September Film of the Month

It's been a busy month - not with seeing a huge amount of films unfortunately - so this will be a brief Film of the Month post. October is looking particularly exciting though, with plenty of widely anticipated films being released. I'm quickly reading Gone Girl before it's out in cinemas next week - check out this Trailer Tuesday to find out more!

Looking at the month gone by, it hasn't been the most outstanding. However, hopefully now autumn leaves are falling and the dark nights are drawing in, awards and Oscar buzz will start to build. This all means we'll be watching some epic and thrilling films for the remainder of the year.

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 will link to their relevant IMDB pages so you can find out more about plot, cast and crew. 

Do you agree with the ratings? Let me know on Twitter or in the comments below.

Sex Tape

Image: beyondhollywood.com

I knew this movie was going to be awful before it began. With low exceptions, I was therefore slightly surprised at how I laughed a few times. But only a few. There isn't really much to say about the movie. (Great for a reviews section! Well done, Helena). What I mean by that is, you can pretty much get the gist of it by the trailer.

The thing I found most funny about the film is how it has coincidentally mirrored real life in recent weeks -  with celebrity sex tapes and pictures being leaked online because of The Cloud.

 'And you can't get it down from The Cloud?' says Diaz. 'Nobody understands The Cloud. It's a fucking mystery!' exclaims Segel. (You can see this dialogue in the trailer - like I said, just watch that and you've seen the film).

The product placement is also ridiculous. Apple must be having a field day with the amount of products taking up the precious screen time. It is pretty much an advert for Apple all the way through.

With only a few laughs, it is embarrassingly silly and underwhelming. Don't bother.

Rating: *

If I Stay

Image: en.wikipedia.org

Since The Fault in Our Stars was released, it seems that the dramatic and tragic teen love stories are becoming increasingly popular. If I Stay falls into this category. It is rather soppy and romantic, so I'm sure it will appeal to the target audience of young teenage girls. The acting and plot is very dramatic. With Mia between life and death, the scenes in the hospital become very melodramatic - especially in one instance where Mia is crying and falls to the ground in a OTT fashion looking straight down the lens of the camera.

Despite this, the soundtrack is brilliant. It is actually a huge element of the film, Mia is a cello player so Saint-Saens, Bach and Beethoven are heavily featured. Not only good for dramatic effect, this is also great for introducing young audiences to classical music. Mia's boyfriend, Adam, is in a band and is drawn to Mia's love of the cello. It is what brings them together. So along side the classical strings, are Ben Howard with his song Promise and a beautiful cover of Beyonce's Halo by Ane Brun. The indie-rock tunes are probably influenced by Mia's parents' taste in music too. The soundtrack is available on Spotify and is well worth the listen.

A few good parts, but too dramatic and soppy for my liking. Great for young teens though. 

Rating: ***

Night Will Fall

Image: bfi.org.uk

This has got to be up there with one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. On Sunday, my sister and I went to see Night Will Fall at the British Film Institute (BFI). This is a documentary about the cameramen from the Allied Forces, who were making their own documentary, headed by Sidney Bernstein, about the discovery of the concentration camps in Germany between 1944-45. 

The filming of German Concentration Camps Factual Survey was left unfinished until the Imperial War Museum London recently restored and completed the documentary with the notes left by the filmmakers. Alfred Hitchcock also worked on the film as a supervising director.

Alongside excerpts of the film's raw footage, are interviews with those individuals who were liberated from the camps and the soldiers who discovered the unimaginable atrocity. The interviews are heart breaking and incredibly moving. Especially so, when their descriptions are matched with the visually shocking images. I had seen photographs before from the camps, but no reel footage like this. The images are hard to describe as they are truly horrific: corpses being thrown into pits, men, women and children being left to rot and freeze in the snow. As one of the veterans describes, 'I had peered into Hell'. Watching this film only gives you a glimpse of what they saw, but my word, it is exactly as he says: Hell.

Although harrowing to watch, this documentary is incredibly important for every human being to see. Night Will Fall also reminds us of the significant importance of documentary film in revealing truth and creating a historic record. The original documentary, German Concentration Camps Factual Survey, will be shown at the BFI London Film Festival on October 13th 2014.

