MOVIEBLAST:
RUN ALL NIGHT (15) is the latest action/thriller from legendary Irishman Liam Neeson. The premise is a little confusing but basically goes like this - Jimmy Conlon (Neeson) is an ex-criminal who is getting on with his life - and when his long time friend, Shawn Maguire, (not the actor/singer from Grange Hill) is still in the game they are pretty much keeping apart. However, Shawn's son is still being sticky fingered and in a twist of fate, Conlon's son's life is threatened by Maguire's son. Conlon happens to be about so it comes down to a fire fight and Conlon kills Maguire's son. As you can probably imagine, this doesn't go down well in the Maguire household, so Shawn sends his entire contingent of henchmen and bruisers after the Conlon family. It's up to Jimmy to show them all who's boss in a mediocre action thriller.
Neeson is good as Conlon, but it seems that over recent years (thanks to Taken) that he is being stereotyped as a no-nonsense hard man who can take on small squads of ruffians dispensing justice as he sees fit. It's not a bad movie, really, but it's completely unoriginal and exactly like the others we've seen over recent years. Do what you want with it but it's like these movies have a certain formula they have to follow but they just never reach the dizzy heights of Taken. Overall, not bad but could be better.
POPSCORE: 6.5/10
PITCH PERFECT 2 (12A) is the sequel to 2012's acc-amazing Pitch Perfect. The Barden Bella's return as America's number one acapella group and start the movie at the top of their game.
Performing at the Lincoln Center in front of the President and on TV, they give it their all, until a slight mishap (read: wardrobe malfunction) occurs when Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) is lowered from the ceiling on a ribbon and she gets a split in her rather eye-wateringly tight leggings. Unfortunately she forgot to include underwear, so she is exposed live on TV and in front of the president. Disgraced, they are sent home, and they end up being kicked off the acapella circuit. Meanwhile, Beca (Anna Kendrick) realises that her days at high school are numbered and is following her dream of becoming a producer - and when she gets a placement at a local studio with Snoop Dogg recording there, this is her chance of a lifetime. Meanwhile the rest of the Bella's have to earn the right to perform once more - but this time they have to win the international championships. Only thing is they have to face the emotionless powerhouse Das Sound Machine, a technically flawless German acapella group that leaves other's in their wake. Can the Bella's do it?
The movie features an amazing soundtrack and lots of laughs and I really enjoyed this one. The actors assembles for the movie are all fabulous and Rebel Wilson is fantastic comic relief. I really enjoyed this, even more so that I'm a singer/songwriter. The acapella arrangements are great. Only thing is some of the jokes and content were a bit shocking - and I'm surprised they got away with it. But they did, and the film is good.
POPSCORE: 8.5/10
Sunday 31 May 2015
Thursday 28 May 2015
REVIEW: Unfriended (15)
Unfriended (also known as Cybernatural) is another found footage movie but presented in such a way that it's like you are using a lap top. Not only that, but it uses (here comes the product placement) Skype, Facebook, YouTube and a few more. Thing is, as much as I'm not the biggest fan of found footage movies (the best one in recent times was Project Almanac in my opinion) this does it different, and, if you are open to it, it's really pretty good.
The film starts with a girl called Blaire Lily, who has booted up her lap top to chat with her boyfriend. As they start getting a bit raunchy (don't get too excited - she only unbuttons her top) the rest of her friends invade Skype to have a 5 way conversation about their day. It all seems fairly monotonous until all through the convo they finally notice there is an extra caller who is not showing their photo on Skype. Funny things start to happen and soon it is revealed that this extra caller isn't exactly there to be very nice.
Backstory time - there is a young lady by the name of Laura Barns who is ridiculed/shamed on YouTube after getting very drunk at a get together in a field with her classmates. She passes out (I still cannot define whether she was raped or pooed herself or both) but the upshot of it was it was uploaded to YouTube with the tag line "LAURA BARNS KILL URSELF" and then posts were ridiculing her on the site. However, it didn't stop there and overflowed onto Facebook. This cyber bullying obviously affected Laura who took her own life by shooting herself in the head. That's as far as it goes for now, until this random chatter has joined the Skype Squad (I'm trademarking that) and starts talking. It's all kinda ominous until one person discloses it is a year since Laura took her own life and that the account these new messages are coming from are hers.
