I was so so excited to see Get Out. I first saw the trailer before Split and it looked incredible, but I was also happy to see the trailer again, before Fences; an Oscar winning movie. Psychological thrillers and horrors are my thing, but I also was intrigued by the political undertones, and the fact that it had themes around racism in the world today. I also recognised Daniel Kaluuya from back in the day in Skins and Psychoville, and more recently in Black Mirror, so I was really interested to see him in a bigger budget project.
As the lights went down in the cinema, I realised I was getting scared. The opening scene is so very predictable, but the music and way it is filmed is in such a way that 10 seconds in I already had the creeps. Then Childish Gambino's Redbone started playing and I knew that I probably was going to love this film. (As a side note, the audio effects/sound/music throughout the film were great, and really added to the experience of the film. I assume Redbone was chosen for its political undertones, alongside being a boss tune.)
The story follows Chris (Kaluuya) as he meets his white girlfriend Rose's (Allison Williams) parents (Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford). Chris is worried that Rose's parents won't approve of him as he is black. They travel to a massive creepy mansion, and have a couple of hiccups on the way. Once they arrive, Rose's parents seem pleasant enough, but there is still something odd in the air. Chris meets the family's "staff" Georgina (Betty Gabriel) and Walter (Marcus Henderson), and this is where everything gets even more creepy. Both Georgina and Walter are black. Both Rose, her parents and Georgina and Walter are quick to reassure Chris that they are part of the family, and the fact they work in the house is nothing to do with race.
However, later in the evening, Rose's mother ends up hypnotising Chris, to help him stop smoking. From here things get more intense, and Chris starts to worry something is wrong. The next day there is a party in celebration of Rose's late grandfather's birthday. There is only one other black person amongst realms of white people, and when Chris starts to talk to him, he continues to feel suspicious that something is very wrong.
From here, Chris tries to work out what is going on, with help from his friend at home, Rod (LilRel Howery). The plot thickens and becomes more intense, as more questions are asked and the answers are worse than imaginable. The film is full of political messages, and hidden nods to racism and the culture we live in today.
I found the whole film fabulous. It was funny in parts, scary in parts, jumpy in parts, and it had me gripped. The film without the political theme would have an interesting and exciting plot to start with, but I just thought it was great that there was a message to be shared as well. The most powerful part to me was the fact that the shared pain of characters was what lifted them slightly from their hypnotised state (it'll make sense when you watch it), and looking at what all the white characters represented in contributing to prejudice and discrimination in racism today.
In terms of the film being a horror, Georgina is ridiculously scary, i'm surprised I didn't get nightmares seeing her scurrying around in my house or fixing her hair in the mirror. There is also a bit of gore but I think it was appropriate and added to the effect (sometimes I find gore boring). It was also quite jumpy, which is always fun, and hilarious watching your mate flying out of their seat next to you. As the film was ending, I thought I wasn't going to like the way it tied things up, but actually I thought it was great.
Overall, I really loved Get Out, and I am going to give it a massive 9/10. It was fab and I was still thinking about the messages in it, (and Georgina) for days afterwards. If you like psychological films, horror films, political films, or all three; I reckon you will love it!
Sunday, 26 March 2017
Monday, 20 March 2017
15. Moonlight
As you may have seen from previous posts, I tried to catch most of the Oscar nominated films this year. For some reason, the cinemas near me tend not to show the less commercial films, and only the big budget, well advertised ones (or let's be honest it may be 2017 but infrequent showings of films heavily featuring People of Colour isn't particularly surprising is it? And the Academy Awards have been called out for white washing before, so often these critically acclaimed movies aren't particularly diverse. Anyway... I digress). Moonlight, after winning 3 Oscars, is now being shown more widespread even in the small cinemas, so I thought it would be an insult not to see it!
Moonlight is my type of film. There is a lot of focus on characters and character development, and I really love that. If you like a film with a big plot, or action, or a major event, you may not be into this movie. The story is about 3 stages in Chiron's (Alex R Hibbert, Ashton Sanders and Trevante Rhodes) life. We follow him as a young boy, a teenager, and a young adult, learning about himself, and the world around him. Chiron's life is proven more difficult as his mother is an addict, leading to Chiron being bullied. We follow him as his relationship with drugs changes, through seeing his mother, but also through befriending those in the industry. We also watch as he forms new relationships and as he grows up.
