The Light Between Oceans

A remarkably sad film about a light; a cinematic oxymoron if ever there was one.

What starts out as a gloriously gorgeous love story is soon plummeted to the deepest darkest dramatic depths as family love becomes outrageously forbidden when a family stow away a child that is not rightfully  their own. 

Though tremendously heartbreaking, this period drama excels in ways modern love stories simply cannot. Being stranded on a lighthouse island with nothing but one another’s company and no internet or TV to keep you entertained is an impossibility in this day an age. 

From the genius behind The Place Beyond the Pines, Director Derek Cianfrance delights once more with his remarkable ability to make an audience feel a characters every emotion.

But it’s not just the Director’s performance that is admirable, Michael Fassbender also manages to deliver a profound performance with a touchingly genuine enthusiasm for his character. 

The only slight qualm with these lovable actors is their inability to perform an accurate Australian accent, which considering the films coastal Australian setting, one would assume this would take priority during casting, but clearly it did not.

Though this film is one of love and loss, if you ignore the failing Australian interpretation, it truly is worth a watch even if it does end up bringing a tear to the eye.

American Honey

Usually films and indeed stories, have a beginning, a middle and an end.

But not this one. This one just provides a middle. A middle that exceeds over 160 minutes of screen time, and makes you feel as if you have been forced into spending the rest of eternity with Shia Labeouf’s acting. Which I think we can all agree is a horrid punishment despite his exterior attractiveness.

As is the case with many hipster films that try and ‘break’ the Hollywood mold, this one doesn’t just fail, it crashes, burns and then explodes in a cataclysmic fashion.

Though at the time I’m sure that the creator and director of this film, Andrea Arnold, thought using perspective and close up camera angles was super quirky and original, but the novelty soon wears off for those unfortunate enough witness it, mostly due to the fact that it induces nausea. 

But then again the filmmakers had to attempt something  in order to hold the audiences attention, because one things for sure, the plot definitely can’t; the whole film is essentially about a group of angsty teenagers who travel through America to ‘sell’ magazines all whilst being intoxicated and apparently very sexually frustrated as they do so. 

If you’d like to whittle away 3 hours of your life that you’ll never be able to get back (a very grace mistake on my part), than this is the perfect film for your apparently very boring entertainment purposes.

The Girl on the Train

In this page to screen adaption of Paula Hawkins 2013 bestselling novel Emily Blunt holds the strings on an otherwise collapsing show.

If like me you have not read the novel prior to watching this film, you may be forgiven for thinking this film, whilst not particularly enjoyable in its feel good vigour, does delight as a standalone thriller, albeit a very dark one. If, however, you have taken to reading before watching than all I can say to you is sorry.

Because let’s face it, the film can be deemed unrecognisable in comparison. Not only has the setting been changed from the original griminess of London to a suburban New York town, but every actor bar one (Emily Blunt) is American. And given the fact than the novel was designed to have been portrayed in Britain’s capital I cannot help but think this quite a significant blunder on behalf of the Film Company and Director.

It would be a pleasure for me to announce that this is a small hiccup in an otherwise exceptional cinematic journey, but alas, this would be a lie. As it seems that despite having a novel on which to base the script and general production upon, this film fails abysmally to carry its characters and their vulnerabilities. And despite having an all-star cast, the limitations put on them are so painfully clear it is almost unpleasant to watch. What should have been a trio of feministic characters turns into a chaotic mess, with only Emily Blunt being able to hold up the persona of her otherwise lacklustre character.

This film was never meant to warm the hearts of cinema goers throughout the world, but neither was it meant to dampen the spirits of Hollywood enthusiasts. With a basic storyline of manipulation and alcoholism it can be hard to craft a film worthy of big screen production, and yet when you think back to film’s such as ‘Gone Girl’ such goals clearly are doable.

Cafe Society

Woody Allen’s cafe society delights on the big screen with wonderful atmosphere and crazy tales of love and lust, which  quite frankly is a wonderful wind down to a summer of outstanding cinema.

Being propelled into 1930s Hollywood has never been so perfectly executed and Bobby and Vonnie are the stars of this Hollywood romance. Unfortunately the love between these two is left unrequited when Bobby discovers that the girl of his dreams is a lot more interested in his wealthy and successful uncle.

As is to be expected, one doesn’t get over such heartache with haste, especially when it is a family member that steals your girl, but alas Bobby eventually finds love again in him hometown of Manhattan, where he finally marries and settle down.

Though both Bobby and Vonnie find their own happy ever afters, there is always a sense of longing between them whenever they come in contact with one another, and though their light never went out.

Much like the rejuvenated Gatsby that graced our screens in 2013, this film follows along much the same lines in creating astonishingly accurate sets and providing exquisite costumes, making you feel as though you’ve been whisked back through the decades.

Not only is this film a refreshing look back through time, but it showcases the remarkable young talent that the film industry has to offer; even Kristen Stewart  is on form, showing that she is somewhat capable of showing varying facial expressions.

Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates

Trying to find a wedding date has never been so unpredictably hilarious.

Mike and Dave have been ordered by their father to find appropriate wedding dates for their sisters wedding. 

So what better way to advertise that you need a date then to broadcast it to the world using Craigslist?

Unsurprisingly, this dating tactic doesn’t work out too well for them, that is until their ad makes it onto national television, which just happens to attract the attention of two seemingly appropriate girls.

Unbeknown  to Mike and Dave these girls are taking them for a ride, and actually have no interest whatsoever in being their dates; their just tagging along for the free trip to Hawaii (the wedding destination). 

Whilst these girls seem respectable at first, it soon becomes clear that not all is as it seems when drama ensues at the wedding rehearsal dinner; from giving ecstasy to the bride, to frolicking with family members, it’s safe to say that these girls are not as innocent as the boys were first led to believe. 

With this film starring the likes of Anna Kendrick and Zac Efron, the talent is shockingly on point, and no, I’m not just talking about their attractiveness, though that is a plus. 

The jokes are rife in this film, with pretty much every sexual innuendo under the sun being mentioned at some point. But it’s not just the comedy element that holds this film together, the story itself is one of romantic triumph, even if it is a little unconventional. 

This film is basically the love child of The Wedding Crashers and Bridesmaids; hilarious, but numb in parts.

Nerve

Uncompromisingly daring, but full of pure grit.

A game like none other hits New York City, and causes quite a commotion. 

The game is Nerve. To win you must complete the dares assigned to you. There is only one rule; don’t snitch. 

But before you become part of the game you must first answer this question – are you a watcher or a player? 

Vee is a player; an epic mistake on her part. What starts out as a fun escapade, soon turns into a brutal reality.

Because Vee breaks the one and only rule, leading her to become a prisoner to the game. However, luckily for her, she has a handsome accomplish, and a bunch of loyal friends to help her out. 

Upon first glance, this film seemed like a terrible teen fantasy flick, but this, it turns out, was a horribly bad judgement call. This films originality is something that Hollywood has lacked for some time.

To turn a game of dare into such a realistic entity is a concept that can only be admired. Not once in this films 93 minutes does it feel as if the action is unsupported or that the story is lacks vigour. 

On the contrary, this film makes you, a watcher, feel part of the on screen world, part of the game. And for a film to truly entice you on this level, is not only a rarity, but a pleasure. 

Deadpool

Not the most conventional superhero, but hey, we can’t all be perfect.

The story of Deadpool is one riddled with heartbreak, and yet at the same time fantastically humorous. This film tells the story of how a man struggling with a deathly disease loses the love of his life by becoming a heroic vigilante.

Crude is certainly one way to describe this guys heroics, but ridiculous is probably a lot a more accurate. With a hello Kitty lip balm always in his possession and a sparkly pink bag to carry his guns in, it’s safe to say this is no ordinary superhero story.

But who’s to say this guy really is a hero, I mean he doesn’t save citizens, nor does he spread goodwill, in fact he does just the opposite; filled with vengeance and eager to chase it, Deadpool finds himself on a bloodthirsty mission.

What starts out as a straightforward plan, soon turns into a chaotic plot twist, as Deadpool strives to defeat his enemies using a combination of wit and an extraordinary number of backflips.

However, before you all go running to this cinema, I feel I must warn you, this is not a classic marvel family film, it’s rated 15 for a reason; bloodshed, filthy language, and just about every sexual innuendo over the sun should be enough to put most mothers off.