FRANK REVIEW - A film I should have loved but instead only liked

2/5

I went into watching Frank expecting to love it. It had all the makings of what I love, a great cast including Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michael Fassbender and Scoot McNairy (who has been in some of my favourite films Monsters, Killing Them Softly, The Rover), an interesting concept with the setting and main character wearing a fake head. So why the 3/5, which isn't a bad rating by a long shot, but it could have so easily been a 2. As I was watching I was waiting to love it, but something was missing. It took me until the hour mark to realise why but it is the plot. In a nutshell the story is about Jon (Domhnall Gleeson) joining a band, getting too big for his boots and in trying to realise his dreams, brings down the people around him. But I didn't feel like this was enough. Large periods of the film seemed to be meandering around in Iceland. This should have been where I became endeared to the characters but I didn't. The direction was spot on, performances were great (Fassbender set free with his face covered) and the music lives up to the rest. The Iceland scenery made the traveler in me want to pack up my bags and move right away! I just didn't become emotionally involved in the stories or characters and for this reason I couldn't invest in the events. An indie that doesn't quite strike home, Frank is watchable but forgettable.

HER REVIEW - A sunkissed film that delivers with emotional clout

4/5

The past is just a story that we tell ourselves. Her delivers on all levels. The acting is top class and the cinematography is spot on, tinted mixture of IKEA and hipster but it is the characters, the immense characterization that set Her apart. As far as high concepts go this is up there, a broken, down trodden man, struggling to cope with his life now he and his wife have separated falls in love with his operating system. A stellar understated performance from Joaquin Phoenix anchors the film, he plays off Scarlett Johansson's voice work as Samantha so well, cutting through the ins and outs of a growing relationship. The rose tinted early years which dessolve into little scrap book memories in our brains that we carry around in our heads. The unconventional nature of the film is layered over an almost formulaic love story but it never feels like it is treading worn ground. It carries an emotional weigh throughout as each scenario is engrained on Joaquin's face. Spike Jonze manages to even sneak in a little social commentary for good measure. I can't recommend this film enough, the style, feeling and performances make this film a must see.

FOCUS REVIEW - Two watchable leads can't stop the feeling of style over substance

1.5/5

Let's get started, I wasn't expecting a lot but I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed Focus. Will Smith is as watchable as ever and Margot Robbie's stock continues to rise. However when the final credits rolled I had a feeling that something was missing, it didn't take long for me to realise what it was.

For all the twists, turns (however predictable) and style (definitely over substance) I realised how 2D the film was.

SPOILERS AHEAD. None of the characters had flaws or arcs to their story lines. The most interesting part of the film was when Will Smith's Mellow appeared to have a gambling problem, this was hinted at before it came to the fore front at the Super Bowl. Mellow appeared to lose control when betting against a business man. The stakes got higher and higher until when it seemed like all as lost, it was all a big ruse, which brings me to my next point.

Not at one single point was Mellow not in control. This killed all the suspense. There were no stakes too due to a strange final third that had no set up what so ever. It felt like writer director team of Glenn Ficarra and John Requa just focused (no pun intended) on constantly trying to add a twist to every scene that they forgot to give it an actual story line.

In conclusion, Will Smith, Margot Robbie and the slick direction almost mask the fact that the film is paper thin and the characters are thinner.