JOY - review

Director: David O. Russell
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, Édgar Ramírez, Diane Laid, Virginia Madsen, Isabella Rossellini, Dascha Polanco, Elisabeth Röhm

Synopsis: JOY is the wild true story of Joy Mangano and her Italian-American family across four generations centred on the girl who becomes the woman who founds a business dynasty by inventing the Miracle Mop and becomes a matriarch in her own right. 

Ahhh Boxing Day, my favourite day of the year. It's new release movie day, and it's always been my favourite day. It was my favourite day when I worked in cinema and it's still my favourite day. It's the day that all the big new releases come out. The much anticipated films that everyone's hanging out for. When I worked in cinema, I used to get sneak peaks of everything that was coming and it would make me even more excited. Now I just wait with the rest of the world to see what Boxing Day aka New Release Day has in store for me. This year there were no massive titles coming out, STAR WARS was released a few weeks before Boxing Day, there was no HOBBIT film or HARRY POTTER instalment, no huge titles to speak of, but I was mighty excited about a couple of films that were due out and JOY was one of them.

A great ensemble cast that did their best

Image via 20th Century Fox

I dragged my butt out of bed on New Release Day even though I'd worked on Christmas Day and was pretty exhausted, because I wanted to be in amongst the madness that is the busiest day in cinema. The 10am session of JOY was relatively quiet - most people were probably still nursing their food babies and Christmas hangovers, but I was ready, and let me tell you, I was slightly disappointed. I have to agree with a lot of the critics out there, the question has finally been answered, Jennifer Lawerence can actually be in a film that's kinda shitty. There, I said it. She tried, lord knows she tried, but even she couldn't salvage this mess.

The storyline was all over the shop, Joy was pure victim, the struggling divorced mother of two who cares for both her parents and her ex-husband, who somehow managed to invent a wonder mop after cutting her hands wringing out a regular mop by hand. The film should have been incredible - it was brought to us by the team who gave is SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK and AMERICAN HUSTLE - I had certain expectations of its greatness. I wanted it to be great, and perhaps that was my problem. Perhaps I went in with the bar set too high, but whatever the reason, I didn't love it and I wanted to.

Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper couldn't save this mess

image via 20th Century Fox

The film opened with a disclaimer that the story was inspired by great women everywhere, like David O. Russell was trying to tell us his intentions were good, but that what we were going to see was a pile of crap. I ignored that warning and still hoped for the best, but the narrative was meh, and the acting was some of the worst I've seen out of any of this incredible cast. Shame, shame I tell you. Some parts of the film were truly laughable, and all the while Lawrence was trying to wring out every last bit of sympathy she could from the audience. I really feel for the actors in this film, they can only do so much with what they've got, and they didn't have much.

The narrative we open with from Joy's grandmother Mimi (Diane Laid) is quickly forgotten and when it returns later in the film it is intrusive and doesn't fit with the film. There are a few little side plots and twists that don't fit nicely within the storyline, that just complicate it and make you wonder why you're seeing it at all. Then we finish with Joy walking down the street after saving her entire empire all on her own putting on her hip sunglasses with her home job haircut and leather jacket that goes for what seems like years before we have the weirdest epilogue.

before the longest walk ever

Image via 20th Century Fox

I don't think that JOY is going to get a particularly long run at the cinema, so if you are wanting to see it, get in quick. I would guess 3-4 weeks at best, with limited sessions in the last couple of weeks. At 2 hours and 4 minutes, it's a long time to sit if you're not going to be completely wowed by a film, so unless you're a die hard fan of J-Law and Bradley Cooper (who we definitely do not see enough of to make it worthwhile) then I wouldn't rush out to spend your 20-something dollars on this film. Sorry Jennifer, lord knows I'm a fan and I think you're wonderful and that you can do no wrong, but even you couldn't carry this film.

2.5 out of 5

Xoxo
The Blonde Bombshell

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS - review

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
Director: J.J. Abrams
Cast: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Peter Mayhew, Mark Hamill


HERE'S A TIP - If you haven't seen STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS yet, STOP READING NOW. I can't promise that there isn't anything in here you would consider a spoiler. In fact it's safe to say there are things in here that will spoil it for you. So, if you haven't seen it yet - STOP READING.


*****************************SPOILERS AHEAD***********************************

I MEAN IT GUYS, STOP READING...

OK, so if you're still here then you've clearly either seen STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS, or you don't care if something I say might spoil it for you. If you're frightened of spoilers, then run, run far far away.

It's been a while since I've taken myself to the cinema and seen a film. That's the real downside of working in tourism, we are gearing up for our busiest time in the lead up to Christmas and I don't get to have anything that remotely resembles a life for about 4 weeks from mid-November to mid-December. So in the last 10 days I've gone and seen 3 films just trying to catch up. First cab off the rank had to be STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS because I didn't want it ruined and I know a few movie ruiners (purposeful movie ruiners and accidental movie ruiners). As is the norm I toddled off to my local cinema with my crochet and settled in for an evening of magic. I took my brother along with me, who is a "take it or leave" kinda guy when it comes to STAR WARS (don't ask me, I don't get it myself), so I will share some of his opinions as well as my own.

Just a reminder guys - SPOILERS AHEAD

THE FORCE AWAKENS has smashed all the box office records, and is still going strong, opening to 97% positive reviews (note that I made that number up, but it's probably pretty close to the truth). There are a few negative Nancy-pants out there, and some of their points have validity I guess. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a negative Nancy-pants, I really enjoyed the film, but as devil's advocate I can see where they're coming from.

