Never Say Never Movie Review

Releases: 14^th April 2011
Rating: G
Duration: 105 minutes 
Genre:  Documentary

Starring: Justin Bieber, Boys II Men and Miley Cyrus

Director: Jon Chu

Guest Reviewers: Nerice and Holly

The Premise>> The documentary Justin Bieber: Never Say Never follows the teen idol as he prepares for his first sold-out show at New York City’s venerable Madison Square Garden. Interspersed with concert footage are home movies taken when Bieber was much younger and just starting to show a knack for music — particularly drumming. We are introduced to the performer’s inner circle — including his mom, his manager, and his stylist — who help him keep his head screwed on straight while he navigates the complicated world of international superstardom.

The Review>> Two girls in their 20’s and a sea of teenage girls with Bieber Fever, ‘Never Say Never’ is an experience.

Let’s put this straight: if you are a teenager in love with the Biebster, this movie will be everything you’ve ever wanted and more (including shots of the Bieb with no shirt on).  If you’re not a fan, then go along to have a giggle at the screaming girls, the tears, the jumping up and down, the reaching out to touch Justin and the singing.

But back to ‘Never Say Never’ it really is a nice family friendly film.  Yes sure Justin’s only lived 17 years of his life so far, but they’ve been pretty incredible.  The story follows Justins rise to fame from his humble beginnings as young boy with grainy YouTube clips with bad audio, to a mega pop sensation, who has his own personal tour bus and plenty of fully grown men and women relying on his voice for a living.  The film culminates at the biggest performance of his short-lived life, Madison Square Gardens.  There’s a a dash of drama and a pinch of suspense, thrown in for half-baked story-line, but nothing too complex or compelling.  However, it’s easy to get caught up in the hype, with the screaming crowd.  The music is strategically placed, with bass-y spot effects, as well as the 3D aspect drawing you in.

If you’re watching as a fan, it seems like he’s living the dream.  If you’re a bit older, you kind of feel sorry for the guy.  At times it seems like he should just be able to be a kid and not have all the mass hysteria of a million females wanting to marry him.  The fact that the film completely ignores any potential face-to-face conversation with him, it makes you wonder what he feels about his life.

The Conclusion>> Overall, the movie is even interesting to the sceptic, so go check it out and make your own judgment.  You could wait for it onDVD, but seeing it in 3D with purple Bieber glasses is pretty awesome and even if you don’t see it in 3D, concerts are always better on the big screen!

Rio The Movie Movie Review

Releases: 7^th April 2011
Rating: G
Duration: 96 minutes 
Genre:  Family Animation

Starring: Will I AM, Jane Lynch, Leslie Mann, Jamie Foxx, Anne Hathaway, Jermaine Clement and Jesse Eisenberg

Director: Carlos Saldanha (Ice Age1,2&3 Robots)

GUEST REVIEWER: Jodie Clist

The Premise>> 3D animated family flick – from the makers of Ice Age and Horton Hears A Who – Rio tells the story of Blu (Eisenberg), a rare macaw who is stolen from his nest as a chick and ends up in the snowy Minnesota town of Moose Lake. He is raised and cared for by Linda (Mann) and lives a life of domesticated luxury in her bookshop. Then they receive a visit from Tulio (Santoro), a bird expert from Brazil who tells them they must travel with him to Rio so that they can introduce Blu to the only remaining female of his kind, Jewel (Hathaway). Arriving in Rio, Blu and Jewel are soon stolen by bird smugglers intent on selling them on to the highest bidder. They soon escape but they have one small problem. Blu has never learned to fly. He must overcome his fear of the skies with the help of Jewel, a wise Toucan called Rafael (Lopez), two wisecracking birds Pedro and Nico (Will.i.am and Foxx) and Luiz (Morgan) a slobbering Bulldog, if they are going to keep one step ahead of the bad guys and their evil cockatoo Nigel (Clement) and make it back to Linda and Tulio alive.

The Review>> Rio is bright, colourful and detailed – and manages to sneak in “more than usual” dancing bird/animal scenes due to the setting of the film during Carnival in Rio.  The vocal talent is brilliant; with Eisenberg nailing the nervous and neurotic Blu in all his nerdy glory and Hathaway portraying the feisty Jewel perfectly. 

I will admit to being “kiwi proud” when I realized that the villain of the film, Nigel the Cockatoo, is voiced spectacularly and evilly well by none other than Jermaine Clements of “Flight of the Conchords” fame. 

