Month: February 2019

Director: James L Brooks

Writer: Mark Andrus, James L Brooks (Screenplay)

Starring: Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear, Cuba Gooding Jr, Skeet Ulrich,, Shirley Knight, Yeardley Smith

Plot: A single mother and waitress, a misanthropic author, and a gay artist form an unlikely friendship after the artist is assaulted in a robbery.

Tagline – Brace yourself for Melvin.

Runtime: 2 Hours 19 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict: Wonderfully Charming Drama

Story: As Good as It Gets starts as we meet arrogant obsessive disordered ridden author Melvin Udall (Nicholson) who hates his gay neighbour artist Simon (Kinnear) and his dog Verdell, he goes to the same diner needing to keep the same seat with the same waitress Carol Connelly (Hunt) who has her own problems with money and her sick son.

After Simon gets brutally attacked by burglars Melvin is forced into looking after Verdell which opens up his life to being nice to other people including Simon and Carol.

Thoughts on As Good as It Gets

Characters – Melvin Udall is an author that has a perfect routine to keep him happy, he OCD is clear with how he enters rooms, lock doors, he doesn’t get on with his neighbours and drives the people in his life crazy. Once he is forced to look after his neighbour’s dog he starts being nice to those important in his life, learning that there is more to life. Carol Connelly is a waitress in a Manhattan diner she has waited on Melvin for years even with his difficult behaviour, she has a sick son at home that she has never been able to get proper medical care for him, leaving her constantly worrying about him instead of focusing on her own life. Simon Bishop is the gay artist neighbour that clashes with Melvin on a daily basis, he gets brutally attacked in his own apartment leading to him facing financial ruin and needs to try and make up with his parents.

Performances – Jack Nicholson won an Oscar for his performance here and clearly show why he is such a talented actor, he takes on a performance unlike most of his normal performance we know him for. Helen Hunt shines and with her Oscar winning performance that showed her at the very top of her game. Greg Kinnear is also fantastic in the supporting role, he might have missed out on the Oscar he shows us just the talent he has.

Story – The story here shows us how three people from different lives can meet and help each other with their problems. We mostly focus on Melvin and how he hates everybody not in his normal routine, we get to see the arc for him to become more open while still dealing and learning to overcome his own problems. We get a woman that has never been give help offered a lifeline which could help save her son and a staving artist learn about the risks he must take to become the artist the world will remember. This is a story that shows you can change people’s life by just listening to their stories, it has charm about how things unfold and just leaves you with a smile on your face by the end.

Comedy/Romance – The comedy in this film works with you getting plenty of laughs through the film and it does give us a good romantic angle about needing to learn to take a chance with love.

Settings – New York city, well how often do I say this is a wonderful setting for anything to do with inter-connecting lives, this delights with seeing people in different backgrounds coming together.

Scene of the Movie – The dog walk.

That Moment That Annoyed Me – Not taking the dog on the trip for extra laughs.

Final Thoughts –This is a wonderful movie that can be enjoyed by everyone, it has brilliant performances from the three leads and hits the comedy romance throughout.

Overall: Brilliant film.

Rating

Director: Curtis Hanson

Writer: Scott Silver (Screenplay)

Starring: Eminem, Kim Basinger, Mekhi Phifer, Brittany Murphy, Evan Jones, Omar Benson Miller, Michael Shannon

Plot: A young rapper, struggling with every aspect of his life, wants to make it big but his friends and foes make this odyssey of rap harder than it may seem.

Tagline –  If the streets had a voice, this would be the story they’d tell.

Runtime: 1 Hour 50 Minutes

There may be spoilers the rest of the review

Verdict: Nice Rap Based Drama

Story: 8 Mile starts as we head to Detroit to follow Jimmy B-Rabbit Smith (Eminem) as along with his friends David ‘Future’ Porter (Phifer) Cheddar Bob (Jones), Sol George (Miller) are trying to make an impact in the raping world, this world is dominated by the black community though he does have the skills.

The world is filled with gangs that are out for control, Jimmy must deal with his mother Stephanie (Basinger) and her problems as well as meeting a new love in Alex (Murphy), we follow as he is desperate to get out of the town which has held back man before.

Thoughts on 8 Mile

Characters – Jimmy B-Rabbit Smith is a young man who aspires to be a rapper, he is from the wrong side of town in Detroit, where he is given a chance to prove himself in the underground rap battle world, where any wrong move could be his last move with the gangs around him. He has the close friends that will watch his back, while working a dead-end job for any money he can get. Stephanie Smith is the mother of Rabbit, she is dating an aggressive man around he sons age and struggling to pay the rent to keep the roof over her daughter’s head. She does try to do the best things but has her own personal demons holding her back. David is the closest friend to Jimmy, he offers him the chance he wants to reach the next level but also needs to be the one to stop him making the mistakes in his life. Alex is the new romance in Jimmy’s life, she dreams of leaving too, to become a model which helps the to connect on a level unlike what Jimmy is used to.

