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Jason Blight

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Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor

 

Character Study : Cole Phelps (La Noire) YES THIS POST DOES CONTAIN SPOILERS, LIKE MAJOR SPOILERS LIKE IF YOU HAVEN’T PLAYED THE GAME DON’T READ. A Game that inherits the style of the film Genre LA Noir. The famous genre popularised in the 1940-50’s. Any fan or person that has knowledge of that genre would know that the apparent hero isn’t as clean cut as they seem. An Anti Hero more like, looks like the classical hero but with more depth, complexity and a hint of corruption the character will fall.  Cole Phelps is an exact blueprint of this La Noir “Hero”. From the outside Cole Phelps is a poster boy, clean cut, moral and brave. He seems like the classical film hero. Even in a city full of corruption, Phelps combats through the tainted city through his own style and battling the old and flawed justice system.  However When we delve into his history during the War in the Pacific, we see the blood on his hands, the lack of emotion he portrayed throughout the war. Risked lives for useless missions and endangered soldiers for futile objectives. he was hated in his company and was “wrongly” awarded a medal for his bravery. Also Phelps when enticed with beauty, in the shape of Femme Fatale Elsa Lichtmann, he has an affair with the German Singer. Phelps, like the many LA Noir Central Characters is heavily flawed and is in no way perfect. However the complexity of these character and especially Cole Phelps is there charm. The time for perfect, clean cut heroes is outdated and realistic flawed heroes are however becoming more popular and in some cases create a cult following. The Dogma of storytelling should tell us that we should hate these characters, However the simplicity of good and evil is blurred in Cole Phelps. Under all those flaws Phelps has a good heart and we see that in the case of his final act of saving Jack Kelso, Not his friend but someone he respected.  Some people see Jack Kelso as the titular hero in the game as he does represent the classical cinematic hero. Always helping other people in cost of his own health. But he is the helper in the story. To Help Phelps push towards his final redeeming act.  Cole’s Complexity is the reason why he is a favoured character in the franchise. Even with his flaws, he is a good man. Nobody is perfect. And his final act shows that of saving Jack Kelso.  LA Noir in the 1940’s were limited with restrictions in cinema which stated if someone did something bad they should pay for it. And The Game LA Noire follows this. Cole Phelps even though redeemed himself in the end, because he had an affair and killed innocent people he had to die in the end to bring that level of justice to a balance.  Cole Phelps is no perfect classic Hero, But his layers of Complexity, creates something real to human beings and creates a more commited connection as he has more qualities of a human then a ideal of the perfect, moral hero.

Character Study : Cole Phelps (La Noire) YES THIS POST DOES CONTAIN SPOILERS, LIKE MAJOR SPOILERS LIKE IF YOU HAVEN’T PLAYED THE GAME DON’T READ.

A Game that inherits the style of the film Genre LA Noir. The famous genre popularised in the 1940-50’s. Any fan or person that has knowledge of that genre would know that the apparent hero isn’t as clean cut as they seem. An Anti Hero more like, looks like the classical hero but with more depth, complexity and a hint of corruption the character will fall. 

Cole Phelps is an exact blueprint of this La Noir “Hero”. From the outside Cole Phelps is a poster boy, clean cut, moral and brave. He seems like the classical film hero. Even in a city full of corruption, Phelps combats through the tainted city through his own style and battling the old and flawed justice system. 

However When we delve into his history during the War in the Pacific, we see the blood on his hands, the lack of emotion he portrayed throughout the war. Risked lives for useless missions and endangered soldiers for futile objectives. he was hated in his company and was “wrongly” awarded a medal for his bravery. Also Phelps when enticed with beauty, in the shape of Femme Fatale Elsa Lichtmann, he has an affair with the German Singer.

Phelps, like the many LA Noir Central Characters is heavily flawed and is in no way perfect. However the complexity of these character and especially Cole Phelps is there charm. The time for perfect, clean cut heroes is outdated and realistic flawed heroes are however becoming more popular and in some cases create a cult following. The Dogma of storytelling should tell us that we should hate these characters, However the simplicity of good and evil is blurred in Cole Phelps. Under all those flaws Phelps has a good heart and we see that in the case of his final act of saving Jack Kelso, Not his friend but someone he respected. 

Some people see Jack Kelso as the titular hero in the game as he does represent the classical cinematic hero. Always helping other people in cost of his own health. But he is the helper in the story. To Help Phelps push towards his final redeeming act. 

Cole’s Complexity is the reason why he is a favoured character in the franchise. Even with his flaws, he is a good man. Nobody is perfect. And his final act shows that of saving Jack Kelso. 

LA Noir in the 1940’s were limited with restrictions in cinema which stated if someone did something bad they should pay for it. And The Game LA Noire follows this. Cole Phelps even though redeemed himself in the end, because he had an affair and killed innocent people he had to die in the end to bring that level of justice to a balance. 

Cole Phelps is no perfect classic Hero, But his layers of Complexity, creates something real to human beings and creates a more commited connection as he has more qualities of a human then a ideal of the perfect, moral hero.

Kermit’s Story

Time To Watch one of my favourite Films of all time!

Time To Watch one of my favourite Films of all time!

