Tag: Film Review

A Beautiful Mind (2001)

The Only Thing Greater Than the Power of the Mind is the Courage of the Heart

Rating 12
Length 2h15
Release 22.02.2002
Director Ron Howard
About John Nash, a brilliant but asocial mathematical genius, finds himself in pain when he encounters a cruel disorder. He ultimately overcomes his struggles and emerges free of any trauma.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Now TV
Trailer:

The Good

Jennifer Connolly is incredible as Alicia Nash. The entire story arc is flawlessly portrayed. She provides the voice of reason, the spark of love and loyalty and a character the audience could empathise with.

The story is well told, not only in terms of structure but how Nash’s health dictates the narrative. Without giving away too much of the plot, there are interactions and structuring of the film that will make you want to rewatch.

While I struggled with the way in which Russell Crowe moved his mouth, and I relied on subtitles, the performance is incredible. The lucid, the crisis and the paranoia induced conspiracies are all well performed.

The Bad

The music was not the best. It felt brash and amateur considering this film is made by Ron Howard.

I would have loved to have spent more time in the college of Princeton. I understand why we needed the span that we had to understand Nash’s genius, however it equally could have been a film that resolved with the penning of his article.

The Ugly

While the impact Nash had on the world, there was little of that present in the film, instead choosing to focus upon the mental illness that perhaps sidelined his work for many years.
There’s so many biopics that focus on the negative and makes it feel that the audience is imposing on something too private, too intimate.

Final Thoughts

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Hope and Glory (1987) Film Review

Rating 15
Length 1h53
Release 03.09.1987
Director John Boorman
About A nine-year-old boy growing up in London during the Blitz enjoys an exhilarating childhood among the tragedies and ruins of World War II.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: BBC IPlayer
Trailer:

The Good

The final act in which we spend more time with the Grandfather is that sort of bittersweet nostalgia warmth you get from seeing a familiar relationship that you no longer have presented on screen.
Ian Bannen is perfect in the role and is able to successfully portray the man as a grumpy yet loving family man that takes Billy under his wing.

There’s a scene in which the Rowan family are caught in the middle of an air raid. The slow motion shows the impact of bombs dropped in England. The craft used to produce that scene is incredible; from the ripples on the faces, to the lighting used.

The Bad

It’s an odd one in that the quality of this film feels more like a TV drama than an internationally known, Oscar nominated, film. It’s incredibly well made and the story is gripping, but there’s something that’s lacking.

The Ugly

I almost wish the sex scenes were edited out to bring the rating down to at least a 12. Not that it isn’t well done, and it is somewhat necessary to the plot. However, by removing these scenes, you would create a perfect film for younger viewers.
This would make for an incredible educational film; having a protagonist of 9 years old is a perfect focus for those initially learning about WWII and the conditions during the Blitz.

Final Thoughts

Charming, flawed, yet really funny. Another film that needs to be watched by everyone.

Witness for the Prosecution (1957) Film Review

Rating U
Length 1h56
Release 30.01.1957
Director Billy Wilder
About A lawyer is troubled when a supposedly conscientious woman testifies against her husband. However, the motives behind her testimony put him in an ethical dilemma.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: BBC IPlayer
Trailer:

The Good

Charles Laughton, best known to me as Henry Hobson in Hobson’s Choice, is an absolute cantankerous delight as barrister Sir Wilfred Robards, pulled into a court case against Doctor’s orders when his nurse confiscates his cigars.
It’s very rare to have the gravitas Laughton has, and give the range of humour, vulnerability and anger that he does. He’s perfectly cast and carries this film, from start to finish.

Elsa Lanchester, Laughton’s real life wife, as Miss Plimsoll is the perfect addition to the original Agatha Christie plot. The chemistry and bickering between the two is some of the bests scenes in the film and I do actually wish she was in more.

There’s some beautiful shots in the film, particularly the Oxford Street establishing shot in which the reflection of the road, the bus and the crowd is seen while Mrs French is trying on hats in the shop.

The Bad

I disliked the Vole flashback showing how he met Christine. There’s no chemistry between them and the scene is rather clunky. After also having such extensive flashbacks with Mrs French, it may have been better to have Vole in the present relay the information.

