We Are X Review
The Plot
We Ae X is a documentary film exploring the unique musical career and impact of legendary Japanese rock band X Japan. Lead by enigmatic musical icon Yoshiki the band transformed Japanese music forever and continue to reach an ever growing army of devoted fans around the world.
The Good
Director Steven Kijak and the production team behind award winning Searching For Sugar Man and The Imposter have delivered yet another outstanding piece of well-crafted documentary cinema with We Are X. The film subtly captures both the emotional core of an iconic rock band and also incorporates much of their unique visual flare and musical magic.
Whether or not audiences find X Japan’s truly original blend of classical, metal and rock music matches their own usual musical appetites, nonetheless the band’s story is packed with a mix of tragedy and triumph that is compelling and translates far beyond barriers of language, pop culture and musical taste.
Combining extensive interview access with band members, archival footage, fan contributions and live performances the film presents a truly immersive experience. In particular the extent to which the film documents and explores the personal tragedies that have fuelled the creative process of band leader Yoshiki may surprise those expecting merely a polished PR friendly celebration of a popular artist.
The film’s candid documentation of how the death of his father, former band members and personal demons continues to haunt and motivate the soft spoken rock and classical music superstar is truly compelling and emotionally impactful. The film serves not just as a superficial homage to a popular band but as a true exploration of the deep routed connection between great art and personal turmoil.
That being said, amongst the personal reflection and philosophising the film also offers fans an enjoyable sample of the varied musical offerings that have made X Japan and enduring and beloved household name in their native Japan. The film definitely challenges and greatly dispels any lingering misconceptions about the limitation of Japanese music. It showcases one of the country’s most complex and versatile rock creations as opposed to the perhaps more familiar cheesy pop idol clichés.
The Bad
As with all musically themed documentaries it’s difficult for a film to ever truly capture the thrill of a live performance and the atmosphere of screaming fans. Luckily We Are X never falls into the trap of merely being a concert film or feeling like an extended music video.
Of course the personal journey of the band and their impact on Japanese culture may innately hold less exciting interest for an international audience still largely unfamiliar with their work. However the film does well to serve both as a loving celebration for existing fans and a convenient introduction for the uninitiated.
The Ugly Truth
We Are X is a well-crafted and fascinating insight into the pain, sacrifice and success of one of the world’s biggest rock bands. Whether audiences are already familiar with their unique work or merely discovering the band for the first time, in either case this film is of equally compelling interest.
Review by Russell Nelson
Watch In depth Interviews below with X Japan star Yoshiki and Director Steven Kijak:
Logan Review
The Plot
In 2029 following the demise of the X-Men and with just vanishing traces of Mutants in the world time has finally caught up with virtually indestructible hero Wolverine. Now an old man himself Logan is hiding away by the Mexican border with a senile Charles Xavier. But when he crosses paths with a young mutant that shares his gifts he also rediscovers the rage and compassion that once made him a powerful hero Logan will enter the fight for good, one last time.
The Good
Ever since his last minute replacement casting Jackman has managed to turn Wolverine into one of cinemas most iconic and universally popular heroes. Though more statuesque than the traditionally diminutive comic book character, Jackman captured perfectly Logan’s surly rage filled anti-hero charms. In a fantasy world often filled with heavy handed philosophising and do-good heroes he was a perfect sarcastic antidote. It’s difficult to understate just how many times his cigar chomping alpha male machoism saved the franchise from the bland boredom of social justice themed heroes and villains.
Jackman almost single handily carried X2, Last Stand, Days of Future Past and shamelessly stole the show in Apocalypse during his brief but brutal cameo. So it’s only right that Jackman gets to say a proper goodbye to the character in glorious and gory fashion.
Logan undeniably serves as a fitting apology to fans for past disappointments, most notably Jackman’s first solo effort X-Men Origins Wolverine. The faltering attempt at a standalone Wolverine film was ruined by utterly redundant storytelling, sanitised action and notoriously poor use of some of the most popular supporting characters in the X-Men universe. Thankfully this studio and Jackman have learnt all those lessons very well by now.