With a storyline that dances along with crazy bike-rides through the back alleys of Rio, a pack of pick-pocketing monkeys and some brilliant comedic support characters (Foxx, Will.i.am and Morgan) Rio is funny, entertaining and an easy watch for both adults and children.

The Conclusion>> Definitely a “must see” on the big screen for the school holidays, though not necessarily in 3D, as the vivid colours of Rio are slightly muted by having to wear the 3D glasses. 

Some extra bits to know about the film and to look out for>> Flight of the Conchords fans will be glad to hear that Jermaine got to co-write and sing his own song ‘Pretty Bird’ (sample lyric ‘Like an abandoned school I have no principals/principles’).

Win Tickets to Get Low

Here’s your chance to win tickets to go and see the quirky fun drama based on part folklore and legend, Get Low

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

What film did Sissy Spacek win an Oscar for?

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

(Competition closes 11:59pm Sunday 17th of April 2011, you must be a resident of New Zealand and Judges decision in final.)

Click here to read the review

Rating: M 

In Cinemas 24th March 2011

Win Tickets to Sucker Punch

Here’s your chance to win tickets to go and see the fantastical new film, Sucker Punch

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

Who directed Sucker Punch?

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

(Competition closes 11:59pm Sunday 17th 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 violence 

In Cinemas 7th April 2011

Sarah’s Key Movie Review

Releases: 14th April 2011
Rating: M – Contains adult themes
Duration: 111 minutes
Genre: Drama
Starring: Kristin Scott Thomas, Aidan Quinn and Melusine Mayance
Director: Gilles Paquet-Brenner (Walled In, Pretty Things, Pay Off)

The Premise>> Julia Jarmond is an American living in Paris and writing for an American magazine when her editor allows her to cover the 60th anniversary of the “Velodrome D’Hiver” roundups of Jewish families. Julia discovers that the apartment she and her husband Bertrand plan to move into was acquired by Bertrand’s family when its Jewish occupants were dispossessed and deported 60 years before.

The Review>> Over the past few years I have been very disappointed with some of the films that Kristin Scott Thomas has starred in. Love Crime brought me to the edge of refusing to see another film starring her. Of course even though some of my other film review buddies did chose to miss out on seeing Sarah’s key, I am so glad that I went. This film is an exquisitely layered film, as it traversed the timeline from Paris during World War II through to modern day New York. 

Despite some of her more recent roles, Kristin Scott Thomas once again showed she is a world class actress that when given a decent script can shine with a dazzling brilliance. The pace and plot developed beautifully as the drama built to help unfold a delicately crafted tale of amazing survival and great loss. This is definitely one of those films where you hunger for more information and even a desire to read the source material. In this case is an adaptation of the novel Elle s’appelait Sarah by Tatiana De Rosnay. 

Sarah’s Key moved me in so many ways, from the hunger for truth in the modern day component of the plot, through to the absolute desperation of the past, as a family tried desperately to survive such horrific times and one girl’s unfortunate journey to freedom. 

The Conclusion>> A deeply moving tale that teaches up that no matter the time that passes up by, we cannot out run our history.

Never Let Me Go Movie Review

Releases: 17th March 2011
Rating: M – Contains Sex Scenes
Duration: 103 minutes
Genre: Drama
Starring: Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley and Andrew Garfield
Director: Mark Romanek (One Hour Photo)

The Premise>> As children, Ruth, Kathy and Tommy, spend their childhood at a seemingly idyllic English boarding school. As they grow into young adults, they find that they have to come to terms with the strength of the love they feel for each other, while preparing themselves for the haunting reality that awaits them.

The Review>> From the film trailer you are led to believe that this is the tale of three people in love. While it its simplest form this is true, it is built upon a morality play that poses the question of each person’s life purpose.

What starts out looking like a normal British boarding school turns out to be something much more. This therefore adds more weight to the love relationships between the three core characters. 

Although quite typical of her previous roles, Mulligan is somewhat reserved in her performance which this time suits the character perfectly. While most of the time she seems unwittingly naive, there is a quiet understanding that at times sneaks through her delicate demeanor. As in The Social Network, Andrew Garfield is outstanding as the uncomfortable boy whose charm is matched by his naivety, as he struggles to find understanding and acceptance amongst those around him.

Although there are some beautiful moments, this is not a happy film. It is a film that tells a story that challenges the lengths that science should go to in order to give us a better life, while exploring the simple concept of being able to live and love. 

With lots of opportunities for fleeting moments of both joy and sorrow, this film will take you on an emotional journey through the English countryside.

