Capernaum - Phil's Five Words for Film

Capernaum From Lebanese Director, Nadine Labaki comes a hard hitting, documentary-styled story of poverty, failing society and the inhumane treatment of disenfranchised minors in Beirut.. The very human story of a 10year old boy’s fight to create a better life for himself by divorcing himself from his parents. ‘Real’ extras and handheld footage thrusts the viewer deep in to the film and there is real social comment to be found. Wonderful drone footage and the use of 'real' locations produces a stunning film that feels dirty and angrily frustrated. The tragedy is that the most humanity and hope to be seen comes from the youngest members of the entire piece. Zain Al Rafeea stands out as the boy, Zain. Beautiful film-making that should touch all who make the effort to watch it. Nominated for an Oscar in 2019 for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year. It should have had more. Cameo appearance by the director to look out for and one of the most uplifting end frames of any film. Subtitles.

8 out of 10. 2018 

Cert 15.
2hrs 6mins

Room - Phil's Five Words for Films

Room Directed by Lenny Abrahamson (Frank,2014) and based on the screenplay & 2010 book by Emma Donoghue, Room centres on a young boy, Jack, who has known nothing of the world other than the room in which he has been held captive. Together with his 'Ma', his world has to change quickly as they bid to escape from their captor, 'Old Nick'. The first half of the film is claustrophobic and personal and the second half is tragic yet hopeful. The naïve, first person tone of the book has been perfectly captured in the low level camera work and the focus on faces and simple relationships. Brie Larson won an Oscar in 2016 for her performance but, for me, it is the young wonder of Jack ( Jacob Tremblay ) that really steals the show. A wonderful film about parenthood, learning from life and growing through experience. Emma Donoghue was rightly nominated for an adapted screenplay Oscar.

8 out of 10
Cert 15 (UK)
118mins 2016

Birdman - Phil's Five Words for Films

Birdman Riggan Thomson ( Keaton ) used to be a cinema star. An actor who played a comic book superhero in blockbuster films. The Birdman. Now, twenty years later, he is staging a risky, Broadway play and searching for acclaim and validation. His mental stability and personal life are falling to pieces and financial pressures and critical reviews may tip him over the edge. Riggan battes himself, his daughter ( Stone ), his fellow actors ( Norton ) and his 'Birdman' past. Apart from the brilliantly intense central performances from Michael Keaton, Emma Stone and Edward Norton, there are three main elements that really standout for me in 'Birdman'. Firstly, the wonderful, jazz-infused score that 'pops' and 'sizzles' throughout, adding to the freestyle weirdness of the script, sometimes encroaching on the perceived reality. The second is the long, sweeping camera shots that weave in and out of the action, continuous image streams that elegantly follow the story and add to the building insanity. You will struggle to find the joins. The third is the soaring use of

August: Osage County - Phil's Five Words for Films

August: Osage County It is not often that you see the brilliant Meryl Streep outdone in the acting department but, for me, Julia Roberts steals the show here and does just that. After a family tragedy, the various members of the Weston clan return home to their parent's Oklahoma house for a meal that turns in to a battle of the matriarchs, where dark secrets and family tensions are brought to the surface. Based on a play and screenplay by Tracy Letts, the film centres on this one meal and its aftermath for the majority of the film's two hour run time. It is testament to the great script and superb performances that such a limited backdrop produces such an engaging film. There is lots of acting to be seen here. So much so that Benedict

Philomena - Phil's Five Words for Films

Philomena is the true story of one lady's fifty year struggle to find her son, who was forcibly stolen from her when she was a very young woman. ( Based on the book 'The Lost Child of Philomena Lee' by Martin Sixsmith). Following a teenage fling with a young man in a local fairground, Philomena ( Dench ) was forced to give up her baby boy for adoption by the Catholic nuns with whom she was forced to live and work. They also convinced (!) her of the shame she should feel at being an unmarried mother and that the child trafficking was part of her religious duty. On the boy's 50th birthday, Philomena breaks the tragic news to her daughter and together they make contact with Martin Sixsmith ( Coogan ), a BBC correspondent, to ask him

