Avatar

Sorry I have not been blogging of late followers. I have been overrun by university assignments but keep checking back for new material which will be coming soon. For now I would like to draw your attention to a very well written film review of 'Avatar' for those who are still waiting to see it.

Just a few extracts. Manohla Dargis of the New York Times wrote.

With “Avatar” James Cameron has turned one man’s dream of the movies into a trippy joy ride about the end of life — our moviegoing life included — as we know it. Several decades in the dreaming and more than four years in the actual making, the movie is a song to the natural world that was largely produced with software, an Emersonian exploration of the invisible world of the spirit filled with Cameronian rock ’em, sock ’em pulpy action. Created to conquer hearts, minds, history books and box-office records, the movie — one of the most expensive in history, the jungle drums thump — is glorious and goofy and blissfully deranged.

The story behind the story, including a production budget estimated to top $230 million, and Mr. Cameron’s future-shock ambitions for the medium have already begun to settle into myth (a process partly driven by the publicity, certainly). Every filmmaker is something of a visionary, just by virtue of the medium. But Mr. Cameron, who directed the megamelodrama“Titanic” and, more notably, several of the most influential science-fiction films of the past few decades (“The Terminator,” “Aliens” and “The Abyss”), is a filmmaker whose ambitions transcend a single movie or mere stories to embrace cinema as an art, as a social experience and a shamanistic ritual, one still capable of producing the big WOW.

Few films return us to the lost world of our first cinematic experiences, to that magical moment when movies really were bigger than life (instead of iPhone size), if only because we were children. Movies rarely carry us away, few even try. They entertain and instruct and sometimes enlighten. Some attempt to overwhelm us, but their efforts are usually a matter of volume. What’s often missing is awe, something Mr. Cameron has, after an absence from Hollywood, returned to the screen with a vengeance. He hasn’t changed cinema, but with blue people and pink blooms he has confirmed its wonder.

That's just a very good review to keep you going until I'm back on form. Stay tuned.

Sean's Movie Rating 10/10

My Top 20 Movies Continued Again Again

1. Avatar (2009)

Okay when I left the cinema after this one, I said: "that was the best movie I have ever seen". So I'm sticking with it. With such amazing visual effects Cameron achieved a recorded breaking production. The underlying meaning of this film is incredible, from historic predigests toward the native Americans, to racism and war of the present and even the progression of these humanistic flaws into the future. Unbelievable Tekkerssss!

Sean's Movie Rating 10/10 *

2. Star Trek (2009)

J.J.Abrams who knew you had this one in you. Where did you find the time to make such a great movie during he production of 'Lost'. I'm not even a big Trek fan but I had sufficient enough knowledge to see that this was awesome. Unbelievable casting skills in this one lads. Bravo! This film is totally a personal favourite but I'm sure there is one or two people who would agree ; ).

Sean's Movie Rating 10/10

3. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Tom Hanks again. A depiction of WW2 and storming the beach of Normandy done to absolute perfection. The greatest opening scene to a movie you will ever see and the best acting performances witnessed by audiences. For many years this has been my favourite movie of all time and has now slipped to number three sheerly because I have seen it countless times. War movies do not get better than this!

Sean's Movie Rating 10/10

4. The Green Mile (1999)

Tom Hanks could quite possibly be the greatest actor of all time and he really shows it in this incredible film. The audience witness death row at first hand and the types of people kept in this facility during dramatic circumstances. A wrongly accused man possesses a special gift and passes that gift on around him. Girls, I challenge you not to cry.

Sean's Movie Rating 10/10

5. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

An unbelievable timeless classic and IMDB's top rated movie. For me, it's my number five. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman team up in this dramatic story that unfolds into a conspiracy of truth and innocence. People can watch this in 500 years time and it will still be brilliant. The writing, producing, directing and acting have created one of the best movies ever created.

Sean's Movie Rating 10/10

My Top 20 Movies Continued Again

6. Godfather 1 & 2 (1972 & 1974)

Okay so I am cheating now as I can't decide which of these to epic movies are better, so I'm counting them as one. For me Brando was by far the best Godfather but this doesn't mean the first was my favourite. Both were remarkable and depicted 1920's 30's Italian American Mafia to a T. Unfortunately the third one would be about 5000 on my list of favourite movies. Pacino, De Niro, Brando and Duvall you are my heroes.

