film review: Arrival

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aliens, Amy Adams, Arrival, Denis Villeneuv, Film Review, film review Arrival, Films, Jeremy Renner, language

The language we speak in influences the way we think – or so many hypotheses claim and/or question. After all can you think about something you have no words for, or is it the lack of vocabulary that hinders us thinking about things we can’t name? Additionally there is our culture – our habits, rites, lifestyles and traditions – that influences our language and thus possibly how we think.

So what would happen when aliens arrive on Earth, how would we communicate and what have they got to say?

Arrival, the latest film by talented director Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners, Sicario) asks exactly this question. At it’s center is Louise Banks (Amy Adams) a talented linguist who is tasked with learning how to communicate with aliens hovering in egg-like spaceships over 12 locations all around the globe.

Banks partner is theoretical physicist Dr. Ian Connelly (Jeremy Renner) and while the two of them try to decrypt the alien’s language the whole world is waiting for the Heptapods, the seven legged squid like aliens on board the eggs, to act or attack.

Slowly Banks learns to understand the Heptapods language and read their circular hieroglyphic script-like smoke signals. As she does, how she thinks changes, time folds in on itself and past, future and present become one.

Arrival is a quite film, no capitals explode or spaceships are captured the action lies in the attempt to simply understand. And while as a concept this is extremely interesting it isn’t an easy sell on film, and doesn’t always work. Adams however does a wonderful job at selling the importance of language and fills the screen with her enthusiasm, Renner on the other hand has little to do and seems to be well aware of this.

Beautifully filmed and cleverly conceived Arrival just can’t quite keep it’s promise of becoming the next Close Encounters of the Third Kind and leaves the viewer wondering if Arrival just might have been an amazing film, or maybe it just might have missed its mark.

Amy Adams as Louise Banks in Arrival by Paramount Pictures

 

film review: The Girl on the Train

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Emily Blunt, Film Review, Films, Justin Theroux, Luke Evans, misogynistic, Paula Hawkins, Rebecca Ferguson, reveiw, The Girl on the Train

Paula Hawkins’ novel The Girl on the Train topped all of the literary charts last year  but newly adapted film is unlikely to do as well. And while the much anticipated film will certainly attract those who enjoy calling women ‘girl’s and aren’t too concerned with obvious plots others will not waste their pennies on the lukewarm adaptation.

Rachel (Emily Blunt) is a sad, lonely and alcoholic women who rides the trains to catch glimpses into a past she still yearns for. She stares through the window of the train, her gaze bleary with alcohol, and into the windows of the neighbourhood she once lived in. Her ex, Tom (Justin Theroux) still lives in the home they created together with his new wife Anna (Rebecca Ferguson) and their baby girl. They are living the life Rachel once wanted but since she failed to fall pregnant that dream became impossible and he cheated on her.

But Rachel is even more obsessed with the beautiful couple who live a few doors down, Scott (Luke Evans) and Megan (Haley Bennett). They seem to lead a charmed life, one Rachel imagines and longs for. She fantasizes about them until one day she witnesses a shocking event which seemingly catapults Rachel into action.

The idea of the plot looks promising but everything is too obvious and one feels as if everything is overly explained. The sifting points of view and flashbacks attempt to trip the viewer up but never quite succeeds.

And while it is beautifully filmed there are bigger issues in The Girl on the Train you simply can’t avoid: the way women are portrayed is utterly misogynistic. Women go insane if they can’t have babies, women who do have babies can’t look after them on their own, woman can’t cope without men and tend to drink, women are men’s playthings, easily disposed of and replaced and really only good for sex, women don’t like each other and treat each other badly, women can’t act on their own but only react to what men do.

So while Blunt does do her best with the role she has been given, she really isn’t given much scope.  So overall if you’re a fan of the book stick to the paper version and stay away from a film.

film review Me Before You

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director Thea Sharrock, Emilia Clark, Film Review, Films, Joanna Lumley, Jojo Moyers, Matthew Lewis, Me Before You, romance, Sam Claflin

There has been a lot of bad press surrounding the film Me Before You and several demonstrations by otherabled people have voiced strong aversions about what the film seems to be promoting, and it is easy to see why, however I don’t believe that this is what the author Jojo Moyes intended.

