News

Bullet Screen Trails In China.

A system in which viewers post real-time comments on screen via text has became popular in theatres in China. "Bullet Screen", according to Shangaidaily.com, allows users' typed comments to flash across the screen rapidly whilst the film is playing.

The latest trend to literally sweep across cinema, has been met with very much mixed reviews. Although it appeals to the younger customers, many cinema veterans have heralded the invention as a deadly sin that may indicate a sad departure away from traditional cinema.

It is a waiting game to see whether "Bullet Screen" will catch on. In my opinion, I believe the idea to be dreadful. Although enhancing the experience for a certain demographic, on screen comments would only hinder the film for the audience members who actually want to enjoy the feature film. Surly any member of an audience, who pays to sit in a cinema in order to watch a movie, would not benefit from on screen comments as they would be focusing on the film itself. 

Joaquin Phoenix In Final Talks For Dr Strange.

According to numerous sources, Phoenix star of films such as Spike Jones' Her and Gladiator has entered the final stages of negotiation with Marvel Studios to play The Sorcerer Supreme. The actor, aged 39, has long been the centrer of fan speculation and now with a 2016 release date placed on the Dr Strange film, it seems as though things are wrapping up.

Despite numerous other candidates, ranging from Benedict Cumberbatch  to Jack Huston, Phenoix has remained the focal point of of fan discussion and seems to have entered the final stages of negotiation process.  

Directed by Scott Derrickson, the mystical instalment into the growing Cinematic universal, will surly be elevated by Phoenix's A-List talent. So much so, I personally could envisage this as a indication that Marvel aims to proceed without Robert Downey Jr's Tony Stark, as his contract runs out at Avengers 3. Could Phoenix be the man to lead the Avengers? And Is he the right choice for Dr Strange? 

Brad Pitt And Angelina Jolie Finally Marry In Paris. 

It was confirmed this week that the long term power couple of Hollywood, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, were married in France on Saturday. As confirmed by a spokesman, the iconic couple exchanged vows before departing to Malta, to shoot Beyond The Sea, Jolie's third film as director. 

The pair met in 2005 on the set of Doug Linman's Mr and Mrs Smith and proceeded to have 6 children together. In 2012 the couple announced their engagement, which according to Pitt was the result of pressure from their children. 

The delay from engagement to married life, can be seen as a result of the couple closing to hold back the wedding Until same sex marriage became legal in the United States.

Throw Back Thursday

Greg Recommends: American Psycho

American Psycho follows wealthy investment banker Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), a psychopath with trying to hide is murderous alter ego from the world and just fit in. However, as his urges grow to the illogical and gratuitous will his mask of stability slip off.
American Psycho really is a one man show. Christian Bale is terrific in his role, providing expertly delivered coldness as well as surreal black comedy. He simply dances along with expert craftsmanship, slowly allowing the audience to spiral down into the darkness of Bateman's subconscious. Without Bale's commitment to the role, I feel the picture would be lacking tremendously, it is therefore that much of this films brilliance is owed to his performance. 
The narrative can be slow in places, but does show clear understanding of the source material, and is more so a comment on the the overindulgence of society than a burst of exhilaration. Mary Harron's superb direction is thought provoking, which combined with Andrzej Sekula's cinematography, creates a highly metaphorical  and often good looking film. 
Surprisingly, American Psycho is a funny film. The humour is very meta, as we are often laughing at Bateman rather than with him. For me this is essential, as Bale's psychopath is meant to be the amalgamation of societies flaws, and if we were laughing with him, well that would just be sick. 
The ending of the film is a real tough spot for me. On the one hand, it is quite unsatisfying, leaving a lot of issues unresolved. However, after re-watching it does provide a sophisticated level of ambiguity, provoking thought and enticing further viewings. 
I would recommend American Psycho, as something very different to satisfy your film urges. It may not be to everyone's cup of tea, but the social relevance of the picture, and Bale's iconic performance, can't be faulted. Oh, and watch out for any falling chainsaws...

