American Hustle Film Review

Hustle in to see American Hustle!

Long story short: "A con man, Irving Rosenfeld, along with his seductive British partner, Sydney Prosser, is forced to work for a wild FBI agent, Richie DiMaso. DiMaso pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and mafia." (Source:IMDB)

American Hustle lays out everything you love about the 70s: great hair, leisure suits, cocaine, and shattered dreams.

The film is built as the 2013 revival of the classic Scorsese gangster pictures like Goodfellas and Casino, but without the gangsters. It has the plot twists, the plethora of pop tunes, the conniving characters, the backstabbings, the high life, the low life, the disgruntled females merciless attached to crooked husbands, the stranded children, and so on. But it's new. Fresh out of the oven. Baked with wonderful performances and tight scriptwriting. And it has characters who inhabit the story and make it their own.

American Hustle is without a shadow of a doubt the best picture that David O. Russel could ever make, and that says a whole lot due to the caliber of excellence already under his belt. Its a sprawling epic of a crime movie that hearkens back to some of the greatest cinematic techniques utilized by Scorsese and Altman. Its a brilliant screenplay of sorts that only increases with cultural flair and dramatic tension with every frame. Its easy to really pin down the plot of the film since this certainly isn't the first time a movie has been made about successful and or unsuccessful con men in the midst of their "crime of the century". But what makes this movie shine the most is its performances, which are without a doubt one of the greatest of the year (12 Years A Slave is a worthy contender) . Also including perhaps the best cameo I've seen -not because of the cameo itself, but because of the meaning of the cameo.
Every single one of them--Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, and Jennifer Lawrence--deserved their nominations. Bale is subtle and brilliant as Irving, the main conman. He is unappealing and dubious, yet you can't help but like him. His later soft heart towards Jeremy Renner's Carmine is icing on the cake for the dabbling in the gray area. Amy Adams shines, literally at times, as Sydney, Irving's con partner. She is the most volatile and hardest character to read for most of the film. Adams embodies the cocoon that Sydney has created with elegance and fiery deceit. Cooper is entirely convincing as the Richie, the FBI agent whose own ambition proves to be too much. Cooper brings the same electrifying energy he put on display for 'Silver Linings Playbook' (2012), and doesn't miss a beat between howl of laughter of roar of frustration as his plans become convoluted to a maximal degree. Jeremy Renner is also an absolute winner as Carmine, the mayor, despite not receiving an award nod as of yet. Renner is the consummate politician, and you can't help but sympathize with his character (even though you wonder if you should be, 95% of the time). Last, but certainly not least, is Jennifer Lawrence's Rosalyn, Irving's hysterical, deranged wife. The hype around Lawrence's role is well-deserved, she solidified herself among the elite with this role. Each of her scenes brought laughs and anticipation as you awaited what sort of screwball situations her character would stir up next. Standing ovation to all of the cast on this one--you stand far high above the rest. 

 Many viewers claim to be confused and/or bored by the plot. This is a grievous misstep on their part, in my opinion. The brilliance of the plot lies in the thematic mists of the 'gray areas' if you pay close attention.  At the core, this movie is more than just a dazzling spectacle of throwback clothing and crazy hairstyles. It speaks to an era. It speaks to human emotion and ambition. It speaks to the world we live in today. It speaks sometimes with an infectious British accent and sometimes adroitly American. Most importantly, it speaks. Go out and listen to what it has to say (too corny?)

Seen the film? Tell me what you think!

Another Carrie Film? WHY?!

it's all about the money!

Hollywood only wants to make films that are "pre-sold" nowadays, by this i mean recognisable "properties" such as sequels, re-makes, superheroes, board games, action figures, breakfast cereals, etc. Why? Well, The only explanation I can think of for all the remakes and sequels is that the studios have become risk-averse. So something new and original might be a success or it might be a bomb. Do the same thing as before/everyone else is doing and it's safer. And very dull.

