'The Edge Of Seventeen' Review

As a film fan, amongst my favourites are coming of age comedies like 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' and 'The Breakfast Club'. There's just something that resonates with me within this genre that makes me love these types of films. I'm very glad to say that the same effect has happened with 'The Edge of Seventeen'.

Life sucks for 17-year-old Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld) and it seems to get a whole lot worse when her best friend Krista (Haley Lu Richardson) starts dating her older brother Darian (Blake Jenner). Everything seems to get worse for the awkward teen as she is more alone than ever whilst dealing with her teenage life problems.

In coming of age stories, you need a likeable or relatable- or a combination of the two - main character in order for the viewer to actually care about. All successful coming of age movies do so (Ferris Bueller, The Breakfast Club, Stand By Me etc) and 'The Edge of Seventeen' can certainly be added to that list. Hailee Steinfeld's Nadine is my personal favourite character of the year. It feels very odd to say that a 17-year-old girl is a character whom I've seen most of myself in this year. Nadine doesn't associate with a certain group, likes old movies, a bit over dramatic at times and very awkward at times in front of certain people. This character represents so many people incredibly well as there is at least something that people will be able to relate to. However, it doesn't stop there. There are plenty of other characters within the film that are relatable, whether it is the older brother who has to keep things together or even just the character traits of Woody Harrelson's character Mr Bruner. The film captures so many aspects of teenage life to near perfection in what was scarily accurate at times.

Hailee Steinfeld helps with this feeling as she brings one of the year's most impactful and best performances. Steinfeld is perfect in this role as Nadine as she goes through all sorts of troubles bringing fantastic comedic and dramatic moments to the film. Steinfeld's performance is touching yet hilarious as the combo works magnificently. Steinfeld combines so well with the other characters, especially with Woody Harrelson as the duo's chemistry was phenomenal. The two's cynical comedy was hilarious and a real pleasure to watch. Harrelson too does very well with the comedy but as the film comes closer to the end, he shows great range by being a supportive adult figure for Nadine. Blake Jenner was great earlier this year in Richard Linklater's comedy 'Everybody Wants Some!!' and his performance in this film rounds off a good year for Jenner. Jenner gets to show more range in this film and he delivers a powerful, passionate speech at the end which was one of the films best moments. The film is filled with great performances including Kyra Sedgwick and Hayden Szeto as I could go on and on praising the wonderful talent involved in this film.

What this film does so well as it balances the many different aspects of teenage life. We see the fun that Nadine has in small doses as not everything is terrible all of the time. This by far is the main part of the film with the comedy shining. There are so many clever jokes that just land every time unlike many comedies this year. The deliveries from the cast as well as patient build-up lead to the film becoming one of the year's funniest films. However, the film is certainly not afraid to get serious. I already mentioned the qualities shown by members of the cast in these moments but that's only touching the surface. There is a scene in this film that is actually quite difficult to watch. This is simply due to the subject matter and due to you caring about the character. The ending of this film is incredible as it delivers on all points, having you laughing and then feeling sad shortly after.  

The film comes from first-time director and writer Kelly Fermon Craig who has cited John Hughes as an influence for this film. This film is the closest we are going to get to the works of John Hughes ever again. This is an incredibly clever, funny and well thought out film executed to perfection in what is an incredible first feature film. Crag most definitely is someone to look out for if she can continue to craft great stories with this much detail and quality. What is great about this is that it adds another female director who should be given more opportunities as we look for more diversity in film roles.

This film is most definitely going to resonate with me for a very long time. I loved every moment of this film from start to finish. From the high to the lows. The comedy and the drama mixed perfectly well as if it were a classic John Hughes film. There are so many things I can relate to in this film as this cinema experience was unlike any other I can remember having. The characters, the performances, just everything amazed me. I was entertained thoroughly in the meanwhile leaving me no option to give this film the highest possible rating.

Final Verdict = 

So have you seen 'The Edge of Seventeen'? If so, what did you think of it? I hope that this review was useful for if you were planning on seeing the movie which I highly recommend. You really won't regret checking this one out. Once again, thank you for taking the time to read my review, it is much appreciated!

By Angus McGregor

'Now You See Me 2' Review

Back in 2013, audiences were introduced to 'Now You See Me' which gained mixed responses. 3 years later 'The Horseman' are back to try and amaze audiences with their amazing magic skills and to hopefully build on the good things created from the first and be a universal success. Unfortunately, not even magic was able to save this film entirely.

After returning from their hiatus, The Horseman (Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg and Dave Franco) accompanied by new member Lula (Lizzy Caplan) have to flee a stage show as it goes all wrong. They are exposed as is FBI agent Dylan Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo) and the try to escape but to unfamiliar territory. They end up in Macau, China where they are brought to the thought to be dead Walter Mabry (Daniel Radcliffe) who forces them to steal a computer chip, that will grant him access to every computer in the world. 

The film really holds itself on the magic aspects of the film and how it fools you a lot. However I didn't really feel amazed at this film at all with the magic aspects especially in the longer tricks. The film takes out big chunks and then adds them in much later to try and wow you but it really didn't strike me as that impressive. There are twists for days in this film as it keeps changing everything that you do start to get fed up with it. You can't really trust anything you see in this film as it will probably turn out to be false just outta nowhere.

