Hesher (2011)

A bereaved family has their house invaded by a heavy metal loving anarchist who teaches them a few things about life...

When a young man who recently lost his mother in a horrific car accident breaks the window of a squat occupied by a heavy metal listening anarchist, he has no idea what he is letting himself or his family in for.

"T.J", his father "Paul" and "Grandma", all live in the same house trying to get over the traumatic death of their wife, mother and daughter in law, each in their own way. In a twist of fate, "Hesher", a mad, heavy metal driven anarchist comes into their lives, invading their house and making it his own. He brings with him his own very unique outlook on the world, caring only for himself and in no way understanding the pain those around him are going through.

As "T.J" goes from one stage of grief to the next, he meets "Nicole", a broke supermarket teller and despite their age difference (him being 10 and her a lot older), falls in love with her. Through all of this confusion and tragedy, "Hesher" seems to be the only "sane" one in the world, but will the rest of them stop long enough to listen to his wisdom?

The trailer for this film promised good things and more than delivered on these, director and writer Spencer Sussor producing one of the finest, yet most dark films to be released in 2011. The movie is a work of genius, but one of the most depressing films I have seen in a long time. The combination of unexpected grief and the inability of the family to carry on, mindless destruction and no seeming need to answer for their actions, make this a truly dark film, but the characters meld superbly to make an awesome film.

Traditionally a comedy actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt (who soared to fame in Third Rock from the Sun), he has now started taking to more serious roles and in this one is possibly his darkest one yet as "Hesher". From the man who starred in "Inception" and then went on to award nomination in "50/50", this is a new career high. He is truly inspirational in this film, as a dark and brooding metal-head, who does things simply to see their effect on people. His performance is something very special, playing this very dysfunctional character to perfection. Bravo!

Oscar winner Natalie Portman has made some fantastic films in her time and some true horrors, but her role as "Nicole" in this one, ranks up there with the best of them. Her hopeless and destitute character brings out the very best in this actress, plumbing the depths of depression which shows just what a fantastic talent she is. Her character is dark, while at the same time, being possibly the happiest in the entire film, but seems to meld a number of different emotions together for a fantastic result.

Young Devin Brochu is phenomenal in this film in what is effectively the lead role of "T.J". His portrayal of a grieving boy who has lost his mother suddenly and the anger, frustration, disillusionment at his situation where is father is unable to be a stable figure in his life, while trying to deal with his own loss. His performance is superb, one of the finest I have seen of an actor this young. His mood is dark and brooding, and he reaches out to anybody who will giving him the stability he so badly needs. I look forward to seeing a hell of a lot more of this talented youngster.

Rainn Wilson, best known for his starring role in "The Office", tries his hand at the more serious side of his craft and delivers something very decent indeed in the role of "Paul". His inability to deal with the sudden loss of his wife is deeply tragic and disturbing and adds so much to the true drama of this film. Piper Laurie who plays Grandma is probably the true highlight in this magnificent film. Her character strikes you as so helpless, that you cannot but help yourself in supporting her.

The film is harsh and brutal, yet at the same time tender and tragic. It mixes all the best of all the characters to introduce a fantastic script and a story which will leave you sitting in silence as the credits roll. This film is something very special, but wears its heart on its sleeve and makes absolutely no apologies for this. Watch this film with an open mind and be prepared to be impressed. Not a happy movie.

8.5/10

She's the Man (2006)

After a girl's football team is scrapped she decides to take matters into her own hands by impersonating her brother in order to play in an important match.

When her brother "Sebastian" decides to ditch his brand new school for a few weeks while playing music with his band in London, his sister "Viola" decides to prove a point to her sexist soccer coach and poses as her older brother to play in a vital game against her own school.

Along the way she gets herself into some fairly major pickles. Not only does she fall in love with her room-mate "Duke", but also has to fend off the rather unwanted advances of her lab partner "Olivia", who finds "Sebastian" the perfect man. "Viola" also has to try and dodge the real girlfriend of her brother and also her own Ex-Boyfriend "Justin" who seems to take great offense at the fact that the girl he thinks is still his girlfriend seems to be falling for his mortal enemy "Duke".

