Your Highness

Your Highness
Year: 2011
Director: David Gordon Green
Cast: Danny McBride, James Franco, Natalie Portman, Zooey Deschanel

In My Own Words
Well, this movie may not be everyone's cup of tea. If you like crude humour,you will love it. If you don't like crude humour and don't like overuse of the "f-bomb", then you may want to avoid this movie like the plague. I am not usually one for crude humour and with some of the jokes of this nature in the film I could do little more than roll my eyes, but for some strange reason I found Danny McBride's overuse of the "f-bomb" and words of other such nature quite hilarious. I may need to check my temperature. I think it was the way which he swore most of the time was so non-chalant and random that it was just my type of humour. I understand that not everyone shares my sense of humour where I find the random hilarious, so that part of my thoughts about the movie appears in "In My Own Words"!

I've said it before and I will say it again, I have the utmost respect for James Franco. I love that he does movies like these as well as the dramatic film. Why? Because it is just fun! What better way to break up your films than to do a few dramatic films and then break it up with something like this? Plus I love the fact that he studies while being an actor, and he has done as many degrees as he has done. It's great to know that he truly appreciates film as an art form, rather than just what he does for a job. I salute you James Franco.

These are my own words and here is  my review.

Review
"Your Highness" is the most over the top comedy you will see this year. It is completely ridiculous, over-acted and there is no way you can take it seriously. However, the best thing is it knows it is all of these things. "Your Highness" does not try to be anything that it isn't, which is commendable. It laughs at itself and laughs at the genre it is in. It knows it is ridiculous so it plays up to it and makes it no matter how stupid it may seem, it is bearable and even quite funny.

Long ago in a medieval kingdom, there lived a king and his two sons, Fabious (James Franco) and Thadeous (Danny McBride). Thadeous is continually in the shadow of his older brother and the kingdom considers him to be a joke. When Fabious' bride to be, Belladonna (Zooey Deschanel) is kidnapped by an evil wizard, Leezar (Justin Theroux), the two brothers set off on a quest to save her. This could be Thadeous' chance to prove his worth to himself, his family and the whole kingdom!

"Your Highness" will definitely not suit everyone's sense of humour. There is a lot of sexual inuendo, crude language and images and dirty jokes which a lot of people will find downright disgusting. Yet, if you don't mind that sort of things and you can handle the sight of and find funny a minotaur humping one of the king's servants, you will have a good giggle at this film. "Your Highness" was largely improvised and no proper script was used for the majority of filming. When you think about this, it actually gives you more respect for the film and it's actors as they have come up with some very funny lines themselves.

The best thing about "Your Highness" is that it doesn't try to be anything that it is not. It knows what it is and accomplishes everything that it should. It is not a classic, it won't be remembered for years to come, but it does it's job for the here and now. It pokes fun at the fantasy genre and the over-the-topness of some of the key elements of fantasy films, such as the wedding song by Fabious and Belladonna and he valiant prince going to rescue his true love.

There are really no good dramatic performances in the film nor any performances which show what the actor is capable of. All you see is a group of actors having some fun with something different and trying as hard as they can to make their performances as over the top as possible. Danny McBride is the unlikely lead and is repulsive and disgusting as he aims to be. Yet, he is also very funny. James Franco's performance is so exaggerated that it is perfectly suited to the role which he is playing. His character is probably the most wholesome of all the male characters. Zooey Deschanel is good, but her performance isn't anything we'll remember when speaking of her best films. Natalie Portman holds her own well, but she is not particularly funny. While Portman may be at the top of her game in her dramatic roles, comedy is still not really her forte.

"Your Highness" is not for everyone. This point cannot be exaggerated enough. Yet, it is actually refreshing to see such a crude comedy in a different light rather than it being about modern day men on quest for their manhood. If you are open, "Your Highness" is a bit of fun and good for a giggle.
5/10

Thor

Thor
Year: 2011
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Stellan Skarsgard, Anthony Hopkins, Kat Dennings, Tom Hiddleston

In My Own Words
It's amazing what "Home & Away" does for Australian actors. For those who don't know, "Home & Away" is an Australian drama series that airs every weeknight at 7pm in Australia and has been doing so since 1988.  I once had an actress friend who said that she never wanted to go on "Home & Away" because it was "trash"....funnily enough she never made it very far in her chosen profession as I haven't heard of her since . As much as people such as this past "actress" like to bag out "Home & Away", it does provide up and coming actors with a fantastic stepping stone to future international success.  I'm not saying that if you take part in "Home & Away", you are definately going to become a Hollywood star, but for the ones who really want to take the big leap and try their luck in Hollywood it must look great on their resume. Let's look at some past "Home & Away" actors, shall we? Isla Fisher played Shannon from 1994-1997 and is has been in films such as "Wedding Crashers" and "Confessions Of A Shopaholic", not to mention being Sacha Baron Cohen's wife and the mother of his child. Isabel Lucas of "Transformers" fame's first role was as Tasha for four years in "Home & Away". Melissa George, who has had several successful Hollywood roles in the remake of "The Amityville Horror" and "Derailed" as well as television roles in "Grey's Anatomy" and "In Treatment". Ryan Kwanten started off his career on "Home & Away" as well as bad boy Vinnie. The list goes on and on. The star of "Thor", Chris Hemsworth, is also a "Home & Away" alumni. I remember I once saw Hemsworth walking along a street in Sydney while I was out at my work Christmas party one year. He's come a long way since then! And, like many other Australian actors, he has "Home & Away" to thank for kick starting his career!