Following the tradition of love stories a rich, successful, handsome man (Sam Claflin – you all know him as shirtless Finnick from the Hunger games) falls in love with a girl from the other side of the tracks, brightly clad, spontaneous and optimistic Lou (Emilia Clark – Daenerys Targaryen, the mother of Dragons from Game of Thrones). However the whole story has a sick-lit twist.

Will is a quadriplegic – not by birth but by motorcycle accident and Lou is the hired help his mother hopes will brighten up his day and convince him that his life is worth living. As the film nudges the viewer along the overly predictable plot, tears guaranteed, it quickly becomes clear that Will wont change his mind or the date of his  assisted suicide in Switzerland.

Clark does a good job of portraying the exuberant Lou, but at times her overly expressive eyebrows take over and she lacks depth, any introspective or emotional complexity Lou had on the page is lost in Clark’s wide smile. However she does shine in an excellent rant about unhappy marriages and is a joy to watch in all of her colourful outfits through out the film.

Claflin, confined to a chair with only his face to portray his emotions, takes a much subtler approach to his role and succeeds. And the chemistry between the two leads is great, their interactions pull the plot along and the viewer deeper into their story.

However there is a somewhat bizarre cameo by Joanna Lumley, as a stranger at a wedding, that the film could have done without. Matthew Lewis (a very much grown up Neville Longbottom of the Harry Potter films)  may be entertaining to watch as Lou’s fitness freak boyfriend Patrick, but he is somewhat cartoonish and too obviously the wrong match for Lou.

Over all director Thea Sharrock does a solid job of putting Jojo Moyes words onto film, even if everything seems a dipped in honey. Me Before You is unashamedly romantic and does what you’d expect – pulls at heartstrings and encourages tears. So tissues at the ready and enjoy.

Emilia Clarke & Sam Claflin in Me Before You

Film review Miss you Already – a little bit Beach-y

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cancer, Director Catherine Hardwicke, Dominic Cooper, Drew Barrymore, events, Film Review, Films, Ireland, Irish Cancer Society, Jacqueline Bisset, Light House Cinema, Miss you Already, movies, Paddy Considine, reviews, Special Fundraising Preview Screening, Toni Collette

Drew Barrymore & Toni Collette in Miss You Already

Tissues are a must for any that go and see Miss you Already. The film is based around the ongoing friendship between whirlwind Milly (Tony Collette) and hippie Jess (Drew Barrymore). Since childhood, the two have been as thick as thieves, Jess always following in Milly’s wake, best friends, no matter what!

When Milly, a mother of two, discovers she has breast cancer things begin to spiral out of control. Jess is there for her friend, but Milly seems to have lost all sight of anyone around her, as Jess puts it she becomes a “cancer bully”.

Anyone who thinks, “I know that story”, is correct; Miss you Already has more than a few similarities with the 1988 Beaches, staring Bette Midler as C.C. Bloom and Barbara Hershey as Hillary Whitney – just with a few role reversals.

And like Beaches, Miss you Already relies on the tight bond that women form, deep unconditional love with lots of humour thrown in – men are really only arm-candy.

Set in modern day London it does seem a little odd that both main characters are not English, and while Collette’s British accent is good, Barrymore’s absence of one is explained away. But Collette and Barrymore are expertly cast and the chemistry between the two is evident.

Both male leads however hold up the flag as Dominic Cooper partners up with Collette, as her saintly husband Kit, and Paddy Considine teams up with Barrymore as her life partner Jago.

Director Catherine Hardwicke is brave enough to not gloss over the gory bits and shots of mastectomy scars show us how rarely, if ever, we see, the reality of what cancer means to so many. This paired with the humour of how Milly tells her children about cancer and chemotherapy treatment Miss you Already really does show how cancer effects everyone around the person suffering.

Not knowing what to say or what to do is a bit part of how everyone around Milly reacts to her illness. Acceptance and humour is how Jess copes with the situation, Milly’s husband Kit seems less able to find a way to communicate. Milly’s mum, a vain TV actress, endearingly captured by Jacqueline Bisset, bumbles around never knowing what to do but always wanting to help – and in the end she has her shining moment, much to her own surprise.

Beautifully shot, the moor scenes in particular, Hardwicke howeveroverdoes the close-ups at times. Both Collette and Barymore are excellent actors and their skill would have allowed for a little bit of a distance.

So, even if Miss you Already is a bit Beach-y and not necessarily all that new, it is a modern day portrayal of what cancer does to lives. It is well worth a few packets of tissues and a perfect film for a night out with the girls. But men should watch it too, as they can learn a thing or two about women.

