Lucy - Luc Besson

Lucy is a film about transcendence:

Transcendence - verb
1. To rise above or go beyond; overpass; exceed, to transcend the limits of thought

2. To outdo or exceed in excellence, elevation, extent, degree etc; surpass, excel

3. Theology (of the Deity) to be above and independent of (the universe, time, etc).

All of the definitions listed apply to Luc Besson’s exploration of the human mind when released from its physiological restrictions. In essence, Lucy is a story of a young woman who is abducted and forced to be a drug mule for a ruthless Korean drug lord. Through a sequence of what could be described as clumsy plot devices, the package of a new generation neuro-enhancing party drug is ruptured and absorbed directly into Lucy’s body.

The result is both dramatic and fantastical, but raises poignant questions about the potential of the human mind and its ability to control the physical body that supports it and the greater world around it.

Lucy opens with a strange patchwork of documentary footage, narration and violent live action. However, the odd pieces quickly fit together to illustrate the evolutionary purpose of life and the academic minds that try to explain it. It also demonstrates Man’s brutality and selfish drive to achieve its goals through the violent disregard of human life, committed by both the villains and the heroine.

The concepts Besson touches on are not new. Those who have read HG Wells, Arthur C Clarke, Carl Sagan and Alfred Bester, will be treading familiar ground. However, if you haven’t seen the movies: ‘2001/2010 A Space Odyssey, Limitless or read the books: ‘The Time Machine’ or ‘The Stars My Destination’ or ‘Contact’, this movie might race from an action packed drama into freaky realms of the bizarre.

With excellent special effects and a broad ranging performance from Johansson, Lucy is definitely a big screen film. While it does not match the overall quality of the films it has drawn from, it examines such wonderful ideas its shortcomings can be forgiven.

Lucy is sad, frightening and yet also strangely optimistic. However, what our species must do before it can achieve the enlightenment forced upon Scarlett Johannson’s heroine is unquantifiable. As Lucy concludes, when she nears maximum cerebral capacity, Time is the only true unit measure in the universe.

I fear that our own time will run out before we come close to understanding it.

A quote came to mind as I left the cinema, from ‘2001, A Space Odyssey’: “My God, it’s full of stars!”
Review by El - 4 stars from me J

The Host - by El

After Stephanie Meyer's abominable vampiric juggernaut I had no expectations when the movie adaptation of her second major work 'The Host' was announced. However, the Sci-Fi premise was intriguing, and with accomplished actor Saoirse Ronan inhabiting the duel main role and with Gattaca genius Andrew Niccol in the director's set, I decided to risk it.

I was not disappointed.
The Host is a quiet and disquieting movie about our forced occupation by an advanced race, known individually as 'Souls'. As part of their interplanetary expansion they arrived on our little blue planet and have nearly completed their goal of of total "merger"with their unwilling human hosts. The Souls believe they bring peace, cooperation and a perfect health system to our barbaric population. However, a handful of humans refuse to be assimilated and have avoided capture, holed up in a convenient and clever hideout. The concept of an intelligent, ephemeral parasite is fascinating and raises many interesting points, some of which are explored during the the film. The strength of the concept, gorgeous art direction and strong lead cast compensate for some lack lustre dialogue and Meyer's unimaginative naming protocol. In weaker hands this movie might have gone the way of the Twilight saga, but the cinematography, styling, direction and performances were classy and strong.
The internal struggle between two strong wills within the body of host Melanie Stryder is deftly handled by the very talented Ronan, who engages the audience with her unique love quadrangle. Other standouts are William Hurt as Uncle Jeb, Jake Abel's Ian, a splendid performance by young Chandler Canterbury as Melanie's kid brother and Diane Kruger whose twisted Soul is driven to aggression unbecoming of her race.

While the concept of The Host is deep if you chose to follow the philosophical passageways, the movie itself is quite simple - but it works. We immediately understand the ideas and the consequences of such an invasion, and hopefully are reminded of the rise and demise of the colonial conquests in humanity's own bloody history. The symbiotic characters Melanie & Wanda are sympathetic and strong, so we invest in them both equally and follow their touching journey to a satisfying end.
However, what I took from The Host is colonisation from the view of the invader, which is unusual in science fiction. We usually learn to fear the colonists, especially those who "come in peace", with stories playing out on the side of the oppressed, who inevitably defeat the far more advanced aliens and send them packing. 'District 9' took the alien's view, but from a dehumanised, Apartheid perspective.Stephanie Meyer has proposed that while free-will is a right we should fight for, this spirit we like to claim as uniquely human, might not be exclusively so. 3.5 stars.

