"her"

It has to be said that I am not a huge fan of Spike Jonze, though probably unfairly I am basing that statement on the fact that I have seen just two of his previous films, namely "Where the Wild Things Are" and "Adaptation", the latter especially I find irritating, if nothing else for depriving Ed Harris of a much deserved Academy Award.

We all seem to live in a World where we are all becoming more isolated than ever. Technology has moved on to such a degree, that there are many who have no need to leave their home. Everything they want and need can be brought to them with the push of a button or the click of a mouse. And with the latest film from Spike Jonze, we are seeing possibly the next step in technological evolution.
A new programme, an Artificial Intelligent Operating System. The ultimate app for your mobile !!

Someone who this is tailor made for is Theodore, a man who is totally withdrawn from life, suffering the effects of the break up of his marriage, and torn apart by the impending divorce, which his wife has patiently waited a year for him to sign the papers. He is loathed to say goodbye to that part of his life. His only solace is his work where he composes old fashioned hand written letters, which have become a thing of the past, where we all log into a virtual world, where we communicate in our own little bubble. At times there is very little interaction between people. It makes one wonder how businesses like restaurants survive in this new future.
'Samantha', the SO1 program, slowly brings Theodore out of his shell, as she gets him to appreciate everything around him once again, she starts to learn and evolve, wanting to know more, and to grow as an intelligence. But are things going too well for Theodore? Can he really sustain a relationship with a microchip? Where will it all end?

I was definitely not sure what to expect from this film, but it clearly deserves its Best Picture nomination, as it is a fascinating look at human nature, how we interact with technology and a most beautiful love story. I really commend Mr. Jonze on his screenplay which is wonderfully written.
We see a career best performance from Joaquin Phoenix. He really gets inside Theodore, conveying his sense of isolation, of elation at his being with Smantha and loving life, and sense of loss from his marriage break-up. Such a mix of emotions all brilliantly played out. I know that his career has had its ups and downs, but he is at the top of his game with a phenomenal performance.
To bring a machine or in this case a program to life just with vocal skills is quite the task, to give that program life, and make it seem real especially to the fictional character she is assigned to is quite something, but Scarlett Johannson makes it look so easy. Not only is she a stunningly beautiful young lady but her voice is too, and so human, and makes her the perfect choice for the role of 'Samantha'. Great support too from Amy Adams as 'Amy', one of the few friends that Theodore has in his life.
Top notch writing, as I have already mentioned, and Mr Jonze direction is also outstanding. This love story comes with a first class score and also some beautfiul photography. We really are getting the full package with this film.

A new kind of love story..............9 out of 10.

"Dallas Buyers Club"

Ron Woodroof comes from Texas, a City where men are men. Where they treat the fact that a major Hollywood star has AIDs with great hilarity, and where the work hard and definitely play hard. Ron works both in construction and as a rodeo rider. And through an accident that he has he finds himself admitted to hospital, where after running some tests, he is informed that he has AIDs. Naturally this announcement is met with great shock, and disbelief. How can this very straight man have what he regards as a gay disease?
To make matters worse, he is told to get his affairs in order within the next 30 days. Talk about a body blow. Not one to take anything laying down, Ron sets out to beat his condition. He starts to read medical journals, and find out what medication he can take to prolong his life.
He finds there are several new wonder drugs out there, but the downside for him is that they are not available in the US, as they are either banned or not yet fully tested, so he takes matters into his own hands, as only he can.
Does he have to battle this alone? Oh no. His friends however have long deserted him, no doubt worried as to what they might catch. He does befriend a Doctor at the hospital. He does also find that some of the drugs he needs can be found in Mexico, so across the border he goes. He returns with enough pharmacutical products to keep Boots stocked for a month. He convinces the authorities that they are for his own personal use. They buy his story - this time. But it won't cut the mustard for long. And soon enough he finds that his trips are wasted as he has his drugs conviscated. So it is a constant running battle to find ways to keep getting the drugs he needs, not just for him, but for many with the same condition.
One such person is Rayon, whoim he first meets in hospital, and who he reluctantly befriends. Rayon is not someone that Ron would normally mix with, as she is pre op transexual. Ron finds her a huge boost to him selling his product and a friendship is formed.
But Ron has to fight a constant battle but is determined to win the ultimate battle against a disease that has cost so many their life.

There has been debate as to how true the story is, especially as to whether Ron was gay, straight, bi, a homophobe (All this I have just discovered) but either way there is no denying that this is a great film, with a remarkable story at the heart of it.
Matthew McConaughey has had a varied career, but I doubt that anyone would have pegged him for the role of Ron Woodroof. But there is a reason why he has won so many Best Actor Awards, and that is the remarkable performance he gives. He shares the screen with Jared Leto who plays Rayon, his first acting role in 4 years, but shows that he has a real talent. Great support from a first class ensemble cast.