My Score: 7.3/10 
IMDB: 7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 67%
Did You Know: Christian Bale was warned by many that to take on the lead role in a film like this would be career suicide. However, this just made him more eager to take on the role. Also, prior Bale's casting it was presumed that Leonardo DiCaprio would play Bateman, however he left the project to shoot The Beach. 

Trailer Tuesday: The Hobbit The Battle Of The Five Armies.

With 2014's summer movie season winding to a close, let's cast our views forward to the highly anticipated conclusion to The Hobbit Trilogy, The Battle Of The Five Armies. Scheduled for a 12th of December release, Peter Jackon's (supposedly) final return to Middle Earth see's Bilbo (Martin Freeman) and the dwarves struggling to hold on to Erebor. But with rising aggravation toward the Dwarves, and the small matter of a Dragon, can they hold on to their treasure?

This trailer is everything I could have wanted. The Five Armies trailer encapsulates every defining aspect that made the original Lord Of The Rings trilogy so iconic. Aided by a terrific narration from Bilbo, the atmosphere seems ripped straight from Return Of The King, and I for one was severely impressed. 

After an uneasy initial instalment, this trilogy seems as though it will continue it's upward assent. The plot seems tense, a great departure from the overly childish Unexpected Journey. Smaug, although only briefly revealed, looks tremendous and is certainly a major factor contributing to my excitement. 

Also, if the trailer is anything to go by, the conflict between Thorin (Richard Armitage) and Bard (Luke Evans) will be a major focal point and one which I can't wait to see. 

Therefore, I personally cannot wait for this conclusive chapter, everything seems in place to ensure that The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies will be something special. 

Coming To Cinemas This Week

August 27th

Let's Be Cops: Two struggling pals dress as police officers for a costume party and become neighbourhood sensations. But when these newly-minted "heroes" get tangled in a real life web of mobsters and dirty detectives, they must put their fake badges on the line.

IMDB: 6.4/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 15% 

August 29th: 

Million Dollar Arm: A sports agent stages an unconventional recruitment strategy to get talented Indian cricket players to play Major League Baseball.

IMDB: 7.4/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 61%

If I Stay:Life changes in an instant for young Mia Hall after a car accident puts her in a coma. During an out-of-body experience, she must decide whether to wake up and live a life far different than she had imagined.

IMDB: 7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 41%

As Above/So Below: When a team of explorers ventures into the catacombs that lie beneath the streets of Paris, they uncover the dark secret that lies within this city of the dead.

IMDB: 6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: N/A

Obvious Child: A twenty-something comedienne's unplanned pregnancy forces her to confront the realities of independent womanhood for the first time.

IMDB: 7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 87%

Night Moves: Three radical environmentalists look to execute the protest of their lives: the explosion of a hydroelectric dam.

IMDB: 6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 84%

The Grand Seduction: The small harbour of Tickle Cove is in dire need of a doctor so that the town can land a contract to secure a factory which will save the town from financial ruin. Village resident Murray French (Gleeson) leads the search, and when he finds Dr. Paul Lewis (Kitsch) he employs - along with the whole town - tactics to seduce the doctor to stay permanently.

IMDB: 7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 61% 

The Internet's Own Boy: The Story Of Aaron Schwatz: The story of programming prodigy and information activist Aaron Swartz, who took his own life at the age of 26.

IMDB: 8.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 91%

Mystery Road: An indigenous detective returns to the Outback to investigate the murder of a young girl.

IMDB: 6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 85%

Throw Back Thrusday: My Top Five Robin Willams Performaces.

After the tragic loss of the beloved Robin Williams last week, I thought it only fitting to do my top five Robin Williams performances. Let's get one thing straight, this wasn't easy. Usually an actor is lucky to have around 3 or four brilliant roles, Williams however, has so many brilliant performances that to narrow it down to just five was certainly difficult. Now lets begin this celebration of a truly spectacular actor.

