The Purge

Rating: 3/5

The purge tells the story of, well, ‘The Purge’.

It is a new scheme introduced by the American government to legalise all crime for just one night a year.

According to the film, crime is at an all-time low as a result and most families have come to accept this day, that’s not to say they’re exactly looking forward to it!

The film follows one family in particular, the Sandin’s, consisting of father James (Ethan Hawke), mother Mary (Lena Headey, best known for her role as Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones), daughter Zoey (Adelaide Kane) and son Charlie (Max Burkholder). 

Naïve and kindhearted Charlie let’s in a man that’s helplessly seeking refuge from the dangerous territory of outside.

Little does he know by allowing this man in to his family home he’s unleashing a night full of terror upon them. And this is where the movies catch phrase ‘Survive the night’ comes in to place.

It’s safe to say I did enjoy this film.

Director James DeMonaco is hardly a master of suspense however he did have me nail-biting and sitting on the end of my seat with a few scenes that can be compared to that of The Strangers (in my eyes, one of the creepiest horrors going). So he definitely did something right!

 Second to that there’s a scene in the middle where the dad James turns a bit Liam Neeson in Taken that is very entertaining to watch.

However the film doesn’t come without its faults.

The main fault isn’t really down to the making of the film, it’s the fact it is a film.

The idea of The Purge is a new and interesting concept, so much so that it is possible it would have worked better as a TV series. 


My suggestion would be a few episodes explaining the creation of The Purge, a few consisting of The Purge and a few including the aftermath. Maybe (hopefully) someone will take up the challenge? 



My only other criticism is the apparent inability of any family members to save themselves yet somehow having this incredible ability to save one another. It made for predictable viewing, AKA oh daughters down, here’s mum to save her (that’s not a spoiler by the way, just an example!) 



Having said all that it is worthy of a watch, just probably not when home alone.

The Great Gatsby (2013)

Rating: 3.5/5

I read The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, for the first time only a couple of months ago and I LOVED it.

Beautifully written with an array of exciting characters and brilliant visionaries it is one of the most romantic stories to be told. It’s no wonder I read it all in one sitting (although I must add it is only a short novel).

So the question here I guess is did I also enjoy the film? And that answer would be: yes (not only because Leonardo DiCaprio plays Gatsby).

Before I talk about why it’s lovable, and also why it’s received some criticism, I’ll briefly tell you what it’s all about!

Set in the 1920’s in New York and told through alcohol-hazed eyes of Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) it is the story of one Mr Gatsby, Nick’s new next-door neighbour.

Nick soon learns that Gatsby’s move was all a plan to be closer to Daisy (Carey Mulligan), whom is married to the unfaithful Tom (Joel Edgerton).

The mystery of the great Mr Gatsby unfolds. Why does he want to be close to Daisy? Where did this mysterious man make his fortunes? Where did he come from?

It is a story of love, loss, tragedy and lies.

A great story with a great deal of cinema potential; potential that director Baz Luhrmann definitely made the most of. However Luhrmann has been criticised for doing so. Reviews have been flooded with phrases such as “over-directed” and “too-stylised”.

Admittedly the style does take a little getting used to, with some rather strenuous transitions, but when you do adjust you’ll certainly appreciate the beautiful cinematography.

The over-the-top visionaries are very similar to Moulin Rouge that not shockingly was directed by Luhrmann too.

I must admit I’m in two minds about just how similar this film is to the book.

On one hand screenplay writers Luhrmann and Craig Pearce were most certainly respectable and true to the original, careful to not takeaway from the essence of the story. And as fore-mentioned the book is brilliant, so nothing needs to be adjusted.

On the other hand I can’t help but feeling it was a little too safe and that something new and unique (if done correctly) could have made the 2013 version of Gatsby more memorable.

Without a shadow of a doubt the best aspect of this film for me were the characters. The casting was flawless. The acting was fabulous. The love interests were incredibly believable. They made the film. 

Another magnificent area of this film was the set and costume design. Just wow! Again these had a very Moulin Rouge feel.

Fun fact: 500 Brookes Brothers suits were custom made for this film (just an insight in to the scale of marvelousness that is the outfits in this film). 

I’m sure I’m not alone in saying I want to own every, single dress Carey Mulligan wears!

If you love book, you’ll love the film. If you love great cinematography, you’ll love the film. If you love Moulin Rouge, you’ll love the film.  

If I were you I’d ignore the critics and go and see this film anyway.

P.s. Maybe Leonardo DiCaprio will finally win an Oscar? 

Evil Dead (2013)

Rating: 4/5

Horror fans, your needs have finally been catered for.

After a pretty dismal couple of years for horror films this remake of the 1980’s classic did not disappoint. This is no unoriginal, remotely scary, almost laughable film. Director Fede Alvarez has assured it’s just the opposite.

It is insanely disturbing, terrifying and gruesome. It was brilliant. Bursting with originality and arguably the most blood the cinema has ever seen.

Although the story has a similar theme to the previous Evil Dead’s, five kids, cabin in the woods, evil spirit, it adds a unique sub-story that’ll have you screaming at the screen.

Leading lady Mia, played by Jane Levy, is a drug addict trying to go cold turkey. The abandoned cabin in the middle of nowhere is of course the perfect place for this (sarcasm). So Mia, two friends, Eric (Lou Taylor Pucci), Olivia (Jessica Lucas) and her brother David (Shiloh Fernandez) and his girlfriend Natalie (Elizabeth Blackmore) head down there.

Like in any horror film, this was a mistake.

The group discover a book, The Book of Evil. Despite its name annoyingly curious Eric decides to open it and evil is unleashed.

What follows is more blood, guts and gore than your stomach can handle. More fear, terror, twists and disturbing imagery than your mind can handle. You’ll be shifting uncomfortably in your chair and covering your eyes.

But if you’re a horror fan you’ll love it and you definitely won’t be forgetting it for a while. Or, as a film-fan you’ll appreciate the interesting twists and turns the story takes.

Go see it. But don’t say I didn’t warn you. 

Black Mirror 2

Overall rating: 4/5

Black Mirror is a mini-series, with the second season being made of up only three 45-minute episodes. As every story is unrelated and could be fall in to the short film category I shall give you a summary of each episode listed in order of best to worst.

White Bear

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis (No spoilers)

Victoria wakes up in a house covered in bandages, surrounded by pills with no recollection of who or where she is. Haunted by unknown flashbacks she leaves her house terrified, in search of answers.

As she fights for her life as a group of nightmarish ‘Hunter Killers’ try to kill her all other people just stop and film the hellish ordeal.

Victoria comes across another young woman, Jem, who explains how transmissions from electronic devices made humans act in such a way.

Jem and Victoria attempt to find a safe place amongst the deadly chaos. But is Jem who says she is? Is there a safe place? And who is Victoria?

Review: 

All I have to say about this episode is: Wow. This packed in more horror and twists than most films manage in twice the length.

Although this sort of thing has been done before, similar to Zombie flick 28 days, later there are differences.

The futuristic-take, the fact the monsters are human and the stories twist assure it differs from ‘the norm’. 

Definitely not for the faint hearted, it’s rather messed up.

Be Right Back

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis (No spoilers)

Martha is left heartbroken when her partner Ash tragically dies in a car accident. Her friend recommends a new service that allows you to contact the deceased via what they have previously shared on social networking sites.

At first Martha is uncertain but on finding out she is pregnant she feels lonelier than ever and relishes the idea.

As her phone-based relationship goes further and further she decides to take it to the next step and try out the cloning service that is offered.

Can the clone replace Ash? Is this what Martha really wants? Has she gone too far?

Review: 

The concept of this episode was by far my favourite. It was highly original and thought provoking. You find yourself putting yourself in Martha’s shoes and questioning what you would do under the circumstances.

It makes for a good discussion too if you choose to watch this series with friends! Particular reference to the ‘would you have sex with a clone’ question that will more than likely come up.

It also highlights the issue of ‘over-sharing’ online, something the majority of us can admit to doing.

Once again, this episode is rather disturbing, but I think in a good way.

The Waldo Moment

3/5

Synopsis (No spoilers)

Animated bear Waldo starts out as just a comedy act, an incredibly popular one at that. 

Soon however Jamie Salter, the comedian behind the mask is pushed by the production company in to political ambush.

The company aggressively prompts Jamie to victimise and scrutinise those in power soon forcing him to start a political party of his own.

Jamie decides enough is enough and refuses to partake any further causing producers to take over having a potentially more damaging effect to politics’ as we know it.

Will Waldo win the election? What will be the outcome if he does?

Review:

I hate to say it but this was my least favourite episode of all. In all the previous episodes the underlying message was there but was by far less obvious. This all seemed a bit too try hard to me with the political message shining all too bright.

Having said that I might be a little bias having only a minor interest in public affairs, if you have a keen interest in politics I can imagine this would be much more your ‘cup of tea’.

It is still definitely watchable and the message itself highly respectable, however it was a slightly disappointing end to the season. Although it will by no means stop me watching another Black Mirror season!

Overall Review:

I was very impressed with this season of Black Mirror.

It provides food for thought in a way that fictional TV rarely does these days.

It was original, interesting, entertaining, mind-altering and slightly disturbing. With such radical and uncompromising visions of the future all squished in to singular episodes it would be hard for you not to be entertained! It lived up to the high mark it set with the first season.

I would without a doubt recommend this mini-series (going on the basis you are 15 or above). My only upset would be that is a mini-series.

It’s worth more than a watch, it is worth at least three.

I’d like to end this review by saying how much I’d love to have a conversation with the writer Charlie Brooker, what a brilliantly odd man he must be.