As I mentioned, I really enjoyed the film, I thought the story was really interesting, and I like watching characters develop, and I think it was innovative to watch one character in three stages of life. I also thought the acting was great, and really believable. The three lead actors must have worked closely together as you really felt like they were drawing on the past events in their life, and even the mannerisms were as if it was the same person. Mahershala Ali was great in his Oscar winning supporting role, and this year I've also learned that Janelle Monae is a great actor as well as an amazing singer (See my review on Hidden Figures)!
Overall, I really enjoyed this movie, and I think it had some great messages in it, but was true to life; it wasn't cheesy and didn't preach or press. I liked the gritty feel of it, and it didn't hold any bars in it's content. I really liked the ending, as I felt it was a little unexpected, but again it wasn't cheesy and perfect, it was real. I'd definitely recommend giving it a watch - I mean it's our 2017 Oscar winner, and I'd give it an 9/10. I can understand some people may feel this is too high - if you're not interested in character development, and you like an easy to follow plot, it won't be the one for you. But if you like watching how the past can shape a future, you're in for a treat!
Moonlight is my type of film. There is a lot of focus on characters and character development, and I really love that. If you like a film with a big plot, or action, or a major event, you may not be into this movie. The story is about 3 stages in Chiron's (Alex R Hibbert, Ashton Sanders and Trevante Rhodes) life. We follow him as a young boy, a teenager, and a young adult, learning about himself, and the world around him. Chiron's life is proven more difficult as his mother is an addict, leading to Chiron being bullied. We follow him as his relationship with drugs changes, through seeing his mother, but also through befriending those in the industry. We also watch as he forms new relationships and as he grows up.
As I mentioned, I really enjoyed the film, I thought the story was really interesting, and I like watching characters develop, and I think it was innovative to watch one character in three stages of life. I also thought the acting was great, and really believable. The three lead actors must have worked closely together as you really felt like they were drawing on the past events in their life, and even the mannerisms were as if it was the same person. Mahershala Ali was great in his Oscar winning supporting role, and this year I've also learned that Janelle Monae is a great actor as well as an amazing singer (See my review on Hidden Figures)!
Overall, I really enjoyed this movie, and I think it had some great messages in it, but was true to life; it wasn't cheesy and didn't preach or press. I liked the gritty feel of it, and it didn't hold any bars in it's content. I really liked the ending, as I felt it was a little unexpected, but again it wasn't cheesy and perfect, it was real. I'd definitely recommend giving it a watch - I mean it's our 2017 Oscar winner, and I'd give it an 9/10. I can understand some people may feel this is too high - if you're not interested in character development, and you like an easy to follow plot, it won't be the one for you. But if you like watching how the past can shape a future, you're in for a treat!
Tuesday, 14 March 2017
14. Kong: Skull Island
First of all, sorry for my lateness is posting this - I've had a busy week involving me joining my mid-twenties (first thing my mum said to me on the day) and also having my phone robbed in a club - I've spent most of my time since in the O2 shop sorting my life out (they have been great fyi - even made me a brew on one of my trips in store). I've been trying to write a review the day after I've seen a film, but I saw Kong on Thursday night, and it's now half ten on Tuesday, so I feel this review may be different to my previous posts. I've really had time to mull over the film and think about it. In this case, I don't think it's done the film any favours.
As you can probably already guess, I've not seen any other King Kong films (a film pre-2015 and also unrealistic) so this was my first taste of what I like to think would have been Harambe's starring role (sorry I realise Harambe is v 2016, but yes, I do have irritating LAD sense of humour). The story was quick paced, simple, and easy to follow. We had 3D and DBOX (treats) for this film, and I think it worked pretty well. There was enough action, and there were also things like helicopter rides which I think DBOX suited really well.
The story follows some big named actors, as they try to work out if there really is a monster living on Skull Island. The bill includes superstars like Samuel L Jackson, Brie Larson, John Goodman, John C. Reilly and Tom Hiddleston, and if you're a telly fan, there's also Toby Kebbell who starred in a great episode of Black Mirror in 2011 (side note- if you haven't watched Black Mirror yet, get on Netflix). Kong is such a big budget movie, with such a great billing, but unfortunately, I don't think it quite hit the mark.
