Saving Mr Banks (2013)

  'Saving Mr Banks' is a 2013 American film directed by John Lee Hancock and starring Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks.

  Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) wants to make a film from the P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson) novel 'Mary Poppins' and has been trying for twenty years to persuade her to give him the rights. P.L. Travers decides to take a trip to California, paid by Disney, and there he would try and obtain the rights. Things don't go 100% to plan as Travers is an uptight, well-spoken, strict and grumpy woman who refuses to give her permission. Disney tries everything to obtain the rights, from a trip to Disneyland to having her say on the film's results. Meanwhile, Travers reminisces on her childhood in Australia, and the events that would inspire the creation of Mary Poppins.

  Firstly, I have to say I am a massive fan of the original Mary Poppins. It's a timeless film, that has catchy songs, good acting and a nice message. So of course I'm going to be slightly biased with this review.

  The acting in 'Saving Mr Banks' is very good. Tom Hanks does his 'Tom Hanks charm' amazingly as always, while Emma Thompson is fantastic as P.L. Travers. I am surprised she wasn't nominated for an Oscar, but they never seem to make the right decisions (although this year was close). Emma Thompson does her usual depressive British character, but this time you feel like she is Travers, not just an impression which I was expecting.

  The music of Mary Poppins may be the best thing about the 1964 film, with all of the songs being good to tear-jerking in quality. In 'Saving Mr Banks' they recreate these songs on a piano, and the results are great. However it made me want to watch the original again, which is always a problem with films like this.

  This is another film in which the main character reminisces events in chronological order. If she were to reminisce in real life, she would have thought about the most important event first. It also plays to the trope in which "If a main character coughs, they will die before the end". Despite this, I thought the script was very well-written, with witty dialogue and a remarkable closeness to what actually happened.

TO CONCLUDE
As good as a film about getting the rights to a film can get. I almost cried at the end. I didn't. But it was close. The extras on the blu-ray are worth watching as well.

SCORE
79

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

  'The Grand Budapest Hotel' is a 2014 film directed by Wes Anderson.

  Just before the Second World War, Zero is employed as a new lobby boy at the Grand Budapest. M Gustave (Ralph Fiennes) plays a concierge, who likes to 'have his way' with old lay guests. When Madame D (Tilda Swinton), one of his many lovers, dies she leaves him 'boy with apple' a priceless painting. Her relatives are not happy about this. Turns out she was murdered and they accuse M Gustave of the crime. He is arrested and sent to prison.

  This film was quite tough to describe, Anderson's films don't tend to have the most straight forward plot, but this adds to the craziness of the unpredictable plot. One part, they're in a prison, the next they're skiing in the Alps. Even in time, the film skips from the present, to the 1980s, then to the 1960s, then to the 1930s. Three temporal changes before we are introduced to the main characters. Audacious move Mr Anderson.

  There are two easy ways to tell it's an Anderson film: the large cast and the pretty and OCD film sets. The cast includes (deep breath): Ralph Fiennes, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, an unrecognisable Harvey Keitel, Tilda Swinton, Jude Law, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Jason Schwartzman and Saoirse Ronan. Although it's not as distracting as it may seem, as each actor has a fully developed character, and unlike some of his other films, there are some great performances. Fiennes has the best performance, as the legendary concierge. With so many great performances, it's strange how newcomer, lobby boy 'Tony Revolori' steals the film (with Fiennes). 'Moonrise Kingdom' was a fantastic film, but was slightly let down by the wooden acting. 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' has no such problem.

  I have never described film sets as OCD before, but Anderson's sets are the most colourful, quirkiest backdrops I have seen. A large part of the film is set outside, a new challenge for Anderson who has mostly dealt with intricate interiors. Each set, whether inside or outside, is incredible and unlike anything else. Mixing animation with detailed film sets, Anderson is the only director which appears to be improving with every film.

  His individual aesthetic may appear 'hipster-ish', but they are the only type of film which combine rip-roaring entertainment with art, while maintaining excellent performances. I guess the only thing wrong with this movie is that it ended.

TO CONCLUDE
Hilarious, quirky and endlessly re-watchable.  Highly recommended.

SCORE
84

Rush (2013)

  'Rush' is a 2013 Racing movie directed by Ron Howard.

  James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth), an obnoxious, handsome racer meets Niki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl), an Italian, not so handsome racer at a Formula 3 race in 1970. They become rivals, and the film chronicles, their hatred and competitive nature for each other, over 6 years, concluding in the 1976 Formula 1 season.

  Ron Howard is a very hit-and-miss director, with great films ('A Beautiful Mind', 'Cinderella Man') and atrocities which never should have existed ('The Dilemma', 'Gung Ho'). Going into one of his films you know you are going to come out happy or bored, there's no middle ground. Having heard the many great reviews of 'Rush', I had to see what the fuss was about.

