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.