A year at the cinema best of.

Week 50: Stars Wars Episode VII - The Force Awakens

Director: J.J. Abrams

Writers:  J.J. Abrams, Lawrence Kasdan & Michael Arndt

Seen:  20^th of December

Venue: IMC

Snacks: Pistachio

Mood: Once again this year, nostalgic

In times of crisis society often looks to the past for comfort – or so say people who are a lot smarter than me, however from my own observations recently that saying seems to ring true. Many times throughout the year I left the cinema feeling nostalgic. Mad Max Fury Road and Jurassic World were two I can remember, but the most nostalgic I felt was this week’s film Stars Wars: The Force Awakens.

This is seventh of the Star Wars franchise but the first for Disney who paid the handsome sum of 4 billion dollars for the rights (they expect to make 3 billion on the first film). With such an investment comes massive risk but interestingly the suits at Disney took the bold step of actually letting the director make the film he wanted to make. JJ Abrams said in an interview that he had the final cut, a rarity in big budget contemporary Hollywood cinema.  

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is an exciting film that ticks all the boxes, action, adventure, nostalgia and the plot does pack a punch. With such buzz around this it will be interesting to see if the next edition will keep the momentum going. For now though this is a film for all ages with something for everyone, but especially for my generation.

Week 49: The Night Before

Director: Jonathan Levine

Writers:  Jonathan Levine (screenplay) Kyle Hunter (screenplay) Ariel Shaffir (screenplay)

              Evan Goldberg (screenplay) Jonathan Levine (story)

Seen:      20th December 2015

Snacks:   Pistachios

Mood:      Christmassy

Well look we had to go and see a Christmas film considering the festive season is upon us and before the end of year round up it seemed appropriate to see the (mostly) reliable Seth Rogan/Joseph Gordon Levitt/Evan Goldberg comedic cluster (is a group of comedians known as a ‘cluster’?)

The film follows Ethan (Joseph Gordon Levitt) who lost his parents tragically one Christmas Eve. Every Christmas Eve since the tragedy he and his gang of trusty buds Isaac (Seth Rogen) and Chris (Anthony Mackie) go out of their way to have a fun filled night (cue various drug/booze/pop culture references). This year life has (inevitably) moved forwards and the buddies decide that this will be their last Christmas Eve of insane partying…….and so begins the search for the biggest party of the yuletide, the inimitable ‘Nutcracka Ball’

The search provides many laughs along the way and watch out for a lot of celebrity cameos.

‘The Night Before’ is also helped along by the fact that there is undeniable chemistry between the Rogen/Gordon Levitt and Mackie and where it works (in my humble opinion) is that the laughs are fairly constant even the obligatory ‘cheesey’ moments are still pretty funny.

So if you haven’t had enough of Christmas yet and can manage to extract your face from the fridge I suggest you head to the cinema to see this…..or you could just leave your face in the fridge and wait to catch it next Christmas…..THE CHOICE IS YOURS!

Week 48: Carol

Director: Todd Haynes

Writers: Phyllis Nagy (screenplay) Patricia Highsmith (novel)

Seen: Sunday 13th December 2015

Venue: IMC Galway

Snacks: Peanuts

Mood: Enchanted

Carol is the story of Carol Aird (Cate Blanchett) a privileged housewife in 1950’s New York, the woman who appears to have everything, except she is desperately unhappy until she meets a young shop girl named Therese (Rooney Mara) and from this point both their lives are turned upside down.

As usual I don’t want to say too much about the actual storyline as I feel even trailers these days give us too much information on the film, in some cases you don’t even need to go to see the film if you have seen the trailer (I HATE THAT). Instead I shall try to impart the exquisiteness of this film through my own words.

Without a doubt this is surely an Oscar contender and whilst the subtlety of this film might not be for everyone I, for one found it to be refreshing amidst the all out brashness we sometimes encounter on our cinema shindigs.

Todd Haynes the director really has made a brilliant film, the subtle quiet scenes, slow building and full of sexual tension are just perfect and it is visually beautiful.

Last, but of course not least once again the consistently brilliant Cate Blanchett is shining strong throughout, her performance might be one of her best she is simply outstanding.

A nod must also be given to Rooney Mara who is also brilliant giving a beautifully restrained performance, surely the performance of her career so far.

Many people will view this film under the LGBT banner but it is so much more than that, it’s a film about love on a very human level, the part it plays in all our lives no matter what our sexuality.

