'Moonlight' Review

'Moonlight' may have caused a lot of excitement at the 2017 Academy Awards with the big mix up (you know the one), but the film itself is anything but exciting, in fact it is the complete opposite.

The film follows the character of Chiron, a young African-American gay man living in Miami. The story begins with him in his childhood, and progresses through adolescence all the way through to adulthood. The story itself is an interesting one about identity and self-discovery, and there are moments of beauty within in it, but overall this films fell flat. Although it moves through a lot of the life of young Chriron, nothing truly happens, and at times it is quite dull.

Now don't get me wrong there are parts that could be described as brilliant, such as the performance by Naomie Harris. Her portrayal of Chiron's mother Paula was excellent, and full of emotion. The character is a drug addict, and her actions further Chiron's worries and alienate him. Harris received her very first Oscar nomination, in the Best Supporting Actress category and I think that if it was any other year recently she probably would have won it, unfortunately Harris was up against the great actress Viola Davis who put in a stunning performance in the film 'Fences'.

Continuing to focus on the positives of this film I cannot fail to mention the actor who did win an Oscar for his role in 'Moonlight'. Mahershala Ali won Best Supporting Actor for his part as Juan, a Cuban born drug dealer who now lives in Miami and comes across Chiron during his childhood years. Ali managed to portray the two sides of this character effectively. Juan is a drug dealer meaning he has a hard exterior, but when he meets Chiron his attitude changes, he in a sense becomes a surrogate father to the child and helps him come to terms with who he is as a person.

With these two stellar performances you would expect that the film overall would be breathtaking but unfortunately this was not the case. As mentioned before there are moments that are great but the overall development of the story left me feeling unfulfilled by the end. I think the main problem with this was the lack of character development, in a slow moving drama like this one you need to get attached to the characters themselves not just the good performances. I believe that come the finale you are not truly invested in Chiron's character and therefore you do not have any strong feelings to how his story ends in this film. I understand the message the the movie is trying to portray, that identity can take time to discover, but I did not feel this hit the audience hard enough throughout.

I was very underwhelmed by this movie, and if I were voting I would have given 'La La Land' the Best Picture win instead of 'Moonlight' (see my review of 'La La Land' here). I am not telling you to avoid this movie, in fact if you like slow dramas then you should watch it and see if you agree.

I am going to rate this move a 2 out of 10, and the performance from Harris and Ali is the only reason it doesn't get lower.

'The Godfather' - A Review Of A Classic

I don't know how a film buff can make it to the age of 23 and never see 'The Godfather', but somehow I did. I have finally managed to watch the classic and I must say it definitely did not disappoint.

I can now completely understand why this is viewed as one of the greatest films of all time. It is unlike any other I have ever seen. From the solid acting creating gripping scenes that keep your eyes glued to the screen, to the lighting making every scene so intense and of course the script which is so deep and so rich, and has such unpredictable twists and turns, this film is a complete work of art.

The cast is spectacular, Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan and Robert Duvall all play their parts perfectly. Brando wears heavy make-up throughout as he plays the role of the don, The Godfather himself, Vito Corleone. Vito is the head of a powerful mafia family in New York, but has aged and needs a successor, he looks towards his sons to take over, Sonny (Caan) and Michael (Pacino). Michael wants nothing to do with the family business, and he's done well so far. Living his life away from organised crime, even becoming a war hero, but as a series of bad events happen to the Corleone family and we start to see the beginnings of a mafia war it grows harder for Michael to stay away.

Al Pacino is absolute captivating in his character of Michael, it is hard to believe that he wasn't already a huge star before filming, in fact he was the complete opposite, a nobody. No one from the studio wanted to cast him, with the likes of Warren Beatty and Jack Nicholson favoured to act the role. Director Coppola forced the studio to hire the unknown Pacino and this was one of the best decisions in the making of 'The Godfather', as it would have been a different film without him and it's hard to imagine anyone else acting it so perfectly.

