Paddington 2 (Gen) - Movie Review

The little red-hatted bear returns to the big screen after an unbelievable three years. Time flies, and in 2014, ‘Paddington’ (the movie) was big box-office and a critical hit.
The very English setting of ‘Paddington 2’, which is mostly modern, but yet which could be set any time in the past 50 years is the world that Paddington the bear has moved to after leaving South America in the last movie.  At this stage, and after a lot of adventures, he is living happily with the Brown family in the middle of London, and the friendly bear has become a respected citizen.
One day he visits an old shop to find a present for his Aunt Lucy’s 100^th birthday.  His Aunt is still living in South America, and Paddington agrees with the shopkeeper to save and buy a pop up picture book of London.  However Paddington finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time when the book is stolen, and he unwittingly becomes a convicted criminal.
Most of the cast has returned for this second feature film, which is based on the books of Michael Bond.    Hugh Bonneville as Mr. Brown is probably the standout performance of the lot, alongside the brilliant Julie Walters as the housekeeper, Mrs. Bird, writes David Flynn.

Hugh Grant makes a welcome return to movies as a funfair performer, Phoenix Buchanan.  

Through the cast list there are also people like Jim Broadbent, Tom Conti and Peter Capaldi (one time Dr. Who), Eileen Atkins, and a special appearance by Ireland’s Brendan Gleeson.
Most of the movie is about Paddington’s search for justice, and his battle to clear his name.  There is a lot of action throughout the movie, and comedy is to the forefront and like in the first movie, it’s not just for the kids either.

‘Paddington 2’ is hilarious, but it’s not as good as the first movie.  However it’s a must for the kids, and for anyone who likes the tales of the friendly bear who lives in London.

Murder on the Orient Express (12A) - Movie Review

A claustrophobic trip in the dark and snowy Alps, on the world’s most famous train after the occurrence of a murder, is the offering on board big screens these days.
Set in 1934, this feature film based on the classic book by mystery writer, Agatha Christie is at least the third attempt for celluloid.   Hercule Poirot, the little Belgian detective with the handlebar moustache is first seen here close to the magnificent wall of Jerusalem, (probably Malta doing the doubling) solving a near impossible case.  He then realises that he needs a vacation, and he heads off to the world’s most famous train, the Orient Express.  It is the depths of winter as he goes onboard the train, and he meets a most interesting cast of characters, all of whom have seen some wealth come or go in their lives.
The cast is made up of a dream team, which is rare to see in movies today, writes David Flynn.  Poirot is played by Kenneth Branagh, who is also the director of the film, and who has publicly said he hopes this will be the first of a new movie series.  Johnny Depp plays Mr. Ratchett, who tries to hire Poirot as soon as the Orient Express takes off.  Ratchett believes his life is in danger, and it’s no secret that he isn’t proven wrong.  The train get caught in an avalanche which causes the claustrophic feeling on the train, following the expected gruesome murder.  Judi Dench, Michele Pfeiffer, Penelope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Derek Jacobi, Daisy Ridley and Olivia Colman are among the all-star cast who joins Branagh and Depp in this version of ‘Murder on the Orient Express’.
The cinematography in the movie is second to none, and the walls and seas around ‘Jerusalem’ are simply beautiful.  Also there are superb views of the mountainous Alps.
There are one or two very good performances among the actors, but some of them are just going through the motions.  However ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ is wonderful escapism on the cinema screen.

 

 

 

Maze (15A) - Movie Review

A depiction of the 1983 North of Ireland Maze prison escape gets the big screen treatment this Autumn, and the lead actor/character is a familiar face from the small screen.

Tom Vaughn-Lawlor will always be remembered as Nidge from ‘Love/Hate’, and he fits seamlessly into tough guy roles.  Here he plays an IRA prisoner, Larry Marley in the Maze prison, and his home life and frustration at having his family outside his reach is shown here.  His wife is brilliantly, but shortly played by Eileen Walsh, and that view shows the other side of the IRA prisoner.

Barry Ward is a revelation as a Maze prison officer, Gordon Close whose life mirrors that of Larry, in that he too is separated from his family, albeit, because they left him over his dangerous career choice.  In a dramatic scene, Gordon is shown avoiding an assassination attempt in front of his wife and young daughter.

The movie, which is quite atmospheric and where it succeeds is that it has a ‘prison’ feel to it, and it would make an interesting stage play.  The escape plan is riveting in its showing, but overall the film is a disappointment.

It’s interesting to watch from a history perspective, but you would want to know some of the history before sitting down to watch the film, writes David Flynn.

The best thing about the film is the acting of Tom Vaughn Lawlor and Barry Ward, and the interaction and relationship between the two men from different sides of the wall.   