For example, Salon said that "For better or worse - and here's where my hoodie-wearing friend's thought experiment comes in - "The Force Awakens" is more like a remake or a mashup of the first two "Star Wars" pictures than a sequel. Yes, in technical terms Abrams and co-writers Lawrence Kasdan and Michael Arndt are picking up the narrative some 30 years after the destruction of the Galactic Empire at the end of "Return of the Jedi". But they barely even pretend to advance the story of the initial trilogy; they rewind it and repeat it, with new characters substituting for old ones but many of the same action set-pieces, narrative dilemmas and hidden connections." I can see where they're coming from, what with the blowing up of planets, and the father son dramas in reverse, and the Leia-Solo tension. I mean really, there is a lot of same same but different about this latest instalment.

HOWEVER, there wasn't a moment when I wasn't entertained during this film, and there wasn't a moment where I was bothered by the same same but differentness of the film. Really, everyone pissed and moaned like a bunch of babies when the prequels came out because they were all kinds of wrong(and let's be honest, they weren't that great), and now they're pissing and moaning like a bunch of babies because it's too much like the original films. Get it together people, you can't have it both ways!

J.J. Abrams has done a really great job with the direction of this latest instalment, and he really kept the momentum of the film going. There is enough in the film that the kids of today can get into without having seen the original films, but it will still peak an interest to get them to go and watch the films because of the snippets of history. Particularly when these guys enter the scene;

Han Solo and Chewie

Image via Disney

General Leia

Image via Disney

C3-PO & R2-D2

Image via Disney

Hello old friends - and I tell you what, if Harrison Ford didn't just steal the show...What a guy. And just for the record, I'd like to know what happened to C3-PO's arm guys...it's red and we got no explanation...what's that about?

The new characters had some pretty big shoes to fill and some pretty high expectations to uphold and I'll be damned if Daisy Ridley, John Boyega and Adam Driver didn't do it. But oh the uproar at a black Storm Trooper. There were legitimately people who were trying to encourage a boycott of the fil because there was a black Storm Trooper. Honestly, what has the world come to *face palm*. I really think that these three key characters brought a bit of life into this film, but the winner for me was BB-8;

BB-8

Image via Disney

Seriously, what a great droid. He may have gone on my Christmas wish list. I didn't get it, but I'm pretty sure I was on Santa's naughty list this year.

I'm not sure how I feel about a different director for each new instalment, I think it's going to change the feel of the film, and I did really like what Abrams did with it, but I will of course reserve judgement until I see the next one (in 18 months or so...ugh).

Oh my glob you guys, there's a black guy in space - shock horror

Daisy Ridley and John Boyega on the run

Image via Disney

There were a few moments where I thought "oh man, I know what's going to happen next" and I was right. Like the Han Solo-Kylo Ren scene...I predicted that was what was going to happen and I was a little bit disappointed when I was right. Also, I was sad, a tear or two may have escaped (don't judge me, I know I wasn't the only one). But, there were also plenty of moments where I thought, "really? How? Why? What?" Like how did Maz Kanata have the light sabre? And was Jar Jar Binx on the planets that got destroyed? He was a Senator after all.

2015 will always be remembered as the year of the Star Wars anticipation, and I hope it breeds a new generation of lovers of the franchise. Even though I have no doubt the kids of today will scoff at the ridiculous looking SFX of the original films, I hope they grow to love them as much as I do. Although if you're anything like the Red Haired Amazona and I, you pretty much believe that if kids today don't love Star Wars then their parents haven't raised them right.

Overall, even though there was a bit of recycled material in there, I think Abrams and co have done a marvellous job with THE FORCE AWAKENS, some have said that J.J Abrams is God, and although I'm not sure I'd go that far, it was pretty bloody good. I will be going to see it again at the cinema, so that's gotta be a sign. If you're into the whole STAR WARS thing and you haven't already seen the movie, then you're a fool and you should definitely spend the 20-something dollars to go see it immediately (also if you're one of those people and you're still reading, sorry if I ruined it for you, but I did warn you). If you're not huge on the idea of STAR WARS, but you like a good sci-fiat ion film then I think it's worth you spending the 20-something dollars on to go and see it. You I got be surprised. Also, you might hate it, but there were people in there who had never seen a STAR WARS movie in their lives and they enjoyed it, so it can't be all that bad.

4.5 out of 5

xoxo
The Blonde Bombshell

5 TO 7 - review

5 TO 7
Director: Victor Levin
Cast: Anton Yelchin, Bérénice Marlohe, Lambert Wilson, Glenn Close, Frank Langella, Olivia Thirlby

Synopsis: An aspiring novelist enters into a relationship with a woman, though there's just one catch: she's married, and the couple can only meet between the hours of 5 and 7 each evening. 

And so passes another Friday off, where I pursue my favourite pasttime of viewing films, curled up in the cinema, just me, my crochet and a small box of Maltesers. This Friday took my to a lovely piece of cinema 5 TO 7. Very Woody Allen-esque, the kind of romance that I haven't seen since Audrey Hepburn. Ok, maybe I've seen some good ones since then, but that's what 5 TO 7 reminded me off. A classic piece of romance that could have been played out by Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn. Sound like a treat to you? Well if it does then you should definitely go and catch this film while you can. Sadly I don't think it's going to have a very long season (there were only 4 other people in the cinema this morning and the staff mentioned that it wasn't pulling very big crowds) and that's disappointing because it deserves an audience.

Brian, a young 20-something, would be novelist (Anton Yelchin) in New York takes a chance and crosses the road to approach a beautiful woman (Bérénice Marlohe) having a cigarette and looking all glamourous, he flirts with her in French and it goes well. She asks him to meet her at the same place the following Friday. He does, and he also asks her out to which she replies that of course she can but she's only free from 5 to 7. Not realising that this means, lets start a beautifully French extra-marital affair, he agrees to meet her again. The poor pet is distraught when he discovers what 5 to 7 means, and that she is the wife of a French diplomat (Lambert Wilson) who has a mistress of his own, and ois the mother of two beautiful children. His ethics prevent him from going any further with an affair, but his attraction to her only lets him keep his moral code for three short weeks. They continue to pursue the affair, he is welcomed into the family along with the husband's mistress and a whole stack of high profile guests.

