In-depth Tron Legacy sneak peek analysis

I went to see Tron Legacy 26min sneak peek last night. Below is my in-depth analysis of said footage:

It looked wicked bad cool and really pretty. I like the pretty lights and how sweet the bikes looked. Also the music was really tinky which is sick!

I hope you can keep up with the technical jargon. Definitely looking forward to the full film!!!

What to see from London Film Festival

London Film Festival is over for another year.

While it will never reach the status of Venice, Toronto or Cannes, this year shows that London is still able to attract a wealth of talent from across the board. At festivals, as you would expect, there are inevitably the arty, self-absorbed ego projects which are of no interest to anyone other than "real" film fans. However, there were numerous stand out films this year, which no doubt will reach a wider audience as well as becoming inevitable Oscar runners in the new year's reward season.

While none of the films on offer are comparable to the Marvel films or Tom Cruise for mass appeal, those included below should be of interest, even if it is a LoveFilm purchase rather than a full-on cinematic excursion.

The big hitters at this year's festival were uniformly well received.
Black Swan, Aronofsky's new film about the rivalry between two ballerinas who eventually form a twisted alliance, continues the director's rise into the public awareness, further solidified by rumours that he is set to direct the new Wolverine film (new direction is an understatement!).
127 Hours, the true story of Aron Ralston who became trapped under a boulder in the Utah mountains, is perhaps best known for the now infamous scene where Ralston has to cut his own arm off, the camera never leaving the spectacle for a second - Danny Boyle ladies and gentlemen!
Speaking of Boyle, Africa United has been much touted as Slumdog set in Africa, following the adventures of a group of Rwandan children who walk 3000 miles to the World Cup in South Africa, with adventures and feel-good factor aplenty.

Never Let Me Go, Mark Romanek's follow-up to the brilliant One Hour Photo, is an excellent film about children growing up to discover what it really means to live an ordinary life, despite the extraordinary circumstances surrounding them.
The King's Speech has already garnered much Oscar attention for Colin Firth as King George VI, portaying his fascinating relationship with his speech therapist.
Added A-list weight comes in the form of George Clooney in the slow burning but interesting spy thriller The American, Matt Reeves' Let Me In, a study of coming of age within the context of a vampire story, and The Kids Are Alright starring Annette Benning and Julian Moore in a funny story of modern family life.

European films were present in force this year.
Carlos, the story of the infamous assassin Carlos the Jackal, received wide praise, thoug also tested patience with it's running time of nearly 6 hours!
Perhaps the biggest surprise hit of the festival was Catfish, a provocative documentary about the effect of social media, getting almost universal praise from critics.
Other international highlights included Leap Year, an examination of social alienation, Blue Valentine, and Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, a mysterious and slightly odd film which defies categorisation.

The British house was also well represented.
Submarine, a coming of age comedy following a young boy's attempts to win the girl, is genuinely funny and original.
From the old guard of British cinema comes Another Year, Mike Leigh's new film, starring the wonderful Jim Broadbent and Ruth Sheen, examining family, friendship and ageing.
Brighton Rock was the surprise film (though actually no surprise at all) at this year's festival. Starring Dame Helen Mirren, John Hurt and Andy Serkis, it charts the fall of a disadvantaged teenager with a death wish.

Please comment below and let me know which films you are excited about or which ones you will probably give a miss.

Let Me In - Review

Let Me In
Director: Matt Reeves
Cast: Chloe Moretz, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Richard Jenkins
Rated: 15

In 2008, an unknown Swedish Director, Tomas Alfredson released Let The Right One In, an adaptation of the best-selling book by John Lindqvist. Featuring two astonishing central performances from equally unknown Swedish kid actors, the film become a huge critical success. Beautifully shot and wonderfully acted, Let The Right One In defied genre convention, being ostensibly a horror film, but instead choosing to focus more on the story of young love and the trials of coming of age, linked to universal themes of obsession and revenge. However, given the highly inconsiderate fact that it was in another language (and Swedish of all things), the film did not make a significant dent on box office takings.

