MOVIE REVIEW: THE FIGHTER (15)

‘SYLVESTER STALLONE 

WOULD HAVE BEEN PROUD’

SLIDER’S REVIEW

Here’s a true story about Boxing. The Fighter is a Biographical Sports Film Directed by Dave O Russell. (The same guy that brought us Three Kings in 1999). It’s starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams & Melissa Leo.

OK so this is not the greatest boxing film ever but it gets the message across and it’s entertaining. I could figure out how it would end half way through it but the screenplay was good enough to keep me watching. It’s based on a true story so the director had to tell it in a believable way but I’m sure even they realised it wasn’t as real as it could have been.(some of the boxing parts) Yes Micky Ward (Wahlberg) looks like he’s been in the gym all his life and has been training hard but the fight scenes were not gritty enough to make it a classic boxing match.

The strong influence that a family can have in a person’s life is showed in detail. The family has 9 kids so everyone has an input on everyone else’s life making it impossible for one person to just go on and do their own thing without interference. Experience is the best teacher (my dad always say that) but it’s true. Dicky (Bale) taught his brother ‘Irish’ Micky (Wahlberg) everything he learnt when he was in his prime. So without him he couldn’t achieve what he does in his life. Every character added to why this film came out as good as it did.

Going on the acting alone everyone was brilliant. Mark Wahlberg is amazing as this striving boxer. His attributes of acting shows all over the film. He played his role exceptionally well. Even when Christian Bale is not the lead role he still manages to steal the limelight. (Damn u batman lol) Most times when I see actors from famous movies I can’t picture them in another role. I didn’t think of The Dark Knight once when I was watching him acting in this film. He is so versatile that I think he will go down as one of the best British actors ever. He took the role of ‘Dicky’ to another level, he plays Micky’s crack addict older brother. He loses a lot of weight for this role and still manages to carry his characters heavy persona. its definitely a must watch.(if you like boxing and a cliche outcome)

#FACT: Christian Bale won BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR @ The Golden Globes & Is Currently Nominated For The Same Award At The BAFTA’s. Altogether The Film is Nominated For 7 Academy Awards.

Oscar’s maybe?

MY STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5:  4

ONE FAVOURITE MOMENTS IN THE FILM:

Christian Bale’s Character as Dicky

 (if you loved another moment in the film, please feel free to tell us in the comments)

TRAILER:

TRAILERS: ALL THE MOVIES OUT IN CINEMA THIS FEBUARY (2011)

·         BRIGHTON ROCK (IN CINEMA 4^TH  FEBUARY)

TRAILER LINK:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoGHiBsrJKk

·         THE FIGHTER (IN CINEMA 4^TH  FEBUARY)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71l-kIhJ5j8

·         A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN (IN CINEMA 4^TH  FEBUARY)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPq5P5Pb5iE

·         NEW YORK, I LOVE YOU (IN CINEMA 4^TH  FEBUARY)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5katNrnYb8U

·         RABBIT HOLE (IN CINEMA 4^TH  FEBUARY)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9iJH2P96dM

·         SANCTRUM (IN CINEMA 4^TH  FEBUARY)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaZHjv3ASfw

·         GNOMEO & JULIET (IN CINEMA 11^TH  FEBUARY)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_L_5vrHoWQ

·         JUST GO WITH IT (IN CINEMA 11^TH  FEBUARY)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz5Ubqhru7g

·         NEVER LET ME GO (IN CINEMA 11^TH  FEBUARY)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KElpq1BSQaQ

·         TRUE GRIT (IN CINEMA 11^TH  FEBUARY)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXCmUEaPQPM

·         YOGI BEAR (3D)(IN CINEMA 11^TH  FEBUARY)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdkbjilelRo

·         THE FLYING MACHINE (3D) (IN CINEMA 12^TH  FEBUARY)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzrMqOnt_Zo

·         PAUL (IN CINEMA 14^TH  FEBUARY)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7dHM1Y6M4o

·         BIG MOMMA: LIKE FATHER LIKE SON (IN CINEMA 16^TH  FEBUARY)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtvDn1vnMeA