I don't think the storyline was captivating enough, and I think maybe there were too many characters- you don't learn enough about each of them, and you don't become attached to them either. There wasn't any interesting friendships or relationships, and even rivalries that occur from a split in the group don't leave you particularly excited or attached to any of the characters. When I saw John C. Reilly was cast in the film, I thought he would be hilarious, but I think his script fell a little short of the mark.
I did quite enjoy the cinematography, and enjoyed the way the monsters on the island were created. I found it imaginative, and interesting, and I was intrigued to see which giant animal we would see next. Again, I think this worked really well with the DBOX, and I did think it made the film fun. There is no doubt that the film is an easy watch, and I did find parts playful and exciting, but as a whole, there are much better options out there - Jurassic World, for example.
When I initially left the cinema I gave the film a 7/10. It was pretty inoffensive, has a great cast list, but it's nothing to shout home about. After having time to think more about it, I think I can only give it 6.5/10. The plot isn't very memorable, and it's not been something that's made me think about anything differently, and it's not played on my mind during the week. As you probably know, I do like a film with a good message, or that gives me something to mull over, and this isn't that.
As you can probably already guess, I've not seen any other King Kong films (a film pre-2015 and also unrealistic) so this was my first taste of what I like to think would have been Harambe's starring role (sorry I realise Harambe is v 2016, but yes, I do have irritating LAD sense of humour). The story was quick paced, simple, and easy to follow. We had 3D and DBOX (treats) for this film, and I think it worked pretty well. There was enough action, and there were also things like helicopter rides which I think DBOX suited really well.
The story follows some big named actors, as they try to work out if there really is a monster living on Skull Island. The bill includes superstars like Samuel L Jackson, Brie Larson, John Goodman, John C. Reilly and Tom Hiddleston, and if you're a telly fan, there's also Toby Kebbell who starred in a great episode of Black Mirror in 2011 (side note- if you haven't watched Black Mirror yet, get on Netflix). Kong is such a big budget movie, with such a great billing, but unfortunately, I don't think it quite hit the mark.
I don't think the storyline was captivating enough, and I think maybe there were too many characters- you don't learn enough about each of them, and you don't become attached to them either. There wasn't any interesting friendships or relationships, and even rivalries that occur from a split in the group don't leave you particularly excited or attached to any of the characters. When I saw John C. Reilly was cast in the film, I thought he would be hilarious, but I think his script fell a little short of the mark.
I did quite enjoy the cinematography, and enjoyed the way the monsters on the island were created. I found it imaginative, and interesting, and I was intrigued to see which giant animal we would see next. Again, I think this worked really well with the DBOX, and I did think it made the film fun. There is no doubt that the film is an easy watch, and I did find parts playful and exciting, but as a whole, there are much better options out there - Jurassic World, for example.
When I initially left the cinema I gave the film a 7/10. It was pretty inoffensive, has a great cast list, but it's nothing to shout home about. After having time to think more about it, I think I can only give it 6.5/10. The plot isn't very memorable, and it's not been something that's made me think about anything differently, and it's not played on my mind during the week. As you probably know, I do like a film with a good message, or that gives me something to mull over, and this isn't that.
Saturday, 4 March 2017
13. Fences
I went into Fences feeling like I was going to love it. I knew Viola Davis had won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, and had heard good things.
Fences follows the story of Troy (Denzel Washington) as he raises his perhaps unconventional family in the fifties. He dreamed of being a baseball player, but was told he was too old by the time People of Colour were able to play professionally. At the beginning of our story, he's working as a refuse collector, aspiring to become the driver.
The story is based around the interactions of Troy with his wife Rose (Viola Davis), friend Bono (Stephen Henderson) and children (Jovan Adepo & Russell Hornsby). As much as I like a thriller, or a psychological film, I'm also partial to a film with less action, and more character development. Watching this film was interesting, as actually I really started to detest Washington's character, and felt real empathy for Rose.
There's no doubt that Viola Davis deserved an Oscar for her performance in Fences, she truly was fabulous, and you really felt and understood how the emotions her character was feeling. Her speech, shown in the trailer, is incredible, and you really start to feel how it must be, to be in her shoes. I think Denzel Washington did a great job as Troy as well, we learn about Troy's nasty side, and as I mentioned before, I really started to dislike him, but you still can have see how the past, and how being discriminated against, has affected his behaviour.
