Film Review: This Means War

Cinema: This Means War   3/10
Director: McG
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Tom Hardy
Plot: successes and failures of two CIA agents as they both try and date the same woman.

“This Means War,” is another typical rom-com that’s extremely similar to the 2010, “The Bounty Hunter” (starring, ironically, Jennifer Aniston, the queen of the rom-coms). The film, directed by McG (who helmed the first Charlie’s Angels film, back in 2000) is extremely predictable.  Jokes are not only sparse but those that are used are consistently repeated. The film also tries too hard to make the relationship between Foster and Tuck (Pine and Hardy) an angry one; but instead, comes across as an innocent game between two young boys.

The highlight of the film however doesn’t involve any of the three main stars; the wonderful Chelsea Handler pulls the film together as the hilarious and outrageously rude friend of Witherspoon. She doesn’t feature nearly as often as she should though and her sense of humour could be seen to be similar to last years “Bridesmaids.” It’s a shame that her scenes are the only laugh-out-loud moments in the film. Another highlight of the film for me would be the action scenes. It’s surprising how fast-moving the scenes are, with the film concluding with a breathtaking car chase that suddenly puts lives in danger – this doesn’t however come across as particularly important though.  None of the main stars would be particularly missed; it is Handler of course, whose final scene in the film is a cracker.

In conclusion: This Means War is typically a Valentines Day film and doesn’t offer much more than the odd giggle here and there – it does however offer a wider stage for comedic genius Chelsea Handler and have a number of brilliant action scenes that wouldn’t look out of place in a Bond film!

Preview of the Week: Jesus Henry Christ

Jesus Henry Christ
Director: Dennis Lee
Starring: Toni Collette, Jason Spevack, Michael Sheen
Plot: a hugely intelligent 10-year-old boy wishes to find his father, while leaving post-it notes behind for his mother to track his progress.

The trailer for "Jesus Henry Christ" comes across as a funny, emotional and heart-warming film. It seems similar to 2010s, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid", a phenomenal success in the US and modestly so in the UK. Director Dennis Lee steps in for his second feature-length production; taking a break from his short film efforts in the Visual Effects departments, and in being a producer in others. The film is, ironically, based on a previous short film by Lee of the same name, and has since had Oscar recognition since its release. Despite its small budget, limited release (no release date confirmed as of yet) and a predicated '12' certificate, it seems to cover a cult-based audience with perhaps limited box office success because of this. Despite all of that, it looks promising, especially with Michael Sheen being one of the leads.

Film Review: The Woman In Black

Cinema: The Woman In Black  7/10
Director: James Watkins
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Janet McTeer, Ciaran Hinds
Plot: a town is haunted by, “The Woman In Black,” although residence fail to realise this. It’s only when a young lawyer; Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe) arrives, that it is decided, something needs to be done.

The Woman In Black, originally written by Susan Hill and published in 1989 became an international bestseller, from there it became a successful stage production on the West End and also had numerous television adaptations. In this film production, James Watkin’s take on Hill’s novel is wonderful, it’s everything you’d want from an old-school ghost story with blunt jumps, simmering scares and enormous danger.

The landscape of the murky marsh that surrounds the haunted house is pure genius; it really brings across the feel of the Victorian-era and makes you realise how vulnerable the characters are. Daniel Radcliffe surprisingly delivers as a father, Arthur Kipps, who, following business enquiries, has to visit the house in order to sort out various paperwork, left by its last owners. On inspection, Arthur immediately knows that something is wrong; a rocking chair moves on its own accord, a “Woman In Black” appears in the distance and a body rises from the marsh on a rainy day, he is left wondering if his presence is welcome! Ciaran Hinds is perfect in his role as Radcliffe’s supervisor, trusting him to finish the paperwork and to leave before dark. The lack of visual effects in this film is what makes it unique and far different from most far-fetched American slasher flicks. The film instead relies on the audience’s imagination and use of prosthetics to scare and never really shows you too much. It does however, unlike other ghost story flicks, give enough to satisfy its audience whilst ensuring that they get answers and some conclusion by the end of it. The horror cliche’s are still here though; the creaking floorboard, a figure appearing in the distance and a hesitant barmaid who insists on Mr Kipps returning home. These are all done and dusted by the second half, giving way for new techniques to scare for the final 45 minutes.

The final scene in the film is brilliantly done. The idea of innocence and safety is at its peak, yet changes so drastically, without feeling like a last-minute script change. The slowly chiming nursery rhyme begins and ends here – it’s a thrilling conclusion.

In conclusion : The Woman In Black is a fresh, renewed genre of film that features new, unique scares whilst sustaining original horror themes and targeting a modern audience and suitably maintaining a 12a certificate. It’s also a wonderful return for HammerFilms.