WILD

So what’s it about?

Cheryl (Reese Witherspoon) embarks on a 1,100 mile hike up the west of America in a battle against her demons. After divorcing her husband, the death of her mother and years of reckless behaviour she challenges herself to walk from Mexico to Canada.

In other words…

A lot of physical and mental pain.

Wait, wasn't this a book?

Yes, it’s based on Cheryl Strayed’s novel Wild: From lost to found on the Pacific Crest Trail. Nick Hornby adapted the screenplay and like Cheryl does with the unnecessary pages in her books, he shreds the parts that aren't needed. While the book tends to wallow in self pity, Hornby presents a tougher version of the main character.

The main men and leading ladies…

Reese Witherspoon (obviously) steals the show in this solo journey of human endurance. She’s nominated for Best Actress at the Academy Awards for what is arguably her best performance since Election. She was nominated for the same award at the Golden Globes but didn't win.

In the chair…

Jean-Marc Vallee is best known for last year’s Dallas Buyer’s Club and he kept the same editor and cinematographer he worked with on the award winning 2014 hit. 

So…?

This is a journey in ever sense of the word but while it’s beautiful and inspiring it’s all a bit clichéd. Ok we get it, life sucks, go on a profound trip, rise to the challenges and come out the other end a better person. Throw in a series of flashbacks and some emotional monologues and you have the crutch of this movie. Or any travelling-to-find-yourself movie for that matter. Nothing makes this stand out from the rest. There’s no real climax and the end is forgettable because the drama isn't what happens to her, it's what happens inside her. There was also too much emphasis on feminism that instead of making her seem stronger it did the opposite and undermined her. In saying that, though, it is exciting, tense, well acted and actually a very uplifting journey.

Worth the money?

Check it out when it comes on TV. While Hornby does his best to deter it away from the cheesy emotional tone it's still quite Oscar baity. 

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING

So what’s it about?

This Stephen Hawking biopic begins with him (Eddie Redmayne) meeting Jane (Felicity Jones) while he’s at Oxford University studying for his PHD and goes on to reflect their relationship throughout his battle with Motor Neurone Disease.

In other words…

A love story with an unwelcome third wheel.

The main men and leading ladies…

Eddie Redmayne is an strong contender for Best Actor at the Oscars after picking up a Golden Globe for his outstanding depiction of the scientist. From his body movement to his speech the resemblance is remarkable. Felicity Jones has been around for what feels like forever but this will help catapult her onto bigger things now. She expresses her love, affection and frustration beautifully making it easy to identify with her.

In the chair…

James Marsh hasn't done much to date (Shadow Dancer, Project Nim and the documentary Man on Wire are as big as they come) but he's worked with screenwriter Anthony McCarten, who adapted this story from Jane Hawking’s memoirs, for his biggest mission to date.

So…?

For those who don’t know much about Hawking this is an educational and insightful tale, and those who are a bit more clued up will appreciate the humanity and emotion behind it. This moving biopic is excellently written and captures the imagination. The story is less about physics and more about love and thanks to Redmayne the audience will have fallen in love with Hawking. His mischievousness shines through and despite his inability to speak towards the end of the movie you still feel a strong connection with him. No prosthetics or special effects were used to create his mannerisms or body language either, what you see is what you get with Redmayne and that extra effort (and physical discomfort) deserves credit. 

Worth the money?

Unless you have a heart of stone, yes.

BIRDMAN or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

So what's it about? 

Years after staring as iconic superhero Birdman, washed up actor, Riggan (Michael Keaton), attempts to make a comeback in the form of theatre. But in the lead up to his opening night he has to battle a midlife crisis, overcoming his own ego and the rocky relationships with everyone in his life.

In other words…

Delving into the murky world of theatre.

The main men and leading ladies…

Could the former Batman, Michael Keaton, be reflecting his own story here as the former superhero superstar making a comeback in a dark, complicated, arthouse drama? Edward Norton is back to his best, Emma Stone never left her best and wait, is that Zach Galifianakis playing a serious role?

In the chair…

Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu makes life difficult for himself by making the film look as though it’s shot in one long take. The use of steadicams and clever, discreet editing emphasises the feeling of claustrophobia backstage in a theatre.

So…?

With many underlying themes and troubled characters, Birdman is deep and complex, done in a beautifully unique manner. Just like theatre itself it’s strange, cold and harsh. The director chose to shoot and edit in this slick style because in reality life is one take - nothing is edited and something is always around the corner - perhaps a lot more realistic approach to cinema than 3D? Riggan is out of touch with everything; people, reality, his career, even social media and he has to battle Birdman, his alter ego who acts as both the devil on his shoulder and the voice of reason. It could have been hideously pretentious but instead it worked like a treat. And take note The Grand Budapest Hotel – this is how percussion should be used.

Worth the money?

For sure.

THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES

Basically…

In the third and final instalment the dwarves have to defeat Smaug the dragon (Benedict Cumberbatch) and then take on opposing armies before reclaiming Erebor as their home.

In other words…

Yet another one.

The main men and leading ladies…

Martin Freeman is, as ever, untouchable. Ian McKellen is just the same old Gandalf we know and love while Richard Armitage takes a dark turn as Thorin hunts for the much sought after Arkenstone.

In the chair…

Peter Jackson finally completes over a decade of work with his sixth epic but come on, it just wasn't necessary. He’s been getting a bit carried away lately and didn't need to replicate the magnitude of Lord of the Rings for a much smaller story.

So…?

Someone needs to take a knife and absolutely butcher this trilogy because the editors certainly didn't do it. In all honesty this shouldn't have been more than a two-part mission with the journey and meeting Smaug being part one, with the subsequent battles taking part in the sequel. Too much time was given to Gandalf and the elves as they paved the way for the Lord of the Rings, they're side plots were so unnecessary it came across as nothing more than padding. The battles resembled the The Two Towers so it was nothing we hadn't seen before and some parts were so far fetched it made the unbelievable, well, even more unbelievable. At least there weren't 25 endings this time, and Billy Connelly’s dry humour worked a treat (“Oh come on!”), but in essence this was just Middle Earth porn. Completely unnecessary but ticked all the boxes and kept the fans happy.

Worth the money?

Only if you need to complete the trilogy for closure. 

GET SANTA

Basically…

When Steve (Rafe Spall) is released from prison he wants to do everything he can to be a good father to his four year old son Tom (Kit Connor). But on hearing the news Santa (Jim Broadbent) has been arrested, Tom wants to help break him out of prison.

In other words…

Miracle on 34^th Street meets The Santa Clause.

The main men and leading ladies…

Rafe Spall plays the young dad trying to make up for lost time but somehow gets sucked back into the life of crime. He’s well cast and comes across as a lovable idiot. After the terrible news Kris Kringle himself, Richard Attenborough, passed away this year no one will be able to step into his Santa boots…but Jim Broadbent does a pretty good job at coming close.

In the chair…

Watch Christopher Smith take his career down an entirely different road with a family comedy after horror films such as Triangle, Severance and Creep. He branches out well.

So…?

This has a hint of Miracle on 34^th Street – with Santa being sent to prison – mixed with The Santa Clause because Steve has to take on the role of Old Saint Nick in an attempt to salvage Christmas. Combining the two works wonderfully and the cast really make this click. It’s genuinely funny, with enough hohohos for kids and adults alike, and contrary to other opinions, the Lapland trip adds the perfect dose of magic to an already strong plot. It has a mix of everything you want in a festive film and there’s a good chance this will be on your annual watch list for years to come. What a lovely early surprise gift.

Worth the money?

Yes, go and fill yourself with festive joy. 

PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR

Basically…

Four penguins join forces with an undercover organisation, led by a husky (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch), to fight against the evil Dr Octavius (voiced by John Malkovich) before he destroys the world.

In other words…

Great actors attempt career suicide.

The main men and leading ladies…

Let’s be honest, no one was going to go and see this for the four voices of the penguins – otherwise known as the buddies off the Shrek set. No, it was Cumberbatch, Malkovich and perhaps even Ken Jeong who would attract the audience. But unfortunately their brilliance couldn't shine through the pile of poo they’d dived head first into.

In the chair…

Eric Darnell, known for, basically, all the Madagascar films, and Simon J. Smith, known for even less, should be going back to school for a lesson in, umm, well, everything. Hopefully no bonus cheques were paid out for this one.

So…?

Imagine a bucket of utter drivel. Now imagine drowning in said bucket of said drivel. That’s what it feels like watching this movie. Right from the start it’s ridiculous. The designers must have produced the ugliest penguins of all time, they aren't likable in any shape or form, are increasingly loud and in your face, and perhaps even more irritating, the new born penguin has an alarmingly adult voice. The dry wit of Cumberbatch and Malkovich was attempted to be written into the script but even they couldn't salvage this slapstick disaster. It was so busy it was as though you’d taken a giant breath at the start and went head first into a whirlwind of idiocy. Fortunately it came to an end eventually but regrettably it won't be long before the next Dreamworks disaster is wheeled out.  

Worth the money?

Do us all a favour and don’t give this movie a penny…it might encourage them to make another one.

INTERSTELLAR

Basically…

A growing problem with dust in the atmosphere is rendering planet Earth uninhabitable. A NASA physicist plans to move the planet’s population to a new home via a wormhole but has to send a team of researchers, including Cooper (Matthew McConaughey), to discover where in space is the best option.

In other words…

Gravity with a storyline.

The main men and leading ladies…

Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway get the job done without offending or particularly thrilling anyone on either side of the likability scale. Jessica Chastain and MacKenzie Foy play the old and young Murph adding the more emotional aspects of the movie.

In the chair…

With Memento, Inception and even The Prestige to an extent, another mindfuck was almost inevitable from Christopher Nolan. At almost three hours long he should have made better use of his editor though. And wrote a better third act...

So…?

What is it with big budget movies set in space getting overhyped this year? Just like Gravity this produced yet another anticlimax because of the who-ha surrounding its release. Let’s break it down – it’s a good idea and it unfolds well. It’s exciting, intriguing and original. It even has a great, unexpected cameo. But then the third act comes along and we’re slapped in the face by the bootstrap paradox. Did no one learn from Terminator?! The bootstrap paradox is when an item, person or information is passed from the future to the past, and is then used in the original timeline, creating a never ending loop with no origin. It’s not clever, it just doesn't work because adding something new would create an alternative timeline. Come on Nolan, you’re better than that.  

Worth the money?

If you don'd mind bootstrap paradoxes? Sure, even if it's just for that wave on the big screen.