So if you don’t have any plans tonight, the Irish Cancer Society has organised a Miss You Already Special Fundraising Preview Screening today (Monday 21^st of September) at 6.30pm at the Light House Cinema, Smithfield Square. Grab your best friends and treat yourself to a great night out. Tickets are €25 each, which includes goodie bag and a drink at the pre-screening reception.

Man Up – the latest British Rom-Com

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blind date, Film Review, Films, Lake Bell, Man Up, movies, Olivia Williams, reviews, rom-com, Simon Pegg

Simon Pegg and Lake Bell in Man Up

Of late there has been a lull in Rom-Coms, so it is refreshing to see Man Up hit the big screens this weekend.

Nancy (Lake Bell doing a good English accent) is a thirty-something, slightly depressed single who has given up on love. Arriving in Waterloo station Nancy bumps into Jack (Simon Pegg ) who mistakes her for his blind date Jessica, a twenty-something city-girl.

Before Nancy can explain, she isn’t who he thinks she is, Jack quotes Silence of the Lambs and Nancy decides to take her big sisters advice and be spontaneous. The newly formed couple stroll around London and get to know each other, or rather Nancy gets to know who he thinks she is.

But this is only the first of many accidental meetings and as Man Up speeds through the various stages of a relationship a few strangers cause for much excitement. Half way through the date Jack finds out he has been having a great time with Nancy – not Jessica- and the perfect date goes terribly wrong. His ex wife (Olivia Williams) complicates matters even more and by the time Nancy and Jack part ways again you can’t help but hope that the story isn’t quite finished. And of course it isn’t – the ridiculousness continues until it’s somewhat silly climax!

Over all Man Up is fun-filled film and delivers on what it promises – a good old fashioned Rom-Com. And while this film may be littered with slapstick moments and witty one-liners it never once tries to be taken serious. Simon Pegg does a good job as straight-laced Jack but the true star of the film is Lake Bell. She sparkles and shines, makes fun of herself throughout and is a joy to watch.

So if you are looking for a light fill to enjoy and quickly forget Man Up is your best bet – the perfect date-night or girls-night-out movie.

 

 

San Andreas: a bit of a disaster

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Alexandra Daddario, California, Carla Gugino, disaster films, Dwayne Johnson, Film Review, Films, Hugo Johnstone-Burt), Ioan Gruffudd, Kylie Minogu, movies, Paul Giamatti, reviews, San Andreas, San Francisco

Dwayne Johnson and Carla Gugino in San Andreas

Following in the footsteps of many a disaster film San Andreas tells the story of a what-if scenario: what happens when a hunky helicopter pilot is faced with two massive earthquakes and a tsunami, he becomes the hero who saves his daughter and reconciles with his ex-wife.

Like so many disasters movies a little bit of science is needed to set the scene, in this case this job falls to Cal Tech seismologist Lawrence (Paul Giamatti).

He and his team are trying to find a way to predict earthquakes and moments before the Hoover Dam crumbles and falls he discovers that his theory works. He hurries back to his lab, mumbling science gibberish – something about magnetic pulses and mini quakes – to discover that the entire San Andreas vault has lit up predicting that the next “big one” is eminent.

During all of this we meet surly Ray (Dwayne Johnson), who is grieving the loss of his dead daughter, his estranged wife Emma (Carla Gugino) -who has shacked up with multimillionaire developer David (Ioan Gruffudd) – and his stunning daughter Blake (Alexandra Daddario) who is about to start college.

So who cares about the millions of people who die when buildings fall on top of them or a massive tidal wave drowns them in seconds, as long as hero Ray (Dwayne Johnson) and his family, plus hanger-ons, survive?

As the earth quakes and San Francisco’s skyline falls all around them, Blake teams up with cute, British, twenty-something Ben (Hugo Johnstone-Burt) and his know-it all younger brother, Ollie (Art Parkinson) and Ray, in his helicopter, abandons his team and sets out to save his ex and daughter. There is even a short cameo of Kylie Minogue, before she falls off a roof

But sadly there isn’t much originality when it comes to San Andreas, and it stubbornly ignores the scientific advice given by USC earthquake experts to further dramatics. However for a film that unashamedly is based around its massively biceps hero San Andreas doesn’t do a bad job.

