Happy Bunny Times

Star Trek: The Movie in cinemas accross the world now | Image © Creative Commons, daughter of chaucer, 2009

Who would have thought that Gene Roddenberry’s brainchild of the 60s – Star Trek, would become a classic in the world of sci-fi, nevermind it turning into a religious movement. In the last 50 years Star Trek has brought a brighter and happier vision of the future and the latest blockbuster version of the epic has proven to continue to “boldly go where no one has gone before”.

Star Trek has become a cliché and captain James T Kirk (William Shatner) together with Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) have explored the final frontier inside out. However, the latest Star Trek motion picture does not leave its viewers disappointed. Committed followers as well as newborn Trekkies can enjoy the sound and video effects in the future where the ending is always happy.

Passionate Star Trek fans argue that throughout the series and previous films there have been a few inconsistencies, however the creators of this year’s Enterprise have managed to justify conflicts by ‘changing the history’. Thanks to Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and Romulas ship Narada travelled from the future, the history is rewritten, and captain Kirk’s crew becomes open to all Roberto Orci’s and Alex Kurtzman’s fantasies.

The cast for the rebirth of Star Trek was selected perfectly. The sweet boy Chris Pine gives Kirk’s role a Kazanova’s vibe and the badass Zachary Quinto, known as Sylar from US TV series Heroes, plays the young, stubborn and all-so-logical Spock with real Vulcan dignity. Even Zoe Saldana, Britney’s friend from the film Crossroads, beats stereotypes and seduces heart-less Spock.

One of the film’s candies is the cross-reference with 1982 film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. The Trekkies can finally observe the actions connected with the legend of James T Kirk cheating the unbeatable test.

Overall Star Trek still warms hearts and brings a more positive vision of the future, which in the current sad economic and environmental climate is a real treat. Happy Bunny is happy indeed, blinking 4 and a half out of five times. We are very looking forward to the next film, which undoubtedly will come out as soon as enough cash is gathered from this one.

'Anything for Her' by Fred Cavaye - in cinemas accross the UK from 5th of June!

‘Anything for Her’ (running title in French – Pour Elle) revolves around the lives of a married couple Julien (Vincent Lindon) and Lisa (Diane Kruger). As Lisa is wrongly imprisoned for a murder, Julien goes against the system and comes up with an escape plan. He uses an escaped prisoner and bestselling author as a consultant and manages to keep the plan a secret even from his closest family. Lisa herself has no idea about the plan and is very surprised to see how far can a loving man go.

Fre Cavaye, director of the film, explained that idea belongs to Guillaume Lemans. ‘A man decides to help his wife, victim of miscarriage of justice, to escape from prison and to fight against this cruel blow of fate that has separated him from the woman he loves. He has the choice to give in or to fight back and attempt everything possible, even if that means breaking the law, to get back the relationship, the family life, the wife he loves,” he said.

The film talks about unconditional love and the crimes of passion. With constant moral dilemmas about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, ‘good’ and ‘bad’ the creators play with actors and manipulate viewers. It is a dark but very real loves story and any woman could only dream about such a strong man by her side. While Lisa gives up several times during her years in prison and even considers suicide, Julien stands by her no matter what and fights for both of them.

With some unexpected twists and considerably happy ending, I would describe ‘Anything for Her’ as ‘very French’. One might agree or disagree with the ethical side of the story, however, it definitely leaves one thinking about it. It is a film that forms an opinion and doesn’t make one ignorant.

The Happy Bunny was a little bit disappointed how stupidly Lisa got caught for a crime she did not commit. It seems the creators tried to make the film too real and but lost the spark somewhere half-way thorough. Blinking three out of five times but just because it was Vincent Lindon not Jean Reno (il est très sexy).

In cinemas across the UK from the 5th of June!

Special thanks to Emfoundation!

Text: Marina Scukina

If you are under 20 and enjoyed (or absolutely hated) Tormented movie and know a clever how to say it, enter the write-a-Tormented-review competition via their official blog.

Less than a week left! Deadline 31st of May!

(via Twitter @TormentedBlog)

Tormented in cinemas accross the UK now | Image from blog.tormentedthemovie.com

A New Class of Terror: Tormented

Even though Happy Bunny is not a big fan of horror movies or any visual material that includes violence (except for gangster films, of course), we braved ourselves and went to watch the latest teenage zombie horror comedy – Tormented.

