My Week with Marilyn

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This film is based off the two novels, one with the same name and the other was entitled The Prince, the Showgirl and Me, written by Colin Clark. Aspiring filmmaker Colin takes a job working on The Prince and the Showgirl through Sir Laurence Olivier. The more time Colin spends with Marilyn Monroe the more he falls in love. During this time there is tense interaction between Sir Laurence Olivier and Marilyn Monroe. 

This film was directed by Simon Curtis. A lot of this films complications comes from its direction. This film is meant to be about Colin's brief experiences with Marilyn Monroe. However, in many instances, Marilyn Monroe takes over the central character and plot. That also means that many of the supporting characters are unimportant when they feel needed. This film is meant to be an outsider looking into this woman's life. All the impactful drama is taking place off screen when it should be present. That is where the film would have kept itself from feeling average. Since it follows a boy in love with a highly depressed celebrity, it switches gears from comedy to tragedy. But, it never settles on a single emotion for too long which hurts the rhythm of the film. It also makes the film feel like mainstream hollywood, and reminds audiences of an era of filmmaking. This kept her from feeling real. This script follows the premise of lost love and thereby follows all the story cliches. Although there are a lot of Monroe stereotypes used in the film, it captures her presence breathtakingly. There is nothing new to learn from this film, but it shows the dilemma's that stemmed from her depression. There is also too heavy a focus on the people who were in awe of Monroe (even if they hated her). Eddie Redmayne played the role of Colin Clark. He created another fanboy who became entranced by Monroe. The script did not offer much reason for his character to feel important in Marilyn's life. Through this, he did give the character some heart and understanding. Michelle Williams played the role of Marilyn Monroe. She created the very image of Marilyn Monroe. Her performance made the film captivating. Kenneth Branagh played the role of Sir Laurence Olivier. His performance kept this character from being lifeless.

I give this film 3 out of 5 stars! The acting triumphs most of the films faults. 

Answer to last blog: Director Dean DeBlois, How to Train Your Dragon 2, assisted directing the animated Disney film Lilo and Stitch. 

Que: What other film has actor Eddie Redmayne starred in?

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Summer Hours

A Christmas Tale

The Other Boleyn Girl

How to Train Your Dragon 2

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This is loosely based off the book series with the same title written by Cressida Cowell, and is the sequel to the film How to Train Your Dragon. Five Years later, Berk is still an island viking tribe that now houses dragons. These dragons are companions and are working animals. Riding dragons has opened the world to them, and Hiccup grows curious. He stumbles upon a new culture, and realizes that the conflict between humans and dragons is larger than expected.

This film was directed by Dean DeBlois. This sequel builds upon the world that it established in the original. There is more focus on the characters and on the dragons since the world is already understood. The story expands the ideas of the original while adding new parts; like ecology, war, family, and animal cruelty. It also changes from being about a boy finding a friend to a boy becoming a man. Which is great since many sequels tend to retell their originals. The characters have matured a little, and are maturing further through the course of the story. The story is very heartfelt, un-expectantly emotional. There is also a lot of humor that just comes from the characters interacting with each other. It is very subtle, but highly effective. There is also a lot of hints that there is more to learn about dragons. Things that have not been shown yet. It is a great family film since all ages can enjoy it. It can be a little gruesome and a little scary to certain audiences. This is something that a lot of children's film avoid in recent films due to angry parents. But it works well for this film. There is new technology used for this film. It gives the film a more realistic feel instead of being entirely computer animated. There are many new dragons being introduced in this film, and some that are larger than life. Watching them on screen is just fantastic, and watching them fight is even more fantastic. The use of the camera angles playing with an impressive backdrop is very well done. Jay Baruchel voiced the role of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III. He was great returning to this role. He kept his character familiar while making it fresh. He gave the film most of its emotional depth. Cate Blanchett voiced the role of Valka Haddock. She was great coming onto the film. She offered a softer and often magical side to the film. Gerard Butler voiced the role of Stoic Haddock. Much of this characters power comes from his voice. Djimon Hounsou voiced the role of Drago Bludvist. He created a great villain to oppose Baruchel and Butler.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars! The new technology and the daring storytelling make this film worth the watch.

