Category: Film Reviews

20th Century Fox
www.mirrorsmovie.com

How many times a day do you check your reflection, in a mirror, a shop window or a car. A mirror is the door to the soul and cannot lie. It shows us the truth, even if we don’t want to see it. But can some mirrors hold onto things we cannot see?

Like many other films before it, the Grudge, the Ring, the Eye and Dark Water, Mirrors has been transformed from an East Asian movie into a creepy Americanised thriller staring 24’s Kiefer Sutherland. Sutherland plays Ben Carson, a police detective taking a break from the force to deal with an alcohol problem. He is separated from his wife and children, living with his sister and takes a night security job patrolling a burnt out shopping mall. While patrolling one night he begins to get disturbed by the mirrors that thrive inside. He begins to hear noises and see things in the mirrors that are not present on his side but can be seen in the mirrors reflection; distorted faces, people with severe burns and hand prints of which he cannot account for. Ben goes on a mission to find out what is going on inside the mirrors, resulting in the death of someone close to him.

There is suspense from the start and the mind automatically gets puzzled and tries to place together how one man and his reflection can do two separate things, both resulting in some gruesome images. The movie continues on a path of mystery, getting the mind working in over time as much as Sutherlands character’s on screen. The surprise and unexpected ending is probably the most enjoyable part of the film and supplies some of the movies more gruesome images. Throughout the film there are sights of a frightful nature. From the first to the last killing these visions are on the same wavelength as Saw, with body parts being ripped from one end to the other. The most horrific image is when the creature creating the visions in the mirror gets its intended victim and takes over their body. The way it comes to be is unpredictable and takes you off guard with its presence and distorted and horrifying human form.

The only disappointment I had regarding Mirrors was the segment in which the mirrors explode. I felt this to be a vital part of the conclusion yet not as impressive as it could have been. We see the pieces of the mirrors fall to the ground shattering yet I was let unfulfilled and rather let down regarding the reaction it created. I wanted a little more shock and astonishment, the same reaction caused as the creature approaches, but no such luck.

With its thoughtful plot line to get the brain flickering in and out of consciousness, grasping events that add a little more to the mirror mystery and the creature presence to take you by surprise, don’t expect all happy endings, butterflies and roses come the last scene, wait for a twist in fate you will never see coming. Mirrors is a great film and has a bundle of special features on the DVD including looking into making the film come to life with sets and Sutherlands input as well as much more. Definitely a must see for fans of murder mysteries and plot twists.

Michelle Moore

Revolver entertainment
www.cityratsthemovie.com

City Rats portrays city life in London, as you have never seen it before. The film takes on four narrative strings, looking at eight different characters and examining some very delicate subject matter. At first there is Pete (Danny Dyer), an ex-criminal drunken mess that goes on a journey of truth with Carol (Natasha Williams), a woman on the edge and the mother of an old friend of Pete’s who has disappeared. Together the look for the truth into the lad’s disappearance with to some devastating results.

Then there is Gina, a.k.a Penelope (Susan Lynch), a prostate who has a relationship with her artist neighbour Dean (Ray Panthaki) who asks her to be his muse, his inspiration in his art and poetry. Next we have Olly (Kenny Doughty) and his deaf autistic brother Chris (James Lance) who use the London night scene to develop and explore their sexualities. Lastly is Jim (Tamer Hassan) and Sammy (MyAnna Buring) both lost in life and link eyes across London’s rooftops when they debate over whether to jump; they look to each other as saviours. As you begin to piece the story into the four separate narratives, you find there is actually some crossovers; Jim is a client of Penelope’s, Dean and Olly went to school together and Pete is somehow involved in Olly and Chris’s family.

Once laid out straight in ones mind, you begin to realise how each story touches upon the London scene. There is some of the most beautiful of landscapes from London rooftops, especially in the opening scene involving the Millennium Bridge and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Other scenes look at the dark side of London, such as the back streets, Soho and the clubbing scene. The way each of the scenes is filmed is remarkable. There are also some scenes, particularly the sequence of melons falling from the rooftops and Chris at Trafalgar Square with the pigeons that are memorable. City Rats deals with some delicate topics but does so carefully and creatively. It touches upon murder, drugs, suicide, disabilities, domestic violence, prostitution and homosexuality.

