One of my personal favourites is Steven Spielberg's Artificial Intelligence: A.I. (2001). It's a heartbreaking film about a robot boy named David (Haley Joel Osment) who is "adopted" by Monica (Frances O'Connor) and Henry Swinton (Sam Robards) since their child Martin (Jake Thomas) is very ill, seemingly in some sort of coma, and hospitalized.
David is a highly advanced robot that can be "imprinted" to be like an actual child to the one who activates that function. The problem, however, is that once activated David is just like a real boy. Which means that the company who manufactures them has a rule; should a family no longer want their imprinted robot child it must be handed back to be destroyed as it is not programmed to be put up for adoption once imprinted.
It might seem weird but the story is also partially about a robot called Gigolo Joe (Jude Law) that gets framed and in trouble with the law and thus he is on the run when he and David cross pats. Out of context like this it might seem very strange but trust me when I say that this film is absolutely brilliant and equally sad and beautiful. It also enraging because you see so much injustice and unnecessary suffering. Yet I cannot recommend this enough because it has amazing acting, a fantastic story and is overly so well made.
So if there's one film out there you haven't seen this one is the one film you really need to give a chance!
21 April 2013
6 April 2013
Rock-A-Doodle
Don Bluth and Gary Goldman is a duo that has created a number of wonderful animated cartoons and one of my childhood favourites is Rock-A-Doodle from 1991.
It has Elvis-style singing, lovely colour-scheme and magic. What's not to love, right?
The story can be summarised by saying that the human child Edmund loves the story of a rooster named Chanticleer who, in the bedtime story Edmund reads, wakes the sun every morning. Since to this little boy the rooster is fantastic Edmund calls for him with a child's desperation when his home threatens to flood due to heavy rain. Unfortunately for Edmund it's not Chanticleer who hears him but an evil owl who transforms the boy into a kitten and tries to eat him. He is saved in the nick of time though by friends of Chanticleer and they all set out on an adventure to find Chanticleer and bring him home before the dreadful owls, who love for it to be night always, take over.
All in all it's a film for children, ultimately. But I think that if you enjoy colourful animated cartoons which actually do have a quite good storyline and characters it could very well be a film for you. And if you have seen it as a kid, why not revisit it? I can't promise anything but I know I found it to be as wonderful still as it was when I was a child!
It has Elvis-style singing, lovely colour-scheme and magic. What's not to love, right?
The story can be summarised by saying that the human child Edmund loves the story of a rooster named Chanticleer who, in the bedtime story Edmund reads, wakes the sun every morning. Since to this little boy the rooster is fantastic Edmund calls for him with a child's desperation when his home threatens to flood due to heavy rain. Unfortunately for Edmund it's not Chanticleer who hears him but an evil owl who transforms the boy into a kitten and tries to eat him. He is saved in the nick of time though by friends of Chanticleer and they all set out on an adventure to find Chanticleer and bring him home before the dreadful owls, who love for it to be night always, take over.
All in all it's a film for children, ultimately. But I think that if you enjoy colourful animated cartoons which actually do have a quite good storyline and characters it could very well be a film for you. And if you have seen it as a kid, why not revisit it? I can't promise anything but I know I found it to be as wonderful still as it was when I was a child!
4 April 2013
The Superb Combo of Scorsese and DiCaprio
If you are a fan of Martin Scorsese's films and if you like a good mystery/thriller Shutter Island (2010) could be something for you. It is based on Dennis Lehane's novel from 2003 and then taken to the big screen by Scorsese with screenplay by Laeta Kalogridis. Starring in Shutter Island are Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsely, Max von Sydow, Michelle Williams, Emily Mortimer and Patricia Clarkson.
It is not a film for those who enjoy a straightforward, easy-to-follow plot since this is a film that has you question most everything. It is not overly complicated, however, and it is simply the somewhat classical dilemma of what is and isn't true - or real, if you will.
To give a little summer for those interested it is set in 1954 and centres around the character Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) who, together with his new partner Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), is to investigate the disappearance of one of the inmates of Ashecliffe Hospital; a hospital for the criminal insane. The mental hospital is located on Shutter Island and the missing patient, a murderess named Rachel (Emiliy Mortimer and Patricia Clarkson), is expected to be somewhere nearby. It therefore seems uncomplicated at first - the escapee cannot get off the island - but the deeper Teddy digs into the case the stranger everything becomes.
Scorsese has directed many great films and this is no exception. Shutter Island is a dark and intriguing story and it is definitely worth the while.
It is not a film for those who enjoy a straightforward, easy-to-follow plot since this is a film that has you question most everything. It is not overly complicated, however, and it is simply the somewhat classical dilemma of what is and isn't true - or real, if you will.
To give a little summer for those interested it is set in 1954 and centres around the character Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) who, together with his new partner Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), is to investigate the disappearance of one of the inmates of Ashecliffe Hospital; a hospital for the criminal insane. The mental hospital is located on Shutter Island and the missing patient, a murderess named Rachel (Emiliy Mortimer and Patricia Clarkson), is expected to be somewhere nearby. It therefore seems uncomplicated at first - the escapee cannot get off the island - but the deeper Teddy digs into the case the stranger everything becomes.
Scorsese has directed many great films and this is no exception. Shutter Island is a dark and intriguing story and it is definitely worth the while.
1 April 2013
A Must-See Sci-fi Classic
One of my own personal favourites of all times is Mell Brooks's parody Spaceballs from 1987. This over-the-top space adventure is, in my opinion at least, a good example of a parody that is properly made. It's of course most entertaining to watch if one is familiar with sci-fi film of the eighties because it contains a whole lot of references - some of which are the punchlines to the jokes - but it is, of course, possible to watch it and still find it amusing even without having watched a bunch of popular eighties sci-fi.
This film has a mixture of cheap gags and clever references as well as some more subtle jokes.
Rick Moranis stars as Dark Helmet - the one who is sent by the president Sroob (Mel Brooks) to steal the air from planet Druidia - and by mere appearance alone makes a hilarious parody on Darth Vader (the Star Wars films). He, of course, also gives a brilliant performance and is probably one of the funniest actors in this parody. Also contributing to the hilarity that is Spaceballs are Bill Pullman as Lone Starr, John Candy (1950-1994) as Barf the Mog (half man, half dog) - Lone Starr's sidekick - and Daphne Zuniga as Princess Vespa of Druidia along with Joan Rivers as the droid who is meant to protect Vespa (and Vespa's virginity).
In short; as long as you are in the mood for folly this film will not fail to make you laugh!
(Worth noting is that Joan River's is also a stand-up comedian. I do suggest you at least give her shows a try!)
This film has a mixture of cheap gags and clever references as well as some more subtle jokes.
Rick Moranis stars as Dark Helmet - the one who is sent by the president Sroob (Mel Brooks) to steal the air from planet Druidia - and by mere appearance alone makes a hilarious parody on Darth Vader (the Star Wars films). He, of course, also gives a brilliant performance and is probably one of the funniest actors in this parody. Also contributing to the hilarity that is Spaceballs are Bill Pullman as Lone Starr, John Candy (1950-1994) as Barf the Mog (half man, half dog) - Lone Starr's sidekick - and Daphne Zuniga as Princess Vespa of Druidia along with Joan Rivers as the droid who is meant to protect Vespa (and Vespa's virginity).
In short; as long as you are in the mood for folly this film will not fail to make you laugh!
(Worth noting is that Joan River's is also a stand-up comedian. I do suggest you at least give her shows a try!)
29 March 2013
Who Doesn't Want Robert Downey Jr Narrating?
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!
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!
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!
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