Film Review: Last Flag Flying

On paper, Richard Linklater’s Last Flag Flying looks like a winner. However, the actual film is a hit and miss affair, despite the talent involved.

Thirty years after they served in Vietnam together, Doc seeks out his old army buddies Sal and Richard. As they reunite, Doc tells his old friends the reason he looked them up. Doc needs their support for a difficult task…

Written by Richard Linklater and Darryl Ponicsan (based on Ponicsan’s novel), Last Flag Flying is drama about grief and friendship, set on the background of war and military service. Linklater’s film features a number of the director’s hallmarks. Last Flag Flying is dialogue-driven, and is filmed in his unobtrusive style.

The narrative focuses on the reuniting of the trio and the task of taking a body home for burial. There is plenty of room to chew the fat on this journey, and Linklater uses this to pontificate more than to develop. Doc, Sal, and Richard are presented as archetypes; they are given distinct personalities but there is no real development beyond what viewers first see. The film’s dialogue is natural, and there is a level of intimacy which is very effective at times. Linklater successfully conveys both grief and futility in one of the film’s key sequences.

At other times, however, Last Flag Flying flails instead of enthralling its viewers. There are some scenes which offer little in terms of plot or character development. This makes the film feel longer than it should. Furthermore, there are attempts to introduce more narrative elements as the film progresses. These are hit and miss; the colonel and his orders seem an unnecessary addition to the final third of the film. Performances from Steve Carrel, Laurence Fishburne, and Bryan Cranston are great.

Last Flag Flying offers decent dialogue and blends drama and comedy well overall. But ultimately, the film lacks sharpness. This would have been welcome in both narrative and thematic terms.

Film Review: Battle of the Sexes

Battle of the Sexes is an entertaining and competently made film. Directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris have leaned upon the modern resonance of the film to engage with audiences.

Based on the well-known tennis match, Battle of the Sexes has a wider remit beyond this. Principally the film focuses upon Billie Jean King and her championing of equality, as well as her personal life. The secondary strand is that of her opponent Bobby Riggs. The film spends some time exploring his family life, and his personality. The emphasis is clearly on King however.

The story is told in an engaging manner, with momentum building to the famous match. The film functions as a partial biopic of the two main characters, focusing on their lives at the time of the event. The overriding theme is the struggle for equality. The arguments over women’s pay in tennis is something that continues to this day.

King is a fairly well-drawn protagonist. Although there is activity in her relationships, the film’s focus, like King herself, is on the sport. Battle of the Sexes emphasises the player’s determination, and the reason behind her motivation. This is made clear through a few brief conversations; Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris are economical here with backstory, but this works overall.

A distinction is understandably drawn between the two players. King’s earnestness and hard work is set in contrast to Riggs’ braggadocio and relentless hustle. In some ways, King provides the heart and drama in the story, whilst Riggs provides the laughs. It is not quite as clear cut as this, however, as Riggs’ sensitive side gets a hearing.

Emma Stone delivers a strong performance as Billie Jean King. Steve Carell is larger than life as Riggs, and injects much needed energy into the film. Andrea Riseborough is a great chameleon, and is convincing as ever here. Sarah Silverman also stands out in a supporting role.

Battle of the Sexes highlights the achievements of Billie Jean King and others in the 1970s, but also how much further there is to go with regards to equality. The film is well made, but does not elevate beyond this.

Battle of the Sexes is being screened at the BFI London Film Festival in October 2017.

BFI London Film Festival 2017 Launch

It’s that time of year again. Today saw the launch of the BFI London Film Festival 2017. The festival this year sees 242 feature films being screened, which includes 28 world premieres. Here are some picks to look out for at the London Film Festival 2017…

Headline Galas

The opening and closing galas previously announced; closing gala Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri in particular looks great. Directed by Martin McDonagh (Seven Psychopaths), the film stars Frances McDormand, Sam Rockwell and Woody Harrelson. Other Headline Gala highlights include Battle of the Sexes (starring Emma Stone and Steve Carell), Alexander Payne’s Downsizing, and Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water. Another highlight is The Killing of a Sacred Deer, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos (The Lobster). The film stars Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, and Barry Keoghan, and is about a doctor who introduces his family to a fatherless young man he has befriended.

