Reviews

I've read a few reviews on here so far...it seems that no matter what Nolan does they will give 10... and others who hate Nolan films because of the annoying fan boys...the fun is somewhat in between.

I like most of Nolan's films, I enjoyed Interstellar, inception, the dark Knights, momento and the prestige...I'm generally a fan most 8-10/10 movies and on par with Spielberg's, Scorsese's etc. He's very good and up there with the modern greats.

However... his last 3 movies whilst technically great have been so/so...Dunkirk was a borefest done better elsewhere, though technically brilliant...Tenet...I enjoyed more and actually liked the time/dimension flipping etc but ultimately it never welded together as a top movie (the sound was unbearable) and this...Oppenheimer.

Firstly...the good bits...cinematography is stellar as is the score both very accomplished and probably Oscar worthy.

The acting universally is superb, I see Cillian Murphy getting a nomination and Robert Downey Jnr winning most awards ceremonies...the support cast is also very good.

The middle bomb test is very good and I though it was very restrained in truth, I expected a bit more technical wizardry but was happy it was fairly restrained.

There are some wonderful moments of imitate acting at times, in small pockets that really resonate...the Einstein bits with Tom Conti are well done, as is the intimate scenes with Florence Pugh who again is very good.

The bad bits...

It's a logistical mess, the running time wouldn't be such problem if it was sequenced properly...the flow isn't one you can warm to...and for the live of god I actually went back and watched segments again. I think the narrative was just off...it started chatty and slow. I think he jumps here there and everywhere instead of having 3 solid acts as such. Fan boys will say he's pushing the boundaries or something silly but I've watched slow films and enjoyed them massively, tinker Taylor for example.

I don't think Chris Nolan is anywhere near as good without his brother Jonathan pulling the story and script together...and this is the problem with his last 3 films...he's the visionary, his brother is the heart and that's what's missing...the last 3 movies are COLD..technical and visually brilliant, good acting etc but they try to cover over the massive void where the heart should have been.

All of his earlier films with his brother writing interweaved brilliant warmth and heart strings throughout...the love stories in the prestige, the family strings in interstellar, Leo and Marion in inception, Rachael, albert and Lucius in the dark knight...

It's not a bad film no where near but it's not a masterpiece...

Biopics are hard to do well, I watched JFK recently which maybe is comparable, and it's not got the visual brilliance but what it does well is draw you in, it's got emotion...I felt Oppenheimer lacked just that...emotion except Downey Jnr who was really exceptional ...as normal

6/10.

As a Cineworld Card Holder I was invited to a screening last night of Ron Howards new movie Rush.

Before I start...I am not a F1 fan, but I knew enough of the history of the main protagonists to appreciate the film. The main set pieces of the film set a year before I was born in 1976, so mainly my knowledge was based on my Fathers recollection of the events. I'd seen James Hunt in interviews and recently watched footage with Niki Lauda so got an idea of the characters.

The film is bang on in period, cars fashion and sets the tone excellently, the cinematography is nothing short of breathtaking and the fx are very much in keeping with the period, no ridiculous CGI.

The acting, on the whole is nothing short of miraculous, Hemsworth and Bruhl are fantastic, particularly Hemsworth, who's accent, mannerisms and natural acting was a big surprise. I could see a few awards for this role. I have seen Bruhl in quite a few films and I am always impressed so this just continues the trend. All the support actors are very good in smaller roles.

The film is well paced for 2 hours and quite graphic, particularly a few accident scenes.

Direction: Ron Howard - nice job, I'm not a massive fan and particularly after the da vinci/Angels fiasco's a big return to decent form. The flair was there but played safe (As normal) but let the story and the actors take centre stage.

If you like History in F1, a well documented rivalry and a film that capture this, watch it. It is similar to the excellent Control, Moneyball etc but with a bit of heart.

8 1/2 out of 10

This film had all the hallmarks of Akira Kurosawa's greats but with Tarantino editing, large free flowing cinematic fight scenes amazing CGI blood spurts and on top of everything actors with HEART.

There are some shocking limbless scenes but nothing too grotesque like Ichi the Killer for example. I really wish Hollywood would take note of great films like this, and leave them well alone.

Takeshi Miike deserves acclaim for this, it is his most subtle film.

Absolutely Knockout- plus a great, great no country for old men style ending.

The only person who could re-make this film in my opinion for a western market would be Tarantino himself.

10 out of 10