Bérénice Marlohe and Anton Yelchin

image via IFC Films

Brian befriends Valery's mistress Jane (Olivia Thirlby) who is somewhat helpful in her advice on how to deal with this very unconventional situation, but Brian quickly spirals out of control and cannot cope with the rules of the 5 to 7 life that he is leading. He introduces her to his parents, the spectatularly cast Glenn Close and Frank Langella, who play the Jewish parents well. Sam (Langella) constantly pesters him about law school and cannot grasp the concept of his son being involved with a married French woman, and Arlene (Close) who knows that there are "two forces in on earth you never want to be fighting, Mother Nature and love".

Glenn Close and Frank Langella

image via IFC Films

It is a certain kind of romantic who can sit through a film about a love that is doomed, knowing that heartbreak is iminient. We have all had that one love that we know is doomed and yet we pursue it anyway, always living in hope that it will all work out for the best, knowing in our hearts that it won't.  5 TO 7 brings that hope to life and although the film is full of clichés, there are some laugh out loud one liners, and some truly tender moments that make you sure you can believe in true love, which is a rare commoditiy in this world.

Bérénice Marlohe and Anton Yelchin - seriously he is so adorable

image via IFC Films

The direction is spectacular and if I didn't know that Victor Levin was the director, I could swear that Woody Allen was in there somewhere. For those of you that don't like a Woody Allen film, his influence is there in a good way, trust me. The casting is exceptional and it is one of those films where I didn't see actors, I saw people, which is a nice change for me. At an hour 35, 5 TO 7 didn't feel like a long film, which to me is the sign of a captivating storyline, and I'm telling you, this film deserved the award it won at the festival season in 2014 and the nomination it received at the 2015 - Nominee Best Narrative Feature (2015 Palm Springs International Film Festival) and Best American Film (2014 Traverse City Film Festival), both audience awards, so it just goes to show that people know what's they're talking about.

If you like the story of a doomed love, and you miss the romantic films of yore, the set aside some time to go and fork out your 20-something dollars to see 5 TO 7, I highly recommend it. It has quickly become onw of my favourite romance films of the year.

4 out of 5

xoxo
The Blonde Bombshell

FINDING DORY - trailer release

FINDING DORY

Director: Andrew Stanton & Angus MacLane

Cast: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Eugene Levy, Ty Burrell, Kaitlin Olson, Ed O'Neill, Diane Keaton, Dominic West, Idris Elba

Holy snapping duck shit your guys the trailer has dropped for FINDING DORY and although it's a teaser and although it's only a minute forty, this little Disney fanatic is pretty excited!!

Hitting cinemas in Summer 2016, this is bound to be a smash hit with Disney Pixar fans all around the world! 

Synopsis: FINDING DORY reunites the friendly-but-forgetful blue tang fish with her loved ones, and everyone learns a few things about family along the way.

Featuring the voices of Ellen DeGeneres (Dory), Albert Brooks (Marlin), Diane Keaton (Dory's mother) and Eugene Levy (Dory's father), this is bound to be a funny and yet slightly emotional adventure for our favoutie fishies!!

Check the trailer out here: 

xoxo

The Blonde Bombshell

MAN UP - review

MAN UP
Director: Ben Palmer
Cast: Simon Pegg, Lake Bell, Olivia Williams, Ophelia Lovibond, Rory Kinnear, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Sharon Horgan

Synopsis: A 34 year old single woman, Nancy (Lake Bell), hungover again, exhausted bt the endless fruitless set ups by her friends, travelling across London to toast another 10 years of her parent's successful, happy, magical marriage runs in with with a 40 year old divorcee, Jack (Simon Pegg), who mistakes her for his 24 year old blind date. Nancy, deciding to go with it, happens to hop on the most chaotic yet hilarious journey of her life, which neither of them will forget. There is drinking, truths, an old stalker class mate with a long standing crush, lost divorce papers, lost hopes, competitive indoor sports and Jack finding out the truth that Nancy isn't his blind date. MAN UP is a romantic comedy about taking chances, finding yourself, making decisions and rolling with the punches.

MAN UP opened at the cinema on Thursday this week, but I was fortunate enough to see it a couple of weeks ago on a flight on my snazzy in-flight entertainment ap on my shiny little iPad (look at me and my bad self!), but due to life kind of getting in the way I didn't get around to writing up my review. My plan this year (call it a resolution if you like) was to make time for the things I love and generally I have been much better at this, but the past month has gotten away from me and I forgot to make time, so tonight I am setting some of that most precious comodity aside. I took myself to the cinema yesterday and now I am catching up on some review writing.

I actually wasn't aware that this film was screening in cinemas this week, I thought it must have already been out ages ago because I watched it on a flight, so it's quite fortunate that it has only just opened, so I can tell you all about it and you can decide whether or not to go and see it for yourselves. I picked this film on the plane because it was one of the only ones I hadn't already seen, and because it had Simon Pegg in it and I have quite enjoyed his films in the past. The trailer looked alright, a comedy of errors about the perilous world of dating in the 21st century.

Simon Pegg and Lake Bell having the best date ever

image via StudioCanal

Nancy (Lake Bell) is stuck sitting with a bubbly 24 year old Jessica (Ophelia Lovibond), reading a riveting piece of self-help fiction who is trying to tell her how to fix her life. You know the type, the person who you just want to slap upside the head with their youthful optimism, and unrealistic ideals. Well, I know the type because I've been around the b lock a few times and I'm slightly jaded, so I felt Nancy's pain and wnated her to shut her trap just as much as Nancy did! Jessica is due to meet a man for a blind date under the clock at the station using her self-help book as her tell-tale sign that it's her. Jessica decides that Nancy needs all the help she can get, so leaves her with the copy of the book and off she pops to get herself a new copy. Nancy exits the train and unwittingly stands under the clock where she is approached by Jack (Simon Pegg) who mistakes her for his blind date. Not quite sure what is happening, Nancy goes with it and they spend a magical night together until the shit hits the fan and the truth comes out.

