The Monuments Men

Mini Review

 

http://www.monumentsmenmovie.com/site/

The Monuments Men tells the true story of the band of architects, art historians, and art appreciators, who were tasked with protecting art in any form during the Second World War. Specifically, they wanted to stop it from falling into enemy hands and being destroyed, because what good is it winning the war if man's greatest achievements are lost?
 
I liked the initial idea of The Monuments Men, and for the most part, I liked the film too. I can't help but feel like it's just been released at a bad time, and much like The Book Thief, it has been swallowed up in the barrage of Oscar nominated movies that are all released at this time of year.
 
It's got a likeable and recognisable cast of good, solid actors, it's essentially about the Americans winning the war, which always goes down well, and it's safe to take your mother to, as there is no sex or swearing and very little violence, except for things you would expect in a war movie, such as people stepping on land-mines. 

Although the acting is good amongst the ensemble cast, I did not feel an overwhelming emotional connection to any of the characters. Therefore, I wasn't particularly concerned or upset when they were in danger. And whilst that is a fairly sizable flaw in the Monuments Men's armor, it's the only thing I can put my finger on that was missing.

What I will say is that if The Monuments Men sounds like your cup of tea, then don't let me put you off, I'm sure you will enjoy it just fine. Just don't expect to have your socks knocked off. 7 out of 10.

Viewing Date - 24th February 2014

UK Release Date - 14th February 2014

Cast Overview:

Frank Stokes ~ George Clooney

James Granger ~ Matt Damon

Richard Campbell ~ Bill Murray

Claire Simone ~ Cate Blanchett

Walter Garfield ~ John Goodman

Jean Claude Clermont ~ Jean Dujardin

Donald Jeffries ~ Hugh Bonneville

Preston Savitz ~ Bob Balaban

Sam Epstein ~ Dimitri Leonidas

Director ~ George Clooney

Writer(s) ~ George Clooney (Screenplay), Grant Heslov (Screenplay), Robert M Edsei (Book) and Bret Witter (Book)

Elysium

Mini Review

http://www.itsbetterupthere.com/site/

After the long run of 'end of the world' type movies this summer (Oblivion, After Earth and Pacific Rim to name but a few), I saw the trailer for Elysium and wasn't immediately inspired. But I decided to see it anyway after hearing from my friends that it was a decent movie.

The year is 2154. People live in harmony and technology has evolved enough to eradicate life threatening diseases. But only if you're rich enough to live on Elysium, a second man-made earth that sits in space, just beyond earth's atmosphere. Those on earth who were not rich enough to take the shuttle to Elysium were left with an overpopulated planet, and have only a short life of hard work in front of them. One such unlucky sole is Max (Matt Damon), who as a boy did not have an easy upbringing. His only friend at this time was Frey but they were soon separated. Following an accident at the factory where Max works, he is exposed to harmful radiation which will kill him in 5 days, meaning he has to get to Elysium at all costs. Unbeknownst to Max, Elysium has a hard hitting Secretary of Defence (Jodie Foster) who will do almost anything to keep refugees from earth from entering their peaceful haven. This includes hiring a savage mercenary (Sharlto Copley) to take down those who attempt to get to Elysium. 

Despite my initial trepidation at the subject matter I found myself really drawn into Elysium. I have no doubt that this was mainly due to the calibre of the actors involved. Damon's performance is believable, and he really does make you feel for Max and the hand he has been dealt in life. Similarly, Sharlto Copley's performance as the mercenary, Kruger, is quite terrifying. His unwavering determination to get the job done makes his character brutal and quite similar to a Terminator in the later scenes. The only fault I really have with the cast here is Jodie Foster, who seems mis-cast as the cold, calculating Delacourt. I'm also convinced she was dubbed throughout the whole film as her dialogue never seemed to be in sync with her mouth. 

