snapshotfilmreviews-blog

[snapshotfilmreviews-blog]

Green Book (2019) - An Italian-American bouncer becomes the tour driver of an African-American pianist through the deep south of 1960s America.

This is a beautiful film. I loved this film from start to finish, more so at the end. It was funny, moving and heartwarming. The contrasting and yet complementary nature of the main characters made the film such a joy to watch. The way Viggo Mortensen’s character starts off so bigoted and racist at the beginning, a character you strongly dislike. Then end up, through his journey with the pianist, to be such a nice, lovable and enlightened guy, just reminds you of the brilliant script writing and screenplay behind this film. A truly memorable film that I will be watching many more times.

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Glass (2019) - David Dunn uses his super human abilities to track down Kevin Wendell Crumb, a mentally disturbed individual with twenty-four personalities. However Mr Glass has other plans for them. This is an interesting film, and one I can’t say I’ve seen before. This film being a sequel to both Unbreakable with Bruce Willis and Samuel L Jackson, and Split with James McAvoy. Both interesting films in their own right. Initially I was sceptical on how those film’s characters would play together, however they went together very well. James McAvoy always amazes with how he portrays so many personalities and it’s always a joy to see Samuel L Jackson in anything. Also really nice to see the young boy from Unbreakable, Spencer Treat Clark, now all grown up in this film, adding a real sense of congruity with the old film. I wouldn’t say this film is up there with other superhero movies, or films in general, but it certainly was an enjoyable film to watch.

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Mary Queen of Scots (2019) - Mary Stuart returns from France to take the throne of Scotland, attempting to overthrow her cousin Queen Elizabeth I of England. Eventually earning herself years of imprisonment and then execution. A lovely tudor drama with brilliant performances from Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie. Other notable actors include Guy Pearce, Adrian Lester, Brendan Coyle and David Tennant, all wonderful in their own right. I like this film even if in certain parts it played around with the accuracy of history, mainly the meeting of Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots never actually met, but i’m willing to overlook that. Saoirse Ronan steals the show though as Mary, a formidable character and yet at times very fragile. She is very much becoming an excellent actor and cannot wait to see her in more films in the future. This is definitely a film I would see again in the future.

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Colette (2019) - Colette marries and is forced by her husband to write novels under his name. After her books are a huge success, she pushes and fights to have her own talents recognised. Questioning and pushing the gender norms at the time. Generally before you go into a film, you would have seen or read something about it. I went into this film knowing absolutely nothing about it. The film played quite slow initially, however soon gathered pace after the marriage. What a film it turned out to be, dramatic, exciting, surprising, shocking, to name some words, Keira Knightley and Dominic West were excellent in their respective characters. I loved how modern this film felt in its topics and yet based in the early 1900s. I cannot recommend this film highly enough to watch. There were lots of unexpected twists and turns in the storyline, and this was all inspired by a true story which makes this even more incredible. Go see this film!

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Mary Poppins Returns (2018) - After the Banks children run into financial difficulties, Mary Poppins returns to look after Michael’s children through this difficult time in their lives. First and foremost! Do not compare this film to the original in 1964, you must treat this film as a standalone rather than a sequel. With that said, I quite enjoyed the film. Some of the songs weren’t so good, rather forgettable, others were really good, however none are as memorable as the 1964 film. Emily Blunt plays a brilliant Mary Poppins as everyone knew she would. Lin Manuel Miranda taking up the traditional American with a terrible English accent, and lovely to see Dick van Dyke back in the film as spritely as ever. This was a lovely film to watch with an all star cast, but this film is definitely more light hearted and for the children than the original film was.

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Aquaman (2018) - Jason Mamoa plays Arthur Curry aka. Aquaman, who discovers he is the heir to the throne of Atlantis. He learns he must step forward to protect and lead his people, and end up a hero. Whether you like this film or not is entirely dependant on what you look for in a film. Personally I found the storyline to be a bit to ‘standard superhero’ thus bringing nothing new or groundbreaking to the genre. Also I found a lot of the scenes and lines very cliche, like I’ve heard and seen this a million times before. For me the humour fell flat too, there were some clear one liners that were meant to be funny, but didn’t even make me smirk. However on a positive note, the CGI in this film is very well done and very beautiful like Avatar. Overall this feels like DC is trying to be like Marvel, but it takes itself too seriously unlike Marvel who uses it’s self awareness to its advantage.

