THE WOLF OF WALLSTREET

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SPIRITED AWAY

SPIRITED AWAY

Imagine a world where witches and spirits reign and being human is the worst possible creature to be.
This world is exactly where young Chihiro, a 10 year old girl finds herself.
Let me start from the very beginning though, before all the witches and spirits. Chihiro and her parents are driving to their new home when her father realises he has missed the turn needed to reach his destination and, rather than turn back, he decides to take a short cut through the woods because it will "save time". Typical.

They don't get far when they reach a huge gate, which clearly blocks their path using the car down this route any further. Chihiros parents decide to explore what's beyond the gate, reluctantly she joins them and the three find themselves unknowingly entering a different world. As they explore the new area, they notice ruins of where a river used to flow and various different buildings in the distance, attracting them with delicious foodly smells. 

The closer the family gets to the buildings, the more appetising the food smells. Her father stumbles across the source of the delicious scent; an abundous of foods cooked and ready to eat! Unable to find any shopkeepers, mum and dad start to stuff their faces and insist they will pay the bill once they find a worker. Chihiro is less than impressed with her parents and decides to explore the abandoned area, noticing a bath house that appears to be in full operation judging by the steam exhaling from the various vents. The bath house is on the other side of a bridge and Chihiro begins to make her way across when she is met by a boy. A boy a little bit older than her who looks startled and angry to see her here, telling her to leave this place and ushering her back over the bridge. 

Confused and scared, Chihiro runs back to where her parents were insisting that they leave this place at once. When she arrives back to the building where her parents were eating there are no sign of them, just two big fat pigs! Could they be her parents?! She must be dreaming. She runs back to where the car is parked but before she can reach the final gate there is a giant river blocking her path. The river that was ruins was now fully flooded. Chihiro runs back to the bathhouse but begins to notice dark shadows.. Spirits wandering the streets. When all hope is thought to be lost the boy appears again; this time offering help instead of neglect.

All alone in a different world, could you imagine anything worse... I know I couldn't! Regardless, Chihiro begins her adventure in the new world, starting by finding the boiler man who will hopefully give her a job. Not sure why anyone would employ a 10 year old girl.. I mean it's not even legal but WHO CARES IT"S SPIRIT WORLD. Chihiro finds the boiler man, Kamji. A thing half spider half man who notices the loving nature of Chihiro and helps her down the path of getting a job. I like Kamji, having all those extra hands would be so helpful in today's world and the way he drinks from his teapot.. THE BEST. Chihiro then finds herself moving through the bath house with a female worker named Lin. Lin advises Chihiro that she must make her way to the very top of the establishment to find the witch who in charge. The witch who will give her the job she needs. 

When Chihiro reaches her destination, she barely even manages to knock on the door when she is swept into the witches lair. And now let me introduce to you ladies and gentlemen, the very villain of the story.. Yubaba. Such an ugly thing she is. Mind you, she resembles a woman I know who owns a local cafe, in both appearance and personality. Yubaba reluctantly gives Chihiro a job in her bath house in exchange of her name. Yep. Her name. Get a job here and you lose your name. Chihiro is now Sin. Don't forget who you were Chihiro!

The first job Sin gets in the bathhouse is to clean the most filthiest bath tub. Not bad for your first day eh. As the day goes by, Sin notices a spirit standing outside the bathhouse in the rain. Being the loving character she is, Sin lets the spirit inside and the disturbances in the bathhouse begin. The spirit Noface. He is one of my other favourite characters. Such a confused creature who only wants the best for those who help him. 

As the story progresses, we see Sin grow as a person and show other people the effects of love. Love being the one thing that is stronger than any magic available. I'm not going to give any spoilers away in this review except that Spirited Away is one of my all time favourite movies,and opened up me to the world of anime.

Rating: 10/10
Would recommend: YES. I personally guarantee that you will enjoy this movie.

Scarface: What if!

Imagine Scarface in today's era. 

