Southpaw (2015)

"A fighter knows only one way to work."

I would not like to stand in a ring with Jake Gyllenhaal after seeing 'Southpaw'. Hell, I wouldn't want to be near him after seeing 'Nightcrawler'... or even 'Prisoners'. 

He's a pretty scary dude. 

After losing his wife in a tragic accident, boxer Billy Hope reaches out to ex-professional trainer Tick Willis to help him turn his life around and get his daughter back from child services.

I was excited to see this film knowing that Jake Gyllenhaal was starring with Forest Whitaker in a film written by Kurt Sutter about boxing. It sounded like a great combo and I was sold on the trailer.

This film is a very dark and quite depressing film. You are in it for the long haul but it's definitely a film that delivers on everything you invest in it.

'Southpaw' starts off well with all the set up and action that you need to be sucked into Billy Hope's world. You really understand his character within the first few scenes and from there you are on board with his journey. The opening feels a little long at the time but, as the film goes on, you realise how long the film actually is and how deep you are going into his world so, in hindsight, it benefits from the long first act. You need that backstory and the build up to appreciate the struggle and the development of Jake Gyllenhaal's performance. 

Jake Gyllenhaal is the glue that holds the film together. He gives a transformative performance as the boxer Billy Hope and it's not only a physical transformation but a mental one as well. He's built like a bear and fights like an animal too. Much like 'Nightcrawler', he completes engrosses himself in the role and it's impressive to watch as he becomes the character. You forget pretty quickly that it's Jake Gyllenhaal that you are watching and you believe that it's Billy Hope. Straight from the opening scene you know Jake Gyllenhaal has done the work. He moves and fights like a boxer and that adds to the realistic nature of this film. He has clearly done his homework alongside some serious training to throw himself into the boxing world to give a believable and harrowing performance. 

Alongside Jake Gyllenhaal's stellar performance, we have Forest Whitaker, who also delivers a great performance as his trainer Tick Willis. There are several moments with the pair bouncing off each other that go from comedic in one scene to heart-breaking in the next. They work well together and I thought some of the best scenes in the movie were the scenes with the pair of them. 

The rest of the cast all support the film well and there's not a weak link in the chain. For being such a young actor, Oona Laurence delivers a strong performance as Hope's daughter Leila. It's nice to see some young talent standing toe to toe with the more experienced actors and giving a good performance. I'd even go as far to say that 50 cent is passable in his role, which is a miracle in itself. 

The story itself is relatively predictable but, as cliché as it sounds, it's about the journey, not the destination. You are invested in the characters and are going through their hardships with them. If you are looking for an all out fighting film then 'Southpaw' may disappoint. Granted, the boxing and the training that you see on screen is some of the most realistic that I've ever seen but this isn't 'Rocky'. It's a film about an extremely unstable man who is dealing with the loss of his wife in the only way he knows how. Billy Hope may not be the most likeable character but he's one that we can relate to and end up caring for. His physical transformation as an actor before the film is impressive but it's his transformation as a character that is the most impressive to watch. 

'Southpaw' is a hard film to get through at points. It seems to go from bad to worse and then from worse to rock bottom... then at rock bottom there's six feet of shit. 

There are some heartbreaking scenes that will really hit you where you live and tug at those heart strings. You care for the characters which makes all the difference in a film like this. You can relate to a lot of the struggles that each of the characters are going through and the climax of the film is like a large exhale of stress and emotions. 

Overall, 'Southpaw' is an emotionally draining film but well worth seeing. It's brutal and heartbreaking but also exhilarating and impressive. It's nice to see a film that's not based on a comic book or is a sequel or a prequel to another franchise. It's a film that stands totally on it's own. The smallest details in the film have a lot of attention paid to them, even the tattoos have their own meanings for each of the characters and it's a refreshing change from the usual tattoos = thugs in movies.

There are some great references to classic boxing films like 'Rocky' and 'Raging Bull' which was nice to see, I don't think it's possible to make a boxing film and not pay homage to the greats that have come before in one way or another. Jake Gyllenhaal is barely recognisable as Billy Hope and is an actor who I'm excited to see. He's grafting out some very strong performances of late and I would see anything that he is in, going by his track record. 

Still wouldn't want to meet the guy in a dark alleyway though...

Ant-Man (2015)

"Sorry I'm late, I was saving the world. 

You know how it is."

Batman, Superman, Iron Man, Spider-Man and now we have Ant-Man. Do they not have any names that don't end in "man"? 

No? Okay...

Armed with a super-suit that allows the wearer to shrink in scale but increase in strength, con-man Scott Lang must become the Ant-Man and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.

After hearing about the endless production problems on 'Ant-Man' and seeing the disappointing  'Avengers: Age of Ultron', I can't say I was particularly excited for 'Ant-Man'. Despite my trepidation, I had heard a lot of really positive reviews so wasn't sure what to expect. 

Not since 'Guardians of the Galaxy' have I actually enjoyed a Marvel movie. 

I can't say I'm suddenly a converted Marvel fan by any stretch of the imagination but I was surprised how much I liked 'Ant-Man'.

The best part of 'Ant-Man' is Paul Rudd as Scott Lang. He has so much personality and natural charisma that it's impossible not to like him. He's funny, likeable and holds nearly the entire movie on his shoulders. You can tell that he's having a blast being a superhero and is making the most of the opportunity. I would not have imagined Paul Rudd in the Marvel Cinematic Universe but it works. He's well cast and reminds you of Robert Downey Jr. with his naturalistic acting style and comedy timing.

We also get a solid performance from Michael Douglas, as the genius inventor Dr. Hank Pym, which was refreshing to watch. He's a great actor and, despite some of the more ridiculous lines he had to pull off, manages to make you believe everything you see. He and Paul Rudd have some good comedy chemistry and they were an enjoyable pair to watch on screen.

For me, 'Ant-Man' took a while to find its feet in the first half. It was a little jumbled with a lot of jumping around which made it feel very clunky and expositional, however when it started picking up steam around the halfway mark it became really entertaining.  

The action in 'Ant-Man' was unique and exciting. We've never seen anything like it before and it's fun to watch Scott Lang train and get to grips with his new powers. When the action kicks off it's interesting and thrilling seeing the possibilities of the suit and how it can be used in a practical way. The CGI is also pretty good which helps a lot in a film like this, it looks cartoon-like but in a way that isn't distracting. 

Corey Stoll, who I've only ever seen in 'House of Cards', as Darren Cross/Yellow Jacket was a decent bad guy as far as comic book villains go. He was pretty pantomime but the film itself realises it's a little campy and a bit silly so it plays on that and doesn't take itself too seriously. Huge epic moments are deflated by comedy to lighten the mood so that it doesn't come across as melodramatic. This helped me get involved in the film a lot more, it knew the limits and took great care not to overstep the mark. It was very self aware and they made it work. 

The plot is relatively predictable and simplistic. You see the entire plot in the trailer but in a fun film like this it doesn't matter too much. It's not like there are any huge surprises, a guy gets super powers from a super suit and has to fight a villain with a better suit, it's more in the delivery and the fun that it has doing it that makes 'Ant-Man' enjoyable. 

There were a lot of scenes that made me laugh unexpectedly and I was worried about how they'd balance the humour with the action but it actually works well. There's a fun supporting cast that give some good comic relief when Paul Rudd's not there to provide it himself. 

I was disappointed that there was a love story crow-barred in between Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne, played by Evangeline Lilly, but it's always going to be on the cards in a movie like this. She's a strong female (with daddy issues) but still can't resist the charms of our leading man. It's a small complaint but I do feel that Marvel need to get with the times a bit more on these issues. It would have been funnier if the advances were always rejected but c'est la vie.

Overall, 'Ant-Man' is a fun movie that packs a lot of action and intrigue into what could have been a pretty bland superhero movie. It took a while to get going but once it got into it I was well on board. I wouldn't mind watching Paul Rudd interacting with the Avengers and he's definitely a superhero that I can get on board with. 

I wonder who else we could get into a superhero movie... *Cough* Owen Wilson *Cough*.

Just saying Marvel, make it happen. 

I would definitely watch that film.

Evil Dead (2013)

"You're all going to die tonight."

Seeing as the trailer for the TV series 'Ash vs Evil Dead' was dropped a couple of days ago, I thought I'd go back and talk about the 2013 remake of the original classic.

All I can say about this film is if you're squeamish, don't watch it...

A group of five friends head to a remote cabin in the woods to conduct a DIY rehab for their friend Mia, but the discovery of a Book of the Dead leads them to, unwittingly, summon evil demons.

