"Last Vegas"

Four men, who at their age, should know better, or maybe at their age, they just don't give a damn. They have been friends for the best part of 60 years, there are still some quarrels to be settled, and can the foursome be reunited for a forthcoming celebration?

Billy is getting married, and his friends want to arrange the perfect stag do. The four guys all have their own little back story.
Archie is recovering from a recent stroke, and is feeling the pressure of his over bearing Son.
Sam could be on to a winning trip, as his Wife, who feels the zest has gone from their relationship, has armed him with some tools to help him have a good time, and rekindle the magic.
And then there is Billy and Paddy. The very best of friends, or at least they were. They shared a love of the same girl, Sohpie. And in the end she marries Paddy. All is fine, but when Sophie passes away, Billy is too busy to attend the funeral, and understandably this upsets Paddy, leading to a disagreement. Could this put the mockers on the reunion?

Of course not, and all four makes their excuses from their loved ones, and head to Nevada. There are plenty of laughs along the way, many at the expense of the groups age, the medication they are taking and their various ailments.
Could history though about to repeat itself?
Will Billy get to the Church? All the questions are answered in what proves to be a highly entertaining moving, with a nice story, and some great laughs.

There is however, one main reason for seeing this film. And obviously it is the four lead actors together on screen, for the first time, and depending on a sequel, possibly the only time. These great legends of screen have delighted film fans for many years, and it is a great unique opportunity to see them together.With a combined age of 281 years and so many Oscar nominations and wins, it is a film goers dream to see the foursome on screen, and proving to be a fun hit.

They may be long in the tooth but they can still do the business........7 out of 10

"American Hustle"

Irving is a small time Con Man, fleecing a few thousand dollars from unsuspecting desperate people, and selling the odd forged painting. He then meets the glamorous Sydney, and he sees a way how, with their immeasurable combined talents, that they can really make the most of the Con Game.

Their success is huge, but all comes crashing down around them when they are found out by the FBI. However, they are after a bigger fish, and using the talents that the duo have, the Bureau aim to bring to justice some rather corrupt officials.
And as compelling as that all sounds, they aim even further still, when they look into the affairs of a big Mob family.
Con Man Irving and Bureau Agent DiMaso are constantly battling for the affections of the stunningly beautiful Sydney, and this is dispite the fact that both are involved with other women.

The film has been both a critical and box office success, and has been equally successful at the recent Golden Globe Awards, and will likely be replicated at the forthcoming Academy Awards.
Though I have to admit that I am baffled why. The first hour is pretty dragged out, and long winded. With a running time of 138 minutes, for me the film is too long, and could easily have a decent 20 minutes shaved off it, and it may have been more bareable.
Don't get me wrong, I do not begrudge the acting awards it won, as the cast, as one has come to expect are all excellent, especially such strong female characters, in a very male world. So top marks to both Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams. It is ultimately let down by a weak and unengaging story,

As a whole it is ok. it loses marks for the running time, the slow pace,  but gains marks for the two female leads especially and a great soundtrack.

The main question remains, I have been conned out of what could have been a truly great movie.........6 out of 10

"The Railway Man"

Eric Lomax loves the railways. From a young age he has had a passion for locomotives. His autobiography is appropriately enough called "The Railway Man". He met his wife whilst on a train, the woman who would be by side always. But Eric is troubled by his past.
During the SecondWorld War, some 40 years previous, he was held captive along with many of his friends in a Japanese Prisoner of War camp. So traumatic are the events that took place in the Camp, that he is still haunted, and he keeps his pain deeply locked inside, his wife feeling so useless in being unable to help free him from his pain.
She seeks help from his closest friend, Finlay, but even says it would be hard for her to understand what her husband has been through, but he begins to recount the events that happened.