Performances – Eminem is strong in this leading role, there are a few moments where he does look lost, one second too long for fight sequences, but the emotional levels he shows good. Kim Basinger is good in her role which shows that we have the most experience from her. Mekhi Phifer continued his rise in the early 2000s with this performance where he shows his ability to blend into any film. the whole cast performers well through the film with talent that went onto bigger things.  

Story – The story shows the struggles of a young man trying to break into the world of rapping in the mean streets of Detroit, he is from the wrong side of the town and the gangs are always dangerous. Seeing the struggles for everyday life is very interesting to see unfold, however I was expecting something different with more rap battles. If you are a fan of the underground rap scene this will be a story that you want to watch.

Music – The music in the film starts with a battle rap and I was expecting more as the song Lose yourself did win Best Oscar Song.

Settings – The film shows us just how difficult growing up in Detroit can be, we feel the tension and feeling of abandonment the city is feeling.

Scene of the Movie – Battle rap.

That Moment That Annoyed Me – Not enough rapping.

Final Thoughts – This is a look at the mean streets of Detroit in the battle rap world where every corner could be dangerous.

Overall: The rap world unfolded.

Rating

Director: Nicholas Hytner

Writer: Alan Bennett (Screenplay)

Starring: Maggie Smith, Alex Jennings, Jim Broadbent, Francis De La Tour, Rufus Allam, Dominic Cooper

Plot: A man forms an unexpected bond with a transient woman living in her van that’s parked in his driveway.

Tagline – A mostly true story

Runtime: 1 Hour 44 Minutes

There may be spoilers the rest of the review

Verdict: Solid Comedy Drama

Story: The Lady in the Van starts as we meet Miss Shepherd (Smith) who lives in her van on a residential street in Camden, London. When Alan Bennett (Jennings) moves in to one of the houses, she sees how the residents accept her in places but he tries to be kind and friendly towards her.

When Miss Shepherd is about to need to find a new place to stay, Alan offers her a place in his drive way where he continues to learn more about her and her past where the mysterious Underwood (Broadbent) turns up as the two go through the ups and downs of a relationship.

Thoughts on The Lady in the Van

Characters – Miss Shepherd is the elderly woman who lives in her van, she is welcome in some places but in others she doesn’t get on with. She believes she knows the world which we are led to believe is being true. Alan Bennett is the playwriter that offers her a chance to live on his drive way and over time they build a strange relationship as he reflects his relationship with her to his own mother.

Performances – Maggie Smith is fantastic in the role showing the vulnerable side the character has even though she is stronger than believed. Alex Jennings is great too, as he is telling us the story through his character.

Story – The story shows how Alan opened his door to Miss Shepherd willing to listen to her stories that could easily be considered fake but as the time unfolds he learns the truth behind them. The story gives us a chance to see how we would react to a homeless person that has been left forgotten by the world. I do wish the timeline had been made clearer through the film and we would have seen more interaction between the two leads though.

Biopic/Comedy – Seeing these two almost random people does feel strange for a biopic, the comedy works in places but in mostly light-hearted material.

Settings – The settings show us how residential streets could be used to show how people can come together to work together to help someone in need.

Scene of the Movie – Lift.

That Moment That Annoyed Me – The timeline seems strange and jumps too much.

Final Thoughts – This is a good comedy drama about listening to people’s stories, but it doesn’t pull on the levels it could have,

Overall: Good solid comedy drama.

Rating

Director: Michael Cacoyannis

Writer: Michael Cacoyannis (Screenplay) Nikos Kazantzakis (Novel)

Starring: Anthony Quinn, Alan Bates, Irene Papas, Lila Kedrova, Giorgos Foundas, Sotiris Moustakas

Plot: An uptight English writer traveling to Crete on a matter of business finds his life changed forever when he meets the gregarious Alexis Zorba.

Runtime: 2 Hours 22 Minutes

There may be spoilers the rest of the review

Verdict: Classic That Hasn’t Dated Well

Story: Zorba the Greek starts when uptight English writer Basel (Bates) heads to Crete, on his journey he meets Alexis Zorba (Quinn) who shows him the sites around the island using his social skills which makes him on of the most welcoming people Basil will ever meet.

As the two become friends we learn how Zorba has his lady Madame Hortense (Kedrova) waiting for him and he pushes Basil to follow the sparks he has with the Widow (Papas of the town, life lesson will be taught here for both of the men.

