NZ Film Freak

A Star is Born

Director: Bradley Cooper
Writers: Based on story by William A. Wellman, Robert Carson, Dorothy Parker, Alan Campbell. Screenplay: Eric Roth, Bradley Cooper, Will Fetters
Released: October 2015
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Andrew Dice Clay, Dave Chappelle and Sam Elliott
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Believe it or not, this is the fourth version of A Star is Born.

1937 (Janet Gaynor and Fredric March)
1954 (Judy Garland and James Mason)
1976 (Barbara Streisand and Kris Kristofferson)
2018 (Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper)

It’s about a rock star called Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) who is an alcoholic with failing hearing and a career that is winding down. He bumps into a waitress called Ally (Lady Gaga) who has some decent pipes and takes her under his wing. Before he knows it, she’s an even bigger pop star than him and fame changes her from a humble, ordinary girl into an unrecognisable star.

While she rakes in the money and wins all the awards, Maine’s alcoholism gets worse.

The two main characters’ relationship reminds me of Johnny Cash and June Carter as portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon in the movie Walk the Line. I liked how in love they seem – no wonder why it sparked rumours that Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper had a fling! They’re a very convincing couple.

Actually, in so few words: Walk the Line + Burlesque + two and a half hours = A Star is Born.

The movie itself has brilliant music in it, especially everybody’s favourite song ‘Shallow‘. Despite a few plot holes and weird twists and turns, I can certainly appreciate that this movie stands out from the bunch this year.

But while the first quarter of the film was giving me chills and teary eyes, that quickly faded as the pacing of the film was getting slower and slower, and the story was getting longer and longer.

I looked over at my friend (Sascha) who appeared to be thinking the same thing: ‘where is this story going, and when will it end?’

Thankfully, Lady Gaga’s stunning performance almost made up for the dragged-out shots and painfully slow story line – she was a brilliant actress. Bradley Cooper looked the part too, with his rough exterior, long hair and diesel-engine voice.

After the movie finished, I thought I’d check out Lady Gaga’s Instagram as I was excited to follow her and be a fan of her acting career. But then quickly changed my mind as her Instagram isn’t a platform to showcase her talent or personality, it’s an album of her near-naked photos.

Then I remembered there were at least four scenes where Lady Gaga was naked for no reason in the movie. I realised that she’s just a woman who likes to get naked at the drop of a hat and talk total nonsense in interviews. Which was disappointing.

I guess I really only liked the character she was playing, which I suppose is credit to her acting talent.

My verdict is that the acting and the music is top notch, and this remake will probably win all the awards and be known as a Hollywood sensation. But the pacing is so slow and drawn out that even the heavy emotion of the story simply isn’t enough to keep you focused.

Therefore, if you’re looking for an emotional film about musicians falling in and out of love, I’d recommend watching Walk the Line instead. It’s got all the perks of A Star is Born – hit songs, flawless acting and it still covers the same distressing issues (such as substance abuse). The difference being that the pacing is faster in Walk the Line and keeps you hooked.

The music, the performances and the cinematic beauty of this movie is wonderful. But the rest of it lets it down.

Jodie’s rating: 5/10

Baby Let Me Go – Smoking Martha

Stepping away from their more upbeat and rocky music, Baby Let Me Go by Smoking Martha is a soft rock acoustic song with dark undertones on their album In Deep.

Echoing the glamorous aesthetic of rock and roll singers from the deep south, surprisingly this band hails from Brisbane’s sunny coastlines.

This is the second song I have reviewed of Smoking Martha’s, and I didn’t even realise it was the same band because of how different this song is to the last one!

Baby Let Me Go is about death and grief, with the video using classic symbols of religion, angels and roses to represent the loss and acceptance associated with the song.

My only criticism would be that the song takes a long time to warm up with perhaps one too many verses before reaching the bridge. This plus the repetitive shots used in the video made the song drag a little.

This song in particular reminds me of the 2000’s Ashley Simpson and Avril Lavigne, with a rocky and smokey undertone beneath the feminine and melodramatic exterior, which I think would appeal widely to today’s younger generation. However, their back catalogue is far more typical of the classic rock genre.

Check out Baby Let Me Go on YouTube here.

Follow Smoking Martha on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Mission: Impossible – Fallout

mission_impossible_fallout

Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Writer: Christopher McQuarrie
Released: July 2018
Starring: Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Sean Harris, Angela Bassett, Michelle Monaghan, Alec Baldwin
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Not being a massive action film fan myself, I was more in favour of waiting to see Christopher Robin instead. But in the back of my mind I figured Winnie the Pooh may not live up to my expectations as I was convincing myself it would be as magical as the Beatrix Potter biopic, Miss Potter. Whereas the new Mission: Impossible film is a little less risky, as you know exactly what to expect.

We were right – this film is everything you’d hope for in a Mission: Impossible movie.

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It follows Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team, which includes geeky Simon Pegg as Benji, as they embark on another seemingly impossible mission to save the world. This time, Ethan is trying to get his hands on some plutonium that is in the wrong hand as it’s intended for nuclear bombs. Meanwhile, he is being flanked by an unwelcome CIA agent (Henry Cavill), hindered by a former flame (Rebecca Ferguson) and shadowed by his former wife.

Ethan’s unwavering loyalty to his friends and team are frequently mentioned, making him the wholesome, invincible, all-American hero (not unlike Superman) that we’ve come to know and love.

Just like the franchise promises, Mission: Impossible – Fallout is outlandish, comedic at times and action-packed. Getting electrocuted by lightening and surviving major helicopter crashes are just a couple of the ‘impossible’ twists and turns in this movie.

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The film tip-toes the precipice of making fun of itself, almost becoming what Deadpool is for the superhero genre. But despite teasing the stereotypes of the action genre (making me expect Tom Cruise to turn and wink at the camera at every gun fight) it never quite holds a mirror up to itself, which keeps the integrity of the film.

I am a big fan of Tom Cruise – despite his quirks – he does all of his own stunts including the helicopter flying where he spent two years acquiring the qualifications, and he seems like a really nice guy. But I did feel a little bad for him during some parts of this film:

I’m sure everyone is aware of his accident on set where he practically snapped his ankle when jumping from one building to another, which caused production to shut down for six weeks until he healed. But if you’ve got a keen eye, you’ll notice that he is limping at random points throughout the movie. He also looks quite stiff in many of the physically-arduous scenes.

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Now, I’m not talking him down. But I’m just saying you can’t disguise the fact that you’re ageing if you’re running about in an action film – Botox can only do so much!

I was convinced that crew members from Inception had worked on this film as the music was very Hans Zimmer and the locations paralleled Inception as they both begin in Paris and end in snowy mountains – which are filmed in New Zealand! (After a quick Google search I have discovered that the composer for this film is Lorne Balfe who has a studio at Hans Zimmer’s company.)

As a general action film avoider, I was entertained by this movie. It was fun, and the gun fights and car chases were not dragged out too long. So despite the length of the film, it holds your attention.

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It didn’t make fun of itself so much that you lost respect for the franchise. (Although I wouldn’t have been surprised if Jason Bourne, James Bond and Bryan Mills casually walked into a scene to team-up with Ethan Hunt during a fight.) But it also didn’t take itself too seriously.

It was snappy, easy to follow and entertaining, which is exactly what you hope for in a Mission: Impossible film.

Jodie’s rating: 7/10

Incredibles 2

incredibles

Director: Brad Bird
Writer: Brad Bird
Released: June 2018
Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, Huck Milner, Samuel L. Jackson, Bob Odenkirk
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I recently wrote that I was excited to see this film, but I do wonder if I was perhaps influenced by other people’s enthusiasm because I was never really a massive fan of the first film. I liked it of course, but it ain’t no Toy Story.

Nevertheless, I do love a Pixar animation, and I am very interested in the voice acting scene, so I was more then happy to see Incredibles 2.

This second instalment picks up exactly where the first one left off where the Incredibles are attempting to save the city from a giant mole super-villain. Unfortunately despite their best efforts, they do not catch the culprit and superheroes are condemned and remain illegal.

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The movie predominately follows the story of Helen Parr/Elastagirl (Holly Hunter) who is hired by a man named Winston Deavor (Bob Odenkirk) who hopes to make superheroes legal again by showing conflicts from her perspective. Meanwhile, Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) has to stay at home with the children – including baby Jack-Jack who is proving difficult.

Just like most other animations that have been released over the last couple of years (including Brave and Maleficent), the feminist movement is a major theme in this film. It features a gender role swap where Bob reluctantly takes over family life at home while Helen enjoys the action-heavy job of being a paid superhero.

Helen thrives at work, which shows how well-rounded she is at being a mum as well as an employee. But Bob is said to be ‘too messy’ to accept the superhero position and struggles to cope at home with the children, painting him as incompetent.

