cult film freak: noomi repace

Written by James M. Tate / 4/22/2015 / No comments / 2015 , crime , noomi repace , ridley scott , tom hardy

TOM HARDY & NOOMI REPACE IN CHILD 44

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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWidNFzIh139uONstBj7fBvx3T6iMudQWDvzXfbI6h9no9SKxWYx0smbB0GGfnQubYbcfdMD7_u94jKCCArE1daFkwALBDtCfi2H3YrjQ9ZtiwMaSv3ythllbn2Cma2LaLXFWwr0YgcY/s1600/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWidNFzIh139uONstBj7fBvx3T6iMudQWDvzXfbI6h9no9SKxWYx0smbB0GGfnQubYbcfdMD7_u94jKCCArE1daFkwALBDtCfi2H3YrjQ9ZtiwMaSv3ythllbn2Cma2LaLXFWwr0YgcY/s1600/Picture+1.png" width="128" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">year: 2015 rating: **</td></tr>
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If you think American-set crime flicks like SEVEN are gruesome, depressing and hopeless, prepare for two full hours of torture that often feels like getting bitten by a cobra snake in hell... Death upon death, as it were. And that’s not really strange since CHILD 44, taking place in Russia after World War II, is deliberately morbid and futile i.e. the uncomfortable shoe fits. <br />
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Enter Tom Hardy's rugged war hero, Leo Demidov, who eventually decides to hunt down a psychotic "phantom" mutilating young boys between Moscow and other small cities: one dark factory town in particular where Leo is sent for not “selling out” his wife, Raisa Demidov, played by Noomi Repace. The couple travel around by train – the tracks wind through forests where exterior shots capture gorgeous scenery between the bleak, prison-like locales. And it takes well over an hour before the actual investigation begins... not an easy task in Russia where armed officials remain in strict denial of any problems. A decade after the war, and Hitler's still being blamed. <br />
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The performances fall short of the talent on board, also including Gary Oldman and Vincent Cassel in somewhat wasted roles. The direction, while not by producer Ridley Scott, mirrors his Neo Noir vibe, intense close-ups and action sequences that put you rolling and tumbling in the often dizzy pandemonium. But the most intriguing aspect... the search for the killer... is hindered by sluggish reality as the actors, using distractingly thick Russian accents, are still speaking English – making CHILD 44 only halfway genuine, and even less entertaining.

2015, crime, noomi repace, ridley scott, tom hardy

TOM HARDY & NOOMI REPACE IN CHILD 44

year: 2015 rating: ** If you think American-set crime flicks like SEVEN are gruesome, depressing and hopeless, prepare for two full hour...

Written by James M. Tate / 3/16/2014 / No comments / 2012 , blockbuster , charlize theron , horror , michael fassbender , noomi repace , ridley scott , science-fiction , suspense , walter hill

RIDLEY SCOTT DIRECTS THE ALIEN-LINKED 'PROMETHEUS'

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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98hyphenhyphen9o78NxPB41TYsis7qCBMKw80n_0p9nHeJLyx8t7dzW58JeCUMh5Ym8odXoKIAQG8dqBM1HPLE37hkk4jfsMjnEz_wzWjQyfpk2piRVHRFXQUjnHic3kBzoNnhVlDVTax94h0A6KA/s1600/prometheus_810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98hyphenhyphen9o78NxPB41TYsis7qCBMKw80n_0p9nHeJLyx8t7dzW58JeCUMh5Ym8odXoKIAQG8dqBM1HPLE37hkk4jfsMjnEz_wzWjQyfpk2piRVHRFXQUjnHic3kBzoNnhVlDVTax94h0A6KA/s400/prometheus_810.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">year: 2012 rating: ***1/2</td></tr>
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For several years it was rumored Ridley Scott was directing a prequel to ALIEN... Turned out to be a remake: A bulky spaceship full of scientists mixed with a working class crew; a crafty humanoid robot with a trick up his sleeve; a manly heroine – ring a bell?<br />
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Actually the story’s set in the ALIEN universe and the spaceship, rather than heading home, is destined for a planet with possible lifeforms.Two research scientists, including Dr. Shaw played by Noomi Repace, have discovered cave paintings with a similar theme – and a dying millionaire has backed their mission.<br />
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The ship's called PROMETHEUS and the important crew members include Michael Fassbender as David, the robot who models himself after Peter O'Toole's splendid take as Lawrence of Arabia, and Charlize Theron is the tough corporate head; you can say she's almost the captain...<br />
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Although Repace’s Shaw fills the Sigourney Weaver role, in one scene, Theron's character refuses a contaminated crewman back aboard the ship. The planet consists of a… or what seems like a… "giant cave" wherein illuminated wraiths roam while hidden slimy creatures provide the necessary body count...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPjLl0hCd-YLb8M4Fw0VvEnJwxHo7-d7Z5TH0vlhq3l2WAwVzWe-4ezPW1t5omgFi9_McQezFoWXBILyos1eGQ7LZnxr3EAp2vidDTjrEAy_9SKOdnrN48985haoOM7wPkszsZeyHJNk/s1600/promie.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPjLl0hCd-YLb8M4Fw0VvEnJwxHo7-d7Z5TH0vlhq3l2WAwVzWe-4ezPW1t5omgFi9_McQezFoWXBILyos1eGQ7LZnxr3EAp2vidDTjrEAy_9SKOdnrN48985haoOM7wPkszsZeyHJNk/s200/promie.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alien life?</td></tr>
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So there are a few action scenes and the special effects, particularly in 3D, look fantastic. But the problem are the characters, none standing out or likable enough for the audience to really care about their frantic survival which, after the searching has run its course, PROMETHEUS is all about.<br />
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In the acting department, Fassbender has a nifty look but lacks the sinister charm (or importance to move the plot) of Ian Holm, Repace only shines when she’s fighting to live, Theron is more robotic than Fassbender and the scruffy crew provide filler roles. Still though, somehow, the picture works but as a b-movie rather than the sort of epic blockbuster that was probably intended: Then again, sci-fi leaning writer/director's did grow up on pulp the likes of Weird Tales, etc., and perhaps subconsciously drive their multi-million dollar vessel in a more breezy direction, and, as most already figured by cult nerds going in: since Damon Lindelhof co-wrote the script, ultimately there are fewer answers than questions in a canvas stretched beyond its paint.. And though it would be a sin to give anything really important away, the big finale twist isn’t so much connected to the story itself, but the film’s... promotion. We’ll stop there.<br />
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2012, blockbuster, charlize theron, horror, michael fassbender, noomi repace, ridley scott, science-fiction, suspense, walter hill

RIDLEY SCOTT DIRECTS THE ALIEN-LINKED 'PROMETHEUS'

year: 2012 rating: ***1/2 For several years it was rumored Ridley Scott was directing a prequel to ALIEN... Turned out to be a remake: A...

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