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Lilithdemilo24
Reviews
Supernatural (2005)
Breathtakingly moving, darkly brilliant, sexy as hell.
When people around me used to rave about this new thing called, 'Supernatural', I was sceptical to the point of biased. I was the Buffy generation - nothing was ever going to beat Buffy, no matter who these two "Really Hot Brothers" were. A year ago, I gave in and decided to give it a try.
And there ended my social life.
Supernatural should be a clichéd, easy to dismiss phenomenon...but it isn't. Indeed, I didn't know from the very first episode how much it was going to take over my life. Far from it, the first few episodes almost lost me completely. It was nothing I hadn't seen before, save for the brother relationship and as I've previously said - the jaded Buffy generation are immune to most shocks and scares TV can rustle up.
But I stayed with it and I fell into it completely.
Now then, I could easily ramble here about the show's astoundingly great writing, the twisting addictive plots, the brilliant and unexpectedly original supernatural lore...but I won't. Because that's not why I fell passionately in love with SPN.
It is the characters that set SPN apart from all other shows. More accurately, it's Sam and Dean. I read somewhere once that an idea for the show would have completely discounted the idea of the two brothers; instead having a travelling journalist documenting the supernatural phenomena. What a grave mistake that would have been.
The two brothers weave the tale of family and everything that comes with it seamlessly in the middle of the darkness they know and fight - and boy do they fight. These boys are the only thing standing between us and whatever apocalypse is creeping around the corner and they'll redefine the meaning of the word sacrifice by the time they're done. Sam and Dean are two of the most compelling, heartbreaking characters I've ever seen grace the screen. Even in a climate where brother relationships are common enough in TV shows, i.e. Prison Break and Heroes, there is something about Sam and Dean that sets them apart and it is this element that brings Supernatural to it's fullest potential, thus making it my all time favourite TV show ever.
You want the greatest soundtrack ever? Hot girls? Plot twists? Black comedy? Tears, sacrifice, brotherly-insults, demons, ghosts, a smokin' 1967 Chevvy Impala, Ghostfacers and a few apocalypses thrown in for good measure? Look no further, 'cos it's all right here.
Superman Returns (2006)
Beautiful and breathtaking, but somewhat flawed
Upon first glance, yes. In the cinema I was wowed to the point where I was gasping, not a little because of Brandon Routh who could not have been more perfect to play this role. It's cinematically breathtaking and the CGI is astoundingly well done. The visuals are beautiful, the music haunting and poignant.
However, this film encounters some serious flaws upon closer examination.
It is well renowned within the Superman franchise that anyone partaking of the experience must be willing to suspend disbelief a little. More accurately, ignore some glaringly obvious facts that everyone else in the film is blithely unaware of. First time around, these were easy to ignore as I was taken with the new experience. Closer inspection, however, reveals some rather irritating flaws which could have easily been rectified with some attention.
No-one in the Daily Planet - people who study Superman, people who've seen him, met him, talked to him - thinks it's just a little coincidental that on the same day Clark Kent returns to them, so does Superman? The similarities in appearance are ridiculously overt and it beggars belief that none of these keen reporters, one in particular, hasn't clocked by now. Especially given the timing of arrival.
Even overlooking this, which could easily be dismissed as an affectionate throwback to the originals, there are other problems that undermine the otherwise brilliancy of this film.
The casting of Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane, in my opinion, was a massive mistake. At no point did I like/identify/sympathise with her and her acting in this is nothing short of cold and dull. She displayed nothing that made her remotely likable or worthy to be the focus of attention from someone so astronomically wonderful. With regards to casting, Bosworth is possibly the worst in this film. Kevin Spacey was brilliant as ever, but his skills did not seem to fit the part of Luthor and once again, I didn't feel a connection to the character. I never thought of him as Lex Luthor...only as Kevin Spacey. James Marsden made the best of his role as the ambiguous, but overall 'Do-Right' boyfriend/"father", but his talents were lost in the script somewhat. The young boy Jason seems to be permanently tranquilised and as cute as he is, was not what he could have been, given the plot.
Another issue with this film is the strange looks everyone keeps giving completely random objects and people. Odd remarks and pauses disrupt the flow of the film which was already somewhat flawed to begin with. Some parts of the film are slow, the scene where Superman is listening in on Richard, Lois and Jason seems unnecessary and it certainly didn't have to go on so long. Other times there is a lot of flying/gliding which, beautiful as it is, drags the rhythm of the movie down somewhat.
Also, without giving too much away, there is one imperative issue, circulating around Jason, that was not dealt with at all and left me feeling cheated of the build up surrounding it. There was also very little reaction from Superman about this which was disappointing.