Seriously, imagine it. Imagine a modern Tony Montana, same scar on his face but a completely different actor... maybe Johnny Depp. A mastermind, wanting to have it all. The money, the power, the women. I don't know if Cocaine being the drug of choice would work in a modern era however, but it could quite possibly work. Definitely would need to remain landscaped in America but so much would have to change! And then his friend Manny, he could be... Bradley Cooper. An almost adviser to Tony, helping him formulate plans to gain power and prestige. Oh and we can't forget Frank, the initial drug lord who hires Tony in Scarface. Frank.. you know who would make the best Frank.. Clint Eastwood. His acting skills and amazing ability to manipulate a character who clearly doesn't care what others think.
 
Okay so actors set out, plus a couple of extras... let's saying the gorgeous Elvira is played by Penelope Cruz- rather than be Franks woman, she is his daughter and still classified as the forbidden fruit. As the story progresses, following the storyline of Scarface several things would differ which would indicate a clear modern remake. Payphones would hardly be used, everything would be done on a smartphone. Technology would yield one of the major differences, along with changes in the lifestyle of people today. Plus buying a nice new sports car won't cost you 40k, more like 400k. 

I don't know if a remake of this movie could be possible without taking making it a complete joke. Smartphones everywhere, people texting each other and the amount of cyber bullying that could occur. 

Scarface

**Before you watch this film (or read this review), if you don't like excessive amounts of violence, foul language and use and abuse of drugs, I would suggest you skip this one. In saying this however, you will miss out on a GREAT movie.**

Me I want what's coming to me.
Oh well, what's coming to you?
The world, chico, and everything in it.

America. 
The land of the free. The land of opportunities. Well that's what was promised to thousands of Cuban refugees who arrived in the 1980s to Miami with next to nothing to their names. Antonio Montana is being evaluated by the border police, clarifying he has never been to jail nor homosexual, nor a drug user, he ain't no fuckin criminal. He's Tony Montana, a political refugee and as such, he is sent to freedom town - A camp in the middle of the city full of Cuban refugees. 

A month later, still in the camp and a friend approaches him with a proposition. Some good news, out of the camp in 30 days and a good job to match. All that's required is a small task. Tony must kill a communist, and I quote. "You tell you're friends in Miami I kill a communist for fun. But for a green card, I carve him up real nice"

Not long after, a riot breaks out in the camp and the communist is hurrying to leave, realising his death is upon him. The fellow Cubans taunt him and as he is almost clear of the camp Montana shanks him and the communist falls to his death. And as promised, Montana and his friends are free. Free citizens of Miami. Living the dream. But that job's not all it's cracked up to be. Working in a food van out on the streets all day everyday would defiantly take it's toll on you. 

But then an angel appears, in the form of two sleezy doped up men sitting in a car, offering another proposition for Montana and his friend Manny Rae- collect some cocaine off some Columbians new to town. Check if the goods are pure, pay them and bring the goods back. Easy as pie right? In the meantime, Tony and Manny decide to retire from their day jobs and pursue the world of crime.

With two more friends, the boys arrive at the house of the Colombians, Tony insists that no money is involved until the drugs prove to be genuine. Upon entering the house, Tony is checked for weapons and enters inside alone with his friend waiting outside the door and other associated in the car waiting. It's a pretty awkward vibe in the room and Tony starts to get routy. The tables turn and Tony's friend finds himself tied up in the bathroom with 3 Colombians and a chainsaw, and Tony forced to watch.

Feauring something bad may have happened, the other boys decide to head up to the house and arrive just in time to save Tonys life. But the leader of Columbians has made a narrow escape onto the street, wounded. Tony catches him in the street and finishes him off. The boys leave with one dead, one wounded and all of the drugs. Not bad for their start to the crime industry. 

Proving themselves, Tony meets the man he risked his life for; Frank Lopez. A drug lord of Miami beach. Who preaches "If people did business the right way, there would be no fuck ups" Franks women then makes an appearance whom Tony is instantly attracted to, Elvira. Frank wants Tony to work for him. Frank wants Tony as an alley, not an enemy. Tony accepts and is thrown into the deep end of drugs, money and sex... not that he's complaining. Tony tells Manny of his aspirations to be with Elvira and without doubt he tells him he's crazy. I mean the bosses girl. Really. Out of every woman in Miami you want the one who is the forbidden fruit. 

