Django Unchained

Django Unchained

Directed By: Quentin Tarantino

Written By: Quentin Tarantino

Produced By: Stacey Sher, Reginald Hudlin, Pilar Savone

Cast: Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel L. Jackson, Kerry Washington

Plot: Django (Foxx) is a slave, until he is freed by Dr. King Schultz (Waltz), who makes a deal with him. If he helps him catch The Brittle Brothers and various other bounties, he shall help him rescue his wife from notorious plantation owner Calvin Candie (DiCaprio).

Brilliant, controversial, fantastic. These words have been used to describe some of Tarantino's previous works, and Django Unchained is no exception. The film shows us Django's journey from slavery to freedom, with alot of bloodshed along the way. However, it has received alot of negative publicity for the issues it covers: slavery, the portrayal of white people and the excessive use of the 'N-word'. I feel that all these things are necessary for a film of this genre. If anything, it highlights the horrors of that time. 

The first thing that comes to mind when I look back on the film is how fun it is, but at the same time completely brutal. I was unbelievably impressed with Leonardo DiCaprio's performance as the villain of the film, Calvin Candie. I'm not aware if DiCaprio has ever portrayed a villain before, but he is astounding. The scene in which he saws open an old human skull is sinister and downright scary. I was left on the edge of my seat throughout his menacing performance.

 However, his polar opposite in the film is the wonderful Christoph Waltz, playing Dr. King Schultz. I didn't think it was possible for him to top his portrayal of Hans Landa in Tarantino's previous film; Inglourious Basterds, I was very wrong. If anything, he beats it. Some of the one liners he delivers are hilarious, and when he tells the German story of 'Broomhilda' it is completely heartwarming.

Jamie Foxx, so aptly described in the film as a 'Silver-tongued devil' by Schultz, is fantastic. From the start our emotions change from sympathy to admiration. Django clearly learns the rules of wit from Dr. King Schultz, as towards the end of the film his one liners become more and more enjoyable. He also progresses visually. He goes from beaten and broken slave to complete badass. Tarantino has created yet another character that will be remembered for years to come. 

As for the great Director himself, he's crafted another masterpiece. It goes perfectly along with the rest of the films he has so perfectly created. The film is visually impressive, the screenplay is superbly written and the action is thrilling. There's no shortage of blood spilled, with some especially brutal scenes of the treatment of slaves. The dog scene and it's flashbacks is rather disturbing. There are some pleasurable deaths however, with fantastic quips from Schultz and Django. The film is astounding. Tarantino, you've done it again.

10/10

Written By Eammon Jacobs

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Directed By: Peter Jackson

Written By: Fran Walsh, Peter Jackson, Guillermo Del Toro, Phillipa Boyens (Based on the book written by J.R Tolkien)

Produced By: Carolynne Cunningham, Zane Weiner, Fran Walsh, Peter Jackson

Cast: Martin Freeman, Ian Mckellen, Richard Armitage, Andy Serkis, James Nesbitt, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Christopher Lee

Plot: Bilbo Baggins is reluctantly recruited by the wizard Gandalf The Grey into taking back the land and treasure of the dwarves from Smaug, a dragon.

Peter Jackson is famous for the original Lord Of The Rings trilogy, King Kong and The Lovely Bones. All of which have included mesmerizing special effects, and The Hobbit is no exception. Jackson has created a world that is almost completely different and shapes the world that becomes familiar in the Lord Of The Rings. The landscape is completely stunning, and that alone is impressive. 

The story starts with Bilbo's 111th birthday, where he decides to tell the story of his greatest adventure. We then see the transition from Ian Holme (111 year old Bilbo) to a younger, more sprightly version of himself, played by the wonderful Martin Freeman. Freeman wonderfully shows us how Bilbo, throughout the course of the film, changes his outlook on life and the people he now shares it with. It's a breath of fresh air to see such character development within a mainstream Hollywood film. The script manages to balance comedy with the initial sombre tone of the film, which is not something usually done well. I was genuinely surprised to find myself laughing in some places, as the original trilogy was not that humerous.

The action scenes will not disappoint any body expecting the same standard as LOTR, with some fantastically choreographed fights. However, due to there being thirteen different dwarves, unless you are familiar with the book it is impossible to keep track and remember every single name. There was even one point where I didn't even recognise one of them and wondered who he was. So whilst there is a vast number of characters, the film manages to keep on top of that, and instead of focusing on them all, looks at them as a collective group. They are genuinely hilarious in places.