Film Review- Super 8 (2011) I Finally got round to watching this film and I’m so glad that I did. This is the film I have been waiting for. A film that is my ideal idea of how a film should be made. JUST FINALLY! Plot- After the death of his mother, Kid, Joe Lamb starts to make a film with his mates and falls for a girl, whose father was blamed for the death of Joe’s mother. So His Father doesn’t want them hanging around each other. While filming a scene in a train station, the train crashes carrying military objects which ensues mayhem in the little town.  Review - Before I start Praising the hell out of this film I want to rant a little about the current state of films. People look at every film and want originality, They want some social message underlaid in a series of cinema techniques. They want some complex intertwined story line that destroys the classical structure. They want something edgy or outside the box. This Film here has none of that and i would put this film in the top ten films that has come out of the past decade. This film is as classical as you get. It’s exactly like a Steven Spielberg/JJ Abrams Film. This has the mysticism of ET and the Lens Flare of JJ Abrams.  We have a simple story line about a teen falling for a girl but is stopped by their parents and “the thing in the train”. The two leads are perfect in this film. Two great child actors that I hope they have a bright future ahead of them which I know is a rarity. The best thing about this film though is the chemistry of Joe and his mates. It just seems like a real batch of friends. It’s reminiscent of the Goonies. The whole group worked and had their own traits and it was funnier then I expected. They swore like kids, talked about what kids actually talk about. I applaud the writing and the actors for that. This is literary the best kid ensemble film I have seen since the Goonies which is one of my favourite films because it just works.  The only downfall is the huge amount of CG which isn’ t needed as much as it should of done but that whats you get with these two directors. You have a Spielbergesque little cute story, injected with JJ Abrams going big with explosions but he’s no Michael Bay. Abrams cares about the story. This is what the films centers on. Behind the CGI and the explosions and the generic Army characters and the Generic Alien, Generic Angry Dad. It has a story with so much heart, so much magic. It’s a small Ode to ET.  Overall: That film had Generic Characters but is considered a classic and It is a complete insult if you don’t put this film with it.  This film may lack Originality, it doesn’t conquer new ground but it doesn’t have to. Films are made  to enjoy. To Tell a story and this film has a cute story that is enjoyable, funny and action packed. It’s everything I love in a film. The only tragedy is that this film wasn’t as popular as bland sequels or instant Cash Cows. Not many people have seen this film or forgets about it but this film should be praised so much because it not only goes against every film being made today, it goes back to what actually makes a film good. Story and Characters. If your film has that. you don’t need intertwined stories, complex time frames, explosions or a cash cow franchise. Super 8 is a film that gives a nod to film makers and is the right film to do that because this film is how you should make films.  Film Rating - 9.5/10

Film Review- Super 8 (2011)

I Finally got round to watching this film and I’m so glad that I did. This is the film I have been waiting for. A film that is my ideal idea of how a film should be made. JUST FINALLY!

Plot- After the death of his mother, Kid, Joe Lamb starts to make a film with his mates and falls for a girl, whose father was blamed for the death of Joe’s mother. So His Father doesn’t want them hanging around each other. While filming a scene in a train station, the train crashes carrying military objects which ensues mayhem in the little town. 

Review - Before I start Praising the hell out of this film I want to rant a little about the current state of films. People look at every film and want originality, They want some social message underlaid in a series of cinema techniques. They want some complex intertwined story line that destroys the classical structure. They want something edgy or outside the box. This Film here has none of that and i would put this film in the top ten films that has come out of the past decade. This film is as classical as you get. It’s exactly like a Steven Spielberg/JJ Abrams Film. This has the mysticism of ET and the Lens Flare of JJ Abrams. 

We have a simple story line about a teen falling for a girl but is stopped by their parents and “the thing in the train”. The two leads are perfect in this film. Two great child actors that I hope they have a bright future ahead of them which I know is a rarity. The best thing about this film though is the chemistry of Joe and his mates. It just seems like a real batch of friends. It’s reminiscent of the Goonies. The whole group worked and had their own traits and it was funnier then I expected. They swore like kids, talked about what kids actually talk about. I applaud the writing and the actors for that. This is literary the best kid ensemble film I have seen since the Goonies which is one of my favourite films because it just works. 

The only downfall is the huge amount of CG which isn’ t needed as much as it should of done but that whats you get with these two directors. You have a Spielbergesque little cute story, injected with JJ Abrams going big with explosions but he’s no Michael Bay. Abrams cares about the story. This is what the films centers on. Behind the CGI and the explosions and the generic Army characters and the Generic Alien, Generic Angry Dad. It has a story with so much heart, so much magic. It’s a small Ode to ET. 

Overall: That film had Generic Characters but is considered a classic and It is a complete insult if you don’t put this film with it.  This film may lack Originality, it doesn’t conquer new ground but it doesn’t have to. Films are made  to enjoy. To Tell a story and this film has a cute story that is enjoyable, funny and action packed. It’s everything I love in a film. The only tragedy is that this film wasn’t as popular as bland sequels or instant Cash Cows. Not many people have seen this film or forgets about it but this film should be praised so much because it not only goes against every film being made today, it goes back to what actually makes a film good. Story and Characters. If your film has that. you don’t need intertwined stories, complex time frames, explosions or a cash cow franchise. Super 8 is a film that gives a nod to film makers and is the right film to do that because this film is how you should make films. 

Film Rating - 9.5/10

(POLICE ACADEMY MARATHON) Quick Film Review - Police Academy (1984)  The famous Ensemble 80’s Comedy About a new batch taken under the Police Academy Program. An Introduction to some of the most famous characters in Comedy as the Cocky Calm Maloney, The “Black” Guy That makes the sounds, High Tower and the very quiet but VERY LOUD!!!!! Police Women and The Rambo Tackleberry are created.  I don’t care what anyone says this is an 80’s comedy classic. A lot of famous moments in this film that still create an uproar of laughter. Especially the blowjob scene and the Gay bar scene. Okay this isn’t a absolute hilarious journey. It’s more of a light tickle of the ribs. There is moments that has dated. Some Jokes fall flat and some parts are so poorly edited, you kind of get lost in the film or whats happens. It jumps more then memento in time.  Also what is it with the random nudity in these type of comedies. It’s like pull a quick joke now a shot of girls in a shower. It’s like a quick nod to Porky’s or something. It’s a film more about the characters then the actual story or jokes. These films are basically the same story line in all 7 but people come back just  to see the characters. My favourite is Michael Winslow. The Human Sound Machine but everyone has their favourite. This Film introduced those character and it’s a film i still find enjoyable. It lacks on story and continuity but the jokes are still in check and the characters are still fresh and unique. Not a perfect movie at all but an enjoyable one. Film Rating 8/10

(POLICE ACADEMY MARATHON) Quick Film Review - Police Academy (1984) 

The famous Ensemble 80’s Comedy About a new batch taken under the Police Academy Program. An Introduction to some of the most famous characters in Comedy as the Cocky Calm Maloney, The “Black” Guy That makes the sounds, High Tower and the very quiet but VERY LOUD!!!!! Police Women and The Rambo Tackleberry are created. 