Tony continues to try and have his way with Elvira and makes time to visit his mum and sister, living in the housing developments. His mother refusing to accept drug money or gifts, wishing she never had a son because what Tony has become is quite possibly her worst nightmare. 

At a coke factory in Bolivia, Tony and a fellow business associate, Omar are negotiating terms for doing business with a drug lord. Omar is against Tony engaging in business with this dealer and basically tells Tony to shut up and let him do all the talking. The drug lord allows Omar to return to Miami and but Tony must stay as he wishes to chat with him. Omar never makes it home.

In the wise words of Tony "You gotta make the money first, then when you get the money, you get the power, then when you get the power you get the woman" and he's about to get it all,  starting with the woman. Tony approaches Elvira and tells her of his plans. His plans to marry her. His plans to have all the money. His plans of the end of Frank. 

Tony confronts Frank, beginning a war between the two men- both fighting for the drug empire they have built. As these conflicts continue, an attempt is made on Tonys life which yields the beginning of the end of Mr Frank. No more Mr Frank. No more boss. 

Tony now has it all and nothing is gonna take that away from him, except maybe his addiction to the very drug that made him who is. 

Rating: 9/10

Would recommend: Yes. Watch the movie and then play a game of Grand Theft Auto Vice City 

The Godfather PART 1, part 2

As the Don lays fighting for his life in hospital, a meeting is arranged by Mr Sollozzo, requesting the presence of the Corleone family and Captain McCluskey. Despite his distance from the family business Michael volunteers to attend this meeting on behalf of his family, and, prospectively killing both men to avenge his fathers shooting. Sonny finds Michaels idea of killing both a made man and a police officer comical but Michael justifies his reasoning because realistically; "It's not personal, it's strictly business"
And I bet you can guess what happens next, because when Al Pacino says he's going to do something, it definitely does come true.

As the story continues, we are subjected to a lot of brutal deaths including a set up shoot out which I think is probably the most brutal (best) death of the movie, where the Don's son Sunny has received news of the violence his sisters husband has inflicted upon her and races to provide justice. But he is stopped in his tracks at a toll station and the tables turn, with his entourage arriving only minutes after his death. Though this type of shootout seems pretty hypothetical to us today, even in the 1940's, as a viewer we feel like it's almost natural and we follow the family as the story progresses, developing a connection with almost all the characters. With organised crime gangs using seeings themselves as above the law; particularly with their infiltration of the police and political systems their actions are almost validated in regards to the story. 

As all this is happening, poor Michael has been exiled to lovely Siciliy to avoid repercussions of his actions. And in Italy, he does it all: Ventures the country, falls in love, gets married, starts a life, loses the love of his life. When he returns home, he has learned of his brothers death and retirement of his father, the Don. So with a sheer lack of reluctance, Michael accepts the takeover of the family business, accepting his title of the Don of the family and so, the story continues under the rule of Al Pacino, under the rule of the new Don Corleone.

When reviewing this movie, I see it as the beginning of many different gangster related film (The Sopranos, Underbelly, Fat Tony & Co) Providing the foundation for the buildup of a different genre of film. Slightly off topic, one thing that would be interesting to see would be a remake of this classic, set in modern times (2014+) and how they would integrate the differences of communication into their organised crime. Whether the film would use continue to present organised crime as an event that happens in the dark and how the advancement of technology would affect the communication processes, particularly in regards to crimes and deaths. Nevertheless, I wouldn't want anyone to overlook the impressive storyline within this movie and encourage anyone reading this review to watch it.


Rating: 9/10
Would recommend:Yes. Make sure you have a decent time frame to watch it, you won't want to get up once you sit down

The Godfather PART 1

The Original Don. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A classic and the beginning of it's own. Don Vito Corleone, the leader of one of the most recognised Italian families in America is handing his legacy to one of his sons to ensure the continuity of the families reign and name.

