PROJECT ALMANAC - film

 Knew nothing about this film when I walked in and quickly realised we would not get along.

Hand. Held. Camera.

I am a very light touch when it comes to motion sickness so this was a disaster for me. I really tried hard to stick it out FOR YOU GUYS. SEE WHAT I DO FOR YOU!?

But at the 50 minute mark, my stomach could take it no longer and I had to swiftly dash out the cinema. You can guess the rest, though I wouldn't recommend it.

The last time this happened to me was with the film Kenny. Urgh.

For what it's worth, the film is about three high school nerds, a cute sister and a hot popular girl from school who manage to invent a way to time travel. But (surprise!) they don't think through all the consequences of this. I wish I could tell you how that aspect of the film unfolds but I didn't return after my aforementioned exit. What I did get through I wasn't particularly impressed by, so if you're willing to take the word of someone who only got through 50 minutes of a movie, I'd say give this a miss.

Here's a two star review in the UK Telegraph for you if you want the full picture, more on the story etc. And trailer here.

FIFTY SHADES OF GREY - film

This film is based on the international best-selling book 'Fifty Shades of Grey' by author E.L James. (Note that I haven't read the book so this is just a regular film blog to me.)

If you've been living under a rock you might not know that the book is famous for some pretty raunchy s&m sex between main characters Christian Grey (young rich 'business man') and Anastasia Steele (young innocent English Lit student).

In the film adaptation we have Jamie Dornan as Christian and Dakota Johnson as Anastasia. Anastasia meets Christian and he gradually tries to compel her get involved in his s&m world. Both give an ok performance in a film I found to be total rubbish. 

Honestly, it was just tedious. Some of the dialogue, I gather taken directly from the book, just made me wonder how on earth it was so popular.

For example (FRUITY LANGUAGE WARNING):

Anastasia to Christian: "Are you going to make love to me now?"
Christian: "I don't make love, I fuck. Hard."

I actually heard someone in the cinema mutter "Oh please" at that bit.

OK that was me who muttered that.

The film is attracting some controversy as to whether it glamorizes domestic violence. Obviously that's not something that can be examined within the confines of my short 'cut to the chase' style, but if you do want to read more about that, try this article.

But quite apart from any of that, I think this is just a really ordinary film and I'd be disappointed if I'd paid $20 to see it. If you're looking for titillation it would be way too soft for you (it's not even R-rated, it's MA 15+) and if you're not into that you'd probably have no interest in the film anyway.


Fairfax film critic Phillipa Hawker didn't hate it as much as me, for the record. Here's her 3 star review if you're interested in that perspective and more on the story. The Today Show's Lisa Wilkinson hated it and gave it a big ol' serve on her show, which you can watch here.

Trailer here.

THE GAMBLER - film

Imagine a friend is a gambling addict and you have to watch them dig themselves deeper and deeper into debt and crisis, making bad decision after bad decision. That would be pretty awful to watch, wouldn't it?

Welcome to The Gambler.

Mark Wahlberg is our gambler and I never really became invested in him and his plight, nor the mediocre mini love story in this.

All in all, it was just pretty *meh* and definitely not worth laying down a lobster (and then some) to see at the cinema.

The one thing I did enjoy though is John Goodman as one of the blokes owed money. I'd forgotten how great that guy is. 

(Side note: thumbs down to any film maker who makes Mark Wahlberg look as unattractive as he does in this.)

Trailer here.

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING - film

This is the story of famous theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking's life, based on a memoir by his ex-wife Jane. Hawking was diagnosed with motor neurone disease at the age of 21 and went on to defy expectation and make amazing discoveries in physics. (That's my layman's take on it but I'm not a a physicist so leave me alone, ok?!)


As you would imagine, the role of Hawking is challenging to play but actor Eddie Redmayne is amazing. He won the Best Actor Golden Globe and may well go on to win the Oscar also.

I personally found this film pleasant enough viewing but not amazing. Redmayne's performance aside, my friend I agreed that it was a bit dull. If the opportunity arises, sure, watch away, but I can't say I'd suggest rushing out for it. Especially during award season when the market is flooded with great films.

For more on the story, check out this three star review in The Telegraph (UK). Three stars sits about right with me - good but not great.

Trailer here.

WILD - film

 Reese Witherspoon takes the lead in this film based on a true story - Cheryl Strayed's account of her 1770 kilometer trek through American desert in 1995.

We jump from now, when she's actually trekking, to moments in the past that explain why she came to be on such a significant journey. Much of it goes back to the death of her 45 year old mother played by Laura Dern and where her grief takes her. (Hint - it ain't pretty.)

Witherspoon is nominated for the Best Actress Oscar for this film which speaks volumes. This is a huge role (she's in almost every scene) that really carries the entire film and she is excellent in it.

