Movie Review: The Big Short

Drama/ Biography

Rated – M

Duration –125mins

Release – Jan 2016

Director –Adam McKay

Writer – Adam McKay, Charles Randolph

Cast –Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt

Mr Knight 

The Big Short brings together some of Hollywood’s finest to tell the true story of the Global Financial Crisis and the collapse of the housing bubble in the early 2000’s in America. If there has ever been a movie to make me feel like my IQ was the same as the Avery family of Netflix’s popular Making a Murderer, this was it!

Adam McKay directs this movie expertly to try and drag simpletons like me and many others along for the ride. He uses clever snippets here and there in between the happenings of this story to explain just exactly what our characters are talking about. One funny one in particular was using Margot Robbie in a bubble bath with champagne explaining the complexities of finances and the housing industry.

The Big Short features Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt and three out of these four exceed my expectations to show how brilliant they truly are at their job. Christian Bale plays Doctor Michael Burry, a one eyed genius who wears daggy t shirts and thongs to work, and despite the objections of his colleagues bets big against the big banks, predicting the ever rising housing industry to fail.

Steve Carell also shows his range playing Mark Baum, a cynic who questions everything, and with his team and some helpful information from Ryan Gosling’s Jared Vennett, also bet against the market. Carell shows the world again that he isn’t just another Will Ferrell and can take on serious roles and be successful at it.

Brad Pitt is the third of the four that out does himself. Pitt plays Ben Rickert, an out of the game genius who helps some young friends to also take on the banks. Pitt really shows in this film that he isn’t just suitable to being a middle aged heart throb with rocking abs, but he can also play a stock market nerd without any doubt that he nails it. Ryan Gosling is the only one who I felt didn’t step out of his comfort zone as his character was a slick Wall Street guy who’s rude to his assistant. Something I think he has shown he can do just fine. Despite this his character was funny and kept the movie flowing without boredom.

Considering half of this movie and its content went flying straight over my head, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Director Adam McKay showed he is something special, making a subject destined to bore the world, into a funny, interesting biopic. 

Mrs Knight

I love this time of year...it’s Oscar Season! Which means the majority of the films you go to see are going to be good. The Big Short was no exception. It wasn’t always easy to understand for non-financially savvy minds like mine, but it was explained as simple as possible. This was through quirky pieces to camera, narration from Ryan Goslings character Jared Vennett, and celebrity cameos such as Margot Robbie in a bath tub, Selena Gomez playing poker and more.

The thought of watching a film based around the credit and housing bubble collapse which led to the Global Financial Crisis makes me feel tired and confused… But mostly tired. Luckily the film is directed by Adam McKay who is well known for directing some of my fave comedies such as Anchorman and Step Brothers. This meant the film was cleverly put together with moments of lightness and comedy.

Not to mention the all-star cast of high quality actors including Ryan Gosling as mentioned above, Christian Bale, Brad Pitt and Steve Carrell who is proving himself time and time again how good an actor he is. Carrell played the part of Mark Baum perfectly. The character of Jared Vennett (Gosling) was also a highlight providing a lot of the comedy. But even amongst all these stars, for me, McKay was the real star with his direction.

Despite the comic storytelling it was still deadly serious and incredibly concerning. I’m a sucker for a true story and it was nice to watch one that wasn’t a drama based around death. While I clearly found it very entertaining and definitely didn’t want to step out to the bathroom in fear of missing something it wasn’t an incredibly memorable film for me. Although I would probably be able to understand more the second time around, I’m not sure that I would want to watch it again… Not for a few years at least. But overall it was very entertaining with intriguing characters and I recommend for all, no matter how much you understand finance. 

Movie review: The Hateful Eight

Comedy/Crime/Drama

Rated – R18+

 
Duration –187mins

Release – Jan 2016

 

Director –Quentin Tarantino 

Writer – Quentin Tarantino

Cast –Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins

Mr Knight

I love it when movies come along that I am looking forward to. However, this time Tarantino has let me down. I feel after so much success Tarantino has gone all “Billy Walsh” (an Entourage reference there… look him up) on his fans, and decided “I’ll do what I want and make movies how I want!”

The Hateful Eight, set a short time after the American Civil War, in freezing cold Wyoming, tells the events of two bounty hunters, a new town sheriff, and their coach driver, forced to shack up at Minnie’s Haberdashery to avoid a massive blizzard. As well as these three men, in their company are three dead criminals and one rotten tomato, worth $10,000 dead or alive, Daisy Domergue.

