Hey gang,
Over the course of October I will be taking the time to feature horror films that I enjoy. Just about every day a new movie will be posted and recommended for your viewing pleasure.
Why now?
Well, October is a great month.
Halloween is around the corner and scary movies are always on TV. This is a perfect time to sit down with family and friends to catch a classic 80s slasher or a modern thriller. Whatever you choose, know that you can check back here on the regular to see what I think about the vast genre of horror films. Some might be right in you wheelhouse, others maybe not. But I will do my best to inform you on what makes each one a great watch and what fans of the genre might take from them.
Cool? Cool.
Take care.
Tuesday, 29 September 2015
Tuesday, 22 September 2015
Legend, Black Mass and a Fall Movie Round-Up
Hey gang,
September 23rd is the first day of Fall, my personal favourite season. The weather is nice (usually), Halloween is just over a month away and the Fall movies have begun to roll out. This is the time of year when we see films with a little grit to match the death of summer and earlier sunsets. Many of these September, October and November movies aren't fit for the blockbuster season, however they are often very good and even Oscar-worthy in some cases. The darker season brings one of my favourite sub-genres out of hiding, and that is the crime and gangster drama.
I enjoy crime and gangster films because they present a very real world that most viewers are unfamiliar with. I think I speak for a lot of us when I say that I am not involved in an violent crime or any crime for that matter. Watching a gangster movie provides a small glimpse into the mysterious and dangerous world of organized crime, no matter how fantastical. The characters and their actions may seem foreign, but they are presented in a time and place that we recognize, like London or Boston. It truly is an underworld that reaches the surface where we all walk each day. Crime thrillers make for intriguing films because they deliver a taboo version of humanity and urban life.
Two major films in this category are Legend and Black Mass. Those in the UK have already been treated to Tom Hardy and Tom Hardy as the notorious Kray Brothers, and I was fortunate enough to be in London for its September 9th release. If you are in North America you can look forward to catching Legend on October 2nd in wide release. Black Mass features Johnny Depp as Boston kingpin James "Whitey" Bulger alongside a deep cast including the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch and Joel Edgerton.
I'd like to tell you about these films and what I think of them, but I feel it is necessary that I do not wish to convey the notion that I know anything about the Krays or Bulger in their respective careers and film representations. I know that there were some liberties taken for the sake of story in both cases, and I would prefer to steer clear of legitimacy and history for the sake of the review.
First things first, Legend is based on the biographical book The Profession of Violence by John Pearson, which chronicles the criminal careers of Reggie and Ronnie Kray in London, England during the 1950s and 1960s. Writer/director Brian Helgeland (A Knight's Tale, 42) tackled the depiction of twins Reggie and Ronnie Kray portrayed by Tom Hardy on both counts. Other cast members include Emily Browning as Reggie's wife Frances Shea, the "ninth Doctor" Christopher Eccleston as Detective Superintendent Leonard "Nipper" Read, David Thewlis as Leslie Payne and (always a pleasure) Taron Egerton as Edward "Mad Teddy" Smith.
We've seen a lot of films in the last couple of years that heavily feature twin-effects such as Jesse Eisenberg's Simon and James in The Double and Jake Gyllenhaal's Adam and Anthony in Enemy. Neither of those films were very exceptional, however the technology has proven to work well enough to suspend the disbelief of having the same actor play two roles in one film where they appear on-screen simultaneously. Tom Hardy's performances as both Reggie and Ronnie Kray are memorably diverse, and this does not come as a surprise given that he has made a career from his ability to transform for roles and play a wide range of characters. Hardy shines in both roles for different reasons. Reggie is the more level-headed of the two, despite that speaking more to the unpredictable nature of Ronnie. Ronnie's mental health keeps his actions exaggerated and twitchy, contrasting to the methodical mind (however, violent) of Reggie. Their relationship is strained at best, and the film is strongest when pitting the twins against each other's business perspectives as they attempt to climb higher in the London nightlife and casino business. Hardy keeps his portrayals of Reggie and Ronnie distant enough in appearance and mannerisms in order to differentiate the characteristics of the twins, but he maintains a constant familial connection that supports the film's goal. No matter where the Krays' criminal actions and legitimate careers take them, neither of the twins can permanently turn on the other. At the core of Legend, it is the actions they take to relieve the stress of their brotherly ties that holds the plot together.
