Action Moses; Exodus: Gods and Kings.

You can watch my youtube review HERE!!!

The story of Moses is a well known story and has been told many times in many different ways, including animation; Cedil B. Demille himself adapted the story twice. The latest interpretation of the story comes from master filmmaker Ridley Scott and stars Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, Ben Kingsley, John Turturro, Sigourney Weaver, Aaron Paul and Ben Mendelsohn. Now this is a story that most people know so I won't give a synopsis and will get right into my review.

Exodus: Gods and Kings attempts to tell the story of two brothers; raised together but ultimately drawn apart by lineage and by faith. Ridley Scott is no stranger to sword and sandal epics with Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven (the director's cuts is a masterpiece) under his belt so a story like Moses' felt like a no-brainer. A even though Ridley Scott tackles the film with as much visual grandeur as expected Exodus plays it rather safe by being very by the numbers though it does bring up some rather interesting ideas that could have been explored further.

With a strong cast and technical expertise the film lives and dies with its screenplay and that is where we find its problems. No matter how grand a scope Ridley Scott paints the film with it all doesn't matter if the film doesn't have compelling characters or a compelling story. The script barely gives any depth to the characters and is more focused on getting from A to B without really getting into why. We don't really get to know the Israelites or their plight and though Moses is a reluctant leader he isn't are fully formed as the Moses from the bible. If anything we get to know more about Rhamses mindset though he is still written rather thinly.

With all book adaptations we must talk about the faithfulness to the source material; Exodus in no way deviates from the source to the extent that Darren Aronofsky's Noah did but that are several major changes that actually weaken the film. In the source we get to know the various Israelite characters with much more depth though Rhamses is even more thinly written; this weakens the the stakes of film and why we should be invested. Of course not all of these changes are negatives; the drama between Moses and Rhames is rather interesting but not nearly explored deep enough and Ridley Scott's depiction of the plagues via natural causes was also very interesting and you felt every fly, every frog and boil.

Unfortunately it is a rather dull affair for a epic film and contains rather disjointed pacing. But it does contain striking cinematography, a lovely score and strong performances from a cast who do their best with the little they are given. Ridley Scott handles the action well though the reasoning behind some of it is rather contrived but the film manages to be rather decent even with its thin script and tonal inconsistencies. A very well made film but an averagely thrilling experience that lacks the ambition that would have made it more worthwhile.

3 out of 5 stars.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Why Can't People Just Talk? Men, Women & Children.

Watch my youtube review HERE!!!

No matter what, no matter when, no matter who there has always been a lack of clear communication between people; whether married, family, dating or just friends. Based on the Chad Kultgen of the same name, Jason Reitman's latest film examines the secret pains and desires of a group of people in a wholesome American town and how even though the world is more connected through technology everyone is still as lonely as before. The film stars an all star ensemble which includes Jennifer Garner, Adam Sandler, Judy Greer, Dean Norris, Rosemarie DeWitt Ansel Elgort, Kaitlyn Dever, J.K. Simmons, Olivia Crocicchia, Travis Tope and the voice of Emma Thompson.

Now Jason Reitman is well known for his witty yet honest view of the world but since Labor Day his wit has changed to earnestness and most critics have seen this as a misstep. I on the other hand enjoyed Labor Day immensely even with all its flaws and though Men, Women & Children finds itself being just as earnest I found myself connecting with it too. Most critics have viewed this film as an attack on technology but I think that is the completely wrong way to view this film; its really about the emotional struggle of many people, struggles we can all relate to on some kind of level.

This is helped by an absolutely fantastic cast and though the film is an ensemble piece Ansel Elgort and Kaitlyn Dever are the stand outs of the film. Adam Sandler also gives his first real performance since Funny People (or Hotel Transylvania if you count animation). With Reitman's strong gift for working with actors he's able create incredibly strong and honest emotions which ring true no matter how earnest or how contrived the situations are. The film is beautifully shot and has a great score/soundtrack but that's a given with Reitman's eye for compositions and ear for music.

