Building Blocks: Review of The Lego Movie

The Lego Movie

Directors: Phil Lord and Chris Miller

By Alex Watson

 

Remember the countless hours of fun that playing Lego brought us? All you needed was your imagination and some clever building initiative and you could do anything. When they announced that another of our favourite childhood toys was to be made into a movie, many of us winced at the thought of this. But step forward 21 Jump Street directors, Phil Lord and Chris Miller, who with great skill and what seems like some deft comic touches look to have created one of this years most interesting films in The Lego Movie. But since Lego never had a story to go with it (well unless you bought Star Wars Lego) how on earth will this one work?

Emmett (Chris Pratt) is a happy yet naive construction worker in the Lego world Bricksburg, ruled with an iron fist by Lord Business (Will Ferrell)- but when he stumbles upon a mysterious red block, he is thrusts towards a destiny he is not ready for! On the way he will be come acquainted with rebellious soul Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks) and will be informed of a legendary prophecy by ‘Master Builder’ Vitruvius (Morgan Freeman).

After some tame previous efforts to bring some of our childhood greats to the screen, The Lego Movie succeeds admirably and directors Lord and Miller have succeeded in bring us a movie high in wit and this will easily charm anyone who has laid hands on Lego before! The story maybe uneven and have stretches where not a great deal happens, but the nostalgic references such as 1980’s Lego Spaceman with a crack in his helmet strap will ring painfully familiar to us and there are other great appearances such as Lego Superman (Channing Tatum) and Green Lantern (Jonah Hill) and a hilarious cameo from Number 34 himself Shaquille O’Neal!

The centre storyline is nothing new, ordinary man is recruited to save the world, but where this movie scores highly is the world presented around it which continually reassembles shape and the laughs follow continuously as a result. In Lord and Millers zany world, Pirates mix with Middle Earth, Batman (Will Arnett) makes an delightful appearance and a we are taken to a fluffy cloud-like land run by a thinly veiled Hello Kitty character Princess Unikitty (Alison Brie). This all or nothing approach works wonders for the film and although it seems clunky, it comes away with a very original feel to it.

But even more smartly, the story is given a dramatic (and extremely clever) shake-up in the films last act where Emmett discovers just what world lies at the end of the  mysterious vortex and witnesses just who the mythical ‘Man Upstairs’ truly is! Without giving too much away, this is one twist that deserves credit and just like real life, it shows us how amazing our imaginations can be when we use them!

The cast chosen to voice this movie are well chosen with Chris Pratt doing a decent job of the hero vocals as Emmett, after years of able supporting roles in Her, Moneyball and being hit by a keyboard in Wanted- Pratt makes good leading material. But its the supporting cast who steals the laughs with Will Arnett’s  husky voiced Batman leading the way- fans of Arrested Development rejoice for this is perfect casting! Liam Neeson is also suitably uproarious as baddie enforcer Good Cop/Bad Cop who personality flips as often as his face does- Neeson does well to mock his new action hero persona and we are reminded how funny he can be! Of course Morgan Freeman voices a very… well Morgan Freeman character!

After much doubt and speculation, The Lego Movie has a brilliant end result to this and what could have just been a money spinning waste, is one of 2014 more quirky and whimsical movies and has something everyone will enjoy. No doubt for years to come we will play spot the references in repeated viewing. Go see it, enjoy and let your inner child be unleashed! If your not singing ‘Everything is Awesome’ as you exit the theatre- then shame on you!

Let’s Talk About Sex: Review of Nymphomaniac Volumes I & II

Nymphomaniac Volumes I & II

Director: Lars Von Trier

By Alex Watson

When a Lars Von Trier movie rolls into town, always expect and fear everything possible! Ever since the controversial poster campaign for his new movie Nymphomaniac Volumes I & II was unveiled, publicity hype went into overdrive and after star Shia LaBeouf’s bizarre paper wearing act at the Berlin Film Festival, curiosity has been heightened. No stranger to controversy, Lars Von Trier always excelled in offering raw and intense cinema and I was privileged last night to be a part of the nationwide ‘One Night Stand’ event last night at the Cornerhouse in Manchester where both films were screen back to back, which proved a lengthy marathon! Prepare for things to get very explicit here!