Number 5:  Mrs Doubtfire.
After a bitter divorce, Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams), an unemployed actor 
disguises himself as a female housekeeper, in order to spend time with his children held in custody by his former wife(Sally Field).
Mrs Doubtfire for me, along with Aladdin, was my first exposure to Williams as a comedy tour de force. My farther showed me this film and, truth be told, I could not stop laughing at the satire on display. 
Williams' dynamism bursts through that muddled British accent and countless amounts of prosthetics terrifically. There is a well-balanced blend of physical and dialogue based comedy that Williams delivers without fault. 
However, it is his balancing of light-heartedness and emotional despair, as a father who will do anything for his children, that reveals to us that Williams can register on both a humorous and dramatic scale. 

Trailer Tuesday: Mortdecai

Mortdecai, focuses upon art dealer Charles Mortdecai (Johnny Depp) who searches for a stolen painting, that's reportedly linked to a bank account, that is full of Nazi gold. Starring the aforementioned Johhny Depp, as well as Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor and Paul Bettany, Mortdecai is set for a January 2015 release. 

Well, I think this film cements the fact that Depp is stuck in a cinematic rut. With recent flops, such as The Lone Ranger and more recently Transcendence, Depp seems to be verging on desperate in this role. Granted, there were moments that made me laugh (most notably the man servant joke), but what else was on offer seemed to be nothing more than B-level comedy. 

Although Depp has some big releases to look forward to, most notably this years Into The Wood's scheduled for a December releases, it will be interesting to see whether the Actor's loyal fan base will stay loyal to the Pirates Of The Caribbean Star. 

Hopefully I'm wrong, but if this trailer is anything to go by, it looks as if we will be seeing Depp's Inspector Clouseau impression grace cinema screens, not the high calibre performance we know the actor is capable of.

Coming To Cinemas This Week.

August 22nd
Sin City: A Dame To Kill For: Some of Sin City's most hard-boiled citizens cross paths with a few of its more reviled inhabitants.

IMDB: N/A
Rotten Tomatoes: N/A

Lucy: A woman, accidentally caught in a dark deal, turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic.

IMDB: 6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 63%

Into The Storm: Storm trackers, thrill-seekers, and everyday townspeople document an unprecedented onslaught of tornadoes touching down in the town of Silverton.

IMDB: 6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 21%

Deliver Us From Evil: New York police officer Ralph Sarchie investigates a series of crimes. He joins forces with an unconventional priest, schooled in the rites of exorcism, to combat the possessions that are terrorizing their city. 

IMDB: 6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 31%

God Help The Girl:Set in Glasgow, Scotland, the film is about a girl called Eve who is in the hospital dealing with some emotional problems and starts writing songs as a way of getting better


IMDB: 7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 75%

Two Days, One Night: The film follows Sandra, a young woman assisted by her husband, who has only one weekend to convince her colleagues to give up their bonuses so that she can keep her job.

IMDB: 7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%

News On Sunday.

Robin William's Death.
Tragically on August 11th, the beloved actor and comedian Robin Williams took his own life. The 63 year-old actor, had openly been treated for depression around the time of his suicide, and his loss came as a terrific shock to his family, friends and the world. 
Williams, famous for his comedic roles in films such as Mrs Doubtfire and his Oscar winning performance in Good Will and Hunting, will be missed terribly by many. 
Following the saddening news, William's family stated "it is our hope the focus will not be on Robin's death, but on the countless moments of joy and laughter he gave to millions.". And in light of that statement, friends, fellow colleges and members of the population, have came forth to share their views on the man, who without failure, could put a smile on anyone's face. 
The president of the United States Of America, Barack Obama, stated that Williams "made us laugh. Made us cry. He gave immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed it most".
Ben Aflleck, who stared with Williams in Good Will And Hunting issued a tribute on behalf of himself, and fellow co-star Matt Damon, saying he was "Heartbroken. Thanks chief for your friendship and for what you gave the world. Robin had a ton of love in him. He personally did so much for so many people. He made Matt (Damon) and my dreams come true. What do you owe a guy who does that? Everything. May you find peace my friend."
I myself, upon hearing the news, was truly shocked. Robin Williams had been somewhat of a comedy icon to me, and I presume many others. As a result, The Reel Film Blog on Thursday will publish a top five Robin Williams' performances, to ensure that his wishes of his family are honoured, and that the life of Williams is celebrated, not his tragic death.  

