anadventure in film

  • Subscribe to our RSS feed.
  • Twitter
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Digg

Saturday, 2 August 2014

Film Review Round Up 2nd August 2014

Posted on 23:52 by election
This week Marvel unleashes its next franchise, and it’s a goodie. A good quality feature, filmed in my home town of Perth, brings us the end of the world and something to think about. A thriller with bad reviews, but I don’t why, and a science fiction flick that’s rather weird, and after promising a lot doesn’t deliver on that promise.

THIS WEEK'S PREVIEWS
(My movie Pick of the week)

Guardians of the Galaxy  ✪✪✪✪      

Opens in Australia:               31st July 2014
USA: 1st August 2014             UK:1st August 2014   
Other Countries:                   Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS
Marvel and Disney are a powerful, entertainment combination. Guardians of the Galaxy joins the fun of the franchises that just keep on giving (and coming). They’ve spent some huge money in the makeup, animation, and set departments in this one. The characters and details are amazing. Fans of the superhero films will eat this up. I didn’t love it like I love The Avengers and the individual films from that franchise, but its still fantastic fun, and a must see on the big screen.
DON’T FORGET STAY UNTIL THE END OF THE FINAL CREDITS FOR BONUS SCENES.

 STUDIO BLURB
From Marvel, the studio that brought you the global blockbuster franchises of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, comes a new team-the Guardians of the Galaxy. An action-packed, epic space adventure, Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy" expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits-Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Quill discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand-with the galaxy's fate in the balance. (C) Walt Disney

Lucy  ✪✪✪
Opens in Australia:               31st July 2014
USA: 25h July 2014                UK: 22nd August 2014
Other Countries:                   Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS
It begins with a very interesting premise and you will be totally sucked in. Scarlett Johansson is always great to watch on screen. However, the last twenty minutes just plummets into crazy town. Luc Besson (the director) is always heavy-handed with his films. I don’t really need imagery of animals hunting and capturing other animals to explain that Lucy is being drawn into a trap and, as the big, beefy, Asian guys grab her, that now she is caught.  If you’ve seen some of his other work, the two Taken films and the Transporter series you will know what I’m talking about. Part of it is also rather similar to the horribly stupid Transcendence earlier this year. Not the worst science fiction film, but I’d probably wait for the DVD.

 STUDIO BLURB
From La Femme Nikita and The Professional to The Fifth Element, writer/director Luc Besson has created some of the toughest, most memorable female action heroes in cinematic history. Now, Besson directs Scarlett Johansson in Lucy, an action-thriller that tracks a woman accidentally caught in a dark deal who turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic. (C) Universal

These Final Hours ✪✪✪½      
Opens in Australia:               31st July 2014
USA: No release as yet         UK: No release as yet
Other Countries:                   Release Information
Perth:                                     Luna Palace Cinemas

OUR THOUGHTS
Filmed in Perth with a $A2.4 million budget, its a pretty impressive film on screen. Angourie Rice (Rose) as the little girl that James (Nathan Phillips) decides to ferry back to her father, is extraordinary. If she is not picked up by Hollywood and whisked away to be the new “it” young girl, I will be very surprised. All Perth inhabitants should see this film simply for the novelty of watching Perth destroyed. It’s also hugely amusing to hear local suburbs and locales referenced.  It received huge applause at our preview screening. Definitely go see it not only to support our local filmmakers, but also because it’s an entertaining film. If you’ve seen Seeking a Friend for the End of the World its very much the same story. However, the Australian style adds that extra entertainment for us Aussies. If you are an international film lover, it is a good end-of-world film, and gives you an idea of why they think we Aussies are a fun loving nation. Even when the world is about to end, what do we do? We party!
P.S. This poster gets my vote for one of the best film posters of the year.

