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ChaosStar
I've taken film seriously last year. If you're on my profile, feel free to message me any films I may like, I like all genres.
Please don't send hate mail or start arguments over my opinions and I won't over yours.I will accept your own constructive opinions on agreements or disagreements.
I could feel a faint shift in a faraway place. A current of unknown consequences was on its way, moving towards me like an unstoppable wave of fate. Ben Willis- Cashback
Ratings
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Reviews
Her (2013)
Dare
Spike Jone's 'Her' is probably my favorite movie to be released last year and the best I've watched this year aside from 'Detachement'.
Finally a film to really dare to breach the gap of right and wrong and enter the murky waters of the reality that love does not solely belong to a man and a women or not attached to a physical body of another. Recent years have come to accept the more abstract circles and attachments of 'love' and 'desire' towards people that never existed. We have come to a synthetic age where we are captivated by anime and feeling drawn to strangers over the internet who may not be who they say they are.
'Her'raises the idea, is it right to love and become so intimate with someone that isn't really there? But Jones already has the conclusion from the get go. 'It doesn't even matter when we are in love.' This is the golden rule and I love how this is capitalized in 'Her'
'Her' follows Theodore(Phoenix) a closed off, introverted writer who's job is to write letters concerning touchy matters to others for them. In the near future of our modern time, Theodre is living a dismal life in the wake of his divorce with old flame Cathrine(Mara)where his only apparent friends are his work colleagues and Amy(Adems) who lives just down the hall. Fate would have it soon that by chance, Theodore passes an add for the newest artificial intelligence program, captivated by it, he takes a chance and boots it up to his computer by following some basic psych questions, typically centered around his mother.. soon Smantha,husky Johansson, 's comes through and we, the viewer are on the best third wheel time of our lives as we bask in the love and companionship between one man and the voice he falls in love with.
'Her' follows a predictable but in no way shape or form, boring story arc between the love, laugh and struggles of Theodore and Samantha, his operating system best friend and lover. The fantastic thing about this movie is that if you allow yourself to believe it, which would be easy, is that Jones's well scripted and shot film, reinforced with driving force by Phoenix and Johansson, breaks the fourth wall without even addressing the viewer as we are just come to appreciate the times that these two share. Their relationship feels so organic and so rich that the viewer would feel jealous it is so riveting to watch but as all relationships, they have struggles and once again, the film never drops the ball as the occurrences feel like something so natural, I did not at once feel like it was unbelievable and was in the realm that Jonze placed it in.
Brilliant stuff. 10/10
Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Hammer can't break the anvil.
I wanted to give this sequel a shot as the two attempts I tried with the first movie failed miserably to please but I had heard from a friend that this one is different, I know not how..
From the beginning we have a poor plot, like most Marvel movies. For some reasons, Dark futuristic space Elves want to wipe out the world that they failed eons ago. Taking too much out of the great battle of the Lord The Rings, the Elves are broken and exiled, promising to return with a weapon to destroy and rule all life *cough one ring*
Meanwhile somewhere else in the space time spectrum, Thor and his cliché mundane battle brethren who seem as out of place as the swords and axes with their stupid cross over space ships, grenades and guns, are waging war with other.. things not explained.
Returning after certain victory with Thor on their side, our Northen hero in space gets an itch that tells him that whats her face, Jane I think, comes into danger by stupidly touching an alien and obviously evil substance. Oddly enough she isn't abducted by a secret American syndicate, something I thought was definitely going to happen with this plot but alas, it's more simple.
Jane is brought to Valhalla as they are the ones to remove said evil substance where we are sadly subjected to Hokins horrible over acting( a shame), Loki being as ordinary as ever( really we have seen this character in a lot of movies, The black sheep of the ruling family intent on taking it over)
Loki is in jail, Loki is suddenly not in jail, fight between siblings, more fights, more fights in more stupid sword and gun cross overs, fights on Earth and some professor without pants, obviously a Stan lee cameo ( the only laugh) and more fighting with a nice little boring love moment, all wrapped up in a foreseeable and weak excuse for a plot twist.
