Change Your Image
drewpkerr
Reviews
Beautiful Boy (2018)
Beautiful Drama
Felix Van Groeningen's English spoken film debut follows the journey of a young drug addicted Nic Sheff (Timothee Chalamet) and his father David Sheff (Steve Carell) The movie is based on the true story penned by David Sheff, and is seen through the eyes of the father and the affliction Nic's addiction causes on him and his family. The performances are well conceived, with Chalamet delivering another impressive performance. Carell is strong as the role of Nic's dad and delivers a career highlight performance. Groeningen's direction is strong, and choice of style contrasting elements of past euphoria with the lows of drug abuse help enable the audience to feel the impact of addiction. The narrative flow is well delivered. The film is impressive and a must see for anyone who thrives on real stories and drama.
American Animals (2018)
American Idiots
A true story delivers a funny and compelling drama about a gang of American youths, and their plans to conduct a book heist. The film focuses on real life characters Spencer Reinhard and Warren Lipka, two students at Transylvania University who recruit Chas and Eric to assist in stealing one of the world's most priceless books: Birds Of America. Director Bart Layton uses his documentarian past to mix in the real life versions of the main charicatures to help narrate the film, a method used to create credibility and deliberate uncertainty to the exact events of the 2004 heist. With an easy to follow plot and likeable characters, the film does a great job of interpreting the story. The pace of the movie works well, and doesn't deliver any scenes of non-necessity, something that could of easily been done. The humour traced throughout the film helps to ensure that these, what should be unlikeable, characters are found endearing by the audience. A great film about four American idiots that just took things a little too far.
McQueen (2018)
McQueen Makes The Cut
Less of a fashion spectacle and more of a tale of the label's namesake himself, McQueen is a riveting story from start to finish. From humble beginnings to the height of success, the documentary delivers a captivating recount of Lee Alexander McQueens foray into fashion. For anyone who goes to see McQueen, they will be thankful that we lived in a time where history can be recorded for review. The documentary uncovers insider footage from the early days at St Martin's design school through to his final showing. A group of individuals who all were involved in McQueens life to some extent it another provide a wholistic and collective view of the troubled artist. The sequential nature of the documentary worked incredibly well and the sensibility of all those interviewed showed that there really was no need to embellish McQueen's life. A film for fashion and art lovers as much as a film for those who seek inspiration every day.
A Simple Favor (2018)
A Simple Mistake
A not-so-simple story was given quite the simple execution. What set out to be a promising thriller in the vain of Gone Girl, was decimated seconds after the rolling of the opening credits. You'd be forgiven for thinking that you were about to embark on an adventure down Wisteria lane, with an opening sequence a nod to a simpler time of the 70's in a contemporary setting; however scoot past that and there's no reference to this tone throughout the whole film (unless you count a cute Dior waisted frock Lively wears in the final scenes.) An added comic tone to the film does little to distract from the poor choice of casting with no notable performances. Kendrick's sweet nature does partially lend herself to the role of a widowed single mother, however I can't help but feel a more serious tone would have actually delivered a better comic relief. Lively's lunacy is melodramatic and doesn't pair back well with the rest of the cast - it would have been much more appropriate in Gossip Girl. Paul Feig's directorial choices seem odd given the genre. Inconsistent would best describe his choice of camera direction. Angular shots throughout, and rapid fire screen cuts in the penultimate scene were a distraction from the action occurring on screen. A use of long panning shots and slower cuts between shots would have given the film the suspense it deserves. The only redeeming feature of the film was an interesting plot, but it's a shame that ultimately we were left with a huge simple mistake making it to the screen.