Film Review: mother!

Darren Aranofsky’s mother! is a tour deforce. Beginning with an usual set up, the film becomes stranger, and finishes with the wildest of crescendos.

A young woman is creating an idyllic home with her older husband, a writer who is struggling with writer’s block. Their peaceful existence is interrupted by a stranger who visits their remote house…

Written and directed by Darren Aranofsky, mother! is a most striking film. It is perhaps Aranofsky’s most audacious work, and a class above his last feature Noah. The film will intrigue viewers, surprise and horrify them. It is a picture that seems to be about one thing, but transforms into something rather surprising.

There are various themes at play in mother!. The central theme, however, is that of an unhealthy relationship and the extreme detriment that this can cause. As the film progresses, this strand becomes the focus. Nevertheless, there are a number of other aspects to the film. The cult of celebrity becomes increasingly relevant in the second half of the film. To an extent, mother! functions as a patent satire on the worship of celebrity, and indeed of religious fervour. These themes weave together adeptly in the second half of the film.

Aronofsky has crafted a single-location movie where said location has a pivotal role. Although they meld well together, mother! is a film of two halves. The first is unusual and increasingly unnerving. The second leads to all-out mania. The filmmaker ramps up the sense of anxiety and claustrophobia to an almost unbearable degree. Matthew Libatique’s cinematography is wonderful, and the sound design works to great effect. Jennifer Lawrence delivers a fine performance in the central role. Javier Bardem brings the disconcerting quality seen from him before, but the actor does this so well again. Michelle Pfeiffer is magnificent in a supporting role, while Ed Harris is as solid as ever.

Darren Aronofsky delivers a horror brimming with anxiety; one that turns quiet terror to outlandish fear. mother! is eye-opening, thought-provoking, and sublime.

Previews: Mother! Poster, Wind River, More!

Lots to see in this week’s preview of coming attractions, including the new Mother! poster, Wind River, IT and more…

Mother! Poster

Here is the latest Mother! poster. The upcoming horror movie is written and directed by Darren Aronofsky, and stars Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, and Michelle Pfeiffer. A teaser trailer can be viewed here. Mother! will be screened at Venice Film Festival, and will hit UK cinemas on 15th September 2017.

IT Trailer

Above is the first full trailer for the upcoming adaptation of IT. The footage gives us a proper look at Pennywise. Based of Stephen King’s best-selling novel, the film is directed by Andrés Muschietti (Mama). The story follows a group of children in a town called Derry, where children have been disappearing. IT will be released on UK screens on 8th September 2017.

Wind River Poster

Wind River is about a U.S. fish and wildlife agent who joins a rookie FBI agent to solve a murder on an Indian reservation. The film stars Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Gil Birmingham, and Jon Bernthal. Wind River will be released in UK cinemas on 8th September 2017.

Flatliners Trailer

Here is the new trailer for Flatliners. The film seems to be a part remake, part sequel to the 1990 film. This new version stars Ellen Page, Diego Luna, and Nina Dobrev. The film is about a group of medical students who decide to trigger near-death experiences. Flatliners will hit UK cinemas on 29th September 2017.

American Assassin Poster

Here is the latest poster for upcoming action thriller American Assassin. The film is about a Black ops recruit under the instruction of a Cold War veteran. The pair are asked to investigate a wave of attacks. The film stars Dylan O’Brien, Michael Keaton, Sanaa Lathan, and Taylor Kitsch. American Assassin will be released on UK screens on 14th September 2017.

Film Review: The Counsellor

The Counsellor is a well executed thriller from director Ridley Scott. Cormac McCarthy’s screenplay really elevates the film above others of the same ilk.

The Counsellor is a successful lawyer for some unsavoury characters. Wanting to maintain his lifestyle, Counsellor gets deeper involved in his client’s drug trafficking dealings. This puts his life with partner Laura in jeopardy…

The Counsellor is competent and entertaining crime thriller. The narrative is not particularly unique; it is the execution that makes the film great.

The dialogue in the film is great. Rather than natural exchanges, the film features a number of monologues. These feel very much in the vein of McCarthy, with characters extolling on life and other meaty subjects. There are some fantastic gems scattered amongst the waves of horror and amusement.

The Counsellor is clever in its placing of key outcomes earlier in the film. Rather than simply clanging hints of what is to follow, these work to build tension. The audience have some idea of what is coming, but it is nail-biting to see who will be involved and how these aspects will play out.

Ridley Scott’s direction is as on point as ever. The Counsellor is a polished film, yet there is a savageness under the surface. This occasionally reaches the brim, and it is at these points that the film excels. The protagonist works as a balanced figure; a normal guy motivated by greed. The time invested in the relationship between him and Laura pays dividends later in the film.

Michael Fassbender offers a solid performance as the title character. He is more convincing the less the character is in control. Javier Bardem is superb in a quasi-comic role, and it is great to see Cameron Diaz do something darker than her usual fare.

