Cine-Vision 101

February's Monthly Five

2013-02-24T11:44:00.002-08:00

As it is coming to the end of award season I thought in this monthly five I would look through the past 84 years of Academy Award winners for Best Picture and pick my top five. Now even just the films nominated in each category are generally worthy of the title of Best Picture so it was no small feat in narrowing down all of the films that actually won down to five. There are so many films on this list that are fantastic as you would expect so after looking at the list I sat down and thought about the films that I have watched countless times, that never get old and that still impress me or let me discover something new each time I watch them. So with that in mind I managed to narrow it down to my top five. These five are films that I probably own in multiple versions; DVD, Blu Ray, Boxset, Special Edition etc... Films that were worthy winners and ones that have stood the test of time. So without further ado here are my top five Best Picture Academy Award winners.

5. In The Heat of the Night (1967)

In The Heat of the Night is a 1967 film starring Sidney Poitier as Virgil Tibbs an African American police detective from Philadelphia who finds himself investigating a murder in a racist small town in Mississippi.

Director: Norman Jewison

Starring: Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger and Warren Oates.

Running Time: 109 Minutes

In The Heat of the Night is one of my favourite films and it has everything a good film needs; a great cast, compelling story and an important voice with something relevant to say or for the audience to think about. Sidney Poitier had already proven himself to be a brilliant actor by 1967 but this was the first role that allowed him to be fully human in both the good and the bad. Poitier had played quite noble characters before this point and here, as Virgil Tibbs, he was still noble but he got angry and frustrated with the ignorance that surrounded him. I love the character Virgil as he is smart, capable and does not shy away from difficult situations. Although Poitier did not receive a nomination for his role, Rod Steiger did and in fact won the Academy Award for his performance of the Police Chief Bill Gillespie which was very well deserved. After Gillespie's first meets Virgil after the murder he arrests him as a suspect for no other reason than he is a black man with money in his wallet. Even though Gillespie is clearly prejudiced he is sympathetic and over the course of the film grows and learns to respect Virgil as a man regardless of race. The best thing about the growth of Gillespie's character is that it does not come across as easy, like a flick of a switch and suddenly he is no longer racist. Rather it just shows him trying to be a better man and as such comes across as more genuine and believable. The Story is simple enough, a murder that needs to be solved. While the murder case narrative itself is fairly straightforward it is the events that Tibbs finds himself involved in during his investigation that make the film interesting. The real strength of the narrative comes from the racial tension between the characters which Norman Jewison uses to create tense scenes and garner powerful performances from the cast led by Poitier and Steiger. When the film finishes the audience are not left wondering about the murder case but more about the issues of race and prejudice that the film addresses. The fact that this film was made at a time where the civil rights movement was still in full swing makes it all the more impressive. It is a great film with some fantastic performances from Poitier and Steiger.

4. Casablanca (1943)

Set in unoccupied Africa during the early days of World War II an American expatriate, Rick, runs into a former lover, Ilsa and they must choose between their love for each other and the fight against the Nazis.

Director: Michael Curtiz

Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid.

Running Time: 102 Minutes

Casablanca is the definition of a classic. It is one of those films that no matter how many times I watch it I am still captivated and enthralled. Maybe it is being in black and white that it has aged so well and the snappy dialogue which still pulls at your heart strings. The lines from the film have found their way into the mainstream and albeit often misquoted you have such memorable quotes such as; "Here's looking at you kid", "You'll regret it, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life", "It doesn't make much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world", "Play it Sam. Play 'As Time Goes By'", "Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship". So many memorable lines that just reciting them evokes an emotional response. For me this is the ultimate love story as two people who love each other deeply but give up each other for a greater good. It was a happy accident in a lot of ways as the production was just one of many in a long line of Warner Brothers studio system productions. What this film had though was a fantastic cast, a great script and a flawless craftsmanship. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman are brilliant as Rick and Ilsa the lovers who sacrifice for the greater good. The supporting cast are equally great; Claude Rains as Louis, Paul Henreid as Laszlo, Peter Lorre as Ugarte and Dooley Wilson as Sam. The most interesting thing about the characters in Casablanca is that they are not the usual good or evil of the Hollywood studio system but rather just people with flaws who may or may not do heroic things. These characters murder, steal and lie but they also sacrifice and try and do what they think to be right. For me this is the emotional connection that makes the film such a classic as no matter how many times I see Ilsa get on that plane it still provokes an emotional reaction.

3. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

A young FBI cadet, Clarice Starling, finds herself looking to a manipulative incarcerated killer, Hannibal Lecter, for help with an investigation of a serial killer who skins his victims. In order to get his help Clarice needs to open up about her past and allow one killer into her mind in order to stop another.

Director: Jonathan Demme

Starring: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn and Anthony Heald.

Running Time: 118 Minutes.

The Silence of the Lambs is an example movie of where things just click; great performances, engrossing narrative and interesting gender representations. Anthony Hopkins is evil incarnate as Dr Hannibal 'the cannibal' Lecter who is an incarcerated serial killer who ate his victims. Jodie Foster is brilliant as Clarice Starling a young FBI cadet who seeks Lecter's help in finding Buffallo Bill, a serial killer who skins his victims. The supporting cast made up of Scott Glenn (Jack Crawford), Anthony Heald (Dr. Frederick Chilton) and Ted Levine (Buffalo Bill) and all bring a level of believability to their characters. Levine in particular is great as a confused man trying to deal with issues of his gender identity. One thing that makes this film so good is the casting and each actor is perfect for their roles. Originally Gene Hackman and Michelle Pfeiffer were supposed to play Lecter and Starling which while I am sure they would have been good after seeing Foster and Hopkins in the role I could not imagine that. One of the most iconic scenes of the films in the film is where you first meet Hannibal Lecter and that moment as the camera pans around to reveal Lecter standing in the centre of the room. It is a simple scene but one in which so much is conveyed and the sinister Lecter is born. Hopkins is only in the film for around 16 minutes but yet his character is so much of what makes The Silence of the Lambs a horror masterpiece. Jodie Foster brings a much needed innocence to Clarice's character which when up against the horrors of her work gives her an outlook that passes over the male dominated world in which her chosen profession lies. There are several scenes in which the gender dichotomy of her profession are highlighted; in the autopsy and in the lift at the beginning of the film pictured below where the use of colour and height are shown to highlight Clarice's domination in a male world.

Clarice stands out in a male dominated profession

It is moments such as this where Jonathan Demme demonstrates his skill as a director as he uses mise en scene and cinematography to communicate ideas in such a subtle way that you don't even realise it which any good director should do. Demme took Harris' novel and stayed true to the themes and tone which he translates perfectly on screen. The penultimate scene in which Clarice searches in the darkness for Bill is so tense and many directors would have shortened the scene but as it goes on the tension builds and creates an ominous feeling and true fear. Whenever a book is made into a movie the book is generally better and while the case is still true here the film is definitely a close second. It is not surprising that the film won the top five Oscars; Best Actor for Anthony Hopkins, Best Actress for Jodie Foster, Best Director for Jonathan Demme, Best Writing for Ted Tally and Best Picture.

2. The Godfather (1972)

The ageing patriarch of an organised crime family passes control onto his reluctant son.

Director: Francis Ford Coppola

Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino and James Caan.

Running Time: 175 Minutes.

There is often a debate when discussing The Godfather trilogy whether the first or the second instalment of the franchise is the superior film. While most people seem to vote more for the second personally I am more partial to the first. Sometimes the reason I love a film is for a single scene and this is the very reason for me that the first Godfather is a better movie. Two scenes standout for me in the film the first being the famous christening sequence which is juxtaposed with the hits and Michael starting to transition into the Godfather. The second is the final scene in which Michael lies to his wife Kay and as she walks down the hallway he is greeted as Don Corleone and as the door closes it is Michael shutting Kay out of his life.

There are many ingredients that come together to make The Godfather a great movie. Firstly, brilliant casting choices for a vast array of characters. Marlon Brando as Vito Corelone the patriarch of the Corelone family, Al Pacino as Michael Corelone the youngest son who takes the reigns, James Caan as Sonny Corelone the hot-headed eldest son, John Cazale as Fredo Corelone the weak middle son and Robert Duvall as Tom Hagen the family lawyer and consigliere. There are many more characters in the film and the casting was perfect for each character. Secondly, Francis Ford Coppola took Mario Puzo's novel and did something very unusual and made a film which was just as good as the novel. He set the tone and style of the film to reflect that set out in the book and managed to fit in the large number of iconic scenes. The Godfather is a very long film and one in which a lot of people die, people wake up to find horses' heads in their beds and where you can make an offer that cannot be refused. Coppola also fought for the film to maintain the period the narrative is set in, the 1940s and 1950s, rather than update the story to the present to save money. Coppola takes a story that is foreign in concept, as I would imagine that 99.9% of the audience like me are not a member of an organised crime family and makes it a familiar narrative of a family business. He also manages to take a familiar genre and completely reinvents it, changing the gangster genre forever. This film has had a lasting affect on filmmaking and cemented Francis Ford Coppola as one of the great directors of our time.

1. All About Eve (1950)

An ageing stage actress, Margo Channing, finds herself befriended by a young fan, Eve Harrington, who insinuates herself into her life and that of her circle of friends. Soon Margo feels that Eve is trying to take her place and tries to hold on to what she feels is most important to her, although she is not too sure on what that is.

Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Starring: Bette Davis, Anne Baxter and George Sanders.

Running Time: 138 Minutes.

I can tell you why I love this film in two words; Bette Davis. Now if I left it there it would certainly be short and sweet but where would the fun be in that without my ramblings. Bette Davis is an extraordinary actress and this is probably her best role although that is difficult to narrow down too. Here Davis plays Margo Channing the ageing stage actress who meets a huge fan, Eve Harrington played by Anne Baxter. While Bette Davis was great as a young ingenue as she got older she reached a whole new level and really found her time. Davis became edgier and is fabulous as Margo the bitchy actress who in some ways mirrors Davis, both ageing actresses with attitude. Perhaps the role being as close to autobiographically as Davis ever got explains why she is so good as Margo as she is playing a version of herself. In the film after Margo meets Eve she takes her under her wing and along with her circle of friends befriends Eve. The theme of a younger woman taking the place of their older counterpart has been told through narrative time and time again but in All About Eve it is done with such skill and precision. Anne Baxter is good as Eve Harrington but ultimately outshone by Davis. Margo is in a relationship with a younger man, Bill, played by her real life husband at the time Gary Merrill who Eve does her best to steal. Celeste Holm plays Margo's best friend Karen and Hugh Marlowe plays her husband Lloyd who Eve also tries to seduce for the progression of her own career as he is a playwright. For me though the two standout supporting cast performances are Thelma Ritter as Margo's maid Birdie and George Sanders as Addison DeWitt the theatre critic who introduces us to all of the players in the film with his sarcastic narration in the opening sequence. Ritter is great as Birdie who is the only character who sees Eve for who she is right off the bat. Sanders is similarly brilliant as Addison DeWitt, the arrogant, manipulative and conniving critic who twists the situation for his own end.

There is a homosexual undertone in the narrative but as it was 1950 and still under the Hays code it is very subtle in the case of both DeWitt and Eve. It also is a product of its time as in 1950 many women were dealing with the aftermath of their position in post-war America. During the war women were pushed in to the work place, inspired by Rosie the Riveter to work in the bomb-building factories and other previously male dominated arenas. Suddenly the war ends and women are supposed to go back to the kitchen and be happy as housewives taking care of their families. Similar themes are explored here with Margo struggling from going from a theatre star to a woman content in being married and having a family.

The director and writer, Joseph L. Mankiewicz, is another reason why this film deserved the best picture Oscar as he was one of the best directors of the Golden era of Hollywood. Mankiewicz's filmography includes such great films as The Ghost and Mrs Muir (1947), Guys and Dolls (1955), The Quiet American (1958) and Cleopatra (1963). Here he takes big personalities and manages to contain them at the same time as embracing them in order to get the best performances possible. It was no accident that the film was nominated for fourteen Academy Awards and winning six of them; Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor for George Sanders, Best Sound Recording and both Best Director and Best Writing for Joseph L. Makiewicz.

Honourable Mentions

Pretty much every film on the list deserves an honourable mention but these are the films that I struggled to not include as I widdled it down to just five: Gone With the Wind (1939), Rebbecca (1940), Gentleman's Agreement (1947), On the Waterfront (1954), My Fair lady (1964), Midnight Cowboy (1969), The French Connection (1971), The Godfather Part II (1974), One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), Rocky (1976), Annie Hall (1977), The Deer Hunter (1978), Dances With Wolves (1990), Schindler's List (1993), Forrest Gump (1994), American Beauty (1999).

The Oscars 2013

2013-02-24T08:12:00.002-08:00

The Oscars, formally known as the 85th Academy Awards, will be held tonight and I for one am very excited. The show is going to be hosted by Seth MacFarlane who, if the nominations announcement was anything to go by, will be hilarious. He discussed Amour being a better collaboration between Austria and Germany than their last co-production, Hitler. Having the guts to make such a comment in a room full of Hollywood Jews, you have to give him props. I loved the banter between him and Emma Stone and I think he had a good mix of satirical humour without crossing the line too far. If Family Guy and Ted are any indication he is no stranger from making fun of celebrities and movies so I am looking forward to him hosting tonight.

I will be staying up till the early hours to watch it and my brothers and myself as usual have predicted who we think will win. After the ceremony has aired I will update the post with the winners and we can see how many we got correct. I think that everyone will be surprised if Argo does not take home Best Picture and if Daniel Day-Lewis does not get another Best Actor Oscar. That said I think the Best Actress is more open than usual with the two main contenders being Jessica Chastain and Jennifer Lawrence with Emmanuelle Riva coming up from behind with her recent Bafta win. Personally I like all three and think they all deserve it but I have been so impressed with Jessica Chastain over the past few years and she gave everything in her performance of Maya in Zero Dark Thirty. Similarly it would be a crime if Anne Hathaway did not walk away with the Best Supporting Actress Oscar as she blew me away in Les Miserables. I'd love to see Quentin Tarantino win another Oscar as he hasn't won since Pulp Fiction and based on past award shows he looks like the front runner. A less likely desire of mine to come true is for John Williams to win again for Best Original Score but come on the man is a genius and has given us such iconic film music, there is a reason why he was nominated almost every single year in the 70s and 80s.

I do find it sad that all the controversy surrounding Zero Dark Thirty has taken the steam out of its Oscar hopes. When the film was first released it was being praised and winning all sort of critic awards then the controversy regarding the scenes of torture have made it virtually impossible for it to be another success for Kathryn Bigelow at this years Oscars. Having seen the film I do not really understand what the big deal is as I have seen more shocking scenes in other movies. That said, the torture scenes are hard to watch and horrifying, as they should be, as torture is horrifying and therefore filmic representations of torture should reflect that. I do not pretend to know much about American politics regarding these issues but I do find it hypocritical for the people involved to have the nerve to condemn Bigelow. I may not know much but I am not an idiot, what do the Senators think was happening in Guantanamo Bay all those years, it was not exactly a holiday camp. I have yet to see Argo but I do wonder if the film would have had such success if all the controversy had not drowned out any hope for Zero Dark Thirty. It may not have made any difference in the long run as although I thought Zero Dark Thirty was great I did think The Hurt Locker (2008) was a better movie and Argo was Roger Ebert's film of the year. I am looking forward to seeing Argo and I am sure I will love it and if it does win it will be a well deserved victory but I do wonder if things would be different if Zero Dark Thirty had not been overcome with controversy.

Read on after the jump to check out the nominations and our predictions for who we think will take home the Oscar and be forever introduced as Academy Award Winner...

Best Motion Picture of the Year

Amour

Argo

Beasts of the Southern Wild

Django Unchained

Les Miserables

Life of Pi

Lincoln

Silver Linings Playbook

Zero Dark Thirty

My Predicted Winner: Argo
Matthew's Predicted Winner: Lincoln
James' Predicted Winner: Lincoln

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

Bradley Cooper for Silver Linings Playbook

Daniel Day-Lewis for Lincoln

Hugh Jackman for Les Miserables

Joaquin Pheonix for The Master

Denzel Washington for Flight

My Predicted Winner: Daniel Day-Lewis for Lincoln
Matthew's Predicted Winner: Daniel Day-Lewis for Lincoln
James' Predicted Winner: Daniel Day-Lewis for Lincoln

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

Jessica Chastain for Zero Dark Thirty

Jennifer Lawrence for Silver Linings Playbook

Emmanuelle Riva or Amour

Quvenzhane Wallis for Beasts of the Southern Wild

Naomi Watts for The Impossible

My Predicted Winner: Jessica Chastain for Zero Dark Thirty
Matthew's Predicted Winner: Jennifer Lawrence for Silver Linings Playbook
James' Predicted Winner: Jennifer Lawrence for Silver Linings Playbook

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

Alan Arkin for Argo

Robert De Niro for Silver Linings Playbook

Philip Seymour Hoffman for The Master

Tommy Lee Jones for Lincoln

Christoph Waltz for Django Unchained

My Predicted Winner: Christoph Waltz for Django Unchained
Matthew's Predicted Winner: Christoph Waltz for Django Unchained
James' Predicted Winner: Tommy Lee Jones for Lincoln

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

Amy Adams for The Master

Sally Field for Lincoln

Anne Hathaway for Les Miserables

Helen Hunt for The Sessions

Jacki Weaver for Silver Linings Playbook

My Predicted Winner: Anne Hathaway for Les Miserables
Matthew's Predicted Winner: Anne Hathaway for Les Miserables
James' Predicted Winner: Anne Hathaway for Les Miserables

Best Achievement in Directing

Michael Haneke for Amour

Ang Lee for Life of Pi

David O. Russell for Silver Linings Playbook

Steven Spielberg for Lincoln

Benh Zeitlin for Beasts of the Southern Wild

My Predicted Winner: Ang Lee for Life of Pi
Matthew's Predicted Winner: Ang Lee for Life of Pi
James' Predicted Winner: Steven Spielberg for Lincoln

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen

Michael Haneke for Amour

Quentin Tarantino for Django Unchained

John Gatins for Flight

Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola for Moonrise Kingdom

Mark Boal for Zero Dark Thirty

My Predicted Winner: Quentin Tarantino for Django Unchained
Matthew's Predicted Winner: Mark Boal for Zero Dark Thirty
James' Predicted Winner: Quentin Tarantino for Django Unchained

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published

Chris Terrio for Argo

Lucy Alibar and Benh Zeitlin for Beasts of the Southern Wild

David Magee for Life of Pi

Tony Kushner for Lincoln

David O. Russell for Silver Linings Playbook

My Predicted Winner: David O. Russell for Silver Linings Playbook
Matthew's Predicted Winner: David O. Russell for Silver Linings Playbook
James' Predicted Winner: Tony Kushner for Lincoln

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year

Brave

Frankeweenie

ParaNorman

The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!

Wreck-It Ralph

My Predicted Winner: Brave
Matthew's Predicted Winner: Frankenweenie
James' Predicted Winner: Brave

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year

Amour (Austria)

War Witch (Canada)

No (Chile)

A Royal Affair (Denmark)

Kon-Tiki (Norway)

My Predicted Winner: Amour (Austria)
Matthew's Predicted Winner: Amour (Austria)
James' Predicted Winner: Amour (Austria)

Best Achievement in Cinematography

Anna Karenina; Seamus McGarvey

Django Unchained; Robert Richardson

Life of Pi; Claudio Miranda

Lincoln; Janusz Kaminski

Skyfall; Roger Deakins

My Predicted Winner: Life of Pi; Claudio Miranda
Matthew's Predicted Winner: Life of Pi; Claudio Miranda
James' Predicted Winner: Skyfall; Roger Deakins

Best Achievement in Editing

Argo; William Goldenberg

Life of Pi; Tim Squyres

Lincoln; Michael Kahn

Silver Linings Playbook; Jay Cassidy and Crispin Struthers

Zero Dark Thirty; William Goldenberg and Dylan Tichenor

My Predicted Winner: Argo; William Goldenberg
Matthew's Predicted Winner: Zero Dark Thirty; William Goldenberg and Dylan Tichenor
James' Predicted Winner: Zero Dark Thirty; William Goldenberg and Dylan Tichenor

Best Achievement in Production Design

Anna Karenina; Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey; Dan Hennah, Ra Vincent and Simon Bright

Les Miserables; Eve Stewart and Anna Lynch-Robinson

Life of Pi; David Gropman and Anna Pinnock

Lincoln; Rick Carter and Jim Erickson

My Predicted Winner: Les Miserables; Eve Stewart and Anna Lynch-Robinson
Matthew's Predicted Winner: Les Miserables; Eve Stewart and Anna Lynch-Robinson
James' Predicted Winner: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey; Dan Hennah, Ra Vincent and Simon Bright

Best Achievement in Costume Design

Anna Karenina; Jacqueline Durran

Les Miserables; Paco Delgado

Lincoln; Joanna Johnston

Mirror Mirror: The Untold Adventures of Snow White; Eiko Ishioka

Snow White and the Huntsman; Colleen Atwood

My Predicted Winner: Anna Karenina; Jacqueline Durran
Matthew's Predicted Winner: Les Miserables; Paco Delgado
James' Predicted Winner: Les Miserables; Paco Delgado

Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling

Hitchcock; Howard Berger, Peter Montagna and Martin Samuel

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey; Peter King, Rick Findlater and Tami Lane

Les Miserables; Lisa Westcott and Julie Dartnell

My Predicted Winner: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey; Peter King, Rick Findlater and Tami Lane
Matthew's Predicted Winner: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey; Peter King, Rick Findlater and Tami Lane.
James' Predicted Winner: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey; Peter King, Rick Findlater and Tami Lane.

