Film4 Magazine

reviews/ BRANGELINA: Fight Club... Se7en... Wanted... Gia...

DIRECTOR SPECIAL

CHRISTOPHER NOLAN PETER JACKSON ELI ROTH

filmfour/CONTENTS film4/REVIEW Captain America: The First Avenger 12 Looper 16 A Good Day to Die Hard 18 I Give it a Year 20 Some Like it Hot 22 Gia 23 Fight Club 24 Se7en 26 Wanted 28

film4/FEATURE Brangelina 30 Christopher Nolan 32 Peter Jackson 36 Eli Roth 38 Star Wars 40

film4/REVIEW-game&music Justin Timberlake 42 Paramore 44 Tomb Raider 46 Bioshock Infinite 46

Also In This Issue...

News 6 Top 4 Rich List 8 Top 4 Anticipated 9 Top 4 Animation Favourties 10 Top 4 Horrors 11 Quiz 49

4

www.film4.com www.film4.com

FILM4/MAGAZINE FILM4/MAGAZINE

FILM4/REVIEW FILM4/REVIEW

www.film4.com www.film4.com

00

filmfour/NEWS

Finding Dory STARRING: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks DIRECTOR: Andrew Stanton WRITER: Victoria Strouse

CERTIFICATE: U RUNNING TIME: TBC RELEASE: 2015 To the delight of many, a sequel to Finding Nemo has finally been confirmed. Rumours of Finding Dory were buzzing around the internet when Ellen Degeneres (voice of Dory) tweeted “It’s official.” Along with a promotion poster for the film, said to be released 25 November 2015.

Upcoming Sequels The biggest comedy of 2012 ‘21 Jump Street’ is returning for a sequel expected in 2014. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum will reprise their roles after the first grossed $201 million.

After the success of Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story way back in 2004, Ben Stiller who starred in the film has started work with a production company to make a sequel, it is rumoured Vince Vaughn will also reprise his role and the former enemies will join

6

Captain America: The Winter Soldier is scheduled for release April 4, 2014. The film follows on from The Avengers last year as Steve Rogers struggles to fit into the modern world. He teams with with Black Widow/ Natasha Romanoff to do battle with an enemy. Those reprising their roles include Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson Although controversial it is rumoured Seth MacFarlane could potentially host the Oscars 2014.

Although he previously tweeted there was “no way” he would take the job again, he has to give his decision to producers in the next few weeks.

www.film4.com www.film4.com

FILM4/MAGAZINE FILM4/MAGAZINE

FI

Mila Kunis and Ryan Gosling have topped the poll for the ‘Most F*ckable Celebrities’ according to Details Magazine. Mila Kunis came ahead of others such as Kate Upton, Jennifer Lawrence, Megan Fox and Jessica Alba. Gosling fended off competition from Channing Tatum, Zac Efron and Bradley Cooper.

It has been announced Patrick Hughes will be directing the Expendables 3. Although he has failed to get Dwayne Johnson back on board, Jackie Chan is reportedly still being pursued to join the cast.

UPCOMING CINEMA

May17th

May 3rd

Iron Man 3

Star Trek: Into Darkness

STARRING: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, STARRING: Robert Downey Jr., Don Cheadle, Ben Simon Pegg DIRECTOR: J.J. Abrams Kingsley, Gwyneth Paltrow DIRECTOR: Shane Black Did you know… This film has made history after Paramount Pictures requested J.J. Abrams to Did you know… This will be make it a 3D film although he wanted to shoot Robert Downey Jr.’s fifth with IMAX cameras. After compromising, the film was shot in IMAX then converted into 3D in post portrayal of Tony Stark/ production, a first for cinema history.

Iron Man. May 10th

The Great Gatsby

STARRING Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Isla Fisher DIRECTOR: Baz Luhrmann Did you know… Anne Hathaway and Natalie Portman were both considered for Carey Mulligan’s role as Daisy.

Fast and Furious 6

STARRING Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Gina Carano DIRECTOR Justin Lin Did you know… David Tennant was considered as the antagonist of the film.

May 24th

May 31st

The Hangover: Part III

Now You See Me

STARRING: Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Amanda Seyfried DIRECTOR: Louis Leterrier

STARRING: Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis DIRECTOR: Todd Phillips

Did you know… Michael Caine fell asleep locked in his dressing room for a whole night after a day of shooting. He was released the next day after someone heard him calling for help.

ILM4/REVIEW FILM4/NEWS

May 24th

www.film4.com www.film4.com

Did you know… This is most probably the last edition of the Hangover films after director Phillips stated, “The third would be very much a finale and an ending.”

7

4/ Rich List

Tom Cruise According to Forbes’ list of 2012’s highest paid actors Tom Cruise takes the title with an estimated 75 million made between May 2011 and May 2012. The latest Mission Impossible movie alone made a staggering $700 million at the box office.

Over the past few years, Cruise’s career seemed to have had a bit of a setback. Cruise’s movies were hardly hit with great reviews and compared to earlier years, the numbers of features certainly dwindled, but with Oblivion set to a big hit this year and the buzz around Mission Impossible still at large, it’s safe to say that Tom Cruise might be ready for a comeback.

Coming in second place is Leonardo DiCaprio, with an estimated $37 million banked (still $38 million less than the number 1 spot) our beloved Leo is still very much one of the best loved actors out there, since his career relaunching role in Inception to the forever classic Jack in Titanic, DiCaprio is still on his A-game. Coming up this year we will see DiCaprio in the lead in the highly anticipated ‘The Great Gatsby’. There are good things on the horizon for our beloved DiCaprio.

At just 22 years old Kristen Stewart topped the list of highest paid actresses in Hollywood, her huge success from Twilight has meant that not only has she been in the spotlight since the franchise’s first film in 2008 but also has become one of the most well-known names, at such a young age. It’s hard to believe that how long her career has lasted considering the critique of her acting by some, but love her or hate her, she’s gonna be sticking around.

Cameron Diaz is one of the industry’s most well-known actresses, with a diverse portfolio and a personality that has been praised by many; she sure is a hit with the fans. In 2011 she starred in ‘Bad Teacher’ a film with a tiny budget of 20 million, Diaz made the decision to take a small upfront on the film in exchange for a percentage of the profits; a decision that could be one of her best. The film earned $216 million and was highly regarded by critics.

Although things have been quite from the actress of late, she’s still doing well enough to top these lists and have a loyal fan base waiting for her when she’s back on the big screen and back in centre spotlight.

8

www.film4.com www.film4.com

FILM4/MAGAZINE FILM4/MAGAZINE

FI

4/Anticipated The Top 4 Movies Film4’s Awaiting Man Of Steel A young Clarke Kent is going to have face up to his extraterreistial powers. After members of his home race invade Earth, a young Superman is the only man that can stop them before they enslave mankind and use Kent for their secret experiments.

Star Trek Into Darkness When Star Trek was released in 2009, it was deemed as one of the best Star Trek reboots since Star Trek: The Next Generation. The sequel to the 2009 flick, see’s Kirk and Spock face a new threat that carries them on a manhunt to a war zone where one man has a weapon of mass destruction.

Monsters University The prequel to Monsters Inc, delves into the relationship between Sully and Mikey before the team became the best duo in the scaring business. This comedy which has everything you expect from a Dsiney Pixar creation is a great film for both parents and kids alike.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug The sequel that everyone has been talking about since last year is finally being released at the end of the 2013. The journey of Bilbo Baggins and his alliance finds him on the trail to the cave of Smaug and a huge amount of gold, That he isn’t willing to give up with ease.

ILM4/REVIEW FILM4/NEWS

www.film4.com www.film4.com

9

ANIMATION FAVOURITES 4/heart wrenching scenes

If you’ve managed to watch all of these without welling up, congratulations! You officially have a heart of stone.

Beauty and the Beast, 1991 – Beast’s Death Out of all the long winded, will-they-won’t-they Disney love stories this one has to be the most touching. Beast is too depressed to battle with Gaston until he sees Belle returning for him. After having a chance to kill Gaston he nobly lets him leave the castle when Gaston stabs him in the back and kills him. Thankfully the heartache doesn’t last too long and we see Beast reincarnated in human form after Belle professes her love and they do the happily ever after shindig.

Lion King, 1994 – Mufasa’s Death This is the one that gets both kids and adults even after watching numerous times. Simba’s realisation his father has died after saving his life and isn’t just sleeping whilst desperately pawing and nuzzling his carcass is a classic tearjerker. The young cub is also left believing he is responsible for Mufasa perishing, sigh.

Pocahontas, 1995 – Pocahontas and John Smith Part Ways Pocahontas and John Smith go through a lot trying to be together, what with her being promised to another man and her father being a bit overbearing. So when John gets shot and has to sail back to England, it’s tears all round.

Up, 2009 – Carl and Ellie’s Opening Scene

10

Watching Carl and Ellie meet as children, playing and laughing with each other then falling in love and growing up together was heart-warming. Happily sitting back for a classic cartoon love story we are suddenly out of nowhere smacked in the face with horrifically surprising adult issues such as abortion, heart attacks and death at the BEGINNING of the film. Not cool.

www.film4.com www.film4.com

FILM4/MAGAZINE FILM4/MAGAZINE

filmfour/ACCOLADES

Top 4 Horrors The Shining “Come and play with us. Come and play with us, Danny. Forever... and ever... and ever” Stephen King is known for penning the most nail biting thriller/horrors in the world and Stanley Kubrick’s film adaptation not only lives up to the legacy of the book, but to King himself. The film is Kubrick at his best, coupled with the haunting and truly terrifyingly good and realistic acting of Jack Nicholson its no wonder that this film is down as one of the best.

