Trying to be everything and ending up with nothing

The Black Hole (1979)

Directed by Gary Nelson this film stars Maximilian Schell, Robert Forster, Joseph Bottoms and Yvette Mimieux. A spaceship travelling near a massive black hole discovers a long missing research vessel and goes to investigate.

Disney attempted a hard science fiction film trying to mix Star Trek, 2001: A Space Odyssey and some cute Star Wars robots but comes up with a complete stinker. This is more like the sci-fi film of someone whose only experience with the genre is reading a one paragraph synopsis, there is really no science at all. Compared to Star Wars or 2001 the production values are pretty terrible leaving it hard to find anything to enjoy about this film.

1/5

Limping rather than running

The Runner (2015)

Written & directed by Austin Stark this film stars Nicolas Cage, Connie Nielsen, Peter Fonda and Sarah Paulson. During the 2010 BP oil spill a Louisiana politician who wants to help people but is also ambitious gets caught up in a scandal.

Nicolas Cage taking on a serious political drama is some what of a surprise and as you might imagine is not a great fit. The plot of this film is not great as our protagonist falls off the wagon multiple times before selling out his soul in a story that does little to really explore the problems Louisiana now faces. While the performances are not bad this is a pretty weak effort.

2/5

The standard Woody Allen film

Irrational Man (2015)

Written & directed by Woody Allen this film stars Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone and Parker Posey. A cynical, neurotic college professor living a dysfunctional life becomes friends with a young female student.

This film goes over more than well trodden group for direction Woody Allen and in that regard offers little of originality. There are some enjoyable moments and chuckles along the way but this film is all too familiar in the end. While there are enjoyable elements the characters can be a bit insufferable at times which does not help matters.

3/5

Side to side

Lines: Vertical (1960)

Directed by Norman McLaren and Evelyn Lambert this is a short film set to the music of Maurice Blackburn. Vertical lines move from side to side in time with the music.

Having already seen Lines: Horizontal (1962) first I guess you could say this film was some what spoiled for me by already having seen it's sequel. The difference between the two films is 90 degrees of rotation but again this is a fairly entertaining watch thanks to the skill of the animation. Maybe the music and animation do not fit perfectly, as with the sequel but they do go together decently.

3/5

A leaky arsehole

The Fifth Estate (2013)

Directed by Bill Condon this film based on real events stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Daniel Druhl, Alicia Vikander, Laura Linney and Carice can Houten. We follow a German programmer as he joins Julian Assange and his wikileaks site during it's rise to prominence.

No doubt this is a warts and all look at Assange and while it does a good job of balancing the ethical questions around his site's leaks to what extent it tells the whole truth on individuals is not clear. Some issues are disappointingly never tackled by the film such as the clash between Assange's belief both in privacy for the individual but transparency at all costs. No doubt the highlight as is often the case is Cumberbatch's performance but there is a really good supporting cast too.

4/5

A little too much telling

Paper Towns (2015)

Directed by Jake Schreier this film based on the novel of the same name stars Nat Wolff, Cara Delevingne, Halston Sage and Justice Smith. An 18 year old boy pinning for the girl that lives next door goes on a night of adventure with her.

Departing marginally from the novel on which it is based this is still a fairly decent deconstruction of the “Manic Pixie Dream Girl” stereotype. While the film does not work as well as the novel and does at times rams the message down your throat it is still a good watch. The performances are good and the direction shows flashes but at times this film struggles to be more than a coming of age film.

3/5

Before Mickey

Oh Teacher (1927)

Directed by Walt Disney this is an early silent cartoon staring Oswald the rabbit. A rabbit has scuffles with a cat over a girl.

This is a pretty simple early cartoon that has some laughs but is not up to the same level as the golden era of the genre. While this is an enjoyable watch there is not a lot that stands out as remarkable or memorable. Clearly this is a step in the evolutionary process that leads up to Mickey Mouse.

3/5

Unfinished script

Unfinished Business (2015)

Directed by Ken Scott this film stars Vince Vaughn, Tom Wilkinson, Dave Franco and Sienna Miller. Having started his own sales company a man finds himself competing against his old boss for the big deal he needs to pay for his kids to go to private school.

This is a pretty lazy, token effort at a comedy. The plot stumbles through expected beats feeling forced at the best of times and lacks much comedy to hold the film together. Disappointingly the on screen talent is wasted, including Nick Frost in a supporting role.

2/5

Into the wooden box

Departures (2008)

Directed by Yojiro Takita this film stars Masahiro Motoki, Ryoko Hirosue and Tsutomu Yamazaki. After the orchestra he works in goes bankrupt a man and his wife return to his home town where he gets a job helping prepare the dead to be buried.

As much as anything this is a look at the process of grieving and how rituals can help us say good by to loved ones. The film is touching and manages to stay clear of the melodrama it skirts around at times. There are really good performances from the cast, especially the leads that have to perform the delicate ceremonial preparations.

4/5

All is forgotten eventually

Silent Souls (2010)

Directed by Aleksey Fedorchenko this film based on the novel “The Buntings” stars Yuri Tsurilo, Igor sergeyev and Yuliya Aug. A lonely man employed at a paper mill helps his boss take the boss's dead wife to be cremated in the traditional way of their ancestors.

