Prometheus

REVIEW BY NATALIE WARWICK

Ah Prometheus, the long awaited prequel to the Alien Quadrilogy. Now I did not like alien but that doesn't mean I wasn't looking forward to this. In my mind, it was to be what Alien would have been, had it been made 30 years later.

Visually Prometheus is stunning. The special effects are amazing... infact technically this film can not be faulted. It is everything a blockbuster should be. The grand scale of the action needs to be enjoyed at the cinema though to really give it justice. It is the second film we've seen on the Imax screen and obviously the viewing experience was nothing but enhanced by this. Watching crisp (3D) HD on a 7 story screen can't not.

Prometheus is the ship which transports an exploration crew through space, using an ancient star map. In order to learn more about 'our' (the human race's) beginnings. There are lots of parallels between this and the original Alien film it had to be said. I would say that about 2/3 the way through Prometheus breaks away from the Alien blueprint and becomes it's own.

I liked this film and would happily watch it again. It doesn't make me want to scream at the TV: "don't do that" - so that is a plus. The characters are relatable and although parallels can be drawn between the Alien cast and these - they aren't as loathable. I feel each character brings some important element to the action. Special credit should be given to Michael Fassbender's performance as David. He is miles away from Magneto (X-men: First Class) or Lt Archie Hicox (Inglourious Basterds) His character brings another dimension to the story too, which is quite profound in a way.

The running of the film is every smooth. Action jumps from scene to scene well and there are no lag or dud scenes. Even the scenes between characters are pragmatic. They have created a great balance between drama and the high action. Time flew by and I left the cinema happy with what I had experienced.

Year: 2012
Classification: 15
Length: 124 mins
More info at IMDb

Men In Black 3

REVIEW BY NATALIE WARWICK

Here comes the men in black... galaxy defender aha aha.... 10 years after the second instalment MIB is back and for all you die hards out there it does not disappoint. Quite honestly Will Smith (Agent J) doesn't look like he's aged a day and Tommy Lee Jones (Agent K) has kept up his end as the dry, humourless partner. The pace is there, the humour is there and the story is great. This time we go back in time as we join J in his quest to save his partner and change the fate of the world.

I really don't know what to say about this film other than it was highly enjoyable. I was engrossed through out. Its writers Cohen and Cunningham have done a grand job at creating a great movie in its own right and a very satisfying sequel.

Hopefully we'll see more MIB movies in the near future. In short: I highly recommend this film. End.

Ooh and a quick FYI - Boris the Animal is played by Jermaine Clement (of Flight of the Conchords fame)! I did not call that!

Year: 2012
Classification: PG
Running Time: 106 mins
More info at IMDb

Alien - 2003 directors cut

REVIEW BY NATALIE WARWICK

Please note this is just my opinion, however some may feel like this is a waste of time as, in the words of Tom, it is legendary and to review it would be like reviewing Gandhi or Mother Theresa...

We watched Alien to get us prepared for the upcoming release of Prometheus. A prequel of the original quadrilogy. Now previous to today, I had never seen this before. Sure I had heard of it and seen it at the top end of the "greatest films of all time" TV shows and have most definitely seen THAT scene before, but I have never wanted to watch it. My distaste for horrors you see. But my friend asked me recently whether doing this film review site is going to spur me on to see films out of my comfort zone and I guess the answer is yes.

The basic premise is that an exploration team are travelling through space in 2122 and have been drawn towards a uncharted planet by a believed distress call....

The tag line is "In space no one can hear you scream" or snore... where the case may be. It was OK. I guess I was expecting much more from such a well loved film. But I guess I have been spoilt by the quality of the films of today and in comparison Alien just didn't cut it. We watched the 2003 directors cut. Meaning there are scenes that have been added and omitted by Ridley Scott in a bid to update the original sequence.

The premise is very good and the scenes in the beginning are quite exciting and I was intrigued to see what was going to happen. Unfortunately the crew annoyed the hell out of me. Their downfall appearing through their idiocy and 'annoying' determination not to listen to anything that Ripley (Third officer played by Sigourney Weaver) had to say rather than that of a overpowering, destructive alien taking over the ship.

It's OK but one I wouldn't recommend, unless your a die hard Horror Sci-Fi fan. I am sure there are a few hundred thousand people who disagree with me but what can I do. Not for me.

Year: originally 1979 / 2003 directors cut
Running Time: originally 115 minutes, cut down to 75 minutes
Classification: 15
see IMBd for more info

Avengers Assemble

REVIEW BY TOM WORFOLK


I will try to keep this as spoiler free as possible as I HATE spoilers with a passion but if the occasional one slips in then it will only be minor and I promise it will not spoil your viewing pleasure.



