The Great Gatsby Review

The Plot:

An adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Long Island-set novel, follows mid-Westerner Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) as he documents his lavish encounters with neighbour Jay Gatsby; who seems to have all the wealth and wonder in the world, but remains childishly unsatisfied without one thing, the woman he adores, Daisy (Carey Mulligan).

The Good:

Following all the hype about the decadence of this film, fans of Baz Luhrmann’s work will not be disappointed with the spectacle that this film delivers in the first half at least. Taking the concept of the ‘roaring twenties’ to its literal extreme, as the film begins you are introduced to a booming New York full of promise, prosperity and parties! Intercutting re-purposed original footage with some of Luhrmann’s newly developed settings; the audience follows Nick Carraway as he discovers and becomes a part of this world. Slowly, through the eyes of Nick, we discover the main nouveau rich players in this story, starting with Nick’s cousin Daisy and her husband Tom Buchanan (Joel Edgerton).

Upon entering this world, we are faced with an immense sense of overwhelming intensity, the editing is fast paced from one character to the other and at times you’ll feel breathless trying to keep up. You will find yourself trying to take in the scenery in front of your eyes and attempt to keep up with the storyline as well. This puts you straight in Nick’s shoes, a new world, new people and a whole new lifestyle.

Tom Buchanan is expertly played by Joel Edgerton, and is dominating in every scene, bringing a sense of rich, butch, manliness, which is neither endearing nor trustworthy. With him is Daisy, brought to life by Carey Mulligan, an interesting choice for the part, she makes a promising entrance making the character feel care free and wistful as we meet her – quite like a bubblegum princess – but as the film progresses ever so slightly fails to demonstrate the complexities and shallowness of the literary Daisy that fans of the book will have built in their minds.

Alongside these characters is Jordan Baker (newcomer Elizabeth Debriki), Daisy’s best friend, this other than Gatsby is probably the best casting of the whole film – looking like a real product of the time and acting with the arrogance and elegance you would expect from a flapper socialite. Debriki carries herself in a scene-stealing manner that, like Edgerton, dominates any screen time she has.

Onto the main man, for a modern day Jay Gatsby, Leonardo Di Caprio is the best choice. Smart, mysterious, yet at times vulnerable with a buffoon like quality; the moment the actor raises a glass to the crescendo of music with a beaming smile at one of his lavish parties, you can only imagine teenage girls once again placing posters of this man up on their wall as teenagers of over fifteen years ago did with his last outing with Luhrmann.

Bring all these characters together really does make one hell of a party, and if there’s one person who likes to put on a party bigger than Jay Gatsby, its Baz Luhrmann. This is what the audiences are most looking forward to out of his films, and if we’re honest, this is what the film is entirely sold on. Three scenes of stunning clothing, expensive jewelry, amazing choreography and stereotypical nods to the era that had it all. Once the audience is introduced to the world of Jay Gatsby’s parties, you really see the trademark Luhrmann come to life.

The Bad:

As much as this spectacle is what Luhrmann fans are craving, the novelty can only go so far. Part of the films downfall is its pressing focus on style. Sadly there is not enough substance to support it. Throughout the second half of the film, the parties dim down and you are left with the love triangle story. When you watch it unfold, you become more attuned to the flaws in the film.

The extravagant sets that populate the initial part of the film feel more contrived and fake, as there are less people in the room. It begins to feel like a play, with purpose-built backgrounds and a very clear distinction between what is a real location and what is constructed. Once once you’re aware of this, everything is so detailed and so precise. Looking back at Luhrmann’s other films, particularly Moulin Rouge, he managed to create a fake Paris that felt real. Now spoilt with an unrestricted budget and unlimited special effects, Lurhmann perhaps overloads this film with unnecessary extravagances.

All the opulent distractions allow the fundamental plot to get a little lost. Where you would expect to feel real emotion towards the situation Jay and Daisy are in, and build dislike towards Daisy’s fickle nature, you just don’t care. There are tender moments where DiCaprio shines with charming nervousness. There is a lack of focus and complexity at times in the performances which leaves them feeling forced and mechanical. There’s little to rival the iconic performance of Robert Redford and Mia Farrow that people know and love from the past Gatsby adaptation. Perhaps a simpler setting for this version could have allowed time to focus on the real story at the heart, and provide a more complex character study, which those fans of the book will crave more.

The Ugly Truth:

Depending on what you’re looking forward to most within this film, you’ll either love The Great Gatsby for its decadence or loathe it for its lack of substance. Whichever way you look at it, you’ll definitely be seeing something different to what is in the cinema at the moment.

