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The Help

Let me start with saying I enjoyed watching 'The Help', more so than I envisaged. It is, I'm sure, an entertaining account of historically accurate story. It is basically the story of how a couple of southern black "servants" stood up for their rights and told their story to a white reporter during a time in America where the Black rights movement was taking some momentum in the Northern states. However, in the South, white peoples views of their Black neighbours was certainly less than equals. It is a story of inspiration and facing adversity, standing up for what is right, what you believe in and defying the consequences of doing so.

All of this is great the characters are well played out and the film has its funny moments. Unfortunately this is not the most exciting or fast paced film, and I couldn't help feel that it was missing a certain, umph to its delivery. For that reason I give this film just a 2 and halve out of 5 bases. Thats not to say its a bad film, in many ways the story deserves a 4 or 5, but a movie is about more than that.

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Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Ok, so expectation going in to this film were low to mediocre at best. Steve Carell having gone from being one of my most loved comedy actors, to feeling more like a one trick pony (funny, but 'samey'). Ryan Gosling being the man of the hour, he was actually in every preview for the last film I went to see, this being one of them, Drive and The Ides of March the other two. I couldn't help feel he must have fit this in as an easy throw away role.

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Steve Carell resisted leaning on his zany/bizarre humour to get recycled laughs. At moments I really felt for his character and enjoyed watching the transformation the film is set around. It's not quite the chick flick I was expecting either. Yes its certainly a film to go see with your girl, but you may find yourself laughing more than her. The line; [blockquote]"The war of the sex's is over, the day they started pole dancing as a hobby we won."[/blockquote] might not seem the funniest in the movie, but when the females in the audience tut in unison, the subsequent laughter from the men seemed planned as the pause was just long enough for the event to happen while the film waited.

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As far as Ryan Gosling goes, I hate to say I have a man crush on him but, I have a man crush on him. The guy is just cool. If you have not seen Drive yet, what are you doing go see it now. This film is obviously a more tongue in cheek role for him and ego massage, but he plays his part and he plays it well.

Over all not the most innovative film, but a modern twist on the regular dumb chick flick. Still follows the same old formula though, couple split, couple go separate ways, couple realise they need each other, couple get back together...well, sorta.

3 out of 5ifthbase

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Drive

Watching Drive is a thrilling, inspiring and cool moment in your life. You will leave the cinema feeling better about yourself and with a renewed sense of hope in the movie business.

Scenes of extreme tenderness and violence will intertwine in their significance and favourite list throughout the coming week. Ryan Gosling’s delivering as the Driver in outstanding fashion as he manages to invite you into his strange world of cars, caring and danger.

I see Drive is a love story and a heist movie of the utmost importance in Hollywood right now. Tarantino has been mentioned in many reviews and much of the hype, but it is perhaps better summed up as a celebration in the less is more school of script and acting.

In this particular case it’s much much more.

Performances from Bryan Cranston and Carey Mulligan especially add warmth, depth and the human element to Gosling’s hero Driver. With the line from Cranston’s naïve Shannon character demonstrating the cool appealing personality of the film

“I know a lot of guys who mess around with married women, but you're the only one I know who robs a place to pay back the husband.”

Drive is undoubtedly an absorbing and unique work of cinema from the Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn. It is a dream like journey through the streets of LA that will leave a mark on anybody who is fortunate to see it.

Nothing is wasted, every line is perfect and the cinematography is there too match. Film of the 2012. Best film released since 5ifthbase was born. Go see.

4.99 out of 5ifthbase

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Rise of the Planet of the Apes

So, ANOTHER remake...wait no, its a prequel, but its still an old idea right? Well, not really. Actually Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a great example of how to revisit any existing or old IP, from scratch. I don't know if this is how the film had originally been envisaged and I don't care because this is how it is envisaged now. Don't get me wrong, it could well be and it could be well documented, but I am talking about this film and I loved it. Its a story not of how intelligent apes evolved and then started to hate humans. It is not even a story of what constitutes intelligence, its more what are the important things that come with intelligence. A sense of self worth, self respect, dignity, honor and most of all, freedom.