Through flashback we witness what happened to Eric and Finlay in that camp. Upon arrival in the camp, the men combine their skills, and are able to assemble a small radio, through which they are able to hear news of what is happening within the War. With this news they are able to boost morale, but in time, the Japanese become aware of what is happening, and those responsible are severely punished, Lomax especially.I doubt even we are privvy to the full extent of what happened. But you do get some idea of the horrors that were inflicted on these brave men during this time of War.
It is a remarkable story of survival under remarkable conditions. How these men survived the conditions they were in, Lord only knows.
But even knowing what she knows, the information does not help her have her husband back, as he slips further away, further from reality as he lets debts rise, and causes more anxiety for his beloved wife. Then Finlay presents a possible solution, but it will be one that sees a resolution for both husband and wife?
It seems that Finlay has discovered the whereabouts of Nagase, the man responsible for much of ther suffering at the Camp, and Finlay believes that Eric will want revenge, and thus closure for what he and his friends have suffered.
The two men do indeed meet, and Eric is keen to illustrate the indignity and suffering they had to endure. But through this process he comes to understand the suffering also endured by his Captor, almost like a meeting of minds. And in a remarkable turn of events, the most amazing act of forgiveness takes place. And it is this that calms Eric's tortured soul.

The story is so compelling, featuring these two men on a journey that will change their lives forever. The whole cast give exemplary performances, from Colin Firth who excels as Eric Lomax, to Nicole Kidman as his wife. Great support too from Stellan Skarsgard as the best friend Finlay, and Jeremy Irvine as the young Eric, and who bares an uncanny resemblence.

For me the most moving part was finding out what happened to the two men after the events depicted in the film end, and you also see the real life individuals.
A journey you will not forget in a hurry...........8 out of 10

"Saving Mr. Banks"

"Mary Poppins" is a story that has delighted millions of children around the World, and the film has delighted an equal number of cinema goers. Now prepare to enjoy more magic as we take a look at the journey undertaken by P.L. Travers in her battle with the film giant that was Walt Disney in bringing this most beloved story to the big screen.

For 20 years, the Head of Disney has been trying to acquire the rights to "Mary Poppins", and the author is proving somewhat reluctant to sign those rights over. She fears that he will make a mockery of her most beloved work, with lots of singing, dancing and animation. She heads to America to meet with the Screenwriter, Musicians and the main man himself, so that she will be able to see her work brought to the screen the way that she would like. Only when she is happy will Travers is content, will she sign over the full rights to the Disney Company.

She proclaims that the characters in her book are 'family', and Disney is so in need of having the book rights that he will do just about anything to accomodate Mrs. Travers, but the characters are simply not just family because they are so close to her heart, it seems that the description is more apt than we are first led to believe. What follows is a combination of the creative team struggling to please both Mr. Disney and Mrs. Travers, and also seeing Travers as she grew up as a young girl in Australia, and what turns out to be the inspiration for characters in her book.

Films about Hollywood have always proved popular, more than 50 years ago, films like "Sunset Boulevard" and "All About Eve" showed the inner workings of the movie making capital. And here we have a look at the making of a Disney Classic, the film is enlightening, entertaining and a real delight to watch.
It beautifully combines humour, especially with the meetings between Disney, Travers and the creative team, there is also a fascinating look at the making of a Hollywood legend of a film, and there are the moving aspects of Travers' childhood.
All these events are brought to life by a wonderful ensemble cast, and leading them are Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks, who both give outstanding performances. Mr. Hanks is already riding high with the success of his work earlier in the year with "Captain Phillips", and now another true life character, and it just goes to further illustrate why he is one of most beloved, respected and bankable actors working in the industry.
Anyone who knows me, will attest as to my admiration for Emma Thompson. An actress whom I have admired for many years, and also a master of the pen, she has added screenwriting to her numerous talents. Like Sandra Bullock, she gives a career best performance as the famous novellist, combining so many emotions, she just lights up the screen when she appears.

From start to finish, two of the best hours of cinema from 2013.......9 out of 10.

 

PS - It is well worth staying til the end of the film, as for anyone interested in P. L Travers, there is a charming little extra during the end credits.

