Film Review: La La Land

Image from film premiere

With 2016 leaving our hearts heavy, the new year has just been made a lot more uplifting with "La La Land" gracing our screens.

I'm not sure what I was expecting from the film as I hadn't seen the trailer, but I absolutely loved it. The first 10 minutes of "La La Land" were very cheesy, almost cringe-worthy, however, the storyline picked up instantly, with Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling taking centre stage as LA dreamers for two hours of warm, musically spirited, feel-good cinema.

The storyline is very typical; two people, lots of parties, love, fun and laughter. It is however, unique in the way that there are hardly any other characters. I mean, we see and listen to other people throughout the film, but they're never introduced. That's what makes it so good. You are fully immersed into the lives of Sebastian, a jazz musican who's making his way through small gigs and backyard parties, and Mia, an aspiring actress and playwright, in their journey together.

Sebastian wants to open a jazz club and Mia is desperate to make it on the big screen which is where their relationship falls complicated; How will they both reach their ambitions? It’s not until Sebastian lands a gig with his old musician colleague, played by a charmingly no-nonsense John Legend, that his priorities and paths take a turn. Mia is keen to keep things working, but with both her career and relationship weakening, she finds herself with no option other than to decide what's best for her.

There isn't too much to give away from the film and I'm sure that most of you have it on your 'to do' list anyway, but I personally believe that "La La Land" is a wonderful piece of retro cinema, with a twinkle of contemporary LA. One which leaves you beaming from ear-to-ear. One that will most definitely go down in history.

Film review: Spectre

It starts in Mexico City. The tracking shots of 007; swerving through the crowds, leading a mystery woman up the stairs into the hotel room, walking along the rooftops. Explosions grip us from the start, the storyline yet to unfold.

Bond is most definitely back.

Charming and courageous, Daniel Craig’s performance is everything you imagine it will be. Capturing the essence of Bond time and time again, 007 uncovers the secrets from the previous three films in the series in one thrilling masterpiece. With gadgets and humour, girls and cars, Spectre plays on the iconography of Bond, but with an edge. The wondrous performance from Craig leaves you with hope for the next film, surely they won’t get rid of him?

Every scene in Spectre is anticipated, but with twists and turns that make it enthralling to watch. The thrill of a fight-scene, Bond’s determination and forward thinking which Craig portrays wonderfully. The typical sex-scene, heart racing and expected. But, in the shadows of a boardroom, Bond is lurking. The eeriness and quietness from the scene make it one of the most tense, yet, intriguing scenes from any of the Bond films.

The exotic locations are typical to James Bond films, and these certainly did not disappoint in Spectre. The ancient city of Rome, the bitterness of Austrian mountains and the familiar backdrop of London all serve their own purpose and certainly bring a glamorous, luxury element to the film.

Music is a huge component for any film, especially James Bond. The anticipation of ‘Writing’s on the Wall’ gave us the first glimpse of what the film would be like and alike any Sam Smith track, was outstanding. Throughout the film, the music is brilliant; carefully selected and paced, building up tension or slowing it down, it is evident that Mendes’ selections for every second of this film were thoroughly pondered – something that definitely doesn’t go a miss.

The writing is as always, brilliant. Using the humour and sarcasm that, in the last film, made the Bond series’ really come alive worked just as well again; carefully placed and brilliantly delivered. As well as the humour bringing Spectre to a new era, the scripts don’t hold back on the one-liners that we all know and love. Together with incredible performances from not only Daniel Craig - but Christoph Waltz, Lea Seydoux, Naomie Harris and Ben Whishaw - just to name a few, the 24^th film in the series is no doubt the greatest film of the year so far.

This is the perfect end to a much-awaited sequel, one that I can’t wait to watch again.

Sunday's at Gloucester Quays

With free cinema tickets for Gloucester Quays, Ollie and I decided to spend the day there yesterday. 

We didn't have much time to look around the outlet shops, instead we opted for lunch at Ed's Easy Diner. Neither of us have never been there but the food and atmosphere was really good, and my nutella shake was to die for!

There's not many places I go where I can't finish my food, but this has become one of them. The portions are huge and you're given a whole array of sides, which are all as good as each other. We'll definitely be going back, even if it's just for drinks next time.