The Ugly

The decoration of Mrs French’s living room with African art gives away more about her than perhaps we would like? It’s established that she’s wealthy; that’s the motive for murder. However, the African art could indicate a source of her money. It’s hard to not think this when appropriated art hangs like animal heads in a hunting lodge. It sucks.

By extension the anti-foreign sentiment is a painful reminder that xenophobia today is nothing new. Not only is it presented by many characters as a personal view “we should have an embargo on foreign wives,”, it’s expressed within the courtroom too.

Final Thoughts

An incredible film, and one all must watch but pales in comparison to another law-based Oscar contender for 1967: 12 Angry Men (1967).

Jojo Rabbit (2019) Film Review

Rating 12
Length 1h48
Release 01.01.2020
Director Taika Waititi
About Hitler Youth cadet Jojo Betzler firmly believes in the ideals of Nazism manifested by his imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler. However, his foundations are shaken when he finds a Jewish girl in his house.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Disney+
Trailer:

The Good

Sam Rockwell portrays his character so unbelievably well. Giving enough to make you question who he might be. Or rather, hope, he is who we think he might be. The presence of doubt allows for jeopardy at important turning points in the film.

That opening with a German-language version of I Want to Hold Your Hands by the Beatles is an absolute genius choice of song, particularly when the film then doubles down with brightness and joyful “youth Hitler” camp, that mirrors the height of Beatle Mania. It’s odd, it’s juxtaposed to everything other films have represented any element of WWII, but that’s exactly why it is so clever.

There’s a visual element that’s reminiscent of work by Wes Anderson and so it gives me as a viewer my favourite part of his work, without the heaviness that I find with his dialogue and choice of music. I’m now honestly, wanting a team up between him and Waititi.

The young stars are incredible and walk the line between absolute innocence and old before their time without it feeling like Bugsy Malone. The character of Jojo is well presented and has a clear story arc and growth.

The Bad

As much as this film will make you laugh, it most definitely will counter with tears. It doesn’t hold back on the truth about Hitler’s regime, and the death, hate and destruction that comes with it.

The Nazi

Having Taika Waititi play Hitler is as powerful as the musical number within The Producers by Mel Brooks, proving yet again the best way to present the biggest evil is to poke fun and laugh.
Waititi, while scary at the end when everything has gone awry for Germany, also retains an element of a child-like tantrum seen throughout the film. I couldn’t think of anyone better to pull this off.
He’s also right; being of Jewish heritage and playing Hitler, is the biggest ‘fuck you’ to the guy. I couldn’t be more proud of him as a director, and levity aside, I cannot imagine how difficult it would have been for Taika Waititi to do this.

Final Thoughts

You have to be in the right frame of mind for this satire. I tried to watch this in 2020, and I didn’t get past the rabbit test scene. Perhaps it was that I was too deep into the Covid isolation, but I struggled and bailed. This time though, I discovered the most beautiful film that had a lot to say about love, despite the overwhelming hate all around.

Boyz n the Hood (1991) Film Review

Rating 15
Length 1h52
Release 25.10.1991
Director John Singleton
About Three childhood friends, Darrin, Tre and Ricky, who struggle to cope with the distractions and dangers of growing up in a Los Angeles ghetto.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Now TV
Trailer:

The Good

The acting in this film is incredible. All relatively unknown at the time of making, each and every one is worthy of the praise.

The realism presented in the film is heartbreakingly authentic. Not only of the time, but unfortunately today. While at the time, the film was seen as glorifying gang culture and the violence that goes alongside, I think the important commentary to take from this film is how society outside the ghettos responded. By which I mean the gentrification and the way in which the police, even those of colour, made the community low priority and regarded them all with contempt.

The Bad

I really struggled with the language. Particularly swearing and slurs used is such a casual and repetitive way. I have no problem with its use as it is authentic for the time and the community being presented. However, I had a physical reaction every time, specifically in the 1984 section, these young boys were swearing at each other.

It’s hard to watch knowing how it is going to end. That’s not a spoiler, or prejudicial, the opening quote gives you an idea how this story is going to play out. While less of a shock over who, this film is comparative to American History X for that fatal scene you don’t want to see, but cannot turn away from.

