Win Tickets To Red Riding Hood

Here’s your chance to win tickets to go and see the fantastical new film, Red Riding Hood

All you need to do to enter is answer a simple question…

Who wrote the Fairy Tale that this film is loosely based on?

Email your answer with your name and contact details to win@bigscreennz.com

(Competition closes 11:59pm Sunday 3rd of April 2011, you must be a resident of New Zealand and Judges decision in final.)

Click here to read the review

Rating: – M – Contains Supernatural themes & violence

In Cinemas 24th March 2011

Red Riding Hood Movie Review

Releases: 24^th March 2011
Rating: M – Contains Supernatural themes & violence
Duration: 100 minutes 
Genre:  Fantasy

Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman, Billy Burke and Shiloh Fernandez

Director: Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight, Thirteen, Lords of Dogtown)

The Premise>> Valerie (Seyfried) is a beautiful young woman torn between two men. She is in love with a brooding outsider, Peter (Fernandez), but her parents have arranged for her to marry the wealthy Henry (Irons). Unwilling to lose each other, Valerie and Peter are planning to run away together when they learn that Valerie’s older sister has been killed by the werewolf that prowls the dark forest surrounding their village. For years, the people have maintained an uneasy truce with the beast, offering the creature a monthly animal sacrifice. But under a blood red moon, the wolf has upped the stakes by taking a human life. Hungry for revenge, the people call on famed werewolf hunter, Father Solomon (Oldman), to help them kill the wolf. But Solomon’s arrival brings unintended consequences as he warns that the wolf, who takes human form by day, could be any one of them. As the death toll rises with each moon…

The Review>> Ten minutes into the film, I found myself thinking, oh, I’m watching twilight…except there’s a wolf and a chick in a red cape.  But it wasn’t long before I was enjoying the romance, drama and mystery of the film. 

Seyfried sits well with the role of Valerie, playing a young women who knows what she wants, and isn’t afraid to go out and get it. She’s smart, strong, independent and full of passion for life…and for Peter.

I had forgotten that Gary Oldman was in this film, and as always, he never fails to disappoint.  An Oldman fan since 1998’s Fifth Element, his execution of Father Solomon’s dedication to the “hunt” and his obsession with finding the “beast” amongst them, is flawless.

In fairness, he mystery of the identity of the “beast” is actually done quite well.  I will admit to changing my mind several times throughout the film as the seeds of doubt were sown first toward one character, then another and another…

The Conclusion>> This is a film about secrets and mystery…with a very liberal dashing of romance. Yes, this is definitely a “chick skewed” film…the forbidden love between Peter and Valerie creating a love story that will keep the “hopeful romantic” on the edge of their seats til the very end.  This was a film I enjoyed for the romance, the mystery and the 2 hours it let me live in the world that it created.

Note:  There are some very “steamy” kissing scenes between Valerie and Peter, but parents of young teenage girls need not be concerned…it’s more sensual than sexual.

Win Tickets to Limitless

Here’s your chance to win tickets to go and see the mind expanding new thriller action film, Limitless

All you need to do to enter is answer a simple question…

What are three films that Bradley Copper has starred in over the past 3 years?

Email your answer with your name and contact details to win@bigscreennz.com

(Competition closes 11:59pm Sunday 27th of March 2011, you must be a resident of New Zealand and Judges decision in final.)

Click here to read the review

Rating: – Contains Violence, Sexual References and Offensive Language

In Cinemas 17th March 2011

Limitless Movie Review

Releases: 17^th March 2011
Rating: M – Contains Violence, Sexual References and Offensive Language
Duration: 106 minutes 
Genre:  Action

Starring: Abbie Cornish, Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro.

Director: Neil Burger (The Illusionist)

GUEST REVIEWER: Asher Bastion

The Premise>> Limitless is the story of Eddie Morra, a down on his luck writer aiming to make the big time with a new sci-fi book he’s just got a contract for. He doesn’t have much in the way of inspiration or motivation though. Oh and to make matters worse he’s lost his girlfriend, his apartment is a mess and he has long hair. It’s a tragic picture. 

Hold up though, here’s Vernon his shady former brother in law, who offers Eddie the chance to change his life with a new wonder drug. NZT allows the brain to unlock its full potential which results in Eddie finishing his book in 4 days, ultimately turning his life around, whilst seducing the landlady.  Life is good, until the side effects kick in.

The Review>> Ah yes, I can see the appeal. Who can’t relate to a person with a bit of a lazy side who has big dreams but doesn’t have the skills or energy to take it all the way? Limitless is an interesting exploration of the idea of an unlocked brain; what’s possible, what would you do? As a film though, while it’s an engaging and an exciting ride, it’s got a relatively major let down waiting at the end that confuses the whole vibe of the movie. For me, it’s a Hollywood ending that sort of misses the point and doesn’t really give Eddie what he actually needs.

