Insidious: Chapter 2: Movie Review

Insidious: Chapter 2: Movie Review

Cast: Rose Byrne, Patrick Wilson, Barbara Hershey, Lin Shaye
Director: James Wan

Back in 2011, a low budget shocker emerged which took audiences by storm and grossed returns wildly beyond its budget.

That was Insidious, the story of a family whose child inexplicably drops into a coma and starts shepherding ghosts through astral channels. That ended in somewhat of a cliffhanger with Patrick Wilson's Josh character being in peril and potentially possessed - much to the horror of his wife, Renai.

Insidious Chapter 2 takes up that story, directly after the end of the first; with Rose Byrne's Renai explaining to the police what happened to the medium who died in their home. Both Josh and Renai believe the spirits are still haunting them. Determined to rid the family of this horror, they set out to uncover the secrets which have been plaguing them - but soon, things start to go awry.

Insidious Chapter 2 seems to follow much of a similar pattern to the first film with Wan drawing out moments of creepiness for maximum effect, complete with a blaring soundtrack to point out that SOMETHING REALLY SCARY is about to happen.

The problem is that while the eerie and spooky atmosphere works for the most part of the film, the jolts are relatively expected and signposted that you're barely caught on the hop at all. Throw in some occasionally risible dialogue and it really works hard to ensure that you're not on side with it in the slightest. Byrne has little to do except wander about with her mouth permanently agog and the comedy ghostbusters who try to help solve the case are nothing short of irritating and unwarranted in their moments in the script.

There are cliched horror moments aplenty - a stolen glimpse of someone in white when someone turns their head, a piano playing with nobody around, stuff flies around a room etc, but somehow in parts, it seems to work. Add in moments which bring the dread you'd feel as a child in darkened homes, and it's got quite the chance to inveigle its way under your skin. The unsettling atmosphere which shows up from time to time during the chronological shifts back and forth in Josh's history work quite well and Patrick Wilson, along with some impressive make up, does slightly unhinged and on the edge reasonably impressively, with his impassive mug ratcheting up the dread.

It's just a shame that there's a horrendous sense of deja vu in terms of a lack of story / character development and some unanswered questions (such as why a ghost mother dresses her son up as a girl) which leave you scratching your head. Throw into that mix, the fact that you really do have had to have seen the first film to fully appreciate what's going on, and Insidious starts to become a franchise that's really only for its fans rather than open it up to wider audience. Plus a standard final act brings every cliche to the fore.

There are some elements and ideas which fire though - a netherworld that's populated by drifting spirits and it's a relatively well used take on the old trope of the haunted home with director Wan giving rise to some genuinely unsettling moments. The first film really fired because it tapped into a primal fear that parents have about their children; by losing that element this time around, it really does feel more like standard horror fare.

Though I have to confess, an ending which promises a third film (already in development) does nothing except leave me cold - if the Insidious franchise wants to move forward, it really needs to widen its scope, enrich its mythology and ensure the next one offers up something a little newer and fresher - or this tale of possession will forever by haunted by the promise it failed to fulfil.

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Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2: Movie Review

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2: Movie Review

Cast: Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Will Forte, Terry Crews
Director: Cody Cameron, Kris Pearn

Don't play with your food is a mantra dictated to children at meal times by parents, but based on the latest Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs outing, it's going to be awfully hard to enforce.

This latest CGI outing sees Bill Hader return as inventor Flint Lockwood. Following the events of the last film where the gang managed to shut down his food producing machine, the FLDSMDFR, which was causing chaos in Swallow Falls. However, the machine's back alive and creating sentient food creatures which according to super inventor Chester V (Forte) threaten the whole world.

So, while working for Chester V's Live Corp (a company which thrives on inventions), Flint's given the job of going back to Swallow Falls to shut the machine down once and for all. Along with the gang from the first Cloudy, Flint sets out to save the day - but his ambitions to impress Chester could cause irreparable damage to his friends.

Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2 is a case of good for the kids, less so for the adults.

With its bright vibrant colours, Jurassic Park world of food animals (Su-sheep, watermelophants, fla-mangoes, shrimpanzees et al) and occasional lunacy, there's enough to keep the young (and young at heart) amused throughout. The story's not exactly taxing and yep, as ever, there are lessons to be learned over choices you make as well as who you listen to in life when it comes to role models.

The animation is pleasantly done and a lot of work has gone into creating the world around it and the creatures within, with even the pre-credits claiming it's "another film by a lot of people", but there's a lack of real originality and smarts to keep the parents in the auditorium entertained throughout.

There's a zaniness initially which is confined to the sidelines and to visual gags but is soon absent once the main story kicks in, preferring instead to revel in the well-realised creature world and predictable story, complete with cheesy puns which the youngsters will adore.

Energetic and colourful, Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2 does exactly what you'd expect it to - and don't be surprised if the kids love it for not playing with a winning but formulaic recipe.

