tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767418096167523412024-03-05T04:54:16.951-08:00Angus McGregor MoviesWelcome to my blog! Here you will find reviews of the latest movies, as well as general movie discussion and predictions. Make sure to have a look around and feel free to leave some feedback! You can also find me talking about movies on Twitter at @AngusMcGregor11!Angus McGregorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448320991128449536noreply@blogger.comBlogger226125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576741809616752341.post-40756398363666654122019-08-15T05:56:00.001-07:002019-08-15T05:56:45.970-07:00'Once Upon A Time In... Hollywood' Review<div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _2Dym_ blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color" data-block="true" data-editor="ejb1h" data-offset-key="lsjg-0-0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: futura-lt-w01-light, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span data-offset-key="lsjg-0-0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="lsjg-0-0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span data-offset-key="lsjg-0-0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The "9th" film from distinctive director Quentin Tarantino, a crop of A-list talent and one of the most notorious murders of all time, 'Once Upon A Time In... Hollywood', of course, garnered much early interest within its infancy. With Tarantino, you have a rough idea of what to expect, with his signature tropes that he has showcased over the twenty-seven years as a full feature director being instantly recognisable across the board. However, 'Hollywood' seems to showcase in many ways a more mature and methodical entry from Tarantino with him toning down on some of his "Tarantino-isms" in a way that isn't quite as effective.</span></div>
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<div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _2Dym_ blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color" data-block="true" data-editor="ejb1h" data-offset-key="fgbac-0-0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: futura-lt-w01-light, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="fgbac-0-0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span data-offset-key="fgbac-0-0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Following two days in the lives of TV Western star Rick Dalton (Leonardo Di Caprio) and his best friend and troubled stunt-man Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) and then another day six months ahead, 'Hollywood' does not follow a traditional route of storytelling. It's easily more of a time capsule, an homage to a time the director clearly loves as we slowly drive around 1960's LA, going through bars, TV studios, cinemas etc. There are moments that do eventually connect to one another but nothing of sort to create a coherent, traditional storyline. This meandering through Los Angeles can become tiresome, although credit must be given for the detail put into the setting. The use of Rick Dalton's TV shows helps show the lows and vulnerability of an ageing actors life, with the set designs and going through what the shooting style back then was like is a genuine pleasure to view, as is following Booth throughout the rougher areas. However, this is a large chunk of the films runtime and without a true story and a lack of tension for the most part, it starts to drag and isn't the most satisfying for a film that is over two and a half hours long. The problem with 'Hollywood' is that it doesn't really command your attention, with the film drifting into many different parts with not an abundance of detail to the events themselves. Tarantino's desire to recapture the magic of this time period is entertaining in parts but a lack of cohesion makes this seem like nothing more than paying respect to a past time he clearly loves.</span></div>
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<div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _2Dym_ blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color" data-block="true" data-editor="ejb1h" data-offset-key="4701p-0-0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: futura-lt-w01-light, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="4701p-0-0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span data-offset-key="4701p-0-0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Di Caprio and Pitt's performances of course aid the films cause, with interesting characters who you enjoy being around and who's charisma carry the film through. These are two splendid performances that do their best to hold your attention at the best of times, even if there isn't much happening along the way. Despite the story - or lack thereof - the two do develop as the film goes on, gaining their just in the end in a way that reflects their characters careers perfectly. As for Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate, not much can really be said other than she's in perhaps the most Quentin Tarantino frame of all time. It's surprising how little focus is on her, considering the marketing which made her seem like one of the films biggest parts which she isn't really except to do with the obvious third act. </span></div>
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<div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _2Dym_ blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color" data-block="true" data-editor="ejb1h" data-offset-key="c39gd-0-0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: futura-lt-w01-light, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="c39gd-0-0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span data-offset-key="c39gd-0-0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Although the first two acts don't exactly deliver on the chaos, Tarantino comes out all guns blazing in the final act and delivers what audiences will be expecting. The excessive violence and the rewrite of history - similarly to his work on 'Inglorious Bastards' - comes through in exciting and exhilarating fury. It's Tarantino at his best even if only for a short period of time but in the end does deliver a satisfying experience, much more so than the previous two acts. </span></div>
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<div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _2Dym_ blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color" data-block="true" data-editor="ejb1h" data-offset-key="8bqf5-0-0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: futura-lt-w01-light, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8bqf5-0-0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span data-offset-key="8bqf5-0-0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">'Once Upon A Time In... Hollywood' is in no means a bad film but coming from such an auteur as Tarantino and comparing it to the famed director's filmography, it feels a little off. It intentionally is not as wild as some of his other films but doesn't necessarily fill that void with enough content to fully satisfy. It feels more like its directed by 'a' guy rather than 'thee' guy in comparison to his much higher body of work. Nonetheless, with two fantastic lead performances, clever dialogue as usual and beautiful look at the time period, the film does provide a fairly enjoyable viewing, just not to the same extent as Tarantino's previous ventures.</span></div>
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Angus McGregorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448320991128449536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576741809616752341.post-65836356923439875142019-01-03T10:01:00.000-08:002019-01-03T10:01:04.215-08:00My 10 Best Movies of 2018!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As mentioned in my 'Worst of the Year' list, I don't feel that 2018 has been that strong compared to other years in recent memory. However, there still has been plenty to enjoy with some cracking films across all genres. This was a tough list to decide as few films really stood head and shoulders above the rest, meaning that there are a lot of honourable mentions. I'm not going to list every single one but here is a handful that just missed out:</h3>
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A Quiet Place</div>
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I, Tonya</div>
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Leave No Trace</div>
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Ready Player One</div>
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These are based on U.K. release dates so keep that in mind whilst reading the top 10 list as well. These are the films that impacted me or that I just enjoyed generally the most in 2018. Without further ado, here are my top 10 movies of 2018!</h3>
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I went into <i style="font-weight: bold;">Overlord </i>fairly blind, only having seen the poster but no trailers. It had been described to me as a Nazi zombie film so I was curious to see it but didn't have high expectations due to many telling me of its B movie nature. But it is a film that deserves so much more respect than that and has so much quality on offer that it truly won me over. This is a superb film that crosses three genres, without going overly silly. It has dramatic tension, decent characters who you grow to care for, stakes and great action set pieces. I feel that many would have skipped on this film due to its premise but it is absolutely well worth giving a chance. One of the years big surprises.</div>
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In all honesty, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Phantom Thread </i>didn't really fill me up with much interest, I can't say the film's plot initially intrigued me in the slightest. But then there was so much praise and of course, the lure of Paul Thomas Anderson and Daniel Day-Lewis that I just had to see it. And it was truly magnificent from start to finish, deservedly being a mainstay during 2018's award season. This is an excellently crafted film, with some of the best characters in recent years and fantastic performances - Vicky Krieps deserved better. A great addition to the fine repertoire of Anderson as he knocked it out of the park with this unbelievably charming and touching film.<br />
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Ari Aster's directorial debut had me excited months before its release with the buzz surrounding <i style="font-weight: bold;">Hereditary. </i>I have to admit that I am certainly a bit of an A24 fanboy and a polarising horror movie will always get me excited so I was unbelievably relieved that this film delivered. Creepy from start to finish with amazing performances from Collette and Wolff, this is a film that constantly got under my skin with a story that shocked me at every turn. I was captivated by this film which I feel is one of the best directorial debuts in recent years and one I know I'll return to many times again.<br />
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I'm a big fan of coming of age films which made me extremely excited to see <i style="font-weight: bold;">Lady Bird,</i> despite it seeming to be the last of the award contenders to be released in the U.K. This film was a pure joy to watch, with a great lead performance from Saoirse Ronan in the titular role. A complete blast with life lessons and emotional moments, none more so than the car journeys with Laurie Metcalf's character. Perfectly paced, this is a film that will be rewatched constantly with ease, bringing a great viewing each time with great drama and humour.<br />
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As a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Avengers: Infinity War </i>was my most anticipated film for 2018 as it was the amalgamation of all these characters and stories into one like never before. This was a true spectacle unlike any other I've experienced, with it keeping me guessing at every turn and demanding my attention the whole way through. I'm not judging this film by what is seemingly going to happen in the next film, just by what the Russo's did in this part. With a task that seemed impossible, they nailed it by managing to give each character a great moment and a purpose. This is the film on this list I'll rewatch the most and with good reason. All those years paid off with something truly spectacular and I can't wait to see what is in store next.<br />
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The biggest shock of the year by far for me, I didn't expect to love <i style="font-weight: bold;">Crazy Rich Asians </i>nearly as much as I did. There was a lot of buzz around this film but I was never really itching to see it but this wonderful film surprised the hell out of me. I wouldn't say that this is an overly flashy movie but it is superbly written with great interesting, funny and unique characters who make you care about every situation and scenario. To explore a different culture at the same time helped add a feeling of freshness I had been desiring during the summer. I cannot recommend this film enough, it caught me so off guard and I can't wait to be able to rewatch it again.<br />
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A truly bizarre mixture of horror and dance, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Climax </i>is unlike any film I have ever seen in my life. This French language film may come off as pretentious - you should know what you're getting from Gaspar Noe - but it had me hooked from the very first minute. With a weird interview process starting the film off with some truly mesmerizing dance numbers, the film grabs your attention as it builds and builds before it explodes about halfway through. From that moment on, it feels as if anything can happen and it isn't far off. This is an extremely effective horror film as realistically this could easily happen and that got under my skin so much. This film left a massive impression on me as a fan of horror, as it provided something I had not quite experienced before. The ending of this film is harrowing and excellently crafted as it draws this nightmare to an end in the most effective way possible.<br />
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Pixar absolutely nailed it once again with <i style="font-weight: bold;">Coco</i>, a tremendous musical/animated film that fully deserved its Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song Oscars early in 2018. Like CRA early on, it was great to be immersed in a different culture which provided an excellent backdrop for a touching story about personal desire and family. Pixar manages to channel those emotional beats whilst being able to create a thoroughly enjoyable experience for both children and adults. A visual joy with some great catchy tunes, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Coco </i>is very deserving of being a part of the Pixar library and is one that will constantly bring joy on rewatches.</div>
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The best action movie since Mad Max, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mission: Impossible Fallout </i>is everything you could want from a mainstream blockbuster. Great, fun, charismatic, diverse characters facing memorable villains in superbly shot action scenes packed into 2 and a half hours that fly by with ease. There are so many moments in this film that spring to mind when it's brought up, whether it's Henry Cavill's reloading of his arms, Tom Cruise flying his own helicopter, Vanessa Kirby kicking ass in that scene, Rebecca Ferguson being excellent as usual, I could go on and on. This is an exhilarating movie that if it had some more emotional edge, would really have challenged closer for the number 1 spot. Nonetheless, as a fan of the genre, it was great to see such a well-crafted film by so many talented and dedicated filmmakers. How many other franchises can say at the sixth installment that they are still getting better and better?</div>
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From the moment I saw it, I knew <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Shape of Water </i>would be my number 1 movie of this year and nothing came close to challenging it for the top spot. On basic plot synopsis, yes this film seems like a strange one. But behind that is a marvelously crafted, beautiful film that explores many different themes whilst creating an unusual romance. A visual masterpiece with my favourite performance from an actress from some time by Sally Hawkins, this film amazed me at every moment. The soundtrack, setting, characters and story all blew me away, I can't really think of a weak point in this film that I rave about constantly whenever people ask what the best film I've seen recently is. This was head and shoulders above everything else in 2018 for me, bringing so much joy and emotion out of me in the three times I saw it in a theatre. Check this film out, it may seem bizarre but it is absolutely wonderful, 2018's masterpiece.</div>
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So that rounds out my top 10 films of 2018! There were some great films that are well worth catching up on and I hope you found some on this list that you didn't expect to make it or have intrigued you enough to check out. I hope everybody had a great time over the new year period and are looking forward to more great movies in 2019! Once again, thanks for taking the time to read my post, it is very much appreciated!</h3>
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Angus McGregorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448320991128449536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576741809616752341.post-87325476245897611922018-12-30T21:23:00.000-08:002018-12-30T21:23:26.638-08:00My 10 Worst Films of 2018!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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2018, in my opinion, was perhaps the weakest year in terms of all-round quality in recent memory, meaning there were a lot of contenders to make up this list. However, I can only fit 10 into this list so that makes for some lucky films that have missed out on being labeled as the worst of the worst. As always, here are some honourable mentions:</h3>
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As usual, there are films that I have not seen or just didn't think were quite bad enough to make this list which is based on U.K release dates. These films are ones you should certainly avoid at all costs for a number of different reasons. Despite not thinking 2018 was the best year for films, these 10 made me appreciate the good a whole lot more when they came. Without further ado, enjoy my list of the 10 worst films of 2018!</h3>
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<b style="font-style: italic;">The Nutcracker </b>was an extremely unsatisfying and disappointing movie that failed to create any form of joy in its 100-minute runtime. I actually had hopes for this film and genuinely looked forward to seeing it, but that was soon dismissed. Terrible characters, a dull story and some wacky - and not in a good way - performances made this film a total slog that isn't worth your time in the slightest. A massive misfire from Disney, a real shame.</div>
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Melissa McCarthy films usually have me either in stitches or counting the seconds down until they end. Unfortunately, <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Happytime Murders </i>was the latter and was an extremely hard watch. Taking a format and putting a new spin on it can work, but the decision to make an explicit puppet movie turned out to be one of the laziest attempts at comedy all year. This is a shoddy piece of work with little creativity behind its jokes, leaving only young teenagers being able to find it remotely funny. It could've been a fun comedy but ultimately, it's just a gimmick that doesn't work to much avail.</div>
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I'm a big fan of The Conjuring movies and a horror expanded universe around the series excited me, with Annabelle: Creation filling me with hope for the future. <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Nun </i>looked like a promising next step, with creepy images and trailers doing well to build some excitement from fans. The final product couldn't have been more of a letdown, with a lack of a coherent story and a terribly used lead character leading to this film being incredibly dull. The film looks great but has little scares or creativity that makes it a waste of time. Again it's another film that with even a bit of thought could've done a lot of good. Instead, we got one of the most boring commercial horrors of recent years.</div>
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Every year, a horror film that is so bad, it's genuinely entertaining makes the list. Last year had the infamous Bye Bye Man and Wish Upon make up the list with some terrible horror and unintentional comedy. This years entry is <i style="font-weight: bold;">Truth or Dare</i>, yes a film based off of the game truth or dare but with "spooky" ongoings. This is probably the only film on this list that you could get some enjoyment for but for the absolute wrong reasons. Filled with horrible characters and an incredibly cheesy smiling face, grab your friends and enjoy the lunacy that this film provides.</div>
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If anybody knows me, they know I'm a massive admirer of Alicia Vikander, which makes this entry hurt that much more. This was the first film that I saw at the 2018 Glasgow Film Festival and it couldn't have got off to a worse start - well maybe if they showed one of the next five films. The film felt like it was trying to be ambitious with its story but it backfires catastrophically, bringing a narrative mess and ultimately an extremely dull and boring movie. There are very little positives to this film which with its cast had me extremely excited. Avoid this one at all costs, a huge misfire from its two lead actors.</div>