When Joe (Charlotte Gainsbourg) is found lying beaten in an alleyway by well read stranger Seligman (Stellan Skarsgard), she recounts to her the full story of her life- including details of her childhood, her many sexual encounters and their relevance to her life and her on/off relationship with childhood sweetheart Jerome (Shia LaBeouf).

So just how shocking is Nymphomaniac Volume 1 & 2? Well the answer to that question I cannot sum up in words, and this is one experience that people will need to face head on to really discover its content! Von Trier as normal pulls no punches when it comes to the films attitude about nudity and sex and the images displayed would make even the most seasoned porn viewer squirm- but then again you would feel offended if that man dared hold back on an audience, and the result is a movie that is unflinching, uncomfortable but nonetheless- brilliant!

Divided over two parts (with clever coming up segments in between) both movies are very different affairs and will quite likely send you head spinning in all directions! Volume one deals directly with actions of the younger Joe (Stacy Martin), and what shapes her  into the person who lies beaten in Seligman’s bed, including her early (and frequent) sexual experiences, which lead to an awkward and hilarious scenario involving ditched wife Mrs H (Uma Thurman). In this segment an early trauma in unveiled as we see the tragic passing of her beloved father (Christian Slater) and his descent into delirium which leads to Joe becoming closed emotionally! Volume one is by far the more light hearted stretch of Von Triers movie and has equally measured moments of joy, pain, humour and shocking images.

Volume two however, is a far more heavy handed affair and things descend into a dark spiral as time progresses as Joe enters a bizarre relationship with an unnamed Sadist (Jamie Bell) and discovers a way to use her powers of manipulation to use by becoming a shady debt collector for businessman L (Willem Dafoe) which becomes a roaring success- although gives way to one of the movies most unnerving sequences and she humiliates a collectee by stripping and exposing his deepest pleasure by making him get an erection. The images and content compared to the first volume are more likely to make people flinch in their seats, but the overall effect is a powerful one as Joe’s actions begin to develop consequences and also benefits from a jaw dropping last few seconds where events turn on their head!

As a protagonist, the self loathing Joe is a person we should truly dislike with great intensity due to her callous attitude towards sex and her ability to disrupt lives without a second thought. In the films early act we see her frequenting bedrooms and adding fuel to her addiction, as she maliciously denotes in one support group “I love my dark lust”, but as Nymphomaniac rolls along and Joe and Seligman joyful link their stories to a series of literary and religious topics, we see a glimmer of redemption appearing and a renewed hope for a life without sin!

Charlotte Gainsbourg excels as Joe and gives a performance of the highest quality which gives the movie its raw feel but she also is also capable of bringing a stirring feeling to events and through her softly spoken narration, our hearts both warm and shatter sharply! A regular Von Trier contributor, Gainsbourg is fast become of world cinema’s darlings and this film will not do her no harm! But its newcomer Stacy Martin, in a bold and breathtaking début performance who perhaps steals proceedings. The Anglo-Franco actress takes over the lions share of the first movie and demonstrates a great commitment to a role which requires more nude scenes than some will see in an entire career.

Stellan Skarsgard has a blast as the scholarly Seligman and he gleefully links Joe’s stories to his beloved books and listens to her dirty tales without so much as a batting an eyelid! Skarsgard brings the stabilizing force to the movie and gives Joe was she has never had- a friend! Shia LaBeouf proves movies weak link and is not helped by a funny accent that seems to fall somewhere between England, Australian and South Africa- his recent outlandish bag wearing antics have been more impressive than his performance here.