Legend's pacing is so clean and fast in the first half of the film that it sets the end of the second act up to fail. There is a lull in the story, however necessary to establish a believable relationship between Reggie and Frances, that takes the audience out of the film for a brief period. However, the smallest set pieces of character development seen throughout Reggie's story reaches a thrilling climax and delivers some of the more violent actions that the film ultimately lacks elsewhere. Legend is an entertaining redirect of a crime thriller that boasts a solid central cast, quick wit and some good laughs amidst the heavy and depressing result of questionable but unconditional loyalty in the lives of violent criminals. Check it out, even if its just to see Tom Hardy totally kill it.
Black Mass, directed by Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart, Out of the Furnace) is a whole other deal. Sure, it's still a crime drama, but it's not the same vibrant story that most of Legend manages to be. There's really no one to like in Black Mass; even the good guys are either corrupt or unforgiving. Johnny Depp's Whitey Bulger is unsettling and ruthless. There's something about the blue contact lenses, the dead tooth and the muttering of his lines that makes him seem like he's perpetually teetering on the line between sanity and psychopathic rage. Joel Edgerton's John Connolly may be an FBI agent out to take down the mafia in North Boston, but he's still a Southie kid like Whitey and his senator brother Billy Bulger played by Benedict Cumberbatch (complete with convincing Boston accent!). It's hard to believe Jesse Plemons could play a slimier character than Breaking Bad's Todd Alquist, but he ups the ante as Kevin Weeks, the young enforcer who earned the respect of Whitey in the 1970s, only to turn on him for a lesser sentence.
Black Mass isn't your typical Hollywood gangster movie. It's really a large character study of a crimelord-turned-FBI-informant, his weak-moraled FBI insider and those who choose to associate with them both as they experience mutual gain and the resulting steep decline. You watch as the two sides give and take information, money and loyalty, building a relationship that blurs the line between the law enforcer and the criminal. The more comfortable these two sides become with each other, the larger steps they are willing to take to bolster their income. The higher the stakes, the greater the risk, the larger the reward. Black Mass establishes the true balance between this large reward and irredeemable fall. It also dives deep into the relationship between the legitimate and the criminal and how such associations can be beneficial as well as manipulatable by either party. Black Mass doesn't have a climactic ending with guns blazing, blood flying and dramatic deserving deaths. However, the film does deliver what's coming to Whitey Bulger and his associates as their livelihoods are cast aside and their reputations ruined.
Black Mass is really good. It's not for everyone, but it does have some excellent performances. I don't have a strong opinion of Johnny Depp in either direction, but he sure does achieve an air of unease as Whitey Bulger and I'm sure that was his intention.
The Fall is an exciting time for movie-goers who want to take a break from the overstimulating action movies of the summer that draw massive crowds. I recommend both Legend and Black Mass for fans of the crime/gangster sub-genre. There are a few other films due out in the next two months that are sure to be worthy a watch. The Martian, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon, is a highly realistic science fiction film based on Andy Weir's stellar novel of the same name. Those who thought Interstellar was a little too much of a stretch for their comprehension and imagination may enjoy the grounded nature of this thrilling adventure story that finds its footing in the real physics, out October 2nd. On the same day, you can catch Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benicio del Toro in Sicario, another crime thriller about a joint task force cracking down on a Mexican drug lord. A few other titles to look out for are Steven Speilberg's Cold War thriller Bridge of Spies starring Tom Hanks, Guillermo del Toro's haunted house horror Crimson Peak, The Peanuts Movie (I'm a big fan, so yeah), Daniel Craig's Bond in Spectre, the limited release of Trumbo starring Bryan Cranston, The Hunger Games finale Mockingjay Part 2, Michael B. Jordan in Creed, and Pixar's The Good Dinosaur.
Yeah, there are more films out this fall, but many of these caught my eye. Star Wars: The Force Awakens has been left off the list because it need not share the spotlight. Its day will come on December 18th.
Take care everyone.
