Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald 3D

Posted on November 19, 2018 by C966939529

Magical as expected but longwinded and confusing.

I was raised in the height of Pottermania and I am a proud Slytherin 😊

I used to love the build up before a new book and later on with the movies, so I know the characters inside and out, just like a lot of my fellow Potterheads.

As soon as the film starts with the faint notes of Hedwig’s theme, the Goosebumps began.

You can tell the heads of production have remained the same, David Yates stayed as director and J K Rowling wrote the screenplay, so I expected the film to be true to its origins. But my advice is to not see it in 3D, there is no need. I think I actually enjoyed it more in 2D than 3D.

We have the usual group back in the driving seat and I am glad to see them return.

But we also have new (ish)characters such as Nagini, Dumbledore and of course Grindelwald.

So now comes the WARNING if you haven’t seen it yet.

SPOILER ALERT!

The film starts just a few months after the previous film ends. 1927 Grindelwald in jail, he escapes, you know the jist. But the main things we learn are that:

Credence isn’t dead – he survived the previous film
Grindelwald and Dumbledore used to be friends (lovers??) They have a blood pact so cannot fight each other.
Leta had a brother who she unintentionally killed
Credence Barebone was born as Aurelias Dumbledore

Of course, nobody really cares about anything of this expect. Who the hell the Aurelias Dumbledore?

Just like many fans I went straight to the books to construct the Dumbledore family tree…. Yes, I am that sad.

This looks perfectly fine until you add the dates.

1881 – Albus born

1883/1884 – Aberforth born

1885 – Ariana born

1891 – Ariana was attacked by muggles. Percival took revenge on the boys and ended up being imprisoned in Azkaban.

1899 – Ariana accidently killed her mother as she couldn’t control her powers. Albus looks after his siblings.

Aurelius is supposedly born in 1901. So, at best he could be a half brother if you believe that Percival was able to either escape or have relations in Azkaban.

Another issue in the timeline is Professor McGonagall being a teacher at Hogwarts in 1927, when she isn’t born until 1935?

I am a traditionalist and it annoys me that the story and timeline has been changed just so that they can make more money. It is a cinematic marvel as all the films are, but I find the story a bit lacking. It is all the build up to the next film and at 2h 15mins I am not surprised children couldn’t keep their attention throughout.

I did like the little Easter Eggs hinting back to other films such as:

The bucket being a portkey
The flash of green light – The Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra)
The Imperius Curse (Imperio)
Phoenix
Philosophers Stone
Polyjuice Potion – Twitching on the face

Over all the casting was fantastic and I am really looking forward to the next instalment of the franchise. But I can’t say I am sold on how this is going to work into the timelines.

4/5

Director: David Yates

Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Katherine Waterston, and Ezra Miller.

Crew: J K Rowling (Screenwriter)

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 12A

Assassination Nation

Posted on November 16, 2018 by C966939529

A clever feminist take down of society – love, love, love!

This film came out of the blue for me. I hadn’t heard a lot about it until it appeared on the cinema listings. I don’t know why! The premise I love the idea of because in 2018 this is something that could happen. People hacking photos, especially from prominent people, like presidents… oops I meant mayor 😉

The best way I can describe this film is Mean Girls meets the Purge in Salem, Massachusetts during the Witch Hunts. This is even suggested in the costume.

I love these little Easter eggs and think it is really clever. Something else I like in this film is the use of the colour red, and the hues. Red is used in some many ways, it is used to show sexiness, empowerment, danger, and hatred. It comes full circle.

I don’t want to give too much away as I saw this film before it is released on the 23^rd November.

This film gets your thinking about your own online footprint and these are so many fantastic quotes.

This may not be a perfect film, but it made me laugh, made me think and says a lot about society.

So, I don’t care it’s a 5/5 from me! I’m off to see it again!

Favourite Quotes

“You may kill me but you’ll never kill us all”

“I’m not a bitch, I’m a feminist”

“I’m not the monster you think I am”

“The whole world is watching”

“I love this kind of scandal”

“Men who don’t eat pussy in this day of age, is straight up a sociopath” – AMEN!