These are my own words and here is my review.

Review
"Thor" is reminiscent of what the old action/fantasy movies used to be like, yet still has the characteristics of a Marvel Comic production. Largely carried by extremely impressive special effects, but is still a big cheeseball. "Thor" is definately amazing as far as the visuals go and there are some great moments in the narrative, but there are still some momentsin the script and direction which instigate a roll of the eyes. It is an interesting project for Kenneth Branagh as looking over his past directorial career, "Thor" is his first attempt at a comic book adaptation or an action spectacular. He is no stranger to Shakespearean cinema and there are indeed some Shakespearean references in "Thor". In Short, "Thor" highlights Branagh's strong points as a director and his low points. Thor (Chris Hemsworth) has always dreamt of the day when he will be crowned king of Asgard. His father, the current king Odin (Anthony Hopkins) is about to crown him king when their long time enemies, the Frost Giant's bring havoc to Asgard so Thor goes after them without his fathers permission. Odin is so furious with his son that he banishes him to Earth, where Thor meets scientist, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman). Thor tries to get back to Asgard, but finds out that his brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston) is working against him and will do anything to no let his brother back into Asgard so he can be king.

"Thor" is very much a touch and go situation. There are some really wonderful things about it and some other things that, as said before, just make you want to roll your eyes. It could almost be divided into two movies. One is a great action film set in the a fantasy world where a great battle is taking place, while the other film is a lack lustre and corny romance story set in New Mexico. The first movie is really quite spectacular to see on the big screen. The graphics are absolutely outstanding and completely bewildering, especially if you see this film in 3D. Asgard is almost like a cross between the Emerald City (except gold)in "The Wizard Of Oz" and Naboo in "Star Wars" and has the elegance and grace of ancient civilizations. The cinematography is wonderful throughout all the scenes in "Thor", as is the editing in the action sequences. Yet, there is the problems of the script. Of course it is corny in the way that comic book films are so it is forgiven for that reason. It would be a worry if there was a comic book adaptation trying to be completely serious and dramatic. Branagh has got this part right. Although it is a lot cornier on Earth than Asgard. The romance between Thor and Jane is very comic book romance. Absolutely over done, predictable and cheesy. But hey, thats comic book romances for you!

After seeing "Black Swan", it was almost like a feeling of finally being able to exhale seeing Natalie Portman in this film. Her performance is nowhere near the intensity of that of Nina in "Black Swan" and it is so lovely to see her in a role like this. It is an exceptionally easy one for her and she seems very natural and at ease herself. Chris Hemsworth isn't too bad, but again is very comic book hero corny on Earth. When he is in Asgard, his acting is actually a fair percentage better than on Earth, especially when he is fighting with his father. Anthony Hopkins is flawless as usual and adds emotion and intensity to the film. Not a bad word can be said about Tom Hiddleston. He's perhaps not as evil as what he could be, but that isn't something that remains in your mind when you leave the cinema. Kat Dennings is a great addition to the film and adds humour as Jane's sidekick, Darcy.

"Thor" is a typical comic book movie crossed with the grand spectacle, historical action film. It is just good entertainment. Not a dramatic masterpiece like Branagh is used to directing, but still good viewing. Cheeseball fun.
6.5/10

Black Swan

Black Swan
Year: 2010
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Cast: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassell, Barbara Hershey, Winona Ryder

In My Own Words
"Black Swan" is one of those films I come out of and I have a million things to say about it. Whether I actually like the film or not, I do love a film which makes you talk and think. I think I will be thinking about "Black Swan" for awhile after seeing it today. My feet hurt just thinking about it.

Firstly, I know what you are all thinking. And yes, I do think that Natalie Portman will win the Academy Award for this film and I will tell you why. First and foremost, this is a powerhouse performance. As Nina Sayers, she gives the performance of her career thus far. She is truly amazing. For one to be amazing in a film, it has to be in a role which isn't easy. One can never be amazing in an easy role. Her commitment to this role is extraordinary. How much work both her and Mila Kunis put into learning and trying to perfect dancing which normally takes people their whole lives to perfect is commendable, as is how much weight they both lost. I'm impressed that Portman was able to get pregnant that soon after losing that much weight and being that skinny. And why else will she win? Because we all love it when someone who has been in the business for so long finally succeeds. Portman's been one of Hollywood's sweetheart's for years with never a bad word said about her in the press and going from child star to one of the beautiful women of film. So good on her, we all love an Oscar fairytale.

