Dark Skies: Film Review

Dark Skies is nothing that hasn’t gone before. It’s yet another whispering, sci-fi horror with family drama and troubles as a base, and children as the suspected villains. Or is it the aliens?  
In terms of scare factor, it would probably leave a fair number of any audience on the edge of seats – maybe even project enough darkness to satisfy the thrill seekers. But the extremists, those who dress up as the clown in Saw that is, would most likely laugh it off.

The plot finds a dysfunctional family with money problems thrust into a world of mystery and seemingly supernatural happenings. All manner of social problems crisscross with those that are quite possibly fantastical – a teenage son, a mortgage, odd goings on in the middle of the night. All the perils of broken American suburbia, basically.

Yes, director Scott Stewart knows how to scare people. This time round he has toyed with more sci-fi elements, and these are done well, even if they more than likely allowed a simplistic and fool proof make.
But while this may not be the most horrific film out, or the most complex psychological thrill, it has its moments and certainly for me – someone who was petrified by The Others – it left me with a few beads of sweat that would usually not be there while sitting on a sofa with a glass of wine.

Dark Skies is by no means a courageous or daring nail-biter, but I imagine it does a job for any normal terror junky and is produced and crafted aptly enough.

Director: Scott Stewart
Produced by: Jason Blum; Couper Samuelson; Jeanette Brill
Keri Russell, Josh Hamilton, Kadan Rockett, Dakota Goyo, J.K. Simmons
Release: 2013
Running time: 97 minutes

- Joshua Barrie


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Papadopoulos and Sons: Film Review

Papadopolous and Sons has undoubted relevance in today’s economic whirlpool, following the downfall of a self-made millionaire.

After he is ruined, he is forced to reunite with his estranged brother to rejuvenate an old fish and chip shop they once had when they were younger, closer brothers.

Of course it is impossible not to note the Greek factor; and why not, you may ask, considering Greece is a nation suffering more than most.

What follows the financial demise is a journey to happiness: a meandering look at a once wealthy man’s quest to salvage some sort of life for his family; a sometimes melancholy and sometimes joyful take on family unity, overcoming downfalls and enjoying brotherly companionship.

Perhaps this is a firm argument for capitalism; perhaps it is the opposite entirely. There are stark political and economic elements here, portrayed with personal and clever touches from the director, Marcus Markou and some poignant performances – particularly from Stephan Dillane.

Indeed, beneath the money woes and pitfalls is a story with feeling and things arguably far more important than earning dosh.

At times though, Papadopoulos and Sons grows slightly too ‘happy go lucky’. Far too entwined with feelings – so much so, that it loses its original movement. There is nothing wrong with delving into meaning, but soppiness doesn’t suit everyone, all the time.

The bankrupt Harry Papadopoulos is a widower, with three kids to provide for. Later, the Turkish family who run a kebab shop nearby play a part, prompting more European identity and fast food. These are nice ideas, but together sometimes create only clichés.

The film is a nice watch, but it would have taken a touch more complexity to marry the potential with some easy-going Green fun; it executes the two individually, but fails on a higher level. There are no standout highs or lows.

Director: Marcus Markou
Produced by: Sara Butler
Stephen Dillane, Georges Corraface, Cesare Taurasi, Cosima Shaw, Georgia Groome, Ed Stoppard
Release date: 2013
Running time: 109 minutes

- Joshua Barrie




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Spring Breakers: Film Review

How James Franco ended up in Spring Breakers is perplexing, more so when the film itself is not as bad as the title suggests. And his appearance, while certainly taking it up a few notches, does not relieve it entirely alone. There are actually elements to it that impress – somewhat.

Underneath the blatant voyeurism and gangster ‘frat-style’ Americanism is a technically smooth film that has some interesting characters and decent camera work.

It has a lot more than you might expect, with Harmony Korine actually finding meaning and directorial flair in this kicking, darkly comic adventure. It’s more than likely his best work to date, which, while not saying a great deal at least propels him into the spotlight for good reason.

Spring Breakers sees a group of would-be party girls locked up for robbery – hoping to fund their spring break adventure with the takings. Mysteriously, ‘Alien’ (James Franco) bails them out; asking for some dirty work in return.

One of the girls who travels down to Florida with the group is a practising Christian. The others are hell bent on drugs, alcohol and beach fun. All of them become consumed by the criminal underworld, and end up much deeper than you might expect from the simple holiday they had planned.

Sure, the plot sounds utterly built on soft porn, more so when the girls are pretty much only ever dressed in bikinis and James Franco plays a crude, leachy gangster with the skill and ability you would expect from an accomplished actor.

However, beneath the running storyline are some neat twists and intriguing sequences. The dialogue isn’t close to as bad as many other all-American holiday would-be funny films, and what the story does have to offer, is put out with thought.

Spring Breakers is by no means a brilliant film. It remains a film of nudity, violence and American spring break. But that shouldn’t necessarily put you off. It offers more than you might imagine, and to a degree, is a piece of cinema elevated above the usual drinking game-made drivel.

Director: Harmony Korine
Produced by: Charles-Marie Anthonioz; Jordan Gertner; Chris Hanley; David Zander
James Franco, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Benson, Selena Gomez, Rachel Korine, Gucci Mane
Release date: April 2013
Running time: 93 minutes

- Joshua Barrie


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Trance: Film Review

Danny Boyle, it appears, can do no wrong when directing films or putting together an Olympic opening ceremony. His two most recent accolades, the colour and song of Slumdog Millionaire and the intensity and deliberation of 127 Hours were brilliant. So is Trance.

Completely different again, as you might expect from a now close-to-legendary auteur, Trance takes the form of a heist-come psychological thriller, with a generous dashing of British drama that is currently going from strength to strength.

As a fine-art critic and gambler (James McAvoy) becomes entangled in the theft of a Goya painting, worth £25 million from his own auction house, a blow on the head following the crime causes him amnesia. Subsequently, he cannot remember where he put the stolen painting, and thus a leading hypnotherapist is called in to try to unravel his distorted memory. That is, after the gang involved realise their usual methods are failing.

The film is dark, almost noir and peppered with shocks and mysteries that I doubt even MI5’s new chief of staff could unwind early on. Indeed, at times they seem rather too complex.

However, Danny Boyle, along with writers John Hodge and Joe Ahearne has created a masterful new film, with his usual originality, flair and ambition. James McAvoy, gang leader (Vincent Cassel) and the hypnotherapist, who in turn throws in the element of a love triangle, played by the wonderful (Rosario Dawson) lead a full and robust cast. And the plot, while somewhat confusing for our simple minds is teasing and exciting.

Danny Boyle fans will be overjoyed with this; film lovers will appreciate it. It is without doubt a notable addition to 2013.

Director: Danny Boyle
Produced by: Danny Boyle; Christian Colson
James McAvoy, Rosario Dawson, Vincent Cassel
Release date: 27 March 2013
Running time: 101 minutes

- Joshua Barrie


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Finding Nemo Sequel announced; Finding Dory

Disney and Pixar have announced the title, Finding Dory, and the fact that it’ll swim into US cinemas on November 25, 2015.

Ellen Degeneres who voices Dory said; “I have waited for this day for a long, long, long, long, long, long time.” “I’m not mad it took this long. I know the people at Pixar were busy creating Toy Story 16. But the time they took was worth it. The script is fantastic. And it has everything I loved about the first one: It’s got a lot of heart, it’s really funny, and the best part is — it’s got a lot more Dory.”


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