Once inside Minnie’s our troop are forced to avoid the cold in the company of four others. After what seems like hours of dialogue, some of that good old fashioned Django style, Tarantino comic book-like gore ensues.

The movie is filled with quality cast, (most of which you would have seen in other Tarantino flicks) including a man who is just about everything, Samuel L. Jackson as Major Marquis Warren, Kurt Russell who sports a rocking Mo as bounty hunter, “The Hangman”, Walton Goggins, Tim Roth and Michael Madsen to name a few.

The story is interesting enough, and the backgrounds of these very individual characters can keep you engaged, but it felt to me that there is at least one hour out of the three that could have been edited out, to make this one on par with Inglorious Basterds and Django. I felt that Tarantino said to himself “Fuck it. I have final cut and I want to keep every drawn out bit of this film.”

The Hateful Eight is still fun. The shooting scenes are just as over the top as expected. The conversations aren’t as intense as Hans Landers brilliant scenes from Inglorious Basterds, but Christoph Waltz set that bar VERY high. All I can recommend with this one, is pack for a long trip, with bulk snacks and fluids and make a pit stop before the movie starts because no doubt a toilet break will drag you out of the cinema half way through.

Mrs Knight

I’m a massive Tarantino fan. Kill Bill, Inglorious Basterds and Django Unchained are among some of my favourite movies. They’re gritty, shocking, violent and clever with engaging storylines and characters. The Hateful Eight was gritty and violent, but didn’t have the same engaging storyline or characters.

The story kicks off sometime after the Civil War, we’re introduced to Bounty Hunter John Ruth (Kurt Russell) and his fugitive captive Daisy Domergue (Jennifer Jason Laigh). The two are in a coach at the beginning of a blizzard on their way to Red Rock, where Daisy will be hung for her crimes. Along their journey they encounter Major Marquis Warren (Samuel L. Jackson), an infamous bounty hunter. At the time I didn’t mind this interaction, it was good character building but in hind sight I realise it was far longer than necessary. Further down the track they come across Chris Mannix, (Walton Goggins) who claims to be Red Rocks new Sheriff. The film has about 5 chapters from memory, but for me it was split into 3 sections. The above is section number one.

The next section shows them seeking shelter and warmth from the blizzard outside at Minnie’s Haberdashery. Here they are greeted by Bob, who is taking care of the place while Minnie is gone, Oswaldo Mobray, the hangman of Red Rock, Joe Gage a cow puncher and confederate general Sanford Smithers. This section is full of more long pauses and speeches getting to know everyone.  There were gripping moments, but it mostly fell short and I was waiting for something big to happen.

The third section is by far the best as it’s full of action. I will leave it at that so I don’t spoil anything. Overall I feel all the right elements were there it was just far too long and much of the dialogue wasn’t very engaging. It was almost like a “director’s cut” of a film and should have been edited before the theatrical release.

The villains in Tarantino’s other films are usually the highlight e.g. Christoph Waltz in Inglorious Basterds, Leonardo DiCaprio in Django Unchained and Lucy Liu in Kill Bill. However, no one in this film was very likeable, not even in a badass villain kind of way.

The gory elements were entertaining, if you’re a sicko like me. But I felt some of the crude comments didn’t contribute to the film and felt a little forced, like it was trying to be shocking. In saying that, I do enjoy Tarantino’s style of film. As mentioned, there were some intense parts, the last hour in particular, but it mostly fell short and I was disappointed overall.

 

Movie Review: Sisters

Comedy

Rated – MA15+
 
Duration –118mins
 
Release – Jan 2016
 
Director –Jason Moore
 
Cast –Amy Poehler, Tina Fey
 
Mr Knight

It seems gone are the days of a genuine, laugh out loud comedy. Or maybe it’s because I’m getting older and the silly ones don’t grab me anymore. Adam Sandler is a prime example of someone I enjoyed at 15 years old, and now feel he needs to try a new trade. Some oldy but goodies for me would be Old School, Dodgeball and even something more recent like Bridesmaids.

Nowadays when I walk into a new Will Ferrell or Melissa McCarthy flick as an example, I lower my expectations dramatically and walk out with a smile. When it comes to the new comedy Sisters, starring fan favourites Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, I kept that same system and it paid off.
 
Sisters follows dorky, never takes a risk Maura, (Poehler) and train wreck, selfish, bad mother Kate (Fey) who reunite after word that their parents are selling the family home to settle in something smaller for their retirement.
 
