When the Lights Went Out | Blu-ray Review

Hailed as Europe's most violent haunting, the Pontefract Haunting is the focus of this latest ghost chiller in Brit supernatural thriller When the Lights Went Out.

As the Pritchard family finally move into their newly-assigned Council house, excitement roars for a home of their own to decorate and live, happily, in with their young daughter. It isn't until nightly interruptions force the young girl, Sally (Tasha Connor), to realise something isn't quite right in their home in Pontefract. Unbelieving parents Jenny (Kate Ashfield) and Len (Steven Waddington) brush off the allegations of a haunting and blame it on Sally, feeling awfully silly once the supernatural being begins to play with their emotions.

Ghost stories as of late have been filmed on the overtly-dependable found-footage genre, ala Paranormal Activity who, essentially, revived the sub-genre and spawned many a-sequel, as well a brand new, other projects. True, it's become tiresome, so when we're given a supernatural thriller without the sub-genre we've solely depended on, it's slightly stunning. And with a tag such as "Based on a true story", we've only to expect the most expected. We've seen it all, no? This is When the Lights Went Out's true downfall, it's absolutely expected, everything and anything.

Known to some as the haunting of The Black Monk of Pontefract for the hidden, malicious spirit residing in 30 East Drive Chequerfield, and unlike in the film, said haunting took place over a number of years. Perhaps if this was included and exaggerated in Pat Holden's chiller, a sense of exhaustion for the family may have been exuded. A prolonged sense of dread and terror, instead of the inevitable slapdash series of typical ghostly activity. Moving lights, creaks, shadows and the odd squealing of a pig being slaughtered. The latter was slightly unnerving, followed ever so quickly by a giggle. Where did it come from?

Typical jump scares are in the form of sudden thuds, with the occasional building of suspense (a scene involving the father in a back room with a looming, blackened figure) proving most successful, but it's too quick for its own good, and is shortly interrupted by bursts of bad acting, poorly conceived sub-characters who merely address said problem as "the ghost". It's awfully rushed, but never feels totally wasted. It does frighten to an extent, and if you're eligible for a jump or two you'll be fidgeting like no ghost's business. It doesn't exactly cross into the dreadful until the last act, by which the beckoning of the credits will seem like a godsend.

Verdict: A rushed, painfully generic ghost story with a tag that introduces one too many promises. A core performance by newcomer Tasha Connor is watchable, but barely scrapes passed everything else that offends the eyes and ears.

Take This Waltz | Blu-ray Review

Starring: Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, Luke Kirby, Sarah Silverman

Directed by: Sarah Polley

Still riding from the critical success of her directorial debut Away from Her, Sarah Polley's follow-up feature, Take This Waltz, continues a string her personal series of dealing with conceptually heavy-handed material. Though, unlike Away from Her, it doesn't quite deem itself as successful due to one primary factor: the cast.

Margot (Michelle Williams) is a happily married woman. Living day-to-day with a smile on her face with cookbook-writing husband Lou (Seth Rogen) in a idyllic, suburban lifestyle amidst the blistering heat of Toronto. It isn't until she meets the artist across the street, Daniel (Luke Kirby), that her affections detour towards another man, bringing to light a dozen insecurities she has about her marriage and her lifestyle itself.

Polley knows what she's doing; her directorial techniques are what i'd personally deem quaint. The lighting is often intensely dazzling, splashing together a cornucopia of fresh colours amidst a searing summer. But while she captures what the most settled, idyllic and dream-like lifestyle, it parallels quite extensively with a heavy plot that deteriorates said pre-conceived ideas of what route Take This Waltz will be taking, and by so introduces awkwardness and guilt into a seemingly ordinary love story.

Williams, a firm favourite of myself, is tremendous, and typically deals with a character who weighs herself down with said guilt almost instantly. Introduced to Margot as a fun-loving, chirpy and effortlessly perky married woman, she turns sour and rigid at the thought of another day with Lou, a man whose primary concern appears to be, as of late, chicken -- the preparing of it in multiple ways for his cookbook extends Margot's tremendous boredom of her current married life.

Daniel, however, is new. His fresh outlook of Margot makes her feel young and wanted, thus triggering a battle of self-preservation against hormones that are entirely natural. Margot isn't a particularly likeable character; perpetually mousy with a gradually lesser respect for husband Lou. But whilst Michelle Williams plays her, we can't help ourselves. And with chemistry as loveable and real as that between Williams and Kirby, there aren't any complaints. We invest ourselves immediately, but whilst Williams continues as the most naturally charming and deftly humourous thing Take This Waltz has to offer, the intentions are thrown to the wind.

With a supporting cast which consists of Seth Rogen and Sarah Silverman, two of the most well-known, naturally comedic acts that most know, it bewilders that they're subdued to a backhanded husband and a failing alcoholic, and thus we're stuck with giggling over Margot urinating in a swimming pool. They're useful for a few minutes before taking stance in the back of anything.

It's not quite as polished and emotionally-crafty as Away from Her, but Take This Waltz is expertly handled. Though the casting sometimes splits opinion, it's swamped with beauty and truth, and as unnerving and anti-romcom as it may appear, it works as something entirely fresh. A subtly charming lead performance from Williams will trap attentions as Polley masterfully unravels an ordinary marriage into oblivion.

Verdict: A moving, fresh drama from passionate filmmaker Sarah Polley, even if its sharpness doesn't quite rival that of her previous feature.

Blu-ray Review: AMER

AMER

Starring: Cassandra Forêt, Charlotte Eugéne Guibeaud, Marie Bos

Directed by: Hélene Cattet, Bruno Forzani

Plot: A story that takes place over 30-something years in the life of Ana, detailed in exquisite, colourful fantasies that all define key elements, all of which are sensual.

