Director: Woody Allen
Duration: 98 mins
Rating: **
I should have loved this film; it has a multi-award winning script writer and director and a great cast. But something just didn’t click. The storyline is predictable, the actors never truly seem at ease with their characters and the whole thing seems like it’s going to go full circle, but then doesn’t, which left me feeling irritated. Let me explain further...
The story is of a mother and daughter duo, both of whom have failing marriages. Helena (Gemma Jones) is Sally’s (Naomi Watts) deranged mother, who is struggling to cope with the fact that her husband (Anthony Hopkins) has left her and traded her in for a younger, newer model. Charmaine (Lucy Foxx) plays the typical gold digging ex-prostitute, who marries Alfie in the hope that he won’t be around for much longer. Perhaps an interesting fact here might stop you from falling asleep at this point in the story. The role of Charmaine was supposed to be played by Nicole Kidman, who had to turn the part down because of other commitments. I think it was a lucky escape to be honest.
Moving over to Sally’s story; she has recently started working at an art gallery and considers having an affair with her boss (Antonio Banderas), who instead falls for her friend (Anna Friel). Her husband Roy (Josh Brolin) is a failed writer and starts meeting up with the Lady in Red (Frieda Pinto) across the way, who he spies on from his window. So everything has fallen apart.
Drawing towards the end of the film, I was expecting some sort of conclusion, but it never really arrived. The mad mother keeps wittering on about her psychic and the ending is pretty abrupt. We find out about the mother’s new love interest, but the other characters seem to just fade away along with their dissatisfaction in their life choices.
I really did have high hopes for the film as it began. The soundtrack was enjoyable and the filming and set were actually rather nice. But it wasn’t just the storyline I had a problem with. The script was forced and repetitive and the narrator seemed to play a pointless part. The jokes were only funny if you were fifty plus and despite the cast being very well-known and successful, the acting was mediocre. I heard one viewer say that this was the best Woody Allen film to be released in years. I sincerely disagree.
02 March 2011
'The King's Speech' Reviewed by Simon Howard
The King’s Speech (12A) 118 mins
Director: Tom Hooper
Cast: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Timothy Spall
Rating: ***** (5 stars)
By Simon Howard
The story of King George VI and his stammer may be perceived by many as a dull and un-interesting subject matter for a Hollywood hit. But the film on everybody’s lips since its release in early January has been The King’s Speech. At the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles, it was rewarded with a staggering FOUR Oscar’s, for Best Picture, Director, Actor and Original Screenplay. In a year where several great films were released (The Social Network and Inception are modern classics) it was this heart warming British drama which stood out above all others.
Set at a time when radio and newsreels were on the rise, and the public could now listen to their leaders, the story is a simple and beautiful one, of friendship and overcoming adversity. After the death of his father King George V and the scandalous abdication of his brother King Edward VIII, Bertie is suddenly crowned as King George VI..With the country on the brink of war and in desperate need of a leader, his wife Elizabeth (the future Queen Mother) arranges for the King to see eccentric speech therapist Lionel Logue to cure his life-long speech impediment.
It is the relationship between the King and his Australian therapist which stands out above all others. The complexities of their personalities mean the clash between the unstoppable force of Logue and the immovable object of the King is an intriguing and delightful duel throughout. Great pleasure is taken in seeing the pair develop from initially distrusting and disliking one another to relying on each other as friends, when he is thrust onto the throne and World War II begins.
Colin Firth gives a masterful performance, one full of passion and commitment- the way he was able to teach himself to obtain a stammer is nothing short of remarkable. He powerfully conveys the agony his stutter causes him, as well as his conviction that by not being able to master it he is not living up to his royal obligations.
Rush is delightful with his unorthodox and controversial methods (those are the King’s least favourite words), and his playful teasing. His insistence on calling His Majesty ‘Bertie’ creates great humour and camaraderie. Logue is a man who at the same time must cure his own demons, with his sense of failure coming from never having made it as a professional actor.