Ophelia Lovibond with her ridiculous book and youthful ideals

image via StudioCanal

This comedy of errors involves copious amounts of drinking, bowling, lost divorce papers, an awkward drink with Jack's soon to be ex-wife and her new partner and snippets of the anniversary party which Nancy is missing. All hell breaks loose when Jack discoveres that Nancy isn't really his blind date and they go their separate ways, denying their feelings and blah blah blah, you lied, I can't believe you could do that, blah. Not to worry though, in true hollywood fashion everything all works out just the way you think it will.

Just go with it

image via StudioCanal

There is nothing supremely magical about this film, but it has it's funny moments (most of which appear in the trailer), and it displays a fair bit of truth when it comes to the messed up world of dating when you're over 30. A time when people no longer have baggage, but entire luggage sets, a time when suddenly your dating pool is filled with divorcees and people with children. All the things that make it all the more complicated when you're trying to navigate your way through the already tricky dating world.

The film is well set, cast and the directed, but there just isn't anything incredible about it. There are a number of films out at the moment that I would recommend you spend 20-something dollars on before you spend it on this, but if you are a Simon Pegg fan then you will enjoy this film. It's got some laughs and if you're a cynical non-believer there are moments that will ring true with you, but the ending will make you scoff.

3ish out of 5

xoxo
The Blonde Bombshell

THE DRESSMAKER - review

THE DRESSMAKER
Director: Jocelyn Moorhouse
Cast: Kate Winslet, Liam Hemsworth, Judy Davis, Hugo Weaving, Sarah Snook, Rebecca Gibney, Shane Jacobson


Synopsis: Based on the best-selling novel by Rosalie Ham, THE DRESSMAKER is a bittersweet, comedy-drama set in early 1950's Australia. Tilly Dunnage (Kate Winslet), a beautifil and talented misfit, after many years working as a derssmaker in exclusive Parisian fashion houses, returns home to the tiny middle-of-nowhere town of Dungatar to right the wrongs of the past. Not only does she reconcile with her ailing, eccentric mother Molly (Judy Davis) andunexpectedly falls in love with the pure-hearted Teddy (Liam Hemsworth), but armed with her swweing machine and incredible sense of style, she transforms the women of the town and in doing so gets sweet revenge on those who did her wrong.

It's been a few weeks since my last review, indeed it's been a few weeks since I've seen a film because, well, because life. Tell you what though, I got back to my true love with a bang! Friday morning I took myself off with Sissie to see THE DRESSMAKER, and it was as glorious as I had hoped it would be. As an added bonus, this lovely film had a scene shot in my local cinema (The Sun Theatre) indeed, it closed the place down for a day which I was most put out by at the time, although I did get the chance to see some movie making in action, so there was a plus even if I didn't get to see a film that day. The film starts off as a magical comedy-drama about the return of the prodigal daughter to her home town after many years of being away working as a dressmaker at some of the most prestigious Parisian fashion houses. She returns to find out the truth about her past and right some wrongs.

Known to the townsfolk as a murderer, her return is not welcomed by most, least of all her mother, who claims not to remember who she is. Together with the local police officer (Hugo Weaving), her eccentric mother and a local boy who loves her for who she is not who the people say she is, she sets about putting the pieces of past together and righting the wrongs done to her. At about two thirds of the way through when I thought all was coming to a neat little conclusion, the film takes an unexpected turn and then spirals into a world of "wtf is actually happening right now". The third act doesn't quite fit with the tone of the rest of the film, but gee willickers it was good even if it didn't quite make sense.

welcome home Tilly Dunnage

image via Universal Pictures

THE DRESSMAKER has some "holy shit" moments, and plenty of laugh out loud hilarity in the small town of Dungatar, and it will keep you entertained the entire way through. There is truth in the grudges held by the small-minded people of this small town, and the gossiping, rumour mills that exisit within the community. I mostly enjoyed the "screw you" attitude of some of the key characters, not least of all Tilly Dunnage, her mother Molly and her true love Teddy.

Kate Winslet shines in this film, she is powerful and commanding and captivates the audience with her powerful presence on screen. She is given every opportunity in this script to shine as the leading lady of this film, and even though I was a little put off by the enormous age gap between her and her leading man Liam Hemsworth, their chemistry is undeniable. He is unflappable in his convictions and his pure heart shines throughout the whole film.

Tilly and Teddy - true love against the odds

image via Universal Pictures

The supporting cast of a great number of talent Aussies also shines, and this is a prime example of quality Australian cinema that should not be missed. Judy Davis, Hugo Weaving, Sarah Snook, Rebecca Gibney, Shane Jacobson, Gyton Grantlet, Barry Otto and many others truly bring this film to life and give it all the magical qualities that make it so thoroughly enjoyable.

Hugo Weaving

Judy Davis, Sarah, Snook, Kate Winslet

Mark Leonard Winter, Sarah Snook, Rebecca Gibney, Shane Jacobson

images via Universal Pictures

Overall, even aside from the surprise plot twist and wtf ending, THE DRESSMAKER is a lovely piece of cinema and I definitely recommend spending the 20-something dollars on taking yourself to the cinema and indulging yourself.

4 out of 5

xoxo
The Blonde Bombshell

BURNT - review

BURNT
Director: John Wells
Cast: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Daniel Brühl, Omar Sy, Riccardo Scamarcio, Matthew Rhys

Synopsis: Adam Jones (Bradley Cooper) is a chef who destroyed his career with drugs and diva behaviour. He cleans up and returns to London, determined to redeem himself but spearheading a top restaurant that can gain three Michelin stars. 

I had heard that this was the most authentic kitchen movie that had been seen for a while, from a friend who is a chef. I had also heard that the film was "intense" from some random cinema patrons who overheard me picking up my tickets. These were two of the better comments I'd heard about the film. Critics have been panning this film, calling it a "kitchen nightmare" along with all manner of other ridiculous food metaphors. I went in with an average expectation of what the film might be, but high hopes of what I would see from such a strong cast.

