Reviews
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013)
Film Analysis/Review by BreakawayDaily.com - "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones" is a supernatural adventure that is never "mundane."
When Clary Fray's house is turned upside down and her mum is nowhere to be seen she learns that she descends from Shadowhunters who protect the world from demons. She joins forces with them to discover who she really is and find her mother.
Starring Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower, Robert Sheehan, Jemima West, Kevin Zegers, Jared Harris, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Lena Headey, Aidan Turner, and Godfrey Goa.
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is a book to movie adaptation based on the worldwide best-selling fantasy book series by author Cassandra Clare. It is a film many fans have anticipated, and it's finally here! I feel like I have had a baby because I have been waiting nine months to see the film! I went to the premiere and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this!
The film version of The Mortal Instruments is a well made supernatural fantasy thriller that captures the beauty of Clare's extraordinary and unique Shadowhunter world. It boasts a brilliant cast, great action sequences, dark cinematography, and a strong witty script. It is actually not a simple film, as you can tell from this rather extensive and complex review where I have attempted to shed light at some of the films intricacies. So, as one of the film's stars Jamie Campbell Bower would say in his English accent, grab yourself a cup of tea (or a cappuccino with an angelic rune design in it), relax, and have a read!
Clarissa "Clary" Fray (Lily Collins) is the empowered female protagonist at the center of the story. She is an artistically gifted teen living with her single mother Jocelyn (Lena Headey) in New York City. On her birthday, she finds herself a part of a dark and mysterious world unknown to her, or rather, hidden from her. If you thought New York was bustling metropolis before, just wait till you see this movie!
Read the entire review at Breakaway Daily (http://www.breakawaydaily.com)
The Kid (2010)
"The Kid" is an inspirational story of hope and overcoming adversary.
Based on the memoir by Kevin Lewis, The Kid is an intense British drama film which focuses on the theme of child abuse. It is a riveting story, about fighting adversity. It shows that no matter how dark things are, there is a light at end of tunnel.
Kevin Lewis grew up in utter hell, but he didn't follow the same destructive paths as his parents. His mother Gloria (an unrecognizable Natascha McElhone), constantly abused Kevin, both mentally and physically. His father was an alcoholic, whom sometimes helped him and sometimes, gave him a punch. After social services became involved, Kevin was in and out of the system, bouncing from foster home to foster home. He found kindness in the form of a social worker (Bernard Hill), however, his violent inherited attitude became unforgivable to the foster families. Kevin was introverted and fragile in his teen years (played by Augustus Prew), but is able to escape his bleakness with the help of his teacher (Ioan Gruffudd) and the foster parent that makes the biggest impact on him (James Fox).
His teacher was like the good angel because his physical education teacher did nothing to help his situation, even when he saw all the bruises all over his body. But Kevin is tough and smart and just needs a break to fulfill his true potential. Kevin as an adult decides to quit studying to join the striving millionaires, thus attempting to be an entrepreneur.
A kind soul at heart, even adult Kevin (Rupert Friend) is taken advantage of for other people's gain. Even his foster mother turned out to be only looking after her own interests as she wouldn't give Kevin his inherited money or home after his foster father dies. It was important for him to keep the home that meant so much to him as that was the only place where he had some happiness.
Meeting cunning con men along the way and becoming involved in street fights, Kevin soon ended up in the worst possible state. Until, he met the love of his life.
The lovestory is the crucial point in the film showing how love conquers all. His love for Jackie (Jodie Whittaker) is why he wrote the book that the film is inspired by. He wrote the book for the right reasons, out of love. It was originally supposed to be for her eyes only, but she sent it to a book publisher and it went on to become a bestseller. Through the love he felt for his wife he turned his life around. His nightmare became a dream.
Each performance by every actor portraying Kevin were inspiring, however I wish they would have stuck to one actor for the teen/adult portrayals of Kevin. I am sure Augustus Prew could have pulled it off. You have already bonded with one actor and when the actor is changed yet again for the adult Kevin, it starts to take you out of the film and makes it loose it fluidity. You have to get use to them again and their new mannerisms.
