Maps To The Stars (2014) film review

Year: 2014
Running Time: 111 minutes
Director: David Cronenberg
Writer: Bruce Wagner
Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Julianne Moore, John Cusack, Olivia Williams, Evan Bird, Robert Pattinson, Sarah Gadon, Dawn Greenhalgh

Maps To The Stars was the Opening Night film at the 2014 Canberra Film Festival and also screened on November 1. Will be released in Australia on November 20 and distributed by Entertainment One.

Maps To The Stars isn't the leisurely stroll down Hollywood Boulevard that many may be expecting, but it is completely compelling with its intensity, valiance and dark satirical nature. David Cronenberg's latest is a brilliant and in depth study of Hollywood as a culture and the personalities often found in it's midst. The enticing, but incredibly evil screenplay is supported by superb performances by it's cast, particularly Julianne Moore and Evan Bird. There is nothing nice about Maps To The Stars, but that is what makes it brilliant.

As a young woman, Agatha (Mia Wasikowska) alights the bus in Los Angeles and gets into a limo driven by aspiring actor, Jerome (Robert Pattinson), she appears to be just another hopeful that has come to Hollywood with stars in her eyes. However, Agatha is the estranged daughter of the high profile Weiss family who brought disgrace on the family many years earlier and was sent far away from her younger brother, Benjie (Evan Bird) who is a troubled teenager star not as concerned with his sister's return as his mother, Christina (Olivia Williams) and father, Stafford (John Cusack). Stafford finds out about his daughter's return to Los Angeles from one of his clients, actress Havana Segrand (Julianne Moore) who Agatha has started working for. Havana suffers with classic Hollywood problems of her own, fuelled by the spectre of her actress mother, Clarice Taggart (Sarah Gadon) who died in a fire when Havana was young.

Maps To The Stars paints an incredibly dark portrait of modern day Hollywood that doesn't shy away from the ugly side of the industry that the power people work so hard to cover up. Despite having a confronting and evil personality which many will find too much to forgive, the film is awfully sure of itself and committed to it's purpose and what it is representing. Maps To The Stars has been likened to films such as Sunset Blvd which are technically making fun of the industry that they are made in, but this modern day Hollywood tale doesn't have a problem showing it's audience the uncensored and often shocking world of debauchery the stars live in. Bruce Wagner's screenplay is brutal and twisted, but brave and brilliant in the way that it doesn't give the audience the satisfaction of knowing exactly where it is going.

Although it is a satire and exaggerated for entertainment value, there are elements of the film which are intriguing case studies of the industry's culture and certain Hollywood stereotypes. There are the little idiosyncrasies in the characters that those who are familiar with Hollywood types will recognise and other relatable cultural aspects of the town such as the minimal degrees of separation between everyone and the paranoia (and often truth) that everyone is only out for themselves. Maps To The Stars also shows how the world of excess that comes with fame and fortune can seem idyllic on the surface, but it is this excess that leads to the evil doings that are read about in the media and seen in the film. The more people have, the more they have to get in trouble with. The film seeks to answer the question that many ask after reading about celebrities in tabloids who go rogue, how do they go off the rails when they live such a charmed life? They have access to far more that they need and as a result, have far more that they can lose.

The depth of character in Maps To The Stars is extraordinary. While the film is first and foremost a case study of Hollywood and it's inhabitants, the characters also exhibit characteristics which are not mutually exclusive to that group of people. Havana Segrand, played flawlessly by Julianne Moore is an incredibly well crafted character who's characteristics represent those not only of such a Hollywood star, but also of a damaged person as such. Havana represents the child of Hollywood who has grown up in the shadow of her beautiful and talented mother. Now facing the reality of becoming a Hollywood "has been" and actively trying to avoid self-destructive behaviour (which doesn't always work), she feels her mother's ghost even more so. She see's in the mysterious Agatha a chance to redeem herself in her mother's eyes, due to the similarities between the girl and Clarice. Havana is an example of one who did not have the relationship with her parent that she would have and is continuously looking for a way to feel atoned. Moore is spectacular and makes the character of Havana one who is intriguing and, like many celebrities who are on the path the disaster, the audience cannot wait to see what she does next.

The Weiss family are an extremely troubled with many secrets which they try to keep hidden from the world as well as from themselves. Whether in the public eye or not, it is not uncommon for children to repeat their parents mistakes as they learn from them just by watching as they grow up. This is the case with Agatha and Benjie, but in particular Agatha who understands to an extent what is happening while Benjie is too young. Evan Bird is wonderful as Benjie Weiss. He is incredibly hard to like as he represents the spoiled and arrogant child star, but at the same time is fantastic to watch. He is the representation of the young star who truly misses out on being a child due in part to being introduced to alcohol and drugs at such a young age. Even though he is a character one loves to hate, he is sympathized with at certain moments in the film where he is on the verge of feeling real emotion, but stops himself in order to protect his persona even only in front of himself.

