5 Films To Look Forward To In March 2014

1) Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Yet another superhero sequel to look forward to.

2) 300: Rise Of An Empire

Oh look, another sequel.

3) Need For Speed

And now a movie based on a video game (I'm sensing a lack of originality this month).

4) Muppets Most Wanted

Oh and we're back to sequels again.

5) The Grand Budapest Hotel

At last something different. This film recounts the story of Gustave, the concierge at this famous hotel in the years between the two World Wars.

American Hustle (2014)

 The next award season film to be covered is 'American 'Hustle'. Nominated pretty much across the board, the newest David O'Russell comedy focuses on a small time con-man named Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) who, along with his partner Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams), is caught by FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper) and forced to assist with the investigation and arrest of corrupt politicians (Jeremy Renner), congressmen and members of the Mafia. However, his personal life begins to become entangled with his conning ways and soon his wife (Jennifer Lawrence) gets incredibly close to putting them all in grave danger.

 Visually, this film is outstanding. The attitude and look of the late 70's is captured perfectly in everything from the framing and filters to the costumes and hair. Nothing has been forgotten or misplaced and it all adds to the overall feel of the movie. I must say, I do feel sorry for Bradley Cooper. I don't think I have seen a hairstyle quite as ridiculous in a long time, even though it does weirdly suit his character. This film does what David O'Russell films always do and encompasses you in the world and time of the story and these characters.

 To move on to the acting, the ensemble of previous O'Russell collaborators have come together and genuinely give some great performances. The stand out for me is Christian Bale who plays every aspect of this sleazy yet caring and clever individual with exceptional detail. However, for me (and I may be about to upset some people here), I don't see what all the fuss is about. Jennifer Lawrence is good, yes, but she's no better than a good performance, and it certainly isn't anywhere her award winning role in 'Silver Linings Playbook' (and it doesn't even come close to Lupita Nyong'o in 12 Years A Slave of Julia Roberts in August Osage County). The same goes for Bradley Cooper. Yes he is good in this movie, but there is nothing stand out about it. Amy Adams has a slightly different issue. She is incredible in this film and if that was all that mattered in order to get award nominations then she definitely deserves her collection of nods for this movie. It is obvious that she has really gone through it for this part and the emotion comes across on screen. However (and this may just be because I am English) her attempt at a British accent was questionable at most moments throughout the film. This really annoyed me as she is genuinely brilliant in this movie, but the accent (whatever it is) undercuts every scene in which it is required and lets down her incredible performance. Therefore, while they all may deserve their nominations, I personally feel that other performances in other films deserve the win far more than this ensemble.

 Continually (and as a fan of David O'Russell I really don't like the fact that I have issues with this film) the storyline and the script is not up to the standard that should merit a slew of award nods. Don't get me wrong. It's interesting and has its funny moments and moves along at a fast pace but there is nothing special. The whole con aspect doesn't really contain anything new or original and the humour is sparse at best. In short, it's just kind of average.

 To sum up, this is a good film and that shouldn't be forgotten or overlooked. It's just missing something that would put it up with the other nominees this award season. Without the expectation of an award standard movie, the problems would be less obvious but with that expectation on its shoulders, it just doesn't live up to the standard of the other films in the categories.

Dallas Buyers Club (2014)

 The next film in the award season bundle is 'Dallas Buyers Club'. There seems to be a set bunch of topics that if you base your story on one of these ideas and release it around awards time you are more than likely to get a whole host of nominations. One of these is the topic of AID's, especially in the 80's and 90's in the USA. The political and social issues raised by this period and this 'epidemic' seems to make for a bloody good movie (e.g. Philadelphia, Peter's Friends, Rent are a few examples), so let's get cracking with this one.

 Dallas Buyers Club is based on the real life story of Ron Woodroof (Matthew McConaughey), an electrician and very homophobic Texan who, after having sex with a drug addict, discovers he has HIV. After being told he only has 30 days to live and that AZT, the new drugs on trial prescribed to HIV suffers, gives patients a poor standard of life, Ron decides to start importing foreign drugs unapproved by the FDA. To get around the illegality of his actions Ron, with the help of a transgender HIV positive woman Rayon (Jared Leto), instead sells membership to the Dallas Buyers Club and gives the imported drugs to members for free as part of the membership. This is basically the story of one (not very nice) man changing his attitudes and saving lives in the process.

