A New York Winter's Tale

*
UK Release Date: February 21st 2014

A burglar falls for an heiress as she dies in his arms. When he learns that he has the gift of reincarnation, he sets out to save her. (www.imdb.com)

Director: Akiva Goldsman

Starring: Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay, Russell Crowe

A New York Winter's Tale is a mish-mash of sub-genres, but a mix that is neither interesting or understandable. Akiva Goldman's script is all over the place. The most that can be understood is that it's a love story. Throwing in miracles, a white horse that's actually a dog that's actually a guardian angel and Russell Crowe as an Irish demon hellbent on destroying blah (Farrell) and his love (Findlay) into the fray sounds as perplexing as it is watching it. It might be easier to read the film's synopsis somewhere before viewing because the film won't help you there. If anything it's aggravating to watch because it makes you feel stupid. Farrell and Findlay's chemistry make it a little bearable, but even then it'll take a miracle to make this film any better.

1/5  

Whiplash

*****
UK Release Date: January 16th 2015

A promising young drummer (Teller) enrolls at a cut-throat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are mentored by an instructor (J.K Simmons) who will stop at nothing to realize a student's potential.

Director: Damien Chazelle

Starring: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Melissa Benoist

January has barely closed its doors yet, but Whiplash is already vastly becoming one of the most intense, butt-clenching films of the year. No, scrap that, of the decade. The team behind this film, the editors, sound mixers, producers, cinematographers and the director have put their blood, sweat and tears into this film to show blood, sweat and tears and a raw side to music. Whiplash has a different kind of action, but it's just as intense (if not more) as the likes of Die Hard or Batman. Andrew (Teller) constantly vies to prove himself in front of notoriously strict jazz-musician and teacher Fletcher (Simmons). Heavy amounts of denial, intimidation and practice won't break his vision to become the best drummer there is. Teller pours hit heart and soul into his performance, giving every ounce of energy he has, making Andrew his most engaging and enigmatic character yet. Our attention, however, will always be focused on Simmons, who's electrifying and outright scary. Just imagine Fletcher as your teacher when you were this young! Best supporting actor in the frameworks. Fletcher pushes Andrew to the edge, and us to the edge, and the intensity is overbearing, but utterly gripping from start to finish. It's one of those films that you won't want to end and for the last section to go on for Miles. 

5/5

The Dictator

***
UK Release Date: May 16th 2012

The heroic story of a dictator who risks his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed.

Director: Larry Charles (Borat, Bruno)

Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen, Anna Faris, Ben Kingsley, Jason Mantzoukas, John C. Reilly

The Dictator sees Sacha Baron Cohen in his first feature length movie stripped of its documentary style filming (Borat, Bruno) and made into a linear story that has its ups and downs. When it's great, it's absolutely hilarious, but the hilarities don't come as often as we'd like. Where Borat (and most of Bruno) relied on awkward humour and surprising the public, The Dictator gambles on improvisation. Mr. Cohen knows that his stint has come to an end. This time, he has grabbed our attention via a fictional leader (Aladeen) and a fictional country (Wadiya), and throwing some political issues into the mix. Aladeen is forced to make a trip to America to discuss Wadiya's nuclear program but ends up isolated and abandoned by those he deemed trustworthy. He needs the help of friends old and new to reinstate his importance. Anna Faris hits the spot with her helpful humanitarian and Ben Kingsley is a surprise to see, but Cohen hogs the limelight with his improv; some of the best bits are in the trailer and we're left with a lot of the hand-me-down of material. Still, it's entertaining enough to see it through to the end.

3/5

Birdman

*****
UK Release Date: January 1st 2015

A washed up actor, who once played an iconic superhero, battles his ego and attempts to recover his family, his career and himself in the days leading up to the opening of a Broadway play. (www.imdb.com)

Director: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (21 Grams, Babel, Biutiful)

Starring: Micheal Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough, Amy Ryan, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts

How the mighty have fallen. At least that can be said for Michael Keaton and his altruistic, mess of a man Riggan. The opening scene sets up we need to know, and what kind of film it's going to be. He's meditating in his backstage dressing-room, and it's all-of-a clutter. The one point that cannot be unnoticed is the fact that he's levitating. Maybe he can, or maybe it's in his mind. Either way, our sense of belief is untouched. He can't escape the voice inside his head, the voice of the Birdman, his alter-ego, or the Superhero that made him a success. Now he's a washed up actor (sound familiar?) attempting to relive the dream through a new Broadway show of Raymond Carver’s What We Talk About When We Talk About Love. Keaton is in fine form here, an intrinsic part of a bigger picture. Birdman or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance (its full title), is a wonderful experience to watch and almost be a part of. Gravity Director of Photography Emmanuel Lubezki seemingly glides us through one continuous shot, following Riggan for the most part, weaving through corridors, different backstage rooms, on stage, up to the roof and through Times Square. Lengthy takes have been stitched together, fooling out minds and our eyes. It's the best piece of art in film this side of the century. Director Inarritu manages to bring out the best in his cast, whether it's Zach Galifianakis in a serious role (hard to believe, but he pulls it off) or Edward Norton as an ostentatious Broadway star that's hired as a last minute replacement for the show. He becomes the talk of the preview shows, which berates Riggan to no end. It's a joke about Norton's acting career, and he embraces it. Emma Stone's daughter to Riggan has recently come out of rehab and hits a high note too. Birdman is odd, vibrant, funny, dramatic, serious and poignant. It has it all. The award ceremonies will be difficult this year, but Birdman has enough on display to be a cut above the rest.

5/5     

Into the Woods

***
UK Release Date: January 9th 2015

A witch tasks a childless baker and his wife with procuring magical items from classic fairy tales to reverse the curse put on their family tree.

Director: Rob Marshall (Chicago, Memoirs of a Geisha, Pirate of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides)

Starring: Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Daniel Huttlestone, Lilla Crawford, Johnny Depp, Billy Magnussen

Into the Woods is a pleasure to watch. It's oddly fanatical and inspiriting. A roster of A-list celebrities make up the fairytale characters we're all too familiar with, and a story has been made around them. It's charming and fun, with a song or fifty to enjoy or give you a headache depending on your taste for such things. The songs are catchy and sung beautifully, but there's no stopping for breath; one song flows pretty much into the other. The celebrities give all they've got not only in acting but singing as well. Some fair better than others; Johnny Depp is almost embarrassing but Blunt, Streep and Kendrick are a delight. Chris Pine and Billy Magnussen share a gold moment that'll stick above the rest. Fantasy lovers will find a lot to love here; the woods is foreboding and creepy, the creatures, characters and locations adding thick substance and a level of realism. There's plenty for the parents and kids to enjoy, but keep in mind, it's nearly two hours long, so the kid's attention may sway before the end.

3/5

Foxcatcher

****
UK Release Date: January 9th 2015

The greatest Olympic Wrestling Champion brother team joins Team Foxcatcher led by multimillionaire sponsor John E. du Pont as they train for the 1988 games in Seoul - a union that leads to unlikely circumstances. (www.imdb.com)

Director: Bennett Miller (Capote, Moneyball)

Starring: Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo, Sienna Miller

Foxcatcher, from the moment it opens its doors, is hard to watch. The pace is slow, and the camera lingers uncomfortably on shots for long periods of time. The acting, though, is remarkably compelling. Steve Carell's du Pont will keep your eyes glued to the screen at all times. He's an intricate man whose troubled past has shaped him into a very complex character. Carrell throws out the comedy for drama with a stunning performance that will never be forgotten. He uses money to buy happiness. He pretends, or believes (I don't think we can be sure, Carell's acting is of a certain magnitude that keeps us guessing) he's the head coach of the Foxcatcher olympic wrestling team and strives for the attention of its team members. Brothers Mark (Tatum) and David (Ruffalo) are the main two he seeks the approval and attention of. Mark falls under his spell, and becomes manipulated by his wise choice of words, but David sees that there's more to him than meets the eye. Actions speak volumes and the dialogue is minimal. Initially David and Mark's relationship is hard to judge, as the opening scene has them wrestling, and only wrestling. The grappling is mixed with respect and love for each other, something that du Pont later envies. Foxcatcher isn't an easy watch; you'll cringe, you'll feel awkward and you'll definitely leave feeling shocked.
 
4/5