My First Film

So as a big life change this year, I moved across the province do to a Film Production program. As part of that program, I just finished filming my first movie and I'm working on the post-production now. I still can't share too much information now but I thought I'd share a couple of pictures from the pre-production and production side of the film-making process. The film is called "Closed Doors." Check out the Instagram photos below!



From the Auditions

Shooting #1

Shooting #2

Kiwi Film Design: Django Unchained

IMDB: 8.6/10 (Top 250 #39)
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
Roger Ebert: 4/4 stars

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, Samuel L. Jackson
Directed By: Quentin Tarantino
Written By: Quentin Tarantino

Release Date: 25 December 2012
Described By IMDB as "With the help of his mentor, a slave-turned-bounty hunter sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner."

Well, the Oscar nominations came out today, so I thought I should finally get around to writing my review for this film, and what a film it was.

I enjoyed every moment of this film, all 2hours and 45 minutes of it. Clearly thats a long time, but it honestly doesn't seem long or drawn out at any time. There's constantly action, and just quirky, interesting things going on. I actually feel incredibly bad for it because of the number of fantastic movies that came out this year. I mean, there are aways a handful of great movies every year, but I think this years Oscar nominees are all deserving, which I haven't been able to say with 100% honesty in the past. I really think this film deserves an Oscar for best picture, but I just know that Lincoln or Argo is going to win, and I think they both deserve it as well, so its a complicated feeling that I have. I think it is astounding that this film has already made it to number 39 on the IMDB Top 250 list. Unreal. I went to see this film twice in theatres and I would definitely go back again.

The acting in this film was absolutely breathtaking, best ensemble acting I've seen in a very long time. Dr. King Shultz(Christoph Waltz) commands the screen from the first moment he appears from the darkness with his wacky tooth cart. His badass-ness isn't questioned for a single moment in this film, and I think thats great. Waltz has already won a Golden Globe for his performance, and just last night also won the BAFTA for his role as Dr. Shultz as well. Very well deserved, but I think that a couple of people are going quite unnoticed. I sort of feel bad for Jamie Foxx because I think if I was in this film I would have assumed that this would have been my next Oscar film, and he hasn't even been nominated. I think this is definitely one of his best performances that I've seen for sure. I do wish he'd gotten a bit more recognition, but I think everyone is aware of how great a job he's done in this film. Then theres Leonardo DiCaprio, just wow. I thought he did such a great job in this film, you really couldn't help but absolutely dispise him. I thought our introduction to him was absolutely genius, it perfectly sets up how you're supposed to feel about him, and Mandingo fighting is enough to make anyone sick. He's totally awful throughout the rest of the film, and its perfect. Finally Samuel L. Jackson really proved himself to me in this one. In all honesty, I can't think of many films he's been in that haven't had the 'Snakes on a Plane" vibe so it was nice for me to see him in something that he's really done well. I think on a different year he also could have deserved an award, but not this year. His character Stephen is really as bad as you can get. He's an African-American who is on the white, slave-owner's side. I don't want to give too much away, but his final scene is pretty damn epic.

The soundtrack was really great and fit the movie perfectly. Tarantino really has a way of capturing that in his films. Most of the songs he uses has no business being in his films as they don't even begin to fit the time or setting of the film, but its ok, because it totally fits the emotion he's trying to portray. The song "Django" was stuck in my head for a week after seeing this film. its just so good. I'm trying to do this review with as few spoilers as I possibly can but its going to be hard. I'll be sure to put up an alert if I feel one coming on.  

Quentin Tarantino is one of my favorite directors, and I don't even fully enjoy all of his movies as I have enjoyed this one and Inglorious Basterds, but I think its important to have people with imaginations as wild as Quentin's in the directing world. You really never know what you're going to get, and I think this one really blew everyone away. The writing, as always from Tarantino, was fantastic. Intense but funny at the same time. There were so many great lines and I think he really gave the actors an amazing tool to build their characters around. The love story he built was really fantastic, and it was a fantastic fountain for this film to be built on. The love that Django(Foxx) had for Broomhilda(Kerry Washington) is something to be admired.

Tarantino's cameo in this film is short and sweet, I think he was the only actor who really sucked, but his *spoiler alert* death is one for the ages. I mean, who wouldn't want to write their own *spoiler alert* death in a film? I think everyone on earth would. So hilarious, and I think thats the most interesting thing about this film. Its such a serious and important topic, but there are just some absolutely hilarious moments in it. "You silver-tongued devil you."

The controversy of this film is absolutely ridiculous. This film is not offensive in any way. This shows the true horror and torture that was slavery in the United States, and if you can't accept your history, then you aren't much of patriots in my mind. The other controversy with Quentin Tarantino about the film promoting violence, I don't think thats true at all. I don't think that revenge is the answer for anything, but in this time/world where all they knew was being tortured, I think that this would have been the ultimate fantasy for a newly freed slave in the 1860s. I don't think theres anything wrong with giving it to them. Its a movie, and Tarantino is all about alternate endings (ie Inglorious Basterds which completely re-wrote history.)

I am giving this film a 10/10. No joke, I think this film will go down as one of my favorite films of all time. Amazing, go see it right now. 

