Rev Stan's film blog

Review: The superb Selma

Synopsis: Biopic of Martin Luther King's campaign for equal voting rights for blacks in 1965 Alabama.

Stan's thoughts: There has been a shameful lack of awards nominations for this film. Rather than trying to do a cradle to the grave biopic the narrative concentrates on particular period of Martin Luther King's life and a specific campaign to get equal voting rights which culminated in protest marches in Selma, Alabama.

David Oyelowo's performance as King is breathtaking to watch and ably supported by a whole bunch of brilliant British thesps - Tom Wilkinson as president Johnson, Carmen Ejogo as Coretta King and Tim Roth as Governor George Wallace.

The history that this film portrays is shocking and the method with which victory is secured inspiring but the film also delves into Dr King's family life, the tension between his political career and role as father and husband.

It is delicately handled and roundly presented, oozing with tension it's not always easy to watch but rewarding nonetheless.

Ratings

• Stan’s 85%
• IMDB 76%
• Metascore 89%
• Rotten Tomatoes 99%
• RT Audience Rating* 87%

* Number of people rating 3.5/5 or higher

Review: The moving and award worthy performances in The Theory of Everything

Synopsis: Biopic about Professor Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne) and his relationship with his first wife Jane (Felicity Jones).

Stan's thoughts: While the Imitation Game is about a genius and his work, The Theory of Everything is about a genius and love. Jane and Stephen meet and fall in love at university just before he is diagnosed with the debilitating and life threatening motor neurone disease.

The story centres on the relationship between the two but to say it looks at how his illness affects that relationship is to over simplify. Yes is does play its part but then so does Stephen's increasing success, their growing family and the relationships around them - as it would with any normal couple.

This film has some deeply moving moments which had me in bits, it also has two stunning performances at its heart. Eddie Redmayne deserves to have accolades heaped on him for his physical performance alone but I really hope that doesn't leave Felicity Jones in the shadow because hers is the equal in emotion.

Stephen's illness is barely referenced in dialogue something I found perplexing at the time but apparently the actual professor rarely talks about it. Instead you get a man who is exceptionally intelligent but is the far more sociable genius, if you were going to compare him say, to Alan Turing. He is romantic, witty and likes having fun, something he doesn't seem to lose as he grows up.

He and Jane are a fascinating couple to spend time with on screen although if I was going to have one slight quibble it would be that I'm not sure the story quite sustains the running time when you know what the outcome will be.

Otherwise this is an impressive acting achievement and I think we can safely sit back and watch the awards pile up. A great start to 2015's film watching and Oscar season.

Ratings

• Stan’s 79%
• IMDB 77%
• Metascore 72%
• Rotten Tomatoes 80%
• RT Audience Rating* 84%

* Number of people rating 3.5/5 or higher

Review: Stan's screen star of 2014 gets tortured in Unbroken

Synopsis: Biopic about Louis Zamperini (Jack O'Connell) an olympic runner and American Airforce bombardier in the second world war who survived days at sea in a life raft only to be picked up by the Japanese army and interned in a prisoner of war camp where he was brutally picked on by one prison guard.

Stan's thoughts: When you list all the things Louis went through and there is a shark attack in there it seems almost unreal and perhaps that is part of the problem, the film sometimes feels relentless like you are sitting ticking off the key moments shown in the trailer.

After a particularly clunky first act it does find its feet once Louis begins to form bonds with his fellow survivors. Jack O'Connell who plays Louis is my screen star of 2014 (Starred Up, '71) and an actor I can't wait to see what he does next. He makes this film for me. He has an amazing screen presence and has so much going on behind his eyes you could ditch his scant script entirely and he'd still tell the story brilliantly.

But despite his star turn the film ends up feeling like it is in awe of Louis leaving little room for the audience to feel that for themselves.

Ratings

• Stan’s 55%
• IMDB 72%
• Metascore 59%
• Rotten Tomatoes 51%
• RT Audience Rating* 77%

(Desperately) catching up review: Artistic talent and temperament in Mr Turner

Synopsis: A biopic following the life and loves of famous impressionist painter WM Turner from the height of his fame until his death.

Stan's thoughts: This isn't a typical biopic in that it starts when Turner (Timothy Spall) is already famous and doing quite well for himself and follows him until his death when his work was being ridiculed.

Some have leveled criticism at the film for not really delving into the man but I prefer the subtlety of what Mike Leigh has done. He leaves you with an impression of the painter, un-gilded and uncompromising. He is a man of little words (Timothy Spall saying as much in a grunt as many actors can convey in a whole sentence), quietly passionate and driven by his work, good company but not wholly good to all those around him. He is both extraordinary and ordinary.

Mike Leigh'a film is beautiful and intelligent.

Ratings

• Stan’s 80%
• IMDB 70%
• Metascore 95%
• Rotten Tomatoes 97%
• RT Audience Rating* 62%

 

Review: Jersey Boys (the film, not the musical)

Synopsis: Biopic about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons who started out as small time club crooners in mob-land Boston to go on to have a string of huge hits.

Stan's thoughts: No I haven't seen the stage version, it's a musical. This isn't a musical it's a film about a band so there are no song and dance routines to get in the way of the story. And it's a great story about friendship and loyalty in a community where such things are elevated by criminal gangs.

Young Frankie Valli's (John Lloyd Young) talents are spotted early on and his career is, to a certain extent, guided by mob-boss Gyp (Christopher Walken) who appreciates his talents. As the band's fame grows tensions naturally mount. Taken away from the neighbourhood, hierarchy and life they are familiar with some find it harder to adjust than others. There are tensions too as families are forced to spend time apart while the band tours.

The four actors playing the leads step expertly from stage to screen, all have worked on the stage version on which the film is based but none are big screen stars. Yes you spend a little time waiting for the band to create their biggest hits and the run time of 134 minutes could probably be shaved a little but otherwise this is good, solid, entertaining biopic fare that has you walking out of the cinema humming "Who Loves You Pretty Baby".

Ratings

• Stan’s 60%
• IMDB 74%
• Metascore 54%
• Rotten Tomatoes 54%
• RT Audience Rating* 71%

Recently seen

Bright Days Ahead

Fault of Our Stars

The Young and Prodigeous TS Spivet

Belle

Edge of Tomorrow

Two Face of January

Maleficent

X-Men: Days of Future Past

Frank

Blue Ruin

* Based on number of people who rated the film 3.5/5 and higher

Review: Biopic of Yves Saint Laurent

Synopsis Biopic of bipolar fashion legend Yves Saint Laurent who was thrown into the spotlight at the tender age of 21 when he was made head of a large Parisian fashion house before going on to establish his own label.

 

Stan’s thoughts Pierre Niney who plays Yves is an enigmatic screen presence and oozes geeky, gawky handsomeness.  Naturally the film is stuffed with beautiful clothes, beautiful people and beautiful settings but other than a nervous breakdown and what seems to be the usual tantrums that those with talent inevitably display there is little revelation.

 

He is horrible to those around him, particularly his lover/partner, without whom he probably would have been a flash in the pan and his spiral downwards into drink and drug abuse seems wholly predictable.

 

So beautiful to look at but not enough meat on the bone to make a truly satisfying biopic.

 

Ratings

• Stan’s 53%
• IMDB 64%
• Metascore 47%
• Rotten Tomatoes 47%
• RT Audience Rating 52%

 

Review: Outstanding performances in Dallas Buyers Club

Synopsis: Biopic about Ron Woodroof, a straight man who was diagnosed with AIDS in 1985 and fights the system and his own prejudices to help other suffers get the medication they need.

Stan's thoughts: Spectacular performance from Matthew McConaughey who is almost unrecognisable as the Woodroof, a slight man even before he contracts AIDS. He's not immediately likeable as a character - a drinking, drug-taking, womanising, homophobic hustler - but he gradually pulls you over to his side as he realises death has no prejudices. Who'd have thought that the mahogany, lame rom-com actor would be turning in performances like this?

And Jared Leto messed with my head. He plays transexual Rayon whom Ron befriends and goes into business with. He's an attractive man and an attractive woman.

The two together make this film and it is the relationships and character arcs which hooked the most, slightly more so than the political and legal wranglings which can sometimes feel shrouded in legal and medical jargon. Nonetheless  this is a story fascinating in its exploration of prejudices and injustice and the battle to overcome.