If you are looking for a film that is honest to its form then City Rats is it. Each word spoken is honest and the DVD features portray the cast in a similar fashion. If you are going to make a British film that portrays the London scene then you can’t get any better than having Danny Dyer; he is a true actor with all the Brit aspect you want and for his presence makes this an enjoyable watch.

Michelle Moore

Universal
www.frostnixon.net

I am an avid viewer of horror and actions films. Rarely do I get grasped into historical dramas as not only are the majority dull and boring, but events depicted in many of them, such as this one, occurred before I was even born and therefore I lack the experience and understanding of the time and the events.

Based on the play by Peter Morgan, which dramatised the interviews of 1977 between journalist David Frost and President Nixon, Frost/Nixon, reunites its original two stars from the West End and Broadway productions of the play, Michael Sheen as David Frost and Frank Langella as former President Nixon. When a series of reports documenting on the Watergate scandal, one of many illegal incidents authorised and carried out by Nixon’s staff, are released to the press, the president has no choice but to resign. This resignation leads to an interview with David Frost, a TV host with his mind determined to interview the president regarding these events in several TV specials. The conclusion that comes from their interview time together is a make or break for each individual; either Frost gets a confession from Nixon regarding his involvement and becomes a huge name in the pubic eye, or Nixon puts his point across so well that all is forgiven and Frost goes back to being another TV host.

When viewing the interview technique between Frost and Nixon, it goes to show just how much a journalist must prepare for such an event. At the start Frost just sets his sights on “a big interview” but realises there is more at stake than just his career. It is his job as a journalist to get the truth out of a man who had the trust of a nation on his side and let them down with his irresponsible ways of thinking, acting and decision-making. His development and devotion to finding the truth, a confession, grows as he gets thinker into the questions.

To be perfectly honest I had no history of the events represented in this film. I knew the presidents name, but that was basically it. It was through the remarks I had heard from others that made me want to give the film a shot and I am thankful I did. For someone like myself that wasn’t around when the events actually occurred, I think depicting them in a method suited to the era is important so that we have some basic knowledge of such a milestone in American history. Frost/Nixon is not going to become one of those films you won’t adore and watch for the pleasure of it repeatedly. But, if you are looking to gain knowledge of American history and watch something that was of great importance some time back then Frost/Nixon is likely a great candidate. If you are looking for entertainment and excitement though, then better look elsewhere.

Watch the trailer here.

Michelle Moore

Sony Pictures
Website

The Grudge was an amazing film and a phenomenal success. It was a freakishly brilliant horror rendition of the Japanese film about a woman with a curse born when someone dies though powerful rage or extreme sorrow. To see her creeping around the house, her long hair or the very pale small child was enough for some of us to check the bottom of the bed before getting in at night. Part two in the trilogy sees the curse move from Tokyo to America was a less impressive impression but nevertheless still gory enough for a few scares and moments to cover your eyes at. The concluding chapter in the trilogy, Grudge 3, just seems out of pace with the others.

It begins by exploring the originals of the female vengeful entity and her son, recapturing the reasons as to why they are there in the beginning; they were murdered. As the tale continues it looks to why the female character became a twisted woman and didn’t just move to the spirit side and how she can be stopped before she kills any more people.

There is nothing inspiring, nothing dreadfully terrorising or gruesome in this film. It just feels as though the makers have jumped onto the back of a good thing but have consequently bought the trilogy to a disappointing demise. At the start I was left with curiosity, who is this Japanese woman and how is she involved in the storyline but this is quickly established. This is followed by a few moments that make you jump but other than that I was left disappointed. The death sequences are not frightful or shocking just slightly gory; a boy ripped to shreds, snapped necks and a few stabbings to name but very few. The plot line becomes predictable and not amusing. To see a small boy as white as a sheet and talk to him rather than being scared is ridiculous as is a woman falling over rather than running, which along with the death of a lover is predictable and can be seen coming a mile away.