Sean's Movie Rating 10/10

7. One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

"Mmmmmmm, Juicy Fruit." How amazed were you. This is a heart wrenching, comical drama about a bunch of A list celebrities gone crazy. At least that's what it looked like. A really great performance from Nicholson went a long way, unfortunately it seemed that his performances were just him. He did about 50 movies following this one where he was still playing the same role in every one. Despite that this is a favourite to many and my number 7.

Sean's Movie Rating 10/10

8. Pulp Fiction (1994)

I don't believe that there is anyone in the world that hasn't seen this one, and if there is I am appalled. Although Tarantino has made some brilliant movies unfortunately he made his best ever back in 1994 and I challenge him to beat it. I think NOT!

Willis, Travolta, and Jackson, you can't really ask for anything more.

Sean's Movie Rating 10/10

9. Fight Club (1999)

"People are always asking me if I know Tyler Durden". When Tyler Durden met Tyler Durden or something like that it was..................... confusing. Well I now understand it after watching it like five times over and it gets better and better every time. I won't say too much because I don't want to spoil it for people who have missed out. Edward Norton is a truly unbelievably talented actor and it shows in every way.

Sean's Movie Rating 10/10

10. Batman The Dark Knight (2008)

Focusing on all the favourite batman villains, this sequel to 'Batman Begins' was a spectacle. With an incredible cast we see Christian Bale as Batman take on Heath Ledger as the Joker. An Oscar winning performance from Ledger insured the success of the movie and there will never be a joker the same again.

Sean's Movie Rating 10/10

My Top 20 Movies Continued

11. Independence day (1996)

1996/1997 was a great time for great movies. Yet another sci-fi in my top 20 but they are all so good. I could easily have a top 20 Will Smith movies but lets be fair to everyone else and just have this one. It looks as though Smith also thought this was so good that it now needs to be made a trilogy. How exciting!

Sean's Movie Rating 10/10

12. The Fifth Element (1997)

Gary Oldman, Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich all give incredible performances in this romantic sci-fi. When the perfect specimen falls into the back seat of Korben Dallas's flying taxi things can only get better. Holidays in space is the future but I think this is one future nobody want to see, unless Chris Tucker really is the flight attendant, that would be entertaining. This is a must see for all!

Sean's Movie Rating 10/10

13. Gladiator (2000)

Russel Crowe at his finest, not to mention Ridley Scott. A fantastic story of a war hero stripped of his honours and made to be a slave turned gladiator. Maximus didn't only have his leadership taken but his family too. An historical informative adventurous masterpiece now ten years old and still fresh in my mind. Troy, 300, Kingdom Of Heaven all incredible movies but none as good as Gladiator.

Sean's Movie Rating 10/10

14. Lord Of The Rings 3 (2003)

The final film in the trilogy and it really was a worthy finale. 'The Return Of The King' was awarded with 11 Oscars and deservedly so, as it also picked up another 106 awards globally. One of the best things about this epic trilogy was that we didn't have to wait 2 or 3 three years between productions for release as within 3 short years we witnessed one of the best trilogies of all time. This Movie was ground breaking in every way and produced some magnificent actors.

Sean's Movie Rating 10/10

15. District 9 (2009)

WOW! This is one of the most original science fiction movies to date and it was unbelievable. Many might disagree but this really was special in it's own right. Actor Sharlto Copley has done virtually nothing in the film industry and has stepped out and created a truly great production. This is a must see for anyone interested in extraterrestrial activity and please when you do see this, don't be put off by the first 15 minutes as it only gets better.

Sean's Movie Rating 10/10

My Top 20 Movies

16. Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid (1969)

This is the single greatest western of all time. Newman and Redford are heroes of their era and this Movie is truly a classic. In this epic adventure Butch and Sundance go from state to state robbing trains and banks that eventually leads to them being one of the biggest outlaws in the west.Paul Newman was an idol of the 60's and 70's whilst Redford was his extremely talented sidekick.

Sean's Movie Rating 10/10

17. 12 Angry Men (1957)

Yes is it is old and yes it is in black and white but this is still a great movie. How can anyone make a film so great that's set in one room. A production that plays on the emotions of the audience. A production that questions the audiences morality and ethical choices. This is truly a great film and could easily be at my number one if it was not for all the other great movies.

