Thursday 28 May 2015

Mad Max: Fury Road

Action, action, action.
The latest film in the Mad Max series is a 2 hour action film starring Tom Hardy as Max. For the die hard cinema goer who's into chases, explosions and fight sequences this film will definitely not disappoint. Certificated a '15' the film is particularly gruesome and thrilling in places. 
Set in desert location where people are ruled by an evil and disliked man named Immortan Joe, Max is taken hostage and used by Joe's people, the war boys, as a blood bag. At the same time a woman Furiosa (Played by Charlize Theron) is trying to escape and return back to her childhood home from which she was kidnapped. 

Although the film is full of exciting action sequences and takes the audience to loads of stunning locations, I couldn't help but feel the film was lacking in character driven scenes. After the hour or so, the film felt drawn out. The film would've also benefitted from more background and scenes with Max. 

If you are expecting the films to be anything like the previous ones, you may be slightly disappointed. This film almost acts as a stand alone film that doesn't require you to have a lot of knowledge of the previous films. 

I think overall if you are just looking for a dramatic action film then this will do the job. However if you wanted a film that has a bit more depth to it then you may want to give this one a miss.

Saturday 23 May 2015

Tomorrowland

A futuristic world unlike the tragic world in which we live.

Tomorrowland is a futuristic science fiction film about an alternate world created by the best minds and genius' in our own world. The film centres around a girl named Casey Newton (Britt Robertson), the daughter of a NASA engineer. She manages to get a glimpse of Tomorrowland, a place that promises hope and a better future and immediately soughts out a way to go there. In order to reach this world she has to seek the help of Frank Walker (George Clooney) who once was a part of their society until he was thrown out after creating something terrible.

The film which is created by Disney and based on the theme park, is a very family orientated film. Visually it is stunning, I managed to see it in IMAX which made the film even more impressive. The cinematography and visual effects done on the film manage to capture the audience's attention. The storyline, although fairly straightforward grips you and keeps us engulfed in this crazy adventure.

I think what I liked most was the messages of the film. The film is very self reflective and gets the audience to really step aside for one moment and look at the world that we have created and are effectively destroying. I a typical futuristic manner we get a glimpse of what a future could possibly look like and face issues that currently are being ignored. In this respect the film is very strong and forces the audience to think.

Unfortunately for me the film is too disney-fied in place, it's perfect for children, however if you wanted something with a bit more grit then you may perhaps be slightly disappointed as the film is particularly cheesy and cringey in places.

On the whole however I would recommend seeing it. The cast was strong, Clooney and Robertson did a great job, supported by the likes of Hugh Laurie, Raffery Cassidy and Tim Mcgraw. It's an enjoyable film with an uplifting ending.  Even if the story isn't everything you want it be, visually the film is worth watching.


Street Defence

Street Defence

Here is my latest short film: 'Street Defence'. This is a short documentary about the vital importance of self defence and also the reality of using martial arts out on the street. I had a great cast and crew on board. My contributors consist of martial arts experts including Zara Phythian, Master Tony Sewell, Master Clive Harrison and Rachael Harrison.

The documentary offers advice for dealing with threats when out and about. It also informs you of how to avoid yourself becoming a victim.

Check it out here and feel free to like and share

https://vimeo.com/126168509

Blog Relaunch

So I've decided that I've missed blogging so much that I'm going to relaunch this blog and continue reviewing films. I'll also be posting links to films that I've created and I've worked on so watch this space. Any feedback is always welcome! Enjoy reading!



Tuesday 18 March 2014

February Winners

Here they are (Little late I apologise :P)


Best Film:

Her







Best Actor:

Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyer's Club)














Best Actress:

Amy Adams (Her)










Best Actor in a supporting role:


Jared Leto  (Dallas Buyer's club)










Best Actress in a supporting role:

Mia Wasikowska (Only Lover's left alive)









Best Director:

Spike Jonze (Her)










Sunday 16 February 2014

BAFTA Winners

Here are the winners for the BAFTAs!


Outstanding British Film:

Gravity










Best Animated film:


Frozen












Outstanding Debut by a British Writer,
Director or Producer:


Kieran Evans (Writer/Director) - Kelly and Victor







Best Supporting Actor:

Barkhad Abdi- Captain Phillips













Cinematography:


Gravity- Emmanuel Lubezki











Best Supporting Actress:


Jennifer Lawrence









Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema:

Peter Greenaway












Original Screenplay:


Eric Warren Singer/David O. Russell - American Hustle











Adapted Screenplay:

Steve Coogan, Jeff Pope- Philomena











The EE Rising Star Award:


Will Poulter













Leading Actor:

Chiwetel Ejiofor- 12 years a slave












Director:

Alfonso Cuaron- Gravity   















Leading Actress:


Cate Blanchett - Blue Jasmine











Best Film:

12 Years a Slave











Fellowship award :


Dame Helen Mirren















Best Foreign:

The Great Beauty










Best Documentary:

The Act of Killing










Best Editing:


Rush- Dan Hanley, Mike Hill










Best Production Design:

The Great Gatsby- Catherine Martin, Beverly Dunn









Best Costume Design:

The Great Gatsby - Catherine Martin










Best Sound:

Gravity- Glenn Freemantle, Skip Lievsay,
Christopher Benstead, Niv Adiri, Chris Munro








Best Make Up and Hair


American Hustle- Evelyne Noraz, Lori McCoy- Bell








Best Original Music:


Gravity- Steven Price








Best Special Visual Effects:


Gravity- Tim Webber, Chris Lawrence, David Shirk, Neil Corbould, Nikki Penny









Best British Short Animation:

Sleeping with the fishes- James Walker, Sarah Woolner, Yousif Al-Khalifa












Best British short film:

Room 8- James W.Griffiths, Sophie Venner,











Thursday 6 February 2014

February Nominations

Best Film:

Dallas Buyers club
The Invisible Woman
Winter's Tale
Her
The Monuments Men


Best Actor:

Ralph Fiennes  (The Invisible woman)
Matthew McConaughey (Dallas buyers club)
Joel Kinnaman (Robocop)
George Clooney (The Monuments Men)
Tom Hiddleston (Only lovers left alive)



Best Actress:

Felicity Jones (The Invisible Woman)
Jennifer Garner (Dallasbuyers club)
Amy Adams (Her)
Tilda Swinton (Only lovers left alive)
Jessica Brown Findlay (Winter's Tale)




Best Actor in a supporting role:

John Hurt (only lovers left alive)
Russell Crowe (Winter's tale)
Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers club)
Matt Damon (The Monuments Men)




Best Actress in a supporting role:

Scarlett Johansson (Her)
Mia Wasikowska (Only Lovers left alive)
Jennifer Connelly (Winter's Tale)
Cate Blanchett (The Monuments Men)




Best Director:

Spike Jonze (Her)
Jean-Marc Vallee (Dallas Buyers club)
George Clooney (Monuments Men)
Akiva Goldsman (Winter's Tale)