Life of Pi

REVIEW BY NATALIE WARWICK

Life of Pi is a visual masterpiece. The special affects and cinematography are fabulous. The colours and the vibrancy are so stunning and the beauty of the animals in particular, are captured amazingly well. In 3D you feel as thgough they could jump out of the screen. It truly encapsulates an amazing cinema experience.

Not only is it a feast for the eyes and an epic adventure it is brimming with metaphores concerning the big questions in life, such as: the meaning of life? does God exist? What is true faith? and so on and so forth. It tells the story of Pi and of his extrordinary journey when a cargo ship transporting his family from India to Canada sinks leaving him shipwrecked with Richard Parker, the friendly Bengal Tiger!!

The movie experience is thoroughly entertaining and awe inspiring, However I felt that something may have been lost in translation from the book. I felt there was a core density to the story which wasn't coming through as well as it should have on screen. Don't get me wrong it's fabulous and deserves all the awards people want to throw at it but I think I'm going to read the book to fill in the gaps.

Year: 2012
Length: 127 mins
Classification: 12
More info on the IMDb
 

Anna Karenina

REVIEW BY NATALIE WARWICK

Tolstoys Anna Karenina isn't a new tale to me. I've long known the story so I was very much looking forward to seeing it come to life on the big screen. It tells the story of an aristocrat in late 19th century Russia and of her illicit affair with the dashing Count Vronsky. It's dangerous and passionate and fabulous. I was hooked from the word go.

Where this film shines is that it is set in a real life theatre and all the different areas of which make the scenes. The great halls where the parties are held are set in the auditorium and when they go outside they go to the riggings high above the stage. I found it intriguing and gave a 4th dimension to an already fabulous story. Lots of theatrical techniques are used in the film too: like scenes acted out in dance and mime, extreme emotions given more meaning through blackouts and freezeframes and spot lights... Also like a play you get the feeling that meaning is given to every aspect and breath of this film. The beautiful costume and Chanel jewelry are a mesh of 1800 and 1950's style. The idea is not to be 100% authentic but rather to add to the impression of high glamour and sophistication of the film.

Anna Karenina was 2 hours of joy. I was swept away by not only forbidden love, self destruction and suffocating social convention but because of how it was portrayed through the fabulous production and costume design. It is a truly beautiful film which I relished every second of. It doesn't please all unfortunately because Tom found it boring. His review consisted of a succession of zzzz's; but for me it was bliss. If your a fan of period drama and love stories and fabulous fashion you will adore this film too.

Classification: 12A

Year: 2012
Length: 129 mins
More info at IMDB

Django Unchained

REVIEW BY NATALIE WARWICK

Django Unchained is pure Tarantino, gory, uncomfortable viewing at times, gory, uber violent and... funny? Tarantino has this knack of making the most gruesome scene overflow with slapstick and satire. For example in Django Unchained somebody gets shot, blood splatters everywhere. What follows is a crowd of people screaming in synchronicity and then run away; complete with crippled show girl hobbling away. It's really very clever how he can use grotesque violence and then flip it around 180 to get the audience howling in their seats. He's been able to achieve this since Pulp Fiction. Like Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill and the rest Tarantino has once again hit the nail on the head with his 8th film. It's insanely dark, tongue-in-cheek and brilliant. If your a fan of his work then I promise you will not be disappointed with Django Unchained.

Set in 1858, two years before the Civil war in the deep south. A German bounty hunter Dr King Shultz enlists the help of slave Django and in doing so frees him and trains him up as his protege. Django, however has a quest of his own - to save his wife from the notorious Candy Land plantation.

Aswell as a killer script, cult classic style and fabulous pace, Django unchained has a stellar cast. Jamie Foxx plays it cool as Django, The slave turned bounty hunter, who slowly grows in confidence as he comes to terms with freedom. Christolph Waltz triumphs as the German bounty hunter. His characterisation is second to none. He is my favourite character and a real joy to watch. I also loved watching Leonardo Di Caprio nail yet another diverse and interesting role. He plays the villain Calvin Candie, a man who talks of superiority of caucasian men but is almost comically ignorant and misinformed. Samuel L Jackson's performance was excellent as the nasty crippled and aged butler of Candie Land.

