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.

Your Response: Best Dance Sequence in a Film

Last week I listed my Top Ten Dance Sequences in a Film and asked you to tell me your favourites. 

Here are the suggestions that were sent in...

Bring It On (2000)

If you've seen this film, you've most probably re-created this opening sequence dozens of times. Oxford University's very own cheerleading squad, the Oxford Sirens, have gone for the rather appropriate teen classic Bring It On. 

Chicago (2002)

Full of murder, sex and jazz, Chicago is one of the top film musicals in recent history. Cell Block Tango is where Roxy is introduced to the rest of the murderesses at Cook County Jail, all insisting that each of their victims "had it comin'". Other dance sequences in Chicago that are worth watching are Nowadays (Finale) and I Can't Do It Alone. 

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)

Shocking as it is, I have never seen this film. But after watching this dance sequence I will definitely make the time to watch it on a Sunday afternoon. The barn-raising dance is awe inspiring with its ridiculously complex choreography by Michael Kidd. It is certainly one of the best.

Swing Time (1936)

As Lucy said in her tweet, no list could be without Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers. With so many dance sequences to choose from, it's a hard choice. I've gone for Swing Time. It is still as popular today as it was back in 1936, with over 5 million views on YouTube.

Billy Elliot (2000)

Chosen by my uni friend, Kate, this is the moment where Billy is caught ballet dancing by his dad, who strongly opposes it. Yet, Billy decides to carry on and shows off his raw talent and passion for dance...

Love Actually (2003)

Who doesn't love Hugh Grant shaking his hips as the PM?! Just so long as we never see David Cameron doing this, we're ok.

Thank you to everyone who submitted their suggestions. 

Can you think of any more? 

Comment below with your favourite dance sequence.

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