While it was refreshing to have a female hero, I did think this movie swung a little too far away from ‘gender equality’ into the sticky territory of ‘man-hating’, as it showed the male characters failing (including but not limited to Bob) and female characters excelling (including but not limited to Helen). In addition to this, the script was peppered with plenty of derogatory language from female characters toward male characters. (I will include the exact quotes I’m referring to once they become available online.)

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I’m going to say it – if Bob spoke Helen’s script, there would be protests in the street. I believe this highlights that this isn’t a movie promoting gender equality, it’s displaying bitterness toward men by putting them down. Feminism isn’t about revenge, please.

Eesh… Enough of the heavy.

Thankfully, everyone’s favourite characters are in the sequel including Edna Mode (Brad Bird) and Lucious Best/Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson). They are sure to make you giggle!

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The supervillain in this film, Screenslaver, has some pretty philosophical lines if you listen out for them. The character talks about staring at a screen all day instead of actually getting up and doing something, quite insightful considering the audience.

Screenslaver: Superheroes are part of a brainless desire to replace true experience with simulation. You don’t talk, you watch talk shows. You don’t play games, you watch game shows. Travel, relationships, risk; every meaningful experience must be packaged and delivered to you to watch at a distance so that you can remain ever-sheltered, ever-passive, ever-ravenous consumers who can’t free themselves to rise from their couches to break a sweat, never anticipate new life. You want superheroes to protect you, and make yourselves ever more powerless in the process.

Overall, you can look as much or as little as you want into this film. It’s certainly fun, but not hilarious. It’s a solid family film and easy to watch, but nothing ‘incredible’.

Jodie’s rating: 6/10

Top 12: Best Movies About Journalism

Some of these films were a larger influence on me choosing to study journalism at university than I care to admit. Morning Glory was the main reason for me deciding to take a television journalism paper, and The Pelican Brief was responsible for introducing me to the world of investigative journalism.

Here are some of the best journalistic films:

Spotlight (2015)
“If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to abuse one.”
Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning Boston Globe investigation, Spotlight follows the journey of a group of investigative journalists unearthing the child abuse within the Catholic Church. Despite the heavy and disturbing subject matter, it is such a moving film. Just watching the trailer gives me chills; it is so well made.

The Paper (1994)
“A clipboard and a confident wave will get you into any building in the world!”
A comedy/drama directed by the brilliant Ron Howard shows Michael Keaton’s journalist character who is considering a job offer with better pay when a big scoop lands in his lap. It’s a race against the clock to meet the deadline to get the true story printed. It’s a very exciting movie and a great snapshot of how a 90s newsroom looked.

The Pelican Brief (1993)
“If this thing reaches this deep and goes as high as we think it does, these men will do anything not to be exposed.”
Darby Shaw (Julia Roberts), a law student, writes about the assassination of two Supreme Court justices and her theory behind it. Her work turns out to be totally correct, but soon gets into the hands of the wrong people who are determined to keep the truth under wraps. Darby soon finds herself running for her life until an investigative journalist (Denzel Washington) helps her get the truth out. I love this film, we studied the editing and use of sound at high school, but it was John Grisham’s captivating storyline that really captured me.

Nightcrawler (2014)
“Do you know what fear stands for? False Evidence Appearing Real.”
Lou Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal), is searching for a job he’s really good at. He soon discovers the media industry where freelance camera operators use police scanners to find newsworthy content such as car crashes and shootings to film and sell to local news outlets. Bloom dives into this career and quickly makes a sweet sum. This film is by far one of the creepiest films I’ve seen. It’s not so much scary, but it does put you on edge and makes your skin crawl.

Morning Glory (2010)
“Okay. Is Daybreak a shitty show? Yes! But it’s on a network, and not just any network. This is one of the most legendary news divisions in the entire history of television.”
A bit of a twist to my list, Morning Glory is a comedy. Rachel McAdams plays Becky Fuller, a workaholic who is made redundant. She eventually gets hired by a breakfast show that’s going down the pan. The story follows her struggles to rebuild herself, and the show. It is a brilliantly funny story, particularly Harrison Ford’s character who was an investigative journalist before being ployed on to the morning show as an anchor.

The Help (2011)
“Careful, Hilly. That’s chapter 12. Don’t give yourself away now.”
Based on true events, this is about a strong-willed and moral young woman named Skeeter (Emma Stone) who interviewed African-American maids in Jackson, Mississippi despite it being very dangerous and very much against the law. With many struggles and an immense amount of courage from all involved, she wrote a book anonymously based upon the accounts of the Help who serve white families for little money and humiliating conditions. A brilliant movie.

Capote (2005)
“Sometimes when I think of how good my book is going to be, I can’t breathe.”
If I’m including The Help, then it’s only fair to include Capote. Also a Southern-based true story, this is about Truman Capote who interviews a murderer in 1959 to write a book about him. Along the way, he develops a relationship with the criminal who is now on death row. While a slow film, it does follow the journey of a writer who conducts interviews for publishing, which is journalism at its core.

State of Play (2009)
Cal: “I heard a young woman was murdered.”
Police officer: “Who told you that?”
Cal: “…you just did.”
Two seemingly unrelated deaths occur, but reporter Cal McAffrey (Russell Crowe) can join the dots. He discovers a mass conspiracy to be uncovered, but he soon has to decide if it’s worth risking his life for the story. Admittedly, I don’t think I’ve managed to watch this film from beginning to end, but the parts I’ve seen are certainly enjoyable.

Good Night, and Good Luck (2005)
“Funny thing, Freddie, every time you light a cigarette for me, I know you’re lying.”
This story is set against the backdrop of television journalism during its infancy of the 1950s. It chronicles the real-life story of television newsman Edward R. Murrow and his team of researchers who aim to scrutinise every political story with good quality journalism, while resisting corporate and sponsorship pressures for fear-mongering. I’ve only seen bits and pieces of this film, but I’m looking forward to watching it in full.

Network (1976)
“I’m mad as Hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore!”
Set to the backdrop of journalism more than it being about journalism I suppose. It follows a frustrated news anchor who goes on a massive rant and threatens to kill himself live on air after being fired. A producer notices how the television rating spike because of his outlandish reaction and takes advantage of it by deciding to keep the anchor on air. It explores how television is ratings-driven and profit-driven, with little consideration for moral or authentic work. Quite interesting. I’d imagine this film was inspiration to Morning Glory.

All the President’s Men (1976)
“This whole thing is a cover-up and it’s right under our nose.”
Based on the true story of the two Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward (Robert Redford) and Carl Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman) who uncovered details of the Watergate scandal. I’ve only seen bits and pieces, but the bits I’ve seen I’ve enjoyed.

The Post (2017)
“Do you know what my husband said about the news? He called it the first rough draft of history.”
Katharine Graham (Meryl Streep) is the publisher The Washington Post. With help from editor Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks), they expose a massive cover-up of government secrets. The unlikely duo overcome their differences to bring the truth to light, while risking their jobs and freedom. While I thought this film was dry and dragged out with a ton of unnecessary dialogue and lack of emotional tension, this must be included in the list because I’m sure journalism-lovers will enjoy it regardless.

I appreciate that I should probably include Citizen Kane. I have seen it and studied it at school and I am aware that it’s a classic. I feel this movie is the equivalent to Michael Jackson’s music – you can quietly dislike it, but you can’t deny the genius behind it. So, while I appreciate it, I honestly wouldn’t purposely watch it again. But if you haven’t seen it, you probably should.

Top 18: Best Coming-of-Age Movies

I love coming-of-age films. It’s the perfect mix of dark drama and bright comedy, against the backdrop of real-life circumstances and down-to-earth characters. Here are a few of my favourites:

American Graffiti
“I’m getting out of this turkey town! You can’t stay 17 forever.”
My number one favourite film forever. The night in the life of 1960s teenagers who have just graduated high school. They have one last night before they all go their separate ways. Some are moving away for university, some are hoping to settle down and others are wanting their high school career to continue by day along with the iconic culture of ‘cruising’ in their candy-coloured scream machines on the roads by night. To tie everyone in is radio personality Wolfman Jack. Legend.

Brooklyn
“I wish that I could stop feeling that I want to be an Irish girl in Ireland.”
“Homesickness is like most sicknesses. It will pass.”
Another one of my absolute favourite films – it’s so humbling. Saoirse Ronan is a brilliant actor whose character, Eilis, moves from Ireland to Brooklyn during the fifties. She grows from an innocent and naive girl into an independent young woman out of necessity who creates a life for herself. The lady Eilis lives with in Brooklyn is played by Julie Walters, who is essential to keeping this deep movie very funny.

