Making my case for Rebal Wilson to take this boss mentality one step further… let loss…. u maybe the amazing boss, actress , producer but ur fans show up wanting the Rebal we love … not the pg version …

After producing 2 promising on paper movies , yet missed the mark and ended up in the “wow I wish they went for it bracket. maybe it’s time for Rebel Wilson to get back to what she does best. Making us laugh ….

Look readers, in a massive rebel Wilson fun. I found her the perfect amount of internal and physical comedy in pitch perfect 1/2 . Yes she couldn’t sing a note but she made those movies. Her fearless performance will go down in comic history . And although by the 3rd film I which felt at times like a “fat Amy spin off” I’m loved the way she makes you giggle at her and then at her movies .

She’s also great in supporting roles , one of the only highlights in “what to expect when ur expecting”

Her work in the criminally underseen dark comedy “bachelorette ”, no not the huge blockbuster bridesmaids she is in ( although not sure why!) but the fast, paste, dark humour, satire that was in my top 5 funny movies u never watched but should piece I did. Rebel manages to bring such optimism to a part where she could of played the straight character. And gives u just enough of the women inside . In a scene where her “friends “ “ think it’s funny to put her in front of her whole family and tell them that she had an eating disorder” . Watch her eyes in that moment . The hurt, anger , but also pity. She has was these girls wants and she knows she a dam sight happier than them. It’s a fascinating scene in which her classical acting training she definitely tuned into

Her last two films and the ones she has produced (amazing btw , women boss !! ) just happen to be the biggest letdown. Isn’t it romantic had an amazing premise , a killer cast, hey even the trailer was awesome … but it ended up being …. beige??? I didn’t laugh out load once and as much as I wanted to love it …. I didn’t . The hustle ….. well I’m biased . Anne Hathaway is my fav actress so I’ll always be happy watching her on screen. But the reality is the film was not good. It wasn’t bad. But just as it got interesting it ended ….

She has an amazing couple of roles in the pipeline , a remake of privet Benjamin , Taika Waititi’s follow up to thour rankcock , she has a roll in Tom hopper follow up to les miserable. The Christmas movie “cats based on the poetry of ts Elliot . All of these sound interesting will good directors, interesting movies. Only time will tell.

But in closing . I truly appreciate you Rebel. U make me smile every-time I watch u do ur mermaid dancing in pitch perfect…. I am looking forward to what the next chapter brings …. but if u are gonna go for a “comedy again… do it full you, no holds bard and ask Melissa Maccarthy to help and Paul feig direct.

Can’t wait to see what is next

Lizy chaplain , Kirsten Dunst and rebal Wilson in the 2012 must see dark comedy “bachelorette “

Charlize Theron hit a career low in the abysmal Atomic Blonde

About 15 minuets into Atomic blonde Charlize Theron with takes on 8 police men. Just as she is throwing the first punch George Michaels father figure starts booming out of the speakers. Half laughing I turn to the girlfriend I’m sat next to who full discourse sees about as many films as me and works at the cinema and I say ‘are they kidding?’

Its not just atomic blond is a bad film, its just considering the talent involved its what I have found myself writing a lot this summer, its truly disappointing. Charlise theron is a truly versatile and amazing performer. She has given me what I believe to be one of the greatest performances ever on film (monster) she is a great action star (mad max) and now she is appearing in the worst movie of her career. The are so many awful choices made in this movie that writing a review seems pointless, there is not a single person I would recommend this movie to, but seeing this did get me thinking, We are now in august and I am yet to see a summer movie that I haven’t outright hated or am very disappointed by. Lets dive in deeper.

The summer began with Guardians of the galaxy. Which was the same film as the first just 30 min longer and with more money not adding anything onto the original. Snatched which if you read my blog you will know I love Amy Schumer and Godie Hawn should have been trainwreck part two but ended up falling very flat! The less said about the latest transformers the better (and I am a big transformers fan!) Alien convent felt like a rip off of the alien franchise, war of the planet of the apes felt more like a Weston than a war movie. Gifted was good but never transcended into truly emotional or Oscar winning material. Wonder women decided to kill of the most interesting character in the final act making me less inclined to watch the sequel and if you read this blog you will know my feeling on Dunkirk. The lone surprisingly good movie which had no right to be as good was the final pirates in the carrabien movie.