The direction could have been better and the effects are not always great but the story is solid, and the actors (for the most part) do a great job of portraying their characters. It's also quite a different 'end of the world' story if you're kinda sick to the back teeth of those types of films this year. Not necessarily one that has to be seen on the big screen, but not a bad movie for a DVD night. 6.5 out of 10. 

Viewing Date - 29th August 2013

UK Release Date - 21st August 2013

Cast Overview:

Max ~ Matt Damon

Delacourt ~ Jodie Foster

Kruger ~ Sharlto Copley

Frey ~ Alice Braga

Julio ~ Diego Luna

Spider ~ Wagner Moura

John Carlyle ~ William Fichtner

Director/Writer ~ Neill Blomkamp

Behind The Candelabra

Mini Review

http://www.hbo.com/movies/behind-the-candelabra/index.html

I only became aware of Behind The Candelabra just before it's release, when during the press tour for the film, Michael Douglas openly admitted that Matt Damon has the softest lips he's ever kissed. That was one of the milder subject matters Mr Douglas touched upon in his many interviews; but of course, some of the more risque topics ensure that the film, and it's stars, are talked about. And when you're promoting a film like this, the more risque the topic the better. 

The film tells the tale of entertainer and rather good piano player Liberace (Michael Douglas). A man who managed to hide not only his sexuality but also his string of male lovers, and the AIDS that eventually killed him, from his adoring - and mostly female - fans. The story is set between 1977 and 1987 and focuses on the relationship Liberace (Lee to his friends) had with Scott (Matt Damon). We follow the couple from their initial courtship, through to some unnecessary and at times comical surgery for each of them, drug addiction, Lee's insatiable need for promiscuity and their inevitable break up. 

The film is very well acted, I honestly could not fault the performances from Douglas or Damon, and the supporting cast is a veritable dream, from Rob Lowe and Dan Aykroyd to Scott Bakula. But what bothered me was how much Behind The Candelabra has been marketed as a comedy, and it's really not. It tackles some seriously dark subjects, and a lot of the film Lee and Scott are fighting more than they're loving. As such, it's not as enjoyable as it appears from the trailer. There are laughs to be had but they're definitely few and far between.  

The film is certainly flamboyant and the filmmakers are not shy at stripping away the facade, eager to show what life in Liberace's shadow was like for Scott. But in this day and age neither is it especially shocking, so what the audience experiences is a somewhat interesting but mostly mild account of the life of a man who lived a lie.  

If you're interested in Liberace's life and seeing what hid behind the candelabra that was presented to the public, or if you're a fan of well acted, true life drama then this is definitely for you. If you're looking for light hearted laughs then maybe see something else. 5.5 out of 10.

Viewing Date - 9th June 2013

UK Release Date - 7th June 2013

Cast Overview:

Michael Douglas ~ Liberace

Matt Damon ~ Scott Thorson

Dan Aykroyd ~ Seymour Heller

Rob Lowe ~ Dr Jack Startz

Debbie Reynolds ~ Frances Liberace

Scott Bakula ~ Bob Black

Tom Papa ~ Ray Arnett

Paul Reiser ~ Mr Felder

Director ~ Steven Soderbergh

Writer(s) ~ Richard LaGravenese (Screenplay), Scott Thorson (Book) and Alex Thorleifson (Book)

March Overview

As I'm so behind with my reviews and want to get to the two big films I saw this month while they're still fresh in my mind, I'm going to do an overview of the films I saw in March in one post.

I realise that for Hunger Games fans this may be a bit of a disappointment as this means it won't get a full review. Apologies but it's for the greater good as they'd say in Hot Fuzz.

We start with the first film I saw in March - Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
Viewing Date - 4th March 2012 | UK Release Date - 17th February 2012

http://extremelyloudandincrediblyclose.warnerbros.com/dvd/

EL&IC (the full title's just too damn long) is well worth a watch no matter where you stand on the 9/11 tragedy. I personally only wanted to see it as I'm a huge Sandra Bullock fan and would pretty much see anything she did. But I was so glad that I did in this instance. My main advice is that you should not make your decision on this movie by the trailer, as the best thing about that is the use of U2's Where The Streets Have No Name - which isn't in the film, but is used to great effect in the trailer. 