Choosing a film to watch wasn't particularly difficult either. We both love Tom Hardy as an actor and Legend was a brilliant film; well directed and scripted, with an amazing performance from Hardy throughout (review to follow)!

Film review: Straight Outta Compton

Wow, wow, wow. Although (as you've probably noticed) I have been at the cinema practically every weekend this summer, this film will be the one I definitely won't be forgetting anytime soon.

I'm not sure what I was expecting from this film before seeing it, would the acting do justice to one of the greatest groups ever? Would the storyline be over exaggerated? Or how would they portray the group?
But from the start, the directing and acting in this film was obviously incredible. With O'Shea Jackson Jr. playing Ice Cube, Corey Hawkins as Dr Dre, Jason Mitchell as Easy-E, Neil Brown Jr. playing Dj Yella and Aldis Hodge as MC Ren, the 5 amazing performances are what make this film as good as it is. They have clearly all put all they could to research background details of N.W.A and the individual artists in order to mould their character to perfection.

Taking us right back to the start of N.W.A, the film honestly portrays what exactly it was like to live in Compton and the dangers not only these 5 guys, but everyone else in the neighbourhood faced. Freedom of expression left them with risks but with brutally honest lyrics and courage to speak out, this film shows the challenges these artists had when they put their thoughts and frustration into the most powerful form, music.
The film is incredibly uplifting, you can tell that the group really believed in themselves, through everything. The moment they release 'Straight Outta Compton', although we know now that it obviously was one of the best albums of all time, the passion and love that N.W.A show for their music is inspiring.

Throughout the film, not only do we see the rise and risks that N.W.A took to get to where they wanted, but the personal challenges they all faced individually. Dr Dre blaming himself for the loss of his brother is something that a lot of people can relate to and this scene in the film gripped on our heartstrings, after seeing how passionate and loving he really felt towards his family. As well as this, the scene where Easy-E is diagnosed with AIDS and the former N.W.A members come to visit him in hospital after years of not speaking, captured all of my emotions especially. The feeling that no matter how much you disagree with the people that really know you best, they'll always be there and this really came across in an emotion ending.

This film is one that will really make you think. Not only leaving you thinking about the love, passion and hope that this group had but their personal challenges, emotions and efforts they went to in order to show themselves as courageous, determined men throughout. I personally can not wait for the sequel to come out and I can really see why this film has topped box office records for the third weekend in a row. One of the best films of the year.

Film review: The Man From U.N.C.L.E

The Man from U.N.C.L.E cleverly captures the elements that made the 1960's series such a huge hit. Guy Richie combines the use of modern technology with retro 60's flair, adding a lot of humour and sexual themes, to create this extremely entertaining spy thriller.

In 1963, C.I.A agent Napoleon Solo and K.G.B operative Illya Kuryakin unite, along with Gaby Teller to prevent the completion of a nuclear bomb which is being built by wealthy Italian couple, Alexander and Victoria Vinciguerra. Their plan is to use Teller's father's intelligence to help them built the bomb.
Solo and Kuryakin team up in a bid to stop the couple from succeeding, with both ben secretly assigned to steal the weapon's systematics for their separate Governments.

The retro look to the film excellently portrays the 60's theme, from the highly-saturated editing to the brilliant makeup and costume, everything reflects the era that shone with style. The music used throughout the film and for the theme tune add more of a 60's vibe, but also with a modern edge to it.

The acting in the film was fantastic, with fun-loving but believable characters, and great scripting. Along with the fast-paced editing, the action scenes were not only gripping but also, absolutely hilarious. The script along with the direction added humour to the film, which made the action scenes a lot easier to watch.

It slightly resembles a James Bond style but this film is completely different; portraying the frailties of the Cold War brilliantly. This film will really take you in, the gripping story line and hilarious scripting combine excellently with the use of music, costume and breathtaking locations.
Guy Richie has definitely done himself proud with this one.

Film review: Southpaw

'The more you get hit, the harder you fight, I get it.' One of the most powerful lines in the whole film describes the determination of Billy Hope (Jake Gyllenhaal), as his whole life is completely turned upside down.

Southpaw is a gripping story of a boxer who fights his way through absolutely everything in order to get back what he loves. When Billy's wife Maureen (Rachel McAdams) is tragically killed, he throws everything into fighting for his daughter Leila (Oona Laurence). 

