Movie Review: Daybreakers

So, I’m into a dark fantasy kind of mood, so I saw my fantasy DVD’s shelf and thought, hmm Daybreakers. Vampires suit my mood and I watched it before and liked it, so let’s watch it again to review it for the blog!

The story of how the world is ruled by Vampires, but with one big problem; humans are becoming extinct and the shortage of human blood is a worldwide crisis. Scientist Vampy Edward Dalton (Ethan Hawke) is trying to develop a blood substitute when he encounters humans who need his help to develop a cure.

The first thing that caught my eyes in the movie was the nightlife. How people adjusted the cities and cars to suits vampires. It’s very interesting and not overly done. Like it’s only in 2019 and technology is still the same, just everything is a bit developed and works mostly at night.

The movie is thrilling. You have some creepy scenes, but it’s not action based. The story of the Vampires’ struggle and the hunt for cure are the focus.  The visuals were really good.

It’s dark and yet light in a good way. It’s a fun movie to watch, especially for Vampires fan. I really liked it. Though for me, I don’t want Vampires to rule the world, then there’s not fun underworld and you won’t feel too special when you become one!

Funny thing was, one of the scenes when the vampires are devouring a guy, one of the extras was just shaking his face from far as if he was eating the dude, but you can so tell there was a bit of a gap between his face and the dude’s arm hahaha! I think I only noticed this cause I watched it for the second time.

For more info and the trailer, click here.

You know what, now I’m thinking I wanna watch Blade!

Till again!

Kemz

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Movie Review: The Orphanage

I’m going to be honest with you: reviewing this film is one of the most difficult things I am ever going to have to do. In life, there are only a handful of constants that never fail me – three of those make up The Orphanage. They are: Spanish language, Gothic Cinema and Guillermo del Toro.

There’s very little that I can say about The Orphanage that hasn’t already been said. Seven years after its original release date (2007), it remains one of the most poignant ghost stories to have ever been told on the big screen. In a world that relies on bite-sized information and 6 second videos for entertainment, director Juan Antonio Bayona managed to create and sustain a deeper and infinitely more magical study of the world of ghosts and children – something most directors still struggle to achieve. If you’re looking for cheap horror scares, this film is definitely not for you.

The story revolves around Laura, played by the magnetic Belen Rueda and her return to her childhood home, a former orphanage, in order to restore it to its intended function. The ocean-side setting is both idyllic and eerie, with alternating shades of sunshine and grey, nostalgic skies. Her child, Simon – a masterful nine year-old Roger Princep – is also adopted, and soon begins to engage with an ‘imaginary friend’. At first, Laura doesn’t let this concern her – until Simon draws a picture of said friend that Laura identifies with.

Throughout the film, Laura’s mixed emotions of comfort and good memories of her time at the house, versus a more sinister vibe of loss and tragedy, are conveyed through masterful storytelling penned by Sergio Sanchez.Is everything as it seems at the soon to be reopened home? And who is the boy with the sack over his head?

Something that has always plagued me about ghost films is the way these entities are often represented. We are taught to fear the concept of a restless spirit. Words like ‘revenge’ and terms like ‘unfinished business’ are often synonymous with ghost stories and even as a child, reading urban legends about haunted hotels and mysterious deaths chilled me to the core. It was very clear that the acceptable representation of a ghost was that of a terrible and wicked being.

Without giving away too much else, The Orphanage is one of very few films that challenge that pretext. There is such a fine line between Laura’s fantasy and reality, that as a viewer, you are unsure of this until the final scene.   

I wouldn’t recommend The Orphanage to the faint-hearted. It is truly one of the most profound pieces of modern gothic cinema that I have ever experienced. The adrenaline is in no short supply, but the emotion it packs is above and beyond any expectations.

For more info and the trailer, click here if you dare!

By:

Reem Shaddad

Twitter: @R_e_e_m_S

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Movie Review: The Mortal Instrument, City of Bones

The story of the Shadowhunters (Demon Slayers) world! I feel in love with the world when I read the Mortal Instrument prequel trilogy The Infernal Devices (for book review, check my Instagram @KemzBooks).