The film is very different to how I expected it to be from the trailer, it's no where near as schmaltzy for one. Sandy B isn't in it that much, neither is Tom Hanks (but then you'll already have guessed that if you've seen the trailer), but they both make the most of their small roles. The movie is impressively carried by newcomer Thomas Horn who is captivating and very talented for such a youngster. 

Emotional and intriguing. 8 out of 10.

On to the next film I saw in March - This Means War
Viewing Date - 6th March 2012 | UK Release Date - 2nd March 2012

http://www.thismeanswarmovie.co.uk/

I went to see This Means War with a bunch of friends and was so incredibly nervous about impressing one of them that I couldn't really concentrate on the movie. As such I fully intended to see it again on my own or with my cinema buddy but never got around to it. 

I do recall that I enjoyed the film and can easily recommend it as a good action comedy. The three leads are all very different, not just in their characters but also in the types of roles the actors are best known for. Regardless of this, they are equally funny, charming and not afraid to get in on the action. 

One of the better action/comedies I have seen. Great for date night or to see with a bunch of friends. 8 out of 10.

The third film I saw in March was Bel Ami
Viewing Date - 14th March 2012 | UK Release Date - 9th March 2012

http://belamifilm.com/

I was meant to see this with my friend who is a big Robert Pattinson fan but she was constantly busy so I ended up seeing this on my own. Oh how I wish I'd not bothered. The film feels like it goes on forever, none of the characters are particularly likeable and it all feels like a pointless excuse for Robert Pattinson to frolic with a bunch of women. 

Normally I wouldn't be against this but he's not in the best physical shape of his life in this film and looks a bit pasty. I actually thought he looked better with his clothes on. Those who know me will know this is not something I normally say! Pattinson spends the entire film pouting and looking surly, which works well for him in Twilight but he can't get away with it in every film he does.

As the credits rolled, one of the two older women sat next to me said to her friend, 'did you understand what that was about as I didn't?' I understood it, I just wish I hadn't wasted 2 hours of my life understanding it. 4 out of 10.

The fourth film I saw in March was John Carter

Viewing Date - 18th March 2012 | UK Release Date - 9th March 2012

http://www.disney.co.uk/john-carter/

Ah, where to begin with this one. This was a date movie. That will come as a surprise for a lot of my friends who read my blog as I didn't tell anyone I was going on a date. And if I'm honest, I held much higher expectations for the date than the film. But expectations can be wrong.

Allow me to start by saying that John Carter is no where near as bad as everyone made out it was. It did not deserve to be the massive flop that it was. My first take on John Carter, prior to seeing the film, was that it would be this year's Prince Of Persia, but sadly, without Jake. And I was pretty much spot on with that theory. It had sand, a princess, a long haired, muscular hero and a bunch of bad guys. Oh and some aliens. So a bit different to Prince of Persia but not much. 

The story of how John Carter ended up on Mars was really quite well thought out. The alien war there added the action and gave our hero something to fight for. The bad guys were bad, the princess was pretty. It had all the right elements for a pre-summer blockbuster. I can only assume that it's downfall was the lack of a big name star to pull in the crowds? 

I only hope that John Carter will do better on DVD, it could appeal more as a Saturday night couch cuddler than it did as a cinema outing. I certainly enjoyed it for what it's worth. 6 out of 10. 

Moving on to next film for March - We Bought A Zoo

Viewing Date - 21st March 2012 | UK Release Date - 16th March 2012

http://www.weboughtazoomovie.co.uk/

I went to see We Bought A Zoo on the strength of the director being Cameron Crowe. He of course directed one of my all time favourite movies, Say Anything. But he hasn't made a feature film since 2005's Elizabethtown. I went to see this movie with a varied bunch of friends, my cinema buddy, a lesbian and her mother. I think that speaks volumes about the wide audience that this film appeals to. 

