"Empire of Light"

 

To say that I had been looking forward to this film for some time would be an understatement. From the first time I saw the trailer on the big screen, I was hooked, and could not wait. Thanks to those lovely people at Cineworld, there was a preview screening.

The film is Directed by Sam Mendes, the Award winning Director of such greats as "Skyfall" and "1917", and as in both those cases, this latest film is shot by Oscar winner Roger Deakins. It is a multi stranded story, dealing with mental illness, racism, a beautiful love story, and the wonder of Cinema. Set at the start of the 1980's we are in Margate, at a local Cinema, where the day to day showing of the latest films takes place. The love story between Hilary (Olivia Colman) and Stephen (Micheal Ward) is beautifully told, and her fall back into depression and dealing with her mental illness is so real and brilliantly done. We also see Stephen having to endure racist abuse. It is a powerful film, very well shot by Deakins. There is a wonderfully understated score from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.       

Given the majority of the films location, there is an undeniable love to the Cinema, the big screen experience, and it is at the highpoint when projectionist Norman (Toby Jones) illuminates Stephen as to how the moving image is put on to the big screen. 

There has been much said of Cate Blanchett's performance in "Tár", and that she is nailed on to win the Best Lead Actress Oscar this year. Yes I have seen that performance, and whilst very good, it does not come close to the brilliance of Olivia Colman. The fact that she is not even nominated is a great crime. 

I have seen the film twice, so far. It has a compelling story, great performances, and if you love Cinema and the Big Screen, then there is no better film to see. 2023 gets off to the very best start....10 out of 10

"Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again"

I have just had to fish out the blu ray of the original film, because according to IMDb, it has been a decade since that Global Smash hit film came out. I was gobsmacked, and did seriously doubt the reliability of the information. More fool me, as it really has been 10 years. Where has that time gone to?

I for one was squealing like a nutter when I heard that there was going to be a sequel to one of my all time favourite films. I saw the original a staggering 6 times at the Cinema, a record that stayed for 4 years, until the release of "Skyfall".

So has the passing of time generated a sequel worthy to follow in the footsteps of such a beloved film?
The simple answer is no. I was in a state of shock after only 20 minutes. It is difficult to discuss my condition without giving away a major plotline. Yet the film concerns Sophie, and her wanting to have a Grand re-opening of the refurbished Bella Donna Hotel. As events unfold, we also journey back in time to how Donna (Meryl Streep) met the three Fathers who were responsible for Sophie.
The gods seem to be conspiring against Sophie and her big night. Two of her three Fathers are unable to attend, and Nature is venting its fury. And on top of that, she is expecting.

What made the first film such a success, other than the Music of Abba, can be summed up in two words - "Feel Good", and that is sadly lacking in this sequel. I felt quite deflated after 15 or so minutes. The idea of going into the past worked to a degree. Lily James was good as a young Donna. I thought that both Jeremy Irvine and Josh Dylan were great as the young Sam and Bill, and it has to be said very pleasing on the eye. Hugh Skinner as the young Harry was merely ok.
As well as the lack of the feel good factor, there was much humour missing from the film. Barely a chuckle was had throughout the whole 2 hours.

And another great shame is that even a Super Group like ABBA have some dodgy songs in their back catalogue, and as so many of their hits were used in the original film, we are subjected to lesser ABBA songs in this sequel. Even the big dance numbers or reusing of previous songs all seem to lack any sparkle.

It isn't all doom and gloom though....fear not. There is some saving grace, mainly from the godess that is Cher, who is simply dazzling as Great Grandma to be  'Ruby'. I loved her duet with Andy Garcia, who appears as Hotel Manager 'Senor Cienfuegos'.

It's Mamma Mia!! but maybe not as you were expecting.

Simply put, it was disappointing.......6 out of 10  (and that's mainly for Cher)

"Kingsman The Secret Service"

Take a Comic Book co written by Mark Millar, have the book interpreted for the Screen by Jane Goldman and Matthew Vaughn, and have the same Mr Vaughn sit in the Director's chair, and just like "Kick Ass" you have all the ingredients for a kick arse film.

When a leading World Scientist is kidnapped, it takes a special organisation to investigate and rescue. Here come the Kingsman, a collective of Gentlemen and Ladies, well groomed, well refined, well spoken, but who an also, when required, deal with an agressor, in an ungentlemanly fashion.

However, said missing Scientist is soon once again walking the streets of London, and the Kingsman have lost one of their group. Whilst still trying to uncover what the Scientist is working on and find out why he has been seemingly freed, they must fill the vacancy left by their recently departed colleague.

