Quote of the Week Review: The Damned United (2009)

By Thomas Broome-Jones

"I wouldn't say I was the best manager in the country. But I'm in the top one."

It must be said, football isn't for everyone, that's just a fact. As much as fans of the beautiful game like to think that everyone loves it, there are those who don't. Personally, I'm a big fan of football but I'm sure those who have watched this film will agree with me that you don't have to enjoy football to enjoy this film. It's much more than a sports drama, this is a human drama with themes of redemption, obsession and man's lust for competition.

The Damned United retells a semi-fictional version of events surrounding and leading up to the late Brian Clough's ill-fated spell as the manager for Leeds United. His tenure lasted only 44 days after he drove one of the most dominant clubs in English football into the ground, blinded by his own ego and determination to carve out a legacy to make his name synonymous with the club. Clough is played scarily well by one of my favourite British actors, Michael Sheen. The Welshman almost effortlessly recreates Clough's Middlesborough twang and carries the character with just the right balance of swagger, charm and cynicism to create a highly compelling performance.

Tony Blair's post Prime Ministerial career got him more in touch with "common folk".

Backing Sheen up is the ever-welcome acting chops of Timothy Spall, the veteran actor plays Peter Taylor, Clough's assistant manager, talent scout and personal friend. As Clough's world seemingly falls down around him, Spall's portrayal of Taylor accurately reflects the frustration of an unsung hero. His ability to spot exceptional players to improve the squad goes unnoticed as Clough is showered with praise. Such frustration is only natural and it is visibly evident in Taylor's apathy towards Brian as the film progresses.

The rest of the cast is fleshed out with some wonderful talent, notably Jim Broadbent, who, despite having won an Oscar not too long ago still appears in smaller British productions, bringing his irresistible charm and likability to every role he plays. The cast make a very solid script come to life as the rise and fall of Clough plays out over the course of the narrative, in which flashbacks providing essential character back stories aid the viewer in engaging with the plot. The on-screen chemistry of the cast is outstanding, all of their interactions with one another are natural and organic, making their arcs feel developed and wholesome, even for some of the smaller roles.

Director Tom Hooper, who would go on to win the Academy Award for Best Director two years later for The King's Speech, crafted a very simple story here but told it so brilliantly that the simplicity doesn't matter. At times it may be a task for the viewer to engage with the psychological pathos of Clough and his actions, but it all comes full circle in a lovely ending, the whole thing feels distinctly British.

My only criticism is of Clough himself, as strong as Sheen was it was hard to like or bond with the character. By the time the film ends he has truly found redemption, but at times I did start to wonder why I was supposed to care for him at all. But this is only a minor problem as it is more than resolved in the underplayed finale which really proves that less is more.

Overall, a great watch and a really strong platform for a truly talented man in Michael Sheen to showcase his abilities. Biopics are always about the acting and Sheen hit it out of the park with this one in a performance that I do truly believe should have received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Looking at the nominees from that year's ceremony there are definitely a couple that could have been swapped out for this one. I think this film can appeal to both fans of football and non-fans alike, it has universally accessible themes, blistering performances and a warm center. The Damned United is damn good. 

Thomas Broome-Jones is on Twitter, you can follow him @TBroomey.

Quote of the Week Review: Evil Dead II (1987)

By Sean McDonnell

"Groovy."

In the sort of sequel to The Evil Dead, Sam Raimi creates a more interesting cult horror than the previous incarnation which is super violent, fun and most of all, silly! Raimi originally intended for his previous effort The Evil Dead to also be a horror comedy and as much as I find the hyperbolic gore and dialogue in the first film to be kind of hilarious, it is nowhere near as good as this beautiful masterpiece of horror! The film sort of picks up where the first film left off (I will warn there’s lots of continuity errors in this beautiful franchise) following the hero of the trilogy, Ash (the man, the myth, the legend - Bruce Campbell) who discovers the "Necronomicon Ex-Mortis" (The Book of the Dead) and accidentally releases an evil demonic force. Now Ash must use his courage to battle against evil, with very funny results!

There's a time and a place for this face, when I think of one I'll let you know.

The brilliance in this film is the pacing. The first film took a good - but understandable - while in developing the discovery of the book. This film however, only takes a few minutes. The iconic POV sped up shot of the evil kicks in, removing a plot build up but still keeping the suspense and excitement in what Ash will face. It’s just so simple, removing a little bits of horror development for the love of cheesy dialogue, alright acting (sorry Bruce, you’re an awesome dude because of your acting don’t worry!) and of course...GORE! The violence is what you’d expect if you’ve seen the first film, but it’s all the more funny because of clumsy Ash as he faces flying limbs, blood fountains and even his sanity! The special effects such as the stop motion are also top notch and definitely beat all the over the top CGI you’d see from a current spoon feeding “horror”. Raimi's use of makeup once again is also amazing, the detail on the demons' faces for a modern audience looks old but it really works a lot better than nowadays, such as CGI being used for Freddy Krueger for the remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street.