This film is an absolute punch in the face from the get go. 

I'm a fan of the original 'Evil Dead' franchise but they've become pretty campy and entertaining over the years so this was a remake that I was actually excited to see. It was the perfect opportunity to bring a breath of fresh air to the franchise and bring it into the 21st century. It certainly does that and more.

'Evil Dead' skips to the chase in this no nonsense horror. 
It follows the basic plot from the original film but with a few more twisted little additions.
The book of the dead is opened and read from and all hell is released. It knows exactly what it is and what you want so it doesn't beat around the bush getting there. Straight from the opening scene you know this film is going to be a hell of a ride and the pace doesn't really let up. All the exposition and character relationships are done and dusted in the first 10 minutes which would be awfully clunky in any other film but 'Evil Dead' knows the audience and what we want so it gets it all out of the way nice and early.

Before you know it you're grabbed by the throat by this bone crunching horror, there's demons on the loose with all the gore and thrills you can shake a stick at... Or an electric meat knife. 

Although the story is basic, a group of friends in the woods have to survive an evil demon attack, it is the execution of 'Evil Dead' that makes it so special. It manages to stand on its own two feet while capturing the style of the original and respecting the source material. It is hardcore horror at its finest while still being entertaining and fun.

The film knows the plot holes and the flaws of the original so actively solves the gaping problems with clever story points. For instance, why don't they just leave the cabin? 

When shit hits the fan, and I mean really hits the fan, they can't leave the cabin because they believe that Mia is just reacting to the withdrawal symptoms of the rehab. It's nice that they acknowledge these basic issues and address them so that the plot has a little more logic.

It's nice to have an adult horror film. This isn't a horror film that is aimed at teenagers, it's not diluted down to a 12 or a 15 certificate for a younger audience. This is a straight up, hardcore 18 and rightly so. It's the perfect balance between brutality, thrills and scares. It'll make you laugh in places that you really shouldn't laugh and make you want to throw up at the same time. 

The acting is functional for the plot but you don't expect Oscar worthy performances in a film like this. You're more interested in whether or not they're going to survive the demons tearing them apart rather than the subtle nuances in their performances. Jane Levy is decent as our drug addicted heroine and carries the film alongside the rest of the passable performances.

This film is a war. It's a fight for survival and you have no idea if anyone's going to make it out in one piece... Literally.

The gore in the film is all practical, there's little to no CGI and the film benefits from it hugely. Everything is real and gritty. The make-up is phenomenal and really makes the difference, if everything was CGI in this film then I can guarantee that wouldn't have had the same effect. When there's an injury or a hard hitting piece of violence, you really feel it. Every flesh wound looks like it hurts and it draws you deeper into the film.

It takes no survivors and pulls no punches.

What I really love about the demon in this film is the fact that it's exactly what an evil demon should be. This thing isn't banging doors or going about saying "BOO!", this demon is malicious and doesn't waste any time. It wants these people dead and it wants them dead now. Those guys from 'Paranormal Activity' had it easy compared to what this group go through.

This remake restored my faith in modern horror in 2013 and is the reason why I still wade through the mass sewage of bad horror films that are released. When you find a little gem like this, it makes it all worth while. 'Evil Dead' got it right and I am still waiting for another film that can take up the gauntlet.

Overall, 'Evil Dead' is a great piece of modern horror that will knock the wind out of you. It's violent, it's scary and it's fun. If you're not a fan of horror then I think this will be a step too far for you but if there's an ounce of a horror fan in you then you'll love this. It all culminates to a huge finale that's literally a bloodbath and you'll be left breathless and gasping for more at the end. 

I'm actually really forward to the TV series now and suggest everyone watch 'Evil Dead' first. Hopefully there'll be just as much horror and just as much blood! 

"Promise, you'll stay till the end."

Terminator: Genisys (2015)

"The timeline John sent you to no longer exists. 

Everything's changed..."

Genisys? How do you say it? Is it just genesis?

Let's just call it what it is... It's Terminator 5.

In 1985, James Cameron gave us the unforgettable 'The Terminator'. I am a huge fan of 'The Terminator' and 'Terminator 2: Judgement Day'. They're by a director who had enough youthful energy and genius to pull off the low budget original, who then returned for a sequel with more money and made a film that was just as amazing. We can ignore the last two Terminator films in the franchise as James Cameron endorsed 'Terminator: Genisys', calling it the "official" third instalment in the franchise. I was beginning to think that this could be the film we've all been waiting for.

Unfortunately, this bloated and unnecessary sequel/prequel takes everything you love about the first and second films, erases them so that they never happened and gives us an inferior film to replace them...

'Terminator: Genisys' isn't as smart, isn't as thrilling and just isn't as good as the original two Terminator films.

It started off well with the apocalyptic future that we all know and love and I was digging the vibes that they had going. We saw the original events preceding the first movie and it was interesting to see the lead up to it. They managed to capture the future as the originals portrayed them. It had potential if it was to continue the way it was going but it quickly disintegrates. 

If every major plot point wasn't ruined by the trailers then it might have had the element of surprise on its side but you know the entire story from the trailer. Any tension that the film tries to create is deflated because you know what's next. I wouldn't waste two hours watching it, just watch the trailer and you'll get the whole film. 

The plot is convoluted and, at the end of the day, a bit clunky. It seems to have been made just for the sake of being made. There are plot holes within plot holes which is hard to avoid in time travel movies but this movie really unravels when you pull certain threads. What really bothered me about it is the fact that it makes a point of erasing the original two stories. This is a risky move because we all know and love the original films so they'd better have a fantastic excuse or a mind blowing retelling of the story to make that sacrifice worth it but, in the end, it's just not worth it. 

In terms of living up to the first two films 'Terminator: Genisys' isn't even in the same league. 

It has all the explosions and action that you'd like to see in a big budget hollywood adventure but without any of the tension, heart or power that it should have had. What made 'The Terminator' so heart-pounding was the danger and mystery of it all. When it steps up to 'Terminator 2: Judgement Day', the action is escalated to a whole new level and you feel like you're going into a warzone. 'Terminator: Genisys' has neither heart nor stakes. You don't care about anyone involved and you don''t feel like there's any danger so no matter how much money or CGI you throw at it, that fact still won't change.

It just goes to show that a talented directors vision can make all the difference.

Although he is a bit of a parody of himself in this film, Arnold Schwarzenegger is the best part of 'Terminator: Genisys'. He sits back into the role as the terminator comfortably and clearly has a lot of fun revisiting the character. He seems to be the only link left to connect people to the original films and he still has it, like he says in the film - "Old, but not obsolete".  He proves that he can still play an emotionless robot...

I thought Emilia Clarke as Sarah Connor was good. 
Despite wearing an extremely low cut v-neck t-shirt to a battle with a terminator instead of a bullet proof vest, she is relatively badass. Granted, she doesn't come close to the immense badassery of the original Sarah Connor, played by Linda Hamilton, but she does fill her shoes sufficiently. What actually really surprised me was how much she looked like Linda Hamilton too. A mixture of great make-up and clever acting helps you believe that she's the real Sarah Connor. Bravo Emilia Clarke.

This being said, the romance between her and Kyle Reece is pathetically written and quite hard to watch at times without cringing. They have zero chemistry. 

Jai Courtney is absolutely useless as Kyle Reece and doesn't come anywhere near to what Michael Biehn did with the character in the original. His performance was stiff and he could have been taken out of the movie and I wouldn't have missed him at all. 

He too proves that he can play an emotionless robot...

The CGI walks on a shaky tightrope, constantly balancing between abysmal and great. There are certain scenes that look worse than the CGI in 'Terminator 2: Judgment Day' which was 24 years ago. The fight between old Arnold and young Arnold and the opening apocalypse scenes are particularly bad. Although, the quality does pick up later on and you can see where the money was spent. 

I did enjoy the parallels to the original film but it all felt pointless in the end. Re-living scenes that you've seen in a better film is no way to enjoy a movie, I'd rather just watch the original classic and be done with all these remakes. 

Overall, 'Terminator: Genisys' started off with some potential but that hope is hastily shattered and it becomes insulting to the original two films. I am a die hard fan of the James Cameron films so it inevitably had a lot to live up to. Despite being associated with the terminator franchise, I think if you look at it as a stand alone film it still doesn't stack up too well. If it had stuck with the feel and the direction it was going in the first act then it could have been a decent sequel/prequel that I wouldn't have walked out of feeling cheated. 

I really wish that these terminator movies will be terminated and sorry Arnie but I hope that you won't be back...

"You're terminated, fucker."