Succinct Sunday: March Movies

Red Sparrow

Director:
Francis Lawrence (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, I Am Legend, Constantine)

Starring:
Jennifer Lawrence (The Hunger Games, mother!, American Hustle)
Joel Edgerton (The Gift, It Comes At Night, The Great Gatsby)
Matthias Schoenaerts (The Danish Girl, Far From The Madding Crowd, Suite Francaise)

Plot:
A promising and talented Russian ballet dancer (Lawrence) suffers a career-ending injury and once recovered must enrol in a government-run spy program in order to support her ill mother.  She must become a 'Sparrow', specialising in seducing her targets in order to find their secrets.  However when she is tasked with seducing an American CIA agent to uncover a mole within her own government, her alliances are tested.

Opinion:
For a film boasting high-quality actors such as Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Edgerton, Jeremy Irons, Ciaran Hinds and Charlotte Rampling, you'd really think the writers would have given them worthwhile material to work with instead of such mediocre dialogue and cliched plot points.

Nothing about Red Sparrow grabbed my attention, apart from the constant wavering Russian accents.  The film spends most of its first act within the grounds of a self-proclaimed 'Whore School'  where the Sparrows learn their trade, and whilst it tried to pass itself off as a moment of true character building for Lawrence's dancer-turned-spy, it just came across as lecherous and wrong-footed, giving me a bad taste in my mouth for the rest of the running time. 

Red Sparrow believes itself to be a much more stylish and accomplished film than it actually is.  

Red Sparrow carries itself with an air of superiority that it does not deserve.

Red Sparrow is a spy film that failed at every spy film's main objective: be interesting.

Rating:
3/10

Black Panther

Director:
Ryan Coogler (Creed, Fruitvale Station)

Starring:
Chadwick Boseman (Captain America: Civil War, Gods of Egypt, 42)
Lupita Nyong'o (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, 12 Years A Slave, Queen of Katwe)
Michael B. Jordan (Creed, Fant4stic, Chronicle)

Plot:
Carrying on a week after the events of Captain America: Civil War, T'chaka (Boseman) returns to his home (the fictional and un-colonised country of Wakanda) to be crowned their new King and 'Black Panther' after his father's passing.  However a mysterious outsider claiming to have a birthright to the throne threatens T'chaka's reign, as well as Wakanda's safety.

Opinion:
This film deserves much more praise and commentary than I am currently giving it, but unfortunately the opportunity to write a timely and relevant review has passed, so there probably isn't anything I can tell you about this film that you haven't already seen yourself or heard from a friend/social media as it currently sits just outside the Top Ten Highest Grossing Films Ever.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe, which has often threatened to grow stale, has been revitalised by films such as this and Thor: Ragnarok; films willing to take a chance and provide audiences with experimental ideas, characters and visuals.  No other film in the MCU has the same look and heart as Black Panther and it's impact around the world has been easily visible.

The film has truly become a cultural landmark regardless of it's box office both here and abroad, as a country like Wakanda, and a noble and passionate hero such as the titular Black Panther have provided people around the world with representation in the biggest movie franchise in history.

Apart from the obvious cultural significance, Black Panther is an incredibly enjoyable film, filled with attention-grabbing action scenes, a witty and hard-hitting script, but ultimately brilliant performances by it's entire cast, especially Michael B. Jordan.  Jordan's Killmonger is possibly the greatest villain in the MCU and the film is worth watching, if just for him.

How are Marvel doing it?  How are they going from strength to strength in what's coming up to their twentieth installment in ten years of the same saga?  It's incredible and I cannot wait to see what Infinity War brings later this month!


Rating:
8/10



I, Tonya

Director:
Craig Gillespie (Fright Night, Lars and the Real Girl, Mr. Woodcock)

Starring:
Margot Robbie (Suicide Squad, The Wolf of Wall Street, The Legend of Tarzan)
Sebastian Stan (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The Martian, Logan Lucky)
Allison Janney (American Beauty, The Girl On The Train, Juno)

Plot:
Tonya Harding became world-famous in 1994 when she and her team went to extreme lengths to become the best figure-skater in the world, but the story behind how she got there is a much darker one than you have probably heard.

