Fight Club: Review

Fight Club is a film which I originally posted about when I first started this blog, but I have yet to write a review of. As I placed it as number two on my top ten list, I thought it only appropriate that I do so. The movie was directed by David Fincher, also responsible for the twisted masterpiece Se7en, and revolves around the main character who for all intensive purposes will be called "The Narrator", played by one of my favourite actors: Edward Norton. The Narrator meets a man named Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), who goes on to completely change his outlook on life, opening him up to what is truly his full potential, and encouraging him to leave behind his old monotonous life and "just let go."

The Narrator (Ed Norton)

It's difficult to explain why Fight Club is the incredible experience it is without spoiling anything. The main misconception is that the movie focuses on fighting, which is a fair assumption, based upon the name, but it is almost inexcusable to disregard it without delving a little deeper. About one tenth of the film contains fighting, with the remainder telling an unforgettable story of self-discovery and leaving you as the viewer to raise some questions about yourself and precisely where you think your own life is going. It's clichéd with many highly-rated films, but Fight Club really is life changing if you allow it to be. 

It'd be wrong to review the film without touching on just how exceptional the acting is. Marla, (played by Helena Bonham Carter) is the embodiment of a wasted life, counting down the days till she dies. Her life, like The Narrator's, completely changes when she meets Tyler, providing even the most depressive character in the film a new way of seeing things. Brad Pitt plays Tyler perfectly, not caring at all how people see him and being his own man, something which he encourages The Narrator to do. 

Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt)

The true reason Fight Club is so phenomenal as a film however is down to the fact it was made with the sole purpose of being watched again, thanks to the completely mind-blowing twist featured towards the end. I can't put in to words just how shocked I was after the first time I saw the film, leaving me to instantly need to see it again. If there was ever a reason to see Fight Club, the twist alone would be it. 

Verdict

I'm yet to review a bad movie, as Fight Club is practically tied as the best movie I have ever seen. It's funny, exhilarating, deep, meaningful and at times fairly hard to watch. It'll make you look long and hard at yourself, something very few films have ever done for me. If you haven't seen Fight Club, it's really about time you did, the only problem being that once you have other movies fail to bring you the same sense of awe by their conclusion.   10/10

"You've met me at a very strange time in my life." 

 

Iron Man 3: Review

I should start this review by saying I have only seen the first Iron Man film, and that was a long time ago, so I will be talking about Iron Man 3 as if it were a completely stand-alone film. 

Iron Man 3 stars Robert Downey Jr. reprising his role as the smart, rich, smooth-talking philanthropist Tony Stark, known to most now as Iron Man. The film does what many comic-book films have done lately by showing the protagonist at arguably their lowest point, creating a new perspective of the likeable hero. The story plays out with Tony being mentally scarred after the events that took place in Avengers Assemble, leaving him at an incredibly unstable state of mind, not the most ideal when a new villain known only as The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) threatens to attack several locations in America. The story is far more complex than it seems however, but I won't spoil anything here.

Tony Stark / Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) 

I think the most notable reason Iron Man 3 is a very good action movie is simply down to the fact it is a lot of fun to watch. The action sequences are highly entertaining, even though they are incredibly over the top, but that's excusable due to it being a superhero movie. Robert Downey Jr. brings huge amounts of charisma to the character of Tony Stark,  just as well as he did in Avengers Assemble. It's also a rather interesting choice to have the story follow directly on from the events of that movie, but one that completely pays off, with the plot and current state of Tony having a solid reason to it. The acting from other cast members such as Guy Pearce as the suspicious Aldrich Killian or Don Cheadle as War Machine do nothing but compliment the movie, making it even more enjoyable to watch.

Unfortunately there's a few things pulling the movie back for me, forcing it to just miss out on a rating of 'incredible'. There's a rather strange choice of twist in the plot which although humorous, drew me out of the experience, making the film seem slightly like it was grasping for the comedic element a little too much. Saying this however, most of the time the humour in Iron Man 3 is appropriate and genuinely funny, something I was not expecting much of based upon the seemingly darker plot. Also, there were a few times where the film seemed to drag on a little, but this is only a minor complaint as when it was good, it really was very good. 