If that is not enough to make your head hurt, "Viola" still has to live life as a boy and also learn how to play soccer like one too. If she can wrap all of these things together, she may just live happily ever after...

It was difficult to know what to expect from this film, but despite early doubts it does turn out quite well. The cast of well known and not so well known actors gels well together, and although the script is lacking in places, it turns out to be quite a decent film.

Amanda Bynes takes the lead role in just her fourth major film, having spent most of her career on American TV, but does a decent job in the end, taking on the roles of both "Viola" and "Sebastian". She is not really challenged in this role, but does bring a fair bit of comedic value to this film, especially with the continual lapses of her "deep" voice. It would be interesting to see this actress in a more serious role as she may well surprise.

Rising superstar Channing Tatum has shown that he can do well in a number of different genres, but in this one, was still very much considered a one trick "pretty boy" actor. He is not really challenged in the role of "Duke", but does show a nice sensitive side that would serve him well later on in life. He does well as the jock in this film, trying his utmost not to show his sensitive side, but giving into it occasionally and giving the audience somebody to root for.

Laura Ramsey does a decent job in the role of the love struck "Olivia", hopelessly infatuated with her new lab partner "Sebastian" and almost completely ignorant of the fixation which "Duke" has for her. Her role is not massively challenging, but she does well and makes the film a lot more enjoyable than it could have been. Stand up comedian David Cross brings a lot of laughs to the screen in his role as the "cool" principal Gold. His contribution alone is worth the admission fee.

Probably the highlight of the film is Welsh acting legend "Vinnie Jones", who goes back to what he does best as a soccer coach in his role as "Coach Dinklage". He rants and he rages, but with a lot fewer of the four letter utterances which we are used to from this Hollywood hard-man. He does not have the biggest role in this one, but I feel would have benefited the film a lot more had he played more of a part.

Julie Haggarty does well as "Daphne", the demanding mother of "Viola", while James Kirk does a decent enough job as the real "Sebastian". This film was never going to win any awards and in many places could be described as predictable, but it has a cute story and some very decent laughs stemming from many and varied uncomfortable situations. This one is worth a watch, but don't expect any Oscar challenging performances.

5/10

Attack the Block (2011)

A race of Aliens attack a block of flats in one of the worst part of London, but the residents fight back...

After a local resident is mugged by a group of young thugs, she reports the crime to the police who quickly arrive to round up the suspects. While they are doing this there is an alien invasion and together the victim and the criminals are forced to fight for their lives, all the time, trying to dodge the police and angry drug dealers.

Together this motley crew of unwilling participants have to muck together with whatever makeshift weapons they can find, in order to wipe out a race of alien life forms who feel nothing for killing as many humans as they possibly can. In a society with little respect for or from the police, the youngsters have to take the law into their own hands in order to save the planet.

If they can stick together and stay alive they might just fight off this deadly invasion...but it's unlikely that would ever happen...

Having watched the trailer for this I was not sure really what to expect from this film, but was rather pleasantly surprised with what director Joe Cornish delivered. The film is a decent watch, with some good acting a surprisingly good special effects. It was difficult to gauge exactly what sort of audience this film was trying to entice, as not everybody in the audience would understand the language and expressions used by the youths in this film, nor the culture of council estate blocks in London.

The acting in this was a lot better than expected too. The biggest name in the film is "Paul" and "Hot Fuzz" hero, Nick Frost who plays the role of the long haired drug dealer "Ron" and does a very good job of it.

Yorkshire born Jodie Whittaker gives a very decent performance as the strong willed "Sam", first a victim of crime, but then one of the leaders of the fight back against the invading aliens. She brings a decent amount of gravity to the role, but also provides a few good lines to add to general comedy of this film. I look forward to seeing more of this talented actress, who has proven that she is well versed in both serious and less serious roles.

