Eden Lake 2008

Eden Lake is a 2008 British horror and thriller written and directed by James Watkins and starring Kelly Reilly, Michael Fassbender and Jack O' Connel.

We're finishing up the blog today so I said I'd post about another film I enjoyed recently.

I really enjoyed this movie. It wasn't terrifying as the poster says, but it was definitely thrilling. Fassbender (now a big hollywood star after Inglorious Basterds) is ok in this but it's not his best role to date.

The plot is about a young couple who take a trip to Eden Lake. A place where Steve (Fassbender) went as a young child, but is now closed to the public and inhabitted by youths. As tension grows between the couple and the youths, things turn violent and a game of cat and mouse insues.

I think the idea behind the story was to show what young kids in Britain are like today and how their parents are neglecting them. The breakdown of civil life in Britain. You almost believe this could happen to you and it is plausible that there are kids out there like that shown in this movie. It's almost a gaurantee these days. There are gruesome parts in the movie and you do get emotionally involved with Jenny as she tries to get away.

You have to ask yourself why they would stay and put up with the youths but I guess if I think about it I wouldn't let some kids ruin my holiday either. That's a running theme throughout though. Stubborness and hopelessness. Even when they do stand up to the kids and fight back in the end it's hopeless. All of this stems from lack of parenting and that's the feeling we're left with in the end. That this could all happen again.

I think it's a timely movie but is never going to make enough of an impact that the writer, I'm sure, wanted. It is scary though and is full of twists and turns to keep the story exciting. The ending is a great twist too. Check it out.

Anyway that's me done with this blogging craic so signing off,

Gerry.

This is my Father

This Is My Father is a 1998 Irish-American film directed by Paul Quinn.

I watched this a long time ago and only recently saw it again. The plot for this film is brilliant and the ending is pretty heartbreaking. There are of course a few terrible irish stereotypes thrown in for a modern day (1998) Ireland, but I think the flashbacks which makes up most of the movie are probably pretty accurate for the time.

The story centers around a relationship between a 17 year old middle class girl named Fiona and a shy labourer named Kieran in late 1930's Ireland.

One of the things this movie shows is how much influence the church had and how different Ireland was then compared to now.

Aidan Quinn is brilliant in this and pulls off a very believable and powerful performance.

Like I said it is a very sad film and shows a part of our history that though not particularly easy to talk about, is definitely true.

A great movie and one of my favourites.

By Gerry

BARAKA

BARAKA 1992 Directed by Ron Fricke. Baraka is an ancient sufi word which can be translated as a blessing. Baraka is not conventional movie as it has no structure. It is but a masterpiece of modern day photography. The film was filmed in 152 locations in 24 different countries. The film has no dialogue, no story or plot but instead uses themes to present new perspectives and evoke emotion purely through cinema. Fricke writes about his work "Both technically and philosophically I am ready to delve even deeper into my favorite theme: humanity's relationship to the eternal".
Posted by Will

Margot at the Wedding

"Margot at the Wedding" is a 2007 comedy-drama written and directed by Noah Baumbach. It stars Nicole Kidman and Jennifer Jason Leigh. It tells the story of a neurotic writer, Margot, who goes to visit her engaged sister Pauline along with her son Claude.

Conflicts begin to take place because of Margot's anger and her disapproval of Pauline's fiancé. The wedding becomes in danger of not taking place. Family drama takes place.

A secret is revealed by Pauline to Margot, which Margot then tells Claude.

I really enjoyed this movie. The story is simple and reliable and yet the acting is intense. The movie has a great combination of being serious and funny. It can amuse, it can shock, and it can emote.

This is one of those movies that I would look forward to seeing again. Here's hoping that you are also looking forward to seeing it now.

