Limitless

Aspiring author Eddie Morra (Bradley Cooper) is suffering from severe writers block. His life is a sorry existence until a chance meeting with an old friend, who introduces him to NZT, a revolutionary new drug that allows him to engage 100% of his brains capacity. After overcoming writers block he soon takes wall street by storm. This in turn alerts many around him of his ways to the top and to the whereabouts of his secret stash. His own safety is a constant worry and with the drugs side-effects slowly wearing him down, Eddie has little time to outwit the oncoming threats.

Limitless as a concept is very intriguing. The human brain's ability to only use 20% of your brain and finding a drug which can enhance and allow you to use the other 80% is a very interesting idea for a film. Especially in this day and age of awful remakes and sequels. However, for a plot that entails super intelligent human beings, the screenplay is surprisingly dumb. However ironic this is, its not an act of genius from the director but more a Fax pas on bad scriptwriting.

What would the worlds most intelligent man do with all of his knowledge and capabilities? I would hope the greed and narrow mindedness of human nature would prevail due to a higher sense of purpose and being. But i guess that is somewhat wishful thinking with a blockbuster.

I felt this film wasn't daring enough in its exploration of what this situation might entail, questioning rather than boasting in the flashy surfaces of power and wealth. Or the American dream gone wrong..

Regardless of this, the film is actually very engaging and moved with considerable style. But i hope super intelligence does not involve alot of nauseating quick cuts and zoomed in fish eye lens camera work..

Bradley Cooper is somewhat more believable than his previous roles. He always brings charisma and vitality to the role. This is also attached to his own smugness which makes the lead character somewhat a nuisance to confide and empathise with.

I guess the trick to this film is to do exactly the opposite of the plot. Turn your brain off, sit back and enjoy.

3/5

Monsters

With all the hype of 3D and CGI films, this post-modern Sci-Fi film is a breath of fresh air and puts most multi million blockbusters to shame.
The special effects and theme of 'Monsters' is actually only a backdrop to a wonderfully realistic story of love and fear, it almost has the feel it doesn't need the monsters at all, but don't worry, there's enough of them to wet your appetite!

NASA receives news of Alien life and sends up a probe to collect specimens. Upon re-entry the plane crashes in Mexico and the Aliens hatch and turn the whole country into an "infected zone". America, fearing the Aliens can gain entry to their country, build a giant barrier to keep them out whilst dropping chemicals all over Mexico to eradicate the lifeforms.
A photojournalist called Kaulder (Scoot McNairy), is trying to document and capture that epic shot of the creatures. He is frustratingly asked to "babysit" his boss's beautiful, vulnerable daughter Samantha (Whitney Able), accompanying her through the highly dangerous infected zone to the US border. Inevitably, their new found relationship begins to blossom.

McNairy and Able shine in their roles. Creating incredibly believable characters through mostly improvised dialogue scenes. Their relationship and chemistry feels very real and emotionally engaging and alot of credit is down to two very fine performances.

However, British born writer-director Gareth Edwards deserves the majority of any praise. Shooting this masterpiece on a shoestring budget (some reports as low as $100,000!) and creating the special effects on his home computer. He has crafted an incredibly endearing cult classic. Theres almost a feeling of a Spielberg genius to his work and I eagerly anticipate his blossoming career in the film world.

'Monsters' is a breath of fresh air to a genre that has been heavily plagued with gloss and some over compensating of special 3D effects. It transcends it's own considerable limitations and the creatures are merely the catalyst to the relentless tension and journey we are taken on.

A must watch.
4/5

Si Jewell

Dead Jeff - The Movie : Jake Scott to Direct Jeff Buckley Biopic

Details of the long awaited Jeff Buckley biopic are finally coming together.
Jake Scott is well regarded for his extensive music video credits which include : Radiohead's "Green plastic trees", Oasis' "Morning glory" and the epic REM hit "Everybody Hurts".

Scott will be working from a script by Ryan Jaffe, who penned the 2008 Rainn Wilson comedy "The Rocker".

Buckley's mother Mary Guibert validates the film as exec producer, with Michelle Sy and Orian Williams as producers.

Plans for a Jeff Buckley biopic have been in talks since as far back as 2006, with various different names being thrown about. The most interesting addition will definately be who takes on the lead role as Buckley, with James Franco, Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt all showing previous interest.

Jeff Buckley biopic, coming to a hollywood blockbuster very soon.. Courtesy of his loving mother Mary Guilbert, who has progressively maintained Jeff's money legacy in the way's that Jeff wouldn't have wanted.

One can only fear for how this film will eventually turn out. But Jake Scott is actually a suprising and refreshing addition to a growing ensemble.

The Fighter

The fighter follows the tale of Irish American boxer Micky Ward and his "crackhead" brother, who helped him train in the 1980's.

Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) is a blue collar worker with a dream of making it big as a boxer. In his corner is Dicky Ecklund (Christian Bale) who once knocked down Sugar Ray Leonard and has lived off the local fame and crack cocaine ever since. His mother (Melissa Leo) is the older version of a pageant mom who desperately wants success for her boy but struggles against her own selfishness. Everyone in his corner is working against him until he meets Charlene Fleming (Amy Adams) who helps him get his career and his life on track.

The performances from this very strong cast are electrifying. Each holds their own immensely, but a standout performance from Christian Bale shines through.
The lengths he endures as an actor to achieve such a believable character from the last is very admirable and any nods for awards are duely deserved.
Wahlberg's duties as Micky are largely confined to that of a dramatic anchor. This might be a thankless role by comparison, but The Fighter would fail to land its knockout blow without him.

It's uncomfortable at points, because it's so squirmingly guilt-inducing. It oozes off the screen with every Marlboro sigh, and snuffly threatened tear. The fight scenes move like real life and any comparisons to Rocky style action shots fall flat, you feel every punch and blow.
Real people have been created here. Yes they are based on actual real life characters, but the depth and emotional impact in the performances give a very believable inlet into this story.

Even if you're not a boxing fan, The Fighter should be on your list of things to see. It's a movie that transcends the limited audience of the sport it covers thanks to a universal story brought to life by some of the best actors working right now.

A definate knockout..

5/5