Her Movie Review

How do I get by in January? Simple, I just watch great movies from December. Here's my review for Spike Jonze's love story Her...

Her is directed by Spike Jonze and stars Joaquin Phoenix, and is not your ordinary love story. The film follows the main character Theodore, a love-letter writer yet a man struggling with his own love-life, just coming out of an 8 year relationship with his ex-wife. He purchases an operating system and names her Samantha, voiced by Scarlett Johansson, and the 2 form a relationship together.

Her is a unique, cute and an excellent movie and I loved it. So often nowadays love stories are either miserably predictable or create romantic comedies; my most hated movie genre. However, the story with Her is completely different and I think it is my favourite romance film.

A story about a man who falls in love with an operating system can seem far-fetched when described in the way I just did, but I found myself 100% emotionally invested in it to the point where I shed a few tears towards the end. The reason why you can invest yourself within these characters is due to the excellent world creation. Based in Los Angeles in the near future, I found myself beholding the world in which the film took place and I completely bought the location. I could see myself living in a world like that, thus I could also see a relationship like that happening between a human and an OS.

The direction from Spike Jonze is spot on this time and is very still and character centred. The movie's colour palette is fantastic as well. There is a huge range with the colours that are used and had they been flashy, the location wouldn't have sold. The colours used are not too flashy and make the location look beautiful yet real at the same time.

Joaquin Phoenix inhabits his character Theodore so well and proves once again just why he is one of the best actors we have working today. He is completely nomination worthy throughout the movie and I really did like his character, even if he was in practically every frame of the film. There were times where he would joke with Samantha leading to a genuine reaction of laughter from me, whereas other times he'll be delivering a beautiful monologue about how he is emotionally unfulfilled in life and that he struggles to open up to his partner when in a relationship leading to a genuine reaction of tears.

Amy Adams is very good with her time on screen as are other actors and actresses like Olivia Wilde, Chris Pratt and Rooney Mara, who play characters who are related to the overall progression of the story. Scarlett Johansson, is perfect choice for Samantha. If I ever dated an OS with a female voice, ScarJo would be the way to go! Using only her voice, she utilises the excellently written dialogue to flesh out her character to the point where you stop seeing her as a computer but as a being with emotions and desires.

I thought that Her handled perspective really well plus had some provocative social commentary in their about where our society is going in terms of technology. However, the film's most impressive feat is the fact that I was so invested within this relationship to the point where I could react emotionally to it. Bare in mind it's set in the future and is between a man and a computer. Yeah I know. Trust me and see for yourself...

A few minor complaints I have is that I would have liked to have seen more from some of the other supporting cast members and I think that the film's finale could have been wrapped up slower than it was.

Nevertheless, Her is excellent. It's bold, cute and unique and really got under my skin. It's fantastic. It's one I definitely recommend you see:


Rating - A


1 sentence summary - As romance movies go this is as good as they get; unique, funny and heart-warming with a relationship I was fully invested in!


Thanks for reading,
Matt

American Hustle Movie Review

2014 has arrived and my first movie review of the year is a 2013 release, a movie that I was hoping could make my final top 10 list of the year. But, has American Hustle done enough to make that list?

 

Yes it has. This is one of my favourite movies of the entire year. The events of American Hustle are difficult to explain in a plot synopsis, but it is loosely based on a true story. American Hustle kicks in to gear from scene 1 with an on-screen sentence that pokes fun at Hollywood for making movies about true events. Immediately, I was liking what I was seeing and from then on it didn't disappoint.

The plot revolves around a group of con men who work together to con innocent people via a money lending scheme. However, when they are caught by an ambitious FBI agent, they are conned into working with him, and his goal is to catch the mayor of New Jersey accepting bribes to revitalize gambling in Atlantic City. Obviously, numerous other things happen in the plot, various twists happen resulting in a lively and energetic movie that never ceases to entertain throughout it's 138 minute runtime.

The success of this movie and the main reason why it is so riveting is the script. Every single line is written with great care and the result is dialogue between characters which is nothing less than enthralling to listen to. This is the sort of movie where in order to understand the ins and outs of the plot, you need to listen carefully to every bit of dialogue that escapes these character's mouths. Trust me when I say that this is an incredibly easy thing to do because each character is so interesting. Interesting and funny. This movie could be hysterical at times which left me howling with laughter.

The 5 main characters are people you can really invest in because they are so well fleshed out as well as remarkably interesting. You understand every single characters motivations and they are acted so well by one of the best ensemble casts of the year.

Combining his stars from The Fighter (2010) and Silver Linings Playbook (2012), David O'Russell could begin to make this movie great through their talent shown in their performances. Christian Bale, the master of changing his body and commitment to a role, is unrecognisable and astonishing as Irving Rosenfeld, an experienced con artist. Amy Adams produces the best work of her career portraying Sydney Prosser, Bale's business partner and love interest. Jeremy Renner puts in a good performance as the crooked yet good-willed mayor Carmine Polito as well.

One of the biggest complaints about American Hustle from critics is that this is more of a parade for these various actors and is just a showcase for their talent. I couldn't disagree more. American Hustle is directed and edited confidently by David O'Russell who is simply utilising the incredible talent he has in front of him.