September 23rd is the first day of Fall, my personal favourite season. The weather is nice (usually), Halloween is just over a month away and the Fall movies have begun to roll out. This is the time of year when we see films with a little grit to match the death of summer and earlier sunsets. Many of these September, October and November movies aren't fit for the blockbuster season, however they are often very good and even Oscar-worthy in some cases. The darker season brings one of my favourite sub-genres out of hiding, and that is the crime and gangster drama.
I enjoy crime and gangster films because they present a very real world that most viewers are unfamiliar with. I think I speak for a lot of us when I say that I am not involved in an violent crime or any crime for that matter. Watching a gangster movie provides a small glimpse into the mysterious and dangerous world of organized crime, no matter how fantastical. The characters and their actions may seem foreign, but they are presented in a time and place that we recognize, like London or Boston. It truly is an underworld that reaches the surface where we all walk each day. Crime thrillers make for intriguing films because they deliver a taboo version of humanity and urban life.
Two major films in this category are Legend and Black Mass. Those in the UK have already been treated to Tom Hardy and Tom Hardy as the notorious Kray Brothers, and I was fortunate enough to be in London for its September 9th release. If you are in North America you can look forward to catching Legend on October 2nd in wide release. Black Mass features Johnny Depp as Boston kingpin James "Whitey" Bulger alongside a deep cast including the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch and Joel Edgerton.
I'd like to tell you about these films and what I think of them, but I feel it is necessary that I do not wish to convey the notion that I know anything about the Krays or Bulger in their respective careers and film representations. I know that there were some liberties taken for the sake of story in both cases, and I would prefer to steer clear of legitimacy and history for the sake of the review.
First things first, Legend is based on the biographical book The Profession of Violence by John Pearson, which chronicles the criminal careers of Reggie and Ronnie Kray in London, England during the 1950s and 1960s. Writer/director Brian Helgeland (A Knight's Tale, 42) tackled the depiction of twins Reggie and Ronnie Kray portrayed by Tom Hardy on both counts. Other cast members include Emily Browning as Reggie's wife Frances Shea, the "ninth Doctor" Christopher Eccleston as Detective Superintendent Leonard "Nipper" Read, David Thewlis as Leslie Payne and (always a pleasure) Taron Egerton as Edward "Mad Teddy" Smith.
We've seen a lot of films in the last couple of years that heavily feature twin-effects such as Jesse Eisenberg's Simon and James in The Double and Jake Gyllenhaal's Adam and Anthony in Enemy. Neither of those films were very exceptional, however the technology has proven to work well enough to suspend the disbelief of having the same actor play two roles in one film where they appear on-screen simultaneously. Tom Hardy's performances as both Reggie and Ronnie Kray are memorably diverse, and this does not come as a surprise given that he has made a career from his ability to transform for roles and play a wide range of characters. Hardy shines in both roles for different reasons. Reggie is the more level-headed of the two, despite that speaking more to the unpredictable nature of Ronnie. Ronnie's mental health keeps his actions exaggerated and twitchy, contrasting to the methodical mind (however, violent) of Reggie. Their relationship is strained at best, and the film is strongest when pitting the twins against each other's business perspectives as they attempt to climb higher in the London nightlife and casino business. Hardy keeps his portrayals of Reggie and Ronnie distant enough in appearance and mannerisms in order to differentiate the characteristics of the twins, but he maintains a constant familial connection that supports the film's goal. No matter where the Krays' criminal actions and legitimate careers take them, neither of the twins can permanently turn on the other. At the core of Legend, it is the actions they take to relieve the stress of their brotherly ties that holds the plot together.
Legend's pacing is so clean and fast in the first half of the film that it sets the end of the second act up to fail. There is a lull in the story, however necessary to establish a believable relationship between Reggie and Frances, that takes the audience out of the film for a brief period. However, the smallest set pieces of character development seen throughout Reggie's story reaches a thrilling climax and delivers some of the more violent actions that the film ultimately lacks elsewhere. Legend is an entertaining redirect of a crime thriller that boasts a solid central cast, quick wit and some good laughs amidst the heavy and depressing result of questionable but unconditional loyalty in the lives of violent criminals. Check it out, even if its just to see Tom Hardy totally kill it.