Hollywood, however, never one to miss a cash cow, felt the film should be made more available to a wider public - bless their hearts. Let Me In is the first in the new class from the revitalised Hammer studios, most famous for the camp classic Dracula films starring Christopher Lee. Warning bells start ringing, but with Matt "Cloverfield" Reeves at the helm, and the considerable talent of Chloe "Kick Ass" Moretz and Kodi "The Road" Smit-McPhee taking the roles of vampire girl and weird kid respectively, Let Me In is at least intriguing.

Those uninitiated to the original can enjoy this for what it is, a story of two children, brought together by their shared ostracism, finding love and companionship, in among some gruesome vampire head-chopping, neck-biting, blood-letting gore. With Hammer involved it was never going to be subtle, and sadly the mystical, almost ethereal quality of the original gives way to a more aggressive, classic horror film. Reeves version does hold some surprises - a nice car crash scene filmed from the perspective of the back seat is a great touch - but the film, like it's central protagonist, struggles to find it's place.

That said, the two leads are superb, handling complex emotional scenes with a naturalism and maturity beyond their years. Whether Kodi will become another Haley, consigned to the dustbin of failed adult crossover, remains to be seen. But in Chloe, there is a distinctive aroma of a Jodie Foster, a born star who will crossover with ease and stay around for some time.

Inevitably living in the shadow of the virtuoso original, Let Me In clings too rigidly to the same formula, without the same sense of atmosphere. Despite this, the quality of the leads, the originality of the story, and the confident direction mean this should have the desired effect of presenting the tale to a wider audience.

Rating: 5/10

Content advisory: Some fairly graphic violent scenes (limbs thrown etc). Whole tone of film is quite intense. As always check IMDb for full content guide.

Tron Legacy Sneak Peek



Set to be even more visually stunnning than Avatar, Tron: Legacy will be the big event of the Christmas releases.

I've got three tickets to a sneak peek of the film in 3D in Sheffield. To get one just comment below saying what you love about me. I don't need your empathy but it would be nice to think I am going along with friends! The 3 loveliest comments will win.

Love you all!!!

Never Let Me Go Spectacular

Never Let Me Go is the new Mark Romanek film coming out in January next year. Starring Keira Knightley, Carey Mulligan and Andrew Garfield, it tells the story of three friends who grow up to discover the realities of love and the haunting future that awaits them.
A full review of the film will follow (in essence, it's great!) but since it's not released for a while, here are some pics, comments and vids from the LFF preview and press conference to whet your appetite.

Andrew Garfield - Actor
(Social Network and soon to be Spiderman)




"It's rare to find a script so full of what it is to be alive and all the struggles we go through. I had no hesitation in being part of such a beautiful story."


Carey Mulligan - Actor
(An Education, Pride and Prejudice, and surely an Oscar this year?!)




"It was so difficult not to cry. Seeing how these characters just quietly assimilate the horrendous truth of their future is heartbreaking"


Keira Knightley
(Atonement, Pirates of the Caribbean, and absolutely certain she winked at me!)




Here is her talking about her character:

Mark Romanek - Director
When asked about the stunning cinematography.

"The visual approach was initially intuitive, influences strongly by the Japanese aesthetic and cinema. While the story is delivering disturbing truths about our condition, this was overlaid with a pleasing beautiful look, to avoid becoming too harsh and naturalistic."

Finally, the man who wrote the book upon which the film is so lovingly based:

Kazuo Ishiguro - Writer

"What is most important to humans when time is running out, when we realise we cannot escape mortality? The story puts a positive light on human nature, the importance of friendship and love. It is about learning to accept fate, not about trying to run away or escape. It is learning to acknowledge and embrace love, even if it is just for a short time."

And that's it. Saying so much and yet so little. Review up soon.

Let Me In - Interview

Let Me in – Interview

Back in sunny Sheffield after my shenanigans at London Film Festival. By far the highlight was getting the opportunity to interview Director Matt Reeves (Cloverfield) and star Kodie Smidt – McPhee (The Road). Co-star Chloe Moretz unfortunately stood me up do to work commitments with Mr Martin Scorsese (that old excuse hey!).

Let Me In is a remake of Swedish critical hit Let The Right One In, a story of a young boy befriending a young girl, who turns out to be a vampire. Full review will follow.

Matt, your remake follows the original narrative almost to the letter, even to the point of setting it in a snowy town. Were you not tempted to tell your own version of the story?