In closing go and see this tender, beautiful film that knocks the socks of Brooklyn in terms of true romance.

Week 47: Bridge of Spies

Director: Steven Spielberg

Writers:  Matt Charman & Ethan and Joel Coen

Seen:  08th of December

Venue: IMC

Snacks: Popcorn

Mood: Satisfied

Stephen Spielberg’s filmography has a temporal theme running through it. From a futuristic perspective he has made Minority Report (2002) and A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001). However I would argue his preferred direction is back in time, he has brought to our screens the political and social landscape of  many an epoch. Including the emancipation of slaves in America with Lincoln (2012) the harshness of the WW2 with Saving Private Ryan (1998) the holocaust with Schindler's List (1993). His next film is rumoured to be Montezuma an Aztecs based film.

His latest historical release is the espionage thriller Bridge of Spies which deals with the Cold War.  Comparable to the latter two films I mentioned, Bridge of Spies deals with a true story from that time. It is the story of a New York lawyer James Donovan, who is played by Spielberg collaborator Tom Hanks (the 4th film they’ve done together), who begins as a defender to an accused Russian Spy but ends up recruited by a CIA operative to negotiate the release of American pilot in East Berlin, you see where its going.

Spielberg captures the historical epoch he often deals with perfectly, whether  its WW2 battlefields or the concentration camps of the Nazis, the production design is flawless and he transports and immerses the viewer in that time. Bridge of Spies does not disappoint, you really get a sense of Germany post World War and at the height of the Cold one.

There is no denying that Spielberg is a master story teller and when he collaborates with the Coen Brothers, who helped out with the script for this, the result is an impeccable film. While there might be a touch of “American exceptionalism” with it (Tom Hanks is certainly the ultimate good guy) this is a brilliant film that is worth seeing.

Week 46: Sisters

Director: Jason Moore

Writer:   Paula Pell (screenplay)

Seen:   2nd December 2015

Venue: IMC Galway

Snacks: Pistachio nuts

Mood: Rolling on floor laughing

This week we were lucky enough to get to a special preview screening of the film Sisters starring comedy duo Tina Fey and Amy Poehler at the IMC in Galway, all proceeds of the tickets went to the Marie Keating Foundation.

I have long been a fan of both Poehler and Fey but particularly Tina Fey as ‘30 Rock’ is one of my favourite comedy series of all times (seriously it’s all on Netflix - if you have not seen it treat yourself) so I was looking forward to an evening filled with chuckles and I was not disappointed.

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler play the Ellis sisters, two very different characters Maura (Poehler) being the straight laced goody two shoes and Kate (Fey) the wild child. They are both disgusted when their parents decide to sell the family home in order to move into a smaller retirement village. As the sisters clean out their room they decide it would be only right to have one last legendary party in the house where they grew up.

We have not been to that many comedies over the past year as we tend to find most comedies out there are not great but this is definitely worth going to see and there are several ‘laugh out loud moments’. I would have to rank it funnier than Amy Schumers ‘Train wreck’ which I did think was also pretty good.

Poehler and Fey are two great comic actress’ and there is a nice cameo from the wrestler John Cena (FILM FACT who was actually also in Train Wreck!) and watch out for a very funny scene involving a ballerina.

There is the obligatory morsel of cheese but being a cheese lover I did not mind this. If you want a nice pre christmas giggle with your friends get yourselves down to the cinema when this is released nationwide on 18th December.

Week 45: Black Mass

Director: Scott Cooper

Writers:  Mark Mallouk &  Jez Butterworth

Seen:  25^th November 2015

Venue: IMC

Snacks: Popcorn

Mood: Disappointed

I have been enthusiastically looking forward to Black Mass, the biopic of the notorious Whitey Bulger, since I first heard about it earlier this year. From a cinematic view point, with Scott Copper directing and Johnny Depp in the lead, it definitely evoked my interest. I enjoyed Coppers last two features Crazy Heart (2009) and Out of the Furnace (2013).I was also looking forward to seeing Depp back in a Gangster film after his stand out roles in Donnie Brasco (1997) Blow (2001) and of course Public Enemies (2009) when he played another of America’s most infamous of Gangsters, John Dillinger. From a story stand point it simply doesn’t get as enthralling as the life of James “Whitey” Bulger. However, and maybe it was due to my enthusiasm for its release, but I must admit to being disappointed! Another reason why I found it so weak might have been because I have seen and loved the excellent documentary about Bulger by director Joe Berlinger - Whitey: United States of America v. James J. Bulger (2014). If you want to get informed about the fascinating life of Bulger, and watch a well-made doc at the same time, then that’s the one to watch.