Verdict: An astoundingly beautiful but somewhat uneventful film that starts off with a perfectly uneasy tone but shifts drastically into something a little more complex. For fans of giallo without a doubt, but for those unfamiliar with the genre, the point may be lost.

Read the full review here!

Blu-ray Review: Crimson Wing - Mystery of the Flamingos

Continuing from Earth, Disneynature dazzles once more with their second feature, displaying the vigorous, entrancing and rather inscrutable creatures known as the flamingo in Crimson Wing: Mystery of the Flamingos.

The documentary follows a flock of flamingos through their life cycle. Spanning over the one year, we're subjected to birth, death and the problematic situations the birds face between seasonal changes and their strangely absorbing habits.

Earnestly narrated by Mariella Frostrup, the year spent with the animals is eye-opening. Introduced instantly to the birds and their harsh surroundings, a bond is immediately made. Flying in unison, the flamingos highlight a certain poignancy which can only be accomplished by such graceful birds. Their vibrant colours fusing together in a flock, or clashing with the water, sky or sand is emphasised by the always-impressive photography, capturing some of the most uniquely shot and downright bewitching images.

Somewhat comedically, they move in an almost choreographed group in the water, traipsing like a pack of snobs from an earlier century, resembling that of a humerous stage show - which always provides as light entertainment in the always-so-serious life of nature. They flap their wings to certify their presence in the company of another, attempting to gain partnership - unarguably similar to humankind, then.

The fascinating birds stand strong through the trials and tribulations of their lives, but continue with the natural progress of parenthood. Intimately shot, we're shown the first few hours of a youngun's life which truly captivates and moves, with a glorifying sense of accomplishment when their first steps are taken.

Sadly, what culminates in something so angelic is broken within minutes in the wild. The insatiable marabu, looking almost identical to an ugly witch, stalk and hunt the young which is upsetting and simply heartbreaking. Still, the marabu are one of many problems the flamingo (and every other animal in the wild) will face. The dramatic, and desolate, Lake Natron in northern Tanzania which the birds flee too is becoming increasingly more dangerous due to pollution. It's only a matter of years before the landscape becomes unstable, and entirely inhospitable for the gracious creatures. However, resilient and unicent, they go on.

The music - elegantly pieced together by The Cinematic Orchestra - stands as a partial character. Shaping emotion with its delicately constructed and beautifully played melodies and aiding, side-by-side, the one-of-a-kind visuals which are sure to astound. The documentary stands as a cinematic spectacle - something which Disneynature are continuously producing.

The team behind Disneynature are professionals. Capturing countless footage dealing with and boasting the lives of these effervescent but mysterious creatures is a joyous insight. Whilst downgrading from a collection of varied animals (in Earth) to one species, Crimson Wing is equally as effective. With feathers burning crimson like the Phoenix, they maintain a mystical presence throughout the film which allures and entices throughout its short, but necessary, duration. A undoubtedly engrossing experience.

4.5/5

Blu-ray Review: Earth

In an industry so undeniably obsessed with special effects, it's a rare occasion where a film, or documentary, is released, displaying visuals which are entirely non-computerized - looking equally, if not a substantial more, as beautiful. Released as a BBC production, but picked up in the States as the first feature of Disney's spawned company, Disneynature, Earth has began a whirlwind of documentaries of the highest proportion.

Earth was five years in the making. Filmed in 200 locations; in 21 different countries; 1000's of hours worth of footage; 250 days of aerial photography; 40 specialist crew members. These factors all tie in to inform, and amaze, viewers as we watch and follow families in the wild on their migration paths, dealing with our planet's down-spiraling situation involving the decline of ice, rising ocean temperatures and the lack of freshwater - all of which set of a rippling effect of never-ending misery.

Traveling across the world with rapid, but cautious, pace, we're introduced to our families. A family of polar bears, a stampede of elephants and a rag-tag group of humpback whales, all trenching across their own versions of land while, inevitably, attempting to stay alive. What we're given is a story of survival and, overall, 90 minutes emphasising the resilience of life itself.

The animals remain persistent, almost adventurous, throughout their travels. Never giving up, full of courage and zeal they carefully make their way to safety, all-the-while protecting their young which is heartwarmingly displayed on the screen. Dodging danger whenever it crops it's eager head up, each family run into perpetrators which, in the wild, is something you clearly don't want to do. Caught on camera, each 'clash' is filmed almost Hollywood-like, highlighting how furiously raw the animals' tactics can be.

Whether it's an actual clash or merely sea serpents frolicking in their watery haven attempting to catch their prey, each scene is crammed full of suspense, displaying the very best in high octane action - enough to make even Roland Emmerich quiver at the knees.

Alongside the beautifully serene wildlife and wondrous scenic shots - ranging from the harsh weathers of the Antarctic to the blazing African deserts - is the music. Unarguably bewitching, and utterly captivating the way the melodies coarse through the scenes like blood through veins, aiding, and exaggerating, how pure, elegant and breathtaking our world can be.

Earth is an insight into the wildlife our planet contains and the heartbreaking tribulations they're faced with. An insight which does attempt to inform, but merely to address the increasingly problematic situations which are surfacing on an everyday basis. While the overall tactic is to inform, it dazzles - and i mean it dazzles. With such exquisite scenes, your initial thought is that Mother Nature herself orchestrated such divine beauty, staging multiple enormously stunning spectacles which transfer so charmingly, and almost spiritually, on-screen, but alas; this is our planet.

4.5/5

If you enjoyed Earth, catch the new Disneynature release Crimson Wing: Mystery of the Flamingos, and look out for the up-and-coming fellow features Oceans and African Cats.