There are moments which may not make sense to audiences that haven't seen the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, which I can imagine would be quite confusing. But, it is still relatively easy to go watch the film without having seen the previous three (or future three, since this is set before). I was disappointed with the ending, as i feel that the finale wasn't big enough for something of this scale, and it definitely left me and other audiences wanting to know what happens after. This is probably a good thing for the producers, as the next two sequels are already in the works.

Lemon Rating: 8.5/10

Written By Eammon Jacobs

Drive

Drive

Directed By: Nicolas Winding Refn

Written By: Hossein Amini

Based On The Book Of The Same Name By: James Sallis

Produced By: Michel Litvak, John Palermo, Marc Platt, Gigi Pritzker

Adam Siegel

Cast: Ryan Gosling, Bryan Cranston, Carey Mulligan, Ron Perlman

Plot: A man falls in love with a single mother, until her husband returns from jail. When the family are threatened by gangsters, he steps in to defend them.

Ryan Gosling is a stunt driver for Hollywood and is a getaway driver at night. He doesn't carry a gun, and he will only wait five minutes for a heist to be done. The Driver (who we are unaware of his name)

is a very quiet, and seemingly passive character. The film portrays him as an anti-hero, whilst he does good he is technically a criminal. I was particularly impressed with the way the film is shot, it has an 80's noir feel (with a terrific matching soundtrack) but with a modern flair.

The film is essentially in three parts; the romance, the crime, the solution. This mirrors the typical heist film structure: the preparation, the heist and the getaway. Part of the role is quite stereotypical for Gosling, for when he falls in love with Irene, it's almost like a flashback to various 80's romance flicks. He himself is no stranger to romance films, due to being in films such as The Notebook, and Crazy, Stupid Love. Irene and The Driver are shown falling in love, but without filling it up with dialogue. I admire the films lack of large amounts of dialogue, as it manages perfectly well without it. A simple look between characters conveys everything the audience needs to know (especially concerning The Driver).

However, the transition from this 'romance' part of the film to the definitive story is dragged out a little too long in my opinion. And there were certain scenes which could've been left out. They do add integrity to both the main characters and the villains of the film, and I understand what they're trying to do with this, but it takes about 40 minutes till we get to the proper plot-line. Eventually, the violence is quite shocking for a film that doesn't have anything particularly pulse pounding for the first 40 minutes. (Note, one slow motion headshot is fairly gory) The violence is quite gritty and real.

I'm not particularly aware if Ron Perlman has ever portrayed a villain before in his career, but he comes across as a total bad ass in this film. His whole attitude to everyone else was cold and sarcastic. I didn't like the way Bryan Cranstons' character didn't have that much screentime, as I felt his character could have been expanded on so much more, but it was probable he was added in more for comedy relief more than anything. The cinematography is fantastic, set against the backdrop of Los Angeles. The film feels very real. By the finale, the film isn't afraid of getting it's hands dirty, and I'm just praying for the same standard sequel. This is genuinely one of the best films to have been made within the past few years.

Lemon Rating: 9.5/10.

Written By Eammon Jacobs

Total Recall (2012 Remake)

Total Recall

Directed By: Len Wiseman

Written By: Mark Bomback, James Vanderbilt and Kurt Wimmer

Produced By: Neal H. Moritz and Toby Jaffe

Cast: Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel, Bryan Cranston, Bill Nighy and John Cho

Plot: Douglas Quaid visits 'Rekall' to undergo a recreational memory transplant, but instead finds out he is not who he thinks he is, but actually worked as a double agent who has his memory wiped. He has to race against time to figure out who he was, and to stop something sinister from happening.

Total Recall? The producers need a Total Rethink. This remake of the classic Arnold Schwarzenegger action flick does not live up to the standards the original whatsoever. Whilst the effects are fantastic, and the action sequences are rather impressive, the story is so disappointing. The scenery/costumes are very Blade Runner-esque. And the story its' self is similar to the highly successful; The Bourne Identity. Making this film a mash-up of sorts.

Whilst the lovable Colin Farrell does a positive job of portraying the supposedly normal character of 'Douglas Quaid' his accent seems to flicker between American and Irish in some places, making us wonder if his voice is having some memory problems of it's own. Some of his actions seem a little bit questionable also, for example; why would you punch a robot made of steel with your bare hands, and then act as if this is a normal act? Clearly some things have not been thought about properly during production.

The story falters from the original, so if you're expecting a trip to mars you're going to be disappointed. Bryan Cranstons' Chancellor Coehaagen is also a poorly designed character. No character development whatsoever, and is a poor villain for this film. The finale sequence was slightly anti-climactic, with the fight not nearly as brutal or interesting as it could have been. However the rest of the action sequences were pulse-pounding, and the film is fast paced, with no real slow moments. 