Mia Wasikowska shows her superb acting range in Maps To The Stars as Agatha is many things. Although eighteen, she is still very much the little girl that her parents neglected. Her father says "I don't know who she is anymore", and Agatha feels much the same way about herself. Her identity is lost somewhere in her parents and brother's identities, but she also looks to Clarice Taggart for clarification. She also tells herself and Jerome lies that make her feel better about herself and forget where she comes from. Agatha is an extremely twisted character who seems dangerous and psychotic, but also just very confused about who she really is.

Maps To The Stars is a rare film that delves deep into the world it exists in and tells an intriguing narrative at the same time. It's confronting look at the world of excess that exists in Hollywood in the twenty-first century will not be to the liking of many, but will entertain those who appreciate the reasoning behind the madness.

8.5/10

Sydney Film Festival: The Rover (2014)

Year: 2014
Running Time: 102 minutes
Director: David Michod
Writers: Joel Edgerton (story) and David Michod (story and screenplay)
Cast: Guy Pierce, Robert Pattinson, Scoot McNairy, David Field

The Rover is part of the Official Competition at the 2014 Sydney Film Festival and was screened on the 7th and 8th of June. For more information, please see the official website.

Incredibly suspenseful, captivating and atmospheric, The Rover is the highly anticipated second feature film by director, David Michod. This extremely tense film is extraordinary by way of it's beautiful and original cinematography and it's minimal, but tight and effective screenplay. Michod's direction of his two lead actors, Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson is nothing short of perfection with a great deal of character and on screen chemistry between the two. The Rover is incredibly gripping and visually intriguing, yet leaves a great deal to the imagination.

In the Australian outback ten years after the collapse, Eric (Guy Pearce) has his car stolen by a group of three men from right under his nose. He begins the chase in the car the men left behind to take his car back by whatever mean necessary and it becomes evident that beyond his silent exterior is a great deal of anger which makes him a very dangerous man. The car Eric is driving is soon recognised by Ray (Robert Pattinson), the brother of one of the men he is chasing and Eric takes this opportunity to let Ray lead him to his brother and the other men so that he can finally take his revenge on the thieves.

The Rover is a film with a minimal story, but a whole lot going on around and within it. The story itself is not a complicated one or an overly significant one, but it is carried out in a completely original and memorable way. The film is suspenseful and tense from the very beginning and is able to maintain this in it's entirety. While set in the future, it does not fall back into the patterns which futuristic films tend to do. The absence of information regarding the collapse and the reasons why things are now this particular way is problematic for the viewer as there is a thirst to be given answers. Yet, The Rover is not your typical post-apocalyptic film and the collapse is not the focus of the film, it is Eric's tale of revenge that is. The script itself really isn't a very detailed one, but as Robert Pattinson has described it at "Inside The Rover" at the Sydney Town Hall, it is an exceptionally delicate one. Every word is strong, effective and valuable to the film.

The film is extremely atmospheric by means of it's visuals and musical score. There is a real harshness to the Australian landscape and the living conditions which come as a result of it. The viewer is able to feel the extreme heat of the sundrenched outback and the feeling of being less than clean while travelling through it. With the constant tense story and the dangerous landscape comes a consistent feeling of dread which is also enhanced by a particularly haunting score. The film is also quite twisted in parts, such as when Eric acquires his gun. Yet, as harsh the Australian outback is, the cinematography of it is magnificent. The Flinders Ranges where the film is shot are part of the vast beauty of the Australian outback and are incredibly beautiful on the 35mm film used. The travelling camera shot of the car driving along the seemingly endless road at sunset in amazing colour is the perfect scene.

There is an incredible amount of character development that gradually spans throughout the whole film. The viewer learns more and more about the characters they are watching by means of their actions, emotions and of course their words. Guy Pearce gives a wonderfully controlled performance as Eric. He is a very angry character, but this anger is not shown by emotional outbreaks as such characters in film so often have. His silence accompanied by his evident indifference to his life and his violent tendencies, creates a very scary figure as he is completely unpredictable. Yet he is still not without feeling and still capable of creating relationships, such as with Ray. This doesn't come across in an obvious way and many people will still him as being heartless, but he is a man who is so used to loss that he acts as if he has nothing to lose and doesn't gravitate towards people the way it is suggested he once did. At the "Inside The Rover", Pearce referred to his character as being "an injured and damaged creature". This is extremely evident in the film, as he even see's himself as more of an animal than a human and feels more of a connection to animals, such as dogs than people.

