August: Osage County

http://augustosagecountyfilm.com/

Don't you just love Oscar Season? Where all the films have such wonderful acting, but really have very little in the way of a meaningful plot. I am of course referring to films like The Wolf Of Wall Street, but also to this movie. Never before have I seen so many fantastic actors gathered together to tell such a pointless story.

I recall when I saw the trailer with one of my friends and they said 'but what is it about'? And all I could say in response was 'well it seems to be a family drama'. And yes, family drama it is. But my friend was also right, it isn't actually 'about' anything in particular.

The focus of the movie is definitely Meryl Streep's matriarch, Vi, who loses her husband, literally, at the start of the movie, when he ups and disappears and no-one knows where he's gone. From this starting point, unfolds a family drama like no other, and before the end of the movie we have dealt with some very grim topics indeed, such as suicide, incest and paedophilia.

In a nutshell I would describe this movie as a lot of very good actors basically having an argument for the whole film. Which definitely won't be everyone's cup of tea. Certainly there were a couple of people who walked out of the showing I was in.

One thing I will say in the movie's favour is that Julia Roberts shines in this film. I'd be hard pushed to say when she's been better (possibly only in Erin Brockovich). When you see her character for the first time I was thinking 'here we go again, Julia Roberts playing another unrealistic character, with dark hair even though she is probably supposed to be in her 40s, would it kill her to have a few greys in there?' But then you see her in the light. She has grey roots, a middle aged mum tum, and bags under her eyes. It's the most normal, most real person she has ever played. And she's brilliant. And in my humble opinion, all the more beautiful for her appearance. I felt like her character was someone I could go for a drink with. Which I actually said to my cinema buddy. His response was, yes but would you want to? My answer is a resounding yes. I identified with her character a lot, the child that moved away, but is somehow the most relied upon because she is the 'strong' one. But in reality, she is probably the one most in need of someone to be strong for her for a change.

Streep will no doubt get all the praise for this film, and rightly so as she is brilliant. But then she is always brilliant. I think Roberts is definitely the one who deserves the praise.

Due to an ensemble of fantastic actors all fighting to show how good they are, I am glad I saw August, but due to the lack of purpose, and some unsavoury subject matters, I'm not sure I'd want to see it again. 7 out of 10.

Viewing Date - 29th January 2014

UK Release Date - 24th January 2014

Cast Overview:

Violet Weston ~ Meryl Streep

Barbara Weston ~ Julia Roberts

Charlie Aiken ~ Chris Cooper

Bill Fordham ~ Ewan McGregor

Mattie Fae Aiken ~ Margo Martindale

Beverly Weston ~ Sam Shepard

Steve Huberbrecht ~ Dermot Mulroney

Ivy Weston ~ Julianne Nicholson

Karen Weston ~ Juliette Lewis

Jean Fordham ~ Abigail Breslin

Little Charles Aiken ~ Benedict Cumberbatch

Johnna Monevata ~ Misty Upham

Director ~ John Wells

Writer ~ Tracy Letts (Screenplay - based on her play)

12 Years A Slave

http://www.12yearsaslave.com/

I saw this movie over two weeks ago and I have really struggled to think of something I can say in the review, that won't put people off seeing this extraordinary film of one man's survival against the odds, and his fight to make it back to his family after he is kidnapped and sold into slavery.

You see Steve McQueen's film isn't fun. It is definitely an endurance. At times it is damn hard to watch, but it's such an unbelievable true story that I feel it should be seen. By as many people as possible. Because no matter how hard it is to watch, it is a true story and therefore, people should know that this happened.

Needless to say the performances are out of this world, and in some cases, so far removed from the actors real lives that you wonder how they can play such roles. 

As such, I am not going to go into detail about the plot because I pretty much covered that in my opening paragraph. I'm not going to wax lyrical about the film until there are no surprises left in store. I'm just going to tell you to see it.

Not quite a masterpiece, but worthy of the hype non-the-less. 8 out of 10. 

