Noah

After reading quite a bit about Darren Aronofsky's latest film venture, I was really looking forward to seeing it. And I will begin by saying, it definitely isn't for everyone, but if you like The Lord Of The Rings and things along those lines, I would really recommend giving this a go. It is quite difficult to describe the setting and society surrounding Russell Crowe and his family. It is both more modern than you initially think but equally as primitive and bleak as you would expect. In a world that has been pillaged by man, Noah and his clan are alone in their quest to respect God's creation. Aronofsky deals really well with both the religous and the fantasy elements of this story, there are no mentions of the word God, he is always referred to as the creator, a term I think works really well in this film. And Aronofsky doesn't shy away from using all the effects available to film makers today, the epitome of this probably being the fallen angels that are bound to earth. Despite such effects, Noah remains a very human film; emotions run high throughout (yes, I cried) and the audience cannot help but be sucked right into the centre of the action.

I don't want to give too much away because although everyone knows the story of the animals going in two by two, there is plenty of the unexpected in this film that I would hate to ruin.

Don't discard this as some lame retelling of a biblical tale that is so far fetched it is ridiculous. You will be pleasantly surprised at how well Aronofsky deals with the most sceptical of arguments and the acting from a pretty stellar cast is divine. And of course, the effects of an apocalyptic flood are something you really benefit from seeing on the big screen.

Have you seen Noah? What did you think?

Becca.

Gravity

I was pretty excited to watch Gravity as I didn't know too much about it other than it had won awards and what not. Boy was I disappointed!! It starts off pretty well, tense action pretty much from the get go. And then it kinda just lost it for me. I know a few people who disagree with me so maybe give it a chance anyway? But me and Mel were left really unfulfilled by it. It kinda felt like nothing happened, nothing we were all that bothered about anyway. I mean, the effects are incredible and Sandra is as fabulous as ever but it just didn't invoke any emotion in me and that is pretty rare! I gave up caring what happened and the ending just topped it off. Sorry guys, it just wasn't for me!

Have any of you seen Gravity? What did you think?

Becca. 

Coriolanus

Last night, I was super excited to go and watch a live streaming of Coriolanus from the Donmar theatre in London. NTLive is a new idea of filming performances so people who cannot attend them can watch them live around the globe. I think it is suuuch a good idea as a lot of people, me included, cannot venture to London to see spectacular shows as often as they may like. Shockingly, all my English studies over the years have not exhausted my love of The Bard. Coriolanus is one of his lesser well known plays but still a great one. The main highlight of this performance though was definitely the fact that Tom Hiddleston was playing the protagonist: He was beautiful and amazing and dramtic and emotive and ohhh my, just fabulous. For those of you not as familiar with this play, it is set in Rome during a time of extreme political unrest. The people both desire and detest the thought of a leader emerging. Caius Martius Coriolanus eventually becomes said leader despite his distaste for the general public. This all bites him on the ass though when he is discovered and exiled leading him to actions that few audiences are predicting and culminating in a climax that leaves a hush throughout theatres (and now cinemas alike).
NTLive are also scheduled to screen War Horse, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime and King Lear. I think I will give War Horse a miss as I reaaally want to see it on stage but I definitely want to see King Lear as it is a play I have studied in a lot of depth and it is directed by the incredible talent that is Sam Mendes. I can't wait.

What do you think of this new idea of opening up the theatre to a wider audience? Will you be going to any NTLive screenings?

Becca.

Oh, I also realised just how nerdy I really am when I got crazy excited to see that the guy who plays Dean Thomas in the Harry Potter films was also in this production...

12 Years A Slave

12 Years A Slave is a a terrifying, harrowing, awe-inspiring film, in a word it is beautiful. Based on the book written by Solomon Northup about his experiences in life from his kidnapping in 1841. Like pretty much everyone, I had high hopes for this film, it has received so many awards and there is so much hype around it that I was prepared for a pretty dramatic experience. In my opinion, it very much deserves everything it has won and more. It is so emotional and I challenge anyone to not be moved by it at some point. Although I have to admit, For the first hour or so, it didn't seem quite as dramatic as I expected, but looking back, from the opening scene, the film struck a chord in me and I was so deeply moved by the story as it came to an end I was almost speechless. The cast as a whole are just amazing, Fassbender never seems to do anything wrong these days, he plays the evil Epps so well, it's ugly, it's frightening and it's truly powerful. Chiwetel Ejiofor is so so wonderful as Solomon, his face is so expressive and his soul so raw, you can't help but become so wrapped up in his story. Everyone in it is fantastic, portraying the world in a really magical way. I said to mum on the way home, I have to remind myself with films like that that it really happened, films are usually so fictional that we allow ourselves to be pulled in as a form of escape from reality. But for these people, this was reality, they were stuck in situations so bad that it is frequently stated that death is better than life for them. I read in one review that years after Solomon's book was published, Epps came forward and said that it was all true. That's terrifying to me. How can people have been treated like that and believed it was okay, that it was just a part of life. Ugh, gives me the shivers.
I just also have to mention the cinematography because that really struck me as well. Steve McQueen creates some of the most beautiful shots I think I have ever seen in a film. Moments of tranquility and beauty in such a terrible time, close ups of Chiwetel that draw the audience in even further than they already were. I just really loved how the movie had been shot and created.
Have any of you seen this? What did you think?