I don’t care what anyone says this is an 80’s comedy classic. A lot of famous moments in this film that still create an uproar of laughter. Especially the blowjob scene and the Gay bar scene. Okay this isn’t a absolute hilarious journey. It’s more of a light tickle of the ribs. There is moments that has dated. Some Jokes fall flat and some parts are so poorly edited, you kind of get lost in the film or whats happens. It jumps more then memento in time. 

Also what is it with the random nudity in these type of comedies. It’s like pull a quick joke now a shot of girls in a shower. It’s like a quick nod to Porky’s or something. It’s a film more about the characters then the actual story or jokes. These films are basically the same story line in all 7 but people come back just  to see the characters. My favourite is Michael Winslow. The Human Sound Machine but everyone has their favourite. This Film introduced those character and it’s a film i still find enjoyable. It lacks on story and continuity but the jokes are still in check and the characters are still fresh and unique. Not a perfect movie at all but an enjoyable one. Film Rating 8/10

Film Review - Oz: The Great And Powerful. (2013)  The Prequel to one of the most nostalgic films of our time. Wizard of Oz was a film that was watched by millions of kids. It’s a risky move to even attempt to recreate the magic of the original.  Does It Pay Off? Plot: Oscar Diggs (Franco) Is a struggling magician who hits rut in his life through misleading women and mistreating his assistant (Braff). After a bad show he runs away in a balloon which gets whisked away in a Tornado which lands in Oz. He is met by a good witch (Mila Kunis) but lies his way to the throne of Oz and fake his love for her. He tricks everyone he is this wonderful Wizard to save Oz from the Wicked Witch. On his quest to save Oz he is met by a monkey voiced by Zach braff and a China Girl. The Film Tracks on Oscar Diggs journey to save Oz From The Evil Witch. Review: Wow. Yep. The biggest regret I have with this is that I didn’t watch this in 3D because this is one of the most visual films I have seen. It’s more Visually appealing than Prometheus And Avatar. The Age Old trick of starting black and white then when they enter Oz, you get a full blast of High Definition colour and it is literary beautiful. The Whole Land of Oz is a nice Ode to the original. You Can See it’s all Special Effects but it works and it’s fine details and close attention to every colour to the environment. It’s very rare that I’m stunned by visual and this was one of those rare occasions. I Recommend watching this in 3D!!! The Characters are all round good but are all upstaged by their CG counterparts. The Monkey (Braff) Provides the center of the comedy and The China Girl (King) is a nice sweet part which is one of the greatest CG character I’ve seen in a while. The rest of the Characters aren’t really as connecting as the CG Characters. Oz Played By James Franco is a douchebag all throughout the film and by the end you really don’t care what happens to him. A Protagonist does have his downfall but his character fell too much to even care about him. Rachel Weisz as the Evil Witch is okay but doesn’t really scare or horrify anyone. You is more of a coward. Mila Kunis as a Witch Worked but you felt sorry for her but it wasn’t her fault for her turn to evil. And you start to feel sorry more for the Antagonist then the “hero”. The Good Witch played by Michelle Williams was weird she acted like her faced couldn’t move. It’s a shame because these Characters had potential to go batshit crazy but was tethered by poor acting and limited writing. The CG Characters carry this film. A Film relies on the hero. It has always been that way and to have a magical film like this been carried by such a hated character is hard. For 95% of the film he is so annoying that every time he has screen time I was slightly annoyed. This film isn’t going to be a timeless classic like the Original. However It’s a faithful Interpretation of the Land of Oz. This is not way pisses of the remains of The Wizard Of Oz. It furthers it’s legacy.  The Return To Oz was awful but this film Is Good And I’m Glad That Hollywood could do something right. It’s not Perfect but it’s getting there. Oz is a mysterious place that has so much potential and with expanding technologies in effects and 3D, Today is the perfect time to Explore Oz. It may not be the best written, or best shot but Visually it is so gorgeous. Oz The great and Powerful is let down by it’s cardboard Characters but it’s slight humor and sometimes terrifying nature that matched the Wizard Of Oz lifts this film and makes it an enjoyable film. Overall - Forget about comparisons for a second. THIS IS HOW YOU MAKE A 3D MOVIE!!! The purpose of Cinema is to Wow audiences with Visuals and this film did that. It’s CG is amazing and fitted Oz. A Great film for the Kids and Nice Ode’s to The Wizard Of Oz. It’s just a shame you get more emotion out of the CG character then the Human performances. However A Nice Family Film That Has Potential in the Future with further Installments. Rating 7.5/10

Film Review - Oz: The Great And Powerful. (2013) 


The Prequel to one of the most nostalgic films of our time. Wizard of Oz was a film that was watched by millions of kids. It’s a risky move to even attempt to recreate the magic of the original.  Does It Pay Off?

Plot: Oscar Diggs (Franco) Is a struggling magician who hits rut in his life through misleading women and mistreating his assistant (Braff). After a bad show he runs away in a balloon which gets whisked away in a Tornado which lands in Oz. He is met by a good witch (Mila Kunis) but lies his way to the throne of Oz and fake his love for her. He tricks everyone he is this wonderful Wizard to save Oz from the Wicked Witch. On his quest to save Oz he is met by a monkey voiced by Zach braff and a China Girl. The Film Tracks on Oscar Diggs journey to save Oz From The Evil Witch.

Review: Wow. Yep. The biggest regret I have with this is that I didn’t watch this in 3D because this is one of the most visual films I have seen. It’s more Visually appealing than Prometheus And Avatar. The Age Old trick of starting black and white then when they enter Oz, you get a full blast of High Definition colour and it is literary beautiful. The Whole Land of Oz is a nice Ode to the original. You Can See it’s all Special Effects but it works and it’s fine details and close attention to every colour to the environment. It’s very rare that I’m stunned by visual and this was one of those rare occasions. I Recommend watching this in 3D!!!

