Sucker Punch

Until now Snyder’s directorial reputation has preceded him, as a man who can successfully adapt graphic novels with a particular cinematic style not unlike that of Tim Burton, and with the intention of making his own mark in the film industry. With the chilling opening of Sucker Punch, Emily Browning’s cover of Sweet Dreams by the Eurythmics effectively dramatizes the first few scenes in which she (Babydoll) is framed for the murder of her sister. This is the first among many energetic covers from the soundtrack; soon to follow is a Queen mash-up of “I Want It All” and “We Will Rock You”, which is not only an amusing accompaniment to the Mayor’s entrance to the asylum Babydoll is sent to, but is pure evidence that this film has attitude written all over it.

The film works on two levels of fantasy; as Babydoll enters the asylum named the Lennox House for the Mentally Insane in the 1960’s, she first imagines it as a burlesque brothel, where the girls must learn a unique routine to perform to the men who come to visit, in hope of survival. The second level appears as Babydoll begins her dance, an action packed fantasy world with zombie German soldiers and dragons, a fantastic choice of antagonists, which parallels the narrative of reality, where she must find five key objects to escape the asylum before she is lobotomised in just a few days. The visuals are impressive, but some audiences may feel that Snyder’s influence of mixing live action with CGI is too powerful. The aesthetics of the film have been made priority, and the narrative definitely suffers because of this.

The underlying motifs and themes of female empowerment and male domination keep the first level of fantasy fairly gripping, but it is in their efforts to complete the quests that enjoyment can begin to diminish. The slow motion that viewers may be familiar with from films such as The Matrix can literally slow the film and pace of the action down, not necessarily in a positive way. Despite Snyder being well known for this technique, it seemed unnecessary in many action sequences which lacked tension, but on the other hand did add to the feel of the film as being similar to another graphic novel, particularly the scene involving the dragon, a ‘boss’ that very much reminded me of the fighting sequences in Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World.

The costumes are far from innocent, no doubt the generous amount of thigh shown by all five girls; Babydoll, Sweet Pea (Abbie Cornish), Rocket (Jena Malone), Blondie (Vanessa Hudgens) and Amber (Jamie Chung) will be more than enough for male audiences. However, viewers will have to look past the school girl outfit and leotards, if possible, to witness that Sucker Punch can be a work of genius. Japanese influences of anime and manga are certain, particularly with the girls’ hair, costumes and use of expression, specifically Babydoll’s eyes which are a focus piece throughout the film - we are either zooming into her pupil or she is staring innocently at us. The darkness of reality in the asylum is stressed by the low lighting and dull colours which cinematographer Larry Fong, who also worked on 300 and Watchmen with Snyder, has contrasted well with Babydoll’s use of imagination to create a vivid and vibrant environment compared to that of her prison. The dialogue however, is full of meaningless one liners that confirms that these women may be physically involved throughout, but the emotion seems a little forced.

Abbie Cornish gives a strong performance and shows a growing development in her career, as well as Emily Browning, who had a much more delicate and maternal role in Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004) and Vanessa Hudgens who is best known for her role as Gabriella in all three High School Musical films. They are all a joy to watch with guns in hand, despite some female viewers thinking that they look too unrealistic for looking too ‘perfect’ in many close up shots. Thus, all these elements can make the film on a whole feel rather artificial, as well as some of the vocabulary used for the historical context of the time, and Snyder’s style is so overwhelming that it’s near on impossible to connect with any of the characters. This suggests that perhaps the male viewers would be better off playing a video game instead, because despite being psychologically thrilling, the action feels like it ends within seconds and poses the question, has anything really been left to the imagination? That goes for Snyder, too.

Love and Other Drugs

The biggest element that seems to be apparently absent in modern day romantic comedies is the chemistry between the two main leads, who are more often than not the wrong couple to combine. However, Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal create remarkable passion and a soothing overdose of pleasure as we watch two beautiful actors working together well, particularly since their tense and unsuccessful relationship in their previous film together, Brokeback Mountain (2005). Gyllenhaal’s role in this film appears to be taken more seriously; regardless of his egotistical personality as Jamie Randall, a pharmaceutical salesman for “Pfizer” whose charm woos the ladies, the adult content being dealt with here makes this romantic comedy more of a drama. Nevertheless, Love and Other Drugs still accommodates the real issues that strike home, such as a relationship that has no serious potential for the couple involved, yet the film’s deeper themes surround Maggie (Anne Hathaway), who is desperately battling the first stage of Parkinson’s disease, whilst in contrast of her declining health the film emphasises the deterioration of the American medical world.

