Is it just me, or are there a lot of films based on true stories nowadays? Hidden Figures is based on the lives of African-American women working for NASA in the sixties. The story follows Katherine, (Taraji P. Henson), a maths genius, Mary, (Janelle Monae), an aspiring engineer, and Dorothy, (Octavia Spencer), acting department supervisor who isn't getting any credit.
I found the story captivating and hard hitting. The fact this is based on a true story, illustrating that not so long ago women and people of colour were so badly discriminated against. Katherine has to do a mile round trip out in the elements just for a wee, knocking time out of her day, meaning she actually does work on the loo! I'm not suggesting that we live in a non-discriminatory world today, or that these problems are abolished completely, but I did find it enlightening to see the blatancy of the racism people experienced.
The department that our main characters work in at the start of the film is 'coloured computers'. The women can calculate ridiculous equations by hand, and quickly too. It's astounding to think that it was calculations done in people's heads that essentially propelled us into space. It's even more admiral that the people that came up with these equations were being disgustingly discriminated against at the time.
Throughout my life, I have been a fan of having a motto. More recently these mottos have been 'I'm (Insert Age Here), I do what I want', 'Everything is Corrupt' and my personal favourite 'Science is Bullshit'. If we just focus on the last phrase there, this film speaks to me on a level. Science is moving so fast that something we know as a proven fact today, could be the complete opposite tomorrow. Maths however is always constant, and that's why I like it. This movie illustrates this so well, and Katherine campaigns to be in the meetings with the big dogs so she can use her badass maths to send a geezer to space.
I love the way all of our three main characters are all defiant and all campaign for there rights and their knowledge wins against the rules of society, and with this they are all rewarded with success. I found the film so inspiring, and for a film about space (see my first review of the year), and maths, it was really interesting and exciting! I also liked the fact that the title was a meaningful pun. This film definitely deserves an 8.5/10; a must watch for anyone interested in human rights, justice, space, science and maths!
Sunday, 26 February 2017
Saturday, 18 February 2017
10. The Lego Batman Movie
For someone who likes a true life story, something realistic, and is obsessed with documentaries, you may be surprised to know that I LOVE Batman, and I also love Lego, and The Lego Movie. So the combination of Lego and Batman is a hit already with me.
I'm fascinated just thinking how they produced this film; it's fun, colourful, and full of nostalgia. I saw the film in the evening, and the cinema was full of grown-ups, but this film is great for little ones, and I really do think it's a film all the family can enjoy. Again, the story has a good solid moral, which you'll know by now, I enjoy, so kids can take something from it as well.
It's got a good storyline, slightly obvious in parts, but fun all the same, and there are lots of Lego cameos from some of our favourite villains throughout the ages - special shout out the Voldemort (Eddie Izzard), who I thought was hilarious. There were some parts where I was completely doubled over laughing, however, I also did this during The Revenant, so I'm not sure I'm a good test on what is funny and what is not.
Another thing I really enjoyed about the film was the music. A running Michael Jackson joke throughout, lots of power ballads and classics, it really was great. I think it adds to the playfulness of the film, along with adding the to nostalgia factor. This is another thing that I think makes this film work for all ages, and I do think it can be enjoyable for adults.
Unfortunately for me, this film didn't quite hit the mark. It wasn't as good as any Batman film I've seen, and it wasn't as good as The Lego Movie. I left the cinema feeling great and happy, and I do feel like the film was charming and lighthearted and filled with laughs, but I don't think it was overly memorable. It's a film with lots of big names - Ralph Fiennes, Michael Cera, Zach Galifianakis, and Rosario Dawson and Will Arnett (who I've not heard of before but IMdb tells me they're great), but I think it could have been better. I can't put my finger on if it could have been a better story line, more jokes, or more character development, but it wasn't the best animation I've seen. It did it's job, and if you want to watch a feel good film for an hour and a half you won't be disappointed, but there are other films out there, like Zootropolis, that will give you that and much much more.
Because I did leave the cinema feeling great, I had laughed and I did enjoy myself, I give The Lego Batman Movie a 7/10. Not the best animation, but not the worst by any stretch of the imagination. If you've got kids tugging at your sleeves wanting to go, I think you'd enjoy it, and it serves it's purpose, but it's not the most memorable film of the year.
I'm fascinated just thinking how they produced this film; it's fun, colourful, and full of nostalgia. I saw the film in the evening, and the cinema was full of grown-ups, but this film is great for little ones, and I really do think it's a film all the family can enjoy. Again, the story has a good solid moral, which you'll know by now, I enjoy, so kids can take something from it as well.
It's got a good storyline, slightly obvious in parts, but fun all the same, and there are lots of Lego cameos from some of our favourite villains throughout the ages - special shout out the Voldemort (Eddie Izzard), who I thought was hilarious. There were some parts where I was completely doubled over laughing, however, I also did this during The Revenant, so I'm not sure I'm a good test on what is funny and what is not.
Another thing I really enjoyed about the film was the music. A running Michael Jackson joke throughout, lots of power ballads and classics, it really was great. I think it adds to the playfulness of the film, along with adding the to nostalgia factor. This is another thing that I think makes this film work for all ages, and I do think it can be enjoyable for adults.
