Film 58 - Chef

Chef - 28/06/2014

Cubanos baby, Cubanos

From writer, director and actor Jon Favreau, Chef is a film that can only be described as food porn.

Tired of not being able to show his style and flare in a restaurant run by a grumpy Dustin Hoffman, Carl Casper decides to quit the role as head chef after a damming review from a very famous food critic.  He then takes a gamble and spruces up a food truck in Miami and travels back to LA stopping off at various locations en-route, serving Cuban delicacies, Texan BBQ's and lots of smiles along the way.

I found myself smiling all the way through Chef, the relationships with Casper's Sous Chef, John Leguizamo, his son and being new to twitter all start the film off well, but when the food truck journey begins that's when the smile turned into a big grin.  The food just looks delicious, I could actually taste some of it, the music is toe tappingly, hip jigglingly brilliant and the bond between father and son is just very well portrayed, and Scarlett Johansson shows up as well, so what more do you need?

When Clare and I left the cinema we put the "Chef Soundtrack" on Spotify and listened on the way home to the Cuban grooves.  It is not very often I comment on the soundtrack, but this one just fit perfectly with the culinary delights shown on screen.

Even though we had eaten just a couple of hours before, I left the cinema hungry, hungry for a Cubanos, hungry for an American Road Trip and hungry to try to make some of the food shown.

Film 57 - 3 Days to Kill

3 Days to Kill - 21/06/2014

Following from the success of the "Geriatric Action Hero" of Liam Neeson and bloody John McClaine proving that Die Hard is a franchise not willing to die, Kevin Costner picks up the mantle and dives into this action comedy about a retiring CIA Operative who has a fatal heart condition, but with an experimental drug only provided if he completes one more mission. 

Now I appreciate Kevin has been in some action films in the 90's (The Untouchables being one of my all time favourites), but in the era of the Expendables, he is being classed as an OAH (Old Age Hero).

After seeing the trailers, I thought this was going to be a run of the mill action film, and I think my presumptions were right.  It is an enjoyable, but forgettable film.  3 Days has some really enjoyable bits and then some really forgettable and slow bits straight after one another.  I appreciate that films cannot be all action, but when the slow bits are so slow they really stand out.

The big bad guy, "The Wolf", is not really utilised and the main henchman "The Albino" could have been the better threat as this character was far more interesting and evil.

As his health is deteriorating Mr Costner tries to re-connect with his estranged daughter and ex wife, and these bits feel like a film Kevin Costner should be in, a family comedy drama.  The bike scenes are touching and there are a few comedy moments.

So yes, I left the cinema knowing that I had enjoyed the 2 hours of entertainment, but not long after we had arrived home, the film had left the memory banks.

Will see if KC is in Expendables 4 with Billy Dee Williams, Michael Keaton and a cameo from Clint Eastwood

Film 56 - The Art of Steal

The Art of Steal - 20/06/2014

From writer Luc Besson (Woohoo) and director McG (oh no), The Art of Steal is a heist movie about the stealing of paintings and art

.  

When Kurt Russell is betrayed by his brother on a painting robbery and sent to prison for 7 years (5 and and a half for good behaviour) he decides to go straight and work as a stunt performer at a monster truck show

.

When a new business opportunity arises, Kurt gets the old team back together,  reluctantly teams up with his double crossing brother and brings along his new apprentice, Jay Baruchel.

The AoS is a fun film with some good little gags and the usual heist movie tropes.  Not on par with Oceans, The Score, or The Italian Job but still an enjoyable ride.   

Jay Baruchel is funny as usual,  his voice always makes me giggle,  and Kurt Russell is a good lead.  Matt Dillon is fun as the brother and Terence Stamp is brilliant as an ex theif helping interpol to catch the thieves.

Another film to add to the Netflix list

Film 55 - Oculus

Oculus - 19/06/2014

Hailed as Nail-Biting, Mind-Bending and Very, Very Scary, I went into Oculus thinking, "Could this be the scary film I have been looking for?"

With the World Cup in the early group stages and England's  important match against Uruguay,  I thought no better way to enjoy the football than going to the cinema. 

I have been let down recently by horror movies with unoriginal plots, rubbish endings and unlikeable characters,  so my expectations for Oculus were not too high. 

When a family (parents and two children) are traumatised by a possibly haunted mirror, years later  the children decide to prove that the mirror had more to do with their parents deaths rather than what was thought. 

The film runs on two separate interwoven time lines with the young kids and ten year older young adults and is more chiller than a horror.   There are some great spooky moments that bend the reality for the viewer.   What is real and what isn't?  Did that actually happen?    Oculus plays on the confusion the mirror causes and does it well.   I even liked the way it ended. 

I did comment to a couple of mates that I would not be looking in a mirror for a couple of days  just in case.

So for horror/chiller fans,  I can recommend this film.   Go with an open mind,  it is a slow burner and not all out loud scares and bangs.

