Black Swan (2011)

Running Time: 108 Minutes
Directed By: Darren Aronofsky

Starring: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder

Screenplay: Mark Heyman, Andres Heinz, John J. McLaughlin

UK Release Date: 21st January 2011

Quick Plot: Nina Sayers lives the perfect life for a ballerina, according to her over protective ex- ballerina Mother. Taking over Beth for the role of the Swan Queen, Nina has to show her director, Thomas, that she can dance the White Swan- innocent, fragile and everything she knows to be. But the title also requires to dance the Black Swan- dark, rebellious and sinister. When replacement member to the ballet company, Lily arrives, Nina's thirst for being the perfect Swan Queen starts to turn very psychological

Review: 

I'm still not fully sure what I think of the film. At the end of the film I turned to my cousin and said the words, 'What the f- just happened?' and not in the good way like I did with Inception.

Yet I didn't rate this film the 3 Stars I was going to instead raised it to 4 because it's beautiful, stunning and Natalie Portman has won me over in possibly one of her greatest roles I have ever seen her play. I've never seen a film like Black Swan, so I think it's left more of a mark on me than it will on most people because I'm not use to getting this mucked up and scarred. It's not getting the whole 5 out of 5 because I think the story messes up often and I don't mean it messes up the audience. I think there are some gaps that needed have been filled with something more and it's definitely without a doubt not for everyone.

Natalie Portman was fantastic nonetheless with no faults at all- but I am slightly biased as Miss Portman has been one of my role models since the minor age of 4 from when I watched Star Wars I: Phantom Menace at the cinema. Mila Kunis was marvelous and perfect and has a big future ahead of her now after this role

This is the first film I've seen from Darren Aronofsky and can see that he's a dedicated Director with beautiful ideas. Once he finished Film School, he knew he wanted to make two specific films: One about Wrestling (The Wrestler 2008) and Ballet. The ballet and choreographer in this film is beyond gorgeous and I think Natalie Portman did a great job with her ballet skills. Losing 20 pounds and training every day for more than 3 months, it's clear that the role meant a lot to Natalie. The story meant a lot too, after work on it for 10 years. After watching her acceptance speech more than about 4 times now, I must agree that Natalie's Golden Globe is thoroughly deserved. I have to agree with Claudia Winkleman on Film 2011 on Wednesday night when she said that the camera angles really get you 'behind Nina so that you feel uncomfortable and claustriphobic', because you really do see everything for Nina and you yourself start to loose your mind. I don't want to give anything away in this review because I hate spoilers so I'm not going to go into detail of the plot, but there are difference scenes with mirrors, trains and many other scenes which are perfect and so different to the normal side of films you often see. Ok I'm blabbering now and this review is hardly good because it's so hard to explain. I guess you have to see it to know what I mean..

All this has made me realise it's not a bad film per say. But I think I got far too much excited than I should have and then maybe I would have enjoyed it more.

I recommend Black Swan to anyone who likes Ballet- be aware Ballet is merely the little story that keeps the plot together. Anyone who likes to be left wondering what they've just seen and having their mind played with would enjoy this a lot. But it's probably not for the faint hearted and anyone who doesn't like awkward scenes when watching a film with family a friends (you know the scenes I mean)

Black Swan official trailer 1 HD

And in case anyone hasn't seen and would like to watch Natatlie Portman's acceptance speech for her Golden Globe last Sunday here it is:
Notice her kiss with boyfriend is the dancer for the Prince in the Black Swan. Notice her gorgeous dress and adorable baby bump. And notice her dorky laugh ♥

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The Kings Speech (2011)

Running Time: 118 Minutes

Directed By: Tom Hooper

Starring: Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, Geoffrey Rush, Guy Pearce

Screenplay: David Seidler

UK Release Date: 7th January 2011 

 

Quick Plot: It's 1925 and Prince Albert is speaking at Wembely Stadium in front of a great audience but with one problem, his lack of confidence with his stutter. With the sad passing of the King, a reluctant older brother and many countries to rule, Prince Albert seeks help with his speech from Australian Therapist, Lionel Logue. 

Review: Well my quick plot was terrible, it's hard to put the plot line into words. The King's Speech has many earned award nominations including Best Picture at tomorrows Golden Globe Awards. I already had many high expectations of this film which I was correct about, all the performances in The King's Speech are spectacular but most of all Colin Firth's portray of Prince Albert is fantastic. 

Queen Liz and King George

One of the first things I said to my friend after the film had finished is that it's a good 'bromance' film. Prince Albert befriends Lionel Logue and while at first the relationship has it's ups and downs, you find yourself totally taken by the relationship between them. To which Geoffrey Rush was tremendous too. I'm slightly biased in the sense that I admire Helena Bonham Carter a lot, but I did think she did a great job of portraying the Queen Mum in this and in some emotional scenes her performance teamed with Firths was remarkable. 

Bertie and Albert

The funny thing I have to mention is that my friend and I were the only people in the screen under the age of about 20. Everyone else was older, but that made the experience of watching this film much better because everyone laughed at the jokes in the film which I think not many people aged 16 would today. I thought the film was so very well written, more emotional than I thought and just excellent. I only gave it 4 stars in MY review because I don't think it's for everyone. There's many people that if they saw this film they would think it was a waste of time which is certainly is not. I'm not going to say I hope it wins Best Picture tomorrow because I would be lying because I want The Social Network to win, but if it does win, it's fully deserved and I'll be happy for Tom Hooper and Colin Firth.

Right that's the end of this really, quite pointless review.

 The King's - Official Speech Trailer HD

I hope to do more soon and hopefully I see a bad film soon, cause this string of really good films makes me look like I just think every film is good.

If not I'm going to have to review Skyline or even Racing Stripes.

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127 Hours (2011)

Running Time: 94 Minutes

Directed By: Danny Boyle

Starring: James Franco, Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara, Clémence Poésy

Screenplay: Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy (Based on the true story "Between A Rock And A Hard Place"- Aron Ralston

UK Release Date: 7th January 2011

James Franco on set of 127 Hours

Quick Plot: Aron Ralston finds his arm stuck between a rock and the Utah Canyonlands National Park after taking an adventure without telling anyone where he's going. With his arm crushed by a boulder, stuck down a 65 ft wall, little water supply and no food, Aron realises he will have to face death- unless he figures something out quick.

Review:

Well, this is slightly embarrassing. My first ever review and I've given it 5 stars! It looks like I'm one of them people who thinks every film is good and always rates them high (which I use to be until I watched more and more films growing up!).

  This is the first film I've seen at the cinema in 2011 and it is one I have waited for, for many months now so I already had many high expectations with this film especially because of Danny Boyle and James Franco. I got too excited but was positive the film would be good with great reviews circlating.

One of my favourite scenes of the film

  Empire and Total Film both gave 127 Hours 4 Stars which is brilliant because being big film reviewers, they have to be honest which they are. But the only reason  127 Hours got 5 Stars from me is because of the fantastic Soundtrack and Editing. The opening scenes are so fast and quick cut, the scenes were all bright and fast montages that went exactly with the soundtrack behind it was brilliant. It gets you right into the story and you learnt a lot about Aron Ralston I thought in the opening scenes. The story takes you into the plot straight away and before you know it, you're holding your hand over your mouth because a massive boulder has landed on James Franco's right arm.

There's been tons of reports of people having to be taken out of the screen or even fainted while watching because of the 'scene' that I don't think I'll go into detail of. Though it's well known what happens, I don't want to ruin it for anyone when I say, there was a part of me that was covering my eyes at only one point, but I think I was actually meant to cover my ears instead. I was quite happy that I wasn't at all put off by the horror of Aron's decision and if anything, thought the sound and editing on that scene was particularly fascinating. 

Director Danny Boyle on the set of 127 Hours

Obviously with the success of Slumdog Millionaire everyone knew Danny Boyle's next film was going to be a masterpiece which is no doubt is. But let's not give Mr Boyle all the credit here, James Franco connected so well to the character of Aron Ralston, maybe because Franco and the real Aron Ralston created a bond over filming, but nonetheless, Franco's performance is definitely Oscar Worthy and seeing as I've only seen two of the films in the Best Actor category, James has got it for me with his dedication to the role.(Sorry Jesse Eisenberg.) The parts of the film in particular I found the best by Franco were the scenes of him starting to loose 'it', realising the state he's in and looking back on his life. Not many people have been in that situation I don't think, so for James Franco to make you actually feel for him, feel that he's genuinely on the brink of death to me was one of the best parts of the film. Another point I should make before I forget are the beautiful scenes of the landscape. On more than one account there are lots of long shots of the Utah Canyonlands National Park and the view is simply stunning.

Right that's enough of my rambling, this is ever so boring and rubbish, but if you've read it- thanks very much!

I'll leave the first trailer below but a link to the second trailer because I don't want to give too much away.

127 Hours - Official Trailer HD

 

127 Hours - Trailer 2 HD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5oTlfCGWKE

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