The Silver Linings Playbook - El

I believe this is the first film to have had Oscar nominations for Best Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress - and it is easy to see why.

Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence (winner-congratulations), Robert DeNiro and Jacki Weaver are all superb in this funny and confronting film about mental illness and what it takes to prevent life becoming chaos. As well as the superb cast, it is beautifully composed and directed. The setting is so natural we are unaware of the craft required to make it so real.

Despite the moments of shouting and exasperation, it is actually an understated film - which is unusual for an American feature film focussing on family. It is small and intimate, which allows us to quickly connect with this loving, but exhausted family. Jackie Weaver's performance as Patrick's mother Dolores struck a chord with me. The fragility in her eyes and mouth is balanced by her unflinching loyalty and steely determination to do the right thing for her challenging son; her strength is awe inspiring. DeNiro plays Pat's OCD father with passion but also humility and subtle humour as he tries earnestly to reconnect with his son. We warm to them both instantly and then feel their pain as their endless patience is tested by Pat's broken heart and fractured mind.

While the tone is kept light overall, we still get to see that loving and caring for a child with a mental illness, especially when that child is a tall and physically powerful man, is a heavy burden. The cost of which is written in lines on his exhausted mother's face.

Every character in this story is rich and plays an important part in both Pat's life. He is fortunate. However, this movie also demonstrates how medication and good therapy is critical to restoring balance and ensuring everyone's safety. Without showing us, we still understand why so many souls who suffer the ravages of their illness never recover and are left to the system to contain them and protect us from their madness. Those outside the system only have the streets…

The highlight for me was the snappy and raw dialogue, especially between Pat and Tiffany. They are both battling their own demons yet can see clearly the truth that lies beneath the surface in those around them. Their 'crazy' makes them unable or unprepared to do the carefully choreographed social dance of polite conversation, and thus they pull back the decorative curtain with which the rest of us hide the inadequacies of our own lives.

Their lack of filter is refreshing as well as amusing. Who wouldn't love to bypass smalltalk and cut straight to the chase?

The Silver Linings Playbook is a movie of love, connection, optimism and hope. The story itself is simple, sweet and rewarding. Yet its subject matter is anything but. For me, the theme is not of silver, but rather blurred lines. The line between doctor and patient, the line between love and obsession and that delicate line between sanity and madness.

4.5 stars - El

Life of Pi - El

This is a stunningly beautiful film.  Every frame is a masterpiece. From the first moment, we are transported into lush, green gardens filled with exotic animals in post colonial French India. 
I usually eschew 3D, and will view movies in this mode only as a last resort - as I have had many disappointments. However, director Ang Lee's 3D is utterly seamless. It is technically perfect. The viewer is immersed in the tropical eden of young Pi Patel's childhood home and never distracted from the story by self-conscious visual effects.
I cannot understate the beauty of this movie, but that alone doesn't set it apart. For me, the grace and respect with which every creature and person, even those in the background, is treated is the key to its success. From the majestic Bengal tiger to the humble fish the vegetarian Pi is forced to kill in order to survive, every being is equal and connected. 
Pi is an intelligent, passionate and questioning person and it is with his wonder and desire to understand the greater meaning of life that we join him and his family with their animal menagerie on their ill-fated voyage across the Pacific Ocean. 
Mechanical failure and the wrath of the gods tears Pi's world apart and leaves him to the mercy of the sea, his wits and his desperate companions. What happens next is both breathtaking and heart wrenching in equal measure. However, the humour took me by surprise! There are some really funny lines, which grounds this fantastical story in reality, just as you might think you're dreaming...
Breathtaking and terrible, Life of Pi is essentially a search for meaning and connection when everyone you know and think you understood is torn from you. 
What you choose to believe happens in the end of the story is a reflection of your own experience and perspective on life.

5 stars - El

Skyfall (Bond 23) - El

Skyfall is both a departure from recent themes and a return to the grandeur which line my memories of the Sean Connery Bond era.

Like many others, I was initially resistant to Daniel Craig's gritty and raw Bond. However, in Skyfall I believe he truly embodies the grace and brutality which is 007 of the 21st Century.

And like most Bond movies, Skyfall opens on a bloody scene of recent violence. However, for the first time we see reticence in James' face as he tends to his fallen comrade instead of racing off to apprehend the bad guy. Inevitably, he does give chase and a marvellous pursuit ensues, with some spectacular action and truly memorable moments! (I will never look at an excavator or VW Beetle in the same way again!).

