Film Review: HEREAFTER (2010)

Director: Clint Eastwood
Writer: Peter Morgan
Running time: 123 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Drama/Fantasy
UK Release date: 28^th January 2011

Watched on Sky+ Saturday 7^th January 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

This film wasn’t very well received by the critics and hence suffered a little at the box office. That’s quite sad because I found it quite touching and heart-warming and I believe it deserved better. Yes, I know I’m a fan of Clint Eastwood’s work, but even so, I must admit to quite liking this one. It’s a little disjointed at times and I can see how some might struggle with certain sections of the film having subtitles, but over all I found it not as bad as everyone has made out. More of my thoughts after this brief summary.

The stories of three people are brought together in London (England), but we begin far from there. A French TV reporter, Marie Lelay, is on holiday when she is caught up in a tsunami. She is dragged under the water and it is here that she undergoes what would be described as a ‘near-death experience’. This has a dramatic effect on her life and she feels compelled to write a book about it. Meanwhile in San Francisco a former psychic, George Lonegan, does a reading for a client of his brothers’ as a favour. He really does not want to do it because he feels that this ‘gift’ doesn’t allow him to have a normal life. Later, after a burgeoning romance doesn’t work out because of it he decides to take a trip. In London twin brothers Marcus and Jason are separated when one of them is killed in an accident. The remaining one, missing his brother, tries all sorts to contact him, but there’s only one man in the world who might be able to help him. George’s trip takes him to London and Marie’s publisher wants her there for a book show. All three are going to meet, but what will happen when they do? I’ve probably already said too much and the Spoiler Police will be haunting me(again).

Very well made with some excellent CGI in the opening sequence. Eastwood has a very deliberate style and I really like the way his films look and feel. Great performances all round, particularly from Matt Damon as George Lonegan, a tough part that he played really well. Cécile De France also did a great job as Marie Lelay; most of her part was in French so it was a little difficulty to judge, but she was convincing enough. The twins; Frankie McLaren and George McLaren who played both Marcus and Jason did a fine job; as child actors I thought they coped really well. Honourable mentions must also go to; Jay Mohr as Billy, Thierry Neuvic as Didier, Lyndsey Marshal as Jackie, Bryce Dallas Howard as Melanie and Richard Kind as Christos.

As you can see from my synopsis it’s quite a complicated plot with several threads that have to be pulled together. As I said at the beginning, one of these threads is predominantly spoken in French which I could see putting may off. Even so, I’ve seen enough foreign language films to be able to cope pretty well with that. Many may have also been put off by Eastwood’s slow, deliberate pacing, but I thought it was fine; it give the audience time to adsorb what’s going on. The subject matter is also quite contentious, but, again, no problem for me, I just saw it as a story about a man struggling with his ‘gift’. Over all, I feel this film has been poorly treated by the critics and is woefully underrated… for me, Recommended.

My score: 7.5/10

IMDb Score: 6.6/10 (based on 38,966 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1212419/

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 46/100 (based on 211 reviews counted at the time of going to press).
Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 40/100 (based on 62,077 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hereafter/

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http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Dr. Rousseau: You know, as a scientist and atheist my mind was closed to such things. Oh, absolutely. Afterlife, near-death experiences Like everyone else, I thought people saw bright lights, Eden-like gardens and so forth because they were culturally conditioned to do so. But after 25 years in a hospice working with people, many of whom were pronounced dead but then miraculously survived. The account of what they actually experienced were so strikingly similar it couldn't just be coincidence. And add to that the fact that when they had these experiences they were almost all unconscious, a state in which my enemies agree the brain cannot create fresh images.
Marie Lelay: So you think I really did experience something?
Dr. Rousseau: Oh, yes. I think you experienced death.

Billy: [about George] He said, "A life that's all about death is no life at all."

George Lonegan: Sometimes, I mean you know, knowing everything about someone, it seems nice, but really, maybe it's better to hold stuff back.

