Film Review: ABOUT TIME (2013)

Writer/Director: Richard Curtis
Running time: 123 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12A

Genre: Comedy/Drama/Romance/Sci-Fi
USA Release date: 4^th September 2013

Watched at the cinema Friday 4^th October 2013.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE UNINTENTIONAL SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Well this one came up because it just happened to be on when it was a very good friend of mine’s birthday. We had arranged that we were going to the cinema and I gave her a free choice (to be fair there were only two to choose from at the time we wanted to go, but I’m glad she opted for this). I like Richard Curtis, his work has varied over the years but it never fails to hit a note with me; so I have to say to Rosie, “Good Choice!”. There were plenty of laughs but this was balanced with some quite heart rending stuff towards the end. Here’s a very brief summary before I give you my thoughts.

When Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) reaches the age of 21, his father (Bill Nighy) tells him that all the men in their family can travel backwards in time. Of course Tim doesn’t believe him until he tries it for himself. But now the question is; what to do with this ability. There are rules, but it soon become apparent that these are a tad flexible (I’ll explain what I mean by that later). So Tim decides he’s going to use it to get himself a girlfriend and who should be right around the corner but Mary (Rachel McAdams). He falls for her big time and contrives various ways to make sure she will be his; sometimes with hilarious consequences. But there is more than one cloud on the horizon and there are events to come that even Tim’s ability cannot solve. I think that’s enough of a teaser for now.

I have to admit I enjoyed this one; yes, they do make certain rules about time travel and then immediately break them, but that’s not what the story is about. And yes, it is about well off white people, but again, if I wanted a film that was politically correct and socially aware I don’t think I’d have Richard Curtis write it. No, this was pure escapism for me and I happily went along for the ride. Great performances all round, but the stand-out for me was Bill Nighy; he really nailed the part of the dad for me. I have to say I liked the soundtrack as well with many contemporary tunes littered along the way. So it made me laugh and I even shed a tear towards the end and there’s not many films can do that. I admit I’m a bit of a sucker for the occasional Rom-Com and this one had just the right ingredients for me.

SteelMonster’s verdict: RECOMMENDED

My score: 8.2/10.

IMDb Score: 7.6/10 (based on 4,081 votes when this review was written).
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2194499/

MetaScore: 54/100: (Based on 7 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 62/100: (based on 37 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 82/100: (based on 12,528 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/about_time/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abouttimethemovie
Official Site: http://www.abouttimeintl.com/uk/
Trailer:

Film Review: MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (2011)

Writer/Director: Woody Allen
Running time: 94 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12

Genre: Comedy/Fantasy/Romance
UK Release date: 7^th October 2011

Watched on Sky+ Saturday 8^th December 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Highly praised by the critics and awarded the Oscar for Best Writing, Original Screenplay for Woody Allen; I really couldn’t pass this one up when it premiered on TV this week. I was a little sceptical having seen a couple of Allen’s more recent works and being a tad less than impressed, but I needn’t have worried. It seems those critics do get it right now and then and I have to say I really enjoyed this one. Here’s a very brief summary before I give you my thoughts.

Gil (Owen Wilson) is a writer; he has been to Paris in the past and loves the place; his fiancée, Inez (Rachel McAdams), hasn’t. She doesn’t share his love of the city and in particular doesn’t get his fixation with Paris in the 1920’s. Her parents, John (Kurt Fuller) and Helen (Mimi Kennedy) are also there, partly on business and partly to help with wedding plans. They meet some friends of Inez, Paul (Michael Sheen) and Carol (Nina Arianda), who insist on taking them out so Paul can show off his extensive knowledge of the city. Gil finds it all terribly dull and decides to walk back to their hotel one night. He gets lost as pauses at the side of a particular street as the church clock chimes midnight. An old car comes up the road and a group of revellers persuade him to come with them. He find himself in a bar talking to the likes of F. Scott Fitzgerald (Tom Hiddleston), Zelda Fitzgerald (Alison Pill) and even Ernest Hemmingway (Corey Stoll). Oh, and there’s a girl (there’s always a girl), Adriana (Marion Cotillard). He is in the 1920’s Paris he always dreamed of, but how? And what lies around the corner?... Guess I’d better leave it there.

We begin with shots of Paris (yes, some of them in the rain) and I think I’m looking at a travelogue; but I’m wrong. Once it gets going this film is very witty and even whimsical at times, and I really enjoyed it. Woody Allen’s writing is spot on here with some great dialogue and some marvellous characters. The plot has just the right amount of mystery to keep me interested and even has some important points about living your life in the past. All the performances were excellent with Owen Wilson and Marion Cotillard getting top marks from me. Over all I found it very entertaining, amusing and even a little profound in places… Well worth a look!

SteelMonster’s verdict: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

My score: 8.5/10

IMDb Score: 7.7/10 (based on 143,813 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1605783/

MetaScore: 81/100: (Based on 40 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 93/100 (based on 199 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 82/100 ‘Liked It’ (based on 69,870 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/midnight_in_paris/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
[first lines]
Gil: This is unbelievable! Look at this! There's no city like this in the world. There never was.
Inez: You act like you've never been here before.
Gil: I don't get here often enough, that's the problem. Can you picture how drop dead gorgeous this city is in the rain? Imagine this town in the '20s. Paris in the '20s, in the rain. The artists and writers!
Inez: Why does every city have to be in the rain? What's wonderful about getting wet?

Gil: I'm having trouble because I'm a Hollywood hack who never gave real literature a shot.

Gil: Yes, but you're a surrealist! I'm a normal guy!

Gil: Gil Pender.
Ernest Hemingway: Hemingway.
Gil: Hemingway?
Ernest Hemingway: You liked my book?
Gil: Liked? I loved all of your work.
Ernest Hemingway: Yes. It was a good book because it was an honest book, and that's what war does to men. And there's nothing fine and noble about dying in the mud unless you die gracefully. And then it's not only noble but brave.

Gil: What is it with this city? I need to write a letter to the Chamber of Commerce.

Gil: I would like you to read my novel and get your opinion.
Ernest Hemingway: I hate it.
Gil: You haven't even read it yet.
Ernest Hemingway: If it's bad, I'll hate it. If it's good, then I'll be envious and hate it even more. You don't want the opinion of another writer.

Gil: 500 francs for a Matisse? Yeah I think that sounds fair! You know, I wonder if actually I can pick up 6 or 7?

Man Ray: A man in love with a woman from a different era. I see a photograph!
Luis Buñuel: I see a film!
Gil: I see insurmountable problem!
Salvador Dalí: I see rhinoceros!

LINKS:
Official Site: http://www.sonyclassics.com/midnightinparis/
Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midnightinparis
Trailer:

Film Review: MORNING GLORY (2010)

Director: Roger Michell
Running time: 104 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12

Genre: Comedy/Romance/Drama
UK Release date: 21^st January 2011

Watched on Sky+ Saturday 3^rd December 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

This is not the kind of film I would usually seek out; as some of you may know I’m not a massive fan of comedies, particularly Hollywood ones. That said, I do remember the critics giving the performance of Harrison Ford a bit of praise and so, as a bit of a fan of Mr Ford, I thought I’d give it a look. Well, as Hollywood comedies go, this one wasn’t too bad; I remember laughing out loud at least three times! I will give you my thoughts after this brief summary.

Having just lost her job, young TV producer Becky Fuller lands a new job at a New York based Network channel, IBS (yes, IBS, no misprint), where she has to rescue an ailing breakfast TV show. Her boss, Jerry Barnes, hasn’t given her long to turn the show around and so she goes in and immediately fires one of the anchors. She is allowed to replace him, but she can’t spend any money. She discovers that veteran newsman, Mike Pomeroy, is on contract to the studio and so she hires him. Things do not get off to a good start when fellow anchor, Colleen Peck, another veteran, does not get on at all with Mike. Eventually they are ready to go but Mike will only do hard news stories and everything looks doomed until Becky has a revelation… I won’t say much more, but needless to say there is the obligatory romance brewing in the background… Ok, no more or the Spoiler Police will be axing my evening slot on the Late Late Late Late show.

The film looks great with some nice exterior shots of New York featuring quite prominently. Birds seemed to feature quite a lot as well (for some reason). I did notice that one of the producers was J.J. Abrams, so I’m not surprised it looked so good. As far as performances go, well, Rachel McAdams did a decent job as Becky Fuller, as did Patrick Wilson as her love interest, Adam Bennett. Jeff Goldblum was efficient as her boss, Jerry Barnes and I thought John Pankow played her exec producer, Lenny Bergman very well. Finally, I have to praise both Harrison Ford as Mike Pomeroy and Diane Keaton as Colleen Peck. Both were outstanding and (for me) made this mediocre film (IMO) watchable.

I guess it is the subtle humour, combined with the two stand-out performances that swung it for me. It’s a fairly run-of-the-mill plot that doesn’t exactly tax the grey matter, but when you add to the mix someone like Harrison Ford it gives it a different dimension. I think you can probably guess that I quite liked this one. It’s not perfect though; I found the character of Becky far too perky at times, but McAdams did manage to carry it off (just). And so, unusually for me, a Hollywood comedy is deemed… Recommended, if only for the two stand-out roles and some subtle humour.

My score: 6.9/10.

IMDb Score: 6.5/10 (based on 18,852 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1126618/

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 54/100 (based on 167 reviews counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/morning-glory-2010/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Mike Pomeroy: I'm not saying the word fluffy!

Mike Pomeroy: You know what I've noticed, people only say "lighten up" when they're gonna stick their fist up your ass.

Becky Fuller: I will have you know that this show is very important to a lot of people, including, but not limited, to me! My ass on the line here.
Mike Pomeroy: Actually, your ass is irrelevant. You're just a footnote. It's my ass. My reputation. My integrity.
[pats his buttocks with both hands]
Mike Pomeroy: . MY ASS!

LINKS:
Official Site: http://www.morningglorymovie.com/#home
Trailer:

Film Review: SHERLOCK HOLMES (2009)

Director: Guy Ritchie
Running time: 123 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12A

UK Release Date: 26th December 2009

Watched on Sky+ Sunday 9th January 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I originally saw this one at the cinema in early 2010; it was a small room, packed out and not much of an enjoyable viewing experience. It has now made it to the small screen and I am able to watch it in comfort… so much better! Now, I don’t know if it was the better viewing conditions, or the fact I have a better sound system than my local cinema, but I enjoyed this one a tad more second time around. But more of my thoughts later, here’s a brief summary first (summary haters please walk Gladstone, the dog, while I write the next paragraph).

Holmes and Watson occupy rooms at 221b Baker Street, however, their idyll is soon to be disturbed because Watson has got engaged and plans to move out to be with his new bride. It’s Victorian London and they currently have more pressing matters, the game’s afoot! We begin with Holmes and Watson closing in on Lord Blackwood, who is in the throws of performing a satanic ritual in the catacombs below London. They successfully apprehend him and he is arrested by Inspector Lestrade. Sentenced to death, Lord Blackwood calls for Holmes and warns him that there will be four more murders. Having been hanged and pronounced dead, by Watson, his body is interred. The following day his tomb has been opened from the inside and he has been seen wandering about the graveyard. It seems Holmes and Watson have another mystery to solve. At this point, Irene Adler, a former adversary of Holmes appears on the scene and commissions him to find a man involved in the Blackwood case. This will lead them to a conspiracy that threatens the bedrock of British society. She is in the employ of a very mysterious stranger, a professor of some kind. I think that’s enough to whet you appetite… I don’t want to give the game away.

A very well made film with plenty of action and some really great comedic moments. I loved the interplay between Holmes and Watson; they were almost like an old married couple at times, which was really amusing. Great performances from all of the leading cast, Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes, Jude Law as Dr. John Watson, Rachel McAdams as Irene Adler, Mark Strong as Lord Blackwood, Eddie Marsan as Inspector Lastrade and Robert Maillet as Derdger, Holmes’s fighting nemesis.

I found this a most enjoyable film to watch second time around. The score, by Hans Zimmer was spot on and fitted the action on screen perfectly. Although the dialogue does get a little bogged down at times, there was still plenty to keep the viewer’s attention. The fight scenes, and one scene in particular featuring an explosion in slow motion were all excellent… hats off to the stunt and technical guys for those! Over all, very entertaining and well worth a viewing!... Recommended.

My score: 7.8/10

LINKS:
IMDb Site: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0988045/
Official Site: http://sherlock-holmes-movie.warnerbros.com/
Trailer: http://uk.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK/video/imdb/vi781780249/

Film Review: THE TIME TRAVELLER’S WIFE (2009)

Director: Robert Schwentke
Running time: 103 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12

UK release date: 14th August 2009

Watched on Sky+ Sunday 3rd October 2010.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

First of all, I’m not sure I am the right gender to be watching this film. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against romantic films by any stretch of the imagination, but this one really goes for it, all guns blazing! One thing in its favour though is the time travel element. Film makers always find interesting ways to portray time travel and the effects it has on those involved. Here’s a short summary.

Henry DeTamble is a librarian in Chicago and he’s also a time traveller. One day a young lady, Clare Abshire, walks into the library and asks him to dinner. She tells Henry she has known him almost all of her life and that she is in love with him. She also knows all about his time travelling. He meets her two best friends Gomez and Charisse and the couple settle down together. Throughout this period we are told part of the story of how Henry first met Clare when she was just six years old. Eventually they wed and at first things seem to be going well. Unfortunately Henry has no control over when he will travel and this, at times can be awkward, especially since he always leaves his clothes behind and arrives at his destination naked. However, when Clare falls pregnant things begin to get quite serious. After she miscarries Henry seeks the help of Dr. David Kendrick, a geneticist, and from here events take a dramatic turn, especially for Henry! I won’t say any more, I don’t want to give too much away.

As with most time travel films there are a few plot holes, which I won’t bore you with the details of here, you’ll have more fun finding them for yourselves. I thought the special effect used when Henry time travelled was pretty effective. Decent performances all round, so honourable mentions go to; Eric Bana as Henry DeTamble, Rachel McAdams as Clare Abshire, Ron Livingston as Gomez, Jane McLean as Charisse and Stephen Tobolowsky as Dr. David Kendrick.

As I said at the beginning, I believe the female audience will enjoy this a lot more than the males. The film tells a lot more about feelings than about the narrative, not that that is entirely a bad thing. I did find it quite hard to engage with any of the characters and I did find it a little too drawn out at the end. So, if you’re in touch with your feelings then this is the film for you, otherwise, maybe give it a miss.

My score: 6.5/10

LINKS:
IMDb Site: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0452694/
Official Site: http://www.thetimetravelerswifemovie.com/dvd/index.html
Trailer: http://uk.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK/video/screenplay/vi2566717977/