Film 54 - Devil's Knot

Devil's Knot - 15/06/2014

Based on actual events that occurred in 1993/94 in West Memphis, Arkansas in which three 8-year old boys go missing on May 5th and their bodies are found two days later, mutilated and tied.

I knew nothing of the event before going into the film,  so really didn't know what we were going in to watch.

Having subsequently read more about the case, it seems the the film was pretty accurate in it's portrayal.  

With the parents and the town looking for suspects rapidly, the local police department seems to pin the murders onto 3 teenagers who have dabbled in the occult and are known to be practicing satanic rituals.  As the cases progress the lack of tangible evidence and the fact that statements are forced and re-worded really makes you wonder if the accused are actually guilty.  As I said, with little knowledge of the case itself, I started with a real distaste for the teenagers and wondered why someone would try to defend them when they are so clearly guilty, but then as more (or less) evidence appeared I was actually shocked when the death sentence was given to the eldest (and seemingly ring leader) of the West Memphis 3.

Presented as a film/documentary courtroom drama, Devil's Knot hits home a little more.  I was reminded of a kidnapping whilst Clare and I were in America of a little Baby called Lisa.  This was on the news every single day and on every news channel and the media was convinced what had happened with very little evidence.  I also thought of the Soham Murders in the UK where two young girls went out one evening and did not return.  It is frightening that these things do happen.

Devil's Knot is more a film for a Sunday Evening rather that a trip to the cinema.  Netflix will put this into the factual films section and it may get missed by many.  Colin Firth is great as usual, although I am not sure he suits an american accent, and Reese Witherspoon plays the grieving mum very well.

Film 53 - 22 Jump Street

22 Jump Street - 07/06/2014

I was late to the party in watching 21 Jump Street and had been told how funny it was, but was only sold on it when I went watching "The Lego Movie" (by the same creators).  So Clare and I settled in one Saturday night, with Chocolate Raisins at the ready to see if the film lived up to the hype.

With Clare being a big fan of Mr Tatum, it was not a hard sell and the film was excellent, we both really enjoyed it and were ready for another outing.

22 Jump Street seems to really play on the fact that they have no idea why the first film was so popular and that sequels are not as good so they may as well do exactly the same thing again, only bigger, and that is exactly what they do.

It is basically the same film again, but instead of being based in High School, it is now based in College.  It acknowledges it's stupidity, and silliness.  It recognises that the jokes are daft and really homo-erotic (and they really play on this bromance), and I think this is what makes it so good.  When the two main characters go to 22 Jump street for the first time there is a condo being built called 23 Jump Street.

There is one scene in which Channing Tatum finally realises something that has been going on under his and the bosses nose which had me laughing even when I had left the cinema.  I don't want to give too much away, but I was in hysterics.

The final credits scene (not post credit, but actual credits scene) is brilliant and possibly one of the funniest scenes from the film.  But don't get me wrong, I laughed a lot, a real lot through the whole film.

I know it would be exactly the same again, but 23 Jump Street, yes please

Film 52 - A Million Ways to Die in the West

A Million Ways to Die in the West - 05/06/2014

I had seen a few reviews of A Million Ways from critics and people like myself across the interweb.  With mentions of too many fart, penis and poop jokes and being like one of the long and unfunny episodes of Family Guy, they were not very favourable reviews.

So entering the cinema my expectations were as low as they could be.
Sat two rows behind me were the patrons from hell, one of them very loudly announcing "Mi Magners won't fit in'th ole", so I knew the class of people in with me was fitting for the film.

Before I also start the review, may I also point out that possibly on of the best comedy westerns ever on film is Blazing Saddles, and I knew from the start that "A Million Ways" would come nowhere near this.

Seth McFarlane plays a sheep farmer down on his luck, just after splitting up with his longterm (6 month) girlfriend who has ran off with the owner of the Moustachary,  he meets Charlize Theron who helps him train in gunslinging to win a duel to win back his goggly eyed girl.

There is nothing new brought to the table, and I really struggled when Seth spoke and the voice came out of a human.  It took me most of the film to get used to this actually.

Surprisingly, I really enjoyed this.  There are some great references to classic films (including a little bit of the Blazing Saddles theme tune) and one of the BEST cameo's known to film history....even if they have got the dates wrong....

So yes, there are too many fart/penis/poop jokes (if that could actually be possible), but there are lots of other great little lines.  Most of them from side characters, like Seth's dad, there is a great musical number in the middle of the film and it definitely passed the 6 laugh test and the trailer didn't ruin the film by showing the only funny bits.

I have always thought that Amanda Seyfrieds eyes are too far apart and goggly for her to be attractive, but for this to be referenced in the film by the beautiful Charlize was perfect.

If you go into the film with low expectations then I am sure there are a few giggle to be had, If you are expecting Family Guy or some parts of Ted then you may be disappointed, but at least the cameo won't let you down.

And if you are wondering, the Magners did not fit and the drinker opted for, "I'll affort down it, cos it'll just get warm if I hold it"