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