The film is basic, even some of the young men in the cinema who were noisily scoffing popcorn claimed "This film is rubbish - I could have made that on the computer" are completely missing the point. Yes, it's about as back to basics as found footage goes, but it is suspenseful, realistic and very grounded using things we take for granted every day. This includes authentic Facebook chat, Skype chats and the like. Although if you really look you can see glaring errors - like erroneous time stamps and the fact a 99kb photo takes over 15 seconds to download but a 1.8GB file takes less than 10 seconds is irrelevant. The film uses those things we see while being on the net as devices to add suspense - the freezing of the Skype picture as one of her friends is screaming and no-one knows what is going on then it stutters on to see a horrific image of a character meeting their fate, or the sinister extra caller issuing threats by chat message and following up on them is both unnerving and quite close to home.
It's been called the Blair Witch Project for the internet generation but it's definitely a horror. It's definitely a thriller. But it also has a message. It's social media gone crazy and it's inference is that a lot of the naughties children (who are now teens) have grown up with this in their lives and a small amount of them think it's funny or cool to degrade and hurt others through pictures, taunts or posts - it's bullying evolved. This film is an example of this to the nth degree. In this movie their dead class mate comes back through the internet to wreak her revenge on those who drove her to kill herself. Although it is highly unlikely that deceased people's Facebook and Skype's will start posting and ringing people, the fact of the matter is that cyber-bullying is very real and affects people in this way.
The film then is a horror - it's jumpy in parts. It's basic and it's premise is simple, but it's the message that is what was clearest for me. A lot of people left the movie at the end and didn't seem to struck on it and I guess it's an acquired taste. But it's clever, very clever.
Unfriended is at the cinema now and is rated 15.
The film starts with a girl called Blaire Lily, who has booted up her lap top to chat with her boyfriend. As they start getting a bit raunchy (don't get too excited - she only unbuttons her top) the rest of her friends invade Skype to have a 5 way conversation about their day. It all seems fairly monotonous until all through the convo they finally notice there is an extra caller who is not showing their photo on Skype. Funny things start to happen and soon it is revealed that this extra caller isn't exactly there to be very nice.
Backstory time - there is a young lady by the name of Laura Barns who is ridiculed/shamed on YouTube after getting very drunk at a get together in a field with her classmates. She passes out (I still cannot define whether she was raped or pooed herself or both) but the upshot of it was it was uploaded to YouTube with the tag line "LAURA BARNS KILL URSELF" and then posts were ridiculing her on the site. However, it didn't stop there and overflowed onto Facebook. This cyber bullying obviously affected Laura who took her own life by shooting herself in the head. That's as far as it goes for now, until this random chatter has joined the Skype Squad (I'm trademarking that) and starts talking. It's all kinda ominous until one person discloses it is a year since Laura took her own life and that the account these new messages are coming from are hers.
The film is basic, even some of the young men in the cinema who were noisily scoffing popcorn claimed "This film is rubbish - I could have made that on the computer" are completely missing the point. Yes, it's about as back to basics as found footage goes, but it is suspenseful, realistic and very grounded using things we take for granted every day. This includes authentic Facebook chat, Skype chats and the like. Although if you really look you can see glaring errors - like erroneous time stamps and the fact a 99kb photo takes over 15 seconds to download but a 1.8GB file takes less than 10 seconds is irrelevant. The film uses those things we see while being on the net as devices to add suspense - the freezing of the Skype picture as one of her friends is screaming and no-one knows what is going on then it stutters on to see a horrific image of a character meeting their fate, or the sinister extra caller issuing threats by chat message and following up on them is both unnerving and quite close to home.
It's been called the Blair Witch Project for the internet generation but it's definitely a horror. It's definitely a thriller. But it also has a message. It's social media gone crazy and it's inference is that a lot of the naughties children (who are now teens) have grown up with this in their lives and a small amount of them think it's funny or cool to degrade and hurt others through pictures, taunts or posts - it's bullying evolved. This film is an example of this to the nth degree. In this movie their dead class mate comes back through the internet to wreak her revenge on those who drove her to kill herself. Although it is highly unlikely that deceased people's Facebook and Skype's will start posting and ringing people, the fact of the matter is that cyber-bullying is very real and affects people in this way.
