Solomon Unchained: Review of 12 Years A Slave

12 Years A Slave

Director: Steve McQueen

By Alex Watson

Steve McQueen will forever hold a place in history on this blog as it was his movie Shame that became the first ever movie reviewed here! Well this week I returned to the place where it all started, at the Cornerhouse cinema in Manchester to watch his new piece of cinema, 12 Years A Slave. Based on the true story Solomon Northrup, this again will make for tough yet compelling viewing!

Born a free man, Solomon Northrup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is a talented violin player living with his wife and children in Saratoga, New York. But when he approached by two ‘entertainers’ who lure him to Washington in the promise of a lucrative gig! Only he then finds himself drugged and sold into a life of slavery! Facing great hardship, Solomon must learn to think smart to stay alive, particularly when facing his cruel master Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender).

12 Years A Slave is movie that deserves the unanimously positive praise that has been heaped upon it, and in the hands of McQueen we are given a fascinating look a man literally stripped of his identity and cast into a terrifying new world! But those expecting an uplifting and rousing tale of the human spirit need to be prepared for a few shocks, as McQueen demonstrates the full barbarity of slave life, and for this no stone is left un-turned. In one particularly horrific scene, we see Solomon semi lynched and left to hang from a tree for several minutes while several people come and go!

The life of Solomon is a bruising tale and this is made obvious when he wakes up in shackles after being tricked by the two entertainers, shortly after this while protesting his freedom, he finds himself being slapped by a slave trader (Paul Giamatti) and told his name is now ‘Platt’. Life initially life is good under his first kindly master, Paul Ford (Benedict Cumberbatch), who seems to relish his knowledge and gives more duties to him. But when a ‘disagreement’ with racist carpenter Jimmy (Paul Dano) turns nasty, his life is thrown into turmoil!

From here, 12 Years A Slave is given a dramatic shake up by the introduction of the heinous ‘slave breaker’ Edwin Epps, a slave owner who sees it as his biblical right to flog his slaves, which in one disturbingly memorable scene is shown to us, and we view the bloody effects it has soon the human body! For this the head honcho takes pride in his work! Epps is a highly complex man, with a severe drinking problem and a fiery temper! But he seems to have immense compassion for slave girl Patsey (Lupita Nyong’o), which continually puts him at odds with his jealous wife (Sarah Paulson). Solomon soon learns that to survive this man, he must play dumb to stay alive!

In the midst of all the harsh realities, McQueen does inject occasional moments of beauty with such simple thing like shots of the surrounding New Orleans swamp lands. But ending given is wonderfully under played and McQueen opts for as less sentiment as possible and the intense close up on the pained expression of Solomon us worth more than any grandiose speech that could have been prepared!

Performance wise, Chiwetel Ejiofor is given a role that finally allows him to shine as a leading actor and after years of being capable supporting folly in movies like Inside Man and Love Actually, Ejiofor effortlessly carries the movie and becomes its emotional soul!

Michael Fassbender earns top honours in the supporting category and his role as monstrous slaver Epps is scene stealingly brilliant. But more skillfully, Fassbender gives the man a thinly veiled sense of humanity amidst his racist self hating. But its newcomer Lupita Nyong’o who really steals our hearts as the tormented Patsey who throughout shows an immense commitment to her role and seems odds on to be a favourite comes awards ! Also Brad Pitt crops up in a brief but very relevant appearance as Canadian abolitionist Saul.

It may some times be a tough sell, but 12 Years A Slave is one of the more fervidly emotional and real dramas we are likely to view in 2014 and thankfully in the hands of McQueen and Ejiofor, we are given a journey to remember- maybe see you again at the Cornerhouse Steve? Though I need a word about your reaction to my Hunger question!

2013: A Year in Review

Its been another fabulous year of film goodness as we saw the return of Tony Stark in Iron Man 3, had robots punching aliens in Pacific Rim and tragically we discovered that Baz Luhrmann’s version of The Great Gatsby fell tragically short of what its excellent trailer campaign promised! Also we saw the tragic passing of screen legend Peter O’Toole and James Gandofini.

