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samuel_walker2002
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Ex Machina (2014)
Brilliant cinematic masterpiece, 2001: A Space Odyssey for the 21st Century.
From the superb scoring, which sets the mood perfectly. To the dazzling cinematography and flawless CGI effects. This film is a refreshing take on the classic AI/android sci-fi genre.
The cast delivers powerhouse performances, especially Alicia Vikander as Ava. What could have been a slow paced film without a significant payoff in other hands, becomes a visual delight filled with emotional depth and complexity.
The new age of sci-fi is here and the lack of Micheal Bay explosions is a much needed evolution for the genre. The film respects it's audience's intelligence and refrains from spoon feeding the technical aspects to us. Leaving us to focus on the emotional story between man and machine. Ultimately asking us, what does it really mean to be human?
No doubt this will prove to be a cult classic in the decades to come.
I for one welcome our new robot overlords with open arms. 10/10
Wentworth (2013)
Masterfully written, gritty drama with an amazing cast (possible spoilers ahead)
A brilliant remake of a classic Australian drama. If I only had one word to describe this series it would be "gripping". From the first episode you connect with the characters in such a way that their happiness is your's and their trials and tribulations have you wringing your hands with anxiety.
I loved Prisoner when I was younger and it was on reruns, but this series smashes it out of the ball park. It makes Orange is the New Black look like Sistehood of the Travelling Pants. Imagine a female version of Oz with the character driven story lines of Lost and an all star Australian cast.
It's one of those shows where the season finale ends and you're basically bereft at the thought of waiting 9 months for the next season. The international success speaks volumes to the universality of it's themes. C'mon season 4! I wanna see The Freak walk through those gates!
Frankenfake (2014)
Frankenfake epitomizes the exact thing they claim to expose.
**POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD**
I can't emphasize enough what a despicable, revolting load of garbage this documentary is. As an avid watcher of reality TV, I thought this would be an interesting look at the underside of what we all know to be heavily produced, manufactured programming. I was not prepared for the absolutely farcical, defamatory and in the end disgusting excuse for a documentary that this rubbish turned out to be. Steven Escobar and Joe Castro should hang their heads in shame.
From the horrific reenactments portraying the producers, staff and contestants of Face Off, which are almost like a pantomime with Joe Castro playing the part of the innocent victim and his counterparts screeching, bellowing and scheming like Disney villains, to the immature name calling, photo manipulation and slanderous accusations supported by little to no actual evidence, this documentary treats the viewer like a fool from the outset.
Calling people's innocent and uninvolved wives "400lb shut ins" in an attempt to either tarnish the husband's character or simply to cause embarrassment, accusing people of statutory rape with no supporting evidence, making fun of people's weight, appearance, physical fitness and what was by far the most insidious and unethical part of the whole film; outing supposedly closeted homosexuals. The film is simply putrid from beginning to end.
Worst of all are the obviously fabricated pieces of "evidence". Whenever there's an outlandish claim made the is always a miraculous "video message" or conveniently recorded Skype conversation to support it. If they don't have that there's another ridiculous reenactment. Then there's completely uninvolved people weighing in as if their opinion holds any weight as evidence. Anyone with half a brain can see that the majority of this stuff is made up or fabricated. Especially amusing when throughout the entire film they superimpose the word LIAR on people's heads when they're doing the exact same thing themselves. Whenever there is actual footage of Castro interacting with the people he claims wronged him so grievously, it's always him acting like an aggressive, inflammatory douche and the other party acting frustratedly respectful. The two only pieces of evidence which appear real are; one person running down a road after him, which could easily be interpreted as concern for his welfare. Although this could easily have been faked since all you see is extremely grainy footage of one larger man running after one smaller man and this could easily be Castro and his partner Escobar running down the road. And some low resolution footage of a car pulling up to a curb and throwing some luggage into the gutter. Which could also be fake, but If it is real then it is, while unprofessional, pretty funny and probably well deserved. Ultimately though, the entire film appears to be smoke and mirrors with very little, if any, factual substance.
How they have not been sued is amazing to me. Although I suspect that the folks from Face Off have cleverly decided to give Escobar and Castro enough rope to hang themselves with their own ridiculousness. Anyone who sees this will take the obvious viewpoint that Castro is a nut case and everything that happened was caused by his own lunacy. Why his partner, who appears to be slightly less insane, has gone along for the ride is anyone's guess.
I went in with an open mind hoping for an expose of sorts, I was simply amazed that this tripe was ever released. What a waste of money guys. You've only made yourselves look completely stupid. It should almost be watched simply because it so bad.
-10 (minus 10 stars)
Sense8 (2015)
The most original TV series of the 21st Century.
Can't say enough about this show. The Wachowski's have outdone themselves and delivered what is, in my opinion, one of the most unique, original and fascinating TV series I've ever seen. While I can understand some people's criticism that the show is confusing, I personally never found it to be so. I think that people have become so used to dumbed down storytelling where everything is spoon fed to you that when a show requires even the smallest amount of thought, they cry foul. I have never seen a show with such an original concept. This is bare bones sci-fi with 100% focus on storytelling and character building. The characters are amazing and heroic in their own unique ways. The LGBT undercurrents are perfectly suited to the current social climate and only add to the plot. I was riveted from episode one to twelve and absolutely love Netflix's "binge watching" style of programming. The only negative feeling I have is anxiety about season 2's renewal. PLEASE NETFLIX! INVEST IN ORIGINALITY! 10/10
Masters of Horror: Imprint (2006)
A perfect example of Takashi Miike's extraordinary talent.
Whilst I'd be the first to admit that some scenes in this film were hard to watch, it in no way detracts from the masterful story-telling that is the foundation of Takashi Miike's work. As well as being terrifying to the extreme, Imprint is also sad, moving and above all fascinating as each time the prostitute, played by Youki Kudoh, retells her story, a little more of the truth is revealed. Kudoh's performance is simply amazing and any other actress would have probably ruined the film. Billy Drago also turns in a fantastic performance in his role of Christopher, a hapless man searching Japan for his lost love Kimomo. The imagery in this film is unique to say the least, with historical accuracy taking a back seat to unique and striking visuals, such as the bright red hair of all the prostitutes as well as the vibrant blue hair of the nameless prostitute played by Kudoh. Such hair colours where not available to Japanese women in the time frame the film is set in (1900's?). However, this definitely works to the film's advantage, creating a surreal and fantastic environment where a story such as this one doesn't seem so unbelievable. Also, if you love a movie with a big twist, this one is for you. There are several twists throughout, but the big one towards the end is a killer (literally). Whilst riddled with extreme blood and gore, this aspect of the film is for once a necessary and important part of the film, explaining how this young woman became the person that she is. I highly recommend this movie, but if you're squeamish or find extreme torture unbearable to watch then I advise you to run a mile from this one. Also, look out for the dwarf who's nose is falling apart from syphilis. His bizarre behavior during the torture scene is perhaps the most disturbing part of the whole film. 10 stars!!!