This is currently my most highly anticipated film of the year.
Thursday 22 March 2012
THE HUNGER GAMES - Review
"May the odds be ever in your favour" - You could play a drinking game with that line. Seriously, you could.
I'm too much of a nanna to have stayed awake for the midnight sessions, but I heard there were character dress-ups, and a few verbal disagreements about the quality of the film from avid book fans. Plus there was a whole lot of excitement, as the Australian midnight sessions were among the first screenings worldwide - winning! So, I packed it in early and headed in with the after school crowd to see what all the fuss was about.
Many years ago, there was a war, an uprising of the poorer outer districts against the wealthy controlling Capitol. Now, what started as a punishment and a constant reminder of the uprising is one of the most highly anticipated and widely watched events of the year. Each district selects a boy and a girl to fight to the death and it's broadcast live. Reality TV folks, no matter how sick it is, it still gets the ratings! Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take the place of her younger sister Primrose, and it's all very dramatic and exciting.
The story was enough to keep me entertained and it was slightly suspenseful for me because I haven't read the books and I had no idea what was going to happen next, let alone in the end. If it wasn't for the annoying tweens sighing and commenting "that's not what happens in the book" I would have been none the wiser.
As far as an adaptation of a series I haven't read goes, I can only compare it to the TWILIGHT movies, and whilst I haven't actually seen any of those, I can compare it to the god-awful trailers and tell you that they've done a much better job of this, not only in terms of casting, but also script and directing.
The casting is fabulous, Jennifer Lawrence (if you're not across her it's time you got with the program - WINTER'S BONE), Stanley Tucci, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson and Lenny Kravitz. Plus the two men vying for Katniss' heart, Josh Hutcherson and our very own Liam Hemsworth (not my fave Hemsworth, but still...cute).
According to reports from people who have read the book, the film is not as dark, not as violent, and there's plenty cut out. The cutting of scenes, is no surprise to me and nor should it be to you - it happens in book adaptation. My assumption with the violence and the darkness is that film makers were going for an M rating rather than an MA15+ as the appeal of the books starts from that tweeny age group. For me it didn't have huge affect because I didn't know what it was meant to be like, although a little more guts and gore wouldn't have gone astray!
I think it will be a smash at the box office this weekend, but I'm not sure if it will have the staying power of the HARRY POTTER. I liked it, but I didn't love it, but there are plenty of people in my session that certainly did love it.
3.8/5
I'm too much of a nanna to have stayed awake for the midnight sessions, but I heard there were character dress-ups, and a few verbal disagreements about the quality of the film from avid book fans. Plus there was a whole lot of excitement, as the Australian midnight sessions were among the first screenings worldwide - winning! So, I packed it in early and headed in with the after school crowd to see what all the fuss was about.
Many years ago, there was a war, an uprising of the poorer outer districts against the wealthy controlling Capitol. Now, what started as a punishment and a constant reminder of the uprising is one of the most highly anticipated and widely watched events of the year. Each district selects a boy and a girl to fight to the death and it's broadcast live. Reality TV folks, no matter how sick it is, it still gets the ratings! Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take the place of her younger sister Primrose, and it's all very dramatic and exciting.
The story was enough to keep me entertained and it was slightly suspenseful for me because I haven't read the books and I had no idea what was going to happen next, let alone in the end. If it wasn't for the annoying tweens sighing and commenting "that's not what happens in the book" I would have been none the wiser.
As far as an adaptation of a series I haven't read goes, I can only compare it to the TWILIGHT movies, and whilst I haven't actually seen any of those, I can compare it to the god-awful trailers and tell you that they've done a much better job of this, not only in terms of casting, but also script and directing.
The casting is fabulous, Jennifer Lawrence (if you're not across her it's time you got with the program - WINTER'S BONE), Stanley Tucci, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson and Lenny Kravitz. Plus the two men vying for Katniss' heart, Josh Hutcherson and our very own Liam Hemsworth (not my fave Hemsworth, but still...cute).
According to reports from people who have read the book, the film is not as dark, not as violent, and there's plenty cut out. The cutting of scenes, is no surprise to me and nor should it be to you - it happens in book adaptation. My assumption with the violence and the darkness is that film makers were going for an M rating rather than an MA15+ as the appeal of the books starts from that tweeny age group. For me it didn't have huge affect because I didn't know what it was meant to be like, although a little more guts and gore wouldn't have gone astray!
