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

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

BOYCHOIR - review

BOYCHOIR
Director: Francois Girard
Cast: Dustin Hoffman, Kevin McHale, Kathy Bates, Eddie Izzard, Josh Lucas, Debra Winger, Garrett Wareing

For me, days off equal small sleep ins, housework, cups of tea and taking myself and my latest crochet project to the movies. Today was no exception. I took my latest crochet WIP (a baby blanket, of which I seem to be making many at the moment), and off I went to the Sun Theatre with nothing more than a plan to see some films. I had seen the trailer for X+Y, but I hadn't seen anything for BOYCHOIR, all I knew was what the poster showed me - Dustin Hoffman conducting a boys choir. I picked it purely based on the time it was showing and how it fitted into my lazy day of doing nothing. Had I seen the trailer, I would have still wanted to watch it. Had I read some of the reviews, I might have been dubious.

Screening last year during the Toronto International Film Festival, BOYCHOIR has divided audiences and the split is quite uneven. There are some truly scathing reviews out there from proper critics, that I'm not sure I agree with entirely. I mean they make some good points, but I think they're a bit harsh. Don't worry, I know that movies are subjective and that not everything is for everyone, and that most critics are a little more selective in their likes than I am. For I am but a humble pleb with a tiny little blog about films that I see in my spare time. I have no official training in reviewing films, I did not study film at university (although I kind of wish I had), I just like movies and I like to talk about them, always have and probably always will. 

BOYCHOIR is sitting on 61% on Rotten Tomatoes, but has suffered greatly at the hands of film critics around the world, but don't let that turn you off. This film from acclaimed director Francois Girard (THE RED VIOLIN) depicts the tale of rebellious pre-teen Stet (Wareing), with the voice of an angel, whose principal believes that he has a gift and does all that she can to push him to pursue his talent. Choral singing of all things.  Having just lost his drug and alcohol addicted mother in a car accident, his father (who has another family and who has kept Stet's existence a secret) schmoozes on behalf of Stet to get him into a prestigious school on the east coast for choir boys by way of a hefty cheque - after all money makes the world go round. There Stet meets Wooly (Kevin McHale), the teacher who believes in him, Drake (Eddie Izzard), the teacher who is afraid he will sabotage his own child singing prodigy, and the grumpy-ass choir master (Dustin Hoffman) who sees his talent, but doesn't believe he has the hutzpah to stick it out. 

Josh Lucas and Garrett Wareing - buying Stet's way into school

The film is a little predictable, with Stet achieving a number of little victories en route to the climactic ending that you can see coming from a mile away, but that doesn't stop it from being uplifting and nice. It certainly doesn't stop you from getting goosebumps when those boys open their mouths and the magic of choral music just tumbles out in glorious surround sound. There are some missed opportunities in the script to take the film on a slightly less predictable route, but it follows the very successful formula of so many before it - disadvantaged child with amazing gift, great opportunity to pursue said gift, demanding and tough-love giving teacher/mentor, happy ending, all the lessons are learnt. Particularly the lesson of carpe diem - a soprano singing career is a short one for a boy - if you've got a gift use it and use it now, time is after all, fleeting.

Stet singing a glorious solo

Yes it was predictable, yes it could have been so much more, yes, yes, yes to many of the criticisms this film is receiving. But you know what people? I still enjoyed it - and if that makes me a pleb with undiscerning taste and low expectations (thank you nameless critic) then so be it. 

Everyone loves a heartwarming story about the underdog who against the odds succeeds. The film is not overly sentimental until the very last scene, which I could have done without, and the ridiculous closing credits song by Josh Gorban, which I also could have done without. Aside from that there are strong performances from a fantastic ensemble cast, with Hoffman of course being the standout. 

Izzard, McHale and Hoffman 

Wareing tackles this character well and although I think Stet is like most of the other characters in the film in that he was slightly underdeveloped as a character, Wareing has done a pretty great job. He even went into intensive training at a real life American boy choir school in Princeton (yup, that's a thing guys, boy choir school is a real ting) to learn how to sing and he hit a high D. That right there is commitment people, the journey to a high D is rough going. 

settling in is never easy - particularly at an all boys choir school

I think BOYCHOIR getting a bit of a bum rap. Although it's predictable, it's also heartwarming and the singing, my god, I got goosebumps. If films about singing are not your thing, and you don't love a predictable, heartwarming tale of an underdog who comes out on top the avoid this film like the plague.  I could have happily waited to see this at home, or in fact just listen to the soundtrack which is the true highlight of this film. But as I've said many a time before, I quite like getting hit in the feels, and hit I got. 

BOYCHOIR is not a knockout, but it's nice. If you had to choose only one film to see this week, then I probably wouldn't recommend paying the 20-something dollars to see it on the big screen, and if you don't like choral music then definitely don't fork out that kind of cash. However, if you're looking for uplifting and nice, and you can find it in your heart to let the music make up for it's predictability then go. 

3 out of 5

xoxo

The Blonde Bombshell

Holiday Viewing

So, it's that time again...that's right folks, school holidays are back. Yikes! I feel like they just ended and I can't believe they're here again! Never fear though, there are some great kids films out at the moment, so if you need an hour or so of mind numbing entertainment, or if it's raining or something think about going to check some of these out. 

I have yet to see any of them other than CINDERELLA, so I can't truly comment on whether they are great or not, but they do look like fun and I am planning to go and catch them over the holidays with some little people in tow. 

Here's a list of what's showing at my local cinema this holidays that will be good for the little and maybe not so little ones!

CINDERELLA - G 105mins

A live action re-telling of my favourite fairytale starring Lily James, Richard Madden, Cate Blanchett and Helena Bonham Carter

The Sun Theatre in Yarraville is doing a Prince and Princess Day on Wednesday the 1st of April at 11am and 1pm. Click here for more details

SHAUN THE SHEEP - G 85mins

When Shaun's mischief inadvertently leads to the Farmer being taken away from the farm, Shaun, Bitzer and the flock have to go into the big city to rescue him, setting the stage for an epic adventure. 

THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER - PG 93mins

During a fight between Krusty Krab and Plankton, the secret Krabby Patty formula disappears and all of Bikini Bottom goes into a terrible apocalypse, blaming Spongebob and Plankton. Spongebob and his nemesis Plankton team up with the help of a time machine and go back in time to discover a diabolical above water Pirate has the formula and they set about getting it back. 

THE BOOK OF LIFE - PG 95mins

A vibrant fantasy-adventure, tells the legend of Manolo, a conflicted hero and dreamer off on an epic quest through magical, mythical and wondrous worlds in order to rescue his one true love and defend his village. 

TINKERBELL AND THE LEGEND OF THE NEVERBEAST - G 76mins

An animal fairy named Fawn believes you can't judge a book by its cover, or an animal by its fangs, so she befriends a huge and mysterious creature known as the NeverBeast. While Tink and co. aren't so sure about this scary addition to Pixie Hollow, the Scout Fairies set out to capture the monster before he destroys their home. Fawn must take a leap of faith if she hopes to rally the girls to save the NeverBeast. 

HOME - PG 94mins

A loveable misfit named Oh is from another planet and on the run. He forms an unlikely friendship with an adventurous girl named Tip who is on a quest of her own. Through a series of comic adventures with Tip, Oh comes to understand that being different and making mistakes is all part of being human. And while he changes her planet and she changes his world, they discover the true meaning of the word HOME. 

NB: Aside from CINDERELLA this is the film I am most excited about for this school holidays! I'm going to see this even if I don't have any little people to take along with me! 

And for those slightly older kids, opening this Thursday is the highly anticipated FURIOUS 7 with midnight screenings happening at the Sun Theatre 12:01am Thursday morning (click here to book). And for the really keen beans, you can catch FAST & FURIOUS 6 just before it on Wednesday night at 9:15pm (click here to book). 

Well, that's all from me folks! There's enough in there to keep you and your little ones occupied for a good couple of days! I'll update you as I get to see them on whether or not they're worth forking out a small fortune for, but I do thoroughly recommend CINDERELLA and I am very excited about HOME, so maybe that can be your starting point! 

xoxo

The Blonde Bombshell