Opinion:
Before seeing I, Tonya, I had heard the review that it was "the Goodfellas of ice-skating films" and whilst the film is very entertaining, with great direction and brilliant acting performances, it is no way worthy to be in the same sentence as Goodfellas.  Even though I've put it in there twice now.  

(I mean, I don't mean to go on about this but, in terms of ice-skating films, this has to be the Goodfellas, right?  Since the other ice-skating films are... Will Ferrell's Blades of Glory and... Disney's The Ice Princess.  So is it fair to call Flushed Away 'the Goodfellas of Talking Mouse movies' compared to Ratatouille and Babe?  Sorry, I'll drop this now.)

Regardless, special mention has to go to Robbie and Janney's performances.  They really give their all portraying their real-life counterparts, Harding and her mother respectively.  Their animosity and chemistry really seethes off the screen and whenever they appear together, despite the fact that it is not always the most pleasant conversation, damn, they grab your attention and won't let it go.

I, Tonya accurately portrays the early-mid 90s in staggering detail, with fashion and hairstyles meant to give you just the right nostalgia kick, and whilst the news around Harding wasn't as massive over here in the UK as it was in the USA, I felt similar feelings of regret when watching Asif Kapadia's documentary Amy a few years ago.  When detailing how the late singer Amy Winehouse got to the position of national punch-line through drug abuse and wrong crowds, I truly felt guilt-ridden at having mocked someone in need of help, and I imagine the US audiences will feel the same way when discovering what led Harding to do what she did.

I'd definitely seek this film out as it's a rag-to-riches-to-rags story that truly makes you sympathise with a person who you never thought you would.

Rating:
7/10


Tomb Raider

Director:
Roar Uthaug (The Wave)

Starring:
Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl, Ex Machina, Jason Bourne)
Dominic West (The Affair (TV), The Wire (TV), 300)
Walton Goggins (The Hateful Eight, Django Unchained, Lincoln)

Plot:
Lara Croft is on the brink of inheriting her family's vast fortune.  All she has to do is sign a contract admitting her father is dead after he disappeared a decade earlier.  However Lara believes him to still be alive and so sets out to find him in his last-known destination; an 'island of death' on the coast of Japan.

Opinion:
Urgh.  I really didn't have high hopes for this film, but I expected it at least to be better than the Angelina Jolie version, since this Tomb Raider film is based off the reboot version of the video game, but unfortunately not.  Whilst a tough-as-nails survival game might benefit from the gritty realism of the reboot, the film unfortunately could have done with a little more humour and campiness, which Jolie's had in abundance.

Whilst Alicia Vikander steals my heart every time she is on screen, I don't believe she is suited for the role as Lara Croft.  Nothing to do with her bust size, as many idiots have voiced their displeasure online, but what happened to the charismatic and intriguing Vikander who starred in Ex Machina?  Instead, we get a bland protagonist who never really inspired me to root for her.

Combine that with a shaky plot filled with holes, supporting performances that leave a lot to be desired and enough undeserved sequel-building that you'd think Tomb Raider was taking place in Universal's Dark Universe, it's pointless, boring and not even entertaining enough for me to recommend it as a brainless popcorn film.

Rating:
2/10

Until next time, thanks for reading!

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January/February Films

I took a break from reviewing to get over some lovely illnesses over the past month, but before March begins, here are a few short reviews of films that have been released since the start of the year...

DARKEST HOUR

Director:

Joe Wright (Atonement, Hanna, Pride and Prejudice)

Starring:
Gary Oldman (Leon, The Dark Knight, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban)

Lily James (Baby Driver, Cinderella, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies)
Ben Mendelson (Rogue One, The Dark Knight Rises, The Place Beyond The Pines)

Plot:
During the early days of World War II, the newly-appointed Prime Minister Winston Churchill must face threats from opposing European forces as well as from within his own political party. 

With British forces stuck in Calais and Dunkirk, Churchill must decide whether to enter peace talks with Adolf Hitler or carry on fighting the good fight to the end.

Verdict:
There is no doubt in my mind that Gary Oldman will win Best Actor at this year's Academy Awards for his portrayal of Winston Churchill; he commands the screen whenever he appears, conducts great chemistry with whoever he shares the screen, and dammit he wore a fat-suit, how is he not going to get the Award?!