The Ugly

This film was vastly overlooked when it came to the Oscars, being nominated only for director and screenplay. I’m not going to even question why; it’s long been established that the Academy Awards are problematic on everything from gender, genre and race.
The biggest example of all three is Angela Bassett. She clearly demonstrates her talent in the minimal scenes she’s in, yet even to this date she’s not been able to claim a trophy of her own.

Officer Coffey is a presentation of the most horrific and heartbreaking side to humanity, made all the worse because people like him exist in real life. Watching Coffey’s distain and contempt for people of his own race is a complex injustice that turns my stomach.

Final Thoughts

Not something people should *want* to watch, but certainly something everyone *needs* to watch.

Frequently Ask Questions About Time Travel (2009) Film Review

Rating 15
Length 1h23
Release 24.04.2009
Director Gareth Carrivick
About Ray stumbles into a time portal and envisions his death in the future. He and his two friends unravel the baffling rules of time-travel and try to return safely to the present.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: BBC IPlayer
Trailer:

The Good

Baby Chris O’Dowd! Dean Lennox Kelly! Anna Farris! What an incredible cast that gives this film a Red Dwarf meets Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy British Sci-Fi feel.

The story, being about time travel, is actually well plotted to keep the audience on track. That is a feat that even some of the best Sci-Fi’s out there cannot achieve; both Star Trek and Dr Who have episodes that have wrinkled my brain.

That opening scene in which Chris O’Dowd’s Jay reduces a bunch of kids to tears with an IT Crowd ranting monologue is genius. Its what will sell you on the movie and if you don’t laugh, you might as well turn the thing off.

The Bad

It is very rare that I say this, but it’s a little too short. I can see why it was done, but it all gets going and then it ends. Feels very pulled up short and wrapped up before it’s time.

The Ugly

Mr Fucking Poppy! I’m sure Marc Wootton is a perfectly decent guy and an all round excellent actor. However, to me he will always be Mr Poppy of Nativity fame and I cannot stress how much I hate that man-child character.

Final Thoughts

With a bit of a pass through and about 25 more minutes added to the plot, this would have made for a passable instalment of the Cornetto Trilogy.
Absolutely worth the watch, but might not be to everyone’s tastes.

Chariots of Fire (1981) Film Review

Rating PG
Length 2h03
Release 30.03.1981
Director Hugh Hudson
About Two men, Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell, race for the gold in the 1924 Olympics. While one runs for his faith, the other participates to leave prejudice behind.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Disney+
Trailer:

The Good

What an incredible film I’ve been sleeping on. It has everything that makes a biopic like this great; a rousing score, dedicated yet flawed leads and an uplifting, tear jerking ending.
Even though it’s a two lead film, there’s an incredible supporting cast who you will be as equally invested in.

The themes explored are powerful. Namely faith, success and the lengths people will go to achieve it, are as organic as the sport presented in this film. Yet, even with the two leads being of the Abrahamic faiths, it does not feel like a religious movie. Merely part of who these two men were and how it inspired, motivated and challenged them.

This film is a whose who of Star Trek and a cast of remarkable talent within English acting. It’s incredible to see these people in an early role and the only problem it raises is trying not to be distracted while you place them.

The Bad

Society in the UK is really quite shit and while it makes for excellent challenges for the leads to overcome, it doesn’t leave a good feeling at the treatment of both Eric and Harold, particularly when a lot of it is directed towards their faith.
The gatekeeping of the Olympics is not a theme isolated to this particular reenactment, which only makes this worse.

The film also presents many men, particularly those in high positions, with antisemitic views. Obviously, it’s a necessary part of the film, and the theme however it does make for a frustrating and infuriating watch.

The Ugly

Oh I cried. It’s weird how success can make you cry more than failure, but I can’t imagine many people would have dry eyes by the final act. For me it’s not about patriotism, but about the success of the individual and the effort they put in.

Final Thoughts

It’s a beautiful, uplifting film that manages to take a look into privileged lives without alienating the audience.

The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019) Film Review

Rating PG
Length 1h26
Release 24.05.2019
Director Frank Coraci
About At a farm, Max meets the sheepdog Rooster who tries to help him overcome his fears. Back home, Gidget loses Max’s favourite toy, while Snowball tries to rescue a white tiger cub, Hu.
Moon: loads of full moons throughout the film
Where to Watch: BBC IPlayer
Trailer:

The Good

Patton Oswalt taking over as the voice of Max was a genius move. To the point, I would love him to voice the first instalment. He has a voice that works for the personality and as an actor he is wholesome.

