Tag: movie

Guest Review: Cinderella – How this princess went from Cinders to Ella in a modern musical manifestation

Hello readers,

This week’s post is brought to you by guest writer, Terry who you may remember earlier in the year from her review on Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret.

Her chosen film is from a couple of years ago and can be found on Amazon Prime. I have not seen the film myself but after her review and passionate breakdown, I have added it to my list and a modern fairy tale is always a great watch this time of year.

Cinderella (2021)

If the star-studded poster above doesn’t narrow down which version of the legendary chronicle this review will focus on, it is the jukebox musical rom-com adaption written and directed by the one and only Kay Cannon (of Pitch Perfect, New Girl, Girlboss etc. fame!). Before we begin…

Truthfully, it took me time to finally give this Cinderella a chance. Unfortunately, I was put off watching after hearing various negative opinions. However, as many people (including good friend/film fanatic Robyn) rightly say, ‘you have to watch and see for yourself’. Now that I have, my only regret is… Not watching sooner! Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion of course, but I feel most of the negative remarks I heard came from people who weren’t the target audience i.e., non-musical lovers, or those who believe there’s been enough revamped fairy-tale adaptations. While there’s something to be said about the latter, it’s hard to argue against wanting to recapture the magic of certain stories. Especially if they have something new to say.

Camila Cabello, Billy Porter and Idina Menzel promoting Cinderella with James Corden for a feature on his talk show, Crosswalk Musical

Thanks to social media I had actually seen a lot of Cinderella’s promotional material, by the time I eventually watched, I thought I’d already seen the film’s most imperative parts. Something I found especially frustrating as I hate when previews incorporate spoilers, something that too many do now as a form of enticement. To that end I assumed I knew what to expect, especially since I’m familiar with the fairy-tale. How wrong I was! This version of Cinderella is still an orphan with mice friends in the unenviable position of being forced to be a maid by a stepfamily who treat her with contempt (when they aren’t ignoring her). Nevertheless, despite being another retelling of an already quite frequently adapted, centuries old fable – and having the daunting task of trying to stand apart from extensively popular Disney versions – Cannon’s Cinderella managed to surprise me being unapologetically unique in a myriad of enjoyable ways. Some of which included having genuine laugh-out-loud comedic moments (especially when the mice take on their human/celebrity personas), as well as clever pokes at traditional fairy-tale tropes. Such as, despite being set in a conventional medieval-esque fairy-tale kingdom, the film has modern elements. This is evident in several ways. The soundtrack is an obvious example, additionally the dialogue is ‘with-the-times’. On this note, many of the characters have American accents. Save for the Royal family, other members of nobility and most of their closest allies/companions, who are of course English, Scottish or from another UK region. Although it’s worth noting that, for the most part, it seems that the majority of the characters speak their portrayers’ real accent. There is so much else to say about the film it is easier to split my thoughts into categories.

Soundtrack

Cinderella’s jukebox status is deserved given its impressive roster featuring an extensive compilation of songs. With iconic covers such as, but not limited to: Madonna’s ‘Material Girl’, Queen’s ‘Somebody to Love’, Ed Sheeran’s ‘Perfect’, including fun mashups, and even one or two original pieces. Whether they’re accompanied by fun choreographed dances or not, all result in memorably entertaining and/or moving performances.

If I wanted to convince a non-musical aficionado who finds singing about feelings ‘cheesy and unrealistic’ to give Cinderella, and other musicals, a chance I’d say two things (and if they’re cynical enough not to take a chance on my recommendation, their loss). One: as far as realism goes, escapism is far more fun. Two: much like dramatic plays or films employ intense monologues; musicals instead use songs as a medium to communicate innermost thoughts and emotions of their characters, and they shouldn’t be snubbed. Music is a powerful tool for expression. Cinderella has a lot to say, and each song was very carefully chosen, taking into account which character(s) would perform it and why. You’ll be listening to the album of this iconic masterpiece on a loop after your very first watch, I know I still am!

Themes

Having the courage to never abandon your dreams and goals no matter the obstacles in your path is definitely one of Cinderella’s main messages. Wanting more for yourself no matter your circumstances doesn’t make you selfish, everyone is entitled to happiness and fulfilment. Speaking your mind and standing up for yourself and what you believe in is another point Cannon wants to drive home, evident in the way most of the characters refuse to stand down. Another message, without revealing spoilers, is that love is worth fighting for and you don’t ultimately have to make a choice between your achieving dreams or getting to be with your one true love (e.g. Mia and Seb in La La Land). You can enjoy both and more.

Correspondingly, feminism is an important theme. From the moment we hear from Billy Porter’s narration as fairy godparent (or ‘Fab G’) in the opening, we’re made to understand the kingdom is old-fashioned and traditional. In other words, patriarchy is rampant. Men are leaders and breadwinners; women expected to be compliant mothers, wives, and daughters. No room for interests outside the house, definitely not careers. Furthermore, they’re scrutinised and mocked for wanting more. This is especially investigated with Ella’s journey through the film as she challenges sexism and gender conventions.

In my opinion something that works in Cinderella’s favour is it’s deliberation in how patriarchy harms men as well as women. While women are oppressed and belittled, men are taught to uphold toxic masculinity and reject weakness no matter personal feelings or toll. Exploring how patriarchy negatively affects them too is refreshing, especially since it seems more films are taking note i.e., Barbie. Additionally, while feminism is the credence that men and women are and should be equals, it’s often grossly and damagingly misunderstood. Firstly, that being a feminist means hating men. Secondly, that it is about female domination, as opposed to liberation from unfair gendered expectations and limitations that affect women and men. Equity would perhaps be a more accurate label than feminism, however the term itself was coined at a time when women were more heavily subjugated while men exclusively had rights. Thus, fighting for female empowerment was a first step towards equality. Throughout Cinderella, traditional gender roles are constantly challenged – women have ambitions unrelated to marriage, and men are dared and encouraged to show emotion.

Cast

The film is composed of a diverse roster of characters, and everyone understood their assignments.

First and foremost, our leading lady. To nobody’s surprise Camilla Cabello can beautifully pull off this role’s musicality. Additionally, she gives an earnestly impassioned portrayal of a beloved character (I couldn’t believe it was her acting debut), and effectively makes Ella her own. In my opinion, Cabello’s interpretation is a more modern and three-dimensional take. For instance, this Ella has more agency as well as more of a personality, and attributes outside of being beautiful inside and out. She has dreams and goals other than finding true love, which at the beginning couldn’t be a concept further away from her mind. No, Ella is far more preoccupied in finding a way of escaping her current circumstances. But she’s not looking to accomplish this feat simply by marrying above her station like her stepmother is teaching her stepsisters. Ella is resolute in becoming independent and earning her own freedom, namely by fulfilling her dream of running a successful dress-making line and making a name for herself. So much so that Ella isn’t initially interested in attending the ball at all, given that not only does she have no interest in meeting or winning the Prince’s favour, but she also finds the notion of holding a ball to find a bride weird and antiquated. Additionally, Ella believes that even if she were interested someone like the Prince could never notice someone like her; one way she feels imposter syndrome. In the end, Ella only changes her mind about attending after learning that in attendance at the ball will be people from all over the world that might be interested in investing in her business. Ella surprises herself more than anyone else when she finds herself falling for Robert, she’d never planned for love but welcomes the possibility when it appears. But despite falling in love with a Prince, Ella has no intention of disrupting any chance of achieving a lifelong dream.

Ella is resolute in her ambitions and often takes fate into her own hands despite all the obstacles in her path, and only really having (initially at least) three mice as friends and moral support. I find this to be a much more inspiring, interesting and realistic exploration of the character. Not to mention in awarding Ella such agency she becomes a refreshingly better role model for younger children watching the film, especially girls. While this Ella is just as beautiful and incredibly kind as her predecessors, these admirable and desirable attributes are often treated as the default, and for some reason exclusive, characteristics for female characters. Especially in the past. Only focusing on two characteristics leaves little room for other traits and interests, resulting in imbalanced and fanciful portrayals, as well as unfortunate criticisms of vapidity. Which is unfaithful to life as women are multifaceted individuals, their many layers coming together and making them who they are. To our benefit this is being reflected more and more each day. Ella’s ambition, resilience and refusal to abandon or compromise her dreams are powerful messages for audience members of all ages watching the film.

