"The Descendants"

Life in Hawaii must be idyllic. Swaying palm trees, beautiful waters to swim in, what could be better than that?  Matt King may have a different opinion. He has his own Law Practice, he is also head of  family gathering who are deciding who to sell a sizable chunk of land to that they have been bequeathed. On top of that he has two very wayward daughters who are making his life difficult, and on top of that his wife has been in a power boating accident and now she is in a coma. Life is far from peachy for Matt King.

The detachment from his children could be that he is very work obsessed, it could also be the reason that he discovers that his wife has been far from faithful. Naturally this comes as a shock, and if his wife had not already been in a coma, he would no doubt have hospitalized her himself.
The film has two journeys, one is Matt trying to come to terms with the infidelity of his wife, and also to meet the man she has been sleeping with. The other journey is the one that the family as a whole have to take as they come to terms with the fact that mother / wife is not going to recover from the coma.

It is well written and Directed by Alexander Payne, who has shown past genius with films like "Sideways" and "About Schmidt". The only problem that I have with "The Descendants" is that the majority of characters in the film are all arseholes, and as such you have trouble giving a toss about them.

A great film that could have been, is merely a good film. Top marks however for the closing scene.........5 out of 10 (Revised from previous score of 6)

"The Muppets"

They are back, after a movie screen absence of some 13 years, Jim Hensons Muppet Creations are back on the big screen. And I for one am delighted. We have had our appetite whetted for some time now with the brilliant Orange Cinema adverts, that were phenomenal.

The story.....Gary and Walter are brothers, even though one is a Muppet, we won't ask to many questions there. Gary is going away with his girlfriend, wife to be Mary, and taking Walter with him, much to his girlfriend's annoyance. They are heading to L.A., so Walter sees it as a great opportunity to meet his heroes, especially Kermit the Frog.
Walter visits the now derelict Muppets Theatre, and he overhears a plot from Tex Richman, a business tycoon, who wants to buy the Theatre and drill for oil. The Muppets have a certain number of days to raise $10 million or they forfeit the theatre. So Walter sets about bringing back together the Muppets and defeat Richman in his dastardly deeds.

The film has a nostalgic look at what made the Muppets so great, and does indeed bring back a lot of great memories. You are always sat there waiting for your favourite character(s) to appear, as we all have them.
The story is an entertaining one, but for me the biggest problem was that it concentrated too much on the Gary, Walter story rather than the Muppets. This could be down to the fact that Gary is played by Jason Segel, and he also wrote the screenplay.

For kids who have never experienced The Muppets, hopefully they will get the sense of fun and enjoyment that the rest of us as adults have been enjoying for more than 30 years.

You would be a Muppet to miss it........6 out of 10

"Man on a Ledge"

A man checks into a beautiful hotel room, he orders a nice meal, which he consumes, and then proceeds to open a window and venture out onto the ledge. Thus ensues chaos as the local Police Department aim to get him from the ledge, albeit not taking the quick route.
After some investigation, the Police discover that the man on the ledge is Nick Cassidy, a former Police Officer who has recently escaped from prison, whilst attending his Father's funeral. He was doing time for stealing a diamond from wealthy business man David Englander.
Clearly Cassidy has a much bigger plan than just jumping of a hotel ledge. His aim is distraction. Whilst he is keeping the Police busy with him on the ledge, his baby Brother and his brother's girlfriend can break into Englander's offices and steal the actual diamond.

I can sum this film up in one simple word.......predictable. We have been here so many times before, and sadly this latest film gives us very little that is new or exciting to arouse our interest. Ed Harris as Englander is almost a pantomime villain and is worthy of far better roles. Sam Worthington and Jamie Bell are ok playing the diamond stealing brothers, but again their considerable talents could be put to far better use.

Director Asger Leth certainly needs to work on building tension and suspense, and maybe even throw in a surprise or two. The great unveil as to who was conspiring with Englander was no great reveal at all. They should just have worn t-shirts saying "I am a bad guy" as it was so obvious.

