Film Review: Ad Astra

James Gray’s Ad Astra offers a profusion of both spectacle and substance. This serious science fiction is to be treasured. 

Astronaut Roy McBride is given a mission that takes him to the edge of the solar system. His father disappeared several years before, and McBride is tasked with attempting to send a message to him…

Directed and written by James Gray, with co-writer Ethan Gross, Ad Astra offers a high-concept premise with its central mission. Yet the narrative develops into something more complex and thought provoking as the film progresses. Part of the film’s beauty is that the plot seems predictable, but shifts on its audience in a most welcome manner. 

Protagonist Roy McBride is finely crafted. He comes across as serious and controlled in his emotions. Whilst this may not sound like the most sympathetic of main characters, it absolutely works within the world of Ad Astra. Set in the near future, film has a strong sense of verisimilitude. The science fiction elements are not particularly fantastical; Gray grounds film in the plausible. 

Ad Astra takes cues from older science fiction; and at times feels like a homage to the serious sci-if of the 1960s and 1970s. The influence of Tarkovsky’s Solaris can be felt both visually and thematically. With each new setting, the look is distinct. The Mars sequences in particular feel like they have been taken straight out of the 1970s, thanks to production designer Kevin Thompson’s highly stylised sets. 

The themes that the film explores again harks back to earlier science fiction. Roy’s development explores the themes of drive, expectation, and isolation. Gray takes a deft touch in exploring these. The climax of the film conveys sincerity in its emotion.  The spectre of Joseph Conrad looms, and the influence works exceptionally well.

There are some great set pieces in the film, offering thrills amongst the pensiveness. Sequence on the moon great, as is opening gambit. Gray and cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema offer wonderful spectacle with their visualisation of various space environments. The sound design does a great job in adding to the ambience. 

Brad Pitt offers a superb performance as Roy. The sombre nature of his character is conveyed in a most convincing manner, making way for a well-earned emotional pay off. Along with Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Pitt has delivered two of his best performances to date in the last few months. Support from Tommy Lee Jones and Ruth Negga is good, but Pitt really is the star of the show. 

James Gray has delivered original, captivating science fiction with Ad Astra. Here’s hoping its success will lead to more fresh, big-budget, adult-orientated films. 

Film Review: Charlie Says

Mary Harron’s drama Charlie Says is a meditation on some of the members of the Manson Family. The film is quietly captivating. 

Years after the notorious Manson murders, three women who killed for him are incarcerated in an isolated cell block. When a graduate student attempts to provide education to them, she sees that they are still under Manson’s spell…

Focusing on three members of the Manson Family, Charlie Says looks at the motivations of these women as they look back on the past. The film arrives among a spate of Manson-related films (The Haunting of Sharon Tate was recently released, and Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is due for release later this Summer). Unlike the former, and indeed some other previous films on the subject, director Mary Harron’s film does not feel at all exploitative. The gruesome depictions are not the focal point; instead Harron ponders the horror of the young women’s decisions. 

The narrative unfolds in an interesting manner. The decision to situate the audience with Karlene is a shrewd one. Audience will be able to relate to her knowledge of the crimes and her fascination with the motivations of the women. The story is told in a fragmented fashion, with lengthy past sequences interspersed with the present-day prison scenes. The contrast between these scenes is stark, as Harron intended. 

Viewers will know the outcome of Leslie’s immersion into the cult, yet Harron keeps viewers engaged. Viewers can share the frustration of Karlene as she tries to get through to her students. The meditative approach works well. Viewers will know what is coming, but Harron treats the climax and the culmination of Leslie’s brainwashing and action rather than focusing on the detail of the murders. It is a better film for this. 

Charlie Says is shot well; the warm tones are a good contrast to prison scenes. The film captures the era in an evocative manner. Hannah Murray gives a solid performance. Matt Smith is suitably convincing as Charlie, elsewhere Merritt Wever and Marianne Rendón are also good. 