The Characters are all round good but are all upstaged by their CG counterparts. The Monkey (Braff) Provides the center of the comedy and The China Girl (King) is a nice sweet part which is one of the greatest CG character I’ve seen in a while. The rest of the Characters aren’t really as connecting as the CG Characters. Oz Played By James Franco is a douchebag all throughout the film and by the end you really don’t care what happens to him. A Protagonist does have his downfall but his character fell too much to even care about him. Rachel Weisz as the Evil Witch is okay but doesn’t really scare or horrify anyone. You is more of a coward. Mila Kunis as a Witch Worked but you felt sorry for her but it wasn’t her fault for her turn to evil. And you start to feel sorry more for the Antagonist then the “hero”. The Good Witch played by Michelle Williams was weird she acted like her faced couldn’t move. It’s a shame because these Characters had potential to go batshit crazy but was tethered by poor acting and limited writing. The CG Characters carry this film.

A Film relies on the hero. It has always been that way and to have a magical film like this been carried by such a hated character is hard. For 95% of the film he is so annoying that every time he has screen time I was slightly annoyed. This film isn’t going to be a timeless classic like the Original. However It’s a faithful Interpretation of the Land of Oz. This is not way pisses of the remains of The Wizard Of Oz. It furthers it’s legacy.  The Return To Oz was awful but this film Is Good And I’m Glad That Hollywood could do something right.

It’s not Perfect but it’s getting there. Oz is a mysterious place that has so much potential and with expanding technologies in effects and 3D, Today is the perfect time to Explore Oz. It may not be the best written, or best shot but Visually it is so gorgeous. Oz The great and Powerful is let down by it’s cardboard Characters but it’s slight humor and sometimes terrifying nature that matched the Wizard Of Oz lifts this film and makes it an enjoyable film.

Overall - Forget about comparisons for a second. THIS IS HOW YOU MAKE A 3D MOVIE!!! The purpose of Cinema is to Wow audiences with Visuals and this film did that. It’s CG is amazing and fitted Oz. A Great film for the Kids and Nice Ode’s to The Wizard Of Oz. It’s just a shame you get more emotion out of the CG character then the Human performances. However A Nice Family Film That Has Potential in the Future with further Installments. Rating 7.5/10

Film Review - Django Unchained (2012) Quentin Tarantino is back and looks to pay homage to the Western Genre as he is a well known fan of Sergio Leone, director of the Dollars trilogy which revolutionised Westerns. Tarantino goes back to a tainted chapter in American History and mixes it with the Western Genre, a German Doctor and Loads of Violence.  Plot- Django (Jamie Foxx) is freed by Dr Schultz (Waltz)  who is a bounty hunter and asks him to help out kill some slave masters and then Schultz helps him get his Wife freed as well. Which brings them to “Candyland” a cotton plantation owned by Calvin Candie (DiCaprio) who owns his wife. Review- Okay lets point out the elephant that is just sitting in the room. You have Tarantino who already has used the N word in previous movies. Now he takes on a period of history that is fabled for the word. No Word of a lie it must be used about 200 times. It’s not the best film to really quote. I understand that the context of the film allows this but I do think it is overused. We all know that it was used in that time period but the amount of exploitation to this is over the top. Also I see why people are offended by this as it is in a time of horrible monstrosities and this is a spaghetti Western. Enough of the controversies, it can blind a film’s potential. Like any of Tarantino film it is shot beautifully, nearly every shot is a homage to the old western’s. The tracking landscapes are reminiscent of these and the soundtrack is ripped straight from old westerns. This is what this film, a thank you letter to the genre. With a little of Tarantino mixed in. And exactly what you though you’d get, you get.   You get everything that is known to Tarantino. Snap witty dialogue, ultra violence, beautiful cinematography and a Tarantino Cameo. Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx and Samuel L. Jackson have amazing performances in this film. In that order as well. Waltz Character, Dr Schultz is a funny, witty and the staple of this film. He is the main character in the first part of the film. He knows all the answers and it is comforting having a character that knows what to do but contrasting when he doesn’t, it’s scary. Waltz creates a character that outshines the rest and that is hard with OTT characters in this film. Such as Calvin Candie and his akin slave Steven. DiCaprio’s Calvin Candie as first seems a reasonable man, taking in the context of the time but he has a hint of madness and fragility about him and when he snaps. It’s terrifying, definitely the best performances this year. t’s just a shame that only one of them can get an award.  Samuel L Jackson’s Slave Stephen is exactly the Samuel L Jackson we all love. He’s over the top, hilarious and powerful even though he is a house slave. Jamie Foxx’s Django is also a delight and has my favourite quote of the film (kind of the only line of the speech without the N’ Word) “My Name’s Django, The D is silent.”  He’s a sharp witted character. At time provides comical relief, he is a great lead role. However he is overshadowed by DiCaprio and Waltz. It’s great  performances all round.  The romance of the story, Django and his wife, is taking the back seat here, it is the reason why Django is so determined but we so little of the two together that we get to see the intimacy of the two. I would of love to see Kerry Washington’s Character more but she gets about 2 lines in the movie. Tarantino’s cameo is a bit surreal. I don’t know if he was going for Southern America or Australian. The best scene is the film is definitely the Ku Klux Klan scene. Hilarious and also surreal. Funniest scene of the year.  The biggest downside to this film is the length. It could of been shorten as their were about 3 endings. The 2nd ending was the perfect one to finish on. Also their were some over the top bits that were just a bit over, over the top. Also there are sometimes where it plays the comedy side too much and needs some emotion there. The love angle could of been perfect but it failed on that.  Overall - A beautiful shot film, it is basically what you’d expect. A homage to the Western Genre but with the mix of Tarantino. The Length is too long but it’s still an amazing film that is funny, wonderful performances and deserves the awards it’s going to get. Another Masterpiece from Tarantino. Film Rating - 8.5/10

Film Review - Django Unchained (2012)

Quentin Tarantino is back and looks to pay homage to the Western Genre as he is a well known fan of Sergio Leone, director of the Dollars trilogy which revolutionised Westerns. Tarantino goes back to a tainted chapter in American History and mixes it with the Western Genre, a German Doctor and Loads of Violence. 