Kiwi Film Review: Zero Dark Thirty

IMDB: 7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
Roger Ebert: 3/4 stars

Staring: Jessica Chastain, Joel Edgerton, Chris Pratt, Mark Strong, James Gandolfini
Directed By: Kathryn Bigelow
Written By: Mark Boal

Release Date: 11 January 2012
Described by IMDB as: "Maya is a CIA operative whose first experience is in the interrogation of prisoners following the Al Qaeda attacks against the U.S. on the 11th September 2001. She is a reluctant participant in extreme duress applied to the detainees, but believes that the truth may only be obtained through such tactics. For several years, she is single-minded in her pursuit of leads to uncover the whereabouts of Al Qaeda's leader, Osama Bin Laden. Finally, in 2011, it appears that her work will pay off, and a U.S. Navy SEAL team is sent to kill or capture Bin Laden. But only Maya is confident Bin Laden is where she says he is."


I'm really not a fan of movies that are very pro-american propaganda, but I really didn't mind this one. This was actually one of the most intense movies I've seen in a very long time, more specifically the last half hour or so  when they actually get to the compound where Osama Bin Ladin was. I think the fact that you know he dies at the end is even more intense then if you didn't because you're just waiting for that moment when they find and kill him. 

Its been a few weeks since I saw the film so I'm sure there are quite a few things I'm going to have forgotten about it, but I will try my best. I think that there is a pretty good chance of Jessica Chastain winning the Oscar this year for Best Actress in a Leading Role. I mean, Jennifer Lawrence was fantastic in Silver Linings Playbook and, she might have some competition in Quvenzhané Wallis for Beasts of a Southern Wild because everyone  likes to give awards to children, but I think that Chastain has a definite shot. All of the acting in this film was fantastic. I really didn't know who most of the actors in this film, but they were great. The emotions from the prisoners were fantastic. You really got the feeling that they were being tortured.

The conflict that comes with enjoying this film is the torture. There has been a lot of uproar about it all over the media, and I think the reasons are valid. I think that this movie definitely portrays torture, especially water-boarding and sleep depravation. I think the fact that they changed some stuff, or maybe have even gotten some party completely wrong is a big problem for people. For most films based on true events it doesn't matter, but since the Iraq war is still going on, this brings up a pretty big issue for most people. Especially with all of the debates over drone strikes these days, it all links together as a pretty big moral debate. I totally agree with all of this, especially since at one point they are clearly angered by the fact that Obama has put a ban on torture, leaving them with less options in how to obtain information. However, the information that helps them find the messenger wasn't really torture, it was then giving him food and letting him outside. Granted, that wouldn't have worked if they hadn't been torturing him for months, but still.

I think the cinematography and directing were also fantastic in this film. Although most of it was pretty grim-looking, it was still beautifully shot. The whole sequence with them flying into the camp where Osama Bin Ladin is hiding was beautiful and you really felt the suspense  but not as much as when they actually got in there. It wasn't just that you were waiting to see where Bin Ladin was, it was also how they were filming it. It was dark so you couldn't see much. I think the way they chose to show him when they had shot him was smart, they showed used bits and pieces of his face at a time, never really showing the injury, but showing enough of his face for anyone who'd seen a picture of him before to know it was him. I thought it was smart, because I'm sure this film is causing enough rage within the Taliban as it is, they definitely would have lost it if they had shown the deformed-mutilated head of their former leader. My opinion was the same for when Obama didn't release pictures of his dead body when they got him in real life. I know he was a bad dude, but they would just be horribly disrespectful to people who cared about him. No one should have to see their loved one in that way, even if they are a terrorist.

 I honestly don't know how much of this film was true, or elaborated, or just fully made up so I can't really comment on the political accuracy of this film, but I can say that as a film on its own I thought it was fantastic. As I said before it was one of the most intense and heart-pounding films I've ever seen. Its hard to look past inaccuracies, I know, but if you don't know every detail of the Iraq war, or the details of the Seal Team 6 mission, you should perfectly enjoy this film. Unless you just don't appreciate good films, I surprisingly do know people like this. One person told me once that she didn't Precious because "there wasn't enough story."

I'm going to give this film a 8.3/10. Super good, I'd definitely see it again. I'd even buy it on Blu Ray(and we all know how expensive that can be.)

Kiwi Film Review: Top 10 Films of 2012

Happy New Year! Thought it would be appropriate for me to make a list of my favorite films of 2012. A few of them are pretty common on some 2012 lists, but there are a few that I haven't seen on any others, but they're still great!

1.) The Dark Knight Rises
2.) The Hobbit 
3.) Argo
4.) Perks of Being A Wallflower
5.) Cloud Atlas
6.) Skyfall 
7.) Prometheus
8.) Lincoln
9.) Killing Them Softly
10.) Looper



* Honorable mentions include Ted, The Avengers, The Master, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and Pitch Perfect. I also adored seeing Titanic in 3D, but its not really a new movie at all so I didn't think I should include it. * Films that I have not yet seen but anticipate could possibly make an appearance include Les Miserables, Django Unchained, Zero Dark Thirty, Silver Linings Playbook, and Life of Pi.

I plan on going to see Les Mis and Django Unchained the day I return to St. John's on Thursday as there are no theaters around my hometown while I'm here for Christmas. *Note* I plan on FINALLY putting up a review for The Dark Knight Rises tonight, and The Hobbit should follow sometime later this week or early next week!