Each of the elite gentlemen agents gets to assign a protege, someone to mould in their image. Most of the new recruits would not look out of place as students at Eton say.
Elsewhere in a housing estate in London, Gary, or 'Eggsy' as he is known to his mates goes on with his mundane day to day existence, he shares a flat with his Mum and her loathesome boyfriend. After some joyriding he finds himself under arrest. He has a necklace / chain given to him by those he loves, and told to use in an emergency......so 'Galahad' (Firth) receives a phone call and his release is soon forthcoming. 'Galahad' sees this rough young lad as a possible Kingsman candidate and promptly enrols him.
Whilst training is going on, we learn more about what 'Valentine' is upto. He believes that the World has become over populated, and that this will lead to the end of the human race as custodians of Earth. So he sets about a plan of action to heavily reduce the number of inhabitants, seemingly looking like the philanthropist he says he is, but actually a mass murderer on an epic scale, and quite mad.

Cutting to the chase, Valentine and his organisation go to battle against humanity, and its increasing number, and all that stands in the way of his success is the Kingsman.

Whether a fan of comic strip violence, or Bond films, or just out to be entertained, then  you should quite rightly love this movie. It has it all, great screenplay, fun characters, loads of kick ass violence, amd is just a great barrel of laughs.
I am amazed that I have still not seen the film a second time yet, and I must rectify this.
We get to see a small example of Valentine's scheme in action, during what is a memorable head popping sequence.
All the cast are exemplary, from Michael Caine as Kingsman head 'Arthur', to Mark String as a Q type figure 'Merlin'. There is the very good looking Taron Egerton as 'Eggsy' who is a real find, he conveys both the streetwise Eggsy and the gentlemanly Kingsman brilliantly.
Colin Firth however does steal the show as 'Galahad', it is rumoured Firth may have offered Bond, and if so, then this is a worthy chance for us to see what might have been. And the highlight of the film is during a small fracas in an East End pub when he has to tackle a few unruly youths.

Great fun, great cast, great film.................8 out of 10

Before I Go To Sleep

I am sure that in numerous of the reviews for this film, that a certain British Director is named, as the film will undoubtedly be compared to that of Alfred Hitchcock. The legendary Director has no fear that his toes are being stood upon, for this latest thriller is no threat at all to his reputation.

Christine wakes up each day, knowing that any memories of her previous days have been wiped from her mind, as she is an amnesiac. Have suffered an ordeal, and severe trauma to the head, this is the end result. Each morning she awakes to find her husband in bed next to her, not knowing who he is. She gets phone calls from her Doctor, telling her that they meet regularly, and to retrieve a camera, on which she has been recording thoughts and memories for herself, to know who she really is.

But who was behind the trauma that she sustained?  Does her physician Doctor Nash have some hidden secrets?  And who is the mysterious Claire?

By the time the answers to these questions start to appear, severe boredom has crept in, and one is not at all fussed about knowing the answers, and it is a shame as there is a nice little twist within the movie.
Clearly the two leads, Firth and Kidman, enjoy working together as this is at least the second time they have done so, previously playing together in "The Railway Man". And adding Mark Strong and Anne Marie Duff should make for a great thriller, but that is not the case, and the trailer promised so much, but alas so little was delivered.

Instead of "Before I Go To Sleep", the film actually put me to sleep.......4 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

"Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy"

George Smiley, British Spy, is ousted from the Secret Service along with his Department Head, Control. Just before their so called 'retirement', Control heard rumblings of a mole within the British Secret Service. The rumours continue and so Smiley returns to the corridors of his former workplace to try and uncover the mole.

At long last, the film I have been eagerly wanting to see. It is seldom these days that I build up my expectations for a movie, as all too often one ends up bitterly disappointed. But it is hard to do when one sees the trailer for a film like this.

The recreation of the 1973 setting is excellent, the dark and grainy look of the film adds to the tension. And as anyone will know it has the very best of British acting talent in its cast. With the likes of John Hurt, Ciaran Hinds, Colin Firth, Toby Jones, Tom Hardy and Benedict Cumberbatch, it is well worth the price of admission for the cast alone. Leading them all is Gary Oldman as George Smiley, it a beautifully understated performance, so quiet and subtle. He will surely need to make some space on the mantlepiece for his plethora of Awards, for believe me, they will be forthcoming.

One does have to pay attention as the timeline skips about alot, and with this spy thriller there is a very labyrinthine plot, and despite the subject matter, there are no car chases, no big explosions, no major fight scenes, just alot of men talking, the odd lady too. Yes it is a very dialogue driven film, so any fans of either Bond or Bourne should stay well clear.
But for this Cinema viewer, just listening to the delivery of a first class script, based on John Le Carre's classic words, and watching incredibly talented actors at the top of their game...well, it does not get much better than this.

A crime to miss it

10 out of 10 - Updated. Cannot believe I initally only scored it 9. It is the perfect film