An all-star cast supports the two leads. Helena Bonham Carter was unfortunate not to receive an Oscar of her own for her commanding performance as the robustly supportive Elizabeth, but she is not the only one who emerges with credit. Timothy Spall is excellent as future Prime Minister Winston Churchill; Michael Gambon’s appearance is all too brief as George V, whilst Guy Pearce brings life to the abdicating brother.
Director Tom Hooper is a well-renowned storyteller, who brings intelligence, variety and pace to this traditional story, as he has done in the past with The Damned United. He keeps the audience fully engaged and ensures the King’s dilemma never feels anything less than real.
Stylishly produced throughout, it left me, like so many others, leaving the cinema proud to be British! A stunning and hugely enjoyable triumph which is fully deserving of all the awards it has had lavished upon it.
Director: Tom Hooper
Cast: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Timothy Spall
Rating: ***** (5 stars)
By Simon Howard
The story of King George VI and his stammer may be perceived by many as a dull and un-interesting subject matter for a Hollywood hit. But the film on everybody’s lips since its release in early January has been The King’s Speech. At the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles, it was rewarded with a staggering FOUR Oscar’s, for Best Picture, Director, Actor and Original Screenplay. In a year where several great films were released (The Social Network and Inception are modern classics) it was this heart warming British drama which stood out above all others.
Set at a time when radio and newsreels were on the rise, and the public could now listen to their leaders, the story is a simple and beautiful one, of friendship and overcoming adversity. After the death of his father King George V and the scandalous abdication of his brother King Edward VIII, Bertie is suddenly crowned as King George VI..With the country on the brink of war and in desperate need of a leader, his wife Elizabeth (the future Queen Mother) arranges for the King to see eccentric speech therapist Lionel Logue to cure his life-long speech impediment.
It is the relationship between the King and his Australian therapist which stands out above all others. The complexities of their personalities mean the clash between the unstoppable force of Logue and the immovable object of the King is an intriguing and delightful duel throughout. Great pleasure is taken in seeing the pair develop from initially distrusting and disliking one another to relying on each other as friends, when he is thrust onto the throne and World War II begins.
Colin Firth gives a masterful performance, one full of passion and commitment- the way he was able to teach himself to obtain a stammer is nothing short of remarkable. He powerfully conveys the agony his stutter causes him, as well as his conviction that by not being able to master it he is not living up to his royal obligations.
Rush is delightful with his unorthodox and controversial methods (those are the King’s least favourite words), and his playful teasing. His insistence on calling His Majesty ‘Bertie’ creates great humour and camaraderie. Logue is a man who at the same time must cure his own demons, with his sense of failure coming from never having made it as a professional actor.
An all-star cast supports the two leads. Helena Bonham Carter was unfortunate not to receive an Oscar of her own for her commanding performance as the robustly supportive Elizabeth, but she is not the only one who emerges with credit. Timothy Spall is excellent as future Prime Minister Winston Churchill; Michael Gambon’s appearance is all too brief as George V, whilst Guy Pearce brings life to the abdicating brother.
Director Tom Hooper is a well-renowned storyteller, who brings intelligence, variety and pace to this traditional story, as he has done in the past with The Damned United. He keeps the audience fully engaged and ensures the King’s dilemma never feels anything less than real.
Stylishly produced throughout, it left me, like so many others, leaving the cinema proud to be British! A stunning and hugely enjoyable triumph which is fully deserving of all the awards it has had lavished upon it.
'The Fighter' Reviewed by Simon Howard
The Fighter (15) 115 mins
Director: David O. Russell
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo
Rating: ***** (5 stars)
By Simon Howard
Based upon the true story of Irish fighter Micky Ward’s unlikely road to the world light-welterweight title, this double-Oscar winning film is both inspiring and harrowing in equal amounts. The film is about an underdog finally getting his break but also about addiction, and how it affects the people around them. Set in early 90’s America, the film revolves around a dysfunctional family being drawn together by an against-the-odds boxing triumph.
