joyfuljaymac Reviews

Cyberbully (2015 TV Movie)

Cybertastic...

[9/10 · 16 January 2015]

'Cyberbully' is genuinely one of the best short dramas I've seen in channel four in a long time.

Knowing that it is based on true stories make it more relatable to audiences of teenagers who are the victims and also speaks to those who ARE the bully whether it be in person or on the web, and this could easily happen to someone one in your school life. It makes you realise that anything posted on the internet can last a life time and that kids should consider and be responsible for what they post or say online as it could end up wreaking someone's life.

Maisie Williams who plays Casey, gives an amazing performance as the one off drama is essentially based around her character in her own bedroom, she gives layers to her character and manages to hold her own. She is a rising star for me and will watch more of her work in the future.

The most chilling thing for me is that a hacker manages to get in to her computer which is a warning that it could happen to you and makes me think about how easily it could happen of I was ever careless online. I would recommend this to future parents to help them understand he risks and to make sure their children use the internet safely.

Chasing Shadows (I) (2014)

Not your typical policemen..

[8/10 · 29 September 2014]

'Chasing Shadows' is a new crime drama starring Reece Shearsmith (The league of gentlemen) and Alex Kingston (Doctor Who) based around the missing persons unit.

Reece plays Ds Sean Stone, a detective who has little trouble working with the people around him and who needs to hire someone to remind him to eat, clean his clothes etc.. but other then that he has a brilliant mind and is always focused on the case. After having embarrassed the station during a live TV interview, he his reassigned a new partner Ruth Hattersley played by Alex Kingston how is recently divorced and is now back living with her mother as well as having a son who takes too much interest in her work for her liking.

Reece is exceptional, playing Sean must have been one of his most difficult roles as he has to try to avoid natural acting instincts like looking people in the eye. At points you want to slap him and other times you want to give him a hug.

'Chasing Shadows' is gripping, intelligent, funny and worthy of a second season, trust me you'll want another after watching the final episode.

Oculus (2013)

Better then expected...

[7/10 · 24 June 2014]

'Oculus' is about a brother and sister duo who team up to finally stop the evil force residing in the mirror from their family home.

The idea of the film is very original, instead of a mirror which kills people, it's a mirror that possess people in order to do it's bidding. The film does start of a little slow but it keeps building with suspense which makes it enticing to watch. The actors did a fine job, Karen especially as learning how do a different accent is tricky, at some points it slips but it doesn't take away from her performance. The children playing their younger selves were amazing, keep an eye on them as we could be seeing them grow into superstars and having to deal with material like this shows how mature and adventurous they are.

They way the film is edited it perfect. When the past starts to collide with the future and seeing the ghosts standing at the window was amazing to witness. The ghosts are particularity creepy but done in such a way that it's not too corny.

Overall, it was not as bad as i thought it would be. It's a original piece of film that has a decent plot line but at points is confusing with an ending you will not see coming.

7/10.

Never Let Me Go (2010)

'Are We All Complete?

[7/10 · 22 December 2013]

I've just finished watching 'Never Let Me Go' and i was moved to my very core.

It starts of at boarding school called Hailsham House, where the three main characters, Kathy, Ruth and Tommy stay, learn and grow up into what they must become, donors and carers. The child actors did a brilliant job in setting up who the characters are, their personalities and relationships. We get an idea of who we expect them to grow up to be.

When the adults take over, it's just as magical. Once they've grow up, the three get moved to cottages on a farm where they meet others just like them but with far more experiences. We then learn more about what donors and carers are and their role in society. We then see Ruth and Tommy's relationship become sexual, which puts more strain on their friendship with Ruth. We then learn that the 'clones' think that they are modeled after someone, they call them 'Originals.'and set off in search of Ruth's. They then learn about 'Deferrals', a temporary reprieve from organ donation for donors who are in love and can somehow prove it. But apparently it's all just rumors.

We then see Kathy become a carer, and how she fits into society. She has watched many clones gradually "complete" as their organs are harvested. Kathy has not seen Ruth or Tommy since the cottages. While working as a carer, Kathy happens to meet Ruth again, who is frail and unwell after two donations. They then meet up with Tommy and go on a brief little holiday, where Ruth tells them that she got in the way of their relationship because she wanted a deferral. She then gives them the address of the madams who taught them. They got to find out if they can get a deferral. Are the rumors true?

'Never Let Me Go' is a film of childlike wonder, romance, sacrifice and hope. The casting is amazing, as all three give outstanding performances and bounce well of each other. The score is beautifully written, sets the tone of each scene and makes you feel the emotions of the 'clones'.'Never Let Me Go' is a heart warming film, which makes you realize how precious life really is.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)

The Adventure Continues.....

[9/10 · 13 December 2013]

My sister works for the cinema, so when she told me they were having a staff showing of the new Hobbit film and she was taking me i was doing back flips (in my mind.) and i was right too, the film did not disappoint.

The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug begins right where the Hobbit left off, with the company on the run from the orcs but when Gandalf decides to head off else where, he leaves them to wander thought Mirkwood on their own where nasty, creepy crawlys wait them. They then find themselves captured by Elfs, barreling down a river, smuggled into lake town, all to reach the lonely mountain to find the Arkenstone to and to reclaim their homeland.

Gandalf heads to Dol Guldur, in order to face the Necromancer but discovers a more dangerous plot being conjured up by Azog the orc.

After entering the lonely mountain, Bilbo enters and tries to the find the stone, only to waken the sleeping, 90 foot dragon known as Smaug, who claims he is the king under the mountain and won't let Bilbo or the dwarfs leave without a fight.

The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug picks up the pace from the first film which sets up the adventure nicely leading to this epic sequel. The cast give an amazing performance and their new addition Benedict Cumberbatch doesn't do such a bad job himself. There's more action, more characters and more laughs as the lonely mountain calls the dwarfs home.

Ed Sheeran's song 'I see Fire' is so beautifully written and performed, it really sets the tone of the film and you can really feel/understand how Thorin Oakenshield and the dwarfs feel/felt about the destruction of their homeland and each other.

Can't wait till next year for The Hobbit: There And Back Again.

Anonymous (I) (2011)

No fear...It's NOT Shakespeare.

[8/10 · 20 November 2013]

I traded my 'Cloud Atlas' for this film from my Nana...But she came through with this one.

'Anonymous'is set back around the time of Shakespeare, the famous play write..Or was he? According to this film... he was illiterate! Well, he could read but writing? According to this, a man named Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, was one who wrote the great plays. Edward played by Rhys Ifans, who i normally don't find interesting or like, gave a capturing performance as Edward. He was able to give the presents, the power and the authority needed to play this role. As well as Jamie Campbell Bower who plays his younger self, who managed to capture the seductive and charming side of Edward.

Vanessa Redgrave plays Elizabeth the first, who performance was different from others I've seen. She shows the queen's...Fun side, if i may put it like that. As well as being authoritative when needed to be. Joely Richardson who plays the younger Elizabeth, and who is Vanessa'a real life daughter, managed to do the same. She shows her beauty, her devilish side and maybe a bit rebellious nature.

As the film goes on, there are a lot of plot twists that i never seen coming. This film capture the beauty, the dark side and the passion of the Shakespearean era and if you've ever done of Shakespeare's alleged plays, many are mentioned and will have you reciting along.

Breakfast on Pluto (2005)

Out of this world....

[8/10 · 17 November 2013]

This film is amazing! I first saw a trailer for this film and the next day i went out and bought it and it did not disappoint. Cillian Murphy stars as Patrick 'Kitten' Braden, a boy who was abandoned by his mother when he was a baby. He grows up in the late 1970's Ireland, where he keeps getting in trouble at school and then heads of to London to find his mother. On the way, he meets a bunch of people who are willing to except him for who he is. But also gets caught up in a mixture to trouble. Cillian Murphy gives an tremendous performance as Kitten. He did his research well and was able to give a performance which rightly earned him a Golden Globe Nomination. When you watch you can't help but think of Kitten as a girl rather then a man dressed as a woman. She'll make you laugh. she'll make you cry and show you how to be yourself when others want you to be normal. This film has an incredible ensemble with Stephen Rea as Bertie Vaughan Brendan Gleeson as John Joe Kenny and Liam Neeson as Father Liam, who all help bring this film together. 'Breakfast On Pluto' also has an amazing soundtrack with the likes of: 1.Children of the Revolution (1972) Written by Marc Bolan 2. Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep (1970) Composed by Harold Stott and Giuseppe Cassia (as Giusseppe Cassia) Performed by Middle of the Road © Gruppo Intersong S.R.L. 3. Sand (1966) Written and Composed by Lee Hazlewood Performed by Gavin Friday, Cillian Murphy This film it's all the right notes and is one not to be missed.

