All Is Lost!!!!

All Is Lost.

One un-named older gentleman (Robert Redford) on screen on a boat and going through bad situation after bad situation. Not being able to catch a break it's constant disaster and his fight for survival is intensified, fighting the natural elements of the sea you see him go through the motions. 

Their is not alot else I can say to explain what the movie is about because that is just about it as to the premise of the film, eight lines of dialogue throughout the whole film it's at times intense. After crashing into a shipping container left in the sea a massive hole is made into the side of his sailing boat. Patching the whole up he carries on as usual and carries on with his journey, storms soon rage and he is fighting the weather. 

It is a fight for survival and you really do fight for him, wanting him to survive and holding your breath as he's dragged under water your with him the whole time. You have to admit that what he goes through on screen he must just have the worst luck in the entire world and their is no let up at all.

The one thing that makes this film so impressive is how basic it is but how well acted it is, Redford is on top form and he is the perfect aged man for this film. It's his expressions and his movement that really show off his acting ability and his ability to play the character with such ease. With no knowledge about his past or anything you make up your own mind about him, I went for divorced man wanting to get away from the normal world and escape on his own for a while. Nothing phases him as he takes everything on with determination and adapts to his situation with ease.

For me this film is up their with Gravity and in alot of ways is like Gravity as well, it is at times intense and a film that effects your senses and makes you feel for the character. The scenes of storms and the boat being capsized are real and you see as the film goes on that he starts to look tired and worn out, screams for help are raspy as the dehydration effects his throat. 

Every detail with this film has been thought about, with a career defining performance from Redford it lets him utilise and shine using his own physical acting on screen. With sound and visuals of storms and throwing pretty much everything at him you see and hear what he's going through. An impressive film that will be a standout film for Redford and also the film world as well.

10/10.

The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty!!!!

The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty.

I'll admit I'm not a big Ben Stiller fan, I never liked Zoolander, I got bored of Tropic Thunder and I didn't laugh at Dodgeball but this time round I was seriously impressed with Ben Stiller. A film that revolves around a man Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller) who daydreams on a daily basis and imagines different scenarios happening in real life it works really well.

Working for LIFE magazine Walter is what he calls the 'negative asset manager' which involves him processing all the photographers negatives to be used in the issues of LIFE magazine. As the news comes through that the magazine is to be closed down in favour of a more online presence Walter and his fellow colleagues are in limbo as to what will happen. With the final issue being made, a final photo has been sent in by famous photographer Sean O'Connell (Sean Penn) to be used for the last front cover but Walter can't find it. 

Fantasising a relationship with the new girl in the office Cheryl (Kristin Wiig) and member of the dating website eHarmony he finally strikes up a conversation with her. Helping Walter out to track Sean down she says he is in Iceland and so Walter must decide what to do, stay in the office and not get the last photo or go out of his comfort zone and fly to find Sean. 

With cut scenes of his daydreaming/zone out scenes where different things take place you see a small part of Walter's mind. Deciding to go and find Sean Walter puts himself in various different dangerous situations that he has to keep questioning if it is real or if it's inside his head. Finally realising he has to live his life outside of his head and make these things happen he soon enough gets the confidence that he has always wanted but does he find Sean and get that final photo?

For me this film was a triumph because I can kind of relate to Walter in certain aspects, I daydream and sometimes talk to myself and make up scenarios that I wish would happen. I literally lost and immersed myself in the film and just drifted into Walter's world and I loved it because it was nothing too funny but it was sincere and respectful for daydreamers of the world. The special effects add to the daydream/zone out scenes and really make them feel really real and even though they're over the top they could happen inside anyone's head. 

Stiller I thought wouldn't fit the role as this is a more serious role and film for him to direct but he suits serious and he plays him with ease as well. Starting out as a organised and very routine orientated man he learns more about life and he finally ends up a more confident and full wholesome person, just to show life outside your head can just be as good. Wiig and Penn add to the film and bring in characters who try to push Walter as much as possible and also give him hope in life to do what he wants. 

Critics may not like this film too much and it has had mixed reviews but for me the critics who enjoy it are the daydreamers, the dreamers, the creative people, the people who zone out as well. For any daydreamers of the world then please go and see this film, become immersed, zone out and just enjoy Walter's world as you will love it, just like I did.

10/10.