Good Will Hunting
“How do you like them apples!”
This is a beautifully touching film about a genius who refuses to reach his potential. Coming from a rough neighbourhood, Matt Damon’s character is quick to get into fights and back into handcuffs. But Robin Williams’ character is soon able to crack his mask to reveal a scared and unhappy boy.

Dead Poets Society
“…medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.”
It follows the internal struggles of boys at a private boarding school who are wrestling between being themselves while pursuing their dreams and pleasing their prestigious fathers. Again, Robin Williams’ character acts as a mentor to these students, but he’s not able to save them all.

The Skeleton Twins
“I can’t wait to be the creepy gay uncle.”
“You’re hired!”
This film is about Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig as suicidal siblings Milo and Maggie. Yeah, it’s a bit of a downer but weaving through the tragedy are sarcastic come-backs that will make you belly-laugh. While coming-of-age films are typically about teenagers growing up, I think this movie can be included because they’re twins who are rediscovering themselves and each other, delving into their childhoods and overcoming their troubles.

About a Boy
“Oh, no… it’s just I thought you had hidden depths.”
“No, no, you’ve always had that wrong about me. I really am this shallow.”
This is my favourite Hugh Grant film because while he still plays the self-obsessed a-hole, he does so in a comedic way with a three-dimensional character. It’s a traditional coming-of-age story for the young boy Marcus, but it’s also about Hugh Grant’s character growing up and realising that being part of a family isn’t a bad thing. They both grow together and learn from each other.

driving lessons.jpg Driving Lessons
“To wit, I leave you with this quote penned by my dear friend, William Shakespeare: ‘When the shit hits the fan, get a tent’.”
Such an underrated coming-of-age film – I doubt many people have ever heard of it. It features Rupert Grint and Julie Walters and follows a storyline similar to that of About A Boy and Scent of a Woman (as explained in my blog post One Story, Six Movies) where an older person and a younger person bond and learn from each other. But I love Driving Lessons in particular because it’s so funny – classic English humour. Julie Walters is brilliant.

scent of a woman.jpg Scent of a Woman
“Oh, where do I go from here, Charlie?”
“If you’re tangled up, just tango on.”
Forever a favourite of mine. It’s quite dark in places as it follows Al Pacino’s blind character, Colonel Slade, who is struggling with depression. He is an experienced soldier and a wise man, who has a story to tell. Chris O’Donnell’s character is young Charlie who is hired as Colonel Slade’s aid for a thanksgiving weekend, he is kind but very naive. He is reluctantly dragged to New York with The Colonel, but learns a lot along the way. They both help each other out profoundly.

The Commitments
“The success of the band was irrelevant… Sure we could have been famous and made albums and stuff, but that would have been predictable. This way it’s poetry.”
The Commitments is about a group of teenagers who all have troubles at home, but come together to make incredible music. While they don’t ‘make it’, their trumpet-player is quick to remind them that they may not have created history, but they’ve created poetry.

Sing Street
“This is life, Conor. Drive it like you stole it.”
Sing Street is similar to The Commitments as they’re both Ireland-based movies about a group of teenagers forming a band. This film is about a new boy at school who starts a band to impress a girl. Meanwhile, he tries to deal with his parents’ divorce with his brother being his only emotional support.

Little Miss Sunshine
“A real loser is someone who’s so afraid of not winning he doesn’t even try.”
A family are trapped in an old yellow Volkswagen van as they drive across the country. The family consists of a dad who is a failed motivational speaker, a mother at the end of her tether, a grandad drug-addict, an suicidal uncle, a son who refuses to speak and a little girl who is just wanting to enter a beauty contest. It is a light-hearted storyline about a family overcoming their obstacles and coming together for the sake of family.

About Time
“…worrying about the future is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life will always be things that never crossed your worried mind.”
Such a beautiful film. About Time is one of the best feel-good comedy/dramas out there. It’s about an innocent and quiet boy called Tim Lake (Domhnall Gleeson) who at the humble age of 21 is told by his father (Bill Nighy) that, like every man in his family, he can travel back in time. It follows his life and the decisions he makes along the way, which touches on love, death and birth. It truly is a lovely almost auto-biographical film.

The Breakfast Club
“We’re all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that’s all.”
A day in the life of 1980s teenagers who have ended up in detention for various reasons. Starting the day out as enemies they end the day with an acceptance of each other. The bully, the jock, the nerd, the popular girl and the goth grow over the course of the day through various funny and serious scenes as they begin to work together to gang up on the teacher.

The Way, Way Back
“There’s a whole world out there for you, Duncan. Don’t settle. Not yet.”
Duncan is a 14-year-old boy who is forced to go on a summer holiday with his mum and her boyfriend. But her boyfriend is an utter dick, and just an overall bully to him so Duncan gets a job at the local water park where his boss becomes a bit of a mentor. The water park because his escape while he figures out what to do with his life.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower
“C minus, ladies and gentlemen! I am below average!”
The trailer portrays this film as a fun-loving and laid-back, but it’s actually got very dark undertones. The three main characters (Sam, Charlie and Patrick) are all hiding dark secrets – bulimia, child molestation and being gay. Their friends around them are all struggling with certain issues too – stealing, struggling with academia and popularity. The three main characters all help each other through their difficult stages in their lives as they grow up and mature.

Whip It
“So, what are you, like, alternative now?”
“Alternative to what?”
A teenage girl called Bliss is trying to break away from her mother’s 1950’s-style parenting. She straps on roller skates and joins a roller derby team, where she finds security and support in her teammates. She slowly matures as she embraces the culture of the roller derby scene – surrounded by misfits and the unwanted.

Juno
“No, this is not a food baby all right? I’ve taken like three pregnancy tests, and I’m for shizz up the spout.”
A carefree 16-year-old tomboy gets pregnant with her best guy friend, they decide to adopt the baby out to a couple who can’t have children. It sounds kinda icky and lame, but Juno is so funny with her immature comments and how she gives a reality check to adults. While Juno has found herself in a very adult situation, the potential adoptive father is rediscovering his youth and becomes reluctant to adopt. I guess it’s about never wanting to grow up.

13 Going on 30
“I like your dress.”
“That’s because I have these incredible BOOBS to fill it out!”
While this is a coming-of-age film in the most literal sense, it’s far more light-hearted than my other selections. There’s no themes of suicide or drug-use, the tragedy isn’t as dark and the characters aren’t as relatable. Nevertheless, Jennifer Garner does a brilliant job of playing a 13-year-old in a 30-year-old’s body.

Just realised how many of the same actors are in coming-of-age movies. Kristen Wiig, Ellen Page, Julie Walters, Robin Williams and Toni Collette are regulars of the genre, maybe because they’re so ‘real’ and relatable.

I guess the common themes of the coming-of-age genre include characters who are in the process of growing – typically growing from a teenager into an adult, but it also includes characters who experience profound change or growth well into their adult years.

Coming-of-age storylines carry dark tragedy as well as light-hearted comedy, which is why they’re so relatable and enjoyable. They reflect real life with flawed characters and unsatisfactory circumstances, with a lot of inner-turmoil to be sorted out.

They also include a young naive character and an older mentor. Both have flaws and both help each other to grow.

Spotlight

Director: Tom McCarthy
Writer: Tom McCarthy, Josh Singer
Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, John Slattery, Stanley Tucci
Released: November 2015
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Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning Boston Globe investigation, Spotlight follows the journey of a group of investigative journalists unearthing the child abuse within the Catholic Church.

Despite the heavy and disturbing subject matter, it is such a moving film. Just watching the trailer gives me chills; it is so well made.

I think the writers did a remarkable job of giving a lot of detail about the case without slowing the pace of the movie down. It moves at a steady pace where you are deep enough into the emotion without it being too overbearing.

The cast is brilliant, featuring one of my favourite actors Rachel McAdams who has been in journalistic-based films before (Morning Glory and State of Play). Stanley Tucci, Mark Ruffalo and Michael Keaton are absolutely brilliant too.

Sacha Pfeiffer (Rachel McAdams): I’m here because I care. We’re going to tell this story, we’re going to tell it right.

The year-long investigation takes the team through many difficulties, including the realisation that this is not a Boston-bound issue but a global one. That the church pay lawyers off to settle the child abuse cases unofficially and out of the public eye. Their uphill struggle through a thick web of lies and secrets leads them to the victims who have all been emotionally scarred by the abuse.

Walter ‘Robby’ Robinson (Michael Keaton): We’ve got two stories here: a story about degenerate clergy, and a story about a bunch of lawyers turning child abuse into a cottage industry. Which story do you want us to write? Because we’re writing one of them.

This film is very moving and is a brilliant documentation on what really went on in the Catholic Churches. Every character is brilliant, the script is remarkable and the subject matter is important.