"2013 - This Year in Film"

I have to say that for me 2013 has been a rather lacklustre year for film. There has been very little to rave about, and indeed my attendance at the Cinema has reached an all time low. I know that part of this is due to a 2 month illness I had, but even putting that aside, it has been a weak year for the movie industry.

As is often the case, the year started and ended well, with films like "Les Miserables", "Quartet", "The Impossible", "Zero Dark Thirty" and "Django Unchained" getting us off to a fantastic start. Unfortunately they were quickly followed by some dire efforts, in the form of "I Give It a Year", "A Good Day to Die Hard", "Wreck It Ralph" and "Welcome to the Punch".

As ever, biopics reigned supreme, we had both "Lincoln" and "Hitchcock", both doing a grand job of bringing the lives of two visionary men  to the big screen.

June was quite a decent month with films like "Now You See Me", "World War Z", "This Is The End" and especially "Behind The Candelabra", another first class biopic, with Michael Douglas on a career best performance.

Action was well catered for with the andrenalin fuelled "White House Down", which was a delight to watch, the less saif about "R.I.P.D." the better, though I pity Jeff Bridges.
"Rush" and especially "Prisoners" brought some hope back to the World of Cinema, with two great varied movies, that both excelled.
It was not however a good year for Arnold Schwarzenegger. He started with the atrocious "The Last Stand" and finished with the even worse "Escape Plan". Oh dear. "Terminator 5" anyone????

Mr. Tom Hanks did the complete opposite and finished the year with double high, giving amazing performances in both "Captain Phillips" and "Saving Mr. Banks".
The more mature actor was well catered for with the always reliable Dame Judi Dench giving another great performance in "Philomena" and Bruce Dern doing a wonderfully dry dead pan piece in "Nebraska".
And what can one possibly say about "Gravity" that has not already been said by so many people.

So to sum up........

BEST SCORE - Steven Price (Gravity)

BEST ACTION FILM - White House Down

BEST ACTOR - Hugh Jackman (Les Miserables & Prisoners)  & Michael Douglas (Behind The
                                                                                                                                    Candelabra)

BEST ACTRESS - Emma Thompson (Saving Mr. Banks)  &  Sandra Bullock (Gravity)

BEST DIRECTOR - Tom Hopper (Les Miserables)

WORST FILM OF THE YEAR - A Good Day To Die Hard / Star Trek Into Darkness / R.I.P.D.                                                            Escape Plan

BEST FILM OF THE YEAR - Gravity

"All Is Lost"

A man enjoying some leisure time on board his yacht. Out at sea, at one with the World, relaxing within the peace and calm of the Indian Ocean. And then his yacht collides with a carrier unit from a large Cargo Ship, and he has to deal with the water now pouring into his vessel.

Frustrating though it is, and yes there is some damage caused, he does mend the hole, and is able to begin his return to dry land. However, his problems are not yet, far from it. Given the location of where he is sailing, storms are a given, and as you can see from the poster, he has a mother of a storm to contend with. There is where the yacht suffers major damage, and where his skills as a sailor are really pushed to the limit.

Robert Redford is not an actor or Director whose talents we get to enjoy very often. So a film like this allows us to be reminded what a great Hollywood talent he is, and he really excels, conveying the frustration with the initial accident, to despair as all he tries to do to survive fails. A famous screen Detective once said that a picture can speak a thousand words, and with this film all that needs to be said is conveyed without the need for much dialogue, such is the great performance from Mr. Redford.
The film is visually beautiful from the blue skies and tropic waters of the Ocean, to the ravages of a major storm, showing nature in full force.

This is a one man film, and as I have said before, few people can pull it off, and Mr. Redford does a remarkable job. He commands the screen, as we go along the journey with him.
Director J.C Chandor is top notch, both with the direction, and his use of cinematography and also score. They all combine to paint a glorious picture, and one that is so compelling, which is quite something given the very limited dialogue in the movie
For some this mught seem like the ultimate cure for insomnia, but rest assured it is far from it. From the calm waters of the beginning to the sense of desperation at the end, we are with 'Our Man' every step of the way.

All is not lost with this great movie........8 out of 10.