Next, we have Nicholas Galitzine depicting another charming royal, though Cinderella was prior to his turn as Prince Henry in Red, White and Royal Blue. Having seen the latter first, the former confirmed my theory Galitzine was born to play royalty. Both share similarities, though I’d argue Robert is slightly edgier than Henry in a few ways, perhaps most superficially evident through his earring and almost exclusively black wardrobe. Despite facing slightly different challenges, one of their parallels is they recognise the flaws and issues that come with unwaveringly obeying a traditional monarchical structure. However, they’ve been raised to believe they’re powerless to change the status quo despite their position. In that vein, Robert has a turbulent relationship with his father. Strict and prickly King Rowan (Pierce Brosnan) is pressuring him to stop being frivolous and marry advantageously. Nonetheless, Robert has made a sport of dodging engagement offers. At first glance this seems like rebellion and so that he can continue palling around with his loyal merry bros instead of settling down and accepting royal responsibilities. Nevertheless, we discover Robert’s reluctance to wed stems from fear of marrying a stranger he’s unsuited to. Especially since Rowan drills into him that princes and kings marry for power, not love. For all his bravado, Robert has moments of genuine emotional vulnerability not always awarded to male characters. Unfortunately, Rowan’s not easily deterred, giving his son one last chance to find a bride at the kingdom’s upcoming ball, where prospective princesses will be attending. Otherwise Rowan will choose. Robert acquiesces after convincing him to invite all the kingdom’s maidens, regardless of station. Robert thought of this after Ella catches his eye, notably during a love ballad. He becomes enchanted, especially since she boldly talks back to his father. He immediately takes action opening up the ball, then sets out to find the mysterious maiden to invite her. His desire to feel a genuine connection with Ella is so profound he takes the precaution of a disguise so whatever feelings she could have aren’t influenced by his title. Planning to reveal the truth at the ball. In a refreshing change of pace from convention, the male protagonist dreams of love and finding his soulmate.

Much like Ella, this character was granted much-deserved updates. Prince Robert is not only charming, handsome and benevolent, but is also allowed to have flaws, quirks and character development. Which Galitzine is more than capable of bringing to life. Initially Robert exists in his own world, both literally and figuratively. No doubt a consequence being sheltered a lifetime in a literal castle. I wouldn’t call Robert selfish, but he begins more attuned to his own needs and desires, unconsciously oblivious to his privilege. Meeting and falling for Ella is the catalyst to his journey and growth. Such additions make this version of the Prince more relatable, allowing him to stand out from previous portrayals of superficial perfection.

Idina Menzel personifies a different sort of melodic ice-queen when she steps into the stepmother’s shoes. Vivian treats Ella dreadfully and is emotionally abusive, however their relationship is much more complex. For example, as opposed to previous portrayals Vivian actually does have some maternal feelings towards her stepdaughter, and the film concludes hinting at potential reconciliation between the two. A more moving and realistically layered depiction. Menzel is masterful is providing depth to a cynical social-climbing character that’s only ever been portrayed as being cruel and evil for the sake of it and succeeds in making Vivian somewhat sympathetic. Especially when we discover her hard-headed coldness comes from real places of hurt after having her own dreams and ambitions broken by family and the world. While it doesn’t absolve earlier treatment of Ella, it gives audiences a chance to understand her perspective and what made her that way. Vivian had dreams and desires like Ella, before becoming twisted by societal expectations.

As previously mentioned, Robert and Rowan don’t start with the best relationship. The latter an obstinate no-nonsense sovereign (both as ruler and family patriarch) and the former wanting to be nothing like him. Rowan intensely scrutinises and criticises Robert’s every move, constantly pressuring him to be a worthy heir who’ll relentlessly follow tradition no matter what. This pursuit leads to him frequently dismissing his wife and their daughter, Princess Gwen (Tallulah Grieve). An original character who demonstrates interest and capacity for state affairs but isn’t considered an option for heir like Robert is just from her gender. While Rowan puts up a convincing front as merciless patriarch, deep down he does care for his family. But due to toxic masculinity and his status as King not only does he find it inappropriate to express vulnerable feelings, he doesn’t know how. While this isn’t discussed I think that Rowan is merely continuing a cycle that his own father and King would have instilled into him. Possibly through even stricter and crueller means than he implements towards Robert. Like his son, Rowan goes through his own emotional journey and character development across the film.

Minnie Driver steps into a well-deserved crown as strong and regal Queen Beatrice. While father and son are strained, it’s repeatedly stated that mother and son are the exact opposite. Beatrice is fiercely protective of Robert and supports his wish to marry for love. Yes, the Queen’s scenes tend to be in relation to her husband, but this is far from a disservice. Beatrice has talents and interests beyond being the Queen, such as painting and fencing. Furthermore, she speaks her mind to Rowan and calls him out often. This leads to a powerful scene when she confronts Rowan about the way he’s been acting not only as King, but his treatment of her and their family. Rowan may be the authority of their Kingdom, but Beatrice refuses to blindly submit to him. The Queen knows her worth and what she, her family and the kingdom deserve. My only complaint about Beatrice is we didn’t get more insight into her relationship with Gwen, especially as two proficient women who are expected to be ornamental at best. However, there is only so much a film can explore in its run time, and as Robert and Rowan explore a paternal relationship, the maternal one is examined with Ella and Vivian.

Additionally, I feel that Robert’s younger sister Gwen merited more screen time, and not just to further explore her individual relationships within her family. Gwen’s an interesting original character, who desires being Rowan’s heir as much as Robert does. Though she is debatably better suited and more passionate. The Princess’ tenacity shines every time she speaks her mind and challenges sexism. Her sidelining could have been a clever tongue-in-cheek nod at how most other characters overlook and dismiss her opinions, but once again it’s more likely we didn’t get more Gwen because there’s only much that can be included and explored in 113 minutes. Still, it would have been nice to see even a little bit more of her since as far as we can see Ella, Gwen and Beatrice are the only women actually challenging men and traditional status quo. But I do appreciate that Gwen’s arc has nothing to do with avoiding an unwanted arranged marriage, and I love a scene where Ella (who hadn’t met her yet at this point) states the real brains of the family is Princess Gwen. Despite being stuck on the sidelines Gwen still manages to inspire her people by being the type of character that makes an impact despite limited scenes. We clearly understand what drives and motivates her.

It’s worth noting that despite parallel interest in the throne, Gwen and Robert aren’t presented as enemies or bitter rivals. Which is relieving as it would’ve felt like an obvious route to take. While Robert, like other characters, is guilty of overlooking his sister, he never stoops low to taunt her by rubbing his title and position as heir in her face. Simultaneously, while Gwen constantly questions her father’s pronouncements, she never resorts to take cruel shots at Robert or his own suitability as heir in an attempt of presenting herself as a better option. So, while their sibling relationship unfortunately isn’t explored greatly, I feel like this still says a lot about the type of bond and rapport they have between the scenes. This is further implied in a much clearer manner when Robert gives Gwen a special gift that she unmistakeably appreciates. Additionally, Grieve’s performance in a scene where Rowan is cruelly admonishing Robert and dismissing Beatrice displays Gwen’s distress at how her father treats her family. This is significant since whenever Gwen herself is treated unfairly she remains stoic and poised. This consequently insinuates she’s more hurt by a loved one’s pain than her own, inferring even more about the type of person she is. All in all, Tallulah Grieve’s portrayal shouldn’t be overlooked the same way her character is. I would very happily watch Princess Gwen in a spin-off film or series featuring her at the centre!

Billy Porter absolutely nails the role of Ella’s magical fairy godparent, who has traditionally been portrayed exclusively by women. Gender flipping a legendary character is always a risk, but as long as the actor and script do them justice (which is the case here) it’s worth it. Much like Ella, Fab G fits into no one’s pre-existing mould and has no intention of ever trying to. Additionally, having a man so effortlessly put his own unapologetic spin on a character audiences traditionally associate with women and overly feminine iconography very blatantly challenges toxic masculinity. While Porter only appears onscreen to be iconic in dishing out magic and advice alike for one scene, he makes every second as Fab G count. He may leave you wanting more, but fortunately we are blessed and treated with Fab G’s witty remarks thanks to Porter’s narration in the film.  

Cinderella managed to truly move and astonish me with its emotional beats while still being genuinely entertaining and funny. What’s more as an avid lover of film, great performances and representations are not something that I could ever overlook. In other words, what a great time!