Whilst the film does not live up to expectations, it is a visually impressive, stereotypical action flick. This one isn't going to make a lasting impression, and the original is far superior. Total Recall is a Total Waste Of Time.

4/10

Lemon Rating: Sour.

Written By Eammon Jacobs

The Dark Knight Rises

The Dark Knight Rises

Directed By: Christopher Nolan

Written By: Christopher Nolan, David .S Goyer, Jonathan Nolan

Produced By:Christopher Nolan, Charles Roven, Emma Thomas

Cast: Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Marion Cotillard, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gary Oldman, Anne Hathaway.

Plot: Batman returns to Gotham City 8 years after the events at the end of The Dark Knight, only to be pitted against a new villain. One that is determined to completely break both Gotham, and Batman into pieces.

I feel that no single word is enough to describe how much I enjoyed this film. Christopher Nolan has created a fantastic trilogy of a new Batman for the modern age, and this is his masterpiece. Whilst The Dark Knight had a terrifying villain with a devillish sense of humour and a well crafted plot, The Dark Knight Rises is something else entirely. This film tests Bruce Wayne and pushes him to his limits, through the ferocious character of Bane (Tom Hardy). And whilst his performance may not be as sinister as Heath ledgers' critically acclaimed character, Tom Hardy is a force to be reckoned with. He is both incredibly brutal and a master at terrorizing the citizens of Gotham.

I was impressed at the way we see how human the character of Bruce Wayne really is, and to realise that he isn't a superhero like others, he is just a man in a suit, but it is his beliefs that make him a hero rather than a spider-bite, or a genetic serum. In a strange way, I thought it was clever how Christian Bales' performance showed how broken a man like Bruce Wayne really is under his image. A short scene stands out at his doctors appointment where we see the full extent of the consequences of all his crime fighting.

 I enjoyed the chemistry created between Bruce Wayne/Batman and Selina Kyle/Cat Woman (although the name catwoman is never actually used in the film) as it came across as flirtatious rivallry. I was also impressed by the modern interpretation of the legendary character. Especially as her 'cat ears' are her goggles, flipped up. 

The films have been game changers for the superhero genre in cinema. With it's gritty realistic feel, and the final installment is no different. The even harsher environment that Gotham evolves into, lets the characters fit perfectly into place, and we quickly realise that this changes everything for Batman/Bruce Wayne. And whilst the film has had heavy publicity stating that it is the end of the series, a fourth installment could be possible, but not in the way you might expect. 

The directing of this film is absolutely flawless, the way it has been put together is fantastic. The plot is solid, with some brilliant twists that I didn't see coming. Some of the scenes are astounding, and rival those from 'epics' such as Gladiator and Saving Private Ryan. Every actor/actress in this film has a pitch perfect performance. Including one cameo from a recognisable figure from the previous films. There is not one person who lets this down, it's absolutely superb how well they all fit together. 

The film is quite easily one of the best released this year.

10/10.

Written by Eammon Jacobs.

The Amazing Spider-Man

The Amazing Spider-Man

Directed By: Marc Webb

Written By: James Vanderbilt, Alvin Sargent, Steve Kloves

Produced By: Avi Arad, Laura Ziskin, Matt Tolmach

Cast: Andrew Garfield (The Social Network), Emma Stone (Zombieland), Rhys Ifans (The Boat That Rocked), Martin Sheen, Sally Field, Denis Leary

Plot: Peter Parker, a young student who lives in New York, is bitten by a genetically engineered Spider, and develops spider-like powers. He quickly becomes the masked vigilante, Spider-Man. He soon realises that he must protect those who cannot protect themselves, whilst also attempting to uncover the mystery behind his parents' disappearance. 

'The Amazing Spider-Man' is a reboot of the original Sam Rami trilogy, which ended in 2007. When it was announced that Sony were planning to remake the series, I immediately thought that it was too soon. It's only been five years since the average 'Spider-Man 3', and this is a risky move on Sonys' part. This new outing could potentially confuse some audiences, and might cause a negative buzz around the film. But in my opinion, the film is extremely innovative and impressive.