However apart from his tour-de-force performance, there is not much else to write home about.  A downside to Oldman's scenery-chewing is that everyone else begins to pale in comparison, even the ever-impressive Kristen Scott Thomas feels like wasted talent, and Lily James isn't given enough screen time to show her potential range.  Whilst the film revolves around the powerful man that was Winston Churchill, unfortunately the film is too in love with him to deliver a compelling and interesting narrative outside of passionate and patriotic speeches.

Rating:
5/10

COCO

Director:

Lee Unkrich (Toy Story 3, Finding Nemo, Monsters, Inc.)

Starring (voices):
Gael Garcia Bernal (Amores perros, The Motorcycle Diaires, A Little Bit Of Heaven)
Benjamin Bratt (Miss Congeniality, Demolition Man, Doctor Strange)
Alanna Ubach (Legally Blonde, Sister Act 2, Meet The Fockers)

Plot:
On the revered Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead), Miguel, the youngest of a shoe-making and music-hating family wants to perform at a local music talent show.  However after disrespecting the dead, Miguel is transported to an other-worldly plain where he is able to converse with his dead relatives.  He must now receive their blessing to return home before the sun rises, and potentially discover the reason why music is so forbidden within his family.

Verdict:
This film broke me.  A grown man.  Weeping.  In a packed cinema screen. 

But dammit I wasn't the only one!  A lot of men in that same screen seemingly had 'something in their eye' or 'decided to chop onions' at one certain scene towards the end of the film.

Pixar truly have a knack at replicating real life moments on screen, despite usually featuring fantastical characters and situations, making brilliant movie moments in the process.  One only needs to mention the first ten minutes of Up or Wall-E for examples of how talented they are at telling a story that truly hits home.

The team behind Coco truly took innovative steps with this in terms of the maturity of it's storyline and characters.  There is no Doomsday scenario, Miguel's life isn't in jeopardy and the Land of the Dead's very existence isn't being threatened.  It is a simple story of a man not wanting to be forgotten, and how music can bring a family together rather than tear it apart.

The amazingly detailed and vibrant Land of the Dead had me open-jawed and the story had me interested through-out, even if I did predict some of the plot twists a little early.  The music by Michael Giacchino is heart-warming and toe-tapping, and the artistry is definitely some of Pixar's best.  

After a few missteps, I believe this is Pixar back to their best and would definitely recommend.

Rating:
9/10

THE POST

Director:

Steven Spielberg (Jurassic Park, Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan)

Starring:
Meryl Streep (Mamma Mia!, The Devil Wears Prada, Sophie's Choice)
Tom Hanks (Forrest Gump, Big, Saving Private Ryan)
Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul, Breaking Bad, Fargo)

Plot:
Set in the early 1970s, and following America's defeat in the disastrous Vietnam War, The Washington Post's owner (Streep) and chief editor (Hanks) have to decide whether or not to publish The Pentagon Papers, leaked classified documents that paint the White House and America's involvement in the Vietnam War in a less-than-stellar light.

Verdict:
Streep.  Hanks.  Spielberg.

It had all the hallmarks of an instant classic.  But something just didn't work for me.  With this cast and director, I expected a much better film.  Not to say The Post is a poor film, as it is most certainly not.  However, it never really elevates itself over 'competent' and 'entertaining'.  And whilst that's seemingly enough for several Academy Award nominations, I certainly wasn't convinced.

Is the film focused on the female-empowerment of Meryl Streep's Katherine Graham? 
Or the underhanded tactics of Nixon's White House?
Or the Presidents who preceded him with their involvement in the Vietnam War? 
Or the importance of the Free Press in situations such as this true story? 
Or the dangerous similarities to the current situation in America?
Why not all of them at the same time? 

This unfortunately results in a narrative that becomes top-heavy in narrative importance and left me rather bored, which shouldn't be the case in a story that is so relevant and important.

