2019 - "This Year In Film"

The start of a new year means the inevitable look back at the last 12 months.
So how have the last 365 cinematic days fared?  Yet again the quantity has gone up, and the quality does seem to have improved, with far less turkeys this year.

Speaking of which, let us take a look at the films that were in dire need of stuffing...

Worst Films of the Year:-

"Us" - Jordan Peele proving that "Get Out" was not a one trick turkey
"Midsommar" - Whilst "Hereditary" was not the great horror we were expecting, this 150 minute snooze fest will certainly make me question watching anything else by Ari Aster.
 "Godzilla King of Monsters" -Aside from Ken Watanabe, there is very little to commend about this monster movie
"The Hustle" - of the four this truly is a TURKEY, the biggest of the year.  There was no comedy at all in this laughless film. Avoid at all costs.

Showed Great Promise, But.....:-

"The Front Runner" - Political Scandal movie about US Senator Gary Hart, starring Hugh Jackman. It was good, but it just did not compel. Could have been a really great film
"Destroyer" - Yes it had a great performance by Nicole Kidman, but I just felt that the film wandered around alot.
"If Beale Street Could Talk" - A critics favourite, and big Award winner, but not for me. And I will say that I think there were more deserving Best Supporting Actress winners than Regina King.
"Rambo Last Blood" - If it had carried on in the same style as "Rambo" then I would have loved it, but it was a lacklustre way to round off the franchise.

What Went Wrong:-

Sometimes a film looks good, sounds good, and indeed should be good, but whatever is in the stars, something with this selection just wasn't quite right.

"Glass" - After the brilliant "Split", and its connection to "Unbreakable", we all waited for the big finale....alas it was something of a letdown.
"X-Men Dark Phoenix" - No greater argument can one have for saying that Comic Book movies are too many, too often than with this, one of the worst Marvel films ever, yes its up there with "Fantastic Four".
"Ad Astra" - Critics were so in love with this movie, was it this years "Gravity"? Definitely not, though its handy if you have insomnia.
"The Aeronauts" - Similarly this film should not be viewed whilst operating machinery or taking medication.

This last entry in this category really pains me, as I am a HUGE fan of the Director. In fact prior to this film, he was the only Director who had a 100% track record of delivering films that I really like, love or truly adore.
"Once Upon A Time....In Hollywood" - I can't believe that I am putting a Quentin Tarantino film in this category, but there you have it. I just did not get on with it, it was good, and had some nice QT moments but it wasn't a great film. I know there are extended versions coming out, and maybe this will enhance my pleasure of the film, who knows.

What A Surprise:-

All too often you go to the Cinema to watch a film, not knowing much if anything at all about it. You sit in that darkened room, and you then get really surprised with a great film that seems to come out of nowhere. We have had quite a few this year, and they are....

"The Prodigy" - All right, yes one could argue it is a rip off of "The Omen" but I just really enjoyed it.
"Out of Blue" - Loved it
"Good Boys" - I saw this hysterically funny film twice, and would highly recommend it.
"Tucked" - A great British comedy drama about an ageing drag queen, taking under their wings a young and upcoming act. Worth the price of admission for an exemplary performance from Derren Nesbitt.
"Countdown" - Like "The Prodigy" I am sure that there are many horror fans who would take great pleasure in bashing both these films, but like the former, again this really worked for me, lots of chills, and not OTT with gore, the way a real horror should be.
"Last Christmas" - This film is like marmite, you either love it or hate it. And I really enjoyed it. And judging by how many went to see it, despite the comments of critics, many others enjoyed it too.

A Welcome Return:-

"The Mule" - After 12 years Clint Eastwood returned to the front of the camera with this wonderful drama based on a true story. A real delight.
"Downton Abbey" - Fans of the TV series were so happy to get to go back to Grantham, and I for one made the journey twice.
"Terminator Dark Fate" - Although this film has probably killed off the franchise for good, I did enjoy it, more so than the films that followed "Terminator 2: Judgment Day"
"Angel Has Fallen" - Mike Banning is back, and on top form, in a film that alongside "John Wick 3" are the two best action films of the year.
"The Irishman" - Scorsese, De Niro, Pacino and Pesci are back. It has been a long wait, and there has been controversy. It's not the best from Scorsese, but even a very good film from him is better than most Director's best efforts.

