Moon (2009)

Moon, directed by Duncan Jones, is a film about astronaut Sam Bell played by Sam Rockwell. Sam is coming to the end of his three year contract working on the surface of the moon harvesting resources, which help power up to 70% of the earth. With two weeks left he is starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But things begin to take a turn for the worse. When Sam goes out onto the moon’s surface to collect a cache of recourses he gets into an accident and is rendered unconscious. When he awakens he is in the medical bay of his station, but being that he is the sole worker with only the aid of a highly advanced robot GERTY, voiced by Kevin Spacey, the question is, how did he get there?

This is director Duncan Jones’ debut feature film, and what a debut it is. For a man with very little prior experience it is a wonder how this man managed to create such a masterpiece on his first real attempt. There was nothing lacking in this film from the simple yet wonderful soundtrack which emphasised the emotion on screen perfectly, right through to the costume and make up which was outstanding. If this is Duncan’s debut feature film then I cannot wait to see what he has in store for us in the future.

Sam Rockwell gave an outstandingly intense performance. Sam goes through a whole host of changes during this film and each and every one has been portrayed and performed to the highest standard. This is an actor who, up until this film, has mainly been playing the supporting roles. But in Moon Sam is thrust into the spotlight and truly shines. Sam plays the vast majority of this film alone, with nothing but Kevin Spacey’s voice to accompany him. Now that is a hard job, with no other actor to read off, to take some of the pressure off but Sam comes out the other end triumphant.

I mentioned before about the costume and make up but seriously, there is not enough credit that can go to that department. The way they show Sam’s gradual decline in health is unbelievable. Towards the end he almost looks like a zombie due to him getting more and more ill. The way I measured whether or not this was effective was the fact I was cringing towards the end as Sam got progressively worse, which I believe was the desired effect. So hats off to some amazing work.

Moon is a film which deals with a variety of issues ranging from loneliness, isolation, the need for human contact right through to what it means to be human. This is by no means your average lost in space sci-fi film, it is something completely different. If you have not seen Moon yet then I cannot recommend this film highly enough and when you watch it you will know exactly what I have been talking about. 

Written by Oliver Willis  

   

Harry Brown (2009)

Harry Brown, directed by Daniel Barber, is a gritty British film about an elderly ex marine and widower Harry Brown (Michael Caine) who lives on one of London’s many rough housing estates where gang life is a constant and ever present danger. When his wife died Harry turned to his best friend Leonard Attwell (David Bradley) who expresses his fear of the gangs on the estate after he has been a target of vandalism and threats. When Harry is then informed of his best friend’s brutal murder he begins to lose hope, no friends no family, nothing left. When it becomes apparent that the police are unable to arrest the boy that initiated the attack Harry decides to take the law into his own hands. With his marine experience and nothing to lose Harry sets out to avenge his friend’s death and rid the estate of the youths who feel they can’t be touched. Who would have thought it would take an elderly man to make them fear their actions and realise everyone must be held accountable.    

Now I know people have mixed feeling about Michael Caine, that he can really only play one roll, himself. But whether or not you think that’s true it’s irrelevant for this film, for the role called for a Michael Caine performance. He was exactly who was needed for this role and to be honest, who else would have played Harry Brown, let alone to such perfection. We see two sides to Harry, one loving and caring side for his dying wife and his best friend. But when they are taken away from him we see a sudden change, the sweet old man we saw before takes a dark turn and becomes a vigilante of street justice. Michael plays this wonderfully and proves he is a 3-dimentional actor capable of playing more than one role.

The next biggest performance would be the recording artist turned actor Ben Drew aka Plan B. He plays Noel Winters, a tough youth from a London housing estate. As you can imagine, for anyone who is aware of who Plan B is, this was not too much a stretch for him to play. But in all fairness the role called for a character such as Ben Drew and so he delivered the performance that was needed.

I actually enjoyed this film, never have I routed for a murderer but Michael had me eating out of the palm of his hand. He delivers a form of justice of which could never be handed out by the law and for that he was our hero. The film was dark, gritty, grimy and everything life on a London housing estate is perceived to be. But if you think you know how this film will end then think again. The finale is something of which I did not expect and sets into motion a whole host of events which I could not have predicted. I would recommend this film to anyone who enjoys and action packed thriller but with a serious and meaningful storyline. Harry Brown breaks the law, but in the right way.   

Written by Oliver Willis

Adventureland (2009)

Adventureland is a film, written and directed by Greg Mottola (Paul, Superbad) set in the summer of 1987 about a college graduate, James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg) who has no idea where he is going in life, and so decides to take a job at the local amusement park, Adventureland. Here he meets a whole host of weird and wonderful friends, including a girl called Em Lewin (Kristen Stewart). The film sees James on a path where he will discover who he is and what he wants out of life with some heartache and laughs along the way.

Jesse Eisenberg plays his usual character, a slight geeky, shy and socially inept teenager. I have said this in my reviews in the past that this is not a bad thing, he plays these roles well, why change. I wouldn’t mind seeing him in another role in the future though, will be interesting to see how that would turn out. Jesse and Kristen’s characters are in love/not in love in this film which means a lot of ups and downs for them. I think both actors performed these roles well, even the intense and emotional scenes; they really look like they should be together and make you feel for these characters when everything begins to go wrong and the heartache begins.

One of my favourite comedy actors plays a supporting role in this film, Ryan Reynolds who plays Brad, the good looking older Adventureland handyman with a claim to fame. It was a different role for Ryan in this film as he wasn’t playing his usual cocky, arrogant comical role but instead took on a more serious one of a married man who likes to mess around with the female Adventureland staff. He plays this part surprisingly convincing and proves he is not just a cocky comedy actor but, when called for, is able to perform the more serious, intense roles.

Overall I loved this film; there is something about it that makes you feel good after watching it. Because this film is set in the late 80’s the soundtrack, I found, was brilliant with such songs as Modern Love – David Bowie and my favourite, Rock Me Amadeus – Falco. Every time I listen to this soundtrack it brings a smile to my face, absolutely love it. Even now, as I write this review I have the soundtrack on in the background, so I recommend both this film and soundtrack to anybody who likes a dry comedy, feel good film with a hint of romance, and let’s face it, who doesn’t.    

Written by Oliver Willis 

500 Days of Summer (2009)

500 Days of Summer, directed by Marc Webb, is an offbeat romantic comedy about a young man’s search for true love. Our main character Tom (Joseph Gorden-Levitt) believes in such a thing as true love and when he meets Summer (Zooey Deschanel) he believes he has found the perfect girl. Summer on the other hand has a very different take on love. This film shows Tom’s storey as he spends his 500 days with Summer, and the ups and downs that comes when two people have two very different views when it comes to love.

Joseph Gorden-Levitt (3^rd Rock From The Sun, Inception) plays our main character Tom. Joseph is a young but excellent actor, he plays Tom as a slightly nervous yet charming person who believes in such a thing as true love. I like Joseph and in my opinion he was perfect for this role. What this film needed for this character to work was a good looking, young, funny and generally likable actor, which Joseph delivered perfectly. Joseph is able to play a whole host of roles and this film demanded he do that, from deliriously happy to depressingly sad to intensely frustrated and everything in-between. I could not think of another young actor who could have pulled off such a heart warming performance as Joseph did.

Now is it any wonder Tom falls in love with Summer, I mean who would fall for Zooey Deschanel (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, The Happening). Zooey plays the part of Summer, a alternative, qwerky, free spirit who has a very different view of love. I think Zooey is absolutely brilliant, she plays these kinds of roles, the innocent free spirit, in a few films and it just fits so wonderfully. Her and Joseph make a very convincing young couple and really get you believing in the love that is so obviously shared between them. I think Zooey is an excellent actress and particularly good at playing this type of role.

Now I’m not usually one for romantic comedies but I have to say this one stuck with me. The film is so wonderfully put together, so alternative from any other in its genre and the soundtrack is exactly what you need to listen to on a sunny summer’s day. For any readers thinking they don’t like rom-coms I have to agree with you, but this film is no typical rom-com. I found it to be a brilliant watch and have since seen it three or four times and still love it. I would recommend this film to anyone who likes a laugh and an oddly alternative feel good film. The important thing to remember is this is not a love story; it’s a story about love.

Written by Oliver Willis