Room / Creed

http://www.roomthemovie.com/

It's been a one word movie double bill over the course of the weekend, starting with Room yesterday.

I haven't read the book but I've heard it's amazing. Having seen the film I can bet it is.

The story is a simple one, Joy and Jack live in 'Room'. Joy was kidnapped when she was 17 and when we meet her she's been held captive for 7 years. She has been raped, and her son Jack was born out of the situation with her captor. Jack is now 5 and Joy decides he is old enough to understand why they live in 'Room' and what is outside of it. They devise a plan to get Jack out, and hopefully, Joy too. I won't spoil what happens next.

Room surprised me on many levels. Going into it I thought it would be harrowing but a well made film which handled it's subject matter sensitively. And it did both of those things, but so much more besides. Jacob Tremblay who plays Jack is mind-blowingly good. I'm not even going to belittle his performance by uttering those words so often spoken about young actors and say 'for his age'. For any age, his performance is stunning. You believe completely that he has never known the world, and that his whole life has been this room, and his mother. He is completely mesmerising and you absolutely cannot take your eyes off him.

Whilst Jacob will get most of the praise for Room it has to be said that Brie Larson's more understated role required her to be in her own head a lot of the time, and that's not an easy thing to pull off.

The scene in the movie where they are putting their plan into action has got to be one of the most tense scenes I have ever sat through. My heart was pounding and I was unable to stop myself from shouting out even though we were in a packed screening. It's truly terrifying, and this coming from a horror fan. It's also got moments to make you cheer and cry and laugh and everything in between. So much that it's hard to imagine how one Room can make you feel so much. I will definitely be reading the book. 9 out of 10. 

Viewing Date - 23rd January 2016
UK Release Date - 22nd January 2016

Cast Overview:
Brie Larson ~ Joy
Jacob Tremblay ~ Jack
Joan Allen ~ Nancy
William H Macy ~ Robert
Tom McCamus ~ Leo

Director ~ Lenny Abrahamson
Writer ~ Emma Donoghue (Screenplay based on her own novel)

http://creedthemovie.com/

Creed was a totally different kettle of fish. The latest in the Rocky franchise, it tells the story of Apollo Creed's illegitimate son Adonis - Don or Donnie to his friends - as he tries to step out of his father's shadow and prove himself in the ring. He does this by enlisting the help of Rocky Balboa, his father's infamous opponent and friend.

I will admit that I am a fan of the Rocky movies but I did not see the last one, even though I understood it to be a return to form. I probably wouldn't have seen Creed if not for my friend in the states who saw it last year and recommended it to me. I'm glad she did as I actually thought it was a good addition to the 'legacy' as the press are calling it, and more importantly that the performances turned in were really good.

It should speak volumes that Stallone has been nominated for (and won) a couple of major awards in the supporting actor category, and after the steaming dump that was Fantastic Four, it's nice to see Michael B Jordan in something worthy, and see him put in a great performance.

A special mention must be given to the make up department on this movie. The shot of Donnie's eye in the final fight has stayed with me long after the credits rolled. It's also nice to see nods to the original movies. I won't spoil it by saying what, but there are is a lot of recognition given to the previous films and I always think that shows a lot of respect.

If you liked the other Rocky films, or like a good boxing movie, this one is definitely for you. 7.5 out of 10.
 

Viewing Date - 24th January 2016
UK Release Date - 15th January 2016

Cast Overview:
Michael B Jordan ~ Adonis 'Donnie' Johnson Creed
Sylvester Stallone ~ Rocky Balboa

Tessa Thompson ~ Bianca
Phylicia Rashad ~ Mary Anne Creed
Tony Bellew ~ 'Pretty' Ricky Conlan

Director/Writer ~ Ryan Coogler (Direction and Screenplay) and Aaron Covington (Screenplay)

Fantastic Four

http://www.fantasticfourmovie.co.uk/

I will admit that I was not looking forward to seeing Fantastic Four and one of the reasons I wanted to attend Cineworld's unlimited screening of it 3 days ahead of release, was to get it out of the way. 

I had no problem with the studio changing the colour of Johnny Storm's pre-firey skin. In honesty I didn't really have a problem with the studio re-telling the story with a much younger cast. After all, if they were going to re-make the story as an origin film, a younger cast would be needed. No, my problem was that we didn't need this film at all. 

In an age where strong female characters seem to be getting shafted out of superhero movies, we didn't need a remake of an existing franchise. What we need is a female lead superhero movie. There. I said it.

Now let's get to the synopsis so I can really start tearing a hole in Fox's reboot and why it really didn't work.

We open on a young Reed Richards who needs a power converter for his teleportation device. He starts a highly unlikely friendship with tough kid Ben Grimm and together they zap a toy car to who-knows-where. Skip a few years and Reed is at the forefront of teleportation technology and on the brink of being able to send matter to another dimension. After making a breakthrough and getting hammered, Reed, Ben, Johnny and Victor Von Doom decide to take a joy ride in the teleporter and boldly go to the other dimension to explore. Needless to say it all goes horribly wrong, and in the process they lose Victor and all exhibit 'powers' upon their return. Including Sue Storm who wasn't part of the landing party but was in the lab when they all returned looking slightly worse for wear. Skip to the end and after a more sensible party is sent to the other dimension, Victor is found. And surprise surprise, he's pissed. Wonder why?

This was an origin story where they seemingly couldn't actually be bothered to tell the story. The early scenes of Reed and Ben could have been really in depth, building not only their relationship with each other, but also allowing the audience in on that too. Instead, the whole film just seems rushed, and like none of the characters have been properly developed. The drunken mission just seems incredibly unlikely given the people involved are supposedly some of the worlds brightest minds, and poor Sue, being the woman of the hour here is given virtually nothing to do for the whole film except listen to music. 

The end fight scene comes around far too quickly and is over before it begins. I will give the film it's due and say that at least it isn't a scene for scene remake of the 2005 Fantastic Four, but it also doesn't improve on that film either. And for a movie that is being made 10 years later I expect leaps and bounds, not baby steps.

Like I said at the start of the review, I had no problem in the changes made to Johnny Storm's character from the original comic book creation. Characters can evolve from their original intentions. Evolution is all good. But there was one major change to a character that I just couldn't get on board with. Billy Elliot as Ben Grimm. Come on Fox, what the hell were you thinking? Ben is supposed to be the muscle. You said it yourself in the trailer. So why cast the shortest and skinniest actor you could find? It makes no sense at all. 

My cinema buddies commented on how it would have been nice to see some scenes of them coming to grips with their powers, how they controlled them, mishaps along the way etc, and I agree. Any kind of character development on the part of any of the characters would have been nice. But we weren't given that opportunity. It's time to give the toys back to Marvel now Fox. You've had your chance twice, and you're clearly not making the most of what you've been given.

Please can we have a Black Widow movie now to counteract this crap? 2 out of 10.

Viewing Date - 4th August 2015

UK Release Date - 6th August 2015

Cast Overview:

Miles Teller ~ Reed Richards

Kate Mara ~ Sue Storm

Toby Kebbell ~ Victor Von Doom 

Michael B Jordan ~ Johnny Storm

Jamie Bell ~ Ben Grimm

Reg E Cathey ~ Dr Franklin Storm

Tim Blake Nelson ~ Dr Allen

Director ~ Josh Trank

Writers ~ Simon Kinberg (Screenplay), Jeremy Slater (Screenplay), Josh Trank (Screenplay). Based on characters by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.