The Counsellor is an engaging and entertaining film. The screenplay successfully distinguishes the film from other crime thrillers.

Stuff To Look At

A profusion of film-related goodness, including clips from Runner Runner and The Counsellor, trailers for Saving Mr Banks and The Monuments Men, and Loki…

Runner Runner

New Batman Ben Affleck shows a dark side in the above clip from upcoming crime thriller Runner Runner. This is why crocodiles are a bad idea generally. Runner Runner hits UK screens on 27th September 2013.

Nebraska

Nebraska is director Alexander Payne’s latest. Starring Bruce Dern and Will Forte, Nebraska is a father and son road movie. The film is being screened at the BFI London Film Festival in October and is on general release from 6th December 2013.

The Railway Man

Here is the trailer for period drama The Railway Man. Starring Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman, the film is based on Eric Lomax’s memoirs. The Railway Man is released in the UK on 3rd January 2013.

We Are What We Are

We Are What We Are is a remake of the 2010 Mexican film of the same name. It has one of those settings that feel disconcerting. We Are What We Are is out in cinemas on 25th October 2013.

The Monuments Men

The Monuments Men reunites George Clooney and Matt Damon as members of a World War II platoon tasked with rescuing masterpieces from Nazi thieves. The film also stars Bill Murray and Cate Blanchett. The Monuments Men is due for release on 9th January 2014.

Thor The Dark World

Loki! Let’s just be honest; he is the real reason everyone wants to see Thor The Dark World. That look on Loki’s face – so determined. Sequel Thor The Dark World is released in UK cinemas on 30th October 2013.

The Counsellor

The hair in the above clip is something else. In fact, Javier Bardem’s whole look is something else. With an all-star cast including Michael Fassbender, Cameron Diaz and Brad Pitt, The Counsellor hits UK screens on 15th November 2013.

Ender’s Game

Ender’s Game is based on the best-selling novel of the same name. Starring Harrison Ford and Ben Kingsley, the film is set in a dystopian future. Ender’s Game is released on 25th October 2013 and there’s a trip to NASA to be won here.

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

The sequel everyone has been waiting for! Above is San Diego’s finest newsman Ron Burgundy delivering the news on the Goodwood revival. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues hits UK screens on 20th December 2013. What a Christmas treat.

Saving Mr Banks

Here is the first trailer for Saving Mr Banks. The film tells the story of how Walt Disney brought Mary Poppins to the big screen. Saving Mr Banks is closing the London Film Festival on 20th October 2013 and is out on general release on 29th November 2013.

RoboCop

Nothing is going to match the perfection of the director’s cut of 1987’s  RoboCop. Nothing. However this new version features Michael Keaton, so it gets plus points for this alone. RoboCop is due for release on 7th February 2014.

Mandela Long Walk To Freedom

Idris Elba and Naomie Harris star in biopic Mandela Long Walk To Freedom. The film is released on 3rd January 2013; ripe for awards season. Let’s see how it fares.

Stuff To Look At

Posters and trailers for some of the summer’s most anticipated releases here, including Only God Forgives, Elysium, and Kick-Ass 2…

Only God Forgives

One of the most anticipated films of the year, Only God Forgives reunites Ryan Gosling with Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn. Also starring Kristin Scott Thomas, Only God Forgives hits UK screens on 2nd August 2013.

The Counsellor

I think ‘star-studded’ is the correct term with which to describe The Councellor. Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Michael Fassbender, Cameron Diaz, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz and Brad Pitt, The Counsellor  is due for release later this year.

Elysium

Here is the latest trailer for future-set blockbuster Elysium. The film, which stars Matt Damon and Jodie Foster, offers a dytopian vision of Earth, with its inhabits trying to get to a perfect planet. Elysium is released in UK cinemas on 23rd August 2013.

Kick-Ass 2

Kick-Ass 2 has been in the news thanks to Jim Carrey’s recent comments. I don’t think this bit of publicity will hurt the film’s box office chances too much. Kick-Ass 2 hits UK screens on 14th August 2013.

The Conjuring

Here is the latest trailer for horror The Conjuring. I tend to find a lot of recent horror films quite disappointing in their ability to scare. I hope The Conjuring will do the trick. The film is out in UK cinemas on 2nd August 2013.

Rush

Above is a featurette for upcoming biopic Rush. The film focuses on Formula 1 rivals James Hunt and Niki Lauda. Starring Chris Hemsworth, Rush is released on 13th September 2013.

To The Wonder Competition

Win a DVD bundle to celebrate the release of Terence Malick’s To The Wonder in cinemas this Friday, 22nd February 2013.

To The Wonder is the latest acclaimed film from Terrence Malick, the legendary director of The Tree of Life, Badlands and Days Of Heaven. The film is centred on Neil (Ben Affleck, Argo), a man who is torn between two loves: Marina (Olga Kurylenko, Quantum of Solace), the European woman who comes to United States to be with him, and Jane (Rachel McAdams, Midnight in Paris), the old flame he reconnects with from his hometown. Neil’s doubts about his life and loves are reflected in the crisis of faith experienced by Father Quintana (Javier Bardem, Skyfall), who only sees pain and the loss of hope in the world.