Limitless, it’s an enjoyable flick, but not deeply satisfying. It’s more of a high five to ‘better living through chemistry’, it sends a slightly disconcerting message… Drugs are good (if you take them right). But, I guess it has a lot of fun telling you that.

The Conclusion>> Limitless, it’s an enjoyable flick, but not deeply satisfying.

Some extra bits to know about the film and to look out for

Shia LaBeouf was cast but had to drop out after he badly injured his arm in a car accident. He was replaced by Bradley Cooper.

Rango Movie Review

Releases: 10^th March 2011
Rating: PG – Contains some scenes may scare very young children
Duration: 107 minutes 
Genre:  Animated but also artsy

Starring: Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin, Alfred Molina, Bill Nighy, Harry Dean Stanton, Ray Winstone, Ned Beatty and Timothy Olyphant

Director: Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean 1, 2 and 3, The Ring, The Mexican)

The Premise>> The story follows the comical, transformative journey of Rango (Depp), a sheltered chameleon living as an ordinary family pet, while facing a major identity crisis. After all, how high can you aim when your whole purpose in life is to blend in? When Rango accidentally winds up in the gritty, gun-slinging town of Dirt — a lawless outpost populated by the desert’s most wily and whimsical creatures — the less-than-courageous lizard suddenly finds he stands out. Welcomed as the last hope the town has been waiting for, new Sheriff Rango is forced to play his new role to the hilt…until, in a blaze of action-packed situations and encounters with outrageous characters, Rango starts to become the hero he once only pretended to be. Rango is an exciting new twist on the classic Western legend of the outsider who saves a town — and himself in the process.

The Review>> Now upfront I should say that I loved it but I don’t think it will be everyone’s cup of tea. Most people will see the trailer and expect this laugh a minute light and fluffy animated kid’s film. In reality it was more of an adult animation with an artsy feel. I don’t think they have been clear enough in the marketing to say that it’s really not your typical light and fluffy kid’s animation with fart jokes etc… In fact it is quite dark at times.

It is basically like if you took the film Chinatown and replaced the actors with quirky beasts and animals. So you kind of have to expect, some laughs, some drama and a whole pile of visual stimuli.

The animation is as amazing as I have ever seen on the big screen, with immaculate detailing and wonderful action. This is amazing considering that this is the first animated feature for special effects company Industrial Light & Magic.

I think that the team has done an awesome job merging the voices with the characters, while picking a few stand outs in the western front such as Timothy Olyphant from TV’s Deadwood and Ray Winstone as a menace.

This is going to need to one that you absolutely make your own mind up about, as it will divide audiences with a love or hate mentality. Which generally only comes from not doing your research and knowing what to expect.

The Conclusion>> An awesome and challenging piece of animated art but definitely don’t expect a Pixar film such as Cars or Toy Story.

Win Tickets to Saw 3D

Here’s your chance to win tickets to go and see the latest in the Saw Horror film franchise, Saw 3D

All you need to do to enter is answer a simple question…

What is the name of the bad guy in the Saw films?

Email your answer with your name and contact details to win@bigscreennz.com

(Competition closes 11:59pm Sunday 20th of March 2011, you must be a resident of New Zealand and Judges decision in final.)

Rating: R18 – Contains Torture & Sadistic Violence.

In Cinemas 3rd March 2011

Win Tickets to The Adjustment Bureau

Here’s your chance to win tickets to go and see the mind-blowing hot new sci-fi drama romance film, The Adjustment Bureau

All you need to do to enter is answer a simple question…

What film did Matt Damon win an Oscar for?

Email your answer with your name and contact details to win@bigscreennz.com

(Competition closes 11:59pm Sunday 20th of March 2011, you must be a resident of New Zealand and Judges decision in final.)

Click here to read the review

Rating: M – Contains sex scenes and offensive language

In Cinemas 3rd March 2011

www.theadjustmentbureau.co.nz

Universal Pictures

Win Tickets to I Am Number Four

Here’s your chance to win tickets to go and see Disney’s new sci-fi family action blockbuster, I Am Number Four

All you need to do to enter is answer a simple question…

What film launched Alex Pettyfer?

Email your answer with your name and contact details to win@bigscreennz.com

(Competition closes 11:59pm Sunday 20th of March 2011, you must be a resident of New Zealand and Judges decision in final.)