Black Mass, directed by Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart, Out of the Furnace) is a whole other deal. Sure, it's still a crime drama, but it's not the same vibrant story that most of Legend manages to be. There's really no one to like in Black Mass; even the good guys are either corrupt or unforgiving. Johnny Depp's Whitey Bulger is unsettling and ruthless. There's something about the blue contact lenses, the dead tooth and the muttering of his lines that makes him seem like he's perpetually teetering on the line between sanity and psychopathic rage. Joel Edgerton's John Connolly may be an FBI agent out to take down the mafia in North Boston, but he's still a Southie kid like Whitey and his senator brother Billy Bulger played by Benedict Cumberbatch (complete with convincing Boston accent!). It's hard to believe Jesse Plemons could play a slimier character than Breaking Bad's Todd Alquist, but he ups the ante as Kevin Weeks, the young enforcer who earned the respect of Whitey in the 1970s, only to turn on him for a lesser sentence.
Black Mass isn't your typical Hollywood gangster movie. It's really a large character study of a crimelord-turned-FBI-informant, his weak-moraled FBI insider and those who choose to associate with them both as they experience mutual gain and the resulting steep decline. You watch as the two sides give and take information, money and loyalty, building a relationship that blurs the line between the law enforcer and the criminal. The more comfortable these two sides become with each other, the larger steps they are willing to take to bolster their income. The higher the stakes, the greater the risk, the larger the reward. Black Mass establishes the true balance between this large reward and irredeemable fall. It also dives deep into the relationship between the legitimate and the criminal and how such associations can be beneficial as well as manipulatable by either party. Black Mass doesn't have a climactic ending with guns blazing, blood flying and dramatic deserving deaths. However, the film does deliver what's coming to Whitey Bulger and his associates as their livelihoods are cast aside and their reputations ruined.
Black Mass is really good. It's not for everyone, but it does have some excellent performances. I don't have a strong opinion of Johnny Depp in either direction, but he sure does achieve an air of unease as Whitey Bulger and I'm sure that was his intention.
The Fall is an exciting time for movie-goers who want to take a break from the overstimulating action movies of the summer that draw massive crowds. I recommend both Legend and Black Mass for fans of the crime/gangster sub-genre. There are a few other films due out in the next two months that are sure to be worthy a watch. The Martian, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon, is a highly realistic science fiction film based on Andy Weir's stellar novel of the same name. Those who thought Interstellar was a little too much of a stretch for their comprehension and imagination may enjoy the grounded nature of this thrilling adventure story that finds its footing in the real physics, out October 2nd. On the same day, you can catch Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benicio del Toro in Sicario, another crime thriller about a joint task force cracking down on a Mexican drug lord. A few other titles to look out for are Steven Speilberg's Cold War thriller Bridge of Spies starring Tom Hanks, Guillermo del Toro's haunted house horror Crimson Peak, The Peanuts Movie (I'm a big fan, so yeah), Daniel Craig's Bond in Spectre, the limited release of Trumbo starring Bryan Cranston, The Hunger Games finale Mockingjay Part 2, Michael B. Jordan in Creed, and Pixar's The Good Dinosaur.
Yeah, there are more films out this fall, but many of these caught my eye. Star Wars: The Force Awakens has been left off the list because it need not share the spotlight. Its day will come on December 18th.
Take care everyone.
Monday, 14 September 2015
Thoughts on supporting characters in Star Wars
One of the most beloved supporting characters in Star Wars is Boba Fett. There's something about the mysterious armoured figure and his sly dialogue with Vader on the Executor bridge that fuels the myth. Think about it. At this point in ESB, Vader is the most formidable foe known to the audience and he needs Boba Fett's help. Not to mention, he manages to bag the scoundrel and rope in Skywalker. If you're looking for elements of George Lucas' Western in space, look no further than Boba Fett.
Boba Fett's minimal screen time and brief lines allowed for fans to build up the legend of the great bounty hunter. The now defunct Expanded Universe further touted the reputation of the ruthless mercenary to the joy of readers who wanted to learn more about the faceless hunter. This was the core of many supporting characters in Star Wars. The universe is lived-in and vast. The films may follow certain characters more closely, but it is a galaxy full of other fascinating tales. The appeal of Star Wars is the unexplored story that is caught in glimpses as the Skywalker story takes you from system to system. Not that it has to stop at every spaceport along the way. Some things are best left teased or nodded to in core story elements.