Star Wars Episode VII, will resume production after a two week halt in filming. 
According to THR, filming on the highly anticipated sequel had to be shut down, due to Harrison Ford suffering from a broken leg. Ford, 72, suffered the injury whilst on-set, in an accident that involved the Millennium Falcon.
However, any doubts about Ford's broken leg delaying JJ Abraham's directed film, set for a December 18th 2015 release, have been squandered. This is result of Ford, who was out and about for the premier Expendables 3, reported that he is eager to get back to work on Disney's first chapter of the sequel trilogy. 

Marvel studios are reportedly moving on with an Inhuman movie.
With the success of James Gunn's unorthodox spectacular Guardians Of The Galaxy fresh in the minds of many, it is rumoured that Disney and Marvel are looking to cash in on another out the box success, by launching The Inhumans franchise.
According to Collider, Joe Robert Cole has penned an Inhumans Script, which Marvel has decided to move forward with. This screenplay is supposedly being put out to potential directors. 
If you are unfamiliar with the Inhumans you need not worry, they are not considered the most notable comic book characters. They are a race of super humans, created by comic book icons Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, who were genetically engineered on Earth. 
However, audiences are rumoured to become more familiar with the super humans, in the up coming Avengers: Age Of Ultron. With speculation hinting that Marvel is going to tamper with comic book history, to make Quciksilver (Aaron Taylor Johnson) and Scarlett Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), part of the team of genetically altered super humans . 

New Release: The Inbetweeners 2

Inbetweeners 2, to anyone familiar with the property, is pretty self explanatory. In the sequel to the record breaking first film, Will, Simon and Neil decide to to take a break from university to visit Jay, who is supposedly living the high life in Australia. What ensues is a mixture of comedy, misogyny and occasional racism.    
The initial Inbetweeners film was undoubtedly a triumph, therefore expectations of the second film are sky high. And with the second movie obtaining the UK's record opening box office for 2014, is the hype justified?
It's impossible to note that, The Inbetweeners 2 is simply a refurbished product of the original film. With Malia substituted for Australia, the film follows the same formulaic pattern that served the initial movie so well.  Nothing appears to have changed. These are still the same foul mouthed youths, with women problems and over active sex drives.
However, Do we care? Honestly, not at all!
As a fan of the first film, and TV series, it was impossible for me to maintain a straight face through this no-stop joke fest. The dialogue, as always of Ian Morris and Damon Beesley, is sharp, quick and as crude as ever. The jokes can be hit and miss on occasion, but The Inbetweeners 2 contains many quotable lines that teenagers across the country will be reciting.
The slapstick and physical comedy, although bordering on disgusting, is mainly top notch. For instance, there is a scene involving Will, a water slide and Neil's irritable bowls that just screams Inbetweeners comedy gold.
At the centre though, this is still the same film that graced cinemas 3 years ago. Nothing is new, despite more flashier montage sequences, and there is no real character progression. The story is more coincidental than the first film, but honestly who comes to watch The Inbetweeners 2 for a quality story.
My one problem with this instalment, unlike the first, the film contains no justifiable female characters. Each and every woman on display, literally is on display as nothing more than disposable and hindering. In the first film at least the characters had to realise their wrongs to win the girl here however, the main protagonists literally do anything but respect the women involved. I know that is part of the Inbetweeners world, but I just feel that the film makers, on this occasion, left the dial at 10 for too long.
However overall, The Inbetweeners 2 is one of the better comedies of 2014. The film certainly maintains the bar set by the original, and there is enough laughs to allow numerous revisits. Therefore, The Inbetweeners 2 is well worth a watch to anyone fond of the previous work. Sadly though, anyone who dislikes the previous movie, this film will seem utterly repulsive.

My Rating: 6.5/10
IMDB: 7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 75%

Throw Back Thursday.

Greg recommends: Liar Liar.

Liar Liar is the loveable comedy starring Jim Carey, as Fletcher Reede, the lawyer who can't stop lying. However, due to his son's birthday wish magically coming true, Fletcher for one whole day has to tell nothing but the truth. What ensues is comedic Gold.

