Re-Fakes!

Re-makes are a controversial subject; just like sequels. Do re-makes offer an audience a chance for a modern day take on what used to be OR are they a quick buck, for lack of imagination? Take 'Fame' brilliant that first time round, now its re-make quite simply flopped. I do not like the fact that after 20 years, production companies feel the need to re-make a classic into a sham! Why? We all know and love the classics, so why try and ruin the franchise by creating a disaster, we all know it was never going to be as good as the original so why bother? Recently there is speculation that 'Top Gunn' will be re-made... WHY? Nobody will be better suited to the role of Maverick than Tom Cruise so why try and ruin an icon? Money perhaps? However there are some re-makes which have worked wonderfully well and have become box off sensations - Batman by Christopher Nolan is fantastic, because it provides a darker side to Bruce Wayne. It does not sing from the same hymn sheet as the originals. There is more depth to the characters and the story lines differ. Now with the third one under way with the name 'The Dark Knight Rises' (don't get me started on the title - what a mess) and no Riddler - so I feel this works as a re-make of a classic franchise!

I believe that it is the same principle with sequels, they are never as good as the first (or very rarely) yet people still love to make them and believe there is a market for them. We do know and love the characters and want to see them again but sometimes are we running out of road but still running? Take 'Toy Story' such a brilliant masterpiece, and then its gone and ruined by 'Toy Story 2' however it did re-deem itself with 'Toy Story 3' however after so many years why did we need a 'Toy Story 3?' The Sex and the City franchise was ruined by the second film and now we have 'Wall Street 2' in our cinemas. Why after thirty years of hearing nothing from Gordon Gekko would we know want to know about his life? I'm afraid it boils down to money, but will we get to a stage where companies are just making an endless list of re-makes and sequels, where nothing new will be broadcast. James Cameron has already agreed to make 2 more 'Avatar' films due for release in 2014 and 2015... Will they be as mind-blowing as the first? I highly doubt it - why? Because the first was so fresh and so unique that, that is what gave it the edge. But now every film is in 3D- so haven't we had enough of it? Christopher Nolan was against filming the third Batman in 3D - I think it would have just ruined it. Back in 2000 when Gladiator was released, Ridley Scott refused to make a pre-quel or even a sequel he felt the story ended there. Where are more people like this? Why do we keep going round in circles with the same characters? Now we are hearing that the Bourne franchise is back! But wait for it, Jason Bourne actually is not in it! Its a new character but under the same title - so why do we need to create a new assassin but keep the title? Is society so narrow minded that for us to want to see a film we need to associate the title with something we recognise? It is getting ridiculous and even though Cameron, I thought had revolutionised cinema, it seems from the release of 3D it has only got worse!

From a Woman Who Couldn't Be Owned, To the Spirit of a Man Who Couldn't Be Tamed - Out of Africa

'I had a farm in Africa at the foot of the Ngong Hills. If I know a song of Africa, of the giraffe and the African new moon lying on her back, of the plows in the fields and the sweaty faces of the coffee pickers, does Africa know a song of me? Will the air over the plain quiver with a color that I have had on, or the children invent a game in which my name is, or the full moon throw a shadow over the gravel of the drive that was like me, or will the eagles of the Ngong Hills look out for me?' Karen Blixen - Out of Africa.

Baroness Karen Blixen (Meryl Streep)  is a woman who changed history. Starting out as a woman with a coffee farm and a wayward husband she built a community; she offered a home for those who needed shelter, she offered her love for those who needed a mother and she gave her heart to a man who was lost without it. Karen created a school for the children working on her farm, she never stopped giving to the people she loved, even her gold-digging husband she still offered financial support too. Although she was a woman who gave everything to everyone and asked for little in return, she did ask for a mans love which she found in hunter Denys (Robert Redford.)