Mitchell Garabedian (Stanley Tucci): If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to abuse one.

I am so inspired by the characters – these are all based on real-life journalists who persisted at digging deeper and deeper into finding the truth. It puts the ‘click bait’ online media of today to shame. This is real journalism.

Michael Rezendes (Mark Ruffalo): They knew and they let it happen! It could have been you! It could have been me! It could have been any of us!

Spotlight is a meaningful, important and inspiring story and I’m so pleased they made a film about it because I never would have known this happened otherwise. That’s what I love about films; they educate and inform people using a medium of entertainment that is easily consumed. And the makers of Spotlight have certainly used film to portray this story impeccably well.

Mike Rezendes: Mitch, are you telling me that the Catholic Church removed legal documents from that courthouse?
Mitchell Garabedian: Look, I’m not crazy, I’m not paranoid. I’m experienced. Check the docket. You’ll see. They control everything.

The script is brilliant – I keep finding more and more quotes I want to include in this review but I’ll end up with the entire script on here if I don’t stop now.

You must watch this.

Jodie’s rating: 8/10

Top 5: Most Magical Films of the 90s

Growing up in the 90s, I remember surrounding myself with VHS tapes of my favourite movies. I’d dress up and pretend I was a character in the movie as I watched it with my stuffed toy collection, and quartered peanut butter sandwiches.

It was a marvellous childhood, hence why there are a few movies I can’t watch without blubbering with overwhelming nostalgia.

I avoided the classics such as Disney’s Lady & the Tramp and Sleeping Beauty, or Matilda because while they are certainly magical I’m sure they were every little girl’s favourite during the 90s. So here are a few hidden treasures that you might have forgotten about:

The Secret Garden (1993)
Dickon: “The animals tell me all their secrets.”
Mary: [Pointing to the robin] “He wouldn’t tell you my secret, would he?”
Dickon: “About what, Miss Mary?”
Mary: “A garden. I’ve stolen a garden.”
An absolute favourite of mine, probably in part to the resemblance between me and the stroppy little girl in the film (according to my mum). But it also included a lot of animals (including ponies), which I adored. I was also intrigued by the mansion the girl lived in and all the hidden locked rooms… and secret gardens.

black beauty.jpg Black Beauty (1991)
“The story of my life is the story of the people in it. I haven’t always been as lucky as I am, in this delicious place with grass, and water, and sunshine. Mine is a story of trust and betrayal, and learning to trust again. I remember everything.”
The best horse film of all time. It’s not too cheesy, it’s not unrealistic. It’s about how tough a horse’s life was in the 1800s, and how nice their owners would be is purely down to chance as animals have no say in their fate. A beautiful film, but will likely leave you in tears. I liked how it had the same actor in it as in The Secret Garden – Andrew Knott. I guess he was one of few young boys around who could ride and act?

A Little Princess (1995)
“I am a princess. All girls are! Even if they live in tiny old attics, even if they dress in rags, even if they aren’t pretty, or smart, or young, they’re still princesses – all of us! Didn’t your father ever tell you that? Didn’t he?”
This became harder to watch the older I got because I didn’t understand it entirely when I was younger. It’s a heart-wrenching story about Sara – a little girl whose father is away at war. She is sent to an all-girls boarding school but is treated poorly and finds comfort in the other girls while she wishes desperately for her father to come home. (PS. Just looked into the actress who plays Sara – didn’t realise she hails from one of America’s richest families, according to Forbes magazine… Suddenly feels a little less magical now.)
FairyTale: A True Story (1997)
“Never try to fool children. They expect nothing and therefore see everything.”
Being an avid believer in fairies throughout my early childhood, I looked to this film as proof of their existence. While I have since discovered that this ‘true story’ was based upon two children who lied to the fragile people of post-war England, this film is still magical. (Featuring a young Bill Nighy.)

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)
Chance: “I can do better! Just give me a second chance!”
Shadow: “That was your second chance, Chance!”
Chance: “Then give me a third chance!”
Two dogs and a cat make their way across the country in search of their owners who left them behind. This cosy American family movie follows Chance, Sassy and Shadow on an emotional journey that will leave you in tears every time. It’s funny to know the faces behind the actors who voiced them now (including Michael J. Fox and Forrest Gump’s mother).

The Post

the post.jpg

Director: Steven Spielberg
Writer: Liz Hannah, Josh Singer
Released: December 2017
Starring: Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk, Tracy Letts, Bradley Whitford, Bruce Greenwood, Matthew Rhys
—

The Post comes across as a film with similar emotional impact to the likes of Spotlight (a highly recommended investigative journalism movie), but it sorely missed the mark.

It follows the real-life story of the Washington Post in the 1960s, a paper passed down to Katharine Graham (Meryl Streep) who is struggling to keep the company financially afloat. Then, a big story breaks as government secrets relating to the Vietnam war are leaked – this massive story could make or break the paper.

But with the New York Times already being threatened with legal action for publishing only part of the information now available, Katherine is reluctant to allow editor-in-chief Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks) to publish the story for fear of bankrupting the paper. Meanwhile, she is fighting the emotional turmoil of being a woman in a man’s world.

the post2.jpg

The movie opens with a scene of the Vietnam war, which was definitely not required and I believe it was only included to pay homage to Stephen Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan success. So that kicked this film off poorly.

Then it was about an hour of long, dry dialogue, which I struggled to pay attention to. So I’m not entirely sure if they explained what the government secrets were specifically, but I’m pretty sure the gist was that the government knew the US would lose the war but continued to send troops for fear of being embarrassed. But I don’t see how that could have taken an hour to explain… Maybe I missed something.

the post3.jpg

The second half of the film focussed on gender inequality and women’s rights as it follows Katherine, who slowly becomes more self-confident as she learned the ropes of running the paper after her husband’s death. She is spoken down to by colleagues, which makes the decision of publishing the leaked information or not even more difficult to make.

The cast was great of course. Meryl Streep is amazing and Tom Hanks is his usual great self, but did come across as more ‘family man’ than ‘tough editor’. I do wonder if Bryan Cranston was considered for this role due to the amount of Breaking Bad actors featured (Bob Odenkirk and Jesse Plemons). I think his darker domineer would have come across well.

the post4.jpg

Overall, the exciting, fast-paced and emotionally-charged storyline that I was expecting was not there. Just a ton of unnecessary dialogue and a story that didn’t portray the risk and stress of the situation very well.

Oh well. Perhaps it needs a second viewing.

Jodie’s rating: 5/10

Brave

Directors: Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman
Writer: Brenda Chapman
Released: June 2012
Starring: Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters, Robbie Coltrane, Kevin McKidd, Craig Ferguson
—

I was so certain I had written a review on this film…

Anyway, it’s a medieval, Scottish-based Disney Pixar animation film about a young fiery red-headed princess named Merida (Kelly Macdonald). Her youth and freedom is threatened when her parents organise suiters to win her hand in marriage. She rebels and enlists a witch to change her mum (Emma Thompson) in order to change her fate.

While the dodgy witch (Julie Walters) did make her mother change, she changed her into a bear. This did change Merida’s fate but not in the most ideal way. Therefore, Merida has to find a way to break the spell.

Princess Merida: [narrating] There are those who say fate is something beyond our command. That destiny is not our own, but I know better. Our fate lives within us, you only have to be brave enough to see it.

My favourite scenes all include Angus, Merida’s shire horse. She frequently rides him bareback as they gallop across the Scottish countryside – it’s so dreamy! I spoke about him being one of my favourite animated horses here.

There are a lot of firsts for this movie: Merida is the first princess to not have a love interest, she’s the first to have brothers, and Brave is the first ever Disney film to be entirely set in a historic past.

The lack of romance was probably to set a tone with the equal-rights and gender equality movement of today. Brave shows a strong, independent young woman who ‘don’t need no man’ and can make her own life decisions. It is one step up from Frozen‘s theme of only needing love from family and not necessarily romantic love, I suppose.

While I appreciate we should be shifting our attitudes with gender equality, I really hope the classic Disney love stories don’t die out. I feel like there is a movement shunning princess movies and ‘happily ever afters’.

I saw a video recently where the gender roles were swapped in Cinderella, called ‘Cindefella‘. The story shows a peasant boy who goes to a ball and falls in love with a princess, who then tries to find him after he bails at midnight. Just like in the traditional fairytale, they both marry in the end and live happily ever after.

This video was used as an example of gender inequality: ‘we wouldn’t read this to our sons so why would we read it to our daughters?’ Quite frankly, I don’t think the story was all that bad for girls or boys, gender swaps or not.

Anyway.

