The film Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) has that - Robert Downey Jr narrating, I mean. Which is really what makes it awesome. Because it's, in all honesty, not the strongest film out there. It even falters towards the end, story-wise, I would say.
Written as a novel by Brett Halliday and written for the screen as well as directed by Shane Black (who also was involved in writing the screenplay for Iron Man 3 (2013) and was the one who directed it) this is a humoristic action crime piece. It really has its moments and Robert Downey Jr and Michelle Monaghan really help making it enjoyable.
Above all this film is amusing. One has to assume that that is the main point of it because as far as comedy goes it's a really good one. It has its serious moments as well, though, and both Robert and Michelle handle them wonderfully.
Oh, and yes; it does have action. It is an action film, after all.
So, to sum it all up, this would be highly recommended to anyone who likes Robert Downey Jr's acting and humour and to those who enjoy the mixture of action and comedy - this here is a good one, folks!
29 March 2013
24 March 2013
The Story Goes On
L. Frank Baum's story of Oz continues thus with the film Oz - The Great and Powerful (2013).
I'm not sure having Sam Raimi as the director brought out the best in this story but having Rachel Weisz as Evanora was probably genius as she is a marvellous actress and she does brilliantly. Of course, James Franco did a pretty good job as Oz and Michelle Williams was likely perfect for the role as Glinda The Good Witch. Mila Kunis surprises after a slightly staggering and fumbling introduction as Theodora and gives a real good old-school children's film performance and though Zach Braff mainly does voice acting for this particular piece he does so well and does give a bit of life to his character.
I'm not sure having Sam Raimi as the director brought out the best in this story but having Rachel Weisz as Evanora was probably genius as she is a marvellous actress and she does brilliantly. Of course, James Franco did a pretty good job as Oz and Michelle Williams was likely perfect for the role as Glinda The Good Witch. Mila Kunis surprises after a slightly staggering and fumbling introduction as Theodora and gives a real good old-school children's film performance and though Zach Braff mainly does voice acting for this particular piece he does so well and does give a bit of life to his character.
The effects were well made enough and the 3D was decent. It looked good and overall the film was rather beautifully crafted.
Oz - The Great and Powerful was a little adventure the good old fashioned way. Nothing new, nothing too exciting. But it was rather delightful all in all and it is actually worth seeing. Especially if one likes the stories about Oz and it's probably a nice film for children. For someone who wants a grand adventure or complexity this is not the film for you. But for everyone else I would recommend it for sure. It was a sweet little story and it had it moments.
Unexpected Friendship
Based on a true story this film, Intouchables (2011), by Oliver Nakache and Eric Toledano is worth the while. It does have a slow start and it did take a little while past the intriguing opening scene to get into this story and really connect with it and the characters. But if you just make it past the, in all honesty, rather uneventful first part the rest of the film is both fun and engaging.
Omar Sy does a good job in acting his character Driss, a young man who turns up for a job interview to be able to receive unemployment insurance but ends up taking on a bet on whether or not he could even handle the job at all. The job and bet comes from Françios Cluzet's character Philippe - a tetraplegiac millionaire who cannot seem to find anyone suitable as his caretaker.
It's a decent enough film and as long as you're not completely uninterested in comedy-drama films based on true stories like this you will probably enjoy it. Personally I liked it, I found it worth watching, and I do recommennd it!
Omar Sy does a good job in acting his character Driss, a young man who turns up for a job interview to be able to receive unemployment insurance but ends up taking on a bet on whether or not he could even handle the job at all. The job and bet comes from Françios Cluzet's character Philippe - a tetraplegiac millionaire who cannot seem to find anyone suitable as his caretaker.
It's a decent enough film and as long as you're not completely uninterested in comedy-drama films based on true stories like this you will probably enjoy it. Personally I liked it, I found it worth watching, and I do recommennd it!
18 March 2013
Enigmatic Symphony
I recently went and saw Cloud Atlas (2012) upon recommendation from one of my younger brothers. I would have gone anyway since I happened to catch the trailer and was very intrigued but I felt even more inclined to see it after he had spoken so warmly of it.
