War Horse Review - 'We will be together again'

Steven Spielberg is arguably the most famous film director of all time however some of his films of recent years have not reached the level of quality audiences' have hoped for. But of the many Spielberg films I have seen over the years I would say that this is cinematically Spielberg's greatest work to date.

The film follows a sensitive plot which is told unusually from the point of view of a character that has not a single line of dialog due the the fact that he is a "miraculour horse". WHen bought as a young foal the teenage son of a farmer names the horse Joey and begins in his task to use the thoroughbred as a plough animal in order to make enough money to pay the rent. During the time of training the horse and boy create an inseparable bond that the audience feels as much a part of as the characters do. At the point that the harvest fails the First World War is declared the farmer sees no other choice but to sell Joey to the British cavalry and he is shipped to France. From here several other characters come into contact with Joey. With each of these encounters comes a new chapter for Joey and independent plots for each of the characters within. I wish to conceal as much of the plot as I can and tell each and every person that reads this review to go and see the film on a big screen while you still can.

I don't know if due to the fact that I admire Spielberg as a director, have a personal affection for horses having grown up around them or a deep set interest for both of the World Wars that perhaps made this film appear better to me than it does to other people. However personally I think that it is a magnificent film and is the film to beat for every film I see on dvd or at the cinema for the remaining 11 months of 2012.

10 out of 10

Scott Pilgrim VS. the World - 'Prepare to feel the wrath of the League of the Evil Exes'

From the director that brought us Spaced, Shaun of the dead and Hot Fuzz brought us yet another hit film in 2010 Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. Adapted from the graphic novel series of the same name Edgar Wright brings his distinctive directing style and comfortably mixing the feeling and look of the comic books. For locations used in the film the production actually went to the locations that the original art work was based on.

For those of you that haven’t seen it here is a quick synopsis of the film. ‘Scott Pilgrim plays in a band which aspires to success. He dates Knives Chau, a high-school girl five years younger, and he hasn't recovered from being dumped by his former girlfriend, now a success with her own band. When Scott falls for Ramona Flowers, he has trouble breaking up with Knives and tries to romance Ramona. As if juggling two women wasn't enough, Ramona comes with baggage: seven ex-lovers, with each of whom Scott must do battle to the death in order to win the right to date Ramona.’

The plot of this film does get a little repetitive in places however I would argue that the innovative use of graphics, cgi elements and sound effects bring the film to a enjoyable and interesting watch. I don’t know what element pushes the film forward the most but I must admit that I like the humorous elements a great deal particularly because they are not the unsubtle in your face jokes that I have come to expect from big productions these days.

7 out of 10   



Twister review – ‘wanted to know if you wanted to chase this tornado or catch the next one?’

This film from 1996 is a one that I have watched many times over the years as it seems to be repeated annually on television. The thing that strikes me time and time again when I watch it is the importance and the limitless things that through the implementation and embracing cgi. Without it the ‘monster’ of the movie could not be, well it would not be quite as convincing anyway. For any of you that haven’t seen it the plot is fairly simple a team of storm chasers follow a number of twisters in order to deploy Dorothy a big tub filled with censers that they will deploy to measure the activity within the extremely violent twister.

The biggest thing that this film has going for it is the impressive cgi elements along with the mix of rock and orchestral soundtrack that both intensify the action on screen. Although my personal view is that the script was a bit weak and the lead relationship is undefined.  However I would not discourage anyone to watch this film if you’re looking for an easy watch which still looks impressive whenever you look up at the screen. 

6 out of 10

Field Of Dreams review - ‘If you build it they will come’

From this film comes the line ‘if you build they will come’ this line has transcended the original audience and subsequently audiences that would have seen the film on vhs and dvd. I was in fact one of the people that knew this line, knew where it came from but before sitting down to watch this film had no prior knowledge apart from what could be deduced from the dvd cover.  The sport of baseball features heavily in the film which appealed to me being a fan of the game however you don’t need to know a single thing about it to understand and more so enjoy field of dreams.

With one of Kevin Costner’s best performances you become hooked as he plays Ray Kinsella a humble Iowa farmer who hears a mysterious, supernatural voice in his corn field that pushes him through the movie. He listens to this mysterious voice and interprets the message as an instruction to build a baseball field on his land. Completing this the ghosts of eight former baseball players from Chicago Black Sox. Included in these players is Shoeless Joe Jackson who is mysterious character that we as an audience don’t know if he is a good or evil character. I won’t tell you the outcome if you want to know go and watch the movie.

