I’ve seen this film floating around on Amazon Prime for a few years but have resisted watching it until this year. I hadn’t heard of it before but I’m really glad I took a chance on it. It was warm, full of heart and genuinely moved me.
The premise is that Beth is stuck in life, she works at a struggling cinema and can’t seem to tell her boyfriend she loves him. When he dumps her, she makes a series of life choices that lead her down a different path. Between her new love interest, changing career and mum pestering her to move abroad, Beth has a lot on her plate. She is also a big fan of rom-coms and references them constantly. As a film fan, I enjoyed this touch.
The Brighton setting was something different and even though most of the film was not Christmassy, it was a great film. I really related to some aspects of Beth’s life and many of the scenes were funny and something I hadn’t seen before. The cliches were there but self aware as Beth’s boyfriend dumped her saying ‘It’s not you, it’s me’ and she begged him not to be the cliche she knew from films.
Another cliche used of a character talking to someone and you think its a love interest but is really themselves or an animal. This time Beth was talking to a cardboard cutout of Ryan Gosling. I enjoyed the witty dialogue and amusing situations that were somehow plausible yet ridiculous.
I would definitely watch this film again and not just at Christmas. A great rom-com and a surprise performance from April Pearson who is known for her role as Michelle in ‘Skins’. Overall I would give this film 4.5/5.
This Netflix Original did a flip on the usual spoilt rich boy meets a girl next door and becomes more humble. In Christmas Inheritance, it is the girl, Ellen who is sent on a mission by her father, a CEO millionaire, to hand deliver a letter to his ex-business partner in their mid-west hometown. She is only given $100 and has to travel by bus and not private plane as she is used to. At Snow Falls, she meets Jake who immediately doesn’t like her as he thinks she is spoilt and entitled. As the weather means she must stay at her inn and earn her keep, she gradually starts to learn the true meaning of Christmas and that a little kindness and generosity goes a long way.
There are some well known stars in this film: Eliza Taylor, Jake Lacy and Andie MacDowell but most actors are not people I know from other films or television. I thought the acting was good, there’s only so much you can do with this sort of plot and predictable Christmas mush but it was heartwarming and had a positive message. It was also the first time I had seen Eliza Taylor playing anyone other than Clarke Griffin in the 100 so it was interesting seeing her take on a different sort of role. It is surprising to think of Eliza as Australian as her American accent sounds native.
Overall I think this film is a gooey Christmas romance as many of the Netflix originals are but worth a watch if you’re a fan of riches to rags story or the actors. 3/5.
Another Netflix Original for today’s film and this time it’s a trip to Zambia. A new film for this year, Holiday in the Wild has a lot of heart and important messages about wild animal conservation. The film is about a woman whose husband leaves her just before they are meant to go on a safari. She ends up going alone and on the way to the luxury hotel, her pilot makes a stop to save a baby elephant. Kate decides instead of living in luxury for two weeks that she will help out at the elephant sanctuary. Back in New York, Kate used to be a vet but gave it up to raise her son while her husband worked.
This all happens in September and when Kate is due to leave, she decides to stay. She also starts bonding with Derek who has lived at the sanctuary since he was sixteen. They bond over their single lives (Derek’s wife died 15 years previously) and start breaking down the barriers they have each held around their hearts. When Christmas rolls around, Kate can’t face going back to her empty apartment for the holidays so stays in Africa. Her son, who is now in college comes to visit her for Christmas Day. I won’t reveal too much more of the story but the plot is predictable enough.
What separated this film from other Christmas love stories is that not all the film is set at Christmas time and the love story is not the main focus. It centres around Kate rediscovering her passion for animals and learning to love elephants. At the end of the film, just before the credits, there is a really important message about elephant conservation and links to some charities.
I enjoyed this film and even though it was cheesy in some parts, it had real heart and the acting felt very natural. A fun fact is that Kate’s son is played by Rob Lowe’s son in real life. I would watch this again but probably next Christmas. It is also suitable for younger audiences. Overall 4/5.
A fun family film with a nice warm ending. Deck the Halls is a film I re-watched in preparation for the Countdown to Christmas and I had forgotten how funny and entertaining the film is. It centres around two rival neighbours and their families. Steve Finch lives a quiet life until his new neighbours arrive in town. Buddy Hall is a car salesman and moves his family around a lot when he gets bored of a town. After his daughters show him My Earth (A fictional version of Google Earth) and point out that there house isn’t visible, Buddy decides to make his house a massive light display that can be seen from space.
This causes conflicts with Steve who then tries to sabotage the light display in order to get a good night’s sleep. Meanwhile, Steve who is normally king of Christmas, has a run of bad luck. The film is led by Danny DeVito and Matthew Broderick with Kristin Davis and Kristin Chenoweth supporting. There are some great scenes with plenty of physical comedy. A sweet ending that puts you right in the Christmas mood and thankful that you aren’t Steve Finch. Wholesome family fun, 3/5.
As the poster says, The Man Who Invented Christmas is about how Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol and had it published in only six weeks. After a few flops in a row, Dickens’ publishers need a new story. It is after the success of Oliver Twist but he still hasn’t written many of his famous novels. A more adult film with less frills but an entertaining watch nonetheless. If you’ve ever wondered how the story was created, then this is the film for you.
The sets and costumes really made Victorian England come alive. Before watching, I had no idea about Dickens’ background and his tricky relationship with his father and the pressure he was under to write bestsellers. Starring some acting greats like Christopher Plummer and Jonathan Pryce and Dan Stevens as Dickens. I must admit I didn’t thoroughly love this film but different audiences might find the magic in it more than me. 3/5.
A delightful film about a group of primary school kids putting on the biggest and best nativity there ever was. Mr Maddens has lost his pep and sparkle since his girlfriend left Coventry to go to Hollywood and make it big. He decides to put on the best Nativity ever with the help of teaching assistant Mr Poppy, who is more big kid than teacher. In a fit of jealousy, Mr Maddens tells an old friend, Mr Shakespeare, that Hollywood are coming to see the Nativity and make it into a film. The word gets around and the pressure is on to have to the best show Coventry has seen and to find his girlfriend and get her to see the show.
The children are the best part of the film and come up with brilliant lines and actions. Martin Freeman stars as Mr Maddens along with Jason Watkins, Marc Wootton, Pam Ferris and Alan Carr. There are now three sequels to this film and I will be reviewing Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger on 13th December. 3.5/5.
I saw this film on opening weekend to get in the festive mood and it did not disappoint. A bit of a different story with some really deep themes of immigration, homelessness and illness. A quick synopsis, Kate works at a Christmas shop in Covent Garden. Ever since her hospital trip last year, she’s not had her life together. Determined not to stay at home with her needy mother and deflated father, she sleeps on friend’s sofas or with strange men she meets in the pub. She is trying to get her singing career off the ground with various West End auditions. She meets Tom and a love story starts between them. Kate learns to be less selfish and embrace her heritage (former Yugoslavia) and help others including her sister, Marta and boss Santa.
A lovely film featuring songs by Wham! and George Michael, this film hit emotions that I did not expect it to. Brilliant writing as always by Emma Thompson who also plays Kate’s mother. The film features a few recognisable British actors and had a great racial diversity that reflected London. A sad twist near the end but an overall uplifting ending. A new classic that I will be seeking out next year. 4/5.
This ensemble comedy from 2003 is widely considered the best British Christmas film. With some of the best British and American actors, many of whom have become household names, this film is full to the brim with talent. It shows different characters in the lead up to Christmas, the newly-wed couple and love-struck best man; the cheated writer who finds a new beau in France; the prime minister and his assistant; the widowed husband and his love-sick step-son; the stand ins with chemistry; the boss and his assistant and his wife; the Brit abroad looking for love in the US; the American who has loved the same man for 2 years but has a troublesome brother and the old pop star and his manager trying to get a new Christmas number one.
An element I really love is that all the characters tie in with each other or bump into each other a some point or another. A few stand out moments are Hugh Grant’s dancing; Natalie’s crazy family and Rowan Atkinson packing a Christmas gift.
I have watched this film every Christmas for the last five years or so, since I discovered it and will definitely be watching it again this year. I give it 5/5.