Strand Galas and Special Presentations

This year sees the return of the Embankment Garden Cinema and its series of Strand Galas.   There are a number of exciting screenings, including Redoubtable (Le Redoutable). Directed by Michel Hazanavicius (The Artist) the film is a biopic of Jean-Luc Godard and stars Louis Garrel, Stacy Martin, and Bérénice Bejo. Also showing is Wonderstruck, based on the novel of the same name. Directed by Todd Haynes (Carol), the film stars Julianne Moore. Among the Special Presentations are Sally Potter’s The Party and the first two episodes of David Fincher’s upcoming Netflix series Mindhunter.

Official Competition

Amongst the Official Competition at London Film Festival 2017 are The Breadwinner (an animated film about a young girl in Taliban-controlled Kabul), and Thoroughbred, which stars Anya Taylor-Joy. The First Feature Competition includes Beast, which is about a young woman who falls for a police suspect. Also in this category is I Am Not A Witch, about a young girl in a Zambian village who is accused of being a witch. The Documentary Competition includes Jane, a film about primatologist Jane Goodall.

Strands

A highlight of this year’s Love strand is How to Talk to Girls at Parties, based on the Neil Gaiman short story. The film stars Nicole Kidman and Elle Fanning. The Debate strand features The Venerable W., a documentary about a Buddhist monk espousing anti-Muslim rhetoric. Laugh includes Brigsby Bear, a comedy about a man who tries to remake a children’s show he was obsessed with. A highlight of the Dare category is 9 Fingers, directed by FJ Ossang. The Thrill section includes the classic noir Mildred Pierce, whilst Harry Dean Stanton and David Lynch star in Lucky as part of the Journey strand.

The Cult strand includes Paco Plaza’s horror Veronica, and Create features documentary G Funk, about Snoop Dogg, Warren G and Nate Dogg. The Family strand includes fairy tale compendium Ivan Tsarevitch and the Changing Princess. Experimenta features documentary Tonsler Park, a timely film about polling stations in Charlottesville during last year’s US election.

The full London Film Festival 2017 programme can be viewed here. The BFI London Film Festival runs from 4th-15th October 2017.

Previews: Pitch Perfect 3 Poster, Detroit, More!

This week’s preview of coming attractions includes the latest Pitch Perfect 3 poster, Battle of the Sexes, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Detroit, and more…

Pitch Perfect 3 Poster

 

The Bellas are back in this latest Pitch Perfect 3 poster. The film sees the return of Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson and the rest of the gang for one last hurrah. Expect more a cappella tunes as made popular by the first film. The trailer for Pitch Perfect 3 will launch on 25th June, and the film is due for release at Christmas this year.

Battle of the Sexes Trailer

Here is the new Battle of the Sexes trailer. The film is based on the real-life match between women’s number one Billie Jean King (played by Emma Stone) and former men’s champion Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell) in 1973. The film also stars Andrea Riseborough, Sarah Silverman, and Bill Pullman. Battle of the Sexes is set for release in UK cinemas on 20th October 2017.

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Poster

Here is the first poster for sequel Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Not much is know about the film yet, but the film sees the return of Jeff Goldblum as Dr Ian Malcolm from the first series (hence his famous quote being appropriated for the tagline). This sequel to Jurassic World also sees Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard reprising their roles. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is scheduled for release in June 2018.

Annabelle: Creation Trailer

One of cinema’s creepiest dolls is back for another instalment. Annabelle: Creation is a prequel to 2014’s Annabelle, and tells the origins story of the doll. The film is produced by James Wan and directed by David F. Sandberg, who helmed last year’s Lights Out. Annabelle: Creation hits UK screens on 11th August 2017.

