muswellmaniac

Requiem for a dream, the type of film that you start watching, where you feel happy for the main characters at first but then the deterioration of their story unfolds and you start to hate every second of it. Requiem for a dream is about how dependance is stronger than life and even in death we depend upon what we want the most, dependance overcomes the body and mind.

Ellen Burstyn really steals the show, from only really seeing her before in The Exorcist I wasn't too familiar with her game. However, after watching Requiem for a dream I can confidently say that is on of the best acting performances of the early 2000's. Jarred Leto can't go unnoticed here either, because this was a very real and scarily convincing performance, where you could almost see the same thing happening to someone you know.

Requiem for a dream's story is a straight forward rise and fall; nevertheless, it is articulated perfectly keeping us in the know the whole time but still making sure that we are glued to our screens. What also must be said is that it is a terrifyingly sad story, where in my case, all I wanted was for Jarred Leto to be able to live a happy life with Jennifer Connelly because that is how I feel in real life with my girlfriend; a real spirit crusher. Even so it was a relatable experience that makes it all the more depressing to watch.

The cinematography fits Requiem for a dream in such a weirdly beautiful way, at some points I was sure that I was going to be jump scared, with all of the dutch angles and still motion shots but it never came; my god did it keep me on the edge of my seat. Another huge praise to give, is that the camera crew managed to make horribly real scenes look even more scary and real with the way they depicted the way humans look by focusing in on their body movements.

Requiem for a Dream, I cannot express how much I hate you as a film but does it work? Yes, what a perfect way to give the viewer a great movie that they will loath watching. From that acting, to the story and camera work, Requiem for a Dream is a must watch, no matter where you are in your life it shows you what can happen if you let your addiction take over.

One of the few Bond films worth watching; Casino Royale is exactly what I envisioned from reading the books, for sure the closest we will get to the books. From a great opening credits song, to great fight scenes to an awesome villain, Casino Royale in my opinion is the best James Bond film, yes it doesn't hold the same nostalgia and campiness as some of the older films but I actually like it more for that because I must say the goofy gadgets and ridiculous stunts and effects where tainting the franchise completely, I love the seriousness as it still shows Bond as a player and a risk taker but it also really shows who James Bond is and Casino Royale gives a genuine villain and why he needs to be stopped.

First, I would like to talk about the Opening song (you know my name), what a way to open a movie, fully encapsulating how awesome James Bond is and just the hook at the chorus and the melody of the lead guitar is just irresistible and if I'm being honest it makes you want to keep watching which is pretty rare when a song does that to a film. For sure one of if not the best opening song in a Bond film.

Secondly I would like to talk about the plot and story, sticking very true to the book Casino Royale's plot is so cool just the idea of a high stakes game of Texas hold 'em poker is so so cool I love it and even better is the setting for it which is beautiful just the picture of a castle like building in Montenegro is enough to sell me.

Lastly, I must talk about how I actually care for the character, as in previous Bond films I must say I felt no impending danger, like he was invincible however, in Casino Royale this is completely different from the changes of mood to the music when Daniel Craig was fighting he never felt safe and it always left me on the edge of my seat, especially when he was poisoned I thought he might actually die even though I knew the wouldn't, I think that says a lot about the film so I was truly impressed in the step up in character development and how much trust was built with the audience.

To conclude, Casino Royale is a great film, one of the best James Bond films giving Sean Connery a run for his money; Casino Royale makes James Bond cool again which I have to say is quite the task when you consider what Pierce Brosnan left behind. So yeah no master piece by any means but not far off at all nevertheless, compared to all the other James Bond films I would say this is a master piece; a bright light in a darkish room, and a superb action film all things considered and a great addition to the franchise.

Resonating in the back of my mind for some time now has been why do movies like Inception come about so unfrequently. Inception really is a perfect celebration of the difference between good film making and, the best film making; you will be hard pressed to find a better movie of the genre at all from: the acting to the cinematography there is not much that can be argued when talking about inception.

Lost with the guilt of losing his wife to what can only be his obsession, selling his soul to his little, big world Cobb is faced with the metal dilemma of overcoming his own mind with one last operation.

Inception can be looked at in several ways as it is never clear cut with what it's deeper inferred meaning presents with several lose ends and scenes up for debate however, my take is that each character represents each of Cobb's personality's and emotions which may not be proven within the actual script it does linger with the fact each character has their own strengths and drawbacks in Cobb's world.

One of the obvious positives when looking at Inception; the cast; bosting the likes of: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Ellen Page and Cillian Murphy to name a few, this with no doubt; lights up the spectacles without pressing play. With so much expectation surrounding big name actors also comes the propensity to make a stale and lacklustre film nevertheless, Inception delivers with more and then some with stellar performances from Leonardo DiCaprio and in particular Ellen Page; Inception makes for the most realistic acting when representing the script and plot. This being said I am fully aware that many of the actors did not hold the same status when Inception was made including Cillian Murphy however, looking back at it the quality of the cast for the time should not be question as the rest of the cast really does shine.

Another aspect of Inception that should be touched upon is the visual effects, for a Movie that came out in 2010 it really does show a generational leap in CGI and practice effects with many of the techniques used in movies today. Even with the shear magnitude of the Inception and the vast area that is used when showing off the visuals in the movie, no foot is put wrong and I mean it; even though Inception breaks the laws of physics and several other laws it almost looks real without the idea of a road going straight up or a building being summoned from the ground there would seriously be no doubt that you where watching someone's life.

The plot and script, an area subject to so much contention and change in peoples mind with each watch spawning a new seed of an idea in your mind. Beautiful. It really is. Evoking so much emotion and a deep holistic connection for all of the characters with the developmental aspect of the story with the crescendo of Inception showing fruit to Cobb's final connection to his wife, ended questionably with the bleak but possible idea that Cobb's is still undergoing Inception with a plateau shot of his mysterious spindle shaking away as he walks off into the distance.

How do I end such a review, Inception poses many moral and mental dilemmas and the idea of planting an idea in someone's head before they have envisioned it really scares me to be honest because how do we know it is not being done to humans at this very moment well we don't and I think a mixture of perfectionist film making and just the thought of Inception being some what real comes together to make a perfect movie not just because of the big name actors or the director but also just the idea it self almost carries the whole movie and creates a beautiful but confusing and suspenseful watch for any viewer. Inception really is a must watch, unescapable; not many movies are better and it really is impressive as to how well Inception turned out even under the enormous pressure created with the magnitude of it's own idea, so being able to execute that and go above and beyond is what makes Inception one of the greatest movies ever made.