I had been looking forward to this film for a while due to the starry cast and the trailer. It did not disappoint. Every aspect of the film was done really well and the film definitely lived up to expectations. I won’t give too much away but the film begins at the end of the events with the main character, Theo as an adult in a hotel room in Amsterdam. Something has clearly happened to him and the film tells the story of how he got there.
Hello readers,
Just a quick review today as I have had lots of deadlines recently and I’m working on a bigger post that will hopefully be out soon.
I saw the Goldfinch last Sunday and it had such an impact on me that I thought I would write a review. I had hoped to finish this review by the end of October but I wanted to do it justice.
The Goldfinch
I had been looking forward to this film for a while due to the starry cast and the trailer. It did not disappoint. Every aspect of the film was done really well and the film definitely lived up to expectations. I won’t give too much away but the film begins at the end of the events with the main character, Theo as an adult in a hotel room in Amsterdam. Something has clearly happened to him and the film tells the story of how he got there.
As a young teen in New York City, Theo suffers a traumatic event that leaves him with no where to go. The synopsis reveals that his mother is killed in a bombing at the Met. He goes to a friend Andy’s house where the Barbour family takes Theo in. Theo is very cultured as he liked to attend art galleries with his mother. Mrs Barbour bonds with him over this. When Theo’s estranged father comes back into the picture, he takes him back to Las Vegas with bartender girlfriend, Xandra. He makes a new friend Boris who leads him to a path of drugs and alcohol.
The storyline switches from Theo as an adult, working in antiques and dating Andy’s sister back to Theo in Las Vegas, struggling with loneliness and his father trying to scam him. Boris is also lonely living with his abusive father and the two bond quickly. We slowly piece together what happened between Theo’s childhood and his life as an adult.
At the centre of the film is the Goldfinch. A piece of art that Theo was looking at before the explosion in the Met. He finds it in the wreckage and decides to keep it. It is a expensive painting but Theo can’t find it in himself to give it back.
There are many things I have left out as I don’t want to reveal too much but I think the chemistry between the actors and the art direction of the film really sold it. The emotions explored were so intricate and deep that I really empathised with Theo’s life and everything he goes through.
The star-studded cast includes:
Oakes Fegley from Pete’s Dragon (2016) plays the protagonist young Theo. He had such a great manner and expression that I really believed in his character. I think he will become a household name in the future.
Ansel Elgort from The Fault in Our Stars (2014) is adult Theo. The likeness to Fegley is outstanding. Whether Elgort observed Fegley’s character and adapted it for his own character or vice versa but I never questioned that he was the older version of Fegley. It was a different role for Elgort from his usual teen films and Theo’s spiral into drugs and crime has continued into his adulthood.
Aneurin Barnard known for Dunkirk (2017) is older Boris who Theo reconnects with in New York years after the events in Vegas. His likeness to younger Boris is also uncanny but not as great as the two Theos. I have seen Barnard in another film this year Dead in a Week or Your Money Back and his character was so completely different to Boris that I was not comparing in this film.
Finn Wolfhard known for playing Mike Wheeler in Stranger Things (2016) takes a different turn as young Boris. He is from Ukraine so has a strong accent that I thought was very good. His bad boy character was so unlike Mike but Wolfhard played it really well. I think he is going to continue to be a successful young actor.
Sarah Paulson from American Horror Story (2011-2018) as Xandra, Theo’s dad’s girlfriend is transformed into a blonde bartender with highlights and false nails. I haven’t seen her in a role like this before and I think she really pulled it off.
Luke Wilson known for The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) is Theo’s dad. A washed up actor who has got into gambling, Larry turns up in New York and takes Theo away from his new life to Las Vegas where the desert is encroaching on the road. Larry doesn’t treat Theo very well and is trying to get his money. I wouldn’t reveal the ending but it was certainly a twist.
Jeffrey Wright known for Shaft (2000) as Hobie. He runs an antiques shop and his business partner, Welty dies in the explosion. Theo works with him as an adult and the two have a strong bond. Hobie also looks after Pippa, Welty’s niece until she goes to live with her aunt. We see Pippa again in the future when she comes back to the shop.
