Nikita [expect serious spoilers on this one]

This French film has a very interesting story line, so I was excited to give it a watch. We follow Nikita, a sociopathic ex-drug addict and gang member, as she is picked up by the government and trained as an assassin. I'm yet to watch the TV series based on this film, so I can't tell you how similar it is in terms of characters and plot, but I can only assume it's similar.

I shall start with the good points. Nikita is probably one of the most visually beautiful films I've ever seen. Every shot it truly gorgeous - just what I expect from a French film. With some really punchy action and gore scenes, expect to have your eyes metaphorically massaged. 

However, I can't ignore the bad. And the bad was the plot and the characters. Two major parts to the success of a great film. 

The biggest problem for me was the ending. This is not just me being an ambiguous ending hater. I love a good ambiguous ending! There was just all this fantastic action and complex set up of relationships, that the ending made the whole thing seem abundant. For one, the way that Nikita's fiance just declared he knew about her work, was a disappointment. The close calls of him finding out, was crying for a major emotional confession from Nikita or a shocking reveal. But no, it was just him casually bring up the missions. This leads on to my next point quite nicely.

I found the characters hard to understand or relate to. Just some of the actions from the characters weren't believable enough. I know this isn't the most realistic plot, but if you choose such a dramatised story, then you need solid characters to make it not seem like utter nonsense. As an audience, we need to believe in the characters in order to engage with a film. 

Saying this, Nikita, is still a very interesting an complex character in terms of her personal development. It was fascinating to see her emotional revolt against the gruesome tasks during the cleaner scene. This is a young female who was emotional shredded before her conviction and training, so to see her establish a life of her own afterward and then the aftermath breakdown was captivating. It's a shame the other characters were less developed and bland. 

Would have loved to have seen more of Jean Reno.

5/10

Saturday Small News

1) For any of you who don't already know (this is probably a minority of people), my all time favorite director is Stanley Kubrick. His work is stunningly cinematic and fascinating. I urge any of you who haven't already, to go and watch this list of fabulous Kubrick films: A Clockwork Orange, Lolita, 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Shining. They are must sees for anyone interested in film.

Anyway back to the Small News!  For all of you fellow Kubrick fans, earlier this week Kubrick's daughter and grandson opened up a Reddit Q&A session. It is truly amazing to hear about their relationship with the director and get a true incite as Kubrick as a person, not just the meticulous filmmaker.

Here is a link for all that are interested: http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/134rvs/stanley_kubricks_daughter_katharina_kubrick_and/

2) Just caught wind of Warner Bros. planning a live-action remake of Pinocchio. Jane Goldman, screenwriter of Kickass and The Woman in Black, is currently been negotiated as screenwriter for the new project. 

The one thing that worries me about this remake is one of the other names that I have heard to be in connection - Tim Burton. I'm not going to say I hate Burton, as I truly do love some of his films, especially Nightmare Before Christmas. However, the problem that I do have with him is he enjoys taking some of my favorite stories and overplaying the whole "I'm a quirky gothic director" thing, thus ruining them for me. I hated Alice in Wonderland, as Burton's style took over the brilliance of the classic tale. So please please, Burton, don't do the same to Pinocchio.

3) For everyone who hated Promethus, take a gander at this. Now I need to get my hands on a copy of the original script

http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/opinions/the-8-worst-parts-of-prometheus-explained-in-the-original-script-jsarg.php

4) New Les Mis trailer everyone! Can not wait to see this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkHHHUk8RCw

My Top 5 Favorite Crappy Films

This post was inspired by a blog set up by my friend Alex. His posts will all be "Top 5" list style. So in an attempt to help promote his blog, and because it's a brilliant idea, I'd thought I should it steal for one post, here is this shameless confession of guilty film pleasures.

Alex's blog: http://weebldude.blogspot.co.uk/

We all have those films that we love, but can openly admit that they are pretty shoddy. So, here are mine, laid bare for all you lovely people to see. Feel free to point and laugh.

