This Summer’s Films
Since starting my new job, I have been going to the cinema much more frequently. I now work across the road from an Odeon and have quite long breaks between shifts. Going to the cinema on my own never fascinated me, but it has now become something I prefer to do. You don’t have to battle with the annoying friend who talks through films and it also gives you the time needed after a film to process without someone else forcing their opinions of you. Although going to the cinema with friends is one of my favourite things to do; I have gained a newfound love for my lonesome cinema dates. Due to my frequent visits my ability to write a full review after every film fell short after my first visit. (I’m embarrassed to admit) So, this is my reasoning for collating all my thoughts into one post.
Enjoy 😊
May 19th:
Everything, Everything
After reading Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon last year I was rather eager to how this cliché YA love story would be adapted on to the big screen. Although I was slightly sceptical after seeing many YA book to film adaptations that have just truly flopped. *cough* The Fault In Our Stars *cough* However, I was pleasantly surprised by how true to the book they stayed… One of my favourite aspects being how they portrayed the online conversations between Maddy and Olly, still managing to keep the naïvety and rawness of the book. The film captured the feelings young people have and ones need for the love of another.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 23rd:
The Beguiled
The Beguiled is the weirdest film I have seen this summer and could by far easily be the weirdest film I have ever seen which is saying something because I have seen a lot of films over the years. This spur of the moment cinema trip was led to by me watching the trailer a mere 20 minutes before the screening. The trailer set up the plotline well and created an air of suspense that urged me to see the movie. However, I was truly disappointed by the lack of character and plot development with the end of the film not making much sense or clarify any of the questions created during the film. Cast members such as Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman and Kirsten Dunst attracted me to this movie but it was truly was a flop. With the majority of the film taking place within one location and the action being rather drab; the film did not follow through on the suspense built within the trailer. This film definitely left much more to be desired.
⭐️
June 30th:
Despicable Me 3
Despicable Me 3 for sure was a guilty pleasure movie. Although I am definitely no longer classed as a child this was a must-see film for me. After seeing the first two instalments when they came out I felt like I had to watch the third one just to see how the now-beloved character’s stories would continue. Such a feel-good movie and without a doubt the pick me up I needed.
⭐️⭐️
July 7th:
Spider-Man: Homecoming
Unfortunately, I have never been a massive Spider-Man fan, so when it was announced there would be a new instalment to the saga I was in no way rushing to the cinema to watch it. Also, the glimpse of the new Spider-Man ‘Tom Holland’ in Captain America: Civil War didn’t excite me enough to warrant seeing the film when it first came out. However, I was completely proven wrong by Holland’s portrayal of the well-loved superhero. His character was earnest, making him far more relatable than past Spider-Men Maguire and Garfield. The fact that his actions weren’t perfect straight away and he wasn’t rushed into filling the large suit of Spider-Man meant he could be Spider-Boy. A character that you grew to love as you watched him learn from his mistakes. Certain scenes had an air of comicality which was heightened by the appearances of Stark played by Robert Downey Jr. By infiltrating his character into the plot line created a clever introduction into Spider-Man’s importance in the future of the Marvel Universe. I am now excited to see how his portrayal of the character will develop in upcoming movies.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 21st:
Dunkirk
If I’m perfectly honest I was highly anticipating this movie and was the last movie I thought I’d hate. But, unfortunately, I did. Myself and a group of friends who also saw this film as one of their most anticipated movies of 2017 went to see it at our local cinema on opening night. I felt that Dunkirk being so hyped up by the media made it much worse when all of us were pretty disappointed walking out of the cinema with the same glum look on our faces. The lack of emotion throughout made it extremely hard as a viewer to connect with the characters as you had no time to grieve for any of them. This also led to me walking away not knowing any of the character’s names; even the main ones. Apart from one, George, who dies halfway through and is the only character that is grieved for. The explosions after explosions became boring and lost their effect pretty early on, making it feel like a historical reenactment more than a war film. However, the one factor that saved the film from being an absolute flop was the soundtrack scored by Hans Zimmer which I absolutely fell in love with. His beautifully unique soundtrack managed to fill the mass of silence within the movie, created an ascending tension without any need for dialogue.