Charlie Says does not seek to excuse actions of the women. Instead, the film seeks to understand the journey which led them to that point. The final sequence is most poignant; a fitting end to a thoughtful film. 

Charlie Says is available on Digital HD from 22nd July, and DVD from 29th July 2019.

Previews: Once Upon A Time In Hollywood Trailer, More!

Plenty to see in this week’s preview of coming attractions, including the new Once Upon a Time in Hollywood trailer, Downton Abbey, The Flood, and more…

Once Upon A Time In Hollywood Trailer

Here is the brand new Once Upon a Time in Hollywood trailer. Earlier in-world posters from the film were revealed. Quentin Tarantino’s latest stars Leonardo DiCaprio as an actor, and Brad Pitt as his stunt double. Also starring Margot Robbie, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood hits UK screens on 14th August 2019.

Downton Abbey Trailer

Above is the first full trailer for the upcoming Downton Abbey film. Written by television series creator Julian Fellowes, the film sees the return of the main cast including Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, and Michelle Dockery. Downton Abbey will be released in UK cinemas on 13th September 2019.

The Flood Trailer

Here is the trailer for The Flood. The film, directed by Anthony Woodley, is about an immigration officer and her interrogation of a young man seeking asylum. Starring Game of Thrones‘ Lena Headley and Iain Glen, and Ivanno Jeremiah, The Flood will be released in cinemas and on demand from 21st June 2019.

Framing John DeLorean Trailer

Framing John DeLorean is a documentary-drama about the rise and fall of automotive executive John DeLorean. The film mixes interviews and archival footage with re-enactments featuring Alec Baldwin, Morena Baccarin, and Josh Charles. Directed by Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce, Framing John DeLorean will be available on Digital Download from 29th July 2019.

Pavarotti Trailer

Here is the first trailer for upcoming film Pavarotti. Directed by Ron Howard, the documentary focuses on the life and career of the late opera legend Luciano Pavarotti. With unique access to home movies, family archives, and behind the scenes footage, Pavarotti will be released in UK cinemas on 15th July 2019.

Previews: Pet Sematary Clip, Long Shot, More!

Plenty of film-related goodness in this preview of coming attractions, including a new Pet Sematary clip, Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood, Thunder Road and more…

Pet Sematary Clip

Here is a new Pet Sematary clip. The upcoming film is an adaption of the Stephen King novel, which was previously brought to the silver screen in 1989. This new adaptation stars Jason Clarke and Amy Seimetz who relocate to rural Maine with their young children. Pet Sematary hits the big screen on 4th April 2019.

Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood Poster

Here is the brand new poster for Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood. The film is set in 1969, and focuses on a television star and his stunt double around the time of the Manson murders. The film features an enviable ensemble cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, and Al Pacino. One Upon a Time in… Hollywood is set for release on 14th August 2019.

Thunder Road Trailer

Thunder Road, which has been a critical hit at festivals so far, gets a UK release. The film is written and directed by and stars Jim Cummings. Thunder Road is a dark comedy about a police officer who suffers a breakdown following his divorce. The film will be released in UK cinemas on 31st May 2019.

Long Shot Trailer

Long Shot is the latest film from director Jonathan Levine (The Night Before, 50/50). The film is about a journalist who is reunited with his first crush, an accomplished diplomat who is making a run for the presidency. Starring Charlize Theron, Seth Rogan, and O’Shea Jackson Jr., Long Shot hits UK screens on 3rd May 2019.

Spy Cat Trailer

What is this? A film about a special agent cat certainly ticks the boxes! Spy Cat is an adventure comedy about a house cat who must team up with a band of drifters when she is abandoned at a rural petrol station. Spy Cat will exclusively be screened at Vue Cinemas from 26th April 2019.

Preview of Coming Attractions: Films in 2019

With an abundance of movie releases slated for next year, it can be hard to identify the gems. After all, there is a glut of Disney live-action remakes (Dumbo, Aladdin, The Lion King), as well as the straight up unappealing (Downton Abbey film, anyone). Here are some must-see films in 2019…

The Favourite

Begin the New Year with Yorgos Lanthimos’ brilliant The Favourite. Starring Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, and Emma Stone, the film is Lanthimos’ most enjoyable to date. Boasting a superb script and wonderful performances, The Favourite is hilarious, consuming, and at times touching. Read full review here.