Where the film does falter is in its script co-written by Reitman and Erin Cressida Wilson. Though Reitman is able to create honest emotions through his actors the situations to create these moments are taken to the extreme in order to prove the point of the film but it often comes off as contrived  especially because they have to connect the large cast of characters (though not to the extent of Babel or 21 Grams). These contrivances will definitely rub people the wrong way and if you look at the critical response it already has.

But in the end I still really liked Men, Women & Children; though it definitely has its flaws to me an strong emotional experience is more important than flawless film (mostly because I don't believe there's such a thing). Jason Reitman's latest my be overly earnest and rather contrived but there's a real honesty to the emotions it displays and the performances the actors give. Add to that Reitman's strong handle of visuals and music and you have a film that is very emotionally affecting even though it is rather flawed.

4 out of 5 stars.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Jake Gyllenhaal Doesn't Teleport: Nightcrawler.

Watch my youtube review HERE!!!

The world is full of sociopaths; some go unnoticed, other repress their tendencies and a handful fulfil their urges. Jake Gyllenhaal plays Lou Bloom, one of these sociopaths and has his mind set on fulfilling his hearts desires. Nightcrawler is the directorial début of Dan Gilroy brother of Tony Gilroy (Michael Clayton), Dan Gilroy also wrote the screnplay while his brother co-produced. The cast includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo (Dan Gilroy's wife), Riz Ahmed and Bill Paxton.

The film follows Lou Bloom (Gyllenhaal) an unemployed petty thief who discovers the darker side of  TV News; Lou Bloom decides to join the business by filming crash and crime footage and does whatever it takes not matter how unethical it may be. Jake Gyllenhaal delivers a powerhouse performance and goes to great lengths just like his character. Apparently Gyllenhaal also learnt the entire script off by heart in order to deal with the responsibility of co-producing the film as well.
Rene Russo and Riz Ahmed (who is British believe it or not) also give strong performances.

What really makes the film is Gilroy's fantastic script which is full of brains, thrills, black comedy and underlying terror. Gilroy's script crafts a fascinating character and story rich in ideas and compelling drama while also managing to get under your skin to the point of creeping you the hell out. It's also a great look at tabloid journalism (the TV version of it) and how it really is there to either fill us the viewer with fear or feed our repressed sociopathic tendencies. The film touches at satire but never goes all the way with it which I think is a bit of a missed opportunity but doesn't weaken the film at all.

Gilroy directs well for his first feature and keeps the film escalating until the end but I feel that his lack of experience stops the film from fully reaching its potential. There's a disconnect between the film and the audience that stopped me from being fully immersed in the film and it's not just because of the sociopathic character at its core. I believe that if the film was more stylised it could have gotten around that and drawn the audience in even more.

The film still is very strong but I felt it could pushed things further and a more seasoned director would have had the courage to do that. Robert Elswit's fantastic cinematography helps a little but the score counters that by feeling rather out of place though I feel that may have been the point. But in the end this is really just nitpicking in an otherwise great film that is bound to start conversations and create the need to shower after spending two hours with such a shady character.

4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

So Not Tina? Mr. Turner.

You can watch my youtube review HERE!!!

The main problem with biopics is that in order to be a film they have to convert the events of a life into a plot which can often make for a contrived watch. Mike Leigh manages to avoid this and crafts a rather unique and engaging portrait on the later years of an artist's life. Mr. Turner is of  course about the rather eccentric and famous romantic landscape painter J. M. W. Turner starring Timothy Spall in the title role. The rest of the main cast includes Dorothy Atkinson, Paul Jesson and Marion Bailey.

Mike Leigh directs the film with a light touch letting the character slowly come through to the viewer rather than  forcing him upon us. There's no semblance of a plot in Mike Leigh's script, instead we just get vignettes of the artist's life with no clear through line or message but that is the intention. There's no need for narrative push, contrived drama or the journey of a tortured artist, Mike Leigh just wants to embrace art and life in all its beauty even in its insignificant moments.

