Back to the Future

I saw this bad boy at the cinema - for which it was re-released for its 25th anniversary, all shiny and new (kind of).

It was great, I wore my Hill Valley hoodie, and snuggled up with my boyfriend on the back row, with a slushy and a child like excitement! I've always been a big believer that all films are better at the cinema - even the oldies, and this was no exception, it really was cool. No other word for it.

I like when you go to see a well known film at the cinema again, because the people who are there to see it are already big fans, so its like a mini convention - with everyone laughing at their favorite parts, and sharing in the experience like a group of friend, rather than strangers stuffed into a strange sloping room!

The sound was amazing - I had to cover my ears when Marty plugs his guitar into the giant amp in the Doc's house, as I knew the sound would hurt my ears, and it did! But it only made the film better. The visuals were great, the quality was top notch and it was just as entertaining as watching it the first time, no matter how many times you have seen it before.

I guess the only downside for this one is you can really see the makeup effects clearly - the fake 'old' skin that is used to make them look, well, older. But for me that was all the more fun, I know some people prefer their films to be glossy, with no faults. To me, that's part of the charm.

I also found that (even though it was a late showing), I had trouble keeping my eyes open, because no matter when and where I watch it I find myself falling asleep with the familiarity of it. But again, part of the charm. There is no worry about missing anything because I have seen it a trillion times before. If you like comfort and nostalgia, then see this at the cinema before it goes!

Here's to hoping they treat the rest of the trilogy with such respect!

Apocalypto

Yes, sure, I'm late on the band wagon with this one. It was a film I intended to watch when it was first shown but failed to see for some stupid reason! (probably because no one would go with me).

I whacked this onto my DVD player, having bought it a few months ago, but never been in the mood to watch since and was pleasantly suprised. Which I am with most films I watch, but this one more so because I had such preconceived ideas about it, having been directed by the nut job/ not a nut job actor of actors, Mel Gibson.

Sure, when the film first started I did wonder what I had let myself in for - and even as a non film critic with no real experience in film other than having watched a god damn fair few, I could tell that some of the shots were... odd. I don't know how to describe it other than to say I just felt a little confused by some of the camera angles etc. But all in all the film was enjoyable. It looked great too!

You can't help but be impressed by the scale of the film - and even though its subtitled, you really don't notice! I find it hard to believe I even read the lines, as I was so sure at the end that they had started speaking English! Although to be fair there really isn't that much of a script.

The story is quite simple and easy to follow - a village is destroyed by a horrible group of men, who take them to a city to be used as slaves/ sacrificed to a God in order to aid their dying crops. The main character, Jaguar Paw, left his pregnant wife behind - trapped and hidden in a cave, and he decides early on that he must escape to get back to her. He is the hero, and you don't ever think he won't escape, which I personally like, because failure is so rife in real life, why throw it in your face in movies eh?

As the film continues it shows him and his friends go through some horrible ordeals and eventually Jaguar Paw gets free and then the hunt is on.

I was surprised by how much of the film was actually based on the capture, rather than the escape, however it was pivotal to the plot as you really have to like this character in order to appreciate the film. If you don't click with him, then you might as well turn off, because you HAVE to root for him, you just have to.

The film larks on as J.P runs back to his wife, with the bad bunch hot on his heels - there is hiding, fighting, slaying and lots of out of breath moments and its all edge of your seat stuff.

I would highly recommend this film! Watch out for a little girl making a prophecy - she is eerily scary, and not even an actor, she's a child who lives in a random South American village in the jungle! Premium find, as no child actor could have given such a terrifying performance!

The Hole 3D

Ok, so many people I know are so against 3D it's insane. Although I do understand the extra cost is a kick in the teeth because, hey! We didn't ask for the previledge of a 3D cinema, but that's besides the point. 3D is cool in my opinion, and even kids films can be good in 3D.... I rest my case.

The Hole 3D was a different kind of 3D... because looking back at it, I don't think I can really remember anything THAT 3D about it... I only just realised that... strange.

But it was entertaining any who. The story was actually more of a grown up topic than I thought would be the usual topic for a kids film (woah, I don't think that was English..). For a cert 12 film the theme was quite dark - there were many kids in the screen with their parents and what not, and if I was one of those parents I would have been a bit put off by the fact that there was adult language used multiple times in the film, and parts of it were just damn creepy!

So the story goes 2 kids move to a new neighbourhood - they don't really get on, and the older one is all grumpy and teen angsty and hates his mother for having to constantly move around for jobs. They meet the cute - oh so popular but also alternative, uber cool, everyones best friend girl, who doesn't have a boyfriend neighbour and then they find a hole.

It continues like that for a while with all the 'what's this hole all about' questioning and such. But then things start to get strange - and they start seeing things. They eventually follow one of these visions back to the hole and you watch it crawl back in, in one of the most terrifying crawling scenes I have seen since Tamara crawles out of the TV in The Ring! *shiver* But then they start to figure out what's going on and have to face their fears and grow closer as friends etc because of it.

It really is a coming of age, facing your demons film - for kids and adults alike. Yeah, so its never going to win any awards - but its good fun, and creepy. Not sure it really hit its mark with the 3D elements - but not all films can be as awesome as Step Up 3D! (no joke, the 3D was amazing!).

I'd watch it again, in 2D just to watch it and be entertained - its much like The Vampires Assistant (which the main kid was in), and Zathura - its kind of fun, kind of spooky, a bit more grown up than you'd expect and overall i can't say I didn't like it!