Reel Jen Films

Hi there, whoever may be out there. Just a quick note to tell you about what I'm up to now.
Please check out Reel Jen to see the web videos I have been producing.

The Town

The new Ben Affleck film. I think this looks really good. Also I love the fact that Rebecca Hall, seems to have been seriously noticed by Hollywood. I think she could make a for a brilliant role model.

Ondine

Apparently this is due to be released on the 4th June. I really hope I can get access to it at my local cinema.

The Disappearance of Alice Creed

I met Gemma Arterton on the set of "3 and Out" and the one thing (apart from her beauty) is that she is a really really nice person. The Disappearance of Alice Creed is one of the films I am really looking forward to seeing. It's out on the 30th April.

It's a Wonderful Afterlife

From the makers of Bend it Like Beckham. It is out on the 21st April.

Malice in Wonderland

Yes another Danny Dyer film. But lets be honest, he is brilliant for sticking with British films.

Just of the Record

NEW MISSION STATEMENT

I am sick with the state of the British film industry. So from now on I will endeavour to make you aware of British Film.

That way we can support home grown talent and maybe all our talent won't go running off to America to make a quid!

.

It's due out this year but I can't find a specific date as yet.

Shocking

Yes, I know it's shocking that I haven't written about anything in yonks!...been busy WATCHING FILMS!!!Highlights of my Cineworld Unlimited Card have been.

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief Yes I know. It surprise me as well! Considering that it was directed by Christopher Columbus who must of thought Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was an actual good movie. Personally I love Greek mythology, so this was right up my street. I did find it very interesting Peirce Broson with 4 legs!?
10/10

Fish TankNow this got the best British Film BAFTA this year. It was an incredible tense and gritty film. I heard that the lead girl (Katie Jarvis) was cast after the director saw her having an argument in the street. Very talented young lady.

Shutter Island
Yes, you can say that the ending is predictable, however I think some of the dialogue at the end of the film could leave you thinking one thing or another. Martin and Leonardo are definitely are a great duo working in the film industry. Leonardo DiCaprio... I just... I just can't fault him. I think he is a brilliant actor. The Departed is definitely in my top ten films.

Films that didn't really move me in anyway:
- Alice in Wonderland
- Solomon Kane
- I have watched others but they just haven't made any impression clearly

Films that I haven't yet got to see but really really want to:
- Clash of the Titans (even though apparently it only received NO stars!?!?!?!)
- KICK ASS!
- Prince of Persia
- How to train your dragon
- Remember Me

So hopefully it wont be another long stint between posts. Cheerio chaps!

Bad, but really really good.

You know when you watch a film and you just think "Dear me! What am I watching, and why the hell am I enjoying it so much?"
Such films include:
Transporter
High School Musical
George of the Jungle
Crank

I haven't watched the first Cats and Dogs film. But after watching this trailer, I can't help but look forward to this!

OOOhhhh deary me!

Apologies fir the evident lack of communication from me.

Having came back from New Zealand, my life is only now starting to settle into some resemblance of normality.

Coming back home, tasks were set and 2/3 are done.

Job... tick

Somewhere to live...tick (Was living on a camp bed in my sister's spare room for almost 2 months! My back was not happy!)

I wont tell you what the third thing is, that's my secret.

So now, I can start watching films again, because lets face it, I can afford it now! Whoop!

Quite excited about getting back to the cinema. Those of you who are close to a cineworld I would like to make you aware of the unlimited card! £13.50 a month for unlimited access to movies. Friends, I am gonna get one!

Shockingly the last film that I went to see was Avatar. Verdict, if I may quote a friend of mine "Pocahontas, but with bigger guns". The technology for this film to look amazing as it did is such an achievement to James Cameron's team that it has to be awarded a great film label. However if you were to look at the story, it's just same old same old.

I seen it in 3D and I don't know if it was because I already wear glasses or I sat that little bit too close to the screen, but it made it very hard to watch it. I think watching it in 2D would provided the same awe factor.

On another note. What is going on in Manchester?

Well on Friday I went to see Hayabusa perform at the Road House in the Northern Quarter. The gig was to celebrate their E.P Released today! Which is available on itunes.

Another thing that I am looking forward to, is going to see '1984' at the Royal Exchange Theatre' in St Annes Square. Word on the street is that tickets are selling fast. It's a world premier so get in there quick!

New Moon

I have been looking forward to seeing this film for a while. Could director Chris Weitz build on what Catherine Hardwicke started? Answer being, a really decent film.

I can't really say I was wowed by New Moon. I think that's for personal reasons. The Robert Patterson fever has calmed down. New Moon sticks pretty rigidly to the book. There are a few differences but no where near as many as Catherine put in. I think for this fact and apart from a few cringe corny romantic lines, New Moon makes for a better film. I don't imagine fans being disappointed.

A lot of flesh...you can't get away from the flesh....

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Gutted! And a tad angry. This film is confused and lacking in pace. I was really bored. The only really interesting part of it was the costumes/ set design and the young Andrew Garfield.

It is just really sad that after Batman, Heath did this and THIS is his last ever film.

My advice is don't watch it! Keep the image of the Joker as the last great role of Heath Ledger.

Evoking emotion

At this moment I am staying on a farm in Dunedin, New Zealand. As a way to show New Zealand culture, my hosts put on "Once Were Warriors" a 1994 film by Lee Tamahori and starring Temuera Morrison, who some will recognise as Jango Fett in the Star Wars movie.

