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

Oscar 2016 - My Final predictions.

OK, so here are my thoughts on which films I think will walk away with the statues at the Oscars 2016. I think 'The Revenant' will take the bulk of the 'big' awards but there are plenty of deserving films that will be fighting for the others. 'Mad Max: Fury Road' will do well in the technical & production catagories. I'm hoping 'Ex Machina' gets something.

Best Picture - The Revenant 
Best Director - Alejandro G. Inarritu, The Revenant
Best Actor - Leonardo DiCaprio - The Revenant
Best Actress - Brie Larson, Room
Best Supporting Actor - Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies
Best Supporting Actress - Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl
Best Original Screenplay - Ex Machina
Best Adapted Screenplay - The Martian
Best Cinematography - The Revenant
Best Film Editing  - Mad Max:Fury Road
Best Production Design - Bridge of Spies
Best Costume Design - Mad Max:Fury Road
Best Visual Effects - Ex Machina
Best Makeup and Hairstyling - Mad Max:Fury Road
Best Sound Editing - The Martian
Best Sound Mixing - Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Best Original Score - Bridge of Spies
Best Original Song - Spectre
Best Animated Feature - Inside Out