The Time Machine

It is Christmas Day when your are about to eat as much as you can, be nice to your family who you haven’t seen for a long time (there is a reason for that) so when I saw The Time Machine starting on one of the channel I was happily focused on the TV and blocked my surrounding out.  Not worrying about my family going crazy about the turkey and the roast potato around me. 

It is 1960 when the film was made. Let’s do the math, 50 years ago! Ben-Hur is winning its 11 Oscars which Titanic  38 years later can only beat. Since then the world population is doubled and loads of other interesting things happened according to Wikipedia if you want to read some more....here!

I’m not one of those people who read the novel the film was based on by H. G. Wells, published in 1895  but with the limited information a film can tell compare to a book its based on I still found it very enjoyable and entertaining.

Great acting from Rob Taylor including all the facial impressions a film at that time required. Producer-director George Pal who we can proudly call the granddaddy of science-fiction films did a great job creating the impressive sets and special effects. I have to be honest here I wasn’t blown away by the beauty of Yvette Mimieux. When it comes to female character I have to choose the props in the shop window with the different outfits on her as the years are going by.

I have read a couple of reviews where there were some arguments about the low quality of the special effects or the characters are cardboard cutouts and the acting is being wooden, English to be the language spoken in 800,000 A.D and having two casts, Sweden looking suburban teenagers with no brain and stuffed animals with battery-powered eyes. Let’s just say there re some truth in those but for me The Time Machine is a great film to watch. One of those Sci-Fi films that's made just right to be watched over and over again and never gets old just do the math if you want to compare it to Avatar.

By glued to the TV for an hour and a half I wasn’t only the pleasant Chrimtas guest who doesn’t interfere but luckily for me for that period of time I was taken to a different time away from the turkey madness!

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District 9

 It is a bit bizarre and thought provoking but also opens up at least a 1000 questions. Why they are here? Why does alien fuel turn a guy into an alien? Why would the aliens have an antidote for a guy turning into an alien? Why would Wikus (our star in the film) only cut off a finger? Why didn't the aliens retaliate with their superior technology? Why would the government allow the aliens to be so loosely controlled? Why do the aliens act like savages even though they are supposed to be an advanced race? But there is no point asking these questions just enjoy the movie because believe me it is a bloody good film.

I'm so glad there weren't any big star in it because it made it even more believable. Sharlto Copley as Van De Wikus Merwe and yes some other actors and actresses. And Christopher and his son who are the most memorable and lovable alien I have ever come across with. I hope they will live happy ever after in Spaceland.

The opening scenes use newsflashes, ad breaks and to-camera interviews to set up the complex back-story. At that point you have to check whether you are watching a program on TV and sat on the remote control or it is the film itself. It is so realistic right up until the end you are never sure what's going to happen next.

So the plot: For 20 years, more than 1m aliens, known as Prawns, have been living in a dirty, crime-infested refugee camp in Johannesburg called District 9.(simple fact, do NOT ask questions as I did) Wikus is the man put in charge of evicting the aliens. But when he is exposed to an alien chemical, Wikus starts to turn into a prawn and is hunted by the evil MNU corporation that he once worked for.

And we have got all the way though, running, exploding, turning into an alien, gun fire, cat food, war zone, experimenting, emotion, action, tears, military force, fight scenes...by the end turning it into a video game movie which is still fine.

It was a great choice Mr Peter Jackson to choose Neill Blomkamp to direct the film and create a sci-fi movie that feels unbelievably real. (to me at least). Apparently they only made District 9 after their previous project fell through – the feature film adaptation of the Halo video game franchise. No matter how hard I try can I imagine what that film would have been like.

Some more questions then. Why it is thought provoking? Is it something to do with immigrants? The film becomes a portrait of cyclical segregation, with the prawns (aka the aliens) as a catch-all metaphor for displaced asylum seekers worldwide. As there were at least 4 Sunday when I kept finding article in the paper analyzing the connection between Avatar and different faiths so if this movie was as much talked about as Avatar I'm sure we had that effect about immigration.

My final verdict is then: with all its illogic and CGI it bringing us some food for thought (which not many films are able to deliver). It is a very unique sci-fi film and a must see! The film not only had action and great special effects but it had a storyline with a universal theme that everyone can relate to.

A Prophet

I'm breaking the ice, well not just breaking it but smashing it, melting it and even drinking it. After 3 of my blog in the row talking about "you can easily live without" films, here is the one you can NOT live without!

Yes, it is A Prophet or Un Prophete.

I wasn't feeling sleepy last night and at 10 o'clock I decided to watch something which I have heard to be good. But the rumors were wrong it was not good but A MUST-SEE, SENSATIONAL, MASTERFUL, UNFORGETTABLE, POWERFUL, COMPELLING (some of the words from the Trailer). Perfect acting, scenario, script, directing, cinematography & sound. Supported by a compelling original score by Alexandre Desplat and brilliant cinematography by Stéphane Fontaine, directed by Jacques Audiard.