Blue is the Warmest Colour - Phil's Five Words for Films

Blue is the Warmest Colour (La Vie d'Adele) French with subtitles. Telling the story of a young French girl and her journey of discovery through adolescence, love and her same sex relationship, this film has attracted a lot of controversy and a Palme d'Or at Cannes 2013. It is easy to see why. The acting is spellbinding, Adele Exarchopoulos ( Adele ) and Lea Seydoux ( Emma ) are both intensely believable as the young lovers and the director, Abdel Kechiche has created an emotional, in depth study of their story, whilst being accused of pushing the actors beyond boundaries. ( more here )  The directorial style is one of concentration and visceral close-up, focusing on all aspects of the characters facial features, particularly their mouths. Talking, smoking, kissing and eating - all seen through the lens of intimacy. The sex scenes ( cert 18 ) are intense, extended, messy and real, again pushing the boundaries of decency in to voyeurism and pornography. All of which has the effect of leaving you feeling the awkwardness of the blossoming relationship. You won't see such

Gravity - Phil's Five Words for Films

Gravity  Every now and then, a film comes along that raises the bar. 'Gravity' is that film. The special effects really are something special. It looks beautiful and the 3D version is full of depth, 'space' being the ideal setting. For me, there are a few issues with the story and characters but the spectacle more than outweighs the problems. As good as Sandra Bullock and George Clooney were, I thought their parts could have been played by any old person. George Clooney's impression of 'Buzz Lightyear' even detracted from some scenes and some of his 'actions' seemed out of character. ( email me for details!) Couple this with the fact that Sandra Bullock's character seemed to have had two days training before going on a space mission, ( manuals?), it left me feeling that there were a few holes in the film.

Dallas Buyer's Club - Phil's Five Words for Films

Dallas Buyer's Club In my opinion, Matthew McConaughey has been shuffling towards an Oscar winning performance for the last few years and, following his role as a rodeo cowboy, given a month to live after being diagnosed with HIV, he has finally grabbed one. McConaughey reportedly lost over 40 pounds to play the role and the result is instantly shocking. Set in the early 1980's and based on the real-life story of Ron Woodroof who smuggled unlicensed drugs from Mexico to Texas to treat his condition, McConaughey is mesmerising. Between him and Jared Leto, who plays a fellow sufferer and cross-dressing

Searching for Sugar Man - Phil's Five Words for Films

Searching for Sugar Man I love good films and I love good music. So it will come as no surprise that I thoroughly enjoyed a good documentary about a good music story. In the late 1960's, a singer-songwriter known as Rodriguez was discovered in a Detroit nightclub, creating music that many thought would make him a superstar. A Latino Dylan. After recording 2 albums with leading music producers, the sales didn't match the enthusiasm and soon, rumours of his on-stage death began to spread. Meanwhile, in South Africa, the albums began the 1970's by selling in their millions and slowly fixed themselves in to the national psyche and a move towards political freedom. News of the success just didn't

Saving Mr Banks - Phil's Five Words for Films

Saving Mr Banks Nothing wonderful ever comes easily and certainly not when you are trying to create a classic Disney film. Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks are both brilliant as they wrestle and haggle over the storytelling rights and the creative process involved in the making of 'Mary Poppins'. Thompson plays P.L Travers, the creator of the practically perfect nanny and she nails the part, giving the writer just enough warmth to balance her cynical hard edge. Tom Hanks plays Walt Disney, dogged in his pursuit of the permission to make the movie his way. The two meet in L.A in 1961 to discuss the production and Travers' remains unmoved

The Raid - Phil's Five Words for Films

The Raid  ( Indonesian with subtitles ) Written and directed by Welshman Gareth Evans, this martial arts action film set in Jakarta, Indonesia is a breath-taking, non-stop, ludicrously gory romp of a movie.  The plot seems unimportant - an elite special forces group attempt to raid a fifteen storey apartment block, owned, populated and controlled by a local drugs lord and his low-life pals.  Once inside, their cover is blown and as the bullets fly, a small group are left to fight their way out.  Done. It is the beautifully choreographed and artfully directed fight scenes that really stand out in the film, each one more ridiculous and painful than the last.  The punches, kicks and snaps come thick and fast, leaving you feeling as breathless as if you had fought the bad guys yourself.  The pacing, sound and editing of the film are really well judged, giving every impact maximum effect. The lead role of Rama is played by the superb Iko Uwais and you should expect to hear more from him and everyone involved in this film in the near future.  There will probably be a sub-standard American remake too, as happens with any interesting or successful subtitled film.  The Raid may not be to everyone's taste but nobody could deny that it is a really well put together piece of genre film making.  A painful and wincing watching experience.  Brutal fun. Stunning.

