"Foxcatcher"

As the true stories keep coming, here is one with ambition, power and Channing Tatum in a leotard.
Now if that doesn't get them queueing round the multiplexes then nothing will.

So leotards aside, I wish, what he have here is Mark Schultz, an Olmypic gold medal Wrestler, but for him he constantly spends life in the shadow of his older Brother David. But fortune smiles on Mark when he is given the opportunity of a lifetime to train with the famous Foxcatcher  team, and create an Olympic winning team that will take the US to the very top during the 1988 Games. Du Pont clearly sees great potential in Schultz, and makes him his new golden boy. All goes well for a while, but when standards start to slide, Du Pont has not alternative but to bring in David, much to Mark's annoyance.
Du Pont is a fascinating character, very complex, private, but determined, and having a great love for his country. He dotes on his Mother, and the fact that she finds wrestling a low sport must not sit well with him. One does wonder as to what is the attracion of the sport for Du Pont, and more so what is the attraction to Schultz?  There has been comment of an alleged closer relationship between Coach and Trainer.
Paranoia is a key part in Du Pont's downfall, but it is a shock when the act that causes his arrest occurs. There is no real hint of what was to come, and no reason as why he did what he did. 
But it is a dream part, so subtle, so quiet, so unnerving. And one has to question why the part was offered to a Comedy actor like Steve Carell. It is a very bizarre piece of casting, but one that pays off big time. He does give a career transformative performance, brilliantly played out, and he deserves every single Award nomination he receives. It would be nice to see him win as it is equally deserved.
Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo are equally excellent as the Schulz Brothers. Tatum especially is given the chance to show the versatile actor that he is, as opposed to starring in crowd pleasing movies.

I remember that when "The Iron Lady" opened, many said that it had amazing performances but was just an average film. I disagree as I thought it was outstanding, but that thought occured to me with regard to "Foxcatcher". It is worth watching for the remarkable acting on show from the three leads, but the film itself is average. I susepct I may have wanted more, or expected more of a revelation regarding the Du Pont Character.

Had the film been as good as the acting then it would have been close to a perfect film, however it still scores a worthwile 8 out of 10....

"Now You See Me" - Special Preview Screening

I recently attended a special preview screening, one of the perks of having an UNLIMITED card courtesy of Cineworld. The only thing a little different about this preview was that I had no idea which film I would be viewing, as the screening was top secret.

So when I sat down to start watching "Now You See Me", I have to confess that I had not heard of the film and knew nothing about it or who was in it. So it was quite a pleasant surprise to see this new release.

It concerns four street magicians who have never really hit the peak of their profession. And whilst performing for their audiences, they each receive an invite. They are all assembled at an address by an unknown benefactor. And what awaits them?  A set of blueprints.....for the ultimate magic act.

Fast forward a year and the four of them have become the biggest act on the Circuit, commanding massive audiences wherever they are. They sell out, and put together the kind of show that would make David Copperfield weep. They do a most innovative illusion. From their auditorium in the US, they are going to rob a bank in Paris. Seems impossible, but can they pull it off?
Watching all this from his seat with the audience is Thaddeus Bradley, a man who has spent his career debunking the so called master illusionists. And he sits taping the show, yes the audience can record the show, in fact they are encouraged to do so by the four magicians.
There is another important man in the audience, the man who funds the elaborate show, Arthur Tressler. He has become the bank for the four.
They do indeed pull off what seems to be the perfect heist. and this naturally arouses the suspicions of the Federal Authorities. Though their frustration becomes apparent when they can pin nothing on the group. So when they announce their next big gig, the pressure is really on to come up with some answers and more importantly some arrests.

There is some interaction between the US authorities and an Interpol agent sent over to investigate the Paris theft. But is there more to her than there appears? Why is Bradley so keen to take the four magicians down?  And who is the mysterious benefactor responsible for turning them into magical super-stars?

All these questions and more get answered in what is a wonderfully entertaining caper with touches of comedy. It really does keep you guessing to the end. There are some great tricks on show in the movie, some great performances, Woody Harrelson especially is clearly having a blast, and is the highlight of the multi talented cast.

This is a reall charming and entertaining movie, which proved to be such a pleasant surprise, and a delight to watch, and would like to think that time permits I will get to see again.......8 out of 10

"The Avengers Assemble"

After a plethora of films are featuring a variety of Marvel comic characters, now we have the Daddy of them all....the World becomes threatened by a force so evil, that one Super Hero will be insufficient against the power of what is to come.
S.H.I.E.L.D. boss Nick Fury gets his mobile out and calls up all the greatest Super heroes to do battle against Loki (rather pissed off God from "Thor") and his Army. One or two of them are a little reluctant to participate, but with a little gentle persuasuion, they soon form their merry band.

The film is split into two halves, the first being the recruitment of the super-heroes and the attacks by Loki, and second being the fight back by the Marvel Army.
As one would expect from this film there are plenty of action scenes and many explosions, the story pretty much takes second fiddle to the visual effects and the action scenes. The story merely serves the purpose of having an excuse to bring the Marvel Characters together. So don't go expecting some Oscar Winning literary masterpiece with the writing.

With a running time of almost two and a half hours, the film does an admirable job of keeping you entertained. It has to be said that after such a great 3D conversion with "Titanic" that I felt that the 3D effect on this film was disappointing.
The film is a little light on good laughs, but there are two really great laugh out loud moments, and are almost worth the price of admission alone.
As said, the film is about seeing these great characters come together, after we have seen their individual stories. It is also about the visual effects which are some of the best on screen. For such a high level of effects, I am amazed that it cost only $220 million.

A good movie, not outstanding, but still highly enjoyable, some of the Marvel stand alone films fair better......7 out of 10