Timothy Spall is absolutely perfect in the role and rightly won best actor at Cannes earlier this year. Though the script doesn't explain the character to us you get a sense of who he is though Spall's performance and its a delightfully warm one though the artist himself is rather distant. Also the fact the Spall spent almost two years learning how to paint for the film creates even more of a truth in the performance.

The stand out achievement of the film though is its gorgeous cinematography from Dick Pope. He captures truly breathtaking compositions that could rival Turner's paintings. All caught digitally on the Arri Alexa though it fooled me into believing it was shot on film (which believe me is a hard thing to do). The score is also beautiful but also haunting with a beautiful string section and though the film is two and a half hours long I was constantly engaged and never bored.

Mr. Turner is a lovely film but also a very slow one so it won't be for everyone. There are no grand revelations or thrilling drama but just a man whose art spoke more words than he did; capturing the beauty in the world around us whether is be a simple countryside, steam boat or storm. With gorgeous visuals and a great performance there's a lot to love in the film even though it did not blow me away.

4 out of 5 stars.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

The Batch Is Back: The Imitation Game.

You can watch my youtube review HERE!!!

There are many untold stories in our past; some have just never been heard while other just weren't allowed to be heard. During war time there were many secrets and it took decades for them to become known with some being forgotten and others only just recently being declassified; the Imitation Game is one of these stories. Directed by Morten Tyldum and starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Rory Kinnear, Mark Strong and Charles Dance. The film depicts the life of mathematician Alan Turing as he tries to break the Nazi code Enigma while also dealing with his homosexuality which was considered a crime at the time.

First things first; Cumberbatch's performance is fantastic and bound to get awards buzz. He takes both the very mechanical and the emotional sides of Turing and blends them fantastically, creating a very layered character. Knightley's performance is also good especially her finally scene which she acts with incredible power. It's also very good the see Matthew Goode and Mark Strong who are both incredibly underrated actors who deserve more recognition. The rest of the cast is good and play their parts well.

This film is very much a crowd pleaser and will cater to many different audiences. Because of this it doesn't really dig into the ideas and themes of the film as much as it could have but it is still a really good film that will create conversation. Above all though it is very entertaining, being both funny and thrilling. The film is surprisingly humorous and I found myself laughing countless times but it also doesn't stray away from the harsh realities of the time and alienation of a genius that is very present in Turing. In the end it is a very poignant story but I won't go into it any further so that you can enjoy the film when it officially comes to cinemas.

The film is well shot, scored, edited and written though there are a series of flashbacks that didn't really come together for me, The film also worships Turing a little too much in my opinion though of course he did a great thing for his country and the rest of the world. But in the end The Imitation Game is a very strong and thoroughly engaging film. I may not have been blown away by it but I enjoyed it immensely and the cast was quite stand out.

4 out of 5 stars.

Let me know you thoughts in the comments below.

Not One Jay Was Mocked: Hunger Games Mockingjay part 1

You can watch my youtube review HERE!!!

The Hunger Games franchise has taken the world by storm and for good reason; first off the source material was incredibly popular, secondly it was filling in the gap between adults and children that is often forgotten and lastly because they're rather intelligent blockbusters. I'm have not read the source material (though I have done some research) and don't really consider myself a fan but I can appreciate it when a movie does more than what's expected or asked of it and this franchise has done that.

Directed by Francis Lawrence and starring Jennifer Lawrence, Donald Sutherland, Julianne Moore, the late Philip Seymore Hoffman (he will be missed), Woody Harrelson, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Jeffrey Wright, Sam Claflin and the lovely Natalie Dormer. After being rescued from the Quarter Quell Katniss (Lawrence) struggles with PTSD and guilt while also reluctantly becoming the symbol for the rebellion and fearing what has become of Peeta. What follows is a battle of propaganda as both sides begin to build up to an explosion of violence.