1) Mean Girls

This is one of those fabulously cheesy American teen comedy films, so please take this film with a pinch (or maybe a ladle) of salt. Mean Girls follows Cady Harring (Lindsey Lohan - post child actor drug and booze rampage) as she enters the scary dog eat dog world of American high school. This over exaggerated representation of high school life is the nucleus for everything that is brilliant about Mean Girls - the bitchiness, the groups and the scare tactic sex education classes. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q1y1JYvMlc

2) Exit Through The Gift Shop

A "documentary" from street artist Banksy. Basically this film is trying to pretend to pretend to not be factual.Confusing. In essence it is one big rip-take on how graffiti as an art form, with odd fictional (?)  subplots of the "filmmaker" turned graffiti artist Mr Brainwash. Let's all be honest with ourselves, I don't think the whole concept works, as it's trying a bit too hard to be some crazy commentary on consumerism, but a comedy also. Despite this, I actually like it. I have no idea why!

Lovely but uninteresting fact: The DVD comes free with these amazing Elton John-esque polarising glasses!

3) Bridget Jones' Diaries

Oh come on, I'm female. I'm not even sure if I could include this as a crappy film, it's so bloody brilliant! I'm sure this is one of the most relatable films to anyone with two X chromosomes.

4) Eight Legged Freaks

Giant spiders roam, hilarity ensues! This is a prime example of a mock horror film and it's cringe-worthily bad. Please skip this one if you are the type to faint at the sight of a spider, although this film may momentarily stop your phobia and lull you with its crappy charm. Remember it's all dated CGI!

5) The Human Centipede

Wait, who am I kidding, this film was shoddy and not even half as gruesome as expected.... Sigh.

Saturday Small News

• It's been announced that there will be a new Star Wars trilogy. I want to be happy for this news, but I'm struggling  I just don't understand why everything has to be sequelled to death now. It seems as if every upcoming film is a sequel or an adaption of a video game. Where are all of the refreshing stand-alone originals?! Don't get me wrong, I'm a massive Star Wars fan, I just think they are going into overkill. 

Even poor Lucas looks like he's signing away his soul, bless him.

• Throughout the month of November, Film 4 are offering a film rental for 30p daily, in celebration of there 30th anniversary. Great news for broke student film lovers like myself! Here's the page to check out what is on sale and when - http://www.film4.com/videos/article/30-films-for-30p?30films

Tarnation

For many years now the song Tarnation by Max Avery Lichtenstein has been my ultimate study/cry-your-eyes-out song. It's just one of those songs you'll always come back to.

My connection with this song inspired me to watch the film Tarnation, of which the song is it's soundtrack.

Tarnation is a self-made documentary biography of director Jonathan Caouette and his life. We are transported through the film like a timeline, with lots of footage from Caouette's childhood and adolescence forming the basis for the more recent clips and photos.

What really drives the story and helps us understand Caouette is the focus on his schizophrenic mother, Renee. After falling pregnant with Jonathan, Renee the teenage model and flower-child drug addict, started losing her sanity. This honest representation of Renee creates understanding for Caouette's own emotional struggles, the influence she had on him and the lack of influence from his stray father. 

A very heartfelt, emotional film. Not for the easily disturbed, but highly recommended. 

8/10

Hello All

In true Arnold Swarzenegger style, I am most definitely back! 

It's been a good two months now since my last post, so I thought I'd best explain. Basically I've had a fair share of inner turmoil recently. I've gone through a break up from a relationship of 4 years, am now back at college with deadlines looming and general teenage angst . Yada yada yada.

However, this is no sympathy begging post, my friends. This is a celebration of my blogging rebirth (Okay, maybe that term sounded better in my head). I thought what better time to start writing again than half-term - A week away from college and with plenty of time to watch and write. So I've set myself a little challenge of posting a new review every other day, with the occasional small news post to bump things out. 

So, there we go, back to normality!

Submarine

Submarine, the film debut for director/actor Richard Ayoade (The IT Crowd, The Watch) is the quirky coming-of-age story of teenage outcast, Oliver Tate. The awkwardness of the characters and the situations are reminiscent of most peoples' time at high school, and I think that's why this film has so much charm. We've all been there, or at least know someone who has - Family issues, awkward first relationships, having too much time to think about things e.t.c.

It features some of the most interesting dry and odd humour I've seen in a film, which is propelled by the fantastic cast. Oliver is played by young star, Craig Roberts and is perfect for the role of the awkwardly relatable teen. You might know him from TV series Being Human, but he will always be the rebellious boy from Tracy Beaker to me!