One of the more talked about pictures for 2014, Nymphomaniac Volumes I & II certainly has lived up to the hype and self proclaimed ‘Persona Non Grata’ Von Trier delivers us a movie that few of us will ever forget and experience that is horrifying, awkward, but yet- uplifting and beautiful! What will you think of next Lars?

Digital Love: Review of Her

In the modern age, it seems relationships are continually evolving and these days we do not need to have a physical presence in order to be happy as cyber dating has taken off! But can humanity survive and be happy with only a computer for company? Well this year, Director Spike Jonze poses this very question in his indie move Her. So far, his story of a solitary man finding love with an AI system has been one of the darlings of the award circuit (including an Oscar nomination for Best Picture) and with its impressive cast, this has been one of the most talked about movies of 2014, but can it really sustain the hype?

In 2025 Los Angeles, Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) is a lonely and secluded man who is struggling to deal with his impending divorce to his wife Catherine (Rooney Mara). To help improve his life, Theodore installs a new operating system named Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson), whose has a personality which is designed to continuously evolve. As the pair get to know each other, they both fall deeply in love. But even though it feels like bliss, things become complicated by the fact she is only a voice!

Her is one of those movies that will make your heart truly sparkle and it earns the widespread critical acclaim bestowed upon it. The futuristic setting benefits the film and there are some great moment to be had, such as video games with abusive avatars (one voiced by Jonze himself), where books are now rare antiques and in this world, other character are engrossed in their computers that they simply pass each other by on the street. A typical Jonze character, Theodore is a down trodden and depressed individual who writes other peoples love letters for a living at beautifullywrittenletters.com. But as he chooses Samantha as the voice of his system, the pair hit things off straight away and she begins to improve his existence and makes him smile through their witty conversations.

Theodore’s life isn’t completely empty as we meet his various companions such as his sad neighbour Amy (Amy Adams) and experience his awkward blind date with a commitment hungry lady (Olivia Wilde)- compared to these people though, Samantha is a far more safer better for him. In the early stages their romance is utterly alluring and even though she is just a system, Samantha is the perfect girl for this man and regardless of a physical presence, the pair are very much an item! Sound-tracked to a magnificent Arcade Fire score, Jonze turns the charm factor to 11. But although some around him accept this as perfect normal- others (such as Catherine) poses the question of him just wanting a relationship without having to make the effort and this fact lingers on his mind throughout.

But like all great doomed romances, the crack begins to appear, and this bring a slight gloom to Her‘s later acts and before long in the pairs romance as their once wonderful late night conversations become overly long and increasingly strained and the lack of a presence soon becomes a big thing- which leads to one of the movies most hilariously ironic moments where Samantha hires a surrogate (Portia Doubleday) to allow the pair to have sex, only for Theodore to reject for not being real enough! Also as she evolves, Samantha becomes increasingly self absorbed and demonstrates the same types of personality shift that ruined Theodore’s marriage. Jonze’s argument whether man and AI can exist in harmony is a Coercive one and its lack of assurance adds to the doubt and worry of Theodore and lead ourselves to wonder what truly makes us happy?

Joaquin Phoenix makes for the perfect choice as the introverted and heartbroken Theodore and throughout he brings a terrific sense of melancholy. Harmed by past events, the continuous pained look in Phoenix’s eyes gives the emotional root of the movie. After his mesmerising return in The Master, it is truly great to see Joaquin back on screen again. Amy Adams is also impressive as his soon to be divorced neighbour Amy and she is able to excellently portray a sense of tragedy mixed with a sense of uplifting relief that her life is changing for the better.

But perhaps the movies real star turn comes from an A lister who never once appears and through just using her voice, Scarlett Johansson injects a tremendous charisma to Jonze’s film and allows her character to become the sort of girlfriend that dreams are made of and like her AI character, her performance effortlessly matures. A late replacement for original choice Samantha Morton, Johansson has proven to be the correct choice.