Now before you start worrying that this is some sort of dreary piece of arty philosophy, like I said before this is a film for now and as such it is full of action and special effects that actually add to the film. You'll relate to the characters, especially the monkeys. You will want to see them smash up the city because you wont see them as monkeys, just a new race wanting their freedom. You will get what you want and love the film for it.

To some it up I don't think I can put it better than a friends explanation of: "Good monkeys"

4 out of 5ifthbase

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The Guard

From the brilliant mind of Irish writer / director John Michael McDonagh comes a comedy of simplicity, originality and warmth effortlessly delivered by the genius that is Brendan Gleeson.

Seargant Gerry Boyle (Gleeson) is the law-man in a small Irish town in the back of beyond by the coast. Unorthdox in his methods the man is bold and fearless and clearly quite mad. As with his previous films McDonagh allows the dialogue to propel scenes from the absurd to the ridiculous without letting you catch your breathe in between.

If you're a fan of CSI one of the opening scenes will completely tear your opinions down of how police work should be done, and most likely lead you to a closer reality to how it's really done. When Boyle gets a murder case and a new partner he quickly discovers that things aren't all as they seem in his sleepy Gaelic hollow. 

FBI agent Wendell Everett played by Don Cheadle offers the perfect counter balance to Gleeson's manic and at times saddeningly dark world. How their relationship develops is quickly obvious but still manages to surprise in places. I imagine Cheadle had a blast doing this film, as goes for all the cast that includes the ever reliable Mark Strong as the cockney villain.

Everything about the film is honest and uplifting, it allows the audience to reflect on the seriousness of life at times and just how negatively that can turn out. Scenes with Boyle and his mother work well to anchor the film with an emotive edge, whilst little Liam O'Leary and his role give the film the heart it needs to make the journey all worth while.

I forgot my glasses so maybe if it wasn't for the blur I'd have scored this higher. You'll have to see it for yourself and let us know. Slainte!!

4.3 out of 5ifthbase

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The A-Team

Director Joe Carnahan has dragged the A-Team out of the cheesy eighties and into an all round cooler and more epic modern place. It’s bigger explosions, better actors and way more testosterone-fuelled backslapping.

The plot is as follows; four of the most laid-back, patriotic American soldiers you’ll ever come across, perhaps barring Murdoch, are double-crossed and sentenced for crimes they didn’t commit. It becomes their sole purpose for themselves and the good of American soil to put down the bad guy and clear their name. The formula does not change from the TV series, but it’s done on a much grander scale.

Liam Neeson as Col. John “Hannibal” Smith plants a strong character at the centre of the film for the other Rangers to bounce off. Templeton “Face” Peck played by Bradley Cooper does the ladies man, cool guy better than most on his meteoric rise to Hollywood A-list. B. A. Baracus is UFC’s very own Quiton “Rampage” Jackson, somebody who already has a silly stage name (I would never sauy that to his face!) And star of District 9 Sharlto Copley does “Howlin’ Mad” Murdoch with a truly mad aplomb.

The film does not take itself too seriously and because of this it succeeds in doing exactly what it sets out to. To be a blockbuster, money making, bums on seats monster. The relationships between characters and the explanations of such famous lines as “I ain’t getting on no plane!” are believable and amusing and won’t make you reach for the eject button.

The plot fails when it tries to develop characters such as B.A. Baracus and his Ghandi quoting vow to never kill again. But, I guess God loves a tryer. Jessica Biel as Face’s inevitable love interest is good in her own Lara Croft, strong female but I bet she’s crazy in the bedroom way.

Can’t go wrong for a Friday night in DVD selection.

3.7 out of 5ifthbase

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The Soloist

If you happen to pay for Sky Movies, this one is available to watch right now and seen as your paying for it anyway I strongly suggest you do.

This film is a dying breed, which might explain why such a compelling story could have slipped by so unnoticed at the silver screen, even though it stars two incredibly high profile actors in the shape of Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx.

It is a true story of how a journalist, hitting a dry spell and hungry for a story, hears what he feels is beautiful music being played by a homeless man, that is quite clearly some what disturbed. The fact the man can play such music with a broken violin is not quite a story, but with some research, he finds the story he is looking for that plucks the hearts of his readers.

The story does not just  focus on how a talented musician comes to be on the streets or even how he has developed some form of mental illness. It is more about how we as people feel the need to fix things even when those 'things' are people. More to the point, that we may try to "fix" these people without even stopping to consider if they believe they need, or want to be fixed.

Not the greatest film you'll ever see, but it doesn't pretend to be. I truly think this must have been a story that all parties involved just felt needed to be told and they tell it well. Slow in places but powerful at times and you will struggle not to shed a tear come the end.

3.6 out of 5ifthbase

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Captain America: The First Avenger

Captain America, what can I say. Was not expecting a lot from this film and although it gave me more I bargained for in certain areas, to be honest, it lived up to my low expectation.

I would have actually liked to sit here and write that it's all mindless action and that it delivers a solid 3 out of 5ifthbase. Unfortunately, there is a lot of story and plot driving in the film to give you the background of the first Avenger, where origins, his morales, the history of the character, the history behind the real life period of time set during WWII and how this obviously influences the character.

Quite frankly, this is not done very well and like the film as a whole it drags on for far too long.

All compounded by the fact that this is all an introduction to the character, and without totally ruining the end, is merely a set up for the next Captain America film, or perhaps even the next Iron Man film... I must stop I've said too much. All in all, wait for the DVD and watch with some beers and a few mates.

It is too long and not exciting enough for large periods.

2 out of 5ifthbase

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Lars and the Real Girl

This is the story about Lars, a late twenties loner who lives in the garage next to his brother and his brother’s wife. The look and feel of the film is classic American indie, and although you get a sense of the melancholy that will drift through the plot’s central core from the opening seconds it doesn’t feel forced.

After several cute attempts from Lars’ sister-in-law to get him to interact fail, the morning a crate arrives at his garage door the whole film lifts off from the strange to mesmerising within an hour. The life size sex doll that emerges takes on the role of his girlfriend becomes a beacon of despair for outsiders but a calming comfort blanket for Lars. From his relationship with ‘Bianca’, who he explains is a missionary others start to flourish in the real world.

Just as the line “I met her on the internet.” takes on a whole different box of dangerous connotations, Ryan Gosling’s brilliant performance manages to create a real naivety and innocent character that you warm too and fight for. The scenes with his psychiatrist Dagmar, played by Patricia Clarkson anchor the plot and develop our understanding of just what’s at play in reality with Lars.

By the time we can see and predict what might happen you’re not pushing for it, the film’s tone is just right to allow you to sit there and happily watch events unfold. This is tale of human kindness that’ll warm the coldest of hearts. Lars reviving a suicidal teddy bear is by far and away the best scene.

3.9 out of 5ifthbase

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Akala : Fire in the Booth

Think of the riots that have swept London this week and listen to this... makes you think.

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Taken

Going back a few years now, I thought it was worth mentioning this film as I only just saw it last month. Having said I haven't seen it mates quickly let out the "What?!" and "Are you kidding?!" and "Right, let's watch this." Now from that kind of a build up you know it has to be good. It was. From my prejudiced poster review of that looks pretty dull, to my what is going on here?! This is mental. This is mental. Punch that man in the face, now shoot that guy over there. My - I'm properly into this - enjoyablally tense mood only ever built from the moment Neeson's naive young daughter started chatting to that sleazy French guy outside Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. Watch if you want to be entertained by fighting and revenge done incredibly well for an hour and a half. Intense cinema!

For what it is, edge of the seat out-and-out action thriller...

4.3 out of 5ifthbase

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Wu Lyf : Go Tell Fire to the Mountain

This is one of the best debut albums since The Strokes Is This It. More significantly perhaps is the potential for the ten stylish tracks to launch something new in what has become an incredibly bland and wanky genre of music.

4.2 out of 5ifthbase

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Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie xx

The old master gets stuck into some chilled out dub step vibe, poetically riffing his way between Jamie xx's dream-like baleric groove. Highlight of the album is undoubdetly I'll Take of U, notably Prince opted for a similar spelling for arguably one of his best tracks... maybe there's a link there, there's most likely not. 

  Listen for a head bobbing lift if it get's to that stage in the day, I mean, look at these guys! I'll have what they're having. 

3.8 out of 5ifthbase

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Super 8

From writer / director J.J. Abrams and producer Steven Spielberg, proof that you just can’t beat a good story. You’ll be deafened, shocked, laugh, cry and leave amazed by what must be the film of the year and Oscar favourite.

As soon as the opening scene played out I knew I’d love this film. It's the attention to detail, the little things that haven’t been substituted for flashy effects and 3D novelty. Try and go knowing nothing, as you’re guess work will only be in vein. Full of heart and intelligence you’ll be taken on a journey that you can’t help but get lost in.

Spielberg’s presence is obvious throughout with The Goonies, E.T. and Indiana Jones all getting a nod in style and character. The soundtrack builds and delivers completely as do the cast in their entirety during the various unusual disappearances happening in Lillian, Ohio.

Set in the summer of 1979 we begin with grief and mystery. ‘Four months later’, we’re with a group of kids making a super 8 zombie movie, unknowingly about to become protagonists in their own epic after witnessing a disastrous and suspicious train crash.

The performances of young actors Joel Courtney and especially Ellie Fanning (Joe lamb and Alice Dainard) are brilliant, and allow for comic moments to flow freely around them. The role of the two Dads’, one cop and one down on his luck, played by Jackson Lamb and Ron Eldard reach their crescendo in a car scene that’s bound to get you later in the film.

Super 8 captures the imagination in a rare and real way. Hats off.

4.8 out of 5ifthbase

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Wall-E & The Future of Hyper Consumerism

It would be hard to argue that Disney is at the forefront of producing movies critical of society or require the viewer to face existential questions about our everyday existence. However, Wall-E (2009) proves to be one of the most effective and entertaining critiques of consumer society in recent popular culture. Set in the future, Wall-E depicts hyper-consumerism as the catalysis for ecological degradation and the production of an uninhabitable earth for organic life (apart from the one surviving cockroach!). The viewer then gazes on a post-ecocide life, composed of ruined urban landscapes, a mass of defunct Wall-E robot units and mountains of compacted rubbish heaps produced when the Wall-E robots still functioned. The only sign of life being the one functioning Wall-E, who is the star of the film, and the robot’s one ‘friend’, the sole surviving cockroach that follows Wall-E on his daily chores.

The clear message of Wall-E is that humanity is heading for ecological crises if there are not major transformations in consumer habits. Indeed, international relations theorist Cynthia Weber, has argued that Wall-E undermines those market-based solutions to ecological problems put forward by liberalist like Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth. The presence of the corporation Buy N Large throughout the film suggest that putting faith in the corporate sector and the market to solve environmental problems is one that, at least, needs to be questioned – or even abandoned. We then have a critique of liberal political and economic thought in Wall-E, which is unexpected for a Disney branded film.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Wall-E is representation of the human body. As a result of Earth being uninhabitable, those surviving humans have purchased places on Buy N Large cruise spaceships. The idea being that those lucky humans can spend their time in leisure waiting for the Earth to regenerate itself and become sustainable for organic life. The viewer is then given an idea of how a seemingly paradisiacal way of life with only consuming and no work could potentially transform the human body through the acceleration and intensification of consumerism. Rather than using their bodies for mobility, the human population of the Buy N Large spaceship use electronic hoovercrafts. The result is that the dependence on the hoovercraft transforms the human body and a process of de-mineralisation occurs where the density of the skeleton has decreased to a degree it no longer supports the weight of the obese occupants.

In addition, the hoovercrafts are also wired for consumerism and the occupant is plugged directly into Buy N Large advertisements and products, which produces a life where humanity can no longer have a perception or experience outside of consumerism. In other words, consumerism has becoming so omnipresent that it has become ubiquitous with everyday life and the consumer no longer is required to travel to the shops. Of course, we can dismiss Wall-E as far-fetched and fantasy, but those that are sceptical of the hyper-consumer body need only look as the Toyota I-Real concept car to realise capital is attempting to produce similar consumerist technologies that are represented in Wall-E. What Wall-E leaves the viewer is with a message to keep open spaces for non-consumerism before it is no longer possible to distinguish between the everyday and consumerism.

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Zatochi

Zatochi. Cool name isn't it? You bet it is, as so is the character that goes by the name. The film follows the paths of a few main characters, but as the name of the film would make you think, its all about Zatochi. He is one bad as old man. Has a hidden blade in his walking cane and he knows how to use it. He kills alot of people, quickly but only those who deserve it. Oh and did I mention he is blind? This film has many strange nods to other movies genres, theres some strange musical influences in there, but mainly bloody samurai films. Think, "Kill Bill" turned down to about a 8 on the gore scale and the story is actually really good. One of greed, murder, vengeance and mastery. Some strange and quirky characters leading interwoven paths with an inevitable show down at the end. Definitely a piece of passion and I like it. It does what it does (shock and awe fight scenes) well, as for its seemingly random moments, it makes no apologies for, as if to say "this is how I want it to be, so this is how Im going to do it." Its not mind blower tho, watch it with a couple of mates a pizza and some beers, or with out the mates! Score: Zatochi gets to 3rd base, but you'l be happy with that. Random Fact: It was written by, directed by and stars Takeshi Kitano as the blind swordsman.

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Tyler The Creator : Goblin

Upstarts from California finally reminding us of the dirty honest noise potential in hip-hop - - Grimy beats and filthy lyrics to make you smile and feel bad about it.

Head henchoz of LA collective, Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All (OFWGKT) Tyler Okonma (to his mother) has laid bare a darkness that’s been missing from the genre for way too long. Evoking Wu Tang’s 36 Chambers and an early eager Marshal Mathers, Goblin is a place to go and listen, think, laugh and despair.

Lines rip through a synth-heavy production that sounds like it’s been dragged kicking and screaming to the daylight from the dungeon. The resulting lines of “Stab Bruno Mars in his goddamn oesophagus and won’t stop into the cops come in.” come and go as no surprise and with a certain refreshing satisfaction too.

Emerging in 2008 with skateboards, a musical ear and anger anxiety their debut Bastard was critically acclaimed on an online level as were the variety of free tracks they released over Tumblr. It might be a shame that this, their first foray into what you can call the mainstream is with Goblin and not their back catalogue, but hey, at least there’s one to go to.

Current is certainly a word to describe TtC as they do reference the likes of Tumblr, a first in my memory: let’s say current and dark. In Tron Cat you’ll hear “…rape a pregnant bitch and tell my friends I had a threesome.” as murder and cannibalism become a fine subject matter for a three-minute address.

Widely accepted (and welcomed) comparisons to the Sex Pistols reflects the nihilism of what this album stands for, as Tyler describes himself as the “blackest skinhead you’re ever gonna see”. But this becomes exciting and slightly tiring a concept eventually.

The album slips into becoming predictably raw and dirty, with ‘heavy tunes’ by definition getting surpassed by bland padding quite quickly.

The lyric "I'm a fucking walking paradox/ No I'm not" is everything that is solid and loose about Goblin. It’s a refreshingly tiring debut, but still the best thing I’ve heard come out of the hip-hop world since Dr Dre’s 2001. Word.

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