It’s understandable why this film is a cult classic, it’s Sam Raimi and Bruce "Chin" Campbell at their finest hour (how were they involved in Spider-Man?). It’s a perfect film for any horror fan who wants a scare and a righteous laugh out loud. Evil Dead II is a low budget B movie classic that captures so much entertainment in 90 minutes that it deserves to be the best out of all the trilogy with its comical acting, amazing effects, camp script and all round sense of entertainment. It’s quite simply...*intense Ash voice* groovy.

Sean McDonnell is on Twitter, you can follow him @seanmcdonnell_. 

Sean also has his own blog, which you can find here.

Quote of the Week Review: We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)

By Thomas Broome-Jones

"Why would I not understand the context? I am the context."

Stylish, slick, but overall a relatively underwhelming experience. I wasn't particularly impressed with We Need to Talk About Kevin. The premise is highly promising, I haven't read the book on which it is based but from what I gather it is vastly different in style, with the book being a series of letters that tie together the plot. The film follows Eva, played by Tilda Swinton, an ex-travel writer who must cope with the consequences of a high school massacre committed by her son, Kevin, played by Ezra Miller. The story is told through use of flashbacks, with the psychological aspect of Eva's personality being explored in the present day scenes.

The main reason I didn't enjoy this film was what I perceived to be a lack of dramatic strength, the film felt empty and bereft of likeability. My dislike of the film isn't as simple as me thinking it was "bad", but I just couldn't find an access point. I didn't find any of the characters to be particularly likeable or interesting, despite Swinton turning in an outstanding performance. A lot of the scenes felt like they were simply hammering the same point home, Kevin has something wrong with him. After I gathered this it just became a chore to sit through more scenes depicting his acts of cruelty leading up to the massacre, which made for a boring watch for me.

I must say, making a dark sequel to Caddyshack was a bold move.

There is some merit in the technical level of the film's execution, although I found the cinematography to be uninspired and clumsy, the sound was remarkably employed, adding real tension to a film that lacks a lot of dramatic pay off until the very end. Speaking of which, the ending is the strongest part of the whole thing for me, I won't spoil anything but it does give a real dramatic punch to your gut that I'm sure will stick with me for a long time to come.

The acting wasn't anything special outside of Swinton, John C. Reilly is an actor that I have a lot of time for but he served his purpose and nothing more, his character was bland for the most part. Ezra Miller I feel was miscast as Kevin, I didn't find him all that intimidating or disturbing, I mainly just saw him as a bratty kid who partook in aggressive and erratic behavior to torment his mother. I didn't think there was any real power behind his performance, I've seen psychopathic kid acting done much better, Damien in The Omen springs to mind.

Overall, a film I'm glad I watched so I can say I watched it, but it seems to be without thematic direction. Is it about motherhood? Is it about psychosis? Is Kevin the subject or is Eva? Nothing is explored in great detail and it leaves me feeling unaltered by the viewing experience, it could have been worse but given the premise it could have also been a lot better. 

  
Thomas Broome-Jones is on Twitter, you can follow him @TBroomey. 

The Room Review

By Sean McDonnell

Where shall I begin with The Room? Maybe the fact it’s dubbed “the Citizen Kane of bad movies” by Entertainment Weekly? Maybe the fact that 10 years on it still sells out theatres across the globe? Maybe the fact it is one of the worst films I have ever seen in my life? No kidding, considering the poor acting, TERRIBLE editing, meme generating script and such. But wait, The Room is also one of my all-time favourite films, I’d go as far as to put it in my top 50 films list! The film department’s probably in tears hearing this, but they have to understand that The Room is just something else: Once you enter The Room, you can’t quit The Room! Tommy Wiseau as the director, star, writer and producer predicted over 10 years ago that this film would conquer the world and look at how right this mystery man is. Basically, this film is bad.

SKOTCHKA! SKOTCHKA! SKOTCHKA!

Wiseau stars as Johnny, a successful banker in San Francisco whose life begins to crumble as his friends betray him one by one. A very simple plot, but the main narrative isn’t the major problem with this film, I won’t go into massive detail but I’ll ever so slightly hint. Firstly, the editing doesn’t make sense as a whole and the acting is beyond poor, Wiseau’s performance as an example is just so odd for various reasons. He has a very unusual accent which is so humorous and hard to understand at times but you really can’t help but love his ever so dramatic (sarcasm intended) portrayal of a sweet guy. Because of his mysterious persona, he refuses to reveal where he’s from. Many believe France, some Eastern Europe and some even go as far to state he is in fact...an alien! Because of the poor acting, a lot of the dialogue had to be dubbed but it is so out of sync with the film itself due to editing. That's it! I will say no more, just watch The Room and forget everything you know about film!