Victoria and Abdul (PG) - Movie Review

First of all, it’s a great title – ‘Victoria and Abdul’, which is a nod to ‘Victoria and Albert’, signifying the UK’s second longest serving monarch and her husband.
‘Victoria and Abdul’ is a (mostly, as it says in the opening) true story about an incident that happened in the final years of the Queen’s life.   
Victoria of England had a friendship with an Indian clerk, Abdul, which happened after the young man was sent from India to deliver a commemorative coin of Victoria’s Diamond jubilee.  India was under British rule at the time, and remained that way until 1947. 
As time went by the Queen developed a trust in Abdul, and she became tutored by him in the Indian language, and the Koran and the unlikely pair enjoyed each other’s company.  The friendship which followed was frowned upon by upper crust society, most especially by her son, Bertie, the Prince of Wales. 
The movie of ‘Victoria and Abdul’ is a tale of the last days of Victorianism, with the lady herself at the centre.  However there is much in the tale which would look familiar today.
Judi Dench returns to the role of Victoria, having last played the part in the movie, ‘Mrs. Brown’ in 1997, and a BAFTA award and probably some other awards  for this new movie beckons next year, including for the veteran actress.  Ali Fazal as Abdul, is a newcomer, but one to the watch for in the future.  Bertie, the Prince of Wales was played effectively in a surprising appearance by comic actor, Eddie Izzard.
There are many other good actors in the period piece, including Tim Pigott-Smith, who unfortunately died last April, as Sir Henry, and this is one of his final completed films.  Pigott-Smith appeared more than thirty years ago in TV’s ‘The Jewel in the Crown’. 
Other noteworthy performances were done by Michael Gambon, Olivia Williams, Simon Callow, and Irish actress, Ruth McCabe as the Queen’s dresser, writes David Flynn.
The director is Stephen Frears, who also directed Judi Dench in the multi—award winner, ‘Philomena’ in 2013.
It’s also worth mentioning that the set design; both interiors and exteriors of the royal world of the late 19^th century in ‘Victoria and Abdul’ were excellent.  On the big screen a few errors or items from out of place can be spotted, but no such thing can be seen because obviously a lot of work went into this production.

Dunkirk (12A) - Movie Review

The evacuation of allied soldiers from the city of Dunkirk, France while the German army surrounded them during the Battle of France in World War 11 is put on film here by the man who kick-started the acclaimed ‘Batman’ movie series, Christopher Nolan.

Nolan produced, directed and wrote this cinematic depiction of the ‘Dunkirk’ battle.  It is told at times in documentary style, but there is non-stop drama, and some of the best cinematography ever shown on screen.  After one viewing of ‘Dunkirk’ it seems that there is little against the feature film.

Three actors stand out, one of them surprisingly so.  Kenneth Branagh and Cillian Murphy playing a Commander and a shell-shocked solder respectively, are excellent as always.  Branagh has few scenes, but his camera close-ups show an actor who lives the part he plays. Murphy also shows the fear and anger of his character very vividly.  A surprisingly good performance from One Direction singer, Harry Styles takes place well into the film, where he portrays an angry young soldier in a basement scene.  Tom Hardy also acts himself well, but ‘Dunkirk’ is not an actors film, and it’s unlikely there will be such awards next year at the different award ceremonies. 

However the great cinematography of the beaches of Dunkirk is the real star.  Also the direction of Christopher Nolan deserves a mention, writes David Flynn because he expertly directs/controls scores of men through the rescue scenes for the one hour and forty five minute movie.

There is tension throughout, and death and destruction as would be the norm in all wars, but there is no needless Hollywood type violence in this movie. 

‘Dunkirk’ should not be missed, and a second or third viewing wouldn’t go astray.

Prediction for Awards: Christopher Nolan for Best Director, and the movie will also get nods for Best Picture and Best Cinematography .

Kong: Skull Island (12A) – Movie Review

Set in 1973 – the final hours of the Vietnam War - here we have a movie which reimagines the King Kong legend, and puts the big monster on an uncharted island with others, just as damaging as himself, writes David Flynn.
A group of scientists and Vietnam Vets descend through a deep fog to a Pacific island, and find the killing starts immediately.  Multiple helicopters are taken out of the sky by the great one, and the gigantic King Kong, (as large as a skyscraper) does what’s expected of him.
It turns out that Kong is not the only evil one on this inescapable island, and survival becomes the order of the day for the surviving crew.
Tom Hiddleston is the hero, James Conrad, hired by the scientists to lead them safely through the island.  The actor plays his part well, and shows why he could be in line to become another James (Bond) in the near future. 
It’s great to see Samuel L. Jackson again, this time as a trigger happy Vet intending to take out Kong.
Brie Larson is the female lead, (one of a long line of Kong leads, which includes Fay Wray, Jessica Lange and Naomi Watts)  Brie is fresh from her Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA winning role in ‘Room’ last year.
Also John C. Reilly and John Goodman are watchable both in this movie,  and in any others.
‘Kong: Skull Island’ is a real ‘Boys Own’ type of movie that makes you wish you were about 10 years old to really appreciate it.  However it’d do no harm to adults to get into the plot.  Cinematography and makeup is good, and overall it’s a well-made feature.