Viewing Date - 7th January 2014

UK Release Date - 10th January 2014

Cast Overview:

Solomon Northup ~ Chiwetel Ejiofor

Edwin Epps ~ Michael Fassbender

Patsey ~ Lupita Nyong'o

Mary Epps ~ Sarah Paulson

William Ford ~ Benedict Cumberbatch

Samuel Bass ~ Brad Pitt

John Tibeats ~ Paul Dano 

Theophilus Freeman ~ Paul Giamatti

Director ~ Steve McQueen

Writer(s) ~ John Ridley (Screenplay) and Solomon Northup (Based on his book "Twelve Years a Slave")

Star Trek Into Darkness

http://www.startrekmovie.com/

The 2009 Star Trek reboot opened with a spectacular sequence which changed the Trek universe completely. Not only by giving the franchise a fresh cast and using the latest technology to take us into the twenty third century, but also by changing events that take place prior to Captain James T Kirk's birth. Events that changed the entire future of the Trek movies, and which moved me more than any Trek film that had gone before. 

I must confess that I'd never been a fan of the original series, or the original movies. I became a trekkie around the age of 12 when I developed a crush on Wil Wheaton (see here for the full scoop on that) and started watching Star Trek The Next Generation. And that's also where my interest piqued, as I never got into watching Deep Space Nine or Voyager. But there was something about J.J. Abrams reboot that made me want to see it, namely my affection for Simon Pegg who'd landed the role of Scotty, but it was more than that. And after seeing the film and loving it, I was amongst the millions of born again Trekkies who couldn't wait for the next installment. 

Warp 4 years into the future and here we are with Star Trek Into Darkness, a sequel to Star Trek, which changed history, so will it follow any of the story arcs of the previous Star Trek sequel - Star Trek The Wrath of Khan? *There may be spoilers ahead...*

We re-join the Captain and crew of the USS Enterprise as they attempt to save an indigenous race from extinction, from a volcano that is about to erupt on their home planet. Kirk (Chris Pine) and McCoy (Karl Urban) create a diversion that allows Spock (Zachary Quinto) to freeze the volcano's lava, before it can erupt and destroy the race's sacred temple. Unfortunately, the crew are unable to make their departure from the planet without being seen, which violates the prime directive of Starfleet. This leads Kirk to get stripped of his rank and sent back to the Academy. Or at least that's what we're intended to see. 

*What follows is all in the trailer so no real spoilers from here on out* What actually happens is that the baddie of the hour, John Harrison (Benedict Cumberbatch), hell bent on destroying Starfleet, blows up the commanding officer's meeting, just as they were discussing what to do about him. Kirk finally steps up to the plate over what happened and asks to be put in command of a secret mission to take Harrison down. Will Kirk do the right thing? Or will his emotions get the better of him. And will Spock ever allow his Vulcan side drop long enough for his human emotions to shine through?  

Well to find out you will have to see the film as I'm not giving that away! Those who are familiar with the story line from Wrath Of Khan will definitely see the similarities, and will either enjoy these nods or will hate them. I myself enjoyed them, but then I'm not precious about the original films so I can't speak for everyone. I thought the story moved at a good pace, and the action set pieces, as with the previous film, were outstanding. There were also some nice surprises, even if you are familiar with Wrath Of Khan, so if you're a fan of the original films don't write Into Darkness off before you see it.

Another successful Trek and I for one can't wait for the third installment. I just hope J.J.'s not too busy with Star Wars to take the helm for the third time. As I suspect, if he hands over to someone who'll use less lense flare than he would, it'll be a different experience entirely. 8 out of 10.

