As I was away for the whole of April, I was unable to post my usual
watch list, so this is going to be a mix of the last two months in quick
succession as I managed to watch 6 new films just on the way to New
Zealand as well as consume 5 other films I watched while out there and 2
new films plus the whole of season one of The Handmaid's Tale on the
way home on the plane. No matter what I'm doing or where I am, I manage
to watch films.
Ready Player One
I
had planned reading the book before the film came out but time makes
fools of us all. Set in the future where everyone lives online...
honestly this is set in the future but a future where a games creator
genius trillionaire has left an easter egg to his fortune after he died.
All the players in the world are looking for the clues to that egg,
Wade Watts, lives in the stacks, the poorer area of the city where the
creator is from. Along with his 'clan' he hunts for the egg before the
evil corp finds it and gains control of the Oasis. I'm not explaining
this well, but its a fun game and film referenced filled film with basic
heroes and fantastic visual art. One of Speilberg's better films in
years. 3/5
Game Over Man
The
three guys from the TV show Workaholics work in a very posh hotel as
housekeepers when a group of terrorists take a famous rapper and his
party guests hostage. The film sort digs at a Die Hard like situation
but mainly makes a lots of disgusting jokes and a few very funny jokes
that land. But the terrible jokes and some of the worse scenes makes the
film not exactly memorable. 2/5
The Secret of Kells
Set
in Ireland, a young Brendan, lives in the Abbey of Kells where his
uncle, the Abbott wants to build a wall around the village and abbey to
prevent the Vikings from attacking. As an apprentice in the scriptorium
he begins to help Brother Aidan the author of the fabled Book of Iona
which olds beautifully intricate details drawings. It is an amazingly
animated film, that explores Irish folklore as well as depicting the
horrendous Viking attacks and also shows faith in a different light. 4/5
The Jungle Book
Finally
got round to watching this film and it did not disappoint. Strangely
enough, the live action Mowgli and the CGI animals, beautifully
animated, works quite well together. The animals are far more
terrifyingly depicted, especially Kaa who had a brief appearance and
King Louie who was a gigantic ape. As I'm not a fan of the original
Disney animated film, I actually really enjoyed this version, maybe its
because Christopher Walken was involved. 3/5
All the Money in the World
I
had had an interest in the film, even when Spacey was involved.
Following the story about the kidnapping of John Paul Getty III and how
his wealthy grandfather wouldn't pay ransom. The film gives context to
how Getty works and how he tried to buy his grandchildren from their
mother Gail Harris. The film feels like it's Gail's struggle with the
monster with years and the fact that Getty won't help save her son is
the final straw. Getty is greedy and relentless and played pretty damn
well by Christopher Plummer but Michelle Williams deserves credit for
this role, even though I know she was nominated for awards, its a shame
everyone just remember this film as the one Kevin Spacey was cut out of.
3/5
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
My
first film of my epic long flights to New Zealand. At first when I saw
the trailer, I though this was pointless. Why? We don't need or want a
reboot or sequel or whatever it was... BUT its actually quite fun to
watch. Picking up after the last film, the game is found on a beach, a
dad gives it to his son to look at but he'd rather play with his video
game, so Jumanji evolves to intrigue new players. The boy starts the
game and disappears. 27 years later the game has found its way to the
junk room at a highschool where four teenagers in detention decide to
play. This is not like the previous Jumanji where horrible things happen
in the real world, the kids have avatars and are in a real enough
jungle. Harping on nostalgia, just like Ready Player One, old school
game references are used as well as rules of the jungle and all that.
Its actually quite funny as well as fun thanks to Jack Black is a the
steretypical self centered vapid girl at school. The film even has time
for a little romance to pop up and some heartbreaking truths for the kid
who has been in the games 27 years. Along with funny and horrible
deaths, its not as bad as I thought it would be. 3/5
I,Tonya
A
biopic that isn't really a biopic but documentary that uses replay but
all with the same actors. This is about Tonya Harding who was accused at
being involved with the attack on her rival Nancy Kerrigan in 1994.