Kiwi Film Review: Killing Them Softly

IMDB: 7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 79%
Roger Ebert: 2/4 starts

Stars: Brad Pitt, Ray Liotta, Richard Jenkins, James Gandolfini
Directed By: Andrew Dominik
Written By:Andrew Dominik(screenplay), George V. Higgins(novel)
Release Date: 30 November 2012
Described by IMDB as: "Three dumb guys who think they're smart rob a Mob protected card game, causing the local criminal economy to collapse. Brad Pitt plays the enforcer hired to track them down and restore order. Killing Them Softly also features Richard Jenkins , James Gandolfini, Ray Liotta, Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn, and Vincent Curatola. Max Casella, Trevor Long, Slaine and Sam Shepard also make appearances."

I've heard a lot of mixed reviews on this film, but I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. Even from the very beginning its not necessarily a movie filled with action-packed sequences or tons of information, but it somehow keeps your interest throughout the entire film.

The acting in this movie is really impressive. Brad Pitt delivers a really great performance and I have to say that Scoot McNairy(who played Frankie) gave a really impressive performance, especially in the scenes between him and Brad Pitt. He was also in Argo earlier this fall in which he gave a really great performance as well. I also thought that Ben Mendelsohn(who played Russell) did an incredible job. He did a great job in the parts where he was high(which was practically every time we saw him)

I really need to talk about the cinematography because it was absolutely stunning. Trying to explain without spoilers is going to be difficult but I'll attempt it. There are two scenes that really stand out in my mind, but the entire film is beautifully shot. The first was when Frankie(McNairy) and Russell(Mendelsohn)  were in a house after their heist and were getting high and Russell keeps drifting in and out of consciousness. The colours and close-ups are really great, and Russell's acting really puts it over the edge. The second scene is the one that I'm trying to explain without spoilers, lets just say its a scene involving Jackie(Pitt) and Markie(Ray Liotta) where slow motion comes into play. Thats all I'm going to stay because I don't want to give anything away, but trust me, really beautiful. 

I heard some people say that they kept beating a dead horse with trying to make comparisons to the American economic collapse, in 2008, and the mob economic collapse at the same time, because of this heist. I really only think thats true if you know a lot about politics. It really took me a while to figure out why they had so many Obama and Bush news voiceovers, for the first half of the movie I really thought it was just to give you a timeframe of when this was taking place, but I couldn't figure out why it mattered. It honestly wasn't until the last scene in the bar that it hit me. Granted, I'm probably a little thick, but I went to see it twice and both times the people I went with said the same thing, so at least it wasn't just me. I was happy that they put so many references in so I could fully get it, but I do understand that if you figured it out the first time it could get a little annoying. 

I wouldn't recommend this film to just anyone, but I would recommend it to anyone who really enjoys films that don't need to be action-packed the whole time. It has enough talent, story, and cinematography skills to keep you interested the entire time, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I also expect some Oscar nods from this one.

I give it a 8.5/10. Really interesting, a few twists and turns, overall a really great film.

Kiwi FIlm Review: Never Let Me Go

IMDB: 7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 71%(critics), 70%(audience)
Roger Ebert: 4/4 stars

Stars: Keira Knightly, Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield
Written By: Kazuo Ishiguro(novel), Alex Garland(screenplay)
Directed By: Mark Romanek

Release Date: 25 November 2010
Described by IMDB as: "As children, Ruth, Kathy and Tommy, spend their childhood at a seemingly idyllic English boarding school. As they grow into young adults, they find that they have to come to terms with the strength of the love they feel for each other, while preparing themselves for the haunting reality that awaits them."

*This Review contains some small Spoilers* Is it wrong to call a little girl a evil? Because I feel just about nothing else for young Ruth(Ella Purnell) in the film. I feel only absolute heartbreak for young Kathy (Isobel Meikle-Small), who, by the way, was amazingly casted as she looks unbelievably like adult Kathy(Carey Mulligan). I would probably say the same for both young Tommy(Charlie Rowe) and adult Tommy(Andrew Garfield). Besides the fact that they casted well for common looks, Knightly, Mulligan, and Garfield are some of the best young actors from the UK at the moment, if not THE best. They all have very impressive resumes, and although at the time Andrew Garfield was probably a slightly unknown name (despite the success of The Social Network), he's obviously now known for his role as Spiderman in the new film The Amazing Spiderman.

I'm surprised this isn't a more popular film, as I stumbled upon it by accident, not because I'd heard anything about it, because everyone loves a good love story, especially a tragic one. Although, its a pretty difficult story as well. It is incredibly heartbreaking from the moment you find out what their entire role in life is. I also love how interesting and unique this story is. I mean, there have been movies where there have been people created for the sole purpose of being organ donors(like The Island), but none that show that they were raised from children, it wasn't a crazy action film, it was a calm, sad story focusing on both their childhood and growing up from there. Its also sort of funny that the saddest part of the film is not that their being farmed for organs, but the sheer dispair you feel for Kathy H(Mulligan) when you see the boy she loves being taken from under her nose.