The Secret Scripture (12A) – Movie Review

Here is a new Irish film taking us back to WW2 and also to the early 1990s.
Rose is an elderly woman who has resided for almost fifty years in a mental hospital.  She is shown in the opening scenes as rejecting moves being made to move her to a new facility, due to her old home closing down.
Dr. William Grene takes an interest in her case and finds himself, and a young nurse, played by Susan Lynch, drawn to Rose in a protective way.  When Rose becomes the last patient left in the old hospital, the doctor finds himself in a race against time to find out what happened to Rose in her youth, with the help of her fragile thoughts, and her writings in a bible, ie the Secret Scripture., before she is moved to the new facility.
The story takes us back to Rose’s youth in rural Co. Sligo in 1942, when she is sent to live and work with her Aunt in her village shop.  She is beautiful and becomes a figure of adulation from the young men of the village, writes David Flynn.  Those who come close to her include Michael McNulty, played by Jack Reynor, and a young priest, Fr. Stephen, played by Theo James. 
Michael joins the RAF, drawing the loneliness of Rose, and the wrath of the local IRA men, played well-known Irish television actors, Tom Vaughn-Lawlor (Love/Hate) and Aidan Quinn (Poldark).
There is a great cast in ‘The Secret Scripture’.  Rose is played in old age by Vanessa Redgrave, and younger years by Rooney Mara – both doing an excellent job.  Eric Bana, who one time played the Incredible Hulk, plays the doctor drawn to Rose.  Susan Lynch plays his nursing friend.  Rose’s Aunt is played by stage actress, Aisling O’Sullivan (currently starring in ‘The Beauty Queen of Leenane’ at the Gaeity). 
A bizarre casting puts Pauline McGlynn back into the job of priest’s housekeeper, but this time not as Mrs. Doyle.   (I wonder was it deliberate)
The movie is based on the original novel by Sebastian Barry, and the director is the legendary Jim Sheridan (The Field).
The set design is marvellous, and the Sligo village of 1942, is shown in great colour.  Rose’s cottage too is well designed.
Other than that, the director makes use of hospital buildings and beach scenes, and the movie was shot very well.

Hidden Figures (PG) - Movie Review

Here is the largely unknown 1961 true story of how three African American women played a major part in the NASA space programme which led to John Glenn safely taking the first American trip to orbit.
The three women were mathematicians working in a segregated area of the NASA complex, and they lived a life of using ‘coloured’ bathrooms, and sitting on the ‘coloured’ side of buses and having ‘coloured’ coffee and tea pots, writes David Flynn.
These women Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson and Dorothy Vaughn were called “computers,” by other NASA personnel, and they were segregated to work on figures for the space programme.
The life of these women is touching to watch, and the movie is told in a sentimental style, but it also shows the impossible and frustrations of these NASA employees.
‘Hidden Figures’ is told with humour and as the movie went on, it showed the ambition of these women, and also the awareness in them of being pioneers for their race. 
Octavia Spencer is deservedly nominated for an Oscar for the role of Dorothy, yet it’s a huge surprise that Taraji P. Henson was not nominated for the substantial role of Katherine. 
Kevin Costner plays a supporting role as NASA boss, Al Harrison, and brings personality and humanity to the part of the chief who helped to break down the borders of race.  Kirsten Dunst plays the part of the women’s boss, Vivian Mitchell, and it’s pity she wasn’t given more to do in her role.
None of the supporting characters were overtly racist, but the movie portrayed many of them as being racist in a way in which they weren’t aware.
Also it’s fascinating to watch, on a different level, the early days of the space programme.  The dramatic elements of John Glenn’s trip to orbit is shown in an action-packed way that can only be enjoyed.
It’s a very important movie to be seen, and it probably gives a message for today, fifty-six years later.