Liberated from the increasingly confusing timelines and muddled continuity of the long running X-Men franchise, Logan takes the opportunity to tell a simple standalone story focused fully on action and the emotional core of the character. Much like Ryan Reynold’s triumphant Deadpool, Logan also fully embraces the chance to inject a deeply dark and mature humour into the otherwise mostly sanitized X-Men cinematic universe. Unleashed form the metaphorical shackles of keeping things PG 13 it’s certainly fun to see just what blood soaked damage Wolverine’s ademantium claws are truly capable of.
Fan favourite Patrick Stewart and young newcomer Dafne Keen proved a perfect foil for Jackman’s raw and broken down performance. Keen is an astonishing delight as a pint sized mutant packed with feral surprises. It’s a star making turn instantly comparable with Chloe Moretz’s blood soaked breakthrough as Kick-Ass teen vigilante Hit Girl. Those expecting her to merely be a convenient plot device will be shocked to see just how much of a violent and scene stealing asset she is for the film.
The Bad
Long-time fans of the X-Men comics and films will welcome the change of pace and more mature tone of Logan. However it’s safe to say it’s unrelentingly bleak and blood drenched approach may not appeal as much to more casual mainstream viewers and younger fans. Logan is a film unapologetically aimed at a loyal audience that has grown with the character over the past two decades. That audience may be ready for this kind of sombre themed X-Men film, but popcorn munching crowds looking for escapist costume clad fun may not be quite so prepared.
As an example, Charles Xavier has consistently remained the calm reassuring centre of the X-Men universe. Whether played by Stewart or in his younger form by James McAvoy, Professor X has always been defined by his steadfast decorum and dignified gravitas. For this reason it’s a little jarring to see his devolved into a mentally befuddled potty mouthed 90 year old. Of course some fans will very much enjoy hearing Stewart dropping f bombs and the British thespian clearly delights in finally being unleashed to inject some R rated humour into the iconic prim and proper role. However it’s safe to say that for others the novelty quickly wears off leaving a somewhat undignified aftertaste.
Overall while many fans will relish in finally seeing a more brutal and stripped down version of their favourite hero, others may find it a little less satisfying than the happy soft focus climax Days Of Future Past offered to Wolverine’s cinematic timeline. Also while Logan tries very hard to present the most graphically authentic version of the character the film does occasionally still slip back into comic book clichés of evil clones and robot super soldiers.
The Ugly Truth
Logan is as fitting an ending to Jackman’s long running portrayal of the most popular X-Men hero as fan could possibly have hoped for. It is more dark, violent and unconventional than any of the versions of Wolverine seen on screen before. Ironically with his absolutely last outing Jackman might have actually finally given comicbook fans exactly what they always wanted from the character.
Review by Russell Nelson
Certain Women Review
The Plot
Inspired by the various short stories of Maile Meloy, Certain Women follows the intersecting lives of four women in small town America. Following a lawyer, domineering wife, lonesome rancher and exhausted teacher the film pieces together a loose narrative built around their collective and mostly mundane daily existences.
The Good
Director Kelly Reichardt is a celebrated independent cinema star and this film in particular attracted much praise and even the Best Film award at this year’s London Film Festival. The Certain Women in question are all played by accomplished and popular stars, lending an instant attractive credibility to even the most understated of performances. Michelle Williams, Laura Dern, Lily Gladstone and Kirsten Stewart each do their very best to inject as much meaningful emotional subtext as they can into their respective performances.
Supporting turns from Jared Harris, James Le Gros and Rene Auberjonois also helps to maintain a dramatic credibility for proceedings. Maintaining audience interest even when the films slow pace and minimalist style might be legitimately testing their patience. The film’s ambitious aspirations to spin a loose collection of trivial daily occurrences into a feature length narrative makes having a strong cast all the more essential.
Special credit should go to relative newcomer Lily Gladstone and Kristen Stewart. Their portrayal of the unlikely relationship that gradually emerges between a shy rancher and a flustered young teacher is arguably the film’s most intriguing passage. Stewart’s selfless supporting turn allows Gladstone to create a credible tender awkwardness and clear unspoken subtext to their dynamic.