While I did enjoy Brave, it wasn’t what I expected. I thought it would carry the tone of the first half of the film where Merida is fun and free and exploring the world right to the end. But it quickly turns into a far more unrealistic tale about turning people into bears, which I found to lack entertainment and relatability. It just took a weird and unexpected turn for me.

Overall, it had some comedic moments and I did enjoy the first half of the film, but it’s not my favourite.

Jodie’s rating: 6/10

Top 10: Saddest Films Ever

Here are a few films that I wouldn’t recommend seeing if you’re planning on feeling remotely happy for the foreseeable future. These ‘not happily ever after’ movies will bring you down, so don’t go accidentally watching any of these if you’re having a bad day and need cheering up. Because they will not help:

Changeling
“No, I didn’t say he was a fake boy. He’s not my boy. They brought home the wrong boy. My son is still missing.”
Oh my Lord this will just tear you apart. Angelina Jolie plays the part of a desperate mother in the 1920s whose son disappears. The corrupt LAPD are determined to make her shut up and go away because they simply can’t find her son. She gets sent to an mental institution, but is still determined to fight for her missing son. Based on a true story too. What a horrible thing to have happen to a person.

Seven Pounds
“In seven days, God created the world. And in seven seconds, I shattered mine.”
The story about a man who is feeling immense guilt for killing seven people in a car accident. So he goes about trying to make it right. It’s heartbreaking.

The Fault in our Stars
“I fell in love with him the way you fall asleep: Slowly, and then all at once.”
Two teenagers who are fighting cancer fall in love and plan their funerals together. It would be inspiring if it wasn’t so depressing.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
“We’re not supposed to be friends, you and me. We’re meant to be enemies. Did you know that?”
I mean, obviously this is on the list as it’s a holocaust movie. This isn’t something you’d accidentally watch, but it’s worth noting how soul-destroying it is. I only watched it once but some scenes have been etched into my brain so vividly that I’ll never want to watch it ever again. It’s horrifically and desperately sad.

Moulin Rouge!
“The show must go on, Satine. We’re creatures of the underworld. We can’t afford to love.”
My favourite romance film of all time. It’s passionate and beautiful, but the ending is emotional to say the least. Heartbreak city right here!

The Green Mile
“I’ve done some things in my life I’m not proud of, but this is the first time I’ve ever felt in real danger of hell.”
I haven’t watched this film in ages, but oh my God I do remember crying all the way through it.

The Descendants
“You give your children enough money to do something, but not enough to do nothing.”
I thought this was going to be a ‘dramedy’, but it is way way heavier than I could ever have imagined. It is not a fun film. It’s a good film… But not a fun film. George Clooney plays a dad whose wife is in a coma. It’s about him trying to keep his two daughters going, while dealing with the fresh knowledge that his wife was having an affair before her accident.

Dead Poets Society
“…life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?”
It’s a tragic story of boys struggling to make their parents happy while pursuing their dreams at a prestigious boarding school. Robin Williams plays an inspiring English teacher who does his best to keep them thinking freely and staying positive. But he doesn’t manage to save everyone.

big fish.jpg Big Fish
“They say when you meet the love of your life, time stops, and that’s true. What they don’t tell you is that when it starts again, it moves extra fast to catch up.”
Oh jeez. Guys. This is just one of those films that is such a ‘real’ story that you’ll probably find yourself welling up all the way through, but it’s the final scene that will get you! The water works will flow forth and there’s nothing you can do about it.

A Little Princess
“Sometimes when I dream, I sense a part of me that’s missing. It’s a strange feeling having your heart remember something your mind can not.”
A little girl gets sent to a boarding school while her dad goes away to war. He goes missing in action and is presumed dead, meaning the money to pay for his daughter’s boarding school dies with him. The little girl goes from riches to rags and is forced to work for her board, but she never forgets the magic of being a little girl and brings love and fun to all the girls in the school. It’s a tear-jerker! It does have a happily-ever-after ending though, so you’re a bit safer with this one.

Sing Street

Director: John Carney
Writer: John Carney and Simon Carmody
Released: May 2016
Starring: Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Lucy Boynton, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Aidan Gillen, Jack Reynor, Kelly Thornton
—

I was dubious about this film at first, I was thinking ‘any second now it’s going to take a turn for the worse’. But it didn’t! It was actually a very uplifting film from beginning to end.

I love movies about a likeable and naive underdog – like About a Boy or Driving Lessons – but coming-of-age films with a great soundtrack like this one is even better. The songs are so catchy!

It’s very similar to The Commitments as it follows the story of a band of young Irish musicians in the 1980s/1990s. But Sing Street has a more definitive love story and protagonist. I really enjoyed it!

Darren: What does “happy-sad” even mean? How can we be both things? It makes no sense.
Conor: It means that I’m stuck in this shithole full of morons and rapists and bullies, and I’m gonna deal with it, okay? It’s just how life is. I’m gonna try and accept it and get on with it, and make some art.

Protagonist Conor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) is sent to a new school as a result of his parents breaking up. It that wasn’t bad enough, he is already getting picked on by students and teachers at school. Conor soon meets a young, aspiring model (Lucy Boynton) hanging around the school, who he tries to impress by saying he’s in a band. As a result, he immediately tried to recruit people to be in his band.

Brendan: This is life, Conor. Drive it like you stole it.

The band is a bunch of misfits and underdogs, which I just love! It’s so funny.

Sing Street would particularly appeal to those who love 1980s pop or who love stereotypical 80s fashion. But even if you don’t like either of those things, you’ll love the humour in this film. It’s Irish humour like in Black Books or Calvary.

An easy-to-watch film about people who win at life by not giving up, and continuing to pursue their dreams. A real pick-me-up.

Jodie’s rating: 7/10

Top 21: Romantic Film Quotes

Feeling flowery and happy and romantic? Or are you just here to get inspiration for an anniversary card? Either way, here are some beautifully romantic quotes from movies…

They say when you meet the love of your life, time stops. And that’s true. –Big Fish

Good mood, bad mood, ugly, pretty… The right person is still going to think the sun shines out of your ass –Juno

The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return –Moulin Rouge (although, technically a song lyric)

When you realise you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible. –When Harry Met Sally

You had me at hello –Jerry Maguire

I love you. You complete me –Jerry Maguire

I’m also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her –Notting Hill

I wanted it to be you, I wanted it to be you so badly –You’ve Got Mail

It’s like in that moment the whole universe existed just to bring us together –Serendipity

You have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love you. And wish from this day forth never to be parted from you –Pride & Prejudice

Choose me. Marry me. Let me make you happy –My Best Friend’s Wedding

It was a million tiny little things that, when you added them all up, they meant we were supposed to be together –Sleepless in Seattle

I wish I had done everything on earth with you –The Great Gatsby

I have loved her even when I hated her… –Crazy, Stupid, Love

Promise me that whenever you’re sad, or unsure, or you lose complete faith, that you’ll try to see yourself through my eyes –P.S I Love You

I am nothing special; just a common man with common thoughts, and I’ve led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who’s ever lived: I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul; and to me, this has always been enough –The Notebook

…most of all I’m scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life the way I feel when I’m with you –Dirty Dancing

I’m just exactly where I want to be –Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Love is too weak a word for what I feel –Annie Hall

I think I’d miss you even if we’d never met –The Wedding Date

You’re not perfect… She’s not perfect either. But the question is whether or not you’re perfect for each other –Good Will Hunting

Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. –Hitch

Jerry Maguire

Director: Cameron Crowe
Writer: Cameron Crowe
Released: December 1996
Starring: Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding, Jr. Renée Zellweger, Kelly Preston, Jerry O’Connell, Jay Mohr, Bonnie Hunt
—

Show me the money!

You had me at ‘hello’.

They’re quotes that everyone has heard, but I’m not convinced everyone has actually seen Jerry Maguire.

It probably has a similar reputation as A Few Good Men where everyone knows the “You can’t handle the truth!” line, but not as many have seen the film it’s from. (Coincidentally they’re both Tom Cruise movies.)

This film is about a sports agent called Jerry Maguire who has an epiphany that results in him sending a late-night mission statement to everyone in the office. An inspired letter about perceived dishonesty in the industry and how they should work toward quality over quantity. However, in the morning that all too familiar, overwhelming warm wave of regret hits him.

Management don’t like his new way of thinking, and organises a co-worker called Bob Sugar (Jay Mohr) to fire him. Suddenly, it’s a race against each other to secure all their clients – will they follow Jerry Maguire away from the company, or stick with Bob Sugar?

Along with a small handful of sports stars, the only co-worker to supports him is single mother Dorothy Boyd (Renée Zellweger) who leaves the company with him to start their own sports star representative company.

Jerry: [after having been fired] But if anybody else wants to come with me, this moment will be the ground floor of something real and fun and inspiring and true in this godforsaken business and we will do it together!