Click here to read the review

Rating: M – Contains violence

In Cinemas 3rd March 2011

The Adjustment Bureau Movie Review

Releases: 3rd March 2011
Rating: M – Contains sex scenes and offensive language
Duration: 105 minutes
Genre: Action
Starring: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Anthony Mackie and Terence Stamp
Director: George Nolfi (The Bourne Ultimatum, Oceans Eleven and The Sentinel)

The Premise>> Do we control our destiny, or do unseen forces manipulate us? Matt Damon stars in the thriller The Adjustment Bureau as a man who glimpses the future Fate has planned for him and realizes he wants something else. To get it, he must pursue the only woman he’s ever loved across, under and through the streets of modern-day New York. On the brink of winning a seat in the U.S. Senate, ambitious politician David Norris (Damon) meets beautiful contemporary ballet dancer Elise Sellas (Blunt)-a woman like none he’s ever known. But just as he realizes he’s falling for her, mysterious men conspire to keep the two apart. David learns he is up against the agents of Fate itself-the men of The Adjustment Bureau-who will do everything in their considerable power to prevent David and Elise from being together. In the face of overwhelming odds, he must either let her go and accept a predetermined path…

The Review>> Every now and then a film comes along that can stretch your imagination and challenge your view of the world. The Adjustment Bureau is one of those films to me. Before seeing it I had heard very mixed reviews. Nothing majorly bad but no one was saying awesome. Can I say that I really enjoyed it? Yes absolutely. The plot was wonderfully dynamically formed, with plenty of ups and downs to draw you into the storyline. For those sci-fi buffs out there, it was kind of like Dark City with a touch of the watchers from the TV show Fringe. It really is no great surprise that the concept is so intriguing as like Blade Runner this film is based on a short story by Philip K Dick.

However, even though it had an alternative reality feel with the introduction of The Adjustment Bureau, it still carried itself well as a romance. Raising the question what would you risk for true love? Would you be willing to give up your most sacred of dreams in order to be with your soul-mate? Inn this element of the film, Damon and Blunt are exquisitely matched. The on-screen chemistry between them is magical but still realistic.

Damon has certainly been picking his roles well in the past few years with dazzling performances in The Informant, The Bourne Ultimatum and True Grit. Of course at the same time that he has been impressing us, so too has Emily Blunt. (If you ignore Gulliver’s Travels and focus more on films like The Young Victoria, Sunshine Cleaning and Wild Target) So together they do very well and when you throw in the always strangely alluring Terence Stamp, you have a recipe for intrigue. 

I really don’t want to give much away about this film as it was a very enjoyable ride discovering it for myself. However, even though it is not a long film, the journey felt substantial and it packed a decent amount within its 105 minute frame. I have found myself still pondering on it the day after, as it raises many questions in regards to free-will or a destiny type plan. Is our life a fixed route or do we change it as we travel along? Then of course there is the question of who wrote the plan for our lives if we believe it to be so?

Sometimes a movie will raise more personal questions than it answers and sometimes that in itself is a good thing.

The Conclusion>> A very good semi sci-fi drama but probably not one to do when tired.

Hall Pass Movie Review

Releases: 3rd March 2011
Rating: R16 – Contains Drug use, sex scenes and offensive language
Duration: 106 minutes
Genre: Comedy
Starring: Jason Sudakis, Owen Wilson, Christina Applegate and Jenna Fischer
Director: The Farrelly Brothers

The Premise>> This buddy comedy from the Farrelly brothers stars Jason Sudakis and Owen Wilson as a couple of married guys who persuade their wives to give them the ultimate get-out-of-jail-free-card: a marriage Hall Pass. The agreement gives them free reign to behave like bachelors, free from the rules and confines of fidelity, responsibility, and married life, for one week. But soon the guys find the small town where everybody knows them – and their wives — isn’t very conducive to chasing tail. And making matters worse, it turns out to be harder than they thought to take the idea of their wives (Fischer and Applegate) taking off for vacation on a Hall Pass of their own.

The Review>> So let’s be honest, the Farrelly brothers are not known for making Oscar winning highbrow cinematic art. Instead they are known for penis jokes, poo humour and in your face sexual references. There is no innuendo here, just blatant in your face sexual comedy. 

Let me start off by saying Hall Pass is no exception. In General it follows the same rules as their previous outings such as Dumb and Dumber, There’s Something About Mary and Me, Myself and Irene.

Of course since their previous films were released there has been a move to a slightly more clever style of naughty comedy. Films like The Hangover and Due Date have lifted the bar with smart scripts and witty dialogue to go alongside the dirty jokes answer slapstick. Here however the witty dialogue is mostly missing and the rude humour is left alone without a chaperone to help guide it along. 

Yes there are still plenty of very funny jokes both orally and visually, but it is missing that x factor that links it all together seamlessly. There were plenty of times when the audience was in hysterics and might i say it is well worth staying through the credits for a little Stephen Merchant magic.

Owen Wilson and Jason Sudakis were quite okay in their roles, but it was pointed out to me by a fellow reviewer just how much Wilson seems to swallow his dialogue as though he has been studying at the Captain Kirk school of emphasizing each individual word for greater dramatic effect. (That sentence makes more sense if you apply that theory to it and pause between all words) 

The lower level supporting cast were pretty good at the small stages they were used and you get the feeling that the producers were a little scared that the likes if Merchant would upstage the leads.

Oh by the way, it cost $200,000 to get the rights to use the “Law & Order” “dunt-dunt” sound for the “Day X” title cards.

The Conclusion>> All that being said, I did laugh lots and it was a welcome reprieve from the emotional past week of national disasters and bodies being pulled from the Christchurch rubble.