Tag Archives: film critic

12/07/2012

Film Critic: The Woman in Black

By Martina Bookaholic

The Woman in Black

Official English Trailer
(All rights belong to Momentum Pictures)

German Titel: Die Frau in Schwarz

Puplishing Year: 2012

Production: Hammer Film Productions

Regie: James Watkins

Cast:
Daniel Radcliff, Ciarán Hinds,
Janet McTeer, Liz White

English Website: »»

German Website: »»

Novel written by:
Susan Hill.

Synopsis:
A young lawyer, struggling with work after the death of his wife, is sent to a remote village to settle the estate of a deceased eccentric woman who owns an English manor. The village residents want him to leave as they are trying to conceal a deadly secret. But he refuses, and soon discovers that the house of his client is haunted by the vengeful ghost of a woman dressed in black. (Quelle: imdb.com)
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My thoughts about the movie:
After I’ve read the book, I also had to watch the film for ‘Book2Movie’ Challenge. Of course I was curious about the movie and now I don’t know whether I should regret it or not.

In my opinion the movie is built up like also all the other spooky-/ghostmovies, in which less storyline but more effects seem to appear, which should frighten the audience. Suitably to that of course also the right sound is added; at first the subdued background music, then the creepy tones which announce ghosts and other supernatural things, while loud rumbling or a loud scream underline the shocking, frightening pictures.

Therefore the producers are not using lot of special effects or a big ballyhoo, but the more subtle fear is demanded and the foreboding, that something is going to happen soon and then horrifying pictures of dead children, dark rooms or a desolate wood or area do their add to build up an uncanny atmosphere throughout the whole movie. .

Unfortunately, the storyline is very foreseeable, as well as in the book, and often I already know in advance what will happen next. But to be honest that was not so bad, because hence I could hold up my hands before my eyes, so I don’t have to watch every terrifying thing in it. Although I must admit that I was really frightened, nevertheless, 2-3 times during the movie, where I also screamed and got almost a heart attack. But such films are simply not meant for me and this move has shown me that simply fact again.

The end was also easy to guess and has reminded me, although it was sad, very much of a typical Hollywood-end, in which everything is done to get a great highlight for the audience and to leave a remaining impression.

I didn’t like the movie very much, as well as the book hasn’t worked for me, and also the actors couldn’t persuade me. Actually, I usually like Daniel Radcliff and I’ve expected more of him, but throughout this movie he had the same agonizing and distorted, if not even a sleepy, expression on the face and unfortunately he also didn’t vary it.

In addition the actors were very flat and behaved weirdly and strangely, not only because of the ghosts, but they didn’t seem real at all. The same was with the plot in the move, which seemed to me as blank.

Differences to the book:
The film keeps to a few details and the basic mood of the book and the movie is same, but the rest is completely different. These are virtually almost two different stories, only that in both the ghost of a black woman is up to no good. The beginning, the middle and the end are different than in the book and I didn’t completely like one of these two ends. Also the character of Arthur Kipps was changed completely, who was a fun-loving, curious lawyer at the beginning of the book, although also a little arrogant but nice. But in the movie he was presented as a broken father, who has already lost his beloved woman during childbirth.

Soundtrack:
There was no real soundtrack included, because rather creepy noises were in the background or a melancholy, mysterious music were dominant. But all in all, it was what everybody expect in a horror move and hence also very suitably.

All in all:
For me it’s not a movie which I would watch again and I also wouldn’t like to recommend it to anybody, except to those who are great fans of horror movies and ghost stories and who like it to be frightened to death without thinking too much about a great, unpredictable storyline.

Rating:
2,5 of 5 points – (It was okay).

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.This Film Critic is for the ‘Book2Movie – Challenge’ 2012 !

Leave a comment | tags: 2.5 points, Arthur Kipps, book 2 movie, Ciarán Hinds, critics, Daniel Radcliff, film adaption, film critic, ghosts, James Watkins, Janet McTeer, Liz White, movie critic, movie trailer, spooky, Susan Hill, The Woman in Black | posted in Film Adaptation, x Film Critic eng.