The film then is a horror - it's jumpy in parts. It's basic and it's premise is simple, but it's the message that is what was clearest for me. A lot of people left the movie at the end and didn't seem to struck on it and I guess it's an acquired taste. But it's clever, very clever.
Unfriended is at the cinema now and is rated 15.
POPSCORE: 8/10
What am I talking about? The movie Unfriended
Where can I find out more? http://www.unfriendedmovie.co.uk/
If you like this try: Paranormal Activity, The Ring, Blair Witch Project
If you like this try: Paranormal Activity, The Ring, Blair Witch Project
Friday 15 May 2015
REVIEW: American Sniper (15)
Bradley Cooper harnesses his inner Chuck Norris in the contemporary biopic American Sniper. Directed by seasoned veteran Clint Eastwood, American Sniper stars Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, the legendary American Sniper - one of the greatest marksmen in American Military history.
I remember when this movie came out there was a lot of "hoo-yah" (to quote the Marines) about it glorifying war and the role of the military. Personally I found it a moving and compelling story about a man who wanted to fight for his country and what he believes is the greater good. His views may come across as a bit controversial in certain aspects - he doesn't seem to have remorse for killing people but views it more as war and necessary - but the film does an interesting job at highlighting the strains on family and relationships through having a significant other away fighting while trying to rear a child in such a tumultuous world.
The movie is based on the novel, American Sniper, which is basically the autobiography of Chris Kyle - and therefore is written by him. The movie starts with him in a warzone making a difficult call on whether to shoot a citizen in Iraq and just before that decision is made it cuts back to a time in history where we see a pre-military Kyle rodeo-ing and living his life. He decides to change career after an injury and becomes a member of the elite Navy SEALs. After a Full Metal Jacket style montage of training we are dropped right in the action with him and we see him go to war in a number of campaigns and we also get to see his relationship blossom with his family too - marriage, children and post-war years.
Cooper does a fantastic job of bringing the legend that is Chris Kyle to the big screen and the war sequences are reminiscent of my favourite war movie Black Hawk Down. The supporting cast are great too - Sienna Miller puts in a good performance as Chris's wife Taya - who tirelessly brings up their children while he is away protecting his fellow marines.
All in all this is a fantastic film, and although is heavy on American patriotism and definitely justifying the war on Iraq, the film also has an interesting take on the personal side of war and the toll it takes, not just on the military personnel involved but also the families of those servicemen who go to fight. The end of the movie features real life footage in a tribute to the real Chris Kyle.
Tense, taut and thrilling this film is actually really good. American Sniper is rated 15 and is out on June 1st on DVD and Blu Ray and all good download sites.
I remember when this movie came out there was a lot of "hoo-yah" (to quote the Marines) about it glorifying war and the role of the military. Personally I found it a moving and compelling story about a man who wanted to fight for his country and what he believes is the greater good. His views may come across as a bit controversial in certain aspects - he doesn't seem to have remorse for killing people but views it more as war and necessary - but the film does an interesting job at highlighting the strains on family and relationships through having a significant other away fighting while trying to rear a child in such a tumultuous world.
The movie is based on the novel, American Sniper, which is basically the autobiography of Chris Kyle - and therefore is written by him. The movie starts with him in a warzone making a difficult call on whether to shoot a citizen in Iraq and just before that decision is made it cuts back to a time in history where we see a pre-military Kyle rodeo-ing and living his life. He decides to change career after an injury and becomes a member of the elite Navy SEALs. After a Full Metal Jacket style montage of training we are dropped right in the action with him and we see him go to war in a number of campaigns and we also get to see his relationship blossom with his family too - marriage, children and post-war years.
Cooper does a fantastic job of bringing the legend that is Chris Kyle to the big screen and the war sequences are reminiscent of my favourite war movie Black Hawk Down. The supporting cast are great too - Sienna Miller puts in a good performance as Chris's wife Taya - who tirelessly brings up their children while he is away protecting his fellow marines.
All in all this is a fantastic film, and although is heavy on American patriotism and definitely justifying the war on Iraq, the film also has an interesting take on the personal side of war and the toll it takes, not just on the military personnel involved but also the families of those servicemen who go to fight. The end of the movie features real life footage in a tribute to the real Chris Kyle.
Tense, taut and thrilling this film is actually really good. American Sniper is rated 15 and is out on June 1st on DVD and Blu Ray and all good download sites.