One of the first things to strike you about The Kid is the unassuming style it's directed with. Director Nick Moran really captures the 80's grain of TV and film of the time. The way in which Moran directs it just makes it feel all the more real and authentic.
Certainly a triumph over adversity tale, and one that has been told before in different guises, but it's the heart that is put into The Kid that makes it resonate. Everyone involved obviously had a strong connection to the material and the film handles this difficult subject matter with aplomb. The Kid shows you that you have to look in yourself, look at the voice within, and be strong. You also can't rely on other people to dig you out, you must believe in yourself. A fantastic British film you need to check out, just make sure to have tissues handy!
More film reviews at http://breakawaydaily.com
Copperhead (2013)
Copperhead is an important historical film with unforgettable performances that focuses on the relationships that can get ripped apart by war.
Copperhead is visually stunning, and unlike any other Civil War movie that has ever been made before. The scenery, sets, and costumes present a peaceful environment that stands in stark contrast to almost all other war movies.
Director and Producer Ron Maxwell has solidified himself as one of the leading cinematic visionaries of the American Civil War with his previous works of Gettysburg and Gods and Generals. With Copperhead, Maxwell looks at why good, honorable, ethical men chose not to go to war. He brings the audience not to the battlefield, but to the homefront, and looks closely at the relationships that can get ripped apart by war. Maxwell's fresh angle on the Civil War era highlights how the war affected those who remained at home when their sons, friends and lovers left to join the army.
Even if you are not a big war buff, you will enjoy this film. It puts the spotlight on many issues, not just about war, but about life. It has an interesting story, fantastic dialogue, topnotch performances and is visually exquisite. The film serves as a valuable history lesson on life in that era, and portrays the historical events from a viewpoint that is often ignored. It is a very thought provoking piece of filmmaking and should be considered an instant classic.
Read my full review at Breakaway Daily (www.breakawaydaily.com). There you will also find exclusive coverage of the Copperhead premieres and much more!
The Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012)
A Magical Idea But Too "Odd" To Enjoy
This looked like it would be a really fun and magical family oriented movie, and in some ways it was, but at the end it was just missing something. Of course it was extremely far fetched with no explanations. I understand it is supposed to be kind of like a fairy tale or folklore, but it was just so out of left field. I liked its message that anything is possible, if only you have trust in yourselves. I just thought it could have been cuter or more fun, I also think they devoted too much time to Timothy's "love interest." I know what they were trying to say, love and be loved, but because he was so young I thought it came off weird.
Meh | 5/10
Check out Breakaway Daily at http://breakawaydaily.com for more reviews!
Sophie (2010)
Sophie & Sheba: A Film About A Big Friendship!
I always enjoy a good animal movie and have always loved circus movies since Big Top Pee Wee! This film has both and tells the story of a BIG friendship! It also has a bit of a love story weaved in thanks to the talented Augustus Prew, who I didn't know could do air-ballet!
It was actually really cute and a well done film the whole family can enjoy. Maybe I am just biased because August Prew could recite the phone book and keep my attention! One big problem I had with it was the ending. (Spoiler) Sophie ships Sheba back to her "home" of Africa. I thought this was inconsistent as her parents own a zoo, and thus she is saying that all the animals in her parents zoo should be shipped back to their "home" too. I am not sure why this film is so underrated, I think it is just as good as any other animal movie and had a fresh story.
Good | 7/10
For more film reviews check out Breakaway Daily (http://breakawaydaily.com)
Beautiful Creatures (2013)
Beautiful Creatures is a feast for the eyes but lazy on the mind...
I have been wanting to see this film since I saw the trailer. I am a sucker for fantasy/supernatural stuff, especially witches. I have loved witches ever since I was a child. I bought the Beautiful Creatres book, but haven't read it yet, so I can't really compare! A lot of people who have read the book were disappointing with the film because apparently a lot was changed and cut out. That is too bad, because it could have been an amazing film if some things were done differently. Judging the this solely from the film itself, it wasn't bad, but it also didn't bring much new to the genre. I can't say too much bad about this film because it was enjoyable and a feast for the eyes. It has awesome visuals that engage the audience and draw you in. I also loved that it took place in the South and had Jeremy Irons and Emmy Rossum in it. I really enjoyed Emmy's character and found her the most interesting. It features an all star cast that all give great performances.