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score

Anna Karenina; Dario Marianelli

Argo; Alexandre Desplat

Life of Pi; Mychael Danna

Lincoln; John Williams

Skyfall; Thomas Newman

My Predicted Winner: Life of Pi; Mychael Danna
Matthew's Predicted Winner: Lincoln; John Williams
James' Predicted Winner: Skyfall; Thomas Newman

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song

Chasing Ice; J. Ralph "Before My Time"

Les Miserables; Alain Boubil, Claude-Michel Schonberg and Herbert Kretzmer "Suddenly"

Life of Pi; Mychael Danna and Bombay Jayshree "Pi's Lullaby"

Skyfall; Adele and Paul Epworth "Skyfall"

Ted; Walter Murphy and Seth MacFarlane "Everybody Needs a Best Friend

My Predicted Winner: Skyfall; Adele and Paul Epworth "Skyfall"
Matthew's Predicted Winner: Skyfall; Adele and Paul Epworth "Skyfall"
James' Predicted Winner: Skyfall; Adele and Paul Epworth "Skyfall"

Best Achievement in Sound Mixing

Argo; John T. Reitz, Gregg Rudloff and Jose Antonio Garcia

Les Miserables; Andy Nelson, Mark Paterson and Simon Hayes

Life of Pi; Ron Bartlett, Doug Hemphill and Drew Kunin

Lincoln; Andy Nelson, Gary Rydstrom and Ron Judkins

Skyfall; Scott Millan, Greg P. Russell and Stuart Wilson

My Predicted Winner: Les Miserables; Andy Nelson, Mark Paterson and Simon Hayes
Matthew's Predicted Winner: Les Miserables; Andy Nelson, Mark Paterson and Simon Hayes
James' Predicted Winner: Les Miserables; Andy Nelson, Mark Paterson and Simon Hayes

Best Achievement in Sound Editing

Argo; Erik Aadahl and Ethan Van der Ryn

Django Unchained; Wylie Stateman

Life of Pi; Eugene Gearty and Philip Stockton

Skyfall; Per Hallberg and Karen M. Baker

Zero Dark Thirty; Paul N.J. Ottosson

My Predicted Winner: Skyfall; Per Hallberg and Karen M. Baker
Matthew's Predicted Winner: Argo; Erik Aadahl and Ethan Van der Ryn
James' Predicted Winner: Argo; Erik Aadahl and Ethan Van der Ryn

Best Achievement in Visual Effects

The Avengers; Janek Sirrs, Jeff White, Guy Williams and Daniel Sudick

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey; Joe Letteri, Eric Saindon, David Clayton and Christopher White

Life of Pi; Bill Westenhofer, Guillaume Rocheron, Erik De Boer and Donald Elliott

Prometheus; Richard Stammers, Trevor Wood, Charley Henley and Martin Hill

Snow White and the Huntsman; Cedric Nicolas-Troyan, Phil Brennan, Neil Corbould and Michael Dawson

My Predicted Winner: Life of Pi; Bill Westenhofer, Guillaume Rocheron, Erik De Boer and Donald Elliott
Matthew's Predicted Winner: The Avengers; Janek Sirrs, Jeff White, Guy Williams and Daniel Sudick
James' Predicted Winner: Life of Pi; Bill Westenhofer, Guillaume Rocheron, Erik De Boer and Donald Elliott.

Best Documentary, Feature

5 Broken Cameras

The Gatekeepers

How to Survive a Plague

The Invisible War

Searching for Sugar Man

My Predicted Winner: Searching for Sugar Man
Matthew's Predicted Winner: The Invisible War
James' Predicted Winner: Searching for Sugar Man

Best Documentary, Short Subject

Inocente

Kings Point

Mondays at Racine

Open Heart

Redemption

My Predicted Winner: Open Heart
Matthew's Predicted Winner: Mondays at Racine
James' Predicted Winner: Redemption

Best Short Film, Animated

Adam and Dog

Fresh Guacamole

Head Over Heels

Paperman

The Simpsons: The Longest Daycare

My Predicted Winner: Paperman
Matthew's Predicted Winner: Fresh Guacamole
James' Predicted Winner: The Simpsons: The Longest Daycare

Best Short Film, Live Action

Asad

Buzkashi Boys

Curfew

Death of a Shadow

Henry

My Predicted Winner: Asad
Matthew's Predicted Winner: Curfew
James' Predicted Winner: Asad

2013 BAFTA Awards

2013-02-10T11:40:00.002-08:00

So tonight is the night for the biggest film awards in Britain the BAFTA Awards ceremony of 2013. This year has been interesting so far for winners and it is unusually open. For me the only certain is Daniel Day-Lewis for Best Actor for Lincoln. Everything else is wide open in my opinion but I have made my predictions and we'll see later tonight if my instincts were right. My brothers have also made their predictions and I have included them too so you can see out of the three of us who got the most correct. I will update this post with the winners once they have been announced. Feel free to add your own predictions or thoughts on the winners (whether deserved or not), speeches and the ceremony itself.

This winners for each category have now been added so please do not read on if you do not yet know who won and do not want to find out.

Best Film

Argo (2012)

Les Miserables (2012)

Life of Pi (2012)

Lincoln (2012)

Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

My Predicted Winner: Argo (2012)

James' Predicted Winner: Lincoln (2012)

Matthew's Predicted Winner: Lincoln (2012)

Winner: Argo (2012)

Alexander Korda Award for Outstanding British Film of the Year

Anna Karenina (2012)

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)

Les Miserables (2012)

Seven Psychopaths (2012)

Skyfall (2012)

My Predicted Winner: Skyfall (2012)

James' Predicted Winner: Les Miserables (2012)

Matthew's Predicted Winner: Les Miserables (2012)

Winner: Skyfall (2012)

Best Actor

Ben Afleck for Argo

Bradley Cooper for Silver Linings Playbook

Daniel Day-Lewis for Lincoln

Hugh Jackman for Les Miserables

Joaquin Pheonix for The Master

My Predicted Winner: Daniel Day-Lewis for Lincoln

James' Predicted Winner: Daniel Day-Lewis for Lincoln

Matthew's Predicted Winner: Daniel Day-Lewis for Lincoln

Winner: Daniel Day-Lewis for Lincoln

Best Actress

Jessica Chastain for Zero Dark Thirty

Marion Cotillard for Rust and Bone

Jennifer Lawrence for Silver Linings Playbook

Helen Mirren for Hitchcock

Emmanuelle Riva for Amour

My Predicted Winner: Jessica Chastain for Zero Dark Thirty

James' Predicted Winner: Jennifer Lawrence for Silver Linings Playbook

Matthew's Predicted Winner: Jennifer Lawrence for Silver Linings Playbook

Winner: Emmanuelle Riva for Amour

Best Supporting Actor

Alan Arkin for Argo

Javier Bardem for Skyfall

Philip Seymour Hoffman for The Master

Tommy Lee Jones for Lincoln

Christoph Waltz for Django Unchained

My Predicted Winner: Christoph Waltz for Django Unchained

James' Predicted Winner: Tommy Lee Jones for Lincoln

Matthew's Predicted Winner: Christoph Waltz for Django Unchained

Winner: Christoph Waltz for Django Unchained

Best Supporting Actress

Amy Adams for The Master

Judi Dench for Skyfall

Sally Field for Lincoln

Anne Hathaway for Les Miserables

Helen Hunt for The Sessions

My Predicted Winner: Anne Hathaway for Les Miserables

James' Predicted Winner: Anne Hathaway for Les Miserables

Matthew's Predicted Winner: Anne Hathaway for Les Miserables

Winner: Anne Hathaway for Les Miserables

David Lean Award for Achievement in Direction

Ben Afleck for Argo

Kathryn Bigelow for Zero Dark Thirty

Michael Haneke for Amour

Ang Lee for Life of Pi

Quentin Tarantino for Django Unchained

My Predicted Winner: Ben Afleck for Argo

James' Predicted Winner: Ben Afleck for Argo

Matthew's Predicted Winner: Kathryn Bigelow for Zero Dark Thirty

Winner: Ben Afleck for Argo

Best Screenplay (Original)

Amour (2012) Michael Haneke

Django Unchained (2012) Quentin Tarantino

The Master (2012) Paul Thomas Anderson

Moonrise Kingdom (2012) Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola

Zero Dark Thirty (2012) Mark Boal

My Predicted Winner: Django Unchained (2012) Quentin Tarantino

James' Predicted Winner: Django Unchained (2012) Quentin Tarantino

Matthew's Predicted Winner: Django Unchained (2012) Quentin Tarantino

Winner: Django Unchained (2012) Quentin Tarantino

Best Screenplay (Adapted)

Argo (2012) Chris Terrio

Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012) Lucy Alibar, Benh Zeitlin

Life of Pi (2012) David Magee

Lincoln (2012) Tony Kushner

Silver Linings Playbook (2012) David O. Russell

My Predicted Winner: Silver Linings Playbook (2012) David O. Russell

James' Predicted Winner: Lincoln (2012) Tony Kushner

Matthew's Predicted Winner: Silver Linings Playbook (2012) David O. Russell

Winner: Silver Linings Playbook (2012) David O.Russell

Best Cinematography

Anna Karenina (2012) Seamus McGarvey

Les Miserables (2012) Danny Cohen

Life of Pi (2012) Claudio Miranda

Lincoln (2012) Janusz Kaminski

Skyfall (2012) Roger Deakins

My Predicted Winner: Life of Pi (2012) Claudio Miranda

James' Predicted Winner: Lincoln (2012) Janusz Kaminski

Matthew's Predicted Winner: Lincoln (2012 Janusz Kaminski

Winner: Life of Pi (2012) Claudio Miranda

Best Editing

Argo (2012) Billy Goldenberg

Django Unchained (2012) Fred Raskin

Life of Pi (2012) Tim Squyres

Skyfall (2012) Stuart Baird

Zero Dark Thirty (2012) Dylan Tichenor, Billy Goldenberg

My Predicted Winner: Skyfall (2012) Stuart Baird

James' Predicted Winner: Argo (2012) Billy Goldenberg

Matthew's Predicted Winner: Argo (2012) Billy Goldenberg

Winner: Argo (2012) Billy Goldenberg

Best Production Design

Anna Karenina (2012) Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer

Les Miserables (2012) Eve Stewart, Anna Lynch-Robinson

Life of Pi (2012) David Gropman, Anna Pinnock

Lincoln (2012) Rick Carter, Jim Erickson

Skyfall (2012) Dennis Gassner, Anna Pinnock

My Predicted Winner: Les Miserables (2012) Eve Stewart, Anna Lynch-Robinson

James' Predicted Winner: Lincoln (2012) Rick Carter, Jim Erickson

Matthew's Predicted Winner: Lincoln (2012) Rick Carter, Jim Erickson

Winner: Les Miserables (2012) Eve Stewart, Anna Lynch-Robinson

Best Costume Design

Anna Karenina (2012) Jacqueline Durran

Great Expectations (1998) Beatrix Aruna Pasztor

Les Miserables (2012) Paco Delgado

Lincoln (2012) Joanna Johnston

Snow White and the Huntsman (2012) Colleen Atwood

My Predicted Winner: Les Miserables (2012) Paco Delgado

James' Predicted Winner: Lincoln (2012) Joanna Johnston

Matthew's Predicted Winner: Les Miserables (2012) Joanna Johnston

Winner: Anna Karenina (2012) Jacqueline Durran

Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music

Anna Karenina (2012) Dario Marianelli

Argo (2012) Alexandre Desplat

Life of Pi (2012) Mychael Danna

Lincoln (2012) John Williams

Skyfall (2012) Thomas Newman

My Predicted Winner: Life of Pi (2012) Mychael Danna

James' Predicted Winner: Argo (2012) Alexandre Desplat

Matthew's Predicted Winner: Skyfall (2012) Thomas Newman

Winner: Skyfall (2012) Thomas Newman

Best Make Up/Hair

Anna Karenina (2012)

Hitchcock (2012)

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

Les Miserables (2012)

Lincoln (2012)

My Predicted Winner: Lincoln (2012)

James' Predicted Winner: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

Matthew's Predicted Winner: Les Miserables (2012)

Winner: Les Miserables (2012)

Best Sound

Django Unchained (2012)

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

Les Miserables (2012)

Life of Pi (2012)

Skyfall (2012)

My Predicted Winner: Les Miserables (2012)

James' Predicted Winner: Les Miserables (2012)

Matthew's Predicted Winner: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

Winner: Les Miserables (2012)

Best Achievement in Special Visual Effects

Avengers Assemble (2012)

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

Life of Pi (2012)

Prometheus (2012)

My Predicted Winner: Life of Pi (2012)

James' Predicted Winner: Avengers Assemble (2012)

Matthew's Predicted Winner: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

Winner: Life of Pi (2012)

Best Film not in the English Language

Amour (2012)

Headhunters (2011)

The Hunt (2012)

Rust and Bone (2012)

Untouchable (2011)

My Predicted Winner: Amour (2012)

James' Predicted Winner: Rust and Bone (2012)

Matthew's Predicted Winner: The Hunt (2012)

Winner: Amour (2012)

Best Animated Feature Film

Brave (2012)

Frankenweenie (2012)

ParaNorman (2012)

My Predicted Winner: ParaNorman (2012)

James' Predicted Winner: Brave (2012)

Matthew's Predicted Winner: Brave (2012)

Winner: Brave (2012)

Best Documentary

The Imposter (2012)

Marley (2012)

McCullin (2012)

Searching for Sugar Man (2012)

West of Memphis (2012)

My Predicted Winner: Searching for Sugar Man (2012)

James' Predicted Winner: McCullin (2012)

Matthew's Predicted Winner: The Imposter (2012)

Winner: Searching for Sugar Man (2012)

EE Rising Star Award

Elizabeth Olsen

Andrea Riseborough

Suraj Sharma

Juno Temple

Alicia Vikander

My Predicted Winner: Elizabeth Olsen

James' Predicted Winner: Juno Temple

Matthew's Predicted Winner: Elizabeth Olsen

Winner: Juno Temple

Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer

I Am Nasrine (2012) Tina Gharavi

The Imposter (2012) Bart Layton, Dimitri Doganis

McCullin (2012) David Manos Morris, Jacqui Morris

The Muppets (2011) James Bobin

Wild Bill (2011) Dexter Fletcher, Danny King

My Predicted Winner: Wild Bill (2011) Dexter Fletcher, Danny King

James' Predicted Winner: The Muppets (2011) James Bobin

Matthew's Predicted Winner: The Muppets (2011) James Bobin

Winner: The Imposter (2012) Bart Layton, Dimitri Doganis

Best Short Animation

Here to Fall (2012) Kris Kelly, Evelyn McGrath

I'm Fine Thanks (2011) Eamonn O'Neill

The Making of Longbird (2011) Will Anderson, Ainslie Henderson

My Predicted Winner: Here to Fall (2012) Kris Kelly, Evelyn McGrath

James' Predicted Winner: I'm Fine Thanks (2011) Eamonn O'Neill

Matthew's Predicted Winner: I'm Fine Thanks (2011) Eamonn O'Neill

Winner: The Making of Longbird (2011) Will Anderson, Ainslie Henderson

Best Short Film

The Curse (2012) Fyzal Boulifa, Gavin Humphries

Good Night (2012) Muriel d'Ansembourg, Eva Sigurdardottir

Swimmer (2012) Lynne Ramsay, Peter Carlton, Diarmid Scrimshaw

Tumult (2011) Johnny Barrington, Rhianna Andrews

The Voorman Problem (2011) Mark Gill, Baldwin LI

My Predicted Winner: Swimmer (2012) Lynne Ramsay, Peter Carlton, Diarmid Scrimshaw

James' Predicted Winner: Swimmer (2012) Lynne Ramsay, Peter Carlton, Diarmid Scrimshaw

Matthew's Predicted Winner: The Curse (2012) Fyzal Boulifa, Gavin Humphries

Winner: Swimmer (2012) Lynne Ramsay, Peter Carlton, Diarmid Scrimshaw.

Results

My Predictions: 15

James' Predictions: 9

Matthew's Predictions: 9

Review of the Show

I love Stephen Fry. I should just put that out there as I am totally biased before the show even started. I think he is one of the most intelligent, charming and witty people and a great host. He is very funny and so articulate in his monologue at the start of the show which sets it up for a good night. He is respectful but does not shy away from making fun of the audience members made up of our favourite film industry talent. Overall I really enjoyed the show and below are some of my best bits.

Standout moments:

Paloma Faith trying her best to transform herself into a human Bafta.
Ben Afleck rolling his eyes when Bradley Cooper said 'I know I can speak for both of us...' I guess Ben wasn't so sure he could.
Cristoph Waltz calling Quentin Tarantino a silver penned devil.
Billy Connoly almost announcing the winner before the nominees.
Anne Hathaway telling Eddie Redmayne to feel better 'i'd be holding your hair back but (gestures to the Bafta) come on'.
Stephen Fry telling people to be quick with their speeches - 'be swift and you'll be all the more loved for it'
Stephen Fry insinuating that there are many closeted gay actors in Hollywood (I know ridiculous right) 'I have a strong feeling I'm not the only actor to come here today with a beard'.
Tessa Ross winning the award for Outstanding Contribution to British Cinema. A great producer and well deserving of the Michael Balcon award.
Stephen Fry introducing David Hasstlehoff's replacement George Clooney to introduce Best Supporting Actress.
Ben Afleck very sweetly dedicating his award to anyone out there trying to get their second act.
Stephen Fry telling Sting to stick that in your tantric pipe and smoke it.
Stephen Fry introducing Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson. Enough said.
Alan Parker winning the Fellowship Award.
Stephen Fry - 'I don't know when I've had such fun. Certainly not without the use of a water soluble lubricant' - priceless.

Les Miserables (2013)

2013-02-10T11:06:00.002-08:00

A film adaptation of the long running musical Les Miserables tells the story of Jean Valjean, a man who tries to survive in 19th Century France. After breaking parole he is hunted by police inspector Javert for decades. However, Jean Valjean's life if forever changed when he vows to care for a young girl, Cosette. An epic musical with amazing visual effects, brilliant performances and a familiar tale that is reborn by director Tom Hooper.

Director: Tom Hooper

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen.

Running Time: 158 Minutes

The story of Les Miserables has been around for years from the famous novel to the West End musical and in the world of movies. This is not the first time that a movie has been made of the story as it was previously filmed in 1998 but this was not a musical version and just a straight drama. Here we have the filmed musical version in the hands of Tom Hooper who has taken a familiar narrative, musical numbers and characters and made it his own. One of the most interesting things Hooper chose to do was film the singing live rather than the usual way in a studio with the actors lip syncing to a track whilst filming. This was a brilliant choice as it allows the actors to feel what they are singing and really brings the emotion out in the scenes. I have always been perplexed when I have been in the cinema and audience members applaud as it is not like the directors or actors are anxiously waiting behind the screen in anticipation of their response. However, when you are at a live musical it is customary to applaud after each musical number and it becomes a conditioned response, the well of the music leading to the desire to applaud. This was the reaction I had after several numbers in Les Miserables, thankfully I did not embarrass myself and actually clap but I did have that feeling where I should, as I was completely engrossed in the emotion of their performance. Hooper, who won the Best Director Oscar in 2011 for the King's Speech, again delivers a worthy contender for the Best Director Oscar this year. My only criticism of the film would be the choice to sing almost everything as there are probably only around ten actual spoken words in the entire film. Choosing to have most of the dialogue sung makes it more operatic than musical which I think detracts from the big musical numbers. That said this is a very minor criticism and overall I was very impressed with Hooper's direction as the film is visually stunning with phenomenal performances from the cast.