 Instead of waffling on about all the cinematic aspects I will just simply say that visually it is an incredible film and manages to depict the desperation of these individuals alongside the attitudes of the times and the part of the world this film is set. It is perfect for the films story and feel, and I am going to stop there because the real point of address with this film is the acting. Matthew McConaughey has already won pretty much all of the best actor awards going so far, and Jared Leto isn't too far behind with the supporting actor nods. The big question is, however, do these guys deserve the multitude of awards they are getting? Is their acting really that good? In short, the answer is hell yes. Their transformation into these characters is stunning and I'm not talking about the physical aspect of things. To say that not that many years ago McConaughey was starring in films like 'Failure To Launch' and Leto was more famous for his rock band 30 Seconds To Mars than he was for his acting, they genuinely produce incredible one in a lifetime performances. McConaughey somehow manages to make one of the most aggravating men seem likeable by the end of the film, and Leto's portrayal of a transgender woman is touching, subtle and honest, not the stereotyped portrayal often seen in these kinds of films. These incredible performances are only enhanced by the extreme physical transformation undertaken by both actors to demonstrate the horrific effects of HIV on an individual's appearance. McConaughey lost three and a half stone while Leto lost two and a half for his role and whilst this is vital for the film and emphasis the struggle of these people and their situation it is, without a doubt, the performances that overshadow this physical transformation by a mile. As well as this, to move away from the two main actors, the rest of the cast provide excellent support with a particular stand out performance by Jennifer Garner as the doctor who eventually decides to help Ron Woodroof with his mission to give AID's sufferers the drugs they need to save their lives.

To sum everything up, I really couldn't give this film higher praise. It is funny, moving, politically and socially charged and to top it all off, hugely entertaining. It's in cinemas now so why not pop along, grab some popcorn and go and see it (maybe not for Valentine's Day though).

August: Osage County (2014)

 Based on the Tony award and Pulitzer Prize winning play by Tracy Letts, August: Osage County is the story of how an already dysfunctional family copes with the loss of its patriarch. With a mother who is drug addict, one sister in the midst of a divorce, another who has been left to care for her parents for years and a third running away in some love-struck teenage fantasy, this family of strong willed women epically collides in the days following their father's funeral with no one escaping the wrath of the antagonistic matriarch.

There is only really one way to start this review and that is by saying that Meryl Streep is an acting goddess (no matter how obvious that statement may be). Her acting, and the acting of every performer within this star-studded cast, just seems completely effortless and natural. To give you an idea of just how many talents there are in this movie, you have Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, Chris Cooper, Margo Martindale, Dermot Mulroney, Julianne Nicholson, Juliette Lewis, Benedict Cumberbatch, Abigail Breslin and many many more. Exceptional performances are given all round making for a truly gripping story and mesmerising characters with impeccable individuality. Each actor has brought something different to their role while maintaining a family dynamic that is dysfunctional to its core. For me, the stand out performance (besides Meryl Streep) has to be Julia Roberts. Her portrayal of the 'favourite' daughter with a crumbling marriage, a tearaway teenager and a need to keep her family in check is faultless. None of these characters are hugely likeable and they all have their flaws, but an endearing edge is brought to the story in the performances by Julianne Nicholson and Benedict Cumberbatch playing Ivy and Little Charles. Their performances give a calming break to the madness that is this intense family and give a good balance to the overall film. If there is one reason to go and see this film, it is purely an acting master class from some of the greatest actors around today.

 However, if you want more than some incredible acting, the story is tense, gripping and constantly throwing one difficulty after another at this group of people. It includes everything from drug use, suicide, divorce, extramarital affairs, cancer, incest, jealousy, hatred and everything else you can imagine. There really is no let-up in this entire movie and I can only imagine what it must've been like to see or perform this play on stage every night. This bombardment if one problem after another makes for a engaging and interesting story worthy of its Pulitzer and Tony award winning reputation. Tracy Letts seems to have written one of the most emotionally charged and brilliantly crafted scripts of this century, perfectly blending tense drama alongside subtle humour (because this movie is very funny as well) to create a great work of stage and screen.