This was our attempt to do another telling of Lindqvist’s story, which is what first attracted me. I didn’t want to change the story, I was moved to tell this coming of age tale as Lindqvist writes it.

This version is more of a horror that the Swedish version. Was coming under the re-invigorated Hammer company an influence on the film?

It was more a influence on ME! As a kid, the old Hammer films, with Christopher Lee etc, always scared me. I remember watching them on late night TV through my fingers. However, in style this film is more naturalistic, along the lines of the Shining and The Exorcist, rather than the gothic feel of the old Hammer films.

What was your favourite Hammer film?

Horror of Dracula

Given that the success of the film rests largely on the two central performers, how difficult was it to find the right actors?

It was very difficult. They needed to be able to handle the emotional complexity of the role, so that adults will relate to them. There is a key scene that I had Kodi read, where he is on the phone to his dad. It could have easily descended in to melodrama, but he read it in such an understated and believable way that I cast him immediately.

Is it true that you hadn’t seen either The Road or Kick-Ass before casting Kodi and Chloe?

Yes, that’s true! Both films were in post-production and so were unavailable. But their auditions were in another league.

Kodi, you were brilliant in the film, standing out for your genuinely disturbing and brilliant portrayal. Who inspires you most in your acting?

Definitely my dad. Him and my sister are both actors and so it was kind of normal for me. It started off as fun and then got places really fast.

How much preparation did you do for the film? Did you see the other film or read the book?
I didn’t know there was a book until halfway through filming! Matt didn’t want us to see the film – he didn’t want us to copy anything. We were doing our own take on it.

Matt, could you identify with the coming of age aspect of the film?

I was massively bullied. My parents were going through a divorce, I was really confused, and had a real sense of isolation and humiliation. Its hard growing up, trying to make an identity for yourself.

How did you manage to find your identity?

I started making 8mm films as a way of making friends. I got them to act in my movies. That was my escape – I could be James Bond or anyone I wanted to be.

Did your experiences affect your telling of the story?

I think it meant I didn’t shy away from any aspect of the story. I wanted to show the love story, juxtaposed onto the violent vampire story, as well as this sense of innocent childhood alongside fantasising about revenge. The power of the tale is that the actions aren’t excusable but you can see the humanity in them. It is disturbing, provocative and beautiful all at the same time.

How far did you push the young actors?

Matt: I like to do a lot of takes which they enjoy but it is exhausting

Kodi: It was hard but doesn’t even compare to The Road. I had to sit in freezing water for hours on that movie!

Kodi, Chloe is pretty, which you must like, but she could also kick your butt! What was it like working with her?

Awesome. She always has so much energy and is always happy. She would be working late and covered in blood but never stopped being happy.

She ever show you any judo moves or anything?

Matt/Kodi: She did!!!

So she threw you around a bit?

She scared me! She’s a ninja!

Finally, Matt, any news on Cloverfield 2?

No news!

Oh, ok.

The Social Network - Guest Panel Review

The Social Network – Guest Panel Review

Rating: 15

Director: David Fincher

Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Rooney Mara, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake

Due to my London trip (see previous 5000 tweets on the subject), I sadly could not make the preview of The Social Network, which is set to be one of the films of the year. Instead, I enlisted the help of 3 trustworthy(ish) friends to review it for me.

Science part – concentrate:

Each guest reviewer was set the task of providing a 140 character review, along with a rating and their top 3 films. The status given to their rating was determined by the quality of their favourite films, which I gave a mark out of 10 for based on my perfect judgement. This defined how much weight I gave to their overall opinion, leading to an estimated value of the review. Comprendez?! Thus:

Sarah Adams – 10/10

An enjoyable and endearing account of a genius idea. Hilarious, aggravating and downright brilliant

Top 3 – Up – 8/10

Dear John – 1/10

Speed – 9/10

Total status allocated – 7/10

Estimated review value – 8.5/10

__________

Esther Cheale – 8/10

Excellent film. Totally relevant. Loved the switch between court cases and story telling. Slight “is he the bad guy” aspect throughout.