Hugh Jackman is fantastic in this film as Jean Valjean, the man imprisoned for twenty years for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his family. Having then escaped from his parole he makes a life for himself as a small town Mayor until he meets Fantine (Anne Hathaway) to whom he makes a vow to care for her child Cosette. This task proves all the more difficult when she falls for a young man involved in the student uprising used as the backdrop of the third act. Jackman plays his part with such poise and precision that he makes you believe every word he sings and does whatever he can to ensure his daughter's happiness.

Russell Crowe gives a similar harrowing performance as Javert, the police officer on the hunt for Jean Valjean. I have never really liked Russell Crowe and generally avoid his films like the plague but here even I cannot deny how good he is. In his climatic scene on the bridge he has such emotion and believability that you truly feel his inner turmoil.

The real star of the film for me though was Anne Hathaway. Hathaway really impressed me in her portrayal of Fantine as she gives it everything she has. When she sings I Dreamed a Dream, a song that has been so overly done, she puts so much emotion into it and gives a breathtakingly raw performance. Hathaway gives herself over to her performance and denies the audience nothing, if this performance does not win her the Oscar I don't know what will.

Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter star as Thenardier and Madame Thenardier who took Cosette in before Jean Valjean came to get her. They are corrupt and cruel, more concerned with their next score than anything else. Before seeing the film a friend told me that Cohen steals every scene he is in, I do not agree, as I just found him annoying. Similarly Helena Bonham Carters character equally annoyed me. I have never been a big fan of Cohen or Carter so I may be biased. I was very impressed with Carter in The King's Speech in 2011 and I thought finally she does not annoy me in a role, as she was understated whereas she is normally over the top such as her performance here. When their daughter dies they don't even seem to acknowledge the loss but are more concerned with going to a party. I know they are the antagonists of the film and they are not expected to be liked but I just found them annoying.

Some of the smaller performances from Eddie Redmayne as Marius, Aaron Tveit as Enjolras, Samantha Barks as Eponine and Daniel Huttlestone as Gavroche were fantastic. Redmayne was sweet in the romantic moments and strong in the dramatic pieces, Tveit apart from being gorgeous was equally as enigmatic in the set pieces. Barks blew me away as Eponine and when she sang On My Own it was heartbreaking. Huttlestone however, was phenomenal as Gavroche the adorable young boy who fights for what he believes in. In Gavroche's final scene Huttlestone's performance breaks your heart and even though I knew the story and knew what was going to happen I was still captivated and on the edge of my seat.

Final Verdict

With breathtaking performances from a star studded cast which is headlined by Hathaway, Jackman and Crowe Les Miserables is a great film. At times the constant singing of every line did get a bit much but as soon as the next breathtaking moment happened any sense of anguish was forgotten. Hooper has delivered another film worthy of all the Award buzz.

8/10

January Movie Round Up

2013-02-01T15:57:00.002-08:00

So I watch a number of films a month but never seem to have the time to review them all so as it is a new year I thought I would start a new ritual of having a brief mini review of each film which basically just involves a small amount of rambling from yours truly regarding whether or not I liked the film. They will be short and sweet but it is a way for me to review all the films I watch in the short amount of time I have spare. So without further ado read on for my January movie round up.

The American President (1995)

Director: Rob Reiner

Starring: Michael Douglas, Annette Benning, Martin Sheen, Michael J. Fox and Richard Dreyfuss.

Running Time: 114 Minutes.

A widowed US President and a lobbyist for an environmental group fall in love. Even though they are keeping business out of the bedroom they must fight against public opinion as the world of politics does not approve.

I have seen this movie several times and it never gets old. Aaron Sorkin weaves a narrative which is smart, witty, funny and emotive. The romance is so sweet and the audience becomes increasingly invested in their happiness without it becoming schmaltzy. The relationship between Sydney (Annette Benning) and President Shepherd (Michael Douglas) is very believable as the way they fall in love is not over the top but rather understated. Some of the funniest scenes in the movie involve Shepherd trying to do normal things for himself such as ordering flowers or inviting a woman to his place which for any of us would be just a task on a to do list but prove very difficult for Shepherd. Douglas and Benning have fantastic chemistry and excel in their roles. Douglas is charismatic as the President who wants to do the right thing but is preoccupied with getting re-elected. Benning is hilarious as Sydney the smart savvy lobbyist who he falls for. The climax of the movie is both funny and smart and is one of those moments where you cannot help the goofy grin on your face. The supporting cast are equally as gifted with great talent from Martin Sheen, Michael J Fox and Richard Dreyfuss to name a few. This film is in a lot of ways the precursor to The West Wing, Sorkin's hit TV series and a lot of familiar faces from the show pop up here.

Final Verdict

A superb film from Rob Reiner and Aaron Sorkin with brilliant performances from Douglas and Benning. If you are a fan of The West Wing and have not seen this film then you need to as you will love it.

9/10

Movie 43 (2013)

Director: Multiple including Elizabeth Banks and Bob Odenkirk.

Starring: Emma Stone, Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet etc...

Running Time: 90 Minutes

In the UK the version of the film that was released involved a series of unrelated short films that are discovered by a group of teenagers who are in search for the illusive Movie 43 which promises to be so dangerous it could end the world. In the US the shorts are connected by a screenwriter making several pitches to a film executive whilst becoming increasingly agitated.

I would feel comfortable saying that this will be my number one film of 2013 and it is only January. However, it will be number one on the worst films of the year list as this film (and I use the term film loosely here as it is barely applicable here) is awful. The only way I can imagine why any of the many stars that were involved in the film were in it, would be as a result of blackmail or the promise of a big pay day. I know Peter Farrelly and Charles B. Wessler did everything they could to get the stars on board, Hugh Jackman and Kate Winslet being the first to jump on the band wagon and film their part four years ago and Farrelly and Wessler used their participation to hook others. They even moved production to make Richard Gere commit and very few were able to back out, Trey Parker being one who escaped unscathed. Other stars such as George Clooney managed to engage their brain and just told them to Fuck Off by all accounts. I bet all of them are wishing they took a Clooney stance now it has been released and they are probably just hoping it will be quickly forgotten.

Final Verdict (1992)

An awful movie that is a waste of time to watch. It is just like sitting bored at your computer watching You Tube videos for 90 minutes. Watching the film I was embarrassed for all the people who were in it and just counted down the minutes till it was over. Wouldn't bother.

1/10

A Few Good Men (1992)

Director: Rob Reiner.

Starring: Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, Kevin Pollak and Jack Nicholson.

Running Time: 138 Minutes.

Tom Cruise plays Daniel Kaffee, a military lawyer who is called upon to defend two marines for murder which they say was a result of them following orders. Kaffee, along with his co-council JoAnne Galloway and Sam Weinberg must try and prove the truth.

My second Sorkin movie of the month, I swear I am not obsessed...really...OK maybe a bit, he is just a very talented writer who creates multi-dimensional characters who are interesting. Here we have one of his earlier works and while he has definitely grown as a writer the writing here is still better than the majority of Hollywood scripts being made today. The premise is simple, the trial of two marines who admit their actions in the death of a fellow marine but were just following orders as a good marine must do. The death was an unfortunate accident and they are clearly distraught over their actions but conflicted between guilt and their sense of honor and duty as marines. Pfc. Louden Downey is a dim witted farm boy who seems very confused by the whole process and just follows the lead of Lance Cpl. Harold W. Dawson his co-defendant. Dawson is very stoic and brilliantly played by Wolfgang Bodison who even though has few lines in comparison to the rest of the cast communicates endless information with just one look. The narrative follows the case as Kaffee does his best to defend the marines accused and my only criticism of the script is that it does explain everything in minute detail. One of my favourite things about Sorkin's writing is that he does not dumb things down and expects the audience to have enough intelligence to if not fully understand to at least follow the narrative. In A Few Good Men the audience is treated to a diluted version of this as it is one of those narratives that tells you what is going to happen, shows you it and then kind of summarises in the third act. However, this is not necessarily a bad thing as the narrative is interesting enough to hold your attention and even though key moments are preempted by the audience knowing this was planned, it still makes an impact when the plan works. One of the famous moments in the film is when Col. Nathan R. Jessop, skillfully played by Jack Nicholson, yells at Kaffee in the courtroom telling him "you can't handle the truth!". You know Kaffee was hoping to get Jessop to loose it but when it happens the audience is still captivated and in awe. The cast is the second ingredient that makes this a good film; Tom Cruise is great as the cocky young lawyer Kaffee, Demi Moore as Kaffee's type a co-council JoAnne Galloway and Kaffee's trusted friend and adviser Sam Weinberg played by Kevin Pollak round off the legal team. Other acting talent to grace the film include Kiefer Sutherland, Kevin Bacon, J.T. Walsh, and Christopher Guest all who excel in their roles.

Final Verdict

Reiner brings the great script and acting talent together to deliver a tense, suspenseful character movie that builds to the triumphant climax. A great film and well worth a watch if you can handle the truth.

8/10

Kyss mig/Kiss Me (2011)

Director: Alexandra-Therese Keining

Starring: Ruth Vega Fernandez, Liv Mjones and Joakim Natterqvist.

Running Time: 105 Minutes.

When Mia (Ruth Vega Fernandez) meets Frida (Liv Mjones) at their parents engagement party there share an interesting connection that they find surprising and very confusing. Mia is engaged to Tim (Joakim Natterqvist) who she has been in a long term relationship with and so when she falls for Frida she does not know what to do.

This film is beautifully shot and I must give props to Ragna Jorming, the cinematographer, who delivers a visually elegant movie that frames the narrative perfectly. The narrative itself is intense and believable as the story unfolds of these two women who fall in love and subsequently throw their own lives and that of their loved ones into disarray. The performances of the two female leads are a big strength of this film as they convey so much purely through their visual performance that they almost do not need words. You can see the turmoil on Mia's face when she returns home to her fiance and the guilt and anguish Frida feels over her emotions without them having to say it.

Final Verdict

The story is a simple one of two people falling in love in a complex situation but is beautiful communicated to the audience through skilled cinematography, direction and acting.

7/10

Apollo 13 (1995)

Director: Ron Howard

Starring: Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Ed Harris, Gary Sinise and Kathleen Quinlan.

Running Time: 140 Minutes.

Ron Howard tells the story of the famous space flight of Apollo 13 where three astronauts try to get home after their spaceship suffers severe damage from an accidental explosion.

My father has told me practically every time this film is on the TV or even just mentioned, how he remembers sitting watching the TV as a young man when this was happening as the world stood still to see if they would make it home. The film has that feel almost all the way through of swallowed breath in the anticipation of the moment even though you know how it ends before you press play. Ron Howard is a brilliant director and this is one of his best films, the attention to detail is extraordinary and very true to the real thing as you can see if you compare it to the documentary For All Mankind (1989) which was made by Al Reinert who co-wrote Apollo 13. The acting is also top notch with Tom Hanks (Lovell), Kevin Bacon (Swigert) and Bill Paxton (Haise) playing the three heroic astronauts struggling to get home. They are supported by stellar talent such as Ed Harris, Gary Sinise and Kathleen Quinlan. At the end the real Jim Lovell shows up on the Navy vessel and shakes Tom Hanks hand in a sweet moment where true reality meets the world of the movies.

Final Verdict

Apollo 13 tells us a familiar tale, adds the human emotional element and delivers a captivating film that engrosses you until the final shot. A fantastic film that should be in every persons movie collection.

9/10

Game Change (2012)

Director: Jay Roach

Starring: Julianne Moore, Ed Harris and Woody Harrelson.

Running Time: 118 Minutes

Game Change follows John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign where he made the surprise choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate. The narrative begins during the selection process for the campaign's choice of VP up to their eventually defeat come election time.

I can see why Game Change has won so many awards, including three Golden Globe Awards and five Primetime Emmy Awards, as it is a smartly written movie which gives an insight into a political figure who became an overnight superstar. When Palin was chosen as McCain's running mate she became an overnight sensation and suddenly his chances seemed a whole lot better. However, that was until she started to talk and they realised she had very little knowledge about foreign policy, for example, in one moment that amused me as a Brit, Palin (Julianne Moore) refers to the Queen as the head of the government rather than the Prime Minister. Although the film does highlight Palin's lack of knowledge she is not vilified by the narrative but rather just shown to be thrown in to a situation she was not prepared for. I found myself feeling sorry for her as she just wanted to do what she thought was right even if I do pretty much disagree with everything she stands for. That is what made this film for me as it takes people that I totally disagree with and connects me to them, making me feel for them and about them. That is the skill of the writing and performance in this film both of which are brilliant. Julianne Moore is fantastic as Sarah Palin and I can see why she has won pretty much every award she has been nominated for this role. Moore is supported by Ed Harris as McCain, Woody Harrelson as senior strategist Steve Schmidt who is responsible for bringing Palin on board and trying to contain her during the campaign. There was not a single performance in this film that I was not impressed by and it is definitely a character piece even though it is telling the story of a real life event. The narrative is well balanced as it shows both good and bad qualities of almost every character and that is due to the exceptional writing by Danny Strong who randomly I recognised as Jonathan from Buffy the Vampire Slayer when he accepted the Emmy. I must say I was a little surprised when I realised where I knew him from but he has demonstrated himself to be a very talented writer.

Final Verdict

An interesting film which provides insight into a real life recent historical moment in American politics. With a great performance from Moore and a great script it is well worth a watch.

7/10

The Sweeney (2012)

Director: Nick Love

Starring: Damian Lewis, Hayley Atwell, Ray Winstone, Ben Drew and Allen Leach.

Running Time: 112 Minutes

A British action film based on the 1970s TV series of the same name. It centres on a hardened detective in the Flying squad of London's Metropolitan police. 'Sweeney' comes from Sweeney Todd which is cockney rhyming slang for the Flying Squad. The Flying squad get a tip about a planned armed bank robbery but gets distracted by another armed robbery at a jewelry store which results in the murder of a young woman. In true movie fashion everything is connected and the flying squad team have to delve through the evidence to find the culprits but to find a criminal you need to act like one.

I have never seen the original TV series and so had nothing to compare the movie to and I was surprised how much I enjoyed this film as it was a lot better than I first expected. Granted I had very low expectations for it as I must confess my main reason for watching the movie was Damian Lewis who is great in the film but largely underused. The real standout in the film for me was Ray Winstone who really impressed me with his performance as Detective Inspector Jack Regan the gruff leader of the Flying Squad team. The reason Winstone impressed me was he was believable in the harder action scenes but in the softer moments he has a deeper emotional depth that highlights his acting chops. Similarly Ben Drew aka Plan B also showed himself to have a greater talent than what I was expecting. Midway through the film I was really enjoying it, impressed with the emotional depth and the believability of the performances. However, it did take a turn and the last half an hour or so really let the film down for me. The narrative is fairly straight forward and simple but towards the end seemed to meander off and loose its way some what.

Final Verdict

An enjoyable film that has a surprising emotional depth and some great performances from the cast. The narrative takes a turn towards the end of the film and slightly lets it down but it is worth a watch and is a good film for a chilled out night in.

6/10

Playing for Keeps (2013)

Director: Gabriele Muccino

Starring: Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel and Noah Lomax.

Running Time: 105 Minutes

A fallen football (soccer for Americans) tries to reconnect with his nine year old son and finally grow up himself. He starts coaching his sons soccer team and he catches the attention of the soccer mums who he has caught the eyes of.

Playing for keeps is a pretty average movie that holds no surprises for the audience as it is extremely predictable. That said sometimes that is what you are after, a nice straight forward film that is an easy watch that fulfils the genre expectations of any good romantic comedy. It is from the director of The Pursuit of Happiness (2006) and Seven Pounds (2008) so although it is your typical romantic comedy it does have a father trying to redeem himself in his son's eyes much like in The Pursuit of Happiness. However, although Gerard Butler is very good in this film and is believable in the more emotional scenes involving his desire to reunite his family, there is a slight disconnect for me as just as your feeling for him it cuts and its another predictable rom com scene. The film has a good cast with great actresses in smaller roles such as Catherine Zeta-Jones, Uma Thurman and Judy Greer as the soccer mums.

Final Verdict

An average romantic comedy that fulfils all the genre expectations and is the height of predictability. However, there are good performances but just when the more in depth emotional scenes come the film cuts and it would have been nice to have explored those scenes further. An enjoyable enough film that is good to watch when you just want to chill out with an easy watch and not have to engage your brain.

4/10

January's Monthly Five

2013-01-29T12:30:00.001-08:00

So it's the first monthly five of the new year and it's the time where we look back on the previous year and on to the next. Part of this for me always involves films and it got me thinking of how many awful films there were last year. I did my top ten of the year but did not do a worst ten list and so because of that this month's Monthly Five is me ranting about the worst five movies of last year which was pretty hard to whittle it down as there was a lot of them to cut it down too.

5) House At The End of The Street

A mother and daughter move to a small town and find themselves living next door to a house where a horrific murder happened years earlier. A young girl murdered her parents and as the daughter befriends the surviving brother she begins to discover there is more to the story than first appears.

I appreciate what the film makers were trying to do, a modern day Hitchcock style thriller for a younger generation. However their execution does not quite work as the film feels almost disjointed as they want to get from point a to point b in the narrative but seem to jump too quickly without much development in between. This film could have been so much better if they had explored what the parents did to their son after the accident on the swings where their daughter was hurt. He briefly mentions how they punished him but it is never fully explored or examined and for me that would have been the most interesting thing in the narrative.

Final Verdict

A poor attempt at a Hitchcock style thriller that comes across more as Psycho without the psycho. The performances are good but sadly it is not enough to save the film. The plot felt too disjointed and it could have been much more interesting with a deeper exploration of the identity issues of Ryan.

4) A Thousand Words

Eddie Murphy stars as Jack McCall a literary agent who is used to talking his way into deals and out of situations who finds himself in a predicament he cannot talk himself out of. After lying to a spiritual guru (Cliff Curtis) he finds a tree in his back garden that is loosing its leaves every time he speaks. It turns out they are connected and once the tree looses its leaves it will die and subsequently so will Jack.

The film is completely unoriginal and you could probably describe the entire film without even seeing it as there are no surprises. The main problem with the film is the fact that the plot is centred on the premise that Jack cannot speak or he will die, with Eddie Murphy being in the role, an actor whose comedy largely comes from what and how he says things, this becomes a problem. The film takes the thing that mainly makes Eddie Murphy funny away and you are left with a game of charades.

Final verdict

The film is not great, they take away the main thing that makes Eddie Murphy funny, his voice and whilst having a decent supporting cast does not give them enough to work with. Highly predictable and full of cliches I wouldn't really bother unless you just want something to watch without any requirement to engage your brain.

3) Gone

A woman is convinced her kidnapper has returned and taken her sister. She struggles to convince the police and so decides to find her sister on her own. It is a slow film that is trying its best to be a traditional thriller but fails miserably in its delivery, the main issue being that there is not a single thrill in the entire film. It limps along for the 95 minutes until the inevitable conclusion that holds no surprises or after sitting there for over an hour lacking any interest. If the people involved had more talent such as David Fincher getting hold of a script by Ann Biderman and directing Jessica Chastain in the role it could have been an interesting exploration of a troubled woman's psyche but in lesser hands it is just rubbish.

Final Verdict

An attempt at a thriller but lacking any thrills Amanda Seyfried does her best to make the script come to life and be believable but its just a no win situation that leaves you wondering what you could have done with the time you have just wasted.

2) The Devil Inside

I am not a big horror watcher these days. As I have got older I seem to have become quite a wuss and now get freaked out fairly easy. This film looked quite freaky so I plucked up the courage to give it a go. So in the brightness of the day and cuddled up with my doggie to protect me I popped the Blu Ray in the player. I kept waiting as the film progressed to the moment where I jumped or started hiding behind the pillow. This waiting went on forever as the film is not scary at all. It is a mockumentary of a young woman searching for the truth behind the act that changed her childhood. Her mother killed three people when she was a child which she later find out happened during an exorcism being performed on her mum.

It takes 40 minutes for any sort of remotely freaky scene where a young girl has an exorcism. The scene is full of cliches - lights go out, the girl breaks free, screams of 'where is she'...'oh my God'.... Then nothing, totally anti-climatic which seems to be the theme of the movie.

At the start of the film I thought it could be interesting with the mockumentary twist. However this is nothing new and over the past few years has been totally overdone. This quickly proved to be the case and it was just one cliche after another - shaky camerawork, off-screen action (use the term action loosely here) and talk to camera interviews. If you've seen pretty much any previous film dealing with exorcisms then you've seen this one, it offers nothing new, isn't scary and is just pretty much a waste of time.

Final Verdict

A complete waste of time - brings nothing new to the exorcism sub-genre of horror. It is not scary and not even really a horror movie but more a cliche filled mockumentary. Oh and by the by, worst ending EVER.

1) Piranha 3DD

I'm not sure I need to say anything other than Piranha 3DD to let you know the film sucks but if you need more convincing then here goes. Set after the events at Lake Victoria from the first Piranha 3D the blood-thirsty CGI piranha's are up to their old tricks but this time they find themselves at the opening of a water park. Still not convinced? Ok, then maybe the names David Hasslehof and Gary Busey will change your mind because any film with the nutty Gary Busey in is definitely not destined for greatness. I saw the first film and although it certainly wasn't a masterpiece at least it was a mindless comedy that had decent acting and a mildly interesting narrative. This one though is just mindless but not in a good way. It is more comedy than horror but unfortunately the main issue is that the comedy just isn't funny.

No effort went in to this film and that shows in every aspect from the narrative, acting to special effects that unfortunately have nothing special about them. There is no originality and intelligence is sorely lacking in a film that is trying to be a spoof of the genre. Iron Sky had similar intentions and was a film I really enjoyed as it was both original and the humour was cleverly entwined within the narrative. Piranha 3DD makes no such attempt and as such fails miserably. I have to give David Hasselhoff some credit however as he makes fun of himself to the nth degree and I do respect people who make fun of themselves. For me that was the only redeeming feature in the whole film and not one of great weight. The 3D is there just for the moments where things fly towards the screen and is just an excuse to make a bigger buck. The whole movie has that feel unfortunately that the only reason it was made was to cash-in on the first film and I can't imagine that there is any other reason that any of the actors appeared in it without the promise of a pay day.

Final Verdict

I know they were trying to make a 'bad' film but spoof films at least need some originality and intelligence in order to succeed. They succeeded in making a bad film but one that was not funny nor scary just really bad.

House at The End of The Street (2012)

2013-01-16T13:37:00.001-08:00

Director: Mark Tonderai

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Max Thieriot, Elisabeth Shue and Gil Bellows.

Running Time: 101 Minutes

I must confess I only watched this film because it starred Jennifer Lawrence and Elisabeth Shue so I had pretty low expectations for the plot etc... That said the movie is not that great. I appreciate what the film makers were trying to do, a modern day Hitchcock style thriller for a younger generation. However their execution does not quite work as the film feels almost disjointed as they want to get from point a to point b in the narrative but seem to jump too quickly without much development in between. This film could have been so much better if they had explored what the parents did to their son after the accident on the swings where their daughter was hurt. He briefly mentions how they punished him but it is never fully explored or examined and for me that would have been the most interesting thing in the narrative.

*********************************SPOILERS AHEAD********************************

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The son Ryan (Max Thieriot) was playing on the swings with his sister when they try to hold hands while swinging and his sister Carrie-Anne falls and dies. His parents then make Ryan become Carrie-Anne and treat him as their daughter in the way he dresses, by name etc... Obviously that is going to mess you up and it leads to Ryan eventually killing them. This never gets overly explored though and is almost an off the cuff mention to explain why he is so messed up now and doing the things he is doing. The ending is also totally trying to rip off Psycho (1960) but fails miserably to have the same impact. Psycho has a fantastic ending where Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) is staring straight at the camera with his mothers voice in his head as his thoughts and then a sinister smile and for a brief moment a skull is superimposed over his face. It sums the themes of the movie up well and leaves you with an unsettled eerie feeling which is how it should be in that type of film. However, in the ending to this film you have Ryan locked up in what looks to be a mental institution and he stares at the camera while a voiceover of his mother and others say 'your name is Carrie-Anne' over and over. This is not enough to unsettle you or leave you with any lasting eerie feeling as it almost felt like an after thought as an add on to the end of the film rather than any thought out moment. If the film had explored Ryan's feelings or whether he had an identity crisis which one would assume he would have some lasting damage from being raised as his dead sister for years. The fact he had a girl hidden who he called Carrie-Anne seemed to contradict what the film makers were assigning as the rationale for his actions, the acts of his parents when he was a child. It would have been much more interesting for him to have multiple personalities and the big reveal to be that he is actually Carrie-Anne and the last scene be him in the institution playing with a doll or putting on make up as he had been completely taken over as Carrie-Anne.

The film is not all bad as the performances are pretty good for this type of film but it was a surprise to see Gil Bellows pop up as I had not realised he was in this film until he showed his face. I haven't seen him in anything since Ally McBeal and there was Billy dressed as a cop trying to hook up with Elisabeth Shue, awww what would Ally say. I was pretty impressed with Max Thieriot as I think he did well with what he was given and Jennifer Lawrence is such a good actress she will make whatever she is given believable. The two have good chemistry in the film as well and who knew Lawrence could sing I am sure it will not be long before a musical beckons her name.

Final Verdict

3/10

Golden Globes 2013

2013-01-13T16:35:00.003-08:00

So in an hour or so the 2013 Golden Globes will begin and will kick off another award season where people in the film industry shamelessly give each other shiny awards and celebrate all that film and television has to offer. They will be hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler which should be good and quite different from the host of the past few years Ricky Gervais. Gervais shocked American audiences with his laid back and cheeky ways and I would imagine Fey and Poehler will be much more tame in comparison. Personally I love award shows and my main three favourites at the start of the year are The Golden Globes, The Baftas and of course The Academy Awards that finishes off the award season. I always make my predictions before the winners are announced and sometimes I do really well and other times my mojo has been on the blink and I only get a few right. Quite often who I think will win differs from who I would like to win and so for each category I have included both and I will find out tomorrow when I watch the awards (in the UK it will finish around 4am and I need my beauty sleep) just how much I have embarrassed myself. So read on to find out my predicted winners for the 2013 Golden Globe Awards, who actually won and whether I predicted right or not.

SPOILER ALERT ------I have now updated this with the winners and so please do not read on if you have yet to watch the awards and do not know who won or if you're not bothered anyway keep calm and carry on.

Best Motion Picture Drama

Argo

Django Unchained

Life of Pi

Lincoln

Zero Dark Thirty

Predicted Winner: Zero Dark Thirty

What I would like to win: Django Unchained
Winner: Argo

Best Motion Picture Musical or Comedy

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Les Miserables

Moonrise Kingdom

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

Silver Linings Playbook

Predicted Winner: Les Miserables

What I would like to win: Silver Linings Playbook
Winner: Les Miserables

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama

Daniel Day-Lewis - Lincoln

Richard Gere - Arbitrage

John Hawkes - The Session

Joaquin Pheonix - The Master

Denzel Washington - Flight

Predicted Winner: Daniel Day-Lewis - Lincoln

Who I would like to win: Daniel Day-Lewis - Lincoln
Winner: Daniel Day-Lewis - Lincoln

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama

Jessica Chastain - Zero Dark Thirty

Marion Cotillard - Rust and Bone

Helen Mirren - Hitchcock

Naomi Watts - The Impossible

Rachel Weisz - The Deep Blue Sea

Predicted Winner: Jessica Chastain - Zero Dark Thirty

Who I would like to win: Jessica Chastain - Zero Dark Thirty
Winner: Jessica Chastain - Zero Dark Thirty

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy

Jack Black - Bernie

Bradley Cooper - Silver Linings Playbook

Hugh Jackman - Les Miserables

Ewan McGregor - Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

Bill Murray - Hyde Park on Hudson

Predicted Winner: Hugh Jackman - Les Miserables

Who I would like to win: Bradley Cooper - Silver Linings Playbook
Winner: Hugh Jackman - Les Miserables

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy

Emily Blunt - Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

Judi Dench - The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Jennifer Lawrence - Silver Linings Playbook

Maggie Smith - Quartet

Meryl Streep - Hope Springs

Predicted Winner: Jennifer Lawrence -Silver Linings Playbook

Who I would like to win: Jennifer Lawrence - Silver Linings Playbook
Winner: Jennifer Lawrence - Silver Linings Playbook

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Alan Arkin - Argo

Leonardo DiCaprio - Django Unchained

Philip Seymour Hoffman - The Master

Tommy Lee Jones - Lincoln

Christoph Waltz - Django Unchained

Predicted Winner: Philip Seymour Hoffman - The Master

Who I would like to win: Leonardo DiCaprio - Django Unchained
Winner: Christoph Waltz - Django Unchained

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Amy Adams - The Master

Sally Field - Lincoln

Anne Hathaway - Les Miserables

Helen Hunt - The Sessions

Nicole Kidman - The Paperboy

Predicted Winner: Anne Hathway - Les Miserables

Who I would like to win: Amy Adams - The Master
Winner: Anne Hathaway - Les Miserables

Best Director - Motion Picture

Ben Afleck - Argo

Kathryn Bigelow - Zero Dark Thirty

Ang Lee - Life of Pi

Steven Spielberg - Lincoln

Quentin Tarantino - Django Unchained

Predicted Winner: Steven Spielberg - Lincoln

Who I would like to win: Kathryn Bigelow - Zero Dark Thirty
Winner: Ben Afleck - Argo

Best Screenplay - Motion Picture

Argo

Django Unchained

Lincoln

Silver Linings Playbook

Zero Dark Thirty

Predicted Winner: Argo

What I would like to win: Django Unchained
Winner: Django Unchained

Best Original Song - Motion Picture

For You - Act of Valor

Safe and Sound - The Hunger Games

Suddenly - Les Miserables

Skyfall - Skyfall

Not Running Anymore - Stand up Guys

Predicted Winner: Suddenly - Les Miserables

What I would like to win: Not Running Anymore - Stand Up Guys
Winner: Skyfall - Skyfall

Best Original Score - Motion Picture

Anna Karenina

Argo

Cloud Atlas

Life of Pi

Lincoln

Predicted Winner: Life of Pi

What I would like to win: Lincoln
Winner: Life of Pi

Best Animated Film

Brave

Frankenweenie

Hotel Transylvania

Rise of the Guardians

Wreck-It Ralph

Predicted Winner: Rise of the Guardians

What I would like to win: Rise of the Guardians
Winner: Brave

Best Foreign Language Film

Amour

Untouchable

Kon-Tiki

A Royal Affair

Rust and Bone

Predicted Winner: Amour

What I would like to win: Amour
Winner: Amour

Best Television Series - Drama

Boardwalk Empire

Breaking Bad

Downton Abbey

Homeland

The Newsroom

Predicted Winner: Homeland

What I would like to win: The Newsroom
Winner: Homeland

Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy

The Big Bang Theory

Episodes

Girls

Modern Family

Smash

Predicted Winner: Girls

What I would like to win: The Big Bang Theory
Winner: Girls

Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Game Change

The Girl

Hatfields & McCoys

The Hour

Political Animals

Predicted Winner: Game Change

What I would like to win: Game Change
Winner: Game Change

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama

Steve Buscemi - Boardwalk Empire

Bryan Cranston - Breaking Bad

Jeff Daniels - The Newsroom

Jon Hamm - Mad Men

Damian Lewis - Homeland

Predicted Winner: Bryan Cranston - Breaking Bad

Who I would like to win: Jeff Daniels - The Newsroom
Winner: Damian Lewis - Homeland

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama

Connie Britton - Nashville

Glenn Close - Damages

Claire Danes - Homeland

Michelle Dockery - Downton Abbey

Julianna Margulies - The Good Wife

Predicted Winner: Claire Danes - Homeland

Who I would like to win: Claire Danes - Homeland
Winner: Claire Danes - Homeland

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy

Alec Baldwin - 30 Rock

Don Cheadle - House of Lies

Louis C.K. - Louie

Matt LeBlanc - Episodes

Jim Parsons - The Big Bang Theory

Predicted Winner: Louis C.K. - Louie

Who I would like to win: Jim Parsons - The Big Bang Theory
Winner: Don Cheadle - House of Lies

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy

Zooey Deschanel - New Girl

Lena Dunham - Girls

Tina Fey - 30 Rock

Julia Louis-Dreyfus - Veep

Amy Poehler - Parks and Recreation

Predicted Winner: Lena Dunham - Girls

Who I would like to win: Amy Poehler - Parks and Recreation
Winner: Lena Dunham - Girls

Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television

Kevin Costner - Hatfields & McCoys

Benedict Cumberbatch - Sherlock

Woody Harrelson - Game Change

Toby Jones - The Girl

Clive Owen - Hemingway & Gellhorn

Predicted Winner: Woody Harrelson - Game Change

Who I would like to win: Woody Harrelson - Game Change
Winner: Kevin Costner - Hatfields & McCoys

Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television

Nicole Kidman - Hemingway & Gellhorn

Jessica Lange - American Horror Story

Sienna Miller - The Girl

Julianne Moore - Game Change

Sigourney Weaver - Political Animals

Predicted Winner: Julianne Moore - Game Change

Who I would like to win: Julianne Moore - Game Change
Winner: Julianne Moore - Game Change

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Max Greenfield - New Girl

Ed Harris - Game Change

Danny Huston - Magic City

Mandy Patinkin - Homeland

Eric Stonestreet - Modern Family

Predicted Winner: Eric Stonestreet - Modern Family

Who I would like to win: Mandy Patinkin - Homeland/Eric Stonestreet - Modern Family
Winner: Ed Harris - Game Change

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Hayden Panettiere - Nashville

Archie Panjabi - The Good Wife

Sarah Paulson - Game Change

Maggie Smith - Downton Abbey

Sofia Vergara - Modern Family

Predicted Winner: Maggie Smith - Downton Abbey

Who I would like to win: Sarah Paulson - Game Change/Archie Panjabi - The Good Wife
Winner: Maggie Smith - Downton Abbey

So it was an average result for my predictions as I had 15 out of 25 correct but there were some nice surprises with Quentin Tarantino winning for the best screenplay. Overall I was enjoyed the show and there were some hilarious moments from hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler in their monologue at the start of the ceremony. Tina Fey's shining moment came when she told Anne Hathaway how amazing she was in Les Miserables and that she had not seen someone so lonely and abandoned since Anne was on stage with James Franco at the Oscars a statement I could not agree more with. However, Amy Poehler cracked me up with her comment about Kathryn Bigelow and Zero Dark Thirty that when it comes to torture she had to trust a lady who spent three years married to James Cameron. They were what I expected as hosts and much tamer than Ricky Gervais but still funny and worked well. It did feel a little rushed at times with them almost pushing people off stage if they thanked too many people off stage if they thanked too many people. Before they even left the mic the next presenters were right behind them which was a little rushed. However, I do understand the reasoning as they have a limited time and some people do rattle on and I did feel for Jodie Foster's youngest son during Daniel Day-Lewis' speech where he looked so beyond bored, bless him! Overall I enjoyed the show and it was a nice kick off to the awards season, I was really happy Jessica Chastain and Jennifer Lawrence won as I think they are amazing and Quentin Tarantino won a well deserved Golden Globe for writing Django Unchained.

Top Moments of Golden Globes 2013

President of the Foreign Press telling Bradley Cooper to call her maybe.
Adele's North London accent gracing the stage with "awww my God" followed by "we've been pissing ourselves laughing all night". It was a refreshing change from the classy, distinguished usual British speeches from actors such as Damien Lewis and Daniel Day-Lewis.
Kevin Costner's weird speech that although it was a very sweet felt more like he had got confused and thought he had actually won the lifetime achievement award as he talked more about his body of work and barely mentioned the film he had won for.
Amy Poehler referring to Bill Clinton as Hilary Clinton's husband.
Kristen Wiig and Will Ferrel pretending they haven't seen the performances of such greats as Mariel Streep 'you get out of here'.
Jennifer Lawrence's speech - "I beat Meryl"..."Harvey thank you for killing whoever you had to kill to get me up here".
Jodie Foster's speech was amazing and had me and many others in tears as there were many tissue's being reached for in the audience. It was classy, important and relevant. Take notes Lena Dunham here is a woman who knew she was going to get an award and still she did not read off a piece of paper.
Lena Dunham saying she totally wasn't expecting to win whilst whipping out a TYPED speech, yeah you sure had no suspicions you may win did you Lena. I get people would be nervous especially when they are just starting out and do not want to forget anyone but I hate written speeches. The best speeches are sincere and a visceral reaction to the moment where they are close to loosing it and you truly see how much it means to them. Dunham's second speech was better as she used the paper less but maybe next time she could loose the paper.

Top 10 Films of 2012

2012-12-31T14:04:00.003-08:00

So it's New Year's Eve and that time of the year that we look back on the previous year and sum up what we thought. If your a film geek like me that will inevitably lead to thinking back over the year's films to work out which make the grade when formulating the best of the year. For me the year's best films are a varied bag as is usually the case with my eclectic taste. There are films I have yet to see like Rust and Bone, The Master that I am sure would have made the list but unfortunately I have yet to see. There are also many films that have yet to be released in the UK like Zero, Dark Thirty and Django Unchained that I am sure will make the 2013 list. The films on this list are based on UK release dates so some such as The Muppets was released in the US in 2011 but not here in the UK till February and so for me is a 2012 release. So that's enough rambling from me and without further ado here is my top 10 of 2012.

Pitch Perfect is a musical-comedy about a college accapella group called the Bellas as they work to win Nationals. The film has a large ensemble cast led by the brilliant Anna Kendrick who plays Beca forced to attend college by her father who is a Philosophy professor at the same University. All Beca wants to do is to move to LA to make music so her father makes a deal with her if she spends a year in college and joins at least one extra curricular activity he will pay for her to go to LA if she still wants to go. Beca ends up joining the Bellas and shaking things up which does not sit well with the leader Aubrey (Anna Camp) who wants to do the same old tired routine. In Aubrey's defense she has to rescue the group from her projectile vomiting episode at last years nationals. Another new recruits to the group are Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) a girl who calls herself Fat Amy so bitches don't do it behind her back who has many comedic albeit silly moments. The love interest for Beca is in the form of Jesse (Skylar Astin) who is a member of the accapella group the Trebelmakers the arch rivals of the Bellas which is why there is a rule for new recruits not to hook up with any Trebelmakers. Jesse has a passion for movie music and in particular The Breakfast Club ending song Don't You (Forget About Me). This leads to the inevitable inclusion of the song in the Bellas performance at Nationals culminating in a cheesy fist pump into the air which obviously I loved. This film may be cliched, flawed and nothing new but I loved it.

I defy anyone to watch The Muppets without a smile on their face. Sometimes you just want to relax and chill out to a film and The Muppets would be the perfect choice as it is sweet, fun and enjoyable. The film focuses on Walter and Gary (Jason Segel) the biggest fans of the Muppets who along with Gary's girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams) help Kermit reunite the Muppets in order to save their theatre. They have to raise $10 million from an oil tycoon who wants to demolish it. The way they do this is with a telethon which includes the inevitable cameo of celebrity after celebrity. The one that sealed the deal for me was Jim Parsons as the human version of Walter in the song Am I a Man or a Muppet which cracked me up as I am a big fan of The Big Bang Theory. I never really watched The Muppets growing up and so I came to this film with fresh eyes. From the opening credits I had a smile on my face and there it remained even on the car ride home from the cinema. It does help that I am a fan of both Jason Segel and Amy Adams and they excel here. It also helps that I am a sucker for a musical so singing and dancing muppets had me at the first note.

Lawless is set in 1931 Virginia and centres around the Bondurant brothers; Forrest (Tom Hardy), Howard (Jason Clarke) and Jack (Shia LeBeouf) who are the biggest bootleggers of moonshine in Franklin County. They also run a legitimate family business of a restaurant/gas station which is how they meet Maggie Beauford (Jessica Chastain) who comes to work at their restaurant and ends up falling for Forrest. At the same time Franklin County gets another new resident in the form of Special Deputy Charley Rakes (Guy Pearce) who informs Forrest he wants a cut of all the profits made by the county's bootleggers. This leads younger brother Jack to try and prove himself to his big brothers along with his friend Cricket Pate (Dane DeHaan) who is Jack's sweet best friend who is physically and mentally challenged and as soon as he arrives on the scene you know it is not going to end well. The characters need something to avenge and to fight for and Cricket gives them that and leads to the final shootout. My only issue was with the ending in regards to the Forrest narrative as I was a little disappointed with how that played out. Other than that though I really liked this film as it has a great cast who deliver great performances.