All in all San Andreas is a predictable disaster drivel, no surprises and an unrealistic plot. But if you like big bangs, toppling buildings and lots of special effects then you’ll enjoy two hours of explosive CGI fun.

Film Review: This is where I leave you

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Abigail Spencer, Adam Driver, August Osage County, Corey Stoll, Dax Shepard, director Shawn Levy, entertainment, Film Review, Film Review: This is where I leave you, Jane Fonda, Jason Bateman, Shawn Levy, This is where I leave you, Tina Fey

After the abysmal August Osage County, This is where I leave you is another painfully humourless attempt at a family drama.

When Judd Altman (Jason Bateman) walks in on his wife Quinn (Abigail Spencer) having sex with his boss (Dax Shepard) he unravels, unsure of who is and what he wants in life.

In the midst of his depression Judd’s father dies and his grieving mother Hillary (Jane Fonda) orders him back to the family home, to sit Shiva with his siblings.

For seven days they must spend time together with their mother as the matriarch at the helm. The siblings fall back into their family roles: big brother Paul (Corey Stoll) as the annoying bossy boots: Wendy (Tina Fey) the nagging, over-protective sister; baby brother Philip (Adam Driver) who still gets away with murder and Judd the odd one out.

Childhood sweethearts show up, family secrets are exposed and old wounds are reopened, but instead of being a bittersweet tale of drama and love This is where I leave you is a mess of bad one-liners, weak characters, predictable plots and a lot of overacting.

This is where I leave you is a film better left unwatched, but if you must see this humourless piece by director Shawn Levy, be warned as it could leave you feeling a little nauseated and bereft for the time you wasted.

Film review: The Book of Life

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3D, animation, animation films, Channing Tatum, Day of the Dead, Diego Luna, director Jorge R Gutiérrez, entertainment, Film Review, Film review: The Book of Life, Films, Ice Cube, Jorge R Gutiérrez, Kate del Castillo, movies, Ron Perlman, The Book of Life, Zoe Saldana

The Book of Life is a quirky animation film by director Jorge R Gutiérrez, celebrating Mexican folklore and the Day of the Dead.

The story begins outside a dusty old museum with a rag-tag bunch of temperamental children showing up for a tour and delightful guide, with long hair and a sexy smile showing them a hidden doorway.

With the help of wooden puppets she begins telling the old Mexican folktale of Manolo (Diego Luna), Joaquin (Channing Tatum) and Maria (Zoe Saldana).

As children the three are the best of friends, playfully teasing each other, both boys already in love with Maria, but on the Day of the Dead the stunning La Muerta (Kate del Castillo), the ruler of the Land of the Remembered, bets Xibalba (Ron Perlman), the lord of the Land of the Forgotten, that one day gentle Manolo will marry Maria.

Xibalba champions the adventurous Joaquin and decides to stack the odds in his favour, so he cheats and gives Joaquin a mystical medal.

The children grow up, each following the path their parents envisions them too, but when Maria returns from boarding school, things change, rules are broken and death happens.

But in this charming story, death isn’t permanent, love triumphs and staying true to oneself is the biggest victory of course there is a happy ending, moral and all.

The Book of Life is an original take on a predictable tale with the colourful take on Mexican artwork adding to its appeal. The figures look like they have been carved from wood and painted in as many colours as possible, but tasteful and endearingly so.

And even if the adventure down to the land of the forgotten may be a little scary for some of the more junior viewers, the happy and huggable Candle Maker (Ice Cube) lightens the mood ensuring that darkness never prevails for long.

With it’s 3D imaging and unusual design The Book of Life is an enjoyable film for everyone in the family and a brilliant Halloween treat.

Film Review: One Million Dubliners

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art, Daniel O'Connell, de Velera, Director Aoife Kelleher, Dubliners, Film Review, film reviews, Films, Galway Film Fleadh, Glasnevin Cemetery, Michael Collins, Parnell