The plotline is simple – a bullied school kid (the cool gang refers to him as Shrek) commits suicide then rises from the dead to kill his predators. Not quite From Dusk Till Dawn, not quite Dead Set but still enough blood and unexpected moments.

The story in Tormented is predictable but can still be enjoyable as long as one keeps the mind open. Happy Bunny spent most of the premier hiding behind a friend’s back but noticed a few very important details. For a teenage drama Tormented had very neatly presented sex scenes with an emphasis on the use of condoms (Durex could learn from them). Yes, sex sells, but safe sex sells even better. Also the film promotes ‘bullying is bad, mkey’ concept that is incorporated as anti-bullying week at school.

Overall Tormented was filled with swearing, nudity, blood and very English humour. Happy Bunny believes that ending is the most important part of the film and in Tormented all expectations regarding the grand finale were fulfilled. The film might not be an intelligent challenge but is a good way to celebrate the end of academic year.

Professional cast, imaginative deaths and beautiful camera work – Happy Bunny blinks his eyes 4 out of 5 times.

A new class of terror ‘Tormented’ by Jon Wright in cinemas across the UK now.

Special thanks to Emfoundation!

Text: Marina Scukina

'Awaydays' is bitter, awkward and beautiful, it is a punch right in the stomach.

Someone shot nostalgia in the back,
Someone shot our innocence
(Bauhaus ¨Who killed Mr. Moonlight?¨)

Are you old enough to believe that being young is anywhere close to being easy? Pat Holden’s new movie Awaydays (2009) offers a powerful reminder about the fact that entering the adult life and clashing with its realities tends to be a traumatic experience and about the way this entrance determines us as grown-ups.

We see neatly combed Carty’s way through rites of passage he chooses in order to prove that he is able to be part of the tribe, is able to paint his face in our colors and attack the enemy. Awaydays is set in Liverpool during late 70’s and the tribe he so wants to belong to is a gang of football hooligans called The Pack. He gets his opportunity when Elvis, the ultimate style icon and soul of The Pack, approaches him. Carty is utterly happy, his first awayday changes his life – it is real, it is physical, it is clear which side to take. This thrill and simplicity is totally different from anything he has ever experienced. Life ends up being easy, there is a matrix to feel good and accepted, feel like on the top of the world. The only thing he can’t understand is why Elvis keeps talking about leaving this, why he craves escape, way out of the world where there is nothing below the surface of beer, football, sex, drugs and mates you go to fight together with.

Awaydays is heavy loaded with content not appropriate for children – there is alcohol and substance abuse, smoking, sex, violence, rock’n'roll, lack of moral grounds and right answers. Exactly, just like in reality. The reality that parents cannot grasp even if willing to and that is so crucial – or at least that is what we think – to our survival.

Also, Awaydays take a close-up of masculinity in already post-modern (and post punk) society, quest for fitting gender roles and expression of one’s sexuality.

Production team, headed by producer David A. Hughes and writer, author of the novel Awaydays (1998) on which the script is based, Kevin Sampson, have managed to perfectly recreate the air of late 70´s being scrupulous about every last detail, including maybe even too impeccable emulation of original Liverpool Look (wedge haircut, Fred Perry or Lacoste t-shirt, Lois jeans and bright clean Adidas) and mind-blowing soundtrack that will haunt you for days after seeing the movie. And no wonder, because it features tunes from The Cure, Echo & The Bunnymen, Ultravox!, Joy Division, The Rascals and other landmark bands that made Liverpool music scene after The Beatles alive and possible.

This movie brings up ambiental flashbacks, feeling of already seen rock’n'roll cult movies like Trainspotting (1996), Velvet Goldmine (1998), 24 Hour Party People (2002) and Control (2007). Awaydays is stylish till perfection and the soundtrack is a pleasure that goes even beyond that.

This is not a love song, this is not a feel good movie – Awaydays is bitter, awkward and beautiful, it is a punch right in the stomach. And after seeing it you wish to turn louder your Joy Division and ask for more.

Text: Luīze Ratniece