Daddy’s Home 2 Trailer

The sequel to 2015’s Daddy’s Home features even more dads. Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg reunite for Daddy’s Home 2, and are joined by John Lithgow and Mel Gibson playing their respective dads. This film is set at Christmas, when the two families decide to spend the holidays together. Daddy’s Home 2 is set for release later this year.

Home Again Trailer

Home Again is a new romantic comedy from producer Nancy Meyers. The film stars Reese Witherspoon as a separated mother of two, who decides to take in three young filmmakers. The film also stars Nat Wolff, Michael Sheen, and Candice Bergen. Home Again will be released in UK cinemas on 29th September 2017.

Detroit Trailer

Detroit is about the civil unrest that rocked the city in the summer of 1967. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, the film stars John Boyega, Will Poulter, Anthony Mackie, and Jack Reynor. Detroit will hit UK screens on 25th August 2017.

Previews: Star Trek Beyond Featurette, Cafe Society and More!

This week’s preview of coming attractions includes a new Star Trek Beyond featurette, Cafe Society, La La Land and more…

Star Trek Beyond Featurette

This new Star Trek Beyond featurette introduces a new character to the franchise, Jaylah. Played by Sofia Boutella, Jaylah is introduced as an ally of Scotty, played by the film’s co-writer Simon Pegg. Justin Lin directs the latest instalment of the series, with J.J. Abrams on board as a producer. Star Trek Beyond hits UK screens on 22nd July 2016.

Cafe Society Trailer

After its debut at Cannes, Woody Allen’s latest feature Cafe Society gets a UK release date. The film is set New York and Hollywood in the 1930s; a perfect backdrop for star Blake Lively’s classic Hollywood glamour. Also starring Jesse Eisenberg, Steve Carrell and Kristen Stewart, Cafe Society arrives in UK cinemas on 2nd September 2016.

La La Land Trailer

Here is the first trailer for La La Land. The film has a lot going for it; it is the follow-up from director Damien Chazelle after his brilliant Whiplash. It also reunites Ryan Gosling with Emma Stone after Crazy, Stupid, Love and Gangster Squad. The pair star as a musician and an aspiring actress who fall in love in Los Angeles. La La Land will be released in early 2017.

Finding Dory Featurette

This featurette for the upcoming Finding Dory reveals the background to the sequel. A follow-up to Finding Nemo, Finding Dory concentrates on Marlin’s sidekick, voiced by Ellen DeGeneres. The film hits UK screens on 29th July 2016.

The Shallows Featurette

Will this be as tense as Jaws? There certainly have been some memorable shark films, so it will be interesting to see how The Shallows measures up. Blake Lively discusses her character in this featurette, which includes footage from the film. The Shallows slinks into UK cinemas on 12th August 2016.

Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates Clip

Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates is a comedy featuring Zac Efron and Adam Devine. After putting an online ad for dates to their sister’s wedding, the brothers get more than they bargained for with Anna Kendrick and Aubrey Plaza. Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates is out in cinemas on 10th August 2016.

Power Rangers Poster

Here is one of the latest posters for upcoming film Power Rangers. I never watched the show, so I don’t have the “stop remaking everything” attitude to this. The film’s cast includes Bryan Cranston, Elizabeth Banks, and Naomi Scott (pictured above). Power Rangers is scheduled for release next year.

Film Review: The Big Short

Adam McKay’s The Big Short focuses on a very interesting subject matter. Although this may have functioned better as a documentary rather than a fiction film, The Big Short is still entertaining and informative.

Michael Burry, an eccentric hedge fund manager, is first to spot that the US housing market is built on a bubble that will explode. Others, such as jaded Mark Baum are told about the investment opportunity. With the big banks believing that the housing market will never fail,  it is the outsiders who are seen as the naysayers…

Directed and co-written by Adam McKay, The Big Short tells the story of the men who predicted the housing bubble crash and subsequent economic meltdown of 2008. The different narrative strands of the film sometimes entwine, but always head towards the same goal.

