I Love Sarah Jane… But Only As A Very Good Friend! // I Love Sarah Jane Short Film Review

Plot Synopsis:

Jimbo is 13 and can think of only one girl — Sarah Jane. And no matter what stands in his way-bullies, violence, chaos, or zombies-nothing will stop him from finding a way into her world.

Full Review:

I am absolutely drained out from all of my exams. Never have I carried out so much revision in my life and I still have a few more exams to go! I am as exhausted as Rick Ross on a treadmill. So when it came to deciding what film to review this week, I thought to myself “What is the cinematic equivalent to how I feel at the minute?” And the answer? Zombies!!! But not just any zombie flick… A romantic zombie flick! The reason for this is because I’ve seen quite a few attractive ladies in the exam hall!!! There is always a reason.

Anyway, I Love Sarah Jane is a quirky and very gritty romantic drama that, ironically, has very humanistic characters and rather compelling dramatic friction between each of them. But at the end of the day, I feel the same way about this that I do about my recent Psychology exam: the bits that were done well were done REALLY well but overall could’ve been just a tad better.

I’ll start with what I liked. The characters. There is a healthy variety between each character’s personality; our lead is shy and timid, his love interest Sarah Jane (played by Mia Wasikowska!) is bitter and owns one hell of a foul mouth, and those around them resemble chavs that think they’re so cool but are actually weak as brittle. Visit North London if you want to know what I mean!They all behave and act just as they should in an dystopian apocalypse; sad, angry, and hopeless. And they interact accordingly too. Everyone’s nerves are slowly shredding and they are unsure of what to do with themselves for good reason: it’s the zombie apocalypse! In short, each character felt relatable, authentic, and deserving to be included in the film.

Of course, no character is made without a great actor behind them. And thankfully, the acting talent in this short is IN SPADES!!! BA DUM TSS! (if you’ve seen the film, you’ll understand that pun!). Mia Wasikowska (Alice In Wonderland, Lawless) stars in one of her early roles as the no-bullsh*t persona Sarah Jane, and you can absolutely tell she was gonna go places! She is lean, fierce and commands every scene she’s in. And even better, the boy who plays our adorably sympathetic lead Jimbo (Brad Ashby) adds a lot of much needed heart to the film. The other three characters all kind of feel the same as each other and there isn’t anything greatly unique with how they portray their characters, so they unfortunately don’t make such a grand contribution to the film as much as Ashby or Wasikowska.

On the other hand, the screenwriter contributes something of his own: substance. Even though this is technically a zombie film, the divine characters carry the most significance throughout which makes it more of a gripping drama in the vein of The Road and The Walking Dead rather than a guns-blazing shoot-em-up. The film cleverly uses the zombie theme only to assist and heighten the drama and increase the conflict between our characters.

Unfortunately, the script trips over the hands of a brain devouring zombie and falls flat on its face, ready to be eaten for lunch, near the end. From frame one all the way to roughly the 12 minute mark, the film told a engaging story that took a unique twist of the tired tropes of its own genre. But sadly, as the film reaches a close, it retreats from it’s humble base and decides to take cover in the Cliché Camp. I won’t spoil what happens but the film’s final frames very quickly became painfully predictable and lost most of the overall credibility that made the film intriguing to begin with. Also, I feel that for what’s only a fifteen minute movie that it kind of dragged along a little bit too slowly which (only slightly) dulled the punch of the otherwise compelling drama.

But as a whole, did I think I Love Sarah Jane was a bad movie because of this? Hell no! There are way too many great assets of this film that are too hard to ignore, despite a few of them being tainted by the film’s faults. I still recommend this film as it’s a refreshing change to your movie loving system and overall it is indeed a extremely well made short. And as well as being cliché, the ending is quite gruesome. So this might not be for the faint hearted!

Fergie’s Final Fifteen:

Solid acting, coupled with arresting characters and bewitching turmoil. An invigorating experience despite inadequate ending.

Here’s a link to the short for you to enjoy in all of it’s gruesome and slightly heartwarming glory!

 

The Words // A Written Review Of A Film About A Book?!?!

Plot Synopsis:

A writer at the peak of his literary success (Bradley Cooper) discovers the steep price he must pay for stealing another man’s work. Also starring Jeremy Irons, Zoe Saldana, Dennis Quaid, and Olivia Wilde.