The 23rd Bond movie opens up scars and shows us heart and hurt which cut beyond the physical. All of the critical characters are wounded, hunted or haunted in some way - and this makes compelling viewing as the story unfolds. Yes, the plot is thin and convoluted, but all Bond plots are. However, the emotional depth and witty dialogue keeps the audience engaged, even in the quieter times.

Skyfall weaves several themes together, but the most obvious and enjoyable theme is that of old verses the new. We see the venerable M, acerbic and tenacious as ever and meet the new Q and the brave new world he seeks to control at a digital distance. And then we meet Silva. His brilliance, his madness! What a nemesis! Javier Bardem is superb as Bond's foil: genius sociopath who is bored with his power and seeks a more personal reward. I really enjoyed the not so subtle homage to Hannibal Lecter as well. Both the Bond girls are gorgeous. Naomie Harris' Eve is sexy and spunky with the energy of youth and ambition. However, Sévérine is simply beyond beautiful. I submit that she is the most stunning Bond girl yet… Bérénice Marlohe's performance is wonderful, simultaneously imbuing her character with a haughty confidence and fragility. Unfortunately we do not see enough of the tragic siren Sévérine. 

The writing is sharp and really funny, the direction is magnificent and the CG is seamless. The quiet scene when Bond and M reach Scotland left me breathless at the beauty of the landscape and carefully constructed palette. It is a beautiful film. 

Yes, it is violent as per a standard Bond movie, however it has far less gratuitous violence than its predecessors. This is a movie which can be enjoyed by a younger audience, as long as they are accustomed to 'action violence'. Even the sex scenes…aren't. They are only suggestive, and not explored on screen. A little disappointing, however compensated for by the number of times we see Daniel Craig's fine torso. And his return to form heralds the arrival of new characters who will carry us into the next 50 years.

While the action is classic big-scale Bond, there is an obvious lack of gadgetry and complex systems for 007 to rely on. This underscores the battle between traditional spy-craft and the detached digital age. As a result there is a realism which this century needs. The ageing characters are tired, their knees hurt, they don't get up again so easily. I enjoyed the grit. It feels authentic on both a physical and emotional level. Which is why, for me, Skyfall is the Best Bond Ever.

4.5 stars.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower - El

This is a witty, incisive and dark coming-of-age story about the gifted but painfully awkward high-school freshman Charlie. My heart ached in his desperate loneliness and celebrated as he found friendship and unexpected joy for the first time in many years. Excellent, measured performances by all - especially the three leads. Emotionally tortured scenes are kept moving by clever direction and sharp dialogue, which in clumsier hands may have been melodramatic. 'The Perks of being a Wallflower' is set in the 80s, and features 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' and the compilation cassette tapes (remember them?), which become emotional conduits between disparate characters. Books and music are given as gifts of love and understanding, which is a lovely artsy touch. But if you overlook the eclectic 80s songs, 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' could be set in anywhere in the last four decades. It is a timeless story.

My only real criticism is that the trailer showed a much lighter, funnier movie than the feature really was. There was no hint of the early childhood trauma or the battle with mental illness that rages within Charlie's damaged mind. The preview showed nothing of the terrible darkness within. If it had I certainly would not have taken my 12 yr old daughter to see it in the cinema. She was too young to really appreciate the scope of the abuse, but too aware for it to go over her head. 

This is a compelling journey of self discovery, friendship, loyalty and both platonic & romantic love. However it also explores the fragility of youth and how physical, emotional and sexual abuse will damage a child's identity and affect their future. Definitely a movie for mature viewers.

However, in a sea of cheesy teen-movies it was wonderful to watch a well told story about teenagers without gratuitous sex, sentimentality or glorified stupid behaviour. I am keen to read the acclaimed novel on which it was based.

4/5 stars.

Breaking Dawn - Part II

Breaking Dawn Part II

So peoples - it has been a while since I have a) had the headspace to be able to formulate any kind of opinion and b) actually had the time to go and see a movie...so thank you Bill Condon and Stephanie Myer for getting me logged on and engaged again.

For those of you who know me, you will be very aware of my tragic taste in movies and books, of which the Twilight Saga is a part.  I am a traditionalist at heart and one of the things I have loved to date about the Twilight Saga has been the tendency to keep fairly close to the written word.  I mean, I don't even HAVE a teenager yet and I would not take the chance of world-wide rebellion of Tweenies by bastardising the Twilight Story....Let's not even think about the ramification of a Twihard Mums rebellion.....*shudder*.....