Director: Sam Levinson

Cast: Odessa Young, Suki Waterhouse, Hari Nefi, Abra, and Bella Thorn.

Genre: Comedy Horror

Rating: 18

Bohemian Rhapsody

Posted on November 12, 2018 by C966939529

Fitting for Freddie but not True to the story

I am a massive Queen and I grew up listening to them thanks to my Dad. So it only seemed fitting that I saw this with my parents. This gave me a nice chance to discuss it with them and get their opinion.

I had high hopes because to take such an iconic person such as Freddie Mercury makes it difficult to stand up to the hype. When I saw this was only a 12A film I was confused as his flamboyant lifestyle definitely wasn’t 12A material in my opinion.

One thing I really liked in the film was the use of light and colour pallets.

There is a stark contrast in the two sides of Freddie. The stage Freddie and the real Freddie. The bright flamboyant tones of Freddie on stage use cold bright lighting whereas the real Freddie is in warmer tones and muted colours. To me this symbolises Freddie really well and is aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

The biggest issue I have from this film is the liberties they have taken with the timeline. I understand that they want to use all the classic songs but some of the mistakes are massive.

Fat Bottomed Girls is played during Queens first US Tour in 1974 but was not released until 1978.
We Will Rock You is shown being recorded in 1980 but it was on News Of The World album that was recorded in 1977.
Another One Bites the Dust is seen as being a part of the disco experiment from 1982 but it was released in 1980.

I am sorry, but I am a traditionalist and these things really takes me out of the movie. My Dad had exactly the same feelings and was checking on Google to make sure he was right. (Not just Old age and all that!)

The cast though were fantastic and I couldn’t have hoped for anyone else to play Freddie like Rami Malek. The mannerisms were perfect and on point.

Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury Gwilym Lee as Brian May Ben Hardy as Roger Taylor Joe Mazzello as John Deacon

But I can’t give it full marks. As much as I enjoyed it and it gave been Goosebumps just like Queens music does, I cannot forgive the timeline mistakes.

4/5

Director: Bryan Singer

Cast: Rami Khan, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy, Joseph Mazzello, Aidan Gillen, Tom Hollander and Mike Myers.

Crew: John Ottoman (Editor)

Genre: Biographic Drama

Rating: 12A

Slaughterhouse Rulez

Posted on November 4, 2018 by C966939529

More Parody than Horror/Comedy

The last British horror I saw was Ghost Stories and I loved it, I saw it as a great future for the British horror community, so I had high expectations for this film. Especially as it is a Simon Pegg and Nick Frost collaboration. Director Crispian Mills, who has worked with Pegg before in “A Fantastic Fear of Everything”, has described this film as a “distant cousin of the Cornettos”.

As you may recall the Cornetto Trilogy are a collection of comedy horror films consisting of “Shaun of the Dead”, “Hot Fuzz” and “The World’s End”.

Pegg and Frost are executive producers as well as cast and even use this film as their premier for their production company Stolen Picture.

Although this film is classed as a horror, I see it more of a parodist comedy.

Parody

This film is set in a private school which can be described as a mix between Hogwarts and St Trinians. These parallels can be seen through the uniform and the houses.

At Slaughterhouse you have: Andromeda – the all girls house, Olympus – the Jocks, Xenophon – the Nerds and Sparta – who are basically the Hufflepuffs.

You can also see a clear Draco Malfoy, Snape and Neville Longbottom chracters, but I will let you figure them out for yourselves!

The parodies even continue into the Cornetto Trilogy – see what I mean?

I also liked the subtle hints, for instance the schools motto is “Per Caedes Ad Astra” which means “Through Bloodshed to the Stars” In Latin.

The use of fracking is a parody on the environment and it is something that is happening in the world but this is taking silliness to the extreme with the amount of fart jokes which can get tiresome after a while.

Symbolism

The filming itself is quite interesting. They use a lot of drone shots to show the size of the school and as it was filmed at Stowe School near Buckingham, which is 300 years old, it was very effective to show the grandeur of the Private School. This was also mixed in with POV shots, some from the creatures, some from the students as they spy. The school itself symbolises the status of going to a private school against a public school. There has always been a lot of discussion about is it worth paying to go to Private school and mixing with the elite. But at the end of the day no matter what school faces the apocalypse we are all screwed!