Based on a true story of a young widowed man who quit his job and bought a zoo, this is one of those films that tugs at your heart strings from the word go. One thing that Cameron Crowe is great at is making his audience root for the underdog. He did it in Say Anything, brilliantly did it in Jerry Maguire and if Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon's character) isn't an underdog then I don't know who is. 

I'm sure a lot of people will think of this film as being overly sentimental due to the subject matter - Benjamin Mee being a widower and being left with two young children - but the scenes which particularly effected me where the ones surrounding an old and injured tiger, as big cats are very close to my heart. 

There were a couple of scenes in the movie I could have done without. One involves a photo album that comes to life (it's as naff as it sounds), and the end scene where Benjamin explains to his kids how he met their mother (it's corny and a little creepy). But those two scenes aside I really enjoyed the story of the family who bought a zoo, how they took on more than they could handle and how they all pull together to make it a success. 7 out of 10.

The sixth March movie - The Hunger Games

Viewing Date - 23rd March 2012 | UK Release Date - 23rd March 2012

http://www.thehungergamesmovie.com/

As I have not read The Hunger Games I was a little oblivious to it's worldwide appeal and success. On the strength of the trailer and some of the people involved, namely Jennifer Lawrence, I wanted to see the film and decided I would wait until I had done so before investing in the books.

After having seen the film I do still want to read the books, but not as avidly as I did after seeing Twilight or Harry Potter. But with Twilight and Harry Potter I wanted to read the books because I knew there would be more to read than was on screen. I knew they wouldn't have been able to fit everything from those books into a movie and I wanted more. That's not why I want to read Hunger Games. Sure I want to know how the book differs from the film, but more than anything I want to be surprised. Which I wasn't by the film.

Don't get me wrong, I liked the film. Sort of. I liked the performances, I liked the characters, I care about them and want to know what happens next. I just found the film to be a bit obvious, from the word go. *Spoiler Alert* I knew Katniss would end up in the Games (I know it was in the trailer but it was obvious even if I'd not seen that), I knew she would end up getting involved with Peeta (even if only for the cameras), I knew they would change the rules so they both survived, I knew how it would end, including how the last remaining person would die. It was all so obvious. And I hope that in the books it's a little more surprising.

I know I will anger a LOT of people with this review but it's just my opinion. I did still enjoy the film. I just would have liked something to happen that I wasn't expecting. For anyone who hasn't seen the film I recommend you do. Just don't believe the hype about it being the new Twilight. It's nothing like Twilight and I hope that if books 2 and 3 get made, it will continue to be as unique as the first movie was. 7 out of 10.

Well that's all folks, I only saw a rather measly 6 films in March. On with April...

Contagion

http://contagionmovie.warnerbros.com/index.html

As with last weeks The Three Musketeers I wasn't all that bothered about seeing Contagion but as it had a semi impressive cast and potential to not suck I figured I'd end up seeing it anyway. And see it I did. 

As the title suggests, Contagion is a movie about a virus and how quickly it, as well as fear of it, spreads through towns and cities all over the world. We follow several groups of people as they deal with the virus, a family in Minnisota who lose two members to the unknown and deadly disease, several doctors trying to find a cure, the Center for Disease Control who are having to deal with press as well as trying to learn about the virus and where it came from and a reporter who is trying to stop drug manufacturers from cashing in on the crisis, among others.

Contagion was actually a much better film than the trailer implies. It won't win any awards but the ensemble cast do a fine job of their respective roles and ultimately make the jumble of characters on offer into a bunch people that you care about. Not easy when you have so many big names all vying for a piece of the action.