Answer to last blog: Actor Kit Harington, Pompeii, starred in the film Silent Hill: Revelation.

Que: Which animated Disney film did director Dean DeBlois assist with directing?

The Lion King

Atlantis

Lilo and Stitch

Mulan

Pompeii

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This film is based off the historic disaster of the city of Pompeii. Milo was a boy that was part of a Celtic tribe of horsemen that opposed Rome leadership. After his tribe was slain, he is taken as a slave to fight as a gladiator. On a journey to Pomeii he meets Cassia. Their love is challenged by class, society, and politics. It meets an even greater challenge when Mount Vesuvius erupts and starts to cause destruction to the city of Pompeii.

This film was directed by Paul W.S. Anderson. This director has become known for his over the top big budget action films. This one is no exception. This story has as much hindrances as it does effects. The story follows every cliche without giving the characters any emotional weight. The incident happening around them is only an aid to these unchanging characters. In many ways this eruption was used as a tool to allow the characters to break their restraints and fight freely. This cliched story follows the guidelines for a troubled romance and ending slavery. It is also strange how the characters always knew when something terrible was about to happen. The ending did come as a surprise. The story begins as an action heavy film. This hurts the story in that the characters are not allowed any opportunity to develop. Fortunately, this film keeps fairly close to its accuracies. The story follows the accounts of Pliny the Younger. The depiction of the eruption was mostly accurate with some hollywood magic added to make it more thrilling. The effects for the volcano were very well done. It gave the film a devastating backdrop. In many ways the volcano overpowered its performers. The layout of the city was as accurate as it could possibly be. The only unhistorical aspect is the society within which the characters reside. This can be overlook since it was done to apply to a more modern audience. The fighting was enjoyable to watch. Although the characters always seemed to have the ability for summoning swords. Kit Harington played the role of Milo. He recreated a vaguely familiar character with new aspirations. More could have been used to offer the character more depth. Emily Browning played the role of Cassia. She played a highly cliched rich and rebellious teenage girl who falls in love. There was nothing to make her stand apart from the rest of the cast. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje played the role of Atticus. Even though he sounded like a broken record, he was a good character to watch on screen. Kiefer Sutherland played the role of Corvus. He went for the obvious malicious politician who gets everything he wants. His character decides that a grudge is more important than surviving the disaster happening around him.

I give this film 3 out of 5 stars! This big budget film has great special effects, and great fighting sequences. However, the characters remain to stagnate and too cliched.

Answer to last blog: Actor Nate Parker, Arbitrage, starred in the film Red Tails.

Que: What other film did actor Kit Harington star in?

Silent Hill: Revelation

Paranormal Activity 4

Silent Hill

Paranormal Activity

Arbitrage

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Robert Miller is a hedge fund magnate facing a troubling business negotiation that could expose his fraudulent practices. During this time, he gets into an accident that kills his mistress. In desperation, he turns to an unexpected person for help. He then struggles to cover his mistakes and avoid prosecution.

This film was directed and written by Nicholas Jarecki. This was the director's breakout film. The story is very heavily character driven. It goes so far as to become a study of a high profile business man. It shows the image he presents to the world, the image he shows to other businessmen, the image he shows to his friends, and the image he shows to his family. The story of this film also makes a statement about what power and money not only does to people, but how it affects the world. There is a subplot and a main plot. The main plot is about Robert Miller attempting to outwit the police investigators with his wealth and knowledge. The subplot follows the business dealings. At the heart of it all is the story about how this all affects the family. There is also a lot of subtext about living in different economy levels. All those plot come together to create a surprising ending. There is a lot of business talk, but that does not over shadow the film. The imaging for the film look great on screen. It often offered a hidden insight to the characters. Richard Gere played the role of Robert Miller. It was largely impressive to watch him carry this film. He created the likable hated character with ease. Nate Parker played the role of Jimmy Grant. He created the perfect image of a heartfelt character. Tim Roth played the role of detective Michael Bryer. It was easy to see his character's desperation. His character was to spiteful to be liked as a good man.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars! It is a great film that expresses a familiar opinion. The acting is what drives this film to its success. 

