My Boxing Day Movie Marathon and ALL THE REVIEWS

Forgive me readers for I have sinned. It's been 6 months since my last review. In that time I have seen a whole bunch of films, but that thing called life has really gotten in the way and I haven't allowed myself the time to sit down and write about them. So, I plan on rectifying that right now by writing about the 5 brand spanking new films I saw yesterday, plus the one that I went to a preview screening of a couple of weeks ago.  

Boxing Day is the greatest film release day of the year in Australia, and it has long been my tradition to do a mega-marathon of as many of the Boxing Day releases as I can fit. Thankfully my friends at the Sun Theatre gave me some good programming this year and I managed to fit in 5 films back to back with a 30 minute lunch break in the middle. So, if cricket and sailing aren't really your things and you're wanting to escape the madness of the city and the post-Christmas sales, you might find something from the list below that can help you. 

I'm going to start with ALLIED which I saw a couple of weeks ago at a preview screening, that had its official release yesterday. Starring Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard, ALLIED tells the story of a Canadian intelligence officer and a French Resistance fighter who meet in 1942 on a joint mission in Morocco. On completion of the mission Max and Maryanne flee together to England, get married and start a family. Instead of living happily ever after, their relationship is threatened by distrust and suspicion as Max undertakes a solo mission to uncover the truth about his wife. The storyline had potential, and it came with an incredible director - Robert Zemeckis - and what should have been a great cast. Unfortuantely it was all a bit meh. The film dragged in parts which took away from the excitement and suspense, the twist was given away far too early (for me anyway), and it was almost like Brad Pitt just phoned that performance in. Which is a real shame because he can be really great, and it meant that Marion Cotillard's performance seemed over done, because his was so underwhelming. The film looked incredible, and the costuming was amazing, but the everything else left me feeling a little deflated. Out of all the things to choose from this week at the cinema, ALLIED wouldn't be at the top of the list of films I'd be willing to part with 20-something dollars for. Probably not even in the middle...

2.5 out of 5 for this new war drama

My Boxing Day marathon started at 9:50am with the first session of the day - the new Universal Pictures film SING. With an incredible voiceover cast including Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane, Scarlett Johansson, Taron Egerton, Tori Kelly, John C. Reilly and Jennifer Saunders, and a cute premise, I had high hopes for this little number. A koala named Buster Moon has one final chance to restore his theatre to its former glory and decides to produce the world's greatest singing competition. But when a typo, a con-artist mouse, three Russian mobster bears and a flood get in the way, things go a little awry for Buster and his competitors. With a soundtrack that's got a little something for everyone, this film will be a hit with the kiddies this holiday season. Not quite up there with Universals' hit DESPICABLE ME, it doesn't quite hit the mark with the script, but it was enjoyable and I even managed to have a little sing-a-long. It might not sit as well with the older kidlets, I'd say you'd be tapping the top of the age bracket at about 10 maybe 12. 

3.5 out of 5 for this holiday sing-a-long

11:50 saw me headed straight into the next session of the day - A UNITED KINGDOM. Based on the true story of Prince Seretse Khama of the country now known as Botswana, who caused quite an international scandal when he married a white woman from London in the late 40's and took her back as his queen. Starring David Oyelowo, Rosamund Pike, Jack Davenport and Tom Felton, this romantic biography would have to be my pick of the day. It had history, drama, romance, and a great script to boot. It really is a feel good story where love conquers all, and it gets you in the feels because it's actually true and not just some cods wallop that Hollywood has made up. I'm sure the script writers have taken some liberties with the story to make it more palatable, but the key facts are all there. David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike do an amazing job carrying this film, although no surprises there. I did have a little lol when Tom Felton hit the screen with his dark hair and creepy moustache. It was all I could do not to blurt out loud "oh look, it's Draco Malfoy". Not his fault of course, and credit where credit it due, he played his slimy, pompous ass of a character quite well. A good one for you historical buffs out there, and those who enjoy a biopic, but also well suited to those who love a love story. 

4.5 out of 5 for this true story of true love

Here's where I got my lunch break - 30 minutes to have a picnic in the pop up park, go to the loo and get some fresh air. Then all too quickly it was back inside for the 2:25 session of WHY HIM? Not generally something I'd worry about seeing at the cinema unless boyfie wanted to go, but it fit into the schedule quite nicely, and I thought I could probably use a no brain power required film to break up the day. And I was right on two counts. I did need the comic relief to break up the day and it required absolutely no brain power. If stupid comedy is your thing, then this film is for you. Although if you're easily offended by expletives then perhaps give it a miss. I'd say that approximately half of the script is the F-word, and a further quarter is whole bunch more expletives including a few I wasn't familiar with. Zoey Deutch the leading lady I recognised, but could place did an ok job, but the focus was really on James Franco and Bryan Cranston who had a spectacular on screen chemistry. Megan Mullally and Keenan-Michael Key also had a few shining moments. Over the holidays, Ned (Cranston) and Barb Fleming (Mullally) visit their daughter Steph (Deutch) who is studying at Stanford. There they meet Ned's biggest nightmare: Steph's well-meaning, but socially awkward Silicon Valley billionaire boyfriend, Laird (Franco). Laird is trying to make a good impression, so that he can get Ned's approval to propose, and things get incredibly out of control. I mean really, there's a moose in a glass case of its own urine that explodes and floods the living room, so you can appreciate the type of movie this is. I can't complain, I saw the trailer, I knew what I was going in for, and given what it was, it wasn't actually all that bad. I didn't hate it, and the cast did a pretty good job with the shitty script that they had. What I will say is that if I had a magical billionaire boyfriend who wanted to marry me, my dad would probably say something like "well if she won't marry you, I will".  There were some laugh out loud moments and some truly cringeworthy moments. I'm not sure if I pay to see it at the cinema to be quite honest, but if things like THE HANGOVER and SUPERBAD are up you're alley then you might not be as sad parting with $20 something dollars as I would be. 