However, even with these flaws, the movie is spectacular. The last forty minutes in particular. Viewers will find themselves eagerly waiting for the parts where Superman is busily saving people from cinematically awesome threats. Other areas of the film are somewhat grey without him, or more accurately, without Routh. This is what really rescues the film from otherwise poor casting and strange, unnecessary add-ins. The casting of Routh was a masterstroke and I firmly believe that no-one else could have played this part. In short, he makes the film well worth watching and even persuades the more critical views to be forgiving of a film which seemed to get a little carried away with itself, but even so, still takes your breath away.
Twilight (2008)
Delicious, loyal, breathtaking, beautiful, heartbreaking and...wow!
Allow me to begin by saying that I am deeply sceptical of the book-movie translation. As a Harry Potter fan, I was deeply disappointed with the films adaptation of the plot and most especially - the characters.
As a huge fan of Twilight, I was similarly sceptical, but after seeing various trailers and TV spots I was almost convinced that I was wrong.
This Sunday I was lucky enough to be one of the few in the UK to attend a press screening of the film and I was just blown away.
The film is incredible. In every single aspect. The most important feature, is - of course - Robert Pattinson playing the iconic Edward Cullen. He was flawless, and that in itself is an understatement. The entire crew was amazing, I have never seen a film cast so well in my life. Each character was themselves, even down to amusing extras. To me, the best way to describe it was the book coming to life. It has to be said that this is THE BEST book-movie adaptation I have ever seen. Everything about it just took my breath away.
The music was stunning, and perfect for every scene, the sets and locations were drenched in raw beauty, adding to the dark ominous feeling that Forks dishes out. The script was fantastic, most of it was verbatim from the book, except for the occasional, excellent add-in, most of which was hilarious and had the whole audience laughing. That, in my opinion, was one thing Twilight the book really lacked - humour. The interesting little scenes with Charlie really gave it that, leading me to the conclusion - dare I even speak it's blasphemous nature? - The film is, in a lot of ways, BETTER than the book.
Robert WAS Edward Cullen, I felt his torment and ardour in everything he did. Every single girl in the audience screamed when he first came on the screen, and I wanted to join in. He wasn't some stuck up actor playing at a part - he really was Edward. Kristen played Bella better than I ever imagined anyone could, making me like the character more than I ever did, she gave something to her that I think was missing. The Cullens were utterly delicious, each one picture perfect and with such stellar acting and off stage camaraderie, I was more excited about seeing them that anything else. Nikki Reed and Kellan Lutz had the exact connection between them that I imagined, in fact....EVERYTHING was exactly as I imagined, from the layout of Bella's bedroom, to the school and most definitely all the characters.
The plot was fast paced in parts, and wonderfully lingering in others. The kiss scene actually made me blush, it felt too private for other people to be watching. The villains were amazing, beautiful and terrifying at the same time. I never thought anyone could really pull of the 'friendly killer' look, but Cam sure did that.
More than that, more than anything else - I felt Bella and Edward's love for one another, in an almost tangible way. This film cannot be thrown discarded as another 'Vampire' film. It's barely even that, more it is a love story and by God it's a mouth-watering one.
Magnificent, addictive, beautiful and loyal. I cried, I laughed, I melted. See it!
Daddy (1987)
Lower your expectations...and it's really quite good
I saw this film on True Movies (which automatically made me sceptical) but actually - it was good. Why? Not because of the amazing plot twists or breathtaking dialogue (of which there is little) but because actually, despite what people say I thought the film was accurate in it's depiction of teenagers dealing with pregnancy.
It's NOT Dawson's Creek, they're not graceful, cool witty characters who breeze through sexuality with effortless knowledge. They're kids and they act like kids would.
They're blunt, awkward and annoyingly confused about everything. Yes, this could be by accident and they could just be bad actors but I don't think so. Dermot Mulroney gives (when not trying to be cool) a very believable performance and I loved him for it. Patricia Arquette IS whiny and annoying, but she was pregnant and a teenagers? The combination of the two isn't exactly lavender on your pillow. The plot was VERY predictable and but so what? I believed them, his stress and inability to cope - her brave, yet slightly misguided attempts to bring them closer together. I think the characters, acted by anyone else, WOULD indeed have been annoying and unbelievable but they weren't. It reflects the surreality of the situation they're in, that he's sitting in class and she walks on campus with the baby. I felt angry at her for that, I felt angry at him for being such a child and for blaming her. I felt it all.
In the end, I loved it and would recommend it.
Watch out for the scene where Dermot Mulroney runs from the disastrous counselling session - career performance.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997)
A Fantastic Show! 10000/10
This show, for some highly unknown reason, gets a lot of flak for not 'knowing where it's going' or for being 'poorly written'. I think that everyone should watch Buffy, regardless of what they know or think they know about it.