I suppose another reason why its another difficult movie for people to watch is the real question of morales that obviously have to be brought up. Is it morally sound to bring children into the world, isolate them from society, and raise them knowing the whole time that none of them will make it past their mid-twenties because they will all be farmed for their organs once they hit a certain age. How far are people willing to go to stay alive a bit longer? How many people would be ok with knowing that their organs are coming from people who are going to be born and raised for the sole reason of giving up their organs, not having a life, but just living long enough to be able to go through 1-4 surgeries, depending on how strong they are.

I've seen this film a couple of times now and I adore it every time. I'd recommend it to basically anyone, but only a person who can handle a sad film will enjoy this film. Its not a comedy, its not a romance film, it is an extremely tragic story about love and loss.

I'll gladly give it a 9/10. It's definitely one of my all-time favorites.

Kiwi Film Review: Lincoln

IMDB: 7.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%

Roger Ebert: 4/4 Stars

Star: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, David Strathairn, Tommy Lee Jones.
Director: Stephen Spielberg
Writer: Tony Kushner

Release Date: 16 November 2012
Described by IMDB as: "In 1865, as the American Civil War winds inexorably toward conclusion, U.S. president Abraham Lincoln endeavors to achieve passage of the landmark constitutional amendment which will forever ban slavery from the United States. However, his task is a race against time, for peace may come at any time, and if it comes before the amendment is passed, the returning southern states will stop it before it can become law. Lincoln must, by almost any means possible, obtain enough votes from a recalcitrant Congress before peace arrives and it is too late. Yet the president is torn, as an early peace would save thousands of lives. As the nation confronts its conscience over the freedom of its entire population, Lincoln faces his own crisis of conscience -- end slavery or end the war."

I find it quite hard to review films like this. I like to refer to them as "Oscar films" even though the nominations obviously have not yet been released. These are films that without doubt, will definitely be nominated for oscars based on their actors, directors, and general themes. Since all of these categories are covered far and beyond with Daniel Day-Lewis, Steven Spielberg, and Abraham Lincoln, this film is not only an "Oscar film", but probably one of the top contenders for winning best picture. Unfortunately, the difficult part in reviewing these films is the fact that there are many parts that are, for lack of a better word, dull. 

Now, don't let this deter you from watching this film, as it was a fantastic film, and displays a very important part in history. I found it hard not to see clear parallels between the 1865 fight to abolish slavery, and the current day fight in America for equal rights for gay lesbian people. I will never understand how people could be so hateful that they feel people shouldn't have equal rights. I felt myself quite enraged through some parts of this film, when talking about how all men are not created equal. How dare someone presume that they have the authority to decide that.

I have to say almost the entire first half of the film was so, so dull. Now, I totally understand how important it was to set up the second half, but that doesn't make it any less, well, boring. But the second half definitely made up for it. Its not one of those films with crazy thrill and excitement, but when the 13th Amendment passed I have to say I just wanted to stand up and cheer as the people on the screen were doing. I definitely teared up a little bit when that happened, as I'm sure anyone with a heart would have. Its astonishing that slavery was abolished almost 150 years ago, and yet slavery still persists. I thought it was great timing to release this film, right after the election. I think its a great film to reignite patriotism among Americans in a time that they are incredibly divided.

I'm not even sure how to begin on how fantastic Daniel Day-Lewis was in this film, but lets be honest,  could we expect anything less? He has to be one of the greatest character actors of our generation, possible even of all time. Whenever I see his name in the titles I almost know for sure that I'm going to enjoy it. I couldn't believe how much he resembled Abraham Lincoln in this film. Unbelievable. Makeup should definitely get an Oscar nod for that one. The cast list in this film is pretty incredible. Mrs. Lincoln is played by Sally Field, their child Robert Lincoln is played by none other then Joseph Gordon Levitt. There were numerous other cameos by great actors as well, most of them only for a few moments really, I guess everyone wanted in a big film like this, even if it was just a small part. I really liked Tommy Lee Jones' storyline. I loved his pure enthusiasm and hope for the Amendment to pass, I won't give any spoilers, but his part at the end added a little extra to my heart.

I have to say that I didn't know anything about the timeline of these evenets, but I was pretty shocked by how quickly the whole thing happened. I mean, obviously the war went on much longer then what was in this film. I didn't realize that the amendment was passed on January 31st 1865, then the war was ended in the beginning of April and Lincoln was killed on April the 15th. I really didn't realize three of those things were so close together. 

Overall I really liked this film, unfortunately I'm going to have to take off a few points for the beginning, but I couldn't give it a low score because it really was an amazing piece of work. I went with a friend who said it could have ended earlier, but I think it was important to show both the ending of the Civil War, and Lincoln's death.

I'm going to give it an 8/10. Solid film, definitely expecting big things at the Oscars.

Kiwi Film Review: Argo

IMDB: 8.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
Roger Ebert: 4/4
What The Flick: 9.3/10

Stars: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, Alan Arkin, Victor Garber
Directed By: Ben Affleck
Written By: Chris Terrio

Release Date: 12 October 2012
Described by IMDB as: "In 1979, the American embassy in Iran was invaded by Iranian revolutionaries and several Americans are taken hostage. However, six manage to escape to the official residence of the Canadian Ambassador and the CIA is eventually ordered to get them out of the country. With few options, exfiltration expert Tony Mendez devises a daring plan: to create a phony Canadian film project looking to shoot in Iran and smuggle the Americans out as its production crew. With the help of some trusted Hollywood contacts, Mendez creates the ruse and proceeds to Iran as its associate producer. However, time is running out with the Iranian security forces closing in on the truth while both his charges and the White House have grave doubts about the operation themselves."


