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Pirates of The Carribean: On Stranger Tides – The Review

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Yes indeed – Jack Is Back…

If you were to ask any man, woman or child ten years ago to name the world’s most famous pirate, you might have heard Captain Hook, Blackbeard or perhaps even Captain Pugwash. But since the release of Pirates of the Caribbean, there can only be one pirate for many – Jack Sparrow.

The creation of acclaimed writers Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, none could argue that Johnny Depp indeed brings Sparrow to life in ways that many other actors of his generation could not. There simply would be no Pirates of the Caribbean without him.

There is just something about him that gets to you on so many different levels. Whether it’s his colourful swaggering demeanour, his mentality, his over the top actions that land him into trouble – or maybe it is the fact that his true motives usually remain hidden. Whether he ends up being honorable or deceptive largely depends on the situation his is in and what is at stake. Either way, Jack Sparrow is like Marmite. You love him or hate him, or perhaps – just perhaps – hate that you love him.

When the last film ended with duelling pirate ships caught in a mystical vortex, one could only wonder where the franchise would head next. For me, I was left slightly worn out of sub-plots upon sub-plots. I think in the end, I had to simplify things in my mind and group the characters into good guys and bad guys just to make sense of it all.

One thing I do remember, is a certain pirate by the name of Hector Barbossa saying that he was off to find a certain Fountain of Youth. But good old Jack, you should never trust him, let alone leave him alone with a map. Barbossa found out to his horror that Jack had torn the centre out of it. So begins another adventure, and in Stranger Tides it is none other than the Fountain of Youth that they are searching for.

Sadly, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley are absent from this movie, but for some, that will be a good thing as their romantic sub-plots have gone too. In their place is a nice-fitting Penélope Cruz, a deceitful old flame of Jack’s.

I was quite surprised at how well Cruz fits into the role. She’s Spanish, she’s feisty, and what’s more can more than hold her own against Jack both verbally and with a sword. It is her character Angelica that throws Jack into his first real pot of hot water when her crew captures him and forces him aboard The Queen Anne’s Revenge, captained by none other than the infamous Blackbeard (played excellently by Ian McShane).

Blackbeard has a good reason to be hunting the fountain of youth. It was prophesied that he will die at the hands of a one-legged pirate. The only way to escape death is to drink from the fountain and Angelica, his ‘long lost’ daughter, is only too willing to do whatever it takes to find it. Also in the hunt for the fountain is Barbossa (played again brilliantly by Geoffrey Rush), and the entire Spanish navy. Will they find it? Who will reach it first? You’re just going to have to watch the film to find out.

Making a welcome return in this film is Jack’s long-time friend Joshamee Gibbs (played by Kevin McNally) and there is a wonderful scene at the start of the film that really reinstates the bond between them. Cue Jack Sparrow entering a court room as a judge. Absolutely priceless.

Keith Richards also makes a welcome return cameo as Jack Sparrow’s father, imparting some good old words of wisdom that will no doubt come in handy in this quest. Newcomers to this adventure include a clergyman, played by Sam Claflin, Richard Griffiths as a decidedly autonomous George II, and Astrid Berges-Frisbey as the vulnerable mermaid Syrena.

One of the highlights of the film are the mermaid scenes. I won’t spoil things, but this film will reinvent the way you think of mermaids – perhaps forever. Not to mention give young kids nightmares. The scenes are shot and executed very well and bring some much needed seriousness to the light-hearted proceedings.

But the main focus of Pirates of the Caribbean has always been action. Trust me, in this instalment you get it in spades. In this respect, it is just as wearisome as the last film. Every single thing, no matter how simple or trivial, just seems like an adventure. No sooner has one set piece come to an end, then we’re thrown into another.

This is even truer for the fact that it is shot on RED 3D cameras, which provides the kind of vista almost befitting 3D gaming in that everything is in 3D –  even walls, candles, and swords. All of which makes it a little more unnerving when things come at you. Yes indeed, 3D has come a long way in the film industry.

Luckily, there are some brief moments of calm between set pieces of action where you can catch your breath, and are party to some lovely comedy. And I am pleased to say that the dialogue is totally up to scratch with some lovely camaraderie between the characters on screen.

Some reviews of On Stranger Tides have been less than promising and it almost had me sitting forward in my seat expecting to be disappointed. The truth is that I wasn’t. Yes, the film was marginally too long, yes, even the largest box of popcorn will be done by the time you reach the halfway point. But yes too, while it is true that you can have too much of a good thing, I think I will still be going back for a second helping.