The story based around an aspiring actor who takes on a job at the overlook Hotel as a janitor tells the tale of psychotic breakdowns and a dark history that starts to seep into the present

The Omen 1976

The Exorcist 1973

Peeping Tom 1960

Richard Donner delivers this horror treat in the form of a delivery from Satan, the child from hell. The Omen is one of the horror genres most loved films, a clever and advanced script makes for an excellent backbone to an already enticing story. The innovative camera work and an Oscar winning choral score this film cements itself as not only one of the best horror movies but also one of the most well made horrors.

The Exorcist, undoubtedly one of the most well known horrors, despite its age it still stands today as one of the most fear inducing films ever made. Although the movie doesn’t hold the same hi-tech, green screen technology that can be used in horrors today, The Exorcist still delivers with camera xa and visual effects that can hold their own today. Make no mistakes, this film is not for the faint hearted and it is certainly not one to be questioned. legend is far more impressive that the feature itself, but make no mistakes, this film is not for the faint hearted and it is certainly not one to be questioned.

Michael Powell delivers the original serial killer story, like no film before it, Peeping Tom set the bar for all horrors. The story is based around the life of Mark Lewis (Karl Boehm) he’s a psychopath raised by his father who plays the classic role of ‘mad scientist’. The main character sees himself become obsessed with not only murder but documenting his killings, in one of the more extreme scenes we see Lewis commit murder with a knife attached to a camera.

FILM4/REVIEW

www.film4.com

11

FILM4/MAGAZINE

Captain America If The Avengers was a gift from Marvel then Captain America: The First Avenger would be the red, white and blue bow that went on top.

Marvel began The Avengers “initiative” in 2008 with the muchapproved Iron Man and since has followed with The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2 and Thor. The First Avenger is the final instalment in the back-story for the first comic book superhero blockbuster collaboration; ‘The Avengers’.

12

Ironically, this last chapter is set seventy years before the other movies landing it in the middle of World War II. Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is the patriotic weak man who is continuously rejected by the army due to various minor medical conditions.

A chance meeting with a genetic scientist (Stanley Tucci) lands Rogers the role of guinea pig in an experiment to create the perfect super soldier.

The process transforms Rogers from skinny runt to enhanced, muscled hunk

www.film4.com www.film4.com

hero. Due to following unfortunate circumstances the super serum is lost and Rogers is deemed obsolete and useless as just one insignificant man by a joyless Colonel Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones).

Rogers is reduced to commercialism advertising wartime bonds in an amusing musical montage wearing a cringe-worthy costume in a nostalgic salute to the original comic design.

When Nazi scientific weapon division, Hydra threatens the Americans’ wartime effort Rogers is required to step up

FILM4/MAGAZINE FILM4/MAGAZINE

STARRING: Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, Hugo Weaving, Tommy Lee Jones DIRECTOR: Joe Johnston WRITER: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely

and take a stand against its head, Johann Schmidt AKA Red Skull (Hugo Weaving).The star-spangled man proves himself able to defeat whole armies at a time and becomes the Captain America we all know and love in an updated version of the blue fatigues we are familiar with which are believable and thankfully steer away from cheesy.

This movie definitely splits itself into three sections which all tick the boxes for a good old Marvel superhero production: the backstory, the transformation and learning curve and the heroics. The backstory is fully of gee-whiz forties colloquialisms and little man ideals.

Rogers has that typical best buddy, Bucky (Sebastian Stan) who is the ideal soldier – until Captain America appears on the scene. Then there is, of course,

FILM4/REVIEW FILM4/REVIEW

CERTIICATE: 12A RUNNING TIME: 112 mins RELEASE: 2011

the “dame”, Peggy (Hayley Atwell), the very English English-agent who would not possibly look at Rogers until he’s gained about a foot in height and grown instant pecs.

Post transformation, Rogers learns to understand his new strength and speed, realising what he is truly capable of and achieves his Captain status. With the help of Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper), Iron Man’s father, he suits up and dons the famed shield in time for another montage, though this one is all about the action.

By the end of the second section and the beginning of the third heroic one, story is dwindling and action sequences take a front seat. This gets a bit slow and tedious and at times a little confusing with so many characters and so many different locations.

Some extreme special effects were required to create Steve Rogers pre-op, pre-Cap and Johann Schmidt’s red skull that gives him the name Red Skull.

Using clever prosthetics and camera techniques with “digital plastic surgery” specialists Lola Visual Effects, Evans’ bulky body and Weaving’s face were painstakingly reduced and remoulded. The overall effect of these creations was a touch unsettling in the back of the mind but outstanding enough to gain the viewer’s acceptance.

Director Joe Johnston took the decision not to film in 3D because of the large and heavy cameras required and opted instead for 3D conversion. The conversion technique is not overly popular as it leaves the picture a bit murky.

2D audiences, however, are

www.film4.com www.film4.com

During World War II, a man is genetically enhanced to become a super soldier capable of extreme feats of strength in the hopes of defeating Nazi Germany. However, intensions change when the a new and more dangerous threat than Hitler rears its ugly red head.

treated to a crisp and clear image with a great sense of depth. 3D pandering can get a little irritating especially with Cap’s shield constantly being thrown towards the screen. Concentration of real sets used in the first two thirds of the film is dropped in favour of green screens towards the end. The digitally rendered backgrounds look a bit cheap when put behind such high definition live action footage. This ruins the visuals a bit as all the viewer is going to recall when they walk away from it are these dodgy backdrops which lack reality.

Captain America: The First Avenger is an above acceptable finish to the formation of The Avengers. With nods towards the other three Avengers all present it brings them all together in a comic book geek’s paradise and instils a general sense of excitement for what

13

4/facts Captain America won two awards and was nominated for a further 19 mainly for its fantastic visuals.

Chris Evans (Captain Rogers) played Johnny Storm in Fantastic Four, another Marvel film.

Captain America is the only one of the Avengers series to be set in the past. All the others are set in present day and occur

Captain America is the final instalment of phase one in the Avengers ‘initiative’. Previous films include Iron Man (2008), The Incredible Hulk (2008), Iron Man 2 (2010) and Thor (2011).

comes next.

The storyline was winding and sporadic, not quite keeping a consistent pace but only boring in short segments.

Visuals were generally fantastic but were let down in places.

Cast line-up was spot-on and enjoyable. Chris Evans came across perfectly as the all-American hero, Dominic Cooper could well have fathered Robert Downey Jr. and everyone loves a bit of Tommy Lee Jones satirical humour. Hugo Weaving let the team down a little. Although he maintained ultimate evil as only Weaving can, his

14

German accent was questionable.

The ending is a little heart breaking but anyone who knows Marvel, Captain America and the Avengers knows this is not the end and there is so much more ahead. Marvel’s X-Men: First Class disappointed with no post-credit scene but stick around after Captain A for a tasty Avengers treat.

The movie does the job of making us wonder what Joss Whedon will do with the Cap, a forties man who finds himself thrown into the present day as

www.film4.com www.film4.com

well as how he may handle so many big names in one room in the super successful follow up ‘The Avengers.’

Caroline Craske

Phase 2 of the Avengers is now underway with Iron Man 3.

All your favourtie Avengers characters will be returning and a few extra added into the mix over the next two and a half years ready for Avengers 2 in 2015.

FILM4/MAGAZINE FILM4/MAGAZINE

FILM4/REVIEW FILM4/REVIEW

www.film4.com www.film4.com

00

Looper In the future time-travel has not yet been invented. In the future future, it has not only been invented, but it is illegal. And it is about this point where things start to get confusing in director Rian Johnson’s Looper.

However, confusing as it may be, as time-travel stories often are, and as much as it turns the viewer’s brain inside out and into something vaguely resembling strawberry jam, it is a sci-fi/action masterpiece, setting the bar high for the rest of the decade.

16

Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt both play Joe, thirty years apart. Young Joe (Gordon-Levitt) is a Looper, a type of assassin. Thirty years in the future, with the use of time-travel technology, mob bosses send undesirables back in time and the Looper kills them. In this way there is technically no body and, therefore, no evidence.

But every now and then the bosses want rid of their hired killers and will send their older selves back as hits for their younger selves to kill. This is called “closing the loop”. Letting your “loop” escape is more than frowned upon.

Unfortunately, this is exactly what happens to Young Joe who then makes it his goal to “close his loop”. But his older self (Willis) seems to have a precise

www.film4.com

STARRING: Bruce Willis,. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emily Blunt DIRECTOR: Rian Johnson WRITER: Rian Johnson

CERTIFICATE: 15 RUNNING TIME: 119 mins RELEASE: 2012 In the year 2044 crime syndicate worker Joe is a ‘Looper’. In a world where people get sent back in time it’s Joe’s job to kill and dispose of the targets sent by a mysterious mob boss from the future.

FILM4/MAGAZINE

motive which is not quite clear but it appears to have something to do with a female farmer, Sara’s (Blunt) small son.

Tensions run high as Older Joe closes in on his younger target.

Fresh and exciting, Looper has a great pace which is compelling to watch. With any time-travel story there can be pitfalls but rather that try to spend precious minutes of the film trying to explain to the audience the finer details it chooses to skim over the topic. In an amusing diner scene where the two Joes confront each other, they decide it too heavy and difficult a topic to get their heads around.

This could easily be seen as a tool for an easy way out but somehow, putting some humanity into the subject, it works.

Another great aspect of Looper is it

FILM4/REVIEW

does not try too hard to be futuristic.

These themes are low key and far more believable. Cars, for example, are still just cars but some unreliable hover bikers are dropped in to give it an edge.

