Monday 16 November 2015

Steve Jobs - Movie Review by Carleton Rutter


Directed by: Danny Boyle
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen and Jeff Daniels
Genre: Biography

So, in a nutshell?
The movie concentrates on the life of visionary Apple CEO Steve Jobs through the 1980's and 1990's era.

So, what are my thoughts?
Steve Jobs premiered at the Telluride Film Festival back in September. Directed by Danny Boyle (Trainspotting) ​and penned by Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing). Steve Jobs ​offers another insight into the life of the late legendary entrepreneur.  This is not the first time Jobs has had films dedicated to his life, Ashton Kutcher portrayed him in Jobs (2013) whilst Noah Wyle (ER) ​portrayed him in the TV movie Pirates of Silicon Valley (1999) which concentrated more on his relationship with Microsoft's founder Bill Gates, played by Anthony Michael Hall (The Breakfast Club, Vacation).

I enjoyed Steve Jobs more than I thought I would. Although based on actual events, Steve Jobs like many biographical movies takes liberties with the truth. However the thing is I didn't mind as I was invested in the human drama. The late CEO of Apple was certainly in real life an icon, so he was perhaps always destined to receive the big screen treatment, however I never thought it would ever make the most compelling subject for a mainstream movie.

Steve Jobs ​​is essentially split into three acts as it deals with the launch of three pivotal products during the 1980's-90's. Namely the Mac - 1984, Job's break away NeXT computer - 1988, and the iMac in 1998. The movie does not cover products launched by Jobs in his later years such as the iPod, iPhone and iPad.

​Where Steve Jobs succeeds is firstly through its strong central portrayal by Fassbender. Save a few shots he doesn't really resemble the man himself, but he certainly embodies the essence of who he was. The movie also has many of Boyle's trademarks, which I appreciated. The script by Aaron Sorkin as well soars as I became more and more invested in the story which basically involved three product launches for computers, and if you can make that engaging, you know you've done something right. There was no mistaking that this script was penned by the same man as The West Wing.

The movie is also strong from a visual standpoint, adopting a very original idea. The decision was made to shoot the three acts on three different formats: grainy 16mm film for 1984, lustrous 35mm for 1988, and sleek, high-definition digital for 1998. This really helped place the three launches in their respective era's.

Fassbender is also very well supported by a good cast. Kate Winslet is the main supporting player as Job's head of marketing Joanna Hoffman. Jeff Daniels was great as John Sculley the former CEO of Apple and it was refreshing to see Seth Rogen show us what he's got as an actor when he leaves the smutty laughs behind, in his portrayal of Steve Wozniak.

The movie lasts for just a shade over two hours, but thanks to Aaron Sorkin's zesty script things fly by. The movie does have two main issues though. Chief among being that the movie spends all it's time building you up to each launch that when the time comes for you to see it, you are unceremoniously flashed forward to the next one. After the tension was expertly risen before each presentation it would have been nice to see a least a snippet of the launches themselves.

Another issue is that despite the strong direction, acting and script not a huge amount happens in the movie. This is very much a character study piece and one that some have said is more of a character assassination of Jobs. I don't agree, I had heard going in that the movie offers a very negative portrayal of the man. However he came across more human than I thought he would.

My Rating - 
3*/5*

I enjoyed Steve Jobs thanks to good direction, a well written script, a strong lead performance from Fassbender and a good cast it served to be an engaging movie. However due to it's subject matter, unless you are particularly interested in Steve Jobs himself or a fan of Fassbender, I don't think you necessarily need to check it out at the cinema, streaming is enough. Oh yes and "One more thing" if you are viewing this review on an iPhone, iPad or Macbook Pro, just take a moment to think of the man who made it happen.

Review By Carleton Rutter
http://www.carletonrutter.com

Thursday 12 November 2015

Finding Dory - Trailer


Everyone's favorite forgetful fish is back! Check out this exclusive first look at the much-anticipated film.

Taking place six months after the first film, Dory suddenly recalls her childhood memories. Remembering something about "the jewel of Monterey, California", accompanied by Nemo and Marlin, she sets out to find her family. She arrives at the Monterey Marine Life Institute, where she meets Bailey, a white beluga whale; Destiny, a whale shark; and Hank the octopus, who becomes her guide.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 - Official Trailer (HD)


Gold Circle Entertainment and HBO present a Playtone production of My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, the long-awaited follow-up to the highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time. Written by Academy Award® nominee Nia Vardalos, who stars alongside the entire returning cast of favorites, the film reveals a Portokalos family secret that will bring the beloved characters back together for an even bigger and Greeker wedding.

Kirk Jones (Nanny McPhee, Waking Ned Devine) directs the next chapter of the film that will be once again produced by Rita Wilson and Playtone partners Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman. Paul Brooks and Steve Shareshian return to executive produce alongside Vardalos and Scott Niemeyer. Universal Pictures will distribute the comedy domestically and in select international territories.

Best of Salma Hayek


Salma Hayek is known for her work both in front and behind the camera. She has made a strong name for herself worldwide for her show-stopping talent and beauty from her beginnings in Mexico to her roles in international television and film.

