Rev Stan's film blog

Review: The brilliance of Birdman

Synopsis: A former super hero movie actor Riggan (Michael Keaton) is trying to revive his career and credibility by adapting, directing and starring in a Broadway play while his ex-druggy daughter and managing his love life.

Stan's thoughts: I'm not party to what goes on back stage before, during and after a performance but having watched Birdman I don't think I'll sit through a play with quite the same impression.

Birdman is so many things. It is a satire on actors, critics, Hollywood and theatre; it is an existential comedy drama and it is a farce. It is a film that you want to enjoy over again so you can better take in everything in the background.

There are some brilliantly funny lines that had me cackling with laughter and I wasn't the only one:

"Popularity is the slutty little cousin of prestige"

It is also a brilliant, brilliant showcase for the talent of the actors. Being a film about theatre, the actors who are in Riggan's play - Andrea Riseborough, Naomi Watts and Ed Norton - get to perform as their film characters, their play characters and sometimes somewhere half way in between. I'm still giggling when I think about Edward Norton - we don't see anywhere near enough of him on screen these days.

Keaton also gets to play his alter ego Birdman, a corrupting voice in his head, a metaphor for...well you could write reams on it.

And I can't not mention the excellent performances of Emma Stone as Riggan's daughter Zach Galifianakis as his lawyer/manager and Lindsay Duncan as the critic who can make or break a show.

Birdman is really clever, intelligent and very funny and I can't wait to see it again.

Ratings

• Stan’s 90%
• IMDB 87%
• Metascore 89%
• Rotten Tomatoes 93%
• RT Audience Rating* 85%

* Number of people rating 3.5/5 or higher

Review: Stan's favourite* kiddie film of the year: Paddington (*only)

Synopsis: Paddington bear arrives in London looking for a home but an evil taxidermist has other ideas.

Stan's thoughts: Wasn't going to see this as young kiddie films rarely do anything for me, even if it did have my fav Ben Whishaw voicing the bear. But @polyg persuaded me and so we went a couple of days ago to a not too children-packed screening and it was an utter delight.

It has genuine heart and humour (plenty for the adults to giggle at) and it very subtly sticks two fingers up at UKIP and anti-immigration propaganda.

Having a few kids in the audience added to the experience as they just got so excited and their occasional out loud comments were often amusing in themselves.

Probably not going to make it into my Ben Whishaw DVD collection but a lovely, warm film nonetheless and I'm glad I've seen it.

Ratings

• Stan’s 82%
• IMDB 97%
• Metascore 88%
• Rotten Tomatoes 77%
• RT Audience Rating* 77%

 

 

Review: Vampires get the mockumentary treatment in What We Do In The Shadows

Synopsis: A New Zealand film crew are given permission by a group of vampires living in a house share in Wellington to follow them with their cameras.

Stan's thoughts: If you like Spinal Tap then you'll probably like this. It's very silly and the antidote to the plethora of vampire movies that have been hitting the big screen in recent years. Cool vampires these ain't, in fact they are the only ones who think they are cool.

The makers of Flight of the Conchords are behind the film which may recommend it to some people (never seen it myself). The 'film crew' follow the vampires through their pretty mundane domestic life arguing about whose turn it is to wash up, complaints about blood on the carpet and the relentless search for a bar or club that will 'invite' them in.

Then when Petyr the 3,000 year old vampire who lives in a stone casket in the basement makes a new vampire, Nick, it shakes things up a little. Nick introduces his human friend Stu to the group who in turn shows them how to use modern technology like mobile phones and the internet.

This has got a limited UK release and the screening I was at was packed as a result with plenty of laughter throughout. In fact its the funniest film I've seen for a while, I was still chuckling at particular scenes hours later. Really hope it gets a wider release because it is very good and makes a refreshing change for the usual comedy offerings on the big screen.

Ratings

• Stan’s 80%
• IMDB 80%
• Metascore 67%
• Rotten Tomatoes 93%
• RT Audience Rating* 88%

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

 

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: The best constipation comedy you'll see - The Mule

Synopsis: A first time drug mule is caught returning home to Australia from Bangkok where the police decide to sit and wait for the evidence to appear.