It’s fast-paced and hilarious, particularly when Jerry dwindles down to only one [very enthusiastic and loyal] sports star: Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.). He. Is. So. Funny. (Jamie Foxx auditioned for his part, but surely he would have been too serious to play Rod Tidwell?)

Usually Tom Cruise carries the film, but oh my Lord, Cuba Gooding Jr. is absolutely, undeniably the reason why this film can be watched on repeat.

Tom Cruise was a brilliant decision. Apparently the part was written for Tom Hanks, but he was too old by the time the script was finished. It was then assumed that Robin Williams would play the part, but I wonder if that would have been too much energy in conjunction with Cuba Gooding Jr..

I think Renee Zellweger was a solid choice because she looks so much more ordinary than a lot of women often cast as the love interest – I’m pleased they picked her over Winona Ryder! Apparently Renee was broke when she was cast and was very relieved to be working again.

While the romantic storyline is nice, I’m not convinced it’s essential and does occasionally put the breaks on the film.

Nevertheless, Jerry Maguire is a genuine must-watch. It’s romantic, it’s inspiring, it’s funny – a brilliantly smart drama that is perfectly cast. I love the themes of overcoming the odds despite being the underdog, I love how the film is about a failure while still having a dream, and the inspirational language all the way through it.

Particularly the cut-aways to interviews with a character called Dicky Fox, who parallels Jerry Maguire’s struggle with business advice.

Jerry : [Lying in bed one morning when suddenly the radio comes on and wakes him up with a jolt after having slept with Dorothy the night before]

[flash to Dickey Fox in his office]

Dicky: I love the mornings! I clap my hands every morning and say, ‘This is gonna be a great day!’

[flash back to Jerry Maguire who accidentally steps on a toy]

Jerry: [mutters] I don’t believe this. How’d I get myself into this?

Such an uplifting movie that really picks you up if you’re going through a rough patch. Similarly to Up in the Air, this film gives you a pat on the back if you’re struggling professionally and gives you a warm hug if you’re struggling romantically.

It’s a film that tells you ‘everything is going to be okay, and here’s why’.

Dicky: Hey, I don’t have all the answers. In life, to be honest, I failed as much as I have succeeded. But I love my wife. I love my life. And I wish you my kind of success.

Exploring frustration, desperation and acting on impulse, this is a highly satisfying film that you must watch. It’s about standing up to ‘the man’, it’s about doing what you want to do, it’s about staying positive and keeping your dignity and morals along the way.

Jodie’s rating: 8/10

Top 10: Famous Final Lines in Films

Here are my top 10 favourite ‘famous last words’ from some iconic films.

1. “Good morning, and in case I don’t see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night!” –The Truman Show

2. “Roads? Where we’re going we don’t need roads” –Back to the Future

3. “That was my father’s final joke, I guess. A man tells his stories so many times that he becomes the stories. They live on after him. And in that way, he becomes immortal.” –Big Fish

4. “Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months. And then, one not-so-very special day, I went to my typewriter, I sat down, and I wrote our story. A story about a time, a story about a place, a story about the people. But above all things, a story about love. A love that will live forever. The end.” –Moulin Rouge!

5. “By the toll of a billion deaths, man had earned his immunity, his right to survive among this planet’s infinite organisms. And that right is ours against all challenges. For neither do men live nor die in vain.” –War of the Worlds

6. “Some people are born to sit by a river. Some get struck by lightning. Some have an ear for music. Some are artists. Some swim. Some know buttons. Some know Shakespeare. Some are mothers. And some people dance.” –The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

7. “Tonight most people will be welcomed home by jumping dogs and squealing kids. Their spouses will ask about their day. Tonight they’ll sleep. The stars will wheel forth from their daytime hiding places, and one of those lights, slightly brighter than the rest, will be my wingtip passing over.” –Up in the Air

8. Phil: “They’re gone! They’re all gone. Do you know what today is?”
Rita: “No, what?”
Phil: “Today is tomorrow. It happened. You’re here. I’m here.”
Rita: “Oh, Phil. Why weren’t you Iike this last night? You just fell asleep.”
Phil: “It was the end of a very long day. Is there anything I can do for you today?”
Rita: “I’m sure I can think of something.”
Phil: “It’s so beautiful! Let’s live here! We’ll rent to start.”
-Groundhog Day

9. ‘Leo’: “They’re ruby slippers, Adrian. Put these on and say, ‘there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home,’ and you can be there.”
Adrian: “I hope. I hope we all could.”
-Good Morning, Vietnam

10. Joe: “Don’t cry, Shopgirl. Don’t cry.”
Kathleen: “I wanted it to be you. I wanted it to be you so badly.”
–You’ve Got Mail

Nobody Gets What They Want Anymore – Marlon Williams ft. Aldous Harding

marlon williams

After recently discovering the Kiwi brilliance that is Aldous Harding, I soon stumbled across this duet with another Kiwi icon, Marlon Williams.

Isn’t is strange, impossible to claim your reward,
I cannot explain, emotions I can barely afford to contain,
You’re the same, you hide away from anything that turns you on,
Nobody gets what they want anymore.

It’s a highly melancholy song, sung in a tone of despair. But it’s so dreamy and relaxing to listen to.

No words, only scream, could possibly protect you, you know what it means,
Two is the charm, a place therein around us and pray and pray,
And saying the name there is no blame, there is no shame, and even more,
Nobody gets what they want anymore.

There’s no animosity in the song, it just sounds like pure surrender to a really bad
situation. I think it’s a break up song:

What am I going to do when you’re in trouble,
And you don’t call out for me?
What am I going to do when I can see that you’ve been crying,
And you don’t want no help from me?
Baby, I can’t separate us out anymore.

It sounds like Marlon Williams is saying: ‘Something really terrible has happened but there’s nothing I can do about it. And that’s that.’

I love Aldous Harding. She’s the perfect choice for this song – it’s not as powerful when Marlon Williams sings it by himself in live performances.

Nevertheless, Marlon’s almost classical voice is faultless, and Aldous’s alternative style is perfect.

The music video to accompany this song is quite tongue-in-cheek (below), which I like. Marlon plays a waiter who keeps getting the orders wrong and ‘nobody gets what they want’.

Jodie.

My Favourite Scene: Good Will Hunting

I adore Good Will Hunting, particularly because of Robin Williams’ performance as a shrink named Sean. He has many lovely quotes, but this speech is my favourite. It’s about living life and having first-hand experiences. I think how Robin Williams encapsulates the depths of sadness that Sean has after losing his wife is tear-jerking.

Sean: So if I asked you about art, you’d probably give me the skinny on every art book ever written. Michelangelo, you know a lot about him. Life’s work, political aspirations, him and the pope, sexual orientations, the whole works, right?

But I’ll bet you can’t tell me what it smells like in the Sistine Chapel. You’ve never actually stood there and looked up at that beautiful ceiling; seen that.

If I ask you about women, you’d probably give me a syllabus about your personal favorites. You may have even been laid a few times. But you can’t tell me what it feels like to wake up next to a woman and feel truly happy.

You’re a tough kid. And I’d ask you about war, you’d probably throw Shakespeare at me, right, “once more unto the breach dear friends.” But you’ve never been near one. You’ve never held your best friend’s head in your lap, watch him gasp his last breath looking to you for help.

I’d ask you about love, you’d probably quote me a sonnet. But you’ve never looked at a woman and been totally vulnerable. Known someone that could level you with her eyes, feeling like God put an angel on earth just for you. Who could rescue you from the depths of hell. And you wouldn’t know what it’s like to be her angel, to have that love for her, be there forever, through anything, through cancer.

And you wouldn’t know about sleeping sitting up in the hospital room for two months, holding her hand, because the doctors could see in your eyes, that the terms “visiting hours” don’t apply to you. You don’t know about real loss, ’cause it only occurs when you’ve loved something more than you love yourself. And I doubt you’ve ever dared to love anybody that much.

And look at you… I don’t see an intelligent, confident man… I see a cocky, scared shitless kid. But you’re a genius Will. No one denies that. No one could possibly understand the depths of you. But you presume to know everything about me because you saw a painting of mine, and you ripped my fucking life apart. You’re an orphan right?

[Will nods]

Sean: You think I know the first thing about how hard your life has been, how you feel, who you are, because I read Oliver Twist? Does that encapsulate you? Personally, I don’t give a shit about all that, because you know what, I can’t learn anything from you, I can’t read in some fuckin’ book. Unless you want to talk about you, who you are. Then I’m fascinated. I’m in. But you don’t want to do that do you sport? You’re terrified of what you might say. Your move, chief.

Beauty and the Beast (2017)

beauty and the beast.jpg

Director: Bill Condon
Writers: Linda Woolverton (Disney film), Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont (story)
Released: March 2017
Starring: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Kevin Kline, Josh Gad, Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Audra McDonald, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson
—

The 1991 Disney animation of Beauty and the Beast is a movie that I love dearly. So while I had major reservations about this remake – mostly because of Emma Watson – I was quietly optimistic about it. Perhaps today’s technology will enhance the magic…

But no. It doesn’t. This remake was appalling, and my reluctance to watch it was proven understandable.

The casting was totally wrong. Right off the bat Emma Watson – or should I say Hermione Granger – was a problem. While she fits the physicality of Belle, her same-old expression of open-mouthed, furrow-browed facials were tiring to say the least.

beauty and the beast2.jpg

I personally would have cast another semi-unknown actress like Lily James who played Cinderella in the 2015 remake, or Mia Wasikowska as Alice in the 2010 remake of Alice in Wonderland.

Not only was the protagonist the wrong choice, I also found that Emma Thompson had a really harsh voice, which didn’t fit the part of the warm motherly character, Mrs Potts. I think Julie Walters would have done it better.

I love Stanly Tucci, but I’m not sure how he stumbled into this film either. However, Josh Gad as LeFou was perfect. (He played the snowman in Frozen.)

I don’t think the horse Philippe should have been a dapple grey. What’s wrong with keeping him bay?

Fun fact: Ryan Gosling turned down the role of the Beast for the lead role in La La Land. Emma Watson turned down what became Emma Stone’s role in La La Land for this film. (Thank the stars above for their decisions.)

The storyline strayed a little too far from the fairytale for my liking. It went into how Belle’s mother died and how it put a strain on her relationship with her father. It was an unnecessary deviation. Because of these added sequences, I found the rest of the film to be condensed and rushed. (In the 1991 film, I swear it takes longer for Belle to fall in love with the beast.)

I wonder if Emma Watson influenced the story? Because it has far stronger feminist themes through it now, where Belle is forever in control and smarter than the rest. Which made me dislike her. Especially because of the very poignant moments where Belle would make it exceptionally clear that she is a strong independent woman who don’t need no man… She may as well have turned to camera and say ‘#timesup’.

The songs are lengthened, which was also unnecessary and I honestly started daydreaming a bit.

Beauty and the Beast was trying too hard. Trying too hard to make it better than the animation, and all the unusual actors that were cast seemed to be desperately trying to prove themselves too. Over-theatrical acting turned it into a stage play rather than a live-action movie.

No, no, no, no and no. I shan’t be your guest and I disagree entirely with the casting decisions and with messing-about with the story.

Jodie’s rating: 3/10

Sorry Roberta, thank you for lending me the DVD though :) x

Seven Pounds

Director: Gabriele Muccino
Writer: Grant Nieporte
Released: December 2008
Starring: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Michael Ealy, Barry Pepper, Octavia Spencer, Woody Harrelson
—

Seven Pounds is the film you watch when you’re depressed and have no intention of wanting to feel better. It’s heavy and tells a story of an absolute tragedy.

It’s about an IRS agent Ben (Will Smith) who is overwhelmed and broken with guilt after accidentally killing seven people – including his wife – when driving recklessly. He was wealthy and had everything, he felt indestructible and took what he had for granted.

Ben: In seven days God created the world, and in seven seconds I shattered mine.

After the accident, he can’t enjoy life anymore so he goes about finding seven worthy people to save for the seven he killed. Not in a superhero kind of way, more like in a charitable kind of way.

Ben: It is within my power to drastically change this person’s circumstances, but I don’t want to give him a gift he doesn’t deserve.

It’s about the journey to forgive oneself, and allowing to love again. It’s also about how relentless guilt is; how nothing can turn back time or undo a mistake, and how heartbreaking it is to watch bad things happen to good people.

The writer of Seven Pounds, Grant Nieporte, was inspired by a man he met whom he described as the saddest man on earth. Grant later discovered he was responsible for a national tragedy.

The soundtrack is what makes this film so emotional; it supports its misery perfectly.

The casting was perfect too – I think Woody Harrelson will pleasantly surprise you. Apparently Tom Hanks auditioned for Will Smith’s role. While I don’t doubt he would have done a good job, I can’t imagine anyone but Will Smith playing the role now.

Seven Pounds is like a sad song you can’t help but listen to on repeat. It’s a film designed to make you feel the full impact of a man who lost it all.

You need to give into the story’s power of despair and allow it to consume you – don’t resist the urge to cry as you will burst a blood vessel and the movie won’t be the slightest bit insightful.

You walk away wanting to be more careful with your life, and basically never wanting to leave the house for fear of losing those precious to you. Seven Pounds gives you a bit of a reality check as it makes you thankful for the more mundane problems in life.

It’s well-made, well-cast, well-scored but holy Jesus it’s depressing and is not one to watch frequently. You will feel devastated afterward, but I think that shows that the story has been successfully told, rather than it being worthy of a low rating.

Jodie’s rating: 7/10

Left Handed Kisses – Andrew Bird ft. Fiona Apple

I adore this song. It would be nothing without Fiona Apple though. She brings all the raw emotion to it.

Andrew: I don’t believe everything happens for a reason
Fiona: To us romantics out here, that amounts to high treason

What begins as an internal conflict of Andrew Bird’s, soon becomes a quarrel between lovers as Fiona Apple’s growling vocals retort. I think it’s about Andrew’s conflict over writing a love song – does he believe everything happens for a reason? Or is love logical?

It soon takes the role of two lovers having an argument.

I first thought the song was a bit all over the place in terms of melody. But the lyrics kept getting stuck in my head so I found myself replaying it over and over again. It’s Andrew’s pining voice and the melancholy of his violin against Fiona’s rough and emotional vocals that I love because it tells a story of disagreeing lovers.

I love the writing – all your left-handed kisses and backhanded love songs.

Fiona:
The point your song here misses
Is that if you really loved me
You’d risk more than a few 50 cent
Words in your backhanded love song

The bridge of the song shows that they are accepting that they’ve had an argument and are ready to move on. This comes after their vocals begin to harmonise and weave in and out of each other’s lines.

It could also be interpreted as Andrew deciding on how he feels about love.

Andrew: Now it’s time for a handsome little bookend
Fiona: Now it’s time to tie up all the loose ends
Andrew: Am I still a skeptic or did you make me a believer?

But I love how the final line is a threat from Fiona Apple. It echoes her very angry songs (that I love). She’s not to be messed with!

Fiona: If you hesitate, you’ll hear the click of the receiver

I recommend watching the live version – I think it shows off the emotion better.

Parental Guidance

Director: Andy Fickman
Writer: Lisa Addario and Joe Syracuse
Released: December 2012
Starring: Billy Crystal, Bette Midler, Marisa Tomei, Tom Everett, Scott Bailee, Madison Kyle, Harrison Breitkopf, Joshua Rush
—

Previously titled Us & Them, this is a whole-heartedly, all-American family film. Therefore, you will either laugh from beginning to end, or you won’t be able to avoid cringing at the cheese.

I personally enjoyed Parental Guidance – I could appreciate the family-fun.

It’s about grandparents Artie and Dianne (Billy Crystal and Bette Midler). Artie has just lost the job he loves because he’s too ‘old-school’ and not up to date with social media.

Drayton: We’re looking for guys who Tweet.
Artie: I’ll tweet, I make any kind of noise you want.

With him being in a depressed state, Dianne accepts their daughter’s plea for them to babysit their grandchildren at short notice. Dianne is keen to be more involved in her daughter’s and grandchildren’s lives, while Artie is preoccupied with chasing his dream to broadcast.

Diane: You know what we are? We’re the OTHER grandparents.
Artie: Well we can’t be all four.

Comedy ensues as they learn how they are to treat their grandchildren – they are never to say ‘no’, feed them sugar, or have winners and losers in sports games.

Eager to please, they try to help with their grandchildren’s problems – Harper’s (Bailee Madison) ‘high achievement syndrome’, Turner’s (Joshua Rush) stutter, and Barker’s (Kyle Harrison Breitkopf) imaginary kangaroo friend Carl.

Barker: You should’ve used your exit shoes.
Artie: My what?
Barker: Exit shoes, to walk away and not use a red voice.
Artie: And a red voice is…?
Barker: Super-mad sounding. You shouldn’t use it… That’s why you have a cool toolbox. It’s where you keep your cool blue voice, your exit shoes and your repair squares.
Artie: …All right, so I am taking a repair square out of my cool toolbox to say in my blue voice, that I am sorry.

But their more relaxed and traditional parenting techniques are not encouraged by their daughter Alice (Marisa Tomei).

