Hacksaw Ridge (2016) film review

Year: 2016
Running Time: 138 minutes
Director: Mel Gibson
Writers: Robert Schenkkan and Andrew Knight
Cast: Andrew Garfield, Teresa Palmer, Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffiths, Vince Vaughn, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, Luke Pegler

Hackshaw Ridge is now showing in cinemas everywhere and is distributed in Australia by Icon Film Distribution.

Mel Gibson's Hacksaw Ridge is frightfully graphic, violent and confronting, but ultimately life-changing in the most beautiful of ways and an absolute triumph in filmmaking.

Hacksaw Ridge is the story of the unlikely American World War II hero, medic Desmond Doss (brilliantly poratrayed by Andrew Garfield). Doss was a man, who because of his strong religious beliefs, refused to carry firearms during the war much to the disgrace of his superiors and fellow soldiers. However, despite being unarmed he was able to single-handedly save 75 men during the Battle of Okinawa and become the first Conscientious Objector to be awarded the Medal of Honour.

The story of Desmond Doss is truly incredible in itself, but the screenplay written by Robert Schenkken and Andrew Knight along with Andrew Garfield's inspired performance give greater depth, understanding and respect to the character and his heroics. Doss was not a traditional war hero by any means in that he would not go into war with any type of weapon because as a Seventh Day Adventist he believed that thou shalt not kill. It is a beautiful thing how strong in his faith Doss was and how his faith was what gave him the strength to carry all the men he saved to safety on his own. The understanding of his character and his beliefs are strengthened for us in the way the film shows us his past and the events leading up to his enlistment. The superb character development allows one to feel close to and empathize with Doss and whether you agree with his beliefs or not, you still understand and respect them which is a thought that is more than relevant in everyday life.

Andrew Garfield completely shines as Doss and is so far the role of his career. He gives a performance which is wonderfully restrained in the right parts and is incredibly moving and intense when it also should be. He completely embodies the role of Doss and makes him likable, relatable and into the hero who always has the audience on his side wanting to cheer for him.

While it is loving towards the character of Desmond Doss, Hacksaw Ridge is still an astonishingly brutal, but realistic piece of war cinema. The Battle of Okinawa is terrifying in every sense of the word as it is accompanied by a sense of dread and suspense formed by the horrifyingly graphic visuals and the implication of sudden and random bloody death. It requires a great amount of will power not to look away at all throughout the final third of the film as it is so incredibly confronting and graphic. It is hard to call any of these visuals anything pleasant, but the cinematography by Simon Duggan is truly exquisite. From the opening scene, the film is beautifully shot and entrancing with it's slow motion shots and spectacular war-torn landscapes.

Despite it's hard edge, Hacksaw Ridge is also rather romantic thanks to the beautiful chemistry between Garfield and Teresa Palmer, who plays Doss' wife, Dorothea. The two resonate whenever they are on screen together and it is the type of old-fashioned love many people only dream about now. Hacksaw Ridge is also a career high for Palmer, as it is to date the best performance of her career. Just like Garfield, she is likable and incredibly sweet and sensitive. Hugo Weaving and Rachel Griffiths, who play Tom and Bertha Doss also give tremendous performances.

Hacksaw Ridge is the best war film to have been released in years. It is gritty, unforgiving and relentless, but at the same time inspirational, moving and entrancing.

9/10

Warm Bodies (2013)

Year: 2013
Director: Jonathan Levine
Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, Analeigh Tipton, Dave Franco, John Malkovich, Rob Corddry
Now showing in cinemas everywhere

Review
Well, another zombie apocalypse film. That seems to be in fashion at the moment. And....it is another case of young love between the dead and undead.

However, don't be put off. Warm Bodies is not like any other typical teen romance with two unlikely lovers. A fantastic script makes this film funny, clever and witty and some perfectly cast young actors give some great performances. As a result, the appeal of this film reaches far beyond young adults and makes this a film that everyone will enjoy. Just as long as you don't mind seeing a few gory details because you couldn't really have any type of a zombie film without them.

