ArdourFilm Reviews

Up Among the Stars (2018)

A creative and poignant Spanish drama

[8/10 · 11 August 2022]

Fantasy and reality blend in this creative and poignant look at fatherhood, grief, and filmmaking.

Up Among the Stars is a great love letter to early cinema. With old-school, practical effects reminiscent of Georges Méliès and imagery that evokes a childlike sense of wonder, there's a delightfully quaint spirit to this movie-within-a-movie.

But it's true heart lies with Victor, a struggling father constantly chasing his past, and his young son, Ingmar, who bond through film and the art of escapism - both trying to protect the other from hard truths.

Strong writing and performances make these characters and their story feel likeable, genuine, and warm. It's engaging, well-paced, and while sad themes are explored, it ultimately left me feeling hopeful.

With less than five-hundred ratings, this touching Spanish drama is a great addition to the world of magical realism, and undoubtedly deserves much more attention.

Requiem for a Dream (2000)

Underwhelming shock value overdosed on arty chaos

[4/10 · 11 August 2022]

Felt like I'd stumbled across an experimental student film on the dark web.

What could've been a thoughtful, haunting look into the many facets of drug addiction turned out to be shock value overdosed on arty chaos.

While I understand and applaud Aronofsky's boldness and creativity, he relied too heavily on this avant-garde style, namely in the technical aspects, which lacked finesse and became memorable for all the wrong reasons.

The mother's storyline, played well by Ellen Burstyn, stood out against the blandness that was every other character, offering the most weighty and engaging moments of the film.

I would've much rathered her be the entire focus.

But, alas, Requiem for a Dream didn't give me much of what I wanted or what it had been hyped up to be, so at least it was consistent ... consistently underwhelming.

Earwig and the Witch (2020 TV Movie)

Messy and Lifeless

[4/10 · 13 January 2022]

As cold and lifeless as the characters look.

With a messy structure and completely underdeveloped, dry, exposition-heavy script that offers no depth or insight into a potentially interesting story, Earwig and the Witch is a huge step down in quality by Studio Ghibli standards.

The colours are nice and character designs appealing, as are one or two songs, but this film went absolutely nowhere. And fast.

The Green Knight (2021)

An absolute feast for the eyes that leaves much to chew on.

[8/10 · 9 September 2021]

Surreal and haunting, The Green Knight is an absolute feast for the eyes that leaves much to chew on.

This was my first experience with writer/director David Lowery, and his storytelling and vision for this unorthodox coming-of-age Arthurian tale is expertly crafted and undeniably impressive.

A lot of references to the original poem were lost on me as I've not read it, but this confusion only made way for greater intrigue and left me wanting to learn more.

Understandably, this is not the case for a lot of people. Its esoteric nature, long, indulgent takes, and medieval dialogue are enough to deem this as dull or a 'slow burn'. Though, for me, the weakest aspect was the monotonous editing style. Lowery really rode into battle with that cross dissolve held high.

Nevertheless, my attention was always captured, one way or another.

Not only is The Green Knight a visual marvel, the sound design and soundtrack are as equally immersive, and amplify the peculiar atmosphere.

Every idea, symbol, design, detail felt meaningfully placed. And even though I didn't fully understand them all, the acting helped carry a lot of that weight. Especially Dev Patel. He gave a beautifully understated performance, and he seemed very comfortable and well-suited to the role, as did most of the cast.

So, while The Green Knight won't be to everyone's taste, I, for one, am happy to have a new grand-scale fantasy that feels both traditional and modern, and offers a thematic and cinematic adventure worth taking.

The Tourist (I) (2010)

An enjoyable time

[7/10 · 6 September 2021]

Two beautiful people race around Venice in this entertaining and deceptive game of Cat and Mouse.

There's a very charming and seductive quality to this film. And its more subtle execution of the Action-Thriller genre is, I think, very underrated. Along with good pacing and twists that kept me guessing, The Tourist made for an enjoyable time.

Gravity Falls (2012–2016)

A creative series, but doesn't live up to the hype.

[7/10 · 25 November 2020]

I know this show gets a lot of love, and I can certainly see why, but I was never able to fully settle in and fall in love with it myself.

As a fan of Rick and Morty and Adventure Time, the style and sense of humour, even some character dynamics, felt welcomingly familiar, but, disappointingly, never pushed beyond the stereotypical, predictable barriers.

Whilst I recognised and appreciated the jokes within each episode, they were never enough to make me laugh-out-loud, and were tirelessly shrouded by a sarcastic, contrived use of synchronicity which quickly lost its comedic effect.

Despite being appropriate for and enjoyed by both kids and adults, because of their predominantly younger target audience, I feel the creators were a little restricted. All the elements were there: great animation, good characters and voice acting, fun mysteries, visual gags and pop culture references... but it felt like its power and appeal was split between the age groups and each only ended up getting fifty percent.

It's definitely a creative series, and I'm glad to have seen it, but it simply didn't live up to the hype for me.

Score: 6.75/10.

Lizzie McGuire (2001–2004)

A Fun Trip Down Memory Lane

[6/10 · 30 June 2020]

With the arrival of Disney+ and the news of a revival coming later this year, I just had to revisit the part of my childhood that was Lizzie McGuire.

It was one of my favourite shows growing up. I thought it was so fun and unique with its added animation, quirky editing, and somewhat silly sound effects. And, for the most part, it still is.

I was a bit overly critical of the show in the beginning as the quality clearly doesn't look as good as it did when it first aired (I could literally count the number of pixels in Lizzie's animated persona!), and, in general, it took me a couple of episodes to get used to its style again. So, only when I adjusted my expectations did I start to enjoy it more.

Admittedly, this is very much a tween series, so my interest was a little lacking due to some of the aforementioned childlike qualities, but, despite its lighthearted approach, they do occasionally deal with some important topics/issues that today's generation of kids could very well benefit from too.

For a show that's almost twenty years old, it was fairly inevitable that there'd be some outdated ideas/opinions put forth, not to mention very clichéd, stereotypically written characters. But, even with these flaws, there's still something charming enough about the show that keeps you watching. For me, it was the nostalgia (so I'm not sure how a first-time viewer would feel) and the smile-inducing bloopers at the end of every episode which, honestly, were the most personally enjoyable moments of the show.

So, while this may not be the best series out there, it provides some decent entertainment and notable lessons and guidance for its target demographic, propelled by more than adequate performances from the main cast.

Oh, and the theme song? Still a banger!

Score: 6.5/10

Blue Jay (I) (2016)

An achingly poignant yet beautiful powerhouse

[9/10 · 8 March 2018]

The story of Jim and Amanda, two former high-school sweethearts who reunite by chance some years later, is told and performed with such passion and honesty by the very grounded and talented Mark Duplass and Sarah Paulson.

The vulnerability these actors no doubt felt due to working from no more than a summarised outline and having to improvise the rest - often times drawing inspiration from their personal lives - comes through and serves the film well in perfecting the authentic nature of their characters and interactions.

Something I didn't expect with Blue Jay was how much it would make me laugh and smile. The humour and heartfelt moments came about so naturally and effortlessly, not to mention consistently. This allowed for easy involvement and echoing of feelings, sending me from smiling to laughing to crying all within minutes.

The creative choice of black and white lends itself well by keeping the focus on the story and characters, at the same time adding a notable atmosphere of nostalgia that highlights and complements Jim and Amanda's reflections on past joys and, more truthfully, present disillusionment.

The direction and cinematography of Alex Lehmann, and the dedication and love for this small independent project from the rest of the cast and crew - especially Duplass, who has managed to achieve what most creators wish they could, and with less than half the time and budget - pours onto the screen, through the screen, and into your heart.

Blue Jay is filmmaking and storytelling at its finest; a real piece of poetry.

Swiss Army Man (2016)

A Weird Kind of Wonderful

[10/10 · 7 March 2018]

Swiss Army Man is the pure embodiment of what A24 are all about; it's original, creative, something a little out of the ordinary.

The incredible performances from Radcliffe and Dano are what propel this film to great heights. Heart and emotion pours through in unorthodox ways that never feels anything but genuine.

The humour, although would typically be seen as vulgar and juvenile amongst society, isn't off-putting; it doesn't take anything away from the film and adds to the candid and human nature of the narrative.

Despite Swiss Army Man's fantastical elements, it provides realism and social commentary on the constructs and ideologies that have been placed upon us in society, as well as human thoughts, emotions, and connections. But it's the way it's handled and presented that I applaud most; it never feels pretentious or forced, it always feel sincere and focused on where it's going.

The soundtrack/score is something that really stands out throughout the entirety of the film; it's beautiful and well incorporated, it perfectly balances the drama and heart.

Directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert told Dano they wanted to make a movie where "the first fart makes you laugh and the last fart makes you cry", and, as weird as that sounds, I can tell you, that's exactly what they did - and so effortlessly, too.

Swiss Army Man will make you laugh, will make you cry, will make you think. It's a smart-man's film with great power and creativity that will distract you from reality and the inevitability of life, but, at the same time, open your eyes to it.

The Lovely Bones (2009)

The Not-So-Lovely Bones

[7/10 · 19 May 2015]

Saoirse Ronan is one hell of an actress! I'll watch anything she's in, but that being said, I was a little - well, a lot - disappointed with the movie, but definitely not with her acting. It is better than the book, but it was just too different to how I always pictured it would be. I wasn't expecting half the movie to be set like a fantasy movie - although, I must say the cinematography is very beautifully done - and I don't think Mark Wahlberg was the right choice to play the father. Don't get me wrong, though. He's a an incredible actor and portrayed his character well but it just didn't fit or work for me. Regarding the actual plot, it is gripping (in particular scenes) and kept me interested enough to find it an enjoyable watching experience. I will admit it made me cry but it just didn't live up to my expectations...neither did the book.

Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)

Boring plot, boring characters, not worth the 2 hours

[5/10 · 9 November 2014]

First off, I did have some expectations for this movie. Well-known actors such as the oh-so handsome Tom Hiddleston, decent sounding plot, decent ratings and did I mention Tom Hiddleston? Although I was a little put off by the whole vampire side of thing, I was still more than looking forward to watching it but as I crossed the 1 hour mark I was thinking to myself "surely something has to happen soon, right?", but I couldn't have been more wrong. It felt like I was just watching them go about their daily lives. Nothing exciting happened, it was slow, and the only character worth watching was was Ian but then again, even his character wasn't necessary. I really wanted to like it but I just couldn't get into it...at all! Definitely not worth the 2 hours. But then again, everyone's different so don't let my review put you off.

Austenland (2013)

Fun, lighthearted entertainment

[8/10 · 11 August 2014]

I admit that I only found out about this movie because I was practically stalking JJ Field's IMDb page, but I'm glad I did because I got to witness this fine piece of work. I have already seen it twice and thoroughly enjoyed it both times. Yes, there are many clichés that you would find in your average rom-com and it can be very over the top sometimes but that's what makes it so funny. It's done in such a hilariously odd way you just can't help but laugh. I myself have not read any of Jane Austin's books but I can still appreciate what this movie brings to the table. JJ Field's character is very charming but you're never sure whether to root for Mr. Nobley or Martin, but all is revealed in the end... Now, I can't go this whole review without mentioning the iconic Jennifer Coolidge. She is one funny lady who really makes her character her own. She can put the Coolidge twist on any character. I love it. Keri Russel is so sweet and is a delight to watch, along with Bret McKenzie. Great cast, superb acting, funny storyline and just outright hilarious. A very enjoyable movie that I could gladly watch again.

Kid Cannabis (2014)

Surprisingly good

[7/10 · 10 August 2014]

For a topic such as illegal drug smuggling, the producers dealt with it in a very intricate and almost educational way. It was very well put together. It of course contains the elements you would expect from such a movie. These being partying, drugs (and lots of it) and sex, but when it gets to the more serious topics at hand such as how this kind of behavior and greed can take hold and get the better of people and just how serious the consequences can be, you begin so realize that it's not just a stupid comedy and that is actually has some depth to it. Movies that are based on true events always get my attention and instantly seem to make it worth watching even more. It was nice to see Kenny Wormald play a completely different character. The last time I saw him, he was in the new Footloose. Completely different style but he pulled both off really well. All in all, Kid Cannabis kept me interested and entertained for the most part, the acting was very believable and I recommend you give a watch. It's not for everyone but I'm sure you'll find some aspect of it you like.

In Your Eyes (2014)

Brilliant concept

[8/10 · 10 August 2014]

Absolutely loved this film. A fresh idea that I personally have never heard of has finally made its way into the film industry. They only ever come by once in a blue moon. The casting is spot on. Zoe Kazan and Michael Stahl-David were perfect for the roles of Dylan and Rebecca. Ever since I saw Michael in his breakout role of Rob Hawkins in Cloverfield, I knew I had to keep and eye on him. He is definitely going places and this movie proves that.

This is the sort of movie where chemistry plays a major role and they without a doubt pulled it off. Without it, it would have been a big flop. Although it wasn't made on a small budget, it still had the same feel as one, which is nice. It adds a whole other element to it.

I could easily watch this another couple times and still be just as pleased as the first. Definitely worth buying.

Need for Speed (2014)

Great but a little predictable

[8/10 · 10 August 2014]

First off, I really enjoyed this movie. The cast was great, the plot was good and the chemistry between Aaron and Imogen's characters was even better. It almost seemed too real...yes, yes I know Aaron is married but the chemistry between them was really nice to see. You don't see chemistry like that in cinema nowadays. Although the majority of the movie is very predictable and I could guess what was about to happen minutes before it did, I still watched and reacted as though I hadn't... that's how good the scenes are. It kept me interested the whole way through and the well placed humor added to it nicely Would happily watch it again.

Premature (2014)

Somewhat decent and amusing

[6/10 · 10 August 2014]

I didn't have high expectations for this movie so maybe that's why I found it to be somewhat decent and amusing. It was definitely a step back for Katie Findlay and Craig Roberts after seeing them play some outstanding roles such as Maggie Landers on The Carrie Diaries and Oliver Tate in Submarine, but it was also nice to see some new faces making their way into the movie industry, especially the lead, John Karna. The plot for the movie is very odd but that's what probably makes it work. It's something different and unheard of. All in all, it had it's good moments and its bad but it was a fun enough watch for a Saturday night.

Odd Thomas (2013)

Perfect representation of the book

[9/10 · 9 April 2014]

I thoroughly enjoyed Odd Thomas. Seeing the movie first inspired me to read the books. Stephen Sommers did a wonderful job depicting the book. It gave off the same vibe and emotions. Anton Yelchin and Addison Timlin were perfect for the main characters, they made a very cute couple on screen and the chemistry between them was definitely there. Odd Thomas may not be for everyone but either way I would recommend it. The overall idea of the movie was great and keeps you interested the whole way through and the twists and turns added to it nicely. The ending is definitely one of the main talking points with this movie. It definitely surprised me the first time and continues to make me cry every time. It would be great to see more of Dean Koontz books come to life on the big screen.

Hostage (2005)

Brilliantly Executed Thriller With a Killer Plot

[10/10 · 5 November 2013]

I recently wrote a review on 'Hostage' for an English assessment. Here's the finished product.

Hostage is a crime thriller released in 2005. The movie is directed by Florent-Emilio Siri and is an adaptation of Robert Crais's novel. The main star is Bruce Willis accompanied by Kevin Pollack, Jimmy Bennett, Michelle Horn, Ben Foster, Jonathan Tucker and Marshall Allman. Each character is so unique and portrayed in a very believable manner, with the coarse language heightening the intensity of the situation. Foreshadowing has been written into the plot and allows for many twists and turns that leave you taken aback.

Los Angeles LAPD negotiator Jeff Talley (Willis), is shattered by an unsuccessful hostage situation which results in him taking a job as Chief of Police in a small town in California with a low crime rate, however the past has come back to haunt him as three delinquent teenagers take a family hostage, only intending to steal their car. What the three young teenagers do not realize is that they are walking into a much larger situation that they definitely have not planned for. The youngest of the three, Kevin(Allman) is the one being dragged into it all; he does not want to take any part in it but his older brother Dennis (Tucker) gets him to do his dirty work while he figures out a plan to get them all out of this situation with a little extra cash on the side. The menacing character that is Mars (Foster) and his unpredictable nature leads to events that quickly spiral out of control. As the hostage situation progresses into the night, things turn for the worse for Chief Talley which is certainly not expected.

The film score for Hostage is created by Alexandre Desplat featuring the London Symphony Orchestra. There is a feeling of eerie suspense which is done by using discordant strings, piano, guitar, recorder, electronic cello and his daughter's haunting vocals which occur throughout the film. Since the majority of the film is shot at night, Florent- Emilio Siri uses backlighting and shadowing which creates very atmospheric scenes. The extreme long shot used when the three teenagers are following the family home emphasizes just how secluded the location is. Close up shots intensify the emotions and reactions of the characters while the full shots allow us viewers to read the characters body language. One of the main special effects they use for this film is flames for the raging fire. Costumes and make-up are made to portray very believable characters. The blood, the bloodied clothes, the sweat and tears and the police uniforms convey a sense of reality.

Since Florent- Emilio Siri has only directed five other projects (one being a video game) which are all in French it is hard to compare Hostage to them, although Doug Richardson who wrote the screenplay for Hostage has worked with Bruce Willis before. Looking at Doug's filmography it clearly shows that he likes to work on Action/Thriller and Action/Comedy movies. Some movies similar to Hostage in the way that the main character/s is held captive are Firewall, The Call, Red Eye and Disturbia. Florent and his team of directors, writers and actors are very successful with this movie; it is extremely difficult to find any fault with it. Thriller fans everywhere must think along the same lines since it has accumulated over $77 million.

Hostage is a dark, intense, edge of your seat thriller that will leave you guessing till the very end. The cast is outstanding, the plot is original and is just downright one of Bruce Willis's best performances. This movie is recommended to movie-goers aged 15 or over, thriller fans or not, who will appreciate what this dark drama has to offer. The rating this movie is going to receive is 5 stars. This is a must see!