Hmm where to start – should it be with the film or how beautiful Paris is in the film? Well done Woody Allen for capturing the magnificent city by day – and after hours in the graces of dark, cobbled streets and muted light from lamp posts, cafes and candles.

So we start there… and move on first to Paris…. If you have been to Paris – and you do not mind being in a city, then you are likely to fall in love with its lights, its gardens, its views and possibly the food. So for Paris lovers – and those who adore Woody Allen, the boyish charm of Owen Wilson (Gil) and the straightforwardness of Kathy Bates who plays Gertrude Stein for a few scenes then this is a film worth seeing. Woody Allen, as some might know is an expert at wry comments… so if you like sarcastic and dry humour you will like his work. He also loves “themes” whether it is old Eastern Europe (Love and Death), a sci-fi setting (Sleeper) or New York from any decade (Manhattan, Annie Hall, Manhattan Murder Mystery and more).

The dialog of Midnight in Paris is not as intellectually amusing as that of Love and Death,  Annie Hall or some other old works, but it is a lovely “dream” of a piece as a taxi pulls up every night after midnight to take Gil, a struggling writer of fiction, back to 1920s Paris – his favourite time period. And, during this clever Cinderella-like journey (which surreal artist Man Ray – who we meet one night at a café – thinks is no big deal), we meet many people including F Scott Fitzgerald, his wife Zelda, Pablo Picasso, Manet, Ernest Hemingway, Salvador Dali and Picasso’s girlfriend of the time, Adriana, who turns out to be the main heroine and love interest for Gil.

Overall, the piece is a very amusing comedy and Owen doesn’t get Adriana as a girlfriend, but he learns to be happy in the present and the taxi rides to 1920s Paris are real but an escape. (Actually Adriana escapes back to an even earlier time period in Paris – turn of the 20^th century – as she loves it so much) but her new comrades of the era Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Paul Gaugain and Edgar Degas actually would rather be in the Renaissance period – so her golden age, which is the turn of the century (circa 1900) is boring to them but fascinating to her. And, unlike Gil, she decides to stay there… (psychology going on, yes, but at least Woody keeps it light).

Worth catching – even if you don’t know who everyone is. Stuff can be learned and Paris is really really pretty. Acting and dialog are mediocre overall but the concept is clever and the setting and way it is lighted and portrayed – after midnight – is noirly divine. The length of the film is also perfect as it feels like being in a dream and at the end, as Allen cleverly has let us in to yet another famous  era, and then we have to “go” makes the entire piece feel like a delightful and fleeting dream.

Further information:
Midnight in Paris (IMDB)

In dark January 2012, we have another link in the chain, chapter in the ongoing series and story – or however you want to classify it. More interesting than the last two movies – Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009) and Underworld: Evolution (2006) – in the series and even darker (literally).

Gloomy Kate Beckinsale, as Selene, is in top form killing all the “baddies”, which in this case equates to ‘mean’ Lycans (ie modern day werewolves) and corrupt humans who want to help the Lycans. But besides Kate, there is also her hybrid daughter (the offspring of a Lycan and a vampire) Eve (India Eisley) and her lover Michael (Scott Speedman) is kept frozen (until the very end) in a lab where they experiment on “infected” individuals because he is too boring. We also meet new vamp hero David (Theo James) who is attractive and gets extra points with the filmmakers for having a British accent and rugged human police detective Sebastian (Michael Ealy) who helps Kate because his wife became a vampire, who was killed.

On the big screen in 3D and in a dark environment, Underworld: Awakening is very similar to Gotham in the Batman film series. Kate gets points for being superstrong on screen (fun to watch her) moving so fast and the cool effects on her eyes. The film, itself, is very vapid, but fun. Worth seeing if you are a vampire movie fan. Otherwise, go catch a sunset, moonlit night or something more rewarding that won’t give you the chance of eye strain.

Further information:
Underworld: Awakening (IMDB)
Underworld: Awakening (official site)

Although this has been regaled as one of Natalie Portman’s best roles, sadly this is actually quite a sick movie that myself and others walked out of. Natalie Portman (who plays Nina Sayers) is given the role of prima ballerina to play both Odette, the White Swan and Odile, the Black Swan although, being more kind and sensible, she is perfect for the role of the White Swan. Within the movie, she replaces the prima ballerina Beth McIntrye (Winona Ryder), and Lily (Mila Kunis) is her understudy with whom she begins a twisted rivalry and friendship, and also she must fight against oppression from her obsessive, former ballerina mother Erica Sayers (Barbara Hershey) and her overbearing and sexually sadistic director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassell).

Although the costumes are beautiful and recently won awards at The 13th Annual Costume Design Guild Awards (February 2011), the plotline is trite and very unpleasant. Worth skipping, to be honest – one is better off seeing a ballet in the theatre or on television.