POPSCORE: 8/10
What am I talking about? The movie American Sniper
Where can I find out more? http://www.americansnipermovie.com/
If you like this try: Black Hawk Down, We Were Soldiers, Saving Private Ryan
Anything else?
The movie is based on the book called American Sniper by Chris Kyle.
Anything else?
The movie is based on the book called American Sniper by Chris Kyle.
Monday 11 May 2015
REVIEW: The Theory of Everything (12A)
Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones star in this emotional but life affirming drama, The Theory of Everything. Redmayne plays the role of Prof. Stephen Hawking and Felicity his first wife Jane.
This biopic charts the younger Stephen Hawking in his university days where he's blessed with amazing intelligence working in astrophysics and meeting the beautiful Jane. However, as his university days come to a close, and marriage is on the cards, he soon finds he is struck with a debilitating illness. The movie charts his deterioration, and the stresses and struggles that is placed on the family as three kids, a wife and a husband who has no way of getting better desperately try to keep a normal organised life.
Eddie Redmayne's performance is beyond mere words. I cannot put into a good enough sentence on how amazing this man made you believe the story of Stephen Hawking. Any award in the world or cosmos that is given to him for the performance is well deserved and I literally applaud him for it! I cannot believe the difference in acting between this masterpiece and the acting he did in Jupiter Ascending. Maybe it was the directors of Jupiter or maybe this was a labour of love to a man he respected but I cannot fault his performance. Felicity Jones is also fantastic as Jane who went through a rough time of it as well - and she perfectly captures the feel and frustration of a future that would be difficult to live through.
The film is based on a book written by Hawking's ex-wife - and that was a major worry for me as stuff written by an ex could really be something of a reveal or get-back at the person they are writing about. But, it seems this particular tome has been written honestly and from the heart and is told emotionally and truthfully and even Stephen Hawking himself said that it was as close to time travel as he could get. It's a sad, sad story, it really is, but it's also life affirming. Through the tears you see a mischievous Stephen Hawking with his trademark humour, his thoughtful whimsies and the fact that through it all we still have him with us today. At the ripe old age of 73 now, he has come a long way since the doctor diagnosed him with the disease in the 1960's and gave him 2 years to live.
It's a sad story, it's an interesting story, but above all, it's a human story. I really liked this and it gave a picture into the man who is now a living legend, but also we can at least begin to see the man behind the myth.
The Theory of Everything is rated 12A and is out today, May 11th on DVD and Blu Ray and all good download sites now.
This biopic charts the younger Stephen Hawking in his university days where he's blessed with amazing intelligence working in astrophysics and meeting the beautiful Jane. However, as his university days come to a close, and marriage is on the cards, he soon finds he is struck with a debilitating illness. The movie charts his deterioration, and the stresses and struggles that is placed on the family as three kids, a wife and a husband who has no way of getting better desperately try to keep a normal organised life.
Eddie Redmayne's performance is beyond mere words. I cannot put into a good enough sentence on how amazing this man made you believe the story of Stephen Hawking. Any award in the world or cosmos that is given to him for the performance is well deserved and I literally applaud him for it! I cannot believe the difference in acting between this masterpiece and the acting he did in Jupiter Ascending. Maybe it was the directors of Jupiter or maybe this was a labour of love to a man he respected but I cannot fault his performance. Felicity Jones is also fantastic as Jane who went through a rough time of it as well - and she perfectly captures the feel and frustration of a future that would be difficult to live through.
The film is based on a book written by Hawking's ex-wife - and that was a major worry for me as stuff written by an ex could really be something of a reveal or get-back at the person they are writing about. But, it seems this particular tome has been written honestly and from the heart and is told emotionally and truthfully and even Stephen Hawking himself said that it was as close to time travel as he could get. It's a sad, sad story, it really is, but it's also life affirming. Through the tears you see a mischievous Stephen Hawking with his trademark humour, his thoughtful whimsies and the fact that through it all we still have him with us today. At the ripe old age of 73 now, he has come a long way since the doctor diagnosed him with the disease in the 1960's and gave him 2 years to live.
It's a sad story, it's an interesting story, but above all, it's a human story. I really liked this and it gave a picture into the man who is now a living legend, but also we can at least begin to see the man behind the myth.
The Theory of Everything is rated 12A and is out today, May 11th on DVD and Blu Ray and all good download sites now.