The two siblings decide to leave their family home with a bang, arranging a party with old school friends. After some reminiscing both women realise that Kate got to party hard when they went through high school, leaving Maura to be the “party mum”. Because of this Kate offers to keep an eye on things at the party and let Maura off the chain. What follows I'll leave for the audience to enjoy.
 
I don’t follow Parks and Recreation, or 30 Rock (each starring one of these ladies) and I have only seen bits and pieces but they both bring a smile. The movie also had its moments and I did find myself laughing out loud here and there, but as far as a comedy classic, don’t hold your breath.
 
Silly enough to entertain, but not good enough to see again anytime soon. Go into this one with a big popcorn, frozen coke, low expectations and you will walk out with a smile.
 

Mrs Knight
 
The film follows the story of two sisters, Maura and Kate Ellis, played by popular comedy duo and besties Amy Poehler and Tina Fey. Their characters live worlds apart but reunite at the selling of their childhood home. Maura (Poehler) is an awkward, goodie two shoes divorcee while Kate (Fey) is a confident, wild child and single mum. 

I feel parts of the movie, especially the start was trying to be outragous and vulgar when it didn’t need to be. Either I got used to the humour, or it got better once the sisters were together at their house. I enjoyed the typical scenes of them going through their old childhood rooms and reading their diaries. After discovering that Maura never really had any fun of her own, they decide to throw one last party in their parents house before it’s sold. They re-connect with their old graduating school class and throw a party so wild you would think they’re teenagers.

One of my favourite scenes was a familiar joke of Kate trying to pronounce her Korean nail technicians name. I have always been a fan of Tina Fey, but never really warmed to Amy Poehler, purely because I hadn’t seen her as much. This movie flipped my opinion. Poehler basically had me in stitches every time she spoke. 

Another great scene was the sister’s dorky dance routine from school that they performed for their guests. While I loved this, it was flat out from a Friends episode. As in the majority of the moves, were completely Monica and Ross’s routine. It was still a laugh, just unoriginal.

The movie had me in stitches laughing at times, but not enough. In saying that, all movies, especially comedies are subjective so it’s definitely worth a watch if you like these two. Or even if you don’t and just want to tune out to a popcorn flick.

Movie Review: The Revenant

Thriller/Drama/Adventure

Rated – MA15+

Duration –156mins

Release – Jan 2016

Director –Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu

Cast –Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson, Will Poulter

Mr Knight

There was a lot of anticipation for me coming into the days leading up to this epic movie. The previews had such a fierce intensity that it forced me into the cinemas a day after opening to see it for myself before hearing more of the hype. After walking out of the cinema after three hours I felt The Revenant completely delivered in every way.

The Revenant tells the story of famous tracker Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his company of hired men seeking out pelts in the rugged American wilderness. After an intense battle with Native American Indians and many of his troop are slaughtered Glass is relied upon by his Captain Andrew Henry (Domhnall Gleeson) to lead the men out in a hasty escape.

Whilst in the thick forest Glass is horribly mauled by a grizzly bear. For me, watching a scene that clearly uses special effects, it was the most real and horrid scene I’ve watched, which impressed me a LOT! The thing I liked most however was that he wasn’t just ripped apart, the behaviour of the bear seemed so real. But that is a moment for the viewers to judge.

Once ripped to pieces, Glass hangs by a thread. As the rest of his troop must flee, Glass is left with the protection of Bridger (Will Poulter) an innocent, green as grass boy, his son a Native American, Hawk and the highly opinionated and self-preserving trapper John Fitzgerald, played expertly by Tom Hardy.

To save his own skin and get what is owed, Fitzgerald betrays Glass burying him alive and he makes for camp. What follows is the most painstaking, brutal, revenge fuelled journey you could imagine. Glass, still bloodied, half dead, starved, desperately dehydrated and unable to speak crawls through snow, rocks, sticks, rivers and hostile country to get to Fitzgerald.

The Revenant does not have much talking. It doesn’t need it. A majority of it is Leo groaning, bubbling spit and blood and crawling through the mud. A scene we may have already experienced with Leo in The Wolf of Wall Street when Jordan Belfort takes some old “Ludes” and tries to drive his Lambo to the country club.

The cinematography and direction was brilliant. The film was made with all natural light giving you a sense that you were in that dim, cold forest, during that oppressing winter. The fighting scenes did not hold back and in some moments you literally squirm when an arrow hits true or a limb is cleaved off. The realism of it makes you feel glad to be living with modern technology, and modern medicine.

