Misfits Series 3 - Review

Release Year: 2011
Country: UK
Cert (UK): 18
Running Time: 45 Minutes each episode.
Created by: Howard Overman

Cast: Antonia Thomas (feature role), Lauren Socha (The Unloved), Iwan Rheon (Secret Diary of a Call Girl), Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (Casualty) and Joseph Gilgun (This Is England)

Review
Brief storyline of the season, continues after the events of Series 2 with returning characters Simon, Kelly, Alisha and Curtis - are joined by new kid on the block Rudy for community service. Rudy gets a rude awakening in his first few days as he learns that with the keys to the infamous locker room comes a great deal of running and screaming and, in some instances, killing.

Misfits has been one of these shows, when the writing is smart, funny and emotional it’s the best to watch on Saturday night but when it’s slow, stupid and drags out the jokes too long it can be the worst show to watch, that’s I found watching Misfits throughout the three years of it being air on E4,   Series 1 went with the “Skins” idea of individual character episode then later on having a group episode now and again, this didn’t work for myself has it took forever into and I ended up disliking some of the characters straight away. With Series 2 on other hand it blow me away with its brilliant new storyline of Sam traveling through time to save Alisha…much like the TV series “Heroes” but with a teen like twist, which surprisely worked very well especially as Nathan played by Robert Sheehan is funny character to watch he’s acting was miles better, even the jokes was well done so it was sad to see him leave the show, in my opinion the last series was best for a lot of different reasons.

Now the group are back again with Series 3 but with some major changes, Robert Sheehan, who played the outspoken Nathan, decided to leave the show to follow he’s path in films and other projects which brings a brand new character of Ruby who is foul mouthed and slightly mad. Lucky I enjoy watching he’s type of comedy and I found he’s character to be very interesting in some episodes, so it takes place where the end of series two left off with the group each having new powers as a result of trading them for others. This is a good method for the writers to add fresh impetus into the series by exploring new angles, the show continues to do things its own way by telling its own unique stories whilst retaining the series trademark dark humour. So has this series done better than last year? Well…..Yes! And …..No! There’s a lot of hit and miss episodes throughout the series, the opening is funny, interesting and done well with including the new guy Ruby plus it was great to see the cast with new powers, apart from Curtis' ability of changing into a woman episode 2 was the worst story (and worst power) that I’ve seen in any superhero type series, I really don’t know what the writers were thinking but the weird thing is that episode 3 had a brilliant storyline of Sam facing against Peter (the comic book nerd) linking to the events of series 2, it goes to show when the writing is well done it’s a fantastic show but by doing stories like Curtis’s sex change or Ruby’s dick falling off lol then it’s stupid to watch, thank god they removed power with this resurrection idea (which was a great episode).

Overall this series does contain a lot of good episodes with Sam’s mask superhero storyline and Seth (the power dealer) relationship with Kelly, episode five is the emotional episode and the finale was brilliant with returning characters but also had some hit and miss episodes, which can be off putting. If you in enjoyed the last year and dark humour which goes with it, your probably like this series.

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Hostel: Part lll - Review

Release Year: 2011
Country: USA
Cert (UK): 18
Running Time: 88 mins

Director: Scott Spiegel

Cast: Thomas Kretschmann (Wanted), Zulay Henao (Fighting), Kip Pardue (ER: Series), Brian Hallisay (first feature film), Barry Livingston (Zodiac) and Sarah Habel (Whip it)

Review
Brief storyline of the film, while attending a bachelor party in Las Vegas, four friends are enticed by two sexy escorts to join them at a private party way off the Strip. Once there, they are horrified to find themselves the subjects of a perverse game of torture, where members of the Elite Hunting Club are hosting the most sadistic show in town.

The franchise of “Hostel” has been scene as sick, horrible, torture violence of unbelievable lengths through the films getting worse with each sequel added on, Eli Roth the writer and the director for the first two Hostel films takes back a step from this franchise in past interviews saying “I didn’t want make another” but of course a horror companies must continue and drag it out until people get bored *cough* Saw *cough* now Eli Roth only producer this third sequel not director could explain it being a Direct-to-Dvd release lol This storyline is unlike the past films, it opens in a new direction of horror with the opening scene with a little twist if you watched the first two films then your got the joke right away, It throws the knowledge you once knew about the franchise and givens something a little different. The Elite Hunting Club members are of course back again, only this time they're not on foreign ground. That's right, kids; Hostel Part III brings the horrors of being killed by the sadistic rich maniacs Stateside, and what better place to host the debauchery than the city of sin itself, Las Vegas?!?

