2014 – NZ Film Freak

Good riddance, 2015!

2015 is finally over.

Anyone else feel like 2015 took a few years too long to come to an end?

Madonna I'm a material girl gif — I am now a material girl.

This time last year, I had just graduated from university to begin my career of job-hunting. I eventually landed a job in the industry I trained in – the media – which is an achievement in itself, really. I have learnt an awful lot about being a grown-up and earning a living.

However, it has meant I haven’t had much energy to do much else. Hence the pitiful turn-out for movie reviews this year.

During my ‘indoor’ time in 2015, I have discovered the TV show New Girl, featuring Zooey Deschanel, and the good-looking Jake Johnson.

Weirdly, I have been able to relate to this fictional show – at least for the first two seasons before it slowly faded into the Hollywood abyss of flattering lighting and two-dimensional characters.

But I digress…

Despite a predominately average 2015, I have ended this year on an unexpected high note by spending December with exciting people, and getting out of my comfort zone.

Now 22, I am ready to continue in this adventurous fashion, by following my passion for writing and travel. I am ready to see things that can’t be found in an air-conditioned office, and tick off some things from my bucket list.

Although, I did actually tick one thing off my bucket list quite recently, for some reason I had written “ride a bus for free” some years ago. I can only assume this was inspired by the Alanis Morisette song ‘Ironic‘

It’s a free riiiiide, when you’ve already paid

But, I really did get to ride a bus for free. The machine that takes your money broke, and the bus driver was all like, “WTF, OMG, YOLO” and let me on for free.

Despite this obvious rush of achievement, I am actually planning to tick larger things off my bucket list this year. Keep an eye out on my blog for developments.

So here we go: Here are the few movies I have reviewed during the year of 2015.

2015 reviewed movies:

Gold, Jerry, Gold!
9.5/10
American Graffiti (re-reveiwed)

9/10
Whiplash
Wild

Hoochie Mama!
8.5/10
Arthur Christmas
A Few Good Men
The Town

8/10
Big Eyes
Inside Out
Godzilla (2014)
Gone Girl

7.5/10
Into the Wild

Giddy-Up!
6/10
What We Did on Our Holiday
Big Hero 6

Yada, Yada, Yada…
4/10
Hector and the Search for Happiness

—

Indie, short and other films:
Goldfish
Courting Chaos
My Lonely Me
In the Mood for Love
All in One Creativity Kit
The American Garage
James Herman Banning: Greatest Story Never Told

All the best for 2016!
Jodie

Whiplash

Whiplash film poster Director: Damien Chazelle
Writer: Damien Chazelle
Released: October 2014
Featuring: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons and Paul Reiser—

JK Simmons in Whiplash film review I’m sure you’ve heard of Whiplash, and referred to it as ‘that drumming film with Juno‘s dad in it.’

Or, perhaps you first heard of it when J.K. Simmons won best supporting actor at the Oscars for his role in Whiplash. (Which, OH MY GOD did he deserve. He was… Every teacher I’ve ever feared.)

Although, I reckon everyone should have known Whiplash as ‘that amazing film I went to see yesterday for the second time’. Yet, at least in Auckland’s case, it was barely shown – if at all – in the major cinemas.

“Not my tempo.” – Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons)

This film has the darkness of Black Swan, the mind-twisted characters of Nightcrawler, and the photography of… What’s a fantastically-lit and composed movie… The King’s Speech? Anyway. Very well shot indeed.

Miles Teller in Whiplash movie It was like a way more intense and less-uplifting version of Peaceful Warrior. (A movie about a gymnast mentally and physically pushed to the limit.)

The basic plot is about Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller), a first-year college/university jazz drummer at America’s best music school. J.K. Simmons is his teacher who has a few screws loose. Whiplash is the internal battle of a boy’s appetite for fame and success, while being drained by his teacher who plays mind games and throws chairs at him and what not.

You don’t have to be a drummer, a musician, or even like music to thoroughly enjoy this movie. However, I have heard from some of my drummer friends that if you do play drums, you will notice some inaccuracies. (Probably like how horseriders feel when watching horse movies.)

Miles Teller and JK Simmons in Whiplash film I think the only thing holding this move back was its simplicity… Or maybe that aided it… I’m not too sure, but I wonder if Whiplash could have become as disturbing as Black Swan with some more scenes expressing Neiman’s inner emotions..?

“WERE YOU RUSHING, OR WERE YOU DRAGGING!?” – Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons)

You must watch this scene!:

Despite that, I loved it… Loved it, loved it, loved it. I got so stuck into the story, completely immersed in Andrew Neiman’s struggle, obsession and frustration.

I’d be so happy to see more of this sort of film in the cinema. If you’ve got an appetite for dark and emotionally exhausting films, this is for you.

Jodie’s rating: 9/10

What We Did on our Holiday

What We Did on our Holiday film poster Directors: Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin
Writers: Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin
Released: September 2014
Starring: David Tennant, Rosamund Pike and Billy Connolly
—

Like my horse, it’s funny at the beginning, saggy in the middle and a bit crappy at the end.

This is a film – featuring the spectacular David Tennant (Dr. Who!!) and Rosamund Pike – about a family of five going on holiday to Scotland for the grandfather’s 75th birthday party.