This film is a magnificent insight into organised crime, it shows you in detail the ins and outs of the Corleone family business. It is surprising that this film ever actually got made with the amount of problems there were along the way. One being that real mafia heads were against the release of 'The Godfather' as they didn't want details of organised crime to get out in the open, they sent threats to get the film stopped, they even went as far as to shoot at the producers cars.

Other issues the film came across were selecting the director and the cast. There were many debates about who should star in the leading roles, Brando had a bad reputation and Pacino was hardly known in the industry, both were seen as risks to the picture, but evidently the risks paid of, with Brando winning Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Oscars and Al Pacino being controversially nominated alongside co-stars Caan and Duvall from Best Actor in a Supporting Role (everyone knows that he was a leading character not supporting).

Francis Ford Coppola didn't actually like the book and was hesitant to direct the film, the only reason he accepted was because he needed the money, which funnily enough is the exact same reason Mario Puzo wrote the book to begin with, he was broke. These two together created not just a screenplay but a masterpiece, an Oscar winning masterpiece, which will live on forever through history as one of the greatest. They are the true stars of this film, they pushed for the casting of Brando and Pacino and they created a script which these actors could make their own, it is almost at times like you are watching a documentary of the organised crime business and that these people on screen are truly the Corleone family.

Last but certainly not least I must talk about Nino Rota's score. This is a score that fits the motion picture so perfectly, it is very subtle yet manages to capture every aspect of the story and characters emotions. If you hear the music alone you can tell it is the part of something special. It embodies Italy and the Italian people in this film who are trying to make a living the only way they seem to know how.

I cannot believe I waited so long to watch this classic. Since watching 'The Godfather' I haven't been able to get it out of my head, and I am certain I never will. This is a film that stays with you forever, and stands out as the movie to beat, the movie that all others aim towards in a sense of beauty and critical acclaim. If you are like me and are a film buff who has never seen 'The Godfather' then what are you waiting for, go and watch it as soon as possible, as it does not disappoint. If you are a movie lover then you have to respect this one for how perfectly flawless it seems to be.

I now have to see if 'The Godfather: Part II' also lives up the praise it has received through the years.

I give 'The Godfather' a high 9 out of 10, and recommend it to anyone who wishes to become completely in awe of a motion picture.

'La La Land' Review

'La La Land' is a the story of a Jazz musician who falls for an aspiring actress in L.A. They both are trying to achieve their dreams in a city known for destroying them, whilst keeping their relationship going. It is a hypnotising movie, that you will struggle to look away from, the visuals are stunning, the music is catchy and Emma Stone's acting is top quality.

This musical is an ode to old Hollywood, it captures the essence perfectly. There are tap dance numbers as a tribute to actors Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, and there are various musical numbers to remind us of what movies used to be like.

The chemistry between Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling is so natural, you believe in their relationship, and get swept up in the thought that the characters Seb and Mia are meant to be together. The story is a simple one, yet the way it is told is completely mesmerising. It is a a heartfelt storyline, of these two characters having to decide what is more important to them, their love and relationship or the spotlight they have always wanted.

Emma Stone won the leading actress Academy Award for her part in this film, and it was completely deserved, she stole every scene she was in. She captured the character Mia's emotions brilliantly, and has you routing for the aspiring actress from the get go. Emma is known for her work on mostly comedy films, and this shows through the performance, she provides scenes that have you laughing, as well as ones that have you emotional. Emma gives a really good all round performance, her singing is perfect, her dancing is great and I'm glad she got the recognition that this portrayal deserves.

Ryan Gosling plays the other leading part of the film, jazz pianist Sebastian. Ryan Gosling is playing the piano throughout the film, and his musical talent is unbelievable, especially after finding out that he learnt how to play in just 3 months. His singing is not the best but his piano skills more than make up for this. Ryan's acting is good, better than all other films of his I have seen, but unfortunately for him Emma Stone's enchanting performance has you focusing on her and not him. Gosling provides good support for the character Mia though, and Emma's portrayal would not have been as believable without him.