Rating:
5/10

THE CLOVERFIELD PARADOX
Director:

Julius Onah

Starring:
Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Belle, Beauty and the Beast, Black Mirror)
David Oyelowo (Selma, The Butler, Rise of the Planet of the Apes)
Daniel Bruhl (Captain America: Civil War, Rush, Inglorious Basterds)

Plot:
In 2028, the Earth is suffering a massive energy crisis.  To combat this, a group of international scientists and engineers board the Cloverfield space station and attempt to discover a source of unlimited energy using a particle accelerator, similar to the Hadron Collider in Switzerland.  However, one of the experiments accidentally transports the station away from the Earth and they must find their way back.

Verdict:
It's a rarity that I speak about 'Straight-to-Netflix' films, but I am such a fan of the Cloverfield film series, I wanted to discuss the latest instalment.  And... it's a weird one.

Whilst I was a huge fan of the original found-footage Cloverfield and appreciated the change in tone and style for 10 Cloverfield Lane, I wasn't too won over by this space thriller.  Critics of Lane pointed to the film existing on it's own terms without any reference to Cloverfield before JJ Abrams suggested bringing it into their Shared Universe, but I didn't see that as a negative.  If anything, I felt as if it added to the tension and the mythos behind the original monster movie.  However, it's more evident here that the film could have been a fine sci-fi thriller without having to tie it to the first two films.

It results in an overly-confusing story, pointless horror moments and a wasted cast that is filled with talent that is under-utilised.

The Cloverfield Paradox manages to be a sci-fi film without grand ideas, a thriller with absurd attempts at tension and a horror without scares.

Must try harder, JJ.

Rating:
3/10

PHANTOM THREAD

Director:

Paul Thomas Anderson (There Will Be Blood, Magnolia, Boogie Nights)

Starring:
Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be Blood, Lincoln, Gangs of New York)
Vicky Krieps (A Most Wanted Man, Hanna, Anonymous)
Lesley Manville (Maleficent, Another Year, Vera Drake)

Plot:
In 1950s London, renowned fashion designer Reynolds Woodcock (Day-Lewis) creates dresses and garments for women in high society.  However his charisma and talent is matched with a ruthless and obsessive personality.  After debuting his latest outfit, Reynolds meets a waitress, Alma (Krieps), at a countryside restaurant who soon becomes his muse, but Alma finds it difficult to cope with Reynolds' lifestyle and erratic behaviour.

Verdict:
The duo of PTA and DDL working together again would make any film buff start drooling.  Their work on There Will Be Blood is phenomenal and one of my favourite films of the past ten years.  

And now DDL is back portraying a manipulative and obsessive genius! 
In his supposed final performance!  
By one of the great auteur directors! 

...So why isn't Phantom Thread better than it should be?

Similar to The Post, I'm not saying it's a poor film.  I don't think PTA or DDL know how to even spell 'poor film'.  But I was left wanting more.  The components on their own are spectacular.  The direction is brilliant, the acting sublime and the outfits are worthy of highest billing, since the film is all about a fashion designer and his amazing eye for well-made dresses.  But putting them all together just left me feeling slightly hollow.

Perhaps it was the central romance between DDL's Reynolds and Krieps' Alma.  I never truly felt or believed in their chemistry and passion for each other and the film centres itself on this main romance.  

Maybe my feeling is because I seem to appreciate the film as a piece of art more than a piece of cinema.  I feel like the film should be hung on a wall in an art gallery more than at the local cinemaplex.  And that's a compliment, right?

Rating:
7/10

THE SHAPE OF WATER

Director:
Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth, Hellboy, Crimson Peak)

Starring:
Sally Hawkins (Happy-Go-Lucky, Paddington, Godzilla)
Michael Shannon (Man of Steel, Nocturnal Animals, Revolutionary Road)
Doug Jones (Pan's Labyrinth, Hellboy, Crimson Peak)

Plot:
Eliza (Hawkins) is a mute, isolated woman who works as a cleaning lady in a hidden, high-security government laboratory in 1962 Baltimore.  Her life is changed forever when she discovers the laboratory's most classified secret; an mysterious, scaled creature from South America that lives in a water tank.

Verdict:
It's a real stupid mistake of mine to constantly forget Guillermo del Toro every time I try and list my favourite directors.  I always think of Fincher, Nolan, and Scorsese but del Toro deserves to be included in that shortlist.  The man just doesn't know how to make a bad film.

