Never Let Me Go: Blu Ray Review
Never Let Me Go
Rating: M
Released by 20th Century Fox
From the
2005 book by Kazuo Ishiguro, Never Let Me Go has been adapted for the screen by
Alex Garland.
It starts with an announcement that
in 1952, a medical breakthrough means the average life expectancy now extends
past 100 years old.
Then we fade into an idyllic English boarding
school where we meet Carey Mulligan's narrator Kathy H as a school kid - she's
been best friends with Ruth since forever. And their lives are completed by the
friendship Kathy forms with Tommy (Andrew Garfield).
Gradually the bonds grow stronger between the trio - as their
confined existence grows.
The children there are
essentially clones, being nurtured as organ donors for those outside in the real
world. In a climate of oppression, they're told never to leave the grounds, have
limited social interaction with the outside world (they're taught in classes how
to order tea in cafes) and are encouraged to paint for inclusion in an exclusive
gallery.
But it's not good for the trio - Kathy's
lost Tommy to a relationship with Keira Knightley's Ruth.
Years pass - and the three of them find their lives permanently
intertwined as their inevitable path plays out.
Never Let Me Go is haunting, harrowing, depressing and yet incredibly
powerfully compelling viewing.
It begins with an air of mystery
and intrigue as you know there's something different about these children but
the reality of what it is evades you initially.
Once the truth comes out (via a great interruption by Sally Hawkins'
disruptive school teacher who's honest with the kids), it suddenly adds a level
of poignancy to this forlorn trio
Essentially a
three hander, this film is wonderfully acted by all three - Mulligan is hypnotic
and shines as a detached forlorn Kathy, doomed to never be with her love;
Knightley adds a subtlety to the manipulative Ruth and there's real anguish in
Garfield's Tommy
Never Let Me Go will stay with
you long after you've finished watching.
Extras:
Behind the scenes, photos - not a major bunch for a good film.
Rating: 7/10
Wednesday, 24 August 2011
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
Red Riding Hood: Blu Ray Review
Red Riding Hood: Blu Ray Review
Red Riding Hood
Rating: M
Released by Warner home Video
Red Riding Hood is the latest adaptation of the fairy tale and sees Amanda Seyfried's Valerie trapped in a love triangle with Shiloh Fernandez's woodcutter Peter and Max Irons' Henry - as well as a murder mystery, when the townsfolk she's living with in a high mountain range are picked off by the big bad wolf.
As fear continues to grip the snow-capped village, a priest (played with scene chewing aplomb by Gary Oldman) is called in to try and save them.
But as the climate of terror grows, the threat to Valerie and those she loves becomes greater - and soon she realises she's the key to saving everyone.
From its opening shot of villages in mountains as the camera sweeps across trees, it's very hard to not think about Twilight - which I guess to a degree is what you'd expect from the director of the very first film. Throw in lines like "If you love her, you'll let her go" and "I lost a sister - I can't lose you" and clearly you're in teen angst territory in more ways than one. Add into the mix a pair of boys and a love triangle - plus a wolf which looks like one of wolf pack from a certain other franchise - and you'd be forgiven for thinking you're watching a different film.
That said, while the rest of the cast are fairly wooden and stilted, Amanda Seyfried shines in this. With her big blue eyes (all the better for seeing you with, right?) and pale complexion, she stands out from the rest of the townsfolk - but physicalities aside, she also stands out with her slightly ethereal acting, bringing an air of mystery to her part as the film goes on. Gary Oldman is okay too - but he's clearly overacting in some parts which takes the edge off a little
With some striking visuals and a gothic air here and there, there's certainly something for genre fans to love - but many will feel they've seen it all before. Some may even argue they've seen it done better too.
Extras: A good bunch includes an alternate ending, commentary, gag reel, additional scenes, music videos - for once, a decent solid smattering of extra stuff.
Rating: 5/10
Red Riding Hood
Rating: M
Released by Warner home Video
Red Riding Hood is the latest adaptation of the fairy tale and sees Amanda Seyfried's Valerie trapped in a love triangle with Shiloh Fernandez's woodcutter Peter and Max Irons' Henry - as well as a murder mystery, when the townsfolk she's living with in a high mountain range are picked off by the big bad wolf.
As fear continues to grip the snow-capped village, a priest (played with scene chewing aplomb by Gary Oldman) is called in to try and save them.
But as the climate of terror grows, the threat to Valerie and those she loves becomes greater - and soon she realises she's the key to saving everyone.
From its opening shot of villages in mountains as the camera sweeps across trees, it's very hard to not think about Twilight - which I guess to a degree is what you'd expect from the director of the very first film. Throw in lines like "If you love her, you'll let her go" and "I lost a sister - I can't lose you" and clearly you're in teen angst territory in more ways than one. Add into the mix a pair of boys and a love triangle - plus a wolf which looks like one of wolf pack from a certain other franchise - and you'd be forgiven for thinking you're watching a different film.