The Revenant was a refreshing change to the variety of movies we have been dealt with lately. It leaves the glitz, glam and wit behind of today’s movies and brings everything back to its primal form of a dirty, bloodied test of survival which many wish to never experience.

 
Mrs Knight

From the promotional material and story line, I originally thought this film wasn’t going to be one I would enjoy. I then saw the trailer, in cinema and it was so intense that it changed my mind. Plus it stars Leo-baby, so there was never any doubt on whether I would go see it in cinema.

This film has my vote for Best Picture at the Oscars. It was one of the best produced, directed and acted films I have seen in a very long time. This film was dramatic story-telling at its peak. Its set in the 1820’s and follows a man named Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) who is trying to survive after a brutal attack from a Grizzly Bear. He faces incredible betrayal from his team as he is left for dead to survive in the wild through a deathly cold winter.

Let me begin by mentioning the bear attack. I have no prior knowledge of what it would look like if a bear was to attack a human, but if I had to guess, I would say that it plays out exactly like it does in this movie. The special effects were incredible. All I kept thinking was, my mum actually got out of a car in Canada to take a photo of one of these creatures…Voluntarily…That woman is fearless.

There were a couple of moments when I felt nothing much had happened and it was a bit long, but before I could finish the thought I would be sucked in to the intensity of it all. There were hardly any words spoken in a two and a half hour film, yet it was engaging, heart breaking and caused anxiety for those watching. Everything about it was just so incredibly real and gritty. The makeup was one of the best I have ever seen. I’m actually thinking there might have been real scratches on their skin. The lighting and direction made you feel like you were there experiencing it all firsthand.

Tom Hardy plays a bit of a villain in this one, but only because he goes to extreme lengths to stay alive. Hardy, along with DiCaprio played their parts so well, it’s hard to imagine them in any other role. If DiCaprio doesn’t finally win his Oscar, Hardy certainly will. Another highlight was “About Time” and “Ex-Machina’s” Domhall Gleeson who seems to be the flavour of the month in Hollywood at the moment. Popping up everywhere, including Star Wars. He was once again, just as convincing as ever in a very different role as Captain Andrew Henry. I would also be surprised if Director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu doesn’t walk away from this with an Oscar tucked under his arm.

This one definitely won’t be for everyone. It is dirty, grim, gruesome, violent, suspenseful and INTENSE! If you don’t like the trailer, you’re probably not going to like the film. I’m deducting half a star from a near perfect rating purely because I had a few moments of thinking it was long with nothing happening. I also like dialogue. However, as mentioned before, in terms of how it was produced, directed and acted, it gets a near perfect score. It will have you glued to the screen, squirming in your seat and shocked from the brutality of it all.

Movie Review: Joy

Drama/Comedy

Rated – M

Duration –124mins

Release – Dec 2015

Director – David O'Russell

Cast –Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper

Mr Knight

Joy. I wasn't keen going in. I'm not a huge fan of directors/studios/film makers/producers using the exact same actors in everything they make. Tim Burton always uses his wife Helena Bonham Carter. Quentin Tarantino always uses Samuel L. Jackson. Joy was directed by David O'Russell, who also directed Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle.

All three films including Joy feature Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro among others I'm sure. Using the same cast over and over just feels tired to me, watching them always doing the same shit... a dysfunctional family. O'Russell also directed The Fighter, featuring Christian Bale and Amy Adams. Another two stars he's used before. He seems to stick to what he knows, and I don't like it. It's boring. But I digress.

Joy. The title does not fit the story. It is meant to tell the tale of an inspirational woman, Joy Mangano (Jennifer Lawrence) who, living for years with screaming kids, a live in the basement ex-husband, a shut-in soap opera obsessed mother and a head strong ladies man father, decides its time to use her ability to invent.

Joy defies all the people who said she couldn't and despite shady business men, difficulty after difficulty and incredible debt, she strives to be more than she is and become one of the most important and successful business women in history.

The movie had laughs here and there, and the quirky characters in the house to bring a smile, but I found there was far too much focus on the negatives Joy deals with and not the victories. Despite Joy having great highs as well as lows, the highs rush right on by without a moments thought and you as a movie veiwer don't get to enjoy the victories with her.

Joy had its moments but as a whole I didn't truly en-Joy it. It was still pretty good, but me being a movie nerd and seeing many movies more than once, I don't think I'll revisit this one again.