Famously, del Toro recounts how, as a child, he was never scared of monsters; he instead wanted to be friends with the monsters, and he has shown that in nearly every film he has made.  He often features other-worldly creatures in his films, and always makes their worlds so inviting and magical that I can't help but want to live there too, especially compared to our grey, boring, non-magical world.  The Shape of Water is no exception.

Del Toro's love for the fantastical is projected onto this film in nearly every aspect of The Shape of Water, as well for the time period (1950's Cold War-America).  The set design, music, costumes... everything is done with such love, care and attention, I can't help but believe that this will win Best Picture at this year's Academy Awards.

The direction seems effortless, the soundtrack is equally romantic and nostalgic, and the acting throughout is sublime.  Sally Hawkins manages to engage and charm the audience without uttering a word.  Michael Shannon does his 'Michael Shannon thing' of being tall and imposing, but in just such an understated and menacing way.  And Richard Jenkins steals the show as the closeted and balding neighbour and I truly hope he gets recognised for a subtle but powerful performance.

I probably sound like I'm rambling over this film but I truly believe it is one of del Toro's best and absolutely worth a watch.

Just remember that fish-men need love too.

Rating:

9/10

Until next time, thanks for reading!

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Succinct Sunday: February/March Films

So things got away from me a little bit last month.  Personal life got in the way of spending time doing what I love most; informing complete strangers from around the world what I thought about million-dollar budget, Hollywood blockbusters.

I can already feel your sympathy and pity; it is appreciated.

However now I find myself in March with only three films actually reviewed this year, which cannot stand.  And so to combat this ridiculous situation, I have put together ten reviews of films I have seen in the past two months and have not had the time to write a full review.

I have also organised them from worst to best.  This is so I don't finish writing this article in a bad mood, because, boy, just reminding myself about this film is already making me type harder and with more force.  My keyboard can't take it...

10. Dirty Grandpa

Plot

After his grandmother dies, a straight-laced lawyer (Zac Efron) promises to take his grandpa, (Robert freaking de Niro) to Florida for a fishing trip.  But when they arrive, Zac realises that his grandpa wants him to cut loose and forget his fiancee for one last weekend of debauchery.  With his grandpa.  Yuck.

Verdict

F##k.  This.  Film.

I'm tempted just to leave it at that, but I'll persevere.  I've never seen such a sabotage of one's own career than Robert de Niro.  This man was the greatest actor on the planet for two decades.  Now I have seen him rubbing up against a twerking Aubrey Plaza and vigorously masturbating like his life depended on it.  No person needs to see that.  Ever.

It's as if de Niro knocked his head on a something heavy, lost his memory and someone told him "Robert!  You are an actor!  But your career is in tatters!  You need to just do whatever film you can!"

The film is ridiculously bad.  I didn't laugh once and neither did the rest of the audience in the screen.  There was an air of hushed silence, as if collectively mourning the loss of a fallen friend.  And that's what we were doing; showing respect to the man who starred in Goodfellas, Casino, The freaking Godfather!

My hands are shaking with anger, I need to talk about something else...

Rating

1/10 (if I could give this a 0/10, I would) 


9. Grimsby

Plot

Nobby Butcher (Sacha Baron Cohen) hasn't seen his little brother, (Mark Strong), for almost thirty years.  They grew up in Grimsby before he left to become a very successful secret agent for the Government.  However when Nobby finds him and accidentally puts his brother's life in danger, they must go on the run together to try and save the world.

Verdict

Whilst Dirty Grandpa was a surprise of how far de Niro has fallen, it's truly no surprise that SBC is still producing immature, toilet humour such as Grimsby.  What Mark Strong is doing in this though is a mystery.

I only laughed four times during this, which is four times more than most people I've spoken to about it, so obviously some of the jokes struck a chord with me, but unfortunately just not enough.  With one of the writers being behind such gold as Brass Eye and I'm Alan Partridge, I can only imagine that was his witty humour trying to break free but was silenced by the elephant-jizz jokes that Cohen loves so much.

A nonsensical plot, failed attempts at self-degradation and large gaps of insufficient laughter lead me to not recommend Grimsby.  It's Cohen's worst film and that's saying something...

