That’s right, its Friday which can only mean one thing. I’m presenting my top picks for what you lot need to watch this weekend. Its a right old melting pot of film goodness, kicking off with a boy racer, moving swiftly on to a man on the hunt for reality and ending up with Scarlett Johannson well, seducing men and doing all sorts of random creepy weirdness with them – not to be missed I promise!
And if that wasn’t enough, every Thursday we give you the box office run down of what is hot at the cinema box office, so if you want to see where your hard earned cinema going cash has been spent this week, then check out Amon Warrman’s latest rundown.
Thanks for all your support please do keep subscribing to The Reel Deal and follow us on Twitter x
Well things are really starting to take shape for the team at The Reel Deal. Huge thank you to all that have so far been involved. But as you probably know by now, Friday is indeed Film Friday and I’m lucky enough to give you a micro movie review of what’s hot and what’s not at the cinema each week.
So if you want to have your own pocket size guide on what to watch at the cinema, then here it is, Gone in 60 Seconds. Its a short, sharp action packed look at what launches in your local multiplex week on week. This week is no exception, we’ve got testosterone heavy men shouting all sorts of homoerotic sayings in one of the films, a trip to an all star quirky quirky hotel in another, and something shooting straight out of errr…Mexico!
Now if you’re after more film fun, then we’ve got new strands of content launching too, including Joe’s Public, where presenter Joe Forrester goes around making the good people of London do lots of silly things to do with films.
And we also lots of fun additional footage coming your way too, for instance, here’s our very first junket interview for hit US comedy Ride Along.
This is just the start of our brand new channel, so make sure you subscribe, follow us on Twitter @thereelfilmshow and share to all your friends, The Reel Deal is all about real reviews and fun around films, so be a part of it too.
When my friends told me it cost them £15 to go watch the Wolf of Wall Street this weekend, even though I’m a huge fan of the film, I was compelled to find somewhere SOMEWHERE that provided a much cheaper solution to watching great films for less. So, luckily I stumbled across Vauxhall Village.
Back for a second season, this company bring the big screen to original and unusual locations. This time round they’re turning a disused railway arch in Vauxhall into the tunnel of love for one weekend only. From the 13th 16th February film fans can come down to a mixture of screenings, ranging from the quirky art house and indie flicks, to the old school classics, as it seems that there’s something to suit all tastes!
Vauxhall Village have previously brought us outdoor summer screenings in the pleasure gardens and festive delights in the railway arch, this time round love is definitely in the air. So its a great place to head down early to soak up the atmosphere, with friends, your other half, your family or your next door neighbour’s cat. They’ve got a bar so you can sip champagne cocktail, in aid of Valentines day you can pick your loved one up some flowers at the flower stall, or just treat yourself to some chocolate fondue! Sounds like much more of a fun night out I think!
The films are being shown on a big screen at the back of the arch, comfy chairs, wireless headphones and cosy blankets will be provided.
Can you believe its Friday again? That’s great news! Why? Well, because you get to watch all the latest releases at your local cinema. This week is extra special because the extraordinary Dallas Buyers Club is out. It features as part of this weeks Gone in 60 Seconds line up, so make sure you check out me in action hosting the next big run down of fantastic films for you to watch.
And if this type of film show floats your boat then please do subscribe to this channel, we have lots more to bring you, so stay up to date with all the latest film information via this handy video site! I love it and hope you do too!
Have a great weekend and most importantly watch some brilliant movies! x
Get ready Efronites, as the High School Musical star is all grown up! Not only is he more of a twenty something man magnet rather than a tweenie twisting jazz hand sensation, its pretty clear from his new film That Awkward Moment that he’s trying to break free into the more adult marketed rom-coms. However the question remains, is this such a good thing?
Well lets take a look at That Awkward Moment, not just a film that Zac Efron stars in, he also Exec Produced it, so there’s definitely something a bit more grown up about this actor, he’s branching out. However the content of the film can still draw his stable audience of young (and not so young) fans.