The Hunger Games is set in a dystopian post-apocalyptic future in the nation of Panem. Every year each district has to send one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 years of age to take part in The Hunger Games. The tributes must fight to the death in an arena with the winner receiving wealth and fame. In District 12 the lottery selects Primrose Everdeen (Willow Shields) but her older sister Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) volunteers herself instead so along with Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), Katniss enters the Hunger Games. The games are televised and it becomes a kind of commentary on today's society as quite often sci-fi has been known to do. It has a great cast led by Jennifer Lawrence which includes; Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson and a favourite of mine Stanley Tucci. It is a different and interesting sci-fi movie and I look forward to the next instalment in the franchise.

The Avengers was one of the most highly anticipated films of the year and it did not disappoint. I have always been a fan of Joss Whedon's work and he did not let me down with The Avengers as it has his usual humour and smart writing that make this film so good. In lesser hands the film could have easily slipped into the chessiness of having a bunch of superheroes running around in dress up saving the world. However, Whedon manages to bring all the heroes together giving each one their share of the narrative. So Thor, Iron Man, the Hulk, Captain America, Hawkeye and the Black Widow come together to battle Thor's adopted brother Loki who wants to take over the world. It's a total popcorn movie but sometimes that is all you want and The Avengers is mindless entertainment at its best.

Beasts of the Southern Wild is a fantasy drama film that centres around Hushpuppy a precocious six year old girl who lives in the Bathtub, a Southern Delta community at the end of the world, with her father Wink. Wink tries to prepare Hushpuppy for a time when he will not be there by treating her with tough love. Wink becomes ill and so Hushpuppy goes in search of her mother. This is such a sweet film that is told from the perspective of a child which means anything can happen. Quvenzhane Wallis is amazing as Hushpuppy as is Dwight Henry as her father Wink both of whom have never been in anything before. The use of non-actors in this film adds to its appeal for me as it gives the film an authenticity and simplicity which is both charming and breathtaking.

Amour is a drama from Michael Haneke which focuses on an elderly couple, Anne and Georges, retired music teachers whose daughter lives abroad. After Anne suffers a stroke she becomes paralysed down one side of her body and Georges, after promising to never put her in a home, does his best to take care of her. All the while Georges watches his amour/love slipping away. Georges desire to take care of his wife causes tension with his daughter and her husband which adds to the narrative tension. This is a beautiful film with stellar performances from Emmanuelle and Jean-Louis Trintignant who give breathtaking performances that will pull on your heart strings with the ending breaking your heart. Amour tells a simple story of an impossible situation and is film making at its best.

Silver Linings Playbook is a romantic comedy drama from David O. Russell about two people struggling in their lives who meet and help each other through their respective issues. The film has a great cast led by Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence who have a great chemistry together. It is a simple story about Pat (Bradley Cooper) who has just been released from a mental health centre and has bipolar disorder. All Pat wants is to reconnect with his ex wife and Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) promises to help him do just that providing that he help her win a dance contest. The film has a brilliant cast who have a great script in which to show off their acting chops.

End of Watch largely feels like Southland the movie with a little bit of The Shield thrown in for good measure two TV shows I highly recommend if you have not seen them so it was no surprise that I loved this film. The film has a great cast led by Michael Pena and Jake Gyllenhaal as two LAPD officers who patrol South Central area of Los Angeles. The film is gritty and although I have never personally patrolled the streets of South Central LA and so have no basis for the comment it certainly felt realistic in its presentation. The film follows Brian Taylor (Gyllenhaal) and Miguel Zavala (Pena), two partners as they go out on patrol while Brian films the whole thing for a film project he is working on. This proves to cause some problems as there are several moments where the filming cannot be from a handheld camera but you can excuse that as it does not detract from an enjoyable film experience. You follow them through not only their job but also in their personal lives with their respective marriages and children. Everything is going well for them until they stumble onto a case involving the Mexican cartel and soon the two officers become such a pain for the cartel that a hit is put out on them. The major strength of this film is the chemistry between Pena and Gyllenhaal as they are very believable in their roles as both dedicated police officers and best friends. The supporting cast also give strong performances; Natalie Martinez and Anna Kendrick playing the wives and fellow officers Van Hauser (David Harbour), Orozco (America Ferrara) and Sarge (Frank Grillo). This film has all the ingredients necessary for a superb movie; a great cast, a brilliant script, clever direction and believability.

The Cabin in the Woods is about five friends who decide to go off the grid and venture into a remote cabin in the woods. At first it appears to be the stereotypical horror movie plot of unsuspecting young people who find themselves being hunted by some horrifying entity. However, it quickly becomes apparent that this is not your typical horror movie which in the hands of Drew Goddard and the fantastic Joss Whedon is not that surprising. The film does not stop with the usual horror plot but rather has another level to it as under the cabin is an underground laboratory which is full of workers controlling the scenario. The two main workers are played by Bradley Whitford and Richard Jenkins who in some ways are the film alter egos of Goddard and Whedon as the writer, director and producer of horror movies who control what is happening. The movie takes on the horror genre as a whole and the last twenty minutes are absolutely insanely brilliant as every horror monster, creature or psycho you ever imagined joins the party. The film has a brilliant cast of young actors mixed with more established talent like Whitford and Jenkins who are superb as the lab workers. You will also not be surprised to see Whedon regulars Amy Acker as fellow lab worker and Fran Kranz as the comic relief Marty. The writing is great and has a good mix of humour, references to past works and superb twists and turns. The five young people are archetypal horror characters; the jock (Chris Hemsworth), the slutty friend (Anna Hutchison), the intellectual sweet guy (Jesse Williams), the funny guy (Fran Kranz) and the good girl (Kristen Connolly). However, although you have the archetypal characters here they are subverted and not stereotypical until they are altered by the lab techs at the cabin in order to fulfil their roles. It is rare that films surprise me but this film did that and then some which is why it is my film of the year.

Honourable Mentions to:

The Dark Knight Rises, Ted, Killer Joe, The Amazing Spiderman

Ones to look out for in 2013

2012-12-31T06:22:00.003-08:00

So as we gear up for the new year here are some films I am looking forward to in 2013. January is a big month with some heavy hitters right out of the gate such as Zero Dark Thirty and Django Unchained, two films I have been looking forward to for a while. So without further ado here are some films I am eagerly anticipating throughout the first half of next year.

Django Unchained - released 10th January in UK

I have been looking forward to the new Tarantino film ever since it was announced. Tarantino is always a favourite of mine and I loved Inglorious Basterds (2009) and so hope that his streak continues with Django Unchained as I am sure it will. Here he teams up again with Christoph Waltz who is joined by Jamie Fox, Kerry Washington, Leonardo DiCaprio and Tarantino regular Samuel L. Jackson. This film looks to have the signature Tarantino flair of humour, action and drama. I for one cannot wait.

Les Miserables - released 11th January in UK

I have always been a fan of musicals and here we finally have a film version of the long running musical Les Miserables. The cast is made up of quality actors such as Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway and based on the trailer has retained the themes from the stage musical with Tom Hooper making a good job of bringing it to the big screen.

Gangster Squad - Released 11th January in UK

Gangster Squad tells the story of LAPD Detectives who are trying to keep LA out of the hands of the gangsters and maintain law and order. Set in the 1940s and 50s the film has a great cast with Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling, Josh Brolin, Nick Nolte and Emma Stone. The film was supposed to be released September 2012 but in light of the shooting at the screening of The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora the film was pushed back to January.

Stand Up Guys - released 11th January in UK

After spending 28 years in prison Val (Al Pacino) gets released from prison only to find out his old partner, Doc (Christopher Walken) has been hired to kill him. Claphands (Mark Margolis) has contracted Doc to avenge the accidental death of his son years earlier. With Alan Alda joining Pacino and Walken it should be an entertaining experience and seems to have a good mix of humour, action and drama.

Zero Dark Thirty - released 25th January in UK

Zero Dark Thirty takes us through the ten year hunt for Osama Bin Ladin and his death at the hands of the Navy SEAL Team 6 in May, 2011. I am a big fan of Kathryn Bigelow and here she has teamed up with Mark Boal as writer again and lets hope it will be as good as their last collaboration The Hurt Locker in 2008. The cast is superb with Jessica Chastain, Joel Edgerton, Kyle Chandler, Mark Strong, Jason Clarke and many other quality actors. I am really looking forward to this film.

Lincoln - released 25th January in UK

The new Steven Spielberg film focuses on the last four months of Abraham Lincoln's life and his efforts to abolish slavery in the US. The trailer already has all the ingredients for an emotional cinematic experience which is a thing that Spielberg does so well. The swelling musical score, family connections and a man wanting to do acts greater than himself. I have always been a fan of bio-pics and look forward to this one in January.

A Good Day to Die Hard - released 14th February in UK

Here we have the fifth instalment of the Die Hard franchise which sees Bruce Willis reprising his role as John McClane and this time heading to Moscow to help his son who has been arrested. While there McClane just happens upon a terrorist plot which shockingly involves his estranged son, I know no one saw that coming right. This looks to be ridiculous, mindless entertainment and I for one cannot wait as while the first two Die Hard films are awesome with the third trailing not too far behind the fourth one was silly but the fifth just seems to have taken ridiculous to a whole new level.

The Heat - released 5th April in UK

The Heat stars Sandra Bullock as an FBI agent who has to team up with a Boston police detective played by Melissa McCarthy to take down a Russian mobster. The films looks silly and very funny. I am a fan of both Bullock and McCarthy so look forward to this one later in the year.

42 - released 12th April in UK

I am a big fan of sports movies and bio-pics and here we have the two coming together to tell the story of the legendary baseball player Jackie Robinson. With a great cast made up of Harrison Ford, Christopher Meloni, Chadwick Boseman and Lucas Black.

Iron Man 3 - released 26th April in UK

The third instalment of the Iron Man franchise is hitting cinemas in April and although the second one was disappointing The Avengers more than made up for it. Here we have Tony Stark just trying to hold on to it all while facing his toughest enemy yet, The Mandarin.

I'm So Excited - released 3rd May in UK

I'm So Excited is the latest film by Spanish director Pedro Almodovar and it is set almost entirely on an aeroplane following the crew and various passengers. Although the trailer does not show much about the narrative Almodovar has said it is a very light comedy and if his other films are anything to go by it was also be amazingly insane. I have been a fan of Almodovar for years and he is one of the few directors who surprises me and baffles me with his movies.

Star Trek Into Darkness - released 17th May in UK

I have only seen the later Star Trek films which is why I think I had no issue with the re-imagining of the franchise with Star Trek in 2009. I know many people who had an issue with it but I thought it was an OK film with faults and issues but an enjoyable enough experience. I look forward to the next film which looks to be a little darker and looks like it will be visually impressive at least.

Man of Steel - release 14th June in UK

The widely anticipated re-boot to the Superman franchise comes to cinemas in June. After the appalling Superman Returns in 2006 I hope this instalment fares better. Based on the trailer the direction has gone darker and more along the lines of Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy which is no surprise as he was on hand as producer to advise director Zack Snyder.

I am sure there are many more films that I have missed that are going to be on my watch list. Let's hope 2013 will be a good year for films. What films are you looking forward to in the New Year? Post your comments below.

December's Monthly Five

2012-12-16T14:54:00.001-08:00

Unsurprisingly for December's Monthly Five here are my top 5 Christmas films. I know it could not be more predictable right. Anyway, Christmas has always been my favourite holiday and with the passing of my grandfather on Christmas day last year I am trying to hold on to the Christmas spirit in a year that will not be easy to celebrate. That said, for me Christmas has always been about family, finding the perfect gifts for loved ones and having one blow out day full of Turkey (or Quorn Roast if you're vegi like me), alcohol and holiday cheer. So without further ado here are my top five Christmas movies:

5. Santa Clause (1985)

Director: Jeannot Szwarc

Starring: Dudley Moore, John Lithgow and David Huddleston.

Running Time: 107 Minutes

This is a childhood favourite of mine and because of that has always been a Christmas classic for me. It chronicles the origins of Santa Claus and answers many of the mysteries surrounding the mythical figure. The movie begins with Claus a middle aged man who is beloved in his village where he takes toys on his sleigh through blizzards to the children. After a particularly cold night Claus gets frozen but is saved and transformed into Santa Claus and taken to the magical North Pole. For years Santa Claus and his elves make quality toys all made from wood but that is until his chief Elf, Patch (Dudley Moore), develops a more efficient way to make the toys quicker which has disastrous results. Disgraced Patch leaves the North Pole to take his talents to the big city and hooks up with corrupt toy mogul, B.Z. (John Lithgow), who uses Patch's magical dust to create the ultimate Christmas gift. However, Patch becomes concerned when he learns B.Z. wants to turn himself into the face of Christmas.

Some may think it was peculiar for the producers of the Superman movies to follow them up with a film about Santa Claus but there are actually a lot of similarities. You have the mythical super being (Santa Claus), the evil to be overcome (B.Z.) and a greater good to be saved (the magic of Christmas). The plot does have some weak points but that can be forgiven with excellent special effects and I may be biased in that respect due to the nostalgia I feel for this film as it reminds me of many childhood Christmas'.

4. Die Hard (1988)

Director: John McTiernan
Starring: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman and Bonnie Bedelia.
Running Time: 131 Minutes.

It's Christmas Eve and New York City Detective John McClane has come to Los Angeles to visit his family for Christmas. His estranged wife, Holly (Bonnie Bedelia) is the Vice President of Nakatomi Corp. and not long after John arrives at her office for the Christmas party do Terrorists take over and hold them hostage. McClane manages to get away and then spends the rest of the movie making things very difficult for the terrorists led by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman). John also has help from LA police officer Sgt. Al Powell (Reginald VelJohnson) who he makes contact with over the radio and when John begins to have doubts Al does his best to convince him he can do this. Al also does his best on the ground with his boss who seems to mess up John's plans at every opportunity via his incompetence.

It may be a random choice for a top five Christmas films but other than the obvious it being set at Christmas it also focuses on what is important at Christmas, family. John does his best to save his wife and get home to their kids for Christmas. It has fantastic action sequences and although the plot and characters has been criticised by critics such as Roger Ebert it is for me one of the ultimate action films. This film started off the solo reluctant hero saving a group of people whilst fighting against the incompetence of others in films like Speed (1994) and the more recent Lockout (2012). Another reason why this film is included on this list is I defy anyone to watch it and not be left at the end with a Christmassy feeling. I mean any film that finishes with Let It Snow by Frank Sinatra has to leave you feeling at least somewhat Christmassy.

3. Gremlins (1984)

Director: Joe Dante

Starring: Zach Galligan, Pheobe Cates and Hoyt Axton

Running Time: 106 Minutes

The classic horror-comedy movie is a must see movie at Christmas for me and I was very excited when I found out it was being re-released in the cinema this year. If you have been living under a rock and have not yet seen Gremlins it is about a young man who gets an unusual Christmas gift from his father. The present is a Mogwai, a strange new pet that comes with certain rules; never expose them to bright light, never get them wet and whatever you do don't feed them after midnight. Of course all of these three things inevitably happen and mayhem ensues. The film takes a setting out of classic Christmas films such as It's a Wonderful Life (1946) and adds the wild Gremlins to create a superb juxtaposition which works really well.

One of my favourite things about The Gremlins is how it celebrates previous popular culture movies, characters and fairy tales. From the opening scene of the mysterious magical Little Shop in china town where Billy's dad buys Gizmo the viewer instantly knows that this is not going to run smoothly. You also have the archetypal characters such as the clean-cut all American boy with his cute girlfriend, the zany inventor, the frustrated Sheriff and the annoying Old lady. The film also uses every monster trick in the book and implements with the skill. Monsters pop up and make you jump out your skin and an eerie feeling is created as they stalk their victims.

1984 was the perfect time for The Gremlins to be released as it was the era in which this type of movie mixing horror and comedy was in a trend with films such as Ghostbusters (1984) released at the same time. I have always been a big fan of 80s movies and here I get to mix my love of 80s films and Christmas movies so no wonder this makes my top five.

How could anything so cute be dangerous?

This film is a brilliant celebration of the B movie and takes all the cliches of Christmas movies and smashes them. However, it also celebrates the things that I love about Christmas movies; family and finding the perfect Christmas gift and juxtaposes them with monsters and bogeymen. The old saying 'a dog is not just for Christmas' holds a whole new meaning as when you give your child a new pet for Christmas be prepared for the outcome.

2. Family Stone (2005)

Director: Thomas Bezucha

Starring: Diane Keaton, Claire Danes, Rachel McAdams, Dermot Mulroney, Craig T. Nelson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Luke Wilson, Elisabeth Reaser and Tyrone Giordano.

Running Time: 103 Minutes

The Family Stone is a film surprisingly about a family named Stone who the viewer follows through a Christmas of misadventures. The issues begin when the eldest son Everett (Dermot Mulroney) brings his uptight girlfriend, Meredith Morton (Sarah Jessica Parker), home for the holidays with the plan on proposing. However, first he has to get his Grandmother's antique ring from his mother, Sybil (Diane Keaton), who is less than happy about his choice. Adding to the drama are the siblings; Everett's sisters and brothers played by Rachel McAdams, Elizabeth Reaser, Tyrone Giordano and Luke Wilson and the arrival of Meredith's sister played by Claire Danes. There is one mishap after another with many of the characters reassessing their life choices. Rounding out the family is Craig T. Nelson as the dad who is trying to hold it all together. Although their are many funny mishaps that lead to great comedic moments there is also a sweet poignant narrative running through the film dealing with a characters illness which is very subtle.

I really loved this film when I saw it in the cinema and I have watched it every Christmas since and still enjoyed it. The cast is great led by the fantastic Diane Keaton and rounded off by favourites of mine such as Rachel McAdams and Luke Wilson. There are many reasons why this film beat out a lot of others to make the top five Christmas films but the main one for me is it represents what for me Christmas is about; family. This family may have their problems but there is never any doubt that they love each other very much and would do anything for each other. The narrative is also very believable and as crazy as some of the plot points are they hold true within the narrative structure. There is also a great mix of humour and sadness and the way it is subtly presented to the audience shows great skill on Bezucha's part here. Even the minor characters are well rounded and no matter how small their role they add to the narrative in some way.

Meredith puts her foot in her mouth at the family dinner.

One of the brothers played by Tyrone Giordano, Thad, is deaf and for me it is always refreshing when people who are blind or deaf are given mainstream roles as that is the way it should be as there are a large proportion of deaf people in the world and they should see themselves represented in the media. Thad is also gay and I loved how matter of fact this was as it was never presented as an issue it was just the way it was. In fact when Meredith questions the choice of Thad and his partner adopting a child the whole family turn on her including the calm father who has held his tongue the entire time. It is just a perfect moment of a character unable to explain themselves and totally putting their foot in it. The main strength running through the film is the marriage between Sybil and Kelly who although they have been together a long time the relationship is still very loving. There are many screwball comedy moments but the poignant narrative running through the film holds it together and gives it an important emotional depth. The viewer learns that the family will look back on this Christmas with fond memories and the inevitable tear and so too will the audience who if you're anything like me will make a date with The Family Stone in every run up to Christmas.

1. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Director: George Seaton

Starring: Maureen O'Hara, Edmund Gwenn and John Payne

Running Time: 96 Minutes

The original Miracle on 34th Street is a Christmas classic that is a must see for everyone at Christmas. It stars Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle who is shocked to discover that the man hired to play Santa in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade is drunk. After complaining to the event's coordinator Doris Walker (Maureen O'Hara) she convinces him to take over as the Macy's Santa Claus. After Fred Gailey (John Payne) takes Doris' daughter, Susan played by a young Natalie Wood, to see Kris at Macy's Doris asks Kris to explain to Susan that he is not Santa. After he refuses Doris begins to wonder if he is delusional and may be of harm to people but cannot fire him as R.H. Macy, the owner loves him. After Kris becomes frustrated with a psychologist, Granville Sawyer (Porter Hall), bops him on his head with an umbrella leading to Sawyer seeking for his commitment to Bellevue. Fred, an attorney, defends Kris and has to prove that he is the one and only Santa Claus.

This film is the ultimate Christmas movie and has all the ingredients for the perfect Christmas viewing experience. Edmund Gwenn is brilliant as Kris Kringle who is joined by the enigmatic Maureen O'Hara and John Payne who is the righteous attorney trying to save Santa. This is a great movie which unsurprisingly won several Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor, Best Writing, Original Story and Best Writing, Screenplay. It was also nominated for Best Picture but missed out to Gentleman's Agreement which is a superb film as well and I highly recommend it if you have yet to see it. Miracle on 34th Street is one of those films that leaves with you feeling positive and just with a lovely feeling. It is the ultimate film to get you in the Christmas spirit and no Christmas would be complete without at least one watch.