·         INSIDE JOB (IN CINEMA 18^TH  FEBUARY)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0kIRqSvUzY

·         JUSTIN BEIBER: NEVER SAY NEVER (IN CINEMA 18^TH  FEBUARY)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uENDqlbCy4

·         I AM NUMBER 4 (IN CINEMA 23^TH  FEBUARY)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5djHG3hPu0

·         DRIVE ANGRY (3D) (IN CINEMA 25^TH  FEBUARY)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2-hiHUh4UQ

·         HOWL (IN CINEMA 25^TH  FEBUARY)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba9yazkl0UE

·         NO STRINGS ATTACHED (IN CINEMA 25^TH  FEBUARY)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubfcfs98MBw

·         THE RITE (IN CINEMA 25^TH  FEBUARY)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7MRb0tHxKU

·         WASTELAND (IN CINEMA 25^TH  FEBUARY)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxtiFqx-R5k

·         WEST IS WEST (IN CINEMA 25^TH  FEBUARY)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a3OAOzLQLQ

MOVIE REVIEW: BLACK SWAN (15)

“A PERFECT PIECE OF FILM-MAKING”

SLIDER’S REVIEW:

Who would have known? A movie about ballet dancers could be so tense, heart racing & mind-blowing. Black Swan is a Psychological thriller Directed by Darren Aronofsky (same guy that brought us The Wrestler, 2008). 

This film is about a ballet company in New York City who put together a different type of Swan Lake production. It requires the lead dancer to portray an innocent White swan and a sensual black one. Nina (Natalie Portman) is chosen for the role but she can’t seem to bring out the dark side to the role whereas waiting on the wings is Lily (Mila Kunis) who can do just that.

You know the saying ‘Seeing is Believing’ well not in this movie. I had to think twice about some scenes. There were lots of alternatives to events happening and I couldn’t tell which one was real. I like the fact its dark it’s scary and every character has an agenda. It was exciting when something unexpected happened. The way tricks are played on the characters felt like the trick was being played one me at the same time. There really was no dull moment. There’s the constant of black and white to mean good and evil.  Aronofsky kept the scenes as raw as he could. It starts off good and then gets much better.

Natalie Portman who plays the lead role as Nina Sayers pulls off an outstanding performance. On screen she looks beautiful as this ballerina. The psychological phase she goes though helped to understand her as the movie went on. She starts off as this ambitious/perfectionist person that just needs to be changed to be the women she needs to be on stage. She gradually starts to lose her mind in order to become the thing she fears. Mila Kunis plays this opposite to Nina. She played her role very well. She was the normal not so uptight adventurous girl that took things in her stride.

I haven’t heard such a prefect musical production for a film before. The music flows so elegantly with the ballet dancing. The tempo of the piano keys emphasis every stretch, turn and swivel the dancers made. The ways they all dance tell a story in itself without words. There is also the use of violins, the high and low notes put together made such a difference it’s amazing to listen and watch at the same time. The camera work is very good because the director had his way of keeping the characters a little mysterious. The director deserves multiple awards for his contribution to this movie.

#FACT: Black Swan is nominated for 12 BAFTA Awards and Natalie Portman has already won a Golden Globe (Drama Actress)

MY STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5:  5 

ONE FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE FILM:

 Nina's Final performance.

(if you loved another moment in the film, please feel free to tell us in the comments)

TRAILER:

MOVIE REVIEW: TANGLED (3D) (PG)

“DISNEY’S 50^th ANIMATED 

FILM IS A CLASSIC”

SLIDER’S REVIEW:

Tangled is a 2010 animated musical film by Walt Disney Animation Studios. This is a story from the Brothers Grimm. It’s a German fairy tale about a girl called Rapunzel who has very long golden hair that has the power to keep people young. She has spent her entire life so far (18yrs) in a tower after being kidnapped by an old woman who wants to stay young. She falls for a bandit who is taking refuge in her tower. They make an agreement and he shows her the world she always dreamt of but never knew.