Plot- Django (Jamie Foxx) is freed by Dr Schultz (Waltz)  who is a bounty hunter and asks him to help out kill some slave masters and then Schultz helps him get his Wife freed as well. Which brings them to “Candyland” a cotton plantation owned by Calvin Candie (DiCaprio) who owns his wife.

Review- Okay lets point out the elephant that is just sitting in the room. You have Tarantino who already has used the N word in previous movies. Now he takes on a period of history that is fabled for the word. No Word of a lie it must be used about 200 times. It’s not the best film to really quote. I understand that the context of the film allows this but I do think it is overused. We all know that it was used in that time period but the amount of exploitation to this is over the top. Also I see why people are offended by this as it is in a time of horrible monstrosities and this is a spaghetti Western.

Enough of the controversies, it can blind a film’s potential. Like any of Tarantino film it is shot beautifully, nearly every shot is a homage to the old western’s. The tracking landscapes are reminiscent of these and the soundtrack is ripped straight from old westerns. This is what this film, a thank you letter to the genre. With a little of Tarantino mixed in. And exactly what you though you’d get, you get.   You get everything that is known to Tarantino. Snap witty dialogue, ultra violence, beautiful cinematography and a Tarantino Cameo.

Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx and Samuel L. Jackson have amazing performances in this film. In that order as well. Waltz Character, Dr Schultz is a funny, witty and the staple of this film. He is the main character in the first part of the film. He knows all the answers and it is comforting having a character that knows what to do but contrasting when he doesn’t, it’s scary. Waltz creates a character that outshines the rest and that is hard with OTT characters in this film. Such as Calvin Candie and his akin slave Steven. DiCaprio’s Calvin Candie as first seems a reasonable man, taking in the context of the time but he has a hint of madness and fragility about him and when he snaps. It’s terrifying, definitely the best performances this year. t’s just a shame that only one of them can get an award. 

Samuel L Jackson’s Slave Stephen is exactly the Samuel L Jackson we all love. He’s over the top, hilarious and powerful even though he is a house slave. Jamie Foxx’s Django is also a delight and has my favourite quote of the film (kind of the only line of the speech without the N’ Word) “My Name’s Django, The D is silent.”  He’s a sharp witted character. At time provides comical relief, he is a great lead role. However he is overshadowed by DiCaprio and Waltz. It’s great  performances all round. 

The romance of the story, Django and his wife, is taking the back seat here, it is the reason why Django is so determined but we so little of the two together that we get to see the intimacy of the two. I would of love to see Kerry Washington’s Character more but she gets about 2 lines in the movie. Tarantino’s cameo is a bit surreal. I don’t know if he was going for Southern America or Australian. The best scene is the film is definitely the Ku Klux Klan scene. Hilarious and also surreal. Funniest scene of the year. 

The biggest downside to this film is the length. It could of been shorten as their were about 3 endings. The 2nd ending was the perfect one to finish on. Also their were some over the top bits that were just a bit over, over the top. Also there are sometimes where it plays the comedy side too much and needs some emotion there. The love angle could of been perfect but it failed on that. 

Overall - A beautiful shot film, it is basically what you’d expect. A homage to the Western Genre but with the mix of Tarantino. The Length is too long but it’s still an amazing film that is funny, wonderful performances and deserves the awards it’s going to get. Another Masterpiece from Tarantino. Film Rating - 8.5/10

Film Review - The Hobbit : An Unexpected Journey (2012) Peter Jackson is back to take on his most cherished and acclaimed product. It has been nearly 10 years since Lord Of The Rings came out and literary changed Cinema. It created a spectacle that was never seen before. I couldn’t contain my excitement when I sat in the cinema after 10 years away and return back to Middle Earth. Plot- The film starts of with Bilbo Baggins at his 111th Birthday (Beginning of The Fellowship Of The Ring) where he starts to tell his story. It goes back to when Dwarves had a prosperous kingdom. Living in a mountain full of gold and precious minerals. It tells of when the King became too greedy and Smaug the Dragon invaded the mountain driving all the Dwarves out their home. Gandalf,a wizard, then seeks the help of a Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) to lead 13 other Dwarves to go back to that mountain to defeat the dragon and recapture the Mountain. Review - As Soon as that music hit, I felt like a kid again. I was only 8 when the first one came out and hearing the music and seeing the Shire again brought me straight back to the place that I loved. This whole universe Jackson has adapted from the book has a unique look that only resides to these film and it is no different to this one. The look is just as amazing as the Lord Of The Rings. But as technology has advanced, the look has become crisper and sharper. (I didn’t see this in 48 fps because I live in a small town and they only showed the 24 fps edition) I struggled to diverse of what was CGI created and wasn’t. The huge mountain scapes of New Zealand were there and it does still look like a fantasy land. As I said previously the soundtrack is still amazing. It sounds similar to the LOTR’s OST but it has some minor changes so I thought that was good. There was no need to create a new sound when you have already created something so memorable and remarkable. The CGI was also amazing. Something you’d expect from Peter Jackson. The Stone Giant scene was truly mind blowing. It’s one of the greatest CGI sequences I have seen, just because it looked so real. The look and the audio of this film is just perfect. There is absolutely no flaw in that area of the film. The Ensemble is also brilliant. We get to see a more in depth Gandalf which is truly remarkable. Sir Ian Mckellen is a fine actor and this film parades this. I find it remarkable because you’d expect a Character like Gandalf to know all the answer but he really doesn’t. It’s that risk and uncertainty that I find unique and on the edge of my seat. Martin Freeman really stepped it up as Bilbo Baggins. I was slightly skeptical as I didn’t think he’ll fit the role but he surprised me and pulled it out the bag. He provided this charming character which was lovable and also slightly annoying. It fitted the book so well. The huge group of dwarves will okay. There is loads of them and I couldn’t name them all or differentiate them. There is one stand out performance in the dwarves and that the leader, Thorin, who acts as the Aragon type. An Amazing performance.  Smegol/Gollum is another standout performance as the highly underrated Andy Serkis. His screen time was heavily adored in the cinema providing a load of laughs and smiles. The Stand out scene of the film is definitely the riddle scene. It was great to see Frodo, Lord Elrond and Galadriel from LOTR. It brought back those memories again. The Cast was just remarkable.  This film wasn’t completely flawless though. I found that the film had too much comedy in it. I kind of took away the seriousness of the whole task it was only in the final half an hour it shied away from that and went into badass mode. I guess it was hard when you do have 13 dwarves and 3 hours to play with but it need to tone down the comedy in it. The Film was long but that was what I expected with this. I love long films especially when they can keep your attention for those three hours and for me it did. I was such a fan I was always going to be interested. It left you wanting more just like the fellowship of the Ring. The Goblin Scene was also another standout scene for it’s amazing action and it was greatly paced. there were slow bits but counteracted with fast paced action scenes. There were problems and solutions. This could of been  a stand alone film if not for the ending. I was a bit lost with all the names flung around but I do love this film.  Overall - The Best thing I can describe this film was from another reviewer. He called the Lord Of The Rings, The Marriage where, The Hobbit is Renewing your vows. It the same but different. This was no Lord Of The Rings and to be honest I didn’t think it would be. The Look, The Music, The Cast is perfect. An Amazing film to cap of this year and the best thing about this film, it left me wanting more. It was great to come back to Middle Earth And I just don’t want to leave. - Film Rating 9/10