Based on the novel by David Mitchell and brought to screen by Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwer and Andy Wachowski this film is very strong both in message and depiction. It is a mosaic of life-stories intertwined but separate and it takes focus and dedication to really get the most out of this film.
If it sounds complex and complicated it's because it is.
Furthermore I would not recommend this to someone who simply want some easygoing entertainment and I would have to say to anyone who wants to see this that there are, in my opinion, some strong scenes. It's not overly gory (though it's not embellished or adjusted); it's simply the fact that if one has the ability to put oneself in someone else's situation, feel their grief, pain and anger, it can become unpleasant.
But if you have the patient and if you have the stomach (don't let this scare you off, it's just a precaution!) I would absolutely recommend this magnificent piece of filmatic art. Though complicated and unsettling, and at times dark, it had such beautiful performances and those wonderful glimpses of hope and humour that shone the brighter when framed in sorrow and despair.
The hugely talented actors and actresses are what ultimately brings this whole epos to life and I must say that though Tom Hanks does, as per usual, a fantastic job and though Hugo Weaving is talented as always it is truly Ben Whishaw who shines in this piece in his role as Robert Frobisher. Jim Sturgess and Halle Berry also prove that they are really good at portraying characters you really feel compassionate about. We also see Doona Bae give quite the performance as well as James D'Arcy, Keith David, David Gyasi, Robert Fyfe and Martin Wuttke. And, of course, not to forget Hugh Grant and Susan Sarandon!
Since the film Cloud Atlas is based on a book which I have not read I cannot speak for those who have in terms of recommending this film. From what I can gather, however, it is alright to watch even if one has read the book. It apparently takes liberties with plot and certain details but supposedly brings the overall concept to the big screen in a favourable way.
So, as someone who has not red the book and who enjoys these grand and thought-provoking films I absolutely do recommend it. I would gladly give a small summery as to illustrate why it's a must-see but it is in all honesty not so easy. However, and possibly spoiler to some here!, the main focus point is the idea that "our lives are not our own" and that a soul travels through different lifetimes and everything, good or bad, ripples through time and effects that individual soul in every life. It's a most endearing thought that is displayed with beautiful scenes and great acting. Out of all the films so far this year Cloud Atlas is absolutely a must-see!
Based on the novel by David Mitchell and brought to screen by Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwer and Andy Wachowski this film is very strong both in message and depiction. It is a mosaic of life-stories intertwined but separate and it takes focus and dedication to really get the most out of this film.
If it sounds complex and complicated it's because it is.
Furthermore I would not recommend this to someone who simply want some easygoing entertainment and I would have to say to anyone who wants to see this that there are, in my opinion, some strong scenes. It's not overly gory (though it's not embellished or adjusted); it's simply the fact that if one has the ability to put oneself in someone else's situation, feel their grief, pain and anger, it can become unpleasant.
But if you have the patient and if you have the stomach (don't let this scare you off, it's just a precaution!) I would absolutely recommend this magnificent piece of filmatic art. Though complicated and unsettling, and at times dark, it had such beautiful performances and those wonderful glimpses of hope and humour that shone the brighter when framed in sorrow and despair.
The hugely talented actors and actresses are what ultimately brings this whole epos to life and I must say that though Tom Hanks does, as per usual, a fantastic job and though Hugo Weaving is talented as always it is truly Ben Whishaw who shines in this piece in his role as Robert Frobisher. Jim Sturgess and Halle Berry also prove that they are really good at portraying characters you really feel compassionate about. We also see Doona Bae give quite the performance as well as James D'Arcy, Keith David, David Gyasi, Robert Fyfe and Martin Wuttke. And, of course, not to forget Hugh Grant and Susan Sarandon!
Since the film Cloud Atlas is based on a book which I have not read I cannot speak for those who have in terms of recommending this film. From what I can gather, however, it is alright to watch even if one has read the book. It apparently takes liberties with plot and certain details but supposedly brings the overall concept to the big screen in a favourable way.