I think it will be a smash at the box office this weekend, but I'm not sure if it will have the staying power of the HARRY POTTER. I liked it, but I didn't love it, but there are plenty of people in my session that certainly did love it.
3.8/5
Tuesday 6 March 2012
Trailer Watch
NOW IS GOOD - so Dakota Fanning was good in THE RUNAWAYS, but she hasn't really tackled a good serious piece of mature material (emphasis on good) since I AM SAM. NOW IS GOOD looks like it might have a bit of something I can sink my teeth into or at the very least get emotional about. Also starring Jeremy Irvine of WAR HORSE NOW IS GOOD is about a young girl who decides to forgo her leukemia treatment so she can "do as much as possible, as fast as possible".
Click here to watch the trailer over at Yahoo! Movies.
Click here to watch the trailer over at Yahoo! Movies.
Casting Call
Variety reports that Rose Bryne and Anna Faris will be joining Simon Baker and Rafe Spall in the new romantic comedy I GIVE IT A YEAR.
This rom-com is written and directed by Dan Mazer (writer/director of some Ali G eps and writer/producer of Borat and Bruno)and centres around a couple who as the title suggests are trying to make it through their first year of marriage. Based on Mazer's credits I would guess that this pic is going to get a rating higher than your average rom-com, maybe an MA15+, but that's pure speculation.Spall and Bryne star as the main couple with Faris and Baker are set as "strong supporting characters". I'm glad fellow Aussie Byrne is going to get a go at the lead in this pic as she's certainly been proving her worth of late with X-MEN: FIRST CLASS, BRIDESMAIDS and GET HIM TO THE GREEK plus a whole bunch of television stuff as well.
PREMIUM RUSH - Release Date
I posted this trailer a while ago and I'm please to tell you that it's set for release in Australia on the 13th of September and I can't wait!
Monday 5 March 2012
Cinema Lorosa'e Fundraiser
The Sun Theatre is the founding sponsor of Cinema
Lorosa’e, a free, community based outdoor cinema program in Timor-Leste that
opened in August 2011 and ran during the dry season in Dili and the districts.
There are no cinemas in Timor-Leste and the first season of Cinema Lorosa’e was
a huge success. Over the three month period the Lorosa’e team screened in Dili
and throughout the districts to over 45,000 people and the response has been
incredible with evenings of up to a few thousand people gathered together to
see a film.
Sun Theatre is planning to continue the program
this year with more screenings in the districts from May through to November.
They have been running indoor screenings in Dili through the wet season with all
proceeds directly supporting the operations of the outdoor screenings.
In their efforts to get the 2012 Cinema
Lorosa’e outdoor program running, Sun Theatre will be hosting the Melbourne premiere of
AFRICA UNITED as a fundraising
event on Wednesday the 7th of March. Tickets for this event are $25 per person and include ticket, a glass of
sparkling on arrival, popcorn and door prizes and all monies raised will be
utilised in the Cinema Lorosa’e program for 2012.
Releasing This Week
Here's a look at what's opening Thursday 8th of March;
AFRICA UNITED - a sweet story about 5 kids who beg, borrow and steal their way from Rwanda to South Africa to the Soccer World Cup Opening Ceremony. There are some serious themes disguised in this lighthearted comedy of errors. I really enjoyed it and will post a full review soon.
HEADHUNTERS - This film had sneak peaks over the weekend and has been getting some fantastic word of mouth. I'll be sticking my head in on this on Thursday to see what all the fuss is about!
AFRICA UNITED - a sweet story about 5 kids who beg, borrow and steal their way from Rwanda to South Africa to the Soccer World Cup Opening Ceremony. There are some serious themes disguised in this lighthearted comedy of errors. I really enjoyed it and will post a full review soon.
HEADHUNTERS - This film had sneak peaks over the weekend and has been getting some fantastic word of mouth. I'll be sticking my head in on this on Thursday to see what all the fuss is about!
JOHN CARTER - If you still want to watch this film after seeing the trailer then more fool you. It is as bad as it looks.
Thursday 1 March 2012
WISH YOU WERE HERE - Review
Alice and Dave (Felicity Price and Joel Edgerton), married with two kids and another on the way, and Jeremy and Steph (Anthony Starr and Teresa Palmer) only a few months into a new relationship. Steph convinces her sister Alice to come on holiday with her and Jeremy partly due to the newness of her relationship and party so that Alice and Dave can have a bit of fun before the increased responsibilities a third child will bring. None of them know that much about Jeremy and what he does, other than importing items from Asia to Australia and making a hefty profit.
