Stillwater

Posted on April 3, 2022 by Craig M

Viewed – 02 April 2022 online-rental

I’m gradually coming to the conclusion that Matt Damon is one of the best actors currently working, so this drama inspired by true events was an easy prospect. Damon plays a father who travels to the French district of Marseille to visit his daughter who five years previous was convicted of murder after a girl was found dead in an apartment she was living in. With the case pretty much closed, Damon is determined to find evidence to finally exonerate her, and along the way befriends a French woman and the woman’s young daughter.

This movie, loosely based on the ‘Amanda Knox’ case from several years back was really absorbing, especially due to Damon’s authentic and very ‘human’ performance. The realationship he builds with the French woman and her daughter turns out to be the most effective aspect, with his own daughter more of a side character (played well by Zombieland’s Abigail Breslin). I had some knowledge of the real-life case going into this and it was what first attracted me to the story, but this turns out to be more of a character study of a father trying to adapt to a hopeless situation, turning his own life around in the process. It was quite moving at times, heart warming and sad, with an ending I felt was really impactful.

As an interpretation of a true story, it does change a lot but also adds it’s own ideas that proved compelling, and having everything from the perspective of a father rather than the woman who had been convicted was a unique take. I’d have liked a bit more back story, and the movie had a habit of skipping over some moments I felt could have been quite dramatic. Overall, another solid outing for Damon, and a story that really affected me.

Verdict: Recommended

Ford v Ferrari

Posted on April 15, 2020 by Craig M

Viewed – 13 April 2020. Online rental

Aka Le Mans ‘66.

Although good casting does not guarantee a great movie, here we have two of Hollywood’s best as real-life motor racing icons Caroll Shelby and Ken Miles in the at-the-time unbelievable true story of how American motor company Ford went up against motor racing giants Ferrari in the epic 24hr Le Mans race.

Matt Damon plays retired racing champ and car designer Shelby who gets approached by the big wigs at Ford who see the potential to liven up their brand by entering the racing circuit. However they feel less appalled by the wild card that is Ken Miles, played by a brilliant Christian Bale. However Shelby is committed to Miles being the guy to race and plans on delivering a car that will beat Ferrari at their own game. This was absorbing and fascinating stuff. I can’t say I’m familiar with the events depicted but with assured direction and two solid performances, I found myself fully invested. The friendship between Shelby and Miles as well as the relationship between Miles and his son give this the emotional weight to aid the racing … and between exhilarating and viscerally-edited racing we get some great character moments that are both emotionally driven and at time’s comical.

I’d have liked a bit more detail on just how the iconic Ford GT40 came to be (it just sort of appears), and a significant moment towards the end is rather down-played, lacking the impact it deserved. However none of this detracted from what is a thoroughly engaging true story that I can easily say is a must-watch.

Verdict: Essential

Jay and Silent Bob Reboot

Posted on January 26, 2020 by Craig M

Viewed – 26 January 2020 online rental

I guess the warning signs were there from the off. An unfunny sequence right at the beginning gets our two stoner protagonists arrested, leading them to discover a movie reboot is being made, based on a movie they were the inspiration for originally. Yes, director Kevin Smith is back doing his nerdy comic book self-referential thing in a movie universe he created with cult favourites Clerks, Mallrats and the original Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back.

Meant as a satire of movie reboots, poking fun at Hollywood, social media and even ‘woke’ culture this should have been a laugh riot … considering once upon a time Smith was one of the sharpest voices around. Yet the script here struggles to be much more that an egotistical tribute to himself. As a fan, that’s a damn shame too as what’s here with a plot revolving around Jay (Jason Mews) finding out he has a daughter, is fine but the movie struggles with clunky dialogue that feels forced and jokes that really aren’t that funny. Attempts at emotion also fall flat not helped by the mostly wooden line delivery of Smith’s own daughter, Harley Quinn Smith as Jay’s illegitimate daughter.

These characters are likeable on a purely surface level, and what they get up to is occasionally fun. The wealth of celeb cameos are enjoyable too with Chris Hemsworth, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon appearing. There’s just clearly nothing left that hasn’t already been done with this world and it’s like even Kevin Smith knows that by this stage.

Verdict: Poor

Unsane

Posted on September 2, 2018 by Craig M

Viewed – 01 September 2018 online-rental

Didn’t Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s Eleven, Traffic) announce his retirements at one stage, or did I dream that? Either way the man continues to deliver movies including this latest psychological thriller starring The Crown’s Clare Foy who plays Sawyer, a woman who has started a new job in a new city after running from a stalker. However after an intended one night stand goes awry, she turns to a psychiatrist to tackle some of her demons. Problem is she unwittingly signs herself into a psychiatric institute and is unable to leave for seven days. Is she losing her mind and has her stalker returned?

Soderberg’s movie has an immediately unsettling aesthetic. Filmed believe it or not entirely on an iPhone, and with claustrophobic, unconventional filming techniques that makes everything seem dream-like … it was easy for me to go along with the paranoia and hopelessness of Sawyer’s plight. Once the hospital becomes the main location, the way the movie questions what is real and what might be in Sawyer’s head is very well done. Foy is brilliant, damaged and vulnerable making her one of those actors that really becomes the character. Support from genre icon Amy Irving (Carrie) was welcome if under-used and along with a creepy stalker this ticked all my boxes.

I’d have liked the ‘is she imagining it?’ element explored a little more than it was as it kind of turns into a typical thriller in the final act … but along with plenty of atmosphere and a few genuine shocks, I really enjoyed this.

Verdict: 4 /5

Top Ten Movies 2016

Posted on December 31, 2016 by Craig M

I watched a lot of movies this year. I watched a lot of very good movies. I also watched a few bad ones and several disappointing ones. But the list below, in descending order compiles the movies that had the greatest impact on me during 2016. A few may have actually been theatrically released prior to 2016 but I didn’t get to see them until this year.

10.

Zootropolis

‘Disney does it again with very likeable characters, gorgeous animation and a fun, exciting story with plenty of great moments’

The Nice Guys

‘Shane Black writes and directs the spiritual sequel to Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang and the result is every bit as good as that sounds’

The Witch

‘One of the more original and genuinely disturbing horror movies of the year’

The Jungle Book

‘It shouldn’t work but oh boy … does it. Disney deliver a remake that really impresses’

X-Men Apocalypse

‘Underrated comic book entertainment and for me, the best X-Men movie since X2’

Straight Outta Compton

‘The biopic of the controversial rap pioneers proves more emotional than I expected’

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

‘A spin off movie every bit as good as the famed saga? Oh yes and then some!’

The Revenant

‘Alejandro G. Iñárritu delivers a powerhouse man vs nature survival epic that breaks as many hearts as it does DiCaprio’s bones’

Sing Street

‘Feel good coming-of-age drama with great music, great characters and great performances’

The Martian

‘Ridley Scott proves without a doubt that he’s still got it and delivers a powerful, funny, breath-taking sci-fi drama with genuine heart’

A few almost as deserving ‘honourable mentions’ include:

When Marnie Was There

Arrival

Captain America: Civil War

It’s been another great year for movies and I am already looking forward to what 2017 has in store. Happy New Year everyone and hoping next year is good to you all.

Craig.