If you are intending to make the last film in a trilogy you need to be able to shock viewers in ways they have never seen before. You need to be able to twist the plot to a point viewers are left with their mouths open wide and stunned. Scream was the perfect conclusion to the trilogy as it incorporated elements present in the first film and even before and twisted them. Unless you can create something outrageous and something viewers will never see coming, you have no chance of the film being a hit. Grudge 3 attempts to take us back to the beginning and how Kayako became such a violent entity, but it just doesn’t click or entertain to a degree. This film is certainly not going to be the best horror film released to DVD in the next few months.

Michelle Moore

Paramount Pictures
www.startrekmovie.com

I was always more of a Star Trek: The Next Generation viewer growing up, which was probably more to do with the era, being a child of the 1980’s, yet I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see the new Star Trek film, which features the original Star Trek characters, portrayed by a new cast.

This eleventh film based on the franchise takes us back to the beginning and introduces each character from the start, before they enter the Enterprise. It begins with the death of George Kirk and the birth of his son, James T.Kirk. Always being a bit of a rebel and his counterpart Spock more of an educational wizard, it is hard to see the two of them working alongside each other. They say opposites attract and these two are certainly opposites yet there is a friendship built by the end.

It is difficult to put into words how incredibly mesmerising this film is, especially when viewed from a high quality IMAX screen. From the explosive opening to the incredible closing credits you are always left on the edge of your seat with the fast moving images. On such a screen however, the magnitude of such events are three fold. Between the Enterprise being attacked, fighting scenes and explosions, you can never get bored and through IMAX technology it almost feels as through you are beamed on board the star ship.

A film with such energy is a powerful enough tool to hypnotise an audience. But what makes this more enthralling was the little sense of comedy that is wrapped among the action and sci-fi. From insults – “green blooded goblin” and anger – “are you out of your Vulcan mind” to Simon Pegg’s laughable character and Kirk’s sickness symptoms. Spock’s complete lack of humour gene and his inability to comprehend sarcasm and metaphors among other things is also laughable. It is the comedy’s lack of impact on the actual character that makes it stand out. They make us laugh with lines, expressions and actions without leaving the sci-fi trail, like cracking jokes with out realising it. This shows much creativity on not only writer’s behalf, but also the direction of JJ Abrams.

The cast have much courage to reprise such well-known and adored characters. Chris Pine as Kirk is everything a young captain in the making shouldn’t be; irresponsible and a chance taker, yet a character you want watch. Zachary Quinto recently caused a storm in Heroes. As Spock he is able to mould a character with a complete lack of understanding, a blank face and no emotion, while being one of the most intelligent characters present. Leonard Nimoy reprises his role as Spock in a time travelling twist of fate and it is a magnificent welcome. It is as though his presence gives the film his approval.

This is probably the most exciting, motivating and engaging Star Trek film I’ve see. Its fast paced nature is the manifestation of an ingenious mind and with the statement below making a welcome conclusion, Star Trek will be one of the most exciting, memorable and fascinating films you’ll see this year.

“Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the star ship Enterprise. Its ongoing mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life-forms and new civilizations; to boldly go where no one has gone before”

Michelle Moore

X-Men Origins: Wolverine 2009
Twentieth Century-Fox and Marvel Entertainment
www.x-menorigins.com

We start at the beginning – I know, how bourgeois – James ‘Logan’ Howlett is a sick child, monitored by an adolescent moody Victor ‘Dog’ Creed. After a tragic accident where James’ claws emerge in an uncontrollable rage, he learns that Victor is his half-brother and they, as “freaks”, escape together forming a quick but strong brotherly bond. The credits role and we see them fighting side-by-side through 150 years of all the commercial wars (WW1, WW2, Vietnam etc).