Blixen was a Danish plantation owner and with her husband of convenience moved to Kenya to begin a coffee farm. However as life moved on she fell in love with lonely hunter Denys who could never commit to being with her all the time. Instead preferred to come and go as he pleased. He liked to be free and always gave her the choice of freedom rather than commitment. Although the film does mention in but Karen actually miscarried Denys' child, something which could have been an extremely raw time for her seeing as she had contracted a VD from her husband preventing her from having children - a desire of hers which was never fulfilled. So she began a school for the natives working on her farm, she taught and played and loved - a woman of many talents, a strong and passionate woman who deserved so much to live a happy life. However by the end of the film she leaves Africa, bankrupt and alone, never returning to the place where she had spent her happiest memories.

Meryl Streep has always been my favourite actress and her intensity as Karen Blixen is beautifully portrayed, she was the only woman to this day to ever been invited into the men's drinking lounge - a sure sign of her courage and prosperity. A district in Nairobi has been named after her and rightfully so; she was a woman who deserved so much more than what she received, however she believes she lived to the fullest of her capability and that is what makes this film so sad. The chemistry between Streep and Redford is addictive and not only an enchanting love story but also an adventure, through the Safari and the many encounters with lions, Streep and Redford maintain that sense of true love we all wish for.
Sydney Pollock (director) has done wonders with this picture, magically shot and presented it is a film to watch with a strong heart and an open mind. Some parts are extremely upsetting however that would not put me off from watching it again and again.

 

'I had a farm in Africa.'

Mini - Me

Films with the same name as the originals usually go down like a lead balloon. However 'The Italian Job' is different. With Mark Whalberg and Charlize Theron along with Donald Sutherland this action packed film is awesome!
I love the red, white and blue mini coopers racing through the streets of Hollywood along with the boat chase through Venice. When watching the special features of the stunts, Jason Stratham (The Transporter) says that he had only two lessons before driving that boat and my did he do a good job. All actors also went on a driving course before filming so the stunts would look more real. It is a brilliant fast adventure film perfect for men and women.
The story follows Donald Sutherland on his last ever heist, taking gold bricks from the Italians - however one of the men on the team gets a little too greedy and kills Sutherland out of greed and selfishness. So Charlie (Whalberg) takes it upon himself to lead the team to the ultimate source of revenge with the help of Sutherlands daughter, Theron.
I loved the film... it is action packed and Stratham is as always a moody ladies man who I'm sure uses the same line in every film... 'I know a man for the job.'

Definitely one to watch on a Friday night!!

Hit and Miss

The Three Muskiteers.

What better way to celebrate the end of a week than to rent a movie! So with an all-star cast and pure British comedy at its best I rented 'Wild Target!'
Starring Emily Blunt, Bill Nighy, Eileen Atkins, Martin Freeman and Ron.. Sorry I mean Rupert Grint.
Blunt, is an art dealer, selling off fakes for extremely high prices and has got away with it until Rupert Everitt catches her out. Furious that he has spent almost a million pounds on a fake he hires the best assassin in London; Nighy. However Nighy has a heart and feels killing the most beautiful woman he has ever seen would be wrong (why has he thought this now after so many years!?) However as the two of them make their escape Grint is the accidental companion and joins them along their escape. It is very funny however there are some peculiar parts with Atkins questioning her sons (Nighy) sexuality. A rather weird scene when Nighy massages Blunts feet and Grint ends up being a pothead. However quite a funny film and I thoroughly enjoyed Blunts nature, stealing everything from mink coats to mini coopers and a glass of orange juice. Her wardrobe, it has to be said, is phenomenal. She wears gorgeous mini dresses to sequin leggins and floral tops as well as beautiful postbox red coats and she even looks great in wellies! She gave a brillinat scatty performance and I think she is definately one British star to watch out for!!

Well Worth A Watch!

Greed or Ability?