Pretty visuals... that's really about it that's worth it. I was sad to see Chris D in it. I really just wish movies with such a huge budget put money to novels or more thought out comics with better plots and less stupid content.
Thor had great visuals, Decent enough typical blockbuster action and an Australian. 3/10
The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2012)
Page to Film.
I had to study the Reluctant Fundamentalist for my year 12 English class two years ago and was captivated by the vision the novel had, so many flaws one country has under the banner of what is labeled 'freedom', 'patriosim' and 'fairness' and the novel exposed the underlying idea of what the world truly is or what it could be and what it was, all wrapped in a cat and mouse game between two people we really do not know about. Sadly, the transition between the book to the film was poorly executed and underhanded. The racial views and the full scope of the reality that is our history is made redundant or not capitalized on.
What was disappointing was the game of cat and mouse, the mystery between the unknown American and Changez was changed to appeal to more action hungry viewers, like a weak Bourne Identity film which was just very sad as Ahmed and Schreiber would have really made a tense conversation that can border on threatening if handled in the right hands. In the movie, we have a typical, hostage like scenario where a slight mystery to each factions purposes.
I was quite disappointed but I got through to the end. I award TRF a 5/10
Anytown (2009)
Where did the vision go?
American Bully focuses on the topic of American prejudice towards foreign cultures after the horrific events of 9/11, one of Americas most darkest times where their nation became over zealous in their pride and selfishness, isolating themselves from Middle Eastern nations to the point where a shade of skin or a grown beard is considered a threat on their way of life.
The story follows 4 everyday American teens, Matt, the main, has been expelled from his school for showing a live decapitation video(not shown) to an Indian who he assumes is middle eastern of origin. Seething inside and like any other teenager, decides to party with his friends before he is shipped out to Iraq where his brother is serving. It is until the group come across the helpless kid that had accidentally gotten Matt expelled does the situation go from bad to worse as the American boys themselves submit to the extremists they think they're not.
Fantastic idea but was sadly poorly executed and focused too little on the tension that could have made this film gripping. Most of the actors didn't have much to really work with so it came out as a poor performance.
It is possible that American's could appreciate the film more for living with this type of prejudice right outside their door but fell short anywhere outside their native shores. For similar but a more driven movie, I suggest 'Unthinkable'.
I give American Bully a 3/10
The Hunger Games (2012)
17.
The Hunger Games, both film and novel have garned massive attention and fandom, was it really worth it though? I think not. I understand movies are fun and adventurous, but they are also harrowing, emotional and riveting. What Hunger Games was supposed to be in the book, was not on the screen. The novel, also written for teens and an audience with a certain limited vocabulary, fell victim to plain and tasteless, everything. So was the Hunger Games doomed from the start? The idea, though used before, had a its own twist of use.
The Hunger Games is set in the near future in the Americas, now divided into poverty stricken nations where the right hand and flamboyant aristocrats of the Citedel nation act like baying Roman crowds and demand a yearly penance for the other nations uprising. The penance? Each nation selects 2 representatives in a cruel lottery of bloodsport, called The Reaping. The 'lucky' selectees are transported to the Citedal to represent their districts to fight each other to the death where one may only win.
Pretty cool idea but with poor penmanship and even worse directing the idea and the emotional drive was sapped of the film. We are offered completely useless scenes that could have only been supported by other plots and focus but were removed, forcing the film to its knees. Roo's death was useless and lacking complete emotion. The whole idea of starving, seething districts was made redundant with no screen time and the bittersweet romance between Katniss and Peta was superficial and cosmetic. I give The Hunger Games a 3/10 as it was faithless to the novel and as a film.
This Is the End (2013)
Hype killed the beast.
After being hounded by a friend to watch this movie for a couple of weeks I gave in and watched it with him last night on the heels of McGruber, a film I'll never tire of that supplements the perfect humor for its genre of comedy. This is the End was sadly, a disappointment.
