Nine Review

Director: Rob Marshall Screenplay: Anthony Minghella, Michael Tolkin Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Judi Dench, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, Sophia Loren, Kate Hudson, Fergie Time: 118min Age Restriction: 13

Genre:
Musical Drama

Summary Review:
Nine is a sensual musical about searching for fulfilment in all the wrong places, striving to always beat one's best and not realising what one's got until it's gone.

Synopsis:
Guido Contini is a renowned Italian film director who is past his creative prime. His last two movies have been flops and he is under immense pressure to produce another world-class hit.

The costumes are being made, the cast and crew are ready, but Guido still doesn't have a script. He doesn't even have a story.

To escape his despair and lack of inspiration he turns to women as a distraction from his creative block and he embarks on a personal journey of reflection, guided by all the women who have been influential throughout his life.

Although Nine skims over serious themes like morality, ethics and the pressure of the being the best, it is mostly empty melodrama. The acting/singing/dancing is flawless, but the choreography of the toned, scantily-clad performers is highly suggestive, which did make me feel awkward at times.

Nine is a rich slice of the iconic Italian life, filled with dramatic music, glorious scenery and passionate characters, but with a tad too much flesh and depravity, and little depth.

Beware: If you're a Godly man, you'll want to close your eyes during Penelope Cruz's rope-shimmying number.

Precious Review

Director: Lee Daniels Screenplay: Geoffrey S. Fletcher, based on the novel "Push" by Sapphire Cast: Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey Time: 110min Age Restriction: 16LV

Genre:
Drama

Summary Review:
Precious is a gruelling account of abuse and a desperate search for self-worth. 

 

Synopsis:
Claireese Precious Jones is a sixteen-year-old girl who is now pregnant with her second child by her father.  She has never learnt to read and is experiencing problems at school. Her mother sits at home all day, waiting for Precious to come home so that she can emotionally and physically abuse her.

Precious has dreamed up many delusions to escape the bleakness of her life. Things start changing when she is sent to Each One Teach One, an "alternative school", where for the first time she encounters someone who really cares for her and actively tries to help her.

Precious is a harsh dose of reality. If you go to the cinema for a bit of escapism, do not watch this film. It is a harrowing, draining experience that will chill you to the bone.

But in amongst the desolation, there are glimpses of humour and kindness. Precious shows the human need and greed for love and the positive impact one can have on a person's life.

You can make a difference. And sometimes you have to – because no-one else will.

Daybreakers Review

Director: Michael Spierig, Peter Spierig Screenplay: Michael Spierig, Peter Spierig Cast: Ethan Hawke, Sam Neill, Claudia Karvan, Willem Dafoe Time: 99min Age Restriction: 16LVP
Genre:
Horror

Summary Review:
Daybreakers is a gruesome, bloodthirsty vampire film that will have you digging your nails into your armrest at the very least.

 
Synopsis:
I haven't seen a horror film in ages and Daybreakers scared the heck out of me.

The world is overrun with vampires and human blood is as essential to them as water is to us. But the human race is fast becoming extinct and the few remaining humans are being hunted and farmed for their blood, while more and more blood-deprived vampires are mutating into deformed, desperate beasts.

Ethan Hawke plays a vampire named Edward (but no, he's not a Cullen and Daybreakers is most certainly nothing like Twilight!). Edward is a scientist intent on discovering a blood substitute that will save the humans by slaking the vampires' thirst without needing to slaughter people for it.

But will the vampires really be satisfied with a substitute when they've already tasted the real thing?

The plot of Daybreakers is clever and original right up until the very end, which just gets ridiculous.

Daybreakers is a bloodcurdling film hinting at the effects of corporate greed and the lust for power that will keep your heart racing and your stomach feeling more than a little queasy.

Alice in Wonderland Review

Director: Tim Burton Screenplay: Linda Woolverton, based on the novels by Lewis Carroll Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway Time: 101min Age Restriction: 10M
Genre:
Fantasy Adventure

Summary Review:
Alice in Wonderland is a stunning film about the power of imagination and believing in oneself, filled with the eccentric humour and surreal beauty typical of a Tim Burton movie.

 
Synopsis:
Nineteen-year-old Alice has been plagued by one recurring dream about another world ever since she was six. She is now being pressured into a convenient marriage for the sake of her family's fortune and the good looks of her potential mother-in-law's grandchildren.

In order to gather her thoughts, she slips away from the crowd, chases after a rabbit in a waistcoat and falls down his hole – into the world of her dream, where it seems everyone has been waiting for her to free them form the evil rule of the Red Queen.

Alice in Wonderland is a visual extravaganza full of quirky characters and darkly detailed imagery. Although the story has been greatly adapted from the Lewis Carroll classics (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass), the film is perfectly cast, with Johnny Depp in his element as the Mad Hatter and Helena Bonham Carter playing the Red Queen with relish.

