127 Hours (2010)

This is an adventure film directed and produced by Danny Boyle starring James Franco. The film is based on a true story that happened to mountain climber Aron Ralston in 2003 in Utah, USA.

Though, “127 hours” is a quite simple film, I like films based on true stories and enjoyed this one as well. If you want to watch it, you should not do any research about Aron Ralston or the story; otherwise film will not be interesting.

I will tell you a little about the film. In April, 2003, Aron Ralston goes for canyoneering in Utah and meets on his way two young women, Kristi and Megan. He shows them a better route for hiking and hikers invite him to the party for next night. He continues alone to his route and while descending from one of the rocks with his MP3 player turned on, a boulder falls after him. It pins his right arm against the wall of rock and traps him.

Ralston realizes that nobody will come for help as he did not inform anybody about his whereabouts. The hikers will assume that he just did not show up for party. He videos himself and rations his food and water. When Ralston is out of water, he drinks his own urine. He becomes desperate realizing that soon he will die.

Real Ralston’s courage is incredible as much as his frivolity to hike with turned-on MP3 player. Franco’s acting is superb and hilarious and his charisma is grasping. With his terrific performance viewers practically share Ralston’s torments and joy of survival.

I experienced Boyle’s outstanding directorial skills with “Slumdog Millionaire” and surely he has a lot to say in film-directing. You will certainly enjoy this film in the company of friends. Be prepared for gut-wrenching scenes!

Reviewer’s rating: 8.0 out of 10

Paul (2011)

It is a comedy directed by Greg Mottola starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. I laughed a lot and really enjoyed the film.

First of all, I love Pegg and Frost since I watched the film ‘Hot Fuzz’ (2007). They were co-starring in ‘Shaun of the Dead’ (2004) as well, but it was not as good as ‘Hot Fuzz’.

Paul is the name of the alien who arrives in his cosmic ship decades earlier killing same name dog of a little girl. Graeme Willy (Pegg) and Clive Gollings (Frost) are two English comic book nerds who take a road trip through America in their RV. A couple of times during the film they are taken for homosexuals. They meet Paul who wrecks up the car, which he has been driving to get to the place of departure for his ‘homeland’.

Later, it is revealed that government intends to surgically remove Paul’s brain in order to obtain his abilities of healing, disappearing, transferring information by touching with fingers, via telepathic link. He runs from government in order to return to his planet. He is no longer useful to them with his scientific and sociological advises.

I loved the way Paul claims that he gave the idea for E.T. and creating the character of Fox Mulder. But also as a believer, I did not like how Paul convinced Ruth Buggs, who run a motor park together with her father Moses, in non-existence of God. I did not like their swearing as well. Boys and alien are forced to take Ruth with them as Paul reveals himself to her. Later, Paul heals her eye.

After number of adventures and almost getting caught by their hunters, Paul is able to leave. But before he leaves, he demonstrates his healing ability once again by bringing Graeme, who has been shot by headmaster of hunters (Sigourney Weaver), back to life. As it is common for films with aliens, Paul takes Tara, little girl who is now an old woman and who saved his life when he arrived, with him. Two years later, Graeme and Clive are shown in an event promoting their new comic book, ‘Paul’

Film is funny, clever and amusing with some black and English humour. I recommend it as a good laugh and funny watch in the company of family.

Reviewer's rating: 7.0 out of 10

Inception (2010)

This is another 2010 film with ambiguous ending. I enjoyed watching it, though went back to the film and studied final scenes all over again to finally accept the truth.

Entering subconscious minds through dreams and “extract”ing important information is a cool and great idea for film. Scenario of film was written by Christopher Nolan, director of film. One might get easily confused counting dreams in dreams, but not the writer. Nolan wrote the script for almost a decade. He clearly and beautifully delivered Inception as he knew what it is all about.

Film characters, Dom Cobb and his friend Arthur are professional thieves - extractors. Each mind-spy has a “totem”, small object that helps them determine whether they are in somebody’s dream. Cobb’s object is a spinning top. His wife Mal’s memory disturbs him frequently in his dreams and spoils his efforts of extraction. Lovely, sexy, beautiful Marion Cotillard stars as Mal.

Cobb takes the last extraction offer of performing ‘inception’ from wealthy Mr.Saito (Ken Watanabe). Saito promises to use his contacts to clear Cobb of the murder charges for his wife’s death. It will allow Cobb to return to the United States and reunite with his children. In return Mr. Saito asks to enter the mind of his competitor’s son who will inherit the vast energy company and plant in him the idea of breaking up the company.

They sedate their target during the long flight from Sydney to Los Angeles and build a three-level shared dream. This is where story gets complicated. I loved the idea of ‘militarized subconscious’ – subconscious trained to find and kills extractors. Going into limbo upon death in the dream is interesting as well.

Though team accomplishes the task and plant the idea in target’s mind, Saito gets killed inside the dream and Cobb searches for Saito in limbo. He finds old Saito who has been waiting in limbo for decades and brings him back.

Extractors awaken on the flight. Cobb returns to United States and turns his spinning top to check reality. But he cannot see the result as he gets distracted by his children, inviting the speculation on whether the final scene was reality or another dream. It is up to viewer to decide.

I am positive about Inception. It is a nice evening watch in the company of friends and family.

Reviewer's rating: 8.5 out of 10

The Lovely Bones (2009)

If you want to watch this film you have to be morally ready. It is not a week-end or evening watch. It is sad, devastating and genuinely touching film. All actors, especially main character Saoirse Ronan, are hilarious in their roles. The film is based on Alice Seabold’s same name novel.

The story is of a teenage girl who is raped and murdered by her 36-year-old neighbor George. He coaxes her into the den in the cornfield which he builds earlier for just one purpose: to get Susie. Susie’s family become worried when she does not return from school. They never see her again.

Susie watches her killer and her family from above. In afterlife she sees that George killed many other young girls. Her family struggle to get on with their lives. Her parents break up, her mother leaves house, her father is beaten unconscious, and George targets Susie’s sister Lindsey as a next victim.

Later, Lindsey breaks into George’s house and finds evidence of his involvement in Susie’s disappearance and supposedly death, though she does not find or know about the safe in the basement where Susie’s body lays.

He returns home, and notices Lindsey who barely escapes. George dumps safe into the sinkhole and flees. He dies from falling over a cliff. Film ends with Susie’s words: "My name is Salmon, like the fish; first name Susie. I was 14 years old when I was murdered on December 6, 1973. I was here for a moment and then I was gone. I wish you all a long and happy life."

In my opinion, it is not a family watch, though film ends positively.  It is certainly one of a kind, enormously real and affects viewer deep in the heart.

Reviewer's rating: 8.0 out of 10