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Paddington 2 (Blu-ray Review)

11th March 2018 By Tim Isaac

Starring: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Hugh Grant, Brendan Gleeson
Directed By: Paul King
Running Time: 104 mins
BBFC Certificate: PG
UK Release Date: March 12th 2018 (UK)

Our Score

Before the first Paddington movie, a lot of people were convinced Michael Bond’s classic character couldn’t work as a live-action film. Not only was it a major success, but the sequel was even better received, with Paddington 2 becoming the first film ever to get more than 190 ‘Fresh’ reviews on RottenTomatoes, without a single negative notice. That doesn’t mean it’s the best film ever made, but it does mean it’s one that’s very difficult not to be charmed by.

Paddington (Ben Whishaw) is happily living in London with the Brown family. He wants to get his beloved Aunt Lucy a special 90th Birthday present, and sets his sights on a unique pop-up book. Just when he’s nearly got enough cash, the book is stolen and the police think the small bear is the one who took it. As a result, Paddington ends up in prison, at the mercy of a scary brute known as Knuckles (Brendan Gleeson).

Meanwhile the Browns, led by mother Mary (Sally Hawkins), know that Paddington must be innocent and so set out to prove it, even if father Henry (Hugh Bonneville) is initially a little preoccupied with his midlife crisis. The real villain is snooty actor Phoenix Buchanan (Hugh Grant), who’s convinced the pop-up book is his ticket to riches and doesn’t care if he destroys Paddington to get them.

The best family films manage to be fun and exciting while exuding a real warmth and optimism, and that’s exactly what Paddington 2 does. From the opening moments it sets out to put a smile of the viewer’s face and keep it there. It presents us with a fantasy version of London that’s all bright colours and with one foot still in the Victorian era, and where pretty much everyone has the face of a well-known British actor – from Peter Capaldi and Ben Miller to Jim Broadbent and Richard Ayoade.

It’s all done with a wink and both sets and acting that is deliberately pushed just a little bigger than reality, with the result that the CGI bear at the centre of the film is the most down-to-earth and normal character in the movie. It’s a deliberate reversal that works extremely well, helped by Ben Whishaw’s earnest vocals and strong comic timing. Hugh Grant is also a great addition, as he revels in playing what is in essence an over-the-top panto villain.

Ultimately the whole thing is a giant wad of warm and fuzzy fluff, underpinned by the expected platitudes about being positive and accepting others, but it’s extremely well done. If you just want to smile for 100 minutes, Paddington 2 is the movie for you.

Overall Verdict: A real charmer that just wants audiences of all ages to have a good time, and which succeeds admirably.

Reviewer: Tim Isaac

Special Features:
Director’s commentary
‘Rain on the Roof’ with Phoenix Buchanan (Full Screen)
Paddington 2: The Challenges of Making the Film
BAFTA Q&A with David Heyman, Paul King, Simon Farnaby, Hugh Grant and Pablo Grillo

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Hugh Grant, Brendan Gleeson  DIRECTORS: Paul King  

New Paddington 2 Trailer – Ben Whishaw’s little bear is back and having a new adventure

3rd October 2017 By Tim Isaac

When Paddington was first announced, many were sceptical that Michael Bond’s peruvian bear could make a successful transfer to the big screen. However, the resulting movie grossed almsot $270 million around the world and is now getting a sequel.

Here’s the synopsis for Paddington 2: ‘The much-anticipated sequel to the worldwide hit family film finds Paddington happily settled with the Brown family in Windsor Gardens, where he has become a popular member of the community, spreading joy and marmalade wherever he goes. While searching for the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy’s hundredth birthday, Paddington spots a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber’s antique shop, and embarks upon a series of odd jobs to buy it. But when the book is stolen, it’s up to Paddington and the Browns to unmask the thief…’

The returning cast included Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Peter Capaldi, Madeleine Harris and Samuel Joslin, with Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington and Imelda Staunton as Aunt Lucy. The are joined by new cast members such as Hugh Grant and Brendan Gleeson. Paddington 2 will be released in UK cinemas on 10 November 2017. [Read more…]

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Peter Capaldi, Hugh Grant, Brendan Gleeson  DIRECTORS: Paul King  

Paddington 2 Trailer – The little bear is back and having a new adventure

30th May 2017 By Tim Isaac

When Paddington was first announced, many were sceptical that Michael Bond’s peruvian bear could make a successful transfer to the big screen. However, the resulting movie grossed almsot $270 million around the world and is now getting a sequel.