Ultimately a powerful film, with the very best performances, as the poster says "Dare to Live". And in the end,  with what happens to Ron, it went on to prove what a true fighter he really was. 8 out of 10

"That Awkward Moment"

Jason may design book covers but he is far from being an open page, well certainly with the ladies that he dates. Date may be too strong a word to use in his context, its more like a quick shag and thats it. When it looks like that things may be getting heavy, and he may actually have to commit, then he is able to find the words that leaves him single.
He is in the constant company of his two best friends, Daniel and Mikey, the latter having just discovered that his wife has been cheating on him with the lawyer....ouch. The three of them make an agreement to remain single, and just enjoy the ladies. This is fine for Daniel, as he has a close female friend, Chelsea who happily introduces him to some of the most attractive ladies in town. But he starts to form a close attachment to Chelsea, Mikey is trying to get back with his wife, and Jason meets Ellie, a potential client, and he clearly has strong feelings for her.
The problem for the guys is that they try to hide their possible relationships from each other, and this has inevitable drawbacks.
Jason does seem to be mellowing in his ways, and things could be looking good for him and Ellie, but at a moment when she really needs him the most, he lets her down. Will the guys mend their ways?  Does Jason get his girl in the end?

To begin with one felt that if it was comedy, it was not that funny, and if it was a romance film, then its heart was definitely in the wrong place, but things do improve. It is never going to be a classic but it passes 90 odd minutes of entertainment. It is all rather predictable at the end of the day, and we have very clearly been here before but I have seen far worse.
It is nice to see Zac Efron in a more adult role, shaking off his nice boy image from his HSM days, and any fan of his will get some clear enjoyment from the film - enough said.

Enjoyable, predictable, and Zac Efron naked.........6 out of 10

"The Wolf Of Wall Street"

Is it possible to enjoy a film with quite unlikeable characters? Then again, you say characters, that would imply fictional, and the people depicted in this film actually exist, and presumably so did the majority of acts shown on screen.

(Foot note - Since starting this review, I have since seen "Killer Joe", which I highly recommend, and in that film there were some pretty unpleasant characters, so I guess I have answered my own question re. liking a film with unlikeable characters)

Jordan Belfort started his career as a StockBroker at a special time, Black Monday, when an enormous amount of money was wiped from the Stock Exchange. He gets his working life back on track, starting at the bottom but with the experience he gained he soon is riding high with massive success and a huge bank balance.
He starts his own company and revels in the excesses of the World that he works within, and those closest to him, both at home and at work share in those excesses too. It soon reaches the stage where he is making so much money that he does not know what to do with it all. He hatches a plot whereby the money will be smuggled to Switzerland, with a little help from his Wife's Aunt.
But this kind of activity naturally arouses the suspicions of the FBI, and soon enough they come knocking at Jordan's door.

Considering that sat in  the Director's chair is all time great Martin Scorsese, it may surprise many as to how funny the film is, at times laugh out loud, I know that Mr. DiCaprio was surprised to be nominated as Best Actor in a comedy at the Golden Globes. It feels like quite a departure for Marty, but one that is handled with his great brilliance, keen eye, and usual cinematic style. But if one was to see the film without knowing who the Director was, I feel sure that one of the last names to come to mind would be Mr. Scorsese.
It pulls no punches, it is brash, loud, fast, and illustrates the excessive lifestyle that these people had during that time, and probably still have today.
Performance wise, Scorsese has gone with his regular lead actor, and who can blame him quite frankly, as Mr DiCaprio is quite simply the best actor of his generation. Time and time again, in so many varied roles he shows to be an actor who knows his craft, and is at the very top of his game, and his work as Jordan Belfoort is no exception. I still find it remarkable that he has yet to bag an Academy Award, as it is so richly deserved. Just look at his earlier work in "What's Eating GIlbert Grape?" to see why. And he has matured into a truly fine actor.
There is great support too from Jean DuJardin to Margot Robbie, but most notably Jonah Hill who plays' Donnie, Jordan's second in command. He does provide quite a bit of the humour, but it is not just a comedic performance, it stands out and shows what a versatile actor he is.

Overall a good film, not over long, the three hours soon fly by, but it is one that now I have seen it, I have no major desire to see again. Maybe this is one wolf with not enough bite........7 out of 10

"Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit"

The cinematic life of Jack Ryan has been an interesting one, almost as thrilling as the books that he originates from. We have gone from Alec Baldwin, to a more mature Ryan in the shape of Harrison Ford, who originally turned down the role, and then there was the reboot from 2002, that featured Ben Affleck as the CIA Analyst.
All the films have been greatly received and successful in their own way. But certainly as a franchise the series has never really been a constant, especially with the ever changing faces of the lead character.

