The Social Network (2010)

At number four on my list of films to watch, is the social drama The Social Network, directed by David Fincher.

The inescapable phenomenon of Facebook has dominated mass culture for the last few years. Its impact on the world has been astounding, so a big Hollywood film about it seems inevitable. However, this movie is not about saying “look how cool and popular FB is, and how much we all use it”, but rather exploring the birth of the most famous website of all time, its creator, and the impact it had on everyone involved with its release into the world.

Jesse Eisenberg plays the brilliantly awkward Mark Zuckerberg, arguably the creator of Facebook, and one of the richest men on the planet. We find him at university, where he spends his time hacking into computers, playing IT-based pranks, and attempting adult relationships. He, and his best friend Eduardo (Andrew Garfield), soon begin work to create a website that would emulate the social experience of College life online (I don’t need to go into the ins and outs of FB, you all know about statuses, posts, and friends). Simultaneously, Eisenberg was asked to help a group of students to create a similar website, that dealt with online dating. As the notorious, and unprecedented, growth of Facebook began to change all of these peoples lives, a serious battle began for ownership and money.

Lawyers are brought in, and the film plays out in a series of memories whilst the characters are debating around a table. A murky chain of events soon emerges, and we learn how all these characters came to believe their version of what happened.

Justin Timberlake plays the effortlessly cool Sean Parker, the creator of the infamous music download site Napster, who enters the arena originally as a philosophical voice and guide, but soon tries to get his piece of the pie.

A great story, that is uncompromising in its telling. Rather than pandering to scenes of action and tension, Fincher has opted for a more intimate film with an extremely smart script. Several of the quotes are worth framing! Eisenberg is perfect for the role, which is very difficult to perform: a person who is essentially an un-likeable nerd but also the hero of the film. Timberlake does well to avoid a clichéd performance of rock star-cum-movie star, and adds a level of spark to the drama. My favourite performance, however, is Andrew Garfield, who is quickly becoming a rising star in the movie world. His display of acting abilities in this film is varied and deep, making his character a vivid and interesting one. The film uses some excellent music, and has provocative filming techniques to seem like you are intruding in on these characters lives.

A film you need to be in the mood for, it is two hours of drama. However, for those of you who attempt it, your will find a wonderful script, some excellent cinematography and worthy performances. It is a wonderful addition to the list, and my fondness for Fincher goes undisturbed.

The Green Lantern (2011)

Ryan Reynolds as the green hero, in the newest comic-book film to take the screen.

As DC and Marvel continue to dominate cinemas across the world, this newest film has follows a long line of comic flicks, and comes out somewhere in the middle.

The plot is a rather long-winded tale of a group of higher beings, Lanterns, who are guardians for all different species. Each race across the universe has one Green Lantern, who owns a special ring and lantern that give them the power to imagine special abilities, and use them to defend all living things from evil. When the darkness of fear presents itself in the form of Parallax, who is a fallen member of the council who overlook the politics of the universe, the Green Lanterns face their greatest threat.

Ryan Reynolds plays a cocky Air Force pilot Hal Jordan, who seems fearless in all his endeavours, except when it comes to things that matter. His reckless lifestyle seems mismatched with that of a Lantern, but the ring chooses him after its owner crashes on Earth and dies. Now, as Hal begins to learn how to utilize his new powers, he must battle both the evil he encounters and the disapproving Lanterns he is now a part of.

A worthy comic film, that has some amazing special effects and pace. The script can be a little tough on the ears in places, but Reynolds does well not to play his typical role of smart-ass hunk. The visuals are very pleasing on the eyes.

One to watch if you liked Iron Man, Thor and Hancock.

Paul (2011)

Sci-Fi adventure from the classic comedy duo Simon Pegg and Nick Frost.

As a huge fan of Hot Fuzz (2007) and Shaun of the Dead (2004) respectively, my expectations for this Alien-based comedy were quite high. Fortunately, the film boasts an hilarious script, quick action, and a tender heart to the story.

Pegg and Frost play two hopeless Science Fiction fans, Graeme and Clive, who are on their way across America to visit all the best geeky hotspots: like Area 51 and Comicon. During their trip, they have a chance encounter with an Alien…called Paul. He landed in the USA decades ago, and has spent his time on Earth providing useful information to the intelligence agencies, until he decided to escape. Paul is now on the run from ruthless FBI agents and has to rely on Graeme and Clive (and their RV) to survive.

A brilliant road-trip movie that brings together great action, touching characters, and laugh-out-loud moments. Paul, voiced by Seth Rogen, is undoubtedly the best thing about this movie. His potty-mouth, hippy lifestyle, and insufferable approach to religion makes him a very likeable character.

Even though I was really rooting for them, hoping the two Brits would avoid little-fish-big-pond syndrome, Pegg and Frost are not on top form with their performances, with some cringe-worthy moments of extremely wooden acting, and they let down some of the scenes. Very often they are outshone by their American counterparts, who seem to cope well with the film’s style and script. This being said, they are still the heart of the story, and provide some great moments of bro-mance and hilarity.

Requiem For A Dream (2000)

At number 14 on my list of films to see, is another by Darren Aronofsky, and one that takes a disturbing glance at the effects of drug addiction and obsession.

Set in the forgotten decay of Coney Island, the film follows four people who live amongst the down-and-suffering. Jared Leto plays Harry Goldfarb, a young drug addict in love. He and his girlfriend Marion (Jennifer Connelly) spend their days shooting up, living the highs, and planning their epic future. Harry’s best friend, and business partner, Tyrone (Marlon Wayans), is also a drug addict, but one with problems with the law, and mother issues. Including in this quartet of troubled individuals is Harry’s mother Sara, a woman obsessed with television.

The plot follows a similar structure to a high, as the effects of their addictions and obsessions seem harmless to begin with, even euphoric. Harry and Marion bask in their love and recreations, Tyrone enjoys the spoils of money and success, while Sara is ecstatic with the prospect of being on television. However, the four soon encounter huge amounts of stress and panic as their dreams become nightmares. Harry and Marion’s relationship becomes an intense battle for the next hit, Tyrone becomes mixed with the wrong crowd, and Sara struggles with her desire to look good on television. All pop way to many pills, and all become dark, disfigured versions of themselves.

It is a brilliant exploration into the crippling world of drug addiction, and also into obsession. Aronofsky definitely has a penchant for delving deep into the human psyche, and finding the elements which traumatize most individuals.

The filming techniques used are plentiful, with tons of duel scenes, sped-up shots, and quick cut scenes. Aronofsky seems to have wanted to place his mark heavily on this film, and it could be viewed as a negative.

It is a hard film to watch, not one for the faint of heart, but one that has a truly engaging plot, and displays the versatility of the film form. Daring and bold.

Black Swan (2010)

One of the most anticipated films of last year, it follows the beautifully tortuous world of one ballet dancer as she tries to maintain her balance in one of the most pressurized and gruelling industries in the world.

Director Darren Aronofsky is one of the most interesting directors currently on the scene. Having watched his stunning movie The Wrestler (2008) and fallen in love with everything about it, my expectations were extremely high for this follow up.

Natalie Portman plays the talented ballet dancer Nina Sayers, who is on the verge of becoming the newest star in her company’s production of Swan Lake. However, Nina experiences extreme amounts of criticism and pressure from all angles. First of all, her mother who seems to hold an undisguised grudge against her daughter, after she had to give up her career as a dancer to raise Nina. Secondly, the company director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel) who constantly harangues Nina for not portraying the black swan perfectly, and who also pushes Nina both professionally and personally. And thirdly, the rest of the company: girls who eagerly compete for the leading role, and who will do anything for success.

However, as the story progresses it becomes clear that not all is what it seems. Nina’s life becomes a confusing regiment of ballet drills, disturbing dreams, and a fellow dancer called Lily (Mila Kunis) who seems determined to scheme against her. The paranoia and hallucinations become more extreme with every development, as the finale approaches.

An expertly made film, one that is uncompromising in its vision and bold in its direction. Aronofsky is unrelenting with his moments of toe-curling horror which contrast well with the film’s cultured context. Portman is astounding in her role, a performance well deserved of its accolades. And both Cassel and Kunis provide excellent support throughout, tackling some extremely difficult scenes with artistic merit.

Not a film for anyone expecting a cheery film about ballet dancing, this is a film delving deep into a troubled mind and a world of anguish. However, if you appreciate filmmaking, directorial brilliance, and amazing performances it is definitely worth a watch.

No 2 on the “List” - COMPLETED

Flight Plan (2005)

Panic Room meets Snakes on a Plane as Jodie Foster has her child stolen whilst aboard a flight from Germany to the U.S.

From the trailers this film intrigued viewers, it has a tense plot, an interesting premise, and a decent cast, but there was a worrying doubt that it would look more like the latter of the films aforementioned. Luckily, this is not the case, Flight Plan is a fast-paced thrilling movie that is full of action and suspense.

The story is of mother bringing the body of her husband back from Berlin for burial. With her is her traumatized daughter who is terrified of everything, especially flying. Once in the air, the mother goes to the bathroom and returns to find her daughter missing. Her pleas to flight staff fall on deaf ears when it is revealed that her daughter is not on the flight’s manifest. And when pilot Sean Bean does some research and discovers that her daughter apparently died with her father, the situation…excuse me…takes off!

A great film that entertains from beginning to end. It does not let off at any point, and Foster is brilliant in her role (albeit very similar to the role she played in Panic Room). The plot is somewhat unbelievable, but they piece it together well.

An enjoyable “journey” for anyone afraid of planes, abduction, bio-terrorism, or ghosts.

Cujo (1983)

At number 28 on my list of films to watch, comes a film based on the Stephen King novel about a rabid dog who terrorizes a small town.

When Cujo, a dog from a nearby farm, contracts rabies from a bat bite, he slowly transforms from a friendly St Bernard, into a demon dog from hell. He kills anyone around him by mauling them to death, and attacks anyone in the nearby vicinity. When an unsuspecting mother and son arrive trying to get their car fixed by the mechanic (who has recently been killed by Cujo), the two end up trapped in their broken down car trying to fend of the ferocious canine.

It is a thriller/horror with a simple story, one which I’m sure would have been really scare in book form, or even watching the film twenty years ago, but now it seems awfully tame. Also, the filming is extremely dated, and does not stand up with modern horror films.

The most impressive part of the film is the dog. Everything is real, there is not CGI, so all the stunts involving the dog were actually performed, giving the film some considerable ammunition. The back story of the family is not really developed in the movie, and the issues about the dad’s business trouble, and the mother’s affair seem relatively undeveloped.

A simple storyline that has failed to impress. With none of the, excuse me for this, “bite” I was expecting, a rather lacklustre start to the 50 Films List.

50 Films I Must Wactch 2011

Dear avid readers,

It is that time of year again where I make a list of 50 films I must watch. This list was born when I was fed up of being in those conversations where people talk about films that I have not seen. So I made a list of a load of films that always seemed to come up, that I had not got round to seeing.

This new list has the same purpose, and has materialized from people's suggestions, my own choices, and those from other top 50 or 100 lists. Over the coming months I will endeavour to watch, and of course review, these films in the hope to expand our collective knowledge of them. ENJOY:

1. Paranormal Activity
2. Black Swan
3. Dances With Wolves
4. The Social Network
5. The English Patient
6. The Passion of the Christ
7. Once Upon a Time In America
8. Aliens
9. Bullitt
10. This Is England
11. The Town
12. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
13. The Hills Have Eyes
14. Requiem For a Dream
15. The Wicker Man
16. Raging Bull
17. The Crying Game
18. The Bridge on the River Kwai
19. Sophie’s Choice
20. Waterwold
21. City Of God
22. Solaris
23. Lord Of War
24. Rosemary’s Baby
25. Rear Window
26. Dawn of the Dead
27. North By Northwest
28. Cujo
29. Metropolis
30. Hostel
31. Mr Smith Goes To Washington
32. Kramer Vs Kramer
33. Rebecca
34. The Killing Fields
35. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
36. The Breakfast Club
37. Trainspotting
38. The Karate Kid
39. Gone With The Wind
40. Chasing Amy
41. The Grapes of Wrath
42. Halloween
43. The Graduate
44. The Evil Dead
45. The Exorcist
46. A Nightmare On Elm Street
47. Ed Wood
48. Ben-Hur
49. Midnight Cowboy
50. The Searchers

The Watchmen (2009)

A cinematic treat based on one of the darkest, and most influential comics of all time.

From director Zack Snyder comes a film that takes the comic-book film genre, and turns the lights off it. The characters are darkly flawed, the city makes Gotham look like Eden, and the story is a complex labyrinth of deceit and corruption.

A group of crime-fighting costume lovers find themselves being hunted by an evil killer, and they must find their pursuer before nuclear war between the USA and the USSR comes to fruition. The film takes place in "modern" America, but one that's whole history has been rewritten. The Watchmen have been their for decades, and changed important events, so now the fate of the world lies in their ability to prevent nuclear war.

The infamous Dr Manhattan, a glowing alien genius is the nuclear deterrent for the Americans, Rorschach is a masked cynic in the Watchmen, Adrian is a business giant, and there are others in the team who are curiously skilled, with extraordinary character profiles. A truly remarkable team of heroes.

The film is an amazing feat of filming prowess that uses modern techniques with vintage effects. The soundtrack is expertly chosen, using some amazing songs from the USA. A vibrancy seems to flow throughout this film, and the colours are part of this impressive collage, which demands a good television set.

Negatives are: it is quite long and a bit complicated, but for the most part it is just an epic film with amazing fight sequences, gripping story telling, and a script worthy of such a treasured graphic novel.

The Hills Have Eyes II (2007)

A sequel, to a remake, of a classic horror film - it was always doomed to fail.

Having watched the first remake quite recently, and enjoying it, it seemed appropriate to watch the follow up film: The Hills Have Eyes II.

It is an unworthy successor to The Hills story and characters, full of unlikeable victims, irrational plot developments, and a script which is downright laughable. The story this time is of a troop of rookie soldiers who go to the infamous sector 16 (the Hills) in order to deliver some equipment to scientists doing work there. Once they arrive, however, there is not a soul in site, apart from a voice over the crackly radio and a light signal in the distance. The troop then split up and go on a search and rescue mission, unaware that it is them who will need rescuing.

Throughout this film, the main characters are annoying. Most viewers will cheer for the disfigured killer beasts of the hills whenever they manage to catch one of these teenage pin-ups and rip their head off. The opening scene, of a woman giving birth to one of these creatures, is particularly gross and scary, but that was as bad as it gets. From then on it was a predictable formula of stupid people doing stupid things, and getting killed as a consequence.

The film lacked the emotional pull that the first remake had with the family. You simply do not care enough about these characters.

Don't waste your time, get a real horror film on the go.