Psst, hey you. I’ve got some news, but keep it quiet. I’ve recently moved. To where you ask? Well, a small place called Surbiton. Yes, if you’re a long term reader, you know my fictional blog post nemesis is SurbitonRebelWilsonFanClub, and now we have joined them there. Well, blame my land lords for selling their house. Anyway, if the film of the month on this blog post is pitch perfect 2, then you know they’ve found me…
One third of the way through the year and the monthly film blog posts are going strong. Monthly recaps were offline for a little while with it being ASBO season, thus that and the Oscar post taking up any blog writing time, in amongst flat searching, packing, moving, sleeping on a yoga mat because the pump for the air bed broke and the mattress hadn’t arrived, the broken radiators, life being cruel and cold, basically just be grateful I’m back.
I won’t go into detail about the films I haven’t written about in February and March. All I will say is to watch Red Island, Monster, Robot Dreams, Perfect Days, Dune Part 2 and The Promised Land. Some of them may make my top 20 at the end of the year, but all are good movies.
The Beautiful Game is by no means a bad movie. It’s totally okay. Bill Nighy recruits a new star striker to his homeless world cup team who needs to accept that he is homeless and connect with those around him. You know how the film is going to go and it’s totally okay. It was a calm, easy watch with the family which we will all forget we saw by the end of the year. At the very least, it’s better than Taika Waititi’s Next Goal Wins.
One of the big films of the month is the much advertised Civil War. The film isn’t about the war, but about some journalists and war photographers who look to document it. It’s not as rip-roaring as it suggests, instead moving at a slow, slightly odd road trip pace. I was disappointed with this movie for a few reasons. Firstly, it sits of the fence far too much. It doesn’t really say anything. Each character is bland and it all feels too sanitised to be a good war movie. Secondly, it acts more as a set of vignettes showing tension. There is literally one scene where the protagonists are being shot at, then it cuts to them being literally back in the car. There is a lack of effect, the characters are boringly stagnant and the conflict isn’t of interest. This could have been epic. Instead, it was just a bit of a dud.
Next Goal Wins was a true story film which tried to wear its heart in the right place. Michael Fassbender plays a failing American coach who is angry with the world. Their FA sends him to manage American Samoa, the worst team in the world, who had recently been beaten 31-0 by Australia. With the team and manager at rock bottom, this whacky comedy is about the coach finding peace and working with the team in their quest to score one goal.
By no means awful, Next Goal Wins provides a couple of laughs, however, doesn’t nail the powerful moments. It’s clearly made by someone who doesn’t like or understand the beauty of football, and it’s very much reflected in this hollow mess.
Io Capitano is your liberal parent’s favourite feel good film about human trafficking which isn’t Wonka. A supposed true story, the movie focuses on two teenagers who leave Senegal to get to Italy to live better lives. While potentially a traumatic movie, it instead focuses on trying to find nice moments, forgoing any emotional impact and emptiness which you can find in better films such as 2013’s The Golden Dream.
The story does feel contrived, however it is somewhat redeemed by a couple of very good lead performances by Seydou Sarr and Bamar Kane. Out of the films up for best international film at the recent Oscars, this was definitely the weakest.
The Teachers Lounge was another Oscar nominated movie. This German movie is about what happens to a teacher when she accuses a receptionist of stealing her money, a situation made far more awkward as the accused’s child is in her class. Much like Anatomy of a Fall, the question isn’t whether the money is stolen. Instead, it’s an interesting film which focuses on dynamics between the child, his teacher and their classmates, constantly swinging for and against each in a tense manner.
With a well shot movie and an incredible lead performance from Leonie Benesch. A horror movie for teachers, which is almost as scary as The Hunt. For the rest of the world, a really interesting film.
Any of my top four movies could’ve made movie of the month, with each a really unique film. Evil Does Not Exist is the latest new film from Drive My Car’s Ryusuke Hamaguchi. Much like that movie, EDNE is a glacial affair, starting with a 5 minute shot of the sky which will help send even the strongest insomniac off. However, once it gets going it is very interesting. Two company representatives go to a small rural town to propose a glamping site. They don’t seem to care at first, as they’re just paid actors. However, for this community, nature is incredibly important and they discuss the impact of the site on their famously clean water and the local deer.
This eco-fable remains interesting because nobody is quite what they seem at first. The aloof actors seem to care at heart, while the open locals are far more protective of their environment. Remaining grounded until a far more abstract, obscure conclusion, this film shows the beauty of nature, and of humanity. You feel hope and anger on the locals’ behalf. It does take a while to get going, but give it a chance and suddenly it grabs you by the horns and doesn’t let go.
The Book of Clarence brings in the right balance of humour, heart and blasphemy to be a winner. Clarence (Lakeith Stanfield) is struggling to pay his debts. A bit of a fool, he is constantly making bad decisions. After getting baptised in the hope of the local loan shark going easy on him fails, he sees how people love Jesus and give him money and comes up with an idea. However, this could backfire, especially with the local roman guards not being a fan of messiahs in general.
The second film from Jeymes Samuel, following on from The Harder They Fall, he brings his chaotic energy, which means things can feel messy. However, they’re infectiously funny, and with Stanfield playing such a ridiculous character, this film both seems to support and mock religion in equal balance. Call it fence sitting, but I think it allows things not to go into total parody, and instead is an ancient super-natural hustle movie, which remains really fun.
Probably the biggest surprise of the month for me was Dev Patel’s directorial debut film Monkey Man, a full blooded nose biting, thumb slicing revenge movie which barely has any action in its first hour. Patel also stars as a failing wrestler, who gets a new job in a fancy restaurant in his attempt to get close to powerful people. He slowly builds up a story and a world, including fantasy elements, cruelty, and corruption so you feel empathy for his character when we go into full blooded rampage.
The action genre isn’t one I hugely enjoy, however this film builds a world fantastically, even if the plot is light. The cinematography is incredible. The camera moves brilliantly, and Patel uses the scenery in fun and inventive ways, making these scenes of violence pieces of art. An unapologetic, full-blooded mess, this film is really is polished for an director who is more famous for starring quiet indie films, and I’m really excited to see what he does next.
Worst film of the month
Before we go and celebrate the best film of the month, let’s take a moment to discuss the car crash that was Back to Black. Amy Winehouse is the greatest singer of all time in my mind. Her life ending when it did was a tragedy, especially as she was the age I am now. Of course, a biopic was inevitable.
A gritty, controversial biopic which shows tragedy? No, a feel good movie with a happy ending. She literally dies guys. Did we forget that? Does the director know that? The film was simple. Such a tragedy should be multi-faceted. Instead, the film says “Oh, it was the paparazzi’s fault, and not the family”. It’s like Princess Diana all over again. The music didn’t have the impact either. Rocket Man spoiled us, by making the movie link to the songs as well. This film literally says “I don’t write to make money, I live my songs”, yet when they’re splashed around, it doesn’t feel relevant. One of my least favourite moments of film is when they went from Back To Black being played over the top of a montage by Winehouse, before the last three lines were randomly sang out of tune by the lead actress. Use the songs better, I beg of you.
Basically, it’s rubbish. It’s a mess. Don’t watch it.
Film of the month
I went into this movie totally blind, however I couldn’t help but fall in love with There’s Still Tomorrow. Set in post WWII Italy, this black and white film sees Delia (Paola Cortiselli) in a sad life with an abusive husband and three kids. Her daughter is to marry into a rich family, but is annoyed at how her mother folds. The world wants her to escape, but she seems unable to. Despite the dark subject, the film almost appears comedic, using fantastical sequences instead of any horrible scenes. The comedy is thinly veiled anger. The anger makes it all flow, there is humour and beauty in her world, where the humour is sensible. There is something to fight for.
As well as funny scenes, there is also plenty of tension as everything which can go wrong seems to go so. There is a dinner scene where the daughter’s boyfriend’s family is to come over with the intention of engagement, and you wonder what will happen. There is also a dash for freedom which keeps you on the edge. Despite the tension and horrors, there is a real human warmth which keeps this film hopeful and well balanced.
So, not Pitch Perfect 2, we’re safe… for now
The Film Ramble 