FILM REVIEW | The Wolverine

Logan (Hugh Jackman), a.k.a. “The Wolverine”, is once again a lone wolf. After the devastating death of Jean Grey (Famke Janseen), Logan’s never been able to grasp what life should be like without her – and being immortal, it would be a long and lonely life.

The Story

The sub-story is Logan is trying to find a way to come to terms with the loss of Jean Grey. Throughout the film, Jean appears to him in dreams and visions beckoning him to come to her – that is, to die – which is impossible for his genetic mutation. The main story (that all the trailers showcase) is the idea that Logan has become human; needing the help of modern medicine and having someone to look after him, while simultaneously (and voluntarily) keeping a Japanese company heiress, Mariko Yashida (Tao Okamato), safe.

I personally liked the dual storyline that happens in this film. You have the main storyline that carries all the action, while the other serves as the underlying theme of Logan wanting to be human or normal. What I liked most about the story was it was focused mainly on The Wolverine. Unlike the first film (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) and the X-Men Trilogy, there weren’t too many mutants in the one film. Since that was the case, you were able to grasps the story and believe the action playing-out before you.

The Cast

Hugh Jackman – Brilliant (as always) as he reprises his role as Wolverine. Like any role he’s been given, Jackman gives 100% and brings a delightful balance of humour, wit and seriousness to the role, and Wolverine is no different. Hugh was absolutely flawless.

Rila Fukushima – plays fellow mutant, Yukio, an adopted daughter of the Yashida family. Fukushima was a great sidekick for Wolverine, and at times became the main source for comic relief. It was great to see a female-bad-ass in combat boots and fiery red-hair. Kudus to Rila!

Svetlana Khodchenkova – plays another mutant, Viper, Yashida’s doctor as well as one of Logan’s nemesis in this film. Khodchenkova was vicious, sensual and, well, gross. Spitting everywhere as well as shedding her skin – it’s a given for a reptile-like mutation. But she was believable on both accounts – scientist and villain – so kudos to Svetlana as well.

Tao Okamoto – following the current trend of the paradoxical trait of being a kick-ass damsel in distress, Okamoto was a brilliant surprise in the storyline. I don’t want to say too much, because (a) you kind of see it coming and (b) every superhero needs something added to their story to keep audiences entertained – meaning all audiences. But I thought she did a great job contrasting the roughness of Jackman’s beastly character with the gentleness and grace of Mariko.

Famke Janseen – it’s always nice to see familiar faces, and Janseen’s is no exception. After her abrupt and colossus death in X-Men: The Final Battle, it was nice to see the Jean Grey that Logan fell in love with, rather than the Jean Grey that she disappeared as.

Setting

Setting the film in Japan was a great idea. Not just plot-wise, but as well as action and scenery wise. The beauty of several Japanese gardens contrasted with iconic Japanese skyscrapers, along with several provincial residencies were all excellent places to tell each part of the story.

Overall 

The film was a great addition to the Marvel collection of the X-Men Saga, but it’s also a great film that stands on it’s own. Marvel fans will love the simplicity of the story line as well as the execution. What I love the most about Marvel films is the transcendental inclusion of different languages, cultures and the histories that turns the differences into a similarity. You get a great sense of the Japanese culture in this film and really appreciate how history interplays with the world of Marvel. The only thing left for me to say is: GO SEE IT.

sL Star Rating: 4.5 Stars

Next on sL:  Now You See Me

VIDEO CLIP: One Direction - Best Song Ever

I reviewed the song last week, but with the song available on Vevo and iTunes as well as the long awaited video is now officially released, I thought I'd do a new post as an addition to my initial post.

The Video: is nothing short of entertaining. Best Song Ever is a culmination of the energy and all the dance moves from their previous videos. The theme of the video is that nothing will change the look and the style of 1D no matter how well it's presented to them or how big the producers get.

I was completely wrong about the falsetto! It's Zayn Malik ladies and gentlemen! Kudos, kudos to Mr Malik. I loved the video. It's a great lead into the upcoming film and it's absolutely so much fun to watch the boys talk to themselves. It's something new for them, but it's still completely them at the same time. It has nothing to do with the lyrics of the song, but it's a great video for the overall purpose of the song.

sL Star Rating: 5 Stars

Next on sL: The Wolverine

NEW SINGLE: One Direction - Best Song Ever

BEST SONG EVER

With This Is Us coming to cinemas this year (along with the Take Me Home Tour still in full motion), One Direction have given their fans something extra while they wait for the official 1D3D film. BEST SONG EVER is the latest release from the boys, being aired and released on Vevo on Friday 19^th July with the official song available for purchase on iTunes this Monday 22^nd July. The song is specifically written for the film but it stands on its own as well.

Best Song Ever is about a meeting between a boy and girl and having the best night of their lives dancing to ‘the best song ever’. That’s all good and fun, but like a night out and having too much to drink, the song clearly states that ‘they can’t remember’ the actual song that they were dancing and singing along to. They ‘think it went, “oh-oh-oh”’ or maybe it was, ‘yeah-yeah-yeah’ – either way, it was a great song, they just cant remember it. So clearly the ‘best song ever’ is nothing compared to once-in-a-life-time meeting. How…sweet?