I recently watched this film with my girlfriend and her younger brother, and never could I recall a time that I had heard so many laughs.  Liar Liar had us in hysterics from the get go.

Balancing superb dialogue and outrageous physical comedy, Jim Carey, in this flamboyant role, reminds us why he was once considered Hollywood royalty. In my eyes, this is one of Carey's finest comedic performances, as he expertly juggles the absurd, witty and brilliant to provide us with a non stop rollercoaster of a performance.

Although, this is the stereotypical Jim Carey vehicle, there is an element of heart to this film. The dynamic between Fletcher and his son Max (Justin Cooper), is heart warming, allowing the audience to invest themselves in Fletchers struggle to balance his work life with his role as a farther. This element of charm, in addition to the raucous laughs, ensures Liar Liar is more than just a dumb slapstick fest.

I would recommend Liar Liar to anyone in search of light hearted laughs. Jim Carey is terrific, and to anyone already fond of his acting style, this is a delight that can’t be missed. As well as the guaranteed Carey laughs, Liar Liar provides audiences with a heartfelt narrative, that on it’s own is worth a watch.

Hope you enjoy my recommendation, and be sure to visit the same time next week for an all new blast from the past.

My rating: 6.8/10

IMDB: 6.8/10

Rotten tomatoes: 81%

Did You Know?: Jim Carey Was Paid $20 Million Dollars For This Film.

Trailer Tuesday: The Theory Of Everything.

Set for a January 2015 release in the United Kingdom, and a 7th November 2014 release date in the United States, The Theory Of Everything provides insight into the relationship between the iconic physicist Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne) and his wife Jane Hawking (Felicity Jones). 

Straight away this trailer captivated me from both an intrigued stance, as well as an emotional view point and if The Theory Of Everything performs to the strength that this trailer implies, I think we have a serious Oscar contender. 

Directed by James Marsh, famous for the Man On Wire documentary, this film seems to resonate on so many positive levels, that when Hawking gave the speech about hope, I had goosebumps. 

Eddie Redmayne seems to be on top form, and I would not be surprised if this earns him, at the very least, an Oscar nomination.

Hopefully, The Theory Of Everything will live up to the terrifically high bar it has set itself. I hope it does, as this story deserves justice. But this film seems set to captivate the hearts of millions, and I can't wait to watch, what seems to be a future classic.  

Coming To Cinemas This Week

August 14th

The Expendables 3: Barney augments his team with new blood for a personal battle: to take down Conrad Stonebanks, the Expendables co-founder and notorious arms trader who is hell bent on wiping out Barney and every single one of his associates.

IMDB: 6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 33%

August 15th

The Rover: 10 years after a global economic collapse, a hardened loner pursues the men who stole his only possession, his car. Along the way, he captures one of the thieves' brother, and the duo form an uneasy bond during the dangerous journey.

IMDB: 7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 63%

Blood Ties: Two brothers, on either side of the law, face off over organized crime in Brooklyn during the 1970s.

IMDB: 6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 47%

Hector And The Search For Happiness: A psychiatrist searches the globe to find the secret of happiness.

IMDB: N/A
Rotten Tomatoes: N/A

The Congress: An aging, out-of-work actress accepts one last job, though the consequences of her decision affect her in ways she didn't consider.

IMDB: 6.7/10 
Rotten Tomatoes: 83%

August 20th

What If: Wallace, who is burned out from a string of failed relationships, forms an instant bond with Chantry, who lives with her long time boyfriend. Together, they puzzle out what it means if your best friend is also the love of your life.

IMDB: 7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 73%

New Release Of The Week: Guardians Of The Galaxy.

Guardians Of The Galaxy is Marvel Studios’ most out the box film to date, that follows the adventure of a rag-tag bunch of thieves, that have to unite to prevent a mysterious orb from falling into the wrong hands. Dubbed the amalgamation of Indiana Jones and Star Wars by enthusiastic fans, is it at all possible that Guardians can live up to the hype? In all honest opinion, just.