Fans of Luhrmann’s work will enjoy seeing him bring another film to the cinema screens, however it’s hard for him to match or eclipse the giddy heights he reached with past efforts like Moulin Rouge. But if there’s one thing you do take away and treasure forever from this film, it’s the incredible soundtrack, just like Baz intended; it’s the perfect accompaniment to any party. 

Star Trek Into Darkness Review

The Plot

Captain Kirk and the intrepid crew of the Starship Enterprise find themselves tested like never before by a one man weapon of mass destruction that threatens their entire way of life. Voyaging to alien worlds and deep into hostile space they must avoid triggering intergalactic war whilst somehow facing this deadly threat from within their own ranks.

The Good

J.J. Abrams 2009 re-boot of the Star Trek movie franchise was an emphatic success. It perfectly combined subtle homage with exciting re-invention. It took all the familiar characters and elements of the beloved Star Trek universe and finally injected a much needed jolt of adrenalin. Star Trek Into Darkness is a sequel that lives up to its name, adding even more danger and darkness to an already exhilarating mix.

Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch is a fantastic fit for the villainous new threat of John Harrison. He easily twists the familiar ferocious intelligence of his small screen performances to become a memorably menacing sociopath. He’s certainly a worthy adversary for our heroes and a nemesis that will mean even more to dedicated Trekkies.

The returning cast of Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, John Cho and Simon Pegg all do equally excellent justice to the iconic crew of the Enterprise. It’s great to see Kirk, Spock and Scotty once again boldly going where they haven’t gone before. They’re all instantly recognisable without ever being mere caricatures. They’re also credibly dramatic despite frequent flashes of humour courtesy of quick quips and a well-placed array of franchise in-jokes.

So many big screen reboots fall into the trap of lazy homage and cheesy parody. The resurgent Star Trek series distinguishes itself by instead combining the best elements of the original franchise with the latest special effects, a solid cast and impressive action adventure.

The Bad

It’s genuinely a challenge to find any obvious criticisms of this sequel. Those who previously felt Star Trek was perhaps too tame and cerebral should be satisfied that the franchise has finally found some real peril, sex and violence. The crew of the Enterprise become genuine action heroes without the film having to sacrifice too much overall intelligence.

The most determined critics might attempt to accuse the film’s plot of being a tad predictable and lacking the ability to genuinely surprise.  Angry aliens and an evil genius villain are of course entirely expected foes for such genre blockbusters. But rarely is this familiar adventure told with quite so much style as in the Star Trek Universe.

The Ugly Truth

J.J. Abrams continues to steer the Star Trek franchise to stellar new heights, delivering an action packed sequel that matches high fan expectations and successfully eclipses his previous efforts. Ardent Trekkies will be delighted by the latest exploits of the Enterprise crew, but the film is equally accessible to uninitiated audiences.  Boldly go and see it as soon as you can.

 Star Trek Into Darkness Premiere Interviews and Full London Press Conference  below as a bonus:

Peaches Does Herself Review

The Plot

Electro diva Peaches displays her unique musical talents in the form of a bizarre rock opera, with help from guests including The Naked Cowgirl.

The Good

There’s no doubt that Peaches performance will be unlike anything you’ve seen before. As she takes us through a crazy storyline spliced with even crazier set pieces. Luckily though, the accompanying music is catchy enough to keep you entertained throughout.

If you’ve never had the pleasure of listening to Peaches’ music then this is as good a place to start as any. All the hits from her career thus far are showcased here with weird and wacky visuals to have you laughing out loud at some points at the sheer absurdity of it all.

With a brisk 80 minute runtime, Peaches Does Herself doesn’t give audiences much time to ponder what they’re witnessing. The film doesn’t concern itself with profound themes, instead it seems to entirely preoccupied with having lurid naughty fun. Though the film occasionally flirts with being slightly autobiographical, it has more in common with the  feverish fantasy of a wild wet dream than any meaningful reality.

The Bad

Occasionally Peaches turns to a guest to help fill some of the runtime up. The main support comes from The Naked Cowgirl, an elderly lady who screams profanity whilst wondering around in a bikini and cowboy hat. Although thankfully she doesn’t appear as much as she could have, The Naked Cowgirl’s appearance turns the whole affair from unintentionally funny and ridiculous to just plain odd and at times, disgusting.

Peaches unrelenting fixation on genitalia and her trademark brand of electronic musical sleaze certainly won’t appeal to all tastes. Not everyone wants to see an OAP light matches with her nipples in the middle of a nude transgender  ballet. For those uninitiated in the strange ‘teaches of Peaches’ it may be an unwelcome shock.

The Ugly Truth

It’s hard to compare this to anything else you’ll have seen but the closest you can get is that it could be the outcome of The Mighty Boosh crossed with The Rocky Horror Picture Show and dipped in acid just to make things that much more crazier. Yet still there’s something oddly captivating about it.

