Movie Reviews - 20/20 Filmsight

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20/20 Filmsight

How to Train Your Dragon: Australian Trailer Released

November 20th 2009 07:15

Ever since a bunch of Cuban-heeled youngsters became responsible for unleashing the GFC upon the tiny economy of Iceland, the words ‘dragon’ and ‘Viking’ have fallen distinctly out of favour with the worldwide zeitgeist. Not that Dreamworks or Paramount Pictures Australia are too concerned, with March 25 boasting the release of their latest 3D blockbuster, “How to Train Your Dragon.” Based upon the book by Cressida Cowell, the light-hearted film tells the tale of Hiccup, a reluctant Viking teenager whose world is turned upside down when he encounters a dragon that may in fact not be a fire-breathing colossus of death and destruction. Paramount Pictures Australia have just released the local version of the trailer so check it out below (funky shades not required).

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Posted By: Matt Shea - Category: Americanas

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SCREAM

November 14th 2009 09:30

SCREAM official poster

This Wes Craven film is perfect for teenagers grouped together for a night of giggles and scares. It was effective even for me, the first time I saw it, all those years ago. It poked fun at the clichés of horror films and then delivers some graphic and surprisingly effective murder scenes, while keeping the suspense driven ‘whodunit’ aspect alive.

Trouble is, so many years later, and more jaded than ever I watched the film again, not remembering the surprise ending, till right at the end. Even so, it failed to raise a hair on my head, neck, or any other part of my body and I was home alone, watching it at night.

However, if you have not seen it, or you have a household of teens to entertain, I think you would have an entertaining night. Lots of thrills and spills and laughs, even the corny bits can bring a smile.

The production elements are excellent and the film won many awards. It was a huge box office success.

For me, it dated badly I have to admit, losing its power. The mix of teen aimed humour and self parody most likely didn’t help Scream retaining its fright factor.
However, Craven could easily argue that those aspects were integral to its financial and critical success.

DISTRIBUTED BY ICON FILM DISTRIBUTION
AVAILABLE NOW ON BLU RAY AND DVD

Directed by
Wes Craven

Produced by
Cathy Konrad, Cary Woods

Written by Kevin Williamson

Starring
David Arquette
Neve Campbell
Courteney Cox
Matthew Lillard
Rose McGowan
Skeet Ulrich
Drew Barrymore
Music by Marco Beltrami
Cinematography Mark Irwin
Editing by Patrick Lussier
Distributed by Dimension Films (USA)
Release date(s) December 20, 1996
Running time 113 minutes
Country United States
Language English

IMAGE CREDIT:
CREATOR UNKNOWN, PRESUMED COPYRIGHT HELD BY PUBLISHER AND/OR FILM PRODUCTION COMPANY AS INDICATED IN CREDITS OF SCREAM POSTER. USE OF IMAGE FOR CRITICAL APPRAISAL ONLY AND PRODUCED FOR ICON FILM DISTRIBUTION

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Posted By: Mountain Fog - Category: Americanas

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Bastardy

November 13th 2009 19:57

Jack Charles was a familiar face on the Australian film and theatre scene in the 60s and 70s - a distinctive Indiginous actor, he appeared in over a hundred productions, on stage, on celluloid and on television. Now, at the age of 60, as he wanders homeless through the Melbourne suburbs, he seems to have blossomed, even as he finds despair and hardship in his old age, comforted by the cold nails of heroin

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Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: Australasian

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The Map Reader

November 12th 2009 03:30

A spirited, humourous and ultimately moving coming-of-age story from New Zealand, Harold Brodie’s The Map Reader evokes vivid memories of that difficult transition as we slowly evolve from carefree teenagers into adults - often before we're quite ready for the responsibility it entails.

16 year-old Michael (Jordan Selwyn) is considered a geek by his schoolmates, his nose constantly buried in an atlas since he could read, his bedroom wall plastered with maps of every description. It’s his passion as well as his escape, filling a void left by an absentee father he never knew. His mother Amelia (Rebecca Gibney) clings a little too closely to alcohol for comfort, keeping the world at bay perhaps, but driving a wedge between her and Michael

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Posted By: David O'Connell - Category: Australasian

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The Big Steal

November 11th 2009 05:26

Now hardly remembered in some circles, “The Big Steal” was very much the local hit in 1990, picking up three AFI Awards for Best Original Music Score, Best Screenplay, and Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role.

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Posted By: Matt Shea - Category: Australasian

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Hola Mexico Film Festival 2009

November 9th 2009 07:23

Ana Claudia Talancón and Daniel Giménez Cacho in "Tear This Heart Out".

You’re understanding of Mexican cinema may be limited to midget-battling wrestlers, but the North American country is becoming increasingly well known for its thriving film industry. Thankfully, in Australia we have the Hola Mexico Film Festival for a yearly reminder of the silver screen greatness churned out by this culturally resilient country.

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Posted By: Matt Shea - Category: Americanas

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Amélie

November 7th 2009 06:04

Amélie

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Posted By: Mountain Fog - Category: C'est la vie!

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Katyn

November 4th 2009 07:13

It was a momentous occasion in 1989 when the Berlin Wall finally crumbled at the hands of the people it had separated for so long. The celebrations were overwhelming as families, countries, and continents reunited.

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Posted By: Matt Shea - Category: European

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The Long Good Friday

October 29th 2009 08:38

Watching “The Long Good Friday” it’s easy to imagine Guy Ritchie and his friends – circa 1995 – sitting on a crisp-scattered velour couch, smoking joints, drinking lager and furiously taking notes.

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Posted By: Matt Shea - Category: European

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CASE 39

October 26th 2009 15:10

Official Poster

This film has more than a few thrilling moments. It caused my friend to throw her hands over her eyes and gasp, numerous times. I kept looking, but will admit to a few gasps too

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Posted By: Mountain Fog - Category: Americanas

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