The real surprise of this film comes from English/Nigerian actor John Boyega does a fantastic job in the role of "Moses", the leader of the young gang of thugs. His performance is very decent indeed, showing a lot of depth, for somebody who is only 20 years old. He is good in the action scenes, sincere in the ones he needs to be, and also stoic and determined in the causes which his character chooses to take up. It would be good to see a lot more of this talented actor in the future.

Alex Ismail does a good job as the paranoid pot head "Pest", while Leeon Jones performs admirably in his big screen debut, as the determined "Jerome".

This is not a film that everybody will enjoy, and I believe it was aimed at a very British-centric demographic and that a lot of people will not understand half of what is said by the younger members of the cast. That being said it is still a decent watch and the special effects are rather pleasing. There are some good laughs in the film and a couple of tense scenes, but this is no way a horror as advertised.

6/10

A Few Best Men

A group of British 20somethings travel to Australia to be best men at their friends wedding, with hilarious consequences...

When "David" returns from his travels around the Pacific and tells his group of friends that he is to marry "Mia" in Australia, it is decided that they will all go with him across the world to be best men at his wedding.

Not only does "David" have to come to terms with "Mia's" family of which Dad is a senator, mum is a repressed, bored trophy wife, and a lesbian sister, who is rather unconventional, but he also has to keep track of his best men. Friends, who are trying their utmost to ruin his wedding. Add to the mix an extremely troubled and violent drug dealer; most of the Australian senate, "Ramsey", the family pet sheep that seems to mean more to the senator than any other members of his family, enough cocaine to float a small army, and you have the makings for one of the strangest weddings in Australian history.

If he can manage to keep all of these strange elements at bay, then "David" may have a small chance of enjoying the happiest day of his life...

An enjoyable romp of a comedy and romance, but delivered a lot less of the laughs that the trailer promised, while bringing more emotion than one would have expected. Australian born Xavier Samuel, who has had previous outings in "Eclipse" and most recently in controversial historical bio "Anonymous", does a decent enough job as "David" in this one, but you do get the feeling he is somewhat overshadowed by some of the bigger named actors on the screen. Countrywoman Laura Brent gives a decent enough showing as "Mia", but does not have a whole lot to do in one of the leading roles.

Englishman Kris Marshall continues his break away from TV (His role of "Nick" in the hit UK comedy My Family", somewhat holding him back), but he does superbly well in this film, holding it together when it looks all but set to unravel. His portrayal of "Tom", the long time best friend to "David" is comedic, yet emotional, and shows how close the bond of friendship can become over a lifetime. His antics with his fellow best men are superb and his interaction with "Ramsey" provides some of the best laughs of the entire movie.

Kevin Bishop does well as the very reserved and innocent "Graham", making you almost feel sorry for him having to give an impromptu best man speech, while completely off his face. His clumsiness is funny, yet tragic and you cannot hope that one day he might bump into the girl of his dreams. Tim Draxl is the most annoying character you could hope to see on screen in 2012 as the emotional and rather hate-able character of "Luke". He will not let go of his ex girlfriend, who clearly wants nothing to do with him! You honestly want to reach out and throttle him during many parts of the film, which is down to excellent writing by Dean Craig, but the film would be a lot more enjoyable without him.

Australian comedian Rebel Wilson, does a superb job as "Daphne", the pretend lesbian intent on annoying the hell out of her straight laced and respectable senator father. In her first on screen outing since "What to Expect When Expecting", she returns to her native accent and easily delivers the most enjoyable performance of the entire film. It would be good to see this talented comedy actress in more serious roles, as I think she has a lot more to offer.

Singer/Actress Olivia Newton-John, returns to the big screen for the first time since her performance in "Good Luck Chuck" in 2007; putting on a great Aussie accent and giving a decent performance as mother of the bride, "Barbara". Her drug fueled antics are enjoyable and humorous, and she is ably supported by Jonathan Biggins, who does a great job as the always respectable senator, "Jim". The suprise highlight of the movie comes from Steve Le Marquand, who does a fantastic job as drug dealer, "Ray". It would be great to see a lot more of this talented Australian actor.

