“Spotlight” (2015) by Tom McCarthy

A fascinating experience. This film is much easier to watch than I had anticipated. It is well paced and somehow lacks intense scenes which is a big advantage given the incredibly difficult topic.

Long (over two hours), slow and yet not one scene is unnecessary. Edited and skilfully focusing on all the details, historic places and events.

Michael Keaton, who is no longer Batman or Birdman. He is a middle aged American journalist with mannerisms and a sort of hidden charisma.

John Slattery (Mad Men’s own Roger Sterling), Mark Ruffalo, Liev Schreiber (Ray Donovan) – in calm roles of people who work hard in professional journalism.

Deservedly Best Picture Winner in 2016 – with Oscar bagged.

It is a rare example of an ensemble cast where every character is in fact a leading role. Good homework on the realistic settings, costumes and ambience.

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“LOLO” by Julie Delpy (2015)

Funny, smart, intriguing – intense dialogues and a surprising turn of events. Something I like to see in comedy.

It’s reminded me of Woody Allen, but it’s lighter, more feminine. Just like Julie Delpy is a lighter, more feminine artist than Allen.

At first it is not obvious as to why the title character is not present at the beginning of the movie, but then gradually we find out why he is so important to the main protagonist – Violette played by Julie Delpy herself.

 

Very pleasant film to watch on a Saturday afternoon and like Two days in Paris – I will be getting back to this film with pleasure.

“Joy” by David O. Russel (2015)

Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper in a slightly different combination than in “Silver Linings Playbook” – this time De Niro is Lawrence’s father rather than Cooper’s. Why the switch? Just a bow to the previous film? Maybe.

Based on a true story, the film shows a struggle to make dreams come true – when you’re a woman – divorced, with children and a complicated living situation (grandma, mother, parents, who are divorced and ex-husband + plumber – all live under one roof. And Joy has a business idea.

It’s less absorbing than the above mentioned “Silver Linings Playbook”. Perhaps because there is no love theme.

Interesting story, but not the most successful presentation.  There are other, more interesting films to watch this season.

 

Spectre by Sam Mendes (2015) – the new James Bond movie

One more time Daniel Craig as 007. Again, Ralph Fiennes as M.
The Blond Bond begins to show grey hair, but one surprisingly strong character turns out to be Q (Ben Whishaw again), who suddenly appears in the field rather than solely remain in the HQ.
What I liked about Spectre – it nicely circles back to the original Casino Royale, to Quantum of Solace and to Skyfall – paying tribute to Craig’s previous Bond movies. It does more than that as – one attentive viewer may note – there are subtle nods to Casablanca, and previous James Bond films.
Amazingly shot, beautifully edited, with breathtaking racing scenes and charming Bond, as ever, with devilishly blue eyes and soft heart, as ever.
Great dialogues too, full of irony, double entendres and class. Slightly more is served on a silver plate, sligthly less is left for interpretation. Good one Mr. Mendes. I sincerely hope this is not the last time for Daniel Craig as Bond.

“Irrational Man” by Woody Allen (2015)

Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, Parker Posey.
Sadly repetitive. There was (at least) one Woody Allen film exploring a similar theme.
Student falls for a professor, professor engages in an affair with the student and with a colleague’s wife (finally Parker Posey in visible supporting role). He commits a perfect crime, and pays the price.

Great soundtrack. Also, Joaquin Phoenix in an excellent role. Now I’m curious about his next choice. I will definitely want to watch it.

However, the last Woody Allen film that I honestly enjoyed was “Midnight in Paris”. This is one to skip.

“Amy” by Asif Kapadia (2015)

Documentaries are my favourite genre. And documentaries related to music personae in particular.

Kapadia got access to private archives of Amy Winehouse’s family and friends. Thanks to that, we received an in depth presentation of who Amy Winehouse was prior to releasing her hit album Back to Black which turned her life upside down.

In one of the first scenes Amy sings a simple “Happy Birthday” to her friend filming her. She was 14 at the time and her voice already gave incredible chills to my spine.
Her voice was great, she was a hard working musician throughout her career, however, unfortunately, she was prone to influences, which led her to drugs and alcohol addictions.
From the film, we find out through the words of none other but Tony Bennett himself, that Amy Winehouse was a great jazz vocalist.

The film is a bit too long, also I was missing the hard data of numbers – e.g. it is not stated when she was born, and how old she was when she passed. The general knowledge is that she joined the infamous 27 Club. At the age of 27 she died of alcohol poisoning. And that was the age that many other great artists passed away. Such as Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Kobain…

Great film telling the story of a tragic and incredibly sensitive artist – Amy Winehouse. A great watch.