2.5 out of 5 for this wrong-town comedy

Immediately following WHY HIM, I headed off to LA LA LAND - my most anticipated Boxing Day release. I have been hanging out for this for months, a little musical with Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, what's not to love? They've had great chemistry on screen together before, they can both sing and dance, the set and costumes looked amazing and the soundtrack seemed on point. And yet sadly, something didn't quite work and LA LA LAND didn't quite hit the high note. It's difficult to put my finger on exactly what it was that didn't work, I think it was a combination of things. Parts of the script were slow, some of the lyrics were awful, Emma Stone didn't quite get there with her vocals and Ryan Gosling didn't take his shirt off once. Not once dammit! That wasn't really a problem, but I might have kinda sorta been hoping that he would, so I just wanted to let you know in case you were hoping the same, that he doesn't. Here's the deal, Mia (Stone), an aspiring actress, serves lattes to movie start in between auditions and Sebastian (Gosling), a jazz musician, scrapes by playing cocktail party gigs in dingy bars. They meet and fall hopelessly in love, but as success mounts they are faced with decisions that begin to fray the fragile fabric of their love, and the dreams they worked so hard to maintain in each other threaten to rip them apart. You get to take turns in loving and hating them both in this musical about mundane everyday life. There are romantic highs and dramatic lows, there's a tap dancing scene and then an odd scene at the observatory that didn't quite fit in my opinion. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't all I was hoping it would be. My good friend LahLah went and saw it at the Albury cinema today where she's been hiding out for Christmas, and she loved it, so I think it's going to sit well with the female audiences. The gents, not so much. During the opening musical number the guy sitting next to me let out a very audible 'sigh' that roughly translated as "a musical are you kidding me? What the hell am I doing here" and then he promptly proceeded to snore for the entire film. So maybe don't take your man along with you, save this one for a girls night. I'd hand over the 20-something to see it in the cinema, but I wish I had gone in with slightly lower expectations so I wasn't so let down. 

3.5 out of 5 for this new age musical

To round out the day, I saw the one film I know everyone was expecting me to see - MOANA. The latest edition to the Disney collection, MOANA, the story of a young girl who hears the call of the ocean, and guided by the sea and her grandmother sets out on a voyage to save her village. Demi-God Maui once stole the heart of Te Fiti the mother island and unleashed a curse of blackness upon the world. Moana must find Maui and get him to return the heart of Te Fiti to save her island and her people. The story is based around Polynesian mythology, and although it does have a few moments that seem borderline racist, it's fairly enjoyable. Starring Auli'i Cravalho as Moana and Dwayne 'THE ROCK' Johnson as Maui, it has some enjoyable and funny moments. The music is not as awesome as I would have hoped - I don't think this is going to come anywhere close to being the next FROZEN - but it has been nominated for a Golden Globe in 2017 for best original song. There were a few little digs at past disney movies, but the highlight for me was the very Bowie-esque number by Tamatoa the crab, voiced by the very remarkable Jemaine Clement of Flight of the Concords fame. The kidlet I took loved it, and I think it's going to be a huge hit this holidays. It will probably have a slightly more even audience than something like FROZEN because of the action and adventure, which I think will entice the little chaps. I mean who doesn't like a sailing adventure with coconut pirates, a demented rooster, a lava monster and an incredibly shiny, singing crab? It doesn't make it anywhere close to the top of my Disney list, but I'm pretty sure I'd pay money to see Dwayne Johnson singing his song live. It's definitely worth taking the kiddies to on a rainy day this holidays, but beware the lava monster - it is a tiny bit frightening before it all works out in the end. 

It kills me to say this but 3.5 out of 5 for the new Disney number 

 So, for a little recap; 

ALLIED - 2.5

SING - 3.5

A UNITED KINGDOM - 4.5

WHY HIM? - 2.5

LA LA LAND - 3.5

MOANA - 3.5

There is something for everyone out this Boxing Day, and there is more good stuff to come in January including COLLATERAL BEAUTY, PASSENGERS, LION AND JACKIE. There isn't really much for the young chaps in the 8-14 age bracket which is a real shame, although come Jan 19 MIDDLE SCHOOL: THE WORST is released and that's sure to be a hit with that age group. So on the next day that's too hot to move, or too rainy to do anything, becuase you know, Australia Summer,  pick something from the list and go be entertained. I'm now going to have a week or so off until the next lot of new releases hits the screens! 

Xoxo

The Blonde Bombshell

THE NICE GUYS - film review

THE NICE GUYS
Director: Shane Black
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Russell Crowe, Angourie Rice, Margaret Qualley, Kim Basinger, Matt Bomer

Synopsis (written by @onecriticalgeek): Set against the backdrop of 1977 Los Angeles, THE NICE GUYS opens when a single father and licensed PI Holland March (Gosling) is hired to investigate the apparent suicide of famous porn star Misty Mountains. As the trail leads him to track down a girl named Amelia (Qualley), he encounters  less licensed and less hands-off private eye Jackson Healey (Crowe) and his brass knuckles. However, the situation takes a turn for the worse when Amelia vanishes and it becomes apparent that March wasn't the only party interested. As both men are forced to team up, they'll have to take on a world filled with eccentric goons, strippers dressed as mermaids and even a possible government conspiracy. 

