MOVIE REVIEW: LIFE OF PI (3D) (PG)

"UNMISSABLE"

Life Of Pi is an adventure drama Directed by Ang Lee (same guy that brought us Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). Pi, a young man who survives a disaster at sea is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor with a Bengal tiger. Its starring Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Ayush Tandon, Gautam Belur, Adil Hussain, Tabu, Adil Hussain, Gerard Depardieu, Po-Chieh, Rafe Spall, Shravanthi Sainath, Andrea Di Stefano, Vibish Sviakumar, Mohammed Abbas Khaleeli & Ayan Khan.
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#FilmFact: Andrew Garfield was considered for the role but Tobey Maguire was cast. Though he filmed his scenes, Maguire was later replaced by Rafe Spall because the director thought Maguire was too famous for such a small role and it would have been distracting.
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#FilmFact: Pi, played by Suraj Sharma, was never actually in a boat with a live tiger. Most of the tiger was very high tech CGI technology and some only some scenes like the tiger swimming in the water had a real tiger used.
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THE REVIEW:

This has got to be one of the most visually enticing films to come out of 2012. Lets forget the script and allow me to elaborate on the amazing cinematography and animation. Everything about the setting is so cool, from the different breeds of animals to the gorgeous sceneries, especially at sea. I didn't read the book before watching the movie but now I wished I had just to visualise in my head how the author Yann Martell describes each scenes. The animation blew me away, everything about the storyline is just heart-warming and beautiful. A relationship with a tiger has never been portrayed this well before. Director Ang Lee continually takes risks in mastering the visuals and it pays off, this is what capturing a story on camera in precision mode looks like.
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I was impressed with the casting and especially the performances, the characters are all loveable and great actors. The front-man, Suraj Sharma, he was engaging and fun to watch as he goes through his adventure. He is able to pull out so many emotions which only few actors can do. Everyone played their part in bringing the film to life. I think its an even more heartfelt version of Cast Away (Tom Hanks film), the back story is interesting because our main character is a young, stranded at sea and is in small boat with a Bengal tiger right after losing his parents in a shipwreck. The story does take a little while to kick in, some parts of the screenplay is squashed together, but you will forgive that when you see how imaginative it is. The dip in and out of religion is also refreshing to see in a script, it gives hope & belief to the character and the audience watching.
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Over 70% of films released this year do not have a leg to stand on when the 3D effects in Life of Pi is mentioned. An incredible achievement that brings forth the true meaning of an amazing cinematic experience. This is a film everyone should watch because if you think Avatar or Rise of the Planet of the Apes had jaw dropping effects then this will blow them both of the water.

OVERALL:  100% ENTERTAINMENT FOR ALL AGES.

STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5:  4

ONE FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE FILM:

All the scenes of Pi & Richard Parker at sea.

(if you loved another moment in the film, please feel free to share it with ME in the comments section :)

TRAILER:

TRAILERS: ALL THE FILMS OUT IN CINEMA THIS DECEMBER (2012)

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- HERE ARE ALL THE TRAILER FOR MOVIES OUT THIS DECEMBER IN THE UK.

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     · SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS (15) (IN CINEMA 5TH DECEMBER)

· CELESTE & JESSE FOREVER (15) (IN CINEMA 7TH DECEMBER)

     · I, ANNA (15) (IN CINEMA 7TH DECEMBER)

· KHILADI (IN CINEMA 7TH DECEMBER)

     · LIFE JUST IS (IN CINEMA 7TH DECEMBER)

· THE MAN WITH IRON FISTS (18) (IN CINEMA 7TH DECEMBER)

     · THE ORANGES (15) (IN CINEMA 7TH DECEMBER)

· SO UNDERCOVER (12A) (IN CINEMA 7TH DECEMBER)

     · THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY (3D) (12A) (IN CINEMA 13TH DECEMBER)

· CHASING ICE (12A) (IN CINEMA 14TH DECEMBER)

     · CODE NAME: GERONIMO (15) (IN CINEMA 14TH DECEMBER)

· SMASHED (15) (IN CINEMA 14TH DECEMBER)