Somehow, the plot doesn't quite do it for me. Despite the brilliant acting performances throughout, I wasn't quite as hooked or emotionally invested in this film as I wanted to be. The film is long and has a slow pace, and sometimes is not so good at explaining things. Without ruining the film, there were a couple of places where I thought I was following the dialogue but then felt I had to guess an event that had happened, or work out what was trying to be said. I feel like the film could be improved perhaps, by using flashbacks or something similar, to help really get into the mind of Troy, and to help us see the real story.
Overall, I wasn't as impressed with this film as I thought I was going to be. The talents of the actors involved is there for us all to see, but I think the film could have given more in terms of the plot, and I think it could also have asked more questions. I didn't come out of the film feeling inspired, or shocked, and I didn't even cry, which as you may have seen, is often a theme of a good film in my book. I'd give Fences a 7/10, a slow moving and long film, redeemed by the acting skill.
Fences follows the story of Troy (Denzel Washington) as he raises his perhaps unconventional family in the fifties. He dreamed of being a baseball player, but was told he was too old by the time People of Colour were able to play professionally. At the beginning of our story, he's working as a refuse collector, aspiring to become the driver.
The story is based around the interactions of Troy with his wife Rose (Viola Davis), friend Bono (Stephen Henderson) and children (Jovan Adepo & Russell Hornsby). As much as I like a thriller, or a psychological film, I'm also partial to a film with less action, and more character development. Watching this film was interesting, as actually I really started to detest Washington's character, and felt real empathy for Rose.
There's no doubt that Viola Davis deserved an Oscar for her performance in Fences, she truly was fabulous, and you really felt and understood how the emotions her character was feeling. Her speech, shown in the trailer, is incredible, and you really start to feel how it must be, to be in her shoes. I think Denzel Washington did a great job as Troy as well, we learn about Troy's nasty side, and as I mentioned before, I really started to dislike him, but you still can have see how the past, and how being discriminated against, has affected his behaviour.
Somehow, the plot doesn't quite do it for me. Despite the brilliant acting performances throughout, I wasn't quite as hooked or emotionally invested in this film as I wanted to be. The film is long and has a slow pace, and sometimes is not so good at explaining things. Without ruining the film, there were a couple of places where I thought I was following the dialogue but then felt I had to guess an event that had happened, or work out what was trying to be said. I feel like the film could be improved perhaps, by using flashbacks or something similar, to help really get into the mind of Troy, and to help us see the real story.
Overall, I wasn't as impressed with this film as I thought I was going to be. The talents of the actors involved is there for us all to see, but I think the film could have given more in terms of the plot, and I think it could also have asked more questions. I didn't come out of the film feeling inspired, or shocked, and I didn't even cry, which as you may have seen, is often a theme of a good film in my book. I'd give Fences a 7/10, a slow moving and long film, redeemed by the acting skill.
Wednesday, 1 March 2017
12. A Cure for Wellness
When I first saw the trailer for A Cure for Wellness I was excited. It seemed like a modern film with an interesting concept, and you may know by now that I love anything psychological, and I also enjoy a horror/thriller type movie; something exciting and progressive.
From the title and the trailer, I was expecting the film to ask some interesting questions. Part of the trailer starts to question what is 'being well'. In one part of the film (don't worry not a spoiler) a character asks another 'you say you're well but what is well, when was the last time you had 8 hours uninterrupted sleep?'. I think this is a really interesting point. What is well? What is 'normal'? A lot of the time the perfect life we strive for may be unattainable. I feel like I am well, but I will always feel anxious about some things, I will always have body parts that I am unhappy with, I will always be hurt by some comments, and I will never have a regular 8 hour sleep. But does that make me unwell?
That is the question I wanted this film to use as a discussion point.
It did not.
The film is set in the heart of the Swiss Alps, in an old building that is now being used as a hospital, helping people become well via some rather abstract treatments, also including some lovely looking sauna/steam room pods, lying in a giant vat of water, and playing crochet. Our main character Lockhart (Dane DeHaan), is sent to this wellness retreat to bring back his boss Pembroke (Harry Groener), to sign something off for some big business merger or something like that. Upon entering the institute, Lockhart is told no one ever leaves (why would you?) and that's when all this creepy nonsense kicks off. Jason Isaacs plays Volmer, the main doctor in charge of treatment, and we also meet Hannah (Mia Goth), Volmer's special patient, who is much younger than the rest of the clientele.
