THE HOBBIT: THERE AND BACK AGAIN - REVIEW

THE HOBBIT: THERE AND BACK AGAIN - REVIEW

At some point in the beginning of this grand adventure, the ever wise and headstrong Gandalf played ever so graciously by Sir Ian McKellen, says, “all good tales deserve embellishment”. Seemingly this would reveal the mind set that the stupendous Peter Jackson, the director of this film as well as the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, has employed for this escapade.

Peter Jackson is known as one heck of a faithful director, as his Lord of the Rings films were literally a visual illustration of the books. Unlike most directors who would use the source material as either guidelines or decidedly spice up or tone down certain elements of the story, Jackson looks to make the most entertaining and faithful adaptation of the source material as possible.

The first 45 minutes of the film pays testament to his faithfulness as we get introduced to Bilbo Baggins who is brought to life by Martin Freeman bringing a sense of nervousness, discomfort and intrigue to the role. This little introduction to our young adventurer whines on for a bit too long, as we introduced to the Dwarves who Baggins reluctantly receives into his home. For the most part, this part of the film is quite soporific.

Cate Blanchett as Galadriel

Once we get past the introductions, the film springs to life as Baggins springs out of his home and runs after the dwarves to join in on a memorable adventure.

There and Back Again, is aided by amazing visuals, which numbs the senses and totally envelopes you into the fantastical, mythical, magical world that is Middle Earth. Jackson this time around decided to shoot this film in 3D while enhancing the experience by filming in 48fps, instead of the 24fps, which is the norm.

48fps has seemed to be quite the divisive topic, has many either hated it or loved it. I for one loved it! At first the experience could be quite jarring as the clarity of the film is really something to behold, especially in 3D. The realism of the world is exponentially enhanced by 48fps, however there are times that CG effects as well as some of the cheaper materials used for some of the props and sets are a little too obvious. However, seeing that this is the first film to implement this technology we sure moving forward it will only get better and that the production team will find other ways to blend the artificial with the natural.

One thing that I was disappointed to see was the newly designed Orcs, who went from these superb creatures created by a talented group of Make-Up Artist who brought their gritty, devilish faces to life, where as now they are less intimidating CG caricatures.   

Andy Serkis as Gollum

Unlike the Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, is much more of a fun, humor filled adventure and rightfully so. As The Hobbit was never as huge of an epic tale as the Lord of the Rings trilogy was. Yet our group of adventurers still have to find their way around Orcs, Trolls, Wolves and Mountainous Monsters.

Unlike the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, which was based on a trilogy of hefty Novels, The Hobbit, is only based on lighter solitary tale, which Jackson first divided into two films, now will be divided into a trilogy. For hardcore fans that are devoted to the franchise, they will be concerned about how this book will be divided as seemingly not that much happens within the narrative that would warrant another trilogy.

As Jackson is a Middle Earth enthusiast, he proved that he could make it work, as he had it his disposable, the appendices, JR Tolkien’s original notes for the Book, as well as other notes Tolkien made on Middle Earth. It would seem that Jackson would be taking full advantage of these extra tidbits of information as he looks to bring us another classic adventure.

While The Hobbit: There and Back Again, definitely is a great film, I wouldn’t call it an instant classic. Although once the trilogy is complete, it could certainly be as classical as its classic trilogy ancestor. The film certainly felt prolonged, although once we got re-introduced to such characters as Galadriel (Cate Blanchett), Elrond (Hugo Weaving), and Saruman (Christopher Lee) it certainly proves a wonderful ploy by the director to remind fans that this story is in the same world as Lord of the Rings.

Gollum played by the ever-magnificent Andy Serkis, certainly brought the story to a more then satisfying conclusion as his performance proved once again that schizoid Gollum is the stuff of shrewd nightmares.

The Hobbit: There and Back Again, is certainly a welcomed lighter addition into the dark world that is Lord of the Rings, with its spectacular enticing visuals, aesthetics and its fun, wild adventure you will certainly be excited for what’s still to come.