So what is wrong with Black Mass? For me there was no build up, no real development of characters which resulted in me not really caring about any of them. It was over loaded with the usual Gangster genre tropes of beatings and senseless slayings. I could go on, but there are good things about it also it wasn’t all bad. The main performances by Depp and Joel Edgerton who plays John Connelly are strong and to be fair, there are a couple of captivating scenes especially when Depp turns cold, unfortunately though it ends there. Although I wouldn’t really discourage anyone from going to see Black Mass because I am sure there will be people who will relish it. For me however it was just ok.

Week 44: Steve Jobs

Director: Danny Boyle

Writers:  Aaron Sorkin (screenplay) Walter Isaacson (Book “Steve Jobs”)

Seen:  13^th November 2015

Venue: IMC

Snacks: Popcorn

Mood: Techy

Steve Jobs is the latest film from Danny Boyle, a director I have consistently liked, and with an impressive oeuvre of films to his credit including Trainspotting (1996) and 28 Days Later (2002) I’m sure I am not alone. When I heard that he was to replace David Fincher and team up with writer Aaron Sorkin to make a film about Steve Jobs I was excited, albeit a little disappointed that Fincher had pulled. Boyle and Sorkin have created a very interesting film, that is quiet dissimilar to The Social Network (2010) the last film about a tech mogul that Sorkin penned (and Fincher directed). Steve Jobs has a very precise three act, real time structure which I really enjoyed, but while it worked for me it might not be to everyone’s taste.

In the demanding lead role is Michael Fassbender, he is literally in every frame and not once did I tire of or disbelieve his character, which is extremely hard to pull off as an actor. Like all Sorkin scripts there are many intense, dialogue heavy scenes between characters but they are all brilliantly directed and acted. Along with Fassbender there are strong performances from Jeff Daniels who plays John Sculley, Kate Winslet playing Joanna Hoffman and Seth Rogan who gives a forceful performance as Steve Wozniak.

There are many people stating that the film is unkind to Jobs, showing him in a bad light, however in my opinion the real Jobs was a far more horrible individual then Michael Fassbenders portrayal. To get a deeper grasp of Jobs I would recommend Alex Gibney documentary Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine (2015). Horrible or not he was a man who was certainly committed to changing the world to his vision, he believed that empowering people with knowledge and technology would do just that. 

This is an entertaining film that explores a very fascinating character, it might not be to everyone’s taste but it was certainly to mine.

Week 43: Brooklyn

Director: John Crowley

Writers: Colm Toibin (novel) and Nick Hornby (screenplay)

Seen:    3rd November 2015

Venue:  IMC Galway

Snacks: Apples (healthy :P)

Mood:   Dancing and Romancing

To be fair Nick Hornby has done a good enough job of adapting this Colm Toibin novel into a screenplay. The original novel does have a less ‘sugary’ feel than the film but all in all Hornby has succeeded.

Brooklyn follows the life of protagonist Eilis (Saoirse Ronan) a young girl who crosses the Atlantic to America in the 1950’s for a better life (as many Irish did at the time). Eilis finds herself homesick and struggling in this brave new world. Eventually we see her begin to adapt to her new life only to be caught up in a love triangle which highlights the struggle between her love of home and her love for her new life, the old classic old Vs new.

I am not going to say anymore about the plot, I will however say there isn’t really anything new here. This might be unpopular with some but I feel I have seen this film a thousand times and it verged on being a little boring for me.

The positive points are the performances from Ronan as Eilis and the (always) brilliant Julie Walters. Ronan plays the part with great subtlety and great charisma, at such a young age it will be interesting to see where she goes from here. Julie Walters is as funny and believable as ever - truly one of my favourite actress’

If you fancy a very watchable romantic film to go to and while away a few hours then go see Brooklyn but do not expect to be blown away.

Week 41: Spectre

Director: Sam Mendes

Writers:  John Logan Neal Purvis Robert Wade Jez Butterworth et al

Seen:  28^th October 2015

Venue: EYE Cinema

Snacks: Popcorn

Mood: Shaken AND stirred

 It is not easy to maintain popularity in anything for over 50 years, but like it or not the Bond film series has done just that. And if they continue to be like Spectre it will be around for many more years to come because very much like Skyfall it is slick, stylish, superbly directed and brilliantly acted.

There have been seven personifications of James Bond since the first of the franchise appeared in 1962. That year the man himself was played by Sean Connery in Dr. No, which was an instant success. It is true to say the franchise has had a few bumpy moments along the way but since 1962 there have been 23 more outings for James Bond. Spectre is the 24^th instalment and 007 this time is played effortlessly by Daniel Graig, who has headed 4 films to date. When I saw Bond 23 – Skyfall - I remember thinking it was the best Bond for years if not altogether and now I am asking myself the same about Spectre. So, did Sam Mendes, who also directed Skyfall, surpass what he achieved with 23?

The answer to that question is completely subjective and I’m not going to delve into that debate but I am sure Bond aficionados would enjoy arguing about that over a large number of vodka martinis. For me they are both equally as good but what I can say is, I would be happy if the 25^th Bond was led by Mendes and Graig. Whether or not that will happen is unclear, however Graig, recently said in an interview when asked would he do another “I’d rather break this glass and slash my wrists.” Ok Danny boy calm down.

The Bond franchise keeps up with the times as the main premise of this film is about surveillance alluding to that omnipresent debate of big brother versus security. As M, played by Ralph Fiennes states, to the man leading the fight for government to gather more information around the world, “your plan” he says “would give George Orwell nightmares”. It does however, also have the Bond usual’s. The car chase, the villain, played chillingly by Christoph Waltz, the Bond girl, played by Léa Seydoux, and I glad to see the representation of the Bond Girl has moved with the times also, she is now a much stronger character. If I had to say something bad about the 24^th Bond, it is a tad too long, nevertheless it is a very entertaining film that ticks all the boxes for a 007 film and some.

Oh fuck it I’ll call it. For me Skyfall was slightly better, for reasons I’ll spare you and instead discuss with my better half and co-blogger, who also really enjoyed Spectre but has yet to see Skyfall, this will be rectified soon.

Week 40: The Lobster

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos

Writers:  Yorgos Lanthimos & Efthymis Filippou

Seen:  24^th October 2015

Venue: IMC Galway

Snacks: Popcorn

Mood: Mmmmm

In The Lobster Colin Farrell plays a gormless singleton who enters a hotel of sorts, to find someone to experience life with. If he fails to meet someone in a certain amount of time he will be turned to an animal of his choice which is…a Lobster. He is not alone in the very peculiar hotel, it is occupied with interesting characters that are in the same position as Farrell is in. They are played brilliantly by actors such as John C. Riley, Jessica Barden, Ben Whishaw, Ashley Jensen and Olivia Colman as the eccentric hotel manager. Farrell plays the part perfectly with loads of subtlety and an ever-present expressionless face.  However, when Farrell leaves the hotel to join the singletons in the woods things get a little bit, dare I say it for Yorgos Lanthimos film, boring. Suffice to say that it is still a very good film.

Yorgos Lanthimos the Greek provocateur once again has created a strange, recognisable yet distorted world in The Lobster, just as he did in the wonderful Dogtooth and Alps. However, out of those three films I think The Lobster, while it is as equally an interesting concept, was not as enjoyable to watch. The problem for me is the Lobster is broke into two films and first half is a lot more interesting, funny and engrossing than the pretty tedious second half. The first half is situated in a hotel that is full of interesting characters who are frantically looking for a partner which creates great humour and surreal moments. While the second half concentrates on less interesting characters with less scope for narrative.

While some people might consider The Lobster as an intellectually high bow film, it is very funny with plenty of laugh out moments and while it gets a little lost in the middle it is still certainly worth a watch.

Week 39: The Queen of Ireland

Director: Conor Horgan
Writers: Conor Horgan/Philip McMahon
Seen: 21st October 2015
Venue: IMC Galway
Snacks: M&M's 
Mood: Elated

The 23^rd of May 2015 was an historic day for Ireland as it became the first country ever to vote yes to legalise same sex marriage via public referendum. I remember the day well (and always will).The spirit of love and elation in the air was palpable whilst a double rainbow hung joyously above the streets of Dublin.

The Queen of Ireland brings all the emotion flooding back along with a lot of hearty laughs that come from the wicked sense of humour of Miss Panti Bliss. This documentary follows Irelands most famous drag queen Panti  AKA Rory O’Neil on the run up to this historical vote. We get to meet both of these equally endearing and fabulous personas from the very beginning.

