Tag Archives: Colin Firth

Magic in the Moolight

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Magic in the Moonlight
Magic in the Moonlight was an okay film. The plot was simple enough and it started very well. A family close ranks when they believe a girl who’s getting closer through a family member might be passing herself off as a clairvoyant but is actually a fraud.

Colin Firth plays Stanley, who’s revealed fakers before as he also has a stage persona magician Wei Long So. So he knows the tricks of the trade. Is the girl Sophie (Emma Stone – The Amazing Spiderman 1&2) all that she appears? Does she have any special gifts?
Brice Catledges (Hamish Link later – Fantastic 4) is head over heels about her.

But his family think Brice is being taken for a ride. It’s imperative that Stanley finds out the truth. However the more he spends time with Sophie, the more Stanley likes her. More and more he becomes convinced that she has a special gift. And then he realises he has fallen for her.

Then the film turns tail, with his aunt’s car crash, which makes him disown the supernatural inkling he has had. Whilst Sophie is found to be in league with his rival Howard!

What started off as a charming film became somewhat lost and disjointed. Colin Firth was great but even he could not save this offering once it went off the track. It would have been nice if Sophie actually had a gift. But the film world never does anything different. No, she has to be a fraud. And Stanley battles whether to expose her or forgive her.

I think the script suffered because, for me, it was like it was written by two different people. So one part was the meeting of Sophie and believing she was real etc. Then suddenly she’s not and the second half was very different in tone to the first.

The thing I did like was the scenery, there was some great footage particularly when Stanley took Sophie to see his aunt. But great scenery can only do so much.

Emma Stone did well with the role of Sophie, but it wasn’t her best role. The other members were okay and maybe this didn’t help the film either. OK won’t win Oscars.

So I will give this 5/10. Not the worst I’ve seen but far too predictable with no dazzle or shine to sustain it. Maybe this might work as a Sunday night film but if this was a DVD I’d wait till it was on sale £3!

Image reproduced from wikipedia.com
Trailer reproduced from CBM Trailers.

KINGSMAN – SECRET SERVICE

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Kingsman - The Secret Service by Source.
Kingsman Secret Service is another comic book adaptation but this is a clever way of introducing a new angle onto a ‘James Bond theme’. Secret Service films have a lot of pressure to be individual and not be compared with the mighty Bond.

I think this does this well. Gary Unwin ‘Eggsy’ (played by Taron Egerton) is enrolled into the secret service and trained to take down a terrible villain – with the usual mad plan for world domination!

Before he joins Gary is simply existing and life is very boring indeed. He has not stuck at jobs and doesn’t know what might fulfil him. When he gets into a big pickle he calls a number that’s on the back of a medal, that was given to him when he was little.

This is how he meets Hart aka Agent Galahad (Colin Firth) and gets involved in the service. He has to see off the competition in training and then there was two. He doesn’t secure the last place, Roxy (Sophie Cookson) does.

Interim the mad villain Valentine (Samuel L Jackson – Mac Windu!) steps up his plans. People get blown up. But Hart is made of sterner stuff, even when injured he’s still going!

But ultimately for Gary to be a true Kingsman, he’ll have to dig deep, suffer huge losses and tackle the formidable Valentine. The question is can he rise to the challenge?

This film packs a punch and breathes new life into a tried and tested formula. That’s no easy feat. All the cast gelled and the partnerships also made the film very enjoyable.

A few rough edges to smooth in the performances, but the bar has been set and I am hopeful there will be sequels!

8/10 from me. I’ve rarely been so surprised by a film and it’s nice to know you can never tell.

Taron has a very bright future ahead of him if the Kingsman films are made regularly (one very few years like Bond).

Colin proves he still has the magic touch by bringing another inspiring performance. He’s so different in everything he does.

And Samuel is always wonderful whether playing the good or bad guy.

Image reproduced from Wikipedia (Poster by Source).
Trailer reproduced from 20th Century Fox.

Film Review: The Railway Man

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The Railway Man
The Railway Man was a very good movie. It stars Colin Firth (Kings Speech/Bridget Jones/BBC’s Pride & Prejudice), Nicole Kidman (Batman Forever/Bewitched) and Stellan Skarsgard (Thor/Avengers).

A man makes a journey to find the main man who tortured him during the war. It sounds a simple plot but the acting was outstanding and it gripped me.

The character of Eric Lomax is shared between Colin playing the older Eric Lomax. Jeremy Irvine (War Horse) is the younger Eric. Eric during World War II is taken captive by the Japanese. Of course officers were tortured for information and he must endure agony as he’s torn between duty and emotion.

Colin Firth has played many roles, and he never ceases to amaze me how different he is in very single movie I’ve seen him in. No signs of Mr Darcy here. His wife Patti (Kidman) helps him as time goes by but the nightmares continue. Also helping him is his best pal Finlay (Skarsgard). Returning to the where it all happened was very brave and something that takes a lot of courage. The images of horror would still be fresh as if they happened yesterday – time does not heal all wounds.

The drama between victim and captor was just outstanding, you were left in no doubt scars run deep. I know I’m enjoying a movie when I’m getting involved in the characters lives. I’m not fussing about plots lines. This is something you can sit back and get engrossed in.

Raw human emotions were played out beautifully. Another stunning performance from Nicole Kidman. These two were magic together as the troubled husband and wife. Would it all be too much for our poor hero Eric? Would he get the apology he wants from his nemesis? And if he did, would that be enough to move on?

There was also ample talent from the Japanese cast. Like a well baked cake, all the ingredients came together to make a whopper of a dessert.

Truly gripping and one of the best films I’ve seen this year. You don’t always need CGI and epic wars to get movie gold. This is proof of that.

I truly hope Firth and Kidman will team up again. It would be a crime if they never got another project together. This is such a well deserved 10 of 10 from me. Please put this movie on your do to list!

Image reproduced from wikipedia.com
Trailer reproduced from LionsgateFilmsUK