Review: Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012)

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A sequel of sorts to Journey To The Center Of The Earth, albeit with only one returning character (Josh Hutcherson as young explorer Sean Anderson), Journey 2: The Mysterious Island is breezy fare at best, neither offensive nor game-changing.

When Sean decodes a signal sent by his missing grandfather, Alexander (Michael Caine), he recruits his mum’s new boyfriend, Hank (Dwayne Johnson), to accompany him on an adventure. Enlisting Gabata (Luis Guzmán) and his Continue reading “Review: Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012)” →

Review: Young Adult (2011)

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In recent years, American comedies have lost their way. Instead of eliciting engaging, prickly characters that resonate, Hollywood has become stuck in a rut, churning out bland, tedious and sex-obsessed comedies that offer little or no substance (think Bad Teacher and The Hangover Part II). Diablo Cody, in her third feature as screenwriter, subverts this new-fangled tradition with Young Adult, a film that ventures deep into the relatable shadow of human behaviour to pitch-perfect avail.

Mavis Gary (Charlize Theron), an egotistical and reprehensible ghost writer of an ever-diminishing young adult series, has hit a road block in her life. Disillusioned Continue reading “Review: Young Adult (2011)” →

Review: Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011)

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Since its conception in 1981, Sundance has been the launchpad for many of the best independent films. Luckily for Sean Durkin, writer and director of last year’s festival stand-out Martha Marcy May Marlene, he found himself in pole position when his psychological thriller about one woman’s escape from a commune became the talk of Salt Lake City.

Told through parallel, non-linear narratives that represent its central character’s rapidly deteriorating mindset, Martha Marcy May Marlene tells of Continue reading “Review: Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011)” →

Film Blogging: Some Personal Thoughts

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As touched upon in previous posts, film blogging is something that has always confounded me. Though as excellent way of showcasing my love of film for my own and various other websites that I contribute to, I can’t help but feel I’ve been sidetracked by the dream of becoming a full-fledged film critic and left all semblance of passion and individuality behind.

I can’t deny that it’s nice to be appreciated for what I do. The fact I’ve been invited to premieres, press screenings, film festivals and interviewed one or two Continue reading “Film Blogging: Some Personal Thoughts” →

Blast From The Past #2 – Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

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Upon its release seven year’s ago, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang drew wild acclaim from critics and audiences alike, but disappointingly failed to set the box office on fire and faded away quicker than some of the dumbest films around (think Transformers or Cowboys & Aliens, both of which struck the box office jackpot despite critical revilement). Since then, it’s picked up some momentum and found cult status on DVD and Blu-ray, with many admirers, like myself, wondering why this phenomenon of a film failed to catch on in the first place.

Loosely based on Brett Halliday’s Bodies Are Where You Find Them (part of the long-lived series of Michael Shayne novels), the screenplay from Shane Black – Continue reading “Blast From The Past #2 – Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)” →

Cinema Profile: Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA)

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Dundee Contemporary Arts, DCA for short, is Dundee’s leading multi-purpose arts venue. Located in the heart of the city, avoiding competition from the two multiplexes (Cineworld and Odeon) set up at either end of the city’s Kingsway bypass, DCA comprises of an exhibition gallery, print studio, restaurant and relaxing cafe/bar area. What makes DCA so special, though, is its two-screen cinema.

Dedicated to showcasing a mix of films, from old to new and blockbusters to independent features, DCA do what they do with passion, determination and a Continue reading “Cinema Profile: Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA)” →

Review: The Descendants (2011)

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Best known for writing and directing films featuring strong yet confounded male figures embarking upon life-changing journeys – think Jack Nicholson’s retired soul-searcher in About Schmidt, or Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church’s middle-aged hopeless romantics in Sideways – Alexander Payne makes a long awaited return with family drama The Descendants, admiringly carrying on that theme.

Here, George Clooney plays Matt King, an established Hawaiian land baron. After his wife (Patricia Hastie) suffers a horrific water-skiing accident, he’s forced Continue reading “Review: The Descendants (2011)” →

Academy Awards 2012: Nominations

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The nominations for the 84th Academy Awards were announced earlier today by Academy president Tom Sherak and Winter’s Bone actress, and previous Best Actress nominee, Jennifer Lawrence.

Leading the way is Hugo with eleven nominations, closely followed by The Artist, which nabbed an equally impressive ten.

As well as the aforementioned two, Moneyball, Midnight In Paris, The Help, Continue reading “Academy Awards 2012: Nominations” →

DVD Releases: January 23, 2011

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The Change-Up (Review)

Director: David Dobkin

Starring: Jason Bateman, Ryan Reynolds & Olivia Wilde

Dave is a married man with two kids and a loving wife , and Mitch is a single man who is at the prime of his sexual life. One fateful night while Mitch and Dave are peeing in a fountain when lightning strikes and they switch bodies. Continue reading “DVD Releases: January 23, 2011” →

Like Crazy: The Low-Budget Murmur

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It’s always been known that the films developed for Hollywood – those with million dollar marketing campaigns and bankable stars – have a better chance of succeeding than the smaller projects that aim to showcase rising talent.

For an independent film to survive, it requires positive hype, and as much as it can garner. This is where film festivals such as Sundance and South By Southwest shine. Independent films are able to play to small, mainly critic-led crowds, attract some hype and potentially come away with several multi-million dollar Continue reading “Like Crazy: The Low-Budget Murmur” →