Sight & Sound:-

I love the visual splendour of seeing something truly gobsmacking on the big screen, especially IMAX. And I have been privileged to see and also to hear some amazing things this year. Three really stand out for me. (Only "Apollo 11" was seen on IMAX)

"Apollo 11" - This compelling documentary is a must. I saw it on the IMAX and the moment when the rocket takes off is one that I will not forget in a hurry. It is a moment like this, which shows why IMAX is THE way to watch movies.
"Pavarotti" - Again, another great documentary, and the moment when the great Tenor sings Nessun Dorma will leave you speechless.
"Cats" - I always knew that there would be one stand out moment from this much talked about film, and it was listening to one of the greatest female voices on the planet, namely Jennifer Hudson sing "Memory".

Best Actress in a Supporting Role:-

Like so many, I loved this film, and I could seperate their two brilliant performances, I would have been deligted to see either bag a second Academy Award.

So for Best Actress In A Supporting Role, the award goers to.......
Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone for "The Favourite"



Best Actor in a Supporting Role:-

Like the previous category, we have a tie. I just cannot pick between these two great performances, both of whcih have had me glued to the screen.

For a welcome return to the screen alongside his great friend Robert de Niro, Joe Pesci shone in a subdued and quiet performance.

Also working an equally impressive double act, alongside Melissa McCarthy, Richard E. Grant gave one of the finest comedy perfomances of the year.





So the Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role goes to.......

Joe Pesci in "The Irishman"
Richard E. Grant in "Can You Ever Forgive Me"

Best Actress in a Leading Role:-

There have been some great performances from Leading Ladies this year, so much so, we almost had a seven way tie, but I felt that stretched things a little too far. But those worthy of note are Melissa McCarthy in "Can You Ever Forgive Me",  Jessie Buckley in "Wild Rose", Jennifer Lopez in "Hustlers", Vanessa Redgrave in "Mrs. Lowry & Son" and Lesley Manville in "Ordinary Love".

It's ironic the timing of this award, and that I go from January to December in a calendar year, so there are all too often overlaps, especially with the Oscars. And in this category, we have an example of past and those yet to win...

She was simply phenomenal as Queen Anne, and rightly stole the show at the 91st Oscars.









Renee Zellweger IS Judy Garland...enough said.








So the Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role goes to.......

Olivia Colman in "The Favourite"
Renee Zellweger in "Judy"


Best Actor in a Leading Role:-

Like the ladies, there have been many outstanding Leading Men this year, those who could eadily have bagged the top prize include Lucas Hedges in "Boy Erased", Derren Nesbitt in "Tucked", Taron Egerton in "Rocket Man", Antonio Banderas in "Pain And Glory", and Timothy Spall in "Mrs. Lowry & Son".

To start the year with a truly fine biopic and a compelling performance is one thing. To then end the year with another rousing and thoroughly entertaining biopic is quite something. I refer of course to Oscar winner Christian Bale. He exceled alongside Matt Damon in "Le Mans 66".

His performance as Dick Cheney in "Vice" has to be a career best for the versatile actor.






The Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role goes to.......

Christian Bale in "Vice"

Best Picture:-

And so to the big one, the best film of 2019. As I mentioned there have been some great films this year, and here is a selection of movies that I scored either 8 or 9 out of 10

But at the end of the day there can only be one Best Film of the year, well unless you count 2017, when there was a tie of four Best Films. But this year it is easy, only one film scored the maximum ten out of ten. And it came out back in January.

And the Award for Best Picture goes to........

 

"Judy"

It does seem at the moment that the latest trend to hit Hollywood is the Music star biopic. We have already had films about Freddie Mercury and Elton John, there is also one on the way featuring David Bowie.
But to make a film about Judy Garland....now that is Brave.
She is a TRUE icon, a legendary music and screen figure, her songs and performances are beloved across the globe, and it takes a phenomenal actress to want to step into those shoes.

The film is similar in style to a big hit from the end of last year, which also looked at two true comedy icons, namely "Stan & Ollie", cutting from a time when the star is at the very height of their fame, and then to when they make a visit to London towards the end of their career.

Judy has been busy touring the States, making what money she can, and by her side are two of her younger children, sometimes even joining her on stage. But as the job offers and money starts to dry up, the only way that she can continue to see her children, is to leave them with her ex-husband and go to England to do a variety of shows.
Is she up to it?  Can she still perform to please a London crowd?

I know that when "Bohemian Rhapsody" came out, many critics said that they loved Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury, but thought that the film was average. I would say that the film is better than average, but did not quite wow me as much as "Bohemian Rhapsody" or "Stan & Ollie", but it is still a really enjoyable film. There is one moment right towards the end of the film, that for me was a little too over sentimental. Now if it actually occured then so be it, but if it is fictionalised then it was a step too far. I would like to know one way or the other.