The fact of the matter is I started this blog because I love movies and the truth is that each one of the movies I have mentioned makes me angry not because they are bad but because there was enough talent or excitement about them that they could have been so much better. I went to see the emoji movie last weekend with my friend and her kid. It didn’t disappoint. It was truly awful, yet the thing is the emoji movie being bad is that it doesn’t upset me, I knew it was going to be bad. But seeing the talents of Charlize Theron, Riddley Scott, Mark Walberg and Goldie Hawn go to waste…. That makes me sad.

This week I will be seeing Girls trip, Annabele the creation and The hitman’s bodyguard. At the very least I hope to be entertained but if you read this blog you will know as with all my reviews if im not you will hear about it first.

charlize theron in atomic blonde

Atomic blonde F

Miss Slone – A terrific masterclass in acting is wasted in the very average movie

There is a truly amazing movie I believe in Miss Slone. There has to be, there got a cast filled with brilliant actors all around to commit to make it. To get the Oscar winning director for Shakespeare in love John Madden to direct it. The movie is about gun control making the film even more relevant in todays times, yet why as I left the cinema did I get the feeling that somewhere between filming and the screen did it go somewhat wrong, and worse than it being bad you get the sense that a very good movie became …boring?

Miss Slone even as a Oscar piece for Jessica Chastain who is a personal favourite of mine somewhat misses the mark, this has nothing to do with her performance which is flawless but more to do with the writing. There needs to be some humanity in a performance even with the most unlikeable characters yet they make her so cold the your inevitably uninterested in her arch. It’s a shame as you cant help feel that some humanity would of taken this performance from ‘Oscar reaching’ to ‘Oscar nominated’. Gugu Mbatha-Raw continues to impress in a great supporting performance yet the script after the second act doesn’t know what to do with her and forgets how integral she was leaving you wanting more. Mark strong does some of the boldest work he has done in years and with Christine Barankski wasted in one scene you get there sense all involved were trying to make this thing work.

The problem is the film cant decided what it wants to be, is it a drama? Thriller? Is it the story of a women trying to help get gun control more boundaries or is it the story of Miss Slone and her colleges trying to get her locked away? Either of these stories would have been much more interesting if more focused but trying to cater to them both the film loses a lot and gains a lot of running time. The editor clearly had some off days as its 30 min to long, and there is a subplot with a male hooker (Jake Lacy) that could be removed and the film would have been tighter with one less character.

I read that the producers rushed to get the film ready for Oscar qualifications as they believed the film or at the very least Jessica Chastain would have been a shoe in, the reality is if this film had been nurtured in the right way it may well have been, what they ended up with was terrific actors being wasted in a overlong dull drama about a very interesting subject matter.

 

 

Jessica Chastain and  Gugu Mbatha-Raw in Miss Slone

 

Miss Slone – C

 

Dunkirk – when good isn’t good enough

You can blame marketing for a lot with movies. Sometimes with the case of transformers they make you want to see a film which you know won’t be very good. In the case of Dunkirk they make you believe that Chris Nolen one of my favourite directors of all time will finally get to show us one of his long time passion projects a war movie about the battle of Dunkirk.

This is not the case. Yes the movie maybe centred on the battle of Dunkirk but what you have is a suspense thriller dressed up like a war movie. Worse than that, is the fact that the best thing about this movie is that it’s a good movie. But when I am talking about Christopher Nolan a good movie just simply isn’t good enough.

Christopher Nolan is the man who made the streets of Paris become the sky and introduced us into the world of the dream (inception) he took an Anne Hathaway who at the time was best known for the princess diary’s and cast her in the iconic role of catwomen and turned her into one of the best things in the movie (the dark knight rises ). He made Scarlett Johnson have a second facial expression and made us question cloning (the prestige) and whether he is being slightly overly ambitious (interstellar) or small scale (memento) he never fails to blow you away with his creativity or genius.

