REVIEW | Red Lights

I really liked the trailer for Red Lights but my favourite parts are those quieter, less trailer-worthy sections of the film. This should then, in theory, make this a superb film and for the majority of it’s running time it seems destined for such, but the ending fucks it right up. Murphy and Weaver play scientists (Olsen joins them as one of their students) who aim to expose those who claim to possess supernatural powers. De Niro plays the most famous of these psychics, and Murphy takes it upon himself to investigate him despite Weaver’s pleas. Cortes showed with Buried that he is a whizz with suspense and it shows again in this movie, taking a low budget and making the most of every possible opportunity. The acting is as good as you would expect from those involved and everything seems to make this an almost Sixth Sense level chiller, until Cortes goes for a big finale that never quite convinces and seems incredibly muddled and unfocused. Still, a mighty fine movie and further proof that Cortes may well be a director to keep a very close eye on.

Verdict: Movie

DAN

REVIEW | Snow White and the Huntsman

This film is based on a lie that a golden plate tells an unjustly insecure queen that makes her want to kill a girl who is basically a mix of Jesus and Dr Dolittle. That is the narrative and there is almost no subplots at all and any film like that would rely on a mix of visuals and characterisation to make it great. The cinematography in this film is fucking gorgeous to the point that you will probably not see a more beautiful blockbuster this summer. Every shot is painstakingly captured, the CGI used perfectly and there is a definite Alfonso Cuaron feel to it. Problem is that, Snow White’s character is really weakly written and Kristen Stewart shows that she can do moody bitch or sex kitten and fuck all else. You can guess which of those we prefer and while there are flickers of it, she ends up looking like Bella Swan at a fancy dress party she doesn’t want to be at.

For all it’s flaws, I’d still not put people off seeing it because it really is that stunningly shot and I value that.

Verdict: Movie

DAN