(film review) - Avatar 2D & 3D

Do you know who James Cameron is? He's one of those directors who needs as much of an introduction as Steven Spielberg! He is the guy who directed 'Escape from New York', directed and wrote, 'The Terminator' to then do it again and produce, 'Terminator 2: Judgement Day'. He did work with Arnie on a string of films since T2 with, 'Last Action Hero' & 'True Lies' and not only did he do 'Aliens with Sigourney Weaver, 'Titanic' with Leonardo DiCaprio & Kate Winslet, he also had some kind of involvement with 'Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines' and 'Terminator Salvation'. This guy is out there with the greats. You should know all of this and if you didn't, well now you know.

The rumour I heard surrounding Avatar was, this film has been 15 years in the making. Avatar had been in development since 1994 and was really meant to come out in 1999 after Titanic. However, he thought that technology needed to catch up with his ideas and so he left it to 2009. In all honesty, I don't blame him and he did the best thing as Avatar is a marvellously beautiful and REAL LOOKING film.
I say REAL LOOKING because in reality, I haven't seen 15 foot tall creatures that speak a different language and a little bit of English on the streets of London, however, if one had lived inside a closed box and knew everything about special effects and all that jazz but haven't seen another real person other than themselves and the outside world, watching this film would get this person thinking that the Na'vi are real and other special effect films are just, well, special effects. What I mean is, the effects are so good, you'd be mistaken into thinking that you are watching a documentary of some sort or just real actors.
When you see the facial expressions of the Na'vi and how they move so fluidly and how the light bounces off their hair, eyes and skin, you see that a lot of thought has gone into the effects and that it looks so real that, like I said, you'd think you are watching real actors.

The planet of Pandora resembles earth, however Pandora is beautifully abstract and very colourful (from what we have seen thus far). Rich in minerals that are very valuable in which the Humans are trying to cash in on. So, in saying that, that is what the film is about. Humans come from earth to go to Pandora, set up shop and then rape the planet of it's minerals for profit. Unfortunately, where all the most valuable materials are, is underneath the Na'vi village(Hometree) who are described as blue monkeys and savage animals who live in harmony only to be barbarically attacked by the humans for their own selfish money making schemes. Obviously, they put up a fight as the humans basically say, move or be pushed out of the way and that is where a full scale war with the Na'vi against the Humans start.

The war is led by a Human, Jake Scully(Sam Worthington) who has been sent to infiltrate the Omaticaya's village in his Avatar body, to learn their ways and convince them to move. However, as the Omaticaya see him as a deluded member of their own species, they teach him how to do things their way. This leads to falling in love with a native, Ntiri(Zoe Saldaña), who also falls in love, but as time runs out for Jake to get the Omaticaya clan to move, the corporation move in and start destroying the forest. When Jake tries to stop them and destroys the camera on one of their machines, he is disconnected from his avatar and imprisioned. He is then broken out and then heads back into his avatar to try and convince the Omaticaya clan that he meant no harm and he wants to help them win the waging war against the humans.

I saw this in 2D and 3D and all I can say is, it isn't necessary to watch this film in 3D, but it does add to the experience. This film is so good that, running for 3hours, it still manages to keep you entertained and wanting to know what happens next.

Brilliant and Excellent watch. I recommend this as a must watch for 2009 and a must purchase, especially if there are gonna be sequels.
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(film review) - The Descent - Part 2

It has been a couple of years for us to remember the first film. You know, a bunch of females, a bunch of creatures, a lot of blood and gore and that's it. Well, The Decent Part 2 isn't any different than the first, but with the inclusion of a few men. I'll explain the first film for those who haven't seen it, very briefly.

Part 1
This film is about a woman, Sarah, who looses her young daughter and her husband in a car crash after white-water rafting. One year later, her mates decide to cheer her up and take her caving in a known cave, which promises to be great fun. Juno, Sarah's friend takes them to another cave instead, in hope of some much needed alone time to patch up their friendship. When all the women enter the cave, part of the cave collapses causing the girls to get lost and plunge further and deeper into the cave with no hope of another way out. After studying a cave painting, the girls try to find the other way out and end up fighting for survival when they bump into humanoid looking creatures, "crawlers" (As referred to in the credits) and get attack by them. Blood and gore galore. It's a test of trust, friendship and survival.
In the non-sequel version of the film (the one i saw originally), Sarah makes it out of the cave, runs to her car, only to start driving, then noticing a dead Juno with her face coved in blood sitting right next to her staring at her. As she screams, she snaps out of the dream only to see her daughter right in front of her with a birthday cake between them. As the screen pans out, we see that Sarah is hallucinating and she is actually still in the cave with the crawlers making their way closer towards her. Obviously, the other version has Sarah making it out which leads us onto part 2.

