FUNNY PEOPLE (15)

Starring: Adam Sandler, Lelise Mann, Seth Rogan, Jonah Hill, Eric Bana
Directed by: Judd Apatow

They say that you should never judge a book by it's cover and in the case of Funny People the same can be said of the title of the film.

You would assume that if it has a word in the title then this is a clue of what to expect. Take recent cinematic releases; (500) Days of Summer - the lead female is called Summer, so that makes sense. Dance Flic - the film is about dancing and dance films. I could go on...

However Funny People is just lying, it is not all that funny, it provokes a couple of laughs here and there but to say that the "talent" involved in the film it should have you rolling in the aisles. Writer and director, Judd Apatow is responsible for some of the cleverest and funniest comedies of the last few years such as, Knocked Up, and The 40Year Old Virgin. Yet in this film he doesn't seem to have reached his full potential that we know he is capable of.

The film could even be described as life imitating art, in the sense that Adam Sandlers character, George Simmons is a bit of a washed up success story who has now gone back to his roots of stand up after discovering some life changing news and no longer claims as big a pay cheque. Sander himself has been off the radar for a while now and then rather than making his comeback with a box office smash he stars in more of a car (CASH) crash.

Some joy comes from Rogan's role as a clutching at straws, clueless and naive stand up is both believe able and endearing. Miles away from his usual type of role and he actually pulls it off as the sweet, sentimental schmuck convincingly.

Support comes from his side kick in life, Jonah Hill (fast becoming the Matt Damon/Ben Affleck partnership of their generation) as the more successful roommate and from Apatow's wife, Leslie Mann (wonder how she got the part ?) The highlight is a rare comedic turn from Eric Bana as the jealous husband with anger management issues.

The film has a heart and sadly at over 2 and half hours it slows down pretty rapidly. If like me you are intrigued about Sandler's more obscure and less obvious roles or just want to see Eric Bana punch Sandler in the face and Sandler punch Seth Rogan then this could be for you.



Amy Victoria Gathercole

Moon (15)

I am not a sci-fi fan (confession time) and I’ve never even seen the Star Wars saga. But I am a big Sam Rockwell fan. This one film has changed my opinion on the genre. Rockwell plays the man on the moon who is responsible for sending Helium 3 (the energy source that powers over 70% of the world’s population) back to Earth. Initially the film appears to be going down the path that 2001 Space Odyssey took but then the unexpected starts to occur.

He has no “live” connection to Earth, the only way he has to communicate is through delayed messages that he receives from his bosses and his wife, Tess. He isn’t insane or crazy and he has not lost his mind as he has GERTY (voiced by Kevin Spacey) to take care of him and to talk to. GERTY is a super human computer whose sole mission is to take care of Sam Bell. Even though Spacey’s physical presence is not actually present on screen, you feel as if it is.

Out on day on one of his routine drives, across the moon (as you do) Sam is distracted by what he is convinced is another person and crashes. He awakes in the infirmary of the ship with GERTY attending to him; however as is often the case in science fiction films everything is not what is appears to be...

A terrific and intricate performance is what Rockwell gives throughout this film; he is the only person on screen for the entire film and features in practically every scene. His past work has left a lasting impression; he never goes for the obvious roles and is fast becoming an indie film icon. Very few actors take on the challenge of being in a film solo, some are successful – Tom Hanks in Castaway and some, not so much – Nic Cage in Adaptation. Director, Duncan Jones hired the right man, made a film for $5m million and shot it over 33 “intense and incredibly exhausting” days. Not only that but he also personally posted on popular film site – IMDB a message of thanks to fans of the films and an apology to the people who didn’t like it all that much. What a guy!

Just wanted to send out a huge thank you to all of you who seem to be getting something out of this little, British, independent film. We made it for $5 million, over 33 intense days.

As soon as the credits rolled and I left the cinema confused and full of questions, I wanted to tell the world how beautiful the film was that I had just watched and how impressive and intimate it felt.

If you want to see a great film, sci-fi fan or not, give this a shot.

Amy V Gathercole

The Proposal (PG)

I’m a sucker for a rom-com and for Ryan Reynolds (who isn’t?), since his early days as Berg in Two Guys a Girl and A Pizza Place he has showed promise and he’s currently one of the few actors in Hollywood that can be said to be adaptable. His CV recently reads as, a psycho (Wade Wilson in Wolverine), a devoted to his daughter divorcee (Definitely Maybe) and he is recently reported to be launching into comic book capers playing the Green Lantern.