But without further delay, here are my film highlights of 2013

Top 10 Films of 2013

1. Rush (USA/UK Dir: Ron Howard): Formula One fans all over world rejoiced with this movie and Ron Howard’s biopic of the thrilling 1976 F1 season gave us one of the great Motorsport films in recent memory! The legendary rivalry between Niki Lauda and James Hunt and was brought fantastically to life through excellent performances by Daniel Bruhl and Chris Hemsworth who each personified the men and their competitive spirit. With Ron Howard’s stunning direction we were given this years most heartfelt and pulse raising film.

2. Blue is the Warmest Color (FR Dir: Abellatif Kechiche): After winning the Palme D’or at Cannes, the public curiosity was instantly raised and French director Adellatif Kechiche’s look at the relationship of lesbian couple Adele and Emma gave us this years greatest love story and perfectly captured the ups and downs of finding the perfect person! This movie may have made headlines for its graphic sexual content, but its powerful emotional core remains its most unforgettable element and with a star making turns from Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux, this a film that will shatter your heart!

3. Gravity (USA Dir: Alfonso Cuaron): Gravity may be topping almost every Best Film List on the planet right now, but it will have to settle for being number 3 on mine. But Alfonso Cuaron’s space disaster movie is still a film not to be missed and the tension level is continually set to chest tightening and the end result with stay with you long after the end credits. Sandra Bullock rings in a stunning central turn and as we view her face frozen with fear whilst drifting in space your blood is guaranteed to freeze in your veins!

4. Captain Phillips (UK/USA Dir: Paul Greengrass): The return of Paul Greengrass to the big screen shot was an event to remember and his film based on the hijacking of the Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates was an absolutely griping affair and was aided by an Oscar assured performance by Tom Hanks as Richard Phillips. The continuous game of psychological cat and mouse between Phillips and lead pirate Muse (Barkhad Abdi) added fantastic tension to events, particular the latter stages and delivered one of the real cinematic heroes of 2013!

5. Zero Dark Thirty (USA Dir: Kathryn Bigelow): The hunt for Osama Bin Laden  was another home run movie for Kathryn Bigelow and we witness the long and sometimes pain filled journey, it was hard to tear our eyes away. Jessica Chastain’s performance as fiercely committed CIA agent Maya was the driving force of the movie and she holds the screen with tremendous ferorcity! The climax hunt for their main target brought us one of the most electrifying sequences of this year and like the result of Bigalow’s film it keeps our eyes wide open.

6. Stoker (KR/USA) Dir : Park Chan Wook): Park Chan Wook’s English language debut was one of the most hauntingly beautiful films of this year. His tale of a family secrets and treachery was both captivating and incredibly nerve wracking. Mia Wasikowska gave a breakout turn as curious teen India was mesmerising as after the death of her father she becomes suspicious when her long lost uncle Charlie suddenly shows up. Western audiences waited a long time food Chan Wook to make the transition and it was truly worth the wait!

7. The Impossible (ESP Dir Juan Antonio Bayona): This year it was harder to find a bigger tear jerker than Juan Antonio Bayona’s film about the boxing day Tsunami. As we see a family torn apart by a wave of wreckage we yearn for the majority of the films running time for them to reunite and emotions are set to maximum. With a stunning turn by Naomi Watts and a career best from Ewan McGregor, then result is an affecting yet uplifting piece, but be prepared for this movie to leave emotional scars that won’t heal quickly!

8. A Hijacking (DK Dir: Tobias Lindholm): Somali pirates were one of the hot topics in 2013 and Tobias Lindholm’s documentation of a Danish ship being hijacked made for very chilling viewing. Switching between tense scenes involving the shipping company in Copenhagen and the ship mates held captive as sea, events get increasingly out of control, but it’s the events we cannot see that create the real nerves throughout! watching this together with Captain Phillips may just make your heart explode!

9. Stories We Tell (CAN Dir: Sarah Polley): One of Closer to the Edge’s favourite girls brought us this years finest documentary as she recounted her family history and through the many wonderous stories given, a mind blowing revelation about Polley’s childhood is brought forward- I will say no more here but lest to say, the result will stun you to the core! After watching this I assure you will be dying to research your family, but careful what you find!

10. Blue Jasmine (USA Dir: Woody Allen): A tour de force performance by Cate Blanchett is one of the many reasons to watch this excellent Woody Allen movie. As the former socialite, Blanchett is heart breaking and as a lady trying to rebuild her life after her wealthy husband (Alec Baldwin) is sent to jail. A modern tragedy this film is a unique mixture of immense charm and devastating blows as we grow to both love and hate Jasmine as her past is slowly revealed. A new Woody Allen classic, expect to see this among the Oscar nominee’s this year.