There must be victims of these horrible killing with four friends heading down to Las Vegas has the main character Scott (Brian Hallisay) is about to get married, and like good friends there are two escorts who invite our soon to be hungover quartet to a private party off the Strip…. Of course things go wrong…. Very wrong….the actors is okay in playing their characters some you really don’t care about because their dipshits basically so they get kidnapped very quickly I wouldn't expect the same level interesting characters like the other films “Hostel 2” I think was the best in showing that from the psychopaths POV and the victims, only reason a person who would watch this film is for the violence and gory which even that wasn’t very good It’s funny how the first two films was trying to actually scary you with the unknown reasons, camerawork and level of shocking scenes done in my opinion….this film failed to deliver that there was probably one scene that I thought was a bit sick out of 88mintues watching it.

Overall the film is a rip off from “Hostel” the horror is disappointed and boring in a lot of scenes, it doesn’t give you same feel like the past films. The storyline is pretty easy to forgive as well the characters; the ending is very stupid especially the reasons given why one psychopath says to the victim….truth me I was like “What are you 13 years old get over it” you’ll see lol if you’re after a really good horror then watch “Saw” only watch this if you got 88mintures to waste.

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Harry Brown - Review

Release Year: 2009
Country: UK
Cert (UK): 15
Running Time: 103 minutes

Director: Daniel Barber

Cast: Michael Caine (The Dark Knight), Emily Mortimer (Shutter Island), Jack O'Connell (Eden Lake) and Ben Drew (Plan B)

Review
Brief storyline of the film, a modest law-abiding citizen, Harry Brown is forced to dispense his own brand of justice as he bids to clean up the run-down estate he calls home. Michael Caine gives the performance of his lifetime as the iconic Harry Brown.

Now I always like to see Michael Caine within any type genre, films like “The Dark Knight” or “Get Caller” shows a different side of this brilliant British actor I feel that he can do anything with giving the right role, so in 2009 a director called Daniel Barber teams up with writer Gary Young to begin a project that not only shows the teen-crime, weapon/ drug dealing in British life but get a message across that is real and we need help right people, now with the setting of London is a bit of stereotype to have in British, I know it’s iconic city of England and it’s got most crime edge also but I’ve never seen a crime film set in Bristol (so far lol) plus if you look at films like “Kidulthood” or the poor sequel “Adulthood” the audience can see most British crime are as followed:

·       Chav teens - which are always shown as the “Bad guys” if you will because of filming violence on their phones, no respect and just got that “I can do what I want feel” really bad way of life, which is not too far of the real life.

·       Woman  – is not a strong point within these type of films especially the “Crime” genre, they’re not open-minded roles more junkie doing drugs, using sex to get what their what in man and man are shown more I think that’s because this genre as got a target audience for that group.

·        Crime – each as main focus of how crime is used “Kidulthood” is more of look through at London teen life with sex, drug, violence all comes normal but with “Harry brown” as got that type of feel in some scenes but mainly focus on the victims of crime unlike actually criminals themselves.

The storyline is done well, it gets across the violence of teens with gun shooting, drug dealing and murder throughout this pushes the character of Harry Brown to take control and put a stop it with some old- fashion dialogue “You failed to maintain your weapon, Son” I mean only Caine can pull that off plus it’s gives some entertainment markers which is great in a dark-tone film like this, so the audience gets a nice balance between horrible crime going on London with people being bullied or murdering for basically nothing and then you a classic British actor “Michael Caine” that kills all bad guys, it’s a win win film in my opinion, it feels like a very British version of “Death Wish” with Charlie Bronson.

Overall it’s a well-made vigilante thriller with a message added on to it, if you watched this film you would know that one of the last scenes are the chav teens rioting against the police, this year in 2011 it actually happened for real people was killed or hurt which is one of the reasons that Michael Caine wanted to do the film to make people notice what’s going on in their streets and help the them before it gets out of control, so the gritty realism that the director was going for means more now than in 2006….This film Intelligent, disturbing and packed with emotional depth, Harry Brown is a must see.

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Mindhuters - Review

Release Year: 2005
Country: USA
Cert (UK): 15
Running Time: 106 mins

Director: Renny Harlin

Cast:  LL Cool J(NCIS: Los Angeles), Jonny Lee Miller (Dexter), Kathryn Morris(Moneyball), Val Kilmer (The Thaw) and Christian Slater(True Romance).

Review
Brief storyline of the film, hiding within a group of eight FBI profilers on a training simulation is a serial killer. When one of the agents meets an unexpected demise, the team realise that this is more than just a final exam - it's a battle for their very lives. Isolated from the outside world, the fear begins... In the ultimate test of their crime-solving savvy, these endangered young agents - each compelled by his or her secret past to probe the criminal mind - must figure out who among them is a ruthless killer... Before, one-by-one, they all fall prey to the killer's ingenious plan.

I have to say that I really watching this film, just from the title “Mindhuters” it’s already interesting, I like the idea of FBI profilers being on a training island to catch a serial killer, which of course ends up being the real deal lol that's literally the case in this film, as a group find themselves facing a real-world test in which failure equates with a most painful death - their own. The characters are just about interesting to watch some I didn’t care but the others I did, I thought the casting was good I’ve seen all actors (and actress) in different films and shows plus it’s nice to Christian Slater in film it’s shame the film doesn’t use him more but never the less it’s good to see him, It’s not the best thriller out there I’ve seen lots better however the story I think is interesting and it’s hooking for the beginning.

