Katy Perry: Part of Me

The overwhelming impression that you leave the cinema with is that Katy Perry is truly loved by her fans.  Loved isn’t really a strong enough word, idolised might be better.  As we hear from fans at the start of the film, “Katy tells us it’s okay to be different”.  Hardcore fans take Katy’s words as gospel, and it’s a little scary.  For them, she symbolises hope that they can achieve anything they want to which is a little cringe-worthy at the start, but sweet by the end.    

For a girl who sings “I kissed a girl” and “I want to see your peacock, cock, cock”, it’s a surprise to learn that her upbringing was strongly religious (so much so she couldn’t eat lucky charms as luck is of the devil....right).  This might not seem like the beginnings of a pop star but it turns out her start in gospel was her first experience of recording.  

Katy Perry certainly seemed like an overnight success; one day the world had no clue who she was, the next everybody wanted some cherry chapstick, but this documentary makes it clear she’s been at this for a seriously long time.  Her never-failing demeanor of bubblegum and rainbows gives off the impression that a lot has been handed to her, but seeing her hard work and dedication to her career and relationship changes that.  

Of course, a documentary about Katy Perry would be nothing without the inclusion of Russell Brand.  They were the golden couple, cute Katy making an honest man of badboy Russell.  He briefly appears at the start of the film to join in a group huddle, and it’s difficult as an audience member not to think that we already know this won’t last.  As Katy jet sets over the world, flitting back to America every few weeks to see Russell, we do feel sorry for her.  Even if ‘Teenage Dream’ is your worst nightmare, no-one will be able to remain impassive at Katy’s breakdown moment.  Before the platform rises to reveal Katy to the crowd, she forces back the tears and plasters on a smile for the fans.  Not many of us can say that if we had our heart broken we’d be able to keep a smile going for thousands of fans, so she gets credit.  

Fans love Katy’s fun, wild and free personality and we definitely see her out-there side when she goes to a cafe in Tokyo where you pay to hang out with cats, and it’s hard not to find her kookiness endearing.  

Katy describes a lot of her life and performances as a ‘fairytale’, taking inspiration from Alice in Wonderland and the Wizard of Oz.  And it’s clear that’s what the fans love; her rise from weird girl to superstar and the hope that they too can get their fairytale ending.  Katy’s Prince Charming turned out to be a dud, but at the end she shows us that she’s still living the dream.  

This is clearly a must-see for KP fans, but even if you only know a few of the words to ‘Firework’, it’s still worth a watch to see how far she’s come.  Unless you hate cheese and glitter, then avoid like the plague.  

The Dark Knight Rises

After The Dark Knight rose above all other superhero movies to give us the best bad guy EVER in the form of the Joker, and one of the best films of all time, film fans were not alone in thinking “This can’t be beat”.  And to be honest, The Dark Knight Rises doesn’t beat it.  But it sure packs a punch; delivering explosions, wit, a more fragile side to Batman, and a perfect end to the trilogy.

In TDK, no-one can argue that the best card in the pack was the Joker.  Heath provided an unforgettable performance, and in TDKR it’s Anne Hathaway who steals the show.  While the film doesn’t have as many comedic moments as TDK, a lot of the witty retorts come from the cat burglar (never explicitly referred to as Catwoman, just with the ears and reflexes).  Female fans will be desperate for Hathaway’s heels, killer stilettos which come in handy in tricky situations.  

All this talk of costumes has distracted from an even more kick-ass part of TDKR. FIGHT SCENES! The first is an impressive plane heist glimpsed in trailers, only let down by the horrific sound quality.  This is something that unfortunately mars the entire film, with significant amount of Bane (Tom Hardy) scenes leaving the audience saying, “Huh?”. Luckily it’s still possible to follow the plot, although DVD subtitles will come in handy for further viewings.  When noise isn’t blaring from the sound system, silence is used to good effect.  The most dramatic moments in the film are allowed to stand on their own; with the audience in stunned silence as well it’s goosebump worthy.  Watch out for the haunting US national anthem at a crucial moment.  

The fights and explosions are appropriately epic, and it makes an interesting change that Batman’s adversary is physically superior.  For the first time, we see Batman’s weak side.

TDKR is epic, both in style and length.  At 164 minutes make sure to splash out for the comfy seats.  

Now comes the time to hail the hero.  As an audience member we truly take a journey with Batman, experience the ups and downs and feel his struggle.  That dramatic trailer line “You’ve given them everything” could easily be the audience crying out to Batman to for once think of himself.  As the Bat symbol burns over Gotham city you can’t help but feel a sense of pride - and the desire to bust out the tights and join the action.

Not to be overlooked, Joseph Gordon-Levitt is the upstanding beacon for the future of the Batman series.  He manages to snap Bruce out of his 8-year exile, but really the kudos for caring go to Alfred.  Batman’s relationship with Alfred is both the most heart-warming and heart-wrenching aspect of the film.  Batman protects the city, and Alfred does his best to protect Bruce.  

TDKR is the perfect end to the trilogy, with some neat nods to the previous films (the hellish pit Bruce ends up in clearly mirroring the well in which Batman discovered his namesake).  Nolan can do no wrong, and although this series has come to an end, we can look forward to his hand in 2013’s superhero flick Man of Steel.

Magic Mike - Review

Magic Mike.  Every woman with a pulse has been gearing up for its release ever since that Raining Men trailer first popped up in advertising.  And we’ve been waiting a while for a film like this aimed at women.  Us girls have spent much of our cinema time hearing our male friends declare “she’d get it” while watching scantily clad women be really integral to the plot line....  

While males will probably be rolling their eyes, denouncing male strippers as “so gay”, there is actually more to this film than a group of muscly men grinding in sparkly thongs.  There’s a deeper story of a man trying to realise his dream, and more to the point trying to figure out if that’s even the dream he really wants, which makes this movie more than just a sausage fest.  

The film opens with some sexual banter to get the ball rolling from Matthew McConaughey (giving one of his best performances to date) which whets the appetite for those film-goers purely here to have a free pass to be a bit pervy in a socially acceptable situation.  

After this kickstart, things slow down considerably with a selection of mundane scenes which get the audience to understand that Adam (Alex Pettyfer) has no skills whatsoever, and Mike (Channing Tatum) has far too many.  

The action picks up when Adam attempts to get into a club in a hoody and sneakers (gasp!) but is saved by Mike who eludes the bouncers with his winning charm and biceps.  

The rest of the film is a spectacular array of cheesy dance routines, an insight into the world of this underground profession, and Tatum playing it fun and lovable (although his scene in drag can only be described as disturbing).  

The central love-story, Mike’s relationship with Brooke (Cody Horn), somehow doesn’t ring true.  We jump too quickly from friend’s sister to I’ll-give-up-my-whole-future-for-you.  While this does make a good ending, it just seems hollow.  In truth, Brooke as a character is merely an irritation, only adding a moral compass and nagging requests.  

From on-set gossip it seems that Alex Pettyfer considered himself the star of this flick, and that certainly reflects his character’s attitude by the end of the film.  He’s grown up from the kid in Stormbreaker and he portrays Adam well, even if that is just an extension of his own vain personality. 

If you’re looking for something visually stunning then go see Snow White, but if you’re happy with just ‘visually hot’ then grab some friends and with a girlish giggle request your tickets for Magic Mike.  Boyfriends, don’t panic. Your girlfriend will temporarily be disillusioned about what the male physique should look like but eventually the heat will die down.

At least until the DVD release....