Rory grew up in sleepy Ballinrobe in County Mayo where he had a pretty standard Irish upbringing until around the age of 12 when he started to feel different and out of place. He went to art college in Dublin and found his feet in the underground gay scene, then to Tokyo where Panti was born, finally returning to Ireland in the mid 90’s when same sex relationships were at long last made legal – a date that continues to shock as it is so recent. This documentary really hits home how far Ireland has come since 1993, when same sex relationships were decriminalized to only 22 years later to the same sex marriage referendum, this is something Ireland can be extremely proud of.

The documentary follows Panti’s infamous legal battle with RTE in 2014 and what followed in the aftermath of her truly moving and heartfelt ‘Noble Call’ speech on 1^st February 2014 in the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. The speech has so far amassed well over 700,000 views, was retweeted by various celebs including Stephen Fry and Graham Norton and was described by Fintan O’Toole as ‘the most eloquent Irish speech in almost 200 years’…….basically if you haven’t seen it , do so now!

What more can I say here this doc is full of laughs, glee and just makes you want to burst with pride when recalling that amazing and historical day. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and wonder at the fabulosity of the queen of Ireland – Miss Panti Bliss.

Week 38: Macbeth

Director: Justin Kurzel

Writers:  Jacob Koskoff, Michael Lesslie, Todd Louiso (screenplay) based on the play by

William Shakespeare           

Seen: 3^rd of October

Venue: IMC Galway

Snacks: Munchies (not as nice as they used to be)

Mood: Shakespearian

When I saw Justin Kurzel first feature The Snowtown Murders (2012) I was blown away. A film based on the shocking true events of a serial killer in Australia, it bore the marks of a new brave director, as scene after scene pushed the audience to the edge. My view at the time was to keep an eye out for his next venture but I presumed he would continue to make contemporary realistic films. So when I found out he was to direct Macbeth I was a little surprised but then excited. The excitement came from an anticipation to see how such a creative director would present one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays visually and cinematically. My excitement grew even more when I heard the cast – Michael Fassbender as Macbeth, Marion Cotillard as Lady Macbeth, Paddy Considine as Banquo and David Thewlis as Duncan

.

Macbeth is the story of a Scottish warrior (Macbeth) who becomes King by means of killing his predecessor (Duncan) and how his mind then deteriorates as Macbeth himself describes “my mind is full of Scorpions”. The interesting thing about Kurzel’s interpretation is you really get a sense of the harshness of that time and the mental state of a man who struggles with his very existence. Kurzel and Fassbender say that they saw Macbeth as having post-dramatic stress disorder, which makes sense for a man who was both battled hardened and war weary.

So did it live up to my excitement? In short yes, well at least in cinema terms - it is simply a sublime adaption. However, Shakespeare is a hard sell sometimes, predominately because the language/dialogue does require a considerable amount of concentration. Macbeth is visually powerful and the performances are all top shelf especially by Cotillard and Fassbender and if you can manage the difficult dialogue it is certainly worth seeing.

Week 37: 45 Years

Director: Andrew Haigh

Writer: David Constantine (short story) Andrew Haigh (adaptation)

Seen: 25th September 2015

Venue: IMC Galway

Snacks: Kinder Bueno

Mood: Contemplative

45 Years follows a couple Kate (Charlotte Rampling) and her husband of 45 years Geoff (Tom Courtenay) on the run up to a party they are throwing to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary. During the run up to the party Geoff receives a letter informing him that authorities in Switzerland have found the body of his girlfriend before he met Kate. This single letter throws their previously quiet life into emotional turmoil as we watch their relationship unravel.

Geoff’s previous life weighs heavy on his mind and he slumps into a maudlin reverie of times gone by which shakes Kate’s confidence to the core, has their whole relationship been based on a lie? Is she enough for Geoff or was she second best in his estimations?

This is a very moving film which explores the idea of the past and how it can continue to affect the present, how it always quietly rumbles in the back of our minds and what happens when the past is suddenly forced into the present leaving Geoff to question ‘what if?’.

It is a story about love, hidden emotion and the complexities and insecurities of relationships.

I really loved this slow moving (it is intentionally so) emotionally charged film. The performances by Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay are quite simply mesmerizing - particularly Rampling whose struggle feels so real. What a great film from Andrew Haigh, go and see this but maybe bring a hanky.

