Private Space

Just finished watching this masterpiece for the second time.

And I’m a sucker for a good action film but this isn’t just a good action film. This is so much more…

It’s a bank robbery extravaganza! It’s a world class thriller! And it’s got a cast to die for.

Ben Affleck is perfect for the strong ex drug addict who’s tired of the criminal life. Jeremy Renner is chilling as the loose canon in the group. Rebecca Hall and Blake Lively are the perfect contrast to each other and add some depth to Affleck’s character. Chris Cooper and Pete Postlethwaite play the old dogs to perfection. And Jon Hamm is Jon Hamm. Charming, clever but with a ‘fuck you’ attitude.

Within the first ten minutes of this film, you will be hooked. I guarantee it.

I’ve said the word perfect three times now, and I’m racking my brain for another word that describes The Town. I’ve got nothing.

It’s quite quickly become one of my all time favourite films and it should definitely be one of yours too…

Ben Affleck is without a doubt the director to watch.

For those of you who are beginning to trust my opinions, please take my advice.

WATCH THIS FILM.

And watch it soon, because it’s a very intelligent and insightful look in to celebrity culture and the profession of the paparazzi.

I’d be the first to admit that the concept sounds boring and superficial but it cleverly pieces together both sides opinions on paparazzi and helps educate on the publics obsession with celebrities as a whole.

And it does so by telling the story of a 14 year boy who paparazzi’s on the streets of Hollywood. 

And whilst the film and it’s director are trying to get a greater understanding of this kid and his profession, they actually become very drawn in to the story. Adrian begins to care about Austin (pictured above) and worries for his welfare and increasing interest in fame for himself.

It’s truly fascinating, very touching and quite amusing at times… 

Turns out Grenier is definitely not just an actor, and as much as I’m saddened by the fact that Entourage is ending in a few weeks, it takes the edge off to know that we have more films like this to look forward to.

Seen all the films, read none of the books. Just so we’re clear. This is not my opinions on the books (because I’m sure they’re as spectacular as everyone says). It’s my opinion on the film series…

It’s historic. It’s fantastical. It’s charming and it’s magical. And I’m a poet and I didn’t know it.

Sorry.

But it is extremely historic. Forget the box office records which it has smashed to pieces by the way. Just think about the size and magnitude of it’s following and it’s worldwide appeal. It’d be hard to be unimpressed by such a tremendous piece of film history.

That being said, I don’t enjoy it anymore. Something was lost (or found perhaps) in my viewing experience. I was 10 when the first film came out and I can honestly say, at the time, it was awesome. It was fun and adventurous but had a real British charm to it. But somewhere along this ten year trip, it lost it’s spark for me. It became just another film that I felt I had to see because everyone else was seeing it. There was a definite sense of commitment and entrapment to the whole thing. And I felt as though a weight had been lifted from my shoulders when I finally got around to watching the final instalment the other day.

I think I’m right in saying that at least 95% of the people who read the books, enjoyed them more than the films.

And with that (entirely made up) percentage, I can’t help feel that maybe the books were so good because making up magical lands and otherworldly creatures in your head is more fun than actually seeing them on a screen.

And from what I gather from speaking to greater fans of Harry Potter than myself, the films just could not cram in enough of the details that made Harry Potter such an incredible book series.

Somethings just don’t translate on film. And that’s the only conclusion I have. I can tell, without reading the books, that this is a phenomenon. It’s a series like no other and it will be loved and followed for years to come. But the films don’t quite deserve the following they get. But maybe that’s saying more about people’s increasingly poor taste in film than it is this series. 

For example… These are four of the top ten grossing films of all time: 

PIrates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Transformers: Dark Of Moon

Alice In Wonderland

Case in point.

Man On A Ledge - A heist thriller starring Sam Worthington and Jamie Bell. One man distracts police by standing on a ledge threatening to jump whilst his brother pulls of the biggest diamond heist of all time. Sounds boring eh?

This Means War - An action comedy starring Tom Hardy, Chris Pine and Reese Witherspoon. The two guys play spies who go to war in an attempt to win over Reese Witherspoon. The cast is promising but the premise is hit or miss. We’ll have to see.

Haywire - An action thriller, Steven Soderbergh directs and it stars Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender and Channing Tatum to name a few. It looks like a mix of Bourne and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, so don’t miss it.

The Bourne Legacy - I’m shocked to be endorsing this because how can a Bourne film not have Matt Damon? It’s like Die Hard without John McClane. But Hollywood is set on proving all the haters wrong by casting Jeremy Renner, Edward Norton and Rachel Weisz. I’m still cautious but those three have the potential to start a new trilogy.

