Caught (1949)

  'Caught' is a 1949 film directed by Max Ophuls.

  Leonora Eames has dreamed all her life to become a lady married to a rich man. She has learnt etiquette in charm school to pursue her dream. When she meets millionaire Smith Ohlrig, she tries to marry him. When he does, she spends most of the day alone in the mansion waiting for him to come home. He believes she is money obsessed, and didn't  marry him because she loved him. Leonora escapes to a small flat, and gets a job as a secretary for doctor Larry Quinad. They fall in love, and she falls pregnant with Smith's baby.

  German born director Ophuls, is known for his German and French films 'Lola Montes' and 'The Earrings of Madame de...'. I had no idea he went to America and made three Film Noirs ('Caught', 'Letter from an Unknown Woman' and 'The Reckless Moment'). I would consider 'Caught' a romance that gradually turns into a thriller.

  I was pleasantly surprised with this film. I saw it because Empire Magazine gave it five stars, and had low expectations. They were surpassed in the first five minutes. This is the highlight of my most hated genre, the 1930-40s American Romance. The story was basic, and the cinematography was nothing particularly good, leaving the film dependant on the acting.

  The lead is played by 'Vertigo' actress Barbara Bel Geddes. She plays the sweet Leonora with perfection. I found James Mason ('Lolita') to be the best actor, with his clear British accent and friendly personality. Robert Ryan ('The Wild Bunch') plays insane effectively as Larry Quinad. The three of them, create a riveting film, with passionate acting and great characters.

  The most unusual aspect of this film is the ending. (SPOILER 1)

TO CONCLUDE
An unexpected good film. It's nothing phenomenal, but it is an effective watch.

SCORE
77

SPOILER 1 (highlight)--> Leonora gives birth prematurely, but smiles as if this is a good thing. This was a very unsettling scene, especially for 1949.<--

Stardust Memories (1980)

  'Stardust Memories' is a 1980 film directed by and starring Woody Allen.

  Sandy Bates (Woody Allen) is a famous movie director and comic in his 30s, going through an existential crisis. He has just made a film, which the studio heads want to recut, he is going through a bad patch with his wife Dorrie (Charlotte Rampling) and thinks of starting with his new lover Isobel (Marie-Christine Barrault). He attends a weekend retrospective of his films, where he questions his existence, recalls his love with Dorrie and remembers his past.

  Woody Allen has made many great films ('Love and Death', 'Purple Rose of Cairo') and many bad films (Celebrity), the weird thing is, is that everyone has different choices. Both me and my father, both hated Annie Hall and Manhattan, his two most loved films. I guarantee if everyone made a top 10, they would all be completely different. So if I give my opinion on 'Stardust Memories', it may not be yours (half the audience love it, the other half think it's pretentious and boring).

  This is about as good as 'Purple Rose of Cairo'. The story is often confusing, as there are flashbacks, flash-forwards and fantasies all intertwined with Allen's comedy. Everyone says "I prefer his early funny ones", but I think the 80s was his best period. The funniest parts of the film are when the character say this to Bates, breaking the fourth wall slightly. Allen plays Bates but Bates is Allen. He is autobiographically reflecting on his own life and his daily struggles, in an incredibly clever way.

  Allen is Bergman's biggest fan, and some of the themes match 'Wild Strawberries' (remembering youth), but the main inspiration was '8 1/2' (or should I say "Homage? No, we stole the idea outright!"). The characters in the foreground and background, the crisp black and white cinematography, the music at the UFO party. The story is depressing but Woody Allen's humour had me laughing all the way.

"I took a course in existential philosophy. On the final, they gave me ten questions. I couldn't answer a single one of em. I left them all blank. I got a hundred".

  The confusing story is a problem, and the first five minutes is the best part of the film... But I don't care. It's genius in every way. Visually beautiful, plenty of funny jokes and a storyline which makes you think.

TO CONCLUDE
Funny, philosophical and fantastic. 8.5 out of ten (well... almost).

SCORE
81

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