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nickgilmour69
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Everest (2015)
thrilling and emotional but never could summit
First of all, bravo on the cinematography. This film has some of the best visuals i have ever seen on film and it really makes you feel like you are 29.029 feet up touching the highest point on earth. The IMAX experience was unlike anything i have ever seen. I was almost expecting to feel the cold wind in my seat as the group struggled for survival after their expedition goes very wrong. I would not be surprised if this film wins an Oscar for best cinematography. it was really that good.
The characters were a bit underdeveloped i thought with an exception of Jason Clarke and Josh Brolin who were the two standout performances for me. Sam Worthington was exceptional as well but with limited screen time. Jake Gyllenhaal was the biggest waste of a character since as far as i can remember. you knew his fate from the very first time you saw him and he was extremely under utilized. after all the main character was the mountain itself which got the most screen time. (not necessarily a bad thing)
I did not look up the story until after watching the movie because i didn't want anything ruined and while watching this movie i found it to be rather slow in getting the momentum going. Its really only the last 30-45 minutes of the movie where things get pretty intense. I was expecting Jason Clarke and Jake Gyllenhaal to team up and combine leadership skills and resources and fight back down the mountain but that does not happen at all. However the filmmakers did not stray too far from the actual story so i can't really knock the film for that as it is probably the most realistic portrayal of a disaster/survival story since "The Impossible" and some of the main characters deaths are pretty emotional.
overall it was a very enjoyable theater experience and i look forward to watching the bonus features on the blu ray a few months from now and seeing how this film was shot because it was absolutely stunning. 6.5/10
No Escape (2015)
edge of your seat relentless action!
I went in to this movie not expecting much. having read some reviews online prior i had my hopes set a little higher as many people said the intensity of the movie was high. the reviews did not do that justice. this might be one of the most relentless in your face movies i have ever seen. once things start to go wrong and believe me it does not take long at all, it rarely ever gives you a chance to breathe.
This is Owen Wilson in top form. I have seen him take on a serious role before in behind enemy lines so i knew he had it in him but he really takes it to a whole new level here. the children are adorable and really strong actresses for their age. the family dynamic is authentic and you genuinely care about what happens to them.
the concept behind this movie is not too far fetched and felt very plausible. John Erick Dowdle does a great job putting his audience right in the middle of the chaos. Many instances throughout the movie i found myself thinking about how i would react in these situations. Some excellent camera-work is used here too, especially on the roof scene.
Of course this movie is not perfect. there were a couple of Hollywood moments where someone saves the day at the last possible second and the ending felt kind of abrupt but it was still pretty emotional and shows what this family has gone through. overall i give this movie a 9.5/10
Do not sleep on this movie. you will be in for one wild ride.