Honorable Mentions to: Rare Exports (2010), Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Home Alone (1990), Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), White Christmas (1954), Holiday Inn (1942), Scrooged (1988).

Damages - Season One

2012-12-16T12:52:00.000-08:00

From the outset it is difficult not to become completely engrossed in this series. The opening scene of the pilot has a woman running down a Manhattan street covered in a blood soaked coat who later is revealed to be the central protagonist Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne). It turns out her fiance has been murdered and she is the prime suspect. Flashback to six months prior and a bright eyed, bushy tailed Ellen, fresh from graduating Law School, is being interviewed for a job position with Hollis Nye (Philip Bosco) at his law firm. She turns down the position for the chance to work with Patty Hewes (Glenn Close) a decision that shakes Hollis Nye so much he gets Ellen to sign the back of his business card where he has written 'I Was Warned'. An act which leaves the viewer with an ominous feeling which together with the events happening six months later does not bode well...

Year: 2007
Created by: Todd A. Kessler, Glen Kessler and Daniel Zelman
Starring: Glenn Close, Rose Byrne, Zeljko Ivanek, Noah Bean, Tate Donovan and Ted Danson.
Network: FX
Number of Episodes: 13

***SLIGHT SPOILER HINTS BUT NOTHING TOO DRAMATIC***

The series follows both time lines until they eventually converge in the penultimate episode of the season. The first time line six months prior to David's (the fiance) murder follows Ellen and her new job at Hewes and Associates. The firm are in the midst of a big civil case against a corrupt businessman, Arthur Frobisher (Ted Danson) who stole money off his employees, a case apparently based on the Enron scandal. The storyline six months later focuses on the criminal investigation of David's murder and it's connection to the Frobisher case. It is not a simple journey though as nothing in Damages is what it seems.  Just when you think you've got it figured out boom, there's a new twist or surprise hovering around the corner.  Usually I am quite good at figuring things out but there were so many times I found myself uttering the words 'No Way' to the television screen. The two separate time lines are interesting and keep you enticed because you need to know how they get to that point from where the characters are six months prior. Every episode leaves you questioning and once you get an answer you're left with several further questions.

The cast is fantastic led by the formidable Glenn Close, the most underrated actress in Hollywood.  I still cannot believe the original bunny boiler has never won an Oscar 'Wake Up Academy!!'. Glenn Close is great as Patty Hewes the tough as nails litigator who has a win at all costs mentality. Enter innocent, naive Ellen Parsons and you know it is not gonna end well. Rose Byrne is a really good actress and the more I see her in the more she impresses me. She was totally overshadowed in Bridesmaids (2011) with Melisa McCarthy stealing the show but Byrne really holds her own in Damages, which is a difficult task when you look at the stellar cast. Not only is there Glenn Close, you have Zeljko Ivanek playing opposing counsel Ray Fiske who received a well deserved Emmy for his performance as did Close. Ted Danson stars as Arthur Frobisher the corrupt businessman who is the target of the class action law suit Hewes and Associates are working on.  I am so use to seeing Danson as the happy-go-lucky nice guy character as in countless roles; Cheers, Three Men and a Baby and most recently CSI. It was a little odd to see him as the antagonist for once but the thing with Damages is that nobody is entirely what they seem. Whilst Frobisher is the focus of the law suit he is shown to be at times a caring family man who wants to do right by his family and then he'll order a hit and completely do a 180. That is one of my favourite things about the series that there is no character who is completely good or completely bad rather they are varying degrees of both.  The good characters do bad things and the bad characters have moments of redemption. My favourite of which is Uncle Pete (Tom Aldredge) who is a seemingly sweet old man who potters around the office doing odd jobs for Patty. These odd jobs however can take him to pretty dark places and I personally would not want to cross the sweet old guy and I would most certainly not let him dog sit (watch the pilot you'll understand).

Final Verdict

I thought the evolution of Ellen from naive ingenue to the street wise pas de force who stands toe to toe to Patty was gripping. Every episode left me with questions I had to know the answers to and so needed to watch another episode and then another. The narrative is complex enough to be engaging but accessible enough to be widely received by various audiences. The acting is fantastic but from such a stellar cast this is unsurprising. I would highly recommend you give Damages a go and if this is what the world of civil litigation is really like it makes me glad I have no money and therefore totally not worth suing me if you end up hating it.

9/10

Ted (2012)

2012-12-09T09:51:00.000-08:00

Ted is a story about an unpopular little boy, John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg), who wishes for his teddy bear to come to life so he can finally have a friend. The wish comes true and Ted (Seth MacFarlane) and John become best friend's for life. Skip to years later and John is now in a long-term relationship with Lori (Mila Kunis) who just wants him to grow up and stop playing with his teddy bear. Sounds simple enough right? Read on to find out my thoughts on Seth MacFarlane's first foray into live action cinema...

Director: Seth MacFarlane
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis and Seth MacFarlane.
Running Time: 106 Minutes

The film is hilarious and has so many funny scenes it is difficult to remember them all when talking about it afterwards.  The humour is silly and stupid but very funny and there are some surprising cameos from some recognisable faces in small roles. The narrative is simple and nothing new but it doesn't really matter because the audience were laughing harder from one scene to the next.

Taking centre stage is Mark Wahlberg as the 35-year-old man child who refuses to let go of his childhood. Wahlberg plays the role well and comes across as believable and sincere with his performance.  At times it does feel like he is just wandering lost around the film but that fits with the character who is being pulled in two directions between loyalty for his best friend and the girlfriend he loves.

Mila Kunis does her best with what she has been given but is in a largely thankless role as most of the funny lines are reserved for John and Ted.  Lori is an accomplished career woman and it is hard to believe she would have put up with John for so many years. When Lori does attempt a joke regarding celebrity names for beer they criticise her as 'it doesn't work if the name doesn't already have a ski at the end'. Despite this Kunis does well with what she has and is hilarious in a scene where she has to clean up after Ted and his hookers.

Ted is the one to steal the show though as he gets away saying things that human actors cannot. Some of the funniest moments of the film are where he is without John in tow and at his job. Ted keeps failing up at the grocery store and of course is where he meets Tami-Lynn (Jessica Barth) his trailer trash girlfriend. One of the funniest characters this year so far and brilliantly delivered lines by Seth MacFarlane.

Speaking of MacFarlane this was an impressive live action film directorial debut and hits all the right marks on the humour scale. As you'd expect from MacFarlane there are a lot of pop culture references and related jokes and cameos.  The film takes an odd turn towards the end with a surprisingly poignant scene which feels a little out of place in a film with so much crass humour. However, it doesn't take long before we revert back to jokes about disabilities and the MacFarlane style is back.

The other storyline follows a brilliant performance from Giovanni Ribisi as a crazy dad after Ted for his son Robert.  Ribisi is hilarious as Donny and so off-centre he even makes the audience feel uneasy.  So many people pop up in this film in surprising ways and roles which I won't mention here as I don't want to ruin anything but I will say one of the funniest last lines of a film ever.

Final Verdict

Ted is a hilarious film with some great performances and some brilliant cameos. The plot is a little weak but with so many laugh out loud moments it really doesn't matter.  I highly recommend it.

8/10

Killer Joe (2011)

2012-12-05T08:33:00.002-08:00

Killer Joe is a twisted view of an American family in Dallas, Texas. Matthew McConaughey is superb as a likable guy playing the psychopathic Killer Joe Cooper. The humour is dark and it takes the archetypal fairytale of a girl looking for her prince and completely warps it into a blood bath. A great atmospheric thriller brilliantly directed by William Friedkin.

Killer Joe (2011)

Director: William Friedkin
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Emile Hirsch, Thomas Haden Church, Juno Temple and Gina Gershon.
Running Time: 102 Minutes

The narrative follows Chris Smith (Emile Hirsch) who after finding himself in debt to a drug dealer decides he needs to have his mother killed for her life insurance. Not one to get his hands dirty Chris, along with his father Ansel (Thomas Haden Church), step mother Sharla (Gina Gershon) and sister Dottie (Juno Temple) decide to turn to a murderer for hire. Matthew McConaughey plays Joe Cooper a corrupt police detective who has a side job as a murderer known as Killer Joe. Joe waves his normal upfront fee after Chris cannot come up with it. In lieu of the fee Joe takes Dottie as a retainer as she intrigues him. Dottie is a little peculiar as she suffered trauma as a child and has some brain damage from this event. Dottie is also a virgin which is one of the attractions to Joe. Obviously the plan does not run smoothly as you would expect and the bizarre disturbing mayhem ensues.

Overall the narrative for Killer Joe impressed me as it was very original. Tracy Letts the screenwriter has previously worked with William Friedkin before on the 2006 film Bug, a film about an unstable war veteran who spends time with a lonely woman in a hotel room in Oklahoma. The lines between reality and delusion get blurred as the room becomes infested with bugs. While Killer Joe is more set in reality it does have moments of unexplained peculiarity with dream like states. The story in not overly complex but it does have a twist towards the end that leads to a very disturbing confrontation at the close of the narrative, let's just say you'll never look at a chicken drumstick the same way.

William Friedkin's filmography speaks for itself with films like The French Connection (1971) and The Exorcist (1973). While I may not be the biggest fan of The Exorcist I cannot deny that it is a brilliant piece of technical filmmaking. Friedkin uses his skill here again in Killer Joe where he teams up with the brilliant cinematographer Caleb Deschanel. The mise en scene in this film is fantastic, whether it be in the eerie rainy nights or the dust bowl landscape of the day he creates a rich environment in which to explore the narrative. The mise en scene adds to the films kinetic visual style which at times can be almost frantic but serves to display a narrative which is similarly so. I often watch films and wonder why that film was given an 18 certificate but here I had no such pondering as it earns it certification and then some. There are several scenes of violent beatings and a lot of sex and nudity. However, the scenes are a fundamental part of the narrative and never come across as unnecessary or gratuitous.

Matthew McConaughey chills as evil Killer Joe

The acting talent is similarly impressive in this film as they all shine in their own way and bring the narrative to life. There were two standouts for me however, Matthew McConaughey and Juno Temple. Matthew McConaughey just oozes charisma from his costume down to the way he delivers his lines. He makes Killer Joe believable and even though for the majority of the film he appears calm and relaxed you can see the anger and violence lurking underneath through McConaughey's performance. One scene which highlights Joe's eerie power is when he takes Dottie's virginity, directing her at every step through the process. Throughout the movie there is a dog chained up outside a nearby trailer who seems constantly enraged to barking fits but is chained up and so can do no actual damage to anyone unless he is released. For me the dog served as a metaphor for Killer Joe who is chained up throughout the movie by his own restraint but when he chooses to unleash himself the violence that ensues is what the audience expects was bubbling underneath all along. McConaughey is a talented actor, for me this knowledge is nothing new as his performance in A Time to Kill (1996) proved that to me a long time ago. The problem is the roles he has chosen since then in romantic comedies, the majority of which are forgetful with the odd exception of films such as How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days (2003). I hope he does more films like Killer Joe and A Time to Kill that allow him to demonstrate his acting chops.

Juno Temple was also impressive as the troubled younger sister Dottie. She plays her with such skill that her slightly left of field actions do not come across as ridiculous but rather perfectly Dottie. From her first meeting with Killer Joe you can sense the tension and Temple plays the insecurities and fears of the young girl with genuine believability. In the climactic scene of the movie she really comes into her own and in the final moment the audience and the characters realise that the one with the power all along was the one they least expected.

The films ending for me was what sealed the deal on me rating the film as it is ambiguous and so the viewer gets to decide on what action Dottie takes to finish the narrative. The climactic final scene serves to finalise the narrative to a satisfying conclusion but allowing for the varied desires of the audience to all become fulfilled at the same time.

Final Verdict

Killer Joe will make you laugh and shock the hell out of you. By the close of the film you will be questioning what is wrong with you for watching such a thing and even worse actually liking the film. The narrative is interesting enough to hold the audience's attention, the acting is superb and Friedkin has directed a film that is both technically superior and a captivating experience.

8/10

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

2012-12-03T14:21:00.000-08:00

David O. Russell, straight from his success with The Fighter (2010) gives us a fresh new screwball comedy about two unstable people who help each other through their respective issues. The cast is exceptional with Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence taking lead which is for me what makes this film so good, as in the hands of lesser talent the film could have been just another typical comedy-drama. Read on after the jump to see why I loved this film...

Director: David O. Russell

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver, Chris Tucker, Anupam Kher and John Ortiz.

Running Time: 122 Minutes

Suffering from bipolar disorder Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper) is surprisingly positive and upbeat for a man recently released from a mental institution and being under a restraining order from his ex-wife. He is clearly in a manic state for the most part and determined to reunite with his ex-wife he begins fervently reading all the books on her English teaching syllabus. The main hiccup with his plan is the last time Pat saw his wife he almost beat the man she was having an affair with to death leading to his time in residence at a mental health facility. In his quest for rebuilding his life Pat meets Tiffany, played by the fantastic Jennifer Lawrence, who similarly has demons of her own to contend with.

Pat meets his match in Tiffany

Tiffany is a young widow who since her police officer husband died has been sleeping around and also trying to find her balance in life. The narrative follows the two characters as they work through their problems and find a renewed sense of purpose in each other. Pat also has to rebuild his relationship with his parents; his Dad Pat Sr played by the legendary Robert De Niro and his caring dutiful mother Dolores (Jacki Weaver). His parents are very supportive and although they are still struggling with Pat's illness they do their best to help him through it. His mother is no stranger to mental issues as Pat Sr has pretty severe OCD especially when it comes to his beloved Philadelphia Eagles football team. Since Pat was away a lot has changed, his father has lost his job and become a bookie which links in with Pat's story line quite nicely. You see Pat makes a deal with Tiffany that he will help her with an upcoming dance competition if she will get a note to his ex-wife who her sister is friends with. This leads Pat Sr to make a huge bet that features the unlikely combination of football and dance.

The main strength of this film is the cast who are superb as in lesser capable hands it could have been a very different movie. The casting reads like a dream team roster of Academy Award nominees mixed with fine comedic talent. Bradley Cooper has great comic timing and really impressed me in this film. He plays the bipolar disorder with skill and does not make it cartoonish or unnecessarily extreme and over the top. Rather he plays it as someone obsessed with getting his wife back and the many tasks that will help him do this; to get fit, read all the books she loves and be the best version of himself. Cooper makes the audience fall in love with Pat and you really root for him to get a happy ending. Supporting Cooper is Jennifer Lawrence who has quickly become a favourite of mine. Lawrence excelled in her Academy Award nominated role in 2010s Winter's Bone, kicked ass in X-Men First Class (2011) and made The Hunger Games (2012) the success it was. It is amazing that Lawrence is only 22 years old as she brings so much believability to a role which requires an emotional depth much more than the usual roles offered to a typical 22 year old Hollywood actress. It is no surprise that Rolling Stones magazine called her 'the most talented young actress in America' and with her performance in this film I do not believe anyone will argue with that statement. Tiffany is a troubled young woman who is desperate to feel again since her husband's death and after looking in all the wrong places finally finds Pat, her kindred spirit. It is also nice to see Robert De Niro in a role to which his talent deserves as here he does not have a huge part to play but he steals pretty much every scene he is in. One of my favourite scenes in the entire film involves a frantic conversation in the living room of the family home which is full to the brim of the majority of the cast with a back and forth mainly between De Niro and Lawrence in which the big bet is decided. In the scene Lawrence holds her own with De Niro and the two play off each other with skill and poise. Playing De Niro's wife is Jacki Weaver who blew me away in Animal Kingdom in 2010. Weaver again plays the matriarch but this time to a very different family to that of Animal Kingdom. Dolores is sweet and clearly loves her family and does whatever she can to help them.

Even down to the smaller roles of Chris Tucker as Danny, Pat's friend from the mental health facility, Anupam Kher as his therapist Dr Patel and John Ortiz as his old friend Ronnie are perfect for their roles. While they may start as stereotypes or extremes by the end of the film the characters are endeared to the audience whole heartedly.

David O. Russell's screenplay gives the stellar cast a brilliant narrative in which to explore their characters. The snappy dialogue reminded me of Classic Hollywood films with the narrative style taking on an almost diluted screwball comedy style with a dash of drama. The audience is well aware of the romantic comedy-drama conventions at work but even though superficially it is your typical narrative with all the bells and whistles it feels refreshing and original which is both a sign of a skilled cast and excellent writing on Russell's part. The familiar plot points are done so well you can forgive any cliches as you really want the characters to just be happy, a task that is not easily achieved.

Final Verdict

A fine edition to the David O. Russell filmography, with a stellar cast who make the film a modern classic of humour, drama and romance. For me it ticked all the boxes and I would highly recommend it to anyone. This film will make you laugh, cry and all the fun stuff in between.

9/10

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

2012-12-02T07:42:00.001-08:00

The Dark Knight Rises, one of the years most highly anticipated films comes to DVD and Blu Ray tomorrow here in the UK. Eight years on from the events of The Dark Knight (2008) Gotham is in a prolonged state of peace time. Harvey Dent's heroic legacy lives on, where as the masked crusader known as the Batman has been branded enemy number one. Que new terrorist threat Bane (Tom Hardy) to force Batman out of retirement and let the action commence...

Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
Running Time: 164 Minutes

**** WARNING MILD SPOILERS AHEAD****

The film has a large cast of quality actors who with 164 minutes are each given their fair share of screen time. First up is the Batman himself Christian Bale who seems to have taken a cough sweet since the last film as his emphysema is nowhere near as bad and his Batman voice is now more a menacing drawl.  After two films under his belt he has his Batman/Bruce Wayne role down pat and as expected leads the charge well. Here he plays a broken Bruce Wayne and a self-sacrificing, reluctant hero which he does with ease and poise.

The villain that encourages Batman out of retirement is Bane played by Tom Hardy.  I had not heard much about Bane before this film and maybe this was why I was a little confused of his motives. My only point of reference of the character was in Batman and Robin (1997) where he was more a foot soldier/bodyguard and was largely underused. Here he takes centre stage and wants to take down the bourgeoisie and give Gotham back to it's people. However this is contradicted by his desire to blow Gotham and all it's inhabitants up in a nuclear explosion. The reason why is not made very clear but it doesn't really matter as it is more about an enemy to match the power of Batman.  Now I am fast becoming a fan of Tom Hardy and think he is a really good actor, the problem with this character is his face mask limits the emotional connection to the audience.  Hardy does his best but it is difficult to communicate anything visual with the masks limitations. However I did like Bane's articulate speech and menacing nature which I felt gave the film a contemporary villain and a quality adversary for Batman.

I was really sceptical of Anne Hathaway when she first was cast as Selina Kyle/Catwoman but I am glad to say I was wrong.  She is first introduced to us as a maid in Wayne Manor working a party in order to get access to the safe and rob the billionaire socialite. When she is caught by Wayne she plays the innocent maid and then transitions with ease into the street wise Catwoman. Hathaway is actually really good as Catwoman and I wouldn't be surprised if her performance here led to her very own movie.

One of the most poignant scenes of the movie involves Bale and the fabulous Michael Caine as Alfred. Caine is fantastic and gives a breathtaking performance that pulls on the audience's heartstrings with a skill of an old pro.  Caine gives the film an emotional depth that is often lacking in these types of films and certainly brought a tear to my eye with his emotional plea to Wayne. Morgan Freeman also reprises his role as Lucius Fox and shows off his new inventions in a typical Bond/Q style scene. Sadly Freeman is probably the most underused in the film and does not get a huge amount of screen time or much to do with what little he has.

A new introduction to the cast is Joseph Gordon-Levitt as John Blake a young police officer who has the idealism that Batman and Commissioner Gordon seemed to have lost. The talented Levitt always gives a good performance and his performance as Blake is no exception. He holds his own in the film where he shares a lot of scenes with Gary Oldman returning as Commissioner Gordon who in this film is a little haggard and distraught over his actions surrounding the death of Harvey Dent.  Another new addition is Miranda Tate played by the brilliant Marion Cotillard and here she plays a possible love interest for Wayne but in typical Batman fashion you know it's not going to end well as in Gotham it rarely does.

The film has some great performances from the aforementioned cast but unfortunately the plot at times is a little all over the place.  Half way through the film Bruce Wayne finds himself in a prison pit where Bane was held years before which apparently gets pretty good TV reception even though it's located in the middle of nowhere. Of course you don't go to see these types of films with a logical analytical mind as if you did how could you enjoy a film about a rich guy dressed as a giant bat fighting crime.  There are a few twists in the film which I saw coming from a mile off but it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment. There are some fun gadgetry with the typical Nolan humour such as a remote Wayne uses to switch off the paparazzi cameras at a fundraiser red carpet, an item I am sure would appeal to many a celebrity.