So, as someone who has not red the book and who enjoys these grand and thought-provoking films I absolutely do recommend it. I would gladly give a small summery as to illustrate why it's a must-see but it is in all honesty not so easy. However, and possibly spoiler to some here!, the main focus point is the idea that "our lives are not our own" and that a soul travels through different lifetimes and everything, good or bad, ripples through time and effects that individual soul in every life. It's a most endearing thought that is displayed with beautiful scenes and great acting. Out of all the films so far this year Cloud Atlas is absolutely a must-see!
14 March 2013
When Life Gives More Than Lemons
The film 50/50 (2011), directed by Jonathan Levine and written by Will Reiser, is based on a true story and is extraordinary well made. Joesph Gordon-Levitt gives an amazing and, in my eyes, very believable performance in his role as 27-year-old Adam who receives life changing news.
Now, I don't want to give too much of the plot away because I myself personally don't wish to particularly know anything about a film before I see it because I want to have no preconceived notions and thus I would want to show everyone else the same courtesy. But I will give a small summery here and if you, like me, prefer nothing of that kind when having a film recommended just skip the rest of this paragraph and continue with the next one. So, for a quick summery this film is centred around the character Adam who gets a malicious kind of spinal cancer which he finds has a 50/50 survival rate. His friend, Kyle (Seth Rogen), tries, though somewhat clumsy and misguided, to be there for Adam and be a god friend in difficult times. Adam also has to face his already overbearing mother Diane (Anjelica Huston), who is otherwise often busy tending to Adam's father who has Alzheimer, becomes even more invested in her son to his great annoyance. When it comes to Adam's girlfriend Rachel (Bryce Dallas Howard) their relationship suddenly falls in a whole new light and becomes a whole new struggle. To top it all off Adam is offered time with a therapist and if he's sceptical to begin with it doesn't help that the woman he is assigned to, Katherine (Anna Kendrick), only ever has had two cases before him. All of this makes Adam's life suddenly completely thrown about. Nothing make sense. And time might be running out.
All in all this film is very capturing and does well in making it easy to feel a connection to the characters and to be emotionally invested in them. It's well made and though it is listed as a drama comedy it does not take things neither too lightly nor too darkly. Nothing is black and white and nothing is over simplified or made too complex - the film stays true to real life. The humour is not of the one-liner kind or akin to slapstick comedy films, it's the kind you'd meet in everyday life. It's the kind that either makes you cringe a bit or smile warmly. Overall is a very well-balanced film.
For comparison; if you have seen The Bucket List (2007) and enjoyed that film you would probably like 50/50 as they are somewhat similar. Same goes for Barry Levinsson's Rainman (1988) which is, if not in theme, similar in how it treats its story and characters.
And with that I will end by saying that I absolutely recommend this. Not for its comedy as it's not hugely comedic or for the drama as its not bombastically dramatic and not for being a grand and epic story but simply for how quietly brilliant it is. I hope you see it and I hope you enjoy it!
Now, I don't want to give too much of the plot away because I myself personally don't wish to particularly know anything about a film before I see it because I want to have no preconceived notions and thus I would want to show everyone else the same courtesy. But I will give a small summery here and if you, like me, prefer nothing of that kind when having a film recommended just skip the rest of this paragraph and continue with the next one. So, for a quick summery this film is centred around the character Adam who gets a malicious kind of spinal cancer which he finds has a 50/50 survival rate. His friend, Kyle (Seth Rogen), tries, though somewhat clumsy and misguided, to be there for Adam and be a god friend in difficult times. Adam also has to face his already overbearing mother Diane (Anjelica Huston), who is otherwise often busy tending to Adam's father who has Alzheimer, becomes even more invested in her son to his great annoyance. When it comes to Adam's girlfriend Rachel (Bryce Dallas Howard) their relationship suddenly falls in a whole new light and becomes a whole new struggle. To top it all off Adam is offered time with a therapist and if he's sceptical to begin with it doesn't help that the woman he is assigned to, Katherine (Anna Kendrick), only ever has had two cases before him. All of this makes Adam's life suddenly completely thrown about. Nothing make sense. And time might be running out.
