Ted: Film Review

I have rarely walked away from a trip to the cinema with regret that the film had to finish. Ted is Seth MacFarlane‘s debut as director, co-writer and co-producer and if the tears of laughter throughout the cinema theatre were anything to go by, his first taste of working for the big screen is most definitely a successful one.

I must admit it was my husband who was the most keen out of both of us to see this film. However my sides ached with laughter by the end. I can understand how some people would be offended with the type of humour used. Most of it is what I would call ‘awkward humour’ the sort that makes you suck the air in between your teeth at the lack of political correctness of it all however most of it is what you wish you had the gall to say yourself. With Seth MacFarlane at the wheel of this motion picture, you can not help but draw similarities with Family Guy.

If you have ever enjoyed the humour of MacFarlane’s animation, Ted is most definitely the film for you. It is so close to that of Family Guy that the voice-overs are also playing lead roles in this film. Family Guy viewers will most definitely feel at home. Yet if you have never seen an episode of Family Guy you will in no way feel lost or indeed misunderstand the humour.

Everyone wishes for that one life-long friend and I remember falling asleep as a child and wishing my favourite doll would come to life and be my friend for life. Even now at the age of 31 I wish I had a life-long friend who I could call my own. Ted was for me an adult version of Toy Story but in no way is it a film for children and I was somewhat surprised at the leniency of its 15 certificate.

This is the hardest film I have ever tried to review as I desperately want to avoid any spoilers. Everyone remarks on my stubbornness and I am insistent on having you choking on your popcorn and pick ‘n’ mix with laughter at what I like to call ‘rewind scenes’ which I wish I could rewind and watch again and again.

Don’t get me wrong, Ted is not swamped in humour but also has action scenes that can in its own right rival any other film of that genre so much so that you forget you are actually watching a teddy bear on-screen. There are even scenes for the softies among us all of which clearly illustrates MacFarlane’s talent, skill and diversity in writing.

It has ultimately ignited my childhood wish: Can I have a teddy bear?

The Social Network: Film Review

 The Social Network (i.e. ‘the facebook film) is not about money, power, greed or even Mark Zuckerberg himself, it is ultimately about acceptance – the need for acceptance that is in every one of us.

The film starts with Mark Zuckerberg, played by Jesse Eisenberg sitting in a bar with his girlfriend Erica Albright (Rooney Mara). The opening scenes of the film concentrates on the difference between obsession and motivation with Mark consumed with the longing for membership to the most exclusive all male societies of Harvard, known as ‘final clubs’. His obsession leads to a break up with Erica and he later vents his frustration and perceived betrayal through the Internet.

Soon afterwards the 6’5” stong, athletic, blonde and popular  Winklevoss twins (Armie Hammer and Josh Pence) come into play, who are everything Mark is looking for: members of the Porcellian “final club”, and rich with inherited money. It is clear from the outset of the film and through his break-up with Albright  that Mark Zuckerberg craves the attention of such ‘powerful’ members of the Harvard community.

The twins invite Mark to a meeting at the Porcellian Club and encourage him to join them on their business venture: a social networking site exclusively for members with a Harvard university e-mail address.  From the outside it seems to be everything Mark has yearned for, however having not been given permission to cross the threshold of the club stairway,  he soon realises he is not friends with the Winklevoss twins, neither has he been accepted into a ‘final club’. Following this first meeting despite much correspondence from the twins to Zuckerberg, Mark does not continue this new business partnership but instead steals their idea (or more kindly, alters it to his own specifications) and ultimately creates  what many now enjoy and have indeed come addicted to as Facebook.

The main body of the film is a game of catch between the memories of Facebook’s beginning and the court case around Facebook’s conception. throughout the film and particularly during the storytelling of Facebook’s past, as a viewer you are struck by the irony of a man who created the world’s largest and most exclusive ‘friendship club’ and yet who has so few friends.