Again I cannot rave about this film enough. Fans of dark comedy and Tarantino films watch this ASAP. If your not affiliated with Tarantino movies approach with caution. If your easily offended or don't enjoy unadulterated violence, cruelty and strong language avoid. For me, I found Django Unchained a hell of a ride. I can't wait to watch it again! One word: Epic!

Classification: 18
Length: 165 mins
Year: 2012
More info at IMDb

 

Silver Linings Playbook

REVIEW BY NATALIE WARWICK

Silver Linings Playbook was a good film but one which we, Tom and I, had categorised as a filler movie. You know one for Jennifer Lawrence to do in between The Hunger Games and Bradley Cooper before The Hangover 3. But apparently not. With 8 Oscar nominations in total Hollywood obviously values this movie over the vast other romcoms they churn out - but why?

I think the answer is that it isn't your run of the mill rom-com. It tells a love story but one which also deals with the "shock...horror" issue of mental health... Our main character Pat (Cooper) suffers with bi-polar disorder. The "love interest" Tiffany (Lawrence) is suffering with depression, through severe grief. So off the bat Silver Linings Playbook is more than an enjoyable film it's trying to raise awareness of mental health problems.

The film unravels around Pat on his release from a mental institution. He's hell bent on rekindling his relationship with his wife but in doing so we're introduced to his dysfunctional family and learn that everyone has their idiosyncrasies and issues that their dealing with. We see Pats friends with their perfect house which you can't but help see the cracks peak through and Pats Dad Pat Snr. (Robert De Niro) who's superstitions and betting on football games takes a downward spiral. In amongst all the drama that Pat and Tiffancy help each other deal with their own demons by training for a dancing competition.

Pat and Tiffanys performances of people suffering with mental health problems is extremely acute. In fact all performances are raw and heartfelt.This slice of life movie feels very close to the bone. It's real life. I relate to these people as I would relate to anybody in my real life. It's a film which will be enjoyed by those of you that enjoyed Little Miss Sunshine or Sunshine Cleaning.

It seems that the time has come for gush epic stories such as The Notebook, The Vow or The Time travellers wife to give way to a more realistic, and I think stronger for it, love stories such as  Love and Other Drugs and of course Silver Linings Playbook to reign supreme. I think Lawrence might clinch the Oscar for this one. Fingers crossed.

Year: 2012
Classification: 15
Duration: 122 minutes
More info at IMDB

Skyfall

REVIEW BY NATALIE WARWICK

Celebrating 50 years of the James Bond franchise, skyfall, the 23rd film and Daniel Craig's 3rd outing as the 00 himself, finally hit cinemas last November. I went with one question on my mind: Will it be as good as Casino Royale?

As soon as Craig's Bond didn't give a damn whether his martini was shaken or stirred we all knew that the new bond movies weren't going to follow the same mould as the rest. And Skyfall, in particular, doesn't follow the same course as any other Bond movie. Sure it keeps some vital bond ingredients, but then it goes off on its own and throws the blueprint in the bin.

This Bond movie is much more sentimental than the rest. Despite having lots of references to the bond franchise as a whole and being tongue in cheek with it, Skyfall, at its heart, is a much bleaker insight: Showing the MI6 and its agents being hunted down by an old adversary leading them into Bond's past.

At times Skyfall is more Home Alone than James Bond but an enjoyable experience all the same. It made me laugh, cry and route for their triumph. Dame Judy Dench's performance, like always, was excellent and Daniel Craig's Bond has always been great. Although, in my estimation, it wasn't as enjoyable a ride as Casino Royale, it is a good film in its own right. I can't wait for the next one!!

Year: 2012
Classification: 12A
Duration: 143 minutes
More info at IMDB

 

Les Miserables

REVIEW BY TOM WORFOLK

This show is the longest running musical show in modern history. It's a two and a half hour romp through the ups (who am I kidding) and downs of early 1800s Paris.

Written in 1862 by Victor Hugo the story examines the nature of law and grace. The novel elaborates upon the history of France, the architecture and urban design of Paris, politics, moral philosophy, antimonarchism, justice, religion, and the types and nature of romantic and familial love.

The film adaptation (lifted straight from the West End/Broadway show) follows Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman), an ex-convict turned Mayor who promises to look after a dying prostitues (Anne Hathaway) illegitimate daughter, Cosette (Amanda Seigfried). Due to the fact that our "hero" skipped out on probation, Javert (our friendly police officer played by Russell Crowe) has made it his life's mission to track down and bring Valjean to justice. The story spans 17 years and is set in a world of political turmoil, which finally culminates in the June Rebellion of France.

The performances were excellent and strong. There were moments that made you forget that these people aren't professional singers but then there are moments that remind you they aren't. Watching Wolverine sing reminded me of watching Bond sing in Mama Mia but Jackman was slightly better to be fair.

One complaint a friend of mine had was that he thought Crowe was miscast as Javert as he should be more rugged and gruff. I don't necessarily agree with this but it does demonstrate well how individuals will relate and empathise with different characters in the story due to their different backgrounds and outlooks on life.

One thing is for sure though, when the cast start singing "do you hear the people sing" there won't be a person watching that doesn't feel the beauty of the song and the passion of the revolution that its meant to represent.

Overall it's an enjoyable experience and if you like watching musicals (and for some reason you haven't seen this at the west-end or Broadway) then you won't be disappointed with this one.

Nat's two cents worth
Les Mis is the first movie I have ever seen which I knew all the words before hand. I found the opening scene spectacular. I loved it. I also loved Russell Crowes portrayal of Javert. But what I found dissapointing was the hollywood shine. I felt that the movie didn't really portray the awful and "miserable" lives which I always imagined. It's all a bit too clean if you know what I mean. What the film did focus in on though was how small in scale the June Rebellion was and how tragic the whole affair was. I also felt Cosette's (Siegfried) voice could have been stronger (don't hate me :-() and Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter did what they do best, as the comic relief, as Thenardier and Madame Thenardier; although their part took me back to Sweeney Todd and half expected Jonny Depp to come round the corner at any moment!

Year: 2012
Classification: 12A
Duration: 158 minutes
More info at IMDB
 

Lincoln

REVIEW BY NATALIE WARWICK

With the most Oscar nominations of the year, 12 in total including best picture, Lincoln was always going to be one to see...once...just to say "yeah I saw that." In the words of Tom - "it is one of those movies which will be very good but I won't enjoy it." Let me explain.

I personally felt very ill whilst watching this so perhaps I would have enjoyed it better had I been well. However this film did nothing to elevate my mood. Set in dark rooms with atmospheric piercing rays of light shining through open windows; the film was comprised of many little interview scenes which I felt would be better placed on the stage.

Set in 1865 It is a heart wrenching story depicting President Lincoln's struggle during the last months of the civil war and his fight to pass the 13th Amendment of the American constitution. It was very interesting yet baffling to see the mind set of people who refused to banish slavery.

The highlights for me where the supporting roles of Mary Todd Lincoln brilliantly played by Sally Field. Her passionate and brilliant portrayal of the presidents wife was fabulous. Truly remarkable. She's nominated for the Oscar and she truly deserves to win it. And Thaddeus Stevens played by Tommy Lee Jones. He played the quiet hero with dignity and respect. At his finest hour I might have have given a silent applause. And obviously Daniel Day Lewis played Lincoln fantastically well too. What was also great was the costume and production design. Everything was perfect down to the finest detail.

So it's a conundrum: every part of this film is perfect but all together it wasn't a particularly satisfying experience due to the loooonnngg dialogue and lack of action. If your not a particular fan of the actors or a big cinema goer I think this is a film to watch if you are interested in the civil war. I learnt a lot about it and have a much better insight into the politics of the time. I predict this movie will be a great learning resource in schools when it comes out on DVD... "watch this and take notes."

Year: 2012
Certificate: 12A
Length: 150 minutes
More info at IMDB