Despite their bond James finds it hard to control and hide Creeds increasing bloodlust, until they are recruited by Stryker along with a few other mutants (not the original Weapon X group) with a goal to create the perfect mutant. But Logan doesn’t want to continue down the same path as the other mercenaries so he leaves, which is seen as a betrayal to Creed.

Cut to sometime in the (near-ish) present, Logan is making home with his girlfriend (Silverfox) in the Canadian Rockies, living an honest, lumberjack life away from trouble. And it is Silverfox who plants the name Wolverine in to Logan’s head, before she is slayed by Creed as an act to gain Logan’s attention. Logan wants revenge but can only defeat Creed (who is now going by the alias Sabretooth) if he goes along with Strykers plan to have his skeleton fused with indestructible metal, which he does. Unfortunately though, Wolverines super hearing picks up on Stryker scheming, and does a naked dive off a picturesque waterfall. Chaos ensues.

This film is a fast, adrenaline soaked comic book fantasy, full of new characters (well cast too) and so many twists you’ll want to vomit. The characters, plot, action sequences and special effects (especially the retracting claws, *snikt snikt*) are perfectly balanced without being overly cliched or too close to the original comics. A well built spectacle filled with enough speed, drama, wit and technical skill to easily branch out to most audiences (although no doubt you’ll get your die hard fans hating Deadpool – to the max).

As well as the action, hair and claws there is the obvious but unmentioned underlying message about “fitting in” to the society that is trying to repress them. Discovering who we really are, and whether in our complex personalities, we can find the proper one to live by. All the mutants have this trouble, but this is about Wolverine, and his struggle. He has to control his animalistic rages to really prove to himself that he can, that he isn’t the same as an animal, despite the rather unfortunate characteristics he may share with them.

In a word this film is escapism, pure wonderful, exciting escapism. Which is exactly what comic books do, they deliver the big spandex-clad doses of wish fulfilment. You might think that one day they’ll run out of comics to adapt to film, however, if they continue down this ‘origins’ route, they could go on forever, supplying nerds everywhere with something to complain about, and Stan Lee with somewhere nice to live.

Emily Paget

Part 1

Trailer
www.supernatural.warnerbros.com

After Dean’s death at the end of Supernatural Season three, I was curious as to how Season four would follow on. What a sight it was to see him dragged out of hell and back on the road with his brother Sam, doing what he does best, finding evil and vanquishing it in as many different and creative ways as possible.

The majority of this part of the season deals with Dean’s return from the pits of hell, finding out who made his return possible and for what reasons. After this is established, the boys hit the road on a mission to stop a demon from opening the door to hell for the devil himself to walk among us. Along the path of stopping the oncoming apocalypse the guys run into many otherworldly and supernatural things. We see the dead return to haunt hunters for not being able to save them, a man turning into a flesh easting monster, a wishing well that grants actual wishes and a ghost sickness that gets Dean pretty much terrified. There are also two episodes that deal with a fallen angel, a girl that gets both heaven and hell fighting over her.

There are some gruesome scenes attached to this season, as you would expect, but not as many as you would see in a modern day horror film. There are the occasional eyeballs being burnt out of their sockets and people getting the occasional stabbing or two but nothing to damaging for the soul. The only things to make me flinch were the snap of a few arms – ouch! There are the one or two raunchy scenes for both Dean and Sam, as you would expect from two boys on the road, but each done tastefully and not too revealing.

Unexpectedly there is quite a bit of humour present, more than the previous seasons. This is especially noticeable on two episodes. The first in which a ghost disease causes Dean to lose his nerve and get scared of everything from teen boys and heights to cats and dogs; he gives an excellent imitation of screaming like a five year old girl. The second is in a narrative completely set aside from the on going apocalypse storyline in which the boys investigate deaths by a werewolf, a mummy and a vampire. When filmed in black and white, this episode takes on an old horror movie atmosphere gone wrong. The back history we get from an episode involving the yellow-eyed demon from the boys past is very informative at the end. However, for some time it did have me confused, but concluded with a viewer gaining more knowledge of the boy’s history than you had at the start.