Broken (IV) (2012)

Emotional Journey,...

[8/10 · 11 November 2013]

'Broken' is a film about a young girl named skunk, her life is turned upside down after witnessing a violent incident happen to one of her neighbours. From then one things go from bad to worse amongst the neighbourhood and her own family.

This film is acting debut of Eloise Laurence who plays Skunk, she is faultless. She keeps Skunks emotions right on the edge of her sleeves which makes her performance more real. When you look at her you can't help but smile even when it's a serious scene, she is just so cute and so amazingly talented. I hope to see her more in the future.

Tim Roth plays Skunk's dad Archie. As always Tim is amazing, he really brings all the emotions a father would feel towards his daughter and puts it into his performance and let's face it, who wouldn't want Tim Roth as their on-screen father? Cillian Murphy plays Mike, the boyfriend of their au pair Kasia, he also becomes Skunk's teacher. Murphy plays Mike as the most loyal/devoted boyfriend who anyone would want, Which makes him a really likable character and even comes to Skunk's rescue which I think any girl would want. You really feel for him when things turn upside down on him, and want to reach out a give him a hug. Plus he keeps is Irish accent for this one! 'Broken' is a film full of emotions, be them happy, sad, anger or love. This film is an emotional roller-coaster ride with some brilliant actors and some wonderful singing from the lead lady herself.

The Edge of Love (2008)

One of Knightly's best...

[8/10 · 29 October 2013]

Normally I'm not a big fan of Kiera knightly but I actually liked her performance in this movie.

The Edge Of Love is loosely based on real events and people during World war 2. Knightly plays Vera Phillips, a singer whose feeling for her first love are rekindle when he turns up in London. Kiera knightly does all her own singing and I have to say she is quite good. She brings a certain quality to Vera as Vera doesn't seem like the boldest of girls but she knows what she wants and how to get it. Her welsh accent is amazing and never slips during her whole performance.

Matthew Rhys plays her childhood sweetheart Dylan Thomas, who is welsh poet mainly producing them for propaganda films, which he wants to get out of. He is married to Caitlin Macnamara (Thomas) but over the course of the film you can see that he is still deeply in love with Vera and wants them to rekindle their flame. Rhys does a great job with Dylan as he dis a charming man and it's easy to see how Vera could fall for him. Again, the accent never slips and remains strong.

Sienna Miller plays Caitlin Macnamara (Thomas) a free, spirited woman who does like a bit of a flirt even if it's in front of her husband. On meeting Vera, he isn't sure if she'll like her or not but the two end up being very close. Miller brings this free spirited character with her amazing performance, the only thing I would say would be that I don't know what accent she was suppose to have, as at one point in the film Dylan said 'she is the queen of Ireland' only I never really heard an Irish accent coming from her and it's never explained if she is Irish or not.

Cillian Murphy plays William Killick , a solider who end up being smitten with Vera. You can see Vera likes him but he has to work hard in order to gain her attention. The two soon end up married and have a child together but he comes back from the army with PTSD and it soon changes everything. Murphy makes it impossible not to love this character. He's sweet, charming, funny, handsome and really wants the best for Vera. This man is what very woman wants.

Overall, I loved the film. It was beautifully directed and written. A classic war-time tale of love, loss, happiness and tragedy. The music is so beautifully scored. A perfect film for a night in.

Parade's End (2012)

Beautiful...