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Stan and Ollie (2019) - Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, in 1950s England, attempt to reignite their aging film careers by going on a tour of the UK. As a lifelong fan of Laurel and Hardy, this film was so lovely to watch. Performed by Steve Coogan as Stan Laurel, and John C. Reilly as Oliver Hardy. Clearly both these actors have a deep sense of affection for this comedy double act. My only issue with this film is that it is hard to not see Steve Coogan, whereas John C. Reilly disappears into the character and all you see is Oliver Hardy. There are many laughs to be had in this film, provided of course you enjoy this type of humour, with a special mention of Nina Arianda who plays the very funny, straight talking wife of Stan Laurel. I feel a lot of people who are not familiar with Laurel and Hardy won’t get a many of the references, but should enjoy the films story and characters chemistry nevertheless.

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Slaughterhouse Rulez (2018) - A posh British public boarding school becomes the scene of carnage and bloodshed when a sinkhole appears near a fracking site and releases complete horror. This is absolutely your typical British comedy film. An all star cast including but not limited to, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Michael Sheen, Asa Butterfield and Finn Cole. I came out of this film thinking it was a weird but good hodgepodge of genres, with action, horror, comedy, thriller and sci fi elements. The wacky nature of the how these genres and storylines intertwined gave this film its charm. Plenty of great references that might seem foreign to anyone not British, blood and gore a plenty, crude humour and language dotted at various points in the film too. This is a Simon Pegg style comedy film crossed with Ridley Scott sci fi horror and Quentin Tarantino blood and gore thrown in. Loved this film so much!

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They Shall Not Grow Old (2018) - Peter Jackson presents a collection of archival footage of World War One to mark the 100 years since the end of the war. A mixture of black and white footage, along with colourised with voice acting. All narrated by actors and veterans of the war itself. I have always been sceptical and against colourising black and white footage. However this was done so intricately and well that it just brought everything to life, and made the war far more real and relatable. The storytelling narration was very interesting, giving you an insight you don't usually hear, along with the lip-read voice acting of the silent film. I came away from this far more knowledgeable about the everydays of war, and realising just how stupid the entire war was. Every single person, old and young, must see this film! Be warned though, there are some very graphic footage and pictures of victims from battle.

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The Grinch (2018) - Benedict Cumberbatch stars as the grumpy Grinch, who’s childhood has left him resenting Christmas and the Whos who celebrate it in an extravagant style. He decides to steal their Christmas so he doesn’t have to feel or see the joy anymore. During his plan he meets a young Who girl captures and warms his heart. Things start to change inside. At the age of 29… who doesn’t like watching a film that makes you feel like a little kid again, all excited, especially with Christmas on the horizon. This film was funny, with a couple of adult jokes and references to memes that appeals to the parents and big kids of my age group. Beautiful animation awash with lots of colour and detail. Children were loving this film in the screening, laughs all round, including from me. Not to mention a little short film from the minions. What’s not to love! A lovely festive film to kick off Christmas this year.

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Daily Bread (2018) - Ruby Challenger directed, produced, co-wrote and starred in this short film about a group of Dutch women and children held in a WWII internment camp in Indonesia. They face a daily struggle with abuse, disease and starvation, all while watching the Camp Commandant’s cat being fed fresh meat. Having found out that this film is a recreation of Ruby’s grandmother’s story, this adds an emotional nuance to the story and acting. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the cinematography of this film. All the actors involved played their characters perfectly, giving a real feel to the anguish, despair and yet stoicism of the women and children in the camp. The storyline led somewhere I couldn’t predict, leaving me unexpectedly and pleasantly surprised. This short film has been taking the Australian film festivals by storm, so far winning the Audience Choice award at the St. Kilda Film Festival. At only 15 minutes long, it’s the perfect film to watch at home, on your travels or even on your lunch break at work. A must see for everyone!