Another symbol I liked the use of was the school tie. For many different characters it represents something different.

Don

Woody

Wootton

Clegg

Wolloughby

Don doesn’t want to be at the school and feels very alone so the tie makes him feel alone and abandoned.

Woody graduated many years ago but still wears his school tie on his wrist as a reminder of his brother Teddy who died in the woods. It is a symbol of his past and of his rebellion from the elite.

Wootton bless him has failed the house test on the history of the school numerous times and is punished every time he fails. For him the tie symbolise and is literally a constraint.

Clegg is the head prefect and takes his role very seriously and wears his tie with pride, showing unity in the school and making life hell for the other students.

Willoughby sees the tie as a symbol of death as his roommate hung himself using the tie and he tried to do the same after pulling pranks using the noose as a symbol.

Conclusion

A lot of people have panned this film but I really enjoyed it, but I think I enjoyed it more as a parody than a comedy horror. So I think in the end it all comes down to personal taste, which in the end is what happens with any film. I found it funny and enjoyed picking out the parody nuggets but I didn’t find it scary at all. So if you want to be scared look elsewhere but if you want a lighthearted film with lots of fart jokes. This film is for you.

I give it a 3/5.

Favourite Quotes:

“Super massive Frack Hole”

“Damn, why didn’t this happen under the maths block?”

“To the Skoda!”

“This Is Sparta”

“Tunnels my arse, this is a sewer!”

“I’m gonna die unfulfilled, I’m gonna die a virgin, I’m gonna die in Greek sandals”

Director: Crispian Mills

Cast: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Asa Butterfield, Michael Sheen and Finn Cole

Crew: John De Borma (Cinematographer)

Genre: Horror Comedy

Rating: 15

Director: Crispian Mills

Cast: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Asa Butterfield, Michael Sheen and Finn Cole

Crew: John De Borma (Cinematographer)

Genre: Horror Comedy

Rating: 15

The Meg

Posted on August 24, 2018 by C966939529

A Meg-nificant Movie Mistake

This film plays on one of the most well known fears throughout the world…How do you really know what is lurking beneath you in the ocean?

So far scientists have only explored around 20% of the world’s oceans which means we know so little about the environment, the climates, and the species that dwell below in the deep., and back in 1975 Jaws brought this fear to the forefront of peoples minds and although many years have passed, can you tell me when you go in the water you don’t still hear the chilling theme tune?

Besides have you seen Shark Week?!?! They are discovering the bigger sharks are dwelling at deeper depths and aren’t normally seen at the surface, so what else is hiding down there?

Since Jaws is one of my favourite films and got me looking at films from numerous aesthetic angles I can’t review a shark film without discussing them both!

Just like Jaws, The Meg is based on a book and is based around the deep sea research from an ocean based marine biology centre. Oh wait does this sound familiar? You bet! From 1975 lets time travel to 1999 and Deep Blue Sea. Marine Biologists are researching on a floating rig in the middle of the Ocean. I’m starting to get a bad feeling about this already aren’t you?

So lets cut to the chase and look at our big bad sharks:

Jaws:

Great White Shark

Carcharodon carcharias

25ft or 7.5ms

Man- eater

Attacks from below

The Meg:

Megalodon

Carcharocles megalodon

68-88ft or 21-27ms

Top predadtor of the oceans

Extinct 2 million years

We have learnt in recent years that giant Great White Sharks called mega-sharks do exist.

I would like to introduce you to Deep Blue, a 20 ft female Great White Shark found in the Guadalupe Islands off of Mexico. She is believed to be one of the biggest White Sharks discovered, but she is still growing. She is believed to be around 50 years old and she is still growing. She is only 5ft off the shark in Jaws, so who else is hiding down there?

“You’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat”

But I digress!