 So if I haven't managed to convince you already, GO AND SEE THIS MOVIE. It is well worth it and deserving of all the awards buzz that surrounds it.

5 Films To Look Forward To In February 2014

1) Dallas Buyers Club

Starring Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto this film tells the story of Ron Woodruff, a man forced to face the realities of AID's and the FDA in the 90's.

2) Robocop

It might be crap, but you never know.

3) Cuban Fury

A comedy about a man who gave up Salsa dancing after being a junior champion.

4) The Monuments Men

Tells the story of a special platoon in WWII charged with rescuing artistic masterpieces from the Nazis.

5) The Invisible Woman

A woman reminisces and recalls her relationship with Charles Dickens.

12 Years A Slave (2014)

The award season has arrived so I have decided to start this New Year with one of the hot contenders. Directed by Steve McQueen, 12 Years A Slave has already won Best Motion Picture - Drama at this year's Golden Globes as well as having the most nominations for any film at this ceremony and many more across the award season so far. It tells the true story of Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man in 19th Century New York who is kidnapped and sold into slavery, forced to work on the cotton plantations of Louisiana. During his slavery he is confronted with both benevolent and brutal masters, loss of hope and acts of kindness that lead to is eventual return to his family and to his freedom.

To say that this film is deserving of its accolades and nominations seems to me to be a gross understatement. Often in the collection of films that are chosen to be nominated for the awards season, the majority are slow, overly arty and lacking in any real story or depth (please don't make me start talking about 'The Tree of Life'). This film however is a masterpiece. Each of the elements of this movie are combined together perfectly to create a truly stunning motion picture.

To start with, let's discuss the acting. Every single actor in this movie gives the performance of a lifetime, and with a cast like this, it is hardly surprising. To name but a few, Michael Fassbender (Edwin Epps), Lupita Nyong'o (Patsey), Sarah Paulson (Mary Epps), Benedict Cumberbatch (William Ford), Brad Pitt (Samuel Bass), Paul Giamatti (Theophilus Freeman) and Paul Dano (John Tibeats) are all stunning and make for a truly outstanding collection of supporting performances. However, none of these can even come close to the once-in-a-lifetime performance given by Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup. I have been a huge fan of his since I saw 'Kinky Boots' for the first time all those years ago, but his performance in this film is genuinely something else. Ejiofor brings a unique quality to this kidnapped and worn down man, expertly portraying the desperation of the situation whilst demonstrating the strength, kindness and pride of the character in question.

Moving on to the film in general, it is visually stunning and often quite uncomfortable to watch. The hardship and reality of slavery is in no way shied away from, portraying the true nature of the story and this man's struggle through his loss of freedom. Steve McQueen has beautifully directed this film ensuring that this story is told as truthfully and as realistically as possible. It is a stunning film to watch and deserves to win many more awards.

If I were forced to pick out a negative aspect of the film, I would say that on very rare occasions the music and the editing do not help the story along and can occasionally be distracting and take the focus away from what is being seen. However, these moments are fleeting at most and bare no influence on the overall portrayal of the story and the movie itself.

Overall, this is a great movie and one that is a must see from this years nominated crop, and I can safely say that I have no doubt many more awards are in its future.

5+ Films To Look Forward To In January 2014

This one will include slightly more than 5 films what with it being award season and all...

1) Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom

The story of the great Nelson Mandela with incredible performances from all involved.

2) Her

A comedy about a man who falls in love with an operating system. It sounds strange but the story is oddly moving and relevant.

3) The Wolf Of Wall Street

This new Scorsese and DiCaprio film examines greed and corruption within the New York Stock Exchange.

4) August: Osage County

Based on a Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning play by Tracy Letts, this star studded cast brilliantly portrays this incredibly dysfunctional family.

5) 12 Years A Slave

This film seems to be a sure bet for the awards this season, with Chiwotel Ejiofor giving the performance of a lifetime.

6) Inside Llewyn Davis

It's a Coen brothers film so it's going to be good.

7) Out Of The Furnace

Christian Bale plays a soldier who has returned from Iraq only to become part of the criminal underworld.

8) The Book Thief 

Based on the critically acclaimed book, this follows a little girl in Nazi Germany and the courage shown by her and her family.

So a few more films than usual but they all look pretty good. Anyway, have a happy and safe new year, and see you in 2014!!