Poltergeist In The Cocoon ( Ghost In The Shell – Review)

 

So I saw Ghost in the Shell today, I had been looking forward to this film ever since the announcement as a fan of the anime film from the 90’s I had my worries about a big Hollywood production, who would be cast and would it live up to the original source material.

The Film is hard to explain but I guess a general synopsis of this film is that its a commentary on humanity and technology, and a look at a very dystopanien  future in which humans seek enhancement and organisation rather than governments look for control of the world, that sort of flavor. Let me just say I really did like this film it captures the essence of the source material and puts a new take on it, the film has lots of excellent action moments like the opening operation and the bar scene, this film is also very beautiful to look at the amazing landscapes of a futuristic city and the overall imagery of this film really elevate above a normal run of the mill sci-fi film.

The big controversial thing with this film is that of the cast the standard Hollywood white wash as some have put it is apartment in this film, while I still think a whole Asian cast would of been a better way to go I still think the actors were hired on some sort of merit Scarlet Johannson is very good as the main character of major and captures the character very well, the villian-ish character played by Micheal Pitt is done with a creepy yet very interesting style. One of the stand outs for me is that of Batou played by Pilou Asbæk who has steadily been making a name for himself ever since I saw him a few years back hosting the euro vision song contest, with appearances in Lucy and most recently Game of Thrones he plays majors confidant with near of perfect copy of that character from the anime.

The pacing in the first hour of this film is unfortunately a bit slow and is a little bit to much narrative it doesn’t think the audience would be able to work a few things out for its self but overall as film this is only real down side.

If you are worried by the negative reviews then don’t be i would highly recommend going to see this.

 

My Rating: 7.5/10

IMDb: 6.8/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 46%

Hermione meets the Gruffalo ( Beauty And The Beast – Review)

 

So I went to see Disney’s new musical adaption of the famous tale Beauty and the Beast with my girlfriend ( yes its true I know its hard to believe) anyway I was slightly interested in seeing this anyway she gave me a cover and excuse. I remember watching the original animated film as a kid and really enjoying it.

The film Centers around a young girl called Belle played by Emma Watson which is strange because my generation will know her as Hermione Granger but the young generation that see her in this will see her as Belle which is a strange thought, from there we see an array of characters like Gaston played by Luke Evens who is brilliant in this as the jumped up big head. Belles father wonders off into the woods and takes a rose from the garden of this hidden castle, the beast then holds him hostage until Belle arrives and gives the beast the option of letting her father go and she will stay and the other members of the house see this as an opportunity to break the curse which has made the prince a beast and the servants objects, anyway the film takes off from here and well you know the rest.

The film is very good its weird for me to say as someone who likes big action epics or modern Oscar dramas and the strangest of horror films to say this film is very enjoyable, the story is strong and the acting is very good, the musical numbers are fun and will put a smile of your face and you will find yourself humming along to the numbers that are from the original animated picture. Watson is perfect as Belle, and Dan Stevens is the best casting for the Beast, his mannerism play through so well I cant see anyone just playing the Beast like him. From being in the guest to being a guest, the cast in this is without a doubt perfect, all the characters are portrayed perfectly everyone in this film really does pull there A game.

The only downside to the film is I would say its about 20 mins to long some scenes back with Gaston and Belles father are not really needed and could cut the film down, I say this because in the cinema we were in some kids were getting a bit restless around 20 mins before the end showing that the film was maybe slightly to young for its intended audience.

I would say go see this film if you are undecided it does justice to the original film and adds a new take on that tale.

 

My Rating: 8/10

IMDb: 7.8/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 71%

The OK 7 ( The Magnificent 7 – Review)

 

So I finally got around to watching the magnificent 7 the remake of the classic western franchise the Avengers of the wild wild west if you will, the film centers around a group of outlaws that all come together to defend and take back a small town from a even bigger and more evil man. A very paint by numbers western film, female hires outlaws to take on even worse outlaws, outlaws turn out not to be that bad you know that standard film cliche.

The film is okay, it has moments of brilliance such as the performances given by the legendary Denzel Washington and the always great Chris Pratt, these are the two key roles Washington playing the bounty hunter that brings the crew together and Pratt is the outlaw with a heart even if his character is half cut during the whole film. The film has good action moments towards the end of the film when they are defending the town each character has his defining moment. The story is good in the sense it holds up and does keep your interest, you do start to like the characters by the end.

