Room Review

It can now be said that 'Room' is an Oscar winning film due to Brie Larson's recent success as she scooped up the Best Actress award. Transformed from the novel by Emma Donoghue, 'Room' was nominated for 4 Oscars including Best Picture and Adapted Screenplay. But should 'Room' have picked up more Oscars? Or was it even lucky to be up for what it was?

I have one huge regret with this film. That is not seeing it much sooner!

'Room' stars Brie Larson in an Oscar winning role alongside child actor Jacob Tremblay and is the story of a mother and son who are locked inside a room. After being trapped and held captive for seven years, Joy (Larson) comes up with a cunning plan to finally escape and show her son Jack (Tremblay) the true beauty of the world, behind the constraints of the four walls which he knows nothing about what is beyond them. From then on out, Jack is learning and encountering new things every day whilst the psychological damage done to Joy takes it's toll on her.

Jack and Joy stuck in the room

This movie. Wow. This film is so powerful. 'Room' was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay as well as Brie Larson's nomination for Best Actress. These were all very well deserved and I would of been very happy if 'Room' picked up any of these awards. However only Larson was successful out of the nominees in which was a very well deserved win. I feel that 'Room' was also robbed by 'The Big Short' for Best Adapted Screenplay and feel it was the deserving winner. The nominations were more than well deserved and 'Room' can find itself very unlucky to have not been more successful. 

Brie Larson was successful at the Oscars and quite rightly so. She was fantastic in this role and worked phenomenally with everyone she was on screen with. She produced a great role and it was heartbreaking to see her suffering whilst doing her best to raise her 5 year old son whilst trapped in the claustrophobic setting of the room. She showed great range through this film through the times where she was deeply depressed to those moments where she had gotten joy throughout this tragic story. Her acting whilst being in the single room is terrific and she is great when it is the one to one interactions between her and Jack. Also you can clearly see the psychological effects from this torture on her character as you can still see her breaking down even though she's escaped the clutches of this evil man. It is clear to see why she won the Oscar after fending off tough competition, very well deserved.

Academy Award winning actress Brie Larson was phenomenal

Larson isn't the only one deserved of praise. I 100% believe that Jacob Tremblay should of at least been acknowledged by the Academy and should have earned a Best Actor nomination. I really do believe that he should of been nominated, in my view, he deserved it more than Matt Damon. The kid really was the star of the film and the main protagonist. Without a great performance, this film wouldn't of worked and wouldn't of got the high praises it has received. Tremblay showed fantastic range in a very difficult role as he was stuck in a room for the first half of the film. He was fantastic and it is even more incredible considering that he is only 9 years old. The chemistry between himself and Larson was fantastic and you really felt everything that the pair were going through. If he can maintain performances like this one then ladies and gentleman, we have a star in the making.

A star for the future: Jacob Tremblay

This film will most definitely play with your emotions. There is no doubt about that. This is a movie experience that I cannot compare to any other. This is due to the fact that I have never ever came so close to crying in a cinema before. I certainly wouldn't blame anyone for doing so at this film. You really feel for the characters in this film as you can see what they have to live in which isn't the way anyone should be spending their lives. The way of living that this young woman and her very young son is terrible and the claustrophobic setting makes you want them to escape even quicker. The way that Joy also uses herself to protect her son and keep him away from the sick, sadistic man who is holding the two captive isn't good for the heart either. The moment where the pair are reunited after the escape is the tear trembler and is a beautiful part of the film and you are so glad to see this happen. If you see this movie you are going to be in for a roller-coaster with your emotions being tugged at at all times.

'Room' also does a fantastic job at showing how the media can react to such stories as these. Although Joy and Jack have just escaped a living nightmare, there hospital and homes were surrounded by crowds of people looking to get the scoop of the story. This shows how insensitive people can really be at a time where people really need to have their privacy respected. This is also clear from the interview conducted with Joy and the insensitivity is ever apparent. The journalist asks horrible questions to Joy clearly upsetting her just for a story to report on. This shows pretty well that how people in general can be really insensitive when a person needs support so desperately.

Joy being questioned by a presenter

One of the brighter sides of this film is seeing how Jack reacts to the new things in his life. From him adjusting to seeing all of the different colours in the world to him interacting with other humans for the first time. It is great seeing him progress from being completely shy and rightfully not being able to trust anyone immediately to showing his love for the new members of his family. There are a few scenes that are great at showing this and fill you with happiness such as Jack's encounter with his grandmother when he entrusts her to cut her hair and personally deliver it to her as a way of bringing his strength and support to her whilst they were separated. Also it was great seeing Jack live out something he'd wanted for as long as he can remember when he has his first time playing with a family dog. The happiness that you can see from Jack in this scene is incredible and is a real feel good moment as we see Jack truly enjoying life with something that most people would take for granted.

