Showing posts with label Johnny Depp. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Johnny Depp. Show all posts
Saturday, December 08, 2012
Pitch Perfect (M)
BEING part of a school choir was once limited to a select few, those who wanted to really to strengthen their singing abilities and be part of a non-contact team effort. It wasn’t cool to most, but the popularity of student singing competitions had a turnaround to go on to reach those with different ideas.
Entering the new millennium, musical styles changed. Rap became steadily mainstream with the likes of 50 Cent and Eminem; Pink had a problem with their style but gave her own attitude. Then a few years later came a television show that arguably revolutionised the musical for the new age.
Glee is a love-it-or-hate-it program where the characters will break out into song to carry the story several times over any given episode. The loose adaptation of Mickey Rapkin‘s novel offers none of that, but the material still draws from Glee’s success at making something once judged cool.
It does manage to separate itself though, insisting that joining one of Barden University’s a cappella clubs is not about discovering your sexuality or working through other differences. That was high school; this is “the real world”.
Beca (Anna Kendrick) knows how different styles of music mesh and blend, but puts her dream of scoring a record deal as a DJ on hold to try out getting a tertiary education for her father’s sake. She soon joins the Barden Bellas after being hounded by Chloe (Brittany Snow); the reveal of her good singing voice mixed with a group desperate for members makes for an easy story progression.
Her relationship with new Treble Makers member Jesse (Skylar Astin) is not as clear-cut in figuring out. The rivalry between their a cappella teams doesn’t help, particularly creating uneasy tension from Bellas leader Aubrey (Anna Camp) on the rest of the group as they focus for regional and then final competition.
It’s a new, scary universe for Beca, who before the Bellas shut everyone out from her life. If high school had taught her how to survive, university definitely loosens her up. It’s hard to avoid when surrounded by other misfits including Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson), whose honest nature precedes any underlying issues.
With a cast of relative unknowns, Jason Moore in his first feature as director handles the groups accurately to the point of near annoyance – the girls focused on the task at hand, the guys much more relaxed for having extreme confidence in their abilities.
Predominantly likeable characters make for easy viewing as Beca tries to find her way. The songs arranged early are successfully made to sound dull, but overall prove part of an inspired blend of sounds.
The biggest influence of all, musically and personally, is The Breakfast Club. Moore unashamedly uses the coming-of-age classic film as a turning point for Beca in standing up and walking against the crowd. Well played.
While the Beca-Jesse relationship ultimately plays second fiddle to the competition, Wilson’s comic edge comes as redemption. Wilson’s turn is the best of her five films to release in 2012, pulling off some ridiculous statements to lighten the film’s tone.
Rating: 3/5*Published in the Daily Liberal (Dubbo), Western Advocate (Bathurst), Parkes Champion Post and Midstate Observer (Orange) from Saturday 8/12/2012
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A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984)
Modern cinema has a lot to thank Wes Craven for if it finds horror an exciting niche. His creative control over many interesting ideas not previously explored in the genra opened eyes of generations to reveal what we most fear.
Craven preys in teenagers in this game-changing nightmare after Tina (Amanda Wyss) and then Nancy (Heather Langenkamp) see burned man Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) in their dreams and feel they are close to death. Reassurances from Nancy's boyfriend Glen (Johnny Depp in his debut) and her mum Marge (Ronee Blakely) come to nothing as they find themselves in an impossible situation.
How to fight a monster in a dream is in a way a perennial question; how do we fight demons in our minds? Craven plays on that idea of life to turn it into something horrific, that our minds can see their end almost effortlessly while we're at our most vulnerable. He uses the idea of vulnerability further with the twist of a nursery rhyme, in turn creating one of cinema's most memorable songs.
Some effects don't look as dated as they should, and with a score that creeps along with the general dread of the events it deservedly gained cult status among both horror buffs and Depp lovers.
*Published in the Mailbox Shopper (Dubbo) on Wednesday 5/12/2012
MISSED LAST WEEK'S REVIEWS? See what I thought of The Perks Of Being A Wallflower and The Seventh Seal.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Big news in my cinematic world this week!