The film was written and directed by Damien Chazelle, who found initial fame through his 2014 picture 'Whiplash'. Chazelle won the best achievement in directing Academy Award, and definitely deservedly so. This film is completely different to all others released last year and the last few years, it does give you the impression of old Hollywood, unlike any other recent picture.

A huge part of the film is obviously the music, the catchy songs will stick in your head long after the movie is finished. Justin Hurwitz won two Oscars for his songwriting. The musical score complements the story perfectly, it is a huge part of the movie's charm and a main reason for the film's success. Without the soundtrack the story would not transfer over to the watcher so smoothly.

If you are a fan of musicals or old Hollywood movies then you have to watch 'La La Land'. It is unlike any film I have seen in recent years, it is a truly stunning picture. The film uses bright colours, beautiful scenery and catchy musical numbers to draw you in to the point you do not want to miss a single scene.

'La La Land' was a part of controversy at the Academy Awards this year for being read out as the winner of best picture by mistake, and after watching it I don't know how this film did not win, as it is completely unique to all recent movie releases.

I give this film a 9 out of 10 and highly recommend 'La La Land' to all film lovers.

'My Cousin Vinny' - Underrated Film Review

This is the third instalment in my underrated films series, where I am reviewing films that I believe are underrated within the film industry.

CLICK HERE to see my review of 'Frances', and CLICK HERE to see my review of 'Cake'.

This review is of the 1992 classic 'My Cousin Vinny'

This is a film that has received some backlash over the years. People were not happy when Marisa Tomei won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Mona Lisa Vito despite being a huge underdog for the esteemed prize. There was even rumours swirling around that she had won by mistake, and that 74 year old presenter Jack Palance called out her name by accident. 

These are all made up rumours by people who were upset that a comedy film was getting such high recognition, as the Oscars usually favour dramatic pictures. I do agree that the acting in more serious movies is often better than those of other genres, but I believe that Marisa Tomei's is one of the few comedic performances that thoroughly deserved the honour of being nominated and winning. She paved the way for future funny women to also get nominated, such as Melissa McCarthy in 2012 for her role in 'Bridesmaids'. 

'My Cousin Vinny' is the story of two young New Yorkers are accused of murder after a series of unfortunate incidents whilst driving through rural Alabama. They cannot afford an attorney so have to call for help from one of the boy's lawyer cousin, Vinny. Vinny has only worked on personal injury cases before, and none of them have ended successfully, but he is determined to to get the two teenagers off the hook. 

Joe Pesci plays the part of the titular character, and Marisa Tomei plays his fiancee. They both have you laughing out loud with their excellent comedic timing. The character Vinny is having a hard time taking on his first trial, but his underdog status and determined attitude has you backing him throughout the whole film. Vinny and Lisa use their New York street smarts to prove to the rural townsfolk that this case is not cut and dry. Pesci and Tomei have you believing in these characters as though they were real.

This film has had some bad press just because some people don't think it should have won that Oscar, but if you watch it you may change your mind. All of the actors play their parts well, you can believe their emotions, and get onto their side, and Marisa Tomei is the main one to achieve this.

'My Cousin Vinny' is a comedy movie, but not your usual slapstick physical comedy, it has hilarious dialogue instead. If you are a fan of this genre then you should watch it, as it's one of the best out there. If you are in the mood for an extremely well written and well acted picture then also look no further than here, I very highly recommend this movie.

I give the 'My Cousin Vinny' a high 7 out of 10.

'Logan' Review

I have to admit I wasn't as excited for this release as I am for other Marvel universe films out this year, but I'm extremely glad I took the time to go see it, as 'Logan' definitely exceeded my expectations. Here is my short review of the movie.

Professor X is ill and Logan (Wolverine) has to take care of him, while trying to hide them both from the world, but finds this increasingly difficult when a young girl arrives at their hideout near the Mexican border.

This is not your usual Marvel film, it is much deeper and intense than any other I have seen, the story is thrilling yet upsetting, and the acting matches up to that of Oscar nominated motion pictures. I am not just speaking about Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart, Stephen Merchant was an excellent addition. He plays the character Caliban, and is helping Logan take care of the Professor, providing some wit and comedic value to the film, which helps to break up the seriousness of the storyline. I also personally like the fact that he kept his strong Bristolian accent, as it made him seem relatable and down to earth (although I am biased being from Bristol myself).

This is Dafne Keen's first feature length film but you would never think that whilst viewing. She plays the part of Laura fantastically. This is not an easy character to portray, especially for someone at such a young age. Laura is someone who acts tough on the outside but you can tell she has deeper emotions on the brink of bursting out. She has had an extremely hard time and just wants to escape her problems, this is where Logan becomes a part of her life, reluctantly agreeing to help her out. I completely expect to see more of Dafne Keen in future films, as her performance captures the essence of the character Laura perfectly. She steals a lot of the scenes throughout the movie, which is extremely impressive for a young girl acting alongside some great performers.

Hugh Jackman has perfected the character of Wolverine through the years, and 'Logan' introduces us us to the gritty, honest truth of what he has become. The film still has all the violence that Wolverine usually brings, but it develops his human side. He is tired after all these years and struggling to carry on after all he has been through. Logan is for once vulnerable and broken, and certain scenes will make you want to cry. He is trying desperately to find his purpose, but has lost all hope, straight from the beginning you can see he has just given up. You have never seen Wolverine portrayed like this, it is gripping and emotional, you don't want to look away from the screen for a second.

If you are wanting to see just another superhero movie then you might be disappointed, as you forget about this genre very early on, this is a serious and gripping film that has you experiencing a range of emotions whilst sat on the edge of your seat. I highly recommend 'Logan' to any Marvel fanatic or dramatic film lover, I believe you can watch this film without seeing any previous X-Men universe movies and still get the full experience.
I truly enjoyed this film, and was not expecting the such high standard. I rate it a solid 8 out of 10.

Marvel V DC Part 3

This is the third and final part of my Marvel V DC series. 

Within this three part series I have been putting films from the Marvel universe and the DC universe head to head to see who overall did better within the film industry in 2016. In the first part I compared 'Captain America: Civil War' and 'Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice', to see part one CLICK HERE. Within part two I compared 'Suicide Squad' and 'X-Men: Apocalypse', to view this CLICK HERE.

After writing part one and part two I have come to the conclusion that Marvel have come out victorious. Within 2016 Marvel released four films that broke into the top twenty grosses of all movies released last year (Captain America: Civil War, Deadpool, Doctor Strange and X-Men: Apocalypse). Whereas DC only had two films in the top twenty (Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice and Suicide Squad). Within my reviews in part one and two you will see that I thought that the Marvel movies I have seen in the past year lived up to their expectations, but I believe that the DC films fell a little short of what people were hoping.

Although DC may have lost the battle of 2016 they are in with a strong chance of surpassing Marvel in 2017, with a couple of highly anticipated films coming out this year. First one being 'Wonder Woman', due out in June. The character of Wonder Woman stole the show in 'Batman V Superman', with Gal Gadot playing the part superbly, because of this fans are looking forward to seeing her origin story come out later this year. The second DC movie coming out is 'Justice League', due in November. This will be the film series that competes with the likes of Avengers and X-Men, with many loved DC characters coming together on one screen, such as Batman, The Flash and Aquaman, setting the scene for future origin/individual stories to follow (The individual 'Aquaman' movie is due late 2018).

DC are going to have tough competition again though with Marvel also releasing some great sounding films in 2017. Both 'Logan' and 'Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2' have already come out and had fantastic reviews (expect me to give my say on them very soon), because of the early success with these two fans are eagerly awaiting the debut of their next couple films. First one being 'Spider-Man: Homecoming'. The new Spider-Man was introduced to us in 'Civil War', and since then we have been waiting to see more of him, and luckily for us the wait is not too much longer. There have been many different Spider-Man films already but the interesting twist of him being with the Avengers have got people extra excited for this new take. The other Marvel universe film released in December this year is 'Thor: Ragnarok'. Not as many people were excited for this third instalment of the Thor franchise until the release of the trailer (watch it HERE), now we are all waiting eagerly for this.