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Thank god it's over. We're free. Boring story, awful characters, terrible chemistry and it's not remotely "exciting". I do have to say though, this is perhaps the strongest entry in the series if that's a compliment. I'm glad that we never have to return to this story and especially that these two actors can move on too. Johnson is already doing some great work, go check out Bad Times at the El Royale. It does surprise me that this film is only number 5 on my list but I did see my number 1 entry the week before which may have softened the blow from this, which is still a truly dreadful film.</div>
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Who thought it would be a good idea to have every character in <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mile 22 </i>be a total uncharismatic asshole whilst shaking the camera in every shot making it borderline unwatchable? This film is a pain to watch as it will genuinely make your eyes hurt due to its unbearable camera work. And if that's not enough, everybody's favourite Mark Wahlberg portrays a complete jerk with no redeemable qualities and a lot of irritating irks. I don't even know who I was supposed to root for in this film, it's a complete mess. Such a hate filled movie that brings nothing but an infuriating experience, Berg and Wahlberg should stick to their real-life depictions and stay away from monstrosities like this one. </div>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">The Open House </i>is exactly the type of film you fear of when someone says a Netflix film as it is one that is clear to see no studio wanted to be attached to. An incredibly boring piece with very little to it in terms of character, atmosphere, scares, basically anything that makes a good horror. So little happens in this film that I had to rejog my memory by reading the play by play plot synopsis and even that bored me. Unexciting and unengaging, Netflix's worst of the year.</div>
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A <i style="font-weight: bold;">Slender Man </i>movie would've been a pretty good idea if it came out when it was popular and there was any sort of effort put into the story. Instead, it was made after the hype around the character had disappeared and the film tried to gain success solely from said name exploitation. The lack of a real story, characters, scares and just anything interesting make this one of the most unusual films I've ever seen. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that nothing happens in this film. It has the most baffling final act I've ever seen in a film, especially in its moments where there is supposed to be a fight back against the creature. The film also sets up a sequel but I don't think anybody wants to see that based on this shoddy attempt to kickstart a new horror franchise. Its lack of effort is insulting and is everything that is wrong when Hollywood tries to capitalise on a popular trend.</div>
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LOOK AT THE POSTER. LOOK AT IT. This film is best summed up by its poster as it too is absolutely terrible. Who let that get made? Anyway, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Status Update </i>is easily, 2018's worst film as I think I may have broken the record for 'Most times cringed in 105 minutes'. This is clearly a film conjured up by people who think they are in the know with what kids like, but it misses the mark on all levels. It's an absolute tonal mess as it swaps over the top cheesiness and dead seriousness between scenes, whilst its music routines are unbearable. It's a film that shouldn't have even been made for straight to Disney channel it is that bad. Here's hoping it doesn't impact any of the young stars careers which I doubt it will as many will probably not have heard of this film. Those people are extremely lucky as this may be, not only the worst film of 2018 but the worst film I have ever seen in a cinema period. Once again LOOK AT THE POSTER.</div>
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So that wraps up my list of the worst films in 2018, there were certainly many worthy of being on this list as well as ones I haven't seen - looking at you <i>'Gotti'.</i> In the next few days, I should have the reverse of this list, my best of the yeat which will be much more enjoyable to reminisce about. Once again, thanks for taking the time to read my post, it is much appreciated!</h3>
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Angus McGregorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448320991128449536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576741809616752341.post-35658126019555140712018-11-19T18:30:00.000-08:002018-11-19T18:46:35.045-08:00'Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald' Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The evil Grindelwald (Jonny Depp) has escaped prison and is on the loose once again, causing havoc to all who oppose him. As Grindelwald looks to gain followers and the trust of Credence Barebone (Ezra Miller), it's up to Newt (Eddie Redmayne) and co to stop him before he causes more destruction.</h3>
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Following in the footsteps of money making machines <i>Star Wars </i>and <i>Lord of the Rings</i>, J.K Rowling's 'Potterverse' continues to expand in prequel form with <i>Fantastic Beasts. </i>The film, of course, was a huge hit at the box office meaning that plenty of <i>Fantastic Beasts</i> have been scheduled for the near future. With decent reviews but not leaving much of an impact, Rowling's second film as a screenwriter still had a lot to do in order to fully convince audiences. Unfortunately, the only thing fantastic about this prequel sequel is the word in the aforementioned title.<br />
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Franchises are often accused of biting off more than they can chew and for being too interested in setting up future films rather than telling a solid outright story. <i>Crimes of Grindelwald </i>had plenty of promise with the continued exploration of this fascinating world and characters old and new. Shamefully though, the film isn't so much interested in really exploring any of these things in great detail, instead opts to cover all sorts very quickly. Due to this fast skimming over things, most of the time the audience is confused as to what is happening or feeling like there is nothing to these actions. <i>Crimes of Grindelwald </i>isn't a fitting title as it barely features the villain, never mind the atrocities that he has caused. Motivations from characters are unclear which makes every action meaningless and quite boring in most cases. This is a massive problem for the series as it packs as many twists and turns into its 2 hours and 13 minutes runtime but at the end, you feel unmoved, a little confused and also aggravated by this disappointing mess.<br />
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One of the many problems that plague this series is surprisingly its characters. Rowling did an incredible job with the <i>Potter </i>films and creating likeable, interesting and complex characters who you genuinely cared about or loathed. Something doesn't seem to be transcending in Rowling's ability from novels to film as she fails to improve on this aspect yet again. The lack of personality in these characters was a problem in the first film and its an even bigger problem this time around as we are introduced to many other new characters. There really aren't many who stand out - except a few pesky creatures - as having anything about them, none more so than leading character Newt. As far as main characters of franchises go, Newt is as bland as you'll see, with nothing more than a sort of stuttering shyness to the character. Eddie Redmayne is fairly charming but does not portray the right sort of charisma in this role which makes the character forgettable, uninteresting and not one you would actively root for. You could swap this character out with ease and still have the same result due to the little detail that is given to him. In fact, that goes for pretty much everybody in this series so far.<br />
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There is a glimmer of hope in this film and it surrounds Zoe Kravitz and her character Leta Lestrange. The character provides interest due to her relationship with Newt and his brother in what proves to be some of the films finest moments. The "love triangle" of sorts looked to be an interesting concept due to the relations they have with each other but unfortunately, it is bogged down, lost in the shuffle and ultimately dismissed in the end. These brief interactions were genuinely compelling whilst looking to set up an interesting dynamic early on in the film. Bizarrely though, this potential is completely squandered as it is barely touched upon later in the film, despite being vastly more enthralling than the nonsense Newt and co get up to.<br />
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<i>Crimes of Grindelwald </i>is the prime example of a property looking to get by on name recognition alone. This is an incredibly sloppy sequel that despite looking pretty, has failed to resonate with audiences and a fair share of fans too. A careless film with little thrills or memorable moments, the <i>Fantastic Beasts </i>series is in desperate need of salvation as this is easily the lowest point in this franchises tenure.<br />
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Rating: 2 out of 5 Stars </h3>
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Angus McGregorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448320991128449536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576741809616752341.post-53522919018907969232018-10-11T18:50:00.000-07:002018-10-12T10:17:06.209-07:00'A Star Is Born' Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Seasoned musician Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) stumbles upon a remarkable talent named Ally (Lady Gaga) one night as he searches for a drink. That moment starts a new journey for both, with Ally discovering success and newfound fame as Jack fights his own demons whilst the two try to maintain a relationship.</h3>
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A remake of a remake that's already been remade would usually draw groans from filmgoers and critics alike but it's not a studio blockbuster so nobody really cares. This time around, it's an early award season contender as well as an exciting debut from director Bradley Cooper, in which he also is starring in. After spending many years in development hell, 'A Star Is Born' is back on the big screen with a pairing you wouldn't have expected. Nonetheless, Cooper has delivered a solid modern retelling of this story, despite not maximising its full potential.<br />
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Focussing on the rise of a star, the demise of another and their relationship amongst it all, Cooper's directorial debut depicts an interesting dysfunctional celebrity couple. Backed by a pair of strong performances from both Gaga and Cooper, the story showcases those short-lived celebrity romances very well, with brief moments of genuine care and a lot of disputes between the two. Within this portion, the relationship is never really shown to be that great, with Cooper's characters struggles leading to most of the troubles the two face with most interactions ending up negative. This does create an interesting dynamic and does provide a decent insight into a troubled relationship between two in the same business but going in completely different directions.<br />
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However, with this aspect being so heavily featured in the film, it takes an effect on the emotional moments that the film so heavily relies on. With the relationship between the two never appearing to be that great, the emotional moments don't quite hit the mark they could have had the film shown a bit more of the good times between the two. There are a few moments but it's mainly career based, there isn't much personality or character in their relationship meaning that would have made the sadder moments that more effective. That's not to say that there aren't moments in the film that are well done, it is just that these set pieces never get more than just fairly sad when they could be devastating and much more memorable. With more character, depth and development to this relationship, 'A Star Is Born' would undisputedly be one of the years best and most emotional in recent times. However, it squanders its potential and doesn't get much further than being a well made, musical drama.<br />
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With a talent like Lady Gaga being in a musical film, the expectation is for there to be some quality musical numbers in which the film delivers. 'Shallow' is the clear standout - put your house on it winning Best Original Song - and although the rest of the tracks don't quite reach the same levels, there is a high standard throughout. Cooper impresses alongside but Gaga showcases her incredible capabilities tremendously which does help elevate her performance along the way. Perhaps not enough for award contention, but this was certainly an impressive showing from a unique talent. Despite some instances of the classic Southern mumble and some obvious signposting, Cooper manages to balance directing and acting fairly well in his first outing.<br />
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'A Star is Born' looks to be a crowd pleaser that has delighted moviegoers, pleasing myself included. It is certainly a well made, enjoyable film but is also one that could've been a lot more impactful and reached that next level. With strong performances and good music, its emotional hold on the audience really lets this one down in what is by far the films biggest downfall. Nonetheless, there is plenty of enjoyment to be had with this award season contender.<br />
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Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars</h3>
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Angus McGregorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448320991128449536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576741809616752341.post-19254950237206140752018-09-28T11:14:00.001-07:002018-09-28T11:14:21.483-07:00'Climax' Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On a cold winters night, a group of young dancers throw a party after finishing their practice. A simple party turns into chaos after the punch is spiked with LSD, leading to utter chaos and a descent into madness for those affected. </h3>
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With the summer blockbuster season coming to an end, Gaspar Noe's 'Climax' couldn't provide a bigger contrast to the big studio action films that have dominated these past few months. A mad hybrid of horror and musical, Noe has created something unlike anything else you will see this year, an artistic nightmare that will either repulse you or have you raving about it.<br />
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'Climax' certainly doesn't follow a natural form of storytelling, half the feature consists of stylish interviews and simple discussions, with the other half showcasing total anarchy as the 'incident' takes place. There is an abundance of time taken up just by characters speaking to one another in groups of two for around 10 minutes which can feel a little overdone but these short segments do play dividends further on into the film. These conversations provide some character and motivations as well as an insight into the mentalities and psyches of the dance troupe in an unconventional but effective way. For many viewers, this slow buildup before the mayhem may turn some people off the film but it is all worthwhile in the long run.<br />
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What comes next is nothing short of a psychedelic nightmare, with the effects of an LSD laced punch taking its toll on the dancers. From here on, the film doesn't give you any chance to catch your breath, as it throws one horrifying moment after another continuously until the film ends. Noe captures this wonderfully with long takes and perfect choreography, with many little details in the backgrounds of shots adding to the horror of what some of these characters are experiencing. Noe's constantly moving camerawork and use of screen space really helps create some unnerving and claustrophobic scenes, with some wicked performances along the way adding to the brutality of the actions going on. Noe has a real eye for detail, letting no shot go to waste and utilizing his long takes masterfully in creating something truly horrifying.<br />
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The climax of this unusual picture cements it as one of the years best, with the actions of each character gradually escalating in unpredictable fashion. There are plenty of memorable, harrowing moments that easily surpasses the mainstream horror pictures with its brutal realistic depiction of this anarchy created. Combined with manic and sleazy performances led by the wonderful Sofia Boutella, 'Climax' is a film that goes all out to leave a lasting impression on its viewer. It doesn't look to tell a story in traditional ways, it rather wants you to feel everything that's going on, whether that is pleasant or not.<br />
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A bizarre concoction of a film, 'Climax' is one of the years highlights that deserves more recognition. Stylish, sleazy, horrifying yet utterly captivating, 'Climax' is unlike another other feature released this year and is one that will certainly leave a lasting impression.<br />
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Rating: 4 out of 5 stars</h3>
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Angus McGregorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448320991128449536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576741809616752341.post-79457137298227589412018-07-22T18:33:00.000-07:002018-07-22T18:33:32.510-07:00'The Secret of Marrowbone' Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Plagued by a mysterious presence from their past, Jack (George MacKay) looks to protect his family after the passing of his mother.</h3>
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With an impressive young cast and mysterious, well-made trailers, 'The Secret of Marrowbone' looked incredibly promising. Eery whilst not giving much away about the story, the film was set up to look like a tense and interesting affair by its marketing. Unfortunately, this was not transferred into the final product at all, with the film being extremely disappointed and very messy.<br />
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It must be said that despite this film failing to hit the mark, it isn't at all to do with a lack of effort or laziness. 'Marrowbone' is the directorial debut from successful screenwriter Sergio G. Sanchez and is a fairly ambitious effort from the Spanish filmmaker. However, Sanchez' inexperience as a director shows as he looks to cram in more than the film can handle as the film has major pacing issues. The first half often forgets at times that it's a horror film but does very little to build character or use the time to create interesting scenarios to keep you engaged. There's a weirdly large chunk of time dedicated to playing on the beach and decorating as if the film was a BBC special about children in the countryside which doesn't mix well with the tone the film tries to set later on. During this time there is no attempt at all to try and build any sort of interesting or likable characters. To sum up, the first half of the film is very poor, with it being dull, lifeless and sadly, downright boring. The second half tries to make up for this a bit too much as the pacing goes from 0 to 100 very quickly. Soon enough lots of information and events are rapidly being thrown in with little breathing period. In amongst the ending is a twist that the film heavily relies on but its effect gets lost in amongst all of the ongoing chaos. The film is very unbalanced with far too little of interest happening early on and then far too much ensuing nearer the end and by that time, you've already checked out.<br />
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As previously mentioned, the cast for this film made 'Marrowbone' a lot more appealing with an impressive crop of young talent but even this aspect failed to deliver. Anya Taylor-Joy is completely wasted as a love interest with very little character other than her endearment for Jack, played by George MacKay. MacKay is undoubtedly a talented actor, but the script sees quite an emotionless performance with the occasional overly shouty dialogue that doesn't allow him to showcase his abilities. As for the likes of Charlie Heaton and Mia Goth, they are only there to make up the numbers as again they are wasted. There isn't much character in this film at all and with the dull story, it doesn't make for an entertaining viewing. <br />
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What is unquestionably disappointing is the horror elements, as the film resorts to predictable jump scares and loud noises as its main source of 'horror'. There was a potentially interesting element regarding mirrors but it falls completely flat combined with the final twist. This is perhaps the most disappointing part of this film as the scares don't seem to have much thought within them. Although the rest of the film does miss the mark, there is a clear intention to try something ambitious and slightly out of the box. Unfortunately, with its execution of horror, the same cannot be said.<br />
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'The Secret of Marrowbone' does take risks with its storytelling but the craftsmanship isn't quite there. The pacing is all off which really harms the effectiveness of the chaos that ensues later on in the film with there being very little of interest happening early on. Despite an attempt to create a film that really makes you think, 'Marrowbone' is certainly an unfortunate misfire.<br />