The supporting cast are all decent enough. But at the end of the day, the film belongs to one person and of course that is Renee Zellweger. In a similar way that John C. Reilly and Steve Coogan did with Stan & Ollie, Renee really does bring Judy Garland to life.

The film trailer proclaims that 'Renee Zellweger is Judy Garland' - well it's as close as we're ever going to get.....8 out of 10

"Good Boys"

There is an age old slogan within the Cinematic world, if the trailer is funny then the film will most definitely not be.
Prepare to meet the exception.
Yes the trailer is funny, but the film is even more so.

Three best friends, Max, Thor & Lucas, they do everything together. In the scheme of things they think that are moderately cool. Not total geeks but not ultra cool either. Soren is deemed to be the king of cool at school, and when he invites Max to a party he is having, Max asks if he can invite his two compadres. Soren agrees, and this goes down well, until the boys realise that they might have to actually kiss a girl. The thought of this instills total fear in them, as none have any understanding of what to do.
So given the situation, what would any curious 12 year old do???  Consult the internet, with hilarious results. The boys quest to be enlightened about how to kiss also ends up involving a drone and two pill obsessed older girls.

The premise is simple but it really works. It may sound daft but there is something very funny about seeing 12 year olds on screen cursing enough to make a marine blush. There are jokes a plenty, some of a very adult nature, literally, but it is a real laugh out loud comedy, making me wish I'd taken my inhaler.
The film does also look at friendship and that bond that ties us when we are younger. All three young leads are excellent, I have to confess only being aware of Jacob Tremblay but it is nice to see him in an adult comedy after a few forays into drama.

Loved it, and could easily watch it again........8 out of 10

"Angel Has Fallen"

It is fair to say that I went in very sceptical as to whether I would enjoy this third film to feature Secret Service Agent Mike Banning. When the first "Fallen" came out, it was up against the mightier budget of "White House Down", and sorry Gerard but the far better on the eye Channing Tatum. That's not to say that the first film was not without merit, as it was very enjoyable.
Then came the inevitable sequel.......and oh boy....where did it go so badly wrong? I know that "London Has Fallen" will have appeared in my list of one of the worst films of that year. So you may understand my concerns about seeing this new film "Angel Has Fallen".

President Trumbull (Freeman) is still in The White House, and has his most trusted Secret Service agent by his side. Though the rigours of active duty and age are taking their toll on Mike, and one wonders how much longer he will be able to effectively protect the most powerful man on Earth.
Whilst on a fishing trip, there is an assassination attempt on the President, he survives, but all the Security detail are killed apart from Banning, making him suspect no 1 as the guilty party responsible.

What follows is a cat and mouse chase as Banning sets out to proof his innocence, and also protect the President, as he believes that he is not yet out of danger.

The action comes thick and fast, from a brilliantly staged tense drone attack on the President, to a Hospital going kaboom to a team of mercenaries being taken out in a forest, but not by Banning, but someone close to home, his Dad, brilliantly played by Nick Nolte, and stealing almost every scene he is in.
It is obvious who is initially behind the attack, and then more so who is the puppet master behind it all, but it is great fun watching it all unfold on screen.

I loved everything about the film, the story, the action, and some great work from the likes of Gerard Butler, Nick Nolte and the always reliable Morgan Freeman.
For me this is the best film in the series, and I cannot recommend it highly enough, I can think of no better way to spend an evening at the Cinema.....brace yourself......9 out of 10

"Rocketman" (Preview Screening)

A Biopic can be a tricky film to do, but when the subject is still very much with us, it can be quite an uphill battle. But in this case, it helps that the subject and his significant other are both Producer and Executive Producer of the film in question.
Any film thats looks at the life of one Reg Dwight, or rather Elton John was always going to be a larger than life affair.

We see Elton come crashing into a rehab meeting, and from there we go back to his early life as a boy in Pinner, seeing life with his Mum, and often absent Father, whom he craves affection from but never gets. At an early age he shows a great gift for playing the piano, and  the rest as they say is history.

We go through all the ups and down, told at times with a fantastical spin but very well done. Any fans expecting a film similar in style to that of "Bohemian Rhapsody" may be disappointed. It is more keeping in style of stage productions like "Mamma Mia" and "Jersey Boys" to use the songs of the artist to tell the story.
The cast are really good, from Gemma Jones as Elton's Nan to Richard Madden as John Reid, and of course the always very reliable Jamie Bell as Bernie Taupin.
One major difference between this film and another recent biopic, is that lead actor Taron Egerton does sing all his songs as Elton John. His performance is phenomenal, in both singing and acting. I can only imagine that Elton is really thrilled at seeing this astounding young actor telling his story.

