Category: Film

Film review-A star is born

A Star Is Born, directed by Bradley Cooper, is a powerful and self-reflexive commentary on the destructive nature of fame. Cooper expertly weaves together the themes of stardom and celebrity, as he propels his own stars into the stratosphere. Lady Gaga’s portrayal of Ally, an emergent pop star, adds to the film’s metatextual implications, as she begins to resemble herself as the story unfolds. Cooper’s film takes measured steps away from movie stars and towards musicians, culminating in a version that reflects the contemporary marketability of pop stars.

The film’s opening concert scenes showcase Cooper’s Jackson Maine performing with remarkable purity, delivering genuinely good and memorable songs. However, as Jackson’s celebrity begins to wane and Ally signs with a record label, the integrity of their soul-pouring duets is compromised. Jackson’s alcoholism takes center stage, and his support system, including his older brother and manager (played by Sam Elliot) and longtime friend (played by Dave Chappelle), are unable to save him from his self-destructive tendencies.

Ally’s journey from a struggling server to Jackson’s touring partner, lover, and eventually wife, is captivating, and the onscreen chemistry between Cooper and Gaga is palpable. However, as the film progresses in the familiar path of earlier A Star Is Borns, the destructive nature of fame takes its toll on both Jackson and Ally.

Cooper’s film is an incredibly accomplished work of filmmaking, with its expertly crafted direction, brilliant performances, and poignant themes. Gaga’s performance is a telling commentary on her own career, as she embodies the struggles and triumphs of an emergent pop star. The film’s themes and implications are undeniable, making A Star Is Born a must-see for fans of music and cinema alike.

Overall, A Star Is Born is a thought-provoking and poignant exploration of the price of fame and the toll it takes on those who seek it. Cooper’s direction and Gaga’s performance are a powerful testament to the art of filmmaking and the nature of stardom in the modern age. This film is an important addition to the canon of music-driven films, and a must-see for anyone interested in the complexities of celebrity culture.

Film review-King of thieves

King of Thieves is a heist film based on the true story of a group of retirees attempting one last job. Led by Michael Caine, the impressive cast includes Ray Winstone, Jim Broadbent, Michael Gambon, Tom Courtenay, Paul Whitehouse, and Charlie Cox as the only younger member of the team. While the film starts off fun and exciting, it loses momentum in the last third, with the epilogue being written on a black screen feeling a little off.

Broadbent is fantastic as the lovable but sometimes grumpy Terry Perkins, with Winstone and Gambon adding to the mix with their own unique personalities. Cox does good work as the odd man out, but his character feels incomplete, possibly due to the writing and/or directing.

The film’s look is typical of a heist movie with English garden scenery, giving it a familiar feel for fans of UK entertainment. The cinematography by Danny Cohen adds to this atmosphere and the editing by Jinx Godfrey and Nick Moore brings a dynamic to the action. The set decoration by Celia Bobak and costume design by Consolata Boyle make the film feel realistic within its settings.

King of Thieves is an interesting take on heist films, with its unique crew of retirees. The cast is superbly acted, with the younger Cox holding his own alongside the seasoned veterans. While the film loses steam in the last third, it still provides a fun experience overall, with a bird’s eye view into an infamous UK crime.

Episode 193:The Running Man

In which Martyn and Gerrod discuss the 1987 film ‘The Running Man’.

The podcast can be accessed via different places, including Audioboom, Player fm and Itunes.

Follow the Bad Wilf team:

Martyn – @BadWilf

Pete – @BeeblePete

Gerrod – @gerrod_edward

Also check out the official Bad Wilf Vlog.

Our gear:

Zoom H5 https://amzn.to/2zo0TeV

Behringer XM8500 Ultravoice Dynamic Cardioid Vocal Microphone https://amzn.to/2Dni9Vy

Stagg 3m High Quality XLR to XLR Plug Microphone Cable https://amzn.to/2OKwnkC

[amazon_link asins=’B00005JSGU’ template=’ProductAd’ store=’bawi-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’adf98fab-7a86-11e8-a29f-c34515581fa2′][amazon_link asins=’B00DDROYEA’ template=’ProductAd’ store=’bawi-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’b67c5d04-7a86-11e8-b5fe-39b33b035249′]

Review-Ocean’s Eight

On paper, an all-female instalment in the Ocean’s series, featuring a great cast-lead by Sandra Bullock sounds like everything you need for a great time. In practise however, Ocean’s Eight never really hits the mark.

There’re a lot of parallels in this film to Ocean’s Eleven. The movie starts at the parole hearing of Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock). Once released, she reunites with her old partner in crime Lou (Cate Blanchett, Thor: Ragnarok) to pull off a $150 million diamond heist at the Met Gala.