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Rating: 2 out of 5 stars</h3>
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Angus McGregorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448320991128449536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576741809616752341.post-70179189974147702752018-07-16T09:13:00.002-07:002018-07-16T09:13:58.056-07:00'Mission Impossible: Fallout' Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The best intentions come back to haunt Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) as dangerous plutonium falls into the wrong hands with plans to attack a third of the world's population. Hunt will join up with familiar faces and some new members in order to right the wrongs previously made.</h3>
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There's nothing worse than seeing sequels being forced out with little care, passion or creativity evident within the final product. After 22 years, you'd maybe think that the 'Mission Impossible' series would end up heading that way like countless other franchises in the past. This most definitely isn't the case, as 'Fallout' is not only the series best film but one that will be looked at as one of the best in the entire action genre. </div>
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Continuing from the high standards set by 'Ghost Protocol' and 'Rogue Nation', 'Fallout' looks to and succeeds in raising the bar once again. With the previous installments in the series, there are specific moments that stand out as the highlights and the most memorable moments of the film; the Burj Khalifa scene in 'Ghost Protocol' and Tom Cruise hanging onto the side of a plane in 'Rogue Nation'. With 'Fallout', there are simply too many to choose from. From brutal fight scenes in bathrooms and cabins to insane motorbike chases and an incredible skydiving set piece, the action in 'Fallout' is second to none with different styles of this genre being displayed magnificently. Each scene is packed with a high level of intensity that is matched equally with creativity, creating highly enjoyable and thrilling moments that leave you in complete awe. </div>
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There's a reason as to why Tom Cruise is held in such high regard in the action genre as his clear passion is evident in each and every role he takes. His commitment is second to none and once again it is on show with him performing countless stunts that really draw you into the film - with his broken ankle making the final cut as well. Not only does Cruise go above and beyond in his action scenes but also delivers fantastic moments of wit and even emotion and his character faces turmoil in his personal life. Alongside a tremendous ensemble cast that features an impressive turn from Henry Cavill and another great showing from the magnificent Rebecca Ferguson, the different tones transition with ease and never feel out of place. Cruise produces another textbook performance as he continues to amaze whilst showing no intentions of stopping anytime soon. </div>
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A lot of credit must go to writer/director Christopher McQuarrie who becomes the first director to return to the series. McQuarrie has created a script around these action set pieces that is full of mystery, intrigue, humour, creativity and sheer cleverness with very little moments feeling overlong in its two and a half hour runtime. 'Fallout' truly deserves to go down as one of the best action movies as the sheer effort and creativity that has gone into this film is easily noticeable. There is nothing generic about 'Fallout' as it looks to push the boundaries further and further as the film goes on and that is due to McQuarrie's fantastic abilities as a filmmaker.<br />
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'Fallout' is undoubtedly the best action movie of the year and the best that we have seen since 'Mad Max: Fury Road'. It has everything you want in a great action movie, from kickass heroes - both male and female -, insane stunts, great fight scenes, a perfect mix of humour and seriousness and genuine threats from villains and situations. A pure thrill ride from start to finish, this is easily the year's best blockbuster bar none.<br />
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Rating: 5 out of 5 stars</h3>
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Mission Impossible: Fallout comes out on the 25th July in the U.K</h3>
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Angus McGregorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448320991128449536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576741809616752341.post-74472995860203583122018-07-09T19:54:00.000-07:002018-07-09T19:57:24.359-07:00'Sicario 2: Soldado' Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As the Mexican Cartel's start to smuggle terrorists across the U.S border, CIA officer Matt Traver (Josh Brolin) recruits the help of Alejandro Gillick (Benicio Del Toro) in order to take them down. Using one of the top kingpin's daughters to raise the tensions, the plan goes wrong leaving everyone to question what they are fighting for. </h3>
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'Sicario' spawned the career of screenwriter Taylor Sheridan, making him one of Hollywood's most promising talents and rightfully so after another two successful outings which gained him an Academy Award nomination. Sheridan works closely with crime thrillers, with tensions and stakes being raised continuously culminating in a thrilling finale. For the first time in Sheridan's career, this was not the case as studio interference looks to have caused a blemish on what was so far a perfect <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">résumé.</span></span><br />
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'Soldado' wastes no time in grabbing the audience's attention, with a graphic but in the long run meaningless terrorist attack within the first few moments. This moment looks to set the tone and main story of the film but soon becomes very apparent that its only intention was merely to shock and showcase a tougher, grittier tone. It's a bizarre start to the film as this incident is barely brought up again and has little effect on the rest of the story. There's no retribution or punishment relating to this attack which is put to the side and forgotten about very quickly.<br />
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Much like its predecessor, the film focuses on the ways that government bodies will take care of business, even using inhumane and illegal tactics in order to achieve their goals. The grittier tone is carried out with drone strikes, interrogations, kidnappings and murders in broad daylight as the way the U.S may deal with things is shown in shocking ways. There are plenty of exciting and clever set pieces as the main bulk of the film features an interesting insight into just how far these high ranked officials will go. Focusing on a staged rescue mission, the relationship between Alejandro - played magnificently yet again by Benicio Del Toro - and Isabela (Isabela Moner) shows a surprising development of both characters as they bond over trying to survive in tough circumstances. Sheridan showcases his talents as a writer tremendously throughout the main bulk of the film, with great set pieces and dialogue carried out by simple small talk. There isn't as much artistic appeal but Sheridan's strengths shine through creating a thoroughly thrilling and exciting experience nonetheless.<br />
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However, despite all the good work done creating the main chunk of the film, its decision making in its finale almost completely derails the film. You can basically tell at a certain point where studio interference came into play, as the need to set up further films undoes a lot of the good work previously done. One of the films risks is undone which leads to a cheap and downright cheesy Hollywood ending that ends up being the films most shocking moment. 'Soldado' is a perfect example of why talented filmmakers should be trusted and how studio interference can have a huge negative effect on a film's outcome.<br />
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Despite the loss of Villeneuve, Deakins, and Blunt, 'Soldado' manages to create an interesting and gritty story nonetheless. Until it's finale, it looked like a very worthy sequel to a great film but is unfortunately tainted due to its extremely poor ending. What was a solid and exciting thriller quickly becomes a disappointment that has you leaving with a bad taste in your mouth.<br />
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Rating: 3 out of 5 stars</h3>
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Angus McGregorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448320991128449536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576741809616752341.post-4978939719209610452018-07-03T08:13:00.000-07:002018-07-03T16:06:12.239-07:00'GLOW' Season 2: Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The 'Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling' are back after a successful pilot. With this comes new problems in production as well as behind the scenes as the gals deal with problems at work and in their personal lives. Ruth (Alison Brie) and Debbie (Betty Gilpin) continue to butt heads whilst Sam (Marc Maron) takes a bigger role as a father whilst trying to keep the show running as smoothly as possible.</h3>
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'GLOW' burst onto the scene last year with unashamed silliness in what was a fine and perfectly enjoyable debut season. The introduction of fun, interesting characters and the conflicts each face was enough for the show to be a success and gave a taster of the potential that the series had. Now back for season 2, the show isn't pulling any punches and takes that step forward in making a good show a great show that can't be missed.<br />
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GLOW continues to showcase a cheesy, silly tone as a main feature in its second season and does so more than its predecessor - best summed up in episode 8 'The Good Twin'. The volume is turned up as the comedy delivers with wilder and sillier antics apparent in each episode. Despite that, the shows main strength surprisingly comes from its more serious moments, providing unexpected dramatic moments that match even the best of dramas. This second season is incredibly bold and takes risks by trying to pack its episodes with as many issues to tackle as possible. From relevant topics to this day like representation and dodgy sleazy executives to the exploitation of stereotypes, troublesome family lives and generally finding your place in this environment, season 2 looks to tackle many different issues that woman would've faced at this time in this industry. The show is no longer solely an entertaining comedy, it's an important series that looks to tackle real issues and deserves full credit for its more serious turn. The show's combination of serious drama and silly comedy is a sight to behold as on paper, they are polar opposites yet, they contrast wonderfully creating one of the best and most unique shows of the year.<br />
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With the shows bizarre yet effective use of tones, this allows the diverse cast to showcase their incredible range in many different ways. Alison Brie shines in her leading role as she yet again bounces between tones with incredible ease. Whether it's as 'Zoya' - or twin sister Olga - showing off her goofy side and comedic chops or facing off against her co-stars in the serious moments, Brie is fantastic and could easily find herself very busy during award season. Each side character deserves an abundance of credit, with the likes of Betty Gilpin, Marc Maron and Kia Stevens all shining throughout the season, packing plenty of emotion and laughs into the series. There is no weak link, no character who you feel doesn't belong or isn't impactful. The series continues to build each and every character, making everybody feel important and necessary to the overall story with their own individual moments to shine. I'm yet to see a better ensemble cast as these misfits work together perfectly with chemistry that is off the charts.<br />
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With only 10 episodes in the series at an average length of 33 minutes an episode, the show never lacks any dull moments as time flies by with each episode. GLOW is the ideal show to binge as each episode is meaningful and entertaining meaning many will fire through it easily. And as a show that covers all bases, it is to no surprise as the show is filled to the brim with compelling and fun entertainment. The second season is best summed up by one of its final lines; "Highbrow, lowbrow, comedy, drama, heartache, violence, this show has something for everyone". You will laugh and you'll cry. You'll feel uncomfortable and it'll make you overwhelmingly happy. This is a very special series from a show that has really found its identity and deserves all the plaudits it gets. Compelling and fun from start to finish, season 3 cannot come quick enough.<br />
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Rating: 5 out of 5 stars</h3>
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Angus McGregorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448320991128449536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576741809616752341.post-12861596580721084872018-06-19T12:08:00.000-07:002018-06-19T12:08:22.245-07:00'Ocean's 8' Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For years, Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) has been planning the biggest heist of her life, targeting the world famous Met Gala. She must assemble a highly skilled team featuring hackers, con artists and a suburban mom in order to pull off a job worth over $150 million.</h3>
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A cast can only do so much for a film. With the newest addition to the 'Ocean's' franchise, it's been the film's main draw, with the impressive crop of high-quality actresses looking to bring in a new audience into the series. Although the talent delivers big with genuinely enjoyable performances, they can't cover the film's weaknesses that spawn from its writing.</div>
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'Ocean's ' really fails to capitalise on its great ensemble with a complete lack of character or development, leading to each and every character is incredibly disposable. Each character has a very basic introduction and a moment to showcase what they will bring to the group but after that, they are left with very little to progress them throughout the rest of the film. The character interactions with one another revolve entirely around Sandra Bullock's Debbie so we don't get a great deal of this diverse cast mingling with one another. With this, the film does lack some personality, as none of the characters really feel any different from one another. There are no distinguishable traits other than the skills they bring to the team as the film hopes your admiration for these actresses will be enough to get them by.<br />
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Although the writing leaves a lot to be desired, these actresses try their best to add a fun energy to the film and succeed in doing so. Bullock and co are a joy to watch but it is Sarah Paulson who really stands out. Her character receives the best treatment from the script, with her being shown to have some form of a backstory, personality and just simply being an integral part of the heist. Paulson is fantastic with her character having the most hands-on approach allowing her to shine more than her co-stars. There is no weak link with stellar performances all around but you can't help but think how much more enjoyable they would be with better writing.<br />
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Not only does the writing leave the characters underdone, there is a sheer lack of drama and tension which in a heist film is a problem. The film's idea of creating tension is having Helena Bonham Carter look at a necklace long enough for it to be scanned or bus-boys stalling whilst taking a tray of dishes to a kitchen. There is never any moment where you feel as if the protagonists are in any real danger of being caught as they don't run into any real hiccups along the way. Although the heist itself is fun, it could've done with a bit more intensity in order to add more excitement to the final act. It has to be said that the heist itself is still enjoyable regardless, with some clever tricks, great costumes and the cast's charm shining through.<br />
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'Ocean's 8' gets by with its stellar cast, but the film's lack of character and drama stops it from being anything more than average. Although the film has its moments and is fun and enjoyable, you can't help but feel that it has come short of its potential. There is some optimism for if there is to be a sequel but also plenty to work on as well.<br />
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Rating: 3 out of 5 stars</h3>
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Angus McGregorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448320991128449536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576741809616752341.post-61377508789472629442018-06-16T05:39:00.000-07:002018-06-16T05:41:28.315-07:00'Hereditary' Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After the death of her secretive and difficult mother, Annie (Toni Collette) and her family start to experience some changes in their lives. As more is found out about the families past, the trauma intensifies as the family look to escape the terror they are destined for. </h3>
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Recent horror films have taken different approaches to freshen the genre up, through new ideas or building on those previous tropes. 'Hereditary' looks to build on this, with clear inspiration from past films being handled in a mature, clever and fresh way. 'Hereditary' combines art and horror exceptionally as its shocks are truly shocking whilst maintaining its aesthetic appeal.<br />
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Horror is most effective when there is a sense of realism behind it which reflects the real world in disturbing ways. With 'Hereditary', what seems like a 'demon' or possession movie has deep laying themes of mental illness, stress, family and coping with loss which is showcased in deeply harrowing ways. Like other A24 films, it is fairly unconventional with metaphors and ambiguity being used heavily throughout the film which may take time for viewers to absorb and fully appreciate. The jumpscares are kept to a minimum but are used effectively with chilling build ups and brilliant use of tension. There are no cheap tactics with 'Hereditary' as its story, performances and atmosphere do more than enough to keep you on edge. This is best summed up by how a simple click of the tongue can continuously make your skin crawl.<br />
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From the very start, it feels as if something is off and you are immediately drawn into the film. First-time director Ari Aster does a masterful job in creating this constant feeling of unease, with his slow pans and long takes early on establishing this feeling before escalating further on in the film. Less is more and Aster displays this as he hides actions and figures in the darkness with subtle movements giving away that something creepy is around the corner. Aster uses every inch of the screen which no doubt will benefit the film on rewatches as viewers will pick up on creepy and disturbing moments that they may have missed the first time around.<br />
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Toni Collette is undoubtedly the star of the film as her characters emotional turmoil allows the Australian actress to showcase her abilities. Whether it's bickering with her son or screaming the house down in terror, Collette is wonderful and never silly, creating a true feeling of dread and fear for what is happening. She is supported tremendously by Gabriel Byrne, a great contrast to Collette's character as he is the calm head who looks to keep everything together. Both Alex Wolff and Milly Shapiro leave a lasting impression with impressive performances in such intense roles, with their youth and innocence adding to the trauma.<br />
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'Hereditary' is an incredibly clever horror film that trusts its story to carry through its horrifying messages. It never engages in lazy tactics and respects its audience and it pays dividends. This is not only the best horror films of the year but one of the best films in general of the year. This remarkable debut is truly special and is a genuinely terrifying art piece. 'Hereditary' is exactly the kind of horror film we should expect and hail with plaudits due to its boldness, creativity, intensity and the sheer terror it creates. Genuinely horrific and unpredictable, 'Hereditary' is undoubtedly the best horror film of the year.<br />
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Rating: 5 out of 5 stars</h3>
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Angus McGregorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448320991128449536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576741809616752341.post-33435975956128974402018-06-09T09:32:00.000-07:002018-06-15T20:13:19.806-07:00'Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom' Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Years after the disaster at Jurassic World, a rescue mission is set to retrieve the dinosaurs from Isla Nublar where a volcano threatens all living species. This mission soon turns for the worst with the dinosaurs being auctioned off to the highest bidder as weapons. Owen (Chris Pratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) must stop these creatures being sold off for the world's sake.</h3>