This is where my issue with Dunkirk comes from. There really isn’t anything wrong with it as a movie. Its 93 min so its not a slog. The cinematography especially in the air segment of the movie is outstanding. The acting all around is good (and yes that includes Mr styles who does everything that he is asked to do nothing more or nothing less) but nothing stands out in the way we have come to expect. Kenneth Branagh has 2 nice moments towards the end of the film yet when the film has given Mark Rylance (a fishermen who is determined to help) much more of a character arch it feels odd to give Branagh the emotional pay off at the end. Tom hardy doesn’t speak, and most characters don’t have names that you become aware off. The single outstanding thing is the score which set mostly to the tick of a clock works very well, and was so good I knew as I was watching new I had to mention its use.

I feel like I have been hard on this movie, I haven’t I’m sure most people will think its brilliant its just apart from David o’russell (The fighter, Silver lining playbook) there is no other director that I always expect ambition and drive from. This felt like a good movie just not a Christopher Nolan movie.

Dunkirk – B

With its DVD release around the corner is it time to check in with our Bridget?

After 10 years away Bridget may have reached her goal weight but this franchise has a lot left in the tank.
Bridget jones diary on paper should have been a disaster. They cast an American with a potent Texan accent, Hugh Grant fresh from his split from Elizabeth Hurley and that infamous public pr disaster wasn’t lighting up the box office as he one did And although Colin Firth was well respected in theatre and tv his transition to films hadn’t started yet. On top of that they hired a first time director it should of been a disaster instead it was a classic, a critical and commercial success earn over 250 million worldwide and Renne Zellwegger her first oscar nomination.

That put a huge amount of pressure on the sequel, one it could never live up to. At the time it wasn’t bad it just wasn’t the sequel we all wanted and although earning just as much money at the box office a 3rd end of the trilogy never materialised.
At one point there was a script Nick Hornsby wrote, Grant was unsatisfied with his characters development and was vocal of saying so and a 3rd movie became one assumed would never materialise.
So now that’s it back after 10 years minus Grant, the good news is it’s the sequel I always wanted. With Bridget being older her issues are different and therefore less predictable. Zellwegger has had a truly fascinating carrer there was a period where she was a true Hollywood star she was nominated for an oscar 3 times in a row for Bridget , Roxie in chicargo and fianlly winning for her fiesty turn as Ruby Tues in cold mountain. She then gave it all up after a coulple of bombs only to come back after a 6 year hiatus to play what many feel is her defining role. Showing she has the comic chops without gaining the weight that was a lot of the focus of the first couple of movies and clearly enjoying the new challenges of her character it’s good to have her back and as the film has made a fortune no doubt Bridget has twins if coming in 2017.
Colin firth for me was always the weak link of the films. I know the character is meant to be a straight laced gentleman but I never truly saw why he and Bridget matched. Yes he gave a amazing speech about loving her “just as she is” but why does he then spend the entire next movie resenting her for it. Some of that is unfortunate character development some of it is just Colin firth who I know many people love but I have never enjoyed until recently in kingsman . He actually seemed to be enjoying himself on screen (yes I include the kings speech which Is hands down think is the most overrated oscar winning film in the 20 years Iv been watching them) , he unlike Zellweger who seem to relish the chance of something new seems to be picking up a nice paycheack.
The other man in Bridget’s life I fully admit I’m hugely biased about. My favourite TV show is greys anatomy so Patrick Dempsey can do no wrong. However without the grey googles on he brings a fresh energy and adds to the big Grant shape hole which is there. I hope now he sees how well it’s done critically and commercially they will throw as much money as it takes because although he represents the worst type of man for Bridget they had chemistry. There email flirtation was just the start but without even being on screen together still makes me chuckle.
As it comes out on DVD I hope that people who hated the second do come back for this gem of a film and hope the producers learnt there lesson, take ur time, it doesn’t have to come out next year and trust the original director. She did right.

Grade -A

The hunting ground demands its viewing and its respect in its return

It’s pretty shameful that even though I knew the title. It was because lady gAga was nominated for an oscar for a song she wrote for the movie rather than its subject matter , however upon watching the bold and direct piece of filmaking I hope that every school , university shows this at some point during freeshers week. They won’t. But one can have hope.

The hunting ground tells the story about girls who have been rapped and after being silenced by the powers that be ( the girls at university ) they realise they are not alone and set out to warn others And show up the institutions. Demanding the correct justice for the crimes done to them. This may all sound very Norma ray, it isn’t. It’s tragic and although the movie never shys away from its subject matter it also doesn’t glorify it. 
Having coincidently just watched another documentary on this subject matter in which every single horrific moment was glorified to the point of being off putting and me actively switching off this film shows a grateful restraint without ever taking away from the pain that these women have suffered. 
This painful undertaking that Kirby dick has directed is at times to slow paced and there is little in the way of justice. It feels sad to watch people being upset that a quaterback may never play his final game yet the 2 girls he rapped have abuse thrown at them on a daily basis. I can only imagine the hours of interviews information and stories she must of listened to, heard. 
There is this scene at the end of ‘precious’ where this mother who is truly one of the most tragically awful women ever portrayed onscreen gets to tell ‘her side’ as she sees it. U can never forget what u have witnessed or what u know about the women but for a split second u almost feel sympathy for her. It goes as quickly as it came but it that moment Mary gives u just enough to know she is human. I had a similar feeling last night watching the end segment where all the deans , sports agents , teachers who helped in the awful coverup stand looking at the camera having to live with what they let those boys get away with. For a second I felt sympathy. 
Some movies aren’t meant to be loved or even liked . There made to inform and move. This did.

The hunting ground – B 

A movie where the least interesting part of the alien movie is the alien .. I’m sold

 
I’ve never been a si-fy fan. I l found looper was interesting and felt original but the more Reboots and bad general work but off the screen and on (gravity aside) iv found the genere for me dull and the new  Star Wars / trekk unappealing. I never planned on loving arrival as much as I did.
 I went because as those few of u that read my reviews know I am a huge fan of Amy Adams, her body of work get more impressive and it’s yet again flawless here. It’s strong, but restrained work from her in the wrong hands could of been made into another version of the recent awful Independence Day 2. But in this movie where so much of the film is about language and the understanding of words vers actions she made it all believable. Wheather it translates into a oscar nomination remains to be seen. It’s a very strong year for women and the academy’s doesn’t usually nonimate Si-fy movies apart from in the craft categories yet if it becomes a hit then she has a shot.
As the director, Dennis Villienuve he trademark long takes , slow build and never reveals more than the protagonist hersef know, are all used to lasting effect. Sircio was a movie that featured a female lead that was originally written for a Man but he felt the character. Women original and a fairly unoriginal but brilliantly made movie. By making the lead female and not played by Bruce Willis ur making something original and original it is.
This is not a film about aliens. This is a character studie that just happens to have aliens in it. If ur expecting the next blade runner or minority report u will be disappointed. 
The are some small niggles, the score is underused and when it is I found to empowering. And although Forest witticaker and Jeremy Renner are good I feel like I’ve seen the same role from both of them before and this really was a colbartion between the right screenplay fitted with the right director and given a actresses who just took the opportunity and run. 
Arrival A- 

Amy Adams in arrival 

As a side note arrival could certainly have squeals. I hope they keep her in it’s I recently read the the sicoro sequel was going to focus only on beniacio del torrow character and Emily blunt’s written out. A large reason for the success of that film is down to the fact the drug law enforcement agents was  a women in a mans world. Let not let the same thing happen here. 

Making a case for Amy Adams to win an oscar for the performance not because she is due

Amy Adams is part of the Kate winselt , Leonardo dicaprio club where because they have had 5 or 6 Oscar nomintinations and the academy, the media, the press and then the public etc decide its their year to finally bring home the gold statute. No matter what role they happen to of acted in to get nominated that year. 

Now don’t get me wrong Kate winslet gave a great performance in the reader … (Although it was a supporting performance and she won for lead ! ) but compare that the her ingenious turn as clementine in enternal sunshine of the spotless mind or even in the same year she won she showed emotion on screen not seen since Meryl Streep in Sophies Choice in Sam mendes revolutionary road… Even in the role of frumpy housewife having an affair in the haunting little childen, she has given us so many reasons to award her for much superior roles. The same can be said for mr dicaprio. It may have its haters but i loved Ganga of New York and felt it was the first time I saw a man on screen not jack Dawson. I loved his work the departed but common…. The wolf of Wall Street ….. He was truly insatiable, I actually belived he would steal it away from the maconasse and win. Mcconaughey gave a brave physical performance but the film was Jared Letos movie the moment he was on screen but that’s for another day.
Amy adams like these actors should of won . Even in films she was nominated with others in the same field . Look at her amazing work in the fighter . Melissa Leo may have a showey “show me the money scene” but Adams is the one that breaks ur heart . She continues to add class to everything she lends her name to , the master , doubt . Iv only scene one trailer for the upcoming Arrivals from director of wild ….. that film nabbed Reece witherspoon a nomination but for a extremely fearless and emotive movie where arrival is essesially a SyFy movie and baring gravity that gene hasent been embarced by the academy on the whole . However Adams is due and I hope for a film that is also . Next week will dive into the best film u will have missed at the cinema this summer the meddler. 