Mark Zuckerberg comes across as a man with a chip on his shoulder, drowning in the belief that life has dealt him a hard hand. It is ultimately this chip on his shoulder that leads him to weaken against the jealousy that enrages him. All in all, the film left me with a bad taste in my mouth and an increasing resentment of watching my life played before me across the pages of Facebook. It was somewhat alarming that no matter how many million of dollars he paid in compensation to the Winklevoss twins and even his once best friend: Eduardo Saverin,  it was to quote the film: ‘in the scheme of things, a speeding ticket.’

The film is worth watching, particularly if you want to gauge an understanding of human nature. The need for approval and acceptance. Mark Zuckerberg may well be the youngest billionaire in the world, but I wonder whether  it was worth losing his integrity and honesty to get there. The somewhat frightening thing is that we can all relate to Zuckerberg in this film. Our lives are fast becoming valued upon our popularity on Facebook and how many friends we have listed on our profile.

I did not particularly enjoy the film, mostly due to it touching a raw nerve, uncovering the desire in myself to be accepted.  Mark Zuckerberg comes across in a bad light, a backstabber, arrogant, jealous and obsessed individual. He originally founded Facebook in an attempt to improve his image after the rant he published over the Internet after the break up with Albright. In my mind, it’s a shame that The Social Network has now diminished Juckerberg’s work in enhancing his reputation.

The film touches on principles, principles of ‘Harvard gentlemen’, principles of friendship, principles of honesty. It is such a shame that an enterprise so potentially great should be marred by such a betrayal of these principles.

This Is It: DVD Review

I may run the risk of partiality with this review, however there really was no cause to fault Michael Jackson in this DVD. I first saw this film at the cinema and upon settling among fellow viewers, there was a jovial and upbeat atmosphere in the theatre.

Once Michael Jackson entered into the lens of the camera, an applause erupted, but a sudden silence soon followed.  This was no ordinary film. We had all seen Michael Jackson’s dance videos before and this seemed just as the rest of them. Except it wasn’t.

Michael Jackson was unique. He was unique in his looks; in his thoughts; in his moves; in his sound. Even if you are not a fan, you can not deny this man’s talent or the extent of his popularity. For me this film shows Michael Jackson as the star he has  always been, it is also a gift to his fans. We are given a gift to see Michael during his last days and remember him as he and his fans would like to remember him: on stage, the place he always felt most at home.

This video puts to rest the rumours that he would not be able to live up to our expectations. That he would be unable to deliver. Michael is undeniably thin even shockingly so, yet the dance routines he displayed on This Is It were enough to make one who is young, fit and healthy to struggle, yet Michael breezed through them. To the naked eye his routines were faultless, which not only puts to rest the above rumour but also that of Michael not working with his dancers. To be so in sync with one another surely requires hours of practice and rehearsals.

The humble man comes into play during the rehearsals allowing individuals to shine. To have their time in the spotlight. Yet even during the rehearsals, wearing simple clothes and with no direct instruments accompanying his routine, Michael Jackson still held his own and his stage presence was electrifying. Even though I have followed Michael’s career and his music throughout the years, in watching this film I saw a different side of him. You are allowed a taste of his humour and he genuinely seemed the happiest he has ever been despite his internal anguish.

The story of Michael Jackson may in itself be stranger than fiction, in that the man was an ordinary man in an extraordinary world with an extraordinary talent. I just hope his memory experiences the same as that of Elvis Presley. That even though the man died under questionable circumstances his talent and genius will precede him.

Precious: DVD Review

Set in 1987, Precious is based on the book: Push by Sapphire and revolves around an obese African-American teenager nicknamed Precious, who is pregnant with her second child at the age of 16 after being repeatedly raped by her father.

Precious’ mother, the rapist’s partner, takes out her self-hatred in the form of horrendous jealous rages against Precious and subjecting her daughter to brutal physical and emotional abuse. Although Precious learns to overcome the abuse through special educational classes and also learns to nurture improved self-esteem, in the film’s last scenes she receives news enticing a fresh round of sadness and despair.

