One Chance

Starring: James Corden, Alexandra Roach, Julie Walters, Colm Meaney, Mackenzie Crook, Valeria Billelo

Director: David Frankel

Producer: Simon Cowell, Michael Menchel, Kris Thykier, Brad Weston

Writer: Justin Zackham 

Music: Theodore Shapiro

Cinematographer: Florian Ballhaus

Editor: Wendy Green Bricmont

Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama

Running Time: 103 minutes

Rated: M15+

What an enchanting film from Britain! One Chance follows the true story of Paul Potts (Corden), a shy, humble, bullied phone shop assistant who also happens to be a passionate and extraordinary opera singer. With his heart set on pursuing his dreams of one day lighting up the stages with his belting vocals, Paul faces a series of small fortunes and massive set-backs before he reaches his most famed status as a competitor in the hit reality TV show, "Britain's Got Talent".  This film is funny, sweet, inspiring and honest. I loved how there were several 'hero' moments throughout the film, only to be closely followed by moments of malignant fate. The two main female characters, Paul's mother (Walters) and his wife (Roach) play integral parts in Paul's inspiration to continue fighting for his dream and, on a personal level, I loved them! Great female characters. Like most British films, One Chance knows how to dance between the drama and the comedy of life, from the tough father who 'just doesn't get it' to the eccentric best friend who is always good for a laugh. If you're in a slump and need a pick-me-up, or just like feel-good films, then I highly recommend you give One Chance a go.

Stoker

Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Nicole Kidman, Matthew Goode, Jacki Weaver, Dermont Mulroney

Director: Chan-wook Park

Producer: Michael Costigan, Tony Scott, Ridley Scott

Writer: Wentworth Miller

Music: Clint Mansell

Cinematographer: Chung-hoon Chung

Editor: Nicolas De Toth

Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Running Time: 99 minutes

Rated: MA15+

Post the mysterious death of India's (Wasikowska) father, a charming yet unstable man claiming to be her estranged Uncle (Goode) comes to live with both her and her naive mother (Kidman). His unannounced arrival is the catalyst for a series of murders of people who closely surround the family. India's world as she knows it slowly begins to unravel, throughout which she develops a disturbing infatuation for her suspicious uncle. The cinematography of Stoker is done in classic Chan-wook Park style- narrative, solemn,  abstract, artistic and at times, eerie. The majority of the shots are taken from the point of view of India and how she sees the events around her. Sound plays an exceptional part throughout the film where everyday sounds almost orchestrate to create a harmony in some scenes. Although the film has no acute ending, it is written very well in the sense that it uses 'silence and stillness' to develop the story as oppose to chunky dialogue. The film is interesting and pays homage to the traditional thriller genre. It's great to see three seasoned Australian actresses share the screen- Jacki Weaver, Nicole Kidman and Mia Wasikowska- who all take to their roles like ducks in water…or is it fish? Anyways, if you're in the mood for a feel-good flick, this isn't the movie for you. If you're a fan of Roman Polanski's work (and Chan-wook Park's of course), then I would recommend this film is for you. Also, for those still-shot loving cinematographers, this will be right up your viewing pleasure alley! Happy Watching!!

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Starring: Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Mathiue Amalric, Adrien Brody, William Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Harvey Keitel, Jude Law, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Saoirse Ronan, Jason Schwartzman, Lea Seydoux, Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson, Owen Wilson, Tony Revolori

Director: Wes Anderson

Producer: Wes Anderson

Writers: Wes Anderson, Hugo Guinness, and (inspired by the works of) Stefan Zweig

Music: Alexandre Desplat

Cinematographer: Robert D. Yeoman

Editor: Barney Pilling

Genre: Comedy

Running Time: 100 minutes

Rated: M15+

The Grand Budapest Hotel follows the elaborate adventures of M. Gustave (Fiennes), a renowned concierge at the hotel during the war times, alongside Zero, the new lobby boy who becomes his protege and ultimately, his most trusted friend. The film follows the signature trademark that is unmistakably Wes Anderson, and like his films before, this one is not short of abstract themes, with witty dialogue that bounces between the eloquent and absurd, all wrapped up in a quirky tone. Ralph Fiennes is a talented leading man who carries the tone of the film very well. Tony Revolori manages to hold his own next to Fiennes, and the unlikely camaraderie between the two characters is somewhat endearing. The film uses very cleaver puppetry when establishing the wide landscape shots, which only adds to the retro undertone even more. Like most Wes Anderson films, an array of well-established actor appearances fill the frames of the screen of this motion picture. If you're looking for a delightful film that is far from run-of-the-mill ordinary, then I highly recommend that you take a look at this gem. Happy Watching!

Pardon My Absence...

Hi All!

I apologise for my lack of updated movie reviews. 2013 was a whirlwind of a year which saw me become a new mother. You'll be glad to know that I have recommenced my writing again, and shall be posting some new movie reviews up very soon…Stay tuned!

Until then, Happy Watching!!

