Previews: On Chesil Beach Trailer, Death Wish, More!

Plenty in this week’s preview attractions, including the new Yardie trailer, Death Wish, Yardie, and more…

On Chesil Beach Trailer

Here is the latest On Chesil Beach trailer. Based on the novel by Ian McEwan (with a screenplay also written by McEwan), On Chesil Beach is about a young couple’s wedding day in the early 1960s. The film stars Saoirse Ronan, Billy Howle, and Anne-Marie Duff. On Chesil Beach will be released on 15th June 2017.

Yardie Trailer

Above is the trailer for Idris Elba’s directorial debut Yardie. Set in 1970s Kingston and 1980s Hackney, the film tells the story of a young man who grows up under the wing of a Kingston don and music producer. Starring Aml Ameen, Sheldon Shepherd, and Shantol Jackson, Yardie will be released later this year.

Death Wish Poster

Here is one of the new poster for Death Wish. The new Eli Roth movie is a reimagining of the 1974 film. The film stars Bruce Willis as a surgeon who is confronted by violence when his family are attacked. Also starring Vincent D’Onofrio and Elisabeth Shue, Death Wish will hit UK screens on 6th April 2018.

A Gentle Creation Trailer

Here is the trailer for the Palme d’Or nominated A Gentle Creature. Directed by Sergei Loznitsa, the film is about a woman with an incarcerated husband. When her parcel to him is returned, she begins on a quest for justice. A Gentle Creature will be released in UK cinemas on 13th April 2018.

A Quiet Place Featurette

John Krasinski explains a little about the concept of A Quiet Place in the above featurette. Directed, co-written, and starring Krasinski, the horror is about a family who must stay quiet in order to evade detection. Co-starring John Krasinski’s wife Emily Blunt, A Quiet Place will hit the big screen later this year.

Mary Magdelene Trailer

Mary Magdalene is a biblical biopic. The film tells the story of the title character as she meets Jesus of Nazareth. Rooney Mara plays Mary, with Joaquin Phoenix playing Jesus. The film also stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Tahar Rahim. Directed by Garth Davis, Mary Magdalene is out in UK cinemas on 16th March 2018.

Film Review: Loving Vincent

Dorota Kobiela and Hugh Welchman’s Loving Vincent is something special. The technical achievement is backed up by an engaging narrative.

Armand is asked by his father to deliver a letter. The letter was written by the recently deceased Vincent Van Gogh, and is addressed to his brother. Armand embarks on a journey to find his recipient…

Loving Vincent offers something different: a completely hand drawn film, painted in the style of subject Van Gogh. There is certainly an element of spectacle to this; the film is a visual feast. However, there is also substance to the narrative. 

The film focuses on final days of the artist. The directors use the device of man trying to deliver a letter from the late artist to shed light on the days leading up to the death of Van Gogh. The narrative functions as a something of a mystery, with key players interviewed almost as witnesses in a whodunit. For those unaware of the details of the artist’s demise, this is an entertaining and informative way of telling the tale. Viewers meet a variety of characters who had interactions with the artist. The film paints a portrait of his illness, his personality and attitude towards his work. 

The animation is wonderful. Particularly effective are the black and white flashback sequences. The level of artistry on display is most impressive. Clint Mansell’s score provides a fitting accompaniment to the visuals. Some of the set ups will be recognised by those familiar with the artist’s work. Another great aspect to the film is how the characters have been inspired by those from Van Gogh’s work, as the end credits reveal. Douglas Booth is decent as Armand. Helen McCrory and Saoirse Ronan are also memorable. 

Loving Vincent is a must see for those with even a passing interest in Van Gogh’s work. The film is very entertaining even for those with no interest in the artist, thanks to great animation and good storytelling. 

Loving Vincent has its UK premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on 9th  October 2017, when it will be simultaneously broadcast to over 180 cinemas across the UK. The film will be released on 13th October 2017.

Film Review: Brooklyn

Director John Crowley’s Brooklyn is a period romance that will charm viewers. The film feels safe but accomplished.

Eillis Lacey has limited opportunity to work in her native Ireland. Travelling to New York, like many other young Irish people at that time, Eillis finds herself far from her family and all she has known in Brooklyn…

Directed by John Crowley and scripted by Nick Hornsby, based on Colm Toibin’s novel, Brooklyn is a film about an immigrant in the 1950s. The film tells the tale of Eillis, a shy Irish girl who learns to call Brooklyn her home. The film does not concentrate on the harsh realities of immigrants at such a time, instead focusing on the protagonist’s struggle to adjust to her new life and a burgeoning romance.

