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La La Land – Movie Review of La La Land (2017)

La La Land – Movie Review of La La Land (2017)

by | Jan 24, 2017 | Film and TV, Reviews

La La Land is getting a lot of attention and is hotly tipped to win big at this year’s Oscars. It has been nominated in a number of categories at today’s Oscars announcement. I wasn’t sure what to expect from La La Land as I am not a fan of musicals as a Movie Genre. La La Land is not the blockbuster you can compare to last years Revenant but it sure packs a punch on a few different levels.

La La Land starts with a musical number, quite predictably, setting up what will be a romantic relationship. The film seems to have a very familiar feel about it, shot in a style which is quite different to other movies out this year. It is bright and I get the feeling that the saturation and vibrance of colours was increased during filming/post-production. This gives an almost 1950’s or Technicolour feel about the film.

La La Land is set in modern day Los Angeles yet we can see nods to the glory days of Hollywood. The movie opens with an amazing highway scene with thousands of cars and dancers…. Worth a good portion of your admission fee to see that! (If you saw the opening sequence to the Golden Globes you will get an idea). Sebastian played by Ryan Gosling is a budding jazz musician and wants to open his own club o this terms. He meets Mia played by the wonderful Emma Stone which is an actress who just can’t catch a break.  They initially meet on the highway for a brief moment. They also almost meet in a piano bar but Sebastian brushes past her. When Sebastian and Mia meet properly, we see song and dance numbers reflecting on movies such as ‘Singing in the Rain’.

The rest of the story (in order to avoid spoilers) is set with them trying to help each other achieve their dreams. There is much song and dance in between with some great scenes including one in a Planetarium which is impressive visually and also as a musical number. This scene is actually one further nod to the golden days of Hollywood. The scene is set at the Griffith Observatory, and it is visited by Sebastian and Mia after watching the classic movie “Rebel Without a Cause.”

Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling really do work well and certainly have an on screen bond which makes their performance so believable and captivating.  Eventually both get a shot at their dreams and with guest performances from John Legend and J.K Simmons the movie really has a good cast. I’m not going to spoil anything, but you should enjoy the movie as it is a treat for the eyes and the ears.

The only negative thing is that the movie takes a bit of time to get going. However, I felt but once it is moving you are pulled along with it … Not screaming, rather singing and dancing with it.

You will like La La Land and it is certainly a ‘feel good’ pick-me-up. If you had a bad day, go see this movie. Enjoy!

 

Official Trailer of La La Land

Hunt for the Wilderpeople – DVD/Download Review

Hunt for the Wilderpeople – DVD/Download Review

by | Jan 12, 2017 | Film and TV, Reviews

Hunt for the Wilderpeople was out in the cinemas earlier in 2016 but I never made it. I was delighted to see that it was on Netflix and recently Watched it. The title of the film, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, is quite unusual and comes from a section of the film where the boy is reading about Wildebeest.

From the outset, it is very easy to watch this film about a boy, played by Julian Dennison, moved from foster-home to foster-home. He has a history of “kicking things, spitting, setting fire to things, loitering….” etc (trust me it’s a good line in the film.) He ends up on a farm and although he rebels once again he quickly feels that this is home.

Due to circumstances, he hears that the authorities are coming back to remove him. He knows that he will go to Juvenile prison so he decides to venture into the bush and go on the run. His trek takes a turn after he gets lost and his uncle, played by Sam Neil, finds him. From this point, the trek takes a further turn for the worse, and they become outlaws of a kind.

The film is done as chapters, e.g Chapter 9, WAR etc, so you get a feeling of what is to come. The characters are all really good, especially the sassy and sharp (sometimes not as sharp) boy in the movie.

Shot in New Zealand, I had an extra reason to see this movie. The scenery, dialogue and story are all really strong and this would be suitable for all the family (with the exception of a scene with a large wild boar and the 2 dogs). It is a very warm and enjoyable film with lots of great lines and well-played roles. This is a real sit back and enjoy the popcorn move – Enjoy!

 

Hunt for the Wilderpeople – Official Trailer

Passengers – Movie Review / Film Review

Passengers – Movie Review / Film Review

by | Jan 9, 2017 | Film and TV, Reviews

Jim Preston is one of 5,000 passengers on board the spaceship, Starship Avalon. The ship is on a 120-year voyage to a distant colony planet “Homestead 2”. After a malfunction in Jim Preston’s hibernation pod, Jim (played by Chris Pratt) is the only one awake. Now he is stranded on the spaceship, still 90 years from his destination.