Best of The Rest

Man of Steel: Zack Synder’s Superman movie saw Kal El soar once again and Henry Cavill made for an excellent choice as Clark Kent! With the upcoming Superman/Batman movie, we have a whole new reason to get excited!

The Way, Way Back: One of the more under rated summer movies, Nat Flax and Jim Rash brought us a movie that is impossible to dislike. An outstanding debut performance by Liam James put the impressive cap on this great movie about a very memorable families summer vacation.

Lincoln: Daniel Day-Lewis’s forceful performance as Abraham Lincoln deservedly won him a third best actor award in Steven Spielberg’s magnificent civil war biopic! With an all star cast including Tommy Lee Jones and Sally Field, this one one of the years mosrt acclaimed efforts!

In The House: Francois Ozon’s tale of obsession band lines being firmly crossed was one of the most underrated piece of European cinema this year, with a stand out performance by Fabrice Luchini as a teacher who becomes enthralled over a pupils writings about his friends family, but soon his interest will take both into dangerous places.

Male Star of The Year- Benedict Cumberbatch: After years of being a respected character actor in films such as Atonement and Starter for 10, Cumberbatch finally the big time this year and as villian John Harrison in Star Trek: Into Darkness he made 2013’s greatest villain and as Smaug the Dragon in the new hobbit movie, his voice alone made waves! With the return of Sherlock in 2014, next year promises to a big one for Benedict!

Female Star of The Year- Jessica Chastain: Bold and brilliant in Zero Dark Thirty and the main point of credibility in horror film Mama, Chastain is now firmly placed on the A List and it appears that we have a new superstar in waiting! Chastain has been touted as a talent previously and with her upcoming role as the tragic Miss Julie, we have all the more reason to get excited about this beautiful starlet!

Director of The Year: Sarah Polley: As mentioned previously, Sarah Polley is now firmly among this blogs favourite people and the Toronto native’s devastating documentary Stories We Tell was a simple yet masterful example of directing. Polley’s decision to go behind the camera has been a wise on be, but I hope soon that we see her in front of the camera as well- Watch out Hollywood, we have a new double threat!

Scene of The Year- Opening Sequence: Gravity: Cuaron’s opening scene in his excellent space disaster film was this years most stunning and with its one continuous take is a slow burning affair, but when the moment hits, carnage ensues! Never before has the opening 10 minutes of a movie been so memorable!

Finally I would like wish all my reader a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and thank you for your continued support of my writing! See you soon!

Unleash The Dragon: Review of The Hobbit : The Desolation of Smaug

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Director: Peter Jackson

By Alex Watson

 

So far Peter Jackson’s return to Middle-Earth has divided fans into two desperate categories, which are those who love it and those who feel they’ve seen it before. But its popularity cannot be denied as millions still flick to watch it! Even though it has been spread into three movies, the next chapter The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug promises to the mist exciting adventure yet as our heroes meet a nemesis who will send fear to the very core!

As Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) aids his dwarf friends led by Thorin (Richard Armitage) as they head to reclaim the old city of Erebor. But their journey will be perilous one as they encounter a cursed forest filled with giant spiders, escape an Elvin prison through rough water rapids and have to deal with the corrupt city Lake town led by a greedy Master (Stephen Fry). But their moist dangerous challenge will lie ahead of them in the face of infamous dragon Smug!

After the slightly rough start of the first film, thankfully The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug gets the Tolkein universe back on the rails and this one ride that is truly thrilling! From the very beginning where our group is chased by a gigantic man-bear, excitement levels are raised to maximum and this feeling rarely relents. But the main factor that makes this such a good film is the strength that our characters  to proceedings.

The Bilbo we see in this version is a much changed man from his adventure and is one emerges as stronger and smarter man and most of all- all real hero. With a or dwarf company, Thorin’s once stead fast loyalty to his quest is slowly beginning to fade and his intentions are becoming more dubious as he obsesses over a glowing white stone! We also have an interesting love triangle forming as new lady elf Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly) is caught between the affections of fellow elf with a bow Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and good looking dwarf Kili (Aiden Turner).

