Jurassic Park

Cast: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Joseph Mazzello and Ariana Richards.

Director: Steven Spielberg

Release Date: 1993

Genre: Adventure/Sci Fi

Running Time: 2hrs 7 minutes

Rating: PG-13

Format: Blu-Ray

Synopsis: 

Advancements in scientific technology have aloud John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) to create an island full of living dinosaurs. John has invited four people and his two grandchildren to join him at Jurassic Park for a preview. Will everything go to plan though? Dinosaurs vs. 20th century!

Based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Michael Critcheon. Director Steven Spielberg delivers one of the most breathtaking and fascinating films of the early nineteen nighties. Not only has Spielberg managed to pull off a spectacular looking film, he's also, unlike most film directors managed to stick closely to the original novel in terms of the thrilling storyline. So, for those who are not familiar. Billionaire Philanthropist John Hammond (Attenborough) has developed an amusement Park on Isla Nuba called Jurassic Park. An island full of living dinosaurs that have been cloned from prehistoric DNA. Jurassic Park, is the first of its kind. Excited about the journey he's about to embark on, he invites palaeontologist Dr Alan Grant (Neil) and Palaeontologist Dr Ellie Sattler (Dern) along for the ride to tour and hopefully endorse the park. Mathematician Dr Ian Malcolm (Goldblum), Hammond's lawyer Donald Genaro (Ferraro) and Hammond two young grandchildren are also brought in tour the park. Little do they know though that Jurassic Park's computer expert Dennis Nedry has disabled the park's security system in order to steal embryos, enabling the prehistoric creatures to escape their electrified enclosures.

The late Richard Attenborough delivers one of his most iconic performances as Jurassic Park creator John Hammond. Beautifully soft spoken and sweet natured, Attenborough fills the role excellently. They always say you should never work with children or animals in movies, however in this case Ariana Richards should really be praised for her terrific performance as Lex. It's a shame, despite their experience that some of the more professional adult performers deliver worst performances. Jeff Goldblum delivers a more humorous performance as cocky mathematician Ian Malcolm, although it's good, he delivers most of his lines in a sarcastic tone. Is it never quite understood what significance his character really has to the story, other then potentially helping Hammond with his financial income. Sam Neill stars as Paleontologist Dr Alan Grant, convinced that if he endorses Jurassic Park, his dig on Montana will be funded for a further three years, Grant soon finds himself in way over his head. Neill delivers a tremendous performance, beautifully enthusiastic, he shows a real love for dinosaurs. Samuel L. Jackson is an actor that normally finds himself under the radar with "Jurassic Park" due to his small role as computer wizard Arnold. Despite his small role, Jackson delivers a very good performance and brings terrific humour to the storyline.

Unlike most directors who get it wrong every single time. Steven Spielberg had author Michael Crichton write the screenplay and have serious input in terms of how the film looked and felt. This not only ensured that the film looked magnificent, but that Spielberg really captured and got deep understanding for how Crichton envisioned everything to look. Although a few changes were made to keep a "12" rating, the majority of the film is very true to the original novel. The beauty of "Jurassic Park" is that not only does it entertain, it also educates it's audiences too. I think there is something deeply fascinating about palaeontology. Despite there being plenty of fossils left by these magnificent creatures, there is still so much that we don't know. The film is beautifully shot and truly spectacular for the time in which it was made. Spielberg broke the novel down into storyboards. Mechanical creatures were made to determine the look of the dinosaurs. Terfficialy shot through the use of stop motion animation, animatronics and stunning CGI.

Award winning composer John Williams, produced the stunning score for the film. The theme has become somewhat iconic over the years, it's crazy to believe it was produced almost twenty-five years ago. Williams has not only composed one of the most iconic scores and theme to date, but created a score that allows audiences to feel emotion and intense thrills religiously throughout the film. You will never find another movie quite as good as this one!

5/5 stars

Ex Machina

Cast: Domhall Gleeson, Corey Johnson, Oscar Issac, Alicia Vikander and Sonoya Mizuno

Director: Alex Garland

Release Date: 2015

Running Time: 1hr 48 minutes

Genre: Mystery/Sci fi

Rating: 15

Format: Blu-Ray

Synopsis: 

Caleb is a programmer for the world's biggest internet company, he wins a competition to spend a week in a private mountain retreat belonging to Nathan the CEO of the company. Caleb is asked to participate in a top secret experiment with Nathan, he must interact with the world's first true artificial intelligence.

