The LEGO Movie!!!!

The LEGO Movie.

If their is one toy from my childhood I became obsessed over again this year it would be LEGO and this movie is the main reason for that. I grew up on LEGO, many a time when  I was younger me and a friend would build our own creations and make weird spaceships and odd shaped buildings.

When I first heard they were making a LEGO movie I thought to myself "this could not work, this must be a joke and no doubt it'll turn out to be total rubbish". BUT I have to say I was proved completely wrong as I really enjoyed this film and at times transported back to my younger self being a massive LEGO fan. 

The main storyline to the film is of course where a normal builder Emmet (Chris Pratt) falls into a world that he never even knew existed. A world of master builders who are going up against the two faced Lord Business (Will Ferrell), he controls the people and makes the feel safe yet he wants to glue the world together to stop people building weird non-conformist creations.

Emmet is of course hailed as the saviour and must find the Kragle to stop Lord Business from going through with his plan and save the world that they live in. All different situations take place, meeting Wyldstyle a master builder she helps Emmet find that inner master builder inside him and hopes to save the world. Building their way through and out of situations like the wild west and a huge car chase you see what the master builders can do building all different machines. 

The storyline may be basic but it is able to show off all the clever aspects of the film, cameos and voice-overs by some top actors like Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Alison Brie, Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman and the list goes on really gives it that extra serious push. I loved the way the film worked and the LEGO worked on screen as well it was flawless and definitely kept my attention glued to the screen the whole time. 

Their is only one reason I decided to give the film a 9/10 and not a perfect 10 and that is because for me I wanted SO much more. The LEGO universe has become so huge that hopefully a second film will go into other franchises like Star Wars or Lord Of The Rings or Marvel even which would be awesome to see. I loved the film SO much I becamse addicted to the minifgures and currently have only half (8) proudly on one of my shelves. 

For anyone who made stupid, weird LEGO figures and made up machines and flying spaceships when you were younger then WATCH THIS FILM. You will be transported back to your youth and will no doubt fall in love again with a childhood toy that up until this film was not cool to play with as an adult but now you can be AWESOME again. 

To finish on a pun "everything IS AWESOME" with this film.

9/10.

Robocop!!!!

Robocop.

When a "classic" film is re-hashed and put together and re-booted fans will of course always wade into the argument of what should and shouldn't be covered. For this version of Robocop we see the usual storyline of how Alex Murphy (Joel Kinnaman) a successful police officer suffers a personal tragedy and is blown half to pieces when his car is sabotaged. Fighting for his life and on the verge of death his wife Clare Murphy (Abbie Cornish) makes the decision with the help of Dr Dennett Norton (Gary Oldman) the OmniCorp chief scientist to save her husband. With every part of his body destroyed, the only parts his own being one of his hands, his heart, his lungs and his brain he is every bit a walking talking machine. 

Robocop is born and his main purpose is to make OmniCorp look good, with robots serving the US military overseas OmniCorp wants to put the same robots on the streets but because of the Dreyfus Act they can't. To gain the public's trust Robocop is deployed onto the streets, shown to be a robot with human conscientiousness he is there to gain their trust and help OmniCorp to get rid of the Act. 

As Robocop starts to become a success people start to turn on the Dreyfus Act but being stopped of seeing his family his wife soon has to fight to get her husband back. With Alex's head filled with every crime that has taken place in the city he soon starts to reflect on his own crime and start's to feel for his son and his wife. 

With the Dreyfus Act still in place and Alex fighting to control his own emotions soon enough something will happen, will Robocop stay or will he be pulled off of the streets. 

I have to say for a film about a Robocop I felt their was too much backstory and not enough action, seeing Alex's backstory and how he came to be was all well and good but it took up too much time. With a little bit more action and being able to see him in action it would have made a far better and interesting film. Kinnaman as Robocop was at times convincing but then again he just has to act as a robot for most of the time. Gary Oldman for me raises the film and really brings across a scientist who is torn to his allegiances and also what is the best course of action morally and professionally. 

Now that we have dealt with the origins I'd like to see if a second film was to surface and maybe this time around we could see him in some proper action scenes. See what Robocop is LITERALLY made of.

6/10.

Inside Llewyn Davis!!!!

Inside Llewyn Davis.

When it comes to directors who make new films no matter what style, type or genre of film they decide to make it I will always go and see it. Two directors, brothers at that Joel and Ethan Coen have been making films for years and they have covered many different genres, comedy which is their strongest suit definitely comes through in this film for sure.

Set in the early 60's you see a man sat playing an acoustic guitar on a dark small lit stage, Llewyn Davis (Oscar Isaac) is a down and out musician. Having recently lost his music partner who committed suicide he has gone it alone with his own solo record 'Inside Llewyn Davis', couch surfing and playing the local cafe/bar he isn't the most successful of musicians. With the news that his friend Jean (Carey Mulligan) married to Jim (Justin Timberlake) is pregnant and the baby might be his his life isn't going in the right direction. 

With disaster after disaster Llewyn doesn't catch a break, settling for just $200 for a song instead of royalties, losing his seamen's licence, visiting his dying father and being told he's no good as a solo artist everything is not going well. With the addition of a ginger cat he accidentlly has to look after you really do feel for Llewyn but has he just brought it all onto himself?.

During the film you question yourself and work out what he truly is, a creative genious yet to be given his big break or just a down and out musician with no talent and going nowhere. Using his friends when he only really needs them to then pay for Jean's abortion and asking how she is he shows different parts of his personality. 

Inside Llewyn Davis shares many features from the Coen's past films, the musicality from 'O Brother Where Art Thou' and the comedy from 'Burn After Reading' and 'Fargo'. This is a more sombre affair of a film, it doesn't have the violence or crazy off the wall comedy from past films and feels like new territory for the brothers. One aspect in which I really loved in this film is the music used, Oscar Issac has a really impressive voice and most of his own performances are used. Casting Justin Timberlake was an obvious reason as he sings on two stand out songs, the trio song 'Five Hundred Miles' and the tongue in cheek space advert 'Please Mr Kennedy'. 

For a film that has been shunned by the Oscar's and BAFTA's it makes no sense as this a pure Coen brothers film: comedy, sincerity and a story of life with some added great music make it stand out. Also to mention an impressive performance by Oscar Isaac not only from his acting but his on point vocals make this film so great and worth seeing.

9/10.

Dallas Buyers Club!!!!

Dallas Buyers Club.

When a film takes over twenty years to make, being declined by so many film company's you have to think that the film obviously has problems script wise or something. But I have to say I honestly don't know why it took so long as what has been made here is something truly incredible and brings out some career defining performances from the films leads.

Set in the 1980's you first see a rodeo bull rider having sex with a woman in one of the closed off bull pens, that man is Ron Woodroof (Matthew McConaughey). A man who is a proud womaniser and hard working, beer drinking texan that is until her gets back to his trailer and collapses, waking up in hospital this is where his life turns upside down. Diagnosed with AIDS he is given only a mere thirty days to live with which he reply's hardly against this diagnosis and says he will prove them wrong. 

Called a homosexual, thrown out of his home, shunned by his close friends and sacked from his job the prejudice is shown all around him. Deciding to take the trial drug AZT he meets a HIV-positive trans man Rayon (Jared Leto) with whom he at first doesn't like for his sexual orientation. Hospitalised and realising the drug isn't working he seeks out other drugs to help him stay alive for as long as possible.

Realising that their are so many other people in the same situation he sets up the "Dallas Buyers Club", $400 membership each month and you get the drugs you will need to stay alive. Advised by his doctor Dr Eve Saks (Jennifer Garner) to not take away her trial patients she is torn with what to do but also shocked to see Ron still alive. Also constantly raided by the FDA and having his drugs taken off of him Ron has alot to fight for now, not just for his own life but for the many other peoples lives part of the Buyers Club as well. 