While still on casting?! Harrison Ford finally lent his voice to an animated character. Could you think of anything better than the gruff and hardened Rooster?! He’s an actor who can handle being angry at the world, without being off putting. Between him and Oswalt, I was grinning all the way through this movie.

The animation and and characterisation of having domesticated cats is so spot on. Having the tiger demonstrate those behaviours too was adorable. Obviously because everyone who loves cats would love to pspspspsps a big cat in the hopes of being able to pet.

The Bad

Did the writers not know what most of us think when we hear a dog is going to a “farm”? I won’t lie, I spent the film on edge thinking Max was going to prove the theory that all dogs go to heaven. I think I would have liked a little reassurance that the plot was *not* going that way and maybe parents would too.

The Ugly

I love both of the plots; the farm and the tiger. However, the both feel a little undeveloped and as if they should have really taken part in their own, separate, film. Was it that the writers got so far and couldn’t develop the storylines, so smushed them together?
Either way, it felt a little lacking.

Final Thoughts

A competent film that you won’t regret watching, but certainly doesn’t reach it’s full potential.

R.V (2006) Film Review

Rating PG
Length 1h39
Release 09.06.2006
Director Frank Coraci
About Bob Munro rents an RV and takes his dysfunctional family on a road trip to the Colorado Rockies. However, midway he realises that the brakes of the vehicle aren’t functioning well.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
Trailer:

The Good

Baby Josh Hutcherson is really adorable to watch as the youngest of the Munro family on a typical family vacation film. It’s a perfectly great performance for a kid actor, but the novelty here is watching it knowing how much of a successful career he’s had.

There is a charm to the exploration of the family unit and Bob’s attempts to reconnect, while not really being all in himself. It all builds towards a really heartfelt final act.

Jeff Daniels and Kristen Chenoweth truly steal every single scene they’re in. Yeah, I have a true soft spot for Daniels, but I honestly couldn’t think of anyone better going up against Robin Williams.
Kristen Chenoweth is just a consistent charm and what I love most of all is her quirky brightness that actually compliments Cheryl Hines’ much more straight laced matriarch.

The Bad

I love Robin Williams, I honestly do. However the ‘parent’ role like the one he has in R.V have the heavy cringe moments like the ones when he’s trying to be ‘cool’. I almost wish that Robin Williams had the Gornicke role as Jeff Daniels would have perhaps given the exasperated patriarch a little more balance.

Other films have been there, and done that before. The Great Outdoors, Vacation, We’re the Millers, Cheaper by the Dozen 2. They’ve all covered this ground, clashed with other families and destroyed vehicles or property in funnier ways than this toothless, groan-worthy option.

The Ugly

There are way too many toilet and poop ‘jokes’ of varying levels of grossness. The worst one involves the disastrous evacuation of the septic tank. After the third or fourth toilet joke, don’t be too alarmed if you’re nauseated; I certainly was.

Final Thoughts

I can think of worse films to watch, but I certainly won’t be in a rush to see it again. It certainly wouldn’t make any of the actor’s top 5 performances. Well, except for maybe JoJo who seemed to decide after 2006, acting wasn’t for her.

King Knight (2021) Film Review

Rating 15
Length 1h18
Release 08.08.2021 (US)
Director Richard Bates Jnr
About Thorn and Willow appear to have it all as the revered high priest and priestess of a coven of New Age witches. However, a secret from Thorn’s past throws their lives into turmoil, sending them on a hilarious and trippy journey.
Moon: Moon
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
Trailer:

The Good

Some of the best parts of this film are when Matthew Gray Gubler has the screen to himself. The middle section, when Thorn is high, is the funniest and most engaging part of the film.
There’s something about Gubler that makes eccentricity acceptable and mainstream so there’s comfort to be found in his performance.

The pinecone! Hearing Aubrey Plaza swear her way through describing the life of a pinecone is just perfect. That woman can do no wrong. Seriously.

The animation and title cards between acts are both incredibly beautiful. Actually, most of the film is stunning. Even with the trance music and complimentary lighting that can only exist to engineer a headache, its beautiful.