  Based on an incredible true story, it's much more a film about performances than anything else. Chris Hemsworth portrays James Hunt convincingly, and obnoxiously. He was born for the role, and I imagine that he acts similar in his personal life. As Niki Lauda is a tough role to act, Daniel Bruhl does a decent job for an actor I have never heard of before. The film focused so much on them, there was barely any noticeable supporting characters, so Hemsworth and Bruhl carry the film purely on their performances.

 Similar to Senna, its a racing film that is accessible to everyone. I knew nothing about racing going into the films, and I still don't know that much, except for it's incredibly dangerous.

  There are barely any negatives, the movie is really enjoyable. But if I was to be picky, I'd say the film does nothing to expand the medium or the subject, thus feels regular, and the story confuses the viewer by constantly changing points of view, and roots for both Niki and James. I didn't know who I was rooting for, and I don't know how to feel about the end result to the final race. Should I be celebrating or feeling bad? The end message is 'to win, you have to be stupidly dangerous' which, to be honest, isn't a great one.

  This film has one aim (except from making money), which is to portray the Hunt-Lauda dispute of the 1970s. It does a superb job of that, and was informative and entertaining to watch. Just don't believe the hype.

TO CONCLUDE
Enjoyable, and interesting movie, with great performances. Not quite 'Senna-the feature film'.

SCORE
76

The Way Way Back (2013)

  'The Way Way Back' is a 2013 coming of age movie directed by Nat Faxton and Jim Rash and starring Sam Rockwell and Steve Carell in supporting roles.

  Duncan (Liam James) is a 14 year old boy on the way to a family holiday when his mother's boyfriend (Steve Carell) asks him "On a scale of 1 to 10, what do you think you are", Duncan replies "a six", to which his stepfather responds "I think you're a three". Thus setting up the film about a shy teenager, with a jerk of a step-dad, a loving but ignorant mother and a selfish sister, trying to fit in. Set in a holiday park in Cape Cod, Duncan finds friends with the neighbours and Owen (Sam Rockwell), a water-park worker, who employs him at the water-park.

  Directed by the writers of 'The Descendants', the film certainly sounds like the same 'coming-of-age' movie which film-makers have been recreating repeatedly. It seems to be an easy, and low-budget method of receiving great reviews. So... What makes this film stand above the rest?

  The film is about summer and set on hot sunny days, which made me wish for hotter temperatures. The setting looks gorgeous, reminiscent of the South of France. Set primarily in a water-park with blue skies above, the setting of the film is a visually memorable one. Watching in cold, damp England only made me jealous.

  The acting is, mostly, superior to 'The Kings of Summer', which had a good central performance and average supporting performances. Whereas 'The Way Way Back' had a mediocre central performance and incredible supporting acting. The stand-out was Sam Rockwell, playing the friendly and irresponsible pool worker, which combines the craziness of Zaphod Beeblebrox in 'The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy' and the heart of Sam Bell in 'Moon'. This is also the career highlight of Steve Carell (except 'Anchorman'), playing the evil stepfather. Coming-of-age films depend largely on the main actor, Liam James, who gives it a good shot at playing Duncan. He isn't a bad actor, but there were a few painful to watch scenes, such as the dancing and the singing on the car. He comes across as too shy, and makes you think why do all these people want to be friends with him?

  The script is well-written, but includes every trope and cliche imaginable. From the first look Duncan gave his neighor Susanna, I predicted what would eventually happen. Maybe predictable is good. As I've had a long day, and I wanted to watch an un-thought provoking, no twist film which doesn't make you think. This film is a piece of entertainment, and a character-study. It's a predictable roller-coaster of emotion, which is hugely enjoyable. I can't say it's a work of art, but I can say it is easily re-watchable. I still don't know what the title refers to.

TO CONCLUDE
No surprises here, just another coming-of-age film with great performances.

SCORE
78

Short Term 12 (2013)

  'Short Term 12' is a 2013 Indie film directed by Destin Cretton.

  At a child-correction facility, Nate has just arrived on his first day as working as a staff member. He is welcomed by two happy employees, Grace (Brie Larson) and Mason (John Hallagher Jr), and is shown around the facility. Things are not as they seem, as everyone has personal problems. Grace is pregnant and was beaten by her dad (whose returning from jail in 10 days). Mason is adopted, Jayden, the new girl in the facility, is also a victim of child abuse, and Marcus, an older kid, is just really angry. Friendships are made, relationships are broken, and everyone is tested to their limits.

  If you ever want to know what an 'Indie film' is, take a look at this. You can't get any more 'Indie' than this, filled with kookie characters, made on a small budget and is about how love triumphs everything. 'Short Term 12' has to be one of the best, as it is not as formulaic as one may expect.

  When writing a script for a film, the writer has to think of a key mismatch. A love affair between a rich and poor person, the journey from freedom to slavery, a pacifist in a war etc. The writer of 'Short Term 12' must have thought of every mismatch possible and wrote it into one script. I find too many mismatches problematic, but this is not a film about the script, or the insanely shaky camera-work. It's a film about the acting.

