"A Most Wanted Man"

I will be honest and say that I am not going to review this at length, because I have more important things to do with my time.

I expected greatness, especially as it stars Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman and comes from the makers of "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy". Such a pairing had to be viewing, and I really wish that I had not bothered.
A muslim is being observed, and another Muslim is coming into money, and the German authorities wonder what the money will be used for. And do we actually give a flying ****? The film is dull and boring, I fell asleep several times due to a lack of interest, and could not wait for it to finish.

That's all I have to say really.

Painful to sit through...........2 out of 10

"The Riot Club"

I had debated about seeing this for some time, as having seen the trailer, and the main characters depicted, I had a feeling I knew how I would react to them, and boy was I right.

At Oxford there is a special for the Elite, started many years ago by a wealthy rich Lord, who regarded as the best at what he did. This Club carries on in his name, and it is quite the honour to be asked to join. The initiation is somewhat distasteful but can you expect?
The Club have regular meets, and dine together too, though the problem they have is that have been barred from most of the local establishments, and woth very good reason.
They manage to arrange a dinner at a country pub, under the banner of it being a Young Entrepeneurs meeting,the Pub owner delighted at welcoming this new business.

The meal, though not up to their usual fine dining goes well. They even manage to sneak in a 'Lady of the Night', to service each of them, much to the disgust and annoyance of the Landlord. But she does not fully realise the extent of the service she is providing and promptly scarpers. But then things start to go downhill. There is an altercation, and soon after consuming too much alcohol, they start to wreck the room they are in. In fact more like destroy the room. Upon discovering what they have done, the Owner is appalled. And these hooray henries just think they can buy him off. But he does at least have some intregrity, and goes to call the Police. Panic sets in and he is badly assaulted, and thus hospitalized. And this is where my anger started.
Yes I have seen films where you either feel no connection or have no sympathy for the characters, and thus can find nothing to relate and get no enjoyment from said movie. With this group of tossers, all I felt was anger. Here was a hard working man, running his business, and they intimidate, insult and ultimately attack him. Just because they think they are better than him, and that they can. Money does not give you the right to do this.

Thankfully the Authorities are involved, and they do spend the night behind bars, but one is certain that soon enough their fancy Lawyer will march in and exonerate them of all charges. I will not reveal what the outcome is, but soon enough, as the fingers are pointing in their direction, they soon start to turn on one another. Did I feel sorry for them?  Absolutely not.

 The main reason for watching the film was that it featured both Ben Schnetzer and Freddie Fox, both of whom has appeared in "Pride", and did such wonderful work. How could two films differ so  dramatically?
Very little to commend, and just left a bitter taste and one feeling rather angry.

Such a waste of talent.....3 out of 10

"Pride"

Two groups, alone, despised by many, attacked by Politicians and the Police, both fighting to be who they are. Surely this would lead to an easy alliance.

Thw two groups in question are The Miners, and a small Gay and Lesbian Group in London. Mark is the main spoksperson for the Gay group, and decides that, like them, the Miners are constantly being attacked, and that their group should help to raise funds for the struggling miners. This they do, but the Miners are not so ready to accept the money, especially given as to who has raised it. Despite families going hungry and going without, they are willing to cut off their noses to spite their faces just because they disagree with the gay lifestyle.
They manage to make direct contact with a Group of Miners in the Welsh area of Dulais. They meet one of the main members in London. He is aware of their acronym, LGSM, Lesbians and Gays Support The Miners, and assumes that the opening letter is for London. So he is quite surprised to find out that it is a gay group. But it does not put him off. In fact he attends his first Gay bar and gives a big thank you to those who have contributed. Some however feel it is a step too far having been attacked by men, some of whom are Miners.
Yes mining is a tough job, and hard working men do the job, and it is not a world where Gays and Lesbians are usually tolerated. But the coming together of these two groups started something quite remarkable. It would not be an easy journey, but it was one well worth taking.

