The Cove: DVD Review
The Cove
Rating: M
Released by Madman Entertainment
Sometimes a film knocks you sideways in ways you couldn't imagine.
Following a relatively low key success on the festival
front and in the arthouse cinemas, this National Geographic photographer Louie
Psihoyos doco finally hits the DVD shelves.
The Cove is a remarkably restrained piece about the lengths gone to for the
capture of dolphins to populate the world's dolphinariums. A group of activists
decide enough is enough and set about exposing the lengths the Japanese will go
to to capture young dolphins at a secret Cove in the west of the country. But as
they try to get footage from the killing fields, they're blocked at every turn
and have to resort to subterrean subterfuge to achieve their goal.
Granted, a film which says it is unashamedly activist is likely to make some
think it'll be a stringing together of sensationalist emotional material aimed
at turning you against the Japanese.
However, with such powerful footage and content, you won't help but feel the
call to action as the final credits roll.
It "stars" former Flipper trainer Ric O'Barry who is now trying to stop the
capture of dolphins in Japan for entertainment purposes - his eloquence and
measured behaviour is a real jolt to the senses when you realise he spent 10
years training Flipper before realising what damage he'd done and how he'd
condemned a species to a life inside and at our entertainment mercy.
This is heartbreaking viewing but not because of one disturbing scene which
shows the Japanese at work in the cove - and quite frankly that scene needs to
be seen because there really is no option for them to deny what they do.
It's a dose of reality in a thrilling piece of documentary making which is a
kind of aquatic Mission Impossible. Just don't be surprised if you feel
galvanized into action at the end.
Extras: Theatrical trailer, Outtakes and more hidden camera
footage from the group's attempt to infiltrate, audio commentary with director
Louie Psihoyos, study guide add to this release's essential film-making.
Rating: 8/10
Friday, 12 February 2010
Dead Snow: DVD Review
Dead Snow: DVD Review
Dead Snow
Rating: R16
Released by Madman Entertainment
Dead Snow (or Dod Sno to give it its foreign title) is a Norwegian delight.
It's the story of eight medical students who head off for a boozy weekend in a cabin in remote Norway for some snow, fun and sex.
However, their holiday's put on hold when a bunch of dead Nazi zombies attack - the undead are after some recently uncovered Nazi gold (quite how they'd spend it is a little beyond me).
To be honest though, Dead Snow isn't supposed to be rocket science - it simply does what it says on the tin - zombies, c'mon people what more do you need?
It's also a horror splatterfest which is quite humorous in plenty of places - it also covers every single horror cliche in the genre; the gang are a randy bunch - and movie nerds- and the ones who have sex are the first to be picked off (didn't they see Scream?).
There's a crazy man wandering the land warning of danger in them thar hills - yes, every single cliche is present and correct but in a throwback way and an acknowledgement of what's gone before in the genre.
The Nazi zombies themselves are a strange bunch with their motives only really present at the end - but films like this don't lend themselves to sustained analysis.
Dead Snow is tremendous fun, gore-tastic and black humour abound - and even odes to Evil Dead..can't fault it- check yr brain at the door(well the zombies would only want to eat it)
EXTRAS: Making of Dead Snow, Cast and crew at Sundance, Make up and special effects featurettes
Rating: 7/10
Dead Snow
Rating: R16
Released by Madman Entertainment
Dead Snow (or Dod Sno to give it its foreign title) is a Norwegian delight.
It's the story of eight medical students who head off for a boozy weekend in a cabin in remote Norway for some snow, fun and sex.
However, their holiday's put on hold when a bunch of dead Nazi zombies attack - the undead are after some recently uncovered Nazi gold (quite how they'd spend it is a little beyond me).
To be honest though, Dead Snow isn't supposed to be rocket science - it simply does what it says on the tin - zombies, c'mon people what more do you need?
It's also a horror splatterfest which is quite humorous in plenty of places - it also covers every single horror cliche in the genre; the gang are a randy bunch - and movie nerds- and the ones who have sex are the first to be picked off (didn't they see Scream?).
There's a crazy man wandering the land warning of danger in them thar hills - yes, every single cliche is present and correct but in a throwback way and an acknowledgement of what's gone before in the genre.
The Nazi zombies themselves are a strange bunch with their motives only really present at the end - but films like this don't lend themselves to sustained analysis.