Did I love it?  Why, thank you for asking...as a matter of fact...yes I did.  I loved it so much , I dragged my dearest Manila family to see it on Thursday night (Bec - you were there in spirit) and then my poor devoted (snoring) husband (partner in crime) to see it on Friday night (Pip - if you read this - we are still on for our date next week!).

As always, let's get over my grievances quickly so we can get back to happy land. 

1) Melissa - you skipped over Bella's first days as a vampire.  Not cool, dude.  Not cool.  The detail of her amazing defensive ability needed more than a couple of scenes. 
2) Bill - I needed more on the visualisation of Bella's Shield - where was my rubber band???
3) Bella should have kicked a lot more of Jacob's arse than that.  I mean seriously - if someone imprinted on my new born child they would not be walking for...well...pretty much for the rest of their short and meaningless existence. (Future boyfriends of Monique, please take this as YOUR spoiler alert).
4) Kristen Stewart - you punch and kick like a girl.  Body double required.
5) Melissa - back to you - where is my detail around the other Vampire talents.  Bill - CGI - LOOK IT UP.
6. CGI babies freak me out

So why did I love?  Well, I am always a sucker for the ugly ducking turning into the beautiful swan(pardon the pun).I understand should Kristen Stewart ever be classified as an ugly ducking we are all screwed.  Forever.  I have been fairly brutal about Kristen in the past - and I must say in this movie she was less insipid than usual and almost enjoyable to watch.  Yah!  Back to happy land.  The movie in 1 hour and 55 minutes pretty much condensed what it needed to condense to provide a somewhat continuous finale.  The brilliance of the entire movie, however, hinges on the last 30-45 minutes....everything til then is set up and kind of feels that way.


SPOILER ALERT



The fight scene on the field of ice.  Superb.  This was pretty much the only part of the movie my husband watched.  The seamless inclusion of the vision sequence into the story line had me second guessing whether it had actually even happened in the book.  So much so, I had to go and check when I got home.  The fight scene was well crafted, bloodless (thank god after the Renesmee's birth scene...) and well choreographed.  It pretty much sang.  

The characters were strong, Aro's madness was a high point for me, Jasper's woodenness a low point, Emmett was visually awesome and always one of my favourites.  Garrett was a pleasant surprise and I liked the grittiness of Alistair.  But the surprise of the film was young Mackenzie Foy as Renesmee - I loved her seer-like gaze and her serenity. 

If I was not already sold at this point, the last scene would have maxed out my credit card.  In fact, I could may have watched the crappiest film of all time and if it had ended with this scene, I would have loved the whole damn movie (I'm kind of hoping this didn't happen).  The field scene has always been one of my favourites.  But the scene where Bella let's Edward see her mind for the first time just got me.  It was soft and romantic and exposing and honest and giving (it also gave me a really good summary of all my favourite scenes!).

I know it's not War & Peace and it's certainly not Gone With The Wind - but it works for me.

4/5 stars. 

Breaking Dawn Pt 2 - by El

Let me first declare to those who don't already know this: I am not a fan.

I went to see Breaking Dawn pt 2 on both friends' request and out of curiosity.

I wanted to see how it ended and if indeed Bella finally grew some grit. I personally prefer my heroines to take matters into their own hands. Happily however, Bella did become a warrior - with the help of Edward's fangs - and impressed me with her new speed, strength and protective shield gift. 

I enjoyed the gathering of new faces, finally seeing Jacob genuinely happy, the show-down twist and the surprise guest from the Amazon….mmmmm ;) 

I think Twilight fans will find the conclusion to the saga very satisfying and will sail on the highs for some time to come, with many 5-movie marathons in the future!

Here endeth the praise. Twilight die-hards may wish to look away now…(spoiler alerts too). 

Now for the vivisection.

Bella gets some hutzpah - hooray! She is no longer a hapless passenger who puts everyone who loves her in danger with her mere existence. However Bella's new identity as a fierce hunter and protector with handy shield are not as powerful or convincing as they should have been. Whether it is the fault of the writing or direction (I haven't read the novels, so I can't be sure) or K-Stew's complete lack of emotional range I don't know - but frankly, The Incredibles did 'maternal love and protective shield' so much better!