"Man on a Ledge" should clearly have jumped.......5 out of 10

 

 

"Haywire"

A female operative working for a Government agency is set up, abandoned, and is wanted on a platter as soon as possible. She has the potential to expose the guilty party.
Loads of action, Steven Soderburgh directing and starring the likes of Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender, Antonio Banderas, Channing Tatum and Michael Douglas.
With so much going for it, how it could it turn out to be a massive pile of sh*t?

Quite frankly I am going to waste precious time discussing this dreadful film.
Enough said......3 out of 10

"J. Edgar"

The subject of the film is John Edgar Hoover, head of the FBI, and a man with more than a few skeletons in his closet, the Director is two time Oscar Winner Clint Eastwood, and a cast most Producers would sell their mothers for. Did this great combination create a winning movie?

Yes and no is the simple if rather cryptic answer. The film is well put together, but like "The Iron Lady" it has a lot of material to address and at times some things are merely glanced at. It is clear the Hoover was very close to his mother, and when she died, this is possibly what triggered his fascination with wearing womens clothing. It looks in great detail about his acheivements, the fact that he became the first Director of the FBI, or that he was instrumental in the use of finger prints to solve crimes.
His rise to the top of the FBI is fast, and once there he only wants the very best officers to serve under him. Also anyone who may look as though are getting equal or more praise & acclaim than Hoover are swiftly moved to other departments.
The film also looks at the relationship that developed between Hoover and his second in command, Clyde Tolson. There has been frequent debate over the years about the nature of the relationship. In the film it is hinted that it was more than just a working relationship, but it also hints that if there were any gay tendancies that they were more on the side of Tolson than Hoover.

An all star cast bring this mammoth story to the screen, from Dame Judi Dench as Hoover's mother, to Armie Hammer as Clyde Tolson. As ever, Leonardo DiCaprio gives another amazing performance in the title role. He has an intensity that you cannot tear yourself from. There will surely come a day when this great actor is an Oscar Winner.

Given the subject matter and the creative team behind the film, it should have been compelling for all of the 137 minutes of its running time, but sadly it did wander a little at times, and this is a shame as it had the capabiltity to be a truly great film

7 out of 10

"War Horse"

A family fallen on hard times, a look at the futility of War, and a majestic animal wanting to return to his owner / trainer. What safer pair of hands could you have as the Director than Steve Spielberg's?

Ted Narracott attends the local market to buy a work horse for the family farm. Instead he buys what seems to be a totally inappropriate thoroughbred, and at a rather inflated price too. Needless to say this does not go down very well with his wife, or indeed the land-owner who is due rent money. They come to a mutual agreement, but the likelihood is that he will fall short with the rent money and will have to forfeit the family home. Despite wanting to sell the horse to recoup some of his lost money, his son Albert wants to keep the horse, as they seem to have a connection. He promises to train the horse, and Albert believes that he can get Joey, the name Albert has given him, to work the land.
This he does, much to the delight of the whole village.
But then there is the outbreak of War, and sadly for Albert, Joey is sold to the British Army, and the two have to part company.

We have the second half of the film, looking at what happens to Joey through the various people he meets along his journey. Whether it be the British Officer who is his new owner, or a young French girl who acquires him or a German officer looking out for the horse, all want to have Joey by their side, but for the horse, there is only one true soulmate - Albert Narracott. Will the two ever be joined together again?

The horse is truly remarkable in the adversity that it overcomes, the film could almost have been titled "Superhorse". Maybe it is me being  little cynical, but the horse did seem to have a lot to contend with, and to have survived so much does seem somewhat far-fetched. It may also answer the question as to why the film has failed to pick up as many nominations at various Awards ceremonies as one would expect for a Spielberg film.

