The Flu – don’t do

Usually when a subtitled film gets an Irish cinema release it’s due to critical acclaim or controversy. Lately more and more Bollywood films have been released in the cinema in Ireland due to a cult interest and Indian population boom, but it’s hard to see why Korean film The Flu made it onto UK and Irish screens. Not good enough to receive acclaim or culturally significantly enough to attract the Korean contingent, there’s nothing cult about this release. Its Sharknado meets Contagion, but not near as fun as that sounds.

A container full of illegal Chinese immigrants arrives in Korea with a deadly strain of flu that spreads through the Korean city of Bundang. Under lockdown the heavily influenced by America government decide how best to deal with the carnage that ensues through mass hysteria. Luckily (and conveniently to the point of ridiculousness) Ji-Goo (Jang Hyuk), In-Hae (Soo Ae) and her annoying as fook daughter are there at every important plot point to assist.

Jang Hyuk as Ji-Goo is extremely likeable despite the disaster that is the script and director. He escapes unscathed and is always watchable, with a fun opening scene. Unfortunately the rest of the cast are in a z-movie and don’t know it, delivering terrible lines with cringe worthy direction. It’s a mess, and not a fun one.

If you’re Korean and desperately homesick, maybe. Otherwise absolutely not.

1 out of 5

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire – c’mon the Capitol

Less than two years after the release of The Hunger Games a sequel is already upon us. No doubt an alarmingly quick turnaround was employed to capitalise on the trending fad, but can filmmakers really make a two hour plus film that quickly and still keep it of high quality? A last minute switch of director shed worryingly bad omens on this production, but luckily new director Francis Lawrence has managed to make an extremely entertaining sequel that although lacking in areas is proof enough that with the right people employed good films can be made quickly.

Haunted by the events of The Hunger Games, victor Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) returns to District 12 to live a reasonably comfortable life with her family, while the rest of her community struggle to put bread on the table. Dealing with a revolution in the districts sparked by Katniss, President Snow (Donald Sutherland) looks for ways to calm the mob, and devises a way to bring Katniss and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) back into an arena to battle. It’s not going to be as easy as Snow hopes though, with most of the new competitors determined to rebel.

Again Lawrence as brilliant as the reluctant Che Guevara, torn between keeping her family safe and speaking out against President Snow. She makes the franchise as she goes easily from action hero to hopeless teen. Expanding The Hunger Games universe the film also successfully brings in newcomers Sam Clafin and Jena Malone as fellow competitors, setting them up nicely for their place in the sequels. The new director and actors do a great job in keeping what could easily be a silly story in the realms of seriousness. Hutcherson as Peeta is again great in reprising his role as a not very typical hero, employing careful plans over heroics. As essential as Lawrence is the Peeta role could easily have been misplayed by a lesser actor and destroyed the heart of the franchise.

Unfortunately like the book this is an in-between film, and has no real satisfactory ending, instead leaving us to wait another year. Also the last hour in the arena seems rushed. The danger, competitiveness and entertainment of the games lacking. Less time making dresses and more action could have benefitted the film.

Definitely a franchise worth following. Let’s hope when the sequels appear we will have a great complete series.

3 out of 5

Blue is the warmest colour – definitely a French film

At three hours long, Blue is the Warmest Colour sometimes feels like the Lawrence of Arabia of lesbian love stories. Small in scope but epic in conviction, it leaves no leaf unturned in its depiction of a young French girl discovering her sexuality and the woman she becomes infatuated with. Winning the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes film festival it’s already received widespread critical acclaim, but bar a powerhouse central performance from discovery of the decade Adele Exarchopoulos, it’s hard to see what all the praise is for.

In the midst of awkward teenage girl talk and even more awkward teenage boys, hi-school student Adele (Adele Exarchopoulos) glances a mysterious blue-haired woman on the streets and soon fantasises about her. Tracking her down to a local gay bar the two strike up a friendship, and soon a relationship. Emma (Léa Seydoux) is an art student who believes everyone should have an artistic outlet, pressuring Adele and bringing up jealousies that interfere with an otherwise perfect romance.

It’s hard to discuss this film without mentioning sex, lesbian sex, in bucket loads. One audience member left during the first major lesbian sex scene (the straight one earlier didn’t offend him), while some audience members wanted to hi-five each other. Everyone will have a different opinion of these scenes, but I’m in the camp that gay or straight they do indulge at the length he gives them. Other aspects of the relationship are washed over leaving a questionable timeframe, but the sex is long but never really intimate or intense, feeling more like a peep show than a love scene.

Adele Exarchopoulos owns this film, the camera is on her constantly, even snotty nose and crying it loves her. She is more than the star of this film, she is this film, and it’s hard to see how it would have even existed without her.  From awkward conversations on the bus with teenage boys to inner torment while teaching young children to dance, she is magnificent. Her Adele feels completely real and never like a character in a film. Unfortunately, while all other performances are great in the film, no one matches her likeability, especially Lea Seydoux’s Emma, who just comes across as smug and arrogant. Seydoux’s performance is fine, but young stupid love aside it’s hard to understand what Adele sees in her, with Emma’s character not understanding of how young and vulnerable Adele is and just coming across as well, a bit of a bitch.

Not the masterpiece it’s been made out to be, but definitely a decent well told film, if over long and indulgent. The star is Adele Exarchopoulos, we look forward to more fine performances from her.

­­­3 out of 5

Gravity – Visuals go up, script comes down

What goes up must come down. That’s the central premise to Gravity; after a space station is destroyed by debris the survivors left floating in space have only one goal, to get back down to Earth. With stunning visuals and effects, Gravity is a rare film that’s worth the ridiculous price of an IMAX ticket. It’s tense, beautiful and breath-taking at moments, but unfortunately the script stops it from being the genre defining film it should have been, with weak dialogue and characters interrupting an otherwise accomplished film.

Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) has some emotional baggage but doesn’t let that stop her from becoming an astronaut, along with veteran Matt Kowalski (George Clooney); a country music fan and smooth talker in love with being in space. When debris hits their shuttle they’re left stranded, with minimum oxygen and Kowalski’s convenient jet pack. Alone in space their only hope is to make their way to another orbiting shuttle.

Director Alfonso Cuaron has made a fantastic looking film, with camera work, visuals and sound all combined to perfection. The long takes he uses make the whole thing both claustrophobic and exciting, with the camera following the characters from space to inside a shuttle to back out again. This film puts you in space and leaves you there. Thankfully Cuaron never cuts away to what’s happening back on Earth, leaving us feeling as alone as the characters.

Clooney is in autopilot here, playing the charmer. It’s something he could have done in his sleep and although he’s entitled to get a pay day, it really is no challenge for him. Bullock is excellent as the scared and inexperienced Ryan, learning to push herself to survive. Unfortunately the script never gives her character any great development or dialogue. Had the film simply been people alone in space trying to get home and concentrating solely on that this lack of development could be forgiven, but despite lack of oxygen the characters are given weak dialogue that poorly tries to give depth to them.

A visual treat, go see on the biggest screen possible and for once pay for 3D. Pity about the script but still worth going and indulging your eyes.

3 out of 5