Sin City (2005) Film Review

 

Based on the Frank Miller graphic novel of the same name and filmed almost entirely against green screen, Sin City takes a dip into the sordid world of Basin City. This is a world with pedophilia, prostitute wars and corrupt cops.

Along with general action films, I really like the genre of films made from comics and graphic novels. Sin City takes this to a whole new level. The entire look of the film is like a dark comic strip, with lots of dark shadows and limited use of colour. What’s more, it is extremely and horrifically violent, but in a way that, even though it is clearly fake, it is uncomfortable to watch. I think this is a truly wonderful film, and I’m very excited to see that another Sin City is due to be released next year.

Clueless (1995) Film Review

Cher (Alicia Silverstone) is rich, not-the-brightest, great at arguing her position and loves a good project to work on. After successfully setting up lonely teachers Mr Hall (Wallace Shawn) and Miss Geist (Twink Caplan), she is waiting for the next one. Luckily, along comes Tai (Brittany Murphy) a new student whose grunge style deeply offends Cher and her best friend Dee (Stacey Dash).  They make her over and try to set her up with one of the popular guys, but things don’t go to plan. Between this and her home life with her step-brother, Josh (Paul Rudd) hanging around, Cher has a lot on her mind.

I really like this film, and can’t totally explain why. Perhaps it is seeing Turk from Scrubs (Donald Faison) as a young guy. Or it brings back memories from my youth. Certainly, the basic plot is quite strong, but I’m sure that Jane Austen has a lot to do with that, given that the film is based on Emma. It can’t be the acting, because that is really not very good. It’s ok, but Alicia Silverstone spends a lot of time repressing smiles and many of the other actors are extremely over-the-top. Perhaps it is just because it seems that the teenagers are generally nice and innocent and everyone really wants the best for each other. Even the gunman (spoiler alert?) isn’t too scary.