Ratings

• Stan's: 80%
• IMDB: 80%
• Metascore: 84%
• Rotten Tomatoes: 94% 
• RT audience rating: 92%

Recently seen

Jack Ryan - Shadow Recruit

Inside Llewyn Davis

August Osage County

Nebraska

The Wolf of Wall Street

The Railway Man

12 Years A Slave

 

Review: A moral tale or not a moral tale - Scorsese's Wolf of Wall Street

Synopsis: Based on the true story of Jordon Belfort an 80's stock trader who played fast and dirty with other people's money, women, alcohol, drugs and anything else expensive he could get his hands on.

Stan's thoughts: This film has earnt plaudits and criticism in equal measure. On the one hand it is highly entertaining and funny and the three hours running time pass by surprisingly quickly. On the other hand, the victims and consequences of Jordon and his cronies behaviour are notable by their absence.

Jordon Belfort - a Leonardo DiCaprio on find form -  and chums are despicable and immoral and nothing seems to be out of bounds just as long as they are making heaps of cash and having a good time.

In an interview DiCaprio said the aim was to tell the story through the eyes of Belfort who had no moral compass. Fair enough. He then said that the real Belfort now spends his time teaching responsibility in financial trading but the problem is that in the final scene that just doesn't come across. We see Belfort teaching sales technique using a method he himself was taught.

I'm sure there will be plenty of people who, like me, will rankle at least a little at the behaviour portrayed in the film and be tinged by guilt by being so entertained by it; it almost becomes intoxicating and that concerns me slightly.

So I have a dilemma. This is a highly entertaining film but at a cost. It needn't shove morals down your throat but just shade of something would have satisfied.

Ratings

• Stan's: 80%
• IMDB: 86%
• Metascore: 75%
• Rotten Tomatoes: 77% 
• RT audience rating: 82%

Recently seen and reviews available here unless otherwise indicated

The Railway Man

12 Years A Slave

Mandela: Long Road To Freedom

Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Saving Mr Banks

Philomena

Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug

 

 

 

Review: James Cordon takes on Paul Potts in One Chance

Synopsis: Based on the true story of Carphone Warehouse manager Paul Potts rise to opera star via Britain's Got Talent.

Stan's thoughts: Don't watch BGT so only had a vague idea who Paul Potts is and his story but I have to say if you are looking for a rags to riches story with some colourful characters, some laughs and some tears then you can't go far wrong.

Corden seems at home in this role even if dubbed singing is a little awkward at times. Julie Walters is the go-to actress for lovely mum characters, and Alexandra Roach is just a joy as Paul's supportive girlfriend.

Enjoyed this far more than I thought I would and it made me want to go out and buy some more opera to listen to.

Ratings

• Stan's: 70%
• IMDB: 52%
• Metascore: 48%
• Rotten Tomatoes: 62% 
• RT audience rating: 74%

Recently seen

Ender's Game

How I Live Now

Filth

Kill Your Darlings 

Captain Phillips

Fifth Estate

Sunshine on Leith

Romeo and Juliet

Prisoners

The Call

Review: The cracking Captain Phillips

Synopsis: Based on the true story of a merchant marine who is kidnapped by Somali pirates

Stan's thoughts: Director Paul Greengrass proves again that he is the master of suspense. My nerves were well and truly jangled by the end of Captain Phillips but that's not what makes this such a great film. Greengrass doesn't present the Somali's as out and out baddies as it would have been easy to do but puts their actions into a wider context which gives the film more depth than merely a kidnap thriller.

And then there is Tom Hanks's performances as the Captain. He is brave without being a Hollywood hero. His ordinariness and therefore his vulnerability that adds a layer of tension, an extra sense of jeopardy and he deserves an Oscar nomination for the final scene alone.

Oh and the Navy Seals are hot too ;0)

Really, really enjoyed this film go and see Captain Phillips.

Ratings

• Stan's: 90%
• IMDB: 81%
• Metascore: 83%
• Rotten Tomatoes: 94% 
• RT audience rating: 93%

Recently seen

Fifth Estate

Sunshine on Leith

Romeo and Juliet

Prisoners

The Call

Rush

In A World

Ain't Them Bodies Saints

About Time

The Way Way Back