Sucker Punch Review

Some films can get away with the world in which it takes place making very little sense. Films like 'source code', which whilst operating on somewhat broken logic, was still enjoyable to watch and really quite exciting. Unfortunately the same can not be said for Zach Snyder's latest 'Sucker Punch', which is quite possibly one of the most boring films I've seen in recent memory.

Yeah we're all extremely hot, but when theres little to no character development for any of us, how are you sopposed to care?



Theres not a good thing I can say about this movie. The paper-thin polt only serves to move our characters from one poor cgi-action set peice to the next, each more atrociously dull than the last one. The entire film is literally just an excuse to shove robots, samurais, dragons and highly attractive barbie dolls (each with little to no character at all, and about five lines between them) into an hour and a half onslaught on the eyes and ears that leave you dumbfounded as to what actually happened. You wont be emotionally invested in any of it, and by the time the third act rolls around and the film actually tries to have a narrative you will have been long past caring.

I'm sorry, where was I? I seem to have lost track of what I was saying...

I know it seems like I'm being extremely harsh on this film. And yes, this is starting to sound less like a review, and more like a straight up rant. But it really is everybit as boring and dull as I've said. The concept has been done so much better in films like 'Inception' and 'The Matrix', and the latter came out more than 10 years ago. So do yourself a favour, and dont go see this film, watch 'Source Code' or 'Scre4m' or even the matrix at home. Anything, but not this. And lets hope that Zach Snyder's upcoming reinvention of superman 'Man of Steel' is leagues ahead of this skidmark in an otherwise respectable hollywood portfolio.

Source Code Review

Source Code, the latest sci-fi fare from up and coming director Duncan Jones, is really the kind of film that doesn't hold up to close scutiny of any kind. Its the sort of movie that really starts to fall apart when you really think about the logic behind it. And generally, films where the world in which they inhabit make little sense usually leave me checking the time periodically whilst watching and wondering what I could have instead spent the £4.90 on (see Sucker Punch). Its very strange then, that I actually found myself enjoying Source Code. Alot.



I imagine this was the look on his face when someone first tried explaining how the science works in this movie...



Jake Gyllenhaal (who has finally made his first decent film in years) stars as Captain Colter Stevens, a helicopter pilot who is the first person to be used for a top secret government program. The 'source code' allows Stevens to live in the last 8 minutes of train bombing victim, through some kind of techno babble which you wont understand even after youve thought about its plausability for hours after you've left the theater. In short, Stevens must try and find out who bombed the train in an effort to stop him from attacking again, and he is forced to play out the same 8 minutes everytime until the bomber is caught. The plot gets alot deeper than that, but I wont go into detail and risk spoiling it...

The film rarely has a dull moment.



As it has been advertised, the film plays out a little like a cross between Groundhog Day and the Matrix. This is true for the most part, with Gyllenhaal's character constantly reliving the same 8 minutes, each in a new and interesting way. And whilst it feels like both those movies, it still manages to offer a viewing experience that feels both fresh and new to the audience, borrowing certain traits from those movies but still feeling original and utterly enjoyable. The entire film is buzzing with tension throughout as we slowly learn more and more about Stevens situation, with a well paced narrative that never seems to sag. If this movie intrigued you, and you cant get past the somewhat silly premise, then Source Code is well worth the price of admission.

Film Pitch Homework

Homework- Chuck Norris vs the Martians.

Logline- One washed up action star will make the comeback of a lifetime when the safety of the galaxy is threatened by an evil race of red martians and the world turns to him as the only one who can save it, aswell as finally believeing in himself and where his heart lies between two women.

Pitch-

Chuck Norris vs. the Martians is an all new action comedy that general audiences will love for its fun action and crude humour. The film will star households names such as Ben Stiller in the lead role, as well as Seth Rogen   and Megan Fox . The plot leaves the story open to potentially turn this film into a franchise, with various chances for at least a two more sequels. The film allows for various tie- ins in media such as video games and in toys. The film would ideally be directed by Jon Favreau who has clearly shown in the past that he is adept at directing action with comedic elements in the Iron Man films, as well as full blown comedies such as Elf with Will Ferrel. The film would be made on a modest budget of $150 million, and by being released in the summer on a 12A/ PG-13  rating would maximise viewership with kids and adults. The film could be shot at the salt flats in Utah and Britain’s Pinewood Studios for the Mars sequences and we could film on location in Manhattan for the scenes in New York City. The film would need a combination of costumes and make up to create the Martian characters, and cgi would need to be used to make some of the film sequences involving Martian landscapes and spaceships.

Kill Bill: Critical Reception, Cinema and DVD Profit

Kill Bill Vol. 1, and its sequel Kill Bill Vol. 2, were well recieved by critics and fans alike.