Based on, if not almost recreations of real interviews, some of which
are shown at the end of the film, re-tell the same story from different
people who were involved as well as how Tonya grew up, met her husband,
had to deal with abuse from her mother and then her husband, so it is a
biopic. Without trying to pick sides, not matter whether Tonya was
invloved or not, she's an athlete who was stripped of her only outlet
and escape from the continuous abuse she suffered. She's tough and isn't
accepted by the sport she loves, her talent isn't recognised and she
continues her days out of the limelight and off the ice. Its bleak. 3/5
Coco
Ah
yes the Pizar film 'for boys' and Disney 'for girls' film. I don't like
this. But those feelings aside, it was a huge triumph at the Oscars
(even though that song wasn't the best). Coco is the central
character's, Miguel's great grandmother. His family hate music because
Coco's father left his family to persue a musical career so now they
make shoes, but Miguel wants to play music just like his famous hero
Ernesto de la Cruz. He ventures to the Land of the Dead where he meets
his ancestors and makes friends with Hector who can't cross over as no
one has put up his picture. Its wonderfully animated as always and the
story is heartwarming as well as heartbreaking, but it just ok to me.
3/5
Battle of the Sexes
The
icoic tennis match between Billy Jean King and Bobby Riggs should have
been something I knew about as it is all about feminist ideals such as
women should be treated equally and all that but I really can't be
bothered with tennis, plus I found out the prize money is the same for
tournaments (correct me if I'm wrong) but the women play less sets? Why
can't they play the same amount as the men? That's not fair. Anyway the
film is actually pretty dull, saved only by the leads who I like. 2/5
Get Out
Yes
I know, it took me THAT long to watch the most talked about film of the
year. I honestly don't know why I hadn't seen it. Unfortunately I had
read quite a bit about the film and other articles and such and knew
most of what was going to happen. A bizarre brilliant and terryinging
concept, expecially when the film explaining what its all about is
played to Chris before....actually just in case not everyone has seen
the film I won't go in details. As a psychological thriller horror it is
a great story and I think will be used in film school whether as a
discussion peice or directorial example, but I think over all I missed
the hype on this one. 3/5
Rampage
After
an evil pharmaceutical etc company plays science in space and it goes
wrong, bits of a deadly formula lands on a wolf, a alligator and a
gentle albino gorilla making them mutate and grow huge. They crash
through Chicago and the army tries to stop them but really only
Primatologist The Rock can help save the city and his best friend George
(the albino gorrilla). This is your basic science fiction monster movie
complete with silly evil CEO villains, mercs for hire, a scientist who
was trying to do the right thing and Dwayne Johnson who will always be
The Rock no matter what. Its really silly but fun at the same time,
especially at the moments when the film knows its taking the mick out of
itself.3/5
Avengers: Infinity War
This
is such a delicate subject for most, but if you haven't seen it and you
love the Marvel films then you'll love this and you'll also cry
internally unless you show sadness and then in that case you'll just
cry. Without spoilers, Thanos is collecting Infinity Stones, all of
them, so the Avengers and friends join forces but really splinter into
groups (only way really) until terrible things happen. I won't go on.
Except the say, the Guardians of the Galaxy have the best bits, together
and apart. And yes, we have to wait a whole damn year for the next
film. Marvel is turning Star Wars on us. 4/5
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Based
on the book of the equally long name by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie
Barrows, the story is about a group of neighbours living on Guernsey
during the German occupation who start the book club to cover up a roast
pork dinner. After the war, successful writer Juliet Ashton, wants to
write a serious novel stepping away from comedic character books. She
recieves a letter from Dawsey Adams, member of the society and through
this correspondance, Juliet becomes intrigued by their story. So follows
is a blissfull English period drama about the war, friendship and
romance. Cut between during and after the war, Juliet finds out about
the leader of the group who was taken away by the Nazis. The film
becomes a mystery as well as little by little we find out what really
happened. Its frothy in places but the eccentric characteristics of the
group keep you involved. 3/5
Molly's Game
I
admit I fell asleep right at the end of the film but what I saw I
enjoyed. Jessica Chastain continuing her 'not your average female
character' streak, Molly Bloom is amazing! Well, apart from the poker
game stuff that involved the Russian mafia. Giving more than background
context to the trial where she could go to prison for illegal activity,
we find out how Molly started out in the poker game biz, how she really
is as smart as she says, up to the point where she is arrested, made
