Review: Project X

You may have read some reviews from some forty-something year olds, talking about how Project X’s protagonists don’t suffer any consequences for the havoc they have brought upon their neighbourhood. But who cares, right? They’re old.

As someone on the eve of the age that defines her as an adult, has attended more than a few parties in her lifetime and has seen some pretty embarrassing things go down at these parties, I can tell you those ancient relics are right.

Project X definitely doesn’t add anything new to the found footage genre, unless you count a fresh handful of discrimination to multiple groups (including people with dwarfism, females and even teenage boys). Unfortunately for the actors playing our protagonists, Thomas (Thomas Mann), Costa (Oliver Cooper) and J.B. (Jonathan Daniel Brown), the characters lack a uniqueness that made Superbad’s actors what they are today.  Only Dax (Dax Flame), the one actually filming the unfolding events offers anything relatively new to the audience, yet you barely see him in front of the camera.

The female side is particularly let down. Only one female character really gets a voice (Alexis, played by Alexis Knapp), and I was definitely left wishing she had gotten Martin Klebba’s character to return and do another performance of the antics he had done at the party, but this time to Thomas.

With a cast of basically unknowns, it wasn’t the acting that let this film down, it was the script. It lacked originality, and the few bits that did surprise really weren’t enough to turn this into the next Superbad.

If you’re looking for a laugh, then this - I do have to admit - has it. That being said, it really wouldn’t have if it weren’t for Martin Klebba and T-Rick’s (played by Rick Shapiro) performances, also that weird security kid.  

So Project X gets a 2/5 from me, as well as my sympathies for the neighbour, who definitely was a character I felt more for than the protagonists (though I don’t condone doing what he did, even if it was because of a certain electrical device).

(I should also add that I hail from the land where real life weirdos like this guy come from, so that might add a little context as to why I think the film doesn’t offer much. Project X pays a nice little homage to the events of 2008 though. Skip to about 1.13 if you don’t want to watch all of the video)

(AND another thing: I really enjoyed the trailer. The colouring, the music, even the tension with Thomas’ trailer opening lines; whoever made it did a wonderful job. Just wish more of that came through in the film)

Review: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Before the opening credits of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy even appear, you might find yourself thinking that it’s slow. This is an indication: if you want to enjoy the movie, pay attention.

The cinematography captured the atmosphere of the film perfectly. The dreary English weather reflected the mood within the Secret Intelligence Service and the film was packed with some of Britain’s finest stars who all delivered wonderful performances. One character that came across as underexplored is Roy Bland (portrayed by Ciarán Hinds). The lack of talk about him, and lack of screen time indicate that he was not considered a vital character by the film’s director, Tomas Alfredson, which only narrows down the list of potential the potential mole for the viewers.

That being said, the film also seems like it’s trying to compensate for not being able to cover all of the material written by John le Carré which just overly complicates things.

Gary Oldman as George Smiley was great but the characters that I felt the most connection to were Jim Prideaux (Mark Strong) and Ricki Tarr (Tom Hardy). They ultimately came across as the most human of characters and were willing to do what was expected of them, not what could gain the most advantage from, even if it meant breaking some rules.

The word “gripping” has been thrown about to describe this film, but is not a word I would use to describe it. I will admit that there were slow bits; parts where you will get lost in your own thoughts and miss a vital piece of information. It’s almost as if people are ashamed to say that they didn’t quite understand a part because they believe it will reflect on their intelligence. The thing to remember is that even if they are fictional, many of the characters themselves didn’t understand what it was that they had done. Also, as someone who has not read the original novel, there is an air to the film that suggests the book has many details that are needed for a complete understanding of the story.

What I admire about this film is its attempts to explore human vices, and I believe it is a very realistic portrayal of this, no matter how unique the story line may be to the majority of us.

Wonderful cinematography, a subtle, elegant score and great performances from some of Britain’s most well-known stars, but the plot seemed to be missing its spark. So it’s a 4/5 for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy from me.

What did you think of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy?

P.S. There was serious contemplation of a 3/5 but the atmosphere created by everything but the script was truly great. It’s just a shame that some more clarity wasn’t incorporated into the film. I just sat through it thinking I must have missed a whole load of clues. Some googling brought me up to speed on some of the finer details (particularly with that chess piece with just ‘Karla’ written on it. Apparently I missed every other reference to Karla, so watch out for mention of the name; it’s fairly important to being able to follow the story).

Review: Immortals

Immortals, with all the shining abs and promises of copious amounts of blood will appeal to anyone who has ever uttered the catchphrase, “This is Sparta!”

Directed by Tarsem Singh, Immortals does share many stylistic choices with 300, as well as some producers, and their key audience. That being said, they do at least have different plots. Henry Cavill plays our leading man, Theseus, and he does it well; a good sign of things to come in 2013’s Man of Steel. The same can’t really be said for Micky Rourke’s Hyperion. Rourke plays Hyperion as a wonderfully evil character, but there are times where his dialogue drags, in an almost obvious attempt to cram in some plot to the film.