Thoughts on Zorba the Greek

Characters – Alexis Zorba is the Greek that knows everyone, gets on with everyone and is a pleasant guy with a haunted past. He takes Basil under his wing in Crete showing him how to come out of his shell. Basil is the English writer that travels to Crete to focus on his next book, he is uptight until Zorba starts showing him where the real stories in life can come from. We have two different lonely women, one a widow and one that has had her heart broken too often they become the objects of their affections.

Performances – The performances from the main cast are good throughout with the heavyweights of Anthony Quinn and Alan Bates showing their talents in the leading roles.

Story – The story shows us how an Englishman visits a new country and starts living his life to the fullest after meeting a stranger with a lust for life, this does the traditional new world, new way of life ideas which Basil must go through, but otherwise this story is way too long without much happening or make too much sense. I found myself stopping this movie a lot because nothing was happening and it just became a dated classic for storytelling.

Comedy – This is meant to be some sort of comedy, I guess I missed the funniest moments?

Settings – The film is set in Crete which does help Basil see a new style of life and it does look lovely.

Scene of the Movie – First meeting.

That Moment That Annoyed Me – Not understand the gang mentality here.

Final Thoughts – This is one of the film that won big at the Oscars, but the truth is that it just doesn’t pull you in as much as it once did near its release.

Overall: Not one I enjoyed.

Rating

Director: Reinert Kiil

Writer: Reinert Kiil, Jane Helge Lillevik (Screenplay)

Starring: Frederik von Luttichau, Mats Reinhardt, Sondre Krogtoft Larsen, Evy Kasseth Rosten, Sigmund Saeverud, Anita Ihler

Plot: Two German soldiers has taken a Norwegian soldier as prisoner, during one of the cold Scandianvian winter nights during WW2. They are thankful that they find a lonely house out in the wilderness, but the houses aren’t that cozy after all.

Runtime: 1 Hour 30 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict: Atmospheric Horror

Story: The House starts when two German soldiers Andreas (Luttichau) and Jurgen (Reinhardt) are transporting their Norwegian prisoner Rune (Larsen) during World War II, with night falling, they look for shelter, finding a remote house in the wilderness, which seems like just another empty house.

This night isn’t going to be easy for the soldiers, when they starts hearing and seeing things around the house, but just what is happening, will be the biggest test for the soldiers.

Thoughts on The House

Characters – Andreas must follow Jurgen’s orders, he can switch off easily, but does seem to be the strongest when it comes to dealing with the evil inside the house, with his past being something he can fight off and the fact that he wants to do the right thing, while being haunted of images of his late wife. Jurgen is the lieutenant that is following his instructions, he will investigate more, which does see him enter into the evil with the house, he doesn’t believe in any of the supernatural events going on in the house. Rune is the Norwegian soldier and prisoner of the Germans, he is just as haunted with the events inside the house which does see him being about to figure out the translations for the Germans.

Performances – We have three main actors in this film who each get to show the same fears of just what is going on, they each take their moment without ever looking out of place through the horrors unfolding.

Story – The story here follows the two soldiers and prisoner soldier staying in a remote house only for the house to have an evil presence within which stats to play the tricks on the three soldiers on three different sides of the war. This story shows how the mindset of the soldiers changes once they become haunted by the evil within the house and just how far they will have to go to get out of it, they will be haunted by their pasts which will make them face the worst moments of their lives again. The best way to describe this would be on the same lines as ‘Outpost’ for the psychological side of the story, the not knowing the soldiers are going through.

Horror – The horror element in play through this film come from the ideas that the evil in the house is slowly starting to take over the soldiers forcing them to question everything they are living through.

Settings – The film is set in one house, it is in the middle of nowhere during the second world war which shows just how isolated the men are, the weather makes it even harder to travel because of the snow blocking off paths. This make for everything you need in a horror.

Special Effects – The effects in the movie are used well when needed, we don’t go over the top with anything either, we are given mostly around the corner or in the distance make up effects.

Scene of the Movie – The final shot.

That Moment That Annoyed Me – I get frustrated when I watch films that jump between languages, I find myself trying to read the English and wondering why it has gone.

Final Thoughts – This is a nicely built atmospheric horror that builds up for a strong payoff.

Overall: Creepy horror thriller.

Rating

Director: Yorgos Lantimos

Writer: Deborah Davis, Tony McNamara (Screenplay)

Starring: Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, Emma Stone, Nicholas Hoult

Plot: In early 18th century England, a frail Queen Anne occupies the throne and her close friend, Lady Sarah, governs the country in her stead. When a new servant, Abigail, arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah.

Runtime: 1 Hour 59 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict: For the Costume Lovers

Story: The Favourite starts as England is winning the war against the French in the early 18^th century, Queen Anne (Colman) is happy to continue the war, while Lady Sarah (Weisz) her most trusted friend governs the country. When a cousin of Sarah’s Abigail (Stone) arrives searching for a job, she must first earn her spot.

