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Alex1972249
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Room (2015)
Why does one of the worst movies created only have 'The' in its title to differentiate itself from this extraordinary spectacle
When I first saw that a new trailer for a film called 'Room was released online, i had a shiver cast through my spine, dreading that it wasn't a remake, sequel, or re-release of the 2003 monstrosity that was 'The Room'. How relieved I was to find out it was actually about a mother and sons journey of escaping from the single, enclosed room where they were held captive in and then watching the 5 year-old 'Jack' adapt to the huge world we live in.
The main structure of the film splits down into 2 parts; When they're inside 'Room' and when they've escaped. I completely felt for Brie Larsons 'Ma' having to raise a child who's only experiences in life have occurred inside 'Room'. Larsons performance was something that added so much emotional depth to her character as she manages to show the psychological damage 'Old Nick' (her kidnapper) has put her through. The 9 year old Jacob Tremblay added a believable performance from such a young actor who at times you really feel sorrow for.
Then, when the riveting escape sequence is over, the film seems moved to its second half; The outside world. For me this felt like a complete shift in the films pass and tone, which I believe was a great decision as it was almost simulating how our protagonists felt when they were welcomed back into society. However, I really feel that, whilst the trailer didn't take anything away from the film for me, it would of been better not to of shown the fact that they became free of 'Room'
Great performances from everyone, an deeply emotional tone, and an overall great film to watch.
One of the best 2015 had to offer.
The Revenant (2015)
If you think you'll be warmer inside the cinema watching 'The Revenant' this winter... You're wrong!
'Birdman' introduced Alejandro G. Iñárritu into the limelight last award season, virtually stealing the Oscars with 9 nominations and 4 wins including Best picture and Directing. Now a year later and it's the same story with 'The Revenant' being nominated for 12 this time round. The academy aside... Can it really be as good as everyone is saying?
No. Good would be an understatement.
'The Revenant' is and will always be one of those very rare films that weren't just a trip to the cinema, but an experience. With the film being a lengthy 2 hours 36 minutes I was pleasantly surprised that I never had the urge to check my watch, because of how well the film pulled me in. We are thrown into an intense, brisk, frozen adventure of pure revenge but with far more depth and meaning than you may think. Iñárritu uses his seemingly signature long takes to completely submerged the viewer in the freezing temperatures, along with using natural light and wide angle lenses to show the vast landscapes and real settings that the characters are trying to survive in.
Leonardo DiCaprio's 'Hugh Glass' as the desperate protagonist abandoned by his fellow hunters after a brutal encounter with a bear, serves up one of his best ever performances. Showing that he is more than capable of expressing deep emotions with minimal dialogue. Tom Hardy's 'John Fitzgerald' is an amazing antagonist who is being hunted by Glass to seek revenge for leaving him for Dead. Hardy was great in the role, adding yet another outstanding performance to his near flawless track record of films and performances. Domhnall Gleeson is also in the film as the hunting group's leader who does a decent job, further cementing his status as an actor to watch out for with cinema-goers.
Whilst the plot may sound relatively simple for a 2 and a half hour film, you will never even think about the time as you'll be so immersed in the dramatic, adventure thrill ride that you'll start to shiver from the frozen environment.
A must see for everyone!
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)
Star Wars: A New Hope 2
Just over a year ago, on November 28, the first official teaser trailer for possibility the most hyped film to ever be released, hit the internet. Just as any human, Jedi or not, knew that this was just the first shovel of excitement to be thrown on the increasingly fast hype train.
Now, a year later, everyone from friends, family, work colleagues, even the postman (saying how much the kids loved it) has seen the 7th chapter in a record breaking Sava of films - this isn't just a family visit to the cinema... This is an event. With a lot of fans tearing up their Jaja binks masks they bought before watching The Phantom Menace back in when they say the movie back in 1999, JJ Abrams had the pressure of redeeming their beloved franchise looming over his shoulder . Did he succeed... Oh yeah!
The Force Awakens made old of the heavily used CGI characters and green screen settings in place for practical effects and real, breathtaking locations; which is what I felt was the main reason this felt like a real Star Wars movie! Poe (Oscar Isaac),Finn (John Boyega) and Rey (Daisy Ridley) are Disney's hope to recreate a cast as iconic as that of Luke, Leia, and Han Solo - which they just may of done. The relatively unknown actors gave a black canvas which no one knew what each actor would paint. But to many people's surprise, Finn did not feel like the main antagonist that the posters made him out to be... The real Star of the show was Daisy Ridley's, Luke Skywalker like, Rey - showing that a strong female character doesn't need to show 97% of their body and rely on their one and only love to rescue them. However Poe and Finn were great too with extra mention to the cocky yet cool Poe. The old trio make a pleasant return too, which to my surprise fit right into place and not just thrown in for unnecessary fan service. Kylo Ren, this generation's Darth Vader work good as a villain with a reasoning behind his actions as he tries to one up Vader by creating a planet sized Death Star.
But this is were my only real issue with The Force Awaken is
and that is with the story. I was expecting to see a new story that partially connected with the previous films. But instead got an almost soft reboot of the original (A New Hope). Without spoiling the film, all I'll say is there's a poor, lonely desert dweller looking for more, a masked villain wearing black ,and a huge, spherical weapon capable of mass destruction.
Despite this, I still had a lot of fun with Episode 7 and feel that it well redeems the franchise from George Lucas's CGI wet dream that were the prequels.
Great new characters and returning ones, effects that give the film heart, And stellar visuals. Just a little huddle with the story is something I couldn't quite jump over.