Unfortunately for me, this film didn't quite hit the mark. It wasn't as good as any Batman film I've seen, and it wasn't as good as The Lego Movie. I left the cinema feeling great and happy, and I do feel like the film was charming and lighthearted and filled with laughs, but I don't think it was overly memorable. It's a film with lots of big names - Ralph Fiennes, Michael Cera, Zach Galifianakis, and Rosario Dawson and Will Arnett (who I've not heard of before but IMdb tells me they're great), but I think it could have been better. I can't put my finger on if it could have been a better story line, more jokes, or more character development, but it wasn't the best animation I've seen. It did it's job, and if you want to watch a feel good film for an hour and a half you won't be disappointed, but there are other films out there, like Zootropolis, that will give you that and much much more.
Because I did leave the cinema feeling great, I had laughed and I did enjoy myself, I give The Lego Batman Movie a 7/10. Not the best animation, but not the worst by any stretch of the imagination. If you've got kids tugging at your sleeves wanting to go, I think you'd enjoy it, and it serves it's purpose, but it's not the most memorable film of the year.
Saturday, 11 February 2017
9. Hacksaw Ridge
As you may already know, I do love a film based on a true story. I'd seen the advert for Hacksaw Ridge, and thought it looked interesting, but war and fighting and armies and what-not are not my favourite. However, this story follows a pacifist who joins the army, so from the offset I'm liking the morals!
The story follows Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield), as he joins the army to become a medic. To gain this qualification, he needs to pass all his basic training, including shooting with a rifle. This task is particularly difficult for Doss, as he refuses to touch a gun. The rest of the troop now no longer trust him to save him in the battle field, and he is subject to abuse. Alongside this, Doss is planning a marriage to Dorothy (Teresa Palmer) so you could say he'd got a lot on.
I found the story interesting, although cheesy in parts, and liked the fact that it drew on the parts of Doss' (Andrew Garfield) childhood, and found the flashbacks really effective in the storytelling, and in empathising with the character. I also really loved the humour in the film, Vince Vaughn is hilarious as Sergeant Howell, and there were lots of 'laugh out loud' moments in the film which I wasn't expecting. At the end, we see some real life footage, and illustrating that there was jokes and fun, even in such a bleak situation, which I found heartwarming.
Up to here, it all sounds glowing, and that's to be assumed as this is another of our Oscar nominated films. However, there were some bits about this film that weren't for me. At one point there is a battle scene for about 20 minutes with no particular plot, and there isn't even an interesting tactic which either side of the war are using. It's just a scene of fighting and gruesome gore, but neither of those things excite me. In my head, I'm very aware that the gore is all fake, so no matter how realistic it is, I'm quite desensitised. In fact, I flinched more in an earlier scene where Doss was having his blood taken (and I give blood myself!). I also find fighting and violence really boring, so it was not the one for me. In a later battle scene, it was really exciting and there was a real threat and use of intelligence and innovation to evade the enemy, which I did enjoy, but I feel like the first scene was unnecessary. However I do get that that is something people enjoy, so if you're into all that, you'll like it.
The other thing I didn't like about this film was the length. I felt like I'd been sat in my chair for days and I think the story could be told just as effectively in 1hr 50, as opposed to 2hr 20. We're almost getting into Wolf of Wall Street territory (although I did love that film).
Overall, I enjoyed Hacksaw Ridge, but I wouldn't be throwing it any Oscars. The romance was cheesy, the violence was mindless, but there was a good and interesting story buried beneath it all. I'd give it a 7/10, but if you're into war and battles and fighting, you'll probably love it.
The story follows Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield), as he joins the army to become a medic. To gain this qualification, he needs to pass all his basic training, including shooting with a rifle. This task is particularly difficult for Doss, as he refuses to touch a gun. The rest of the troop now no longer trust him to save him in the battle field, and he is subject to abuse. Alongside this, Doss is planning a marriage to Dorothy (Teresa Palmer) so you could say he'd got a lot on.
I found the story interesting, although cheesy in parts, and liked the fact that it drew on the parts of Doss' (Andrew Garfield) childhood, and found the flashbacks really effective in the storytelling, and in empathising with the character. I also really loved the humour in the film, Vince Vaughn is hilarious as Sergeant Howell, and there were lots of 'laugh out loud' moments in the film which I wasn't expecting. At the end, we see some real life footage, and illustrating that there was jokes and fun, even in such a bleak situation, which I found heartwarming.
Up to here, it all sounds glowing, and that's to be assumed as this is another of our Oscar nominated films. However, there were some bits about this film that weren't for me. At one point there is a battle scene for about 20 minutes with no particular plot, and there isn't even an interesting tactic which either side of the war are using. It's just a scene of fighting and gruesome gore, but neither of those things excite me. In my head, I'm very aware that the gore is all fake, so no matter how realistic it is, I'm quite desensitised. In fact, I flinched more in an earlier scene where Doss was having his blood taken (and I give blood myself!). I also find fighting and violence really boring, so it was not the one for me. In a later battle scene, it was really exciting and there was a real threat and use of intelligence and innovation to evade the enemy, which I did enjoy, but I feel like the first scene was unnecessary. However I do get that that is something people enjoy, so if you're into all that, you'll like it.
