Angels and Demons - 15
‘Angels and Demons’ is the sequel to Dan Brown’s ‘The Da Vinci Code’ written also by Dan Brown. Tom Hanks shines again as Professor Robert Langdon, an expert symbolist based at Harvard University. The story begins when the whole world morn the death of the Pope. During Conclave; the time at which a new Pope is elected, four of the most likely candidates for the role are kidnapped by an underground secret society of scientists. The scientists threaten to publically kill the four men using the four elements, earth, fire, air and water. The Vatican seek the help of Robert Langdon and Vittoria Vetra to help save the Vatican from the threat of the deadly bomb, Anti Matter. If Anti Matter comes into contact with Matter the environment it is in is sure to be completely destroyed, as well as everything in it.
The first smoking reference takes place when the Cardinals are just about to enter Conclave, there is also an ashtray placed on the table where candidates pick up their information. Both references are unnecessary and offer little impact to the already action packed film. The next big reference to smoking does appear to portray smoking negatively as a man suffers breathing difficulties due to his habit; however it is again unnecessary in this already brilliant film.
Like it’s counterpart ‘The Da Vinci Code’ this film offers action, laughter and confusion. Both Tom Hanks and Ewan McGregor are fantastic in the film along with their supporting cast. It is a very enjoyable film to watch and definitely worth a viewing despite it’s needless advertisement of the world’s biggest killer; cigarettes.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – 12A
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button staring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett was nominated for Golden Globes, Academy Awards and Oscars and rightly so as the film is brilliant.
The story begins in 1918 in New Orleans on November 11th just as the residents of the small town are celebrating the end of the War. At the same time a baby boy is being born with the appearance and physical maladies of an elderly man. His mother dies at birth and his father unable to accept his condition abandons him on a nursing home step. The story follows Benjamin as he grows older in age and younger in appearance. We watch him fall in love, get married, father a child and eventually come to terms with his own condition.
The film has received many great reviews, not one of them mentioning the smoking contained in the film. Therefore film reviewers and critics have not thought that smoking adds to the quality of the film. The amount of smoking throughout is so high that it is barely countable. During its time at the Box Office the film reached millions of people; many of these being teenagers who could become part of the 52% of young people influenced by smoking in films. This is exactly what the Tobacco Industry want and how they make their money. Said to be representing the time and era the film is set in, smoking is unnecessary and instead of adding to the quality of the film adds more and more teenagers to the growing number of young people influenced by the films.
Changeling - 12
Changeling, staring Angelina Jolie and John Malkovich, tells the true story of a mother whose son went missing in 1928. The plot consists of Christine Collin’s son Walter Collins going missing while she is out at work. Desperate to find him she seeks the help of Los Angeles Police Department, a department well known for corruption and incompetence. In order to get some good press the police department return a boy to Miss Collins who is not her son, despite her son’s doctor and teacher providing evidence to agree with her, Christine cannot convince the Police. Frantic and now alone Collins has to fight this battle alone.
Set in 1920’s America you would think that tobacco was a big issue. There are a total of four references to smoking within the film, which appear to go unnoticed but are in fact subtle sales tactics on behalf of the Tobacco Industry. Directed by Clint Eastwood Changeling raked in $502,000 on its opening weekend meaning that millions of people became the victims of the Industry’s hard hitting adverts.
A strong, emotional and incredible storyline displayed so well by so many talented actors, Changeling exceeds expectations and gives Jolie the chance to shine in a different role. This film doesn’t need to contain smoking in order to portray this story, the time in which it is set or to make it a fantastic film.
Ailene Whitehead
James Bond Quantum of Solace – 12A
In 2007 D.MYST were invited to see the Premier of Casino Royale in London. The invitation came from Sony who had recently made the first James Bond which starred a 007 that didn’t smoke. D.MYST reacted to this brilliant news by sending a letter to Sony to congratulate them. It has been proven that 52% of young people that smoke have been influenced by smoking in films. Despite having no smoking in the film this particular James Bond film raked in £1.7 Million on its opening day; perhaps proving that a film can be incredibly successful without the need for cigarettes.
Native to Chester, Merseyside; Daniel Craig stars as the young MI6 Secret Agent and does an incredible job of portraying this highly commended character.
The good news continues with the release of Craig’s second James Bond film; Quantum of Solace, again smoke free. Beginning from the point at which the last film ended Quantum of Solace is fast moving, exciting and funny. In this film Bond fights against Dominic Greene; a member of the Quantum organisation posing as an environmentalist who intends to take over Bolivia’s water supply. Bond also seeks revenge for the death of the woman he fell in love with in the earlier film.
Directed by Marc Forster the film begins with Bond hanging from ropes whilst trying to kill an enemy which took over 14 cameras to film. From beginning to end the film fails to disappoint and remains as action packed as any other James Bond film. And all of this without any need for cigarettes.
Ailene Whitehead