When you begin your career one would presume that one would stay on the same career path through out their entire life. Alas that is no longer the case! Clearly seen through Gucci chief-designer turned self-titled fashion label turned director of Oscar winning drama Tom Ford has found out! But he is just one example. Today's news read 'Branson to produce Columbus.'
Is this greed or enthusiasm? Is it energy to create a mark on society or a self-obsessed mindset to control as many areas of employment as possible? I am un-sure... maybe one who started off as fashion designer always had a passion for directing. I can see the link - art v. film. However Branson and film? Is this a good mix? Next will we be hearing the sweet sounds of Gates and Paramount Pictures as a team? Possibly Trump and Warner Bros? Or maybe the political arena and BBC One is not enough for Lord Sugar, maybe he would like to expand to attending the Golden Globes thanks to his new sci-fi thriller? Is it becoming ridiculous? The merging of polar opposite institutions, before we know it, will this planet become a dystopia where everything is so different that eventually nothing will be? Are we becoming controlled by greed and the 'want' of everything possible? Is the paper in our wallet controlling us or is it the need for you to be seen on the pages of 'Heat' which pushes us further into achieving the impossible. Does there ever come a time when enough is enough and sometimes you just want to yell 'STOP!'

London Film Festival

IT'S HERE!

London's Film Festival has arrived and kicking off the proceedings is Keira Knightly's new thriller 'Never Let Me Go.' Sort of 'Brave New World' meets 'St. Trinians' with a splash of 'The Edge of Love' thrown in there. Take a look for yourselves but the trailer does not do it justice for I am sure with the Oscar-buzz beginning, we'll be hearing this film title and Leading Actress in the same sentence very soon!

So I felt a little inspiration ( a light bulb moment perhaps! ) When I saw that the most annoying cinema habits in the news today! So linking quite nicely with the start of London's Film Festival here they are; the most irritating cinema habits:

1. Latecomers: So you have got yourself organised as you prepare to see the new Twilight - which you know will be packed out so you've got there 30 minutes early to guard your seat. A good 15 minutes into the film 2 either teenage girls (who have lost the capability of telling the time) or a rather elderly couple who feel the need to spice up their life with a 'date night.' They have clearly made a wrong decision with Twilight and as they ask you in an over-exaggerated whisper 'Can I sit there?' You have to, with popcorn on your lap, almost crouch up so you don't lose contact between your bottom and your seat as you do not have enough hands to pull the seat back down again. So the two newbies are sitting beside you, taking off coats and making sure mobiles are off! When you hear the dreaded question, 'What's this about...?' Sigh.
2. Seat Kickers: These are generally young children with flashing light shoes or very immature adults. What gets me more than most, is seat kickers. What is the point? Would you like it if someone was kicking the back of your seat the whole way through a movie? It isn't fun so don't do it! Seat Kickers generally are sitting with Smelly Feeters. These people make themselves right at home and take off their sweaty Uggs and socks and let their rotten toenails graze in between the seats (most probably ending up on your arm rest!)
3. Mobie Phoners Finally Mobile Phoners are those who fail to recognise the Orange 'Dont Spoil the Movie' clip at the beginning of the film. Half way through their phone rings, rather embarrassingly a pop song from about 2 years ago or maybe its Tragedy from Steps? Anyway they then spend the next 40 seconds rustling around in their bag trying to find the mobile, by which time they would have missed the call and the song would have played out in full glory!

I would be very interested to know if there are any other types of people which I have missed off or whether you are one of these irritating cinema spoilers! ;)

One Morning...

So I have reading 'One Moment, One Morning.' Now I am one who, and I am ashamed to say this, judges a book by its cover. So when I picked up with book (it completed my WHSmith 3for£10 offer) I fell in love with the photograph on the front. If you have no idea what I'm rattling on about then please observe the bookshelf on the left. You will see a beautiful picture of a rainy day and tea cups. I love it! It is very English.

Set in Brighton, the story follows three passengers on their way from Brighton to London. However one man's death on board the train causes his wife, her best friend and a witness to be thrown together. Now you would think, or I certainly did, that this would be an intoxicating thriller, the way the book is described on the back and all. However it has failed to blow me away! I am still waiting for the climax which I hope was not the beginnings death. A very good plot however the writing is not one of literary worth! I shall stick with it for now but if ever you see it in a bookshop, don't pick it up unless your looking for a holiday read!