One thing I do look within any thriller genre is a really good twist and if possible an original serial killer this one has imagination and a meticulous attention to detail - and that makes him/her a worthy foe, He/she informs his/her potential victims of the time of each death, leaves them confusing little clues along the way, and polishes each of them off in impressive fashion. The killer's also pretty difficult to identify, as events in the movie point you toward one character after another as the prime suspect, there are only a limited number of suspects to choose from, as the action takes place on a deserted island. Could it be Jake Harris (Val Kilmer), the profile instructor with a reputation for pushing his students too far? He supposedly left the island, but no one actually saw him leave. Perhaps it is the obvious suspect, Gabe Jensen (LL Cool J), an "observer" who joined the group at the last minute? How about the intense, temper-prone female? The guy in the wheelchair who refuses to give up his gun for a single second? The fellow with the accent? How about the disarmingly quiet Sara Moore (Cold Case's Kathryn Morris)? It could be anybody. The only way to prove your innocence is to die an ugly death, I found this to quite simply smart and the twists are great with everyone having a reason to kill each other.

Overall the film is worth watching, it’s got a pretty good cast and an interesting serial killer…the
story is not the best but I didn’t mind that, it can be slow at times but I must say that the first death you be gasping, you'll see…. lol so if you like thrillers with good twists then this might be the film for you, the identity of killer you probably keep guessing back and forward until the end, it’s not mind-blowing but the finals scenes are really great it shows something that I haven’t seen within any thriller so please check out.

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The Thing (2011) - Review

Release Year: 2011
Country: USA
Cert (UK): 15
Running Time: 102 mins

Director: Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.

Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Final Destination 3), Joel Edgerton (Star Wars: Episode 3) and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (The Bourne Identity)

Review
Brief storyline of the film, in 1982 palaeontologist Kate Lloyd (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is recruited by scientists Dr. Sander Halversen (Ulrich Thomsen) and his assistant Adam Finch (Eric Christian Olsen) to join a Norwegian scientific team that has stumbled across a crashed extra-terrestrial spaceship buried beneath the ice of Antarctica. They discover the frozen corpse of a creature that seems to have died in the crash 100,000 years ago.

Well I have not long just watched this film and my thoughts are…it’s like a cover song that didn’t quite live up to the original version, being a huge fan of John Carpenter's films like “Escape From New York” and “The Fog” I’ve watched the 1982 “The Thing” countless times and always cite it as my favourite films with that in mind, I approached this remake/prequel with great caution, now some of my friends and other people through the internet are saying you can’t compare this film with the original…my answer to that is bullshit! The one thing any person does when hearing yet again a remake or whatever is comparing it to the original, Of course some people going to hate this film with a blind passive because of how much of a cult film the original was (or still is).

The storyline is basically the events that took place before the original with the main question of what happened at the Norwegian base? This has been debated and talked about for years….after 29 years someone said “Let’s do a prequel” to be honest  that’s one of the reasons I was interested in seeing  this film to find out what happened?  And to know more about the origins of the shapeshifting alien so i had an open mind about it. Now that I’ve watched it I’m thinking “yeah that’s wasn’t too bad” there are some positive about this film, I did like the 80’s Universal logo from the original and same type of opening as well…it’s little things like that I’m happy about it, the practical effects on the first half of the film is really great you see the filmmakers trying hard to make close as possible but sadly there was more special effects and less practical later with creatures, I’m guessing the studio wanted to speed it up which is shame because it was going the right track.

Some scenes with creatures are scary and brilliantly done especially with the split-face monster that was great scene plus it looks real from where I was seating lol the others was okay but it too much special effects I think…. the casting is good with having Norwegian actors speaking their language and we get some subtitles also which is nice plus for the film sadly most of them killed off which leaves… you guessed it the American main star which is “Mary Elizabeth Winstead” who is a boring actress from the start, her protagonist was a major mistake. I liked the others characters more but one thing I’m happy about is she’s not alone Joel Edgerton is co-star in the film and I find he’s character more interesting, it looks 80’s in some apart and looks 00’s in others but that’s just me picking away lol probably one of the best scenes was seeing the alien blasting it’s way of the frozen block which was done brilliantly all the references work very well (as I watched the 1982 version, when I got back home and it fits great.

SPOILER ALERT! – The scene after the credits was fantastic, I don’t know how the filmmakers did it but it’s a spot on match for the Norwegian character left which links with opening for the original again I’ve watched the 1982 version after…yeah bang on! So it’s Respectful enough of the 1982 classic, and you can tell the filmmakers really tried their hardest to please everyone.

Overall the film wasn’t an amazing prequel but it’s an close as you’re going to get for better or worse, it’s worth checking out definitely.

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