Beneath the bizarre surface of Alice in Wonderland, there are subtle themes of accepting people in spite of their differences, daring to dream big and believing in one's personal visions.

Guest Comment:
Nerinda says, "Alice in Wonderland is so incredibly detailed! I have to get a copy of it on DVD, because I'll have to watch it a thousand times to absorb every little part!"

The Book of Eli Review

Director: Albert Hughes, Allen Hughes Screenplay: Gary Whitta Cast: Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, Mila Kunis, Jennifer Beals Time: 118min Age Restriction: 16LV

Genre

Action

Summary Review

The Book Of Eli is a slow-moving, brutal comment on the danger of empty religion, examining the contrast between the letter of Christianity and the heart behind it. 

Synopsis

The Book Of Eli is set in the future, after a great war and natural disaster wiped out most of the earth's inhabitants and natural resources.

Carnegie (Gary Oldman) is obsessed with finding a book so powerful that its words will give him authorirty over all the remainder of the human race. He intends to use the book as the ultimate weapon of world domination.

Eli (Denzel Washington) has the only copy of this book still in existence. He is on a mission to deliver it to a place where it will be safe and is skilled at protecting the book at all costs.

The sparse characterisation, unnecessary and excessive violence, as well as the curt tone of The Book Of Eli make it difficult to engage with the film on a personal level.

Although it carries a challenging message about the true spirit of faith and the danger of getting bogged down in religious law, The Book Of Eli's desolate landscapes and excessive violence have nothing new to offer.

Guest Comment: 
The guy sitting behind me in the cinema said, "It's an interesting movie. Very, very interesting."

It's Complicated Review

Director: Nancy Meyers Screenplay: Nancy Meyers Cast: Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin, Lake Bell Time: 120min Age Restriction: 16

Genre:
Comedy

Summary Review:
It's Complicated is a hilarious (albeit morally dodgy) film that explores the, "What if's," of a breakup and the effects of divorce on a family.

 
Synopsis:
After ten years Jane Adler (a dazzling Meryl Streep) has finally come to terms with her divorce and regained her balance as a successful entrepreneur. Although still harbouring some resentment against her ex-husband, Jake (Alec Baldwin), who left her for a much younger woman, she has begun making the changes she's always wanted to.

But at their son's graduation, Jane bumps into Jake and, against her better judgment, Jane decides to have a drink with him – which ends up leading to a whole lot more.

Within its awkward moments and raucous, satirical comedy, It's Complicated poses some silly questions (like, "Does it count as adultery if you're having an affair with someone you used to be married to?" Well, duh). But there are also many deep questions about human nature, emotional insecurity and the existence of fate – is anything really "meant to be"?

It's Complicated offers a realistic, but bitterly sweet answer to the doubts of anyone who's ever gone through a breakup and wondered if they'd done the right thing. Nancy Meyers is a master at satisfying her audience and at the end of the day, this sensational comedy brings a wise justice to the lives of the characters.

Dear John Review

Director: Lasse Halstrom Screenplay: Jamie Linden, based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks Cast: Channing Tatum, Amanda Seyfried, Richard Jenkins, Henry Thomas Time: 105min Age Restriction: 10LVM

Genre:
Romantic Drama

Summary Review:
Dear John is a trademark Nicholas Sparks romance that will have you gushing and weeping, but still manages to be fresh and full of surprises.

Synopsis:
Dear John was not my first choice of film, but one of my (female) followers put in a special request for this review, so I gave it a shot. Also, after Facebook has been Suggesting that I make Friends with Channing Tatum every single day for the past six weeks, I wanted to take another look and see if he looks like a great-aunt or a distant cousin of mine. Perhaps Facebook is aware of some familial connection between us that I don't know of?

John Tyree (Channing Tatum) is a Special Services officer in the US army and meets Savannah Curtis (Amanda Seyfried) while on a short break from duty early in 2001. They spend two weeks together, in which they fall head-over-heels in love. John has to go back to serving in some remote country for one more year, but they plan to get together as soon as he gets back and, in the meantime, to write each other letters.

The situation gets complicated, however, when the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre happen on September 11.

Perhaps the winning element to Nicholas Sparks' stories is that the characters go through the typical besotted phases of relationship, making over-the-top oaths of undying love and commitment – but what sets these characters and their stories apart is that they always deliver on their promises and follow through on their vows.

The sentimental tone of Dear John is exactly what you would expect of a Nicholas Sparks romance, but that doesn't mean the story is predictable. There were many twists that I did not see coming and I was impressed with the authenticity of the young actors' performances.

Amid the backdrop of romance, Dear John explores the choice every person faces between doing your duty and following your heart.

Oh and, on closer inspection, Channing Tatum does bear a remarkable resemblance to my younger brother.