If there is one problem with this film it has to go down to the seemingly random addition of humans with telekinetic powers. This ties in to everything but it just does not seem to quite sit right.

As for the actors, Willis brings his usual to the table. He’s great in emotion and action and always fun to watch. Blunt is fast becoming something fantastic too.

But the best performance award has to go to Gordon-Levitt who had the somewhat tricky job of being a younger Bruce Willis. With the help of some truly amazing prosthetics which saw Gordon-

www.film4.com

Levitt in the make-up chair for several hours every day he was transformed into Willis, thirty years younger. GordonLevitt also underwent hours of practicing to sound like Willis as well as perfecting his facial expressions and physical actions. A true testament to what an actor will do to get it absolutely right.

Overall a must see for the sci-fi genre and should definitely go near the top of list for the best films which came out last year. A tad tricky to follow in places but it all goes, overall, pretty smoothly. This probably down to the film not revolving around time-travel but rather using it as a storytelling device.

At the end of the day, a good old science-fiction romp. Caroline Craske

17

Today is...

18

www.film4.com www.film4.com

FILM4/MAGAZINE FILM4/MAGAZINE

A Good Day To DIE HARD STARRING: Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney, Sebastian Koch DIRECTOR: John Moore WRITE: Skip Woods

CERTIFICATE: 12A RUNNING TIME: 98 mins RELEASE: 2013

Bruce Willis is back in one of his most loved roles. A Good Day To Die Hard see’s father and son team up to prevent a nuclear weapons heist in Russia.

It’s John McClane seeking out the bad guys and battling with the always trying mision of fatherhood and the delights that entails; visitng your child in a Moscow jail and causing mayhem with their trigger happy fingers.

A Good Day to Die Hard is a simple action film that pumps up the explosions and dumbs down on the script. It’s been 25 years since the release of the first Die Hard and Bruce Willis’ John McClane has survived terrorist attacks from the Germans, the Russians, and the Americans. This time around he’s pit against America’s, and his own, longstanding enemy. The Russians…. Again.

A Good Day to Die Hard has John McClane seeking a Russian defence minister and enemies that are packing a machine gun up their sleeves and down their trousers. Of course this isn’t supposed to be a film about who can make the biggest explosion. No, this is supposed to be a reconnection story between old man McClane and his son Jack, played by Jai Courtney.

When McClane learns that Jack has been arrested and is now sitting in a Moscow jail, he sees it as his fatherly duty, and a good oppurtunity to visit his son. When he arrives in Moscow, McClane is painted as a senile old

FILM4/REVIEW FILM4/REVIEW

man who doesn’t understand how much trouble he’s about to get into. It starts to get worse when both father and son meet up for the first time, with John blowing up anything and everything with four wheels and gunning down anyone with a weapon.

With the main setting of A Good Day to Die Hard taking place in mainly Moscow, it’s no surprise when one of the main villains heads off to Chernobyl.

With the McClane boys in hot pursuit and a stolen car in hand. They set off 600 miles to the defecated city, which of course, is in another country. Yet passport control and a boot load of weapons doesn’t cause a problem for them to enter through the Czech border.

Bruce Willis tries to pull the film back to its original roots with his quick witted remarks and the odd use of “yippie-kayay…” which sadly can’t be completed because of the 12A rating. A nostalgic move but not what we came to see.

The loose plot used to string along Jack and John through this reconnection

www.film4.com www.film4.com

story is pointless. As well as visuals of constant explosions, slow motion and the odd over dramatic death. Have been put together to distract the viewer from the linear plotline.

If you insist on seeing this film, prepare to be painfully disappointed. The sad diminish of the Die Hard series has been a slow and painful death for John McClane.

With John Moore taking the director’s seat for this feature, it seems that this film was doomed from the start.

After the credits finally roll it raises the question on most people’s lips. Are sequels for Star Wars and Jurassic Park really needed? Well I like to think A Good Day to Die Hard possibly answers that question. Ryan Blake

19

filmfour/REVIEW

filmfour/REVIEW

I Give it a Year STARRING: Rose Byrne, Rafe Spall, Alex Macqueen DIRECTOR: Dan Mazer WRITER: Dan Mazer

I Give It a Year, gives a flying kick to the face to the traditional rom-com and flips it on its oversized head.

CERTIFICATE: 15 RUNNING TIME: 97 mins RELEASE: 2013

I Give it a Year, is a British rom-com penned and directed by Dan Mazer a contributor to Sasha Baron Cohen’s Bruno and Borat movies. As well as involvement from, long term Ricky Gervais sidekick, Stephen Merchant it was obvious that this was going to be a rom-com that would be a barrel of laughs.

Nat (Rose Byrne) and Josh (Rafe Spall) are a newly married couple who after only seven months, of being together, decided that their short and love filled relationship needed the marriage treatment. Their friends and family both know that they’re not right for each other, as well as the couple themselves.

Nat, is the type of women that expects the higher things in life. Compared to Josh who is an overgrown man child that still doesn’t grasp the idea of lifting up the toilet seat when you’re living with your significant other.

We follow their brief nine months together. Where in the beginning they are both fond of each but soon come to realise that something doesn’t seem to click in their whirl wind romance and of course being British they are too polite to

20

An honest and hilarious British comedy about a couple who got married too quickly; hilarity ensues and a misguided marriage counsellor steals the show.

break it off with one another. So, just like most modern couples, they decide to get with other people whilst being in their loveless relationship.

This film isn’t like most rom-coms, instead of the happy ending where both lovers reignite their relationship with helpful friends and a little bit of fate.

I Give It a Year, decided to use that one un-helpful friend to pull them apart slowly and steady. Danny (Stephen Merchant) is Josh’s best friend, a man that says anything that comes to mind and has the ability to make the most pleasant situation awkward. He sees his role in this relationship to make Josh realise that he shouldn’t be married to Nat nor should they have lasted the seven months prior to the wedding. Merchant is the laughs that this film strongly relies on, without him we would be looking at a hollow film that would lack both charisma and charm.

I Give It a Year, isn’t only a film with humour that would make your grandmother blush, no, this is a film gives an exploration through the eyes of people who rush through a relationship just to prove that there is a soul mate for everyone in this tiny planet. As I said before, this film doesn’t have the usual rom-com feel of protagonists and

www.film4.com www.film4.com

antagonists. What Mazer has done, is created a grey area for both characters to fall upon, this is because he knows people are complex and aren’t two-dimensional that have clear motives in their lives.

This is a British comedy made for British people. With humour that most people outside of the U.K wouldn’t understand and characters that seem to be more comfortable with a cup of tea or a pint of lager. Instead of hanging out in coffee shops venting their problems to close friends, this a wholehearted British comedy through and through. Ryan Blake

FILM4/MAGAZINE FILM4/MAGAZINE

FILM4/REVIEW FILM4/REVIEW

www.film4.com www.film4.com

00

filmfour/REVIEW

Some Like it Hot STARRING: Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon DIRECTOR: Billy Wilder WRITER: Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond CERTIFICATE: A RUNNING TIME: 120 mins RELEASE: 1959 JERRY (Jack Lemmon) and JOE WW(Tony Curtis) have to go undercover in an all girl band to escape from a group of mobsters after they witness the St Valentine’s Day massacre.

Marilyn Monroe and her bosom companions...

Some Like It Hot has always and probably will always be labeled as one of the funniest comedies out there. With screwball wit and hilarious acting from its trio of leading actors, the 1959 film is worthy of its legend.

This film is all about having a good time, its silly, unapologetic, well written humour that enables Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis to give career boosting performances and it shone a light not only on Monroe’s beauty but also her incredible comic timing.

Our two leading men are hiding out from the mob in an all-girl band, yes, an all girl band. Monroe sparkles as the dizzy blonde singer who keeps getting “the fuzzy end of the lollipop.”

Lemmon plays bass fiddle and Curtis plays sax in a Chicago band. They’re counting on payday, but unbeknown to them the venue is playing host to the mob and the cops raid the joint before the money comes in and they find

22

themselves jobless.

The boys find themselves across town borrowing a car in a garage when mobster ‘Spats’ Colombo and his henchmen have a run in with business partners that goes awry.

We are then taken on a wild journey across borders as our two leads try and keep away from the hungry grasp of the mobsters who want to silence them because of what went down in the parking garage. It is on their journeys that they meet Monroe’s character and they are both enthralled, with only one slight problem, their cover, they are both dressed as women. More precisely, they are sax player “Josephine” and “Daphne” Curvy ‘Sugar Kane’ (Monroe) befriends the two ‘women’ and makes the scary trip to Florida seem all that bit brighter for the two men.

The film is a classic and although that description may have already been used one too many times, it doesn’t make it any less true. Watch this film and you

www.film4.com www.film4.com

will not be disappointed; it’s a classic black and white with a lot of heart and a lot of soul. Josie Minter

4/facts Some Like it Hot received 13 awards and 8 nominations. One of the awards was an Oscar for ‘Best Costume Design, Black-andWhite’.

Some Like it Hot was among Marilyn Monroe’s final films before her untimely death three years later at the age of 36.

FILM4/MAGAZINE FILM4/MAGAZINE

Marilyn Monroe was known for having to do retake after retake for the simplest of scenes. Sometimes this was down to her desire for perfection, others it was just that she couldn’t remember single sentence lines. In Some Like it Hot it took her 47 takes to say, “It’s me, Sugar.” and a further 40 to get, “Where’s the bourbon?” right.

Marilyn Monroe’s final film, Something’s Got to Give was never completed. In 1962 she was originally fired from the film but was scheduled to return later that year. Unfortunately she died of a barbiturate overdose.