Mattias

Cruel Intentions

Cruel Intentions (1999)
Director:Roger Kumble
Starring: Reese Witherspoon , Ryan Phillipe , Sarah Michelle Gellar

Cruel Intentions is one of my favourite films of all time and to any-one who has not seen it they should its Gossip Girl meets Dangerous Liaisons. Katherine(Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Sebastian ( Ryan Phillipe) are spoilt upper east side New York teens and are also step brother and sister. Sebastian gets his kicks from bedding as many girls as possible while Katherine plays the good girl but behind closed doors things are completely different. Sebastian and Katherine place a bet that Sebastian will not be able to sleep with Annette Hardgrove( Reese Witherspoon) the new principles daughter. Sebastian rises to the challenge and wages his Jaguar on it while Katherine wages her body. With many twists and turns Sebastian actually falls in love with Annette discovering a different side to himself but his step sister gets jealous and makes him feel ashamed of what he feels leading to a very horrible and fatal outcome. (I am not going to ruin the ending just watch it!!!!!)

Beautiful people, great clothes , New york and a lot of sex in Cruel Intentions makes it attractive all round for audiences. The story line is flowing all the way through and the acting is second to none already you get to see years previous how Reese Witherspoon earned her Oscar. Sarah Michelle Gellar (also known better as Buffy the Vampire Slayer) stands out and portrays the immoral nasty IT girl Katherine to perfection getting her out of pesky type casting that so many actors who have starred in series like Buffy have fallen into. Ryan Phillipe also gives a stellar performance that makes you sympathise with the harsh realities of been a teenager.

The sharp and biting dialogue in the movie is great with the ever underlying sexual tension with the characters which is one of the main things Kumble wanted to convey.In saying that there are so cheap one liners that take away from the Upper est side feel of the movie. Sebastian's realisation that he was falling in love made for a moving scene when he breaks up with Annette as he cries 'I'm fucked up' the tears streaming down both characters faces is enough to make any one cry.

Although there are also many faults in the film it really makes for good watching. It is an indulgence to good to pass up.With such strong acting from the 3 main leads , darkly funny script and dolloped in Hollywood late 90's movie goodness!!!!!

Until next time
Dawn :)

A Perfect Getaway (2009)

A Perfect Getaway is a 2009 American psychological thriller written and directed by David Twohy, and stars Steve Zahn, Timothy Olyphant, Milla Jovovich, Kiele Sanchez, Marley Shelton and Chris Hemsworth. The film was shot in Puerto Rico and Hawaii, and was released on August 7, 2009 in the US, and on August 12 in the UK. The film received mixed to positive critical reaction and was a minor financial success.

The idea for this movie seems fairly believable at first read. A young newlywed couple are on their honeymoon trekking in Hawaii when another couple is murdered on the island. Along their way they meet two other strange couples. A pair of hippy hitchhikers and an ex-marine and his girlfriend.

The story from there is kind of a who-dunnit? I don't know if it's because I watch too many movies or what, but I guessed who was the killers very early in. The reason for this was probably that there were not enough suspects and the ones who were supposedly suspects seemed a little too obvious.

There is of course your twist at the end but for me it came too early and again wasn't very shocking to the audience. I would have liked to see more fore-shadowing too. Instead of doing this they "catch up" the audience with flash backs which doesn't really work for me.

Steve Zahn was good in this and I am a fan of his but his was limited by the script. This idea had potential because the scenery is great and as a location its original. The script needed a lot of work before they went to production though. More characters, plot twists and a later reveal would have made this movie great. It's still good, but not great.

By Gerry

Laputa Castle in the sky.

Okay I don't know what happened but Youtube said the video upload failed.

I'm not sitting here all night to try it again. So I'll have the review up Asap.

Down in the Valley

This is a movie starring Edward Norton.

A girl called Tobe invites a gas station attendant to come to the beach with her and her friends. They have a great time but he is more than twice her age and her father does not want her to spend time with him. He gets angry. She rebels. The guy plans to get Tobe away from her father.

I liked this movie but I don't think it is one that I will remember for a long time or anything. You may though, so you may as well give it a watch.

Mattias

Valentine

Valentine (2001)
Director Jamie Blanks (also directed Urban Legend)
Starring David Boreanaz (Adam) , Jessica Chapsaw (Dorothy) and Denise Richards (Paige)

This week I went back to watching my favourite type of film genre which is Horror also with a bit of Thriller thrown in for good measure. Four young girls are being stalked on Valentines day by a cherub masked killer.