Well, lets be real. Ben Affleck lucked out on the timing of this movies release. After the whole Libya, Benghazi, protests killing an American diplomat last month, this fits perfect for this film. Way more people are going to be interested in this film because of this, which is definitely good, because its a really interesting part of history.

Despite the fact that I knew how this film was going to end, because it is based on a true story, it really didn't take away from the stress and thrill of the film. There were so many times when you really didn't know how it was going to turn out for them(even though you really did). Especially at the end, you were really quite terrified for them.

I liked that they explained some of the history of the relationship between America and Iran in the beginning to set up the story, I liked that when they really didn't hold back on the truth of it, that the blame for the situation was really based on the mistake of America in taking in an awful dictator for protection, rather then him getting justice at the hands of his people.  I'm not for vigilante justice, but in some cases, like this, dictators diserve whatever the people plan to give them. I think this film showed some good for Jimmy Carter, since so many people have negative feelings for him. I also really liked his "cameo" at the end during the credits. When I heard his voice coming over the speakers I was pretty excited. I also think its important to remember the incredible risk the Canadian Diplomat  took by letting these six people stay in his house.

Thusfar, Ben Affleck has had an incredible writing/directing career. I mean, if his acting portfolio wasn't enough, he has Good Will Hunting, Gone Baby Gone, The Town, and now Argo under his belt for writing and directing. All of these films have above a 7.5 rating on IMDB and above a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. Argo will definitely be fitting in nicely with this line up. I will be shocked it Ben Affleck doesn't get an oscar nod for both directing and acting in this film. Although, his acting mostly understated, and he really doesn't have a whole lot of speaking, you still get the intensity in his performance.

I absolutely LOVED Alan Arkin and John Goodman in this film. They were hilarious, and their chemistry and friendship was amazing. They played an important role in the mission, and the film. They were also involved in one of the most thrilling and anxious parts of the film. Bryan Crasnton was also great in this film, but sort of an asshole who almost completely screws everything up. 
So, what do I think of this film? I loved it. I always enjoyed the story when I learned about it school, so to see it in film was pretty great. I think its amazing that everyone involved were forced to keep what really happened a secret, when they could have taken full credit and been treated as heroes. I think its very important that the people responsible for saving these 6 men and women's lives. They show pictures of everyone involved in the mission during the credits, and man, did they cast well. All of the 6 refugees were spot on in casting, amazing really.

I'm going to give this film a 9.5/10, such a great film, and I think just about anyone would enjoy it. Even if you aren't into films about history, or that take place during different times, there is enough thrill and heart in this film to keep anyone interested. 

Kiwi Film Reivew: Skyfall

IMDB: 8.1/10
Rotten Tomaotes: 92%
Roger Ebert: 4/4 stars
What The Flick: 9.5/10

Stars: Daniel Craig, Judy Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw
Directed By: Sam Mendes
Written By: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, John Logan

Release Date: 9 November 2012
Described by IMDB as: "Bond's loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost."


I feel like this was the first Bond film (that I've seen at least) thats been really much more then cars and bond girls, but even from the beginning of this film it is full of action. The opening sequence shows Bond being sort of betrayed by M and is thought to be killed off. No worries, this won't have any spoilers, if you've seen the trailer you know this much at least already. The staple "Bond opening sequence" was breathtaking. The beautiful design combined with Adele's "Skyfall" was nothing short of perfection, truly beautiful.

I feel like this is a pretty different film then Sam Mendes is used to directing, but I was previously a huge fan of his work. American Beauty is one of my all-time favorite films, and I really enjoyed Revolutionary Road, but neither are very action-packed, but I have to say, even without a history in Action films, he did an amazing job of balancing story with action. Kept it interesting without making it completely unbelievable. The storyline was great, I really enjoyed the backstory to Bond's childhood and how he became the was he is. The cinematography was beautiful. All of the scenes over Shanghai were awesome, as were the scenes of London. Lots of views of the London Eye in this one. The views in Scotland are also completely gorgeous, the last quarter of the film was my favorite, and the cinematography was probably half of the reason, it was just so beautiful.

I really love everything about Daniel Craig as Bond. He's been strong and sexy, but also truly weak and vulnerable in all of the films, especially this one. I love how he's the suave, tuxedo Bond, but he's also a more down and dirty, gritty Bond, I really liked the whole "unshaven" look in the beginning, really added a different feeling. The whole film you really wonder whether M(Judy Dench) is on his side or not, especially after you learn all of Silvia's(Javier Bardem) story, and you find out that it may not be the first time she's turned her back on one of her star spies.

Javier Bardem was unreal in this film, so genuinely creepy, but so good. He was incredibly intense throughout his entire performance, it really felt like genuine emotion. He was definitely a great and classic Bond villan.  Ben Whishaw is the new tech and toys guy "Q". He's having a pretty great year, he was in Cloud Atlas a few weeks ago. There is also a pretty strong chance that I am totally in love with him, he is probably one of my new favorite actors. (I've also started watching The Hour which is awesome).