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'Fallen Kingdom' starts off with a horror-esque, dark and creepy sequence with director J.A. Bayona showcasing his talents yet again using larger than life creatures. This suspenseful scene joins the original 'Jurassic Park' as one of the best starts in the franchise's history and offers hope for the remainder of the film. Unfortunately, there is little of this creativity and originality to be found in the rest of the film.</div>
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The latest installment of the 'Jurassic' series may as well be titled 'Greatest Hits' as the film is filled with moments found in previous films with little more to them. Audiences will feel the nostalgia being forced upon them as the film tries to re-create classic scenes and moments with updated CGI and technology. The problem is that the film doesn't have the magic and engagement of the audience to get the maximum effect from these scenes. Due to this, it just seems like a cheap imitation more often than not. Unfortunately, there isn't much to rave about in terms of new additions to the series, with a potentially interesting look at John Hammond's relation with previous partners being squandered for more explosions and dinosaur attacks. The 'Jurassic' series now has very little meaning to it, other than dinosaurs being a metaphor for nuclear weapons, with the action spectacle being the main feature. </div>
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The biggest strength of the film comes from its casting, with Chris Pratt's unquestionable charm and charisma making the film a lot more enjoyable. His pairing with Bryce Dallas Howard works tremendously yet again, giving the audience a genuinely likable pairing to root for. Rafe Spall and Toby Jones provide good support in villain roles with greedy motives and although not given much to work with, leave a lasting impression on the film. With better material, this cast could do wonders with a wide range of quality actors featuring but we just have to settle with them making the film watchable. </div>
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'Jurassic' is undoubtedly now just another franchise that offers very little to be excited by. We can expect sequels to come out every other year but they won't be much different to each other or worth the time. It's a shame to see this series go further and further away from what made it so great in the first place. 'Jurassic' is now just another 'Transformers' or any other franchise that is just being milked for money which audiences will eat up undoubtedly. As far as generic blockbusters go, 'Fallen Kingdom' ticks all the boxes and although it's watchable, it offers a very limited experience in terms of shocks, thrills and excitement. </div>
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Rating: 2 out of 5 stars</h3>
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Angus McGregorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448320991128449536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576741809616752341.post-15660424289493159402018-04-27T16:11:00.001-07:002018-04-27T16:11:54.056-07:00'Avengers: Infinity War' Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The evil Thanos (Josh Brolin) is on a path to bring destruction to the world by collecting the 6 Infinity stones. With these gems, he can wipe out half of the entire universe at the click of his fingers. Earth's mightiest heroes and many more will need to come together to save the entire world from Thanos' sick plans.</h3>
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10 years and 19 films later, Marvel have continuously been raising the bar and pushing the boundaries for how franchises and cinematic universes. This culminates with <i style="font-weight: bold;">Infinity War</i>, the biggest Marvel film to date which features characters from nearly every single film within the franchise. Featuring basically every hero shown on the big screen to date, this could very easily have been a completely bloated, incoherent mess. Thankfully, it's another hit from Marvel. </div>
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The pacing of the film is relentless - for better or worse at times - as each minute is used to further the many storylines and character set pieces as possible. Due to the focus on many different characters who are separated, the different stories come fast and furious at you with little time to catch your breath. This harms the films more emotional moments or reunions as something potentially powerful may be on the cusp of happening but is rushed and transitions into the next scene. In a film with fewer characters and stories being told, these could really have been capitalised on. Instead, they are mainly replaced for more spectacular moments. However, when the film reaches these moments, they knock them out of the park. There may not be as epic or memorable a shot or scene as in previous <b><i>Avengers</i></b> films or <b><i>Civil War</i></b>, but there are many great moments to satisfy the audience. The 2 and a half hour runtime completely fly by as there is plenty of action, great characters, humour and serious moments to satisfy. As far as big budget popcorn blockbusters go, it doesn't get much better than this. </div>
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With an abundance of stars and characters, some do get lost in the shuffle throughout the film which may leave some fans dissatisfied. With this comes a few surprises, including a standout performance by <b>Zoe Saldana</b> as Gamora. Saldana is very key in the story and provides a powerful, emotional performance which is up there with the best of the franchise. Each character does have a moment to provide some fan fair, with <b>Robert Downey Jr</b> excelling yet again in his beloved Iron Man role. Marvel continues to do right with their villains - one of the biggest criticisms they've faced over their 10 years - as <b>Josh Brolin's</b> Thanos poses a great threat to our heroes. Brolin is excellent and menacing throughout the whole film, with clear established goals and reasons that make him one of the best Marvel villains to date on the big screen. Thanos brings a whole new level of stakes to the film which is showcased immediately in the film. From the start, you know exactly how big a threat he is and how Marvel isn't messing about this time around. Like never before, there are real risks to these superbeings and they are believable - until perhaps the next film - but this brings a lot of weight to the story and actions regardless. </div>
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Epic is the only word that can really be used to describe this complete spectacle. Alongside the huge action set pieces, <b>Alan Silvestr</b>i's score does an incredible job at maintaining the epicness of the film. From a score standpoint, Silvestri's is by far the best the MCU has ever had. A mix of past themes and new music combine tremendously well, leaving a lasting impression and one that will induce goosebumps. From triumphant action scenes and character introductions/returns to the more emotional scenes, Silvestri's score captures the feeling excellently, maintaining a high level of consistency throughout the film. </div>
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Over the years, Marvel have been criticised for playing it safe and not taking a lot of risks. This is absolutely not the case with <i style="font-weight: bold;">Infinity War </i>which is best shown with its ending. The finale of the film is really unexpected and is something Marvel deserve high praise for as they look to expand on the superhero movie in any way they can. Not only is it bold but it is incredibly effective, leaving a satisfied feeling but one that you can't quite believe at the same time. </div>
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Another hit for Marvel in what will surely be the highest grossing film of 2018, this is entertainment in its finest form. Fun with great action but some decent moments of seriousness sprinkled throughout, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Infinity War </i>is a fan's dream and will have you eagarly anticipating its follow up immediately after the film.</div>
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Rating: 4 out of 5 stars</h3>
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Angus McGregorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448320991128449536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576741809616752341.post-41654559718373652952018-03-16T11:52:00.000-07:002018-03-16T17:55:28.482-07:00'Annihilation' Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As Lena (Natalie Portman) mourns her husband, he mysteriously returns home but seems off and is violently ill. The two are taking to a mysterious facility where they learn about an area that is very different to our world, one that doesn't obey the current laws of nature. Lena and a group of scientists will set off to explore this new world and just what has caused it.</h3>
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2015's <b><i>Ex_Machina</i></b> saw <b>Alex Garland</b> burst onto the scene in tremendous fashion. His slow burn sci-fi/thriller was a huge success and made Garland one to keep an eye on for the future. His latest film is finally here but seems to have been overshadowed by the decision on how it should be released rather than Garland's talents. Thankfully, <i><b>Annihilation</b></i> delivers and is yet another success from the English director.</div>
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Following in the footsteps of his previous venture, <b><i>Annihilation</i></b> is yet another slow burn packed with mystery and intrigue. Based on Jeff Van Der Meer's novel, <b><i>Annihilation</i></b> is one of the most intelligent films of the year and one that requires full attention and one that you will be constantly thinking about once it's finished. This is a great difference in sci-fi compared to most other sci-fi stories we've received in recent years and is one that shouldn't be slept on.</div>
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<i><b>Annihilation</b></i> really takes its time with its story, offering bits of information at a time but never allows the viewer to know exactly what is going on make what will happen next predictable. The early return of <b>Oscar Isaac's</b> character provides huge mystery from the start of the film which only continues throughout the rest of the runtime. Onwards we experience unique creatures, plant life and alien lifeforms whilst also taking time to tackle some deep human issues. This also brings a fair amount of darker moments, both from humans and a terrifying hybrid bear. Combined with the beautiful unique colours and visuals, there is never a dull or wasted moment on screen.<br />
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<b>Natalie Portman</b> leads a majority female-led cast for the most part of the film which provides solid performances all around. The film doesn't dive too deep into the lives of the characters but provides the exposition surrounding each of them which fits them perfectly into the story. Naturally, Portman is given the most attention as the star but her co-stars are equally as interesting and make sure this ensemble cast is not wasted. Portman is fantastic in her role but <b>Tessa Thompson</b> is perhaps the standout. Thompson continues to show her abilities as an actress and after coming off franchises like <b><i>Creed</i></b> and <b><i>Thor</i></b>, she makes her presence known in a much quieter but still fantastic way.<br />
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The last thirty minutes is where the film makes or breaks it for many people. The ending is indeed strange and requires your full attention, if your focus drifts away then you could be feeling slightly puzzled. Unlike <b><i>Ex_Machina</i></b>, I don't feel like the finale is entirely satisfying compared to the brilliant slow burn tempo. However, it certainly does not ruin anything, it simply just doesn't tie the film up as nicely as hoped. Perhaps it's a little too weird but it is ambiguous and really makes you think which is the job a film like this should set out to do.<br />
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<b><i>Annihilation</i></b> is undoubtedly an intelligent film that commands your attention and doesn't look to give you answers easily. It's a unique film that deserves to be seen, whatever way possible. Not quite as great as Garland's previous venture but still a very fine film in its own right.<br />
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Rating: 4 out of 5 stars</h3>
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Angus McGregorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448320991128449536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576741809616752341.post-7878829338145511152018-03-04T11:51:00.000-08:002018-03-04T12:33:21.557-08:00Oscars Collab Post: Best Actor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Oscars are taking place tonight and all of the stars are glamouring up to celebrate a great year of film! One of the biggest awards that will take place on the night is the coveted Best Actor award currently held by Casey Affleck. The award has been a mainstay and highlight of the show for years with recent triumphs like Leonardo Di Caprio's eventual win to Tom Hanks historic double win in 1994 and 1995. </h3>
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2018 brings another 5 lucky nominees in what is a fairly diverse range of actors with a couple of newcomers appearing amongst some regular faces. In this post, I am going to look at each individual and evaluating their performance, looking at the buzz surrounding them and also how likely they are to win the award. As this is a post that is part of a collaborative effort, I will leave links to other members posts on the different categories of tonight, enjoy!</h3>
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Denzel Washington - <i>Roman J. Israel Esq</i></h3>
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Previous nominations: 8x Academy Award nominee and 2x Winner</h3>
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Now I have to make a confession for this performance... I actually haven't seen it. What on earth happened with the distribution of this film? This only showed in a handful of theatres in Scotland, none really in City Centres meaning I wasn't able to catch this film. To add to that, nobody seems to be talking about this performance in the lead up to the Oscars at all. Due to that alone, I feel we can basically rule Denzel out of having any chance of winning at all. Denzel had a lot better chance last year with <i>Fences </i>but this time around, he's got no chance.</h3>
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Daniel Day-Lewis - Phantom Thread</h3>
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Previous nominations: 6x nominee and 3x Winner</h3>
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As expected, Daniel Day-Lewis proved why he is one of the world's best actors with his performance in <i>Phantom Thread</i>. Day-Lewis commits to his role remarkably in what is yet another high point of his career. His charm and quirks are highly entertaining throughout as his chemistry with co-stars Vicky Krieps and Lesly Manville. Unfortunately, due to some stern competition, he is actually an outsider to win. Day-Lewis, in my opinion, has the second-best performance of the nominees and unfortunately won't be walking away with his fourth Academy Award. </h3>
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Daniel Kaluuya - <i>Get Out</i></h3>
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Previous nominations: First-time nominee</h3>
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Kaluuya being nominated came as quite the surprise for me, I hadn't even taken it into consideration that he was a possible candidate. I have come around to an extent on Kaluuya on the second watch of <i>Get Out </i>where I realised Kaluuya genuinely was great. It's a fairly quiet performance but Kaluuya's is excellent reacting to the madness that is surrounding him. I also have a soft spot for this film and performance simply due to the fact that it's incredibly cool that a horror film is getting this attention from the Academy. That alone amazes me but it isn't for me to actively root for Kaluuya and I don't think he'll be walking away with the gold. Nonetheless, it is one hell of a breakout performance.</h3>
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Timothee Chalamet - <i>Call Me By Your Name</i></h3>
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Previous nominations - First-time nominee</h3>
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In an ideal world, by Monday we would all be calling Timothee Chalamet an Academy Award winner. He is the youngest Best Actor nominee in around the last 80 years but his performance is nothing but remarkable. Chalamet is charming and cool but showcases an impressive range that will stick with you for a long time. The ending of <i>Call Me By Your Name </i>is incredibly beautiful and packed with emotion and a lot if it is down to Chalamet. It's heartbreaking to watch him at the end of this film and due to the impact it left on me, I have to support Chalamet this year. Sadly and unjustly, I think he will miss out. </h3>
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Gary Oldman - <i>Darkest Hour</i></h3>
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Previous nominations: 1x Best Actor Nominee</h3>
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I'm not going to use this as a chance to rant against Oldman winning the Oscar. He definitely isn't my pick to win but I cannot deny that he was really good in this role. Oldman has completely transformed into Churchill with the help of makeup to the point where he is completely unrecognisable. Oldman's performance is the loudest performance but fantastically well with the dialogue where he gets the chance to rant in parliament. It's not my pick but I think he is a shoe-in to win this award and gain his first Oscar in what has been an incredible career.</h3>
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Who will win? Gary Oldman</h3>
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Who should win? Timothee Chalamet</h3>
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Thank you for checking out my blog post on the Best Actor category! Please make sure to check out the rest of the posts down below and have a great time with the Oscars!</h3>
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<span class="username u-dir" dir="ltr"><a class="ProfileHeaderCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/QF_Reviews">@<b class="u-linkComplex-target">QF_Reviews</b></a> video on the Best Picture nominees: <a href="https://t.co/CrYMTyyzXv" target="_blank">https://t.co/CrYMTyyzXv</a></span></div>
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<span class="username u-dir" dir="ltr"><a class="ProfileHeaderCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/ThrSilverScreen">@<b class="u-linkComplex-target">ThrSilverScreen</b></a> post on the Original Screenplay nominees: <a href="https://t.co/FIJ7fpDGfl" target="_blank">https://t.co/FIJ7fpDGfl</a></span></div>
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<a class="ProfileHeaderCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/ThrSilverScreen">@<b class="u-linkComplex-target">ThrSilverScreen</b></a> post on the Cinematography nominees <a href="https://t.co/EPlj1g7cEK" target="_blank">https://t.co/EPlj1g7cEK</a></div>
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<span class="username u-dir u-textTruncate" data-aria-label-part="" dir="ltr"><a class="account-group js-account-group js-action-profile js-user-profile-link js-nav" data-user-id="789722580" href="https://twitter.com/TheMarckoguy">@<b>TheMarckoguy</b></a> post on the Best Music nominees: <a href="https://t.co/fPyTIhU85A" target="_blank">https://t.co/fPyTIhU85A</a></span></div>
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<span class="username u-dir" dir="ltr"><a class="ProfileHeaderCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/PlainSimpleTom">@<b class="u-linkComplex-target">PlainSimpleTom</b></a> post on the Best Supporting Actor nominees: <a href="https://t.co/ea7D0ooowd" target="_blank">https://t.co/ea7D0ooowd</a></span></div>
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<span class="username u-dir" dir="ltr"><a class="ProfileHeaderCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/__Nathan">@<b class="u-linkComplex-target">__Nathan</b></a> post on Best Animated Feature and Adapted Screenplay nominees: <a href="https://t.co/f3sYldxmw0" target="_blank">https://t.co/f3sYldxmw0</a></span><br />
<span class="username u-dir" dir="ltr"><a class="ProfileHeaderCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/madelexne">@<b class="u-linkComplex-target">madelexne</b></a> post on the Best Actress categories: https://t.co/JgPnVRGfYg</span></div>
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Angus McGregorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448320991128449536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576741809616752341.post-62149669798574933882018-03-03T12:09:00.000-08:002018-03-03T12:09:37.390-08:003rd Annual Oscar Predictions!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The 90th edition of the annual Academy Awards is happening this Sunday and with that, everyone is making their predictions before the big night! It's always a bit of good fun and brings good discussion, whether you agree with the nominees or not. So for the third year running, my friends and I will be making our predictions and who will be the 2018 winner. Returning are Billy, Drew and last years winner Michael, as well as newcomer Conor.</h3>
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Like last year, there will be a brief look at some of the major categories with a table down below listing our entire predictions. Unfortunately again, we have not managed to see the documentaries or short films so these will be excluded. Now that's out of the way, lets take a look at some of the predictions. </h3>
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Best Supporting Actor</h3>
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The nominees:</h3>
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<b>Willem Dafoe</b> - <b><i>The Florida Project, </i></b></div>
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<b><i> </i></b><b>Woody Harrelson</b> <b>- <i>Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri</i>, </b></div>
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<b>Richard Jenkins - <i>The Shape of Water</i>, </b></div>
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<b>Christopher Plummer - <i>All The Money In The World</i>, </b></div>
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<b> Sam Rockwell - <i>Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri</i></b></div>
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<b>My Pick (Angus): Sam Rockwell</b><br />
Sam Rockwell seems to be the frontrunner for this award, beating out co-star Woody Harrelson in what would be a deserving Academy Award win. Although I am not the biggest fan of <i style="font-weight: bold;">Three Billboards, </i>I can't deny that Rockwell's performance was one of the best of the year and was helped by strong writing.</div>
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<b>Billy's Pick: Sam Rockwell</b><br />
Sam's character has a really interesting arc in <i><b>Three Billboards</b></i> and he approaches it with great care and subtlety, very funny performance.</div>
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<b>Conor's Pick: Sam Rockwell</b></div>
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I haven't seen many of the films and Rockwell is simply the favourite to win.</div>
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<b>Drew's Pick: Sam Rockwell</b><br />
Rockwell just stunned me. I had no idea of his acting capabilities beforehand, to be honest.</div>
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<b>Michael's Pick: Sam Rockwell</b></div>
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I chose Sam Rockwell because he seems to be the critics favourite at this point and has already won a Golden Globe, BAFTA and a SAG award so I expect him to add this to his trophy case which considering his redeeming character arc in <b><i>Three Billboards</i></b>, it is deserving of one.</div>
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The nominees:</h3>
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<b>Mary J Blige - <i>Mudbound</i></b></div>
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<b>Allison Janney - <i>I, Tonya</i></b></div>
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<b>Laurie Metcalf - <i>Lady Bird</i></b></div>
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<b>Octavia Spencer - <i>The Shape of Water</i></b></div>
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<b>Lesley Manville - <i>Phantom Thread</i></b></div>
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<b>My Pick (Angus): Allison Janney</b><br />
Janney seems to steal every scene that she appears in giving an incredibly humourous performance amongst the craziness of <i><b>I, Tonya</b></i>.<br />
<b><br /></b> <b>Billy's Pick: Allison Janney</b><br />
Similar with Rockwell, Allison gives a fiery, punchy performance and while it's an archetype character, she brings it to life.<br />
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<b>Conor's Pick: Allison Janney</b><br />
Same as before, I'm not too familiar but Janney is the favourite.<br />
<b><br /></b> <b>Drew's Pick: Allison Janney</b><br />
She provided an interesting "anti" antagonist role into<b> <i>I, Tonya</i></b> that added depth to Tonya's struggle.<br />
<b><br /></b> <b>Michael's Pick: Allison Janney</b><br />
Allison Janney should pick up this award easily as she plays the unlikeable detestable mother to Tonya and both presents a barrier to her social life and tey pushes Tonya's skaing success and drive to win. Mixed with the fact that there's no outstanding candidates to win this award this should seem a certainty.<br />
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<b>Best Director</b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSv4PAALTtwMCuRe2EJ-xlvlLcIXxf2CzxzJkRVmxcZgOsAGAU-nPDwk8j3Gdd9tpBXYa1drE8JU4y7GLiWQc_DbgmZE2rangxHv9349zUuxkEge-mvlLwzvbXgfS-mZjyYOiA3nEMdEu/s1600/BDir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="678" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSv4PAALTtwMCuRe2EJ-xlvlLcIXxf2CzxzJkRVmxcZgOsAGAU-nPDwk8j3Gdd9tpBXYa1drE8JU4y7GLiWQc_DbgmZE2rangxHv9349zUuxkEge-mvlLwzvbXgfS-mZjyYOiA3nEMdEu/s640/BDir.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>The nominees:</b></h3>
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<b>Christopher Nolan - <i>Dunkirk</i></b></div>
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<b>Jordan Peele - <i>Get Out</i></b></div>
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<b>Greta Gerwig - <i>Lady Bird</i></b></div>
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<b>Paul Thomas Anderson - <i>Phantom Thread</i></b></div>
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<b>Guillermo Del Toro - <i>The Shape of Water</i></b></div>
<b><br /></b> <b>My Pick (Angus): Guillermo Del Toro</b><br />
In an ideal world, Christopher Nolan would be picking up this award for <i style="font-weight: bold;">Dunkirk </i>which I believe is the best-directed film up for contention. But I'm going with my head and choosing Del Toro for <b><i>The Shape of Water </i></b>who has been doing very well on the awards circuit and who I do believe is the second best director in the category.<br />
<b><br /></b> <b>Billy's Pick: Guillermo Del Toro</b><br />
Loved <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Shape of Water </i>and each scene really has a dynamic and rich dressing. I think the overall aesthetic and style of the film makes it what it is, it really feels like Del Toro loved crafting it and it is unique to his flavour of film.<br />
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<b>Conor's Pick: Guillermo Del Toro</b><br />
Del Toro expertly crafted his story world in <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Shape of Water. </i>The way in which the story is told in addition to the aesthetics of the film were really interesting and enjoyable and I feel he should be recognised for his work.<br />
<b><br /></b> <b>Drew's Pick: Guillermo Del Toro</b><br />
Del Toro always spends years developing the world he wants to showcase to the world, within his head and it shows with <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Shape of Water. </i>It was close between him and Nolan, but the pure originality of the world crafted helped nudge it on top.<br />
<b><br /></b> <b>Michael's Pick: Guillermo Del Toro</b><br />
GDT really creates a magnificent looking world here and places a beautiful love story in the middle of it. This combination along with this world coming directly from GDT crafts my favourite film of the year so far as the passion for this masterpiece is clearly seen and should pick up the award.<br />
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<h3>
<b>Best Actor</b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCy9955wV1AFu0ZPY3Ux4NWDwKYrkW0XssK5uYrMfmNSPsvgpEPtvG0hHr-xCH8bcl1148AclTpotigIhYkLjbU2Du5LyF85-3iwxzvmJG68BYK3Nh9zo5FbZkNhyphenhyphenmKdbKxdATok6-Yoh/s1600/BeAct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="727" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCy9955wV1AFu0ZPY3Ux4NWDwKYrkW0XssK5uYrMfmNSPsvgpEPtvG0hHr-xCH8bcl1148AclTpotigIhYkLjbU2Du5LyF85-3iwxzvmJG68BYK3Nh9zo5FbZkNhyphenhyphenmKdbKxdATok6-Yoh/s640/BeAct.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>The nominees:</b></h3>
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<b>Daniel Day Lewis - <i>Phantom Thread</i></b></div>
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<b>Timothee Chalamet - <i>Call Me By Your Name</i></b></div>
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<b>Daniel Kaluuya - <i>Get Out</i></b></div>
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<b>Denzel Washington - <i>Roman J. Israel Esq</i></b></div>
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<b>Gary Oldman - <i>Darkest Hour</i></b></div>
<b><br /></b> <b>My Pick (Angus): Timothee Chalamet</b><br />
I'm going to afford myself a gamble and thinking with my heart on this one. Chalamet is by far the best performance and it'll be an atrocity if he misses out. He showcases more range in his role than the rest of the nominees combined in what is a powerful and emotional masterclass. No gimmick is needed, just pure raw emotion.<br />
<b><br /></b> <b>Billy's Pick: Gary Oldman</b><br />
I chose Gary Oldman because I feel there is a romanticism with biopic old-timey representation and added with his transformative prosthetic appearance, he'll be a shoe-in.<br />
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<b>Conor's Pick: Gary Oldman</b><br />
Again, I haven't seen them all but Oldman is once again the favourite by popular vote.<br />
<b><br /></b> <b>Drew's Pick: Gary Oldman</b><br />
Oldman always seems to provide a strong commitment to his roles, which in this case execute a powerful showcase of Britain's greatest leader in modern times.<br />
<b><br /></b> <b>Michael's Pick: Gary Oldman</b><br />
I chose Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill because the academy values a huge commitment in a leading role which is clear here which helps that he portrays such an iconic figure. His performance is also helped by the excellent hair and makeup work on the film to the point that we don't even recognise Gary Oldman.<br />
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<b>Best Actress</b></h3>
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<b>The nominees:</b></h3>
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<b>Meryl Streep - <i>The Post</i></b></div>
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<b>Margot Robbie - <i>I, Tonya</i></b></div>
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<b>Frances McDormand - <i>Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri</i></b></div>
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<b>Saorise Ronan - <i>Lady Bird</i></b></div>
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<b>Sally Hawkins - <i>The Shape of Water</i></b></div>
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<b>My Pick (Angus): Frances McDormand</b><br />
It pains me to write this but no matter how much I think Sally Hawkins had the best performance of the year, everything is pointing at a win for McDormand. McDormand does display a strong performance nonetheless but far from the best for me.<br />
<b><br /></b> <b>Billy's Pick: Frances McDormand</b><br />
Frances is really great in Three Billboards, she demonstrates a great range and attitude to the unique character.<br />
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<b>Conor's Pick: Sally Hawkins</b><br />
Going with who I know and performance I feel was extremely well executed given that Hawkins had no dialogue.<br />
<b><br /></b> <b>Drew's Pick: Sally Hawkins</b><br />
Despite McDormand providing a stellar performance in <i style="font-weight: bold;">Three Billboards</i>, I felt like Hawkins provided an experience that I enjoyed more as a viewer, and I somehow connected more with her portrayal of the character.<br />
<b><br /></b> <b>Michael's Pick: Frances McDormand</b><br />
Frances McDormand's performance was quite excellent although she wouldn't be my personal pick. Despite this McDormand plays the perfect anti-hero in this, managing to gather sympathy from the audience whilst playing a bitter foul-mouthed violent woman which can be a challenge but is one that she excels in.<br />
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<h3>
<b>Best Picture</b></h3>
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<b>The nominees:</b></h3>
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<b><i>The Darkest Hour, Call Me By Your Name, Dunkirk, Get Out, Lady Bird, Phantom Thread, The Post, The Shape of Water, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri</i></b></div>
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<b>My Pick (Angus): <i>The Shape of Water</i></b><br />
Overall, when taking everything into consideration, I think <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Shape of Water </i>is the best film in contention. When you take everything into consideration, from directing and performances to set design and costume and the beautiful story, <b>TSOW</b> stands out from the rest for me.<br />
<b><br /></b> <b>Billy's Pick: <i>The Shape of Water</i></b><br />
<i style="font-weight: bold;">The Shape of Water </i>was right up my alley. I decided to go with this film not because I think it'll win but because it was my favourite film of the bunch.<br />
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<b>Conor's Pick: Get Out</b><br />
From the nominees I have seen, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Get Out </i>was my favourite and I feel it has a solid chance to win thanks to its cultural commentary as well as the way in which the film borders between genres being a thriller with a very humorous script to alleviate tension and keep us engaged.<br />
<b><br /></b> <b>Drew's Pick: <i>The Shape of Water</i></b><br />
Similar to the Best Director category, it's yet again between <i style="font-weight: bold;">Dunkirk </i>and <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Shape of Water</i> and once again I've gone with the latter. Again, the originality not only in the visual storytelling but the screenplay (both developed by Del Toro) helped put it ahead yet again.<br />
<b><br /></b> <b>Michael's Pick: <i>Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri</i></b><br />
As mentioned with Sam Rockwell this seems to be picking up the majority of the awards which includes the BAFTA for Best Film. Considering this is a well-structured film which mostly is a joy to watch barring the first act of the film and deserves it's nomination although it wouldn't be my pick, I wouldn't be disappointed with this winning.<br />
<b><i><br /></i></b> <b><i><br /></i></b> <b><i><br /></i></b> <b><i><br /></i></b> <b><i></i></b><br />
<a name='more'></a><h3>
The table below shows the full list of predictions that we have made. Take a look and also say what your predictions or hopes for the Oscars are! Also, who do you think will come out victorious? For a full list of the nominees go to: <i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i><i>https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2018</i></h3>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Best Picture</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Get Out</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Three Billboards Outside </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Ebbing, Missouri</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Director</span></div>
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</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Actor</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Timothee Chalamet</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Gary Oldman </span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Gary Oldman</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Gary Oldman</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Gary Oldman</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Actress</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Frances McDormand</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Frances McDormand </span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Sally Hawkins</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Sally Hawkins</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Frances McDormand</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Supporting Actor</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Sam Rockwell</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Sam Rockwell </span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Sam Rockwell</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Sam Rockwell</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Sam Rockwell</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Supporting Actress</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Allison Janney</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Allison Janney </span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Allison Janney</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Allison Janney</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Allison Janney</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Original Screenplay</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Three Billboards</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Get Out </span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The Shape of Water</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Get Out</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Get Out</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Adapted Screenplay</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Call Me By Your Name</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Call Me By Your Name </span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The Disaster Artist</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Logan</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Call Me By Your Name</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Original Song</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">This Is Me</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> (The Greatest Showman)</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Remember Me (Coco) </span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">This Is Me</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> (The Greatest Showman)</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Remember Me (Coco)</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Remember Me (Coco)</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Original Score</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The Shape of Water</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The Shape of Water</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Dunkirk</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Dunkirk</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The Shape of Water</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Sound</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-weight: 700; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Editing</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Dunkirk</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Dunkirk</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Star Wars</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Dunkirk</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Dunkirk</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Sound</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-weight: 700; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mixing</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Dunkirk</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Baby Driver</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Star Wars</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Dunkirk</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Dunkirk</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Costume </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Design</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Phantom Thread</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Phantom Thread</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Beauty and the Beast </span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Phantom Thread</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Phantom Thread</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Cinematography</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Blade Runner 2049</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Blade Runner 2049</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Dunkirk</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Blade Runner 2049</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Blade Runner 2049</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Visual Effects</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Blade Runner 2049</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Blade Runner 2049</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">War for the Planet </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">of the Apes</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Blade Runner 2049</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Blade Runner 2049</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Production</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> Design</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The Shape of Water</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The Shape of Water </span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The Shape of Water</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The Shape of Water</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The Shape of Water</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Editing</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Dunkirk</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Baby Driver</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Baby Driver</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Baby Driver</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Dunkirk</span></div>
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Angus McGregorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448320991128449536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576741809616752341.post-46477053642416559782018-02-21T06:58:00.000-08:002018-02-21T07:01:41.086-08:00'The Shape of Water' Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong>Elisa (Sally Hawkins) is a mute, cleaning lady who develops a close bond with a mysterious sea creature from the waters of South America. The creature is in danger as government officials look to kill him in use of research. With help from others, Elisa looks to break the creature out, allowing him to live freely.</strong><br />
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On paper, a romance film with a mute cleaning lady and a humanoid sea creature as the romantic interests may sound too bizarre to be possible to work. It sounds off-putting and downright weird but in Guillermo Del Toro's latest film, The Shape of Water, it absolutely works. In fact, it works so well that it is the Mexican director's best work within his esteemed filmography.<br />
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1960's Baltimore provides a perfect setting for this forbidden romance as it takes us back to a time littered with strife over many different issues like segregation and homophobia that are highlighted in the film. Throw in power-hungry government officials and Russian spies amid The Cold War and you have a boiling pot of tension that looks certain to spill over. Each of these parts plays a huge role in building characters and the situations that our innocent protagonists find themselves caught in. Del Toro alongside co-writer Vanessa Taylor has packed a lot of detail into the film's script with each aspect having a point, leaving no loose ends or wasted plot lines.<br />
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Del Toro's films have been known for their beauty, both in the story and in production values. From Pan's Labyrinth to Crimson's Peek, Del Toro has shown that he has an incredible eye for detail as each shot he sets up is as meticulous as the rest. From the lighting to set designs, Del Toro makes genuine art with his films as he creates visually stunning set pieces. For this film, the camera is mainly in motion and is rarely stagnant which helps the film feel vibrant and constantly moving forward. Again, this helps in adding as much detail possible to every shot.<br />
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The Shape of Water's romance focuses undoubtedly on acceptance and loving others for who they truly are. Neither Sally Hawkins' character Elisa or the sea creature can communicate vocally with others which is the basic building block for this relationship to develop and flourish as the film goes on. This oddball romance undoubtedly is strange - with side characters questioning that - but it is one that is truly beautiful and displays the message of acceptance and embracing those for who they truly are and how they make you feel. It's deeply moving and touching as this pure love is infectious and enviable allowing the audience to become caught up in all of the drama. The film ends perfectly summing up the love from the film and the love we should aspire to receive/give with the poetic lines<br />
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"Unable to perceive the shape of you,<br />
I find you all around me.<br />
Your presence fills my eyes with your love,<br />
It humbles my heart,<br />
for you are everywhere".<br />
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As Richard Jenkins reads out those final lines and Alexandre Desplat's gorgeous score plays out, you will be sat in an emotional state of happiness whilst in awe of the beauty you just experienced.<br />
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Sally Hawkins is the star of the film in what is an Oscar-worthy performance as the mute Elisa Esposito. Despite being unable to vocally express her thoughts and feelings, Hawkins provides a powerful performance, showcasing an impressive range. Unlike many contenders during award season, Hawkins doesn't have to shout or deliver long monologues to leave a lasting and memorable impression. Her expressions and mannerisms perfectly capture how she is feeling, whether positive or negative and she makes the love between her and Doug Jones' creature feel genuine. If Hawkins role isn't believable, the film simply fails. Luckily, this is one of the best performances we've ever seen.<br />
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Hawkins is supported by a truly fantastic ensemble diverse cast, with each character having their own individual problems and wants that factor into the main story. Richard Jenkins and Octavia Spencer play Giles and Zelda, Elisa's closest companions. The two provide an excellent contrast to Hawkins, both being very chatty against Elisa's silence. The characters are incredibly likable and add a perfect amount of humour without overdoing it whilst maintaining the seriousness of the film's situations and settings. In what could've been an incredibly cartoony villain role is the ever-intense Michael Shannon. Shannon borderlines at times on being over the top but it cannot be denied that he is constantly one to be feared throughout the entirety of the film. His unpredictability and short temper create a vast amount of tension and a genuinely frightening villain. Huge credit again must go out to Del Toro's frequent collaborator Doug Jones who plays his non-human role perfectly yet again.<br />
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Del Toro has created a genuine masterpiece that is equally narratively and visually stunning. Everything comes together perfectly to create an emotional rollercoaster of a film that will leave you feeling incredibly satisfied by the time the credits roll. Del Toro has crafted something truly special with this film and is one that I will never forget. Emotional and beautiful, The Shape of Water delivers on all levels.<br />
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Rating: 5 out of 5 stars</h3>
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Angus McGregorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448320991128449536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576741809616752341.post-60515210883459715012018-02-20T11:53:00.002-08:002018-02-20T11:53:47.512-08:00'Status Update' Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Family problems mean that Kyle Moore (Ross Lynch) has had to move across the country due to his parent's separation. Settling in at a new school isn't going well until Kyle goes to get his phone fixed at a local mall. In doing so, an app called Universe is put on his phone and anything he posts will come true, giving Kyle the ability to make whatever he wants to come true. </h3>
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It's safe to say that after seeing the trailer and poster for this film, my expectations were not very high when it came to seeing <i style="font-weight: bold;">Status Update</i>. The target audience for this film is undoubtedly teens, with its high school settings, heavy use of social media and young Disney channel related actors. With this, the film has a responsibility to put out something that isn't particularly harmful for the young viewers despite the overall quality. Although the film is terrible in its own right - we'll get to that later - but the biggest crime is how the film represents many things such as sexuality and use of social media.<br />
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If there was ever an example of how diversity in film shouldn't be handled, it would be <i style="font-weight: bold;">Status Update</i>. The film features a fairly diverse cast and group of characters but it is how they are represented and how they act that is the problem. The minority characters in this film are delegated to being losers, jerks or carry out terrible actions. This most evident comes with the homosexual character in the film who is handled terribly. It's hard to believe that nobody saw a problem in production around this representation. The gay character in this film is insultingly stereotyped, violent and sexually assaults the main character. This is all played off as humour to make things worse and it is shocking to see that this was carried out. Sexual assault is apparent again in the film and again, its played off as humourous. Maybe it's just the current climate but I certainly don't think this should be something that's made a joke of, especially when targeting to young impressionable people.<br />
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The film could have clawed back some humility if it even had a valuable message about the use of social media but it even fails miserably at that. Obviously, the use of social media is the main aspect of the film but the film seems to take away from the severity of actions online. In a particular scene featuring main character Kyle and his mother, she seems to talk to him about how what he posts isn't that significant and takes away from the effects in real life. Again, with the targeted demographic, this is a terrible message to be sending out to the intended target audience. This part really surprised me the most as the film's concept is the abuse of a social media app but yet, the film doesn't do anything to really nail that message. </div>
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Although the harmful and offensive aspects of the film may be out of the way, the film's quality does not get any better. We follow Kyle Moore, a teenager whose parents are separated and he wishes his life could go back to normal. Now, this film gives Kyle the opportunity to wish for whatever he wants but he doesn't really do that at all. He makes vague changes to his problems when he has the problem to solve them entirely. In all honesty, this just makes the character seem fairly stupid. To top this off, the writing of the film makes him completely unlikeable in part reason to that. He has this ability to do as he wants but he focuses on different things. I know you have no movie if the character just does everything perfectly but there is nothing to gravitate you to liking or caring for this character. Olivia Holt's character is the only character worth caring for but the problem is that shes tossed to the side easily only to forgive Kyle once he decides he's sick of being with someone else.<br />
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There are musical numbers in this film that feel incredibly awkward and not organic at all. There's a full scene where Kyle sings and dances like Bruno Mars as the whole school turns into the cast of <i>High School Musical. </i>This isn't a fantasy scene or anything and is played off to be real but the film isn't a musical. With this, the whole scene is incredibly cringe-inducing and lasts for far too long. The main song of the film 'Drowning' does look to claw some dignity back to the film but it is again let down by the fact that it doesn't seem genuine. A few catchy musical numbers can go along way in making a film somewhat enjoyable, yet there's no sense of personality or emotion in any of these moments to give you that feeling. Instead, it just wastes more time and makes the film seem even more soulless.<br />
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It's no surprise to see that there is little information regarding <i style="font-weight: bold;">Status Update </i>online at the moment. It doesn't seem to have had a wide release which may be a good thing. To those who look at this film and think it may be a fun film to pass the time with, don't waste your time. This film certainly does much more harm than good and really should be avoided at all costs.<br />
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<b>Rating: 1 out of 5 stars</b><br />
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Angus McGregorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448320991128449536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576741809616752341.post-49986195238014944222018-01-17T07:07:00.000-08:002018-01-17T07:07:03.020-08:00'Coco' Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Miguel (Anthony Gonzales) is a music fanatic who admires the great Ernesto De La Cruz (Benjamin Bratt) but he is forbidden to play due to his family’s ban on music. After running away to play music, Miguel steals a guitar and is sent to the Land of the Dead. Miguel meets his ancestors and new friends as he looks to escape before sunrise or he’ll be trapped there forever. </span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Ever since <b><i>Inside Out</i></b>, Pixar seems to have gone through a mini-slump of movies that haven’t quite matched their usual standard. <b><i>Coco</i></b>, the latest addition to the Pixar filmography, sees a return to the quality we expect from the animation studio.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><i>Coco</i></b> takes place during the Mexican holiday Dia de Muertos, also known as The Day of the Dead, and is a perfect set up for a Pixar film. It allows the film to entertain with bright colours, wonderful animation, and fun characters, as well as having an emotional message that will leave a deeper impact on audiences.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Mexican setting allows Pixar to explore a different culture that hasn’t had a great deal of focus on in recent times – <b><i>The Book of Life</i></b> being the main exception. This colourful festival fits perfect with Pixar’s animation as each frame is crafted full of detail, with fluorescent colours, unique characters and locations and the usual Pixar Easter Eggs. Not only is the film visually stunning, but it presents the opportunity to learn more about a celebration of life and family from another nation. Early on there are a few exposition-heavy scenes but it is necessary to make sure that everybody – especially the children – are fully aware regarding the meaning of this festival. Once the details have been straightened out, <b><i>Coco’s</i></b> true charm takes over as the adventure really begins.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The best kind of Pixar films are those that are equally as entertaining for both kids and adults – see <b><i>Toy Story</i></b> series, <b><i>Inside Out</i></b>, <b><i>WALL-E </i></b>etc. <i><b>Coco</b></i> joins this esteemed list as it is a fun adventure story packed with antics and great music to keep you thoroughly entertained. But most impressive is how the film manages to gain an incredible emotional response, especially in its final stages. The threats to the well-being of great characters may be enough to garner a response from you but the films respectful use of a sad disorder will have you fighting back the tears. It is a really beautiful moment and one of Pixar’s finest scenes that they have ever crafted – it’s up there with the first 10 minutes of <i><b>Up</b></i> and the incinerator scene from <i><b>Toy Story 3</b></i>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Themes of family and creativity and how to balance the two are ever apparent as the film’s message about the two is very clear. Again, this is both equally as valuable for both children and adults as it is a universal message that everybody can relate to in some way. Pixar never fails to amaze on how they can create a story that has such a range that it can touch even the sternest of viewers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Michael Giacchino’s score and the original songs from various artists contribute heavily enabling you to feel immersed in this world. The music is created through a combination of mariachi, salsa, and flamenco with the results being high energy, catchy tunes which will stick in your head for days. The work from the cast members – particularly from Gonzales, Bratt and Gael Garcia Bernal – is to be praised in making the musical numbers of the film seem as authentic from the characters as possible.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">To continue talking about the cast, its great to see that in a film like this that the majority of the cast were all of Latino descent, bar Pixar regular John Ratzenberger. Despite being an animated film, its great to see that this cast was made up in the correct way and it really helps add to creating this authentic imagined world.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><i>Coco</i></b> provides everything you could possibly want from a Pixar film. Fun, enjoyable characters within a world that is a joy to explore, as the film also looks to tug at your heartstrings. Add in the originality of the story which provides fantastic representation for those who celebrate this event and you find very little to not enjoy. Despite a slowish start, the film has plenty of conflict, twists, and entertainment to keep you engaged throughout its entire runtime.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rating: 4 out of 5 stars</span></b></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Z4OF_v3LrW5CECkSbFFG9j6CHJsEZdNk-ht9ZjE8kPeyQ4InqquG2TQk9Zh1VfgF6n6fg8O224kzjuPMbvlKqJmNZUBoomLspXgD2vJ5jmnigra5JPbOlHf7FHK3G3Cys3GBQ0N0vitv/s1600/COco%2525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="928" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Z4OF_v3LrW5CECkSbFFG9j6CHJsEZdNk-ht9ZjE8kPeyQ4InqquG2TQk9Zh1VfgF6n6fg8O224kzjuPMbvlKqJmNZUBoomLspXgD2vJ5jmnigra5JPbOlHf7FHK3G3Cys3GBQ0N0vitv/s640/COco%2525.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Angus McGregorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448320991128449536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576741809616752341.post-49475177492962050162018-01-02T11:38:00.000-08:002018-01-02T12:19:52.174-08:00My 10 Worst Films of 2017!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4D-jJNITJBjQgb49h0QEVFA0RqDrpVEha-_XSp5ej6LoizOtW_efmIrBX7UC7ylglh_2seX_l5gAdTtETUPMgZ0eYRC1pnHWvcbveAgSSDtrgH8i_KgWVUntngju4fBtcYfLC5nV_Jz4/s1600/Worst-Movies-List.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="860" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4D-jJNITJBjQgb49h0QEVFA0RqDrpVEha-_XSp5ej6LoizOtW_efmIrBX7UC7ylglh_2seX_l5gAdTtETUPMgZ0eYRC1pnHWvcbveAgSSDtrgH8i_KgWVUntngju4fBtcYfLC5nV_Jz4/s640/Worst-Movies-List.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now that the 'Best of the Year' list is out of the way, it is now time to look at the very worst that 2017 had to offer. Despite being a fairly good year for film, there were a lot of stinkers that often overshadowed the better creations in cinema this year. There were many to choose from and like with the 'Best' list, there were films that missed out on making the list. With that here are some dis-honourable mentions:</h3>
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47 Metres Down</h3>
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Underworld: Blood Wars</h3>
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CHIPS</h3>
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Alien Covenant</h3>
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and The Circle</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNzr25pXEId93Iz33AldE4fgQMNLXRyPYqat2Jd1HjdZQ9YSdyXQ4ZE91avO3TJ2R7nc78dKIY2huTY9HrOBuvc6MK6I6QIUKldokA_IJ0ZRExl0Jr7XMhQNbKLSrEmKYzcXUmPe4OdW_/s1600/tbbm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="136" data-original-width="370" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNzr25pXEId93Iz33AldE4fgQMNLXRyPYqat2Jd1HjdZQ9YSdyXQ4ZE91avO3TJ2R7nc78dKIY2huTY9HrOBuvc6MK6I6QIUKldokA_IJ0ZRExl0Jr7XMhQNbKLSrEmKYzcXUmPe4OdW_/s640/tbbm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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At number 10 is a film that could so easily be number 1 on this list but for one reason alone it is much higher up. <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Bye Bye Man </i>is a completely inept film which has one an incredibly silly plot - if you say or hear the words <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Bye Bye Man</i>, you're haunted until death. There are no scares in this film which features terrible dialogue, awful characters and acting as well as some of the worst special effects in recent history. However, this creates an extremely enjoyable viewing and is so bad that it is actually a good fun watch. This really is a god awful film but <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Bye Bye Man </i>is a film you can gather your friends to watch it and have a great time laughing all the way through. Due to this, it finds itself at number 10 as the next nine films have little to no redeeming qualities.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_MuUB4w93psMkcnoRghbXzdumv_Y4eHDxf8qKhs_TukpeeLJ1KStqPhJwo-rqVCAG6rWsD4LjyR6PcaZ1-II8BRUSDEkRLthY4eupP0JFjsi78QlQzec4AJLapYhkyD7Oq-pKpddSt6f/s1600/ac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_MuUB4w93psMkcnoRghbXzdumv_Y4eHDxf8qKhs_TukpeeLJ1KStqPhJwo-rqVCAG6rWsD4LjyR6PcaZ1-II8BRUSDEkRLthY4eupP0JFjsi78QlQzec4AJLapYhkyD7Oq-pKpddSt6f/s640/ac.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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With <b>Michael Fassbender</b>, <b>Marion Cotillard</b> and <b>Jeremy Irons </b>in leading roles, <b>Justin Kurzel </b>directing and a sizeable budget, if there was ever going to be a successful video game movie, then it was surely going to be <i style="font-weight: bold;">Assassin's Creed</i>. Unfortunately for everyone, this movie was a painful slog as the depressingly boring story held the film back from reaching its true potential. The focus of this film was completely wrong and lacked anything interesting which is a real shame considering the source material. This film was released in the first week of 2017 in the U.K and the fact it managed to stay in bottom 10 for the entirety of 2017 is somewhat impressive.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEskoo_TRrAJnJnelRo3ufnsGXRJlCYtXoziIAeNnyhQMmam1vyz7jkXlKZjv7Lcppfr6aqw7fRfNVo-Zwxv_avU6bYnXdi0r7NxUWLB3g_BhecR5FyEUx0narMWu16aAMxtf7PGC4Y7s/s1600/tdt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEskoo_TRrAJnJnelRo3ufnsGXRJlCYtXoziIAeNnyhQMmam1vyz7jkXlKZjv7Lcppfr6aqw7fRfNVo-Zwxv_avU6bYnXdi0r7NxUWLB3g_BhecR5FyEUx0narMWu16aAMxtf7PGC4Y7s/s640/tdt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For many, the prospect of a <i style="font-weight: bold;">Dark Tower </i>film or series has been highly anticipated whilst this property has been stuck in developmental hell. 2017 finally saw the story be depicted on the big screen and it really wasn't worth the wait. In a year that had many great Stephen King adaptations - Gerald's Game, IT and 1922 - <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Dark Tower </i>proved to be one of the worst ever. The film tries to cram too much into its 95-minute runtime and is a complete mess in terms of tone. <b>Matthew McConaughey </b>puts in one of his weakest performances as he adopts some strange accent that makes his villain someone you cannot take seriously. I certainly hope that the books are much better than this pitiful film.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzg2GEi83se2C4FQEsnMQccVFTbmruS5IeiRnrbVH_u2KPGv9q4WBLGVrycuuoS9bj2yxrZPMGsKPQ58wNG9QY_TNO0rYnEngw254FT2JUdC51feINeGleVhT_tU15kbsiYf6s69dp4Sg/s1600/mummy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="759" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzg2GEi83se2C4FQEsnMQccVFTbmruS5IeiRnrbVH_u2KPGv9q4WBLGVrycuuoS9bj2yxrZPMGsKPQ58wNG9QY_TNO0rYnEngw254FT2JUdC51feINeGleVhT_tU15kbsiYf6s69dp4Sg/s640/mummy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ugh. Is there anything more disappointing this year than the attempt to recreate the Dark Universe with <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Mummy </i>reboot? The chance to create a dark cinematic universe based on the classic Universal monsters was an incredibly exciting idea, but after <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Mummy</i>, all that excitement vanished. The film looked to cram in as much exposition and build up other stories rather than focus on making <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Mummy</i> a good film in its own right. It becomes yet another <b>Tom Cruise </b>action film which the Dark Universe really should not be. <b>Sofia Boutella </b>is criminally underused as the titular character as the story makes her take a back seat for most of the film. Yes, the reboot film focuses more on a terrible, generic <b>Tom Cruise</b> character, <b>Russell Crowe </b>and average action rather than the Mummy herself. This is perhaps the biggest cock up in trying to start up a franchise which is music to the ears for the previous holder, the DCEU.</div>