The Bad

It takes way too long to get to the reveal that Thorn was once, gasp, popular. Instead, the film focuses more on being an arthouse film. Which is fine, I’m sure. There’s certainly an audience for that. However, there’s also a narrative with potential that would appeal to a larger market if only the script was edited.

“We all have poo in our butts”
Seriously? Did no one take a once over with this script and think ‘we can do better guys.’

The Ugly

Johnny Pemberton is a comedic talent and an absolute genius in Superstore, yet he’s not given the opportunity to shine here and is instead reduced to playing a stereotype and mumble out his words.

Final Thoughts

Not as funny, or easy going, as it could have been. It could have been The Craft, meets Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion. Instead, I almost turned it off in the first 20 minutes and before the reveal.

Sideways (2004) Film Review

Rating 15
Length 2h02
Release 28.01.2004
Director Alexander Payne
About A middle-aged Miles is a budding writer while his friend Jack is a soon-to-be married actor. They take a road trip through Santa Ynez Valley wine country in order to celebrate his bachelor party.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Disney+
Trailer:

The Good

It is a really well made film; the scenes are well paced and cinematography is stunning. The cast is incredible and there are some delightful scenes that do make me want to visit “win country”.

Thomas Hayden Church, as always has an excellent presence and this is no exception. Despite the fact that I hate everything about his character, I cannot fault his performance.

The Bad

The jazz music is too “elevator music” to fit the film. I love jazz, but it’s it pulling for attention rather than complimenting the movie. It’s weird; this is now the second Oscar nominated film in which I want to change out the score completely.

Gag warning. There’s a scene in which one character drinks from the spit bucket. Jesus, just no! There’s only one other film that had me this close to throwing up and that was one of the Saw movies.

The Ugly

I detest both men and so I find myself not giving a single fuck about either of their stories. Miles is a miserable dick whose pretentious views about wine has me so angry that I don’t know enough to challenge him.
Then Jack?! It shows how shitty he is, that the film manages to make me hate Thomas Hayden Church and that takes an extraordinary feat. However, using the stage week to first of all land the blowing news that Miles’ ex wife is newly married and invited to the upcoming wedding of Jack’s. Then, the whole purpose of this time away for Jack is to cheat on his fiancee. The character is almost coded as a younger man for the emotional immaturity.
It is a story that clashes so much with my own morality that I cannot enjoy the story itself. Other people might not have that problem, but I was very happy for it to be over.

Final Thoughts

A well made film, but will most likely leaving you feeling hollow. Unless of course you drink when they drink and then you won’t remember how shitty these men are.

Bonnie and Clyde (1967) Film Review

Rating 18
Length 1h51
Release 08.09.1967
Director Arthur Penn
About When Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow meet, they get attracted to each other. Together, they choose the path of crime to earn easy money. But they refuse to hurt people while going about their business.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: BBC Player
Trailer:

The Good

I was hooked from the very start until that heart wrenching, yet inevitable, final scene. The chemistry between Dunaway and Beatty is undeniable and they do really bring the iconic Bonnie and Clyde to life.

Considering when was this was made, the film presents some ground breaking imagery and representation. The first murder on screen by Beatty’s Clyde, while tame by today’s movie standards, is quite vivid. There’s no edit between the firing of the gun and the sight of blood; it’s incredibly well filmed and would take any audience member by surprise.

The ending is on a par with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), or perhaps even the inspiration behind the highly stylised ending for the Redford and Newman fronted film.
Slow motion certainly is something that is overused today, but combined here with the alternative views and speeds, it. really is effective for representing the last moments of their lives.

The Bad

I’m sorry to say this, but how did Estelle Parsons win the Oscar for her support performance?! It’s all screaming and … well if you’ve seen The War of the Worlds (2005) and you remember Dakota Fanning’s scream-y performance. It’s like that, but so much more annoying.
Yes, the characterisation is a deliberate contrast to Dunaway’s Bonnie, but did it really have to go that far?

The Ugly

I’m certain that at the time of release, the original score would have been considered amazing. However, due to the potential over use of the banjo and it specifically being used to provide levity and a satirical tone, the music really clashes with the narrative.

Final Thoughts

A very well made film, with an excellent cast and It’s one of those that you have watch at least once in your life. Give it an updated score that you can listen to without smirking, and I’d agree with many that it is a masterpiece.