In my opinion this is a beautiful movie that tells a supernatural story, with characters, themes and ideas that audiences quickly buy into I am really glad that this movie was recommended to me and I because of that I would say that if you have time to buy and watch this movie you will not be left disappointed I would honestly say that I think this is a film that will be watched by many different generations and will defiantly last and be appreciated for many many years to come.

Also if you do buy the dvd be sure to check out the special features as they give you a real in depth account of the making of and highlights elements that you may have missed when watching the film yourself. But make sure you wait until you’ve seen the film because it does give away the ending about 15 times.

8 out of 10

Inception review - 'I can access your mind through your dreams'

For a film that was released relatively recently, got so much audience attention and won four Oscars tonight was the first time I sat down to watch Christopher Nolan’s Inception. It is easy to see why this film is so popular and for those of you that have seen it me saying that it takes multi plot storytelling to another level will realise just how much of an understatement that is.

For those of you that haven’t seen this film the following is the Warner Bro synopsis

‘Dom Cobb is a skilled thief, the absolute best in the dangerous art of extraction, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state, when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb's rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved. Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible-inception. Instead of the perfect heist, Cobb and his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse: their task is not to steal an idea but to plant one. If they succeed, it could be the perfect crime. But no amount of careful planning or expertise can prepare the team for the dangerous enemy that seems to predict their every move. An enemy that only Cobb could have seen coming.’

The visual elements of this film are unlike anything I have seen in a film before and the performances were honest and believable. The only thing that troubles me and intrigues me most about this film like so many audience members before me is the moment before the credits role. You have to watch it to know what I mean.

9 out of 10

Vertigo review - 'One final thing I have to do... and then I'll be free of the past'

I had no expectations when I sat down to watch Vertigo due to knowing nothing more about it than one of cinemas most famous directors Alfred Hitchcock had directed the picture in 1958. With a plot that follows former police detective John “Scottie” Ferguson, who after seeing a police officer fall from the roof of a building to his death at the top of the film, quickly developing the medical condition of acrophobia, the fear of heights. An old acquaintance of John's from many years ago approaches him and asks him to use his detective knowledge and experience to follow his beautiful wife, Madeleine; he reveals that he fear she is going insane, maybe even contemplating suicide, because she believes she is possessed by a dead ancestor.

The constantly unravelling plot with multiple unexpected twists and turns keeps even a contemporary audience member such as myself guessing from the opening to the steady and direct climax of the film. A key example is held in the title of the film, Hitchcock offers a reason in the beginning of the film but its importance does not become apparent until the mystery is revealed to the audience in the later stages of the film. Personally I found the plot of Vertigo much more intriguing, yet with the same strange style that I enjoyed in one of Hitchcock’s previous films, Psycho. Knowing that as a film it has many interesting elements that are impressive 50 years on. Personally it won’t be making it into my list of favourites but worth a watch.  

7 out of 10

Casablanca review - ‘Here’s looking at you kid’

As World War II continued to enthral the world the Warner Bros picture ‘Casablanca’ was released that would soon become well known and much loved by audiences for generations to come. The film which follows Rick played by Humphrey Bogart an exiled American as he runs the popular ‘Rick’s Cafe Americain’. A cynical and self reliant character that repeatedly states “I stick my neck out for nobody” comes into possession of two valuable letters of transit needed to leave the comparative holding pen of refugees that the unoccupied area of Africa had become. With the real war still raging on the use of patriotism used throughout the film makes the heroes and villains of the film easy to distinguish increasingly when the Nazi’s arrive led by the film’s lead villain Nazi Major Strasser. Who upon arrival requests that the somewhat sycophantic head of police Captain Renault to detain the Czech underground resistance leader Victor Lazslo. When Laszlo arrives in Casablanca he is not alone, he is accompanied by his wife and Rick’s one time love Ilsa played by the talent of Ingrid Bergman. The back story of the couple’s romance in Paris is beautifully presented to the audience and the bitter and timeless tales of the trepidations that come with being involved in a love triangle are executed. With two letters of transit it becomes clear that two of these characters will be leaving Casablanca but it is not clear until the film reaches its climax which of those characters it will be.

Having won Oscars for best picture, best director and best screenplay along with some of cinemas most memorable lines including ‘Here’s looking at you kid’,’ I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship’ and my personal favourite ‘Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine’ there is no denying that Casablanca is a timeless classic and for anyone that hasn’t seen it I whole heartedly recommend it.

9 out of 10 - For a film that is 70 years old this year it sure has stood the test of time