Being the Son of a miner, having grown up as a young gay man, there is a lot for me to relate to with this movie. But whether gay or straight, or from a a mining family or not, the simple fact is clear that this is a truly first class screenplay, wonderfully written by Stephen Beresford, it is hard to believe that this is his first writing credit, as there are several story strands within the film, all equally compelling, from Mark urged to live his life by his former love, to Joe, a young man coming to terms with his sexuality and keeping it secret from his family, and also the wonderful people within the Onllwyn community and their struggles too.
The film is assuredly directed by Matthew Warchus, who like Mr. Beresford, has only a couple of directing credits, but the feel of the film is one of complete control, and a very skilled man hemling the movie.
There are so many wonderful characters in this film, some real life, like Mark Ashton and Sian James, both brilliantly played by Ben Schnetzer and Jessica Gunning respectively.
But there is no way to single out any member of the cast, as they are all simply amazing. Every actor is at the top of their game, from the likes of Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, and Paddy Considine, to the newcomers like George MacKay, Faye Marsay & Joshua Hill, to name just a few.
And a special mention to Dominic West, who is worth the price of admission alone, as boy that man can dance.
And I have to say that in 25 years of being a regular Cinema attendee, I experienced one of my loudest laugh out moments during this film.

The film illustrates the battles that both communities went through in those tough years, and how they kept fighting against insurmountable odds. But the alliance forged would become a starting block for something very special, and that very story is the heart of this outstanding film.

I know sometimes it is easy to say that Critics do not know what they are talking about, but rest assured with this film they clearly do. Read the poster, believe the hype, this is film making as good as it gets.

A film with a compelling & true story, full of great characters, hope and most of all PRIDE......

What other score could I give but 10 out of 10

"The Hundred-Foot Journey"

A clash of cultures, a clash of personalities, a clash of menus....

The Kadam family are making their way through Europe. Having to flee their Indian homeland, after an uprising, and losing their dearest family member, they head for England, and spend time their starting a new life. But the wonderful British weather is not agreeing with them, so they head for the warmer temperatures of France, where things are really about to heat up.

Papa Kadam finds a property which he feels will be ideal for  him to realise his dream of introducing Indian cuisine to the French. But despite the protestations of his children, who believe that he is crazy for undertaking such a scheme, he goes ahead, and in the process ruffles the feathers of Madame Mallory, the lady who owns a rather chic Michelin star restaurant, right on the other side of the road, a mere 100 feet away. Mallory is someone who has never had to deal with competition, and feels that this poor effort will not last through their opening night, and she will do all she can to ensure that is the case.

Upon discovering that Mallory will resort to any level to destroy his beloved restaurant, Kadam decides it is War, and so let battle commence. But he has a remarkable weapon, his Son Hassan, who from a young age was taught the beauty of food, the tastes and textures by the best possible teacher, his Mother. He has used those skills to amazing effect, creating some truly awesome cullinary creations, and that soon turn the restaurant, Maison Mumbai, into the hottest place to eat.

The battle intensifies, til it becomes all too personal, and people get hurt.  A truce is called, and it brings about a change in the two restaurant owners, as they come to appreciate each others love of food, and their respective way of life.
With Hassan being the new chef in town, soon Paris comes calling, and he really gets to spread his wings, will he get to further create more masterpieces in the kitchen? Or will his souffle go limp?

The film comes from Director Lasse Hallstrom who did wonderful work on "The Cider House Rules" but also "Chocolat", and what he did for confectionary in the latter film, he replicates with World cuisine in this charming and delightful movie.
The screenplay is wonderfully written from Steven Knight, who has a rather varied writing CV.
All the cast are excellent. Dame Helen Mirren plays Madame Mallory to the hilt, swanning round, rather ironically like the Queen of England. You can believe that she would take no prisoners, but also conveys the characters love of good cooking with a passion. A delight to watch. Om Puri is equally brilliant as Papa Kadam, a man who will take no crap, and is determined to see his dream become a reality, a man who also has a great love for his roots, and his family. Manish Dayal and Charlotte Le Bon are also great as young lovers but also working in opposing restaurants, will their path of true love run smooth?

There are so many great elements in this movie. A battle between the owners, a love story on so many levels, humour and drama, and a brilliant cast added to the ingredients, to make a main course of a movie that will be savoured by many.

One serving may not be enough.................8 out of 10

"The Guest"

A stranger arrives at your door. He has a connection with your deceased son. You allow him into your home. Giving him a bed for the night. But before long he becomes a more permanant fixture within the household, but is he all that he seems?
This is the premise of this latest thriller. And if it all sounds very familiar, it is because it is material that has been done many times, though I have to say it was not tiresome.