Part 2
Covered in OPB (Other People's Blood), Sarah is out the cave with no solid memory of where she is, what she is doing and what has happened. She is taken into hospital where the blood on her is discovered to be anything but her own. Curious, the Sheriff demands to know what is going on and forces Sarah back into the cave in which she crawled from to find her missing friends. She is assisted by the Sheriff, his deputy and 3 other specialists.
After meeting a man in the area who helps them to go down into the cave via another route using an old lift, the six venture looking for the missing girls where Sarah gets frightened after thinking she saw a crawler. Going further into the caves, the Sheriff sees a crawler and goes to shoot at it with his gun only causing the walls to come crashing down and separating everyone. At this point, Sarah escapes. While Sarah is off to save her own skin, she notices a crawler who has been alerted to Elen's presence. Sarah saves her and lets her know that they hunt via sound. while everyone get's picked off one by one and Sarah gets reunited with the Sheriff and an old friend, they all must strive to survive and make it out alive.

This film followed in the very same footsteps as the first one, so if you enjoyed the first, this one will also be enjoyable. I can't say it covers any new ground though. A bunch of people in a cave with things that can eat your face off, nothing more, nothing less. It's been tried. I guess, the only saving grace of the film is the twist at the end, the one in the middle and the fact that it's called 'The Descent part.2' as it is a continuation of the storyline rather than something completely new altogether. It's nothing like Alien or Aliens at all, just a continuation.

You won't like this film if your expecting something new, like untrodden ground and a complete different storyline. If you liked the first, then this will be watchable.

Go watch the film only if you liked the first one. Out in the Cinema NOW!!!
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(film review) - Paranormal Activity

First and foremost, I was not going to watch this film. Call me whatever you like, but I thought this was based on a true story and I didn't want any parts of a film of this nature. The only parts I would except was the trailer I saw a little while back.
As this came out around the same time as The Fourth Kind, the two films got mixed together as to which one was based on true events. In the end, I sat through this.

This film is basically about what the title suggests, Paranormal Activity. And dare I say it, but white people are courageous, valiant, brave and daring. I say this because, Katie, the lead woman in the film, tells her soon to be fiancés that she has been haunted by a ghostly figure since she was young. What does her White boyfriend, Micah do? He goes out to buy a Video Camera so he can record it. Furthermore, through the film, he gets increasingly demanding and excited for the spirit. He challenges it and shouts at it for "More Action". Now you see me? If my woman told me she has been haunted since a little girl by some kind of paranormal phenomena, the following lines I would drop would be very similar or close to this, "Oh, really? Well, that's just it. I'm not cut out for that and I hope you get through it. Good luck. I'll call you sometime. Bye." whilst walking away and immediately going into my pocket for my car keys.

There isn't much to say about this film without spoiling it. Just know this, shot in 'Found Footage' style like 'Blair Witch Project' and 'Cloverfield' would possibly make this film terrifying and unwatchable due to one being terrified. I wasn't scared and I found the film hilarious. Maybe because of the two people (the couple) and their behaviour towards this entity. I mean, who buys a Ouija board (pronounced Wee-gi) to communicate with a ghostly entity? Like I said, no parts of it.
But if you like a scary movie, something that will make you jump or something, well, paranormal, then Paranormal Activity is you. Half of the time, my mouth was so wide open from what was going on, the film did indeed keep me transfixed. Funny from an outside look on it, but disturbing if you were in the same situation. Scary and frightful, but very entertaining, especially towards the end and the end scene.

In the Cinema's now
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(film review) - Zombieland

Before this review, I was trying to figure out where I was going to go with it. Yes, the review would be about the film, Zombieland, but as different as the name is, the film fits right in.

