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New Sicario: Day Of The Soldado Trailer – Josh Brolin & Benicio del Toro head back to the drug war

20th March 2018 By Tim Isaac

Sicario perhaps isn’t the most obvious candidate for a sequel, especially as director Denis Villeneuve has since moved onto the likes of Arrival and Blade Runner 2049. However, screenwriter Taylor Sheridan (Hell Or High Water) has returned to pen the screenplay, with Stefano Sollima (Gomorrah) stepping into the director’s chair.

Here’s the brief synopsis: ‘In Sicario 2: Soldado, the drug war on the US – Mexico border has escalated as the cartels have begun trafficking terrorists across the US border. To fight the war, federal agent Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) reteams with the mercurial Alejandro (Benicio Del Toro).’

The movie is due in cinemas next summer. Take a look at the new trailer for the film below. [Read more…]

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mother! (Blu-ray Review)

21st January 2018 By Tim Isaac

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris, Michelle Pfeiffer, Domhnall Gleeson
Directed By: Darren Aronofsky
Running Time: 121 mins
BBFC Certificate: 18
UK Release Date: January 22nd 2018 (UK)

Our Score

There’s rarely been as big a divide between critics and audiences as there was with mother!. While it’s got a decent 69% from critics on RottenTomatoes, on its US release it got a rare ‘F’ CinemaScore, based on audience reaction. Only 19 films have ever been given such a low rating. Watching the film you can understand why, because audience members who typically just watch typical Hollywood fare almost certainly had no idea what they were getting into, and probably ended up very confused about what they’d just seen.

This is not your typical multiplex movie, but it was given a wide release and marketing that suggested it was a relatively mainstream-style horror flick. What it really is though is an auteur-fuelled, rather experimental arthouse movie, filled with allegory and surreal, Bunuel-esque touches, but done on a big budget and starring the biggest actress in the world right now.

It’s a tough film to describe, but Lawrence plays a woman who’s continually doing up a house she lives in with her poet husband (Javier Bardem). Their peaceful, solitary existence is disrupted by the arrival of a man (Ed Harris) and his wife (Michelle Pfeiffer). Soon things have turned violent, and when Bardem manages to finish the poem he’s long been working on, things get increasingly bizarre – indeed, some would say the movie goes batshit crazy.

You can certainly understand why a lot of people hated it. mother! starts with a slow-build, feeling almost like Rosemary’s Baby, with the sense that there’s something not quite right and that everyone knows something that Jennifer Lawrence’s character is oblivious to. Rather than continuing in that vein, it suddenly starts dealing with a thousand other things, as crowds of people turn up to hear the words of the poet, a literal war breaks out inside the house and things turn cannibalistic, while Lawrence’s ‘mother’ is put through the ringer in almost sadistic way.

It is extremely peculiar, and on the surface seems pretty random. Things happen that seem to make no sense, there’s some truly nasty violence and anyone hoping that at the end all will be revealed will be sorely disappointed. Therefore, if like many viewers you like movies that are relatively straightforward to follow, you’re going to hate it.

So why did a majority of critics like it? It’s because when you realise what the film is attempting to do, it’s difficult not to applaud its sheer audacity. It’s a movie with the sort of ambition that most filmmakers wouldn’t even dare to attempt. However, from Requiem For A Dream and The Fountain to Black Swan to Noah, Darren Aronofsky has never been one to shy away from trying something different. After all, Black Swan was often strange and surreal, but audiences went with it – but with mother! he went a little too far for many.

*SPOILER ALERT* The film is essentially a retelling of The Bible from beginning to end – and beyond – shot through with Aronofsky’s own Gaia-influenced interpretations and ideas. Once you realise that Bardem is essentially God, while Lawrence is pretty much mother earth, it makes more sense and the film has some fascinating ideas, but even then it doesn’t make things easy. *SPOILERS END*

Everything becomes metaphor and allegory, and once you realise what it’s doing, it’s is undoubtedly quite something to behold. However, it is so ridiculously ambitious that unsurprisingly it struggles to contain everything it wants to do. Particularly in the second half it’s trying to cram so much in that it becomes messy, confusing, and at times too pretentious for its own good. It’s impressively filmed and some of it is visually fascinating – something particularly notable because the whole thing is set inside a single house – but it’s also sometimes difficult to follow and occasionally impenetrable.

I also wonder whether the way it presents femininity as a passive force, is actually more old-fashioned and reductive than it seems to realise. It’s been commented on how the film, and particularly Bardem’s character, represent a toxic, destructive, patriarchal masculinity. However, Lawrence’s mother! isn’t exactly an enlightened female. There is allegorical logic to why she’s presented as a bit of a damsel in distress who’s constantly assaulted by outside forces, but it undoubtedly relies on some pretty old-fashioned of women as passive victims of their own lives.

mother! is a film that’s easier to be impressed by than it is to like. I’m very pleased I watched it, but it’s difficult not to feel it’s trying to do too many things and doesn’t exactly help the audience to be pulled into its world. It assumes you’ll get its religious allegories, while not doing a vast amount to clue people in – but if they’re not clued in, nothing makes any sense. As it increasingly becomes like a hallucinogenic nightmare, it cannot help but polarise audiences. It does mean though that if you get pulled in by its audacity, it’s a film you may love, but many others will just think it’s a strange, chaotic mess. I was certainly impressed, but for me it’s just too hectic and messy to truly be considered a full-on success.