 

Definitely a piece of 8

 

 

The Open Road: DVD Review

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Justin Timberlake’s career has come a long way since the Mickey Mouse Club. After featuring in The Social Network, one of the best films of the year, The Open Road offers the American a rare lead role.

Timberlake plays Carlton Garrett, a sports star who is trying to get his estranged, wayward father back home before his mother has a life-threatening operation.

This is a good movie with a good storyline. It has some nice twists and turns but, more importantly, has Jeff Bridges in it. Bridges, who recently starred in True Grit, is brilliant as Timberlake’s charismatic father, Kyle. Kate Mara, another very good, strong actor, also features as Garrett’s ex-girlfriend, Lucy.

If you fancy a good road movie, this is worth seeing.

Thor {Film Review}

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Thor was going to be the most difficult to adapt out of all the Marvel heroes. Yes it is based on Norse mythology, but this is straight from the Marvel creation by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1962. This could’ve come off as being unintentionally hilarious but luckily a sophisticated filmmaker came on-board and made it all (somehow) work!

The story is about Thor (Chris Hemsworth) who’s the son of Odin (Anthony Hopkins), who simply defies his father’s orders by breaking a truce between the Asgardians and the Frost Giants. Through his arrogance and war-mongering, Odin takes Thor’s godly powers away and exiles him to Earth. He lands in New Mexico, where scientist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), accompanied by mentor Dr. Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard) and assistant Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings), encounters with Thor (through an unnatural storm). Through-out Thor’s banishment, he is humiliated the way they treat him and doesn’t believe he is the god of thunder. Meanwhile, Loki (Tom Hiddleston) plots a scheme to keep Thor banished and take over the throne of Asgard. Thor tries to retrieve his hammer, Mjolnir, but with no success (Odin cast a spell only the worthy can wield it).

Chris Hemsworth as the titular hero really does stand his two feet. You may recognise him as Kirk’s father, George Kirk, in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek. He makes the character strong, charismatic and out-right likable from the very start. Back in the 80s, muscle-bound men were usually cast as mighty heroes (although as Movie Bob has mentioned in his review of The Expendables, action movies got better with professional actors learning how to fight than just cast someone who looks good in a tank-top) but Hemsworth really does buff up for the role and dons the costume well. Anthony Hopkins redeems himself from being in some poor choice of films (The Wolfman and The Rite), retaining his authoritative presence and stature. His Odin is more a shouting leader but not nearly as annoyingly obnoxious than Leonidis in 300. Tom Hiddleston as Loki is superb, a villain who’s sympathetic and quite complex. The reveal makes you understand his frustration, and causes interesting family drama. Natalie Portman is sweet and affecting as Jane Foster, although he character isn’t anymore than being Thor’s love interest but you believe she’d be falling off her heels with a charming person as Thor. The biggest controversy is Idris Elba as Heimdall, simply because the character he plays is originally caucasian but Elba is a very talented actor (see The Wire for proof) and even a short role in this film, he makes a huge presence. Unfortunately not everyone has been given a great deal of screen-time, a common case in films based on comic books (only Christopher Nolan’s Batman films; Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, were able to give everyone an equal amount). Renne Russo, who hasn’t been in anything for the past six years, stars as Thor’s mother, Frigga (yes, it’s a bit silly) but she barely gets any screen-time that you’re wondering if it has been left on the cutting room floor.

The design of Asgard really impressed me, creating this fantasy world that its only limit can be from someone’s imagination. The world is magical and full of wonder, I absolutely love any type of mythology and Kenneth Branagh has done a wonderful job on creating Asgard on an epic scale (as it should be!). The costumes could’ve brought down the whole film, as looking at people in costumes of any kind could make people sniggering but it all works! Thor’s costume mostly resembles both the classic and modern design of Thor in the comics. You can see why Branagh was hired to the project, bringing that theatrical sophistication into the story and look itself. The story is very basic, but doesn’t fall short on spectacle, humour and light-hearted fun! The only complaint I’d make is Thor’s banishment is quite brief, and doesn’t feel he’s learnt a whole great deal or, if he did, it certainly didn’t show it. Again, something I’d like to see if they release an extended cut of the film (only time will tell).

Overall; a great start of the blockbuster season of 2011, both Marvel and Branagh should be applauded on adapting Thor well on-screen. Both Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston will become instant stars, and will looking forward to see them both in The Avengers. Next up, The First Avenger: Captain America!