The mother, and indeed the whole family, still miss their eldest Son, brother, etc. Having this comrade in arms arrive gives them something to cling on to, memories of their lost loved one. Soon he fits right in. Helping younger brother Luke overcome bullies at school. Sister Anna has a troublesome boyfriend, and Dad misses out on a promotion, but mysterious help is at hand.
It soon becomes apparent that he is involved in some kind of military experiment, as soon a group of black SUV's turn up, with lots of men carrying guns and wearing body armour.

Yes it has been done before. Yes it predictable. But at times it works quite well. The bond the family make with him works well. And it is mainly down to a good performance from Dan Stevens in the title role.
It does however fall from grace somewhat in the latter part, pretty much from the cavalry arrives. It descends into a kind of mix between a cheaper slasher flick, and an 80's pop video, complete with smoke machine on overdrive. But at the end of the day, it works, and I enjoyed the 100 minutes spent in the cinema watching this thriller.

From Downton Abbey to American Psycho......7 out of 10

PS - Almost forgot to say, cracking music, both the score and the tracks used. One definitely to buy

Into the Storm

I had made two previous attempts to see this film, and on both occasions I failed. Maybe a Cinematic force was trying to tell me something. Should I have listened?

You're damn right I should.
I have said it before, I am a huge fan of the disaster movies of the 1970's and love to see any movie which embraces that great era. So naturally this was right up my street.

We see a group of Storm chasers about to have their funding cut due to their inability to film a decent storm. They are at loggerheads with the scientist differing on where to head next against the instinct of the group leader. But they may be hope on the horizon or rather a storm is brewing and a pretty big one.
And in its path is a small town in the process of celebrating a Schools graduating students. Once the storm hits, things are going to get pretty rough.

But not as rough as for the poor viewer sat having to watch this frankly dire effort. Good job that the film was not in 3D as the characters are barely one dimensional. I know that disaster films are well known for not putting the greatest emphasis on their characters or their story, but it is though the screenwriter was not bothered. So therefore why should we......

It is worth sitting through for the stunning visual effects, and it goes to show how things have moved on since the likes of "Twister". There is the capability to make a truly great disaster film, as long as the writer can give a decent story and flesh out the characters.
One has to feel for Richard Armitage, an actor who really shone in "Spooks" but the less said about this new film the better.

Purely for the visuals..........5 out of 10

"Guardians of the Galaxy"

Oh brother, another film based on material from the Marvel Catalogue.
But this one is a little different. Allow me to elaborate.

We see our hero, Peter Quill on Earth, and by his terminally ill mother's bedside. At such a young age, this kind of loss is a lot to deal with. Whilst outside, he has far bigger problems to deal with when he is picked up by a passing spaceship. As you do !!!

Jump forward several years, and Mr. Quill has acquired himself a trade, he is basically the Indiana Jones of space, obtaining the unobtainable and selling to the highest bidder, though I grant you Indy was never so financially orientated. He also has acquired a new name, though few have heard of it, 'Star Lord'. Not pretentious at all !!

It is during a quest for an Infinity Stone that his adventure really begins. He gets arrested, and is imprisoned with a group of other disperate space travellers. Together they aim to break out of their confinement, and to  get their hands back on the Stone, and stop it from falling into the wrong hands, and seeing worlds get destroyed because of its immense power.

There are three main reasons why this film really works.
1) There are no over blown super heroes here. Everyone is pretty much an average every day kind of Joe.
2) The characters have there own bickering arguements with each other, they would almost kill each other as much a help one another.
3) All the characters are brilliantly realised, and well played by their respective cast member.

Visually the film is stunning, a real treat for the eyes. There is great direction from James Gunn, who also does an excellent job in co-writing the screenplay.
From start to finish, just pure entertainment, with some great moments, a highlight has to be involving Groot, and a to camera smile.

All the cast are great, yes that does include Karen Gillan. But ultimately the film is a triumph for Chris Pratt, he combines the looks of a hero, also he has sarcasm and wit in abundance. Look forward to seeing more of 'Star Lord' and the rest of the gang with the recently announced sequel

A Marvel film to marvel at....................8 out of 10