The Bad
Those that lament indie cinemas many cliché mannerisms will certainly find plenty to dislike about Certain Women. For those that see this type of film as a meditative subtle masterpiece there will no doubt be many that view it instead as simply slow moving and even dull. To put that debate in some context, an entire third of the film is essentially devoted to the slight social awkwardness of purchasing a pile of rocks from an old man who may have some minor reluctance about selling.
Combined with a largely absent soundtrack and stark minimalist visuals, the film has a generally muted and reserved quality. Though undoubtedly the strongly assembled female cast and director Reichardt envisage the film as being some kind of delicate examination about a feminine experience of small town life, in truth it’s often somewhat difficult to discern exactly what the intended message if any is meant to be behind the mostly banal proceedings.
Even when the film does occasionally deliver something potentially dramatic like a hostage crisis or romantic betrayal, it’s handled in such a stilted and trivial way that it largely stifles any actual excitement or intrigue. The film’s vague slice of life narrative approach also means that perhaps too much is left unspoken and unresolved. Audiences accustomed to seeing dramatic situations played out to a satisfying conclusion and meaningful resolution may not welcome the film’s more abstract approach.
The film consistently asks a lot of audiences to infer their own meaning and significance to proceedings. At times it also seems overly confident that its talented cast are simply compelling to watch no matter how potent that actual drama on display actually is.
The Ugly Truth
Certain Women will be enjoyed by those with a particular penchant for slow moving indie drama or perhaps with a special affection for any of the talented actresses involved. However for those less eager to work hard to find meaning in the mostly languid proceedings the film may prove fairly underwhelming.
Review by Russell Nelson
Bitter Harvest Review
The Plot
Set in 1930s Ukraine, as Stalin ruthlessly advances the ambitions of the communist party in Russia, young artist Yuri battles to save his village from the Holodomor, the systematic Soviet program of engineering a famine with genocidal consequences for the people of Ukraine.
The Good
Bitter Harvest deals with one of the most significant and yet largely unspoken crimes of the 20th Century and human history. Having been shamefully shrouded in soviet era secrecy for so long it is the smallest possible act of consolation to have a true account of the genocide that claimed the lives of many millions of people brought to life on screen.
Regardless of any of the individual qualities of the film its mere existence is an important step in shining some light on a forgotten tragedy. Even those well versed in the Historical horrors of the second wold war will likely be deeply shocked to discover the true extent of atrocities that took place before it even began.
It wasn’t until the ultimate collapse of the Soviet Union that true extent of this national tragedy was revealed to the rest of the world. Having waited so many decades for recognition it’s important that these events are not now quickly lost to the fog of history and ever shortening modern memories.
Writer director George Mendeluk battled for at least four years to make his vision a reality and it’s clear from the film’s production and performances that it was certainly made with the most sincere intentions.
The Bad
The fundamental problem with making a film about almost incomprehensibly terrible historic atrocities is that often audiences natural instinct is to remind themselves they’re merely watching a film. It’s an act of emotional self-preservation and a natural defence mechanism in the face of such relentlessly grim subject matter. As a result for these kinds of films it is vitally important to maintain a completely credible and immersive experience at all time. You simply cannot afford audiences the opportunity to detach themselves from what they’re watching.
Unfortunately for Bitter Harvest there are frequent lapses in the quality of individual performances, production value and above all the script which frustrate the films laudable efforts.
Max Irons and Samantha Barks are attractive young stars but frankly poorly cast as a pair of Ukrainian lovers facing up to one of the great evils in history. Their performances are earnest but their appearance is simply too obviously clean cut and well fed. Unfortunately shooting out of sequence by production necessity meant that method acting and self-starvation wasn’t possible for the cast. Leaving a little too much strained credibility on makeup and a bit of dirt to effect any kind of transformation.
Danny Dyer’s regular straight to DVD accomplice Tamer Hassan battles valiantly to stay out of pantomime villain territory as a cruel soviet Commissar. Unfortunately a heavy handed script makes this exceedingly difficult at times.