Rating

2/10

8. Goosebumps

Plot

Young Zach Cooper moves into his new house next door to a cute girl.  He tries to becomes friends but he's constantly thwarted by Hannah's rude father (Jack Black).  Zach discovers her father is actually R. L. Stine, author of the Goosebumps series of kids horror novels.

Zach unwittingly unleashes all of the monsters from Stine's collection of haunted manuscripts, including werewolves, yetis and a talking dummy called Slappy, who isn't a fan of being kept imprisoned much longer.

Verdict

It's a shame to have this film so close to Dirty Grandpa and Grimsby, because it really isn't that bad.  I was pleasantly surprised how much I laughed throughout this fantasy horror.  It's madcap style of slapstick and scares reminded me of Gremlins or even a kids-version of Cabin in the Woods.

Whilst Jack Black won't be winning any Oscars for his performance as Stine, he actually delivers a reserved and reigned-in depiction of the author, explaining his quirkiness through childhood bullying and 'just wanting friends'.  This is when Black works best, able to show off his comic talents without resorting to his Tenacious D-style zaniness.

The chaos and callbacks to the books' memorable monsters definitely make for an entertaining watch, if you were a fan of the books as a child or not.  A simple plot featuring believable and likeable characters is all this film needed and they delivered it with extra comedy on top.  Definite recommend for a Sunday afternoon or when trying to entertain the little ones,

Rating

6/10

7.  Hail, Caesar!

Plot

Eddie Mannix (Josh Brolin) is the Head of Production at a major Hollywood movie studio.  When the main actor for an upcoming religious epic, Baird Whitlock (George Clooney), is kidnapped by an organisation known only as The Future, it is up to Mannix to pay off the kidnappers as well as handle various on-set problems, such as unwanted pregnancies, scandal-seeking reporters and potentially offensive depictions of the godhead.

All in a day's work in 1950s Hollywood.

Verdict

Now I count myself as a fan of the Coen Brothers; The Big Lebowski, Fargo and No Country For Old Men are definite favourites of the past 20 years.  However, the thing that set them apart from the rest of the crowd was their storylines (as well as their memorable characters).  Botched heists and kidnappings are the bread and butter of the Coen Brothers and Hail, Caesar! is no exception, however the film seems to flagrantly disregard the need for an intricate and complicated through-line, preferring to link together several well-written and and witty sketches around Clooney's big-headed star being held to ransom.

Nothing against the individual scenes that work really well; from Scarlett Johannson's synchronised swimming section, Channing Tatum returning to his dancing routes with an incredible tap-dancing routine, or an elocution lesson from Ralph Fiennes ("Would that it 'twer so simple..."), all the scenes make you smile and laugh but they just didn't feel like I was watching a coherent film.

Every Coen Brothers films is worth watching, as it will still be better than most of the films produced by Hollywood, I just didn't believe this was one of their best.

Rating

6.5/10

6. Trumbo

Plot

Set in the late 1940s, Dalton Trumbo is a successful Hollywood screenwriter, known for writing gritty film noirs and his membership to the Communist Party of the USA.  However Trumbo and his colleagues are blacklisted during America's 'Red Scare' and as the Hollywood Blacklist grows, Trumbo starts working under pseudonyms and different personas to get his work out made, right under the Government's nose.

Verdict

It's so great seeing Bryan Cranston headlining Hollywood dramas, its incredibly deserved and I, for one, am very excited to see him in more films like Trumbo for hopefully years to come.  He owns the titular role as Dalton Trumbo, perfectly portraying his quirks and attributes, making you hate to love him, rather than the other way round.  Regardless, Cranston thoroughly deserved his Oscar nomination.

Whilst the film does adequately capture the suspicion of the time, with Communists being discovered anywhere Joseph McCarthy wanted them to be, it serves as a gentle reminder of the atmosphere currently in America, finding enemies sometimes when there aren't any but those fabricated to keep people worried.

Whilst it is interesting how films such as Spartacus, Roman Holiday and a countless amount of schlocky B-movies were written by blacklisted screenwriters during this era, the film doesn't really provide much more entertainment than that.  Trumbo's struggles do interfere with his family life but he doesn't really deal with that much other than that.  The film just seems overly simplistic at times, never taking any chances, favouring an easy approach instead.  Interesting, but nothing special.