That said, while the rest of the cast are fairly wooden and stilted, Amanda Seyfried shines in this. With her big blue eyes (all the better for seeing you with, right?) and pale complexion, she stands out from the rest of the townsfolk - but physicalities aside, she also stands out with her slightly ethereal acting, bringing an air of mystery to her part as the film goes on. Gary Oldman is okay too - but he's clearly overacting in some parts which takes the edge off a little
With some striking visuals and a gothic air here and there, there's certainly something for genre fans to love - but many will feel they've seen it all before. Some may even argue they've seen it done better too.
Extras: A good bunch includes an alternate ending, commentary, gag reel, additional scenes, music videos - for once, a decent solid smattering of extra stuff.
Rating: 5/10
Monday, 22 August 2011
Sucker Punch: Blu Ray Review
Sucker Punch: Blu Ray Review
Sucker Punch
Rating: M
Released by Warner Home Video
Set in the 1960s, Sucker Punch is the story of Babydoll (an innocent Emily Browning) who, framed for the murder of her sister, is committed to a lunatic asylum by her murderous father.
With five days to go before she gets a life-changing lobotomy, Babydoll retreats into a fantasy world to try and plan an escape from a fate worse than death.
Sucker Punch is an incredible film in many ways.
Incredibly frustrating, incredibly inventive and incredibly visual, it's easy to see why it doesn't quite make it.
It's stylish and astounding in spades (and the opening sequence which shows how Babydoll is committed is one of the best visually impressive scenes I've ever clapped eyes on) but narratively, it's not quite there and instead feels like a series of CGI sequences and some mightily impressive music videos.
Don't get me wrong - there are parts of this film that made my inner geek squeal with delight (impressive slow mo fight scenes, shots of 10 foot samurai warriors with red eyes being cut down by Browning's petite frame, dragons and planes, World War trenches with steampunk Nazis, an awesome OST) but therein lies some of the problem of Sucker Punch.
A film with a series of great moments strung together by some disappointing plot does not alone an outstanding movie make.
Visually amazing, thematically a little weak, Sucker Punch remains an intriguingly stylish watch.
Extras: Animated shorts, prequel pieces, behind the soundtrack - a so so bunch
Rating: 6/10
Sucker Punch
Rating: M
Released by Warner Home Video
Set in the 1960s, Sucker Punch is the story of Babydoll (an innocent Emily Browning) who, framed for the murder of her sister, is committed to a lunatic asylum by her murderous father.
With five days to go before she gets a life-changing lobotomy, Babydoll retreats into a fantasy world to try and plan an escape from a fate worse than death.
Sucker Punch is an incredible film in many ways.
Incredibly frustrating, incredibly inventive and incredibly visual, it's easy to see why it doesn't quite make it.
It's stylish and astounding in spades (and the opening sequence which shows how Babydoll is committed is one of the best visually impressive scenes I've ever clapped eyes on) but narratively, it's not quite there and instead feels like a series of CGI sequences and some mightily impressive music videos.
Don't get me wrong - there are parts of this film that made my inner geek squeal with delight (impressive slow mo fight scenes, shots of 10 foot samurai warriors with red eyes being cut down by Browning's petite frame, dragons and planes, World War trenches with steampunk Nazis, an awesome OST) but therein lies some of the problem of Sucker Punch.
A film with a series of great moments strung together by some disappointing plot does not alone an outstanding movie make.
Visually amazing, thematically a little weak, Sucker Punch remains an intriguingly stylish watch.
Extras: Animated shorts, prequel pieces, behind the soundtrack - a so so bunch
Rating: 6/10
Unknown: Blu Ray review
Unknown: Blu Ray review
Unknown
Rating: M
Released by Warner Home Video
Liam Neeson stars in this thriller as Dr Martin Harris a man who awakes after a car accident in Berlin to find that his wife (played by the lovely January Jones) doesn't recognize him and that Aidan Quinn has taken his identity.
Despite Harris' protestations that he is the real Dr Harris, he soon finds himself on the run and trying to work out what's going on - helped by taxi driver Gina, played by Diane Kruger, Harris soon finds he's being targeted for death and the pressure's on to find out exactly why he can't fit back into his own life.
Solid and relatively unspectacular, Unknown gets by thanks largely to a very credible performance put in by Neeson. His confusion and stoic insistences give the plot a but of credence and while the ending's quite a clever one and a twist with a difference, it's largely thanks to Neeson's performance that you buy into it.
