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

The Amazing Spiderman

The Amazing Spiderman Poster

To be honest I wasn’t that excited about this film as I was extremely annoyed that they were remaking what was my favourite Marvel superhero, however what made me watch it was “Andrew Garfield” and “Emma Stone’s” inclusion, I watched “Boy A” a couple of years ago and really enjoyed “Andrew’s” performance as “Jack”, and I have enjoyed most of “Emma Stone’s” films to date, most recently being “Crazy Stupid Love”.

Before you start to read my review I want everyone to know that I am by no means a reader of comic books and I don’t know any of the origins of “Spiderman”, however I did know his first love was “Gwen Stacy” instead of “Mary-Jane Watson” so it was always a little strange that they changed that in the original film with “Sam Raimi” directing.

I always found it quite hard to believe “Tobey Maguire” playing a geek for some reason, but I was wondering how “Andrew Garfield” would change the role of “Peter Parker” and make it his own? Well he does do an excellent job of making the role his own; you can always tell when an actor is going to have an exceptional career by the small movements he makes in films, from hand gestures to the facial expressions he conveys to the audience. “Andrew Garfield” has everything to be a brilliant actor in my personal opinion; I hope he is around long to prove me right, because he is one “helluva” prospect. He makes “Peter Parker”, a much darker character, not so innocent and just the right amount of “geekyness” , along with this, you don’t always feel like “Peter” is chasing a lost cause with trying to be with “Gwen”, the chemistry between “Emma Stone” and “Andrew Garfield” is excellent probably because of their off screen relationship, however I never felt like “Gwen” was above “Peter” which was a nice touch, where as I always got the idea that “Mary Jane” was too good for “Peter”.

So the acting as I have said is of an excellent standard, and just for this alone it needs to be watched, the way in which it is filmed is very good too, it’s a much darker version of “Spiderman”.

There is one thing that did disappoint me about this film, and it’s the lack of feeling that they didn’t even try to break away from the 2002 version of “Spiderman”, especially with “Uncle Ben” being in the film, I won’t say what happens just in case someone hasn’t seen either of the films, however if you have seen the 2002 version you know what happens. Which is obviously keeping in touch with the comics however it just feels like there is a lack of thought gone into trying to change the outcome, thus the film feeling a little same old “Spiderman”, in other words it lacks effort in breaking the mould.

The CGI in places is a tad ropey obviously and especially on “Dr Connors” (Played expertly by “Rhys Iffans” when turning into the  “The Lizard”, in parts in laughable for a high budget movie.

Overall the film is a good reboot, however for me, 

just felt like a remake rather than a reboot, which is a tad disappoint because had this been their first attempt at making “Spiderman” movie, this easily would have been my most favourite Marvel film. However it never seems to break the mould which leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. It’s almost like they have wasted “Andrew Garfield” and “Emma Stone’s” talent, like they were a second thought as such. All I have to say is where are “Kirsten Dunst” and “Tobey Maguire” now?

Drag Me To Hell

Drag Me To Hell Post

Since this film was released, I had heard a lot of good things about it. Being directed by Sam Raimi (Spiderman Series) I must admit, I enjoy his directorship (along with Tony Scott and M Night Shymalan as my favourite directors.) So I was looking forward to watching this horror film, with parts of it showing a touch of classic-ness with certain camera angles and the old school use of shadows, rather than ridiculous CGI.

Basically the film, is about a young Loan Advisor “Christine Brown”  who tries to impress her boss “Jim Jacks”, for the assistant managers position, by declining a loan for an old gypsy lady “Sylvia Ganush” to keep her home, however what she doesn’t realise is that she is about to be cursed by the gypsy because she has rejected her loan.

And so the horror starts, Christine is stalked by a powerful demon called the “Lamia” who will stalk her for 3 days, and then finally dragging her literally into hell, however Christine tries to stop the “Lamia” in many ways, but does she have enough time to stop him? Well you will have to see and find out.

Justin Long is plays the worried boyfriend, Clay Dalton, who is also a professor which adds to the depths of the story with his parents annoyed that he is going out with a farmer girl. Dileep Rao plays “Rham Jas” who tries to help with ways of getting rid of the demon from her life he is also a shoulder for Christine to lean on because he is the only one that understands the curse.

There are many good things about this film, and it certainly did its job in making me jump, it returns to the roots of horror, by having quick panning shots making the audience wonder what is going to happen in the next shot.

