One of my vague New Years resolutions was to watch more films - particularly across lots of different genres and often out of my comfort zone - so hopefully this will help keep me on track! I've seen nearly everything on my Coming Soon list for January, plus lots more at home. I really want to try pushing my boundaries in 2017, so here goes...
CINEMAS
A MONSTER CALLS - 4*
There's no two ways about it: go in with complete confidence that you'll cry for at least the last half an hour, and everyone around you will be too. Even knowing what's coming the emotional heft of the ending will hit you like a truck, and in no small part thanks to an astonishing performance from young actor Lewis MacDougall. The mixture of live action and animation is beautifully done.
MANCHESTER BY THE SEA - 5*
It may be a little late at this stage, but if you haven't already seen Manchester by the Sea then avoid all spoilers like the plague. It'll make sense once you've seen it, but it makes a certain scene in the middle so much more satisfying! Casey Affleck will be deservedly sweeping up awards for his leading role in this quietly affecting and haunting drama.
SILENCE - 2*
I fell asleep for half an hour and the plot still made sense. Sorry Martin Scorsese, while this life-long labour of love may look epic and raise no end of interesting theological questions concerning the power of faith, it's exceptionally boring.
SULLY - 4*
This was one of my favourite films of 2016, and I stand by that after a second viewing (even if it was in a screening with 3 screaming babies...). Clint Eastwood has a real talent for amping up the tension even when the ending is a forgone conclusion, and here the scenes of the plane diving for the river are spine-tinglingly good.
ASSASSIN'S CREED - 2*
The trailers for Assassin's Creed looked so, so good but unfortunately the film just doesn't come close to living up to them. There are excellent action sequences jam-packed with parkour, but they're lost in amongst a confusingly bad plot and distinctly average acting, which is such a shame. Clearly the 'video game-to-film' genre still needs work.
LA LA LAND - 5*
Oh, La La Land. Thanks to its phenomenal success at the Golden Globes earlier this month, and its 14 Oscar nominations last week the backlash has began but my opinion hasn't changed: it's a whimsical ode to classic Hollywood, with catchy songs and such utterly dreamy cinematography you'll leave with an enormous smile on your face. Even non-musical fans will adore it and with good reason.
HACKSAW RIDGE - 4*
The concept here is pretty basic, and admittedly Hacksaw Ridge can be a little one-note but it's done so well, and it's so ridiculously gripping that it's easy to overlook that it's essentially a generic war movie. It's a long film that never drags, and Andrew Garfield is mesmerising in his second film of 2017 playing a man with strong religious convictions (I imagine this and Silence would make a fascinating double-bill...).
LIVE BY NIGHT - 2*
Here's an example of yet another film that deviates from the quality of the trailer. It's a supremely boring movie which doesn't make sense given the calibre of director Ben Affleck and the fantastic cast. There are moments of excitement, and Sienna Miller's Irish accent is wonderful, but on the whole it's definitely one to miss.
JACKIE - 4*
I've never seen a film before that blends real-life footage, reconstructed scenes and fiction all together so seamlessly that it is virtually impossible to find the joins until I saw Jackie. Natalie Portman shines as Jackie Kennedy in the immediate aftermath of JFK's assassination, but the real stars here are the haunting score from Mica Levi and the stunning cinematography from Stéphane Fontaine that makes the whole film feel like it was made in the 60s.
LION - 4*
Every awards season sees a studio drag around their cutest cast member (usually aged under 10 or an animal - see Jacob Tremblay for Room, and Uggie for The Artist) to every publicity stop available, and Lion is no exception. The adorable Sunny Pawar (who plays the young Saroo) is currently melting hearts both on- and off-screen in what is an equally moving and uplifting film that he carries for the first hour. The premise is a remarkable true-story that sounds made-up, and yet the film doesn't stray into melodrama at any point.
T2: TRAINSPOTTING - 3*
The boys are back in what is simultaneously a walk down memory lane and a poignant commentary on growing up and mortality. Fans of the original Trainspotting will be pleased as it hits all the expected notes and more.
SING - 2*
The concept here is sound but the timing is all wrong: Sing is the Tesco Value version of Zootropolis. The comparisons are impossible to avoid, and sadly Sing doesn't have the depth, attention to detail and warmth that its Disney counterpart has in spades. Children will enjoy the cute singing animals but ultimately it's nothing more than a shallow, vapid offering for the X Factor generation.