The brotherly relationship Dean and Sam share is great to see onscreen. From their emotional reunion to their displays of sentiment trying to protect each other to arguments and the odd falling out. The stories these guys go through may be unnatural and false, but there chemistry on screen is completely believable and enjoyable with Jensen Ackles (My Bloody Valentine) and Jared Padalecki (Friday the 13th remake) giving some outstanding performances.

We have been fulfilled, excited, anxious and wanting to scream at the TV for this part and I am very much looking forward to seeing how it all ends. Will the demon succeed in bringing about the apocalypse and letting hell lose on Earth and what other supernatural forces will the lads run into next. Season four is rounding up on ITV2 at the minute and will be released to DVD shortly.

Michelle Moore

Optimum Releasing
www.huntersthompsonmovie.com

‘Gonzo‘, no I am not talking about the lovable blue alien character from the Muppets, by ‘Gonzo’ we are referring to the release of the two hour documentary film into the life and works of Hunter S. Thompson.

Directed by Alex Gibney and narrated by Johnny Depp, the release probes into all corners of Thompson life, the good and also the bad including his adventures and his low points. Thompson viewed life as a challenge so pushed all boundaries, aiming to get the most out of life and experience all he could. In conversations with family, and friends including his wives, children and various magazine editors taken out of passages from unpublished manuscripts, home movies, audiotapes and interviews, we are given an in depth look at the life this writer lived. From his childhood to his last days, we get an overview of what his life was like; a man of two sides, a caring family man and a drug addicted writer.

From dope to acid, his experiences in the Rock’n’Roll 1960’s detail some very shocking moments. We are given a taste of his hunting and gun hobbies. Probably the most disturbing of the films facts is Thompson’s running with the Hell’s Angels. Spending a lot of time with the motor cycle gang and getting in deep with such characters and events must have events must have been quite a disturbing experience and something that would have had a lasting impact on Thompson’s life; his book ‘Hell’s Angels‘ was written out of these adventures.

Other aspects that are included in this feature are his look into the death of the American Dream, his bid for the Sheriff’s office in Aspen, his involvement in the presidential campaign for Senator George McGovern and his novel ‘Fear and Loathing in Last Vegas‘, for which he is probably most well known for.

One of the talked about aspects for Thompson is his invention of Gonzo journalism, a style of writing where Thompson often put himself into the story. However, even though this is supposedly a large element of Thompson’s life, it is only really briefly talked about and never given much depth, which I was quite disappointed about. His death on the other hand was something this feature pays a lot of attention to; just as Thompson did before he died. Some people as his first wife states believe to take his life at that particular point was ‘a strong and noble act’; you would have to decide this for yourself after viewing.

There are very few journalists that can lead a life as Thompson did and be remembered in light. He may have had his down points but will always be remembered and this documentary is the perfect way to outline the ups and downs of the creator of GONZO.

Michelle Moore

20th Century Fox
www.thedaytheearthstoodstillmovie.com

The Day The Earth Stood Still is loosely based on the 1951 classic of the same name and stars Keanu Reeves as a visitor from another planet with plans to save ours. When a giant sphere makes its presence known in Central Park, all the armed forces are broken out to discover just what it is. From inside appear two things; the first is an alien named Klaatu (Reeves) who sheds its outer skin to appear human and the second a GIANT alien shape that is capable of deconstructing itself. The aliens appear with the aim of saving planet Earth from obliteration, even if this means eliminating the human race on it.

In a generation where we are lacking the ability to look after ourselves let alone the plane we inhabit, The Day The Earth Stood Still looks at the human image and gives us a statement to think over “If Earth dies, we die, if we die, the Earth survives.” The film is a large thinker, not only about the planet, but also about things such as where these spheres come from, what is inside them and how does this alien look human?