Zombieland has no real direction, no real storyline and no real plot. As I think about it, the film has no beginning, nor end. So one would think to himself, 'So, what was the film about?' and the answer to that question is, Zombies.
With all that been said, you'd think this was a waste of time film. Something that didn't quite set out to fulfil it's objective and you wouldn't want to waste your money on the film. But your wrong. Although I have seen computer games such as 'Left 4 Dead' and 'Left 4 Dead 2' with also, not much of a storyline (or detailed one for that matter), the game appears to have more of a storyline than this film, but the film still triumphs as being a really good watch.
I'll explain.
There is a pandemic. We see a post-apocalyptic America, where a zombie apocalypse has been triggered by a virulent form of human adapted mad cow disease. It appears there are only a few survivors. Columbus is a college student on his way to Columbus, Ohio to see if his parents are still alive. Along the way, he bumps into Tallahasse who hails from Tallahasse, Florida (or is going there, I kinda missed that part), who is on a mission to find a Twinkie. They team-up and travel together to only bump into two sisters, Little Rock & Wichita. As you must can tell, these are not real names. There isn't any real names in this film, only places that relates to the characters. The idea is, if someone dies, not knowing their real names means that you are not attached to that person. So in essence, if someone dies, it's an 'Ah well, that sucks. Lets keep it moving' type of attitude. (Liberties - You know, right?)
These two sisters con their way into stealing Tallahasse's vehicle and leave the two guys stranded only to be found later on, on their travels attempting to con another passer-by of their vehicle as the girl's vehicle has broken down. As Columbus calls a truce, they all travel together, go to a mansion to crash and hangout only to then have their vehicle stolen by the girls again in the morning who are on their way to Pacific Playland (a theme park). I guess they were considering they will have it all to themselves, no queues and no people.
But it would turn out that they did have Pacific Playland to themselves and there were no queues and no people who were alive, that is.
As they turn on the lights to the theme park, it attracts all the zombies near by who then start chasing them. Columbus, now having feelings for Wichita (obviously, the place names didn't work), goes after her to express his feelings for her only to be confronted with a theme park full of zombies. I guess, everyone is a hero, right?

As I've said quite a bit about the film but left a lot of it out, you must can tell that the film is a bit 'crazy' in places. For example, Columbus has a set of rules that are comprised of ways to stay alive in-case of a Zombie Apocalypse is to ever occur. This is the central plot theme and are seen as on going gags throughout the entire film.
The list starts at number 1 but doesn't actually have an ending number, but goes up to and possibly past 33. however, not all the numbers from the list are mentioned in the film.

This film is witty and very funny. You may need to see it twice because of Columbus' rules and because of the craziness and hidden jokes that lie within it, but all in all, it is a fun and enjoyable watch. As there could be plans to do a sequel, they may expand on Columbus' list, but keeping the formula of, comedy, blood and guts, it is sure to be a winner.
If you liked Shaun Of The Dead, then you will love this. As they are similar, I can't see why you wouldn't still have a good laugh. Go Watch it!

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(film review) - 2012

In numerology, they say stuff about stuff about stuff. In mythology, they say stuff about stuff about stuff. And the Bible also says stuff about stuff about stuff.
I remember when 1999 came and when 2000 would hit, it would be the end of the world as we know it. No, that is 2012. Well, so "they" say.
The 2012 phenomenon comprises a range of eschatological beliefs and proposals, which posit that cataclysmic or transformative events will occur on or around December 21 in the year 2012 (Find the rest on Wikipedia). So all this money spend on the 2012 Olympics is just a mockery of our lives.

Unlike 'The Day After Tomorrow' in which was a very watchable movie, but didn't help shift the fact that it came across as a very expensive global warming advert, 2012 is nothing of the sort.
Special effect galore, but then how do you show a world literally falling apart without it? So be aware of this.

This film is basically about the end of the world. It's an event that scientists found out many years ago that would happen, the government try to hide it and when calculations get miscalculated, it's like..."Ermm, Mr. President, we have like two weeks to evacuate and declare a state of emergency opposed to what we thought it was being, 2 years". Well, it's not THAT drastic, but it might as well have been.

However, since the government thought ahead, they asked the Chinese (since they are excellent workers and so good with their imagination and electronics) to make something to preserve life for when the events unfold and if people were to survive, they could rebuild life and start again.

Jackson Curtis (John Cusack) is a writer in Los Angeles who works part-time as a limousine driver for wealthy Russian businessman Yuri Karpov. He is separated from his wife and children and due to spend some quality time with his kids. He takes them camping in Yellowstone National Park only stumble across, The Military, a smouldering lake and a seemly deranged conspiracy theorist (Hippy) Charlie Frost (Woody Harrelson), living as a hermit and hosting a radio show who keeps going on about the end of the world and having a Map in his possession that details the whereabouts of a "Spaceship" that will save mankind.
From this moment, Jackson Curtis is on a crazy near death "adventure" where he is battling for survival to save himself, his kids, wife and her lover to find this "Spaceship" and survive the catastrophe.