On their last night the two couples go to what I'm assuming is a full moon party, pop some pills and really let loose. Unfortunately for them, something goes horribly wrong on their last night and only three of them make it back. Or does it? Jeremy has in fact said that in the ultimate fantasy he would stay right where he was and never leave, so is that what he did? I don't want to say too much here because it's the mystery of this film that really carries you through, but the film transitions beautifully through the present day in Sydney and the very recent past, hinting at what might have happened, what could have happened and what shouldn't have happened.
The film is fantastically directed by Kieran Darcy-Smith, who co-wrote the script with wife and leading lady Felicity Price, and keeps you guessing simply by revealing tid-bits of information in seemingly random order, Edgerton, Price and Palmer (sounds like a law firm!) have done a splendid job with these characters and I really believed in what they were going through.
I'm going to say that if you enjoyed ANIMAL KINGDOM, you might well enjoy WISH YOU WERE HERE, while it's not quite as "blow you away" it is really well done, and got some good exposure at Sundance earlier in the year.
The ending is a little soft, and whilst it does tie up all the lose ends, I felt a little rushed and slightly disappointed. For that reason I'm giving WISH YOU WERE HERE 3.5 out of 5.
On their last night the two couples go to what I'm assuming is a full moon party, pop some pills and really let loose. Unfortunately for them, something goes horribly wrong on their last night and only three of them make it back. Or does it? Jeremy has in fact said that in the ultimate fantasy he would stay right where he was and never leave, so is that what he did? I don't want to say too much here because it's the mystery of this film that really carries you through, but the film transitions beautifully through the present day in Sydney and the very recent past, hinting at what might have happened, what could have happened and what shouldn't have happened.
The film is fantastically directed by Kieran Darcy-Smith, who co-wrote the script with wife and leading lady Felicity Price, and keeps you guessing simply by revealing tid-bits of information in seemingly random order, Edgerton, Price and Palmer (sounds like a law firm!) have done a splendid job with these characters and I really believed in what they were going through.
I'm going to say that if you enjoyed ANIMAL KINGDOM, you might well enjoy WISH YOU WERE HERE, while it's not quite as "blow you away" it is really well done, and got some good exposure at Sundance earlier in the year.
The ending is a little soft, and whilst it does tie up all the lose ends, I felt a little rushed and slightly disappointed. For that reason I'm giving WISH YOU WERE HERE 3.5 out of 5.
CARNAGE - Review
There's 18 year old liquor, un-smoked cigars, drowned cellphones, a dead hamster and a very impressive projectile vomit. This is a dark and twisted comedy and is by far the most fun I can remember having during a Roman Polanski film. It is just the right mix of awkward and funny and fascinating in an "I can't stop watching this train-wreck" kind of way. Polanski is not the first director you would think of for such a farcical comedy, however his two years under hours-arrest may have just given him the edge to capably and interestingly direct this one location film.
Based on the play God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza, this film is set within the confines of an apartment where we meet the Mr & Mrs Longstreet (John C. Reilly and Jodie Foster) and Mr & Mrs Cowan (Christoph Waltz and Kate Winslet). They have come together to have a civilised discussion about their sons, who we see get into an altercation during the opening credits. As the discussion continues, the film begins to descend into madness with each character breaking out of their restrained adult behaviour and fall just short of the monkey flinging his own poop.
At just 79 minutes this adaptation (completed by Polanski and Reza) gives each character just enough time to unfurl, without leaving the audience fidgeting and distracted as can sometimes happen with one location pieces. I'm not saying that it's believable that these characters would stay in that apartment for such an extended period of time, I for one would have left a damn sight quicker, but Polanski has done a good job of turning the Cowan's inability to leave into quite an amusing running joke.
I don't think a better team could have been found for this film than the four actors involved, and with such extensive careers behind them, I'm not surprised by their outstanding performances. Whilst I don't think there's many times you feel sorry for them, there's plenty of times you can relate and plenty of times you want to punch each of them in the face! And, I could tell that the rest of the audience felt the same, there was audible laughter and sighs of desperation and one guy even punched the armrest next to him out of what I can only imagine was frustration.
4 out of 5 for CARNAGE
Based on the play God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza, this film is set within the confines of an apartment where we meet the Mr & Mrs Longstreet (John C. Reilly and Jodie Foster) and Mr & Mrs Cowan (Christoph Waltz and Kate Winslet). They have come together to have a civilised discussion about their sons, who we see get into an altercation during the opening credits. As the discussion continues, the film begins to descend into madness with each character breaking out of their restrained adult behaviour and fall just short of the monkey flinging his own poop.
