Connor Macgregor Reviews Thread

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Alice

One of Woody Allen's least known films, made at the turn of the decade (89-90). Mia Farrow stars as an intriguing but predictable Woody Allen character, and the result is a somewhat solid film in Allen's filmography.

Alice Tate, mother of two, with a marriage of 16 years, finds herself falling for the handsome sax player, Joe. Stricken with a backache, she consults Dr. Yang, an oriental herbalist who realizes that her problems are not related to her back, but in her mind and heart. Dr. Yang's magical herbs give Alice wondrous powers, taking her out of well-established rut.

Mia Farrow in this film is the person who has to carry it for the most part. Her character is the most intriguing and watch able throughout the story. You root for her as well as scoff at her at the same time. While she has layers however, they aren't original and quite predictable. Other performances include Joe Mantegna, who does a solid job as Alice's love interest Joe, a sax player who lures Alice in. One character of concern is Dr. Yang played by Keye Luke. I kind of feel this is a character based purely on a stereotype, with no attempt by Allen to make this character original in anyway. Its very annoying, but not offputting. I enjoyed the story a lot, and while being basic, really was character driven and flowed at a very careful pace.

Overall, Alice is a strong film by Allen, but not one of his best. It has good strong performances, an easy story to follow and has an enjoyable feel to it.

Rating - 80% - B+

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Stand By The Closing Doors

Autism in cinema is a very tough and touchy subject to tackle. Many films in the past have tackled the subject with a more humorous, light hearted tone (Adam, Rain Man etc). But with Stand By The Closing Doors, director Sam Fleischner opts for a more gritty, realistic take on how a lower class family deals with autism, as well as a small amount of insight into the eyes and mind of an autistic teenager.

Stand By The Closing Doors focuses on a dysfunctional, struggling Mexican family, who are thrown into crisis when Ricky, their autistic son, goes on the subway by himself following an intense day at school, without alerting his family. This sends his mother Mariana into a state of panic and anger, taking it out on her daughter Carla for not looking after him properly, as well as her husband Ricardo for leaving her to raise their children single. As these three flawed family members pull together to search for a confused and somewhat frightened Ricky, they must confront their problems and seek a resolution if they have any hope of reuniting their family.

What I like about this film is how its made. It’s a very grounded film with a story based on somewhat true events. Director Sam Fleischner is a filmmaker with a small budget, but with big bold ideas that he manages to create on camera. He combines his serious handheld camera style with flashing moments of surreal David Lynch style sequences which give us some idea of what is inside the autistic mind of Ricky as he is lost within the tunnels of the New York Subway.

The family in the picture are very well realised, and are incredibly believable on screen. None of these characters are completely perfect, but you still sympathise with them when events take a wrong turn. I also like the idea of combing the real life events, (presidential elections, major storm, etc) and making it clash with the fictional plotline. It’s quite a nice idea, and it makes you believe that this was something that really happened, or could easily happen in real life. It also shows you the truly frightening aspect of what comes with dealing a youth with autism; presenting the challenges as they are, as well as the strain and anger of the other family members.

There are some things in the film that can be problematic. The biggest concern is the fact that the film was a little too grim at points, whether it’s the mother Marianna unfairly laying into her daughter and husband continually for Ricky’s disappearance, or the amount of public abuse Ricky receives following an embarrassing situation on the subway. Most films seen depicting aspergers syndrome or autism spectrum disorder have showcased a more lighter tone when it comes to tackling the entirety of aspergers syndrome and autism spectrum disorder. Films such as Adam, Rain Man or the Swedish film Simple Simon, have all showcased these mental disabilities in a lighter and comedic tone, as well as educating audiences on these types of disorders and what the people possessing them have to go through on a day to day basis. In this film, there’s no light relief moments whatsoever, and it doesn’t allow the audience to relate to Ricky whatsoever.

Stand By The Closing Doors is a film that looks at autism and its struggles in a very different tone than before. It focuses on the families emotions, the daily struggles they take on and taps into the mind of an autistic teenager and what he sees, hears and thinks. Its not a perfect film, as it comes off at times soulless and harsh to its audience, but it’s a more truthful and honest insight of autism than ever before in cinema.