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Site: http://hereafter.warnerbros.com/dvd/
Trailer:

Film Review: A LIFE LESS ORDINARY (1997)

Director: Danny Boyle
Writer: John Hodge
Running time: 103 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Comedy/Romance/Drama
UK Release date: 24^th October 1997

Watched on Sky+ Thursday 5^th January 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I have to admit that for some time now I have been a bit of a fan of the work of Danny Boyle. As such, I’m made it a bit of a mission to take a look at as much of his back catalogue as I can whenever they are shown on TV. So this is how I came to watch this one. I have to say it’s not the best film I’ve seen associated with his name, but it’s passable. More of my thoughts after this very brief summary.

We start in heaven (where else), where two angels, O'Reilly and Jackson, are given their last chance to, let’s say, facilitate a couple falling in love. It’s a tough case; two people from very different backgrounds. First there’s Robert Lewis who’s a cleaner (& a writer in his spare time) who has just lost his job and been dumped by his girlfriend. Then there’s Celine Naville a rich socialite whose father wants her to go to work for him. They are thrown together when Robert goes to see Celine’s father to demand his job back and things go slightly wrong. He ends up kidnapping Celine and taking her to a cabin in the wilderness. He really doesn’t have a clue and Celine ends up taking the lead; deciding she may as well try to get some money out of her father. Meanwhile, O’Reilly and Jackson are hired by Celine’s father to find them. As you can see, it’s getting a bit complicated already and we’re only part-way through! I’ll leave it there though or the Spoiler Police (confusing plots division) will have me kidnapped in amusing circumstances (again).

A well made film that has the beginnings many of the hallmarks of Boyle’s latter works. Some interesting ideas thrown in, some that worked and some that didn’t, but then I see it as a bit of a stepping stone for Boyle. Nice performances all round; Ewan McGregor did a decent job as Robert Lewis, although his haircut is pretty bizarre! Cameron Diaz did a great job as Celine; it’s the kind of role she’s pretty comfortable in. I thought both Holly Hunter as O’Reilly and Delroy Lindo as Jackson were excellent. Honourable mentions must also go to; Ian McNeice as Mayhew, Frank Kanig as Ted, Stanley Tucci as Elliot Zweikel, Tony Shalhoub as Al and Ian Holm as Naville (Celine’s father).

Although I’m a fan of Danny Boyle’s work, I’m afraid this one failed to hit the mark (for me). I found the plot far too over-complicated, almost like they were trying to fit far too many ideas in all at once. To me it would have been much more interesting to see the story from the point of view of O’Reilly and Jackson, but then I guess I’m not a screenwriter (yet). Yes, there were some nice touches, for instance, I loved the song and dance routine in the bar; very funny. Over all though, it’s one I’ll have to sit on the fence as far as recommendation goes; it’s kind of in the middle there somewhere.

My score: 5.7/10

IMDb Score: 6.3/10 (based on 20,915 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0119535/

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 39/100 (based on 36 reviews counted at the time of going to press).
Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 56/100 (based on 52,726 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/life_less_ordinary/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Celine: Remember what they didn't teach you at Harvard Business School.
Robert: I didn't go to Harvard Business School!
Celine: That's a figure of speech, Robert.

Celine: If word got around that I had been liberated for half a million dollars, I could never show my face in polite society again. Diamonds have no value except that which is placed upon them.

Tod: Do you think that I'd talk to a dog? Do you think I'd ask a dog whether you're good or evil? What do you think I am? Some kind of crazy backwoods lunatic with a barn full of human skulls and a scythe that I sharpen every day in readiness for Armageddon?
Robert: No, no, not at all, I'm sure you're just a regular kind of guy.
Tod: Right, I'm regular, I am a regular man. I want... but that's not the point! The point is, who are YOU? WHO ARE YOU?

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Trailer:

Film Review: POINT BREAK (1991)

Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Writers: Rick King (Story) & W. Peter Iliff (Story/Screenplay)
Running time: 120 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Action/Crime/Thriller
UK Release date: 22^nd November 1991

Watched on Sky+ Wednesday 4^th January 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Another film I’ve seen a few times before but one that never really stuck in the memory banks. Time for a refresher? You betcha! Another one shown on TV and so it was a case of set the recorder and await a suitable window for a viewing. As you can probably guess, that window opened up this evening (despite the best efforts of the weather and the gods of sod’s law to prevent it!). I must say, for the most part I enjoyed it, although I did find it tended to drag a bit towards the end. More of my thoughts after this brief summary.