The big problem with the film is that of the pacing it feels like all the time its about to get going then just falls flat its very disappointing, it tries to be different from the original and but at the same time capture what those old westerns had, the problem is no one likes westerns anymore unless they are done very well take 3:10 Yuma that’s a good modern western, and as I said in my Logan Review that feels like a modern western, this film unfortunately misses the mark. As ive said Washington and Pratt’s characters are very good but the rest of the crew is not Ethan Hawke is not very good in this film and that’s hard for me to say because most of the time the man is a true talent but it really looked like he didn’t want to be there the whole film, his character did not suit him very well.

Overall the film is a okay remake of classic western but did it really need to be done.

My Rating : 6/10

IMDb: 7/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 63%

GO! GO! GO! Nostalgia ( Power Rangers – Review)

 

So I went to see Power Rangers the other day, and let me just say to start of with I wasn’t really that interested in this as film, I mean come on I grew up in the 90s watching mighty morphing on those Saturday mornings, that show means a lot to many people my age, so when a film was announced I was skeptical but it really did not disappoint, this film is a perfect re imaging of something that is very 90s and very cheesy but handles the material in a near on perfect manor.

The film centers around the familiar small town of Angel Grove where the original Tv show took place, and stars the original members of the power rangers team Jason, Billy, Kimberly, Trini and Zack, with a few changes to the characters but all necessary changes. The film is almost like a coming of age tale, these kids who are outsiders who would not normally be friends in a normal circumstance are in this as they are thrusted into a adventure like no other.

There are many good aspects to the film but some of the standout reasons why this works so well is the cast, for once a film staring no name actors in the leading role’s has worked they haven’t just hired a bunch of good looking young people these actors really brought there A game to this film, the standouts are the Red Ranger – Jason (Dacre Montgomery) who is a brilliant leader figure the Blue Ranger – Billy (RJ Cyler)  who gives a great performance emotionally and also his comedic timing in this film is perfect and last but least the Pink Ranger – Kimberly (Naomi Scott) who gives a strong performance as the second in command almost and equal to that of the Jason character. The film tackles strong and deep themes in the film, not belonging, death of a parent, being a carer for a parent and homosexuality very brave and big social themes that young people deal with all the time it was brave of the films writers to take this plunge. The action scenes are good when they happen and the humor in this doesn’t feel forced its natural due to the performance given by the actors. Also credit has to go to the director Dean Israelite who previously directed Project Almanac which if you now watch that film seems like a audition to make Power Rangers.

Unfortunately this film has a few Bad points one big one being that of Elizabeth Banks’s version of Rita Replusa is laughable everything about this film tries to ground the film in a real world situation without being cheesy but her performance could of been taken from the 90s show, which is sad because when she first appears she is scary almost horror movie esc. Also the other let down is the fact they do not suit up until the final battle which is obviously a choice made for you to want more and want a sequel. Sometimes they repeat certain aspects of the film to do with friendship and things like that I can see why they are there but still you could of cut some of those scenes out of this film and taken it down by 20 mins and still would of been great.

Overall I would say anyone who watched the 90s show or the shows that followed go see this film is a fresh take on a franchise that needed a new direction – PS stick around after the film finishes for a very satisfying tease as to what is come in a next film.

My Rating: 7/10

IMDb: 7.1/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 44%

 

Trumps Ideal America (Get out: Review)

So I saw Get out last night and let me just say sometimes the hype of a film does not live up but this really does, all I can say is believe the hype seriosuly trust everything you’ve heard and read around this film. 
The film centres around the story of a young black dude called Chris  who’s off to see his white girlfriends parents for the first time all seems pretty normal at start but with a sense of uneasyness around the whole family, the dad is too over the top friendly, the mum is found out to be a psychiatrist with a expertise in hypnosis! Then the brother arrives and he seems fascinated by Chris and his “genetic make up”. 

The film is always uneasy with hints at hatred for the black community as when the dad is showing Chris around the house we find out his dad was beaten by Jesse Owens to reach the Olympics in the 1940s Owens being that of the famous black athlete who showed up Hitlers Germany during these games. The uneasy nature of the film is added to with the garden party, without giving to much away this is a crucial turning point into seeing what is really instore for Chris. 

The film is pretty much perfect, it keeps your attention through out the whole film as your super invested as to what the hell is going on! Aswell as being scary and unnerving it’s also got at the added element of humor with addition of Chris’s best friend Rod who has some of the best moments towards the end of the film. 

This is a must see picture. 

My rating: 9/10 

Imdb: 8.3/10 

Rotten Tomatoes: 99%