Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

**
Release Date: July 16th 1999

Two Jedi Knights escape a hostile blockade to find allies and come across a young boy who may bring balance to the Force, but the long dormant Sith resurface to reclaim their old glory.

Director: George Lucas (Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Indiana Jones Trilogy)

Starring: Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Samuel L. Jackson, Keira Knightley, Jake Lloyd, Ray Park

I was only 11 when I first watched The Phantom Menace. The kid inside me will still loves watching it, because, first and foremost, it's a film that's highly entertaining for the whole family. This is what got me (and many other younglings of that time) into the franchise. It has everything a child wants in a film; great action, likeable, heroic characters and sense of good vs. evil.

Since then (now that I'm much older), and for anyone over a certain age, it's easy to notice the flaws in episode I. TPM is the weakest of the Star Wars films by far. A lot of explanation is needed to set up what we already know (from IV, V and VI), and plenty of introductions are made that could be cut out.

It's easy to question George Lucas' motives, none more so than his script-writing abilities. It's been 22 years since his last effort, and let's just say it hasn't improved. Certain parts of the dialogue feels clunky and disconnected. As the Trade Federation invades Naboo, Governor Sio Bibble says 'a communications disruption could mean only one thing, invasion'. I suppose the warships surrounding Naboo weren't a giveaway.

Even the incredible cast look out of place and struggle to pull off their lines. What dialogue cannot accomplish, the action makes up for. The Jedi (Neeson and McGregor), realising danger is coming to Naboo, save Queen Amidala but end up stranded on Tatooine after their ship takes damage. In the next half hour to 45 minutes that follow, we meet bratty, game changing, cocky little Anakin Skywalker (Lloyd). The galaxy may be in turmoil, but for now, Qui-Gon Jinn leaves everything in the hands of a boy. At least the 12 minute pod race is a delight to watch.

Not all is unwell though. Jar-Jar Binks, the (supposed) friendly, lovable character isn't as annoying as die-hard fans make out (although he takes away the focus of the Ewoks from Return), a trio of fights are neatly edited (Gungans vs. the Droids, Anakin vs. the Trade Federation and Jedi vs. Sith) and we finaly have some Jedi worthy of a decent lightsabre battle. Ray Park's Sith apprentice Darth Maul lives up to the title of menace. His expertise in martial arts goes well with the choreography during the lightsabre battles.

Overview: The weakest one of the three prequels, The Phantom Menace has many plot-holes but still remains to this day an enjoyable film. Maybe Lucas should hire some experienced writers next time.  

Dallas Buyers Club

****
Release Date: February 7th 2014

In 1985 Dallas, electrician and hustler Ron Woodroof works around the system to help AIDS patients get the medication they need after he is himself diagnosed with the disease.

Director: Jean-Marc Vallee (The Young Victoria)

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto

What Dallas Buyers Club shows, to a younger audience especially, is the ability to be in a world where the unknown is not just frightening, but something to repel against. For Ron Woodroof (McConaughey), being told he has 30 days to live after contracting HIV is a joke. After rejecting this possibility, Ron subsequently ignores the advice given to him, and tries to lead the same life of binge drinking, snorting cocaine and sexual activities.

DBC fixates on Ron's personal life and those around him. In the minds of everyone in the 80's anyone with HIV or AIDS is seen to have had homosexual activity. Being such a taboo in this time (nothing like it is now), it's difficult to accept the hate that Ron takes. We accept Ron for who he is, as under circumstances, who knows how we'd react.

Soon Ron realises that he's very unwell and needs to act swiftly. In order to get the correct medication for both himself and others, Ron travels to various countries to get what he needs. 'It's not illegal, it's merely unapproved'.

Ron is met by cross-dresser Rayon (Leto) who's also suffering from HIV. Rayon is the sweet hospitable type to Ron's sour hostility. Both lead and supporting actors are admirable. Their performances are so real and enthralling and the work they've put in may be distressing for them (at least for one of them) but aesthetically pleasing for us.

It's a surprise to hear that McConaughey and Leto didn't see eye to eye during production because it doesn't show in the final cut. Leto, as a method actor, stayed in character as often as he could, whilst Matthew McConaughey shed almost 3st 7lbs to portray Woodroof. It's clear that McCanoughey and Leto are in the lead to receive Oscars for their roles.

Overview: A true story that's ambitious and full of inspiration. Dallas Buyers Club is very insightful and teaches its audience a lot about the outbreak of AIDS in the 80's.  

Spring Breakers

*
Release Date: April 5th 2013

Four college girls hold up a restaurant in order to fund their spring break vacation. While partying/drinking/taking drugs they are arrested only to be bailed out by a drug and arms dealer.

Director: Harmony Korine

Starring: Vanessa Hudgens, Selena Gomez, Ashley Benson, Rachel Korine, James Franco

Spring Breakers tries so hard to be something unique and fails miserably. It has received generally good reviews from most film analysts, yet terrible ones from the general public.

Don't get me wrong, I like a film that's different. Cinema would be very boring if all movies were the same. Spring Breakers is more of a live action artwork than a straight story. There are so many gripes with it it's difficult to end on a high note.

Three of the four girls, Candy (Hudgens), Brit (Benson) and Cotty (Korine) come across as the most selfish teenagers because they complain about not having the money to make spring break. And what do they decide to do? Hold up a restaurant and steal a ton of money to fuel their immature greed.   

So off they go to party, bringing Faith (Gomez) with them. On the outside they seem care-free, but on the inside they are naive, never aware of how deep into the unknown they go.

The story cuts continuously to party-goers having a good time. The partying involves drug abuse, nudity and tonnes of alcohol. Harmony Korine's perception of spring-break-partying is completely exaggerated. Most would be disappointed that the real outcome of a spring break party is tamer than what is shown.

The girls are bailed out of further trouble by famous artist and drug-dealer known as Alien. James Franco plays this character, and to be quite frank, he's a laughing stock that can't be taken seriously.

Spring Breakers is very repetitive. The script is repetitive. The beach party scenes are repetitive. It's a piece of avant-garde work that would be better suited in late night galleries and student exhibitions.

On a better note Selena Gomez shows promise at the beginning of her acting career. It's a shame that she disappears before we really get the chance to relate to the only likeable character in this 96 minute befuddlement.

Overview: As bizarre as the acting is comical (mainly on Franco's part), Spring Breakers needs to stop trying to be different.

Salt

****
Release Date: August 20th 2010

A CIA agent goes on the run after a defector accuses her of being a Russian spy.

Director: Phillip Noyce (The Bone Collector, Patriot Games)

Starring: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor

According to a source through IMDB, Salt 'was originally written with Salt as a male (Edwin A. Salt), and Tom Cruise was approached to play him. Ultimately, he backed out and the script was rewritten with a female lead and Angelina Jolie was cast.'

What western cinema needs more than ever is a strong female lead in the action/adventure genre. Others have tried and been less successful in popularity like Columbiana and Haywire to name a few. Salt trumps these with the fantastic lead that is Angelina Jolie. With a back catalogue that includes Wanted, Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Tomb Raider, Jolie is the right actress for the role.

To enjoy Salt for the first time the only information you'll need is the blurb above. Salt always leaves its viewers reveling in the unknown. Questions are raised multiple times. It's safe to know that even though ambiguity is ripe throughout Salt ultimately answers the questions we ask. Evelyn Salt leaves a trail of shocks and twists. Everything comes unexpectedly.

Teaming up with Jolie comes great supporting cast from Liev Schreiber and Chiwetel Ejiofor. No one can pull off absolute bemusement (when it comes to Evelyn's actions) more than these guys. Evelyn is effortlessly unstoppable, relying on sheer brutality and emotional output. For the most part, Jolie has little dialogue. This works in her favour, as the mysteriousness shrouding Salt is deftly captivating.

Overview: Salt is uniquely unpredictable and a burst of fresh energy that Hollywood has lacked lately. An anticipated sequel is (hopefully) in the works. 

The Other Guys

****
Release Date: September 17th 2010

Two mismatched New York City detectives seize an opportunity to step up like the city's top cops whom they idolize -- only things don't quite go as planned.

Director: Adam McKay (Step Brothers, Talladega Nights, Anchorman)

Starring: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Michael Keaton, Steve Coogan, Eva Mendes, Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne Johnson

One of Will Ferrell's better films, The Other Guys works mainly because the two out-of-place heroes Allen (Ferrell) and Terry (Wahlberg) have little in common, but has effective results.