04/04/2012

Film Critic: Hunger Games

By Martina Bookaholic

The Hunger Games

German Titel: Die Tribute von Panem – The Hunger Games

Puplishing Year: 2012

Production: Lionsgate

Regie: Gary Ross

Cast:
Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Donald Sutherland, Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci,
Lenny Kravitz, …

English Website »»

German Website »»

Novels written by:
Suzanne Collins.

Synopsis:
In a dystopian future, the totalitarian nation of Panem is divided between 12 districts and the Capitol. Each year two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal retribution for a past rebellion, the televised games are broadcast throughout Panem. The 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors while the citizens of Panem are required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss’s young sister, Prim, is selected as District 12′s female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart Peeta, are pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives. (Source: imdb.com)

My thoughts about the movie:
I’ve already read some critics about that movie on other blogs and most of them were very happy about the movie and the adaption from the book, as well as about the cast and the general atmosphere, which was created in the film. Unfortunately, I don’t completely understand this many positive critics because parts of it didn’t work for me at all and it has happened what I’ve been afraid of before, namely that the film wasn’t able to hold a candle to the great book.
I also let myself hype for the movie by the whole advertisement of the last months and also the trailer which persuaded me to watch the movie right away and I could only hardly wait to see it. However, just to say it short – I was disappointed.

To one point I haven’t liked the camera work at all. The images were, already at the beginning at the ‚harvest’, so unsettled, wiggly and tangled, that I’ve already got a headache after 15 minutes of watching it. Though I reckon that they probably did that this way to also reflect the inner conflict and disruption of the protagonists and the system, but this was certainly ‚too of much’.
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As a countermove for that, the producers of the movie have very much hold back the special effects and the soundtrack and therefore everything appeared very secluded. What would have been quite nice, if I don’t know the books and hence this fact has created a complete different atmosphere for me, than the one I felt while reading the book.

This story tells a dystopia, a post-apocalypse and therefore it should have needed more tension, more power, more energy, but everything was taken back so much and some things also were played down like it didn’t happen in the book.
In the book you get drawn into a new world, carried away in a whirlpool of desperation, unbelief and brutality and everything happens frightfully fast and intensely, but here in the film it stretches slowly, like a small, splashing brook. For me it almost appeared like they did that on purpose and slow the tempo down and do everything to get the movie more ‚girly’ trimmed, so that they can copy the success of Twilight. But for me this hasn’t worked out at all and destroyed a lot of the meaning.

Unfortunately also of the Cast couldn’t persuade me and this not only because of the theatrical achievement, but also of their appearance. In my opinion Gale, Peeta and Prime were huge false choices, from their appearance and their looks and unfortunately also Cinna (Lenny Kravitz – whom I usually really like) wasn’t able to convince me..

However, but on the other side I think Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss) was chosen greatly and she also has shown Katniss’ seriousness and her will very well. Also Haymitch (Woody Harrelson) was played very well and Harrelson has made a fantastic job to breathe life into his character. Also Effie and President Snow were very alike to the characters and how they were described in the book and I was contented with their performance. Especially with President Snow (Donald Sutherland) I had the same creepy prickle in the belly, like in the book, when he appeared on the screen.

I particularly liked very much the visual adaptation with the costumes and also with the surroundings and the scenery. First the authentic and miserable scenery in the district 12 and as the counterpart the colorful, florid and decadent ‘Capitol’. These contrasts also reflected significantly the life situation, which shows that the people in the districts must fight for their everyday survival, while in the Capitol the people just swim in their superabundance. I think I’ve liked that fact the most in the movie, beside Katniss and Haymitch.

Soundtrack:
Also disappointing because there wasn’t really a soundtrack at all and therefore also no big feelings arose by the music like I appreciating it in other movies.

All in all:
An average film which one can have a look though, but not necessarily because there are better ones. If one liked to be motivated to reflex over serious topics and like Dystopias, one should let out the movie and read the books first because otherwise a lot of sense, feelings and atmosphere get lost..

Rating:
3 of 5 points

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This Film Critic is for the ‘Book2Movie – Challenge’ 2012 !