Dead Snow is tremendous fun, gore-tastic and black humour abound - and even odes to Evil Dead..can't fault it- check yr brain at the door(well the zombies would only want to eat it)
EXTRAS: Making of Dead Snow, Cast and crew at Sundance, Make up and special effects featurettes
Rating: 7/10
In The Loop: DVD Review
In The Loop: DVD Review
In The Loop
Rating: R13
Released by Madman Entertainment
Cast: Peter Capaldi, James Gandolfini, Tom Hollander, Anna Chlumsky, Chris Addison
A spin off from the critically acclaimed The Thick Of It, it's a tale of politics, foul mouths and hilarious misunderstandings with global consequences.
With the British Prime Minister and US president looking to go to war, there are the inevitable political splits - and the situation is made much worse by Secretary of State for International Development, Simon Foster (Tom Hollander). His comment that war is "unforeseeable" during an interview is picked up - and suddenly the entire world appears to be going to hell in a handcart.
Only to make matters worse, the UK's chief spin doctor Malcolm Tucker (a stunning bilious performance from Peter Capaldi whose anger seems to push him close to a stroke) latches onto Foster as he tries to limit the damage control.
In The Loop is a dizzying, hedonistic trip through the corridors of power - it's like the West Wing on foul mouthed speed. It's about British politics and the satire - and takes in Washington politics as well.
It's fast paced, intelligent, frenetic and full of endlessly quotable F word moments - Iannucci shows why he's the king of UK satire as he lampoons the reality of life behind the political curtain.
With a top notch ensemble cast, In The Loop is full of quality performances - but one simply towers above the rest.
It's quite simply Peter Capaldi's film - his turn as spin doctor Malcolm Tucker defies description - from the first moments when he tells Foster's new intern to go away in no uncertain terms, it's clear he's not a man who minces his words. However, thanks to the juxtaposition of an impending global war and the absurdity of constituency politics, director Iannucci's able to weave a tableaux which is fun, frantic and requires a certain level of intelligence to follow.
In The Loop is a vicious satire and a very funny expression of politics as well as the levels it's played on - from the very top to the very bottom with quibbling interns.
Extras: Audio commentary with Armando Iannucci and cast; deleted scenes; webisodes, trailers and interviews with stars and the director make a great addition to a brilliantly savage film
Rating: 8/10
In The Loop
Rating: R13
Released by Madman Entertainment
Cast: Peter Capaldi, James Gandolfini, Tom Hollander, Anna Chlumsky, Chris Addison
A spin off from the critically acclaimed The Thick Of It, it's a tale of politics, foul mouths and hilarious misunderstandings with global consequences.
With the British Prime Minister and US president looking to go to war, there are the inevitable political splits - and the situation is made much worse by Secretary of State for International Development, Simon Foster (Tom Hollander). His comment that war is "unforeseeable" during an interview is picked up - and suddenly the entire world appears to be going to hell in a handcart.
Only to make matters worse, the UK's chief spin doctor Malcolm Tucker (a stunning bilious performance from Peter Capaldi whose anger seems to push him close to a stroke) latches onto Foster as he tries to limit the damage control.
In The Loop is a dizzying, hedonistic trip through the corridors of power - it's like the West Wing on foul mouthed speed. It's about British politics and the satire - and takes in Washington politics as well.
It's fast paced, intelligent, frenetic and full of endlessly quotable F word moments - Iannucci shows why he's the king of UK satire as he lampoons the reality of life behind the political curtain.
With a top notch ensemble cast, In The Loop is full of quality performances - but one simply towers above the rest.
It's quite simply Peter Capaldi's film - his turn as spin doctor Malcolm Tucker defies description - from the first moments when he tells Foster's new intern to go away in no uncertain terms, it's clear he's not a man who minces his words. However, thanks to the juxtaposition of an impending global war and the absurdity of constituency politics, director Iannucci's able to weave a tableaux which is fun, frantic and requires a certain level of intelligence to follow.
In The Loop is a vicious satire and a very funny expression of politics as well as the levels it's played on - from the very top to the very bottom with quibbling interns.