And speaking of action, I also don't think the film was as horrific as I was expecting from the trailer. The film is only a 12A, which I don't think I realised when I saw the trailer initially, imagining a bit of a gorefest as suggested by some of the scenes shown. Instead it was a film that moved at a steady pace and kept me engaged in watching it and interested to know what was going to happen. 

It had me intrigued from the opening minute as to why the film started on 'day 2' of the outbreak. I won't spoil it but I thought the way they wrapped things up at the end was a clever way to do it and finished things off in a very neat way.

Probably not the best film out this week, but certainly not the worst by a long stretch. 7 out of 10.

Viewing Date - 23rd October 2011

UK Release Date - 21st October 2011

Cast Overview:

Marion Cotillard ~ Dr Leonora Orantes

Matt Damon ~ Mitch Emhoff

Laurence Fishburne ~ Dr Ellis Cheever

Jude Law ~ Alan Krumwiede

Gwyneth Paltrow ~ Beth Emhoff

Kate Winslet ~ Dr Erin Mears

Jennifer Ehle ~ Dr Ally Hextall

Elliott Gould ~ Dr Ian Sussman

Chin Han ~ Sun Feng

John Hawkes ~ Roger

Daria Strokous ~ Irina
Anna Jacoby-Heron ~ Jory Emhoff
Brian J O'Donnell ~ Andrew

Director ~ Steven Soderbergh

Writer ~ Scott Z Burns

The Adjustment Bureau

http://www.theadjustmentbureau.com/

If you've read my reasons for doing this blog, you'll know the last thing I want to do is steal from another review. The very last thing I EVER want to do is steal from an Empire review. So obviously I won't. What I will say is that they categorised this film so perfectly that I at least have to tell you what they said. So to paraphrase with the utmost respect, Empire's Helen O'Hara who said that The Adjustment Bureau is "Inception for romantics". She nailed it. And that is why I want to be one of them!

I knew very little about The Adjustment Bureau going in, I'd just seen the posters on the bus shelters around Brighton. I hadn't seen the trailer and I hadn't read anything about it (not even Empire's four star review). If, like me, you haven't done any research on the film please allow me to elaborate.

The Adjustment Bureau opens on the campaign trail of New York Congressman David Norris (Matt Damon). We see him flying high in the polls and then bottoming out when pictures surface of his bar fighting, prank pulling past. While practicing his 'down but not out' speech for the announcement of his lost election he meets Elise (Emily Blunt) who inspires him to tell the truth to the public as she thinks they'll reciprocate more to an honest man. He does this and although the election is lost, David's popularity soars. A few weeks pass and David meets Elise again, by chance, and she gives him her number. Moments later David is kidnapped by a bunch of trilby wearing men who tell him he must never see Elise again as doing so would be going against 'The Plan'. 

Does David fight for who he believes is the person he's meant to be with, or go along with the design in store for his future? You'll have to see the film to find out. What I will tell you is that this is a nail biting, tense thriller which also has a believable love story running alongside it. You wouldn't think those two genres would go together but they work surprisingly well when teamed up. Without the love story I'm not sure what you'd root for here. With it, and I know this sounds cheesy, the film has heart. It makes you so passionate about the outcome of the film that you'll never have been happier to see a love story spliced with a thriller.

*Spoiler Alert!* About two thirds of the way in I was thinking, "if these two don't end up together then this has been a really shit film!". I'm sure my score mixed with aforementioned comment will give away the ending, hence the spoiler alert!

I was half hoping after Matt Damon's performance in Hereafter that this film would be a dud, or at least that he would be. The half of me that was hoping he'd be good was not disappointed. His performance here was just as good (though not as emotional as Hereafter - but then the movie is totally different) and I find, for the second time this year, that I am swiftly becoming a Matt Damon fan. Something I've never been and never thought I'd be. Emily Blunt was her usual marvellous self showing her vulnerable and quirky sides and making the audience fall in love with her, as she does so frequently with ease. The supporting cast from Terrence Stamp to Anthony Mackie are also faultless and allow the audience to have some feeling towards the bureau rather than have them be a faceless organisation. 