Carrie(2013) is the 3rd film adaptation of the Stephen King novel. Was another film adaptation needed? absolutely not, but would you pass on the chance of guaranteed financial gain? because let's face it, if Stephen King's name is on it, it will sell. After the much-loved 1976 Brian De Palma adaption which is considered by not only my sister, but many others, as one of the best horror films ever made, other people have been cashing in on this Carrie gold mine (e.g. the broadway musical adaptation in 1988, a terrible and much unneeded sequel in 1999, a 2002 TV remake which intended as the pilot for a series that never happened and now this). 

"Why not?"

Because it is yet another remake, and don't say it doesn't count as a remake because it is an adaptation of King's book, because for much of the film it is a carbon copy of de Palma's classic.

So, why not indeed? Because it is yet another example of the devastating lack of imagination that runs rampant in Hollywood circles, for the same reason a new watered down version of Robocop is being inflicted upon the masses next year to shit on the original.

Just make some new films, it's not hard. There must thousands of brand new scripts lurking around in agents in-trays, propping up desks in studios, but we'll never see them, we will just get sequels and remakes and re-imaginings, because that is all Hollywood feels that we deserve.

I am not a "hater" of remakes

I'm all for remakes if they have something new to offer, or something new to say. I love both versions of "The Thing" and "The Blob" and the first two versions of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers". BUT I am wary of all the lazy producers in Hollywood who do remakes for no other reason than the fact that they think it is a guaranteed financial success, or directors and scriptwriters who think a remake of a classic will resonate more with young audiences thanks to the addition of fart jokes or better CGI. If there is cynicism about remakes, it is well earned. I have zero respect for people who merely want to "have a go" and turn out what is essentially a carbon copy.

side note: Chloë Grace Moretz is way too pretty to play Carrie.

As always, you can leave your opinions below.

Best Halloween Movies

Halloween is not just about dressing up, partying & enjoying stupid amounts of candy. If you're like me, Its a perfect excuse to just stay in by the fireplace and watch great movies fitting for the occasion - here are a few of my favourites.

Halloween (1978)

you have to watch Halloween on Halloween- it's like a law.

Modern horror movie started with this film. It tells the story of escaped mental patient Michael Myers, who returns to his hometown on Halloween night to stalk and kill a group of babysitters.

One of the most iconic horror films of all time 

which made Michael Myers one of scariest villains of all time. Although contain little to no images of blood an gore, it still remains one of the scariest horror films to date.

The Changeling (1980)

This is a real haunted house thriller thats sure to make you wet yourself a few times.

The first time I saw this film, I was about 8 years old and I'm not sure if I have slept right since.

Tells the story of a lonely musician, who loses his wife and daughter in a terrible accident, and then decides to rent an old mansion, only to find the house has a history of it's own. The film is paced well, set perfectly, and reveals a darker side of the bourgeois than most are willing to explore. A masterpiece.

Sweeney Todd (2007)

It's not Halloween without Tim Burton!

 Based on the hit Broadway musical, it tells the story of the infamous barber Sweeney Todd who invokes on the streets of London with his equally mischievous partner, Mrs Lovett.

A humorously, horrifying film masterfully executed as only Director Tim Burton can. Although not everyone's cup of tea (especially if you're not a fan of musicals), give it a chance, its an absolutely wonderful film.  

Other great Halloween movies:
Psycho

The Omen

The Addams Family + The Addams Family Values

Nightmare on Elm Street

Nightmare Before Christmas

Beetlejuice

Rocky Horror Picture Show

The Exorcist

Ju-on: The Grudge

The Shining

Michael Fassbender

                                                       

 

                                                       

                                                       

                                                     

Who's your favourite actor currently? without hesitation: Michael Fassbender. Not just for his impeccable good looks but also for his impeccable acting ability, whether it be playing the genius psychotherapist Carl Jung in A Dangerous Method or the compulsive sex addict Brandon Sullivan in Shame - Michael Fassbender can do it all.

Fish Tank (2009) is when I went "who the hell is that incredible actor, and why have I not seen him before??!" And so my obsession began. I have seen not-so-great movies with Michael Fassbender in them, but I have never seen Michael Fassbender be anything but great.

This is a man who is unafraid to do anything to give an honest performance. He always finds the humanity in every role and plays all of his characters with a reality. If we hate them, we don’t need to know why, we just need to see those eyes and we know who this person is. In a time when “understanding” becomes synonymous with “excusable”, where “villain” means “troubled”, Fassbender finds what actually lies inside of the heart then shows it to us, the outsiders.