Rating - 73% - B+

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Gravity

3D has struggled to be a staple in modern cinema. Ever since James Cameron's Avatar, filmmakers have struggled to match the wow factor in what that film delivered. But Gravity is set to be the film to rival Avatar's 3D, and perhaps even match it.

Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) is a brilliant medical engineer on her first shuttle mission, with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney) in command of his last flight before retiring. But on a seemingly routine spacewalk, disaster strikes. The shuttle is destroyed, leaving Stone and Kowalsky completely alone - tethered to nothing but each other and spiraling out into the blackness.

I will first talk about the strengths of this film, which is pretty obvious given the buzz: The 3D. Its pretty much spectacular in all counts. The detail perfect, the colours fantastic and how it works within the story is genius. Alfonso Cuaron directs a stunning 90 minute film that pushes what 3D can achieve in the film medium, whether people like it or not.

The downside is a poor story. While its not terrible, its just very plain and ordinary. I don't really care that much about the characters, and you definitely feel the 90 minutes go by. I think it would have benefited for a rewrite or two. I understand the running time was short given that so much money went into the effects and the fact the film took many years to make, but I just feel that the story could have had more work on it rather than the effects.

Overall, Gravity visually is a masterpiece, but story wise is an average space survival film.

Rating - 82% - A-

Connor Macgregor Reviews...The Wolf Of Wall Street

Martin Scorsese is one of America's most prolific filmmakers, focusing on themes such as power, the abuse of power and the consequence of power. Bit power focused isn't it. Wish I could say The Wolf Of Wall Street was any different, but despite its focus on the only theme Scorsese seems to do well in, its a film with its own attitude and its own style.

In The Wolf of Wall Street DiCaprio plays Belfort, a Long Island penny stockbroker who served 36 months in prison for defrauding investors in a massive 1990s securities scam that involved widespread corruption on Wall Street and in the corporate banking world, including shoe designer Steve Madden.

The strengths of this film is the performances. DiCaprio is marvellous as Belfort, playing a despicable power hungry man who aims to get as much wealth and money as he possibly can, throwing everything that he can to succeed. Jonah Hill plays Donnie, Belfort's best friend and sidekick during this whole story. Hill's performance is also very good and does well with the material given, which he delivers mostly in a black comedy style of performance. Margot Robbie also shines in this film. The former neighbours star makes her prescience known with this first taste in Hollywood. She's sexy, spiky and very full of personality. She's also the only character that really matures throughout the whole film, starting off as a sex hungry woman who sees Belfort only as a way of getting to the top, to a woman with her own ambitions but her own frustrations in life too.

Scorsese directs very well too. One problem many audiences say about this film is the depiction of nudity and woman. I'll admit that its very bias towards men and the lifestyle of men in this period, but its not meant to be advertising its lifestyle. Its idea is to show that this attitude leads to self destruction and the downfall of an individual. I'll admit the nudity is a bit too forward, but only just.

Overall, The Wolf Of Wall Street is a terrific picture with a style, a personality, an attitude and a story to be told.

Rating - 100% - A+

I don't understand this criticism of the length of Gravity. It's not the first time I've heard it, but it never becomes easier to understand. Gravity is a very small film writ large and with the latest CGI. There isn't anything more to the story and no amount of extra time would've put it there. You could've had an extra hour of quiet and allowed the audience to reflect on life's philosophies, but the film wasn't trying to do that. Also, that film probably wouldn't have made the money that Gravity has.

Lord knows I wasn't particularly impressed with the film or my experience while watching it, but to attack it on this point doesn't seem logical, to me.

__________________
5-time MoFo Award winner.

I wasn't criticising the length of the film, more the fact that the story just wasn't that original or ground breaking as many people have said. Avatar managed to have a more original story and world than Gravity did. I didn't mind it was 90 minutes, its just the content of those 90 minutes's only strength was its visuals.