There's only really one negative thing I have to say about the film and that has to do with the encounter between Joy and her father. It is made clear that during the time that Joy has been missing that her mother and father have split up. This then leads to an encounter at dinner where the father seems very uncomfortable and then makes an excuse to leave. It also has him refusing to acknowledge Jack in any way. This didn't really have a lot of context around it and didn't seem to have a reason for doing so. A bit more information to why he was acting like this wouldn't of done the film any harm at all.

Joy being reunited with her parents

Final Verdict: Room = A+

Room is one of the best films out of those nominated for Oscars and is truly phenomenal. A must see but prepare for your emotions to be toyed with.

So if you have seen 'Room' what did you think of it? If you have read the book, how does it compare? I highly recommend this film and hope this review may of convinced you to see it. Once again thank you so much for reading, it means a lot!

By Angus McGregor

The Big Short Review

The Big Short is one of eight films nominated for the accolade of Best Picture at the upcoming Oscars. It is also probably the most star-studded cast of the nominees with Hollywood A listers Christian Bale, Brad Pitt and Ryan Gosling taking up main roles in the film. But does the film really deserve to be nominated especially for such a huge honour that the Best Picture category is?

The Big Short is based on the economic collapse in America during 2008. It features Christian Bale as Michael Burry, a anti social oddity who comes across a large of number of subprime home loans that are in great danger of defaulting. By realising this he decides to bank against many of the banks that the housing scheme will crumble with many taking him on as the offer seemed too good to pass by. This attracts the attention of Jeremy Vennett (Ryan Gosling), Mark Baum (Steve Carrell) and other greedy opportunists who are looking to become rich if this situation comes true. They all have the same aim, to get rich off of this economic disaster. 

The Big Short tries to make the banking and what ever else is going on seem interesting. I say tries because not at all times does it succeed. I guess you kind of have to have a knowledge of certain terms to fully appreciate what is going on but I don't even know if that would make it more interesting to be honest. The film does try and use some celebrity cameos, such as Margot Robbie in a bath to explain........erm...... ugh I'm not perfectly sure. I think many people would be focusing on something else rather than the explanation of the certain terms being used in the films. The film used this style a few times to try and explain what was going on which I do think was a good idea and could've worked well. I just don't think that the source material is particularly interesting enough to draw you in and failed to do so with me. Overall the film really isn't that interesting but the effort to try and make it so is admirable but unfortunately I didn't feel worked. 

I would most definitely say that this films success is mainly down to the talent portraying these characters. Christian Bale was excellent in his role as this oddball genius who under covers this many years before it happens. He is great as he works out these equations and numbers whilst simultaneously rocking out in his office whilst his employees sit in shock as they look at this genius. My only complaint is that I wanted to see more of his character. I don't feel he was in it enough and the film would've been more enjoyable if he had been in it for longer.

Christian Bale as Michael Burry

Ryan Gosling was also great in this film as Jeremy Vennett who goes around bringing this possibility to many investors and trying to get people to back the idea of the housing situation crumbling. Gosling's charisma in this role worked perfectly and was also used a lot of the time for comedic effect. His smart arse ways were great to watch as well as his breaking of the fourth wall to narrate what was going on in certain scenes. He certainly brought some life and humour to the film which at times it really needed. Steve Carrell continues to prove that he is an incredible dramatic actor in this film as he is great once again. He may very well of been nominated had it not been for Christian Bale beating him to it. Who would've thought that the guy who loved lamp in Anchorman and 'The 40 Year Old Virgin' would become one of the top serious actors? Brad Pitt was also very good as Ben Rickert, a former banker who has came back to help two up and comers try and make some money. Although his character dislikes what banking does, he has no qualms participating and helping being a part of the greediness involved. This does not take anything away from Pitt as he produced a strong performance. 

Carrell and Gosling were both great.

The Big Short is directed by Adam McKay, director of films such as both Anchormans, Step Brothers and The Other Guys. As you can see these are mainly comedy films which makes it surprising to see him go for quite a serious movie with quite a little opportunity to make quips and jokes. He does bring a unique style to this film with his use of camera work throughout the film, some working better than others. You can see him bringing traits from previous films over with him such as breaking away from reality to allow a character to speak directly to the audience. This I feel worked well and did actually work well. However there was something that McKay continued to do that I didn't feel added anything to the product. At times, the camera would be focussing on characters talking and the camera would not stay still and would continue to move around whilst the dialogue was still going on. This often made the camera blurred and take time to refocus and I don't really see what this did to add to the film. I definitely feel that this is something it could've done without. The film as well used a lot of what seemed like slides and many cuts to either explain or show a passing in time which I do feel worked fairly well. 