Nicole Kidman known for Moulin Rouge! (2001) is Mrs Barbour, the first mother figure Theo finds after his mother’s death. Her character was a total revelation as I feel that Kidman does loving yet poised very well but she was certainly a central player in the film.
That will be all for my review today and I hope to do a few more posts this month.
Films I have enjoyed recently are Judy; Zombieland: Double Tap; Ad Astra; Oceans’s Eleven & Twelve and In Bruges.
A few shows I can recommend are Daybreak; Living With Yourself; The Good Place and Looking for Alaska.
There’s lots of great things coming out in the cinema: The Aeronauts; Midway; Ford v Ferrari; Last Christmas; 21 Bridges; Knives Out and Charlie’s Angels.
This was initially going to just be a review of Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood but I decided to include a couple of others I saw in the cinema. A Rainy Day in New York was one I went to for the actors and even though the performances were good, Woody Allen’s direction and writing did not work. Animals, directed by Sophie Hyde, was a screening I attended on my shift at the small cinema I volunteer at. Bizarrely, no one turned up. Below, I’m going to examine why these films have not done so well. Plus what I think of the latest Tarantino.
Hello readers,
This was initially going to just be a review of Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood but I decided to include a couple of others I saw in the cinema this month. A Rainy Day in New York was one I went to for the actors and even though the performances were good, Woody Allen’s direction and writing did not work. Animals, directed by Sophie Hyde, was a screening I attended on my shift at the small cinema where I volunteer. Bizarrely, no-one turned up. Below, I’m going to examine why these films have not done so well. Plus what I think of the latest Tarantino.
Now on to the film. The basic premise involves college couple Gatsby (Chalamet) and Ashleigh (Elle Fanning) going to New York City for an interview Ashleigh has landed with a director. Gatsby wants to turn the weekend into showing her his favourite spots as a New York Native and meeting his family. They quickly get separated as Ashleigh gets involved in the dramas of the director (Liev Schreiber), his screenwriter (Jude Law)and hotshot actor Francisco Vega (Diego Luna). Gatsby connects with his ex-girlfriend’s younger sister, Chan (Selena Gomez) and ends up taking her to the activities.
The synopsis doesn’t sound so bad but the writing and many plot points turned this film into a sexist, unbelievable film. For starters, all the characters speak to each other as though they are doing a PhD in linguistics. The language is filled with metaphors and references that the target audience, 16-24, would not understand. I certainly did not understand it neither did the person I went with. As for the sexism, Ashleigh goes to do a one hour interview with a director and ends up having emotional and physical affairs with three different older men in one day. She is a smart young woman and seeing all these older men taking advantage of her is so remnant of the #MeToo movement that Allen is involved in its almost funny. Most people would not just abandon their boyfriends to go off with older men despite how clever or sexy they are. Ashleigh was also playing the part of the dumb blond. She could never remember which hotel she was staying in. She may never have been to New York except for once in her childhood but anyone can remember one name.
Ashleigh’s naivety and Gatsby’s pursuit of Chan despite once dating her sister and being in a relationship are some of the points of the film that really did not work for me. Also, the coincidences of people just happening to run into each other was too unbelievable. Once or twice for the rom com effect maybe but New York is not as small as it appeared to be in this film. The ending where Chan and Gatsby just know to meet in the same place was cute but too far-fetched. Another scene where Gatsby’s mother confesses to being an escort before she met his father didn’t add anything to the plot. This is practically the only scene we see them interact.
One other issue I had was that despite having smartphones, the film could have been set in the 80s/90s. The characters never went on social media which is an every day necessity of Generation Z or took any photos. They only used their phones for the occasional text or call. I think if you’re going to write a film in modern day New York you have to use the technology and environment of the present day. You could tell that it was written by someone who is not familiar with what the younger generation actually do or talk about.
Overall the actors did the best with what they had but it just felt like any other Woody Allen film from days gone by. I half expected Diane Keaton to pop up in a baggy suit. 2/5.
Once Upon a Time…In Hollywood
Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood Poster
I finally got around to seeing the new Quentin Tarantino film. It was definitely not what I expected but after reflecting for a few weeks was typical of Tarantino’s personal style, elevated by the talented cast. I am not a huge fan of Tarantino having seen about half of his filmography which is not hard as he has only made nine films. My favourite is Inglorious Basterds but Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood is definitely up there. I really enjoyed the setting and aesthetic of the Golden Age of Hollywood.