Ok, this could be a bit complicated, well not that much, but still pay attention. The creator of the world is author Cassandra Clare and she wrote, 7 books in the Mortal Instrument (City of Bones is Book 1) and then wrote a prequel to the series which is set in 1800s, trilogy (meaning 3 books) The Infernal Devices. Each story can be read separately, they’re different characters and different locations, but are the same world and culture! And believe me, if you read one, you’ll want to read the other one!

I read City of Bones and saw the movie, I haven’t finished the series yet, so this is only to review the movie based on the first book. The story begins with Clary (Lily Collins) whose mother had been kidnapped! In her journey to find her, she discovers the world of Shadowhunters and the awesome Institute they live in!

This is one of those movies that make me hate books turned into movies. It wasn’t that great, wrong choice of cast and they messed with too many details in the book. I hate when they do that! I was thinking maybe they added details from other books to clear some stuff, but I didn’t read them, so this is only an assumption.

I really thought that Jamie Campbell Bower killed Jace’s character. Jace is the shadowhunter Clary will meet and who will help her find her mother. In the book his character is clearer. He’s witty and funny in a “oh, nothing hurt me” kinda of defense mechanism. Jamie, the actor, killed the role! KILLED IT!! He sounded like he was reading the script and not embracing Jace’s character. Disappointing!!

The best cast member was Robert Sheehan who played Clary’s human friend, Simon. He nailed it, me think! He was the only one who shined. OMG! And my favorite was Jonathan Rhys Meyers who played the evil Valentine in it as well! Oh, he was GOOD!!! I always love his acting!

My favorite character from both the trilogy and the series is Magnus Bane! I LOVE HIM! There is also a novella series for him, The Bane Chronicles, which I have, but didn’t read yet. In the movie he was, meh, ok. He could be better though. Disappointment again.

So, this movie is a meh movie. If you’re not into the books, don’t watch it!! It’ll ruin the story for ya! Read the books it’s better!

To read my review on The Mortal Instrument, City of Bones the book, check my Instagram account @KemzBooks

For more info on the movie and to watch the trailer, please click here! 

Oh and Cassandra has a new series on the Shadowhunters coming out soon, The Dark Artifact! That should be awesome! Check the Shadowhunters website for details, click here.

Laterz!

Kemz

Twitter & Instagram: @KemzMovies

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Movie Review: Hercules

Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) playing Hercules is something I was doubting. I was expecting too much muscle and bad special effects and very weird legends. But and it’s a big BUT, the movie is really GOOD!!

The normal story of Hercules, but this time it’s a bit different. There is no magic or creatures. There is only Hercules who is strong and his comrades who helped build his legend to scare their enemies. Then Lord Cotys (John Hurt) called for his help to defeat his opponent.

The movie is super fun! And the special effects were really good! You can tell they spent some money on it! There are a lot of funny scenes. I love witty warriors remarks.

What I enjoyed the most was Hercules’s nephew Iolaus (Reece Ritchie) who was the storyteller of the group and who exaggerated all of Hercules’s stories to build his legend. It was like ancient PR and marketing hahahaha. It was very interesting to watch. I would love to be a PR person at that time. Everything then is so new hehehehe now it’s a bit more complicated. (I work in PR btw :p)

Hercules’s team were awesome too! My favorite were the seer Amphiaraus (Ian McShane) and Autolycus (Rufus Sewell). At first Dwayne’s appearance was a bit odd, but then he really played it well.

The only bad thing was the Qatar Cinema censoring! They cut here and there, it was annoying, but for a movie that talks about Gods and demigods, it wasn’t that bad! However, annoying as always!

It’s a really fun movie and I recommend it. We’re moving into the boring season, before the good movies come in November!

And remember, "You can write your own Legend."

For more info and the trailer, click here.

Finale note, there was another Hercules movie this year. I saw it and it was nice, but not as good as this one. The special effects were a bit terrible. to check that one, click here. 

Tell again!

Kemz

Twitter & Instagram: @KemzMovies

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