Forget about the Princess & The Frog… Tangled will restore your faith in Walt Disney. (Even Pixar might get jealous after they get a load of this.) This is a film for the kids and the older generation. The whole family is guaranteed 100Minutes worth of Entertainment. Anyone will have a great time watching this as I have. This is what I like to call classic Disney because they tick all the main boxes and this is probably one of their best works in a long time. The comedy I know the kids will love and laugh about and the emotions are genuine enough for the adults to grasp on to and feel it’s not cheesy. I like the fact that the King & Queen don’t say one word in the whole film but I understood their every emotion.

The characters all look stunning in 3D. Rapunzel & Flynn/Ryder go on an adventure that a visual dream that has to be seen. Their life like features is incredibly detailed. Everything from the animals to the mountain shots looked amazing. (Glad all that money didn’t go to waste). This might not be the greatest story of all time but I bet you will think the animation probably is. If you want to see Disney at its best then watch this one.

If I had one complaint it would be the songs. (Maybe that’s because I’m 21 and is too old for it lol). Some of them weren’t strong enough to stick to mind like songs in other animations. They still work for the film which is most important.

… I’m not sure why they changed the film title from Rapunzel to Tangled. I thought it made more sense calling it Rapunzel, I mean it is about the girl with the magical long hair… I guess they didn’t want her Tangled hair to steal all the Limelight (if you pardon the pun)

#FACT: Tangled is the Second Most Expensive Film ever made costing a whopping $260Million.  

MY STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5:  4.5

ONE FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE FILM:

Liked it all

(if you loved another moment in the film, please feel free to tell us in the comments)

TRAILER:

MOVIE REVIEW: CONVICTION (15)

"TOO MUCH DRAMA
NOT ENOUGH IMPACT"
SLIDER’S REVIEW:

This is a film that has slipped under the radar for some unknown reason. I haven’t seen a glimpse of the trailer on TV neither have I heard anyone talk about it. If I wasn’t reviewing latest films in the cinema I wouldn’t have found out about this one.

When I saw the trailer for this film It looked like an exciting movie to watch and it being a true story It looked like it was worthy of a watch. Conviction is a Drama film directed by Tony Goldwyn (last film he directed was The Last House On The Left, 2009). Betty Anne Waters is the main character played by Hilary Swank. She is a woman who goes to law school to investigate her brother Kenneth Water's (Sam Rockwell) case. He is in prison for murdering a woman. She does not believe he’s guilty so she spends 18 years fighting the law to get him out.

I watched Conviction with my hopes up and surprisingly I was let down. This film is basically a long and boring way of telling a true story. I don’t think the writer put enough scenes of what it meant to be the sister and how it felt to see her achieve what she does.  Films like this are meant to have ingredients that excite and at the same time have the audience in an emotional state. We all knew what the film was about I just needed it to be told in a great way. Is that too much to ask for? I didn’t like the way it was laid out. It was a one level film. Every time something significant happens in the film it didn’t phase me as much as it should have. There just wasn’t enough impact as a whole. This is another film that should have been on TV not in the cinema. I’m glad that the story is real because if it was made it then it would have been a tragic failure.

Hilary Swank as an actress is very good. She brings such likeness to all her roles. The last film of her I watched was the 2004 Million Dollar Baby (one where she becomes a boxer and gets paralyzed at the end). In conviction she pulls off a great a performance of such an extraordinary woman who devoted her life to helping her brother in the name of love and justice. The brother played by Sam Rockwell, he does a good enough job. Another film let down by the storyline but has great acting.

These two main characters saved this movie on several counts. Their brother and sister act on screen felt as real as the people they are portraying. Anyone watching could believe they were actually related and not acting. The belief in the sister eyes when she looks at her brother is powerful. She has such belief and love for him that she looks willing to die fighting his cause.

