An excellent and thought provoking film.
The film moves at a good pace throughout getting to the main storyline early on. The most noticeable aspects of the film early on are the location, sets and special affects.
Domhnall Gleeson plays 'Caleb' and takes us through the film, leading us along the way to a conclusion that is eventually twisted at the end. Though he is very good in the role he is over shadowed by Oscar Isaac (Nathan) who created Ava, superbly played by Alicia Vikander, who over shadows them both.
8
Monday, 26 January 2015
Sunday, 25 January 2015
Wild
This movie is a beautifully written, directed, and acted portrayal of the means to which we must sometimes go to rid ourselves of internal demons that hold us back from moving forward with our lives.
Reese Witherspoon is brilliant as Cheryl and Laura Dern shines as her ailing Mother. He dealings with others from her past as well as new people she befriends on her journey all add to the real feel of this film. It feels natural, not Hollywood. It has no need to rely on fake action or heroics. Just the portrayal of a real person, with a real life and struggles. I could have sat there for much longer, watching her come to terms with the past and opening herself to her future. Great music, great supporting characters, lush scenery.
7.5
Reese Witherspoon is brilliant as Cheryl and Laura Dern shines as her ailing Mother. He dealings with others from her past as well as new people she befriends on her journey all add to the real feel of this film. It feels natural, not Hollywood. It has no need to rely on fake action or heroics. Just the portrayal of a real person, with a real life and struggles. I could have sat there for much longer, watching her come to terms with the past and opening herself to her future. Great music, great supporting characters, lush scenery.
7.5
Saturday, 24 January 2015
A Most Violent Year
Well this one's shot well, the cast nail the parts, but from start to finish you are waiting for the film to come to life, and unfortunately it just never does.
Some people will appreciate this film much more than others, but for me it was average at best. The main reason we all watch films and television, is to be entertained, and unfortunately with A Most Violent Year, it feels like we have been left wanting.
You never really get to appreciate 1980s New York, a couple of panoramic skylines don't really cut it. With a bit more substance to the story, better visuals & some period music, this film could & should have been much better.
6
Some people will appreciate this film much more than others, but for me it was average at best. The main reason we all watch films and television, is to be entertained, and unfortunately with A Most Violent Year, it feels like we have been left wanting.
You never really get to appreciate 1980s New York, a couple of panoramic skylines don't really cut it. With a bit more substance to the story, better visuals & some period music, this film could & should have been much better.
6
Wednesday, 21 January 2015
Birdman
A bunch of very good actors, all wasted in an indulgent script and directing.
The absolutely stupid plot, that takes ages to go nowhere, a film where the film maker is saying very loudly and in a very boring way, look how clever I am, why this has been praised by critics is beyond me. Actually to be honest I have now long given up on what critics say and write about a film. Virtually critic on both sides of the Atlantic seem to have lost any sense of what is good or bad. The amount of critically endorsed films that I have thought to be not bad but very bad seems to be growing each year.
2
The absolutely stupid plot, that takes ages to go nowhere, a film where the film maker is saying very loudly and in a very boring way, look how clever I am, why this has been praised by critics is beyond me. Actually to be honest I have now long given up on what critics say and write about a film. Virtually critic on both sides of the Atlantic seem to have lost any sense of what is good or bad. The amount of critically endorsed films that I have thought to be not bad but very bad seems to be growing each year.
2
Sunday, 18 January 2015
American Sniper
American Sniper is yet another example of why more stories should be told through a mini-series, as opposed to a 2+ hour traditional film format, the story did little to no justice on Kyle's impressive accomplishments, both militarily and as a man. The result was a very jumpy and shallow viewing experience where you didn't feel a connection to Kyle's SEAL teammates or his wife, Taya. The actors, namely Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller, did the best job they possibly could've done with the script they were given. The script was the best it could've been when trying to fit into the clichéd 2-hour time slot.
Ultimately, this review should end on a high note though, so I will point out the strongest element of the film: the ending. The closing 10+ minutes are incredibly moving and deliver, what I believe was the entire purpose of the film itself. They leave you in awe of the man, the myth, the legend.