Film Review - The Hobbit : An Unexpected Journey (2012)


Peter Jackson is back to take on his most cherished and acclaimed product. It has been nearly 10 years since Lord Of The Rings came out and literary changed Cinema. It created a spectacle that was never seen before. I couldn’t contain my excitement when I sat in the cinema after 10 years away and return back to Middle Earth.

Plot- The film starts of with Bilbo Baggins at his 111th Birthday (Beginning of The Fellowship Of The Ring) where he starts to tell his story. It goes back to when Dwarves had a prosperous kingdom. Living in a mountain full of gold and precious minerals. It tells of when the King became too greedy and Smaug the Dragon invaded the mountain driving all the Dwarves out their home. Gandalf,a wizard, then seeks the help of a Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) to lead 13 other Dwarves to go back to that mountain to defeat the dragon and recapture the Mountain.

Review - As Soon as that music hit, I felt like a kid again. I was only 8 when the first one came out and hearing the music and seeing the Shire again brought me straight back to the place that I loved. This whole universe Jackson has adapted from the book has a unique look that only resides to these film and it is no different to this one. The look is just as amazing as the Lord Of The Rings. But as technology has advanced, the look has become crisper and sharper. (I didn’t see this in 48 fps because I live in a small town and they only showed the 24 fps edition) I struggled to diverse of what was CGI created and wasn’t. The huge mountain scapes of New Zealand were there and it does still look like a fantasy land.

As I said previously the soundtrack is still amazing. It sounds similar to the LOTR’s OST but it has some minor changes so I thought that was good. There was no need to create a new sound when you have already created something so memorable and remarkable. The CGI was also amazing. Something you’d expect from Peter Jackson. The Stone Giant scene was truly mind blowing. It’s one of the greatest CGI sequences I have seen, just because it looked so real. The look and the audio of this film is just perfect. There is absolutely no flaw in that area of the film.

The Ensemble is also brilliant. We get to see a more in depth Gandalf which is truly remarkable. Sir Ian Mckellen is a fine actor and this film parades this. I find it remarkable because you’d expect a Character like Gandalf to know all the answer but he really doesn’t. It’s that risk and uncertainty that I find unique and on the edge of my seat. Martin Freeman really stepped it up as Bilbo Baggins. I was slightly skeptical as I didn’t think he’ll fit the role but he surprised me and pulled it out the bag. He provided this charming character which was lovable and also slightly annoying. It fitted the book so well. The huge group of dwarves will okay. There is loads of them and I couldn’t name them all or differentiate them. There is one stand out performance in the dwarves and that the leader, Thorin, who acts as the Aragon type. An Amazing performance. 

Smegol/Gollum is another standout performance as the highly underrated Andy Serkis. His screen time was heavily adored in the cinema providing a load of laughs and smiles. The Stand out scene of the film is definitely the riddle scene. It was great to see Frodo, Lord Elrond and Galadriel from LOTR. It brought back those memories again. The Cast was just remarkable. 

This film wasn’t completely flawless though. I found that the film had too much comedy in it. I kind of took away the seriousness of the whole task it was only in the final half an hour it shied away from that and went into badass mode. I guess it was hard when you do have 13 dwarves and 3 hours to play with but it need to tone down the comedy in it. The Film was long but that was what I expected with this. I love long films especially when they can keep your attention for those three hours and for me it did. I was such a fan I was always going to be interested. It left you wanting more just like the fellowship of the Ring.

The Goblin Scene was also another standout scene for it’s amazing action and it was greatly paced. there were slow bits but counteracted with fast paced action scenes. There were problems and solutions. This could of been  a stand alone film if not for the ending. I was a bit lost with all the names flung around but I do love this film. 