Undoubtedly, the outstanding and heart wrenching ­performance of newcomer ­Gabourey Sidibe as Precious is unforgettable. The fact the film is her début leaves you craving more from her as an actress.  Her mother, Mary is well-played by the comedian Mo’Nique, whose play on brutality is frighteningly chilling.

The biggest surprise for me was Mariah Carey in her no make-up and bling-free role as Precious’ social worker and through which Carey has in my opinion raised her standing in terms of acting ability. Mariah has won 5 Grammy Awards; 17 World Music Awards (the most won by any artist); 11 American Music Awards; and 28 Billboard Music Awards, however for me her most memorable performance is as Mrs. Weiss in Precious. I barely recognised the stripped back Carey in her most nondescript role yet, for which she rightly won the Breakthrough Performance and Supporting Actress of the Year Awards. Although Carey has stared in several films before, I can only hope that as her awards suggest, she has finally ‘broken through’ into ‘serious acting’.

Precious’ story broke my heart and even though it was a work of fiction, what was hard to acknowledge is that her story is true. As the film suggests, there are Precious girls everywhere. The film also shamed me into thinking I ever had the right to complain of hardship. Despite this though, there is a shining sparkle of innocence amidst the heartbreak, particularly in Precious’ character.

The film opens with Precious portrayed as the ‘typical teenager’ with two young children and an incomplete education. Yet when the door opens into her home life you are shamed into retracting your quick judgement of her and those like her. In fact, the film is full of misconceptions. From the beginning as Precious tells her story, similarly it is only towards the end of the film do you understand Mo’Nique’s character as Precious’ mother, Mary. In fact it is her mother who has caused such pain and disruption in her daughter’s life, who finally gives Precious the gift of moving on and the hope of ending the abuse. While watching the film, you are convinced Mary is a closed book, a monster through and through. The film sheds light on Mary’s life (albeit briefly) and proves that not all monsters are monsters to begin with, they are only made that way by others.

The film ended leaving me empty and hungry to know whether Precious survived the crises that life had thrown at her. However upon contemplation of this, it was the best way to close the door on her story. Living the life of Precious, you will be living a day at a time. There is no answer to whether you will survive, only hope and that is what you see in Precious.

Furthermore, that is what the film has given me. Hope. Hope that although my life is miles away from that of Precious and my difficulties considerably inconsequential in comparison, there is hope that I too can survive the trials I struggle with.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Film Review and Refection

As a half Persian myself, I insisted it was an essential element of my heritage to join the audience at a Marble Arch cinema, which was noticeably empty for a Friday night. Admittedly the film had been showing in the cinemas for just over 2 weeks, a lifetime in the cinema-going world.

The film opens with Dastan showing courage in a Persian street market and subsequently being adopted by the King. Fifteen years later, Dastan, and his foster brothers of true royal blood lead the Persian army in an attack on the sacred city of Alamut, under the false notion that the city’s people are selling weapons to their enemies (sound familiar?) During the fight, the city of Alamut is defeated and the mythical Dagger of Time is found. The dagger gives its holder the ability to turn back time for a short period so that past wrongs can be made right. The Persian’s celebration of victory is suddenly marred by sorrow at King Sharaman’s (Dastan’s beloved foster father) murder.  It is only in the release of the Sands of Time can Dastan prevent his father’s death and so the fight for ownership of time begins.

Personally, I did not venture through the popcorn-scented world with particularly high expectations. I did, however enjoy settling down at the start of the film to the traditional Iranian music that transported me back to my fragrant dreams of the Persia I once nurtured.

Although the film was not necessarily completely factual in terms of its depiction of Persian culture, it would have perhaps enhanced the audience’s experience if the geography was clearer. It may well have been through my ignorance of the Prince’s story but in my mind a simple subtitle detailing the location or indeed who was fighting whom would have enhanced the viewing experience and perhaps reduced the confusion I had, particularly at the beginning.