I have had my moments where I’ve thought about death, particularly dying young and what effect that would have on loved ones, but I have never had to consider what it would be like to remain with a loved one who you would consequently watch disappear. This notion is what makes the film so heart-breaking, particularly in the scene where Maggie attends a convention for other people with her disease, who talk individually to the audience about the difficulties of “trying to tie my tie” and simple activities that their tremors complicate, laughing about it and easing the pain of their fate, a warming scene which is not unlike the beginning of Up In The Air (2009). It is the simple movement of Hathaway’s smile which makes this film so stunning; the appreciation of the finer expressions in life, even laughing. The film doesn’t highlight too much detail of the disease, though perhaps it should have for those of us less educated in the symptoms of Parkinson’s, but instead captures the true features of relationships; trust, loyalty, paranoia and accepting that you are good enough for someone. Many obstacles overcome this, as expected, such as the man who has a wife with the disease claiming he “would not do it this way again” and the search for a cure that will never come. Despite this, the audience witness the introduction of the drug Viagra, which consequently, and ironically, seemed to decrease the amount of passion between the couple as Maggie struggles to receive the medication she needs.

Hathaway’s yearn for independence in Maggie is admirable; the confidence she displays in actions such as pouring a glass of vodka, or cutting a photo, as well as her grasp on the film as a whole, which she takes into her own hands and dominates triumphantly. On the other hand, Gyllenhaal has come a long way from The Day After Tomorrow (2004), and both characters shed their insecurities and commitment issues throughout the film, making them more relatable to the audience. The very graphic and surprisingly frequent scenes of passionate sex looks and feels genuine; they aren’t a couple getting it wrong the first time, Zwick proves this through a variety of angled shots, which may be an intense experience for some to watch as they are so blunt, but there is also a relief felt as this couple aren’t afraid to flaunt what they’ve got. Thus, the comical moments were not found in an embarrassing fondle, but from Jamie’s arrogant brother Josh (Josh Gad), who drifts from the narrative occasionally and makes a rather appropriate older Jonah Hill. He learns from the best, and ruins all the conventional clichés usually found in romantic comedies. Maggie also has some funny dialogue, including some very amusing erectile dysfunction puns.

Maggie’s love of art; photos, drawings and the black and white home footage illustrate who they were as a couple, and reflects with who they will become as we accept Maggie will gradually worsen; not unlike the expectations that some people may have of future films of the romance genre. Perhaps it’s about time audiences were prescribed something a little bit stronger?

Reprinted with kind permission, please check out the original post at http://theoohtray.com/2011/01/film-review-love-and-other-drugs/

Upcoming film trailers of 2011

With the new year in sight and inspired by the discovery of the awaited Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides trailer I found earlier today, I thought I'd provide you with some trailers of the bundle of films awaiting us in 2011, the release dates of which can be found on the right hand side of the blog.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) has gone solo, along with Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) to go on a journey looking for the Fountain of Youth. However, this proves difficult with competition from Blackbeard (Ian McShane) and his gorgeous daughter (Penelope Cruz)




The Dilemma

What will hopefully be a fresh comedy with the likes of Vince Vaughn, Ronny discovers that his best friend's wife is having an affair.



Paul

Another comedy adventure to look out for is this, with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost travelling across the U.S., they soon bump into Paul, voiced by Seth Rogan, who needs to be returned to his mother ship.




Gnomeo and Juliet

This seems to be one adults will enjoy as well as the kids, from the director of Shrek 2, which can only mean good things. This story is very well known so I won't explain it, but with it shown through the generation of gnomes and a comical element thrown in there I think it is worth a see.




Red Riding Hood

Pay attention Twilight fans, the director of your favourite vamp films has taken on this childhood tale and given it a dark twist. Amanda Seyfried has taken on the role of Valerie, a girl in love with someone her parents don't approve of and lives in a medieval village that is haunted by a werewolf. I'll let you do the maths.




No Strings Attached

This typical romantic comedy is about a couple trying to keep their relationship purely physical, starring Ashton Kutcher, which the ladies will love.



World Invasion: Battle LA

The story is self explanatory, but the graphics look good, and I think it will be better than Skyline, sci-fi fans, keep a watchful eye.




Thor

It seems the Marvel phase will not be leaving us in 2011, as this film tells the story of the warrior Thor, who is banished from the realm of Asgard and made to live on Earth.



Transformers: The Dark of the Moon

This third Transformers film shows that The Autobots learn of a Cybertronian spacecraft hidden on the Moon, and race against the Decepticons to reach it and learn its secrets, which could turn the tide in the Transformers' final battle. How will fans react now that Megan Fox has been replaced? Michael Bay, don't let us down.




Cowboys and Aliens

This is a film in the Wild West, with Daniel Craig playing a stranger who has lost his memory. A spaceship lands in Arizona, with the intention of destroying Earth, with only cowboys standing in it's way.