The Jungle Book Review

Jungle Book (2016), directed by John Favreau is a beautiful retelling of the original Rudyard Kipling book of the same name. Starring the vocal talents of Ben Kingsley, Bill Murry, Idris Elba and others with the talented Neel Sethi. 

This film uses computer generated images to illustrate the beautiful jungle settings that encapsulate the audience, with the animals just as stunning and realistic with their movements and even the way they speak seeming natural. The voices match perfectly with their animals as Murray gives a brilliant performance of Bear Necessities alongside Sethi and Idris Elba's gives a powerful performance as the ferocious Shere Khan. In addition the fresh faced Sethi gives and amazing performance as the caring and loveable protagonist, Mowgli. You can imagine how difficult it must have been to be the only actor on and to act off puppets, Sethi gives a convincing performance that brings the whole film together.

Overall this is a feel-good and beautiful film that will bring you back to the childhood version of the film but in a picturesque and imaginative way leqaving you in awe and with Bear Necessities stuck in your head. 

Spotlight

Directed by Tom McCarthy this is the true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation within the Catholic church, and it is absolutely brilliant.This film touches on one of the most shocking pieces of news in history, a scandal that was covered up for years and it depicts the story about the struggle of getting the truth out to the nation.

It is compelling and beautiful, not only the story but the cinematography and the acting performed by a brilliant cast brings the story to life. Not only do you feel the struggle but the absolute magnitude of the time they had spent on this story, the effort and raw emotion put into  it keeps the audience gripped throughout.

The story itself is so interesting and unbelievable it makes you lose faith in the church and partly in humanity for keeping it a secret for so many years, however faith is partially restored when you realise that there are people out there willing to uncover the truth no matter what it takes.

For me it was totally nerve racking and just brilliant as I was only a child when these events were happening so for them to be relayed in such a fantastic manner is truly moving. Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams and the rest of the cast breathe life into this story. The emotion is so real from not only the main cast but the entire ensemble as they tell the story in a way that makes the audience feel close to the story.

Personally I feel this is an important film that everyone should watch at least once, it is a new age masterpiece (no wonder it's up for an Oscar).

It is incredibly important that you watch this film, not only to learn something but also to experience something.  

Film Review: The Babadook

Halloween day I plucked up the courage to watch a recent horror hit, The Babadook. Released in 2014, directed and written by Jennifer Kent and starring Essie Davis. A widowed mother is burdened with her abnormally weird, monster obsessed child and soon becomes haunted by a sinister presence. Focusing on the realistic anxiety that surrounds this mother and her disturbed child, The Babadook is thrilling and unnerving.

This film was sinister and unsettling throughout. Like The Shining, this film depicts what it may be like to be driven into insanity. Less about jump scares and more about getting deep under the skin of the audience. The Babadook walks the line between realism and surrealism, perfectly combining the realistic decent into madness brought on by a demonic creature brought out by a book. 

The cinematography of this film is absolutely brilliant and completely responsible for its greatness. The shots, editing and music is fantastic and increased the ominousness of the film.

Although this is classified as a horror film I can confidently say I will sleep fine tonight (unless I happen to find any Babadook books on my shelf) as it was unsettling and disturbing but had a very 'happy'? ending.

I really enjoyed this film and recommend it to those who enjoy being thrilled. I rate this a 9.4/10

If it's in a word. Or it's in a look. You can't get rid of ... The Babadook.

Happy Halloween.

Film Review: The Shining

In the spirit of all hallows eve I watched the famous 1980 classic The Shining. Directed by Stanley Kubrick this film is brilliantly chilling and perfectly executed. Based on the classic Stephen King book this film focuses on a small family, the Torrance's, as they maintain a large hotel over the winter. Known for a previous caretaker's murder of his entire family. The family is haunted by strange figures and visions, and we experience Jack's decent into insanity.

I absolutely loved this film, it was suspenseful and thrilling. Jack Nicholson's performance was brilliant, his pivotal turn to madness was subtle but clear. The overall the filmography of this film was great, used to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Shelley Duvall's and Danny Lloyd's performance were compelling and convincing throughout and I was truly terrified.

A fantastically constructed film that demands to be seen, I rate it 10/10.

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. 
Happy Halloween...

Review: The Martian

The Martian directed by Ridley Scott, and starring Matt Damon. Adapted from the book of the same name, during a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meagre supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive.

Personally I think this film is very well done, the picture and framing of shots are beautiful and he sets are brilliantly constructed. The plot of the film is gripping, compelling and funny throughout. From the first scene there is high action and intensity, a gripping plot and fantastic acting especially on Damon's part makes you feel attached to his character rooting for him the entire way to succeed in his mission of getting home. 

Over all this movie is fantastic. The writing and directing of this film is very well done and allows a lot of character development allowing the audience to feel connected with the characters. Many of the actors do a very good job of bringing these characters to life and making us relate to them. Furthermore there is a lot of accurate science in this film so you are also learning. I really, really like this film and recommend it to everyone.

The only problem I have with this film is there are a lot of cliché moments and some moments where you think Damon is making too many jokes for a guy who is stranded on Mars, other than that everything else is really good.

I rate this film a 8.6/10

Review: Napoleon Dynamite

Napoleon Dynamite (2004) directed by Jared Hess and starring Jon Heder. Many things in Napoleon's life begin to change when his uncle Rico comes to look after him and his older brother when his grandma goes into the hospital. 

For a boy named Dynamite, he is the geekiest person imaginable and his ginger afro and thick glasses don't help. He is pushed around by pretty much everyone and has no friends, that is until he meets Pedro. Jon Heder plays the character of Napoleon very well, very dry and self-aware.

To say this film was weird would be an understatement. Everything about this film is strange and nothing much really happens. Personally I think there is nothing special about this film apart from it's concept. The beginning of the film was slow and I couldn't really tell where it was going. Once Pedro's campaign began the film began to pick up speed. The movie is a quest for justice, recognition and girlfriends. To be honest its quite relatable and funny, in a weird way.

With Hess's direction, Heder's acting and the 'election dance' finale, the films quirkiness becomes too overbearing not to make you smile. 

I give this film a 6.4/10. I recommend it.