*THIS PISSED ME RIGHT OFF*

I READ ONLINE THAT THE REAL KENNETH WATERS DIED AFTER TAKING A SHORTCUT TO A CHINESE RESTAURANT 6 MONTHS AFTER BEING RELEASED FROM PRISON. HIS SISTER SPENT 18 YEARS OF HER LIFE GETTING HIM OUT OF PRISON AND THEN HE GOES AND SLIP AND FALL TO HIS DEATH. #SMH

THE REAL KENNETH WATERS & HIS SISTER BETTY 

MY STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5:  2

ONE FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE FILM:

End result.

(if you loved another moment in the film, please feel free to tell us in the comments)

TRAILER:

MOVIE REVIEW: THE KINGS SPEECH (12A)

“BRILLIANT: 
COULDN'T HAVE STUTTERED ANY BETTER”

SLIDER’S REVIEW:

The Kings Speech is about a British King who is helped overcome a stuttering problem by a speech therapist. This historical drama is directed by Tom Hooper. Film stars Colin Firth (King George IV ) & Geoffrey Rush (Lionel Logue).

When I saw the trailer for this I was looking forward to how good the acting would be. The drama had to be precise and have a triumphant set ending because I knew he either had to stop talking in public or learn to talk properly.  I prepared myself to go on a journey with this King who has had to talk with this speech problem all his life having tried all of solutions for a cure.

After I watched it I can say it was well worth the 118minutes. The pace of the film was brilliant, every scene was good and there was never a dull moment. It’s a very powerful and emotional journey. The little history lesson and a dose of meaningful friendship all add to the weight that this film carries on screen. The hilarious and creative moments are a joy to watch.

Colin Firth as this King with a stuttering issues plays his role extremely well. He is very believable in his character as he pulls of a masterful performance. At the start he looks like an arrogant man who thinks that he is better than everyone else but then I started to get the full picture of what made this man the way he is. Geoffrey Rush’s relationship with the king goes down well. He is able to counter whatever is thrown at him. The King is easily angered and has to be calmed down every five minutes. Lionel is the one that stays cool and focused. Their chemistry on screen is a worth a watch to say the least.

This is one film the British people will be proud to call their own making for years to come.

*Colin Firth Won Best Dramatic Actor @ The Golden Globes. #WellDeserved

MY STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5:  4.8

ONE FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE FILM:

King Edward’s Chair Scene.

(if you loved another moment in the film, please feel free to tell us in the comments)

TRAILER:

MOVIE REVIEW: THE NEXT THREE DAYS (12A)

“A THRILL SEAKERS DELIGHT”

SLIDER'S REVIEW:

The Next Three Days is Thriller directed by Paul Haggis. The same man that wrote the screenplays for the last two james bond films. This movie is a remake of the 2007 French film Anything For Her. Its about a man who doesn’t believe that his wife has murdered a women that the law has jailed her for. He goes through the legal system for years to try and get her out but that fails. He then takes matter in his own hands to get her out of prison. Everything I got from the trailer was exactly the type of film it turned out to be. Most films are good at deceiving with their trailers this doesnt.

The thrill of watching this cat & mouse chase type of film was exciting and kept me on the edge of my seat. When I thought it was over it wasn’t. The storyline had me clueless from the start untill bit by bit they revealed all that it was. I like watching long films that I know will have either a firework feeling ending or a sad one. That alone had me hooked from the moment I was watching it. I enjoyed the whole 122minutes.

The thing about Russel Crowe is he brings such a presence to roles he plays. He sucks you into believe in him in what actions he takes and automatically I was routing for him thoughout the film. He plays this normal man John Brennan who is soo intent on getting his wife out of jail that he breaks so many laws. True love or insanity? He is a great actor and has been from his Gladiator days (2000). His wife in this movie is Lara Brennan (Elizabeth Banks) does such a wonderful job of being an accused woman of murder. Her acting went well. She had this neutral feeling to her. One minute I thought she’s innocent the next I couldn’t tell. All this added to the intensity of her role.

In a quick snapback to reality I would have given this film more stars but to think that Russel Crowe at his age (46) looking as fat as he does on screen could do what he does in this film. A man who's got man boobs and a large stomach accomplishes the impossible if you ask me.

It’s a good movie to watch. Exciting Plot.

