Thoughts On: The Conjuring (2013)

From the director of Saw and Insidious Chapters 1-2, comes a different kind of horror in the form of The Conjuring and it's bursting with scares.

Thoughts On: Europa Report (2013)

"Are we alone in the universe?" A question that has become a premise for hundreds of Hollywood films, some which turned out to be great (for example 2001: A Space Odyssey) and others that aren't even worth mentioning in this post. 

Fortunately, Europa Report is in the 'great' category. A space thriller set not long in the future after present time, the film chronicles the first privatized manned expedition to Jupiter's moon Europa - which has long been an object of speculation and mystery among astronomers and astronauts alike. In fact, modern-day astrophysicists have gone as far as to say that life on Europa is almost certain. 

Director Sebastián Cordero wastes no time in letting the film's intentions known at the very start. Europa Report is another example of the found-footage style but it doesn't take itself too seriously because of the added documentary style. They work so well together that the transitions between interviews and what's actually going on aboard the Europa One spacecraft are almost seamless if not a little jumpy. 

Europa Report isn't perfect. It's short, clocking in only 90 mins, things seem to happen a little too rapidly. Nonetheless, we are introduced to the characters properly so as to feel for them when a calamity strikes. Think of the movie as The Blair Witch Project + Moon. 

There is an unmissable sense of dread and claustrophobia that one will feel while watching Europa Report, followed by an unexpectedly creepy surprise at the end. There's almost a bit of the Matrix in here, let's just say. 

Thoughts On: Frankenweenie (2012)

One of the most underrated of the year, Frankenweenie was forgotten soon after release last year. Or at least, nobody really cared about it in my vicinity. Needless to say, Tim Burton's dark comedy animated tale of a boy named Victor Frankenstein was everything but forgetful.

Frankenweenie is presented in crisp monotone from start to finish and this, although different, only adds more contrast to the film's explicitly grim narrative. It's for kids, like all other animated features but with a layer of maturity. Allusions to the great Frankenstein and Dracula mythologies are blatant throughout.

Those familiar with Tim Burton's work will find all 80 mins worth sitting through because Frankenweenie is full of wacky, out-of-this-world surprises straight out of Burton's wild imagination.

Dead animals are brought back to life by one curious (or mad I should say) boy's misadventure. As the annual science fair draws nearer, competition stiffens and Victor's classmates find their eyesights locked on the first prize. Frankenweenie is the type of film that will appeal to audiences of all ages, the only requirement being that you have a childhood because this feature will take you all the way back.
Loved this film!

Thoughts On: The Campaign (2012)

The reason why this film was made: I do not know. Quite frankly I don't think anyone knows.

Thoughts On: Oblivion

So I gave into Joseph Kosinski's new feature film, Oblivion, wondering if he would be able to redeem himself after the travesty that was Tron: Legacy. To be fair, Konsinski does redeem himself, but with mixed feelings.