Set in the run-down town of Lowell, Massachusetts, we discover Micky Ward’s boxing career has stalled after early success. He is divorced with limited access to his child, and is now being used as a stepping stone for other boxers on their way to the top. But if his case is bad, it’s nothing compared to his half-brother Dicky. This womanising, drunken crack-head goes around calling himself the ‘Pride of Lowell’, and can do no wrong in his mother’s eyes. Melissa Leo plays Alice, a domineering woman who convinces her sons that they owe everything to her management. She won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress and is enthralling as the delusional mother trying to keep her family together. What becomes clear very early on is that Micky’s brother and mother are huge stumbling blocks preventing his career from progressing.
Mark Wahlberg began training for the role of Micky four years before filming eventually began. In the impressive boxing scenes it becomes clear that all his hard work has paid off; they are some of the most believable sporting scenes in movie history. His role is perhaps the most complex of all, as he battles with his unbreakable devotion to his family and his ambition to be a success in the ring. He is vulnerable and suffers rather than upsetting the people around him to get what he wants, until he grows with the help of a woman by his side.
That woman is Amy Adams, who plays a crucial role as Micky’s girlfriend Charlene in making him stand up for himself and find out what he really wants from his misguided life. She’s a spirited woman who gives as good as she gets.
Christian Bale is the real star of the show as Micky’s half-brother Dickie Eklund, a drug addict who had previously been a boxer himself. His claim to fame is that he knocked down Sugar Ray Leonard (a fact which he doesn’t allow us to forget). Dicky is so detached from the real picture of what is going on, and is oblivious to the damage his addiction is doing to his life (he has a film crew following him making a documentary on drug addiction but believes it is about his boxing comeback), that it takes the audience through a whole range of emotions. Despite this he is a warm and energetic character, one who you can understand Micky sticking with despite all his problems. This is Bale at his finest, and he undoubtedly deserved the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor- it is a performance which will live long in the memory.
Perhaps what makes the film resonate so strongly with audiences is the fact that nobody in the film is painted in an entirely positive light. Nobody is perfect and everybody has their faults. The film has a lot of heart, and can be quite funny at times. All the actors are on top form and captivate with their performances. Yes, the ending is predictable, but for a boxing film this is perhaps as good as it gets. Ultimately, it packs a real punch.
Director: David O. Russell
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo
Rating: ***** (5 stars)
By Simon Howard
Based upon the true story of Irish fighter Micky Ward’s unlikely road to the world light-welterweight title, this double-Oscar winning film is both inspiring and harrowing in equal amounts. The film is about an underdog finally getting his break but also about addiction, and how it affects the people around them. Set in early 90’s America, the film revolves around a dysfunctional family being drawn together by an against-the-odds boxing triumph.
Set in the run-down town of Lowell, Massachusetts, we discover Micky Ward’s boxing career has stalled after early success. He is divorced with limited access to his child, and is now being used as a stepping stone for other boxers on their way to the top. But if his case is bad, it’s nothing compared to his half-brother Dicky. This womanising, drunken crack-head goes around calling himself the ‘Pride of Lowell’, and can do no wrong in his mother’s eyes. Melissa Leo plays Alice, a domineering woman who convinces her sons that they owe everything to her management. She won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress and is enthralling as the delusional mother trying to keep her family together. What becomes clear very early on is that Micky’s brother and mother are huge stumbling blocks preventing his career from progressing.
Mark Wahlberg began training for the role of Micky four years before filming eventually began. In the impressive boxing scenes it becomes clear that all his hard work has paid off; they are some of the most believable sporting scenes in movie history. His role is perhaps the most complex of all, as he battles with his unbreakable devotion to his family and his ambition to be a success in the ring. He is vulnerable and suffers rather than upsetting the people around him to get what he wants, until he grows with the help of a woman by his side.
That woman is Amy Adams, who plays a crucial role as Micky’s girlfriend Charlene in making him stand up for himself and find out what he really wants from his misguided life. She’s a spirited woman who gives as good as she gets.