2014 and we have the fourth actor to play Jack Ryan. Could this second reboot see the character get the series of films he so richly deserves?

We get the back story for Ryan's life very quickly out the way. Jump forward to present day where he is working undercover for the CIA sniffing out dodgy dealing within Russian finances. He is requests to visit Moscow to investigate further, in particular one Viktor Cherevin, head of a major Corporation.
His arrival in Russia is eventful, getting the hospitality he deserves. He has to balance his need to do his job, and also keeping his fiance, Cathy, happy. Unknowing of his job description, she starts to suspect that there could be more afoot. Before Ryan knows it, Cathy has joined him on the other side of the World. She quickly becomes a pawn within the game, her life very much at risk.

Through his analytical skill, Ryan uncovers what Cherevin intends to do. His aim is to use the US Dollar, and a terrorist attack to destroy the US economy, plunge America into its darkest hour ever.
With the help of his mentor, Harper, they race back to the US to stop Cherevin's plans.

This is the first film that has not been based directly on a Tom Clancy novel. And for me that is where the film suffers, in the story and the writing. The books from Clany have sold in their millions because they are so well written, and the films from those books have been equally well adapted to make their cinematic counterpart as entertaining.
The World of Ryan is fighting within a competitive arena, what with the Bourne and Bond films being major money spinners, and more so critically successful too.  A second reboot, a third stab at the franchise and the fourth actor in the role, almost seems to me like desperation. Maybe Doctor Ryan should remain within the films and books that have gone before, and leave it at that.

Chris Pine is ok in the title role, but does little to shine in my opinion. Kenneth Brannagh is, as ever, excellent, he really does make one quiver as Cherevin. Nice to see Kevin Costner back on the big screen, he does a nice job as Ryan's boss. It is nice to see the love interest of Ryan given more to do than just be the usual token female in the background, and Keira Knightley places the role well.
Brannagh's direction is first class, and assuming there is a sequel, hope he fills the Director's chair again.

So to recap, we have merit for Brannagh's acting and directing, for Kevin Costner, but there are points lost for the writing and for Chris Pine. There are so many great movies out there, and it is hard to sometimes stand out, and sadly this one did not do it for me.
It's good but could have been better................7 out of 10

"12 Years A Slave"

Solomon Northup was black but most definitely a free man, even in a time when slavery was rife throughout America, and many other countries. He was also living a very comortable life, his wife and children by his side in their lovely home.
The family take a brief trip away leaving Solomon on his own for a short while. His skills with the fiddle come to attention of some  Circus owners. They persuade Solomon, who is at a loose end, that he while away his time doing what he loves and also be paid for it.
Unfortunately, the said gentlemen have other ideas, and after wining and dining him one night, the following morning he finds himself in chains and no longer a free man. Sold into slavery his ordeal begins.......


What is at the heart of this film is a truly extraordinary story, and a true one at that. Of man who refuses to be broken by the circumstances that surround him, who remains strong in his knowledge that he is a free man,  at times knowing when he must speak out for the wrong that he sees, even when it dearly costs him, and also knowing when to stay silent. Always firm in the belief that he will again hopefully walk the Earth as a free man.
And central to this story is a quite remarkable performance by lead actor Chiwetel Ejifor. He conveys the bravery, the wisdom and the humanity of Northup in a career defining performance, and in any other year would be the front runner for Best Actor at the forthcoming Academy Awards. I do fear he will be beaten by Matthew McConaughey.
There is very strong support from the rest of the cast too. Evil can come in many forms, and in this film it is no better shown than by the performances of Paul Dano, Michael Fassbender and especially Sarah Paulson, who is positively sickening scary at times. How any lady of society could act the way she does is quite something.
With evil comes goodness, and that is personified in a great performance from Benedict Cumberbatch, one who clearly has Northup's interests at heart, and although can do nothing about his freedom, can certainly do the best to make him comfortable.

Northup shares his plight with Patsey, a plucky young girl, who carries favour with Epps, the sadistic landowner played by Fassbender. But she too suffers tremendously, in one particular scene we see first hand the pain and suffering of a good whipping, and it is not for the faint hearted. In a first time major film performance Nyong'O gives a truly remarkable turn as 'Patsey', one that you will not forget.

Yes it is a film that has to be seen, and has praise heaped upon it from the highest height, may only gripe is that there is no sense of the length of time that Northup was in slavery for, and given the lengthy amount of time involved, it was something that I felt should have been conveyed. Maybe I am being too picky.

Will it win Best Picture at The Academy Awards?  Almost certainly. Should it?  Yes, but for me personally it should be "Gravity"...........8 out of 10