Paranormal Activity 4 Review

www.inspire-magazine-online.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/film-review-paranormal-activity-4.html

Since the beginning of the Paranormal Activity franchise, each of the films have been exploring the unusual, paranormal events leading right up to the original film, jumping around in time. However, finally Paranormal Activity 4 moves the franchise along to the larger picture we have been waiting for. It has been 5 years since Katie murdered her boyfriend, sister and brother-in-law, she has recently moved into a quiet neighbourhood, opposite teenager; Alex and her family. The story focuses on Alex who, typically for a Paranormal Activity film, tries to convince her family of the unusual events going on right under their roof. As she becomes wary of a strange boy across the street; the paranormal events unfold. 

Paranormal Activity 4 is an attempt to make all previous films of the franchise clear; though it actually becomes more confusing as the film is set some two or three years later. This is mainly due to the conventional linking of each Paranormal Activity; it is unclear how the narrative links this time round. 

http://www.sinfulcelluloid.com/2012/10/paranormal-activity-4-raises-few.html

Paranormal Activity 4 provides the audience with some tense moments but nothing incredible, the mood throughout the film, as in most Paranormal Activity films is playful and humorous rather than violent and terrifying. One of the most distracting things about this film is the main camera set up. Of course, Paranormal Activity films are known for the nerve-racking camera set ups, though in the new release, the set up is not as nearly entertaining. Footage is captured mostly through ‘Kinect sequences’ on the living room Xbox, this effect is exciting and a clever gimmick for about a minute, then it becomes quite off putting to watch. If you’re going to watch Paranormal Activity 4, be prepared to spend a lot of time squinting and playing spot the movement. It really took the atmosphere away.

CARLY'S OPINION: Paranormal Activity 4 isn’t a bad film, I would recommend watching it. But be prepared that it’s nothing special, as average as Paranormal 1 and 2. In my opinion, Paranormal Activity 3 remains the best film of them all, until another is released, which undoubtedly it will be

Looper Review

This review is based on one of the most anticipated films of 2012; Rian Johnson’s Looper! Rian Johnson; a fairly new director to the scene began his career in just 2005 with ‘Brick’ which also starred Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Looper had high expectations but opened bigger than we could have guessed, sailing past the $19M/$20M estimates. I guess people are just loopy for Looper!

The film is set in the year of 2044, as well as 30 years into the future from then, 2074 when time-travel has been invented. It isn’t widely used and is only available to those who are willing to pay for it on the black market. When the Mob wants to eliminate someone, it sends the target into the past where a Looper waits for them to finish the job. However, one day they must close their own loop. The Looper must pull the trigger on their future self as they hold too much information about those who employ them, when that time comes they must eliminate their future self as they would anyone and accept that 30 years from that moment they will disappear.

Looper is an incredibly exciting time-travel thriller with a clever concept behind it all. I have to say there were times within the film where I found myself a little confused as to what was happening due to the fast pace of the film. However, what I like most about Looper is that it isn’t all action; it has an intelligent story behind it. The film doesn’t need constant gun action to keep the audience gripped like a lot of films. Though, when the guns do come out blazing it makes great entertainment with Bruce Willis adopting his former Die Hard role.

Before the release of Looper, one thing I was keen to see was the effort made to transform Joseph Gordon-Levitt into a younger Bruce Willis. Personally, I couldn’t picture how they were going to achieve this. It wasn’t perfect and took a lot of getting use to but in my opinion they pulled it off due to the clear effort from the make-up artists, stylists and Joseph Gordon-Levitt himself who performed as the actor Bruce Willis very well.

CARLY'S OPINION: Looper is a must see for absolutely anyone who loves films, especially you hardcore sci-fiers!

Lawless - DVD Review

Lawless - 13th January 2013

http://themovieblog.com/2012/red-band-trailer-for-lawless-shows-the-grit-and-the-boobs/

Gangster meets western in Lawless; based on a true story, the film follows the lives of the three 'Bondurant' brothers, as they take the law into their own hands.

Synopsis

The story begins with the younger brother Jack (Shia LaBeouf), fancies himself to become the next thing to Al-Capone. He sees himself as the next big gangster, though in reality he's just a worker making the towns illegal beer supply. Next up is the middle brother, Howard (Jason Clarke), the muscles of the three and finally, the eldest and wisest of the brothers, Forrest (Tom Hardy). As their legend within the town grows, so does trouble with the new law enforcements. Will they rewrite the myth and law, widely spread through the town themselves?

Review

Lawless has everything; a Western theme, guns and bad guys. What more could a person want?

At the start of the movie, I felt a sense of strength and masculinity towards Forrest, particularly as he is the eldest and is trying to protect his brothers. As the story unfolds, the roles alter and the narrative mainly focuses on Jack, which allowed me personally to form a bond with his character. Throughout the film, we see Jack maturing as he attempts to care for his brothers, this is particularly shown when he takes control of the fight and stands up to the gang. However, this also emphasises that though Jack's experiences have made him brave, he is  still young and makes stupid decisions.

If you think Lawless is some kind of 'rom-com', then think again. The less significant, romance scenes are outweighed by violence and content which is bloody and horrific at times. But what do you expect for an 18 rated film?

Tom Hardy and Shia LaBeouf give strong performances and impressive portrayal of characters throughout the film. Though as much as I enjoyed Tom Hardy's performance, I couldn't help but think that he could have spoken a bit more clear, as he had a tendency to grunt, even before his run in with the gang. 

ASHLEY'S OPINION: Lawless is most definitely 'flaw-less'; with an outstanding array of actors and actresses, this star studded crime film is a must watch! The film is awesome and I really recommend watching it. You will not be disappointed.