The film begins 13 years previous at a junior high school dance where Jeremy a nerdy kid asks each girl to dance. Each of them tease and upset him in some way. 13 years on and the girls are still friends. There is Paige , Dorothy , Shelley and Kate. Dorothy was always the ugly duckling of the group but her gorgeous boyfriend Adam changed all that. One by one the girls and the men in their lives get killed off one by one in the most bloody and horrific ways by a Cupid masked murderer. Most of the killing takes place at Dorothy's Valentines Day party. Could it be Jeremy back for revenge or is it some one else?

Ok so one of the main reasons I like this film is that David Boreanaz has a major part in it (for any one who is not from this planet he is Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.) The film does not lack beautiful people but after all that makes the perfect recipe for a traditional horror. It also is slightly reminiscent of the film Scream. It is visually pleasing and most of the stalking scenes with the build up to the killing are fantastic as no music is used to give that extra tension to the crescendo of the actual murder. Jamie Blanks is a great horror director who took this script which on paper I'd say looked far from amazing and made it into a watchable slasher film. The scene in the hot tub where Paige is murdered is gruesome but very well shot with subtle lighting which keeps you enthralled throughout. The ending is excellent with two twists!Although the killer Cupid is so obvious throughout you can't help but be shocked at the reveal.

Valentine is your run of the mill slasher film with very cheesy acting making you want killer Cupid to finish them all off! I would recommend it especially for February 14th when your sick of flowers, chocs and teddy's a good gore fest called Valentine is a must have- oh and did I mention David Boreanaz is in it!!!!!

Until next week Dawn:)

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind

This is a biographical movie based on the life of Chuck Barris, a game show creator. It stars Sam Rockwell, Drew Barrymore and Julia Roberts. Chuck also works for the CIA.

The movie shows different times of Chuck's life, including his successes and failures with his game shows and his relationships. It does this with a combination of humour and seriousness.

It is an interesting movie to watch as it is quite unique and different, but there are times when it bored me just a tad. I would not say 'no' to watching it a third time however.

The acting is good and I especially enjoy watching Drew Barrymore.

Mattias

The Time Traveller's Wife

The Time Traveler's Wife (2009)
Director : Robert Schwentke
Producer: Brad Pitt
Starring :Eric Bana (Henry) and Rachel Mc Adams (Clare)

This week I opted out of my usual blood and gore film and watched The Time Traveler's Wife.I went into it thinking it was going to be your usual soppy love story even though I had read the book and spoken to the author Audrey Niffenegger who told me quite definitely that she had no imput in the film. It was very enjoyable , some times emotional and magical.

Henry and Clare are deeply in love unfortunately Henry has a genetic problem which causes him to disappear and pop back up at different times some-times older knowing what the future holds and some-times younger not knowing Clare at all. It begins with Henry as a young boy with his mother singing they crash and as it happens Henry begins to disappear then an older Henry appears to comfort himself as he watches his mother perish and although he says later in the film he always tries to save her he never can.

A quick flash and Henry is working in a library where he meets Clare who already knows him and believes they are destined to be together. Henry goes back and forth with his lifespan having no control on it and he and Clare never know when they will be separated or back together. With a lot of touching scenes going back to how they first met when Clare was six in the meadow and how Henry visited her up until she was eighteen. Although she knows their love is doomed Clare tries to build a life around her one true love.

After many attempts they have a daughter Alba who is also a time traveller but she can control it by singing. The ending has an emotional twist and although different from the book it caused a very large lump in my throat!

Although the first half is difficult to follow with time lines once you concentrate you really can get into it. Apart from a few continuity problems the time travel scenes were pulled of well.Rachel Mc Adams and Eric Bana both have the same star quality and pull of the roles to perfection in a believable manner. This film was like a mixture of The Light House (which I love) , Doctor Who and Benjamin Button all with the same type of character a handsome man in love who can go back and forth in time but yet can't change or control it.
So get the tissues out and get watching this 108 minute tear jerker :)
Until next time............

Dawn :)