7
Ultimately, this review should end on a high note though, so I will point out the strongest element of the film: the ending. The closing 10+ minutes are incredibly moving and deliver, what I believe was the entire purpose of the film itself. They leave you in awe of the man, the myth, the legend.
7
Foxcatcher
This movie is a complete disappointment. I was so excited to see it after watching the trailers and knowing that Steve Carell was in it, I think he has great potential as a dramatic actor. The movie has a lot of awkward scenes and doesn't give you any back story into the characters. There's a lot of things that don't make sense and that are never explained.
The movies suffers from bad direction and it was not as good as it should have been. Whilst I recognise that this story is based on real events, not much happened. It was a very slow paced and boring film unfortunately.
5.5
The movies suffers from bad direction and it was not as good as it should have been. Whilst I recognise that this story is based on real events, not much happened. It was a very slow paced and boring film unfortunately.
5.5
Tuesday, 13 January 2015
Before I Go To Sleep
A satisfying, keeps-you-guessing thriller. While amnesia is certainly not the most original of plot devices, there's something unique here in terms of truly portraying the emotional, daily hell an amnesiac and loved ones must suffer. This is aided, by no small means, by strong performances by Colin Firth and especially Nicole Kidman.
The plot definitely has suspense and there are sufficient twists and turns to ensure that you truly can not predict the outcome. There's also a nice combination of languid pacing intermixed with truly jarring and lurid scenes. In some ways this had a dream-like (or, take your pick, nightmarish) quality in tone.
A few plot holes make themselves known by the movie's end, but when a thriller ushers you out the theater door while still meditating on memory, marriage, and trust...I'd say that's a job well done.
7
The plot definitely has suspense and there are sufficient twists and turns to ensure that you truly can not predict the outcome. There's also a nice combination of languid pacing intermixed with truly jarring and lurid scenes. In some ways this had a dream-like (or, take your pick, nightmarish) quality in tone.
A few plot holes make themselves known by the movie's end, but when a thriller ushers you out the theater door while still meditating on memory, marriage, and trust...I'd say that's a job well done.
7
Taken 3
Taken 3 is a step down from Taken 2, itself a lesser film than the original. But that is to be expected and forgiven. The title could be considered an unimaginative misnomer, but it makes marketing sense.
The addition of Forest Whitaker as a smart cop is for me something of a saving grace since Taken 3 offers up absurdities without question. On reflection, however, the plot has enough coherence to do the trilogy justice. Moreover, it is a joy to see Liam Neeson in this role again.
The director Olivier Megaton has an irksome penchant for frenetic, up-close, disorienting action sequences whereby shots are rarely longer than two seconds. He was a little better in this regard for Taken 2, which had the benefit of superior choreography.
So if you loved the first one and were unimpressed by the second one, best not bother with this one.
6
The addition of Forest Whitaker as a smart cop is for me something of a saving grace since Taken 3 offers up absurdities without question. On reflection, however, the plot has enough coherence to do the trilogy justice. Moreover, it is a joy to see Liam Neeson in this role again.
The director Olivier Megaton has an irksome penchant for frenetic, up-close, disorienting action sequences whereby shots are rarely longer than two seconds. He was a little better in this regard for Taken 2, which had the benefit of superior choreography.
So if you loved the first one and were unimpressed by the second one, best not bother with this one.
6
The Theory Of Everything
What a wonderful accomplishment of a film which brings such depth and beauty to the life/love story of Stephen and Jane Hawking. The film is adapted from her novel on their life and brings forth much of the love and tenacity necessary to care for and love someone going through great physical struggles over time.
Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones give fantastic and intimate portrayals of Stephen and Jane during their courtship and lives together. These two actors are absolutely, one hundred percent, PHENOMENAL in these two roles. Stephen Hawking is the role that Redmayne was born to play.
9
Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones give fantastic and intimate portrayals of Stephen and Jane during their courtship and lives together. These two actors are absolutely, one hundred percent, PHENOMENAL in these two roles. Stephen Hawking is the role that Redmayne was born to play.
9
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)