At no point in your life will you particularly need this film. However if you somehow come across it you won’t be too disappointed. In fact there’s a possibility you’ll be slightly pleased.

Beautiful Thing Review

The Plot

Set on a rough-diamond of a Thamesmead estate, mouthy single Mum Sandra holds together an eclectic bunch of disenfranchised kids. Her son, 15 year old Jamie is beginning to experience the joys of bunking PE lessons much to his mother’s feisty disapproval. Meanwhile, Sandra’s posh hippie lover-boy doesn’t see what  the fuss is about, choosing to don his girlfriend’s skimpy dressing gowns and prance about the stage.

Friend and next-door neighbor, Leah, has been excluded from school and so has turned her attentions to perfecting her Mama Cass impersonation. The final piece in this concrete jigsaw is neighbor Ste, who finds refuge in Sandra’s flat as he escapes his abusive father.

Of course, as so often good stories are, this is a love story through and through as a relationship blossoms between Ste and Jamie and the pair fall head-over-heels in love.

The Good

Quite simply, this is the most stunning, beautiful, hilarious, powerful and (oh heck) the best play we’ve ever seen in the West End. In a nutshell,  the play combines the intimacy and realistic acting that we all know and love from film and telly with the immediate presence and raw, live experiences of theatre. It’s a winning combination.

Beautiful Thing superbly explores the challenges, pains and joys of first love. Though it’s rightly praised for it’s sensitive handling of specific issues surrounding gay relationships the social and emotional themes tackled by this flawless production are universally applicable. Though the play cannot avoid having political significance, particularly given the current global debate about gay marriage, it goes beyond soapbox politics to effect audiences in a much more profound and emotionally effective way.

The play’s core cast of Suranne Jones (Sandra), Jake Davies (Jamie) and Danny-Boy Hatchard (Ste) are all absolutely fantastic as they breath dramatic life into the respective  tribulations of parenthood and endearingly tentative romance. Watching a believable family and young couple deal with gay love offers an undeniably  effective argument for tolerance and gay rights.

The Bad

It’s rare even for the high standards of the West End, but for once it’s hard to find a flaw in this production.

The Ugly Truth

It’s twenty years since Jonathan Harvey’s gay coming-out/coming-of- age story first took to the stage and it continues to grow more relevant and poignant. The play’s run has coincided (almost, too) perfectly with the rest of the world’s antics. The opening night just so happened to fall on the same day that New Zealand passed legislation in support of gay marriage. We urge you to support this superb production and visit the Art theatre before it’s run end son 25th May.

Exclusive Cast Interviews below from the official After Party:
 

Evil Dead Review

The Plot

A group of teenagers gather together in a desolate cabin in the woods to help their friend overcome her drug addiction. But, when a hidden basement containing a deadly book is found, a bloodbath soon begins.

The Good

Usually, when Hollywood dares to touch the legacy of cult classics in the form of the dreaded remake; it doesn’t go all too well. However when the writer/director, lead actor and producer of the original are all producing said remake as in this case, it’s a blessing.

Evil Dead is everything fans of the first will hope for, and serves well as an introduction to newcomers. The blood, guts and gore are all turned up to eleven in true Sam Raimi style along with lovely nods to the film that started it all, which will have old fans giggling in glee and new ones witnessing in wonder. And it seems that the franchise is on its way to resurrection, with a sequel already planned and a continuation of the original series in the works. With this will surely come the rise of a new fan base along with the resurrection of the old one.

With a ninety minute runtime, the film gets into the swing of things quite quickly, with dismembered body parts being thrown around the screen like there’s no tomorrow. It also seems that there’s no limit to the amount of blood that can be used in one film. This is definitely not one for the squeamish…

The Bad

Anyone who’s seen the original won’t be very surprised with the remake. Although there are some changes, most notably the added back story of a drug addicts intervention, it’s really nothing you won’t have seen before. The script doesn’t seem to want to dwell too much on character and story building and instead tries to get that part over as soon as possible in order to get to what sells.

The demon possessions and jump scares seem to go on and on, making a ninety minute film seem more like two hours. Just as you think the film is slowing down to the end credits, all of a sudden it will speed right back up again.

And of course, as seems to happen with most films these days, scenes which might have sold the film to you in the trailer don’t actually make the final cut.

The Ugly Truth

Evil Dead is definitely one for the fans. A great throwback to a horror which defined a generation and will forever live in film censor’s memories. Whilst there are no real risks taken in the remake, it will at least leave you wanting to go back and watch the originals again. As well as hopefully make newcomers want to give the originals a try for the first time.

Check out our video Interviews below with Director Fede Alvarez and beautiful star Jane Levy: