The Commuter Review by Chris Hembury

The Commuter ***

Liam Neeson reunites with action director Jaume Collet-Serra after working together on Unknown, Non-Stop, Run All Night now comes there latest Thriller (and Neeson's rumoured last action film) The Commuter.

The story unfolds as Neeson plays the Insurance Salesman who on his daily commute home on the train is approached by a mysterious stranger (Vera Farmiga, Conjuring fame) to find a particular passenger who "doesn't belong" and he will get $100,000 in return. Shortly here after his life spirals into a chaos that makes Northern Rail look phenomenal.

The two most successful parts of this production are the leading actor and the director. They know there stuff and smash the Action genre with great success. Neeson embraces the genre with ease, reliability and hops, skips and jumps (in some scenes really far) his way through the narrative that in recent years has given him such a successful platform.

The Director strives to be as creative as possible instantly proving the trapped location of the train is no trap for his creative visual style creating cool SFX shots that keep the plot rolling with speed. Particular fun is shown taken setting the stage in the opening credits fast cutting his daily commute with footage of the hundreds of times his carried out this routine, with fast cutting and shot merges we learn allot fast, kicking us into the set stage.

The let down really is the script that feels particularly rushed, what could have been a wicked Hitchcockian adventure like The Lady Vanishes on acid is replaced with a almost half thought out scenerio that needs much more time in the creative oven to have been developed.

Great talented cast additions like Jonathan Banks (Breaking Bad) and Sam Niel (Jurassic Park) are given very little to do and their skills as actors are not rewarded by great dialogue either both have pretty unexciting lines to phone in.

If you can ignore weak plotting, logic and an almost shameful recreation of the ending of Non Stop at the airport you are still left with a entertaining action thriller that has clear stand out moments of suburb action from a extreamly original guitar knife fight to a cripping train crash if you let great actor/director go for it they deliver the goods. And if you had delivered them a better script I think they really could have raised the bar. In pun terms this train ride could easily have been upgraded to first class.

Popcorn Thriller with some funny lines, good action and not so twisty plot.

Darkest Hour **** Review by Chris Hembury

Darkest Hour ****

Gary Oldman is unrecognisable as Winston Churchill in war time drama set during the first five weeks of the war time Prime Minister taking office.

The story restricts itself to the first five weeks of Winston's Premiership as he battles the escalating war against Hitler, the back bench revolts and his own mind under the massive pressure now thrusted onto his shoulders during this monumental moment that History is watching intrepidly closely.

The film rejects the temptation to make itself to big or too far reaching by just covering this particular time frame and more to the point this particular mind frame of Churchill as dark and difficult times are waged all around him. Or has Churchill says receiving the job in these times is "Not a reward, it is revenge" to the amusement of himself.

Never once pulling punches of the frailties or faults of Churchill from his temper, drinking, smoking, rants or loss of thought the man is exposed (and in one scene in every way) to show that he is just a man. A flawed man. But cripplingly his psychological journey from backbencher to Prime Minister in one of the most taught, stressful accusations of power (making even Mrs May think she has it easy) shows this flawed man was designed for this moment in history where he would represent the spirit of the nation against the worst dictator the world had ever seen.

Joe Wright keep a massive film small but showing allot through the eyes of Churchill keeping sweeping shots mainly POV and consisting of the view of the world from a smaller perspective. Whether it be London streets from Churchill's car or France from the window of Churchill's plane hard work has been made to keep the world objectively exposed to the viewer. Special effect shots are also used sparingly and effectively to spice up the story telling from swooping grand shots from the roof of the war rooms to trenches in Europe.

Gary Oldman should receive the Oscar nomination and win for a role that is truly mesmerising to the viewer exposing so many aspects of Churchill's nature is truly tremendous and difficult feet the versatile actor has successfully done and should be rewarded.

Stand outs in this cast are Ben Mendelsohn taking on the role Of King George a role that won Colin Firth a Oscar only a few years ago might have caused trepidation but the Australian actor pulls off the voice, lisp with great effect and performs the character ark well creating a new memorable cinematic entry to the performances of the role.

Kristen Scott Thomas plays Clemintine Churchill to great effect (as usual) but unfortunately doesn't have a complete character ark to accomplish like Churchill and the KIng and Chamberlin for that matter but plays the scenes she does have well but will not obtain the memorability that I'm sure the other Characters will.

A great well told account of the one greatest struggles the world had seen through the eyes of the most memorable figures the world had ever seen proving that every dog has his day.

From the writing, directing and acting this film truly excels in it's execution and I'm sure Gary Oldman will doing V for Victory on Oscar night.

All The Money In The World Review by Chris Hembury

All The Money In The World ***

Ridley Scott directs this true story of how billionaire Getty was the richest man in the world and refuses to part with a penny for the ransom of his missing favourite grandson Paul Getty.

Not short in length this film carries the story through at a engaging pace that's keeps you interest but very rarely takes it up a gear to get you truly riveted.

The film has gathered most publicity from the high profile replacing of Kevin Spacey in the role of Getty amongst accusations and replaced by Christopher Plummer who apparently re shot all the scenes in just six days.

Plummer does a great job of the miser modern day Scrooge, with Michelle Williams putting in a excellent performance as the Mother and outsider of the Getty Family. Mark Wahlberg is effective as the ex CIA consultant which is a rather forgettable role but more of a opportunity for the actor to have worked with Ridley Scott one would imagine. The supporting cast of multiple kidnappers are well cast and talented in the roles as we variate from to and from the nice kidnappers and the bad ones.

A interesting film that tells a true life story is worth watching but could have worked just as well as a TV adaption. There is also now a big intrigue to see how Kevin Spacey played the part perhaps a blu ray feature?

The Greatest Showman Review by Chris Hembury

The Greatest Showman ****

The Greatest Showman is musical that tells the story of P.T Barnum (Hugh Jackman) as he creates the circus and instigates start of modern show biz in this glitzy Hollywood singalong.

We see P.T Barnum's story unfold from a toddler to the entrepreneur that creates the world's first circus creating a home and business for anyone of life's out cast to come to and be celebrated for their individual uniqueness. Whether it's the bearded lady, the Irish Giant, the dog boy or world's fattest man they now become the stars of the show!

The narrative structure is stronger than one would have expected and carries the story at a good beat, which is not always the case but pleasant viewing here.

The cast lead by the enthusiastic Jackman who you can tell is loving every minute of this opportunity to flex his singing and dancing talents is on top form performing his socks off wit the energy like his first year in Drama school. Backed up with a strong cast like Zac Efron who has less to do than Hugh but still shows his strong High School Musical routes and joins in the film effortlessly.

With a great cast and catchy songs any lovers of the genre who were sat on the fence with LA LA LAND can rest assured this musical knows what it's doing and performs the genre majestically.

Some Critics have said the film's rebranding of the true life story deflects from the real life gritty aspects but I honestly think the glitzy make over with Hugh Jackman in the lead would get the approval of the spot light loving Barnum.

With strong messages about outcasts, lower classes vs higher classes, snobbery and acceptance the film advocates good morals and life lessons.

A great feel good modern Hollywood Musical at it's best.

As the film quotes
“The noblest art is that of making others happy”
-- P. T. Barnum

And in this day and age that ain't no bad thing.

Insidious: The Last Key Review by Chris Hembury

Insidious: The Last Key ***

The forth film in the franchise hits our screens and teenagers looking for some more cinematic jumpy frights are in for a treat. This was much evident from my trip to the cinema where teenagers had even brought their blankets to hide behind.

The storyline road map for the franchise has been a little convoluted but The Last Key is another prequel set just before the original Insidious.

Whilst the film attempts to ground the origins of the central character of the franchise it does in turn create a story arc which is satisfying and interesting but not overwhelming. This is the general summary of the film.

All the elements are there from the haunting case, the comedy relief, effective performances from all involved and jump scares we've come to expect and enjoy from the franchise.

Aside from a couple of nice little twists this tale adds nothing tremendously new to the proceedings but still provides a effective, enjoyable contribution to the franchise which may be running on fumes but still hasn't run out of gas.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Review by Chris Hembury

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri ****

A desperate grieving Mother (Francis McDormond) takes a drastic step in order to put pressure on the local Police Department investigating her Daughter's murder by renting three billboards and erecting messages that taunt the Chief of Police (Woody Harrelson) lack of progress.

What unfolds is a gripping black comedy Drama that mixes moments of humour with instant moments of such humanity and sadness it becomes a impossible not to be absorbed undeniable into it's story.

This is a film that portrays itself as a "who done it" but makes that a brave choice to become a rich character study of people just trying to people in amongst the wake of tragedy and circumstance.

Doesn't sound a laugh a minute but honestly most of the time it is, establishing dark laugh out statements of pure angry and grief.

Whether McDormand is berating a Vicar, reporter of the chief of Police the foul mouthed rants are wonderfully written and delivered with fire.

That's another beautifully crafted aspect of the film are the tiny moments of the film's balance between rage and humanity. Whether amongst McDormond's hate filled mission she takes time out to put a upside down bug back on it's feet to screaming at the Chief Of Police than instantly finding common humanity amongst tradgedy.

A story of good people all reacting to circumstances that life has handed them and acting accordingly the only way they know how from their grass roots.

It's truly a stand out out performance by Francis McDormand that has to earn her a Oscar Nomination she's frankly that good. Her face never stops working, when ever she's spoken to her face is still processing, expressing and captivating a woman in constant torment from the first shot to the end she's working 100%.

Woody Harrelson is on top form delivering a performance which like the film is comedic and sad with also one of the best character arks of the narrative along side Sam Rockwell as the racist child like deputy who does some growing up on the way.

This is storytelling unlike anything were normally used to from Hollywood. It's Bold, Engaging, Risk Taking Power House Drama that will suprise and leave you pondering long after it ends.

It won't be everyone's cup of tea but that is defiantly the point.

The Shape Of Water Review By Chris Hembury

The Shape of Water ****

#odeonscreenunseen
Let's face it one of the most artistic, visual, imaginative Directors alive and working today in Hollywood is Guillermo Del Toro.

A CV with Pan's Labyrinth, Crimson Peak, Hellboy and Pacific Rim is definitely going to get your attention and defiantly make you wonder what a director/writer like that is going to concoct next.... well look no further for The Shape Of Water has arrived.

The story set in the 60s follows a lonely mute Elisa (Sally Hawkins) who whilst working as a cleaner at secret government Area 51 style facility comes starts to slowly form a bond with a underwater creature that has just arrived to be experimented on under the watchful eye of violent, paranoid, unstable government agent Strickland (Micheal Shannon).

The films spins a highly original fairytale yarn that pulls the audience on a journey of the years most unexpected love stories.

The script negotiates multiple genres, moods and themes in order to carefully unfold the story through its generous two hour running time.

Care and attention to details has been employed here to really justify any choice our characters make by giving all involved real features, flaws and frailties that isn't always the case in many films.

The cast lead by Sally Hawkins are on top form clearly making the most of the script Shannon shines as the deeply troubled flawed government agent, Octavia Spencer hot of Hidden Figures performs charismatically as the best friend and Richard Jenkins lavishes his diverse character journey he goes on.

Nicely and neatly shot but certainly not as trade mark stunning say as Crimson Peak the director navigates this film with the experienced skill that comes with his twenty plus years experience and shows us here that risks can certainly still be made. And worth the gamble.

Whilst the film may not be for everyone, a highly engaging, entertaining and original modern day fairy tale love story like this should prove that originality like romance is not dead.