Official Trailer:

Full Review:

Okay guys, listen up. I’m going to share some personal news with you all. I’ve always wanted to be a writer. Despite my adoration for film and cinema, my love for movies is mainly due to my fascination with books and novels. Ever since the age of five, I’ve wrote many short stories (which were all terrible) and have read many superbly written novels. And in fact, I’m planning to write a full length science fiction novel and hoping to finish it later this year. At heart, I’m a bookworm and I’m a proud one at that.

So when I heard that this film was about a struggling writer trying to break into the publishing industry, I was intrigued. And I was even more intrigued when I heard that Bradley Cooper (Silver Linings Playbook, The Place Beyond The Pines) and Jeremy Irons (Die Hard With A Vengeance, The Lion King) were starring. And when I learnt it was a drama, I was flat out excited! You guys know how much I love my dramas!!
So what did I think of The Words? I thought it was good, but not brilliant. I was immersed into the story, but my experience was tainted by a few bothersome flaws in which I will divulge into.

As always, we’ll begin with what the film did well. Like I said earlier, I was immersed into the story and that wouldn’t be the case if I didn’t care so much about the characters. With this being a drama, good character development was vital in making this a successful film and thankfully, every character had a excellent amount of substance and great significance. No matter what emotion each character is feeling, you feel the same as they do as if you’re holding their hand throughout, which is something every film should aim to do.

Of course, great characters wouldn’t exist without great acting. Fortunately, The Words has exactly that, which isn’t much of a surprise with the talents of Cooper and Irons being showcased on screen who play their respective parts well, particularly Jeremy Irons who effortlessly exudes emotion and feeling in his role. Zoe Saldana (Avatar, Star Trek) gives a good performance as well, and quite possibly the best I’ve seen her. But to be honest, the only people I didn’t like we’re Olivia Wilde and Dennis Quaid. I just found them slightly annoying and their characters seemed to belong in a bad RomCom, judging by how they interacted with each other. They don’t have roles that dominate the story much so it’s not a major issue but it’s still an issue I had nevertheless.

Apart from the acting, I was invested in this film due to how layered this film was. In case you’re unaware, the film bounces back and forth between three time periods; the past, present, and future. The story that takes place in the present is (very aptly) narrated by Dennis Quaid from the future time period, who makes mention of Jeremy Irons’s character who then narrates the story from the past. So, it’s a story within a story within a story… Story-ception!!! But seriously, each layer is handled well and given enough importance and dedication. So big credit to the film for that.

However, where the acting and the story structure excel, the writing itself falls short. At times, the story is very cliché and therefore feels a little bit like ‘Been here, done that‘, with scenarios such as the classic “Two Strangers Talk On A Bench In The Park” and the family favourite “Moving Into New House To Start A New Life”.Because of these clichés, the story can also feel pretty predictable, especially the ending. Although it was touching and eloquent, I saw it coming from a mile away. With a strong story of this calibre, its a massive shame that these factors bring down the film’s overall quality by a few notches.

I also felt that pacing was a fairly big issue. By that, I mean it wasn’t ‘in your face’ big but it was noticeable and consequently off putting. As previously mentioned, the film takes place throughout three different time periods and it is for this reason that we are unsure of how long each period lasts. I have no idea how long Bradley Cooper had to suffer through his ordeal and it’s repercussions since it is not addressed or even subtly mentioned. Just to prove my point, Cooper is told to get a job (don’t worry, no spoilers!) and yet a minute later, he’s nailed a work placement and then another minute later, he says he’s worked there for two friggin’ years! Films don’t have to show us everything, but I would’ve liked to see build up of some kind.

And whilst on the topic of clichés, the dialogue was a bit iffy and wasn’t incredibly original in some regard. As a whole, it’s just passable but during some scenes, you can kind of sense awkwardness and inauthenticity in the flow of the conversation and the words the characters speak. I may only be picking up on this due to being exposed to SO many films with dialogue exactly like this and I’m fairly confident regular audiences won’t give a toss about whether or not the dialogue seems forced or somewhat contrived. But I’m not regular, so I do give a toss about it!!

It really irritates me that The Words has a inviting story that’s on the verge of riveting, but is unfortunately scattered with amateurish imperfections in how it’s executed. The script could’ve been improved by a substantial amount but I will say that the enjoyability of the film isn’t degraded because of this. I didn’t want to kill myself while watching this film, which is an added bonus(!), and I definitely don’t regret seeing it as it has some very moving and wonderfully composed moments. But at the end of the day, I have to compare it to an attractive woman with a terrible personality. It’s beautiful on the surface, but it’s inherent flaws sadly cannot be ignored.