The film follows Three best friends as they find themselves where we’ve all been – at that confusing moment in every dating relationship when you have to decide “So…where is this going?” They end up making a pact to stay single and enjoy avoiding “that awkward moment” and the moment the agreement is made, of course, they start to meet the girls of their dreams, sort of…
This is ultimately a fun film which you can take or leave. It’s more one for the girls who want to drool over the male eye candy rather than take away any deep and meaningful message about relationships and the like. However, it is fun in parts, there are some memorable scenes, particularly the mis-hap fancy dress scene where Efrons character Jason makes quite an impression on Imogen Poot’s (Ellie) parents, and it does show you how relationships can be fun and exciting when they’re just starting out. There is also the Viagra/toilet scene (which has been used to market the film where possible), where we see a naked Zac Efron trying to go to the toilet ‘post pill’ which caused one or two chuckles from the audience.
However, there are key factors in this film that really do bring it down. As it progresses, there are such cliché moments of chauvinism and male ‘wolf-pack’ bonding that really makes you feel like this film is just trying a bit too hard. There is also excessive dropping of the ‘F-Bombs’ which at times feel unnecessary and something that only the scriptwriter felt would make the film resonate with the 20 something generation of today’s society, sadly that is altogether slightly misunderstood.
On the plus side, the characters are fun, likeable in parts and laughable in others, so its not a film that you will go and see and wont like. It is a more mature performance for Zac Efron, he definitely is trying to strike that balance of trying something new whilst not alienating his current fanbase, which is a wise move. Michael B. Jordan plays the married too young, quarter life crisis character with ease and believability and Miles Teller’s ‘Geek Chic’ sidekick completes the boys club well. Imogen Poots is great as the slightly quirky, pretty love interest and provides the voice of reason throughout.
So That Awkward Moment, isn’t totally awkward in itself. Its definitely one for selective audiences of the Efronite movement and maybe a few more, the acting is good and if you can believe that young twenty-something’s can really live in those large bare-bricked Manhattan apartments with cool creative jobs designing book covers for a big publishing house, then this film is the film for you.
So you may all remember that last week I posted a pilot of some content from a brand new film channel that I am presenting called The Reel.
Well, move over pilot and hello Episode 1! Sound fixed and every Friday you’ll be able to see my top recommendations for whats hitting the cinema each week. So, if you’re stuck for something to do this weekend, never fear Becks is here!
This week is totally action packed, there’s loads of great things going on at the cinema, so all I ask is you please support this show by sharing, following, tweeting (@thereelfilmshow) and subscribing. Also, it would be great to hear what YOU want from a film show.
In February we’re bringing you a bigger brighter version of a film show, hopefully something a little different that celebrates everything film has to offer from Independent Cinema, to fun facts and of course our very own thoughts on the big films coming out each week. So please do follow all the platforms which we’re posting on to stay tuned, if you love films then we’re creating this just for you!
Thanks for all your support and look out for Gone in 60 Seconds every Friday!
Well its been a busy start to 2014 for me, I’ve brought together some of my favourite people and my favourite subject to develop a brand new film show for YouTube called The Reel. Its launching in February, but we wanted to start getting some of the content out there, including a very quick round up of the weeks hottest films that will be hitting the cinema every weekend.
So, introducing the pilot episode of Gone in 60 Seconds, our top tips to watch at the cinema this weekend. As it is a pilot episode please forgive the couple of technical hitches that have been happening (mainly the sound) but regardless of this you get the gist, so it would be great to see what you all think.
If you like this please do share it, follow our brand new Twitter handle @thereeldeal2014 and subscribe to the channel on YouTube. We want to create something fun for all you film fans out there, so hoping that this could be the start of something great! Stay tuned, wish us luck and please, do send me your thoughts and suggestions.
If you had any worries or concerns that Director Gary Ross’s successor would be turning this sequel into a Twilight esq format, where each film has its own unique stamp per director, and the lead character looks more and more bizarre as the films progress, then fear not, as The Hunger Games – Catching Fire continues the franchise brilliantly.
In the second installment of the hugely popular film adaptation, Tribute victors of the 74th Hunger Games Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark become targets of the Capitol after their victory sparks a rebellion in the Districts of Panem. As a result, President Snow decides to hold the 75th Hunger Games in which all previous victors will once again fight against each other.
If you have been a fan of the books and then watched the first film, you may have felt a little short changed in terms of the detail throughout the Games section itself. Catering to a 12a audience, the first installment of this franchise lacked some of the more graphic scenes of violence throughout, and replaced this with clever jump cuts and edits to keep the action flowing. I for one, was one of those people, and felt slightly underwhelmed when walking out of that original viewing.