POPSCORE: 8/10
What am I talking about? The movie The Theory of Everything
Where can I find out more? http://www.thetheoryofeverythingmovie.co.uk/
If you like this try: The Imitation Game, Boyhood
Anything else?
The movie is based on a book written by his ex-wife Jane Hawking (nee Wilde) called Travelling to Infinity: my Life With Stephen.
Here's something else too that I've noticed but no one's has mentioned - seasoned actor Adam Godley plays Frank Hawking in the BBC 2004 adaption Hawking starring Benedict Cumberbatch. But - he also plays the senior doctor giving Eddie Redmayne's Hawking his diagnosis in The Theory of Everything. You heard it here first guys! :-)
"There should be no boundaries to human endeavour. We are all different. However bad life may seem, there is always something you can do, and succeed at. While there's life, there is hope."
Anything else?
The movie is based on a book written by his ex-wife Jane Hawking (nee Wilde) called Travelling to Infinity: my Life With Stephen.
Here's something else too that I've noticed but no one's has mentioned - seasoned actor Adam Godley plays Frank Hawking in the BBC 2004 adaption Hawking starring Benedict Cumberbatch. But - he also plays the senior doctor giving Eddie Redmayne's Hawking his diagnosis in The Theory of Everything. You heard it here first guys! :-)
"There should be no boundaries to human endeavour. We are all different. However bad life may seem, there is always something you can do, and succeed at. While there's life, there is hope."
REVIEW: Birdman (15)
Birdman, or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance is the story of washed up actor Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) who was once world famous playing a superhero but is now desperate to get his career back on track many years later by launching his first play on Broadway. When they are in need of a bit of star power, Hollywood actor Mike (Edward Norton) steps in and turns things upside down. Mike takes his method acting a bit too far and steals the limelight from Riggan - who all the while is battling personal demons, risking his last bit of money on the show and trying to get his family issues all sorted.
The movie is almost like a documentary, and featuring a great line up of talent, this movie is very interesting indeed. Although you could probably lump it into a black comedy, it's not really laughing matter but more about the struggles of a former Hollywood superstar who's fallen on hard times. Regularly the soundtrack sounds like the cast from Whiplash or Stomp! have had a hand in the music - as it's mainly made up of drum riffs. I'm sure they nicked my 1001 Drum Rhythm's book and used that for most of it! There's no real music in this movie just the drum - and it's quite funky.
Supporting Keaton and Norton we've got Emma Stone, Naomi Watts and the gorgeous Andrea Riseborough giving sterling performances. But, of all the performances, Zach Galifianakis is the most surprising giving a very strong supporting role and is not the Zach we've come to expect from films such as Due Date and the Hangover Trilogy. I had to do a double take when I saw the credits!
One of the things that get to me about this movie is that the character Keaton plays is almost like himself in some ways - the Birdman of the movies name was a superhero character he played back in the 90's and refused to do further sequels. He even has a gruff Batman-esque voice. Although the work is total fiction - it's very close to what the public know of Keaton - that is, a famous actor who doesn't tend to be in blockbuster movies now, and is most famous for being a superhero. Although I think really this is where the similarity ends, it's just a little unnerving to know that what your watching is actually false but Birdman and Batman only differ by a few letters.
Still this movie has nothing to do with superheroes really, and if it did, it would be a critique of the modern day Hollywood and it's obsession with money spending and superhero glorification. No, this movie is more of a critique of the system, the raw deal some actors get because of it and the struggles and worries they have that no one ever sees when they are smiling on that red carpet. I guess it mentions too about the fact that you have to stay true to yourself - do you want to keep making sequels to a successful movie or do you want to do something different and not be typecast? What happens when a younger actor steals your thunder? There's a lot of emotion going on in this movie and that resonates with you long after the final scene.
This film has little to no action and it's not really about superheroes. But, if you want a powerful drama with some ace acting talent, then you will not be disappointed.
Birdman is rated 15 and is out on DVD and Blu Ray now.
The movie is almost like a documentary, and featuring a great line up of talent, this movie is very interesting indeed. Although you could probably lump it into a black comedy, it's not really laughing matter but more about the struggles of a former Hollywood superstar who's fallen on hard times. Regularly the soundtrack sounds like the cast from Whiplash or Stomp! have had a hand in the music - as it's mainly made up of drum riffs. I'm sure they nicked my 1001 Drum Rhythm's book and used that for most of it! There's no real music in this movie just the drum - and it's quite funky.
