Movie Review: Mad max Fury Road

Tom Hardy is one of my all time favourite actors for a number of reasons. From his breakthrough performance as the crazed inmate Charlie Bronson, to his under appreciated role as Freddie in The Take and later on his iconic imagining of Bane in The Dark Knight Rises. At the age of 37, Tom Hardy, in my opinion, is rapidly becoming this generations Robert De Niro. When I found out George Miller would be gracing our screens once again with a new Mad Max movie and Mr Hardy would be playing the role of cinemas beloved road warrior, I was overjoyed! And after finishing this fast paced ride through hell there were only two things on my mind: action cinema NEEDED this movie... And the future truly does belong to the mad.

From the furthest depths of a post apocalyptic world, in a stark and barren dessert where crazed humans fight for the bare necessities in life, rise two alluring Anti-Heroes from the sand. Max Rockatansky: road warrior/former cop who finds himself caught inside the middle of a chase whilst helping a woman named Furiosa and her female companions as she struggles to return to her homeland, whilst being hunted down by a ruthless dessert gang and their leader, Immortan Joe: ruler of the land she is trying to escape from.

In a world where the likes of ‘Taken 2’ and ‘Die Hard 57’ rule the action genre, this movie is truly a breath of fresh air. It’s opening scene hits like the rev of Max’s V8 Interceptor and doesn’t step off the pedal until the very end. I credit the downfall of modern action cinema down to two factors: characters who appear to be invincible and never truly under major threat, and ones that audiences simply can’t connect with, the mirror opposite of what this movie delivers. Max is a broken and lonely soul, who is tormented by visions of his dead family who he feels responsible for not protecting. Throughout this whole movie there isn’t a moment where he’s not in some sort of danger. From being chained up and raced across the dessert whilst acting as a ghouls blood pack, to risking his life to protect essentially a group of strangers he met hours ago. He’s a character who’s wellbeing you truly worry and care for and most importantly he’s not invincible, he’s just a bad ass.

Whilst obviously predominantly dessert based, this movie is stunning and constantly exciting on the eye; with the majority filmed without CGI, giving the explosions and stunts an added boost in my opinion. It’s score was perfect and one I haven’t paid the same attention to since the likes of The Dark Knight Rises. Performance wise once again Tom hardy knocks it out the park. When an actor can be on screen for nearly 2 hours with hardly any dialogue and completely capture your full attention, it only goes to serve the level of his acting ability. Charlize Theron was also brilliant and finally graced our screens with the bad ass female action hero hollywood deserves. Amidst all the chaos Nicholas Hoult gave a really standout performance as Nux and really added that vulnerable human side to this movie; kinda ironic for a character who’s already half dead, eh?

This movie is a shining example of a big screen action movie done right. It’s two hours of explosions, car chases, gun-fire, fighting and ghouls playing guitars that shoot rockets into the sky. I could go on forever but alas, this movie is a benchmark in the modern action genre, just like Die Hard was in the eighties and The Matrix was in the nighties. Go find the nearest IMAX 3D cinema and loose yourself in all things mad, now.


If you enjoyed this movie, check out: Mad Max 1, 2 & 3.

My rating: 10 out of 10

Joshua White
Fire Write With Me

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Movie Review: Lost River

At the start of this year, Lost River was amongst the top three movies I was most excited for in 2015. I have a huge admiration for Ryan Gosling, so when I read his directional debut would star none other than Matt Smith (My favourite Dr Who) and looked more Art-House than it did ‘Hollywood’ I was overjoyed. I was lucky enough to attend the premier/Q&A with Ryan Gosling and Matt Smith last night and I left the cinema with a mind racing full of thoughts. A main one being: Where does the line between influence and plagiarism blur?

