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