You may have seen him in Shame, Hunger, Inglourious Basterds, A Dangerous Method, 300, Jane Eyre, Fish Tank, Prometheus, 12 Year A Slave, X-Men 1st Class. (See above images)

Can i just add that the bromanship between Steve McQueen and Michael Fassbender is so bloody cute i can’t stand it (Michael stars in 3 of McQueen's films)

I mean

really

And lets not forget his love affair with McAvoy!

What are you opinions of Fassbender? Never heard of him? Shame on you! but seriously, if you haven't heard of this fine specimen then check out one of his films, you won't be sorry.

12 Years A Slave Film Review

On Friday 18th i went to London Film Festival premier of Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave. 

Long story short- a random and foolish encounter has led Solomon Northup from living freely in New York to being kidnapped and sold into slavery in

Louisiana, getting handed over to various slave owners. There, Solomon

witnesses numerous acts of cruelty that no man should ever face.

As I stared at the movie screen with full dread, I was reeling back at

certain scenes I had just witnessed. There were good films and

television shows about slavery before, and they had various nuances at

how to tackle slavery. This film is part of said resurgence of the sub-

genre, hot on the heels of “Django Unchained” and “The Butler”. But

while the former relinquishes on Spaghetti Western entertainment more

than attempting to address the issue in a political light as the

latter, Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave” shuts those two up, and

perhaps the entire sub-genre, for good. I doubt any future

slavery-themed film will be as harrowing as this one was.

Steve McQueen is a fearless filmmaker, continuing his streak of

unfiltered brutality within human depths. He frames his actors’ faces

in extreme close-up, the eyes staring into despair, the nostrils fuming

in aggression. Naked flesh are shown not because of erotic content, but

rather because of desperation and futility. Long takes and wide shots

are not uncommon in his films, and here they showcase a plethora of

fantastic scenes and performances that work to discomfort the viewer as

much as possible. McQueen doesn’t just allow the audience to tackle

slavery, he guts the audience and leaves them for the consequences.

This is an extremely uncomfortable film to watch. Beautifully shot

locations are placeholders for unsettling sequences before and after,

contemplated by Hans Zimmer’s poignant and at times horrifying score.

This all works to create a nightmarish time and place where hell walks

on Earth.

Central to all of this is the performance of Chiwetel Ejiofor as

Solomon. Ejiofor showcases that he is a natural force to be reckoned

with in this film, after a decade of mostly supporting characters. He

spaces out in despair as the camera lingers onto him for solid minutes,

not a word spoken. Another sequence shows him mourning the death of a

fellow worker, in which the singing of the surrounding group compels

him and shakes him down to tears. These scenes follow earlier ones

where he is a classy, free man in the upper states, mingling happily

with the crowd and partaking in fanciful music sessions. It is a

tour-de-force performance.

A fine ensemble of established and up-and-coming actors surround

Ejiofor in his limelight - Paul Dano, Paul Giammati, Alfre Woodard,

Sarah Paulson, and Lupita Nyong’o in a heartbreaking performance as an abused slave, even Brad Pitt and Benedict Cumberbatch play somewhat nice guy roles, but none so ferociously as McQueen regular Michael Fassbender as the despicable, sadistic plantation owner Edwin Epps. So excellent and terrifying is Fassbender’s portrayal of such a merciless and barbaric person, that the mere sight of him will either cause audience members unfamiliar to him to flinch.

I was left speechless as the credits rolled. A lesser film would have

added tacked-on sentimentality/exaggeration and politically influenced

claptrap. Not this one. This is a movie to watch as a reminder of how

powerful the human spirit can endeavor, and how lucky all of us have

grown past that dreadful time in history. The full effect of it has not

been felt in movies before, until now.

After it ended everyone in the audience gave Steve McQueen a well deserved standing ovation as he came back onto the stage.
 I had to run off early so i didnt attend the full Q&A because I would have missed the last train home due to the film starting 45 minutes late! I was so upset by that because when he came out before he said how glad he was to be back in London because he had been subjected to the most infuriating stuff while away and he said he would tell us about it after the film.