Extras: Audio commentary with Armando Iannucci and cast; deleted scenes; webisodes, trailers and interviews with stars and the director make a great addition to a brilliantly savage film
Rating: 8/10
District 9: DVD Review
District 9: DVD Review
District 9
Released by Sony Home Pictures
Rating: M
Cast: Sharlto Copley
This is the film which rocked everyone's world in 2009 - and it's finally out on DVD.
It made multiple films of the year lists, the majority of which had it near the top - but looking back on the release of District 9 by director Neill Blomkamp, the film's still got a lot of its freshness - and looks stunning in its Blu Ray release format.
Basically the story is of aliens as refugees - they came to Earth one day 20 years ago - and instead of landing in Manhattan or New York, they chose Johannesburg in South Africa. The huge alien craft sat in the skies above the city - and in was only when the powers that be broke into the ship that they found millions of aliens alive and malnourished within. So while the equivalent of the United Nations discussed what to do with these refugee creatures (affectionately given the racist term "prawns" because of their appearance), they were brought down to earth and put in slum areas, segregated away from the rest of humanity.
As private company MNU (Multi National United) investigates the alien technology to no avail, it's decided to rehome the Prawns from their settlements, which have now become riddled with crime and Nigerian gangs. District 9 follows the unraveling of events as a doco crew follows MNU worker Wikus van der Merwe (Sharlto Copley) who's given the job of overseeing the evictions - and who inadvertently sets in motion a series of events which change the equilibrium of the last 20 years.
This film still packs the same kind of punch it did on its initial release - and has even improved with a second viewing. Initially the effects and the story blew me away in the cinema - but now with the benefit of home viewing, there's much much more to savour in the richness of the story and the subtle satire on show.
As I said at the time: "It's hard to pigeonhole is as one particular genre - it's sci-fi, it's guns and explosions, it's unexpected humour, it's geek overload in places, it's Predator, it's reminiscent of Black Hawk Down, Aliens, Robocop - and amazingly, it's buddy cop movie a la Fly - but none of it is derivative. What Blomkamp's come up with is a real mash up of genres - and with a lead who's pretty damn impressive for a first time actor."
I really can't add much more to that - District 9 remains as rewarding as it did in the cinema.
Extras: A whole heap of behind the scenes stuff just adds to the overall brilliance - even better on BluRay. You get Director's Commentary, Deleted Scenes,Koobus Big Gun, The Alien Agenda: A Filmmaker's Log -- Three-Part Documentary,The Alien Agenda: A Filmmaker's Log,The Alien Agenda: A Filmmaker's Log - Chapter 3: Refining District 9,Metamorphosis: The Transformation of Wikus, Innovation: Acting and Improvisation, Conception and Design: Creating the World of District 9, Alien Generation: Visual Effects
Rating: 9/10
District 9
Released by Sony Home Pictures
Rating: M
Cast: Sharlto Copley
This is the film which rocked everyone's world in 2009 - and it's finally out on DVD.
It made multiple films of the year lists, the majority of which had it near the top - but looking back on the release of District 9 by director Neill Blomkamp, the film's still got a lot of its freshness - and looks stunning in its Blu Ray release format.
Basically the story is of aliens as refugees - they came to Earth one day 20 years ago - and instead of landing in Manhattan or New York, they chose Johannesburg in South Africa. The huge alien craft sat in the skies above the city - and in was only when the powers that be broke into the ship that they found millions of aliens alive and malnourished within. So while the equivalent of the United Nations discussed what to do with these refugee creatures (affectionately given the racist term "prawns" because of their appearance), they were brought down to earth and put in slum areas, segregated away from the rest of humanity.
As private company MNU (Multi National United) investigates the alien technology to no avail, it's decided to rehome the Prawns from their settlements, which have now become riddled with crime and Nigerian gangs. District 9 follows the unraveling of events as a doco crew follows MNU worker Wikus van der Merwe (Sharlto Copley) who's given the job of overseeing the evictions - and who inadvertently sets in motion a series of events which change the equilibrium of the last 20 years.
This film still packs the same kind of punch it did on its initial release - and has even improved with a second viewing. Initially the effects and the story blew me away in the cinema - but now with the benefit of home viewing, there's much much more to savour in the richness of the story and the subtle satire on show.
As I said at the time: "It's hard to pigeonhole is as one particular genre - it's sci-fi, it's guns and explosions, it's unexpected humour, it's geek overload in places, it's Predator, it's reminiscent of Black Hawk Down, Aliens, Robocop - and amazingly, it's buddy cop movie a la Fly - but none of it is derivative. What Blomkamp's come up with is a real mash up of genres - and with a lead who's pretty damn impressive for a first time actor."