  Brie Larson portrays Grace superbly by not letting go her emotion, but instead, trying to keep it in. 2013 was a year for female acting legends, and I would put Brie close to Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine). Women in the movie industry are constantly undermined and type-casted, it's nice to see films where they are the centre of attention.

  With a cast of 12 or so, and not a single bad actor. Some of the kids were actually taken from correctional facilities and none of the actors have appeared in mainstream films before. The film plays out as a character-study, by placing different characters in unlikely events and seeing how things play out. How the characters act and react during the film, takes you on a genuinely believable, roller-coaster of emotion.

TO CONCLUDE
Acting seems less and less apparent in Hollywood as the years pass (especially with the passing of Hoffman). 'Short Term 12' defies this, and is a completely refreshing character study.

SCORE
77

Metallica: Through the Never (2013)

  'Metallica: Through the Never', is a 2013, concert film. About 90% of the film is a concert movie and 10% is Dane DeHaan, walking round town.

  One of Metallica's roadies (Dane DeHaan) is told to retrieve a parcel from a broken down tour van. He accepts, takes some drugs and weird things begin to occur, including; A car crash, Riots, and a gas-mask horseman who slings nooses round necks, and hangs them from lampposts. Think of the 'After Hours' narrative where a guy is going round city at night and things happen.

  Whether you like this, or hate, this film will entirely depend if you like Metallica. I, personally, love two of their songs 'One' and 'Nothing Else Matters', so I was open minded to listen to more. None of them, particularly, stood out, but those two songs were phenomenal. I feel like they could have changed the staging more (like 'Don't Think' which is the best concert film I have seen), and even the repetitive camera shots. A good concert film consists of amazing music AND an interesting use of visuals, otherwise you have a 'best of' album. Thus the film relies on DeHaan's second narrative.

    The second narrative occurs before and after each of the songs, often in 20 second segments. If you combine them all together, you might get 10 minutes overall. The lighting is inspired by Refn, with dark red overpowering most other colours. It's visually striking and appealing, but as you get into it, you get taken back to the sweating band (who are in their 40s and 50s). The plot doesn't make any sense whatsoever, it's incredibly 'rock and roll' with plenty of events where DeHaan should die, but doesn't. I've seen the film and I'm not sure what the hell is happening. Did hell open up or something? Is there a message to it?

  I do feel like DeHaan has the greatest agent in Hollywood, as he keeps acting in fantastic films ('Chronice', 'The Place Beyond the Pines', 'Kill Your Darlings'). Similar to Gosling's stint two years ago ('Lars and the Real Girl', 'Blue Valentine', 'Drive', 'The Place Beyond the Pines') who is now A-list. After 'The Amazing Spider Man 2' he is destined for stardom. In this, he's pretty good, even though he doesn't say anything.

TO CONCLUDE
A solid attempt at a concert movie.

SCORE
76

Despicable Me 2 (2013)

  'Despicable Me 2' is a 2013 Animated film, produced by Universal. It's famous for those annoying yellow tic-tacs which appear everywhere (called minions).

  The story continues from the last one, where Gru (Steve Carell) is at his daughter's birthday and gets kidnapped by the Anti-Villian League. They want him to join. He says no, but eventually says yes. He goes undercover in a muffin-shop. Meanwhile, someone evil is kidnapping his minions and using the evil chemical substance PX-41 on them. Gru gradually falls in love with Lucy (Kristen Wiig).

  Everyone says it's funny and entertaining, and was also the second highest-grossing film of last year, so I had good enough reasons to see this film. The main problem is IT'S FOR KIDS. If I was a kid, and saw this film, I would have loved it, but am I a kid? NO. It's not even the type of film which is enjoyable if you're an adult, like Pixar or 90s Disney. I think of it like 'Shrek 2'. That film was The Bomb when I was a kid. So much better and funnier than the first one, but when I re-watched it 7 years later... Well it wasn't as good.

  So much have I heard about the 'fart gun' and the 'hehe bottom' puns, that when they appeared on screen, I didn't laugh at all. It did have more laughs than most comedies nowadays, especially the dire 'This is the End', so I can't disrespect it for that.

  The main question is 'is this another Hollywood cash-cow, or is it created with love and attention?'. The answer depends on you're opinion. Yes it's a sequel, yes it's the most advertised film in the history of the world, Yes the continuity is off the marks, but it does feel like it's created with affection. I should elaborate on the continuity. I found several times, that the continuity broke for specific gags. For example, the car whizzing around the fountain knocking down chairs, before cutting to the next shot where the benches are all fixed. Or what about the part where he falls down the escalator in a bin. In the next shot he falls out the bin at the bottom of the escalator and talks to Lucy. If by magic, the bin has disappeared. But hey, it's a kids film. Continuity is the least of our problems.

  I know I have just said about the negatives, but it really is a good kids film. I'm not a kid, so it's not rubbed off on me.

TO CONCLUDE
This is amazing... If you're a kid.

SCORE
22