Organised crime is at an all time high, with not only the 'mafia', but police, judges and locals in on it too. Set in the summer of 1945, all family and friends of the Don (Marlon Brando) are gathered for his daughter Connie's wedding. Like any typical European wedding, there are people as far as the eye can see. Singing, dancing and drinking. The entire family has come to celebrate, even Don Vito's son Michael (Al Pacino) who has recently returned from WWII, makes an entrance by bringing his lovely girlfriend to share in the festivities, opening her eyes to the world he comes from. Now all the children are present, the family can take a family photo, projecting a time of happiness and serenity for everyone... But only for today. Because when the night ends, business is back to usual for the Corleone family. 

Don Vito Corleone is approached by a drug dealer, Virgil Sollozzo who is seeking to exchange profits from drug money for protection by the various mafia families around America. The Don does not promote the use of drugs, nor does he wish to be apart of the business. His mind is set with moral values, a favour for a favour. The family lawyer, Tom Hagen (Robert Duvall), advises the Don otherwise, insisting that drugs are a great business opportunity; that the family cannot lose from this investment. (Tom Hagen is Vito's adopted son, hence why he appears of American decent, not Italian) Sollozzo goes on to say that he his investment is already guaranteed by the Tattaglia family, who are the Corelones families rivals. 

Now, rather than listen to his lawyer, his son, Don Vito declines Sollozzos offer which begins the story of The Godfather. This decline presents an insult toward Sollozzo, which cannot simply be overlooked. The Don is curious about this "guarantee" between Sollozzo and the Tattaglia family so he sends a loyal friend, Luka Brasi, to infiltrate the Sollozzo's organisation. But infiltration is hard, once you've picked a team it's hard to change your and others opinions of where you loyalty lies and as such, Luka Brasi is questioned by Bruno Tattaglia. And by questioned, I mean killed.

Sollozzo plans the perfect revenge for declining of his offer, to kill Don Vito - shooting him several times until he is dead. The perfect plan... Well almost. The Don is shot several times, but does not die. He is take to hospital in critical condition, fighting a battle for his life. 

The whole family is outraged to learn of the Don's shooting, especially his hot headed son- Sonny (James Caan) who begins and immediate vendetta against Sollozzo and anyone who stands in his way. Sonny takes charge of the family. Despite the anger of Sonny, we notice another who seems more angered by the situation, we notice Michael. Michael has chosen to leave his mafia life behind him, but how can anyone leave something behind when it continues to creep up on them, following them like a shadow. 

One evening, Michael visits his father in hospital and becomes aware that there is no one guarding the hospital, no one protecting his father. Odd that a Godfather, one of the most powerful men, a person who a lot of people are trying to kill has no protection while at his weakest. Michael realises something is wrong. Something is very wrong. He finds a nurse who explains everyone was sent home. His father is being set up again. Michael immediately notifies his brother Sonny of the situation and insists that his father is moved into another room.

Michael than heads to the front of the hospital where he meets a friend of his fathers, coming to pay his respects. Together, the two of them guard the hospital, pretending to be armed detectives which ultimately save the Dons life. The police arrive upon the scene and the crooked police Captain McCluskey breaks Michael's jaw, after he insinuates their cooperation in plan to kill his father that evening. Sonny cannot turn a blind eye to these events, and, as such, responds by having the eldest son of the Tattaglia family, Bruno Tattaglia killed.

The Counselor

Greed really takes you to the edge, doesn't it? To go that little bit further just to make a little more money, but at what cost.

 A lawyer, aka the Counselor, is facing this exact choice, and typical lawyer goes against his instincts and finds himself in a major drug trafficking job. His lovely soon to be wife Laura (Cruz) is almost oblivious to to her lovers (Fassbender) involvement, because really, how could you perfect man ever disappoint you. We are introduced to a few "business" associates, a guy who doesn't quite know what his accent is, Mr Reiner (Bardem) and a guy who won't be seen without his cowboy hat, Mr Westray (Pitt) who we soon find out are in on the deal too. But we can't forget one associate, the sexy blonde woman WITH brains AND an intriguing personality the beautiful miss Malkina. (Diaz) With the large amount of money he is about to receive, the Counselor buys Laura a very, very expensive diamond ring.

