Gabrielle Aplin - Panic Cord

I'm that person who loves a song so much I play it continuously for two weeks. Then I get sick of it and hate it for about four months. It's my usual affair with great music.

This is my current favourite:

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Now You See Me (2013)

Running Time: 115 mins
Directed by: Louis Leterrier
Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, Woody Harrelson, Mélanie Laurent, Dave Franco, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman.
UK release date: 3rd July 2013.

Though it's not on the same 'wow' level as one of the summer blockbuster's that are being dealt out over the next few months (especially as it's four weeks since it's US release), Now You See Me is an attention-grabbing film to keep you, at least a little, interested throughout the development of tricks and illusions.

Review: Starting off from seeing each magician in their own environment finds us with Danny Atlas, the classic illusionist, Henley Reeves the woman in the water tank, Jack Wilder the lock picker and Merritt McKinney the hypnotist. These magicians are obviously talented, something a mysterious benefactor notices and leads them to form together. One year later, as the Four Horsemen, the group perform a huge magic act to a massive audience in Las Vegas, where they teleport a man from the audience to steal money from a bank...in Paris.

Because we see how they come together to form the Four Horsemen, it appears they're the ones to be rooting for; but when FBI Agent Dylan Rhodes (Ruffalo) is called to investigate their illegal magic tricks, are the magicians the good guys or bad? It's clever and it's this that works best for Now You See Me. Sure, Eisenberg's character is extremely arrogant, while there is a cause for sympathetic concern when Rhodes is 'beaten up' by one of their magic acts, but none of the characters are portrayed as being right or wrong. They're all equally important as main characters.

Now You See Me moves quickly, mirroring the intensity of trying so hard to be one step ahead of the story. The film's opening lines, 'the more you look, the less you see' clearly warn not to look too closely, but the mere mention to not try and work it out makes it all the more tempting. There are more parallels to the act of magic, not just the story trying to distract audiences from the truth. As if to mock big, fancy shows, the Now You See Me score is huge and extravagant, but it works. During the times when the magicians are performing, the music is over the top- like the act of a magic trick.

The popular cast are probably the element to reel in an audience for Now You See Me. It's a big array of well known acting talent from the previously mentioned Jesse Eisenberg and Mark Ruffalo to Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and the simply wonderful Mélanie Laurent, as well as the rest of the four horsemen, Isla Fisher, Woody Harrelson, and Dave Franco. Ruffalo really is the star of the show, always nailing every line he delivers with either the comedy value or the sincerity of a man desperate to uncover the truth. It's sometimes distracting seeing so many big names in one scene, but they all bounce off each other well. That is when the script isn't getting in the way.

There are many funny, laugh out loud moments in Now You See Me (one big moment which is so perfectly timed, it's the highlight) but at times the script is laughable when it's not meaning to be. The story is intriguing and it moves at an exhilarating pace, but lines in the dialogue try to stand out and subsequently fall as boring, unimaginative add-ons.

It's hard not to compare Now You See Me with Christoper Nolan's The Prestige, a film about two rival magicians. The only real link is in theme of magic, everything else is extremely different, however they both have an impacting ending. The delivery of the ending for Now You See Me feels flat and rushed; it could have been much more spine tingling if executed right with better timing and delivery of 'it', but nonetheless it's very, very good.

Now You See Me is innocent fun. If you look too closely you can see, or rather hear, the flaws, but at the end of the day it's entertaining and despite the ending being flat I bet you didn't see that coming!


3/5

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When Hugh Laurie made me cry

I'm emotional. That is something you learn about me quite quickly.

I've cried whilst reading a book, watching a TV show or film, even when listening to a song. It's not even sad stuff, quite often it's for happy things. However in this story, I cried because I was heartbroken. It's also the story about one of my earliest ever memories: my first cinema trip.

It was Christmas in a huge, dark room, and it was a family trip to the cinema to see 101 Dalmatians (the 'real' people one). My little 3 year old hands had melted chocolate on them as I ate my packet of malteasers, watching the story I knew so well but with actual Dalmatian puppies. Apparently, I was completely engrossed. I believe my love for cinema started early.

The 1996 101 Dalmatians is very much the same as the 1961, just live-action, so you'd think I wouldn't be surprised with what happens to the puppies. I was not ready for my heart to be broken so young.

The next thing from this memory I recall is stepping out of the dark room and into bright, burning lights as my Dad gave me a reassuring tap on my back, telling me everything was ok. My parents had no other option but to take me out of the screen, preventing a lot of angry parents complaining about the brat who wouldn't shut up (if only all parents thought this way). It's this part of the experience I remember so well; screaming and sobbing for these puppies who had been kidnapped by two mean, old men. I vividly  remember crying so much that my throat hurt. 

I don't know how long it took me to calm down, but I finished watching the film and I fell in love with this new way of watching films. It wasn't until my 4th or 5th re-watch of Stuart Little as a kid, that I realised Stuart's kind, loving father was the same man who made me cry.

Hugh Laurie.

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Being part of a film.

If, like me, you follow media organisations on Twitter and keep up to date with film news then you would have heard by now of Zach Braff's Kickstarter campaign to fund his next directorial 'Wish I Was Here'. With the success of the Veronica Mars gang Kickstarting over $5,702,153 of their $2,000,000 goal, Braff was inspired to finance his next film from generous donations. Braff too has achieved over his goal and he still has 14 days to go.

If you're interested, watch the video instead of me trying to explain it.

To simplify the point - Zach Braff wants money so he doesn't have to go the big guys who can control the way the film is made. He wants final cut.

As with everything, Braff's Kickstarter has been met with some controversy. People slamming the fact Braff has his own money from being the star of the hit show Scrubs, or how Kickstarter should be used to fund independent filmmakers who do not have opportunities like Braff.

I completely understand why people might feel angry or annoyed at Braff. Before Veronica Mars' achievement, Kickstarter was used for independent filmmakers. Also, unlike the people behind Veronica Mars, Braff has been offered finance for the film.

At the end of the day everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but the simple fact is - you do not have to fund Wish I Was Here if you do not want to.

I'm not massive a Scrubs fan, but I did love Garden State. I've always found Zach Braff interesting and have been fascinated that he is constantly engaging with his fans. He too is a film buff, so I know he's making this with a passion. With this in mind, I had a look into the campaign.

After having a few minutes to think, I donated $10 (£7). It's nothing really. Without my donation, Braff still has over his target, but that's not the point. The point is that I am part of this film. I am helping make Braff's dream into a reality. Braff has said on numerous occasions that he is making this film for fans. It's quite revolutionary to think that, as a fan, I am paying just a few pounds of my own money for a film to be made that I actually want to see.

Many people are saying that lots of other Kickstarter campaigns have 'better' rewards for donations, but slowly and surely Braff is adding more rewards such as new locations for screenings because his fans are asking for them. I'm very happy with my reward of recieving a PDF of the script once the film has been released as well as production diary videos and email updates. I've already received 18 emails from Braff on how the early stages of the film are going, and I'm looking forward to receiving video diaries once filming begins.

Braff has recently been interviewed by Kickstarter and he responded to negativity around it.

'It's a club. And it's a club of like-minded people who are interested in the same thing. If you hate Zach Braff, if you hate me and Garden State and think that it was horrible- this isn't the club for you. If you like Scrubs and Garden State and the things I've done, and like movies like I make, this might be a really fun, cool thing for you to be part of.'

I'm sure even this video will get a lot of comments from people who don't agree with this at all, but Braff is being honest and to the point.

I'm glad to be a part of this club, I'm looking forward to watching Wish I Was Here and knowing that my $10 did something for the film. It might be used to fund filming in LA, it might be used to fund costume, it might be used to help take the film to Sundance, it might even be used to pay Natalie Portman (eep).

From someone who is paying their own money, never mind how small, I'm happy to be a part of this. It's a film I want to see and I'm helping make it.

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A113 Animation

A while back, I discovered this cool website called a113animation.com which, as you may guess, is an animation site. It looks at animation, not just Disney and Pixar, but DreamWorks, Aardman, Blue Sky, Sony and much more. It's the very best for finding out the latest news, reviews, interviews and images.

The creator of the site, William, is a very passionate film and animation fan; the quality of the website shows real dedication and a love for the art. For weeks I have been going back to the site to find out latest news and read opinions from the authors. As a film and Disney fan myself, I think it's great.

I am proud to say I am A113 Animation's live-action Disney correspondent, basically meaning I get to post about Marvel, Star Wars and other live-action news. Brilliant, right?

With exams coming up, I might not be updating it religiously for a while, but I will be trying my best to bring the very best news to the site. Then, in the summer, I can officially make it my priority.

I'm very grateful A113 Animation chose me. I have already posted a few things already, so go and check it out!

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My TV adventures (aka my new obsessions)

source

If you have never cried at a TV character’s death and spent half-an-hour mourning the loss before watching the next episode, you’re not watching TV right (or you are one of the lucky ones whose TV shows don’t have tragic moments.)

Whereas I can watch pretty much any type of film, I used to be very fussy when it came to TV genres. After breaking out of my Disney shell (and even then I watched stuff I was a bit young for- Boy Meets World, Teen Angel, Smart Guy etc…), I went straight for funny stuff. IT Crowd, Spaced, The Office and Friends were pretty much all I watched or was interested in. If it made me laugh, I liked it but if it meant I had to think a lot or involved too much drama, then I would usually turn it off.

Then I turned 15 and everything TV changed. The Internet exposed me to the wonderful thing called series or seasons, a TV show with a development within the story, episodes that make up a longer narrative.

During the summer after my GCSEs, I did something I never ever do; I downloaded the entire Arrested Development seasons onto my computer and stayed up between 9-2am watching dozens (DOZENS) of episodes a night. I was hooked. I had never found something like this. I was eager to watch the next one so much that on a few occasions I would stay up til 5, spend the afternoon in bed and continue where I left off the next night. x x x

Since then I’ve got through Firefly, How I Met Your Mother, Sherlock, Girls, Modern Family, Community (I have yet to complete this- damn UK broadcasting) and the love of my life right now; Game of Thrones.

Now if you’re reading this and know me personally you know that Game of Thrones has practically taken over my life. It may seem sad but, to those who watch it, it’s normal behaviour. I have never got this much into a show that is still being broadcast. I have to wait for new episodes now, which feels like torture, yet it makes the reward greater. I have expectations and excitement to gain which can be shattered easily.

Being a fan of a TV is one thing while being an emotionally involved fan of a TV show is another. It could be seen as being in a ‘fandom’, but I don’t like that term it sounds far too obsessive. At this moment in my life, all I want to talk about Game of Thrones. Not because I’m obsessed with it and living in a world away from reality, but because I like to hear what other people’s opinions are on characters and storylines, or hearing whether or not people actually like the show.

Game of Thrones seems confusing, however if you watch it, it's surprisingly easy to understand. I’ve been trying to explain characters to my sister, but until she eventually decides to watch it she won’t understand. There are dozens(!) of characters, with multiple different stories going on nevertheless it’s easy to follow, easy to understand characters and very easy to become addicted.

 

 


One day I’ll blog in more detail about why I love Game of Thrones, but for now I didn’t want to spoil it for others instead just blog about my TV tastes. If you haven't seen it, give the first episode a try (UK- Sky Demand) and if you like it you'll want to watch the rest. I believe that soon everyone will watch Game of Thrones, and you don’t want to be the one left out. 

Anyway, I am hoping to find more TV to watch once my exams are over. What do you all recommend? Here is a list of my top favourite TV shows so you can get a jist of what I like:

• Arrested Development
• Firefly
• Game of Thrones
• How I Met Your Mother
• Modern Family
• Spaced

I hope to watch Freaks and Geeks, Veronica Mars and the new season of Arrested Development come the end of June. Any other recommendations to add to the list?

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8 reasons you should see Trance

Danny Boyle's 'Trance' is out in UK cinemas tomorrow (27th March). I saw it last night and have been collecting my thoughts on it through the day. Here are eight reasons I think you should see it.

1. I can guarantee, unless you’re super clever, you won’t guess how it’s going to end.

2. The film leads you down roads you weren’t expecting to take. Like, you think you’re going down this dark alley then into the countryside, but Mr Boyle actually takes you underground, through a river, up a mountain and then you only really get back onto level ground once the titles start rolling.

3. Just when you’re sure you’re following what’s going on in the film, something changes your confidence. Then the pace of cuts, music and atmosphere speeds up and your heart rate matches it. I like that about films.

4. It has the usual Danny Boyle dark humour with complex, fascinating storytelling. You know it's worth it. 

5. The opening sequence is perfectly intriguing and interesting; you’re thrown into the film straight away and already asking questions.

6. There have been a lot of stylish, gorgeous looking films out recently and Trance might just be the nicest one to look at.

7. It’s only 101 minutes. Compared to the majority of rubbish out today, Danny Boyle doesn’t need the duration of over two hours to tell a captivating story.

8. James McAvoy stares into your soul, has his top off in a few scenes and at one point, reveals his bum.

After thinking about it for hours, I decided I really enjoyed Trance. I haven't had my emotions toyed with this much by a film in a while.

4/5




Trance is out in UK cinemas 27th March.

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