Rookie FBI agent Johnny Utah gets assigned to investigate bank robberies in California with veteran, Pappas. Their boss, Ben Harp, is less than impressed with the pair but assigns them to the ‘Ex-Presidents’ case. A series of robberies where the perpetrators all wear rubber masks with the faces of ex-Presidents of the United States. Pappas has a theory that the men behind it are surfers and so Utah goes undercover in an effort to find them. He first meets Tyler, a girl, who teaches him to surf and eventually becomes his girlfriend. She introduces him to the surfing culture and a group of her friends led by the charismatic adrenaline junkie, Bodhi. Utah comes to respect Bodhi while constantly on the look-out for the ex-presidents. When one line of enquiry fails to pay off he begins to come to a realisation… I will leave it there or the Spoiler Police (Surfing Division) will confiscate my board (again).

The cinematography in this film is great! Not just the surfing scenes; there’s skydiving and a great chase sequence around the back yards of some houses that I really enjoyed. The performances were all good, although I did still see Keanu Reeves, who plays Johnny Utah, as his character in the ‘Bill and Ted’ films from his younger days. If he had been a couple of years older then I think he may have been a little more believable. Patrick Swayze, on the other hand, as Bodhi, was perfect for the part (IMO). Honourable mentions must also go to; Gary Busey, larger than life (as ever) as Pappas, Lori Petty as Tyler and John C. McGinley as Ben Harp.

I like the plot of this film, but it does take a little time to get going at the beginning and, as I’ve already mentioned, it does seem to drag a bit at the end. I do like the way all the main characters are well rounded and we get to know a little about their back stories. This does help when we are supposed to care about them. Over all, I pretty much enjoyed this one and I’m quite happy to deem it recommended.

My score: 7.4/10

IMDb Score: 6.9/10 (based on 48,620 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0102685/

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 67/100 (based on 52 reviews counted at the time of going to press).
Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 47/100 (based on 114,764 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/point_break/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
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FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Pappas: 22 years. Man, L.A. has changed a lot during that time. The air got dirty and the sex got clean.

Ben Harp: Special agent Utah! This is not some job, flipping burgers at the local drive-in! Yes! - your surf board bothers me! Yes! - your approach to this whole damn case bothers me! And yes! - YOU BOTHER ME! And Pappas! Oh, for the love of Christ. How the hell did I even let you talk me into this whole bone-headed idea to begin with.
Pappas: Harp! We are working under-cover. It takes time. We've produced a few...
Ben Harp: NO! No no no no no no NO! Let me tell you what you've produced... Over the last two weeks, you two have produced exactly squat! SQUAT! During which time the ex-presidents have robbed two more banks. Now for Christ's sake, does either one of you have anything even remotely interesting to tell me?
[brief pause]
Johnny Utah: I caught my first tube today... Sir.

Pappas: ...last time you had a feeling I had to kill a guy, and I hate that... It looks bad on my report.

Nathanial: Lawyers don't surf.
Bodhi: This one does.

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Trailer:

Film Review: CASABLANCA (1942)

Director: Michael Curtiz
Writers (Screenplay): Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein & Howard Koch
Writers (play “Everybody Comes to Rick’s”): Murray Burnett & Joan Alison
Running time: 102 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): U

Genre: Drama/Romance/War
USA Release date: 23^rd January 1943

Watched on Sky+ Tuesday 3^rd January 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

This is a film I’ve seen many times before but this is the first time I’ve actually sat down and ‘watched’ it. I must say I was surprised at just how good it was. Before, there had always been distractions, but today I watched it right through and I must say I was very impressed. It’s the kind of film my parents would watch and so it never featured very high on my radar. But when I got into watching films more seriously this was always one of those that had a lot of critical acclaim and so I added it to ‘The List’. It finally lands on TV and I had a chance to see it tonight… Truly excellent! I will explain what I mean by that after this very brief summary.

At the beginning of World War II many people tried to get out of Europe and one of the preferred routes was via Casablanca to Lisbon and then on to America. Consequently there were many refugees stranded in Casablanca falling prey to corrupt officials and other less savoury characters. Bar owner Rick Blaine wants nothing to do with all this business, in fact he doesn’t even like people talking politics in his place. But when certain travel documents fall into his possession he finds it hard to remain neutral. Particularly when an ex-lover, Ilsa Lund, appears on the scene with her husband Victor Laszlo. Throw in a corrupt, but charismatic, French Police official, Captain Louis Renault, a German, Major Heinrich Strasser who is bent on arresting Victor Laszlo and, of course, Rick’s piano player, Sam, and you’ve got the makings of a really great film. I won’t say any more or the Spoiler Police (Classics Division) will have me in a concentration camp (again).