In December 2013, I did my usual routine of searching through what the Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square was screening and discovered that TOMMY WISEAU AND co-star Greg Sestero would be there in person for a Q&A screening in February 2014. I immediately booked my ticket and learned that they sold over 1000 across one single weekend. So there I was, first in line queuing an hour and half early before the Q&A begins, when suddenly, half an hour before...there they were, Greg in all his glory bearing a Drive Scorpion jacket who walks straight into the cinema after giving me a quick smile. Tommy runs along the line of the queue wearing nighttime glasses and two belts whilst people cheer his name. He then comes up to me with a simple “Hi. How you doin’?” offering his hand which I gladly accept. The PCC lay down the ground rules: No metal spoons, no American footballs, no booze. Simple. I entered, dropped my coat off at the front and ran to get a signed DVD and a pic. I was to a certain degree starstruck, just at the fact these guys are involved in a cult phenomenon...and of the fact Tommy is one of the weirdest people I’ve ever met. Greg passes the DVD to Tommy who insists on shaking my hand again two more times. Then after the picture (see below) I walk away offering my thanks when suddenly Tommy grabs onto my shoulder and once again, insists on shaking my hand for the forth time!

Sean (centre) had the "honour" of meeting Greg Sestero (left) and the man, the myth, the legend, Tommy Wiseau (right).

The Q&A experience was fantastic and downright hilarious! Questions ranged from “Favourite film?” to which Tommy would answer what everyone expected: “Citizen KAAAANE!!!!”. Tommy also offered blessings and dog-tags on stage to whoever bought Tommy Wiseau brand pants, and of course the blessing was beautiful “*name* In the name of the Father, the Son and the Goly Dhost hope you have a happy 2014 MOVE ON!!”. The film was screened and without a doubt it was one of the best cinema experiences of my life. The crowd was so enthusiastic about the whole thing, just constant cheers and screams of the film's flaws along with devout participation; such as the repetitive tracking shots of San Francisco, to which the audience is meant to scream: “MEANWHILE IN SAN FRANCISCO!”. There was also the throwing of plastic spoons, but I’ll let you as the reader find out the purpose of it. The whole thing was an hour and a half of me just laughing away at a screen which I’ll never forget. Seriously though, please watch The Room.

Sean McDonnell is on Twitter, you can follow him @seanmcdonnell_. 

Sean also has his own blog, which you can find here.

Quote of the Week Review: Capote (2005)

By Thomas Broome-Jones

"I have 94 per cent recall of all conversation. I tested it myself." 

A master at work: Hoffman steals the show convincingly.

The untimely passing of Philip Seymour Hoffman was one that shocked the world over, the hearts of so many were beautifully opened in tribute to someone who may just be the finest screen actor of his generation. I was devastated to discover that one of my favourite actors was no longer with us, especially as I thought his best was still yet to come. Hoffman was transitioning into directing and his acclaim throughout all fields had him shaping up to become somewhat of a modern-day Orson Welles. But the body of work he has left us with is rich in towering performances, among some of my favourites are his collaborations with Paul Thomas Anderson, a true genius and maestro of modern cinema, I have a particular adoration of Boogie Nights and Punch-Drunk Love.

Capote is statistically Hoffman's finest hour, it's the role that won him his sole Academy Award and it was thoroughly deserved. Simply put, Hoffman carries the entire film on his shoulders with one of the greatest biographical performances I've ever seen. After watching the film I took it upon myself to watch clips of the real Truman Capote, Hoffman's portrayal is more than just uncanny, he IS Truman Capote. The voice, the mannerisms, the facial expressions, I don't know how Hoffman did it but as an actor myself I can't help but adore the fact that he did.

The film's story concerns the process of Truman Capote penning what stands as his most acclaimed work, 'In Cold Blood', a unique non-fiction book that is widely regarded as having started the true crime genre of literature, or at the very least popularizing it. The idea of this genre is a book that uses fiction techniques to craft a narrative around actual criminal acts that have happened, using real names and interviews but arranging the facts in such a way that they tell a story. You may be familiar with the use of such methods in Asif Kapadia's acclaimed 2009 documentary Senna, which portrayed the life and death of Formula One legend Ayrton Senna using entirely archive footage, but still crafting a narrative.

When I say Hoffman carries this film though, I really mean it. Unfortunately I didn't feel like it was anything special outside of his performance, the supporting cast were fine but I'm somewhat confused as to why Catherine Keener received an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' author Harper Lee. The real thing that holds the film back though is the painfully uneven pacing, on the one hand, the scenes don't develop enough, we are rapidly whisked from location to location without being given any time to immerse ourselves in the narrative. But the isolated scenes aren't the only problem, the film as a whole feels far too long and whilst it does have an ending that packs an emotional punch, we're too exhausted from unnecessary over plotting to care all that much. "Speed up, slow down" pacing is almost always a deathtrap for a film.

There isn't really much else to say about the film, it doesn't deal with anything too complex, it's less about narrative and themes as it is about Truman Capote and his methodology. I recommend this to anyone who's a fan of Hoffman's work though, it demonstrates his versatility just as well as any other film. Not the best in his library, but certainly one of his strongest performances and one that will only make you appreciate the man's talent even more, Capote is definitely something you should devote your time to, who knows? You may even fall in love with it. 

