Divergent: The Convergence Of Rebels

The hype that arose from the recent release Divergent (2014), a sci-fi action "coming of age" film, was disappointingly misplaced. Based on the first book of the trilogy by Veronica Roth, the futuristic film documents the interactions between the five factions that define society: Abnegation (selfless); Amity (peaceful); Candour (honest); Dauntless (brave); and Erudite (intelligent). The female protagonist – Beatrice – is identified as a Divergent: independent thinkers considered threats to the existing post-war social order.

The screenwriters pursued an unusual avenue for dystopian drama, however such innovation was undermined by the generic screenplay and script. As the film progressed, the predictability of the plot increased, as did the believability of the whole scenario. The film was saved by the two leads, played by Shailene Woodley and Theo James, who were the most believable aspect of the film. Despite the diminishing interest in the plot development, the romantic tension between Woodley and James made for acute curiosity into their future experiences as a couple.

IMBd rating: 6.9/10

My rating: 7.5/10

Click here to watch to trailer:

Sarah R

Paprika: It's Like Inception, But On Acid

Paprika. Well, uhh. Hold on, I need a moment to describe this film...

This is a film about what happens when your dreams are unleashed. If you've seen Inception, you can see quite a few parallels, (because this film was kind of an inspiration for Inception, any-who...) and from the first few minutes of Paprika, you are instantly transported to a surreal reality where the absurd is blended in with a simple touch of spice (and by spice I mean beautiful animation). Why not take a look at the opening credits yourself? The exotic and electronic soundtrack really helps to bring out this dreamy vision of a film:

It's that time to butcher a film with an abridged summary again: Paprika focuses on a detective and a group of psychologists trying to solve the mystery of people around them increasingly appearing deranged as their minds are affected by a stolen DC Mini (a device that taps into people's dreams to help diagnose and mend their problems). With the help of the created DC Mini avatar Paprika, they try to track down the culprit who is blending reality with dreams before it's too late.

It's hard to pinpoint the exact feeling of this film that straddles between beautiful and strange.

Paprika is presented in a stunning visual barrage of culture-induced fantastical imagination of the beloved and belated Satoshi Kon. From doll and frog parades, to our greatly clichéd film scenes, this film has a lot to say within its full bag of crazy. It's the animation, the soundtrack and it's untapped setting and story that makes this film a must-see. The only criticism I would have would be it's climax, although great, feels desensitised under all the strange that happens in that ten minute window. It's safe to say that it shouldn't phase the average viewer one bit. The first five minutes should hook the hardest critic and cynic with ease. 

Paprika is one of a kind. 

James R