Verdict

Although not perfect, Iron Man 3 is a very entertaining and fun movie, with a much deeper story and cast of characters than I was expecting. It's definitely worth seeing at full cinema price,  living quite nicely up to the hype it has received. One final thing: it's a good idea to stay till after the credits for a nice bonus scene and line of writing which will no doubt get many talking about what more is to come.       8/10

Top 10 Movie List

I've seen quite a few movies, but definitely nowhere near to all of them. The following is a list/countdown of my top 10 favourite films I have seen, bearing in mind that there are many cult classics and pop culture movies which I am yet to see. Also, I don't particularly watch any indie movies, so none will be included in this list. 

10 - Memento
Memento is a film brought to us by one of my favourite directors Christopher Nolan, following a man suffering from memory loss as he tries to track down the man who murdered his wife. The scenes are presented in a very unique order, adding to the whole experience, and making it one of the most interesting movie viewings I have ever had. 

"Memory can change the shape of a room, 

it can change the colour of a car."

9 - Back to the Future

The Back to the Future trilogy is one of my very favourites, with the original being the best of them all. It's funny, interesting and most importantly very entertaining. With extremely memorable characters and moments littered throughout. If you haven't seen any of them, you really are missing out. 

"Are you tellin' me that this sucker...is nuclear?" 

8 - Silence of the Lambs

A film which I have only seen very recently, Silence of the Lambs is still stuck in my mind. Anthony Hopkins provides the pinnacle of sinister acting, making you feel uneasy whenever he is on-screen. The only reason it is so considerably low on my list is because of the true masterpieces which surpass it, but it is definitely worthy of anybody's top 10 list. 

"Have the lambs stopped screaming,

Clarice?"

7 - Se7en

The first of a couple films by David Fincher on my list, it seemed like it would be almost criminal not to put Se7en at number seven, even though I literally saw it yesterday. It was fast-paced, exciting and disturbing, all of which perfectly combined to form the perfect crime movie. With one of the finest endings I've seen, Se7en is implanted in my mind, with no reason to move any time soon.

"WHAT'S IN THE BOX?"

6 - The Godfather

I know it seems clichéd, but The Godfather really is an exceptional example of a good movie.  What can I say that has not already been said before? It's a tale of organised crime, focusing largely on how important family is in conjunction with business. Al Pacino plays his role just as well as in The Godfather Part II, but the original just tops it for the fact that it contains the late Marlon Brando as the intimidating but highly respectable Don Vito Corleone in his elderly years. 

"I'll make him an offer he can't refuse." 

5 - The Shining

Now I'm down to my top 5, most of which could be easily changeable as they all generally are as excellent as eachother. The Shining is Stanley Kubrick showing how to perfectly direct a horror movie, with tension being amped up to unbelievable levels thanks to music and cinematography. With my very favourite role by Jack Nicholson, it stands up as a genuinely terrifying horror movie, even 33 years after release. 

"I'm not gonna' hurt ya'...I'm just going to 

bash your brains in."

4 - The Dark Knight 

The Dark Knight is probably my most viewed movie of all time, with the number of times I have seen it easily surpassing 20. It's as enjoyable the 20th time as it is the first, as Christian Bale plays a much darker vision of Batman, with the late Heath Ledger providing one of the most memorable roles ever depicted in a movie as the infamous Joker. There simply is no finer comic-book movie than The Dark Knight, and that is why it is at number 4 on my list. 

"You're just a freak...like me!"

3 - Pulp Fiction 

It was a certainty that Pulp Fiction would feature somewhere on this list, as it's one of my favourite movies of all time. The music, acting and story all compliment eachother, creating such an enjoyable experience it's hard to find anybody who doesn't at least think highly of this movie. The cast is frankly downright impressive, providing masses to an already superb movie. 

"Oh I'm sorry, did I break your concentration?" 