Amy Adams in arrival

Zac Efron comes of age in the fun but flawed We Are Your Friends

Every summer in the mist of all the blockbusters you can find small films that don’t get the attention they deserve. Last year I wrote about a film called Chef. A small character driven movie that after directing the Iron man movies took Jon Faveraux  back into the independent movie game to great success. That movie has found a very strong following thanks to being available on Neflix and hope that in the end We are your friends find similar success.

We are your friends is a very typical coming of age story told though the world of EDM music, that neither shakes up the gene but also doesn’t disappoint. Zac Efron strongly plays Cole Carter a young Dj who after a night playing meets James ( Wes Bentley adding just enough sympathy to make the character relatable) a much more experienced Dj who takes James under his wings. Add into the mix James girlfriend Sophie (played surprisingly well by Emily Ratajowski) with whole Cole has a crush on and you pretty much know how this will play out.

This is all played strongly by all. Where the film loses it’s way apart from the awful title is the ‘friends aspect of it’. The second strain of the movie featuring Coles lifelong friends trying to figure there life out just falls flat on every level. We spend not enough time with his friends to care about there outcomes and in the end you wish the director has focused on the efforts on the other actors.

What works very well is the music and soundtrack to the movie. The director Max Joesph does a good job of not only explaining what EDM (electronic dance music) is but also falling in love with it. The music tells Cole’s journey most notably  during a scene where Cole and Sophie run around Las Vegas set to music which yes may sound like a Avicii music video but I assure you is in fact the most epic cinematic moment I have seen all summer and truly something that shouldn’t be missed.

Emily Ratajowski in We are your friends

Grade B

Trainwreck Review – Amy Schumer does her thing and a we thankfull she does

Amy Schumer isn’t a name that many people will recognize, but by the end of the summer make no mistake about it, you will. She Stars and writes Trainwreck directed strongly by Judd Apatow who after the creative misfire of Funny People and the good in short burst’s but 40 mins to long This is 40 finds his footing again in the role reversal romantic comedy.

Schumer stars as Amy a women who in her mind has her life together. She has in her own words a great job and awesome apartment and has causal sex with anyone she wants and makes no bones about it. She looks at her sister ( played with sensitivity and heart by the underrated Bri Larson) who has her life together with a husband and child on the way as the unfortunate ones. It isn’t until she has to interview a sports doctor (Bill Heder ) and falls for his charms that she begins to question her own life choices.

Trainwreck first and foremost is funny. Schumer takes this almost unlikeable character but allows you to laugh with her instead of at her. She makes Amy feel like a regular 25 year old trying to figure it out. The jokes are endless and her chemisty with Heder works. He never tries to change her but that does mean her doesn’t want to. Tilda Swinton and Lebron James both playing against type provide solid support but in a film that is perhaps 20 minuets to long one feels that one less scene with them in wouldn’t of hurt.

Like most good romantic moves there is a soul to this movie. Schumer being a classically trained actress isn’t afraid to take the script to deep places and show off her skill as a dramatic actress. I defy anyone not to half a tear in their eye during a monologue she gives at a funeral. However not all bits of the movie work. Being 20 minuets to long certain jokes fall flat, supporting characters that im sure have a following (her office intern) for me didn’t work at all and the ending although predictable just didn’t fit for me with who the character is as a person and comes across to happy endings for me.

However these are all very minor quibbles. In a summer that has seem Ted 2 flop, the Entourage movie being like a giant episode of the tv show with no imagination it was great to see a comedy that works and introduces us to the comedic talent that is Amy Schumer.

Amy Schumer and Bill Heder in Trainwreck

Grade A-