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How to Please a Woman (2022)
Finally - a movie that makes women feel seen!
Absolutely loved this cheeky, heartwarming comedy. Webster's articulate portrayal of women embracing the older stages of life with the same vivacity as their younger selves is a refreshing take with loads of laugh out loud moments. A must for fans of Calendar Girls, Bridget Jones' Diary, and Muriel's Wedding.
The Descendants (2011)
George Clooney can't save me from this one.
I am not a fan of George Clooney. I've said this once before and I'll stick by it, even if he wins every bloody Oscar the academy throw at him. I just find him to be one of those smarmy, too- grinny actors that you just want to punch in the face. At least that's my opinion.
There is one redeeming quality about him though and its his recent involvement in the Oscar nominated The Descendants. Directed and written by Alexander Payne (sharing the writing credits with Nat Faxon and Jim Rash), The Descendants follows the life of Matt King, a real estate agent in Hawaii whose fortunate family have allowed him to live a comfortable, stress-free existence for most of his life. That is until his wife, Elizabeth (played by Patricia Hastie), hits her head in a boating accident and falls into a coma. What follows is a humorous journey between a father, his two daughters, and a delinquent teenager, as they attempt to find out about their soon-to-be-late mother's extramarital lover (and inadvertently find out a lot more about themselves in the process).
I enjoyed this movie as much as I did not enjoy it. Acting, cinematography and editing were all a little subpar with a bizarre soundtrack which did not add much depth to the overall narrative. However, there was a subtle beauty in this film which I did enjoy, despite my brain's constant chanting of "We Hate Clooney! We Hate Clooney!" (yes, its a bad habit. Apologies). The writing in this film was exquisite. Faxon, Rash and Payne had all made plenty of effort to piece together the various elements of this family's story whilst interweaving an intricate web of the usual "6°of Separation" theory contrasted again the unusual, tropical paradise of Hawaii. Each individual character in this film was cleverly crafted into their own roles. Whilst Clooney took up A LOT of story time, his character was more of an emotionless canvas upon which our other colourful characters painted themselves. Shailene Woodley who plays Alexandra and Amara Miller who plays Scotty work brilliantly against Clooney's obvious discomfort with children so that we clearly see a family who don't know that much about each other really but understand that above all, family does have a special bond, no matter what the circumstances in which they were brought together (I think many of us can agree with this statement). Another aspect to the screenplay which was cleverly conducted was the integration of the very Hawaii-nesqueness in which the story unfolds. Drama happens behind closed doors. Secrets unfold in major tsunamis and soft ripples. And everybody knows everybody, making the whole concept behind this family's difficult social situation that much more reactive.
I believe the Academy nominated The Descendants for both best adapted screenplay, director, and picture due to its poignant yet abnormal story that a lot of audience members will enjoy listening to. I do know also that Clooney's acting in this film was MUCH better than his recent adventures (Intolerable Cruelty anyone?) and his character for the first time was not so much George Clooney as it was more Matt King, a fact I could stomach much more easily with my popcorn and Diet Coke. I do think this film will do well at the Oscars but as for the Best Picture nod, I am waiting for a few more viewings before resting that decision on this film.
Wish You Were Here (2012)
Still in love with this team
I know I'm a bit biased when it comes to the savants behind the Aquarius Films and Blue-Tongue Films collective but I can't help it: these guys are just too damn good!
Wish You Were Here is an emotional roller-coaster that explores the varying reactions of human beings when they are faced with turmoil. Felicity Price (co-writer with husband Kieran Darcy- Smith) plays Alice, a pregnant, formidable mother who discovers after returning from holiday in Cambodia that her husband, Dave(Joel Edgerton) had an affair whilst on the trip. It is the who rather than the how that causes the most drama as the "other woman" was Alice's younger, crazier sister Stef(Teresa Palmer). This love-triangle drama is framed by the wittingly suspenseful disappearance of Stef's new boyfriend, Jeremy(Antony Starr), who vanishes during their final days in Cambodia seemingly without a trace.
Darcy-Smith (DS) and the crew behind WYWH play the audience brilliantly: from their calculating publicity strategy to play up the disappearance of Jeremy over the main drama revolving around Dave and Alice's strained relationship; to the eventual unfolding of the film's overall story which happens as if pages of a book had been torn from the spine and fluttered on the ground, only for the reader to read them in whatever order he found them. It is a brilliant way to tell films that turns the traditional circular narrative completely on its head. DS and Felicity Price have a delightful way of writing which encourages the audience to view the narrative from all points of view. When you believe you have sided with one character, something happens next to completely change your allegiance and before you know it, you're rooting for the other side.
The cast of this film is also well selected however, I believe some characters (and their corresponding actors) were downplayed a little too much for instance, the character of Stef and our lack of ability to experience her pain and grief and the loss of her new love. Of course, this is all done within reason which the viewer discovers towards the end of the film when we find out that Jeremy and Stef were only new flames, not old embers like Alice and Dave which, whilst it sounds cruel to say, doesn't encourage the audience to feel as sympathetic for their romance being cut short considering it only lasted 6 weeks. Still, Teresa and Antony both give it their all despite their limited screen time which only adds to Joel Edgerton and Felicity Price's performances who play their characters effectively and with a great sense of knowledge about the inner workings of their characters' minds. Its very difficult to watch actors who are inwardly judging their own roles but there is none of that from these two leads. This may come down to Felicity's affiliation with the story from the writing stage but at lot more can be attributed to her as a great actress, as it can with Joel and his capabilities.
Skyfall (2012)
Changed my tune pretty quickly
I had heard a lot from friends and family about their impressions of Skyfall. Some with film backgrounds, some without, but I can honestly say their was a severe divide between everyone about this film. Some absolutely hated it whilst others thought it was the best Bond film yet. Needless to say, I went into that cinema with mixed emotions.
Thankfully, these soon dissipated after an enthralling action sequence which started off the film in good strides. Motorcycles being thrown at cameras and riding across rooftops; Bond and his assailant committing an epic train fight stunt; and a thrilling cliff hanger right before the opening titles, all told the audience the old Bond was back with some new tricks. The impressive detail to cinematography, set design, and editing were absolute standouts amongst all the production values for Skyfall and the heads of these departments should be extremely proud. Continuity and makeup were lacking precision in some scenes but that's forgivable in light of the film's scope and vision. Speaking of, Sam Mendes' exceptional directing skills shone throughout this film, with his intentions clearly sustained for the film's entirety. Acting gongs must be given out to Javier Bardem for his spine-chilling portrayal of Tiago Rodriguez, a name I won't be forgetting in a while, and Daniel Craig of course, for managing to show us Bond's various weaknesses in the short time he was given, amongst all the bravado we know him for.
Finally, and possibly the most impressive element of the whole film, was its introduction of "the new era", a term constantly referred to throughout the film. The point was well-made by the production team that the Bond we all know and love is no more. A world of guns, grenades and Bond girls is no match for the new wave of "cyber crime" we are experiencing each day. As the "new" Q comments "I can do more damage on my laptop, sitting in my pajamas, before my first cup of Earl Grey than you can do a year in the field." Bond-lovers who expect the crew behind this legendary story to maintain the "old ways" are told repeatedly throughout Skyfall they are foolish for expecting such a thing when the world is constantly changing and its up to Bond and Mi6 to keep up the best way they can.
Skyfall is for me, everything I love in a Bond film. Action scenes were a step above the precedent; new characters provided a refreshing change to an old narrative; and the focus and care taken by the production crew in all their capacities is inspirational. Its films like these that makes me want to work in the film industry. Well done 007.
More reviews available at mayakavanagh. blogspot. com
Foreshadow (2013)
Great to see so much Perth based talent
Its not often you'll see Perth on the big screen. Rarer still will you see mystery and danger thrown in amongst violence and intrigue. Luckily for Foreshadow viewers, that's just what you'll get when you see this feature film in Hoyts cinemas November 8. Foreshadow tells the story of Jesse Milton, a young 30-something year old with everything at his fingertips - until an evil spirit threatens to disrupt all of that.
I really enjoyed the fact that my senses weren't overwhelmed with gore and tonnes of fake blood. Rather, the crew behind the film have cleverly woven a detective/noir style sub plot into the main narrative, making the film a little less "in your face" and more though provoking. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing so many of Perth's famous icons on screen including Trigg Beach, South Perth, and Mundaring Weir Hotel.
It really felt like a true Aussie film too with great larrikin jokester Ben Purser providing much needed light to the film's subject matter. All in all, I would recommend this to anyone who wants their teenager to see a "scary film" without worrying whether they'll be changing their bed sheets later that night; couples who want to get closer in a cinema screen without balking at the other's terrified screams; or for groups of friends looking for a film they can all find something to relate to.
Olympus Has Fallen (2013)
A kick-ass thriller that definitely doesn't wipe its feet on the White House doormat.
Action films are typically THE easiest film genre to predict. Hot guy with dark history + deep conflict that risks the existence of the world + lots of fighting and guns = solid gold.
When you throw in the White House and the United States president though, you're playing in a whole new ballpark. OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN has taken the standard action genre format and fine- tuned it to perfection. Audiences are riveted from the first 5 minutes and are entrenched for the remainder of the film with each minute serving up one amazing scene after another after another.... http://mayakavanagh.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/olympus-has-fallen.html
Looper (2012)
A time-travel film that focuses on the past
In the same way hundreds of critics applauded Hitchcock for Psycho, Scorsese for Good Guys, and Tarantino for Pulp Fiction, this movie is just one of those amazing films that needs to be written about.
Looper tells a twisted tale of time travel, assassinations and violent ends for violent beings but most of all, explores the bigger picture of how we as humans battle ourselves each day to determine what is right for the future. Starring Bruce Willis, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Emily Blunt (who can not be said to be a "star" of the movie as such considering she doesn't rock up until halfway through), the film tackles many complicated themes with an equally complicated plot, the two points I will be focusing on for this analysis. There are so many amazing qualities of this movie that can be discussed ...
To read more, please head to the following link: http://mayakavanagh.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/looper.html