Mockingjay part one changes the formula of the first two films by not having a Hunger Games and though its good that it didn't become repetitive it's unfortunately weakened by have the book split into two films. Though there is definitely a lot to cover in the book it's the second half which is the meatiest and this being based on the first half stretches the story too thin while also making the movie longer than it needed to be. Running at two hours this film could have easily been cut to improve pacing, focus and story while also removing various unnecessary scenes and sub-plots. But even though its not as dynamic as it could be there is still enough to make it a good watch.

The cast is as solid as always and was well constructed from the inception of the franchise. The added additions of Julianne Moore and Natalie Dormer further boosts its talented cast. Unfortunately Liam Hemsworth remains as uncharismatic as always and weakens the strong ensemble. The film is well shot though it finds itself between the shakycam of the first film and the much improved camera work of Catching Fire. James Newton Howard's score is also good but a bit too intrusive and manipulative but that's also the fault of the script which thinks exposition is much more important than showing us the story and the reasons for our feelings.

But Mockingjay part 1 is a solid entry to the solid franchise which still doesn't impress me but still manages to be an engaging and entertaining watch. The world of the film is an interesting and compelling one and the actors do well to keep you invested. Unfortunately the social commentary and satire is lessened and the themes can't dig deep enough given the films rating because of the target audience. One day I would love to see an adult rated version of the story (yes I've seen Battle Royale but they're commenting on different things). Mockingjay is well made and contains enough blockbuster thrills while also being thoughtful to make it worth a watch and though it's not great it still is rather good.

3 out of 5 stars.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Tom Hardy Hugs A Puppy: The Drop.

I've still got a few reviews to catch up with but I won't be writing reviews for John Wick or Kill the Messenger.

You can watch my John Wick youtube review HERE!!!

And my Kill the Messenger youtube review HERE!!!

You can watch my youtube review of The Drop HERE!!!

As of late crime thrillers have been more focused on action than characters and actual crime (unless it's a foreign film or from Scorsese). The Drop sets itself apart by being sparse in violence and strong in character even if the characters are hiding behind misguiding layers. This film is based on a short story from Dennis Lehane who also wrote the script and is directed by Michael R. Roskam who did the much praised Bullhead. The cast includes Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, the late James Gandolfini (R.I.P.), John Ortiz, Matthias Schoenaerts (Bullhead) Ann Dowd, an adorable Pitbull Puppy and James Frecheville (Animal Kingdom).

The Drop follows the socially awkward Bob Saginowski (Hardy), a bartender at a drop bar where gangsters leave their money for safe keeping. After being robbed and finding a injured Pitbull pup he must deal with what the two events bring to his doorstep as he tries to live a low-key life. Tom Hardy nails the Brooklyn accent and the role which is hidden under layers of secrets and quite awkwardness. The rest of the cast is solid and James Gondolfini reminds us how much he will be missed by film lovers.

What sets The Drop apart from other films of the genre is that it is entirely character focused with quiet pacing and only purposeful action. You get a strong sense of the world and the people that populate it which strengthens what could have been another generic thriller. Though it doesn't have much to say regarding society and the effects of violence it is a good watch and a strong film. Nicely photographed and lit with good music and strong atmosphere this is a thoughtfully made film.

If you're looking for shoot-outs, drugs and explosion you won't find it in this film but that's a good thing. These days criminals keep it low key making every neighbourhood possibly sinister and it's this atmosphere that this film captures well along with its characters who may not be what they seem. Quiet and thoughtful, The Drop was rather refreshing in an over saturated and exaggerated genre.

Rich White People Problems: This Is Where I Leave You

You can watch my youtube review HERE!!!

What's more generic than a glossy well off white family? A glossy well off white family that doesn't get along and thinks that their not so problematic problems are the biggest problems in the world. This film is directed by Shawn Levy  and stars Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Corey Stoll, Adam Driver, Jane Fonda, Connie Britton, Rose Byrne, Timothy Olyphant, Ben Schwartz, Kathryn Hahn and Dax Shepard. After the death of their father a family comes together to sit shiva upon his will's request...even though they're not Jewish.

