7/10.
What happens if you give a troubled teenager near limitless power? Chronicle is a metaphor about growing up; learning about how to use new found powers of adulthood or, in this case, the ability to move things with your mind and discovering you can fly.
The whole film is shot by an in-film camera of some description; from the wonky-hand held video camera of one of our protagonists to fixed CCTV or police cameras.
3 boys find a hole in the ground with a mysterious 'alien' ship or artifact inside (this is never explained). The boys find they can start moving things with their minds; things start off slowly but they (quite resonably) start to have some fun; such as when they take to the stage as magicians in a school talent compeition.
Director, Josh Trank, ups the ante as one of the boys reaches breaking point as his violent father, dying mother, and his increasing power comes togther.
I'm sure there were budgetary constraints, but the special effects are really quite good. I'm a big fan of integrating effects into hand-held camera (such as Cloverfield) and this works really well (don't worry, all that motion won't make you feel sick like Cloverfield).
The action ramps up to the rather ineveitable conclusion, but I enjoyed this movie and will look forward to Trank's future work.
Friday 17 February 2012
Wednesday 8 February 2012
The Descendants - Tuesday 7 February 2012
9/10
Where has Alexander Payne been since he made the excellent Sideways? I hope we don't have have to wait another 7 years until his next movie! The Descendants is superb - if you liked any of Payne's previous films such as Election, Sideways or About Schmidt, you will love this film - in fact, I think it's Payne's best work. On the surface, the film seems to look a bit bleak; George Clooney trying to re-engage with his 2 daughters following an accident that puts his wife into a coma. The film itself does have some wrenching scenes BUT overall the feel is typical Payne; quirky, off-kilter, and sometimes very funny (good scenes with Robert Forster). Acting is uniformly superb; Clooney gives a nuanced, minimalist masterclass performance - he has the super ability to lead a film whilst keeping part of the whole ensemble- I believe he's what's called a 'generous actor'. Supporting cast is excellent with special mention to his elder daughter player by relative newcomer Shailene Woodley. Payne turns down the sun in Hawaii and it's neigbouring islands - turning the backdrop from sunshine paradise, into a slightly grey, windier place BUT there's a ray on sunshine at the end giving hope to all the characters involved. I left the cinema very satisfied - very recommended.
Where has Alexander Payne been since he made the excellent Sideways? I hope we don't have have to wait another 7 years until his next movie! The Descendants is superb - if you liked any of Payne's previous films such as Election, Sideways or About Schmidt, you will love this film - in fact, I think it's Payne's best work. On the surface, the film seems to look a bit bleak; George Clooney trying to re-engage with his 2 daughters following an accident that puts his wife into a coma. The film itself does have some wrenching scenes BUT overall the feel is typical Payne; quirky, off-kilter, and sometimes very funny (good scenes with Robert Forster). Acting is uniformly superb; Clooney gives a nuanced, minimalist masterclass performance - he has the super ability to lead a film whilst keeping part of the whole ensemble- I believe he's what's called a 'generous actor'. Supporting cast is excellent with special mention to his elder daughter player by relative newcomer Shailene Woodley. Payne turns down the sun in Hawaii and it's neigbouring islands - turning the backdrop from sunshine paradise, into a slightly grey, windier place BUT there's a ray on sunshine at the end giving hope to all the characters involved. I left the cinema very satisfied - very recommended.
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