Best part about this movie is that I heard a few days ago that Daniel Craig has signed on for another 2 Bond movies! Pretty excited about this.

If I haven't already made it clear, I loved this film and pretty much everything about it. I'm giving it a 9.5/10. Definitely go see it asap, great for any action, thriller, drama, or Bond lover. 

Kiwi Film Review: The Queen

IMDB: 7.4
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
Roger Ebert: 4/4

Stars: Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen, James Cromwell, Alex Jennings
Written By: Peter Morgan
Directed By: Stephen Frears

Release Date: 20 October 2006
Described by IMDB as: "Diana the 'People's Princess' has died in a car accident in Paris. The Queen and her family decide that for the best, they should remain hidden behind the closed doors of Balmoral Castle. The heartbroken public do not understand and request that the Queen comforts her people. This also puts pressure on newly elected Tony Blair, who constantly tries to convince the monarchy to address the public."


The death of Princess Diana has always been intriguing to me. I was only 6 when she was killed but I remember it vividly. I think it was mostly the funeral that I remember being on the television, but it was all anyone talked about for so long that it was burned into my mind. A while later my mother bought a book about her life and death. I don't remember what it was called but was gold and had a picture of her on the cover. I was still too young to read it but I remember flicking through the pictures of her has a child and a teenager inside. I just remember how tragic her death was, and knowing it was clearly entirely the press's fault. You'd think they would have stepped back a bit, but its obviously only gotten worse. 

This movie was really excellent. Hellen Mirren was almost unrecognizable. Michael Sheen I felt did a great job as well, although I can't say I really know much about Tony Blair, especially in the beginning of his time as Prime Minister. Thats the hard thing about this movie, clearly most of it at least has to be complete fiction, because there is truly no way of knowing the truth about what happened behind closed doors, especially the parts with the Queen and the royal family itself. I was thinking that they could have gotten a lot of information from the book that he wrote after his resignation, but I'm pretty sure the movie was released a few years before the book was released. So, clearly can't be true, meaning that pretty much the entire film has to be fiction, which I think is actually ok.

I have to say this film really changed my views on Prince Charles. I feel like children absorbe a lot that they hear as fact, and that really sticks with you. I remember hearing, when I was quite young, maybe 8 or 9, that many people believed that Prince Charles was behind Princess Diana's death, and that she had written a letter saying that if anything had happened to her to look to him first, and I've hated him ever since. I really don't know how much of what happened in this movie actually happened, but I'm hoping his general reaction is mostly true, I'm sure it probably was. 

I also hadn't realized how much the people loved Tony Blair so much at that time. I'm not extremely familiar on British politics but I always thought that the people mostly hated him, but that was probably just at the end when he resigned. He seemed to handle the situation well, especially compared to how the monarchy handled it. I suppose they had to have a hero and a bad guy to try and rationalize what had happend. 

I have to say that its really an interesting perspective on the whole subject, showing it through the eyes of the Queen. Although to choose this of all subjects to make a movie called "The Queen" is interesting, since its mostly about Princess Diana. 

Great movie, and excellent acting on both Mirren and Sheen's behalf, but also on pretty much everyone else in the film. If you have any interest in history, Princess Diana, or the monarchy, or if you just like a good drama, this film is for you.

I'm giving this film an 8.5/10. Very good, very enjoyable.

New Kiwi Film Review Logo

Well, I'm not 100% happy with it, but without the border it looks too plain, and with the border it just doesn't look right, so thusfar, I'm keeping the border. I'm sure I'll do some updating soon, but for now.. here we are. It wasn't too difficult actually. I had made the border a while ago, so I just keep it as stock. The kiwi itself was actually pretty easy, just trying to get the seeds in a good position was hard, then actually finding a layout I was happy with was definitely the hardest part. I chose Helvetica for the font as it is one of my favorites. I love the cool clean look of it.

Now, I present to you, Kiwi Film Review Logo 1:

Feel free to give feedback.

Kiwi Film Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

IMDB: 8.5/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 86%
Roger Ebert: 3.5/4

Stars: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Dylan McDermott, Nina Dobrev, Kate Walsh, Paul Rudd, Joan Cusack
Directed By: Stephen Chbosky
Written By: Stephen Chbosky (Novel & Screenplay)

Release Date: 28 September 2012
Described by IMDB as: "Based on the novel written by Stephen Chbosky, this is about 15-year-old Charlie (Logan Lerman), an endearing and naive outsider, coping with first love (Emma Watson), the suicide of his best friend, and his own mental illness while struggling to find a group of people with whom he belongs. The introvert freshman is taken under the wings of two seniors, Sam and Patrick, who welcome him to the real world."

Wow, just WOW. The only thing that I didn't like about this movie was that I hadn't perviously read the book. I think I can seriously add that to the list of regrets in my life. All I knew going into it was that some kid had no friends, but then did have friends. But there were so many moving parts to this movie I don't even know where to begin. Its about so many different things; suicide, depression, love, abuse, loneliness, mistakes, and just growing up in general.