Lost River is essentially the tale of a decaying, virtually abandoned city and the people who reside within it’s limits struggle for survival. A single mother of two, whilst trying to save her childhood and now family home, becomes lured into a seedy and violent, macabre underworld by her new banker; where men gather to watch pseudo acts of bloody murder towards women for entertainment on the stage, whilst more sinister scenes play out in the lower tier. Her son spends his days roaming around the wasteland of his city. One day whilst salvaging copper from abandoned houses to sell, he unwillingly becomes the enemy of a dangerous young man named ‘Bully’. Now a wanted man, he grows ever closer to his neighbour, a young lady who lets him in on a secret about Lost River: it’s cursed. A path that starts with intrigue, becomes entwined with violence and destruction and will eventually, due to a heart full of love and desire for better days, lead to a secret underwater town.

Lost River is a fairytale and I feel it is vital you go into viewing this with that in mind. The first thing that really struck me about this movie was the ambitious nature of Gosling as a first time director/writer. Whilst I’ll always claim to be a huge fan of cinema, I also love art in general, so the non-stereotypical nature of the imagery in this movie and the way it was used to aid the story I found truly beautiful, for the most part. Collectively, this is a very well acted film. Christina Hendricks nailed both the strong and venerable side of a struggling single mother, who will blindly do anything to look after her family. Matt Smith was stereotypically great and in interviews has claimed this is the most method approach he has taken to a role in his career so far. I also have to mention the dance scene with Ben Mendelssohn, which in the Q&A was revealed to be totally improvised, it was utterly fantastic. The score by Johnny Jewel (Drive, Bronson) was expectedly superb and in my opinion only rivalled by the excellent cinematography, as the better aspects of this movie.

Whilst I have plenty of positive things to say about Lost River, I also have a handful of issues with the movie. There was very little dialogue and hardly any backstory to the characters, which I felt hindered my ability to fully care for them and understand the motive behind some of their actions. Whilst it’s abundantly clear that Gosling has been majorly influenced by the directors he’s previously worked with, to me this movie felt like it almost had a cut and paste from his career stylistic nature to it. The surreal, extremely violent world of ‘Only God Forgives’ alongside the electronic soundtrack of ‘Drive’, even his very experimental approach to directing was reminiscent of his time spent with Derek Cianofrance. Whilst every artist derives influence from somewhere, I couldn’t help but feel like Gosling has majorly ‘borrowed’ a plenty from the back catalogue of David Lynch. The singing/dancing scene in the club were very reminiscent of the ones in Blue Velvet... And didn’t the burning building scene look identically like the end of Lost Highway? Hmm, maybe Lost River is not what it seems (Drum roll, please).

Whilst it’s not the masterpiece some critics have claimed it to be, it’s also not a piece of garbage like the rivalling opinion would lead you to believe. It’s a well acted, wonderfully sounding, visually striking directional debut, which has unfortunately fell into the trap of style over substance.

If you enjoyed this movie, check out: Blue Velvet, Lost Highway, Drive.

My Rating: 7 out of 10.

Joshua White

Fire Write With Me.

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My Film Recommendation: Source Code

For anyone who reads my blog/follows me on any form of social media, my adoration (or fanboy nature, you decide) for Jake Gyllenhaal is no secret. Whilst my favourite Gyllenhaal performances usually see him portraying a troubled individual, who could easily be perceived as an older Donnie Darko, todays recommendation sees him encapsulate the role of a Hollywood, blockbuster hero, in 2011’s Sci-fi Thriller, ‘Source Code’.

Colter Stevens, a pilot for the US army, who’s last waking memory is of flying over an Afghanistan battlefield, wakes up on an unknown train. He soon finds out that he’s assumed the identity of another man, after a conversation with a charming young lady named Christina sat opposite him. Eight minuets later, the train explodes and Stevens finds himself awake in some sort of freezing cold, isolation pod. Moments later he is then contacted by a lady named Goodwin, who explains he will keep being transported back to the train, exactly eight minuets before it explodes and his mission is to identify the bomber within the allocated time frame. After a number of unsuccessful attempts, angry and confused, he wants answers, in which Goodwin and a man named Dr. Rutledge explain that he is part of a project named Source Code that transfers people into the body of a deceased person for the last eight minutes of their life. He is informed that he cannot change the past, since Source Code is not a time machine, but he can reassign time and change the future. With Steven’s heart growing ever fonder for Christina, he decides to save the train and its passengers from the explosion, despite the projects architect claims that his efforts will be worthless.

Source Code starts like a Hulk Hogan kick to the face: Bang! You’re right there on the train, as a groggy Jake Gyllenhaal awakes to see his surroundings for the very first time. With no initial back story for the main protagonist or any of the characters he proceeds to meet, you find yourself on the same wavelength, with an instant attachment and rapport built with this person and the situation he’s just became conscious to. In what over the years has become a given, Jake delivers an outstanding, believable performance. Additionally, co-star Michelle Monaghan is brilliant in her role and the romance in which ignites between herself and Gyllenhaal, is a charming one, that feels both vulnerable and real. This movie looks great, its action sequences are big and past paced, whilst not straining on the eye and it's score aides the visuals in a typically great, big, Hollywood blockbuster fashion.

I’d like to wrap this up by saying this is one hell of an action movie. I feel like Ben Ripley’s writing and the direction by Duncan James fit like hand in glove. It encapsulates what I think this kind of movie needs: intense, fast-paced action, a gripping plot that keeps developing and characters in which entice you emotionally, allowing you to care for their outcome and wellbeing. I also feel this movie’s outcome delivers a powerful, important message. That amidst the fast paced culture of life, in the moments we perceive as humdrum monotony, we forget the frailty of life and how blessed we are to be alive at all, perfectly embodied by the John Lennon quote:

“Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans.”

Another A+ performance from the list that is Jake Gyllenhaal’s acting career.

If you enjoyed this movie, check out: Twelve Monkeys, The Matrix, Looper.

My Rating: 9 out of 10.

Joshua White

Fire Write With Me.

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My Film Recommendation: The Taking Of Deborah Logan.

From my first introduction to Michael Myers as a child, to an adult gleefully grasping a cinema ticket to the latest scare flick, the horror movie genre is one I’ve loved intensely my whole life. With the vast success of movies such as Paranormal Activity, lately the genre has been inundated with similar, lacklustre movies, which nearly all share the same plot, luckily for you this movie is not one them. The phrase ‘hidden gem’ was truly coined for pictures like this.

A woman named Sarah Logan meets with a young group of medical students, with the intention of allowing them to document her mother, Deborah Logan’s decent into the rabbit hole of Alzheimers disease, in return for money to help cover her medical bills. Deborah, a charming, attractive, elderly lady who’s struggle with daily life due to her illness becomes ever apparent by the day, with each incident documented developing from absent mindedness, to crazed violent outbursts. With Sarah struggling to cope and the crew becoming ever spooked by the macabre nature of the events unfolding before their camera lens, it begs the question: is Deborah really sick? Or is something else taking over her?

This film is the embodiment of a horror movie done right. I found its plot wonderfully original, mixing the real life horrors of a person deteriorating whilst battling an illness and the impact that has on not only her, but the people who care for her, both grasped me and terrified me emotionally, whilst it’s more stereotypical horror elements so to speak (I want to keep this spoiler free for you) were captivating and kept me watching intently. Jill Larson who played the role of Deborah gave a truly incredible performance, over the duration of 90 minutes I was equally charmed by this woman as I was terrified. Everyone in this movie seemed so believable in their roles, with a special mention to Anne Ramsay, who portrayed a daughter trying not to buckle under the pressure of the situation and be the glue that holds everything together perfectly.

Whilst a hand held stylistic form of camera work can sometimes grow tiresome, visually this movie looks great and works perfectly within the realm it’s confined to. Subjectively, it’s The Taking Of Deborah logan’s pacing which truly shines through out. This movie draws you in and holds you there in it’s snake like grasp, whilst it slithers through your mind and captivates you until the final squeeze.

Log into your Netflix account and get consumed by Deborah Logan, now.

If you enjoyed this movie, check out: Sinister, Deliver Us From Evil, Grave Encounters.

My Rating: 10 out of 10. 

Joshua White
Fire Write With Me

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John Wick: Movie Review

 From Point break to Constantine, Devils Advocate to Dracula, Keanu Reeves has consistently starred in movies I’ve thoroughly enjoyed throughout my life and John Wick is no exception.

