(Movie) You're waiting for a train....a look at Snowpiercer

This review was requested by Sara Cooper. Thanks Sara! 

This was one of the first movies I watched before I started getting involved with Film School.

Released in America a year after its initial release due to the company owning the license requesting editing to the film with the director denying that, Snowpiercer is one of those films that captures your attention. What is not commonly known is that is an adaptation from a French graphic novel titled, "Le Transperceneige by Jacques Lob and Jean-Marc Rochette."

Without further ado, let's review.

This review shall contain no spoilers.

Story/Dialogue: Set in a distant future where the world has suffered nuclear winter, the remnant's of the world's population lives on a train known as the Snowpiercer. It's a capitalist society, where the further down the train cars you go, the more terrible things get.

Enter Curtis, a slave who seeks to revolt by reaching the front of the train with his ragtag group of followers.

As the movie progresses, you see how different the rest of the train cars are.

What's more, there's a lot of secrets hidden on this train. Ones you never expect to witness.

The dialogue isn't over the top, but some scenes felt a little forced. I can't say which ones as it contains spoilers, however.

The film has a way of making you invested in these characters and rooting for them, which is something that most films struggle with these days. (Ala Age of Ultron.)

Not knowing it was an adaptation prior to this review, I would have said it's one of the better original stories I'd witnessed.

Cinematography: Oh man, the set pieces on this film are insane! They make it look as though they're shooting in tight quarters and it feels as though the stakes are high, especially in moments like the New Year scene.

One of the best things about the editing in this is that there is actually a reason for all the choppy cuts during action scenes. It's chaos with loads of people fighting in tight quarters.


Audio: Oddly, this audio makes me think a lot of Bioshock. With that said, it wasn't overly memorable. The dubbing, especially for the Korean, was fantastic.


Overall: Snowpiercer is one of those diamonds in the rough. The cast give a great performance, though the ending left me with loads of questions. The setting integrated beauty and a visceral disgusting element that struck me as horrifying and fascinating.

I give this movie 5 stars.

(Movie) Seeing Stars....a Look at the Winter Soldier (Captain America)

Now I know this movie was a while ago and it's a sequel, but I chose Captain America two for two reasons:

1: It was a superhero movie that actually felt like it took place in the real world. (As opposed to a fictitious Alternate Universe where everything is the same.)
2: This was arguably the best superhero movie to date. (Yes, even better than Age of Ultron, such as it was.)

As a part of the superhero month (With an inclusion of Mad Max: Fury Road at some point,) I'd like to think this would be a fantastic start.

Let's begin!

Story/Dialogue: Cap is adjusting to life as SHIELD's personal attack dog, making friends and meeting up with Peggy (That scene made my heart weep. I had to punch something to make me feel manly again,) when he gets caught up in a whirlwind conspiracy that has him going to ground and fighting the good fight...FOR AMERICA!

To be fair, Cap is about doing what's right and is oddly a polar opposite of the Aryan race, but that's an analysis for later.

The dialogue is filled with snappy one liners and a mere mortal who pulls out those existential, "Are people like you carved from stone and blessed by the gods?" kind of quips in Sam Wilson, AKA Falcon.

Nick Fury returns as his grumpy, sassy self and Black Widow does all the things that Steve can't while trying to find him a date.

And they call Falcon a wingman. Please. I'd want Romanoff on my team anyday.

Cinematography: Oddly enough, I found parts of this film unusual. The framing often felt out of place, which contrasted with the scenes that had really tight and well shot frames.

The shield (and its ridiculous trajectory upon throwing,) is arguably the most terrible CGI I've seen. It felt rushed and not really attached to his arm some of the time.

Though! In all of this, I would like to point out that the elevator scene is the best scene. The tight space was shot excellently and cut together so well to the point it fully conveyed power and struggle.

Audio: The only way to describe the audio is...patriotic. Horns with a deep drum combo makes me want to put a hand to my chest and pledge allegiance to a flag.

In all seriousness though, I enjoyed the epic feel of the horns and drums, complete with the almost Inception style Hans Zimmer tension of the fight/chase scenes.

Overall: I love this movie for many reasons. The action, the one liners, Cap's companions, key quotes which I will not spoil in case you have not seen it. (Though there's one that makes me tear up every time.)

This movie is good at making you feel patriotic while allowing you to question what your country does for the sake of "peace" *cough* political agenda *cough cough*

Furthermore, I love the dynamic of Steve and Natasha. She doesn't act like a substitute for Bucky and doesn't feel forced like she did in Age of Ultron. (That's the writing, not ScarJo I have a problem with, there.) I also loved how romance took a back seat in this film. It was a focus on Steve and him catching up while trying to maintain peace without the iron fist.

Out of all the superhero movies to date, Captain America: Winter Soldier is my favourite.

5 stars.