Robert Pattinson gives the best performance of his career thus far as Ray in The Rover. He completely embodies the character by way of speech and facial and body language. His character is a particularly interesting one and unlike Pearce's Eric, he is one who is capable of human relationships despite of his awkwardness. The on screen chemistry between Pearce and Pattinson is fantastic. Their characters both have such different qualities that they perfectly fit together and compliment each other in an offbeat but effective way. The scenes which they have together in which the most dialogue is spoken are very special and it is as though every word spoken is important and really means something.

The Rover is a superb film. It's minimalist story is enhanced in incredible fashion with brilliant cinematography and Pearce and Pattinson's wonderful on screen chemistry. David Michod need not have felt his self-proclaimed "second-album syndrome"

8.5/10

Water For Elephants

Water For Elephants
Year: 2011
Director: Francis Lawrence
Cast: Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz

In My Own Words
I have actually had a close encounter with Reese Witherspoon. Well, not close in that I have met her or touched her...but I have been in the same room as her! I was lucky enough to be in the audience at a filming of "Jimmy Kimmel Live" in November 2008 when she was on to promote "Four Holidays" (otherwise known as "Four Christmases"). It was a stroke of luck to see her really, because she was supposed to appear the night before. I hadn't even realised that Witherspoon had to change to the night I would be going until I was strolling down Hollywood Boulevard during the day and there was the sign! She was lovely. I was very impressed at how down to earth she was. She raved about her children and all of the animals they own on their property. Witherspoon even rattled off all the names of her geese, chickens and pigs! It was so nice to hear her lovingly talk about her life away from Hollywood. I am sure that with her love of her farm animals she would have loved doing this film considering she got to work with horses and the elephant!

The bottom line is definitely go and see "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on Hollywood Boulevard if you are there, because it is basically the only place in Hollywood where you are guaranteed to see celebrities!

These are my own words and here is my review.

Review
The film maker who decided to adapt Sara Gruen's bestseller "Water For Elephants" was always going to have a winner on their hands. The picture you paint in your mind with the idea of a love story in a travelling circus in the 1930's conjures up glamorous images of women in sequined costumes and all sorts of exotic animals. That's exactly what the Franis Lawrence directed "Water For Elephants" is. It is a visual delight which is entertaining, moving and suspenseful.

Jacob Jankowski (Robert Pattinson) has the world at his feet when he is just about to graduate from college in veterinary science when his parents are killed in a car accident and he is left without a home. By accident, he ends up on the same train as a travelling circus, which needs him about as much as he needs them. As the new circus vet, he comes to know the ringleader, August (Christoph Waltz) and his beautiful wife and star, Marlena (Reese Witherspoon). August has an aggressive streak, which becomes even more evident when Rosie the elephant is introduced to the show and when Jacob falls in love with Marlena.

"Water For Elephants" is incredibly moving and really a beautiful film. There hasn't been many circus movies in recent times and this is definitely the best one in decades. There are some scenes in the film which some people will find quite disturbing and shocking. Yet the fact that we do take these moments in the film so to heart is because the mixture of images, musical score and the cinematography enhances all of our senses to experience what is going on in the film with the characters. The film is actully nail-biting in many scenes and you know the ending could go one of two ways, but there is no disappointment and no sense of predictability.

The images in this film are magic. The way in which all the animals appear on screen is beautiful and loving. Although the brutality of life with a travelling circus is talked about, the brutality even depicted by Lawrence is still in its own way quite beautiful.  The cinematography and editing for the big top scenes are exquisite. The musical score and sound effects all add towards the emotion of each scene and the score for the scenes with Rosie are particularly good.

One of the best things about this film is that the character development is brilliant. Each of the three lead characters have so much character to them and they make so much of an impression on you that you really do take them with you when you leave the cinema. Robert Pattinson's does well in the lead as Jacob, yet he seems to have the least dialogue out of the three main characters. Pattinson relies more on his facial expressions to show how he feels , which works but there isn't any scene which really stands out for him. However, it is great to see Pattinson smile a great deal more in this film than he usually does!

 Reese Witherspoon is just beautiful. She is perfect in this role and shines every moment she is on the screen. Credit must also be paid to her for all the tricks she had to do with the elephant and the horse. Christoph Waltz is also fantastic. He comes into the movie and everyone thinks he is just a typical boss who is protective of his business, but he changes throughout the film in character and becomes more psychotic. What truly is brilliant is that he is scary, but it is so subtle in the way he is aggresive at times and then so obviously brutal at others. Hal Holbrook is also commendable as the older Jacob. He is completely believable and very sweet.

