Are you prepared for the end of the world?: "It's a disaster" (2012)

Director: Todd Berger
Writer: Todd Berger
Starring: Julia Stiles, America Ferrera, David Cross, Erinn Hayes, Jeff Grace, Rachel Boston, Kevin M. Brennan, Blaise Miller

Good question. More importantly, has anyone been prepared for the mass influx of apocalyptic films that seem to be appearing at an alarming rate over the last few years? It seems clear that the end of the world is nigh, for real. Simultaneously, and maybe with some relief, there appears to be a rise in comedy spoofs of the apocalyptic genre being produced. Released at the same time this year comes James Francos' "This is the End", along with the famous duo Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, reunited in "The worlds end"; two films that commercially, I am sure, will be massive hits at the cinema. The audience loves a good parody (just look at the success of the Scary movie saga) and recently the apocalyptic genre is being targeted. Personally, I couldn't be happier about this for two reasons, firstly: because the serious 'I'm-the-only-man-left-on-earth-and-will-fight-for-the-human-race' theme gets on my nerves- you are going to die, don't fight it and waste your time, and mine for an hour an a half of ridiculousness, and secondly: because brilliant films like Todd Berger's satire "It's a disaster" (2012) can be made.

In a similar way to Polanskis' film "Carnage" (2011) I wrote about in a previous blog post, the

setting of the film is simple: it is all set in one house where four couples who are all friends have gathered for a couples brunch. Unlike Polanski's "Carnage," the incident that happens off screen is more than just a kid hitting another kid with a stick- its lots of full blown dirty bomb explosions that are slowly spreading their toxic gasses all over the world and killing its inhabitants. Time to take out your HazMat suits guys, this is not your regular couples brunch that you will attend in Bergers apocalyptic satire.

The film opens with a perfect rendition of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture playing against a background of pictures in a slideshow of dated pictures of explosions. The camera then introduces the viewer to one of the couples as the Overture is coming to a close. As the couple walk up to the house it is clear that they are only on a second or third date as one is warning the other about the various friends and couples. A couples brunch is already an awkward situation, with people sitting around talking about their relationships and future plans, and it is clear that most of the characters don't want to be there on this particular occasion. They all have various issues: one is a serial dater, another has recently turned vegan so there is a massive problem on what food to make, one couple are getting a divorce, one couple can't set a date for a wedding, one couple are on drugs, some characters are having an affair, there are arguments about who paid the electricity bill, the men desperately wanting to find out the score of a sports game, an awkward interruption from a neighbor who is offended not to have been invited, one couple who turn up late for the whole party and finally, a surprising solution to the problem of the apocalypse from whom you least expect. This is no ordinary couples brunch- or at least- its definitely one of the most 'happening' that has ever gone down.

The ending of the film is dynamic in its execution- not in an action packed, final stand between the last man and zombies/aliens/natural causes in a demolished building, but rather in a more subdued way that the final, defying act of the characters doesn't actually seem to happen. The ending received a lot of criticism, it has been described as being 'unfinished' and leading the viewer to a massive anti-climax. Nothing is finalized, it is just left there in the open, but in reality who actually does know how the world is going to end- certainly not Berger that's for sure. In my opinion it is the perfect way to end a apocalyptic film. Throughout the movie you never see the destruction of the city, the bombs going off, people running and screaming; the only thing the viewer has been watching is the relationship between a group of  somewhat 'normal' people, in their final hours on earth. It is somewhat refreshing, thus making the satire, ironically, more in tune with reality than the more serious apocalyptic genre films themselves. Simply brilliant.

Verdict: Excellent film. Watch it.

Oscars 2013: "Silver Linings Playbook"

Director: David O. Russell

Screenplay: David O. Russell, Matthew Quick (novel)

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawerence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver, Chris Tucker and Julia Stiles.

I don’t really know just where to begin on explaining this film. In all sincerity- from someone who generally hates romance films- I absolutely loved it.  Originally I thought is was about two people with mental health problems who fall in love inside a mental home in some indie ‘quirky cute’ fashion, in a sort of annoying Zooey Deschanel kind of way- so it took me a while to sit down and watch it. Another reason I thought I would not enjoy this film was because of Bradley Cooper, I’m not his biggest fan, as you can probably detect from my rather negative rant on his film “Limitless” (2010). In actuality, it is about two people who have psychiatric issues but the meet and develop a relationship in the outside world and certainly not in an

annoying 'quirky' fashion. It is a black comedy, mixed with a type of coming of age film as the characters leave their negative pasts behind and look for a brighter, happier future. Excelsior!

This film just proves the point that to be a critic on film I need to keep an open mind to various other films rather than dismissing them straight away- message loudly received, thanks. Bradley Cooper was actually great in this film. His subtle style of acting worked well for a character who spends the duration of the film in a rather subdued state, trying hard to suppress any past feelings of anger and aggression having been released from a psychiatric unit at the start of the film. The real star however, or starlet, of the film is Jennifer Lawrence. Maybe you were expecting me to add something new compared to all the other reviews out there who praise her but um nope, nothing negative to say. I’ve not read the Hunger Games books and went to watch the film to see what all the fuss was about- I did enjoy it, but didn’t really think Lawrence was anything spectacular. So really, her Oscar win should read ‘Best emerging Actress’ rather than just ‘Best Actress’ as I don’t think anyone was expecting her talent to stretch thus far. Talk about Excelsior.

The story is loosely based on the authors, Matthew Quick, own experiences in dealing with depression. He has a lot in common with Cooper’s character, Pat Solatano. As Lawrence’s character, Tiffany, bluntly points out, Pat has ‘poor social skills’. He interups his parents sleep by storming into their room to discuss a book he finished reading at 4am or because he can’t find his wedding video; he asks inappropiate questions about peoples private lives; he goes back to the school where he has a restraing order and asks for his job back and all because his main focus is to try and win back his ex-wife Nikki, no matter how early in the morning- he will try everything to get her back. He uses the word ‘Excelsior’ to invoke inspiration in getting his life back on track or back how it was.  

It was the director, David O. Russell who decided to divulge deeper into the fragile relationship between Pat and his family. Robert De Niro plays Pat’s gambling ‘but most definitely not a bookie’ father who blames Pat if his team, the Philadelphia Eagles, lose a match. He refers to Pat as his lucky charm but yet maintains a distance in getting emotionally involed with Pats ‘crazy’ episode. The fact that Pats portrait is not hanging by his brothers on the wall but left on the shelf is a clear indication that the other brother is the ‘golden’ child. Jacki Weaver plays the doting mother who goes to fetch Pat from the unit as soon as the doctos say he is eligible to be released. She is very understanding of Pat’s condition, even if she can at times be too overbering, its clear that she loves her family and does her best to try and help. Safe to say the relationships expressed in this film are less than ordinary but at the same time can be seen as a magnified view of some peoples family life- especially those dealing with a member who has depression.

The film has helped a lot of people to recognise or aid with mental health issues and the impact it can have on someones life and people around them- even in the smallest of cases. The story brings to light the fact that not all people who have depressive tendencies are completly ‘insane’ and can lead normal lives. The film forces people to see the silver lining in all situations and that life may not always go as planned. All in all, a great film and defintely worth adding it to your ‘must-watch’ list.