Week 36: The Visit

Writer/Director M.Night Shyamalan

Seen: September 16th 2015

Venue: IMC Galway

Snacks: Minstrels

Mood: Amused

Director M Night Shyamalan has always peaked my interest because I like films with twists. It is well known that one of his trademarks is to throw in a twist but the twists only work for me if I don’t guess the twist half way through and become more interested in my popcorn.

Shyamalan made two great twist films that I really enjoyed, the first being ‘Sixth Sense’ and the second ‘Signs’, he then went on to make a series of frankly pretty awful films like ‘Lady in the Water’ and ‘The happening’ so I was interested to see if ‘The Visit’ would be a return to previous form. Having seen the film I left not really knowing WHAT to think I was entertained (dont get me wrong) but this is a VERY strange film.

A quick run down of the plot is that brother and sister Tyler (Ed Oxenbould) and Becca (Olivia Dejonge) have never met their grandparents before and their mother decides to ship them off to spend a few weeks with them while she goes on holiday. At first everything seems fine with nanna and pop pop but things soon start taking a strange twist involving to name a few adult nappies and Yahtzee!

If you were to watch the trailer for this film you would be lead to believe that this is a horror film but that isn’t the case. This film is also packed with comedy moments that left me laughing out loud. I have to say this element of humour in amongst the jumpy bits makes for an entertaining 90 mins.

In summary then has Shyamalan returned to his previous form? A hard one to answer, this film is very different to his other films.He is definitely poking fun at himself , the horror genre and indeed directing itself. I think his famous ‘twist’ was very obvious but maybe it was meant to be and then it just becomes another way he can make fun of himself.

I laughed, I jumped therefore I recommend :)

Week 35: Legend

Director: Brian Helgeland

Writers:  Brian Helgeland

Seen: 12th September2015

Venue: IMC Galway

Snacks: Quavers

Mood: Conflicted

Legend is the story of the infamous London gangster twins of the 1960's Ronnie and Reggie Kray. For me the story of the Krays fits into the gangster genre perfectly, their story encapsulates all the elements of the rags to riches, rise and fall of a gangster narrative, except with the Krays you get two for price of one. I am sure many a script writer salivated at the richness of such a story, hence this is the third feature film produced about them. 

The first in 1990 called The Krays directed by Peter Medak, The Rise of the Krays directed by Zackary Adler also released this year and of course notwithstanding Legend directed by Brian Helgeland.So does Helgeland bring anything new to the story of the Krays? 

For me he doesn’t. 

However, he does bring a stroke of brilliance with Legend that makes it stand out, he casts both Ronnie and Reggie to one actor - Tom Hardy.

Hardy is arguably one of the best mainstream actors presently working, always versatile he was recently seen as Max in the blockbuster Mad Max Fury Road - but he also played a lone character in a small independent film called Locke which is an interesting film that illustrates his versatility. Hardy’s performance in Legend is a masterclass in acting to a point that there were times in the film I had to remind myself he was playing both characters. 

The tale of the twins is almost folklore at this stage to a point where it is hard to decipher fiction from non-fiction. Tom Hardy said at this year’s Toronto Film Festival that “it is hard to differentiate between what it is fact or fiction, truth or rumour about the Krays”. It is also hard to see what can be added to their legend and after such a brilliant portrayal by Hardy it is probably about time that their myth, in cinematic terms at least, is now laid to rest.

Week 34 Straight Outta Compton

Director: F. Gary Gray

Writers:  Jonathan Herman (screenplay) S. Leigh Savidge, Alan Wenkus

Andrea Berloff (story)

Seen:  30th August 2015

Venue: IMC Galway

Snacks: Quavers

Mood: Nostalgic

Straight Outta Compton is a film about five guys who formed a band called NWA (Niggas With Attitudes) in the 1980’s that arguably changed not only the music scene but pop culture itself.

The story of NWA is fascinating and remarkable there is no question of that and when you combine their individual stories with the story of the band you gotta a pretty good film. 

NWA not only pioneered a whole new genre of music (Gangster Rap) but they also raised awareness of the harsh realities of growing up in a place like South Central Los Angeles. The L.A that NWA rapped about did not match the connotations that many people had of Los Angeles California.

The reality of life in L.A for them was a place of drugs, gangs and where violence was as rampant as police brutality. They were slammed by critics at time for promoting violence but they argued, and I agree with their sentiment, that “NWA was just reflecting what was going on in their hood”. Undeniably there message was aggressive and close to the nerve, but what is also undeniable is the facts.

