FILM REVIEWS - NOAH/ CAPTAIN AMERICA/ THE RAID 2

THE RAID 2

A full throttle thrill ride from start to finish that contains some of the most impressive fight choreography since the Ip Man films. It truly is a brutal (but brilliant) film that had me feeling exhausted when I came out of the cinema. 

Gareth Evans (The writer and Director of both Raid films) has tried to provide a more complex and mature storyline this time round with an almost Internal Affairs-esque feel to the plot. However, as much as he does accomplish this, its the fight sequences most people have come to see and each of these epic set pieces are outstanding. It was brilliant to hear the whole audience gasp, "ooo" and "awww" during the spectacular stand offs. More than anything, I was just blown away by the creativity behind some of the violence and was truly in awe of all the actors on screen.

However, despite the grand scale of some of the more lavish scenes featuring numerous bodies (such as the jail yard brawl and the outstanding car chase battle sequence), it's the good old fashioned stand off between the films hero, Rama and the character known only as, The Assassin, that really stands out as being simply sublime. Purists of the martial arts genre will love seeing these two incredibly skilled fighters go at it, mano e mano, for what must the greatest square go in the history of mankind. Breath taking stuff.

Most people find it quite strange that these films have come from the mind of a Welshman. However,  if you've ever been in Cardiff or Swansea on a Saturday night, you'll know just where his inspiration for violence came from :P

Not for the faint hearted

8/10


CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER

Considering this character has been my least favourite of the marvel films so far, I didn't go in to this with high expectations. However, I ended up finding it so enjoyable I started using the lid of my bin as my very on Captain american shield when I got home.

I thought it was a great storyline, not just for the character but for the whole Marvel universe. The film was as much about S.H.I.E.LD as it was the good captain and it'll be interesting to see what happens next and how they tie it into the next marvel film. The actual Winter Soldier was suitably bad ass and the introduction of Anthony Mackie as Falcon provided some much needed touches of humour from time to time.

HEADS UP: There is mid-credit AND post credit scenes after the film. although the end credit one is hardly worth staying for.

8/10

NOAH

I don't really want to waste much time reviewing this film as it is easily one of the worst films I have ever seen. The only reason I would recommend people to watch it, is so they can see just how bad it is. 

Rock Angels!?  Anesthetized animals!?

Atrocious.

2/10

SPECIAL GUEST INTERVIEW - ROBERT FLORENCE

Each week I will be interviewing a special guest to talk about all things film. This week, I spoke to the incredibly multi-talented, Robert Florence. Actor, writer, Gamer, Wrestler and, most recently, film director...

YOU'VE JUST SHOT A FEATURE FILM, ‘THE HOUSE OF HIM’, TELLS US ABOUT THAT?

It was such unbelievably hard work! We made it for about 900 quid, so that meant there were hardly any of us, and we had to do everything ourselves. I wrote it, directed it, shot it, edited it. It was months of pulling all-nighters. Completely exhausting. But man – so proud of what we turned out at the end. It was totally worth it. It's probably the thing I'm most proud of.

WAS FILM DIRECTING ALWAYS SOMETHING YOU'VE WANTED TO DO?

Definitely. I really wish I hadn't waited so long. I always wanted to make horror films. I think every wee guy goes through that period. But it started to niggle me. I'm 37 this year, so time is really marching on. I was thinking “If I don't do this soon, it might never happen.” It's a weight off my shoulders!

WHAT DID YOU FIND WERE THE MAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MAKING CONTENT FOR TV AND MAKING A FILM

I've never directed for TV really. I directed a short for Channel 4's Random Acts, and I'll be doing some directing for TV in the months ahead. So really the film was a fresh experience. It was “Holy shit – I answer to no-one here.” It's really liberating, but it's a lot of pressure too. I was very aware that I had no excuses if the film turned out to be a howler.

DID YOU ENJOY THE FREEDOM OF WORKING ON A FILM MADE BY YOUR OWN PRODUCTION COMPANY? OR DO YOU FEEL MORE PRESSURE AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROJECT? OR BOTH?

