Film Reviews by GI

This may not be director John Hillcoat's best film by a long way but its still a fine action packed crime thriller that has the influences of Heat (1995) about it. With an all star cast this has some gritty action set pieces, a strong if occasionally overly convoluted plot and some bloody violence. Chiwitel Ejiofor plays Michael, a former Special Forces soldier, who heads a tight crew of criminals that includes several corrupt cops. Michael is under the control of a Russian mobster, Irina (Kate Winslet, suitably menacing) who orders him to carry out two complex heists in order to steal some very particular items. The first nearly goes wrong when one of the gang (Aaron Paul) gets greedy and the second is highly risky. The gang decide that they need a huge diversion to draw the police away from the scene of the second heist and plan to murder a police officer, Chris (Casey Affleck), which will cause all the police to head towards the police murder. But loyalties in the gang become very fraught! Woody Harrelson heads the team of detectives investigating the gang and Anthony Mackie, Gal Gadot and Norman Reedus co star. All the characters are neatly drawn with various flaws and agendas and there's some terrific chase scenes and shoot outs. All round it's thoroughly enjoyable and definitely worth checking out.

Director Michael Apted's first feature film adapted from a short novel by H.E. Bates and like Bates' novels this captures the eerie splendidness of the English countryside in this warped romance. Glenda Jackson plays Alice who faithfully tenders her family farm during the Second World War with her husband a prisoner of war. One day she finds a young soldier, Barton (Brian Deacon), wandering across her fields and invites him to share a meal. Soon they become lovers and Barton, a conscript who hates the army, decides to go AWOL and stay with Alice who has the idea to pass him off as her sister, Jill. But 'Jill' finds she is appealing to a bullish army sergeant (Oliver Reed) a situation that increases the risk of discovery for Barton and Alice. Reed is inspired casting here, frightening yet somehow vulnerable too and Jackson is excellent as the lonely woman who briefly finds comfort in the arms of a younger man. An interesting British drama that has probably been forgotten nowadays but worth checking out to see Reed and Jackson together on screen in another memorable partnership following Women In Love (1969).

There's real humanity and real anger in this complex drama that taps into the Black Lives Matter Movement. This follows the aftermath of a police shooting of a black man in New York with a ripple effect narrative that follows three men who find themselves caught up in the incident albeit in three quite separate ways. Manny (Anthony Ramos) witnesses the shooting of his friend and films it on his phone and soon finds the cops responsible making his life extremely difficult. Dennis (John David Washington) is a NYPD patrolman who knows that the cop responsible is prone to racial violence and despite being the subject of continuous racial bias himself when off duty he finds he is in a dilemma when asked to cooperate with an internal investigation. Finally Zee (Kelvin Harrison Jr) is a conscientious student with a promising career in baseball but who decides to take a stand in the community action protesting the police over the shooting. The film has emotional tilts that keep you watching and really caring how the characters turn out and even though one of them disappears from the story without us getting to know his fate this only enhances the power of the story. There are little incidents in the film that really highlight the attitudes in American society that cause deep wounds and in that sense this is a brilliantly written and directed film and worth checking out.

A massive homage to the 70s B movies and the giant bug films of the 50s this has become a firm cult favourite because it's simply great fun, has two great actors in the lead roles clearly having a ball of a time. It's a rollicking ride too with an early build up followed by full on action. Val (Kevin Bacon) and Earl (Fred Ward) are two bored handymen living in a ramshackle Arizona town that has a population of just 14. As they dream of hitting the high life in the nearest city the town becomes besieged by strange creatures that live underground and can hunt by detecting vibrations. This is neatly constructed and edited and has some funny characters not least the survivalist/gun nut couple, Burt and Heather (Michael Gross, Reba McEntire) and there are some clever little references to other films which it's fun to spot (Jaws being an obvious one). The relationship between Val & Earl is a nice take on male friendship and they give the film a real heart. Whilst it has a low budget vibe to match the links with the creature features of the past this is a very accomplished pice of hokum and its worth seeking out if you've never seen it because it is really very good.

This musical comedy, adapted from a successful Broadway show, flits between corny to goofy to downright dire at times. Equally your view will alter as you watch it from worrying you'll never get the time back to actually it's quite funny and enjoyable. Overall it's completely bonkers, over the top and is probably a 'marmite' film, you'll either love it or hate it. It's the story of four egocentric theatre performers who are either down on their luck (Nicole Kidman, Andrew Rannells) or wounded by the bad reviews from their last show (Meryl Streep, James Corden), who decide to find a 'cause' that will win them some much needed publicity. They alight on the plight of Emma (Jo Ellen Pellman), a gay student banned from attending her High School prom because she wanted to take another woman as her date. Heading off to the small ultra conservative town to 'help' Emma the four cause more trouble than they heal but eventually manage to persuade the townspeople of the error of their ways. I'm not giving away any spoilers here because the entire plot is predictable at every turn and there's no reason it shouldn't be. This isn't a social drama about tolerance per se, this is utilising that theme, amongst a few others mixed in too, to bring a musical with a message. To be honest I can't remember one song other than one about "love thy neighbour" trumps all other bible lessons. But this is probably due to there being so many songs going on here. Streep plays it for all its worth and showcases her musical talents, Kidman is a little underused and fun when she's on screen but Corden is a strange piece of casting playing his part as high camp and I've no doubt it will cause controversy for his interpretation of a gay man, actually he's just annoying. As I said you'll either love it or hate it or perhaps, like me, end up somewhat indifferent suffice to say it has a happy ending.....thank goodness.

Absolutely brilliant laugh with Michael Caine as Scrooge, playing it dead straight (and a little too angry perhaps?) which works well with all the muppet craziness going on around. The story follows the Dickens novel remarkably closely considering this is the zaniest adaptation of all time! Yet this remains a great Christmas family film although those of a certain age who still 'get' the Muppets and remember them so fondly will be forever impressed I'm wondering whether today's youngsters will buy in as much as we did, after all today they have a diet of digitally enhanced films that may make this look a bit dated. Either way if you loved this back in the day you'll still love it, the songs are great, the jokes are hilarious and Dickens' Christmas message gets through too.

A classic adventure story about greed and one of Humphrey Bogart's greatest performances not least because he's completely bonkers here. Set in 1925 and two American drifters Fred C. Dobbs (Bogart) and Curtin (Tim Holt) are down on their luck in Mexico. They come up with a plan to go gold prospecting but knowing nothing about it they join up with Howard (Walter Huston) who has experience and head deep into the Sierra Madre mountains in search of a fortune. Howard has warned them that gold has a way of changing men for the worst and soon distrust begins between the three. But Dobbs soon descends into madness as he increasingly suspects his companions are out to steal his share of the gold they've found. Directed by John Huston, son of Walter, this is the first film that garnered a father & son Oscar as Huston Senior won Best Supporting actor and Huston Junior won Best Director. This is a fantastic, gritty and quite dark story and highlights that there are many classical period films that dealt with some very adult themes. Shot mostly on location this is a great story with three fantastic central performances and it's become a much lauded film and indeed a favourite of Stanley Kubrick, Sam Peckinpah and Steven Spielberg amongst others. A film that every cinephile should make sure they see , it's one that deserves rediscovery by a modern audience.

Adapted from the celebrated American novel and directed by Greta Gerwig this is a fresh, warm, funny and really heartfelt period drama that succeeds on every level. The direction and editing is clever and the film is beautiful to watch. The all star cast are all exceptional and it's difficult to find anything to fault with this film. Gerwig's adaptation really works and she plays around with linking the fictional story with the life of the author, Louisa May Alcott, which makes it intricate, involving and thoroughly enjoyable. Set in Massachusetts in the latter half of the nineteenth century it follows the trials and tribulations of four sisters told through the eyes of Jo (Saoirse Ronan), a feisty young woman who wants to make a life for herself and shuns the social expectations of marriage. The family, with their father (Bob Odenkirk) away at war and mother (Laura Dern) trying to hold everything together in relative poverty, consists of Meg (Emma Watson), the thoughtful one, the pugnacious Amy (Florence Pugh) and the quiet one Beth (Eliza Scanlen). Their story involves romance, feuds with one another and trying to find their place in the world. It's in their ultimate love and bonding with each other that lies the centre of the story that does have some sadness and tragedy. And what a delight it is, you get drawn into this without even trying and possibly despite yourself if this isn't your normal thing. When you add Meryl Streep and Chris Cooper in supporting roles you have a rather lovely and very special film and one that is well suited to Christmas too. Highly recommended.

Along with It's A Wonderful Life (1946) Miracle on 34th Street is the Christmas film that should be watched every year. It remains a constant delight, a comedy with real heart and enchantment that captures the magic of the holiday and its attack on the commercialism of Christmas resonates today. Winning an Oscar for his performance Edmund Gwenn plays a kindly old man who calls himself Kris Kringle who gets hired by Doris (Maureen O'Hara), a manager at a big Manhattan Department Store, to be their Santa Claus. He's marvellously good with the children but when he begins declaring he is the real Santa he finds himself facing an insanity hearing. It's up to Doris' lawyer boyfriend (John Payne) to prove that Kris really is Santa. The story is just lovely and it attempts to recall the imagination and innocence of childhood for adults not only in the film but for viewers too. This is exemplified in the character of Susan, Doris' daughter, who has been schooled by her mother not to believe in fantasy, played by Natalie Wood, who is an utter delight in the film. This is a Christmas classic, a story about keeping hold of your dreams and imagination however old you get. It's one to seek out for family viewing and it will leave a warm feeling for everyone. (a 1994 remake isn't bad either but this, the first version, is the one to see)

A powerful British social-realist drama with tragedy and sadness at its heart. This is an impressive first film from director Fyzal Boulifa and has two excellent central performances from Roxanne Scrimshaw and Nichola Burley in the title roles. Set on a tough Essex housing estate Lynn is a housewife, who had a child at sixteen (now a young teenager), but is happy with her life mainly because her childhood bestie, Lucy, lives opposite her. Lucy is more mercurial but has recently settled down with her boyfriend and had a baby. This, in Lynn's mind, bonds them ever closer. But all is not right in Lucy's world, and the narrative hints at post natal depression and a deep dissatisfaction with her life. When a tragic event happens Lynn's security and place in the world is threatened. This is a story about community and friendship, and especially looks at where these are hollow and easily fractured. There's the strong influence of Ken Loach here and the film doesn't hold back on hinting at horrific events that affect the pillars of life these characters believe are necessary namely work, relationships, motherhood and friendship and where Lynn and Lucy believe happiness is to be found but this story shows how these can come crashing down resulting in choices that can destroy lives. With its hints at repressed sexual desire, the overriding need to feel wanted and accepted and ultimately betrayal this is a first class British 'kitchen sink' drama that is well worth checking out.

Director Danny Boyle's enthralling film starts as a caper movie but soon moves into a mystery crime thriller that blurs the realms of fantasy and reality to create a really interesting story. During the heist of an auction house a priceless Goya painting goes missing. The gang, led by Frank (Vincent Cassel) believe their inside man Simon (James McAvoy) has double crossed them and taken it for himself. But he claims that being struck on the head during the robbery has left him with amnesia and he doesn't remember anything. So Frank sends him to renowned hypnotherapist Elizabeth Lamb (Rosario Dawson) in the hope she can release his suppressed memories. Only Elizabeth sees an opportunity to play a dangerous game of her own. This is one of those films where you never can really tell who is telling the truth and because of the hypnosis plot also what is real or in the mind of the various characters. It's a brilliantly constructed film and even after watching it and seeing the various plot lines get unravelled you still want to watch again. It's quite gripping and very gritty in places with some sudden shocks. The sea change in the various characters is well written as the weak turn out strong and vice-versa. I admire Boyle's ease at attempting a variety of genres and with this Hitchcockian themed thriller he succeeds. yes it's all far fetched in regards the power of hypnosis on which the entire plot rests but that can be put aside because this is a damn good story.

Basically a romcom with two outstanding central performances and a clever parody of the media representation of women in the public eye. Charlize Theron is Charlotte Field, a US senator with her sights on the presidency. By chance she bumps into Fred (Seth Rogen), an idealistic, liberal minded journalist and who, when she was a teenager she used to babysit years before. She hires him to help write her speeches and his old schoolboy crush on her returns and soon romance is kindled. But her political ambition and position and his moral honesty threatens their new relationship and her career. There's plenty of great laughs here and at least one very gross out comedy moment but it all seems to work even though they seem the most unlikely of couples. The support cast are also good and include Bob Odenkirk as the outgoing president, an unrecognisable Andy Serkis as an odious media mogul and Alexander Skarsgård as the Canadian prime minister, a small role but he makes it really memorable. An entertaining comedy that is well worth trying.

If you are a big fan of the original you shouldn't be disappointed with this sequel because director Danny Boyle has brought an energetic and at times extraordinary ode to male middle age disillusion, the past, regret and redemption into the story of the four surviving friends twenty years after the events of the first film. There's an overall melancholy to the film and whilst it retains black humour and sadly sidelines the key female characters it's pays off in spades. Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor) feels drawn to return to Edinburgh after twenty years and reunites with Spud (Ewan Bremner), still addicted to heroin, and Simon (Jonny Lee Miller), aka Sick Boy, who is earning a living blackmailing men after filming them bonking his girlfriend. Tensions and emotions run high as Simon harbours anger over Renton stealing his money years before but it's the sudden return of the psychopath Begbie (Robert Carlyle), intent on violent revenge, that will decide their future. There's a frantic, lyrical and weirdly moving story here considering the characters are all totally extreme and manic and ultimately it's a pessimistic film about wasted life and empty futures but it is still damn good. Support cast are excellent including Kelly Macdonald as Diane, Shirley Henderson and James Cosmo as Renton's Dad. The use of scenes from the first film interwoven in the narrative work wonderfully to highlight the theme of nostalgia and I loved the Blade Runner (1982) homage. If you weren't sure the first time you watched this then give it another try it's worth it.

A return of director David Fincher after six years and clearly a passion piece for him not least as the screenplay is written by his father. This is a film celebrating the Golden Age of Hollywood whilst also revealing it's sordid corruptions at the same time. Gary Oldman, in what is surely to be an award contending performance , is genius screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz, who in 1942 is hired by Orson Welles (Tom Burke in a spot on cameo) to write a new screenplay that will revolutionise film making. The trouble is Mank is a serious alcoholic and recently broken a leg in a car accident. So he's installed in a remote ranch house in the desert to complete the script for the film eventually to become Citizen Kane, banned from drinking by Welles, he manages to get it smuggled in all the same. The film charts not only Mank's battles with Welles and the booze but also in flashbacks looks at his relationship with movie mogul Louis B. Mayer (Arliss Howard) and the money behind him, media giant William Hearst (Charles Dance) on whom Mank based his screenplay. Shot in nostalgic soft toned black and white and following the style of Citizen Kane itself it's certainly a beautiful film to look at and the performances are all exceptional especially Dance, as the sinister Hearst, and Tuppence Middleton as Mank's long suffering wife, Sara. As a film about Hollywood it's very interesting but you really have to have some idea about the tortured journey of Citizen Kane to the screen and about the various characters the film includes, like Irving Thalberg (Ferdinand Kingsley) for example. At times I felt the film dragging occasionally but overall this is clever, interesting and very well made but perhaps not for everyone.

A dark journey through the squalor of drug addiction told through a brutally and shocking black comedy and one of the best British films of the post modern age. The film follows five Edinburgh based friends, three of whom are committed heroin users, one a violent sociopathic criminal and the fifth a clean living fitness freak who acts as the groups conscience although his fall is inevitable. Ewan McGregor, in arguably his best role, is Renton who narrates his journey through heroin addiction, underage sex, habitual theft, HIV and the disloyalty that accompanies drug misuse. There are scenes of overdose, cold turkey and some very realistic violence mainly committed by the psychopathic Begbie (Robert Carlyle). Brilliantly written for the screen by John Hodge based on Irvine Welsh's novel (who cameos in the film too) and superbly directed by Danny Boyle, this is by far his best film and it deserves multiple viewings to appreciate the subtleties in the film's themes and construction. Yes it's clearly a sharp and obvious condemnation of the grimy sub culture of drug addiction with surreal elements that highlight the collapse of reason and responsibility all told in some highly memorable film making. This is a remarkable achievement and it's a film that has a cult status and a relevance that, sadly, continues on. It's an important film and certainly needs to be seen if you've somehow missed it so far. This is a powerful film, and will make you cringe, wince, laugh and shudder but it's also a masterpiece.