Film: True Grit (2010)

I haven't seen the 1969 adaptation of True Grit but I was blown away by the latest reimagining. The three main characters (again the use of a trio to lead the film is a success) Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) and LaBoeuf (Matt Damon) are perfectly matched as rival, allies and verbal sparring partners. Do not be decieved by the Cowboy genre or the serious drama of the plot, True Grit is extremely entertaining and witty which balances the suspence and dark undertones.

In terms of genre this film stands out from the backdrop of serious drama and superhero films filling the cinema yet also stands out as a Western films as well. There are guns, horse riding, bent moral codes, revenge and a love of sorts that stand out as classic props or icons in any western but this narrative is led by a female protagonist of just 14 years old, she hires Cogburn to help her track down her father's killer and bring him to justice. It is Mattie's determination that drives the plot and throughout there is exploration of each character and the discovery of who has the true grit refered to in the title. It is key to note that it is this admirable quality which brings the trio together and defines the actions of each of them.

Cinematically the soundtrack is beautiful, particualarly the final song, "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" (written by Elisha A. Hoffman and Anthony J. Showalter) and with a shocking end to the tale this film should be considered not only as a stand alone adaptation but as pure brilliance.

Related Links:

http://www.truegritmovie.com/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1403865/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmhBUxUDPTA

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065126/

Film: Tron: Legacy (2010)

This is an reimaging, and building on, of an incredible world first brought to screen in the 1980's and its realism is, surprisingly, heightened by the use of modern 3D.

With, apart from 'Avatar', unrivaled CGI creates a world of possibilities and is used for incredible light battles and exciting futuristic motorcycle races and recreating a youthful Jeff Bridges face for the character of Clu. He is the antagonist, a creation of Jeff Bridges' other character, this one aged, Kevin Flynn who was lost inside the 'animated internet' game he designed and trapped in his own cyberworld utopia. Over the years under the rule of Clu this world has become cruel and uniform, although it is poignant that these two characters should share a face...

The narrative is from the perspective of Sam (Garrett Hedlund), Kevin's son, whose story beginning overlaps with where Kevin's story ended in the original 'Tron'. Despite the "absent father who was idolised by his child and thereby left them damaged personnally" is a plotline which has been seen hundreds of times, it is my belief that it is not always the story that matters but the way in which is told and this narrative is definately unique!

There is intrigue, suspense and action which, fortunately, doesn't overshadow the complex character interactions. The issues raised in this film, despite relating to a cyberworld, has much revelance to the physical world of today as well as playing with the contemporary concepts of virtual worlds and technological advancement. It contrasts the spontaneaity of life with the automated, formulaic approach of machinery reminding us all how precious being alive is - a sobering lesson for our protagonist Sam.

Following Sam rather than the already defined protagonist, Kevin (Jeff Bridges), allows us, the new audience, to rediscover the wonder and danger of Tron through fresh eyes and this lets us bond with Sam who, in Batman style, is at the beginning a bit of a lost soul who clearly puts on a 'i-dont-care' front. His growth mirrors the arc of the plot through to its dramatc finale.

Another interesting character is Quorra (Olivia Wilde), and finally a female action character who doesn't conform to the, now, boring stereotype. She is crucial to the plot and despite being a little under used adds a feminine and half-way character between the father and son.

The message of the film doesn't feel forced, but like any great Sci-fi asks the audience to redefine the boundaries of what is right and wrong and how much of what we do is the product of how we were made: nature vs. nurture. This thrilling film even has hints of romance and the intangeable bonds of familial love, impressing that as limitless and wonderful as the internet is the real world has just as many wonders to discover and in todays world sometimes that is a hard thing to remember...

Related Links:

http://www.disney.co.uk/tron/index.jsp

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1104001/

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10011582-TRON_legacy/

Film: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)

This was yet another brilliant Harry Potter page to screen adaptation creating the tension, fear and angst seemingly effortlessly. The movement of the film was slow, like that of the book, but never dragged as lovely scenic shots of the changing seasons kept the pace. The scriptwriter did a wonderful job of trying to juggle the many plot and sub-plot developments at the foreground of the narrative but due to the condensed style of the film some scenes of dialogue seemed forced and randomnly squashed together.

The graphic art for the Tale of Three Brothers was gorgeous, as were the seemless transitions back into the film and the camera angles during the chase in the woods were incredible and really simulated the pace and drama of that moment.

Disappointingly the two deaths that made me cry in the books didn't have the time to have the same impact in the films. **SPOILERS** Hedwig's death was very sudden and rushed amongst all the commotion for any sadness to be played out and Dobby's death although touching seemed a bit too wordy. The loss of these too characters are pivotal in terms of Harry's character, they are symbolic of his true loss of childhood, but I suppose in the time frame they were given these moments are gems of raw emotion and supported by acting talent. The acting of the three main leads, who had never before had to carry the narrative of a Harry Potter film alone, rose to the challenge and delivered brilliantly. One should only look at the argument scene in the tent between Ron (Rupert Grint) and Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), and the despair and isolation epitamised in Hermione's (Emma Watson's) scenes to see how much they have matured.

The motif of the radio overvoiced, as the trio travel, listing the names of those missing or dead really drives home how important these last missions are and that now it is the wizarding community who are under seige not just Harry himself. However, the grand scale created through sweeping pans of isolated countryside, similar in style to that of the Lord of the Rings epics, doesn't quite create a grand feel for the finale. There was a lack of climax because this film is only representative of half of a book and thereby disrupted the regular law of narrative: Equilibrium, Disequilibrium and then New Equilibrium.