At just 79 minutes this adaptation (completed by Polanski and Reza) gives each character just enough time to unfurl, without leaving the audience fidgeting and distracted as can sometimes happen with one location pieces. I'm not saying that it's believable that these characters would stay in that apartment for such an extended period of time, I for one would have left a damn sight quicker, but Polanski has done a good job of turning the Cowan's inability to leave into quite an amusing running joke.
I don't think a better team could have been found for this film than the four actors involved, and with such extensive careers behind them, I'm not surprised by their outstanding performances. Whilst I don't think there's many times you feel sorry for them, there's plenty of times you can relate and plenty of times you want to punch each of them in the face! And, I could tell that the rest of the audience felt the same, there was audible laughter and sighs of desperation and one guy even punched the armrest next to him out of what I can only imagine was frustration.
4 out of 5 for CARNAGE
And the Oscar goes to...
What a fun party the Oscars was this year! Some lovely wine, good company and the ceremony on the big screen. Sadly I didn't win any prizes, but I did get to have a quite chat with Oscar winner Adam Elliot and I bumped into Geoffrey Rush. Exciting times!!
I've listed the winners in green, and if I got it wrong, my prediction is still in pink.
Best Picture
"The Artist"
"The Descendants"
"Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"
"Hugo"
"Midnight in Paris"
"The Help"
"Moneyball"
"War Horse"
"The Tree of Life"
"The Artist"
"The Descendants"
"Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"
"Hugo"
"Midnight in Paris"
"The Help"
"Moneyball"
"War Horse"
"The Tree of Life"
Best Actor
Demian Bichir, "A Better Life"
George Clooney, "The Descendants"
Jean Dujardin, "The Artist"
Gary Oldman, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"
Brad Pitt, "Moneyball"
Demian Bichir, "A Better Life"
George Clooney, "The Descendants"
Jean Dujardin, "The Artist"
Gary Oldman, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"
Brad Pitt, "Moneyball"
Best Actress
Glenn Close, "Albert Nobbs"
Viola Davis, "The Help"
Rooney Mara, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady"
Michelle Williams, "My Week With Marilyn"
Glenn Close, "Albert Nobbs"
Viola Davis, "The Help"
Rooney Mara, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady"
Michelle Williams, "My Week With Marilyn"
Best Supporting Actor
Kenneth Branagh, "My Week With Marilyn"
Jonah Hill, "Moneyball"
Nick Nolte, "Warrior"
Christopher Plummer, "Beginners"
Max Von Sydow, "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"
Kenneth Branagh, "My Week With Marilyn"
Jonah Hill, "Moneyball"
Nick Nolte, "Warrior"
Christopher Plummer, "Beginners"
Max Von Sydow, "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"
Best Supporting Actress
Berenice Bejo, "The Artist"
Jessica Chastain, "The Help"
Melissa McCarthy, "Bridesmaids"
Janet McTeer, "Albert Nobbs"
Octavia Spencer, "The Help"
Berenice Bejo, "The Artist"
Jessica Chastain, "The Help"
Melissa McCarthy, "Bridesmaids"
Janet McTeer, "Albert Nobbs"
Octavia Spencer, "The Help"
Best Director
Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"
Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"
Terrence Malick, "The Tree of Life"
Alexander Payne, "The Descendants"
Martin Scorsese, "Hugo"
Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"
Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"
Terrence Malick, "The Tree of Life"
Alexander Payne, "The Descendants"
Martin Scorsese, "Hugo"
Best Original Screenplay
Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"
JC Chandor, "Margin Call"
Asghar Farhadi, "A Separation"
Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"
Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, "Bridesmaids"
Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"
JC Chandor, "Margin Call"
Asghar Farhadi, "A Separation"
Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"
Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, "Bridesmaids"
Best Adapted Screenplay
Alexander Payne, Nat Faxton, Jim Rash, "The Descendants"
John Logan, "Hugo"
George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beau Willimon, "The Ides of March"
Aaron Sorkin, Steven Zaillian, "Moneyball"
Bridget O'Connor, Peter Straughn, "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy"
Alexander Payne, Nat Faxton, Jim Rash, "The Descendants"
John Logan, "Hugo"
George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beau Willimon, "The Ides of March"
Aaron Sorkin, Steven Zaillian, "Moneyball"
Bridget O'Connor, Peter Straughn, "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy"
Best Animated Feature
"A Cat In Paris"
"Chico & Rita"
"Kung Fu Panda 2"
"Puss in Boots"
"Rango"
"A Cat In Paris"