The roster of players that feature in the film include the insightful vanguard Michael Burry, the shrewd Jared Vennett, and the paranoid Ben Rickert. The film is an ensemble piece, slotting different elements of the history together. Some of the more prominent characters are given some backstory, but the focus remains on the affairs rather than the personnel.

Adam McKay makes something of a comedy out of what could have been rather dry source material. The tone of the film shifts from amusing to educational at varying points in the film. Although there are plenty of jokes, The Big Short attempts to stick to the condemnation of banking practices. In breaking the fourth wall, various narrators tell the audience that the depictions may not be accurate. Moreover, there are some amusing breaks in which well-known faces explain some of the financial jargon. This adds to the feel of the film lending itself to the documentary style. Christian Bale offers an excellent performance as Burry. Steve Carell is also on good form, and Charlie Geller and Finn Wittrock add enthusiasm in smaller roles. Ryan Gosling does a decent job as the unscrupulous narrator.

The Big Short is a film that will most likely be applauded for making the complicated comprehensible. The fact that it entertains as well is also worthy of praise.

Previews: Captain America: Civil War Trailer, Krampus and More!

Plenty to see this week, with the Captain America: Civil War trailer, a Krampus featurette, the latest Pride and Prejudice and Zombies poster and more…

Captain America: Civil War Trailer

Yesterday the Captain America: Civil War trailer dropped. From the looks of it, the film will continue with the tone of the excellent Captain America: The Winter Soldier. With a host of Avengers making an appearance in the new film, it looks continue on from events introduced in Avengers: Age of Ultron. No sign of Spider-Man yet, so roll on 29th April 2015.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Poster

Here is the latest poster for Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Based on the 2009 parody novel, the film stars Lily James, Sam Riley and Jack Huston. Featuring the characters from Jane Austen’s celebrated novel, the film is a period zombie flick. Pride and Prejudice and Zombie is out in UK cinemas on 12th February 2016.

Krampus Featurette

Krampus looks a bit insane, but a lot of fun. The above featurette explores the legend of Krampus, giving viewers a background to the creature featured in the upcoming film. Starring Adam Scott and Toni Collette, Krampus hits UK screens on 4th December 2015.

The Secret Life of Pets Teaser

Here is a little Christmas teaser for next year’s animated feature The Secret Life of Pets. The film concentrates on the lives of pets when their humans are away. With the voices of Louis C.K. and Kevin Hart, The Secret Life of Pets is set for release on 14th June 2016.

The Big Short Poster

Ooh, look at this cast. The Big Short is based on a true story about four outsiders in the finance who predicted the credit and housing bubble collapse of the late 2000s. Starring Christian Bale, Brad Pitt, Ryan Gosling and Steve Carell, The Big Short is out in cinemas on 22nd January 2016.

The Other Side of the Door Trailer

Well this looks alarming. The Other Side of the Door is about a family who are able to use an ancient ritual to contact their young son who was killed in a tragic accident. The mother’s failure to adhere to the rules has horrifying consequences, as the above trailer demonstrates. The Other Side of the Door hits UK screens on 18th March 2016.

Central Intelligence Trailer

Central Intelligence is a new action comedy about a CIA agent who enlists the help of his high school best friend on a mission. The film certainly plays to the strengths of Dwayne Johnson in a larger-than-life role. Partnered by Kevin Hart, Central Intelligence is scheduled to open in UK cinemas on 1st July 2016.

Film Review: Foxcatcher

Director Bennett Miller’s Foxcatcher is a subtle but incredibly effective film. Great performances and strong direction make for a memorable film.

Olympic wrestler Mark Schultz is asked to train at a new wrestling facility built on the estate of wealthy heir John du Pont. Training for the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, John requests that Mark bring his brother, revered champion Dave Schultz, and the rest of the team to his estate where he acts as sponsor to the team…

Foxcatcher is a slow burner with a lasting after effect. Based on real events, the film is meticulous in its character development and build up. The narrative unfolds at a glacial pace, allowing the characters and set up to breathe. Character development in Foxcatcher is never rushed, a factor which allows the feeling of unease to grow.

