The Revenant: Quick-Fire Review

Check out my review of Oscars contender The Revenant, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson and Will Poulter.

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Cinema Review - The Wolf Of Wall Street

Martin Scorsese's directorial career has spanned no less than 4 decades, in which he has presented to audiences a rich array of powerful stories, enigmatic characters and simply scintillating cinematic adventures that are more than often unmatched. A man who possesses a filmography that speaks for itself, Scorsese knows no limits to his creations, and The Wolf Of Wall Street is one cinematic entry that will once again live long in the memory.

Based on the true life story of stockbroker Jordan Belfort, The Wolf Of Wall Street follows the young go-getter (Leonardo DiCaprio) as he heads into the bullpen and tackles one of the toughest and meanest industries known to man. Introduced immediately by cocaine-snorting, money-lusting Mark Hanna (Matthew McConaughey), Jordan soon finds himself at the heart of proceedings as he loses his job, but then finds his drive and determination resuting in his own company and a whole wealth of opportunities.

Banding together a team that includes best friend Donnie (Jonah Hill), a man whose white teeth are as unsettling as his marriage to his cousin, his eccentric father (a brilliant Rob Reiner) and many others, Jordan finds excitement in robbing from people to line the pockets of himself and his employees. As the game reaps the ultimate rewards and Jordan marries the beautiful Naomi (Margot Robbie), the authorities close in, with Agent Patrick Denham (Kyle Chandler) turning his sights on taking down Belfort once and for all.

If you're not too fond of violence, drug-abuse, sex and explicit language then you may want to turn away now; if not, then you're in for a treat of the Martin Scorsese masterpiece kind. We all know Marty has served up some truly remarkable films in his esteemed directorial career, and now the man himself serves up on a silver platter yet another to have you singing from the rooftops.

The praise for the film comes from every corner; at the heart is the man whose stretch without an Oscar is perplexing as it is infuriating, and once again Leonardo DiCaprio proves he is one of the best leading men in the business. Arrogant, lustful and outrageous, his portrayal of Jordan Belfort is one that will stick long in the memory. Whether it be his over-enthusiasm for cocaine, his constant sex drive or the moment he loses all control of his body in one of the most hilarious drug-fuelled scenes you will have ever seen, Leo has it all and deserves all the accolades under the sun.

That too can be said of his extremely well-crafted supporting cast. Jonah Hill strikes a chord yet again with both his dramatic and comedic credentials, director Rob Reiner proves he is just as good in front of the camera as he is behind it, and former Neighbours star Margot Robbie adds her name to the list of desriable actresses around today with a sultry and unforgettable performance.

It's not just the actors who are in top form here. The double-act of Scorsese and screenwriter Terence Winter are simply electric. While Marty whisks us frantically through the bullpen, has Leo talking directly to us down the lens, and serves up a multitude of simply breathtaking scenes, Winter, known for his work on The Sopranos, brings to us a script littered with the most profanities in one film, yet wholly justified, and combined with such slick and engaging dialogue that it really feels like you are in the thick of it. 

The Wolf Of Wall Street, like its main protagonist, is a one of a kind beast; it's a dirty, filthy, foul-mouthed piece of work and the better for it!

Film Rating: 5 F's out of 5

Cinema Review - The Great Gatsby 3D

Based on the literary classic by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby sees bond salesman Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) as he makes his way through an unbelievable story through the roaring twenties where he befriends his mysterious neighbour, Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio). As their friendship blooms, Nick uncovers that Gatsby is in love with his cousin, Daisy (Carey Mulligan), and when the pair are finally reunited, lives change forever.

On paper, Gatsby's cast looks as splendid as a Baz Luhrmann-led party but these thoughts are soon quelled with what can only be described as sub-par performances from some of the best in the business. Whilst DiCaprio occasionally offers glimmers of his Hollywood heydays gone by, Carey Mulligan appears as a mere damsel with little depth and Tobey Maguire remains, as ever, a flea in the ear. As is the constant ramblings of DiCaprio's use of the term 'old sport'; I'm sure this is said around 100 times throughout!

At times, the film does indeed captivate, as it should, with the reuniting of Gatsby and Daisy, as one of the pinnacle moments of the source material, executes a feeling within the audience that really warms the heart only to turn it almost into a parody, playing for laughs when completely unnecessary. It's moments like these where Luhrmann doesn't quite seem to garner the full force of his source material and in turn this results in few truly groundbreaking and memorable instances. 

Where Gatsby does however, flourish, is in its set pieces, costume design and, of course, those party scenes. Vibrant, flamboyant and backed by some intriguing soundtracking, the Australian sure knows how to create some truly stunning visually quests and this is by far one of his best. It's just a shame he hasn't quite got the hang of 3D...

The Great Gatsby is an effort from Baz Luhrmann to bring up-to-date one of the greatest pieces of literature there is and frankly it all seems a bit of a mess. With collectively average performances and few scenes that really stick out in the mind, it lacks that killer punch and is dogged by an insistence in making everything look pretty. If the whole film was a party then Luhrmann would be gaining all the plaudits under the sun but this is one love story he hasn't quite nailed down unlike his previous outings. Should've dropped 'The Great' and simply called it Gatsby, Baz...

Film Rating - 2.5 F's out of 5

Exclusive new J Edgar posters

Leonardo DiCaprio has soldified himself as one of Hollywood's most sought after actors through the years and one part of that success has been biopics, with the roles of Howard Hughes and Frank Abagnale Jnr seeing the star rise to the occasion. Well, it seems he is at it again, this time portraying the face of law enforcement J. Edgar Hoover, a role which is sure to be breathtaking. 


Thanks to Feref, here are two brand new posters for the biopic and be sure to check out the full synopsis below.

During his lifetime, J. Edgar Hoover would rise to be the most powerful man in America.  As head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for nearly 50 years, he would stop at nothing to protect his country.  Through eight presidents and three wars, Hoover waged battle against threats both real and perceived, often bending the rules to keep his countrymen safe.  His methods were at once ruthless and heroic, with the admiration of the world his most coveted, if ever elusive, prize.

Hoover was a man who placed great value on secrets—particularly those of others—and was not afraid to use that information to exert authority over the leading figures in the nation.  Understanding that knowledge is power and fear poses opportunity, he used both to gain unprecedented influence and to build a reputation that was both formidable and untouchable.

He was as guarded in his private life as he was in his public one, allowing only a small and protective inner circle into his confidence.  His closest colleague, Clyde Tolson, was also his constant companion.  His secretary, Helen Gandy, who was perhaps most privy to Hoover’s designs, remained loyal to the end…and beyond.  Only Hoover’s mother, who served as his inspiration and his conscience, would leave him, her passing truly crushing to the son who forever sought her love and approval.

As seen through the eyes of Hoover himself, “J. Edgar” explores the personal and public life and relationships of a man who could distort the truth as easily as he upheld it during a life devoted to his own idea of justice, often swayed by the darker side of power.

Oscar® winner Clint Eastwood (“Gran Torino,” “Million Dollar Baby,” “Unforgiven”) directed the film from a screenplay by Oscar® winner Dustin Lance Black (“Milk”).

Academy Award® nominee Leonardo DiCaprio (“Inception,” “Blood Diamond”) stars in the title role.  “J. Edgar” also stars Academy Award® nominee Naomi Watts (“21 Grams”) as Helen Gandy, Hoover’s longtime secretary; Armie Hammer (“The Social Network”) as Hoover’s protégé Clyde Tolson; Josh Lucas (“The Lincoln Lawyer”) as the legendary aviator Charles Lindbergh, whose son’s kidnapping changes the public profile of the F.B.I.; and Oscar® winner Judi Dench (“Shakespeare in Love”) as Hoover’s over-protective mother, Anne Marie Hoover.