The film revolves around several characters, many stars from the time. Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), an action star is becoming edged out of the business and feels like his glory days are over. His friend and stunt man, Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) is struggling with his own life being over and how he’s going to survive in his trailer.
Rick lives next door to Hollywood director Roman Polanski (Rafal Zawierucha) and his wife, Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie). They are rarely seen together as Roman is always away filming. Sharon is often seen with her ex, Jay Sebring (Emile Hirsch). Rick is trying to get more roles as the leading man but ends up doing many guest TV episodes as the one off villain. His agent, Marvin Schwarz (Al Pacino) suggests he find more leading man roles otherwise the public will start to see him as the villain.
Meanwhile, Cliff has his own plot going on as he meets Pussycat (Margaret Qualley) from a nearby cult run by ‘Charlie’ who is actually Charles Manson. I was aware that the story evolved around Sharon Tate and Charles Manson and thought it would show the famous murder but it had a more spectacular, fictonal ending. Anyway, Cliff visits the ranch where the cult live to check on an old friend, George Spahn (Bruce Dern).
Other highlights include Sharon going to the cinema to see her new film and not being recognised; Rick being told by his young co-star ‘that was some of the best acting I’ve ever seen’; a fight between Cliff and Bruce Lee and Brad Pitt shirtless on a roof. The ending was in true Tarantino style, violent and over the top. It involved members of the cult breaking into Rick’s house and ends with mauling, stabbing and one of the intruders being torched by Rick’s flame gun. Although the violence was over the top for the film, it was true to Tarantino’s style.
Overall I really enjoyed the film and the Hollywood setting really made it for me. The calibre of acting was amazing and it was great to see Leo and Brad vibing off each other. The script was great and all the shop fronts, cars, costumes and props really helped you believe it was 1969. 4/5.
Animals
Animals Poster
I had not heard much about this film other than seeing in it on the programme but I think it was a shame that no one turned up to see it. It had a quality that really drew you to the characters and I certainly became invested in their story. It centres on two women, Laura and Tyler, roommates and best friends living in Ireland. They party most nights but when Laura finds a connection with musician Jim, she tries to pull away from her life with Tyler.
The raw honesty in this film, based on a book by Emma Jane Unsworth, was one of the best parts about it. Female friendships are often shown as rock solid and always loving and supportive but the rockiness and co-dependency of Laura (Holliday Grainger) and Tyler’s (Alia Shawkat) friendship was really refreshing to see. We can see the world through both of their eyes. Laura is fed up of being told how great she is by Tyler despite not doing any work. She claims to be a writer but has only done 10 pages in the last decade. Tyler constantly tells her how talented she is but when it comes to actually writing Laura draws a blank and goes back to drinking and partying with Tyler.
Tyler meanwhile doesn’t seem to have many ambitions other than having a brilliant night every night. Her outfits are outrageous and cool. Clothes we all wish we could pull off before throwing on jeans and a nice top. She is very insecure about Laura’s whirlwind relationship with Jim and their engagement seems to be the catalyst to set off the divide between them. Tyler turns 30 but doesn’t feel like she should clean up her act until Laura moves out.
Laura seeing her wild little sister have a baby and settled into family life drives her to want to marry Jim but the pair don’t actually have that much in common. The hopelessness and pressure to write something good was greatly shown by Laura. She had a fear of never being brilliant so didn’t really try.
I think that no one turned up as it had not been greatly advertised and most of the cast and crew aren’t widely known. Marketing is so important in today’s era when there is so much choice.
Overall I enjoyed the film and was an honest portrait of women with no male gaze thanks to the female director, Sophie Hyde. An enjoyable watch that will make you feel better about your own failures. 3/5.
This concludes my three films for this post. No 5/5s for this week but not every film you see is going to be amazing. They all had their own qualities though.
Other films I have enjoyed recently are Dead in a Week… Or Your Money Back; The Back-Up Plan and Tall Girl. Now that I am back at university, I hope to start going to the cinema more often.
