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.