Well folks, I spent a gloroius 2 weeks away gallivanting around Hong Kong for a dancing competition with my studio and whilst I had a glorious time, it did mean that the only films I saw were movies on the plane. I managed to catch 45 YEARS (really good, you should definitely see it), REGRESSION (terrible, don't bother), HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS (really cute, do it) and ROOM (incredible). I was pretty wrapped with how I went at the competition, and while I was in Hong Kong I also managed to get to Disneyland and Macau as well as general wandering through Hong Kong and plenty of shopping!

Some shots from our dancing competition

A little collage of my day in Macau

I got to meet some pretty great characters at the happiest place on earth!

I got back into the country late Saturday night, just in time to celebrate the second anniversary of my 29th birthday with my bestie, her boys and the most glorious pink party cat cake decorated by said bestie.

Party cat cake complete with party cat Lego and Disney princess plates 

 
But after two weeks without cinema, I was glad to get back to it on Monday when I took myself out to see THE NICE GUYS with Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling. Set in the 70s it revolves around a licensed PI, Gosling, who knows your case is a crock, but takes your money anyway because he's got a daughter to provide for (Angourie Rice) and a not so licensed "PI" (muscle for hire), Crowe, the kind of guy who will stop your daughter from dating some douche-canoe druggie clown, by smashing him in the face with his trusty brass knuckles. The unlikely pair is stuck together solving the mystery surrounding the death of a porn star and the disappearance of the daughter of a government official. Uncovering a great scandal in the process, which of course leads to danger, stripper mermaids, dead goons and a super hot assassin (Matt Bomer).

Hello super hot assassin Matt Bomer

Image via Warner Bros. 

Shane Black and co-writer Anthony Bagarozzi have put together a fairly formulaic piece of cinema, in this mystery-comedy with a twisted sense of humour. Despite it's formula, THE NICE GUYS has a personality. It's dark and twisty, and takes a turn somewhere at the corner of 'wrong-town' and 'they're not going to, oh yeah they did-ville'. It's no surprise that I bloody loved this film, Shane Black also penned LETHAL WEAPON and KISS KISS BANG BANG among others and he has perfected the twisty buddy comedy over the years. I think this film is going to go off with the general public, as it's put together by a guy who really knows what he's doing.

Such an unlikely pair

Image via Warner Bros. 

What I really liked about it was that I didn't hate Rusty and that's a unusual for me. I used to be a huge fan of Rusty, but in recent years I've really gone off him for some reason. Don't ask me what it is, I can't tell you, but in this film I actually really liked him as Healy and was pleasantly surprised by that. There's something about the way that he delivered his savage beatings as casually as you or I would do our taxes that is hilarious. His little emotional conundrum about whether or not he's a terrible person for what he does is also a nice little side line for his character. After casually breaking March's arm (the equivalent of a friendly handshake), they are working together and their chemistry as a mismatched pair is actually really good. As for Gosling, well, it's Ryang Gosling, what could possibly go wrong?

hey girl, Pinterest can wait, this bath cannot...Le sigh...

Image via Warner Bros.

Anyway, enough of me drooling over Gosling, let me get back to the point. He has developed into an excellent physical comedic actor, and his physicality in portraying March is a delight to have on screen. There is a particularly great scene where he is trying to confront Healy from a toilet stall, holding the door open, waving a firearm and trying to keep a magazine in front of his peen - hilarious. The pair give so much in this film and are so committed to the ridiculousness of their characters that I really got swept up in who they were playing. Cudos to the pair of them!

The supporting cast is also really great in THE NICE GUYS. They're both nicely scripted and nicely acted. March's daughter Holly (Rice) is one to watch, she's been in a few shorts and a couple of episodes on TV and THESE FINAL HOURS, but this could the kick off to something more for her. She was light and sincere in the delivery of her character and she even had a few scene stealing moments which is tough going when you're up there with two very powerful leading men. She really held her own out there with her sass, and impressive detective skills.

Girls got sass

Image via Warner Bros. 

Overall, this was the perfect film for me to get back to the cinema with. Dark, twisty, wicked sense of humour, well cast and bloody brilliantly directed by one of my favourites. There are some things that don't quite fit the time in the 70s that this is set, a few songs that didn't come out til a few years later and such, but nothing that causes you to not believe that you're in the 70s. It might be different for those who grew up in the 70s, but for this 80s baby I thought it was alright. I highly recommend handing over your 20-something dollars at your nearest cinema and getting in to see THE NICE GUYS. Unless you seriously hated LETHAL WEAPON and then maybe give it a miss. I loved it.

4 out of 5

Xoxo
The Blonde Bombshell

THE MEDDLER - film review

THE MEDDLER
Director: Lorene Scafaria
Cast: Susan Sarandon, Rose Byrne, J.K. Simmons, Jerrod Charmichael, Cecily Strong, Lucy Punch

Synopsis: An aging widow from New York follows her daughter to Los Angeles in the hopes of starting a new life after her husband passes away

I didn't get to see any films at all last week as I had to dash off to Hobart to be with the family for a few days, so my regular movie-going days off work were taken up with flying and cuddling babies and then more flying.

Baby cuddling time!!

