I'll Be Back . . .

. . . as the great Austrian once said, and I will hold to my word. All's very busy here and I've been trying to take time out to write thoughts and feelings on films that I've seen and all manner of things going on but, finding the time is proving incredibly tough.

I've got so much I want to talk about, like how surprising yet still brilliant The World's End was, or how old siege face Alan Partridge in Alpha Papa was a great revisit of the character for the fans, but does it cater for just anybody? How Jim Carrey was criminally sidelined in the rather misguided but still a bucket fun Kick Ass 2 and how my ultimate pick of the year, (bar the next Hobbit film) Elysium delivered on a promise at being a balls out sci-fi movie, with added socio political riffs, South African cussing and craaaazy weapons.

Not to mention I haven't done a piece on just thoughts about films up coming. I really want to talk about how utterly mind blowing it is that Star Wars Episode VII is going to be shot on 35mm . . . . un . . . . believable. It means a lot for cinema any may be a fantastic middle finger to the likes of Cameron and yes I'm going to say it, Jackson for bludgeoning us over the head with 3D!

Sorry this is a short one just want to get something down and set myself an internet based promise to keep writing film stuff because it's written in ink . . . vicious, digital, ink.

For now if you haven't please read my Behind The Candelabra review, possible one of the knock out films of the year, took me very much by surprise. I also wanted to share with you all a trailer for a film I am trepidatious about however given it's a sequel to probably the best thing to come out Dreamworks Animation I can't help but feel a touch excited . . . enjoy.

I will be back!


 

Behind The Candelabra - Review

The cinema seems to be busting at the seams with big blustery blockbusters and today instead of going to see After Earth or Fast & Furious 6, films I have yet to see, I decided I wanted to see something a bit different. Behind the Candelabra has popped up out of seemingly nowhere, a biopic about the later years of Liberace's life. With names like Steven Soderbergh, Matt Damon and Michael Douglas in the shoes of the king of showmanship, I couldn't help but be drawn to it instead of the usual summer fare.

I certainly was glad I gave it go. It's not your average biopic, in fact it's not a biopic at all, it charts the latter part of Liberace's life when he is introduced to Scott Thorson. Dealing intimately with the relationship that formed from this meeting, Behind The Candelabra is seen through the eyes of Scott as he tumbles down the rabbit hole in to the life of this famously extravagant celebrity.

The film deals with the idea of a homosexual relationship brilliantly and pulls absolutely no punches, it feels distinctly honest, not glamourising or emphasising points that you might be battered over the head with in a normal biopic. Moments of intimacy between the two become so normal the thing you notice more is the fantastic acting and humour. We are deeply immersed in these characters, all scenes revolve either of the two and feels distinctly claustrophobic, adding to the ideas the film is putting forward. In one scene Scott (Damon) gets upset at the fact that he and Liberace (Douglas) never go out. They are consumed in this plastic opulence, we don't see a great deal of the outside world, which is the crown jewel of this particular film. Most films focused on celebrities will tell great yarns about their life with vast scope and endless take offs of other famous people they've met throughout he years, here we have just a few very focused performances, you get to indulge in these characters.

Both Matt Damon and Michael Douglas are outstanding here, I was aghast at how brave they both have been in really taking this on and making it feel real. It's certainly one of the best performances I've seen from Michael Douglas, and the fact that he gels so well with Matt Damon here is testament to these two fantastic actors. Also worthy of note is Dan Aykroyd who plays Liberaces manager Seymour Heller, a great presence here with a great look and impact on the film and the feelings Scott goes through.

There are moments of absolute comedy, like Liberaces man servant strutting through this palace of a house making drinks serving tight white shorts. I was watching this in a tiny screen with about 5 other people and laughed ferociously at certain bits, I just couldn't help myself.

A deeply rewarding watch and one that has stuck with me as I'm now picking this up months later to finish off. It's the film I talk about when raising the question of films that have made an impact this year. It's definitely not for everyone, but if you like great thoughtful character movies that speak volumes about the times they were set in and the real people they represent you'll eat this up for breakfast.      

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