http://thefilmreview.com/forum/ Chat with fellow film fanatics en Tue, 07 Sep 2010 02:08:58 +0000 http://thefilmreview.com/forum/topic/review-moon#post-30 Fri, 07 Aug 2009 01:11:24 +0000 hazza1a 30@http://thefilmreview.com/forum/ <p>Sci-fi has long been a genre of hit and misses. For every Alien or 2001: A Space Odyssey there has been a Universal Soldier or Plan 9 From Outer Space. Moon sees Sam Bell (played by Sam Rockwell) stationed on the moon sometime in the future as an employee for Lunar Industries mining a precious gas that has become integral in providing energy for Earth. His three-year contract is due to end soon, but for the past couple of weeks Sam&#39;s contact with &#39;home&#39; has been somewhat broken and consists of sporadic video messages. Sam is consequently isolated and lonely, with only GERTY (a mobile computer voiced by Kevin Spacey) to serve as company. This leads to hallucinations and self-doubt, but is he really alone...?</p> <p>The film manages to be a refreshingly original take on the genre, surprisingly so given the relatively standard premise. Perhaps the reason for this is the surprising twist halfway through, one which I cannot give away! Plus, Sam Rockwell is truly engaging in his performance, a real achievement given that is him alone on screen for most of the film. He convincingly portrays the detrimental effect of isolation on his character&#39;s health and sanity and we can easily see this man has gone through not only three years of work, but a long period of self-analysis and self-improvement. The role really allows Rockwell to showcase the talent that, up until now, has not been nearly as noticed as it should.</p> <p> Credit must go though to Kevin Spacey. Despite his role only demanding his voice and not his &#39;acting&#39; per se, he really does nail the part. It must be that his voice is naturally suited to a computer because if I ever imagine the future, it is voice I hear speaking to me from a screen. Solely through his voice Spacey manages to convey an inhuman quality that a computer obviously possesses, but at the same time allowing hints of &#39;emotion&#39; to creep into the character, making GERTY somewhat enigmatic but ultimately likeable. </p> <p>The final factor that makes this movie tick is the direction by Duncan Jones. The lighting highlights both the beauty and the emptiness of the moon, especially evident in Sam&#39;s trips in his lunar buggy to the harvesters. Jones&#39; decision to use models rather than digital effects and animation certainly pays off. It gives the movie a gritty, textured and personal look, rather than the artificial sheen of a Hollywood production. This consequently adds to the desolate setting that the moon and the station present, and help to create an uncomfortable eeriness to the film. This is encapsulated by the character of GERTY: rather than a sleek human-like appearance, GERTY is effectively a square box with two multi-tasking arms. The real touch, however, is the basic &#39;smiley-face&#39; icon that changes according to the &#39;emotion&#39; that the computer is feeling. Paradoxically, this makes the viewer empathize and indeed like the character more than if it were a more human-like figure.</p> <p>This is not all to say that the film has no flaws: perhaps the tension could have been upped that bit more, or a few more &#39;jumps&#39; been created in order to ensure the full attention of the audience, but that would be to make it into a film that it inherently is not. This is more a study of what makes us human, and how we can change, develop and deteriorate. Rockwell pulls off what must have been an immensely difficult task with apparent ease. This is no sci-fi scare, what it is is an intriguing investigation and portrayal of the human mind and the human character: invest the time in this movie and you will be rewarded. Thoroughly recommended. 4/5 </p> http://thefilmreview.com/forum/topic/film-review-fighting#post-29 Fri, 22 May 2009 08:56:13 +0000 mrw112@homtmail.com 29@http://thefilmreview.com/forum/ <p>Film Review: Fighting</p> <p>Starring: Channing Tatum, Terrence Howard, Luis Guzmán and Zulay Henao.</p> <p>Writers: Robert Munic and Dito Montiel</p> <p>Director: Dito Montiel</p> <p>Despite what the title, the trailer, and the beaten-like face of Hollywood newcomer, Channing Tatum (Shawn MacArthur) suggest, this movie is no super-actioned no-brainer.</p> <p>New to the silver screen writers, Munic and Montiel, unravel a sensitive narrative that explores many realms such as friendships, hardships and family ties. </p> <p>The writers’ style, and the vision of Montiel, the director, allow for a very engaging, artistic, and what seems to be a very realistic portrayal of what trying to make a living in New York would be like.