I can't say this was a dull film and I can't say it was spectacular due to the events. If these events are to actually unfold in real life and in 2012, we haven't got much time people...lol. But jokes aside, the film is very entertaining visually and comically. Woody Harrelson's role was too funny as well as the Russian Businessman. There will be parts where you will laugh and parts where you will think "WOW!" and although, there are some corny bits to save face for the special effects, I guess some bits can be touching so you may be a bit sad or even teary, but on average, the film is a very good watch. And not only does it question life and what would happen in such events, but how the rich are as well as the poor and how people can be barbaric and selfish.
The main stars of the film are Woody Harrelson, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Zlatko Burić & John Cusack. Also stars, Danny Glover & Thandie Newton.

Out now!

Go and watch it!
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(film review) - Harry Brown

First and foremost, I understand that people do perceive this film as an old mercenary taking out guys/youths on his council estate as the police are too what-less to do anything. I am under this impression because I have heard some views of what "they" have said about the film and to what they have shown on the TV. Well, I will clear this up for you.

Harry Brown is a good film. In fact, very good. It stars Michael Caine as Harry Brown an old pensioner who looses his wife and then looses a dear friend to the streets of a Council Estate in South London where the youths are unruly and dangerous. I like to call them ASBOs. After the Police were confronted on numerous occasions about the ASBO youths but with no avail, Harry goes on a rampage by taking the law into his own hands and declares himself as the Council Estate Street Sweeper.

There are some disturbing parts in this film that attack your mind in two different ways. The first way is, this is a thriller, expect some disturbing scenes. Second, not only is this a thriller, the events in this film are actually that believable that it is actually disturbing to think that your next door neighbour is a crack/cocaine fiend and is shooting up or people are being killed on your council estate. And in fact, this is very much true to life. Some truths can be unbearable, so walking out might be an option. However, if you stay, you will see some of the best acting I've seen from a young guy portraying a young guy.

Ben Drew aka Plan B (Rapper) who plays Noel, a street smart youth, heavily into the running of crime on the estate and also known by the coppers is the star of the show. For me, his acting was flawless and real. When you watch British films these days such as Lock Stock and Snatch, you don't get the same kind of realistic acting in these films compared to Harry Brown and Kidult/Adulthood.

To wrap this up, if you have not seen this film, I think you ought to get down to the Cinema ASAP and watch it. I don't see why you would say it is not a good film at all. The acting from both Michael Caine, Ben Drew & Emily Mortimer are good and the storyline and pacing is good as well. If anything, this film is a good I opener and a good representation of what a Council Estate in London is really like.

Go watch the film. I recommend. out in the Cinema NOW!!!
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(film review) - Law Abiding Citizen

If you have seen Harry Brown, in which I might add, is almost identical to this film and is very good, then you know what to expect.

What makes it identical is the reasons and motivations as to why the lead characters take the law into their own hands.

Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler) is an Engineer who lives with his wife and daughter. His House gets broken into and while he tries to fend for himself and his family, he is gagged and tied up to watch his family perish before his eyes.
When the trial goes to court, he is taught that one of the murderers would not be convicted due to a problem with the forensics.
Angry, bitter, disgusted and emotionally torn up, Clyde Shelton takes the law into his own hands when he orchestrates the "vengeful" killings of both individuals responsible for his wife and child's death and anyone else remotely close to the case.

This film is a very good watch and not even 2 minutes into the film, the action starts straight away. The pace is consistent and although you may feel you know what is going on, the twists and suspense in this film keeps you at the edge of your seat.
There are a few moments and scenes in this thriller that were surprising, such as the twists in the plot, but seeing how some people were dying in this film made you think of a very angry MacGuyver.
Gerard Butler's acting was excellent and to see him come from 300 to Gamer to now this, he is only choosing his roles very well and acting very well as well.
Jamie Foxx wasn't that bad in this film either. I have seen him in better roles such as Soloist (If you haven't seen it, go and see it), but these are different films.

Starring: Jamie Foxx (Soloist and Ray) and Gerard Butler (Gamer and 300)

Dispite the fact that the reviews don't seem to be great for this film, in which I have read, this is a watchable and decent film. Out this Friday.

I recommend this film indeed. A very good watch!
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