2 - Fight Club 

It was difficult to decide between first and second place, as both are complete masterpieces in their own right. The second movie on this list by David Fincher, Fight Club is a movie which is almost life-changing, delving deep into the human mind and featuring arguably the greatest twist in a movie I have seen. Although I'm breaking the first rule by speaking about it, Fight Club honestly is a movie which everybody needs to experience before they die. 

"How much can you know about yourself if you've

never been in a fight?"

1 - A Clockwork Orange

It's inevitable that I would put A Clockwork Orange as my number 1 film. It's just so incredibly bizarre and entertaining that it would be impossible for me not to. I'm certain that not everybody will enjoy it, in fact many would probably dismiss it as far too strange and disturbing, but I love it more than anything else I have seen. The oldest film on this list, A Clockwork Orange  was directed by the legendary Stanley Kubrick in 1971, being banned in the UK for several years due to it's extreme nature and unforgiving content. It blends different cultures so successfully, combining classical music by the likes of composers such as Beethoven with the ultra-violence depicted on-screen, A Clockwork Orange is a movie which everybody should at least give a chance. 

"Viddy well, little Brother, viddy well." 

Se7en: Review

Se7en (or Seven, depending on how you'd prefer to write it), is a movie directed by David Fincher in 1995: the same director who brought us the incredible cult classic Fight Club. The movie follows Detective Mills and Somerset (Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, respectively), as they attempt to track down a brutal serial killer, (played by the Oscar winning Kevin Spacey) who tortures his victims using methods inspired by the seven deadly sins: lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride. Se7en is far from a typical crime thriller however, with a conclusion which will stick with you for days, possibly weeks, after watching. 

Now, it would be almost wrong for me to leave out the fact that Se7en is definitely not appropriate for everybody. It is dark, gritty and at times very disturbing. It is also however intriguing, complex and hugely enjoyable, with a final act which will keep anybody on edge, especially those who know nothing about the movie. Unfortunately I already knew mostly how the film ended, but there were still several twists which I had not been able to work out. These are not as jaw-dropping as those featured in Fight Club, but will certainly play on your mind for hours. 

Detective David Mills (Brad Pitt) 

Se7en is not only a intricate crime thriller, but it also explores the incredibly dark side to us all, commenting on how all of these sins are present inside every last one of us, showing their ugly selves in numerous ways. The murders exacted by Kevin Spacey's character are cleverly woven to present each sin in an incredibly violent fashion, brutally highlighting how dark human nature truly can be. It's a fair criticism that at times the movie goes to places maybe not expected, much more sinister than you would think, but in the end this all leads to a shocking and surprising climax which wraps up the story in a very gruesome manner. 

I have literally just finished watching the movie, so it is difficult for me to think of a personal criticism I may have, as it was just as good as I have heard it would be. I will say however, that the final few crime scenes feel very rushed, in comparison to the very first taking up a good 10 minutes of the movie. This is almost excusable however, as it builds up the pace to an almost unbearable level getting the viewer prepared for the nail-biting finale. 

Verdict
Se7en is a dark, violent and at times difficult to watch movie. If you can bring yourself to do so however, you really are in for a treat. With an excellent cast of actors to present an equally excellent story, Se7en really is a film that shouldn't be missed.    9/10

"Ernest Hemmingway once wrote: the world is a fine place, and worth

fighting for...I agree with the second part." 

Silence of the Lambs: Review

The film which launched Sir Anthony Hopkins into fame, Silence of the Lambs is yet another movie which almost everybody has heard about. Released in 1991, it is by far my favourite thriller I have seen. Combining disturbing imagery with intense psychological fear, Silence of the Lambs stands out as a movie which lives up to it's years of hype.

The story revolves around a novice FBI agent by the name of Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), who has been sent to speak with the notorious Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) in order to hopefully catch a rampant serial killer known only as Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine), who kidnaps size 14 females and eventually dumps their bodies, with large areas of skin missing. The reasoning for this is revealed, delving deeper into the twisted mindset of his character. 

