“BLACK SWAN” Movie Review. “Come, DANCE unto thy DARK WORLD.”

“BLACK SWAN” PRESS PREVIEW

Sitting in the cinema appraising the ”BLACK SWAN” is like boarding a night train as it “choo-choos” its way into a long, dark tunnel.

We may not know where we are heading.

But we do know that there’s light at the end of the tunnel if we wait.

For now, the mood is decidedly grim. The tone foreboding. Throughout.

You can liken “BLACK SWAN” to a mesh of dark poetry blended into a piece of taut sinister, psychological drama.

It plagues, preys and gnaws on your mind, from start to end.

This one shall “will” you to utter despair, slowly but surely.

Yet, when the lights eventually go up and curtain calls are taken, “BLACK SWAN” will be remembered for being a deserving masterpiece in demented horror.

You picture NATALIE PORTMAN as she plays this fragile, forlorn ballerina who dances frantically in the dwindling spotlight, right deep into the complexity of our subconscious.

She lures us into her sinister dreams, and we follow hither.

That’s the beauty of film director DARREN ARONOFSKY’S BLACK SWAN.

We observe the slow burn and let the psychological breakdown of Nina, the lead character erode in our mindsets.

Until this utter reality begins to flap and twist like a hungry vulture, threatening to claw and consume.

You can barely tell the difference between the white swan persona (innocence) and the back swan’s (sensuality) and when you finally do, the end credits are already on the roll.

As PORTMAN’s screen character Nina loses her grip on the world around her, the feature morphs into a sort of high-toned horror film.

But the director settles it both ways: the elegance and the art film jextaposed with the chiaroscuro shots of ballerinas in spotlights, as well as the creepiness of the terror genre.

Off-screen there’s already, a resounding buzz and blast surrounding “BLACK SWAN”.

It’s reported that director DARREN ARONOFSKY is definitely looking at a certain Oscar nomination, whilst NATALIE PORTMAN is expected to be crowned the Best Actress queen.

French actor VINCENT CASSEL as the ballet director charms in a superb performance as ”a control freak, a true artist using sexuality to direct his dancers”.

Once-upon-a-time A-Listers, but now supporting actresses BARBARA HERSHEYas Nina’s overwhelming mother and WINONA RYDER as Beth, the forced-to-retire ballerina – BOTH lit up the screen with their powerful presence.

It’s great to see them giving the leads a run for their money. Welcome back gals.

The film opens on PORTMAN as a fragile ballerina in a prestigious New York company. She pursues her art, enabled by an overly protective mother (BARBARA HERSHEY) who gave up her own dancing career to become a parent.

Yet PORTMAN’s Nina yearns to show the world what she can do.

She gets her wish when the company’s imperious director (VINCENT CASSEL) casts her in a new production of Swan Lake: playing both the tragic Swan Queen and the villainous Black Swan.

She is told to explore her dark side so that she can better embody the dual role of the Swan Queen and the Black Swan.

This, combined with her concern over the ambitions of a new arrival at the company, Lily (KUNIS), pushes Nina towards breaking point.

It’s within the context of this paradox that a world of competitive ballet unleashes. A trapful of jealousies, devious schemes,bitchy backstabbing and the casting couch syndrome.

Nothing is ever perfect, much as you’d ever want.

Everything is stemmed from powerful emotions from the ballet right to the music.

Where the good and the evil intertwined.

“BLACK SWAN” offers a chilling twist in a world that’s cruelly short of perfection.

Perfection is art. Art is perfection.

Essentially this award winning film explores art in its purest form.

You feel Art, smell Art as Art is everywhere in “BLACK SWAN”. With a streak of gloom of the dark mind.

You can’t simply tear Art apart.

DEFINITELY NOT RIGHT HERE.

THE KING’S SPEECH” Movie Review. A SMASHING FILM, by any means.

“THE KING’S SPEECH” Press Preview

Not everyone shares the same divine craving for the British filmfare.

This is a staunch fact.

But there’s always a standing ovation for the deserving ones, out here in ASIA.

For non-fans, British films can be deemed as hard and boring, that is, if you do not know where to rest your artistic tolerance.

The younger minds who are ever mindful of action and excitement may not be as appreciative,

but for matured audiences, it’s a joy to behold when the right one comes along.

“THE KING’S SPEECH” is one such gem, packaged within a stand-offish title.

Sieving through you’ll surely find remarkable traces of

aristocracy, pomposity, stiff-upper-lip British blather, and all things such.

But then ….

“THE KING’S SPEECH” is dressed in style -

packing in a heavenly script.

Le manifique, folks.

The combination of sterling performances and masterful direction turns this movie into an all-consuming emotional experience.

This one is a powerful drama that you’ll quietly enjoy.

It’s a buddy story about a stutterer and would-be-king played by COLIN FIRTH and his speech therapist GEOFFREY RUSH with a decent amount of sugary toppings.

“THE KING’S SPEECH” explores the intensity of human relationships, making up for all the endless onslaught of violent and sex driven cinematic junk that is perpetually drowning us all the time.

It’s a true story about King George VI, who took over the throne just prior to World War II. George, ever mild mannered, had a serious speech problem and had an awful time speaking in public.

Colin Firth plays George and he displays the gentleness, wisdom and humor of the King.

He delivers a magnificent performance.

Geoffrey Rush plays Lionel Logue who ultimately helps the King overcome his speech impediment.

The interaction between Firth and Rush is top notch.