As far as screenplay, not a lot actually happens in the 1hr 55minutes. Which in itself doesn't have to be a problem - but that's where good writers and directors will use character development, dialogue and social nuance to add depth and richness to the story. Breaking Dawn Part 2 is littered with potentially interesting characters! 'Family' members from all over the globe are gathered, who have wonderful and unique gifts and powers. But so little is done with them. What a waste! I understand that vampires are inherently cool, stiff and still, but come on - there are so many scenes with dozens of unblinking, beautiful people all standing or sitting around like statues, with little more than redundant dialogue coming out of their perfectly shaped lips. Even the creepy pair from northern Europe couldn't raise the dramatic level. I found them comical.

Maybe the books are better at exploring character, but it sure didn't make it to the screen.

For a fantasy romance genre movie, the Twilight series sadly lack real emotion. The core of the story is the 'undying' love between Bella and Edward. Yet what is portrayed is a sulky obsession which is more the stuff of teenage infatuation. Ok, I'm not a romantic, but if I had to look at one more scene of the Cullen Clan all hugging and kissing in pairs I would have puked.

The theme of this film appears to be 'Restraint' . From Bella's gift of self control to the regularly tested truces between enemies both within the bloodsucker population (Volturi) and with their natural foes the pumped up pooches (Quileutes). Unfortunately, restraint appears to have been taken right through to the acting and direction as well. I understand that most of the characters' hearts don't beat, but that doesn't excuse dead performances all 'round. The only palpable emotion I saw was between Jacob and Renesmee - and they didn't even speak to each other! Speaking of the baby - I should probably cut Bella some slack about her lack of maternal love as I don't think anyone could love that freaky CGI infant! Eeek! Talk about a trip down Uncanny Valley (industry term for computer generated 'real people' who are close but NQR and give everyone the creeps). Surely they could have found an infant who approximated the divine MacKenzie Foy closely enough for the viewer to believe. 

The director had his priorities mixed up - don't trust the audience to believe that a host of child actors can play one the character without CGI trickery, but assume we'll accept feeble dialogue and poor cinematography! Sorry, Bill Condon. You've failed.

For me Breaking Dawn Pt 2 is the conclusion of a teenage girl's fantasy about relationships, marriage and parenthood. A place where she can break her father's heart, hand her newborn baby over to adoring extended family while she shags her hunky husband in a gorgeous and fully furnished cottage in the woods, and after stringing along her broken hearted no. 2 for years, have him happily become her baby's guardian. Sheesh!

Thank god they brought in that gorgeous beefcake from the Amazon at the end. It was my reward for having sat through it all! 2/5 stars from me.

Should I dread DREDD?

When I saw the preview of the upcoming "Dredd" I thought it lacked any discernible plot - but it stars two of my favourites: Lena Heady (Sarah Connor Chronicles & Game of Thrones) & Karl Urban (LOTR, JJA's Star Trek, Bourne Supremacy & RED).
However, I just read an article about it, and unlike its silly predecessor, it's not trying to appeal to a wider audience. It is brutally violent (rated R), but I think I actually want to see it now. I'm interested in the detail, especially with the 'Slo-Mo' effects. 
It's also a British Indie film, not the Hollywood remake I suspected... and as it's referencing the comics it suddenly has more cred for me. So I think I'll add it to my must-see list. If for nothing else but to see how Urban shows expression with only his mouth, and to enjoy Lena being the perfect bad-ass mudda!

Must-see: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

This movie has caught my attention. Starring Emma Watson, it looks to be a witty and incisive look at the plight of the teen who does not fit into the popular mainstream and simply blends into the background... Due for release on November 29th. My 12yr old and I will be there :)

Looper

In 2044 time travel has not yet been invented. However, organised crime doesn't respect chronological boundaries.

Looper takes us to a grimy world full of damaged people who will do whatever it takes to hang onto what little they have. We are shown the desperate underbelly of society where new technology is only available to the few who have the power to profit. It seems a doomed scenario, as all the future delivers is its trash to be disposed of. Yet there is no such thing as certainty.

This is a powerful and cleverly told story which tests your mind without twisting it into knots. It is also a very beautiful film, with delicate visual cues which balance the confronting brutality we witness. However, what appears to be gratuitous violence serves to explain important concepts, because when you are playing with the fabric of time it helps to understand what the consequences might be. Like all good science fiction, Looper establishes the rules and adheres to them.

And there are many loops. From the recycled fashions to the gerry-rigged fuel systems of old cars, endless cycles subtly underscore the theme. The cast is perfect, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis are brilliant playing opposite ends of one violent life. However, child actor Pierce Gagnon steals the show with a preternatural performance. The special effects are superb, with one exception - but I am happy to forgive them one scene, as it is so well considered overall.