The phrase 'you don't know what you've got until it's gone' springs to mind; with Billy not realising how much his wife really did for him. He slowly sees his whole life crumbling around him; losing his daughter, house, manager and having to do everything in his power to get it all back. Working alongside a new, demanding trainer, he slowly begins to piece together the skills and mindset he needs in order to gain back trust from those he loves most.

Jake Gyllenhaal's performance throughout the film is incredible. Training twice a day in preparation for the film, Gyllenhaal's biggest concern was not looking like a boxer. He trained as a boxer would for a solid 8 months before filming, in order to gain not only the 15lbs of muscle and look of a boxer, but the determinative mindset of a boxer. Covered in tattoos, with a shaved head and scarring on his face, Gyllenhaal is almost unrecognisable in his most grilling role yet.

The final, championship fight will literally have you on the edge of your seat. Everything riding on one performance; winning the money, becoming stable enough to get his daughter back, showing that  his training has been worthwhile, his struggle coming to an end. The quick-cut, close-up editing gives a fast paced but detailed look at his final fight and the same editing and emotional performances will have you rooting for Billy from the first scene.

From the very start, the brutality and determination is evident, leaving you wanting everything for Gyllenhaal and his daughter. But behind the dark, lonely character lies a story of complete passion and love; one that I definitely won't be forgetting soon.

Film review: Amy

Before watching Amy, I had never really looked into her life that much. Amy Winehouse passed away when I was 15, before I was interested in how her life really played out. I just simply believed that she was a brilliant singer and songwriter.

The film, directed by Asif Kapadia, is a complete exhibition of her life; through the pain, love, music, suffering and passion that glowed out of her in every moment. The film is created as a timeline, from a confident 14 year old girl to a suffering 27 year old woman, the journey Amy Winehouse took through fame and personal problems is evident throughout. Home videos, paparazzi clips and interviews all show the true life of Amy and how, despite all of the media-fuelled rumours, she fought her way through fame and kept grounded to what she truly believed in; music and love.

They say love conquers all. In Amy, we see the full scale of how relationships can have a huge affect on how someone behaves, how you will do anything for those you love. 

For Amy, music was definitely her first love. The footage of her singing at birthday parties, a starry-eyed adolescent who dreamt of writing and creating her own music, accelerated when she met her first manager, Nick Shymansky. He saw the passion for music Amy had and soon made her dream a reality with her debut album, Frank.

The people interviewed for the film, including Nick, not only show a love for Amy's music and aspirations but they truly love and know her as a person and this really comes across in the film. The words they speak of her give a insight into the loving, funny, kind hearted girl that the public should have really known and not asked any more from.

The downwards spiral of Amy's life is emotionally shown and we see the pieces that were all part of the pain she endured throughout her life. The divorce between her parents, the rocky relationship she had with Blake Fielder-Civil, her introduction to drugs, the reliance on alcohol and her fight with bulimia. At the time, she was primarily shown as a party girl who was dependant on drink and drugs, and I really wish I had never believed everything I read and was told back then. Amy's fight with bulimia was never spoken about, the difficulties she had when it came to being bombarded with paparazzi and doing everything to keep her boyfriend happy was never documented in a way that Amy showed. 

The footage from around the time Back To Black was released was unbelievably moving. The heartache after divorce, the pain Amy felt for herself, the struggle through rehab and becoming sober again. She looks lost, vulnerable.

Amy comes to an end with uplifting video from Abbey Road Studios, of herself and Tony Bennett recording Body and Soul, just 3 months from her death. Nervous and quiet, Amy is in awe of her idol and it definitely shows the true passion Amy Winehouse had for music. She wants to get everything right, to not ruin her chances and Bennett is incredibly understanding and calm.

However incredibly sad, the film also leaves you wanting more. Wanting to know if she would have been able to control herself, the media and her relationships. Wanting to know if she'd have ever produced another fantastic album, or sang live with her idols who had her fall in love with jazz.

I believe that watching the film has really made me think about not only the life Amy Winehouse lived, but the lives of celebrities altogether. The media's intrusion, the pressure of the public and how people are always suffering, whether it is documented or not. 

Amy has put a lot of things into perspective and shows that in the end, love really is a losing game.