Shawn Levy has made one movie that I can say that I really enjoy (Date Night); the rest of his filmography is harmless but obvious with no real wit. He thinks something would be funny and assumes the rest of the world will agree, I disagree. Fortunately the cast is wonderful, every actor charming and charismatic, unfortunately the script is rather trite. These actors do the best with what they have and make a rather bland film competent, especially Adam Driver who I never cease to enjoy. Without this cast I would have hated this movie but luckily this film did have it's cast.

The film has glossy cinematography and a decent soundtrack; Shawn Levy at least knows how to put a movie together. But the film has no soul, no drive, it almost feels like a product for the masses that has no substance but is shiny enough to enjoy. The problems the characters have are not real problems except for Jason Bateman's character and for that reason you just can't really get behind most of what goes on in the movie. Also the fact that it throws a penis jokes at you every minute makes it rather grating at times.

I honestly didn't outright hate this movie but I also didn't care about it at all. There are also several moments that I don't agree with morally and its contrivances are rather annoying. The cast makes it a leisurely watch but there's nothing there to compel me to watch it again.

2 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Travelling with Simon Pegg: Hector and the Search for Happiness

You can watch my youtube review HERE!!!

This is going to be a short review.

I like Simon Pegg, I really do. He's a great actor, a better comic and probably an even better person and that can do a lot to make a movie work. This film is directed by Peter Chelsom with Rosamund Pike, Christopher Plummer, Toni Collette, Stellan Skarsgard and Jean Reno filling out the rest of the main cast. The film follows Hector (Pegg) a psychiatrist who is stuck in a rut and feels he can no longer help his patients, because of this decides to go on trip to find ways to make people (including himself) happy again.

Hector and the Search for Happiness is a very harmless film, it's not great but it's not bad either. It's not something you'd go out of your way to see but if you did end up watching it it wouldn't be a waste of your time. It's schmaltzy, well intentioned, entertaining at times and contrived at others but there's nothing really to get from this film. It didn't have me grinning side to side, it didn't tell me how to be happy and it didn't give me anything to take away from it...

And that's alright. This movie doesn't have any grand intentions, it's just trying to be a nice time watching a movie. It's well made with a charming cast and sometimes that's enough it make it a decent film. It's not great but in no way bad it just is and that's enough. The reason this review is short is because I just don't really have that much to say and that's alright.

3 out of 5 stars.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

So it's not Furry?: Fury

You can watch my youtube review HERE!!!

War is Hell. Whether you've been in one or not you know this to be a fact. It's full of hate, anger despair and desperation with loss on both sides which includes soldiers and civilians. David Ayer's Fury presents war on a visceral level and brings that hell to life on the screen though it doesn't really explore any ideas beyond that. The film follows a five man tank crew as the allies make their last push into Nazi Germany with the cast consisting of Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Michael Pena, Jon Bernthal and Jason Isaacs.

Now Fury really has no defined narrative, we're just basically following a tank crew on their wartime adventures and it's a really compelling watch. The cast is charismatic, the events that unfold engaging and the action sequences thrilling. The film is beautifully captured with gorgeous anamorphic cinematography and a haunting score to back it up. This is a really well made film with every element coming together well.

Where this film falters is an underwritten supporting cast and lack of social commentary. Most war films depict the terrors of the past but they also have something to apply to the present day and the average citizen not just soldier. All Fury really digs into is that war is hell and you've got to become a demon to survive it. That's all good but I was expecting a little more bite from Ayer's screenplay. But in the end that isn't that big of an issue because everything else is so strong.

The battles scenes are brutal and violent; this film does for tanks what Saving Private Ryan did for the Normandy Landings. The cast give great performances even with the little some of them are given and at the centre of the film is great chemistry between Logan Lerman and Brad Pitt. David Ayer's directorial hand is steady and certain with confident pacing and good editing. Though it may not go beyond its simple statement it doesn't really matter as this is a quality and thrilling film.