I see. Sorry, I thought you had a problem with the length/quality.

I haven't read much about it, as I don't about most films, however, I've not heard anyone say the film was original or groundbreaking in terms of story or storytelling. As I said, it's a tiny little film. You could put on a stage version of the film in a school hall and, for those who thought there was too much noise, be it talking or music, they may well prefer that.

BTW, I can't understand how you can say that Avatar has a "more original story". You can say it has more content or that more happens, but the unoriginality of the story of Avatar is well documented.

Avatar was more original because in my eyes, there was more effort put in story wise, when it came to the world building and the character creation. Many can argue whether it was stronger effect wise or not.

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Under The Skin

Scottish films come around once a year if your lucky. But with one attached a huge star like Scarlett Johansson, its bound to raise bigger publicity than usual. So is Under The Skin destined to be a Scottish classic?

Under The Skin is adapted from Michel Faber's 2000 novel of the same name, about an alien sent to Earth by a rich corporation to prey on unwary hitch-hikers. The screenplay was written by Glazer and Walter Campbell. Scarlett Johansson stars as the alien arriving in Glasgow, to prey on Scottish males. There is also a mysterious motorbike rider who is there to assist Scarlett in her hunt.

There is a good chunk from this film to like. For starters, the film is visually stunning. Cinematographer Daniel Landin succeeds in shooting Scotland in both a gritty and gorgeous way. The gritty element comes in the cities such as Glasgow, with the dark wet streets at night, sitting next to quiet, calming woodland villages up in the north. With experimental shots of Scarlett's prey being held prisoner, it really gives Daniel Landin a lot to play with, and he succeeds with ease. Scarlett Johansson also does a highly convincing job playing the alien. She doesn't show her first impressions, but as the film unravels, she becomes slowly fascinated with the life of Planet Earth, as well as the body she inhabits. Scotland in general looks great on screen, and as someone who lives in Glasgow, there is a sense of oddness of seeing the city being filmed unknowingly as Scarlett drives - and sometimes walks the streets - through Glasgow. The improv scenes are hard to predict, but if you think carefully, you'll find them and they are very well done and realistic.

Despite my long praise, I do have issues with the film. I feel the director Jonathan Glazer tries too hard in this film to be Stanley Kubrick, with long shots of setting, or long close ups of the actors staring silently towards something. The 3rd act becomes slightly over long and sufferable, and in a way feels anti climatic with what happens. There is also very pointless nudity in this film, especially coming from Scarlett herself. As someone who is annoyed at roles for women based around their appearance, she takes a role which is purely based around her looks to ensnare the predatory like minds of alpha males to their death. Plus we also never get a reason why Scarlett's character is killing these people. Is it invasion? Are they studying them? Or something else. Is there some sub feminist message hidden within this film that everyone is missing? Maybe I'm analysing this too much.

Overall, Under The Skin is a good flick, albeit a flawed one. It contains good ideas, weird visuals but a story mismanaged and striped too thin.

Rating - 75% - B+

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Muppets Most Wanted

Big expectations were on the new Muppet sequel as soon as the last film received its much deserved praise. But can this film continue the acclaimed success established previously?

Flush with their revival's success, Kermit the Frog and his friends are approached by Dominic Badguy to go on a world tour. Unknown to them, this is all part of the sinister plan of Constantine, the world's most evil frog, to become the greatest thief of all time. After making sure that Kermit is jailed as himself, Constantine impersonates him to use the Muppets' tour as cover for his scheme. While Sam the Eagle and Inspector Jean Pierre Napoleon investigate, the Muppets find their boss seems strangely changed even as Kermit desperately attempts to escape to stop the impostor. Only when Walter, Fozzie and Animal realize the truth is there a chance to prevent Constantine from pulling off the crime of the century.

