Side Effects

'Ablixa', one pill can change your life - just be prepared to deal with the consequences! Side Effects I have to say is one of the top films of this year. With a fairly Hollywood type cast, Jude Law, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Channing Tatum and Ronnie Mara, my first impressions were that this is just going to be a bit of a standard film with the names of actors carrying it. However Soderbergh proved me wrong. This is a gem with a strange Indie type feel that keeps your eyes transfixed to the screen, because if you look away even for a second you will run the risk of missing something integral.

So...the narrative revolves around depression. Deep, dark places you can't get out of, but fear not because 'Ablixa' is here to save the day supplied by Dr. Victoria Siebert (Zeta-Jones). A new drug in it's first few throws of trials but nevertheless apparently it is fit for consumption after Emily Taylor (Ronney Mara) has a tumbling breakdown and takes it to see if it would help. Well it does to a certain extent - before she starts sleep walking (or sleep cooking should I say) and oh yeah ends up committing murder. Oh spoilers alert, I am sorry! And I really don't want to give anything away as I would be spoiling it. Put it this way as the plot thickens and you become lost in the chaotic minds of the depressed, the twists and turns that part away from the initial plot will creep up on you quickly. The camera work compliments this branch away from reality making you fully aware that there is a camera and it did take a crew to make this film happen. I think we have Soderbergh to thank for that providing us with that utterly independent quality that so much cinema lacks today. Browsing through Soderbergh's work, it is evident to see how the film unfolds, with throw backs to previous work such as Ocean's Eleven (2001) and the hospitalized scenes from the more recent Contagion (2011), but by no means does this man borrow anything from his earlier constructions. Side Effects show us what he can really do. Enough about the director - Rooney Mara steals the show for me and gives her a chance to act without hiding behind all the piercings and tattoos she had in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) and equally Jude Law delivers a solid performance that he is more than capable of.

A cinematic experience that will linger - 5 out 5 in my book. 

Directed By Steven Soderbergh
106mins, 15 (2013)  

American Horror Story - Season 1

American Horror Story first came to our screens in 2011, with a story-line following a selection of characters who are directly involved in the cryptic, odd and creepy happenings in an old, haunted house.  After Vivian and Ben Harman are trying to recover from an infidelity incident they move away to try and start over - well they certainly moved to the wrong location to try and solve their problems! Don't get me wrong the house they have found is stunning but after they find out that the house has certain history that they were not warned about things start to get a little bit weird.

So where to start? We have a gay couple who were the previous owners, who were murdered in the house. The original owners were con-artists who lured young woman into the house so a practising doctor could experiment on them and then a few more families who also came to an end under the roof of this house. And not to mention the fact that everyone's ghosts are just lingering (and linger they do) around acting like they are still the owners of the house. With all of this going on, it's no wonder that after all the tormenting from these spirits that the main characters go slightly loopy. And with this only being a ten parter series, the characters go pretty crazy, pretty quickly. Despite being a psychiatrist, Ben Harman tries desperately to fabricate an excuse for all these odd things that have been happening to his family but ultimately he starts to see that there is something very wrong about what's going on. We have a house keeper who is in fact dead but still doing the cleaning, who appears to certain men as a desirable, saucily clad young woman when she is in fact an old hag and not to mention that a few of his patients he is treating who aren't actually there! If you are a horror fan, then this is definitely one to watch, it is utterly clever and original with story lines that will shock and haunt you. With brilliant performances from the entire cast - catch this one along with the second series which is arguably on par if not more impressive that the first before the third season hits our screens.

Directed by Various People
60mins, 18 (2011)

        

Cloud Atlas

'Our lives are not our own, we are bound to others past and present, and by each crime and every kindness, we birth our future' (Sonmi-451). 'Cloud Atlas' takes you on a meaningful, mesmerizing voyage through love, death, laughter and most importantly through time and space. Based on the 2004 novel by David Mitchell the film follows suit by telling the stories of six time lines; seamlessly. Yes, you heard me - six! I know what you're thinking and it is certainly a lot to take in on first watch but well worth the confusion and disappointment you feel upon trying to interpret what you see before you. 