Viewing Date - 9th May 2013

UK Release Date - 9th May 2013

Cast Overview:

Chris Pine ~ Kirk

Zachary Quinto ~ Spock

Zoe Saldana ~ Uhura

Karl Urban ~ Bones

Simon Pegg ~ Scotty

John Cho ~ Sulu

Anton Yelchin ~ Chekov

Bruce Greenwood ~ Pike

Peter Weller ~ Marcus

Alice Eve ~ Carol

Benedict Cumberbatch ~ John Harrison

Noel Clarke ~ Thomas Harewood

Director ~ J.J. Abrams

Writer(s) ~ Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Damon Lindelof

Based on the Television series Star Trek by Gene Roddenberry

Star Trek Into Darkness Premiere

The Empire Cinema in Leicester Square getting prepped to boldly go Into Darkness

After the date for the Iron Man 3 Premiere was moved, meaning my cinema buddy couldn't go, we decided to (boldly) go to the Star Trek Into Darkness Premiere. One of the girls I met at the Iron Man 3 Premiere had said she would try to come along in the afternoon, so all we had to do was sit in the sun in Leicester Square and wait for the stars to arrive.

The White Carpet for the Premiere

The first piece of bad luck happened on arrival as my cinema buddy realised he'd left his memory card in his laptop at home! D'oh! One warp speed dash to Boots later and a new memory card was purchased. Disaster averted. We sat down on the grass to eat our lunch when the second piece of bad luck happened. I got pooped on by a (Klingon War)bird. 

Spock quite rightly seems a little annoyed about this turn of events, and understandably so was I. However, this is not my first time at a Premiere and I was equipped with all sorts of anti-bacterial gels and wipes, and another warp speed dash (this time to Leicester Square's toilet facilities) later I was poop free and ready for my close up. 

But enough about me, you're here to hear about the stars! And stars there were! As with any Premiere there were minor celebrities galore, X-Factor Boyband Union J anyone? The Voice's Bo Bruce? Nah, we're not interested in them! We want the big names. Well don't say I don't give you big names!

The first guys from the Star Trek galaxy to walk the white carpet and be interviewed were the writers Robert Orci and Alex Kurtzman, followed by writer/producer Damon Lindelof

Next up was British Actor Noel Clarke who is new to the Star Trek franchise and who's role in the film was shrouded in mystery. He spent ages with the crowd, signing autographs and taking pictures with fans.

He was followed by the man I had gone to the Premiere to see - Simon Pegg. He spent ages with the crowds too and signed for me and my buddy.

Next to breeze past the waiting fans were Zoe Saldana and Karl Urban. Regrettably neither came to sign for the fans waiting in the section I was standing in. Although my cinema buddy did manage to weave in and out of the crowd to get these shots of them

British Actress Alice Eve, who is new to the franchise, spent ages with the crowds and signed my Empire magazine (you can just see it under the thing she's signing in the second pic).

Captain Kirk himself Chris Pine was next to grace us with his presence, and not only did he sign for everyone waiting on the edge of the white carpet...

 ...after he was interviewed he leapt over the crowd to go and sign and take pictures with people standing in Leicester Square too. A true hero!

Here he is putting pen to my Empire magazine

Director J.J. Abrams also spent a long time with the crowds and even spent some time chatting to a lady behind me. Again he signed for me and my buddy and seemed like a really nice guy. My buddy managed to get a picture of him as he switched places with Chris Pine who was coming back down the line from his interview. They had a little giggling exchange and it was a lovely moment captured.

Regrettably Zachary Quinto who plays Spock did not have time to sign for us as he was rushed over to be interviewed and then whisked inside. But my cinema buddy did manage to get some snaps of him too 

Benedict Cumberbatch who plays villain John Harrison also had no time to sign for us and in fact we only managed to snap him on his way back out as the stars came out of the cinema for a cast photo, before they left for the after party, or in the case of Pine and Cumberbatch, as they headed to film The Graham Norton Show. 

We had a really great day at the Premiere. Again met some lovely people and got some impressive signatures to add to the collection.

All photos (with the exception of the first 3) are courtesy of Blair Holmes, photographer and sandwich maker extraordinaire. Image of Spock courtesy of Google images.