Passengers – Movie Review

If you watch the trailer of Passengers you may get a sense of what is happening. My initial interpretation of the Passengers trailer was different. I thought both were all awoken by mistake. I also thought perhaps there was a conspiracy to sabotage the journey of the starship. I even thought that perhaps these were all AI lifeforms which were being banished from the earth. All of my personal assumptions about the movie were incorrect.

The movie starts with Jim being prematurely woken from his hypersleep. He doesn’t know what is happening and tries everything to gain control of the situation. Jim tried everything from trying to gain access to the bridge, to try to get back into the hypersleep chamber. You get to see how one man lives for over a year without anyone else to talk to. He has an android barman, named Arthur, but he longs for human companionship. Jim tries all the amenities on the ship but nothing makes him feel any better about his predicament. You see him disintegrate into a man who feels that all is lost.

It is at this point he meets Aurora (no spoilers here, so apologies for a key section skipped). Although Aurora is alarmed to have been woken but Jim does his best to reassure her. Aurora and himself get on very well and eventually for a romantic relationship. However, after Arthur, the barman (played by Michael Sheen), tells Aurora some background information she breaks down. All seems lost, but a bigger problem is looming. The ship systems are failing and the ship is on the brink of destruction. The ship will have to be repaired, but how can it be done in time? Can they go back to hypersleep? Are they doomed to live out their lives on a sleeping starship? ….

Overview

Overall Passengers is a really enjoyable movie and is certainly worth seeing on the big screen. There are points in the movie where I felt a small bit bored, as it was a bit like Groundhog Day. However, it is obvious that these scenes are required to convey the monotony of life on your own in such a confined space. I saw this in 2D but I feel you might get more from this in 3D. There are stunning sweeping scenes of nebulae, space walks and transit through space. There are a few small-plot twists in this which add to the drama. The conclusion of the film was very well done and I feel the ending was well written. There are often films which have poor endings but this is not one of them.

Passengers – Official Trailer

Passengers – Overall Review Score

  • Overall Score 87% 87%
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – Movie Review

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – Movie Review

by | Dec 16, 2016 | Film and TV, Reviews

Rogue One – Synopsis

Rogue One sets the scene for Star Wars, and these events take place just before ‘Star Wars’. This group of rebels come together regardless of their differences. Their aim …  to steal the plans to the Death Star, the Empires and Darth Vader ultimate weapon of mass destruction. This is not a spin-off, this sets the scene on the Star Wars timeline.

Rogue One – Movie Review

In fairness, I was not sure what to expect with Rogue One. I had seen all the original Star Wars movies and the later releases. What could compare to R2D2, C3PO and Luke Skywalker? I was sceptical that this movie would create the thrill of an actual Star Wars movie. Why? Firstly, the classic Star Wars theme did not happen at the start of the movie. Secondly, the characters were all new, I had no familiarity with them. Plus, I was thinking about how can you do a prequel to such a classic film.

But give it 10 / 15 minutes and you are suddenly drawn in. As you get to know the characters you can see where the Star Wars story is building.

Basically, Jyn Erso played by Felicity Jones saw how the Empire killed her mother and corrupted her scientist father, Galen (played by Mads Mikkelsen). The Empire forced him to help build the Death Star. After a defector gives some information, Jyn finds out something which gives her hope. Jyn and the band of rebels attempt to infiltrate an Empire base and steal the plans.

The movie is fast-paced, with lots of humour. Most of this humour is from the 7-foot robot K-2S0 or Kaytoo. He comes out with lines like ‘Congratulations, you are being rescued’… Amongst other classics. All the ships, aliens and scenes you see are recognisable Star Wars classics. As the movie progresses, you feel like you know these characters.

In Conclusion

This is probably one of the toughest movies to review. The reason why is because it is very hard to review this movie without giving away spoiler alerts. However, I try to will sum up the review of Rogue One with a few points;

  1. See this on as big a screen as you can
  2. See it in 3D if you can
  3. There are characters making appearances here from Star Wars, even though they are no longer with us
  4. This film closes certain plot-holes in ‘A New Hope’ as to how they knew about the Death Star’s flaw
  5. You may be sceptical entering this film … you will love it after you leave!

It is a very well made film with sections where my jaw dropped. Thoroughly enjoyable!