The Favourite will be released in UK cinemas on 1st January 2019.

If Beale Street Could Talk

Director Barry Jenkins has done it again with the powerful and beguiling If Beale Street Could Talk. There is so much to be in awe of in If Beale Street Could Talk. Jenkins’ attention to detail is superb. His storytelling is absolutely enchanting. Read full review here.

If Beale Street Could Talk will be released in UK cinemas on 8th February 2019.

The Lady Eve

Not a new release for the upcoming year, nevertheless the 1941 classic gets a re-release in 2019. Directed by Preston Sturges and starring Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda, the screwball comedy stands the test of time. For first time viewers, The Lady Eve will be one of the best films in 2019.

The Lady Eve will be released at the BFI Southbank and at selected cinemas nationwide from 15th February 2019. It will be screened as part of the Barbara Stanwyck season in February 2019. For more details see here.

Us

Jordan Peele’s Us is one of the most anticipated films in 2019. Following the success of 2017’s Get Out, director and writer Peele returns with another striking-looking horror. Starring Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, and Elisabeth Moss, the film is about a family trip that takes a dark turn.

Us will be released in UK cinemas on 15th March 2019.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Quentin Tarantino’s latest film has the potential to be explosive. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is set during the Manson Family reign of terror, focusing on a television star and his stunt double. With a cast that includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, and Al Pacino, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is sure to get people talking.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood will be released in UK cinemas on 26th July 2019.

The Irishman

Martin Scorsese’s latest project is a thrilling proposition. Focusing on a mob hitman and his possible involvement in the slaying of Jimmy Hoffa, the film sees Scorsese reunite with Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, and a host of Boardwalk Empire stars (Stephen Graham, Bobby Cannavale, Jack Huston). The Irishman also sees Scorsese direct Al Pacino for the first time. The film is expected to have a cinema release as well as being available to stream on Netflix.

Sunset

László Nemes’ Sunset is a captivating watch. The director’s sophomore feature (after Son of Saul) is an entrancing mystery drama. Part of the film’s beauty is that it maintains this mystery throughout the duration. Set in the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the eve of World War I, Sunset‘s sense of unease is enthralling. The film is set to be released in early 2019.

The Nightingale

After the success of 2014’s The Babadook, all eyes are on director Jennifer Kent for her next picture. The Nightingale is about a young Irish convict woman who chases a British officer through the rugged Tasmanian wilderness in the early nineteenth century. Starring Sam Claflin and Aisling Franciosi, the film premiered at Venice Film Festival and is due to be released in 2019.

Greed

Michael Winterbottom’s Greed is sure to be a lot of fun. The satire is about a fictional retail billionaire and the build up to his star-studded 60th birthday party on a Greek island. Greed stars Steve Coogan, Isla Fisher, and David Mitchell. Although the protagonist is fictional, the parallels are all too clear. Greed is due to be released in UK cinemas in late 2019.

Sequels

Like 2018, next year will see many sequels. Here are some of the more anticipated follow-up films in 2019. 2014’s The LEGO Movie gets a sequel, with the main voice cast returning, as well as Phil Lord and Chris Miller as producers. The LEGO Movie 2 will be released in UK cinemas on 8th February 2019.

Later in the year, Avengers: Endgame sees the finale of the cycle of the Marvel Cinematic Universe which began with 2008’s Iron Man. The film will hit UK screens on 26th April 2019.  Spider-Man: Far From Home is the sequel to 2017’s superb Spider-Man: Homecoming. Jake Gyllenhaal joins the returning cast for Spider-Man: Far From Home, which will be released on 5th July 2019. Later this year, Zombieland gets a belated sequel. The original cast return for Zombieland 2, which will be released in UK cinemas on 11th October 2019.