I came out this film massively dissapointed. This could easily be the worst Muppet film made in the series. I'll start with what I like. The musical numbers are just as good as the previous film. Well written, beautifully sung and add a sniff of personality to the flick. Some of the cameos work and the story connects well to the last film. The problems however are quite rapid. I thought the humour was flat and badly written, most of the cameos were utterly pointless and were only there to have a good guest list. The ending is quite cheesy and poorly put together, and I felt the script and story overall was more of a rough draft, as that of a final script ready for production.

Its unfortunate, but if you want to see it to entertain your children, by all means see it. It has some strong aspects to the film, but overall feels like a major dissapointment in the franchise.

Rating - 56% - B-

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Fargo

With the TV series now on air, I felt it was a good time to look back at the Classic Coen Brothers film from 1996. Does it live up to age?

Jerry works in his father-in-law's car dealership and has gotten himself in financial problems. He tries various schemes to come up with money needed for a reason that is never really explained. It has to be assumed that his huge embezzlement of money from the dealership is about to be discovered by father-in-law. When all else falls through, plans he set in motion earlier for two men to kidnap his wife for ransom to be paid by her wealthy father (who doesn't seem to have the time of day for son-in-law). From the moment of the kidnapping, things go wrong and what was supposed to be a non-violent affair turns bloody with more blood added by the minute. Jerry is upset at the bloodshed, which turns loose a pregnant sheriff from Brainerd, MN who is tenacious in attempting to solve the three murders in her jurisdiction.

This film ranks really high in the Coen Brothers filmography. It has a terrific setting, intriguing characters and a very well written story that keeps you guessing and laughing till the very end. I'll start with the setting. The setting has a very cosy feel to it, particularly with the season its set in and just how small it looks on screen. It feels very self contained but in a good way. I also really like the characters. There are a handful that really stand out for me. The first is Jerry played by William H Macy, a desperate car salesman who decides to get his wife kidnapped to sort out some financial issues. He goes to Carl, played by Steve Buscemi, to organise the kidnap. But it ends up going dangerously wrong when Wade, Jerry's father in law played by Harve Presnell, interferes in things. This entire investigation is headed by Marge, played by Francis McDormand, who is heavenly pregnant but has a great personality attached to her. These fascinating characters are all lured into a brilliant story well written, well shot and containing many twists from beginning to end.

Overall, Fargo is an excellent film with a story engaging, funny and thrilling all in the same time. It contains brilliant characters to relate to, and a setting you want to visit all over again...which you can do...via TV.

Rating - 94% - A

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Lovelace

One of the seediest films I've seen in a long time. Amanda Seyfried stars as one of the porn industry's most iconic and important figures in a really unpleasant but important and tough tale. Lovelace is the story of Linda Lovelace, who is used and abused by the porn industry at the behest of her coercive husband, before taking control of her life.

What makes this film good firstly is the way it looks. The cinematography by Eric Alan Edwards really gives you the feeling that you are actually watching a film from the 70s. The costumes, crazy hair and the seedy gritty locations really add to making this world. Performances are strong also, especially from Seyfried who does really well as Lovelace. But what's equally as important is the performance by Peter Sarsgaard, who plays the sinister abusive husband of Linda Lovelace Chuck. The film has a very compelling story, which focuses on the rise and fall of Lovelace's brief dance with fame and the true sinister story that lied beneath it. There are scenes that are quite unpleasant but truthful to Lovelace's account which potray the relationship as cold, gritty and hard to sit through.

Overall, Lovelace is a solid flick giving us an expose into the industry during the 70s and Linda's horrific ordeal told through her eyes.

Rating - 75% - B+

Fargo is a great movie and thanks for the review of Lovelace. I love movies set during that time period; I'm going to seek that out.

Connor Macgregor Reviews...The Other Woman

Cameron Diaz & Leslie Mann star in quite an amusing comedy in which Jamie Lannister is two timing them with a hot model turned actress. Will this make its money back? Is it a sleeper hit? Is it a critical hit?

After discovering her boyfriend is married, Carly Whitten tries to get her ruined life back on track. But when she accidentally meets the wife he's been cheating on, she realizes they have much in common, and her sworn enemy becomes her greatest friend. When yet another affair is discovered, all three women team up to plot mutual revenge on their cheating, lying, three-timing SOB.