All in all this film is very capturing and does well in making it easy to feel a connection to the characters and to be emotionally invested in them. It's well made and though it is listed as a drama comedy it does not take things neither too lightly nor too darkly. Nothing is black and white and nothing is over simplified or made too complex - the film stays true to real life. The humour is not of the one-liner kind or akin to slapstick comedy films, it's the kind you'd meet in everyday life. It's the kind that either makes you cringe a bit or smile warmly. Overall is a very well-balanced film.
For comparison; if you have seen The Bucket List (2007) and enjoyed that film you would probably like 50/50 as they are somewhat similar. Same goes for Barry Levinsson's Rainman (1988) which is, if not in theme, similar in how it treats its story and characters.
And with that I will end by saying that I absolutely recommend this. Not for its comedy as it's not hugely comedic or for the drama as its not bombastically dramatic and not for being a grand and epic story but simply for how quietly brilliant it is. I hope you see it and I hope you enjoy it!
9 March 2013
Looking Forward To
A number of films that will be release this year, actually.
Of course, no surprise I am stoked about Iron Man 3 (2013). It's obviously the sequel to Iron Man (2008) and Iron Man 2 (2010) and also ties together with The Avengers. This one is directed by Shane Black but we will, granted, really, see both Robert Downey Jr back in his role as Iron Man/Tony Stark and Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Pots.
I am also excited about The Great Gatsby (2013), directed by Baz Luhrmann, which is an adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel from the 20's with the same name. Among the talents starring in this film are Leonardo DiCaprio, Isla Fisher and Carey Mulligan.
I must say I do enjoy animated films and really loved Despicable Me (2010). So this year I'm looking forward to the sequel - Despicable Me 2 (2013) - once again directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud and with Steve Carell as the voice of Gru once more.
Same goes for Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013) though that one does not really have the same directors as Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (2009) did.
And thought it's not Kenneth Branagh who directed Thor 2: The Dark World (2013) but Alan Taylor (Game of Thrones) I am still very excited about the sequel to Thor and to see Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston as Thor and Loki again the wonderful and amazing Natalie Portman as Jane Foster once more (especially since she wasn't include in The Avengers). Not to mention Anthony Hopkins as Odin and Stellan Skarsgård as Dr. Eric Selvig as well as Rene Russo as Frigga.
And who is not looking forward to the continuance of Bilbo's amazing journey in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug? I know I absolutely am! Once again Peter Jackson (The Fellowship of The Ring (2001), The Two Towers (2002), The Return of the King (2003)) has been directing and the screenplay has been written by Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Guillermo del Toro based on the book "The Hobbit, or There and Back Again" by J.R.R Tolkien.
I am also keeping an eye out for Jim Jarmusch's Only Lovers Left Alive (2013) which is a vampire film with the amazing talents Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton as the main characters Adam and Eve.
And last, but certainly not least, I am looking forward to Joss Whedon's (The Avengers, The Cabin in the Woods) Much Ado About Nothing (2012) - an adaptation on the Shakespearen play - starring Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, Clark Gregg and Nathan Fillion and many others.
Of course, no surprise I am stoked about Iron Man 3 (2013). It's obviously the sequel to Iron Man (2008) and Iron Man 2 (2010) and also ties together with The Avengers. This one is directed by Shane Black but we will, granted, really, see both Robert Downey Jr back in his role as Iron Man/Tony Stark and Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Pots.
I am also excited about The Great Gatsby (2013), directed by Baz Luhrmann, which is an adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel from the 20's with the same name. Among the talents starring in this film are Leonardo DiCaprio, Isla Fisher and Carey Mulligan.
I must say I do enjoy animated films and really loved Despicable Me (2010). So this year I'm looking forward to the sequel - Despicable Me 2 (2013) - once again directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud and with Steve Carell as the voice of Gru once more.
Same goes for Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013) though that one does not really have the same directors as Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (2009) did.