"Chico & Rita"
"Kung Fu Panda 2"
"Puss in Boots"
"Rango"
Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
Bullhead (Belgium)
Footnote (Israel)
In Darkness (Poland)
Monsieur Lazhar (Canada)
A Separation (Iran)
Bullhead (Belgium)
Footnote (Israel)
In Darkness (Poland)
Monsieur Lazhar (Canada)
A Separation (Iran)
Original Score
"The Adventures of Tintin," John Williams
"The Artist," Ludovic Bource
"Hugo," Howard Shore
"Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," Alberto Iglesias
"War Horse," John Williams
"The Adventures of Tintin," John Williams
"The Artist," Ludovic Bource
"Hugo," Howard Shore
"Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," Alberto Iglesias
"War Horse," John Williams
Best Original Song
"Man or Muppet," The Muppets; Music and Lyric by Bret McKenzie
"Real in Rio," Rio; Music by Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown, Lyric by Siedah Garrett
"Man or Muppet," The Muppets; Music and Lyric by Bret McKenzie
"Real in Rio," Rio; Music by Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown, Lyric by Siedah Garrett
Best Achievement in Art Direction
"The Artist"
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"
"Hugo"
"Midnight in Paris"
"War Horse"
"The Artist"
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"
"Hugo"
"Midnight in Paris"
"War Horse"
Best Achievement in Cinematography
"The Artist"
"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
"Hugo"
"The Tree of Life"
"War Horse"
"The Artist"
"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
"Hugo"
"The Tree of Life"
"War Horse"
Best Achievement in Costume Design
"Anonymous"
"The Artist"
"Hugo"
"Jane Eyre"
"W.E."
"Anonymous"
"The Artist"
"Hugo"
"Jane Eyre"
"W.E."
Best Documentary Feature - I've only seen PINA so I chose it, but I can't really make a sound judgement here as I haven't seen any of the others!
"Hell and Back Again"
"If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front"
"Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory"
"Pina"
"Undefeated"
"Hell and Back Again"
"If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front"
"Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory"
"Pina"
"Undefeated"
Best Documentary Short Subject - I haven't seen any of these at all, but I like the sound of TSUNAMI AND THE CHERRY BLOSSOM, so I chose that
"The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement?"
"God Is the Bigger Elvis"
"Incident in New Baghdad"
"Saving Face"
"The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom"
"The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement?"
"God Is the Bigger Elvis"
"Incident in New Baghdad"
"Saving Face"
"The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom"
Best Achievement in Film Editing
"The Artist"
"The Descendants"
"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
"Hugo"
"Moneyball"
"The Artist"
"The Descendants"
"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
"Hugo"
"Moneyball"
Best Achievement in Makeup
"Albert Nobbs"
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"
"The Iron Lady"
"Albert Nobbs"
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"
"The Iron Lady"
Best Animated Short Film
Dimanche/Sunday
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
La Luna
A Morning Stroll
Wild Life
Dimanche/Sunday
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
La Luna
A Morning Stroll
Wild Life
Best Live Action Short Film
"Pentecost"
"Raju"
"The Shore"
"Time Freak"
"Tuba Atlantic"
"Pentecost"
"Raju"
"The Shore"
"Time Freak"
"Tuba Atlantic"
Best Achievement in Sound Editing
"Drive"
"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
"Hugo"
"Transformers: Dark of the Moon"
"War Horse"
"Drive"
"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
"Hugo"
"Transformers: Dark of the Moon"
"War Horse"
Best Achievement in Sound Mixing
"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
"Hugo"
"Moneyball"
"Transformers: Dark of the Moon"
"War Horse"
"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
"Hugo"
"Moneyball"
"Transformers: Dark of the Moon"
"War Horse"
Best Achievement in Visual Effects
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"
"Hugo"
"Real Steel"
"Rise of the Planet of the Apes"
"Transformers: Dark of the Moon"
So I didn't do too badly this year getting 14 out of 24 of the categories correct. There are a few winners that I didn't necessarily agree with including sound mixing and sound editing, but overall most of the winners were fairly predictable.
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"
"Hugo"
"Real Steel"
"Rise of the Planet of the Apes"
"Transformers: Dark of the Moon"
So I didn't do too badly this year getting 14 out of 24 of the categories correct. There are a few winners that I didn't necessarily agree with including sound mixing and sound editing, but overall most of the winners were fairly predictable.
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