Don’t get me wrong, there are many admirable aspects to the film and on the whole this is a good movie. For instance, this is by far Marvel’s funniest film to date, with a consistent feel-good tone maintained throughout the entire running time. Be it through the dialogue, slapstick or physical comedy, Guardians Of The Galaxy never loses a brilliant meta atmosphere that is very much unique to this genre.

Also the performances are all well-done. Chris Pratt who dawns the mantle of the one and only Star Lord, does a terrific job at providing a persistently loveable performance. His role can be seen as the combination of both Han Solo and Indiana Jones, and Pratt, although not on the level of the aforementioned, does a nice job at handling his first major lead role with all the swagger necessary to provide a convincing frontman performance.

Lee Pace’s performance, as Ronan the accuser, is also a tremendous addition to film. Despite living up to stereotypical bad-guy conventions, the use of the characters deep space culture is a fascinating departure from any traditional comic book bad guy. As well as this, there is a terrific set of support cast who add a great deal of charm to the picture. John C Reilly and Glenn Close as members of the Nova Corps, despite only having a few scenes, do well to add comic relief as well as drive and explain the plot.

On the other hand, there are some issues with the film to anyone with prior knowledge or understanding of the characters. The main issue for me, is with the character of Gamora.  This has nothing to do with the excellent performance by Zoe Saldana, but more so the portrayal of the character through the writing. This is just nit picking by the way, as many of these faults if you have no previous knowledge or expectation of the character would never occur. Prior to the film’s release, Gamora has been depicted as the deadliest woman in the galaxy, someone who should not be messed with and is solely independent, elements that seem absent in this portrayal. My expectation of Gamora was a role that would challenge, even surpass, Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow, but Saldana’s character seems more so a femme fatale and love interest rather than a persona that could support herself.  Despite this she is very much a terrific on screen presence, as well as a great foil for Pratt’s Star Lord.

Dave Bautista as Drax The Destroyer equally seems to struggle in his first acting performance. In my opinion, there are moments when he seems out of his depth, but as a debut role and being surrounded by stellar performances, Bautista is nothing more than okay. Saying that however, whilst he may not be able to handle the serious moments, Bautista does a great job with the comical dialogue presented to him.

However, Guardians Of The Galaxy excels with the characters of Groot (Vin Diesel) and Rocket Racoon (Bradley Cooper). Firstly, Groot is the sentinel tree-like creature who adds a wonderful mix of emotion and comedy to the picture. The well rounded animation adds so much humanity to a character, who is limited to a three word vocabulary, with every facial expression providing

laughter or connoting tragic emotion. In many ways he mirrors the warmth and comedic elements of Diesel’s previous work as the Iron Giant, providing much needed heart to the group of criminals.

Rocket Racoon, despite the success of Groot, is truly the show stealer. In a role that could make or break the picture, Bradley Cooper and the superb motion capture animation, certainly brings an original dynamic to The Guardians Of The Galaxy. It’s odd to say a Raccoon's wit and sharp dialogue make a film as humorous as expected, but I feel Guardians Of The Galaxy may be the first time that phrase has needed to be uttered.  Along side the success of his tree companion, I would not be surprised to see the franchise focus more so on the animated characters in future instalments.

The plot of the film is okay, more so predictable than anything unique. However, what director James Gunn had done terrifically, is expand the Marvel universe to new and uncharted territory. The Guardians Of The Galaxy is a great building block to this expanded universe, as well as a terrific warm up act for the future big bad of Marvel, Thanos. Despite not having a direct effect on Avengers 2: Age Of Ultron due for a 2015 release, I would highly recommend watching this film if you are not entirely familiar with the direction in which Marvel is heading.

To conclude, Guardians Of The Galaxy was/is an over hyped film, does that make it a bad film? Certainly not, but I can envisage due to severely positive fan boy word of mouth that many will leave the picture thinking what all the fuss was about.  This is a cult hit, but is far from the sophistication, presented by the Marvel cinematic universe, in this years Captain American 2. Nevertheless, The Guardians Of The Galaxy with its retro soundtrack, feel-good vibe and terrific meta comedy is a film not to be missed, and I am certainly interested in what this franchise has to offer in the future.