The Conclusion>> A very moving cinematic experience for those in the mood for a well though-out emotional drama.

Hop Movie Review

Releases: 7th April 2011
Rating: G
Duration: 95 minutes
Genre: Animated
Starring: James Marsden, Russell Brand, Kaley Cuoco, Hank Azaria, Hugh Laurie and David Hasselhoff
Director: Tim Hill (Alvin and the Chipmunks, Muppets from Space)

The Premise>> Blending state-of-the-art animation with live action, Hop tells the comic tale of Fred, an out-of-work slacker who accidentally injures the Easter Bunny and must take him in as he recovers. As Fred struggles with the world’s worst house guest, both will learn what it takes to finally grow up.

The Review>> So it’s the holiday kids film season and there are lots of animated goodies hitting the screens. One of which is this live action animated cross blend take on the Easter bunny. Featuring rabbit poo that becomes jelly beans and chicks that power a flying machine and it’s all in the name of family entertainment. 

Then of course you throw Russell Brand into the mix with his strange banter and somewhat weird comedic timing and it is one of those films that you can’t be sure of. I mean i certainly found it funny and my 10 year old had a blast, but it kind of felt as though it was missing something special.

Seeing a rabbit playing the drums is cinematic genius but then comes the Hoff, yes that is right David Hasselhoff turns up hosting his own version of Americas got talent. It all felt a little too close to Alvin and the chipmunks with different characters. Of course do not get me wrong, this was still a damn sight better than the squeakual. 

It is quite amazing that these days the Hoff’s main appearances are either as the physical embodiment of a Hoff joke or to be roasted on national TV.

The Conclusion>> Anyway this film will be a lovely outing for if kids these upcoming holidays but you might wanna grab a strong coffee before you enter the cinema.

Sucker Punch Movie Review

Releases: 7th April 2011
Rating: M – Contains violence
Duration: 110 minutes
Genre: Sci-Fi Action
Starring: Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung, Carla Gugino and Oscar Isaac
Director: Zack Snyder (300, Watchmen)

The Premise>> A young girl (Baby Doll) is locked away in a mental asylum by her abusive stepfather where she will undergo a lobotomy in five days’ time. Faced with unimaginable odds, she retreats to a fantastical world in her imagination where she and four other female inmates at the asylum, plot to escape the facility. The lines between reality and fantasy blur as Baby Doll and her four companions, as well as a mysterious guide, fight to retrieve the five items they need that will allow them to break free from their captors before it’s too late…

The Review>> Zack Snyder, he’s had some big hits with 300, Watchmen & the Owls of Gahoole (maybe not such a hit there), but I’ve always had the sneaking suspicion he may have a leaning towards style over substance. Sucker Punch has only reinforced my theory. It looks cool, has a mean soundtrack, got a super-hot cast of actresses, but a lack of solid characters, plot & logic. 

It starts well, a girl ‘Babydoll’ gets wrongly sent to a mental asylum, she meets some other oppressed inmates and plans an escape. The escape is told through other realities she’s imagining (I think), I don’t know why, maybe it’s cause she’s criminally insane? Although I thought she wasn’t crazy in the first place.

I think I’ll give up on the thinking in this one.

She fights dragons, giant samurai’s, Nazi zombies and shiny robots, these represent the issues or challenges escaping the mental asylum. The trouble is the battles come across as random and a little pointless. You’d think a fight between a girl in a Japanese school uniform and three giant samurai would be compelling, but it’s surprising how many times I drifted. Sucker Punch does ramp up the drama in the third act, once you start seeing the negative effects of the battles in the other realities it gets more interesting. A few of the actresses did some good work too, Jena Malone & Vanessa Hudgens were engaging and Oscar Isaac pulls off a bad guy that could’ve almost come from a Tarantino flick. 

Sucker Punch has made me realize there is such a thing as a ‘cool’ overkill, guitar solos and industrial beats with chain guns, robots and dragons come off as laughable when they’re all chucked together, like one of those KFC double downs, it’s a bit ridiculous.

Sucker Punch has been billed as Zack Snyders complete vision as he wrote & directed it. His directing is pretty much bang on, given the right story he’s awesome, if a touch melodramatic, you can’t help being impressed by his visuals and his concepts. The writing on this one leaves a lot to be desired, if you’re prepared to put up with the ‘what the heck just happened’ moments and you can appreciate visuals over storyline; you might find something in Sucker Punch.

The Conclusion>> Visually stunning but a little lackluster in the storyline.