As there's never really any certainty in life, why would drug trafficking be any different?
His deal has just gone bust- the drugs have been stolen and the only link to the theft is a young male who the Counselor has just happened to bailed from jail. Ironic isn't it. And thus, the Counselor finds himself in a position which nobody wants to be. Turning to his "friends" (Reiner and Westray) for advice, it is apparent neither can or really wants to help the Counselor revert the situation. Instead, they reiterate their initial thoughts on the Counselors decision on entering the deal which leaves the audience thinking who is on whose side in this affair. 

The Counselor begins to worry. This is not a case in a court room, this is real life and real life has real consequences, which he is soon to find out. He has just screwed over the Cartel. Because as the amazing Malkina says, and I quote, "And the slaughter is probably beyond our imagining", which almost projects a million scenarios in our heads of what could possibly happen when their worst fears become a reality. The movie soon becomes a game of hide and seek which all the characters are playing, to say they are nervous is an understatement. But one person isn't nervous, nor is she afraid. The lovely Malkina manages to escape the dreaded game of hide seek, and by escape I mean sit outside and watch from the sidelines as the story unravels and we soon find out exactly what has happened to the "lost" drugs.

Meanwhile, poor Laura is left in the dark, worrying that she hasn't seen her lover in days. Her and the Counselor decide to come together, for both emotional and safety reasons and meet in a city which neither have ever been. Upon arriving at the airport, Laura is kidnapped by men in a black 4WD and taken away to a place no person, no woman would ever want to be. Have you heard of a "snuff film"?

We are taken back to Reiner, who is killed in a gunfight with the Cartel but thank god his two lovely pet cheetahs aren't harmed. Westray on the other hand has caught the first flight out of the country and seemingly escaped the situation also. He may have escaped the Cartel but has found himself running from someone else. Malkina, not only looks but brains too has lost money and wants it back one way or another. She has decided to pursue Westray, not sexually but violently and gets exactly what she wanted, as per usual. Westray is not so lucky. He finds himself having the worst death in the movie- one of those bits where you don't wanna look but you can't resist. 

And then we are then taken back to the Counselor. The man who decided to enter this world by his very own choice. He is having a chat with a person who I think aside from Malkina, says things which are worth listening to, telling the counselor that he is the world he created. Knowing the consequences of his actions but never expecting them. The counselor had everything, a lovely wife to be, money, job, respected but gave it all up for a little more. For greed as that's what greed is. And soon realising exactly what has happened to Laura, knowing he cannot do anything to change the past, the Counselor is left with grief. And grief ladies and gentlemen is worthless.


Rating: 7.5/10
Would recommend: Yes, if you're home wanting a movie where your 100% attention is required

Whatever Happened To Baby Jane?

What would you do when everything you ever dreamed of happened to your sister?

Would you congratulate her? Would you be happy for her? Would you be jealous? Would you do everything in your power to take away? This is exactly how Baby Jane Hudson feels when she comes to realization that her older sister, Blanche Hudson is a successful actress and she is just a washed up "could have been".

In the beginning, we are introduced to 'Baby Jane', a prosperous singer/actress living the dream of an idolised golden child with her sister Blanche caught in the shadow of her success. As time passes, the tables begin to turn. Blanche is suddenly the star of the show. The one with all the glory. The one with all the money. 'Baby Jane' is now nothing more than a has been. The success however brought nothing but tragedy for the spotlight sister Blanche. One evening, the sisters arrive to the gate of their home- Jane drunk as a skunk and Blanche sober with pride. A terrible accident occurs. The girls' car is driven straight into the fence of their luxury home. But that's not the worst of it. Blanche is left paralyzed from the waist down, resulting not only in the loss of her legs but the loss of her career. 'Baby Jane' is nowhere to be seen.

Fast forward to today, the sisters are living together in Blanche's mansion; Jane being the sole carer for her sister. It is clear that Jane has some issues, well a lot of issues regarding the downward spiral of her own career. There is seriously something mentally wrong with her. She has vendetta against her sister for the success she didn't have, especially with the recent airings of Blanche's movies on national television - spiking an enormous amount of jealousy. Relying on Jane for her almost every need, Blanche has little power in her own house which does not work out well for her in the slightest. That's an understatement, it really doesn't work out well. The things Jane does to her sister are absolutely horrible. Some are sadistically funny, but still horrible. Blanche is a real positive thinker though, a trooper, until she has the realization that Jane is in fact mentally unstable. 