My Rating: 7.5/10

IMDB: 8.8/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 92%

Hello ALL!

As this is my first week exploring the blogging world, I feel it right to explain the cause of what would persuade a fellow film fanatic to create such a blog. I believe the answer to be within all of us.

I know that sounds a cliché, stereotypical of a common 90s rom-com, who knows that phrase may have been uttered by Hugh Grant on numerous occasions. But there is clearly an element of truth to this statement.

Danny Boyle recently exclaimed "Films have became a part of our DNA", and I could not agree more.  There is no medium in the world that touches as many people in as many different ways than film. From capers that make us jump, cheer, and laugh in delight. To spooky horrors that shoot chills down our spine. Film is entrenched in our society.

But what fuels this tour de force? Well quite neatly we are reverted to look no further than ourselves! We, through our discussion and persistent addiction to the temple that is cinema, have allowed the industry to grow and be as influential as it is today. This is something that I hold close and hope through the aid of The Reel Film Blog, will prosper for me and hopefully you readers (I'm being optimistic at this point).

So what other way to kick off what is a box office weekend for this blog, than a post every day celebrating my top ten films. Starting with no. ten working down to my creme da la creme. As always these are just my opinions and I will be eager to hear your top tens as well.

I would just like to say a big thank you for viewing this blog and I hope that you enjoy.

Yours sincerely

Greg.

Number 10: Moonrise Kingdom

Moonrise kingdom is the enchanting 8th film by director Wes Anderson. Set in the stormy days of the summer of 1965, this marvellous tale follows a pair of young lovers whom choose to escape the constraints of their New England town. Thus throwing the local inhabitants into a quirky quest to find them.
Wes Anderson is a director who's style consistently divides people. Many perceive him to be overly obsessive, with a fetish for luxurious fonts, meticulously left field dialogue and oh so symmetrical tracking shots which creates a sense of surrealism that alienates the audience.

However, Moonrise Kingdom encompasses everything wonderful about the Wes Anderson world. This film is lively and madly original as expected of a Wes Anderson escapade, but still remains captivating as Anderson has created individuals we care for.  The performances are unconventionally terrific, with a decorated cast ranging from the Anderson commodities Bill Murray (providing a face that has been described as like porridge falling down a wall) and Jason Schwartzman, to the new arrivals of Edward Norton, Tilda Swinton and Bruce Willis. All providing a flare that the picture thrives on.

The most impressive of these veteran cast members has to be Edward Norton whom here flexes unrevealed acting muscles as a loveable Khaki Scout leader. As an actor notable for his darker more complex roles in such films as Fight club and American History X, it would not be expected that Norton would be the ideal choice for a role which spouts phrases such as "Jiminy Cricket, he flew the coop!". But Norton tremendously hits a square peg into a round hole so seamlessly that we forget that this was once the man who founded... Well the first rule says we can't talk about it... But you get my point.

Despite the strong ensemble the main strength of the movie lies with Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward as the runaway lovers. The dialogue conjured up by Anderson and Coppola could easily be seen as encouraging an off-beat delivery, but the interaction between Gilman and Hayward grounds the film, providing realism yet still  maintaining its humbling qualities. This aids the film greatly making what could easily be surreal believable and as the audience we become invested in the romance between the two. Their chemistry is tremendous allowing the simplest of glances to connote depth to their relationship. We laugh and may even cry because of this factor and it is the catalyst that drives the movie at a charming pace.

The picture really does excel itself in the third act. The conclusion is gripping as the pathetic fallacy of the impending storm comes to a climax. Every aspect seems crafted in Anderson's perfectly intricate fashion, and due to our investment in the characters, the film (many would argue unlike Anderson's previous work) remains on the rails and never overindulgent.

Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom, in my opinion, is the best example of his work. The film for me is a magnificent journey that, in a year which gave us the highly loathsome Piranha 3DD, stood out from the generic crowd reinvigorating my confidence that film can be both a piece of art and storytelling. The performances are compelling and I oddly find myself laughing consistently throughout the picture. I would recommend the film as a outside the box classic that, if you are fond of Anderson, will not be a disappointment.