⭐️⭐️
August 9th:
Atomic Blonde
Atomic Blonde I actually saw twice at the cinema. Once on my own and then with my boyfriend. I really enjoyed this film, hence the reason I saw it twice. The history nerd within me was thrilled by this film being set in Berlin just before the fall of the wall. This alongside the action-packed plotline continued to thrill me. Also, due to being set in the 80s the soundtrack was spectacular, full of some of my favourite songs of the time. Including artists such as New Order and Depeche Mode. Also, David Leitch did an incredible job directing this film considering this was his first time as a Director. The stunt scene performed almost elegantly by the one and only Charlize Theron was filmed amazingly, which is probably due to Leitch’s background as a stunt coordinator. This film was so non-stop that you didn’t realise that you had been holding your breath for so long. Definitely a film to get your pulse racing.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 18th:
The Hitman’s Bodyguard
This film is exactly what you see on the tin. An action-comedy with a semi-decent cast with a very high body count before you’ve even had a chance to start your popcorn. Although it was everything I expected to be, I did enjoy the film for what it was. This film is packed with relentless action that becomes inevitable and almost generic. Also, the tried and tested plotline of frenemies who much work together fell a little short. Just as similar films have tried before such as ‘The Nice Guys’ and ‘Central Intelligence’. Although, it wasn’t the best film in the world the banter between Reynolds and Jackson did cause many eruptions of laughter throughout the screening.
⭐️⭐️
August 25th:
Logan Lucky
Logan Lucky had excited me from the minute that I started watching the trailer. What caught my eye the most was Daniel Craig’s character. He was actually playing a comical role for once. This both shocked and intrigued me as I, probably alongside many others, are so used to seeing him play serious characters in the likes of James Bond and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. So, I was quite drawn in by his less obvious character choice. The film was strewn with lines that just made you laugh from the pit of your stomach. Especially, the relationship between the Logan brothers played by Channing Tatum and Adam Driver. With the added element of heist giving a sense of suspense and almost urgency throughout the movie. Meaning that there was just no space for any dull moments. Also, although Channing Tatum’s character is ultimately a criminal, he is stealing the money to win his daughter back, a side to the story that made you love his character even more.
⭐️⭐️
August 25th:
American Made
Tom Cruise’s attempt to bring the character of Barry Seal to life in this based-on-a-true-story adaptation was rather lacking in my opinion. Yes, the film was action-packed showing how aeroplane pilot Seal was deployed to smuggle drugs and weapons through the South American trade routes. But, it lacked that psychological edge and insight into Barry’s character. The film depicted Seal throughout his journey of working within the drug cartel for Pablo Escobar and the pressures of earning more money than he could ever handle… ultimately losing his family in the process. Also, the pace of the narrative from Seal’s perspective was far too quick making it extremely hard as a viewer to keep track of what his motives really were. However, one aspect of the movie that I did enjoy was how well Sarah Wright plays the character of Barry’s wife Lucy. She is a powerful woman who tries her utmost to keep her family together through all of the trials and tribulations that her husband throws in her path, just like when he throws bundles of money at her feet as his way of solving the problems he continues to cause for her. Ultimately, highlighting the underlying nature of the film… that how can there be any problems when there’s money involved.
⭐️⭐️
September 1st:
The Limehouse Golum
I know that many people probably found this film far too confusing to be enjoyable but I was engrossed in the storyline and the characters lives from the off. I originally saw this in the cinema on my own however because I loved it so much I made my parents come with me a few days later just so I had an excuse to go and see it again. But, much to my dismay they weren’t overly impressed and were quite lost throughout the screening. I personally think that this is a superb adaptation of the 1994 novel by Peter Ackroyd. This gothic melodrama is drenched with murder and characters are played splendidly by some of my favourite actors such as; Bill Nighy, Olivia Cooke and Douglas Booth. All of which brought their characters to life in their own unique ways. The main plotline, although vivaciously weaved with interlinking stories, is based upon Olivia Cooke’s character Lizzie Cree who has been accused of murdering her husband. However, Detective Kildare (Nighy), believes she is innocent and spends the vast majority of the film to prove said innocence. The play on fact and fiction is brought to life through the real-life and stage deaths, the transitions between present and past are fluid and boundless. The film truly had me enthralled from start to finish, with its plot twist staying under wraps practically until the end. The film was also wonderfully dedicated to Alan Rickman who was originally coined to play Kildare before his passing.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I hope you have enjoyed the many film releases of this year so far 🙂
What films are you looking forward to in 2018?
M🌸