 

Mrs Knight

Joy is the true story of Joy Mangano (Jennifer Lawrence), and the journey of her becomming a successful business woman and inventor. After years of hardship, Joy invents the highly successful Miracle Mop.

I didn't know much about Joy Mangano and the trailer was quite vague. The movie showed a lot of back story and character building. This created depth which I really enjoyed as I watched Joy experience the highs and lows of starting her own business. My favourite scenes were after she has invented and built the Miracle Mop and is trying to sell it. I also enjoyed the scenes with Bradley Cooper as the head of sales for a TV station, although his part was quite a lot smaller than expected.

The film was as much about love, friendship and family loyalty as it was about her career. Narrated from the perspective of her supporting grandmother we are introduced to a variety of characters including her best friend, half sister, slightly crazy TV obsessed mother and rude father, played by Robert De Niro. She decides to go against the odds and not follow in her dysfunctional families footsteps.

Another great film starring J-Law. There were a couple of weak and predictable moments, but I didn't mind. My main criticism was the pace of the ending. There was so much build up and back story of her struggles that the scenes showing her success felt rushed and didn't suit the rest of the film. It was no Silver Linings Playbook, but it was still good. I'd watch it again, alone though as there is no way Mr Knight will voluntarily re-watch it.

Overall, a real joy to watch!
 

In Short...

Reviews for people on the go. Don't have time to read our reviews? Treat yourself to a short review of the latest films from Mr & Mrs Knight. 

Star Wars: The Force Awakens
 

Mr KNIGHT 

 

Number seven in the saga, set 30 years after Return of the Jedi, The Force Awakens shows a new threat to the Galaxy with a similar end game. Brand new faces are brought to the table with Daisy Ridley’s Rey and John Boyega’s Finn which do the movie justice. Unlike the shitty parts 1-3, The Force Awakens uses less special effects, more realistic scenery, more realistic light sabre battles and keeps true to the originals, which is what all the real fans actually love! A cracking movie. See it on the big screen! Not 3D though. 3D sucks.

Mrs KNIGHT

 

Episode 7 is set three decades after the defeat of the Galactic Empire. The film quickly brings you up to speed with what has happened to the old favourites while introducing you to some newbies, including kick ass scavenger Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega). I walked out of the cinema wanting to go and watch the originals, which is something I have just about never wanted to do in my life! I am now a Star Wars fan (not that I was ever a hater) and can’t wait for the next one!

Joy
 

Mr KNIGHT   

 

The story of a brilliant woman held down by her high maintenance family and responsibilities, Joy Mangano (Jennifer Lawrence). Joy decides to take a risk and creates the original Miracle Mop. The movie, sprinkled with stars such as Bradley Cooper, a slick TV Network manager and Robert De Niro, the judgmental, old-school father, follow Joy’s highs and lows. It was fun, but I felt it focused too strongly on the lows and not enough time spent on the highs.

 

 

Mrs KNIGHT

 

Joy is the true story of Joy Mangano (Jennifer Lawrence), and the journey of her becoming a successful business woman and inventor. After years of hardship, Joy invents the highly successful Miracle Mop. The film was as much about love, friendship and family loyalty as it was about her career. Overall I enjoyed it and it kept me engaged, especially the scenes with Bradley Cooper who played the Head of Sales for a successful TV Network. It was no Silver Linings Playbook, but still a “Joy” to watch.

Daddy’s Home
 

Mr KNIGHT 

 

Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg are at it again with this ‘wait for it to come out on DVD’ comedy. Ferrell plays step-dad Brad, an unloved by the children, dorky man who just wants the kids acceptance. He feels he’s getting somewhere until in comes Dad, Mark Wahlberg’s Dusty. He’s muscly, cool and everything the kids want, and just like Step Brothers, the battle begins. I don’t know how to fell anymore about Will Ferrell. He seems to have lost his edge and is turning into the new Adam Sandler. This has its laughs, but not many. See it if you get free tickets or go on cheap Tuesday!

 

 
Mrs KNIGHT

If you liked The Other Guys, you will like this. Comedy duo Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg team up in this latest comedy “Daddy’s Home”. Ferrell plays the hard working, perfect step dad, desperate for love from his step-children. Things are going ok before their cool, good at everything, real dad comes home to mess everything up. I enjoyed it overall, it had a few silly laughs, but wasn’t the best comedy I’ve ever seen. I still recommend seeing it. 