But by gas the most impressive factor of Jackson’s film comes from introduction of its magnificent dragon Smaug (voiced with great menace by Benedict Cumberbatch) who makes a strong case for villain of the year! From the second he enters, the hairs on our neck stand up as through his silky and husky tone, he plays a chilling game of cat and mouse with Bilbo. Looks like middle earth has a fascinating new creation on its hands.

Yes The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is probably longer than it needs to be and there are several sequences that drag on for too long, but this is simply because Jackson wishes set things for a grand finale and things such as the introduction of Bard the Bowman (Luke Evans) may seem idle, but come part three this will all fit together. But we ste given a finale that makes our blood freeze in our veins and as we witness Bilbo’s face frozen in terror at the films abrupt ending, we wish part three would a hell of a lot sooner.

Martin Freeman is once again spot on as Bilbo and gradually it seems he is becoming more of a mainstream star and he captures a real sense of courage and Jackson has found the right man to lead this series. Richard Armitage is equally strong as Thorin and his sense of conflict is excellently drawn out as he struggles to maintain himself as they near Erebor!

But the real star us as man who never once appears in Benedict Cumberbatch whose voice as Smug brings us a living and figure breathing nightmare.

It is great to see Jackson back on form after a few missteps in between and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug will stand as one of this years finest blockbusters. Better hurry up with part three Peter, we’re all on edge!

 

The Great Unknown: Review of Star Trek: Into Darkness

Star Trek: Into Darkness

Director: JJ Abrams

By Alex Watson

JJ Abrams’ reboot of the Star Trek series has truly been phenomenal and a franchise which was once considered for die hard fans only has reached an all new audience worldwide. But with Abrams’ now overseeing the rival Star Wars franchise it appears that this might be the end of the road. But with all that aside, the promos for his new effort Star Trek: Into Darkness has promised a great deal- but are James T Kirk and company up for the task?

After his heroic defeat of the Romulans in the first movie, Captain James T Kirk (Chris Pine) is now skating on thin ice with Star Fleet due to his constant dismissal of the rules which has now put him at odds with his first officer Spock (Zachary Quinto), who is experiencing problems of his own in his relationship with Uhura (Zoe Saldana). But big trouble arrives in the shape of former Fleet man John Harrison (Benedict Cumberbatch) who begins to wage his own personal war against the Federation. Kirk and other members of the USS Enterprise will soon lead a manhunt to hunt him down, whatever the cost!

Star Trek: Into Darkness will rank as the one of the best blockbusters of the year and all the way through this is an entertaining and spectacular ride! The high octane feel is present from the very beginning as we open on the end result of an Enterprise mission where Kirk and Bones McCoy (Karl Urban) run for lives from pasty white warriors in a red vine jungle only to find a cliff top dead ahead! Abrams is currently proving he is the master of set pieces and his direction of the action sequences is second to none, particularly during the numerous epic showdowns against Harrison!

The first Star Trek movie dealt with the beginning years where Kirk was learning how to make something of himself and Spock was trying to discover his real identity. Here the two are still very much in school, Kirk is learning what it means to be a leader rather than a hotshot who hates the rules and Spock is well… learning how to be a good friend. Their petty squabbles give us much of the movie’s comic relief and Spock’s Vulcan honesty causes much friction, particularly as he fails to appreciate his friends life saving act during the film’s opening because was “against the prime directive!”

But their relationship grows ever stronger and the movie benefits here from an excellent script by Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Damon Lindelof which unlike many before it, has an emotionally charged feel and this makes way for some tear jerking moments as Spock finally begins to reveal his true colours and begins to learn that being a good friend sometimes mean breaking the rules. This is shown to us through a gutsy and deceptive trick that puts Harrison in his place!

The truly great element of Star Trek: Into Darkness comes from its magnificent villain, John Harrison who holds the screen with such sheer force that it is impossible not to fear him! Harrison is literally a one man wrecking crew- who throughout causes havoc wherever he goes and his cold and calculating persona is not one to cross. Like all great adversaries, his reasons for starting his war remain ambiguous and when he reveals intentions, it is hard not to be shocked. But Harrison also carries with him a great physical threat and as he takes a severe beating from Kirk and barely bats an eyelid, it is clear this is no ordinary man! Through the icy menace of Benedict Cumberbatch, this makes him one of the best baddies of the year!