You would have thought a film made in black and white and shot in a 4:3 aspect ratio would be really hard to watch. I’m here to tell you it’s one of the easiest films to watch I’ve seen it quite a while. All the action is concentrated in the middle of the screen; every shot is set up that way. I guess it helps that it is based on a stage play in that respect. Performance wise, well I cannot fault anyone, but I must give special praise to both Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine and Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa Lund, both were truly excellent! Honourable mentions must also go to; Paul Henreid as Victor Laszlo, Claude Rains as Captain Louis Renault, Conrad Veidt as Major Heinrich Strasser, Sydney Greenstreet as Signor Ferrari and Peter Lorre as Ugarte.

I’m not usually all the big on love stories but in this case I will make an exception. I think it’s the quality of the performances that really makes this work as well as it does. There is a lot of political intrigue in there too. If you remember that at the time it was being made America had not joined the war in Europe and so what it says politically is pretty important too. But getting away from the politics of the thing, I found this film totally engaging all the way through with characters you could believe in and a great script. I said it at the beginning and I’ll say it again… Truly excellent and VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

My score: 9.7/10

IMDb Score: 8.7/10 (based on 204,219 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0034583/

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 97/100 (based on 59 reviews counted at the time of going to press).
Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 94/100 (based on 319,465 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1003707-casablanca/

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FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Rick: Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine.

Rick: You know what I want to hear.
Sam: [lying] No, I don't.
Rick: You played it for her, you can play it for me!
Sam: [lying] Well, I don't think I can remember...
Rick: If she can stand it, I can! Play it!

*** [SPOILER ALERT!] ***
Rick: Last night we said a great many things. You said I was to do the thinking for both of us. Well, I've done a lot of it since then, and it all adds up to one thing: you're getting on that plane with Victor where you belong.
Ilsa: But, Richard, no, I... I...
Rick: Now, you've got to listen to me! You have any idea what you'd have to look forward to if you stayed here? Nine chances out of ten, we'd both wind up in a concentration camp. Isn't that true, Louie?
Captain Renault: I'm afraid Major Strasser would insist.
Ilsa: You're saying this only to make me go.
Rick: I'm saying it because it's true. Inside of us, we both know you belong with Victor. You're part of his work, the thing that keeps him going. If that plane leaves the ground and you're not with him, you'll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life.
Ilsa: But what about us?
Rick: We'll always have Paris. We didn't have, we, we lost it until you came to Casablanca. We got it back last night.
Ilsa: When I said I would never leave you.
Rick: And you never will. But I've got a job to do, too. Where I'm going, you can't follow. What I've got to do, you can't be any part of. Ilsa, I'm no good at being noble, but it doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Someday you'll understand that.
[Ilsa lowers her head and begins to cry]
Rick: Now, now...
[Rick gently places his hand under her chin and raises it so their eyes meet]
Rick: Here's looking at you kid.

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Trailer:

Film Review: CONVICTION (2010)

Director: Tony Goldwyn
Writer: Pamela Gray
Running time: 107 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Biography/Drama
UK Release date: 14^th January 2011

Watched on Sky+ Monday 2^nd January 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I knew very little about this film before seeing it, in fact I almost gave it a pass as I knew nothing of the case it’s about either. No surprise there really, I don’t think it even featured in news bulletins here in the UK. Needless to say, it’s based on a true story; a powerful drama about a sister who refuses to believe her brother is guilty of murder. I’ll give you my thoughts after this brief summary.

When Kenny Waters is charged with the brutal murder of a woman in 1982 the evidence, plus testimonies from the police and two of his former lovers, are enough to convict him. His sister, Betty Anne Waters, refuses to believe his guilt and sacrifices her marriage and a big chunk of her life to go to law school so she can prove it. There she is befriended by fellow student, Abra Rice, who supports her in her crusade. She eventually passes the bar exam and, as a qualified lawyer, is free to find the evidence that might clear her brother. By now many years have passed and DNA evidence is now permissible in court, but how to locate the original evidence and also get the witnesses to tell the truth? Well, I’ll leave you with that burning question or the Spoiler Police will be fabricating evidence against me (again).