Helena Bonham Carter, in the role of Firth’s faithful screen wife demonstrates a steely presence with her grace, look and gestures.

Here’s a heartwarming, soulful film that plays out on the battlefield of words, not action.

It’s a perfect film fodder for discerning audiences starved for literate entertainment.

“THE KING’S SPEECH” is directed by TOM HOOPER, (THE DAMNED UNITED ,HBO’s award-winning mini-series and JOHN ADAMS). HOOPER quickly gets you emotionally immersed in the characters and storyline.

Overseas critics I know are lauding praises on this award-winning film.

Right.

So don’t miss it for the like of the world.

“THE KING’S SPEECH” is a smashing film by any means.

It’s one peach of a gem that will render you absolutely speechless.

You can count on this one.

“THE RITE” Movie Review. “I BELIEVE in GOD because I FEAR the DEVIL.”

“THE RITE” Press Preview

Two priests, two different minds.

The OLD one is predominantly unconventional.

The YOUNGER one is harshly disbelieving.

Together, the die-hard and the skeptic embark on a journey unto the darkest depths of EXORCISM.

The mood is grim, the tone dismal.

Soon the young priest will be drawn into the supernatural world, much against his will.

He will be confronted with the ugly truth about Satan, demons, and possession.

“THE RITE” is reportedly based on actual events that occurred between two priests in Rome.

The film is directed by Mikael Hafstrom and stars Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins and a young, Irish actor named Colin O’Donoghue.

The duo is cast as the believer and the doubter.

We watch them fight a spiritual warfare, while dealing with their own personal demons.

The premise of the movie is taken from the book THE RITE: The Making of a Modern Exorcist by journalist Matt Baglio.

It’s a mind-bending parable that weaves the story of a priest-in-training Michael Kovak. Kovak is played by newcomer Colin O’Donoghue. He only believes in hard facts, in what he sees and not told.

Michael enrolls in seminary school, and is sent to Rome to attend a class on exorcism at the Vatican. He meets Father Lucas Trevant (Anthony Hopkins), a very experienced priest in the art of exorcism.

It’s right here, that the murky world of the demons unfolds before him, threatening to suck him in.

And it’s HERE, where the battle of beliefs begin.

Though exorcism films have been overdone in recent years, it is expected that Anthony Hopkins could bring a new twist and energy to this film.

Hopkins brings excellence to his role, but unfortunately not enough to instill a fresh feel to this movie.

The demonic possession scenes leave much to be desired.

You don’t get to see enough of blood, gore, levitation, spinning heads and twisted bodies.

So horror is cut out.

“THE RITE” shows that every man has his own belief system.

Father Lucas knows the Devil’s power all too well. It’s God that all too often leaves him without proof.

Michael is the opposite. He is convinced that Satan is just a myth.

Essentially “THE RITE” is an intriguing thriller with a strong performance by veteran ANTHONY HOPKINS and a dense complex script.

Let’s say it could have been done so much better.

“NO STRINGS ATTACHED” Movie Review. SEX BUDDIES first, LIFELONG SWEETHEARTS follows.

“NO STRINGS ATTACHED” PRESS PREVIEW

So you are aghast at the subject of premarital sex?

Then skip this movie.

Because “NO STRINGS ATTACHED” is happily dedicated to frolicking “fuck buddies”.

It’s a joyous celebration of the promiscuous sex.

Tell your mum and watch her blush and frown.

The advertising slogan has already warned us that “FRIENDSHIP HAS ITS BENEFITS.”

The benefits are all relating to SEX.

This bold, romantic film takes a swipe at premarital coitus, proclaiming that casual sex is fine among bosom buddies.

If you are one “no-commitment” freak and swear by the condom, why not?

You have nothing to lose and SEX should then be no big deal.

‘Tis the digital age, modern times, where sex is here to stay.

The juicy plot:

ADAM (ASHTON KUTCHER) encountered EMMA (NATALIE PORTMAN) when they were adolescents at a summer camp. Reacquainted years later, they developed a new-found friendship.

ADAM, an assistant on a Glee-style TV series and the son of a 1980s sitcom star (KEVIN KLINE) is a good natured type of dandy smitten with EMMA, who is currently a doctor and by her own admission, allergic to serious relationships.

They end up as “sex buddies” swearing off any commitment. No courtship, no jealousies, both free to date anybody they fancy along the way.

Or is it really so?

Sex is a soulmate union uniting the body, soul and spirit.

Sex is performed naked and when this act is prolonged, heart palpitations and emotions are bound to develop during the intimacy.

Slowly, but surely.

As in this case, the inevitable happens and throws the whole arrangement into disarray.

The two fall head over heels in love.

And the trouble-go-round starts.

ADAM has always been attracted to EMMA and when he finally utters the “three-little-words”, she bolts for dear life.

In the acting department, PORTMAN has the right blend of brittle and charm.

KUTCHER on the other hand acts like a dejected pup whose breeziness does not disguise his vulnerability. He’s for real – because he does have feelings and he refuses to hide it when they take control.

Both are eye candies, sharing a sizzling hot chemistry onscreen.

The movie is filled with indelibly cute moments and fun dialogue that is hilariously raunchy.

PORTMAN displays her versatility in this romantic comedy. KUTCHER uses his physicality to generate laughs.

“NO STRINGS ATTACHED” takes you on a sexual romp, out from the bedroom onto the giant screen.

Directed by IVAN REITMAN, it’s a sweet treat for the modern mind.