Overall - The Best thing I can describe this film was from another reviewer. He called the Lord Of The Rings, The Marriage where, The Hobbit is Renewing your vows. It the same but different. This was no Lord Of The Rings and to be honest I didn’t think it would be. The Look, The Music, The Cast is perfect. An Amazing film to cap of this year and the best thing about this film, it left me wanting more. It was great to come back to Middle Earth And I just don’t want to leave. - Film Rating 9/10

Film Review - Scott Pilgrim Vs The World (2010) A genre bending film about the Comic Book Scott Pilgrim. I hate Michael Cera But I love director Edgar Wright. A film that has a particular style that pushing the envelop in film and pretty much the closest thing you’d ever get to a comic book being transferred to film. Plot- It is all about Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) a Bass Player in a band falls for a mysterious girl Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) who has a troubled past. Pilgrim finds out that he must defeat 7 Evil Exes to be able to continue dating Ramona. While trying to get his band, The Sex Bob-Ombs” to get a record deal with G man. Review - First of just wow! I have seen this film twice now and every time it has blown me away. There is just loads in this film. First of the style is something that I have never witnessed in film. I can see why people would be put off by it as it is very exaggerated and fast but it work with the style of comic. The sound effects and visual effects worked like a charm. It was just everywhere and you have to watch the film twice because you do miss a lot the first time around. When they play music and the visual effects boom out of the Bass,Guitar and Drums it is just truly pleasing to the eye. It is the best visual use and sound use I have seen and heard for film in the whole decade it is truly remarkable. The way the film was put together was brilliant. It’s cuts from scene to scene was like turning a page in a comic. It’s hard to explain but it work lovely. Again I can see why people were put off and it kept the film very fast paced all the time. The only time it did slow down was when Michael Cera was talking. The Cast was great. I even tolerated Michael Cera in this. I don’t consider him as an actor but his surrounding cast was just perfect. Mary Elizabeth Winstead I have a crush on you now. She played Ramona Flowers with the right mysteriousness and charm it was just perfect. One of my favourite characters in film ever! Kieran Culkin (Macaulay younger brother) as Scott Pilgrims Gay Roommate was hilarious. The whole band was another source of hilarity especially the Drummer Kim. Also every Evil Ex was perfectly chosen. Chris Evans was a favourite of mine. He can just play a douche so well.  This is one film that feels like a comic book and with today’s film all about Superheroes and Comic books this is the one that was the closest to it’s medium. It didn’t do too well at the book office and I can tell why because it is fast paced, the plot is outrageous and it is so genre bending that it hard to market to the mainstream. I honestly believe that this film is one of those slow burners that people will recognised in the years to come and realised that this was a gem that should of had more attention. It has received a cult following and it literary a masterpiece  It is one film that is full of unique and thunderous film making. I applaud Edgar Wright for going out their and going. I love video games and comics and this film heralded that fact. The Sound, the Visual, The Cinematography, The Cast, The Structure is all perfect. It is a little too fast paced but this film needed it and the 2 hours flew by. I know it won’t happen because Hollywood is all about the money. But I would love a sequel. Like Now.  Overall - This film is unique, you will never see a film try and copy this style. You can see the amount of work and detail put into this film. The plot is outrageous and out of this world but it works. The Visuals and Audio is brilliant. The Cast is brilliant. This is now on my shelf of one of my favourite films of all time. Time will be this film’s greatest friend because rest assured that this film will become a classic. Film Rating - 10/10

Film Review - Scott Pilgrim Vs The World (2010)

A genre bending film about the Comic Book Scott Pilgrim. I hate Michael Cera But I love director Edgar Wright. A film that has a particular style that pushing the envelop in film and pretty much the closest thing you’d ever get to a comic book being transferred to film.

Plot- It is all about Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) a Bass Player in a band falls for a mysterious girl Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) who has a troubled past. Pilgrim finds out that he must defeat 7 Evil Exes to be able to continue dating Ramona. While trying to get his band, The Sex Bob-Ombs” to get a record deal with G man.

Review - First of just wow! I have seen this film twice now and every time it has blown me away. There is just loads in this film. First of the style is something that I have never witnessed in film. I can see why people would be put off by it as it is very exaggerated and fast but it work with the style of comic. The sound effects and visual effects worked like a charm. It was just everywhere and you have to watch the film twice because you do miss a lot the first time around. When they play music and the visual effects boom out of the Bass,Guitar and Drums it is just truly pleasing to the eye. It is the best visual use and sound use I have seen and heard for film in the whole decade it is truly remarkable.

The way the film was put together was brilliant. It’s cuts from scene to scene was like turning a page in a comic. It’s hard to explain but it work lovely. Again I can see why people were put off and it kept the film very fast paced all the time. The only time it did slow down was when Michael Cera was talking. The Cast was great. I even tolerated Michael Cera in this. I don’t consider him as an actor but his surrounding cast was just perfect. Mary Elizabeth Winstead I have a crush on you now. She played Ramona Flowers with the right mysteriousness and charm it was just perfect. One of my favourite characters in film ever! Kieran Culkin (Macaulay younger brother) as Scott Pilgrims Gay Roommate was hilarious. The whole band was another source of hilarity especially the Drummer Kim. Also every Evil Ex was perfectly chosen. Chris Evans was a favourite of mine. He can just play a douche so well. 

This is one film that feels like a comic book and with today’s film all about Superheroes and Comic books this is the one that was the closest to it’s medium. It didn’t do too well at the book office and I can tell why because it is fast paced, the plot is outrageous and it is so genre bending that it hard to market to the mainstream. I honestly believe that this film is one of those slow burners that people will recognised in the years to come and realised that this was a gem that should of had more attention. It has received a cult following and it literary a masterpiece  It is one film that is full of unique and thunderous film making. I applaud Edgar Wright for going out their and going. I love video games and comics and this film heralded that fact.

The Sound, the Visual, The Cinematography, The Cast, The Structure is all perfect. It is a little too fast paced but this film needed it and the 2 hours flew by. I know it won’t happen because Hollywood is all about the money. But I would love a sequel. Like Now. 

