Category Archives: Drama

Drama, No Spoiler Reviews, Romance

LAST NIGHT (2010): You Can Be Happy And Still Be Tempted. True or False?

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Last Night (2010), Keira Knightley, Guillaume Canet
Last Night (2010), Keira Knightley, Guillaume Canet

Last Night (2010), is a beautifully told story and well-paced drama/romance about a young, professional married couple who must confront their past and potential future, as they spend a night apart. All this, thanks to an attractive new colleague and a chance encounter with a past/first love.

Besides the hypnotic musical score and attractive young cast; featuring the wonderfully-faced Keira Knightley, Avatar’s Sam Worthington, plus Eva Mendes and Guillaume Canet; two things stood out for me in this film.

The first is a reminder to always trust your instincts. The second is the necessity to tread carefully in romantic entanglements – because, given the choice, nobody really wants to have someone from their past that they label as ‘the one that got away.’

One more thing. Did I already mention the enchanting musical score?

Happy Film Loving

G

Drama, No Spoiler Reviews

LOCKE (2013): When Creative Restrictions Pay Off

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Locke (2013), Tom Hardy
Locke (2013), Tom Hardy

You have to go into Locke with the mindset of someone who knows that this will be a different kind of film. The type with self-imposed parameters to explore what is creatively possible.

Ivan Locke (Tom Hardy) is a desperate man amid a balancing act between trying to sort out his personal life while also attempting to salvage the remainder of his professional integrity. The most intriguing part of it all being, all the drama takes place inside his car.

The audience gets to see Ivan causing immense distress with phone call after phone call. But what proves even more interesting are the silences and the dialogue he has with himself.

Those aware of Hardy’s well-documented acting prowess will want to watch this. As will enthusiasts of Colin Farrell’s Phone Booth (2002); another movie that kept audiences engaged, regardless of the single location setting.

Locke will likely cause you to reflect on a few things as it plays. One is the quality of the relationships you have with your colleagues, friends and acquaintances. 

Make time for Locke because it’s impressive. And Hardy’s performance is likely to turn you into a life long fan; in case you weren’t already.

Happy Film Loving

G

Action, Drama, No Spoiler Reviews, Thriller

APOCALYPTO (2006): Epic In A Number Of Ways, Especially That Chase Sequence

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Apocalypto (2007), Rudy Youngblood
Apocalypto (2007), Rudy Youngblood

Mel Gibson’s Mayan Epic Apocalypto (2006) is tense, gruesome, violent, emotional and contains a big, black, beastly creature I adore. Best of all though, Apocalypto features a wonderfully thrilling hour long chase sequence that I won’t soon forget..

I love well-crafted dialogue but few things in film are more engaging than a beautifully choreographed chase sequence. The one in this movie is, I think, one of the very best.

Apocalypto certainly isn’talways the easiest to watch, thanks to some challenging scenes. But it is a very entertaining, drama, action and thriller hybrid. At no point did I deliberately avert my eyes from the screen whenever a tough scene was happening. However, my hands did fly up to my mouth and face a few times without warning.

Some people’s dormant misanthropic tendencies may be tested by this great story. But by the end you’ll want to appreciate the smart, quick thinking and undoubtedly strong people in your lives. That’s certainly where my mind was at in the end.

Apocalypto is for fans of great storytelling, big cats (a puma in this instance – the aforementioned big, black, beastly creature I adore) and the perfect chase sequence.

Watch it because it’s great!

Happy Film Loving 🙂

G

Drama, No Spoiler Reviews, Romance

JULIE & JULIA (2009): In The Name Of Passion And A Love Of Food

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Julie & Julia (2009), Meryl Streep
Julie & Julia (2009), Meryl Streep

When you sit down to watch Julie and Julia, I highly recommend having a few of your favourite foods with you. I say this because you will find yourself with at least one or two serious  cravings.

Based on the life of American Chef, Julia Child, and Writer Julie Powell, meet two ladies with a shared passion for food, cooking and feeding the people they love.

