Review: Midnight in Paris

STAR RATING: ***

Probably some **SPOILERS**

I sat down the other night to watch Midnight in Paris, not really knowing what to expect as I had read no reviews or any kind of synopsis that tells you the general storyline of the film. I knew three things:

1. It was starred a few familiar faces, including Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams.
2. It was set in Paris
3. It was directed by Woody Allen.

Yes, that's all I knew.

The storyline actually focuses on a Hollywood screenwriter known as Gil (Wilson), who seems to be somewhat unfulfilled in his current life and attempting to finish his first novel, whilst vacationing in Paris with his finance Inez (McAdams') and her wealthy parents.
Gil and Inez are clearly not the perfect match for each other, and we do see them in constant disagreement with each other from the moment we see them together. Aside from the fact that Inez clearly doesn't understand Gil's ambition and his unhappiness with his career, the couple also disagree strongly about the fact that Gil desperately wants to move to Paris after they marry, and Inez desperately wants to stay in Malibu. Let's not also forget an extra catalyst added to the couple's relationship problems in the form of Paul (Michael Sheen) - a friend of Inez who appears very cultured and knowledgeable about Paris and it's history.
We get all this information in the first fifteen minutes of the movie, and honestly, at this moment I was thinking that it was very... well.... cliche.

One night on their vacation, after dining with Paul (and another woman who I think is pretty irrelevant), a drunk Gil decides he doesn't want to join them to go dancing afterwards and decides to walk back to their hotel, only to get lost in the back streets of Paris. He sits to rest on some steps when a nearby clock strikes midnight and a 1920's car suddenly appears and the people inside beckon him to join them... and so he does.
Gil then finds that he has travelled back in time to 1920's Paris an time that he dubs as a "golden era". He finds this happens every night at the same place, same time, and along way manages to meet great historical figures and people that he idolises such as Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald (Tom Hiddleston and Alison Pill), Ernest Hemingway (Corey Stoll), who offers to have his novel read by Gertude Stein (Kathy Bates), and Pablo Picasso (Marcial Di Fonzo Bo).
He also meets a woman named Adriana (Marion Cottilard) whom he begins to fall in love with and obviously that causes problems, 'cause.. y'know.. she's from the 1920's and stuff.
Back in present time, Gil also meets antiques dealer Gabrielle (Léa Seydoux) who he has shared interests with and a clear connection...

Back in the 1920's with Adriana, the paid travel back in time together to Paris in 1890, which is the time that Adriana most idolises, and when she decides she that wants to stay, Gil finally realises that whilst it's nice to be nostalgic... it's a much better idea to accept his present time.
That being said... he then goes back to sort stuff out with his bride-to-be...

(I won't say anymore about the plot.. even though I have already told you most of the story.)

If I'm honest, I didn't think Owen Wilson was particularly great... he played the typical character he always plays, which is always the likable character of any story that we all want to see do well... but I think it can sometimes get tiring. The only depth to this character was created by Woody Allen through the writing and directing of this movie, so I must admit that it would have been nice to see Wilson add something a little extra to this character... perhaps a quirky mannerism or habit? since we are talking about a man who is, on paper, so wrapped up in his own little world and frustrated with his current life.

Similarly I was also disappointed with Rachel McAdams, whom I usually absolutely adore! Though I do have a massive girl-crush on her, I have to say I was really disappointed with her character. I'm not entirely sure it was her portrayal of the character that I disliked (though perhaps I am being a little biased), It was more the character that had been created for her. I think this "spoilt-brat-fiancee who doesn't understand or support her husband's dreams and ambitions" has been done so many times before, and I think the story would have worked just as well if she had been the complete opposite. I definitely think that if the story had focused more on Gil and his acceptance of his current life in present time and less on his relationship with Inez and Adriana, then the entire movie would have been improved greatly.

Aside from this, I actually think Woody Allen did an excellent job writing and directing this movie. For a movie that seems to have such a mediocre storyline, I think it actually provoked some complex and abstract ideas such as the concept of time and nostalgia, but without making the story completely incomprehensible or "artsy" (which isn't a word, but seems to describe a category of movies of which I think everyone is familiar with...).

So all in all, I would say... watch this movie if you have a free evening and fancy watching something slightly bizarre. Don't focus too much on the character's, but turn your attention to the "message" or ideas presented by the story.. it might turn out that you actually quite like it...

...and besides, the scenery is gorgeous! So if you're watching it for anything... watch it for the sights!