In To The Wonder, Malick explores how love and its many phases and seasons – passion, sympathy, obligation, sorrow, indecision – can transform, destroy, and reinvent lives.

To win a DVD goodie bag courtesy of Studio Canal including Take This Waltz, Searching for Sugar Man and Blue Valentine answer the following question:

Which film did To The Wonder star Ben Affleck recently direct?

1) Fargo

2) Argo

3) Cargo

To enter, send an email to contact@iheartthetalkies.com with the answer, your name and full postal address by 12th March 2013. Please put ‘To The Wonder’ as the subject title.

Terms and Conditions

1. Open to UK residents only.

2. Competition closes at 23.59 on 12th March 2013. Entries received after this time will not be counted.

3. Winners will be selected at random. Successful entrants will be contacted via email by 22nd March 2013. If you do not here from I Heart The Talkies by this time, please assume you have not been successful.

Film Review: Skyfall

Skyfall is an excellent Bond film. The entertainment does not let up throughout its two and a half an hour duration.

Secret agent James Bond is on a mission to recover an encrypted key which contains highly classified information. He begins by chasing the assailant through the streets of Istanbul…

Sam Mendes has done a fantastic job directing the 23rd Bond movie. The narrative of Skyfall is somewhat formulaic in its events, but the modern context makes the film feel fresh. All Bond films will be compared with previous episodes, however Skyfall holds its own.

There are some fantastic set pieces in the film, but these are not the only hook. Skyfall carries on from Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace in establishing Bond conventions for the Daniel Craig revision of the series. References to earlier films are featured, in the same wry manner of other Bond films.

Skyfall feels like a more personal film in places, placing greater emphasis on the central character. Raoul Silva is an interesting antagonist. Numerous other Bond villains have been eccentric, but Silva is certainly memorable. Some of the expository dialogue appears too obvious. However this is a minor complaint, as the film is great overall.

As expected, the film features a host of exotic locations. Roger Deakins’ cinematography is on point in capturing both beautiful imagery and frenetic action. The theme song harks back to classic Bond, with a title sequence that matches. Mendes succeeds in building pace and tension to an exciting finale.

Daniel Craig is as convincing as ever on his third outing as James Bond. Javier Bardem is great as Silva, bringing an authentic creepiness to the character. Bond’s colleagues are more apparent in this adventure, with Naomie Harris adding some lightness as field agent Eve.

Skyfall is what a good Bond movie should be; exciting, with great action sequences and an interesting plot. Few will be disappointed with Sam Mendes’ film.

Film Review: Biutiful

Much like his character in Biutiful who has the weight of the world on his shoulders, Javier Bardem really carries the film. That is not to say that Biutiful is a bad film, merely that Bardem’s powerful performance is indispensable.

Uxbal is a man with numerous responsibilities. Taking care of his two young children, Uxbal also has to contend with illness. Finding work for new immigrants, he also feels a sense of responsibility towards them. On top of this, Uxbal has an unusual relationship with the dead…

Biutiful is a heavy going watch, but one that is rewarding at the same time. Director Alejandro González Iñárritu, who also co-wrote the script, weaves multiple strands together, all of which involve the central character of Uxbal. The protagonist’s life is complex, but this is what roots the film in reality. Uxbal does not just have one burden; he has many. These different issues overlap, causing much stress in Uxbal’s life.

Biutiful is an individual story, very much concerned with its protagonist. Within this narrative, however, wider social issues are explored. Dominant of these is the problem of illegal immigration in Spain. Biutiful addresses this theme from a variety of viewpoints. The film offers a negative view of the police, and also of some of those who exploit immigrant workers. Nonetheless, Uxbal is one of the people who benefit from the influx of workers, taking a cut for finding them work. Uxbal is never portrayed in a negative light, despite any perceived exploitation on his part. He appears to genuinely care for the welfare of the Chinese and African workers, and is on good terms with everyone. Uxbal’s position seems as odds with the police officer who takes bribes, for example. While the officer’s casual racism is obvious, Uxbal seems to have more respect.

Art direction is the film is good, creating a grimy look to the Barcelona locations. Colours are earthy in much of the film, contrasting effectively with the white of the opening sequence. Iñárritu uses numerous tracking shots following Uxbal walking, which give the impression of the character’s lengthy metaphorical journey.

Javier Bardem is excellent as Uxbal. He is intense at times and reflective at others, but always wholly inhabiting the role. Maricel Álvarez puts in a great performance as Marambra, Uxbal’s bipolar wife. The pair work well together; their scenes are quite powerful.

Biutiful occasionally feels slow, but overall is a rich drama. Bardem certainly deserves recognition for this challenging role.