I liked the story, it got a bit Twilight at times, and a bit overboard with becoming good/evil, but I guess they were doing a duality between what humans face through a supernatural narrative. I just felt like there was something lacking from it. I get more excited about an episode of Hemlock Grove then I did this big blockbuster.
OK | 6/10
Breakaway Daily http://breakawaydaily.com
Spring Breakers (2012)
Spring Breakers Is A Dark Film About Today's Youth & Celebrity Culture
Brit, Candy, Cotty, and Faith have been best friends since grade school. They live together in a boring college dorm and are hungry for adventure. They rob a restaurant in order to fund their spring break vacation and shenanigans begin. They land in jail and find themselves bailed out by a drug and arms dealer who wants them to do some dirty work in exchange for all the thrill and excitement they could hope for. With the encouragement of their new friend, it soon becomes unclear how far the girls are willing to go to experience a spring break they will never forget.
I entered the dark theater and descended into a black hole of corruption and filth when I watched Harmny Korine's Spring Breakers almost two weeks ago. There was something about the film that looked intriguing despite their being a lot of bad press, and being a big James Franco fan I knew I had to see it, so I went to its last screening in my area. Spring Breakers was an on screen explosion of neon, Skrillex, nudity, sex and drugs. But when you peal away its barely there bikini you realize it is actually so much more; including a metaphor for Britney Spears' total breakdown. It's a bleak view regarding the ills of our society and the increasingly perverse nature of its youth.
This is the first film of Korine's to be released to a wide audience. Due to the fact that it is so dramatically different from your average big cinema adventure, and because of Korine's specific style I don't think the casual moviegoer would like this film. There is a lot to take in, and many layers to uncover that on the surface just comes off as weird.
At first glance it just looks like you are watching the college party scene taken to an extreme level with a lot of people getting drunk, girls bouncing their naked chests, vulgar language and other trashiness. It is not until you let it all soak in and let it marinade with you a couple of days (or in my case over a week) that you can truly fathom the point of the film. You have to look at it in a deeper level and in a symbolic way to really understand it and appreciate it.
To read the rest of the review and to read more film reviews visit Breakaway Daily: http://breakawaydaily.com
Consent (2010)
Consent shines a light on a family dealing with tragedy
Since I am a fan of off-the-cuff, non-mainstream movies, I decided to give this one a try. I wasn't disappointed. It was a great film on many levels. The entire cast worked together to paint a picture of pain and discomfort, and shinned a light on taboo subjects with beauty.
Directed by Ron Brown, Consent tells the tragic tale of a wealthy Manhattan family wading through the emotional wreckage of a recent death. By failing to face their heartache as a united front, each family member is sent down an individual path of self-destruction.
The teen siblings attempt to conquer their grief by confiding in drugs, alcohol and sexual taboos. Their parents also go about relieving their grief in all the wrong ways. Mostly by disconnecting from their own feelings, and ultimately, their own children. The parents are cold to each other and wrapped up in their own pain. They blame themselves by knowing their inattentiveness partly caused their oldest child's death.
Between her junior and senior years of college, before anyone knew her as one of the Pretty Little Liars, Troian Bellisario spent a summer in New York City, filming this intense indie drama.
Trojan plays the damaged, desperate and unformed character of high school junior Amanda. This is definitely a dark role for her, but she portrays it incredible well.
Amanda is spiraling down a dangerous path with an abusive boyfriend. She looks for love in all the wrong places. Her emotional handicap creates a particularly awkward situation for her older brother Josh, who is played with brilliant vulnerability by Peter Vack. Josh is the one constant in Amanda's life that she can always turn to and he finds himself on the receiving end of his sister's misguided search for love.
This is what the tragedy has done to them, but they have to go through these obstacles in order to discover themselves and heal.