Why the writers bothered with a plot, we will never know. Immortals feels like it could still impress with just the violence, the wonderfully ridiculous outfits (one of my favourites is Poseidon’s headdress, played by Kellan Lutz) and the many attractive male and females, peasant or god.

The very ending of the film was a stylistic highlight, and many of the promotional posters for the film, as well as 39 seconds into the above trailer show a glimpse of this.

Immortals isn’t something you go to in order to ponder the deeper meanings of the universe; it’s a bit of fun. I’m giving it 2.5/5. Don’t let the rating scare you though; if you are looking for a bit of entertainment than Immortals is definitely worth seeing. The trailers for the film will have you knowing what to expect from it and it would be a surprise if you came out disappointed.

Though if there is anything that Immortals has taught me, it is that all films should have John Hurt cameos. 

So what do you think? Have your say on this film or another you’ve seen recently by clicking here.

Review: Breaking Dawn Part 1

Though the books are a trilogy, the last book of the Twilight series, Breaking Dawn, has been split, giving us the movie Breaking Dawn Part 1. This seemed like a strange move, particularly as it looked inspired by a similar move of the incredibly popular Harry Potter franchise. As someone who has read all of Meyers Twilight series, the move also seemed strange as, essentially, the more interesting content of the book has all been left to part 1. What does this leave for part 2? Well, in the book the second half is comprised of an almost battle; the Volturi turns, up, they talk, a couple people die (due to being somewhat irrational, not as part of the bigger battle) then they realise, “No harm done.” All I can see in the future of part 2 is a script writer hoping for a lot of creative freedom.

Part 1 itself will please the Twihards. Large portions of the movie are taken up by not one, but two weddings, and that highly anticipated sex scene, feathers and all.  Kristen Stewart seems like she has been allowed to relax a little more which is great since she’s dulled down the awkward take on Bella. The work done by Lola Visual Effects (the very same who turned Chris Evans into a scrawny version of himself in Captain America) is really believable as they turn an already skinny Bella frighteningly thin. Robert Pattinson and the rest of the cast do a fine job, and they all come across as if they have grown more comfortable in their roles.

For Twilight haters, there’s still plenty of material that will have you squirming. One point that I found disappointing was that nothing had been done to improve the contact lenses; they’re very distracting, particularly on Irina, played by Maggie Grace. Twilight fans will be impressed though, and anyone just looking for something to watch won’t have too many problems.

Breaking Dawn Part 1 gets a 3/5. Make sure you stay til the very end too (of the credits); the Volturi make an appearance (they should just make an entire movie about them).

So what do you think?

Highly Anticipated: The Hunger Games

  The film adaption of the USA Today and New York Times Best Selling book The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, is set released March next year. Posters featuring profile shots of some of the main players of the book, teaser and full length trailers (well, one) are already stirring up much excitement. The Vanity Fair photo shoot of the cast has been cleverly made interactive over on their website, giving details on the audition process, as well as key moments for the characters (be warned, if you were aiming to be surprised by either the novel or film, tread carefully when reading the information: spoilers!)

As well as many comparisons to other books and films (Battle Royale is one of the favourites for the trilogy to be compared to), and the idea that the trilogy will be the answer to the loss of the Harry Potter franchise and soon Twilight Saga,The Hunger Games is definitely a novel that can stand on its own feet, and hopefully the movie will be living up to this standard too. If you’re interested in reading the book series, don’t worry about the threat of the dreaded ‘love triangle’: the books protagonist, Katniss, does her best to stay completely oblivious to it, mainly because staying alive takes priority.

I’d say both girls and guys, of all ages (maybe keep the littluns away from it; dying is the main theme of the series) would enjoy the books. It might not be able to be compared with the technical skills of J. R. R. Tolkien’s works, but that doesn’t matter: Collins has managed to write a book that didn’t have a single slow moment in my eyes. Its action packed, with the occasional bit of romance in there for good measure, and Capitol approval.

Review: Fright Night

For a film with ‘Fright’ in the name, only the odd jump is provided in Craig Gillespie directed Fright Night. If you have the choice between 2 or 3D, then definitely go for 3D; Blood splatters shoot out of the screen and the excellently creepy Colin Farrell’s transformation into savage vampire Jerry is done justice through the format. David Tennant does a hilarious job of portraying the troubled Peter Vincent and it is safe to say that all actors in the film do their jobs well. What is lacking is the fright. Fright Night follows in the footsteps of films more like Zombieland, where the gore plays a decent part but the scares are well, scarce. If you haven’t had the chance to see the original version of the film and have only relied upon the trailer to get a sense for what this film is about, then forget about the horror, and go into the cinema expecting laughs. It definitely provides more this way. All the Twilight references, small or big, will put a smile on the face of any avid Twilight fan or raging hater, and there are plenty of other clever bits to keep anyone entertained.

So Fright Night, it’s a 3/5 for me. Definitely entertaining, but lacked the scares I was hoping for.

Now what do you think?