Weekly Review Round Up 26th October 2012

THIS WEEK'S PREVIEWS

 

What should you spend your precious dollars on when visiting the cinema? What needs popcorn to enjoy?  And what needs waiting until DVD?

If you have seen any of these or want to see them and have a comment please feel free to share. We love hearing from our readers.

 

Argo ★★★★^1/2

Opens in Australia: 25^th October 2012

Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

Wow, this is a wild ride. In the climax of the movie you will not breathe, your stomach will churn and you will be whispering, ‘Hurry, hurry,’ under your breath. One of the best movies I have seen in ages and every critic I spoke to at the preview agreed. It’s very close to being perfect. Ben Affleck stars and also directs and he is becoming a director you can trust. He has a great visual eye and avoids the navel gazing that causes so many films to drag. What should you see on a date night? See this. I can almost guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
 

STUDIO BLURB

Based on true events, Argo chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis-the truth of which was unknown by the public for decades. On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed, a CIA "exfiltration" specialist named Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) comes up with a risky plan to get them safely out of the country. A plan so incredible, it could only happen in the movies. -- (C) Warner Bros.

 

Savages ★★★^1/2

Opens in Australia: 18^th October 2012

Other Countries: Release Information

 

 

OUR THOUGHTS 

I know I shouldn’t like this film.  It’s a bit patchy and uneven in tempo, most reviewers didn’t love it, and it has a plausibility factor of two out of ten.  Yet, I have a soft spot for Oliver Stone; he answers to no-one.  And the actors in this are having a good time of it and why can’t a woman run a drug cartel and still baby her daughter?  So I gave it the thumbs up.  Read the full review here…. Savages Full Review 

 

STUDIO BLURB

Laguna Beach entrepreneurs Ben (Johnson), a peaceful and charitable Buddhist, and his closest friend Chon (Kitsch), a former Navy SEAL and ex-mercenary, run a lucrative, homegrown industry-raising some of the best marijuana ever developed. They also share a one-of-a-kind love with the extraordinary beauty Ophelia (Lively). Life is idyllic in their Southern California town...until the Mexican Baja Cartel decides to move in and demands that the trio partners with them. When the merciless head of the BC, Elena (Hayek), and her brutal enforcer, Lado (Del Toro), underestimate the unbreakable bond among these three friends, Ben and Chon-with the reluctant, slippery assistance of a dirty DEA agent (Travolta)-wage a seemingly unwinnable war against the cartel. -- (C) Universal

 

 

Paranormal Activity 4 ★★★^1/2

Opens in Australia: 18^th October 2012

Other Countries: Release Information

 

 

OUR THOUGHTS 

Having seen numbers one and two, I made a decision to skip three.  Once you have seen one you have seen them all.  Yet, this one was a bit of a surprise.  I’m going out on a limb here but I think it’s the best of the series.  The scares come from the jump-out-and-startle-you kind of shocks but it is also quite a creepy little number.  Warning: there is a bath scene that will disturb many parents.  My friend was moaning, ‘Oh no, no,’ at that part and his wife tells me he was freaked out when he got home and had a very restless night. This is definitely not one for the kiddies.  It will cost you a fortune in electricity as they demand to only sleep with the lights on.  Read the full review here... Paranormal Activity 4 full review

 

STUDIO BLURB

The fourth instalment in the popular horror franchise. (and if you have never heard about the franchise, where have you been?  Hiding under a video camera?)

 

Frankenweenie ★★★★★

Opens in Australia: 25^th October 2012

Other Countries: Release Information

 

 

OUR THOUGHTS

 

I loved every second of this movie.  It’s my pick as animation of the year.  However, I fear that the black and white and ‘weirdo’ look of the stop-animation characters will turn off cinema-goers.  If you love movies it is a must-see.  It's one of the rare flicks I am seeing twice.  The first time I spent the whole movie marvelling at its magnificence. The next time I want to just enjoy and immerse myself in Tim Burton’s genius.  After the dastardly dreadful ‘Dark Shadows’, he is back at the top of his game.  For the full review … Frankenweenie Review

 

STUDIO BLURB

From creative genius Tim Burton comes Frankenweenie, a heartwarming tale about a boy and his dog. After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life-with just a few minor adjustments. He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor's fellow students, teachers and the entire town all learn that getting a new "leash on life" can be monstrous. A stop-motion animated film, Frankenweenie is filmed in black and white and rendered in 3D, which will elevate the classic style to a whole new experience. -- (C) Disney

