Rev Stan's film blog

Review: More Dame Maggie snide comments in The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Synopsis: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is doing well so now they want to expand.

Stan's thoughts: Second Best is second best as sequels inevitably are. There are enough of all the elements of the original that made it such a charming film but the plot does get a bit contrived and silly.

It's great to see the royalty of British acting talent all on the screen but there are times when I wondered if this is really the best vehicle we could find for them? Dame Maggie Smith gets all the best lines, naturally, and had me laughing out loud but then she is just playing a working class version of her Downton Abbey character.

The wedding sequence at the end put a big smile on my face and I did leave the cinema with a warm fuzzy glow so it worked in that respect but ultimately this feels like a slightly diluted version of the original.

Ratings

• Stan’s 53%
• IMDB 72%
• Metascore 57%
• Rotten Tomatoes 75%
• RT Audience Rating* 75%

* Number of people rating 3.5/5 or higher

Review: Colin Firth kicks ass in Kingsman

Synopsis: A secret intelligence service based out of a tailors in Savile Row unearths a plot to kill off a large portion of the worlds population and a new recruit is called upon to help.

Stan's thoughts: My friend Kate described this perfectly as James Bond crossed with Kill Bill. It cranks up suave Bond, gadget Bond, car Bond to 11 and then adds in Kill Bill-style fights and ruthless villains. It gently mocks Bond, the characters even referencing the films.

Seeing Colin Firth in an action hero role is a bit of a revelation, albeit an action hero who is always impeccably turned out. And Taron Egerton* does a fab job as Eggsy, the recruit from the wrong side of the tracks trying to make his mark.

There are a couple of kick ass ladies in the mix too - Samuel L Jackson's lisping villain has an Uma Thurman in Bride mode-style side kick (Sofia Boutella) and there is a ballsy and brainy recruit (Roxy played by relative newcomer Sophie Cookson) who keeps Eggsy on his toes.

And just to round it off you have the likes of Mark Strong, Michael Caine and cameos from Jack Davenport and none other than Mark Hamill.

Kingsman was just what I needed after a run of serious Oscar films. It is over the top and silly but it is also cool as a cucumber, fun and entertaining and I left with a big grin on my face.

* Great to see him securing big roles - have seen him on stage a couple of times. He had a small role in Last of the Haussman's with Julie Walters at the National Theatre but certainly made an impression and then more recently in No Quarter at the Royal Court. You can see him next in Brian Helgeland's film Legend about the Kray twins which is due for release in September.

Ratings

• Stan’s 79%
• IMDB 83%
• Metascore 59%
• Rotten Tomatoes 71%
• RT Audience Rating* 89%

* Number of people rating 3.5/5 or higher

Review: Alex Garland examines AI in thriller Ex Machina

Synopsis: A computer programmer wins a competition to spend a week participating in a breakthrough AI experiment at a remote research facility.

Stan's thoughts: Just the subject matter, artificial intelligence, generates an environment of suspicion, add in a lone scientist in a remote location and you have all the ingredients for a good thriller. What makes this a great psychological thriller is that Garland constantly wrong foots you and at its heart it is about very basic human emotions.

Domhnall Gleeson who plays Caleb the computer programmer said in an interview that when he was reading the script for the first time he was convinced several times that he knew where the story was going. And that really is why this works so well.

When Caleb steps off the helicopter that has transported him to the research facility he is stepping into an alien environment in so many different ways. His task is to interact with Ava (Alicia Vikander), an AI robot who is the invention of Nathan (Oscar Isaac). It is not just a case of what is real and what is AI but what is experiment and what isn't and Garland and his characters keep you guessing right to the very end.

All three leads give performances that beautifully add to the mystery but to say any more might spoil it.

Ex Machina, like many AI films before it, raises questions about God and creation and the morals and responsibilities surrounding that. What the film has to say about that is something that film school students will no doubt discuss at length. I've also seen online discussions about whether it is misogynistic or feminist in its outlook. I do have my own thoughts and theories but that would involve a lot of spoilers.

Ratings

• Stan’s 80%
• IMDB 81%
• Metascore 80%
• Rotten Tomatoes 93%
• RT Audience Rating* 86%

* Number of people rating 3.5/5 or higher

Review: An elegy to a lost generation in Testament of Youth

Synopsis: Based on Vera Brittain's memoir of the same name, Testament of Youth recounts the experiences of a young woman during the First World War as she slowly loses those she loves and how that influenced her life as an anti-war campaigner.