Long story short, the parents are having a divorce but only the children know, and they are sworn to secrecy while visiting their sickly grandfather so as to keep his final years pleasant.

What We Did on our Holiday film with David Tennant and Rosamund Pike Pike plays the mum, Abi, Tennant as the dad, Doug, and Billy Connolly as the granddad, Gordie.

Abi and Doug have three children, the easiest way to describe them is as the intelligent and serious one, the creative one and the youngest and funniest one. Sort of like in that Lemoney Snicket movie A Series of Unfortunate Events.

I found the first third of the movie hilarious – such a typical English comedy. It reminded me of About a Boy. I was laughing out loud watching it on the plane and everything. (Although, that was after two bourbon and cokes…)

After that, it got quite slow. The drama began to set in, but there wasn’t enough at stake, perhaps, for the audience to feel to effected?

What We Did on our Holiday film Nevertheless, the script was amazing. Some fantastic one-liners! For example, the youngest child has a brick and a rock as friends:

Doug: Have you seen anybody about this?
Abi: Like a geologist?

And a whooooooole other bunch of funny lines, which I can’t find on the internet for you because it’s a newish film.

I think this movie has great intentions, and it was almost awesome from beginning to end, with philosophical and comedic moments.

Jodie’s rating: 6/10

Wild

Wild film poster Director: Jean-Marc Vallee
Writer: Nick Hornby (screenplay), Cheryl Strayed (novel)
Released: December 2014 (USA), January 2015 (NZ)
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Thomas Sadoski, Michiel Huisman and Gaby Hoffman
—

Based on a true story, Cheryl Strayed (Reese Witherspoon) battles the ghosts of her past: heroin addiction, divorce, the death of her mother and the abandonment of her father. As a way to start fresh, she goes on a 1000-mile journey along the Pacific Crest Trail.

Reese Witherspoon in counselling scene in Wild film To be frank, the flashbacks made me feel really uncomfortable. But… I guess the world of heroin addicts shouldn’t exactly be attractive.

A classic ‘runaway movie‘, although I’m not entirely sure if this is actually a sub-genre. Nevertheless, Wild fits into this category along with Into the Wild, Thelma and Louise.

Find out more about the runaway genre here!

Wild film with Reese Witherspoon In fact, if you enjoyed Into the Wild (also a biographic), then you’re likely to enjoy Wild. It’s basically the same story but from the perspective of a woman, with different life problems.

I honestly had little doubt in Reese Witherspoon. I knew she would play this complicated character well. I’ve really enjoyed her more serious roles ever since Walk the Line.

When I walked out of the cinema, I needed time to process. I really felt moved by this film, not only because I love the ‘runaway genre’, but because the film makers portrayed Strayed’s emotions so convincingly that I started to take her problems on board.

Wild Reese Witherspoon film I’d like to point out that the screenplay was written by Nick Hornby, who wrote About A Boy. Whatta guy!

Wow, almost forgot to mention the soundtrack! The songs include a perfectly fitting Portishead song (Glory Box) that plays during flash-backs to Strayed’s lowest of times as an addict.

Other amazing artists on the soundtrack include Simon & Garfunkel, an R.E.M cover by First Aid Kit, Wings, Leonard Cohen, Bruce Springsteen… It goes on.

I think the best movies make you laugh, cry and leave you with something to ponder. Wild certainly does. Some parts are hard to watch (not quite on par with the dreaded Requiem for a Dream though), but for the most part, I enjoyed it.

Life, eh!

Jodie’s rating: 9/10

Sayonara, 2014!

The Beatles wave while walking off of the plane
Three years of blogging on NZ Film Freak. Not a bad achievement!

I graduated from uni! (Thank Christ for that.) — Jodie’s graduation: I got caught in the rain… Hence my hair looking the way it does.

I have completed my Bachelor of Communications degree, majoring in journalism, which has led me to amazing opportunities such as working for a community newspaper, and a legit film reviewing site called Flicks.

I have rediscovered my love for photography, and creative writing – not sure if you’ve read my poems… They get a wee bit crazy pretty quickly.

I’ve also found a previously unexplored knack of mine doing voice overs. My voice is being played on podcasts and indie radio stations all around the world! Very exciting. Most of them via Fiverr.

Just get a job. Since graduating, the question I have been asked like a broken record is:

“So… what next?”

And fair enough; what am I going to do with my life?

(Perhaps university doesn’t prepare you for answering this giant question because they want you to feel so overwhelmed with the real world that you end up turning around and enrolling in an expensive post-grad course.)

I do take inspiration from movies when having to make a big decision. For example, after watching Julie & Julia I decided to create this very blog!

In the case of post-uni life, I seriously considered doing what the main character did in Into the Wild. But that was before I watched the ending.

Wendy in Peter Pan Disney cartoon- But Mother, I don't want to grow up. I wasn’t smart enough in uni for my life to turn out like Good Will Hunting. Nor was I grunge or cool enough to be Becca in Pitch Perfect.

However, I shall find my path as a grown-up!

I’m going to continue Film Freaking, and I hope to work in the exciting world of radio! Perhaps reviewing films, or writing on websites or talking about music or…

I love the idea of working in radio, (not just because the guys on The Boat that Rocked looked like they had so much fun), but also because I’ve become a bit more familiar with it since doing voice overs.

