tom Hanks once said.....

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:30:26 -0400

“I love what I do for a living, it’s the greatest job in the world, but you have to survive an awful lot of attention that you don’t truly deserve and you have to live up to your professional responsibilities and I’m always trying to balance that with what is really important. ”

- Tom Hanks

Hart's War

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 11:24:11 -0400

To say that a film set in a prisoner of war camp has spectacular scenery seems to contradict itself, but Hart’s War opens with just that. It tells the story of Lieutenant Thomas W. Hart, played by Colin Farrell, who is captured by the Nazis and sent to a POW camp during World War II.

Initially the film’s aim seems to be to tell the tale of the group of men Hart becomes associated with and to show the relationships between them. It does this fairly successfully by portraying the poignant balance between relating to each other as soldiers and relating to each other as people. However the films changed gear about 40 minutes in with the introduction of more controversial topics.

The camp sees the arrival of two captured pilots; Lieutenant Lincoln A. Scott and Lieutenant Lamar T. Archer. Both are African American and receive a less than warm welcome because of the colour of their skin. Only Hart attempts any amicable relationship with the two men. This display of hostility portrays the segregation of white people from black people at this time in a much harsher environment, where the two groups should really be concentrating on the real enemy: the Germans. Problems arise and incidents occur which soon lead to a more sinister turn of events.

Staff Sergeant Vic. W Bedford, played by Cole Hauser, doesn’t try to hide his contempt for the two black officers which leads to a weapon being hidden in Archer’s bunk. He is soon searched, dragged from the hut and executed on sight. Bruce Willis’ character Colonel William A. McNamara expresses what we are all thinking: that his execution was not necessary and only occurred because he was viewed as a “lesser race”. The film manages to evoke an emotional response from the audience and continues to do so from this point on.

Soon after Bedford is found dead outside the hut and all fingers point at Scott. McNamara soon steps in and demands a trial for him, seen as his comrade was denied such an act. Surprisingly the Nazi officers agree and Hart is soon called upon to act as his lawyer.

I won’t give the entire plot away because the film has a clever ending, but it is worth watching. The outcome of the trial becomes irrelevant as another plot element is revealed. A good film from start to end because not one element left me feeling confused or disappointed.

Audrey Hepburn

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:52:57 -0400

“People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.”

- Audrey Hepburn

(May 4th 1929 - January 20th 1993)

To Watch or Not to Watch...

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:08:00 -0400

I have before me a copy of Saw 6. I am seriously doubting whether to watch it. After numerous disappointments from this series I’m inclined to think that this will be no different.

However I like to think I give all films the benefit of a doubt and don;t judge until I’ve actually watched them…so here we go. I expect my review will be predictable but who knows? It may surprise me. Stranger things have happened…..

Midnight Meat Train

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 12:23:33 -0400

Do I like a film that takes an unexpected turn and makes me question what I’m watching? Yes. Does Midnight Meat Train accomplish this? No.

The problem with this film is that it is good until the last 20 minutes or so. If a film is going to be daring and change the ending into something unexpected it needs to do it successfully, so that the viewer is left feeling surprised but satisfied that it all worked out. I won’t spoil the ending for those who haven’t seen it, but sufficed to say the ending let the film down.

The rest of the film, however, went better than expected. There are some excellent uses of time lapses to both speed up and slow down time. The fast forwarding effect shows the busy atmosphere and threatening environment that is New York City, as we follow photographer Leon, played by Bradley Cooper, struggling to make it big. After visiting art dealer Susan Hoff, played by Brooke Shields, he sets out to improve on his already gritty photography of the darker side of the city.

Enter Vinnie Jones. Clearly selected for the role due to his big build he plays butcher Mahogany who Leon begins to follow. What ensues uncovers a sinister plot of butchery and murder on the subway with Leon struggling physically and emotionally with what he photographs. There is excellent use here of slowing down time as the camera circles the events a full 360 degrees. Perhaps my favourite is when Mahogany moves in on his victims the camera focuses on a man’s face as his hammer smashes into his head and his eye pops from his socket. As grisly as this sounds the effects here are brilliant to watch, even more so with the clever use of first person viewpoints. The camera assumes the point of view of the second victim, a woman, as he drags her back up the train and promptly beheads her. The camera resumes a third person stance only after her head has stopped rolling, which I thought was a genius decision.

The film delivers all the elements that a thriller should: suspense, drama and mystery. However, as I already mentioned, the ending lets it down. It just seems rushed: like the film makers were trying to make something unique but didn’t quite think it through. There are many questions that are asked but the film runs out of time and doesn’t answer any of them. Which is a shame because the rest was very entertaining to watch.