4 out of 5 stars!

Copyright © 2011 A New Dawn in BC (http://newdawninbc.wordpress.com/)

Sucker Punch {Film Review}

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Ever thought Inception was lacking on imaginative sets for the dream sequences and weren’t too bizarre enough? Well Sucker Punch may answer to your prayers. Zack Snyder has had a tendency to produce films that look visually stunning, that if you pause it at any moment; it’d look amazing as your computer wallpaper!

Although where the visuals soar; the story/characters, however, fall flat! The characters in this film have barely anything to work with and hardly have any characterisation through-out the entire duration. Our main protagonist is Baby Doll (Emily Browning), and her story seems ripped off from Cinderella (one of her biological parents dies, so her step-father can inherit her will. Though slight difference is he doesn’t, and decides to get drunk and commit incest! The step-father is so cartoonish, that you feel he should have a mustache so he can twirl with his finger and laugh manically) and Alice in Wonderland! The problem I have with Alice in Wonderland (including last year’s Tim Burton’s take) is it doesn’t have a story. It’s just Alice going through a world and bumps into bizarre stuff that happens out of nowhere. This film has a barebones plot; Baby Doll gets committed to a mental institution after nearly killing her step-father, finds out (not too discreetly) she’s going to be lobotomised and plans to escape with four other female patients.

The girls are Sweet Pea (Abbie Cornish), Rocket (Jena Malone), Blondie (Vanessa Hudgens) and Amber (Jamie Chung). Again, barely have anything to work with from a script by Zack Snyder and Steve Shibuya. As soon Baby Doll arrives at the institution, she imagines it as a brothel (follow me so far?). This basically turns into Moulin Rouge but mixed with Showgirls. Not something you would want to mix together! Their psychiatrist/dance teacher, Dr. Vera Gorski (Carla Gugino), really hams her performance as it sounds like a hilariously clichéd Transylvanian accent. Jon Hamm is completely wasted in this film, he barely has screen-time to be considered a character! Scott Glenn plays as the Wise Man, he plays the archetype old wise man Fu Manchu (though saying that lightly). Some of the dialogue he’s given are cringe-worthy (i.e. “Don’t ever write a check with your mouth you can’t cash with your ass.”), it just sounds like rejected fortune cookie lines and just dumb!

The whole escape plan sounds like a video game, and this film would’ve worked better as a video game! They have to collect five items; Map, Fire, Knife and a Key. The fifth thing is a mystery (although you can see it coming a mile away!). This is where the action sequences that were the eye-candy in the trailer(s) come in.

The action sequences are shot very well, and can see Zack Snyder is a very competent action filmmaker. Although in order for your action sequences to feel exciting; you have to show your characters have their lives at stake or something that could jeopardise their goal. The action sequences in this film feel like it’s there for the sake of it! The characters jump out of a helicopter with no parachute, and smash to the ground like concrete. So there’s barely any moments where you feel worried for them because they just go through it like it was nothing. The worse part of it is it’s boring! There was not a single moment where it made my jaw-drop. Remember the hallway fight scene in Inception? Where they actually filmed with a real set and did it with no CGI? Well this is the complete opposite. We’ve dealt with films that have excessive CGI and have done better (The Lord of the Rings, Avatar etc.). This would’ve been great if it was a short film but having it stretched to a feature-length film with barely a story developed; you’re just asking yourself “what’s the point?”.

I know I shouldn’t think in a movie like this, but it just doesn’t make sense! For example; why do they use contemporary weapons, although this is set in the 50s/60s? How would Baby Doll come up with a futuristic setting with these anime robot-mechs? It looks cool, but logistically it doesn’t make sense in context with the time period it’s set in.

This is an unfortunate case where you give too much money (only estimated $82 million) and creativity to a filmmaker than sadly wastes it. This will without a doubt be an early contender for Worst Picture. Hopefully his next film, Superman: Man of Steel, will be a huge improvement because he’s going to need it!

Overall; If you’re easily amused to go see a film for the visual effects, beautiful looking girls in scantily-clad clothing and fighting against nazi zombies and dragons; then this is will be a treat. If you’re looking for any decent story-line or characters you give a damn; then I’d avoid this movie. A strong case of ‘style over substance’, and have had one too many of those (along with not only Alice in Wonderland but also Tron: Legacy).