Fergie’s Final Fifteen:

Poignant and captivating, but is woefully ironic in its flaws. Not painful but not magnificient.

Rating:

C+

I liked the film for what it was trying to do; to tell a great story in a midst of rehashed and unoriginal Hollywood films. Ultimately, I would still recommend the film but just keep in mind that you should not expect the same level of filmmaking as Citizen Kane or the same quality of screenwriting as any one of Quentin Tarantino’s movies. Enjoy the film for what it is and you will have a good time.

 

The Southern Belle // A Must-Watch Short Film

Plot Synopsis:

The paths of two starkly different men, a generation apart, converge late one evening for them to discover they have a dark and destructive bond. Starring Theodore Bouloukos and Ethan Sharrett.

Official Trailer:

Full Review:

Well, this is something different! I was planning to review The Inbetweeners Movie since someone made the request (you can do the same thing by visiting the ‘Make A Request‘ page!). But unfortunately, exams and schoolwork have snuck up on me faster than I expected, meaning my time to watch and review a full length film has (for the time being) gone down the drain, just like my possible success rate for these exams! But does that mean I won’t post a review? Of course not!. The only difference being that this is a review of a short film. A darn good short film at that!!

This slow-sifting yet intense 10 minute flick is slightly hard for me to review properly since I really don’t want to spoil anything. I think it’s best if you go into this movie without knowing too much as the plot isn’t incredibly complex and elaborate. The simplicity of The Southern Belle means there’s not a lot we, as an audience, need to keep track of which means that we can really appreciate the bare bones of the film and it’s story. And this definitely is not a bad thing at all! As Albert Einstein once said, “Keep it simple, but no simpler”

In a film like this, the screenplay really needs to shine. And boy, this script shines as bright as the sun! Filled with realistic, down to Earth dialogue that is crisp and engaging, the script makes The Southern Belle one of the most well written short films I’ve ever seen. To whoever wrote this film, you my friend have earned yourself a very well deserved pat-on-the-back from me! And the script gives us characters, although in a small quantity, that we can latch onto within the very first couple of minutes and also perfectly understand their behavioural characteristics within the ten minute time frame. If that’s not good writing, I don’t know what is!

The cinematography is really something to marvel at as well, especially considering the budget they had and the several constrictions they faced while filming because of this. Going for a dark and moody look, the film looks and therefore feels like a high budget movie. It really goes to show you that you don’t need a million dollar budget to make a good movie; you just need talent.

And by that, I mean you need talent both behind and in front of camera. Luckily, The Southern Belle has a lot of unknown but still fantastic talent in front of the camera! The only two actors in this short are stupendous, particularly the taxi driver Bob played by Theodore Bouloukos, who collectively are able to clearly and masterfully establish as well as maintain tension from the get-go as their conversation, and inherent suspense, grows to it’s teeth grinding climax.

I won’t say too much more in fear of spoiling it for you, so I guess I’ll end my review here! You can watch the film in full underneath this article; it will be the best ten minutes you will spend this week. Trust me!!

Fergie’s Final Fifteen:

A digestive, exhilarating and truly riveting piece of quality filmmaking, all squeezed within ten minutes.

Rating:

A+

The Southern Belle is definitely one of the best short films I’ve seen and it absolutely, without question, deserves your undivided attention. I highly urge you to check it out below. Now I’m off to try and not fail my exams by staring blankly at several convoluted and downright useless textbooks! Wish me luck!!

P.S I’m thinking of doing more short film reviews in the future since my schedule is getting tighter and tighter as time goes on. With this in mind, I would love to know your favourite short films (if you have any!) Tell me in the comments below!!

 

Martha Marcy May Marlene // A Masterpiece or A Misfire?

Plot Synopsis:

Haunted by painful memories and increasing paranoia, a damaged woman (Elizabeth Olsen) struggles to re-assimilate with her family (Sarah Paulson & Hugh Dancy) after fleeing from an abusive cult. Also starring John Hawkes.

Official Trailer:

Full Review:

Before I begin, I should point out something which some friends of mine have really seemed to understand. I’M NOT A HIPSTER. There, I said it! People have called me the H-word several times throughout the years, mainly due to my fascination with indie films and alternative music as well as my admiration for photography and art. So let me get something straight, because I don’t conform to most mainstream media, I’m suddenly a hipster?! Society is a weird thing…

Anyway, Martha Marcy May Marlene is an indie film (hence why I had to mention the above point) and it’s a pretty good one at that. If you don’t mind slow paced movies, that is. This is a chilling tale and an excellent directorial debut from Sean Durkin. But blimey, this has the pace of a tortoise!