The crux of Foxcatcher takes a while to develop; those unfamiliar with the story may not know quite where the film is heading for a good portion of the duration. The effect of Foxcatcher, particularly the climax, is that it stays in the mind long after the film has ended. The themes of dependence and control become more potent as the film continues.

Bennett Miller’s direction is strong, in both the action sequences and the character-driven scenes. The atmosphere generated in the film is pervasive. The unnerving feeling grows as the film progresses, thanks to Miller’s careful crafting. Foxcatcher’s  great score also adds to this atmosphere.

Steve Carell delivers a memorable performance as John du Pont; portraying the unease and instability of the character in a most convincing manner. Channing Tatum is decent as Mark Schultz, but it is Mark Ruffalo who really impresses in his supporting role.

Foxcatcher‘s dependence on character and mood really pays off. The end product is a film which will stay with viewers after the credits have rolled.

Foxcatcher was screened at the BFI London Film Festival in October 2014.

Film Review: Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

A belated follow-up to the much-loved Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is an entertaining affair, even though it does not match the laughs of the original.

It’s the 1980s, and Ron Burgundy is a successful news anchor with his wife Veronica Corningstone. When Ron is asked to front the first 24-hour news channel, he sets about assembling his old team…

The fact that director Adam McKay and the main cast have returned for the sequel gives Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues a sense of credibility that other sequels lack. Some aspects of the film work well, whilst others fall flat.

The narrative of Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues feels a bit slack. The film’s central premise of the 24-hour news channel is a good one; there are numerous jokes surrounding this. The film does meander a bit, producing good scenes as well as duds.

Just shy of two hours, Anchorman 2 is rather long for a comedy. The second half of the film feels a little bloated, although Anchorman 2 recovers from this.

The humour in McKay’s film does work for the most part. The jokes are frequent, although perhaps not as funny as the writers think. Jokes or situations that were memorable from the first film are slightly overplayed in an attempt to replicate the humour.

The camaraderie between Will Ferrell and the rest of the main cast is evident, with Steve Carell and Paul Rudd reprises their roles well. There is an overload of celebrity cameos in one particular scene, but other than this the new additions to the cast do a decent job.

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues will certainly attract fans of the first film. The sequel will also satisfy to a certain extent. Anchorman 2 does not manage to replicate the humour of the first, although it gives a good effort.

Film Review: The Way Way Back

Comedy drama The Way Way Back is entertaining and occasionally touching. Viewers are unlikely to feel short changed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash’s film.

14-year-old Duncan goes on a summer holiday with his mum, her boyfriend Trent, and Trent’s daughter. Duncan is painfully shy, and an easy target for the overbearing Trent. Finding it difficult to fit in, Duncan finds solace at the local water park…

The Way Way Back is a coming of age story which gradually endears itself to viewers. The film is not astoundingly inventive, but the characters and narrative is well crafted enough to keep the audience watching.

The central character Duncan is an underdog. It is easy for viewers to sympathise with the shy and awkward protagonist. Duncan is at times cringe-inducing in his awkwardness, but this makes him more likeable as an underdog. He is a well-written protagonist; it is this which makes viewers root for him.

Other characters in The Way Way Back are given enough flesh for the audience to buy into them. Pam is elicits both frustration and sympathy, while Owen is loveable. The secondary narrative strands have been given enough thought as to appear authentic complements to the main story.

The tone of The Way Way Back easily switches from humorous situations to moments that are sad or genuinely touching. The skill of Faxon and Rash’s writing and directing is that they keep the focus on the characters.

Toni Collette is believable as Pam, while Liam James is fantastically cast as Duncan. It is refreshing to see Steve Carell in a more nefarious role, and Allison Janney is superb. Sam Rockwell is incredibly charismatic as Owen.

The Way Way Back is a story of identity and confidence. The beauty of the film is that it makes it impossible not to smile.