I for one cannot wait to see all of these films this year, and review them for your viewing on this blog. I am intrigued to find out if DC can live up to their expectations in 2017, and if Marvel can carry on their 2016 success into this year. Stay tuned for future Marvel and DC updates throughout the year.

Marvel V DC Part 2...

In this three part series I am comparing Marvel against DC. I am seeing who I think had the better movies released last year, then I will give my opinions on the movies getting released this upcoming year, as there's many that look like they could be incredible.

In part one I did head to head reviews, putting 'Captain America: Civil War' against 'Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice'. You can read that HERE. In this post I will be doing a head to head of two more films (I mentioned in part one that this will not be 'Deadpool' as I have already reviewed it - Read the review HERE).

'SUICIDE SQUAD' V 'X-MEN: APOCALYPSE'

These are two quite different films, with X-Men opting to be more serious with few parts bringing out comedy and 'Suicide Squad' opting for the comedic value throughout, but which one is better?

Suicide Squad

I found the idea of the film a good one, bringing together a group of bad guys together as one, to take down more bad guys. Despite this I do think that the film fell a little short of my expectations. The first half had substance, it was funny and intriguing, but it slowly tailed off until finally finishing, and I did lose concentration a couple times within the second half of the film.

The acting was good, and there was a great cast of actors assigned to 'Suicide Squad'. From two time Oscar nominees Will Smith and Viola Davis to Oscar winner Jared Leto ('Dallas Buyers Club'). The star of the show was definitely Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, I think that she captured this difficult character perfectly, and is no doubt become the most popular one from the film, with many people eagerly anticipating a Harley Quinn film. Harley's other half The Joker was also portrayed well within the movie, by Leto. This is a hard character to act, as so many have played it so well. Despite Leto not quite doing as well as Heath Ledger in 'The Dark Knight', I do believe he did a good job and I am interested to see more of the new Joker the future films to come.

As I mentioned before I think the problem with this film is ot loses its momentum half way through, it slows down a bit and never manages to get back up to the standard that it started with. The final battle is not as big as I was expecting it to be, and the final few scenes do not keep up the comedic value that the movie gives to you within the first half.

'Suicide Squad' made a total gross within theatres of $325,100, 054. Bringing it in at number nine of the top total grosses of all movies released in 2016. Coming in just behind 'Zootopia' and 'Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice'.

Overall I give this film a 7 out of 10. This film got marked up for its strong, interesting and funny start, but lost points for the weaker second half.

X-Men: Apocalypse

I think that this was a strong superhero movie, it did have comedy but it also knew when to be serious, while as providing high action scenes. X-Men did a good job of capturing the watchers attention and being able to sustain that throughout.

I am not a huge fan of the acting across the board of X-Men movies, but I do think that this one did a lot better than the rest. The cast is a good one, with some very big names, such as Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence ('Silver Linings Playbook'), two time Oscar nominee Michael Fassbender, and Golden Globe nominee James McAvoy. I was most impressed with the two actors more known for TV than film though, Evan Peters of 'American Horror Story' brought great comedy to the film as he has previously within the franchise and Sophie Turner of 'Game Of Thrones' portrayed a difficult character perfectly, she was able to show us the inner emotions of Jean Grey better than I have seen done before.

The only problem with this film is I think you may have to watch the other X-Men films in this series to understand some parts, it is not a completely stand alone film as 'Suicide Squad' is. Despite this it is a film that fans of the series will love, and if you did decide to watch it without the ones before then I think you will still enjoy the majority of the movie without getting confused in the story.

'X-Men: Apocalypse' made a total gross within theatres of $155,442,489. Bringing it in at number sixteen of the top total grosses of all movies released in 2016. Coming in just behind 'Star Trek Beyond' and 'Jason Bourne'.

I give this film a 8 out of 10, for its strong story and good portray of characters, as well as it's balanced level of comedy, action and suspense.

In the third part of this series I will announce who did better in 2016 Marvel or DC, as well as who is set to have the best 2017