Further information:
Black Swan (IMDB)

For those who loved the series, you will find this ok. It has some witty dialogue and the girls – particularly Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Samantha (Kim Cattrall),  and Charlotte (Kristin Davis) are all excellent and very characterised in their roles. Carrie is – as always – very fashionable, Samantha is the OAP sex kitten who can’t stop talking about her hormones and Charlotte keeps talking about her children. Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) is also there, but is more in the background.

The film starts wittily with all of them at a gay wedding – with excellent dialogue. It then shifts to them being at home and gearing up for their trip to Abu Dhabi where an old flame of Carrie’s is filming a movie. Sadly, it gets a bit boring in Abu Dhabi, thus the film only gets three stars.  The fashion etc, is nice, but how many times can you hear vaguely about Dior and Valentino without getting bored. The crux in Abu Dhabi is the tension between Carrie and Aidan, dealing with being Western women in a Middle Eastern country and their escaping after Carrie loses her passport and Samantha’s condoms are seen in public.  And, finally, going home to be grateful for what they have.

Recommended if you are a huge fan of the series – although other fans got bored too.

Further information:
Sex and the City 2 (IMDB)
Sex and the City 2 (Official site)

For those who like the Twilight book series, by Stephanie Meyer – or the movie series – this is a fair attempt at a vampire teen flick. However, it is sadly, too cheesy and melodramatic. The continuing plotline of vampire Edward Cullen and human Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) being in love is captivating. However, Edward comes across too angst in this film as his family chooses to leave town after his brother Jasper cannot control his thirst for Bella’s blood after she cuts her hand at a birthday party.

Then, left on her own, Bella goes in to a terribly black depression until she starts hanging out with Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) – who is now at the turning point for becoming a full-fledged werewolf.

As she develops an intense friendship with him, Bella comes out of her deep funk and learns how the werewolf clans ‘live’ in Forks, Washington. Meanwhile, she is still being hunted by Victoria (a ruthless vampire from the first movie) (Rachelle Lefevre), who is out to kill her as Edward killed her partner James in the first movie.

And, one further twist, Alice Cullen (Ashley Greene) (who has visions) sees Bella hit her head after a cliff dive, and then, as Jacob then tells Edward that a funeral is being planned, Edward thinks Bella is dead.  With this in mind, Edward goes to the Volturi, an organized coven of vampires, and enforcers of law, in the vampire world, to end his life. They refuse and instead ask him to join them. And, when they find out about Bella (as she comes to the Volturi HQ in Volterra, Italy, to stop him killing himself – and learns about them), things get more complicated as they force her to become a vampire or destroy her.

With a lot going on in this film, it is not as detailed or as exciting as the first and seems more to try and push through as much of the plot, from the book, as possible. The first film had a lot more action, fighting and special effects – as well as romance. And, although this screenplay is also written by Melissa Rosenberg (as is the first), it is not as strong and has too much melodrama and teenage angst in it.

Worth seeing this movie if you are a fan of the Twilight books, but not the best vampire movie you could see.

Further information:
Twilight: New Moon (IMDB)

This is one definitely for vampire movie addicts as it doesn’t have that developed of a plot. Yet, the acting is good and can be amusing.

Starring John C Reilly as Larten Crepsley, the vampire who chooses an apprentice and Chris Massoglia as Darren Shan, his apprentice, we are presented with a story of an old vampire who is feuding with another group of vampires.  Crepsley will drink animal and human blood, but will not kill the victims, where as the other group of vampires, The Vampaneze, will kill humans. Darren stumbles into all of this after visiting a sideshow and his friend being bitten by Crepsley’s deadly spider. To get the antidote for the spider bite, Darren must agree to become a vampire.

Very much a movie for teenagers, we watch Crepsley train Darren to become a good vampire and various fights that ensue – and living in the freak show with Crepsley, we also see a light romance between him and monkey girl Rebecca (Jessica Carlson).

Perhaps worth catching on video, but don’t bother a trip to the cinema for this one unless, again a) you’re a vampire movie fanatic or b) you really like Salma Hayak. With a minor role in the movie as Madame Truska,  she plays a woman who can see into the future and also grow a beard.

For those looking for a very pretty tale, brocaded in the same kind of detail as City of Lost Children, then look no further than this film, which is also Heath Ledger‘s last. Starring Christopher Plummer as Dr Parnassus, and also a cast including Johnny Depp, Lily Cole and, as aforementioned the late Heath Ledger, this Terry Gilliam film is a delicacy for the eyes  – as are most of his films (such as BRaalthough the plot and dialogue are thick and a bit plodding.

Dr Parnassus has made a pact with the Devil, Mr Nick (Tom Waits)  to gain immortality – promising him the soul of his first born at age 16. However, when it comes time, he does not want to give over his daughter, Valentina (Cole), so again engages on another bet and crusade to change  his fate. This film is lovely as it has beautiful costumes and sets. However, it takes a long time to unwind so if you are looking for an exciting, sharp and clever plot, this one isn’t for you – although it does make for lavishly, sensual fairy-tale esque eye candy.

Further information:
The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus (IMDB)
The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus (Official site)

If you’re looking for a darkly atmospheric movie – where the sets are dark, the costumes are exquisitely detailed, stylised and beautiful and the plot can also be dark-humoured, bittersweet, or just darkly mysterious then check out one of these.

The Crow (1994)
Reason: based on the comic – a gothic, dark and heart-breaking film about loss and nemesis – set in a place where it always seems to be raining.

City of Lost Children (1995)
Reason: a beautiful and eerie tale of a scientist who steals the dreams of children.

Sin City (2005)
Reason: a great movie made up of many tales about the corruption within this dark city.

Batman (1989)
Reason: a darkly sad and gripping tale of the famous caped crusader. And, the city’s called Gotham – how much more noir can you get? (Starring Michael Keaton and directed by Tim Burton – it is well done and tantalisingly melancholy.)

Batman Returns (1992)
Reason: another great Batman tale – in the grim city of Gotham. This time not only stars Micheal Keaton, but also the super sexy and sultry Michelle Pfeiffer.

Brick (2005)
Reason: a darkly odd and interesting tale (despite the teeny-bopperish overtones) of one boy’s investigation into what happened to his former girlfriend.

Devil in a Blue Dress (1996)
Reason: the ‘noir’ costumes and settings are very pretty. The plotline, however, is weak and the dialog staid.

Se7en (1995)
Reason: gory, stylised film about a serial killer with interesting 1950s-type sets.

For those who have been following the series, which depicts an ongoing feud between vampires and werewolves, this third film, oddly enough, is the backstory to the first two movies (in a similar way to how the Star Wars series works – ie starting with ‘the present’ then ‘re-capping’ history, in newly released films, years later.)

This is the history of how and why the vampire and werewolf clans hate each other (although both originate from the same bloodlines).

Rise of the Lycans reveals how powerful werewolves William and Lucian are enslaved by the vampire lord Viktor and his court.

William is forced to bite humans to turn them into werewolves so that can be kept as ‘guard dogs’ and chattel. Meanwhile Lucian, who is favoured by Viktor, is kept as a blacksmith and given a fair amount of privileges.

Ironically, Lucian and Viktor’s daughter Sonia are in love, and while this film mainly is used as a ‘history’ piece, it also plays out their love story – which stimulates a revolt by the werewolves.

With the series always being very ‘noir’ in tone – ie pale vampires in pretty costumes, and scenes filmed in grim surroundings, this is an interesting addition. The action scenes and the furied pace in which the Lycans try to be free is what makes it so interesting – as is the sad love story of Sonia and Lucian and excellent acting by Michael Sheen as Lucian.

The movie only gets three stars though as the plot is weak, the dialogue un-inspired and acting by Bill Nighy as Viktor is too affected. Worth seeing if you are a vampire-movie fan. Otherwise, give it a miss and see a more interesting action film.

Further information:
Underworld 3: Rise of the Lycans (Official site)

Recently, a friend asked me to recommend some horror movies to him. I gave this a good think about which ones stuck in my mind and were ultimately memorable.

Interestingly, my list of what I consider to be the ‘best’ horror movies is quite short.

They are the following (with the director noted if his direction, imparticular makes it an excellent piece and is a signature of his work):

1. Prince of Darkness (1987) – John Carpenter
Nutshell: About the devil coming to earth.
Reason: The suspense.

2. The Fog (1980) – John Carpenter
Nutshell: A mysterious fog surrounds a town and people die unexpectedly.
Reason: Again, the suspense, although the special effects are now outdated.

3. Dawn of the Dead (1978 ) – George A Romero
Nutshell: Zombies everywhere! ; )
Reason: Something very ‘real life’ about it – ie horror movie set against ‘American mall/trash backdrop’ – and that it actually could happen.

4. Hellraiser (1987)
Nutshell: An unfaithful wife encounters her dead lover’s zombie that has escaped from Hell.
Reason: Scared the shit out of me.

5. Blair Witch Project (1999)
Nutshell: The classic cam-corder horror movie in which three kids go to try to find the ‘Blair Witch’ out in the backwoods of the American South – and never return.
Reason: Scared the shit out of me.

Other ‘horror-genre’ movies worth noting:

1. Braindead (1992) – Peter Jackson
Reason: Darkly humourous and ookily (ie oddly) interesting – Peter Jackson’s old work (including this piece and The Feebles) has a unique flair to it.

2. The Thing – John Carpenter
Reason: Some folk I know, who have good taste in horror movies, find it spine-chilling. I thought it was ‘ok’, but it’s still worth noting.

3. I am Legend (2007) and 30 Days of Night (2007)
Reason: Vampire movies that scared the shit out of me but aren’t as strong memories for me as the above.