Off I went on Friday night, way past my bedtime, just hoping that the film would be enough to keep me awake as I settled in with a half full cinema (not a great sign on opening weekend) to see Cooper take on the role of a determined man with everything and nothing to lose. Adam Jones calls in every favour that he has, which is almost none and sweet talks himself into revamping a top restaurant in London to get his third Michelin star. He has burned almost all of his bridges over the years, by being a drug addicted, hot headed diva with all the talent and none of the self-control. Claiming he got everything he ever wanted too early and didn't know how to handle it, he's cleaned up his act and is back with a vengance. He wants nothing more than to get his third star and he will need to best of the best to help him get it.

Bradley Cooper as Adam Jones

image via The Weinstein Company

He recruits some old friends from his Paris days, a young upstart with a spare room and a talented chef (who he gets fired from her current position). The competition is fierce, his past is laden with drama that is chasing him down (and by drama I mean a drug lord who he owes a shit-ton of money to), it was really out of the frying pan and into the fire for this chef. There's also the guy whose life Jones' ruined and so is now repaying the favour, and the girl who love-hates him and the guy who just plain loves him. Unfortunately for Cooper and the rest of the cast, this film only scratches the surface of what could have been a truly dramatic masterpiece. The scenes in the kitchen are some of the most realistic scenes I've seen in a kitchen movie, including all of the food wastage.

Omar Sy and Sienna Miller - making magic in the kitchen

image via The Weinstein Company

Credit where credit is due, the cast truly were fantastic in this film, they really showed depth of character particulalry given that they were all given something deeper and yet never really had the chance to explore it for us. I think that's what I found the most disappointing about this film, there was so much more there and the tiny glimpses you got were enough to make me sad that I wasn't seeing any further into these people's lives. Don't get me wrong, I totally get that you can't go into everything in a film or we'd be there forever, and BURNT was already close to two hours in length, BUT, if you're not going to let me eat the whole damn dish, don't let me taste it, it'll only make me mad.

There's plenty to like about BURNT and if you can get past the lack of depth that is shown in this film, then I think you might really enjoy it. Sadly I don't think it's going to go that well at the box office, so if you do want to see it I would get in quick, I think it will have a relatively short run. If you're a Bradley Cooper fan, or you just like kitchen dramas then sure, it could be worth paying 20-something dollars for, but I'm not conviced it was worth it.

xoxo
The Blonde Bombshell

LEARNING TO DRIVE - review

LEARNING TO DRIVE
Director: Isabel Coixet
Cast: Ben Kingsley, Patricia Clarkson, Grace Gummer, Jake Weber, Sarita Choudhury, Avi Nash

LEARNING TO DRIVE

After an arduous 4 days in Darwin for an Irish Dancing Feis run wholly on Darwin time (my least favourite time keeping method), I dragged my sore and swollen body back onto a plane and fossicked through the film choices for something that I hadn't already seen. 

Flicking through what I already knew was a sucky assortment of films from the flight up (I watched some random film I'd never heard of called RESULTS, don't bother people), I could not believe my good fortune when I stumbled upon a brand new release that I was hanging to see - LEARNING TO DRIVE. I was so very pleased, almost as pleased as I was to be seated across the aisle from some very attractive peen owners who bought me wine. You might ask why I would need a film to occupy my time, and I guess that is a valid question, but I like movies, and also talking to people for 4 hours across the aisle and disrupting the world is difficult and apparently frowned upon by the people in front of me (grumpy old codgers). 

Anyway, I digress, I got that film on my trendy little airline in-flight entertainment ap, settled myself in across two seats and commenced viewing of the only film I hadn't seen, sans crochet because for the first time ever they made me check my hook (pests). 

The first thing you might notice, is how incredibly white Ben Kingsley looks compared to all the other Indian characters in the film, but before you rage out about white washing, just remember that Kingsley is of Indian descent, and you may remember him from such other films as GHANDI where he played the title character. I have to say that although the difference is glaringly obvious, you should try not to let it detract from your enjoyment of the film. 

Darwan and Jasleen at their wedding

image via Madman

Anyway, here's the deal, Wendy (Patricia Clarkson) is an upper-middle-class book critic whose marriage abruptly ends and she realises that she has to start doing all the things for herself, like driving. Darwan (Ben Kingsley) is a driving instructor/taxi driver who is in the country for political asylum. Their paths cross when Wendy leaves something in his cab and Darwan returns it the following day in his driving instructor car. Wendy decides to get lessons from Darwan and the pair share a journey of self discovery with chemistry that shines in this film. 

Wendy learning to drive under Darwan's careful instruction

image viad Madman

Wendy has to figure out how to cope with life on her own following the realisation that if she hadn't been so focussed on her one true love (books) then her marriage might have survived. As well as that there is a little mother/daughter struggle that must be resolved and her incredible fear of driving. Darwan has struggles of his own to deal with, a family that want to send him a bride, the constant fear of religious persecution, harassment and abuse, and a house full of illegal immigrants that could be taken away at any point including his nephew. Darwan has a calm and focus that balances Wendy's neurotic and erratic behaviour, and he teaches as many lessons by speaking as not. 

LEARNING TO DRIVE is a nice film. There's nothing to rave about and nothing to piss and moan about, it's just nice. There isn't anything new about this "two complete strangers find something in common" formula either. It's sweet, but it's a very stock standard storyline without many twists and turns along the way. The most interesting thing about this storyline is that it let's you believe that there is romance afoot for Darwan and Wendy. 