However, the only problem is that the romantic chemistry between Pattinson and Witherspoon is nearly non-existent. You can't really see the love between the two characters at all and there is no heat or passion in the love scenes. They both seem to do well in their roles individually, but there is no chemistry at all to be felt. The older Jacob shows more emotion towards Marlena than the young Jacob. As a result, the film is more moving in regards to the animals and not with the romanticism.

"Water For Elephants" is one of the most entertaining, enjoyable and beautiful films released so far in 2011. It is a beautiful story with beautiful images with beautiful characters. It is not often a book adaptation is amazing, but this one truly is.
8/10

Remember Me

Remember Me
Year: 2010
Director: Allen Coulter
Cast: Robert Pattison, Emilie De Ravin, Pierce Brosnan, Chris Cooper
In My Own Words
Never underestimate the drawing power of a teenage heartthrob. They not only draw in the adolescent crowd, but filmgoers of all ages who are curious to know whether these superstars can in fact act outside their comfort zone. “Harry Potter”, “High School Musical” and “Twilight” are perhaps the three biggest phenomenon’s of recent times and have made superstars out of young actors. People follow these young superstars through the tabloids and also their other projects, eager to see who can survive outside their usual playing grounds. The stars of “Twilight” definitely have their work cut out for them. Teenagers flock to their movies away from the Twilight saga in droves, and as a result Robert Pattison, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, Anna Kendrick and Dakota Fanning have their work cut out for them. Fanning established herself as an actress before she appeared in “New Moon”, yet “Twilight” has provided her with a whole new fan base, while Kendrick gave an amazing performance in the acclaimed “Up In The Air”, earning her an Oscar nomination and proving she is far more than just Jessica in “Twilight”. However, what about Pattison, Stewart and Lautner? What lies beyond Edward, Bella and Jacob?

Hence the drawing power of “Remember Me”. Would it really have meant as much to people if Robert Pattison wasn’t in it? Maybe to some people, but not to the younger audience. Many people will go into “Remember Me” thinking “Can Pattison actually act beyond Edward Cullen”? Or even, “Will Robert Pattison forever just be Edward Cullen”? Unfortunately all I could see when the film begun was Edward Cullen, and I struggled to get past this throughout the film. The visual of Elijah Wood will always mean Frodo, the visual of Daniel Radcliffe will always mean Harry Potter and the visual of Robert Pattison will always mean Edward Cullen.

These are my own words and here is my review.

Review
“Remember Me” is the Robert Pattison show. There are many other actors who could have played the lead in this film and may have even done it better than Pattison, but the film wouldn’t have done quite as well as it did financially had Pattison not been part of it. Pattison plays Tyler Hawkins, who is mourning the death of his older brother, Michael who committed suicide five years before. Tyler develops a rebellious nature and after having a run in with a policeman, lands himself in hot water. Tyler’s room mate and partner in crime, Aidan (Tate Ellington)discovers that Sgt. Craig (Chris Cooper) has a daughter who goes to school with them and dares Tyler to ask her out. Tyler and Ally (Emilie De Ravin), who is also still recovering from the murder of her mother, embark on a romantic venture which helps both of them recover from their losses.

The big fault of “Remember Me” is that it is nowhere near as emotionally charged as what it should be. There is now overpowering feelings of love between Tyler and Ally, as there should be in a romance film such as this. There is more of an emotion connection between the audience and the “smaller” characters such as Tyler’s father (Pierce Brosnan) and his sister, Caroline (Ruby Jerins), and Sgt. Craig, than with the lead characters. However, the film is supposed to be focused on Tyler and Ally, although the audience definitely wishes that director Allen Coulter would focus more on the families and their dynamics and ways of dealing with their grief. The way in which the film is filmed, one would suspect that Coulter was also trying to film “Remember Me” in an indie style, which greatly fails. It lacks the purity and raw emotion of an indie film.

As for Robert Pattison, it isn’t a bad performance, but certainly not a great performance. Pattinson can act, but he is overshadowed by other performers in this film. It almost feels as though he is struggling to break through with his performance and falls short of the performance he should have given. There does definitely seem to be a lack of chemistry between him and co-star, Emilie De Ravin. There is no belief in the two being in love. Watching the two of them on screen makes the audience member, particularly the “Twilight” fan wish, Kristen Stewart would take De Ravin’s place. De Ravin herself does not deliver a particularly memorable performance and does not have a very hard role to fulfil. However, the saving grace of this film are the performances by the supporting actors. Both Brosnan and Academy Award winner Cooper give superb performances as the two fathers. They leave both Pattinson and De Ravin for dead. Young Ruby Jerins is also superb in her debut role. She is believable as the talented, bullied younger sister and surely has great things in store for her. Thanks to these three performers, the film does have a reason beyond Pattinson to be viewed.