 

 

 

 

Hacksaw Ridge (16) - Movie Review

Here we have truly one of the most violent and realistic war movies that has ever come out of Hollywood.  However despite the severe war scenery in WW2 in the Japanese islands, the movie is beyond gripping.
The movie starts off as an All-American story of a boy with a difficult father and sympathetic mother and close younger brother.  The boy, Desmond Doss, played in adulthood by Andrew Garfield, falls in love with a local girl Dorothy, played by Teresa Palmer.
Violence was anathema to Desmond due to all he had seen at home, so after the US enters WW2 he enlists as a conscientious objector in the army.  A conscientious objector is an individual who wishes not to take up arms in a war conflict.
The story begins with parents, Tom and Bertha Doss played by Hugo Weaving and Rachel Griffiths, bringing up two boys in Depression America.  The father had demons from his own WW1 days, but unfortunately he takes out those feelings on his wife and children, and his influence breeds violence among the boys.  However Desmond rebels and vows to relinquish violence at a young age. 
In the army, Desmond has to battle to keep his ‘objector’ status, and he is tested constantly by his commanding officer, Sgt. Howell, who was played well by Vince Vaughn, taking a break from comic roles.
The sheer violence in ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ takes away any image of glamour or romanticism about war, which is unusual even in modern film, writes David Flynn. 
It deserves its six Oscar nominations.   It should do better at the Oscars than it did at the Golden Globes or the British Film Awards where it only picked up an award for Best Editing, which of course it deserves.
Desmond’s true worth, through Andrew Garfield comes through at the Battle of Okinawa scenes.

 

 

Jackie (15A) - Movie Review

It was fantastic to see the great John Hurt performing in this movie in a role which although wasn’t major was very pivotal to the story of widow Jackie Kennedy in the aftermath of her husband’s assassination.
Sadly John Hurt died last weekend of a long illness, at the same time his movie, ‘Jackie’ is on international release.  It’s now all the more poignant watching Hurt as the priest leading Jackie to a time of acceptance in her new life, writes David Flynn.
‘Jackie’ portrays the eight days behind the scenes of the life of the young widow, following the assassination of her husband, President John F. Kennedy.  It was a time when she had to make serious decisions about the US President’s funeral, and also she had to look to her future with her children.
The movie shows an amazing recreation of the 1960s White House, including the officialdom and the personnel, through the eyes of Jackie.   The pain of the young widow and how she managed to triumph over the terrible adversity of having been beside her husband when he was shot is very vividly shown, thanks to the talented actress, Natalie Portman.
A CBS tv broadcast of Jackie in happier days opening the White House to the cameras is cleverly mingled in with this new movie..
The production of ‘Jackie’ is amazing from the outdoor scenes, shown with great cinematography, to private scenes in Jackie’s bedroom,
The acting of Nathalie Portman is deserving of the Oscar, although she has huge competition from Emma Stone of ‘La La Land’.
The torn brother in law, Bobby Kennedy is played with raw emotion by Peter Sarsgaard.  However it’s a pity more of the Kennedys or Jackie’s family, the Bouviers weren’t shown supporting her or the children.  The concentration of Jackie’s grief in the movie was built around Bobby, and the White House officials.
Production and set design deserve great accolades, from the creation of the 1963 Oval office, to Jackie’s rooms at the White House.
Billy Crudup shows great facial emotion as the journalist that interviews Jackie for Life magazine, some months after the funeral
For those of us who had heard of King Arthur’s ‘Camelot’ in connection with JFK and Jackie, this movie reveals it was Jackie who came up with the well-known term about the thousand days of JFK
The movie successfully interspersed real old footage with new footage of the JFK trip to Dallas, and the eventual funeral in Arlington Cemetery.
Also while there have been many film versions of the Jackie Kennedy story, this movie shows  the most graphic interpretation of the assassination, with blood and all.
The private time of the Kennedy widow is open to all, through ‘Jackie’ and the audience will feel they are intruding on this most private time.

 

La La Land (12A) – Movie Review

An old fashioned Hollywood musical in a modern setting with two of the biggest stars of the minute could sound like a narcissistic disaster.  It’s anything but.  It’s one of the coolest movies of the year (and its only January), and is a fascinating visual display, not to mention it has an unforgettable score, and of course the storyline’s not bad either.
Emma Stone could get the Best Actress Oscar for this movie in a couple of months’ time, writes David Flynn.  Her face displayed and told so much more than her well written dialogue could have.  She could dance and she could sing, and she was brilliant in it all.  She played Mia, an actress working in a coffee shop between gigs. 
Ryan Gosling plays Sebastian, a talented jazz musician who is reduced to playing covers in a wine bar, and then later plays in pool parties in Beverly Hills.  Ryan is not a great singer, but he got good songs to sing, and he somehow had a charm with those songs.
The talented duo meet and encourage each others careers, and their separate ambition meets successes and disappointments.  The careers cause frictions similar to the characters in the different ‘Star is Born’ movies.  The chemistry was magic between both leads.
‘La La Land’ gives a huge glimpse into Hollywood life, and the world of movie auditions and the empty side of that world.   There is also a nod here to Gene Kelly movies of the early 1950s.
There is a lot of colour in the storyline and it’s portrayed well by the cast.  It’s one of the most attractive films of modern times and is a carousel of love and jazz.   
It took seven of the Golden Globes that it was nominated for, and it could take up to 10 BAFTA awards, and it will also figure in the 14 Oscar nominations it has received.