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Lets hope that <b>Michael Fassbender </b>has a better 2018 as it couldn't get much worse than his 2017. His biggest crime of the yeat was <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Snowman</i>, based on the Jo Nesbo bestselling book. This film was so dull it was hard to believe that talented director <b>Tomas Alfredson </b>and great actors <b>Fassbender </b>and <b>Rebecca Ferguson</b> were involved. From a pure talent perspective, this should have been quite the hit but the film delivered on absolutely nothing. The film feels about 5 hours long with nothing of real intrigue happening. The final showdown is extremely laughable as this film apparently went through a lot of trouble in post-production. The final cut of this film is apparently missing key scenes but I'm not sure they'd be able to completely salvage this snooze fest. A terribly handled film that has reached meme status, stay away from <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Snowman</i>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrWTpn3iaefKKbLvoP45HNudNkMBRhVxc8TePaqwbxNTb9d3SfwXuJ1bsGdjqyUc1gCs8y-5Foo_JZ0aGkvTixu4dQW0u5pxx5ZaogmEFVc075gF_JPPpAfve-zV4eHd-GVywyUgvkGwP/s1600/wu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="1200" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrWTpn3iaefKKbLvoP45HNudNkMBRhVxc8TePaqwbxNTb9d3SfwXuJ1bsGdjqyUc1gCs8y-5Foo_JZ0aGkvTixu4dQW0u5pxx5ZaogmEFVc075gF_JPPpAfve-zV4eHd-GVywyUgvkGwP/s640/wu.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Wish Upon's </i>premise was a fairly interesting one, with a teenager being given an overwhelmingly amount of power. This could've been an alright film but the film suffers from some of the same problems as <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Bye Bye Man</i>. There are many moments in this film that are laughable - mostly involving the deaths - but it isn't nearly as enjoyable which is why it is so low on this list. Every character is just terrible people which makes watching this film insufferable when it is focussing on their stories and interactions. There's little to like about this horror which isn't remotely scary or suspenseful at all. </div>
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Any of these next four films could easily have been number 1, these really are the worst of the worst. To try and rank these four, I had to think long and hard about different aspects of these films. At number 4 comes <i style="font-weight: bold;">Flatliners </i>due to the fact I think it has the best performance in any of these four films, that being from <b>Ellen Page</b>. However, the rest of the film is incredibly dull with very little happening that is scary, interesting or compelling. Nothing is really explored in this half-arsed attempt at rebooting the 1990 film. The film doesn't really explore the effects of flatlining as the film seems to make it up as it goes along. This is also very poorly edited as something drastic and damaging will happen to a character, yet the film will instantly cut and that person will be perfectly fine. Dull with a wasted crop of young actors, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Flatliners </i>is one of the most lifeless films of 2017.</div>
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Sometimes adults can be accused of being far too cynical when it comes to animated films, but I feel like a good gauge is experiencing the audience's reaction firsthand. When I saw <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Emoji Movie</i>, the screen was dominated by parents and their children. The atmosphere was silent as this god awful film didn't even manage to have an effect on the younger viewers. This is such a blatant cash grab filled with lazy, cheap jokes that create a very painful watch. It's bland in so many ways with uninteresting characters and <b>James Corden</b>. This Hollywood at its worst as it looks to capitalise on anything remotely popular or well known. The only good thing about this film is that it was only 91 minutes long which made it more bearable than these next two films.</div>
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I know I'm not the target demographic but surely there aren't people who genuinely believe this series has any form of quality within it? It's not hard to believe that the <i style="font-weight: bold;">50 Shades </i>series was based on Twilight fan fiction as its terrible writing has transferred to the big screen. Christian Grey is one of the worst characters in film history with one of the most disinterested performances of the year by <b>Jamie Dornan</b>. The film isn't sexy, it's creepy. For a romance, it lacks any sense of loving and care which makes the character Anatasia's decisions even more baffling. There's a random helicopter crash thrown in that leads to nothing just because. Literally nothing happens from it and there are no consequences, it's absolutely baffling. Unfortunately, this isn't the last of the series and I fully expect <i style="font-weight: bold;">50 Shades Freed </i>to end up on my list for the worst of 2018.</div>
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My worst film and the most incompetent of the year is <i style="font-weight: bold;">Resident Evil: The Final Chapter</i>. My god was this by far the worst experience I've had all year at the cinema. Two big reasons for this being my worst film is due to its horror and action styles of filmmaking. The film is littered with awful jumpscares that become predictable after a mere five minutes. The film doesn't try anything new or creative and is the laziest film of the year. To make things worse, half the film is unwatchable due to the excessive use of shaky cam. I commend you if you manage to watch an action scene from this film and see exactly what is going on and don't leave without a headache. As a fan of action and horror, this atrocity hurt even more than the others. There is also great source material behind these films which makes it even worse. It's a completely lazy and insulting film and only proves further that <b>Paul W.S Anderson </b>is one of the worst working directors today. This series really needs to die and I hope this really is the final chapter, although the ending does leave the story open. Please don't make us suffer anymore. Incompetent at every level, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Resident Evil: The Final Chapter </i>is the worst film of 2017.</div>
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So that wraps up my 10 worst films of the year list and my reflection on 2017 film in general. What was the worst film that you had the displeasure of watching in 2017? Let's hope 2018 has a lot better films in store than these 10 piles of garbage, I don't think it could get any worse than the bottom four on my list, Once again, thank you for taking the time to read my review, it is much appreciated!</h3>
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By Angus McGregor</h3>
Angus McGregorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448320991128449536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576741809616752341.post-83407751852113005862018-01-01T04:32:00.000-08:002018-01-01T04:32:43.792-08:00My Top 10 Films of 2017!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So 2017 has come and gone, so everybody is rushing to put out their best and worst of the year lists. I know you've probably seen dozens of these already, but why not look at yet another? With that, here are my 10 favourite films of 2017, enjoy!</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This list is also based on films by their U.K. release dates, so if there's a film you feel is in the list that shouldn't be by date, this is why. 2017 was a pretty good year for film and was an improvement on 2016 in most regards, especially in terms of blockbusters. With such a competitive year, there were, of course, many films that narrowly missed out on my list. Due to that, I'd like to give a shoutout to some honourable mentions that were very unlucky to miss out on my list:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Wind River</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>A Ghost Story</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Killing of a Sacred Deer</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Personal Shopper</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>and Logan </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> So now that's out of the way, let's jump into number 10!</span></div>
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At number 10 is the first of two Netflix films on my list and is what I believe to be the best Stephen King adaptation of the year, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Gerald's Game</i>. 2017 was a pretty good year for the horror/thriller genre, with films such as Get Out and Split being fantastic in their own right. Yet, it was this that really got under my skin, with its simple plot that is handled magnificently by director <b>Mike Flanagan</b>. <b>Carla Gugino</b> puts in one of the best performances of the year -whilst mainly handcuffed to a bed - in a story that creates a terrifying situation but also is a fantastic character study. The film gets really dark at times and is very unsettling, especially when we explore Gugino's characters past. For fans of horror, definitely give <b><i>Gerald's Game</i></b> a watch.</div>
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Coming in at number nine is an early U.K. release that did very well during award season in 2017, <b><i>Hacksaw Ridge</i></b>. <b>Mel Gibson's</b> return to the director's chair was a very successful one, as<b><i> Hacksaw</i></b> was one of the years most powerful and finely crafted films. The film focuses on an unlikely war hero and focuses on his determination to save lives rather than take them. The action scenes are incredibly realistic, creating many brutal moments, but <b><i>Hacksaw</i></b> is a true testament to the human spirit and retells this miraculous story wonderfully. <b>Andrew Garfield</b> was fantastic as the stuttering Desmond Doss in a film that gets great performances from <b>Vince Vaughn</b> and <b>Sam Worthington</b>.<br />
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<b><i>Paddington 2</i></b> is by far the most surprising film of the year for me and is one of the best times I've ever had at a cinema! This film is pure fun and it really caught me off guard. I expected a fairly enjoyable film that would satisfy me for just under 2 hours. However, the film exceeded all expectations, with a great story filled with fun, interesting characters and silly antics making this one of the most purely enjoyable family films of recent times. This already impressive British cast was improved with the additions of <b>Hugh Grant</b> and <b>Brenden Gleeson</b>, who are fantastic in their newly acquired roles, whilst the returning <b>Ben Whishaw</b> and <b>Sally Hawkins</b> are ever so delightful yet again. A complete joy that will have you laughing, tearing up, gazing in awe and on the edge of your seat, <i><b>Paddington 2</b></i> is a very worthy addition to this list.<br />
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The second Netflix film to make my list is <b>Bong Joon-ho's </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Okja</i>, an extremely emotional story that really caught me off guard. The first half of the film explores the relationship between young child Mija and this super pig <b>Okja</b>, as we create an emotional bond with the two. The second half is much darker as it explores celebrity depiction, animal cruelty and greedy conglomerates which mirrors the real world oh so closely. This film features an impressive cast of stars who all bring it as very conflicted characters which is something I really appreciated with the film. The characters whether good or bad are not all morally perfect - with the exception of Mija and <b>Okja </b>- and creates for some interesting dynamics and only showcases the innocence of the two main characters furthermore. With such sensitive subject matter like animal cruelty, there are some very emotional moments, none more so than in the finale. The film is a Netflix original and is the kind of film that needs support in order for Netflix to continue making strides with their original films.</div>
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<b>Edgar Wright </b>is one of my favourite filmmakers and has created some of the best genre-blending films, with hits like <i>Hot Fuzz </i>and <i>Shaun of the Dead. </i>Due to this, I was eagerly anticipating his latest film <i style="font-weight: bold;">Baby Driver </i>ever since it was announced. It isn't my favourite film from Wright but that is no discredit to the film as this is one of the best-crafted action films of recent years. The use of real stunt drivers, choreography and music create some of the most enjoyable action scenes of the year in a film that was oozing of originality. The ensemble cast works perfectly well with each other, creating an interesting dynamic which kept you guessing which way the story will go. Wright has yet another success under his name and continues to showcase his abilities as one of Hollywood's best and most creative directors.</div>
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Cracking into the top 5 is <i style="font-weight: bold;">Call Me By Your Name</i>, which I feel has the best male performance of the year from <b>Timothee Chalamet</b>. This gay-romance film is both beautiful and heartbreaking as the story follows a young Italian boys first ventures into love. Despite the nature of this relationship, the story is universal and there are things that everybody can relate to and even see reflections of themselves in. This makes the film even more powerful and emotional for the viewer, which is backed up furthermore by fantastic performances and soundtrack. There are two scenes in particular that will stick with me for a very long time due to their powerful effect, including the end credits where Chalamet showcases his talents. The way he conveys his emotions without saying a single word is arguably the best piece of acting this year and is a fantastic ending to a great film.</div>
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At number 4 is perhaps the most unique film of the year and certainly of this list, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Raw</i>. This French/Belgian coming of age, horror film really surprised me with just how good it was, as it follows a young woman's first experience at veterinarian school. With this, she faces many urges but not all that would be expected in a coming of age film. The film actually uses cannibalism to explore temptations, rivalry, sexuality and many others in this environment which leads to some very startling and incredibly grotesque moments. <b>Garance Marillier </b>is fantastic in the lead role as we slowly see her character Justine descend from a top student into a flesh-hungry, jealous nightmare. This was a very challenging performance which Marillier excels fantastically well in <b>Julia Ducournau's </b>feature film debut as a director. As both a fan of coming of age and horror films, this was a perfect blend for my tastes and one that I won't forget anytime soon.</div>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Manchester By The Sea </i>may just be the most realistic film of 2017 and it uses that authenticity to power its often bleak and emotional story. The film follows <b>Casey Affleck </b>- who gives the performance of his career - and how he struggles to deal with past and present traumas and problems. As the film goes on, we get more information about this deeply troubled character, and with each addition of information, there is a powerful punch behind it. <b>Kenneth Lonergan's </b>script is near flawless as the film is never ever dull and constantly has you hooked, despite it being miserable a lot of the time. It must be said, though, that the film does have some great humour within the film to stop it from being all doom and gloom. This is a film that could turn people the wrong way but I loved every moment of this film and was hungry for more once the credits started to roll. </div>
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At number 2 is <b>Christopher Nolan's </b>war epic <i style="font-weight: bold;">Dunkirk</i>. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Dunkirk </i>certainly won't go down as one of the best character-driven movies but certainly will in terms of a cinematic experience like no other. This film is completely immersive with flawless sound design, cinematography and practical effects that help create an ever so realistic setting. An impressive cast featuring the likes of <b>Mark Rylance</b>,<b> Tom Hardy </b>and even <b>Harry Styles </b>provide rooted performances, filled with emotion, fear and struggle at every moment whilst stuck in this situation. The narrative structure itself is very unique and was a great way for Nolan to explore different aspects of this event, with linking them up simultaneously. For me, this is up there with Nolan's best work and one that I'll be rewatching soon in 2018.</div>
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At number 1 and way ahead of everything for me is <i style="font-weight: bold;">La La Land</i>. By comparison, nothing ever came close to overtaking <i style="font-weight: bold;">La La Land </i>as my favourite film as I was completely swept away by this film. The music, choreography, performances, cinematography, costume, set design, everything was just perfect. This is now one of my favourite films of all time as I loved every moment of this film. I was humming the soundtrack for days and think about it constantly as it is a truly magical film. This happens to be the film I've seen the most at the cinema as I could not get enough of this movie earlier this year. Ever time I talk about it, it just makes me want to watch it yet again. The film has resonated so deeply with me unlike any other this year which makes <i style="font-weight: bold;">La La Land</i>,<i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>undoubtedly,<i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>my favourite film of 2017!<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">So that concludes </span>my<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span>top<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;"> 10 </span>list<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;"> of films released in 2017! I hope that everyone had a great year and hope for all the best in 2018! Let me know what your </span>favourite<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;"> films of the year were and also what you're looking forward to seeing this year. </span>Also<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">, keep your eyes out for my top 10 worst films of the year which will be a lot harsher list! Until then, thank you for taking the time to read my blog, it is much appreciated!</span></b><br />
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Angus McGregorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448320991128449536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576741809616752341.post-80634286527139118172017-10-24T17:49:00.000-07:002017-10-24T17:49:03.037-07:00'Thor Ragnarok' Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's safe to say that the previous 'Thor' movies haven't lit audiences up like many of Marvel's other projects have done so. The first two films haven't been bad, they just haven't been particularly exciting or memorable. However, the same cannot be said for 'Ragnarok' as the film creates an exciting identity that is unlike any other superhero film that we have ever seen.</h3>
