The Revenant (2015)

The Revenant

Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu

Written by Mark L. Smith and Alejandro G. Iñárritu,

based in part on the novel by Michael Punke

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson and Will Poulter

What gives us the will to survive?

Most of us—Most people in the modern world have not needed to resort to very much in order to survive. We have been born into a world where a society has already been built for us and we need just minimal instincts to stay alive.

But what happens when you take that all away? How many of us would last?

In Alejandro Iñárritu’s follow up to his ground breaking and Oscar Winning “Birdman”, a film rich in thematic elements, both emotional and psychological, he breaks that all down and opts to showcase only one. The will to survive. “The Revenant” tells the story of Hugh Glass, an American Folklore hero who was less of a legend that one might think.

The internet has an annoying around of trailer reviews for this

and this was the only one I could find....

The scale of this film is so incredibly large, that I am literally struggling to find the words to describe it. While viewing the film in it’s entirety, it’s impossible to tell that the production was delayed so often. It flows seamlessly from one scene to the other thanks to the actors and the beautiful cinematography of Emmanuel Lebezki.

It’s easy to see that this film was shot with no artificial lighting. Each and every shot feels real and unaltered and showcases the beauty that can be created just in nature. I have never felt so strongly that a film should win an award for the cinematography category as much as I do for this one. I will be truly upset if anything, including “The Hateful 8” wins.

Unfortunately for DiCaprio, Tom Hardy outshines the internet favorite in their performances. While Leo’s role was obviously more physically taxing, the transformation of Tom Hardy to play Fitzgerald was complete down to every single nuance and pronunciation of dialogue.

It really is impossible for me to find anymore words without sounding more uneducated than I already do. In the end, it is a film that everyone has to see for themselves. Will everyone like it? I’m not sure. It’s 2 hours and 40 minutes running time doesn’t help it’s case for the casual moviegoer. But for me, it felt as though it went by in an instant. I was in awe from beginning to end with it’s intensity and un apologetic brutality.

Go and see it for yourself.

My Rating: 9/10

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Directed by George Miller
Written by George Miller, Brendan McCarthy and Nick Lathouris
Starring Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult and Hugh Keays-Byrne

In a stark desert landscape where humanity is broken, two rebels just might be able to restore order: Max, a man of action and of few words, and Furiosa, a woman of action who is looking to make it back to her childhood homeland.

Let me just start off by saying this. Anyone who does not like this movie is stupid!

The fourth installment of the Mad Max franchise originally created by George Miller, this film takes the dreams of what George Miller probably wanted in the 80s but didn't have the technology for, straps dynamite on it and blows it up. It is seriously the most fun movie I have ever seen. It just doesn't care!

Just when you think that the movie couldn't get even more ridiculous than it already is, it exceeds itself. It is a 100% adrenaline fueled thrill ride. The world that George Miller has created with this film trumps all over the worlds he created in both Road Warrior and Thunderdome.

And to think that that same man directed both "Happyfeet" and "Babe: Pig in the City" is remarkable. He is truly a versatile man. Creating a talking pig and a dance penguin, then going back to his roots. Only this time, the ladies kick some serious ass! All of the female characters in this film are more tough and bad ass than Black Widow in "Avengers". And she is still pretty tricking tough! 

The visuals of this action packed film are second to none. Every punch, explosion, crash and line of dialogue is filmed perfectly and compliments the shots before and after it. There isn't a dull frame in it's entire two-hour running time. And the vibrance of the colors makes the world that much more enticing.

As far as blockbuster, mindless action movies go, this is hands down the best I have seen. At least in the past decade. No film comes to mind that can even touch this. It's dark and edgy, but still ridiculously fun. Something Marvel and DC can learn from it. And I am dead serious when I say if you don't like this movie, we can't be friends anymore.

My Rating: 10/10

Movie Trailer Tuesdays - 5/5/15

Strangerland
Directed by Kim Farrant
Staring Nicole Kidman, Joseph Fiennes and Hugo Weaving
A family finds their dull life in a rural outback town rocked after their two teenage children disappear into the desert, sparking disturbing rumors of their past.

Dang! Australia produces some of the most interesting, gritty films. With this star studded cast, I believe this has the potential to be great. All three headlining actors have the talent to command a film. I look forward to seeing this when it hits theaters. It has yet to announce a release date though, which is unfortunate.

Irrational Man

Directed by Woody Allen

Starring Emma Stone, Joaquin Phoenix and Parker Posey

A tormented philosophy professor finds a will to live when he commits an existential act.

Honestly, I didn't think this looked all that great. Then I saw it was directed by Woody Allen and I became even less interested. I can't stand Woody Allen and I have yet to see a movie of his, acting or directing, that I didn't loathe. I honestly don't see what the appeal is in him. "Irrational Man" hits theaters July 24th, but I'll be watching something else.

The Last Witch Hunter

Directed by Breck Eisner

Starring Vin Diesel, Rose Leslie and Elijah Wood

The last remaining witch hunter battles against an uprising of witches in modern day New York.

I have a friend who summed this up perfectly. He said something along the lines of, "This is one of those movies that looks terrible, but I can't wait to see it". It does look terrible. But it looks fun as well. And it would be nice seeing Vin Diesel in a non Fast and Furious movie as well as Elijah Wood in something other than LOTR or where he plays a creepy sadistic killer. I look forward to this when it hits theaters October 23rd.

San Andreas

Directed by Brad Peyton

Starring Dwayne Johnson, Alexandra Daddario and Carla Gugino

In the aftermath of a massive earthquake in California, a rescue-chopper pilot makes a dangerous journey across the state in order to rescue his estranged daughter.

Whose ever idea it was to make a settlement on a fault line is a dumb ass. I will never understand why people choose to live in these kinds of places, then act surprised when a big catastrophe happens. All that being said, this looks ridiculous and fun. And that's all you really need from a movie with The Rock. "San Andreas" hits theaters May 29th.

Legend

Directed by Brian Helgeland

Starring Tom Hardy, EMily Browning and Teron Egerton

Identical twin gangsters Ronald and Reginald Kray terrorize London during the 1950s and 1960s.

You gotta love Tom Hardy in intimidating roles! He is so good at commanding the screen and making you fear for his enemies life or cheer for their death. The added element of the 1950s and 60s should add some interesting performances. I;m not sure how much of this story is true, but it definitely looks to be enticing. Unfortunately, there is no American release date, but if you're in the UK on September 11th, check it out!

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Child 44 (2015)

Directed by Daniel Espinosa
Written by Richard Price, based on the novel by Tom Rob Smith
Starring Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, Gary Oldman and Joel Kinnaman

A disgraced member of the military police investigates a series of nasty child murders during the Stalin-era Soviet Union. He finds their are many obstacles in his way due to the Soviet belief that there is no such thing as murder in a communist paradise.

Starting off strong, this movie wastes no time to get to the plot. With just enough character development in the beginning, the audience understands who exactly our protagonist, Leo Demidov, is and what he stands for.

At times, the plot is hard to follow and despite such a clear and concise prologue, many aspects of the story are missed in their delivery. There are times when I felt I knew exactly what was going on, only to find out I was completely wrong. And not because of an amazing plot twist.

There were other points in the story where I felt they used the setting of Soviet Russia as a scapegoat for many plot holes. The audience was just left to assume that every little thing that happened was due to the communist state.

"In Soviet Russia, Tom Hardys you!"

Though it's not without it's faults and it is certainly not the best movie I've seen even today, it is by no means a bad movie. It has a lot of great moments and honestly, I was quite intrigued throughout most of it. I just feel it could have been much more than it was. And perhaps it was, but was forced to be cut down by the studio.

My Rating: 6/10

Bonus Trailer - Mad Max: Fury Road

Once again, Tuesday has failed me. I pride myself in the alliteration that is Trailer Tuesdays. However, it seems that all major film studios feel the same way, releasing trailers for upcoming blockbusters while giving out free tacos (probably), thus causing my trailer reviews released that very day to already be out of date.

But I say, "No more!". No longer will I be made a fool by showing last weeks trailers. I will stand up and say, "I'm mad as hell! And I'm not going to take it anymore!"

"Unless you have a job for me. In which case GIVE ME A JOB!"

When I saw yesterday's newly released second trailer for "Mad Max: Fury Road", I was excited. I believe whole heartedly that this will be a better, more fun movie than "Avengers 2". Yeah, I said it. What are you going to do about it?!

OH SHIT! DID YOU SEE THAT?!

Unlike "The Avengers: Age of Ultron" which is going the overplayed, dark and brooding root, this film is very obviously taking the we-don't-give-a-shit-and-just-want-to-have-fun-and-make-the-craziest-most-unbelievable-movie-you-ever-saw root. And I think they pulled it off.

This is not a face of someone who is having fun.

Filled with characters who's designs inspired an entire genre of movies, this movie is not afraid to go back to it's roots of the madness that is the apocalypse. Every character has a unique design and a crazy accessory on their costume.

Are those real teeth?

Including the gnarliest chastity belt that gives the medieval times a run for their money.

…. not worth it.

And a guy who totally can't see what he's shooting at.

Helen Keller is a better shot.

Seriously, take a look at these stills I grabbed from the trailer and tell me that this movie isn't going to make you lose your mind…

Wait… is that a guy playing guitar in the bottom left?

Yeah, I guess so...

OH, SHIT IT'S A FLAME THROWER!!!

This movie definitely does not care about reality. And that is what is going to make it great! It knows what it is and owns it to an extent where it goes above and beyond! I for one cannot wait for this movie. I think it has potential to be the best movie of the summer.

"Mad Max: Fury Road" opens on May 15th.