Snow White & The Huntsman

Snow White is a classic fairy-tale that has been told over and over again, so much to the point that it gets boring and needs a new take to be interesting. So this film was made and is easily one of the best adaptations of the story. The best way to describe this version in short is Snow White meets Lord of the Rings meets Pan’s Labyrinth.

People complain about Kristen Stewart being cast as Snow White, they just can’t separate Miss Stewart from the awful Bella Swan character. However, she did a better job than she’s getting credit for, not only is her version of the character more well written than Bella Swan but also previous versions of Snow White. Look at Disney’s Snow White for example, apart from being cute, she wasn’t very memorable; in fact she was boring, could not sing and did nothing except look after the dwarfs. This Snow White is definitely has more to do, she’s more proactive, she puts up fights, she rescues herself and she actually faces the evil Queen. Then there are people saying she’s not prettier than Charlize Theron, well that’s up to anyone’s opinion but to say she’s ugly it’s worrying what kind of standards they have.

There is no denying that Charlize Theron is the best part of the film, she plays the Queen as pure evil, probably evil itself but does make her 3-dimensional by giving her some humanity. Adding more layers to the beauty motivation, she has magic powers and her beauty makes her more powerful. I love the slight visual irony between The Queen and Snow White, The Queen has light blond hair and quite an innocent looking face while Snow White has black hair and has a slight evil look to her face, don’t be fooled by appearances.

Chris Hemsworth is well cast as the Huntsman. The dwarfs in the film are much less developed in this film; do they even have names here? What makes up for it is the actors, all famous (Ray Winstone, Nick Frost, Bob Hoskins, Ian McShane, Eddie Marsan) and each have their own personalities, the effects to make them smaller is flawless, you really do believe they are dwarves and they are in the same room as the regular-sized characters.

The romance is only loosely touched upon, there is a love triangle involving The Huntsman and The Prince. However, it is not shoved in the audiences faces, her true love is revealed by the one who’s kiss saves her from the poison apple and is not explored since. It’s actually refreshing to see a fairy-tale fade away from a romance and leaves more room to advance the story and emphasised Snow White’s journey.

The visuals are amazing, first time director Rupert Saunders does a very good job making this film feel rich. One of the most parts of the Disney film was the dark forest, and this film takes advantage of it and adds great contrast when Snow White’s innocence turns the forest “light”. The Lord of the Rings and Pan’s Labyrinth comparison is most evident in the forest scenes, which is where the creative special effects are most taken advantage of. The sets and costumes are very well designed, it really does look like medieval times and they have so much attention, even when it’s gritty.

If you’re not a fan of the original story you may enjoy this a little better, just don’t expect it to be totally different.

Dark Shadows - Film Review

The Vampire, The Witch and The Dysfunctional Family

Horror-comedy involving various supernatural creatures, this is Tim Burton at his best. Burton does not set to direct perfect films he directs how he sees them, he and Johnny Depp really treated this film like their baby. Having not seen the original yet, so not knowing how faithful it is this review is judging this as a stand-alone.

The cast and characters are all excellent they all have their moment to shine. Johnny Depp is excellent as always not his best performance however he clearly cares about the Barnabas Collins character. Eva Green is like an exaggerated version of Glenn Close from Fatal Attraction, perfect choice as the evil witch. Michelle Pfeiffer is wonderful as the family matriarch Elizabeth, this woman does not seem to age. Chloe Moretz is great as a moody teenager, clearly hiding a secret. Bella Heathcote is lovely as Victoria/Josette, so sweet and likeable it is no question why Barnabas falls in love with her. Helena Bonham Carter is hilarious as an alcoholic doctor, Johnny Lee Miller is great as a selfish low-life, Jackie Earl Haley is well cast in a small but effective role as a scruffy caretaker.

Tim Burton’s visual work amazingly as usual, every shot in the film is beautiful and artistic. The film is not as over colourful the advertising makes it out to be, just in certain parts, a lot of the colours are actually washed out, in a good way so you won’t get a headache. The songs used in the trailers are present in the film, not in the same context, mainly during short montages and they are not overlong as many people are making them out to be. The Collins mansion is very well design, it almost a character itself in the film. The opening credits are very simple compared to Burton’s usual opening credits, which is simply following Heathcote through her journey to the Collins with Nights in White Satin playing.

Any criticisms I can think are nit-picks; looking at it from a critical point-of-view the mixed reception is understandable. As a big fan of shows like Buffy and True Blood, and just like them you can nit-pick this film till you bleed but that is missing the point. It's not meant to be taken seriously, it's over-the-top, it's fun, it's got clichés and some decent metaphors involving family problems.

The climax was awesome and over-the-top action and CGI. It kind of reminded me of Jan De Bont’s remake of The Haunting, I know it’s a bad comparison because that film is horrible, however it works here because Jan De Bont expected his audience to take it seriously; Burton does not he knew his film was silly and took advantage of it. There are complaints of the climax involving a twist of Chloe Moretz’s character, yeah it’s very sudden but has a great metaphor behind it, especially when Pfeiffer finds out. The CGI effects are quite obvious, however it fits the tone so you won’t care; it’s still 10x better than The Haunting.