Rating: ****

As you can see, there is a clear winner for

September Film of the Month...

Night Will Fall

Take a look at the trailer below:

What is the best film you've seen this month?

Comment below or tweet @TicketStubBlog

Soundtrack Saturday: Grease (1978)

Image: knebworthhouse.com

Summer is pretty much here in the UK - with glorious sunshine all of this week (we'll ignore the thunderstorms for now). Schools are breaking up for holidays and all of this reminds me of the great summer musical classic - Grease. Let's revisit and groove to this much loved soundtrack.

This is one of the first film musicals I watched avidly growing up, wishing for a 'Pink Ladies' jacket and pining after John Travolta! The soundtrack is one of the most popular ever. To date the album has sold a staggering 40 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling soundtrack album of all time. In the UK, John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John had a number one for an incredible nine weeks with You're the One That I Want:

This song only took an afternoon to film and those tight leather trousers Newton-John wears? She was sewn into them after the zipper broke. She looks fab-u-lous (as you can tell from Danny's reaction).

Summer Nights has to be the best big sing-a-long, especially at the end with Travolta's ridiculous falsetto. Let's face it, we've all tried and failed at that part! 

Possibly my favourite sequence in the movie is Greased Lightnin'. 

You can't help but do the infamous dance moves to the chorus:

Other highlights include the solo songs There Are Worst Things I Could Do sung by Rizzo and Danny's song at the drive-in, Sandy. Although I'm not a huge fan of this song, Sandy's Hopelessly Devoted to You was nominated for an Academy Award. It was written and recorded after the movie had wrapped as producers felt the film needed a strong ballad.

As well as romantic ballads, Grease has two hilarious comedic songs. Rizzo's bitchy Look At Me, I'm Sandra Dee and Frenchy's Beauty School Dropout sung by Frankie Avalon. Did you know that Elvis Presley was offered the role of the Guardian Angel in the dream sequence? Also if you take a look below, the scene actually features Patty, Rizzo, Marty and Jan, along with the three T-Bird counterparts right at the end: 

We Go Together is the perfect summer soundtrack tune as the T-Birds and Pink Ladies graduate from high school. Celebrating at the carnival, the entire cast have a big musical rock out. However, I never understand why that car has to fly at the end. Sandy's face is ridiculous, but I guess you can get away with anything cheesy in a musical!

Available on Spotify? Yes

Best track? I haven't mentioned the fantastic title song, Grease, written by Robin Gibb and sung by Frankie Valli. But if I had to pick one of the top tracks, I'd go for Summer Nights.

Do you agree? 

What's your favourite Grease track?

Let me know in the comments below or tweet @TicketStubBlog

Trailer Tuesday: Jersey Boys (2014)

Image: retrokimmer.com

Trailer Tuesday is back! Inspired by the Stagestruck Festival this week in Sheffield, I have picked the musical Jersey Boys as Ticket Stub's recommended future film.

This is one of the most popular musicals in recent musical theatre history - winning four Tony awards on Broadway and the Olivier award for Best New Musical in the 2009 London West End production.

 Clint Eastwood directs this picture which tells the story of The Four Seasons: from their inception, rise to fame and eventual break-up. Similar to Dreamgirls (2006), this is all artfully woven with the band's best rock n' roll songs from the 1960s, such as Big Girls Don't Cry, Can't Take My Eyes Off You and December 1963 (Oh, What A Night). Pure classics that you can't help but tap your feet along to in this trailer.

Many of the original Broadway stars are reprising their roles in this film, including the lead John Lloyd Young playing Frankie Valli. The musical numbers sound pretty good to me which hopefully means we are sure to avoid any murderous singing by big screen stars. (Yes, I'm thinking back to Pierce Brosnan in Mamma Mia. Well, I'd rather forget actually).

I'm liking the look of Jersey Boys, particularly with the direct fourth-wall narration by each band member. Also, being a huge musical theatre fan, this is right up my street! 