In celebration of the release of Salma’s most recent film, Lessons in Love (on DVD, Blu-ray, and digital platforms from November 9th, 2015), we’re taking a look at the films that put her in the spotlight.


Lessons in Love (2015)


Well-respected college professor of romantic history, Richard Haig (Pierce Brosnan), spends his nights indulging in his romantic fantasies with a stream of young and beautiful undergraduates. When he learns his 25-year-old girlfriend, Kate (Jessica Alba), is pregnant he follows her to America to begin a new chapter in his life, which involves getting to know her family, including her older and beautiful sister, Olivia (Hayek). Despite Olivia’s initial distaste for Richard, as time progresses it becomes increasingly clear that a connection between the two is undeniable.


Desperado (1995)


In 1995, Salma shared the screen with Antonio Banderas in Desperado. This action-packed film follows Mariachi’s (Banderas) plan to follow one of the most dangerous Mexican drug lords, Bucho. Mariachi teams up with a beautiful bookstore owner (Hayek) in order to find and take down Bucho and his desperado army.


From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)


This cult classic stars Hayek alongside George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino, Harvey Keitel and Ernest Liu, and follows the exploits of the sadistic Gecko brothers (Clooney and Tarantino) and the family they’ve taken hostage (Keitel, Liu and Lewis). After a string of robberies the siblings head to Mexico and kidnap the Fuller family to cross the border. Arriving at a bar, they quickly realize they’ve inadvertently stumbled into a venue teeming with horrific, blood-sucking vampires – including the jaw-droppingly seductive Santanico Pandemonium (Hayek).


Dogma (1999)


Kevin Smith’s brilliantly provocative comedy stars Linda Fiorentinoas an abortion clinic worker who is chosen to help prevent two rogue angels (Ben Affleck and Matt Damon) from re-entering Heaven and undoing the fabric of the universe. She is assisted by two unlikely prophets, Jay and Silent Bob, Rufus, the 13th Apostle (Chris Rock) and a muse with writer’s block, Serendipity (Hayek), as they attempt to prevent the angels from getting back to heaven.


Frida (2002)


 In 2002 Salma stared in the true-life story of most highly acclaimed Mexican painters, Frida Kahlo, and her husband Diego Rivera (Alfred Molina). The film follows their turbulent relationship and ostentatious personalities that made them renown worldwide.


Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003)


This classic sees the return of mythic guitar-slinging hero, El Mariachi (Antonio Banderas), in the final instalment of the Mariachi/Desperado trilogy. El Mariachi makes his way across a rugged landscape on the trail of the sadistic cartel kingpin Barrillo (Willem Dafoe), who is plotting a coup d'etat against the president of Mexico. Enlisted by corrupt CIA operative Sands (Johnny Depp), El Mariachi is out for revenge.  Hayek reprises the role she took on in Desperado as bookshop owner Carolina, in a cast that also includes Mickey Rourke and Eva Mendes.


Grown Ups (2010)


When the basketball coach of five childhood best friends dies they gather with their families in tow for his funeral and a weekend at a lake house where they used to party. But after 30 years, each of the friends is dealing with their own unique challenges that come with adult life. Salma plays Roxanne, the fashion designer wife of Lenny (Adam Sandler), a wealthy Hollywood agent. The friends and families gather in attempt to rekindle the connection lost throughout years of adult-life trials and distractions.

Lessons in Love is available on DVD, Blu-ray, and digital platforms from November 9th, 2015 courtesy of Arrow Films.

The Goonies - 30th Anniversary [Blu-ray] Review


Hard to believe that it is 30 years since The Goonies was first released.
An instant classic, its longevity shows by the very fact that 30 years later we are still talking about it.

Regarding the release itself as you would expect with a Blu-ray release you get the usual special features and never before seen deleted scenes but perhaps another big seller from true Goonies fans is the merchandise, see photo below.



There are some cool Art Cards, a mini magazine showcasing the making of the film, an Empire’s ‘Cast – Where Are They Now’ mini magazine and Story boards.

The cover artwork is great on the Blu-ray, and will look awesome on your shelf.

I am sure you have all seen the film, kids who find out their homes will be demolished, so they head off, find a map, and search for the treasure of One Eyed Willy. This is classic kids fantasy film, you have Sloth, you have Chunk and his famous truffle shuffle, what more do you need? Well how about it all in glorious high definition!

The film was already a classic 80's film, but now with perfect sound, perfect picture, this should be on everyone's Christmas list!

My Score
8*/10*

By Jon Donnis

Buy from AMAZON

Official Synopsis:
Steven Spielberg, Richard Donner (Lethal Weapon films) and Chris Columbus (Harry Potter films) collaborate to create an epic childen's adventure of subterranean caverns, sunken galleons and a fortune in lost pirate treasure waiting to be found by a group of friends known as the Goonies.

With brothers Mikey (Sean Astin) and Brand's (Josh Brolin) house slated for demolition by greedy land developers, the boys decide their only hope lies in finding a long-lost treasure. They uncover a treasure map and with their friends descend to a subterranean sea and an abandoned galleon in this fun-filled, fast-paced adventure.