“Remember Me” could have been a lot more than what it is. It is not the best role for Pattinson and he is truly much better as Edward Cullen. If it were not for the performances of Brosnan, Cooper and Jerins, “Remember Me” would not be remembered at all.
4/10

The Twilight Saga: New Moon

The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Year: 2009
Director: Chris Weitz
Cast: Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner

In My Own Words
Here it is, the awaited follow up to “Twilight”. Well, it will not have been awaited if you are not a Twilight fan and the first thing I will say about this movie before I tell you my own thoughts and my experience with this movie is that this movie is NOT for you if you are not a fan of Twilight. My boyfriend who followed me along for the special midnight screening gave it a 2/10, he was not impressed. I, myself, have tried not to become part of the “Twilight” phenomenon, but I have been drawn in, more by the books than the movies though. I did enjoy “Twilight” when that came out at the cinemas last year, I thought it was enjoyable. Sure it wasn’t the best movie ever made and does not rival “Gone With The Wind”, but it was fun to watch nevertheless.

My boyfriend bought tickets for me for the midnight screening at my local cinema as I wanted to review it before the majority of the world. Also I had never been to a midnight screening of anything so it was very exciting! Although I did go to the 9am first screening of “The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King” when that opened, but this was a bit more exciting at night for some strange reason. I was shocked, I have never seen my local cinemas so packed. They had six cinemas all sold out, all by people (mostly girls) under the age of 25. It can be hard to take a movie seriously when you have some groups of girls showing off to their friends by laughing at parts in the movie which aren’t even funny and are supposed to be serious. That was something that I was prepared for though.

So, as far as the film went, not as good as the original “Twilight”. Nowhere near as cheesily enjoyable as it was. And I repeat, stay away from this movie if you do not like “Twilight” at all, it won’t change you mind. However, if you are a “Twilight” fan, it is still worth seeing and you may find some happiness and enjoyment seeing Edward, Bella and Jacob on the big screen again.

These are my own words and this is my review.

Review
There is no escaping the “Twilight” phenomenon, especially leading up to the release of “New Moon”, the second installment of the saga. The film, whether it is good or not, will make millions worldwide in the box office from fans going to watch it numerous times. However, movie goers who go to watch the film who either did not like the first film or didn’t see it, will be completely dissatisfied and confused. The movie makes no sense without the first film and will not appeal to those who are not fans of Edward and Bella to begin with.

In the second film, eighteen year old Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and her vampire boyfriend, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) have carried on their relationship despite their differences and the fact that Bella was nearly killed by a fellow vampire in the previous movie. After another close call, this time with members of the Cullen family, Edward decides that it is best for him to leave Forkes and Bella. Bella is left heartbroken and finds comfort in her friend, Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner). However, she then finds out that Jacob has a secret of his own. Jacob, despite his feelings for her, does not fill the void left in her heart by Edward. The film will delight Twilight fans. It stays true to the book and makes the most of each of the main characters.

However, as a stand alone film, it fails. As it is the follow on to “Twilight”, there is really no character development or explanations as to why things are happening in the film. The actors make the most of their roles, and make all there is to make out of their characters. Stewart can be painful sometimes as the emotional Bella, but that is the way that Bella is written in Stephanie Meyer’s book and plays the part perfectly when compared to the literature Bella. Pattinson and Lautner’s performances are not spectacular, but do not do a bad job. Ashley Greene’s role as Alice Cullen is probably the most interesting role and has the most variation to work with. However, it is not until the end that Dakota Fanning and Michael Sheen show up and their roles are both rushed and almost non-existent.

The change of director for this movie does not work well for the saga. Weitz does not do the film much justice and one can only hope that the change of director to David Slade for the next film, “Eclipse” will be advantageous. However, the visuals of Forkes are stunning, even though it was filmed in Canada. The soundtrack is also fitting. It is just a shame that there is no suspense and complete predictability throughout the whole film to overshadow it.

Again, avid “Twilight” fans will still enjoy the film and there is no doubt it will be one of the biggest box office hits for the year. The movie unfortunately does not live up to the hype and the spectacle is greater than the film itself.

5.5/10