I rushed off to the tube station and only upon finally sitting down was I able to process what I had just watched. I know it’s released in America this weekend so if you are near a theatre showing it then go immediately.

Managed to get a picture of Steve Mcqueen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Lupita Nyong'o (WHO GAVE ME A HUG  ON THE RED CARPET BTW!!!!!) during the Q&A

Seen the movie? Well, what did you think? Leave comments below!

EDIT: the film's official UK release date is 10th January 2014

Top 10 Psychological Movies

This is probably one of my favourite sub-genres if not my ultimate fave. Its amazing when a movie pulls on your heartstrings but its even more impressive when a film can stimulate and entertain your mind- this is exactly what psychological dramas do.

In no particular order, let us begin!

A Beautiful Mind (2001)

A Beautiful Mind stars Russell Crowe in an amazing performance as brilliant mathematician JohnNash, on the brink of international acclaim when he becomes entangled in a mysterious conspiracy. Now only his devoted wife (Academy Award winner Jennifer Connelly) can help him in this powerful story of courage, passion and triumph.

The Silence Of The Lamb (1991)

Every good psychological thriller needs a serial killer. In this film, a psychopath nicknamed Buffalo Bill is murdering women across the Midwest. Believing it takes one to know one, the FBI sends Agent Clarice Starling (Foster) to interview a demented prisoner who may provide clues to the killer's actions. That prisoner is psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Hopkins), a brilliant, diabolical cannibal who agrees to help Starling only if she'll feed his morbid curiosity with details of her own complicated life. As their relationship develops, Starling is forced to confront not only her own hidden demons, but also an evil so powerful that she may not have the courage or strength to stop it!

Shutter Island (2010)

When U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) arrives at the asylum for the criminally insane on Shutter Island, what starts as a routine investigation quickly takes a sinister turn. As the investigation unfolds and Teddy uncovers more shocking and terrifying truths about the island, he learns there are some places that never let you go.

Fight Club (1999)

 A ticking-time-bomb insomniac (Norton) and a slippery soap salesman (Pitt) channel primal male aggression into a shocking new form of therapy. Their concept catches on, with underground "fight clubs" forming in every town, until a sensuous eccentric (Bonham Carter) gets in the way and ignites an out-of control spiral toward oblivion.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

A nice rest in a state mental hospital beats a stretch in the pen, right? Randle P. McMurphy (Jack Nicholson), a free-spirited con with lightning in his veins and glib on his tongue, fakes insanity and moves in with what he calls the "nuts." Immediately, his contagious sense of disorder runs up against numbing routine. No way should guys pickled on sedatives shuffle around in bathrobes when the World Series is on. This means war! On one side is McMurphy. On the other is soft-spoken Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher), among the most coldly monstrous villains in film history. At stake is the fate of every patient on the ward.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Joel (Jim Carrey) is stunned to discover that his girlfriend, Clementine (Kate Winslet), has had their tumultuous relationship erased from her mind. Out of desperation, he contacts the inventor of the process, Dr. Howard Mierzwiak (Tom Wilkinson), to get the same treatment. But as his memories of Clementine begin to fade, Joel suddenly realizes how much he still loves her.

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Inspired by the extraordinary true story of a brilliant master of deception and the FBI agent hot on his trail.

Goodwill Hunting (1997)

The most brilliant mind at America’s top university isn’t a student…he’s the kid who cleans the floors! Will Hunting (Damon) is a headstrong, working-class genius who’s failing the lessons of life. After one too many run-ins with the law, Will’s last chance is a psychology professor (Williams), who might be the only man who can reach him! You’ll find Good Will Hunting a powerful and unforgettable movie experience! (RIP Robin Williams)

Girl, Interrupted (1999)

Drama based on writer Susanna Kaysen's account of her 18-month stay at a mental hospital in the 1960s., starring Winona Ryder, Brittany Murphy, Angelina Jolie, Whoopi Goldberg and Vanessa Redgrave.