CINEMAS - ADVANCE SCREENINGS
HIDDEN FIGURES: 5*
If there's a more inspiring film out this year I'll be surprised. This may be yet another true story vying for a spot in the awards season landscape but it soars above the rest with ease, showing simultaneously that people other than straight, white men can succeed in science-based male-dominated careers, and films celebrating said people can be enormously successful and attract the kind of audiences and box office takings studios dream of. Hopefully films about women and/or minorities will be given more prevalence in the wake of Hidden Figures as it's not only a brilliant film but also extraordinarily culturally relevant.
MOONLIGHT: 5*
Moonlight is a remarkable example of filmmaking and an absolute triumph. It's astonishingly moving, beautifully made and is without a shadow of a doubt an instant classic. Kudos must be given to casting director Yesi Ramirez for ensuring that the 3 versions of protagonist Chiron are so alike that you'd be forgiven for thinking director Barry Jenkins did a Boyhood and filmed it over a number of years and not merely 45 days.
NETFLIX
HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE - 3*
The hype for this film was almost overwhelming throughout December as it topped so many 'best of 2016' critics lists, and as such it was top of my list of films to watch this year. While I don't think it's quite as incredible as I've been led to believe, it's an enjoyable adventure that introduces young actor Julian Dennison (he's a revelation) and shows off director Taika Wapiti's signature quirky style and wit perfectly. It's extremely quotable too, with many unexpected laughs in all the right places.
THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING - 5*
I've raved about this before and will for the foreseeable future: it's achingly beautiful in terms of direction, the score and the script. Felicity Jones and Eddie Redmayne are electrifying.
BROOKLYN - 5*
Seeing this four times at the cinema in 2015 didn't diminish its charm for me, and multiple Netflix viewings haven't either. Brooklyn is a simply gorgeous film that demands to be seen. Watch it and feel warm and fuzzy for days afterwards.
THE DUFF - 2*
Cited as the millennial version of Mean Girls, it's not nearly as good, but will clearly strike a chord with the current generation of teenagers. If anything, it makes school in an internet and smart phone age look absolutely terrifying. Suddenly Regina George and her Burn Book don't look quite so bad in comparison to an onslaught of hideous viral videos and cyber-bulling.
LONDON HAS FALLEN - 2*
Oh, Christ. London Has Fallen is so ludicrously offensive it's not even funny. There are too many racist jokes about the Middle East, the Metropolitan Police and SAS are made to look so bizarrely incompetent it doesn't make sense, and virtually every single person is introduced with their name and job title at the bottom of the screen (most of whom aren't seen for more than a few seconds or past the scene they're in). On a more positive note, it's the only film I've ever seen that includes a break mid-action for the main characters to have a sit down and hydrate with tap water... So, so bonkers.
SKY CINEMA
BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE - 2*
This was just as dreadful as I remembered but Gal Gadot steals the film as Wonder Woman, making her stand-alone film (out this summer) one of the most anticipated films of the year, and rightfully so.
CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR - 4*
Civil War may not be the best Marvel film in recent years (that title remains firmly with Winter Solider) but it's still seriously good fun to watch. It's worth a watch most importantly for the introduction of Black Panther and the new Spiderman - they slot effortlessly into the mix with the regular stars becoming both part of the team and establishing strong foundations themselves. Their solo ventures are going to be a delight if this film is anything to go by.
FILM4
THE HUNGER GAMES - 4*
This has always felt like fiction, but since January 20th The Hunger Games seems to almost scarily predict the future of America (I hope not, but Trump does have an air of President Snow about him...).
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL - 5*
Wes Anderson's hotel extravaganza was my favourite film of 2014 and remains one of my all time favourites now. It's so pretty to watch - full of eye-popping pastels and dreamy symmetry - and Ralph Fiennes is just marvellous as Moiseur Gustave. It's a joy to behold.
TRAINSPOTTING - 2*
Ugh. Too many drinks, drugs and four letter words rhyming with hunt and beginning with 'c' for my liking. I can see why it's a cult classic but it's not my cup of tea at all.
I think January's been pretty successful, and it's not even over yet! I have a list of films to see in cinemas in February, but I'd love suggestions for hidden gems to be found on the likes of Netflix, Amazon and Sky. Do let me know if there's a film I simply must see - I'll watch anything except horror, so send suggestions my way!
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