That freedom is amazing. Our film is about misogyny really. About domestic violence and patterns of male control. It's a predominantly female cast, and its definitely a film for women. And I think it's a film we might have struggled to make in a more conventional manner. We were able to stay completely on track with the message we were trying to get out there. There's a huge responsibility to make the film feel like a Bold Yin project. We're quite focused on that aspect of things. We always want to make things that are a bit different, a bit more daring, maybe. It's why we exist a wee bit outside the more conventional production establishment in Scotland. We never really pitch anything. I dunno. We have a weird strategy. We're living from project to project.

TO MANY PEOPLE YOU ARE PREDOMINATELY KNOWN FOR YOUR WORK IN COMEDY. WAS MAKING A HORROR FILM A DELIBERATE CHOICE TO SHOW ANOTHER SIDE TO YOU?

No, not at all. I feel like I've always done loads of different stuff. The video game stuff and the gag-writing and the acting and the wrestling and stuff. My biggest weakness is probably that I have no real direction. One day I want to do THIS, the next day I want to do THAT. There was no plan behind the horror film. It was just “I think it's time to try to make this film.” I had a strong notion for what I wanted to make a film about, and so I did it. I'm not even really well known enough to worry about what people think I'm all about. I just like trying everything. But making the film is one of the first times I've thought - “Oh, I could do this forever. Quite happily.”

WHAT, IF ANY, ARE THE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN COMEDY AND HORROR?

Loads of similarities. Timing, mainly. Set-ups and reveals. The House Of Him is a really talky film, and there's a lot of dialogue in there. So that has to be as good as you can make it too, just like in comedy. The film got some laughs in the right places at the premiere, so that was good. I also think that horror and comedy come from the same place emotionally. When you think about death, what do you do? You either panic and take fright or you laugh at how ridiculous everything is. It's all wired into the same place.

WHAT IS IT YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT THE MOVIES?

Eating, mainly. I wish I was joking.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE FILM?

Man, that's a tough one. Probably Rocky. I think the Rocky films are incredible. As loved as they are, I think they are still underrated. Rocky is the great American movie, as far as I'm concerned. Tangled and Beauty & The Beast are up there too. Masterpieces. Beyond that, I love All That Jazz, the Bob Fosse film. I can really relate to it. It struck me with fear when I first saw it. And the songs and dance routines are amazing. Oh, and Synecdoche, New York. That film kills me. What a punch in the heart that film is. And then there is Ip Man, Donnie Yen's masterpiece. And Sammo Hung's Eastern Condors. And so many Jackie Chan films. And then there is Takeshi, my main man. Films like Sonatine and Hana-Bi and Dolls. I love the stillness of his stuff. When I was shooting The House Of Him I would hold a shot for a long time, and whenever I felt like “ARE YOU SURE THIS ISN'T TOO LONG?” I'd think of Takeshi and what he would do. And I'd keep filming.

WHAT'S THE LAST FILM YOU WATCHED AND WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT?

The last film I watched was The Lego Movie. I would totally recommend it. I loved it.

HAVE YOU EVER WALKED OUT OF A FILM? IF SO, WHAT WAS IT AND WHY?

It was Scream. I detested it. I still do. I hated how smug it was, and how cheap it was. As a horror fan, I took it as a slap in the face. Hate it.

IF YOU COULD BE ANY CHARACTER FROM ANY FILM, WHO WOULD YOU BE?

Probably one of Takeshi's characters. Sharp suit, no expression on my face, staring at a gangster in a lift. When I was 16 I used to cut about my local shopping centre with a black suit, white shirt and tie on. Seriously. I was only down there to pick up the shopping for my ma, but I'd be dressed like a high-level Yakuza member. That was Takeshi's fault.