Many have perceived the film as being far too ambitious and to some extend I can see why. I do agree that the Wachowski's (The Matrix Trilogy) took a risk by taking on such a narrative, albeit they pulled through without fail. The cast is full of sheer talent (which always helps) with the likes of Halle Berry to Jim Broadbent, not to mention Hugh Grant, Jim Sturgess, Tom Hanks and Ben Whishaw, who took on the task of this journey. Amongst all the costume and fantastic make-up and prosthetic's, everyone on screen took on each of their different roles making them their own and most of all we didn't get bored with seeing the same set of actors appear on screen. Over the course of the film we visit different years from the 70's to the distance future and are whisked to various locations around the globe (don't worry, I think we are supposed to feel left behind!), from the vastness of the South Pacific Ocean to a cannibalistic, post-apocalyptic Island; where would you believe the entire set of time-lines all fall into place. This is a complete play on the theories of past lives, the afterlife and most importantly Karma. As journalist Luisa Ray (Halle Berry) states; 'Ever think the universe is against you?' and I'm sure that most of us have felt like that at one time or another. The crux is that everything happens for a reason. With every step, every action and every word uttered they will ultimately affect the other lives that we are bound to - very interesting theory, thumbs up Mitchell (oh, not  the writers, sorry guys!). 

When I heard there were six time lines, I honestly thought it was going to be a complete disaster. Throughout the first hour I was tempted to walk out due to certain plot lines becoming tedious and almost felt as if I was being thrown around and deliberately confused while watching - and no one wants that. Then Alexander Berner the films editor saved the day providing us with perfectly timed cuts and parallel edits between different plot lines that really compliment and link each story. 'Cloud Atlas' is ruthless, comical and intelligent with an outstanding score that will linger. With some slapstick, laugh out loud moments, especially from Jim Broadbent, some teary eyed scenes and a not so Hollywood ending (without giving too much away) for half the cast I thoroughly enjoyed this, even if I was puzzled by some plot lines. Definitely one I will watch again, purely to catch everything I missed the first time round due to the sheer brilliance of such an idea  - certainly one to catch on DVD. 

Directed by the Wachowski's & Tom Tyker
172mins, 15 (2012)

Shame

I know I'm watching this one after all the hype and I was genuinely excited to finally be sitting down watching it - but what a waste of time! It really was shameful! I hear that was the message of this feature, however it's the only word that springs to mind when thinking back to what I saw on screen and trying to make sense of it. 

Tell me how long can you watch a guy battling with a sex addiction for? There was no story line, at least there was no depth to the fair and far between sub-plots that I deemed worthy of having more time devoted to them. There is only one reason (that I can see) why critics were raving about how good this was and that was down to the wise decision to cast Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan in the leading roles. The performances that were given (dare I say it) out of this world - certainly Fassbender when he wasn't getting lost in a prostitute and speaking actual words. But truly magnificent effort on both parts. This film is certainly not a light-hearted - lets put it on and save it for a rainy day type of film, this has some pretty heavy emotive content, so I guess the script gets points for that. Despite the fact I said the performances are riveting there is hardly any dialogue. Independent films such as Drive (2011) and earlier on Malick's Badlands (1973) which were equally perceived well by critics and audiences alike had minimal dialogue and also set in a complicated but romantic plot line. Films like these kind of set a trend but sadly I think Shame could have done with a bit more speech and less time under sheets. Don't get me wrong the sex scenes you see on screen were fabulously shoot. The cinematography was astounding and certainly credit goes to the editor Joe Walker for creating some very serene and slightly on the crude side but tastefully done love making. There was just something that didn't ignite that cinematic or indeed independent spark inside me - glad I watched it but won't suffer it again.

Directed by Steve McQueen
101 mins, 18 (2011)

Elysium

Elysium - 'the place at the ends of the earth to which certain favoured heroes were conveyed by the gods after death. A place or state of perfect happiness' and Elysium is just that, well if you are one of the privileged ones to get a ticket up to this flawless habitat. On this world, there is no poverty, there is no illness and there is no tolerance for letting anyone else in. In the year 2154 this all changes, when Max (Matt Damon) takes on a life risking job that will not only save his life but ultimately save the thousands of people who have been ignored on this post apocalyptic earth. 

So let's get one thing straight, this is an action film, no doubt about it. Try to not read too much into it. Yes, this is a fairly politically heavy film, just as District 9 was but I think the entire point of this narrative was to entertain and not give the viewer some deep and meaningful thought process on the way out of the theatre. For me, it was entertaining, the effects were astounding and the camera - well the camera. Just a tad shaky at times which kind of ruined some of the action scenes but I think I can see what the director was trying to achieve when he made those choices (just a shame they made you feel like you were on a roller-coaster). Matt Damon's character becomes quite the hero (bad language and all) when he manages to get the codes to override the whole system of Elysium, letting anyone through the gates. Of course we have the return of Sharlto Copley who worked with Neill Blomkamp previously who plays a deadly sleeper agent called Kruger who certainly brings class acting and comedy to this screenplay. Although everyone on Elysium should be delirious to be living on this utopia, they all seem a little bit uptight - especially Delacourt (Jodie Foster) and John Carlyle (William Fichtner), nevertheless both give performances full of anger and deceit and both get what they deserve. Despite a fairly decent storyline the only thing that didn't work for me was the character development. Even though we are given a bit of back story for the main characters I still felt like they needed a bit of work to really make you empathise with them when they have to go their separate ways.