Watching this in the cinema, I very much enjoyed the premise. Its basic sure, but it just flowed very well without getting dull or dragging. Performances were good too, especially from newcomers Kate Upton & Nicki Minaj. Upton proved good in her first big starring role, and managed to act strongly alongside Diaz & Mann. Not to say that Cameron Diaz & Leslie Mann do good too. Their roles are very interesting.Leslie Mann plays a stepford housewife character whose sort of going through a mental breakdown, and Cameron Diaz is a character who just wants to move on from this whole mess and get on with her life. But alas, they both form a friendship and decide to team up and get back at the man who has crossed them both. Its fun to watch and you really root for the three woman who've been wronged. I thought the relationships developed nicely, and the ending was very well done and left a warm funny feeling in your stomach.

Not much to say but overall, The Other Woman is a good film to pass the time with a lot of enjoy.

Rating - 69% - B

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Frenemies

I don't normally review Disney Channel movies on this thread, but I felt this would be a good one to review given its premise and stars attached.

The story takes place involving three intertwined stories told by friends who all go to the same school. The first story focuses on how a kid and a dog who are best friends become frenemies and how they become best friends again. The second story focuses on how two BFFs become total frenemies over a senior editor job. The third and final story focuses on two lookalikes (possibly twins) who swap lives with each other, similar to The Prince and the Pauper.

I found this film particularly enjoyable. It contained quite an intriguing premise in the form of the anthology film, which I find a very underrated genre. For Disney Channel films, its quite a solid one with some very well executed ideas thrown into the mix. You have three stories rolled into one film all very different, but all connecting. The first story focuses on a story between a dog and his teenage owner. They build the friendship up nicely and Stefanie Scott's performance as the interfering girlfriend is very convincing and builds a very watchable conflict. The second story is just really something for Zendaya & Bella Thorne to do. Not to say its bad, but just predictable. It has some fun moments and really demonstrates the strong chemistry that Bella & Zendaya have built up so well on Shake It Up! The Third story is very much an homage to The Prince & The Pauper by putting young actress Mary Mouser in a very challenging yet fun situation of having her play two different characters in the same story. She does the job well and convinces us of both characters in the situation they are thrown into.

Overall, Frenemies is a good Disney Channel movie with some fun ideas and solid performances for the demographic its going for.

Rating - 57% - B-

Connor Macgregor Reviews...The Wolverine

Hugh Jackman's career was made because of X Men. He's the driving vehicle of the franchise and the main face of the X Men story. The first attempt at an X Men spin off was not a success with fans as much as the studios wanted it too, but this next outing may be a much more interesting take than the first time around.

In modern day Japan, Wolverine is out of his depth in an unknown world as he faces his ultimate nemesis in a life-or-death battle that will leave him forever changed. Vulnerable for the first time and pushed to his physical and emotional limits, he confronts not only lethal samurai steel but also his inner struggle against his own immortality, emerging more powerful than we have ever seen him before.

This film has a lot of strengths compared to the previous Wolverine film. The first is that its story doesn't feel constructed or machine like in its pacing. There's some actual depth in the characters as well as added mystery with motivations. Wolverine is pretty lost and out of his depth when in Japan, feeling very alien and lonely. I compare this film with Lost In Translation which deals in those themes much heavily. I also am very impressed in the way they shot Japan. Its a beautiful country and really works well with the story and fits Logan's feelings of being out of his comfort zone. Performances are also very good, including Hugh Jackman of course, who pretty much drives the film.

Despite these strengths, I didn't feel the film was one of the strongest in the X Men franchise. I felt the villains were pretty weak and weren't really memorable in terms of performance or personality. The Silver Samurai was interesting, but could've been a whole lot better. I also found some of the action sequences slightly boring too. I did enjoy some though, like the battle on the train and when Wolverine was battling various ninjas in the snowy village, but the others weren't that exciting to me.