Having said that, I’d recommend more to people who are more partial to Barbie and Mamma Mia than to exclusively hardcore Oppenheimer or The Dark Knight enthusiasts. Moreover, we must be wary of harmful statements that circulate as there has been an unfortunate trend in films that feature more diverse casts and updated takes on stories/genres. They get review-bombed by trolls that don’t want to give them a real chance for being boring and woke (such as Captain Marvel and The Eternals) when they just feature more inclusive representation and storytelling that better embodies the real world and cultural zeitgeist.

Film Review: Saltburn – Emerald Fennell’s second outing certainly leaves an impression on you

Hello readers,

Last night I saw Saltburn, the sophomore film directed by Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman) who has also been seen lately in the Barbie film as Midge, the pregnant doll.

Saltburn has had a lot of buzz from its debut at TFF in Colorado, US before making its European premiere at the BFI London Film Festival and a final appearance at SXSW Sydney. It has now been released worldwide in cinemas. This is unusual for a film that starts its life in the festival circuit but with such a star-studded cast and the company LuckyChap Entertainment behind it (Margot Robbie and husband Tom’s venture), there was no doubt that this film would not put bums on seats.

I had heard of most of the main cast for various other films: veterans of the industry Richard E. Grant and Rosamund Pike have graced British screens many a time; Aussie favourite Jacob Elordi has been making a splash in Euphoria and recent release, Priscilla; I saw Archie Madekwe’s big break in Gran Turismo earlier this year and Irish actors Alison Oliver and Barry Keoghan have been featured on both the small and big screens, respectively.

I will be discussing the ending so spoiler warning if you have not yet had the chance to see the film.

Saltburn (2023)

The films opens on a famous Oxford landmark, the Radcliffe Camera. Having studied at Oxford Brookes University, the streets of the city are always a welcome site on the big screen. In the frenzy of the first day at school, we are introduced to Oliver Quick (Keoghan), a shy bespectacled student from Merseyside who has a habit of watching from afar rather than joining in. Through the first term, we see Felix Catton and Farley Start (Elordi and Madekwe), cousins and in the popular group at the college. Farley has a tutorial with Oliver and becomes the teacher’s favourite after revealing the name of his mother.

While Oliver only has a fellow outsider, Michael, for company, he appears longing to be in Felix’s orbit. A chance meeting and lending of a bicycle cement the start of a friendship. The two become gradually closer as Oliver reveals his troubled home life and addict parents. Farley does not warm to Oliver as he reminds him of himself – an outsider. Farley is living with his family due to his mother not having enough to support them both.

When the year ends and Oliver has told Felix about his father passing away, Oliver is invited to the Catton family home for the summer: Saltburn. The house or mansion is a fictional estate based in Northamptonshire. With its sprawling gardens, labyrinthian maze, wild swimming pond and endless rooms, Saltburn is the perfect escape for Oliver.

Elspeth and James Catton (Pike and Grant) are the welcoming parents if a little cattish, gossiping about Oliver’s family situation and “Poor Dear” Pamela, a family friend staying with them played by Carey Mulligan. Pamela is almost the Oliver of Saltburn, the person that has fallen on hard times that they feel sorry for and are only friends with out of pity.

Oliver also meets Venetia Catton, Felix’ sister (Alison Oliver). Initially disinterested, he finds her hanging around outside his bedroom window at night and tries to control her with sex. This is when the audience begins to realise that Oliver is not the poor, innocent, vulnerable person he appears to portray.

While the summer is whiled away with reading the last Harry Potter book, the film is set in 2006/2007; the family and Farley begin to discover the cracks in Oliver’s persona. Elsbeth cares for him as another son but Felix starts to find him clingy.

A lavish party is planned for Oliver’s birthday towards the end of summer and after a surprise road trip to his hometown of Prescot, Oliver is forced to face the reality that his parents are actually middle-class and normal. This drives a wedge between Oliver and Felix that culminates in an argument at the centre of the maze during the party.

In the morning when Felix is found dead, presumably of a drug overdose, the family grieves. They try and eat breakfast as if nothing has ever happened while drawing the curtains to block out the coroner going past and into the maze. While Venetia and Farley can barely hold in their tears, Oliver makes conversation with James and Elspeth. Farley is also banished for good after an email is discovered from him trying to sell off one of the family’s antiques to cover his mother’s expenses.

Oliver stays for Felix’ funeral and is the only non-family member present when they carry out their tradition of writing the deceased’s name on a stone and throwing it into a river. Venetia struggles with her brother’s death and after a conversation with Oliver she is found dead in the bath, having killed herself.

James finally realises that his wife will now not let Oliver out of her clutches as the only pseudo child left. He pays him to leave them alone in their grief.

Jump forward to Covid times, presumably 2021, Oliver meets Elspeth in a London café. She has just moved to the area after her husband’s death. They share in their grief for the Catton family and when Elspeth falls ill, Oliver becomes her caretaker, wheeling her around Saltburn.

While she lies hooked up to a ventilator and barely conscious, Oliver finally reveals his grand plan. He orchestrated the friendship with Felix and got an invite to Saltburn. He put cocaine in Felix’s champagne, causing his death; gave razor blades to Venetia when she was at her rock bottom and then proceeds to take Elspeth off the machine keeping her alive.

While Elspeth was able to consent, he got written into her will and the last scene shows Oliver dancing through Saltburn, naked having managed to inherit the sprawling estate and family fortune. We see each of the four family member’s stones perched on top of a puppet toy depicting them.

The film had a lot to say about class and wealth. While the Catton’s don’t pretend to be less than they are, they open their home and hearts to practical strangers on whom they take pity. Their trust in Oliver and underestimation of him, is what leads to their downfall. At Oxford, Felix joins in with his friends making fun of Oliver but is quick to fold him into the group when he thinks he would make a good sidekick and doesn’t see him as a threat.

Farley is the first one who suspects Oliver and tries to distance himself and Felix from him but after being threatened by Oliver, he realises that he is not going to be able to beat him.

Personally, I did not see this twist coming and thought that Oliver would end up being the victim of the rich people as is the typical trope in thriller’s set in the world of the wealthy (for example, Ready or Not starring Samara Weaving). While Oliver is a villain for killing three, possibly four people, he represents the average person who is desperate to be part of the in crowd. He had ulterior motives but I think he also wanted to be accepted by Felix and the Cattons’ to prove that he is worthy of being in that world.

I thought that all the performances were brilliant particularly Jacob Elordi and Barry Keoghan. Without knowing Elordi was Australian, I would have thought that he was a typical British posh boy as he nailed the accent, dialect and mannerisms. Keoghan really showed Oliver’s emotions as clearly as reading a book and I sympathised with him when he longed to be in the cool kids gang. Being friends with the Cattons’ despite their strange habits, traditions and pity of him was better than not being friends with them. Oliver did some pretty odd things that gave clues to him being unhinged and Keoghan made them look very real.

I also thought Alison Oliver as Venetia was great and for someone who only started in the industry last year, I think there are big things to come for her. The scenes of just her and Oliver and after Felix’ death showed her ability to be vulnerable without being a total emotional mess.

Overall, I enjoyed the film despite the last act going in an odd direction. It was weird in a way that you can’t look away and have a desire to know how the story ends. The innocent scenes of 2000s Oxford leading into the heady summer at Saltburn gave the film an ethereal setting that you would certainly want to visit unless Oliver Quick is lurking in the shadows or underneath your window.

I give the film 4/5.

Happy Watching,

Robyn

Film Review: The Marvels

Hello readers,

With cinema releases ramping up again for the end of the year, I thought I would turn my attention to my most recent watch: The Marvels. The sequel to the first film featuring Captain Marvel played by the brilliant Brie Larson, now includes her new companions Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) and Ms Marvel (Iman Vellani).

It is wonderful to see Marvel evolving more towards female led films with the recent additions of Black Widow, Black Panther 2 and Captain Marvel. The expansion into television series on Disney Plus has also allowed for more female leads with Scarlet Witch in WandaVision; Jen Walters in She-Hulk and the upcoming Agatha: Darkhold Diaries and Echo both featuring female protagonists.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe started out led by male characters: Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and so on with women only serving as sidekicks or love interests, for example Pepper Potts, Peggy Carter and Jane Foster. Over the years, we have seen these characters all get their own storylines, hero moments and even television programmes. The inclusion of female superheroes, in my eyes, has expanded the audience that the Marvel films and shows attract. A younger girl can look at Black Widow or Captain Marvel or any of the other badass women and see someone representing them.

When people see themselves represented on screen by a powerful independent character that is the hero, it can help them to imagine themselves as a hero or even just someone who can make it through tough times. Representation has been expanding in terms of gender, race and sexuality but there are still huge leaps to be made in terms of equality. For Marvel, the source material of the comic books may have held them up at first as the stories of the 1950s and 60s featured mainly male heroes but with new storylines and characters written all the time, there is progress being made towards equity in the MCU.

The Marvels (2023)

Captain Marvel is one of the MCUs more mysterious characters. We know where she came from and how she got her powers but between the events of the first and second film there is a huge chunk of her life missing.

Carol Danvers may have been away from Earth for a while with a brief appearance in the Battle against Thanos but she has not been resting. Her aim is to solve the political unrest between the Kree and the Skrulls that she believes is due to her actions.

While Carol has been gone, new heroes have come to be. There is Monica Rambeau who we see in WandaVision (2021) gain her powers from interacting with the powers of the Scarlet Witch. Monica did appear in the first Captain Marvel film but as a child or ‘Lieutenant Trouble’ as Carol called her. Her mother, Maria was Carol’s best friend and unfortunately passed away during the Blip. Monica is now working with Nick Fury’s new venture, S.A.B.E.R in Earth’s atmosphere, only using her powers sparingly.

Ms Marvel, real name Kamala Khan is a Captain Marvel super fan and has posters all over her wall and is introduced in the Ms Marvel (2022) series. Upon donning her Nani’s bangle, she gains the ability to manipulate light and make it into solid matter. After being hunted by the Department of Damage Control (part of the former S.H.I.E.L.D), stopping the Clandestines and learning she is a mutant, Kamala suddenly swaps places with Captain Marvel.

The film kicks off where Ms Marvel ends with Carol appearing in Kamala’s room. The three way swapping continues as Carol was in the middle of fighting some Kree soldiers and they are accidentally transported to the Khans’ living room.

I thought the switching between the three heroes made the fight scene interesting and quickly reintroduced the characters to us along with alerting Fury and the Khans’ about the interlinking powers.

To minimise damage, Kamala and Monica join Captain Marvel on her ship and set out to stop Dar-Benn from decimating worlds to reawaken the Kree’s home planet, Hala. Kamala is obviously delighted with the plan much to the dismay of her mother while Monica is less keen given the history between her and Carol. She believes that Carol abandoned her on purpose with her dying mother and after the Blip, she then had no family left.

Carol also has to quickly learn the dynamic with an adult Monica with powers and teenage fan in tow. Having three female leads paved the way for more comedy and joviality than is typically seen in male led Marvel films. Kamala especially has not experienced the wider reaches of the universe and comes into new situations with a positive attitude and open heart. Carol acts as their guide and even stiff and stoic Monica begins to enjoy the quest.

I won’t go into what other things occur but let’s just say that if you’re looking for Easter eggs or clues for future projects, this is not a film to miss.

Another returning character is Goose. A sweet ginger cat who acts as Carol’s sidekick who just happens to be able to launch 30 foot tentacles from its mouth. Goose has been a fan favourite since his appearance in the first Captain Marvel film and the revelation that he was the one that gave Fury his eye patch. Goose’s new Flerken ability is revealed in the new film when he regurgitates items from the Khan’s living room. If you are a cat fan, then this film will feature a few more furry friends.

Overall, I really enjoyed Marvel’s latest outing. The grumpy/sunshine dynamic with Kamala and Monica played well against Carol who can be a mix of both. We got to see some favourite characters and meet some new ones. One funny scene sees Yusuf Khan give someone pension advice only to learn their real age.

There was a good balance of action, comedy, family interactions and heart especially with the reflections on Maria’s passing. It was great to see Kamala live her dreams of meeting her hero and learn that she is a fully fledged person and not just Captain Marvel.

I give this film 4.5 out of 5.

Happy Watching,

Robyn

2023: Summer of Cinema: Gran Turismo

It was amazing to me that this was also a true story as it seems impossible that someone can become a racer without training in real cars and not coming from a wealthy background. Jann learned all the right instincts from playing the video game and used things he has learned to his advantage in the real race such as overtaking. Jack was very doubtful at first but even he came to realise that Jann was born to race. I am pleased that there were women in the Academy too as racing has traditionally been a very male dominated sport with no female equivalent at the top level.

Hello readers,

With Barbenheimer out of the way, you may think Summer of Cinema is over but there are still a few films on my list and today’s one is all about racing. I grew up watching Formula One with my family so I’ve always enjoyed racing and subsequently racing films but the plot of this one was a little more unusual.

Gran Turismo (2023)

The film centres around Jann Mardenborough, a university dropout living at home and playing the video game, Gran Turismo on PlayStation. He has not found much passion for a career and spends all his free time and money towards the game in his room or at the local game centre. His father is not very supportive and as an ex-footballer is more interested in his youngest son’s blossoming football career.

When a unique opportunity comes from Nissan to find a driver with virtual experience rather than racing in real cars, Jann realises that he may have a chance to fulfil his dreams of being a racing driver after all. The team made up of Danny (Orlando Bloom) and ex-racer Jack (David Harbour) find the ten best sim players and put them through their paces. Among the drivers are Matty, Jann’s cocksure rival (Darren Barnet – Never Have I Ever); Antonio; Leah and Klaus (Maximilian Mundt – How to Sell Drugs Online Fast).

Jann has amazing instincts with the car and knowing all its parts which proves to Jack that maybe a sim driver could become a real racer. After winning the competition, Jann signs to Team Nissan and begins his career on the tracks. For me, the first half of the film did not have as much intrigue or emotion, particularly as they dived into the Academy scenes with a montage sequence but it really picked up when Jann started driving in actual races. I thought that Archie Madekwe who played Jann was well cast and in his driving scenes, you could see the emotion on his face. David Harbour was also good, leaning into his protective father figure character that we have seen in Stranger Things and Black Widow.

I thought the effects combined with the stunts made the races thrilling and exciting and they did not weigh them down with explanations of the types of cars or how many laps they did. I have never really seen this type of racing before but I didn’t feel lost or confused and just focused on the drivers.

It was amazing to me that this was also a true story as it seems impossible that someone can become a racer without training in real cars and not coming from a wealthy background. Jann learned all the right instincts from playing the video game and used things he has learned to his advantage in the real race such as overtaking. Jack was very doubtful at first but even he came to realise that Jann was born to race. I am pleased that there were women in the Academy too as racing has traditionally been a very male dominated sport with no female equivalent at the top level.

Racing fans or even Spice Girls fans will be surprised to see Geri Halliwell Horner make an appearance as Jann’s mother, Lesley. Many will know her as Ginger Spice but she is also married to Christian Horner, Team Principle of Red Bull for Formula One.

Overall, I enjoyed the film even though it was a little documentary like at first. Once you got to the racing part, everything started to fall into place. I give it 4/5.

Happy Watching,
Robyn

2023: Summer of Cinema: Oppenheimer

In some of his films that are set in reality, Nolan claims to use no CGI. VFX is used to touch up the shots and are not always used to create computer generated elements but in this case, over 100 visual effects artists (about 80%) were not credited for working on Oppenheimer. As someone working in VFX, I see this often enough but to not credit people is to not support fellow workers in the industry.

Hello readers,

The day has come and gone for ‘Barbenheimer’ to hit the screens and according to Rotten Tomatoes, Oppenheimer is currently pulling ahead in terms of reviews, however Barbie is winning in terms of box office. This could be because Barbie is a 12A meaning children under 12 can attend with an adult and Oppenheimer is a 15 but there are also huge differences in runtimes, directorial style and plot.

I chose to see Oppenheimer second on the Monday and I did see it at an IMAX screening as the director Christopher Nolan intended it. I didn’t quite stretch to a 70mm screening as to tell the truth, it was sold out. I am glad that I did not see both Barbie and Oppenheimer on one day as the 3 hour long film did send me to sleep a little.

Oppenheimer (2023)

I will start off the review by saying that the film was objectively good. The story was something not many people know in depth; the cast were Hollywood A-List: Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh and even the supporting cast of lesser knowns were great. The overall look with the costumes, production design and the inclusion of physics really helped set the stage and the use of lighting, composition and colour made the film look visually appealing.

As a former film student, these facts are all clear to me but personally I did not enjoy the film as much as I had hoped. I found it too long and it did not keep my interest after about one and a half hours. The female characters were only there to serve the male plotlines and even Oppenheimer’s wife, Kitty (Emily Blunt) who was featured in a lot of scenes did not really say or do much apart from seem mentally unstable or supportive of her husband. Along with Jean (Florence Pugh) having a mental breakdown and Oppenheimer’s sister-in-law, Jackie (Emma Dumont) being blacklisted as a communist, there were not any positive depictions of the women in the story.

For a female audience or even a younger audience who have grown up with men and women being more equally represented on screen to enjoy the film, there should have been more depth to the only two leading female characters: Kitty and Jean. Florence was severely underused and every scene she appeared in involved sex. The sex scenes themselves were weirdly portrayed as a conversation and sex was a secondary element which to me shows that no one needed to be naked for the scene to happen. There was a lot of pointless female nudity that was not replicated for the male counterpart.

There was also a lack of female scientists. The only speaking woman who was involved in the Manhattan Project was relegated to secretary and only got that position as a biologist. In real life, there were more women assisting Oppenheimer and his team with creating the Atomic Bomb and that just wasn’t shown in the film which was a shame. Similar stories such as the space race in Hidden Figures (2016) or the building of the Enigma machine in The Imitation Game (2014) did not shy away from including the stories of real women that helped with these scientific/mathematic projects.

In some of his films that are set in reality, Nolan claims to use no CGI. VFX is used to touch up the shots and are not always used to create computer generated elements but in this case, over 100 visual effects artists (about 80%) were not credited for working on Oppenheimer. As someone working in VFX, I see this often enough but to not credit people is to not support fellow workers in the industry.

I will say that for me, Robert Downey Jr was the standout performance of the film and for his first big role since Iron Man’s story ended, he really embodied his character: Admiral Strauss. I liked the beginning of the film where we saw Oppenheimer’s background and how he got selected for the Manhattan Project but I think the film loosened after the actual explosion happened. Moving backwards and forwards through time was also a little confusing as black and white was used for present day and colour used for flashbacks.

The general tone of the film, particularly after the bomb was not of regret for making the bomb and using it on innocent civilians but rather Americans trying to excuse themselves for making and using the bomb. Oppenheimer himself was barely affected with two weak aftermath images and no one else seemed that bothered. There was a whole scene of people cheering after hearing of the bombing which felt like patriotic propaganda. Many American people would not have agreed with its use or war in general; when the Vietnam War started there were a lot of protests.

Part of what held my interest was the appearance of many actors in small cameo roles such as Gary Oldman as President Truman; Casey Affleck; Rami Malek; Jack Quaid; Josh Peck; Devon Bostick and Alex Wolff.

Overall, I think I was not the right audience of the film but I have seen other film critics agree with my thoughts so not everyone enjoyed it. I think Nolan is a good director, I have enjoyed other films of his: Interstellar, Inception, The Prestige, Dunkirk and Memento but on this occasion, the film just didn’t grab me. As always these are just my opinions and I would encourage everyone to see the film for themselves and form their own opinions. I give the film 3/5.

Happy Watching,
Robyn

2023: Summer of Cinema: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

I think what made this film really special was the acknowledgements of the past. It’s not acting as a spinoff or reboot but as a continuation of the archaeology professor’s story. He’s aged but is still the same old guy with a thirst for action and hunger for discovery. He can’t resist getting the hat and whip out for one last ride. As Harrison Ford is now an octogenarian, the action scenes were altered to be entertaining yet believable. We see him riding various vehicles and even a horse. The other characters pick up the action slack but he is by no means side-lined.

Hello readers,

Last week I went to see the new Indiana Jones film and I was not disappointed. It was everything you wanted from an adventure film with Harrison Ford featuring up to date casting and plot. It echoed back to the original films but still was its own thing. Phoebe Waller-Bridge made a great sidekick and female protagonist having a well-developed back story but still making way for Indie’s last hurrah.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)

This summer blockbuster kicks off with a great action sequence set in the past where we get to see a digitally altered Harrison Ford fighting the Nazis. So far, pretty standard for this character. We’re introduced to a friend of his, Baz and a scientist that won’t quit despite the war coming to a close.

We jump back into present day, 1969 with knowledge of the Archimedes Dial. Indiana is not in a good place and the hubbub surrounding Moon Day in New York is not helping. Luckily, adventure comes knocking in the form of Helena (Waller-Bridge), his old friend Baz’ daughter and also his goddaughter. With the government and Nazis on their heels they flee to Morocco.

I think what made this film really special was the acknowledgements of the past. It’s not acting as a spinoff or reboot but as a continuation of the archaeology professor’s story. He’s aged but is still the same old guy with a thirst for action and hunger for discovery. He can’t resist getting the hat and whip out for one last ride. As Harrison Ford is now an octogenarian, the action scenes were altered to be entertaining yet believable. We see him riding various vehicles and even a horse. The other characters pick up the action slack but he is by no means side-lined.

The costumes and sets were not modernised too much and look as though they could have been cobbled together in the 1980s when the original films were produced. There were a lot of great actors: Toby Jones, Mads Mikkelsen, Antonio Banderas and a mention to Ethann Isidore starring as Teddy who really held his own against Harrison and Phoebe. They make a great trio and their personalities gel well together: the grumpy retiree, the money-making historian and the caring yet troublesome wannabe pilot.

The story does take some leaps into the unknown but in typical Indiana fashion, you find yourself rolling with it and taking it all in your stride. I think the plot flowed nicely with enough action to keep younger viewers satisfied and familiar faces for those who are fans of the first films. There was a lot of emotion tied to the film as it is Harrison’s last outing as the character. Paired with Han Solo’s death in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, his career is now coming to a close which feels sad. However, it’s not over yet as season 2 of Shrinking has been announced in which Harrison stars as fellow therapist and begrudging friend of Jason Segel and Jessica Williams.

I enjoyed this film immensely and while some may see if as dredging up the past for a cheque, I think this film perfectly fits in the pentalogy and is just as fun as the original ones with more up to date attitudes. Harrison gave a great performance and graciously shared the stage with Phoebe and Ethann. Everyone involved can be very proud in making a great ending to a much loved adventure and not just another sequel (or fourquel in this case). I give this film 5/5.

Happy Watching,
Robyn

2023: Summer of Cinema: Asteroid City

I think the colours, costumes, props and deadpan delivery are what make a Wes Anderson film so unique and distinctive and while it does not always pay off in my eyes, I think Asteroid City was a great addition to his filmography. The over saturation of characters does not always work but it did for this film, where a whole community is created.

Hello readers,

Today I will be talking through the new Wes Anderson film, Asteroid City. I saw this in a new cinema, closer to the edge than I normally sit but this did not take away from the experience.

Wes Anderson has been back in conversation because of this film but also because of AI. Many creators have been using AI software to create Wes Anderson style photos such as Harry Potter, Star Wars, Avengers and Batman. The director has said that he does not enjoy people using his unique filmmaking methods in this way but it has certainly created a hype for his colourful and symmetric settings.

Asteroid City (2023)

The film starts with a narrative device not revealed in the trailers, a play within a play. While the events at Asteroid City play out in a rich toned desert with picture perfect 50s amenities (gas station, motel, diner); the writer (Edward Norton) and cast are seen on sets while Bryan Cranston narrates their thoughts.

In the desert we are quickly introduced to a cast of characters: Augie Steenbeck (Jason Schwartzman) with son, Woodrow (Jake Ryan) and three ‘witchy’ celestial-named daughters; Midge Campbell (Scarlett Johansson) famous actress and her daughter Dinah; Montana (Rupert Friend) and his band of cowboys along with school teacher June (Maya Hawke) and her class.

The characters have all gathered at Asteroid City to attend the Junior Stargazer’s event in which Woodrow, Dinah and others including Shelley (Sophia Lillis) are participants. In the town, there is a wide and deep crater made by an asteroid after which the town was named.

There are many interesting citizens of the town including the motel owner (Steve Carell); scientist Dr Hickenlooper (Tilda Swinton); General Gibson (Jeffrey Wright) and the mechanic (Matt Dillon). We also get a few cameos by the likes of Margot Robbie, Tom Hanks, Adrien Brody, Jeff Goldblum and Willem Dafoe.

The story focuses mostly on Augie and his family along with Midge. They stay opposite each other in the motel and start up a scintillating friendship. Their children, Woodrow and Dinah also become close along with the other smart kids.

I won’t reveal the catalyst of the film but let’s say that they all end up getting to know each other well. I enjoyed the comedic tone of the film with some real heartbreak in there, tied in with the asides in black and white from the ‘real’ people. Wes Anderson has his favourites that have appeared in many of his films but he always makes room for new faces.