The simplicity of the original suited the time in which it was created. You must roll with the times and that is exactly what director Scott Derrickson has done. When you think of a sci-fi flick you are flooded with images of aliens, UFO’s and more specifically the advance with technology; this plays an extremely large role in The Day The Earth Stood Still. From setting the scene with dark tones, filming mostly at night with foggy shots, rain, snow, wind and controlling the mix of colours in the shots to going all out on Computer Generated Images. Visual effects are incredible with much of the alien footage and helicopters’ being placed in the scenes after filming was completed.

Keanu Reeves is an incredible actor, especially when it comes to sci-fi flicks. He had impact in the writing of the film as well as production aiming to make all characters believable and enjoyable to watch. He isn’t exposed as the alien character out straight, which adds some mystery to the thickening plot line. When he is exposed, he plays this otherworldly and very confused new comer to the planet incredibly well. Reeves has a wonderful way of using very little dialogue and a very plain expression in such a way that you are completely engaged with the character. The remainder of the cast include stepmother and son (Jennifer Connelly and Jaden Smith) as part of a fragmented family, something new to the screen yet so common in reality.

There is a remarkable amount of bonus footage on this DVD. From deleted scenes and commentaries to ‘Re-imaging The Day‘, ‘Unleashing Gort‘, discussing about other civilisations and extraterrestrial life and helping to save the planet. The Day The Earth Stood Still keeps you on the edge of your seat and is a film that really gets the brain boggling regarding ways in which you can save Earth from destruction; it’s never too late to do your part.

Michelle Moore

It has come to Season 5 of 2 and a Half Men and things are developing quite well. His season of the hilarious comedy staring Charlie Sheen sees his character become more matured, his nephew becoming interested in girls, his brother still trying to lean how to talk to women and his mother dealing with a new man in her life.

The season opens on Jake’s first day at high school, as if a new year is beginning alongside a new season. His character grows throughout the seasons dealing with girl issues, attending concerts, disobeying his parents and once again slacking in school. Alan gets a little desperate in this season; he pays for a prostate, gets thrown out of his brothers home, dates a friend and gets very jealous of Charlie’s unexpected success. Charlie seems pretty much the same however; a sex obsessed male that gets into a bit of trouble due to his womanising. He does grow later in the series, getting closer to his mother, dates an older woman, realises sex isn’t as important as he thought in relationship and actually proposing to a woman, with disastrous outcomes.

As the youngest character in 2 and a Half Men has grown to that adolescent stage in his life in which he questions some more mature matters, Season 5 has much more mature comical aspects. Some episodes deal with sexual matters, Charlie’s personal rash and even things such as jokes are ruder and more grown up with rude natured outcomes. As always the comedy present here is some of the funniest things you’ll see and hear. Charlie’s drinks and pills scene are very funny; as is Alan’s bid to raise money, Charlie’s jingling prospects and Jake’s overall attitude. There is so much realism in the arguments and comedy situations between the family, especially Charlie and his brother, so they are not only funny and enjoyable but also believable.

It was great to see a return from loonytoon Rose. She had always been a great personality to view and with her relationship with Charlie always being a great chuckle, expect even more laughs then ever. It was also an unexpected to surprise to see Jenny McCarthy making an appearance as Charlie’s new love interest and future stepsister, with a dark side.

One of the most shocking and enjoyable episodes occurs when writers of CSI and 2 and a Half Men decided to give it a shot writing for another genre, so writing an episode of the other show. The writer of CSI were able to keep much of the humour on their 2 and a Half Men episode in which a death, the first shown in the programme, causes suspicion. It includes all the back shots CSI is famous or as well as some close up images where certain shots are filmed in detail, each focusing on Jake such as his teeth while eating or an inside look at his stomach, it has a very entertaining outcome.

If like me you enjoy watching the bonus footage, then here you can see the CSI episode written by the 2 and a Half Men writers and a look at the 100th episode of the show. Season 5 is likely to be the most enjoyable season to the hit American comedy due to its adult content development and increase in storylines and comedy. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for the Harper family.

Michelle Moore