The plot: It set mainly within prison walls, Malik el Djebena, a 19-year-old man of North African origin sentenced to six years in prison. At his arrival in prison, he is forced into the murky world of prison crime when Cesar tell him to kill a follow Arab prisoner, and if Malik doesn't they would kill him. From this point on we start "living and breathing" with Malik. You drawn instantly into his life and can not leave him. It is like a book you can't put down because you want to know what happens next. From the moment he trains himself how to kill his victim, then becoming the slave of the Corsican mafia gang, learning to read, all the way to the end he captures you with his ability to build a completely assured reality about this character.

The star: Tahar Rahim. He is genuine and believable and wonderful. His performance is shivering with the fear of loneliness and pain. I have to admit I fell in love with him in a flash. Of course he didn't win the BAFTA Rising Star award because he wasn't in Twilight. But he knew that right away on arrival! (they misspelled his name) He is one of those who can't seems to realize how talented he is. We could say if it was an English-language film he would take not only the Oscar but most of the awards but I'm honestly so glad it is not and he is what he is!

So by half midnight I finished the film and it was long that is true but I found myself at the end wishing to know more, and rather regretting the end of this fascinating movie.

I'm proudly present that A Prophet is the best film of 2009 and because I saw it just yesterday it is the best of 2010.

An Education

An other BAFTA moment made me realise I have to see this film in order to have a proper opinion about Carey Mulligan.

The first time I saw a picture of her when I was queuing up in a supermarket and on the front cover of a magazine she was walking along with Shia LaBeouf. All I remember from that moment that it made me realize you can have a hot guy with short hair. The second time I came across with her name when she was among the BAFTA Rising Start nominees. But we all knew Kristen Stewart is the only one who can win this game so I carried on with my Careyless life.

Eventually, BAFTA came and she reappeared with blond hair and gave interviews where she was articulate, shy but charming, lovely but scared and with that she won the Best Actress in a Leading Role Award. So here I am, watching the film to make sure she did deserve it.

To tell you the truth, I'm not sure this film gave me any more than what the 3 minutes trailer already showed me. The plot is simple and far from new or interesting, we know these characters very well from books, films. It didn't capture me with its lack of freshness. By the end of the film I felt like being Jenny, living in a small town watching boring films and not having a life. I left the cinema feeling how thin so many movies are these days.

Emma Thompson, Olivia Williams, Peter Sarsgaard and Alfred Molina - who easily steals every scene he was in - and yes, Carey Mulligan. She ultimately saved me from regretting having watched the film. She was amazingly brilliant and the critics are right "a star has born". And they are soo RIGHT because she has just born so I wouldn't give her an Oscar just yet, not until she is at least a teenager if not an adult and played another 5 memorably roles.

I feel sorry for the film and Lynn Barber or Nick Hornby though. It is not more than an Audrey Hepborn lookalike's wonderful performance. I have never felt bored after watching Roman Holiday, Sabrina, Breakfast at Tiffany's or My Fair Lady. Why did it fell so predictable and dull after all then?

I look forward to hearing your answer!

Coco Before Chanel

I was wondering after the BAFTA how on earth Coco Before Chanel lost against The Young Victoria in the Costume Design Category. We have seen so many films which played in the Victorian era and not being an expert I tried to understand why did Sandy Powell deserve the award again. If you come to think of it, how often do we see a film about a fashion icon's life which presumable full of fabric, colour, design, forms and style. I was looking forward to see quality fabric to be chosen, cut and sewed, a woman riping a piece of fabric and turn it into a dress. An early life of a designer, whose brand still one of the leading label worldwide and even on Ebay I can't afford to buy a piece but keep adding it to my wish list and hoping for the best. (winning the lottery)

Solving this mystery I found myself 105 minutes of free time and watched the film.

The only thing saving me saying that it was just like The Young Victoria,(flat and lack of drama) is cinematography. The certain elements of clothing (black and white patterns, stripes, men's shirts) are shown with great details (unfortunately not more then 45 second in the whole film) and with spectacular focus pulling we have the essence of Chanel's trademark. The wonderful French countryside and mansion is stunning throughout and the accompanying soundtrack fitting the feel of the film perfectly.

Let's not talk about the director, the lack of passion and drama, the flat script, the easily predictable scenes or the way too long duration of the film.

Now I know what did I do wrong. I shouldn't have approached this film with an expectation that I would learn something of the beginnings of Chanel the brand and how it became the icon of today. Something what I have got from La Vie en Rose.

It was more like a nice summer film with nothing to go away with but knowing the well-known fact the Audrey Tautou is still one of the most amazing actress in the world.

And as for winning the Oscar, well good luck! BAFTA was giving to the Shakespeare in Love designer with my approval after all.

The nomination of this film is like my items on my wish list, it is Chanel!

Valentine's Day

I have to type this up otherwise I’m not going to sleep tonight I just know. I have just wasted 2 hours 38 minutes of my life by watching the latest romcom, Valentine’s Day.