Josh deals with the loss of his oldest sister Samantha by visualizing she is still with him. Josh sees her everywhere, and his grief is palpable in the fact that he can't let her go. He starts hallucinating and having conversations with her like she is really there.
"I hope that my fans support me in all of my work," Troian said in an interview with Hollywood Life. "While a lot of people may not be dealing with matters of incest, they are perhaps dealing with loss or sadness or simply trying to find themselves in high school, where everything is so grey. I hope my fans like the movie, and I think a lot of people will." "They have nobody else to turn to; they need each other," Troian says of Amanda and Josh's relationship. "And through them, you see how Amanda's version of love is so skewed. Some people might call it perverted, but it's really not her need for love that's perverted. It's just the way she seeks it." "None of these people are more equipped to help their own family than each other," Troian explains. "What's so tragic is that if they would simply speak about it — the loss, the grief, the heartache — so much of this would be avoided." The title of the movie is about the "consent" the parents have given themselves to ignore their children and wrap themselves up in a tragedy that's taken over their entire lives.
"It isn't necessarily about Josh giving consent to Amanda, but it's really abut the parents giving consent to their children to behave in these ways," Troian explains. "Without parental guidance, what are you saying is OK for your children to do in the world? What's most interesting about Amanda's character is seeing how far she'll go, and what toll it will take on her emotionally and mentally." The way the film is shot, and because the cast threw themselves into their parts, the film feels very real and documentary like. You feel like a voyeur where you sit and watch a family fall apart and ultimately hope that they come out of the darkness.
Consent is an important film because it speaks volumes of what could happen in any family if you live with your eyes closed and have no communication. If you have dealt with a close death or gone through dark times yourself, you will appreciate this underrated film.
For more film reviews visit Breakaway Daily http://breakawaydaily.com
Silent House (2011)
Silent house keeps things a little too quiet...
I have been wanting to watch this film for a long time and finally got to it the other day. I thought it was just going to be ghost story type film or something like Paranormal Activity but it turned out to be something very unexpected! It had a lot of suspense despite its shortcomings. It gets a bit old as the majority of the film is just Elizabeth Olsen's character Sara wandering through a scary house. Elizabeth does a good job at being scared and crying her eyes out over these scary sounds though! There are times it feels very Blairwitch Project. The film is shot entirely with a subjective camera, always at arm's length of the character. It just feels so low budget that you feel like someone made it for a school film project or something, because of this you can't really get lost in the movie.
Although the ending was out of left field, I liked this twist and thought it added to the film. The problem with it though was that it wasn't executing properly and the overall storyline had too many holes in it. It needed more too it, more flashbacks - something. After doing a bit of research on the film I found that is was actually a remake of a Spanish film of the same name and that it was based on a true story. Not sure if that movie delved into the back story more or not
All in all it was a film that could have been really great, but too many things made it feel like someone just took a camera and tried to create a movie over the weekend at their cabin.
MEH, 5/10
For more film reviews check out Breakaway Daily http://www.breakawaydaily.com
Alaska (1996)
A Visual & Emotional Journey
This is an oldie but a goldie! I remembered watching this when it first came out (I must have been 10 years old) and I always liked it. It is always interesting when you re-watch a movie because it is almost like you have never watched it before! It is that new of an experience, I didn't really remember much of it. The brother and sister duo were so fearless, and the visuals were really beautiful, plus the polar bear was so cute! A nice relaxing film I watched the other evening before bed - however I tossed and turned all night for some reason...maybe I was scared of the poachers! All in all a great family film but I would actually caution against showing it to some children as there are a few scary scenes especially dealing with those pesky pachers!
Breakaway Daily www.breakawaydaily.com
Parental Guidance (2012)
Bette & Billy Still Got It In "Parental Guidance"
Artie and Diane agree to look after their three grandkids when their type-A helicopter parents need to leave town for work. Problems arise when the kids' 21st-century behavior collides with Artie and Diane's old-school methods.
