Belated reviews from the spring coming soon!

Lincoln

"No one has ever lived who knows better than you the proper placement of footfalls on treacherous paths."

America, in 1865, was divided by prejudice and torn apart by war.  Lincoln delves into the political and personal implications of the President's attempt to pass the 13th Amendment, the abolishment of slavery, amidst a landscape of death and division.

The cast deliver exceptionally strong performances.  The Academy Award bestowed on Daniel Day-Lewis for this role is undoubtedly greatly deserved, as he flawlessly portrays Abraham Lincoln as both a politician and a man.  The film's production, furthermore, is perfection.  The brooding cinematography captures the dark context, while the incredible production design authentically brings to life a country in the throes of civil war.

Although it is a story that many will know the obvious end to; the narrative managed at times to maintain a sense of uncertainty and suspense that was engaging.  Unfortunately, however, this was ultimately defeated by the slow pacing and great length of the film.  The plot is dulled by the repetitive and monotonous political discussions: pierced only by the lovely, unexpected appearances of Lee Pace and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, whose choices cast conflict onto the protagonists.

While the production and performances were absolutely outstanding, the plot became long, winding and ultimately tedious; as the film eventually drew to its inevitable and thus predictable conclusion.

“Acting, films, scripts, is literally the only thing I’m 100% confident in. I know what I’m doing. I just understand it, and I love it. When I’m on set, that’s when I feel the most at home and in control.”

Jennifer Lawrence

Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away

A young woman visiting a circus is enchanted by an aerialist.  When he suddenly falls, she follows him into a dreamlike world of surrealism, where the boundaries of science and imagination are defied.

Visionary filmmakers James Cameron and Andrew Adamson produce a film that captures the exhilarating and sophisticated feats of the awe-inspiring Cirque du Soleil.   With a stunning score and little dialogue, the film's emphasis is firmly placed upon the incredible, visual talent of the performers.  The film's narrative, however, was subsequently weak: constantly lost amidst the dramatic, yet incongruous, Cirque du Soleil displays.  Moving from one show to another, the film was constrained by the tents in which the characters moved: never allowing you to forget that you are watching a pre-existing scene from one of the Cirque du Soleil shows, obstructed by support wires.  While the circuses are undoubtedly stunning in their own right, it is difficult not to help thinking that an amazing opportunity to deliver an original cinematic story, through new and specifically-choreographed scenes, was greatly missed.

Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away therefore provides a great introduction into the daring and visually-stunning world of Cirque du Soleil for new audiences.  Seasoned fans, however, may leave disappointed, craving something more...

Les Misérables

"I had a dream my life would be so different from this hell I'm living"

Revolutionary France is gripped by hunger, heartbreak and desperation.  Jean Valjean, imprisoned for a minor offence, seeks his freedom from the inspector Javert who is obsessed with recapturing him.  Rescuing a young girl named Cosette, they confront a society that is struck by injustice.

Hugh Jackman delivered a great performance as the protagonist; capturing both the strength and vulnerability of an honourable man who is unable to outrun the shadows cast over him by his past. Anne Hathaway, who won the Academy Award for her performance as Fantine, was also particularly stunning through 'I Dreamed a Dream' - in which her character breaks down as the song tumbles from her lips.   The artistry of the make-up and hair was excellent, as it depicted the social and physical disintegration of the characters.

However, there were aspects of the plot that were strikingly contradictory.  While the revolutionary ideology conveys that the working class should be identified with, the depiction of this class is largely grotesque; from the mascara streaked prostitutes to Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen's comical turn as dishonest and degraded thieves.  The landscape of the film was unfortunately further flawed by the obvious computer-generated visual effects, as well as the overbearing camera angles that Tom Hooper cast on his characters.  The film stylistically, therefore, would have perhaps faired slightly better under different direction.

While the impossibly great expectations imposed on Les Misérables, after it's highly successful West End run, were always been difficult for the film to meet, the cinematic adaption does produce some strong acting and successfully captures the musical's most iconic songs.

The 85th Academy Awards

ANNA KARENINA

Costume Design

AMOUR

Foreign Language Film

ARGO

Best Picture ● Film Editing ● Writing - Adapted Screenplay

BRAVE

Animated Feature Film

DJANGO UNCHAINED

Actor in a Supporting Role ● Writing - Original Screenplay

LES MISÉRABLES

Actress in a Supporting Role ● Makeup and Hairstyling

LIFE OF PI

Directing ● Cinematography ● Visual Effects ● Music - Original Score

LINCOLN

Actor in a Leading Role ● Production Design

SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK

Actress in a Leading Role

SKYFALL

Music - Original Song