Category: Movie reviews

Goodbye Christopher Robin (PG)
Release date: 29^th September 2017
Trailer

From IMDB: A rare glimpse into the relationship between beloved children’s author A. A. Milne (Domhnall Gleeson) and his son Christopher Robin, whose toys inspired the magical world of Winnie the Pooh. Along with his mother Daphne (Margot Robbie), and his nanny Olive, Christopher Robin and his family are swept up in the international success of the books; the enchanting tales bringing hope and comfort to England after the First World War. But with the eyes of the world on Christopher Robin, what will the cost be to the family?

The Good
Biased though I am, Domhnall Gleeson was a delight as A. A. Milne (However, he’s also a delight in Dredd, so yup, biased). So much so, I almost forget how much of a shite father he is to his son, Christopher Robin.
There’s a charm to his understated performance that brings the character a sense of amusement, yet world weary from the troubles of war. My heart lifted every time I saw his smile and heard his soothing voice during the playful scenes in the woods with his son.
It’s a perfect(ish) Sunday afternoon film, full of warmth and colour and a twee sense of Britishness. There is an uplifting essence despite the somewhat downward turn the plot takes.

WATCH: And Weep, Trailer for Winnie the Pooh’s Origin Story ‘Goodbye Christopher Robin’ Will Make You Cry.” CREDIT: Fox Searchlight

The Bad
Alas, this was not a work of fiction, but a biopic. So while a film played for entertainment would have everyone cheery and the film would end as the book hits the shelves.
Instead, we see the family tormented by fame and the challenges of PTSD in a country recovering from war. Christopher Robin grows up frustrated, confused and resentful of his intimate time with his father being sold for mass consumption.
It feels a little wrong, much like Theory of Everything, watching a family come undone. Especially in such an emotionally repressed manner.

The Ugly
While Margot Robbie should be applauded for her performance, I absolutely detested the character of Daphne. The wife of A. A. Milne is the fundamental flaw in what could be a heart-warming tale.
This upper class, emotionally stunted woman is like Lady Macbeth; blackmailing her husband and showing no love to her child, it is her actions that lead to the publication of the stories and the emotional scaring of her child.
I almost, at one point, hoped for an affair between Blue and the Nanny; Olive. I’d have understood and even encouraged the affair; Milne keeps his emotions in check due to the reprimand of his wife. A bittersweet thought remains in my head; how well adjusted would Christopher have been had Blue just told his wife where to go?!
It again, makes it harder that this is real life. While I have no doubt, some licence has been taken with the biography; I refuse to believe it would be at such defamation of a person.

Final Thoughts
While there are some tears to be shed, there isn’t quite enough for it to be cathartic. It will be one I’ll intend to rewatch, but perhaps never will. It’s something for those who enjoyed Saving Mr Banks and I fully expect some Oscar nominations (Gleeson, Robbie, Costume) in the new year.

Kingsman: The Golden Circle- 15
Release date- 20.9.17

Trailer
Review for Kingsman the Secret Service (2014)
From IMDB: When their headquarters are destroyed and the world is held hostage, the Kingsman’s journey leads them to the discovery of an allied spy organization in the US. These two elite secret organizations must band together to defeat a common enemy.

The Good
It ticks all the boxes from the first movie: the sleek filming style, amazing talent rounding up the cast and a larger than life plot to give you a satisfying 2 hour escape from the real world.
Taron Egerton is wonderful, as always, playing rough-boy gone posh Eggsy. There’s some beautiful moments where he shows some vulnerability; namely to do with his connections with friends and family.
Mark Strong’s Merlin is upgraded with extra screen time this outing. Strong is a wonderful addition to any film and Kingsman is no exception. Just wait for the final act and he will bring a tear to your eye with a song.
The American counterparts are a welcome detour in the film’s proceedings; Berry, Tatum and Bridges take on the Statesmen roles with charm and wit. They feel right at home with our smart dressed boys.
Hallie Berry, in particular, is a delight to see working alongside Strong. She plays his American counterpart; Ginger Ale. She longs for field work, only we never really get to see how successful she’d be.

The Bad
Colin Firth! Sigh, it’s so hard to put this as a negative, but when a film rewrites a narrative to bring back a character, it’s a little bit of a bitter pill. Now, I may be wrong as I’ve never read the comics however, I will never watch the first film and that scene in which Firth takes the bullet to the head with the same gravitas.
I have the same issue with Agent Coulson in Avengers Assemble; it means any following character deaths lose their power or believability. It stops me feeling for any character demise as I’m always holding my breath for their return.
That said, how Vaugn brings Firth back is quite ingenious and his character does add to the film’s dynamics and even the plot.
Alas, he also draws attention to my second negative of the film. Pedro Pascal’s hand is revealed too early as turncoat agent. I had my suspicions, but Firth’s character confirmed it. Nothing is done to deny this or make it out to be a red herring; so you’ll be shouting at the screen at Eggsy for doubting Galahad Snr.