     · TINKERBELL & THE SECRET OF THE WINGS (3D) (IN CINEMA 14TH DECEMBER)

· UFO (IN CINEMA 14TH DECEMBER)

     · LIFE OF PI (3D) (PG) (IN CINEMA 20TH DECEMBER)

· DABANGG 2 (12A) (IN CINEMA 21ST DECEMBER)

     · PITCH PERFECT (12A) (IN CINEMA 21ST DECEMBER)

· GRABBERS (15) (IN CINEMA 26TH DECEMBER)

     · JACK REACHER (12A) (IN CINEMA 26TH DECEMBER)

· PARENTAL GUIDANCE (U) (IN CINEMA 26TH DECEMBER)

     · SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED (IN CINEMA 26TH DECEMBER)

MOVIE REVIEW: END OF WATCH (15)

"REAL & RAW"

End Of Watch is an action film directed by David Ayer. Two young officers are marked for death after confiscating a small cache of money and firearms from the members of a notorious cartel, during a routine traffic stop. Its starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Micheal Pena, Natalie Martinez, Anna Kendrick, David Harbour, Frank Grillo, America Ferrera, Cle Shaheed Sloan, Jamie FitzSimons, Cody Horn, Shondrella Avery, Maurice Compte, Yahira Garcia & Kirsty Wu.
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#FilmFact: As part of their training, Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena spent five months doing 12-hour ride alongs with on-duty LAPD officers. During Gyllenhaal's first ride-along, he witnessed a murder.
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THE REVIEW:

This is a movie that real and raw from the start to finish, a whirlwind of emotions that had me on the edge of my seat. Two policemen capture on tape in a mockumentary style their lives on the streets as LAPD. It's dark and brutally violent so expect guns, shoot-outs & car chases & some very bad guys. End of Watch is really intense, the scenes on screen makes you feel the emotions as if you were there. Nothing superficial here, its the kind of dangers the police go through that we hear about on the news.
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I love the style of camera-work incorporated, the handheld shots give it the realness effect. The storyline is written brilliantly, from the funny police car conversations to being involved in practically everyday shoot outs. Director David Ayer must be the king of cop films, he know how to take a story and make it interesting, entertaining & involving. My only problem with this is that there's too much coverage on our front men's love life. Some jumps in the film rushes the maturing of something great that should have progressed further in depth. 
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The bond between Brian (Gyllenhaal) & Mike (Pena) must be a directors dream, they jelled on screen wonderfully, it feels like these two are really best-friends. They are clean, likeable and very good cops. 

OVERALL:  HARD HITTING.

STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5:  4

ONE FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE FILM:

Brian & Mike's first "customer".

(if you loved another moment in the film, please feel free to share it with ME in the comments section :)

TRAILER:

TRAILERS: ALL THE FILMS OUT IN CINEMA THIS NOVEMBER (2012)

Tweet & Follow the writer of this blog: @sliderbee

- HERE ARE ALL THE TRAILER FOR MOVIES OUT THIS NOVEMBER IN THE UK.

·  EXCISION (18) (IN CINEMA 2ND NOVEMBER)

·  FOR GOOD TIME, CALL... (18) (IN CINEMA 2ND NOVEMBER)

·  KEEP THE LIGHTS ON (18) (IN CINEMA NOVEMBER)

·  THE MASTER (15) (IN CINEMA 2ND NOVEMBER)

·  ARGO (12A) (IN CINEMA 2ND NOVEMBER)

·  THE SAPPIHRES (PG) (IN CINEMA 2ND NOVEMBER)

·  GRASSROOTS (15) (IN CINEMA NOVEMBER)

·  HERE COMES THE BOOM (12A) (IN CINEMA 9TH NOVEMBER)

·  LOVE BITE (15) (IN CINEMA 9TH NOVEMBER)

·  MY BROTHER THE DEVIL (15) (IN CINEMA 9TH NOVEMBER)

·  PEOPLE LIKE US (12A) (IN CINEMA 9THNOVEMBER)