Whilst I did really enjoy the film, and especially loved the work by Taron Egerton, as a whole the film did not move me as mcuh, or leave me as uplifted as "Bohemian Rhapsody", but it is still well worth watching...................8 out of 10

"Eighth Grade" - Preview Screening

For people of a certain age, namely yours truly, so 40+, then there is an obvious comparison with this film, and that is to compare it with the great works of John Hughes. Those great films from the 1980's, which gave an insight into teen life over 30 years ago.
I guess that had the target audience foe those films been four years younger, then this is the kind of film that we would have gotten. But the main difference is that the likes of Ferris Bueller, Sloan Peterson, Miss Amanda Jones and many others did not have mobile phones, Instagram, Twitter and much more to help or even hinder their growing up.

We get introduced to Kayla, she is very shy and quiet girl, very unnoticeable school, no friends, and would not say boo to a goose. Yet she makes videos at home, motivational ones to help girls feel more confident about themselves, even though it is something that she is lacking in herself. She lives very constant source of embarrassment of a Father, and soon to finish Eighth Grade, and move to High School.
The film brilliantly showcases all that plagues us when at school and aged 13 / 14. From spots to the fear of not being popular, to having a crush on a boy, to the already mentioned parents from hell.

In the run up to going to High School, the students get to spend a day shadowing a High School student, and Kayla is paired up with Olivia, a very confident and friendly young lady, and she is so welcoming of Kayla, and starts her on the path that will see her come out of her shell.

At the centre of the film is a truly brilliant performance from Elsie Fisher as Kayla, she is the real heart of the film, and she does  an outstanding job of conveying every possible hell that we go through at that age. It is a very assured performance, despite being about someone who is so very unsure of themself.

There is something for all of us to relate to, and complimented with great writing and as said, a great central performance....a delight to watch.....8 out of 10

"Shazam!" - (Preview Screening)

It is a well known fact that films based on DC Comics are pretty downbeat. You only have to look at any of the Batman / Superman films. It is also fair to say that "Wonder Woman" was a step in the right direction.

Well finally along comes a film that is upbeat, funny, and VERY entertaining. I supposed the nearest Marvel comparison would be "Guardians of the Galaxy", that kind of light easy going film.

Thad is in the car with his Father and older Brother, often teased, he seeks solace in bigger things via his Magic8Ball. When strange symbols appear on the ball, before he knows it he is transported to another world, a world where a Sourceror's time is coming to end. And he seeks one that is pure of heart to take over his exalted position. In the past things have not gone well for the choice of Chosen One, when the Council of Eternity were all but wiped out. Shazam being the only survivor.
Keen to make the right choice, he tests his candidate, but Thad fails, and spends the next 45 years trying to find a way back to that World, to take the power he knows he is deserving of.

Billy Batson is desperately tring to find his Mum, since being seperated from her at a local Fair when he was four years old. Ten years later, and he is a troublesome teen, going from one Foster home to another, trying to get information to reunite him with his missing Parent. He too gets selected to take the test, and he succeeds, taking on the mantle of Shazam, and all his amazing powers.
And this is where the magic really begins, seeing how a 14 year old in the body of a man in his 30's and equipped with many superpowers reacts. Its a testament to the great performances of both Asher Angel as 14 year old Billy and Zachary Levi as Shazam. It would be hard for Billy to hide his alter ego, so some of his Foster siblings do find out, with hilarious results.

There are great scenes where Freddy, his Foster brother helps Billy to understand what his Superpowers are, helping them become an internet sensation, and trying to earn some extra pocket money on the side.
Eventually comes the big showdown with Thad, who has become the villain of the piece, and having the power of the Seven Deadly Sins, a collective of powerful demons. He wants to complete his Power by having that of Shazam.

The events of the past are told slickly but enough to give us an idea of what is to come, and what makes the characters take the actions they do. There is a lot of fun to be had in this highly entertaining film. The action is well choreographed, the visual effects are excellent, and all the cast excel in their roles. There is NO weak link. The relationship between Billy and Freddy is brilliantly played out, these two young actors are outstanding, and a special mention to Faithe Herman, who plays Darla, youngest child at the Vasquez residence, where Billy resides. She is both adorable and very funny. And it goes without saying that Mark Strong does villainy very well.

So as one would expect there is a lot of heart within the film, and also a wonderful display of innocence, especially with Billy being only 14. Its not like Deadpool, where there is much swearing or adult humour. I think that Zachary Levi desribed it perfectly when he said 'It's like "Big" with superpowers'. Very apt.

A second viewing is a given........SHAZAM!!!....9 out of 10