The Meg has tried to learn a lot from its predecessor shark films such as:

Using music to build tension
Not showing the shark straight away and playing on the audiences’ own fears
Using Point of View shots from both the characters and the sharks

But it differs on the way it has been filmed.

To get the best shots of the actors in the water they wanted to be able to control the environment so instead of shooting in the ocean they shot in a tan. I can completely understand the reasoning behind it but it is soo obvious! You know it isn’t the ocean, purely because there isn’t anything disturbing the shots and to me it is going to scare me of the ocean because it clearly isn’t the ocean!

In Jaws they filmed in the ocean and tied ropes on to the actors and pulled them around giving the authentic feel, admittedly the shark is nothing by todays standards it gave a focal point for the actors. This is the problem with CGI because the actors are trying to act with a tennis ball on a stick for reference. I don’t care if you were the world’s greatest actor, you are not going to get believable reactions. I really believed that with clever angles and a smaller realistic model this would have been a much better film.

In my opinion, this film is style over substance and is weakened by bad aesthetic choices – CGI can only take you so far. I know it was never going to be a master piece, but I really had higher expectations, a few funny moments can’t save it.

2/5

Director: Jon Turtletaub

Cast: Jason Statham, Ruby Rose, Rainn Wilson, Li Bingbing,

Crew: Harry Gregson-Williams (Music), Tom Stern (Cinematographer)

Genre: Science Fiction Thriller (apparently???)

Rating: 12A

Adrift

Posted on July 9, 2018 by C966939529

Beautiful Scenes, Beautiful Acting, Beautiful Film

I admit I am a big fan of “Man v Nature” survival films such as The Perfect Storm, The Shallows and Castaway, so this film is right up my street.

The Director Baltasar Kormákur is no stranger to survival films, as in 2015 he directed Everest, based on the 1996 Everest Disaster, and his latest film, is no exception, it is based on the true story of Tami Oldham and Richard Sharp, who in 1983 were stranded after a storm at sea.

Adrift definitely has its own colour pallet, just as Everest did. Kormákur uses primary colours red and yellow to forecast danger signals, which is striking against the blue and grey background of the ocean. This is similar to Everest where the primary colours are reflected back from the white snow on the mountain.

Everest 2015

Adrift 2018

But it is even used as a warning sign right from the word go.

Another thing I like about this film is that it is not chronological. Even though they filmed it chronologically in editing they jump within the timeline. This gives the effect that the characters are daydreaming about the past, whilst on the boat.

Filming was not an easy, as 90% of the movie was filmed at sea. According to interviews from the cast and crew days began at 4am and people were throwing up. So, the reality was “you’re either sun burnt, sleep deprived, or seasick” as they say in the film!

The cast are fantastic and Shailene Woodley gives a career best performance. You get dragged into the story and really care about the characters, especially when you know this happened.

Like many films there is a twist which would be great if you didn’t know the true story behind it, otherwise it is a little bit lost on you.

Overall, I would definitely recommend it to anyone.

4/5

Director: ‎Baltasar Kormákur

Cast: ‎Shailene Woodley, Sam Claflin

Crew: Aaron and Jordan Kandell (Screenwriters)

Genre: Survival Drama

Rating: 12A

Hereditary

Posted on June 28, 2018 by C966939529

Frightening, Fun and Fantastic!

This film has been hailed as this generations “The Exorcist” and “The Shining”, the biggest compliment a horror film can get. As two of my favourite movies I was holding so much expectation for this film and boy did it deliver.

Just like the other films this is a slow burn, this builds up the tension and suspense. Aster admit this was a deliberate choice. “I wanted to make a film that demanded a certain amount of patience from the audience, but one that intended to pay that off. The challenge for the audience is to sit tight, and the challenge for me is to make sure that they’re satisfied at the end.” (Wilner, 2018)

Ari Aster on Set

Even the way it is shot with slow panning shots gets the audience on the edge of their seats waiting to see what is revealed. The director, Ari Aster, has done a fantastic job especially as this is his directorial debut. In a way it reminds me of James Wan and SAW. SAW started out as a small project that excelled Wan into cinematic history. Since then he has gone on to so many projects which use his distinct style. I can foresee the same happening to Aster.

