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Carnoic
Reviews
Treed Murray (2001)
Highly recommended!
I was really curious to see how the people involved in the making of this film would sustain the idea of a man hiding in a tree while being menaced by a gang. Now that I've watched the film I can see that they not only managed it, they managed it very well :)
The plot of this film surprised me quite a few times and it avoided stereotypical behaviour that I would normally expect in films with these types of characters.
David Hewlett's performance as Murray is excellent, as are the performances of the other actors - everyone did a really good job.
If you get the chance to watch this film then take it, you won't be disappointed.
Thoughtcrimes (2003)
Really enjoyable film!
I bought this film from AmazonUK as it was on special offer (plus it had Joe Flanigan in it) and I must say I'm very glad I did.
The plot is an interesting one which is great but it is the high quality of the acting that made me enjoy the film so much. All of the cast were excellent, in particular the two actors playing the main characters of Freya (Navi Rawat) and Brendan (Joe Flanigan). When I bought the film I was a bit worried that there would be dodgy TV-movie quality performances but they were anything but.
Joe played a friendly, normal-if-a-bit-dippy NSA agent who thankfully isn't one of the annoying superhero types normally found in these kinds of films and Navi convincingly played a young woman struggling to deal with an unusual gift and a tumultuous few days.
I also think the film is beautifully shot and the locations are lovely.
My only criticisms are that at times the films feels like a pilot for a telly series - it would actually have been a good choice for a telly series but I'm glad that Joe went on to star in Stargate: Atlantis :)
My other criticism is the stereotypical portrayal of nasty Russian agents with the daft accents etc.
I recommend watching this film, it won't be a waste of your time.
Equilibrium (2002)
An Excellent Film.
I really enjoyed this film.
Equilibrium explores vaguely similar ideas to those dealt with in The Matrix, but, in my opinion, it is not just a copycat film made to cash in on the success of The Matrix. For such a low budget film what has been achieved is very impressive.
It takes some fairly standard SF ideas: dystopian, post-apocalyptic future; oppressive omnipresent State machine; a group of rebels fighting for change and puts a different slant on them.
Equilibrium examines the idea of the State forcing people to taking mood-suppressing medication to prevent negative, destructive emotional consequences such as War. This is supposedly a sincere attempt to protect Society from further collapse. However, the State's fear of strong emotion means it also suppresses positive, creative emotions like Love and it kills those who refuse to subscribe to its ideology. In the film the State's argument is that Liberty for citizens breeds chaos and danger: therefore sacrificing individual freedom will protect Society as a whole.
The film's main character John Preston undergoes a conversion from perfect State enforcer without a conscience to passionate Rebel quite simply because he accidentally misses a dose of the universally dispensed mood suppressant "Prosium". He begins to feel emotions for the first time in his life. His consequent emotional confusion leads him to make a snap decision to save the lives of Rebels he was sent to kill. His ultimate role in the film is to turn the skills he was taught to kill Rebels against the State that created him.
Preston has to come to terms with the consequences of his past actions as a tool of State oppression. His naivete and lack of experience in dealing with his newfound guilt and emotions causes complications that lead to his potential destruction and that of the rebellion.
Christian Bale gives a moving and credible performance in the role of John Preston. The range of physical and emotional talents he displays in this film is impressive. His portrayal of a man dealing with feelings for the first time in his life is sensitively handled and is far from stereotypical. In fact the entire cast of this film give strong performances.
I would recommend this film to people who enjoy Martial Arts and SF films.