Overall, sci-fi fans and SFX geeks will not be disappointment, there are fantastic space shuttles, robots and reforming body parts reminiscence of any of Ridley Scott or James Cameron's work. With scenes very similar to Battlestar Galactica and even Star Wars, go and see this film to immerse yourself in this alternate universe. 

Directed by Neill Blomkamp

109mins, 15 (2013)

The Mortal Instruments - The City of Bones

The world of the supernatural continues to captivate audiences worldwide and why go to the cinema other than to escape into the wonders of another world? 'The Mortal Instruments - City of Bones' gives you the escapism you desire. Angels, witches, demons, vampires and werewolves and a Van Helsing high-breed known in this world as 'Shadow Hunters'.

So where to begin? - I find myself saying in the thoughts of Clary Fray (Lily Collins) after her mother is taken to another dimension and she finds out she has demon hunting blood coursing through her adolescent veins! Phew that's a lot to take in and oh she starts seeing people that no one else can - yep that would be the point I would start to worry. But fear not this teenage girl sure knows how to fight off some dodgy CGI generated demons with a frying pan. Ok, the effects weren't that bad but maybe that was down to the fact that no major production studios funded it - expect entertainment one. Despite that this film creates magic, tension, a few jumpy moments and is a fantastical, stylish feature in every sense. When her evil daddy comes back to claim what he thinks is rightfully his which was last seen in the possession of Clary's mother Jocelyn (Lena Headley) - this is when it starts to get a bit intense. A little too much sword fighting (although great swords, plus these guys look great wielding them!) and not enough time devoted to the history behind these 'Shadow Hunters'. I wanted more. But I do suppose it was aimed at a 'Twilight' watching audience and in that case I'll let it slide and fill in the gaps myself (or perhaps read the book).

With performances from a practically all English cast - Lena Headey, Johnathan Rhys Meyers and Robert Sheehan this script has a lot to offer supernatural fans, children and adult alike if you can ignore the sickeningly cheesy lines between Clary and Jace (Jamie Campbell Bower). With this aside this is a great action adventure adapted on screen for the youth of today. Think 'Harry Potter', 'Twilight' with the tongue in cheek perfectly timed comedy moments of 'Supernatural' and 'Buffy' thrown in and you have it. A refreshing take on non-sexy vamps just be aware of the 'Star Wars' - oh awkward your my sister moment and escape reality - literally. Ideal for Bank Holiday fun. 

Directed by Harald Zwart

130mins, 12A (2013) 

Flight

Yes, this film is about a flight and no it is nothing like, 'Snakes on a Plane' (thankfully).  Director Robert Zemeckis know for 'Forest Gump' (1994) and 'Back the the Future' (1985) teams up with writer John Gatins again to give us a screenplay about a pilot who is struggling with alcoholism, drug use and anger issues - you name it, this pilot's got it. Normal day, normal hotel room except the man who is in charge of 102 souls on the next plane has been up all night with an air hostess, drinking and snorting coke - I'm no pilot myself but I hope the pilot in charge of the next plane I catch wasn't doing the latter the night before!

Despite the above, Whip Whitaker (Denzel Washingston) looks fit to fly after a few vodkas on board to get his head straight (bad move). Anyway after all that, there are some extreme weather conditions and a malfunctioning plane that cause Whip to have to crash land in a field to save everyone on board and he does a pretty good job of it to becoming a sort of local hero - until the drink gets the better of him. Of course even though he landed the plane miraculously and his buddies on the inside killed his toxicity report, there was still the mystery of the vodka bottles being empty when drinks were suspended on that particular flight. This is a compelling tale of a man in completely the wrong place at the wrong time of his life. He seems like he is pretty together but then we see how really bad it can get and the seriousness of his alcohol dependency making you want to see him get clean because he is however a very likeable character. Ultimately we see him go down for driving under the influence (no kids drugs and drink don't make you a bad ass pilot), which is obviously not what you want to see happen to the man who just crash landed a plane saving 96 passengers on board. But there has to be justice right? Other than all the serious undertones of the film we have John Goodman (Harling Mays), playing Whitaker's dealer bringing laughter and quirkiness to the screen even when everything's gone to pot.

'Flight' is a drama with an in depth story accompanied by outstanding acting, proving Hollywood can  still produce something other than big blockbusters. Brilliant watch and one I would recommend (not before a flight though) but do be aware of all the 'praise Jesus, he saved us' malarkey embedded within the script. This film would have still been just as powerful without such references.  

Directed by Robert Zemeckis

138mins 15 (2012)