Thinking about Boba Fett's popularity and reputation got me thinking about who might fill this void in the Prequel Trilogy. My finger landed on Darth Maul. Yes, he is a more traditional villain, however much of the character can be compared to Boba Fett's Original Trilogy portrayal.
As the apprentice of Palpatine, Darth Maul preceeds Darth Vader who would later become the most powerful force-wielder in the galaxy. That's some pretty serious company. Sidious must consider Maul a worthy ally, and this guy knows how to pick them. For Christ's sake, he picked Christopher Lee who knew throughout his career what evil was all about. Mind you, Count Dooku is one villain that was failed by a weak script.
I digress. Darth Maul, like Boba Fett, was called upon by the most devastating Sith around to do his bidding. Darth Maul, like Boba Fett, has a unique and curious design that grabbed the attention of many fans who wanted to know "what's that guy all about?" Darth Maul, like Boba Fett, speaks softly and you better believe he carries a big stick. That dude changed your entire perception of a lightsaber battle. Alas, Darth Maul, like Boba Fett, faced an untimely demise by falling into a pit. The mysterious characters that we wanted to see more of and learn more about were gone too soon.
Of course, Darth Maul was resurrected in the Expanded Universe to the delight of die-hard fans. Not many supporting characters who experienced on-screen deaths had extremely successful returns in the EU. There was room to grow and delve deep into the unexplored characters that were introduced and ushered out in equal pace.
Darth Maul and Boba Fett were beloved supporting characters with criminally brief appearances, mysterious identities and vast potential that was untapped in the films.
Boba Fett's minimal screen time and brief lines allowed for fans to build up the legend of the great bounty hunter. The now defunct Expanded Universe further touted the reputation of the ruthless mercenary to the joy of readers who wanted to learn more about the faceless hunter. This was the core of many supporting characters in Star Wars. The universe is lived-in and vast. The films may follow certain characters more closely, but it is a galaxy full of other fascinating tales. The appeal of Star Wars is the unexplored story that is caught in glimpses as the Skywalker story takes you from system to system. Not that it has to stop at every spaceport along the way. Some things are best left teased or nodded to in core story elements.
Thinking about Boba Fett's popularity and reputation got me thinking about who might fill this void in the Prequel Trilogy. My finger landed on Darth Maul. Yes, he is a more traditional villain, however much of the character can be compared to Boba Fett's Original Trilogy portrayal.
As the apprentice of Palpatine, Darth Maul preceeds Darth Vader who would later become the most powerful force-wielder in the galaxy. That's some pretty serious company. Sidious must consider Maul a worthy ally, and this guy knows how to pick them. For Christ's sake, he picked Christopher Lee who knew throughout his career what evil was all about. Mind you, Count Dooku is one villain that was failed by a weak script.
I digress. Darth Maul, like Boba Fett, was called upon by the most devastating Sith around to do his bidding. Darth Maul, like Boba Fett, has a unique and curious design that grabbed the attention of many fans who wanted to know "what's that guy all about?" Darth Maul, like Boba Fett, speaks softly and you better believe he carries a big stick. That dude changed your entire perception of a lightsaber battle. Alas, Darth Maul, like Boba Fett, faced an untimely demise by falling into a pit. The mysterious characters that we wanted to see more of and learn more about were gone too soon.
Of course, Darth Maul was resurrected in the Expanded Universe to the delight of die-hard fans. Not many supporting characters who experienced on-screen deaths had extremely successful returns in the EU. There was room to grow and delve deep into the unexplored characters that were introduced and ushered out in equal pace.
Darth Maul and Boba Fett were beloved supporting characters with criminally brief appearances, mysterious identities and vast potential that was untapped in the films.
Saturday, 5 September 2015
Trip
Hey gang!
I've been hopping around France and Belgium for the last week and have now reached England. I spent some time in Arundel, West Sussex and will be in London for the next week. If you're interested in what I've seen and done while out and about you can check in on my Instagram. I will return with regular updates when I'm Canada-side next week.
Take care.
I've been hopping around France and Belgium for the last week and have now reached England. I spent some time in Arundel, West Sussex and will be in London for the next week. If you're interested in what I've seen and done while out and about you can check in on my Instagram. I will return with regular updates when I'm Canada-side next week.
Take care.
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