Film Review: A Boy Called SailBoat

Cameron Nugent’s A Boy Called Sailboat is a comedy drama that aims for whimsy. The film charms in places.

Young Sailboat lives with his parents on the outskirts of town. When his sick grandmother asks him to write her a song, Sailboat sets about composing on his little guitar. The impact of his song is quite unexpected…

Written and directed by Cameron Nugent, A Boy Called Sailboat is a curious little tale. The film features a real-world setting, although Nugent makes this as offbeat as can be. There is a reach for the whimsical; this pervades the film through the choice of characters, the dialogue, and the setting. There is a feeling that Nugent is aiming for a similar feel to the films of Wes Anderson or early Tim Burton with this ‘abnormal within the normal’ approach. The filmmaker does not reach these giddy heights, although there enough to admire here.

The narrative unfolds at its own pace, telling viewers as much as they need to know about the characters. A Boy Called Sailboat really kicks off when the protagonist begins to compose. Nugent shows a change in the characters that surround Sailboat through actions rather than words overall. Sometimes this is overt for comedic effect, such as the teacher’s immediate change. The subtler change in Sailboat’s father feels more rewarding. As word spreads about Sailboat’s song, it is not clear how the story will conclude. Ultimately, the ending is in keeping with the film’s style, and is satisfying as a result.

Julian Atocani Sanchez is decent as Sailboat, although some of his delivery is unclear. Perhaps this is to be expected with a protagonist so young. Noel Gugliemi is good as José, while J.K. Simmons is always good value, even in this very minor role. The film features a lot of long shots, which emphasise the small stature of the protagonist. It is an effective technique.

A Boy Called Sailboat is a decent directorial debut from Cameron Nugent. The aspects that work well are very admirable.

A Boy Called Sailboat will be available on Digital Download from Monday 6th May 2019.

Previews: Dark River Poster, Oceans 8, More!

Plenty in this pre-Christmas preview of coming events, including the new Dark River poster, Gringo, Oceans 8, and more…

Dark River Poster

Here is the new Dark River poster. The drama is about fraught relationship between a brother and a sister. Directed by Clio Bernard, the film stars Ruth Wilson, Mark Stanley, and Sean Bean. Dark River will be released in UK cinemas on 23rd February 2018.

Gringo Trailer

Gringo is a dark comedy about a businessman who finds himself at the mercy of colleagues and local drug lords in Mexico. The film features an all-star cast that includes David Oyelowo, Charlize Theron, Joel Edgerton, and Amanda Seyfried. Gringo is directed by Nash Edgerton (brother of Joel), and is set for release on UK screens on 9th March 2018.

Oceans 8 Trailer

Here is the first trailer for Oceans 8. The film features the same big heist set-up as its predecessors, albeit with a brand new cast. Sandra Bullock leads the star-studded cast, and is joined by Cate Blanchett, Mindy Kaling, and Anne Hathaway. Oceans 8 is scheduled for release in June 2018.

Isle of Dogs Poster

Here is the newest poster for Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs. The stop-motion animated film is about a boy who travels to an island of dogs to find his dog, Spots. The enviable voice cast includes Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Ken Watanabe, and Greta Gerwig. Isle of Dogs will be released in UK cinemas on 30th March 2017.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again Trailer

The sequel to the hit 2008 film Mamma Mia! gets a belated sequel. The film is part sequel and part prequel as it focuses on current activity and well as telling the story of Donna when she was younger. Lily James plays the young Donna, and the cast of the original reprise their roles, including Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, and Colin Firth. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again will be released on 20th July 2018.

Previews: Annihilation Trailer, Darkest Hour, More!

Plenty in this week’s preview of coming attractions, including the Annihilation trailer, Darkest Hour, Isle of Dogs and more…

Annihilation Trailer

Above is the new Annihilation trailer. The film is based on the best-selling Southern Reach trilogy, and is directed by Alex Garland. The film features an all-star cast, including Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Tessa Thompson. Annihilation is set for release on 23rd February 2018.