2 out of 5

The Fighter {Film Review}

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I’m going to be very honest with you. Before I watched the trailer for this film, I said to myself: “What could you possibly bring to us that we haven’t seen before?” It’s the same rags-to-riches, triumph-over-odds tale that we have seen countless times. Well, it turns out quite a bit, and who doesn’t love an inspiring story about a boxer?

Rocky was nominated for 10 Oscars, including two for Sylvester Stallone with Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay (left with three for Best Director, Best Picture and Best Film Editing). Then you have one of Martin Scorsese’s best work, Raging Bull, which was nominated for eight Oscars, including Best Director for Scorsese and Best Picture (won two with Best Actor for Robert De Niro and Best Film Editing). The reasons why these two films worked is because the actors and the film itself were authentic and felt real rather than a fairy tale.

In The Fighter, Mark Wahlberg plays our real life protagonist, Micky Ward, the younger brother to Dickie Eckland, played by Christian Bale.

Dickie used to be a boxing legend, until his career collapsed when he developed a crack addiction and now trains his brother. But Dickie is still the leading man, while Micky is overshadowed by his brother’s former success and  just a stepping stone for other fighters to beat the shit out of him. Conflicted by everyone telling him what to do, it is more of a fight to stand up for himself and even stand up his own two feet than it is to fight in the ring.

The performances from this film are really good. Wahlberg finally shows us how good an actor he can be after the awful performances from The Happening and Max Payne. Amy Adams continues to be exceptional and stands out amongst the crowd, but it’s Christian Bale who steals the spotlight in making his best performance of his career. He has reportedly lost weight to portray the drug addicted ex-boxer – something he has done before in The Machinist (and he again has to bring back the muscle to play Bruce Wayne/Batman for The Dark Knight Rises) which shows the talent he has and the respect for his work to fully immerse himself in the character.

You can see the expression in his eyes, and the energy that Bale’s Eckland always gets a kick out of the sport. Although it is heart-breaking when he thinks HBO are documenting his comeback, while in actual fact he’s a subject of a failed sportsman succumbed to drug addiction and further brings humiliation to the family.

The setting and the overall film looks authentic. You could feel the urban hard-working town of Lowell, Massachusetts. To the local bars and diners, down to the streets and neighbourhood, you feel it’s a community. Ever since the success of The Departed, Massachusetts (especially Boston) seems more popular with film locations. To be honest, I love MA and it brings back memories of staying in the States (granted I didn’t notice or see the bad side of it during that time). And it’s a nice change since most of these films would be set either in L.A. or New York.

Darren Aronofsky was originally signed on to direct the film, until he left to work on Black Swan. The Fighter and Aronofsky’s previous film, The Wrestler, have a similar feel – going for a rough look rather than to be soft and safe, especially with the fights needing to look and feel realistic.  It was reported that 1990’s era cameras were used for the fights. Either way, they’re very well choreographed, and even made me want to stand up and shout: “Come on, Mark! Kick his fucking ass!”

Verdict: A great film that really does make you root for Wahlberg. Stellar performances from Bale and Adams, and well deserved for their award recognition. Looks like we needed another inspiring boxer after all!

4/5

Conviction Review {Film}

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True stories are always hit and miss. Very easily falling into smaltz and cliché. Conviction not only sidesteps these, but also manages to make the story fun.

Betty Anne Waters (Hilary Swank), an unemployed, single mother of two boys, sees brother Kenneth (Sam Rockwell) begin serving a life sentence in 1983 for murder and robbery of a woman in Ayer, Massachusetts.

Kenneth runs out of public defenders and without a lawyer, is destined to die in prison. Betty Anne, convinced of her brother’s innocence, decides to become a lawyer – sacrificing everything else in the process. The love between Betty Anne and her brother is strong and beautiful. They come from a broken family and only have each other.

Hilary Swank is always a brilliant actress, but she also has the face of a movie star. Her bone structure and beauty make her easy to watch. Then there is Minnie Driver, always excellent, as her bolshy best friend. Accent right on the money.

Sam Rockwell is always good and Rockwell dancing to ‘My Sharona’ will probably stay with me forever. I have never seen him put in a bad performance and this is no exception. I really loved this movie. It is a good story on what happens when lies wreck lives and the justice system lets people down. Highly recommended as a film to go and see.

SPOILER ALERT

After spending 12 years studying, in 1995 with a law degree, she began focusing on her brother’s case. Using new, at the time, DNA evidence, with the help of the Innocence Project, she proved her brother’s innocence, and Kenneth Waters walked out a free man in March 2001 after 18 years in prison.