Stan's thoughts: This is a film that is about the tragedy and cost of war but it is also about a feminist fighting for equal treatment for women and the birth of a pacifist at time when it was seen as unpatriotic.

Vera's is quite an incredible story, it is one of great tragedy but equally one that inspires. In the beginning we see her fighting to be allowed to go to Oxford University with her brother and friend. Her father (Dominic West) thinks it is a waste of time and money when she should be thinking about marriage.

Then war breaks out and her brother Edward (Taron Egerton), her friend Victor (Colin Morgan) and boyfriend Roland (Kit Harrington) all sign up. Unable to bear sitting around studying while they are fighting she becomes a nurse.

This film doesn't glamourise the war instead it shows it in its dirty, bloody and deadly glory. And Vera is a fascinating heroine; she doesn't always say the right thing and is stubborn and sometimes has fiery outbursts. Despite her independence and confidence of spirit she is ill-prepared for what she ultimately faces.

It is refreshing to see a war film from a woman's perspective and it is of course great to see a film that has such a good, meaty part for a young woman, a part that doesn't involve a man running in to rescue her or vampires.

Take tissues only the hardest of heart will be unmoved by Vera's story.

Ratings

• Stan’s 85%
• IMDB 72%
• Metascore 75%
• Rotten Tomatoes 85%
• RT Audience Rating* 89%

* 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

Catch up review: The Imitation Game

Synopsis: Biopic of Alan Turing, secret hero of the second world war who built the machine the broke the Nazi's Enigma Code but suffered tragically at the hands of homophobic legislation.

Stan's thoughts: Lots of hype about this one but it lived up to it as I was in bits by the end at the bitter tragedy of it all.

It is a film that makes spods doing maths and building a machine nail-biting but it is the human story of Alan that elevates this. A man caught up in secrecy through his work and private life because of societies prejudices. He is a man for whom nature has made so brilliantly intelligent it's left little room for social skills but again this is another thread to his story, another battle he faces.

Superb performances all around. Loved the enigmatic and charismatic Matthew Goode and of course Benedict Cumberbatch is superb. Alex Lawther plays the young Alan and in his few scenes delivers a performance that will haunt me for a long time. He's been on my radar since I saw him on stage in South Downs.

My only slight quibble with this otherwise perfect drama is I'd have like to have seen a little more reference to Alan's homosexuality, a glance or something. It isn't hidden but it is referred to rather than seen. It is only a slight quibble though, I've been back to see it again and it was just as affecting. Will be making it into my Sunday night weepie DVD collection when it is released.

Ratings

• Stan’s 90%
• IMDB 84%
• Metascore 72%
• Rotten Tomatoes 89%
• RT Audience Rating* 95%

* Number of people rating 3.5/5 or higher

(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%

 

The I'm not behind with my reviews review: David Tennant in What We Did On Our Holiday

Synopsis: Abi (Rosamund Pike) and Doug (David Tennant) pretend to still be a couple for the sake of a family holiday to visit Doug's father Gordy (Billy Conolly) for his birthday celebrations.

Stan's thoughts: OK so August doesn't seem that long ago but that's when I saw this. Wow. Don't read an absence of review to this point as an indictment on the film because it isn't. Just busy. What nudged me to get on with it was seeing Bobby Smalldridge in a play on Monday - he plays one of the kids.

So what did I think? Well this is a strange one because it is a comedy and I did laugh but I cried more but there is a reason for that. There is a particular storyline in it that pressed a certain emotional button and as a result I wept for half the film.

It's from the team behind the sitcom My Family so lots of improv with the kids which is where most of the laughs come from but it does occasionally feel like we've been here before with that technique.

There is some brilliantly observed parental bickering particularly on the long drive to Doug's Scotland home. The particular plot line I've referred to does take the film in an unexpected and brave direction and it just about gets away with it tonally. Just about.

While I probably got more upset than most in the cinema the rest of the film is frothy and reasonably satisfying fun. One to watch on the telly when its on, on a wet Sunday tea time.