 This movie centres around ex-hit man extraordinaire, John Wick. After the untimely death of his wife, he’s dragged out of retirement by the hands of 3 Russian gangsters, who violently break into his home to steal his car, unbeknownst of his identity. After waking up from the horrific home invasion, he finds out the main attacker is none other than the son of his former employer. When the big league mobster obtains the knowledge that his sons victim was former employee John Wick, he has no other choice than to put out a hit on him, in the pursuit of protecting his sons life, whilst John has no other option but to come out of retirement and seek vengeance... One bullet at a time.

 Firstly, what struck me about this movie was it’s pacing. From the get go you’re engulfed in the tragic flames that have set John Wick’s life on fire and by the time you become emotionally invested in the character, the plot develops and the action really starts to kick in. Secondly, this movie is very stylishly shot, the action sequences are nothing short of incredible; the last time I remember being so impressed by a movies fight choreography was Chan-Wook Park’s Oldboy. Keanu Reeves did the majority of his own stunts for this, which I always like in an actor. This movie also sounds great (Stand out track being: ‘Killing Strangers’ by Marilyn Manson), which mixed with natty little details such as, how the Russian subtitles are displayed, makes for a wonderfully shot, fast paced, dark, stylish action movie.

This movie is so much more than your stereotypical straight to DVD action flick. With an excellent lead performance by Keanu Reeves, accompanied by an array of beautifully shot driving scenes, outstanding bullet fuelled fight sequences and a dark stylish ambience, which makes Chad Stahelski’s and David Leitch’s directional debut a really intense, enjoyable action movie, with the possibility of becoming a franchise.

If you enjoyed this movie check out: Vendetta, Old boy(2003) & Lucky Number Slevin.

                                                  

My Rating: A solid 8 out of 10.

Joshua White
Fire Write With Me.

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FIRST LOOK: Jason Momoa as Aquaman.

Get excited.

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My Film Recommendation: Enemy

In 2013, under the direction of Denis Villeneuve, Jake Gyllenhaal (one of my all time favourite actors) released ‘Prisoners’, a movie I would go on to adore and encourage anyone and everyone to see. A year later, under the same direction, Enemy was created and its safe to say it evoked the same reaction as it’s predecessor, if not a little more.

Chaos is order yet undeciphered.

 This movie centres around history professor Adam Bell. A rather refined character, he appears to lead a very routine orientated life. He goes to work, comes home, sleeps with his girlfriend and repeats. One night whilst watching a film recommended to him by a co-worker, Adam is shocked to find out that an extra in the movie looks exactly like him. Intrigued by this, he decides to rent any movie he can get his hands on that stars this alluring doppelgänger. He soon finds out that the man in question is Anthony Claire, a married actor of limited previous roles, who resides within the same city. After eventually meeting, it becomes clear that the two are identical. This sets off a dark, downward spiral, where their lives become entwined, a path Adam may of wished he had never originally crawled down.

 I loved this movie. From it’s opening scene to the very last, I was completely captivated by this Hitchcockian nightmare. Enemy roamed around my subconscious for days, I saw it again twice and spent countless hours online scrolling through other peoples’ interpretations of the story. Jake Gyllenhaal delivers yet another outstanding performance as both Adam and Anthony. Despite being the same actor, in the scenes when they’re together you truly feel like there is two different people in the room. This movie is also shot to perfection and it’s score creates an air of tension, which complements the visuals and plot perfectly. Much like previous work by David Lynch, Enemy doesn’t follow your stereotypical film structure and it uses different methods and ways to get the plot across, something I personally really enjoy from a cinematic experience.

 From it’s metaphorical use of spiders, to it’s intricate placing of B-movie horror posters, Enemy is a smart film. Denis Villeneuve really understands how to grip an audience and through the medium of Jake Gyllenhaal, has created a dark, brooding and continuously tense drama that I’ll be no doubt talking about for many moons to come.

If you enjoyed this film check out:  Lost Highway, Prisoners, Synecdoche, New York

 My Rating: 9 out of 10.

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