In case this very short synopsis hasn't allowed you to work it out, Silence of the Lambs is a very dark film, exploring deep childhood traumas and their resulting effects. The character of Hannibal is left considerably vague through most of the movie, increasing the uneasy feeling whenever agent Clarice converses with him. This lack of depth to Dr. Lecter does not detract from the enjoyment of the film however, quite the contrary, as Anthony Hopkins' role is one of my very favourites I have ever seen; enveloping a sociopathic twisted mind with an almost respectable level of education and intelligence. Every scene he features in stand out as the best within the movie. 

Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) 

My only complaint with the movie, if it's even acceptable to call it a complaint, is that due to the incredible acting provided by Anthony Hopkins and Ted Levine, other characters seem slightly less in comparison, such as Clarice's FBI superior Jack Crawford (Scott Glen). It would be difficult to refer to this as a negative though, as when taken by themselves, no member of the cast particularly brings the movie down, with the majority of the actors being a joy to watch. 

Verdict 

Silence of the Lambs is a movie which keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. With phenomenal acting, a likeable protagonist and an interesting and intriguing plot, it's well worth watching, even 22 years after it's release.   9/10

"A census taker once tried to test me, so I ate his liver with some

fava beans and a nice chianti." 

Films coming in 2013

There's a collection of really good and enjoyable looking films coming out this year, some of which may be personal choices, others being anticipated by the masses. Here's a list of each film, in chronological order of their release: 

Iron Man 3 (26th April)
The Iron Man films are amongst the best of the comic-book film adaptations, with the first and second being hailed by many as hugely enjoyable entertainment. The third comes out next week, which will hopefully live up to all the hype it has received. 

Tony Stark / Iron Man

Man of Steel (14th June) 
Produced by Christopher Nolan, responsible for the critically acclaimed Batman movies and directed by Zack Snyder, who directed films such as 300 and Watchmen, Man of Steel looks to do for Superman what Batman Begins did to Batman: give a much more mature take on classic superhero stories. Man of Steel is one of my most anticipated films this year, and with the newest trailer having been released very recently, it doesn't look like it will disappoint. 

Kick-Ass 2 (19th July)

The sequel to one of my favourite "comic-book" films of all time, Kick-Ass 2 has been in the making for quite a while. The first revolved around the unlikely superhero of 'Kick-Ass', showing how anybody could become a hero if they applied all they had to it. Kick-Ass 2 looks set to be just as enjoyable as the first, with the introduction of Jim Carrey as the comedic looking 'Colonel Stars and Stripes', a stereotypical American hero. 

Red Mist / Kick-Ass

The Conjuring (19th July)

Sharing it's release date with Kick-Ass 2, The Conjuring brought by the director of Saw and Insidious, James Wan. The first I saw of it was when I went to see Dark Skies, with the teaser trailer proving to be scarier than all of the film I had paid to see. It looks tense, disturbing and unsettling: the perfect mix for a horror movie. A personal pick, but one that nobody who loves horror movies should miss out on. 

The teaser is well worth a watch if you're
into horror movies 

The Wolverine (25th July)

July seems to be the month for movies, with three personal picks all being released in the space of a week. The Wolverine sees the return of...well, Wolverine, his newest stand-alone film since X-Men Origins, and although it isn't my most anticipated film this year, it looks well worth seeing nonetheless. 

Hugh Jackman returns to his role as
the Marvel hero

Insidious: Chapter II (September/October)

Although there's no specific UK release date announced yet, the American one has been, stating the film will be released on the 13th of September. The first Insidious was enjoyable, if a little silly towards the end, but I am eager to see how they continue the story. The second film on this list by director James Wan, Insidious Chapter II will hopefully be an enjoyable scare-fest to be experienced in the lead up to Halloween. 

The only poster released of
Insidious Chapter II

Thor: The Dark World (30th October) 

The forth superhero/comic-book film on this list, this sequel to Thor is set after the events played out in 'Avengers Assemble', released last year. Not a huge amount of information has been released, but as long as it is as entertaining as the first Thor movie then it should be worth a trip to the cinema. 