The film itself is poignant and one that shows with determination and heart you can do anything you want, Ron is one of those people who initially sets out to make money but realises he is doing ALOT more than just that. Ron's character changes over the course of the film, from womanising homophobic cowboy to heart felt, broken and caring man fighting for his life and many others lives. 

McConaughey and Leto fit into both the roles so easily and I couldn't see any other actor out their at the minute portray the characters, both put everything into the characters including losing weight for the film. For a film that was filmed in a total of twenty five days with a single camera on half the original budget it is a brilliant film. Certainly a film that will be mentioned and talked about in years to come and one hopefully to inform people of not only the prejudice of HIV and AIDS but to show that the disease can effect anyone in life and to stay strong if you do have either.

10/10.

12 Years A Slave!!!!

12 Years A Slave.

When it comes to true life stories their is one film this year that will really hit hard and leave a big impression on many people. That film is of course '12 Years A Slave', the true life story of Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) a free man and father abducted and forced into slavery.

From the very start of when he is taken you are shocked by the intense violence that is forced upon him, a wooden panel is struck multiple times on his back causing immense pain and only stops when it shatters into pieces. From then on in the film is pretty much none stop and shows every single dark harsh corner and bright white lights that darken and illuminates the slaves lives.

Northup of course moves from plantation to plantation, first in the care of William Ford (Benedict Cumberbatch) he becomes close to him and Ford eventually gives him a violin for him to play. Scuffling with John Tibeats (Paul Dano) and attempted to be hung he is moved into the care of Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender) a man stating that scripture allows him to abuse his slaves. While in his care he meets a young woman Patsey (Lupita Nyong'o) who is Epp's favourite as she picks the most cotton from his cotton field crops. 

Struggling to get through to any of his masters Northup tries to tell his story and state that he is a free man and it is a big mistake but to no avail. He never gives up and carries on with life in the knowledge that one day he will be a free man again and be reunited with his wife and children. All of the slaves endure constant abuse, fights break out and in some harrowing scenes they are whipped until their back is blood red and cut right open. 

For a film that is of such dark and at times harrowing to watch on screen you can also see the hope, the light and the determination of Solomon Northup. Every aspect of his life is shown, his family life, his life on the plantation and how he remains hardy and never loses heart to his final release. You really do go through the motions with Solomon, you cringe and wince at his abuse, you root for him during his own motivational speeches and you smile and nearly cry at his final freedom and meeting of his family after nearly over a decade of being a slave. 

It is a truly impressive and emotional film that is a film to certainly stand the test of time, people will talk of this film in years to come and state it as a true story of slavery and adversity. It truly does deserve to gain such high accolades, Ejiofor and Nyong'o stand out and really do bring out their characters with such ease.

9/10.

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit!!!!

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit.

When it comes to the all out action films their are certain "go to" franchises, James Bond and The Bourne films are two franchises that people love to watch. But this time round the Tom Clanct based character gets re-boot after a few years off and with a new leading man in the form of Star Trek's Captain James T Kirk, Chris Pine.

Set in present day we see a student Jack Ryan (Chris Pine) at the London School of Economics, deciding to join Marine's he is posted in Afghanistan. Injured by a helicopter crash he is told he won't be able to go back, meeting Cathy Muller (Keira Knightley) during rehab he strikes up a relationship with her. He also meets and speaks with William Harper (Kevin Costner) who is never revealed as a CIA agent but he recruits Ryan. Fast forward ten years and Ryan is working as an undercover CIA agent on Wall Street investigating dodgy transactions of company's. 

Soon coming across Viktor Cherevin (Kenneth Branagh) who's company has come up in his investigation, turning up for an audit of the company Ryan is soon put in danger having to kill a man for the first time. Meeting up with Harper he is told he is now operational and is handed a gun to protect and defend himself. Working out what Cherevin is up to it is a race against time to stop something disastrous taking place back home in the United States but will he save the citizens of the US and stop Cherevin?