For the cerebral sci-fi fan, Looper is a real treat. It is thought provoking and visceral, and it heads towards the conceptual brilliance of Gattaca and Blade Runner but is just shy of their overall perfection. However, fans of the Xmen movies will be very happy, as will the devotees of Terminator and Sarah Connor Chronicles.

And while Looper delves into the complexities of time travel and its paradoxical consequences, the overarching theme is a timeless one. At its heart, Looper is really about the power of maternal love to heal and the fundamental damage that is done when it is missing or withdrawn; the result of which will always affect the future.

In the words of Sarah Connor, "There is no fate but that we make for ourselves".

Looper is now amongst my favourite movies. I give it 4.5 stars.

Hugo - El

A superb and sincere story of courage, friendship & dreams told in sepia, steel grey and steam. One of the most beautiful movies I have ever seen and a must see for devotees of Film. A clockwork masterpiece!

5 stars.

NB: I will expand on this review after re-watching it on Bluray soon.

Hugo - DVD Review - Tash

I was looking forward to this movie and now that I have seen it, I'm not sure how I feel about it. The storyline was quite simple for 126 min (for future reference Mr Scorsese - the younger members of your target audience do not have a 2 hour concentration span).

The scenery was incredible, I loved the opening frames, the use of CGI to create the train station was breathtaking and more often than not, I was distracted from the story line (lucky it moved extremely slowly so even my addled brain had an opportunity to catch-up).  The simple use of young Hugo living within the walls of the train station and looking out at the world, disconnected, as it moves through it's paces and Hugo, poor Hugo, stuck within time as it moves all around him.  And that's pretty much where my love affair with this movie begins and ends.

The story was at times disjointed and somewhat....convenient.  The common thread of the automan, the connecting link between Hugo's past (Jude Law) and future father, George Melies (Ben Kingsley - the original creator of the automan) was sporadic.  I could not correlate the shift in focus from the train station to the despondent George Melies, a pioneer movie maker, who had lost everything through his own folly (I don't buy that Melies career was destroyed by the war, but rather the fact he could not adapt to the changing desires of his audience).

It was a struggle for me to follow this change, my desire was to return to the train station - this is where the real story was for me.   In my opinion there was enough depth in the story of a boy caught behind (within) time to satisfy the necessities of a good film. Both stories separately would have been enjoyable, together, I felt as though Scorsese had a bright idea half way through filming and randomly decided to connect the two.  The two (supposedly) interconnected stories do not have the rhythm of similar juxtaposed story telling films in the realm of Pulp Fiction or The Godfather. 

Too often my mind wandered and I found Asa Butterfield (Hugo) frighteningly similar in looks to Elijah Wood (Frodo, do you need a cousin??).

I do wonder thought, whether my satisfaction with the film would have changed if I had seen it in 3D?

Regrettably, a 1/5 star review from me. 

The Sapphires

From life to novel, to stage and now to the big screen, The Sapphires a story of four remarkable Aboriginal women who made it big.

Defying the blatant racism of Australia in the sixties, their racial stereotypes (and their mother), they doggedly pursued their dream to perform. They compete in a talent quest at a local pub, much to the disgust of the white patrons. And while they inevitably lose the competition, they win an admirer in Chris O'Dowd's Dave Lovelace. He becomes their manager and with his help they find their 'Soul', their groove, their estranged cousin and their destiny by singing to the soldiers in Vietnam.

This is a wonderful film that has broad appeal. It is funny, emotional, thought provoking and inspiring. Based on a true story it opens with the rich colours of the NSW outback and immediately warms your heart with humour and authentic love/hate relationship of sisters jostling for their own place in their family and their world. The cast is spearheaded by the magnificent Deborah Mailman who is superb throughout. Supported by newcomers Shari Sebbens and Miranda Tapsell as her sister and cousin - they croon together like molten sugar. But the true songbird is Jessica Mauboy whose vocals are the highlight of the show. O'Dowd's loveable and self deprecating humour creates balance with the girls' sharp tongued spunk. The chemistry and dialogue work a treat. The production values are high, and the soundtrack had me jiving in my seat (needless to say I have bought the soundtrack!).

The only major fault is that the journey is a bit bumpy in places, making me think it would have been better as a mini-series, but the story arc plays well overall. The horrors of the Vietnam conflict are kept to a minimum, but just enough was shown to underscore the senselessness of that war. However, injustice of Australia's Stolen Generation and the powerful theme of black rights comes across loud and clear.

The Sapphires is a tale of strength & weakness, of love & loyalty and of talent & ambition…and family. Told against the backdrop of the Australian bush and the Vietnamese jungle, it is a story everyone should know. Which makes me wonder why it has taken this latest incarnation for me to learn about these remarkable Australian women, who are leaders still today.