A film that will have you on the edge of your seat while also falling a little bit in love. 8 out of 10.

Viewing Date - 5th March 2011

UK Release Date - 4th March 2011

Cast Overview:

Matt Damon ~ David Norris

Emily Blunt ~ Elise Sallas

Anthony Mackie ~ Harry Mitchell

John Slattery ~ Richardson

Terence Stamp ~ Thompson

Director ~ George Nolfi

Writer(s) ~ George Nolfi (Screenplay) and Philip K Dick (Short Story)

Hereafter

http://hereafter.warnerbros.com/

As I said on the Black Swan review (below), there are some films I know I will probably end up seeing even if the trailer doesn't particularly grab me. This is mainly because I'm an Unlimited Cineworld card holder and I go to the cinema a lot! It's also because I love movies and I particularly love watching movies at the cinema. You can keep your pirate DVD's coz I'd rather see a film the way it was meant to be seen, on the big screen.

Ok, ramble over. The reason I mention this is that Hereafter was a movie for which I saw the trailer but the trailer didn't really make me want to see the film. If you also felt that way I urge you *now* to ignore the trailer and go watch the film. It's directed by Clint Eastwood, who's only other directorial film I've seen is Million Dollar Baby. While I liked that movie it didn't inspire me to watch everything else Mr Eastwood had directed (or starred in). Hereafter is something entirely different.

The film is separated into 3 stories. The first story we encounter sees a French Journalist, Marie (Cecile De France), swept away by a Tsunami whilst on holiday (it's never confirmed but I assume this is meant to be the Indonesian Tsunami of Christmas 2004). Marie drowns but is resuscitated and retains memories of her brief encounter with what lies beyond. The second story is about twin brothers, Jason and Marcus, who live in London with their junkie/drunk single mother. Whilst running an errand one day, one of the boys - Jason - is killed in a car accident. His brother Marcus is left alone to deal with his mum, foster care and coming to terms with his brothers death. The third story centers on American factory worker George (Matt Damon). He's a psychic who's turned his back on his 'gift' believing it to be more of a curse. All 3 stories share the theme of death and it's effects on the living.

This might not sound like the cheeriest of films. I won't lie to you. It isn't. But it is thought provoking, well writen, insightfully directed and beautifully acted. One of the problems I had with the trailer (that put me off seeing the film) was the fact that it showed the star of the film to be Matt Damon. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Matt Damon. But I also don't own any of his movies. If you feel similarly let me re-assure you that although he is the biggest name amongst the actors, this is very much an ensemble cast and they are all faultless. Matt Damon included. I am happy to state now that when this DVD is released it will be my first purchase of a Matt Damon movie. My only criticism, cast wise, would be the underuse of Bryce Dallas Howard as I wish there'd been more of her character. This is only a minor criticism however as I don't think they could've made her role bigger without making major changes to the story. 

I was so surprised by this film on so many levels. How attached I got to the characters, how well the characters were established and not made into caricatures, how the stories all blended and each character had equal screen time to tell their story and finally, *SPOILER ALERT* how the moment when they finally all meet is believable and cleverly conceived when it could've so easily seemed contrived. 

I could go on all night (and nearly have!) about how good I thought this was and I really hope that my passion for the film will mean at least 1 other person goes to see it. Excellent 9 out of 10.

Viewing Date - 1st February 2011

UK Release Date - 28th January 2011

Cast Overview:

Matt Damon / George Lonegan

Cecile De France / Marie LeLay

Frankie and George McLaren / Marcus and Jason

Lyndsey Marshal / Jackie - Marcus and Jason's Mother

Thierry Neuvic / Didier - Marie's Lover

Bryce Dallas Howard / Melanie

Jay Mohr / Billy Lonegan - George's brother

Director ~ Clint Eastwood

Writer ~ Peter Morgan