IF YOU COULD RECOMMEND ONE ‘HIDDEN GEM’ FILM THAT PEOPLE PROBABLY OVERLOOKED, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Easy one. Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning. It's like this surreal, art-house action film. Like David Lynch decided to make a hardcore fight film. Scott Adkins, this incredible leading man, is flung into a kaleidoscope of insanity. Jean-Claude Van Damme in face paint, staring at a wall with dead eyes. Dolph Lundgren weeping. And the fights! Man alive. It's fucking AMAZING.

MANY PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THEIR FAVOURITE ACTORS AND ACTRESSES OF ALL TIME BUT WHO DO YOU CURRENTLY GET EXCITED ABOUT SEEING WHEN THEY HAVE A NEW FILM OUT?

Donnie Yen. Guys like that. I'm heavily into martial arts stuff, so any new Donnie Yen or Scott Adkins film will catch my interest. I love watching Ryan Gosling too. Amy Adams. Who doesn't love Amy Adams?

SOME PEOPLE SAY, “THEY DONT MAKE THEM LIKE THEY USE TO?” – DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS SENTIMENT AND IS IT NECESSARILY A BAD THING?

Nah, it's nonsense. We make loads of stuff, and loads of it is good. We even sometime get lucky and see a big budget musical, like in the old days. Stuff like Les Mis, which I loved. Things are good, I think.

MOST PEOPLE HAVE A GUILTY PLEASURE. A FILM YOU SHOULD PROBABLY HATE BUT YOU CANT HELP BUT ENJOY IT. WHATS YOURS?

I don't really believe in the guilty pleasure thing. I think pleasure is pleasure. But some people might not admit to loving romantic comedies. I will. Give me a Sandra Bullock rom-com with a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 13% or something and I'm a happy man. I bet I cry at the end.

PITCH A FILM IDEA IN 10 WORDS!

A woman finds the perfect husband. But he's a wasp!

Matthew McConaughey - Take a closer look...

I was inspired to write this entry about Matthew McConaughey as I was getting irritated by people continuing to be surprised by how good an actor he is. Too often, people have dismissed McConaughey as a muscle bound cheeseball with a penchant for appearing in lacklusture and forgettable romcoms which made him a hit with the ladies. However, with his most recent starring role in 'Dallas Buyers Club' (which pretty much everyone agrees will win him the best actor Oscar) gaining rave reviews and even his scene stealing turn in 'The Wolf of Wall Street' garnering plaudits, people seem to think that good old Matthew Mc C has only just started to bust out his acting chops in recent years. This is unture. Granted, he is maybe better known by mainstream audiences for his appearances in popular (but dreadfull) romcom flims such as 'Failure to Launch', 'Fools Gold' and 'Ghosts of Girlfriends past' but these titles are merely payday distractions that can sadly lead people to overlook his, quite frankly, incredible back catalogue of work. Lets take a closer look at some examples...

LONE STAR

One of the best films of 1996 and certainly one of McConaugheys best showings. However, despite it been praised by critics, its sadly one of his lesser known films. 

Plot (from IMDB): John Sayles' murder-mystery explores interpersonal and interracial tensions in Rio County, Texas. Sam Deeds is the local sheriff who is called to investigate a 40-year-old skeleton found in the desert....As Sam delves deeper into the town's dark secrets, he begins to learn more about his father, the legendary former sheriff Buddy Deeds, who replaced the corrupt Charlie Wade. While Sam puzzles out the long-past events surrounding the mystery corpse, he also longs to rekindle a romance with his old high-school flame. Sayles' complex characters are brought together as the tightly woven plot finally draws to its dramatic close

A TIME TO KILL

One of my all time favourite films with an absolutely incredible cast which includes Kevin spacey, Samuel L Jackson, Donald sutherland, Sandra Bullock, Kiefer Sutherland, Ashley Judd and Oliver Platt. In this incredibly tense, heartbreaking and moving film, McConaughey plays a young lawyer in Mississippi who defends a black man accused of murdering two men who raped his 10-year-old daughter, sparking a rebirth of the KKK. Truly, not to be missed. McConaugheys final courtroom speech is powerful stuff.

REIGN OF FIRE

Matthew McConaughey and Batman fighting dragons. what else do you need to know!!?? This film is brilliant fun and completely different from the last two films. check it out when you're in the mood for some cheesey, low budget, kick ass action.

KILLER JOE

Perhaps MM's most twisted role to date. Dark, funny and disturbing. You'll never look at KFC in the same way again. Recommended.

MUD

Sure, this is a bit more recent (2012) and perhaps started the buzz about MM's acting again but it was still, unbelievably overlooked by many people thanks in no small part to its limited cinema release. My favourite MM film to date (alongside Dazed and confused, obviously.)

Theres many more examples (honourable mention to 'The Lincoln Lawyer' which i've just remembered) but start of with these bad boys if you havent already seen them and I guarantee that you wont regret it. In the meantime, and in the immortal words of Matthew McConaugheys greatest character...

"Just Keep Livin'!" - Wooderson 

SPECIAL GUEST INTERVIEW - MARK NELSON

WHAT IS IT YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT THE MOVIES? 

I love the fact that I can various memories in my life and particularly my childhood to films I saw at the time. When I was growing up both my Papa's were huge fans of films, one comedies and one more war films. Staying with them for weeks during summer holidays allowed me to immerse myself in films. Even now, like songs, watching a film can immediately evoke the feelings I had at that time in my life. 

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE FILM? 

Jaws. In my opinion the finest film ever made. For me it is the perfect film. There is not one second of it I would change. 

WHAT'S THE LAST FILM YOU WATCHED AND WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT? 

At the weekend I watched The Wolf of Wall Street. Superb film. A lot funnier than I expected and very stylish. Di Caprio is just phenomenal in it. Another great Scorsese film in which he manages to make you root for morally reprehensible characters. And once again the music in it is awesome. 

HAVE YOU EVER WALKED OUT OF A FILM? IF SO, WHAT WAS IT AND WHY? 

I don't think I ever have if I'm honest. Although I didn't see The Happening at the cinema. I'm pretty sure if I'd paid for that I'd have burned the place to the ground. 

IF YOU COULD BE ANY CHARACTER FROM ANY FILM, WHO WOULD YOU BE? 

James Bond. I have been a massive, borderline obsessive Bond fan since I was about 5 years old. I love the character and would probably saw off both my testicles to be him. Which I imagine would drastically change the character's success with women.   

IF YOU COULD RECOMMEND ONE ‘HIDDEN GEM’ FILM THAT PEOPLE PROBABLY OVERLOOKED, WHAT WOULD IT BE? 

Swingers which was directed by Doug Liman and stars Vince Vaughan and Jon Favreau. Really cool, funny film and I can still watch it time and time again. Also check out one of Liman's later films, Go.  

MANY PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THEIR FAVOURITE ACTORS AND ACTRESSES OF ALL TIME BUT WHO DO YOU CURRENTLY GET EXCITED ABOUT SEEING WHEN THEY HAVE A NEW FILM OUT? 

At the moment probably Michael Fassbender. Great actor and a handsome big bastard. Responsible for probably my favourite scene in a film in the past decade which is the bar scene in Inglorious Basterds. 

SOME PEOPLE SAY, “THEY DONT MAKE THEM LIKE THEY USE TO?” – DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS SENTIMENT AND IS IT NECESSARILY A BAD THING? 

I certainly agree with it but I don't think it is a bad thing. For me the period of the late 70's is when the film's were truly great. Largely due to the power directors had rather than studios. You had these guy's like Spielberg, Scrosese, Coppolla who were mavericks. With the money involved in Hollywood now you would never get an Apocalypse Now and all the shit that went into making it.  

MOST PEOPLE HAVE A GUILTY PLASURE. A FILM YOU SHOULD PROBABLY HATE BUT YOU CANT HELP BUT ENJOY IT. WHATS YOURS? 

Cocktail starring Tom Cruise. Love it. 

PITCH A FILM IDEA IN 10 WORDS! 

Stand up comedian answers film questionnaire, gets part as Bond.

SPECIAL GUEST INTERVIEW - KEVIN GUTHRIE

Each week I will be interviewing a special guest to talk about all things film. This week, I spoke to the awesomely talented, Kevin Guthrie - Star of hit film, 'Sunshine on Leith' and smash Hogmanay comedy, 'Two Doors Down. Enjoy!

YOU RECENTLY STARRED IN SUNSHINE ON LEITH, HOW MUCH FUN WAS THAT TO WORK ON?

Really amazing job! The best yet I reckon, so much fun. Great cast, great people, all working towards the same thing which is why the film works so well, no ego’s no nonsense, team effort. Thoroughly enjoyable. Also, as a life long Proclaimer’s fan it was quite unique for me and very exciting! It’s something I’m immensely proud of and delighted to be a part of something that was such a huge deal! Hopefully that is enough superlatives!!

DOES A FILM SET HAVE A DIFFERENT FEEL WHEN YOU’RE WORKING ON A MUSICAL?

I guess it does and it doesn’t. We were in new territory in that SoL is a Scottish Musical which didn’t really exist in cinematic genre (until now!). We were keen to keep the people and the world as real and true as possible (as much as you can before bursting into song!) I think the feel on set very much reflected what we were all about as Actor’s...so much of the energy and buzz on set came for Dexter – an incredible facilitator on a set and that is why he will become one of the greats in my opinion. He had us all in the palm of his hand, cast and crew alike. He knew everyone’s name and made everybody feel just as important as the rest.

WERE YOU NERVOUS AT ALL ABOUT THE SINGING AND DANCING ROUTINES?

Nervous? Aye! S**t scared? Completely! We were given 4 weeks rehearsal time before shooting so that broke the back of it. Myself and George had each other’s back on the Singing and Dancing front so we never felt completely naked doing it...which was good. Also, Freya and Antonia have such different and beautiful voices that there is a real distinct sound to each and every track. Paul Englishby and Chris Traves (The Music Men!) made such a bloody good job of the music. We had every support going and everyone’s backing so had the confident to just go for it! Dexter’s first thing in the audition room was...let’s get actors that can sing as opposed to Singers that can act.

YOU’VE MANAGED TO HAVE A VERY VARIED TV AND FILM CAREER, DO YOU PREFER ONE FORMAT OVER THE OTHER?

Thanks man. I’ve been very lucky to get certain breaks at certain times that have allowed for a variety in the roles that I’ve gone on to do. It’s a mental thing, you don’t really plan it job by job by meeting by meeting and audition by audition, after that its outwith your control. I love the difference between all the formats. If  I’m on a film set I look forward to the stage, when I’m on stage I want to be a film-star. Grass is always greener I think.

TWO DOORS DOWN WAS A MASSIVE HIT AT HOGMANAY. WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE LIKELY HOOD OF SEEING THE FAMILY RETURN IN A SERIES?

Good question! Yeah, it went down really well and is something I’m really proud of. I had a great time doing it and with such a great cast! I really hope we get to see the Baird’s again! Maybe a summer bbq? Eric’s 50^th (or 60^th?!) I’m sure there is scope somewhere.

WHAT HAVE YOU GOT COMING UP NEXT?

I’m working on a short film at the moment, The Trench, we’re shooting in Surrey and Ipswich (I think). A short about the Trenches in WW1. Really beautiful script and something I really wanted to do. Then I’m going onto another comedy/sitcom but at this stage can’t say much more than that I’m afraid. I’m signed on to do Sunset Song with Terence Davies at the helm, later in the Spring.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE FILM?

Aww nightmare. Erm. The Last King of Scotland? I probably couldn’t live without The Departed. Huge Aladdin fan also.

WHATS THE LAST FLIM YOU WATCHED AND WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT?

In the Name of the Father was on last night. Daniel Day-Lewis & John Byrne. Immense. Watch it!