I'm pleased to say that both Kingsley and Clarkson really shine in this film, the film itself isn't anything super amazing and magical, but the two of them are. It's high time that Clarkson has a film in which she can be the true star, and this is a role that she was made for. You don't see a whole lot of the supporting cast, but Wendy's daughter Tasha (Grace Gummer) and husband Ted (Jake Webber) are well cast and do a lovely job with the limited screen time they have. As do Darwan's new bride Jasleen (Sarita Choudhury) and nephew Preet (Avi Nash). 

the little seen but well cast family of Wendy

image via Madman

It will appeal to the same kind of audiences that flocked to see THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL, but it certainly doesn't have that same magic. I don't think I missed anything by watching this on my iPad via the snazzy in-flight entertainment ap, and I don't think you'll miss anything if you want to download this via Apple movies or other similar movie viewers, but if you're after something to take your Ma or Grandma to, then I don't think you'll regret spending the 20-something dollars on if you do go to see it at the cinema. 

3 out of 5 stars

xoxo 

The Blonde Bombshell 

THE INTERN - review

THE INTERN
Director: Nancy Meyers
Cast: Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway, Rene Russo, Anders Holm, JoJo Kushner, Andrew Rannells, Adam DeVine, Zack Pearlman, Jason Orley, Christina Scherer
Genre: Comedy
Run Time: 121mins

Synopsis: 7-year-old widower Ben Whittaker has discovered that retirement isn't all it's cracked up to be. Seizing an opportunity to get back in the fame, he becomes a senior intern at an online fashion site, founded and run by Jules Ostin. 


I have been desperately wanting to catch up on movies after having a few weeks of not seeing any thanks to work and life and whatever. I mean how very dare they take me away from my favourite thing ever?! Such is the life of a high flying business manager I guess *sigh*. Anyway, the very fantastic Labor Government of Victoria gave us an extra public holiday this week so that we could all go and see the AFL Grand Final Parade (it's kind of a big deal to almost every person who sports in Victoria), and whilst I do not care so much for the parade, I was grateful for an additional day off which I put to good use by going to the cinema and avoiding everything to do with the final parade.

I rocked up with no plans of what I was going to see because there is so much on right now that I want to see, looked at what was on at the time, asked which one had the least amount of people in it and chose that one. THE INTERN.

Nancy Meyers has written and directed some very divisive pieces over the years (THE HOLIDAY, IT'S COMPLICATED, SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE) - fans tend to love them, critics tend to hate them. Mostly critics hate them because they tend not to have too much substance, and often a strange take on relationships. THE INTERN is not much different I'm afraid, critics are hating on it and fans are having a great time. The box office should do well, even though it is getting absolutely hammered by most critics. To be fair, the film is not an amazing, quality piece of cinema, however, I had a laugh, there were a couple of what I guess you could call 'twists' (although I picked them pretty early on), and there was a moment where some people had a teary. On the flip side, there were moments where I was annoyed, stunned and ashamed as well. Take it for what it is - a nice little piece of chick flick fodder and I think you'll have a decent enough time.

Ben, Jason and Davis after Ben's first meeting with the in house masseur

image via Warner Bros. 

Ben Whittaker (De Niro) is bored out of his mind as a retiree and becomes a senior intern at an online fashion company and is assigned to the company's founder Jules Ostin (Hathaway), who absolutely doesn't want an intern. Ben is old school, wears a suit to work every day, has a briefcase, carries a handkercheif, nobody in the company of 20-somethings understands him. Slowly but surely, they all come to appreciate him, turn to him for advice, and need him. Especially Jules. That takes all of about 30 minutes, so what could have been a nice little piece of conflictuous (thanks international male model David from the Bachelorette) drama is resolved and everyone is all lah-di-dah happy days.

Ostin has a family - a hubby and a young daughter - which I was not expecting, and hubby is a stay-at-home-dad, so Ostin can be a glass ceiling breaker, awesome sauce career woman. Not surprisingly the family suffers, and we hear about how women are supposed to be able to have it all and then when they get it everything else falls apart. That irked me a little - things fall apart because people don't work hard at keeping them together, not becuase a woman has a successful career. Again, this conflict is all sorted out in about 25 seconds and everyone lives happily ever after, boring, boring, boring. Just FYI if I had been in that situation, there would have been more than a few tears and a hug for it to be all better. I would have thrown shit and screamed and probably punched someone in the face. Clearly I am not as together as Jules Ostin is.

FYI this kid is pretty good as Ostin's daughter Paige - one to watch!

image via Warner Bros. 

Ben gets his own little love interest in Fiona the in house massuer (Rene Russo) who is probably 10 years his junior, after we see him running screaming from the woman his own age who clearly has a thing for him. Why is the notion of dating a woman the same age, who isn't as glamourous as say Rene Russo is, such a laughable idea? Why do we have to be force fed the idea of a man seeing a younger woman because she is more attractive?  Annoying point number 3.

The best bit of the film was when Ben and three of his younger colleagues break into Ostin's mother's house to delete an email that she accidentally sent, which turns into a hilarioius caper. It has nothing to do with the central plot and I'm surprised it didn't end on the cutting room floor, but I'm glad it didn't. It was hysterical and gave the film a lift just when you needed it.

Breaking and entering hijinks - hilarity ensues

image via Warner Bros.

Everyone lives happily ever after, the conflicts are resolved with no muss and no fuss, and even though there is plenty of on screen blubbering (Ben carries a handkercheif to assist all the women who are always crying), this is generally a feel good piece of fodder.

The casting is fabulous, although the character of Ben was a little restrictive and I would have loved to have seen more from De Niro, he was funny and charming and played it with a little sparkle that you can't help but love. Hathaway was endearing, and although her character was a little vapid, she did a wonderful job at keeping me engaged through her character. Sadly the supporting roles are a little thinly written, and while they had their funny moments, there was potential for more to come out of that talented bunch.

The direction was exactly what I've come to expect from Meyers, the film flows nicely through a relatively corny and misogynist script. The set is impeccable which is no surprise for a Meyer film, however the soundtrack was waaaayyyy to schmultzly for me. It invoked more of the "shhhh" vibe than the emotions it probably meant to invoke.