A stellar cast of some great funny guys, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson and Michael Cera. Thankfully James Franco, an actor I prefer in his dramas, was a highlight like his other comedy dishes, Pineaplle Express and Your Higness. Main casted Jonah Hill,m Seth Rogan and typically Jay Baruchel, were, in my opinion, horribly bad and should probably never go without a script as some obvious improvisation scenes dragged to the point of painful. Anyway, here's the plot.
Set as themselves, the six mains are set to live it up at Francos art decor super house with the arrival of Jay, Seth's seemingly good friend and fellow Candianlite. Things go bad to worse as the party falls through, this is a pun as a giant hole from Hell appears in the ground in front of Francos home as he hosts LA's apocalypse to massively erected demons to hell hounds and an axe wielding Emma Watson.
It was a shame for myself as the jokes were endless but just were too weak, generic or perhaps not to my style. Most Danny Mcbride, Craig Robinson and Emma Watson scenes were by far the highlight of the film. I also found the gags best worked when bounced around by some of the acts but nearly none really was as hyped up to be.
I give This is the End a 6/10
Junkie (2012)
Controversial BlackHumor/ strong drama
To begin, I watched this movie with the idea it wasn't going to be anything that spectacular from seeing the low rating here but I dare to give some things a go and I know my interests can be different to others so i delved in and I was not disappointed.
Junkie follows the distorted life of Danny(Daniel Louis Rivas), a confused addict to many addictions with no sure way of coming clean, especially under the guidance of his lunatic, multi-faced house mate Nicky ( Robert LaSardo). As Danny's life unravels and all the colorful people of his life invade his head and home, Danny attempts to lock horns with old devils to save himself.
This is a nice fresh look at addiction, not quite as home hitting as Requiem For A Dream or as distorted as Train Spotting, but the blending of black humor and serious drama is a fantastic union that co-encides wonderfully. The humor is crude, the drama, (I was surprised there actually was quite a lot), was intense and the point was driven and important and very poetic.
Very happy to see Robert LaSardo in a main role, very good acting on his behalf and well used actor to character.
This film takes an open mind to appreciate, don't go too far down the rabbit hole and you will see what it really is.
The film did have some rocky moments, that the humor comes right on the heels of the violence and drama but that could strenghten the sporadic feel of Danny's addicts view.
Also, don't listen to anybody that say's it's a Fight Club rip off, this is about redemption from Addiciton not redemption through self destroying.
The House of the Devil (2009)
A great film to bridge the gap of modern horror to its roots
I rented this film with some trepidation as I'm still timid with the horror genre. We have all seen pretty slasher fests and re used jump plots in today's horror. It was until I read that this film was a homage to the classic 70's and 80's horror films, a time period revered as the grandfather of horrors that seem to garn the cult and respect that it has today, that I was interested in it.
Nothing really scares me in movies anymore really, I'm 20 and I've come to just enjoy the film and rate and judge them by their directing, casting, script, cameraograthy and track.
Everything about this film takes one back to the desired time period, the effort that this film has gone to to recreate the view and unflesh the film to it's minute 'feel' as writer and director and editor! Ti West has excelled at delivering a veteran film makers performance in what would be a cult masterpiece film.
From what I've gathered, the classic 70's and 80's horror films are a slow paced build up to cataclysmic violence that utilizes an unbearable wait to reach a violent, thrilling climax which this film nails.
The House Of The Devil is not a film to really make it in modern horror collections, there is no constant violence, over the done psycho thrillers or head trips. It is a seemingly normal film which leaps into a sudden violence that really makes a veteran horror fan stay to the very end.
Sadly this is film is a sword without a hilt in retrospect. A masterpiece of film work but with it's re-creation, is slow paced, which is perfect for its goal, it's just I am used to more action and chill. The only other fault, an actual fault in my opinion is whoever played the bearded man. No spoilers but he was a disappointing and nearly useless role.