If I had to nit-pick I would say that because there is so many characters their moments felt kind of forced and rushed but I expected that, the story is very slight but this isn't meant to be Memento, and it does feel like it ends too suddenly but it's kind of bittersweet. And leaves it open for a sequel or let you decide what happens next.

This film is an escape not meant to be picked apart, just to be enjoyed with an extra large popcorn. After all films are made for entertainment, it doe not have to teach lessons, make sense or be analysed. Just play to your certain interests, that's where the film succeeds.

Top Films I am looking forward to in 2012

The Dark Knight Rises  
Third and final chapter in Christopher Nolan's epic trilogy. Tom Hardy looks real tough as Bane, glad he's not a Joker substitute. Anne Hathaway will make a real sexy Catwoman. I can't wait to see how it all ends. Will it be a happy ending? Or tragic?

Dark Shadows 
This looks like my perfect film, gothic comedy about a vampire and a dysfunctional family. Tim Burton is directing, Johnny Depp plays the vampire, Eva Green plays a sexy witch.

Snow White & The Huntsman 
They've taken a now boring fairytale and retelling it kind of in the style of Lord of the Rings and Pan's Labyrinth. Charlize Theron is lovely and makes a real evil queen. Kristen Stewart is an interesting choice for Snow White, now finished with Twilight, she's taking a challenging role and doing an English accent.

Prometheus 
Apparently a prequel to Alien, both directed by Ridley Scott, or at least set in the same universe.Great choice of cast: Noomi Rapace (the original Girl With The Dragon Tattoo) is the lead, Michael Fassbender is an android, also joining Idris Elba and Charlize Theron (playing the villain again? apparently).

Skyfall 
Third Daniel Craig Bond film, many were disappointed with the last this one which suffered due to being caught in the writer's strike. This has a full script written. Sam Mendes is a great director (American Beauty). I like the choice of Bond girls, Berenice Marlohe and Naomie Harris.

Cabin in the Woods
Looks like a sci-fi horror parody with a mystery story. Produced by Joss Whedon, creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

The Avengers 
A film that has been built-up with 5 films prior the characters Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, Thor, Black Widow and Hawk Eye team up. Under the direction of Joss Whedon, perfect director he knows how to do ensembles.


Looper
Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a hit-man who kills people who are sent from the future. His next target is an older version of himself played by Bruce Willis.

Sequels better than Originals - No. 1 - Return to Oz

A very unlikely choice. The 1939 film The Wizard of Oz is a classic musical starring Judy Garland. While it was sugary sweet, with cute little munchkins, colourful sets, musical numbers. And the occasional darkness, the forest and the witch's castle.

Return to Oz is nothing like the original. This film is dark from beginning to end. It starts out with Dorothy being sent to clinic, because of her obsession with Oz, but she escapes after they try to do an illegal experiment on her with shock treatment. She finds herself back in Oz, but everything is different the yellow brick road is destroyed, the emerald city is gone and in it's place are ruins and everyone (including the Tin Man and Lion) have been turned to stone and the Scarecrow is missing. Dorothy encounters more scares, including Wheelers (men with wheels for hands and feet), Princess Mombi who constantly changes her head (literally, she has a rooms with 30 talking heads) and the Nome King. Joining Dorothy on her quest this time is Jack Pumpkinhead, the Gump (a green deer-head with a couch for a body), Billina the talking chicken and a mechanical man called Tik-Tok (by far the best character).

Dorothy is more 3-dimensional than in the first film, she's feels more heroic and more developed. She is a lot more involved in the action, it is up to her to save her friends this time and coming up with plans. Here she is played by a young Fairuza Balk, who makes the role her own and is noticeably younger than Judy Garland was, which makes her more vulnerable but also stronger in her situation. The Nome King is a great villain, very threatening but makes out that he's reasonable. And his motive for stealing the emeralds and revelation of how he was able to do it is very clever.

It being a sequel to the 1939 film is debatable. It looks nothing like the original, the sets and character designs are completely different, Dorothy is clearly younger and she makes some references about her first journey that happens in the book, not in the film. This is also not a musical. It's considered more of a sequel to the book than the film. However there are nods to the 1939 film, the ruby slippers (they were silver in the books) and characters in Kansas mirroring characters in Oz.

This is an 80's film so no CGI, so instead clever use of stop-motion and mechanics. Seeing the post-apocalptic version of Oz is effective, the landmarks of Oz being destroyed. The background music is rich and more pleasant to listen to than all the musical numbers of the first film.

This film did badly on its release due to complaints of it being too dark and scary for children. Although there are a lot more scarier films targeted at children. I think a lot of children like being scared because it does get them invested. This is an underrated film, and it appears more people are starting to appreciate this film for what it is.

