And Then Along Came a Spider...

I saw this movie a few days ago, in preparation for Ramadan where I would abstain from such viewings haha. And I have to say, it really did live up to my expectations. To be honest, in comparison to the last Spiderman movie... Things could only get better.

Peter Parker
I really love Andrew Garfield. I had seen his work before, in movies such as The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus, and television shows such as Dr Who. So I was perfectly aware of what he was capable of. Despite this, I walked into the cinema with slight concerns. Peter Parker was a very unique character, and I wanted confidence in Garfield and his portrayal. And, thank God, he managed to pull it off. Peter Parker was exactly how I would picture him; a silent sufferer, a genius...and of course, a hero. He knew what he stood for, and wasn't afraid of the consequences. Despite his chivalry and courteous demeanour, he was incapable of striking up a decent conversation with the women. I think in many ways he was like Steve Rogers, or Captain America... A hero in the making. Furthermore, the poor guy was so conflicted over his upbringing, he often switched moods in a heartbeat. Garfield had the audience feeling WITH him; we smiled when Peter was happy, we practically sobbed when he was sad.
I also really loved his relationship with Gwen. It was so awkward and bumbling to begin with, before they finally managed to smooth out those social crevices and fall into a 'proper' relationship. Gwen was what I consider a strong character; her confidence and bubbly nature made her extremely likeable, as well as her ability to pull herself together in the most dangerous of situations.

however...
With every positive there must accompany a negative. I loved the Lizard, as well as Dr Conners when he's in a more humane state, but I didn't like the CGI they used for his transformation. I personally think he didn't look reptilian enough. Or green enough, haha. Weird, huh? Maybe I'm the only one, but I used the cartoons of my childhood as reference material for everything in the movie, and the Lizard didn't quite bring it. In the Spideman cartoons the Lizard looks much more like a crocodile, with visible scales and a greener tinge to his body.

Another thing that bugged me; the nerd inaccuracies. Has the director/screenplay writer never seen a nerd before?! They don't use BING! Nor do many nerds skate! Or have the amazing spiked up, messy ruffled hair. Or wear sexy skinny jeans. Again, I don't know, maybe I'm letting personal taste overshadow the conventional nerd outlook... But that's seriously where Garfield went wrong- he looked too good to be a convincing geek.

Hey, if that's all I can complain about, then I think we're okay.

Overall Rating - 8/10
Action packed, with the perfect mingling of humour and romance, this is definitely a movie I'll watch again. If possible, I recommend seeing it in 3D on the big screen. The effects are brilliant, and the POV shots are dizzying. You'll enjoy every minute, as if Spiderman is taking you on a tour of Manhattan.

A Little Ray of Sunshine.

A group of astronauts are sent on a mission to reignite the diminishing sun.


So I saw the movie Sunshine the other day. There were many aspects of it that provided me with positive expectations prior to viewing. I mean, it’s directed by the legend that is Danny Boyle, my sudden favourite Chris Evans plays a leading role, and the concept is pretty intriguing too.

Initially, maybe stupidly, I expected the movie to be so ‘feel-good’ I could watch it with my family the next week. My. GOD. It’s so intense, so horrifying, but so amazingly beautiful at the same time. I think Boyle really captures the perfect essence of space and the universe: yeah, it’s not safe, but wouldn’t we all love the opportunity to explore in space regardless?

hmm... Just agree with me, people.

And Boyle is a genius. Like 28 Days/Weeks Later, Sunshine was so grandiose, whilst maintaining the brutality of an apocalyptic life. 

And let’s not forget the actors. Okay, so they were all great, but my main focus is on Chris Evans and Cillian Murphy (Mace and Capa). Murphy was the lead in the movie, so naturally he would be the one to have his greatest moment of glory. And he did really well; I loved his character :)




BUT, I genuinely think Evans was the star of the show. Until this movie, I had considered Evans a good actor… but I was completely wrong. He is amazing. He played the arrogant dickhead really well, and I didn’t like him originally because of his rough attitude towards the other members of the crew. So easily angered, so quick to retaliate, etc. but then nearer the end of the movie everything falls into place; I understood how he felt, what they had to tolerate to save the world, and exactly how HUGE a burden was resting on his shoulders… and without spoiling anything, his moment to shine was both heartbreaking and admirable at the same time. I’m so proud of his performance in that movie… like a strange mother.