 

 

Dredd 3D ★★★^1/2

Opens in Australia: 25^th October 2012

Other Countries: Release Information

 

 

OUR THOUGHTS

Girls, this is a boy’s movie.  If they want to take you to it on a date gently suggest maybe they should have a boy’s night out.  My hubby thoroughly enjoyed it but I was bored.  Skinned bodies hurled from seventy-five floors up, close-ups of bullets shooting through someone’s cheek or eyeball, and dozens and dozens of people shot to death just isn’t my cup of tea.   It is testosterone city and the demographic at which is aimed will thoroughly enjoy it.  Special kudos goes to Lena Headey as Ma-Ma the bad-ass drug queen.  She plays evil like nobody else and I love her in ‘Game of Thrones’.

 

STUDIO BLURB

The future America is an irradiated waste land. On its East Coast, running from Boston to Washington DC, lies Mega City One- a vast, violent metropolis where criminals rule the chaotic streets. The only force of order lies with the urban cops called "Judges" who possess the combined powers of judge, jury and instant executioner. Known and feared throughout the city, Dredd (Karl Urban) is the ultimate Judge, challenged with ridding the city of its latest scourge - a dangerous drug epidemic that has users of "Slo-Mo" experiencing reality at a fraction of its normal speed. -- (C) Lionsgate

 

 

 

What have you seen this week? Did you find our comments helpful or do you disagree? Share your thoughts with us.

Paranormal Activity 4 ★★★½

 

Release Dates

Australia: 18th October, 2012; USA 19th October UK 17th October
Other Countries: Release Dates

 

 

They’re back!  And the question everyone asks, “Is it scary?”   Not, “Is it good?” The amount of big people (grown-ups to be specific) who commented they would never see a ‘Paranormal Activity’ film because it looked too frightening was staggering.  They’d seen the trailer and had run for cover from that alone. 

Even my family refused to see it.  By five pm on the day of the preview they had all bailed.  So had my reliable girlfriend (hates being frightened, yet she has three children).  I was desperate.  With a puffed out chest, I proclaimed, “I am not afraid. I will go alone.”   But who goes to freaky films on their own?  What if it WAS terrifying?  Is it acceptable to grab the hand of a stranger?    So I did what any fearless reviewer does, I borrowed a friend’s six-foot and intrepid husband.   

This is the fourth instalment in the popular horror franchise filmed using ‘Found Footage’ which means hand-held cameras, iPhones or computer console cameras which give it a very real and intimate feeling. 

 

 

In this one, which is a direct sequel from 'PA2', Alex (Kathryn Newton) and her boyfriend Ben (Matt Shively) are the filmers.  Alex discovers Robbie (Brady Allen), the very peculiar neighbor's child, in their cubbyhouse late at night and takes him home to his Mum (Katie Featherston).   That night, Robbie’s mother is taken to hospital and Robbie is taken in by Alex's mum Holly (Alexondra Lee) for a few days. Wyatt (Aiden Lovekamp), her little brother, and Robbie become friends and that’s when the creepy things start happening; doors opening on their own, blurred images zooming across video playback, knives shooting up in the air.  Ben sets up video monitoring throughout the house via the computers in the bedrooms, kitchen and even the X-Box in the lounge in order to capture footage of whatever it is.  Of course, the disturbing events escalate but nobody will believe Alex that something supernatural is in their house.  You know where this is going don’t you?

 

'PA4' was a bit of a surprise.  I’m going out on a limb here but I think it’s the best of the series.  The scares come from the jump-out-and-startle-you kind of shocks but it is still quite an eerie little number.  Warning: there is a bath scene that will disturb many parents.  My fearless, borrowed-friend was moaning, ‘Oh no, no,’ at that part and his wife tells me he was sufficiently freaked out when he got home that he had a restless night, muttering “demon child be gone” in his sleep.
This is definitely not one for the kiddies.  It will cost you a fortune in electricity as they as they demand to only sleep with the lights on.  And yes, they have announced a number Five will be released in October 2013. I’d better start looking for new friends.

