Film Review: Moonlight

Moonlight is a wonderfully absorbing character study from Barry Jenkins. The film is a profusion of taut emotion, which bubbles over in a delectable way.

Chiron is a young boy growing up in a tough Miami neighbourhood. As a teenager, he is isolated from his peers. As a man, he struggles to deal with his feelings and the perception of who he should be…

Director and screenwriter Barry Jenkins has created something special with Moonlight. Based on Tarell McCraney’s play, the film is a coming of age story from a fresh perspective. The film is important because it depicts the type of protagonist not often seen in mainstream cinema.

Moonlight is a three-part production, taking place in different eras of the protagonist’s life. It is the story of a boy becoming a man in a less than perfect environment. The film combines two major aspects; black masculinity and homosexuality. As such, the protagonist faces lengthy struggle in trying to live up to expectations of what a black male in Miami should be, whilst internalising romantic feelings which contradict these expectations.

Characters in the film are drawn in a natural and engaging fashion. Moonlight charts Chiron’s journey, and the character is depicted in a empathetic way. Similarly, the supporting characters are portrayed with enough depth. The relationship between Chiron and Kevin is lovingly depicted. There is an emotional vein than runs throughout the film. Viewers will sympathise and root for the protagonist as he tries to defy the odds.

Jenkins’ direction is strong throughout. He shoots the film with an appealing energy. This is clear from the frenetic camera movement at the beginning. James Laxton’s cinematography in the film is excellent; composition and colour are used in a potent manner. Casting in the film is also wonderful. Ashton Sanders is great as the teenaged Chiron, as are Alex Hibbert and Trevante Rhodes as the child and adult protagonist, respectively. Mahershala Ali, Jenelle Monae, and Naomie Harris provide good support.

In a different pair of hands, the film could have been a trite concoction of stereotypes and cliché. Jenkins shows he is a force to be reckoned with with the magnificent Moonlight.

Moonlight is being screened at the BFI London Film Festival in October 2016.

Previews: X-Men: Apocalypse Clip, The Nice Guys and more

Lots in this week’s preview of coming attractions, including a X-Men: Apocalypse clip, Our Kind of Traitor, The Nice Guys and more…

X-Men: Apocalypse Clip

Here is the latest X-Men: Apocalypse clip. Jennifer Lawrence’s Mystique watches Ben Hardy’s Angel take on Kodi Smitt-McPhee’s Nightcrawler in a cage fight. It is unclear where this fits in with the plot, but the 1980s setting looks fun. X-Men: Apocalypse is out in UK cinemas on 18th May 2016.

Our Kind of Traitor Featurette

The cast of Our Kind of Traitor discuss their roles in the film in this short featurette. Directed by Susanna White, the film is based on John Le Carré’s novel of the same name. Starring Ewan McGregor, Stellan Skarsgård, Naomie Harris, and Damian Lewis, Our Kind of Traitor is released on UK screens on 13th May 2016.

The Nice Guys Poster

Here is one of the new poster’s for Shane Black’s The Nice Guys. The film is set in the 1970s and revolves around a hired enforcer (Russell Crowe) and a private investigator (Ryan Gosling) teaming up to solve a case. Also starring Kim Basinger, The Nice Guys hits the big screen on 3rd June 2016.

The Neon Demon Trailer

The Neon Demon has a UK release date. Nicholas Winding Refn’s latest film will hit cinemas on 8th July 2016. The Neon Demon stars Elle Fanning as an aspiring model who moves to LA. Her youth is noted by a group beauty-obsessed women, desperate for what she has. The Neon Demon also stars Jena Malone, Keanu Reeves and Christina Hendricks.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows Trailer

Here is the latest trailer for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle: Out of the Shadows. A sequel to 2014’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, this new film features some familiar faces from the popular cartoon series. Starring Megan Fox and Will Arnett, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows is out in UK cinemas on 30th May 2016.

The Shallows Trailer

Here is the trailer for upcoming thriller The Shallows. The film stars Blake Lively as a young woman who takes a surfing trip to a deserted beach. Only metres from shore, she is obstructed by a great white shark. The Shallows is scheduled for release in cinema in August 2016.

Previews: Criminal Trailer, Julieta and More!

A host of film-related goodness in this week’s previews, including the Criminal trailer, Julieta, The Purge: Election Year and more…

Criminal Trailer

Here is the new Criminal trailer. The film features an enviable cast that includes Ryan Reynolds, Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, and Tommy Lee Jones. Criminal revolves around death-row inmate Costner, who is implanted with the memories and skills of CIA operative Reynolds. The film will hot the big screen on 15th April 2016.

Julieta Trailer

Here is the trailer for Pedro Almodóvar’s latest film Julieta. The film centres on Julieta, a 55-year-old teacher who writes a confessional letter to her estranged adult daughter. The films seems to lack the comedy of Almodóvar’s other recent efforts; it seems a more reflective affair. Julieta is set for release in UK cinemas in August 2016.

Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates

Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates is the latest Zac Efron comedy. The film stars Efrom and Adam Devine as brothers who are required to bring dates to their sister’s wedding. Aubrey Plaza and Anna Kendrick may look the part, but they are after a free trip to Hawaii. Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates is set for release on 12th August 2016.

Our Kind of Traitor Trailer

Ewan McGregor and Naomie Harries star as a British couple who meet a charismatic Russian money launderer on holiday. Based on the John Le Carré novel, the film also stars Stellan Skarsgård and Damian Lewis. Directed by the acclaimed Susanna White, Our Kind of Traitor will be released in cinemas on 6th May 2016.

The Purge: Election Year Trailer

The third instalment of the franchise, The Purge: Election Year sees the return of Frank Grillo’s character. In this film, he must protect a senator who has publicly spoken about her intention to end the annual purge event. The Purge: Election Year bounds onto UK screens on 15th July 2016.

Previews: Spectre Trailer, The Revenant and more

Plenty in this week’s preview of coming attractions, including the final Spectre trailer, The Revenant, The Good Dinosaur and more…

Spectre Trailer

Here is the final Spectre trailer. Daniel Craig returns as James Bond, alongside Naomie Harris, Ralph Fiennes, and Ben Whishaw. The film, which also stars Christoph Waltz and Monica Belluci, sees Bond on a rogue mission where he finds out the existence of a sinister organisation. Spectre is released in the UK on 26th October 2015.

The Revenant Trailer

Director Alejandro González Iñárritu returns from his Oscar-winning success with Birdman with The Revenant. Starring Leondardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy and Will Poulter, the film is inspired by true events. The Revenant is set for release on 15th January 2016.

The Good Dinosaur Poster

Here is the poster for Disney Pixar’s The Good Dinosaur. The film poses the question of what if the dinosaurs never went extinct. Arlo the dinosaur makes an unlikely young human friend in the film. The Good Dinosaur will hit the big screens in the UK on 27th November 2015.

Victor Frankestein Video

In the above video, James McAvoy speaks about tackling the role of Victor Frankenstein, and working with Daniel Radcliffe (who plays Igor). The film is a retelling of Mary Shelley’s gothic classic, with a focus on the psyche of the scientist. Victor Frankenstein is put in cinemas on 4th December 2015.

Creed Trailer

Ryan Coogler directs Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone in Rocky spin-off Creed. Michael B. Jordan plays the son of boxer Apollo Creed, who tracks down Rocky Ballboa in Philadelphia. Creed is set for release in 2016.

Film Review: Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom

Timely biopic Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom appropriates the feel of a sumptuous historical drama without delivering the depth or emotion that this requires.

As a lawyer in South Africa of the 1940s, Nelson Mandela becomes with involved with the ANC, a political movement aimed at ending apartheid. As his involvement in the movement grows, so does his stature in South African politics…

Justin Chadwick’s Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom works well as an educational piece. It functions to inform viewers about the life of Nelson Mandela, his struggles and rise to power. It is a good introduction to Mandela as a historical figure.

The drawback of Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom is that in covering most of Mandela’s life it needs to condense a lot into the 139 minute running time. The film follows Mandela from a student to leader of South Africa. It is impossible to cover the main events as well as offer sufficient depth and context. Thus what the audience receives is the journey of Mandela without much time allocated to reasons and feelings.

Perhaps the most fascinating part of Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom is the relationship between the title character and Winnie Mandela. It is interesting to see how these two characters diverge with the increased stress and scrutiny that they are placed under. What would have been even more engrossing was if there was more of an explanation of why the two took such different paths.

Idris Elba delivers a distinguished performance as Nelson Mandela. What makes the performance more remarkable is that Elba bears little physical resemblance to the character he is playing. Naomie Harris is also convincing as Winnie. There is some great cinematography, but the score is overbearing at times.

Although Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom ticks the biopic box adequately, it does not quite cover the complexity of the life of Nelson Mandela.

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

Plenty of film-related goodness this week, with the new Frozen poster, trailers for Seventh Son and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, and more…

Frozen

Here is the new Frozen poster, Disney’s upcoming animated feature. It really does not give too much away. Frozen centres on Anna, who sets off on an epic journey to find her sister. Frozen is set for release in the UK on 6th December 2013.

Seventh Son

From the first few seconds of this trailer, I could tell that I’m going to love Julianne Moore’s character in this film. Seventh Son is a fantasy action about a war between mankind and supernatural forces. The film is set for release in February 2014.

Mr Peabody & Sherman

There’s an upcoming film featuring a talking dog and I wasn’t aware? Sacre bleu! Mr Peabody & Sherman is a comedy adventure about a dog and his ‘pet’ boy. This alone makes it a must-see film. Mr Peabody & Sherman is due to be released in 2014.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

The Hunger Games sequel Catching Fire is being released later this year. The trailer promises more brutality. The film follows on from the events of the first instalment. The final part is surely not too far away. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire will be released in UK cinemas on 21st November 2013.

Saving Mr Banks

Who is Mr Banks and why does he need to be saved? Well this poster does not reveal this, although I love the shadows cast in it. Saving Mr Banks tells the story of how Mary Poppins made it to the screen. Starring Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson, Saving Mr Banks is due for release later this year.

Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom

Celebrating his 95th birthday last week, it seems apt that a biopic is soon due for release. Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom stars Idris Elba as Nelson Mandela and Naomie Harris as his wife Winnie. The film will be released in UK cinemas on 3rd January 2014.

Filth

Here is the latest trailer for Filth, which promises to be so much ruder than the trailer will allow. Based on Irvine Welsh’s novel, Filth is released in Scotland on 27th September and the rest of the UK on 4th October 2013.

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.