R (Nicholas Hoult) is a corpse (another word for zombie) like no other. He is sure that he is the only one walking the Earth in this zombie apocalypse who wishes for more and desires to feel something once again. Out on a hunt for food he comes across a beautiful human, Julie (Teresa Palmer) and he decides to go against making her his next meal and takes her to safety. During their time together, R starts to feel again when he falls for Julie and he starts to change on the inside and out. The two have many obstacles in their way. Not only is R not of the same species as Julie, but he is also the one who made his last human meal out of her boyfriend, Perry (Dave Franco)!

If you look closely, you will see how Warm Bodies is based on William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. R and Julie are the zombie and human version of Romeo and Juliet, who are from "families" who are at war with each other. The first letter of several of the character's are the same as those in Romeo and Juliet who share a similar type of role. There is even a balcony scene.

The main thing that sets Warm Bodies apart from other films that it could be likened to is that this film knows what it is and embraces it. It knows that it is not a dramatic film and doesn't try to be. There is no young love angst involved. Warm Bodies is just entertaining and a great deal of fun. It doesn't want to be taken too seriously and as a result, is a much better film than all the others that it could be likened to.

The script, written by director Jonathan Levine and based on the novel of the same name by Isaac Marion, is very well written. The opening segment where R tells everyone who he is and what has happened to the world is absolutely hilarious. The use of a voice over in order to give R a voice works so well and provides some of the funniest moments of the film. The soundtrack of the film is also put to great use. It enhances the character's emotional moments and provides a bit more comic relief where needed.


Nicholas Hoult's star is certainly on the rise. This is a completely different role for him and he once again proves his abilities as the leading man. He is wonderful as R. He completely embodies the character and makes a very convincing besotted zombie. Hoult also proves that he has a great comedic ability too. He quickly gains the audience's sympathy and has everyone cheering for him by the end.

Teresa Palmer does well as Julie and is a very likable character. It doesn't seem like too far a cry from her previous roles, but she does well all the same. Analeigh Tipton also does well as Julie's best friend, Nora and is a character worth having in the film. Dave Franco does well with the limited amount of screen time he gets, but isn't there long enough for the audience to make an informed decision about whether they like him or not. Rob Corddry is hilarious as R's best friend, M.

Warm Bodies is an absolute treat. It is something unique and a brand of comedy which isn't forced.  If only there were more movies these days with the same kind of spirit.

8/10



On a side note....
What is the best thing to come out of "America's Next Top Model"?

Analeigh Tipton, of course!

Back in 2008 in the 11th season of "America's Next Top Model", a cute as pie ex- figure skater from Sacremento graced our screens in the first episode and ending up finishing third in the competition. Analeigh Tipton gained a large following during the show for her down to Earth personality, her beautiful looks and for how much girls could relate to her. Living in the USA at the time, she was certainly the favourite of all the girls I spoke to. Tipton was complimented in one particular episode as being quite a good actress and the judges saw her as having a Hollywood look.

They had this right.

While many talk of how the modelling and entertainment industry does not take the television show seriously, Tipton has proved that the show can definitely give birth to stars.

While she was signed by Ford Models after the show, she decided that she wanted to study film and the rest is history. Since then, Tipton has starred in The Green Hornet, Crazy Stupid Love, Damsels In Distress and now Warm Bodies.

I must say, though reality TV is frowned upon by many, I believe ANTM has given Tipton a leg up as many were able to see the true person she is and she is such a likable girl that so many people want to see her do well in any profession whether it be modelling or acting.

Her star is on the rise and I couldn't be happier for her!

And by the way, according to IMDb, she is also writing a zombie movie script!

You may have also seen Nicholas Hoult in......
X-Men: First Class as Hank/Beast
Jack The Giant Slayer as Jack

You may have also seen Teresa Palmer in....
I Am Number Four as Number Six

You may have also seen Rob Corddry in......
Hot Tub Time Machine as Lou

I Am Number Four

I Am Number Four
Year: 2011
Director: D.J. Caruso
Cast: Alex Pettyfer, Timothy Olyphant, Dianna Agron, Teresa Palmer

In My Own Words
"I Am Number Four" is director, D.J. Caruso's first cinematic stab at the sci-fi genre. He's had experience with sci-fi in television with directing stint's in "Smallville" and "Dark Angel", but this is his first go at it on the big screen. Caruso has already proved himself more than capable of directing thrillers with credit to his name such as "Taking Lives", "Disturbia" and "Eagle Eye". So making a sci-fi thriller, shouldn't be too hard a task for him. Especially with the help of producer Michael Bay who knows a thing or two about sci-fi considering he is currently completing his fourth sci-fi film in a row. Yes, you are right. It is the 3rd Transformers he is in the process of finishing off. So, thriller expert plus sci-fi action expert, we should have a winner on our hands with "I Am Number Four"!

Ironically, or maybe not so, these were the two men who were ultimately responsible for the rise of Shia LaBeouf. LaBeouf had been in the business since 1998 when he was only 12 years old, but at 21 in 2007 he was given his first top billing in a major film. It was D.J. Caruso who cast him as the teenager, Kale under house arrest in "Disturbia". His next major role (besides lending his voice talents to the animated feature "Surf's Up") was as Sam Whitwicky in "Transformers" directed by Michael Bay. So thanks to Caruso and Bay, international movie superstar! My point is, is the same thing in store for Alex Pettyfer considering he's got these two in the same film? Unlike LaBeouf. Pettyfer has already been top billed in the family film "Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker", but this is his first billed as an adult in a main stream film. His next film is "Beastly", the modern day "Beauty And The Beast" story with Vanessa Hudgens and Dakota Fanning, which has just been released in the states. It has made over $10 million in it's first week. He next film is "Now " with Olivia Wilde, Amanda Seyfreid and Cilliam Murphy, and he is rumoured to have been cast in "The Seventh Son" with Jeff Bridges and Jennifer Lawrence. Things are definately looking up for Pettyfer. Caruso and Bay are proving themselves to be lucky charms with their actors!

These are my own words and here is my review.

Review
"I Am Number Four" is a film that has a little bit for everyone. It has action, aliens, romance, high school drama, family drama and some very good looking people. It is what you would expect a film to be with all these credentials, it is entertaining and quite a bit of fun. "I Am Number Four" is not the number one film you will see this year, but it certainly fulfils it's purpose. Number Four (Alex Pettyfer) may look and act human and feel human emotion, but he is not your normal everyday teenager. He is a Lorien, or an alien, and must do everything in his power to keep it a secret as there are forces out there who are killing the remaining Lorien's one by one. Just as Number Three falls victim, Number Four don's the alias of John Smith and moves to Paradise, Ohio. While trying to stay incognito, John falls in love with schoolgirl photographer, Sarah ( Dianna Agron) and befriends outcast Sam (Callan McAuliffe). These new friendships make it harder than it ever has been before to pack up and leave and puts himself and his friends in danger.

The combination of D.J. Caruso as director and Michael Bay as producer is a great combination for this movie. It brings the suspense and great story telling of a Caruso film and the special effects and spectacular cinematography of a Bay film. There are some amazing action sequences and the special effects in scenes such as the final battle are actually quite beautiful to watch. Of course, the film is very unrealistic and even quite silly at times as one would expect with a story like this. The characters are also very stereo typical and the story is not particularly original or unpredictable, which again is something people would expect from a film like this. However, because this film falls under a the sci-fi genre where these things are expected they are forgiven.

The good thing about this film is that it has great character development. Yes the characters are stereotypical, but during the span of the film you get to know each of the characters, who they are and their backgrounds. The acting isn't too life changing. Alex Pettyfer does carry the film well and he really does outperform all the other actors. He is does seem natural in the role, but at times can also come across a bit boring. Dianna Agron does well in her role away from the sometimes evil sometimes sweet Quinn in "Glee", although she doesn't put the emotion into her performance when it really counts. She does well in the natural scenes and then lacks when she should be giving more. Timothy Olyphant isn't bad as John's protector, Henri, but isn't a stand out.

"I Am Number Four" is not a great piece of work but it does entertain and that is what Caruso has set out to do in this film. Really, you can't ask more of a movie than to succeed in doing what it is meant to do.
6.5/10