Sean's Movie Rating 10/10

18. Back To The Future (1985)

Before my time yes, but this is timeless. Okay, so maybe if someone makes a time machine one day it probably won't be a Delorean DMC-12, but it might be driven by Christopher Lloyd. It's something about the whole trilogy that has had me watching them repeatedly. I remember the first time I watched number two I wanted a hover board so badly. Why hasn't someone invented that yet?

Sean's Movie Rating 9/10

19. Finding Nemo (2003)

This is My own personal favourite Disney Pixar film ever made. I think this totally trumps 'Toy Story' which seems to generally be peoples favourite. Andrew Stanton (writer) really did create some of the best Disney characters ever. Let's face it who doesn't know who Nemo and Dory are. Perhaps this is out of place in my top 20 but it has sentimental value and it's definitely one of my favourites.

Sean's Movie Rating 9/10

20. What Dreams May Come (1998)

Robin Williams stepping out of his comical cast-type and creating one of his best ever acting performances. In this dramatic romance Chris Nielson (Robin Williams) quite literally dies and goes to heaven and its so much better than the dream. Whilst Chris is in his perfect heaven, his wife is in deep mourning. Not before long she decides life is no longer worth living and she tragically takes her own life. As this dark romantic tale unfolds the audience is shown how far one will go for their soul mate.

Sean's Movie Rating 8/10

Look back soon for the the next five movies.

365 Photo's - It Can't Be Done!

You may have read my previous post that expressed that I would take a photo a day in relation to media in some way. Well it's just not possible.

When I first began the project I was a young naive Media Studies student out to conquer the industry with my new inventive ideas on the field of psychological photography but the empire striked back.

Now some 4 or 5 days later I realise that I have a far to busy and hectic life style to accomplish the goals I had recently set out for myself and I see there is a new hope. I am now an experienced realistic media scholar ready to re-invest into classical game, cinema and TV reviews.

I apologize for leading my audience of 6 to a false future in posting a photo a day for a year. But do not fear my followers the Jedi has returned.

Stay tuned for the next post.

Prison Break the Conspiracy

For all the 'Prison Break' fans out there the new and much anticipated PS3 game has been a long time coming and now it's finally here! What a FLOP!
The first disappointment was of course that you don't even play as Michael or Lincoln but because of my love for the series perseverance prevailed. But not for long.

The game began with a very sloppy opening dialogue between two characters that did not appear in the series. The story and plot laid out before the gamer was painfully sloppy and poor in every way. The production was nothing more than lazy!

• The graphics were terrible.
• Movement of character was appalling. The gamer can only move forward, back, left and right. Even when you attempt to turn around, the character runs backwards. Not to mention that the camera angle is fixed so that the back of the characters head takes up a third of the screen.
• Characteristics of the real actors were completely wrong.
• Missions are tedious and repetitive.

(No it's not the Sims although the graphics are that bad)

Tristan Ogilvie from IGN said 'Prison Break: The Conspiracy is just an unenjoyable wretch of a game. It really is quite bad. For starters the game is essentially one continuous fetch quest. In order to make friends with your fellow Fox River in-mates and progress the story along, you have to answer to their every beck and call. Retrieve C-Note's drug stash from the prison boiler room. Take a knife from the kitchen to give to Abruzzi. Collect PUGNAc medication from the infirmary for Scofield. Fetch the receipt for the game from your kitchen garbage bin. Grab you car keys and hope that the store you bought the game from allows refunds. And so on. '

To skip to the point. There was not a single good thing I can say about the development of the game. This was produced to eat into the pockets of all existing fans of the American drama series. It is a disgrace that the writers, producers and actors of the programme allowed their dedicated fans to be exposed to one of the worst video games that has been released on the playstation.

I should have known better and I hope you pass this message on to your peers.

A title has never been more appropriate than 'the conspiracy'.

Sean's Game Rating 1/10

365 Photo's - This should be fun!

Okay readers. I have been enlightened by my newest friend that I met whilst doing a research project on Star Trek fandom. He has introduced me to an exciting new way to blog. Starting today, every day for 365 days I will post a picture of something from my life each day.

So today is my first.

Day 1.

Okay so for my first day, I have taken a picture of my parents Harry Potter collection. ( yes that's right, my parents ). They have always been big fans of the stories and have read the books numerous times. Isn't fascinating how Harry Potter has such a larger adult audience, perhaps its because it offers a certain type of escapism where adults can live an alternate youthful imaginary life.

What is it about Harry Potter that gets everyone so excited?

Stay tuned for the next photo. O and don't worry I will still be writing my reviews.