If you are a fan of the horror comedy genre you should most definitely see D.Kerry Prior's The Revenant (2009).
It's surprisingly well made when it comes to the story and acting. You would expect a special effects guy such as Prior to be all about the effects and perhaps not give that much thought to characterization and story telling. But you'd be mistaken for sure.
Of course the effects are wicked. That is sort of to be expected and Prior really delivers in that area. But the fact of the matter is that the storyline is alright - nothing breathtakingly brilliant but good enough (and hey, it's a horror comedy after all) - and the characters are very believable Which is actually quite a feat seeing as the situation they find themselves in is extreme to say the least.
In short the film is centred around two friends and one of them happens to die. So far nothing strange. Thing is he also sort of happens to come back to life. Sort of. He is, well, decomposing I suppose would be the proper way to describe his state and they try to figure out exactly what kind of mythological being he really is. The obvious descriptions do not seem to match and in this film we actually get to see some strange new hybrid of two of our favourite undead creatures. (And I promise, no one sparkles in sunlight).
Everyone does a good job (especially David Anders and Chris Wylden) in this film and it's highly entertaining - I can almost guarantee you'll get at least a few good chuckles out of it! - and it's most certainly worth watching.
And, to those who are not fans of gore, well, I watched this with a small test audience and everyone thought it was a good and entertaining film. Even the sixty-year-old woman who had to look away during anything gory because she really did not like that enjoyed the film as a whole.
So, in conclusion, this film I am most definitely recommending to you guys! Enjoy!
(Note: The Revenant was released in 2012 in Sweden.)
24 February 2013
6 February 2013
Hiddleston, Beale, Irons, Whishaw and Many More in This Shakespeare Epic
If you have not yet seen BBC's The Hollow Crown mini-series I highly suggest you do so!
Anyone who likes the acting of either of the names mentioned in the title will not be disappointed. Also, anyone who like brilliant acting and directing that manages to - in my humble opinion, at least - make the Shakespearean dialogues and monologues believable on screen in a film (even though it is written as a play, which is a very different medium) as well as managing to make everything, reactions and actions, perfectly natural-seeming should really gives these films a try!
Those who might possibly find these not entirely satisfying are perhaps those very familiar and very fond of Shakespeare plays as plays to be seen on a theatre stage. I am personally not that well versed in Shakespeare's work. Not as well as I should like to, at least. So In my case I would say I knew just the right amount on his works to really love the films. To someone more knowledgeable I would then say - give them a chance! But do so without expecting the brilliance I speak of since it comes form someone that saw these without too many preconceived notions as to what they should be like and I am sure you will still be able to enjoy them.
To those who simply love Tom Hiddleston - as I know many do - it really is worth your while to see Richard II as well even though Hiddleston is not in that one because it is just as beautiful and well made. Though, if you really are going to watch them simply because of Hiddleston, by all means, do so. If you love his acting you will not be disappointed - he does an amazing job as prince Hal and Henry V and I can practically guarantee you will not regret watching these films. Of course, and it should go without saying, that the same is true for Ben Whishaw who gives a most amazing performance as king Richard II. If you intend to see only Richard II for the sake of his wonderful acting alone I would still recommend the rest of the series.
I would also recommend these films to anyone who really loves well-made, historical pieces. Because they are beautifully shot and made with great attention to detail. The sets are fantastic and the atmosphere connects to each seen wonderfully.
All in all these absolutely fall under the category of my favourite films of all times and I do highly and warmly recommend these works of art!
Anyone who likes the acting of either of the names mentioned in the title will not be disappointed. Also, anyone who like brilliant acting and directing that manages to - in my humble opinion, at least - make the Shakespearean dialogues and monologues believable on screen in a film (even though it is written as a play, which is a very different medium) as well as managing to make everything, reactions and actions, perfectly natural-seeming should really gives these films a try!
Those who might possibly find these not entirely satisfying are perhaps those very familiar and very fond of Shakespeare plays as plays to be seen on a theatre stage. I am personally not that well versed in Shakespeare's work. Not as well as I should like to, at least. So In my case I would say I knew just the right amount on his works to really love the films. To someone more knowledgeable I would then say - give them a chance! But do so without expecting the brilliance I speak of since it comes form someone that saw these without too many preconceived notions as to what they should be like and I am sure you will still be able to enjoy them.
To those who simply love Tom Hiddleston - as I know many do - it really is worth your while to see Richard II as well even though Hiddleston is not in that one because it is just as beautiful and well made. Though, if you really are going to watch them simply because of Hiddleston, by all means, do so. If you love his acting you will not be disappointed - he does an amazing job as prince Hal and Henry V and I can practically guarantee you will not regret watching these films. Of course, and it should go without saying, that the same is true for Ben Whishaw who gives a most amazing performance as king Richard II. If you intend to see only Richard II for the sake of his wonderful acting alone I would still recommend the rest of the series.
I would also recommend these films to anyone who really loves well-made, historical pieces. Because they are beautifully shot and made with great attention to detail. The sets are fantastic and the atmosphere connects to each seen wonderfully.
All in all these absolutely fall under the category of my favourite films of all times and I do highly and warmly recommend these works of art!
3 February 2013
Loopy Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon Levitt?
In the film Looper (2012) by Rian Johnson Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon Levitt both play the character, Joe.
Loopy?
Slightly, but they make it work. Partly through good acting and partly with the help of the element of time travel.
Yes, it's another action sci-fi film where time travel is incorporated into the concept. (And since time travel is such a debated topic still you will probably stop and think a few times "is that really plausible?." Then again, a lot of fictional occurrences are not truly scientific - merely explained in a way that appears logical; thus making it believably. So it's more or less up to you.) But if you look past the slightly shaky time travel part of it really is a well made film with very good acting and a rather compelling story because of the way it is being told through the characters.
Bruce Willis gives a really good and human performance - personally one of my favourite by him since Sixth Sense (1999) (where he really excelled, in my opinion) - and even though this film falls into the same action genre that he usually works with it's nuanced enough to have character depth and Willis makes Joe very believable.
The same can be said for Gordon Levitt's acting. Though, in my own personal opinion, he is a very versatile and skilled actor and he is very capable of making his characters seem real. This film is no exception and he does a brilliant job.
It really is the acting that makes this film worthwhile. It is not that action-packed and does not have a unique story. What it does have is some fine-tuned acting and directing. Also it does have an entertainment value - I do doubt you will be bored watching this.
All in all I highly recommend this one!
Loopy?
Slightly, but they make it work. Partly through good acting and partly with the help of the element of time travel.
Yes, it's another action sci-fi film where time travel is incorporated into the concept. (And since time travel is such a debated topic still you will probably stop and think a few times "is that really plausible?." Then again, a lot of fictional occurrences are not truly scientific - merely explained in a way that appears logical; thus making it believably. So it's more or less up to you.) But if you look past the slightly shaky time travel part of it really is a well made film with very good acting and a rather compelling story because of the way it is being told through the characters.
Bruce Willis gives a really good and human performance - personally one of my favourite by him since Sixth Sense (1999) (where he really excelled, in my opinion) - and even though this film falls into the same action genre that he usually works with it's nuanced enough to have character depth and Willis makes Joe very believable.
The same can be said for Gordon Levitt's acting. Though, in my own personal opinion, he is a very versatile and skilled actor and he is very capable of making his characters seem real. This film is no exception and he does a brilliant job.
It really is the acting that makes this film worthwhile. It is not that action-packed and does not have a unique story. What it does have is some fine-tuned acting and directing. Also it does have an entertainment value - I do doubt you will be bored watching this.
All in all I highly recommend this one!
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