October Film of the Month

Autumn is well and truly here. As the clocks go back and the dark nights draw in, it's time to head to the local cinema and see some (hopefully) great films. Four movies are included in this month's round up, so let's see who will come out on top.

As always, here is the all important rating system:

* = Poor. Why did I even bother?!

** = OK. Could have done better.

*** = Good. Recommended though don’t feel bad you don’t get to see this one.

**** = Excellent. Not quite perfect but highly recommended.

***** = Masterpiece. You’d be a fool not to see this film.

All movie titles link to their respective IMDB pages so you can find out more about plot, cast and crew.

Gone Girl

Image: thefilmstage.com

After quickly finishing the book the week before the official release of Gone Girl, I was super eager to see the film adaptation. With the story still fresh in my mind, there could have been many opportunities for the film not to meet my expectations. However, this never happened. David Fincher has created an epic tense drama, filmed beautifully and with a brilliant cast. It is hard to review without revealing the plot twists, but the way the story unfolds is captivating - just as the book is. Rosamund Pike is fantastic as the wife, Amy and Ben Affleck plays Nick just how I imagined. Don't be put off by the 2 and half hour running time. The action doesn't drag in the slightest and keeps you guessing (even though I knew the plot twists!).

Possibly a bit melodramatic in places and there are slight differences to the book - which inevitably always happens with movie adaptations - but they are fortunately not enough to make the film a disaster. An excellent thriller and I urge everyone to read the book too. Highly recommended.

Rating: ****

Effie Gray
  

Image: imdb.com

I love period dramas. Sense and Sensibility (1995) is one my favourites, written by the glorious Emma Thompson. Effie Gray is similarly written by the actress, who stars in the film too, however it falls flat in many places. Effie Gray takes itself too seriously and barely anything actually happens. I felt the film could have used more flashbacks to provide further context into the relationship between John Ruskin and Effie. Without these flashbacks, I didn't care for either character and therefore did not care for the story or film. It became almost comical. My friend and I did start laughing in places that were rather cringe-worthy. The cast on paper looks brilliant: Greg Wise, Emma Thompson, Dakota Fanning, Julie Walters and David Suchet. But it is a bit of style over substance. The landscapes look lovely and cinematic - but the story is , dare I say it, boring and dull. It did make me research more about the relationship but I wouldn't particularly recommend this film. Just OK.

Rating: **

The Rewrite
 

Image: teaser-trailer.com

Hugh Grant is back in a new action film...oh wait, no, not action....sci fi? No, that's not right either. Oh, wow! Of course, he's starring as the romantic English lead in a new rom-com. Who saw that coming?! Yes, Mr. Grant is embracing his type casting in a relatively charming film about a screenwriter who has to take a posting at a university to pay the bills. There a few funny jokes here and there but it is nothing to scream home about. An enjoyable rom-com, with some entertaining moments. Recommended for Hugh Grant fans (but even they might be disappointed).

Yes, the review for this film is that short.

Rating: **

Magic in the Moonlight

Image: indiewire.com

I enjoyed this film a lot more than expected. Emma Stone is enchanting - just as Colin Firth's character finds her. It is a charming film but is highly unlikely to be the awards season hit as Blue Jasmine (2013) was last year, with Cate Blanchett winning Best Actress at the Academy Awards. After studying Woody Allen's work at university, I've come to recognise many themes within his movies. Particularly, the subject of death and the afterlife which is at the core of this film. Although that sounds morbid, the script creates an entertaining perspective through Colin Firth's cynical character. Despite some good qualities, the film doesn't have the magic of Allen's Midnight in Paris (2011). Recommended for a Sunday afternoon if you haven't got too much to do.

Rating: ***

As you can see, there is a clear winner this month.

Ticket Stub's October Film of the Month is...

Gone Girl

Check out the trailer below:

What's been the best film of October?

What films are you looking forward to for November?

Comment below or tweet @TicketStubBlog with your suggestions.

Trailer Tuesday: Saving Mr. Banks (2013)

Image: businessdirect.com

I have wonderful memories from watching Mary Poppins when I was growing up. Especially with the opening overture up in the clouds as the credits begin and the unforgettable chimney sweep scene on the rooftops of London. (We’ll ignore Dick Van Dyke’s infamous “cockney” accent though). So why is this relevant to Trailer Tuesday? Is there going to be a sequel to this classic?

Thank God, no there isn’t a sequel. Saving Mr. Banks stars Emma Thompson as P.L. Travers (the author of the magical nanny) and Tom Hanks as Walt Disney. The film is the back story to how Mary Poppins was made or how it nearly wasn’t, since Travers objected to nearly everything that Disney suggested as he tried desperately to get the rights. But there is a reason why Travers is so protective over her character and Walt has to seek out what it is to understand her story and make one of the most treasured films in history.  

This trailer is charming and hearing the songs on the piano instantly makes me want to reach for the DVD and watch Mary Poppins all over again. Tom Hanks is a genius piece of casting and I am a massive fan of Emma Thompson’s work. I expect it will be rather cheesy – hey, that’s Disney – but if the film is as delightful as the trailer then I’m sure it will be thoroughly enjoyable.

There’s certainly a positive buzz and the word ‘Oscar’ has been associated with this movie – I suspect for Tom Hank’s performance. Saving Mr. Banks will be closing the London Film Festival in October but won’t be released in the UK until 17^th January 2014.

Seen any exciting trailers that you think I should check out? 

Comment below or tweet @TicketStubBlog