The cast are all very good, and a rising star to look out for is Jeremy Irvine as Albert Narracott. The visual effects for the horse are really amazing, and a credit to the team responsible.
All in all, it is a good film, but not a great film.........7 out of 10

"The Grey"

Despite his advancing years, Liam Neeson seems to be cornering the market in the all male action lead role, and here is no exception.

An Alaskan Oil Drilling Team are on their way back home after completing their current work rotation. Also with them is Ottway, played by Liam Neeson, he has no skills with the Drilling Team, but he is hired as a protector of the workers, as wolves prowl the areas in which they work, and can be prone to attack, hence Ottway and his trusty gun.

The plane journey home is cut short when the plane gets into trouble and crash lands in the frozen wilderness of Alaska. It becomes a battle to survive, not only their injuries, but also the elements and the savage wolves who see them as their next meal. It may sound all too familiar, but trust me it is brilliantly played out. There are initially 7 survivors, but slowly this number dwindles down through various reasons.
The film builds up the nerve tingling suspense. Not knowing what is round the next corner. As ever with a film of this type, there is what I call "the jerk" character, a rather two dimensional unsympathetic waste of space. And yes "The Grey" has one.

The photography is quite stunning, the plane crash is awesome, and has to rank as one of the best on film, and the conditions the team were working in really do add authenticity.
At almost 60 years of age, and having starred recently in films like "Taken" and "Unknown", Liam Neeson seems to show no sign of slowing down, if anything he is going in the opposite direction. He does a wonderful job as Ottway, a man determined to beat the odds.

As we approached the end of the film, I was not sure in which direction I wanted it to go, whether Ottway be the all conquering hero, or have him die through whatever cause. I need not have worried as the film delivers a quite brilliant ending, and one I was delighted with.
(I have since discovered that there was an extra scene after the credits which belittles the ending I mentioned above, and for once I am glad that I did not see the full credits)

A great battle of man against nature........8 out of 10

"The Iron Lady"

However much I adore Meryl Streep, and believe me I do, if you had told me that she was going to portray British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in a biopic, I would no doubt have laughed. As great an actress as Ms. Streep is, even I would have it a step too far. And how wrong I would have been.

The film opens with our former Prime Minister causing a broo ha ha after having gone out to buy some milk. She has breakfast with Denis, and they chat whilst having their morning meal. The thing is that Denis has been dead some 7 years. We are being witness to  Britain's former leader suffering with dimentia, after having suffered a number of strokes. From here the film makes several journeys into the past, beginning with her humble beginnings as the Daughter of  Grantham shop-keeper, her first steps on the Political ladder, her meeting and marrying Denis, and then becoming an M.P.

The journey to become an M.P. was certainly not as easy one, and then to become leader of the Conservative Party and then Prime Minister was quite a task. The film depicts her as a fighter, and someone who will not backdown, no matter what the cost. It is a truly fascinating look at Britain's only female Prime Minister, and it has led me to want to find out more about her.

The supporting cast are all excellent, some of Britain's finest actors all doing a fine job. Jim Broadbent is quite something as Denis Thatcher, Olivia Colman gives a really beautiful performance as Carol Thatcher, one quite moving moment is when the daughter tells the mother a few truths that she seems incapable to take on board.
In the Cabinet there is Richard E. Grant looking wonderfully slimy as Michael Heseltine, and there is marvellous Anthony Head who is amazing as Geoffrey Howe, he brings a real statesman like grace to his portrayal.

But leading this extraordinary cast is Meryl Streep, in one of her greatest performances ever. It is so much more than an impersonation of Margaret Thatcher, she becomes Margaret Thatcher. Ms. Streep is well known for the lengths she goes to in creating the right performance, and here every aspect of Mrs. Thatcher is wonderfully brought to life by the greatest Actress the world has ever known. It is also why the Academy should already start engraving Ms. Streep's name on the Best Actress Oscar.