Alice: For instance, where you would say “No”… we would say, “Consider the consequences.” Or where you would say, “Don’t”… we would say, “Maybe you should try this.” Or where you would say… “Quit your whining, you’re giving me a headache”… we would say, “Use your words.”

I personally found a lot of parts funny, mostly thanks to Billie Crystal’s sarcastic comments. But found the older grandchild Harper irritating because the actor overacted tremendously.

While not getting a brilliant reception, I think it’s a perfectly entertaining family film. No swearing, no offending, just an overly-sweet and cheesy movie!

Jodie’s rating: 6/10

You’ve Got Mail

Director: Nora Ephron
Writer: Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron
Released: December 1998
Starring: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Parker Posey, Jean Stapleton, Dave Chappelle, Steve Zahn, Greg Kinnear
—

A classic 1990s rom-com! Featuring the mum and dad of 90s rom-coms – Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.

It’s from the writer/director Nora Ephron – the brain behind When Harry Met Sally, the similar 90s story of Sleepless in Seattle, and Julie & Julia. (She must have really loved Meg Ryan – I wonder if Nora considered her for Julie & Julia because she has a striking resemblance to Amy Adams.)

You’ve Got Mail is the ultimate feel-good film. It’s everyone’s daydream; realising the love of your life has been in front of you the entire time. In this movie, Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) owns a quaint book shop, until a giant book-selling conglomerate – owned by Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) – moves right up the road from her.

Kathleen: [writing to “NY152”] People are always telling you that change is a good thing. But all they’re really saying is that something you didn’t want to happen at all… has happened.

This threatens her family business, so Kathleen takes comfort in a stranger online – known as NY152 – whom she confides in. Developing feelings for the stranger, and vice versa, they decide to meet and you’ll never guess who NY152 turns out to be.

(Meanwhile, Kathleen is dating a complete arse (Greg Kinnear) who I absolutely adore hating.)

Kathleen: [in an email to “NY152”] The odd thing about this form of communication is that you’re more likely to talk about nothing than something. But I just want to say that all this nothing has meant more to me than so many somethings.

It’s got just the right amount of cheese for this outlandish twist of fate to be believable and enjoyable. It reminds me of Serendipity in that way.

I love the nonsense that Kathleen talks about. She really does have her head in a book even when she’s not reading:

Kathleen: [writing to “NY152”] Once I read a story about a butterfly in the subway, and today, I saw one! It got on at 42nd and off at 59th, where, I assume, it was going to Bloomingdales to buy a hat that will turn out to be a mistake, as almost all hats are.

It’s the perfect rainy Sunday watch. Its happiness and joy will make the sun come out in your life!

Jodie’s rating: 6/10

Kathleen: I love daisies.
Joe: You told me.
Kathleen: They’re so friendly. Don’t you think daisies are the friendliest flower?

I agree! ❤️

Which Actor Would Play You in a Movie?

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With the possibility of my life being made into a movie one day (ha ha), I have prepared a casting list for my some of my family. (Just to help the producers out.)

Is this something everyone else thinks about in their spare time..?

The actors who will play me, my parents, brother and significant other must have some physical similarities to the actor portraying them, as well as having the ability to bring their characters to the screen believably.

Here are my decisions below. Please let me know in the comments section or on Facebook who you’d want to have play you!

ME
Most importantly, the protagonist: Me. Now, I have thought long and hard about this and I’ve decided on two options: Emily Blunt or Saoirse Ronan. Saoirse is my age and Emily has similar colouring to me, so I’d be happy with either.

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MUM
My mum. As already discussed in a previous post, Dianne Wiest or Julie Walters would be my top choices.

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DAD
My dad. Back in the day, David Schwimmer would have fitted nicely. Today, while Mark Williams (who plays Mr. Weasley in the Harry Potter films) could be a good option, unfortunately they don’t look very similar. Alan Rickman was a solid contender – another Harry Potter actor – but he’s obviously permanently unavailable now. Michael Caine is too old now… Ah! Jerry Seinfeld. Yes. Jerry. 100%.

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BROTHER
My brother. He has a massive beard, which has influenced my decision significantly. Therefore, there was merely one option: Zach Galifianakis. Is he nearly twice my brother’s age? Yes. But prosthetics are a wonderful thing.
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SIGNIFICANT OTHER
My significant other. He would hate me to include a photo of him, but I can safely say that Ryan Gosling would be an accurate choice… If Ryan was a bit better-looking haaaaaa.

The Truman Show

Director: Peter Weir
Writer: Andrew Niccol
Released: June 1998
Starring: Jim Carrey, Laura Linney, Noah Emmerich, Natascha McElhone, Holland Taylor, Ed Harris
—

I don’t know how I have gone this long without reviewing this remarkable movie.

The Truman Show is about Truman (Jim Carrey) who lives a humble life in a suburban town with a solid job and a perfect wife. But he can’t stop thinking about a woman he fell in love with at university. He soon begins to reflect on his life and missed opportunities, before expressing his desire to travel.

Truman: And all the way around here… Fiji. You can’t get any further away before you start coming back.

We soon release that his world is a lie. He is the main character in a reality television program that films him 24/7. His wife (Laura Linney), his best friend (Noah Emmerich) – everyone around him are all actors and the town is a massive stage, which appears inescapable.

I love the innocence of Truman – who knew that Jim Carrey could be such a perfect casting choice. Apparently Robin Williams was considered, but Jim Carrey was keen to show his dramatic side.

The story is brilliant and it was executed so well. The Truman Show puts you on edge, it makes you laugh, it makes you despair, and it sticks with you well after watching it. Similar to The Matrix, you begin to look around and reflect on the sincerity of your environment.

Mike Michaelson [presenter]: Christof, let me ask you, why do you think that Truman has never come close to discovering the true nature of his world until now?
Christof (Ed Harris) [producer]: We accept the reality of the world with which we’re presented. It’s as simple as that.

The script is brilliant, and the details of the film are so well done that after the 10th watch, you will still see new things. Such as the people in the background wanting to get a good look at the ‘star’ of the show when they are supposed to be professional background artists. It’s funny when Truman unexpectedly interacts with them, because their improv skills are awful.

Bus Driver: [unable to get the ferry moving] I’m usually the bus driver!
Production Assistant: [into his radio] Bottom line is they can’t drive the boat. They’re actors!

I love how well thought-out this movie is. Especially how adverts and product placement is intertwined with the ‘everyday life’ of Truman.

Meryl (Truman’s wife): [holding up a jar of cocoa, slipping into advertising mode] Why don’t you let me fix you some of this Mococoa drink? All natural cocoa beans from the upper slopes of Mount Nicaragua. No artificial sweeteners.
Truman: [looking around] What the hell are you talking about? Who are you talking to?
Meryl: I’ve tasted other cocoas. This is the best.

I like the theme of fate, and certain perceived coincidences that dictate our lives. The producer (Ed Harris) of The Truman Show plays God with Truman – something that some people believe to be true in their own lives. That their lives are out of their control, and in the hands of a higher being.

In that respect, Truman trying to escape this controlled environment is like people moving away from religion or considering a life without God. It’s scary taking responsibility for their own decisions and fate, but you’re rewarded with freedom.

Within this theme, is how fear controls people – touching on the media and advertising. The producers of The Truman Show ensured that Truman grew up being scared of water so that he would never want to board a boat and realise the town is a set. As a child, he was discouraged to becoming an explorer so that he would never want to board a plane and leave. He grew up on air, trapped by fear in order for him to stay put, spend money and consume products.

Fantastic, philosophical, almost coming-of-age kind of film. I love, love, love this film.

Truman: In case I don’t see you… good afternoon, good evening, and good night.

Jodie’s rating: 8.5/10

Cloudbusting – Kate Bush

I am a huge Kate Bush fan, but Cloudbusting has to be my favourite song.

I just know that something good is going to happen
And I don’t know when
But just saying it could even make it happen

I never knew what the song was about until now. I thought it was like a pep-talk about good things being just around the corner.

In fact, Cloudbusting is about a real-life father-son duo in the 1950s who believed they had invented a machine, called a cloudbuster, to make it rain. This invention would result in crops being saved during a drought if successful.

But every time it rains
You’re here in my head
Like the sun coming out

However, the father became paranoid and began to get into trouble with the government after suspicions of his invention being phoney spread. He refused to go to court, and along with other reasons, he was arrested. (I think I’ve understood this correctly; it’s quite a complicated story.)

I can’t hide you
From the government
Oh, god, daddy
I won’t forget

Kate Bush’s song is from the point of view of the son who watches his beloved father getting taken away by the government.

You could see them coming
You looked too small
In their big, black car
To be a threat to the men in power

It’s such a haunting song because of the cello and the lyrics. But it’s equally uplifting, as she interprets the feeling of breaking new ground and the excitement of it.