Christian Bale is the real star of the show as Micky’s half-brother Dickie Eklund, a drug addict who had previously been a boxer himself. His claim to fame is that he knocked down Sugar Ray Leonard (a fact which he doesn’t allow us to forget). Dicky is so detached from the real picture of what is going on, and is oblivious to the damage his addiction is doing to his life (he has a film crew following him making a documentary on drug addiction but believes it is about his boxing comeback), that it takes the audience through a whole range of emotions. Despite this he is a warm and energetic character, one who you can understand Micky sticking with despite all his problems. This is Bale at his finest, and he undoubtedly deserved the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor- it is a performance which will live long in the memory.
Perhaps what makes the film resonate so strongly with audiences is the fact that nobody in the film is painted in an entirely positive light. Nobody is perfect and everybody has their faults. The film has a lot of heart, and can be quite funny at times. All the actors are on top form and captivate with their performances. Yes, the ending is predictable, but for a boxing film this is perhaps as good as it gets. Ultimately, it packs a real punch.
01 March 2011
'Animal Kingdom' Reviewed by Aliena Haig
Rating: 7/10
Don’t be fooled by the title. Animal Kingdom is not a movie about wild animals roaming around, defending their place within their environment. That is only the metaphor on which it is based. Set in Melbourne, Australia, the film tells the chilling story of Joshua Cody’s fight against his family. After the death of his mother due to a heroine overdose, “J” is left surrounded by criminals when moving to live with his family comprising of his diabolical grandmother and his three drug dealing and murdering uncles. When a detective who tries to relieve him from his situation is thrown into the mix, the storyline develops into one of intrigue and tension and the film follows Josh’s survival among the criminal world down under.
Though it is yet another film about good versus evil, it is nothing like a typical Hollywood blockbuster. Directed by David Michod, Animal Kingdom is down to earth and paints a much more realistic and believable picture of what goes on between the villains and the police, focusing on the story behind the events rather than action within them. With moving scenes and a strong dialogue, each member of the cast, including names such as Guy Pearce and Sullivan Stapleton, puts on a great performance. Bringing out a variety of emotions, this film evokes not only anger, but also has you close to tears. With plenty of twists and turns along the way, there are all sorts of surprises and shocks as the truth and the reality of the events begin to be revealed.
Animal Kingdom is Michod’s debut film as a director and it is one to generate discussion. Though it starts slow, the ending is certainly one to remember. If anything however, it is not for the faint hearted. Then again, it’s always about the survival of the fittest.
Don’t be fooled by the title. Animal Kingdom is not a movie about wild animals roaming around, defending their place within their environment. That is only the metaphor on which it is based. Set in Melbourne, Australia, the film tells the chilling story of Joshua Cody’s fight against his family. After the death of his mother due to a heroine overdose, “J” is left surrounded by criminals when moving to live with his family comprising of his diabolical grandmother and his three drug dealing and murdering uncles. When a detective who tries to relieve him from his situation is thrown into the mix, the storyline develops into one of intrigue and tension and the film follows Josh’s survival among the criminal world down under.
Though it is yet another film about good versus evil, it is nothing like a typical Hollywood blockbuster. Directed by David Michod, Animal Kingdom is down to earth and paints a much more realistic and believable picture of what goes on between the villains and the police, focusing on the story behind the events rather than action within them. With moving scenes and a strong dialogue, each member of the cast, including names such as Guy Pearce and Sullivan Stapleton, puts on a great performance. Bringing out a variety of emotions, this film evokes not only anger, but also has you close to tears. With plenty of twists and turns along the way, there are all sorts of surprises and shocks as the truth and the reality of the events begin to be revealed.
Animal Kingdom is Michod’s debut film as a director and it is one to generate discussion. Though it starts slow, the ending is certainly one to remember. If anything however, it is not for the faint hearted. Then again, it’s always about the survival of the fittest.
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