Ex Machina = From the machine

Alex Garland hit author of the adventure novel "The Beach" directs this wonderful Sci Fi thriller. Caleb (Domhall Gleeson) is a programmer for the biggest internet company in the world when he wins a competition to spend a week in a private mountain retreat owned by CEO Nathan. Whilst Caleb is there he's asked to participate in a top secret experiment with Nathan, his task? To interact with the world's first true artificial intelligence. If all of Garland's movies are as good as this one, I'm really looking forward to the next! Domhall Gleeson is someone you may recognize more from "Harry Potter" as one of the Weasley brothers. He's not the most talented actor in the world, however his performance is still very very good. Ex Machina is a movie you have to be extremely patient with, it's set in one place and at any given moment shows potentially only one actor on screen. It does however add to the mystery of the story beautifully.

What I love most about this movie is the fact that the characters are very mysterious. As a member of the audience you are given next to no information on Caleb, apart from the fact that he's a programmer for a huge company. You aren't told anything about Nathan, all you know is he owns the company and owns a massive piece of land, where he's been working on something very secretive. Alicia Vikander is absolutely fabulous, if you thought Arnold Schwarzenegger's performance portraying a cyborg in "Terminator" was good, wait till you see her performance in this, with the incredible use of special effects and cinematography, it's hard to believe Vikander is anything but a robot. Garland wants you to ask a lot of questions when watching this movie and even at the end he doesn't want you to have them answered.

Ex Machina is a gorgeous looking movie. Despite it being set in the middle of nowhere, cinematographer Rob Hardy has truly captured the beauty of Norway. The mansion that you see in the film is actually a hotel in Norway called the Juvet Landscape hotel. The production department were absolutely spot on when choosing a location for their movie, or a building to show Ava in, because it adds to the storyline beautifully. It's mysterious and secluded, it's hard to believe the place even exists, it's truly futuristic and considering the movie is to do with artificial intelligence it works wonderfully with the storyline. The lighting in this film really adds to the setting and the tone of the film, mysterious and dark, only showing light when truly needed in certain scenes it really adds so much mystery to the film, which is excellent.

Ben Salisbury has created one of the most beautiful scores for 2014, just like the set design, the soundtrack is also very mysterious and works with the storyline and actors perfectly. The music that is presented on screen when we're introduced to Ava is absolutely beautiful, how would you react if you were suddenly introduced to artificial intelligence? Director Alex Garland has really thought about everything aspect when it comes to this movie, the music works beautifully with the actors, the set design, the production design, you can practically hear the score telling a story on it's own. It's touching and beautiful just like the storyline. Don't be put off by the trailers, Ex Machina can easily look like a boring movie to naked eye, this is easily one of the most stunning looking Sci Films to date. Alex Garland has truly surprised his audiences with his skills, not only a gifted author but a very talented director too. Absolutely stunning, an absolute must have for any Sci Fi nut. The ending will truly make your jaw drop and make you question everything! Absolutely perfect.

Blu-Ray Special Features:

The Story: 

Alex Garland and the actors talk about the storyline. A very short featurette.

The Cast: 

A short featurette of the actors chatting about their characters.

The Design:

A look at the production design and location for Ex Machina with Director Alex Garland

Creating Ava: 

A look at creating, robot Ava.

The special features aren't that great sadly, the featurettes are only a couple of minutes long which is a shame.

5/5 stars

The Terminator

Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Biehn, Linda Hamilton, Earl Boen and Paul Winfield

Director: James Cameron

Release Date: 1984

Running Time: 1hr 47 minutes

Genre: Sci Fi

Format: DVD

Synopsis: 

A seemingly indestructible humanoid cyborg is sent from 2029 to 1984 to assistante a waitress, whose unborn son will lead humanity in a war against the machines, while a soldier from that war is sent to protect her at all costs. 

A baleful cyborg is sent from the future on a deadly mission to kill Sarah Connor (Hamilton), his mission is to prevent her from giving birth to her son John Connor who will end up becoming head of the resistance in the year 2029. Soldier Kyle Reese (Beihn) is also sent from the 2029,  his mission, to protect Sarah from the deadly cybernetic organism. Reese must see that Sarah survives! Director James Cameron delivers one of the most terrifying films of the early eighties. The hair-raising story about machines that rise from the ashes of a nuclear war will chill you to your very bones. Fantastically written, it's no surprise that Cameron's Sci Fi thriller is still a hit with audiences today.

Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as the spine-chilling cyborg Terminator. Schwarzenegger is remarkably robotic in movement and in characterisation. Emotionless, his performance is wonderfully convincing. The Terminator's only mission is to hunt down and kill Sarah Connor, nothing or noone will stop him in his path. Linda Hamilton stars as Sarah Connor, a young waitress who has no idea what her future has in store for her. Reese must be the one to travel through time to tell her who she goes onto be. A soldier. Hamilton and Beihn certainly share chemistry on screen with one another, making their friendship convincing. Beihn is terrific as soldier Kyle Reese, equally as determined (as is the terminator to kill her) to save Sarah Connor so she can one day give birth to her son John.