And thought it's not Kenneth Branagh who directed Thor 2: The Dark World (2013) but Alan Taylor (Game of Thrones) I am still very excited about the sequel to Thor and to see Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston as Thor and Loki again the wonderful and amazing Natalie Portman as Jane Foster once more (especially since she wasn't include in The Avengers). Not to mention Anthony Hopkins as Odin and Stellan Skarsgård as Dr. Eric Selvig as well as Rene Russo as Frigga.
And who is not looking forward to the continuance of Bilbo's amazing journey in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug? I know I absolutely am! Once again Peter Jackson (The Fellowship of The Ring (2001), The Two Towers (2002), The Return of the King (2003)) has been directing and the screenplay has been written by Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Guillermo del Toro based on the book "The Hobbit, or There and Back Again" by J.R.R Tolkien.
I am also keeping an eye out for Jim Jarmusch's Only Lovers Left Alive (2013) which is a vampire film with the amazing talents Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton as the main characters Adam and Eve.
And last, but certainly not least, I am looking forward to Joss Whedon's (The Avengers, The Cabin in the Woods) Much Ado About Nothing (2012) - an adaptation on the Shakespearen play - starring Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, Clark Gregg and Nathan Fillion and many others.
6 March 2013
Life Told in Beautiful Setting
If you have the chance I encourage you to see the beautiful film Life of Pi (2012) at the cinema.This fantastic film, directed by Ang Lee and based on the novel by Yann Martel, is truly the story of life. For as specific and amazing as this particular story - Pi's story - is in this film it is very much told with every element of real life.
It has the bits and pieces that make up the ever floating stream of events that carry us all from cradle to grave. There is humour and there is grief. Endurance, courage, disrepair faith, compassion and the lack thereof. Every colourful strand of yarn that is part of the weave of life is there - displayed in a magnificent multitude of magical scenes.
Though the scenery is almost dreamlike - almost too beautiful at times to be true - it does somehow not take away from the feeling that Life of Pi truly is representing life. Also adding to the feeling of it being real is the very well made 3D effects. It gives depth and does not make the film blurry or difficult to watch. So if you're hesitant to seeing it in 3D I would say it's more than just alright; it is actually very beautiful like that and I would honestly recommend 3D rather than traditional on this one.
All in all it's a fantastic film and I wholeheartedly recommend it and I am definitely not the only one! I saw an uncountable amount of tweets on twitter praising this film and couldn't help snag these out of the lot just to emphasize how wonderful this film truly is:
It has the bits and pieces that make up the ever floating stream of events that carry us all from cradle to grave. There is humour and there is grief. Endurance, courage, disrepair faith, compassion and the lack thereof. Every colourful strand of yarn that is part of the weave of life is there - displayed in a magnificent multitude of magical scenes.
Though the scenery is almost dreamlike - almost too beautiful at times to be true - it does somehow not take away from the feeling that Life of Pi truly is representing life. Also adding to the feeling of it being real is the very well made 3D effects. It gives depth and does not make the film blurry or difficult to watch. So if you're hesitant to seeing it in 3D I would say it's more than just alright; it is actually very beautiful like that and I would honestly recommend 3D rather than traditional on this one.
All in all it's a fantastic film and I wholeheartedly recommend it and I am definitely not the only one! I saw an uncountable amount of tweets on twitter praising this film and couldn't help snag these out of the lot just to emphasize how wonderful this film truly is:
LIFE OF PI is absolutely beautiful. By turns wild, colourful, fun, poetic, inspiring, expansive, mysterious and deep. Like the sea.
— Tom Hiddleston (@twhiddleston) December 4, 2012
#Oscars2013Yes. #lifeofpi Shot beautifully. Dreamlike.
— Dominic Monaghan (@DomsWildThings) February 25, 2013
If you're seeing #LifeOfPi (you should, it's beautiful), here's how its storms were done: bit.ly/Uhu0py (@mpc_vfx)
— Phil de Semlyen (@PhildeSemlyen) December 21, 2012
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