Despite being only 75 minutes long this is a slow moving meditation on the mortality of both individuals and cultures. Always interesting this window into the Meryan culture as it fades out of existence in the modern world. I really enjoyed the direction and performances although at times it is clear this is an adaptation of a novel.

4/5

Up and down

Lines: Horizontal (1962)

Directed by Norman McLaren and Evelyn Lambart this is an experimental animated film. Lines move up and down the screen to the music of Edgar Cochran.

Lacking any narrative this is a simple concept of lines moving up and down but it still manages to be fairly interesting. Thanks to the skill of the directors the movement and patters the lines make at least holds the viewers attention. In my opinion the animation is not a perfect match for the music but they do go together well.

3/5

Not captivating

Captive (2015)

Directed by Jerry Jameson this film based on a true story stars David Oyelowo, Kate Mara, Michael K, Williams and Leonor Varela. A man on trial escapes the courthouse, killing several people, and then takes a woman, who is a drug addict, hostage.

Essentially this is a 90 minute advert for a self help book that wants to ram religion down the throats of those that are vulnerable. The script provides one of the least tense or interesting hostage films I have seen. I suppose the performances are not too bad but what decent actors are doing in this piffle is beyond me.

2/5

Not the whole truth but a fair amount

Straight Outta Compton (2015)

Directed by F. Gary Gary this film based on real events stars O'Shea Jackson, Jr., Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell and Paul Giamatti. We follow the rise of gangster rap group NWA and the careers of key members.

While not exactly being a “warts and all” piece when it comes to all the people show in the film there is a fair amount of honestly here. Of course not everything could be fit into a film but some of the omissions both characters and events are a little disappointing. What the film does really well is capture at least the feel of the group's break out success, put it in context of the times it happened in and allow the cast to give some really good performances.

4/5

Jump around

Jumping (1984)

Directed by Osamu Tezuka this is an animiated short film. From the point of view of our protagonist we jump around the world in gigantic leaps.

Having no real narrative element this is a simplistic short film that shows some of the world via jumps that would make a superhero proud. About the only stain on this film is the racist depiction of tribal Africa which really sticks out like a sore thumb in this otherwise fun film. The animation is good but I wanted a bit more from the story.

2/5

Ultra nothing

American Ultra (2015)

Directed by Nima Nourizadeh this film stars Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Topher Grace and Connie Britton. A stoner working as a convenience store clerk wants to propose to his girlfriend but discovers he is a CIA assassin that has been mind wiped.

As a stoner comedy this film is really not funny enough and lacks the big action set pieces to be a real action film. While the film is watchable it really lacks much in the way of substance and feels like a a film that never evolved beyond it's premise. The cast is not bad and the direction is serviceable but mostly this seems to be a missed opportunity.

2/5

Off beat, on point

Mistress American (2015)

Directed by Noah Baumbach this film stars Greta Gerwig and Lola Kirke. A lonely girl in her first semester at college in New York meet her 30 year old soon to be step sister for the first time.

Taking a humorous approach this film does a good job at looking at the clash of cynicism and hubris over a generational divide. There are some really funny moments but this is not a film that will have you laughing out loud all the way through. As always Gerwig is excellent and Lola Kirke is more than up to the same level.

4/5

Not fantastic

Fantastic Four (2015)

Directed by Josh Trank this film based on the comic of the same name stars Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kata Mara, Jamie Bell and Toby Kebbell. A young inventor is given the chance of a scholarship at a science institute to help work on the world's first teleporter.

Having seen some terrible reviews of this film I have to say I think they are being harsh. While this may be a weak, tepid and inspired reboot that we did not need it's actually not that bad just not good. There are deviations from the source material but really I do not think they are as important s some have made out before the film was released.

3/5

Of Dogs and Penguins

Chilly Willy (1953)

Directed by Paul J. Smith this is a short cartoon. A dog is left guarding a ship at the South Pole when his master goes off adventuring but a penguin that dislikes the cold wants onboard.

This is a pretty simple cartoon with the usual slap stick comedy you might expect. The idea is well executed but is fairly unremarkable compared to the big animated names of the era. I enjoyed this film and there are more than a few chuckles to be had here.

3/5

Lost to history

Secret Suitcase (1908)

Directed by Segundo de Chomon this is an early short film. A magic suitcase causes all sorts of things to happen.

Clearly there is something fantastic going on here but unfortunately only a fragment of this film survives and it is in really poor quality. It is hard to make out what is going but the brief part of this film that we do get does have an impressive back drop. Disappointing as this film is it does hint at the style of the director.

1/5

Harmony and disharmony

Love & Mercy (2014)

Directed by Bill Pohlad this film based on a true story stars John Cusack, Paul Dano, Elizabeth Banks and Paul Giamatti. We follow the life of Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys in two time periods as he struggles with fame, song writing, mental illness and abuse.