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Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) - Rami Malek stars as Freddie Mercury in this story of how the band Queen came to be and their experimental and turbulent rise through their music career up to their famous performance at Live Aid in 1985. I think it’s fair to say that this film didn’t have the best of starts in its early life, with Sasha Baron Cohen leaving the lead role, director Bryan Singer departing, scripts being rewritten amongst other issues. However even through all that, what a film that came out of it all! Such an massively enjoyable film, not just for the amazing acting by all the cast, but the songs that everyone knows and sings along to, even in the cinema, you know who you are toe-tappers! All the way through the film were hilarious lines and moments and the ending of the film was phenomenal! No other word can describe that end. Make sure you see it in a cinema with the best speaker systems, your ears will thank you!

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Mile 22 (2018) - Mark Wahlberg stars as an elite intelligence officer who works with a highly secret command unit, to deliver a mysterious police officer with crucial information, 22 miles to an airstrip to get him out the country. A fast paced action film, short in length at 93 minutes long, however it doesn't feel it. The film is full of action from start to finish, keeping you transfixed on the screen. Plenty of 'shoot em up' and hand combat scenes around every corner are sure to please the hardcore action fan. Mark Wahlberg impresses with his acting versatility, bouncing between heightened emotions at an instant and rolling off lines at speed. Supported by Lauren Cohan and Iko Uwais, not to mention the ever brilliant John Malkovich. If you are a fan of action films and love to be on the edge of your seat, then this film is for you.

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Hunter Killer (2018) - When a rogue Russian general takes the Russian president hostage and provoke the Americans into start WW3. An untested American submarine captain along with a team of US Navy Seals must break protocol and rescue the Russian president. This film reminded me a lot of The Hunt for the Red October, which for me was a very good thing. I love submarine films and although, yes, the storyline wasn’t the best and the film used a few Hollywood action clichés, that didn’t it being a thoroughly enjoyable film. Some great actors were involved in this film including Gerard Butler, Gary Oldman and Toby Stephens to name some. There was plenty of great sub action and tension ran high at times. Gary Oldman was the stand out actor for me, as he is in most films. Definitely a film I would watch again.

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Venom (2018) - Tom Hardy stars as Eddie Brock, a successful investigatory journalist whose investigation into the Life Foundation turns his life upside down. Contracting an alien symbiote, they battle to get on, but they must if he is to save himself and mankind. I enjoyed this movie far more than I was expecting. As a reviewer you must go into films with an open mind, however seeing the trailers numerous times at the cinema, I couldn’t help but feel this film wasn't for me. I was wrong. I loved it. Marvel always brings a sense of joy to all ages in it’s films. Tom Hardy never fails to bring an outstanding performance in every character he plays, supported by Michelle Williams as Anne Weying and Riz Ahmed as Carlton Drake. In true Marvel style, this film is full of gripping action, chase scenes, fighting and it wouldn’t be Marvel without a touch of comedy in there too. I wasn’t a fan before, I am now. Bring on the next film!

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Fury (2014) - Brad Pitt stars as a war hardened tank commander who has to make critical decisions as they crawl across World War Two Germany. As a fan of World War Two films, I love this film. Contrasting two different filming styles, outside the tank and very confined inside the tank. This film has a great mix of tension, realism, emotion and gruesome. Wouldn't hesitate to watch this film again.

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First Man (2018) - Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy star as Neil and Janet Armstrong. Portraying the lives of them both at home and his work years building up to the famous first moon landing and moon walk on 20th July 1969. This film was a little slow going at the beginning admittedly, however it certainly picked up half way through. Same could be said for the score of the film which was incidentally superb in the second half of the film. Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy played both characters excellently, with particular credit to Foy for her emotionally charged scenes. At certain times the film drew comparisons to Apollo 13 with Tom Hanks, however I felt Apollo 13 held you with more drama and suspense. A good film, however not one I would consider seeing again until on TV or a steaming service. Recommend viewing this film in an IMAX screen where possible!