Overall - This film is unique, you will never see a film try and copy this style. You can see the amount of work and detail put into this film. The plot is outrageous and out of this world but it works. The Visuals and Audio is brilliant. The Cast is brilliant. This is now on my shelf of one of my favourite films of all time. Time will be this film’s greatest friend because rest assured that this film will become a classic. Film Rating - 10/10

Film Review - Moonrise Kingdom (2012)  With every Wes Anderson film you know what you’re going to get. Some Quirkiness, A little bit of sweet, Comedy, Ensemble Cast And Bill Murray. It has all that but it also has a lot more. By Far My favourite Wes Anderson Film and One of my favourite films of all time. Plot- The film tracks how two childhood sweethearts, A Scout, Sam Shakusky And a Rich father’s Daughter, Suzy Bishop while living on either side of the island. Sam is an orphan is who ostracised in his scout group and Suzy is depressed and hates her family. So they decide to run off and live together. While Her Parents (Bill Murray And Frances McDormand) The Scout Leader (Ed Norton) And The Police Chief (Bruce Willis) Try to look for them.  Review - I’m a sucker for sweet little comedies like this. Little Miss Sunshine is one of my favourite films of all time and this had a similar sentiment. It’s about young love. Something as we see as stupid but the feelings are still there. The connection between the two young cast is simply beautiful. It details what young love really is. Fast,Stupid but meaningful. My favourite scene is where they try to French Kiss and it is a cute, funny and telling scene of growing up and discovering. The whole works off these two 12 year olds and it works perfectly. The two are just simply enchanting as a couple. At times it is weird but strangely it just works in the Wes Anderson universe. It has everything you’d expect in a Wes Anderson film. the style is there, the eccentricity is there. The Quirkiness is there. The strong use of reds and yellows is littered throughout the film. The surrealistic nature makes it even more of a sweeter product. The style of which Wes Anderson has created is not to everyone’s taste and is the reason why I don’t recommend his films to a lot of people.However to people who understand film and where Anderson is going with it will love it. It’s a style that I enjoy and feel comfortable with it. It’s relaxing watching a Wes Anderson film because it drags you into this universe which feels unique and pleasant to experience. The Ensemble Cast is just absolutely perfect. Ed Norton as the Scout Leader is by far my favourite character. It’s against every character Norton has ever portrayed. He is the center of most of the jokes and he is brilliant as that character. Bruce Willis as the Police Officer is again perfect and is very similar to Ed Norton Character. Just amazing casting and holds as a staple point for the film. Bill Murray’s character takes more of a background stance but he does have the best line in the film. The one where he he gets an axe out of the closet and tells his Kids he is going to go and find a tree to chop down. Also amazing performances by Tilda Swinton and Frances McDormand. Again as always perfect casting.  This film is built on a small love story on a small island. In scale to the world it is insignificant but too the two in love it means the world. It’s a film I would love to make. Just something small, something sweet. (Cool Shawshank Redemption Reference as well!!) Overall - The Best Wes Anderson film I have seen. Apart from some dodgy CGI which again fits in the whole universe of Anderson. The Casting is perfect. The Two Leads are amazing and have a great future ahead of them. The Love Story is perfect. It’s a small, sweet, funny love story. It may not seem much but it truly is much more. Just a brilliant performance from everyone and another truly outstanding film from Wes Anderson. Film Rating - 9.5/10

Film Review - Moonrise Kingdom (2012) 

With every Wes Anderson film you know what you’re going to get. Some Quirkiness, A little bit of sweet, Comedy, Ensemble Cast And Bill Murray. It has all that but it also has a lot more. By Far My favourite Wes Anderson Film and One of my favourite films of all time.

Plot- The film tracks how two childhood sweethearts, A Scout, Sam Shakusky And a Rich father’s Daughter, Suzy Bishop while living on either side of the island. Sam is an orphan is who ostracised in his scout group and Suzy is depressed and hates her family. So they decide to run off and live together. While Her Parents (Bill Murray And Frances McDormand) The Scout Leader (Ed Norton) And The Police Chief (Bruce Willis) Try to look for them. 

Review - I’m a sucker for sweet little comedies like this. Little Miss Sunshine is one of my favourite films of all time and this had a similar sentiment. It’s about young love. Something as we see as stupid but the feelings are still there. The connection between the two young cast is simply beautiful. It details what young love really is. Fast,Stupid but meaningful. My favourite scene is where they try to French Kiss and it is a cute, funny and telling scene of growing up and discovering. The whole works off these two 12 year olds and it works perfectly. The two are just simply enchanting as a couple. At times it is weird but strangely it just works in the Wes Anderson universe.

It has everything you’d expect in a Wes Anderson film. the style is there, the eccentricity is there. The Quirkiness is there. The strong use of reds and yellows is littered throughout the film. The surrealistic nature makes it even more of a sweeter product. The style of which Wes Anderson has created is not to everyone’s taste and is the reason why I don’t recommend his films to a lot of people.However to people who understand film and where Anderson is going with it will love it. It’s a style that I enjoy and feel comfortable with it. It’s relaxing watching a Wes Anderson film because it drags you into this universe which feels unique and pleasant to experience.

The Ensemble Cast is just absolutely perfect. Ed Norton as the Scout Leader is by far my favourite character. It’s against every character Norton has ever portrayed. He is the center of most of the jokes and he is brilliant as that character. Bruce Willis as the Police Officer is again perfect and is very similar to Ed Norton Character. Just amazing casting and holds as a staple point for the film. Bill Murray’s character takes more of a background stance but he does have the best line in the film. The one where he he gets an axe out of the closet and tells his Kids he is going to go and find a tree to chop down. Also amazing performances by Tilda Swinton and Frances McDormand. Again as always perfect casting. 

This film is built on a small love story on a small island. In scale to the world it is insignificant but too the two in love it means the world. It’s a film I would love to make. Just something small, something sweet. (Cool Shawshank Redemption Reference as well!!)

Overall - The Best Wes Anderson film I have seen. Apart from some dodgy CGI which again fits in the whole universe of Anderson. The Casting is perfect. The Two Leads are amazing and have a great future ahead of them. The Love Story is perfect. It’s a small, sweet, funny love story. It may not seem much but it truly is much more. Just a brilliant performance from everyone and another truly outstanding film from Wes Anderson. Film Rating - 9.5/10