If there is one minor criticism, it is that the film does not give ample time to some of the huge events that took place during Margaret Thatcher's time as Prime Minister. They are all mentioned but at times all too briefly. It is a shame that the film was not a little longer. It could have easily have managed another 30 minutes.
But that aside, this is a first class film, and no matter what your opinions of Mrs. Thatcher, there is no doubting the creative team behind this powerful film are all at the top of their game.

Meryl Streep is The Iron Lady..........9 out of 10

"W./E."

Hot on the heels of "The King's Speech", we as good as have the prequel to the Oscar winning movie, (although they are in no way connected) namely looking at the scandal that rocked the British Monarchy, and the love affair between King Edward VIII and American Socialite Wallis Simpson.

Tagged with that story is also that of current day New Yorker Wally Winthrop. A woman trapped in a loveless marriage, unable to have children, at least with the man she is with, and feels so unhappy. During an exhibition at the local Museum of artifacts from the Edward VIII and Simpson, it strikes a chord with her, and this leads to a crossover with the two stories running in tandum.

Both women struggling to find happiness, both women trapped by various aspects. The crossover does work quite nicely, especially when towards the end of the film Wally finds herself actually having conversations with Wallis Simpson.
The cast all do a great job in their respective roles, but top marks to Andrea Riseborough as Wallis Simpson, a great job was done there. Beautifully shot, and accompanying those wonderful images is a first class score composed by Abel Korzeniowski. I for one will be buying the CD soundtrack.

This is only Madonna's second film as Director, and I hope it is something that she will continue with as she has done an oustanding job in the Director'r chair, especially as it is not the type of film that one would expect Madonna to be involved with.

7 out of 10

"The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo"

Remakes are at times unnecessary and at times are a delight. I cannot for the life of me understand why everyone is championing this film so much. If you want to heap praise then do it on the Swedish original, now that is where the kudos should be going, and I think it has done to a degree.
I am baffled as to why the remake has been done so quickly....maybe to cash in on the success of the original film. Maybe there are some film going countries where the cinema attendees there cannot be bothered to watch a subtitled film (you know who you are), and if that is the case, then shame on you. I can understand the praise to a degree if there was something vastly different or that added something new, but it is virtually a carbon copy. To give massive praise to this remake is like saying that Gus Van Sant is a masterly film-maker in the same mould as Alfred Hitchcock for his remake of "Psycho". Had this been a stand alone film, and not a remake, then it would have been scoring either a 9 or 10 out of 10.
The cast are all excellent, the photography is stunning. Another two huge compliments are the score by Trent Ross and Atticus Finch, and also the opening title sequence, which has to be one of the most imaginitive and best I have ever seen.

If you have not seen the original, and you only see this version, then yes you will love it, as indeed most people have, if you have seen the Swedish film already, then you may feel a little empty at the end.
 

Sverige

bättre.......7 out of 10

"The Darkest Hour"

You're in Russia, looking to close a major business deal, and then you get shafted by one of your trusty colleagues, what could be worse than that?
Hmmm..maybe a visit from an Alien race, who cause death and destruction wherever they go. They seem to gave a thing around electricity, and this could also be their downfall.
The rest of the film is about a band of lucky survivors, trying to stay alive and also find a way to rid the Earth of these pesky alien beings.

The film may be in 3D, but the characters are barely one dimensional. The film also suffers from a poor script, and lack of any engaging story. The 3D effect itself was such a waste of time, and could have been used far more productively.

The only saving graces are some quite good effects and a short running time......a rather appropriate film title.......4 out of 10

"The Artist"

Who would have thought that a Black and white movie would make it so big? Let alone one with virtually no spoken dialogue?