The only poster of Thor:
The Dark World

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (22nd November) 

I thought that the first Hunger Games released way back in March last year was a lot better than I had expected it to be. After seeing countless trailers before other movies, I quickly grew tired of the advertising, dismissing the film as another teen-book adaptation. I was pleasantly surprised at how engrossing and entertaining the movie was however, and the sequel 'Catching Fire' looks to be just as enjoyable as the first. The trailer came out less than a week ago, and has got me excited already. 

Anchorman: The Legend Continues (20th December)

Will Ferrell movies always seem to be hilarious, and the original Anchorman released nine years ago in 2004 stands testament to this. With countless quotable lines, funny dialogue and suitable Ferrell-humour, it's almost certain the sequel will be just as enjoyable, if not more. The only problem is that it's so long away, releasing only 5 days before Christmas 2013. 

The Legend Continues

So there it is: my pick of films to go see in 2013. There's many more being released this year, such as Star Trek Into Darkness and the second in the Hobbit trilogy, The Desolation of Smaug, but these are my choices of movies I plan on seeing this year. Hopefully 2014 will bring us a new Batman movie, or possibly a sequel to Avengers Assemble, but we'll just have to wait and see. 

The Shining: Review

In 1980, legendary director Stanley Kubrick made The Shining, a film based off the well known Stephen King horror novel. To this day, it still remains scary, suspenseful and incredibly enjoyable. Starring Jack Nicholson in arguably one of his best roles, The Shining revolves around the Torrance family as they are given the task of looking after the intimidating Overlook Hotel for the Winter, keeping the heaters running and making sure nothing goes wrong. Jack Torrence (Jack Nicholson), Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and Danny (Danny Lloyd) are to remain solitary for several months, which Jack is told led one of the previous caretakers to insanity, murdering his entire family with an axe before killing himself by "biting down on both barrels of a shotgun". 

The film opens with very far panning shots following a car travelling along a mountainous road. The music sets the scene perfectly, sinisterly humming along as the car slowly approaches it's destination. We are quickly introduced to Jack, the main character in the film, who is presented as a friendly, likeable family-man, quite an ironic foreshadowing of the climax, which I won't ruin for anybody unfamiliar with the plot. We learn early on however that not all is how it seems, through a conversation between Jack's son Danny and his imaginary friend "Tony". 

The strange thing about The Shining is that many people know about it or have at least heard of it, but very few have taken the time to view it, which is a huge mistake. The Shining is one of the greatest horror movies ever made, relying on tension and music to make the viewer feel uneasy rather than gore or violence. There are a few violent scenes in the movie, but they are minute in comparison to the eerie shots of empty corridors and long, unsettling zooms on specific characters. For anybody who is completely in the dark about the plot, the film does an excellent job of making you think, adding many psychological terrors and fears. 

Jack Torrence (Jack Nicholson) 

The only complaint I think that could be held against the movie is that at times, the prolonged scene-setting may feel slightly drawn out or dull, but I feel that in the end it is entirely worth it, truly placing the viewer in the Overlook Hotel, making the entire experience more terrifying. When I say terrifying, I don't mean jump-scares or spooky faces which are solely designed to unsettle you for a moment, I mean images and thoughts which will stick with you for a while after watching The Shining, the real basis of an excellent horror movie. 

Verdict

The Shining is for me, the pinnacle of horror entertainment. It builds scares greater than almost any movie I have seen, keeping the viewer on edge from start to finish. With an ending that will make you think for days, outstanding acting from Jack Nicholson and an intriguing story, it really is one of my favourite films I have ever had the pleasure of seeing.      9/10 

"I said I'm not going to hurt ya'. I'm just going to bash your brains in."

On a slightly unrelated note, the Simpsons' parody titled "The Shinning" is a surprisingly accurate depiction of the movie, with many of the key plot points shown in a slightly less terrifying manner. It's spooky how spot-on they got the character of Homer, being a lovable family man himself, to Jack in the movie.