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)

The Expendables 2

Mini Review

http://www.theexpendables2film.com/

Anyone out there not seen The Expendables? Well it's a lot like The Expendables 2 so don't worry, it won't take long to catch you up! Sylvester Stallone plays Barney Ross, the leader of a team of mercenaries with special skills who frequently get hired to take out the bad guy, rescue someone or blow stuff up. In this second installment they rescue Trench (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and then are hired by Church (Bruce Willis) to retrieve a load of buried Plutonium before it falls into the wrong hands of Vilian* (Jean-Claude Van Damme).

As you might expect there are a lot of explosions, people being shot at, car chases, escapes, and some more people being shot at. The times when the film tries to be anything more than this, for example when the team experience the loss of a comrade, are laughable, and not in a good way. These guys know how to look pumped but they've all forgotten how to act. There is more cheese here than in dairy isle at your local supermarket!

I did enjoy Chuck Norris' cameo and was glad they didn't overuse him. Bruce Willis and Arnie certainly had more to do this time around too which was nice. I just don't really know what else to say about Expendables 2 as I don't honestly know how they could have made it better. I guess it was enjoyable for what it was but unless you're looking for a cheesy all action, no brains type film, stay away. 5 out of 10.

*IMDb are spelling this Villain, Wikipedia Vilain and the official Expendables 2 website are spelling it Vilian so this is what I've gone with. If anyone goes to see the film after reading my review can you please let me know how it's spelt in the end credits and I will change accordingly. Thanks!

Viewing Date - 26th August 2012
UK Release Date - 16th August 2012

Cast Overview:

Sylvester Stallone ~ Barney Ross

Jason Statham ~ Lee Christmas

Jet Li ~ Yin Yang

Dolph Lundgren ~ Gunner Jensen

Chuck Norris ~ Booker

Jean-Claude Van Damme ~ Vilian

Bruce Willis ~ Church

Arnold Schwarzenegger ~ Trench

Terry Crews ~ Hale Caesar

Randy Couture ~ Toll Road

Liam Hemsworth ~ Billy The Kid

Scott Adkins ~ Hector

Nan Yu ~ Maggie

Director ~ Simon West

Writer(s) ~ Richard Wenk (Screenplay and Story), Sylvester Stallone (Screenplay), Ken Kaufman (Story), David Agosto (Story) and David Callaham (Characters)