Answer to last blog: Director Christopher Landon, Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones, did not write the story/script for Paranormal Activity.

Que: What other film did actor Nate Parker star in?

Red Tails

Zero Dark Thirty

Argo

Inglorious Basterds

Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones

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This is the fifth installment to the Paranormal Activity franchise, and also acts as a spin-off. Hector Estrella frequently visits his friend, Jesse Arista who lives in an apartment building in California. An unusual tenant lives just below them. After graduation, Jesse begins developing abilities. They start as friendly jokes, but soon turn deadly. 

This film was directed by Christopher Landon. This film takes an overused franchise and tries to give it a 'fresh' start. Sadly, this film does not stand out enough to be a great fresh start. This film does pay plenty of homages to the previous films. This film does have some good general scares, but does not come close to the original. There is a major change of setting and of the people used for these types of films. There is a feeling that something is beyond what is seen is happening during this film. This change offers a new perspective that has not been seen before. It also presents a new image for religious beliefs. There is also more humor used than before, which makes the film more fun than scary. I did enjoy the use of the poor man's Ouija board. There are some creepy scares, but nothing that makes you jump out of your seat. It is strange that there are more special effects used for this film. It is odd that his film started without them, and increasingly uses them with each new film. There is also an overuse of the demon roaring than should have been. There also isn't that much gore in the film. Jorge Diaz played the role of Hector Estrella. He played a familiar role of a best friend. He showed the fear of this situation. Andrew Jacobs played the role of Jesse Arista. He actually brought a new image to someone becoming possessed. It might have been more comical, but it was effective.

I give this film 3 out of 5 stars! It is a good general supernatural horror film, but it fails to make its originality stand out.

Answer to last blog: Director Doug Liman, Edge of Tomorrow, directed the film The Bourne Identity.

Que: Which Paranormal Activity film did director Christopher Landon not write?

Paranormal Activity 2

Paranormal Activity

Paranormal Activity 3

Paranormal Activity 4

Edge of Tomorrow

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This film is based on the light novel All You Need Is Kill written by Hiroshi Sakurazaka. Major William Cage is an officer who has never seen combat, because he is the main spokesman for the exoskeleton suits (Jackets). In need of soldiers, he finds himself being sent to Heathrow Airport where he has to prepare himself for front lines combat. During his first day of combat he gains the ability to relive the previous day. Major Cage begins training to help Sergeant Rita Vrataski defeat the enemy.

This film was directed by Doug Liman. First off the title of this film is not Live, die, repeat. It only seems to be since we hear it more than the actual title. This film takes a familiar premise, a day relived with an end goal, and plays with the format a little. It does keep a familiar idea in that the fate of the world rests on one man and that if done right everything would end in a nice little package. But, this story does generate some playful comedy to take away from its tedious nature. It also adds an emotional depth in its desperation. Luckily the two emotions balance each other. Since the story is constantly changing by going further into the days it does not become encumbered by repeating the same sequences. This allowed the two main characters to evolve and build on their relationship. However, there might be a little too much of an evolution for Rita's character. It becomes really hard to believe that she isn't going through the same dilemma as Cage. The ending was obviously made to be an ironic happy ending that works for the film. There were some unanswered technical questions about the ability, but it didn't hurt the film. There is a segment, or two, where the action is unnecessarily added for the sake of action. Apart from that, the action was great to watch. The alien designs were well done, but their movements reminded a little too much of the aliens from The Darkest Hour. Tom Cruise played the role of Major William Cage. For a change, it was nice to see him start as the badass soldier. He did great in creating a more emotionally driven character trying to survive. Emily Blunt played the role of Rita Vrataski. She was great working alongside Cruise. Her emotions were easily read through her physical expressions.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars! It is a great action and science fiction film. Its use of comedy and uplifting emotional makes it work.