We are taken on a journey where Blanche almost dies, Jane falls in love with a man who has a horrible English accent, (NEEDS TO BE SAID) gets her heart and career aspirations broken and ends with the girls reunited in a place where they once felt much joy in their lives, well Jane did. 

This is a 1960's movie, so if you don't mind black and white films I would highly recommend watching this one. I would rate it an 9/10 as it's the first black and white film I've watched and a story where I've been able to retain interest throughout the entire period. Plus, if you ever need a true character to dress up as for a party, Baby Jane (Bette Davis) is your answer. That white makeup and toy doll... gives me chills just thinking about it.

 

Mama

Two little girls, left alone in the woods. No form of contact with anyone, too young to take care of themselves. 

A father shoots several of his co-workers, then his wife and runs away with his daughters before he is left to face the consequences. Driving faster and faster to escape reality, the father loses control of his car and crashes in the woods. No one is hurt in the accident. The father leads his daughters to an abandoned house, where the father contemplates his next move.  Five years on, after extensive searches of the woods trackers are lead to a run down house. The house standing strong appears to be vacant, however, into the house they go hoping for a miracle. Confronted they are by exactly what they were hoping to find and so begins the story of 'Mama.'

The girls begin their lives in the observation room of a hospital and soon make the transition into their family home, with their uncle and his partner. A doctor has taken a major interest in the girls and can't help but feel inclined to understand how the two managed to survive - the condition of which the girls are initially found will impact any audience. As the story progresses, we notice the girls are never really alone. Something or rather someone is watching over them, and does not like how the girls lives are changing. (For me, when children are involved in horror movies it makes the connection that tiny bit stronger) Strange things begin to occur in the home, with the man of the house having an accident, well not exactly an accident, but results with him hospitalised for majority of the movie. 

His partner, a women clearly not ready for motherhood takes the role of the sole guardian for the girls and she begins to notice there is something very strange about the girls. They talk to themselves, play games with themselves and call out "Mama" when there is nobody around. Probably what you would expect when you've been living on your own for five years right? The girls soon reveal they were not alone. They did in fact have "Mama" looking out for them, and, ironically enough, she is still looking out for them - according to the children. The intrigued doctor continues to observe the children and begins to form his own conclusions of what had happened, slowly drawing the "Mama" character created by the children to be a real figure.

I don't want to give too much away, but I really enjoyed this movie - easily one of the best horror movies I've seen in a while. I would rate it 8/10 for it's ability to keep me engaged throughout the entire movie. I was however disappointed in the ending, such a typical end to a horror movie.

The Purge

You can do anything you want for 24 hours. Anything.

2013's movie 'The Purge' consists of just that. Anyone, and I mean anyone can do anything they want... but for only 24 hours. And yes, this includes murder (surprise, surprise).

Set in present times, we are introduced to the picture perfect American family- or so it seems. A family who seems less than nervous for the annual purge. The one time in the year where anyone can do anything they like, without having reason, without having to suffer the consequences. As the family home goes into lock down, the youngest song does not appear to be coping with the horror which is occurring outside. Despite all the precautions taken by the rest of the family, the boy lets a scared man into their secured home. -This seems awfully predictable, out of anyone in the family the youngest, who knows little about the true events which take place on the evening, is the one to take action and show compassion. 

Not long after the family realise what's going on, the people hunting the man show up at the families door step giving them an ultimatum - Bring the man outside or they will come inside and retrieve him, showing no sympathy for anyone in their path. Once again, surprise surprise. The rest of the movie becomes a giant game of deadly hide and seek. And when I say deadly, I mean guns, knifes and blood. I won't ruin the ending, but you I guarantee you be able to pick how the movie ends. And in saying that, it would have been nice to see the aftermath of the annual purge... however, it is not shown. 

Classified as a horror/sci-fi movie, I would rate it a 7 out of 10, purely because of the predictability throughout the movie.