Quick Reviews #19

I thought it was time for another round of quick reviews, mainly for films I have seen in this year that I never got around to giving full reviews to. Not that this makes them bad, at least one of these is more than likely to make my top ten this year… Read on and enjoy!

Logan Lucky

Logan Lucky is a confident and well-made heist film that plays out with a bunch of characters you wouldn’t usually associate with the genre. It makes a for a low stakes but very funny film, where all threads are tightly woven and come together in a satisfying way in the end. The cast are all great, especially Danial Craig, who plays a role unlike any we’ve seen before, it’s genuinely great seeing him do something completely different to Bond. Also, get ready for the best Game of Thrones joke in a film yet…

4/5

Raw

Wow, this film lives up to its name! Such nail-biting and visceral experience. It was hard to watch at times but I did not want to avert my eyes from the gorgeous horror that was happening on screen. It was a strangely moving experience that stuck with me for the next few days. A unique coming of age film, unlike anything I’ve seen before, surrealist yet still approachable with a lot of subtext, the obvious ones being sexuality, social norms and femininity, with many more I’m looking forward to reading into. It won’t be for everyone but is an experience of a film that’s very inspiring. An incredible work of art. 

5/5

Death Note

Everybody is going on about how bad this film is, and if I had ever seen/read the source material I would probably be upset that it had be turned into a whitewashed, Americanised, one hour forty film - but I haven’t and I kind of enjoyed it. It’s a goofy premise with cheesy characters but it keeps you engaged and I got a kick out of it’s over the top nature and hammy acting. It’s not amazing, the style gets in the way of the substance and the very fast pacing can get in the way of emotional moments, it really could have done with slowing down every now and then to let me readjust. Apart from that, it was fine and it was fun, I understand if you were a fan of the material and hate it though.

3.5/5

Baby Driver

Edgar Wright is back after what feels like way too long! Baby Driver brings the action, the charm, the comedy and the romance as it blasts onto the big screen. It’s a visceral experience as Wright’s camera flair follows the action in an upbeat and unique way, completely choreographed to a kick ass soundtrack, with a dash of Tarantino and Scorsese in the mix. This film is as creative in its premise as it is in its approach, it’s so good to see this style of filmmaking where the camera is being used just as much as the incredible performances are to tell a story. This film is a lot of fun and deserves to be seen in the cinema. My only criticism is the lack of female characters, there’s really only two and they work mainly as extensions of the males they’re coupled with. Apart from that though, great film!

4.5/5

Thanks for reading!

Quick Reviews #8

So here's some more quick reviews for you. This time, two very different films about relationships, one with someone who is terminally ill and the other with a couple who are immortal. Read on to find out what I thought of both The Fault In Our Stars and Only Lovers Left Alive.

The Fault In Our Stars

Based on the book of the same name (which I have not read yet), The Fault In Our Stars follows Hazel, a girl who is terminally ill and how her life is affected when she meets Gus, a happy and optimistic guy who wants to live life being remembered. When I first saw the trailer for this, I thought it would be yet another film about cancer that will have you crying by the end of it. And although this film will no doubt make the waterworks flow, it is a lot more moving and uplifting than the films that have come before it. It may start kind of cliched with the two star crossed lovers bumping into each other, but the film becomes something a lot more heartfelt and this is only helped along by the terrific chemistry between Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort, who really allow you to care about the characters. It is difficult for me to give a complete review of this film because of the people in my cinema screening who thought it would be great to talk and answer the phones on loudspeaker throughout, so i wasn't fully invested in the film at all times! Even so, I was still able to care about these characters and their hard times, which are more than just the fact that one was ill and the other used to be. The film respected the fact that cancer wasn't the only interesting talking point about the characters, it was also about living life to the full and making others happy. You are beaten over the head a bit with the mood of each scene that always ended with some atmospheric song. I also feel it could have been cut down a bit as the ending did seem to drag on, but overall it was surprisingly a lot better then I thought it would be going in to it. It definitely deserves a second viewing where I can watch it in peace and give all my time and concentration, but for now I am rating the film a 3.5/5.

Only Lovers Left Alive 

Jim Jarmusch's latest follows two vampires living in present day Detroit as they go about their lives. This beautiful film creates a snapshot of the two lovers lives so elegantly and romanticly that it keeps you gripped within their world easily for the duration. Everything about this film is great, from the two leads, Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton, to the attention to detail on the set design and music choices. I was completely enthralled by this film and its dark romantic setting, the characters were so interesting and their lives captivating. The vampire mythos is intriguing and the complications and dilemmas that arrive in their lives is entertaining to watch being played out. I can't find anything bad to say about this film, its dark and moody, weird and wonderful, and another masterpiece by Jarmusch who proves that he has not lost his touch. Definitely one of the best films I have seen recently, and thankfully I saw it by myself and not with any rude cinema go'ers. The supporting cast are great, especially Mia Wasikowska's vampire, Ava, who's bubbly free natured personality creates a humorous breath of fresh air in the film. Just when you thought vampires were on the way out, Jim Jarmusch comes along and creates the best take on the genre yet. I saw one critic describe it as Before Sunset meets vampires and I could not agree more. I am rating Only Lovers Left Alive a 5/5.

What did you think of the films? Agree with my reviews or not? Let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for reading!