Hornsby has managed to draw a sympathetic character with protagonist Eillis. At first shy and homesick, it is easy to empathise with her. On her return visit to Ireland, Eillis becomes less sympathetic. This is because the audience is asked to invest in her relationship with Tony. The strength of Brooklyn is the skill of the writing in making Eillis sympathetic, then less sympathetic, before redeeming her.

Brooklyn is well paced and entertaining throughout. The romance between Eillis and Tony is wonderfully depicted. The 1950s setting allows for an old-fashioned style of romance; this gentle courting is delightful to watch. Art direction and production values are great; there is a polished look to the film, with its wonderful styling and costumes, which matches the tone of the film.

The setting of Brooklyn is a rather sanitised vision of New York and Ireland in the 1950s. There is no real sense of the socio-political issues of the time. Rather than a film about immigration in the period, the film is a personal story and a romance. Saoirse Ronan delivers a convincing performance as Eillis. She has good chemistry with Emory Cohen’s Tony. Julie Walters provides laughs as Mrs Kehoe.

Beguiling to the eye and charming throughout, Brooklyn is a wonderful slice of escapism.

Brooklyn is being screened at the London Film Festival in October 2015.

Film Review: Byzantium

Neil Jordan’s Byzantium is superb. Gothic mores are placed centre stage in this vampiric tale.

Clara and Eleanor move from place to place; their lifestyles meaning it is tricky to stay in one location for too long. Whilst Clara is more concerned about finding a new home, Eleanor is desperate to tell the story she has held on to for a very long time…

Director Neil Jordan was the perfect choice to execute Moira Buffini’s story. There are definite parallels between Byzantium and Jordan’s earlier Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles. Byzantium also concentrates on the detractions of immortality rather than the violence of vampirism. This is not to say, however, that there is a lack of blood.

Byzantium is a very absorbing film. The sense of mystery is potent. Combined with the interesting characters and well-crafted narrative, it makes the film an engaging view. Pacing in Byzantium is good. The narrative is executed finely, feeding the audience Eleanor’s tale bit by bit. Some of the reveals are quite predictable, but this not detract from the overall enjoyment.

Vampire lore is employed and subverted in Byzantium. In spite of the modern setting, hallmarks of the gothic remain in the landscape of the dreary towns and space which Eleanor inhabits. This plays into the overall theme of loneliness.

Jordan’s direction is solid in both the frenetic moments and the more pensive scenes. There is some nice composition throughout the film. Effects are good for the most part; the film is only let down by some artificial-looking colouring.

Performances in Byzantium are strong. Caleb Landry Jones stands out in particular, while Saoirse Ronan is excellent casting as Eleanor. Gemma Arterton is also decent as Clara.

Byzantium is a worthy addition to the vampire canon. The film pays homage to its predecessors whilst putting its own spin on proceedings.

Stuff To Look At

The post in which I wax lyrical about new movie trailers. And inform you of the films set for release this summer. And get annoyed when I find out film characters share my name. The audacity…

Summer of Cinema 2013

Two weeks ago I went to the launch of ‘Summer of Cinema 2013’ to hear about upcoming releases and enjoy a mini burger (I love miniature food). There is lots to see this summer, from the big blockbusters (Man of Steel, Star Trek Into Darkness) to films by Robert Redford and Sofia Coppola. Check out the compilation above.

Epic

Epic has a rather impressive cast voicing its characters. Among others, Colin Farrell, Amanda Seyfried and Christoph Waltz lend their voices. Beyonce voices a character called ‘Princess Tara’. Contrary to popular belief, this is not actually by nickname. Although I am not happy about the use of my name, I will reserve judgement until I see how this character plays out. Epic is released is UK cinemas on 22nd May 2013.

Much Ado About Nothing

A departure from vampires and superheroes, Joss Whedon directs a contemporary update of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. Shot in twelve days and starring some of Whedon’s previous collaborators, the film is a far cry from the filmmaker’s recent output. I am looking forward to this foray into Shakespeare; it will be interesting to see if Whedon can handle it as well as he does big-budget comic book fare. Much Ado About Nothing is released on 14th June 2013.