The film concerns George Valentin a major movie star, of the silent movies. He is such a box office draw, his movies are huge crowd pleasers, he has the lifestyle to go with it, a glamorous wife, huge mansion, a chauffeur, and the love and adoration of millions of film going fans.
At a screening of his latest film he bumps into Peppy Miller, a young fan, who also decides to try her hand at acting, starting with becoming an extra. Slowly but surely her parts become more substantial and she starts to shine in the ever changing cinematic world.
The biggest change that Cinema is undergoing is the invention of the talkie. Valentin is convinced that it is a crazy fad and will not last. Miller on the otherhand is embracing the change. And whilst her films start to generate huge interest, Valentin sees his film ticket sales decline. The huge star is no longer the toast of the town.
Convinced that sound is not the answer, he decides to invest his own considerable fortune to make a new silent film. As one would expect, the film flops, and he finds himself on hard times. Oh how things can change so quickly in the fame game.

This is a Cinema goers dream film, with a style harking back to the good old days of classic Hollywood, when the Silent film was King. The story is beautifully told, with stunning cinematography. The two leads are virtual unknowns, but I feel their CV will get considerably larger after their marvellous performances in this film. They are surrounded by an all star cast, with James Cromwell playing Valentin's Chauffeur Clifton, and Penelope Miller playing Valentin's wife. Plus we also have John Goodman as the media mogul.
With a silent film, the key component is the score, and Ludovic Bource achieves full marks in this field, it beautifully compliments the image on screen.

Film goers of all ages will love this wonderous movie, and will almost certainly be crowned Best Picture at The Oscars in just over a weeks time......a classic........9 out of 10

"Margin Call"

With the current economic climate, Hollywood is churning out tv movies and films on the financial meltdown thick and fast, and here is the latest effort.

A major Financial Institution is saving on wages and letting go of several of its personnel. One of those being canned is Eric Dale who heads up the Risk Management Division. As he is being escorted from the building he passes to his protege a piece of work he was compiling. Naturally curious the young colleague checks over the work, and to his horror discovers that the Company is heading for a Financial meltdown. All the major heads of Department are assembled to check over his findings, and their worst fears are confirmed.
The question is do they have the capability and time to save the Company from financial ruin?

I have to admit that prior to watching this film I was not familiar with writer and Director J.C. Chandor, but he has done an admirable job with the making of this compelling film. As one would expect it is very much a dialogue orientated film, but the writing is so sharp, and delivered by a top notch cast, led by Zachary Quinto, who also serves as one of the films Producers. The other cast members are equally impressive with the likes of Oscar Winners Jeremy Irons and Kevin Spacey to the always reliable Stanley Tucci and Mary McDonnell.
One would think that an audience may have had enough of seeing films about the Recession and the Financial mess that the World is in, but with acting and writing of this calibre, long may they continue.

The only crime here would be not to see this excellent movie........8 out of 10

"Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol"

After the disaster that was "Knight and Day", Tom Cruise returns to the action genre in great style by reprising his role as 'Ethan Hunt'.

In this latest sequel, Ethan and his team have to go on the run when they are implicated in a major bomb blast at The Kremlin.  When the IMF secretary is killed, and a terrorist gains access to Russian Nuclear launch codes, all hell breaks loose. As one would expect the action comes thick and fast, as we jet all over the World. There are some excellent action sequences, as has become the trademark of this particular film franchise.
For his age Mr. Cruise does a great job in the action packed lead role, the supporting cast likewise are equally entertaining, especially Simon Pegg who provides comic relief.

There is usually one sequence that really stands out with Mision Impossible, and this film has set a standard that I think any subsequent films will find hard to beat.Seeing Tom Cruise scaling the exterior of The Burj Khalifa tower is truly remarkable, and it takes an actor of some nerve to undertake such a task, there must have been some very nervous Insurance Company Executives when those sequences were shot. And a big well done to Director Brad Bird for shooting it so brilliantly.

Great fun, and a worthy addition to the series........7 out of 10

"New Year's Eve"

Following the success of "Valentine's Day", the same format is back for a multi layered story following various characters in New York as we go through the last day of the year, and looking forward to that New Year.

