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!
18 March 2013
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
24 February 2013
Humoristic Horror At Its Best
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.)
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.)
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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