South Central L.A in the 80’s was one the gang/murder capitals of the world, it also had a drug problem that was often cited by the media as a “crack epidemic”. Their message about police brutality was also vindicated when the Rodney King tapes surfaced in the early 90’s. The King incident highlighted the role of the  police in the brutality that was going on for a long time in places like Compton.

It’s also evident that NWA’s legacy has longevity and the story of the band has still mass appeal today. The box office is strong globally and little old Galway’s IMC was almost full to capacity with a crowd made up mainly of young people - late teens early 20’s. Indeed it is probably due to the legacy of an original band member that many of the young people where at the film. Andre Young aka Dr. Dre, has produced many of  the great rappers of the 21st century including Snopp Dogg, 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar and Eminem.

Straight Outta Compton is certainly a finely directed and well-acted film especially O’Shea Jackson Jr (who plays his father Ice Cube) Jason Mitchell (Eazy-E) and Corey Hawkins (Dr. Dre).  The director Gary Grey who also made The Italian Job and of course the classic Friday did a brilliant job in keeping the audience engaged in a story that spans over several years.

Nevertheless, I think there is one major flaw with this film for me anyway, Ice Cube and Dre, who both were producers on the film, come out looking pretty good compared to other characters in the story of NWA specifically Jerry Heller (manager of NWA) and Eazy- E. For those of you who like me are familiar with the NWA story, it was not as simple as it was portrayed in Straight Outta Compton the film. 

Nevertheless this is a well dissected examination of an unconventional band that had the balls to fight the status quo of the time. I highly recommend Straight Outta Compton, although with a footnote, if you have no interest at all in rap music this might not be for you. 

Week 33 Escobar: Paradise Lost

Director: Andrea Di Stefano

Writer:  Andrea Di Stefano

Seen:  21^st of August 2015

Venue: IMC Galway

Snacks: M&Ms

Mood: Confusion

This is one of the strangest films I have seen all year, my mind was well and truly boggled after it. I didn’t hear much about Escobar: Paradise Lost before I went to see it and I am now realising why.

The script was awful, the direction was misguided and loose, although to be fair it is Andrea Di Stefano’s first feature. Nevertheless, I could not invest any time or energy into any of the characters with the exemption of Pablo Escobar exceptionally played by Benicio Del Toro. I wanted to see more of Del Toro as “El Patron” on the screen, he commanded every scene he was in, exerting the presence that surely Escobar had in real life.

Escobar, who was equally a hero and villain to most Colombians, he is also one of the most infamous characters of the 20^th century, and while Benicio Del Toro did that character justice, the film did not!

If the director concentrated on the story of Escobar, and utilised the great actor he had playing him, rather than focusing on Nick played by Josh Hutcherson then it would have been a much better film.

So if it comes to a cinema near you DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY.

Week 32: 52 Tuesdays

Director: Sophie Hyde

Writer:    Matthew Cormac

Seen:     16th August

Snacks:  Berries

Mood:     Moved

52 Tuesdays is a very modern tale and also one which is very much in the media eye at the moment. The story follows a year in the life of Billie played with dollops of maturity by Tilda Cobham-Hervey. Billie starts a video diary of sorts to track the year her mum Jane (Del Herbert-Jane) decides to gender transition, at the same time Jane also begins a video diary to track his own story. They decide to meet every Tuesday to spend time together whilst Jane becomes James.

Del Herbert Jane was originally the advisor on the film on gender transition and became the obvious choice to play James, a great choice in my opinion as her acting is never over stated and as the film progress’ you begin to really feel her struggle.

52 Tuesdays is a film about identity not just sexual identity but all the identity we all create for ourselves and whether that identity is ‘authentic’ or not.

Billie begins to struggle with her own sense of self and burgeoning sexual awareness and creates a space which is just hers to undergo her own transformation which mirrors James’ own transformation.

The road is a rocky one for Billie whose experiments on film verge on the orgiastic whilst James’ own path is also fraught with troubles. The audience watches both videos made every Tuesday and this ‘film within a film’ scenario is very engaging.

Director Sophie Hyde is definitely one to watch going forward as 52 Tuesdays is very well made, poignant and deals with the subject matter in a respectful and delicate way, team this with some superb performances and you are on to a winner.

If its on in a cinema near you I highly recommend.