In the beginning you see how Charlie(Logan Lerman) is alone, and wants nothing more to just have some friends. From the letters he's writing to an anonymous person you know he's had some problems in the past but its not until a little later that you start finding out what they are. Seeing him sit alone at lunch, is just so sad. When he finally meets Sam(Emma Watson) and Patrick(Ezra Miller) everything starts turning around (or so you think). I went into this thinking it was going to be an uplifting happy film about finally finding friends and all of your problems going away, but I quickly discovered this was not the case. It seems like everything starts coming out in that first party they go to together after the Homecoming dance. First when you find out about Charlie's(Lerman) best(and only) friend killing himself, and then about Patrick's(Miller) secret affair with the most popular jock in school, Brad(Johnny Simmons).

After this it starts being happy-go-lucky again for the most part. I mean there's that whole "I'm in love with this girl who's a year or two older then me and who happens to be dating jack-ass college guys" thing going on, but thats a manageable situation. Then when you find out that she was molested by her fathers boss at age 11, you have that moment of "wtf?" but it ultimately ends in Charlie having his first kiss with the girl he's in love with (Watson), even if it can't last longer then that night. Honestly, that whole "secret santa" night was just so sweet, it just showed how much he cared about all of them, and how they cared for him. 

I loved the love of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" in this film, the last time you see it its sort of like his final "coming out" into the school. Which leads me to that dreaded Mary Elizabeth(Mae Whitman) relationship. I felt so bad for him for that entire part of the movie because you know he's just too nice to have done anything about how much he didn't want to be there. I couldn't even watch when they were playing "truth or dare" and he kissed Sam(Watson) instead of Mary Elizabeth(Whitman). You just knew it was coming and couldn't bear it. When this basically (and understandably) ruins his relationships with his friends the movie goes back to being unbelievably sad for this poor kid.

Poor, poor Patrick. Honestly, you sort of get the feeling from the beginning that something bad is going to happen with him and Brad, because they say from the beginning that if Brad's dad ever finds out, he'll kill him, but the thought of a father ACTUALLY beating the shit out of his son is so unreal to me that I sort of forgot about it until it actually happened. Then to be torn down infront of the whole school while Brad stands by? Horrible, so, so sad.  Thankfully Charlie redeems himself by saving Patrick from an insane fight of which he blacks out and remembers nothing. 

Finally, Charlie and Sam have that one perfect night together, where they both know exactly how the other feels. Unfortunately this is EXTREMELY short lived by the fact that Sam is heading off to College the next morning. At this point Charlie completely breaks and ends up in a mental hospital for the summer.

Obviously the saddest part is when you finally realize everything thats happened with "Aunt Helen" throughout the whole film basically boils down to the fact that she molested Charlie when he was a kid. The only thing I didn't like about the movie was that I felt as if it wasn't really fully explained in the film. I mean, I dont think it was necessary to have exact details, but if you weren't paying enough attention you could have easily missed the part where you actually find out. In the end Charlie gets help, and figures how exactly what he needs to survive in life. 

I loved every moment of this film. Its seriously the best movie I've seen in a very long time. I need to go buy the book tomorrow and just read. I will be a complete mess the whole time, but it will be a great experience. I want everyone in the world to watch this, because its so many different things that I think it has something for everyone. 

I'm giving this film a 10/10. I've never given this before, but I just can't get past how amazing this film is.

PS. Who the heck is he writing all those darn letters to???

Kiwi Film Review: Dark Shadows

IMDB: 6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 42%
Roger Ebert: 2.5/4 Stars


Release Date: May 11th 2012


Stars: Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Eva Green, Helena Bonham Carter, and Chloe Grace Mortez
Written By: John August, Seth Grahame-Smith
Directed By: Tim Burton


Based on Dan Curtis's TV show from the 1960's & 70's.


Described by IMDB as "An imprisoned vampire, Barnabas Collins, is set free and returns to his ancestral home, where his dysfunctional descendants are in need of his protection."


I have pretty mixed feelings on this one so I'm going to do this review a little differently. I'm going to first start with the things I liked about it and then say all of the things I didn't.

First off, the good things. As always, Johnny Depp doesn't disappoint. He pretty much carries this whole movie, and I thought he did it pretty well. The costume and make up was over the top as always, but it worked so well. He pretty much nailed it. I also loved that this took place in the 70's and they did an awesome job with the costumes and sets for that. It was really beautiful to look at, super colourful and interesting. I actually thought it was pretty funny. I wasn't laughing the whole way through, but it had a lot more humour then I was expecting. Michelle Pfeiffer actually was pretty good too, it was also so weird to see Helena Bonham Carter as a normalish person.

The down side to this film was the acting from pretty much everyone else in the film. Chloe Grace Mortez was really disappointing in this film. I loved her in Kick Ass and Hugo... and then there was this... Lets be real.. she was awful. It was actually painful to see her suck this bad. Again, she's pretty much my favorite young actor but this was just so bad. 


Overall I actually really enjoyed this film, I heard a lot of people say that it was awful, but I didn't think it was too bad. I don't think I'd watch it in theatres again, but I'd consider buying it, and I'd definitely download it. Overall, it was visually appealing, and the story was generally good, but poorly executed. It was definitely a bit of a disappointment, and nowhere near the best of Tim Burton, but it wasn't too bad.  


I'm going to give this film a 6.5/10. I think this might be my lowest rating so far, but I'd probably recommend it to most people.