Looper - Not an obvious choice, but the indie director or Brick and Brothers Bloom is bringing a mind-bending action thriller and has cast Bruce Willis, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Emily Blunt. Interesting cast and apparently a very interesting script.

The Amazing Spiderman - Directed by (500) Days Of Summer director Marc Webb and starring the incredible young talents of Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. I’m unsurprised to here a lot of scepticism towards this film. After all it was only a decade ago that Tobey’s spiderman graced us. But trust me, it’ll be fresh and hopefully a lot better (see trailer for evidence).

Savages - Oliver Stone has put together a fascinating ensemble cast with Aaron Johnson, Benicio Del Toro, Emile Hirsch, Uma Thurman and John Travolta to name just a few. It’s about two drug manufacturers forced into conflict with a Mexican drug cartel.

Bond 23 - I’ve never been the biggest Bond fan. Like most I enjoy Casino Royale and then was utterly disappointed with its predecessor so when I heard of a third starring the sometimes bland Daniel Craig I didn’t exactly leap for joy. But the news of Sam Mendes’ involvement is fascinating and I can’t help wonder about the possibilities.

Dark Knight Rises - I’m not going to reel off all the A-List names but with Tom Hardy and Anne Hathaway added to this historic series, I expect nothing but a brilliant finale from Nolan. The only doubt in my mind is, how do you follow The Dark Knight?

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Peter Jackson was clearly the only man for the job. I’m thrilled he’s on board and Martin Freeman should be the perfect fit. One can only hope the two films don’t hit their head on the bar that was raised so high by The Lord Of The Rings trilogy.

Django Unchained - Quentin Tarantino’s next is about an ex slave who sets out to take revenge on his former master. The story sounded exciting by itself but with the news that Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz and Leonardo DiCaprio are all officially cast, I can’t help think Quentin is going to make yet another violent masterpiece.

If you’ve seen enough of her films, you have no other decision than to agree with me.

She’s got the entire package.

She’s got the looks. Effortless looks as well may I add.

She’s hilarious. You don’t need much more proof than Mean Girls for this. But if you do, just check out every film she’s in. She’s got great comedic timing and I’m hoping she’ll be recruited by Judd Apatow soon enough.

She’s en-route for an Oscar. Give it a few years and I’d be shocked if she wasn’t starting what is likely to be a huge collection considering her list of incredible roles already.

The one doubt I had about Rachel McAdams was that she might not be able to hold down a film by herself. She is an incredible lead but she’s always had some pretty stellar male leads alongside her…

Ryan Gosling in The Notebook

Cillian Murphy in Red Eye

Russell Crowe in State Of Play

Robert Downey Jr in Sherlock Holmes

However, she proved me wrong by holding her own in Morning Glory and The Time Travellers Wife.

And please don’t think I’m blinded by my love for Rachel McAdams here.

I fully admit that those two films (the later in particular) leave a lot to be desired. But McAdams is great in both of them. She brings class to otherwise mediocre films.

And that’s it ladies and gentlemen. Class. That’s why Rachel McAdams is one of a kind. She’s classy and I have no doubt that she always will be. So quote me on this one now… She is going to be the Meryl Streep of our generation. Start to recognise or jump on the band wagon when she starts sweeping up all her Oscars…

Tom Hanks.

I watched Green Mile and Cast Away a week or so ago and rediscovered something that should never be forgotten;

Tom Hanks is the most loveable and watchable actor of his generation (if not all time)

This should be news to no one. (In my opinion) He’s wasted the last few years with The Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons and a few others which honestly I haven’t seen because they haven’t interested me. But that can never hide the truth of Tom Hanks’ brilliance.

I give lists on tumblr. That’s pretty much all I do, so check out this one;

Big

Philadelphia

Forrest Gump

Apollo 13

Saving Private Ryan

Green Mile

Cast Away

Road To Perdition

Catch Me If You Can

The Terminal

Not to mention voicing one of the most loved animated characters of all time.

I can’t stress that list enough. It is unquestionably one of the most varied filmographies of any actor. Yet each one is just as enjoyable and loveable as the next.

To you, the image below is of Tom Hanks starring in Forrest Gump. To me, it’s what I imagine will happen if Tom Hanks ever decides to run away and quit acting. And i’ll be right at the front of the pack chasing him.

He’s made some tremendous acting decisions.

And I admire him even more as a producer (for which he is become extremely talented).

But I just can’t shake the feeling that leaving Jennifer Aniston all those years ago was a big mistake.

I like Angelina Jolie as well! But Jennifer Aniston just has the quality. That marry her and grow old with her quality. 

It’s his life, and I’m sure he’s perfectly happy.

But does this not look like a picture perfect moment?