Extras: Behind the scenes piece
Rating: 6/10
Unknown
Rating: M
Released by Warner Home Video
Liam Neeson stars in this thriller as Dr Martin Harris a man who awakes after a car accident in Berlin to find that his wife (played by the lovely January Jones) doesn't recognize him and that Aidan Quinn has taken his identity.
Despite Harris' protestations that he is the real Dr Harris, he soon finds himself on the run and trying to work out what's going on - helped by taxi driver Gina, played by Diane Kruger, Harris soon finds he's being targeted for death and the pressure's on to find out exactly why he can't fit back into his own life.
Solid and relatively unspectacular, Unknown gets by thanks largely to a very credible performance put in by Neeson. His confusion and stoic insistences give the plot a but of credence and while the ending's quite a clever one and a twist with a difference, it's largely thanks to Neeson's performance that you buy into it.
Extras: Behind the scenes piece
Rating: 6/10
Thursday, 18 August 2011
The Double Hour: Movie Review
The Double Hour: Movie Review
The Double Hour
Rating: 7/10
Cast: Ksenia Rappoport, Filippo Timi, Antonia Truppo, Gaetano Bruno
Director: Giuseppe Capotondi
A tense psychological thriller,The Double Hour - or La Doppia Ora-is the tale of Sonia, an apparently shy chambermaid who meets the rugged former cop turned security guard Guido one night at a speed dating event.
Pretty soon, they're in a relationship and all's happy until one day while at Guido's work, their happiness is rudely interrupted.
Following a break in, Sonia soon finds her life changed in many ways - and as the film progresses, Sonia's past starts to surface causing all kinds of issues between the pair.
Twisty, turny, haunting and stunning in places,The Double Hour surprises you at every turn - it's a slick sophisticated thriller which is to be blunt a bit of a head trip and may cause you to shout"What The?"at the screen.
It's very clever and requires you to keep up as the labyrinthe plot expands -it's complex and wonderful in places thanks to the central performance of Ksenia Rappoport.
You won't know exactly what's going on - and when the revelations come there's a collective penny dropping within the audience. Clever film making, The Double Hour is a rewarding trip to the cinema for those who enjoy psychological thrillers.
The Double Hour
Rating: 7/10
Cast: Ksenia Rappoport, Filippo Timi, Antonia Truppo, Gaetano Bruno
Director: Giuseppe Capotondi
A tense psychological thriller,The Double Hour - or La Doppia Ora-is the tale of Sonia, an apparently shy chambermaid who meets the rugged former cop turned security guard Guido one night at a speed dating event.
Pretty soon, they're in a relationship and all's happy until one day while at Guido's work, their happiness is rudely interrupted.
Following a break in, Sonia soon finds her life changed in many ways - and as the film progresses, Sonia's past starts to surface causing all kinds of issues between the pair.
Twisty, turny, haunting and stunning in places,The Double Hour surprises you at every turn - it's a slick sophisticated thriller which is to be blunt a bit of a head trip and may cause you to shout"What The?"at the screen.
It's very clever and requires you to keep up as the labyrinthe plot expands -it's complex and wonderful in places thanks to the central performance of Ksenia Rappoport.
You won't know exactly what's going on - and when the revelations come there's a collective penny dropping within the audience. Clever film making, The Double Hour is a rewarding trip to the cinema for those who enjoy psychological thrillers.
Mr Popper's Penguins: Movie Review
Mr Popper's Penguins: Movie Review
Mr Popper's Penguins
Rating: 6/10
Cast: Jim Carrey, Carla Gugino, Penguins - six of 'em
Director: John Davis
So, school holidays are under way and there's plenty of clamouring for the family dollar at the box office.
This time, Jim Carrey stars as Thomas Popper, a real estate buyer for a firm, who's a separated dad from his son and daughter.
Popper Senior spent most of his life travelling around the world and never being present for his son, so when pops pops his clogs, Popper Jr is left a crate, in which he assumes, is a stuffed penguin from his father's world trips.
Trouble is that penguin comes to life and starts wreaking havoc in Popper's house - and at a time when he's got job stresses and trying to secure a building from a cantankerous elderly buyer (Angela Lansbury), it's not exactly what Popper needs.
And things get worse, when another five penguins show - soon, Popper's personal life is on the up while his work life is taking a slide down...
Mr Popper's Penguins is fairly inoffensive family fare - with a message of holding onto your loved ones as tight as you can for as long as you can, it's clear what this at times predictable piece is trying to achieve.
Jim Carrey's got a nice vein of sadness running through his Popper and Carla Gugino makes an affable enough foil to his career obsessed business man ways.
