"St. Vincent"

Vincent is far from being a Saint, in fact anything but.
A little down on his luck, he drinks, gambles, is usually in a permanant sombre mood. His disposition does not improve when new neighbours arrive, a Mom and her young boy Oliver.

He drinks to forget his problems, most of which are a combination of his mounting gambling debts, and that his beloved Wife is in a care home that he cannot maintain the payments on.
In order to try and get some more stake money for the dog track, he finds himself the most unlikely babysitter. So Oliver finds himself being taken to all of Vincent's regular haunts, the Bar, the Race track, and frequenting with his Stripper friend too.
Oliver finds himself getting bullied at school, so as an unlikely father figure Vincent steps in with guidance on how Oliver can defend himself. But alas time is running out for Vincent what with his money worries, and a loan shark breathing down his back. Also unbeknownst to Oliver, his Father has filed for full custody, something which terrifies his loving mother.

Oliver and Vincent do strike up the most unlikely of friendships, but it does work, for two reasons, the great writing from Theodore Melfi, who also directed the movie, and from the great performances courtesy fo Bill Murray and newcomer Jaeden Lieberher.
It also especially nice to see a dramatic turn from comedy queen Melissa McCarthy, who proves she is not just for laughs, and I for one would like to see her doing more drama.

If Vincent is not bitter enough, things are not helped when he suffers a stroke. And whilst recovering from this condition, he receives the most devastating news. And it is in these scenes that Bill Murray reminds us all what a great actor he is.

All in all it is a highly enjoyable film, whilst not in the same league as my all time favourite Murray film - "Lost In Translation" - it is still a great movie and a delight to watch, and this despite a slightly over sentimental ending..................7 out of 10

"Prisoners"

Ever since I saw the trailer for "Prisoners" I was hooked. Coming across as a really intelligent and taut thriller. My concern was would the film live up to the expectations, and also all the word of mouth that had spreading?

The answer is an emphatic yes.
It's Thanksgiving in an every day small American town. Two close families are celebrating the event. Each family has a small daughter, they being best friends, and they go out to play, the parents belieiving that they are under the supervision of their elder siblings, but this is not the case.
Soon it is clear that they are missing, and the two families have to endure every parents worst possible nightmare.
A possible suspect is quickly in the frame, and the parents are anxious for the Police to get a confession, and to be given the location of where their children are being held. Distressingly for them, the Police can find no means of incarcerating the suspect once questioned. He is released and the agony for the parents continues.
For one of the Fathers, Keller, this is more than he can cope with. And he takes matters into his own hands. At this point the film looks at what a lengths a parent would do to get their child back. I for one cannot even begin to imagine the absolute terror a parent is faced with in this situation. And I am sure there are those who would do anything to get that missing child back, whether within the parameters of the law or not. And it asks that very question,of how far do you go? When you feel the Police are doing nothing, and you yourself feel so useless, what other course of action is there? Is it ever justifiable? It all makes for very compelling viewing.

If you enjoy a fast paced film, then this will not be for you. The film has a running time of two and a half hours, and yet one is glued to the screen for every single one of those 150 minutes. It is like slowly peeling an onion, as the many layers are revealed. A thought that went through my mind whilst watching the film was that it was like watching "Broadchurch" on the big screen.

With the calibre of cast that has been assembled for this movie, there is no one stand performance, as everyone is at the top of their game. From Hugh Jackman as 'Keller', the Father driven to do all he can to get back his missing daughter, to Paul Dano, playing the lead suspect, and really excels in his role, all realy bring this tale to life.
The film is beautifully shot, making full use of the location, and the weather conditions, it adds a chilling quality, but then again it was shot by one of the finest Cinematographers in the business, namely Britains very own Roger Deakins, who did such an outstanding job on "Skyfall".
And I seem to be saying this quite a bit of late, but yet another exemplary score, which like the cinematography really adds atmosphere.

This is American Cinema at a very high level. The film gets to ask of the audience many questions, especially around the issue of violence against possible suspects. Is it right? Does the end justify the means? It is not a painting by numbers movie, not everything is set in stone, there are a few twists and turns along the way, and there is a particularly tense race against time sequence.
It looks great, is compelling, tense, brilliantly acted and a real credit to Director Denis Villeneuve.

I doubt there will be a better thriller this year........9 out of 10.

(PS If you want to know why it doesn't get a 10, please get in touch)