Boyhood (2014)

Director: Richard Linklater
Starring: Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke, Lorelei Linklater
Certificate: 15
Genre: Drama
Awards: Best supporting actress (Arquette)

Boyhood is the story of Mason (Coltrane) a boy who grows up during the 2000s with separated parents and an older sister (Linklater). However, what makes Boyhood different to other films is that it was filmed over 12 years, therefore showing the actors ,and therefore the characters, age before our eyes.

As a story, Boyhood isn't that special as Mason's life doesn't differ that much from the norm, but that's not the point. Linklater aims for reality so he is supposed to be your average kid, and watching him grow up is fascinating. Also this does not mean to say the story is not interesting as it feels like watching yourself on screen.

It could be said that the ageing of the characters could become distracting as it becomes more apparent that these are actors, but that cannot be helped and does not draw away anything from the film. Towards the end, the story begins to falter as it becomes more philosophical with characters saying things the audience already gets from what has been shown and although the film comes to a close, an 18 year old's life does not so becoming so nostalgic is somewhat unrealistic.

Overall, Boyhood was a really interesting and amazing piece of filmmaking that does't just leave the ageing actors as a gimmick but gives the film more heart. It might be too much to ask for a sequel, but I would watch it.

*****Brilliant

Snowpiercer (2013)

Director: Joon-ho Bong
Starring: Chris Evans, Kang-so Song, Tilda Swinton, Ah-sung Ko, Jamie Bell, Octavia Spencer, Jamie Bell, John Hurt, Ed Harris
Certificate: TBC
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Awards: None

Snowpiercer has had a very difficult time in regards to distribution: only released in a few USA cinemas while being released on DVD in Spain. Here in the UK, it does not seem to be present at all. This is a shame because Snowpiercer is an incredible film.

In the future, the world has become uninhabitable due to humanity's response to global warming, creating a snowy wasteland. The only life that remains is on the train where the last dregs of humanity reside. The train is sorted in classes so that the richest are at the front and the poorest at the tale.

Curtis (Evans) is a man who has spent the last 17 years at the back of the train and has been planning a revaluation for a long time. As the rebellion begins, Curtis faces loss and betrayal on his way to the front of the train.

Snowpiercer has a collection of great and unique characters that create a world bigger than the cramped train. The film includes so much history of the train that it feels much bigger than it actually is.

The action scenes are reminiscent of 300 with two storming armies meeting with melee weapons while slow motion adds to the style. The performances are also a great factor with Tilda Swinton standing out as a fascist old lady in charge of an army.

If you get the chance to watch this film, I would seize it as it is worth looking out for. There are some plot holes when you reflect upon it afterwards, but while you are watching just enjoy the ride.

****Good