Overall Verdict: A crazy movie of astonishing ambition which is fascinating to watch, yet also unwieldy and at times confusing.

Reviewer: Tim Isaac

Special Features:
‘mother! The Downward Spiral’ Featurette
‘The Makeup FX of mother!’ Featurette

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Coco (Cinema Review)

16th January 2018 By George Elcombe

Starring: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael Garcia Bernal, Benjamin Bratt
Directed By: Lee Unkrich
Running Time: 109 Minutes
UK Release Date: 19 January 2018
BBFC Certificate: PG

Our Score

Pixar have an amazing track record for producing excellent films that are both commercial successes and critically praised. As I write this I haven’t seen a film released by them that I would consider bad, and this sets them apart from all the other studios producing computer animated films.

One reason for Pixar’s strength is the fearlessness of creating unique worlds and telling self-contained stories without the desire to build franchises. Yes, I know that a few of their films have spawned sequels (and a prequel), but unlike a lot of studios in general they take their time with each project and spend it developing the story at its heart. As such one of my most anticipated films of 2018 is The Incredibles 2, and as long as Pixar continue not to rush their projects in order to reach release dates, then I welcome all of their future films with open arms.

Pixar have done something relatively new with Coco by releasing a story with roots in Mexican culture (although of course there will be comparisons with The Book of Life (2014)). If I have truly enjoyed a film then I find it difficult to review without giving away spoilers, but take comfort in the fact that this is one film where you will definitely get your money’s worth.

Coco tells the story of Miguel (Gonzalez) who is a young kid with a passion for music and aspirations of being a star – following in the footsteps of the deceased Latin musical legend Ernesto de la Cruz (Bratt). However, due to an event in his family’s past, music is forbidden in his household. Even so, Miguel wishes to enter a local music contest on Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) and attempts to ‘borrow’ Ernesto’s guitar from his tomb. Upon touching the guitar something supernatural happens, which leads Miguel to the underworld, where he must go on a journey to return to the land of the living and is helped along the way by deceased musician Hector (Bernal).

Despite my description of the plot, this film isn’t as morbid or macabre as some may believe, and although the film is rated as PG in the UK due to mild threat and violence I’d deem it suitable for all audiences.

If I could describe the overall theme of this movie it would be family. From the beginning there is an implicit message about the collective strength of Miguel’s family, past and present, and as an audience we are reminded of the importance of families sticking together and remembering the stories of those members who are no longer with us. We are educated as to what Día de Muertos is and its importance in Mexican culture, and this story just simply wouldn’t work if told within another cultural context.

Without preaching it makes us welcome and accepting of both the worlds and environments of the living and dead, and as expected with any Pixar film the visuals are stunningly gorgeous. Films like this stand out as being labour of loves from all the crew involved and the 6 years it has taken to bring this film to the screen have been well utilised. The attention to detail is amazing and the whole aesthetic of the underworld is unlike anything I have seen. The colours are vibrant and each character looks unique and individually identifiable, even though they are all essentially skeletons wearing clothes.

We get a grand look of scale on how this underworld operates and just wait until you see the many colourful spirit guides. Keen eyes will see Easter eggs from Toy Story (1995) and other Pixar projects, and no doubt we will all notice a lot more background details upon repeat viewings.

The story and plot beats may be familiar to some but there is something pure at heart within this tale and how it’s told. Miguel defies his family in order to fulfil the dreams that are inspired by his idol Ernesto. As with many stories this call to adventure leads him to truly step out of his comfort zone and ultimately realise the importance of family, and as such they are all more connected and stronger and by the end of the film. In fact, it gets quite emotional.

Besides being another excellent Pixar production, for me this film stresses the importance of understanding other cultures. This film will educate audiences across the globe of the importance and significance of more than Día de Muertos, and I feel that death is something that we don’t often talk about in the western world, let alone celebrate.

Unsurprisingly Pixar (unlike other animation studios) have used Latino actors to voice all of the major characters and as such this should open up their previous movies to global audiences. Anthony Gonzalez is spot on for Miguel, and his voice never comes across as whiney or arrogant. Benjamin Bratt is great as the charismatic superstar Ernesto de la Cruz but the stand out for me is Victor, who is voiced by renowned actor Gael García Bernal. If you don’t know who he is go and see Y Tu Mamá También (translated title: And Your Mother Too – 2001) and The Motorcycle Diaries (2004).

What Pixar continue to do is tell fresh stories to global audiences without fear, and they are allowed to nurture and develop these stories over a number of years until they are right for us to experience.
This process is risky for many other film studios as tried and tested formulas work, but what we have with Coco is another excellent film which is colourful, musical and emotional, and is well worth your time.

Overall Verdict: Pixar have done it again by creating another masterpiece which educates and reinforces the strength and love of family. Its supernatural setting is nothing but a joy to see and add in some great characters, songs and stand out moments, this is one of their best.

