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.