Also, I’ve been listening to a lot of The Ricky Gervais Show, which features Karl Pilkington. Working around great, charismatic people seems like a grand thing to be a part of.

Enough of me, though!

2014 has brought us a lot of animated films, and a few more epics like last year! But ultimately, it’s a mixed bag.

I haven’t reviewed an awful lot this year, so I do apologise! But I have to say, I think last year’s assortment was better.

2014 reviewed movies:

Gold, Jerry, Gold!
9.5/10
Thelma & Louise

9/10
Interstellar

Hoochie Mama!
8.5/10
Captain America: The Winter Soldier

8/10
The Way, Way Back
Nightcrawler
Her

7.5/10
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Young Adult

7/10
Fault in our Stars
Frozen
Julie & Julia

Giddy-Up!
6.5/10
American Hustle

6/10
Hercules

5/10
The Lego Movie
22 Jump Street

Yada, Yada, Yada…
4.5/10
Deliver Us From Evil

4/10
Lucy

A Show About Nothing!
2/10
Transformers: Age of Extinction

—

Indie films:
Sunshine
Tissue
Chinese Penhold
Love Thy Neighbour
Pizza Shop
Broken Record
The Louise Log
Wild Girl Waltz
Reza Abdoh – Theatre Visionary
Lost Angeles
Príncipe 69
Film Premiere at Cricket World Cup
The One Minute Fly Show (Web Series)
Invert: Origin of the Telepathic Hero

Expect to see more posts on my blog, anyway. I love getting good ~~or bad~~ feedback, so please vote on the polls, comment on my posts and like my Facebook page. It means a lot!

Good luck for 2015, guys.
Jodie.

Young Adult

Director: Jason Reitman
Writer: Diablo Cody
Released: December 2011
Starring: Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt, Patrick Wilson, Elizabeth Reaser and Collette Wolfe
—

Another classic Diablo Cody script! I love the dialogue she writes for characters who are (for lack of a better word) ‘real’. Jason Reitman is the director of this comedy-drama, who is responsible for the likes of Juno and Up in the Air.

Young Adult is about a ghost writer, Mavis Gary (Charlize Theron), who returns to her home town to try and get back with an old flame, Buddy. Buddy, however, is married and has just had a baby and is in no way interested in what Mavis is so obviously implying.

Mavis’ mum: That new baby of his is just darling.
Mavis: Have you seen it? …up close?

Her pessimistic and delusional outlook is something that [unfortunately] I love about her. She is rude, aloof and doesn’t care what people think of her.

Her language is just great though. The way she talks about marriage and children is like she’s talking about a disease that needs to be avoided. Mavis tells Buddy that ‘we can beat this thing together’ referring to his family. I’m tickled by that. This really isn’t a typical comedy at all.

Thankfully, during her crisis, Mavis meets a guy who she also used to go to high school with, Matt (Patton Oswalt).

Matt was severely attacked during high school resulting in him being disabled. But they bond over hating the same things. Mavis projects her hatred outwardly, and Matt eventually realises he has nothing to lose by expressing his anger around her too.

Mavis is such a lost soul though. She tortures herself by forever reminiscing about her high school days, when she was popular. It doesn’t help that she writes a ‘young adult’ series about popularity in high school, which becomes her diary disguised as a fictional teenage novel.

I love this movie because it’s character-based. It’s not fast-paced, just like real life, and hangs on to every emotion of the unstable Mavis, which makes you squirm. She’s so immature… But entertaining because she’s so expressive.

It’s not a movie for everyone. But I enjoy analysing behaviour, and I find the subtleties in this film interesting. She’s entertainingly perpetually disgusted with everything.

Check out my favourite scene in the movie here. It’s when Mavis Gary loses the plot at Buddy and Beth’s (Elizabeth Reaser) baby shower. It’s oddly empowering. Although I feel like I’m doing the wrong thing by taking her side.

I suppose this is a movie where the protagonist is the ‘bad guy’, and you can’t help but support and relate to her.

Jodie’s rating: 7/10

Lost Angeles

A Leonardo Leon film.

Lost Angeles is an independent film that is looking for funding. It is about a woman who went to Los Angeles in search of a modelling career, but through a series of trip-ups she finds herself homeless.

I was under the impression it was a documentary when I read the summary:

“The City of Los Angeles has the highest homeless population in America. It is constantly growing by thousands of people who are in search of an elusive Hollywood Dream. These people find themselves in compromising situations where work is hard to find and housing is exceptionally high…”

I was a bit disappointed that it wasn’t non-fiction because of the effort the cast and crew went to to make the film authentic; they gave up their apartments to experience homelessness during the shoot.

Looking at the trailer the acting appears quite theatrical. I hope this doesn’t let the film down because it seems like a great way to look into the serious issue of homelessness in America.

Via IndieGoGo, the film makers are asking for $50,000 to complete filming and post production. If this sounds like a film you’re interested in seeing, feel free to donate.

You can also find the trailer here:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/lost-angeles-the-film

Jodie.

