PICK OF THE FLICKS

The Fantastic Mr Fox
Age Rating PG
Genre: Animation
Starring:  George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Brian Cox
Director: Wes Anderson

What most people will notice straight away is the animation is quite different to what they have embraced before.  Director Wes Anderson clearly has created another masterpiece which will be a much welcomed addition to the handful of others this year.  Bringing in some cast from his previous projects Owen Wilson and Bill Murray who are accompanied by George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Brian Cox and even himself Wes Anderson, this film has an extremely powerful backbone.  He also blends in the kind of acting and humour from his previous titles such as the Darjeeling Limited which has genuinely made this something exclusive and set it apart from any other animation this year.

The narrative behind this is pretty basic Fantastic Mr Fox (George Clooney) is stealing food on a regular basis from the local farm and has done for some time now, little does he understand the greedy farmers are out to get him and to remove him and his family from their residence.  Although there is much simplicity in the plot everything that surrounds it and the outcome makes it to be a really modern and surprising film.  As some of the younger generation may not know this is an adaptation from the legendary and creative write Roald Dahl (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda).  I find it astonishing that at this age in time he is still being remembered and it seems the films always remind us of what an accomplished writer he was.

What I really appreciate about this motion picture is that it draws a line between being a film for adults and being something for just children.  I say that because the cast is somewhat over run by middle aged adults, but the fusion of this and the animation makes it an instant achievement in my mind.  This is exceptional as Wes Anderson has clearly dived straight in the deep end and the result has been more than a triumph.

Saw VI
Age Rating 18
Genre: Horror/Thriller
Director: Kevin Greutert

So here we are again, the clocks have just winded back, Halloween has been and gone and you can already hear Christmas songs erupting through your radio.  What have I neglected to mention?  Well naturally, the offering of another Saw film of course.  For the majority it seems this is a film they just view to witness the gruesome deaths and have a night absent from home with their mates, but for many others who are entrapped and seduced by the series, this is what they have anticipated for all year.  I discovered that after sitting through this I seem to feel that there was a lot more story trickling through not just over-the -top deaths which can be exampled heavily by the Final Destination series.  Even though some portions of Saw VI were moderately over the top, it still managed to glue together and make it realistic to a certain extent.

As most hardcore fans will already be acquainted with the fact that Detective Hoffman is the latest successor to the Jigsaws legacy which is to show the people that don't appreciate the value of life the consequences.  However when the FBI draw closer and begin getting suspicious of Hoffman his only reinforcement is to lay out a series of grim games formulated by his own idol and associate Jigsaw.

In this latest addition to the well recognised series we also notice the previous editor (Kevin Greutert) obtaining his chance to fore fill the directors position, this might distress some of the more loyal fans, but for me I observed that it is abundantly clear he is more than worthy of the task.  This left me relieved and exhilarated that five years ahead Saw is still extracting out the twists and turns that will keep you craving for more.  So keep yourself on high alert for Saw VII next year, as it will be set to once again take its crown as the king of Halloween Horrors.