 

Rogue One – Official Trailer

  • Rogue One – A Star Wars Story : Overall Rating 92% 92%
Sully – Movie Review (2016)

Sully – Movie Review (2016)

by | Dec 7, 2016 | Film and TV, Reviews

Sully – Movie Review

Synopsis

Sully is based on the real-life events of a fateful day, Jan. 15, 2009 and US Airways Flight 1549.  Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger (portrayed by Tom Hanks) takes off from LaGuardia and within moments his Airbus has a multiple bird strike. Both engines are disabled as a result of the birdstrike and speed and altitude are dropping. The Captain assesses the options and attempts an emergency landing in New York’s Hudson River. As we all know, miraculously, all of the 155 passengers and crew survive. Overnight, Sullenberger becomes a national hero in the eyes of the public and the media. However, as the NTSB step in, Captain Sullenberger faces an investigation that threatens to destroy his career and reputation.

The Review

Ever since January 14th 2009, I have been following the story of US Airways Flight 1549. I remember seeing the security camera feeds of the Airbus landing on the Hudson. This movie is the story of that flight which only lasted 208 seconds.

The start of the movie is spectacular. I am not going to ruin it but do not be late for this movie.

There are a lot of Flashbacks and dream sequences used. They work very well and show how harrowing this was for the flight crew. The successful forced water landing and saving of all 155 on board soon turn to doubt. The NTSB investigates the incident, questioning the flight crew over and over. At one point you are not sure if they made the right choices.

The investigation includes some technical references, for example, QRH is mentioned but not explained. (Quick Reference Handbook which is a step by step guide to solving aircraft issues). There are a few other references, but overall there is not too much technical information so don’t be put off.

Other reviews of this movie say the movie drags. I did not find this at all. I was thoroughly entertained throughout. Clint Eastwood directs this movie and his style of direction is obvious. Not one scene is wasted nor are any present just to pad the movie. I think Clint could have even played Sully if this was shot 30 years ago.

Tom Hanks playing this role is spot on. He is so like the real-life captain in his manner and looks. Apparently, the real captain chose Tom Hanks for the part.

Overall this is a wonderful film, really enjoyable, tense, dramatic and certainly worth seeing on the big screen. I think it could also be an Oscar Contender.

  • Overall Score 94% 94%

Official Trailer

Doctor Strange – Movie Review

Doctor Strange – Movie Review

by | Nov 28, 2016 | Film and TV, Reviews

Doctor Strange – Synopsis

Dr. Stephen Strange’s (Benedict Cumberbatch) life changes after a car accident robs him of the use of his hands. When traditional medicine fails him, he looks for healing, and hope, in a mysterious enclave. He quickly learns that the enclave is at the front line of a battle against unseen dark forces bent on destroying reality. Before long, Strange is forced to choose between his life of fortune and status or leave it all behind to defend the world as the most powerful sorcerer in existence.

Doctor Strange – Review

For me, I had never heard of Doctor Strange. I don’t know much about the DC Comics world, and movies such as Batman Vs Superman don’t interest me at all. However, I loved films like Iron Man and the original Spiderman films of the early 2000s but I never knew Doctor Strange was a Marvel superhero.

From the offset, Doctor Strange is all action. Dr. Stephen Strange has it all, cool apartment and an even cooler car. Stephen Strange, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, loses everything and seeks restoration of what his life was. He tries to find the Ancient One, portrayed by the excellent Tilda Swinton, who lives in Kathmandu. Being very sceptical from the start and a tad egocentric, Doctor Stephen Strange seems an unlikely superhero. He doesn’t believe anything but is soon convinced.

You will see early on , that the special effects are amazing. You should see this on as big a screen as you can find for the best effect. The movie includes everything from astral projections to architecture and mirrors which defy understanding. This movie will get your brain reevaluating the reality you see on screen and is reminiscent of the movie Inception.

The storyline is based on the fight between good and evil, between the Ancient one and a rogue disciple called Kaecilius, played by Mads Mikkelsen. Kaecilius steals a page from a sacred book and attempts to unleash the dark forces on the earth. At this point, Doctor Strange comes to save the day – along with his very humorous cloak (which at one point uses a man’s head like the whomping willow from Harry Potter for a but of comic relief).

Can Doctor Strange defeat Kaecilius? Will the Dark Forces engulf the earth? All will be revealed if you watch the movie, and I’m glad I did! It’s a highly entertaining movie and I thought the casting of Benedict Cumberbatch was a good one. Tilda Swinton is the perfect Guru, as she looks and sounds the part. It is highly entertaining and the special effects are astounding, adding to a decent story not trying to compensate for the lack of one.

There are certain to be more from Doctor Strange and I’ll be awaiting the return.

Overall Rating

  • Overall Score 88% 88%

Official Trailer