I really can't add much more to that - District 9 remains as rewarding as it did in the cinema.
Extras: A whole heap of behind the scenes stuff just adds to the overall brilliance - even better on BluRay. You get Director's Commentary, Deleted Scenes,Koobus Big Gun, The Alien Agenda: A Filmmaker's Log -- Three-Part Documentary,The Alien Agenda: A Filmmaker's Log,The Alien Agenda: A Filmmaker's Log - Chapter 3: Refining District 9,Metamorphosis: The Transformation of Wikus, Innovation: Acting and Improvisation, Conception and Design: Creating the World of District 9, Alien Generation: Visual Effects
Rating: 9/10
Thursday, 11 February 2010
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief: Movie Review
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief: Movie Review
Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief
Rating: See below
Cast: Logan Lerman, Pierce Brosnan, Sean Bean, Catherine Keener, Brandon T Jackson, Steve Coogan, Kevin McKidd, Rosario Dawson, Uma Thurman
Director: Chris Columbus
From the book series by Rick Riordan comes the latest attempt to launch a new franchise as we prepare to farewell Harry Potter.
Helmed by the director who did the first three Potter films, you'd expect the film was in safe hands.
Lerman is teenager Percy Jackson, a dyslexic ADHD kid who sees himself as a loser and is constantly surprised by his mum's (Catherine Keener) decision to stay with a deadbeat loser (the ever great Joe Pantoliano).
One day when on a school trip, Jackson's attacked by a creature determined to get The Lightning Bolt from him. You see, it turns out that Jackson is the demi god son of Poseidon (Kevin McKidd), the Greek god of the sea and nephew of Zeus (Sean Bean.)
But someone's stolen Zeus' lightning bolt - and unless it's returned in 14 days, Zeus will bring down all manner of furious vengeance upon the world.
So with the help of a wise cracking protector Grover (Jackson) and a potential love interest daughter of Athena, Percy sets about to prove his innocence and rescue the world from an angry god, hell bent on exacting vengeance.
If you're a Greek mythology fan and know a bit about ancient myths (I'm looking at myself here) you may get a bit more out of Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief than the average punter - references to ancient stories are scattered throughout the film in a fairly clever and subtle way (aside from the jarring revelation that Hell is in Hollywood).
There are some pretty impressive effects - and some slightly shonky ones too - as the film goes through its two hour run.
However, that's possibly where the enjoyment may end unless you're of a younger disposition.
With his Zac Efron-esque looks, Lerman (best known for cancelled drama Jack and Bobby) is perhaps not the strongest lead for the film - his friendship with Grover grates after a while - mainly thanks to the continuing wise cracks from his so-called protector. Also Percy's self revelation of what he is (a demi-god) comes with a lack of depth or context - and while he spends a lot of time feeling like a loser rather than a hero, it's hard to feel for him because there's no context and you don't see him struggle on a day to day basis.
As ever, with the launch of a potential franchise, I thought it was best to take along some younger viewers to stave off the cynicism.
16-year-old Connor (who recently finished reading the first book) thought it was pretty good in places - and loved the depiction of hell and Hades (Steve Coogan) on the screen. He thought the effects were good but felt the plot was a little rushed. He's also decided that it suffers from what he's termed "Harry Potter syndrome" where chunks of exposition were jettisoned to propel the plot along. His feeling was that it led to scenes being thrown together and felt as if some of them jarred a little and didn't exploit some of the subtleties of the book's storyline. Overall, it was a 6/10 for him.
10-year-old Jackson decided it was "quite good" - and could really remember the beginning which sees Poseidon rise from the sea and walk onto the land. He was impressed with those effects - and then went off on a tangent about what powers he'd have if he could control the elements; ultimately he decided on electricity. Overall it's 8/10 for him.
Percy Jackson is perhaps a muddled start to the franchise (there are four other books) and may disappoint some of the legions of its fans. As a piece of cinematic entertainment, it's a fairly harmless film that is unfortunately none too memorable.