bankrupt and left to her own devices. This is all played out inbetween
the present where she hires a lawyer for her trial. Its a very Aaron
Sorkin script and therefore the direction is too. Very wordy and
slightly over complicated BUT still very edge of the seat, never thought
a card game could be this exciting. 3/5
Phantom Thread
As
this was Daniel Day-Lewis' last film before he retired, I knew I had to
see this, especially as it was a Paul Thomas Anderson film. But I
missed this at the cinema, luckily long flights come with a selection of
films. The story is short and is more of a character study of three
different people. The wonderfully stern and to the point Lesley
Manville, sister to the 'genius' brother DDL, Reynolds, who is a very
unlikeable person. He shines for a moment of two when he meets Alma, a
waitress who intrigues him the second he sees her. She quickly becomes
involved with him, his business and even his sister takes a liking to
her, in her own way. Alma is meant to be the 'normal' person who finds
herself in Reynolds' world, but really she is just as strange as the
others. This concept alone would be fascinating but the pacing is off
and the characters are so gad damn horrible, there is little to enjoy
apart from the amazing clothes. 2/5
Revenge
My review can be read on VultureHound
HERE. 4/5
The Hitman's Bodyguard
A
hitman played by Samuel L. Jackson is the a key witness in a huge court
case against a dictator, played by Gary Oldman. Once high and mighty
bodyguard now slumming it, played by Ryan Reynolds teams up with hitman
to protect him as he makes his way to the trial. I honestly don't know
why I bothered with this film. Everyone in the film desereved a hell of a
lot better and can do a hell of a lot better. A tedious film with
little to redeem itself. 1/5
Smooth Talk
Young
Laura Dern, is the effortlessly elegant looking Connie. She stands out
from her family, she doesn't like she is part of them. Being a teenager
you already feel disconnected from everyone else apart from your
friends. The Summer before her sophomore year, Connie and her friends
spend their time at the mall, the movies and at a dive diner hoping to
hook up with guys. She clashes with her family and does indeed catch the
eye of a few guys, including a creepy as hell Treat Williams (did that
guys always look creepy?) who stalks her. The last few scenes in the
film are surreal and its unclear if this is reallu happening or if this
is manifestation of a wake up call to Connie as she grows up during the
film. Either way, its an intriguing film that depicts teenagers in such a
realistic light, its worth it just it for that...forget Treat Williams.
3/5
Beware the Slenderman
Back
in 2014 in Waukesha, Wisconsin, two 12 year old girls, stabbed their
friend 19 times. When they were arrested, they claimed that Slenderman
told them to do it. The documentary follows the case as the girls'
lawyers appeal for the girls to be tried as minors, where the courts are
pushing them to be tried as adults which means the girls could get life
sentances. The victim survived the attack and her account is told by
someone else. The film interviews the accused girls' parents painting a
very different picture of the girls. But as the evidence and secret
obsessions with Slenderman reveal themselves, its difficult to see how
and why this really happened. 3/5
Deadpool 2
The
worry of making a sequel is like the difficult second album and
Deadpool is no different. DP is up to his usual job, going global in
fact. He's doing great until tragedy strikes and its more hard hitting
than you'd expect. In the midst of his sadness DP tries to help a
troubled young mutant from New Zealand and ends up in mutant prison
complete power surpressing shock collars which means DP is again slowly
dying of cancer the Cable shows up wanting to kill the boy DP tried
helping. Once Cable shows up the fun really begins. Its hilarious. Not
as superb as the first film but my gad it doesn't care. References,
tasteful cameos, culture shocks and blood gallore complete with an
absolutely horrendous injury DP had to, well, sort out. Its disgusting
as well as hilarious. Some of the best lines in the film are just throw
aways but gems non the less. Whether there will be a third film is
questionable... 4/5
Jeune Femme
A
killer soundtrack accompanies the awful Paula. Newly broken up from her
older photographer boyfriend of 10 years, who was also her teacher when
they first met, she can't let go. Wondering the streets of Paris that
she hates after her friend kicks her out for being nasty. She is
rejected quite violently by her mother she left years before, pretends
to be someone's long lost school friend and ends up in a cheap motel
with her ex's stolen cat. She is a mess but she turns her life around as
she won't be beaten. She gets a job, finds a place to stay as a
babysitter and even makes new friends. Coming off as a spoilt brat who
won't move on from being the muse, Paula turns herself into a woman who
can stand on her own, proving, most importantly to herself that she can.
A brilliantly acted role from Laetitia Dosch and made to perfection by
Léonor Sérraille, writer and director, its a film that hits you but you
can't help but dance. 4/5