Gia STARRING: Angelina Jolie, Elizabeth Mitchell DIRECTOR: Michael Cristofer WRITER: Jay McInerney, Michael Cristofer CERTIFICATE: 18 RUNNING TIME: 120 mins RELEASE: 1998

‘Gia’, an innovative and groundbreaking biographical film based on the life of one of America’s most controversial and famous models; Gia Marie Carangi.

A model so controversial; she was photographed for ‘Vogue’ with ‘track marks’ on her arms.

In 1998 Angelina Jolie was approached to play the leading role, reluctant at first she initially refused claiming that the character ‘it scared her’. Only after persistence from those involved in the project did she accept- a decision that resulted in her being awarded with both a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award as well as an Emmy nomination.

The film centres around the journey Gia takes from being an unknown Philadelphia native to New York’s first major supermodel. Her new life sees her fall into a lonely spiral of drugs and self-destruction, until she meets make-up artist Linda played by Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost, V, Running Scared).

A passionate love affair starts with the potential to change both women’s lives forever but Gia’s addiction and chaotic

FILM4/REVIEW FILM4/REVIEW

nature threatens to impact the lovers’ relationship in more ways than one.

Speaking of the film, Jolie says that, “She was a young girl from Philly and she became a model, I think the essence of who she was, is just a very spirited woman who loved women, who needed love, who was very open and who got very lost in a world that embraced very superficial things and she became an addict.”

It’s a deadly story with a deathly end, Gia died scared and alone in a restricted hospital room as the AIDS virus consumed her body.

Director Michael Cristofer provides a fresh and visually elaborate picture that pushes the boundaries in terms of the depiction of drug use, lesbian sex and the often-shied-away-from topic of Aids. The scenes are powerful and gripping; but more time seems to have been spent on mastering visual tricks than developing the emotional aspects of the main characters. However, the superb performances given by both Jolie and Mitchell help bring the film to another

www.film4.com www.film4.com

A chilling tale of the price for fame. Gia is a gritty and honest portrayal of drug use, sex, love and the dark demons that prey on the weak. From broken relationships to a young woman in need of a maternal figure Gia showcases being at the top of your game to falling flat on your knees.

level making it one to remember.

In an interview for ‘Inside The Actors Studio, Jolie explained why she at first turned down the role. “She felt too close to me, there were a lot of thing that I didn’t want to confront I suppose and I think that that desire to feel a real sense of self other than the very superficial things in the world and the need to may for all of us to feel that we are understand and loved for who we are, I don’t think I am unique in that but I know addiction, I know addiction in all forms.”

Jolie knows first hand what it is like to deal with addiction; she has admitted that from the young age of fourteen she struggled with sex, drugs and emotional issues.

It seems that no other actress could have played the role; Jolie embodies the part like no other could and gives one of her most real and heart-felt performances to date.

Gia. A must watch film that not only entertains the viewer but takes them on a journey of discovery, deception and heartbreak. Josie Minter

23

filmfour/REVIEW

You DON’T talk about....

“The first rule about Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club. The second rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club.”

But some rules were made to be broken. So let’s talk about Fight Club.

Fight Club first alights on “Jack” (Norton), the nameless Narrator of the story. He is a troubled and lonely office worker with the extra burden of brutal insomnia. To cope with his bouts of sleeplessness he flits between self-help groups for serious illnesses where he searches out the peace and serenity he craves.

Then, she ruins everything. “She” is Marla (Bonham-Carter). A flitter just like “Jack” who upends his whole plan.

She epitomises sex and grime in one and haunts “Jack’s” mind.

Enter Tyler Durden (Pitt), the crazed soap salesman who lives life very much

24

on the edge. His wild, manic persona completely contrasts with “Jack’s” grey and monotonous world.

After a random but violent tussle they begin a Fight Club – thus giving the film its name. For the first two rules, please refer to the top of the page.

But as the club gets more and more dangerous and “Jack” gets drawn in deeper, Tyler changes the rules of the game and pulling Marla in with, revealing just how sinister he really is.

Just what exactly is Project Mayhem?

Tyler becomes a rolling ball of destruction, picking up speed and heading towards a great-unknown catalyst and “Jack” is the only one who has any chance of stopping it… If only he can just work out what is coming.

Fight Club is a strange film which tells one story after another with increasing power. It seems to pull revelations out of the hat at random so you never know

www.film4.com www.film4.com

STARRING: Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Helena Bonham-Carter DIRECTOR: David Fincher WRITER: Jim Uhls CERTIFICATE: 18 RUNNING TIME: 139 mins RELEASE: 1999 Travelling worker “Jack” is bored with his tedious and monotonous life until he meets wild card Tyler Durden.

Together they embark on a quest to excite their lives through their selfcreated Fight Club.

But as things intensify, “Jack” realises he didn’t count on just how dangerous Tyler is.

FILM4/MAGAZINE FILM4/MAGAZINE

4/facts

FIGHT CLUB Although largely referred to as “Jack”, Edward Norton’s character, The Narrator has no name.

Fight Club was based on the novel of the same name by Chuck Palahniuk. The author said the film was an improvement.

As per David Fincher’s style in his others works such as Se7en and Girl with the Dragon Tattoo; Fight Club has an elaborate opening title sequence. It was so elaborate it required a separate budget from the film.

what is going happen next. It builds from a tale that is as black and white as “Jack’s” Ikea yin and yang coffee table to an explosion of information as bright as Tyler’s pink soap.

Everything happens so gradually that by the end you do not really understand how this could possibly be the same film. Yet this is not necessarily a good thing. It could be considered that however great the twisty, turny end may be, the way was possibly lost in the telling. It is a bit of a wobbly one.

However, the whole film oozes director David Fincher’s deathly dark style. From the heavy metal music and eye-catching graphics of the opening sequence, which completely capture the essence of the grit that is Fight Club, to how barely a moment of the film seems to be shot in daylight – it is all very Fincher-esque.

It is, in one simple word, grunge.

If anything can be said of Fight Club it is that it’s one hell of a ride. A must see on anyone’s list and definitely one that

FILM4/REVIEW FILM4/REVIEW

Fight Club received five awards and a further 14 nominations including an Oscar nomination for ‘Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing’.

can be watched over and over. There is something new to be found every time.

Outstanding performances from Norton, Pitt and Bonham-Carter who all manage to portray the very different kinds of insanity that can be found from the dregs of human society. You can easily forgive the meandering direction

www.film4.com www.film4.com

in which it seems to go towards the end and, if you really want to get artsy about it, just put it down to a reflection of Tyler’s character. Never was there a more meandering character, after all.

Watch with the lights off and definitely with a friend as you’ll be needing to discuss it all after. Caroline Craske

25

Of the deadly sins, there are...

STARRING: Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow DIRECTOR: David Fincher WRITER: Andrew Kevin Walker

CERTIFICATE: 18 RUNNING TIME: 127 mins RELEASE: 1995 A truly terrifying ride in the mind of a serial killer who justifies his killings by believing his work is for the greater good. Lust. Gluttony. Greed. Sloth.

Wrath. Envy. Pride. Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt star as the detectives who must hunt him down.

Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy and Pride A film full of GLUTTONY. An obese man is forced to eat himself to death. A film full of GREED. A lawyer is forced to pay his debt in flesh. A film full of SLOTH.A junkie is strapped to their bed left to rot and wither. A film that does not disappoint those looking for a true thriller.

From the open credits alone, director David Fincher creates a visual masterpiece; an explicit look into the seductive terror of an obsessed serial killer whose fascination with the seven deadly sins leaves the viewer holding their breath and shocked to the core asking ‘Did that really just happen!?’

Welcome to the gut wrenching, head spinning and stomach-churning journey that is ‘Se7en’.

The key genius of this film lies within the creative decision to never actually show the viewer the murders; we are shown crime scene photos, we witness the aftermath and hear chilling accounts of the murder given by Somerset and Mills but never the whole picture,

26

www.film4.com www.film4.com

FILM4/MAGAZINE FILM4/MAGAZINE

Se7en 4/facts

Director David Fincher’s 1992 debut film, Alien 3 was not well received despite coming second in earnings within the Alien series. It grossed a total of $159.7 million. Se7en grossed over twice as much with $327.3 million.

Se7en had 19 award nominations including one Oscar nomination for ‘Best Film Editing’ and was a winner of a further 25 awards including an Empire Award for ‘Best Actor’ which went to Morgan Freeman and three MTV awards for ‘Best Movie’, ‘Best Villian (Kevin Spacey) and ‘ Most Desirable Male’ (Brad Pitt).

as a viewer we are left alone with our imaginations, left alone with our thoughts and left alone to imagine just what is going on in the mind of our elusive killer…it works and its just as powerful and effective as it would been if we had seen the violent and gore filled scenes played out.

However, you would be a fool to think that you can escape so easily, although we do not see the murders, the aftermath is enough to send even the strongest of stomachs churning.

On the case is William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) and David Mills (Brad Pitt). Somerset is a seasoned detective on the verge of retirement after a lifetime serving his city, Mills is the departments new young and eager Detective who has recently moved to the unnamed and unloved city with his wife (Gwyneth Paltrow). Mills is a rookie, eager to impress and eager to make a name for himself.

It would be easy to assume that this is just another slasher movie, but Fincher creates a sophisticated and elegant picture that is not only visually but also

FILM4/REVIEW FILM4/REVIEW

intellectually stunning.

The film was released September 22nd 1995, in its opening weekend it grossed $13.9 million and took a total $327.3 million worldwide; ‘Se7en’ became the seventh highest grossing film of its year.