Average rating from the tvnz.co.nz kid reviewers - 7/10
Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief
Rating: See below
Cast: Logan Lerman, Pierce Brosnan, Sean Bean, Catherine Keener, Brandon T Jackson, Steve Coogan, Kevin McKidd, Rosario Dawson, Uma Thurman
Director: Chris Columbus
From the book series by Rick Riordan comes the latest attempt to launch a new franchise as we prepare to farewell Harry Potter.
Helmed by the director who did the first three Potter films, you'd expect the film was in safe hands.
Lerman is teenager Percy Jackson, a dyslexic ADHD kid who sees himself as a loser and is constantly surprised by his mum's (Catherine Keener) decision to stay with a deadbeat loser (the ever great Joe Pantoliano).
One day when on a school trip, Jackson's attacked by a creature determined to get The Lightning Bolt from him. You see, it turns out that Jackson is the demi god son of Poseidon (Kevin McKidd), the Greek god of the sea and nephew of Zeus (Sean Bean.)
But someone's stolen Zeus' lightning bolt - and unless it's returned in 14 days, Zeus will bring down all manner of furious vengeance upon the world.
So with the help of a wise cracking protector Grover (Jackson) and a potential love interest daughter of Athena, Percy sets about to prove his innocence and rescue the world from an angry god, hell bent on exacting vengeance.
If you're a Greek mythology fan and know a bit about ancient myths (I'm looking at myself here) you may get a bit more out of Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief than the average punter - references to ancient stories are scattered throughout the film in a fairly clever and subtle way (aside from the jarring revelation that Hell is in Hollywood).
There are some pretty impressive effects - and some slightly shonky ones too - as the film goes through its two hour run.
However, that's possibly where the enjoyment may end unless you're of a younger disposition.
With his Zac Efron-esque looks, Lerman (best known for cancelled drama Jack and Bobby) is perhaps not the strongest lead for the film - his friendship with Grover grates after a while - mainly thanks to the continuing wise cracks from his so-called protector. Also Percy's self revelation of what he is (a demi-god) comes with a lack of depth or context - and while he spends a lot of time feeling like a loser rather than a hero, it's hard to feel for him because there's no context and you don't see him struggle on a day to day basis.
As ever, with the launch of a potential franchise, I thought it was best to take along some younger viewers to stave off the cynicism.
16-year-old Connor (who recently finished reading the first book) thought it was pretty good in places - and loved the depiction of hell and Hades (Steve Coogan) on the screen. He thought the effects were good but felt the plot was a little rushed. He's also decided that it suffers from what he's termed "Harry Potter syndrome" where chunks of exposition were jettisoned to propel the plot along. His feeling was that it led to scenes being thrown together and felt as if some of them jarred a little and didn't exploit some of the subtleties of the book's storyline. Overall, it was a 6/10 for him.
10-year-old Jackson decided it was "quite good" - and could really remember the beginning which sees Poseidon rise from the sea and walk onto the land. He was impressed with those effects - and then went off on a tangent about what powers he'd have if he could control the elements; ultimately he decided on electricity. Overall it's 8/10 for him.
Percy Jackson is perhaps a muddled start to the franchise (there are four other books) and may disappoint some of the legions of its fans. As a piece of cinematic entertainment, it's a fairly harmless film that is unfortunately none too memorable.
Average rating from the tvnz.co.nz kid reviewers - 7/10
Silent Wedding: Movie Review
Silent Wedding: Movie Review
Silent Wedding
Rating: 6/10
Cast: Doru Ana, Meda Victor
Director: Horatiu Malele
Set in 1953 Romania, Silent Wedding is perhaps one of the strangest, most haunting films I've seen so far this year.
It's the tale of Iancu and Ana - whose lusty relationship is the talk of the small farming village where they live - Iancu's been with other women but the elders of the village want him to settle down with Ana.
So, following negotiations in a pub, a date's set for the pair to marry - and preparations begin.
However, during the start of the ceremony, a visitor to the village tells them Stalin is dead - and consequently declares seven days of national mourning, where nothing can happen.
That includes Ana and Iancu's wedding - but the villagers scheme a way to get through the big day. They will hold the wedding - but it'll all be done in silence so as not to attract any attention.
Silent Wedding is a surreal piece in places - and is outrageously inventive. There's a kind of nuttiness to it which actually seems in context with the story.
