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

Filth (2013)

Director: Jon S. Baird
Starring: James McAvoy, Jamie Bell, Eddie Marsan, Shauna Macdonald, Jim Broadbent
Certificate: 18
Genre: Crime, Comedy
Awards: None

Based on another novel by Trainspotting writer Irvine Welsh, Filth is also set in Scotland but focuses on the police force, Bruce Robinson (McAvoy) in particular. Bruce is a corrupt, drugged-up and spiteful man who plans to gain the newly available promotion at the station by any means necessary. He sows mistrust through the workforce whilst humiliating them at any chance. Unfortunately, Bruce's slow descent into madness makes his goal harder to achieve.

Filth reminds me a lot of Naked, another british film featuring a mad bearded man who is still likeable despite the fact that he is not that nice a person. Both films show a confidence within the protagonist that is slowly stripped away from them as they become more and more helpless.

Filth is a funny, startling and quite visceral film that benefits immensely from McAvoy's stellar performance. McAvoy makes the film what it is, and what it is is great.

*****Brilliant

Broadway Danny Rose (1984)

Director: Woody Allen
Starring: Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, Nick Apollo Forte
Certificate: PG
Genre: Comedy
Awards: None

Broadway Danny Rose is a comedy about a talent agent in New York of the same name (Allen). Danny Rose is great at finding talent for showbiz, unfortunatly everybody leaves him once they get a little taste of success. At the time of the film, Danny is managing the once famous singer, Lou Canova (Forte), with plans for a comeback. As Danny attempts to make Lou happy for his most important performance yet, he agrees to take Lou's mistress, Tina (Farrow), along as his date. This leads to trouble with the mob and a race to get to the show before Lou drinks himself sick for worry.

Along with many of Allen's films, the greatest concentration of humour in Broadway Danny Rose comes from the stars neurotism. For those who like such humour, the film ios recommended already. However, there are other jokes used, both visual and in dialogue, allowing something for everyone. The misunderstandings of the film's character allow it to play out like a farce, yet in a less flurried style than its usual form.

Broadway Danny Rose is a good film to start if you desire to get into Woody Allen as it is not too over the top, as in Love And Death, yet still faetures his brand of humour.

****Good

X-Men: Days Of Future Past (2014)

Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender, Nicholas Hoult, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan, Peter Dinklage, Halle Berry, Evan Peters, Josh Helman
Certificate: 12
Genre: Superhero
Awards: None

X-Men: Days Of Future past is a sequel, prequel, prequel sequel and reboot to various different films in the franchise and combines the cast of the original three films with that of First Class. This is done by sending Wolverine (Jackman) back in time from an apocalyptic future to help the Magneto (McKellan/Fassbender) and Xavier (Stewart/McAvoy)'s younger selves stop it from happening.

Because the cast is so vast, some get a lot more screen time than others. If you are a Magneto fan, you may be disappointed as Fassbender is featured much less frequently than McAvoy whilst McKellan is even harder to find. Dinklage's human baddie has little time to shine (yet somehow he still does) while new character, Quicksiver (Peters) has a brilliant introduction but is then left forgotten. The film is not damaged by this as the main characters are still really interesting and watchable, but it can be a little disappointing.

The film succeeds in its story as it takes twists and turns that keep you guessing throughout while the action scenes are spectacular. With the sprinkle of humour, X-Men 7 becomes a great film that surpasses most of the franchise.

With Bryan Singer back in the directors chair however, some aspects of First Class (In my opinion the best X-Men film thus far) are lost. Henry Jackman's music is replaced by that of Singer regular John Ottmon whilst all characters not already in Singer's previous films are killed offscreen before the film.

With so many directors and other creative people being part of the X-Men franchise, somebody is always going to be disappointed. On its own merits X-Men:DOFP is incredibly enjoyable film. Franchise-wise its still the second best and has kept the gates open for more. There is no need for a reboot yet, thankfully.

*****Brilliant

Ran (1985)

Director: Akira Kurosawa
Starring: Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Terao, Jinpachi Nezu, Daisuke Ryu, Mieko Harada
Certificate: 15
Genre: War, Drama
Awards: Best costume design

Ran is Akira Kurusawa's great epic, featuring five different armies and a vast array of characters that are each given their time to shine. The story follows Lord Hidetora Ichimonji (Nakadai) who decides to give his kingdom to his sons. He outlaws one of them and the other two turn on him which leads him down the path of madness..

Ran is a visual paradise with astounding colours and costumes. The film is masterfully shot to make the film as beautiful as it is epic. The amount of characters is similar to The Lord Of The Rings as characters such as captains, jesters and servants are given as much depth to their character as the main lords.

Ran is an outstanding film with great cinematography that allows it to have amazing battle sequences, haunting imagery and emphasis on the tragedies that are scattered within it while the story is intriguing and shocks with unexpected twists and turns.

*****Brilliant

Godzilla (2014)

Director: Gareth Edwards
Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olson, Ken Watanabe, Bryan Cranston
Certificate: 12
Genre: Action, Sci Fi
Awards: None

The king of the monsters is returns once again and is on fantastic form, for the beginning anyway. Bryan Cranston, who has been featured heavily in the trailers, is the heart of the film as he delivers a a great and moving performance. Unfortunately, he is not in for long.

The obvious choice for main character after Cranston is Ken Watanabe as Dr Serizawa, a Godzilla expert who's father was killed at Hiroshoma. An interesting backstory and an intriguing character overall, but the film decides to choose Johnson's military man to header the film. This leaves us with a bland and boring main character who cannot divert our attention to the fact that Godzilla is hardly there.

When Godzilla does arrive, however, the action scenes are great. The monster battles are glorious to watch and some parts are awe inspiring. Edwards does strangely conceal some of the action scenes with news reports which may be intended to intrigue but instead only affronts.

To conclude, Godzilla is well worth a watch for the good bits, but the two best features of the film are not there for long and then you're left with a rather bland and boring guy doing stuff.

****Good