grumpyduck Reviews

Eddie the Eagle (2015)

A true underdog story,,,

[9/10 · 9 April 2016]

Loved this film, Taron Egerton is completely believable in the role of Michael (Eddie) "The Eagle " Edwards, he brings this true story to life.

I remember watching the 1988 Olympics and routing for Eddie along with 90% of Britain.

The addition of Hugh Jackman, as a failed US jumper and Eddies coach, will hopefully make the film more appealing to American audiences than it would have if they had been more biopic like in the storytelling.

I found the film uplifting, full of heart, funny and inspiring, a true underdog story with a message for those who get knocked back by people in charge...NEVER GIVE UP .

An absolute treat.

The Huntsman: Winter's War (2016)

A very capable sequel

[7/10 · 9 April 2016]

A sequel to Snow White and The Huntsman a film that I enjoyed, although I missed Kirsten Stewart Jessica Chastain, Emily Blunt and the always fantastic Charlize Theron more than make up for her loss.

Hemsworth (awful Scottish accent aside) continues to make a great hero in this sword and sorcery romp through fairy-tale lands, there's comedy relief from Rob Brydon and Nick Frost reprising their roles as two of the 7 dwarfs ably supported by an absolutely fantastic Sheridan Smith.

The CGI was passable and the story drives along at a fair old lick, there's action, romance, a capable hero, his equally able female partner, deliciously evil queens and scary monsters, what more could you want from a fantasy film..?

10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

Hey Shyamalan This is how you do it..!

[9/10 · 9 April 2016]

Hey Shyamalan, you should go and see this film and remember how good you used to be.

10 Cloverfield Lane is a great film, tightly filmed in a cramped underground bunker the tension never lets up, Trachtenberg ramps up the tension revealing the secrets of Winstead's surroundings and bunker-mates whilst teasing what may/may not have happened in the outside world.

John Goodman OWNS this film, simultaneously gentle, kind and well meaning, along with threatening, scary and intensely frightening he is a powerhouse in this film.

The breathless pace never lets up, as we join Mary Elizabeth Winsteads Michelle in her quest to discover the truth behind her surroundings, Goodman's creepy Howard and her true situation, the time flies by and I for one was unsure where the film might end.

Suffice to say the ending will split audiences, it brought me back to the twisting denouements of previous films like The Mist and The Sixth Sense, lots will denigrate it but I for one loved it and I actually wouldn't mind seeing the further adventures of Michelle..

An absolute treat.

The Walk (II) (2015)

Lost Icons

[9/10 · 2 October 2015]

The Walk is not just a marvellous retelling of the story of Phillipe Petit's "coup" of a tightrope walk across the void between the twin towers of the World Trade Centre, it's a warmhearted tribute to those beautiful icons.

I actually felt a kind of emptiness inside me when I looked upon their majestic beauty on the glorious IMAX 3D screen. Petits' wonder at the immenseness of them was palpable. Robert Zemekis has bought them back to life so well it was nearly impossible to believe that they are actually gone.

The slow build up covering Petit's early life and first steps on a high wire made the last 45 minutes of the film all the more poignant. Even though I knew of his audacious plan and it's outcome through the documentary "Man On Wire", the heart stopping moments of his near discovery and the culmination of the actual walk had my palms sweating.

The unbelievable vistas and vertigo inducing shots of the towers and New York created by Zemekis are just beautiful, Joseph Gordon Levitt (dodgy accent moments aside) does a great job of bringing Petits' "joie de vivre" eccentricity and earnestness to the screen.

The supporting cast of team members do a fine job especially Charlotte Le Bon, though Ben Kingsley can do roles like mentor Papa Rudy in his sleep.

See this in 3D and IMAX if you can. It's worth it.

The Martian (2015)

A Return to form for Sir Ridley Scott.

[9/10 · 2 October 2015]

Ridley Scott in a return to form absolutely nails Andy Weirs' best selling novel in an sprawling survival tale on the distant planet Mars. His use of 3D makes you a visitor to the sprawling Martian landscapes, putting you right in the heart of the action, whilst Matt Damon, with an outstanding performance, makes the abandoned astronaut Mark Watney someone you root for throughout the entire 140 minutes. Damon's easy going manner, the gorgeous cinematography and solid support from the rest of the cast make this an absolute treat. Toning down the science of the brilliant novel for the masses is a masterstroke in screen writing and the inclusion of some fantastic pop songs bolster the great score. I was a little disappointed that some parts of the novel were skipped over but all in all I loved it.