I think the colours, costumes, props and deadpan delivery are what make a Wes Anderson film so unique and distinctive and while it does not always pay off in my eyes, I think Asteroid City was a great addition to his filmography. The over saturation of characters does not always work but it did for this film, where a whole community is created.

The Royal Tenenbaums may still be my favourite but Asteroid City is certainly up there and one of the best films I have seen this year.

If you live in London there is also an exhibition on with the sets from Asteroid City running until 8th July. I will be going there tomorrow myself.

Overall, I think this film had a great structure, didn’t feel too long and kept me engaged from start to finish. I give it 5/5.

Happy Watching,
Robyn

Yesterday film review and my extra experience!

I am a huge fan of The Beatles so would definitely be seeing this film even if I hadn’t been an extra. I was worried at first that Jack would be trying to pass off the music as his own without any moral dilemmas but throughout the film, Jack is constantly unsure if he is doing the right thing and fears being caught out. He only does it to show the world the incredible music they have all forgotten. He just wants the world to know the power of the Beatles.

Hello Readers,

Last Saturday I went to the cinema to see the film Yesterday. This has been a long standing arrangement with my friends for the last 365 days. That is because we were extras in the film when the cast and crew filmed at Gorleston Beach for the day. Gorleston is where I have spent much of my childhood and is only a short drive from our home town.

The film itself was a delight. Watching it felt like a warm hug on a winter’s day or a bar of chocolate after a rough day at school. I think that it will become an instant classic as so many of Richard Curtis’ and Danny Boyle’s films have already. There was a real feel good vibe about the story. I felt attached to the film because of my extra experience and that the character was from a part of the world I knew very well. However, I think it is enjoyable no matter your own experiences or where in the world you hail from.

I will start by reviewing the film itself then move on to the day of filming.

Yesterday (2019) Poster

Yesterday tells the story of Jack, a struggling musician from Suffolk. He continuously tries to break into the music scene by gigging in local pubs and at one point a festival but with no luck. In a freak storm that causes a worldwide blackout and an unfortunate yet hilarious injury for Jack, his life changes. The world can no longer remember the chart topping, legendary band, The Beatles. As a guitar player and singer, they are some of Jack’s idols but now no one else in the world knows who they are.

Jack sees this opportunity to reinvent his musical persona after hearing amazing feedback from his friends and manager/friend Ellie. He starts by recording some of the songs and his success spreads very quickly with the help of Ed Sheeran. He becomes a worldwide sensation but starts to loose focus of what matters, his friends and possible romance with Ellie.

I am a huge fan of The Beatles so would definitely be seeing this film even if I hadn’t been an extra. I was worried at first that Jack would be trying to pass off the music as his own without any moral dilemmas but throughout the film, Jack is constantly unsure if he is doing the right thing and fears being caught out. He only does it to show the world the incredible music they have all forgotten. He just wants the world to know the power of the Beatles.

My friend Will who was also an extra enjoyed the film and it made him more excited to see it having been in the film.

My experience as a film extra

The day itself was a really great atmosphere and a fun day out. I heard about the experience from a friend and rallied together a group to drive to the beach. I am not sure why but I wasn’t expecting the beach to be that busy. Probably because I hadn’t seen the event advertised on social media or heard about it from anyone else.

When we got there, I was shocked to see hordes of people at the car park, waiting to get the bus to the beach. The crowd was about 6,000 people, the largest gathering of extras in the UK. The experience was free but we still had to get tickets and waiting in line to get them checked took a while but we all got the the beach. There was a field full of Porta Loos and food stands as we all had a free burger and ice cream for taking part.

We were quite near the back as we did not arrive at the crack of dawn and because some of the party got lost on the way. We still had a great view of the Pier Hotel, where the main action was. Having Danny Boyle, a world famous director interact with the crowd and tell us what to do was an amazing experience. I could see lots of cameras on the stage and a band all set up; there was another big camera near us and a helicopter that flew over head.

Filming that day really made me appreciate how much effort goes into such a small scene. It took basically 6 hours to get the shots and we did probably 8 or 9 takes of jumping up and down for a song. It must have taken a lot of coordination. I couldn’t really tell what the song was as it was a more rocky version but after watching the film, Jack is upset while playing it so the song comes out very angry. The scene that took a whole day to shoot, was probably two or three minutes in the film.

Another friend who was there on the day said that it “felt cool to be part of an actual film and see the director”.

The only downside of the experience was the sunburn that I came home with.

Happy Watching,

Robyn

Other films I have enjoyed at the cinema recently are: Rocketman, Toy Story 4, Men in Black International and Spiderman: Far from Home.

What I have been watching this January // 2019

Hello readers,

Another post for me in the same month is rare I know but as I am still on university holidays, I thought I would write about what I’ve been watching this year. I have had quite a lot of spare time so I have been watching many TV series and films. Not everything listed below came out this year. Hope everyone is having a good 2019 so far!

I will start with the films that I have seen.

Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol 2011

I watched this at home a few days ago and as a lover of the latest film I had high expectations. They were certainly met. The dynamics between the main cast: Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton and Jeremy Renner really gave the film the human spark it needed to not be a mindless action thriller. There were amazing stunts and cool gadgets – the magnetic suit for one, stunning locations and spine-tingling suspense. I would definitely watch again and I will be watching the earlier films in the Mission: Impossible franchise. 5/5.

Cast:

Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt, an IMF spy, constantly on the run and never out of danger.

Simon Pegg as Benji Dunn, the funny computer genius who has just passed field training.

Paula Patton as Jane, a colleague who is out for revenge.

Jeremy Renner as Brandt, an analyst who gets caught up in Hunt’s mission.

Léa Seydoux as Moreau, an assassin looking to trade documents for diamonds

Mary Poppins Returns 2018

I was quite late to the party with this one but I managed to see it last week at the cinema. This film appear to have sparked a controversy as while some people were disappointed with the outcome, it has been nominated for four Golden Globes and three BAFTAs. I, however, really enjoyed it. I have seen the first one but not for a while so it wasn’t fresh in my mind but the overall feeling of this film is updated yet similar to the original. The songs and sets are different and the characters have grown up but Mary Poppins is still there to save the day. The animated scenes were inspired by but didn’t copy the original. The film gave me a heartwarming feeling. Great bit of fun for all the family. 5/5.

Cast:

Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins, the magical nanny returning to the Banks’.

Lin-Manuel Miranda as Jack, the lamp lighter who joins in on the fun.

Ben Whishaw as Michael Banks, he’s all grown up and struggling with finances.

Emily Mortimer as Jane Banks, she rallies for women’s rights.

Pixie Davies as Anabel Banks, the most responsible Banks child.

Nathanael Saleh as John Banks, the sensible one.

Joel Dawson as Georgie Banks, he likes to wander off and fly kites.

Julie Walters as Ellen, the housekeeper and cook.

Meryl Streep as Cousin Topsy, who can everything but not on a second Wednesday.

Colin Firth as Mr Wilkins, chairman of the bank who is determined to repossess the Banks’ house.

Finding Your Feet 2018

This heartwarming comedy will tug at your heart strings and put a smile on your face. Sandra discovers her husbands affair and runs to her sister’s council flat in London. By finding her long forgotten love of dance again and meeting Biv’s fun friends, Sandra gets a new burst of life and reconnects with her sister. I particularly liked the sequences in Rome and Biv’s eccentric zest for life. It also shows to me that older actors can still make a great entertaining film and younger leads aren’t always necessary.

Cast:

Imelda Staunton as Sandra, whose husband has been having a secret affair for years. She lived in a big house in Surrey but moves in with her sister at the beginning.

Celia Imrie as Biv, a woman who lives every day like it’s her last. She swims in cold water pools, does weekly dance classes, goes on dates and buys her stuff from the charity shop.

Timothy Spall as Charlie who lives on a canal boat and takes a shine to Sandra.

Joanna Lumley as Jackie a fellow dancer and a lawyer, she knows how to have fun.

David Hayman as Ted who lives next to Charlie on the canal. He’s Charlie’s best friend and is always there for support.

Overboard 2018

A hilarious comedy about a woman taking revenge a bit too far. Kate is working multiple jobs to put herself through nursing school and support her three daughters. After a billionaire playboy throws her off his luxury yacht, she uses him for her own gain. Leo, himself falls off the yacht and wakes up with no memory. Kate convinces him that she is his wife and takes him home. She makes him do manual labour and earn money until she can pass her upcoming exam. Full of heart and funny scenes this film was a delight to watch. The only slight downside was as most of the characters were fluent in Spanish they spoke it frequently with no subtitles. It didn’t impede too much on understanding the main plot though. 5/5.