An enjoyable film, a bit slow in places, but the laughs, when they come are good. The interaction with the sheep is fantastic and the dressing up of the animal will have you giggling for days. This one isn't going to win any acting awards, but its worth the time you spend on it. A fair bit of dirty humour, but they manage to do a decent job with an average script

4.5/10

Friends with Kids

Two friends decide to have a child without thinking of the repercussions...

A couple of friends who have known each other since they were 19 decide to have a child together but keep their friendship completely platonic, so as not to suffer the effects that they consider having children can have on a relationship.

"Jason" and "Julie" have no interest in each other, but find the idea of having a child in their mid thirties appealing. They see their other married friends going through the trials and tribulations which children bring and strains it takes on their relationships, feeling it is not for them. They simply have a child and then go back to dating other people, while managing to be really good parents and still maintaining a good friendship.

As their son grows older, and the relationships of their friends start falling apart, their feelings for each other increase; unfortunately never at the same time. In time, their not being together causes issues and they see each other only in passing. It seems to be all over, but the child has other ideas...

It's hard to really describe this film, other than "Superbad" meets a Romance, but somehow Director, writer and lead actress, Jennifer Westfeldt, has done a remarkable job of bringing a really good romantic film, with some truly filthy humour, to the big screen. With a cast containing four of the actors who we saw in "Bridesmaids" in 2011, this film was going to be very hit and miss, but this time, they manage to actually be funny, and it makes for a very enjoyable movie!

Adam Scott as "Jason" and Jennifer Westfeldt as "Julie", together are an almost perfect combination for a romantic film. The attraction in the air is palpable, despite them trying to play this down the entire movie, but it's cute, quirky and downright hillarious in places, as the script follows none of the conventions we all know of romcoms. This film skates along the edges of respectability, its humour often from the gutter, but very funny indeed. This couple makes a great pair and I look forward to seeing them together again really soon.

Kristin Wiig and Ben Hamm rekindle their relationship from "Bridesmaids", this time only slightly less dysfunctional than in their last outing. Their roles as "Missy" and "Ben" are emotional and not too funny, but well acted and enjoyable to watch; especially during the meltdown of a relationship based purely on the physical.

Maya Rudolph as "Leslie" and Chris O'Dowd (rather better known for his exploits in the IT Crowd)  as "Alex" are a fantastic combination as a couple, always fighting, but bringing a lot of the best laughs and most tender moments to the film and making this a lot more enjoyable. O'Dowd has made a great jump to the big screen, but it was really weird to hear the Irishman with an American accent. Next time he hopefully sticks to his regular dulcet tones.

Megan Fox also makes an appearance in this one and does well in a role which requires absolutely no acting skills. She gets to look pretty, act like a petulant child and pull faces, so this is almost a perfect role for her. On the other hand, Ed Burns, plays the role of "Kurt", a single dad on the rebound with aplomb, and gives the audience somebody to root for.

This is a really nice and enjoyable, feel good film, which will have the audience cringing in places, but rolling about in the aisles at other times. The tempo is great, the laughs in all the right places and there is enough emotion to keep any romance fan on the edge of their seats. It may be like no other rom-com you have ever seen before, but give it a chance and it may well grow on you.

7/10

50/50 (2011)

When a young man discovers he has cancer he has to rely on his best friend and a new counselor to pull him through his ordeal.

When "Adam" goes in for a routine check-up after experiencing trouble breathing while jogging, he is hit by the shock announcement that he has cancer. Not only does he have to face up to this bombshell, but he also finds out that his not so supportive girlfriend has been cheating on him with some artistic types.

As he struggles to come to terms with his own mortality, he is assigned a rookie counselor "Katherine", whose first assignment is to talk "Adam" through the biggest crisis of his life, while she is still struggling to come to terms with her own issues. She has to deal with his anger towards the illness that is ravaging his body, but also try to keep the relationship professional, while trying not to fall in love with her patient.

