The Hunt for Gollum 7/10

"The Hunt for Gollum" is a fan made film, by Chris Bouchard. It is set in the time of "The Fellowship of the Ring", more precisely near the beginning, during when Gandalf leaves the ring in the Shire with Frodo for 17 years. The story focuses on Aragorn, as he full fills Gandalf's wishes, to track down Gollum, so that his knowledge of the ring does not fall into the wrong hands.

It is a relatively short film, hitting about 40 minutes in length, but it still manages to give screen time to many things that would remind one of the magic of "The Fellowship of the Ring". Gandalf, Gollum, and Aragorn all make appearances, not to mention Arwen, the Elves of Mirkwood, as well as one of two moments of terror due to a Ringwraith.

If I was to have watched this as a full budget, Hollywood film, I would have been greatly disappointed. It's hard not to see it in an almost tacky light, with the average CGI effects, and the fact that the characters that we all know and love are played by different actors. But then, when I thought about it some more, I realised that for a fan made film, it actually exceeded all possible expectations, and was surprisingly a very good tie-in movie. Although Ian McKellan will always be Gandalf the Grey, and Viggo Mortensen will always be Aragorn, the actors in "The Hunt for Gollum" actually hold a quite resemblance.


Over all, for what it is, which is a low budget, fan made film, this movie is not bad at all! It may not be for everyone, but if you're looking for something to fill the void after the end of the trilogy, or just to occupy the time until "the Hobbit" is released, then this is for you!


The film is available to watch for free on the internet, just click on the link below:
http://www.thehuntforgollum.com/watchfilm.htm


7/10

Louis Theroux; America's Most Hated Family in Crisis 7/10

It's been four years since Theroux realised his documentary "America's Most Hated Family" in which he met with various members of the Westboro Baptist Church, whom spread "their" Christian message through hate, racism and homophobia.

This documentary is quite interesting, especially when it comes to the church members reactions to seeing Theroux again, as it is because of his previous documentary that they got a large amount of publicity. While they seem to try to suppress their anger, and to be very frustrated with how he presented them, they also, more subtly, seem to enjoy and embrace their infamy.



This time around the documentary focus more on the relationships between the family members, as the church's beliefs were greatly covered in the last programme. Theroux visits two young women whom have been completely cut of from their parents, and the rest of their family and community, for not agreeing with their points of view. Perhaps the most saddening moments, are when Theroux tries to talk to their parents, whom show no emotion about losing contact with their own daughters.


In my opinion, this documentary is a new step for Louis Theroux, as there are moments in which he is questioned for being biased, and for twisting the Churches words. It is intriguing how he copes with this, and shows his honesty. Also their are some obviously tense moments, such as when one of the members of the church shows Theroux, of Jewish heritage himself, and anti-semitic video complete with stereotypical portrayals of Jews and a fiery swastika.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ticxD0GfewA

7/10

London Boulevard 6/10

In the vain of "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" and "Snatch", this is another quirky London crime thriller. Colin Farrell plays the character of "Mitchell", a recently released convict, who does not want to return to his criminal past. Unfortunately for him, there are some that have other plans for him. While trying to stay clean, he stumbles into a new job, as a body guard for a young celebrity, Charlotte (Keira Knightley), who is completely plagued by paparazzi, and has become a hermit for fear of being harassed. When Mitchell's enemies learn of his relationship with Charlotte, it is up to him to save them both.

"London Boulevard" suits its unpolished finish, and there's plenty of depth to the film, such as when the character Charlotte makes a remark about how films always have a man protecting a woman, or its almost noir style.
Looking back, it seems as if the first half of this movie was quite good, and promised to lead somewhere, but then the ending let it down. Altogether though, it is not a bad movie, and if anything it is quite predictable, but also quite homely.

6/10

Rango 8/10

I went to see Rango expecting it to be a average kids CGI movie. But I loved it! It has a great story, it's genuinely funny, and there's a sh*t load of cheeky movie references!

Rango is a chameleon, and while he doesn't change colour much in the movie, he does tend adapt to different situations by pretending to be something hes not. When house-pet Rango falls out of a car in the middle of the Mojave desert, he stumbles into a solitary, western bar, complete with a door swinging saloon, an overweight banker, and a suspiciously cunning mayor. All the things a great western needs! Rango accidental becomes the new sheriff, and its up to him to find out who has been stealing the towns water!


I thoroughly enjoyed Rango, and all its cheesy moments!


8/10

Tomorrow, When the War Began 6/10

"Tomorrow, When the War Began" is the first installment in this epic story. While seven austrailian teenagers go camping in the back-arse of no where, their whole country is invaded and their families taken captive. After much thinking, arguing and other teenager stuff, they decide that they must fight back! Que awesome story.



While not a bad film, "Tomorrow, When the War Began" does seem a little empty, and I was left feeling like I had just watched a load of nothing. But one must realise that this is only the start of a series of films, and therefore the story is only warming up. If the books are anything to go by, this series looks like its gonna be a hell of a ride!

6/10

Wanted 7/10

"Wanted" is not an amazing film, by any stretch. But it's still damn enjoyable!

Full of ridiculous action and suspense, hailing from the tail-end of an era of slow-motion "Matrix"-esque fight scenes, and the sarcastic, dry, gritty humour of "Fight Club" that likes to remind us that we have boring lives, "Wanted" reeks of 1999. I watched this flick while eating a bag of Tangfastics and a glass of Coke, and sat back and forgot the world around me. The sheer over the top plot of "Wanted" makes it the perfect movie to zone out to, and just pretend you're 14 again!

7/10