Quite well made with some flashback sequences that (for me) didn’t really work. They seemed to be thrown in at random and only served to break up the flow of the storyline rather than enhance it I’m afraid. Very powerful performances from both Hilary Swank as Betty Anne Waters and Sam Rockwell as Kenny Waters. Honourable mentions must also go to; Minnie Driver as Abra Rice, Melissa Leo as Nancy Taylor, Juliette Lewis as Roseanna Perry and Peter Gallagher as Barry Scheck.

Although it’s quite an inspirational story I’m afraid I found it hard to warm to any of the characters, particularly that of Kenny Waters. I agree that he did not deserve to go to jail, but I didn’t find much sympathy for him; particularly when he’s shown beating a guy up for suggesting that a bar is maybe not the best place to bring his baby daughter. Of course it’s alright in the end because he offers to buy the guy a drink! There is obviously a very strong bond between brother and sister forged from them being brought up in foster homes. I know some will draw great inspiration from this film, but for me, sadly, I didn’t enjoy it all that much. I will still deem it recommend though, but mainly for the performances.

My score: 6.6/10

IMDb Score: 7.1/10 (based on 14,849 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1244754/

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 68/100 (based on 174 reviews counted at the time of going to press).
Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 71/100 (based on 30,138 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/conviction_2010/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Kenny Waters: [after seeing the media people and the police surrounding him] What the fuck?
Nancy Taylor: Kenneth Waters? You're under arrest for the murder of Katharina Brow.
Kenny Waters: Are you out of your fucking mind? You let me off two years ago!
Nancy Taylor: We've got you now.

Betty Anne Waters: I don't deserve a friend like you.
Abra Rice: You damn right, you don't!

Nancy Taylor: I'm sorry you wasted your life on this. Your brother killed that woman.

Betty Anne Waters: You are innocent!
Kenny Waters: Are you sure about that?
Betty Anne Waters: [crying] How can you ask me that? How can you ask me that?

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press).
Official Site: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/conviction/
Trailer:

Film Review: MONSTERS (2010)

Writer/Director: Gareth Edwards
Running time: 90 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12A

Genre: Drama/Sci-fi/Thriller
UK Release date: 3^rd December 2010

Watched on DVD Sunday 1^st January 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Before I begin I want to get one thing straight… This film is NOT an action blockbuster that’s all guns and special effects, it’s a very low budget movie about people… and there might be the occasional extra terrestrial in there too. If you’ve got to here and you’re still reading then I guess you’re still interested. It’s basically the story of a journey through an area in Mexico known as the ‘Infected Zone’ as it is inhabited by creatures from outer space. I will give you my thoughts after this brief summary.

Set in the not too distant future where alien life has been discovered, in fact the filmmakers tell it better than I could:

Title Card: Six years ago... NASA discovered the possibility of alien life within our solar system. A space probe was launched to collect samples but broke up during re-entry over Mexico. Soon after new life forms began to appear and half of the country was quarantined as an INFECTED ZONE. Today... The Mexican & US military still struggle to contain 'the creatures'...

When photographer, Andrew Kaulder, is on assignment in Mexico he is called up by his editor and told to get the boss’s daughter, Samantha Wynden to safety. They catch a train to the coast and, after a bit of a fragmented journey they arrive to find the port about to close. Kaulder manages to have their passports stolen leaving them with only one option, to travel overland across the Infected Zone. This is a very dangerous journey and one that will change their lives. They are escorted by various locals who know the terrain and the creatures well, but even they can fall prey to them occasionally. When they finally reach the border, a massive wall, they don’t quite get the reception they were expecting. I will leave it there or the Spoiler Police (Monsters Division) will be leaving me in the jungle again.

Although it had a very small budget, the film is very well made with some great special effects. Because of the budget, the effects are used sparingly, but with excellent results. The film relies heavily on the two leading characters, and both Scoot McNairy as Andrew Kaulder and Whitney Able as Samantha Wynden did an excellent job.

