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chrishaydon_63
Reviews
Precious (2009)
A boring and self-obsessed tale made entirely to enforce guilt-money
'Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire' is a film typical of this time of year; award season.
Unfortunately, that's the only reason Lee Daniels made this picture; to scoop sympathetic awards from the Oscar and Golden Globe panels.
'Precious' is a shallow, cold-hearted film that basically a two-hour advert for child abuse, it's a sick way to guilt-trip Western audiences into donating money to charities and other money-squeezing organizations.
They even had the cheek to get Oprah Winfrey to present the film which tells the audience only one thing; we want your money.
It's a disgusting picture that deserves no awards and no praise. It's utter self-obsessed rubbish that made me angry to watch, it makes the audience feel responsible for Precious' appalling lifestyle.
Admittedly, it's very well performed, Mo'Nique is quite extraordinary but she doesn't deserve the Oscar, that should go to Anna Kendrick for 'Up in the Air', but sadly that won't happen.
And what's up all this stuff about it being uplifting and heart-warming? Have you actually watched the film? She's obese, illiterate, a victim of incest rape, pregnant, beaten, and she gets AIDS? Yeah, mega uplifting. It's hardly believable too.
All in all, I really don't get why people are raving this film so much, it's long-winded, dire, depressing and frustrating.
The only reason I've given it 2 stars is because of the performances.
Just diabolical.
Avatar (2009)
Cameron's latest is unbelievable
Some directors go 'further'; some push the boundaries of controversial subject matter, some strive for a new means of expression, some are desperate to make ground-breaking content and others will do anything to be original and unique. Whatever these directors try for, they all dip their toes in the deep end of the unknown pool, and James Cameron is no stranger to these foreign waters.
Cameron's filmography is far from a sad story; he is responsible for some of the most technologically advanced and brilliantly original cinema Hollywood has ever seen. From 'The Terminator' (1984) to 'Aliens' (1986), from 'The Abyss' (1989) to 'Titanic' (1997), he has always strived for more than the average Hollywood mega-director, and his latest picture, 'Avatar', looks set to follow in that same path. The film has already been said to be the most expensive film ever made, costing a whopping $237 million, it boasts the latest gadgets and technology, using High Definition cameras and ultra-sleek CGI, and it's been labelled by many as "the future of cinema". So, bearing all of these points in mind, Cameron has got a lot to deliver to a very hungry holiday audience, much like he did with 'Titanic'. He succeeded in '97, but will he strike gold again in '09?
The film follows Jake Sully (Sam Worthington); a paraplegic ex-marine who's been asked to take over the role of his late brother in an 'avatar' experiment. This means that his DNA is genetically developed with another being, to form a second life. He's sent undercover to Pandora; a beautiful moon soaked with luscious foliage and filled with mesmerising creatures. His boss, Colonel Quaritch (Stephen Lang) has set him a mission; he must bond with the natives of the planet; the Na'vi. Once he has bonded with them and gained their trust, Sully must obtain a mineral that lives on their planet. This mineral sells for millions of dollars in the United States. But when Sully meets Neytiri (Zoe Saldana); a native of the planet that blossoms with beauty, courage and ruthlessness, he becomes attached to her and the Na'vi people. Now Jake is torn between his mission and his orders, and the planet and people that he learns to love.
So, $237 million and 162 minutes later, what are we left with? We are left with one of the most beautiful, captivating and emotional roller-coaster experiences that 2009 has offered us. It totally blew me away, more so than I ever thought it could. Not a one moment are you taken out of the film; the audience is locked in for the film's mega duration, which passes by so quickly. Packed with dazzling CGI and mouth-watering cinematography, 'Avatar' most certainly is the future of American cinema. But it gets better; rather than all the throw-away blockbusters Hollywood has offered us this year, the film's life is in the narrative and character development, rather than the green-screen technology and gizmos. It's not just an attraction on the eyes; you are actually involved with the characters and the overall picture.
The planet of Pandora is quite possibly the most stunningly gorgeous thing to grace the silver screen in years. It's plastered with radiant colours, wild flowers, twisted trees, crushing waterfalls and jaw-dropping mountains. I would have happily watched the film even if it just toured around this new world.
The film is completely action-packed too; sporting some of the most mesmerising and memorable battle sequences. The fights between the Na'vi and the RDA (Resources Development Administration) are champion.
The film also features stellar performances; Saldana is fabulous as Neytiri, Sigourney Weaver is excellent as always in her role as Dr. Grace Augustine, and Lang steals the show as the relentlessly evil Colonel.