The Ugly

It was too ‘filming by numbers’ for my liking. The same gags were used, they had the same fights in different locations and even the villain was the same character in a different body.
Okay, I’ll give Kingsman points for casting Julianne Moore as the peppy Poppy, hell bent on showing the world what she can do to the drug market. However, she was still exploiting a mass market item to her own benefit.
Her predictable demise feels a little anti-climactic which would have been fine had Agent Whiskey’s betrayal been the sucker punch reveal it deserved.

Sweet little Cherry
Elton John’s cameo was a delight. It trumps the Mark Hamill guest star from the previous film and he provides some of the film’s best laughs.

Final Thoughts
I’m so happy it was made and it’s certainly an enjoyable 2 hours, but it pales in comparison to its predecessor and I do hope that there isn’t a third waiting to be green lit.

mother! 18
Release date: 15^th September
Trailer- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpICoc65uh0
From IMDB: A couple’s relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence.

The initial thoughts

My head was messed for a good few hours after watching this film. I predicted some, but not all, of the metaphors within the film. It was only one of the final act’s lines that gave me an indication as to the biblical allegory presented within the set piece of a house.
Since reading up about the Biblical context, it’s easier to seen some of the more overt imagery and themes. Something which would have sat better with me had this been an open interpretation.

The Good
The film contains a good calibre of actors who work well together. Jennifer Lawrence is amazing at ‘Mother’; always at the edge of sanity as her husband pushes her boundaries and seemingly put guests before her. She is our eyes within this crazy world; you feel her confusion and abandonment. However, even going into the final scene, you are left wondering if it’s all in her head.

The scene stealer has to be Michelle Pfeiffer as ‘Woman’; wife to Ed Harris’ ‘Man’. I hadn’t realised until after the credits had rolled and I was halfway home; none of the characters were ever referred to by name.

Domhnall alert! Not in it long, but I was grateful for the few scenes he was in. Playing the ‘Older brother’ to his own brother, Brian it did leave me wishing that casting had gone in for a hattrick and put Brendan in place of Ed Harris.

The Bad

It’s slow. It’s quiet. It’s NOT a horror. Whoever they have in charge for the marketing campaign needs to be sent back to film school; yes, there are horrific scenes, however that is not what the mass audience will expect when paying their £10 plus to put their bums on the seats.

It picks up speed in the final act, but it becomes so busy I felt like I was on a fairground ride. It’s hard to keep track of the action and you can’t help but feel on edge.

The Ugly

Literally the phrase ‘viewer discretion is advised’ has never meant so much. As I’ve mentioned briefly, this film is a Biblical allegory. Mother, is representative of mother earth and both ‘Man’ and ‘Woman’ are Adam and Eve.

While most of the plot contains itself to Genesis, the final act draws on the development of humanity and religion along with the treatment of Jesus. Jennifer Lawrence shows a different form of immaculate conception as she just ‘knows’ she is pregnant. It’s a scene that sits uncomfortably with me.
However, it would have been my winner had her baby; who remains unnamed is passed around the cultish gathering within their family home. I think you have to have a stomach of lead to get through the scene in which a baby less than 24 hours old becomes a metaphor for the last supper and crucifixion of Jesus.

I’ve failed to talk about ‘Him’. The creator who abandons his wife because he need to be with his ‘fans’ and allows his new born baby to be killed, only to insist on them being forgiven. Of course, this is the allegorical God; played by Javier Bardem in a depression filled role. It doesn’t sit right with me.
While it can be said that he plays a good characterisation of the God within the Old Testement, it was Bardem’s performance that stopped me from working it out sooner.
The creator is too flawed, too weak and too petulant to be my understanding of God; no matter which Testement He is taken from. God should not be flawed; meaning the beginning and final scenes are rendering God no longer infallible. (Quick, someone get Bethany. Up is about to become down, black will become white…)

Not only that, this divisive interpretation puts the blame of the destruction of the world at God’s door. Many people who know me, know I’m agnostic and do not practise any faith. However, Global warming, idolatry and the perverse acts of mankind (killings, rape, Trump) are our own doing. To not only encourage the thought that it is the fault of a higher power, let alone have it come from ‘His’ mouth, is simply insulting.