Kiwi Film Review: The Lion King

IMDB: 8.3/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 89%

Roger Ebert: 3.5/4 Stars

Described by IMDB as " A lion prince is born in Africa and is told by his father, King Mufasa, that when Mufasa dies, Simba will take over the throne, cheating his Uncle Scar out of becoming King of the Pride Lands. Scar, fueled by rage, plots to kill Mufasa and Simba so he is able to take over the throne. He and the hyenas team up and manage to push Mufasa to his death, but Simba survives, and, armed with misinformation, flees the Pride Lands. Simba, believing that his father's death was his own fault, decides to never return home; due to this decision, he meets Timone the Meerkat, and Pummba the Warthog, and the trio become fast friends. Simba stays with them well into adulthood until his childhood friend, Nala, tracks him down and begs him to return to the Pride Lands, where Scar has reigned as King for years, and ruined everything. All of the animals will starve to death if Simba does not return. "

The Lion King is well known as one of the greatest Disney movies of all time, and I’d have to agree. When I was a kid the music and images were captivating, and I have to say that that hasn’t changed. When I heard it was being re-released in theatres in 3D I pretty much went crazy. I went to see it last night with a few friends and it was the most fun I’ve had at a movie in well, ever. I sang every song and I quite frankly didn’t give a shit how anyone else felt about it. The writing was fantastic, and the jokes witty. The entire movie was beautiful. And the music; where to start with the music! The score was perfect. Every tune fit perfectly with what was going on in the story, and every note was beautiful. Then there’s the songs. Who doesn’t love a good Lion King song? God love Elton John. Can You Feel The Love Tonight will be my wedding song. Its decided. Just so beautiful.

I’m not sure how to end this, so I’ve just got to say its in theatres for 2 weeks. For the love of God give your childhood this gift and go watch it.

CAUTION: you WILL have the entire soundtrack stuck in your head for at least 24 hours. (Not that this is much of a bad thing)

Overall I’d give this movie 4.5/5 stars. I almost gave it 5 stars but then I remembered its a kids movie and that might be a little overboard.

Kiwi Film Review: Rain Man

IMDB: 8.0/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 88%

Roger Ebert: 3.5/4 Stars

Stars: Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise

Directed By: Barry Levinson

Written: Barry Marrow, Ronald Bass

Described by IMDB as :"Charles Sanford "Charlie" Babbit is a self-centered Los Angeles-based automobile dealer/hustler/bookie who is at war with his own life. Charlie, as a young teenager, used his father's 1948 Buick convertible without permission and as a result, he went to jail for two days on account that his father reported it stolen. It is then that Charlie learns that his estranged father died and left him from his last will and testament a huge bed of roses and the car while the remainder will of $3 Million goes into a trust fund to be distributed to someone. Charlie seemed pretty angry by this and decides to look into this matter. It seems as if that "someone" is Raymond, Charlie's unknown brother, an autistic savant who lives in a world of his own, resides at the Walbrook Institute. Charlie then kidnaps Raymond and decides to take him on a lust for life trip to the west coast as a threat to get the $3 Million inheritance..."

Rain Man? I don’t even know where to begin. First of all, Tom Cruise can act? This genuinely surprised me. I mean, I guess I knew he could “act” as I’ve seen him in a lot of movies, but his performance really showed me a new side of him. However, the best part of the movie BY FAR was Dustin Hoffman. Seriously, are we sure that he isn’t actually Autistic? He was SO convincing. The storyline was great, and the writing was excellent. Such a great concept, and the character development was fantastic. Tom Cruise’s character, Charlie Babbitt, goes from an egotistical asshole to a loving brother right before our eyes. I found it pretty difficult to sit through the moments when people were giving Raymond(Dustin Hoffman) a hard time for having a mental disability, but I guess that just makes me a normal human being. 

I’m ashamed to say that I hadn’t seen this movie until tonight. If anyone hasn’t seen it yet, seriously, get on that.

Kiwi Film Review: Moneyball

IMDB Rating : 8.2/10

Stars: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Robin Wright.

I saw this movie earlier today and its all I’ve been able to think about since. Such a great heart warming story. The acting and writing was fantastic, and the thing I love most about these movies is that they are “based on a true story.” It starts off with Billy Beane’s(Pitt) team (The Oakland A’s) losing yet another last game of the season. His luck then continues to go downhill as he loses 3 or 4 of his top players and is has to find a new line up to try and win the world series with only a fraction of the finances that the other bigger teams have to work with. Then enters Peter Brand (Hill) who comes up with a new strategy in choosing players, which turns the whole sport on its head.

The acting was wonderful, Brad Pitt has really continued to show that he’s more then a pretty face, although he really does have that going for him ;), and he really is a brilliant actor. Jonah Hill continues to play “that awkward kid” perfectly well, it was interesting to see him not able to rely on his humour to charm the audience. Although, I’m willing to bet that his intimidation towards Brad Pitt’s character wasn’t entirely acting. Then you have Hoffman who plays any character he’s given brilliantly. Even though he had a smaller role he had no problem giving the intensity he’s well known for. So many great heart felt moments, my favorites involving Billy Bean’s daughter, she really did an amazing job singing and playing guitar, so shout out to Kerris Dorsey! Overall I’d have to agree with IMDB and give this movie about an 8/10.

Definitely a must-see, this is not just a baseball movie people!