This film is probably one in which audiences who have read the book will have the greatest advantage of understanding and in order to retain the right ambience throughout this film the director has definately had to make the assumption that the audience will already have an understanding of the plot. However the heightened emotion and narrative of this film centers entirely on the trios friendship which comes across brilliantly, particularly through the dialogue free scenes. The love between these characters, both platonic and romantic, comes to the fore of the story and is stretched to extremes yet remains totally beliveable.

Despite this I felt that the complex narrative was managed beautifully making this an enjoyable and exciting film. The film plays with your emotions spinning on a dime from a jokers line to a devasting piece of news, we are kept on edge by the ever prevalent sense of danger. This adds to the anticipation of 'Part 2' and as a massive fan of the books and films I would have been perfectly happy with a short interval and then return to watch the second half, but now we must wait on the edges of our seats for another 6 months!

Related Links:

http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/harrypotterandthedeathlyhallows/mainsite/dvd/

http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/harrypotterandthedeathlyhallows/mainsite/index.html

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0926084/

http://thehummusoffensive.blogspot.com/2011/01/harry-potter-and-deathly-hallows-part-1.html

Film: Narnia; Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010)

This third adaptation of a 'Chronicles of Narnia' story follows the last two Pevensies and their hideous cousin on another adventure with prince Caspian. This time we leave the comfort of the shores of Narnia to voyage, as the title aptly describes, on the Prince's ship -The Dawn Treader, across the sea into unchartered waters. As the Edmund and Lucy have grown so has their audience and this story is a reflection of that, with more complex messages, a heightened sense of fear and self-discovery. This film is a wonderful adaptation of the book and retains the ambience of mystery, suspense and excitement. Despite the increased maturity the stories remain an exploration of the wonders of nature and the child's imagination. The smooth and impressive CGI also aids the realism of the world but does not overshadow the character built narrative and important plot developments (that will hint at the ending for the series). However, after the spectacular final battle the end of the voyage seems a little anti-climatic as the protagonists never actually set foot on the desired island after all!

However, the end result is a very nostalgic and moving tale.

Related Links:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0980970/

http://www.narnia.com/us/

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/chronicles_of_narnia_the_voyage_of_the_dawn_treader/

Book: Going Postal By Terry Pratchett

Possibly the best author of modern childrens fiction, Terry Pratchett's Discworld series is completely absorbing. Pratchett's wit and character quirks bring the stories alive and quickly spin a yarn of a world like no other!
In 'Going Postal' we are introduced to the character comically named Moist von Lipwig - a con-artist on death row. The cities tyrant, Vetinari, subtly controls the ensuing mischeif and drama, when Moist is given a choice: death or to become the new Postmaster? Its a tough choice as the postal service has been reduced to a crumbling building containing thousands of decade late letters due to the clacks service -electronic messages-, and then there are the deaths to consider. The past few Postmasters barely lasted a month each... but perhaps it takes a criminal to make an honourable business thrive. And of course there is always Adora Belle Dearheart to add the extra interest factor...
This story is facinatingly woven into a complex tale of the lives of intermingling characters in an imaginary world that is brought to life with humour and a certain eccentricity which is hard not to love. Oh, and remember the minor characters because once you are addicted to the discworld you will begin to notice them popping up in other tales too. It is all incredibly exciting!

Related Links:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1219817/

http://sky1.sky.com/going-postal-about

http://www.terrypratchettbooks.com/

Film: Toy Story 3 (2010)

You will enter the cinema, no doubt, with the childish thrill only a story of this calibur can create. If after watching all the adverts a short cartoon (Day and Night) begins to play - do NOT panic, you are in the right screening (probably). This innovative little peice is mesmerising...
Nothing of course to the main event! If you are of my age (late teens) then watching Toy Story will take you back to the days when it was the best film around - in recent years with the explosion of 3D cinema, animated films that were once the technological pinnical of film making are now second class. However, nothing can take away the magic of the stories and characters introduced in 'Toy Story 1'. Your eyes may tingle with tears of nostalgia as the film begins, but hold them back, save them for the final flourish when you will cry tears not only for Andy, Woody, Buzz and the gang but for your own toys. Like Special Duck, Humphrey the Camel and Muffin the Rabbit who fell by the wayside as you ran, tumbled, tripped and skipped through childhood.
This finale in the toys adventures completes the triology to perfection, retaining the fun, comedy, pace and sensational turmoil of adventure for the characters, captured at their very best for their final curtain call!

Related Links:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0435761/

http://disney.go.com/toystory/

http://www.disney.co.uk/toy-story/#characters

Book: The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

This is my favourite book without a doubt. I was captivated by the time I had read the name of the first chapter 'The Cemetery of Forgotten Books'.
The novel tells the tale of another book called 'The Shadow of the Wind' and a boy named Daniel who upon reading the book is drawn to the mystery of the author, Julian Carax. Upon searching for more of Carax's books Daniel can find none. The only clue left behind them is a man who has named himself Lain Coubert after a character from one of the books who happens to be the devil. Daniel enters dangerous situations and trails the mystery in the search of the elusive author.
There is romance and tension in this spine tingling thriller. This book is all about the chase and the search, which sews together a beautiful texture of characters and unpeels the lies of a post - spanish civil war society.

Related Links:

http://www.carlosruizzafon.co.uk/shadowofthewind.html

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?hl=en&q=the+shadow+of+the+Wind&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=17962991993306742753&sa=X&ei=3EUpTv-fIpOo8AO4qvD8Cw&ved=0CHUQ8wIwCg