I'm now writing an extra film column, this time for the Daily Liberal's weekly publication Mailbox Shopper. The reviews I do will be of films from 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, my Bible of sorts. It's a life quest I intend to complete so this is one step towards that. As such, I'll be posting what I review for Shopper alongside my regular weekly reviews.
Now aren't I just the nicest? :D
Dark Shadows (M)
Johnny Depp’s work over time as
muse to Tim Burton has been nothing short of a rollercoaster as their
friendship repeatedly turns to some freaky business on screen. Their latest
collaboration continues along that path as television series Dark Shadows is transferred onto film in
typical Burton style.
The grand master of wacky presents
the story of Barnabas Collins (Depp), who loses his parents and the love of his
life to cruel witch Angelique ‘Angie’ Bouchard (Eva Green). She loves him too
much to see him with anyone else so turns him into a vampire, and two centuries
later the bickering resumes as they involuntarily reunite in a 1972 that
Barnabas struggles to comprehend.
His descendants are a
dysfunctional bunch, living off what little money is left from his family’s
former seafood empire and miserable. Supposedly they would have to be if a
proper English vampire is the only thing to get them out of a rut.
But the film quickly edges towards
a romance as a love triangle ensues; Barnabas falls for house governess
Victoria, so reminiscent of true love Joset (both played by Aussie Bella
Heathcote), but warring sides emerge from Angie and house psychiatrist Dr Julia
Hoffman (Helena Bonham Carter).
It’s this love game that makes the
leading man so incredibly confused and entertaining, only to be ruined by the
fact he kills people to survive. Barnabas is a traditional vampire through and
through, staying well out of the sun (to prevent burns, not sparkling) and
sleeping best in a coffin.
Burton plays this film subtle like
much of his previous work, still getting the quirkiest part of every character
to surface in a way that inspires intrigue. Depp cruises through as Barnabas,
perhaps a little too easily, but remains enjoyable while looking as youthful as
ever.
The supporting cast is an
interesting mix, as Burton’s choices usually are, with the likes of Michelle
Pfeiffer, Jackie Earle Haley, Jonny Lee Miller and Chloe Moretz. But it’s Green
as Depp’s downfall that emerges as a standout, suiting the snaky witch to a
tee. She’s a sexy villain, but indecisive on what to do with Barnabas and
letting emotion get in the way.
There’s no end to the torture for
anyone as secrets behind every character are revealed, exposing uncertainties
as they try and restore the family name. But Barnabas’ desire to strengthen
relationships with his descendants and return the Collins’ as a family of
honour is a heavy theme that continues to push on to counter the wackiness.
It’s not Burton’s best, but it’s a fun romp all the same.
Rating: 3/5
*Published in the Daily Liberal (Dubbo), Western Advocate (Bathurst), Parkes Champion Post and Midstate Observer (Orange) from Saturday 12/5/2012
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This is how I'm getting published for my Shopper reviews. A lot harder to condense my thoughts into a smaller space. Then again, I started with a three-hour film...
Gandhi (1982)
Richard Attenborough’s epic feature on the life of Mohandas
Gandhi, the Great Soul, is an eye-opener for anyone who doesn’t know about the
impact of his actions.
Part one of the 183-minute film focuses on a younger Gandhi
improving his leadership skills to prove most fascinating, while in part two he is much the wiser,
although stubborn right until his death.
This is a beautiful project that took 20 years to be put to
screen. Ben Kingsley is so convincing as a calm man who struggles with the violence
that his calls for peace created.
Gandhi’s growth into a man who wishes only for cooperation
evolves further to make a man of wisdom and strength with simple ideas of
solving his homeland’s problems.
But he wasn’t God, and Attenborough shows his weaknesses
just as effectively as how much he was admired by his countrymen and the media
alike.
The production is excellent; with the extravagant use of
extras a nice reminder that CGI isn’t always the best choice, Gandhi reflects the sheer enormity of
the impact this attorney had on his people, the British Empire and the world.
*Published in the Mailbox Shopper (Dubbo) from Wednesday 9/5/2012
MISSED LAST WEEK'S REVIEW? See what I thought of The Five-Year Engagement.
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*I have two photos entered in the current Qatar Reflections competition. Please show your support for me by voting for either photo! Short backstory and links here.
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