·  SON OF SARDAR (IN CINEMA 9TH NOVEMBER)

·  TWILIGHT BREAKING DAWN PART 2 (12A) (IN CINEMA 16TH NOVEMBER)

·  GAMBIT (IN CINEMA 21ST NOVEMBER)

·  SILVER LINING PLAYBOOK (IN CINEMA 21ST NOVEMBER)

·  END OF WATCH (15) (IN CINEMA 23RD NOVEMBER)

·  NATIVITY 2: DANGER IN THE MANGER (U) (IN CINEMA 23RD NOVEMBER)

·  ALEX CROSS (15) (IN CINEMA 30TH NOVEMBER)

·  GREAT EXPECTATIONS (12A) (IN CINEMA 30TH NOVEMBER)

·  THE HUNT (12A) (IN CINEMA 30TH NOVEMBER)

·  RISE OF THE GUARDIANS (3D) (IN CINEMA 30TH NOVEMBER)

·  SIGHTSEERS (15) (IN CINEMA 30TH NOVEMBER)

·  TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE (12A) (IN CINEMA 30TH NOVEMBER)

MOVIE REVIEW: SKYFALL (12A)

"VINTAGE BOND"

Skyfall is an action & adventure film directed by Sam Mendes (same guy that brought us, Road to Perdition, 2002). M's past is back to haunt her as MI6 comes under attack. 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the mission becomes. 
Its starring Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Berenice Marlohe, Albert Finney, Ben Whishaw, Rory Kinnear, Ola Rapace, Helen McCrory, Nicholas Woodeson, Bill Buckhurst, Elize du Toit & Ian Bonar.

#FilmFact: This is the 23rd James bond film.
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THE REVIEW:

Daniel Craig is back for the third time as James Bond, the film celebrates its 50th anniversary of the series. 

I was able to watch Skyfall a couple days after its official release, and I can officially say... BOND IS BACK. This is worth the four year wait because it's Mr Craig's best effort as the secret agent. Time really does fly when you're having fun. Watching 007 for 143 minutes doesn't seem long enough when the storyline is amazing, and a witty dialogue that makes you want to go and watch it again. 

The back story fits well and affects everything throughout the duration of the film. The twists get better than the last, it had me on the edge of my seat, my eyes were glued to the screen. Most of the action scenes had me in awe, some may say it's a little over the top, but its James Bond for crying out loud. I was drawn to the fact that this latest Bond wasn't a clean cut gun wielding action man. He's actually very rough round the edges, yet he's still the perfect killing machine. Overall, the acting is top notch.

The director does an excellent job, it seems Mr Mendes went back to the drawing board, stripped Bond of his flashiness and basically gave him a knife. We still get to see the beautiful women, different countries & stylish cars. It just doesn't make them things the main focus. The cinematography and music blends effortlessly as 007 does his best to keep those closest to him safe. The camera work is steady making this an even better watch. I also loved the fact that most of the scenes were based in the UK. This just screams vintage bond, it felt really traditional. The only problem I found with the action scenes is that they felt a little mild mid way through. I didn't feel like our front man had enough man on man combat. I've seen countless films where the hero blasts weapons galore and bodies after bodies drop. I want to see that and more.

OVERALL:  WORTH THE WAIT.

STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5:  4.5

ONE FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE FILM:

The courtroom scene.

(if you loved another moment in the film, please feel free to share it with ME in the comments section :)

TRAILER:

MOVIE REVIEW: MY BROTHER THE DEVIL (15)

"OPEN MINDED BRILLIANCE"

My Brother The Devil is a British drama film directed by Sally El Hosaini (debut feature film). This story centres two teenage brothers who must face prejudices in order to survive. Two British Arabs on the streets of gangland London. 
Its starring James Floyd, Fady Elsayed, Said Taghamaoui, Aymen Hamdouchi, Ashley "Bashy" Thomas, Anthony Welsh, Arnold Oceng, Letitia Wright, Amira Ghazalla, Elarica Gallacher & Nasser Memarzia
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#FilmFact: Out in Cinema November 9th 2012. (SUPPORT UK FILMS)
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THE REVIEW:
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Thanks to @Bashy's management team, I was invited to a private screening of this film before its official cinema release date.

