The Fighter (2010)

This film at its heart is about family. It showcases both the good and bad aspects of family relationships with passion and realism. Characters that seem crazy and toxic to the hopes and dreams of the main character are really doing what they feel is best, and while that may be wrong and their logic may be a little twisted, they do truly care for each other and fight hard for what they feel is best. This is based on real events and it shows. There are no clear cut villains, just the trials, tribulations, schemes and shifting alliances of real people to contend with.

The plot focuses on two brothers, Micky Ward, played by Mark Wahlberg, and Dicky Eklund, played by Christian Bale. Dicky is a former boxing star and current trainer for his brother. His moment of glory was a very close bout with boxing legend Sugar Ray Lenard where he knocked down the super star. Despite not winning the bout, this earned him the nickname the Pride of Lowell, local legend status and a huge ego. Micky has grown up idolizing his brother, but he has also grown up in his brother’s shadow and shows subtle rage that his attempts to make it big in the boxing world have been overshadowed by Dicky Eklund’s “big come back”, including him being followed around by an HBO documentary crew. A particularly brutal bout and a new girlfriend shakes up the family dynamic and leads to new conflicts.

The acting in this movie is amazing. Wahlberg’s performance is both layered and subtle and you really feel his conflict between loyalty to his family, and paths that may be better for his own life. Bale plays a character that is not the typical ego stroking role of a big name actor. Dicky Eklund is a deeply flawed character whose initial antics lead me to dislike this character, but by the end of the movie, I found myself caring nearly as much for Dicky as I did for Micky. Melissa Leo’s role as their mother, Alice Ward, reminded me of some people I know, which is always a plus when a character is realistic enough to bring to mind real people in your life. Jack McGee’s George Ward found an automatic soft spot as the henpecked, but loving father. The role is portrayed with subtly and charisma. All in all I found the acting in this movie top notch and very emotionally powerful without beating you over the head with the emotion of the scene or moving into artificiality.

Rage Within (Dark Inside #2)

Aries, Clementine, Mason and Michael have survived the first wave of the apocalypse that wiped out most of the world’s population, and turned many of the rest into murderous Baggers. Now, they’re hiding out in an abandoned house in Vancouver with a ragtag group of surviving teens, and trying to figure out their next move.

Aries is trying to lead, but it’s hard to be a leader when there are no easy answers, and every move feels wrong. Clementine is desperate to find her brother Heath, but it’s impossible to know where he’d be, even if he is still alive. Michael is still haunted by the memories of his actions during his harrowing struggle to survive. And Mason is struggling with something far worse: the fear that he may be a danger to his friends.

As the Baggers begin to create a new world order, Aries, Clementine, Mason and Michael will have to trust and rely on each other in order to survive. (Goodreads)

Dark inside, the first in the series, is dark, twisted, and undeniably brilliant. Rage within is more of the same stuff. Carrying on from where dark inside left off, there was none of the over common curse of the second book. The plot was gripping, memorable and unpredictable. In every few chapters is the viewpoint of Nothing, this is the evil that resides in all the Baggers. It raises a lot of questions as to what or who it is. The characters know just as little as we do.

I enjoyed the four different viewpoints in this book. Everyone has a story to tell. Each with their own horrors and secrets, and I wish more books did this. Mason's view was so much more interesting this time around. He battles a lot with himself and his hold on his sanity and you feel like you should do something about it to help him. Aries is a leader and being one has its consequences. She has to weigh the options of each of their decisions and make sure they're the right ones. They don't always go as planned that's for sure. Clementine is still as determined as ever to save her brother Heath, and I rather loved that about her. People lose hope in a post-apocalyptic world, but she holds on to the positive and it moves her further ahead. Michael on the other hand, is still the cowardice, but he is beginning to redeem himself for the better.

 

Natural Born Angel (Immortal City #2)

Life turned upside down for Maddy Montgomery when she found out she was half-Angel and was catapulted into the scene of flashbulbs, paparazzi, and the fervent adulation that comes with being in the celebrity Angel world. She's trying to juggle her ordinary life—high school, family, friends—with the intense demands of being in the public eye as heartthrob Angel Jackson Godspeed's girlfriend.

And now Maddy must face the most difficult choice of her life. She's been offered the chance to become a Guardian. This means entering into dangerous and high stakes training, with no guarantee that she can succeed. But more than that, it would mean leaving her mortal life behind—forever—and allying with the Angels at a time when their relationship with humans is heading for war. (Goodreads)

I only plan for this so be a rather sort review, my thoughts:  I really enjoyed the first book, but this one, Wooooo! So much is going on. I was so upset when it ended...not because of what happened, just that there was no more story left to read!