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The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: Live Premiere

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: Live Premiere

THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG World Premiere Red Carpet will be streaming live on Tuesday December 3rd from the Dolby Theater in Hollywood starting at 2.30pm NZT.  

Red Carpet Coverage will include Peter Jackson, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Luke Evans, Orlando Bloom, Stephen Fry and more.

It follows the worldwide fan event in November which saw stars of the show presenting scenes from the film and catching up with the audiences, ahead of the film's launch.

Peter Jackson's unveiled a first look at The Desolation of Smaug - well, a first look at theposter for The Hobbit sequel.

Benedict Cumberbatch is the voice of Smaug and it hits cinemas in December 2013.

So, wanting to fuel that fire even further, here's your first look at Bilbo in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug...

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is due in cinemas in December 2013...

Here's a First look at the elf Tauriel.

The elf Tauriel played by Evangeline Lilly will appear in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.

Ender's Game: Movie Review

Ender's Game: Movie Review

Cast: Asa Butterfield, Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley, Hailee Steinfeld, Abigail Breslin, Viola Davis
Director: Gavin Hood

Based on Orson Scott Card's book, Ender's Game stars Hugo star Asa Butterfield as Ender Wiggin, a youngster whose ability could hold the key to the survival of the Earth.

In 2086, the planet comes under attack from an alien race known as the Formic and their incursion nearly destroyed everything. It's under that foreboding that the International Fleet lives - and led by Colonel Hyrum Graff (a gruff, shouty Harrison Ford) the children of Earth are constantly being scanned to see if they have what it takes to help them end the war.

Enter young Ender Wiggin, a bullied outsider, whose fight back against a bully demonstrates the necessary tactical thinking sought by the Fleet and Graff himself. Two of Wiggin's siblings have already been thrown off the military programme for not being good enough - but the young Ender displays the brains and tactical skill-set needed to help the human race gain the upper hand.

Under the tutelage of Graff, Ender's enrolled into Battle school with others of his age and ilk, and trained to do what it takes to win the war - no matter what the cost. As Ender starts to display brilliance of thinking under the threat of attack, he starts to progress through the ranks - and Graff champions him, believing that he is their saviour.

But, at what cost to the volatile Ender, who's already displayed tendencies toward violence, believing the ends justify the means...?

Ender's Game is a slice of sci-fi, served with a large dollop of Full Metal Jacket style military training and Harry Potter Quidditchy antics on the side.

There are some nice meaty, grey, moral questions which bubble away in the film (but are left largely untouched, which is a real shame) - such as the treatment of children in wartime, the psychological effects of shaping young minds, pro-war/ anti-war sentimentalities to name but a few. Sadly though, these are jettisoned for long sequences of Ender being trained and schooled at Battle School, command class and the film's narrative and some of the characters suffer because of it. (Chiefly, Viola Davis' questioning pyschologist who simply disappears when the story decides enough is enough)

With some exceptionally well realised zero-gravity sequences, the film seems to blow all of its creative wad on making the space age look great (and it largely succeeds) rather than concentrating a little more on the human angle of the conflict which would have proved more engaging for the audience and provoked the grey matter. That said, the battle sequences in the simulations are an overload of technology, techno-babble and impressive FX, which look dizzying up on a big screen.

In terms of the human talent, Butterfield does sullen and conflicted reasonably well with some average dialogue and Ford is pretty much gruff and harsh as the stereotype of a military commander. The worst offender though is Ben Kingsley, whose legendary Mazer Rackham shows towards the end of the film. Complete with facial moko and the worst New Zealand accent I've ever heard (it starts in Kiwi, heads to South Africa before settling into Aussie territory), Kingsley's character is enigmatically introduced too late in the piece to gain anything other than guffaws at vocal crimes.

A totally abrupt ending, twist too late in the day and sudden tonal shift from pro-war to anti-war buffets the end of this film and completely shortchanges the audience. It's a shame the greyer moral areas and bigger questions are ignored in favour of an FX piece because Ender's Game has promise. However, based on poor US box office returns, despite there being other books written, it could be Game Over for this franchise before it's even begun.

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Newstalk ZB Movie Review - Enough Said, Delivery Man and The Bling Ring

Newstalk ZB Movie Review - Enough Said, Delivery Man and The Bling Ring

It's a rather positive week on ZB this week when I caught up with Jack Tame.

Reviewed this week were Enough Said, Delivery Man and The Bling Ring.

Take a listen below:

http://newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/player/ondemand/1226220665-darren-bevan--movies-and-dvd

http://newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/player/ondemand/1226220665-darren-bevan--movies-and-dvd

A Field in England: Blu Ray Review

A Field in England: Blu Ray Review

Rating: M
Released by Madman Home Entertainment

Ben Wheatley returns and puts the WTF squarely into the small screen.

In his latest, a black and white piece set in the Civil War in England, it's up to you to put together some of the many pieces of this puzzle as they warp out in front of your eyes.