STUDIO BLURB
A young man makes his way to the party to end all parties on the last day on Earth but ends up saving the life of a little girl searching for her father, who ultimately leads him on the path to redemption. (c) Official Facebook

Deliver Us From Evil  ✪✪✪ ½
Opens in Australia:               24thJuly 2014
USA: 2nd July 2014                 UK:22nd August 2014
Other Countries:                   Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS
For some reason, this is receiving poor reviews overseas. However, it’s a good thriller. Eric Bana is very good in it, and there’s some real scary bits.  Friends who came along to the preview with us really enjoyed it, and most of the reviewers I spoke to after, also liked it. It has a few plotholes, but don't they all. So phooey on the US reviewers. Apparently, its based on a true story. Now that part is scary.

 STUDIO BLURB
In DELIVER US FROM EVIL, New York police officer Ralph Sarchie (Eric Bana), struggling with his own personal issues, begins investigating a series of disturbing and inexplicable crimes. He joins forces with an unconventional priest (Edgar Ramirez), schooled in the rituals of exorcism, to combat the frightening and demonic possessions that are terrorizing their city. Based upon the book, which details Sarchie's bone-chilling real-life cases. (c) Screen Gems


If you’ve enjoyed these reviews, please share with your friends and followers on social media and I will be very grateful. I love new readers who love film.
Read More
Posted in 2014, Weekly Review Round Up | No comments

Monday, 21 July 2014

Time Lapse ✪✪✪✪✪

Posted on 20:28 by election
Opens in Australia:               No release as yet

USA: 27th August, 2014 (Portland International Film Festival)               
UK:No Release as yet.
Other Countries:                   Release Information 



I'm championing this film because I'm an independent author, just like the filmmakers of Time Lapse are independent filmmakers. When you are out there on your own, sometimes, just knowing that there are a few people that really get what you are doing, gives you such a boost. I've had that thrill with wonderful reviews for my books from complete strangers, and so I like to pay it forward.  I apologise ahead of time that I am going to whet your appetite for a film that you may not be able to easily catch at your local cinema. Time Lapse is doing the rounds of the international film festivals, so if you are lucky enough to have it in your city, DO NOT MISS IT.  Otherwise, go to your local cinema and ask them when it is showing and they may contact the distributors and see if they can get a cinema release. Now to the review...

Time slip is one of the toughest genres to pull off. There are so many tropes around this sci-fi sub-genre that writers can easily fall into a plot-hole black hole from which their story cannot return, and they will be criticized for its implausibility. Time travel is implausible, but it holds so much opportunity if written right that we are happy to go along for the ride. Usually, though, the studios worry little about these issues when it comes to the latest science fiction offerings, casting mega-stars, spending a fortune on special effects, and little on the script. Then they blitz with a twelve month pre-launch marketing campaign, and we go along expecting “wow” and, instead, receive “woe” for our box-office dollar.

So you wouldn’t expect that a small indie release would blow you away with its script and originality, but that is exactly what happened at the Revelation Film Festival in Perth, Australia when viewing Time Lapse, a film directed by Bradley King and produced by BP Cooper, both of whom wrote the script. Think classics like Memento, Triangle, and Donnie Darko, where the story twists your mind with its complexity, and the minute you’ve finished you want to rewatch to spot the clues. Time Lapse is currently doing the rounds of film festivals, and winning awards at them. It may not be at your local cinema yet, but keep looking and asking for it.

Three friends (Danielle Panabaker, George Finn, Matt O'Leary), living in and managing an apartment complex, stumble upon a strange machine in a mysterious neighbor’s home. It’s pointed at their large living room window, and they realize that, somehow, it takes photos 24 hours into the future exactly at 8pm. Posted around the machine’s room are hundreds of photos of them. Initially, the machine provides a prosperous opportunity as they send messages, to their 24 hour earlier selves, on horse race winners. However, things turn dark and sinister quickly when they start to believe that they need to perfectly recreate the scene in the photograph the following day or face dangerous consequences and possibly death.
It’s one of those films that you wish would go on forever. With each new photograph revealed, you’re thinking—just like the characters—what’s the story behind the photo? What’s going to happen in 24 hours to make it come true?

First time director, King, and co-writer Cooper have produced a well-imagined film and worked wonders with a small set and budget. Keep an eye on these two. Something tells me we will be seeing big things from them in the future. Do not miss this film when it comes to your local theatre. It’s a science fiction classic gem.



