100 Words… – Page 21

100 Word Review – Her (2013)

April 9, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., Romance, Sci FiTagged Being John Malcovich, computers, Impossible, Joaquin Pheonix, Romance, Scarlett Johansson, Sci Fi, Spike Jonze, Where The Wild Things Are, writerLeave a comment

Set in the not-too-distant future, Joaquín Pheonix plays Theodore, a man who becomes romantically involved in his operating system (voiced by Scarlett Johansson).

This is an example of Spike Jonze at his absolute best, combining the romantic whimsy of his adaptation of Where The Wild Things Are (2009) with the psychological intrigue of Being John Malkovich (1999).

Pheonix does a sterling performance as the lonely writer whose desperation for human contact in a world of screens and computers can be empathised with on a global scale.

This film is perfect for any romantics out there, whether or not they like Sci Fi.

100 Word Review – The Fifth Element (1997)

April 8, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., Action, Comedy, Sci FiTagged Action, adventure, Bruce Willis, Comedy, end of the world, Gary Oldman, Luc Besson, Milla Jovovich, Sci Fi2 Comments

If you are looking for an entertaining Sci Fi with an awesome cast, look no further.

Written and directed by the profoundly talented Luc Besson (Leon), it stars Bruce Willis as Korben Dallas, a taxi driver in the 23rd Century who must help “perfect being” Leeloo (Milla Jovovich) save the world and escape from the evil Zorg (Gary Oldman in the most amazing headpiece you are ever likely to see). Chris Tucker makes an appearance as Ruby Rhod, the universe’s most annoying radio DJ.

It has action, comedy, romance, music and some very repeatable one-liners (MULTI-PASS!). This is a no-brainer.

100 Word Review – Despicable Me (2010)

April 7, 2015Posted in 100 Words...Tagged adventure, animation, children, family, Moon, Pharrell Williams, Steve Carrell1 Comment

A truly family-friendly film is hard to find, but Despicable Me manages to walk that line between fart-gun jokes and making adults not want to tear their eyes out at the thought of watching that film one more time.

Gru (Steve Carrell) is a bad guy. With his hoard of yellow tic-tac shaped minions, he plans to commit the ultimate crime: stealing the moon! Somehow, he finds himself adopting three young girls who turn his world upside down.

This is a wonderful happy film, that will leave you humming its songs (music by Pharrell Williams) and repeating its oh-so-quotable lines.

100 Word Review – Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

April 6, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., FantasyTagged adaptation, animals, animation, Bill Murray, Darjeeling Limited, Fantasy, George Clooney, Grand Budapest Hotel, Jason Schwartzman, Meryl Streep, Owen Wilson, Roald Dahl, Stop Motion, Wes Anderson3 Comments

Based on Roald Dahl’s classic children’s story, with an all-star cast (George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray), Wes Anderson (The Grand Budapest Hotel, Darjeeling Limited) chose stop-motion animation to adapt this to the big screen.

And he made the right choice. The combination of quirky animation, eccentric characters and utterly delightful use of language make you feel as though you are living the book.

There are some unfortunate Hollywood stereotypes that sneak into it. All the evil farmers are British and the animals are all American. However, it still captures the charm of the original story.

100 Word Review – Song of the Sea (2014)

April 5, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., F-Rated, FantasyTagged adventure, celtic, children, family, Fantasy, Irish, myth2 Comments

I was lucky enough to see this at Bath Film Festival in November, and have been shouting about it ever since.

This stunning Irish animation follows Saoirsa and her older brother, Ben, and their faithful dog, Cu, on an adventure through a magical world of Selkies (people who become seals) and other figures of Celtic mythology. There is heart-break, there is magic and the most important element of all, family.

Visually mesmerising and with a wonderful cast on vocals, this is a truly lovely film. from the makers of The Secret of Kells, suitable for anyone aged 8 to 80 and beyond!

100 Word Review – Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

April 4, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., Comedy, Sci FiTagged 1950s, aliens, Comedy, pod people, Sci FiLeave a comment

Considered part of the Hollywood vs. McCarthyism debate, this film is best enjoyed on a much more basic level.

A doctor returns from a trip to find that the people in his small-town are being replaced by emotionless pod people.

When I say pod people, I mean it. They literally burst out of pods. It’s brilliant.

There’s a lot of the “women are need a man to help them” trope, but despite this it is still a remarkably watchable movie. I have watched this on my TV and on the big screen and it only gets better with every viewing.

100 Word Review – Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

April 2, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., Comedy, F-Rated, Fantasy, Romance, Sci FiTagged adventure, animation, Anime, Billy Crystal, Christian Bale, Comedy, Fantasy, Hayao Miyazaki, Lauren Bacall, Romance, Sci Fi, steampunk, Studio Ghibli4 Comments

This is my favourite Studio Ghibli feature.

Set in a steampunk world in the midst of war, we follow Sofi as she’s cursed by the Witch of the Waste and finds herself caught up with the mighty sorcerer, Howl.

There is a dubbed version, with the vocal styling of Christian Bale, Lauren Bacall and Billy Crystal. They do a fantastic job, but the best way to watch it is in the original Japanese.

As with all Hayao Miyazaki’s animation, it is beautiful and perfectly compliments this fantastical story.

Don’t dismiss this as a children’s film; it is so much more.

100 Word Review – Wild Tales (2014)

April 1, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., ComedyTagged Argentina, Comedy, dark, revenge, violenceLeave a comment

On cinematic release, here in the UK, this week, I first saw this Argentinian comedy at Bath Film Festival.

It is not for the faint-hearted.

Six separate stories, each following a very human story of frustration and revenge. From a psychotic pilot, to a bride discovering her husband’s infidelity. From parking ticket pay-backs to an extraordinary expression of road rage. This is humanity at it’s absolute worst and most violent. It is also hilarious.

I cannot stress this enough – it takes “dark comedy” to a whole new level. Be prepared for six beautiful, twisted modern fables for the modern age.

100 Word Review – What We Do In The Shadows (2014)

March 31, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., Comedy, FantasyTagged Comedy, Fantasy, Flight of the Conchords, Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, Vampires, What We Do In The Shadows2 Comments

Vladislav (Jemaine Clement), Viago (Taika Waititi) and Deacon (Jonathan Brugh) are flatmates. They are also best friends. They argue over chores, they help each other decide what to wear, they even host dinner parties at which they torture mortals together and drink their blood.

Velcome to the vonderful vorld of New Zealand’s vampires.

From the minds behind Flight of the Conchords and Eagle Vs Shark comes a supernatural mockumentary like no other. Whether or not your like “vampire movies” is irrelevant. All you need is a sense of humour.

You will laugh, you will cringe and there will be blood.

100 Word Review – District 9 (2009)

March 30, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., Action, Romance, Sci FiTagged Action, aliens, Neill Blomkamp, Romance, Sci Fi, South AfricaLeave a comment

To me, this is the perfect movie. Socio-political commentary? Check. Set in an alternate universe? Check. Aliens? Documentary-style camera work? Check. Familial ties broken by an unforeseeable disaster? Check. Endearing hero? Check. Romantic love? Check. Action movie style special effects? Check. It even has exploding cows. Seriously, what more could you ask for in Sci Fi film?

Set in Johannesburg, South Africa, 28 years after an alien spaceship appeared over the city, its inhabitants, “Prawns”, are now considered refugees and are living in slums segregated from the rest of the city. This, Neill Blomkamp’s phenomenal first feature, is an absolute must-see.