Let’s be fair to the film and discuss what’s good about it. Like I said earlier, this is a stupendous debut from Sean Durkin whom I’m really looking forward to seeing more of in the future. Channeling Stanley Kubrick in many ways, Durkin has shots that linger for much longer than we’ve come to expect which really drives home the uncomfortable nature of the movie. The unconventional style of editing is also a huge plus, as many conversations stay focused on just a single character as opposed to switching back and forth between each actor partaking in the conversation.

And the conversations feel genuine too. Thanks to a solid screenplay, you understand the nature of each character and so every word they speak doesn’t feel out of place and cliché. In fact, there’s not a single cliché in sight! And boy is that refreshing to see?! With the dialogue aside, the script does a good job of developing each character as well as the relationships that bind them together, particularly the relationship between Elizabeth Olsen and John Hawkes.

Speaking of which, Elizabeth Olsen stars in her first feature length film role (going on to star in Silent House, Spike Lee’s Oldboy and this year’s Godzilla). And just like all of the other reviewers are saying, Olsen is marvellous in this role bringing a cold yet electrifying performance to the table as Martha, who is a character that needed some serious acting chops to pull off in order for the audience to feel sympathetic for her and at the same time wonder about her history, which is vital for this film. Thankfully, Olsen does that to an excellent degree.

John Hawkes (The Sessions, Winter’s Bone) is my main highlight giving an incredibly creepy and haunting performance as the abusive cult leader Patrick, and also gives us an fantastic little acoustic song as well! I immediately checked it out on YouTube after viewing the film, and I urge you to do the same! Search ‘Marcy’s Song by John Hawkes’ after you’ve read this article… you’re welcome. Sarah Paulson, who has starred in Mud (check out my review here!) gives a performance which unfortunately doesn’t really stretch past anything I’ve already seen her do, but that doesn’t detract from the movie at all.

And even though I said the fact that this film doesn’t have any clichés is refreshing, I will say that Martha Marcy May Marlene is DEFINITELY NOT a refreshing watch! At the end, because of the content, you will feel as if you need to immediately hop in the shower to cleanse yourself. It is rather uncomfortable at times and you can’t help but question yourself “Why did I watch this expecting a jolly good time?!” Because trust me, like other films such as Schindler’s List, this isn’t something to watch on a Saturday night with your mates (unless they’re fans of art house films!)

And as mentioned previously, this film is incredibly slow in pace. It really takes its time to get up and running properly and even from that point on, it is a slow journey that demands the audience’s attention and focus. When I first watched the film, I realised it was a slow film but I didn’t mind it since I can sit through a slow sifting movie when I’m in the mood. But on my second viewing, I was getting kind of bored! This may have been because there was no allure and intrigue throughout the film during my second time watching it, which is a huge pivotal point of the story. So the ratio between repeatability and enjoyment may slowly deteriorate viewing after viewing.

I’m also not confident what most people will think of this film when they watch for themselves, making me question whether or not this is a film worth sharing. The reason why I bring this up is because as I was watching the film, my loud mouth brother barges into the room (not giving a damn if I’m trying to enjoy a movie in silence) and then, with a confused yet disgusted look on his face, he rather abruptly shouts “WTF is this?! That sh!t is weird!!”. Yes, that’s how he speaks. No joke. But despite the inconsiderable manner of my brother, he has made me wonder how the average audience member would react to the film. Although this won’t greatly affect my mark, I thought it was worth bringing up so I could tell you guys how much of a prat my brother is!

To finish off, I will say that Martha Marcy May Marlene is a disturbing, goosebump-inducing journey that, although stretches out the runtime as much as it can, is a film worthy of your attention if you’re willing to slowly sift through tense scenes that are guaranteed to cause personal discomfort and gradual nail biting.

Fergie’s Final Fifteen:

A dramatic roller-coaster that is hauntingly exhilarating, but prepare to feel dirty and incredibly uncomfortable.

Rating:

A-

At the end of the day, I really liked this movie for what it was trying to achieve and I most definitely do not regret seeing it. However, because the pacing has the same resemblance as a garden snail, I simply cannot love it the way I want to. But if you’re a huge fan of films like 2001: A Space Oddessy and you live by the motto ‘Patience is a Virtue’, this might just be your kind of film. But other than that, Martha Marcy May Marlene is certainly a film worth watching at least once.