8/10. I'm looking forward to what else Ti West can do.
Sushi Girl (2012)
Indie Filming as it should be.
I'm a fan of Indie Films, I love the length the crew goes to to stretch and mold a films assets to it's maximum potential without the use of big name actors and massive CGI exterior. This means not only new emerging actors and film makers are given a fighting chance but the script, filming and acting are exercised and fighting to float in the rising sea of film.
Sushi Girl was something I wouldn't have expected to be a good film with such a title but I was drawn in by the comic style artwork and the premise of a revenge plot.
What it turned out to be, far exceeded my expectations. Here's a rundown of the plot.
After emerging from a six year prison sentence from a diamond heist gone wrong, 'Fish' is greeted by the old crew in seemingly dilapidated hideout turned Japanese 'house of the rising sun' deco from ringleader ,Duke (Tony Dodd). Invited as well from a long absence are four other members of the gang, Francis (James Duval), Hardcore Max (Andy Mackenzie) and Sociopath and twitching Psychopath Crow (Mark Hamill). All aren't as friendly chums as we would have thought, as they subject poor Fish to a violent torture to collect the diamonds he may or may not have stolen over a Yakuza styled Sushi dinner served on a seemingly mute and catatonic naked women ( Stunning, Cortney Palm) The icing of the cake is that everybody is serving an agenda of their own. The conclusion may not have been too mind blowing but was still a riveting film that demands to be seen from beginning to end.
I have read some complaints that the film had endless talking, it does have a lot of talking scenes with plenty of creative torture throughout and back stabbing drama. If you're just an action junky and watched it for the nude sushi girl, than step away from the film. This is a movie that captures a Tarentino style of filming and vision as well as a Bunraku image to it.
The performances were just fantastic. Everybody had a cliché to them that would have failed in lesser skilled hands, Mark Hamills 'Crow' was a driving force that mimicked his Archam Asylem's 'Joker' as a seemingly gay meek man in a pink and grey suit to a disturbed Psychopath as best as any other. Fish is a very convincing Torture victim and seemingly good guy that you feel bad for the poor guy. Tony Dodd wears the skin of his character very well as a ring leader bad guy who could be your pal one moment and your executioner the next. Fantastic little film.
Thor (2011)
The Same Boring Thing with a new cape.
I could write this post on nearly any popular super hero page but I chose Thor because this was the film that made me want to throw in the towel with these films when I had finally lost all interest in the Marvel and DC films. I will say that I am a fan of Hell Boy, The first 'The Punisher' and 'Batman' (Christopher Nolan's) as I'm a big fan of Memento and The Dark Knight was faultless.
I see these films as just huge eye candy that's only skin deep and will never submerge deeper, leaving this disappointing, rotten skin that something truly heroic could have been produced. I think some fans will say Marvel and DC comic films are 'amazing' and 'awesome' because of the brand itself, not really questioning if it really was unique or outstanding. The films I enjoy (mainly Indie and Foreign of late) may be hyped up because of the cult following. I'm a fan of a strong scipt and driven acting and can't be really pleased with a film for it's grapthics if whats really important doesn't follow through. I digress. Here are some reasons that support my claim.
Wolverine, Iron Man, Spiderman, Thor, Superman and The Hulk; all are characters that have superpowers or unlimited amount of power at hand and are nearly unchallengeable to begin with. Some, they have a lot of fans, others don't, but soon when stripped of their powers, usually at the behest of a girl/love interest, exploited by a nemeses, are cast out and stripped of their powers. When this happens, we the audience can sympathize with them and not be awed by their powers that we don't posses. Now the love interest turns around and gives them strength and purpose and they gain their powers back and kick arse and save the day and are finally accepted by whoever they wanted to be accepted by. Does this sound familiar? It's just recycled story and I don't know what's more disturbing, that this is still continuing for profit or people are still enjoying such wacthing the same thing their spoon feeding themselves with. I do like a good hero tale but I prefer vigilantes, V for Vendetta- Kick Ass- Batman(sort of) and The Punisher or people with personnel grudges.