Stan's thoughts: This is black comedy, Australian style and it is brilliantly dark and funny. And it is the dark side which pushes this to a cut above. In the hands of the American's it would most likely have been a puerile gross out comedy and not nearly as a good as a result.

In the Q&A, director/writer/star Angus Sampson said he wanted to play with the idea that men generally think they are the most intelligent person in the room. In doing so he tricks the audience into believing they have quickly sussed out each character. And of course his female characters out trick them all. Sampson delivers an unlikely hero.

It isn't pleasant, the violence can sometimes be quite shocking and it definitely isn't a film you want to watch while eating. The humour is delicately balanced in between, it never seems out of place perhaps reflecting the ridiculousness of the scenario - it is based on real events. And lets face it who doesn't laugh at a fart joke.

There is no general release date yet but seek it out if you do appreciate a well done black comedy, I suspect this will be a hidden gem. In fact I'm still chuckling at certain scenes.

Ratings

• Stan’s 80%
• IMDB 71%
• Metascore 58%
• Rotten Tomatoes No score yet
• RT Audience Rating* No score yet

Recently seen

'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

Obvious Child

Two Days One Night

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

Review: Pride, the film that leaves you feeling so good you want to give it a hug

Synopsis: A group of gay and lesbian activists decide to raise money for a group of striking miners in small Welsh town but their efforts cause division in the community.

Stan's thoughts: Pride is the epitome of a feel good movie. It has the perfect mix of laughs with heartfelt tender moments, it is a well-rounded story, with characters you care about and has toe-tapping 80s soundtrack.

Perhaps one of the best ensemble casts you'll see in a film, there are too many star performances to mention all individually.  Dominic West continues to surprise with his variety of roles, in this he is a mullet-sporting, disco-hips and it's great to see Imelda Staunton having heaps of fun as the liberal Welsh matriarch who gets a taste for life. 

Then there is Andrew Scott who is movingly understated and George MacKay's delicately observed Joe who is newly 'out'. He is definitely a talent to keep an eye out for. In fact it is a film you need to watch more than once to spot and enjoy fully.

Pride is a perfectly huggable film, it is chocker full of good feelings and poignancy, laughter and tears I dare you not to enjoy it.

Ratings

• Stan’s 95%
• IMDB 82%
• Metascore 83%
• Rotten Tomatoes 97%
• RT Audience Rating* 93%

Recently seen

The Riot Club

Night Moves

Obvious Child

Two Days One Night

Welcome to New York

What If

Lucy

The Rover

Guardians of the Gallaxy

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

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

Review: The battle for my least favourite film of 2014 begins - The Other Woman

Synopsis: A woman discovers her boyfriend is married, befriends his wife and then when they both discover he is cheating on them with a third woman, all three plot their revenge.

Stan's thoughts: From the premise, I was hoping this might be an intelligent and witty comedy aimed at women but instead we got something cliched, crude, dumb and at times offensive.

Cameron Diaz is a lawyer but doesn't use her brains until the very end in fact the first two thirds is a very, very long set up. Leslie Mann is the shrill and ditsy wife who is so annoying and ridiculous if I was married to her I think I would have had an affair and then the second mistress is, of course, young, stupid and has big tits.

Hollywood seems to think that hysteria is funny. It isn't, it is annoying.  And, when hysteria isn't appropriate it resorts to ridiculous slapstick. (Dear Hollywood, people don't have to fall over/knock things over etc in order for it to qualify as a comedy).

The stereotypes were insulting as were such notions of women always having to be pristine and freshly waxed in order to be sexually attractive to their partners. Seriously, how did we get to this fantastical image of what beauty is in a woman?

I thought Inside Llewyn Davis was going to be my least favourite film of the year but that was just irritating, this made me angry. Avoid like the plague if you have a brain cell.