However, having complimented this movie like a beast, I’m going to state the one complaint I have. I feel the storyline wasn’t explained properly. I dunno, maybe I’m just stupid, but there were so many moments where I (and my friends) were confused, and just watching with a “whaaaa?” expression on our sorry little faces. It seemed like Boyle forgot about who would be watching it, like “I understand, the cast understands… so what more dya need?”

…This movie’s being viewed by thousands, darlin’.

Overall rating: 7.5/10

I loved the concept, the acting, the amalgamation of fear and sci-fi… but there were too many moments where I was left confused. I’m also not a huge fan of depressing endings... is that a spoiler? I… I mean… that was just a random fact about me. Nothing to do with Sunshine, silly ;)

So Over The Hangover?

The Hangover.

Did it live up to expectations? For me, personally, no. 

If the humour is your kinda thing, then I can understand how this movie completely hits the spot. In a sense, the movie got the same reception as Inception; this concept had never been materialised into a film before, and it left audiences wondering why the hell not. And due to the highly original script and concept, the film was SO hyped up, sales soared, and both examples became a commercial success.

I watched The Hangover for the first time yesterday (I know, crazy right?). To be honest, I didn’t want to see it before mainly because the concept pissed me off – I hate it when my friends drink like crazy people and then blame their intoxication for whatever stupidity may occur. So I felt like had I seen it earlier, I would have just watched through with an expressionless distaste, muttering “you shouldn’t have had that much to drink, then” every time misfortune hit the three protagonists. After hearing about its worldwide success I felt like I should give it a chance and I was ready for the comedy.

Which didn’t happen for me.

I mean, yeah there were some scenes that were hilarious (the tiger in the back of the car, Mike Tyson, Stu marrying the stripper all spring to mind). These scenes made me truly laugh out loud. But other supposedly ‘hilarious moments’ were SO inappropriate that I was pretty close to turning the movie off. I mean, pretending the baby is masturbating? really??

In addition, I’m not a massive fan of swearing unless the situation really calls for it… and the majority of the time, Phil’s situation didn’t call for it.

I have to give credit where credit is deserved; the characters and their portrayal were absolutely brilliant. Right from the get-go, one understands exactly what each character is like, whether they’re going to grow and love them, as the movie progresses. I felt this was certainly the case for Stu and Alan, as I definitely understood their roles in the movie. I particularly loved Stu, as his personality matched my own. He came across as sensitive and loving, but to the extent that he would do anything to keep his girlfriend Melissa safe from harm (the harm being her hurt feelings upon discovering the truth). This really hit home, as I have the tendency to do the same thing with my parents. And after the movie ended, I realised I really shouldn’t have to.

Phil was an interesting character for me. I know when I started watching the film, I thought he was a dick. He came across rude and arrogant, too up himself to understand or appreciate the life he had or the friends he was with. But as the movie progressed, his true character really emerged and shone. I decided that his blunt honesty could be categorised as douchery, but instead it was much needed in order for the other two to develop. Everyone needs a friend who will always, ALWAYS tell the truth, regardless of the consequences. Phil was that friend to the other protagonists in the film, and for that, I grew to really appreciate him. I also liked his calm demeanour in times of trouble, as this is another quality one must find in a friend. I have to say I’m fortunate enough to know people with the same personality, and their relaxed attitude is always reassuring when I’m stressing out.  

And one more thing: the ending.

Or near-ending, I guess. The argument between Melissa and Stu was such an uplifting moment for Phil, Alan, Doug… and myself haha XD I really believed it was a strong turning point for Stu, and it always acts as a bonus when the audience member is sitting in her seat fist-pumping a character’s success! I think it definitely acted as a definitive moment in the film, as it portrayed Stu’s development through the whole charade of hangovers and hardships. And so suits the phrase “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

I never thought I’d say this, but I really hope Stu gets with the stripper. 

Overall rating: 6/10.

I would probably watch it again, but not all the way through. As a comedy, it really wasn’t my thing. As a mystery ‘whodunit’ kinda movie, it was pretty good. However, I think it was the characters themselves that earned 5 of those 6 points. So kudos to the fine actors for such a convincing and impressive job.