It's probably pitched a little towards the younger end (Popper gets a football in the groin and head a couple of times) and there's some penguins with wind which threaten to turn it into Mr Pooper's Penguins at one point - but the smaller kids in the audience won't mind.
Mr Popper's Penguins isn't too bad - it's neither here nor there in terms of entertainment; there are a few moments which the kids will love (turning a museum do into a water slide scored the biggest laughs for the funny fowl and their followers in the audience) but the parents may find their patience is a little tested by this.
Mr Popper's Penguins
Rating: 6/10
Cast: Jim Carrey, Carla Gugino, Penguins - six of 'em
Director: John Davis
So, school holidays are under way and there's plenty of clamouring for the family dollar at the box office.
This time, Jim Carrey stars as Thomas Popper, a real estate buyer for a firm, who's a separated dad from his son and daughter.
Popper Senior spent most of his life travelling around the world and never being present for his son, so when pops pops his clogs, Popper Jr is left a crate, in which he assumes, is a stuffed penguin from his father's world trips.
Trouble is that penguin comes to life and starts wreaking havoc in Popper's house - and at a time when he's got job stresses and trying to secure a building from a cantankerous elderly buyer (Angela Lansbury), it's not exactly what Popper needs.
And things get worse, when another five penguins show - soon, Popper's personal life is on the up while his work life is taking a slide down...
Mr Popper's Penguins is fairly inoffensive family fare - with a message of holding onto your loved ones as tight as you can for as long as you can, it's clear what this at times predictable piece is trying to achieve.
Jim Carrey's got a nice vein of sadness running through his Popper and Carla Gugino makes an affable enough foil to his career obsessed business man ways.
It's probably pitched a little towards the younger end (Popper gets a football in the groin and head a couple of times) and there's some penguins with wind which threaten to turn it into Mr Pooper's Penguins at one point - but the smaller kids in the audience won't mind.
Mr Popper's Penguins isn't too bad - it's neither here nor there in terms of entertainment; there are a few moments which the kids will love (turning a museum do into a water slide scored the biggest laughs for the funny fowl and their followers in the audience) but the parents may find their patience is a little tested by this.
My Wedding and Other Secrets: DVD Review
My Wedding and Other Secrets: DVD Review
My Wedding and Other Secrets
Rating: PG
Released by South Pacific Pictures
In this rom com, Michelle Ang stars as Asian film student Emily Chu, a geek who's at odds with the world around her.
While her fellow film students are claiming their influences number the likes of Fellini, Emily's talking about how Star Wars turned her to the dark side of film making...
She's a bit of an oddball and that geeky goofy charm extends to the rest of her life
But it also puts her into conflict with her Hong Kong parents - she's seen one sister nearly disowned after she dated a boy her parents didn't approve of.
So, when she meets good ole Kiwi James ( Go Girls' Matt Whelan) and the two spark, she's well aware of the potential divisions it could cause.
However, Emily's a dreamer and follows her heart over her head.
My Wedding And Other Secrets is a charming and sweet culture clash romantic comedy. It has an innocence and character which will melt your heart.
Michelle Ang manages to bring an endearing charm to Emily and life to the story. She veers on the right side of compassionate to her eccentric spontaneity rather than irritating - and she also has sincerity for the part as she juggles her heart, what's right and the wishes of her family.
And she gels very well with Matt Whelan's awkward and nervy James.
A sweetly charming cultural rom com which perfectly matches the times we live in.
Extras: Behind the scenes, bloopers, commentary, trailer and short
Rating: 8/10
My Wedding and Other Secrets
Rating: PG
Released by South Pacific Pictures
In this rom com, Michelle Ang stars as Asian film student Emily Chu, a geek who's at odds with the world around her.
While her fellow film students are claiming their influences number the likes of Fellini, Emily's talking about how Star Wars turned her to the dark side of film making...
She's a bit of an oddball and that geeky goofy charm extends to the rest of her life
But it also puts her into conflict with her Hong Kong parents - she's seen one sister nearly disowned after she dated a boy her parents didn't approve of.
So, when she meets good ole Kiwi James ( Go Girls' Matt Whelan) and the two spark, she's well aware of the potential divisions it could cause.
However, Emily's a dreamer and follows her heart over her head.
My Wedding And Other Secrets is a charming and sweet culture clash romantic comedy. It has an innocence and character which will melt your heart.
Michelle Ang manages to bring an endearing charm to Emily and life to the story. She veers on the right side of compassionate to her eccentric spontaneity rather than irritating - and she also has sincerity for the part as she juggles her heart, what's right and the wishes of her family.
And she gels very well with Matt Whelan's awkward and nervy James.
A sweetly charming cultural rom com which perfectly matches the times we live in.
Extras: Behind the scenes, bloopers, commentary, trailer and short
Rating: 8/10
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