However, although mostly praised by critics the film did not do as well as predicted in awards, New Line Cinema re-released the film on Christmas day in new York in order to prompt Academy award nominations for Freeman, Pitt, Fincher and screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker, the attempt was in vain and although Walker received a Bafta award for Best Original Screenplay and the movie itself won the MTV movie award for best movie, it does feel like the movie was cheated of Accolades.

Maybe the brutal honesty in how the film was shot plays a part in why it was shunned for awards, the film itself envelops a darkness that seeps into every corner of the screen and engages the audience in a way that has you questioning what you are really seeing.

The feature is brought together and held by the awkward almost strained

www.film4.com

relationship between the two detectives and how the two actors play together on screen. Freeman’s classic Hollywood presence and Pitts fresh energetic performance shed light on the grim reality of a serial killers mind and how even the strongest of us can be corrupted by sin.

‘Se7en’ is a revelation, a film worthy of mention on any ‘mustwatch’ list and a stunning insight into the mind of killer. Josie Minter

Instead of the tradition of scrolling up, the end credits scroll down.

Se7en’s dramatic climactic scene was originally cut from the script by New Line Cinema. However, filming of the scene was given the go ahead when Brad Pitt refused to be involved if it wasn’t reinstated.

27

filmfour/REVIEW

W A N T E D

Peter Bradshaw of the Guardian wrote “You could gargle bitumen and bin-juice for half an hour, and it couldn’t leave a nastier taste in your mouth than this macho action thriller about a secret fraternity of assassins.”

Wanted burst onto cinema screens in 2008 and honestly, was met with a

28

mostly positive, yet mixed reception from both critics and audiences.

Timur Bekmambetov directed his first American film under the genre action/ crime/thriller. Doubts aside, it grossed massively at the box office and here lies a stunning, fast paced, racy film starring Angelina Jolie & James McAvoy with a half decent plotline and action around

www.film4.com www.film4.com

every corner that will keep you on your toes until the very climatic ending. Since the success of the first, there have been talks for years over another instalment which is apparently on the horizon, yet Jolie-less.

Angelina takes on the role of the mysterious, smouldering Fox. A member of the ‘Fraternity,’ a group of elite super assassins headed by Sloan (Morgan Freeman). She bursts out of nowhere and takes paranoia suffering Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy) on a wild gun riddled car chase and leads him to the headquarters of the Fraternity, after informing him his father, a former member of the Fraternity was recently killed by assassin Cross, the opposing member of the car chase.

Wesley learns his panic attacks are in fact a rare superhuman strength inherited from his father that when

FILM4/MAGAZINE FILM4/MAGAZINE

Turn over for “Brangelina”, Director’s Special and more...

STARRING: Angelina Jolie, James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman DIRECTOR: Timur Bekmambetov WRITER: Michael Brandt, Derek Haas, Chris Morgan

CERTIFICATE: 18 RUNNING TIME: 110 mins RELEASED: 2008

Car chases, gun battles and a good assassination or twenty, Wanted is the story of deadbeat Wesley Gibson who goes from a dead end job to deadly killer.

Introduced into a world of bending bulllets and taking no mercy on your prey, Gibson learns the hard way that the fraternity moulds you into ‘who you were born to be’ and its no easy ride, from train running to roof jumping, Wanted is a fast paced action adventure sure to keep you on your toes with both action and plot twists.

4/facts Wanted was based on the graphic novel

by Mark Millar.

The Russian-Kazakh director Timur Bekmambetov’s first American film. He previously directed Russian films Night Watch and Day Watch.

Wanted won two awards and was nominated for 14 more including two Oscar nominations for ‘Best Achievement in Sound Editing’ and ‘Best Achievement in Sound Mixing’.

Director Bekmambetov has plans for a sequel.

FILM4/REVIEW FILM4/REVIEW

trained correctly, can allow him to acquire abilities such as abnormally excellent strength, speed and precision.

Wesley agrees to follow his father’s footsteps and joins the Fraternity in order to hone his skills in the form of undergoing rigorous training and brutal punishments. His transition from nervous average Joe to Action Man killing machine is brilliantly performed by both McAvoy and the assassins that train him.

The point of the Fraternity is to assassinate people who will cause trouble in later life, decided by the ‘Loom of Fate’ that gives the names of the next targets through binary code embedded in material.

With a use of great sound/visual effects and slow/fast motion scenes the film builds up a world of surrealism which as a viewer you cannot help wondering what is the next wild thing to jump out and make sure you’re paying attention.

As well as having great action scenes and suspense, the film also manages to inject some segments of humour which helps to break up the heavy stuff.

Jolie really seems to be in her element in this role and every scene she appears in seems to revolve around her presence.

Her sexuality oozes out and she seems every inch the seductive, unachievable

www.film4.com www.film4.com

power figure in Wesley’s eyes which she plays to perfection.

The scene where Fox and Wesley share a passionate kiss in order to show Wesley’s cheating ex-girlfriend what she’s missing will make your heart skip a beat and wish you also had a super-hot assassin ready to sweep you off your feet.

Wanted has been criticised for featuring too much hectic action and violence without breathing space. Not only does this represent the recklessness and speed of Wesley’s transformation and new life, it also provides a great form of escapism and after watching makes you feel as though anything is possible and that maybe if you learn to control your breathing properly, maybe you too could be a super assassin.

Seeing as the film was adapted from a comic book series written by Mark Millar, it is clear the film isn’t intended for realism and wants you to think outside the box and experience escapism, which it seems some of the reviewers put to the back of their mind when watching.

It was also said “It looks as if it has been written by a committee of 13-yearold boys for whom penetrative sex is still only a rumour, “ taking the popularity into consideration, that is what people want. Sophie Ghatreh

29

0 30

4/ BRAD PITT

MR. PITT

One of the sexiest men alive turned serious bearded film producer Angelina Jolie. Blood wearing, self-harming tattoo junkie turned humanitarian earth mother. Brad Pitt. One of the sexiest men alive turned bearded serious film producer. In 2005 these two seemingly polar opposites famously met on Mr. and Mrs. Smith where the chemistry was undeniable. We take a look back at the paths they took that led to each other.

Brad Pitt was born in 1963 in Shawnee, Oklahoma and soon he moved to Springfield, Missouri alongside his two younger siblings. In his 20s he moved to Los Angeles, took acting classes with Roy London and struggled to establish himself. After playing unaccredited roles in film and TV, it seemed that the boy from Missouri wasn’t going to get his big break after all. That would soon change after landing the role of J.D, in the highly successful Thelma and Louise. His career took a turn for the better. He started to get leading roles in films that didn’t really break the box office, but they helped him to land his first major role in Anne Rice’s “Interview With the Vampire”. Where he starred opposite Tom Cruise and a young Kirsten Dunst. It was from here that his star studded career launched, where he starred in films like: Se7en, Twelve Monkeys, Fight Club and Mr and Mrs Smith, where he would meet the second Mrs Pitt.

Angelina Jolie came from a more star-studded background and was born in Los Angeles, 1975 to actor parents Jon Voight and the late Marcheline Bertrand. Safe to say acting was in her blood, she starred in her first film opposite her father in 1982, Lookin’ to Get Out. After suicidal depression and outrageous premature sexual experimentation during her teen years it was clear Jolie wasn’t your average film star. Her first Hollywood film, Hackers, 1995 made her stand out due to her ‘sour scowl’ and also brought her first husband, Johnny Lee Miller.

By 1997 Angelina and Johnny had separated after a year of marriage. Jolie claimed if they hadn’t been together she would have married her female costar from Foxfire (1996) Jenny Shimizu. 1998 marked the year of her major breakthrough, starring in HBO’s documentary of the model Gia Carangi as the lead role that won her the second Golden Globe of her career.

“I’m still a bad girl. I still have that side of me… it’s just in its place now… it belongs to Brad.

Or … our adventures.” www.film4.com www.film4.com

FILM4/MAGAZINE FILM4/MAGAZINE

FILM4/ FILM4/

ANGELINA JOLIE/4

MISS. JOLIE

Blood wearing, self-harming tattoo junkie turned humanitarian earth mother

After briefly quitting acting after Gia as she felt she had “nothing left to give,” she soon returned and won a third Golden Globe for her part as a sociopath in Girl Interrupted (1999).

By 2005, Jolie had set her worldwide reputation as a female action star in both Lara Croft films. Love-wise, Jolie had married her next conquest, Billy Bob Thornton in 2000 after they had met on the set of Pushing Tin the previous year. In 2002, the announcement came they were adopting a child from Cambodia, Maddox. Three months later, they split up and Jolie adopted as a single parent.

In 2005, Brad and Angelina finally came face to face on the set of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. At this point, Brad was still with Jen however although Brad and Ange have both denied they started an affair during his time with Jen, they have both confessed to falling in love with each other on set.

Jolie s once stated: “To be intimate with a married man, when my own father cheated on my mother, is not something I could forgive. I could not look at myself in the morning if I did that. I wouldn’t be attracted to a man who would cheat on his wife.”

Either way, in January 2006 Jolie confirmed she was pregnant with their first child, as well as already having two adopted children named ‘Jolie-Pitt.’

Since then, double the amount of children and the super couple have gone from strength to strength and they announced their engagement in spring 2012.

Neither of them have let their family life slow them down, with Angelina in films such as Changeling and Salt as well as becoming increasingly involved in her role as a Special Envoy of High Commissioner with UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.) Brad with Inglourious Basterds and The Tree of Life as well as taking to the other side of the camera. Their generosity towards charities and seemingly down to earth nature have made them a worldwide hit, perhaps this time the recipe for perfect Hollywood super couple is just right.

“There are no secrets at our house. We tell the kids, ‘Mom and Dad are going off to kiss.’ They go, ‘Eww, gross!’ But we demand it.”

/REVIEW / /REVIEW

www.film4.com www.film4.com

31

www.film4.com www.film4.com

FILM4/MAGAZINE FILM4/MAGAZINE

Christopher Nolan In 2005, a director came shouting and screaming onto the scene with many a drumroll and cymbal clash and promises of great things to come.

This director was English born, Christopher Nolan. The man behind the Batman franchise and Christian Bale’s go to guy. Of course he shouldn’t just be known for the better re-incarnations of Batman. No, he should be known for anything he touches. It turns into a cinematic masterpiece.

Sadly, for this great director, he will never be able to shift Batman. Since the release of ‘Batman Begins’, Nolan became noticed as someone who could play with the Hollywood big guns and not just toy with abstract indie films. Like most directors though, they need that one film to launch them, maybe that one actor as well. Luckily for Nolan, he got both with ‘The Dark Knight’ and Heath Ledger.

Ledger, who played Batman’s arch nemesis, The Joker, died of an accidental prescription drug overdose in January 2008. His death came during the editing process of the film and brought down on it a mass of media attention.

This attention was found to be well deserved when the blockbuster hit the screens in July 2008 and Ledger’s incredible and downright frightening performance was revealed.

His version of the infamous comic book character portrayed a perfectly insane genius completely at one with chaos and won him a posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

As well as being tragic, this untimely separation of Nolan and Ledger as an amazing director/actor duo can only be described as a real waste of potential for truly great cinema. One need only look at Nolan’s work, old and new, to see where his creative streak was a match made in heaven with Ledger’s natural talent.

Nolan began his successful, yet still rather young career, with an independent film, ‘Following’, shot on a budget of just $6000 in 1998.

The 69 minute film granted him the attention needed to fund his next film, ‘Memento’.

‘Memento’ stars Guy Pearce a man of vengeance hell bent on finding and killing the man who murdered his wife. The only twist is that he has short term memory loss. To counter this Pearce’s character, Leonard, takes Polaroid images of people, places and objects and tattoos messages to himself all over his body.

The grittiness to this dark film gives it a cheap feel but, by word, does it have a great story. And in true Nolan style, there is a twist. There is always a twist in a Nolan film. Sometimes more than one and they could

happen anywhere.

Because Nolan isn’t just a director.

In several of his films his name will pop up in the credits more than once and the second time will come beside, “Screenplay by…” What’s more is that his name will often find itself scrolling along with another Nolan, Jonathan Nolan. This particular Nolan is Christopher’s older brother who cowrote the two sequel Batman films, ‘The Dark Knight’ and ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ as well as the adaptation of the Christopher Priest novel, ‘The Prestige’.

‘The Prestige’ was made in 2006 between ‘Batman Begins’ and ‘The Dark Knight’ before Nolan’s true work of art, ‘Inception’, which absolutely and definitively gave him his name on the lips of everyone everywhere.

‘The Prestige’ follows the professional, but usually very unprofessional, rivalry between two

Nolan likes to use CGI as a storytelling device, enhancing real life stunts and special effects rather than completely replacing them in favour of digital technology.

www.film4.com www.film4.com

magicians in the 19th century with terrible consequences. The film starred Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale as the magicians as well as support from Michael Caine and Scarlett Johansson.

Some familiar names there. Nolan is known for using the same actors throughout his work. For example, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Cillian Murphy and Ken Watanabe have all appeared in mind-melter ‘Inception’ as well as the Batman trilogy. And let’s not forget, of course, Tom Hardy who also starred in ‘Inception’ and then went onto follow

33

Nolan refused to shoot ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ in 3D, preferring to keep a styalistic consistency throughout the trilogy.

Ledger’s astounding performance as another Batman villain, Bane, in ‘The Dark Knight Rises’.

Christian Bale, of course, is the man in the black cowl himself saving Gotham by night. But it seems Nolan has found a favourite in the legendary Michael Caine who has played supporting, but very essential roles, in five consecutive Nolan films.

However, he doesn’t always bring actors back from the past. In 2002 Nolan released ‘Insomnia’. A strange mystery thriller starring Al Pacino as a homicide detective sent to an Alaskan town to investigate the murder of a

34

teenage girl. During his stay there the sun never sets sending the detective down into a spiral of mild madness exacerbated by the phone call from girl’s murderer played by the odd but brilliant choice of Robin Williams.

This film didn’t receive excellent reviews, though neither did it do badly, was definitely the predecessor to his greater works.

And finally, this wouldn’t be a Nolan feature without briefly touching on the headache that is ‘Inception’.

To try and describe the plot of ‘Inception’ is a struggle in itself. It’s about dreaming, going into dreams

www.film4.com www.film4.com

within dreams within dreams and planting ideas. Or something of that nature. It definitely has to be watched more than once and probably more than twice to get a good, but not firm, grip on what the hell is going on. After that it will be heated discussions with friends and trivia searches online.

If Christopher Nolan brings anything to the table it’s a conversation. His films are so varied yet so in tune and definitely enough twists to have you scratching your head after. If you’re a Nolan virgin bring a friend. You cannot go this one alone. It will drive you insane wanting to talk about it. Caroline Craske

FILM4/MAGAZINE FILM4/MAGAZINE

FILM4/REVIEW FILM4/ FILM4/REVIEW

www.film4.com www.film4.com

00

filmfour/FEATURE

Peter Jackson Producer. Director. Screenwriter. Pseudo Hobbit.

Sir Peter Jackson, the New Zealand born film director famous for the award winning trilogy ‘The Lord Of The Rings’ and last year’s much anticipated blockbuster ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’. The first in another trilogy of Tolkein’s legendary genius.

With a directorial career that spans over a twenty-six year period, Jackson has established himself as one of the industry’s best. Most well-known for his work on the film adaptations of J.R.R.Tolkein’s ‘Lord Of The Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’, this director is one of the century’s most loved.

With influences from director Martin Scorsese to feature films ‘King Kong’ and the 1970 movie ‘Waterloo’, Jackson gained his directorial flare from a wide range of sources and ideas. This ability to draw from diverse and varied directorial styles means that he has a wide range of different film making techniques, tips and secrets at his disposal. It is no wonder then that Jackson has been at the helm for some of the most successful films of this century.

The Lord Of The Rings

In 1997 Peter Jackson won the rights to J.R.R.Tolkein’s epic fantasty novels. Originally set out to be a twofilm production, Jackson was initially working with well known company Miramax. But, after much deliberation it was, at one time, decided that Jackson would be in charge of directing just one feature film that would depict all three stories . However, an extremely last minute deal with New Line Cinema

36

www.film4.com www.film4.com

FILM4/MAGAZINE FILM4/MAGAZINE

ended in Jackson getting his dream: a three picture deal to bring the beloved trilogy to life in full.

The films took years to make, with the decision being made to shoot, back-toback. This decision was made so that once production wrapped, the trilogy could be released consequtively within a three year period.

The first instalment, ‘The Fellowship Of the Ring’ made $871,530,324 worldwide and was nominated for thirteen Academy Awards of which it won four, four Golden Globes and thirteen Bafta Awards of which it won five. Film number two in the trilogy, ‘The Two Towers’ made $926,047,111 worldwide, was nominated for six Academy Awards, it won two, two Golden Globes and ten Bafta’s of which it won three. The final instalment in the trilogy, ‘The Return Of The King’ made $1,119,929,521 worldwide and was by far not only the most successful financially of all the Lord Of The Rings films but also brought in the most accolades, in 2004 at the 76th Academy awards, the film won in all o the eleven categories it was nominated in including Best Director and Best Picture. The film also won four Golden globes, also for Best Director and Best Picture as well as numerous Bafta’s, MTV Movie Awards and Two Grammy’s.

The Hobbit

In 2006 a statement was released claiming that Peter Jackson would have no involvement in ‘The Hobbit’ franchise due to an ongoing legal dispute between Jackson’s production company, Wingnut Films and New Line Cinema. Robert Shaye, the head of New Line Cinema

FILM4/REVIEW FILM4/ FILM4/REVIEW

spoke of Jackson saying that he “…will never make any movie with New Line Cinema again while I’m still working at the company….” What followed was months of boycotting and fan complaints that led to an announcement a year later that both Jackson and Shaye would try and repair their working relationship.

Following this the agreement came that two ‘Hobbit’ prequels would be made with Peter Jackson as writer and executive producer while Guillermo del Toro would direct. Three years later after numerous production delays del Toro dropped out and, to many fans delight, Jackson was named director.

Production began on 20 March 2011 and, after almost a year and a half of work, a further announcement was made that instead of two films, ‘The Hobbit’, like ‘The Lord Of The Rings’, would be a trilogy. Reprising their roles will be Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Andy Serkis as Gollum, Ian Holm as Bilbo and Hugo Weaving as Lord Elrond. Despite not being in the novel, Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Elijah Wood and Orlando Bloom’s characters are also scheduled to make an appearence.

When released 13 December 2012 with a final runtime of 169 minutes, 100,000 people lined the red carpet for the premiere and the event was broadcast live in many countries. The film grossed over $1 billion at the box office, which surpassed both ‘The Fellowship of The

www.film4.com www.film4.com

Ring’ and ‘The Two Towers’ nominally.

The second feature in the trilogy; ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug’ is due to be released worldwide on 13th December this year and the third and final installment, ‘The Hobbit: There And Back Again’ set for 17 December 2014.

With a reported net worth at approximately $500 million, two more Hobbit films are guaranteed to be blockbusters and, with numerous future projects set for the upcoming years, it seems like there will be no stopping Peter Jackson as he continues to revolutionise the way in which we see film.

Josie Minter The Hobbit: Desolation Of Smaug out Friday December 13th.

37

filmfour/REVIEW

Eli ROTH ONE HELL OF A

BASTERD From ketchup to mutilated genitalia, Eli Roth’s ambition to be produce and direct films was in his blood – or, to be more precise, in his ketchup. His liberal use of tomato sauce was used for fake blood when Roth started shooting Super 8 films at the age of eight starring his friends.

The first horror film Roth ever saw, Ridley Scott’s Alien affected him enough to the extreme of making him physically sick. This however did not hold him back from making some of the goriest scenes in modern horrors to date. Scenes that spring to mind include the squeamish sequences involving eyeballs and genitals, a combination to make anyone wince, in Hostel and Hostel: Part II. Since his young years, Roth has had a well-established career, starting with his attendance at New York University (by which point he had already made over 50 short films). There he excelled and won a student Academy Award and graduated in 1994.

The year after he co-wrote the script alongside a friend that would eventually, in 2002 become his directorial debut in Cabin Fever. The stimulus from which came from when he experienced a skin infection abroad which provided inspiration and transcribed onto the big screen as a flesh eating virus.

Cabin Fever proved a hit worldwide as there were no holds barred on the gore content as Roth said he was fed up of seeing “watered down” horror films.

There was no limit on the violence or

38

www.film4.com www.film4.com

FILM4/MAGAZINE FILM4/MAGAZINE

nudity either as he feels these aspects are essential in creating a classic style horror.

This year it was voted the number one Most Gruesome Movie Disease of All Time by Total Film Magazine.

Spurred on by the success of that in 2005 came Roth’s second film which he wrote, produced and directed, Hostel.

Again the film soared at the box office and proved that 150 gallons of blood used was worth it.

He has since been hailed as the leader of a new breed of horror filmmakers, known as “The Splat Pack”, bringing a fresh and raw edge to a genre that previously could have been described as exhausted. In his own words “my favourite thing was being scared and watching scary, gory movies with my friends. And then I felt like, by the late ‘90s, they evaporated -- the R-rated horror movie was gone. It was like a dead art form.”

In 2010 came the highly anticipated The Last Exorcism. The successful film was already in profit before release after Roth’s

FILM4/REVIEW FILM4/ FILM4/REVIEW

www.film4.com www.film4.com

commitment to publicity and himself and other producers selling key territories to initially finance the film meaning there was already a £200,000 leeway.

Since then Roth has dabbled in a lot of film roles as well as producing The Last Exorcism. His acting skills shone most notably in Inglourious Basterds playing the role of Donny “The Bear Jew” Donowitz.

He has now however gone back to focus predominantly on the other side of the camera. His newest production ventures include The Last Exorcism Part II (slightly contradictory title), Clown, The Sacrament and The Green Inferno.

Over the years, Roth has shown that what once seemed to be a dead end street has been given a shakeup, with a combination of 80s inspiration teamed with today’s technology horror is exciting once more, Eli, we give you a big thumbs up. Sophie Ghatreh The Last Exorcism coming to Film4.

39

00

www.film4.com www.film4.com

FILM4/MAGAZINE FILM4/MAGAZINE

Star Wars

Episode VII and Beyond Twin suns set over a desert landscape. Darth Vader sweeps down a corridor littered with dead rebels. Han shoots first (he did shoot first). Luke skims his X-wing along a trench and makes that all important perfect shot to destroy the Death Star.

These are just a handful of the epic and immortal scenes which have imbedded themselves in the hearts and minds of the old and young alike since they first appeared on the big screen thirty-five years ago and spurred on a further five films.

And now, Lucas Film, the production company behind the Star Wars saga, has been sold to Disney for a reported $4.05 billion (£2.5 billion). With this acquisition comes the announcement that another instalment of the popular series, Episode VII, is set for 2015 with a further two episodes in the works, in keeping with the Star Wars theme of trilogies.

The news of a seventh film has brought mixed reactions from fans starting with delight and ending in utter horror. But what can be said of any type of fan is that they must all be curious to see what happens.

We last left Luke, Leia and Han with the destruction of the second Death Star, the death of the Sith Lord Emperor and the demise of the Empire. Rumours are rife and speculation is at its height on what will happen next. Whatever may happen, what we do know is that Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher will be reprising their roles as the trio with a bad feeling strongly suggesting that Episode VII will follow on chronologically from the last in the series so far.

Aside from that, many have rejected the idea of Disney being the company to take up the reins of what has already become a high profile and much anticipated project.

(Puns and jokes of ducks and mice are already boring and just not funny.)

Though it does seem odd that the thought of Disney being the creators would fill fans so full of dread. After all, in 2009 Disney acquired another little studio called Marvel for a mere $4.2

FILM4/REVIEW FILM4/ FILM4/REVIEW

4/facts The epic confrontation in Episode III – Revenger of the Sith between Obi Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker before his transformation into Darth Vader is the only duel throughout the whole saga where the light sabres are the same colour: blue.

The green light sabre was first introduced in Episode VI – Return of the Jedi because it contrasted against the clear blue sky of Tatooine better than the blue light sabres of the previous two films.

The line “I have a bad feeling about this”, or a derivative of it, has become a running Star Wars joke and is spoken in every film in the saga, sometimes more than once.

Han Solo was frozen in carbonite at the end of Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back because Harrison Ford wasn’t sure if he wanted to return for the final chapter. If he hadn’t this would have provided a solid reason for his absence.

www.film4.com

billion and went on to break box office records with that Avengers film everyone seems to love so much. Avengers Assemble only happened to gross $207 million on its opening weekend flooring Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2’s $169 million. You would think that these figures would be a hopeful sign of things to come.

The issue does seem to rest firmly with the prequel trilogy. 1999’s The Phantom Menace, 2002’s Attack of the Clones and 2005’s Revenge of the Sith left audiences somewhat uninspired and disenchanted.

However, they were not all round bad films. It is true that the special effects were overdone, the storyline’s political themes hard to follow and the conclusion disappointing but overall they were not as awful as everyone likes to make out.

And with the original trilogy so much adored, it was always going to be hard to live up to expectations.

However, if that is not enough to convince someone who is still somewhat sceptical, George Lucas who wrote and directed all three of the prequel trilogy, as well as A New Hope, will not be directing the new episode.

With director J.J.Abrams set to take the reigns on the next instalment avid fans are left knowing that the possibilities for this movie are positively thrilling. No one says do not make another Star Wars book or comic or cartoon so why not try a film? For all we know, it could be amazing.

Even the most avid haters have to admit that there will be butterflies in their stomachs as the silence descends and those big blue words appear on the screen: “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…” Caroline Craske Star Wars: Episode VII is due out 2015.

Disney have also announced that, as well as the trilogy, they will be releasing Star Wars films featuring stories outside of the saga. Favourites to have their back stories told are Jedi Master Yoda, bounty hunter Boba Fett and, the man himself, Han Solo.

41

filmfour/REVIEW-music

Justin Timberlake The 20/20 Experience Tracklist: 01. Pusher Love Girl 02. Suit & Tie feat. Jay-Z 03. Don’t Hold the Wall 04. Strawberry Bubblegum 05. Tunnel Vision 06. Spaceship Coup 07. That Girl 08. Let the Groove Get In 09. Mirrors 10. Blue Ocean Roar

JT’s Back And He’s Smoother Than Ever It’s been six and a half years since Justin Timberlake released his platinum selling album ‘FutureSex/LoveSounds’, since then he has collaborated with numerous artists and starred in feature films from ‘The Social Network’ to ‘Friends With Benefits’ but now ‘JT’ is back to doing what he does best.

Ladies and Gents, we present you with the eagerly awaited album, ‘The 20/20 Experience.’

The first track on the album; ‘Pusher Love Girl’ is an R&B song, with a soulful heart. Opening with an orchestral

42

intro, the track sets the tempo and mood for the whole album. Timberlake’s signature falsetto reminds us just why he was so damn missed The albums lead single ‘Suit And Tie’ achieved huge success when it was first released January 15th. ‘Suit and Tie’ showcases that Timberlake is reinventing R&B as we know it, full of synths and horns and a feature from one of the worlds biggest rappers. ‘Suit And Tie’ has brought Timberlake back under the spotlight and gave a refreshing taster of what’s to come.

The album itself is a mixture of up-tempo R&B tracks with a touch of

www.film4.com www.film4.com

soul and melodic tracks that lure you in with the sweetest of sounds that although may not be club bangers, will be heard blasting from car windows and bedrooms alike.

‘Strawberry Bubblegum’, despite its name, is arguably one of the best tracks on the record. Heart felt lyrics and a moving beat, will have you nodding your head along no matter how much you try to resist. Sure to become one of 2013’s best ‘slow-jams’ ‘Strawberry Bubblegum’ is bound to bring in the number ones for Timberlake. When you have an artist who can make lyrics like: “If you’ll be my strawberry bubblegum,

FILM4/MAGAZINE FILM4/MAGAZINE

The 20/20 Experience

I’ll be your blueberry lollipop” work without seeming cheesy and cliché you know that they are the real deal.

‘Tunnel Vision’ follows ‘Strawberry Bubblegum’ not only in track listing but also in style; the two central songs are a pair to be reckoned with and contend with each other for best song. The track has the classic Timbaland beat paired with a more serious side to Timberlake.

Gone, is the falsetto and instead we have a much more sombre and yet striking vocal performance. The raw emotion portrayed, carry you through the full 6 minutes 47 seconds and leaves you wanting more.

