Black Swan

Directed by: Darren Aronofsky

Release date: USA - 17 Dec 10 / UK - 21 Jan 11

Starring: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder

IMDB page

He said:

I am not unfortunately, one of those culturally diverse enough to feel the draw or even the appeal of ballet. Black Swan does a wonderful job of both introducing me to this dancing art form and making it seem more interesting than a bunch of malnourished girls dancing in onesies.

Portman and Kunis shine in this film. Portman portrays a perfectionist rising star thats biggest weaknesses are her weak and fragile appearance and her overbearing mother that is obviously trying to live her forgotten dreams through her daughters dancing career. Ryder has a small but strong role as the "over the hill" former lead/star.

Black Swan welcomes you into it's world with a beautiful interpretation of Swan Lake. This film surprised me time and again and as I watched it and true to it's word was an intense psychological thriller. Rarely do any horror films get as much of a reaction out of as this film did. I really enjoyed it and I give it {{{4 out of 5}}}

She said:

Sometimes you get a film that just smacks you right in the face with what can only be described as tragic beauty. This is by far one of the best examples of this I have seen in a long long time. The film is basically an interpretation of Swan Lake, one of the most loved ballet's of all time... but y'know... with a serious case of psychosis thrown in for the lolz.

I really enjoyed the fact that this film did something a bit different. Yes of course they had to have the same old boring reference to dancers with eating disorders but I felt that Nina's process of becoming consumed by the Black Swanfar eclipsed the cliches. Aronofsky was very clever to film this in a way that made it feel like a ballet; very fluid but also gripping and tense.

Portman also has to be commended in this film. Forget about the intense mental performance she had to give, just the physical work must have been gruelling. She apparently spent a year training for this film and I can tell you that is really pays off. I am not a ballet exper but her dancing looks flawless to me!

This film is both hard to watch and amazingly beautiful, both elements being emphasised by the score (a variation on Swan Lake). I implore you to see this at some point. I give this film {{{5 out of 5}}}

They said:

Beautiful, thrilling, tragic and tense. We give this film {{{9 out of 10}}}.

Question of the day: Do you prefer in your face horror or subtle thrillers?

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (Directed by Nicholas Stoller)

Starring: Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, Russell Brand, Bill Hader, Jonah Hill, Paul Rudd

IMDB Link

He said:

This is one of those films that is so well written and timed that I really feel I can watch it over and over and still laugh at all the little jokes. In fact, I have watched this film twice in the last 9 days, and it was still amusing both times.

Jason Segel not only starred in this film he wrote it as well. This is a film that gives into temptation to go for the sight gag a little more often than I felt was absolutely necessary but the humor through out it well worth the price of admission.

One of the reason I enjoy this film as much as I do is it reminds me of the two weeks I spent in Hawaii alone a few years back. It was one of the best vacations I had ever had (before an extended vacation in England this year) but there is always the constant reminder that Hawaii should be shared with some one. I really feel that though it is subtle you feel that from the beginning.

I really enjoy this film, its definetly a film that will put a smile on your face, from start to finish I give this film 4 out of 5.

She said:

I was aphrehensive about watching this film because it not my type of comedy. I like political or black comedies or, if we go down the more slapstick route, I like British comedies. Hoever I gave it a go and to be honest I quite enjoyed it. Overall I think it was well written with a solid comedy plot line, however I did have a couple of reservations.

I felt some of the jokes weren't well timed and didn't have good follow through. For example when a joke is made about an awkward situation I feel this should sit for a minute. I find that with films in this particular genre of American comedy they have a quick succession of jokes or try to continue the humour. The characters are David Brent but without irony (don't know David Brent? Click here).

I also find with these comedies that they are written by a team of friends who deliberately write in a part for everyone. The waiter, played by Jonah Hill, should have either been cut or rewritten. His lines were not funny and the execution poor. However there was the potential for his character to be hilarious. I suspect what happened was the team realised they had yet to include a bit for him and thought "let's have a closeted homosexual waiter who fancies Russell Brand" without much more thought (Russell Brand of course playing himself).

But apart from this I did have fun watching it. Some of the funny parts - like the naked break up - I found funny but not in a laugh out loud way. So in conclusion it was fun to watch... but not my favourite comedy ever. I give this film 3.5 out of 5.


They said:
A fun film worth a viewing, it will give you a few chuckles if nothing else. We give this light-hearted comedy {{{7.5 out of10}}}