Articles + Quotes on Film & TV

As far as high quality, true to the book/source material film adaptations go, this one takes the stand as the best I've seen for a while now. Rereading sections of the book, I'm struck to see just how much is taken word for word, or moment for moment, from the page and transferred to the screen. It seems like for almost 90 odd percent, the screenwriters, Peter Craig, Danny Strong and Suzanne Collins (she's listed too), did a lot of cut, copy and paste. Not that I'm complaining, all of Ms Collin's books continue to draw us into the world she has created, complete with three dimensional characters that have been faithfully portrayed in the films by a truly brilliant cast. The director Francis Lawrence has given us some stunning direction of a collection of scenes that as varied as they are, don't lose their focus. James Newton Howard, almost the only one (aside from the principal cast) to stick around for all four films - has crafted a beautiful score to...

I think it only fair to warn first off (if you didn't already know) that this series has already been cancelled after its first season of thirteen episodes. Quite sad really. Of course there are those who say that they will bring the show back, especially after the main character made a cameo appearance of the most recent Arrow episode, but after hearing the same of Moonlight and others, I'll believe it when I see it. Very fitting really - a lot of weird stuff goes down in this show, anyone who remembers the Keanu Reeves movie back in 2005 will be well prepared for creepy and freaky demons coming out of the woodwork - sometimes literally - and some suspension of belief is called for, but not too much. John Constantine, here portrayed by Welsh actor Matt Ryan, is occult world weary and as the pilot opens, we see he has voluntarily retreated to a mental hospital for events past. Of course, there is no rest for the wicked and its not long before he's pulled back to do ...

In this world of big blockbuster franchises, small indies and the rest, it is a relief to find a great standalone film, that does what it says on the tin. In this case, "cold war thriller". Steven Spielberg is an old school director, who's mandate must be to put his quality stamp on every frame. It is clear that this film follows that same rule. Then there is the screenplay, written by the academy nominated and won Coen brothers and a relative newcomer Matt Charman - every word serves to draw you straight into the world in fear, America in 1957, to be exact. When a film, like this one, is based on a true story, there is always an extra layer of responsibility to not only accurately (as much as possible) portray what happened, but in such a way that can reach an audience and educate them. It is a true fact of life, those who do not know their history are doomed to repeat it. The Coen brothers and Mr Charman have excelled in this area. A good thriller pushes you to ...

Considering the roles that Tom Hardy has portrayed in the past and the high caliber of his work, when I heard he was going to portray the Kray brothers, real life London gangsters, I was thrilled. Then I heard that Brian Helgeland, he who wrote the screenplay for LA Confidential, Man on fire,  A Knight's Tale and also directed that last one as well, would be directing and wrote the screenplay for this latest venture. Its a dark tale, full of violence of one kind or another at multiple points. Its based on the book by John Pearson. Mr Helgeland does not shy away from these moments, but at that the same time, they do not dominate every moment, just overshadows them. It is a fine line, one that Mr Helgeland manages well and also drops in moments of humour, even when everything appears to be going to pot. And no doubt is about to. The good news continued with the rest of the cast and crew. Emily Browning, Christopher Eccleston - its been too long - Paul Anderson, Colin Morgan, Ta...

A lot of the superhero - and other genres - of tv series (as well as films) have been described as gritty, dark and realistic. That's the current trend of what is being made and remade and I've used those terms myself, I'll admit. What they (and I) really mean is that the black and white heroes/villains tropes and stereotypical plot lines have been chucked and replaced with many layered characters who are constantly breaking the usual boundaries of what is expected and stories that keep you guessing and surprising you at every turn. Daredevil is the next series in this ongoing trend (long may it continue) to hold your interest and time for more than one episode. And joy of joys, there are no voiceovers at the beginning, or the end of the episode. You know the ones, with the "this is the moral of the story" tone. Its refreshing and addictive, right now I am resisting the rising urge to watch another episode (have watched four so far) and my resolve is crumbl...

The similarities between this and Veronica Mars should not put you off watching this new creation from Rob Thomas. What saves this from having only one season before being cancelled, is what saves a lot of other great shows. Excellent, witty - banter. It occurs between all the characters, good and bad, and has a lot of pop culture references dropped in throughout that keeps you on your toes. Procedural storyline, only fair as the main character - Liv Moore (Rose McIver) works in the police morgue and so a great deal of the bodies are there as a result of foul play. Her presence there goes both ways, as a newly formed zombie/med student, she gets food - brains of the recently deceased and a job. Her boss Ravi (Rahul Kohli) soon figures out her secret and is her confidant in a way and also helps provide much of the comic relief. And after digesting said brains, she also gets that person's memories, which also helps her new partner - Clive (Malcolm Goodwin), a detective in t...

Quentin Tarantino's films, always seem to have a few scenes, where everything is tense and every moment hinges on whatever is said or done. Very much, edge of your seat viewing. For this film, Julius Avery's writing and directing feature debut, that same level of intensity and sharpness is maintained for the full hour and forty eight minutes. For those viewing who's hometown is the city of Perth, (where the film is set and filmed) it is even more of a strong film that draws you in and makes it so hard to come down from. JR, portrayed by Brenton Thwaites, is in jail for a minor offence. Mr Thwaites is a fine actor, I would go as so far to say, a Heath Ledger in waiting. While inside, he meets Ewan McGregor's and Matt Nable's characters, Brendan Lynch and Sterlo respectively. Both are great actors and in this they prove their depth and skill. Its Brendan who is the more charismatic out of the two, but as the film unfolds, the other parts of his deeply layere...