The other thing I didn't like about this film was the length. I felt like I'd been sat in my chair for days and I think the story could be told just as effectively in 1hr 50, as opposed to 2hr 20. We're almost getting into Wolf of Wall Street territory (although I did love that film).
Overall, I enjoyed Hacksaw Ridge, but I wouldn't be throwing it any Oscars. The romance was cheesy, the violence was mindless, but there was a good and interesting story buried beneath it all. I'd give it a 7/10, but if you're into war and battles and fighting, you'll probably love it.
Friday, 3 February 2017
8. T2 Trainspotting
Let's start with the truth. I watched the original Trainspotting for the first time a couple of weeks ago, purely in prep for T2. I loved it. I found it dark, funny, and actually really current, despite the fact it's 20 years old. If you've not seen it before, I would completely recommend. The plot is compelling, you get to know the endearing characters through great storytelling, it will make you laugh and it will make you cry. It's truly great, and we've not even started on the soundtrack. There is know doubt that Danny Boyle is a genius (but we knew this already didn't we).
T2 Trainspotting is a more humorous, less dark, and less druggy version of the original Trainspotting. Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Johnny Lee Miller & Robert Carlyle are all fantastic, and I think Boyle was clever to catch up with the boys 20 years later, as we are when we're watching the film. The character development is believable, and they must have all had a great time on set.
As I mentioned, this film is more light-hearted than the last, with more humour, but that doesn't mean there is less drama. The film is still exciting, and yet again, we see Renton and Sick Boy on a money making plot, alongside Begbie hearing about Renton's return, and not being happy. I love Spud's character, and again he is sweet and lovable despite his addiction problems.
The film is filled with flashbacks to the original, and I feel it's imperative to have seen Trainspotting first, as the old footage is so powerful in the storytelling. Again Boyle's use of this footage is a brilliant tool in the making of the film. The footage also helps with realising where the characters are now, and why they may act in certain ways. There are also scenes where the psychedelic way they are filmed just adds so much to the story; not least in the final clip. This film is a credit to him.
The film also introduces a female lead, Veronika, played by Anjela Nedyalkova. I loved her addition to the story, and also I loved the presence of a female in her role, and the sense of justice (NO SPOILERS!). Alongside this, I liked the answers the film gave (NO SPOILERS!).
I feel like the original film was more revolutionary, and as I mentioned, when I watched it the other week, it felt so relevant and current, which I feel this new film may lack slightly. However, the humour it brings is great, alongside the new soundtrack (which had a lot to live up to). The introduction of Born Slippy is so powerful in the scenes where it is used, and I also really appreciated the use of local artists, like Young Fathers, and the support the film has given them.
Overall, T2 Trainspotting doesn't quite hit the mark of it's predecessor, but that doesn't mean by any stretch of the imagination that it's a bad film. For me, the film is a solid 8.5/10, a great watch for those who love the original, but this time with a little comic relief added to every grim situation, alongside the classic whiff of nostalgia.
T2 Trainspotting is a more humorous, less dark, and less druggy version of the original Trainspotting. Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Johnny Lee Miller & Robert Carlyle are all fantastic, and I think Boyle was clever to catch up with the boys 20 years later, as we are when we're watching the film. The character development is believable, and they must have all had a great time on set.
As I mentioned, this film is more light-hearted than the last, with more humour, but that doesn't mean there is less drama. The film is still exciting, and yet again, we see Renton and Sick Boy on a money making plot, alongside Begbie hearing about Renton's return, and not being happy. I love Spud's character, and again he is sweet and lovable despite his addiction problems.
The film is filled with flashbacks to the original, and I feel it's imperative to have seen Trainspotting first, as the old footage is so powerful in the storytelling. Again Boyle's use of this footage is a brilliant tool in the making of the film. The footage also helps with realising where the characters are now, and why they may act in certain ways. There are also scenes where the psychedelic way they are filmed just adds so much to the story; not least in the final clip. This film is a credit to him.
The film also introduces a female lead, Veronika, played by Anjela Nedyalkova. I loved her addition to the story, and also I loved the presence of a female in her role, and the sense of justice (NO SPOILERS!). Alongside this, I liked the answers the film gave (NO SPOILERS!).
I feel like the original film was more revolutionary, and as I mentioned, when I watched it the other week, it felt so relevant and current, which I feel this new film may lack slightly. However, the humour it brings is great, alongside the new soundtrack (which had a lot to live up to). The introduction of Born Slippy is so powerful in the scenes where it is used, and I also really appreciated the use of local artists, like Young Fathers, and the support the film has given them.
Overall, T2 Trainspotting doesn't quite hit the mark of it's predecessor, but that doesn't mean by any stretch of the imagination that it's a bad film. For me, the film is a solid 8.5/10, a great watch for those who love the original, but this time with a little comic relief added to every grim situation, alongside the classic whiff of nostalgia.