HAVE YOU EVER WALKED OUT OF A FILM? IF SO, WHAT WAS IT AND WHY?

Yeah. I think so. It was so bad I can’t even remember the name. Something to do with robots ...

IF YOU COULD BE ANY CHARACTER FROM ANY FILM, WHO WOULD YOU BE?

Ewan Tavendale. Then Peter Pan.

IF YOU COULD RECOMMEND ONE ‘HIDDEN GEM’ FILM THAT PEOPLE PROBABLY OVERLOOKED, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

The Illusionist (French Animated film about a wee lassie fae Edinburgh and a French Illusionist.)

My Brother is an Only Child, Italian film about Fascism versus Catholicism. Incredible performances.

MANY PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THEIR FAVOURITE ACTORS AND ACTRESSES OF ALL TIME BUT WHO DO YOU CURRENTLY GET EXCITED ABOUT SEEING WHEN THEY HAVE A NEW FILM OUT?

George MacKay is going to be huge I reckon. I always look to what Peter (Mullan) is doing and I’m a huge Emma Thompson fan.

SOME PEOPLE SAY, “THEY DONT MAKE THEM LIKE THEY USE TO?” – DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS SENTIMENT AND IS IT NECESSARILY A BAD THING?

I don’t think they do. Not in the main frame of Hollywood, but then film making is fashion really isn’t it, it’s about what’s in and current and (bla bla bla)...but I reckon at the heart of a good film is a really brilliant story. I think as long as there are good stories to be told then there will be good films to come out of that.

MOST PEOPLE HAVE A GUILTY PLASURE. A FILM YOU SHOULD PROBABLY HATE BUT YOU CANT HELP BUT ENJOY IT. WHATS YOURS?

Aladdin. Or any Disney classic for that matter. Beauty and the Beast and Little Mermaid are up there.

PITCH A FILM IDEA IN 10 WORDS!

I have one but it aint finished so I cant.

10 words. boom.

NEW RELEASE - WOLF OF WALL STREET

After my first attempt at watching this film was thwarted due to a failing projector at cineworld in Glasgow (oh, the drama), I finally got to see this much acclaimed film based on the, quite spectacular life of Jordan Belfort.

The film is a roller coaster ride from start to finish and without doubt the most enjoyable cinematic experience I've had this year (granted, thats not very long). This lavish, ridiculous and drug fuelled ride should probably last about 30 minutes less but so likeable are the characters and so entertaining are the extreme scenarios depicted in the film that you're never bored or checking your watch.

Dicaprio is outstanding and he gets to have a lot more fun playing this millionaire than he did the last one. It kind of looks like he is portraying what Jay Gatsby would have been like if he had enjoyed a good booze up and taking every kind of illegal substance know to man every half an hour. Indeed, most of the funniest moments of the film come whenever we see Jordan his good pal Donnie Azoff (played superbly but the hilarious Jonah Hill) getting completely off their tits - which is, thankfully for us the viewers, most of the time.

8/10

Weekly Round-Up - Last Vegas/American Hustle/Railway Man

Last Vegas: I felt like I had already seen all the funniest bits in the trailer but it is still a nice, easy, undemanding watch. Kevin Kline gets all the best lines and Mary Steenburgen is still a hottie!

6/10

American Hustle: Not very exciting but incredibly stylish, slick and classy. The top notch cast give an absolute masterclass in acting. Also, Jennifer Lawrence is, once again, amazing. Steals every scene she is in, especially the science oven one!

8/10

The Railway Man: The film has a slightly uneven feel to it as it jumps back and forth from Colin Firth and Jeremy Irvine who play the older and younger Eric lomax respectfully. Irvine is very believable as a younger colin firth and both actors do a decent job. However, perhaps the worst part of this film is the casting of Stellan skarsgard who plays Lomax's old ENGLISH pal, Finley, but the swede makes no attempt at an English accent whatsoever. Overall though, the true story at the heart of this film is incredibly moving and so its impossible not to like.

7/10