However, this second film seems to have found its feet much more – realizing that there is a large share in terms of older audience members, it quite purposefully takes more risks. There is a whipping scene involving Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth) the shooting of an old man who dares to acknowledge the revolution, and a very unceremonious punch to the face for Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence). Although these are all wincing to the eye, they are a refreshing progression for the film, and as the film tackles more grown up subject matter, you very much feel like you’re watching a much more grown up film.
Once again the lead characters are portrayed well. Lawrence’s Katniss Everdeen is brooding and thoughtful, more of the relationship between herself and Hemsworths Gale is explored, and Josh Hutcherson’s Peeta Mellark has realized that he must suppress his feelings in order to play the game and put on a great show. There is also an influx of new cast members (all the other Tributes get killed off in the previous film – in the style of a less brutal Battle Royale!) and one of the biggest surprises of this is Sam Claflin as Finnick Odair. With a flawless American accent, a smile to melt a lot of hearts in the female share of the audience, this British actor will probably use this character to cement his place in the Hollywood heart throb elite – Robert Pattinson better watch out!
Out with the old and in with the new is the way this second running of the film works, the style has been cleverly matched by Director Francis Lawrence to its predecessor and not a minute of filming is wasted. Even if you’re coming to the movie having loved the book, its truthful approach to what is written will be a welcome relief, and it may even hold some surprises for you too. Plenty of action for everyone, some eye candy for both boys and girls, and a very enjoyable film to watch. You will not be disappointed!
I remember when Steve Coogan and Anna Friel took over the back streets of Soho last year to film The Look of Love… and now you all can get a sneak peek to find out what all the commotion was about. With a fantastic all star British cast, this looks like a film to get excited about.
Here’s a little more about the film…
From Steve Coogan and director Michael Winterbottom, the team behind 24 Hour Party People, Cock and Bull Story and The Trip, comes the fast, funny and outrageously true story of Paul Raymond, the controversial entrepreneur and property baron who established the Raymond Revue Bar and went on to become Britain’s richest man. With a screenplay by Matt Greenhalgh (Control), The Look of Love co-stars Anna Friel, Imogen Poots and Tamsin Egerton as the women in Raymond’s life, alongside a great roster of British comic talent including Chris Addison, David Walliams, Simon Bird and Matt Lucas.
After starting his show business career as a mind-reader in a cabaret act, Paul Raymond went on to become Britain’s richest man and a modern King Midas. With an entrepreneurial eye and a realisation that sex sells, he began building his empire of gentleman’s clubs, porn magazines and nude theatre – provoking outrage and titillation in equal measure.
Raymond’s personal life was as colourful as his revue shows. His marriage to Jean, a nude dancer and choreographer, ended in a difficult divorce when he met Fiona – a glamour model who became the famous pin-up star of his magazines and shows. His daughter Debbie was the true love of his life, his business partner and heir to his empire – until her tragic and untimely death aged 36. Three weeks later Raymond was named Britain’s richest man and his fortune put at 1.5billion.
The Look of Love hits cinemas on the 26th April, so look out for it!
Probably the most anticipated film of the awards calendar, Lincoln is set to hit cinema screens (finally) in the UK on the 25th January. Having cleaned up in terms of the nominations at the BAFTAs, Golden Globes and Oscars, expectations are high on this biopic looking at the last few months of American President Abraham Lincoln’s life as he attempts to pass the 13th Amendment through the House of Representatives and abolish slavery forever.
With a stellar cast including Academy Award nominees Tommy Lee Jones, Sally Field and honest Abe himself, Daniel Day-Lewis, from the moment the public first got a glimpse at the posters for the film, we all knew that this was going to be something special. With Steven Spielberg at the helm and Tony Kushner drafting the screenplay, this dialogue heavy insight into one of the most riveting moments of American history is in my mind, not one to be missed.
At a whopping 150 minutes however, I can almost guarantee that this film will divide audiences. We as a country are aware of this historic moment, and are all grateful for its passing. However, unlike American children and children before them we’re not brought up learning about this in great detail. So audiences in the UK are interested in this story, and invest trust in it’s telling because of Spielberg and Daniel-Day Lewis’s portfolio of previous work, but we’re not necessarily as passionate as our friends across the pond. You may think this about a number of dramatized storylines, which we have watched over the years in cinema, but with a highly anticipated world release, audiences perceptions once they have seen this film, will be vastly different because of the style in which it takes.