Jersey Boys is set for release in the USA on June 20th 2014. It will also be the closing night film at the LA Film Festival this year.

Let me know what you think of the trailer in the comments below or tweet @TicketStubBlog.

If you're in Sheffield this week, the Stagestruck Festival will be featuring some the greatest musicals that made it from Broadway to Hollywood. A selection of classics from On the Town (1949), Funny Girl (1968), to Dreamgirls (2006) and Les Miserables (2012) will be shown, so get yourself down to the Showroom Cinema for your musical fix.

Follow them on Twitter: @StagestruckFest

Soundtrack Saturday: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Image: impawards.com

"Come with me and you'll be in a world of pure imagination"

Continuing the Easter themed posts this weekend, I have picked an appropriate Soundtrack Saturday for your ears to sink into (and you'll probably fancy eating some chocolate too!) 

Yes, this week I have chosen Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

Although the film may not stay true to Roald Dahl's childhood classic, the film is enriched with catchy songs and has gained a cult following over the years.

The best song, undoubtedly, has to go to Pure Imagination sung by the genius Gene Wilder. He sings this as the children and adults enter the world of Wonka's factory in the Chocolate Room. I distinctly remember watching this as a child and it quickly became my favourite moment in the film. Purely magical. 

It has been covered quite a few times too. I highly recommend Jamie Cullum's version. Also check out Maroon 5's and Fiona Apple's interpretations.

Remember the Oompa Loompa song? Each of the five children have Willy Wonka's helpers singing the tune before each of their fates in the factory. Here is a compilation of them all together:

Veruca Salt also gets her own brilliantly bratty song - I Want It Now:

The Candy Man and (I've Got A) Golden Ticket are two other highlights. However, listening back, can Charlie actually sing in tune? I don't think so, but hey, it adds to the charm doesn't it?

If you fancy a charming and sweet trip down memory lane, I highly recommend this soundtrack for this Easter weekend.

Available on Spotify? Yes

Best track? Pure Imagination

Do you have any favourite movie soundtracks that should feature on Ticket Stub?

Comment below or tweet @TicketStubBlog

Soundtrack Saturday: Mary Poppins (1964)

Image: sun.co.uk

With yesterday's release of Saving Mr. Banks, I thought it would be appropriate to listen back to the wonderful Mary Poppins soundtrack.

If you do not know the story, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? Go watch it now! 

But if you are otherwise engaged, Mary Poppins is about the magical nanny who ends up working for the Banks family, looking after the children Jane and Michael. Combining live action and animation, Mary (Julie Andrews) opens the eyes of the Banks family and brings them closer together. Chimney sweep, Bert (Dick Van Dyke), adds plenty of comedy, least because of Van Dyke's infamous 'cockney' accent but we will ignore this! 

How can you not love these songs? Listening to the orchestral overture immediately captures the charm and magic of the film. If you grew up watching Mary Poppins, a grand wave of nostalgia comes with listening to this soundtrack. 

Remember these tunes?

A Spoonful of Sugar

Jolly Holiday

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

And what about these musical gems?

Stay Awake

Chim Chim Cher-Ee

Let's Go Fly a Kite

There are so many highlights, nearly every song is a treat. The Step In Time sequence has been featured several times on Ticket Stub - for the dance sequence and for the fireworks effects. However, my personal favourite song has to be Feed the Birds:

The Sherman Brothers certainly created one of the best loved motion picture soundtracks. I urge you to listen again to truly appreciate their genius. 

It is practically perfect in every way! 

Best Track? How could I possibly pick? Let's go for the Overture - it captures every favourite tune.

 (See below)

Available on Spotify? Yes

What's your Soundtrack Saturday? 

Tweet @TicketStubBlog or comment below

When Harry Met Annie

Earlier this month, I recommended Annie Hall as Ticket Stub's Sunday Classic. In the post, I mentioned the films that have been heavily influenced by Woody Allen's classic. So I thought we would look at this a little more closely...

When Harry Met Sally is one of my all time favourite films and it definitely pays homage to Annie Hall. 