Ratings

• Stan’s 60%
• IMDB 67%
• Metascore No rating
• Rotten Tomatoes 78%
• RT Audience Rating* 72%

Recently seen

Interstellar

Nightcrawler

Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby

The Mule

'71

Maze Runner

Gone Girl

Before I Go To Sleep

The Hundred Foot Journey

Dracula Untold

A Most Wanted Man

Pride

The Riot Club

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

Ratings

• Stan’s 70%
• IMDB 90%
• Metascore 74%
• Rotten Tomatoes 73%
• RT Audience Rating* 87%

Recently seen

Nightcrawler

Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby

The Mule

'71

Maze Runner

Gone Girl

Before I Go To Sleep

The Hundred Foot Journey

Dracula Untold

A Most Wanted Man

Pride

The Riot Club

Night Moves

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

- See more at: http://film.revstan.com/2014/11/review-interstellar.html#sthash.CiPluIQd.dpuf

Ratings

• Stan’s 70%
• IMDB 90%
• Metascore 74%
• Rotten Tomatoes 73%
• RT Audience Rating* 87%

Recently seen

Nightcrawler

Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby

The Mule

'71

Maze Runner

Gone Girl

Before I Go To Sleep

The Hundred Foot Journey

Dracula Untold

A Most Wanted Man

Pride

The Riot Club

Night Moves

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

- See more at: http://film.revstan.com/2014/11/review-interstellar.html#sthash.CiPluIQd.dpuf

Ratings

• Stan’s 70%
• IMDB 90%
• Metascore 74%
• Rotten Tomatoes 73%
• RT Audience Rating* 87%

Recently seen

Nightcrawler

Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby

The Mule

'71

Maze Runner

Gone Girl

Before I Go To Sleep

The Hundred Foot Journey

Dracula Untold

A Most Wanted Man

Pride

The Riot Club

Night Moves

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

- See more at: http://film.revstan.com/2014/11/review-interstellar.html#sthash.CiPluIQd.dpuf

#LFF Review: Jack O'Connell runs for his life in the tense thriller '71

Synopsis: A soldier on his first tour (Jack O'Connell) in Northern Ireland gets accidentally left behind when a riot breaks out in dangerous part of Belfast.

Stan's thoughts: Been eager to see this since I saw Jack O'Connell play a violent young offender in Starred up earlier this year. The trailer for '71 held a lot of promise and the film didn't let me down, in fact it was even better.

This is more than just the cat and mouse game of Gary, the lost soldier, trying to get back to safety, never knowing if the people he meets are going to be friends or want to kill him. It is also about what he observes and experiences for good and bad on both sides of the conflict along the way.

The troubles remain a sensitive topic but in having Gary as a passive observer no sides are drawn. He makes no judgement, any action is survival extinct and last resort. In fact his fear is mirrored by many he meets on his journey.

What you get is a film in which there is layer after layer of gritty, grimy tension. O'Connell doesn't have much by way of words to communicate but the stress, fear and anxiety of his situation is palpable. He reminded me a little of Leonardo diCaprio's performance in Scorcese's The Departed, a film of such high tension and nerves it leaves you feeling a bit jittery afterwards. And '71 is the same but it does it in 98 minutes rather than two and a half hours.

This isn't a relaxing watch, it is one of those films that haunts you long after you've left the cinema and for that I loved it.

Ratings

• Stan’s 88%
• IMDB 78%
• Metascore 81%
• Rotten Tomatoes 97%
• RT Audience Rating* 92%

Recently seen

Maze Runner

Gone Girl

Before I Go To Sleep

The Hundred Foot Journey

Dracula Untold

A Most Wanted Man

Pride

The Riot Club

Night Moves

Obvious Child

Two Days One Night

Welcome to New York

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

Quick review: Before I Go To Sleep

Synopsis: Christine (Nicole Kidman) wakes every day having forgotten everything that's happened since she was in her 20s as the result of a head trauma but one day something happens that leads her to question the motives of all those around her.

Stan's thoughts: This seems to have had very mixed reviews but I really enjoyed it. I haven't read the book so I knew little about the story which may have helped.

It's a great psychological thriller which makes you question everyone and much of it is down to superb performances by the three leads. Colin Firth plays Christine's loving and patient husband and Mark Strong plays her gently sinister psychologist. Great also to see Anne-Marie Duff on the big screen as Christine's old friend.

The story isn't laboured and is therefore a tight and tense 90 minutes and it certainly had me on the edge of my seat. If your nerves can stand it, it would be a great double bill with A Most Wanted Man.

Ratings

• Stan’s 70%
• IMDB 65%
• Metascore 41%
• Rotten Tomatoes 58%
• RT Audience Rating* 55%

Recently seen

The Hundred Foot Journey

Dracula Untold

A Most Wanted Man

Pride

The Riot Club

Night Moves

Obvious Child

Two Days One Night

Welcome to New York

What If

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