James Wan on The Conjuring Set

So back to the film! This film revolves around a family who turns out has a dark secret and almost a prophecy to fulfil. I don’t want to give too much away because you have to experience it for yourselves! So, this is a SPOILER FREE REVIEW!

This film is a typical horror yet not a typical horror at the same time. Let me explain, you have a low light, use of candlelight, quick flashes of light, and the teenagers being the centre of the action. Although it may not be a typical jump scare film it does constantly have you thinking and trying to jump to the punchline before the end of the film. This shows how entranced the audience is, they are hanging on every word, not just a good thing from a horror film but just from movies in general.

In many horror films you don’t get to understand the characters because they are basically just pieces of meat waiting to die. The actors really draw you into the characters and you care about them. This can only be done with clever writing – well done Aster!

The last thing I want to discuss is the symbolism used throughout the film. I am a massive fan of hidden easter eggs and films and just like in many horror films foreshadowing is big here.

Number 1: The miniatures of the families lives – symbolism of no escape, everything has been predetermined

Number 2: The symbol on the necklace – don’t want to give anything away but it is important!

Number 3: Pictures with eyes crossed out – eyes are the window to the soul

Number 4: Family dynamics – and you thought you had it bad!

Number 5: Charlie….just Charlie….

For the rest you have to see it for yourself!

This is a clever, entertaining film that I already can’t wait to again. If you love horror see this film! I can’t wait to see what else this director has in his back pocket!

5/5

Director: Ari Aster

Cast: Toni Collette, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro, Ann Dowd, and Gabriel Byrne.

Crew: Ari Aster (Screenwriter), Colin Stetson (Music)

Genre: Supernatural Horror

Rating: 15

Works Cited

Wilner, N. (2018, June 8). Interview: Hereditary director Ari Aster talks horror influences. Retrieved from Now Toronto: https://nowtoronto.com/movies/features/interview-hereditary-director-ari-aster/

Ocean’s 8

Posted on June 28, 2018 by C966939529

Sloppy, poorly executed and boring.

I love a good heist film and the original Ocean’s trilogy by Steven Soderbergh are some of my favourites. It is clever, funny and I never see the twists coming (no matter how ridiculous it may be …ahem…Julia Roberts playing Julia Roberts…) They are an enjoyable watch. The same cannot be said for this.

I have the same feelings about this film as I did with them remaking Ghostbusters, it is unnecessary. As a woman I personally find it personally insulting that great actresses are just rehashing something that a male cast has already done. Why can’t they just come up with original storylines that can let them shine in their own right. #StopRemakes

Considering the cast this film has I was expecting a lot, but the marketing and story-line ruined it. For instance, if you look at the poster it is obvious that Anne Hathaway is a part of the plan in some way. So when this comes to light, the surprise is taken away leaving it flat.

The one scene that made me laugh was Anne Hathaway looking at herself in the mirror trying on the necklace….which is in the trailer! Nothing was there to keep me guessing and took me by surprise. I guessed what was going to happen and it was very apparent I was watching a film. Even the secret exchanges were sloppy and if that was the best take they could get, god knows what the other takes were like.

The one thing I like about the film is how they have updated it in the techniques, such as Facebook stalking and having throw backs to the original films, as in the opening. But I would not recommend this to any fan of the original.

Sloppy, poorly executed and boring.

1/5

Director: Gary Ross

Cast: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Rihanna, Helena Bonham Carter, and Awkwafina.

Crew: Ross and Olivia Milch (Screenwriters)

Genre: American Heist Comedy

Rating: 15

Secret Screening: Incredibles 2

Posted on June 21, 2018 by C966939529

It’s not good, it’s super!

I have waited 14 years for this film to be released and I got to see it before the 13^th July release! Thank you, Cineworld for Secret Screening number 8! Writer and Director Brad Bird said he would only do a sequel if he could come up with a story as good as, or better than the original, and I am so glad he waited because this is perfection.

The Parr Family is back in action!

In the cinema when it came up on the screen a full cinema of adults started cheering. Bearing in mind, that nobody under 15 was allowed in the screening shows how much excitement there is just with adults!