Nightcrawler

Director: Dan Gilroy
Writer: Dan Gilroy
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Riz Ahmed and Bill Paxton (the dude from Titanic)
Released: November 2014

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. I guess, hence the film title.

Jake Gyllenhaal with his goggly, baby-bird eyes and sharp cheek bones, is enough to make you squirm. Let alone the control he has over everyone. It is so captivating.

He lost more than 13kg (30 pounds) to play the ‘literally and figuratively hungry’ character, Lou Bloom. Gyllenhaal did so by running a lot and eating only kale and chewing gum. He said the diet was completely safe and healthy.

Lou Bloom, 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 car crashes, shootings and what-not, to film and sell to local news outlets.

Bloom dives into this career and quickly makes a sweet sum.

He basically represents the media industry and the control they have over broadcasts and the law. He steps on and manipulates every relationship, smudging the lines of ethical coverage along the way.

Having recently gained a degree in journalism, I found the subject relatable. I don’t think I’ve seen a movie like Nightcrawler before where the story is from the media industry’s point of view.

It’s a fascinating film that is quite difficult to explain. But it certainly gets you thinking. But if you just want to be entertained, you’ll certainly find yourself laughing at Bloom quite often! His intense delivery of lines is sure to give you fits of nervous giggles.

Actually, come to think of it, his character sometimes reminds me of Jim Carrey’s Andy Kaufman character in Man on the Moon.

The only thing I was disappointed about was how there were no consequences for Bloom – which I know is the point because he represents the gigantic conglomerate of the untouchable media. But just when there was a major conflict, the movie ended.

Despite that, I loved it, and I am definitely going to watch it again.

Jodie’s rating: 8/10

Hideaway – Kiesza

This is such an amazing video!

The choreography is spectacular, the costumes are awesome and the four and a half minute video is all done in one shot.

My dad actually pointed this out to me because he likes the song (which was written and recorded within an hour and a half), but the video is twice as cool.

Kiesza danced in this despite having a broken rib! She said she couldn’t move for a month after shooting it.

Kiesza’s brother shot the video in Brooklyn, and it was choreographed by Ljuba Castot. It received an MTV Music Award nomination for best choreography.

Check it out! It’s very 90s.

Jodie.

If you liked that, you’ll LOVE this parody. It has been very well done indeed!

My Favourite Character: Jocelyn

I’ve reviewed The Jane Austen Book Club, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and I did write a short bio of the characters in my review. But I wanted to expand on my favourite character, Jocelyn.

Maria Bello plays Jocelyn.
Jocelyn has never fallen in love, but she says she’s happy with that:

“…alone is not the end of the world. For as many years as you’ve been married I’ve been quite happily unmarried… I mean, I don’t know. I wouldn’t mind falling in love, but it just all seems like fiction to me, anyway.

She’s a dog-breeder, and if you catch onto her mannerisms early enough, you’ll notice she treats men like dogs – she’s strict, short-tempered and dominant with them. Her use of language when speaking about people is similar to how she would talk about dogs.

“No one I’m interested in. He’s young, compliant, said he might enjoy being in a book club… Do you think Sylvia responded to him?”

Jocelyn is drawn to ‘Grigg’ because he’s “eager to please” and “tries hard”… Sort of like a dog.

Jocelyn is known as the ‘match-maker’, always on the look-out for who she can pair people up with. She partnered her best friend Sylvia up with a guy who is now Sylvia’s husband.

I think Jocelyn is super cool because she’s independent and lives by herself in the country doing exactly what she wants. She dresses quite casual (except for the final scene), in knitted shrugs, jeans, long skirts and turtle-necks.

a19bc551-7228-4b74-915a-b81733a21fe0_detail — Jocelyn and Grigg

In the movie, she hesitantly opens up to change. Starting by reading a book Grigg suggests, which Jocelyn is sure she won’t enjoy.
“I think at my age I should know what I like”
But the more she relaxes and allows him to be a friend – rather than a person to direct – the more she changes into a calmer and happier person.

I love Jocelyn. She’s so pretty (I want her hair), and confident in herself.

Jodie.

My Favourite Character: Louise Sawyer

I recently reviewed Thelma and Louise, which is my favourite movie of all time.

Out of the two main characters, I connected with Louise more because I admire her more than Thelma (who is ditsy, and reminds me too much of myself!).

“Suspect: Louise Elizabeth Sawyer. Red hair, brown eyes, five-foot, seven inches tall, on hundred and twenty pounds…”

Louise is so sassy. In the bar scene at the beginning of their road trip, I love how she doesn’t even give Harlan (a guy at the bar who is hitting on them) the time of day.

At that point, Harlan seemed like just a confident gentleman who approached the pair. But she saw right through him.

Harlan: Hey! Now what are a couple of Kewpie dolls like you doin’ in a place like this?
Louise: Mindin’ our own business. Why don’t you try it.

Despite her straight-up-and-down character, she has a generous side. Like when she left the waitress “a huge tip” at a bar. Sawyer is a waitress by day, so I think she completely understood how far a bigger tip would go.

She drives a green/blue T-Bird convertible, wears well-fitted jackets and western-style boots.

Susan Sarandon does a spectacular job portraying her as a motherly, yet, fiercely independent woman. Louise seems like somebody who you could rely on.

