Post Grad (2009)

★★★½✩

Post Grad is the story of a girl with a plan—the perfect plan. School, work, she’s got it all figured out—until the plan fails.

Ryden Malby’s life seems to fall apart after her college graduation, when she is forced to move back in with her (slightly kooky) family after she doesn’t get her dream job—in fact, she can’t seem to get any job at all. Her relationship with her best friend is faltering, and she just can’t seem to get her act together. Played by Alexis Bledel, Ryden reminds us of Rory, the character we all know and love from Gilmore Girls, but is different enough for us to believe that she is not the same person. The roles of Ryden’s parents are played by Michael Keaton and Jane Lynch, ensuring that the viewer is always kept smiling. There is some romance for the girls, and some comedy so that the boyfriends don’t fall asleep on the couch. All in all, Post Grad is a well-rounded comedy with a little something for everyone—perfect for watching in groups, with your family or by yourself.

This film also serves to remind us all of a valuable lesson: life doesn’t always work out the way you expected—which is not always a bad thing.

La Cabina (a.k.a. The Phone Box) (1972)

★★★½✩

A short horror film from Spain and made in 1972, La Cabina reminds us of what horror movies are supposed to be: carefully thought out and cleverly made productions. That scare the crap out of us.

Unlike the blood, guts, gore and monsters that are shoved into our faces in modern-day horror flicks, La Cabina, like other horror films of its time, scares us with ideas, fear, and how people treat other people—and, in this case, with accepting the impossibility of changing your fate. The plausibility of this story actually happening is probably what makes La Cabina—at least according to many—one of the scariest short films ever made. In fact, perhaps that is why people have stopped making scary movies like greats such as Alfred Hitchcock once did—it is easier to be faced with monsters and unlikely explosions of blood than to be faced with your own realistic fears.

Regardless of whether you enjoy modern-day or old-style horror flicks, two things are certain; Firstly, La Cabina is worth the watch; Secondly, once you’ve seen it, you’ll never again look at a phone box without fear.

Alice in Wonderland (2010)

★★★★✩

With a record breaking first weekend at the box office and several huge stars, combined with the facts that it is one of the most beloved stories of all time (and in 3D!), the expectations for the film Alice in Wonderland are extremely high. Unfortunately, such high expectations are rarely fully met, and this is no exception.

Most noticeably, the name of the movie is deceiving, for while it is based on the books ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and ‘Alice Through the Looking Glass’ by Lewis Carroll—and noticeably so—it is a completely different tale. It is more of a continuation of the original, and those who expect to see their favourite fairy-tale in a new light don’t get what they expected. There are also several points in the plot where there is a lull, or where everything happens much too quickly, as if the film's suspense and excitement were not properly distributed. The movie’s ending, in particular, seems out of place and unrealistic—reactions seem unsuited to characters and something seems, well, “off”.

HOWEVER, one has absolutely NO TIME to dwell on these negative aspects because they are greatly outnumbered and outdone by the positive ones. The digital effects are awesomely magical and the costumes and make-up are extremely impressive. One finally gets to enter the world that everyone has dreamed of being in—the 3D helps with this, of course, but is not a necessity. High-profile actors are seen in roles the likes of which we have never seen them in before, and fun ones at that—Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, Anne Hathaway as the White Queen, Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen, Stephen Fry as the Cheshire Cat, and Alan Rickman as the Blue Caterpillar, to name a few.

All in all, despite it’s faults, Alice in Wonderland deserves a high rating, and is definitely worth seeing. However, is it a film I could see again and again and never ever tire of? Probably not.

Once (2006)

★★★★½

With it’s moving music and sweet storyline, Once is a film that touches your heart. The fact that it is an independent, low-budget production filmed with a handheld camera and acted in by musicians, not actors, makes it real, relatable and all the more amazing.

The story is of two people, a guy and a girl—their names are never mentioned—and their connection through their love of music. The paths of their lives cross for only a short period of time, and it is this period of time that the film in focused on. The atmosphere is formed by amazing songs and only improved by the impressive cinematography—which doesn’t include the excessive shaking a handheld camera usually results in.

This film touched the world—and for good reason. For ‘once’, the little fish made it in the big tank. The VERY big tank, actually, if going home with an Oscar in your hand is big.

Mamma Mia! (2008)

★★★¾✩

In the classic ABBA song Mamma Mia are the lines, I don’t know how, but I suddenly lose control/There’s a fire within my soul. And that is what the movie Mamma Mia! is. You watch this movie and lose control. There is indeed a fire within your soul. And all you want to do is dance and sing all day long.

One would, of course, expect nothing less from a movie made with some of the most beloved actors of all time, based on one of the most beloved musicals of all time, which was in turn made from some of the most beloved songs of all time. It includes singing, dancing, romance, Greece, and a fair amount of who’s-your-daddy drama—literally. Meryl Streep shows us that on top of her monstrous acting talent she can also sing surprisingly well, and Amanda Seyfried stuns everyone with her amazing vocals. The only thing that is hard to wrap your brain around is seeing James Bond in a singing, dancing, happy musical scenario. But hey, kudos to Pierce Brosnan for trying something new, right?