This man has nothing to complain about, a half of one of the hottest couples in Hollywood and he certainly cannot complain of being typecast, like so many of his peers.

Bullocks CV reads a tad differently, she’s never really experimented with her roles they usually always come back to her as the romantic lead in some shape or form even all those years ago when she was screaming on a bus/boat in Speed 1 and 2. Even when she’s playing a detective or a witch she still manages to find romance, or not as the case may be.

This time we’re in the world of book publishing, Margret (Bullock) is Andrews (Reynolds) boss and upon discovering that she is going to be deported comes up with the cover story that her and Andrew are engaged to be married and so ensues a trip to Sitka, Alaska where Andrews’s parents live.

A deal is struck that If Andrew lies to everyone and agrees to marry his bitch of a boss then she will give him the thing that he has wanted most in the world since working for her , a promotion to editor. So off they go on their long weekend only to b greeted by crazy Grandmas (Betty White) who like to chant in the woods, ex fiancés who blatantly never got over the heartache that they were left with (Malin Akerman) and awkward family histories to be rehashed. Problems lie with the bloke who is determined that they are lying Mr Gilbertson (Denis O'Hare), and wants to deport Margret and crazy chaos and embarrassment are caused by Ramón, (Oscar Nuñez) the local ....erm local.

It’s a fun film that yes, has been seen before but it is still enjoyable, the leads have genuine chemistry and great comedic timing and most importantly at the heart of it their situation is believable, therefore it is relatable for the audience.
One of the better rom-coms of the year with some memorable scenes and guaranteed to cause a smile and possibly even a tear.

Amy V Gathercole

The Ugly Truth (15)

It’s not often that the title of a film sums it up perfectly, in this case its spot on...this film U-G-L-Y and it ain’t got no alibi (in the words of 90s teen pop stars Daphne and Celeste). It has two pretty big names in it who in the past have given not quite impressive performances but certainly watchable ones.

Abby (Katherine Heigl) is a very successful television producer and Mike (Gerard Butler) is her worst nightmare, an egotistical, anti-feminist bloke who tells it like it is, well how he thinks it is. Her problem is that everyone loves him, especially her boss. Expected to work alongside one another to up their networks ratings a strange relationship forms and a bet is placed. Mike will teach/coach Abby to snare her man by being completely the opposite of who she is.

From an entertainment point of view the film hardly causes a chuckle, nothing is very original and from a moral point of view what kind of message is it to send that women are as shallow and ridiculous as (some) men perceive them to be? (Shame on you Sony Pictures.)

The main problem is that it tries too hard, take another recent rom-com, The Proposal – granted it had a different target audience and it may have been predictable from the opening credits but it had what a rom-com needs, two believable leads with comedic timing and chemistry, this is where The Ugly Truth looses out.
Interestingly it is written and executive produced by women, one of which is Heigl herself.

Credit where credits due Cheryl Hines and John Michael Higgins are uplifting and cringingly entertaining as the married anchors on the show.

The film is as flimsy and forgettable as Abby’s vibrating underwear.

Amy V Gathercole

My Sisters Keeper (12 A)

To quote a film of an entirely different genre “a brother’s love ...is a brother’s love” (Gone in 60 Seconds) this film tells the story of a sister’s devotion and unequivocal love for her sister. Anna Fitzgerald (Breslin) is the younger sibling and Kate is her older sister who is dying of Cancer. Anna was genetically manufactured (as she calls it) with one sole purpose – to save Kate.

It transpires that she has been doing so involuntarily since the day she was born. Problems ensue when Kate weakens and her condition worsens. Anna decides to seek help to sue her parents (Diaz and Patric) for medical emancipation so that she can have the medical rights to her own body. Although, things aren’t as they appear and not everyone in the family is willing to look deep enough to uncover the truth.
The film takes you on a journey, one that is difficult to watch, delivers a harsh reality but proves that life is not to be taken for granted.

Breslin is outstanding as usual and is tackling very different subject matter as with the rest of the cast she plays is competently and confidently.
Considering that it was directed by the same man who brought us cinematic weepy, The Notebook you won’t be surprised to know that tissues are recommended.

It is a tough film to watch and it gets progressively more difficult as time ticks on and as Kate and her families tragic story is told via a series confusing flashbacks alongside present day action.

Amy V Gathercole

Public Enemies (15)

On first hearing about this film I was as excited as a mobster in a bank. Michel “Heat” Mann (we’ll not mention his more recent work.... such as Miami Vice), with Christian Bale AND Jonny Depp. I’m glad to report that it does not disappoint . . .entirely. The title itself is ironic as Dillinger was far from the number one enemy in America to its people who idolised him and his cocky nature and take- no-bullshit- attitude.

Suits, boots and cahoots is what the film offers and with abundance. The era is one of The Great Depression - 1933. Telling the story of modern day Robin Hood, John Dillinger, a guy who robbed from the poor and the rich alike yet they all still loved him and he was quite the celebrity of his day. Together with his associates, Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd he managed to escape three jails and steal thousands, he could go through a bank in “1 minute, 40seconds FLAT”.

It can never be said that Depp takes the safe route and here is no exception, at times you still need a little more convincing that he is actually a gangster as he does not look all that comfortable carrying and firing a machine gun but as it’s Depp we’ll forgive him. Interestingly Dillinger was fifteen years younger than Depp (46) at the time of his death yet throughout the film there is pure confidence on his part.

Even without the slick new HD filming format the film would have a sharp feel about it due to its dialogue, but as gangster films of this era often do, it instantly has more class, charisma and character but the HD adds extra intimate detail.

The key basic element that the film lacks is that of character back-story and development, you never see Purvis (Bale) out of his work life, whereas Dillinger is summed up pretty well in his introduction to his love interest, Bille Frechette (Marion Cottillard) - "I like baseball, movies, good clothes, fast cars... and you. What else do you need to know?” and sadly Mann seems to take the same attitude towards the rest of the film, the constant and continuing game of cat and mouse between Dillinger and Purvis could have been so much more, it does not really become interesting until the final scenes when Dillinger makes a fool of Purvis who is then spurned to gain his revenge.

Amy V Gathercole

Charlie Bartlett (15)

Anthony Yelchin reminds you of a young Tom cruise (Think Risky Business) crossed with Michael J Fox. The film pretty much carries on where Juno left off and has got indie cult hit written all over it and a lot of comparisons can be drawn with Ferris from cult 80’s film, Ferris Buellers Day Off.

Having been kicked out of his rather plush, posh private school for a fake ID scam, Charlie is sent to West Summit High, which could not be more of an opposite to what he is accustomed to, no uniform, calling teachers by their first names and finally, freedom.

Finding himself in unfamiliar and unfriendly surroundings, beaten up by the resident school bully and having a crush on the principals’ daughter played by the ever emerging star, Kat Dennigs. Charlie has certainly got his work cut out for himself. So seeing as his mums a tad kooky, (Hope Davis)and he’s not really what you would call normal, his family have a live in physiatrist and being the entrepreneur that he is, Charlie exploits this and sets up an office in the boys bathroom and with the help of Murphy he sets up a business selling prescription medication to his fellow schoolmates.
What I loved about this film was its ability to deal with real issues that actually face adolescents and students alike, from, losing your virginity to attempted overdoses and suicide.

Where he learns a few lessons, falls in love and does what a lot of students would love to do, he even punches the principal.

There are some great performances in this film from the supporting cast; Tyler Hilton was last seen in Biopic of Johnny Cash, Walk the Line as the one and only Elvis. He originally came from hit American TV show, One Tree Hill and here he plays Murphey, the resident bad boy with a heart.

(Iron) Man of the moment Robert Downey Jr is absolutely brilliant as the psychotic principal with a drink dependency. I’m thinking that maybe since rehab and quitting alcohol that playing characters who like their drink is possibly his version of therapy? – Tony Stark, Paul Avery in Zodiac and now Nathan Gardener.

Amy V Gathercole

Revolutionary Road (15)

The American Dream meets the (great) American Depression. Strained silence, cruel conversations and crucial consequences sums up the state the Wheelers’ marriage and ultimately their existence.

Wheelers... meet the wheelers; they’re the typical suburban fam-ily! Frank (Di-Caprio) and Alice Wheeler (Kate Winslet) have it all, a nice house with the white picket fence in suburbia, pleasant neighbours and two gorgeous children. However this is not enough for either of them, both want more and both, for separate reasons cannot come to terms with the everyday monotonous mundane misery that has become their lives. Alice believes that a fresh start in Europe, Paris will be just what they need and naively decides that it will solve all of their problems. Frank is not convinced and both of them engage in their own elicit affairs and dalliances.

Lady of the moment, Kate Winslet proves that this really is her year, teary and over the top acceptance speeches aside... she has been Nominated and already gained glory for her somewhat harrowing performance in ‘The Reader’. This time she plays a woman who to an outsider appears to have it all, the complete ‘American Dream’. For director, Sam Mendes it is not the first time he has tackled such subject matter, 1998’s American Beauty follows the lives of people with the same issue(s) and not unlike the past Oscar winner, Revolutionary Road also has an unsavoury ending.

The film itself deals with two issues that are very much frowned upon within America and society in general in the present day, let alone in the 1950’s. Considering that ‘Brokeback Mountain’ also concerned itself with a controversial issue it draws interesting comparisons with regard to the shock factor. Another film with which similarities can be seen is ‘Vera Drake’. The first half of the film has a very slow pace and honestly it is quite boring, it is only later that you come to realise that this is deliberate and is intended to make you feel the way that Alice does; bored, tiresome and awkward.

Do not go and see this film expecting to leave in high spirits, there is some humour although, it is fleeting. It is depressing and dismal.

In two words it is, Eloquently Despondent.

Amy V Gathercole

Pride and Glory (15)

I have been waiting to see this film with built up anticipation for nearly a year and it did not disappoint! Set in New York State the film depicts a saga centred on a multi-generational family of NYPD officers. The family's moral codes are tested, their ethics are questions and an ultimate question is asked; what will they sacrifice? When Ray Tierney (An excellent Norton), investigates a case that reveals an incendiary police corruption scandal involving his own brother-in-law. For Ray, the truth is revelatory, a Pandora's Box that threatens to upend not only the Tierney legacy but the entire NYPD.

All the cast are on terrific form - particularly Ed Norton (Ray Tierney) and Colin Farrell (Jimmy Egan). There are essentially three brothers, two by blood and one by marriage. The age old story of corrupt cops and their culpability is at the centre of the film and at its heart are family values and loyalty that rival the ones in seen The Godfather trilogy.

Over the last year we have seen films such as Harsh Times, In The Valley of Elah, The Departed and more recently Street Kings and Righteous Kill, all of which concern the American Police Force in some way or other and have placed emphasis on down and out city areas. Pride and Glory does do all of this but with an original twist, it is not obvious from the outset who is involved in what and too what extent. Which is great as it keeps you guessing the majority of the way through the film, the climax is a bit of a shock.

What are you willing to give up and in the end who are you willing to fight for? One of the best scenes is what is supposed to be a showdown fight between two of the “brothers”. The setting is in a bar and the two go at it like school boys in a playground, the strange element of it is that in the background the jukebox is blaring Irish instrumental folk music.

My only criticism is the fact that the first thirty minutes is full of unessecary f-bombs and a lot of Spanish dialogue, strangely without subtitles. Other than that the film is homage to the great gangster films made in yester year. A muscular, old-school American film, with big themes splashed on a big canvas, it is both familiar and original at the same time. In an Age of Irony, these are the kinds of films that you rarely see anymore. An honest and gripping drama from start to climax, I can honestly say that I have not been this gripped in the cinema since seeing American Gangster.

Amy V Gathercole

PINEAPPLE EXPRESS (15)

Over recent years many terms have been coined within cinema to describe new genres. Such as the rom-com, the rom-zom com and now instead of a romance we have; “The Bro-mance”, which is the relationship between two blokes in a totally platonic relationship. (Apparently). However in interviews the male leads have said that “as research they dated for three months” prior to shooting.

The film is a mass mixture of guns blazing action, laugh out loud (and roll around) comedy with illegal substances thrown in, for good measure. Dale Denton (Rogan) is a civil servant in his late twenties, who is dating a senior in high school and who likes to engage in illegal hobbies, aka getting high. Saul Silver is his dealer (Franco) who just wants a friend. Dale witnesses Ted Jones “the don” played brilliantly by Gary Cole (A long way away from the Brady Bunch films I feel) murder someone and so ensues hilarious antics, the worst get away ever and a lot of intoxication.

How this film actually got past the censorship rules I honestly have no clue and the fact that the version I saw in the states is different to the one we get in the U.K is an interesting representation of the standards that the British cinematic association upholds. The trailer did not even include weed despite the fact that the entire film is about being stoned.

The latest from cinematic indie God, – Judd Apatow. In which we see a fantastic pairing, (re united from when they were in the American T.V. show – Freaks and Geeks.) James Franco and Seth Rogan.

This film actually had me on the floor in the isle laughing and my friend inhaled his popcorn, it really is that great. Think Superbad only . . . better. (Yes it is possible!)

Amy V Gathercole