</p> <p>MacArthur, whose income is made by selling whatever items he can get on the street, is coerced into showing his fighting abilities, and eventually, joining forces with Harvey Boarden (Terrence Howard). The duo (as well as Boarden’s team/ “family”), in the search of quick money, try to find a way to establish themselves so they can fight in the city’s unlicensed mixed martial arts bouts.</p> <p>The fight sequences are very few and relatively unglamorous. Although, unfair to the ardent martial art fan deceived into watching the movie, the film’s medium pace and drama-based style are consistent throughout – which is always a plus. Also, the soul and r ‘n’ b score that the movie boasts would make any DJ jealous and every audience member bop their heads.</p> <p>The performances of the three protagonists helped carry this new dimension of the Hollywood martial art movie. Terence Howard puts on a great show as a hustler and a kind-hearted father figure, but his way of speaking (like a juddery mouse) seemed slightly odd. Channing Tatum’s and Zulay Henao’s (Zulay) characterisations were refreshing, raw and natural, and definitely complemented one another’s. (Their joint scenes gave the impression that they were free-styled, as they seemed unrehearsed and unscripted. This added to the realism of the movie and unpredictability of making new friendships).</p> <p>Overall, I thought that this was a well-rounded, well-scripted and well-acted movie, however, I feel that its false advertising cheated the action fans.</p> <p>3 stars.</p> <p>Similar films: Save The Last Dance, American Gangster and the Rocky movies. </p> http://thefilmreview.com/forum/topic/trekkies-wont-be-disappointed#post-28 Wed, 20 May 2009 11:52:56 +0000 beverleya 28@http://thefilmreview.com/forum/ <p>If you're not a confirmed Trekkie - then it's great! Excellent effects that have been pushed beyond all previously known limits, brilliant storyline, some great action and would keep you captivated the whole way through. My husband is not a Trekkie but enjoyed the film immensely and is now planning to watch some of the originals, so great was his enjoyment. No prior knowledge of the series is needed, as Abrams quickly and smoothly recaps everything you need to know without detracting from the film itself.</p> <p>If you're a die-hard Trekkie, then it's a good film, but initially you find yourself making the inevitable comparisons between the old and the new. The "new" characters have kept the ethos of the old, but they're not the same and Trek fans may have a problem adjusting to that. I found after about twenty minutes, though, that I could ignore that and settle into to enjoy the film.</p> <p>Special mention must go to the explanations into the characters of Spock the bullied and Kirk the rebel - I found that very thought provoking and saved me having to keep explaining bits to my husband.</p> <p>The way Nimoy is introduced is well worth watching out for - it seemed to tie the entire film together. The new actors gelled well together and it was hard to believe this was their first outing as Trekkers. I hope that if there is a sequel, they will keep this combination of cast. It worked. It's left open, as any good franchise is, for sequels, so here's hoping.</p> <p>In summation, then - once you get over the difference in characters - fantastic. Waiting for the next one </p> http://thefilmreview.com/forum/topic/free-dvd-rental-for-the-best-film-review#post-27 Mon, 18 May 2009 10:00:48 +0000 mrw112@homtmail.com 27@http://thefilmreview.com/forum/ <p>Hey Rob,</p> <p>I posted a few film reviews (i'm <a href="mailto:mrw112@hotmail.com">mrw112@hotmail.com</a>) and would like to know if i've been entered into the DVD comp. Or, is the fact that they've bin taken down (or removed) illustrate that they've not made it through?</p> <p>Hope to hear from you soon,</p> <p>Oscar Kausar </p> http://thefilmreview.com/forum/topic/bucket-list#post-4 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:57:42 +0000 sjp1966 4@http://thefilmreview.com/forum/ <p>Admin Note: This entry has successfully been entered into our film critic competition and can now been found here:<br /> <a href="http://thefilmreview.com/reviews/bucket-list-9871224.html" rel="nofollow">http://thefilmreview.com/reviews/bucket-list-9871224.html</a> </p> http://thefilmreview.com/forum/topic/free-dvd-rental-for-the-best-film-review#post-3 Sun, 26 Apr 2009 13:01:08 +0000 Rob Kerry 3@http://thefilmreview.com/forum/ <p>We're giving away a year of free unlimited DVD rental with LoveFilm for the best film review posted by a member before 31st May 2009!</p> <p><a href="http://thefilmreview.com/competitions/free-dvd-rental-9871203.html" rel="nofollow">http://thefilmreview.com/competitions/free-dvd-rental-9871203.html</a></p> <p>Please submit your entries in <a href="http://thefilmreview.com/forum/forum/reviews#postform">this forum</a>. </p>