Other actors who disappear into their roles include Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence. The talented Cooper brilliantly sells his character, an ambitious yet emotionally unstable agent and Jennifer Lawrence is hilarious as Irving's insane wife, I didn't find her over-the-top one bit.

This movie's soundtrack choices are both relevant and inspired, plus work well with the makeup and costume design in order to re create a believable and realistic environment which oozes style and screams the 1970s.

Written, acted and directed expertly, American Hustle was a movie that never had a dull moment. From the get go it was fascinating and entertaining to behold. I can't wait to see it again to see how all of the pieces of the plot fit together. I left American Hustle in a trance, it did such a good job at producing entertainment that allowed me to be sucked into this environment, I could seriously sit and watch those characters interact all day:


Rating - A+


1 sentence summary - Confidently directed and cleverly written, this movie is non stop entertainment with fascinating characters!


I seriously have no problems with it it's fantastic. I want to go and see it again and I can't wait to put this one on my final top 10 movies list of the year. It'll definitely be there.

Thanks for reading,
Matt

Man of Steel Movie Review

I am sure that most of you have already seen Zach Snyder's Man of Steel, but if you have not, I'm going to make it my mission to get you to go and see it before it comes out on DVD and Blu-ray. Also, if you want a review which is not spoiler filled like my "Man of Steel 2 News" post then this is the right place.

The pressure was on for this film to not only be good but to be one of the best movies of the year. Well, is it? I think so, definitely in the top 2 films of seen already this year. This film has had mixed reception from various different people but this review is going to be a very positive one. This is mainly because I enjoyed it just as much as I have any other movie.

Man of Steel is more like 2 different movies; 1 half is the origin story and the other half a battle against General Zod and the Kryptonians. Being an origin story we are delightfully treated to an exciting and interesting opening 15 minutes on Superman's home world Krypton. Krypton itself is visually stunning, the special effects here (and in other parts) are incredibly impressive and look absolutely beautiful. Krypton is also interesting as it has it's own culture and social systems, which is very interesting to watch immersing you within the film. I didn't think it dragged on Krypton, I wanted to see the planet and I got what I came for.

The next part is the most fascinating of the entire film. Superman (Clark Kent/Kal El) dealing with his current life. He lives a nomadic lifestyle, jumping from job to job every time someone would suspect anything of his supernatural powers. These are also some of the funniest parts of the film. When a man in a bar tries to push him over and he doesn't budge, I laughed out loud!

What makes a good origin story is being able to relate to the character. His childhood and all of the relevant events are shown to us in flashbacks. This is generally quite a risky thing to do but if it is executed well then it's not a problem. Thankfully, it is executed to perfection. All credit has to go to the editors, directors and producers for making this section of the film the most fascinating and engaging.

In terms of character development, the entirety of it centres around Kal El, as it should be in an origin story like this. As for Cavill as Superman, he owns the role! He looks the part, you really get the sense that although his genetic code is Kryptonian, he is still very much a human being. He is literally all I could have wanted Superman to be. He's genuinely a good guy, but because of his powers he has the right amount of cockiness to go with it, which again provides much needed comic relief in a film like this.

The rest of the cast all do solid jobs. Apart from Cavill, the other stand out performers were Kevin Costner as Jonathon Kent and Russell Crowe as Jor El. Both of these actor's contributions help add to Cavill's character which again add to, what I feel, is the best part of the movie.

As for Amy Adams as Lois Lane, she was good in the role but did not own the role like the 3 above. The romance between her and Superman was believable, but I can't help but feel it to be slightly rushed. There was potential for a romance to blossom in future films but they jumped straight into it. Diane Lane as Martha Kent also did a sound job.

Now we move on to part 2 of the movie, the showdown. The adversary in this film is General Zod, played by Michael Shannon. He did not own the role. Having said that, he was intense when he needed to be and was evil when required also which is what you need from a Superhero movie villain. I can't help but think that Zod seemed less of a great villain because of Faora, played by Antje Traue. She kicked ass, she was evil yet had that efficiency which just made her more of a threat. Faora was great.

I have touched on the characters, acting, the special effects, Romance, Cavill as Superman and editing thus far.



Now I have to talk about part 2, the crazy battle/action sequences. The special effects and audio really bring you into the action and give you thrills and excitement. However, shaky cameras seem to take you out of the experience when you notice it. Also, with the amount of action sequences there was I can't help but feel it was way too much. Too much action devalues the currency of it, making it less enjoyable.


That is my only major gripe. As for the humour I'm split half and half. Some parts were genuinely funny, others seemed to be quite cheesy. However, I liked some of the Easter Eggs in the film, I want to see more from this franchise (which we are getting).

As for the soundtrack, incredible. Zimmer does a good job at accompanying all of the varied scenes and emotions in the film with a varied and pulsating soundtrack.


To summarise, the first half was a well written, well edited and well acted origin story which relates you to Cavill's character and sucks you into the story. The soundtrack, also breath-taking. One of Hans Zimmer's best pieces of work. The second half had enjoyable action scenes, audio and special effects that immerse and excite you into the story but shaky cam and too much action do bring the film down.

I enjoyed the hell out of this movie, I went to see it twice! Go and see it for yourself.

Rating - A

1 sentence summary - The Superman movie we deserve and finally have!


So, have I been too generous? Did you enjoy Man of Steel or did you not? Whatever you may think, please leave a comment.

Thanks for reading,
Matt