[8/10 · 21 October 2013]

Parades end is an adaption of the tetralogy by Ford Madox Ford. It follows the love triangle between the old-fashioned Christopher Tiejens, His vindictive wife Sylvia and a young suffragette called Valentine Wannop during world war one, with Europe on the brink of change. As war comes upon them, Christopher enrolls in the army to help his country, he soon must decide who he wants to spend the remainder of his life with his wife, whose son may or may not be his from her numerous affairs, or Valentine, who would do nothing to hurt him.

Benedict gives an outstanding performance as Christopher, you completely forget about him as Sherlock as you see him take on a brand new character. You really feel for him, as he loves his son so much but has doubts whether he's his or not. You feel yourself routing for him to leave Sylvia but he won't as he is too much of a gentlemen to leave his wife penniless in the street.

Rebecca Hall plays his wife, Sylvia. She has a number of affairs which she brings up to annoy Christopher,She also goes out with other men in order to get a reaction from him but he never reply's. Hall does a brilliant job as a character you just love to hate. You will find yourself yelling at the screen at her.

Adelaide Clemens also brings her game as Valentine Wannop, the feisty, free spirited suffragette. She plays the character beautifully as she has a hidden love for someone she can't have, which many of us can relate to. You so want her to get together with Christopher, you will literally pull your hair out with the antagonizing waiting game.

This is another example of Original British Drama a it's best. It's beautifully shoot, written and performed. Parades End will make you believe in true love and how ever impossible, it will find a way.

Peaky Blinders (2013–2022)

THIS is British drama...

[8/10 · 18 October 2013]

When i first saw this advertised on BBC 2, i immediately thought i'm going to like this... and i did.

Peaky Blinders is beautifully written, directed and of course acted. The amazing cast and crew were able to give it that 1919's feel with the help of the costume department and they have the best soundtrack, thanks to the music department. Cillian Murphy gives a fantastic performance as Tommy Shelby, the man who was born to make his business successful and Annabelle Williams also gives a good performance as Grace Burgess, the bar-maid with a few secrets of her own. They're accents are spot on and never slip through out the whole six episodes. Sam Neill is perfect as Inspector Campbell, who would like nothing better then to see an end to the peaky blinders and recover what doesn't belong to them. Helen McCroy all so stars as their Aunt Polly, the strong female of the family, who is like Tommy's concision and helps handle him when things go wrong.

Peaky Blinders has war, loss, love and laughs, everything you need to create a great piece of Original British drama.

Rush (I) (2013)

Even Girls will like it...And not just for Chris Hemsworth.

[7/10 · 17 October 2013]

I went to see this with my dad and sister. Now, being a girl and not really interested in formula 1 or any racing, i thought i wasn't going to like the film.... I was wrong.

Rush is one of the most interesting films i have every seen. I really felt like i was back 1970s. Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl give great performances as the rival duo Hunt and Lauda. The footage combined with actual footage from the seventies made it more real. This film has everything in it, love,tragedy, laughs and an in site into the mind of a formula one racing driver.

The costume department really helped to capture the atmosphere of seventies and the music as well. Daniel Bruhl's accent is extremely well done and never slips during the whole film. Chris also gives a great performance showing the ups and downs of Hunt's life as he works his way up through the leagues in order to become champion.

Overall, i think the cast and crew did a great job on the film,the acting is superb and the stunts are amazing. 7 out of 10.

The Fifth Estate (2013)

Thought Provoking.

[8/10 · 16 October 2013]

One of my friends told me not to go and see this film, so while he and two of my other friends went to see another film i went and saw this one. I can honestly say that Benedict Cumberbatch gives one of his best performances as do the rest of the cast. This film gives an amazing in site into wiki leaks and it's creator. It's pretty remarkable to think that all this happened because one man refused to let the government cover up the truth. We are the fifth estate and if we want the truth, we should seek it out for ourselves. This thought provoking film really gets you to think about how much our government is actually keeping from us and how much they tell us is the truth. There is never a dull moment in the film, from start to finished you will be hooked. Benedict gives one of his best performances as Julian Assange, the man who started wiki-leaks and how he came to become this whistle blower who changed the world of secrets. I gave this 8 stars, down to the cast, the director and everyone involved.