Then when I did get back it was my favourite time of the year - EUROVISION!!! I look forward to Eurovision the way most people look forward to Christmas, I countdown through the year and then I spend three days in media lockdown until I get to watch the replayed telecast. Down under we get the live telecasts at 4am, and sadly I had to go to my regular job, so had to wait until 7:30pm for the replay. I spend the weekend with my bestie The Red Haired Amazona and this year we spent the Saturday semi-final celebrating our friend Elise's birthday with dumplings and Eurovision drinking games, then Sunday we watched the grand final with Swedish meatballs and lingonberry jam. Glorious.

Glorious, glorious Eurovision

Anyway, I digress...I got to go to the cinema yesterday and see a film, I had wanted to see the new X-MEN, but the timing didn't work out so I caught the new Susan Sarandon film - THE MEDDLER. Quite a naff title for a film that actually had a little bit of substance. It doesn't entice you to go and see it, the only reason I did was it worked out timing wise and I like Susan Sarandon. Otherwise I probably would have given it a miss, particularly with some of the films it's opening against this week. With only 4 other people in the cinema, it seems like I wasn't the only one thinking it sounded a bit naff.

Marnie Minervini (Sarandon) moves from New York to LA to be closer to her daughter after her husband passes away. Now I don't know about you, but my mother is actually not that intrusive, but I've seen an intrusive mother and I can totally appreciate how unnerving it would be. Marine is the mother of all intrusive mothers. Calling her daughter Lori (Rose Byrne) about 30 times a day, leaving voicemails just updating her on the day. When Lori decides they need to have "boundaries" Marnie finds other people to smother, like Lori's friends, the guy at the Apple Store, offering them reproductive advice, driving them to night classes, paying for their weddings. Marnie's level of intrusive varies from completely harmless like calling to tell her daughter about the new Beyoncé song, to downright out of control like making an appointment with Lori's shrink to ask questions about Lori.

Nothing like a Valentine's Day date with one's mother

Image via Sony Pictures

Writer-director Lorene Scafaria (SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD) based THE MEDDLER on experiences with her own mother, and although the script was not as sharp or witty as I might have liked, it will incite laughs, awkward winces and perhaps even a few tears from the general movie goers. I'm not sure it will fare as well with the critics, it's a little on the predictable side, and teeters on the verge of sitcomy humour. It is essentially a vehicle to showcase Sarandon, who is a little too glamourous and cool to pull off the Brooklyn-accented nosy britches mother, but nonetheless I think it will fare well as a lovely mother-daughter date film. Shame it didn't release over Mother's Day weekend - rookie error Sony.

There was some serious potential in this script for big side-splitting belly laughs, but Scafaria barely touches the surface of those moments which is a real shame. The bit where Marnie is seeing Lori's shrink could have played off into something huge, as could the moment where Lori starts pestering Marnie about her new "friend" Zipper, played by the gloriously moustached J.K Simmons.

Hello moustache

Image via Sony Pictures

Seriously, look at that stache!! Glorious! 

Image via Sony Pictures

THE MEDDLER had some lovely moments, but it wasn't as rich or filled out as it could have been, almost as though Scafaria was holding back a little. Unfortunate really as it had big potential. Nevertheless I enjoyed the film, it was short and snappy, at only 1 hour 40. It was refreshing to be out of the cinema before I was dying for a loo break. Overall, I think doting mothers and their daughters everywhere will get a good giggle out of it and if you're looking for something to take your Ma to go and see then I'd recommend a trip to go and see this film. I'm not raving about it and telling you to immediately go and hand over your 20-something dollars, but I don't think you'll be sad if you do part with that money.

3 out of 5

Xoxo
The Blonde Bombshell

CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR - review

CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR
Director: Anthony Russo & Joe Russo
Cast: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Rudd, Tom Holland, Daniel Brühl, Martin Freeman, Emily VanCamp

Synopsis: With many people fearing the actions of super heroes, the government decides to push for the Anit-Hero Registration Act, a law that limits a heroes actions. This results in a division in the Avengers. Iron Man stands with this Act, claiming that their actions must be kept in check otherwise cities will continue to be destroyed, but Captain America feels that saving the world is daring enough and that they cannot rely on the government to protect the world. This escalates into an all-out war between Team Iron Man (Iron Man, Black Panther, Vision, Black Widow, War Machine and Spider-Man) and Team Captain America (Captain America, Bucky Barnes, Falcon, Sharon Carter, Scarlett Witch, Hawkeye and Ant Man) while a new villain emerges.

In line with tradition, the Red Haired Amazona, The Bear, the Sons of a Gun and I toddled off on opening weekend to see the latest instalment in the Marvel Universe, CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR. Normally on a Saturday night you can find us curled up on the couch with the boys tucked into bed, with a classic film, a cup of tea and our crochet, but this Saturday night we bundled up into the car and toddled off to the Sun Theatre for a night of cinema viewing (crochet in hand of course). Packed into a sold out session, we sat with our popcorn, choc tops and sodas settled in for a night of sheer viewing pleasure. We are superhero fans and general fantasy geeks, and this has been instilled into the minds of the little 'uns who love a superhero film as much as we do. Needless to say, we loved the film, and not just because we're all biased. It was actually bloody good. So good in fact that the Amazona did not even manage to get her crochet out of her bag *gasp*.

Anthony and Joe Russo have gathered together almost the same cast from THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON, for this latest instalment of Marvel goodness, with some wonderful additions - Ant Man, Black Panther and Spider-Man. Yet again the Avengers must bad together to defeat evil, however this time their not-so-petty disagreement about accountability and who should be in charge of what they do with their powers tears them apart, leaving them not fighting their enemy, but each other. It's taken some time, but finally the idea of accountability for the destruction these heroes cause is coming to light. The countless lives lost, the buildings and cities destroyed all in the name of the greater good. Governments world wide have had enough and band together with the United Nations to put in place an agreement that no super heroes should act without the sanction of the UN. Of course this tears the Avengers apart - those who think it's a bloody great idea and those who think it's the worst idea they've ever heard. Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) leads camp great idea, and Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) leads camp worst idea ever. To make things even more interesting, they're all on the hunt for Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Steve's best friend and world-wide suspected terrorist.

Are you team Captain America or Team Iron Man?

Image via Marvel

I know what you're thinking - who needs lecturing on the evils of vigilantism? Blah blah blah, pessimism, pessimism, pessimism, who cares, just blow stuff up already!! But never fear, the dialogue surrounding this is actually really well written, and it's nice to see these guys do a bit of solid acting. To me it serves to make the characters a bit more well-rounded and whole. They didn't go to the BATMAN V SUPERMAN extremes where the whole concept was just so damn depressing, but they touched on it enough to carry the underlying story of Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) and the division on team Avengers through. It also gave us some really beautiful moments like the one between Vision (Paul Bettany) and Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), where he tries to cook her a dish from her homeland. Seriously sweet you guys, and did I mention I love Paul Bettany? *sigh*  Such a dream....anyway, I digress. The script has got some serious meat for the actors to sink their teeth into, along with the witty one liners and general comic relief we are so accustomed to in a Marvel film, although Stark did turn it down a notch in this film.

And action, well, let me tell you there is action a plenty in CIVIL WAR. I mean as the name suggests, it is a war after all. Both sides make some good points, but the Avengers choose sides, and then the really good bit happens - they recruit some new members!! Boo yah!! Black Panther and Spider-Man make their entrance into the universe joining Team Iron Man and Hawkeye comes out of retirement to join Team Captain America, and they recruit possible my favourite Avenger - Ant Man (Paul Rudd) - who has a serious fanboy moment when he meets the Cap. It's about time that Marvel had control of Spider-Man, and in my humble opinion, they've really nailed it with this version of Spidey!!

Hello Spidey - you're my favourite Spidey ever

Welcome to the Avengers Black Panther

Images via Marvel

To be fair, everything I know about the Marvel Universe is what I've learnt from the films, plus a few bits here and there from Sonofagun #1 who chimes in with some observations every one and then when he pops out of his own teenage universe. What that means, is I actually don't have a clue whether they've done a good job according to the comics. Some die hard, purist fans might have something different to say about it, but I loved it as did the Amazona, Bear and the kidlets. In fact, I think I enjoyed this more than AGE OF ULTRON *gasp*. It wasn't completely bogged down in action, there was a solid story line and some pretty decent acting.

If you're a fan of the Marvel Universe and you've been keeping up to date with the films, then I don't think you'll be disappointed. I certainly wasn't and it's definitely worth the 20-something dollars to go see this on the big screen. In fact I'm going to go back and see it a second time round with the SO, who couldn't make it last weekend and was a little disappointed I went without him! But you know, tradition is tradition and we go to the new Marvel film on opening weekend. Anyway, do it, it's totally worth it, both for the film itself and (at the risk of sounding objectifying) for the hunky spunks that feature in the film!

4 out of 5
Xoxo
The Blonde Bombshell

FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS - review

FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS
Director: Stephen Frears
Cast: Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant, Simon Helberg, Rebecca Ferguson

Synopsis: Based on the true story of Florence Foster Jenkins, a New York heiress who dreamed of becoming an opera singer despite having a terrible singing voice. 

Well, wasn't this a delightful little piece of cinema? If you like Meryl, and you don't mind your ears bleeding for a while then you'll seriously enjoy this film. Based on the true story of one Madame Florence Foster Jenkins, patron of the arts, music lover and all round inspiration. Jenkins (Meryl Streep) has spent her life bringing music and theatre to life, funding clubs and performances all throughout New York. With a personality made for the stage Jenkins unfortunately doesn't have the voice to go with it and her truly dedicated (yet adulterous) husband St Clair Bayfield (Hugh Grant) has spent 25 years orchestrating performances and shows full of people who will not mock or scoff her. He has created a truly magical world in which Florence resides.

McMoon, Bayfield, Jenkins and Edwards rehearsing for her first concert

image via Paramount Pictures

The story of Jenkins has been played out before in the theatre, but I this version screenwriter Nicholas Martin focuses on the events in her life in 1944. After seeing a magical operatic performance, Jenkins decides she'd like to put on a concert for herself. With the help of her husband, she gets lessons from a renowned vocal coach and conductor Carlo Edwards (David Haig), hires a pianist named Cosme McMoon (Simon Helberg) and begins to prepare for the concert of a life time. After a sell out show with stellar reviews, Bayfield takes a weekend off chaperoning his darling wife to spend some quality time with his girlfriend (unconventional though their marriage may have been, Jenkins and Bayfield loved each other dearly), Jenkins arranges her own performance at Carneigie Hall playing for the first time to a public audience.

Jenkins convincing Bayfield to support her dream of singing on stage at Carneigie Hall

Image via Paramount Pictures

Jenkins gives away 1000 tickets to returned service men, and the audience burst out laughing within about 12 seconds of her opening number. Put smartly back in their place by an obnoxious show girl type, the audience sits through her horrendous performance (and yes, it is horrendous, and yes your ears will bleed), and gives her raucous applause and a standing ovation. Sadly there are some reviews that are not that nice to put it politely, or pretty bloody savage to put it truthfully, and as hard as Cosme and Bayfield try they are unable to shield Jenkins from them. In her fragile health, it sends her into an horrific downward spiral. I would have liked to have seen more if of this, Jenkins suffered from syhpilis for nearly 50 years, and it is touched on just lightly, but I can't help but wonder if the diseased messed with her sanity slightly and could explain her eccentricities. It would have been good to delve into that a little more.

It will come as no surprise to anyone that Streep does an incredible job in this film, we may laugh at her as the incredibly off-key Jenkins, but it takes some serious talent to suck that badly. She has clearly done her research on Jenkins and gets her ear-piercing, glass shattering shrieks down to a tee. There's no Oscar winning hutzpah here, more of a farcical fun times performance, but the ever talented Streep pulls it off without a hitch. Hugh Grant has his moments in this film, he really is devoted and darling when it comes to his wife, but he's a bit, well he's a bit Hugh Grant. A little stiff or stuffy or something at times. The real winner here for me was Simon Helberg as the magical Cosme McMoon. Relying mostly on facial expressions, his face transports you through a serious range of emotions, disbelief, confusion, anxiety, delight, sadness, love, with barely a word spoken. I was really pleased to see Helberg shine in this role.

Jenkins and McMoon recording their first album

Image via Paramount

The script is a little clunky at times, and the jokes rely on farcical timing and facial expressions top work. This musical tragicomedy falls a little flat at times, there's not a lot of pizzaz in the staging or direction, but that being said, it really is a sweet piece of cinema. I think once word of mouth gets out there, people will start heading off to see it (my session only had about 4 people in it this morning and I was sure it was going to be packed), it is a genuine crowd pleaser. If you're a Meryl or indeed a Hugh fan, then I would definitely recommend paying the 20-something dollars to go see it. Take the ladies, take your mum, take your gran or great aunt, you'll have a ball. If it's your choice for date night, take your boyfriend, pretty sure it's not one he'd pick, but he might be surprised by it.

3 out of 5
Xoxo
The Blonde Bombshell

THE JUNGLE BOOK - review

THE JUNGLE BOOK
Director: Jon Favreau
Cast: Neel Sethi, Ben Kingsley, Bill Murray, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong'o, Scarlett Johansson, Giancarlo Esposito, Christopher Walken, Gary Shandling

Synopsis: A young boy abandoned in the forest is taken to a wolf pack by a sympathetic panther, who adopt him and raise him as his own. The appearance of a villainous tiger named Shere Khan forces Mowgli's guardian, the panther Bagheera to shepherd the child to safety in the "man village". Along the way, the boy meets an affable, lazy bear named Baloo, as well as a snake with hypnotic powers and an orangutan who wants to harness the power of fire. Mowgli learns some valuable life lessons along the way with his guardian Bagheera, his friend Baloo and his animal family. 

Hark, it is I, the Blonde Bombshell, queen of all things Disney, including my tattoos, and I'm here to tell you to forget about your worries and your strife, Jon Favreau has created a magical live action world that does justice to this much loved animated Disney classic. I'm not going to wait until the end to tell you this, THE JUNGLE BOOK deserves to be seen at the cinema on the big screen and you should bloody well fork out that 20-something dollars and see it. I've heard it's pretty good in 3D if you're into that sort of thing. I'm not, it gives me a rotten headache and makes me nauseated, but if you're into it, then hand over the extra 5-er for 3D.

This magical world created almost entirely with computers is so lush and realistic that it sucks you in and makes you believe you're really in the jungle. Fascinating work by Favreau, truly fascinating. I had some major concerns as I do with any re-telling of a classic Disney feature, and this is the third one that's come to our screens following MALEFICENT and CINDERELLA, and Disney aren't stopping there with BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, DUMBO and MULAN coming just to name a few. But most of my concerns were allayed pretty quickly. Favreau does a great job with the story and even throws in a bit of LION KING-esque drama for good measure.

Raksha and Mowgli saying good bye

Image via Disney 

If you've seen the animated version, or read Kipling's book, you know the tale of the young man-cub Mowgli abandoned in the jungle, rescued by Bagheera the panther (Sir Ben Kingsley), adopted by wolves (Lupita Nyong'o and Giancarlo Esposito), chased by vengeful tiger Shere Khan (Idris Elba), flees to the man village before realising with the help of Baloo the bear (Bill Murray) the jungle is his home and he must protect both it and his family. The jungle is fraught with dangers of course like a hypnotising snake Kaa (Scarlett Johansson) and an orangutan named King Louie (Christopher Walken) who wants the power of fire. So on and so forth until they all lived happily ever after.

The CGI in this film is pretty bloody breathtaking. It was a big ask to create a whole series of animals that we are all pretty familiar with and make them look realistic and make us believe that we really are in the jungle with the animals. I think Favreau and his team have done a pretty marvellous job with it. I've seen some great clips on how the green screening and CGI-ing and everything else was done, and it's a pretty cool process. The only thing I took issue with was Baloo, who wasn't as well crafted as some of the other animals, and King Louie, who was an unrealistic size for an orangutan. I work in a zoo with animals, and I've seen orangutan close up, and it was kinda out scale. In fact, even a week after seeing the film it still really annoys me, but no matter, he still looked bloody cool and Chrispher Walken as his voice was fantastic!

