The Island

What a way to end my month of movie reviews! ‘The Island’ was everything I needed to see, Action/Adventure/Romance/Fantasy/Science-Fiction and Comedy. This 2005 film had all great elements reminiscent of one of my favourite films ‘The Fifth Element’. Directed by Michael Bay, and written by English Caspian Tredwell-Owen and Alex Kurtzman, this film was everything I didn’t expect. I love Scottish Ewan McGregor’s work and Steve Buscemi is always so interesting to look at on screen, I decided to give it a whirl.

I’m so glad I did!  The story is strong and interesting and it grips the audience all along the way. Scarlett Johansson is darling in this and it was nice to see the late, great Michael Clarke Duncan (The Green Mile) give a strong performance too. Dijon Hounsou from Cotonou, Benin whom you may remember from ‘Amistad’ also had a positive, strong role which is always refreshing to see on the big screen. With a budget of $126 million USD, this film didn’t triple at the box-office, however did get 1 win and 6 other nominations that year.

Would I watch it again? Yes, by george, I want to own this film! Sensationally entertaining from start to finish!

Lucy

So there’ve been 101 reviews and rumors about French Luc Besson’s new film ‘Lucy’ starring brilliant American bomb-shell Scarlett Johansson. Many of which seem harsh, and some of which is certainly true. Tis' true also that there have been similar concepts already expressed in film - like 'Limitless' and 'Inception' but what if a story delves a bit deeper. Here’s my two-cents on this 2014 fantasy-action-sci-fi film.

Written and directed by the infamous scuba-diver instructor turned writer/director Luc Besson (Fifth Element, Colombiana, The Big Blue) and one of my favourite French directors brings to us his newest piece of work ‘Lucy’ - with an estimated budget of $40 million USD in just one month he grossed a whopping $117 million USD and the film is still in theaters worldwide. With a run-time of 89 minutes this modern-day story takes place in a number of places including France and Taiwan. Expertly executed and backed by loads of research (it took Besson 10 years of it) the audience goes on a thrilling ride into the minds of the human-being and what indeed it is capable of. 

There was talk of Angelina-Jolie to play the lead in this film, whom I admire and think would execute believably also - I do believe Scarlett did a great job at bringing this ‘Lucy’ character to life. In fact I enjoyed watching her transition from a dopey, simple party-girl into an alluring and mysterious entity. Morgan Freeman joined in on the action as well as international superstar of Asia Min-sik Choi who plays our film’s villain ‘Mr. Jang’. I felt that this idea was a wonderful one and viewers not only were able to enjoy the ride but had their brains tickled as well - asking that fine question - “Who are you and why are you here?”

Wonderful cinematography, CGI, pacing, and soundtrack with few disturbances in regards to better execution of this wonderful idea. That is, the one line, “I know who everybody is”, line, having co-stars unable to see what ‘Lucy’ sees as she’s more advanced than they are, as well as making Scarlett a more believable character if she would perhaps fluently speak some of different languages in the places she visited. 

All in all - a wonderfully wicked addition on Besson’s part! Enjoy the ride & Open your minds! 

Under the Skin

Written by Walter Campbell and directed by English Jonathon Glazer this 2013 Drama/Sci-fi/Thriller has gotten a mix in reviews. Nominated for 6 awards that year and winner of one, it may not have been well-recieved in some audiences but was well-discussed among film-lovers and film-circles everywhere. 

Set in Scotland and with heavy guerrilla-style shooting viewers followed a mysterious woman that seduced and preyed upon local men. Magnificent strategy behind some scenes of our star/lead Scarlett Johansson who lured men (whom were not even actors) into her vehicle and them not even noticing her was not only risky with hidden cameras placed inside the vehicle but also a bit un-nerving to think of how easy it was for her to complete this feat.

Very little dialogue throughout and really relying on the smarts of the audience to fill in the gaps of the story - this film is not for those who want to be told everything. The symbolism, some glimpses of Scottish beautiful country-side and message of the  story was marvelous but I found it difficult to remain focused when the lighting was so dim and dark (intentionally so). A film is about showing, not telling, but ultimately it’s about telling a story so well that it is entertaining, inspiring or able to evoke some type of emotion from the persons who watch. 

Rated R for graphic nudity, sexual content, violence and language you’ll want to keep the children away for this one. I found it was an interesting story but in my opinion not the best of executions. 

Her

Now we’re present day again with our choice of movie viewing; I finally catch the Oscar nominated ‘Her’ written and directed by Spike Jonze; whom you may remember from ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ and ‘Being John Malkovich’. Starring in this Romantic/Sci-Fi/Drama was none other than the talented and wonderfully sensitive actor Joaquin Phoenix as well as the vulnerable and gentle Amy Adams. Scarlett Johansson was most delightful and charming voice for an operating system that you could ever imagine. 

This film was quite poetic; not only with several examples of love letters recited throughout but also high on communication and emotional bonding between our main characters. A Love Story minus the usual physical elements that tend to sometimes overwhelm and complicate situations - because what everyone wants really is to be loved inside out and also have someone to love the same. This film encapsulates that with a futuristic twist!

With an estimated budget of $23 million USD and a slim climb at the box-office of $25 million USD. Production companies didn’t let that worry them too much because this feature with a run-time of 126 minutes was chosen by the Film Society of the Lincoln Center as a opening spot for the prestigious New York Film Festival in 2013!

62 nominations, 51 wins and winner of an Oscar at the last Academy Awards festival, ‘Her’ was a fine piece of work that I believe will be talked about in many years to come!

Don Jon

“You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”

“You like movies?”

Yes, we do!!! Movies mimic life! 

Who didn’t have a crush on the adorable Joseph Gordon-Levitt while they were growing up? Levitt wrote, directed and starred in this 2013 dramatic comedy/romance, and has been keeping quite busy overall, with film projects flowing from his veins as if he were made up of only good ideas! Don Jon was a successful idea and it not only brought in 3 wins and 7 nominations but also a hefty $24 million USD at the box-office after beginning with a small $6 million USD.

Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore, Tony Danza, and Glenne Headly joined in to make this one memorable and entertaining. Funnily enough I wasn’t thrilled to see this film when I saw the previews because of it’s subject matter - but with a smile like Joseph Gordon-Levitt - it just brought me in! I’m happy it did though because this film is a lot more than meets the eye. It sheds light on a very serious topic and gives the audience a profound message about how to take control of your life and find eternal happiness. 

It was quite funny with the heavy New Jersey accents, wonderfully magnetic with the subject matter, and enormously genuine and sincere with the heavy subject matter of addiction and unrealistic expectations which made viewers feel for our main character ‘Jon’ played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Rated R for strong graphic sexual material and dialogue throughout, nudity, language and some drug-use, so this is not one for the children. But for adults who can handle it, it’ll make you laugh and teary-eyed at the same time. Enjoy & Bravo Levitt on a job well-done!