Our Rating

8/10

RISE OF THE GUARDIANS - REVIEW

RISE OF THE GUARDIANS - REVIEW

Guardians Assemble! The Fairytale Avengers are here, as Santa Claus, The Easter Bunny, The Tooth Fairy, Sandman and Jack Frost all come together in order to take on the big bad Boogeyman.

The film tells a story about the Guardians (North or Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, and the Sandman), who enlist Jack Frost to stop Pitch from engulfing the world in darkness. It features the voices of Chris Pine (Jack Frost), Alec Baldwin (Santa Claus), Hugh Jackman (The Easter Bunny), Isla Fisher (The Tooth Fairy) and Jude Law (Pitch)

In recent years DreamWorks has really raised the bar when it comes to their animated films, as they create memorable meaningful stories that are not only filled with great heart warming moments, but also serve as great family entertainment for both the young and the old.

ROTG is one of their most memorable films to date as it jumps through action, comedy, drama and emotion in one easy sweep, as we - the audience - step into this world of imagination and adventure getting lost in our childish fantasies.

It’s quite easy to create a animated film that's big on fun, adventure and comedy, but it’s so much harder to create a story with substance as ROTG.

The film is much about self-discovery, and discovering ones purpose as it is about entertaining its audience, with action, humor and thrills.

The film focuses on Jack Frost who is quite the unknown entity when compared to our guardians – Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and Sandman. The film focuses on why Frost might not be as famous as peers and what he has been doing wrong, while taking him on a grand adventure as we get taken to majestic mythical places in this superb animated film.

The film offers us some really memorable characters such as SandMan, and puts 3D to good use, enhancing its storytelling, rather then being an unnecessary gimmick.

Although certain part of the film might come off a little too generic for its older audience, I feel it will certainly keep the younger generation fully invested in the story.

ROTG is definitely one of the best, if not thee best animated film for the year, and with all its humor, action, adventure and deeper themes its one film that you wouldn't want to miss.

Our Rating

8/10

LIFE OF PI - Review

LIFE OF PI - REVIEW

Its not often that you find a character driven story that is not only emotional charged but that is also a visual spectacle, yet Life of Pi manages to unify these two experiences into what can only be described as beautiful.

Without revealing too much about the film, its described as a story about a young man who survives a disaster at sea is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor ... a fearsome Bengal tiger.

The story is based on Yann Martel’s book of the same name, and its really about a spiritual journey, a will to survive and the unlikely bonds that can be formed when faced with death.

Yet this film isn't consumed in drama alone as the visual aesthetics that accompanies the film is made up of so many beautiful pieces of ineffable imagery. Director Ang Lee has really mastered the film as an art, as it is not only beautiful to the eyes, but the story is pleasing to the soul.

The film reaches into the soul as we watch Young Pi go on a journey of self discovery as he toggles three different religions, trying to figure out what it all means. Where most people would chose to follow or not to follow any specific religion because of what others have said or not said, Pi realizes that faith of his beliefs can only be drawn out in times of struggle. It’s this spiritual journey as a young man that will bring him his epiphany in his quest for his survival later in his life.

This film puts you right next to Pi as you go through each range of emotion, from happiness to sadness, from triumph to loss, from despair to joy, from anger and pain to a sense of calm and serenity, yet never losing its appeal visually.

Ang Lee brings the world alive, mirroring each emotion that is felt by Pi, and amplifying it to beautiful heights. As you see the world unfolds around him with its strong gorgeous colours that engulfs and capitulates you serving to numb your senses while your mind wonders the world that is Life of Pi.

Although the film loses some of its emotional pay-off, as the film felt like its lost some of the spiritual elements in Pi’s journey during the adaptation process from the book, it still manages to leave one satisfied, and not necessarily short changed.

The film does not contain any big recognizable big A-List stars, although Tobey Maguire originally had a small role in the film, director Ang Lee decided to cut his scene. Which was a smart move by the director and was applauded by Tobey himself, as the director felt that Tobey’s presence would distract from the film. He certainly made the right call on that one.

Even though the film doesn’t have many recognizable faces, the cast of the film is simply superb!