Supporting Keaton and Norton we've got Emma Stone, Naomi Watts and the gorgeous Andrea Riseborough giving sterling performances. But, of all the performances, Zach Galifianakis is the most surprising giving a very strong supporting role and is not the Zach we've come to expect from films such as Due Date and the Hangover Trilogy. I had to do a double take when I saw the credits!
One of the things that get to me about this movie is that the character Keaton plays is almost like himself in some ways - the Birdman of the movies name was a superhero character he played back in the 90's and refused to do further sequels. He even has a gruff Batman-esque voice. Although the work is total fiction - it's very close to what the public know of Keaton - that is, a famous actor who doesn't tend to be in blockbuster movies now, and is most famous for being a superhero. Although I think really this is where the similarity ends, it's just a little unnerving to know that what your watching is actually false but Birdman and Batman only differ by a few letters.
Still this movie has nothing to do with superheroes really, and if it did, it would be a critique of the modern day Hollywood and it's obsession with money spending and superhero glorification. No, this movie is more of a critique of the system, the raw deal some actors get because of it and the struggles and worries they have that no one ever sees when they are smiling on that red carpet. I guess it mentions too about the fact that you have to stay true to yourself - do you want to keep making sequels to a successful movie or do you want to do something different and not be typecast? What happens when a younger actor steals your thunder? There's a lot of emotion going on in this movie and that resonates with you long after the final scene.
This film has little to no action and it's not really about superheroes. But, if you want a powerful drama with some ace acting talent, then you will not be disappointed.
Birdman is rated 15 and is out on DVD and Blu Ray now.
POPSCORE: 7/10
What am I talking about? The movie Birdman
Where can I find out more? http://www.birdmanthemovie.com/
If you like this try: Black Swan, The Wrestler
Sunday 10 May 2015
REVIEW: Interstellar (12A)
Sum Interstellar up in one sentence Paul!
Okay, it's Inception meets Star Trek.
Nuff 'sed.
Christopher Nolan (of Dark Knight trilogy, Man of Steel and Inception fame) offers up his thinking man's Sci-Fi film Interstellar. I'll be honest, the first trailer of the movie had little impact on me and, if anything, left me wanting to tick it off my to see list. It was about as exciting as watching paint dry, told you nothing about the film and was just plain boring. See it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=827FNDpQWrQ
While I was distracted by Guardians of the Galaxy and eagerly awaiting Avengers 2, Interstellar slowly did it's thing. Then suddenly, after what seemed like ages, a second proper trailer emerged that totally looked different to the teaser I have linked to above - https://youtu.be/ePbKGoIGAXY - and now it looks like... WOW!
Matthew McConaughey stars as Coop, widowed engineer turned farmer, teaching his daughter Murph all about science and astronomy. She on occasion expresses concern over strange things happening in her bedroom, but isn't afraid but curious. While all this is happening, things ain't going too good for the world. It looks like the crops are running low and there's a lot of dust clouds these days too. Some of the automated farm vehicles go a bit weird, and, when Coop discovers a strange anomaly in his house he goes to try and find out more about it.
After some investigating, 10-year old Murph and her father stumble upon a secret NASA base developing a space ship to take humans into space with the idea to settle on another world - as this one seems to be on its way out. Coop is given the opportunity to go onto this mission alongside the gorgeous Anne Hathaway, a strange robot and two others to seek out new life and new civilizations and boldly go where... apparently 12 others have gone before. Michael Caine is the head of this NASA base and explains that they have found a wormhole they can travel through and there are planets on the other side capable of sustaining human life. However the journey will take years and he must choose between saving the human race or staying with his family. Coop takes the difficult choice and leaves Murph and his son behind (yes I know I haven't mentioned his son - even the movie gives him a raw deal too) and agrees to blast off into space in order to save the human race.
Interstellar has a stellar cast (bdum-tish) who are all great - we've got McConaughey, Hathaway and Caine but also John Lithgow and Jessica Chastain too. And there is a lovely treat when Matt Damon sneaks his way into the movie too at some point. Nolan's directing is good and the music, by the legendary Hans Zimmer, is atmospheric though a bit noisy at times. Honest Trailers made a quip that some of the score sounded like Hans Zimmer fell asleep on his synth - and to be honest I thought that too. The music although atmospheric did sometimes come across as noisy and a bit of a dischord. But, the special effects are mind blowing. Once the characters get into space the special effects and cinematography is simply stunning.