At first as we watched this young woman, so inadequately prepared for such a huge physical challenge, walking through the desert I was taken back to the Australian film Tracks in which Mia Wasikowska plays a woman trekking through the desert with a camel. Despite the critical acclaim I found that film a giant snooze fest so I was worried this would follow in a similar vein but there's plenty of action outside of the desert challenges to keep this one interesting.

This positive review in the LA Times captures it nicely, if you're keen to read more.

Trailer here.

STILL ALICE - film

In this film, Julianne Moore plays a 50 year old academic diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's Disease. She is brilliant in it and deservedly just won the Best Actress Golden Globe and is a got chance of winning the Oscar for same.

Her experience of the disease taking hold is a journey she goes on with her husband, played by Alec Baldwin, and her children, played by Kristen Stewart (who does sullen predictably well), Kate Bosworth and Hunter Parrish.

This film is spectacularly beautiful and I would highly recommend it but be prepared for an emotional experience. You will need tissues!

For more read this four star review from The Guardian... "An effortlessly excellent film about a difficult subject."

Trailer here.

ST VINCENT - film

Loved this! Bill Murray at his blistering best as grumpy, wacky old Vincent, neighbour to Melissa McCarthy's Maggie and her son Oliver.

Maggie and Oliver are new to the neighbourhood and circumstances see Vincent become unlikely babysitter to Oliver. Not surprisingly it's far from a usual babysitting arrangement but the two characters develop a lovely connection and get into a bit of mischief.

There's also more to it including a role for Naomi Watts (for which she was expected by some to get a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination but was 'snubbed') but you don't need the details, just go and see it!

Highly recommend this one.

Here's a positive review (surprisingly only matched with 3.5 stars) from News Ltd's Leigh Paatsch if you want more and here's a trailer.

BIRDMAN - film

As with many films out at this time of year, Birdman is nominated for a bunch of Oscars which is of course a sign of good quality. 

(You know a film distribution company thinks they have a hit on their hands when a film like this, which is an arthousey one, is on at Hoyts Greensborough. Greensborough! The only thing stranger than that programming decision is the fact that there was four other people in the cinema in my session!)

But I'll be honest. I didn't love it.

I get why the critics love it (eg this gushing review in Variety) and I agree that the performances in it are amazing. Michael Keaton is brilliant in the lead role and Emma Stone playing his daughter also impresses. Zach Galifianakis, Naomi Watts and Ed Norton - all excellent.

I think the people who will enjoy this are people who don't just dig mainstream, people who like their films to make them think a little. If you like your movies pretty mainstream and you're just at the movies for some mindless entertainment in a rare two hour break from the kids, I think you could be disappointed by this.

Birdman is anything but mindless. It's about an actor Riggan Thomas (Keaton) who is trying to reinvigorate his career after playing iconic superhero 'Birdman' in a series of films many years ago. He's doing that by staging his own adaptation of a Raymond Carver short story 'What We Talk About When We Talk About Love' - directing and starring, no less.

If I could watch any of the 'Best Picture' Oscar nominated films again, I'd watch Whiplash and The Imitation Game again before this.

Give this Fairfax 5 star review a read if you're thinking about seeing it I reckon. It'll give you a helpful idea of the story before going in.

Trailer here. Now showing.

UNBROKEN - film

This WWII drama, directed by Angelina Jolie, is based on the true story of Olympic runner-turned US Air Force bombardier Louis Zamperini. His story is a remarkable one (der - Lush Lips Ange wouldn't have made a film about him if it wasn't!) and this film captures it in a deeply compelling way.

The parts of the film (the majority of it) that capture Louie's time stranded at sea (his plane is struck down over the Pacific) with two other soldiers and his subsequent time in a Japanese POW camp are so unrelenting that it was almost painful to watch. A sign that the story is being executed well, to be sure. It's not easy to watch in that regard but it really is an amazing story and I would happily recommend seeing this one.

For more detail on the story, check out this 3.5 star review in Rolling Stone magazine.

Trailer here. Opens 15 January.

THE HOBBIT: The Battle of the Five Armies - film

I'll open this with a frank confession. This is the third part in a series of three 'The Hobbit' films and I haven't seen the first two parts. I was preparing to be bored and confused when I watched this installment and you know what? I was confused but not at all bored! It's a drama-filled visual feast! 'The Hobbit' is a book by JRR Tolkien who also wrote 'The Lord of the Rings'. The events of 'The Hobbit' precede those of 'The Lord of the Rings'.