Cute, sometimes smart, sometimes gross family fun film. It started out a lot more intelligent at the beginning then turned into a more generic movie that you have seen a thousand times. I liked how they brought in the new technical world (smart house, email, twitter, facebook) and wish the filmmakers would have focused on that a bit more. It was so funny when Crystal's character doesn't know what his boss is referring to when he mentions "hash tagging" and "poking." The funniest parts were one of the kids wanting to watch the "Saw" films, the tofu and the almond milk!
7/10 (Good)
Breakaway Daily www.breakawaydaily.com
The Call (2013)
"The Call" Dials Up Big Scares & A Fun Ride!
I don't believe in call waiting because I rushed to the theater to see The Call during opening weekend.I went and saw it in an absolutely jam packed theater on my birthday, and I must say my expectations were pretty low because I didn't find the trailer that captivating. I thought it was going to be a "Speed" wannabe and have a typical, predictable plot. Boy was I wrong! It was freaking awesome and way better then trailer lets it out to be. It looks like it is just going to be a car chase movie with a kidnapped girl stuck in the truck the whole time (and while that is also true) it is so much more then that. Be sure not to answer your phone during this movie. You won't want to miss a second.
If you think this is a Scream copy think again - although you might find yourself screaming! There are some similarities however between The Call and Scream like the phone connection, one of the main characters being called Casey, the recurrence of a one liner ("do you like scary movies"/"it's already done") and even the poster is a bit reminiscent.
This film has everything a good thriller should have - amazing acting, thrills, and great character development on both sides of the "good" and "evil" spectrum. There are some really scary and intense scenes a horror fan will also love, the woman in front of me kept going "oh my god!" The film delivered on the real substance of being a 911 Dispatcher, something rarely shown in thrillers. It gave the audience a look into the real moment to moment split second decisions made by these seldom praised messengers of help. Halle Berry was spot on in her portrayal of Jordan - the 911 operator.
Berry, who has a knack for finding the toughness beneath vulnerability, and vice versa delivers a tense and unfussy performance. She gets support from Denise Dowse as a co-worker and Roma Maffia (Nip Tuck, Nick of Time) as her supervisor. Jordan is a cop's daughter who's dating Paul (also a cop) and following their make-out session on the balcony of the call center during her break, Jordan receives an emergency call from a terrified girl whose home is being broken into. Jordan does her best to help, but after a series of instructions and a fatal mistake, the killer takes the phone and speaks words that will be repeated throughout the film - "it's already done." Later we find out that the girl has been murdered, as a news clip shows her dead body at the scene of the crime (which I have never seen in real life on the news yet!) Of course Jordan blames herself and this riveting scene pulls you into the story and hooks your attention for what's to come.
Jordan returns to the high-wire stress of the phones when teenager Casey Welson (played by Little Miss Sunshine's Abigail Breslin) calls from the trunk of a car. We find out later, that she has been abducted by the same deranged man with a plan. Conveniently for the film, Casey is using a prepaid and disposable phone, making her location harder to trace and thereby drawing out the tension. Listen for fitting music like "Puttin' On the Ritz" to be thumping inside the car (this also is useful as the kidnapper can't hear the 911 calls Casey is making).
This lifeline connection between Jordan and Casey is the heart of the film. Jordan talking Casey through this harrowing nightmare doesn't even begin to describe the 96 minutes of insanity you're in for when you go see The Call. Most of the film takes place in either the 911 call center (aka "the hive") or the inside of the trunk, yet the film is never dull with action being delivered by the second.
What I really enjoyed about the film was how they had an interesting back story for the "bad guy" Michael Foster, played by Canadian actor Michael Eklund. I recognized him right away from his work in Blood Ties, Walk All Over Me, and The Divide. This sort of Norman Bates mentally unstable character is really fun to watch. He was really believable (as he always is) as the sick and twisted abductor and serial killer. They could have just had it be a random killer with no motive, no back story, and whom lived alone in a rundown apartment. Instead it was more chilling because the psycho was a suburban family man, a seemingly "normal" guy.
When Casey gets abducted I knew he had some reason to want girls with blonde hair, because as his previous victim had blonde hair as well. He could have easily killed her many times during the drive, but he didn't. It is also interesting why he went for her and not her friend, since her friend left alone too - I guess she wasn't blonde enough!