From here we come face to face with nightmares like losing teeth, walking around with no shoes on, getting your period in a weird place, eels, and incest amongst other things. There is so much packed in, that I started to think it just got a bit overwhelming and boring, it felt like things were added to the plot for the sake of it. Sometimes simplicity is key. With all these bizarre plot lines, weird irrelevant questions start being asked, and sometimes the answer isn't satisfactory or ever given. For example, at one point in the film there are lots of shots of this Mac lipstick - I thought it was something to do with the plot but I'm not so sure now. I was trying to work out the shade (I think it's Russian Red FYI), but why was it in the film? Has Mac done an advertising deal with them? We'll never know. If this plot line was addressed, I apologise, but the whole thing was so dragged out and long, and the ending so wild that it's easy to miss.
As a side note I think it was quite sexualised in a weird way too, even in scenes where men and women were naked suspended in water (see: poster), all the lads have got pants on and the lasses are starkers - I feel like nudity was just added in so they could call it an 18 and it may sell more tickets.
I feel like I've been chatting for ages now.
The film was interesting in parts, and the main plot line was quite captivating. I didn't find it particularly scary, or jumpy, and when I left, the person behind me said 'I'm not sure what to make of it', and that's how I felt. I did make it through all 2hrs 26 mins, which means it can't of been completely boring, but I'd give it 5/10 at a stretch. I have seen worst films but I can think of lots more things I can do with 2.5 hours.
From the title and the trailer, I was expecting the film to ask some interesting questions. Part of the trailer starts to question what is 'being well'. In one part of the film (don't worry not a spoiler) a character asks another 'you say you're well but what is well, when was the last time you had 8 hours uninterrupted sleep?'. I think this is a really interesting point. What is well? What is 'normal'? A lot of the time the perfect life we strive for may be unattainable. I feel like I am well, but I will always feel anxious about some things, I will always have body parts that I am unhappy with, I will always be hurt by some comments, and I will never have a regular 8 hour sleep. But does that make me unwell?
That is the question I wanted this film to use as a discussion point.
It did not.
The film is set in the heart of the Swiss Alps, in an old building that is now being used as a hospital, helping people become well via some rather abstract treatments, also including some lovely looking sauna/steam room pods, lying in a giant vat of water, and playing crochet. Our main character Lockhart (Dane DeHaan), is sent to this wellness retreat to bring back his boss Pembroke (Harry Groener), to sign something off for some big business merger or something like that. Upon entering the institute, Lockhart is told no one ever leaves (why would you?) and that's when all this creepy nonsense kicks off. Jason Isaacs plays Volmer, the main doctor in charge of treatment, and we also meet Hannah (Mia Goth), Volmer's special patient, who is much younger than the rest of the clientele.
From here we come face to face with nightmares like losing teeth, walking around with no shoes on, getting your period in a weird place, eels, and incest amongst other things. There is so much packed in, that I started to think it just got a bit overwhelming and boring, it felt like things were added to the plot for the sake of it. Sometimes simplicity is key. With all these bizarre plot lines, weird irrelevant questions start being asked, and sometimes the answer isn't satisfactory or ever given. For example, at one point in the film there are lots of shots of this Mac lipstick - I thought it was something to do with the plot but I'm not so sure now. I was trying to work out the shade (I think it's Russian Red FYI), but why was it in the film? Has Mac done an advertising deal with them? We'll never know. If this plot line was addressed, I apologise, but the whole thing was so dragged out and long, and the ending so wild that it's easy to miss.
As a side note I think it was quite sexualised in a weird way too, even in scenes where men and women were naked suspended in water (see: poster), all the lads have got pants on and the lasses are starkers - I feel like nudity was just added in so they could call it an 18 and it may sell more tickets.
I feel like I've been chatting for ages now.
The film was interesting in parts, and the main plot line was quite captivating. I didn't find it particularly scary, or jumpy, and when I left, the person behind me said 'I'm not sure what to make of it', and that's how I felt. I did make it through all 2hrs 26 mins, which means it can't of been completely boring, but I'd give it 5/10 at a stretch. I have seen worst films but I can think of lots more things I can do with 2.5 hours.
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