 

My Valentine’s Day Pick // MUD Film Review

Plot Synopsis:

Two young boys (Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland) encounter a man (Matthew McConaughey) living alone on an island and form a pact to help reunite him with the love of his life Juniper (Reese Witherspoon). Also starring Sam Shepard, Sarah Paulson and Ray McKinnon.

Official Trailer:

Full Review:

Considering it was ‘Make Single People Feel Bad About Themselves’ Day (AKA Valentine’s Day) on Friday, I thought I would review a film that suits the occasion. Although this is an unconventional choice for most, I highly recommend viewing Jeff Nichols’s cinematic triumph Mud with your loved one next Valentine’s Day since it is a far better alternative to McCounaughey’s other romance movies! But seriously, whether it is Valentine’s or not, you need to watch Mud no matter what as it is a brilliant study of the emotionally damaging effects of love and affection.

Let’s get the obvious out of the way first. Matthew McConaughey (The Lincoln Lawyer, Killer Joe) gives yet another charismatic performance as the title (but not lead) character Mud. His acting in this role is very down to earth and somewhat minimalistic, which makes sympathising with his character so much easier. And ladies, despite showing off his abs during one scene, he doesn’t particularly have the nicest teeth in this role. Oh well. You win some, you lose some!

You might’ve noticed how I had to point out how McConaughey is not the lead character. The reason for this is because, from my perspective, he really isn’t the main character. Sure, he is the storyline’s most pivotal point and McConaughey has the star power, but I believe Tye Sheridan’s character Ellis is the film’s main focus since he is given the most screen time and has to face more dilemma than anyone else.

With that being said, Sheridan (Tree Of Life) is absolutely spectacular in this role, giving the best child actor performance I’ve seen since Christian Bale’s outstanding performance in Empire Of The Sun. If that’s not high praise, then I don’t know what is!. He is able to express feelings of happiness, sadness, despair, anger and heartbreak throughout the film to a sublime level, perfectly complimenting the talent of McConaughey. This kid is going places!.

Jacob Lufland also gives a great performance as Ellis’s best friend Neckbone who also gives us some comic relief to allow the audience to breath between the more electrifying and dramatic sequences. Despite having very little to work with, Reese Witherspoon contributes another good performance to the movie’s top notch acting portfolio as McConaughey’s on-screen sweetheart Juniper. Michael Shannon (who has worked with Jeff Nichols previously) also makes an appearance, but unfortunately his talents aren’t fully capitalised upon since he plays such a minor role, which is a real shame but because he is still able to give a decent performance, it ultimately doesn’t hurt the film that much.

On another note, the cinematography is as gorgeous as the orange glow from an early morning sunrise. At no point does this film appear ugly or unattractive as every frame is aesthetically wonderful and glorious. Perfectly capturing the atmosphere of sunny Americana, the soundtrack consists of very well chosen country and folk music you can’t’ help but tap your foot along to. Watching (as well as listening to) Mud takes you on a luxurious miniature holiday, immersing you further into the film more than you could imagine. Plus, Jeff Nichols’s direction really adds to the visual beauty by providing many shots showcasing the natural environments surrounding our characters in all of their glory.

Speaking of Jeff Nichols (Take Shelter, Shotgun Stories), who directed and wrote this film, the writing is phenomenal! Rich with raw emotion and superb dialogue for one to sink his/her teeth into, the story is a fantastic analysis of the false representations of love and how reality is a harsh truth that always advocates the destruction of the delusion of a perfect relationship that we can ALL relate to. Thanks to this, Mud ends up being an extremely heartwarming and occasionally heartbreaking tale of true love which makes us question the lengths one will go to in order to keep their other half safe. In turn, this will pull you and your other half closer together more so than ever before, and hopefully make you cherish the love of your life for as long as you’re together.

And that’s why I’m recommending this as a movie to watch with your boyfriend/girlfriend. Mud does something that every single RomCom cannot do even if they tried; it makes you feel something. You and your companion will not finish the film with the thoughts “Why can’t our relationship be like that?!” but instead your relationship will benefit from knowing the love between the two of you will never die. Granted, I can’t tell you that with experience since the only companion I have at the minute is my cat! We’re actually going through some troubles at this moment of time, but hopefully all the fighting and arguing will end very soon … She won’t even talk to me!!