Reece Shearsmith (The League of Gentlemen) stars as Whitehead, a coward avoiding the fighting going on just over the hedges and frustratingly out of sight (robbing us of context). Joined by 3 others, Whitehead falls in with a troop of ne'er-do-wells, who want to get to an inn just over the hill - however, their journey takes a strange turn when they stumble upon O'Neill (Michael Smiley) whose desire to use Whitehead to find something in the field threatens them all.

A Field In England is a trippy piece of civil war psychedelia, mixed in with some of Wheatley's trademark dark humour. It's also frustratingly short on answers and high on puzzles meaning every audience member will have an interpretation of what's going on exactly and while that's fun for debate afterwards, a lack of linear answers may prove a befuddlement too far.

Though it has to be said, Wheatley's style comes shining through once again - with trippy sequences after mushrooms have been digested and psychosis sets in via an electronic soundtrack, it's a visceral thrill to see it unfold even if you're not 100% sure what the hell is going on.

Reece Shearsmith provides some genuinely unsettling moments - and a combined slow mo shot of him stumbling out of a tent after a confrontation with Smiley's O'Neill may be lacking in answers as to what's just gone on following the screaming, but it's not lacking on menace and a general feeling of the disturbed. Some of Wheatley's imagery is haunting and disgusting but always memorable (not always for the best reasons.)

There's some bleak humour here too - a confession of one of the group who's dying centres on his infidelity to his wife and brings some laughs which are unexpected; that's the thing with A Field In England, Wheatley's jumped so far out of any box you may expect after Sightseers and Kill List, that he's to be commended for the fact this film is so damn hard to classify, put in a box and properly review.

Freeze frame shots recall Civil War poses, a soundtrack taking in songs from the time and music add to the setting, and a general feeling of unease and pure dread drip from the screen as the low level plot plays out to its maddening end.

A Field In England is an utterly WTF experience - and its perplexing nature provides the enigmatic riddle we need to puzzle over for years to come. Some of the best film is the stuff which can't be pigeonholed - and once again, Wheatley's done it; he's committed something unique and audacious to celluloid, something which defies expectations and which provides more questions than it does answers.

Extras: A Whole stack including interviews, commentary, influences and blu ray exclusives. An extensive and highly commendable pack

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Monsters University: Blu Ray Review

Monsters University: Blu Ray Review

Rating: G
Released by Disney

The Monsters are back in this prequel to the wonderful Monsters, Inc.

It's a tough call following one of the most beloved Pixar movies of all time and you'd almost be afraid to do it - but Pixar's decided to deliver another film with the leads that have become so iconic. This time around though, things are a little different for Sulley, Mike Wazowski and Randall. The film takes you back to before the friendship and into the younger days - Mike (Billy Crystal, once again in fine form) is determined to do what it takes to get into Monsters University and become the best scarer ever after visiting Monsters Inc during a school trip.

So, when Mike manages to get a place at the prestigious university, he's keen to ensure he doesn't lose his spot and studies as much as he can. But things go a little haywire when jock-like Sulley (John Goodman, returning to the role he was suited for) shows up - a slacker who's getting by on the family name and refusing to study, he winds Mike up the wrong way.

And when the pair of them end up being kicked out of college, Mike thinks his dream is shattered....until he discovers the Scare Games and one final chance to get back in.

The problem is that he'll have to do it with his new arch-nemesis, Sulley and a team of misfits who couldn't say boo to a ghost...Monsters University is the kind of US college film we've all seen a million times before - a group of outcasts, victimised by the cool kids and heading for a showdown with the dean of the college. So, on that front, it's perhaps a bit of a disappointment that Pixar's plumped for the old cliche rather than looking at something new.

That said, by using a few clever twists on your expectations (the Sulley vs Mike divide, a new roommate for Mike initially) they just about manage to get away with it. Starting with Mike as a kid and outcast at college, he becomes the deluded underdog and nerd; throw in Sulley's jock, who's in competition with Mike and you've got the classic paradigm right there. Taking in a buddy message and the obligatory "you can do this with team help" theme, and really Pixar's not exactly stretching the hearts and minds of those who so enjoyed Monsters Inc back when it first emerged. But that's not to say that the new generation won't be captivated by Mike and Sulley's antics this time around. Of the new additions, Nathan Fillion's frat leader Johnny, Helen Mirren's Dean Hardscrabble and Charlie Day's Art make the most of their screen time and add a welcome presence to the pantheon of Monsters. 

While the Monsters University animation is top notch, the colourful creatures of Monsters University rich and varied within and Goodman and Crystal's vocal work is exceptional as ever, the whole thing just doesn't quite have the same rich emotional pay off, heartfelt resonance and pertinent humour in this prequel which made Monsters Inc so incredibly special.

(One thing which is worth the price of admission though is the truly beautiful short piece, The Blue Umbrella which is a blu ray extra. This is a real masterclass in short form animation, and is exceptional from beginning to end)

Extras: A Whole bunch of stuff including commentary, deleted scenes,and more.

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