Review: Avengers Assemble

Star Rating: *****

That's right, 5 Stars from me!
I LOVED this movie. Everything about it.

The story line was kind of weak... you know, there's a bad guy... all the avengers are gathered together by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and stop the bad guy called Loki, brother of Thor (played by Tom Hiddleston) who wants to cause destruction etc.

But I don't care about the weak storyline - It did not for a moment stop the movie from being entirely AWESOME!.

Okay so, the avengers include Iron Man/Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America/Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), The Hulk/Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hawkeye/Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner) and Black Widow/Natasha Raminoff (Scarlett Johansson).

This movie is full of action, clever one-liners and amazing graphics... and I definitely recommend it. I have already seen the other movies based around each of the avengers so every character was familiar to me, as well as their 'histories'. I definitely think everyone should watch the other films before seeing this movie.. not because you wont understand it, but because it's almost like seeing all your weird friends with super-abilities together (I know, I know.. very sad).

I definitely loved the use of comedy in the movie, as it wasn't OTT, but just enough to remind us that marvel isn't meant to be dark and all-serious. The script is fantastic, but not easy to follow. I think they definitely added the sci-fi lingo to make the storyline seem more confusing than it was, but even so, I did not care as I was kept entertained all the way through.

Mark Ruffalo filled a pair of extra large boots as the new alter-ego(ish) of THE HULK! and he really did an excellent job, in my ever-so-humble opinion. His voice and manner was just so so calm, which was an absolutely brilliant addition to the whole 'Bruce Banner turns into giant green monster' thing, as it kind of reminded you that they were two almost very different personalities, and that Banner was trying everything in his power not to get angry. LOVED IT!

Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans resumed their roles as Iron Man and Captain America and did a brilliant job, introducing a kind of brotherly relationship - including all the bickering (which was hilarious)... And lets not forget Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner and Scarlett Johansson who starred as Thor, Hawkeye and Black Widow and were also very brilliant and very very hot! (yes - Scarlett Johansson is hot.. even from my point of view!)

Okay, so it's only May and I can already say that this movie will be in my top 10 for this year. It's a definite must-see, especially for any marvel fans out there.. or just any massive nerds like me!
It's fast moving, comedic and extremely enjoyable

I only wish I had seen it in 3D...  ;)

Review: The Hunger Games (Cast Review)

(please note that anything I say is not giving away crucial parts of the story - though this is more a review for people who have read the books)

Oh my god.

Okay, so as you all know I am in love with this trilogy, so seeing this movie was a big thing for me.

I desperately tried not to build it up too much because I know that I can get easily disappointed, but I really, really wasn't.

I already explained the storyline in my review of the books... so I'm just going to go straight ahead with the movie review, if that's alright? ;)

I just want to first say, the cast is FANTASTIC!

Jennifer Lawrence, for a start, is perfect for this role. I love her because she doesn't overplay it, but somehow gets the right emotions put across in the right places. To me, she just is Katniss. Katniss is (in my opinion) supposed to be strong, but I think in the sense that she wants to show others that she is strong. She is still just a girl, who cares about her family and friends and her district, so the parts where she breaks down (without giving any spoilers) are my favourite, as Lawrence's really brings out Katniss' weaknesses.

Josh Hutcherson is another perfect choice. Peeta, I think, goes into the games with the acceptance that he is going to die (still not giving anything away). It's almost heartbreaking how he feels less important next to Katniss, but Hutcherson's way of showing it really strengthens Peeta's character, as we see how through this acceptance, he really wants to concentrate on saving Katniss - not himself.
Hutcherson's portrayal of Peeta is calm and genuine, which makes him entirely lovable - which is what Peeta is meant to be - as noted by Suzanne Collins (author of The Hunger Games) and character Haymitch who says in both book and film how Peeta is easy to like - and I definitely agree!

Gale, played by Liam Hemsworth, I almost just as I pictured him. Very tall, dark hair and completely attractive. One thing I loved about the film adaptation is the way we were able to see clips of Gale (even if they were very short) whilst the games were going on, as I had always wondered what his reactions would be. Hemsworth is equally as brilliant as his co-stars, though we see very little of him. The scenes he shares with Lawrence -though short- really allow us to see the relationship between Gale and Katniss straight away, and how similar they are in terms of their beliefs, family values and their attitudes towards the Capitol and the Games.

Nearly finished I promise....