Cheers,
Mix Pix

The Intouchables

Starring: Francois Cluzet, Omar Sy

Directors: Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano

Producers: Nicolas Duval-Adassovsky, Laurent Zeitoun, Yann Zenou, Harvey Weinstein

Writers: Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano

Music: Ludovico Einaudi

Cinematography: Mathiew Vadepied

Editor: Reynald Bertrand

Genre: French Comedy/Drama

Running Time: 113mins

Rated: M15+

A sensationally crafted story on the challenges and joys of life that make up lifelong friendships. Intouchables is based on the touching true story of aristocratic Philippe and Driss- an African man from the French projects. Worlds apart and without any formidable reason to cross paths, a chance encounter at an open job interview to find a new full-time caretaker for Philippe has the two properly introduced. Confined together under the same roof in what begins as a standard master/servant agreement, we see this clinical, unattached relationship start to dissipate as each character slowly invests a little more of themselves into the friendship. Orchestrated by the raw, human flair that is signature to French Cinema, Intouchables showcases the comedy and tragedies of the human condition through magnificent acting. The balance of this screenplay is perfection. Just when you're on the verge of tears, a joke will hit you off guard which will transform those salty-sacks of sorrow into salty-gems of laughter.

Without a doubt, this was the best film I watch all of 2012. A must-see, indeed!
Happy Watching!

 

The Rum Diary

Starring: Jonny Depp, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Rispoli, Amber Heard, Richard Jenkins, Giovanni Ribisi

Director: Bruce Robinson

Producers: Jonny Depp, Graham King, Christi Dembrowski, Anthony Rhulen, Robert Kravis

Writer: Bruce Robinson

Music: Christopher Young

Cinematographer: Dariusz Wolski

Editor: Carol Littleton

Genre: Drama

Run Time: 120mins

Rated: M15+

Based on the autobiographical novel of the same name by Hunter S. Thompson, writer/director Bruce Robinson creates an adaptation filled with quirk, randomness and of course, copious amounts of rum, all set in the luscious yet "lost"  backdrop of Puerto Rico during the 1950s. We open on nomadic journalist Paul Kemp (Depp) post his flee from the Eisenhower-era laced streets of New York City. He quickly lands a job as a Horoscope writer/reporter for the slowly sinking newspaper, The San Juan Star. HIs insatiable tongue for rum entangles him into a web of mixed characters. From the generous, truth-seeking, and slightly insane fellow journalists wanting to maintain a 'voice' for the people of this country to the greedy, wealthy, lying real-estate developers looking to cheat and own the locals by bulldozing them with their version of "The American Dream". With feelings of having his principals challenged, Paul's moral compass comes into focus,  maturing his writing beyond his dreams and towards the "smell of truth". Outstanding performances by all the cast. This has got to be some of Jonny Depp's best non-character acting since Blow. Giovani Ribisi plays the intellectual, constantly intoxicated, degenerate reporter which is a new character- never seen before in relation to his past works. An impressive depiction of the character and of course, very believable. Aaron Eckhart does a convincing job as the sleazy, wealthy real-estate developer and again, this is a new light for him which he pulls-off well. Chenault, played by Amber Heard, provides the love interest for the film and is absolutely stunning! Cinematography and editing are both very intricate, allowing us an intimate look into each scene form the perspective of its players. Music mostly gravitates towards the local Puerto Rican flair with lots of the tunes being played by local bands throughout the film. This just adds to the original flavour of the film's setting and its hot Summer nights. This film flickers and switches between the incredibly civilised to the absolute bazaar with flawless measure which can only be originally depicted through the literature of  Hunter S. Thompson. Like many of his past works, The Rum Diary test the boundaries of finding oneself whilst eccentrically asking those existential questions. 
Happy Watching!!

Flight

Starring: Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle, Kelly Reilly, 

John Goodman, Bruce Greenwood

Director: Robert Zemeckis (Cast Away, Contact, Forrest Gump)

Producers: Laurie MacDonald, Walter F. Parkes, Jack Rapke, Steve Starkey, Robert Zemeckis
Writer: John Gatins (Real Steel, Coach Carter)

Music: Alan Silvestri (Back To The Future trilogy, Forest Gump, Cast Away)

Cinematography: Don Burgess (Forest Gump, Contact, 42)

Editor: Jeremiah O'Driscoll 

Genre: American Drama

Running Time: 139mins

Rated: R18+

Flight follows the life of airline captain William 'Whip' Whitaker after a turbulent take-off causes an already busted plane to malfunction in mid-air. Despite his intoxicated, cocaine-laced, under-slept condition, Whip is able to use past Military flight training to 'roll' the plane and glide it into an open field for a somewhat safe landing. Causing the deaths of only 4 passengers and 2 crew members out of 102 souls in the process. This ultimately makes Whip an instant hero, however, due to legalities of the crash, Whip is put under the microscope by various people in power and the truth about his alcoholism slowly seeps out into the public view for harsh judgement. Not fair but a necessary step for the evolution of Denzel's character. Which happens quite late in the film. Denzel portrays a very hopeless protagonist who just cannot seem to overcome his alcoholism. Although exceptionally acted (it's Denzel!), there were times where I felt disgust, pity and frustration for his character, Whip, and just wanted the guy to get it together. But then, I guess that what an alcoholic is. Don Cheadle did a great job as the frustrated yet hopeful attorney. As did the junkie-turned-AA love interest, Nicole, played by Kelly Reilly. Both very convincing. Another stand out performance was James Badge Dale who played the Cancer Patient. It was just a single scene that took place in the chance encounter of the hospital stairwell where Nicole and Whip meet for the first time, but the guy blew me away. Solid performance! John Goodman provides the comic relief for the film and again, is another strong player. The music depicted the tone of the film to a T, setting clear moods of light and shade in each scene. Editing was flawless and carried the flow of the story without disruption or long-windedness. Flight is an emotionally charged story that manages to hold tension and continually morph throughout. Nominated for various awards (Satellite, Golden Globe, Academy Awards), it is definitely a must-see for Drama Lovers! If you are a Denzel fan, you will enjoy his performance in this film. 

Happy Watching!!