Overall, THE INTERN isn't a front runner of films to go see given all the amazing things that are on at the moment, however, if you've seen everything or you're into a good chick flick, or you really like Meyer's other stuff then THE INTERN is for you and you probably wouldn't mind spending the 20-something dollars on it.

2.7 out of 5

xoxo
The Blonde Bombshell

SHE'S FUNNY THAT WAY - review

SHE'S FUNNY THAT WAY
Director: Peter Bogdanovich
Cast: Imogen Poots, Owen Wilson, Kathryn Hahn, Will Forte, Jennifer Aniston, Rhys Ifans

Synopsis: The cast and crew of a Broadway play are thrown into a romantic roundelay when a lecherous director hires a hooker-turned-actress to star alongside his wife and his wife's ex-lover

You know those movies where you see the trailer and then spend the next several months hoping against all hope that all the funny bits aren't just in the trailer because it looks funny and you want the whole movie to be equally as funny? Well, SHE'S FUNNY THAT WAY was one of those films for me. The trailer made the film look like a ridiculous comedy of errors - incredibly farcical - and I was hoping that the movie would have some additional plot points and more funny bits. Sadly though I was disappointed. Most of the funny bits are in the trailer and there aren't really that many more plot points.

uh oh - husband, wife, call girl, ex-lover - what could possibly go wrong? 

image via Lionsgate

Seeing Peter Bogdanovich's name made me excited, it's been a while since he's graced us with his directorial presence, and the casting looked ok, and while the movie aimed for good old fashioned farcical nonsense, it's mostly just nonsense. Squirrels to the nuts. I heard that phrase about 17 million times in this film and I still don't understand what is happening.

squirrels to the nuts - I don't think even Owen Wilson knows what that means you guys

image via Lionsgate

The opening narrative sets us up in a journalistic interview with an ever optimistic, miracle believing IT girl being interviewed by the ever cyincal journalist about the story of how her acting career came to be. Once call-girl Isabella (Imogen Poots) has a chance meeting with director Arnold Albertson (Owen Wilson), ok well, not so much chance, she's a call-girl, he hired a call-girl, but whatever, and he offers her a tidy sum to quit the business and follow her dream of becoming an actress. She gets a call for an interview for a new Broadway production to play the role of, you guessed it a hooker. I mean come on guys, what are the odds? The other two actors in the play are Arnolds wife Delta (Kathryn Hahn) and Delta's ex-lover Seth (Rhys Ifans). That's just a disaster waiting to happen. Everyone loves Isabella's read, not knowing of course her history with the director, and she gets hired. She also gets asked out by the playwright Joshua (Will Forte),whose ex-girlfiend is Isabella's therapist and whose father is a private investigator hired with following Isabella for another of her clients. All manner of unlikely coincidences occur entwining these stories together leading to a giant catasrophical blow out.

Unfortunately the script is average at best and the film is far too predictable for my liking, but from what I've read this was a labour of love, rather than an aim for the next big hit for Bogdanovich, who co-wrote the script with his ex-wife many years ago. I hope it was worth it emotionally for him getting this piece of the ground, because based on what I've seen the box office results aren't that great. I appreciate that film scripts have to be somewhat predictable on some level so that viewers can follow the storyline, but this was just pushing it a little too far. I could almost guess what the lines were going to be, and you could see 10 minutes out exactly where the next scene would end up.

Credit where credit is due, the cast have done a wonderful job with what they have in this film and Poots lights up the screen like nobody's business. There are strong moments of funny in this film, but it wasn't the laugh out loud, mishap filled caper I was hoping for.

such a lovely cast 

image via Lionsgate

I would be rushing out to hand over 20-something dollars see this unless you've seen every single other film on at the cinema and you want a no-brainer piece of trash to fill in some time, or you've got some movie vouchers that are going to expire and it's after 5 on a Saturday and you can't use them for anything else.

2 out of 5

xoxo
The Blonde Bombshell

WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER - review

WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER
Director: David Wain
Cast: Janeane Garofolo, David Hyde Pierce, Michael Showalter, Marguerite Moreau, Michael Ian Black, Zak Orth, Paul Rudd, Christopher Meloni, Molly Shannon, Ken Marino, Joe Lo Truglio, Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, Elizabeth Banks, Marisa Ryan

Synopsis: The setting is Camp Firewood, the year 1981. It's the last day before everyone goes back to the real world, but there's still a summer's worth of unfinished business to resolve. At the centre of the action is the camp director Beth, who struggles to keep order while she falls in love with the local astrophysics professor. He is busy trying to save the camp from a deadly piece of NASA's Skylab which is hurtling towards earth. All that, plus: a dangerous waterfall rescue, love triangles, misfits, cool kids, and talking vegetable cans, The questions will all be resolved, of course, at the big talent show at the end of the day. 

In anticipation of the Netflix series WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER FIRST DAY OF CAMP, the Red Haired Amazona and I sat down to watch the 2001 cult classic WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER. I have to say, I don't remember why I never watched this when it came out, and after watching it I sat asking myself why it's taken me so long to watch it. That's not necessarily how I felt whilst watching it, but after giving it time to settle in and getting over the "WTF just happened" feeling, I worked out that I loved it.

The camp residents include the camp director Beth (Janeane Garofolo), a local astrophysics associate professor (David Hyde Pierce), a recently divorced art teacher (Molly Shannon), a whole bunch of horny teenage camp counsellors, inlcuding but not limited to Paul Rudd, Michael Showalter, Bradley Cooper and Amy Poehler, and the Vietnam Vet camp cook (Christopher Meloni). Each comes with their own ridiculous subplot, and somehow they all intertwine in a way that is somewhat magical.

WHAS camp counsellors all together - what a cast! 