Cast:

Anna Faris as Kate, a wannabe nurse struggling to balance work, studying and looking after her children.

Eugenio Derbez as Leo, a selfish billionaire who becomes a doting husband after her gets amnesia.

Eva Longoria as Theresa, Kate’s friend who is in on the act and helps her keep it up.

Mel Rodriguez as Bobby, Theresa’s husband, he lets Leo work for his building company.

John Hannah as Colin, Leo’s chef and employer on the yacht.

Roma 2018

I’m going to start by saying that I didn’t really enjoy or understand this film but seeing as it won two Golden Globes, some people must appreciate it. The film set in Mexico in 1970 is telling the story of Cleo, a domestic servant and the family she works for. It is in black and white and while this does give the film some atmosphere, I think that the film didn’t have a strong enough setting, dialogue or plot. There were also a lot of long shots such as the beginning and many unexplained events. The acting was okay but I didn’t really connect with the characters enough to care about what happened to them. The family appeared to care for Cleo at some points but still treated her like just a servant. Confusing. 2/5.

Cast:

Yalitza Aparicio as Cleo, the domestic worker who works for Sofia and her children.

Marina de Travia as Sofia, the lady of the house and the mother of 4 children.

Fernando Grediaga as Antonio, the husband and father who works as a doctor and is away a lot of the time.

Verónica García as Teresa, Sofia’s mother who helped out the family.

Attack the Block 2011

I really liked this action comedy. It is set in and around a block of flats in South London. A gang of teenagers find a strange creature and kill it. It turns out to a an alien and the rest of the fleet descend on the block. Sam, a nurse teams up with the gang and they defend their home. They also have to avoid angry rival gang members and keep little wannabees out of the way. Featuring appearances from Nick Frost, Jodie Whittaker and John Boyega, this award winning film is definitely worth a watch. 4/5.

Cast:

John Boyega as Moses, the gang’s leader who is just trying to survive childhood.

Jodie Whittaker as Sam, a nurse who gets sucked in to defending the block

Alex Esmail as Pest, the token white guy in the gang and the first to be injured.

Leeon James as Jerome, Moses right hand man

Luke Treadaway as Brewis, a rich boy who is the wrong place at the wrong time.

Nick Frost as Ron, a drug dealer with his own weed room.

I have also been loving many TV shows, most of them are Netflix Originals.

A Series of Unfortunate Events – Series 3 2019

This third and final series is the climax to A Series of Unfortunate Events. I really liked the film that was made but this series really does justice to the books. It uses two episodes for each book. Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire have been on the run from the evil Count Olaf since their parents died in a mysterious fire. They have discovered that their parents were in an organisation V.F.D but they don’t have all the answers yet. Can they ever escape from Count Olaf’s grasp? What is in the sugar bowl? What is V.F.D? Could one of their parents still be alive? Find out if you dare in series three. I really loved the series. The acting is superb and the story is very well thought out. It definitely does the books justice. 5/5.

Cast:

Malina Weissman as Violet Baudelaire, the oldest sibling and an inventor. She always ties her hair up with a ribbon when she has an idea.

Louis Hynes as Klaus Baudelaire, the middle sibling and the researcher. He has read many books and his extensive knowledge comes in handy.

Presley Smith as Sunny Baudelaire, the youngest sibling, a toddler who likes to bite things and often comes to the right answer before her siblings.

Patrick Warburton as Lemony Snicket, the narrator of the Baudelaire’s tale. He has pieced together the story for us to watch unfold.

Neil Patrick Harris as Count Olaf, an actor who travels with his troupe and is desperate to get his hands on the Baudelaire’s fortune.

Lucy Punch as Esmé Squalor, the forth most important financial advisor and Count Olaf’s girlfriend. She travels with Olaf in hopes of finding the sugar bowl. She wears ridiculous ‘in’ outfits.

Kitana Turnbull as Carmelita Spats, a spoiled little girl who loves performing and travels with Esmé and Count Olaf as their ‘daughter’. She hates the Baudelaires and calls everyone ‘cake-sniffer’.

Alison Williams as Kit Snicket, the sister to Jacques and Lemony. She has been trying to help the Baudelaires.

COMEDIANS of the world: UK: Ellie Taylor 2019

I watched Ellie Taylor’s special and really enjoyed it. She talked a lot about marriage and impending motherhood but in a very funny way and many of her opinions. She is one of my favourite comedians and it’s great to see her representing the UK in this series. There are many different comedians from around the world in this collection.

The Good Place Series 3: Episode 10 and 11 2019

Since the series has come back from it’s mid series break, it has taken many turns. The four humans, Michael and Janet finally got to the Good Place but they only reached the mail room. They have to work out what to do next. Eleanor and Chidi talk about the events of episode nine and Michael is concerned about the points system. The next episode takes place in IHOP but I don’t want to give too much away. It’s hilarious as always whilst teaching about philosophy and what makes a good person.

Cast:

Kristen Bell as Eleanor, the shrimp loving Arizona trash bag with a thing for mailmen.

William Jackson Harper as Chidi, a philosophy teacher who struggles with choices and gets nervous stomach aches.

Jameela Jamil as Tahani, a rich self entitled party hostess who only does charity for her own gain and grew up in her sister’s shadow.

Manny Jacinto as Jason, a Jacksonville Jaguars fan who has been in many dance crews and doesn’t have much brain power but a lot of heart.

Ted Danson as Michael, a demon who enjoyed torturing the four humans but is now working with them to get to the Good Place. He loves human quirks.

D’Arcy Carden as Janet, a human search engine with powers to get you anything you want. She has been rebooted so many times, she is starting to behave like a human.

Sex Education 2019

This series is filthy, dramatic, funny, quirky, relatable and entertaining. Set in a rural part of England, Sex Education tells the story of Otis Milburn, a 16 year old who wanted to be that person in the corner. His mother is a sex therapist and after one piece of great advice to the school bully, Otis and scary Maeve Wiley set up a sex clinic for the students of Moordale High. People start coming to Otis with all sorts of problems. Otis is also trying to be a teenager and sort through his own issues with sex and relationships. He is helped by his best friend Eric who is constantly pushing Otis out of his comfort zone. Otis’ mother, Jean is an overbearing, involved mother with a vibrant sex life. I loved this series and watched it all in two days. Very graphic so definitely for over 18s. It has been watched by 40 million Netflix users this month. 5/5.

Cast:

Asa Butterfield as Otis Milburn, unlicensed therapist navigating being a teenager and dealing with his embarrassing mother.

Emma Mackey as Maeve Wiley, she has a bad reputation, is very smart and is always broke.

Ncuti Gatwa as Eric, Otis’ best friend who is out and proud but struggles with his father accepting him and his outrageous outfits.

Gillian Anderson as Jean Milburn, sex therapist and single mother, Jean worries about her son and doesn’t do boyfriends

Connor Swindells as Adam Groff, the headmaster’s son. He doesn’t care about school and prefers to bully the student body. His father is constantly disappointed in him.

Aimee Lou Wood as Aimee, one of the Untouchables who struggles with their endless rules, she always has a boyfriend and is friends with Maeve.

Kedar Williams-Stirling as Jackson, the head boy and competitive swimmer. He has a lot of pressure from his mum to do well and needs plenty of advice about girls.

Alistair Petrie as Mr Groff, Moordale’s headmaster and Adam’s dad. He knows how to deal out the punishments and does not let up for anyone, even his own son.

Mikael Persbrandt as Jakob, a plummer that is fixing Jean’s bathroom.

Friends from College – Series 2 2019

The second series in this hilarious comedy drama about six 40 year olds who have been friends since college. Set in New York City, the series concentrates on their relationships with others and each other. In the last series, a lot of drama went down and the gang is still recovering. Max and Felix are engaged now, Lisa and Ethan and separating, Sam and her husband are in trouble, Nick is finally dating someone his own age and Marianne is still living her carefree life. I love this series and the second series definitely delivered on the drama and comedy. A stellar cast, this series is amazing. 5/5.

Cast:

Keegan-Michael Key as Ethan, a young adult author who is desperate to know if his wife, Lisa wants a divorce or not after his affair was revealed.

Fred Savage as Max, a publisher who works closely with Ethan and is engaged to his long term boyfriend, Felix.

Nat Faxon as Nick, a player who only went out with girls in their 20s. He finds a woman his own age but can’t let go of Lisa who has been crushing on for 20 years.