The landscapes were a little unreal and the action similarly unbelievable, having said this though, if you enjoyed Braveheart with the romance, occasional comedy and fight for good against evil;  you will equally enjoy Prince of Persia.

The film catches glimpses of Persian tradition and the story of Persians throughout the ages: “Everything changes in time, we should know that best of all”. Persians have a history of facing change and maintaining their cultural identity, a strength that is now such a strong part of the Persian psyche. It was heart-warming and each small open window into the heart of Persia and its Persians, opened the door wider to my past and once again made Iran my rose-tinted home.

For anyone who has loved their father as much as I or Dastan has, Prince of Persia will no doubt strike a heart-breaking chord. I couldn’t help but wish I had the Sands of Time to see my father again. Hearing the Persian language will always bring pain, hearing the words of my father and knowing regardless of how much I learn the language, I will never bring him back. I have slowly realised that I have searched in the wrong place for my father, I will not find him in the language tones of his country or even the boundaries of his country’s mountains, I only need to look in the mirror to find him occasionally there, standing before me.

Seven Pounds: DVD Review

My fellow readers, I am going to stand tall and shout from the rooftops what a fabulous film this was.

I was gripped at the very first scene and particularly at a depth to Will Smith which I had never seen before, even in The Pursuit of Happyness. It is so refreshing and very unique to find an actor who is extremely talented in both genres of sci-fi/action and serious drama. Smith is absolutely remarkable in this film and has definitely earned more respect from me as an actor.

I do not want to give anything away except to say in watching the film, you will be taken on a journey of redemption in Ben Thomas’ (Will smith) quest to quench his guilt for a past wrong and in his search to find seven people in deserve of his life changing, selfless gifts. It is a film that turns an ultimately ugly act into something beautiful. You will definitely need a box of tissues with this film as I did, in fact I may go as far to say that if this film (and indeed Will Smith’s performance) does not touch you, you must be made of stone.

If you have not already seen this amazingly beautiful film – watch it NOW!

The Blind Side: Film Review

Researching a little on the Internet prior to writing my review, although it received wide popularity in the US, it seems The Blind Side did not win as much critical acclaim as originally thought. Then again, it is a typical American film, predictable with good overriding the bad. On the other hand, if that is the true story, there is little more John Hancock as the Director could offer.

The film is based on the true story: The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis about Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy who take homeless Michael “Big Mike” Oher under their wing. With the love from the Tuohy’s Michael receives top quality education and after showing an interest in playing American football, was encouraged to succeed in qualifying for an NCAA Division scholarship. Michael Oher went on to represent the Baltimore Ravens in the 2009 NFL draft.

The film represents the coming together of the rich and poverty-stricken and highlights how people from both spectrums of society can learn from one another. Although Sandra Bullock was believable as Leigh Anne Tuohy, I was not entirely convinced her performance was to Oscar standard. However, as she was representing truth, I am confident it was Bullock’s true to life performance that won her the much coveted accolade.

 Overall, the film was very enjoyable and emotional. The Blind Side is about more than American football. It’s about family and acceptance. It’s about the breaking down of social barriers and of course it’s the perseverance of everyone that helped Michael reach such athletic acclaim. The film naturally revolves around the question “what if?” What if Michael had not been walking along that highway? What if the Tuohy’s had not stopped their car and invited Michael into their lives? Before the film credits roll, Sandra Bullock’s voice rings true:

“I read a story the other day about a boy from the projects. No Daddy, in and out of foster care. He’d been killed in a
gang fight at Hurt Village. In the last paragraph they talked about his superb athletic skills and how different his life
might have been if he hadn’t fallen behind and dropped out of school. He was twenty-one years old. The day he died. 
It was his birthday. That could have been anyone.”

Watching The Blind Side, I was definitely inspired. Give it a chance and you will be too.