There is a really interesting story to be told here but I am not sure the script ever fully cracks all the issues and does stray from facts at times. As much as I enjoyed the film I was disappointed we never got to see how Wilson full victim to the Doctor that took control of his life. Both Cusack and Dano give really good performances which fit together well.

3/5

Shaving cream, not even once

Ah! La Barbe (1906)

Directed by Segundo de Chomon this film is also known as “Ah! Beard” and “A Funny Shave”. While preparing to shave a man consumes some shaving cream which gives him strange hallucinations in the mirror.

Running just under 2 minutes in length there is not a huge amount to this film but it is decent for what it is. The special effects are not bad and the faces that appear in the mirror are suitably odd. There is nothing beyond the face value of this short but it provides a fun little distraction.

3/5

Rock the boat

C'est l'aviron (1944)

Directed by Norman McLaren this is a short animated film. We see images set to the music of a traditional French Canadian song.

Not understanding French made it a little hard to watch this film but the animation provides a dream like quality that is entertaining. The images float past as our boat voyages on and you really do get a sense of being on some dreamy river voyage. I enjoyed the film even if I did not understand it.

3/5

Half angel, half devil

The Angels' Share (2012)

Directed by Ken Loach this film stars Paul Brannigan, John Henshaw, Gary Maitland and Siobhan Reilly. A young man in Scotland tries to get his life back on track for the sake of his new born son after being sentenced to community service for an assault.

I found the first half of this film about a person trying to turn their life around much more interesting than the second half about a crime caper. It was disappointing to find a good social problem film decent into a simple “commit a crime to fix your life” story. The performances are good, especially from Paul Brannigan, but the film falls short of it's potential.

3/5

Easy Rider meet melancholy

Road to Paloma (2014)

Directed by star Jason Momoa this film also features Chris Browning, Lisa Bonnet, Timothy V. Murphy and Wes Studi. A Native American on the run from the law for killing his mother's rapist tries to head home to spread her ashes.

For both a directorial debut and a film from WWE studios this is a surprisingly good film. While the plot never really gets to grips with the greater issues at hand it is still a decent character piece. The direction is suitably moody and there are some great landscape shots.

3/5

Dopes selling dope is not dope.

Dope (2015)

Written & directed by Rick Famuyiwa this film stars Shameik Moore, Tony Revolori, Kiersey Clemons and Zoe Kravitz. A high school geek and his two friends from a poor, crime ridden area accidentally get caught up in selling drugs.

Taking a typical lightweight coming of age story this film slaps on much heavier issues than it is really prepared to deal with. To be honest I thought the whole issue of drugs was poorly dealt with in this film and women are not treated much better. There are good performances from the young cast but the script holds this film back far too much in my opinion.

2/5

Dignity during despair

12 Years a Slave (2013)

Directed by Steve McQueen this film based on a true story stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassenbender, Benedict Cumberbatch and Lupita Nyongo'o. In 1841 a free man living in New York is kidnapped and sent to New Orleans to be a slave.

While this is not the first film to take such a realistic look at slavery it does a really good job, especially highlighting the use of religion to justify oppression. About the only complaint I have about this film is that maybe intentionally it fails to depict the passage of time very clearly, it would have really helped to show the passing of the seasons on the land a little more. I enjoyed the performances and the direction that really showed the struggles of the time.

5/5

Cooper, Susan Cooper

Spy (2015)

Written & directed by Paul Feig this film stars Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham, Rose Byrne and Jude Law. A CIA employee that has spent her life behind a desk helping field agents is finally sent out on a real mission.

Thanks to James Bond the spy genre is one of the most heavily spoofed and while this film is not massively original it fits in nicely. There is plenty of humour in the film even if none of it is amazing. Of particular enjoyment is Jason Statham playing a lunatic version of many of his past characters but the rest of the cast is good too.

3/5

Maid in the Hamptons

The Maid's Room (2013)

Directed by Michael Walker this film stars Paulua Garces, Philip Ettinger, Bill Camp and Annabella Sciorra. A young immigrant goes to work as a live in maid at a rich family's summer house.

The plot of this thriller is pretty basic and is not helped by the shift in point of view half way through the film. While the turn in events is fairly disturbing it has little of interest to say about the relationship between immigrants and the 1%. Most of the acting is alright as is the direction but at times the music really does not fit the genre or the scene.

2/5

More magic in the cuts than the water

The Enchanted Pond (1907)

Directed by Segundo de Chomon this film stars Julienne Mathieu. A woman uses a bucket of water and a sheet to perform magic tricks by a pond.

There is not much narrative to this short film but it does show case a simple camera trick to create entertainment. Compared to other films both by this director and others it does not stand out but still raised a smile. I found this to be an enjoyable if not remarkable example of Chomon's work.

3/5

Bad all the way

The Bad Education Movie (2015)

Directed by Elliot Hegarty this film stars Jack Whitehall, Matthew Horne, Sarah Solemani and Harry Enfield. An irresponsible and immature history teacher wants to take his pupils on an end of exams holiday.

Adapting a television series to the big screen is never easy, especially when you start with such weak source material. This film lacks comedy and a decent plot. I suppose the acting is not too bad but this film has an over reliance on prosthetic testicles to pass for humour.

2/5