The voice-over style narrative of this film, along with Oliver's monotone voice, reminds me very much of A Clockwork Orange, with "ultraviolent" Alex. Although I think at parts, this was over used in places where it wasn't needed. I think I would have liked to have seen a bit more conversation. This is just me being picky.

Submarine is definitely a refreshing change to the normal money-churning Blockbuster, without being too abstract and pretentious. Also beautifully shot and easy on the eye.

Fully recommend that you give this a watch! Plus the DVD came with these brilliant art cards, which I'm loving.

Saturday Small News

With the new Star Trek sequel being set to release in May 2013, we now have word of the new possible title. Prepare yourself for this one, people...

Star Trek Into The Darkness.

Umm, sounds abit naff. Sorry JJ Abrams!

Aside from the name, I'm excited to see how they will top the 2008 prequel. Hopefully the content won't follow suit with the rubbish name. 

What do you all think of the announcement? 

The Watch - Short But Sweet Sum Up

So I went to go and see The Watch a few days ago with some friends. I've got to say, I wasn't expecting anything spectacular, mainly as I'm not a massive comedy film fan, but I was willing to give it a try because I loved Richard Ayoade in The IT Crowd.

I found it odd how this was marketed as a comedy film and it was seriously lacking in comedy. I think I sniggered about twice. Not a single belly laugh in the screen. 

It's sad that this review was so negetive, but for me, it wasn't a funny or memorable film at all.

1.5/10

The King's Speech

Throw together Colin Firth, Helen Bonham Carter in pearl dangle earrings and a plot-line based on the English monarchy and you may find yourself with this delightful British gem of a film. 

In The King's Speech we follow King George VI and his speech impediment struggle in times when radio was so crucial for reassurance during the Second World War. However, what drives this film is not just the emotional and physical battle, but also the rollercoaster relationship between the King and his audacious speech therapist, Lionel Logue. From a begrudging associate, Lionel soon becomes a pillar in the career and life of King George VI (affectionately nicknamed Bertie).

King George VI (Colin Furth) and Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush) in one of the funniest and loveliest montage scenes ever.

With beautiful cinematography and whimsical milky colourisation, this film is also a delight to watch. This star studded, heart warming story is a must see. 

9.5 /10

Carrie Shots - A Quick Thought

Moretz in the story's most iconic scene

Just got sent some images from the new Carrie remake. I've got to admit, I'm really excited about this remake, as the original 1976 version is a horror favourite of mine. However the casting of rising teen star, Chloe Moretz (Kickass' Hit-Girl) as Carrie has always been an odd choice in my eyes. 

The piercing eyes and prominent features of Sissy Spacek in the original made the famous prom scene fifty times more chilling.

Sissy Spacek, 1976

I just worry that Moretz's Hollywood, polished look may soften the horror. She just seems to "pretty-girl" to play the social outcast that is Carrie White and I worry it'll detract from the believably of the plot.

Chloe Moretz, the odd-ball reject? I think not.

Who knows, maybe I'm just using an excuse to be anti-remake. What are your thoughts?

A Brave Review

So on Saturday I finally went to see Brave, Disney Pixar's summer blockbuster. Brave is a film about a young Scottish princess, Merida, and her struggle against the expectations of her regal mother. Filled with magic and relatable teenage angst. 

I'd love to know how she got down from here.

I'll be the first to admit, I've always had a soft spot for Pixar and I always love their heart warming, feel good stories. With the young Merida uniting the Scottish clans and building bridges with her mother, Brave certainly did not disappoint on the light-hearted loveliness factor!

The visuals of the animation was perfect and absolutely stunning. Congrats Pixar! Although I'd love to know how much time and effort was put into Merida's scarlet, bouncy ringlets. I wouldn't be surprised if there were a "Hair Animator" credit. 

Swishy ginger looks - L'oreal style.

I felt that some of the comedy elements of this film did detract from the overall feel of the film and cheapened it slightly (I'm looking at you, overused and over exaggerated Scottish stereotypes!) However I guess it is to be expected from a children's film and I did laugh out loud at some of the jokes. 

Overall, a lovely, easy to watch fable. Suitable for all the family and filled with "awh" moments as well as action. 

8/10