 

Iron Man 3 Teaser Trailer Released

If this doesn’t have you foaming at the mouth, I don’t know what will…

          the first full length teaser trailer of Iron Man 3

 

 

 

Marvel’s “Iron Man 3” pits brash-but-brilliant industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man against an enemy whose reach knows no bounds. When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy's hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. This journey, at every turn, will test his mettle. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him. As he fights his way back, Stark discovers the answer to the question that has secretly haunted him: does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man?

Starring Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Stephanie Szostak, James Badge Dale with Jon Favreau and Ben Kingsley, “Iron Man 3” is directed by Shane Black from a screenplay by Drew Pearce and Shane Black and is based on Marvel’s iconic Super Hero Iron Man, who first appeared on the pages of “Tales of Suspense” (#39) in 1963 and had his solo comic book debut with “The Invincible Iron Man” (#1) in May of 1968.
 

 

“Iron Man 3” is presented by Marvel Studios in association with Paramount Pictures and DMG Entertainment. Marvel Studios’ President Kevin Feige is producing and Jon Favreau, Louis D'Esposito, Stephen Broussard, Victoria Alonso, Alan Fine, Charles Newirth, Stan Lee and Dan Mintz are executive producers. The film releases April 25, 2013, and is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

 

Marvel’s Iron Man 3 – Only at the Movies APRIL 25, 2013

Classification: CTC

 

 

Carrie Teaser Trailer released

She's back...


Scheduled for release in March/April 2013

Based on the best-selling novel by Stephen King, Carrie is a reimagining of the classic horror tale about Carrie White played by Chloë Grace Moretz. Also stars Julianne Moore, Judy Greer and Australian actor Alex Russell.  Carrie White (Chloë Grace Moretz) is a shy girl outcast by her peers and sheltered by her deeply religious mother (Julianne Moore), who unleashes telekinetic terror on her small town after being pushed too far at her senior prom. 

 

Cast:    Chlöe Grace Moretz, Julianne Moore, Judy Greer, Alex Russell
Genre:  Horror/Thriller

Dir:       Kimberly Peirce (Boys Don’t Cry)



Are you looking forward to the remake and have you read the book? 

 

Savages ★ ★ ★ ½

 

THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE DOPE BUSINESS

 

Release Dates

 

Australia:  18th October, 2012; USA DVD release 23rd October

Other Countries: Release Dates

Don Winslow's audacious 2010 novel, "Savages" must be a page turner, if the film is anything to go by.  Whilst Three-time Oscar®-winning filmmaker OLIVER STONE (Platoon, Wall Street, Born on the Fourth of July, W.), famous for his idiosyncratic characters and ability to ‘savage’ performances from his actors, doesn’t always get it right in his latest offering, he does get it there enough to make an entertaining film.

Be warned, “Savages” is a reasonably apt description for where these characters fall on the scale of likable, including the unsympathetic leads.  Although Benicia Del Toro’s Lado, who is the nastiest and least redeemable character, is a highlight.  John Travolta also is magic onscreen reminding us he has the acting chops to carry a heavy weight bad-ass persona.

Narrated by ‘O’ (short for Ophelia) (Blake Lively) who is one lucky girl, she has two gorgeous men in love with her Ben (Aaron Johnson) and Chon (Taylor Kitsch).  They lead an idyllic life living in luxury on Laguna Beach funded by Ben and Chon’s hugely successful dope business.

When the Mexican Baja Cartel, run by Elena, (Salma Hayek) decide they want in on this successful independent business they force the reluctant boys to join them by kidnapping their love, O.  These are brutal people, who inflict their will by such charming disciplinarian measures as decapitation by chainsaw, whipping and burning, or sending the gardening crew around, headed by Elena’s enforcer Lado, to have a little talk. These talks usually end in torture and death.

Ben and Chon must find a way to recover O without alerting Elena that they are not in compliance with her idea of their new partnership.  Chon who is ex-Afghanistan Navy Seal, commands a mini-army of ex-veterans, who somehow have managed to get hold of mines, and all manner of weaponry to wage a cat and mouse war with Elena.   They make good use quite brutally of the dirty DEA agent (John Travolta), who provides some real comic relief.

All of the characters, including the supposedly good guys, Ben, Chon and O begin as morally bankrupt but as the story progresses Stone asks us to find an understanding of the degrees of morality.  You will enjoy this out-of-control ride if you are prepared to accept those degrees. 

 

 

 

Review Roundup 15th October 2012

THIS WEEK'S PREVIEW REVIEWS

Too busy to read those long reviews? Try our minis… How should you spend your precious dollars when visiting the cinema? Read on.