This is the closest we have come to getting a live action Disney musical, and I think that's partly because there would have been riots in the streets had "The Bear Necessities" not been included. Unfortuantely, they didn't quite make it work, That scene was really organic and the music came quite naturally, but "I Wana Be Like You" by King Louie was really awkward. There just wasn't the sense that the characters would just burst into song at any moment and that particular set of scenes was quite dark and the music made it really weird. Walken and Murray both did spectacular jobs with their songs, and I'm glad they happened, but I think Favreau could have done a better job at making them fit in the film, and in fact making the whole film a bit more musical.

Mowgli, Bagheera, Baloo and Raksha prepare to battle it out with Shere Khan

Image via Disney

Overall, I think the biggest let down of this film for the general movie-goer is that they've seen it all before. Favreau's THE JUNGLE BOOK, does have a few extra plot points that the original animated film, however it's very much same-same and I think that could be problematic for some viewers. Not for me becuase I'm a purist, and I love Disney and I don't care that I've seen it 78 million times before, I still love it. I truly believe that you should see this on the big screen because they have really done something incredible with CGI here and I think it sets a benchmark for this kind of CGI work. Also, I really liked it and I don't think it will look quite so incredible on your TV screen or iPad or whatever technological device you use to view things at home. The film is shot beautifully and I think it takes you away into the world of Mowgli, Bagheera, Baloo and Shere Khan and I don't think it matters that you know what's coming next, because you're so absorbed you don't even realise.

3.7  out of 5
Xoxo
The Blonde Bombshell

THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY - preview review

THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY
Director: Matt Brown
Cast: Dev Patel, Jeremy Irons, Toby Jones, Stephen Fry, Devika Bhise

Synopsis: Growing up poor in Madras, India, Srinivasa Ramanujan Iyengar earns entrance to Cambridge University during World War 1, where he becomes a pioneer in mathematical theories with the guidance of his professor G.H. Hardy. 

Hello there friends. It's been a while. I've been trying to catch a few films here and there, but that bloody thing called life keeps getting in my damned way. Between working my "real" job, working at my passion job, and trying to find time to spend with my SO and friends, I haven't had 5 seconds to myself, let alone two hours to catch a movie. Luckily for me, I had a minute to myself on Friday and I took myself to the preview screening of THE MAN WHO KNEW INIFINITY. I didn't know too much about it, but I like Dev Patel, Jeremy Irons and Toby Jones, so I figured it couldn't be all that bad, and I have to say I was right. It wasn't all that bad. It could have been better, but it wasn't all that bad.

THE MAN WHO KNEW INIFINITY is a pretty standard paint by numbers biopic of Srinivasa Ramanujan (Dev Patel), one of the greatest mathematic minds of the 20th Century. He overcame poverty and hardship, all the odds were stacked against him, but he never ceased to believe he was on the verge of something great. He fought his way into a job, got someone to take notice, sent countless letters to people, until finally someone stood up and took notice. That someone was G.H Hardy (Jeremy Irons). Hardy brought Ramanujan to Cambridge and set to work on proving the mathematical theories that were spewing forth from his beautiful mind. Pushed by Hardy, Ramanujan worked at his proofs, and solved such great mathematical mysteries such as partitions (look at me talking about it like I know math and stuff). A fascinating tale for a non-mathematically minded person such as myself.

THE MAN WHO KNEW INIFINITY delved into this world, but focussed mainly on the notional story, the one that will connect itself to the wider audience. I didn't mind that so much, if it had been purely focused on the math I would have been like a small child lost in the vast chasm of a shopping mall.

                                  

However, I can imagine the frustrations of someone who does know math (like my SO who studied quantum mathematics - what?!) when the film does little more than glaze over the mathematical genius behind this story.

Patel is no stranger to playing the loveable character who overcomes all odds to succeed (SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL to name a few), but the familiarity of the character does not do justice, his loveable-ness did not exude the sheer intellectual brilliance that I think Ramanujan should have had. Not to say that Patel didn't play the scripted role well, he did, but I think the script failed him in this instance. Jeremy Irons lucked out with the character of Hardy, a stubborn cantankerous atheist Prof who struggles with personal interactions. That character was meaty and well written, and Irons was brilliant in playing it. The rapport between Irons and Patel as teacher and student, atheist and believer, and eventually friends, carried this story, the pair are lucky they had a great on screen chemistry otherwise it would have lost me.

Patel and Irons strolling the grounds of Cambridge University

Image via Warner Brothers Pictures

The side story about his wife and mother left behind in India, did nothing for me, it was predictable and distracting. I appreciate that it was meant to show a driving force behind Ramanujan's work, mind and increasing loss of spirit, but the constant flashes back to that world interrupted my viewing. It will connect the audience on an emotional level to the characters and the story, I don't doubt that. Everyone loves a good star crossed lovers theme with a meddling mother, but there was too little of it to be of significance, and too much of it not to be disturbing. They either needed to make more of it or leave it behind on the cutting room floor.

*****************************SPOILER ALERT***********************************

The thing that got me in the feels was Ramanujan's deteriorating health and eventual death, it left me wondering how much more could have been achieved if this great mind had survived in the world. Imagine all of the accomplishments that would have got a little mention in the closing credits if he had been able to continue his work, just imagine.

*******************************SPOILER OVER***********************************

Overall I think the general movie goer is going to enjoy THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY, it gives a glimpse into the life of a mathematical genius, and there is enough to tug on the heartstrings and keep you connected to the characters. I just think it's a bit sad that after two hours, I still don't really know what the hell he managed to do and why it was so important. The little mentions in the closing credits expressed some pretty important stuff, like using his theories to do stuff with black holes and the like. That seems like a big deal to me (although really what do I know about math?!), and I think there should have been more attention paid to the mathematical breakthroughs.

3 out of 5 purple hat wearing aliens

Xoxo The Blonde Bombshell

2016 Academy Award Nominees - my predictions & winners

EDIT: OK folks, it's happened the ceremony is complete, the winners are announced and the fun has been had for another year. Sadly due to my real job I didn't get to sit and watch the ceremony live as I have been able to in the past, one of the saddest parts of no longer working in the film industry, however I have sat myself down with a cup a while I update this post for some serious Oscars binge viewing (much to the disgust of my man friend who would rather be watching the cricket or some such form of sportsball).

I've thrown into my original post of my faves and my predictions the winners. How did you fare with your predictions?

Here are my predictions for the 2016 Academy Awards, what I think will win and what I hope will win. In some cases they are one and the same, but not always. There are also some that I have based just on trailers and reviews because the films aren't out yet in Australia or are hard to come by when they do make it to our shores.

So, here we go...

BEST PICTURE

The Big Short 

Bridge of Spies

Brooklyn - my favourite 

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant  - likely winner

Room

Spotlight WINNER

=============================

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Bryan Cranston, Trumbo

Matt Damon, The Martian

Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant WINNER - likely winner

Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs

Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl  - my favourite 

=============================

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Cate Blanchett, Carol

Brie Larson, Room WINNER - my favourite

Jennifer Lawrence, Joy - likely winner

Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years

Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn

=============================

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Christian Bale, The Big Short

Tom Hardy, The Revenant

Mark Ruffalo, Spotlight - my favourite 

Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies WINNER

Sylvester Stallone, Creed - likely winner 

=============================

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight

Rooney Mara, Carol

Rachel McAdams, Spotlight

Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl WINNER

Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs - my favourite and likely winner

=============================

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

Anomalisa

Boy and the World

Inside Out WINNER - my favourite and likely winner

Shaun the Sheep Movie

When Marnie Was There

=============================

CINEMATOGRAPHY

Carol

The Hateful Eight - my favourite 

Mad Max: Fury Road - likely winner 

The Revenant WINNER

Sicario

========================

COSTUME DESIGN

Carol

Cinderella - my favourite and likely winner 

The Danish Girl

Mad Max: Fury Road WINNER

The Revenant

=============================

DIRECTING

The Big Short - my favourite 

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Revenant WINNER - likely winner 

Room

Spotlight

=============================

DOCUMENTARY (FEATURE)

Amy WINNER - my favourite 

Cartel Land

The Look of Silence

What Happened, Miss Simone?

Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom - likely winner 

=============================

DOCUMENTARY (SHORT SUBJECT)

Body Team 12

Chau, beyond the Lines

Claude Lanzmann: Spectres of the Shoah

A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness WINNER

Last Day of Freedom - likely winner 

=============================

FILM EDITING

The Big Short - my favourite 

Mad Max: Fury Road WINNER - likely winner  

The Revenant

Spotlight

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

=============================

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

Embrace of the Serpent

Mustang

Son of Saul WINNER - likely winner  

Theeb

A War

=============================

MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING

Mad Max: Fury Road WINNER - likely winner  

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed out

the Window and Disappeared

The Revenant

=============================

MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE)

Bridge of Spies

Carol

The Hateful Eight WINNER - my favourite and likely winner  

Sicario

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

=============================

MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG)

“Earned It,” Fifty Shades of Grey

“Manta Ray,” Racing Extinction

“Simple Song #3,” Youth

“Til It Happens To You,” The Hunting Ground

“Writing’s On The Wall,” Spectre WINNER - likely winner  

=============================

PRODUCTION DESIGN

Bridge of Spies

The Danish Girl - my favourite and likely winner  

Mad Max: Fury Road WINNER

The Martian

The Revenant

=============================

SHORT FILM (ANIMATED)

Bear Story WINNER

Prologue

Sanjay’s Super Team

We Can’t Live without Cosmos- likely winner  

World of Tomorrow

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SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION)

Ave Maria

Day One - likely winner  

Everything Will Be Okay (Alles Wird Gut)

Shok

Stutterer WINNER

=============================

SOUND EDITING

Mad Max: Fury Road WINNER

The Martian

The Revenant

Sicario

Star Wars: The Force Awakens - my favourite and likely winner  

=============================

SOUND MIXING

Bridge of Spies

Mad Max: Fury Road WINNER

The Martian

The Revenant

Star Wars: The Force Awakens - my favourite and likely winner  

=============================

VISUAL EFFECTS

Ex Machina WINNER - my favourite and likely winner  

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

The Revenant

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

=============================

WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)

The Big Short WINNER

Brooklyn - likely winner

Carol - my favourite 

The Martian

Room

=============================

WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)

Bridge of Spies

Ex Machina

Inside Out

Spotlight WINNER - my favourite and likely winner 

Straight Outta Compton

There you have it folks, my 2016 Academy Award predictions and the winners, out of 24 categories, I picked 10 likely winners, 2 that I listed as my favourite but not the likely winner got through and the rest I was off. I'd love to hear how you went with your predictions.

Now, back to my cuppa and my ceremony viewing. Although it's not quite as exciting as I know the results, I still love kicking back and soaking up the atmosphere and watching people's acceptance speeches and their reactions to winners.

xoxo
The Blonde Bombshell