Interstellar, like Inception and Contact, is a thinking persons film and if you are watching it for pure entertainment and mind blowing special effects and action, then you'll get only the special effects. Yes, there is some action and yes, there is some entertainment, but this is more a drama with pertinent questions about family and humanity. One interesting point is the dilemma of visiting a planet but time is bent so that if they go there, every hour on the planet is the equivalent of seven years on earth. They visit there for four hours and Coops daughter turns into her thirties and their fellow astronaut has aged too. There's a lot to think about, and as the film continues to dazzle with amazing set pieces and back drops, the story will both make you think and scratch your head. You might be able to guess the ending, but how they reach it is mental.
I thought Interstellar was very good - but I did watch this when I was ill, so I found it rather hard to concentrate on it - so some parts seemed very heavy. But if you like the science with your science fiction and want an epic space movie - you will not go far wrong. Check it out and let me know what you think.
Interstellar is rated 12A and is out on DVD and Blu Ray now.
Okay, it's Inception meets Star Trek.
Nuff 'sed.
Christopher Nolan (of Dark Knight trilogy, Man of Steel and Inception fame) offers up his thinking man's Sci-Fi film Interstellar. I'll be honest, the first trailer of the movie had little impact on me and, if anything, left me wanting to tick it off my to see list. It was about as exciting as watching paint dry, told you nothing about the film and was just plain boring. See it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=827FNDpQWrQ
While I was distracted by Guardians of the Galaxy and eagerly awaiting Avengers 2, Interstellar slowly did it's thing. Then suddenly, after what seemed like ages, a second proper trailer emerged that totally looked different to the teaser I have linked to above - https://youtu.be/ePbKGoIGAXY - and now it looks like... WOW!
Matthew McConaughey stars as Coop, widowed engineer turned farmer, teaching his daughter Murph all about science and astronomy. She on occasion expresses concern over strange things happening in her bedroom, but isn't afraid but curious. While all this is happening, things ain't going too good for the world. It looks like the crops are running low and there's a lot of dust clouds these days too. Some of the automated farm vehicles go a bit weird, and, when Coop discovers a strange anomaly in his house he goes to try and find out more about it.
After some investigating, 10-year old Murph and her father stumble upon a secret NASA base developing a space ship to take humans into space with the idea to settle on another world - as this one seems to be on its way out. Coop is given the opportunity to go onto this mission alongside the gorgeous Anne Hathaway, a strange robot and two others to seek out new life and new civilizations and boldly go where... apparently 12 others have gone before. Michael Caine is the head of this NASA base and explains that they have found a wormhole they can travel through and there are planets on the other side capable of sustaining human life. However the journey will take years and he must choose between saving the human race or staying with his family. Coop takes the difficult choice and leaves Murph and his son behind (yes I know I haven't mentioned his son - even the movie gives him a raw deal too) and agrees to blast off into space in order to save the human race.
Interstellar has a stellar cast (bdum-tish) who are all great - we've got McConaughey, Hathaway and Caine but also John Lithgow and Jessica Chastain too. And there is a lovely treat when Matt Damon sneaks his way into the movie too at some point. Nolan's directing is good and the music, by the legendary Hans Zimmer, is atmospheric though a bit noisy at times. Honest Trailers made a quip that some of the score sounded like Hans Zimmer fell asleep on his synth - and to be honest I thought that too. The music although atmospheric did sometimes come across as noisy and a bit of a dischord. But, the special effects are mind blowing. Once the characters get into space the special effects and cinematography is simply stunning.
Interstellar, like Inception and Contact, is a thinking persons film and if you are watching it for pure entertainment and mind blowing special effects and action, then you'll get only the special effects. Yes, there is some action and yes, there is some entertainment, but this is more a drama with pertinent questions about family and humanity. One interesting point is the dilemma of visiting a planet but time is bent so that if they go there, every hour on the planet is the equivalent of seven years on earth. They visit there for four hours and Coops daughter turns into her thirties and their fellow astronaut has aged too. There's a lot to think about, and as the film continues to dazzle with amazing set pieces and back drops, the story will both make you think and scratch your head. You might be able to guess the ending, but how they reach it is mental.