WHAS is co-written by David Wain (who directs) and Michael Showalter (who co-stars in a number of roles), and the two have put together a parody of a parody, that is so on point that you can easily mistake this parody for the real deal, which is what leaves you with so much of a WTF just happened feeling. The strange deadpan tone that carries throughout the film is what makes it funny, even when the jokes don't quite hit the mark.

Amy Poehler and Bradley Cooper are the Camp theatre counsellors - can you tell?

It's one of those movies where things happen; there are conversations, there's action, there's drama, there's funny, but at the same time nothing really happens. So when you sit there thinking "what is the point", just remember that there is no point, and that is the point. It's a movie for movies sake and it's funny for funnys sake. There doesn't need to be a point if it makes you laugh.

The casting in this film is fantastic, for starters, Paul Rudd as a moody, rebellious, teenage stud Andy might be one of my most favourite castings of all times. Watching him huffing and puffing around like the world's most hard done by fella reminded me so much of the Red Haired Amazona's SonOfAGun #1 that it's not funny!

Paul Rudd and Elizabeth Banks shirking their duties of child supervision

There's an amazing drug fuelled bender montage, awkward teenage romances, homoerotic scenes and of course a talent show. What really got me about this film, other than the ever delectable Paul Rudd of course, was Christopher Meloni is what can only be described as the greatest role of his career.  I had no idea he could possibly be so funny, I particularly liked the scene with the fridge. That's all I'm going to say about that, if you have seen it, you will know what I'm talking about and if you haven't you'll just have to wait to experience it yourself. Also, this...

Christopher Maloney dancing - what else could you possibly want in a film?!

It's hard to know exactly what to say about this film, it's a cult classic and I have recently come to see why. I now feel prepared to kick back with the Red Haired Amazona, some wine and Netflix to get into the WHAS First Day At Camp series.

film quality - 2 out of 5
film enjoyment and what the actual F factor - 4 out of 5

xoxo
The Blonde Bombshell

LAST CAB TO DARWIN - review

LAST CAB TO DARWIN
Director: Jeremy Sims
Cast: Michael Caton, Jacki Weaver, Ningali Lawford, Mark Coles Smith, Emma Hamilton

Synopsis: Rex is a loner, and when he's told he doesn't have long to live, he embarks on an epic drive through the Australian outback from Broken Hill to Darwin to die on his own terms; but his journey reveals to him that before you can end your life, you have to live it, and to live it, you've got to share it. 

I've been a bit slow on the whole review writing caper, sadly I've been busy with my real job and it has prevented me from spending time writing about what I'd actually prefer to be writing about - movies that I've seen. I went to see LAST CAB TO DARWIN about a week ago now, I took myself on a date (because lets face it, who better to take me on a date than me?) sans crochet as I was still on a no crochet ban thanks to Dr Life Ruiner, and just saw the next thing that was on which was this little gem of a film.

Michael Caton has a slew of films under his belt, a lot of them comdies, so it was wonderful to see him flexing his feels muscles in this heartfelt drama. LAST CAB TO DARWIN is based on a play by Reg Cribb, that was based on the life of a cab driver Rex Bell, a cab driver from Broken Hill who decides to drive to Darwin to die, because euthanasia is legal there (it isn't any more) and he would rather die on his own terms than wait for cancer to kill him. The play ran for three hours, which is plenty of time to tell everything, and at a mere 124 minutes, there must be some things that are missing from the telling of this story. It must be really tricky to get everything that can be conveyed in a stage play into a film script. It requires a much greater sence of immediacy, intimacy, and you have to belive that everything you're seeing is happening in the now. That being said, I think that Sims and Cribb did a pretty decent job of transposing this play into a film script. It isn't perfect, but they've done alright.

Michael Caton and Mark Coles Smith travelling the Oodnadatta Track

image via Icon Films

Rex (Caton) is told that his operation to remove the cancer that is eating away at him has failed and that he is going to die. He hears a Darwin doctor on the radio (Jackie Weaver), talking about a machine she has created that assists patients to die. Rex calls her on talk back radio (overheard of course by everyone in his town) and after that one call decides he's going to do it. No muss, no fuss, just get to Darwin and die. He says he's alone, so there's no one to worry about his decision, but he doesn't take into account that his mates (John Howard  and David Field), or his secret girlfriend Polly (Ningali Lawford). Polly is Rex's neighbour, and when there's no one watching they hold hands and spend their nights together, but it's not a relationship that is displayed in the open, it's their little secret. Rex sets off to die quietly, leaving those who love him behind.

Caton and Ningali sharing a secret moment on the porch

Image via Icon Films

On the drive Rex picks up a young Aboriginal man who is on the run from the world. Till (Mark Coles Smith) is a smart-arsed layabout who tries to rob Rex, but ends up being rescued by him and tags along for the ride to Darwin. They form a bond ont their journey and as they travel farther noth they pick up Julie, (Emma Hamilton) and English nurse who leaves the outback pub she works at to join them. Hamilton carries the emotions of this unlikely trio, and tugs at your heartstrings with her performance.

Arriving in Darwin the three of them meet with Dr. Farmer (Jacki Weaver) and begin the process of arranging Rex's death. For Farmer, Rex's death will be a medical breakthrough, he will be her first patient, but there are plenty of hurdles to overcome, signatures to get, people to convince before they can go ahead with Rex's plan to die, not least of all Rex.

The first meeting with Dr. Farmer

image via Icon Films

Caton really delivers an unforgettable performance in this film, and he keeps you drawn in with his incredible talents. The other members of this cast deliver as well, and Sims deserves credit for his direction of this piece. This film has probably bitten off a bit more than in can chew in 124 minutes, but it has both humor and heart and it will keep you captivated as you watch Rex, Tilly, Julie and Polly develop, grow and change. It probably doesn't kick all the goals it aims for, but LAST CAB TO DARWIN will be 20-something dollars you won't regret spending. Take some tissues though, if you suffer from the feels as I do, you're going to need them!

3.5 out of 5

xoxo
The Blonde Bombshell