The Shape of Water

An aquatic quest that dives into unchartered waters.

Whilst working night shifts as a cleaner at a high-security government laboratory, Elisa (Sally Hawkins) discovers the unthinkable as she stumbles across a water-born creature like no other.

As a mute, the character of Elisa has zero dialogue throughout this frighteningly original plot, making the quiet silence of the film uniquely eerie whilst still unfathomably intriguing.

Despite this lack of verbal discourse, the film does not suffer from a lack of communication due to the addition of subtitles.

Director, Guillermo Del Toro, is able to further instigate a sense of context by surrounding the main character with a support system of actors, thereby adding both authenticity and understanding.

Though the film is excellently produced and artistically executed, the plot itself baffles in its direction with its haphazard storylines which gives way to disorientated confusion.

Downsizing

Little is the new big.

Financially strapped for cash, Paul (Matt Damon) and his wife Audrey (Kristen Wiig) decide to take part in the latest scientific breakthrough; downsizing.

The logistics of this film are somewhat tricky when big meets small, but director Alexander Payne, seems to take on the challenge as he creates a world that is befitting to the characteristics of all sizes.

Though this film has the makings of greatness, unfortunately, the plot falls short of its potential as the story escalates into a battle of confused madness, which almost seems to run away with itself, all whilst leaving the audience behind in a muddled haze.

Even the quick wit of Christoph Waltz (Dusan) isn’t enough to save this film from its epic decline, but it does at least provide some comic relief from an unrelenting plot disaster.

Coco

Death is but the next great adventure; in a world full of life, the perils of death never seem too far away.

Music is a bit of sore subject in Miguel’s family, which wouldn’t be a problem if he didn’t want to be a musician, but he does, and so it is.

In an act of rebellion, Miguel strikes at the core of his family’s morals and runs away in an attempt to enter a music competition on the day of the dead; unfortunately all does not go to plan and Miguel finds himself in the land of the dead amongst his ancestors with a lot of explaining to do.

Death is not a subject that many animators could tackle, but this Disney Pixar collaboration does so with so beautifully crafted precision that one almost forgets that death is at the heart of this majestically orchestrated animation.

From endearing characters to unapologetic honesty, the film breaches the gap between fantasy and reality with such effortless ease, you don’t even remember it happening.

This film is as important to the younger generation, as it is to the old, with the act of remembrance striking at the core of one’s very being.

No one wants to be forgotten, and this animated wonderland reinforces the importance of why.

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

The board game with a vengeance is back, and this time it’s gone digital.

When a group of detention goers are tasked with the job of clearing up their schools’ basement, they come across a literal game-changer, as they are unexpectedly thrown into the world of Jumanji.

From badass teenagers to full-grown adults, somehow through the magic of this game, a young blonde girl turns into a middle-aged man, as Jack Black takes on the persona of a millennial teenage girl as each kid picks their gaming characters without much thought for the outcome. Which as is evidenced by Black’s awesomely hilarious portrayal of a young teenage girl, makes for great on-screen entertainment.

Rather than trying to restore the original Jumanji, this film pays homage to its predecessor as it keeps the magic of the story, but delivers it to a new audience with a reimagined direction.

The film is crammed with big names, from Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson to Karen Gillan, supplying audience goers with ample googling time, as the actors strut their stuff on the big screen in an adventure that will warm the hearts of viewers both young and old.

 

Stars Wars: The Last Jedi

‘We are the spark, that will light the fire that’ll burn the first order down’

-Poe Dameron-

As the Star Wars saga grows with unequaled velocity, George Lucas finds a way to keep the ever impending doom at a distance that keeps audiences far and wide coming back for more galactic-fuelled excitement.

Death and destruction face the last of the rebel alliance in Lucas Film’s latest installment as Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) must both find their balance in determining the force to fulfill their destiny.

As per usual, the special effects on offer throughout the film, leave little to the imagination, as the audience are engulfed in all things space, from a near-miss fighter jet crash to phenomenal close-ups of the Millennium Falcone.

Though many new faces make a debut, many old come to an end, as this film marks the beginning of the end for the original star wars cast, whose teachings are graciously passed on to the new generation of rebels.

‘The Last Jedi’ not only gives hope for the future of this all-consuming franchise but gives audiences a story to fall back in love with all over again, courtesy of director Rian Johnson, who puts the ‘war’ back into ‘Star Wars’.

 

Justice League

Teamwork makes the dream work; especially when saving the world.

Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, the Flash (and maybe Superman) take on a villain that’s out of this (literally), in a fight that’s sure to go down in some sort of superhero history book somewhere.

Though the CGI is horrendous and at times the acting is just as unbelievable, the storyline is filled with action-induced excitement and puts the DC franchise on the right track for eventually catching up to Marvel Mania.

The true hero of this story, however, is Ezra Miller’s performance as the Flash, which is by far the most entertaining aspect of the film, giving a mere glimpse of what the 2020 Flash film has in store for us.

Thor: Ragnarok

Hammerless, yet unabashed; Thor’s always up for a challenge.

As fire threatens to engulf Asgard, Thor and a band of hero’s, comprising off Hulk, Loki and a long lost Asgardian must come to its aid.

A third film about the God of Thunder may have seemed a little much for many fans, but Marvel Studios have once again pulled off the impossible to create a wondrous display of heroic camaraderie.

The film unites the most unlikely characters, by fusing a bond of acting chemistry between Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Tom Hiddleston (Loki) and Mark Ruffalo (Hulk), with a little bit of added girl power from Tessa Thompson (Valkyrie).

With a talented pool of actors such as these and a whole host of bonus characters that are sure to give you a giggle, the film enthrals in its execution.

The Dark Tower

Magnificently dangerous with just a hint of magic, and that’s just Idris Elba’s character. 

In a world where no one sees the world as he does, Jake is as secluded as it gets. But once his futuristic visions are found by the wrong people, his life takes a turn for the worst and he must find the courage to cross worlds in search of the reality of his visions. 

Idris Elba (Roland) and Matthew McConaughey (Walter) go head to head in a game of good versus evil as they emit worryingly accurate acting talent in rival characters. 

With the addition of new acting prodigy, Tom Taylor (Jake), this film definitely gives budding actors a lesson in artistic precision. 

Though the acting is powerful, it is nothing in comparison to the visual elements apparent throughout the film. The creative department show the stark contrast between the mystical world and the ‘real’ world with out so much as a double-take, making this film an eye-bending experience.

Wonder Woman

A woman with whirlwind talent for heroics bursts her way into the DC film franchise.

Born and raised by the Amazons on an island invisible to man, a young woman, Diana, learns of her talents and origins as she develops into a courageous woman ready to stand up for a world who is seemingly undeserving of her powers.

Gal Gadot heads up the casting as Wonder Woman and does an exceptionally elegant job of showcasing the characters uncompromising strength, coupled with her emotional fragility throughout the film. It is with a breath of fresh air that Gadot injects the modern woman into a formally token female superhero.

The resilience of the character throughout the plot enables the film to keep a pace with which an audience becomes absorbed; from the origins of the character to the break-out of her instinctive heroics, DC have finally managed to successfully adapt a character from page to screen without too much devastation.

Whilst the film is by no means perfect, I’m looking at you special effects team, it is certainly a step in the right direction for DC and gives fans hope for the forthcoming films expected later this year.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge

The pirates return for the fifth time, with Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and his not so loyal crew setting sail for a new voyage.

Admittedly, the past few releases have been well below expectations, but this new addition to the franchise has given the pirate themed films a new lease of life.

With Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) making an unexpected return to the plot, his son, now 18 years of age, tracks down Jack in an attempt to save his father from his seemingly permanent cursed life aboard the Flying Dutchman. Needless to say, with the infamous Captain Jack involved, things don’t exactly go swimmingly, as he literally finds himself being chased across the seas by death. 

There is little to say about the acting; Depp, is, as usual, spectacularly brilliant as the lead role of Jack Sparrow, which is to be expected given the amount of times he has played the character. With the likes of Bloom, Rush and Bardem, it’s not surprising that the acting is elaborately wonderful throughout this production.

The special effects, too, have complimented the films overall aesthetic, without over-complicating the intricacies of the plot.

It is though, despite all the new characters and technology included, still the same old Pirates of the Caribbean formula and sooner or later fans will become disappointed with the lack of change this franchise delivers to the big screen.