To be fair to the film, I took along my 15 year old nephew James who is a big fan and had seen the first two installments. I handed the blogging reigns to him and here's what he said:

"I thought the movie was a great wrap up to the three 'The Hobbit' movies. I loved the way it was presented and I especially loved the use of digital effects. Although there was something that bothered me a bit with the movie... at times it simply has too much going on. The original 'The Lord of the Rings' had two different story lines going for most of the three movies. This gave an interesting range of perspectives but at a point in this final 'The Hobbit' movie there was simply too much going on and I was just getting confused. Apart from that small issue I really enjoyed the movie. I think it was an excellent end to the 'The Hobbit' trilogy and unlike most other prequels, it linked incredibly smoothly into the first 'The Lord of the Rings'. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who likes a bit of action and fantasy."

I guess this can all be summarized as, if you liked 'The Lord of the Rings' and the first two installments of 'The Hobbit', you will probably really like this but probably will see it regardless of the reviews. If you haven't seen any of them, don't know anything about the story etc, you will be mighty confused jumping on the bandwagon at this point but entertained nonetheless! 

It's getting mixed reviews. Here's a great one from The Wall Street Journal and here's a pretty bad one from The Atlantic.

Trailer here.

Opens in cinemas on Boxing Day.

THE IMITATION GAME - film

Loved this!

It's based on a true story about Alan Turing (played to perfection by the brilliant Benedict Cumberbatch), a mathematician who invented the first ever 'computer' during WWII to crack the Nazi's naval code to help win the war.

Keira Knightley is also in this (playing one of the other cryptologists working with Turing, the only female) and despite my general ambivalence towards her, she keeps being great in great movies like this one so I'm slowly coming around on her!

The story delicately navigates the issues of Turing's personal life too - he was gay which was, at that time, illegal.

Lots of films skew to a particular group - women will like XYZ film more than men, young people will like XYZ film more than older people, but this is universally likeable to my mind. I really can't think of a group who wouldn't enjoy it. (Ummm, maybe young bogans who find films like 'Fat Pizza' funny, but they're not likely to be reading this totes high brow blog, ok?!) 

There's a bit of Oscar buzz around this film. I'd love to see Cumberbatch get a gong for it, he really is fabulous in this.

For more on the film, try this 'B+' review in US magazine Entertainment Weekly. 

It opens in cinemas on 1 January. Trailer here.

LOVE, ROSIE - film

I've dragged my feet on blogging this UK flick and I think it's because I found it pretty dull. It's fun to blog movies that are great and even movies that are terrible but this one is just MEH. Not worth the bother. It's based on a novel called 'Where Rainbows End' which I obviously won't be rushing out to read!

Starring Lily Collins (with distractingly large eyebrows) and Sam Claflin, it's one of those 'they're meant to be together but the stars never align but then they ultimately do for a happy ending' type of thing. We've seen that story a million times and we've seen it done a lot better.

Margaret and David both gave it 2.5 stars - read their reviews and more on the film here.

Trailer here.

MY OLD LADY - film

This British/American flick never quite gets as good as I hoped it would.

Kevin Kline is great as Mathias, an American who travels to Paris to claim an apartment he has inherited from his deceased father. He arrives to find it occupied by Mathilde (Maggie Smith) and her daughter Chloe (Kristin Scott Thomas) under an unusual arrangement where Mathilde can stay living there until she dies regardless of who owns it.

A predictable ending does eventuate though only after a surprising diversion to throw you off the scent.

On Metacritic (a website that generates an average of all reviews of a film) it's sitting at 2.5 out of 5 which is exactly right for this I reckon. It's not bad but it's not great, it's just in the middle. Maggie Smith delivers a great performance as always but it's not enough to carry this into stronger territory.

Here's a 2.5 star review from the New York Times and a trailer if you want to know more.

Opens Thursday 13 November and runs for 107 minutes.

 

TWO DAYS, ONE NIGHT - film

 This arthouse release from Belgium has a gentle subtlety underlying a powerful story. 

Marion Cotillard plays Sandra, a mother of two who has taken time off from her job in a factory due to depression. While away, the bosses make her 16 colleagues decide between receiving a €1,000 bonus each, or allowing Sandra to keep her job. They choose the bonus and Sandra hears about this and persuades the bosses to hold another vote, giving her two days and one night to persuade her colleagues to vote differently that she may keep her job. Her interactions with these colleagues make up this lovely film with an unexpected ending.

Cotilliard's performance is just wonderful. I was totally engrossed in Sandra's struggle.

If you are lucky enough to see a lot of films, I would certainly recommend you add this to the list but otherwise it's one you can file away for a movie night at home some time.

Trailer here and a five star review from The Guardian here. It goes for 95 minutes and is in French with English subtitles.

FORCE MAJEURE - film

You know those times where everyone else is raving about something and you don't get the fuss?

Welcome to Force Majeure.