4 Stars.

El's Top 10 Kick-Ass Movie Heroines

1. Ellen Ripley, Alien & Aliens
2. Sarah Connor, Terminator 1 & 2
3. Lisbeth Salander, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Trilogy
4. Hanna, Hanna
5. Charly Baltimore, Long Kiss Goodnight
6. Evelyn Salt, SALT
7. Trinity, The Matrix Trilogy
8. Babydoll, Suckerpunch
9. River Tam, Serenity
10. Black Widow, Ironman 2, Avengers

My criteria: I have prioritised my heroines based on their grit, courage and ability to rise to the challenges they faced, despite their fears. Those who have been trained in combat come lower than those who were ordinary women who became warriors instead of victims.

Joss Whedon to write & direct Avengers 2!

Joss Whedon fans will celebrate at Marvel Studios' announcement that he has been signed on to write and direct the next Avengers movie.
He did a wonderful job with Avengers. Big action combined with punchy banter, especially between Tony Stark and Bruce Banner, not to forget some priceless one-liners by Loki. So I'm really looking forward to how he will develop the chemistry between that bunch of A-Types fighting for broad-shouldered room in the sequel.
But what is MOST exciting to me, is talk of a spin-off TV series based on Marvel characters... All Firefly fans will be doing a private happy-dance at the thought of Joss Whedon being able to really explore stories and characters again with his brilliant, acerbic wit across weeks, months, and hopefully years...(*Firefly grief..sniff sniff) rather than compressed into two and a bit hours.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/joss-whedon-avengers-sequel-359148

The Dark Knight Rises - Tash

Everyone who knows me will be familiar with my love of trilogies and as the final trilogy for Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight series the finale wasn't too bad. I loved the constant cameos throughout the film, Cillian Murphy aka The Scarecrow from Batman Begins as the very decisive Judge of Bane's  new world order, was a nice subtle touch (and there certainly isn't enough of that in today's Hollywood blockbusters).

My biggest issue with the film was not the storyline, or the cinematography, it was the sometimes shallow characters (whether through portrayal or writing) that caused a number of sighs and eye rolls (and may have contributed to my frustration which resulted in me asking the couple with a screaming baby to please leave the cinema).  Christian Bale is a great tortured soul - no arguments here, however I am not sure how necessary the deeply intense, and quite gravelly voice used when he donned 'The Batman' suit is to the portrayal of the character.  I did love the referral to The Batman not Batman throughout the film.

When one refers to The Batman we are no longer talking about the man (which obviously would be Batman) but the symbol, the myth, the concept - this is the power of adding that simple little word 'the'.  When you watch the trilogy again, take note of who calls him The Batman (usually his enemies) as opposed to those who call him Batman (usually those who are his friends).  But I digress, who was next?  Oh yes!  Let's talk about catwoman.  Any woman who has the guts to put on that catsuit has my vote.  Anne Hathaway was good.  Surprisingly good,  as the stunning Selina Kyle/Catwoman and her shoes were HOT!!!  Not a hint of a princess with a diary anywhere.  Whilst she lacked the silver screen goddess sex appeal needed to be a truly amazing catwoman (please refer to Michelle Pfieffer, Meow) she held her own and I really enjoyed her character. The ballroom scene was good, but it did not have the intensity of the same scene in Batman Forever, when Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle discovered each others alter egos.  On the whole, I liked her and thought she went along way to carrying the movie.

This cannot be said for Bane, who I found blandly evil (not even the bizarre breathing apparatus - we did this in Star Wars people) could truly convince me of his evilness (although the high collared sheep skin jacket did make me think he was bad - cause nothing good is coming out of that fashion faux par).  I like Tom Hardy. But I like him good and quirky.  Not blandly evil and dressed poorly.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt (one of my favourite up and comers) was great,  played a very Jimmy (from spiderman) potential sidekick part.  For those of you who have not seen the move do not read on past the 'spoiler alert'.

One of the things that really hit me throughout the movie was the cleverness of choreographing the fight scenes in broad daylight.  Batman fight scenes have traditionally been choreographed in an extremely dark and gothic setting.  Fight scenes in the day, really enhance the concept of The Dark Knight rising out of the darkness into the light.  A nice use of scene portrayal to really emphasize then underlying concept of the film.

The movie I gave a solid 3/5 with a well done to Christopher Nolen for wrapping up a trilogy with respect and finesse.

A satisfied Tash.

