Duncan_C

I reckon the Oscars might be all over this one. There's been a heavy buzz about this film at the Edinburgh International Festival this year and so I managed to get into a public screening of it after missing the press one. It was pretty good. I'd argue not as insanely good as most people say, but a fairly solid film.

I won't go on about plot but the acting was good from basically everyone in the film. John Hawkes especially shone out for me.

The film is shot really well on the RED camera. It looks pretty amazing.

The soundtrack is pretty haunting stuff and fits the film perfectly.

The storyline is meant to be pretty much the same as the book. So it's a straight conversion. Done well.

Listening to the Q&A with director after the film showed me just how much research had gone into the film. Soo much preparation really paid of for them as the film feels really authentic.

There was a lot going on in the film, not plot wise but themes and hidden messages. The film is very anti-drugs, and thats one of the main messages throughout. Its showing how drugs can tear apart families and communities. There are other things going on I'll let viewers figure out for themselves. It can take a while contemplating the film afterwards before realising.

highly recommend the film to all, and I predict there could be best director, actress nominations to come.

Duncancowles.com duncansreviews.wordpress.com

Saw this film with reasonably high hopes but it failed to impress. I feel bad as I've heard the makers of the film are nice people but it just did'nt do it for me, or that fact for a lot of the cinema who walked out at various points. It was badly synced, badly acted, badly shot. Some shots were out of focus etc... If thats the style they were going fair enough but it did'nt work for me or a lot of others. I stayed to the end of course and it was a more interesting film that some I've seen but not interesting enough.

The opening credits were great though. Whoever designed and put them together did a good job.

The concept behind the film was a good one just not carried through well unfortunately. I was expecting a sort of 'Equilibrium', 'District 9' type of 'segregation in the future' type of film but it did'nt come. The future for me looked like the past.

A shame. I don't like saying a film is bad but unfortunately I did'nt enjoy this one.

Duncancowles.com Duncansreviews.wordpress.com

Walked into this film knowing nothing about it. I left still knowing nothing about it. That is because there is nothing too know about it. I don't like criticising films, and I've been thinking recently I may stop, but it has to be said. I found it difficult to stay awake during 'Hotel Atlantico'. It's said to be an unconventional road movie. It sort of is, but so little happens in the film I got bored quick. It was long and tiresome. I appreciate the film was made well on a technical level and some may enjoy it's plot. I didn't however. I didn't like the main character, or any sub characters. I just didn't get it. I'm not even interested in finding out what it was all really about on sub levels or whatever. For me it was just boring. I feel bad saying it as I can see work has gone in, it just didn't work for me. It may work for you.