 Thomas Broome-Jones is on Twitter, you can follow him @TBroomey. 

Quote of the Week Review: Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

By Thomas Broome-Jones

"These are my books. I like stories with magic powers in them. Either in kingdoms on Earth or on foreign planets. Usually I prefer a girl hero, but not always."

There's no wedding like a Wes Anderson wedding.

Masterful, loving, warm and heartfelt. Some choice words for Wes Anderson's incredible achievement known as Moonrise Kingdom. If you were to compile a list of true all-time great films from the 2000s it would be a short one, but this belongs on every single list on such a subject.

Anderson is renowned for his quirky and offbeat approach to filmmaking, his distinct style has earned his well-deserved acclaim from the public as well as critics. So, teaming up with Roman Coppola, the son of the legendary Francis Ford Coppola, Anderson has crafted something special and almost transcendent of every other film released within the last 10 years or so.

From the scorching opening sequence enriching the frame with vivid colours and whip pan camera movement to keep the pace up, a unique story is set in place. This is a story about love, but the film is so much more than that. Don't go into this thinking you'll be given a simple romance, the word "simple" is most definitely not an adjective applicable to the work of Wes Anderson. Childlike innocence, the absence of authority and guidance, the importance of human connection, this film is about humanity.

The plot concerns a runaway scout who desires to be with a girl he has fallen in love with, his scout leader, who is portrayed magnificently by Edward Norton, goes on a mission to track him down. The location of an isolated island seemingly inhabited by talented actors builds an almost dream-like world for the audience to lose itself in. This is a real strength that Anderson possesses, his films almost feel unreal and yet the problems within them are so easy to relate to, it's like the impossible meeting the possible, negativity in what should be a perfect world.

The comedy is spot on, which is to be expected with the talent involved both behind the camera and in front of it. I'm talking of course about Bill Murray, a man who is widely regarded as the finest comic actor of his generation, and rightly so. Murray is piercingly funny and despicable at the same time here, something at which he is somewhat of a veteran at. Whether he's throwing his shoe at Edward Norton or getting drunk and chopping down trees whilst his apathetic children dutifully ignore him, he's stealing the scene whenever he's in frame. A real return to form from the man who was in not one but two 'Garfield' films, oh, the pain.

The focus on children feuding with one another is reminiscent of Lord of the Flies, but at the same time feels like an original plot element. The children are remarkably able to hold their own with a cast that consists of two Oscar winners and two Oscar nominees as they shatter the preconception that child actors aren't up to par with adult performers. Their characters are believable as well as empathetic, their darker sides are balanced with morals and other human qualities.

Not many films I have seen feel as genuine as 'Moonrise Kingdom', which is somewhat ironic as it toys with reality at numerous intervals. It's something beautiful that I have fallen in love with, Wes Anderson has stolen my heart as a film lover and has sold me on his upcoming feature The Grand Budapest Hotel, which sports a few cast members from this particular picture. The genius in the craft work of Moonrise Kingdom caresses the soul and hits you with Cupid's bow, a romantic film in both the philosophical and figurative sense that can be enjoyed on more than one level, you have to see this.

Thomas Broome-Jones is on Twitter, you can follow him @TBroomey. 

Quote of the Week Review: Shrek (2001)

By Ben Hanna

"I like that boulder. That is a nice boulder."

Shrek, a wonderful fairy tale about an ogre that spends his days fending off the village people and living out the normal life of an ogre. This hilarious animated tale is about an ogre, Shrek (Mike Myers) who goes out on a quest to get his swamp to the way it was before it was overrun by fairytale creatures sent by the evil Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow). On his travels, he encounters a donkey played by Eddie Murphy who accompanies him on his journey which takes an unexpected turn.

No, this isn't a photo from Lindsay Lohan's wedding, we've checked.

Shrek is one of those films that I can personally remember from my childhood as being, well, just brilliant. One of those family films that you will always be able to go back and watch, one that never gets old. An aspect of the film that I always have found to be great is the humour that’s used. Shrek can appeal to a younger audience with the silly characters with a fairy tale picture but it’s also enjoyable for older audiences. Subtle jokes and one-liners that are very amusing indeed. That’s what makes Shrek so versatile and enjoyable and definitely on of the reasons why it’s so well regarded. I personally don’t know anyone that doesn't enjoy a bit of Shrek.

The casting for the film is perfect, Mike Myers portrays Shrek as a loveable character that’s witty and funny. What’s interesting is the idea that Shrek, as an ogre is the main protagonist rather than a knight in shining armour. It really puts a spin on the traditional fairy tales but works so well. Eddie Murphy again is an excellent choice to play the excitable Donkey. Shrek’s faithful companion accompanies him through his adventures and definitely portrays that idea of true friendship.

Although Shrek has branched out into three more films, I still believe that this Shrek, the first one, is definitely the best. The story is richer and is more like a fairy tale which makes the film so interesting. The other three films all have elements of a fairy tale but it just doesn't feel the same. Never the less they are all great films and Shrek is definitely here to stay.