Rating

7/10

5. Spotlight

Plot

Based on true events, the investigative 'Spotlight' team at the Boston Globe newspaper uncover a sordid scandal within the Catholic church as priests accused of molestation are being protected by powerful members of the religious organisation all over the world.

Verdict

The Best Picture winner at this year's Academy Awards is definitely an intense film.  The performances are outstanding, the storyline is gripping and the film does a great job in blowing your mind to how far this cover-up went.

But for a story this epic and ramifications this grand, I expected a film that was on a larger scale.
Obviously the story is shocking enough on it's own merits, and doesn't need any more twists and turns added to the timeline, but I just wanted to be a bit more involved with the film.  Director Tom McCarthy was too relaxed in simply presenting the story straight, whilst it results in or heroes being portrayed as just regular people, the only moments of tension come from a records office closing on time.  But then that tension is over by the following minute when the film cuts to the office opening again.  Panic: over.

Despite that, Keaton, Ruffalo, McAdams, Slattery, Tucci and Crudup all give fantastic performances, worthy of a Best Ensemble Oscar if they had one, however special mention goes to Liev Schreiber, the man who sets the Catholic ball rolling.  It takes a talented actor to make an emotionless man seem so distraught and conflicted.  Bravo, Sabretooth.

Rating

7/10

4. Deadpool

Plot

Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) is just your ordinary mercenary, who falls in love with the beautiful Veronica (Morena Baccarin).  However when he gets diagnosed with four different types of cancer at the same time, his only hope is experimental treatment.
The treatment cures Wade but leaves him invulnerable but hideous.  Afraid to show himself to the world, Wade dons the disguise of Deadpool and tries to get revenge on those that made him the monster he believes himself to be.

Verdict

Let me start by saying: "This film is rated 15, therefore children under 15 years of age should not be allowed to see this film"!  The most intentionally shocking superhero film to date has taken the world by storm and rightfully so.  The film revels in it's adult-orientated humour and definitely stands out from the pack because of it.  Some of the jokes and humour in Deadpool had me crying with laughter and that very rarely happens in such crowded cinema screens.

Ryan Reynolds is born for the role of the Merc With A Mouth, and his references and in-jokes with the Marvel universe he inhabits were a breath of fresh air for a film fan that has been bombarded with superhero films since the early 2000s.  His relationship with Veronica is actually treated like an actual real-life relationship rather than a typical fairytale romance and because of that, I actually sympathised with two characters who are quite abrasive and crude.

Whilst slightly stunted by a disbelieving studio and a restricted budget, the film manages to make the best of it by using a fantastically funny script and great performances from the very talented cast.  Hopefully it will lead to more faith in superhero films that don't fit the standard model, but not in a way that every studio tries to re-capture lightning in a bottle.

Rating

8/10


3. The Big Short

Plot

Set just before the economic collapse of America's extremely unstable housing market, The Big Short focusses on those few people (Christian Bale, Steve Carrell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt etc) who were able to see the bubble that was about to burst and able to capitalise by placing money on it happening.

Verdict

Managing to make sense of the American housing crisis and global economic failure that began in 2007 is a hard ask, but The Big Short manages to make a very decent attempt of it via humour, shock and simple honesty.

I never thought a film with such a complicated plot would be entertaining and funny, but how wrong I was.  The Big Short is witty, earnest and all without falling into condescending the audience and dumbing things down for them.  A fantastic performance from Steve Carrell and an... interesting performance by Christian Bale, as well as hilarious turns by relative newcomers John Magaro and Finn Wittrock make sure that The Big Short is always entertaining and you feel like your interest is in competent hands.

A definite recommendation for any person interested to have the financial crisis understandable, whether it is from Margot Robbie in a bathtub or Christian Bale and his 'one weird eye'.

Rating

8/10

2. The VVitch

Plot

Set in 17th century America, a Puritanical family are thrown out of their small village and have to fend for themselves on the edge of a nearby forest.  Within that forest, dwells a witch who starts to terrorise the family, starting by stealing the family's baby and possessing their son.  As the Witch's attacks begin to increase, the family begin turning on each other and distrust grows.

