Starred Up!!!!

Starred Up.

Violence, corruption, drugs and survival are some aspects to prison life and you certainly do need to survive while in prison. I honesty can't remember the last time I saw a film set in a prison, Bronson I think was the last film that touched upon this subject in a gritty way.

The basic plotline is Eric Love (Jack O'Connell) is a fresh faced young man given an early transfer from the Young Offender Institution to an adult prison. Being the loud mouthed, confrontational and confident person he is he doesn't quite fit in with the inmates. 

Over the course of the film he gets into trouble, fighting prison guards, attacking other inmates and basically fighting for his own survival. One man stands out from the rest Neville (Ben Mendelsohn) who sympathises with the young man and gives him some stark firm but fair advice on surviving. As situations escalate and people end up dead or injured Eric must learn to comply with the system or he will go down fast and end up dead himself.

Going to group therapy sessions he opens up abit more and talks about his father, who turns up and walks into the room. Neville is his father and the group soon learns why Eric has stayed alive for doing so many things wrong so quickly. Finally stepping in as a father both of them need to learn, to either open up and have a father/son relationship or just learn to survive and move on.

As I say this is the first prison film I've seen in a good while and it makes a difference and certainly lets the acting come across really well in confined spaces. The storyline of son meeting father in prison is clever and shows an angle to prisons that you wouldn't ever usually think about could happen. O'Connell plays Eric with such ease and confidence but then his character could be seen as a more grown up Cook from Skins. Mendelsohn portrays the broken father with hope with ease as well, learning to adapt to his surroundings he survives knowing the inner circles of the prison and gets by by any means necessary. 

I have to mention the violence which not only is impressive but in this film is necessary and something that is a need to an end to lengthen Eric's survival. Making make shift shanks out of a melted toothbrush and a razor blade shows he can be creative and still survive. The storyline of father and son is what makes it so interesting, if it was lone man trying to survive it would be too contrived and bland. Throw in a small confined place with father and son who haven't seen each other in years and its a perfect setting. 

For a small budget film set in a prison it is seriously impressive and a film that deserves so much attention. Using actors who can show and bring out that genuine quality to prison life and still make the film exciting and engaging is impressive. For anyone who likes to watch gritty, violent films showing the realistic side to life in prison then seriously watch this film.

10/10.

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.

The Wolf Of Wall Street!!!!

The Wolf Of Wall Street.

All people needed to say to me was Scorsese and Leo and I was hooked and bought into whatever film they were making as to me their partnership is incredible and they work so well together. This being their fifth partnership it was to be of a rather over indulgent and at times shocking storyline about the life of Jordan Belfort.

Starting out life with high ambitions, Belfort (DiCaprio) arrives on Wall Street to start his life as a Stockbroker and make his fortune and become a successful millionaire. Finally landing a job he meets Mark Hanna (Matthew McConaughey) a man who's been on Wall Street for years and teaches him his ways and how to survive with a few added tricks. Deciding to go work for a small company headed up by Dwayne (Spike Jonze) he starts selling penny stocks to high rise rich fat cats and soon enough sets up his own company Stratton Oakmont. 

With his new found friend and business partner in the form of Donnie Azoff (Jonah Hill) the pair soon enough became a massive success, an article calling Belfort the "wolf of wall street" circulates and young financiers are soon wanting to work for him. With lavish partys, orgies on business planes, cocaine being snorted, drugs being taken and all round debauchery they live a high lifestyle. Jordan soon enough divorces his first wife Teresa (Cristin Miloti) and meets a beautiful blonde in the form of Naomi Lapaglia (Margot Robbie) with whom he soon enough marries.

As their thirst for money intensifies they secure the IPO and selling of stocks of the footwear company Steve Madden and make millions from this. With the FBI soon on their tail and investigating Stratton Oakmont for their dodgy supposed dealings Jordan is soon spiralling out of control and needs to make a drastic change. Finally being arrested and having to work in co-operation with the FBI it's the realisation and outcome he was certainly not expecting.

I have to say the film for me at times was abit too overly excessive, the constant drug taking, sex, lavish party's and money dealings didn't feel too real and overly comedic. With lines like "you do work for me you have my money strapped to your boobs" it just didn't resonate to me and felt it was trying to be overly funny. I have to say this is one of if the funniest black comedy films that Scorsese has done in the career and it is a territory he may step into again, who knows. 

DiCaprio and especially Hill are for me really impressive in their roles as Belfort and Azoff, the friendship and relationship they have works well on screen. Robbie who plays Naomi is a great addition and it clearly shows that she has a long and successful career in films as she plays her with such ease and confidence. Their are of course alot of other actors who make the cast what it is and really bring the story perfectly to life. 

A film in my eyes that although at times overly funny and comedis does indeed easily stand alongside Scorsese's other great films Raging Bull and Taxi Driver and it shows DiCaprio's relationship with the director is going from strength to strength. For any fans who want to see a cross between American Psycho and The Great Gatsby with a massive huge serving of black comedy then definitely go see it oh and get comfortable as it's three hours long but you'll love every minute.

8/10.

We're The Millers!!!!

We're The Millers.

Yet another funny laugh out loud comedy comes to our screens and I have to say for once I fully enjoyed myself. Given the stupidly at times ridiculous earlier years release of This Is The End I found this film alot more grounded and an all round funny film.

As we see a drug dealer David (Jason Sudeikis) selling his usual marijuana to his clients he soon enough is robbed of his stash and has to go speak to his boss Brad (Ed Helms). The only way to wipe out his debts is to go into Mexico and pick up some drugs for Brad and bring them back into the US, simple right, no. 

Thinking about how to get the drugs back into the country he comes up with a genius idea, pretend to be part of a travelling family as they always get past the police and are un-noticed. Recruiting the geeky kid Kenny (Will Poulter) from his building as his son, a runaway homeless girl Casey (Emma Roberts) as his daughter and a stripper Rose (Jennifer Anniston) from his local strip club he is soon on his way to Mexico.

As the pretend family pick up the drugs they soon enough encounter a whole array of situations, from breaking down and meeting a swinging couple to Kenny being bitten by a tarantula the fake family goes through everything a normal family would. As a mixup of identity's the family is soon on the run and it's a race against time to get the RV and drugs back to Brad in time for David to get his cut of the money. 

The laughs are funny and the gags are something you wouldn't have seen before. How the four of them get along is just like what a normal holidaying family would go through as they protect Casey from pressuring boys David and Rose step in to the role as her real parents. As Kenny learns how to kiss for the first time Casey and Rose are on hand to give him advice and some practice as well which obviously ends in an awkward situation. 

I can't give too much away but if your after a bit of a laugh and a film to just not think about and go with the flow then check it out. The storyline is basic and it does have a nice ending to it about how they change as people and are brought together for an extra period of time. Anniston is on form as Rose and really excels as the stripper, with some impressive dance moves which have been sexed up to pull viewers in she is impressive. Sudeikis plays the obnoxious, lazy, self centered father figure well who only looks out for himself. Poulter and Roberts are great kids and really bring some laughs on screen especially Kenny singing along to the radio. 

This film is what it is, it's a funny comedy film with a basic storyline but that's what it was made for to be a funny comedy film. You don't have to think about it just watch it and enjoy the laughs along the way.

7/10.

Spring Breakers!!!!

Spring Breakers.

The latest film release from acclaimed director of Kids and Gummo, Harmony Korine's Spring Breakers is shown to be a cornucopia of drink, party's, drugs and the sordid and explicit world of Spring Break for many college students in the United States.

Set in the state of Florida it shows four friends Candy (Vanessa Hudgens), Faith (Selena Gomez), Brit (Ashley Benson) and Cotty (Rachel Korine) who all want to go and party for spring break instead of being stuck in their dorm accommodation on campus. But as the girls put all their money together they realise they don't have enough money so they take drastic action. Holding up and robbing a local diner they finally have enough money to go to Florida for SPRING BREAK.

As the girls get into Florida the drinks start to flow and the party's happen the girls get pulled into the party world. As the party's get wilder they soon enough are arrested for drug possession with no way out of jail and no money for bail.