  

Love the Coopers
 

Mr KNIGHT

 

Like many before it, just because a movie is littered with stars, does not make it a good movie. This one, a story of a dysfunctional family, The Coopers, coming together for Christmas, actually made me want to bash my head against the wall. The script was so bad it had a daytime TV movie feel to it. Despite it having Dianne Keaton, John Goodman, Olivia Wilde, Amanda Seyfried, Marissa Tomei and many others, nothing could save this script. As I’ve said before, you can’t polish a turd, and that is what this was!

Mrs KNIGHT

 

Love the Coopers is a feel good Christmas film, starring Olivia Wilde, Diana Keaton, Amanda Seyfried and more. While the story and characters lacked depth and it started off slow, it picked up half way through and I managed to enjoy the film over all. It showed all the insecurities and dramas a family can go through, especially during the holiday season. I wouldn’t watch again, but it was enjoyable enough.

Creed
 

Mr KNIGHT

 

Deceased Heavy Weight Champion Apollo Creed’s son, Adonis Johnson, played by Michael B. Jordan, is a down on his luck amateur boxer who needs a guiding hand. Adonis tracks down his father’s past opponent and friend, Rocky Balboa, who is old, retired and operating his run-down restaurant “Adrien’s”. Adonis convinces Rocky to train him. What follows is a powerful, uplifting boxing movie with surprisingly heartfelt performances by Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordon.

 

Mrs KNIGHT

 

Coming from someone who hasn’t seen the Rocky films, and definitely didn’t want to see Creed, I was pleasantly surprised! The film follows the boxing journey of Adonis Johnson who is sick of living in the shadow of his champion father, Apollo Creed. He approaches retired Rocky Balboa to train him to the championships. It was an uplifting sports film that I actually recommend. I might even watch the original Rocky flicks!

 

The Hunger Games Mockingjay: Part 2
 

Mr KNIGHT

 

If the movie was this bad, I ask myself, how did they ever sell any of the books? A follow up from terrible Mockingjay part one, Jennifer Lawrence leads an untrained, try-hard militant group, with a mentally ill Peeta, through a booby trapped Capital to kill President Snow. Not one action, comment, reaction or decision made by ANY character in this movie made any sense. Absolute rubbish. 

Mrs KNIGHT

 

I’m glad this was the last installment of the Hunger Games franchise, as I wouldn’t want to sit through another. Mockingjay Part 2 sees the war escalate and our hero Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) lead the rebellion against President Snow (Donald Sutherland). It was better than Part 1 (which isn’t hard) and better than Mr Knight makes it out to be (again, not hard) but I was still disappointed as there was no suspense, or likeability in the characters. Sit back, relax and enjoy. Just don’t expect an Oscar winning film. 

The Dressmaker
 

Mr KNIGHT   

 

A predominantly Aussie cast set in outback Australia with Kate Winslet as its lead, The Dressmaker mixes comedy, mystery and scandal. Kate Winslet, a successful seamstress, returns to her home town after years of absence to rediscover and investigate a horror of her childhood. Where many Aussie movies ooze cheesy jokes, this one manages just the right mix. Quite a good flick.

 

  

Mrs KNIGHT

Tilly Dunnage (Kate Winslet) returns to her hometown in outback Victoria, Australia. Whispers and rumours quickly spread that she might be somehow connected to a murder. Expect the unexpected with this one. It’s quirky, twisted and full of dark humour. Great performances by all, keeping me engaged until the end. Plus there was some pretty great fashion moments! Highly recommend.  

Spectre

 

Mr KNIGHT 

 

A poor man’s Skyfall, Spectre wraps up the Daniel Craig Bond saga in a neat bow. Against the kingpin of all his previous adversaries, 007 struggles with the concept of his age, lost loves, fallen friends, his issues and willingness to go on. Spectre still delivers all the glitz, glam, fast cars, fast guns and beautiful women of its predecessors without disappointing its fans too much. But like I said, not quite Skyfall.

 

Mrs KNIGHT

 

I’m not a massive Bond fan, but for those of you who are I’m sure you will enjoy it far more than me. I found it to be long, boring and unenjoyable in comparison to Skyfall, which I loved. It started and ended strong, but dwindled in the middle. Despite it being filled with action, I didn’t feel like anything much was happening and I didn’t enjoy much of the characters. Sorry Bond fans, but didn’t care much for Spectre, it was only ok.