Despite Bitter Harvest’s best intentions sadly the script is the most frequently disappointing feature of a film which never quite manages to be as emotionally compelling at it clearly hopes to be. Otherwise sincere work is mostly ruined by dialogue marred with awkward exposition and cringe worthy lamentations. It makes it regrettably difficult to take the film seriously during some of its most crucial moments.
The Ugly Truth
Bitter Harvest ambitiously seeks to shine the light of modern awareness onto a largely forgotten act of historical evil. Even if at times the film falters in its efforts to capture the painful reality of such epic scale horrors, it deserves some credit for at least trying.
Review By Russell Nelson
The Lost City Of Z Review
The Plot
Real Life British explorer Major Percival Fawcett sets out to secure the glory he desperately needs to advance his career by undertaking a long and dangerous expedition to chart the remotest regions of the Amazon during the perilous dawn of the 20th century. While doing so he believes he may have found a mysterious ancient city, leading to a lifelong obsession and a relentless quest for discovery.
The Good
Sons of Anarchy star Charlie Hunnam delivers a leading man performance that is earnestly British and physically intense. After many years of playing Americans he reclaims his native accent without much difficulty. He also prove more than a match physical for the arduous task of surviving remote jungles, dangerous rapids and the battlefields of world war one. His Major Fawcett is a credible depiction of what it genuinely means to be a true ‘explorer’, rather just an Indiana Jones style fantasy figure.
Around Hunnam a strong supporting cast of familiar faces keep the film watchable in spite of its occasionally languid pace. As major Fawcett’s fiercely supportive but outspoken wife Sienna Miller continues to prove her talents extend well beyond a being just another pretty face. She manages to ensure that with relatively modest screen time Major Fawcett’s family life back home remains something to yearn for and fight to return to.
Miller manages to avoid too many heavy handed clichés whilst illustrating the frustrations of being an enlightened woman during a more repressive era. She also serves a useful narrative purpose on behalf of the audience in directly confronting Major Fawcett about his potentially selfish addiction to adventure and the glory of discovery.
Spider-Man star and BAFTA winner Tom Holland is a competent fit for Major Fawcett’s young son, caught somewhere between hero worship and frustrated abandonment for his often absent father.
Finally Robert Pattinson delivers an understated and virtually unrecognisable performance as Fawcett’s sharp shooting travel companion. Hidden beneath a rugged full beard and jungle dirt Pattinson manages to fully shed increasingly distant memories of his pretty Twilight adolescence. The young British star has systematically built a credible dramatic reputation beyond the hysterical screaming of young adult fiction fans. While light in dialogue his performance exudes convincing wilderness weary qualities.
Perhaps most significantly the convincing comradeship between Hunnam and Pattinson’s characters is a crucial part of making Fawcett’s yearn to explore and push the limits of human survival actually make some emotional sense.
The Bad
Those anticipating or even hoping for something approximating Indiana Jones dodging snakes and poisoned darts on his way to the temple of doom will no doubt find the grim realities of actual expeditions to be considerably less fantastical and fun. Though there is undoubtedly a genuine sense of peril at times, there simply aren’t any moments of escapist joy.
During what turns out to be an ever growing series of life threatening expeditions, Fawcett often finds himself openly questioning why he persist is abandoning his wife and young children for such a seemingly foolish and almost suicidal pursuit. Unfortunately as the film progresses it’s a question that audiences may find harder to ignore themselves.
In the shadow of world war atrocities and with the promise of a perfectly idyllic life at home it may be hard for many people to understand what really drives Fawcett to keep going back to the edge of civilization. In a modern era of google maps and sat navs it will be especially hard for younger audiences to comprehend what the lure of blank spaces on the map and the true unknown could possibly be.
The Ugly Truth
The Lost City Of Z is a reverential homages to a largely forgotten bygone spirit of exploration at a time when the world was still full of dangerous mysteries worthy of risking life and limb for. Though the film looks and feels authentic this may not satisfy audiences hoping for more fantastical or fun adventures.
Review by Russell Nelson