And yet it's based on quite a sad premise - intially the story is told because the film begins with a camera crew coming across an abandoned factory in a wasteland with elderly people scattered (alive) along the road. As the crew investigates and talks to them, the mayor recounts to them how the factory came into being - and how the village was left behind.
So it's a bittersweet tale which also appears to be diametrically opposed to the comedy of The Three Stooges and Laurel and Hardy during the wedding. The villagers use rags around the cups to toast the couple - and a toast is passed on in the form of Chinese whispers.
These are part and parcel of the odd moments which are littered through the film and which give it an overall feel of something a bit different and a little quirky.
Silent Wedding is all about the characters - the richness and hilarity of their emotional connections within the confines of their village life- so it's a particular jolt at the end when it comes back to the wasteland where they used to be.
Silent Wedding won't be to everyone's taste - though if you give it 90 minutes of your day, you'll probably feel like you've seen something different, a bright and breezy alternative and antidote to what's currently at the cinema.
Silent Wedding
Rating: 6/10
Cast: Doru Ana, Meda Victor
Director: Horatiu Malele
Set in 1953 Romania, Silent Wedding is perhaps one of the strangest, most haunting films I've seen so far this year.
It's the tale of Iancu and Ana - whose lusty relationship is the talk of the small farming village where they live - Iancu's been with other women but the elders of the village want him to settle down with Ana.
So, following negotiations in a pub, a date's set for the pair to marry - and preparations begin.
However, during the start of the ceremony, a visitor to the village tells them Stalin is dead - and consequently declares seven days of national mourning, where nothing can happen.
That includes Ana and Iancu's wedding - but the villagers scheme a way to get through the big day. They will hold the wedding - but it'll all be done in silence so as not to attract any attention.
Silent Wedding is a surreal piece in places - and is outrageously inventive. There's a kind of nuttiness to it which actually seems in context with the story.
And yet it's based on quite a sad premise - intially the story is told because the film begins with a camera crew coming across an abandoned factory in a wasteland with elderly people scattered (alive) along the road. As the crew investigates and talks to them, the mayor recounts to them how the factory came into being - and how the village was left behind.
So it's a bittersweet tale which also appears to be diametrically opposed to the comedy of The Three Stooges and Laurel and Hardy during the wedding. The villagers use rags around the cups to toast the couple - and a toast is passed on in the form of Chinese whispers.
These are part and parcel of the odd moments which are littered through the film and which give it an overall feel of something a bit different and a little quirky.
Silent Wedding is all about the characters - the richness and hilarity of their emotional connections within the confines of their village life- so it's a particular jolt at the end when it comes back to the wasteland where they used to be.
Silent Wedding won't be to everyone's taste - though if you give it 90 minutes of your day, you'll probably feel like you've seen something different, a bright and breezy alternative and antidote to what's currently at the cinema.
The Wolfman: Movie Review
The Wolfman: Movie Review
Rating: 7/10
Cast: Benicio del Toro, Emily Blunt, Anthony Hopkins, Hugo Weaving
Director: Joe Johnston
In 1880s London, Lawrence Talbot (del Toro) is summoned to the family home after the disappearance of his brother Ben.
Talbot is reunited with his father (Anthony Hopkins) - something that he hadn't planned on after fleeing domestic life after the death of his mother. After being called back by Ben's wife Gwen (Emily Blunt), the hunt soon turns to a funeral after the discovery of Ben's mutilated body.
Talbot begins an investigation into the brutal slaying of his brother - and even Scotland Yard's finest (including Hugo Weaving) are called in. But as Talbot digs deeper into claims an animal killed his brother, he's drawn into a dark world and finds himself facing his deepest fears.
The Wolfman is a straight forward remake of the 1941 film - complete with gory blood letting moments and some spine chilling scenes.
And quite frankly after the recent Twilight shenanigans of the wolves with their rippling abs and easy transformation, it's refreshing to see a Wolfman which is primal and angry. Rick Baker's creature work is pretty impressive - and the time-lapse photography when del Toro changes gives the whole thing a spooky dark feeling.
Del Toro himself, apparently a fan of the original film, is perfectly cast in this - his knack of carrying off a troubled character works wonders in Talbot as he questions his own sanity and the reality around him - by keeping Talbot away from too much emotion, Del Toro's created the perfect Gothic horror.
Emily Blunt acquits herself well and provides really the only humanity on display - although she feels a little wasted in the role; Hugo Weaving's glowering and deadpan Aberline has some great lines - but it's Anthony Hopkins who veers a little too close to Hammer horror hamminess which threatens to derail the proceedings. Fortunately though he's reigned in and just about manages to carry it off.
There's a moody malevolence to this Wolfman - it's dark all throughout blending a Gothic atmosphere with some edge of the seat shocks and plenty of gore.
Granted, you could argue this has been done before (it is a remake after all) and that you know exactly what's coming (one scene with Talbot inside an asylum examination room full of doctors as the full moon rises is one example) but it's how these scenes play out that is to be commended.
There are some disappointments though - the ending feels a little rushed and a bit of a mess; almost as if the writers weren't sure how to end the whole film. But with some great initial scenes when the Wolfman attacks and some horror gore, the cons are balanced nicely with the pros.
All in all, it's great to see an old school horror remake like this on the big screen; it doesn't rely too much on FX trickery and plays on your fears of what's out there in the dark- there's a real menace and Gothic horror to this Wolfman which deserves 90 minutes of your time.
Rating: 7/10
Cast: Benicio del Toro, Emily Blunt, Anthony Hopkins, Hugo Weaving
Director: Joe Johnston
In 1880s London, Lawrence Talbot (del Toro) is summoned to the family home after the disappearance of his brother Ben.
Talbot is reunited with his father (Anthony Hopkins) - something that he hadn't planned on after fleeing domestic life after the death of his mother. After being called back by Ben's wife Gwen (Emily Blunt), the hunt soon turns to a funeral after the discovery of Ben's mutilated body.
Talbot begins an investigation into the brutal slaying of his brother - and even Scotland Yard's finest (including Hugo Weaving) are called in. But as Talbot digs deeper into claims an animal killed his brother, he's drawn into a dark world and finds himself facing his deepest fears.
The Wolfman is a straight forward remake of the 1941 film - complete with gory blood letting moments and some spine chilling scenes.
And quite frankly after the recent Twilight shenanigans of the wolves with their rippling abs and easy transformation, it's refreshing to see a Wolfman which is primal and angry. Rick Baker's creature work is pretty impressive - and the time-lapse photography when del Toro changes gives the whole thing a spooky dark feeling.
Del Toro himself, apparently a fan of the original film, is perfectly cast in this - his knack of carrying off a troubled character works wonders in Talbot as he questions his own sanity and the reality around him - by keeping Talbot away from too much emotion, Del Toro's created the perfect Gothic horror.
Emily Blunt acquits herself well and provides really the only humanity on display - although she feels a little wasted in the role; Hugo Weaving's glowering and deadpan Aberline has some great lines - but it's Anthony Hopkins who veers a little too close to Hammer horror hamminess which threatens to derail the proceedings. Fortunately though he's reigned in and just about manages to carry it off.
There's a moody malevolence to this Wolfman - it's dark all throughout blending a Gothic atmosphere with some edge of the seat shocks and plenty of gore.
Granted, you could argue this has been done before (it is a remake after all) and that you know exactly what's coming (one scene with Talbot inside an asylum examination room full of doctors as the full moon rises is one example) but it's how these scenes play out that is to be commended.
There are some disappointments though - the ending feels a little rushed and a bit of a mess; almost as if the writers weren't sure how to end the whole film. But with some great initial scenes when the Wolfman attacks and some horror gore, the cons are balanced nicely with the pros.
All in all, it's great to see an old school horror remake like this on the big screen; it doesn't rely too much on FX trickery and plays on your fears of what's out there in the dark- there's a real menace and Gothic horror to this Wolfman which deserves 90 minutes of your time.
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Honest Thief: DVD Review
Honest Thief: DVD Review In Honest Thief, a fairly competent story is given plenty of heart and soul before falling into old action genre tr...
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The Last Of Us Part II: PS4 Review Developed by Naughty Dog Platform: PS4 Wracked with but not wrecked by spoilers dropping before rele... -
Sex Tape: Movie Review Cast: Cameron Diaz, Jason Segal, Ellie Kemper, Rob Corddry, Rob Lowe Director: Jake Kasdan Predicated around the ... -
Brand new Oblivion posters unveiled Entertainment Weekly' s got the first look at some new Oblivion posters. The Oblivion posters s...