Jodie.

There’s not a lot out there, so this trailer will have to do. However, this is the original 90s trailer which portrays the movie as a straight-laced comedy, which isn’t accurate at all.

Interstellar

Interstellar film poster

Director: Christopher Nolan
Writer: Jonathan Nolan, Christopher Nolan
Released: November 2014
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Michael Caine, Jessica Chastain and Matt Damon
—

If you loved Gravity and Inception, you’ll love Interstellar.

Interstellar movie - watching Earth The time travelling concepts in this movie are easy to grasp if you’re familiar with the sci-fi genre. If you can keep up with Doctor Who, you’ll keep up with this.

It’s set in the future where scientists are aware that crops are failing and the end of the world could be near. NASA is attempting to find another planet so that the human race can continue.

I would love to tell you more, but I’m worried I’ll ruin something! (For the record, the trailer makes it out to be an average film… It’s not.)

Anne Hathaway in Interstellar movie — Anne Hathaway in Interstellar

Gravity movie is similar to Interstellar film — Sandra Bullock in Gravity

I love this movie. I think Matthew McConaughey did a fantastic job, and I have a new found respect for Anne Hathaway.

It did make me wonder if Anne Hathaway was considered for Sandra Bullock’s role in Gravity though. Because the characters are very similar, physically and characteristically.

There are some gorgeous scenes in this movie. Which isn’t surprising, because Interstellar is a Nolan film.

Insterstellar film review My favourite scene is when they are on another planet, a water planet. Rather than regular waves, there are tsunamis that arrive every so often. And every one hour spent on this planet, is seven years on Earth.

There was just one thing I was disappointed about: the ending. It was a little too perfect. I think if it ended with a similar feel to Gravity‘s final scene, which was open-ended but with a feeling of hope.

Whereas, Interstellar ended like a Hollywood drama, the i’s were dotted and the t’s were crossed, wrapped in glossy paper with a bow.

Despite that, it is worth a watch if you’re fascinated with worm holes, time manipulation, outer space and strong characters.

Loved it.

Jodie’s rating: 9/10

Love Thy Neighbor (Short Film)

Director: Mika Boorem
Writer: Mika Boorem
Released: 2014
—

A short film exploring the dark effects of grief.

We follow a teenage boy, Jonah (Slade Pearce), who has become obsessed with his neighbour. The neighbour (Jaclyn Ferber) is a widow whose husband died in the war. She is grieving and begins to take a liking to Jonah.

Certainly mature subject matter and probably not material I can really relate to.

However, on a technical level, Love Thy Neighbor is fantastically made. The lighting and set design reflects the characters very well.

I think the director/writer, Mika Boorem, achieved her goal of making the story seem ordinary on the surface. That is until you scratch the surface to discover the intricate, dark and twisted lives of the neighbourhood.

I think the best accomplishment was how well the crew has done on limited means. Having a main cast of three, and one location was a great way to take advantage of what they had. It can be easy to let the imagination run wild, but keeping it simple allowed the deeper storyline to take centre stage.

A fantastic production. An example on how high quality a short film can be.

Jodie.

Book me to independently review your favourite song, music video or film here.

Lucy

It was a great concept, but it was just so weird! It was simply bizarre.

Scarlet Johansson plays the protagonist, Lucy, who is kidnapped and used as a drug mule. The new drug seeps into her system, which enables her to use more and more and more of her brain.

She is able to manipulate everything from pain tolerence to technology. She even pulls some solid Matrix moves.

It would have been a great as a short film… It’s almost as though it should have been an arty film festival film. The mere fact it ha Johansson and Freeman in it threw it into the Hollywood sphere. I don’t think it belongs there though. It attracts the kind of audience who want an awesome sci-fi film, when it should attract the deep-and-meaningful film analysts.

Some parts of the script were super cool, particularly in regards to how people have evolved, how we think and behave.

Other parts were plain odd.

Basically, this movie isn’t what you think it will be like. The trailer advertises a Hollywood action sci-fi, when in fact it’s mind-bender with a screwed up ending.

Jodie’s rating: 4/10

Deliver Us from Evil

Director: Scott Derrickson
Writers: Scott Derrickson and Paul Harris Boardman (screenplay), Ralph Sarchie and Lisa Collier Cool (story)
Starring: Eric Bana, Édgar Ramírez, Olivia Munn, Sean Harris and Joel McHale
Released: July 2014
—

Was this supposed to be a black comedy?

I had been told Deliver Us from Evil was on par with The Conjuring. But I honestly can’t say this was the case. It was a suspenseful, supernatural thriller, but not something that would keep you up at night.

Apparently based on ‘true events’ of a New York cop Ralph Sarchie (Eric Bana) who encounters demonic forces. The mysterious cases quickly become bizarre and laughable.

Reading up about the true events of this cop, I think the only ‘true’ parts that were used in the film was his name and characteristics. There’s an interview on Youtube where he says most of the “possessed” people he encountered turned out to have mental issues.

In the film we follow Sarchie as he slowly unravels the peculiar happenings of what turns out to be people with demons in their houses. Throwing children into lion dens at the zoo, cat worshiping, scratching at walls, and croaky voices was just some of the fun that ensues.