The other Enterprise cast members are equally excellent and Chris Pine is fast becoming an impression addition to the Star Trek series and rings in another charming and sensitive performance as Captain Kirk and Zachary Quinto matches him blow for blow in the emotional stakes as his Spock evolves from being a Vulcan man-droid to being something far more humane and it will interesting to watch this space for these two! Also it is great to see Peter Weller appearing in this as Admiral Marshall and no doubt fans of Robocop shall rejoice as we remember how could he can be in the right kind of role.

With Abrams’ taking over the George Lucas Empire for the foreseeable future, this appears to be his last voyage on the USS Enterprise. But should this be his final effort, Abrams has left the series on a high note and has given us one of the summer’s finest blockbusters! You’ll be hard pressed to find a better villain in 2013 though!

Spy Hard: Tinker, Tailor Soldier, Spy Review

New Cult Classic

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

Director: Tomas Alfredson

By Alex Watson

When people think of John Le Carre’s novel Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, we tend to think back the old BBC adaptation starring Alec Guinness as George Smiley. Overall it was an excellent adaptation and for many set the benchmark for the entire series that followed. The novel itself was considered a classic example of the spy espionage thriller. But when it was announced that Swedish director Tomas Alfredson was due to take on a cinematic re-make, many people had mixed feelings. But it appears that it was a gamble that was worth taking and in doing so we got a very different kind of spy thriller and the stand out British film of 2011.

Staying faithful to Le Carre’s story Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is set in London in the 1970’s and tells the story of George Smiley (Gary Oldman), a former agent in the Circus- a secret British Intelligence operation. Smiley and his counterpart Control (John Hurt) were sacked following an undercover operation that went wrong in Hungary. Smiley is soon recalled to active duty because it appears that there is a mole high up in the Circus personnel who is leaking information to the Soviets. Smiley is tasked with search for the mole which could be anyone of his former colleagues (Colin Firth, Toby Jones and Ciaran Hinds).

The principle strength of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is that it has an intelligence story which keeps us guessing all the way through. The film doesn’t rely on big chase sequences, gun fights or stunning women. The plot is allowed to drive itself forward as Smiley searches in vain for who the villain could be. The film is distinctly unglamorous to the eye and through Tomas Alfredson, we see a drab and grey world filled with craggy and tired old spies. With this shine taken away, the film is given a gritty edge to it and Alfredson was the perfect choice to bring this feeling across. In his previous film, Let the Right One In, we saw a real talent to cinema making his mark and in Tinker, Tailor Soldier, Spy he solidifies his new reputation.

The characterisation also stays in the same vein as Le Carre’s novel. Smiley in a lot of ways is a sad sack of a man; he is in a failing marriage to his wife Ann and has an obsession with his tricky soviet counterpart Karla. But his mind is one of true brilliance and in his quiet moments we see him carefully gluing the pieces of the mystery together. Karla looms heavily in the mind of Smiley, and through one brilliantly acted monologue by Oldman he recants his first meeting with his nemesis in Delhi and his fascination with the man his methods. Here we see the ghosts of Smileys past and his willingness to stop any more occurring.

Every aspect of the 1970’s is precisely presented in this Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy from a phone-box to cars and shirts of that era. Also the spirit of the cold war is ever present here it brings a frost chill to proceedings. Within the walls of The Circus everyone is a suspect and they we feel the sense that Smiley and co are working against the clock to find a spy who doesn’t to be found. The other higher ranking members of the circus are all presented with skeletons in their closets and in their own way are guilty of crimes. But whether any of them could be a traitor remains ambiguous throughout.

The film also boasts a stellar cast and is led by Gary Oldman in a spectacular performance. Through Oldman he brings Smileys quiet yet brilliant nature to life. His understanding of Smileys body simple gestures elevates his performance further and we hear the gears of Smiley mind working!  For this performance he was finally reward with an Oscar nod for Best Actor. He is joined in the acting ranks by Colin Firth as the arrogant Bill Haydon; Firth perfectly portrays his slimy nature and his willingness to get ahead by any means at all. There are also fine supporting turns by rising stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Peter Guillam and Tom Hardy as troubled agent Ricky Tarr. The two men even in their most troubled moments,  keep their heads and bring the task to its resolution.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is one the best thrillers to hit our screens in recent years. It might feel low key and slow boiling to the un-trained eye, but those who watch this will be reward with a nail biting story that will keep you asking questions until the film frame. Even after that more question will come to as you consider what has just been. Gary Oldman and Tomas Alfredson bring this piece to life and I hope they work together again soon.