For those of you that may have been living with your head in the sand for the last five years then Avengers Assemble (The Avengers in other parts of the world) is the highly anticipated film from Marvel studios which sees Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Bruce Banner/Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans), Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Clint Barton/Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) all coming together to work as one unit for S.H.I.E.L.D under the watchful eye of Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson).

The team are brought together to fight Thor's evil brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) as he trys to unleash a powerful evil on the planet via the use of the all powerful cosmic-cube. However, in order to fight as a team they must become a team and as the Heroes are are all very large personalities used to working solo it takes a bit of time to build a mutual respect for one another.

Marvel have done it again and this time not only have they hit it out of the stadium the ball has left the universe. This film is awesome. I watched it in 3D at an IMAX screen at the Cineworld cinema in Crawley and it was breathtaking. The 3D effects were amazing and the sound blew you away. It was a completely immersive experience and I think I actually forgot to breath in the first 10 minutes of the film.

The film is action from start to end, it doesn't drop the pace at all and it doesn't drag either (even with its runtime of 2 hours and 20mins). The fight scenes are awesome as well - kudos to the special effects guys at Marvel as they always seem to do a great job. All of the characters are played well but me and Natalie both agree that Tony Stark just manages to draw the attention of the audience more than the others heroes. That isn't to say that's a bad thing as Stark is probably the character I would most like to be out of all of them.

This film is a roller coaster of entertainment and whether you are into your comic books (and there are lots of excellent "geek" references which I picked up) or whether you just want to see an action flick that will leave you breathless this is the one to watch.

In my opinion it is going to take an awful lot to top this one for film of the year 2012.

As a side note prior to the film there was a trailer for the final Batman film and it too looks AMAZING!!!

Year: 2012

running time: 142 minutes

classification: 12A

For more info look on the imdb website

The Hunger Games

REVIEW BY NATALIE WARWICK

Ah the Hunger Games. The eagerly awaited movie adaptation of Suzanne Collins first novel, in her wildly popular and successful trilogy. It is too easy to get into comparison mode. It was better in the book, it wasn't like that in the book.. etc. etc. So as we are a film review site i'm going to try and review the film as a separate and unique entity.

However one must nod towards the original material and no self respecting reviewer can't not answer the question - does it do the book justice? Quick answer: yes. It covers all the key bits in the book and anything which has been omitted or slightly altered doesn't affect the story. The only thing to say, though, is that the film gives a persepctive beyond the main character and shows things which you don't actually learn about until the 2nd or 3rd book. Also characters are developed and scenes are played out which are not in any book full stop. In this respect the film is an extension of the book and gives you more of an insight into the world and of the story that Collins created.

The Hunger Games centres around 16 year old Katnis Everdeen (played by the strikingly beautiful Jennifer Lawrence. Who was, FYI, also in X-Men First Class and played Mystique), who lives in a very underprivileged district in a post apocalyptic America called Panem. She lives in a world where her people are forced to enter one girl and one boy (from 12 to 18 years old) from each of their districts into a 'fight to the death' reality show. In a bid for the ruling state 'the Capitol' to keep control over them and prevent rebellion. Katnis is the unlucky girl this year and with the unlucky boy, Peeta (played by Josh Hutcherson), she embarks upon the Capitol to murder her fellow contestants for the amusement of the Capitol residents... I'm going to leave the plot there because I think saying anymore will be saying too much so if you like what you read and want more then go and watch it...

I was surprised that the running time is a lengthy 2 hours and 12 minutes long because I felt that the story flew past. there was never a moment which I thought it lagged or was wishing for it to be over. For me it was a real thrilling ride of two people fighting against adversity. the film touches upon violent themes and there's a lot of fighting on screen but they are really played down. I was expecting much worse so if your squeamish or do not like violence then you can still watch this film comfortably. I watched this mainly in shock and dismay at the horrific way of life which are played out on screen, but the awful circumstances only propel you to route for the protagonists even more.

Its fast paced and full of action but at its core very sad and very thought provoking. The themes touched upon definitely parallel our own world such as: the realities of war combined with our fascination with reality TV and celebrity. Definitely one to watch.

Year: 2012

Running time: 142 minutes

Classification: 12A

for more info check out the IMDB website

Captain America: The First Avenger

REVIEW BY NATALIE WARWICK
I saw this again last week on DVD and again pretty damn enjoyed it! Set in 1941 It tells the story of skinny, short guy Steve Rogers (played by Chris Evans) who keeps being rejected from the army. Still determined to fight, his courage and strength of character captures the attention of a scientist who deems to transform him into a super soldier. 