There are the stories of unrequited love, relationships lost and found, people looking at their mortality, the excitement of the forthcoming new year and what lies ahead. At the end of the day, yes it is quite predictable, and at times a little cheesy, but if viewed at the right time like we did, ie the day of the films title, then it can be enjoyed for what it is.
There are no major requests made of the cast, though Robert de Niro, Halle Berry and Hilary Swank do make the best of their respective roles.

The right film for the right time of year......6 out of 10

" Sherlock Holmes A Game of Shadows"

It may baffle some as to why one has seen this sequel given the loathing I had for the first film. I can sum it up in four words......curiosity and Stephen Fry.

So Mr. Downey Jr can thank the increase in box office takings to the host of "Q.I". Mr. Fry is indeed in the movie playing the at times clotheless Mycroft, brother to Sherlock.
In the film the dynamic duo must face up to their greatest nemesis, Professor Moriarty, as he seeks to bring an end to the civilised world.
At times the film is visually stunning, there is a sequence when Holmes and party are effecting their escape in a forest, and some rather large cannons are used to bring their escape to an end, it is a very effective sequence, a highpoint of the film.

The chemistry between Downey Jr. and Law is undeniable, and a real strength of the film. But like the first film, the characters of Holmes and Watson are so different to any pair previosuly seen, though thankfully not as oddball as they were in that first film.

But the saving grace of the film is Jared Harris as Prof. Moriarty. He is very chilling, bringing real fear to the role, and there are times, when if you close your eyes, you can hear his father speak.

Elementary that it is an improvement......6 out of 10

"My Week With Marilyn"

A stunning beautiful actress outside her own country making a film, her husband away, a young man assisting with duties on the film, what could possibly happen?
The actress in question was Marilyn Monroe and she was in the UK making "The Prince & The Showgirl" with Sir Laurence Olivier in the 1950's. One of the assistants on the movie was Colin Clark, and he enters Marilyn's world when she starts to unravel on set.
It is well documented about the problems that Ms. Monroe suffered with on a film set, her anxieties, insecurities. And the pressures start to show on those around her also. The film also documents an all too brief relationship that took place between Marilyn and 3rd Assistant Director Colin Clark. The film is based on both of his best selling books, which look in depth at the making of the film, and the time he spent with Ms. Monroe.

The recreation of the period is faultless, the direction is first class, and the cast all give fantastic performances. The main four leads especially all excel. There is Kenneth Branagh as Sir Laurence Olivier, the poor man pulling his hair out as he struggles to make a film and deal with one of the biggest stars in the World. There is wonderful Dame Judi Dench playing a Dame, namely Dame Sybil Thorndike, a true professional of theatre and screen. Then there is Eddie Redmayne, who wonderfully captures the innocence of Colin Clark, an unknown thrust into the Movie world. He has a fine balancing act, keeping some truly big stars content.
As for Michelle Williams.....it cannot have been an easy decision to take the part, we are talking about one the most photographed actresses of all time. Someone who image is instantly recognisable. It was surely brave, but she acquits herself admirably, delivering a great performance and capturing the spirit of Marilyn.

It is a wonderfully delightful film, giving a fascinating look at the making of a film, as well as being at times humerous, and also a love story.
So definitely a case of something for everyone.......9 out of 10

RIP David Kelly

Very sad to hear of the loss of actor David Kelly, who passed away at the weekend. My memories of him start at an early age, as I remember watching him in sitcom "Robin's Nest" opposite the likes of Richard O' Sullivan. And there was also his amazing work as 'O'Reilly', the inept Irish builder occasionally hired by a certain Torquay Hotel owner in "Fawlty Towers". But for me by far his best work was in the comedy film "Waking Ned" opposite the late Ian Bannen. It was a beautifully written film with a superb cast, and the chemistry between Ian and David was such a delight to watch.

RIP David.....you will be missed.