We get to see the angel training process through Maddy's eyes, though hers is an accelerated process. Which was interesting and fun...we also see Jacks kind of forced into the background as Maddy's charisma and special circumstances eclipse even him. Through Maddy's accelerated training she is introduced to Tom Cooper, and yes our love triangle may now be complete. We all know these stories where romance isn't the focal point, have love triangles.

Jacks is forced to go through a lot of changes because of injuries he sustained during the battle at the end of the Immortal City. Everything is compounded by the upcoming Presidential election and a rash of bizarre random catastrophes world-wide, among other things. Everything comes to a head and also a stellar cliffhanger...I hate having to wait for the next one!

This story had a pulse pounding pace with equal parts mystery, romance, adventure, conflict, supernatural beings, and drama. A potent mix and incredibly hard to put down. So much is learned and so much happens. Now for the frustrating wait for the final epic conclusion after an ending like what this one had in store.
 

The Prey (The Hunt #2)

For Gene and the remaining humans—or hepers—death is just a heartbeat away. On the run and hunted by society, they must find a way to survive in The Vast... and avoid the hungry predators tracking them in the dark. But they’re not the only things following Gene. He’s haunted by the girl he left behind and his burgeoning feelings for Sissy, the human girl at his side.

When they discover a refuge of exiled humans living high in the mountains, Gene and his friends think they’re finally safe. Led by a group of intensely secretive elders, the civilisation begins to raise more questions than answers. A strict code of behaviour is the rule, harsh punishments are meted out, young men are nowhere to be found—and Gene begins to wonder if the world they’ve entered is just as evil as the one they left behind. As life at the refuge grows more perilous, he and Sissy only grow closer. In an increasingly violent world, all they have is each other... if they can only stay alive

(Goodreads)

Gene is by far one of my most favourite characters in this novel. He has survived and overcome so much. In The Hunt he lives within a horde of vampires and somehow manages to blend in and survive. He finds Sissy and the others and together they overcome the odds and become free.

Personally, I love the scene when they are on the river. Their vulnerability and survival techniques are fascinating. They manage to live and survive on the boat with each other and each night when the vampires arrive and try their might to reach them, it just makes you cringe. Andrew Fukuda's writing style is incredible. I cringed and felt emotions as I was reading just as though I were there with them. The horrific way they vampires are described is wild. Their lust and greed for the "hepers" is intense.  There are other scenes I love even more, however they are extremely ‘spoilery!’

I love how "The Scientist" is still so involved in this story even though he is not living each account with them. He is so involved in this story even though he is not there in person. He gives the group a sense of hope and security and this is what they hang on to that keeps them going and fighting.

In The Prey the group are introduced to a new "experience," I call it an experience because that is exactly what it is.. A life experience that the group will have to live through to survive and thrive. The "cult" they come into is filled with so many mysteries and puzzles. As they delve into this new "town" they discover so many more horrors and answers start to come to light.

This fast paced story is fantastic, incredible, heart-stopping, creepy, and so much more. I can’t wait to read the conclusion and to see where and how this story ends. I have a feeling that Gene, Sissy, Epap, Jacob, David, and Ben have a lot more turns and surprises that they have yet to face.

Revenge

Emily Thorne rents a house in the Hamptons for the summer, seemingly intent on nothing more than enjoying a break in the popular resort. But it soon becomes clear that there's more to her visit. Her real name is Amanda Clarke and her father was framed for a crime he didn't commit and sent to prison for life and she has come to the Hamptons to seek revenge against the people who betrayed him and saw him sent to jail. (IMDB)

First of all we have Emilie Thorn, Played by Emilie VanCamp, this is slightly confusing, but her real name is Amanda Clark and after her fathers death she and a girl named Emilie Thorn switch identities. She is played excellently and truely makes you see what a daughter is willing to do after her father was falsly accused of a crime he didn't commit, (Although i'm not going to lie, sometimes the acting is a little stiff. But maybe it's meant to be that way, she's all like 'I love your dress' *bitch stares*) I shan't go into detail about each of the series regulars because there are about 10. Then we have Nolan Ross - My personal favourite character in season one, he's played fantastically by Gabriel Mann and is the Founder and CEO of Nolcorp and was friends with Emilies father and wants to assist her in her planes for revenge. There's Victoria Grayson, played by Madeleine Stowe, she is 'The Queen' of the Hamptons and was involved in framing Emilies Father, she only cares about protecting her social status and ensuring her children live up to their full potential. We also have Daniel Grayson, played by Joshua Bowman who is in line to take over Grayson Global and becomes romantically involved with Emilie.