He only enjoyed six months of freedom. On September 19, 2001, he fell 15 feet off a wall, hit his head and died. The estate of the late Kenneth Waters settled a civil rights lawsuit against the town of Ayer for $3.4 million in 2009.

127 Hours {Film Review}

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Danny Boyle is known to experiment in each different genre. He’s tackled thrillers (Shallow Grave), drama (Trainspotting), horror (28 Days Later), science-fiction (Sunshine) and even a bit of romance (Slumdog Millionaire). He’s also known to experiment in film techniques, always making each of his films different compared to the last.

After the critically acclaimed and award winning Slumdog Millionaire, the director has decided to tackle a personal story – one he’s reportedly wanted to make for 4 years – based on the book by “Between a Rock and a Hard Place” by Aron Ralston. It’s like the Long Way Round, only it leads to a frighteningly jarring result.

The film opens up with varied shots of crowds of people at a stadium, subway, etc. This tells us that this could’ve happened to anyone and at any time. Unfortunately, it happened to Aron Ralston.

James Franco plays our main protagonist, and he’s incredibly likable from the start, though you can tell his daredevil antics would be the cost of the soon-to-be unfortunate accident. Speeding on his mountain bike, he ends up crashing – but it doesn’t stop him. He even laughs about it and takes a picture of himself of the aftermath.

The man is full of energy, and can’t help but be admired for it. Even helping two girls find a specific location, and showing them the ‘cool’ way to go in, it’s all to show you a good time -until his arms gets crushed by a boulder and things get weird and unsettling.

He makes every attempt to get the boulder off, and you start to feel for him for trying. He eventually starts to hallucinate, grow tired, slowly run out of food and water (so much so that clips for certain ads for drinks pop up to empathise how thirsty he is). It gets really emotional and powerful as he starts to record himself from his video camera, even going far as interviewing himself. Then the inevitable scene where he decides to cut his arm off, and it’s teeth-grindingly visceral. It doesn’t show much, but when it does, it’s quite cringing and I advise it’s not for the faint of heart! This is a story about survival, even going to extreme lengths to achieving it.

The cinematography is gorgeous. You admire the scenery as Ralston treks along the rocky landscape, and it even makes you claustrophobic when you’re stuck with him. The music by Slumdog composer, A.R. Rahman, makes the music atmospheric and go with Ralston’s emotions. The camera and editing techniques are relatively simple, but effective, to make sure it didn’t feel fake or Hollywoodised.

The breaking of the narrative with flashbacks only gives depth to the character of Ralston, and Franco really does make his career’s best performance. The only small criticism I would make is, I would’ve liked to see more of Ralston’s back-story, what really drove him to being the person he is. Though as it is, it’s still a great film and Danny Boyle gets top credit for his direction.

Overall: A truly inspiring and uplifting film, in a different sense of the word. It’s like an underdog story, only you’re not rooting for an athlete/boxer etc. but a man who wanted to make the most out of life. A great start for 2011 (even though it did come out last year in USA), and I’m looking forward for the many films to come.

4 stars!

Black Swan. {Film review/preview}

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Black Swan is a horror film. But a quiet one. You are not sure what is real, what is not. Neither does the protagonist, Nina, played to the hilt by Natalie Portman. It’s the role – and performance- of a lifetime. Portman does not let it down. She trained for 5 hours a day, for 10 months to take the role. She plays the anorexic, self harming, psychologically unravelling ballerina so well, at times, it is hard to watch. Though, a lesbian sex scene (in which Portman actually has sex with herself; a scene that is rumoured to have upset her father) should draw the crowds in.

Like Darren Aronofsky’s previous films, Black Swan is a head fuck. Nina lives with her mother. Her life is controlled by her mother and ballet. She is desperate to be perfect. Barbara Hershey is great as her mother. Vincent Cassel effortlessly brilliant as the cruel, cold artistic director. Winona Ryder is stellar as the retiring, washed up ballerina forced into retirement. Dealing with the winding down of the body clock, replaced by the younger model. It’s uncomfortable to watch, and important to note that there is only 10 years between Portman and Ryder. The truisms that strike with reality are painful. Times has let her down. The industry she has given her life to has tossed her out.

The brutality of pushing your body is heard in the film. The cracking of bones, the splintering toenails. This is a dark, gothic film. It’s not just about ballet. It’s also about an ageist society and an artist trying to lose themselves to the role. It is darkly beautiful, scarily apt and even just that little bit depressing. It’s definitely one to see.