The soundtrack is extremely creepy and definitely adds to the scariness of the film. I don’t really have anything negative to say about the film but its not amazing or genre defining, its just a good ol’ horror, which will definitely make you, laugh, jump, be scared, and just ask WHY!

Its definitely worth a watch and one of the better horrors this decade, it doesn’t take itself too seriously and this helps it out. Its very cool and very slick. Go Watch It NOW!

Drive Angry

Drive Angry Poste

Recently I have signed up to “Netflix” which allows you (the audience) to watch a large database of movies over the internet for £5.99 (however I have the first month free, after noticing the advert on TV). So I took it upon myself to start with Drive Angry.

I saw the adverts plenty of times when going to the cinema in early 2011, however, the cheesy script and sub-par acting really put me off of going to see this at the cinema. It some ways I made a good decision but in others, I made a bad decision because its one “helluva” ride.

From my point of view, Nicholas Cage in recent years hasn’t made very many good films, a lot of people slated “Knowing” but I quite enjoyed it until the end. “Bangkok Dangerous” I heard was awful, I didn’t particularly like either National Treasure (Even though my other half absolutely adores them). “Next” and “Season of the Witch” were supposed to be awful, alongside “Ghost Rider” which was truly awful (and they are still making a sequel!)

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Anyway, as you can see from above, I did not have high expectations for “Drive Angry” what so ever, especially with the ridiculous title. So what’s it all about?? Well its basically about “Milton” (Nicholas Cage) who breaks out of hell, because a sadistic satanic cult have kidnapped her, and he has broken out of hell, to get her back safe and sound, along the road is Amber Heard’s character “Piper”, she is not your typical blonde girl. Although very pretty she is also a bit of a “hard nut”, she is “Milton” helping hand. There are a few peripheral characters such as “the accountant” played by William Fichtner and The cult’s leader “Jonah King” who is played by Billy Burke.

Story is a little on the weak side, it’s not original and it’s not fantastically portrayed, but I did have a bit of an epiphany while watching the film. I notice that the whole demeanour of the film is cheesy, so I came to the conclusion that the whole film is SUPPOSED to be cheesy.

The acting is sooooo cheesy that it is something you will find back in the 80’s in a B movie, it really is that terribly cheesy. However, it does redeem itself on the action factor, there is quite a bit of it and this makes up for some of the way in which the film is executed.

Nicholas Cage plays a typical “Bad-Ass” quite well; he always has played very good villains, such as “Face-Off” and “Con-Air”. He has some very cheesy one liners. Amber Heard, plays the part of a tortured girl quite well and also has some cheesy one liners, she supports Nic Cage very well.

The music is very old-school and very rock and roll especially the last song at the end of the film.

Overall it’s a good ride, but sub-par In many categories, very enjoyable, but wide of the mark. The best thing I can suggest is, rent it and see what you think, I certainly wouldn’t buy it.

Abraham Lincoln:Vampire Hunter

Abraham Lincoln Poster

When seeing the trailer for this film I was extremely unsure as to whether or not I was going to see the film or not, I finally decided to go and to be honest I was extremely disappointed…………….with the person next to me. This gentleman, (gentleman isn’t really the right word to use for this man, annoyance is probably more like it) decided to talk all the way through it with his chavy loud mouthed girlfriend, while being on his phone, nose-breathing extremely loud and rustling on his extremely large box of popcorn.

As you can you can probably tell I didn’t have the best experience when I went to see this film, I was extremely close to causing some damage to the chair in front or the idiot sat next to me.

Anyway RANT OVER!

Back to the film, from the producers of “WANTED” they have brought a modern twist to Abraham Lincoln’s short life, that he is a vampire hunter (something tells me you already knew this by the title).

Abraham Lincoln is played by Benjamin Walker, who I personally think portrays him excellently; he gives a really good vibe to the role and has a good energy about him. The film shows Abrahams’s rise to fame for being outspoken against slavery, thus him studying to become a lawyer and eventually president, the film very cleverly blends the two elements of this man’s life together, by day he is a lawyer, by night he is a vampire hunter. The day part, I believe is historically accurate which is another rather interesting element to the film.

Like usual I don’t really want to say too much about the film because I think people should go and see it for themselves, it is a very good film of what I saw of it anyway due to the babbling idiot.

The film has a lot of CGI through out, but it isn’t of the rubbish standard which is a good feature.

There are bits of black comedy throughout the film which is a plus, it breaks up the seriousness of the film (yes a vampire film can be serious).

Overall the film is very good and I would recommend people to go and see it.