4 out of 5 stars.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

The Scariest Movie of the Year: Whiplash

You can watch my youtube review HERE!!!

There are many forms of art in the world; creative, physical and even philosophical. True artists make their art form their life and that can take a massive toll on it. Whiplash takes this insane passion an artist has and presents it on a very visceral level and boy is it frightening. Damien Chazelle has crafted a brilliant directorial debut that manages to be ten times as thrilling as any of the blockbusters that have come out this year with less then a thirtieth of the budget.

The film follows Andrew Neyman (Teller), an aspiring drummer with social problems as he works under the tutelage of the frightening Jazz maestro Terence Fletcher at one of America's finest music schools. Whiplash won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance this year and has been showered with much critical praise ever since and rightly so. With two outstanding performances from it's leads Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons, taught directing and fantastic writing from Damien Chazelle this is one of the best films of the year.

J.K. Simmons' Terence Fletcher is a unrelenting force of nature and a true horror unlike any other in this year of films (I'm yet to see Foxcatcher which might challenge this) and it's how hard he pushes and how far his drives Teller's Andrew Neyman that shake you to your core. This film affects you on a very visceral level which turns the drama into a thriller and then pushes it further into horror and the most horrifying aspect of it is that even though the narrative it is presenting is fiction what it is depicting is very much truth.

Art has driven many into madness and I know I myself would be willing to go to extremes for my own art. In this sense Whiplash is one of the most honest depictions of an artist's soul and it is both terrifying and absolutely wonderful. Capture with stylish cinematography that's a mixture of realism and expressionism and with wonderful music which is a requirement for any music movie. Finally anchored by two phenomenal and raw performances and directing that you would find from the confidence of a master expect this time it's from a young filmmaker who is very much a talent to keep an eye on.

5 out of 5 stars.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

It's not a good year to be married: Force Majeure

I'm still catching up with many of my written review but here's another one now off the list.

You can watch my youtube review HERE!!!

Marriage, the magical union between two people that seems to be under attack as of late. Gone Girl dealt the first blow and now Force Majeure has come with the second and it's a knock out. Directed by Ruben Ostlund, the Swedish film stars Johannes Kuhnke as Tomas and Lisa Loven Kongsli as Ebba, a married couple with children whose relationship comes under intense strain after a close call with an avalanche. What started the strain was that Tomas ran off with his phone leaving Ebba facing the avalanche alone with their kids.

Now this is a venomous film as the questions it raises do not only infect the characters on screen but also the audience and husbands in particular will not enjoy having the answer them. Did Tomas runaway because he doesn't care about his family? Was it just the flight reaction instead fight? Was he subconsciously going with the intention of coming back and digging them out? Whatever the reason (most likely flight) it doesn't matter because it has already created doubt which is one of the most dangerous things for a relationship.

Ruben Ostlund directs this film with confidence and a steady hand also admitting taking notes from Kubick's The Shining and though Force Majeure isn't a horror movie I find it far more frightening. It is honestly one of the most frightening films of the year and makes your stomach churn in many different ways;  a scene involving a bus and a hill will definitely have you clinging to your seat. His actors give fantastic performances though the script can be rather heavy-handed at times and the wife becomes a bit one note to the point where we no longer sympathise with her, in fact she almost becomes the villain.

The cinematography is quite gorgeous with fantastic compositions and the use of static long takes is absolutely brilliant and gives no chance of escape from the overwhelming feelings the film brings. The use of music or lack thereof is also fantastic but the true brilliance is the simplicity of the idea behind the film and just how venomous it is (insert inception joke here). If you're in a relationship be warned that seeing this film will bring up questions between you and your partner that you may not want to answer but it is a fantastic film and watching it may be worth the uncomfortable conversation afterwards.

4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Let me known your thoughts in the comments below.