The film is set just 3 months after the first film and is picked up with Tony, the boy Violet likes in the first film. I really like how they keep the continuation from the first film, as it is always a worry when there is such a gap between sequels. The majority of the original cast have returned except for the role of Dash. The original voice actor Spencer Fox was 11 when he was in the first film , but now at 25 and puberty it is understandable why a younger actor got the role. Enter Huck Milner! Kim Renfro states in her article,

“it’s very hard to distinguish between Milner’s performance as Dash and Fox’s take on the character in 2004. They sound essentially identical.” (Renfro, 2018)

I completely agree! I didn’t know it was different actors!

The antagonist of the film Screen Slaver reflects a lot about our society.

How many times do you go out to dinner with people and they are glued to their phones? How many people actually speak to people these days instead of sending a message on Facebook or WhatsApp? We are slaves to our screens and we are missing real life. Just like Screen Slavers says,

“You don’t talk you watch talk shows.”

Instead of the villain hijacking our screens, maybe we are already hijacked by them?

I am not going to give anything away this is a SPOILER FREE ZONE!!!

Doesn’t mean I won’t give you anything! Here are a couple of Easter Eggs to wet your appetite:

THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR – See if you can spot them!

A113 – Classroom of the California Institute of the Arts – appears 2 times!
Insuricare – Where Bob used to work – check the background 😉
Baby V Raccoon – that is all I’m going to say

All I can say is how funny this film is. On numerous occasions the entire screen was in a ruckus laughing out loud, and here is a tip: Keep your cookies on stand by 😉

5/5

Director: Brad Bird

Cast: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, Huck Milner, Eli Fucile, Samuel L Jackson

Crew: Brad Bird

Genre: Animated Superhero

Rating: PG

Works Cited

Renfro, K. (2018, February 15). ‘Incredibles 2’ swapped out one of the stars in the main cast — but you probably missed it. Retrieved from Business Insider UK: http://uk.businessinsider.com/incredibles-2-dash-new-voice-actor-recast-2018-2

Bird, Brad (Director). (2018). Incredibles 2 [Motion Picture].

Bird, Brad (Director). (2004). The Incredibles [Motion Picture].

Solo: A Star Wars Story 3D

Posted on June 8, 2018 by C966939529

Better than I imagined.

I was on tenterhooks when it was announced that they were doing a Solo film as I am a traditionalist and cannot see anyone accept Harrison Ford in the role. Obviously, I know you can’t have a 75-year-old playing someone in their 20s but considering he has been playing the role for the last 40 years, it is hard to imagine anyone else stepping into his shoes. I have to admit I was wrong. Alden Ehrenreich is amazing! Not only do they look similar it is the mannerisms Ehrenreich has nailed!

Another character that was nailed was Lando Calrissian. I am in love with Donald Glover, and his many capes. The cast have clearly studied the previous films and really kept consistent with the mannerisms, making it a really believable.

The storywriters, Jonathan Kasdan and Lawrence Kasdan, names should sound familiar to Star Wars nerds. Lawrence Kasdan was one of the writers of The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. This time he has teamed up with his son Jonathan to continue the Star Wars story, or rather revisit its past. I love a good continuation of crew as it makes the story flow right from A New Hope up to now. Even in the story you can see these influences, such as the Sabacc dice.

The story has been set up ready for a sequel and Ehrenreich has been contracted for a further 2 movies, but Ron Howard the director has said nothing has been confirmed.

So watch this space!!

Sci-Fi pun intended 😊

Overall, I loved the film and it was OK in 3D, (still could have been used better in my opinion,) but I loved the story and how it impacts my view of Solo in previous films. Typical Star Wars film, lots of comedy, especially with the Droids, and you can see why characters are the way they are.

4/5

Director: Ron Howard

Cast: Alden Ehrenreich, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover and Paul Bettany

Crew: Kathleen Kennedy (producer), Jonathan Kasdan and Lawrence Kasdan (Writers)

Genre: American Space Western

Rating: 12A

4/5

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