Soon enough the girls are bailed out by local gangster/rapper Alien (James Franco), a guy who befriends the girls and offers them the chance to have a time of their lives. As Alien brags about his guns, drugs and money and as he puts it the fact he has "Scarface on RE-peat" he is a crazy over the top guy.

With the girls being sucked into Alien's mad and crazy drink, drug and violence filled world they start working for him. Donning pink balaclavas and matching bikinis they join Alien in robbing and terrorising other local drug dealers. As the girls question their intentions of what they expected of Spring Break to what is unfolding in front of them they question their actions. Will the girls ever leave Florida and Alien's lifestyle, what will become of the friendship with him and between themselves?

The film is a vibrant neon drink and party filled world showing a coming of age story of the girls lives. Of course with the two Disney starletts Hudgens and Gomez starring in the film they both show a more adult, wilder and explicit characters not seen before. James Franco is un-recognisable in the film as Alien with corn-rolled hair and some metal grills on his teeth he plays the gangster/rapper perfectly and brings an almost at times ludicrous over the top character to life so well.

A great addition to director Harmony Korine's filmography and has to be said his best film by far. The opening scenes of the film with the aptly fitting Spring Break music from Skrillex it shows drinks in full flow, topless girls and explicit drinking games and shows just exactly what the film is about. The party scenes are shocking, full of alcohol, drugs and sex and portrays Spring Break perfectly.

In the end the film comes down to this, we as British people are reserved about sex and debauchery and avoid talking about such things so this film would be seen as not our cup of tea. If Spring Breakers was a cup of tea it'd contain 80% alcohol and 20% cocaine and be accompanied by a massive spliff with some Skrillex blasting in the background.

7/10.

Side Effects!!!!

Side Effects.

From what is to be Steven Soderbergh's last full length directoral film 'Side Effects' is a film which tackles the subject of what happens when people are put on various medications and what it can lead too in life.

The film starts out with the character of Emily Taylor (Rooney Mara) who awaits the release of her husband Martin Taylor (Channing Tatum) from prison. Soon enough the day comes around and she couldn't be any more happier but underneath it all she's depressed and can't cope. After an incident in a parking lot where Emily is hospitalised she is sent to see a psychiatrist, Dr. Jonathan  Banks (Jude Law) where she is prescribed a course of drugs to settle her mind, help her sleep and handle her anxiety. 

As Emily takes more and more different drugs with different "side effects" she starts losing it, as Dr. Banks consults and speaks to Emily's old psychiatrist Dr. Victoria Siebert (Catherine Zeta-Jones) he decides to give her a new pharmaceutical drug called Ablixa. With Emily now more active and happier she looks in control, little does she know of how much an effect the new drug is having and Emily's life suddenly spirals out of control.

Without giving too much away Dr. Banks investigates Emily's deterioration and what went wrong in her life. Was it the drug he gave her?, was it all Emily's fault? or was it a culmination of the wrong drug at the wrong time?.

The hows and whys of what happens next in the film is for you to find out for yourself. It is a great twist and turn, suspense filled, thriller that certainly had me guessing what would happen next only to be the total opposite of what I had guessed. It is a smart film that is cleverly thought out and will have you scratching your head even to the very end when the credits role.

Of course this is Rooney Mara's first lead role since her appearance in 'The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo' she plays a depressed Emily with such fragility and vulnerability that you almost think to yourself your watching a real person breakdown on screen. It has to be said that the film is pretty much Jude Law's as he plays Dr. Banks with such intelligence and charm. He holds things together at the start and slowly loses everything but soon enough he comes back up to be the shining light at the end. Catherine Zeta-Jones gives a strong, powerful performance as a stern but at times naive psychiatrist, Channing Tatum stands as the hulking husband to the demure Mara and brings an air of strength and safety to Emily's crumbling world.

Overall 'Side Effects' is a great suspense filled thriller film, a film certainly for the older adults as the twist and turns of the films narrative could be seen as a bit much for a younger audience. With the surprises coming thick and fast during the film it has you on edge and has you guessing which I love as I like a film that challenges me mentally. 

As this is Soderbergh's last feature film that we know of as we lose him to theatre and the TV world of HBO this is a fine film to finish your movie career off with.

8/10.