The last Character I want to look at (though there are many more I could look at...) is Effie Trinket played by Elizabeth Banks. Effie is one of my favourite characters of the book, just because she is so groomed and particular, and I think she doesn't really know what she believes - just that she needs to do her job, and so she does it. Elizabeth Banks plays Effie to perfection. One thing I did notice straight away was that she has interpreted the Capitol accent. It was very subtle and seemed almost natural, but is so important to the overall character of Effie. Banks also managed to create a whole personna for Effie in the way she carries herself and poises her arms upright in a natural pose. It is definitely the smaller details all added together to create Effie's character and you can see how each has been individually thought out by Banks in the development of this character. She definitely didn't disappoint me.


Okay so, one more thing before I leave you all again...
I just wanted to point out that The Hunger Games is NOT a love story!
I would love to sit here and tell you what it is about, but really I think it is open greatly to interpretation. Perhaps one day I will do blog post on it.... ;)

Until we blog again,
x

Review: The Woman in Black

STAR RATING: *****

OK. I was really scared to see this movie.

Just the day before I had been queueing at the cinema waiting to see a different film, when my cousin came out of one of the screens, completely freaked out and shaking, telling me that the film she had just seen was completely terrifying!

The Woman in Black.

To be honest I was fighting two thoughts in my head. The first said 'it's a 12A... how bad could it be?' and the second voice said 'don't go and see it - it's going to be reaaaaally scary'. I mean, seeing my cousin's reaction wasn't the only time I had been forewarned about this movie - my other peers and official reviews also emphasised that it was probably going to give me nightmares for the next few weeks.

.... buuuuuuttt... I went to see it anyway ;)

I have to be honest, I wasn't scared as I thought I would be. I'm not sure if this was because the hype had geared me up so much that I was expecting the worst and it therefore seemed less scary when it didn't match my expectation, ... or if perhaps I was putting on a brave face whilst surrounded by other cinema-goers.
...But I wouldn't deny that it is very very creepy and very haunting. This movie is exactly the type of example that can be used to show the difference between a horror movie and a ghost story. It is definitely a ghost story, and although this label implies a lack of scariness, this is definitely not the case. I may not have been terrified, but I was definitely cowering into my seat for some parts.. and I did jump... a lot.

The story is based around Arthur Kipps, played by Daniel Radcliffe, who is called to a remote mansion called Eel Marsh House to settle the late-owner's estate. He arrives to the nearby oh-so-creepy village where he intends to stay whilst carrying out his business, only to receive very unwelcoming attitudes from the local residents, with the owners of the inn he is supposed to be staying in telling him they have no spaces, and the local solicitor telling him to leave town on the next train and he is not needed.

Yes, yes, very suspicious! We get the immediate feel of eeriness and a 'hidden secret'.

Spooky stuff.

Anyway so, Kipps ignores them and continues to the house the following day. Almost immediately after he walks through the front door of the old mansion, you begin to sense something is wrong. This feeling is probably encouraged by the haunting music and grey colours that seem to scream GHOST!!!!

After a few jumpy moments... the ones that make you think that something big is going to happen, Kipps begins to experience some ghostly happenings, such as noises and seeing things out of the corner of his eyes Once he even sees the Woman in Black herself, though at this point he knows nothing of her....

and then the story really begins...

... and that is where my general plot-overview ends. I really can't give anything away, you see ;)

To generally review the film, Daniel Radcliffe is absolutely brilliant. I was concerned about how young he is and looks... with Arther Kipps being a father and all, but if you think about it, in this Victorian era it was probably common to be a family man at such a young age, when old age was so uncommon. Nonetheless, his mannerisms really accentuate maturity and the way he acts with his on-screen son really makes you believe he is a father. I really did imagine I would be thinking "oh my god, it's Harry Potter" the whole time... but it didn't actually cross my mind once. To me, he was just Arthur Kipps.
Aside from Radcliffe's outstanding performance (in my opinion), I was so impressed with the general direction (James Watkins) and screenplay (Jane Goldman). The particular scene(s) in which Kipps stays in the house for an entire night, were exceptional. It wasn't until after the movie had finished that someone mentioned to me that, in this section of the film, there was about thirty minutes where there was no dialogue at all. I hadn't even noticed, and I think that really is a good sign, don't you think? To be so caught up in a story... it's what you really want out of a film.

Okay, so I know I keep giving movies good reviews... but I guess I have just seen some good movies lately. The Woman in Black is definitely one of the best films I have seen in a long time. It is a fantastic horror(ish) movie that also holds a great storyline, which I think is so hard to find.

A definite must-see.

Until we blog again,
x