Cloud Atlas

I was extremely lucky to obtain a copy of this film. Directed by some of the most intelligent people in Hollywood, The Wachowski Brothers (although they aren’t  brothers any more, they are more Brother and Sister now due to Larry having a sex change to Lana, which I congratulate him on his braveness, and wish him all the best in the future).

Neo Seoul 2144 - Cloud Atlas Poster

I normally get really excited by anything the Wachowski’s do, The Matrix and V for Vendetta being some of my favourite films. (Maybe it’s the Joel Silver/Wachowski mix that helps the films develop into brilliant films). When I watched the trailer for this film I felt no differently than the others, this certainly has a “Matrixy” feel to it with the different timeline’s and the Dark environment of 2144 Neo-Seoul (one of the six timeline’s in the film).

This film has a multitude of talent on show, Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Jim Sturgess, Hugo Weaving, Susan Sarandon and Hugh Grant. These are just some of the names on show in this film.

So what’s it about I hear you say? Well, like I explained earlier this film is set across 6 timelines:

South Pacific Ocean - 1849

Cambridge, England & Edinburgh, Scotland - 1936

San Francisco - 1976

United Kingdom - 2012

Neo Seoul - 2144

The Big Island Of Hawaii (Dated 106 after “The Fall”) Year 2314

Might I add that each of these storylines is extremely interesting, and they support each other very well. The whole film shows people’s lives intertwining and each of their actions making consequences for the future after they have died.

Each of the actors/actresses are in each of the timelines as different characters and this is where the re-incarnation idea is born. They each play several characters in the film, but don’t let this put you off the costumes and make up are simply unbelievable and some of the best I have seen, this certainly helps with storylines because without this it would be extremely hard to follow.

All the actors/actresses give powerhouse performances throughout, Tom Hanks especially; it reminded me of his performances in Forest Gump and Castaway.

I’m not going to go into great depths on what character each person plays because I want you to experience this film totally blind, all I can say is, that it is completely and utterly beautiful and somewhat a visionary piece, I can only thank the Wachowski’s for constructing such a masterpiece and certainly puts them back on the map, if anyone was disappointed by their sequels to the Matrix (I personally wasn’t annoyed by the sequels but I know a lot of people were).

DO NOT expect an action film; EXPECT top class acting, world class makeup and special effects, brilliant storyline, excellent script.

Please, Please go and watch this film at the cinema when it comes out, it has already hit the states about 2-3 months ago, but is out in Europe on the 22^nd February.

Absolutely Brilliant!

 Cloud Atlas Trailer

Arthur Christmas

Arthur Christmas Poster

ARTHUR CHRISTMAS!!!! Yep! I went and saw Arthur Christmas at the cinema with my Fiancée she lovingly dragged me along as these women do. I had no idea what I was in for; all I knew was that it was 1. About Christmas (YAY!) and 2. It’s a KIDS film (Double YAY!). So as you can tell in the demeanour of my writing I wasn’t…….overly excited about it.

Anyway, on to the movie, well lets just say this film is a breathe of fresh air in the CGI department, and the voice acting is excellent too with the likes of James McEvoy, Jim Broadbent and Hugh Laurie bringing their talent to the fray. Its an excellent tale of what goes on around Christmas and what Santa and the elves do.

Right from the first scene you know its going to be a good film, it turns in to a “Matrix” affair, with the elves delivering all  the presents in ridiculous fashion in all sorts of manners e.g. through the toilet. Santa directs the elves around where they should be and what they should do. It has some extremely entertaining set pieces through out. It certainly sets the standards high for future releases, and its ridiculously hard not to love this film, all the characters are loveable.

The film is about “Arthur”, who is always under the shadow of his older Brother “Steve” who is also in line to become the new Santa Claus after his father gives up the reins.(Hehe Get that joke, Reins!) so after Santa has given up all the presents, Arthur realises that one of the presents hasn’t been to delivered to a particular child. He then asks “Steve “ to help him deliver it, however he sees that they cant make it in time to deliver it. So Arthur, sets out to show everyone that we should never give up and always try our hardest. It is an extremely heart-warming tale of love and life and it will not disappoint the adults or the kids going to see it.

For once there isn’t an evil character in this film, even though Hugh Laurie’s character Steve is slightly egotistical, buts it not your average kids storyline e.g. Good Vs Evil. I don’t want to give too much of it away because it is an excellent film with an excellent cast.

Trust me, go and watch this film and you will not regret it what so ever, and definitely take the kids, they will love the bright colours and get them in the Christmas mood, not they will need much pushing in that direction.