MOVIE REVIEW: CONTRABAND (15)

"SLOW START, BRILLIANT FINISH"

Contraband is an action crime drama directed by Baltasa Kormarkur (same guy that brought us inhale, 2009). In a bid to protect his brother in law from a drug lord, a former smuggler heads to Panama to score millions of dollars in counterfeit bills. Its Starring Mark Wahlberg, Kate Beckinsale, Ben Foster, Caleb Landry Jones, Giovanni Ribsi, Lukas Haas, J.K. Simmons, Diego Luna, Robert Wahlberg, Olafur Darri Olafsson, Jaqueline Fleming, William Lucking, Amber Gaiennie, Paul LeBlanc, Kent Jude Bernard, Jackson Beals, Connor Hill & David O'Hara.

#FilmFact: Baltasar Kormakur, director of the film, was the lead actor of the original film, Reykjavik-Rotterdam, playing the same role as Mark Wahlberg.

THE REVIEW:

I have always liked Mark Wahlberg, hes a good action man so naturally when i saw the trailer of him in this crime drama, i got excited to see how well they incorporated him in this story.

 

After watching Contraband i must say i was not too thrilled about the start, it was slow, obvious and sort of boring but as soon the story left gear one it instantly became interesting. Characters started connecting, deals were made & plans were been drawn up. I'm glad the storyline didn't recline, it got better and more dramatic with each twists and turns. It made me think how everything was connecting and how it was all going to turn out. That was this films engaging point, trying to figure out what was going to happen before it did. 

The message of love, family, friendship & betrayal is what the director went for and its what he was able to portray on screen. Great cinematography. If you forget about reality and just enjoy the eye catching action scenes then you will really enjoy this film.

I liked all the characters because even though the baddies had guns, they were not the scariest characters. This is where the drama shines, we normally expect people with guns in movies to be the ones every fears, but even them guys get treated like anyone else. Its a good change to see action drama film blended together and made to look normal. The acting was believable, simple and blended well with the storyline. Mark Walhberg will be proud to be the headline of this film because he acted brilliantly and lead naturally. All the characters pull of great performances.

OVERALL: ENGAGING

 STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5:  3.5

ONE FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE FILM:

The gun battle between the police and outlaws trying to steal a painting.

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

TRAILER:

MOVIE REVIEW: PROJECT X (18)

"YOUR GOING TO WISH YOU WAS AT THIS PARTY"

 

Project X is a comedy film directed by Nima Nourizadeh. <--(debut feature film) Three high school seniors throw a birthday party to make a name for themselves. As the night progresses, things spiral out of control as the word of the party spreads.
Its starring Thomas Mann, Oliver Cooper, Jonathan Daniel Brown, Kirby Bliss Blanton, Alexis Knapp, Dax Flame, Brandy Hender, Nick Nervies, Miles Teller & Martin Klebber.

                #FilmFact: Most of the footage was entirely shot by the cast with cell phones, Flip, iPhone and Blackberry phones. Over 10 hours of footage was recorded mostly due to the cast continuously recording.

THE REVIEW:

OWWW! THIS FILM IS HILARIOUS. If you ever wondered what the hangover characters would have been like as young teenagers then this is the film to watch. From start to finish Project X had me laughing out loud uncontrollably. I think i burst out laughing at least once every 3 minutes (yes i found it that funny). This is a film you go watch with a few friends, have good laughs and reminisces about crazy parties you've ever been to. If someone asked you to write down a worst case scenario for a high school party, i don't think you would come close to what happens in this film.