In turn he fights Red Skull who has been corrupted by an ancient power. The scenery is pretty spectacular and there are very tongue in cheek moments which pay homage to the comic book theme (like names of cities on warheads). Although it is an easy watch with a perfect mix of action, drama and sentimentality. This film, more than the other Avenger films (Iron Man, Thor, The Hulk), definitely homes into the fact that The Avengers is the second part of Captain America's story... I guess the clues in the title.

on a slightly different note: I watched this film, originally, in 3D and it was actually the first film in a very long time that I felt like I was having a 3D experience. I don't know if 3D technology has improved dramatically  but it definately improved the cinema experience for me that time around any way. Sidestepping slightly again, a bit girly this time too, I was sidetracked a few times by Peggy Carter's makeup (played by Hayley Atwell) and thinking ways in which I could replicate the 1940's look ;-).

To conclude, if you are a superhero movie lover please watch this. It continues to be as enjoyable and fun every time I watch it. It ticks all the action, adventure boxes.. and is a real route for the little guy.. the moral of the story: its not super strength or speed or the gadgets that make you a superhero its your heart and courage and strength of mind. Love it.

Year: 2011

Running Time: 124 minutes

Classification: 12A

for more info check out the IMDB website 

X-Men: First Class

REVIEW BY NATALIE WARWICK
X-Men: First Class was my favourite film of 2011. My quick advice is: IT IS AWESOME, please watch it immediately.

I'm a fan of the X-Men franchise anyway and superhero movies are always high action and colourful so they are easy films to get absorbed into. X-Men: first class excels on these points but the film goes so much further than that...

X-Men: First Class is a prequel to the original trilogy and tells the story of the beginnings of Charles Xavier (Professor X, played by James McAvoy) and Erik Lensherr (Magneto, played by Michael Fassbender) and of the first X-Men Mission. We get to understand perhaps the later motives of the characters via great acting performances, a well written script and awesome special effects. These special affects are so awesome I was left with jaw ache as I hung my mouth open in astonishment and awe as Magneto wraps a huge anchor chain around a yacht...

The film has a very human element to it as well and shows young people trying to come to terms with their assumed misgivings and shows their struggle to create identities for themselves and try and take the side =which is true to them.

In conclusion: I cannot rave about this film enough. If your not really a film person, and have stumbled upon this site by mistake, please see this one I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

Year: 2011

Running Time: 132 minutes

Classification: 12A

For more info check out the IMDB website

Chronicle

REVIEW BY TOM WORFOLK

Not a lot was known about this film… I hadn’t seen a trailer, not read about it in any magazines in fact I hadn’t even heard of it. Now that is not to say that I hadn’t seen anything or read anything about it but it just hadn’t stuck in my mind. The first time it jumped out at me was in fact when a couple of friends posted about it on Facebook.

Now I won’t name and shame them but suffice to say that these people are what I would consider “film buffs” – one of them has even produced and directed his own film – but they are usually quite critical with their opinions. So when they post on Facebook that this is a must see film I have to admit that my interest gets peaked.

And when I went to see it – I wasn’t disappointed….This film is awesome.

The story follows Andrew (Dane DeHaan), his cousin Matt (Alex Russell) and a fellow high school student Steve (Michael B. Jordan) as they each receive special powers from an unknown artifact. Going through this “change” together brings them together as a close-nit group and they start to use their abilities for mischief and personal gain. Unfortunately the temptation of power is hard to resist and it isn’t long until it gets used for darker purposes.

This science fiction film is a directorial debut for Josh Trank and is the first feature film written by Max Landis and boy have they done a great job. It is presented to the viewer as “found footage” filmed by the gang on various differing video recording devices (mainly Andrew’s hand-held camcorder he uses to document his life). It has been made on a tight budget but it doesn’t suffer from it as the special effects are great. There is one scene where Andrew, in a fit of rage, closes his fist and the car next to him gets crushed from either end – how did they do that….?

The visual style puts the viewer right into the middle of things and it helps keep the pace quite fast as the group only really filmed things that were worth filming. The script is sharp and intelligent and the powerful performances from the three main characters make it stand out a mile from other “found footage” style films.

The film is excellent and really worth a watch – if you get the DVD/Bluray then watch it with the lights down low and the sound turned up to really immerse yourself.

Already looking forward to Chronicle 2…

Year: 2012

running time: 84 minutes

classification: 12A

For more info look on the imdb website