A tad too typical of a horror, with the characteristics of a scary movie thrown in even if it doesn’t fit. Like when the daughter suddenly has the urge to wind the musical jack-in-the-box before she goes to bed. Because we all know how creepy the combination of children, musical boxes and darkness is.

I couldn’t take it seriously because of the weird choice of music that face-plants you back into reality. Imagine getting into a super tense part in the movie and then have the theme song ‘People Are Strange’ by The Doors blasting. What a way to snap you out of it!

The acting was a bit average, particularly the 6-year-old daughter, whose toys come to life at night. I felt like I was in a mash-up of The Ring and Toy Story.

maxresdefault

Quite frankly, I couldn’t keep a straight face when the demonised people were talking, I wasn’t scared of the dude who ate his own leg either… I was just grossed out. And the final exorcism went on for way too long. I fell asleep toward the end of that scene.

Finally, the religious messages of how non-believers are screwed and your only hope for protection is by converting to a life of God in some form, was a tad over-kill!

A few things will make you jump, but overall it wasn’t scary or creepy… Just weird.

Jodie’s rating: 4/10

RIP Robin Williams

robin-williams-weapons-of-self-destruction-1024

Actor Robin Williams, 63, has been found dead in his home. Cause of death is currently unknown, but a forensic examination will be carried out August 12. “The Sheriff’s Office Coroner Division suspects the death to be a suicide due to asphyxia, but a comprehensive investigation must be completed before a final determination is made.”

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/actor-robin-williams-found-dead-in-his-home-2014-8

I am so upset to hear this news. Good Will Hunting, Good Morning Vietnam and Dead Poets Society are my favourites of Williams’ work. What a shame!

Good Morning Vietnam showed his incredible talent for improvisation. Most of the film was unscripted, with Williams playing the part of a DJ for entertaining the soldiers in the field.

Dead Poets Society featured a fantastic speech which was subsequently used in an Apple advert. He was truly a performer with various talents – from humour to drama. His voice is so recognisable and his performances were so realistic.

A hilarious comedian who will be sorely missed.

GOOOOOOOOOD MORNING VIETNAM!!

Jodie

Hercules

Director: Brett Ratner
Writer: Based on Hercules: The Thracian Wars by Steve Moore. Admira Wijaya.
Released: July 2014
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, Joseph Fiennes, Peter Mullan
and John Hurt
—

Hercules was a blood bath with a sense of humour.

Based on Hercules: The Thracian Wars by Steve Moore, the story weaves in the legends of the Demi-God, Hercules (played by wrestler, Dwayne Johnson), but centered it on the more human aspects of him. The movie follows Hercules and his right-hand men (and woman) into multiple battles, but Hercules soon questions who he is really fighting for.

A violent and relatively shallow film, but the characters make fun of themselves and their circumstances, which saves the movie from the bargain bin.

I did enjoy how the legends of Hercules are being spread purposefully to glorify a mere mortal. With Iolaus (Reece Ritchie) being the storyteller, he exaggerates Hercules’ adventures to encourage followership and unity of the people.

Thought you saw Jude Law? Turns out the character (Autolycus) I thought to be played by Law with olive-tinted skin, darkened hair and green contacts, was in fact Rufus Sewell… Just in case you were as equally mistaken by the little round head and English accent.

Speaking of which, Dwayne Johnson’s accent switches a few times throughout the movie, but does remain the only American accent in the entire film.

As a side note, Johnson’s veins are too visible and makes me squeamish.

Overall, a perfectly adequate film for the lovers of Greek mythology and ancient battles. A chick flick for the men… A man movie, a boy story… If you will.

Jodie’s rating: 6/10

22 Jump Street

Directors: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller
Writers: Story: Jonah Hill and Michael Bacall Screenplay: Michael Bacall, Oren Uziel and Rodney Rothman
Released: June 2014
Featuring: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Peter Stormare and Ice Cube
—

22 Jump Street certainly didn’t match up to its prequel, 21 Jump Street.

This one was long and had as many topless scenes of Channing Tatum as possible… I’m assuming this was written into his contract..?

I didn’t find it as funny as the first one because it was so ridiculous. It was similar to the first but more outrageous. Although, I’m sure the Jump Street fans won’t be disappointed.

The amount of references to the first film kept the cookie-cutter-comedy fresh. The movie made fun of itself, hinting at the repetitive storyline and stereotypical characters they play. This decision saved the film from being put on the scrap heap.

It looks like the cast had a lot of fun on this film. As though it was for themselves rather than the audience. Which was actually okay!

I don’t have a lot to say about this film to be honest. It was a bit weird, quite typical, but not as funny as the first. It’s for the younger Hangover fans and the Channing Tatum lovers.

It is what it is!

Jodie’s rating: 5/10

(Trailer contains bad language. Tut tut.)

Transformers: Age of Extinction

Director: Michael Bay
Writers: Ehren Kruger
Released: June 2014
Featuring: Mark Wahlberg and Stanley Tucci
—

One was enough!

This is the fourth Transformers movie. This has gone on for too long.

It’s about government agencies coming after people who have found a Transformer. Transformers are no longer welcome as they are deemed ‘alien’.