-

3 high school teens throw an almighty party that goes absolutely bananas causing chaos throughout the night and it turns them to legends overnight. Most people will wonder why this is a film because nothing really happens, there's no hidden messages anywhere. The motto was anything goes and everything literally went. It felt like watching a really long music video where everyone is having the time of their lives. There are reasons to hate this film as it does have massive jumps but if you want a good laugh accompanied with good music then this film does that pretty well.
-

 I couldn't complain that there was not much when talking substance because the trailer showed what was to expect and we got exactly that. The high school teens that front the film are pretty good actors, they give applause worthy performances. Think of superbad meets hangover and you have Project X. These kids may look like worst kids to have as your children but people have to realize these things happen in real life so why not add cameras to the equation. I've seen the word "debauchery" used to describe this film but i think people are reading way into it than necessary. (ah well such is life)
-

Don't believe the hype that this film is rubbish, i think its fun and enjoyable. It actually sets the bar for how party films should be made, anything less than this is not even worth considering. GO HARD OR GO HOME. Take a break from watching films that makes you think too much and watch this just for the hell of it. I actually look forward to seeing most of these characters in more films to come, especially Oliver Cooper & the security guards kids.

OVERALL: HILARIOUS FROM START TO FINISH.

 STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5:  3

ONE FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE FILM:

The oven incident and what the guy does when he gets out to the people who put him there.

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

TRAILER:

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

THIS MONTHS RECOMMENDED MOVIES ARE HIGHLIGHTED IN FUCHSIA

·          BLANK CITY (IN CINEMA 2ND MARCH)

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

·            CARANCHO (15) (IN CINEMA 2ND MARCH)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzTxiz7aniE 

·            HUNKYDORY (15) (IN CINEMA 2ND MARCH)

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

·            LONDON PARIS NEW YORK (12A) (IN CINEMA 2ND MARCH)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zic5qpxl64

·            PROJECT X (18) (IN CINEMA 2ND MARCH)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBv54LhBWyQ

·            THIS MEANS WAR (12A) (IN CINEMA 2ND MARCH)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZqHhN4hVmg&feature=fvst

·            WANDERLUST (15) (IN CINEMA 2ND MARCH)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKOJNtctg7g

·            BEL AMI (15) (IN CINEMA 9TH MARCH)

TRAILER LINK:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlFlZVLG46c

·            CLEANSKIN (15) (IN CINEMA 9TH MARCH)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dRZlLdO41E

·           HARD BOILED SWEETS (15) (IN CINEMA 9TH MARCH)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGaPWYat0EA

·            JOHN CARTER (3D) (12A) (IN CINEMA 9TH MARCH)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Rf55GTEZ_E

·            PAYBACK SEASON (15) (IN CINEMA 9TH MARCH)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65Dtch8GOzU

·            THE RAVEN (15) (IN CINEMA 9TH MARCH)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYAZnVk0Czw

·            TRISHNA (15) (IN CINEMA 9TH MARCH)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qs-l3Hxaico

·            21 JUMP STREET (15) (IN CINEMA 16TH MARCH)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISJR4rVO0TQ

·            CONTRABAND (15) (IN CINEMA 16TH MARCH)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFOBpZcJh1M

·           THE DEVIL INSIDE (15) (IN CINEMA 16TH MARCH)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyT7xMPurgw

·            IN DARKNESS (15) (IN CINEMA 16TH MARCH)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZqDa5Cv8n0

·            WE BOUGHT A ZOO (PG) (IN CINEMA 16 MARCH)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brbzw0ZJGlI

·            ACT OF VALOR (IN CINEMA 23 MARCH)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnlPgo9TaGo

·            AGENT VINOD (IN CINEMA 23 MARCH)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2yUdsaZvrs

·            THE HUNGER GAMES (IN CINEMA 23MARCH)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMGRhAEn6K0

·            THE KID WITH A BIKE (12A) (IN CINEMA 23MARCH)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voO8M6TuX58

·            WILD BILL (15) (IN CINEMA 23 MARCH)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo5IaRnKyFk

·            THE PIRATES: AN ADVENTURE WITH PIRATES (3D) (U) (IN CINEMA 28TH MARCH)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKSp8TseT3g

·            THE SORCERER & THE WHITE SNAKE (IN CINEMA 30TH MARCH)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eova0lSmxGw

·            STREETDANCE 2 (3D) (PG) (IN CINEMA 30TH  MARCH)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKXk9-LWHho

·           TINY FURNITURE (IN CINEMA 30TH MARCH)

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

·            WRATH OF THE TITANS (3D) (IN CINEMA 30TH MARCH)

TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs7fzOrUopc