They assemble a heist team; fashion designer Rose Weil (Helena Bonham Carter, Big Fish), jeweller Amita (Mindy Kaling, The Mindy Project), hacker Nine-Ball (Rihanna, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets), pickpocket Constance (Awkwafina, Dude) and Tammy (Sarah Paulson, The Post).

The idea behind this film, seems to be to just chuck a bunch of famous names together and see what sticks. The script really doesn’t have anything to say, the camera work is basic and, the characterisations are one-dimensional and this talented cast just go through the motions, with very little to work with.

They really hammer home the George Clooney/Danny Ocean references. I get that they need to establish that this is in the same universe as the previous films, but it’s done incredibly sloppily.

There is clearly a lot of potential here and the cast are clearly having a great time, but they deserve a movie worthy of their talents, Ocean’s Eight isn’t it. Perhaps they can convince Steven Soderbergh to return for Ocean’s Nine…

[amazon_link asins=’B003VDC0EC’ template=’ProductAd’ store=’bawi-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’8f29ed29-7718-11e8-b08c-d14680cec0ad’]

REVIEW: Star Trek in concert

As part of the Royal Albert Hall’s Films in Concert, two showings of Star Trek were shown over the weekend. Saturday showed 2009’s Star Trek. Sunday showed Star Trek:Beyond.

Both screenings were accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and conducted by Ernst van Tiel.

We attended the Saturday event.

Image credit-Penny Smallshire

I’ve attended concerts like this at The Royal Albert Hall, many times. But some how each time feels like the first.

For those who are unfamiliar with these concerts, the films are played on a suspended screen, above the musicians. The dialogue is intact, with the Orchestra performing the soundtrack and sound effects live.

Not only are these amazing musicians a sight to behold on stage, but the evening provided a phenomenal audio experience that no Blu-Ray can possibly live up to.

My personal highlight of the evening was the Orchestras performance of the Star Trek theme, over Leonard Nimoy’s “space the final frontier” speech. They received a seven minute standing ovation for this.

http://badwilf.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/trim_8edfaf01-2d0c-47e1-b4dd-cdd8ec012772.mov

What I took away from this event, is just how beautiful and timeless Gene Roddenberry’s vision is. This is an experience I will cherish for a life time.

I highly recommend attending one of these screenings. Click here to find out information about the next one.

Review-Solo: A Star Wars story

The film Solo, plagued by behind-the-scenes turmoil, ultimately fulfills its duty as a placeholder in the Star Wars franchise, but it fails to deliver any surprises. The seams used to fix the production issues are clearly visible, resulting in a disjointed narrative that moves from one event to the next without much coherence. Even the opening scenes on Correllia feel repetitive, introducing characters only to discard them quickly. Alden Ehrenreich does his best to fill Harrison Ford’s shoes as Han Solo, but it takes some time to warm up to him, and even then, it’s hard to imagine him evolving into Ford’s iconic character.

The film Solo suffers from a common problem associated with prequels – the need to create the appropriate legend we’ve all seen in the original trilogy. Unfortunately, the questions posed in this film are ones that no one particularly demanded answers to. Does the audience really need to know why his last name is Solo? Can’t his parents just have been Mr. and Mrs. Solo? Apparently not. Ever wonder where Han got his furry dice? Don’t worry, it’s explained here.

The rest of the film also explores in excruciating detail everything we already know about Han Solo, from his first meeting with Chewie to his acquisition of the Millennium Falcon. Even how his first name is pronounced is given attention. While Alden Ehrenreich has charisma in his other features, here he’s teetering on the edge of being both charismatic and anesthetized. He’s not trying to channel Harrison Ford, but it’s hard to feel like he’s trying to do much of anything. He smiles a lot and tries to jump into the fray with a laser blast here and there, but there just isn’t much for him to do. While the movie may have his name, like the other characters, he’s simply moved from location to location.

The heists and characters encountered throughout the film are underwhelming, with the exception of Donald Glover’s scene-stealing portrayal of Lando Calrissian, who deserves his own film. Woody Harrelson fails to add much spark, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s portrayal of Lando’s partner robot is cringeworthy. While the film might satisfy die-hard fans with some answers to questions about Han’s past, it ultimately fails to deliver a magical, adventurous experience. As Disney’s fourth Star Wars film, Solo suffers from franchise fatigue, leaving audiences feeling underwhelmed.

Episode 190: Ready player one

In which Martyn and Gerrod discuss ready player one.