Spike Jonze’s Her is one of those movies you will inevitably see at some point and like many of his others, you will laugh, cry and go away rethinking your life and wondering what exactly will bring you closure? I think we will struggle to find a more heart warming and shiny film in 2014 and this brings proof that not all love needs to be human!

Losing Touch: Review of Barton Fink

Classic From The Vault 

Barton Fink (1991)

Director: Joel Coen

By Alex Watson

 

Whenever I think about this Coen Brothers movie, I cannot help but refer back to ‘The Simpsons’ episode ‘Brother from the Same Planet’, where Milhouse informs a disgruntled Bart Simpson that they will be attempting to sneak into an R rated movie entitled, Barton Fink, cue him being driven away chanting, “Barton Fink! Barton Fink!” This incredibly zany moment is the perfect tribute to Joel and Ethan’s 1991 Palme D’or winning classic where he see a man plucked from his surrounding and encountering a world where everything is strange and new!

Barton Fink (John Turturro) is currently winning rave reviews on Broadway for his hit play, Bare Ruined Choirs and as a result of his success, Barton is offered a Hollywood scriptwriting contract for Capitol Pictures. Although reluctant to go, Barton makes the move to Los Angeles but quickly becomes disillusioned with his new role and the ‘wrestling film’ he has been assigned to write. But soon things in Barton’s life begin to take a strange turn and events become increasingly erratic and he has a strong sense that this whole affair, has both nothing and everything to do with his odd neighbour Charlie Meadows (John Goodman).

Focusing mainly on the theme of the common man selling out, Barton Fink is a vintage Coen Brothers film and their early career quirkiness makes this movie a wondrous experience. Barton is a lead character who is not easy to like, as he is very self absorbed and very much in love with his writing ability. He loves Broadway because, it embodies his belief he can let the stage reflect his own values and openly scorns Hollywood for not being believable. However, as he is forced to become a reluctant detective in the films closing act we grudgingly accept him as the films hero, mainly fuelled by the fact that his life is now severely at risk!

From the moment Barton makes the jump across to the major leagues, things take a odd turn as he holes up in the enigmatic Hotel Earle, run by bizarre concierge Chet (Steve Buscemi)- he suddenly finds himself unable to write and the constant buzzing he hears from a mosquito sure doesn’t help! But its from the moment that we meet friendly yet utterly terrifying neighbour Charlie, things slowly begin to unravel and from there his life becomes a zig-zag of offbeat events, whether it be meeting respected, but violently alcoholic author W P Mayhew (John Mahoney) and his dedicated ‘assistant’ Audrey (Judy Davis) or having to deal with his greedy and disgusting boss Jack Lipnick (Michael Lerner).

The true core of Barton Fink is about the man fighting for his soul and while struggling to get going on his wrestling script, Barton stumbles into another bigger story altogether. Just who is Charlie really? And what is the mysterious package he has asked to watch while goes away. In typical Coen Brothers style, there is a violent but awe inspiring finale and as Charlie and Barton sit together amid the blazing corridor of the Hotel Earle, it feels as if the devil has arrived, and he has come to claim Barton! But the real damage to this man is the potential loss of his reputation and his gradually losing touch with his common man.

John Turturro is the perfect choice for Fink and through his excellent performance he is beautifully able to bring across the man’s sense of self consciousness and his underlining fear of going Hollywood. One of the Coens regular collaborators, Turturro has always been able to bring a memorable sense of wackiness to their work and he remains of one the underrated talents of today. John Goodman however, bring a real brute force to the screen as the questionable neighbour Charlie and his presence throughout is a dark and dangerous one- try not to feel fear as the evil glint his eye sparkles in his final moments on screen!

Barton Fink is one Coen Brothers movie that many films goers may have slightly forgotten since the pairs recent modern triumphs, but it is worth revisiting to reminder yourself what an unconventional talent they can be and the intoxicating aura they can bring to a picture. But please remember, always check what’s in a box when a stranger asks you look after it, what’s inside may just change your life!