Black Swan (2010)

Portman portrays the character Nina, a stunningly talented but dangerously unstable ballerina on the verge of stardom. Pushed to the breaking point by her driven artistic director (Vincent Cassel) and the threat posed by a seductive rival dancer (Mila Kunis), Nina’s tenuous grip on reality starts to slip away – plunging her into a waking nightmare.

+ 5 BONUS FILMS

-12 Angry Men (1957)

-A Clockwork Orange (1971)

-Sybil (1976)

-The Shining (1980)

-Ordinary People (1980)

Prisoners Movie Review

                                         

 Hugh Jackman AND Jake Gyllenhaal in a film? of course i was going to see this film 

Long story short: after a thanksgiving dinner, 2 girls, Anna Dover (Erin Gerasimovich) and Joy Birch (Kyla Drew Simmons) go missing. After no strong leads are found and investigations conducted by Det. Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) proves to be worthless, Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman) takes matter into his own hand and is willing to do anything to find his little girl. (see trailer below)

This is possibly Hugh Jackman's best performance. He portrays Keller Dover with such anger and hostility that he holds nothing back and yet never over does it and keeps the realism going throughout. i was surprised, as i have never been much of Jackman fan...'till now. The character of Keller is such a different role to the one we're used to seeing in X-men for example. Lets not forget about Gyllenhaal who, i have always been a fan of since seeing in Brokeback Mountain and Zodiac but i've never seen him quite as epic as with this portrayal of Detective Loki, a man who is so disconnected from his own emotions. TERRENCE HOWARD! i will never forget your name ever again, or refer to you as that 'lightksin guy with the nice eyes that isnt michael ealy', i was unaware how brilliant of an actor he was. Overall, all characters are great and the actors truly make this movie what it is- intense, gripping, gritty & thought provoking.

that being said, the film isnt perfect. It's a bit predictable and includes cliches e.g. the tipping over of the desk & the perfectly timed phone calls

but that's not the worst fault here. Although incredibly paced, i do feel like 2hr 33mins running time for a film like this is unnecessary but amazingly, the film never becomes tedious. The main fault however, is the fact that i was able to figure out the culprit before the characters as this meant that i lost understanding for some of their actions.

Possibly my favourite film of 2013 & in my opinon, the best i've ever seen Jackman and Gyllenhaal.

Frances Rating: 8/10

The Butler Movie Review

Hi guys,

It's been awhile & I know- I am the worlds worst blogger but August was a very busy month for me and sadly, I didn't get to see many movies (booooooo!)

Anyway, I'm back now with a new review for Lee Daniels' The Butler which I had a chance to see whilst I was still in America. Unfortunately, there's no UK release date as of yet.

My anticipation for The Butler began we I saw Oprah’s instagram picture with Terrence Howard. It was epic. I was excited to see what Oprah would bring to the table as an actress.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that."

The film was based on the true story of Cecil Gaines (Forest Whitaker) and the progression of his life - first, as young boy working on a cotton farm, then inside the home, and eventually at a fancy hotel. After being discovered by a White House staffer, Cecil was hired as one of the butlers for the president, beginning with Eisenhower and ending with Reagan (though the story does continue to the present times). The film showed both the prevalence of racism and the many people who fought for equality during the civil rights movement. The casting was spot on and I think all of the actors were excellent in their roles, especially Forest Whitaker (duh!). 

Its not all glitter and gold. I do have some queries with this film. Oprah performance in this film was amazing & if she does get an Oscar it will be well deserved but once again, it plays to stereotype of 'the sassy black woman' which I'm just sick and tired of seeing time and time again (remember when Whoopi Goldberg won an Oscar for her role as Oda Mae Brown in Ghost? when the sole purpose of her character was to support the white couple and entertain the audience with her sass? remember?!). Lastly, structurally, that movie was a mess, like a glorified stage play, or was this just me?

Overall, this story was deeply moving and one that I definitely recommend, and i'm so glad that the story wasn't over sentimentalised like 'The Color Purple'.

So, what do you guys think of the film? Feel  free to leave comments below & I promise to update more.

Upcoming Film Releases: July 2013

Made a table for July's upcoming film release. What do you guys think? any films on there that you guys are particularly looking forward to and why?