Hollywood’s attractive outcasts (the problem with the Carrie remake)

As you are probably aware, there is a remake of the 1976 film adaptation of Carrie, currently being filmed. I’m sure you also know that there was nothing wrong with the 1976 adaptation that warrants a remake and this is obviously a cash grab. And that doesn’t bother me really, at least, not as much as it used to. It happens so much nowadays that it’s made me become numb to the idea. What bothers me however is the choice of who should play Carrie: Chloe Grace Moretz.

Carrie is an outcast. Sissy Spacek who played Carrie in the original film was brilliant not only because she is a great actress (Badlands is proof of that) but because she also looks a little odd herself. She’s not unattractive, but she has an appearance that would suggest that she’s isn’t the most popular girl in her school. Chloe Grace Moretz on the other hand is the opposite. She’s a very attractive girl and one could see her being one of the more popular girls in school. So it’s very difficult to believe that she’s some sort of outcast regardless of her backstory.

Moreover, this is a growing problem in Hollywood that I began to notice last year. Attractive people are being cast as outcasts. From Aubrey Plaza in Safety Not Guaranteed (2012) to Andrew Garfield in The Amazing Spider-Man to Emma Watson in The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012), it’s a growing trend and it needs to stop. I liked all these films but it’s so difficult to believe in the characters when the actors themselves don’t match the character’s personality because of their appearance.

Matt.

A Sad Day

Roger Ebert (1942-2013)

Just a few days after he announced that he would try to slow down on reviewing films following his ongoing battle with cancer, Roger Ebert has tragically passed away. His contribution to film criticism is remarkable and will never be forgotten. To celebrate his life, I’ve decided to post his reviews for my favourite films. So enjoy.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (1968)

“Leone cares not at all about the practical or the plausible, and builds his great film on the rubbish of Western movie cliches, using style to elevate dreck into art. When the movie opened in America in late 1967, not long after its predecessors “A Fistful of Dollars” (1964) and “For a Few Dollars More” (1965), audiences knew they liked it, but did they know why?”

Memento (2001)

“The purpose of the movie is not for us to solve the murder of the wife (“I can’t remember to forget you,” he says of her). If we leave the theater not sure exactly what happened, that’s fair enough. The movie is more like a poignant exercise, in which Leonard’s residual code of honor pushes him through a fog of amnesia toward what he feels is his moral duty. The movie doesn’t supply the usual payoff of a thriller (how can it?), but it’s uncanny in evoking a state of mind. Maybe telling it backward is Nolan’s way of forcing us to identify with the hero. Hey, we all just got here.”

A Matter of Life and Death (1946)

“`Stairway to Heaven” (1946) is one of the most audacious films ever made – in its grandiose vision, and in the cozy English way it’s expressed. The movie, which is being revived at the Music Box in a restored Technicolor print of dazzling beauty, joins the continuing retrospective at the Film Center of 15 other films by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, the most talented British filmmakers of the 1940s and 1950s.”

Adaptation (2002)

“What a bewilderingly brilliant and entertaining movie this is–a confounding story about orchid thieves and screenwriters, elegant New Yorkers and scruffy swamp rats, truth and fiction. “Adaptation” is a movie that leaves you breathless with curiosity, as it teases itself with the directions it might take. To watch the film is to be actively involved in the challenge of its creation.”

Matt.

A Long Way Down Cast Sitting Down

An image from the upcoming Nick Hornby novel film adaptation A Long Way Down (2013) was released the other day. Or it might have been the other week. Anyway, I’ve only just discovered it. The film is scheduled to come out a long time from now but to pass that time I’ve devised a little game.

Can you find the real Pierce Brosnan?

Anyone who came here looking for the actual still, I’m so sorry you found this blog.

Matt.

James Bond Doesn’t Understand Sarcasm

Yes that’s right, I’ve got another video for you. You like videos right?

Tough. It’s what you’re getting.

Matt.

My 3 Favourite Uses of Music in the films of Danny Boyle

Well after watching Trance the other day (you can read my review here) I decided to go back and look at some of my favourite uses of music in the films of Danny Boyle, as the title  suggests.

1. Sunshine (2007)

John Murphy’s score is beautifully haunting and foreshadows the later events in the film whilst at the same time adding a slight uplifting feel. It remains fresh throughout the entire film and consistently gives me shivers whenever I hear it .

2. Trainspotting (1996)

Though the entire Trainspotting soundtrack is fantastic, it is this track that stands at the most for me. It sets up the tone of the film and compliments the iconic opening monologue wonderfully.

3. Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Finally, M.I.A. may not be a great band but there sure did make a great song that was used  with great effect in little unknown sleeper hit Slumdog Millionaire. It creates a great transition in the main character’s journey.

Now what are your favourites as I’m sure you’ll disagree with my selection.

Matt.

Trance: Review

Trance (2013) is a film that bursts with energy. Directed by Oscar winning, Olympic ceremony designer and all round English hero Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, Trainspotting), Trance follows an art auctioneer played by the talented James McAvoy who  becomes caught up in the world of crime. But when a plan goes wrong, Elizabeth (Rosario Dawson) a hypnotherapist is brought in to help recover a lost painting.

Dannny Boyle is one of the most assured directors working today, you only have to look at his London 2012 opening ceremony to realise that. His work is bold, confident and oozes with style. Known for experimenting with different genres and often telling unusual stories, Boyle once again dazzles his audience with his latest effort. Trance is an electric crime thriller that is told brilliantly well with plenty of twists and turns that should keep all audiences entertained. Perhaps some may find it a little confusing however I had no problem with following the plot.

One of the complaints that Trance has received is that the film focuses too much on style. However, whatever your opinion is on this matter, there can be no questions that the film’s style is fantastic. The cinematography combined with the sound make for an electrifying experienced and truly add to the enjoyment of the film. I actually saw this film with a couple of friends and the only real complaint was that in once scene near the end of the film, an iPad is seen to function incorrectly to how iPads function in the real world. 

Nice try Boyle.

Matt.

This is to certify…

For those of you reading from England, the BBFC are currently running a survey on their website which can be accessed here that asks the nation to review the BBFC’s guidelines so that the BBFC makes sure that they are following public opinion. Although if the BBFC were following public opinion, then there probably wouldn’t be so much controversy surrounding the BBFC, right?

Anyway feel free to answer the questions in anyway. Especially this one.

Matt.