Besides the joy of a well executed drama about two women who quite literally come alive whilst indulging in their favourite pass time, Julie & Julia will likely inspire you to dedicate more time pursuing your own passions.

To look at it another way, should the task of silencing doubters be a  hobby of yours, or one you wouldn’t mind taking up, then look no further to see it done with such admirable aplomb.

If you’re still unsure, I have two words. Meryl Streep.

Happy Julie & Julia 🙂

G

Comedy, Drama, No Spoiler Reviews

THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (2013): Who Knew Greed Could Be So Entertaining?

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THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (2013), Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill
The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013), Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill

Martin Scorsese’s Wolf Of Wall Street (2013) is absolutely dripping with testosterone, not that this should be surprising.

Typical of all other popular accounts of life on Wall Street, there’s plenty, and then some – of the expected excess and debauchery.

THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (2013), Leonardo DiCaprio
The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013), Leonardo DiCaprio

Based on a true story about the rise and fall of Jordan Belfort (Dicaprio’s character), the audience, particularly the ambitious will relate to the protagonist’s determination to succeed, as well as get some insight into the many ways the American dream can go very wrong indeed.

With  plenty of well written male banter (one of my favourite things), and great performances all round, you will spend a surprising amount of time laughing. Leonardo Dicaprio and his more than qualified supporting cast absolutely deliver.

The Mark Hanna character played by Matthew McConaughey is so entertaining that you’ll find yourself wanting more.

THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (2013), Matthew McConaughey
The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013), Matthew McConaughey

Jonah Hill, an Actor better known for comedy hits including Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s Superbad (2007) is great as Donny Azoff. Azoff’s teeth and hair may be highly questionable, but you’ll see that Hill’s performance certainly isn’t.

Girls will definitely enjoy the film but I have a strong suspicion that boys will love it more.

Happy Wolf Of Wall Street 🙂

G

Comedy, Drama, No Spoiler Reviews

CHEF (2014): Prepare To Feel Hungry, In More Ways Than One

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Chef (2014)
Chef (2014)

Jon Favreau’s Chef is a comedy film with great music and mouthwatering food that makes you wish you had immediate access to all the bites featured.

More than a feast for your stomach and then some, it’s a beautifully told story about family – particularly the relationship between a busy father and his ten year-old son.

The film also speaks to the sensibilities of those stuck in a career path that no longer supports their need for creative freedom and / or desire to serve their passions in a way that makes them happy.

There are one or two more themes that emerge from the narrative thread. I’ll let you discover those beautiful gems for yourself. Maybe they’ll speak to you more than the ones that stood out for me. Either way you’re likely to be hooked as soon as the film starts.

Happy Chef 🙂

G

Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, No Spoiler Reviews

SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN (2012): Great Example of Trailer Perfection

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Snow White And The Huntsman (2012)
Snow White And The Huntsman (2012)

From the beautifully paced editing, perfect choice of music, to the narrative concept, dialogue and visuals / special effects; the Snow White And The Huntsman (2012) trailer provides just enough detail to make you aware that this is a wonderfully different retelling.

The decision to make Charlize Theron the key focus of the trailer is genius. This isn’t a film aimed at the traditional young Disney audience. Hence the absence of elements that quite frankly I’m glad are no where to be found. Musical numbers being just one of them.

This tantalisingly dark 1 minute 54 second trailer arrests the senses and refuses to let go until the very last second. What a wonderful marriage of audio visual delight delivered to perfection.

For many, Kristen Stuart is the big draw which is unsurprising due to the success of The Twilight Saga. For me though, without question it’s Charlize Theron.

The tone and delivery of Theron’s performance is such a thrill to behold, that to date I’ve watched the trailer a countless number of times.

The Snow White & The Huntsman trailer has a place in a compilation of my favourite film trailers of 2012. It also makes it on my list of favourite Charlize Theron  performances; Monster (2003) being one of them.

Happy Snow White And The Huntsman 🙂

G