Top 3 – Inception – 10/10

Save the Last Dance – 3/10

Jurassic Park 1,2 & 3 – out of respect I will take first answer only – 9/10

Total status allocated – 7/10

Estimated Review Value – 8/10

__________

Jon Gorman – 8/10

A well written, lively script, Social Network manages to impress the non-geeky audience, disclosing the rise of Facebook. A must see film.

Top 3 – Shawshank Redemption – 10/10

The Bourne Identity – 9/10

Gladiator – 10/10

Total status allocated – 10/10

Estimated Review Value – 8/10

________________________________________

Total Review Panel result – 8/10

Ok, despite some good reviewing, I am quite aware the scoring system is completely arbitrary and makes no sense, and has not helped you decide one way or the other. For that I am sorry. However, I know that you will be going to see it anyway, along with myself – so enjoy!

Review: The American

Director: Anton Corbijn
Cast: George Clooney,

There's no denying it - Gorgeous George is getting old. It's over 25 years since he first came into the public arena as the dreamy Doctor Ace in ER. Despite being on a collision course with the ripe old age of 50, there is no denying that Mr Clooney has aged very well. And he has certainly not slowed up. Where most of his generation would be signing up to the nearest Shakespeare Company, Georgie Boy goes and gets himself a starring role in a spy film!

This, however, is not an effects laden, adrenaline pumping Bond movie. Come expecting that, and expect to be disappointed! Unlike 007, Jack/Edward (Clooney) is a craftsman, an expert who has refined his art over years of experience, to the point of becoming almost mechanical in his efficiency. Years of bitter experience have led him inevitably to a life of loneliness and exhaustion, culminating in his decision that this will be his final bow out of the game for good.

Depending on atmosphere, rather than action, Director Anton Corbijn certainly knows how to frame a shot. From the sweeping icy panoramas of snow-covered Sweden, through to the gloriously vibrant hues of northern Italy, Corbijn's fine eye never misses a scene.

But the undisputed star here is Clooney, turning in a performance easily rivalling his previous best of Up In The Air, and surely cementing his position as one of the greats. While supporting cast never feel fully fleshed out, he gives the character of Jack/Edward pathos and depth, which perhaps only the Cary Grants of yesteryear could rival. In a script short in dialogue and full of lingering close-ups of both his face and abs (for the lady-audience no doubt), he carries demanding, wide-ranging emotions effortlessly. Jack/Edward is a man increasingly yearning for a normal life, seeking meaningful relationships that his job would deny him, finding solace and a redemption of sorts in a priest and prostitute, the latter finally becoming his reason to leave his former life - if his enemies will let him.

The slow pace and lack of action may prevent this reaching a wide mainstream audience, but with a powerful central performance and compelling character-driven story, The American fills a gap missing in many, more superficial, espionage capers.

7/10

Content advisory: The film is rated 15 largely due to sexual content. A couple of fairly explicit scenes. Check out IMDB for full description.

London baby

If i haven't mentioned it already, i'm in London for the Film Festival as accredited press. Proof:


I also managed to squeeze in to the outside of the premier of Despicable Me. Not really that impressive, but I did manage to see -

Russell Brand



Steve Carrell



And, most thrilling of all, Jason Donovan



Decision - Im getting a better camera!

Day 2 - Just got back from screening of The American with George Clooney. Sat near Mark Kermode which was nice. Review up shortly.

The Incredible Suit: A Town Called Panic

The Incredible Suit: A Town Called Panic

A town called Peace

Despite my earlier slanderous slurring of the name of A Town Called Panic's favourite talking French horse, @mr_cheval has decided to let bygones be bygones, and has generously given his blessing to my blog (kind of). God bless him:

@mr_cheval: @Alibianchi I love sicklist.blogspot.com and all that Ali does. I also love the listsick blog that lists places people find pools of sick.

Salutations @Mr_Cheval

Star of the absolutely stone-cold mental "A Town Called Panic", was on Twitter being interviewed by LoveFilm today.

In response to my wild and totally baseless accusation that he must be on drugs to be involved in such a psychadelic, overtly nut-job movie, he responded:

"@Alibianchi the only time I had drugs was after a case of foot and mouth broke out on Stephens farm"

So there you have it folks, directly from the horse's mouth. Check out the trailer below: