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Chris Stuckmann reviews Fences, starring Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Jovan Adepo, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Russell Hornsby, Mykelti Williamson, Saniyya Sydney. Directed by Denzel Washington.
Synopsis
Troy Maxson (Denzel Washington) makes his living as a sanitation worker in 1950s Pittsburgh. Maxson once dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player, but was deemed too old when the major leagues began admitting black athletes. Bitter over his missed opportunity, Troy creates further tension in his family when he squashes his son's (Jovan Adepo) chance to meet a college football recruiter.
People commit unthinkable acts every day. Time and again, we grapple to understand what drives a person to do such terrible things. But what if all of the questions we’re asking are wrong? What if the source of all evil is not a matter of what…but who?
From the producer of The Strangers and Oculus comes The Bye Bye Man, a chilling horror-thriller that exposes the evil behind the most unspeakable acts committed by man.
When three college friends stumble upon the horrific origins of the Bye Bye Man, they discover that there is only one way to avoid his curse: don’t think it, don’t say it. But once the Bye Bye Man gets inside your head, he takes control. Is there a way to survive his possession?
Starring Carrie-Anne Moss, Faye Dunaway, Douglas Smith, Cressida Bonas, Lucien Laviscount and Douglas Jones. Directed by Stacy Title
Oscar winners Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”), Michael Caine (“The Cider House Rules,” “Hannah and Her Sisters”) and Alan Arkin (“Little Miss Sunshine”) team up as lifelong buddies Willie, Joe and Al, who decide to buck retirement and step off the straight-and-narrow for the first time in their lives when their pension fund becomes a corporate casualty, in director Zach Braff’s comedy “Going in Style.”
Desperate to pay the bills and come through for their loved ones, the three risk it all by embarking on a daring bid to knock off the very bank that absconded with their money.
The film also stars two-time Oscar nominee Ann-Margret (“Tommy,” “Carnal Knowledge”) as Annie, a grocery cashier who’s been checking Al out in more ways than one. Joey King (“Wish I Was Here”) stars as Joe’s whip-smart granddaughter, Brooklyn; with Oscar nominee Matt Dillon (“Crash”) as FBI Agent Hamer; and Christopher Lloyd (“Back to the Future” trilogy) as the guys’ lodge buddy, Milton. John Ortiz (“Silver Linings Playbook”) also stars as Jesus, a man of unspecified credentials who agrees to show the guys the ropes, and Peter Serafinowicz (“Guardians of the Galaxy”) as Joe’s former son-in- law, Murphy, whose pot clinic connections may finally prove useful.
Zach Braff (“Garden State”) directs from a screenplay by Theodore Melfi (“St. Vincent”).
“Going in Style” is produced by Donald De Line (“The Italian Job”). The executive producers are Toby Emmerich, Samuel J. Brown, Michael Disco, Andrew Haas, Jonathan McCoy, Andrew Haas, Tony Bill, who was a producer on the 1979 film “Going in Style,” and Bruce Berman.
The creative filmmaking team includes Emmy-nominated director of photography
Rodney Charters (“24”); production designer Anne Ross (“Lost in Translation”); editor Myron Kerstein (Braff’s “Garden State” and “Wish I Was Here”); costume designer Gary Jones (“New Year’s Eve”); and composer Rob Simonsen (“Foxcatcher,” “Wish I was Here”).
New Line Cinema presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a De Line Pictures Production, a Zach Braff Film: “Going in Style.” It will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.
In War for the Planet of the Apes, the third chapter of the critically acclaimed blockbuster franchise, Caesar and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless Colonel. After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind. As the journey finally brings them face to face, Caesar and the Colonel are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both their species and the future of the planet
Director: Matt Reeves
Cast: Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, Steve Zahn
Optimus Prime finding his home planet, Cybertron, now a dead planet, which he comes to find he was responsible for killing. He finds a way to bring the planet back to life, but in order to do so he needs to find an artifact, and that artifact is on Earth .
Ahead of the exciting release of WHY HIM? on Boxing Day, Twentieth Century Fox has released a brand new clip from the film starring James Franco as the socially awkward Silicon Valley billionaire boyfriend, Laird.
Over the holidays, Ned (Bryan Cranston), an overprotective but loving dad and his family visit his daughter at Stanford, where he meets his biggest nightmare: her well-meaning but socially awkward Silicon Valley billionaire boyfriend, Laird (James Franco). The straight-laced Ned thinks Laird, who has absolutely no filter, is a wildly inappropriate match for his daughter. The one-sided rivalry—and Ned’s panic level—escalate when he finds himself increasingly out of step in the glamorous high-tech hub, and learns that Laird is about to pop the question.
Watch the official UK trailer for Martin Scorsese’s Silence. Starring Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver and Liam Neeson. In cinemas New Year's Day.
In the seventeenth century, two Jesuit priests face violence and persecution when they travel to Japan to locate their mentor and propagate Christianity.
Over the holidays, Ned (Bryan Cranston), an overprotective but loving dad and his family visit his daughter at Stanford, where he meets his biggest nightmare: her well-meaning but socially awkward Silicon Valley billionaire boyfriend, Laird (James Franco). The straight-laced Ned thinks Laird, who has absolutely no filter, is a wildly inappropriate match for his daughter. The one-sided rivalry—and Ned’s panic level—escalate when he finds himself increasingly out of step in the glamorous high-tech hub, and learns that Laird is about to pop the question.
The IMAX release of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of An IMAX 3D Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images coupled with IMAX's customised theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.
About Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
From Lucasfilm comes the first of the Star Wars standalone films, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” an all-new epic adventure. In a time of conflict, a group of unlikely heroes band together on a mission to steal the plans to the Death Star, the Empire’s ultimate weapon of destruction. This key event in the Star Wars timeline brings together ordinary people who choose to do extraordinary things, and in doing so, become part of something greater than themselves.
Synopsis:
Dr. Stephen Strange's (Benedict Cumberbatch) life changes after a car accident robs him of the use of his hands. When traditional medicine fails him, he looks for healing, and hope, in a mysterious enclave. He quickly learns that the enclave is at the front line of a battle against unseen dark forces bent on destroying reality. Before long, Strange is forced to choose between his life of fortune and status or leave it all behind to defend the world as the most powerful sorcerer in existence.
The film tells the story the a landing operation at the South Korean harbour city Incheon during North Korea’s 1950 invasion, which has a success chance of 5,000:1 but succeeding seems to be only way to turn the tide of war.
Operation Chromite is in cinemas and on demand from 26th December, courtesy of Signature entertainment.
Starring Liam Neeson, Jung-jae Lee and Beom-su Lee.
Synopsis
Everyone knows that growing up is hard, and life is no easier for high school junior Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld), who is already at peak awkwardness when her all-star older brother Darian (Blake Jenner) starts dating her best friend Krista (Haley Lu Richardson)
All at once, Nadine feels more alone than ever, until the unexpected friendship of a thoughtful boy (Hayden Szeto) gives her a glimmer of hope that things just might not be so terrible after all.
The film also stars Kyra Sedgwick as Nadine’s well-meaning but completely ineffective mother, and Woody Harrelson as Nadine’s History teacher, mentor and reluctant sounding board.
Synopsis
An aspiring young actress (Lily Collins) and her ambitious young driver (Alden Ehrenreich) struggle hopefully with the absurd eccentricities of the wildly unpredictable billionaire (Warren Beatty) whom they work for.
It’s Hollywood, 1958. Small town beauty queen and devout Baptist virgin Marla Mabrey (Collins), under contract to the infamous Howard Hughes (Beatty), arrives in Los Angeles. At the airport, she meets her driver Frank Forbes (Ehrenreich), who is engaged to be married to his 7th grade sweetheart and is a deeply religious Methodist. Their instant attraction not only puts their religious convictions to the test, but also defies Hughes’ #1 rule: no employee is allowed to have any relationship whatsoever with a contract actress. Hughes’ behaviour intersects with Marla and Frank in very separate and unexpected ways, and as they are drawn deeper into his bizarre world, their values are challenged and their lives are changed.
Produced and Directed by: Warren Beatty
Screenplay by: Warren Beatty
Story by: Warren Beatty and Bo Goldman
Cast: Alec Baldwin, Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Haley Bennett, Candice Bergen, Matthew Broderick, Dabney Coleman, Lily Collins, Steve Coogan, Alden Ehrenreich, Taissa Farmiga, Ed Harris, Megan Hilty, Oliver Platt and Martin Sheen
Directed by: Edward Zwick
Starring: Tom Cruise, Cobie Smulders, Aldis Hodge and Robert Knepper
What's it all about?
Jack Reacher must uncover a major government conspiracy to clear his name. On the run, Reacher discovers a secret from his past that could change his life forever.
What are my thoughts?
It's been four years since we have seen Cruise portray lone wolf Jack Reacher. I enjoyed the first movie, which was directed by Christopher McQuarrie who also directed Cruise in Edge of Tomorrow and MI: Rogue Nation. McQuarrie serves as producer on this project.
For this second installment which is based on Lee Child's 18th book "One Shot", Cruise returns on equally familiar ground with the same director, Zwick, who helmed his 2003 Japanese themed historical action piece The Last Samurai.
Movies aside I have read a few Jack Reacher novels and I can certainly see why they are made into movies. Never Go Back serves as Tom Cruise’s first ever sequel outside the Mission Impossible universe. Maybe therefore he should stick to single entry movies when he’s not playing Ethan Hunt as this movie was a total dud.
The movie never really seems to get going. It’s two hours but feels longer, for an action thriller it really drags. At the heart of the story is the framing of both Reacher and Cobie Smulder’s character. The two go on the run whilst trying to clear their name. Heard that before? Yeah, like only in about a hundred movies. This movie committed the worst sin for action thrillers - it was boring. The central story is very weak.
Cruise and Smulders work ok together but the chemistry between the two was never that great. They never really clicked. Certainly when you compare Cruise’s chemistry with Rebecca Ferguson in last years MI: Rogue Nation. Danika Yarosh who plays Samantha Dayton, a girl who may or may not be Reacher’s daughter is very weak though. As the three find themselves together, the movies makers try to force them to become like a “Sudo-family” and it really doesn't work.
One thing you can always say about Tom Cruise is that even though some of his movies have not been any good, he himself has always given 110% as the expression goes. I suppose in this movie you can say that but to be completely frank, I felt for the first time the 54 year old is starting to show his age. If you read the books of Reacher you know that he is an unstoppable force. In this movie though although he handles himself really well, the character of Reacher is fallible and I think that is playing more in deference to Cruise’s age than the source material. He also gave a fairly flat performance.
The movie as I say never really gets into gear and it feels like an endless set of tired excuses for Reacher to a) have a fight, b) have a car chase or c) be chased after by cardboard cut out villains. There is NOTHING here you have not seen before and seen done a lot better.
As for the bad guys they are pretty well..bad. Robert Knepper as General Harkness (The villain in the suit) is pretty bad, has little to do. Patrick Heusinger who is the hired muscle known simply as “The Hunter” is suitably menacing at times but ultimately boils down to a one dimensional bad guy who has the inevitable showdown with Reacher at the end.
The movie’s tagline is…Never Go Back. Which is pretty much what the audience is going to do with this franchise after seeing this movie.
Don’t waste your money on this phoned-in, predictable action thriller. Even die-hard fans of Cruise can wait for this to be streamed.
Never Go Back – more like – Don’t Go At All.
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back is on general release in the UK from today.
Synopsis
Young mother Renee (Noomi Rapace, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Prometheus) has her life thrown into chaos when she is randomly abducted, drugged and taken to a secret lab facility. As her captors traumatically experiment on her, Renee must discover why she was chosen and fight to escape her prison.
After some bad news back at home, Musician Josh and his girlfriend Beth head out to a secluded national park in search of some clarity on the situation they’ll face when they return. But the couple get more than they bargained for when they ignore the advice of Park Rangers and venture off the trail, coming face to face with The Redwood’s legendary wildlife. REDWOOD brings a fresh spin to a well worn mythology to create an edge of your seat horror movie that will shred your nerves and have you thinking twice about going camping again.
Starring:
Mike Beckingham
Tatjana Nardone
Nicholas Brendon
Muzz Khan
Luke D'Silva
Jessica Jane Stafford
Holy One Night Only! Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders is coming in to cinemas nationwide TONIGHT for one night only. Starring the legendary Adam West (Batman), Burt Ward (Robin) and Julie Newmar (Catwoman) this is an evening not to be missed.
The film will also be available on Blu-ray and DVD November 7 and Digitally from October 24.
It’s back to the 1960s as Batman and Robin spring into action when Gotham City is threatened by Batman’s most-evil opponents – The Penguin, The Joker, Riddler and Catwoman. The four Super-Villains have combined their wicked talents to hatch a plot so nefarious that the Dynamic Duo will need to go to outer space (and back) to foil their arch enemies and restore order in Gotham City.
Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders pays homage to the original Batman series, reuniting Adam West, Burt Ward and Julie Newmar as they reprise their roles as Batman, Robin and Catwoman.
Directed by: John Michael McDonagh
Stars: Alexander Skarsgard, Michael Pena, Theo James and Tessa Thompson
What’s it all about?
Two corrupt cops in New Mexico set out to blackmail and frame every criminal unfortunate enough to cross their path. Things take a sinister turn however when they threaten somebody who is more dangerous than they are. Or is he?
What are my thoughts?
I last saw Alexander Skarsgard swinging from vine to vine in one of this year’s lacklustre summer entries The Legend of Tarzan. I last saw Michael Pena helping Matt Damon get home in last year’s The Martian, but perhaps most notably in his show stealing turn as Luis also last year in Marvel’s Ant-Man. When you think of casting two actors for a new buddy cop comedy, I wouldn’t have thought of pairing these two actors together in a million years.
Happily though it does work, and that and their chemistry is by far the best thing of this movie. Skarsgard is the loner who befriends Tessa Thompson a girlfriend of a former suspect. Pena though is a family guy and this dichotomy is at the heart of their relationship. They are both “bent” cops though and make no secret of this, having to be constantly kept in check by their chief as they tail Brit Theo James a plays a big time crook. As for Theo James he continues to be as flat as he was in the Divergent movies. (Albeit with a beard and native British accent).
As I say the chemistry between the lead stars is the movie is the best part and it features some funny dialogue between the two, although at no time is it on the same level as The Nice Guys earlier this year with Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling.
Pena is more at home with the comedy, but Skarsgard has some good lines and his 6ft 4’ hulking well built frame sits at home with the heavy of the police duo. He’s cut from the same cloth as Russell Crowe in The Nice Guys – hit first, ask questions later.
My issue with the movie is there is just not much too it, it's too light weight. It's running joke is too cops who revel in being bent, that's all. The plot itself is very thin.
The comedy is very dark and it doesn’t pull it’s punches when it comes to violence. It’s a strong 15 for language, some sex and bloody violence. The movie looks good and has some nice fades between scenes and some nice tunes in the soundtrack, it was definitely going for The Nice Guys vibe but just couldn't get there.
That’s all I’ve got to say on this one, you don’t need to check this out at the cinema, just wait for it on stream.
War on Everyone is released from today in their UK. Movie Review by Carleton Rutter http://www.moviemanuk.net
Saban’s POWER RANGERS follows five ordinary teens who must become something extraordinary when they learn that their small town of Angel Grove — and the world — is on the verge of being obliterated by an alien threat. Chosen by destiny, our heroes quickly discover they are the only ones who can save the planet. But to do so, they will have to overcome their real-life issues and before it’s too late, band together as the Power Rangers.
GOLD is the story of Kenny Wells (McConaughey), a modern-day prospector, hustler, and dreamer, desperate for a lucky break. Left with few options, Wells teams up with an equally luckless geologist to execute a grandiose, last-ditch effort: to find gold deep in the uncharted jungle of Indonesia.
DreamWorks' TROLLS is a hair-raising comedy filled with unbelievable adventure and incredible music. Known for their crazy, colourful, and magical hair, Trolls are the happiest, most joyous creatures ever to burst into song. But their world of rainbows and cupcakes is changed forever, when their leader Poppy (Anna Kendrick,) must embark on a rescue mission that takes her far beyond the only world she’s ever known.
TROLLS stars Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, James Corden, Kunal Nayyar, Gwen Stefani, Russell Brand, Ron Founts
DreamWorks TROLLS is released in cinemas from October 15 in 3D and 2D.
Inspired by the Church’s use of filming techniques, and aided by ex-members of the organization Theroux uses actors to replay some incidents people claim they experienced as members in an attempt to better understand the way it operates. In a bizarre twist, it becomes clear that the Church is also making a film about Louis Theroux. Suffused with a good dose of humor and moments worthy of a Hollywood script, MY SCIENTOLOGY MOVIE is stranger than fiction.
An aspiring young actress (Lily Collins) and her ambitious young driver (Alden Ehrenreich) struggle hopefully with the absurd eccentricities of the wildly unpredictable billionaire (Warren Beatty) whom they work for.
It’s Hollywood, 1958. Small town beauty queen and devout Baptist virgin Marla Mabrey (Collins), under contract to the infamous Howard Hughes (Beatty), arrives in Los Angeles. At the airport, she meets her driver Frank Forbes (Ehrenreich), who is engaged to be married to his 7th grade sweetheart and is a deeply religious Methodist. Their instant attraction not only puts their religious convictions to the test, but also defies Hughes’ #1 rule: no employee is allowed to have any relationship whatsoever with a contract actress. Hughes’ behaviour intersects with Marla and Frank in very separate and unexpected ways, and as they are drawn deeper into his bizarre world, their values are challenged and their lives are changed.
Embark on a journey into the iconic past with Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders -available on Blu-ray and DVD November 7 and Digital Download from October 24 starring the legendary Adam West (Batman), Burt Ward (Robin) and Julie Newmar (Catwoman).
It’s back to the 1960s as Batman and Robin spring into action when Gotham City is threatened by Batman’s most-evil opponents – Penguin, The Joker, Riddler and Catwoman. The four Super-Villains have combined their wicked talents to hatch a plot so nefarious that the Dynamic Duo will need to go to outer space (and back) to foil their arch enemies and restore order in Gotham City.
HIDDEN FIGURES is the incredible untold story of Katherine Johnson (TarajiP. Henson), Dorothy Vaughn (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (JanelleMonae)—brilliant African-American women working at NASA, who served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation’s confidence, turned around the Space Race, and galvanised the world. The visionary trio crossed all gender and race lines to inspire generations to dream big.
Directed by Ted Melfi
Starring TarajiP. Henson, Octavia Spencer, JanelleMonáe, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Mahershala Ali, Aldis Hodge, Glen Powell and Kevin Costner
Synopsis: Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt are two passengers onboard a spaceship transporting them to a new life on another planet. The trip takes a deadly turn when their hibernation pods mysteriously wake them 90 years before they reach their destination. As Jim and Aurora try to unravel the mystery behind the malfunction, they begin to fall for each other, unable to deny their intense attraction... only to be threatened by the imminent collapse of the ship and the discovery of the truth behind why they woke up.
Cast:
Jennifer Lawrence
Chris Pratt
Michael Sheen
Laurence Fishburne
Andy Garcia
EQUALS takes place in a colourless, post-apocalyptic society - known as The Collective - where its inhabitants have been genetically modified between conception and birth to be "emotion-free.” Consequently, emotion, love, and sex have been outlawed.
Silas (Nicholas Hoult), an illustrator in The Collective, mysteriously starts experiencing feelings and realises he has become afflicted with "Switched-On-Syndrome." As Silas is grappling with his new, undisclosed condition, he finds himself drawn to Nia (Kristen Stewart), a fiction writer, who he soon discovers is also emotionally alive, and also hiding the condition.
EQUALS stars Kristen Stuart, Nicholas Hoult, Bel Powley and Guy Pearce and is directed by Drake Doremus.
Director: Travis Knight
Cast: Charlize Theron, Art Parkinson, Matthew McConaughey and Ralph Fiennes
What’s it all about?
Kubo (Parkinson) a young boy must locate a magical suit of armour worn by his late father in order to defeat a vengeful spirit of the past.
What are my thoughts?
“If you must blink, do it now” - Kubo
So far this year, animated movies for me have been somewhat hit and miss. It started strong with Kung Fu Panda 3 and the equally excellent Zootropolis (Zootopia). Then things took a nose dive with The Angry Birds and very disappointingly The Secret Life of Pets. Things recitified themselves with Finding Dory. With Kubo and the Two Strings I am very happy to report that upward trend is continuing as an animated movie yet again blows away many of it’s live action counterparts.
Kubo and the Two Strings is an utterly absorbing, heart wrenchingly unforgettable movie. Kubo is a boy who is looking after his frail mother, he's free though to go to the local village in the day to entertain the villagers with origami fuelled animated stories powered by the magic of his musical instrument. However, by nightfall he must return to their rather spectacularly located home near the coast. However one night, he does not return in time unleashing evil spirits that a hell bent on his destruction. Fortunately the magic of his family summon two animals - Monkey (Charlize Theron), and Beetle (Matthew McConaughey) to protect him on his quest.
The animation of Kubo and the Two Strings is stunning. The movie is produced by Laika, known for their stop-motion animation features such Coraline, ParaNorman and The Boxtrolls. Having not seen any of these movies, I must admit it took me a while to get used to the stop-motion nature of the animation having been spoilt on Pixar movies. However once the story starts to click into place and the adventure begins I just became lost in the story. Also, going one further than the animation itself, the way the whole world is realised is beautifully executed and entrancing.
Kubo is also not a movie that exists purely for its set pieces (Which when done are organic and exciting) it's more about story and heart.
The voice work as well is top notch. Huge credit firstly must go to Art Parkinson who provides the voice of Kubo himself. Charlize Theron is excellent as Monkey, the animal with a hard exterior but a warm heart. Matthew McConaughey though for me was the show stealer as Beetle. Think Buzz Lightyear meets A Bugs Life. He had the movies best lines, he was genuinely funny and a brilliant creation. Ralph Fiennes is also perfectly cast as Moon King the evil spirit on Kubo’s tail.
As for the script it is well written. Early on in the movie (Before Monkey and Beetle show up) the script is peppered with humour, but when the central trio start their quest the writing really clicks.
The movie itself although marketed to kids, is really for older children (11-12 plus). Younger children will probably be scared by some of the visuals and the themes of the movie are generally for an older child/adult audience. The Sisters (Of Kubo’s mom) voiced by Rooney Mara being one such example. They are very creepy. Women with emotionless porcelain masks with huge witch hats eerily floating in pursuit of Kubo. (Very similar to the V for Vendetta look).
Before I wrap up my review, I must make special mention of Dario Marianelli, the movies composer. The score and music is superb and really adds to the spectacle of the movie.
Kubo and the Two Strings is not for everyone and it’s certainly in the category of movies that pass many people by. However if you are looking for an animated movie that is unlike any other, then you will not be disappointed.
Kubo and the Two Strings is now on general release in the UK.
Director: David Mackenzie
Cast: Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Jeff Bridges, Gil Birmingham and Dale Dickney
What's it all about?
A divorced dad and his ex-con brother resort to a desperate scheme in order to save their family’s farm in West Texas.
What are my thoughts?
Every now and again you get a movie that critics and audiences don’t like. Then you get movies that both parties warm to, but occasionally you get movies that hit that sweet spot and equally impress both. Hell or High Water is one such movie, and rightly so.
Re-teaming Pine and Foster after the solidly old fashioned but ultimately lacklustre The Finest Hours earlier this year, Hell or High Water is an absorbing crime heist drama that washes away the “meh” summer season to great effect. The Autumn movies season has arrived with aplomb.
Front and centre is Chris Pine and Ben Foster. Firstly, let’s take Pine. I really like his take on Captain Kirk, but this movie allows the actor to breath as well – an actor. He is scruffy, unshaven and sports a Texan drawl. His beloved Pine Nuts (His fan club) will be in for a shock. He is a world away from the clean cut hero type roles we have been fed thus far. It proves that post Trek, Pine has a fine career ahead of him. As for Ben Foster, who I last saw terribly miscast as Medivh in Warcraft is also firing on all cylinders. He nails his slightly unhinged ex-con role to a tee. Both actors deserve to at least get nominated come awards season next year.
The relationship between the two brothers is clearly one that exists on a knifes edge. They clearly have a deep love for each other but at the same time, have very different ways of going about things. Chris Pine’s character is more level headed and wants to get the same rewards as his brother, but wants to go about things with a more considered approach. Whereas Foster’s character is hot headed and volatile, leaving to many moments of friction between the brothers.
On their tail is Jeff Bridges as State Trooper Marcus Hamilton who's one step away from retirement. He’s seen it all and done it all, and is cynical as hell. He’s like the Dude from The Big Lebowski 18 years on. He is superb and I wouldn't be surprised that there is Oscar buzz surrounding his portrayal. Bridges is partnered with Gill Birmingham who plays Alberto Parker. The chemistry and banter between the duo is superb and at times very funny and just highlights the high level of dialogue this movie has to offer.
The movie features great direction, pacing and writing. The movie cleverly weaves the story of the brothers with that of Jeff Bridges and his partner. Yes, it’s a classic cat and mouse “cops and robbers” tale, but the way the tension is ramped up throughout the movie is superbly done. The central tales aside HoHW also offers an clever insight into people's loathing for banks and how many people see them as the robbers.
The film also makes great use of tracking shots and draw dropping vistas. Hell or High Water also has a great country and western rock themed soundtrack. Another neat touch as well was the use of signs that the brothers see when driving through towns. Signs that had messages that were relevant to their quest such as “Get Rich Quick!”, “Instant Cash!” And perhaps for the most ominous for them “For Sale”.
Finally, the movie is also very cleverly titled. It derives from both meanings of the phrase “come hell or high water”. Firstly meaning “do whatever needs to be done, not matter what it takes” but also it refers to the “hell or high water clause” which is a clause in a contract, usually a lease which provides that the payments must continue irrespective of the difficulties incurred in making those payments.
I cannot recommend Hell or High Water highly enough. If you have become disillusioned after the summer season or are just in the need of seeing a bloody good movie, then look no further than Hell or High Water, I promised - you won't feel robbed.
Hell or High Water is released in the UK September 9th.
Hell or High Water Movie Review By Carleton Rutter
Director: Todd Philips
Cast: Jonah Hill, Miles Teller, Bradley Cooper and Ane de Armas
What's it all about?
Based on the true story of two young men, David Packouz (Teller) and Efraim Diveroli (Hill), who won a $300 million contract from the Pentagon to arm America’s allies in Afghanistan.
What are my thoughts?
“War Dogs” is a movie that has been on my horizon for sometime. I saw the trailer and liked it but didn't love it. Furthermore I like Teller and Hill but equally they are not in my top tier of actors in Hollywood. I really enjoyed Teller in "Whiplash" though, but I thought he was miscast for “Fantastic Four”, he's not a comic book actor, he is more suited I feel to serious roles. As for Hill, I have enjoyed him in many roles such as the Jump Street movies, “Moneyball” and “The Wolf of Wall Street” but I've never “really” loved him.
However I decided to take the plunge and see “War Dogs”. I'm glad I did, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would based on the trailer and the lead actors. The movie is told from the standpoint of Teller’s character Packouz. He narrates the movie Wolf of Wall Street style, albeit with freeze frame narrations. I had heard that this story telling element became tiresome in this movie, but I was fine with it.
The two lead actors have very good chemistry and work well off each other. Between the two I definitely preferred Teller’s character who plays the straight man trying to keep a young family together to Hill’s douchbag two faced loner.
“War Dogs” is a biographical crime drama with comedic elements, the trailer slightly miss sells the movie making you think that it's a comedy. It's not. The humour though when used, worked well.
It's a little slow to start in the first act, as the movie spends a while getting the pieces of the puzzle together. However, as the film wore on it became more and more engrossing as these two guys got themselves deeper and deeper into trouble. It was at the latter stages of the movie that I found myself enjoying it a lot more.
Teller and Hill aside, the only other notable players were Bradley Cooper as Henry Girard a shady arms dealer (His role is very small), Sydney Pollack as an investor of Teller and Hill’s company and the devastatingly beautiful Ana de Armas as Iz, Teller’s wife.
As the summer winds down and we get ready for the more “serious” season of Autumn and beyond, you could do a lot worse than “War Dogs”.
Inspired by accounts of the first couple’s first date, Richard Tanne’s romantic and intimate directorial debut Southside With You follows the story of the charming first-year law associate Barack Obama (Parker Sawyers), as he takes reluctant attorney Michelle Robinson (Tika Sumpter) on a daylong trip in and around Chicago’s South Side in 1989.
Michelle, a career-oriented, Ivy League-educated attorney and the only black woman at her firm, has her guard up against even a whiff of perceived impropriety. The last thing she wants is for her superiors to judge the firm’s two African-American colleagues for unprofessional behaviour. Barack agrees in theory, but his profound attraction to Michelle trumps caution. And he’s self-confident enough to believe he can remain professional and capture her heart at the same time.
Although the pair have no inkling they will someday make history together, their date marks the first spark of romance between the future first couple, making this sweet and inspiring love story all the more poignant.
The cast of Power Rangers includes Bryan Cranston as the mighty Zordon and Elizabeth Banks as super-powered villain Rita Repulsa. The rangers themselves are made up from singer Becky G as Yellow Ranger Trini, Ludi Lin as Black Ranger Zack, Dacre Montgomery as Red Ranger Jason, Naomi Scott as Pink Ranger Kimberly, and RJ Cyler as Blue Ranger Billy.
Directed by Denis Villeneuve
Starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker
When mysterious spacecraft touch down across the globe, an elite team – led by expert linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) – is brought together to investigate. As mankind teeters on the verge of global war, Banks and the team race against time for answers – and to find them, she will take a chance that could threaten her life, and quite possibly humanity.
War Dogs - in UK cinemas August 26 - directed by Todd Phillips and starring Jonah Hill, Miles Teller, Ana de Armas and Bradley Cooper.
Based on a true story, “War Dogs” follows two friends in their early 20s (Hill and Teller) living in Miami during the first Iraq War who exploit a little-known government initiative that allows small businesses to bid on U.S. Military contracts. Starting small, they begin raking in big money and are living the high life. But the pair gets in over their heads when they land a 300 million dollar deal to arm the Afghan Military—a deal that puts them in business with some very shady people, not the least of which turns out to be the U.S. Government.
Picking up immediately after the events in Resident Evil: Retribution, Alice (Milla Jovovich) is the only survivor of what was meant to be humanity’s final stand against the undead. Now, she must return to where the nightmare began – The Hive in Raccoon City, where the Umbrella Corporation is gathering its forces for a final strike against the only remaining survivors of the apocalypse.