My score: 8.3/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 94%

IMDB: 7.8/10

Did you know?: The film opened in only four theaters, two in New York and two in Los Angeles, but earned $167,250 per screen, the all-time  record for highest per-theater box office average of a non-animated film.

Number 9: Ocean’s Eleven.

Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Eleven is the remake of the 1960s caper, in which lovable con-artist Danny Ocean (George Clooney) has to assemble a team of eleven accomplices to rob three Las Vegas casinos simultaneously. Along the way the team have to go against the odds to ensure a successful job, but things get complicated when Danny’s ex-wife Tess (Julia Roberts) causes an unforeseeable complication for our protagonist and his counterparts.

Now there is no hiding that this film is in the category of reboots, but credit has to be given when the remake not only surpasses the original but completely redefines the title. Soderbergh’s direction allows the audience to start with a fresh slate, almost forgetting that Frank Sinatra once donned the Danny Ocean role. The caper rushes along in an almost aerodynamic fashion, with a sleek mix of comedy, sheer intelligence and enough wonderful performances that viewers can’t help but being dragged along for the ride.  

The cast is certainly a major strength for the movie with literally the majority of the Hollywood Yellow Pages participating in one way or another.  Consisting of household names such as Clooney, Pitt, Damon, Mac and Roberts, Ocean's Eleven is certainly the definition of ‘Star Studded’.  But unlike other extensive casts (for example The Expendables) there are no passengers on this picture. No one seems wasted and each individual character brings a new delight to the film.

However if you have to focus on clear examples, it is impossible to ignore the brilliance of Clooney and Pitt.  These two really enhance the picture immensely without relying upon their star power. The performances are perfect with Clooney playing (as always) the smooth talking charmer, and Pitt encapsulating all things cool to take on the role of Danny’s right hand man Rusty Ryan. The duos dynamic is fresh and their chemistry excels on screen in such a way that the audience believes in their friendship. The scripts sharp wit really accentuates the dynamic between the two and on many occasions, you find yourself smirking at the glances they share. A wonderful example is when Danny persistently asks “you think we need one more?” whilst Rusty looks of blankly down the bar, which eventually leads to Danny to conclude with “alright we’ll get one more” .

Despite the irresistible interaction between Clooney and Pitt, it is impossible not to comment on how Ocean’s Eleven is an Intelligent film. The plot itself is intricately woven to enhance our admiration at the unfolding narrative and leaves us standing in awe as if we were watching a master sculptor craft his finest work in front of us. Ocean’s Eleven is wonderfully unique in a sense that it adopts a lack of seriousness but still retains an atmosphere of intellect that never once patronises the audience. For instance, there is a brilliant scene involving George Clooney’s and Matt Damon’s characters where Danny (Clooney) mid heist forgets the batteries for the detonator much to Linus’ (Damon) dismay. In any other smart crime film, this humour would seem forced, but what the movie masters is the perfect balance between an impressive plot and light-hearted fun.

The finale of the heist is a stroke of genius that is certainly not a let down. The direction is seamless in providing gradual insight into the inner working of the plot which is wrapped up in the most perfect of bows. Yet the pace is still maintained, with the audience left flabbergasted and avidly craving a rewind to cement the feel good feeling created by the revelation.

In my opinion Ocean’s Eleven warrants a place on any top ten list, as despite more serious brooding crime thrillers, this movie stands alone as a sophisticated feel good caper that also spouts intellectual brilliance. It’s hard to fault such a perfectly balanced film that just like an expert con artist maintains it’s poise, charm and excitement. Never short of witt and providing a flowing narrative that redefines the word sleek, I would recommend anyone who has not watched  Oceans Eleven to rush down to your nearest store and buy a copy now.

My Score: 8.5/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 82%

IMDB: 7.8/10

Did you know?: Soderburgh originally wanted to shoot the film in black and white, Warner Brothers said the would only agree if Soderburgh drastically reduced costs. So he changed his mind.