Cameron directed and wrote the picture, leaving plenty of room for surprises. The idea to not allow the storyline to go back and forth between past and future allows audiences to really understand the premise of the story, something unfortunately that went terribly wrong in"Terminator Genisys", in confusing audiences too early on in the film. The story holds a fantastic balance of suspense, humour and drama. Creative in art and design, the story of "Terminator" will never be recreated in the same fashion, with outstanding special effects and a trembling score that explains the story scene by scene, this really is one of the best sci fi films to ever be created. Director James Cameron will be the only person to bring us the next chapter in the story.

5/5 stars

Miss Peregrines home for peculiar children

Cast: Asa Butterfield, Eva Green, Samuel L Jackson, Rupert Everett and Judi Dench

Director: Tim Burton

Release Date: 2016

Running Time: 2hrs 6min

Rating: 12

Format: Blu-Ray

Synopsis: 

When Jacob discovers clues to a mystery that stretches across time, he finds Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, however the danger deepens after he gets to know the residents and learns about their powers. 

Based on the novel of the same name by Ransom Riggs. Distinguished director Tim Burton, brings the enchanted story to life! My original intention was to read the novel before the film came out. I however, thought I'd take a risk and watch the film first. If I am honest, I'm glad I did, although the novel is excellent, Tim Burton really brought colour and emotion to the film. In terms of book adaptations, Burton has done a magnificent job in keeping to the original storyline. Personally for me, this is what really made the film work. There's nothing worse than reading a terrific novel and finding a director has completely ruined it making a film adaptation that doesn't stay true to the book. Hopefully, this will be the first in a trilogy. Jacob (Butterfield) has always known that he's been different, however when he learns of a children's home in Wales is actually real, he embarks on a journey to find his grandfather's friends in the hope they can help. The people that he finds though are a little bit peculiar.

Asa Butterfield stars as Jake, a young lad that is convinced his grandfather was killed by a monstrous creature, that only he can see. Butterfield delivers a good performance, however his American accent is pretty poor. Although this is true to the book in which Jake is American, I think it would have been a good idea to have an American play the part, rather than a British actor play Jake. His American accent feels forced, rather than natural. Butterfield sadly doesn't deliver a tremendous amount of characterisation to his role. Eva Green really is the one who steals the show as Miss Peregrine, although far more different then how she is originally described in the book, there is something wonderfully elegant about how the way Green delivers her performance. Sexy and charming, Green is perfect as Miss Peregrine.

Introducing Emma, Enoch, Olive, Horace, Fiona, Hugh, Claire, Bronwyn, Twin 1#, Twin 2#, Millard and Victor. Each peculiar child has a different gift. The children are all magnificent, there were a few differences in terms of the characters in the novel, but nothing that really stands out. I really love that we are shown each of their individual gifts throughout the film. It's almost as if Ransom Riggs wrote the novel for Tim Burton. The storyline alone is so full of imagination and creativity. Samuel L.Jackson stars as bad guy Barron, if I remember correctly he is never mentioned properly in the novel. For those who read the novel first, they made find some scenes a little bit confusing, as the creatures are never really spoken about in detail. In the film they are shown in all their glory, naturally for entertainment purposes. I was taken back when I learned how there is little to no information about them in the book. Tim Burton did a good job in describing the monstrous creatures.

Visually, the film is absolutely spectacular. After Jake enters through the loop to WW2, he enters into a world of euphoric colour and enchanting imagination. The special effects really are magnificent. Each and everyone of us has a different imagination, the beauty of film is that it can capture our imagination on screen. Author Ransom Riggs describes elements of the story beautifully, but Tim Burton really brings them to life, through stunning visuals! It's like being in a dream. Colourful, exciting, thrilling and full of entertainment. Composers Mike Higham and Matthew Margeson deliver a stunning score that speaks volumes about the story and the characters. Dark and enchanting, the score works beautifully alongside the magnificent visual effects. I particularly love the use of contemporary music during the closing credits with Florence and the Machine's fantastic "Wish you were here", it really lets the audience travel on this incredible journey with Jake and Emma. Tim Burton has once again proved he is a five star director, I really look forward to seeing the next two films in the series.

4/5 stars

Richie Rich

Cast: Macaulay Culkin, John Larroquette, Edward Herrmann, Christine Ebersole, Jonathon Hyde,
Michael McShane and Celcie Ross.

