John Boyega Wins EE Rising Star BAFTA
EE invites film fans to enjoy a unique view of the prestigious BAFTA awards with a short film released this morning. The ’through the eye of the mask…’ video takes viewers on a journey from the perspective of the iconic statue awarded to the winner of the EE Rising Star Award, the only BAFTA voted for by the public.
The world’s first 4GEE Capture Cam was fitted to the mask with its lens looking out on the action in order to offer a sneak peek on the night’s events as they unfolded. From a glimpse into Stephen Fry’s dressing room at the Royal Opera House, to making its way down the glamorous red carpet, to the moment citation reader and last year’s EE Rising Star Award winner Jack O’Connell handed over the award to this year’s winner John Boyega, the film captured an exclusive, never-before-seen view of the night’s action.
The End of Longing Review
The Plot
Jack Stephanie, Joseph and Stevie are four lost souls entering their forties and searching for meaning. After sharing one raucous night together in a Downton LA bar their lives become irreversibly entwined in a rollercoaster journey that forces them to confront the darker sides of their relationships.
The Good
Writer and star Matthew Perry has delivered a production that reflects the very finest aspects of his trademark wit and sincerity. The overall tone of the show is both frequently hilarious and genuinely moving. Perry’s writing and his own personal performance is savagely honest and truthfully bittersweet.
Playing Jack, a cynically charming alcoholic, the award winning Friends star goes beyond his popular sitcom persona and bravely tackles some clearly personal subject matter. Perry delivers a truly impressive dramatic performance that is powerfully raw and vulnerable, skilfully combined in a delicate balance with his innate comedic charisma.
During the plays most intense and confessional moments, Perry directly speaks to the audience about the agony and frustration of addiction. Perry’s writing and earnest delivery demonstrates emphatically his informed and compassionate understanding of the subject. The popular stars own self publicised past demons gives the production an added dimension and credible weight.
Perhaps most impressive is Perry’s achievement of ensuring that the play’s darker themes of mid-life inner demons never overpower audiences. The play addresses real issues but with the support of a constant uplifting humour.
Although Matthew Perry is an undeniable ‘box office draw’ the supporting cast of this evenly composed four hander is collectively magnificent. Christina Cole gives an amusingly neurotic performance as pharmaceutical rep Stevie and Lloyd Owen plays her dim witted love interest Joseph with understated brilliance. Completing the talented quartet, Jennifer Mudge is by turns sensuous, hilarious and tragic as a brashly unapologetic escort Stephanie. The comedic chemistry between the cast is utterly real and compelling.
In lesser hands the plays approach of having characters frequently monologue directly to audiences could have been an awkward theatrical device. But with performances this good it works effectively to create an intimate atmosphere that showcases the true depth and talent of Perry’s writing.
The Bad
There is literally nothing bad to be said about this production, aside from simply acknowledging that anyone expecting to merely see Chandler Bing on stage should be aware this isn’t their Friends DVD boxset. The play’s language and themes are more adult that a lightweight TV sitcom, but that’s certainly not a bad thing.
The Ugly Truth
The End of Longing is a sharply written piece of poignant drama and laugh out loud comedy fun. Perry leads a magnificent ensemble cast in a production packed with sincerity and raw emotion. It’s hard to imagine anyone but the most cynical critics failing to appreciate the play’s wit and heart.
The End Of Longing runs till 14th may 2016 and tickets are available now from http://endoflonging.co.uk/
Review by Russell Nelson
How To Be Single Review
The Plot
A young intern Alice moves to New York to find herself and explore what it means to be single while taking a hiatus from her overly comfortable relationship. Taking advice from her workaholic older sister and her hard partying new best friend she soon struggles to work out who or what she really wants.
The Good
Dakota Johnson continues to rapidly establish herself as a charismatic and captivating performer, independent of her instant Fifty Shades Of Grey notoriety. She works very well with more light hearted romantic material and deserves credit for keeping her character likeable in spite of occasionally selfish or indecisive behaviour. Johnson visually embodies the ‘typical girl’ while also having great chemistry with both a neurotic Leslie Mann and the unapologetically free-spirited Rebel Wilson.
Rebel Wilson predictably steals scenes throughout with yet another flamboyant turn as an overly confident and blunt talking loudmouth. Pitch Perfect fans will particularly recognise her performance as ‘Fat Amy’ in all but name. In this film she injects a much needed silliness and serves as a pleasing contrast to the other characters largely self-inflicted dramedy.
Leslie Mann likewise is a perfect fit as a workaholic baby doctor revaluating her life priorities. Jake Lacy from The Office and Girls is another great addition to the cast, offering a genuinely charming young love interest for her. The hunkish funny man at times shows flashes of Chris Pratt like levels of puppy dog likeability.
Overall the film has a reliably fun tone that even smuggle the occasional real insight into modern dating life among a catchy soundtrack and some undeniably laugh out loud moments. The film propels itself quickly though a pleasingly rose tinted celebration of New York dating that should connect with happy couples and perpetual singletons alike.
The Bad
Those that don’t find Rebel Wilson’s signature combination of innuendo packed shouting and physical slapstick amusing will be naturally less enthusiastic about the film’s heavy reliance on her comedic efforts. Without those much needed laughs audiences may find themselves dwelling a little too much on the various romantic subplots, none of which really have enough actual drama individually, although collectively they offer enough superficial dilemmas and feel-good resolutions to satisfy most audiences.
The Ugly Truth
How To Be Single is a fun feel-good comedy that has much more genuine laughs to offer than the average piece of cinema romance thanks to a brilliantly assembled cast, great soundtrack and avoiding ever taking itself too seriously.
Review by Russell Nelson
The Walking Dead Convention In London
The Walking Dead fans should be afraid and very very excited as the leading international fan convention for the smash hit Zombie series makes it’s London debut this month on 20th and 21st February.
Walker Stalker Con is the fruit of The Walker Stalkers Podcast with James & Eric. The podcast began with an amazing trip to Senoia, GA where James & Eric visited the set of The Walking Dead and met the incredible actors from the show. As a result of this experience, a podcast began and then the idea of a convention focused around recreating that same experience with the cast and crew of the show, along with talented actors and artists from other zombie shows, movies and art.
Walker Stalker Con is not just a convention. It is a fan meet-up and an opportunity for each guest to come away feeling like they’ve had an amazing experience and became part of a greater community of zombie lovers. Walker Stalker Con is three days of events, panels, and experiences that zombie fans won’t find anywhere else!
Guests attending the London event include Andrew Lincoln, David Morrisey, Sarah Wayne Callies, Jon Bernthal, Alexandra Breckenridge, Charlie Adlard, Melissa McBride, Greg Nicotero, Ross Marquand, Josh McDermitt, Chandler Riggs, Michael Cudlitz, Christian Serratos, Sonequa Martin-Green, Chad L Coleman, Lawrence Gillard Jr. Alanna Masterson, Tyler James Williams and Norman Reedus.
For more information about tickets and event details check out the official site here at http://walkerstalkercon.com/london/
Till then a few of interview with the cast below to wet your Zombie appetite:
Mike And Dave Need Wedding Dates Trailer
Check out the official trailer for Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates. In the new 20th Century Fox comedy hard-partying brothers Mike (Adam Devine) and Dave (Zac Efron) make a televised plea to find the perfect dates (Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza) for their sister’s Hawaiian wedding. Hoping for a respectable family gathering, the boys instead find themselves outsmarted and out-partied by the uncontrollable duo.
