October 21, 2014

Director: David Ondaatje

Writer: David Ondaatje (Screenplay) Marie Belloc (Book)

Starring: Alfred Molina, Hope Davis, Shane West, Donal Logue, Philip Baker Hall, Rachael Leigh Cook, Rebecca Pidgeon, Simon Baker

Plot: A couple rents out a room to a mysterious young man, who may or may not be guilty of a series of grisly neighborhood murders.

Verdict: Put Your Detective Hat On

Story: We follow two detectives are they try to figure out who killed a hooker and whether it is connected to a previous closed case about a serial killer. We also follow a struggling couple as they rent a room to a mystery stranger who requires privacy. We see how the lead detective’s personally life was put through hell because of the previous case and now things could go bad for him again. He must work with a new detective to figure out the truth before the killer takes more lives.

This one tries to keep you guessing all along with who the killer is, the only problem is, that if the cops are to be the one the lodger storyline is pointless. Just when you think you might have solved it, it throws the theory out the window. It does have small side story that poses the question about whether capital punishment should happen. It uses the idea of a Jack the Ripper copycat well trying suggests the idea that someone could one day happen. This turns into an interesting thriller that keeps you attention but in the end throws out one too many twists. (7/10)

Actor Review

Alfred Molina: Chandler Manning detective who thought he had solved the crimes seven years before, but now the killer is back and he is left to question everything he did and find the new killer. He also has to battle his own personal demons which happened because of the first case. Solid performance from Alfred, who plays the broken detective very well. (7/10)

Hope Davis: Ellen Bunting lonely housewife who spends all her looking after her house, while her husband works and looking after the new lodger. Good performance from Hope. (7/10)

Shane West: Street Wilkenson new detective who comes in to work with Chandler and ends up being part of the big case, but he ends up not being sure who he can trust. Good performance letting the other characters do the extra work whiles his studies. (7/10)

Donal Logue: Joe Bunting husband to Ellen who spends most of his time out the house making him look like a prime suspect in the murder investigation. Solid performance from Donal. (7/10)

Simon Baker: Malcolm the mysterious lodger who comes in the Bunting’s life, he wants to be left alone and only deals with Ellen. Good performance creating the mysterious figure. (7/10)

Director Review: David Ondaatje – Solid direction to keep us guessing about what is happening and who the murderer is. (7/10)

Crime: Uses the mystery behind a crime to keep the story going. (10/10)

Mystery: Really keeps you wondering who the killer is. (9/10)

Thriller: You do end up wanting to know who the killer is but you have to figure out everything which could be a bit too much. (8/10)

Settings: The settings all come off like regular crime location which doesn’t help the murders stand out. (7/10)

Suggestion: This is one for the crime fans to try, they mind find it too much because there are too many twists and turns, but having multiply suspects helps keep everything interesting. (Try It)

Best Part: The mystery.

Worst Part: Final Twist

Believability: Having copycat killers happens but will they be like this? (4/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Chances of Sequel: No

Post Credits Scene: No

Oscar Chances: No

Runtime: 1 Hour 36 Minutes

Tagline: Everyone Is Suspect

Overall: Twists & Turns Galore

Rating

Director: Francis Lawrence

Writer: Kevin Brodbin, Frank A Cappello (Screenplay) Jamie Delano, Garth Ennis (‘Hellblazer’ Graphic Novel)

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Rachel Weisz, Shia LaBeouf, Djimon Honsou, Max Baker, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Gavin Rossdale, Tilda Swinton, Peter Stormare

Plot: John Constantine (Reeves) is approached by Det. Angela Dobson (Weisz) who needs his help to prove that her twin Sister Isabel’s death was not a suicide. The dead woman was a devout catholic and Angela refuses to accept that she would have taker her own life. She’s asked Constantine for help because he has a reputation for dealing with the mystical. In fact, he is a demon hunter whose sole purpose on Earth is to send demons back to the nether regions. John himself has been to Hell – as a young man he too committed suicide and now knows that he is destined to return there on his death – but hopes that his good deeds may somehow find him a place in Heaven. As he looks into Isabel’s death, he realizes that demons are trying to break through to the human world and his battles lead him into a direct conflict with Satan (Stormare).

Verdict: Comic Book Thrills

Story: Going into this you have to remember this is a comic book adaptation, so the story will not be the most logical. It never takes itself too seriously which works well filled with small appearances from a range of colourful characters. It is a simple good versus evil story that works keeping everything together in an easy to watch horror fantasy. (7/10)

Actor Reviews

Keanu Reeves: John Constantine the demon fighter who owes a debt to Satan for his previous sin, he will fight for good as he is trying to buy his way into Heaven. Good from Keanu giving us what you expect from him, which is what is needed for the role. (8/10)

Rachel Weisz: Angela/Isabel Dobson playing twin sisters one dies while the other investigates what has happened to the other, who ends up caught up in a battle between Heaven and Hell. Good performance in dual roles but never gets to show her true ability. (7/10)

Shia LaBeouf: Chas an apprentice of sorts to Constantine who learns more than he should quicker than John is willing to teach. Typical hyper quick talking Shia performance, that works well for supporting roles. (6/10)

Djimon Honsou: Midnite owner of a club for people with the powers go to but can’t use any of their gifts there. Good simple supporting role that is used to only push Constantine to the next part of his mission. (6/10)

Max Baker: Beeman a gadgets man for Constantine who helps build the latest weapons to fight the evil, but becomes a victim for Constantine to gain motive. Good support character who only fills in information for Constantine.(6/10)

Pruitt Taylor Vince: Father Hennessy one of John’s connections who help discover any mysterious goings on cases. Uncovers the secret that will change everything for everyone on Earth. Good supporting performance but only in a few scenes to create additional motive for John. (6/10)

Gavin Rossdale: Balthazar a half breed demon who is playing the fields to make sure that Satan wins his bet with God by taking out the protection on Earth. Good supporting role but never really gets enough time to make the character complete. (6/10)

Tilda Swinton: Gabriel an angel who watches over the world but can’t get involved in the war between good and evil. Good supporting role but like most in this film doesn’t get enough screen time. (6/10)

Peter Stormare: Satan appears to take Constantine’s sole but misses out on what is going on in his own kingdom. Only appears in one scene but really adds something to the film. (8/10)

Director Review: Francis Lawrence – Good first steps into direction leading him onto bigger projects with larger fan bases. (8/10)

Fantasy: The dark fantasy world created makes this very good for fans of the genre. (9/10)

Horror: Not the scariest of films only really dark throughout. (3/10)

Settings: The fantasy vision on Hell is very good setting and most of the other settings manage to mix the idea of good and evil in the back ground. (8/10)
Special Effects: Very good special effects to create the creatures and the fantasy world. (9/10)

Suggestion: This is one to try, I feel some people will find it difficult to enjoy but if you are a fan of the subject matter you should enjoy it. (Try It)

Best Part: Trips to Hell

Worst Part: More character development on support characters would have been nice.

Action Scene Of The Film: Final sequences.

Kill Of The Film: Balthazar

Believability: No all comic book ideas (0/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Chances of Sequel: It could, it made enough money to, but never been in pipeline.

Post Credits Scene: Yes

Oscar Chances: No

Box Office: $230,884,728

Budget: $100 Million

Runtime: 2 Hours 1 Minute