The Mamma Mia! experience is, of course, lengthened and made EVEN BETTER by the awesome (if slightly embarrassing) times you get to have with all of the karaoke extras on the DVD. Mamma mia, here I go again, my my, how can I resist you?

The Moguls (a.k.a. The Amateurs) (2005)

★★★¼✩

During the first scene of this film, you as the viewer are sure that you’ve just started watching a tearjerker. In fact, you are probably still preparing yourself by reaching for the tissue-box when you hear Jeff Bridges’ character yell, “We’re going to make a porno!” at which point it becomes clear that you probably won’t be having a sob-fest after all.

The Moguls, or The Amateurs, is a comedy telling of a man, named Andy, who is a little on the broke side—not only in terms of money but in every aspect of his life. He has no real job, is recently divorced, and is having troubles connecting with his son as well as he used to. The lives of all his friends seem to be going just as hopelessly, and so Andy starts thinking about something they could do that would turn their life around—and comes up with the idea to make an amateur porno film. The struggles to do so successfully then commence.

Reading this, or any other description of the film, it is ever so easy to say, and why would I want to see that? It does indeed sound like just another one of those stupid movies that no one really wants to watch. However, in all likeliness, viewers will be pleasantly surprised. For a movie about porn, it is very tastefully done. On top of that there is some very good acting, especially by Jeff Bridges and William Fichtner. There are several genuinely true and sentimental moments, and an ending most won’t see coming. All in all, The Moguls is a film worth watching.

For more on this movie, go to moviesforacent.com

Breach (2007)

★★★¼✩

When it comes to the movie Breach, viewers and reviewers all talk about the same thing—Chris Cooper, and his impressive acting performance.

Based on a true story, this film tells of a man working to become an FBI agent (a.k.a. Eric O'Neill), and his assignment to spy on an agent named Robert Hanssen. O’Neill is originally told that Hanssen is under investigation because of certain sexual habits, but later finds out that this 25-year-long employee has been a traitor for the past 22 years, naming names and leaking information to the Soviet Union. O’Neill finds it difficult to spy on Hanssen, especially at the start of his assignment, as the two of them begin to bond and it seems unlikely that a guy like Hanssen could be involved in this. Turns out he was not only involved, but was responsible for the greatest security breach in the history of the United States.

Although Breach is categorized as a Crime/Drama/Mystery/Thriller, don’t be fooled. It is a genuinely well-made film with some very good acting, and it’s not just all shooting and car-chases as so many Mystery/Thrillers are. It has depth and complexity, focusing on the truths and untruths involved in any and all relationships. And on top of it all, it reminds us that things are seldom what they seem.

For more on this movie, go to moviesforacent.com

The Return (Short)

★★½✩✩

Let’s start by saying that this is a low-budget, amateur production. That being said, you can—unfortunately—tell.

The Return tells of a family whose members don’t get along exceptionally well, especially the father and son. After one particular disagreement, the son escapes from home, only to return a year later—as a zombie. Although the overacting suits the atmosphere of the film quite well, and the cinematography is not half bad (at least in some parts), there are some disappointing aspects.

The lighting isn’t that great (which is, however, to be expected from a low-budget production), and the sound levels are unequal at times, causing the viewer to strain to hear. The most disappointing thing, though, is what the film is in fact trying to excel most in—digital effects. The effects would have been much more believable if only makeup had been used—for the makeup that was done is really quite good.

All in all, despite the disappointing aspects, the creator of The Return managed to produce a satisfyingly creepy atmosphere and hop on to the zombie train while it’s hot—almost as hot as the vampire train.

http://www.alittlefx.com/

Penelope (2006)

★★★¼✩

Penelope is a film for the fairytale-loving, romantic side of people. It takes us back to the basics of storytelling—a reminder of beloved tales such as Cinderella and Snow White, and their search for Prince Charming.

The story consists of a girl named Penelope who, generations before her birth, was cursed by a witch and condemned to be born with the face of a pig—and to live like so until she finds ‘one of her own kind’ who will love her unconditionally despite her condition. A search therefore ensues for her ‘Prince Charming’, as she simultaneously begins her own search for independence, acceptance, and happiness.

This film includes the typical things—such as ‘good vs. evil’ and important (even if heard before) morals—that one would expect to find in a fairytale. If nothing else, the inner child in everyone will welcome the change from the horror movies and murder-mystery shows it has been forced to watch so much of as of late.

Adam (2009)

★★★½✩

Adam is, as most films are, about relationships. But what makes this one so refreshing is that it not only includes romantic relationships, but all those in a life—the good ones and the bad. It speaks about perception—about how each person perceives the world (and each person in it) differently.

The story tells of a man (Adam) with Asperger’s Syndrome, and his relations to the people around him—particularly to his new neighbor, Beth. It is a wonderful tale of love, confusion and change, and offers the world a glimpse through the window to the world of Asperger’s.

This film will cause you to laugh, cry, feel inspired, and maybe even look at your own life—and those involved in it—from a whole new perspective.