AMERICAN HUSTLE - FILM REVIEW

Release Date: 1st January 2014 (UK)

Age Certificate: 15

Running Time: 138 mins

Director: David O. Russell

Writers: Warren Singer and David O. Russell

Stars: Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Bradley Cooper

At first glance I thought American Hustle was an over glamorous comedy, oh, how wrong I was.

The first scene of American Hustle made me chuckle, it’s always a nice surprise to be greeted by such a strong opening image. 

The direction and acting come together in a wonderful storm. David O. Russell has had two great films in the last three years; Silver Linings Playbook is not included. American Hustle has taken the film headlines, as it being nominated for ten Oscars. This film keeps you engaged from start to finish and you don’t find your mind wondering what you’re having for dinner. 

 Christian Bale steals the spotlight for two reasons. The first being his terrific acting, and the second being another dramatic weight gain. I don’t think anybody knows how he does it. He defiantly deserves to be nominated for best actor; again.

The direction is fairly fresh, which is pleasant to see. However, it’s not anything we’ve not seen before. Yes, this is a very typical Oscar film, but it’s not anything to turn your nose up over. 

Like I said, it’s engaging to watch and indeed should be watched. Oh, there's also the wardrobe.

8.0/10

THE WOLF OF WALL STREET - FILM REVIEW

Release Date: 17th January 2014 (UK)
Age Certificate: 18
Running Time: 180 mins
Director: Martin Scorsese
Writers: Terence Winter and Jordan Belfort
Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill and Margot Robbie

Based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, from his rise to a wealthy stockbroker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government.

Let’s start off with the negatives for a change. First, the character Jordan Belfort is totally unlikeable and a huge dick. I know this is the point of the film, you’re not supposed to know what happens to the unfortunate souls that buy nothing from him, and see his uncontrollable success. But the fact remains it doesn’t usually make a good film if you fail to back the main protagonist. The second failure of The Wolf is the over indulgent party scenes, there are too many to be frank. I am struggling to comprehend what Scorsese was pondering what to take out when ordered to do so. To give the benefit of the doubt, the party scenes do produce enough laughs to pull you through the film. However, the main point remains, you don’t care whether this guy dies, lives, is arrested or lives happily ever after.

The strengths are obvious; it looks marvelous, as it would, coming from Scorsese.  It’s also fast paced which is always nice in a film. The three hour time limit has been criticised, which I partly agree with, however, it doesn’t necessarily feel three hours. Finally, the acting is top notch. Saying that, I still think Leonardo DiCaprio still won’t win the Oscar, which is indeed disappointing, but one day he will achieve. He’s too much of a great talent to be forgotten in the Oscar timeline. Jonah Hill, for me, will always be remembered as the loser from Superbad, and that’s a shame. 

Good for some laughs and a spectacle for great acting. The Wolf of Wall Street is an adult film for teenagers.

7/10

GRAVITY - FILM REVIEW

Release Date: 7th November 2013

Age Certificate: 12A

Running Time: 91 mins

Director: Alfonso Cuaron

Writer: Alfonso Cuaron and Jonas Cuaron

Stars: Sandra Bullock and George Clooney

Gravity, a film about the lack of gravity.

It sees Sandra Bullock and George Clooney fixing a satellite in the atmosphere of space, only to find that debris is hurdling their way, they then have to use instincts to survive. 

 

The first, and most obvious feature of Gravity is the use of special effects, they are sublime. The opening shot is an overview of Earth and all you can hear are faint radio stations. I was excited before the film began, but when this shot filled up the screen it was unbelievable. As well as the film being silent, the cinema was silent, this is unprecedented, usually you have a woman with a nose bag strapped on filled with popcorn and hot dogs sitting next to you. Anyway, the rest of the film is filled with hundreds of effects to keep the whole world talking. 

I always like a film that has little dialogue and one major dilemma. However, the main problem with Gravity is its ending. I’m not going to spoil it, but it was just too ridiculous, this is to be said for a few features in the film, but especially the end. 

There’s not much to be said for the acting, other than it was great, it was good to get a back story to Bullock’s character, and she managed to pull the heart strings well. Sometimes the back stories are forced on to the audience and half the time it feels like the character doesn’t believe in it either. In Gravity this was not the case. 

Gravity needs to be seen in cinema, do not wait for this to come out on DVD, watch on the biggest screen possible. 

8.5/10