8.5 out of 10.
Cert 18 ( uk )
2012. 101mins

Tyrannosaur - Phil's Five Words for films

Tyrannosaur Hard hitting in every sense of the words, Tyrannosaur is a brutal, British film that explores violence and rage and their effect on human relationships.  Peter Mullen, Olivia Colman and Eddie Marsan all act their socks off in this brilliant but disturbing debut film from director Paddy Considine.  Mullen plays Joseph, an angry, violent man caught up in a cycle of drinking, betting and fighting who suddenly finds himself in the company of Hannah ( Colman ), a charity shop worker with a strong faith and an abusive husband ( Marsan ).  Joseph and Hannah strike up an unlikely and needy friendship that always seems doomed to end in violence.   It's not a film for the faint-hearted, easily offended or sensitive dog lovers but the central performances are so good that even the scenes of extreme abuse and language are compelling viewing.  From the opening scenes, which see Joseph being ejected from a bookies, to the bleak Yorkshire setting, it feels like only a matter of time before the underlying tensions explode and the anger is released.  Make no mistake about it, Tyrannosaur is not an easy film to watch but it is powerful, brutal and strangely touching.

8.5 out of 10.

Cert 18 (uk).

2011.

The Muppets - Phil's Five Words for Films

The Muppets  Just as the world had seemingly forgotten about the Muppets, Walter, their greatest fan discovers a maniacal plot to buy and tear down the Muppet theatre as oil is found beneath it. The only hope of saving the historic building is to reunite the old friends and put on one last inspirational, muppetational show.  So Walter and his friends, Gary and Mary, meet with a slightly depressed Kermit and get things started.  There's buckets of nostalgia, loads of famous cameos, singing chickens, old and new faces, Oscar winning songs and farting shoes.  What is not to like?  It's full of joy, laughs gently at itself and leaves you feeling glad to see the old gang back together again, cracking jokes, bursting into song and putting on a show.  All the old favourites are here, given a modern twist with some sharp writing.  It makes for a great family film.  The gang have been away for over a decade and the greatest challenge for the latest muppets film was to appeal to a new generation without trampling on the memories of those old enough to remember their previous outings.  Do they succeed?  Yes, of course they do.  Waccawacca.

8.5 out of 10.
Cert U. (uk) 2012 

Catfish - Phil's Five Words for Films -

Catfish It's difficult to review a documentary film like Catfish, that relies on the unfolding of a story to keep you hooked, without giving anything away. Even the title is designed to keep you in the dark. The film makers are either extremely lucky and opportunistic to stumble upon such an intriguing story or they have put together an extremely well made 'fake-umentary'. Either way, the story plays out beautifully and is handled with a great deal of grace and sensitivity. Nev Schulman is filmed by his brother, Ariel and his friend Henry Joost as they carefully unravel the online world he has been drawn in to. What could have been a cheap and exploitative film is crafted in to a moving snapshot of on-line relationships and Facebook ' friends'. Touching, funny, fresh and well made, this is a salutary tale of the modern cyber world. Well worth a watch.

8 out of 10.
Cert12A (uk). 2010.

An Education - Phil's Five Words for Films

An Education A nice, gentle film that is frightfully English. Full of red letter boxes and double decker buses, boating trips to Oxford and nice cups of tea. The film is based on a memoir of Lynn Barber and focuses on the relationship between a 16 year old girl, studying for university and a much older man who opens her eyes to all life has to offer. In places, the relationship seems slightly creepy and predatory but there is a fantastic acting debut by Carey Mulligan and the script, produced by Nick Hornby, trots along nicely, diverting attention away from the seedier side of the story. Well acted by all concerned and with a 60's period feel, the 'education' of Mulligan's character through schooling and life experience makes for a pleasant story, well told. A good film for a Sunday afternoon or a quiet night in. Deserving of the praise.


8 out of 10.
Cert 12A (uk). 2009

Zombieland - Phil's Five Words for Films -

Zombieland Ah, the Zom-Com. I always look forward to a good mix of horror and comedy and wasn't let down here. Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson team up to travel across America after a mutated form of 'mad cow' disease has wiped out the population and turned nearly everyone in to flesh craving, fast footed zombies. Together with Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin, the four embark on a road trip to the safety of a west coast theme park. 'Zombie Kill of the Day' and Jesse's 'Rules for Survival' keep the chuckles coming and the gun-slinging, banjo-swinging, twinky craving Tallahassee ( Harrelson ) provides some great zombie dispatches. As the journey continues, it becomes more of a feel-good buddy movie that just happens to have loads of zombies in it. Warm, funny and charming with blood, guts and biting. More than anything though, it just looked like everyone enjoyed making the film and was pleased to be there and that really showed. Inventive and witty, pointless and good fun.


8 out of 10
Cert 15 (uk). 2009

Rec - Phil's Five Words For Films-

Rec. ( short for record - in case you were wondering) Turn off the lights, crank up the sound, sit back and get ready for the terror. Imagine taking '28days later', 'Sean of the Dead' and 'Blair Witch', putting them in a pot and mixing them about. The result would look something like 'Rec', a Spanish horror that really piles on the fear. Without giving too much away, the film is set in a Spanish apartment building as a film crew is following the local fire-fighters on a routine patrol. A women has been heard screaming in one of the flats and the locals are worried. From there, all hell breaks loose. Filmed entirely on a hand-held camera, this is a frantic film that, once started, doesn't stop with the scariness. Bring on the gore. Tense, claustrophobic and a great example of proper, small budget horror at it's best. As long as you don't suffer from camera motion sickness, this is a cracking film that will grab you by the throat and try to bite your nose off. I love a good scare and this did the job. Don't worry about the subtitles, sheer panic is the same in any language. Great fun with a raised pulse. No need to bother with the American remake either.

8.5 out of 10.
Cert 18 (uk). 2007

Paranormal Activity - Phil's Five Words For Film -

Paranormal Activity. This is not a 'Horror' film, it is more of a 'Terror' film. The plot is this: A young woman is hearing and seeing things in her own home at night. Her sceptical boyfriend gladly sets up a camera to capture any night-time activity. To begin with, the events are nothing more than twitching bedsheets and some sleep-walking but it soon gets much worse. The tension gradually builds with the clever use of off-camera noises and long, oppressive stretches of silence, when you are straining your eyes and ears waiting for the inevitable scare. It is refreshing to see a film that doesn't come with a 12 piece orchestra in the background gently announcing the next moment of terror. Filmed on an amazingly low budget, the clever use of hand-held cameras and night vision effects - a bit 'Blair Witch' but without the motion sickness - increases the claustrophobic nature of the footage. The increasing ferocity of the 'hauntings' is cleverly controlled and the atmospheric tension in places is really effective. The terror is mostly suggested / off camera until the climax of the film when it becomes very real. I was a touch disappointed with the ending but it in no way detracted from the rest of the film. Home movie-type acting and script added to the general feel of this film which should be a case study in how to successfully generate on-screen tension. Creepy.

8 out of 10
Cert 15 (uk) 2009.

Avatar - Phil's Five Words For Films -

Avatar First things first - this really is a film to be seen on the big screen and in 3D. It looks great, sounds great and the CGI characters are awesome - but throwing money at a film is no guarantee of a classic. Visually, the film is stunning, but it should be after 10 years and endless millions of pounds. The 'new-world' of Pandora is beautiful and wondrous and the 3D really comes into its own, adding depth rather than 'in-your-face' effects. The plot is fairly simple, lovely spiritual world is being invaded by nasty humans who don't care about anything other than the mighty dollar and see the lovely, spiritual world as profit owned by savages. Warfare. Rebellion. American / human history?. Overall though, it is a cracking tale, it looks amazing, it is a little too long (nearly 3hrs), it sometimes seemed to be preaching a bit too much about capitalism / nature / gun toting americans and it is the only film that made me wish I was a blue hunter from another planet. Oh and spot the crazy cigarette product placement and discuss where some of those millions came from. Well worth the ticket price though.

8.5 out of 10
Cert 12A (uk).2009.

The Damned United - Phil's Five Words For Films -

The Damned United Another brilliant character portrayal by Michael Sheen. Not so much about football but a story of friendship and competition. The beautiful game takes a back seat as Cloughy shines through and makes you yearn for characters with integrity in today's over-payed, money rich game. Well scripted and nicely shot. It is the sort of film that washes over you and leaves you feeling that, although not a lot has happened, you have seen a good story told by people that actually care. A good film for a relaxed night. Gentle, thoughtful and worth a watch. 10% footy 90% character 100% Cloughy.

8.5 out of 10
Cert 15 (uk) 2009