Quote of the Week Review: A Scanner Darkly (2006)

By Sean McDonnell

"What does a scanner see? Into the head? Into the heart? Does it see into me? Clearly? Or darkly?"

Richard Linklater, director of the classic School of Rock, takes us on a very unusual journey of identity, paranoia and surveillance amidst the backdrop of a dystopian L.A. where the war on drugs has failed. A Scanner Darkly follows Bob Arctor (Keanu Reeves), an undercover detective who tries to find out more about the rise of ‘Substance D’ via his drug addicted friends James (Robert Downey, Jr.), Ernie (Woody Harrelson) and Donna (Winona Ryder). Bob never really gets up to much, considering all his friends really do (especially James) is have long paranoiac conversations, so, when at the police station he wears a ‘scramble suit’ which constantly changes his appearance and is code named ‘Fred’. However, Bob becomes heavily addicted to Substance D which makes him unaware of who he really is as he is told to investigate into himself more…

Looks like Neo should've taken the blue pill instead.

The film is visually outstanding. Linklater has previously used the Rotoscope technique in his heavily philosophical art-house film Waking Life. In A Scanner Darkly, he takes it to a whole new level in a very artistic world. For those who don’t know, the Rotoscope technique is when live action footage is traced over and animated, giving a very unusual and interesting effect. Shane F. Kelly as the cinematographer does a very good job presenting the constant fear that addicts of Substance D go through such as a close up of Bob hallucinating that James and Ernie are giant bugs. All the cast offer very good performances, Keanu for once puts a fair amount of effort in his acting in contrast to some of his poorer performances (hint hint, Francis Ford Coppola's Dracula). I personally think this is one of Robert Downey, Jr.’s best roles because he perfectly suited the eccentric style of James and reminded me in a way of his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes due to the selfishness and drug addictions in both characters.

However as much as I liked the film as a very good adaptation of Philip Kindred’s novel, I felt disappointed in that the plot was very confusing at times and in a way I felt a lot more could have developed. A Scanner Darkly as a film portrays beautifully the experiences of addicts very much like what Philip intends in the novel since it’s based on his experiences as an addict of amphetamines and dedicates it to “some people who were punished entirely too much for what they did”, in this case, his friends who suffered from various physical and psychological effects. Philip even goes as far to include himself in the list, “Phil” – a victim of permanent pancreatic damage.

On the whole, a good adaptation of a classic sci-fi story. However, prepare to be lost in a very radical and colourful world of deception as the story moves quite quickly and in a very puzzling way, so be sure to pay attention to Bob and the gang talking a lot of meaningful nonsense! An interesting film with a strong message, A Scanner Darkly is one of more stimulating Philip Kindred adaptations I've seen in a while but it's ever so slightly disappointing due to a confusing plot. All in all, I still recommend watching this film because of the good performances and of course the fantastic visuals. It doesn't beat School of Rock but it’s still a trippy adventure into the future that’s worth tuning into!

Sean McDonnell is on Twitter, you can follow him @seanmcdonnell_. 

Sean also has his own blog, which you can find here.

Quote of the Week Review: Barton Fink (1991)

By Thomas Broome-Jones

"You think I made your life hell? Take a look around this dump. You're just a tourist with a typewriter, Barton, I live here"

For my money, this is the finest film that the Coen Brothers have ever produced. Their catalogue is a rich library of lovingly-crafted masterpieces, each one different from the last. Most people are familiar with films such as The Big Lebowski, Fargo or No Country for Old Men, but Barton Fink is especially intriguing as it's one big puzzle box.

Barton Fink isn't quite "surrealist", per se, but it is impossible to place in any genre, there are elements of comedy, drama, farce, satire, thriller and romance. The Coens have agreed with critics that classifying it is hard, it simply is what it is.

The plot concerns the eponymous Barton Fink, an acclaimed New York playwright who has been hired to pen a wrestling screenplay. Upon arriving at his ominous L.A. hotel, Barton suffers from writer's block and encounters his burly neighbour, Charles, played by the infallibly lovable John Goodman, a frequent collaborator of the Coens.

Nobody f**ks with The Jesus.

The chain of circumstance that follows takes you on a wicked mind-bending trip through the corruption and greed that encumbers The City of Angels, as Barton begins to learn that he's surrounded by liars, cheats and phonies. John Turturro is simply astounding as Barton, a truly underrated actor who was snubbed by the Academy not only for his performance in this, but Do the Right Thing and The Big Lebowski also. His performance is subtly comprised of various ticks and delusions of grandeur that create a man who thinks highly of himself but wants to help others, leading to an internal conflict that he must confront and overcome.
The enigmatic visual motifs throughout the film add varying layers to the plot and themes, creating a complex and thought-provoking piece of cinema that challenges as well as entertains. The ultimate theme of the film is illustrated best in the heated finale, the yin and yang of creation and destruction meeting in a mutual respect for one another. I won't say anymore as I don't want to spoil the ending.

The minimalist approach as well as deliberate lack of real character development is signature Coens. The plot's interest comes from how the characters interact with their situation, for some filmmakers this would be a huge risk as it requires pitch-perfect casting, but the Coen Brothers always make sure every actor is perfectly suited for their role.

Roger Deakins, one of the greatest cinematographers of all-time and the Coens' regular DOP, uses the camera to make everywhere Barton is feel like a maze. The hotel is especially reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick's horror monolith The Shining, something that Joel and Ethan Coen have openly recognized as an influence. The way the camera wraps around every wall, as if it knows to be cautious when the characters do not, creates an uneasy feeling among the audience as the characters remain calm in clearly dangerous situations.

A fascinating portrait of humanity and a scathing critique of Hollywood's desolate landscape of broken dreams, as well as the extremes between wealth and poverty. This is a crowning achievement in the library of the Coen Brothers, backed up with a blissful supporting cast, consisting of talents such as Micheal Lerner, John Mahoney and Steve Buscemi, this is one that all of their fans must see. 

Thomas Broome-Jones is on Twitter, you can follow him @TBroomey. 

Quote of the Week Review: Ted (2012)

By Ben Hanna

"F*** you, thunder! / You can suck my d***! / You can't get me thunder / 'Cause you're just God's farts!" 

Seth MacFarlane is best known for directing, creating and writing the popular animated television series, Family Guy.

Ted is MacFarlane’s first feature length film and so was highly anticipated by fans of his acclaimed television series. The film begins in Boston where we are told the story of a young boy without friends who for Christmas day, opens up a present containing Ted, his new life-long best friend. After making a wish that Ted would come to life and be his best friend for ever, which is exactly what happens.

I've met stranger shop assistants if I'm honest.

We’re moved 27 years into the future, John (Mark Wahlberg) is 35 with a girlfriend called Lori  (Mila Kunis) a dead-end job as a car salesman and his best friend Ted (Seth MacFarlane). The actors picked for these roles were selected well, Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis did a great job at making their characters believable and relatable. However, when it comes to the bear I felt kind of lost. Ted never had a clear idea of what he was doing and just seemed to follow John around like a lost puppy.

The story is set in motion but unfortunately lacks a really strong narrative and eventually becomes a bit silly, John finds it very difficult to stop playing with his teddy bear and grow up but this could however add to the comedic value of the film. I found myself in hysterics from beginning to end because Seth really understands how to make a joke, given his previous work with Family Guy and American Dad. A lot of the one liners used in the film really make the entire thing funny. So if you are a fan of Seth and his work, this is a definite must-see.

Overall, Ted contains some hilarious scenes that will have you in stitches and is definitely worth the watch if you’re staying home for a night in. Just make sure your sense of humour stayed home with you, this one isn't for the faint of heart.


 

The 12 Films of Christmas: Jingle All the Way (1996)

By Thomas Broome-Jones

Yes, I'm actually recommending this. Jingle All the Way stars dear old Arnie as a father who must scour Minnesota to find a sold-out "Turbo Man" toy for his son, who is played by Jake Lloyd, otherwise known as Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, what a great start we're off to.

"Hands up if you just do it for the money nowadays."

I'd place this film in the "so bad it's good" category. It's a really poor film, hammy acting, stiff dialog, cliches, unfunny jokes, it doesn't really have much going for it. However the pure level of how stupid this film is makes it enjoyable, much like a personal favourite of mine, The Room, you'll laugh at how truly awful it is.

I don't want to spoil it for you because you just need to see the progression of how bad it really does get, but the highlight for me is Arnie knocking out a reindeer. You read that correctly, Arnie punches a reindeer in the face, if that doesn't sell the film to you then I don't know what will.

A poor film that has acquired a cult following from its unintentional hilarity, this will remind you how lucky we really are to have brilliant Christmas films to fall back on, and will undoubtedly find a place in your heart, maybe just not the right place. 

Thomas Broome-Jones is on Twitter, you can follow him @TBroomey. 

The 12 Films of Christmas: The Snowman (1982)

By Thomas Broome-Jones

I don't think you can claim to love Christmas unless it has been accompanied at least once with The Snowman in your household.

Superman's stand-in when Clark is on his Christmas break.

A film that can reduce me to tears if I'm suffering from a combination of loneliness and Pepsi withdrawal, this short animated film is a classic and a staple of British culture. There is no dialogue, only music and gorgeous hand-drawn animation, almost as if the pages from the book have been put in motion on screen, which is of course the real benefit of such animation.

It goes without saying that this is a recommendation, it's less than half an hour long so it won't disrupt your day terribly. Anyway, it's Christmas, why are you worried about getting stuff done? It's the one day of the year when you have an excuse to spend your evening doing whatever you want.

I recommend watching this with your family, crack out some chocolate and whatever you choose to quench your thirst with and be lost in the wonder and amazement of the simple story of a snowman that comes to life. Simply put, this film IS Christmas. I love it so much that instead of a trailer, here, here's the whole gosh darn thing, enjoy!

Thomas Broome-Jones is on Twitter, you can follow him @TBroomey.

The 12 Films of Christmas: Trading Places (1983)

By Thomas Broome-Jones

Good ol' John Landis is one of the greatest comedy directors of all-time and he has two real classics under his belt, Animal House and Trading Places, the latter of which is a Christmas film, so I'm happy to recommend it.

This short sequence is better than the entire film of Bad Santa.

One of the best comedy films ever made, it tells the story of two men on opposite ends of the social scale, who, thanks to a wager made by two socialites, unwittingly trade places, swapping every aspect of their lives. Dan Aykroyd  is a wealthy elitist and Eddie Murphy a down-and-out tramp.

The real comedy gold in this film lies in Murphy and Aykroyd's chemistry, they're electric and the film really kicks in when they become aware of the wager and team up. But it's all just as funny when they're not the best of friends. There is a particularly brilliant and famous one-liner which involves Aykroyd dropping the N-bomb without realizing Murphy's presence, making for one of the most awkward moments in cinematic history.

If you haven't watched this film yet then you should, it's side-splittingly funny with charm and heart. Murphy and Aykroyd turn in career-best performances here as this was when they were both very much in their primes. The Blues Brothers had established Aykroyd as a force to be reckoned with and 1983 served as the real break-out year for Murphy, with his stand-up video Delirious coming out within months of Trading Places, this is an example of two comic actors at the top of their game doing what they do best, making you laugh.

Thomas Broome-Jones is on Twitter, you can follow him @TBroomey.

The 12 Films of Christmas: Scrooged (1988)

By Thomas Broome-Jones

This Christmas film is actually pretty scary but is ultimately hilarious and heart-warming. It's essentially a modern-retelling of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, something that's been done a thousand times I know, but this is one of the best adaptations in my mind.

Who you gonna call? Yourself, actually.

Scrooged follows TV executive Frank Cross, played by the legendary Bill Murray. He's Scrooge in ecery way, grumpy, miserable, cruel, despised, stingy and hates Christmas. You all know the rest of the story, 3 spirits, life lessons, bad guy turns himself around, yada, yada, yada.

Bill Murray is one of my favourite actors of all-time, I'd have to rank him as the greatest comic actor ever, even above giants such as Robin Williams and Jerry Lewis. He carries this film and his comic timing is perfect as ever. He creates a memorable character in a film which is basically Groundhog Day if it were written by Charles Dickens.

A funny heart warmer that's pretty lewd in places but is on the whole a real riot, especially when Murray meets Death, but you'll have to watch it to find out. Scrooged is worth a slot in your Christmas films list.

Thomas Broome-Jones is on Twitter, you can follow him @TBroomey.

The 12 Films of Christmas: Batman Returns (1992)

By Thomas Broome-Jones

I love the fact that Batman has a Christmas film, primarily because I get to recommend it. This is definitely the darkest entry in the live-action Batman film franchise and is actually a pretty depressing film.

Neither of them are happy at the casting of Ben Affleck, it seems.

So why recommend it? Well, BECAUSE IT'S BATMAN! I'm a tad biased when it comes to The Caped Crusader and this is one of the better Batman films for me. Bruce Wayne locks up with The Penguin, played by Danny De Vito who is perfectly cast and was seriously overlooked in the awards department, it's hard to tell it even is dear old Danny as he's underneath so many prosthetics and so much make-up. Michelle Pfeiffer also portrays Selina Kyle, or Catwoman as she's better known and totally makes the role her own, it's a real shame the planned spin-off featuring her character never came to fruition.

This is a dark and sometimes pretty disturbing Batman film but still, it's Batman and it's set at Christmas, so watch it, enjoy it and admire what is one of my favourite Tim Burton and Batman films.

Thomas Broome-Jones is on Twitter, you can follow him @TBroomey.

The 12 Films of Christmas: Lethal Weapon (1987)

By Thomas Broome-Jones

In case you haven't quite worked it out yet, I'm a fan of unconventional Christmas films. Lethal Weapon is an all-time action classic and one that I think holds up very well.

The set-up is simple and effective, and old cop (Danny Glover) is paired with a new young hotshot (Mel Gibson) and they have to beat the bad guy together, it's easy to understand and is executed perfectly.

I think Glover only just realized that Gibson's a racist.

I'm a big fan of Danny Glover, I think he's a good actor with real charm and charisma, I mean he pretty much carried Predator 2 and has demonstrated both comic and straight acting abilities. He can be funny when he wants to and he can be serious when he wants to, an invaluable talent for any actor.

This film was also made before Mel Gibson went absolutely bonkers and is one of his best performances, him and Glover have wicked chemistry and both portray likable characters that can more than handle themselves.

The action is just the right kind of testosterone-fueled action junkie gun porn fare for all to enjoy. Although this most definitely isn't fun for all the family, that is unless your family enjoys electric shock torture.

If you're looking for an unconventional Christmas film to watch this year and have just done Die Hard far too many times, then this is the one for you.

Thomas Broome-Jones is on Twitter, you can follow him @TBroomey.

The 12 Films of Christmas: Elf (2003)

By Chloe Burrell

This is a feel-good film that brings unheeded Christmas cheer no matter what mood you find yourself in at the beginning. Completely silly and truly heartwarming, I don’t think I’d be able to go a year without watching this cracker. From the extremely genius actor/director/producer, Jon Favreau, this is a film about a misfit human/elf who is sent to New York to re-discover his 'inner human’, stumbling upon a few hiccups (or should I say burps) along his merry way. 

This probably isn't too far removed from what school was actually like for Will Ferrell.

Buddy is a character that everyone, even Scrooge and the Grinch no doubt, could find a soft spot for in their heart. Excitable, loving and completely sociably inept, you’ll spend the whole film in fits of laughter and totally cringing, but never ever falling out of love with this elf-ified BFG. It’s no surprise either, with the god of American comedy, Will Ferrell, bringing the character to life, and the adorable Zooey Deschanel making an appearance beside him too. It’s a wholly charming, sat-in-a-blanket-with-the-family Christmas must-see film that won’t be coming off my festive film list for many years to come. I think it’s fair to say, good things do occasionally come in big packages.

The 12 Films of Christmas: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)

By Sean McDonnell

Now here is a Christmas film which I watch every year and will never EVER get bored of. Written by the great John Hughes, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation follows the adventures of Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) and his family in Chicago as they prepare for a “good old fashioned family Christmas” with various relatives who visit, like gossiping grandparents and homeless cousins. However, Clark must encounter several slight errors in preparation in the funniest ways which includes a Christmas tree, thousands upon thousands of fairy lights, a sled and my personal favourite...a squirrel!

So it turns out Clark is the original Jason Voorhees. Not really Christmassy, is it?

This is a film which I’ve always thought to be very special for the National Lampoon film franchise. It is beyond funny and is a perfect film for all the family in the lead up to Christmas Day. It is a very interesting take on a festive season and the ‘perfect’ suburban family because the dialogue is just so brilliant like Clark having quite a cheeky yet very delightful personality who really is desperate to remain positive and grandparents from both sides of the Griswold family bickering over each other on a daily basis on who has contributed more to the family. All whilst the wife, the son and the daughter try and figure out what the heck is going on! 

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is a film which will always remain one of my favourite films with the hilarious Clark getting beaten down by so many dangerous things and thankfully, always getting back up, having a smile on his face and proudly hates whoever gets in his way. A joy to watch again and again!

Sean McDonnell is on Twitter, you can follow him @seanmcdonnell_. 

Sean also has his own blog, which you can find here. 

The 12 Films of Christmas: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

By Ben Hanna

Home Alone 2 is the sequel to a film that I’m sure we can all agree is wonderful Christmas film, Home Alone, but this time on a much larger scale. Kevin McCallister is going away with his family to France where they will spend Christmas, but instead finds himself on a flight to New York once again left behind to fend for his own in the big bad city.

Do you think he's seen a picture of what he looks like now?

Although Kevin initially begins to enjoy himself, using his father's credit card to check into a very large and fancy hotel, making his way through an extremely large children's store and having the freedom to do as he wishes, it all comes to an end as we discover the bad guys from the first film are here in New York as well. This is one of the things I love about this film, it covers everything a child would want, getting away from his mean old parents and doing things his way! A film that I think every child can relate to and yet still manages to make adults laugh with its funny jokes, witty actors and hilariously awful robbers.

Home Alone 2 is perfect for a cold night in with the family, some hot chocolate and marshmallows. If this film doesn’t warm your heart, then I’m sure the hot chocolate will.

The 12 Films of Christmas: The Muppets Christmas Carol (1992)

 By Sean McDonnell

Moving on from the great Gremlins is a film which I obsessed over on VHS as a child. Oh of course I would...it’s the merry Muppets in the joyous and hilarious re-telling of Charles Dickens' classic tale, A Christmas Carol.

Wait...What's Hagrid doing in The Muppets?!

Directed by Brian Henson, son of the late Muppet creator Jim Henson, the Muppets take you on a journey into 19th century London with Charles Dickens himself (otherwise known as Gonzo the Great!) telling the tale of Ebenezer “Humbug” Scrooge (Michael Caine) as he encounters ghosts...and lots and lots and LOTS of charming, humorous and smart Muppets! The film is without a shadow of a doubt, hilarious and I guarantee will make anyone laugh out loud!

I saw this film yesterday for the first time in 10 years at the Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square (highly recommend a visit!) who offered a sing-a-long to film (they were even so kind to provide subtitles, presents to audience members AND even screened the moving song “When Love Is Gone” via VHS since it was sadly cut from the theatrical version). How did I feel after it? I must admit, very euphoric! This was always a favourite film of mine as a child and really took me back to the festive season over 10 years ago! This is a film which I will recommend to anyone which is touching, very funny and will make you realize the importance of Christmas for everyone!

 
Sean McDonnell is on Twitter, you can follow him @seanmcdonnell_. 

Sean also has his own blog, which you can find here.