Also, I’m an RE teacher! Do you have any idea how frustrating it is to discover these films rich in religious content, to realise that the age rating disallows its use? Hollywood; give me some age appropriate goods.

Nerve
Trailer
From IMDB: A high school senior finds herself immersed in an online game of truth or dare, where her every move starts to become manipulated by an anonymous community of “watchers.”

Nerve takes the premise of Jeanne Ryan’s novel, has its kinks and lulls ironed out, in order to provide an hour and a half of suspense, thrills and wicked entertainment.

Emma Roberts and Dave Franco are perfect leads Vee and Ian who join together to participate in Nerve; an online Truth or Dare. To win you need to go viral and complete challenges. How much of a coincidence is it that the challenges just so happen to represent player’s fears and personal demons?!

Okay, so anyone who’s seen the trailer, or watched a suspense movie will know it’s not that simple. Once they have you in their grip, Nerve will do anything to keep you there.

Cinematography is immersive and, at some points, stomach churning. The plot is well developed. At some points, more than the book. The changes allow for more depth of character and Vee’s motivation has a better foundation.

It’s not for everyone though.

IT- 15
Release date: 8^th September 2017
Han’s book review
From IMDB: A group of bullied kids band together when a shapeshifting demon, taking the appearance of clown, begins hunting children.
Trailer

The good
The young actors were amazing and a perfect representation of teens today. I wasn’t sold on Finn Wolfhard as the sexualised Richie (Think Jay from Inbetweeners and that’s what Richie should be like. Unfortunately, Wolfhard’s words fall flat in their believability), however he was perfect for the other aspects of the character and a beautiful homage to Corey Feldmen’s Teddy of Stand by Me.

Sophia Lillis is truly incredible as Val. She portrays a believable vulnerability with a will to survive. Her attack by IT puts the Carrie prom scene to shame and is truly one of the creepiest set pieces I’ve ever watched.

I don’t think a bunch of kids have been well cast since the golden age of the 80s; they should be held in as high regard as The Goonies and Stand By Me.

The film makers had the sense not to convolute the plot with King’s “ingenious” method of riding Derry of IT; a consensual gang bang between Val and every single boy in the Losers Club.

There are some amazing one liners that have been woven in due to the time shift from the book; from New Kids on the Block to film references. I was the only person laughing, but I didn’t care one bit. Hit the film on a busy Saturday night and I’m sure there would be more people chuckling along.

The scares are there, especially if you have a dislike for clowns. I jumped twice, but that was more to do with the music than the plot. IT is certainly going to leave a lasting impression.

The bad
It’s quite annoying that the bits I quite loved about the film is what I feel did it a disservice.

Setting the teen section in the 80s was good; as a horror movie, it ticks all the boxes. However, in a post Stranger Things world and being a King adaptation; it comes across as a little cheap and homage-ridden to been enjoyed as it was meant. Also, there was so much rich social commentary to be gained from a 50s setting that I was really looking forward to seeing.

There was a little too much Max Headroom computer effects whenever Pennywise came out to play in the mid and long shots and some scenes showed too much which sadly detracted from the horror.

It’s biggest problem when it comes to the horror is that it’s appealing to a 15 audience. Up it to an 18 and they could have gotten a lot more scares in.

The ugly
Where was my werewolf?! Everyone has their favourite; zombies, vampires, werewolves. I’m a wolf gal; all hair, a bit of gruff and an understanding that we all have an off few days once a month. It’s there in the book, and I had no expectations. Except, ah bloody hell, they went there.

I got a glimpse, a tease if you will. My co blogger has insisted I quote myself from the post movie debrief; “I feel like Domhnall Gleeson did stripped in front of me, but stopped before we got to the good stuff” and it’s true. I feel so robbed and I only hope the intention is that we see it in chapter 2.

Currently, IT Chapter Two has yet to be green lit. However, it’s had a healthy box office so an announcement should be imminent.

Wind River- 18
Release date 8.9.17

From IMBD: An FBI agent teams with a town’s veteran game tracker to investigate a murder that occurred on a Native American reservation.

It’s not an ‘enjoyable’ watch by any stretch of the imagination, however it is well made and worthy of sharing a shelf with the likes of Leon, Straw Dogs and Seven. It’s based on real events; and contains a message that people do need to hear.

The good
With the brutal atmosphere of Seven and unrelenting violence of Leon, Wind River is the crime thriller of the year. Both Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen are incredibly moving in their roles.
Renner’s tormented game tracker Cory Lambert is pure unadulterated grief. It’s painful, yet cathartic to watch. Olsen is likable as out of her depth FBI officer, Jane. Her chemistry with Renner and the other actors brings some light to the dark plot.
The representation of Native American culture is sincere and full of political and social commentary. It’s quite refreshing to be taken into an atmospheric environment relatively unseen in mainstream film.

The final third of the film is where the film shines; all the pieces fall into place and the action heats up. After an epic Leon-worthy show down, the film wraps up with one of the best revenge face-offs I’ve seen. It teared me up worse than Jean Reno’s ‘This is for Matilda.’

The thing I love most of all about Wind River, is its commentary on forms of mental health; from the grieving parent to the lost teen to the isolated worker without home comforts. We need more films like this, preferably ones not so violent and more accessible to a younger audience.

The bad
It does have a slow build that I may not have sat through had I watched it at home. However, having it on the big screen allows you to appreciate the landscape shots and intimate dialogue between friends within the community.

The ugly
The victim that is the catalyst for the whole narrative is a victim of rape. It’s a hard scene to watch, and worthy of the films 18 rating. It is far from gratuitous and ensures you know that this traumatic event happens to women across the world; the disappearance and abuse of Native American women being one minority that repeatedly goes unreported.

American Made- 15
Release date- 25.8.17
Trailer

The Good
From the opening, I knew I was going to like this Crime Drama Biopic. There was something a little hipster about its phase from fancy, shiny new age Universal logo to the static one of old. The film geek in me loves a gimmick when it comes to studio logos. (Side note- to this day Ralf hums along to every 20^th Fox film. It’s head cannon to me now.) It sets the tone and the setting of the film. Got to love the meta of it; it’s harking back to an era in which the president was a former actor. I have much more insightful things to say about the progression of Hollywood during the Regan era, but now is not the time.
The humour from the get going is quirky, gritty and a refreshing change for a Cruise film. Once or twice I found myself being the only person laughing, or understanding the punch like a beat sooner than the rest of the audience.
The plot is given a clear narration with the same flare as 2015’s The Big Short. It’s narration is what ties the whole thing together.

Okay, I’ll level with you here before I gush at the awesomeness. Cruise and Gleeson meet fairly early and yes, their initial scene would never stand up to that of Deniro and Pacino in Heat when it comes to a sit down; how would it, that was DECADES in the making.
However, Gleeson is once again showing his versatility as the unlikeable ‘CIA’ operative handling Cruise’s pilot Barry Seal.
I know I’m bias as Gleeson is my movie catnip, but I loved his sudo-command over A-list Cruise. It also gives you an insight into Cruise’s character. You know had this been Ethan Hunt the other side of the table, Gleeson’s Monty Shafer would have pissed his pants by the end of the first conversation.

The Bad
I wasn’t a fan of the shaky cam. It certainly didn’t do the film justice on a Super Screen. I know it was trying to achieve a sense of realism, and aesthetically it makes more sense and you appreciate it more when you get to the final act. Had I watched it on a smaller screen, it might have been okay. However, as it stands, it left me a little dizzy.
I did also find it a little slow in places. Not as slow as other Colombian cartel movies (Yes, I’m looking at you Scarface… You’re long, you’re over rated and I hate you), and while it’s okay for a first watch I don’t think it’s a regular viewing film.

The Ugly
This is not about the film itself, but film etiquette and ultimate audience faux pas that led to me becoming a little bit more aware of the films pace; the couple next to me. (Side note: they shouldn’t have been next to us. I’d used my Cinema Magic skills to combine my Cineworld card and Meerkat movies to get myself and a friend in for free. I’d specified the later showing, but the grumpy twenty-something was too busy making her face express her wish to be outside, so she gave me tickets for the screening before… so a seat hop, or three, we find ourselves beside this couple)
The talked, at length and at volume. Throughout the entire film. I don’t get it?! It was central London; the tickets were £16.50 each (hence what I did being a magic trick). Why bother? From the little bits I did hear, it wasn’t even about the film. During the fight and flight sequences it wasn’t so obvious. However, during the quiet bits it was a little like torture… ergo slow pace makes the film fall a little for me.
People, be proud though, I restrained the inner Scouse and I actually let them chat away. I don’t know if it was because the sound system in a Super Screen was a little louder than normal, or if I’m just realising I gain nothing by allowing myself to be wound up by ignorant people. It really is an ugly side of cinema, but I don’t want it to stop me enjoying my time with friends.