The Interview (1998)
Australia's most provoking film.
I'm an Australian and most Australian films I just don't like, it was until this year when I passed a shelf that Hugo Weaving's name caught my eye did I take Australian films seriously. Now I am proud that Australia has produced works like Animal Kingdom, Snow Town, Pricilla Queen of The Desert and Beautiful Kate, but this is the film that truly made me respect our industry to see such films. The Title 'The Interview' wasn't a romantic, captivating title that didn't reach out to me but It was enough to have me read the blurb before other titles caught my attention and i'm glad I took the plunge to watch this film.
Eddy Fleming( Weaving) is fast asleep, coiled up in his armchair in the privacy of his everyday home, soon after wards his home is broken into by armed policemen and he is violently manhandled and disgraced as he is charged with crimes he has no clue towards. Their destination leads them to the police interview room to be mercilessly interrogated by Det.Sgt John Steele, who's name alone can give you an insight to the grueling harsh light of his interrogation, and his fellow det.Jackson. Eddie soon finds out that his rights and what he thinks are the rules of rightful conduct aren't going to protect him when the lights come on in that spartan room and to save himself, must turn the tables on his Judge, jury and what could end as his executioners. But it takes the entire film to break the morale of our characters and our plot.
Once again I couldn't believe the effort this small movie could reach to and was pleasantly surprised, nay blown away at the effort this film goes to to work with the elements they had. Filming was fantastic, the eerie slowness while Eddy is being manhandled into the station reflects the groggy confusion he would be feeling, as well as his stories of his innocence in flashbacks reflect the shady recollection of his memory and the surreal angles and close ups of the characters and the police during the interview make them nearly predatory. I couldn't really fault acting, Tony Martin's Det. St. Steel was a bit over used until I really thought about the position of his role as demanding results as the public, papers and his boss like Roman crowds, demand blood or chains. This film is an incredible suspenseful drama and I urge film lovers to watch it. This film is mainly shown in the single room and some parts of the police station
The Avengers (2012)
Always disappointing.
It seems like besides Nolan's Batman and The Punisher, I am doomed to never appreciate the dull action/super hero films that seem to sweep the film world and produce millions of misguided teen action junkies. This would be a gem for cinema experience of huge 200 inch TV's but there is a reason these films never gain academy awards genuine ground breaking respect aside from budget and ratings.
The point of this review is just an opinionated rant to quarrel with the repetitive plots and average performances that people seem to just eat up and refuse to expand fantastic cinema experience because they're long and to them 'boring'
I can state what's boring, A hero is at the height of their average power, suddenly they encounter an ability or change that makes them more powerful and nearly worshiped (Iron Man, Thor, Cpt America, Batman, Spiderman) Now a girl or love interest that comes along and makes them vulnerable or around the time where they become vulnerable because typically, these films have to take their powers away. (Iron Man, Thor, The Hulk, Batman, Spiderman, Wolverine and Superman) Now they are usually hated at this point because they can't protect the masses or their loved ones or are just in doubt if they should pick up their dusty war torn mantle. (Iron Man, Batman, Hulk and Wolverine) And the bad guy is defeated, the girl is usually saved except poor old batman. (Wolverine, Iron Man, Spiderman, The Hulk.) DO you see where I am leading too? Do people like watching the same stuff just wearing a different cape? (metaphore for the smarties out there)
I am a fan of Kurbick, Tarentino, Del Toro (whoops I am a Hellboy fan), Scorsese, Finch, Mendes, Aronofsky, Eastwood and Anderson fan among others, and I know the guidelines between a film for fun and a film for what is described as 'moving art' or groundbreaking visual emotion and plot. Oh for a suggestion for some pretty slick action films that have earned respect, try Leon the Professional, Heat, Bunraku and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (Black Comedy as well)