For example, in my screening alone, there were many different opinions. Some loved it like myself, whilst others felt the pace too slow and wondered where they would get two and a half hours of their life back from. The question is, what is it about this film that makes us all wonder whether or not it’s worth a watch?
The good elements are its simplicity in the storytelling. Spielberg in various interviews talks about his fascination with Lincoln from childhood, and his repertoire of historical films such as Schindler’s List and Empire of the Sun speak for themselves. But with Lincoln as a much-loved president who achieved so much in his time in office, the starting point was finding the right angle in which to tell his story. Should the film become an epic tale of boy, to man, to President? Or is there something a little more focused that shows all those key elements in a shorter period of time. Abraham Lincoln had a very rare quality about himself where he’s almost mythical, what we do know of him are his achievements, and that he was loved by the people, but we didn’t know enough about the man himself, he seems to almost be a representative of America’s beliefs and maybe just an emblem, but not in some respects a real living breathing man. So it’s this side of him and the forgotten family man that Spielberg brings to our screens so expertly.
This film couldn’t have been made without Daniel Day-Lewis in my opinion, and I’m sure this is shared by others, the ultimate method actor, immersive in every sense of this character, I found myself looking, after the screening, at pictures of the real Abraham Lincoln and completely amazed by the resemblance. Clever make-up you may think, but without Day-Lewis’s masterful approach all the make up in the world wouldn’t have made you forget you’re watching a film and feel like you’re peeping into a glimpse of history quite like this. From his shuffles to voice and passive nature, you cannot fault Day-Lewis’s characterization and awards a-plenty should be placed firmly in his hands.
Hot on his heels, and in parts edging his performance out, is Tommy Lee Jones as radical pro-abolition supporter Thaddeus Stephens. His quick tongued, imposing authority guides us through the House of Representative scenes mesmerizingly when Day Lewis is not present. The surprising humour within this film falls mainly on the shoulders of Jones, whose quick quips and great uses of words which instantly make you chuckle such as ‘nincompoop’ are well executed with effortless ease and gives a welcomed light relief in parts. This Texan actor is back to his best in this film and like Day-Lewis picks his key moments to truly shine and provide award worthy performances throughout. Rounding out the rest of the cast, there are no performances big or small that fall through the cracks. Every character is carefully considered and acted with dedication and conviction, most notably through David Strathairn, James Spader and Hal Holbrook.
What people may not like about this film however, is its theatrical format. Taking a step back from glossy visuals, Spielberg and Kushner have opted for a narrative heavy portrayal. With this comes a lot of information about legislation and you realize just the sheer volume of characters that are featuring throughout. My recommendation is that you go back for a second viewing, it is well worth it to fully understand the complexities of the Amendment and indeed this film. However Spielberg devotees may find this quite tough to handle. From the opening scene you feel like you are about to embark on another Saving Private Ryan-esq extended battle scene, but this is only a momentary glimpse, which isn’t returned to until Lincoln goes back to truly experience the aftermath of the Civil War.
Some of the disappointment in this format may also be down to the marketing of the film, which is really a continual gripe of mine. The trailer (arguably quite rightly) showcases some of the more epic scenes of the film, however the majority of the time you’re watching less grandeur scenes of men in cold rooms stoking fires, sitting around desks and trying to work out how to work to procure votes – the film has sharp and quick moving dialogue which is a lot to take in and follow, but it is none the less still engaging and clever, just perhaps what is not expected initially.
So, should you go watch this film? Well, yes, its pacing may seem problematic, but the content is so strong that you will find Lincoln strangely exciting and in some parts heart-warming. This is essentially the story of a strong minded man who could foresee what was best for the future and not just now, and with a gentile manner and determined heart, this ensemble shows the public just why Abraham Lincoln is one of America’s best loved Presidents. It’s a turn away from Spielberg’s normal formats, but one should view that as an exciting new chapter in his body of work. Finally if you walk out with a new interest in this historical story, you can also read the book which Spielberg used as his main reference guide for the film, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kerans Goodwin.
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