Elite Membership: Review of Dallas Buyers Club

Dallas Buyers Club

Director: Jean Marc Vallee

By Alex Watson

 

People may have sneered at Matthew McConaughey in the past, many due to the numerous (but hardly career progressing) romantic comedies in starred in which required him to do little more than look good with his shirt off! As the critic gigged, his initial talent appeared to have been lost. But since starring in indie hits, Killer Joe and Mud last year, a newer and more improved Matthew has sailed into view and in his new effort, Dallas Buyers Club the Texas native has been racking up  an impressive amount of award nominations. Here we may just see him hit his career peak in some style!

Ron Woodroof (Matthew McConaughey) is man who lives a very fast and reckless existence, but soon his life changes completely when he is diagnosed with HIV and given only 30 days to live! Refusing to fall in despair, Woodroof attempts to find a way to prevent his illness from taking his life. For this he turns to the black market to find a solution and soon he starts a business which allows HIV victims to get the proper meds they need, but also puts him head on with government  agents who aren’t keen on his methods. However, through his efforts, Woodroof becomes a beacon of hope for others!

Dallas Buyers Club is a movie that has tremendous heart and soul,and all throughout Jean Marc Vallee’s movie, we are given a story that is bleak looking, but yet immensely uplifting. Ron Woodroof is a man who is at first bitter and cynical with the hand that life has dealt him, but his spirit is one that cannot be taken away and this what pushes Vallee’s movie along as no matter what kinks there are in the road, Woodroof is forever inventing methods to drive around them. But he is a protagonist that we have to fight to warm up to and this is one of the more reward aspects of this film.

When we first meet Woodroof, he is a drug abusing, promiscuous and nastily homophobic gentlemen, who treats life as cheaply as the cocaine he freely snorts. When he is given his diagnosis, he merely laughs it off stating there has been a mistake because he doesn’t have “Faggots Blood!” But this moment proves a turning point because it shapes the man he will later become as he is abandoned by his jerk friends, dismissed from his job and begins to experience severe discrimination for his illness. Rather than quitting Woodroof, heads to Mexico and after meeting a shady doctor, stumbles onto a goldmine of unapproved drugs!

From here Dallas Buyers Club becomes a persuasive look at one man going head on with the men in suits, as the FDA still refuses to permit use of the basically legal drugs over some fine legal print! But the more he confronts the corrupts doctors and agents, the more we root for this man! As events transpire, Ron still has his faults, but gains a more sympathetic edge as he strives to help others through creating his drug selling illicit club to help others and his romance with Doctor Eve (Jennifer Garner) adds to his reformation. Also the side story of transsexual Rayon (Jared Leto), who is an AIDS victim who refuses to let life beat her down and becomes an unlikely business partner proves instrumental in helping turn Ron into more of an acceptable person,and it is a tale that is truly heart shattering.

Matthew McConaughey here confirms that he is now officially one of the top actors around presently and in this movie, he rings in a career high performance! Through his dramatic loss, McConaughey demonstrates an impressive array of emotion and he aptly personifies Ron Woodroof’s hard fight and the pain he hold inside- but also brilliantly captures his fighting courage and you would have to agree, this man is now front runner for Best Actor glory at this years Oscars! Jared Leto, in his first role in over 4 years is magnetic as Rayon and adds some of the movies most tender and emotionally charged moments. Many fans of his rock band 30 Seconds to Mars may be shocked to see him don a variety of nice wigs, but his impact is undeniable!

Dallas Buyers Club is destined to become one of the top movies of 2014 and although its story may see this miss out on the top prizes at the upcoming BAFTA and Oscar ceremonies, Matthew McConaughey’s name should already be engraved on both Best Actor trophies, because for all his efforts, he has truly earned this! Believe the hype, the Matthew of old has returned- Kate Hudson, please don’t call this man any time soon!

5 Underrated Hollywood Actors

David Strathairn 

This man is one of Hollywood’s most loved supporting men, through his excellent turns such as Secretary of State Henry Seward in Lincoln, blind crook Whistler in Sneakers and he made a cunning villain for Matt Damon in The Bourne Ultimatum. But the man’s finest hour has to be his Oscar nomination brilliance as notorious news anchor Edward R Morrow in Good Night and Good Luck and in a cast including George Clooney, Robert Downey Jr and Frank Langella, it was Strathairn who made the strongest impression! But although he has the presence of a leading man, the 65 year old is still assigned to play supporting folly, someday he will get another headlining outing and the film world will sit up again!

Vera Farmiga 

This lady is one of the most engaging female presences on film right now and in her appearances in movies like Scorsese’s The Departed and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, Farmiga has shone on screen. But her leading lady appearences have been mainly confined to horror based films such as The Orphan or typical behind the desk roles in movies such as The Source Code.  Here we have a potential star on the horizon who is more than able to match her big name stars, her Oscar nomination for Jason Reitman’s Up in the Air demonstrated her ability to charm and equally cause heartbreak to audiences. If someone is reading this blog, please pass on this suggestion!

Sam Rockwell 

Currently one of the kings of indie cool presently, Rockwell is an actor who is comfortably able to act in art house favourites such as the acclaimed drama Moon and Choke whilst also proving to be one of the Hollywood’s most consistent supporting men in movies like big budget films such as The Green Mile, Iron Man 2 and The Assassination of Jesse James. But although he has the respect of his peers and fans alike, Rockwell is still searching for the perfect role to define him for life. Based on his likeable charm and apparent ease to do intense roles, I would Rockwell deserves to be given a shot in a major motion picture.

Brendan Gleeson 

The Irish actor has proven his leading man credentials in roles such as infamous bank robber Martin Cahill in John Boorman’s cult film The General and made our side burst at the seems as Sgt Gerry Boyle in the rip roaringly hilarious black comedy The Guard. But the man seems to be permanently stuck in prominent but not fulfilling supporting roles like Braveheart, Safe House and Troy- though he made a lasting impression as Mad Eye Moody in the later Harry Potter films. More of an indie darling, I cannot wait to see his return to heading a cast in his upcoming effort Calvary, where he plays a foul mouthed priest who receives a death threat in confession. Hopefully one day soon we will see this man taken more seriously.

Peter Sarsgaard 

One of my personal favourite actors, Sarsgaard always has a great ability to lift any movie he appears in, where it be big budget disasters such as The Green Lantern or Tom Cruise misfire Knight & Day. His presence is always felt and he can either bring a suitable magnetism or a more creepier edge to proceedings. His sole lead role in An Education perfectly demonstrated this and along with his raw turn in Jarhead means that we are given an actor who may just become something in special, if only Hollywood was willing to give his immense talents the push it needs!

A Tribute to Philip Seymour Hoffman

Tonight I was saddened to read of the passing of Philip Seymour Hoffman at the age of only 46! The Oscar winning actor was dead in his New York apartment from an apparent drug overdose!

Firstly I would like to express my extreme heartbreak at hearing this news! Hoffman was one of the finest actors of our generation and through his superb performances in movies such as Capote, Moneyball, Magnolia and The Master proved that he could light up the screen through even the smallest of his role  (including his criminally small part in Red Dragon) and could lift any film he appeared in! It is unlikely we will see an actor this capable for a very long time!

As a tribute to this great man, I will show a moment many of you will consider a unlikely choice! People forget what a tremendous villian Hoffman made when he squared off against mega star Tom Cruise  in Mission Impossible III. The Opening sequence demonstrated just the kind of enchanting and terrifying presence he was capable of delivering and in this scene he well and truly blows Cruise off the screen!

RIP Philip- My thoughts go out to his family at this time