Irrfan Khan plays a older vision of Pi, albeit his capacity in the film is somewhat of a glorified narrator, Khan plays every scene just right, with a touch of humility, grace and emotion he brings out the serenity of Pi.

To my surprise Suraj Sharmi who plays a 16-18 year old Pi, makes his acting debut in this film. While watching this film, you would have thought that Suraj has been acting for years, yet he shows off his immense talents regardless of the little experience he has.

Simply put Life of Pi of is an extraordinary film, that follows a mans will to live, his will to survive, regardless of the fact that he might not have a reason too. As the film progress you soon find out that what is keeping him alive, is a animal that wants to kill him, ironic it seems.

Life of Pi, not only takes Pi on what is a remarkable journey but it also pulls in the audience with its beautiful visuals and aesthetics which not only warrants the use of 3D, it amplifies the films story. Which makes Life of Pi something quite remarkable!

WATCH IN 3D!!

Our Review

9/10

KIERA KNIGHTLEY TALKS ANNA KARENINA, JACK RYAN AND DROOPY TITS

 ANNA KARENINA, JACK RYAN AND DROOPY TITS

Actress Keira Knightley who starred in such films as Pirates of the Caribbean, Atonement, and Pride and Prejudice, will be starring as the titular character in Anna Karenina.

Anna Karnina is based on a novel of the same name written by Leo Tolstoy that was originally published in 1878. This film will mark the 13^thfilm adaption of the book, as director Joe Wright’s bold, new romantic drama adaptation of the epic story of forbidden love set in 1874 Imperial Russia, looks to finally capture the spirit of the book and give fans truly a remarkable adaption that will finally satisfy all as previous film adaptions have always seemed to miss its mark.

Joe Wright and Kiera have collaborated before and this time they look to really make something that could be remarkable.   

Recently Knightly has spoken with both Collider and EW about the film, working with Chris Pine and Kenneth Branagh on Jack Ryan and her small tits.

Here’s what she had to say:

Collider:  Will you be going away from period pieces with your next projects?

Keira Knightley:  I’ve just done two contemporary pieces, but no, it’s all about story.  It’s not about when it’s set or where it’s set.  I like period.  I like fantasy as a dramatic tool.  I think it’s a really great dramatic tool because it means that you leave yourself behind.  Your imagination is required instantly in a period film, because it’s a world that you don’t know with rules you don’t know.  I think I certainly relate to characters on an emotional level very differently in period pieces or sci-fi pieces or fantasy pieces, than I do in pieces that are more voyeuristic and present us with the world that we know.  I think that’s a very different relationship with the story.  So I think that’s why I enjoy doing period things.  It’s that tool that I really enjoy.

C: Can you talk about working on Jack Ryan and how that’s going?

on Set of Jack Ryan

Knightley:  Yes, Jack Ryan.  I got to the end of Anna Karenina and realized that I’d been sort of doing pieces of work that were incredibly dark and I pretty much died in a lot of them for five years.  I wanted this year to be the year of positivity and pure entertainment.  So, I did one film called Can a Song Save Your Life? which is about friendship and making an album and possibilities.  And, Jack Ryan is a really great, old school, Hollywood thriller and a piece of pure entertainment, and hopefully it will be that.

C: Are you still filming?

Knightley:  I’m currently shooting it in London.  I’m nearly at the end of it.  I think we finish early December

In this month’s Allure magazine, Keira Knightley explains that she’s “quite rigorous” about which parts of her body she’ll bare onscreen. Specifically: “No bottom half! I don’t mind exposing my tits because they’re so small — people really aren’t that interested!”

The Oscar nominee also laments the dramatic photo-shopping her chest is often subjected to on movie posters and in ads: “For King Arthur, for a poster, they gave me these really strange droopy t-ts … I thought, well if you’re going to make me fantasy breasts, at least make perky breasts.”

The Anna Karenina star also speaks out about the hurtful rumors that she had an eating disorder in 2007 — “I knew I wasn’t anorexic, but maybe my body is somehow not right. Or my face is not right. Or the way I speak is not right. When you’re going through a period where you’re really getting a lot of criticism, you go, Maybe all this is right!”