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

THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E - review

THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E
Director: Guy Ritchie
Cast: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Debicki, Hugh Grant

So, for the first time in I don't know how long I went to the movies sans crochet. That's right folks, you heard me. I went to the movies without my crochet. I am on a 6 week ban from my one true love (thanks A LOT Dr Life Ruiner) while I work on strengthening my unstable wrists. I'm not going to lie, I cried when my specialist broke the news. I mean, what do people do when they watch movies or watch Netflix? Just sit there? What a waste of time that could be better used crocheting *sigh* #firstworldproblems.

Anyway, so I went to the Sun, feeling a little bit gloomy that I couldn't spend my luxiourious 2 hours crocheting while I enjoyed my other favourite pasttime - watching movies - but ready to enjoy the latest Guy Ritchie film, THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. I was excited by the fact that Ritchie has put out a new movie, and excited that my future husband (Henry Cavill) and my other future husband (Armie Hammer) were starring in it. Also, I was excited to see what else Alicia Vikander could do after thoroughly enjoying her in TESTAMENT OF YOUTH and EX MACHINA. I had some trepidation, there was a lot of to-ing and fro-ing in the lead up to this film with Stephen Soderberg originally slated to direct before pulling out in 2011 (The Hollywood Reporter), and truth be told there isn't really a "star" in the film. Sure Henry Cavill is the new Superman, and Armie Hammer did some awesome stuff with the Winklevoss twins in THE SOCIAL NETWORK, but c'mon let's face it, they aren't A-listers yet. This is a star franchise to be without any stars in it, and I can't help but wonder what it would have been like with someone like Brad Pitt or Jude Law or even Bradley Cooper in it.

American super spy is meant to save super hot German car mechanic girl. Super spy and girl get chased by Russian super spy who is trying to kill them both. Russian super spy fails, super American super spy and super hot German car mechanic girl get away. American super spy and Russian super spy are forced to work together to find super hot German car mechanic girl's father and save the world from a nuclear weapon that has fallen into the hands of an international crime organisation. Super hot German mechanic girl is actually super hot German undercover English spy. Much hijinks. Such 60's technology. Very spy. Wow.

Henry Cavill being very spy

image via Warner Bros.

Based on the television series by the same name from the 60's THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E is not your run of the mill American summer spy movie blockbuster. It is small scale, subtle and funny. There are no gargantuan battle scenes, no super outlandish special effects and as I mentioned earlier no massive A-listers. Except Hugh Grant. He was in it for a whole 17 and a half minutes max. Quite a welcome change from all the high impact, same-sameyness that is coming out of Hollywood at the moment, but still clearly proof that no one can have an original thought anymore.

The casting could have been magical, I'm sure these three leading actors have so mmuch more to give than they gave in this film. I've seen glimpses of it in their other work, but there is something so reserved about them - Cavill and Hammer in particular - that makes this film not quite work. It's all very cookie cutter like and the characters don't have a nice flow or synergy about them and that's just a real downer. I actually quite like that they cast not quite A-listers, although it must be hard for casting agents in Hollywood right now with every other person signed on for movie after movie in a franchise because everyone must be so damn busy with their franchises they don't have time for anything else! I like a film that is a bit left of centre without a huge name cast, but sadly this time it didn't quite work.

Seriously Hugh Grant is in this film you guys - who knew?!

image via Warner Bros.

In interviews with the cast you can tell they've all had the best time and that they really like and respect Ritchie, but I think they've been let down by him. They all seem to be holding back and as a director he should have got right up in there and made them let it go a little bit. A lady in the session I was in said at the end "it was all very British wasn't it?", and I think she was quite right. There wasn't the sheer level of unpredictable craziness of an American spy movie, it was very "British" and by British I mean refined and cultured with subtle humor and an inoffensive soundtrack, and I actually think that's why I liked it even though I didn't love the acting and some of the directing. I liked the terrible 60's spy technology and the outfits (that suit...oh my), I liked the slightly deranged, very backhanded but oh so polite humor. All of those things are what made it so enjoyable. That and the fact that both my future husbands are in it.

hello future husbands

image via Warner Bros.

I like that it could be a stand alone movie, and I think Ritchie is pretty lucky that he made it that way...I really don't think it's going to pull in enough money for them to consider backing the final two films of this franchise. It's certainly obvious that there is a plan for this franchise - I mean the ending has left itself WIDE open there, so there isn't any doubt - but whether it gets off the ground is another story. If it does I hope to see all three of these leads just let go a little bit and show us who they really are instead of the cookie cutter versions of people we saw in this film.

If you're after something a little bit different to all the other Hollywood smut that's around at the moment but still want a fodder film, then you might well be glad you spent the twenty-something dollars on THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E, but it's not a must see.

3 out of 5 for this unlikely trio

xoxo
The Blonde Bombshell

THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E trailer

TRAINWRECK - preview review

TRAINWRECK
Director: Judd Apatow
Cast: Amy Schumer, Bill Hader, Brie Larson, Colin Quinn, LeBron James, John Cena

Well isn't this a highly anticipated movie. I don't think I've seen this much press and celebrity shenanigans around a film in Australia for a while. Every time I turned on the TV or radio, or looked at my news feeds, there was Amy Schumer and Bill Hader having a laugh and promoting their new film TRAINWRECK. Not saying it's a bad thing, but there's hype and then there's too much hype. You're shoving it so far down people's throats that three things can happen (other things can happen two but these are the main three); they hate it before they even see it because they're so sick of hearing about it; they're super excited to see it because all they've heard about for weeks is how good it is and then they're mildly to bitterly disappointed; they're excited by all the hype and they actually like the film once they see it because thankfully not all the funny bits are in the trailer.

LeBron James acting aldies and gents - who knew?!

image via Universal Studios

In my case, I was looking forward to seeing what all the fuss was about, a little bit skeptical because there was so much hype (they could have been plugging it so hard because it was shite, you never know), and I was hopeful. The writer and casting made me hopeful, I like Amy Schumer as a stand up comedian, so in theory her writing can't be that horrific and Bill Hader was always a favourite of mine on SNL. So here's the deal;

Since she was a little girl, it's been drilled into Amy's head by her rascal of a dad tht monogamy isn't realistic. Now a magazine writer, Amy lives by tht credo - enjoying what she feels is an uninhibited life free from stifling, boring romantic commitment - but in actuality, she's kind of in a rut. When she finds herself starting to fall for the subject of a new article she's writing, a charming and successful doctor named Aaron Conners, Amy starts to wonder if other grown-ups, including this guy who really seems to like her, might be onto something. 

Other critics are calling it semi-autobiographical, and if you've seen any of Schumer's previous work, or know anything about her life, you would have cause to agree. I'm sure there's plenty of fiction thrown in there, but there's likely an equal amount of reality there too. Schumer is from Long Island, has a married sister named Kim and a father with MS. Amy is from Long Island, has a married sister named Kim and a father with MS. There is definitely grounding in reality here.

Amy and her sister Kim enjoying a spot of tea

image via Universal Studios

Schumer has written a good script, albeit not as funny as I had anticipated (thank you crazy media hype - not) and handed it over to the very capable comedic writer, director and producer Judd Apatow (KNOCKED UP, 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN, BRIDESMAIDS and the list goes on). Apatow has done a great job directing this film and I have to say it's the only Apatow film I can remember that made me cry. I think what's happened here is that this is a film that Apatow is directing that he hasn't written, and there's someone else there to make sure the movie goes on the emotive journey that it's meant to.

Schumer is awkward, relatable, and nothing is off-limits or inappropriate, so the script is raw and realistic unlike some other Hollywood fodder. There are still some moments, where I thought "ooooh, that's not Kosher", I'm a little rough around the edges myself, have the mouth of a sailor and the filter that is supposed to stop the brutal stuff from coming out of my mouth is on the blink, so I didn't fare so badly.  There were certainly people in the session that I was in that struggled with the content of this, so word of warning, if you're not into "beep" worthy language, innuendo, drugs, booze and general inappropriate behaviour then perhaps steer clear.

Now, let's take a minute to talk about Bill Hader as Amy's unlikely boyfriend Dr Aaron Conners. Hader makes for a lovely leading man, and whilst I personally have always found him to be a funny man, in this film I also thought he was pretty darn cute. That right there is the sign of some great acting, I thought his character was so lovely and charming that he grew cuter as the film went on, just like how it happens in real life sometimes. He was adorable and they made a great onscreen couple and the realistic writing and portrayal of their love story made sense to me, unlike some other Hollywood screen romances.

Amy and Aaron sharing a moment of PDA

image via Universal Studios

Some other notable mentions in casting, Colin Quinn was hilarious as Amy's dad Gordon, Tilda Swinton was berely recognisable and fabulous as Amy's boss Dianna, John Cena was actually sort of funny as Amy's earlier 'boyfriend' Steven and LeBron James ladies and gentleman actually could act. Who knew that was going to happen?! He was actually great as Aaron's best friend and rumor has it, he was just naturally pretty great at the whole being funny thing and didn't need a whole heap of coaching.

LeBron and Aaron out for lunch - again, who knew?!

Tilda Swinton (I know trust me it's her) as Dianna

images via Universal Studios

Overall I have to say, that it wasn't as funny as it's been cracked up to be with all the touring and promoting and media hype, and that's why I say sometimes all that malarky is dangerous, but TRAINWRECK was funny and awkard, and inappropriate and totally relatable. The ending is cheesy as all get out, but it works because they (the characters) realise that it's cheesy and ridiculous and go with it anyway because well, that's life, you just have to go with it. I think it's worth the 20-something dollars, but if you're going to go on opening weekend, make sure you get your tickets early as all the preview sessions over the weekend were sold out and I think opening weekend at the cinema for TRAINWRECK is going to be a bit nuts. 

3.5 out of 5

xoxo

The Blonde Bombshell

ANT-MAN - review

ANT-MAN
Director: Peyton Reed
Cast: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Corey Stoll, Evangeline Lilly, Bobby Cannavale, Judy Greer

Synopsis: Armed with a super-suit with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, cat burgular Scott Lang must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor Dr. Hank Pym, plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.

Alright, a bit behind the times on this review, I went on opening weekend and it's taken me a couple of weeks to get my butt into gear to pen this review, and although most of you have probably all seen this, I wanted to put my two-cents out there anyway.

I, along with plenty of other people, weren't convinced that ANT-MAN was the right choice for the next MCU film, although Ant-Man was one of the original Avengers in the comic book universe, he is much lesser known in the wider world of superhero appreciation. I also had some concerns regarding where they were picking up the Ant-Man story...the origin of the suit of Ant-Man is not covered and picks up a good 40 or so years after the suit is developed. You get a tiny glimpse in the first few minutes of the origin of the suit and then we pick up in current day with a much older Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and our soon to be hero Scott Lang (Paul Rudd). The concerns I had about all those things disappated fairly quickly into the film, and that made me happy.

Scott Lang discovers the suit

image via Marvel Studios

ANT-MAN is exactly what Marvel need right now. The only variation from their standard formula in a while, ANT-MAN is stripped back, down to earth, funny and with real world things at stake. It's not going to be a huge money making machine for Marvel, but for me, it's right up there with the cream of the crop of the MCU films. It has a slightly more realistic take on super heroes and villains, and yes, what Ant-Man acheives by the end of the film does in theory save the world, it's not in a high end, city-being-destroyed fashion. ANT-MAN is subtle, humourous and much more relateable than some of the earlier MCU films, and I liked it. There are still some very 'Marvel' characteristics about ANT-MAN - the villain has equal power to the hero, there is still a love interest, there are plenty of fight scenes - but it is essentially a heist movie, with some humour, fight scenes and serious kitsch thrown in.

The casting is wonderful, Paul Rudd is perfect for the role of Scott Lang aka Ant-Man, funny, charming, attractive, and yet unassuming, awkward and not super doooper buff. I'm a pretty huge fan of Paul Rudd, but I would tell you if I thought he was rubbish, but he wasn't, in fact I think he's a perfect fit for the Ant-Man character. Michael Douglas was an interesting choice for Dr. Hank Pym, and I would seriously like to congratulate the make-up artist who made Michael Douglas look like he was 20-something again! Cudos to you my friend, that is some talent you have got going on there! I forgot how much I actually liked Michael Douglas until I saw him in ANT-MAN, he's got good comedic timing and seems not to take the film too seriously which is a benefit to the film and to the role he is playing. The supporting cast in this film is well put together, and it is an instance of a true supporting cast - no one outshines anyone else, and they all have a great on screen chemistry.

Scott Lang and Hank Pym discussing the science of the suit

image via Marvel Studios

The cinematography and fight scenes are really well done, seemingly normal environments become extreme fight scene settings the instant Ant-Man shrinks down. A computer server room is a veritable array of high rise towers, the backyard is an extreme jungle setting, Thomas the Tank Engine is the equivalent of a giant freighter that would squash you in an instant. It's funny and refreshing, and the tiny fighting was thought to be all too hilarious by the Red Haired Amazona's sonofagun #2 (age 6) who couldn't get over how hilarious it was when a tiny ant was increased to the size of a golden retriever.

Ant-Man heading into battle through the carpet jungle

image via Marvel Studios

All in all, I think ANT-MAN was refreshing and hilarioius while still fulfilling all the requirements of a great superhero movie. If you haven't already I recommend spending the 20-something dollars on a ticket and seeing it on the big screen. And, as if you don't already know this about a Marvel film, stay all the way to the very end of the roll credits for a sneak peak at the next installment. There are two sneak peaks in ANT-MAN - one at the end of the graphic credits, and one at the end of the roll credits, so make sure you stay for both.

4 out of 5

xoxo
The Blonde Bombshell