The Seasoning House

Well, The Seasoning House is certainly not about the abode of spices. This revenge thriller looks pretty brutal. The Seasoning House is the directorial debut of special effects designer Paul Hyett. The film is out in cinemas on 21st June 2013.

In Fear

This trailer is almost haunting. It’s definitely the music. In Fear is a British horror film starring Alice Englert. It looks like a warning never ever to go on a car journey, and not just because they make you feel a bit queasy. Perhaps this is just me. In Fear is due for release in Autumn 2013.

Byzantium

Neil Jordan knows vampires. That’s why I am looking forward to Byzantium, unlike some other recent vampire flicks *cough Twilight cough*. Starring Gemma Arterton and Saoirse Ronan, Byzantium is released in UK cinemas on 31st May 2013.

Thor: The Dark World

For the first minute-plus of this trailer I must have been in the majority of people thinking ‘yeah, but where the hell is Loki? I know Tom Hiddleston is in this film’. Looking rather bedraggled, Avenger Assemble‘s fantastic antagonist finally makes an appearance. Thor: The Dark World hits the big screen in the UK on 30th October 2013.

Film Review: Hanna

Hanna is a gem of a movie. Those who question whether the premise of a child assassin can be fun really need to see this film.

Sixteen-year-old Hanna lives with her father Erik in a very remote part of Finland. Former CIA agent Erik has raised his daughter like a soldier; training and teaching her everyday until she is ready to embark on her mission. Hanna must travel through a world she has never known, while being tailed by agents on a mission to capture her…

Hanna is an enjoyable film precisely because it does not take itself too seriously. The film begins sombre enough, yet finds amusement after the first section, which is carried through the rest of the duration. It is precisely the sort of attitude that absurdist thrillers should be produced with; Salt and others should take note. Hanna could have very easily taken a more serious route, but thankfully director Joe Wright does not attempt to elevate the film above its station as a fun action thriller.

The action sequences work well. The pacing in Hanna is also great, the film never seems to let up. Even in the less frantic scenes, there is an underlying current of suspense. Screenwriters Seth Lochhead and David Farr have done an admirable job in maintaining in aura of mystery about Hanna’s origins for much of the duration.

The editing and sound is too much of an onslaught during the escape sequence.  Thankfully this bombardment is only employed once; the other action sequences are less migraine-inducing. This aside, the film is well executed. The Chemical Brothers soundtrack complement the visuals exceptionally well, helping to propel momentum in key sequences.

Saoirse Ronan is excellent as Hanna. The young actress has already displayed promise in The Lovely Bones and The Way Back; Hanna takes Ronan another step closer to becoming one of the best young actresses of the moment. Cate Blanchett is a worthy adversary in the form of Marissa. The actress conveys the steely ruthlessness of the character. Eric Bana is suitably mysterious as his namesake Erik, while evil comes under the innocuous guise of Isaacs, played by Tom Hollander. All of the cast appear to be having fun with their respective roles, which shines through overall.

Hanna is a thoroughly enjoyable film that provides a benchmark which action thrillers should aim for. Few are likely to be left disappointed by Joe Wright’s offering.

Film Review: The Lovely Bones

Based on the bestselling novel by Alice Sebold, The Lovely Bones is a heart-wrenching drama that will elicit emotion in even the most hardened cinemagoers. The story of a murdered teenage girl and the aftermath of the tragedy overrides the harrowing nature of this event, instead choosing to focus upon the relationship between family members.

The film combines drama and fantasy to produce a film that leaps between the identifiable and the surreal. It is in these fantastic “afterlife” sequences that The Lovely Bones most closely resembles director Jackson’s previous work. It is the real life action however that packs the most punch on an emotional level.

Tucci excels as the creepy neighbour turned murderer. He gives an unnerving performance a world away from roles he has formerly been associated with. Weisz and Wahlberg are convincing as Susie’s distraught parents, each struggling to cope with her death in their own way. Newcomer Saoirse Ronan is absorbing as the tragic teen, and has a promising career ahead if her performance here is anything to go by.

Set in the 1970s, art direction, cinematography, score and costuming is spot on in recreating the period. Rather than focus on the terrible crime, the film shifts its attention to the family and the way each member copes with the loss of a loved one. In doing so, The Lovely Bones is an uplifting experience despite the sombre subject matter.