Miss Sloane

"Lobbying is about foresight, about anticipating your opponent's moves, and devising counter measures. The winner walks one step ahead of the opposition. It's about making sure you surprise them, and they don't surprise you."

Miss Sloane is a political thriller -- a sub-genre that, when done well, can be especially gripping. From the beginning of the movie, I was fully onboard. Despite not being a John Madden fan (I feel his back catalogue is tame at best), he has impressed me on this occasion.

Jessica Chastain plays the lead and is superb -- I’m a fan. Jessica has an ability to portray emotion in a way that other thespians only wish they could conjure.


The film follows Miss Sloane, a sought after lobbyist in D.C. who, through a course of events, ends up taking on the Second Amendment. What follows is a well-paced picture, which unfortunately will likely be overlooked for awards due to its early position within in the film awards calendar.

The whole cast pull their weight; Gugu Mbatha-Raw is especially worth a mention, and hopefully we’ll be seeing more of her based on this role.


My Score 8.5



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Nocturnal Animals

 

 That won't work. No signal here. You're not supposed to leave the scene of an accident, that's a crime.

This tense thriller tells the story of Susan Morrow, an art dealer played by the very talented Amy Adams. Amy always oozes style and has a knack for bringing true emotion to the character without saying a word. From the opening shot, this film is beautiful. The cinematography by Seamus McGarvey is stylish, almost coming to life throughout. There are echoes of his work from Atonement, I feel.

Tom Ford as director, who as hard as I find it to say, has managed to do a good job with this film. In almost every scene, he doesn’t relent in pitching his "brand"; but let's overlook that on this occasion as I think he’s managed to successfully avoid the cliched “style over substance”.

Jake Gyllenhaal does a great job as both Tony Hastings and Edward Sheffield. Edward’s novel that Susan is reading is what gives this film its darkness, as she almost immediately senses a veiled threat, but can't stop reading. This is the true soul of the movie, bringing to life the feeling of helplessness and how real life situations ultimately change you in both the physical and the mental. At its bare roots, this film tells the story of one man's journey through life and how harsh life truly is, while we also see how our past mistakes can haunt us to our very core.

I was gripped by the surroundings, whether we are in Susan's bourgeois prison she has created for herself, which at times feels like a dream; or in Edward’s novel, with the harsh and twisted reality he has captured on the pages. The slow pace will ultimately lose some, but I feel it works with the melancholy setting of Susan Morrow’s world, while Tony Hastings deals with ruthless reality in a harrowing, dusty Texas.

This film is worth the journey, even if at times you wish it was quicker, and in some ways more bumpy.

Worth a mention are both Michael Shannon as Bobby Andes and Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Ray Marcus. The aforementioned add an element of redemption and cruelty that should not be overlooked.

I give Nocturnal Animals a 8 out of 10  

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The Infiltrator

''This is what I do. I’m an undercover narcotics agent, I sit with murderers and made men and I lie. I lie my ass off ''

Based on true events, this crime drama starts with us meeting Robert Mazur, a US Customs Agent who works undercover, played by Bryan Cranston.

Bryan has impressed me for a long time. Trumbo should have won him an Oscar for his performance, but apparently, not enough heavy breathing. He, once again, is on top form -- pulling us into his world of deceit.

John Leguizamo as Emir Abreu, a fellow undercover who has contacts within the Colombian Cartel, brings with him a gritty paranoia you would imagine is rife in his line of work; I think he holds his own throughout the movie. I also felt Yul Vazquez as Javier Ospina, and Joseph Gilgun as Dominic both brought powerful performances that stand out in a film, which on the whole, really has well-played characters.

Moving on to the set and cinematography in this 80s coke-fuelled environment, I found it to be very immersive. The retro vibe is well done throughout, with the huge 80s phones and neon backdrop; it’s almost comical at times! The soundtrack I felt worked well (discounting the song playing in the strip club, ''I Can’t Wait'', which wasn’t released until 1986, and this is set in 1985 -- whoops!)

I enjoyed this film and felt it rolled along at a pleasant speed, although the last third did have a certain clunky feel. Knowing what we know about government operations, this could have been more purposely present.

In closing, this film tells a story that deserves to be told. Does it feel like this will be especially memorable? -- No. Is it worthy of a trip to the pictures? -- Yes. I am a Bryan Cranston fan, and this film has more going for it than just him.

I give The Infiltrator 7.5 out of 10.

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Signing off... for now

 

Suicide Squad

 “I’m known for being quite vexing, I’m just forewarning you.”

I know it’s been a while, but what can I say. I’ve been busy, but I’ve missed you, and all good things come to those who wait!

* * *

Suicide Squad is directed by David Ayer (Fury). I’m a fan. However, I do feel that his style is more suited to real-life gritty action like the aforementioned Fury. He does what is required of him here, though I just feel it could have been better.


Starring Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, from her first moment on screen, I was bewitched -- she’s burst onto the screen since Wolf of Wall Street. I was a fan then and I’m not letting this crush go away anytime soon. Margot shows off her multi-faceted acting abilities, playing a whole lotta crazy. Yet also managing to portray Harley's inner angst, as anyone who knows Harley knows she secretly wishes to be normal... Well, semi-normal anyway.


Will Smith plays Deadshot and he surprised me (you still get that squinty confused look on his face for half the screen performance -- yes you know what I mean). However he brings to the role a certain old school “been there done that, got the red suit”. Yes, Deadshot is a poor man’s Deadpool, but he works as well as can be expected.


Joel Kinnaman is a surprise to a House of Cards fan. I’ve not seen that much of him; he was good in Child 44, but not that memorable. He plays Rick Flagg who is supposed to be leading this bad-to-the-bone group. I believed his performance as a man who simply wants to save the women he loves while staying alive.


Moving nicely onto Cara Delevingne who is Enchantress, a witch, who at one time was worshipped. I found her performance while in character great, but whenever she switches back, her acting was tame.


Jay Hernandez who plays Diablo is the finished article. In my opinion, he was the perfect actor for this role, who throughout doesn't want to be "that guy". AdewaleAkinnuoye-Agbaje is Killer Croc. I did manage to work out it was him though it wasn't easy. A great actor who plays a difficult role well. Viola Davis plays her role as Amanda Waller very well. Fierce and at times evil, she packs a real punch. Karen Fukuhara and Jai Courtney also star but their characters kind of fade away.


I know what you’re thinking... no I haven’t forgotten anyone. I am struggling here to be honest. I’m a huge Jared Leto fan. To say he is anything but a great character actor would be stupid. He takes on a role here, which is in a way a no-win situation. No one will ever surpass Heath Ledger, he managed to debunk a god. I am of course talking about the Joker. Jared brings a certain ghetto -- and in some ways "yardie" -- feel to his version of the greatest villain. This I felt worked quite well. He certainly managed crazy well too. I can see that some will not like his portrayal, and he’s possibly one of the reasons for the negative reviews I’ve seen.


However, I like this film. In fact, I really like it.


The plot works. Yes, some will use the word thin; but you have to start somewhere, and we all know we are in for a sequel and spin-off or two. Bearing this in mind, I think we got a solid opening; the "head and the tail" of the distilling process, and all we need now is the heart.


In closing, this is more like it from DC, and with several on the way, hopefully they can build on this. If they want to compete with Marvel, more is required.

* * *

Before i go, if you’re going to the pics to watch this, or any other comic-related venture, remember one thing: Do not under any circumstances leave the cinema without watching the whole of the credits. You have been warned.


I give Suicide Squad 6.5 out of 10

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DEADPOOL

 

''Oh, hello there! I bet you're wondering, why the red suit? Well, that's so bad guys can't see me bleed!'' 

OK, so this is the first review of 2016... I know I have missed several of the Oscar nominees. However, if Bryan Cranston doesn't win, it is clearly rigged and who cares! Trumbo is a great movie, and just go watch it!

*    *    *

Now let's get down to this dark and twisted piece of cinema called Deadpool, which tells the origin story of my favourite anti-hero. Wade Wilson is ex-special forces operative turned mercenary, who helps out the little guy via his ''Merc Club''. After a very unsanitary experiment, he ends up with accelerated healing abilities and a twisted sense of humour. Becoming his alter ego, Deadpool, this film supplies an equal dose of humour and violence, which should never be underestimated.

Starring Ryan Reynolds, I reckon this film was his calling, as he nails it from the opening credits to the last line of the movie. It also has worthy mentions for Morena Baccarin as Vanessa, and T.J. Miller as Weasel. Ed Skrein is the villain and makes a fair-to-middling effort, although he was a little bit of a let down and I believe they could’ve done better.

This film is what I wish more Marvel films could be like, but then again, I think that I enjoyed the fact it took the piss out of Marvel throughout. So I guess I hope they continue to take themselves so seriously so the Deadpool sequel can hit the bullseye once again. In closing, this film is great; and it’s a 15-certificate, which makes it even better! Finally, Stan Lee nails his cameo -- watch out for him.

I give Deadpool a solid 9 out of 10.
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The Hateful Eight

But when John Ruth the Hangman catches you... You hang!

The 8th movie from Quentin Tarantino is another masterpiece. From start to finish, I was gripped by the visuals and characters on screen. Once again, Tarantino shows why he is, in my humble opinion, one of the modern day greats.

We start on a snow swept road and finish in a haberdashery during a blizzard, but what happens in between is well orchestrated and ultra entertaining. Both Jennifer Jason Leigh as Daisy Domergue and Walton Goggins as Chris Mannix are standout performances. I loved Kurt Russell's character, John Ruth, and also enjoyed Samuel L. Jackson's monologues as Major Marquis Warren.

This film is the sort I could watch over and over. I hope Tarantino gives us an extended version as I felt it was cut. The cinematography is breathtaking, and if you are able, I would suggest watching in Ultra Panavision 70.

The score from Ennio Morricone is powerful and very fitting -- at times almost a character in itself. Some will say this film has too much talking and not enough action. I’d definitely have to disagree. Although there is a lot of conversation, I felt it was all fitting and very entertaining.

Watch this film and let me know your thoughts in the comments.

I give this weather-ridden western 8 out of 10.

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Star Wars : The Force Awakens

 

''There's been an awakening. Have you felt it? The Dark side, and the Light''

A long time ago, we found out that Disney would be taking us back to a galaxy far far away. This was a worry for me as a huge Star Wars fan. After all, we have been disappointed before, so I sat down to watch this with trepidation.

I have to say what I found for the next couple of hours was a poor story mixed with some action sequences. 

I think J.J. Abrams has done a stellar job of staying true the originals but he has been let down by the script, that feeling you should get from watching a Star Wars movie at times is absent. 

Daisy Ridley who plays Rey is amazing throughout, and I can see a great career ahead of this young star. She brings a certain mime quality to her acting, reminiscent of a much older thespian. Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher really help to link this movie to its previous chapters. I think this was important and definitively assisted in the end product. Chewbacca was great, massively assisted by modern technology, which brings me nicely to the 'negative side of the force'. John Boyega as Finn was out of his depth and this did, in my opinion, show on screen at times. Also Kylo Ren as the ''Vader'' of this picture was a little soft, though by the end I felt this was intentional. Finishing on more of a positive note, Oscar Isaac (as Poe Dameron) was once again on top form.

The Force Awakens gets a 6 out of 10. May the force be with you.
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