This is a Swiss (subtitled) film about a young family who go on a skiing holiday and while in the Alps, an avalanche comes hurtling toward them. We're assured by the dad that it's planned, they know what they're doing. But then it gets real close and things look dicey and papa does a runner away from his wife and two kids. 

Cue slow unraveling of relationship.

At first I was thinking what the film snobs have been saying... 'what a fascinating concept for a film!'

And then an hour and fifteen minutes into a two hour film I found myself looking at my watch thinking, is there really another 45 minutes to go?! I'm so bored!

The New York Times review called it "viciously amusing" and to be honest, I can't help but feel I was watching a different film. A few chuckles, sure, but "viciously amusing"? No, not for me. And locally, Leigh Paatsch from News Ltd called it a "gripping affair"... again, not for me. It also won a 'jury prize' at the Cannes Film Festival this year.


Let me know what you think if you do see this one, because as I write this, I think I'm the only person who's seen it that didn't love it or at least appreciate it.

Trailer here.

WHIPLASH - film

 It's easy to cut to the chase with a film like this. 

Because it's amazing. I absolutely loved it. Best film I've seen in ages.

It's a drama about a young jazz drummer played by Miles Teller who's studying the craft at the best music school in New York & therefore the world. He has a complex relationship with his TERRIFYING teacher played by J.K. Simmons whose face you'll probably recognise from loads of films and TV shows.

Go and see this. It's getting universally positive reviews so I doubt you'll regret it! I'm even going to see it a second time at the cinema which I rarely do.

Trailer here.

TAMMY - film

 

I'd read some ordinary reviews of this new comedy written by and starring Melissa McCarthy. Sadly I concur. I mean, it's not terrible, but to my mind it's not worth $20 of your hard-earned.

There was a handful of laughs for this slapstick-lover but with just 10 other people in a really big cinema, there really wasn't a good atmosphere for comedy. (Speaking of the others in the cinema, an adult woman had a young child with her of maybe eight or nine years. What a kncklehead - with an M rating, this is not a film for kids!)

Melissa plays a woman who is a bit of a no-hoper who gets fired from her job at a burger joint and ends on up a road trip with her grandmother, played by Susan Sarandon. A bit of a journey to 'find themselves' and what they want in life along the way but it doesn't really fire for me.

In one of the world's weirdest casting choices, Allison Janney plays the mother of Melissa's character. I was looking at the two of them thinking, they look the same age! I googled their DOBs and Allison is just 11 years older than Melissa so I felt vindicated. Dumb choice.

In the interests of fairness, here is a 3.5 star review from Fairfax press but there's also this 1.5 star review from Leigh Paatsch in the Herald Sun.

Trailer here.

THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU - film

This film has a killer cast so I went in with pretty high expectations. Sadly the film didn’t live up to them. 

It's about a family of grown up children who are reunited in the town in which they grew up following the death of their father. Mum is played by Jane Fonda and the kids are played by Tina Fey, Jason Bateman, Adam Driver and Corey Stoll. Rose Byrne also makes an appearance along with familiar faces Dax Shepard, Kathryn Hahn and Connie Britton.

It was pleasant enough, not bad or anything, but just never really fired from ‘ok’ to ‘great’ territory. Goes to show that even a great cast can’t make magic out of a middle-of-the-road script.

When I read this review in The Guardian after I saw the film I said ‘yes!’ to myself a number of times – have a read if you’d like to know more. 

Trailer here. 

SON OF A GUN - film

I found this Australian film starring Scottish Ewan McGregor patchy. It follows JR (young Aussie, Brenton Thwaites) who winds up in the clink after a relatively minor crime. In there he meets career crim, Brendan Lynch (McGregor) who provides him with protection from fellow prisoners but at a price - JR's gotta help him out when they escape.

There was moments where I was caught up in the drama and thought, 'this is great!' ie. when they're in a high speed chase with actor/stunt guy Nash Edgerton at the wheel. And then there was moments where I though 'seriously?!' ie. when they try to build a dramatic moment around a romance for JR... the music builds to a crescendo that just isn't met by the actual action - the 'love story' really let this film down in my view.

There's plenty to like but this is definitely one you could leave for DVD viewing some time.

Trailer here.

GONE GIRL - film

This film is getting pretty universally positive reviews and I certainly think it's a great one, worth seeing if you don't get to the movies very often.

One thing I would say, though, is that it's a thriller based on a book (and fairly true to the book, I gather) so if you have read the book, it does become a tad less, well, thrilling, because you know how it ends! I've seen it twice and I enjoyed it a lot more the first time round when I had no idea what was going to happen with each twist and turn.

It stars Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike as a rather complex couple - he winds up under intense scrutiny when she goes missing. I will say no more as I think the less you know, the more you'll enjoy this.

Leigh Paatsch's 4.5 star review here if you'd like to read more and trailer here.