The film has an interesting exploration of loss, pain, redemption, humanity and revenge. Even minor characters such as Foley (Matthew Modine) get time to explore how they react in the face of the unspeakable terror of nuclear annihilation. At first Foley hides at home but finally works up the courage to stand up alongside his brother officers. Practically every character has their own path or purpose which while at times can cause confusion due to the amount of characters in the film also gives them a well rounded appeal. Whether it is Wayne dealing with his loss or Tate's desire for revenge each character has their own journey to travel which eventually culminates in an exhilarating climax.

I think the biggest strength to the film is the attention to detail, for example the return of characters from earlier films in the trilogy here in minor roles such as Cillian Murphy reprising his role as Dr Johnathan Crane and Liam Neeson as Ra's al Ghul. It was nice to see the subtlety to which they are presented as you could have missed Murphy if you were focusing too much on your popcorn as he's not on screen long. Overall the film is very enjoyable and a fine conclusion to Nolan's trilogy.

Final Verdict

One of the years most highly anticipated films of the year The Dark Knight Rises does not disappoint. Action-packed with a great cast who give some fantastic performances.  Even though I saw the twists and turns from a mile off it is an entertaining and enjoyable movie.

8/10

RIP Partners 2012-2012

2012-11-23T11:16:00.002-08:00

Another one bites the dust....

Partners has been cancelled. I was really enjoying this show as Brandon Routh and Sophia Bush were hilarious but that was likely the problem as the two main leads were not the ones to make the greatest impression, which is bad when they are in almost every scene. For me the one who made the least impression was David Krumholtz who played Joe as I never really made a connection to his character and the only reason Michael Urie worked was because of his interaction with Bush and Routh. Another reason why the show likely could not find an audience was the narrative started halfway into the characters stories. It would have been more appealing to have Joe meet Ali in the pilot and see their courtship along the series rather than start the show with both central characters in committed relationships with little more to explore. That said one major change which I feel would have led to greater ratings was if Ali and Wyatt were the best friend central protagonists and have Joe and Louis as the sub characters. All in all I did enjoy the show but I can see why it did not find an audience. Read on after the jump to see episode reviews...

Partners - Season One Episode Six - Temporary Insanity

This week the guys assistant goes on vacation and they need a temp so Louis suggests hiring Wyatt to help them at the firm. However as Joe predicted it leads Louis to a bout of temporary insanity. It was a decent episode but not as funny as I have found them so far. I think the best scenes seem to either involve Brandon Routh or are between Louis and Ali who play really well off each other. The two stand outs in this show for me are not the main two guys but their Partners which for me are who make the show. A pretty good episode but not as good as the others shown thus far.

Partners - Season One Episode Five - 2 Broke Guys

This episode cemented it for me, I officially love this show. It is quick, funny and great to chill out to as you don't have to think at all which sometimes is exactly what you want from a show - just pure entertainment. This week Louis and Joe are struggling for work and end up having a fight but that's not all that is on Joe's mind as you can see from the promo below.

Joe is concerned over the affection displayed in Ali and Wyatt's friendship and so ensues hilarity. There is also a hilarious scene with glasses which again show how funny Brandon Routh is as he totally makes fun of himself and one very famous past role. A great episode and laughs abound let's just hope they keep the show around.

Partners - Season One Episode Four - The Key

This week on Partners Ali discovers that Louie has a key to Joe's apartment and gets upset because she doesn't have one. In response to this news she is given her own key but demands Joe take Louis' key off him. I am really liking Partners and that is in large part due to the performances of Sophia Bush as Ali and Michael Urie as Louis, especially when they are in scenes together. The way they bounce off each other and their snappy dialogue back and forth is one major source of comedy for the series. This episode was no exception and also showed off the comedic talent of Brandon Routh who is just so deadpan as Louis' boyfriend Wyatt. This week Wyatt wants Louis to give up meat and alcohol to live as a vegan with him to which Louis responds by becoming a closet meat eating drinker. I also love the fact that although Louis would never be mistaken for a straight man Wyatt is less stereotypical and so the show at least partly endeavours to move away from stereotypical characterisations which for a sitcom is pretty impressive. This is not very surprising though as the shows creators also created Will and Grace which had a similar stereotypical gay man 'Jack' and a less stereotypical 'Will'. I am interested in where the show goes and look forward to some more Ali and Louis throwdowns.

Partners - Season One Episode Three - The Jeter Exception

This week's episodes dealt with exes Joe is upset when he finds out Ali had a relationship with Derek Jeter and she in turn is upset that he keeps telling Louis all of their personal business. In typical sitcom fashion she then sets a trap involving Justin Timberlake which leads to a vicious game of Celebrity and Wyatt's insecurity over his relationship with Louis. This episode was pretty funny although I am still undecided if Partners is a keeper in my television viewing schedule. In the first three episodes the funniest scenes have all involved Sophia Bush who plays Ali and is hilarious. This episode was no exception and her Justin Timberlake test was brilliant and worked a treat. The other great casting is of Brandon Routh who is brilliant as Wyatt the slightly odd sheltered boyfriend of Louis. It's a mindless comedy without much depth but as that seems to do well on American Network television it may be here to stay. I'll keep watching as it does have moments of brilliance as this week showed with Louis and Ali teaming up for Celebrity.

November's Monthly Five

2012-11-23T10:53:00.002-08:00

As a Brit I have always been inrigued by Thanksgiving as it is obviously not something I have ever celebrated which is why I have to rely on the medium of film to find out what it's all about. So to celebrate Thanksgiving here is my top five Thanksgiving films.

5. The Ice Storm (1997)

Ang Lee directs this tale of a Thanksgiving in 1973 suburban Connecticut. The narrative follows two dysfunctional families as they navigate through the changing political and societal changes of the early 1970s. The way they deal with said changes involved alcohol, adultery and sexual experimentation and thus lead to an entertaining and dramatic piece of film making.

It is a very interesting film and has a fantastic cast made up of Kevin Kline, Joan Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Tobey Maguire, Christina Ricci and Elijah Wood. It also stars the fabulous Allison Janney who is brilliant as the hostess of the key party. It is very funny, smart and interesting and worth a watch.

4. Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)

Planes, Trains and Automobiles is a 1987 John Hughes comedy starring Steve Martin and John Candy. Martin plays Neal Page a stressed out advertising executive who meets Candy's Del Griffith a sweet, talkative shower curtain ring salesman. The two end up on a three day travelling trip from New York City to Chicago so Neal can spend Thanksgiving with his family.

John Hughes was a great writer, director and producer and this Thanksgiving tale is no exception. It is a very funny comedy as to be expected but what makes this film better than the average comedy is that Hughes gives the characters real depth and something for the audience to connect to. A very sweet film with great humour and perfect for a relaxed Thanksgiving viewing.

3. Hannah and her Sisters (1986)

A Woody Allen film from 1986 which follows a large family over the period of two years with the film starting and ending with a Thanksgiving dinner. The cast is unbelievable in this film which is vast and includes Woody Allen himself as usual. Other actors include Michael Caine, Mia Farrow, Barbara Hershey, Dianne Wiest, Carrie Fisher, Max Von Sydow and Julia Louis-Dreyfuss as well as many others.

An interesting exploration of families and relationships and has all the signature Allen moments of dialogue heavy intellectual debate and awkward moments. This film is widely seen as Woody Allen's best film, it is well worth a watch and is an interesting and enjoyable film.

2. What's Cooking? (2000)

What's Cooking? is a British/American co-production comedy-drama directed by Gurinda Chadha . The film follows four separate families during the Thanksgiving festivities and has a large ensemble cast made up of Mercedes Ruehl, Kyra Sedgwick, Julianna Marguilies, Joan Chen, Dennis Haysbert and the brilliant Alfre Woodard. The thing I find so interesting about this film is that the four families are ethnically diverse which Chadha is known to show in her films such as Bend it Like Beckham and Bhaji on the Beach. Here we have a Vietnamese, Latino, Jewish and African American families all celebrating the holiday in their own way.

Obviously when families come together for the holidays in films you expect the sparks to flair and each family have their own issues to deal with which leads to hilarity and an enjoyable film to watch.

1. Home for the Holidays (1995)

Home for the Holidays is a brilliant comedy drama from 1995 directed by Jodie Foster about a family celebrating Thanksgiving. The children are grown up and are all now adults with problems of their own which they bring back with them and inevitably lead to comedic and dramatic moments.

The Larson family are the definition of dysfunctional but there is also a lot of affection there too. The cast is made up of high quality actors Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr, Anne Bancroft and Charles Durning. When a film's director has a background is acting you are generally assured to get an exploration of character and an actor's film. One demonstration of this is that they are believable as a family and you get a sense of in jokes within shared looks between family members that give the characters depth. Another reason this film got the number one spot was the way Robert Downey Jr's character is represented. Downey plays Tommy the son who is gay but what I love about this film is that it is not what defines his character and it is rather his personality traits that the family have issue with. It is refreshing when films do this and in 1995 when there were less gay characters in mainstream cinema this is no small feat. Jodie Foster does a great job directing a talented cast and the result is an enjoyable and entertaining Thanksgiving movie.

Honourable Mentions to: Grumpy Old Men (1993) and Scent of a Woman (1992).

October's Monthly Five

2012-11-23T08:24:00.000-08:00

This month's monthly five is in honour of the new season of television shows on the air and the many great shows from the past that have had their runs cut short way too soon. So without further ado here is my list of the top five TV series cancelled after only one season.

5. Wonderfalls (2004)

Wonderfalls is a comedy-drama programme from 2004. The show focuses on Jaye Tyler who has recently graduated from Brown University and is now stuck in a dead end job at a gift shop in Niagara Falls. She has no direction and is aimlessly walking through life. Suddenly a Lion figurine starts talking to her and after a period of freaking out about her sanity she discovers the lion is pointing her in the direction of people in need of her help. Each episode follows a similar formula where inanimate animal objects talk to Jaye and indicate who needs her help, to which she does her best to put into action. This is a great show from the mind of Bryan Fuller who also created Dead Like Me and Pushing Daisies, shows that are equally as cooky and original. Wonderfalls follows Jaye on her weekly missions to help people and her friends and bizarre family who spend most of their time wondering what is going on with her. The cast is brilliant too with Caroline Dhavernas as Jaye who is great as a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown at any minute. Then you have Jaye's family; her closeted lesbian sister Sharon (Katie Finneran), her weirdo brother Aaron (Lee Pace) and her divorcing parents played by Diana Scarwid and William Sadler. Although the characters are wacky they are well rounded and the actors bring the witty humorous dialogue to life.

Unfortunately the Fox network cancelled the show after airing only four episodes. Other than the fact they kept changing the airing schedule without publicising the changes I think the show was so original and different the audience needed time to see where it was going. The problem with originality is people's immediate reaction is generally 'uh...what....?' because they don't immediately recognise it they have no expectations and so keep getting surprised and thrown. Personally I love when I get surprised by films or TV shows as it is something new and that I find very interesting and exciting. Luckily after much demand the series was released on DVD with all thirteen episodes but is only available on Region One and so if you do purchase it please make sure you have a multi-region DVD player first. Wonderfalls is weird and wacky, I highly recommend it.

Amazon.co.uk

IMDB Page

4. The Inside (2005)

The Inside is a crime procedural drama centring on the FBI Violent Crimes Unit headed by Special Agent Verbal Webster played by the brilliant Peter Coyote. Webster is an FBI legend and can pick his own cases but has limited personal skills as he only cares about solving the case whatever the cost whether that be his agents or the victims themselves. He personally selected each team member largely due to their strengths and weaknesses but most importantly due to their secrets which he uses to his advantage when need be. The promo below is the first ten minutes of the pilot episode which sees the team called to a crime scene of a serial killer they have been tracking but this time he appears to have struck close to home.

The immediate next step for Webster is to hire a replacement, a rookie Agent Rebecca Locke whose past is even more mysterious that Webster's as she has a unique insight into predators as she was abducted as a child and escaped 18 months later. Webster knows this and uses her secret to push her to embrace her darkness and see 'inside' the killers mind. Rounding out the cast is Jay Harrington as Paul Ryan, Katie Finneran as Melody Sim and the fantastic Adam Baldwin as Danny Love who brings a much needed comedic relief to the sometimes harrowing narratives. The Inside aired the summer before the debut season of Criminal Minds both of which deal with similar subject matter. However, the main difference between the two was The Inside was grittier and darker than the CBS show but also Criminal Minds puts a greater emphasis on the scientific probabilities of profiling an unsub and explains why in greater depth. With The Inside most of the focus is on one member of the team, Rebecca, whose understanding of unsub's comes from her own childhood trauma which allows her to get 'inside' their minds. That said I love both shows and wish that Fox had given The Inside a proper shot as it was a very interesting show with a great cast and showed potential.

The Inside managed seven episodes before it was cancelled by Fox due to poor ratings although all thirteen were aired in the UK on ITV4. The series is not currently available on DVD but several episodes are currently on youtube.com.

YouTube.com

IMDB Page

3. Threshold (2005)

Threshold was a sci-fi show that aired on CBS in 2005 starring Carla Gugino as Dr Molly Caffrey, a high level government crisis management consultant who formulates contingency plans for various emergencies. One such plan, Threshold, involves what to do in the event of first contact with aliens. After a US Naval crew encounter a UFO they lose contact the rescue team find the majority of the crew dead and some missing. After a videotape is found with footage of the UFO the Threshold plan is activated and Molly assembles her team. The team are a micro-biologist Dr. Nigel Fenway (Brent Spiner), an aerospace engineer Lucas Pegg (Rob Benedict) and a mathematics and linguistics genius Arthur Ramsey played by the fabulous Peter Dinklage. The show also stars Charles S. Dutton as the Deputy National Security Advisor and Seas Cavennaugh (Brian Van Holt) who is a paramilitary operative who is assigned to protect the team. The series involved the team delving into the many questions the first contact provoked like what do they want? why are they here? etc.... Whilst attempting to answer these questions the team also have to track down the missing crew members from the US Naval vessel as they are believed to be infected by the alien UFO.

As you can see from the promo the show has aspects of horror, sci-fi, drama, psychological thriller and action and so may be one of the factors that led to the poor ratings. Genres work because people know what they like and want to see their genre expectations met. With a show that crosses genres it will always run the risk of alienating the die hard genre specific fans as what would make a horror fan happy might turn off a drama enthusiast. That said the varied style is one thing that appealed to me as an audience member as I love all genres and thought the show had an interesting premise. The cast is great too, the stand outs being Carla Gugino and Peter Dinklage who are brilliant. The full series is available on DVD but only on Region One again so please make sure you have a multi-region DVD player. Thankfully the writers knew the show was getting cancelled halfway through the filming of the final episode and so they were able to re-write the ending to at least give some closure to the series. Although there are still many questions frustratingly unanswered and there was a lot of potential for the series to explore in a second series.

Amazon.co.uk

IMDB Page

2. Firefly (2002)

Firefly is a sci-fi western from the fantastic mind of Joss Whedon. The show follows the crew of the firefly-class space-ship Serenity captained by Malcolm 'Mal' Reynolds who fought on the losing side of a civil war along with his second in command Zoe. The rest of the main cast mostly consists of the rest of the crew the pilot and Zoe's husband Wash, the companion Inara, the hired gun Jayne and the engineer Kaylee. The three final cast members are picked up in the pilot episode which includes the shepherd Derial Brook, Dr Simon Tam and his sister River. The series follow the crew on their travels around space and there attempts to make money, hide River and their true actions from the Alliance, the now governing body. Each episode generally involved a money making scheme or some situation the crew had to get themselves out of. The biggest appeal to the show though is the cast and the writing both of which are superb.

The writing is smart, quick and hilarious and the cast deliver the lines with such skill and great comedic timing that you get the whole package. Since its cancellation Firefly has become a cult classic and has thankfully been released on DVD and more recently Blu Ray. It also spawned a film aptly named Serenity in 2005 which was largely due to the shows popularity with fans since the cancellation. I highly recommend both the TV series and the film as Nathan Fillion and Joss Whedon are brilliant when they team up.

DVD at Amazon.co.uk

Blu Ray at Amazon.co.uk

IMDB Page

1. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (2006)

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip was a 2006 dramedy which aired on NBC and was created by Aaron Sorkin. The series was set behind the scenes of a Saturday Night Live style show which had just had a production team shake up as the producer loses it on air and so the network call in two guys who left the show and are now big stars to come back and save Studio 60. To give you some idea of what they are dealing with below is a video of the speech in which the original producer loses it and vents his frustration to the viewers.

The two guys that are called in to clean up this mess are Matt Albie (Matthew Perry) and Danny Tripp (Bradley Whitford) who take the roles of head writer and producer respectively. Joining them is the new network president of entertainment Jordan McDeere (Amanda Peet) and the cast of the live show. To add complications Matt's on and off again girlfriend Harriet Hayes (Sarah Paulson) is one of the stars of the show which does not make things easy but they certainly add to the comedy. The cast are superb and have great comedic timing. Add that to Sorkin's script and snappy dialogue and you have a great show.

I am a huge Aaron Sorkin fan and loved The West Wing so when Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip was announced as his 2006 follow up I was hyped up. Studio 60 is a behind the scenes look at a Saturday Night Live style show much like 30 Rock. The main difference between the two is that Studio 60 is an hour-long show and rather than a straight comedy like 30 Rock, Studio 60 is more a dramedy as it has moments of both comedy and drama. Personally I hated 30 Rock as I found it silly but with Studio 60 you had a similar premise but with an emotional depth and witty, humorous dialogue rather than the slapstick style of 30 Rock. As they were premiered the same year there was inevitably going to be comparisons drawn and unfortunately Studio 60 was cancelled where as 30 Rock is now on its seventh season. My main theory for why it ended up being cancelled was due to the continuing narrative as there was several episodes that picked up immediately where the last left off and so if you missed it you were lost. In my opinion though this gives a TV show the greater ability to explore characters and situations and therefore produce quality television. I highly recommend this show and if you like this check out Sorkin's other shows The West Wing, Sports Night and the brilliant new HBO series The Newsroom.

Amazon.co.uk

IMDB Page

Honourable mentions to: Standoff (2006), Criminal Minds Suspect Behaviour (2011), Medical Investigation (2004), Deadline (2000).

I am sure I have missed some great shows as there have been so many that unfortunately only lasted one season. Let me know what you think or what some of your favourites are by posting a comment below.

Rampart (2011)

2012-11-11T14:00:00.002-08:00

Rampart stars Woody Harrelson as David Brown a police officer in the Rampart division of the LAPD in 1999. Set during the fallout of the famous 'Rampart Scandal' where more than 70 officers were implicated in charges of misconduct, it's not a huge surprise when Dave gets caught on tape beating a man that accidentally crashed into his patrol car. Suddenly he is the centre of the scandal and a poster boy for police brutality. Read on after the break to see what I thought...

Director: Oren Moverman
Starring: Woody Harrelson plus large ensembe cast
Running Time: 108 mins

***WARNING THERE BE SPOILERS AHEAD***

Although the scandal throws his life into disarray it wasn't all that well put together to begin with. He lives side by side with his two ex-wives Barbara (Cynthia Nixon) and Catherine (Anne Heche), the wives each getting a house and him a bachelor pad in back. As if that wasn't weird enough Dave's exes are actually sisters which apparently is not too much of an issue as he still has a sexual relationship with them whenever the mood takes them. Completing the happy family set up are two daughters, one from each ex-wife. The eldest daughter Helen played by the brilliant Brie Larson from the Showtime series 'The United States of Tara' has a strained relationship with her dad from the outset while the younger daughter Margaret (Sammy Boyarsky) slowly pulls away from her father as the storyline progresses.

David Brown is a particularly flawed individual and makes no apologies for his misogynistic, racist rhetoric but rather embraces it. One particular scene where that amused me was where he defended himself to Ice Cube's DA Investigator Kyle Timkins by explaining he's clearly not racist as he has been to bed with several of his people, the mere phrasing of the statement highlighting the problem. At times it is like Dave is completely ignorant to his issues; breaking and entering a one night stands apartment, swimming in a pool during a storm and entering his ex-wives house after being kicked out. However there are glimpses of hope through the darkness; Dave's desire to keep his family (no matter how dysfunctional) together, connect with his daughters and be a 'good' cop - although there is some debate over whether he qualifies as such. His moniker on the force is 'Date Rape Dave' a name to which he is first called by his eldest daughter Helen as a sort of a Fuck you Dad angsty teen rebellion. The name refers to a past event where he may or may not have murdered an alleged serial rapist. Although you pretty much think he did, it is never 100% confirmed and is the debate of many characters throughout the film. At first hearing it I thought, you know he's not such a bad guy after all, I get why he did it, he's got two daughters and killed a serial rapist to protect the women of LA. However, as the film progresses it becomes less and less clear of the motives and whether in fact it was actually a good thing after all or just an act in a long line of violent, unprovoked attacks from a corrupt cop.

