Film Review | First Man

First Man is directed by Damien Chazelle and stars Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy.

Drama, Biography. Released 2018.

First Man is Damien Chazelle's third major motion picture, and tells the personal story of Neil Armstrong and the build-up to him making history as the first man to step on the moon. 

Due to Chazelle's previous work, Whiplash and La La Land, this was a film that I was looking forward to, especially since it is Damien Chazelle & Ryan Gosling's second team-up following their musical masterpiece from two years ago. 

Film Review | Crazy Rich Asians

Crazy Rich Asians is directed by Jon M. Chu and stars Constance Wu and Henry Golding.

Romance/Comedy. Released 2018.

Based on the novel by Kevin Kwan, Crazy Rich Asians is a romantic, feel-good comedy which follows New Yorker Rachel Chu to meet her boyfriend's wealthy family in Singapore. 

I didn't really have any expectations for this film. I wasn't aware of it until it was initially released and started to build some traction. However, when it came round to actually watching it, I was looking forward to it - I had heard that it was a really solid feel-good film so I already knew I was going to have a good time. 

Film Review | A Star Is Born

A Star Is Born is directed by Bradley Cooper and stars Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga.

Released 2018. Drama, Music, Romance.

Accomplished musician Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) discovers and falls in love with struggling artist Ally (Lady Gaga). As her career takes off, their personal relationship is breaking down, as Jack fights an ongoing battle with his internal demons.

Naturally, this was one of my most highly anticipated films of the year - Bradley Cooper is a terrific actor, and I couldn't wait to see how he collaborated with Lady Gaga: undisputedly one of the most talented individuals on the planet. Regardless of my excitement and the faultless, glowing reviews, I was worried A Star Is Born wouldn't live up to my inevitably sky-high expectations.

Film Review | The Nun

The Nun is directed by Corin Hardy and stars Taissa Farmiga and Demián Bichir. 

Released 2018. Horror, Mystery, Thriller. 

Having seen and enjoyed The Conjuring 2, I was very excited about the announcement that we would be getting an Annabelle-style spin off film for the Nun who lightly featured in the 2016 horror hit. The concept of finding out the past of the Nun was very appealing to me and many others. So, after two years of anticipation, has the wait paid off?

Summer 2018 Round-Up

Summer 2018 has been busy. Some disappointments, but the majority were fun at the very least. Today I'm going to be covering this Summer's five highest grossing films and sharing my thoughts. 

Film Review | Adrift

Adrift is directed by Baltasar Kormákur and stars Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin.

Drama/Adventure/Romance. Released 2018.

Adrift tells the true story of Tami Oldham (Shailene Woodley) and Richard Sharp (Sam Claflin), a couple who venture out to sea and encounter one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in history.

Before seeing Adrift, I was mainly anticipating the likely stellar performances from both stars, seeing as I have thoroughly enjoyed watching their performances in the past, specifically Woodley's, having delivered awards-worthy (yet not recognised to be so) performances in The Fault In Our Stars, The Spectacular Now, The Descendants...

...And now, Adrift.

Film Review | Incredibles 2

Incredibles 2 is written and directed by Brad Bird and features voice work from Craig T. Nelson and Holly Hunter.

Action/Adventure/Family. Released 2018.

Incredibles 2 picks up exactly where the 2004 Pixar classic ended, and the Parr family are faced with the opportunity to rehabilitate the legal status of supers as a result of a new project brought about by the Deavor siblings, seeing as a new threat, Screenslaver, is on the rise. This is all whilst grappling with the cons of being a super when applying themselves to normal-life scenarios as well as being challenged by their inescapable responsibilities to lead a domestic and peaceful life. 

As the extensive 14-year-long waiting game for a sequel to Pixar's The Incredibles was coming to a close, I was beginning to wonder whether it would live up to the ever-growing expectations set by the first film. However, now the wait is over, it is incredibly thrilling for me to say that Incredibles 2 absolutely does.

FIVE-STAR FRIDAY | La La Land

Before I begin this review, I have started this new segment called 'Five Star Friday' where I will be discussing and reviewing some of my favourite films, regardless of when they were released. I thought it would be appropriate to start with La La Land, since I saw this at the very beginning of 2017, which is pretty much the last time I spoke on here. On with the review :)

La La Land is written and directed by Damien Chazelle and stars Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling.

Drama/Romance/Musical. Released 2016. 

La La Land tells the story of two individuals with big dreams. While trying to build their Los Angeles careers, an actress (Emma Stone) and a jazz pianist (Ryan Gosling) fall in love.

The initial concept of this film grabbed me before I had even watched a single trailer. A golden era style film set in modern-day-Hollywood about ambition and big dreams is a quintessential description of a film that was made for me. And yes, almost two years onward, I still feel it was.

Film Review | Tomb Raider

Tomb Raider is directed by Roar Uthaug and stars Alicia Vikander and Dominic West.

Action/Adventure/Fantasy. Released 2018.

Before even watcing Tomb Raider, I was invested in this new take on Lara Croft as opposed to the voguey Angelina Jolie version. Alicia Vikander is a great actress as well as being very grounded and natural, and I was looking forward to seeing how that would translate on screen.

Film Review | Red Sparrow

Red Sparrow is directed by Francis Lawrence and stars Jennifer Lawrence and Joel Edgerton.

Drama/Mystery/Thriller. Released 2018.

Jennifer Lawrence is easily one of the best young actresses working today. Therefore, I already had an innate anticipation for Red Sparrow, especially since she is re-teaming with director Francis Lawrence having already made three films together as a result of The Hunger Games franchise, which is loved by many, including me - I trust this team.

Film Review | Black Panther

Black Panther is directed by Ryan Coogler and stars Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong'o and Michael B. Jordan.

Action/Sci-Fi/Adventure. Released 2018.

I was highly anticipating this film, primarily because T'Challa made such an impression on many audience members (including myself) in Captain America: Civil War. This was in addition with the fact that in Black Panther, fans would be introduced to the brand new world of Wakanda, rich in history and progressive in technology. 

And this anticipation immensely paid off.

Film Review | Maze Runner: The Death Cure

Maze Runner: The Death Cure is directed by Wes Ball and stars Dylan O'Brien, Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Kaya Scodelario.

Action/Sci-Fi/Thriller. Released 2018.

It had been almost two and a half years since the simply okay second entry in this franchise was released and a long while since I read the James Dashner's books, so I wasn't immensely anticipating this finale due to my gradually deteriorating interest in the story and world. But I stuck by it.

Film Review | Insidious: The Last Key

Insidious: The Last Key is directed by Adam Robitel and stars Lin Shaye.

Horror/Mystery/Thriller. Released 2018.

Before seeing this film, I didn't really have any expectations. They weren't high, nor were they low. Although I enjoy the previous entries in the Insidious franchise, I wasn't hugely concerned about whether this fourth entry was bad or good.

And it's alright. There isn't enough genuine substance and story to applaud it, however there is enough redeemable quality such as the lead performance and some inventive scares that prevent it from being bad. 

Top 10 Blockbusters 2017

This doesn't really need explaining... Let's get started :)

UPDATE

After a year and a half, I am here again. I have a 3 month window of no school, exams, revision, stress, etcetera, so I thought that this would be the perfect opportunity to start this ball rolling again.