2 comments | tags: 3 points, Cinna, critic, critics, Donald Sutherland, Effie, film critic, Gale, Hunger Games, Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Katniss, Katniss and Peeta, kit, Lenny Kravitz, Liam Hemsworth, movie critic, movie critics, movie kritik, movie trailer, panem, Peeta, Prim, Stanley Tucci, Suzanne Collins, Woody Harrelson | posted in Film Adaptation, x Film Critic eng.

25/02/2012

MovieCritic: Game of Thrones

By Martina Bookaholic

Game of Thrones

Official Trailer (All rights belong to HBO)

German Titel: Game of Thrones – Das Lied von Eis und Feuer

Publication Year: 2011

Creators: David Benioff, D. B. Weiss

Distributor: HBO

Cast:
Sean Bean, Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington, Jason Mamoa, Emilia Clarke, Lena Headey, Mark Addy,…

English Homepage »»

German Homepage »»

Novels written by:
George R. R. Martin

Synopsis:
Seven noble families fight for control of the mythical land of Westeros. Political and sexual intrigue is pervasive. The dominant families are the Houses Stark, Lannister, and Baratheon. Robert Baratheon, King of Westeros, asks his old friend Eddard, Lord Stark, to serve as Hand of the King, or highest official. Secretly warned that the previous Hand was assassinated, Eddard accepts in order to investigate further. Meanwhile the Queen’s family, the Lannisters, may be hatching a plot to take power. Across the sea, the last members of the previous and deposed ruling family, the Targaryens, are also scheming to regain the throne. The friction between these clans, and with the remaining great Houses Greyjoy, Tully, Arryn, and Tyrell, leads to full-scale war. All while a very ancient evil awakens in the farthest North. Amidst the war and political confusion, a neglected military order of misfits…
(Quelle: imdb.com)

My thoughts about this TV series:
I have already mentioned it in my book review, but I must say it here again: I am a huge fan of this series!!! Already with the first episode, already when I have seen the intro of it, it just blow me away and then after the complete first episode, I was totally excited about his fabulous series. I have sat before the PC completely fascinated and magnetized and I just didn’t want to miss a thing!
This new series is really wonderful and I can recommend it to everybody most warmly because it’s thrilling, you’ll get kidnapped into another world and will be carried away by the destinies of the family Stark. I’ve got here the same goose bumps like in the movies ‘Lord of the Rings’ and it’s just epic..

The dialogues are partly exact like they were in the books and therefore they fit perfectly to the scenery and the world, in which this story, around betrayal, intrigues, knights, passion, fear and hope, plays.
The adaption of the books to this TV series was done brilliantly by HBO and they haven’t changed a lot and if then only little things which maybe fit even little better. But the basic atmosphere and the cornerstones of the plot were just as they appeared in the book. *really great*

Furthermore I’m totally happy about the cast, particularly because there are many English and Scottish actors, what it makes together with the surrounding (which were shot primarily in Scotland) even more authentically..

Moreover, I’m at the latest since ‘Lord of the Rings’ a fan of Sean Bean and I couldn’t picture anybody else who would be better to play Eddard Stark. Also the other characters were chosen greatly, even if the children are a little older in this series than in the books. But I prefer it this way, than if they had chosen younger kids now and then they would have to exchange them later and that would have been worse. I’m absolutely pleased with the cast of Jon Snow, Tyrone, Arya, Bran or Robb. But I’m less happy with the choice of Catlyn Stark or Sansa. Although both of them aren’t one of my favorites or up to now I don’t even like them, not only because of their appearance in the TV series, but also from their behavior and personality in the series as well as in the books..

Soundtrack:
Like the series also the soundtrack to it is fabulous and I’m sure that the background music is one large part of the great atmosphere which is set very epic and theatrical – like it is required for the plot..

Fazit:
Everybody who hasn’t seen this series yet – please read the books before you watch it. But if you’re a none-reader, than just watch this TV series, because it’s really great and ‘cinema at its most‘!
One of the best literature adaptations of late!.

Rating:
5 of 5 points