Interstellar (REVIEW)

Well, what can I say?

The first words that come to mind are breathtaking and beautifully intense.

I have struggled quite a bit with my opinion of this film since watching it last week. On one hand, I love it. It's a complete masterpiece with some of the best acting I've seen this year. On the other hand, I'm so upset that it's basically a piece of plagiarism. 

I can't really give you a side by side comparison without spoiling the whole movie, but haven just read 2001: A Space Odyssey, I can safely say that Christopher Nolan has stolen every plot point. I know they've acknowledged being influenced by 2001, but I feel like this goes a bit further than that. I can only assume that they hoped people wouldn't notice the similarities due to 2001 being such an old movie? With it so fresh in my mind I couldn't help it. 

But, as Interstellar is 3 hours long, it also has a lot of extra plot to pad it out. The story is great really. The characters are very sympathetic, helped a lot by the fantastic acting. Matthew McConaughey is a genius. Over the last year or so he has made his name synonymous with greatness. He's surely got another Oscar nomination out of this performance. 

One of the actors that I was least familiar with is Jessica Chastain. She's a stunning lady and a fabulously emotive actor. I cried. A lot!

For fans of sci-fi or just great movies, this is definitely worth your time. 

The Book of Life (REVIEW)

I went to see The Book of Life purely because Ron Perlman has been talking about it A LOT on Facebook and Twitter for the past few weeks. With a cast boasting Perlman, Zoe Saldana, Christina Applegate and Danny Trejo and production by Guillermo del Toro, I felt it was definitely worth a watch.

I was expecting a pretty standard kid’s film and I was pleasantly surprised.

The plot is simple. A group of children are on a school trip to a museum where a tour guide tells them the story of the Book of Life. The story is of two young boys who both love the same young girl. On the Day of the Dead, two gods (La Muerte, who reigns over the Land of the Remembered, and Xibalba, who rules the Land of the Forgotten) bet on who will marry the girl. They each give their chosen boy their blessing and then watch the story unfold.

The story is well told and interesting enough to keep you watching, but what really sets this movie apart from the rest and makes it truly glorious is the attention to detail by Director, Jorge Gutierrez. The art work is out of this world. It's so beautiful that while you're watching you feel like you're reading an intricately illustrated book. The characters both alive and dead are fantastically designed and really brought to life by the animation.

Value is added to the incredibly vivid art by the gorgeous music. The soundtrack is something I would actually buy on CD. There's a mix of beautiful covers (most notably Creep by Radiohead) and original songs written for the movie by Gustavo Santaolalla and Paul Williams. Lead actor, Diego Luna, isn't a half bad singer either!

The movie also serves as a wonderful tribute to Mexican culture. Educational and entertaining! I knew nothing about the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead and now I'm on an enlightening Wikipedia journey. Although I recognised the art of the dead faces I had no idea they were called sugar skulls - an excellent name for something so delicate and pretty, and a lovely way to represent the dead.

An all round great movie. Definitely not just for children!

Gone Girl (REVIEW)

Is it too early for an Oscar run?

Ben Affleck’s latest movie Gone Girl is simply incredible. You have no idea!

When Affleck's wife goes missing he calls the police but seems a bit numb and unemotional. The signs all point to a break in and abduction, but is he as innocent or ignorant as he claims? As a whole, the movie serves as a rather cynical and sad comment on marriage and relationships - except obviously in quite an extreme situation.

The story telling is perfection. It gives just enough to keep you wanting more, but never so little that you’re lost and confused (as so often can be the case). I can’t fault the acting. Affleck really pulls off “dickhead husband who might be involved in the disappearance of his wife”. Truly believable performances all round. Rosamund Pike is fantastic. This is the first role I’ve seen her in and she absolutely rocked it. Meanwhile, Trent Reznor’s haunting score beautifully underlined the intense drama – providing just what the atmosphere needed.

Written by Gillian Flynn (who also wrote the novel) and directed by David Fincher, this movie stands as high in my regard as last year’s standout crime thriller Prisoners. They were both released at roughly the same time of year. Hopefully for my birthday next year I’ll get another gritty mystery/drama to be enthralled by!

Trying not to provide any detail so as not to ruin your viewing experience. Just go watch it. 

A Million Ways to Die in the West (REVIEW - Kinda...)

Absolutely brilliant film. Go see it. Don’t watch the trailer!

Seriously, anything I could say about it would spoil your viewing experience! Don’t watch any clips or ask anyone what happens. Safe to say, there are a lot of hilarious ways to die in the West.

Comedy + Western is not often a formula for success. Seth MacFarlane has changed that. And do I even need to mention how awesome the cast is? Charlize Theron, Neil Patrick Harris, Amanda Seyfried. Does Liam Neeson even know he’s in this movie?!

A must see for fans of a good fucking laugh. 