I don't feel this film really should of been up for Best Picture. Maybe that's due to eight nominees being far too many when every other category has just the five. I really don't feel that the film is that great especially with who it is up against, I feel that it is easily dwarfed by many of the other contenders. I was fairly disappointed with this film in all honesty. I had looked forward to this film for a long time and I don't feel it lived up to my expectations. Maybe that was due to the Oscar nomination which may have built it up a whole lot more for me. The film isn't bad, I just don't feel it is quite at the level it has been put at.

The Big Short at times made the audience feel like this

Final verdict: The Big Short = C

The performances in this film is most certainly the best part of this film which struggles to create much interest. This isn't entirely the films fault as the concept isn't really that intriguing as a whole. I wouldn't rush to go out and see this one and personally don't see myself re-watching this any time soon.

So there are my thoughts about 'The Big Short', if you have seen it what did you think of it? Do you feel that it was rightfully nominated in the Oscars? Once again thank you for reading, it means a lot!

By Angus McGregor

Oscar 2016 Predictions!

February 28th marks the day of the Oscars presented by Chris Rock. It is always surrounded with much publicity as it is probably the biggest event in the world of entertainment. There is also much debate to who will pick up the illustrious awards this year with the categories being filled with fierce competition. Instead of just giving my own predictions, I thought I would turn it into a bit of fun and invite a couple of my friends and fellow film enthusiasts to give their predictions as well. We haven't seen every film that has been nominated or has someone nominated in it but we'll still try our best with our predictions. Due to this we won't be doing every award as if none of us have seen any of the candidates there isn't much of a point in going over it. So lets get started!

So there will be four of us doing predictions. Obviously one will be myself. The three others are my friends and fellow college students Michael, Drew and Billy. This is all just a bit of fun for four movie fans at the biggest event of the year. I will be giving a slight insight to what has made me decide on my picks. I will only be doing the main categories as it would end up being far too long to put reasoning for each of us on each category. The other categories that we will be predicting will be in a table at the bottom for a quick summary of our picks.

Best Picture: Nominees: The Big Short, Brooklyn, Bridge of Spies, Mad Max: Fury Road, The Martian, The Revenant, Room, Spotlight

There's no better place to start than with Best Picture. This is considered the biggest of them all as it represents all the directing, acting, music composing, writing etc put forth into a film.

Angus: Spotlight: For me, I feel that Spotlight should win this award. This came down to The Revenant and Spotlight for this accolade. It was a tough one but I decided to go for the one that I felt was a better movie and had a bigger impact on me . And that was Spotlight. In my heart I really wanted to go with Mad Max and I would absolutely love it if it were to win.

Michael: Spotlight

Drew: The Revenant

Billy: Room

Best Actor: Nominees: Bryan Cranston, Leonardo Di Caprio, Matt Damon, Michael Fassbender, Eddie Redmayne

Second is the Best Actor award currently held by Eddie Redmayne. He is up for it again but did any of us think he had what it takes to retain his crown? Or would a certain Leonardo Di Caprio finally scoop up the award?

Angus: Leonardo Di Caprio (The Revenant): My pick for this award is Leonardo Di Caprio. However I don't feel that he should. I feel that there were better performances in this category. But I am going with my head here and I think that this will finally be Leo's time.

Michael: Eddie Redmayne (The Danish Girl)

Drew: Leonardo Di Caprio (The Revenant)

Billy: Leonardo Di Caprio (The Revenant)

Best Actress: Nominees: Cate Blanchett, Charlotte Rampling, Brie Larson, Saorise Ronan, Jennifer Lawrence

Best Actress is next which is currently being held by Julianne Moore. There is no possibility of that happening two years in a row but there is a chance for both Cate Blanchett and Jennifer Lawrence to pick up a second Best Actress award.

Angus: Saorise Ronan (Brooklyn): I am not entirely sure about this category due to unfortunately not being able to catch many of the movies. This is just me really going out on a limb here for my pick. I have heard many good things about Ronan's performance and look forward to seeing this in the future.

Michael: Jennifer Lawrence (Joy)

Drew: Jennifer Lawerence (Joy)

Billy: Jennifer Lawrence (Joy)

Best Supporting Actor: Nominees: Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Mark Ruffalo, Tom Rylance, Sylvester Stallone

Christian Bale is the only one to have lifted this award before and looks to do so again this year. He faces a lot of tough competition in what is one of the most competitive categories this year.

Angus: Mark Ruffalo (Spotlight): I think that Mark Ruffalo deserves this award. I loved his performance in Spotlight and thought he was really great. And if he doesn't win, lets just hope he doesn't get angry....