Reviewer: George Elcombe

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ACTORS: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael Garcia Bernal, Benjamin Bratt  DIRECTORS: Lee Unkrich  FILMS: Coco  

Win The Dramatic War Movie The Man With The Iron Heart On Blu-ray!

8th January 2018 By Tim Isaac

To celebrate the release of THE MAN WITH THE IRON HEART – available on DVD & Blu-ray 8th Jan. 2018 – we are giving away a Blu-ray and a paperback copy of ‘HHhH’.

Starring Jason Clarke (Zero Dark Thirty, Lawless), Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl, Jack Reacher), Jack O’Connell (Starred Up, ‘71), Stephen Graham (Boardwalk Empire, This Is England), Jack Reynor (Free Fire, Macbeth) and Mia Wasikowska (Jane Eyre, Alice In Wonderland), THE MAN WITH THE IRON HEART is an action-packed account of the audacious World War Two mission to kill top ranking Nazi Reinhard Heydrich, based on the international bestseller HHhH.

In part a chilling portrait of the rise of the Nazis, as well as an inspiring account of an extraordinary attempt to stop them by striking at their very core, THE MAN WITH THE IRON HEART is a bold, superbly made war film that ranks alongside the likes of Dunkirk and Valkyrie.

“A visually impressive Hollywood calling card” The Hollywood Reporter

Order today: http://amzn.to/2Ct7Xdi

For your chance to win THE MAN WITH THE IRON HEART on Blu-ray and the HHhH paperback, answer the question below and fill in your details, then press submit! The competition closes on January 22nd, 2017, so get answering and good luck. [Read more…]

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Rampage Trailer – Dwayne Johnson gets his very own giant gorilla

17th November 2017 By Tim Isaac

I don’t know whether Dwayne Johnson really wannted a role in Kong: Skull Island and didn’t get one – and so initiated his own everyle large gorilla movie. It seems a definite possibility, even if the gorillas here seem to have been dyeing their hair white, like the apes in Michael Crichton’s Congo!

Here’s the synopsis: ‘Primatologist Davis Okoye (Johnson), a man who keeps people at a distance, shares an unshakable bond with George, the extraordinarily intelligent, silverback gorilla who has been in his care since birth. But a rogue genetic experiment gone awry mutates this gentle ape into a raging creature of enormous size. To make matters worse, it’s soon discovered there are other similarly altered animals. As these newly created alpha predators tear across North America, destroying everything in their path, Okoye teams with a discredited genetic engineer to secure an antidote, fighting his way through an ever-changing battlefield, not only to halt a global catastrophe but to save the fearsome creature that was once his friend.’

Rampage – which oddly enough is based on a 1986 computer game (yes, really) is due out in cinemas next April. Take a look at the trailer below. [Read more…]

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ACTORS: Dwayne Johnson  DIRECTORS: Brad Peyton  

First Look At Jude Law As Young Dumbledore As Fantastic Beasts 2 Gets A Name

16th November 2017 By Tim Isaac

Press release: ‘Warner Bros. Pictures announces “FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD” as the title of the second of five all new adventures in J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World™. Opening November 16, 2018, the film features an ensemble cast led by Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, with Jude Law and Johnny Depp.

‘At the end of the first film, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Depp) was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander (Redmayne). But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escaped custody and has set about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings.

‘I’n an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore (Law) enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.

‘“FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD” is being directed by David Yates, from a screenplay by J.K. Rowling, and produced by David Heyman, J.K. Rowling, Steve Kloves and Lionel Wigram.

‘(Left to right) JUDE LAW plays a young ALBUS DUMBLEDORE, taking on the mantle of one of J.K. Rowling’s most beloved characters; EZRA MILLER makes a return as the enigmatic CREDENCE, whose fate was unknown at the end of the first film; CLAUDIA KIM appears as a Maledictus, the carrier of a blood curse that destines her ultimately to transform into a beast; ZOË KRAVITZ plays LETA LESTRANGE, who had once been close to Newt Scamander but is now engaged to his brother; CALLUM TURNER joins the cast as Newt’s older brother, THESEUS SCAMANDER, a celebrated war hero and the Head of the Auror Office at the British Ministry of Magic; KATHERINE WATERSTON returns as TINA GOLDSTEIN, who has been reinstated as an Auror for MACUSA; EDDIE REDMAYNE stars again as wizarding world Magizoologist NEWT SCAMANDER, who has now gained fame in the wizarding world as the author of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them; DAN FOGLER reprises the role of the only No-Maj in the group, JACOB KOWALSKI; ALISON SUDOL reprises the part of Tina’s
free-spirited sister, QUEENIE GOLDSTEIN, a Legilimens who can read minds; and JOHNNY DEPP returns as the powerful Dark wizard GELLERT GRINDELWALD in Warner Bros. Pictures’ “FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD.”” [Read more…]

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ACTORS: Jude Law, Ezra Miller, Eddie Redmayne, Johnny Depp  DIRECTORS: David Yates  FILMS: Fantastic Beasts 2  
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