Although it has quite a slow, deliberate, pace I quite enjoyed this film. The storyline is more about the two main characters and the effect this journey has on them than anything else, but even so, I did find it interesting. There are enough glimpses and hints of the monsters to hold the attention. The effects did remind me slightly of the 2007 film, The Mist, which also featured glimpses of creatures hidden in a mysterious mist. At 90 minutes I found it to be just the right length; any longer and I might have got bored. Over all though I did enjoy this film, there was enough to hold the attention, great effects on a tight budget and the right length… Recommended (for those that don’t expect an action blockbuster).

My Score: 7.1/10.

IMDb Score: 6.4/10 (based on 31,290 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1470827/

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 71/100 (based on 141 reviews counted at the time of going to press).
Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 49/100 (based on 34,072 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/monsters-2010/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Samantha Wynden: Doesn't that kind of bother you, that you need something bad to happen to profit from it?
Andrew Kaulder: You mean, like a doctor?

Andrew Kaulder: I'm going to be a meteorologist, because it's the only job where I can be wrong every day, and not get fired.

[last lines]
Samantha Wynden: I don't want to go home.

LINKS:
Official Site (UK): http://www.monstersthemovie.com/
Official Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/monstersthefilm
Trailer:

Film Review: SANCTUM (2011)

Co-Writer/Director: Alister Grierson
Writers: Andrew Wight (Story/Screenplay) & John Garvin (Screenplay)
Running time: 108 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Action/Adventure/Drama
UK Release date: 4^th February 2011

Watched on Sky+ Sunday 1^st January 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Having been produced by James Cameron and being the first release with his name attached after Avatar (2009), this film gained a lot of notoriety on release. Not least, I suspect, because it hit the screens in 3D. It wasn’t all that well received as I recall, but I thought I’d give it a viewing anyway… in the proper number of dimensions (2D) by the way. I’m sorry to say the critics were right; like many films of its type, it relies far too much on sensationalism and big effects to have any emotional impact on the audience. I will give you more of my thoughts after this brief summary.

A group of cavers led by veteran Frank are exploring an extensive cave system when they are trapped by a storm. Frank’s son, Josh, the expedition’s financer, Carl, his girlfriend, Victoria and a character known as Crazy George find their only way out is to follow the river to the sea. This unexplored route will involve a lot of cave diving, one of the most dangerous sports in the world, but they have no option. The caves are filling up with water from the storm fast and they must find a way out quickly. Can they make it to safety, or will they succumb to the caves? Well, I can’t tell you here or the Spoiler Police will be cutting the rope that’s holding be above the abyss below.

Very well made with some excellent action sequences; I particularly liked the underwater photography. The music, by David Hirschfelder, was also pretty good. As far as performances go, well, everybody did a competent enough job despite a pretty dire script (IMO). So honourable mentions must go to; Richard Roxburgh as Frank, Ioan Gruffudd as Carl, Rhys Wakefield as Josh, Alice Parkinson as Victoria and Dan Wyllie as Crazy George.

Whilst watching this film I was put very much in mind of the 2000 release, Vertical Limit, another one that just failed to hit the mark (IMO). I think the problem is that none of the characters had any emotional depth and as such I found it quite hard to care much about them at all. Consequently, when they are in peril, which happens quite a lot as you can imagine, it loses a lot of the impact it might have had otherwise. Don’t get me wrong, the mechanics are all there and it’s all expertly filmed, but I still didn’t have the emotional connection I thought I should have. And so in conclusion, it’s technically excellent but lacking the depth a story like this should have… Sadly; not recommended.

My score: 6.0/10

IMDb Score: 5.7/10 (based on 20,361 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0881320/

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 30/100 (based on 157 reviews counted at the time of going to press).
Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 39/100 (based on 34,513 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sanctum/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Dex: [about Victoria's skills in mocking Russian accent] She's strong like bull, smart like tractor.

Dex: Josh is his own man. He doesn't take after his dad much.
Josh: What, you mean I'm not an emotional shutdown Nazi asshole?

Carl: [Talking about Frank] His ass is so tight that only dogs can hear him when he farts.

Victoria: [rejecting ill-fitting diving suit] I'd rather be cold and alive than warm and dead.

LINKS:
Official Site: http://www.sanctummovie.com/
Trailer: