Criticize me...

The Wizard of Oz.

2012-01-29T00:07:00.000Z

Several years ago I fell in love with films however, I just watch the big blockbusters. Now that Im older I watch all kinds of films, new and old. And this is exactly what I want to talk about today. In 1895 the Lumière brothers showed the first film in history – 117 years ago. Think about all the films that have been made since then! There is an unbelievable history, from western to musicals, from Hitchcock to Spielberg.

Earlier this evening I watched the Wizard of Oz for the first time, I know I should have watched it before but musicals have never been my first choice. For those of you who haven't seen this film yet, it is about a young girl, Dorothy (portrayed by the talented Judy Garland) and her dog Toto. They get caught in a tornado and is brought to Oz. Dorothy is desperate to get home, especially after seeing the wicked witch of the west. Dorothy meets the good witch Glinda – who tells her to visit the powerful Wizard of Oz for help. Along the way Dorothy meets The Scarecrow, Tinman and the Cowardly Lion. They all join forces as they venture towards Emerald City to see the Wizard.

As I watched the film I caught myself smiling several times. It amaze me how far the film industry have come. But most of all how good a job they did when creating The Wizard of Oz. The film is from 1939, they didn't have the equipment we have today, but it's still one of the best films I've ever seen. The musical numbers are fantastic, the choreography is brilliant and the costume & set is really good. I also love how they have used black and white in the beginning/end of the film, but colours when Dorothy is in Oz. I must also point out how talented the cast is. Look at Judy Garland – she could sing, dance and act. The stars from 30s to 70s were almost always a triple threat, they don't make stars like that anymore, and for that we must applaud them. Everyone should take some time to watch the old classics, there's a reason they are so famous. It is really worth your while.

If we think about what the film makers had to work with making this film, the cast and the storyline. I can't help but to give this film all it can get.
Rolling the dice: 6

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant

2012-01-24T14:31:00.000Z

Released: 2009

Cast: Chris Massoglia, John C. Reilly, Josh Hutcherson, Salma Hayek

The vampires assistant is about a young boy called Darren Shan. One day pretty boy Darren and his friend Steve go to a performance by Cirque Du Freak, a real freak show. Darren quickly ends up in trouble and has to become a half vampire to save Steve's life. And is taken under the wing of Mr. Crepsley. He joins the freak show and work as Crepsley's assistant. Little does Darren know that the vicious Mr. Tiny is trying to start a war in the vampire world, and needs help from a young, bloodthirsty man. Darren knew his life would change as a vampire, but he would never have expected this twist.

YAWN! The Vampire’s Assistant sounds like an interesting film, its a good story and it's based on the world famous books about Darren Shan. Let me tell you, this was boring, I haven't read the books, but Im sure this film doesn't do them justice. The story is okay, but it seems like this is a desperate attempt to make money in a world obsessed with vampires. Chris Massoglia is good looking but has no talent, he gives the worst acting performance in the film. Luckily Josh Hutcherson, John C. Reilly and Salma Hayek gives a better performance. However, its not enough to save this film. The stunts looks fake and edited, the make-up and costumes are okay and nothing really interesting happened. Only tips I have for anyone interested in Darren Shan, get the books, they have got to be better than this.

Rolling the dice: 3/2

Sherlock - Series 2

2012-01-09T22:19:00.000Z

Published:2012

Cast:Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Mark Gatiss, Una Stubbs

Lastyear BBC started airing “Sherlock”, a new TV-series about privatedetective Sherlock Holmes. This series takes place in the 2100stcentury, where we see the beloved character that is Holmes and hiscompanion Doctor Watson solve crimes in the modern society. Thesecond series picks up where the last series left off. The firstepisodes gives Holmes a case that includes the national security, theinfamous Irene Adler and James Moriarty. All famous characters in theoriginal Sherlock Holmes books.

So manywords can describe “Sherlock”: unpredictable, exciting, dramatic,thrilling and so on. BenedictCumberbatch does an excellent job on portraying Sherlock Holmes, andtogether with Martin Freeman as Dr. John Watson they make a goodteam. The series include known characters as mentioned before, butgive it a new modern twist which makes the series very fresh andexhilarating. The episodes are last for one and a half hour of nervewrecking excitement. The details on how the mind of Sherlock works isa inventive point that has never been shown before. However, thereare no big stunts and typical “Hollywood action”, rather more ofa “mind game” over the episodes which is nice change for a drama,crime, thriller series. All in all worth a watch and is highlyrecommended for everyone who is interested in crime and the geniusthat is Sherlock Holmes. And just to add at the end, there are coming more episodes this year.

Rollingthe dice: 5/6

Friends With Benefits!

2011-10-28T19:47:00.001+01:00

Cast:Mila Kunis, Justin Timberlake, Woody Harrelson, Jenna Elfman

Released: 2011

Thesummer of 2011 have been filled with romantic comedies, like Friendswith Benefits, at the big screen. Not that anyone can besurprised by that, we girls love romance and cute soppy films, andthe film industry gives us what we need. And once again they havedelivered a brilliant film.

Friendswith Benefits are about Dylan and Jamie, two successful,independent people who both recently has come out of badrelationships. They become good friends, but as every other humanbeings they have needs, and agrees to become friends with benefits,“fuck buddies” basically. But what happens when one is ready tomove on to proper dating again? Can they stay just friends or haveone started getting romantic feelings? The friendship faces newchallenges neither of them had predicted when they agreed to thisarrangement, and both their lives take an unexpected turn.

Thefilm is amazingly funny, and one of the best parts is that itactually know how “cheesy” romantic comedies are, and they arecompletely “taking the piss” out of them. With several referencesto it, and one scene where the two main characters are sittingwatching a romcom and making fun of how stupid it is! It shows thatthe directors have a sense of irony.

Thereis so many funny, good moments in this film; the dance scenes, bibleapplication scene where they are making fun of how far the technologyhas gone. The first sex scene in the film, which is hilarious, it isnothing you have ever seen before.

JustinTimberlake surprise you in this film, he is actually quite funny,which is something you don't expect going into the cinema! He is notjust a talented musician and dancer but can add actor to his list.Mila Kunis also delivers in this film, she has really grown since wesaw her as “Jackie” in "That's the 70s show". And this combination!Wow you either want to sleep with Timberlake, Kunis or both, theyhave chemistry, charm and they are so bloody sexy!

Thereis a lot of funny random things in the scenes, everything fromcomments from random people in the street, for example the rude taxidriver with 2 lines. Its also hilarious that Jamie's mum is acomplete “nut-case”, she is really funny and say the weirdestthings that will crack you up. Not to mention Woody Harrelson as agay sports editor. There are so many things in the film that youwould never expect and it makes it even funnier.

Thedirector has used the filming in a good way in this film. They haveclose ups that give you a genuine feel to what the characters aregoing through, it makes the film kinda come out and get morerealistic. Also, when in the big cities, they have used the cameraand filming to give you a real impression of the city life.

However,there are a couple of negative things about this film. It is a prettystandard romcom, where you can kinda predict what is going to happen.There a couple of clichés, and from time to time it sounds like theyhave added a recording of the lines. i.e. when there is loud music inthe film it sounds like they have added the characters conversationfrom a studio as well.

Rollingthe dice: 5

The Debt

2011-10-12T22:32:00.001+01:00

Released:2011

Cast:Helen Mirren, Sam Worthington, Jessica Chastain, Jesper Christensen,Marton Csokas

MeetRachel Singer, known as the agent killer of the infamous nazi surgeonof Birkenau – Dieter Vogel. Now thirty years later her daughter ispublishing a book about the mission her mother worked on. Rachel,along with David and Stephan, were going to kidnap Vogel and take himback to Israel where he would face court for what he did to Jewsduring the Second World War. But what really happened at thismission? Rachel thinks back, this mission scarred her for life, butit also made her life what it is today, now she has to face the truthand realize that the mission still is more important than everbefore. Will the world find out what happend or will Rachels lifestay the same?

TheDebt is a thrilling and dramatic story. The first ten minutes, yousit there thinking “what the fuck” but then when things starts tomake sense it is actually quite entertaining end exciting. The filmis very unpredictable, and it will have you guessing at what is goingto happen next. The story is good and the acting is very good. HelenMirren and Jessica Chastain both do an impeccable performance, asthey have to speak with an accent and more than one language. Thestoryline takes place in West Germany after the Second World War, andyou can see that through the set and costumes. All in all it is anentertaining film, but a little too “Hollywood”, and you walkaway from it thinking “it was good, but I don't feel the need towatch it again”.

TheDebt is a American remake of the original film “Ha-hov” fromIsrael.

Rollingthe dice: 4

Dorian Gray

2011-09-26T20:17:00.002+01:00

Released:2009

Cast:Ben Barnes, Colin Firth, Ben Chaplin, Rebecca Hall

Wheninnocent Dorian Gray arrives in London, he is exactly like his newlypainted portrait – young and beautiful. He is soon introduced tothe devilish Lord Henry Wotton. The lord shows him the darker sidesof London, a life full of sin, drugs and sex. Dorian can have it all,as long as he stay the way he's captured in his portrait. He isdesperate to keep that life, so desperate that he is willing to givehis soul. However, keeping his secret is harder than Dorianoriginally thought, and his actions become more and more evil, as heslips deeper into this sinful life. Everything changes when he fallsin love, but is it too late? Or can he still save his soul?

DorianGray is a dark, sexy and thrilling story. It is sarcastic, shocking,morbid, and mysterious, everything you would want from a thrilleradventure. Barnes gives his best performance yet, and with Firthsbrilliant acting they make a marvellous team. The set and costumesare authentic and give you the sense you're in the 19^thcentury. However some of the supporting roles are bad actors and theblood used in this film looks like juice, not convincing at all! Butthe storyline is good, and it will have you interested from beginningto the end!

The film is based on the book "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde.

Rollingthe dice: 4

Fast Five

2011-09-26T20:14:00.002+01:00

Released:2011

Cast:Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Jordana Brewster, TyreseGibson, Ludacris

Onelast job while being chased by the federal government. Toretto andO'Conner round up a team of mates down in Rio, to perform one lastjob – ruin and rob the worst drug king, Reyes, in all of Brazil.That means they have to work their way around hundreds of corruptcops. Meanwhile, they have a team of federal agents trying to catchthem, as they now are on the most wanted list. New alliances form asthey try to bring down Reyes. With the family at stake, will outfavourite bad boys pull off the job and keep running from the law? Orwill the feds catch up with them, and lock them up for life?

Fast 5pick up just where the previous film left off. There is everythingyou expect from a fast and furious film; fast cars, action, hot girls(and boys). The stunts are spectacular and extravagant, but somewhatunrealistic. The film oozing of testosterone with Diesel, Walker andJohnson as the main characters, plus it was a great idea to bring incharacters from the previous films. The ending is unpredictable andthe storyline is good, however it gets a little boring from time totime. And there is not enough racing, like in the old films. However,you can't go wrong with a fast and furious film, and fast 5 is noexception, and we all have to agree that Vin Diesel is brilliant asDom Toretto!

Rolling the dice: 4

I Don't Know How She Does It

2011-09-19T15:33:00.000+01:00

Released: 2011

Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Pierce Brosnan, Christina hendricks, Greg Kinnear, Jessica Szohr

Working mum Kate is juggling her family life and her job. When her bosses wants her to travel more within her job, it all get more complicated for her. She needs to figure out a way to do her job and not let it effect her marriage or her two young children. She is determined not to let anyone down and to do her best, and of course not let the fact that she's a woman affect anything. Her situation doesn't get any easier when she grow closer to her attractive boss Jack Ablehammer.

Did someone say chick flick? Oh yes! This is a proper girly comedy with a lot of humour and some romance. Sarah Jessica Parker is delivering a brilliant performance, as do the rest of the cast. There's so many different types of characters and the cast makes that work in a fun way. The film also focus on the difference between being a working mum and a working dad, and whether or not it still is a matter of sex in the office. The script is absolutely lovely, it contains several punch lines who will make you laugh for hours. From time to time the film is a little predictable however. But if you're after a cute comedy to cheer you up, this is definitely the film for you!

The film is based on a book, by the same name, written by Allison Pearson.

Rolling the dice: 5

Fame 2009 (The Remake)

2011-09-19T15:15:00.000+01:00

Fame 2

Released: 2009

Cast: Asher Book, Kay Penabaker, Naturi Naughton, Megan Mullally, Kelsey Grammer

Fame 2 is a remake of the original Fame (1980). The film is about students at a performing arts school. We follow the teenagers through the high school as they try pursue their dreams while dealing with school work, family problems and love. The film shows the downsides and upsides on being a young adults taking advantage of their talents. It shows positive and negative sides of the entertainment business, how the business take advantage of them, but also how they can get what they want as long as they work hard enough.

The film is exactly like the original, boring. Fame 2 isn't your average chick flick, but you loose interest after a couple of minutes and a lot of the scenes are very predictable. There's a lack of humour and the film didn't do anything new with the storyline from the original film. However, the music acts and choreography in the dance scenes are very good and it show that the cast has put a lot of work into it. But this doesn't make up for the bad script or scenes, which is why you must be desperate to manage to watch the entire film.

Rolling the dice: 2.

Helloo

2011-09-17T15:02:00.000+01:00

Hello people!

My name is Malin Lystad. I'm a journalism student at Roehampton University in London. I created this blog so I could post some reviews and articles, just to get some practice and of course to get some feedback on my work!

I really want to be a critic when I finish my education and therefore I'll probably post mainly reviews. First and foremost film reviews, but also some about music and books. If you have any comments or suggestions on what I should write about please leave a comment!

X Malin