A modern tale of two brothers, one looking up to the other, and trying to emulate his gang lifestyle. While one is looking for a way out, another is heading the opposite direction. 

If I had to choose a film that depicted London gang life perfectly, then I would choose this film. It's gritty, gripping and has magnetic screen presence. This is one of the best films to come out of the UK in 2012. It's open minded, engaging and just left me wanting more and then some. Its being a while since I've been 100% in awe of a British director that takes a daring direction in film making. For a debut film this is an excellent effort from, Sally El Hasaini, Director. Every shot is captured with a purpose. 

 Storyline never goes off track, the raw emotions felt real. There's enough information about these characters to make you feel connected, it shows the types of lives some of these young men are forced to live. I've seen similar storylines, but the twists and turns it takes is what sets it apart. It tackles masculinity issues that most would run a mile from, and runs with it in a grown and sensible fashion. The cinematography & screenplay plays a big selling point, the London slang and swagger in all its glory. It's serious but still has clever comedy scenes placed in and around it. There isn't much wrong with this and is worth the watch.

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The whole cast is very impressive, a bunch of bright & young talent. Everyone brought their 'A game' making this feature so compelling. My #StarOfTheShowAward goes to Mo (Fady Elsayed). This is the first time I've seen him in his element, and he had great screen presence, but that's not trying to take anything from the main man Rashid (James Floyd). 
I left the private screening a happy man.

OVERALL:  A CONSISTENT & POWERFUL FILM.

STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5:  4

ONE FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE FILM:

The scene outside the off licence shop.

(if you loved another moment in the film, please feel free to share it with ME in the comments section :)

TRAILER:

MOVIE REVIEW: TAKEN 2 (12A)

"CHILDS PLAY"

Taken 2 is an action, crime & drama film directed by Olivier Megaton (same guy that brought us Hitman & Transporter 3). Retired CIA operative Bryan Mills and his wife are taken hostage in Istanbul by the father of a kidnapped Mills killed while rescuing his daughter. Its Starring  Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Rade Serbedzija, Leland Orser, Jon Gries, D.B. Sweeney, Luke Grimes & Kevor Malikyan.

#FilmFact: This will be the only sequel.
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THE REVIEW:

I had the chance of catching this film a few days after its cinema release. Taken 2 does not exactly bring anything new to the table. It re runs the same skeleton storyline from Taken 1 but dumbs it down to a safe level of no risks taking. This is a 12A certificated movie and boy can you tell, the director even throws in some comedy scenes. Some in car & foot chases we have all seen before in films so nothing short of cliché's here then. If you liked the first one then you wont mind this one, just don't expect it to amaze.
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I was expecting a grittier and twisted tale but the overall production is mediocre. Even with the bumps along the storyline I still felt like it was running smoothly. Where's the element of surprise? Everything felt too on cue. NOTHING unexpected really happens, Mills (Neeson) just seem to have all the moves, skills and accuracy he needs to defeat the baddies. I personally like Liam Neeson as an actor, the legacy he had already established as Bryan Mills was just not capitalised on. Even the Albanians getting killed one after the other don't have enough connection for it to really mean anything. I only needed to watch half an hour and could already figure out how it was all going to end.
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 Apart from the acting, speeches and some of the action scenes everything else about it screamed average. It may be his age but the lead actor looks breathless and his fighting scenes just about cut it. He starts off assertive, smooth, calculated and two steps ahead of everybody but as the film continues I realise that the script is written too clean and whatever happens the hero wins. Almost feels like this sequel is mocking the first one with the light hearted scenes. The hype around Taken 2 was overrated when viewing the final cut. Another sequel falls short of its potential.

OVERALL:  AVERAGE ACTION FILM.

STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5:  2.5

ONE FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE FILM:

 The scenes of Mr Mills (Leeson) and his daughter Kim (Grace) being chased in a yellow taxi.

(if you loved another moment in the film, please feel free to share it with ME in the comments section :)

TRAILER: