The Impossible (2013)

The true story of a young family, torn apart by the tsunami which hit Thailand in 2004.

Based on a the harrowing yet triumphant story of courage and survival of a Spanish family who were victims of the tsunami which hit South East Asia on Boxing day of 2004. The adventure follows the lives of five members of the "Bennet" family, torn asunder by the might of the unexpected waves and how they come to terms with not only the thought of losing each other, but risking their very lives in order to find the people they value most.

Director Juan Antonio Bayona switches to English for the first time in his nine film career and delivers one of the finest films of 2012/13. His retelling of the harrowing ordeals faced by so many tourists and locals in Thailand on Boxing day 2004 and the days which followed is horrific, but alarmingly real, and gives the average audience member a true sense of what it must have been like to experience this ultimate natural phenomenon. His direction is superb and it is truly disappointing that he was not giving more award nominations for this fantastic film. There are sure to be many good things to come from this talented Spaniard in the future.

English born Naomi Watts, gives what is quite easily the best performance of her career in this film, and is more than deserving of her Best Actress Oscar nomination, the second of her career, after getting the nod in 2004 for "21 Grams". Her role as "Maria" is inspiring and spectacular and gives you a true, heartfelt idea of what it was like to go through this tragedy. Her range of emotions is fantastic and the raw determination that her character shows throughout is remarkably inspirational. One of the finest performances I have seen in a long time, and in with a very good chance of walking away with an Oscar.

Ewan McGregor gives a very decent performance as "Henry", playing his emotional role well and bringing a lot of the more tender moments to this moving film. He continues in the fine vein, which have seen him deliver, "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" and "Haywire" in the past year. His interaction with his family is convincing and he plays an integral part in making this film as good as it is.

The most pleasant surprise in this great film is the performance given by the sixteen year old Tom Holland in the role of "Lucas". This youngster gives a showing, you would expect of actors with more than 20 years experience, drawing on all of his extensive talent to ride out triumphantly on the emotional roller-coaster that is this movie. One can only hope that this is just the start of his career and that the various "best young actor" and "best newcomer" awards will continue to rain down on him. He is an exciting talent and I cannot wait for his next feature film. His role is a real treat for each member of the audience.

Samuel Joslin and and Oaklee Pendergast also give stirring performances as the young "Simon" and "Thomas", adding to the emotional angst that keeps the film at fever pitch throughout. Expect big things from both of these talented youngsters in the next five to ten years.

This film is brutal in its intensity, and incredibly real. There are many times throughout the 114 minutes of this epic, where you really do feel as if you are going through this disaster with those who suffered it first hand. The cinematography is fantastic, the setting is brilliant and the realism, often makes you want to turn away from the sheer force that is mother nature. Make sure you watch this one from start to finish.

For me, the best film I have seen in 2013

8.5/10

Lincoln (2012)

The story of the 16th President of the United States, his attempt to abolish slavery and end the American Civil War.

In 1865 President Abraham Lincoln tabled and passed an amendment through the Senate; Amendment 13, which he not only hoped would abolish slavery in the Southern States, but as a result end the four year old, American Civil War.

With the aid of his Republican colleagues in the house he needs to find the 20 extra Democratic votes in order to get a 2/3 majority and pass the controversial bill. While trying to achieve this he has to deal with a troublesome wife, headstrong son who insists on enlisting and fellow politicians intent on seeing his measures fail.

Director Steven Spielberg once again throws his hat into the Oscars ring, for the second year running, continuing in the historical magic of "War Horse" in 2012, with the inspired telling of this world changing story. In the process he picks up his 7th Best Director nomination, some 35 years after his first nod for "Close Encounters of the Third Kind". The film is beautifully shot, superbly set and well managed, slightly softening some of the horrific scenes which inevitably took place during that time.

Daniel Day-Lewis takes on the monumental task of portraying one of the greatest men in American history with relative ease and not a small amount of prosthetics. He does a superb job playing "Lincoln", bringing a man, long dead, back to life and making this a very enjoyable film. In the process he picks up his FIFTH Oscar nomination for Actor in a leading role, some 23 years after his first for "My Left Foot" and five years since his last win for "There will be Blood". He does a very decent job as the great leader, stern and straight laced when needed, but also a loving father and devoted husband in quieter times.

Sally Field is by far the highlight of this film, giving one of the finest peformances of her career as the slightly mad, but immensely strong "Mary Todd Lincoln", for which she receives her third Oscar nomination. Its 33 years since her first and 28 years since her last win. It is interesting to note, that every time Field has been nominated for the Golden Statue, she has won, something to remember. The audience will find it easy to feel sorry for this downtrodden woman who seems to be behind the scenes, but may well have all of the power.

Tommy Lee Jones, gives a performance for which there are very few words one can find to describe. Brilliant; inspired; genius, hardly do this talented actor justice as he takes on one of the best roles of his illustrious career, in the portrayal of "Thadeus Stevens". He is well rewarded with his fourth Oscar nomination, his first since 2008, and he is sure to be very close to winning in late February.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt continues with his meteoric rise, with his first outing since "Looper" with the difficult role of the petulant "Robert Lincoln". His portrayal is enjoyable and convincing, but the audience will struggle to see him as anything more than a spoiled and head strong young man. A very decent performance.

Some other noteworthy performances come from the likes of Hal Holbrook, James Spader and the very talented David Strathairn who is awesome as "William Seward". His performance is memorable and shows what a pivotal role in history.

The film is very enjoyable, but might be 20 minutes too long. It drags only very occasionally and pays great respect to some very difficult topics. If you are easily offended by scenes of violence and war, then this may not be for you, but saying that, the cinematography and story telling is superb and you would be doing yourself a disservice to not see this film.

7/10

Flight (2012)

An airline pilot saves many people when his plane crashes, but the subsequent investigation reveals the real story...

When a packed passenger airliner falls apart at 30,000 feet it is assumed that everybody on board would die, but through quick thinking and years of experience Captain "Whip" Whitaker is able to land it safely. Afterwards he is thrown into an investigation of professional negligence and the real truth about his errant lifestyle is bound to come out.

Legendary director Robert Zemeckis, best known for his inspired work on "Back to the Future" and its blockbusting sequels, returns to the chair for the first time since "A Christmas Carol" in 2009 to bring a truly special film to the big screen. Touching on the very emotive topics of alcoholism and drug addiction with a great amount of feeling and showing both sides of the coin in a rather tragic, yet somehow triumphant story.

Denzel Washington takes the lead in this terrific film, and is excellent value for his amazing, SIXTH Oscar nomination, two of which he has converted to golden statues. It is 11 years since this immensely talented actor received the nod for the ultimate prize in his industry, but with his portrayal as "Whip Whitaker", a man trying and failing to hold his life together despite being completely off the rails, he finally returns to the limelight. His performance as a lifetime drunk and drug user is at times, hard to watch, but always convincing and very entertaining, bringing the necessary gravity to a role which deeply deserves it.

John Goodman, seems to be popping up all over the place in the past twelve months with outings in "Argo" and "The Trouble with the Curve", but surpasses all of these with his wonderful portrayal of the rather unorthodox "Harling Mays". A lifetime friend to the lead character, but also his drug dealer and unofficial saviour, "Mays" could also be blamed for the troubled place where "Whitaker" finds himself. Goodman may not be on screen for much of the film, but his performance is truly awesome and his comedic style holds the film together when it threatens to unravel.

Don Cheadle returns to feature films for his first outing since the dark comedy, "The Guard" in 2011 with a tremendous showing as high powered lawyer "Hugh Lang". He really seems to take to this role with gusto and shows the amazing amount of wheeling and dealing which is done behind the scenes by legal wranglers. A very enjoyable experience watching this talented and versatile actor in this film!

Bruce Greenwood, better known for his work on tv, comes back to the big screen with great showing as "Charlie Anderson", trying to keep his friendship with "Whitaker" together despite the pilot trying his very best to throw it away. He joins Washington for the third time in their careers, having worked alongside him on "St Elsewhere" in the 80's and then "Deja Vu" in 1996. His performance is dedicated and believable and the audience cannot help but feel sorry for his character and his seemingly fruitless efforts to save the career and life of his friend.

Kelly Reilly does a wonderful job as "Nicole", giving a great performance as this troubled young woman who does her best to keep her life together while trying to aid the self destructive "Whitaker". It would be good to see more of this talented actress in the future. Also keep an eye out for the beautiful Nadine Valezquez who makes a good break from her TV career as "Katerina Marquez". Her time on screen is short lived, but is entertaining.

The film is well paced and enjoyable, with Washington giving a superb performance in the lead. He is well deserving of his best actor Oscar nomination and seems decent money to win his third award. The film is a very serious one, with the odd light hearted moment, but does pay the correct amount of respect to various issues which plague modern society. This one is a very good watch and will keep the audience engaged throughout the 138 minutes running time.

This move is well worth your admission fee and is entertaining from start to end.

7.5/10