Constantine - "He believes in you"

******WARNING - This one contains spoilers*********

"Angela: Well, this has been real educational, but... I don't believe in the devil."
 "John Constantine:You should. He believes in you."

Hello there! I must say this is one of my favourites and above is my favourite piece of dialogue.
As a religious person most of the notions included in here are not unknown to me and therefore I find this film very consistent theologically.

This is the story of one attempt from the son of the devil to rise and takes us all to hell.
In the middle of all this is John Constantine, played by Keanu Reeves, that tries to buy his way back into heaven by exorcising as many demons as possible. Why? Because he is a "suicide" and people who commit suicide go to hell. Who wants to end up in a place where most of its resident were placed there by them.
What kind of suicide? Watch the film.

The acting part of the film has its faults as we all know Keanu Reeves is that multi-skilled actor with his many  facial expressions that total four: neutral, scared, in pain and intoxicated. But I must say I love the guy, he's totally yummy and I love him to bits on "Point break".
Rachel Weisz and Tilda Swinton don't disappoint as expected, the first being the spark that ignites the whole plot and the second as the Angel Gabriel.
Special mention to Gavin Rossdale, lead singer from the band Bush who plays the demon Balthazar.

Overall, I loved the film. I've watched it several times since it came out and intend to keep seeing it over and over again.
It could be better but it's good enough for me. I've heard that for 2012 we'll have Constantine 2.
Let's see what will come up.

See ya people,

xoxo
Annie

Sucker Punch – Mulholland Dr. for a different audience

Director: Zack Snyder (2011)

Starring: Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens, Oscar Isaac

Mild spoilers, but you know you want them (or you wouldn’t be reading this).

It is not often that a work of cinema manages to combine different elements, all fundamental to the art, in such a clever way.

Sucker Punch, released in 2011, is a much unexpected surprise. Following Snyder’s epic formula of creating very visual films combined with heavy soundtracks and scantily clad people running about, this one is clearly one step above his previous releases.

The film follows the story of Baby Doll, a twenty year old girl put in an asylum by her step-father, and her mental and physical journey towards escape. A frequently-explored drama themed motion picture, one would think. Hardly.

Sucker Punch is a film about escapism, presented in a seldom seen manner, by combining elements of drama with those of a typical action blockbuster release. The story progresses through constant shifts of reality, as Baby Doll relies on her imagination to find a way out of all that binds her.

Simple a plot as it may seem, this film delivers it flawlessly, with brilliant transitions between realities, and a highly allegorical imagery that, from the very start, gives you some sense of what’s going on, while keeping you confused, yet hooked, on what is to come.

Though quite different in style and approach, this film reminds me of a more accessible, less arcane Mulholland Dr. Why?, you ask. Because, I answer, it has all the basic elements upon which Mulholland Dr. was based upon: a dual dream-reality atmosphere, and a main character that shapes her real world, which she can’t handle, into an idealised dream, by combining what she wishes was into what is. To this we add the eye candy (no girl on girl action on this one, but girls in skimpy clothing nonetheless) and an overall mindfucking feeling as you’re still not sure about what’s happening until about half way through.

Coincidences, I believe, are intentional: the allegory of the “key” is just too obvious, and one could argue that many other things (the gun, the knife, the abuse, the guilt) were also highly influenced by Mul’ Dr. That said, Snyder is no Lynch. But the outcome is still surprising, and much more humanistic than I even thought a Snyder release to be.

300 was, by all means, an epic film – but the storyline came close to unrealistic ridicule. Sucker Punch plays in a different arena. It skilfully combines reality with exaggeration, but is always careful enough to place these two in their due place. The result is the audience being rewarded with a film that has just about everything to satisfy their cinematographic needs.

For me, the film’s main fault is the unseasoned acting. Whereas we get very good performances from most of the cast (Abbie Cornish being the clear driving force, decently backed up by Emily Browning), we also get very formulaic approaches from Vanessa Hudgens and Oscar Isaac, which are, in a way, necessary to build the film’s atmosphere, but  also make it veer into the predictable.

In short, Sucker Punch has it all to please just about everyone – and yet, it won’t. Being a hybrid clash of underground with mainstream, it will probably get caught up in the criticism of purists offended by the film’s faults, and the ignorants’ inability to see past the eye-candy.

Watch it and form your own opinion.

My rating: 4.4/5

Epic. Visually stunning. Intelligent. Slightly cliché. Not for everyone.

Sucker Punch - WooooooooW

Hey there Santos peeps!

This is my first movie review and I hope you’ll like it!

I’ m gonna write about the awesomeness that Sucker Punch is!

It’s a well written movie. The main story is very coherent, fast paced with strong and well developed characters. Not gonna write much about the story though ‘cause I’m afraid to give you some spoilers.

Like I said before it’s a fast paced movie. But that’s just not all. Its a mesmerizing mix of quality acting, outstanding soundtrack and very well written and performed action scenes.

The action scenes...are just...PERFECT! And that’s all there is to it ;-)

About the story let’s just say you’ll have different realities shown to you that will take you through the movie and give you access to a fantasy world few movies can achieve.

It has a good plot, with all the necessary ingredients: despair, hope, trials, failure and a twist. In the end you’ll understand the beginning. J

The acting is performed by quality young talents. Emily Browning is the icing on the cake and she’s very well supported by the other members of the cast.

Carla Gugino and Scott Glen take the movie higher up the scale. Excellent!

About Zack Snyder...he’s nailed it again. Another great movie from him!

I consider this movie a “must see”.

Cheers everyone!

Sucker Punch - a dance of effects, storyline and girls - 4.00

*I chose not to add spoilers because this film is a must-see film*

The name of the Director was enough to make me want to watch the film, Jack Snyder's 300 is quite a memorable film and curiosity lingered. Then I heard about all the rejections Jack Snyder faced to find a producer to the point that he and his wife decided to go all the way. - I'm a girl I love a good drama...

But what I wasn't expecting was such a enthralling storyline.
A young girl is sent by her abusive stepfather to an asylum after her mother and sister's death.
Her desire to free herself and to cope with the events leads us into a world of alternate realities and gorgeous partners in crime.

The transitions between "worlds" and action scenes are very well performed, very smooth. There are many moments where just gasp and stare at the screen in total amazement. The effects are awesome and a very strong steampunk feel to the different scenarios.
My congratulations to Quantum Creation FX and to Damon Caro, the fights choreographer.

Another great surprise was the soundtrack and for that I have only one word - perfect!
The music fits like a glove on every scene. Not to miss "Army of Me" by Bjork and Skunk Anansie, "Tomorrow Never Knows" by Carla Azar and "Asleep" performed by Emily Browning.

I'm not one to lose myself in technicalities and fancy terms but I tried to give you a good insight without spoiling it.
Hope you enjoy the film.

Annie