Director: Donald Petrie

Release Date: 1994

Running Time: 1hr 35

Genre: Comedy

Rating: PG

Format: Amazon Prime UK

Synopsis: 

Richie Rich (Macaulay Culkin) is the richest kid in the world, he has everything he wants, except companionship. While representing his father at a factory reopening, Richie see's a bunch of kids playing baseball, he wants to join in, unfortunately to them, he's just a spoilt rich kid. When Rich industries top executive Laurence Van Dough plots to kill the Rich family, Richie must take control of the family company with a help of a few new friends and save his parents.

Richie Rich (Culkin) is the richest kid in the world. Son of the richest man in the world Richard Rich (Edward Hermann), Richie has everything, except what he truly wants, friendship. Material possessions don't buy you happiness. His mother and father are always busy, attending business trips, phone calls with the President, they barely have any time for him. The Rich family are invited to London to see the Queen, however a bomb has been planted on their plane. Bad guy Lawrence Van-Dough wants the Rich fortune for himself. However there's a slight problem, Richie didn't get on the plane. After making some friends during a game of baseball, Richie must help and prove that his parents are alive.

The storyline sounds more aggressive then what it actually is. It's very lighthearted, not an ounce of violence. The device is initially mistaken for chocolates. Of course the movie wouldn't be good without a little bit of fun. In the midst of rescuing his parents, Richie introduces his friends to his dad's company and his mansion of fun. Roller-coasters, sling-shots, quad-bikes and Professor Keenbean. Starring "Home Alone's" finest Macaulay Culkin, as Richie, Culkin delivers a highly entertaining performance. Charismatic and smart. Culkin brings a lot of fun to his role as Richie. Johnathan Hyde is excellent as Richie's butler Herbert Cadbury. Posh and straight to the point, Hyde delivers a very good performance.

Michael McShane steals the show as Professor Keenbean. Hilariously funny, always finding himself in trouble. Every great family film comes with a bad guy, Lawrence Van-Dough, plays the notorious enemy to Richard Rich. Selfishly wanting the fortune for himself. Richie and his friends must prove to Cadbury that Lawrence is behind his parents plane crash. The friendship between Cadbury and Richie is excellent, it's authentic, genuine and warm. The production design is magnificent. If you were the richest kid in the world, what would you have? Richie has his own roller-caster, McDonalds, Jet Ski's and human sling-shot. The production designers really got creative when it came to making props for the film. Richie Rich's initials are on everything, it adds nicely to the storyline and to the tone of the film.

Award winning composer Alan Silverstri delivers a smashing soundtrack, that works fantastically with the storyline and the characters. It's bouncy, fun and lighthearted. Richie Rich is a family fun film. It's very tongue-in-cheek, very silly, easy going. Perfect for the whole family to sit down and watch.

5/5 stars

Hocus Pocus

Cast: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Omri Katz and Thora Birch

Director: Kenny Ortega

Release Date: 1993

Genre: Halloween/Family Film

Running Time: 1hr 36 minutes

Rating: PG

Format: DVD

Synopsis:

It's been 300 years since the Sanderson sisters were executed for practising witchcraft. Max a new kid in town with the help of his sister and his high school crush accidentally wake them up, the sisters have one night to secure their existence in this world and become young again, will they succeed though?

In 1693, the Sanderson sisters were executed for practising witchcraft and taking the life of Emily Binks. 300 years later we move to the present day, It's Halloween night, newcomer Max (Katz) is forced to take his little sister Dani (Birch) trick or treating. However after bumping into high school bullies and his school crush, they decide to go back to the old Sanderson house (now a museum) where Max accidentally lights the black flame candle that brings the Sanderson sisters back to life. Max, Dani and Allison must do everything they can to send the witches back to the underworld before the sunrises.

Bettle Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy steal the show as the three Sanderson sisters. The humour comes from watching three witches from the 1600 hundreds survive in the 20th century. Bette Midler stars as leader of the group Winifred Sanderson, controlling over her two sisters, her performance is not only fantastically genius but hysterically funny. Kathy Najimy from "Sister Act" fame stars as middle sister Mary Sanderson. Absolutely hilarious, Najimy delivers a terrific performance, showing a brilliant amount of comic timing. Last but not least we are introduced to the youngest of the Sanderson sisters Sarah Sanderson, coincidently performed excellently by Sarah Jessica Parker. Sarah is thought to be the innocent and cute one out of the group. Parker's performance is outstanding.