Overall, The Wolverine is a good solid film that exceeds on X Men Origins: Wolverine, and goes further in depth into Wolverine's character, and allows him to venture out on his own without the rest of the other X Men.

Rating - 80% - B+

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Never Let Me Go

This film has got to be one of the bleakest films I've seen in a long time, perhaps ever. A story that really offers no glimmer of hope and offers insight into three characters that are about to have their lives smashed before their lives.

As children, Ruth, Kathy and Tommy, spend their childhood at a seemingly idyllic English boarding school. As they grow into young adults, they find that they have to come to terms with the strength of the love they feel for each other, while preparing themselves for the haunting reality that awaits them.

Without trying to spoil the story, I have to say this film really is a sad tale. Its fiction, but still very real but fantasy at the same time. It deals with an alternative earth in which something that isn't possible in our world, has become possible in theirs. It allows you a look into the beginning and end of three characters lives and what they learn throughout, the good and the bad. Performances are very strong, especially from Andrew Garfield who really acts his socks off in this story, as does Kiera Knightley & Carey Mulligan. I really enjoyed the direction, screenplay and the pacing of the film which allowed you time to reflect on what was going on throughout the film.

Overall, Never Let Me Go is a very grim film with no bright spots throughout the story. Yet its power makes it a film high on your list to see. If you enjoy Andrew Garfield, Keira Knightey or Carey Mulligan, then this film is worth checking out.

Rating - 81% - A-

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Whatever Works

One of Woody Allen's most underrated films in my opinion. Starring Larry David and a whole host of interesting actors, set in Woody Allen's home turf, Whatever Works is to me one of Woody Allen's best and most personal of works.

Attempting to impress his ideologies on religion, relationships, and the randomness (and worthlessness) of existence, lifelong New York resident Boris Yellnikoff rants to anyone who will listen, including the audience. But when he begrudgingly allows naive Mississippi runaway Melodie St. Ann Celestine to live in his apartment, his reclusive rages give way to an unlikely friendship and Boris begins to mold the impressionable young girl's worldly views to match his own. When it comes to love, "whatever works" is his motto, but his already perplexed life complicates itself further when Melodie's parents eventually track her down.

The main thing I really love about this film is the journeys that all these characters go on throughout the film regardless of length. Its also a film set within its own little bubble. Boris lives in his own little world, with his own friends and spots to go too throughout the day. Despite the character is slightly unpleasant and rude, I do like watching him live his life and vent out his unusual ideologies to people. Larry David plays the character wonderfully and really holds nothing back when playing him. Evan Rachel Wood is also great as the young southern girl. Her and Larry have great chemistry together and work well in scenes. Supporting cast is also great, especially Patricia Clarkson who I always enjoy in a film, regardless of the role. Henry Cavill also does a good turn in the film, playing a love interest to Evan Rachel Wood's character.

Overall, Whatever Works is in my eyes, one of Woody Allen's best films. Its easy to follow, has fun characters to watch, and puts you in a cosy spot of NYC that makes you not want to leave.

Rating - 95% - A

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Boyhood

I want to talk about something big I saw today.

Its a film called Boyhood.

Some of you may have heard about it already, via the internet or magazines. I was one of those people too, and have been somewhat aware of the film's existent thanks to small whispers on the internet in one form or another. Well now I finally got the chance to see the film in all its glorious 166 minutes. And...it was...wonderful.

Boyhood tells the story of a boy and his childhood from the age of six years old, all the way to eighteen years of age, and chronicling the highs and lows of his life. Its a Richard Linklater film, and he's a director I've been slightly fascinated by for a while. Most of his work is in the independent sector, but he has dabbed his toes in studio work there and then. But this film has really been my first venture into his work. I was aware of the hype this film has been getting, and it really didn't disappoint. Its wonderful to watch someone grow up in front of your eyes, as well as seeing the environment and world around them change as well, except in smaller waves. The forefront of the film is Ellar Coltrane (no relation to Robbie), who plays Mason Jr, the boy who we follow throughout the film. He's a very natural actor on screen, and does really well in both fun scenes and tough scenes. Right behind him is his older sister Samantha played by Lorelai Linklater (Richard's daughter) who is just as good as Ellar is and has some really cracking scenes too. Backed behind them in supporting is Ethan Hawke & Patricia Arquette, who are both wonderful as the parents, having high and low moments in their life, and making hard sacrifices to do anything they can to ensure their kids get the happiest life they can. The film goes through twelve years and sees the characters interact with real life events, forming opinions or reactions to several things such as The Iraq War, President Obama & Lady Gaga. Its not forced in, and comes in very naturally with a nice bout of humour added in.