I’m not a Transformers fan, but I can appreciate that cars becoming giant robots are cool.

However, the fighting was endless and exhausting, and acting was hopeless. It was a pointless and boring two hours and 45 minutes.

Assuming that Transformer fans enjoy these movies because of the graphics when the machines physically transform will be sorely disappointed. The entire premise of this fourth film is based around how the man-made Transformers don’t “transform” at all, and when the original machines are about to transform, the camera pans away!

The product placement was blatant and outright ridiculous. Stanley Tucci is amazing, but conveniently drank a Chinese soy-based beverage toward the camera, with the branding beautifully framed and presented. It was pathetic.

If you’re okay with being belittled and being nothing more than a captive audience to sell Victoria’s Secret, Bud Light and energy drinks to, be my guest. But it is certainly an exhaustingly long film with a stupid storyline. Although, to be fair, I zoned out by the time the characters made it to China…

Transformers: Age of Extinction is a three hour ad break.

Oh so boring. Please, no more.

Jodie’s rating: 2/10

Two points were given because:
1. The dinosaur transformer things were pretty cool
2. Stanley Tucci

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Director: Matt Reeves
Writers: Mark Bomback, Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver
Released: July 2014
Featuring: Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Toby Kebbell and Kodi Smit-McPhee
—

koba_an-ape-never-forgets I wasn’t expecting much from this sequel, but I thoroughly enjoyed it!

A desolate planet with a small population living within the remains of an apocalypse. The humans are in search of a water supply to ensure electricity to their commune. However, the apes that were used in trials in the prequel have populated the forests where the water supply is.

I found the body language of the apes and the reactions of the humans fascinating.

The apes didn’t use English too much of the time so subtitles were uses, but even without them it was remarkably easy to understand them.It’s clear the makers did their homework regarding the body language of the apes!

la_ca_0403_dawn_of_planet_apes_028 Although, I did find the human storyline almost irrelevant. I was so captured by the story of the apes that the humans became uninteresting. Apes riding horses holding spears? Come on. Who needs people?

It was a great balance between emotion and action. The fight scenes showed off the motion capture incredibly! Particularly with apes riding the horses… I can’t get over how realistic it all was.

An exciting and captivating film about the clash of cultures and revenge. The storyline is more-or-less typical of the genre, but it is one of the best examples of modern film making; taking advantage of today’s technology… The motion capture will make you drool.

Jodie’s rating: 7.5/10

The Fault in Our Stars

Director: Josh Boone
Writers: Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber. Based on the book by John Green.
Released: June 2014
Featuring: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Nat Wolff, Laura Dern, Sam Trammell and Willem Dafoe
—

My friend said this movie was “a real punch in the feels!” I agree.

Do not expect to walk out of the cinema feeling uplifted, inspired or at peace with the world. If anything, The Fault in Our Stars will rob you of the right to complain about your life, and you will find yourself driving home in total silence as you digest this story.

If you haven’t read the book or seen the movie, it is about two teenagers with cancer who fall in love, before being faced with all sorts of tragic circumstances. ‘Heard it before’, I hear you say? On paper, you’re right, but on the screen, it is certainly something a little different.

It isn’t sugar-coated, or glazed too much with the flawlessness of Hollywood cinema. The raw and truthful tale of two kids with cancer has leapt to the fore with this film.

Depending on how close to the topic you are will depend on how much you take away. For a simple and sheltered viewer, like myself, I found the balance between reality and fantasy well done. But certainly not as inspirational as I expected.

The rumours are true: do expect to have a fat cry during this movie. But it’s not just the circumstances of the story that will trigger the tears, it’s the fantastic acting and soundtrack that work together so damn well that could cause the crying.

For me, I wept because the song “Wait” by M83 was so gorgeously teamed up with the most well-acted scene… It was just so amazing! I was in awe.

If you’re feeling good about your life and need to be reminded that other people aren’t having such a great time, watch The Fault in Our Stars. You will find your high spirits will crash down below ground level.

If you’re not into the storyline, experience it for the music!

Jodie’s rating: 7/10

BEWARE: This trailer makes this romantic drama seem like a coming of age, Perks of Being a Wallflower kind of deal.
It’s not.

The Lego Movie

Directors: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller
Writers: Dan Hageman, Kevin Hageman, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller
Released: April 2014
Starring: Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Nick Offerman, Alison Brie, Charlie Day, Liam Neeson and Morgan Freeman
—

I feel silly thinking this kids’ movie could be anything but a shallow cartoon.

Animation aimed at children but also being entertaining for adults, such as The Lion King and the Toy Story trilogy, have been and gone.

Perhaps it’s just going to be a string of cheaply made kids movies from now on. With famous voice actors dragging it to the cinema.

I thought it had a blatant moral of “be yourself”. But then I realised it’s a bit deeper than that – it’s about breaking out of the mould created by society. Liking the same songs as everyone else and told to be happy by staying in the same job for the rest of your life is the lifestyle the protagonist breaks out of.

The Lego Movie was bizarre and silly. It’s a film with a lot of hugely successful actors lending their voices to characters made of bricks.

The lego-bricked world is smart on one hand, but also looks pretty cheap.