MY STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5: 4

FAVORITE MOMENT IN FILM:

All the things he learns to do by watching youtube.

(if you liked another moment in the film, feel free to tell us in the comments) 

TRAILER

MOVIE REVIEW: 127 HOURS

“ A MATTER OF LIFE 
OR A 
LONELY DEATH”

SLIDER’S REVIEW
127 Hours is an adventure film based on a true story about a mountain climber Aaron Ralston who gets his arm trapped by a boulder. He has to go through extreme lengths to survive. Danny Boyle wrote and directed this remarkable accident of being trapped in an isolated canyon for several days.

I was watching this and was amazed on how the will to live can make a person do things we wouldn’t dare think to do in our normal day to day lives. This really is a triumphant story that has been captured beautifully. Being in the same place for 5 days in a film sounds boring but the director manages to keep my attention span through the whole ordeal. The vision of the camera angles and techniques all add to the experience. 

This film will make the audience question themselves and ask “would you do what Aaron Ralston done to survive or would you just have given up”.

James Franco who plays Aaron Ralston pulls of a terrific if not perfect performance. He is the main character who has to be still for most of the 94mins of the film. With the stillness comes a brilliant performance of light & dark emotions to explain his state of mind. All the hallucinations he has of his family friends and love interest was also showed in great detail. He is stuck in the middle of nowhere and with literally days to live he throws comedy in death’s face to stop insanity creeping in. The two hikers Amber Tamblyn (Megan McBride) & Kate Mara (Kristi Moore) are also good female actresses who bump into Aaron before his accident.

As exciting as the storyline is I don’t think it needed the big screen. A short film for Channel 4 would have been more appropriate. But with a £18million budget who am I to complain if they want to share such story in this way.

At the end of the day it’s not so much about the story but the actor James Franco.

MY STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5: 4

ONE FAVORITE MOMENT IN FILM:

The funny scene where he is taking to his camcorder as if he is on a TV show.

(if you liked another moment in the film, feel free to tell us in the comments)

TRAILER

TRAILERS: ALL THE FILMS OUT IN CINEMA THIS JANUARY (2011)

· THE NEXT THREE DAYS (IN CINEMA 5^TH JAN)

TRAILER LINK:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn1DsJZXKqY 

·  127 HOURS (IN CINEMA 7^TH JAN)

TRAILER LINK:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlhLOWTnVoQ   

·    IT’S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY (IN CINEMA 7^TH JAN)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izEIJ5334Co  

·    SEASON OF THE WITCH (IN CINEMA 7^TH JAN)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLoKm_vUsFY 

·    THE KINGS SPEECH (IN CINEMA 7^TH JAN)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToVUgQ8Iuis

·    THE GREEN HORNET (IN CINEMA 14^TH JAN)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EylMj5nArpM

·    GASLAND (IN CINEMA 17^TH JAN)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hKboVPVuLo

·    BLACK SWAN (IN CINEMA 21^TH JAN)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMP_RjDkf0I

·    THE DILEMMA (IN CINEMA 21^TH JAN)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTOwXwblKKo

·    I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE (IN CINEMA 21^TH JAN)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8lzeTi2Vic

·    THE WARD (IN CINEMA 21^TH JAN)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDp-GPQZdPY

·    MORNING GLORY (IN CINEMA 21^TH JAN)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1sceiMiFtk

·    BARNEY’S VERSION (IN CINEMA 28^TH JAN)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrUWjRONlEs

·    BIUTIFUL (IN CINEMA 28^TH JAN)

TRAILER LINK:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUuoYhgaQG4

·    HEREAFTER (IN CINEMA 28^TH JAN)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XvJwTYnKww

·    HOW MUCH DOES YOUR BUILDING WEIGH MY FOSTER (IN CINEMA 28^TH JAN)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ5aVIIf-9I

·    THE MECHANIC (IN CINEMA 28^TH JAN)

TRAILER LINK:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPCriEiUs40

·    TANGLED (IN CINEMA 28^TH JAN)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXFjjQ88uuA