Becca.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Being the Tolkien nerds that me and dad are, we were counting the days til the second instalment of the Hobbit trilogy. Safe to say it did not disappoint!! Most reviews plainly stated that it was much better than the first film and I have to say that I agree with them. Although I much enjoyed the Unexpected Journey, it didn't blow my mind as much as I wanted it to. At a run time of nearly three hours, I was kinda thinking I would be getting twitchy and bored by the end but it honestly didn't feel the long, the sign of a real corker in my books. The appearance of Legolas, who does not feature in the book was really great; it added that little familiarity and excitement of the Lord Of The Rings trilogy. Evangeline Lily is incredible as the beautiful and ass-kicking Tauriel, she also provides moments of levity in her love story with Kili, the one handsome dwarf. Steven Fry also deserves mention as a greasy, repulsive Master of Laketown.
Finally, I have to talk about my favourite sequence, the barrels out of the realm of the wood elves. A moment that I always loved in the book that Jackson managed to turn into an extended, action packed fight down the river. Honestly, I don't want to spoil it for anyone who may not have been to see it but my gaawd, it had me on the edge of my seat in excitement!

Have any of you been to see it  it? What did you think?

Becca.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Of course I went to see Catching Fire as soon as it came out. I love the trilogy so much and for once, I feel like the films do the books justice!! A rare statement from me. Jennifer Lawrence is just so perfect isn't she. I wanna be her!! Suzanne Collins creates such a vivid and disturbing dystopia with characters you can't help but develop emotions towards. Catching Fire was everything I wanted it to be and more, the Victory Tour was captivating and emotional, the beginning of the rebellion both invigorating and terrifying even in the audience. When I heard the casting for the victors who were to fight alongside and against Katniss and Peeta, I was slightly unsure but I was totally proved wrong, everyone was amazing!! Sam Clafin could not have been a better Finnick could he!!
I won't lie, I cried, but there's nothing new for me at the cinema hey! (I actually cried before the film even started, the new Walking With Dinosaurs film reminds me far too much of The Land Before Time..)

I cannot wait for Mockingjay to be made and released even if that is a while away.

What did you guys think?

Becca.

The Counselor

 

 

 

We went to see the Counselor the other week and I was very excited. Screenplay written by Cormack Macarthy, directed by Ridley Scott and starring legends, Pitt, Fassbender, Bardem, Cruz and Diaz, it was a work of art, a piece of magic waiting to happen right?

Sadly, it just wasn't quite that. It was a bit of an odd experience; the screenplay was obviously fantastic, the performances were incredible, the very concept of the film, incredible. But somewhere, something got lost  or forgotten, there was something missing, the structure was a bit off and it made the film somewhat confusing at times. I don't believe that this warrants some of the really bad reviews it has been given but it definitely stops it being the great thing it could have been. However, that aside, the performances really are amazing in it, Fassbender's counsellor is spot on, his character playing calm and cool and honest and emotional when needed perfectly. Bardem has just the right amount of swagger and the wrong amount of fake tan to play the selfish and yet likeable criminal. And Diaz plays the rich bitch perfectly, gold tooth and all. Although I wouldn't recommend paying crazy ticket prices at the cinema to see this, I would say that you should watch it when given the chance to see what you think.

 

Have any of you seen The Counselor? What did you think?

 

Becca.

Prisoners

I don't really know where to start with this film; maybe to advise that it is not for the faint hearted!!..
There is a rawness and a sense of humanity in Prisoners that is unlike many other films. It really cuts you to the core at times. The premise of the story lets you know that it isn't going to be an easy ride though; the kidnapping of two little girls and how their families deal with it, it isn't going to be a walk in the park is it. Although this is the first real blockbuster for Denis Villeneuve, his Direction is just exquisite. There is a darkness and a closeness throughout the film that sucks you in as an audience and really provokes emotions from deep down. There are a few scenes of brutality that I had to shut my eyes for because I hate certain forms of violence, but it doesn't detract from the film or anything like that. There were moments when you heard the whole audience gasp and pull back into their seats or start nudging each other and whispering, you just can't contain yourself at certain points, you have to let something out! I don't want to say much moree because of how well the story pans out, I don't wanna ruin it for people because I really recommend it if you are a fan of thrillers. There are a few threads of the plot that aren't as strong as the others but I personally didn't find that too offputting and I hope you won't either.
As for performances, Hugh Jackman is as incredible as ever, his raw masculinity and barely contained emotion are beautifully portrayed and he plays the angry and terrified father so well. Although he is almost frightening in his quest to find his daughter, you really can't help but want to root for him. Jake Gyllenhaal is also really good as Detective Loki, he has the intense investigator act down to a tee, including the little twitch that should be irritating but actually becomes quite endearing because you can see his dedication and passion.
Overall, I really enjoyed this film, considering I went to see it after a long week at work, it was quite late and it is 2 and a half hours long, that didn't stop Prisoners really pulling me in and making me a fan.

Have you seen it? What did you think?

Becca.