Answer to last blog: Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillet, Devil's Due, worked together on the film V/H/S.

Que: Which film did director Doug Liman direct?

The Bourne Legacy
The Bourne Supremacy
The Bourne Ultimatum
The Bourne Identity

Devil's Due

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Samantha and Zach McCall are newlyweds going on their honeymoon in the Dominican Republic. They are taken to an underground club where they forget the remainder of the evening. After returning home, they receive a very unexpected pregnancy. However, this pregnancy is more than expected.

This film was directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillet. This film again uses handheld cameras to tell its story. This has become a very common theme among supernatural horror related films. But, this found footage is different than other films. It is a compilation of footages that constantly shifts point of views to tell its story. But, there is a strong question of who complied this footage. It also does not start with the usual 'inspired by true events'; which is a nice change. The story itself is so un-original that it feels like re-watching Rosemary's Baby in the style of Paranormal Activity (or perhaps a sequel). But, this film in a way does tweak it a little in that this baby is only one of many 'antichrists' yet to come. This also leaves it very open for sequel films. The story that revolves around its two central characters is good because it is easy to feel sympathy for them. However, these character have become way to familiar for these types of films. The handheld cameras do hurt the film, like with other films, in that the horror is never really seen. It is only ever hinted at. This type of filmmaking can be done well, but it is a major challenge. There is a very bloody ending in this film, but there are no real scares. The few special effects used were great on screen. Zach Gilford played the role of Zach McCall. He was the typical husband caught up in the turmoil. There wasn't much pull for this character. Allison Miller played the role of Samantha McCall. She was good in her role, but there was no real character to her. 

I give this film 2 out of 5 stars! There was plenty to build off, and it had gore for the horror fans. However, there was nothing new to it. There also was nothing to the simple story and its characters.

Answer to last blog: Director Adam Wingard, You're Next, directed the film V/H/S.

Que: What film did directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyley Gillet work on together?

Amour

V/H/S

The Master
Snow White and the Huntsman

You're Next

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Erin joins her boyfriend, Crispian, for his parents wedding anniversary, so that she can meet the rest of his family. During dinner, the family gets attacked by three masked men. Erin uses her survival skills to try to protect the family and survive.

This film was directed by Adam Wingard. This film follows the basic premise of a blood drenched slasher without including teenagers. The story follows a highly dysfunctional family as they attempt to survive the night. The film's characters are fairly obvious, making the plot twist too expected. But, it does lead to a great violent ending. Since this film keeps so to the parameters of horror, it is an unoriginal presentation. The moments of very dark humor amend for it. There is also plenty of blood covered walls to amend for it as well. What does make this film unique is that the heroine is not an innocent victim. She not only has intelligence, but knows survival techniques. There is also a surprise in that the killers don't remain the silent masked terrors that they start as. They even get an opportunity to show parts of their faces on screen. Sharni Vinson played the role of Erin. She did great changing the all too familiar role into something new. Nicholas Tucci played the role of Felix. He was good opposing Sharni on screen. Even though his character was meant to be darker he still came off as too weak. Wendy Glenn played the role of Zee. She was good on screen, but her character was only given a limited amount of personality. AJ Bowen played the role of Crispian. He was good for the limited time on screen. L.C. Holt, Simon Barrett, and Lane Hughes played the roles of Lamb Mask, Tiger Mask, and Fox Mask. They did great as the primary killers for the film. 

I give this film 3 out of 5 stars! It is a good basic slasher film, but it is highly unoriginal. There is plenty of blood and some dark humor to carry the film.

Answer to last blog: The animated film Sleeping Beauty was released in 1959.

Que: What other horror film has director Adam Wingard directed?

The Pact

V/H/S

Piranha 3D

Smiley