Annie Parisse as Sam, a working mother who is the most successful of the group. She is having trouble with her husband, Jon after her affair with Ethan was revealed.

Jae Suh Park as Marianne, a carefree actress with nothing to tie her down apart from her daredevil on again off again boyfriend.

Cobie Smulders as Lisa, a lawyer who disappears after sleeping with Nick and reappears with a new boyfriend a year later

Billy Eichner as Felix, a doctor who is so done with the drama from Max’s friends.

Lost in Space 2018

This show has been out for a while but I watched the last few episodes in the series this year. I started it months ago but have been watching it sporadically. It’s about the Robinsons who leave Earth for a better future but crash land on a strange planet. They have to work together with others that land there to get back to the mother ship. There are alien robots, lying doctors, brave engineers and daring escape attempts. There is a lot of family drama involved and problem solving. The last episodes were the best for me as the middle of the series dipped from the great opening but still enjoyable. It’s different from the original series and the 1998 film. 4/5.

Cast:

Maxwell Jenkins as Will Robinson, the youngest and bravest. He manages to befriend a robot.

Taylor Russell as Judy Robinson, the doctor and the eldest, she takes risks to protect her patients and her family.

Mina Sundwall as Penny Robinson as the engineer who likes to do her own thing and bend the rules.

Molly Parker as Maureen, the mother and a rocket scientist. She designed their ship, the Jupiter and lied to get her son on board.

Toby Stephens as John, the father and a soldier. He was absent for most of the kid’s childhood and is trying to make up for it.

Ignacio Serricchio as Don West, an electrical engineer who doesn’t have a family so is always up for danger.

Parker Posey as Dr Smith, a survivor who is determined to reach the new world. She manipulates people to get what she wants.

Les Miserables 2018/9

An adaptation of the beloved book, this series is not a musical, but a drama. Only three episodes have aired but I am really enjoying Les Misérables so far. It tells the story of many different characters, a prisoner, a police chief, a factory worker, a little girl, two swindlers. It illustrates the gap between the rich and the poor in the early 1800s in Paris. The acting is excellent and I can’t wait to see what happens. 5/5.

Main Cast from first 3 episodes :

Lily Collins as Fantine, a factory worker trying to feed herself and her child

Dominic West as Jean Valjean, a prisoner who got 19 years for a loaf of bread. He goes from one place to another, escaping his past.

David Oyelowo as Javert, a governor turned police chief, hunting Valjean for his crimes.

Adeel Akhtar as Thenardier, a pub owner who brags about being in the war. He cheats people from their money.

Olivia Colman as Madame Thenardier, a mother who cares for her own children only. Gets as much money as she can from anyone who comes her way.

Thank you for reading!

Happy Watching

Robyn 🙂

American vs Turkish Cinemas: A.L Fox recalls her Summer Experiences

Hello readers,

This is another post by A.L. Fox, my talented guest writer. This time she has written about three different cinemas in two different countries she has visited this summer.

Happy Watching

Robyn 🙂

There’s more to the cinema experience than simply absorbing the themes and colours that stimulate the senses from the screen, and hopefully stir our emotions – in a good way.  Many of us still visit the cinema to watch a film even though we can generally view most films from the comfort of our own homes.

So why do we continue to go out to see a film?

Often, it is to be sociable and share an experience with friends or a loved one or sometimes, that we want to be the first to see a new blockbuster release or, on occasion, to be challenged by new worlds and ways of seeing. There are many demands on our leisure time these days, and we have screens wherever we go, whether it’s a phone, a tablet, or a laptop but we still go to the cinema. In this century, around 150 million people still visit the cinema every year in the UK. Of course, this is a considerable drop from the 1.5 billion that went in the heyday of the Second World War. But now there are so many different ways of watching a film.

With so much competition for our eyes, cinemas have become much more than just a screen; they are places where you can eat, play video games – and eat mountains of popcorn. Most are multiplexes offering 3D and a very different experience from the cinemas of old. Now you book online, choose a seat, collect your ticket from a machine and don’t have to speak to anyone. It’s not quite the same everywhere in the world, though.

America is the home of cinema and there will probably be as many different cinemas as there are States but going to the cinema in New York is like stepping back in time. We were in the Big Apple when Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again opened so, naturally, we had to go. Bizarrely, the weather wasn’t as hot as we’d been led to believe; it rained and so that was another factor in our decision. The AMC chain is the biggest US cinema chain but the one on W 34th St felt as though it remained untouched since it opened in the 50s. First, we had to get to the 4th floor; there were the usual food stalls – and popcorn but also, gambling machines. We bought our tickets, and chose a seat; on the screen there were gaps between the seats – and, in the cinema,  the seats were in pairs with a large table – for the food, between them. Sitting down, there was another surprise for there were acres of room between the rows. People were able to walk without asking others to move. Unsurprisingly, people didn’t stop eating throughout the film and American audiences aren’t exactly quiet; they do like to voice their opinions, or add their viewpoint to the action.

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AMC Cinema on W 34th St, New York City, USA

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For the record, Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again was enjoyable – the beginning was a little flat but once the cast hit their stride about 30 minutes in, it became more like the first film – and that’s exactly what audiences were expecting. The film delivered but it wasn’t quite a match for the original. Now that sounds like a criticism, but it’s not meant as one. It is simply that the first film was so iconic. A special appearance by Cher was successfully woven into the plot and she provided enough glitz to offset the absence of Meryl Streep, although there were some scenes featuring Streep, so she wasn’t entirely missing.

Most of the other main characters from the first film had major roles in this one with the addition of a young Donna (Lily James) and her Dynamos (Alexa Davies and Jessica Keenan Wynn) plus younger versions of Sophie’s three dads (Jeremy Irvine, Josh Dylan and Hugh Skinner).

Now, talking of original – the Regal, the second cinema we visited in New York, on W 42nd St was definitely like stepping into the 50s again. Here, the seats were black leather armchairs that extended to support your feet, almost to the point of becoming a bed. The carpets had the letter of the rows woven into it and the decor hadn’t been touched for decades. Here, we saw Incredibles 2; a film that had been on general release for some weeks so it wasn’t busy. We did get the noise of audience participation once again, and it was loud  – the sound turned up to echo over the comments.

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Regal Cinema W 42nd St, New York City, USA

Samuel L. Jackson, Holly Hunter, Craig T. Nelson, Brad Bird, Sarah Vowell, Eli Fucile, and Huck Milner in Incredibles 2 (2018)

As for the film itself, it was definitely worth watching. It had all the impact and colour of the first film with an updated plot to reflect changes in society. This time, it was Elastigirl or Helen Parr’s time in the spotlight. She went to save the world while Mr Incredible became a stay-at-home dad. As ever, the action was fast-paced and attention-grabbing for both children and adults. The animation was brilliant and shows that Disney Pixar is not just for kids.

Both experiences were good; if you get the chance to visit either of these cinemas then take it; a different experience but a good contrast and it makes you appreciate the relative quiet of British audiences – unless, you’re unfortunate enough to sit next to the person who never stops eating. There are people who believe calories consumed in the dark don’t count as they munch continuously for the length of the film and that can be a big distraction but then, it’s all part of the cinema experience.

And what’s still part of the cinema experience in Turkey is – the intermission. Yes, they have a break in the middle of the film! We were watching Mission Impossible – Fallout 3D – and, at a particularly tense moment in the action, the screen went dark. An electrical fault? No, it was an interval. People went out and returned with more food, it may even have been a break for the smokers but it was only one hour into the film and it did break the flow.

Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Angela Bassett, Ving Rhames, Henry Cavill, Rebecca Ferguson, and Simon Pegg in Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018)

The MI films are all fast-paced with plenty of action; there are no slow sections where a break could be achieved without interrupting this flow so it did spoil the experience – for me, at least. We didn’t mind the subtitles – some Hollywood films are dubbed but most are shown in English – but that break did upset the concentration. However, even though this is the sixth film in the franchise, it still captured the hearts and minds of the audience with a good story, death-defying stunts and enough dialogue to explain the plot points. Tom Cruise playing the lead Ethan Hunt was brilliant as always and supported by a sterling cast featuring Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Henry Cavill, Rebecca Ferguson and Alec Baldwin.

Three films, three different experiences; if you do get the opportunity to visit the cinema in another country then go – it may even make you appreciate what you have at home. As for costs, in the US we paid about £10/£12 for each ticket and in Turkey, we paid a bit less but, in terms of comparable costs relative to the country, tickets are much the same price.