While this wasn't heavy on emotional, the idea along gets you thinking. Thinking back to the past and your own childhood as a viewer. You might not relate massively on the story of Mason, but you can relate to aspects of his life. I certainly did, such as moving away and never seeing a friend again. That was one that I connected with. It got me thinking also of how little people stop and really think about the life, the directions they take, and pausing just to admire the beauties of little moments that you can have in your lifetime. It has no massive special effects, nor does it have any major event that turns the characters lives around. Its just one long look at an individuals life, and what he and his family go through, whether its good or bad. And sometimes those are the real gems in cinema. Not the massive overspent blockbusters with the only goal is to make its money back and more. You need independent cinema to balance those films, especially with the direction Hollywood is heading, where its all franchises and remakes without a care in the world of what they're actually making and the respect of its fan base. Thank god for smart marks and independent cinema.

So I won't ask for much, other than to see Boyhood if you have any spare time this month. Even if you come out disappointed, you've at least supported something very new and unusual in cinema. A story long in production, but with a strong message and story attached to it. I reckon its a film that will be remembered for a long time, Oscar nominations or no Oscar nominations. And the only way that's possible is if you sit down and watch.

Rating - 100% - A+

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Godzilla (2014)

Its been a while since I was last on here, which means a lot of reviews to do for a lot of films. So I'll start with a film I saw right at the beginning of the summer which seems to have divided audiences. Its Gareth Edwards take on the mighty lizard himself...Godzilla!

In 1999, the Janjira nuclear plant was mysteriously destroyed with most hands lost including supervisor Joe Brody's colleague and wife, Sandra. Years later, Joe's son, Ford, a US Navy ordnance disposal officer, must go to Japan to help his estranged father who obsessively searches for the truth of the incident. In doing so, father and son discover the disaster's secret cause on the wreck's very grounds. This enables them to witness the reawakening of a terrible threat to all of Humanity, which is made all the worse with a second secret revival elsewhere. Against this cataclysm, the only hope for the world may be Godzilla, but the challenge for the King of the Monsters will be great even as Humanity struggles to understand the destructive ally they have.

I found the film entertaining on many fronts. The battle sequences with the monsters were fun to watch, as well as not being too cheesy to ruin the world building established at the start of the film. The world here is meant to be a realistic one, but one that also pays homage to the franchise's past. With that, I don't think it manages to have its cake and eat it too. The film's ending was quite cheesy and reminded us of Godzilla's cringy moments which has made the franchise in some eyes very B movie rated and cheap.

Performances wise; they deliver on all fronts. Bryan Cranston does a great job as Joe Brody as does Aaron Taylor Johnson as his son. Elizabeth Olson is also good, but barely does anything and is kind of a wasted character in some respects. Same can be said with Ken Watanabe & Sally Hawkins, who also have nothing to do, especially Sally Hawkins. Half of the cast feels wasted whilst the other feel the need to be praised individually. Its sad considering the amount of talent thrown into this film, with only a few getting the deserved critical praise.

Special effects are also well done especially on Godzilla. This is the biggest yet in the series and he damn near looks intimidating, being taller than some buildings and tall enough, and powerful enough, to wipe out mere cities in hours. Kudos to the effects team for accomplishing such a menacing screen monster, rebooting it for a modern audience.

Overall, Godzilla is a strong return to the franchises roots, but has some stumbling blocks which would need to be readdressed if a sequel is ever on the horizon.

Rating - 84% - A-