Sequels better than Originals - No. 2 - The Bourne Ultimatum

This film brings the perfect trilogy full circle. The action is sequences are bigger especially the car chase/crash scene. Very on-the-edge-of-seat moments including the Waterloo Station scene and the chase scene in Morocco. There are some very clever nods to the first two films and the last scene mirrors the beginning of the first film. The ending very emotional. Matt Damon is at his very best (I'm surprised he doesn't get enough Oscar buzz). Julia Stiles role is expanded from the first two films, as Nicky she's very likeable. Instead of romance, it's implied a romantic past, they mirror the relationship Bourne had with Marie, you can sense romance just by the way they look at each other knowing it would be dangerous if they stay together.

Not looking the fourth chapter: The Bourne Legacy starring Jeremy Renner. If it's not Matt Damon, it not Bourne.

Sequels better than Originals - No. 3 - X2

This film raises the stakes from the first film in an unexpected way. Instead of the X-Men VS Magneto, like in the first film, this time they are working together against a human who found a way to kill all mutants. This film Wolverine feels even more 3-dimensional when he discovers a connection to his past. Jean Grey, who was boring in first film, becomes a lot more interesting with her powers expanding foreshadowing the Dark Phoenix. The fight scene between Wolverine and Lady Deathstrike is brutal. Rogue trying to start a relationship with Iceman while trying not to kill. Iceman revealing to his family that he's mutant, their reaction is similar to parents finding out their child is gay. The sacrifice one of the characters makes at the end is powerhouse.

Sequels better than Originals - No. 4 - Toy Story

The addition of Jessie the cowgirl is a big plus, Joan Cusak is great doing the voice. Buzz is no longer delusional like in the first film, it was hilarious seeing him interact with another delusional Buzz. The theme is stronger, in the first film Woody fears of being replaced while in this he's scared of being damaged and not loved anymore. The character Jessie and Stinky Pete (voiced by the great Kelsey Grammer) help represent that.

My Family

Middle-aged parents grumpy dentist father Ben and control-freak mother Susan who is a terrible cook. Their three children: eldest son Nick who is an idiotic lay-about always between jobs and scams; daughter Janey who is fashion-money-boy obsessed who eventually gets pregnant and young geek Michael who always up to schemes against his parents wishes. Later joining the family is dumb-blonde cousin Abi who steals the show with her with clumsiness and dimwittedness, Ben’s co-worker Roger who is stupid and gullible and struggling musician Alfie.

This is a very funny sitcom, it did come under criticism for an American style of humor. However this does target a similar audience as Friends, which was very popular when this show started. So if you love Friends, you’ll love this.

Series 1 - Serves a great introduction to the dysfunctional family. The standout episode is “Farewell to Alarms” where they buy a burglar alarm that won’t stop going off.

Series 2 - Continues the antics of the main characters with even more laughs, such as Nick’s ever changing jobs. The standout moments include Ben hiding in the house while Janey has a party, Ben and Nick in hotel room together and Nick getting whiplash after a motorcycle stunt.

Series 3 - With Janey gone to university, Abi has moved in and breathes new life into already funny sitcom. Standout moments include Ben and Susan role playing as stranger, smoking cannabis to teach Michael a lesson, Nick moving into a flat and Abi’s introduction.

Series 4 – Janey is absent however gives birth to baby Kenzo off-screen. The standout moments include the Halloween special “Friday the 31^st”, flashbacks of Susan giving birth to Nick, holiday in Spain and Abi singing Get This Part Started when she thinks no one is watching.

Series 5- Nick is gone and Janey is back, despite feeling weird buy this change the series does manage retain its humour. Nick does come back for 1 episode “My Will Be Done” working at a funeral place while Ben makes his. Other standout moments include Susan hiring a cleaner and gets jealous of her and Abi learns long words for a job at the library.

Series 6 - Must’ve suffered behind the scenes, 2 year gap between series 5, Nick leaving the show and only has 7 episodes and Ben is absent for 2. It’s still funny but there is no real standout episode, however the love story involving Abi and Roger is cute and funny and ends with a hilarious proposal.

Series 7 - Is a huge improvement over 6, with more standout moments involving the revelation of Kenzo’s father, the family going on The Weakest Link, Ben and Susan renewing their vowels and Roger and Abi get married.

I stopped watching the show further because series 8 was not funny and Abi was wasted and then written out ruining the love story with Roger, also Michael became almost a series of different characters going from geek to rebel to ladies man to gay? The last episode “Life Begins at Fifty” of series 7 while not the final episode, it is for me though while not perfect but the last scene does all the main characters (except Nick of course) together having a toast.

Forget the complete DVD boxset, buy the Series 1 -7 boxset. It is however missing the Christmas specials that have plot revelation so I recommend you buy this boxset with the “Four Christmas Specials” DVD. For continuity the episode “Ding Dong Merrily” takes place after series 3, “Sixty Feet Under” takes place after series 4, “Glad Tidings We Bring” and “And I’ll Cry If I Want To” both take place after series 5.