Adam's best friend "Kyle" is there for him through thick and thin, always smiling, always joking and often dipping into the medicinal marijuana, but as the chemo kicks in and some of the people he meets start falling prey to the illness, even their seemingly unbreakable relationship comes under strain. A trial operation is "Adams'" last hope of beating the disease, but he will have to face his worst fears to come through it.

This has to be one of the finest films of 2011. Two comedic actors in Joseph Gordon-Levitt who plays "Adam" and Seth Rogan who takes on the challenges of "Kyle", both facing up one of the hardest topics there is, with sensitivity and respect.

If you had told me before I saw this film that you could make a film about cancer in a comedic fashion, I would have thought you were mad, and also in very bad taste, but these two superb actors, known mainly for fluffy outings like "500 days of Summer" and "Knocked Up", confront this mammoth task with a sense of maturity, that shows they have grown so much as actors.

Yes, there are many, many funny moments in this film, where the audience will feel guilty for laughing and such a horrid topic; but the way the film is put across, you feel that more than enough respect is paid to this horrendous disease, and a vitality to fight it, is the eventual winner in this piece.

Anna Kendrick does a superb job as "Katherine", pushing aside her roles in "Twilight", to prove that she really can act. Keep an eye out for her in her next few showings as I have a feeling there are big things to come from this Tony nominated actress. Hollywood legend Anjelica Huston does incredibly well and the mother of "Adam", in her first mainstream movie since "The Darjeeling Limited" in 2006. It is good to see her back.

This film is a true cinematic treasure and should be a staple in any movie collection. I look forward to seeing further collaboration between these two fine comedic actors, who, although being superb in their comedic genre, seem to have struck a rich vein of form in a more serious role.

8.5/10

Get Him to the Greek (2010)

 

When an ageing rockstar is invited to perform some of his greatest hits in the US, a PR man from the record company is sent to London to make sure he gets him to the Greek Theater.

When an ailing record company in need of a financial pick-up, decides to put on an anniversary concert at the Greek Theater in LA, they decide to bring back "Aldous Snow", rather out of control rock star who has three days to get from London to the venue.

It is left up to a junior PR man from the record company to travel across the Atlantic to make sure that the out of control rock-star is actually at the show. Along the way, he manages to indulge in the maniac lifestyle that goes along with the drug and alcohol fueled ways of the ageing rocker. At the same time he is trying to keep his relationship together, while not getting too mixed up in the insanity that is the life of a world famous rock musician.

Comedian and actor "Russel Brand" takes on the lead role of "Aldous Snow", playing a very creditable rock star, but it does make you wonder, just how far from his real life persona, this character really is. He is a maniac in this role, giving 120% to everything he does, be it good or bad. He keeps the pace of the movie going along nicely and provides a number of very good laughs, despite dealing with some quite serious issues of his own

The very talented Jonah Hill is the poor sap left to babysit the mental rock musician in his role as "Aaron Green" in his second collaboration with Russel Brand. He gives a very decent performance as the harried and chased record exec who has his personal and professional life turned upside down as he tries to keep up with the lifestyle of "Aldous Snow". Hill has come a long way since he emerged on the scene in "Super Bad" and continues to show his versatility as an actor.

Real life superstar Sean Combs is fantastic in the role of record producer "Sergio Roma" in his first big screen outing since "Monsters Ball" in 2001. His Diva like character is awesome and provides a lot of the laughs needed in this film. Elisabeth Moss does really decently as the long suffering girlfriend of "Aaron", while Australian born Rose Burn gives a very convincing performance as the estranged girl friend of "Aldous".

Keep an eye out for a cameo by metal legend Lars Ulrich, he of Metallica fame, along with brief glimpses of Pink and Christina Aguilera.

A decent film, with some really good laughs and a number of really catchy tunes. Brand and Hill work really well off each other and this one is well worth investing your time in.

6/10