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After a family revelation, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) finds himself imprisoned on a strange planet by a man known as the Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum). Whilst on this strange planet, Thor is forced to battle for his life and in doing so, he is reunited with fellow Avenger The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo). Together they must find a way to get off the planet and return to Asgard before the evil Hela destroys the entire civilisation. </div>
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Comic book movies are often heavily criticised for lacking an identity that makes the film stand out from the others. Many claim that all the films look and feel the same whilst having similar if not identical plot points and storylines. With Taika Waititi directing 'Ragnarok', many were unsure to how much of his style would be replicated into this film as Marvel hasn't collaborated well with unique auteurs previously - see Edgar Wright and the 'Ant-Man' situation. However, Marvel have taken that risk they've held back on previously as 'Thor Ragnarok' is much more of a Taika Waititi film rather than a Marvel film.</div>
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Waititi's fingerprints are all over this film as it is a straight-up comedy. Over the years, Waititi has proven himself to be a true force when it comes to comedy and has made two - now three - of the best comedies of the last decade. With Waititi, you know that you will be getting a barrel of laughs in the film with cleverly crafted jokes, gags and slapstick humour. 'Ragnarok' has the same identity of Waititi's other film that allows it to truly stand out from the pack. Nobody else could've made this film as it is so distinctive to anything out there or that we have seen before in a big budget superhero flick. Waititi has been rewarded for his hard work on smaller indie films and has followed the likes of James Gunn in showing why such bright, creative minds should be given chances on a much bigger scale. </div>
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The film most definitely possesses its own unique visual style to allow it to stand out further from the previous MCU films. The colour palette of 'Ragnarok' is off the chart with bright blues, yellows and red/pinks which creates a vibrant look that matches the tone of the film. As the film is a complete joy to watch and is 130 minutes of complete fun, the bright colours only enhance the film's exciting personality. The brightness of the film, again, helps the film stand alone as it goes against the norm to create something truly unique. The colours also blend very well with the action as it adds more excitement to these adrenaline filled scenes, as well as simply making them more appealing to the naked eye.</div>
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'Ragnarok' still does fit into the superhero genre but offers many moments that again differentiate it from other films, most noticeably within its climax. The film doesn't have the same ending as every other superhero film as it offers a fresh situation with a different solution. A lot of time is dedicated to the heroes actually being heroes in this moment as it isn't just a showdown to end the film. Instead, there is an abundance of characters fighting to save others, sacrificing themselves and looking to save as many people as possible. There are genre tropes that are hard to avoid but 'Ragnarok' manages to offer fresh and new situations that allow it stand out from a story perspective as well as the nature of its tone and visual style.</div>
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At this stage in the MCU, the films are still looking to develop the characters whilst adding many new ones at the same time and 'Ragnarok' does this tremendously. There are many regulars like Thor, Loki and Hulk who are yet again magnificent but the many new characters are great additions to the series. Tessa Thompson is the main example as Valkyrie, an independent tough female superhero who can hang with Thor and Hulk as she becomes an instant fan favourite. Waititi himself even appears as a rock creature Korg who manages to steal every scene he's in with his soft Kiwi accent. Cate Blanchette and Jeff Goldblum are two incredible additions to the already impressive cast and both commit to the wackiness of the film. </div>
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Chris Hemsworth provides his best performance yet as the God of Thunder as his recent experiences in comedy films has helped his overall charisma as he truly shines. In previous films, he has sort of taken a back seat as others have stolen the show, even in his solo films. Hemsworth commands the screen and works tremendously well with the humour in what is his most enjoyable performance to date. His chemistry with Tom Hiddlestone is ever apparent as the two continue to impress working alongside together, with Loki continuously using his brother for his own good.</div>
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Once again, though, Marvel does not completely nail the villain as Hela is often forgotten about for large periods of time. We spend a lot of time away from Asgard where Hela is causing havoc but we see very little of it and at times, she becomes a bit of an afterthought. Blanchette does commit to the role but some extra screentime would really have made her much more fearful to our heroes. There are a few scenes that show her capabilities but not enough to consider her as a great villain. The film can be accused of not offering much more than laughs but as a bona fide comedy, these complaints cannot merit too much. </div>
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Overall, Taika Waititi brings a very welcome addition to the MCU that is also one of the years best comedies. This is easily the best 'Thor' film there has been as this stands out from the rest of the films in this cinematic universe. A fresh film within a genre that is considered to have some fatigue, 'Thor Ragnarok' is a complete joy from start to finish.</div>
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<b>So have you seen 'Thor Ragnarok'? If so, what did you think of the film? I hope that this review was useful for if you were planning on seeing the movie or not, I highly recommend that you do so! Once again, thank you for taking the time to read my review, it is much appreciated!</b></h3>
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Angus McGregorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448320991128449536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576741809616752341.post-70575769142308435592017-09-26T16:02:00.000-07:002017-09-26T16:02:28.652-07:00'mother!' Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Darren Aronofsky is one of the few directors working who seems to be able to garner two opinions about his films. Usually, you either love them, hailing them as masterpieces, or despise them, claiming they are a waste of time. The director has received many plaudits from critics whilst also creating controversy with his films, with many believing that sometimes he goes too far making uncomfortable, disturbing films. His latest film 'mother!' will certainly be no different as Aronofsky more than makes use of the films 18 rating.</h3>
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Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem play a loving couple whose relationship is put to the test after strangers come to their secluded home. This starts a series of events that raise the tension and drama with each and every step.</div>
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'mother!' may just be the most complex, unconventional film of the year and due to this, I have absolutely no idea where to begin talking about it. It is very hard to talk about this film without verging on spoilers so take this as your precautionary warning.<br />
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Darren Aronofsky has taken a very unusual approach to his latest controversial film 'mother!'. If you are looking for a film that has a usual structure, set up and story, then you will not be best pleased with this movie. This film is unlike any other this year as instead of following a new story that unfolds before your eyes, everything instead is symbolic and means something else. The entire story is made up of imagery and symbolism which in many ways is very effective. 'mother!' can be interpreted in many ways but my take on it seemed to be very obvious of Christianity and many stories from The Old Testament. Many scenes are incorporated from the stories from the Bible and do make for some compelling, tense and incredibly well-acted scenes.<br />
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However, the fact that the film doesn't look to really tell its own story can cause problems. I found myself becoming generally lost due to not having the full knowledge of the biblical stories. This didn't happen a lot in the film but it did take me out of what was happening and made it generally less effective overall. Films that make you think are truly great and we really need them, but I do feel that having the entire story based on symbolism doesn't work that well. Perhaps if it were based on a topic that I was much more familiar with then I wouldn't have a problem or notice anything wrong with it. A balance of the two is fine for me as it allows a clear story to be told amongst having much deeper messages within it. This seems to be the problem that people are having with the film and it is completely understandable. The film doesn't and can't stand on its own without the viewer having prior knowledge of the symbolism. The extreme reactions then come to this as the film really hasn't connected to the viewer and engaged them into the message it is trying to drive home.<br />
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Aronofsky has undoubtedly taken a huge risk and his bold choice to use this narrative is to be commended whether you loved the film or hated it. This is an incredibly bold risk that could've been a complete disaster but Aronofsky manages to make it work. An odd type of an artistic piece that only someone with as mad a creative mind like Aronofsky could have the nerve to attempt. It's not a perfect formula but it is a change to traditional styles and has to be admired for creating something original.<br />
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As far as performances go, you may not see a better performance all year than Jennifer Lawrence's in this film. The four-time Oscar nominee may very well be on her way to another nomination with what is a completely mesmerising performance. It's strange that in this stage of her career, Lawrence still has many skeptics but 'mother!' only solidifies why she is one of the best actresses working today. Lawrence's unnamed character goes through a lot which allows Lawrence to show a wide range of acting skills. Her facial expressions are on point and help all the way in helping you feel exactly the same way as the character. This is a key factor in the film for me as Aronofsky captures the turmoil that Lawrence's character is going through and completely feel and understand her emotions. The constant use of close-ups of Lawrence - whether on her face or following her around the house - really allows this to be possible as no look or action is wasted. The finale really allows Lawrence to shine as her last words are packed with emotion and genuine feeling, leaving an everlasting impact.<br />
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Javier Bardem plays off Lawrence incredibly well as her oblivious husband who is easily recognisable as being selfish and reckless. The contrast between himself and Lawrence's characters work very well with the symbolism as Bardem doesn't hold back in his role. He plays his character incredibly well acting oblivious to mistakes, yet powerful and devious when needed. Michelle Pfeiffer is a strong bet to be considered for an Oscar nom as well as she truly shines in her short supporting role. Pfeiffer is great to watch and steals every scene she is in with a mysterious, intimidating role that commands your attention. She delivers every line with a great deal of attitude towards Lawrence and perfectly shows her disgust at J-Law's character. The look Pfeiffer gives Lawrence whilst leaving the home is one of the best pieces of acting you'll see without a word being said.<br />
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On a technical note, there are many aspects to truly admire. The sound design, in particular, is a highlight as it gives the setting a true genuine feeling. When characters walk away or go into different rooms, it sounds as if there is a distance between the characters which makes you feel like you are right there in the moment. A friend of mine summed it up perfectly by saying it allowed the home to feel like it had an anatomy which fits perfectly with the symbolism within the film. Aronofsky has specialised recently in using a lot of close-up shots and he does well with them here to create a tight, claustrophobic feeling within the house. This helps with the character played by Lawrence who in many ways feels trapped. At times, the camera work can feel a bit bumpy making it a bit sore on the eyes at times. It's not detrimental to the film but the handheld camera work at times wasn't that successful.<br />
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'mother!' doesn't really have much in its build-up that makes it feel like it deserves its 18 rating but oh boy the last 15 minutes or so certainly earns it. The film goes completely off the rails and lets loose giving the viewer all it has to offer. There are some disturbing scenes that may be excessive for many which will leave the viewer completely appalled. With the film's narrative and the vulgarity at the end, it is no surprise that there is the reaction it is getting from many. Is some of it unnecessary? At times, yes. But there's no doubt that this ending is incredibly memorable and will impact in you in some way. For me, it worked incredibly well leaving a tragic ending to a truly challenging film.<br />
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'mother!' certainly is an incredibly unique film that you will either love or hate. If the symbolism clicks, you may have one of your favourite films of the year. If it doesn't, you may have one of the worst. Due to this huge contrast, 'mother!' is quite an important film that you should see immediately. I can't really think of a recent film that has caused such a great discussion within the community, critics and casual fans. Aronofsky certainly seems to be taking pride in this effect the film has caused and quite rightfully. He has made something truly memorable and new in a time that seems to lack originality. Give this film a try, what's the worst that can happen?<br />
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<b>So have you seen 'mother!'? If so, what did you think of the film? I hope that this review was useful for if you were planning on seeing the film or not. Once again, thank you for taking the time to read my review, it is much appreciated!</b></h3>
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<b>By Angus McGregor</b></h3>
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Angus McGregorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448320991128449536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576741809616752341.post-91535438796280259492017-09-13T10:20:00.000-07:002017-09-13T10:20:10.846-07:00'Wind River' Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Few people in Hollywood are on such a hot streak like Taylor Sheridan is right now. His first feature film as a screenwriter 'Sicario' gathered a whole lot of praise and put Sheridan on the map. His follow up did even better as 'Hell or High Water' gained Sheridan an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Sheridan seems to have a knack for compelling, cop dramas and 'Wind River' rounds this unofficial trilogy off magnificently well.</h3>
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Cory Lambert (Jeremy Renner) is a wildlife officer who knows the Wind River Indian Reservation area better than anyone else. Lambert comes across the dead body of an 18-year-old woman out in the open snow under unusual circumstances. The autopsy reveals that the woman was raped before she died as FBI agent Jane Banner (Elizabeth Olsen) arrives to handle the case. With a lack of help from her superiors, Banner teams up with Lambert in order to find out what happened to the young woman and bring those guilty to justice.</div>
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Sheridan has more than proved his quality in Hollywood by producing two of the best crime films in recent years. 'Wind River' provided the 47-year-old the opportunity to direct his second feature film but the first that he had also written the screenplay for. There's no denying that the screenplay yet again from Sheridan is incredibly strong as it provides great drama, emotion, and even humour perfectly yet again. He has a clear knack for creating a great dynamic using compelling and interesting characters. Sheridan is also an expert at making the setting of the film a character within itself. In 'Wind River', the harsh snowy conditions adds to the mystery of the film, bringing more tension and threats at every junction. The dialogue is yet again fantastic as there are many engaging, interesting and powerful conversations that really hit the films messages into you. Sheridan really doesn't miss anything out as he covers all bases you look for in character, story, and emotion proving yet again that he is one of the best writers working today. As a director, Sheridan isn't quite up to the same standard just yet.<br />
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The two scripts Sheridan has previously written have then been directed by different directors - Sicario with Denis Villeneuve and Hell or High Water with David MacKenzie. It's clear to see that Sheridan has learned many things from working with these directors especially on how to handle tension. The standoff scene only confirms this as Sheridan produces the tensest moment of the year. However, as a director, Sheridan does seem to rush some moments where he could really let it linger on to create even more impactful moments. In saying this, it is a very solid mainstream debut as he does create a fairly well paced, shocking film that succeeds very well in the end.<br />
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Jeremy Renner produces perhaps his best performance to date as Corey Lambert, a wildlife officer who takes care of the large snowy area. Renner's character is deeply troubled by his past and the murder mystery really hits him deep which gives him the motivation to find out the truth. Renner is quiet in his role but showcases the misery of his character as well as being well informed and wise. He is paired with Avengers co-star Elizabeth Olsen, an FBI agent located in Vegas who is simply thrown into the harsh conditions due to being the closest available agent. This creates a fish out of water dynamic for Olsen as she is completely unprepared and has very little support. Due to this, she requires the help of Lambert but it is her who is providing the support to Lambert instead. This gives each character clear motivations and reasons to slug it out in the wilderness in order to find out what has happened in this brutal circumstance. Gil Birmingham returns to work with Sheridan who provides a very solid performance which helps bring such a satisfying ending to the film.<br />
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'Wind River' is so impactful as it feels so incredibly real. The conditions have already been talked about and the cinematography really shows the grand scale of the location. The use of showing Renner constantly traveling via Snowmobile also adds that extra harshness of the wilderness and how this area is unlike many others in America where people are forced to live. The sound design plays a great role in conveying this feeling as you hear the elements which then makes you feel in that situation. There is a chilly feeling that comes with this film as the film capitalises on its setting and conditions for a much effect as possible. Details to the story such as the lack of help from the FBI without the autopsy defining the cause of death as murder add to this feeling especially due to where this film is set.<br />
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The end of the film features statistics of how Native Americans have suffered from a lack of help as it really hits hard for the viewer. And this is also what the film is majorly about. It's not just a murder mystery film but a telling of events that still happen today. This is an area of America that really doesn't get much attention and those statistics only prove that. This makes the film not only a highly enjoyable and thrilling movie but a very important one as well.<br />
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Sheridan's writing makes this film one of the years best and a great end to a loose trilogy of American frontier films. He continues to prove himself as a great talent and his skills will only improve the more work he does, whether that's directing and/or writing. Packed with drama, tension, emotion, and one of the most satisfying endings of the year, 'Wind River' is one that you cannot miss.<br />
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<b>So have you seen 'Wind River'? If so, what did you think of the film? I hope that this review was useful for if you were planning on seeing the film or not which I recommend you do. Once again, thank you for taking the time to read my review, it is much appreciated!</b></h3>
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<b>By Angus McGregor</b></h3>
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Angus McGregorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03448320991128449536noreply@blogger.com0