Tuesday 20 May 2014
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.
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.
Tuesday 13 May 2014
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.
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.
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
Thursday 1 May 2014
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)