When Abigail starts becoming a favourite of Lady Sarah, she is used to help care for Queen Anne, while dealing with the advances of Harley (Hoult), is she up to something or just a pawn in the game of the ladies.

Thoughts on The Favourite

Characters – Queen Anne is getting older and sicker, she has always turned to Lady Sarah for advice and help, even if she is tired of her stricter ways, she keeps rabbits which keep her occupied, while learns that Abigail is becoming a younger version who will keep her entertained. Lady Sarah has always been by the Queen’s side, she deals with the responsibilities the Queen doesn’t want to get through, she offers her cousin a chance to work in the mansion, only to become jealous of the relationship the two have. Abigail is the maid hired because of family connection, she shows her intelligence which makes her dangerous to anybody who crosses her. Harley is the son of one of the famous people working under the Queen, he will befriend Abigail to get closer to the Queen to learn about her decision-making process.

Performances – For the performances all I have seen is how wonderful the performances are from the three ladies, the performances from Colman, Weisz and Stone a great though we have seen better through the year.

Story – The story follows a young maid as she tries to rise up through a royal household to reclaim her family name, she will do anything to push the rise through which sees her clashing with the Queen’s most loyal friend. This does feel like a game to stay ahead of the other which is fine for story, though it just tries to be too upper class with how everything unfolds and you can’t help but feel none of this remotely happened.

Biopic/Comedy – The biopic side of this story does leave plenty of questions to be asked as you just don’t see any of these actually be possible. The comedy involved in the film is quirky and will only appeal to certain people.

Settings – The settings in the film are easily the highlight of the film because everything looks completely authentic for the time.

Scene of the Movie – Stop playing.

That Moment That Annoyed Me – To stuck up for the most part.

Final Thoughts – This is a quirky film from a director who is easily one that can split the audience, it is another film that will get wild praise and another one I just don’t get along with.

Overall: Quirky just not fantastic.

Rating

Director: Gregory Jacobs

Writer: Joe Gangemi, Steven Katz (Screenplay)

Starring: Emily Blunt, Ashton Holmes, Martin Donovan, Ned Bellamy

Plot: Two college students share a ride home for the holidays, but when they break down on a deserted stretch of road, they are preyed upon by the ghosts of people who have died there.

Tagline – Catch Your Death

Runtime: 1 Hour 31 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict: Nice Little Horror

Story: Wind Chill starts as a college student only known as Girl (Blunt) is looking to head to Delaware for Christmas, suggested the ride share, she gets a lift with Guy (Holmes) as the difficulties in the journey beginning with their lack of conversation.

When the journey starts to take an unexpected turn with the nature of the lift being offered, the two get caught up in an accident on a snowy highway, needing to survive the cold they wait for rescue until they start seeing people walking past only to not get any reply from them with the visits getting more haunting as the night rolls on.

Thoughts on Wind Chill

Characters – This is a strange film for trying to describe the characters, no one is named, so we have, Girl who is trying to get home for Christmas, she seems stuck up about everything and feels selfish for the most part. She does start to take the ride share guy for granted without wanting to give him the conversation desired. She does feel more streetwise through certain situations though. The Guy who offers the lift, seems simple enough to start with, only for his true motivation to come to light, as he has planned to use the lift to get to know the girl. The highway Patrolman is one of the more aggressive spirits haunting the highway, we learn more about his presence as the students learn about him.

Performances – Emily Blunt is now one of the biggest names in the industry and like many young stars they start in a small horror movie, she is good in the leading role, showing all her potential for the world to see. Ashton Holmes is good in the supporting role and Martin Donovan makes for the creepy patrolman.

Story – The story follows a couple of students that are travelling across country for Christmas, only to find themselves in a crash which leaves them stranded in the freezing condition which only becomes worse then the ghosts of the road start haunting them. This is a mix of survival story which shows how the girl must survive the conditions, while also doing the ghosts haunting to send a warning of what is coming. We do get a lot of sequences which you need to pay attention to certain elements and we do get foreshadowing being used that you will pick up on too. The story doesn’t need to be that complicated which is isn’t and you can follow along even with a twist along the way.

Horror – The horror comes from first the location of being isolated after the accident, then the ghosts only make it worse because they learn what one of them will do if it gets its hands on them.

Settings – The film puts our characters on the side of the snow-covered road over the night which is filled with freezing conditions which will only make rescue difficult for the characters.

Special Effects – The effects are held off for when they are needed to make us understand the paranormal to reality moments.

Scene of the Movie – The end of it?

That Moment That Annoyed Me – One too many false moments.

Final Thoughts – This is a nice little horror that will get the jumps when needed and clever story telling on what could be going on.

Overall: Horror fans check this one out.

Rating