Andrew Garfield is the perfect choice for Peter Parker, he is both geeky and kindhearted, whilst also being quite humble and innocent. He doesn't whine too much like Tobey Macguire did in the original series, and doesn't play the part as too self obsessed as he was before. Garfields' performance in the film is pitch perfect, with one scene in particular being both astounding and heartbreaking. The way he portrays the underlying feeling of guilt also comes across clearly, with the death of one character towards the end, we see how conflicted he becomes. I was also severely impressed with the way that you an tell the suit was 'home-made', as we see Parker using his trainers as the soles of his feet, and ordering unitards off the internet to create the iconic image.

The plot its' self is fairly solid, with Parker trying to find out where his parents disappeared to, and why. When we also see *Minor Spoiler* that Peter had a hand in the creating of 'The Lizard', we see that this adds to his ever growing feeling of guilt. I also liked the fact that Peter Parker became much more easy to relate to in this film, he can't get to his locker because a couple is in the way, he finds it difficult to talk to the girl he likes, he doesn't make the right choices. This makes him much more accessible as a character.

The action sequences within the film are brilliant, and  there is some thrilling camerawork that comes from Spider-Mans' point of view. The fights' with The Lizard are choreographed excellently, with one fight combining Stan Lees' inevitable cameo as a Librarian, which is quite funny. Rhys Ifans portrayal of Dr. Curt Connors/The Lizard is quite a desperate one, and he slips from calm and mild mannered, to psychopathic and menacing with ease. 

There a few minor negatives about the film. Around three quarters of the way through, we seem to forget about the mystery of Peters' parents, and whilst this certainly leaves a whole for the already confirmed sequel, it leaves the audience slightly disappointed. Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy, who played the part brilliantly, is not given enough screen time, but the chemistry between her and Garfield is cute and slightly comical in places. The final act seems a little rushed, but is not without suspense. The film is crafted well, and is great entertainment for audiences familiar with the character as well as those who are not. 

7/10

Written By Eammon Jacobs

Prometheus

Prometheus

Directed By: Ridley Scott

Produced By: Ridley Scott, David Giler, Walter Hill

Written By: Jon Spaights, Damon Lindelof

Cast: Noomi Rappace, Logan Marshall-Green, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Idris Elba, Guy Pierce

Plot: Set in 2093 Two archeologists (Rappace+Marshall-Green) discover various ancient inscriptions around the Earth pointing to a constellation in Space, and are funded by Peter Weyland (Pierce) to investigate and uncover the truth behind humanity. However the truth is more horrifying than any of them could have expected.

The film serves as an indirect prequel to the cult classic 'Alien' series, with the focus of the film around the origins of the 'Space Jockey' (seen above) which is glimpsed in the first 'Alien' film. The interpretation that Ridley Scott comes up with is brilliant, and isn't what audiences familiar with the series expected whatsoever. However, Prometheus can easily be classified as a 'stand-alone' film due to the fact that the Aliens from the series don't make an appearance. The film is technically a Directors' Cut, as Ridley Scott presented it without anything taken out to achieve a lower rating, so the gritty, harsh events are as he intended. 

During the scenes onboard the ship 'Prometheus', there is a cramped claustrophobic feel, without much comfort for it's passengers. However when the crew reach their destination, this feeling changes with the scenery, to a vast empty space, and you get the idea that they are completely helpless. When events take a turn for the worst and things go downhill, horrifying things occur and whilst it doesn't have the initial shock that 'Alien' first did, it is fairly unsettling. 

The majority of the actors/actresses performances are brilliant in my opinion, Noomi Rappace's portrayal of Elizabeth Shaw is fantastic. She is an honest, desperate woman, and that comes across very clearly. The character of Peter Weyland was not particularly needed, and he was rather wooden (In fairness, he has come out of cryo-sleep but my point still stands) I was also impressed with the character of Fifield, played by Sean harris, who came across as both rational and unhinged. Another performance that stood out was Michael Fassbenders' android, David (Below). He is obviously slightly wooden, but his actions are fluid and articulate. The dialogue he has is also the same, slow and calculated, but quirky and slightly sarcastic in places.

*Slight spoiler ahead* 

There is one scene in particular which almost rivals the first chestburster scene from the first film, when the leading lady, Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rappace) performs surgery on herself to take 'something' out. This scene is quite unnerving as she is so alone and isolated. Much like the entire crew themselves. This scene is almost a comparison for the entire feature. Shaw is trapped and very alone, and has terrible things done to her for someone elses benefit, the crew are trapped and also isolated and have horrifying things done to them for the 'Engineers' benefit.

There are a few minor plotholes, concerning some of the crews untimely deaths/transformations but apart from that, I feel that Ridley Scott has created a visceral, intelligent and well thought out prequel. 

7.5/10

Written By Eammon Jacobs