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Aug 23 2010
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Arts & Entertainment

District 9

District 9

I have been meaning to see this for ages and it didn’t disappoint in any single way. District 9 is one of the best sci-fi films that I’ve seen recently. In terms of plot, the IMDB summary is:

An extraterrestrial race forced to live in slum-like conditions on Earth suddenly finds a kindred spirit in a government agent who is exposed to their biotechnology

However, the film uses elements of thriller, action, horror and all out gore-fest films to create a very clever and surprisingly emotional storyline. It has a very stellar cast but the two main heroes of this film are the cinematography department and the SFX department. Anyone who has their doubts over whether or not this should have been nominated for the Oscar for Motion Picture should hang their heads in shame since it deserves its place among the serious drama heavyweights like Precious and The Hurt Locker.

It would also make an amazing videogame storyline but I might blog about this at a later date.

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Jul 28 2010
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Arts & Entertainment

Inception

Inception

So, Inception then. What a marvellous film. To see a blockbuster film this intelligent, this stylish, this well-acted and this ingeniusly created is quite simply heartwarming. Christopher Nolan can be pleased of what he has accomplished. All of the actors on board are extremely solid. The special effects are spectacular and well-thought out set pieces. The soundtrack by Hans Zimmer is phenomenal and acts as an extra component to the story (which is how soundtracks should be as opposed to just a selection of songs from hipster indie bands). Overall, it was outstanding and a contender for film of the year.

But I guess you’ve all got different theories about the ending. Here is mine:

Continue reading →

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Jun 09 2010
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Arts & Entertainment

Catching up with films

Batman Begins

Because of getting used to work and it’s routine-based nature, whilst also allowing my body to get used to the travel and such, there hasn’t been much time for film-watching. I’ve made up for that as of late by watching a couple to get me back into the swing of things.

First up was Man On Wire, the documentary that told the story of how Phillippe Petit planned his unbelievably daring and extraordinary attempt to tight-rope walk across the World Trade Centre in 1974. It is a remarkable story that defines ‘stranger than fiction’ and tells how, whilst everyone else around him was completely fed up with him and his own plans and his own craziness, Petit defied almost every probable outcome (just so you know, every ‘probably outcome’ revolved around certain death). The leading man is an excellent, enigmatic and highly entertaining storyteller and that alone is something that makes this documentary worth watching. A joy and well deserved of its Oscar in 2009.

The second film was Batman Begins. I’ve watched every Batman film apart from this one and, considering that I watched The Dark Knight two years ago, that is quite embarrassing. If I were to compare the two, the acting may not be as strong as The Dark Knight but the story is its heart and it is one that is told in an expert and thrilling way. If this was the first Batman film you saw then you’d be very satisfied. In terms of the overall scheme of Batman films, it’s certainly one of the better ones. Nothing will ever come close to becoming as soul-crushingly bad as Batman & Robin. Nothing. Ever. Mr. Freeze, as played by Governer Schwarzeneger, was as threatening as a nightclub bouncer – without any of the fear that a bouncer should put into drunken clubbers.

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Mar 06 2010
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Arts & Entertainment

Oscars 2010 Predictions

Oscars

This Sunday is the annual political, boring, sappy, overly drawn out Oscars at the Kodak Theatre in LA. I was going to watch it all live again this year until I remembered that Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin were presenting it, a duo that couldn’t be anymore unfunny/unentertaining if you tried. Any lingering temptation has been dampened by my work experience placement so it’s back to the usual routine of hearing about it when I wake up. However, this won’t stop me giving out predictions!

Best Picture – The Hurt Locker
Best Actor - Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart)
Best Actress – Carey Mulligan (An Education)
Best Supporting Actor - Christoph Waltz (Inglorious Basterds)
Best Supporting Actress – Mo’Nique (Precious)
Best Director – Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker)
Best Original Screenplay – Inglorious Basterds
Best Adapted Screenplay – Up In The Air
Best Cinematography – Avatar
Best Editing – The Hurt Locker
Best Art Direction – Avatar
Best Costume Design – The Young Victoria
Best Make Up – The Young Victoria
Best Original Score – Up
Best Original Song – The Weary Kind (Crazy Heart)
Best Sound Mixing – Avatar
Best Sound Editing – Avatar
Best Visual Effects – Avatar
Best Animated Film – Up
Best Foreign Film – A Prophet
Best Feature Documentary – The Cove
Best Short Documentary – Królik Po Berlinsku
Best Animated Short Film – Wallace & Gromit In ‘A Matter Of Loaf Or Death’
Best Live Action Short Film – Miracle Fish

Here’s how it breakdowns in terms of the big winners:

Avatar – 5 wins
The Hurt Locker – 3 wins
Crazy Heart – 2 wins
Inglorious Basterds – 2 wins
Up – 2 wins
The Young Victoria – 2 wins

If Avatar wins Best Picture, I’ll be tempted to give up films for a year. Just because the industry is banking huge amounts on it winning makes me hope that it loses so that it can prove that 3D is absolute tosh.

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