For the magic tricks themselves, it is a very mixed bag. Some of the tricks are very cool and entertaining which is what the audience will like to see. However at some points, they aren't as good. Take the heist scene in particular. In this scene there is a whole load of things happening which leads to big contrasts in quality. Some of them are really smart and clever which work really well. Others are painfully obvious that something is happening and should've been caught red handed but weren't just to allow the story to carry on. Once you see that even the most blatant proof, the stakes are lifted as surely if that didn't get them caught, nothing will. However I would be lying if I said that some of the stuff going on wasn't cool to watch and will definitely bring some enjoyment. 

Something that is done very well within these films are the performances. Mark Ruffalo is excellent once again and is one of the most interesting characters who has to deal with a lot as well as looking over the Horseman. The other standout I feel is Jesse Eisenberg who does very well as his arrogant character Daniel Atlas which he pulls off very well. Lizzy Caplan is in to replace Isla Fisher and she does bring a fresh character to the film as she is very lively and cheeky which is a good contrast compared to the others. She did well to replace Fisher's character and was entertaining throughout the film. The cast overall does a very good job as they keep the film entertaining as they bicker and challenge each other a lot. 

However a very low point of the film comes in the form of Woody Harrelson. He plays his normal character Merrit McKinney which he does well. Unfortunately in the sequel, he's doing double duty as his twin brother Chase. One of the most annoying characters I have seen this year who annoyed me oh so much throughout the film and who never got any better or enjoyable as the film progressed. 

The finale of this film as well is very underwhelming. They look to be setting up a huge final across London with tricks that will amaze. Apart from Atlas' trick the other acts were not that impressive considering how out of this world the movie wants you to think the tricks are. Due to it not being that impressive, it certainly does drag on and you just want it to move on. 

Final Verdict =

Not a terrible movie, but it's style over substance hinders it a lot. Some good performances make the film enjoyable but not enough to completely save the film. 

So have you seen 'Now You See Me 2'? If so what did you think of it? I hope this review was useful for if you were planning on seeing the movie. Once again, thank you for reading my review, it is much appreciated!

By Angus McGregor

Triple 9 Review

'Triple 9' is an action thriller with a great cast within it. It follows both the police and the mafia surrounding several jobs. But would 'Triple 9' be able to create the tension needed for a great thriller? Or would it fall flat leaving behind a boring story?

After a successful robbery in broad daylight with a couple of speedbumps, Michael Atwood (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and his crew look to make their getaway. Unhappy with their work, ruthless Russian mafia leader Irina Vlaslov (Kate Winslet) orders them to pull off another job. One of the members is policeman Marcus Belmont (Anthony Mackie) and he has a new partner on the force in Chris Allen (Casey Affleck). As the plans for this next job are being set, Allen is also being set up to be used to allow them to carry out their job.

The plot of this film does seem fairly simple. A gang having to carry out a job otherwise trouble from people with more power. It has been done a lot so should be fairly straight forward. However in this film there are so many mouths to feed that the film has a whole load of different tales to tell. Aaron Pauls character has to deal with his own problems away from the main story whilst also interacting with the crew for the upcoming job. There is also a family aspect to Ejiofor's character too. In this film there is a whole lot going on. Problem with this is that it does become very jumbled up and keeps you away from the main story for quite a bit. It also makes the film become a bit more boring as there are stories that are more interesting than the others.

The timeline for this seemed a bit odd as well. Due to the results of the first heist, Vlaslov takes action and wants a new job done. However there doesn't seem to be a date for this and she just let's them carry on until they decide when they should do it. I find this odd that the leader wouldn't be pushing for this to be done more quicker. Just seemed so in order to continue all the different plot lines.

Kate Winslet as Irina Vlaslov

I do feel that maybe they should of just focused on the relationship between Marcus Belmont and Chris Allen. Watching the new pairing and how it was planned for Allen to be used in a certain way was very good. I would've preferred the movie to have cut some of the other parts and add more depth to their story. It did show the discontent from Belmont at the start and you could see him getting closer to Allen. I feel this would've also made the film more interesting as well.

The new cop duo: Belmont (Mackie) and Allen (Affleck)

I also thoroughly enjoyed the scenes where both the crime syndicate and the police were involved. The opening heist is very well done and is also pretty clever with them covering up everything that they do. This opened the film off greatly. My favourite scene of the film however comes when Allen is leading a team through a building whilst looking for a suspect. Most of this is taken in one shot and is very good. The dark environment with danger potentially around every corner built great tension and was really great.

The cast for this film is ever so impressive. You have the likes of Oscars nominees Chiwetel Ejiofor, Casey Affleck and Woody Harrelson alongside winner Kate Winslet. You also have a couple of gems or soon to be from the superhero movies with Anthony Mackie and Gal Gadot. There are also a couple of TV favourites in Aaron Paul and Norman Reedus. As you can see that is a pretty impressive cast which caters to a lot of different people. Apart from Kate Winslet's dodgy Russian accent everything from them was really good. I feel Casey Affleck and Anthony Mackie may have stood out from the rest and I really enjoyed these two performances. Also as a fan of The Walking Dead, it was great seeing Norman Reedus produce a strong performance.

The film was pretty predictable at times however especially with the finale. It was clear and easy to see what was going to happen in the end. Although it was predictable, they still build tension very well and was still entertaining. The film also has a load of twists with quite a lot of them being pretty effective.

Final Verdict: Triple 9 = B

Overall a good thriller with great performances from an impressive cast. Can slow down at times but does deliver when it needs to. I would say Triple 9 is worth checking out for sure.

So if you have seen Triple 9 what did you think of it? Once again thank you for reading, it is much appreciated!

By Angus McGregor