For someone who does not have much going for him Dave has no trouble getting laid. If the ex-wives are a no go he just wanders down to his favourite watering hole, hits on the first woman he sees then cut to a very disturbing visual of Woody Harrelson sucking on Audra McDonald's toes - ughhh. A scene in which I do question whether was just included so the claim could be made 'how could he be racist he went to bed with a Black woman'. The next woman on the menu was Linda Fentress played by the brilliant Robin Wright. I found the dynamic between Dave and Linda interesting as she at times comes across as a female version of Dave - in Linda he may have met his match. The whole film felt misogynistic in this respect, women falling over themselves for the chance to get with 'Date Rape Dave' the twice divorced, broke, middle aged screw up who is under investigation for police brutality - quite the catch hey ladies!!

Oren Moverman directs well with some interesting editing choices, some which worked (sex club scene) and some which just made me feel dizzy (a meeting in the DA's office with the spinning camerawork). The problem I have with Moverman is he always seems to leave me wanting more. With his earlier work The Messenger from 2009 I was left with a similar feeling at the close of the film which can best be described as 'huh'. Not the good 'huh' mind you as with the ending of films that baffle and intrigue me such as The Skin I Live In (Almodovar 2011) but the bad 'huh' where you're not quite sure if you've just wasted the past hour and a half as you got nothing from the film. Even as I'm writing this review an hour after watching the film I can feel myself forgetting most of it as not a lot happens and what does happen doesn't really grip the audience. I am a big fan of simple films that just present a period in a person's life rather than a big action packed adventure but in those films you need a character to connect with, that you care about. At times the protagonist Dave came close to this with his desire to connect with his daughters and fight for his family but it somehow always fell short. There was no huge sense that Dave learnt anything but rather that he was either gonna get off with it and go back to his violent ways or lose and become a bitter ex-cop who spends all his time talking of the good old days, when cops were left alone to protect the city however they wanted, with one punch and kick at a time.

Final Verdict

Woody Harrelson gives a great performance with a brilliant supporting cast but the film centres around a character who is not particularly likable and at the end leaves you wanting and questioning whether you've wasted your time. It's worth a watch but feels more like a good audition tape for Harrelson than a complete film to grip your attention.

5/10

The Newsroom Season One (2012)

2012-11-11T13:50:00.004-08:00

The series chronicles the behind the scenes events of a fictional cable news network called Atlantic Cable News (ACN). The anchor, Will McAvoy played by Jeff Daniels is extremely popular and the show, called Newsnight, has fantastic ratings. McAvoy never seems to upset anyone, has no self confessed political affiliation and just stays safely secure in the middle ground of any and every issue. Obviously this does not lead to good dramatic storylines but you need not worry as McAvoy looses it at a college Q&A before the opening credits to the pilot and let's them all know exactly what he really thinks - shock horror - America is not the greatest country in the world - Who Knew, right? (apologies for any offence caused but come on, seriously!!) After a little break he comes back to work to find all his staff stolen by his protege and his ex-girlfriend now as his executive producer. Cue drama....

Year: 2012
Created By: Aaron Sorkin
Starring: Jeff Daniels, Emily Mortimer, John Gallagher Jr and Alison Pill.
Network: HBO
Number of Episodes: 10
Airs on: HBO and Sky Atlantic in the UK

The series is created by Aaron Sorkin who created The West Wing, Sports Night and the cancelled way to early Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. Sorkin also penned the films The Social Network, Moneyball, The American President and A Few Good Men. This man is amazing. I am a big fan of Sorkin's work if you hadn't already guessed so I was like a giddy little schoolgirl at the prospect of a new Sorkin creation. It has all the Sorkin traits; smart intellectuals who debate serious issues whilst interjecting said debates with inappropriate personal issues or observations. The trademark long speeches, off centre humour and fast paced dialogue are ever present. Sorkin is known for his memorable lines - who could forget Jack Nicholson yelling 'You can't handle the truth' and whilst The Newsroom is too young to have produced any zingers thus far there is definitely potential.

Jeff Daniels is great as Will McAvoy, he is charming whilst being an ass, caring but also hard, all the contradictions of the trademark Sorkin character. The biggest surprise for me was Emily Mortimer as his ex-girlfriend and new executive producer. I have never been a big fan of Mortimer's but she is really good as MacKenzie McHale she is smart, funny and witty. The rest of the cast are good too; John Gallagher Jr plays Jim, MacKenzie's right hand man who develops a thing for Maggie a fellow associate producer played by Alison Pill. The scenes between Jim and Maggie are hilarious and there is some great Sorkin banter much like in The West Wing. Typically Maggie has a boyfriend Don (Thomas Sadoski) who used to be Will's executive producer but ran off to the 10 o'clock slot with Will's former protege. Finishing off the Newsnight team is Sloan (Olivia Munn) a smart, quirky financial whizz who is hilariously flawed and Neal played by the brilliant Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire/The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel). The head of the News Division is Charlie Skinner played by Sam Waterston aka Jack McCoy from Law and Order land. Skinner is almost a more quirky and eccentric version of McCoy and is the puppet master to which the chaos of the staff shift is orchestrated.

The team come together with one simple goal to produce a news show which is not dictated by ratings or politics but rather on giving the electorate the facts they need to make informed choices. As is typical of Sorkin the group of idealistic individuals come together to create something bigger than themselves that everyone around them thinks will fail and is ridiculous. It is a romanticised view of the newsroom and even though there are elements of schmaltzy Americanism it is also witty, funny and smart. The series is set in 2010 and so will cover events we are familiar with to give it a sense of real life - the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in the pilot. Jane Fonda guest stars as the owner of the Cable Channel and works really well with Waterston. The series has a lot of potential and as I am a sucker for anything Sorkin related so I am clearly going to stick with it. Thankfully it has already been renewed for a second series so it will not be a re-hash of the Studio 60 heartbreak.

Final Verdict

I think this is going to be another tick in the Sorkin box for me. The plot is engaging the characters are smart, witty and funny as is the writing. If you are an Aaron Sorkin fan you'll love it, as it has all the usual ingredients and more.

9/10

The Newsroom aired on HBO in the USA and on Sky Atlantic in the UK. No date as of yet for the DVD release.

Catch Up

2012-11-10T09:20:00.004-08:00

So I'm back and here is the first lot of catch up episode reviews. I will be adding to this post over the next week so keep tuned for updates. For now enjoy the first lot which include Mike and Molly, How I Met Your Mother, Partners, Criminal Minds, Chicago Fire, Private Practice, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit and South Park...

Chicago Fire - Season One Episode Five - Hanging On

Casey finally fights back against Detective Voight and has to deal with the consequences but the narrative is no where near concluded. Dawson too has to deal with the consequences of her actions with saving the girls life in the pilot episode and dealing with a difficult guy during a call. Elsewhere, Severide's arm fails him during a rescue attempt and when Shay refuses to give him painkillers he turns to an ex girlfriend who just happens to be a pharmaceutical representative. There was a lot more action in this episode as there were a number of calls out which meant there was a good balance of personal and professional. A pretty decent episode overall and I think the show is finally finding its feet and will hopefully continue to progress.

Chicago Fire - Season One Episode Four - One Minute

This episode continued the narrative between Detective Voight wanting Casey to change his report. Mills swears he has time to save a homeless man as he only needs one minute but Chief Boden refuses to let him just as the building blows. Boden then gets put through the ringer with the powers that be and the press accusing him of letting the homeless man die. Shay runs into her ex girlfriend who is now married to a man and pregnant. The best narrative for me involved Serveride and his desire to help an elderly lady who is being hassled by some local thugs. Overall the episode was pretty good but it does feel like the show hasn't totally found its footing yet as to what it wants to be. That said there were two stand out moments for me when Hermann defended Boden and firefighters as a whole and Boden's speech to Mills explaining what one minute really means.

Private Practice - Season Six Episode Four - You Don't Know What You've Got Till It's Gone

Charlotte hires a new ER Attending to replace Pete and everyone is dealing with their issues surrounding his hiring and he finds himself butting heads with most of the cast. That said he seems like a really good guy and I am hopeful for his character within the show. As soon as he entered I said to myself, love interest for Amelia and shock horror by episode end he asked her out. Whether they do get together or not I can see him fitting in well. All the characters found themselves called into the hospital on a rainy night for various reasons. Addison has a patient in labour, Cooper calls Violet in to help with his patient a little girl who hurt her arm and Sheldon gets called in to assist his patient from episode two who tried to commit suicide after dreaming about a little girl. When Cooper's patient goes missing all hell breaks loose and Sheldon immediately fears the worse involving his patient. Otherwise this episode saw Sam's relationship with Stephanie end when Addison talks to her not realising she had no knowledge of her past with Sam and Amelia works to save the life of Addison's patients husband. I really enjoyed this episode, the narrative was engaging and interesting and it was Private Practice at its best.

Law and Order: Special Victims Unit - Season Fourteen Episode Six - Friending Emily

This week a 14 year old girl is abducted after going to a frat party with her older sister. The girls were visiting New York with their school and is not long before the 14 year old is on the Internet. Dead end after dead end the detectives get some help from ADA Barber and get a lead. The case is further complicated for Rollins when her troubled sister shows up unexpectedly and begins causing issues both at home and at work for her. This was an interesting development in Rollins narrative and I hope they carry it on as the tension between Rollins duty as an older sister and the knowledge she is bad news should lead for some interesting plot lines.

Law and Order: Special Victims Unit - Season Fourteen Episode Five - Manhattan Vigil

It's the 300th episode of Law and Order SVU and I really like what they did here as it is a gripping narrative with a nod to Season One and how far the show has come. After a young boy goes missing from Morningside Heights Olivia is reminded of a similar case thirteen years earlier of Hector Hernandez who was the same age as Wyatt and went missing in similar circumstances. As the team searches for Wyatt Benson, Munch and Cragen remember the Hernandez case and Olivia vows to solve this one too. It was a really good episode and I for one am glad that 300 episodes in and I still find SVU gripping and holding my interest. The thing I like about the show is you have believable cases that not only make you think but also make you feel and this episode is no exception. The most heartbreaking scene of the episode goes to Hector's mother when she finally gets the answers she has been looking for for thirteen years.

Law and Order: Special Victims Unit - Season Fourteen Episode Four - Acceptable Loss

This episode was really good but I might be biased as Kathryn Erbe reprised her role as Alexandra Eames from Law and Order: Criminal Intent now a Lieutenant on loan to Homeland Security. Another reason for my possible bias is the return of Captain Cragen because as much as I love Adam Baldwin SVU is just not the same without Cragen. The team stumble on to a terrorist case when they try to shut down a sex trafficking ring but Benson tries to work it out where they can solve both. One of my favourite scenes was when Benson and Eames were interrogating a suspect and Eames went all Goren with her sideways head tilt to throw off the suspect. It made me really want Kathryn Erbe to join the SVU cast full time but I doubt that will work out. If Dan Florek ever does decide to leave I think she would be a great replacement Captain as she plays by the rules but is all about the cases. Great episode.

Criminal Minds -Season Eight Episode 6 - The Apprenticeship

This was one of the Criminal Minds episodes where the team personal narrative and the case narrative intersect and the themes parallel. Here the theme being mentorship. The team gets called to Miami when prostitutes are being killed in the same manner as some animals and so the working theory is an evolving serial killer whose confidence is escalating. Turns out the killer is being mentored in his evolution as is Reid with his softball career. Morgan recruits Reid to the softball team and in a shocking turn of events it works out (never saw that coming right). Even though it was predictable it was very sweet and Matthew Gray Gubler is great as the sweet, nerdy Reid as ever. The episode also continues the sinister narrative introduced in the premiere episode as someone takes photos of the softball game so I am interested to see where that goes. I'm not sure if it has anything to do with the Silencer as he was mentioned in the episode briefly too but Rossi ruled it out as he assured Hotch that the Silencer is dead.

Criminal Minds - Season Eight Episode 5 - The Good Earth

With four men missing in rural Oregon the team are called in to try to find the common link between them in order to track them down. The episode was a little all over the place and felt a bit random. The main narrative while intersting and very messed up just felt a little forced. Anne Dudek guest stars and I'm not sure if it was the fact that her character irritated me in House for a while or if the episode was just a bit blah. Anywho that was made up for with the team personal narrative where Henry doesn't want to trick or treat because of all the monsters but as expected in the end he decides to go and his costume is just too adorable.

Criminal Minds - Season Eight Episode 4 - God Complex

The BAU is called in after a legless body is found in New Mexico and a college student who suffered the same amputation is in the hospital. They discover the unsub is experimenting on the victims and Reid comes up with a big breakthrough after his phone conversation with a mysterious woman. The woman is a geneticist that he has been speaking to for a few months to sort his headaches. Reid was really sweet on the phone with the mystery woman and I'm intrigued to see where that goes. Otherwise the episode was pretty disturbing as how freaky would it be to wake up in a hotel room with a leg missing, that's even more unsettling than the kidney legend. An interesting episode overall and had a good mix of team narrative progression and an interesting plot line with the experimenting insane scientist.

Criminal Minds - Season Eight Episode 3 - Through the Looking Glass

This week the BAU rush to try to find an abducted family whilst trying to find a connection to a murdered family in Kansas. It was a pretty good narrative and the scenes with the trapped family were particularly interesting as the abductor reveals each family members secrets one by one. Elsewhere, Beth has some surprising news for Hotch. I really like Hotch in a happy relationship, he was so sweet with Beth and I hope the powers that be keep the couple together.

Mike and Molly - Season Three Episode Five - Mike's Boss

This week Mike hooks his boss up with his mother, what could possibly go wrong? As expected it starts off rosy with Basketball tickets and a flash new police car but it doesn't take long before it goes south. Mike's mum is lonely and has developed a weird animal infestation which is likely in her head but of course is Mike's problem now too since the Captain thinks he should spend more time with his sweet lovely mother. Overall a pretty funny episode which introduces a narrative which will no doubt rear it's head in episodes to come.

How I Met Your Mother - Season Eight Episode Five - The Autumn of Break-Ups

What have they done to Marshall???? He has turned in to more of a girly man than ever. This week Lily is training him to be sassy advice giver and as Ted points out he's becoming a bigger girl than Lily. I don't know what the writers are doing this season but we're five episodes in and so far this season is not great. Ted begins to have relationship issues and Robin is worried about Barney as he has found a dog to be his new wing man. There were some funny moments as always but I hop whatever the problem is they sort it out soon as it is a great show and I want it back on track. Next episode deals with the final break up in the Autumn of break ups and will hopefully signal the end of what has so far been a mediocre season.

Partners - Season One Episode Five - 2 Broke Guys

South Park - Season Sixteen Episode Fourteen - Obama Wins!

Hilarious season finale which unsurprisingly takes on the Presidential election but with an as always South Park twist. It turns out Obama made a deal with the Chinese to secure the election and in order to deliver the Chinese need the one man who can help them, Cartman. Cartman travels around stealing ballots and ensures Obama's victory. Now it's his turn to pay up and give the Chinese what they want but Cartman suddenly wants to renegotiate the terms. When you find out what the Chinese are after and why they are helping Obama is reminds you why you are a fan of South Park as it is absurd and hilarious. It was a fitting season finale and is South Park is at it's best.

South Park - Season Sixteen Episode Thirteen - A Scause for Applause

Another funny episode this week taking on Lance Armstrong and his recent drug use controversy. The episode focuses on the scause bands the residents of South Park wear to show their support for causes. The episode begins with people queueing to have their wristbands removed as there hero has been found to have used performance enhancing drugs and so has lost support. South Park not to be accused of not being original do not use Lance Armstrong directly as the fallen hero is this narrative is Jesus Christ. Turns out he was high on the cross and so did not suffer for our sins at all so the residents are compelled to remove their 'what would Jesus do' wristbands. Of course it does not take long before they find another hero to follow with a new scause and in typical South Park style it's Stan. The episode is very funny and clever. One of my favourite things about South Park is how it deals with current issues or stories and is not afraid of saying what they truly think.

South Park - Season Sixteen Episode Twelve - A Nightmare on Face Time

This week South Park takes on The Shining as Randy buys a Blockbuster store and goes crazy when there are no customers. Recruiting the family into his madness means Stan is not available to go on a trick or treat Avengers escapade with the boys. However, all is not lost as with the power of Ipad and face time anything is possible. Overall the episode was very good with a clever narrative which made countless references to films and popular culture. Randy is such a funny character and when he takes centre stage in episodes there are guaranteed to be hilarious. Other points of humour come from no one being able to recognise Cartman's costume one of the funniest mistakes being a green honey boo boo.

Holiday

2012-10-25T14:44:00.001-07:00

Hi guys,

I will be going away for a bit and so will not be posting for a few weeks. However, I'll be back in two weeks and will be playing catch up with the TV episodes and films I've missed while out on my travels in reality.

See ya soon

Television Weekly Round Up

2012-10-19T05:20:00.001-07:00

This week's episode reviews are trickling in. So far we have Mike and Molly, How I Met Your Mother, South Park, Partners, Chicago Fire and Major Crimes. Over the next few days there will be reviews for a lot of other shows so stay tuned and check out the round up to see what I thought of this weeks episodes.

Think Like a Man (2012)

2012-10-13T04:44:00.002-07:00

An American ensemble romantic comedy that is based on Steve Harvey's book 'Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man' where Harvey gives advice for women on how to deal with men in relationships. We follow four women who after reading Harvey's book decided to put his advice into practise which works out fairly well for them until the men figure it out and start using the book advice against them.

Think Like a Man (2012)

Director: Tim Story
Starring: Michael Ealy, Jerry Ferrara, Meagan Good, Regina Hall, Kevin Hart, Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Jenkins, Jenifer Lewis, Romany Malco and Gabrielle Union.
Running Time: 122 Minutes

There is no escaping that this film is based on a book by Steve Harvey as the viewer is reminded of this fact time and time again as Harvey pops up every ten minutes or so for another tid bit of wisdom to share with the group. We first see Harvey as a guest on a talk show explaining the premise of his book which spurs a mad shopping spree as every woman just has to have it. Unfortunately this emphasis on Harvey's book is what limits the film as the cast are brilliant and work well with what they have been given but are limited by their categorisations such as 'The Dreamer' or 'The Mama's Boy' as if this is their whole identity. People are complex and have many aspects of their personality so the main issue, when you subjugate them to a single category, is you simplify them to one part of their identity and limit the actors exploration of the character. This leads to a superficial one dimensional characters and so you lose the emotional depth of the narrative.

The cast is quite impressive and come across as authentic in their portrayals which is no small task as the female characters change their whole mindset just after reading a book. It is hard to believe that after reading one book these women would change their whole outlook but the actresses do their best to make it believable. They are also very attractive and so unlikely they would need to work so hard to get a man but the film is about getting the RIGHT man. Each storyline holds their own interest you have Kristen who wants her boyfriend of nine years to propose, Mya who is fed up of one night stands and wants a real relationship, Candace the single mum and her best friend Lauren who is looking for a man to meet her high standards. Then you have the men who are all friends with each other and have their own very different desires. You have Michael the dreamer who dates Lauren, Jeremy the non-committer boyfriend of Kristen, Michael the mama's boy dating Candace and finally the player Zeke who has to battle Mya's 90 day rule to get some. Topping off the cast you have Cedric played by Kevin Hart who is very funny as the soon to be divorced guy, he is loud and obnoxious but ultimately a good friend and the film's narrator.

The narrative is nothing new as it is anything but original. It is one of those films you could tell someone the key plot points before even popping the DVD into the machine. However, it is an enjoyable watch and far superior to similar titles on offer such as He's Just Not That Into You from 2009. Think Like a Man is almost a Black version of He's Just Not That Into You as you have the exploration of relationships at different stages again here but the main difference is that the cast bring these characters to life and connect with the audience, a detail that was sorely lacking in He's Just Not That Into You.

Final Verdict

Think Like a Man is nothing new as it is exactly what you'd expect but it meets those expectations with skill and humour. The cast are great and they do their best with what they have to work with. It's worth a watch on an evening where you just want to relax and be entertained for 2 hours without having to engage your brain.

5/10