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.