Ready Player One is a 2018 American live action/animated science fiction adventure filmproduced and directed by Steven Spielberg, and written by Zak Penn and Ernest Cline, based on Cline’s 2011 novel of the same name. The film stars Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Lena Waithe, T.J. Miller, Simon Pegg, and Mark Rylance.

The film takes place in 2045, when much of humanity uses the virtual reality software OASIS to escape the desolation of the real world. Orphaned teenager Wade Watts (Sheridan) discovers clues to a hidden game within the program that promises the winner full ownership of the OASIS, and joins several allies to try to complete the game before a large company run by businessman Nolan Sorrento (Mendelsohn) can do so.

The podcast can be accessed via different places, including Audioboom, Player fm and Itunes.

Follow the Bad Wilf team:

Martyn – @BadWilf

Pete – @BeeblePete


Gerrod – @gerrod_edward

Also check out the official Bad Wilf Vlog.

Film review- Blade Runner 2049

“Blade Runner 2049” is a science fiction masterpiece that follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, Ridley Scott’s 1982 cult classic “Blade Runner.” Denis Villeneuve directs this film with a steady hand, and he brings an evocative vision to the screen that harkens back to Scott’s original work. While it may not have been a financial success at the box office, “2049” is a cinematic gem that will undoubtedly be reevaluated by audiences over time.

Ryan Gosling stars as K, a Blade Runner tasked with hunting down rogue replicants in a dystopian Los Angeles. Gosling’s subtle and nuanced performance is perfectly suited to his character’s emotional journey. K’s discovery of a child born from replicants sets in motion a series of events that lead him on a path of self-discovery and realisation.

The film is visually stunning, thanks to the masterful work of cinematographer Roger Deakins and production designer Dennis Gassner. The world of “2049” is a dark and foreboding place, but it is also one of great beauty and wonder. Deakins elegantly captures this world, creating a moody and immersive experience for the audience.

“2049” asks the same timeless question as its predecessor: what does it mean to be human? This theme runs through the film, and it is explored with a depth and complexity that is rarely seen in science fiction. The film’s deliberate pace and methodically structured narrative may not be to everyone’s taste, but those who give themselves over to the film’s world and themes will be rewarded with a truly exceptional cinematic experience.

In the end, “Blade Runner 2049” is a triumph of science fiction filmmaking. It takes risks, has visual ingenuity, and offers a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition. Just like the original “Blade Runner,” it may take time for audiences to fully appreciate the film’s brilliance. But there is no doubt that “2049” is a worthy successor to one of the greatest science fiction films of all time.

Footage from the Alien:Covenant premiere

Footage from the Alien: Covenant Global premiere, includes interviews with Michael Fassbender, Sir Ridley Scott and Danny McBride.

Footage courtesy of 20th century Fox, but edited by Bad Wilf. Music from bensound.com.

[amazon_link asins=’B0711L8RBN’ template=’ProductAd’ store=’bawi-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’4df69b51-34cc-11e8-a99e-c7710acb797a’][amazon_link asins=’B0001HHRVM’ template=’ProductAd’ store=’bawi-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’53b3dffb-34cc-11e8-bcea-f5d352b15e11′]

Episode 170:Logan film review

As no other podcasters are talking about it, Martyn and Gerrod thought they would shine some light on Hugh Jackman’s latest film, Logan.

Logan is more than just a superhero film; it’s a poignant and gritty exploration of mortality and legacy. This movie is the tenth instalment in the X-Men film series, and the third and final Wolverine solo film following The Wolverine (2013).

The film draws inspiration from “Old Man Logan” by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven, and takes place in an alternate future where mutants are nearly extinct. We follow an aged Wolverine and a deteriorating Professor X as they embark on a dangerous journey to protect a young mutant named Laura from the villainous Reavers and Alkali-Transigen, led by Donald Pierce and Zander Rice, respectively.

What sets Logan apart is its focus on character development and the exploration of themes like regret, loss, and redemption. The action sequences are visceral and intense, but they serve a greater purpose in the narrative, highlighting the physical toll that years of fighting have taken on Wolverine and his fellow mutants. Hugh Jackman delivers a powerhouse performance as Wolverine, bringing a raw emotion to the character that we haven’t seen before.

Logan is not just a superhero film; it’s a powerful and emotional story that leaves a lasting impact on its audience. It’s a fitting conclusion to Jackman’s iconic portrayal of Wolverine and a testament to the enduring legacy of the X-Men franchise.

The podcast Smartlink.

Follow the Bad Wilf team:
Pete – @BeeblePete
Martyn – @BadWilf
Gerrod – @Gerrod_Edward

If for some reason you’d prefer to watch us discuss Logan, there’s a video version on YouTube.