The film takes huge turn (and becomes reminiscent of House at the End of the Street) when we learn Michael had a sister he was very close to.
To read the rest of the review please visit www.breakawaydaily.com
Breakaway Daily www.breakawaydaily.com
The Baytown Outlaws (2012)
The Baytown Outlaws kicks major ass!
I stumbled upon this film after checking out what films Travis Fimmel was involved in lately. He is set to star in the History channel's Vikings next month, which I am excited about. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Clane Crawford (who I still remember from Swimfan and who was amazing in 2010's "The Perfect Host" was also in it. The star studded cast also includes Eva Longoria Parker and Billy Bob Thornton. Interestingly enough they have the weakest and most forgettable roles and don't take precedence away from the three outlaw characters (Travis, Clayne and Daniel Cudmore). Not sure why this movie wasn't a major hit (did it even play at the theaters?) because it had everything you could want for a promising blockbuster with all the action, comedy and storyline behind it.
It has just the right amount of character development, fun quirky characters on both sides, and doesn't take itself to seriously. The outlaw brothers have a lot of heart despite their circumstances and life of crime. A really fun and funny action movie where people don't just shoot each other or blow stuff up the whole time. Unwind and enjoy this great film.
The Baytown Outlaws certainly is a film that a lot of movie fanatics should check out!
Breakaway Daily www.breakawaydaily.com
Timeline (2003)
Timet Travel Fun!
Really great idea, it would be really neat to travel to the past. I am so fascinated right now with period TV shows like The Borgias, etc so I was really looking forward to seeing a film like this where a modern person could go back in time. Although the science behind how they got there didn't make much sense, the movie was good. I didn't quite understand how the artifacts they found in the future had to stay how they were in the past, I guess showing how destiny is pre-written? The battlegrounds and the sets themselves weren't as great or cinematic as Game of Thrones or The Borgias, and these are TV shows. For a major motion picture, I found it was lacking in these respects. It is still worth a view if you are even remotely interested in time travel or history.
Breakaway Daily www.breakawaydaily.com
Liberal Arts (2012)
Liberal Arts: You Are Never Finished Learing
Liberal Arts is a refreshing and very simple film that felt more like a moving conversation or documentary about university, work and life. Josh Radnor did a great job writing, producing and acting in the film. The film shows you are never finished learning, whatever your age. It was very insightful and made you question the choices that you make in life. Everyone should see this, but especially if you are in university or graduated. The main character, and I too, feel at times like you sort of take for granted when you are actually in university (probably because you are so overwhelmed with the work load) to really appreciate it. When you get out you think the world will be your oyster and that you can do anything. Only to realize you are in the real world now and things might not turn out the way you wanted it to or expect. This film makes you feel like you are not alone in this situation, that other people too are trying to figure out there next step. Even the university professor in the film feels like this as he is trying to retire.
It was so ironic that they go quite heavily into Twilight. Questioning if it is a good book or not, and how people in the world today are liking things that are "not good." They casted Elizabeth Reaser who is all the Twilight films and this just added to the inside joke! I thought that was smart and funny. Zac Efron also makes an appearance as a full on hippie.
I think the love story at the end sort of ruined the film, because it played into the typical Hollywood stereotype of him finding the right person at the end. Life rarely plays out this perfectly in real life; that there is a perfect person down the street at the local independent bookstore (and how many of those are left?) It is great that he found love, but what about Elizabeth Olsen's character, what if he was her match? I liked the quote "every place you don't leave is a prison." That is so true. For more truth, view the film and keep turning the pages in the book of life.
Breakaway Daily www.breakawaydaily.com
Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Everything you could want in a movie
Life doesn't always go according to plan. Pat Solatano has lost everything – his house, his job, and his wife. He now finds himself living back with his mother and father after spending eight months in a state institution on a plea bargain. Pat is determined to rebuild his life, remain positive and reunite with his wife, despite the challenging circumstances of their separation. All Pat's parents want is for him to get back on his feet – and to share their family's obsession with the Philadelphia Eagles football team. When Pat meets Tiffany, a mysterious girl with problems of her own, things get complicated. Tiffany offers to help Pat reconnect with his wife, but only if he'll do something very important for her in return. As their deal plays out, an unexpected bond begins to form between them, and silver linings appear in both of their lives.