Darkest Hour Trailer

Here is the latest trailer for Churchill biopic Darkest Hour. The film focuses on the period just after Winston Churchill becomes prime minister, as Britain is on the cusp of entering World War II. Starring Gary Oldman and directed by Joe Wright (Anna Karenina), Darkest Hour is out in UK cinemas on 12th January 2018.

Father Figures Trailer

Father Figures is a new comedy about two adult brothers who only find out their father is still alive many years after they thought he had died. The film stars Owen Wilson, Ed Helms, Glenn Close, and J.K. Simmons. Father Figures is scheduled for release on 16th February 2018.

Happy Death Day Poster

Happy Death Day is a new thriller about a college student who relives the day of her murder until she finds out the identity of her killer. The film stars Jessica Rothe, and is produced by Blumhouse, the company responsible for Whiplash and Get Out. Happy Death Day will hit UK screens on 20th October 2017.

Isle of Dogs Trailer

Isle of Dogs looks joyful. Wes Anderson’s new film is about a young boy who goes to rescue his dog after all dogs are exiled to a rubbish dump island. The film features a stellar voice cast, including Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, and Tilda Swinton. Isle of Dogs is set for release on 30th March 2018.

The Best Of The Grand Budapest Hotel Characters

As the handsome poster above illustrates, The Grand Budapest Hotel is an embarrassment of riches in terms of characters and the actors that play them. The poster also reminds me a little of Guess Who? Here are five of the best Grand Budapest Hotel characters…

1. M. Gustave H.

Unsurprisingly, Gustave is the finest Grand Budapest Hotel character. Played by Ralph Fiennes in his first Wes Anderson movie, M. Gustave H. is endlessly amusing. The revered concierge may exhibit morally questionable tendencies, but his demeanour ensures that he is very likeable.

2. Madame D.

Tilda Swinton is almost unrecognisable as Madame D. As the ageing wealthy guest, Swinton’s performance is wonderfully theatrical. She seems to have fun as the memorable Grand Budapest Hotel character.

3. Zero Moustafa

Newcomer Tony Revolori is a fantastic straight man to Fiennes’ posturing Gustave. As lobby boy Zero, Revolori’s deliver is bone dry, and his chemistry with Fiennes is a joy to watch. The master and apprentice relationship develops into a friendship which gives the film heart.

4. Jopling

Being one of strangest of The Grand Budapest Hotel characters is no mean feat. Yet Willem Dafoe’s Jopling is bizarre in both appearance and demeanour. Appearing in some of the film’s most memorable scenes, Jopling is the most menacing antagonist for Gustave and Zero.

5. Serge

With so many brilliant Grand Budapest Hotel characters, Serge had stiff competition. Nonetheless, he elevated himself above the likes of Bill Murray’s M. Ivan and Adrien Brody’s Dmitri. Played by Mathieu Amalric, Serge is a fantastically ambiguous character. His appearance makes adds to the mystery, and his presence is most befitting of the Anderson oeuvre.

The Grand Budapest Hotel is released in cinemas on Friday 7th March 2014.

Film Review: The Grand Budapest Hotel

Wes Anderson’s latest is immensely entertaining. With amusing characters and a riveting plot, The Grand Budapest Hotel is one of Anderson’s strongest films to date.

New lobby boy Zero trains under the esteemed M. Gustave H., concierge at The Grand Budapest Hotel. Zero learns about the ways of the hotel, including Gustave’s relationships with the wealthiest of guests…

With an off-beat but memorable historical setting, The Grand Budapest Hotel offers an interesting plot unfolding over a well-paced narrative. The film combines adventure, mystery, comedy and a crime thriller all filtered through Wes Anderson’s inimitable gaze.

The chain of events that unfold are unpredictable, which heightens the appeal of the film. It is unclear exactly where the narrative will go for a good portion of the duration. Wes Anderson brings a lightness to proceedings; The Grand Budapest Hotel could have had a completely different tone with another director at the helm. There are some violent depictions in the film, but these are dealt with in a comedic fashion. The dark humour in these scenes is most successful.

The Grand Budapest Hotel features some familiar Anderson thematic and visual traits. The sledging sequence is both rudimentary and wonderful in its quaintness. Costumes and set design is terrific. The film’s protagonists are portrayed in an amusing fashion which does not negate from developing their friendship in a sincere manner.