I thought Interstellar was very good - but I did watch this when I was ill, so I found it rather hard to concentrate on it - so some parts seemed very heavy. But if you like the science with your science fiction and want an epic space movie - you will not go far wrong. Check it out and let me know what you think.
Interstellar is rated 12A and is out on DVD and Blu Ray now.
POPSCORE: 7.5/10
What am I talking about? The movie Interstellar
Where can I find out more? http://www.interstellarmovie.net/
If you like this try: Inception, 2001: Space Odyssey, Solaris, Contact, Gravity
Anything else?
Kip Thorne won a scientific bet against Stephen Hawking upon the astrophysics theory that underlies Interstellar (2014). As a consequence, Hawking had to subscribe to Penthouse magazine for a year. This famous bet is depicted in The Theory of Everything (2014) which was released in the same year as Interstellar.
Sunday 3 May 2015
BYTE: A-May-Zing May!
Welcome to May - it's spring time and summer is round the corner!
Time for some movie blockbusters MAYbe?
Well, let's be honest Avengers: Age of Ultron will take some beating. have you seen it yet? Finnally you guys in the US have got to see it too - and it looks like it's going to be a (Hulk) smash hit! The next anticipated behemoth of a movie is Star Wars in December. But you don't have to wait that long to get a superhero fix as Ant-Man and Fantastic Four will be popping by over the summer. If you wap in the Minions Movie and the new "in-your-head" Pixar movie, we still have some things to look forward to.
It's been a crazy month so far with no signs of stopping. We are only three days in and we've had the birth of the royal baby - a little princess who is yet to be named. I'm going for Scarlett Diana, but who knows?
Sadly though, we've also lost people - the legendary Ben E King (famous for Stand By Me, one of my favourite songs from the 60's), the iconic writer Ruth Rendell and Rebecca Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand's wife have all passed away the last few days. Sad times, and our thoughts at P&TP HQ are with their families. #RIP
There's a lot of stuff going on in this month too. Yesterday it was World Free Comic Book Day and I picked up quite a few free comics. I had picked up Secret Wars #0, and Avengers one, a 2000AD one and others at my local Forbidden Planet. Did you get to get some too? If not, don't worry - it happens every year so make sure you're up bright and early for next time. And, the following two days later (or tomorrow as I write this) is May 4th - which is Star Wars Day. I had to explain this to someone - May The Force... May the Fourth... oh never mind. If you are a member of Star Wars: The Old Republic MMORPG (like myself - unfortunately my character is called StarJediLord - sorry; but feel free to add ;-) ) they are doing some celebrations, so get logged on for some free digital swag, including, I hear, a free droid. Meanwhile if you are misty eyed about Knights of The Old Republic, the awesome game from a few years ago, Google Play is selling it on Android for the ridiculously low price of £2.33 (not sure how long for) - check it out https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aspyr.swkotor.
In the UK, on May 7th we are having a General Election, and, 5 years ago, I tried setting up a blog and my first post was all about it. Sadly, the blog never got past about 4 entries, and, as an homage to that, I might rerelease one of the movie reviews I did back then for you. I reckon, one of them was Iron Man 2 but I could be wrong.
Looking at the latest stuff as well:
> Xbox Live: Games with Gold this month includes the full game of Mafia II on XBOX 360 and for the posh 'uns who have XBOX ONE you are treated to Pool Nation FX (still) and Castle Storm Definitive Edition to download free if you are a subscriber.
> PSN: PS Plus this month hasn't really updated just yet so nothing new to report on this front. Though you can get Destiny for £24.99 if you don't already have it.
If you want a free game for your PC, and you like the Ultima series, you can get a free digital copy of Ultima 8 by signing up to EA's Origin and you can download it for free - it's an initiative they have called "On The House". If you do sign up, they do this regularly so it might be worth keeping the account. We've had quite a few games already and my collection is building up - but most of them are older games, but still goodies. Hey, what do you want for free? Please note, though, I am not sure if this would work outside the UK but you could always have a crack to see if it does.
As always we have Loot Crate and Nerd Block unboxings to look forward to...
...AND Marvel Collector Corps!
Anyway I've wrote enough now - have a MINT MAY and I'll see you soon.
Keep being awesome!
Until next time
Paul
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