Very enjoyable, great story, great cast. A simple movie, but very effective. I wasn't expecting it to be so funny! It had everything you could want in a movie, it was even a dance movie! The only think I could really complain about it, is like so many movies it ended too abruptly. There was so much build up and you wanted so much for these two characters to end up together, and when they finally do it doesn't show what else happens. Do they buy a house, what do they do for work..? All in all a good film worth watching.
Breakaway Daily www.breakawaydaily.com
Oorlogswinter (2008)
Watch A Boy's Journey to Adulthood In Time's Of War
"Winter in Wartime" is not your typical "war" film full of guns, blood, and death. It is also not at all boring, like some war films sometimes can be. This one focuses on a boy who gracefully ages in front of our eyes in times of war, something I have never seen before in a war film. Very well done, moving story that you are highly involved in emotionally.
Martijn Lakemeier and Jamie Campbell Bower both take your breath away on screen. This is a film no one talks about for Jamie, but it is definitely one of his best and most important pieces of work.
You will find yourself yelling at your screen routing for the leads in this foreign masterpiece.
Breakaway Daily www.breakawaydaily.com
Bait (2012)
More than just flesh...
Some shark movies are laughable, cheesy, and way too far fetched (Sharktopus). Some shark movies and horror movies in general can just be unbelievably bad. This Australian film was a pleasant surprise. There wasn't scantily clad girls walking around topless (Piranha) or cheap thrills. This had some genuine pillow clenches, it had some unpredictability, great acting, and had a location I had not seen before in a shark movie, Australia. Most importantly it had characters I actually cared about! There is more to this shark flick than just sharp teeth and flesh. Dig your teeth into this film if you are a thriller, horror, shark movie fan.
Dark Tide (2012)
Dark Tide: Hard To Take A Bite Out Of
I was looking forward to seeing DARK TIDE because I love shark movies, even though typically you've seen one, you've seen them all! I have even tried to see some of those ridiculous B shark movies where you wonder how they ever got the funding to be made! The same question is posed to this film, and why Halle Berry (an Oscar winner) signed on. The film isn't terrible, but it fails to bring much new new to the table.
Unlike "Deep Blue Sea," a good shark movie since "Jaws," this one ends leaving you almost frustrated. Berry plays Kate Mathieson, a marine biologist who was once called "the shark whisperer," but hasn't been back in the water since the death of her mentor. That is until a rich Englishman and his son wants to pay her $100,000 so they can swim with sharks. Her husband (Martinez) talks her into it, and while she doesn't promise the Englishman exactly what he wants, she still takes the loonies out on the boat with her crew and from there just make a series of stupid choices. She is supposed to be our movies heroin, a smart woman, yet she agrees to this even though she has already lost someone to a shark. Why would she want to be responsible for more? I am sure she could have found the money another way. While the story isn't exactly predictable you still don't know why they are even in the water in the first place dealing with this stubborn man whom they know nothing about, amidst the sharks mating season. Then after an argument breaks out they decide to go to the most shark infested area of all. Stupid! By this point you really don't care that much about its characters since there development is only paper-thin.
I like the fact that "Dark Tide" takes place in South Africa instead of the typical US beach locations. Unknown to me, it has the largest shark population in the world. There are times during the film where you are not sure what kind of film you are watching - a drama? a thriller? a love story? If it was supposed to be a thriller it had some shocking moments but not scary enough to really break new ground. Nothing in regards to shark attacks we haven't already seen before. I am not sure why two great actors signed off on this film, it wasn't a waste of time but it wasn't the best either.
Breakaway Film http://breakawayradio.ca/film
Octane (2003)
Breakaway Film Review
When I saw the amazing "car scene," in which Jonathan Rhys-Meyers is seducing Misha Barton on a vintage car while a gigantic wind blower sets the mood, I knew I had to check it out! The scene was so cinematic, it was something I have never watched before, it was breathtaking and seductive. I thought I had scene every "vampire" film known to man, but somehow I missed this gem.
I love these types of films because they keep you guessing the whole time. You are on the edge of your seat, or in my case, hanging on tightly to your pillow. They don't tell you everything, you have to figure a lot of things out. That way of thinking is what you might love, or hate about this movie. The whole time you don't know who these strange people are that keep showing up, or what they want..until the end. A lot of the film is metaphorical. They are not your typical "vampires," they drink blood but they don't grow fangs or have black eyes.
Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, who steals the movie (even though he is only in about 15 minutes of it) plays The Father. He is the leader of a cult who takes those that are metaphorically lost, usually girls though not always, to "show them enlightenment." The Father believes that through the use of blood, you reach the stars. One of the best quotes from the film is when he says "no one bound by chains ever reached the sun." Jonathan Rhys Meyers uses his trademark sensuality into a great performance. It is unfortunate, however, that his character "The Father," is given such short on screen time. You are left wanting to know more about The Father, and wish they would have spent more time on what he was doing throughout the whole film. He is a symbol for sexuality and because it looks so good on him one roots for Barton to accept his advances and ditch her mother's increasingly silly attempts to save her.
Essentially it is a story about a mother and daughter, and how the daughter is feeling sexual energy for the first time and moving away from her mother. The mother doesn't want what happened to her to happen to her daughter.
Really underrated thriller.
Breakaway Film http://breakawayradio.ca/film
You and I (2011)
Breakaway Film Review
Been waiting for this movie for a while. Ever since I heard they were making a movie revolving around the popular Russian act T.A.T.U. I have always really enjoyed their music so I was stoked to see the movie. The movie was really good, I was really impressed by all the actual Russian dialogue and the actors (especially Misha Barton) did amazing at speaking the language and speaking with an accent. For the T.A.T.U fans, it is great that the girls actually appear in the film, too bad it wasn't longer. The plot was different too. It is not just a "lesbian" film, which was what I was expecting but a story of overcoming the tough road you have been dealt and making your way in the world. Both girls were living a difficult life. One rich but addicted to drugs, the other, poor with no future. Through music and finding each other they eventually ended up living a dream.
Breakaway Film http://breakawayradio.ca/film
The Violent Kind (2010)
The villains made this one
After watching The Hamiltons the night before and finding out this new brain child of the Butcher Brothers was out, I was excited to give it a view! Another original premise for this movie: A biker gang and their girlfriends are tormented when one of the girls becomes savagely possessed and a gang of "Rockabillies" from the fifties descends upon them to collect what is growing inside her. I found the first hour of the movie, actually kind of boring. It was then the "Rockabiliies" emerged on screen that the true potential of the film was shown. They are what should have been expanded more on, their twisted and psychotic personalities made the film.
www.breakawayradio.ca/bigcinema
Arthur (2011)
A funny, real, and heartfelt movie that goes above and beyond the original Arthur
Having scene the original film and being a huge fan of Russel Brand, my heart was set on seeing this movie at the theatre. I wasn't quite sure what I was going to be served going into this remake or if it would live up to the original, but I wanted to give it the benefit of the doubt. In all honesty, I was expecting them to make Arthur kind of ridiculous, look stupid, or just throw in the type of stupid comedy that many of the comedies are turning into these days. If I was judging it based on some of the trailers, especially the "wash your winky" scene, then I shouldn't be far off right? Wrong! Instead while watching the film I was pleasantly surprised and even exited. I think this remake did what any remake should do and give the story a new life and take it above and beyond the original. There was many parts in the original that skipped through scenes or ideas too fast, where in this one they chose to deal with it (for example Arther's mother and his alcoholism). Even Arthur's love interest is a lovable character that doesn't seem as needy or off track as the original character. It was charming, witty and heartfelt. I think it even went to a deeper level then the original. At one moment I was even a bit teary-eyed. If you want a movie that is funny, real and tells a great story definitely see Arthur.