For a new launch to the Jack Ryan world it is a pretty good start, learning about where he came from and what he has been through you can tell they're expecting to get a good few films out of it. Chris Pine as Ryan was a good choice he is memorable from his Star Trek films and a fresh new young face to throw into the world of action movies as well. Branagh can definitely do an impressive Russian accent, Knightley brings in another dynamic of Ryan having a wife and brings out a more softer side of his personality.

The storyline itself at times can get complicated and if you were to miss even fifteen minutes you'll feel a little bit lost. For a story set about the Russian situation and how a business owner can threaten to cause mass chaos in the US it can be seen as little far fetched and spirals a little too quickly.

Obviously the script and the actors are utilised well but it can not really stand up to the Bourne or Bond films, with a few little tweaks here and there and a much stronger script it could really set itself apart from the rest.

7/10.

Lone Survivor!!!!

Lone Survivor.

Before I even watched this film I kind of knew what would happen, hence the title of the film gives away what the final outcome will be. With this aside I went into the film with interest after seeing Kathryn Bigelow's intense yet seriously impressive Zero Dark Thirty I was expecting something on the same scale. 

Real footage of Navy Seal recruits going through the gruelling training to become a Seal is shown on screen, from laying in cold water side by side to running through mud it is all shown. With the ringing of a bell and a helmet placed on the floor the list of people deciding to leave the training is piled up as finally only a few men make it through to the end and become full fledge Navy Seal's.

Fast track to the present and you see the various characters getting up and going about their usual duties at the camp in Afghanistan. Being part of Seal Team 10's quick reaction force they are all on call, a new mission is set by Lieutenant Commander Erik S. Kristensen (Eric Bana) to track the Taliban leader Ahmad Shah who is responsible for the death of many marines. The four man team sent in consists of medical corpsman and sniper Marcus Luttrell (Mark Wahlberg), on ground leader Lieutenant Michael P. "Murph" Murphy (Taylor Kitsch), communications Danny Dietz (Emile Hirsch) and sonar technician and sniper Matthew "Axe" Axelson (Ben Foster).

Sent into the mountains they observe and track Ahmad Shah but realise that he is not alone and has a potential small army at his disposal. As some goat herders accidentally stumble upon the four Navy Seal's they have to decide what to do next, leave them tied up, kill them or set them free and say the mission is compromised. 

As they decide to set them free and head up the hillside to be picked up they are soon in the sights of the Taliban and under some serious fire. Using their skills and what they do best they shoot their way out but get into some difficulties causing them to make some dangerous decisions. Shot up and wounded they jump off of cliff ledges and franticly try to survive the attack while trying to call for backup but with no luck.

As each man tumbles down the cliff face and hills hitting every rock and tree on the way down you can do nothing but feel all of them as you hear the cracks. With each gunshot wound you see them suffer and limp around trying to stay alive while still hitting every target. It has to be said the gun fights in the film are impressive and we have not seen footage this intense and on point since Ridley Scott's Black Hawk Down.

The film itself does give away the ending just by reading the title of the film but what happens in between is what will get you hooked. You feel every cut, scrape and gunshot wound and you really do root for them and hope that they come out alive but obviously you know that is not the case. With no real backstory of the four men it leaves you floating and not knowing how you truly feel about the people you see on screen. 

One let down for me is the footage of Navy Seal training as it felt like the start of a Navy Seal recruitment video that a young wannabe recruit would have to watch. The whole film felt like a massive advertisement for what to except when you join up and also what to expect when it comes to fighting within the field itself. A nice and respective sombre moment obviously comes at the end with a four to five minute rememberance slideshow of the men who were lost as part of the four man operation. 

An all round impressive film that shows a true story taking place but for me just felt a little bit too distant at times and too propaganderish at the same time.

7/10.