Blunt Reviews Presents: Tomorrowland

As much as I admire Brad Bird for making this unabashedly bold science fiction film, I found that structurally it does leave much to be desired. I like the concept, and I thought the visuals were really quite impressive, it’s just sometimes the pace needed a bit of a gentle push to keep things moving. Generally, it is a solid lighthearted sci fi adventure that holds together, without being anything to be too amazed by. I admit I enjoyed it and I did find it intriguing, but I wouldn’t necessarily jump to watch it again any time soon.

Blunt Reviews Presents: Inside Out (2015)

Inside Out sees Pixar back on top form with one of the best animated films I’ve seen in recent years. It would be a lie and an understatement if I were to say anything less than this film is expertly executed. Every single element is polished and perfected so it feels like an intricate clockwork mechanism that runs smoothly. It’s intelligently written, beautifully animated, and most importantly it’s though provoking. Behind glossy animation there are a number of weighted themes explored, so it’s no surprise it made a twenty year old such as myself cry multiple times. In short: brilliant.

Blunt Reviews Presents: Ex Machina (2015)

Alex Garland writes and directs what can best be described as a haunting science fiction masterpiece. I knew very little upon watching this, and soon found that it is a masterclass in science fiction cinema, built on poignant and intriguing subject matter, accompanied by a sharp screenplay. The performances are solid, with Alicia Vikander once again proving that she is an immense talent that can carry a film to new heights. What I liked best is that the delivery is so smooth and stylish, building a sense of claustrophobia, whilst asking questions as to what it means to be human.

Blunt Reviews Presents: Beasts of No Nation (2015)

If the Academy wants to ignore this film for whatever bizarre reason then they can continue being morons, because this was an utterly compelling piece of film. Even from the outset this is a gritty drama that completely immerses the audiences into a world of conflict and uncertainty, in one of the most naturalistic films I can remember seeing. Idris Elba is superb as ever, with the young Abraham Attah giving an outstanding performance in the lead role. It’s from Attah’s performance that the film explores key themes like maturity and the social construction of childhood. Nothing short of brilliant.

Blunt Reviews Presents: Deadpool (2016)

I am beyond relieved to say that this is genuinely a great film. It’s well paced, fantastically written, and the directing is superb. Ryan Reynolds was born to play Deadpool and his passion for the source material really shows in his work. What I admire most is that this is Tim Miller’s first feature length film as director, and he absolutely nailed it! We trusted an unknown director to make an R-rated film from one of our favourite characters, and it resulted in a brilliantly executed action film that’s indescribably funny from the opening credits. Basically, no complaints from me!

Blunt Reviews Presents: Celebrity (1999)

I’m sure if I scratched below the surface I would find a perfectly fine and interesting film somewhere in Celebrity. However I’m unable to do that because on the surface I am distracted by the fact that throughout the film Kenneth Branagh persistently delivers one of the worse Woody Allen impersonations I have ever heard. I think the film is half decent, it appeared to be quite an interesting look into the world of Hollywood film making, and there’s a solid performance from a young Leonardo DiCaprio, but aside from that it feels like one of Woody Allen’s throwaway films.

Blunt Reviews Presents: Inland Empire (2007)

As much as I like David Lynch, this is not his finest work. Some hailed it as his masterpiece, others tore it shreds, but personally I’m somewhere in the middle. There are elements that I like; I can’t fault the central performance by Laura Dern, but it’s not enough to fix the film. Most annoyingly it takes things I previously liked about Lynch, the ambiguity, the strange imagery, the confusing non-linear narrative, and it made me dislike them. I didn’t feel as angry other people, but I was certainly disappointed because I know Lynch is capable of so much more.

Blunt Reviews Presents: Cinderella (2015)

I can’t remember the last time I watched a film that had such exaggerated theatricality, and yet was so painfully dull. This is a wasted attempt by Disney to give a much loved classic a live action update. It’s annoying because the film is directed by Kenneth Branagh, who I actually like, so why is he anywhere near a project as dull as this? It feels like someone asked a plank of wood to direct a film starring bricks, just to shut kids up for a couple hours and earn Disney an Oscar nomination for Best Costume Design. It’s rubbish.

Blunt Predictions Presents: Dad’s Army (Trailer #2)

Release Date – February 2016

With a cast as superb as this there is cause for excitement, however from the footage already released there is also cause for apprehensiveness. I want this to be good, I want this to be a proper homegrown British comedy that leaves me smiling from ear to ear, however with the screenwriter of Mr Bean’s Holiday and Johnny English Reborn at the helm I dare say the ship is already sinking before it’s even cast off. The trailer was chuckle worthy but nothing more, leading me to believe this could either be a surprise knockout or an absolute misfire.

Blunt Reviews Presents: The Revenant (2016)

Director Alejandro González Iñárritu is staying firmly in the right place as he delivers one of his best films. It was as gritty as the story demanded and Iñárritu’s ruthless directing style was applied perfectly. The cast is fantastic, with Leonardo DiCaprio stealing the show, while Tom Hardy and Will Poulter lead the superb supporting cast. The genius behind the film is cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, using only natural light and stunning landscapes to present some of the most beautiful shots I have ever seen in cinema. This is the epitome of brilliant story telling, and a masterclass in film making.