Gone Girl: Movie Review

Speculation of this adaptation began when word spread of Ben Affleck's casting as the mysterious and easy-to-blame Nick Dunne in Fincher's Gone Girl. As a huge fan of both Flynn's writing and Fincher's work, I was uneasy as to how Affleck would settle into the role I knew and loved (and yes, I am one of the minority that have more than minimal empathy for Nick) - but he quickly, and pleasantly, surprised. With just the right amount of shifty suspicion in the air as he drinks his morning whiskey at aptly named 'The Bar,' he emits the perfect mixture of arrogance and nonchalance that causes Nick to become the epicentre of distrust.

On the morning of July 5th, 2012, Nick and Amy Dunne are set to celebrate their 5th wedding anniversary, when events are soon shaken by her sudden disappearance. With what seems like a staged crime scene in the Dunne's living room, Detective Rhonda Boney (Kim Dickens) and professional partner Jim Gilpin set out on a mission to catch the husband out. With a very literal 'Clue' at various locations around town - red panties here, a Punch & Judy doll there - feeling grows that they may be dealing with a murder case. And we all know how that story goes.

As Nick tries and fails to portray his innocence to the public (cue creepy grin at a press conference), he recruits the help of twin sister and all-round sarcastic wonder Margo (Carrie Coon), as well as the renowned 'wife-killer-lawyer' Tanner Bolt, played by the equally wonderful Tyler Perry, to get the world on his side. Which proves more difficult than they initially thought - even Nick's rather raggedy moggie avoids his supposedly deceitful presence.

Rosamund Pike gives an unmissable performance as 'Amazing Amy,' the inspiration for her parents' wealth of children's novels and always 'one step ahead.' Pike encompasses everything that fans of the book, and Gillian Flynn herself, could've hoped to see in every element of Amy Elliot-Dunne's 'cool girl' character, as well as her meticulous and methodological side. 

With the first half of the film culminating in a surprising twist of fate, it's no wonder David Fincher was attracted to the story. While it's no Gwyneth's-Head-In-The-Box or "Tyler Durden Who?" moment, the narrative unfolds to the true heart of Fincher's art, making us question and wonder everything we've seen for the last 90 minutes. Such a twist acts as a catalyst for events that intertwine and unravel with the remaining hour-or-so of screen time, capturing our breath and refusing it to return.
   Told artistically through flashbacks and present-day story-telling, we are wrapped up in the world that not only Fincher and Flynn, but the characters themselves, have expertly created for us.
   

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes: Review

Almost 10 years later in the dystopian setting of San Fransisco, devoid of civilisation, do we reconcile with the familiar face of Andy Serkis as the almighty Caeser, who leads the apes in their quest for peace. 

The story begins filling in the gaps of the past. We learn of the malicious nature of the laboratory manufactured virus, more commonly dubbed "Simian Flu," and it's disastrous effect on the human population as it spreads across continents. From news reports that map out the quick destruction of humanity, our sights quickly move to Caeser's own Ape community. With old friends Maurice, Rocket and Koba, a new world has emerged as the group struggle to make peace with the remaining humans.

Koba, as seen in Rise, is a damaged and disobedient soul, who craves the dominance of Ape-kind and to see his human tortures suffer. Angry of Caeser's continuous love for humans, he plots against his leader; aiming to take out anyone who gets in his way.

Not only have the crew upped the quality in the CGI effects; relationships and human-like qualities among the Ape community have vastly increased in this sequel - with laughter, tears, and very real grief that struck a very real chord with the audience. We are left believing in the very real presence of a character development  in each Ape; new and old, good and bad. 

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is an unmissable summer blockbuster that undoubtedly has another installment in the mix. An astounding sequel to the reboot of a classic series. 

Catching Fire: Film Review

Having read the first two novels in The Hunger Games trilogy prior to the first motion picture being released, I had high hopes for the overwhelmingly anticipated sequel. 

With the assistance of author Suzanne Collins, the producers, screenwriters and many, many others in the creative team kept the gripping story of Catching Fire as true to the book as any fan could hope for. 

