Source Code

Sci-fi how it should be

Lover: Taken from IMDB
“What a movie. The price is worth paying. This movie gets straight to the point. You know you see a lot of movies that waste so much time getting into a story. Not this film, virtually from the off, we are there, in the film. It's like there is no beginning, but middle and an end. Obviously you guys know the storyline so I'll not waste time telling you what it is about, just go and see it. It is a film that keeps you looking, you actually feel like you are 'in the source code' which is fantastic. The only downside to this film is that it feels short, it was 93 minutes but it simply flies by. Maybe that is a good thing? Shows how good this film was! GO CHECK IT OUT!”

The running time is a good thing, it’s sci-fi subject matter may ask to many questions of the viewer but the movie moves at a great pace keeping you on tenterhooks and your attention on the pressing matter of the train blowing up.

Hater: Taken from IMDB
“This movie shamelessly uses computer science (specifically computer programming) jargon (about 5-10 terms, like "specification", "drivers", "Source Code", etc) for a completely different purpose. For the kind of arrogant bullshit this movie presents (which is NOT science fiction, it's the new genre: bullshit fiction) it should be banned for reasons of subculture and attacking the sanctity of computer science, the most advanced and helpfull science we've got, the pinacle of civilization. The dialog is complete bs, not just because of the misused jargon, but mainly because it tries hard to be militaristic and "sf" (trust me, it's actually bullshit fiction).”

Labelling this film “Bullshit” and the filmmakers arrogant is as unfounded as claiming this person understands the reason a film is Science Fiction. I bet this person hates Star Wars because it’s to ‘far fetched’.

What I thought:
The real highlight of Source Code is the ever growing ability of Duncan Jones, a man who along with Neil Blomkamp (District 9) and Gareth Edwards (Monsters) have shown us just how cool and thought provoking Sci fi can and should be! His Moon was an excellent example of this cranium cranking science fiction that has been sorely missed from the genre. Source Code is what this man can do for a big Studio and thankfully it does not disappoint.

Our hero is Coulter Stevens, an American Pilot unwittingly part of a military operation called “Source Code”. The idea is to be transported into the last few minutes of someone’s memory, in this environment to be used to stop a Terrorist attack. He re lives the last 8 mins of a man on a train set to blow; his mission is to find the bomber. A fairly simple premise but completely chock full of ideas and moments for intense discussion.

That discussion could possibly spoil the film as the hater review may have pointed out for you, it’s full of scientific ideas that you can’t really get your head around but then that can be said for a lot of Sci-fi. This is where the running time and the pace comes brilliantly into place, moving the film along fast enough for you to keep your questions at the back of your mind. Really all your interested in is, who is it? How does he do it? How it’ll end? Source Code is a tight tense thriller with breathing space for a little romance, comedy and a little action thrown in for good measure.

On DVD and Blu-Ray: 15th August
Running Time: 93 mins
Certificate: 12

Source Code: Video Special

What is the Source Code? Featurette



What would you do? Clip

Brokeback Mountain

It was the spit that did it

Lover: Taken from IMDB
“It was a real ordeal to get into the screening. The anticipation was palpable. The film arrived surrounded by a plethora of innuendo. "A gay western" "Heath and Jake's hot scenes" As soon as the film started every imaginable preconception flew out of the auditorium. This is a remarkable, moving and powerful love story. The setting is that of a modern western "The Last Picture Show" comes to mind. Ang Lee's attention to detail verges on science fiction. You can actually smell the place. Extraordinary. I'm not going to reveal anything about the story - Gian Luigi Rondi a legendary Italian film critic, revealed the ending to a television audience, what was he thinking?! - The film will be enjoyed much more allowing the story to unfold without having passages underlined and attention drawn to this or that particular. I felt compelled to write this comment because I'm overwhelmed. It has changed my perception, I must confess, about certain aspect of same sex love because I didn't think of same sex when I was watching it, I saw two human beings (amazing performances by both actors)I have the feeling "Brokeback Mountain" will make history, deservedly so.”

There’s no doubting the bravery and the talent that has gone into this film, from the actors themselves to the director. I have to say however that I was a bit disappointed.

Hater: Taken from IMDB
“The cinematography was fabulous the acting was good. Thats where the praise ends. The opportunity to make a great film was lost after the first act (literally). They failed to deliver any real emotion or sympathy for the characters. Personally, I cannot believe Ang Lee won Best Director. The movie spans 20+ years and the major players never age? The actresses that played the wives still looked twelve years old. That was painful and distracting, but the real deal breaker was the two separate Thanksgiving scenes with the long shots of the obviously cold turkeys being carved. Horrible. Definitely NOT best director material. Plus, the love story was not believable and Jake and Heath had no chemistry. Jakes character was poorly developed. I wish I could quit this movie.”

Overly harsh points I think with the aging of the characters, some people don’t change in 20 years! He comments them on acting and cinematography then slates them for no chemistry and a random comment about thanksgiving scenes? I like the way they ended it though, probably what I would have used had they not used it first.

What I thought:
Like I’ve said I was disappointed by this film, I can’t fault it for acting or indeed the directing. There a few things I can think of why I wasn’t as impressed as I thought I would be and they start with that spitting. It’s not specifically the spitting that gets on my nerves it’s how aggressive the characters seem to thrown themselves at each other. I tried to justify by saying they were men born and bred in Middle America, of course their sexuality is going to confuse them and could explain why they are so aggressive with it. Saying this it didn’t really find in with the characters and despite that still felt forced.

As a love story it is a great tale and heart-breaking too, I just felt that it was quite slow moving and when that ending comes up it seems to just jump up and bite you in the face. Now my third and final point may or may not be relevant depending on what you want to take from the film, is it just a love story or a statement about homosexuality in a homophobic environment? If it’s the latter I feel the film loses an audience, the audience who have come along a lot since those days and it’s no longer an extreme issue. I think there are a lot of different ways of viewing this film and I’m sure a lot of people have different ways of viewing it, whatever yours is, I hope you enjoyed it.

Up and Coming Movies...

Love and Other Drugs

In UK Cinemas: 29/12/10

What they say:
"Hathaway portrays Maggie, an alluring free spirit who won’t let anyone - or anything - tie her down. But she meets her match in Jamie (Gyllenhaal), whose relentless and nearly infallible charm serve him well with the ladies and in the cutthroat world of pharmaceutical sales. Maggie and Jamie’s evolving relationship takes them both by surprise, as they find themselves under the influence of the ultimate drug: love."

What i say:
Well worth the effort, without taking the time to read about this film or watch the trailer it looks like just another rom-com. On closer inspection its so much more Jake Gyllenhaal and Anna Hathaway look like they had a ball doing this film and i think you will to.

Check out the trailer here...