I'm going to run through a few examples, which I hadn't noticed until watching the films recently.

1. Opening Monologues

Annie Hall begins with Woody Allen's character Alvy, explaining his outlook on life and his relationships.

When Harry Met Sally is interspersed throughout with short monologues by couples, talking about where and when they first met. Like Annie Hall, the background colours are similar and the characters all look, more or less, straight down the lens addressing the audience. The couples are hilarious and charming. Here is an edited version of all their stories together:

2. Annie and Sally's Costume

Annie's costume became iconic in the 70s so it is no wonder that Sally takes a leaf out of her book here in the autumnal scene at Central Park. Notice the same hats, long trousers and masculine look of the two outfits.

Image: thebudgetfashionista.com

Image: thecitrusreport.com

3. Montage

A clear homage is paid here and it was one of the first examples I noticed. Both films have montages showing the course of each relationship, through happy, sad and hilarious moments - such as Sally's fake orgasm scene and Alvy sneezing from the cocaine.

Watch the first 47 seconds for When Harry Met Sally scene:

4. Location

Both are set in New York and use the city to its full capacity in filming. From the quirky diners and small bookshops to the impressive city skyline, you definitely know you're in NYC. The concrete jungle creates a stark contrast to the sunny superficial world of Los Angeles depicted in Annie Hall.

"Well, have a nice life"
Harry and Sally say goodbye after their first meeting by Washington Square Arch

Image: christianallaire.com

"I'll have what she's having"
The most famous scene from When Harry Met Sally, which takes place at the popular diner, Katz's Delicatessen  

Image: en.wikipedia.org

"I luff you"
Annie and Alvy awkwardly confess their love to each other with the romantic city skyline in the background

Image: thirteen.org

"Love fades...God, that's a depressing thought"
As the couple argue in the intense city streets, Alvy turns to New Yorkers to hear what they have to say about love...

5. Soundtrack

It Had to be You is sung in both films.
Annie's version however, is a disaster. She sings it beautifully in the New York bar but no-one appreciates it.

In Rob Reiner's film though, It Had To Be You is sung by the classic voice of Frank Sinatra. This is a far more romantic moment as Harry finally realises that he truly loves Sally.

6. Musings on Death

We all know that Woody Allen is obsessed with this theme and Alvy certainly thinks about death a lot.
He even gives Annie books on the subject:

Harry similarly obsesses over death - "I spend hours, I spend days".
Hear what he does every time he buys a new book...

7. Split Screens

Split screens in Annie Hall happen on two occasions: When Annie and Alvy's mothers exchange conversation while at the dinner table and during both the characters' therapy sessions.

When Harry Met Sally uses split screens for telephone calls. The best one being the four way split screen with Jesse and Marie picking up each of Harry and Sally's calls the morning after:

Both these instances create comedy and are very clever in terms of timing. Yet, it is interesting to notice that the split screens in Annie Hall are always dominated by Alvy's side and his point of view whilst Annie's screen is shoved to the left hand side. It further shows how dominant Alvy is on Annie and her way of life. However, with Harry and Sally the split is even. No dominant. They are both equals and friends, which visually indicates that their relationship is more balanced and solid compared to Annie and Alvy.

8. High Maintenance 

High maintenance or low maintenance? When Harry Met Sally explores this throughout, particularly with Sally's ridiculous food orders:

It is a very brief moment I noticed in Annie Hall but one none-the-less! A very quick instance shows this difference between Alvy and Annie as they order food at a diner. Just look at Alvy's face as Annie orders.

Although both these films have many similarities, it is the fate of both relationships and the outlook of the two that differ. Harry and Sally have their ups and downs but develop a strong friendship leading to their long lasting relationship together. Annie and Alvy seem like a great match but ultimately do not see eye to eye and, as we know from the very beginning of the film, they are not destined to be together.

It is fascinating to note that the original ending of When Harry Met Sally did not have the couple getting together. This ending didn't resonate with test audiences so was scrapped. The perfect Hollywood ending. So, although there is a clear respect and homage to Annie Hall, the conclusions of both the films are widely different.