To Rome with Love ★★★ ½

Opens in Australia: 18th October 2012

Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

          ‘To Rome With Love’ is hugely anticipated after the wonderful, whimsical ‘Midnight in Paris’.  It does fall short in comparison.  However it is fantastic to see Woody Allen in this one himself as husband to hugely brilliant Judy Davis.  The one-liners zing as always and the characters are a mixed bunch as usual.  There’s nothing new but it’s a Woody Allen through and through and that’s always a good thing.

STORY

          To ‘Rome with Love’ is a kaleidoscopic comedy movie set in one of the world's most enchanting cities. The film brings us into contact with a well-known American architect reliving his youth; an average middle-class Roman who suddenly finds himself Rome's biggest celebrity; a young provincial couple drawn into separate romantic encounters; and an American opera director endeavoring to put a singing mortician on stage. -- (C) Sony Pictures Classics

Taken 2 ★
 

Opens in Australia: 4th October 2012

Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

          If it was a comedy this would get 4 stars but as a thriller it’s a real dud.  Most of us were laughing through the bits where I think we were meant to be on the edge of our seat.  Terrible script, wooden acting and the most illogical set up for a rescue I have ever seen.  Footnote: to those who find themselves kidnapped, just send smoke signals.  I know you liked the first one but just keep it there.  If you see this you will begin to hate the film studios for throwing out their trash in your direction.

STORY

            Liam Neeson returns as Bryan Mills, the retired CIA agent with a "particular set of skills" who stopped at nothing to save his daughter Kim from kidnappers. When the father of one of the villains Bryan killed swears revenge, and takes Bryan and his wife hostage in Istanbul, Bryan enlists Kim to help them escape. Bryan then employs his unique tactics to get his family to safety and systematically take out the kidnappers, one by one. -- (C) Official Site

The Words ★★★★

Opens in Australia: 11th October 2012

Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

 

          Despite this film receiving very poor reviews, I really enjoyed it, as did several of my fellow reviewers.  It’s a story within a story within a story so maybe it was a little confusing.  I loved the questions it posed.  Can you live with guilt?  What price do you pay in deceiving others?  I suggest you go and make up your own mind. And girls, Bradley Cooper is an absolute dish and there are loads of close up shots. What is not to enjoy?  PS. The movie is much better than the terrible poster.

STORY

          Starring Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Irons, Dennis Quaid, Olivia Wilde and Zoë Saldana, the layered romantic drama The Words follows young writer Rory Jansen who finally achieves long sought after literary success after publishing the next great American novel. There's only one catch - he didn't write it. As the past comes back to haunt him and his literary star continues to rise, Jansen is forced to confront the steep price that must be paid for stealing another man's work, and for placing ambition and success above life's most fundamental three words.

Lawless ★★★★

Opens in Australia: 11th October 2012

Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

           This is bloody but brilliant, although it did receive some mixed reviews.  Those who didn’t like it found it unengaging. However, I was really drawn in and found Tom Hardy’s performance Oscar-nomination-worthy and Shia Labeouf’s best role yet (he can act without robots).  It’s a fascinating tale with a top ensemble cast.  Something about that era, just as in Boardwalk Empire, really rocks my boat, so I was always going to love it.  I did feel like having a bath afterwards. These people always look so dirty.  Warning, the violence is particularly nasty but they were rough and tumble days.

STORY

          Lawless is the true story of the infamous Bondurant Brothers: bootlegging siblings who made a run for the American Dream in Prohibition-era Virginia. In this epic gangster tale, inspired by true-life tales of author Matt Bondurant's family in his novel "The Wettest County in the World", the loyalty of three brothers is put to the test against the backdrop of the nation's most notorious crime wave. -- (C) Weinstein

 

Mental   ½ star (for Liev Schrieber's Aussie accent)

Opens in Australia: 4th October 2012

Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

           One of the most appalling films I have seen in years.  Why the likes of Toni Collette, Anthony LaPaglia, Liev Schrieber and Rebecca Gibney would want to be seen in this is beyond me?  Apparently, they did it for very little $$ too.  Written and directed by P.J. Hogan (he’s the director of ‘Muriel’s Wedding’ and ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding.’) supposedly this is based on a true story of his childhood.  We are meant to be laughing at date rape, menstrual stains on white lounges and Toni Collette, naked from the waist down, lighting a fart and setting a doll on fire with the flame.  If there is a God of film, please do not let this gain distribution in many countries.  It will set the image of Australia back a hundred years.  We are not all idiot yobbos.  P.J. Hogan is just mental and misguided.  It’s labelled an art-house flick but I would say its closer to a crap-house flick.