Named the “Best Irish Feature Documentary” at Galway Film Fleadh back in July One Million Dubliners finally hits cinemas this month.
The documentary tells the story of Glasnevin Cemetery (officially Prospect Cemetery) and the 1.5 million people that are buried there. And since there are more bodies in the ground at Glasnevin Cemetery than people living in the whole of Dublin almost everyone has a friend or relative buried next to some of Irelands most historic figures.
Director Aoife Kelleher intertwines personnel stories with historic facts and creates a unique insight into a world only few of us truly know. And instead of being morbid or depressing the film is funny, interesting, sometimes a little sad but always entertaining.
“To bury people of all religions and none” was Daniel O’Connell’s mission when he established Glasnevin cemetery in 1828 and this is still very much at the heart of the trust today. This means that loyalists and revolutionaries lie side by side, WWI and WWII soldiers lie next to de Velera, Parnell and Collins.
But One Million Dubliners doesn’t just look at the past and Kelleher lets staff and visitors alike share their thoughts on life and death and why Glasnevin plays such an important role in their lives.  Florists, gardeners, historians, tour guides, mourners, and grave diggers all get their say, and even a mysterious French woman, who lays roses on Michael Collins grave, talks about her ongoing love affair with a dead man.
Kelleher uses these different narrative strands to link the past with the present and the future. One of the main narrators is tour guide and resident historian Shane MacThomáis and the camera follows him as he brings groups around the cemetery, enthrals them with tales and historic facts. But MacThomáis  also speaks directly  to  the camera and talks about his father, who was also a tour guide, and about his own connection with the cemetery.  He explains how his father used to tell him that a great tour needs four things to capture it’s audience: tell them something they know, something they didn’t know, something to make them laugh and something to make them cry.
This is the formula that Kelleher also seems to be following as she not only enchants her audience with beautifully shoot images of Glasnevin Cemetery but lets them rediscover what they have seen before, learn what they have never known, laugh at the oddities and cry at the unexpected.

Film Review: Gone Girl

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Ben Affleck, bestseller, Carrie Coon, David Fincher, Film Review, Film Review: Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl, Hollywood blockbuster, Kim Dickens, Missi Pyle, movies, Neil Patrick Harris, Patrick Fugit, Rosamund Pike, thriller, Tyler Perry

This autumns most anticipated thriller Gone Girl is finally here and it doesn’t disappoint. Adapted by the author herself, Gillian Flynn has turned her bestseller successfully into a Hollywood blockbuster.

On their fifth year wedding anniversary Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) arrives home to find his wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) has disappeared. He calls the police assuming someone broke in and abducted her, but as the investigation unfolds things just don’t add up.

Detectives Boney (Kim Dickens) and Gilpin (Patrick Fugit) soon change the investigation from abduction to murder and Nick becomes their main suspect.

However the police aren’t the only ones watching Nick’s every move, the media is all too present, dissecting his every gesture and creating a modern day witch-hunt.

As the story unfolds, with many twists, turns and surprises, we learn through flashbacks, narrated by Amy herself, all about how Nick and Amy met, fell passionately in love and had to leave their lives in New York behind and help Nick’s mother unsuccessfully fight cancer.

But things aren’t as they seem as Gone Girl play’s with perspective and the situation looks very different from Nick’s point of view. His problem is: will anyone believe him?

With the media showing the world what they think, Margo’s (Carrie Coon) unwavering belief in her twin brother Nick and an obscure treasure hunt supplying some answers, it isn’t surprising the Gone Girl keeps its viewer enthralled and highly entertained.

Both the well constructed script by Gillian Flynn and the direction provided by director David Fincher successfully manage the delicate balancing act between too much and too little information, unbalancing their audience at the perfect moment.

As further the story unravels the more bizarre the film becomes, but in a very enticing and captivating way. A lot of this great entertainment is down to the main actors; Affleck is both sympathetic and highly suspicious as husband Nick, and Pike is one-dimensional when needed and vindictively complex when called for.

Even the side characters lend both humour and interest to the film: Neil Patrick Harris is fantastically creepy as Amy’s high school stalker boyfriend, Tyler Perry says exactly what the audience is thinking as a high-powered lawyer who made a name for himself defending murderous husbands and Missi Pyle is perfect as a talk-show host with a piranha-esque bite and smile.

But what is really surprising about Gone Girl is the unique look it takes at society, class and agendas, how happiness turns into ruins, how lies, deceit and the ever-present media form and destroy perceptions, even when the truth seems more obvious – and it’s funny! At times so much so that there are laugh out loud moments, but don’t think you’ll leave the cinema with a giggle, your head may be spinning a little, you’ll feel a little confused, a “what the f***” may not be too far from your lips and you’ll definitely be thinking about Gone Girl for a while.

Overall Gone Girl and David Fincher have achieved something rare, a hyped up film that lives up to its promises.