Verdict

If you are a fan of "cattle-prod cinema", where the majority of the film is "quiet, quiet, quiet, quiet, BANG!", The VVitch may not be for you.  However if you, like me, prefer your horror film to be one of creeping terror, gradually getting scarier and scarier throughout the film until the terrifying yet subtle finale, then welcome.

I will never look at a black goat the same after watching this film.  The film is filled with iconic imagery and terrifying visuals, all of which seem mundane and normal in different context, but there is something about how director Robert Eggers has framed the film and depicted the nature of evil, real or imagined.  The dedication to the time period is refreshing as well, having the whole family speak in the 17th century language that would be expected.  This will mean that the film surely is not for everyone, but if you don't mind being immersed in a terrifyingly real, and yet imaginative world, then this is for you.

Rating

8.5/10

1. Kung Fu Panda 3

Plot

Carrying on from Kung Fu Panda and it's sequel, Po needs to defend the Valley of Peace, this time from the Jade Warrior Kai, who has escaped from the Spirit Realm and is determined to capture all of kung fu's greatest warriors and steal their chi energy.  Po must learn how to teach kung fu to his newly reunited panda family in order to stop Kai and bring peace.

Verdict

I'm not lying to you; I have been waiting for this film for years.  I hold the Kung Fu Panda films so highly, I consider them as entertaining, visually-stunning and heartfelt as the Toy Story trilogy.  They champion the ideas of honour, respect and staying true to yourself, all whilst embracing Far Eastern culture and style in a beautiful and seamless way.  I cannot praise them enough.  But I'm going to try.

Having the character of Po mature and grow from being an immature kung fu fan to Dragon Warrior, and now to a teacher that even his master is impressed with just gets me, man.  It might be corny but I laughed all the way through and pretty sure the smile on my face stayed throughout.

Not only a film for kids, but one that will surely entertain the adults as well, I truly hope that these films will get the praise they deserve in future years, being held up alongside Shrek and How To Train Your Dragon as possibly Dreamworks' best animated films.

Rating

9/10

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Joy

When deciding the first film of a new year to watch, not many people spend too much time on it.  It's only a film, right?

For me, it is the bar against which to compare the rest of the year.

I try and make an educated decision to see the best on offer, and in January you often find some Oscar-worthy beauties.

Last year, Birdman blew me away.  The year before that her truly surprised me.  There was added pressure on myself to pick correctly.  With what was on offer in the first week of 2016, I thought I made a smart choice with the latest David O Russell/Jennifer Lawrence/Bradley Cooper/Robert de Niro film.

No, not Silver Linings Playbook.

No, not American Hustle.

No, not Joy.

Wait, scratch that last one.

PLOT

Slightly based on real events, Joy (Jennifer Lawrence) is a divorced mother-of-two, living with her mother and grandmother, and her ex-husband lives in her basement.

Having been very creative as a child, she decides to use that creativity to try and make a better life for herself.  Designing a self-wringing mop, Joy utilises the new concept of home-shopping television channel QVC to try and get the life she deserves.

OPINION

It probably wouldn't be fair to say that Joy bored the ever-living hell out of me, but it wouldn't be too far off.  Granted, I could watch Jennifer Lawrence all day (in a non-creepy way) and she is by far the best aspect of the film.  But like Legend showed last year, a fantastic central performance cannot carry an overall flawed film.

The film flits between different tones and dramatic styles, from kitchen-sink realism to surreal fantasy, back to manic farce, and you don't know what to think.  Should I be laughing?  Should I be crying?  Should I leave the cinema?  And this is all in the first hour before Bradley Cooper has even shown his handsome, handsome face.

With taking so long to get going, by the time Joy starts trying to fix her mundane life, I had so little interest in her character or the horribly selfish people that fester her existence.  The only enjoyable character is Joy's grandmother and she hardly gets any screen time at all!

Whilst rightfully getting attention due to Ms Lawrence acting the hell out of her role, Joy doesn't live up to other expectations.  Similar to the QVC channel on which Joy stars, it looks bright, shiny and well-crafted, but ultimately it is off-putting, extortionate and leaves you feeling rather empty.

Rating - 3/10

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