My single life Valentine's Day started very well actually, a nice box of handmade luxuries bonbons for breakfast(a present from last night), with The Sunday Times paper, a couple of emails with friends about how they got home last night after our crazy night out and then I got ready for "The" movie which I thought will be lovely to finish this "wonderful" day with.

I have to be honest here which might cause that people start unfollowing me on twitter or my name will be on milk boxes tomorrow with a slogan „Idiot, do not know real romance and do not listen to her. EVER!” .

Anyway, so the film. Yes, it has got everyone, really like EVERYONE. Anne Hathaway, Ashton Kutcher, Bradley Cooper, Bryce Robinson, Emma Roberts, Eric Dane, George Lopez, Hector Elizondo, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Julia Roberts, Kathy Bates, Patrick Dempsey, Queen Latifah, Shirley MacLaine, Taylor Lautner, Taylor Swift, Topher Grace (did I miss anyone?) and directed by Garry Marshall who is also the director of Pretty Woman which we all love and know the script from heart but that is all about it.

In a summary: badly written script (or I would say no script at all, probably put together over a fag break), poor direction (sorry Garry we know you can do better), boring characters (characters, were there any?), cliched storylines (in big CLICHED) and a shocking lack of laughs (I laughed when I tripped in the dark movie theater) . We got everything: luxury, skinny miserable girls, beautifully build male actors, sunshine in February, sad kid, friendship ending with love, cheating on wife, tears and hugs and kisses (not passionate ones, are you kidding this is not Hollywood, or yes it is,but anyway...)

I can see what they have tried, pull big names together and forget about the rest, but you can’t make a movie like that, can you?

Its an American version of Love Actually, with the UK version being the much better movie.

I might be too harsh here but the my favorite scene was the closing credits. Please go and see it and prove me wrong!

Moon

I have heard bits and bobs about the film and I was constantly asked whether I've managed to see it. So I decided the time has come. I have done my research beforehand and knew about the low budget (how can you do something at all from only $5 million?), directed by Duncan Jones, son of David Bowie, Kevin Spacey as GERTY the robot, shoot location Pinewood Studios where I also filmed a short interview with someone famous (top secret who it was). So I got the DVD on a Saturday evening and instead of going out to a dinner party I watched it with great expectation.

The script and the story: It's smart, literate, it doesn't condescend to its audience. It's very, human and original. The actor, the only „real” actor: Sam Rockwell rocks and kicked ass. I only saw him in Charlie's Angels when I was at the end of my teens and later heard that he is in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy which put him right into my „not a real actor” list. His performance in this movie was outstanding. He is the film all by himself. We can agree that he is the finest actor of the planet, well of the Moon . (I’m not going to see Iron Man 2 to destroy my theory)

The set made me feel it is all happening at the same time as Alien in 1979. Nothing too flashy, too much, just simple design so we can concentrate on the story. Review writers and critics were just way to active when they put the IMDB „Goofs” page together. It was shot only in 33 days with no money and they even got Kevin Spacey in it and squeezed him into that tiny box. Of course there are slips in continuity but that is not the point. And GERTY is just great (and funny) with his smiley face icons which change depending on what his mood is.

I’m not a big sci-fi film fan but as Steve Biodrowski said „This excellent little science fiction film is a welcome throwback to an earlier era, when filmmakers used the canvas afforded by outer space and/or the future to explore ideas about the human condition.” Very well said!

Sherlock Holmes

It was in November when I went to see UP in the cinema and the trailer of Sherlock Holmes came on with the title in the front „New film from Guy Ritchie”. I turned to my friend and said, this is the next film I’m so not interested. Then the trailer started and it was like, well ok then, I am wrong.

Then Christmas came and Avatar came and finally Sherlock Holmes was the next film on my agenda. Well prepared with Tangfastic, chocolate covered Brazil nuts and half a litter of Diet Coca I was ready for the 128 minutes film.

So what we got was, great cinematography, unexpected shots, (some of them reminded me of Gothika.), terrific music and well selected Holmes figure.

Robert Downey Jr. is back, he is sooo back. He had some rough times in the nineties, drink-driving and drug problems, but what a hell. He plays this troubled genius character with perfection. Sometimes I lost the plot with his fast speaking and strange „British like” accent but we have to admit, the story wasn’t hard to follow. We were mesmerised with his shirtless self and his sense of humor. I have never thought of Sherlock Holmes being my dream man from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle books.

Neither Jude Law nor Rachel McAdams were making any impact on the film. Yes, they have pretty faces that is about it. Jude Law felt a bit lost next to his partner's scenes, genuine mind and charm.

They are planing to start the second film, but why? Please don’t! There is nothing to continue. Yes, it is a great entertainment. Yes. it is a good movie. And yes we fall in love with Robert Downey Jr. and his character but unless they come up with a great story line we will be all disappointed. I'm hoping to be wrong again.