I was 11 when this show first aired, and after watching the first episode I was far too hooked for my own good. Buffy is a 16 year old girl, a seemingly normal one who has moved to Sunnydale escaping expulsion from L.A, trying to fit in at a new school and make new friends. She meets social outcast Willow and the somewhat dorky yet enthusiastic Xander, who become her best friends. Lurking in the school library is Giles with all his books - and a truth Buffy doesn't want to face. Vampires, Demons and the forces of darkness not only exist - but its her responsibility to kill them. Buffy is the Vampire Slayer.
Buffy tries to lead a normal life and when it's not time to stalk the graveyards for vampires she's looking for the cute boys at school, the latest fashion in shoes and maybe even trying to do well in classes - but more often than not there's something nasty in the school itself, stopping her getting the grades, the boys and even the shoes. The Demons and other creatures are fantastic, as quirky as the humans sometimes and quite originally terrifying to look at. There is always a different trial in every episode, always a new twist to Buffy's life. The biggest thing in Buffy's life at the beginning, most notably is Angel. Tall, dark, brooding, handsome and mysterious - Angel and Buffy are in love, but of course - it's far more complicated, angsty and delicious than simply highschool love, one reason being that he's a vampire and about 224 years older than she it.
It's not easy being Buffy, who doesn't want to slay Demons, turn up to dates with her hair in a mess and her clothes ripped, wishes she didn't have to save the world when she's got exams the next day and the police are hunting her down. Unlike most seventeen year old girls, she wants to be "Upstairs doing her homework, or God even studying!" but she can't. She has to save the world, a lot.
The seven seasons that Buffy ran for, were the best seven years of my adolescence. People call Buffy a Mary Sue, but I'd love to know why. Her attempts to be normal, all fail and often at other people's expense as well as her own. Eventually as the years grow darker for Buffy fans, we start to see an evolution in the character as she accepts the loneliness as part of who she is, but she is still someone who loves fiercely and fights for the world she can't be a part of.
Hilariously funny, heartbreaking beautiful and sometimes just so terrifyingly dark - Buffy is one of best programs ever to grace television. Unforgettable surrounding characters such as Willow, Xander, Giles, Cordelia, Angel, Spike, Anya, Oz, Faith, Wesley and even farmboy Riley - they all add to the wonderfulness. If you think this is a show just about vampires and some hot blonde girl - forget it.
10000/10
Flowers in the Attic (1987)
Oh Dear...
I'll begin by warning anyone who has read the books in the Dollanganger series - that this film is BAD. Badly acted, badly set out, terrible soundtrack and with most of the decent plot removed in a cowardly way.
I read the books when I was a teenager, and fell in love with the whole series - Flowers in the Attic being my favourite. So when I found out there was a film, I was so excited. It was entirely wasted though because this film is just SO terrible.
The only redeeming feature, I thought, was Jeb Stuart Adams who did his best and played the part of Chris as well as he could, sometimes even well enough to keep you in the story. Similarly, the parts of Cory and Carrie were reasonably well played - but sadly, any and all decent acting in this 'film' were ruined by Kristy Swanson who completely obliterated the main part of Cathy. So many other people, no-name actresses, could have played this role with astounding ability - but instead I was left violently despising her.
Also, I am sure I am not the only one who was highly annoyed at the fact that the film was utterly void of the entire Chris/Cathy relationship. I'm sure it was done on purpose due to cowardice on the directors part, and can understand why they would want to remove the whole bother/sister relationship aspect from it....but it was this decision that removed the film from all recognition of its former book self. So now instead of the tense, complex relationship between Chris and Cathy, we have an annoying sister who whines all over the good looking Jeb Stuart Adams as we sit there and cross our arms in revulsion.
Cathy in the books was fiery, helplessly manipulative and loving to the family. Sure at times you get annoyed at her, but you absolutely sympathised with her. She was you as you read the book, and you fell in love with Chris along with her. In this film I kept hoping that another dramatic plot alteration would involve Cathy dying early. No such luck, but if you were disappointed by that - don't worry - the ending is so far removed from the original you would ever recognise it.
To conclude, if you want a lukewarm film, with tepid acting, an annoying female lead, a lot of choral whining in the background and large chunks of good plot missing - this is your movie. I won't say bypass it completely because of how much I love Chris and was pleased with Jeb, but don't have fantastic expectations - you'll be as sad as I was.
I give it 4/10 - the 4 is for Jeb and the twins.
Sugar & Spice (2001)
Just to be contrary...
Sorry, but I LOVE this film.
I think it's funny, brilliant and I love the girls.
Okay, so it's no Being John Malkovitch;- what did you expect?
I love the romance, the sweetness and naievity of Quarterback -
The determination - and how nice they all are even though they're so popular.
Totally unrealistic but good laughs, sweet romance and a good chick flick.
Hot and pregnant girls robbing banks while worrying about jeans.
Going into the prison scene to get to know criminals "Priceless"
The weird outback girl, who is loyal and turns out to be pretty.
The mean girl who is jealous - worth it for her snarky comments.
Fabulous!