This is the fourth time Adam McKay and Will Ferrell have collaborated together (the other three being Anchorman, Talladega Nights and Step Brothers) and it is by far their most lucid and entertaining. Allen Gamble is your stereotypical desk-jockey working for New York police who enjoys his rather feeble, monotonous life. Terry on the other hand, was forced in to desk work after accidentally shooting real-life baseball played Derek Jeter. Terry's anger is set off by the little things. He's held back because there are others that do their job successfully, or with more flare. 'I'm like a peacock, you gotta let me fly' he says on occasions.

Allen and Terry have their chance to shine when Highsmith (Samuel L. Jackson) and Danson (Dwayne Johnson) make an unforeseeable exit. It's up to the other guys to bite the bullet and (somehow) carry on their legacy.

The plot is what let's The Other Guys down slightly. All we ever know is David Ershon (Steve Coogan), a big money businessman, is involved in an investment scam who owes a lot of people extortionate amounts of money. This is no major fault, as fantastic one-liners and witty scenes fill that broken void. Big credit goes to Mark Wahlberg on his comedy acting debut, who has all greatest quotes that stick in the mind for years to come. Terry once describes Allen's farts sounding 'like a baby blowing out birthday candles.'

The Other Guys has plenty of action, thrills and bold courage that the other three Ferrell/McKay films lack. If they were to remove the comedy, TOG would still make a great action film.

Overview: Will Ferrell holds that Marmite factor very close to heart. If you don't like most of his films, this would be the one to you think differently.

The Wolf of Wall Street

*****
Release Date: January 17th 2014

Based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, from his rise to a wealthy stockbroker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government.

Director: Martin Scorsese (Shutter Island, The Departed, The Aviator, Gangs of New York)

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey, Jon Bernthal, Kyle Chandler

Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese are familiar with the way each other work. The Wolf of Wall Street marks their 5th collaboration. All five (Gangs of New York, The Aviator, The Departed, Shutter Island and Wolf of Wall Street) are Oscar-worthy material from both.

The greedier Jordan Belfort (DiCaprio) becomes, the more interesting this film is. This is not for the faint hearted or easily offended; this is a blockbuster that packs a lot of punch. Sex, drugs and rock n' roll dominate from the start. It takes a fast paced epic that see the rise (and eventually fall) of a young cub turn wolf.

Jordan's first real job as a stockbroker lands him in Wall Street company L.F. Rothschild. His afternoon lunch with big boss Mark Hanna (McConaughey, who is undeniably funny) is intuitive and crazy. This is where the adventure begins. He learns a lot about the stock market, that everything is 'fugazi', snorting cocaine is a must and 'jerking off at least twice a day' relaxes the mind. Last but not least, 'the name of the game... moving the money from the client's pocket to your pocket.'

Jordan meets Donnie Azhoff (Jonah Hill, who is absolutely brilliant) shortly after. When Donnie find out that Jordan makes over $70k a week, he quits his job and starts working for him. Then on October 19th, 1987, the market crashes (now none as Black Monday) and L.F Rothschild is the first to go under.

The then already 'Wolfie' Belfort joins a penny stock firm in Long Island. He manages to take over the establishment by impressing his co-worker schmucks that have less common sense than brains. Jordan hires old friends from Queens that will help him with his business (they mostly sell weed). As the establishment increases in revenue and popularity, the FBI start to question Jordan's actions.

You will, like myself, be surprised at how funny The Wolf of Wall Street is. Scorsese manages to keep what was great about the likes of Goodfellas and The Departed and add very dark comedy. The utterly ridiculous moments that will make you laugh take away the seriousness that would usually exist. Wall Street is not portrayed in a way that we might expect and it redundantly characterises drugs as the right thing to do. It exploits Wall Street in this fanatical way because the connotations behind stock-brokers are the complete opposite.

Take TWOWS for what it is, and you won't be disappointed. This is DiCaprio's finest performance since Inception, and if he doesn't win a well deserved Oscar for Best Actor (he missed out in 2004 for his leading role in The Aviator and in 2007 in Blood Diamond) then there will be an uproar (mainly from me).

Clocking up approximately three hours, it doesn't feel rushed. You'll be too busy wondering what shenanigans Jordan and his crew have in store for us than looking at your watch thinking it's going on for too long. One scene that stands out sees Jordan and Donnie tripping on some aged drugs that take effect after a long period of time.

Overview: TWOWS is an epic film to be taken lightly. If you can get past the dirt and filth, it'll impress. This is a tough year for the awards ceremonies, and this is likely to reap a fair few. Probably Scorsese's best work to date, at least with Leonardo DiCaprio.