There were a few funny one-liners, and I loved Liam Neeson’s two-faced character. His voice was hilarious.

A very similar story and appearance to Wreck It Ralph… which I gave a 5/10.

The same directors did Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs which I gave 6.5/10

I found it a bit dull, not very quirky or clever and quite a boring family movie. I know it’s aimed at children though, so my expectations shouldn’t be high anyway… Even so, I think they’re underestimating how much children can understand.

Where’s the ’90s Pixar movies at!?

Jodie’s rating: 5/10

Broken Record – Short Film

Director: Andy S. McEwan
Writer: Andy S. McEwan
Released: April 2014
Featuring: Steven Patrick, John Gaffney, Darren McColl, Chris Quick, Paul Massie, Karen Quick, Alan Cuthbert, David Marshall and Tony Quigley
—

A great 11 minute film about two men finding a suitcase full of old records which they reckon will bring them thousands of pounds.

I enjoyed this film, it is simple and very well produced. The lighting is great, the camera work is steady, the sound is even, and the acting is natural. It’s come together very well indeed.

The storyline has a couple of plot-holes, like the context of the first scene, I’m not sure if they are painters painting a house or clearing out a deceased relative’s home. Not that it would have contributed hugely to the story anyway.

I’m not sure what the men decided to do regarding getting rid of the third guy who wanted some of the profits either, it wasn’t entirely clear.

BR02 I think if each scene began with a wide or establishing shot, it also would have helped to give context of the situation.

The continuity was impressive, every shot led seamlessly to the next.

Despite those nit-picking critiques, I thought it was funny and enjoyable. A great scene is hidden at the end of the credits so keep an eye out!

A fantastic piece of work by Pentagram Productions UK (@PentagramProdUK and their Facebook Page).

This team have clearly worked well to make a short film. They should certainly be recognised for their skill and technique of film making.

Check out this fun Glasgow film below.

Jodie

Book me to independently review your favourite song, music video or film here.

A Great Speech: Touchscreen

I’ve been getting into ‘Poetry Slams’ which are basically poetry competitions but with the energy and intricacy of rap battles.

I posted one called Shrinking Women a while ago which was incredible.

Since then, I have found many others, with this one standing out called Touchscreen.

It’s about the lack of physical touch in our technology-drowned world, and our desire for our more primal and natural interaction to return.

This is incredibly well written and delivered.

…Apple picking has always come at a great cost
iPod iMac iPhone iChat
I can do all of these things without making eye contact…

…so when my phone goes off of my hip iTouch iTouch iTouch and iTouch because in a world
Where laughter is never heard
And voices are only read
we’re so desperate to feel
that we hope our Technologic can reverse the universe
until the screens touch us back
and maybe one day they will
when our technology is advanced enough …
to make us human again

Jodie.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Directors: Anthony Russo and Joe Russo
Writers: Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely
Released: April 2014
Featuring: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Cobie Smulders, Frank Grillo, Emily VanCamp, Hayley Atwell, Robert Redford and Samuel L. Jackson
—

Wow! Okay, I haven’t seen the first of the Captain America films (Captain America: The First Avenger) but I feel I still got the impact of the movie without much of the back story.

I haven’t seen the Avenger movies either (don’t kill me!).

Captain America: The Winter Soldier is about Captain America’s (AKA Steve Rogers) past haunting him. He was once in the army where he lost a dear friend, Bucky. The flash backs are gorgeous; back to the 1940s. Steve Rogers is trying to fit into the modern day but the values of the people in charge don’t sit well with him.

Basically there is a lot of action, awesome characters who are well developed, and the plot is so relatable with our current battle against Nanny States and over-surveillance.

I thought Captain America was going to be a patriotic conservative goody-two-shoes… A wannabe Superman if I may say so…

How wrong could I be.

Captain America is a bad ass super soldier with a ridiculously calm attitude. What a dude. With awesome morals, too.

My favourite quote of his comes about when Nick Fury (director of the super-spy agency, SHIELD, that Captain America is a part of) says that the world needs more surveillance to eradicate potential threats to humankind. Captain America/Steve Rogers, finds it difficult to justify this lack of privacy:

“…holding a gun to everyone on Earth and calling it protection… That’s not free, that’s fear!”

But the most impressive character was Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff. She is equal to male superheroes intelligence-wise and combat-wise. She is also witty… I don’t know if I’m going too far saying this, but she is CLOSE to being a female version of Batman… I’m not taking it back! It’s out there.

It happened.

Natasha is just the coolest. She doesn’t have a fat cry when things get difficult, she is sneaky and knows how to work the system. She is still so feminine without wearing next to nothing too.

I said Black Widow should have shorter hair, but then I realised that would be inconvenient for Johansson’s stunt double whose face is obscured in all the long-shot fight scenes.

captain-america-winter-soldier-sebastian-stan-set-photo_jpg_crop_display A super exciting film that doesn’t let your mind wander during the fight scenes. Relatable characters and plot with awesome enemies. The Winter Soldier is a good-looking son of a gun, yet ridiculously ruthless with an upsetting back story.

Fantastic. Such a fun film. Even for somebody who hasn’t seen the previous film, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Scary, funny, exciting, thrilling and dark.

Go see it.

Jodie’s rating: 7/10