Despite the minor alterations fans quickly noticed in the first installment of the franchise, this second edition to the series pulled even harder on the heart strings that Suzanne's writing took hold of. With pumped-up CGI effects and the complexity of the all-new gaming arena, amercing audiences in the reality of Katniss' situation, we feel the pain of a repeat-reaping and the determination any person would go to to save the people they love. 

In a sense, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire teaches us and the younger generations life lessons about love and hope -- if you ignore the means to achieving these goals in the form of a bow and arrow. 

One of the most overwhelming features of the sequel shows itself in Elizabeth Banks' character development of Effie Trinket; wild-haired wonder who, in the first film, embodies everything we were made to hate about the Capitol.

Banks' portrayal of her connection with 'her' victors, Katniss and Peeta, shows the real brutalty of these games and the message that this year's tributes stand for. Effie's character has witnessed countless reapings and deaths of Panem civilians, but only now, when Peeta and Katniss must repeat the ordeal they were subject to only one year prior, do we see the mask she hides behind as a member of the Capitol elite. 

The elaborate nature of the Quater Quell's arena made for all-the-more intriguing viewing -- each "timed" scenario and death scene was handled with a touch more elegance than the brutality of the young killers in The Hunger Games. Knowing that these victors sacrificed their own well being for our much loved protagonists warned hearts across throughout the cinema. 

As a dramatic finale unveils the fate of District 12, we are left hanging from our seats, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the penultimate movie -- Mockinjay (Part 1.) With cutting edge technology and tear-jerking moments around every corner, Catching Fire is an unmissable sequel, arguably raising the bar on it's predesecor.

Kingsland Road X Factor Performance Review 26/10/13

As an almost-18-year old Briton, I have spent over half my years on this Earth watching the infamous X Factor on my Saturday nights; this year being no exception. 

As a huge fan of boybands, (what can I say?) I was quickly intrigued to see how they would fair with the likes of One Direction, JLS, and other international successes of the show. 

In the beginning, the common critique was how their synchronised dance moves may overshadow their slightly "weaker" vocals in comparison to their competitors. After being put through to the live shows earlier this month, they have proved to everyone that this is not a title they wish to live up to, and have come out fighting harder each week. 

This week's theme was Movies, and what better way to escalate their popularity with a classic 80s number? 

Kingsland Road took to the stage to perform "(Oh,) Pretty Woman" from the iconic Hollywood hit. 

While at first sceptical of where the upbeat performance might effect their vocals, they pleasantly surprised their star-studded audience; where previous winners Little Mix expressed their fondness towards the boys. 

 

With their hairspray out in full force, their vocals were stronger and their dance moves were slicker. And that gravity defying hair of theirs didn't move an inch. 

I was thouroughly impressed with their improvement, and can't wait to see how the next weeks unfold for the five piece. 

The Day of the Dome : Under The Dome Review (so far)

Over the years we have witnessed many a sensational Stephen King adaption grace our screens, both big and small, and this is no exception for Under The Dome. Teamed up with iconic Directer/Producer mastermind Stephen Spielberg, Under The Dome hit US television screens earlier this year, and quickly moved over to the UK following its state-side success.

Over the last 2 months here in England, the compelling story-line had me hanging off my seat as I eagerly anticipated the roll of the credits each week, and as the season finale edges ever closer, I'm still none-the-wiser on how this suspenseful drama will conclude.

In the normal American town of Chesters Mill nothing out of the ordinary occurred, until the Day of the Dome. With no warning at all a transparent dome, miles in width, hits the town and cutting them off from the outside world, only the local radio station receiving cryptic radio frequencies from the US Army.
As resources start to run scarce, money is no longer the relevant payment for necessities such as water or medication - shop owners demand extra propane and batteries to charge the electricity in their own home.

Throughout the weeks, focus shifts from character to character, with the main basis being the characters Joe McAlister, and Norrie, an outsider who was unexpectedly caught within Chesters Mill with her mothers on the day the dome rocked the town. Both teenagers experience seizure-like episodes, repeating the exact same words, that "pink stars are falling (...) in lines." It becomes evident as the weeks progress that the dome itself seems to be channeling them, as they begin to give off interference frequencies to the radio and are hunted down by journalist Julia.

Joe and Norrie even manage to find the center of the dome, where a dark egg sits amongst fallen lives and it's own miniature dome. When touched with both hands, an apparition of a member of the town appears (Norrie's mother Alice appears and seems to be a distressed call out to her daughter; she runs home immediately sensing danger.)
Drama strikes again as Alice begins to run out of insulin after delivering a local pregnant woman's baby, named Alice after the woman who delivered her. Poetic, right? Until she becomes fatally ill and loses her life in the night, with her wife and daughter by her side. One Alice for another. Even more poetic.

Julia later discovers the egg after Joe mentions it mid-conversation by mistake. She places her hand on the dome and sees an apparition of Joe stating that "the monarch will be crowned," a phrase that circulates throughout the entire episode which ends in a final shot of Joe's sister Angie's (monarch) butterfly tattoo. This creates many narrative enigmas which reflect previous subtle shots of butterflies throughout the series - we begin to realise the significance but still no sign of what they might mean.

Last week's episode which aired on October 14th showed Angie McAlister sharing the same seizures as Joe and Norrie do, stating that "pink stars are falling," which proves significant later in the episode. As it ends, the 3 of them find the miniature dome and egg and all place their hands on-top as if they are "keys" to the answer. The camera zooms out and shows a fourth and final empty handprint, with no clue as to who could fit the lock so to speak.

With only a handful of episodes until the season finale, there are still so many questions rattling in the minds of viewers, which plea to be answered. Who will be the final "key"? How will Angie's relevance to the "monarch" fair in the end? Will we be left on a cliffhanger leading on to the rumoured second season?
Tune in on Mondays at 10pm (GMT) on Channel 5; you'll be shocked, shouting but begging for more.

Insidious 2: Review (no spoilers)

As a huge fan of a good scare fest, I jumped at the chance to see my favourite pair team up for a much-anticipated sequel - Inisdious 2 - on Friday the 13th. 

James Wan and Leigh Whannell found huge success when they teamed up for the smash hit Saw, which proved revolutionary in terms of the storylines in the horror genre; keeping you guessing until the final music plays. 

In 2010 the pair set out on yet another promising project - Insidious. Again, the movie kept twisting and turning until the credits rolled. With the ending finding the family in a deeply rooted cliffhanger, a sequel wasn't even an option, it was a necessity. No more than 3 years later, and picking up from only moments after we left the original movie, we find ourselves back in the Lambert family's home where the same unwelcome entities are taunting and tearing at the very fabric of what is left of Renai's sanity. 

Without giving away the very twists that make the Writer-Director pairing so intriguing to see working together, I can honestly name this one of the most well-planned, and well-executed sequels for a long time. And with a name so haunting it had to live up to its prequel, it definitely did its duty. 

Patrick Wilson, who plays broken and 'possessed' Josh Lambert, portrayed some groundbreaking and utterly haunting acting in a horror movie, that is incredibly difficult to find in such a genre. 

Now You See Me : Film Review

Just last month I was at my local cinema waiting to watch a wonderful Robert DeNiro and saw an advert for a intriguing new piece of film called Now You See Me.  I'd been interested in the concept and practically counted down the days until it finally hit UK cinemas, and finally my time came to see it. 

With one of the largest star-studded cast, stars such as Michael Caine, Jesse Eisenberg of The Social Network fame, budding newcomer Dave Franco, the timeless Morgan Freeman, and various other wonderful cast members, all took to the stage upon the screen to perform one of the greatest cinematic illusions I've ever seen. 

Set across 3 different US states to perform 3 different tricks, The Four Horsemen magicians take Las Vegas and the authorities by storm with deceit and slide of hand, to perform a bank robbery 5000 miles away in Paris, rewarding their personally chosen audience members with the money. 3 million Euro of it. 

With Hulk star Mark Ruffalo on their case as an FBI detective, we follow the story through both sides of the magic; the disbelief and the detailed planning. 

Each scene pulled a new twist from up their sleeves and pushed me back into my belief in magic.. where the magic itself is believing. The final twist concluded what I felt throughout the full 2 hours, that this is truly glorious, gripping, and utterly groundbreaking.