Read More
Posted in 2014, 5 Star, Masterpieces, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller | No comments

Friday, 18 July 2014

Review Round Up 19th July 2014

Posted on 23:55 by election
Having just come back from three nights away in the little seaside town of Busselton, I’m relaxed and ready for the full couple of weeks of movie previewing coming up. Only two releases this week, but one packs an emotional punch with a tragic Australian issue. The other is a biopic that I don’t hold a lot of hope for in Australia, even though it's quite good. And I catch up with that monkey film I missed reviewing last week.

THIS WEEK'S PREVIEWS
(My movie Pick of the week)

Charlie’s Country  ✪✪✪✪ ½
Opens in Australia:               17th July 2014
USA: No Release                  UK:No Release
Other Countries:                   Release Information
Perth:                                   Luna Palace Cinemas

OUR THOUGHTS
Every Australian over the age of 14 should see this film. It is arguably the best film since Rabbit Proof Fence to depict the chronic issues we, as a country, are struggling with in our attempt to live with the true owners of this land we call Australia.

Based loosely on David Gulpilil’s (Charlie) life, it is, initially, endearing and funny, then provocative, and ultimately heartbreaking. As the end credits rolled I was in tears, and I just wanted to get to my car and have a good sob. 

It asks questions that seem extraordinarily difficult to answer and, yet, must be answered sooner than later. Why are indigenous Australians so misunderstood, and why are they treated with such disrespect? We can watch Rabbit Proof Fence and soothe our guilt by pointing out these inhumanities happened decades ago when we didn’t know any better. However, there is no excuse now that this disregard continues in present day as portrayed by Charlie’s Country. As if there has ever been an excuse for any of the atrocities at any time.

This is probably one of the most important Australian films in the past decade. That aside, it’s beautifully scripted, acted, and director Rolf de Heer allows the actor’s and their story to shine through naturally and dramatically. Please see Charlie's Country and tell your friends.

STUDIO BLURB
Blackfella Charlie is out of sorts. The intervention is making life more difficult on his remote community, what with the proper policing of whitefella laws now. So Charlie takes off, to live the old way, but in so doing sets off a chain of events in his life that has him return to his community chastened, and somewhat the wiser.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes  ✪✪✪½
Opens in Australia:               10thJuly 2014
USA: 11th July 2014               UK: 17th July 2014
Other Countries:                   Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS
Every reviewer everywhere loves this film. “Best blockbuster this summer (or winter for us)” they say. Yeah… yeah… yeah. I don’t agree. Great visual effects, but that’s about it. Not a terrible script, but such a rehash of so many other films— Braveheart with hair, really. I did really enjoy the first film Planet of the Apes, and the very original with Charlton Heston (saw it at the drive-in when I was a kid). I didn’t hate this one, and I know most of you will want to see it. So do go. It’s by the numbers and, for me, the numbers just added up to same ol’ same ol’. And a tad slow, while I’m having a whine.

 STUDIO BLURB
A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth's dominant species. (c) Fox

Reaching For The Moon  ✪✪✪½ 
Opens in Australia:               17th July 2014
USA: 2013 Festival Release  UK: No release that I can find
Other Countries:                   Release Information
Perth:                                   Luna Palace Cinemas

OUR THOUGHTS
It’s beautifully shot. I was just drooling over the clothes, the houses, the scenery, even the furniture. There’s a desk in it that I would sell one of my children to own.

A bit of a soppy romance film in parts, while in other ways it is an interesting biopic of a clearly talented writer. However, I really question how well this will do outside the USA.  A lesbian love affair between an alcoholic poet and a South American architect doesn’t really set off the “must see” bells. Still, its nicely done and, again, that furniture and the beautiful architecture really had me salivating.