Besides the powerhouse that is Portman, there was something else that made my mind tick over after I saw the film. Portman's charcater, Nina completely loses herself in the character of the Black Swan so much that she starts to believe she is turning into the Black Swan. This is why I have such a love hate relationship with method acting. Method acting is a technique that is famously linked to the Lee Strasburg Theatre and Film Institute in New York where many actors go to study. Method acting is a way of enhancing one's dramatic performance by experiencing what your character is experiencing. Some famous method actors are Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Angelina Jolie. All brilliant actors who have and had gained so much for their performances from method acting. We've seen many Oscars won by method actors.However, one can imagine how dangerous it can be at times. If you undertake a role where the character is disturbed, talented and committed method actors may tend to go slightly nuted themselves. The one actor who makes me worry about method acting was Heath Ledger. Before becoming the Joker in "The Dark Knight", Ledger locked himself away in a hotel room for 6 weeks making himself the Joker and using his diary as a way of expressing himself. The Joker is a deranged character and even though The Joker was the best role of Ledger's career, one can believe that The Joker may have played a role in his untimely death. Method acting, friend or foe?

These are my own words and this is my review

Review
"Black Swan" is much like it's lead character. On one hand it is beautiful, flawless and almost perfect, on the other hand it is completely disturbing, unsettling and dark. It is beautiful in a painful way. This film is definately not an easy watch and shows a side of ballet and dancing which, until now, no film maker has been game to put on screen. The brave and daring Darren Aronofsky, who obviously isn't afraid to show the dark side of occupations out of the ordinary as he did in "The Wrestler", is the best man for the job. It feels as in "Black Swan" reaches in and takes a strong hold of you from the beginning of the film and even when walking away after the film has finished it feels like the Black Swan is following you.Not only this, but it is terribly intriguing and a psychological thriller of a different kind. Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman) is only a sheltered little girl in the beginning, who is treated by her mother (Barbara Hershey) like a fairy princess ballerina. She completely shields her from the dark side of ballet which she knows exists, until she can no longer when Nina finds herself in the role of the Swan Queen in Swan Lake. Nina is the perfect White Swan with her innocence and romantic outlook on life, but she cannot master the seductive and scheming Black Swan. She finds herself becoming the Swan Queen, becoming both the extremes of the White Swan and the Black Swan.

"Black Swan" is a cinephiles dream. Every part of this film can be pulled apart and used as an example of what makes a film a great film. Firstly, the cinematography is extraordinary. It can leave you in awe of the beauty in the camera shots. The ballet and the close-ups of the feet of the dancers mid pirouette are just beautiful. However, it can also make your feel extremely uncomfortable and in pain, yet you cannot tear your eyes away from the screen. There is also so much symbolism in this film. Symbolism almost seems like a lost art in film. It is not often you see a film these days which the visuals represent something deeper. For example, Portman will always wear white in the first half of the film, and gradually wears more black to symbolise her being dragged over to the dark side and becoming more and more like the Black Swan. The character of Lily almost always wears black and has the tattoo of the Black Swan to symbolise her influence in Nina's demise. She is also symbolic of the disruption of the White Swan. Also notice how retiring dancer, Beth is never seen wearing anything bit dark colours as she has already drifted into the dark realms of the Black Swan.

This film is not for the faint hearted. It is not a film about ballet for little girls who hope to be the star of a dance company one day. It shows the ugly side of the world and does so in an extremely realistic way. It delves into parts of the world which people fail to see such as the physio and the unnatural things which ballet does to the body. While many people may find the film too confronting and uneasy to watch, it is a credit to the filmmakers that it is so emotionally taxing to the audience. The film is doing it's job by delving into your senses so you feel every physical pain Nina feels and feel uncomfortable as a result of so much confrontation. It is very much like Aronofsky's last film, "The Wrestler" where you are consistantly faced with emotinal and physical strain right from the first scene.

Also like "The Wrestler", "Black Swan" is extremely character driven and has one main character who is in every scene of the film. Not an easy task for any actor. Natalie Portman is the perfect woman for the job. One of Portman's trademarks is her smile, something we do not see much of in this film. It is an extremely hard part to play and a role which could only be completed well by one who has 100% commitment to the film and the character. Portman does this and is definately worthy of her recent Golden Globe win and quite possibly the Academy Award next month. You see her go from a fragile and naive little girl who just wants her dream to come true to a troubled and self destructive woman. Portman becomes NIna and just watching her on screen, you forget everything else she has ever done, she is the Swan Queen. Her acting is truly brilliant and her final scene is absolutely breath taking. Vincent Cassell is great to watch and is actually quite scary and unnerving. Winona Ryder is great as the "has been" Beth Macintyre. She is pathetic and like a car crash, you cannot take your eyes away from her. In her role as Lily, Mila Kunis is good but not wonderful. The role is not a hard one for her and it doesn't feel as if there is much acting being done. She does her role well, but it is not an overly originally written part. Barbara Hershey also does well as Nina's over protective and controlling mother.

Natalie Portman has always been a star, but "Black Swan" is the film that has established her place in the league of Hollywood stars who will never be forgotten. "Black Swan" is not what you would expect it to be in any way and is far from a walk in the park. A film lovers dream and a parent's worst nightmare.
8.5/10