With brilliant writing, and a deep dark mysterious story line will keep you hooked. So many sub plots and twists and turns as the story unravels it just keeps escalating. It's amazing to watch nearly every character to be deeply developed into the plot line. You never know what will happen next.

X Men: First Class

In 1962, the United States government enlists the help of mutants with superhuman abilities to stop a malicious dictator who is determinded to start world war III (IMDB)

What did I love about this film? What didn't I love, being a huge X Men fan and a fan of pretty much the entire leading cast I was so excited about this film. The film gives us as an audience an insight into the past of some of our favourite X Men characters and how they came to be as we know, introducing a few character from the X Men comics that have not previously seen screen time. (I've actually only just learned about these as reading old X Men comics for college research :).) The film intertwines with parts of history such as Eriks time at concentration camps during Nazi Germany and a big event takes place bringing into account the nuclear was when the Americans had reason to believe the Russians had planted nuclear missiles in Cuba, bringing in mutants and their powers. At The heart of the film though is the relationship between Erik and Charles.

Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy are amazing as Erik (Magneto) and Charles. Each one alone, would have made the movie amaaazing, but together? #Forgetaboutit!

 (Yes I #ed a blog post.) Every step of the way, every scene, every emotion, these two men own the movie and watching their bromance is a treat from start to finish. Make no mistake about it, even when the world is on the brink of utter destruction what really matters is how these two men relate to one another. And when you watch the movie, you will care. Charles and Erik are fascinating characters. They debate and this allows the audience to debate endlessly about them and about who is right. As you watch you desperately wish they could stay friends, but you understand why they ultimately can't and know as a fan that has already seen the previous X Men films they won’t. Even if they themselves, in these early days, don't understand it yet. The supporting cast are excellent also, including Kevin Bacon and villain Sebastian Shaw, Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique and January Jones as Emma Frost, all played their roles fantastically, although rather minor roles because the film is ultimately about establishing the origins between the relationship of Charles and Erik.

The Impossible

It would be impossible to try and capture the widespread loss and destruction of this horrible, devastating event. The scope was so large and far too many people lost their lives to even attempt to portray on film. Insteaddirector Juan Antonio Bayona focused smartly on the true story of one family's struggle for survival amongst all that had happened on December 26th, 2004. This allows the film to be much more intimate, and the audience is quickly able to connect with the Bennett family, starting simply with their arrival to Thailand. While the audience was filled with dread in anticipation of what was to come, the Bennetts were blissfully unaware and enjoying themselves over vacation. However, everything soon takes a terrifying turn as the tsunami hits their resort in a horrifyingly realistic manner, sweeping up people as they attempt to flee before it or protect themselves from its awesome power.

At this point, I felt like I was drowning. The camera bobs in and out of darkness, in and out of the water, as the family's mother, Maria, struggles for breath. Then clinging hopelessly onto a palm tree, she screams all too realistically for anyone who could possibly help her in a desperate, surprisingly shocking moment. It is at this point where she spots her son, Lucas, floating in the fierce waves, and I held my breath as the struggled for what seemed like an eternity to reunite in the water.

In a way, Lucas, brilliantly portrayed by Tom Holland, carries the film from this point forward. He takes on the role of protecting his stubborn yet badly injured mother, and in the process he's forced to mature far too quickly. During every moment, his emotions and facial expressions convey more than any words ever could, as he shies away from and is frightened by his mother's injuries and nudity, all the while attempting to deal with all the pain and devastation.

However, it is his mother, Maria, whom the film truly centers around. Naomi Watts gives an outstanding performance, portraying harrowing desperation, stubborn determination in the face of incredible pain and agony and ultimately, a sense of love and care despite her deteriorating state. Although she is bedridden for about half the film, but it is during this time where there are these small moments of tenderness and humility which undoubtedly makes Watts's performance stunning!


In fact, the entire cast was exceptional, including Ewan McGregor, the father desperately trying to put together him family again, and the two youngest sons, Thomas played by Samuel Joslin and Simon, played by Oaklee Penderfast, both of whose innocence prevented them from thorougly capturing the extent of this tragic event. The story of these three is intertwined with Maria and Lucas, as the all struggle to survive amidst the destruction and reunite amidst the chaos.

Ultimately, this is a touching and heartwarming and heartbreaking film, as true kindess of humanity can be seen in this time of great loss. Yes, the tsunami is terrifying, the injuries gruesome and shockingly realistic, and the pain and suffering visible on everyone's faces. However, the Bennett's story (Based on a true story of a Spainish family - Could start a wholeeeeeee other post about why white people where the only people really focused on within the film, but I shan't) is a remarkable one of love, detemination, hope and cannot be missed.




Feel like i've ranted on throughout this review, but seriously, the film was really really touching!