STORY

          A charismatic, crazy hothead transforms a family's life when she becomes the nanny of five girls.

What have you seen this week? Did you find our comments helpful or do you disagree? Share your thoughts with us.

 

Disney's Frankenweenie ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

IT’S THE HEART THAT BREATHES LIFE

Australia:  25th October, 2012; USA 5th October, 2012; UK17th October 2012
Other Countries: Release Dates




 

Just when you thought you had seen everything fantastical at the cinema, Tim Burton takes us to another level of superb in Disney's 'Frankenweenie'.  This film is so beautifully crafted I will be seeing it again as I missed so much due to the constant superlatives that spun in my head during my first viewing.

Why is it so good?  It’s foremost an engaging story (screenplay by John August), with incredible stop-motion 3D animation visuals that will have you truly wondering ‘How?’, and the music by Academy Award®–nominated Danny Elfman that is almost a character in itself.  Despite the technology, it still feels like you are watching one of those gorgeous old favourites that had you covering your eyes as the monster lurched after its victims. 

Tim Burton, arguably one of the most creative and eccentric Directors sometimes misses the mark, thanks to his penchant for extreme.  But in 'Frankenweenie' he has not just nailed it (excuse the pun) he has quite possibly created a classic as unique as the original ‘Frankenstein’.

Due to budget constraints the film began its life in 1984 as a live-action short for Disney.    The drawings Burton used in imagining his original characters have been used for this feature-length film alongside new characters.  Film buffs will recognize classic characters as many of the film’s leads are modelled on the look and traits of the memorable 1930 horror characters.  
 

'Frankenweenie' is the moving tale of a young science prodigy, Victor Frankenstein (Charlie Tahan) and his beloved dog Sparky.  Victor attends New Holland Elementary School where he is mentored by the misunderstood Mr Rzykruski (Martin Landau) who teaches him that “science can do both good and bad things and that if a scientist does not put his heart into his experiment, there could be disastrous consequences.” The first sign of trouble is heralded by the class ‘Weird Girl’ (Catherine O'Hara) when she delivers to Victor a prediction that something ‘big’ will happen to him because Mr Whiskers, her cat, has dreamt about him.  How does she know what the cat dreams?  Well, it’s quite imaginative and amusing.  The signs come from the kitty litter.

‘Big’ happens when Sparky is hit by a car and dies.  An inconsolable Victor hatches a plan to patch Sparky together and he then successfully brings him back to life, hiding him away in his attic.  Sparky’s resurrection does not stay a secret for long though and once the school creepy guy Edgar “E” Gore (Atticus Shaffer) discovers the truth, it isn’t long before word spreads amongst the other kids with monstrous results.  Along the way you will be captivated by the myriad of quirky characters voiced by other major talents like Martin Short, Robert Capron, Christopher Lee and Conchata Ferrell.
 

 

It took two years and 33 animators to film the stop-animation for ‘Frankenweenie’.  There are 24 frames per second in the stop motion for the film.  An animator, working usually alone, must stop and reposition the puppet 24 times to get one second of filmed action.  At its 82 minutes that’s 295,200 seconds and 7,084,800 movements.  That’s a study in patience right there.
 

The typical week for a stop-motion animator begins with being assigned a shot. He is then responsible for all the characters in that shot.  An animator must spend hours working with the puppets, tightening screws in their limbs and then placing them to get all of the movement that is required.  On average, one animator can only produce 5 seconds of animation per week.  So when you pay your theatre entrance you are certainly getting your money’s worth.

'Frankenweenie' is filmed in black and white and that choice only adds to the experience.  Parents may have to convince their retina-enhanced iPad children that watching a black and white animated film will be fun. However, from the opening sequence all complaints will be silenced as Burton’s ‘Frankenweenie’ takes parents on a trip down memory lane and introduces the young ones to what we mean when we say, ‘there was something special about those old black ‘n whites’. Just like Mr Rzykruski’s science, it’s not the special effects but the heart that’s put into it that makes all the difference.

 

See this one at the Cinema in 3D or you are really missing out on something special.