Disney took it's fair share of risks when making this film, being the first to mention virgins and briefly showing under-age teenagers drinking alcahol. Terrifically shot in Salem, Massachusetts, it adds to the storyline perfectly. Director of Photography Hiro Narita has worked brilliantly alongside the lighting department and the production designers in creating a very eerie and spooky atmosphere on screen. The constant use of  purple, orange and green to emphasise the fact that it is Halloween. The curiosity of wondering how long the Sanderson house had been a museum? It is mentioned that spooky things started happening and the museum was closed? Is it thought that someone else had attempted to light the black flame candle over the years? The storyline is fun and thought provoking.
Highly entertaining, perfect for all ages on Halloween!

5/5 stars

The Addams Family

Cast: Raul Julia, Angelica Houstan, Christopher Lloyd, Christina Ricci, Jimmy Workman and Dan Hadaya.

Director: Barry Sonnenfeld

Release Date: 1991

Running Time: 1hr 39 minutes

Genre: Comedy/Family

Format: Blu-Ray

Rating: PG-13

Synopsis:

Con artists plan to rid an eccentric family out of their home, claiming they know their long lost uncle. 

Based on Charles Addams's original cartoons and the ever so popular TV show of the same name. Director Barry Sonnenfeld brings the cooky show to life! I have a confession. I might have seen this film a ridiculous amount of times. I even went to see it live on stage last week! What I love the most about this terrific adaptation, is the fact that everytime I watch it, I notice something different. Gomez Addams (Julia) has desperately been trying to contact his long lost brother Fester (Lloyd), he attempts on their 25th seance to try again. Is the man who turns up on their doorstep really Fester Addams though? The beauty of the film, is that it captures the terrific quirkiness of the original show. Those who are familiar with the original show are more likely to understand what I mean. There are however a fair amount of differences. The Addams mansion is far bigger than originally shown and an extensive amount of detail has gone into the interior of it. It's equally as incredible on stage as it is on screen.

The late Raul Julia steals the show as the ever so eccentric Gomez Addams. An ex-lawyer by trade, Gomez is a very unconventional man. Armed with a whimsical sense of humour and devilish good looks, Raul Julia delivers a tremendous performance. The onscreen chemistry that he shares with actress Anjelica Houstan is terrific, quite the pair, Morticia Addams is just as eccentric as he is. When it comes to those who have played Morticia Addams, Houstan certainly delivers a more mysterious performance, unlike Carolyn Jones who delivered more humour to her role. Both are fantastically good. Christopher Lloyd is a truly magnificent character actor, Lloyd delivers an incredibly funny performance as Fester Addams. So where has he been all these years? This is where it becomes confusing, as Fester was originally very close to Gomez. Where's he been hiding, The Bermuda Triangle? The underworld?

Wednesday and Pugsley Addams were originally performed by very young child actors. In the film, they are seen more in their early teens. Christina Ricci stars as Wednesday Addams, just as mysterious as her mother, with a magnificent deadpan expression, Wednesday terrifies all whom she comes into contact with. Jimmy Workman stars as Pugsley Addams, although not as eccentric as his sister or his parents, he delivers a very good performance. In the original show, both children didn't attend school because Mr Addams believed his children learnt everything at home. I really like that director Barry Sonnenfeld chose to make some differences in the film, mainly due to the children's age difference. Lurch is a character that is certainly very different to his original counterpart. The idea to not have Lurch talk in the movie, really added mystery and depth to his character, although in the show, Lurch didn't talk an an awful lot, I feel like it ruined the character somewhat.

So is the storyline very much like the original show? Yes and no. There are certainly plenty of elements that have been taken from the show and added into the movie. Elements that were put into the movie are anything from Gomez Addams playing with his famous train set, Lurch playing the organ and Pugsley collecting road traffic signs. Director Barry Sonnenfeld even made a point of introducing Cousin It, Lumpy Addams and Flora and Fauna. This was surprisingly nice, particularly with Cousin it, as he only made a brief appearance in the show. Creepy and Cooky. Visually the film really does look magnificent, as I mentioned earlier, the more I watch it, the more things I notice in the background of each scene. The creativity that has gone into making each and every scene memorable is fantastic. The costume design is wonderfully accurate, I really like that they have given the characters a more darker look, adding even more to their mysteriousness.

Composer Marc Shaiman delivers a magnificent score that works beautifully alongside the film. It really does speak volumes about the storyline and the characters. Terrifically eccentric and dark. I really love that Barry Sonnenfeld chose to use a more contemporary score too for the end credits, to add a real sense of fun to the story. The Addams Groove by MC Hammer is particularly catchy and fun. Considering the time in which the film was made, it's very clever and by far one of the most creative films of the early nineties. I can watch this film, time and time again, I cannot recommend highly enough!

5/5 stars