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Reviews
SoulBoy (2010)
Despite all of the problems with this film, it is enjoyable. If you enjoy Northern Soul then this film will get you yearning for the Casino Club.
Northern Soul is back, it's being pumped into bars and clubs with rising regularity. Understandably with every resurrected craze, it had been converted into a film last year. The story is bland at best, with a predictable and formulaic path. The saving grace is a good performance by Martin Compston and the great soundtrack.
Soulboy is branded as a comedy drama, the comedy it speaks of is provided by various cheap jokes throughout, nothing showing real wit or craftsmanship. Cringe worthy dialogue and scenes abound with fairly wooden character acting providing the backdrop for see through storytelling.
Joe, as the likely lad, gets mixed up in drugs and the plot takes a dark turn. As it's a light hearted drama, no real harm comes of the actions. I don't want to bash the director and producers of the film as it is brilliantly shot, the dance scenes are a real treat to watch (except for the painful dance off) and everything is set up perfectly for the 70's from the platforms to the flares and the god awful red tank top. Regarding the dance off, maybe I'm wrong, but it seems to me that in Wigan in the 70's it would've been a fight not a dance. The film didn't need that scene but obviously someone had the bright idea of a big Hollywood style ending. This isn't what the audience wanted from a Northern Soul tribute.
Despite all of the problems with this film, it is enjoyable, mainly because of the music, some of which I've now added to my collection. If you enjoy Northern Soul then this film will get you yearning for the Casino Club, if you don't then there isn't a great deal else to draw you in as the script and predictability make it a no brainer of a watch. Without the music, this is a poor man's An Education.
Mr. Nobody (2009)
Mr. Nobody, a film about memories, origins and relationships.
Mr. Nobody, a film about memories, origins and relationships. Mr Nobody arises from slumber in a hospital with a tattooed doctor enquiring about the life of the last surviving mortal on Earth. Little is explained about this future civilisation except that a medical breakthrough has emerged to give humans everlasting life.
Mr Nobody is held in the hospital and it is planned that his death is to be broadcast to the world; after all he is a mortal in an immortal world. It's a big deal. The majority of the film is dedicated to looking back at this mysterious gentleman's past. We meet him before he was born where unborn children are touched by angels. These unborn children choose their own parents, an interesting concept on creation.
The young protagonist has an unusual gift; he can see parts of the future. Those around him pass this off as déjà vu but he knows otherwise, predicting a car crash and various other events. The cinematography is artistically done, with a human approach, using close ups of faces whenever possible. The world is wonderfully colourful with eccentric characters and intense personal connections.
Mr Nobody is remarkably philosophical, bringing up questions of existence, consequence, time, love and choices to name a few. This is what I got from the Jaco Van Dormael drama, a sense that we should question everything while accepting what comes as fate. A lot of the choices Jared Leto's Mr Nobody makes are cinematographically depicted in colours; the film progresses seeing three loves in his life, all childhood acquaintances which are assigned a different colour almost without fail throughout.
Anybody that has read my other reviews knows I love a good soundtrack. Mr Nobody has an excellent score, and any film with "Where Is My Mind" and "Everyday" gets the thumbs up.
I advise everybody to watch Mr Nobody at some point in their life, there is a lot to take in but this is special. It is laugh out loud funny at times, philosophical without getting bogged down in metaphysics and is masterfully written. Don't miss out.
Submarine (2010)
Submarine is devilishly funny, a true gem and I hope it doesn't stay under the radar of most cinema goers for much longer.
Dead pan humour is the order of the day with Submarine. Understated lines such as "my mum gave a hand job to a mystic" could go unnoticed by an inattentive audience; every exchange has a hidden reward if picked up on. There are of course obvious jokes throughout, however the true comedy is found in Oliver Tate's voice over and interactions.
Casting Craig Roberts as Oliver Tate was a masterstroke and much of the film's success is based on his performance. The imaginative and peculiar schoolboy analyses everything, often conjuring up fictional events which parody mainstream movies. In one such hypothetical situation he sees Jordana (Yasmin Paige) by the shore and runs to her, meanwhile his narration explains that it isn't her standing there, a stranger turns around.
Submarine is a simple coming of age story, without the solid plot of the British film veterans. A little slow paced on occasion, it could have done with an extra thread of story. In essence the narrative follows two strands, the relationship between Oliver and Jordana and between Oliver and his family. Trying to date Jordana and reignite the spark between his parents isn't a small task, not that that fazes Oliver.
Submarine is devilishly funny, a true gem and I hope it doesn't stay under the radar of most cinema goers for much longer.
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Any film that has managed to keep my attention through numerous viewings and still entertains in such a way deserves a 10.
Three things can basically sum up Little Miss Sunshine: hilarious, inappropriate, beautiful. Little Miss Sunshine, directed by Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris, is a genuinely brilliant movie that manages to be indecorous while never being truly out of line.