 STUDIO BLURB

DAYS IN SEPTEMBER, DONA FLOR AND HER TWO HUSBANDS) returns with a sophisticated tale of an unlikely romance between two extraordinary artists, set against the backdrop of political upheaval and a clash of cultures. Grappling with writer's block, legendary American poet Elizabeth Bishop (Miranda Otto) travels from New York City to Rio de Janeiro in the 1950s to visit her college friend, Mary (Tracy Middendorf). Hoping to find inspiration on Mary's sprawling estate, Elizabeth winds up with much more - a tempestuous relationship with Mary's bohemian partner, architect Lota de Macedo Soares (Glória Pires), that rocks the staid writer to her foundation. Alcoholism, geographical distance and a military coup come between the lovers, but their intimate connection spans decades and forever impacts the life and work of these two extraordinary artists. The attraction of two polar-opposite women has rarely been so volatile and so erotically charged on the big screen.(c) Wolfe

If you’ve enjoyed these reviews, please share with your friends and followers on social media and I will be very grateful. I love new readers who love film


Read More
Posted in 2014, Weekly Review Round Up | No comments
Newer Posts Older Posts Home
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Popular Posts

  • Star of RED DOG dies
    KOKO DIES KOKO, the canine star of the hit Australian film RED DOG , passed away peacefully today. In early 2012 KOKO was diagnosed with ...
  • Django Unchained ★★★★½
    THERE WILL BE BLOOD Australia: 24th January 2013; USA 25th December UK 18th January 2013 Other Countries:   Release Dates         Quentin Ta...
  • The Darkest Hour ★
    Releases:   Australia 19 th January,   Other Countries Invisible aliens star in an invisible plot 'The Darkest Hour' should be ren...
  • Zac Efron to visit Australia for World Premiere
    ZAC WILL BE BACK Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling and Academy Award®-nominated writer/director Scott Hicks have all confirmed to visit Melbou...
  • Disney's Frankenweenie ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    IT’S THE HEART THAT BREATHES LIFE Australia:   25th October, 2012; USA 5th October, 2012; UK 17th October 2012 Other Countries: Release D...
  • We Need to Talk About Kevin ★★★★★
    We need to talk about Kevin should be called, “ We will think about Kevin for a long time .”   Since watching this disturbing movie, s...

Categories

  • 1 Star
  • 2 Star
  • 2011
  • 2012
  • 2013
  • 2014
  • 3 Star
  • 4 Star
  • 5 Star
  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Animation
  • Australian Film
  • Behind the Scenes
  • Biopic
  • Black Humour
  • Bombs
  • Breaking News
  • Christmas
  • Comedy
  • Commentary
  • Competitions
  • Drama
  • Family
  • Fantasy
  • Foreign Language
  • Ghost Story
  • Heart Warming
  • Historical
  • Horror
  • Inspirational
  • Masterpieces
  • Movies for Children
  • Mystery
  • Paranormal
  • Romance
  • Sci-Fi
  • Special Events
  • Sport
  • Teaser Trailers
  • Thriller
  • War
  • Weekly Review Round Up
  • zombies

Blog Archive

  • ▼  2014 (32)
    • ▼  August (1)
      • Film Review Round Up 2nd August 2014
    • ►  July (5)
      • Time Lapse ✪✪✪✪✪
      • Review Round Up 19th July 2014
    • ►  June (6)
    • ►  May (3)
    • ►  April (5)
    • ►  March (6)
    • ►  February (3)
    • ►  January (3)
  • ►  2013 (51)
    • ►  December (4)
    • ►  November (5)
    • ►  October (7)
    • ►  September (3)
    • ►  August (3)
    • ►  July (2)
    • ►  June (5)
    • ►  May (3)
    • ►  April (3)
    • ►  March (6)
    • ►  February (5)
    • ►  January (5)
  • ►  2012 (67)
    • ►  December (6)
    • ►  November (5)
    • ►  October (7)
    • ►  September (2)
    • ►  August (8)
    • ►  July (5)
    • ►  June (7)
    • ►  May (3)
    • ►  April (6)
    • ►  March (8)
    • ►  February (5)
    • ►  January (5)
  • ►  2011 (20)
    • ►  December (9)
    • ►  November (8)
    • ►  October (3)
Powered by Blogger.

About Me

election
View my complete profile