The Descendants

Family ties...George Clooney..Shailene Woodley..Amara Miller..The Descendants

George Clooney has decided finally to act. All these years of wooden acting have gone. Just because he's been voted, "the sexiest man alive" twice doesn't mean he gets to not act. But those days have gone. I think we already knew this, starting with Up In The Air in 2009, followed by The Ides of March which is meant to be amazing, but now The Descendants has proved this.
It sees Matt King, a wealthy lawyer with a lot of land living on Hawaii with his wife and two daughters (Woodley and Miller). Suddenly his life is flipped upside down when his wife, has a boating accident and is comatose. King has no idea what do do, being "the back-up parent" or "the understudy." It's a film about bringing family together, a bit cheesy a times, a bit sad at other parts. Funny all round (except from the sad bits) with great acting from Shailene Woodley, being a breakout star. Clooney is bound to win an Oscar for this. 




3.5/5

War Horse

Mare mates....Jeremy Irvine in War Horse..

Poor Steven Spielberg - his career is going down the pan. The final Indiana Jones flopped, The Adventure's of Tintin got heavily panned, and now War Horse is failing to impress reviewers. But for this reviewer I disagree, War Horse was a well made movie that captivates the audience. The background of this film was a typical American's view of what the English countryside is - quiet, serene, peaceful with the sun reflecting off the hills. Many people know, this isn't strictly speaking true. 
It shows, Albert Narracott (played by newcomer, Jeremy Irvine), and his parents, (Peter Mullan and Emily Watson) living in picturesque England as simple farming folk. One day, Mullan comes back with a horse, whom Albert decides to raise. The family live in fear of evil landlord,  Lyons, (Harry Potter's David Thewlis) but unfortunately Mullan has to sell, Joey (the horse's name.) Benedict Cumberbatch comes in as the snobby schoolboy Major and Tom Hiddleston gives a convincing Captain Nicholls. 
I won't deny it but I cried, because the story of course is sad, if you have read it. I was touched by the scene where Toby Kebbell and Hinnerk Schönemann together save Joey. It reminds me of the football game on Christmas Day 1914 where the Germans and English declared an unofficial truce. John Williams provides us with music that tells your emotions in the movie.
I've got nothing against this film apart from some occasional scenes. If you want a movie that will make you laugh, cry and smile, this is what you've got.


4/5

The Iron Lady

Thatcher's time...Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher..

I was put in a difficult position after viewing The Iron Lady as I haven't actually lived through the woman's Prime Ministerial era. So when the film opens, we see a frail elderly lady buying a carton of milk. In those first few minutes I felt sorry for her, but then suddenly I hated her. It's difficult to know that thousands hate her but yet she's those sad old woman. Meryl Streep gives an amazing performance as Thatcher, playing the elderly Margaret and the young. Alexandra Roach gives a convincing act as the young Thatcher rising into power. I thought Jim Broadbent was utterly miscast as Denis Thatcher, and it felt like he had been forced into the role just because he was an A-list star. It follows Margaret as she rises up the political ladder. It's enjoyable at times, and Olivia Colman gives a perfect performance as Carol Thatcher. Enjoyable, well made, but still Thatcher without Thatcher-ism.


4/5

The Artist

Silent glory..Jean Dujardin..Bérénice Bejo..The Artist

A pure homage to the '20's silent films, The Artist, is a story of George Valentin (Jean Dujardin), and how he helps young aspiring actress, Peppy (Bérénice Bejo), only to see her rise, and him to fall. Valentin is her mentor, teacher, enemy and lover, all at once. He tries to back away from "talkie" movies, and stick with the silent movies, thinking change is bad. Peppy herself, even says, "out with the old, and in with the new." It bears, similarities to The Illusionist, as it's about, a veteran actor, helping someone try and achieve themselves. The real star, I think isn't Bejo or Dujardin, it's Uggie the dog, who plays Valentin's dog. He provides most of the comedy in it, and is a very good, "actor." Quite like a talented child actor. It isn't tremendously good, as critics say, but it's still enjoyable, a bit too long, for my liking - a 100 minute silent movie.


4/5