The story follows the Hoover family travelling to California so their little girl can enter a beauty pageant. The running joke throughout is that Olive isn't especially "beautiful," at least in the pageant-queen perspective. Accompanied by the uncle, grandfather, and brother of Olive, she and her parents drive their yellow camper van across the southwest with bizarre occurrences following them all the way. From the hospital and the motel to the pageant itself, Little Miss Sunshine is a non-stop journey of laughter and emotion.
Every member of the family from Grandpa to Olive is superbly acted, making it impossible to not get sucked into their lives. The relationship between Grandpa and Olive is particularly interesting, while Grandpa is crass and unapologetic when in the company of the rest of the family, if Olive is there, he is kind and sweet. He clearly has a lot of love for the young girl and doesn't want her to become aware of and burdened by the family's various issues.
Every member of the family has their problems, from the heroin addiction of Grandpa, the career problems of the father, the depression of Frank and Dwayne's dream to be a pilot. Each of these is dealt with throughout the film and add extra dimensions and explanations for their actions. Their goals are all seemingly crushed due to different reasons although all the events bring the family closer together. The father is trying to enhance his career by promoting his "9 Steps to Success", however, it fails to materialise, threatening the family's finances. This irony is wonderfully exposed using a few key scenes and the money issues of the family are shown throughout.
As the film climaxes, the underlying event has been the beauty pageant, and the dance Olive is to perform. The Grandpa has been coaching her and we have small hints throughout as to what it will entail yet when it finally gets round to showing the performance, you will be in fits of uncomfortable laughter. I can't do the dance justice in words, but take it from me, it is well worth the wait and personifies the film entirely. All I have to do is mention the dance routine to a friend and we are in hysterics.
"What is your daughter doing?" "She's kicking ass, that's what she's doing."
Lastly, the soundtrack, oh my word the soundtrack, Little Miss Sunshine has without doubt, my favourite audio backing of any film. The tempo of the songs rises and falls at the perfect moments and echoes the mood of the characters. Performed mostly by DeVotchka, it is soothing and melodic, precisely what is needed in such a film.
Any film that has managed to keep my attention through numerous viewings and still entertains in such a way deserves an A+.
Fish Tank (2009)
Fish Tank should be on everyone's list of films to watch, well-deserving of an 8 (although with a stronger ending it would have earned higher).
It's been quite a while since I've seen a British film that's so true to storytelling and Fish Tank's effectiveness at dealing with complex relationships is a rare treat. The opening shot introduces Mia (Katie Jarvis), a 15 year old girl from the estates of Essex. Mia is played with incredible ability, especially considering the fact that this is Jarvis' first feature role.
Mia typically engages in hostility with everyone she comes across in order to avoid interaction, however this tactic fails to wash with Connor (Michael Fassbender) who is dating her mother. Mia has been excluded from school and is being sent to a reform school, which dramatically conflicts with her dream of becoming a hip-hop dancer. Upon receiving a phone call to come to an audition, we finally witness some fraction of happiness to the character. Underneath the steely exterior is a girl who wants respect and an emotional relationship. Attracted to Connor's maturity, Mia begins to opens up.
The interplay between Mia and Connor reaches a dark stage which isn't unpredictable given every second they are together on screen contains an undeniable sexual energy. I found myself observing this relationship and although she seems to like him, I couldn't help think "here we go again." Mia has had a tough upbringing and this complication and confusion is not healthy for a fragile 15 year old.
The problem I have with Fish Tank and Andrea Arnold's direction is the last couple of scenes, which contribute to what turns out to be a completely unnecessary ending. It is as if Arnold lost focus and was unable to maintain the energy for the final few minutes. This is unfortunate, however, the film still remains a moving and audacious voyage and the idea of escape is well thought-out and depicted (albeit badly handled).
A genuine film about relationships and youth and without heavy plot, twisting and turning it relies on the actors' abilities to play characters honestly, with some emotional flexibility. Their collective talent is what brings the film to life and it is lucky that a relatively inexperienced cast, with the exception of Fassbender (Inglourious Basterds & 300), have lived up to necessary expectations.
Fish Tank should be on everyone's list of films to watch, well-deserving of an 8 (although with a stronger ending it would have earned higher).
Dead Man's Shoes (2004)
Those looking for an overproduced Hollywood flick will be disappointed. Fans seeking an emotional, deep and unsettling payback film will remember this for years to come.
Shane Meadows is best known for his 2006 feature This Is England. Two years prior to that, he turned attentions to Dead Man's Shoes. Richard (Paddy Considine) arrives back from serving in the army and begins to exact revenge on the gang who treat his simple-minded brother (Toby Kebbell) so cruelly.
"God will forgive them. He'll forgive them and allow them into Heaven. I can't live with that."