'Once Were Warriors" is about domestic abuse in a Maori household and how the woman comes to deal with it and get a future away from the abuse.

To say I wasn't moved is an understatement. I finished watching it about 5 minutes ago and I still feel as though I may burst into tears again. The fighting is brutal and very very scary. It's heartbreaking but its hase love in there. Love in the strangest, self harming way.

New Zealand film industry is strong with the guts to tell powerful stories without the political correctness of America.

This is a film that you have to dedicate all your mind and (I know it sounds kinda slushy) soul to, to really appreciate it. Watch it!

2012

WOW! Roland Emmerich has done it again with his Doomsday foretelling. And this time I am very much likely to believe him because yyyyeeeeaaaarrrrssss ago I remember watching a BBC documentary about it!

2012 is about the sun sparking a huge solar flare that heats up the Earth from the inside out and makes the crust and poles shift.

Like any Emmerich film, the film looks at the lives of several different people:

• Joe Bloggs - in this case John Cusack and family



• The Scientist who foretells all of it and is the 'good egg'- Chiwetel Ejiofor who Brits will recognise from Love Actually. Yet another brilliant Brit actor nicking the American parts from American actors (makes me so chuffed!)



• The President of America- Danny Glover



• The Arse- which is split into two characters, there is the Russian business man and Oliver Platt who never fails to not make me smile even when he is being a pillock!



• and a whole host of randoms, that get the "oooooohhhh shit!" camera angle when the shit really does hit the fan.

After seeing a lot of films recently (sorry I haven't reviewed all of them) it was really nice to get so involved in this one. At times I couldn't help myself by saying out loud "RUN! run now!!!!" or squealing at other parts.

Scientifically speaking some situations are highly improbable (bit with the volcano...) but with Roland you are just there for the ride, and he delivers, he really does!

The Vintner's Luck

This is a story about wine making in France during the 19th Century. A common peasant who works on a chateau vineyard works his way to the top to become a Vintner with the help of a angel.

The film is directed by New Zealand director Niki Caro (Whale Rider). Based on a book by Elizabeth Knox, 'The Vintner's Luck' is a look at the life of Sorban (played by Jérémie Renier) and his love of and Angel, his wife and a Baroness.

The make up for Jeremie Renier as he grows old is brilliant. You can even see the sun spots appearing on his skin. However the same care to detail was not conveyed onto his wife (Keisha Castle-Hughes) who does not seem to age and at some points her children look older than she does!

My favourite scene was where the Baroness is smelling and describing Sorban's hands. How Niki Caro filmed it was very erotic for such an innocent act.

Although the Vintner's Luck seems to have continued 'bad reviews', I have to say that I found it (like any good wine) slow in maturing and after being out of the cinema now for several hours, I am still thinking about it and drinking quite a bit of wine. The acting from the two main male characters and the Baroness is brilliant. The pace of the film can be slow at times but isn't it the same with any life span portrait?

Avatar

Just watched the full length trailer for Avatar which has the release date 18th December Worldwide. It looks so impressive and I can't wait to see it. I very much doubt I will be disappointed. Check out the website: http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/avatar/

Taking of Cinema Paradiso

http://abritishgirlskiwiadventure.blogspot.com/2009/11/cinema-paradiso-wanaka.html

Follow this link to see my review of the awesome cinema in Wanaka, NZ and Tony Scott's film, 'The Taking of Pelham 123'.

Try watching this and NOT get excited!

Dam! Fry and Jackson team up!

Dude!

I have just read this little piece of info and I have got very excited! 

If this is true, the remake of the Dambusters with Peter Jackson as the producer and Stephen Fry as the screenwriter, is going to be brilliant! Oscars for sure!

You may not like the story, but you have to admire the film making!

Back in the Backpackers in Wellington, everyone was sat by the TV watching Joe Wright's Atonement. Now if any of you have actually seen the film you will know that it is heartbreaking and tragic. And for that reason you may not like the film. I was one of those people, however watching it again in the backpackers I retreated into myself and I realised things about the filming that I never noticed before. I strongly believe if you don't notice certain bits in a film, in the acting or the choice of camera shot and it overall evokes a strong emotion, then it is a brilliant film.

Taking Joe Wright's filming for instance I have noticed that he concentrates strongly on the hands to convey emotion. The picture above is of the scene when Robbie meets up Cecilia before he gets shipped off the France. Now they haven't seen each other for 3 years, since the tragic misunderstanding that lead to his wrongful imprisonment. Joe takes the simplicity of making a cup of tea to show the strong passion and connection between these two character, all by focusing on their hands. Cecilia pours Robbie a cup of tea and as he is stirring in his sugar she places her hand on his free hand. Focus pull to the spoon stirring hand and you can see how the slightest touch of this woman effects him to the point that he can't stir anymore. This is confirmed in a face mid shot of Jame McAvoy, who plays Robbie.

Joe did this previously in Pride and Prejudice where Mr Darcy helps Elizabeth in the carriage. This is an unexpected action for Elizabeth, but you can see the growing affection that Darcy has for Elizabeth with a shot of his hand as he walks away. He stretches it as if it has a thousand tingling sensations going through it at once. I have had this feeling before and I instantly connected with Darcy when Joe Wright filmed this.



Simply put, through watching Atonement again I realised that Joe Wright is one of my favourite directors. Looking forward to the next project!

On an side note. Please marvel at the beauty of the 5minute steady cam shot of Dunkirk beach. The detail is amazing and the emotions are overpowering. I personally think that there needs to be a war film about Dunkirk.

Lest we forget.