There’s this amazing falsetto at the end of the song and I can’t really make out who it is. My money is either on Harry or Liam – but I guess we’ll have to wait for the official video, which is released on Monday along with the song. I’m looking forward to the video, I personally think One Direction have the best videos since their One Thing. And judging from the previews is still the boys to the tee.

sL Star Rating: 3 Stars

Next: Best Song Ever [Video Review] –  enjoy the video previews:

Niall:

Liam:

Harry:

Louis:

Zayn:

Final Preview

NEW SINGLE: X Factor // Samantha Jade: Firestarter // Johnny Ruffo: Untouchable

X Factor finalists (and winners) have been busy bringing out new stuff for fans to enjoy. Since I haven't reviewed the music scene on my own blog (other reviews on: Love Music; Love Life), I thought I should come back and do an X Factor special considering Season FOUR starts MONDAY 29th JULY.

Johnny Ruffo - Untouchable

The Song: Going for a JT vibe, Untouchable has Ruffo showing off is falsettos and the accompaniment brings you to your feet. Which is no joke considering...

The Video: ALSO has a JT feel with the black and white glaze along with suit and ties - not to mention epic dance moves. I did get distracted by the guy closest to Ruffo on the right, who is half a beat slower than everyone else. Other than that, I preferred watching the video than listening to the song.

sL Star Rating: 3 Stars

***

Samantha Jade - Firestarter

The Song: JT aside, Kylie seems to be re-incarnated through look AND sound for 2012's X Factor winner, Samantha Jade's new single. Although Sammy-Jay has been herald the new Kylie, it's great to see her coming into her own. Staying true to her winner's single, 'What You've Done To Me', Firestarter, carries the same fierce attitude that got Sammy through last year's competition.

The Video: Also with a black and white glaze, has a little Ellie Golding feel to showcase the  fire-starter glow that the song alludes to. There's no denying that there's an extra large dollop of sexiness added to the mixture of excellent dancing and heated performance shots.

sL Star Rating: 4 Stars

Next on sL: Best Song Ever by ONE DIRECTION

FILM REVIEW | Man of Steel

Clark (The Tudors’, Henry Cavill) never fit in. Always being the heroic freak – a combination that is harder to live out than define – of the Kansas town, Smallville, his never really known what it meant to be different. But after a close encounter with something that should not have been seen by human eyes, Clark realises that it’s time to fulfil he’s greater purpose.

The Story

Alright, the last time we saw Superman, he was coming back to earth with the storyline that he may or may not have a son with Lois Lane. This time around we’re taken back to the fall of Krypton and we’re back to basics with the introduction to the supernatural-farm-boy Clark Kent with an eye for the feisty reporter, Lois Lane, played by Enchanted’s, Amy Adams.

I’m not a big Superman fan, so I have to assume that it’s a revival of the essence of the comic book series (DC Comic nerds please don’t kill me!). I thought the story was fine, flashing back and forth between past and present to signify Clark’s self-discovery is great and new. In this new take, we see the more of the human side of Superman that the writers intended in comparison to the ‘super’-ness of his character.

But let’s cut to the chase, it’s still Lois Lane meets Clark Kent and at the end of the day, Superman is still the blue-eyed-underwear-on-top-of-the-spandex-ripped-superhero that we all fell in love when the first film came out in 1978.

The Cast

Henry Cavill – Not going to lie, as dazzling as Superman is suppose to be – and history shows that a few of the best looking actors have played the incredible superhero – I was more entertained by the authority that Cavill brings to the character in the delivery of his lines. For the first time in a long time, Superman is actually a leader rather than some coy farm boy trying to be normal for Lois one minute and saving her the next. Cavill commands the audience with his voice rather than his prowess, and personally, I thought he made Superman a lot more attractive when he was rugged rather than the clean-cut spandex look.

Amy Adams – finally landing the role that she’s always wanted, I have to take my hat-off of Miss Adams for her portrayal of one of the most well known superhero love interest. I like that she was more reporter than damsel in distress – so kudos to both Adams and the writing team for capturing the reality of what a journalist really goes through in the field.

Michael Shannon – Every hero needs a villain, and although Shannon was a phenomenal actor and played a solid contrast to Cavill, I was more distracted with the fact that he looked more like he popped out of a video game – everything about his look was off-putting in terms of detail. I only point this out because everyone else was not as perfect as his character. Kudos to the acting, but I think the hair and make-up department let the character down slightly.

Overall

Execution was great, but I have to say that it was way too long. By the time Clark and Lois kiss it’s like, cool-done-finished, but it’s not! Personally I thought the final fight sequence should have come sooner and that a lot of those action sequences were simply too video game like – too fast and it looked like a trailer for the next gaming thrill rather than an action sequence. I loved the first half, but I just wasn’t convinced with the second half.

sL Star Rating: 3.5 Stars

Next on sL: TBA