'Avatar' is an ultra-brilliant package of proper film-making, and Hollywood glitz. Cameron has had this film is pre-production since the mid '90s, and it's so obvious how much he cares for this picture. Everything is perfectly placed and works accordingly.
I'm hard pressed to find any problems with the film; the only thing I would have liked is if it was released in the summer, at least that way there would have been one summer Hollywood hit that was worth watching. But, nevertheless, this film should and will do tremendously at the box-office over the Christmas period and rightly so. Cameron deserves his praise for this picture, because 'Avatar' is so much more than a film, it's a cinematic experience.
If you see any films this holiday, make sure this is one of them.
'Avatar' is a modern masterpiece. See it.
An American Crime (2007)
An earth-shattering biopic that's not to be missed.
First things first, 'An American Crime' is not for everyone. Even stern stomachs will feel sick with upset and aggression during this film. It isn't pleasant and being based on a true story just makes the whole picture worse. However, this film is incredibly important. The horrific case of Sylvia Likens is not particularly well known in the UK which is sad but this film drums in to the viewer just how evil and sadistic Likens death was at the hands of Gertrude Baniszewski. The film tells the tale of Sylvia (Ellen Page) and her younger sister Jennie Faye (Hayley McFarland) moving into the Baniszewski household after their parents Lester (Nick Searcy) and Betty (Romy Rosemont) Likens have to extend their work as Carnival workers in the state of Indianapolis. The film then tales the true tale of horror upon Sylvia committed by Gertrude (Catherine Keener) and her evil children.
As I said earlier, this film really is hard-going, it packs a punch that most horror or psychological thrillers lack, quite possibly because this is entirely based on true events rather than a fictitious narrative. It leaves the viewer with continuous emotions towards the Likens girls, especially Sylvia. At some points, it seems almost unbearable to watch yet you just can't take your eyes off the screen. Page delivers once again magnificently, she really helps us build that all important 'audience-character' bond that's needed in this picture to truly understand it. She exposes raw and powerful talent in this film, almost like she is actually going through the same agony and despair as Sylvia Likens really did, she is painfully convincing and yet again, she fails to disappoint.
Keener is also exceptionally good as Gertrude. Her performance really touches a nerve within the audience, making us loathe her even more each second she is on the screen. I was also surprised just how good the child actors and actresses are in this film. McFarland is just grand as Jennie, her life is so mixed, she wants to defend Sylvia but is petrified of what will happen to her if she does and her performance really makes this point clear.
All in all, 'An American Crime' is brilliant, it builds towers or tension, emotion and aggression. This is the first film that's ever made me cry. This is a great film that should be seen by all but due to it's content, probably won't be.
WALL·E (2008)
The King Of 2008.
I was lucky enough to see this film last week at a cinema in Spain on my holiday, it's not even released until Friday 18th July in the UK. However, on Friday, I will be sitting in the front row of a cinema watching this film again.
'Wall-E' is quite possible one of the best films to be made in the last 10 years. With such a simple plot, classic jokes and a script that contains minimal dialogue, this is the summer blockbuster of 2008, without a doubt. I didn't want this film to end, that's how much I loved it. It's got the widest audience appeal, infants, teens, adults and the elderly will adore this masterpiece. Disney/Pixar seem to never really fail us as viewers, there films are always original, quirky and are quite possibly the most beautiful creations to be shown on the big screen. Andrew Stanton, director of 'Finding Nemo' and co-writer/director of 'Toy Story' has written and directed one of the greatest animation films of all time.
'Wall-E' is also painfully intelligent for what most people would call a 'Children's/Family' feature. With obvious references to Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece, '2001: A Space Odyssey', parents will find themselves giggling when the kids are sitting silently. This film pays close detail to life, it shows us how to appreciate the better things we have, not the material goods. The character of Wall-E wants to find love, to never be lonely again, something that everybody can understand and relate to.
I honestly believe 2007 and 2008 has helped save some of the importance of cinema and why we, as a nation enjoy the flicks so much. Films like 'Wall-E', 'Juno' and 'No Country For Old Men' have proved to the world that films can still be about passion and not about money. Sure, this is a summer blockbuster and sure, it's got one of the biggest budgets since 'Titanic' but the main principles of film-making are easily apparent.
This is the film I've been waiting for. One that sucks in it's audience properly and holds them tight, one that shows true cinematic creativity and passion and one that shows just how much film is important to us.
'Wall-E' should be your choice of summer film this year and I'm sure it will be. This isn't just a fantastic film, it's a spectacle of genius and greatness.