Sunday, January 12, 2014

New Releases 16/01/14

In cinemas this week: Her, Inside Llewyn Davis, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit and 47 Ronin.

 Her - The new film by Spike Jonze (Adaptation, Being John Malkovich) tells the story of the sad, lonely and silently hurting Theodor Twombly (played brilliantly by Joaquin Phoenix, what a follow-up to The Master!) who falls in love with his highly advanced new Operating System (voiced perfectly by Scarlett Johansson). Jonze has created an uncomfortably realistic depiction of a not-too-distant future, with insightful commentary on urban bewilderment, modern relationships, feigned connections, and the impact that technology has on how we express our feelings. As we find ourselves implicated in this unlikely romance, it is concerning, yet feels completely authentic (and possible). The evolution of their bond is hilarious at times, but achingly sad. Technically marvelous and wonderfully performed (Amy Adams, Chris Pratt, Rooney Mara and Olivia Wilde provide stellar support to Phoenix) this, for me, was a life-altering cinematic event. Can't wait to watch it again. ★★★★

Inside Llewyn Davis - Follows a week in the life of a young folk singer, Llewyn Davis (Oscar Isaac, fantastic) as he navigates the Greenwich Village folk scene of 1961. Guitar (and runway  cat) in tow, huddled against the unforgiving New York winter, he is struggling to make it as a musician against seemingly insurmountable obstacles - some of them of his own making. The latest feature from the Coen Bros is another winner; albeit a strange one that certainly isn't everyone's tea. It is a fascinating period drama/comedy about an urban scavenger (he lives day-to-day on lowly paid gigs and couches to crash on) whose series of misadventures paint a sincere yet melancholy portrait of the cycles of habit that accompany the rejection of compromise, of a man blessed with few talents but whose destructive inability to connect with people amounts to his failure as an artist...and a man. Wonderfully shot, this peculiarly obtuse film has several unexpected twists and leaves plenty to ponder and speculate. And cats. ★★★★

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit - Based on the character created by bestselling author Tom Clancy, "Jack Ryan" is a global action thriller set in the present day. This original story follow a young Jack (Chris Pine) as he uncovers a financial terrorist plot. The story follows him from 9/11, through his tour of duty in Afghanistan, which scarred him forever, and into his early days in the Financial Intelligence Unit of the modern CIA where he becomes an analyst, under the guardianship of his handler, Harper (Kevin Costner). When Ryan believes he's uncovered a Russian plot to collapse the United States economy, he goes from being an analyst to becoming a spy and must fight to save his own life and those of countless others, while also trying to protect the thing that's more important to him than anything, his relationship with his fiancée Cathy (Keira Knightley). I have seen just two of the the Jack Ryan films - The Hunt for Red October and The Sum of All Fears). I'm not interested. 

47 Ronin - From ancient Japan's most enduring tale, the epic 3D fantasy-adventure 47 Ronin is born. Keanu Reeves leads the cast as Kai, an outcast who joins Oishi (Hiroyuki Sanada), the leader of 47 outcast samurai. Together they seek vengeance upon the treacherous overlord who killed their master and banished their kind. To restore honor to their homeland, the warriors embark upon a quest that challenges them with a series of trials that would destroy ordinary warriors. Why does this exist? 

 Weekly Recommendation: Her and Inside Llewyn Davis are films that are not easily forgotten. Her is one of the most interesting and original films I have seen in the last twelve months. I'm still figuring out how I feel about Inside Llewyn Davis but it is undeniably worth seeing.  

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