The film features an enviable cast. Ralph Fiennes and Tony Revolori have great chemistry and master and apprentice Gustave and Zero. Fiennes in particular displays his adeptness at comedy in this role, and generates many of the laughs. Other cast members are good in smaller roles, including Willem Dafoe and Tilda Swinton.

With The Grand Budapest Hotel, Wes Anderson fans will be sated. Moreover, those with less of an affiliation with the writer-director should also find the film a most enjoyable tale, told with colour and a sense of buoyancy. The Grand Budapest Hotel is marvellous fun.

Film Review: Moonrise Kingdom

Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom is nothing short of charming. The film boasts a great script and excellent performances, and should be enjoyed by all.

On a small island off the coast of New England in the 1960s, a young boy and girl fall in love. The pair decide to run away together, to trek across the island. Various factions of authority begin to search for the young pair, as a storm is set to hit the island…

Moonrise Kingdom is ultimately a satisfying picture, and one that is difficult to fault. The screenplay,by Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola is fantastic. The children in the film feel well-developed and authentic. Their interactions with both their peers and the adults are both amusing and believable. The beauty of the screenplay is the way in which it effectively ties in additional strands to the central narrative. These plots are definitely secondary to the main focus on Sam and Suzy, yet work well to inform and give the supporting cast depth.

Moonrise Kingdom presents an image of childhood which is utterly convincing. The seriousness with which Sam and Suzy approach their situation seems entirely fitting. Most viewers will be able to recollect the gravity of seemingly important issues from the childhood. Moreover, the young people in the film are depicted has having intellect and strong personalities, something that too often is missing from other child characters in movies.

Anderson has captured a sense of a 1960s childhood whilst retaining his own style. All the familiar Wes Anderson traits are present in Moonrise Kingdom. The off-beat style associated with the filmmaker is apparent throughout the film, including the memorable use of music.

Performances are fantastic overall. Jared Gilman stands out in particular as Sam. Gilman brings a solemnity to the role that works perfectly. Kara Hayward is also great as Suzy. The supporting cast is populated with big names; Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Bruce Willis and Edward Norton are well cast in their respective roles.

Moonrise Kingdom will entertain and amuse audiences with its charm. One not to miss.

Trailer Round-Up

New trailers for The Dark Knight Rises and Prometheus were released earlier this week. With the latest trailer for The Amazing Spider-Man being released last night, this has been a bumper week for blockbuster trailers. All we need now is something from new James Bond movie Skyfall…

Moonrise Kingdom

Moonrise Kingdom is the eagerly anticipated new film from Wes Anderson. The film boasts a stellar cast that includes Bill Murray, Ed Norton, Bruce Willis and Tilda Swinton. Moonrise Kingdom is about two children who fall in love during the summer of 1965. The film is released on 25th May 2012.

The Amazing Spider-Man

The third trailer for The Amazing Spider-Man was released last night. The trailer reveals more of an emphasis on Peter Parker’s parents than the previous run of Spiderman films. Although the trailer looks good, The Amazing Spider-Man has been sandwiched between two superhero behemoths; Avengers Assemble has already done record-breaking business while The Dark Knight Rises is due for release two weeks after Spider-Man. Notwithstanding, given the popularity of this character, The Amazing Spider-Man is sure to bring in the crowds when it opens on 4th July 2012.

Magic Mike

I am not sure what Magic Mike is supposed to be, other than based on Channing Tatum’s former career as a stripper. Steven Soderbergh’s film could have been a male version of Showgirls, but instead seems to have a strong romantic string to the story. Channing Tatum showed off his comedy chops in 21 Jump Street, so hopefully these will shine through in Magic Mike. Also starring Alex Pettyfer and Matthew McConughey, Magic Mike is out in cinemas on 13th July 2012.

Joyful Noise

The only thing you need to know about this film is that Dolly Parton in it. But if you want to know more, the film is about church choir group who enter a competition with new director Vi Rose (Queen Latifah) at the helm. The arrival of Randy (Jeremy Jordan), the grandson of G.G. Sparrow (Dolly Parton) shakes things up. Joyful Noise is released on 29th June 2012.