A film not for the faint hearted, Meadows manages to combine horror and comedy with unexplainable ease, a skill which is fast becoming his trademark. Dead Man's Shoes isn't flawless, let down by a few moments of questionable acting and some unnecessary scenes, it is rough round the edges but still draws you in to the emotions of the characters and takes you on a journey that leaves you guessing, questioning and feeling queasy.
Paddy Considine deserves extra praise as he plays Richard with power, intensity and conviction. You can't help but feel his emotions and the raw pain he exhibits. Having worked with Meadows previously on A Room for Romeo Brass, they clearly know how to make an idea work.
As revenge films go this is up there with Oldboy, and should be watched with the same expectations. The complex characters ensure a tight grip on your attention until all is over. An emotional film, that should receive more recognition than it gets. Revenge is a dish best served cold and drawing on his training, Richard acts with apparent ease against a disorganised drug-peddling gang sitting in the bowels of a Derbyshire town.
It ticks all the boxes for me but Dead Man's Shoes is certainly not a film that everyone will like, those looking for an overproduced Hollywood flick that you can experience without batting an eye will be disappointed. Film fans seeking an emotional, deep and unsettling payback film will remember this for years to come. Watch your back, you never know when a gas-masked stranger will drop by.
Hotaru no haka (1988)
Go home, get some ice cream, find someone you love and, with them, watch these 89 minutes of story-telling mastery.
Studio Ghibli's Grave of the Fireflies is a lesser-known anime from the creative studio responsible for the Oscar-winning Spirited Away. The lack of fame is understandable due to the sadder side that Grave of the Fireflies brings to the table, but don't let that difference dissuade you. This masterpiece is arguably a more well-rounded story and should be on everyone's list of anime films to see.
Starting off with a family in Japan during World War II, the bond between brother and sister is instantly there to see and is the main focal point of the feature. This is a relationship that everyone can see in their own lives, if you have siblings or not there will always be someone who in that situation you would protect and do absolutely anything for.
After the death of their mother and the terrible treatment their relatives show them, they have no choice but to go it alone. Surviving on scraps of food, morsels they can steal and barter for. All seems to be going well for a while until the plot takes us down a slippery slope full of turbulent emotional conflict. Complications in their lives quickly arise, and without substantial nourishment and proper shelter they struggle to stay well.
The end is expected but nonetheless manages to still bring a tear to the eye of any human—however, strangely, it is not entirely out of sadness that you cry. Their horrendous ordeal to survive is over. I have yet to meet someone who it hasn't touched and wholly convinced them how important family and friends are in their lives.
Films depicting family bonds and sibling dependency are not uncommon but where some only scratch the surface Grave of the Fireflies brings a whole new side to the idea and will leave you with a lasting impression.
Even if you don't enjoy films that leave you in tears this is a must- watch Ghibli classic. Go home, get some ice cream, find someone you love and, with them, watch these 89 minutes of story-telling mastery.
The Company Men (2010)
Can an unforgettable film be made about redundancy? The simple answer is yes and no. With an almost exceptional cast and some truly great writing this is a memorable film.
Can an unforgettable film be made about redundancy? The simple answer is yes and no. With an almost exceptional cast and some truly great writing this is a memorable film. The Company Men falls short on a few regards; it is predictable and regrettably contains Ben Affleck's face. The latter is a sin on par with adultery in my book. All that was needed was to substitute Ben for Casey and we'd have come up smelling of roses.
I went into this drama with an air of caution assuming any film about the recession would be handled too conservatively and with all focus on the firms responsible. Thankfully this was not the case. Focusing on three men that have lost their jobs, the direction brings a personal touch to the story and sucks you in more than it otherwise might. Tommy Lee Jones and Chris Cooper are superb in their roles as the older men on the wrong end of the firing stick. Jones had skirted my radar of admiration for several years until his sensational casting in No Country For Old Men (I swore I wouldn't mention the Coen Brothers, sorry folks) and Cooper's resume includes American Beauty and City of Hope (1991). Both are stellar actors and, in the twilight of their career this type of film is a great move.
Affleck's character goes through the predicted emotions, denial, optimism, depression and acceptance through the duration of the film which is a breath of fresh air as you can authentically see how this affects his family and how the wife and child deal with the situation that Affleck takes upon his own shoulders.
Writer and director John Wells made a promising choice to follow three strands of storyline that are interconnected, however, Jones and Cooper's stories are not able to hold attention and aren't fleshed out sufficiently rendering them ineffective. While necessary for the storyline these break up the flow of the movie slightly and make for a pinball style ride.
I still heartily recommend watching The Company Men. It will never reach my repeat watching list reserved for the calibre of Leon The Professional and Grave of the Fireflies as it lacks that extra dimension. It is however, enjoyable, intriguing and emotional.