Michael: Christian Bale (The Big Short)

Drew: Tom Hardy (The Revenant)

Billy: Christian Bale (The Big Short)

Best Supporting Actress: Nominees: Rachel McAdams, Kate Winslet, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Alicia Vikander, Rooney Mara

Angus: Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl): This was one of the toughest categories for me to decide. It was between Vikander, McAdams and Winslet all the way as I loved all three of their performances and could hardly separate them. Alicia Vikander is my favourite actress right now and due to that, it gave her the edge over very tough competition.

Michael: Rachel McAdams (Spotlight)

Drew: Kate Winslet (Steve Jobs)

Billy: Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl)

Best Director: Nominees: George Miller, Lenny Abrahamson, Tom McCarthy, Adam McKay, Alejandro G Inarritu

Angus: Alejandro G Inarritu (The Revenant): I really really want to go with George Miller here for Mad Max but I do think that Inaritu will pick up his second Oscar in a row in this category.

Michael: Alejandro G Inarritu (The Revenant)

Drew: Alejandro G Inarritu (The Revenant)

Billy: Alejandro G Inarritu (The Revenant)

Category	Angus	Michael	Drew	Billy
Best Picture	Spotlight	Spotlight	The Revenant	Room
Best Actor	Leonardo Di Caprio (The Revenant)	Eddie Redmayne (The Danish Girl)	Leonardo Di Caprio (The Revenant)	Leonardo Di Caprio (The Revenant)
Best Actress	Saorise Ronan (Brooklyn)	Jennifer Lawrence (Joy)	Jennifer Lawrence (Joy)	Jennifer Lawrence (Joy)
Best Supporting Actor	Mark Ruffalo (Spotlight)	Christian Bale (The Big Short)	Tom Hardy (The Revenant)	Christian Bale (The Big Short)
Best Supporting Actress	Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl)	Rachel McAdams (Spotlight)	Kate Winslet (Steve Jobs)	Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl)
Cinematography	Emmanuel Lubezki (The Revenant)	John Seale (Mad Max: Fury Road)	Emmanuel Lubezki (The Revenant)	Emmanuel Lubezki (The Revenant)
Best Director	Alejandro G Inarritu (The Revenant)	Alejandro G Inarritu (The Revenant)	Alejandro G Inarritu (The Revenant)	Alejandro G Inarritu (The Revenant)
Costume Design	Jacqueline West (The Revenant)	Jenny Beaven (Mad Max: Fury Road)	Jenny Beaven (Mad Max: Fury Road)	Jenny Beaven (Mad Max: Fury Road)
Make-up and Hairstyling	Siân Grigg, Duncan Jarman and Robert Pandini (The Revenant)	Lesley Vanderwalt, Elka Wardega and Damian Martin (Mad Max: Fury Road)	Siân Grigg, Duncan Jarman and Robert Pandini (The Revenant)	Siân Grigg, Duncan Jarman and Robert Pandini (The Revenant)
Music Original Score	John Williams (Star Wars: The Force Awakens)	John Williams (Star Wars: The Force Awakens)	Ennio Morricone (The Hateful Eight)	Ennio Morricone (The Hateful Eight)
Production Design	Arthur Max and Celia Bobak (The Martian)	Jack Fisk and Hamish Purdy (The Revenant)	Arthur Max and Celia Bobak (The Martian)	Arthur Max and Celia Bobak (The Martian)
Visual Effects	Andrew Jackson, Tom Wood, Dan Oliver and Andy Williams (Mad Max: Fury Road)	Andrew Jackson, Tom Wood, Dan Oliver and Andy Williams (Mad Max: Fury Road)	Andrew Jackson, Tom Wood, Dan Oliver and Andy Williams (Mad Max: Fury Road)	Andrew Whitehurst, Paul Norris, Mark Ardington and Sara Bennett (Ex_Machina)
Writing (Adapted Screenplay)	Emma Donoghue (Room)	Charles Randolph and Adam McKay (The Big Short)	Drew Goddard (The Martian)	Drew Goddard (The Martian)
Writing (Original Screenplay)	Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy (Spotlight)	Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy (Spotlight)	Matt Charman, Joel Coen, Ethan Coen (Bridge Of Spies)	Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve, Josh Cooley; Ronnie del Carmen (Inside Out)

Some very different picks and not a lot of the same in most categories. It will certainly be interesting to see what is picked to win the illustrious awards. This has just added a little extra spice to the whole event. Only one category was unanimously picked and that was Best Director. It shall be interesting to see how this all pans out.

So those are our picks. Please feel free to leave your picks for the categories in the comments and also if you agree or disagree with anything please say. Thanks for taking the time to read our picks for the 2016 Oscars, it means a lot. I'd also like to thank Michael, Drew and Billy for giving their time to predict the winners for this blog post. Please check out my reviews for some of the films nominated such as 'Spotlight', 'The Revenant' and 'The Danish Girl' Once again thanks for reading!

By Angus McGregor