***************SPOILER ALERT**************











Now, let's talk about twists!!!!  Joseph Gordan-Levitt, character John Blake, real name Robin, gets the batcave.  Awesome.  Awesome. Awesome.  Some of you will think this is setting Blake up to be Robin, but I think that's the beauty of this twist.  There is no standalone Robin.  Batman is the hero, Robin is the support act.  There have been many times in the different batman renditions when Robin has stood in for Batman, the teaser here is I believe the final scene in the Batcave is inferring this will happen permanently.  That Blake will become the new Batman.

Now who thinks trilogy #2 is just around the corner????

Hobbit to be told in 3 parts!

It's official - The Hobbit, will be made into 3 movies.
Copied from Peter Jackson' facebook page, 31st July:
"It is only at the end of a shoot that you finally get the chance to sit down and have a look at the film you have made. Recently Fran, Phil and I did just this when we watched for the first time an early cut of the first movie - and a large chunk of the second. We were really pleased with the way the story was coming together, in particular, the strength of the characters and the cast who have brought them to life.  All of which gave rise to a simple question: do we take this chance to tell more of the tale? And the answer from our perspective as the filmmakers, and as fans, was an unreserved ‘yes.'  

We know how much of the story of Bilbo Baggins, the Wizard Gandalf, the Dwarves of Erebor, the rise of the Necromancer, and the Battle of Dol Guldur will remain untold if we do not take this chance.  The richness of the story of The Hobbit, as well as some of the related material in the appendices of The Lord of the Rings, allows us to tell the full story of the adventures of Bilbo Baggins and the part he played in the sometimes dangerous, but at all times exciting, history of Middle-earth.

So, without further ado and on behalf of New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Wingnut Films, and the entire cast and crew of “The Hobbit” films, I’d like to announce that two films will become three.  

It has been an unexpected journey indeed, and in the words of Professor Tolkien himself, "a tale that grew in the telling."

http://www.facebook.com/PeterJacksonNZ

The Hunger Games (from 3rd June) - El

Visually stunning and well cast, The Hunger Games is a strong concept that is perfect for the big screen. The predictability was compensated by the beauty of the production. And my fears of graphic gore were allayed as the violence was tempered with chaotic close ups and motion blur. The true horror lay in the ethical chasm between the classes. It is Animal Farm meets the Truman Show, with the heavy presence of Big Brother (both Orwell's 1984 AND the dreadful voyeuristic TV series). Some might think that the idea of the opulent rich sending the desperate children of those they control to their death for entertainment is too far removed from reality. But you only need to look at human history to believe that Hunger Games is Reality TV taken to its terrifying logical conclusion... 4 stars from me.

Snow White & The Huntsman - Tash

A film I was waiting anxiously to see. I had watched the IMDB shorts and was suckered in by what turned out to be the best 2 minutes of the entire film. I also thought this would hold me over til Breaking Dawn part II. 127 minutes of regurgitated scenes (yes Kristen Stewart - I am talking to you! Chris Helmsworth you aren't that far behind in receiving my wraith) with a twist that was predictable and groan worthy (this was no The Sixth Sense roller coaster let me assure you!). Let's talk about the regurgitated scenes, Kristen Stewart, far be it from me to tell you how to do your job, but even I would have thought character portrayals would change slightly from movie to movie. Too many times during this film I flashed back to Twilight, when you bestowed your pained, semi-vacant, love forlorn stare upon your leading man (just to be clear this works for me in Twilight as no woman can resist Edward). Chris Helmsworth you get a free pass because you were pretty darn amazing in Thor. I do feel the need to point out the inconsistent accent which came and went amusingly throughout the film. There are some good parts...the CGI is stunning (if unoriginal). I am delighted to see someone reusing the leftover programming from Terminator 2, the use of "forced perception" (best utilized by Peter Jackson in LOTR)with perhaps a little too much CGI was satisfactory (although not to the 'Little People of America' who likened the passing over of people of small stature for the roles as job stealing) and the scenery was almost enough to distract me from the pathetic storyline and even worse attempts at acting. Charlize Theron was the only shining light in this film. Her performance was solid when compared with wooden attempts at character portrayal around her. A special mention to the young Snow White portrayed by Raffey Cassidy (who also popped up as the young Angelique in Dark Shadows). Rupert Sanders this is not a film directorial debut I would be hanging my hat on....remember in Hollywood you are only as good as your last film (and I am horrified to see Snow White & The Huntsman 2 is in the works). 1/5 stars. Disappointedly yours, Tash