Roger Ebert.

Roger Ebert, of 'Siskel and Ebert' fame, posted a review for the film on his website rogerebert.com , in October, 2003. He gave the film a postive reviewing, calling it 'quite brilliant' and that 'his story is a distillation of the universe of martial arts movies, elevated to a trancelike mastery of the material'. He did have some faults with the film however. He went on to say that the film is ' all storytelling and no story' and that the 'motivations have no psychological depth or resonance, but are simply plot markers.'.

I agree to a certain extent; I agree with the point that the film has no psychological depth, as it doesnt explore the deeper themes that may be associated with revenge, such as the consciene of 'The Bride' herself, and whether she truly gains fullfillment from killing those that have hurt her. But to say that the film has no story is a stretch in my opinion, as it tells an epic revenge tale about a woman who is determined to get even when her whole life is taken away from her. And for an action film, does it really matter if theres no pyschological depth? This isn't a character study.

Peter Bradshaw.

Peter Bradshaw, movie critic for UK newspaper The Gaurdian, also gave the film a postive review with a rating of 5 stars. He called the film 'brutally bloody and thrillingly callous from first to last' and that ' Kill Bill just leaves you feeling excited'. I agree with this review, except for Bradshaws criticsm of 'The Bride's coma circumstances, for being unrealistic. The film is outlandish and over-exaggerated in many places, so I just don't see any need to perfectly shows how a victim of a head injury would really awake after being in a coma.

The film cost an estimated $30 million to make, and garnered $22,089,322 in its opening weekend and $70,098,138 altogether in the US. In the UK the film made £162,857 in its opening weekend and £11,453,044 altogether. In total the film made $180,098,138.

The film was released on DVD, and more recently blu-ray. The film is often packaged with its sequel Kill Bill Vol. 2, aswell as other Tarantino films as part of a collection. The film sold over 2 million DVDs in its first week, it was released just before Vol. 2 hit theaters.

Kill Bill: How it was Promoted

A film must make sure it gets the highest profit possible. This is where promotion is needed. It is designed to draw in audiences with various selling points and get them interested in the filmugh to be willing to part cash for a ticket over its competitiors. Kill Bill Vol 1. (Tarantino, 2003) utilised many promotional techniques and schemes to this end.

The first teaser posters for Kill Bill Vol. 1

The first teasers posters released for the film were designed to interest audiences, but give little information to create a sense of mystery regarding what the film is actually about. The first poster on the left has distinct visual cues of the eastern world, featuring a Japanese Katana sword and Japanese symbols predominately. The title is barely emphasised at all, being upstaged by the tagline at the top saying 'Here Comes The Bride'. The second poster is far simpler, featuring a yellow and black background with a blood stain to the right. This time the title is emphasised alot more and is given a rough release window of 'Autumn 2003'.

 Both posters and the subsequent trailers advertise that this as 'The 4th film by Quentin Tarantino'. This is the films unique selling point, or USP. It would help to attract audiences attention, as the fact that his name is mentioned and emphasised on the poster would imply tha he is important, but also the fans of his earlier work.

These posters were seen closer to the film's release.

The later posters leading up to the films release relied heavily upon the star power of leading atress Uma Thurman to attract audiences. They still used the yellow and black stylings and featured the fact that it was Quentin Tarantino's 4th film. Some posters, such as the one above to the right, feature his name more than once; not only stating that this is his 4th film, but also that he had written and directed the film.



The first trailer mainly focused on emphasising the various sword fights and action sequences. We are given little exposition as to what the story is. The second trailer reveals more about the plot of the film. This would have helped to market the film as it would have created mystery to the film, and kept people interested.



It appears the film was marketed through the trailers as more action heavy than it actually is, this was most likely because it is safer to market an action movie as the genre appeals to a mainstream audience.

The whilst the first and second volumes were released apart, they were marketed together in trailers. The second film even credits the stars of Volume 1, and continues on from where Vol 1 left off with 'chapter 9'. All of this leads to the fact that Kill Bill should be regarded as one film. This marketing decision has lead to criticism, as some think that it is an attempt by Miramax to sell two tickets to one movie.

Kill Bill: The Merchandise

Kill Bill Vol 1 (2003) came with plenty of merchandise designed to cash-in of the release of the film and its sequel. Various different products were manufactured and sold. Reel Collectibles made action figures based on characters featured in both films including Bill, GoGo Yubari, The Crazy 88, Pai Mei and The Bride herself.

Clothing has also been produced to tie- in with the film. Nike produced a special edition of the 'nike air' trainer stylised in the films trademark yellow and black colours.

In addition, a number of collectibles have been released after the film, aimed at collectors and diehard fans. These include replicas of The Bride's trademark Biker Jacket, aswell as replicas of the main characters swords.