Fantastic Film Reviews

The Imitation Game

Posted on March 5, 2015 by L

Benedict Cumberbatch stars as code breaker Alan Turing.

Pay attention.

When Benedict Cumberbatch tells you to do something, you obey. And it is his quiet authority that first draws us into the oddly charming world of Alan Turing.

The plot jumps between three timelines, which may sound confusing but is actually pivotal for providing insight into the mind of Turing. Cumberbatch makes fantastic use of each time zone to show the development and changes that Turing endured in a believable and often heartbreaking way.

This is not a film aimed at idolising Turing. He is shown as unsociable, awkward; and no, it’s no endearing. For the romantics among us, Kiera Knightley as Joan Clarke provides an insight into a more compassionate Turing, but it is secondary to his genius of creating a code breaking machine.

The Imitation Game is based on a story that is fairly widely known, especially after Turing was posthumously pardoned recently for his conviction for homosexuality. However, the dramatisation coupled with some fantastic acting creates a wonderful perspective to the story.

This film seems to have arrived at a time when us film lovers seem to have a passion for real life stories being projected on the big screen. This film is in great company with such films as Dallas Buyers Club and The Theory of Everything. A little bit of triumph and a little bit of sadness are sometimes all we need to relate to a film that otherwise would mean nothing to us.

If you’re still in need of some more persuading to grab this on DVD, this inspirational quote from the film should be just what you’re looking for:

“Sometimes, it’s the people no one imagines anything of that do the things no one can imagine.”

For anyone interested in finding out more, you can visit Bletchley Park where most of the film was set. There’s a whole lot of history there if watching the film inspires you to discover more.

The Imitation Game is released on DVD in the UK on the 9^th March.

Rating: 3.5/5

Cast:

Benedict Cumberbatch – Alan Turing

Kiera Knightley – Joan Clarke

Matthew Goode – Hugh Alexander

Charles Dance – Commander Denniston

Alex Lawther – Young Alan Turing

Whiplash

Posted on January 16, 2015 by L

Blood, sweat and tears have never been so literal.

J.K. Simmons plays an instructor who knows no bounds.

Although a film about drumming may not appeal to everyone, it’s definitely worth giving this one a chance. As the saying goes, don’t judge a book by its cover. After all, who doesn’t love a fantastically gritty indie film?

The film focuses around Andrew, played by Miles Teller, a jazz drummer at a prestigious music school. At the centre of the story is his turbulent relationship with his teacher Fletcher. J.K. Simmons is brilliantly cast in this role and has already picked up numerous awards for his portrayal, including a Golden Globe.

The levels of complexity in this relationship are truly outstanding, constantly switching your perspective from tough love to just plain tough. The volatility displayed here, although more extreme than most of us have ever experienced, is certainly reminiscent of many school teachers with a passion for their subjects. It’s emotional blackmail, but you can’t help but feel that for most of the film theres a purpose behind it.

Music is obviously a key theme too, throughout the entire film and there is plenty of talent on show. If you’re a music novice like myself, it’s impossible to tell what’s real and what is just clever post-production. Teller, at least, uses his genuine skill at drums to bring as much realism as possible to the film. In his own words, “It would look weird” if he were to fake it.

This true skill may account for the connection that you will undoubtedly feel towards Teller’s character Andrew. He is undeniably unlikeable by traditional standards, as well as being self-centred in the extreme. And yet he is incredibly genuine, something often lacking in our modern society. It seems we’re willing to forgive someone their flaws, so long as they’re willing to recognise them.

Rating: 4/5

Cast:

Miles Teller – Andrew

J.K. Simmons – Fletcher

Paul Reiser – Jim Neimann

Melissa Benoist – Nicole

Photo Credit (header image): BagoGames, license – https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode

The Theory of Everything

Posted on January 1, 2015 by L

Warning: this one’s a weepy.

Eddie Redmayne, who plays Stephen Hawking

Before you treat yourself to a cinema trip for this one, it is worth reminding yourself that this is a true story. There’s no explosions, no cleverly used CGI and no baddies to hate; and yet it’s still epic.

The real beauty in this film is actually its lack of dramatisation. The realness of the story and the emotions conveyed by the cast make this a film that tugs at your heart strings long after the closing credits roll off the screen.

Stephen Hawking is obviously a globally renowned figure and most of us don’t need to watch a film to know his basic life story. Cambridge educated, scientist extraordinaire and motor neurone disease sufferer, nothing can prepare you for just how much one man has experienced and achieved.

Praise must of course go to Eddie Redmayne for his portrayal of Hawking, having to adapt his style with the progression of Hawking’s disease. It is undoubtedly a sensitive subject – how do you play someone with a degenerative disease in a wholly real and honest way, whilst still ensuring their personality comes across?

That is what this film does so brilliantly. It’s a film about the life of a great scientist, who’s ideas have changed the world. What it is not, is a film about motor neurone disease.

And it’s truly brilliant.

Rating: 4.5/5

Cast:

Eddie Redmayne – Stephen Hawking

Felicity Jones – Jane Hawking

Charlie Cox – Johnathan Hellyer-Jones

Christian McKay – Roger Penrose

Maxine Peake – Elaine Mason