Fergie’s Final Fifteen:

A riveting drama that tugs on the heart strings like no other. A romantic triumph.

Rating:

A

Gone are the days where you’re left with no choice but to watch the latest ‘chick flick’ with your partner when instead you can watch this stupendous piece of cinema and not feel utterly compelled to kill yourself!

 

My First Review! // The Dark Knight

Plot Synopsis:

In this sequel to the critically acclaimed Batman Begins, Batman/Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) raises the stakes in his war on crime. With the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), Batman sets out to dismantle the remaining criminal organizations that plague the city streets. The partnership proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a reign of chaos unleashed by a rising criminal mastermind known to the terrified citizens of Gotham as The Joker (Heath Ledger). Also starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michael Caine, and Morgan Freeman.

Official Trailer:

Full Review:

Before I begin this review, I would like to explain why I chose to look at The Dark Knight for the blog’s first ever review. The reason is that this will be one of the easiest films for me to review. Why? Because there’s nothing to pick apart. NOTHING!. This is genuinely one of the few perfect films in the history of cinema. WHOA! “That’s a really bold statement” I hear most of you cry. I understand it’s something that can twist several knots in a lot of people’s panties, but I stand by it completely and I’m here to back up why I think it cannot be improved upon.

Directed by Christopher Nolan (Memento, Inception), The Dark Knight is yet another Batman film. This was the seventh Batman movie to be released in the uber-successful franchise and the second of which to feature The Joker as the villain. Oscar winning actor Jack Nicholson (The Shining, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest) played the clown prince of crime originally in the Tim Burton gothic flick simply titled Batman, released in 1989. So what exactly does The Dark Knight have to offer? A superhero story which pushes all the boundaries and completely obliterates the mould of modern comic book movies. It’s also completely different to the atrocious (but hilarious) Batman And Robin, which is definitely a plus!

The first major strength of this film is the script. My god, this is exactly how a script should be written! The story is woven together so well, it flows like the beverage you bought in the foyer being slurped up by the straw. And every line of dialogue spoken just feels so right. Every word has a purpose; not one fragment of the script is wasted on anything we know already; something so many screenplays suffer from. Speaking of the dialogue (Ha! Get it?! Speaking? Dialogue! … never-mind), this screenplay is responsible for some truly memorable quotes which I always try to slip into conversation, including the infamous question posed by Ledger’s character “Why So Serious?”. Each letter that drips out of the character’s mouths is pure movie gold.

The acting is great all around as well, as you expect from such a top notch cast. Christian Bale really gives depth to the character of Bruce Wayne; pulling off the egotistical side of him in a sublime manner and the broken, damaged side of him in such a way that you can relate to a billionaire who dresses up as a giant bat at night. It takes a really good movie in order to pull that off! And I know some of you hate the fact that Batman sounds like he has throat cancer, but personally I don’t mind it. It’s there for a reason; to scare the seedy underbelly of Gotham to their core, and it works.

Gary Oldman plays Batman’s trusty partner in crime Lieutenant Gordon. Well, he’s Batman’s crime partner only in this movie since Robin is not included! As you expect from Oldman, a quality performance helps the audience sympathise with his character as he tries to correct the corrupt legal system and end the high octane mayhem. Aaron Eckhart also gives a good performance as you watch his character struggle to cope with the madness inflicted upon him and those he holds dearest.

But of course, this wouldn’t be a complete review if I didn’t talk about a certain actor’s iconic performance. Heath Ledger’s Joker. What else do you want me to say about this magnificent performance?! Seriously, there isn’t much I can add to the large amount of praise for Ledger’s oscar winning performance. But I will say that I’m a HUGE Batman fan and I can safely claim that the Joker that’s portrayed in this film is the perfect Joker. You don’t know his background, his real name is unknown and he doesn’t have any motives. As Michael Caine’s Alfred puts it, he is someone “who just wants to watch the world burn” His chilling chuckle sends shivers down my spine every time I hear it.

The Dark Knight has set a new precedent for all films being released nowadays. Not many films can sell an idea that’s as ridiculous as a vigilante dressed as a bat. And many films still can’t pull off the same realism inherent in this film. It’s completely in it’s own league and has yet to be matched. This is a truly immersive experience which I can very happily watch over and over again. Plus, it looks stunning on Blu-ray!

Fergie’s Final Fifteen:

Simply brilliant on every level. A true masterpiece of cinema. This is a MUST see!!

Rating:

A+

What else did you expect?!