Here’s the synopsis for Paddington 2: ‘The much-anticipated sequel to the worldwide hit family film finds Paddington happily settled with the Brown family in Windsor Gardens, where he has become a popular member of the community, spreading joy and marmalade wherever he goes. While searching for the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy’s hundredth birthday, Paddington spots a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber’s antique shop, and embarks upon a series of odd jobs to buy it. But when the book is stolen, it’s up to Paddington and the Browns to unmask the thief…’

The returning cast included Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Peter Capaldi, Madeleine Harris and Samuel Joslin, with Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington and Imelda Staunton as Aunt Lucy. The are joined by new cast members such as Hugh Grant and Brendan Gleeson. Paddington 2 will be released in UK cinemas on 10 November 2017. [Read more…]

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Peter Capaldi, Hugh Grant, Brendan Gleeson  DIRECTORS: Paul King  

Assassin’s Creed (DVD Review)

14th May 2017 By Tim Isaac

Starring: Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons, Charlotte Rampling, Brendan Gleeson
Directed By: Justin Kurzel
Running Time: 110 mins
BBFC Certificate: 12
UK Release Date: May 15th 2017

Our Score

After witnessing the aftermath of his mother’s murder as a child, Callum Lynch (Michael Fassbender) has been on the run and fighting to survive, something that’s left him on death row. After his ‘execution’, he wakes up in a strange facility. The people who run it, led by Sofia (Marion Cotillard), have gotten hold of him because they want to awaken the ‘genetic memories’ he holds, which they can access through a machine called the Animus.

Once attached the contraption, he relives events that took place 500 years ago involving his ancestor, Aguilar de Nerha, who was part of The Assassins, a secret group fighting to stop the Templars taken over Christendom and ruling it with an iron fist. That involves a search for the Apple of Eden, where man’s freewill comes from. [Read more…]

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: Brendan Gleeson, Charlotte Rampling, Jeremy Irons, Marion Cotillard, Michael Fassbender  DIRECTORS: Justin Kurzel  FILMS: Assassin's Creed  

New Live By Night Trailer – Ben Affleck directs a Prohibition era crime thriller

11th November 2016 By Tim Isaac

live-by-night-slideBen Affleck has been working on bringing Live By Night to the big screen for around four years. Now it’s preparing for its release, with Affleck hoping it’ll be as well received as his last directorial effort, Argo.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘Oscar winner Ben Affleck (“Argo”) directed and stars in the dramatic crime thriller “Live by Night.” Affleck also wrote the screenplay, based on the award-winning best-seller by Dennis Lehane; it marks the second collaboration for the fellow Boston natives, following the acclaimed drama “Gone Baby Gone.”

‘“Live by Night” is set in the roaring `20s when Prohibition hasn’t stopped the flow of booze in an underground network of gangster-run speakeasies. The opportunity to gain power and money is there for any man with enough ambition and nerve and Joe Coughlin, the son of the Boston Police Superintendent, long ago turned his back on his strict upbringing for the spoils of being an outlaw. But even among criminals there are rules and Joe breaks a big one: crossing a powerful mob boss by stealing his money and his moll. The fiery affair ends in tragedy, setting Joe on a path of revenge, ambition, romance and betrayal that propels him out of Boston and up the ladder of Tampa’s steamy rum-running underworld.

Starring with Affleck are Elle Fanning (“Maleficent”), Brendan Gleeson (“In the Heart of the Sea,” the “Harry Potter” films), Chris Messina (“Argo,” “The Mindy Project”), Sienna Miller (“American Sniper,” “Foxcatcher”), Zoe Saldana (“Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Avatar”), and Oscar winner Chris Cooper (“Adaptation,” “The Town”).’

The film will be in UK cinemas in January. [Read more…]

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: Ben Affleck, Elle Fanning, Brendan Gleeson, Sienna Miller, Zoe Saldana, Chris Cooper  DIRECTORS: Ben Affleck  FILMS: Live By Night  

Trespass Against Us Trailer – Michael Fassbender wants out of the outlaw life

24th September 2016 By Tim Isaac

trespass-against-us-slideMichael Fassbender plays so many role where he had to use accents, it sometimes a surprise when you hear him speak with his own natural Irish brogue. However, he gets to use it in Trespass Against Us, set amongst the Irish traveller community living in Britain.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘Trespass Against Us is set across three generations of the Cutler family who live as outlaws in their own anarchic corner of Britain’s richest countryside. Chad Cutler (Michael Fassbender) is heir apparent to his bruising criminal father, Colby (Brendan Gleeson) and has been groomed to spend his life hunting, thieving and tormenting the police. But with his own son, Tyson (Georgie Smith) coming of age, Chad soon finds himself locked in a battle with his father for the future of his young family. When Colby learns of Chad’s dreams for another life he sets out to tie his son and grandson into the archaic order that has bound the Cutler family for generations. He engineers a spectacular piece of criminal business involving a heist, a high-speed car chase and a manhunt, which leaves Chad bruised and bloodied and with his very freedom at stake.’

There’s no release date current set. Take a look at the trailer below. [Read more…]

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: Michael Fassbender, Brendan Gleeson  
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