Reel Opinions Podcast: Episode 16- War for the Planet of the Apes: Spoiler Talk

Karin Konoval Interview: War for the Planet of the Apes

00:48– Karin on how portraying an Orangutan is different from playing a Gorilla or Chimpanzee

05:26– On studying and mimicking Orangutan Long Calls

11:52– On whether or not she considers Maurice a male character 14:53– On Maurice’s relationship with Nova

18:40– On how Matt Reeves directs actors with minimal dialogue

21:43– On Maurice’s status as a fan-favourite character and the Orangutan that inspired him

24:10– On the physical challenges of playing Maurice

27:47– On horseback riding as an ape 30:30– On continuing her studies with Orangutans

Soundtrack Review: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

This was originally published at The Edge SUSU on July 23rd 2014. 

Hans Zimmer, with his instantly recognizable sound, is undoubtedly the most sought after composer when it comes to Hollywood Blockbuster fare. Now no one is denying that Zimmer has talent, but when it comes to many of his compositions for action and sci-fi movies he does recycle a lot of the same material. I’m not on an anti-Zimmer crusade here, far from it, but really Hollywood needs to become less reliant on his music. Not only do films too frequently call upon Zimmer to produce dramatic, thrilling themes, but those that don’t, often employ composers who attempt to replicate the Zimmer style; and then, there is the fact that the industry is seemingly overrun with his countless protégés.

That is why it’s always refreshing in this post-Dark Knight cinematic landscape to find a blockbuster doing something a little different with its music. Michael Giacchino distinguishes himself from many other mainstream cinema composers by functioning as an additional storyteller, by translating across the emotions already inherent in each scene of the film, rather than forcibly telling you what to feel. He helps to amplify the emotional content of any project, making everyone else involved look good too, rather than just grabbing attention for himself. In short, he’s a collaborator.

Review: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

This was originally published at The Edge SUSU on July 20th 2014.

Continuing a stellar summer season is Matt Reeves’ follow up to 2011’s hit Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Picking up 10 years after Rise, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes takes us to a post-apocalyptic world in which the Simian flu introduced at the end of the last film has wiped out the majority of the human race. Meanwhile hyper-intelligent chimpanzee Caesar (Andy Serkis) and his genetically advanced ape following have established their own peaceful society out in the woodlands, away from the remaining human survivors. However, when ape and human finally come into contact for the first time in years, tensions begin to rise and war seems inevitable, despite the efforts of individuals on both sides to maintain the peace.