Ratings

• Stan’s 20%
• IMDB 65%
• Metascore 39%
• Rotten Tomatoes 24%
• RT Audience Rating 68%

Recently seen

The Amazing Spiderman

Locke

The Double

Divergent

Yves Saint Laurent

Captain America

Starred Up

Under the Skin

Grand Budapest Hotel

 

 

Review: The quirky fun that is Grand Budapest Hotel

Synopsis: Gustav H (Ralph Fiennes) is a legendary concierge at the Grand Budapest Hotel who seduces the rich old lady guests but when one of them, Madame D (Tilda Swinton) dies leaving him a valuable painting he is implicated in her murder and forced to try and clear his name.

Stan's thoughts: I've always been fond of Wes Anderson's idiosyncratic style of film making and his quirky humour. And it seems actors do too because Grand Budapest is so stuffed full of acting talent (Adrien Brody, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Jude Law, Edward Norton, Lea Seydoux...) part of the fun is seeing who pops up next.

It is so great to see Fiennes in a role like this and he plays the charming, gentlemanly and capable Gustav with such a beautiful sense of fun. And the relatively new actor Tony Revolori who plays Zero, the bell boy and aspiring concierge that Gustav takes under his wing, more than holds his nerve with such a starry cast.

The narrative begins to ramble a little three quarters of the way through and perhaps the film could have benefited from a little trimming but overall this is just quirky, silly, fun and as such a joy to watch. My hope is that the DVD has outtakes because there must have been loads. And I'd also love to see Ben Whishaw in something like this.

Ratings*

• Stan's: 82%
• IMDB: 84%
• Metascore: 87%
• Rotten Tomatoes: 91%
• RT audience rating: 91%

Recently seen

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Review: James McAvoy in Filth

Synopsis: Bent cop with mental health and drug issues, Bruce Robertson (James McAvoy), fights for a promotion and to keep his head.

Stan's thoughts: It is always a joy to hear James McAvoy using his native Scottish accent and in a perverse way a joy to watch him play such a repugnant character - Bruce is racist, sexist and homophobic and totally without scruples about getting what he wants .

Filth is a gritty, psychedelic trip through the demise of a very disturbed man. Jim Broadbent plays Bruce's subconscious/therapist as a slightly sinister Australian and as Bruce's plans start to unravel and the truth behind his mental state is slowly revealed so the hallucinations and delusions and bad behaviour increase.

It is a dirty black comedy where you laugh uncomfortably but ultimately feel an ounce of empathy for our anti-hero by the end. James McAvoy went method to film this putting on weight and drinking half a bottle of whisky every night so that he would have the puffy, pale complexion of a substance abuser and a hangover to aid his performance and a great performance it is.

Filth is dark and uncomfortable and funny; I wouldn't want to spend much more than 97 minutes in Bruce's company but I'm glad for the time I did.

Ratings

• Stan's: 78%
• IMDB: 75%
• Metascore: 70%
• Rotten Tomatoes: 77% 
• RT audience rating: 79%

Recently seen

Kill Your Darlings 

Captain Phillips

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Sunshine on Leith

Romeo and Juliet

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Rush

In A World

Ain't Them Bodies Saints

Review: In A World

Synopsis: Carol is a voice coach but wants to break into the male dominated world of movie trailer voice-over work in which her dad is the big star.

Stan's thoughts: This is an odd film to sum up because the going for the goal storyline is interwoven with a rom-com. Carol (Lake Bell) doesn't realise the sound technician where she works has the hots for her and her sister Dani (Michaela Watkins) is getting bored with domesticity with husband Moe (Rob Corddry).

And in the main it works. It is laugh out loud funny - there is a particularly good scene where Carol is trying to teach Eva Longoria a 'cockney gangster' accent. (Keep an eye out for some other big name cameos).

I do have a slight problem with kooky, un-coordinated characters like Carol though, I can find them a bit irritating in a 'get a grip' kind of way (Frances Ha Ha is a case in point). Lake Bell skates very close to crossing the line a few times but earns points from steering away from the obvious a couple of times. Otherwise this is a fun, inoffensive and amusing film that will be remembered most for a handful of cracking vignettes.

Ratings

• Stan's: 60%
• IMDB: 73%
• Metascore: 79%
• Rotten Tomatoes: 90% 
• RT audience rating: 86%

Recently seen

Ain't Them Bodies Saints

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