‘The 20/20 Experience’ is one of those

FILM4/REVIEW FILM4/REVIEW

annoyingly good albums. No matter how hard you try, you won’t find a track that doesn’t quite live up to the mark. This album definitely has its highlight tracks, though, that set the tone for the record.

Despite there being one or maybe two songs that don’t quite hit the status of ‘Strawberry Bubblegum’ and ‘Tunnel Vision’, they still prove that JT still has it with both song writing and composing.

The album leaves us with one to remember in the form of ‘Blue Ocean Floor’. This track is as far removed from anything Timberlake has ever done in the past; some may argue that it doesn’t belong on the album due to its almost parallel running to the other

www.film4.com www.film4.com

tracks, but then again you could argue that it is nothing other than pure artistic genius. The sad, almost humbling lyrics complete the listener’s journey of love, sex, lust, heartbreak and raw emotion that is ‘The 20/20 experience.’

With the albums second part set to be released in November, you have to ask yourself what more can Timberlake possibly have in store for the music industry, but one thing is for sure, if part two is half as innovative as this first segment then the once crowned ‘prince of pop’ may fully cement himself as one of the best artists of his generation.

Josie Minter

43

filmfour/REVIEW-music

Paramore ParamoreTracklist: 1. Fast In My Car 2. Now 3. Grow Up 4. Daydreaming 5. interlude: Moving On 6. Ain’t It Fun 7. Part II 8. Last Hope 9. Still Into You 10. Anklebiters 11. interlude: Holiday 12. Proof 13. Hate To See Your Heart Break 14. (One Of Those) Crazy Girls 15. interlude: I’m Not Angry Anymore 16. Be Alone 17. Future

Been through the wringer a couple times…

In 2010 music fans were stunned when chart-topping band Paramore announced the departure of two of their founding members. Following the shocking news a message was released by the remaining trio stating: “A couple of months ago, Josh and Zac let us know they would be leaving the band after our show in Orlando last Sunday.

None of us were really shocked.

For the last year it hasn’t seemed as if they wanted to be around anymore…… but we never for a second thought about leaving any of this behind.”

Hayley Williams, Taylor York and

44

Jeremy Davies promised their fans that they had no intention of giving up and after just one year they released ‘The Singles Club’, a group of new songs to keep the fans happy before the production on their next studio album started.

After months in the studio and a process that the band described as a journey of rediscovery the album was completed and on April 9th 2013 the highly anticipated self-titled fourth album ‘Paramore’ was released. It’s a far cry from their old material and that definitely isn’t a bad thing, a new sound mixed with new enthusiasm means this record is their best to date.

The album kicks off with ‘Fast In My

www.film4.com www.film4.com

Car’ a funky pop/rock mix that is all about moving on and forgetting the past, the message and reasons behind it could not be any clearer, the band is entering a new chapter of their career and intend on having as much fun as possible.

The new pop style to the band runs through the whole album, the edgy and raw passion that quite simply is Paramore is still very much alive and well but with a new twist that is sure to carry on their already solid career in the rock industry but also make a name of them in the pop charts. Track six, ‘Aint It Fun’ is the real gem in the album, the up-beat tempo and feel good vibes transcend through your speakers and

FILM4/MAGAZINE FILM4/MAGAZINE

Paramore

deliver punchy lyrics that you are sure to be screaming at the top of your lungs after only one or two listens. The track showcases the amazing vocal ability of Williams, from hitting the highest of notes to nailing the low and sombre backing vocals the track is almost an ‘eff you’ to anyone who ever said her singing abilities aren’t up to scratch.

The first single released off of the album was ‘Now’ it initially received mixed reviews and fans complained that the sound was too much of a departure from their original work but after radio play its popularity soared, fulfilling the stereotype of a song that really does grown on you. The single

FILM4/REVIEW FILM4/REVIEW

has been given numerous 5/5 ratings and contains musical genius that was described as ‘one of the best hooks delivered from a rock band in the last few years”. The song reached number 2 on the Official UK Rock chart and was a good indication of what we could expect from the band.

The latest single ‘Still Into You’ shot straight to the top of the UK Rock Chart and was immediately met with positive reviews and commendations, described by the band as a love song that definitely isn’t soppy, the track is a tribute to Williams’ relationship with New Found glory’s Chad Gilbert with whom she has been with for many

www.film4.com www.film4.com www.film4.com

years, she stated: “I don’t have a whole lot of experience writing love songs, or anyways lyrics that are like this” but regardless of her experience the song delivers every needed aspect to make this a memorable love song, albeit a very happy up-beat one.

If you haven’t already got this album then don’t waste anymore time without it, it’s a refreshing new sound that holds enough of Paramore’s essence to thrill the most loyal fans and enough of raw new energy to pick up a whole new following; we can expect bright things from these young musicians in the future.

Josie Minter

45

filmfour/REVIEW-game

Tomb Raider It seemed that within the first half an hour of playing Tomb Raider. I was playing an Uncharted clone, but with more falling over and annoying cut scenes. Luckily though it doesn’t stay that way for long. The guys over at Crystal Dynamics have a done a great job rebooting Lara Croft and her wondrous adventures.

Since the release of the Uncharted series, back in 2007, it seemed that Lara was going to lose the action/adventure limelight, thanks to Nick Drake and Co. Especially when the last decent Tomb Raider game was released all the way back in 2006, it seemed only right to reboot the series and give Lara Croft a new lease of life. Tomb Raider is the game that has been needed for a long time.

Sadly though like any game that has been hyped to the max, it does have its flaws.

Throughout the game, the player is greeted with long and tedious Quick Time Events. Ever since its creation, developers have used to it to hide long and boring cut scenes. Within Tomb Raider this seems to have been used to maximum effort. This sadly takes the

player out of the usual gaming experience, forcing them to be a part of the cut scenes. Which, when you get down to it, isn’t that fun.

Another thing that sadly lets down the game is the fact that the other characters that are supporting Lara on her adventure, from girl to an independent woman, are easily forgetful and always seem to get in the way. Which gets slightly annoying over time, especially when they stand in the way of a cliff you have to jump off.

Apart from the Quick Time Events and the dodgy AI. Tomb Raider is a well-polished game with a decent storyline to go with it. The use of a bow and arrows breathe fresh new life into the action/adventure genre. Which is normally dedicated to semi-automatic weapons. Along with that fact that it feels like you’re playing in an open world map, with the added feature of fast travel around the island that lets you go back and find treasure that you may have missed along the way. Is a nice little touch.

This is definitely the best Tomb Raider entry for a long time and will easily satisfy the hunger of Tomb Raider enthusiasts. Since this fantastic reboot and humanisation of Lara Croft, it’s a nice breath of fresh to air to the action/ adventure genre. The only question is: where are they going to take Lara next?

Ryan Blake

Bioshock Infinite After playing Bioshock Infinite, every other shooter that’s available just doesn’t seem to compare. The bright and colourful world of Columbia radiates colour and life into a genre that has a core colour scheme of military grey and sandstorm yellow. Set in a city, which is suspended in the sky, Bioshock Infinite is neither sequel nor prequel.

It’s just an add on into an ever expanding Bioshock universe.

You play as Booker DeWitt, an agent that has been sent to the floating city of Columbia to find the mysterious young woman Elizabeth. The game is full of surprises, so trying not to spoil them is

46

definitely a hard task, which is something any good game should be about. The core gameplay is just like every other Bioshock game available. The same rules apply of shooting guns and mutated powers that can be collected along the way. If you haven’t played a Bioshock game, that one reason should be enough.

Who doesn’t like shooting lightning bolts out their hands?

Along with the fantastic graphics and fun gameplay, the story is the main reason to get this game. A heartfelt journey through Columbia leaves the player feeling both lost but content at the same time. This something that’s rarely done, but when it’s done right it can be more of an experience then just a game.

www.film4.com www.film4.com

Overall Bioshock Infinite is a game that will be looked at in years to come as a game that used both story and visuals to tell its sad story. What will come next in the Bioshock series is something to guess at, but if 2K games decides to end it here. Then it would be a fitting tribute to a great series of games. Ryan Blake

FILM4/MAGAZINE FILM4/MAGAZINE

www.film4.com

FILM4/MAGAZINE

www.film4.com

FILM4/MAGAZINE

FI

Test Your Knowledge

film4/QUIZ

1.) In Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, how many evil ex’s does Scott have to defeat? a. 5 b. 7 c. 9

2.) Who voices villainous Gru in Despicable Me? a. Steve Carell b. Jim Carrey c. Russell Brand

3.) Who plays the troubled author in horror flick Sinister? a. Channing Tatum b. Ethan Hawke c. James Franco

4.) How many times has Bruce Willis reprised his role as John McClane in the Die Hard films? a. 4 b. 5 c. 6

5.) Who starred as the lead Celie in the 1985 drama, The Color Purple? a. Oprah Winfrey b. Margaret Avery c. Whoopi Goldberg

Which of these two actresses is Steven Spielberg godfather to? a. Gwyneth Paltrow and Drew Barrymore b. Rachel McAdams and Rachel Weisz c. Cameron Diaz and Julianne Moore

How did Natalie Portman refer to Mila Kunis in her Oscar speech? a. Mila ‘heart breaker’ Kunis b. Mila ‘sweet lips’ Kunis c. Mila ‘my sister’ Kunis

ILM4/REVIEW FILM4/REVIEW

What pet called ‘Max’ did Kelly Preston give to George Clooney that he cared for over 18 years? a. Dog b. Pig c. Goat

www.film4.com www.film4.com

49

filmfour/RENTALS

50

www.film4.com www.film4.com

FILM4/MAGAZINE FILM4/MAGAZINE

www.film4.com www.film4.com