Need for Speed (REVIEW)

Aaron Paul (yes, Jesse Pinkman) was on top form as usual in this edge of your seat, action packed, thrill of a movie. It was cheesy and predictable – but it was awesome. The cars were magnificent (Oh my God those Koenigseggs!) and the stunts were ridiculous. Aaron Paul boldly claimed on Top Gear that there was no CGI in this movie – if he’s telling us the truth then it’s even more amazing than I thought.

The plot of the movie is touching and you really do find yourself caring and hoping that justice will prevail. More than anything, it’s just so good to watch – especially if you’re a bit of a petrol head like myself. It does hurt occasionally, but just bear in mind they aren’t real $2 million cars they’re destroying!

Paul’s character, Tobey Marshall, is a small town mechanic who drives in illegal street races. His childhood enemy and nemesis somehow got out of their small town and made it big as a racing driver. When he comes back to town he has a proposition for Tobey (involving a very special Ford Mustang) that he cannot refuse and the course of his life changes from there. He meets a lovely, crazy girl named Julia (played skilfully and beautifully by London’s very own Imogen Poots) who accompanies him on a journey across the USA to achieve one of his biggest dreams.

With lots of action, crashes and police chases there is never a dull moment. The only thing that could improve this movie would be to make it a little less clean cut. The 12A certificate is like a burden hanging around its neck holding it down and preventing it from becoming what could have been actually quite a dark piece of cinema.

All in all, Need for Speed is never going to win Aaron Paul an Oscar, but it’s damn good entertainment. 

The Wolf of Wall Street (REVIEW)

A shocking spectacle from start to finish, Scorsese’s gripping biopic is pretty much perfect. There is a brilliant blend of hilarious and ‘oh shit’ moments. The fact that it’s a true story makes it all the more interesting. You'll find yourself in awe of the crazy world in which Jordan Belfort lived.

A young and innocent Leonardo DiCaprio starts his first job on Wall Street, mentored by the quirky but wise Matthew McConaughey. After a few small setbacks he begins his journey to the top, recruiting an odd assortment of friends and starting his own business.

Success seems to come easy and with it comes perks. The fabulous antics of Belfort and company make for exciting viewing. With enough sex and drugs to film a Mötley Crüe video (three full hours worth in fact) there's certainly never a dull moment. 

DiCaprio’s performance in this film is without a doubt a sight to be beheld. He gives this highly flawed character a subtle good side that some people question exists. His acting is so authentic and pained at times, giving Belfort the many dimensions he deserves.  

Similarly, Jonah Hill’s supporting role is so vitally important to the success of this film, complimenting DiCaprio perfectly. His character plays a pivotal part in Belfort’s story; you just know that half of the crazy shit wouldn't have gone down without his influence. It’s the first semi serious role I’ve seen Hill in and he plays it remarkably. His acting has matured to such a level that he is Oscar nominated for his performance.

The Wolf of Wall Street is a rare film that captures the attention of a variety of individuals. It’s hip and trendy enough with its huge stars and provocative trailer to lure in the young audience, yet it’s based on an incredibly newsworthy biographical story. Well it certainly does justice to the subject matter. It gives us a behind the scenes look at life on Wall Street and ensures we’ll never look at stock brokers without a jealous glint in our eyes again. 

12 Years a Slave (REVIEW)

Never have I been so glad to have witnessed something so brutal and horrifying. There is something so terribly uncomfortable about this movie; it’s the discomfort that comes with guilt. Knowing that you can never truly imagine the horror and pain that human beings were subjected to by other humans. Even now that guilt does not pass. Even for those with no connection at all to the atrocities; the simple fact of knowing they occurred serves to make our skin crawl.

Solomon Northup is a free black man living in New York with his wife and children. When his wife goes away for a few weeks, he is tempted to make some money by playing violin for a travelling circus. He goes to Washington D.C. with the men offering him the job, and from there is abducted, shackled and kept in a dark room with other abductees. Their captors ship them south to Georgia in the most degrading way possible, and from there Solomon is sold and passed from owner to owner. He’s given a new name and told to forget all that he knows.

Raw emotion, sympathy and sorrow are all brought to the forefront by this masterpiece. Solomon never gives up hope, despite making concessions in order to survive, with the goal of one day living again.

In terms of performance, you cannot fault Chiwetel Ejiofor. He portrays a broken, humiliated and defenceless man. Yet he gives off a sense of strength and integrity that no other character possesses. With amazing realism he shows emotion and pain. Michael Fassbender is a true talent. He is so believable that you feel pure hatred for him, but also pity, for you see the reality of his character and that he is a product of circumstance just like all of the others. Benedict Cumberbatch is a shining hope, his character being fair and just. The only thing lacking was his accent. Similarly, Brad Pitt’s Southern drawl was atrocious, but this is conveniently explained by his character originating from Canada.

Every detail of the movie serves a purpose, there is no frivolity. It’s pure, simple and straight up shocking. Such a tragic tale to be told, and so magnificently done.