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Joyll’s Movie Review: Maggie (2015)

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Maggie_(film)_POSTER

There are THREE immediate things that you need to know about MAGGIE (2015).

First, this film is NOT about Zombies. NOT. AT. ALL!

Second, this is undoubtedly Arnold Schwarzenegger’s (who executive produced this film, FYI) FINEST PERFORMANCE OF HIS CAREER.

And third, it’s a film you’re going to need to see at least TWICE (and YES, I’m doing my second screening literally right now as I’m typing this intro) in theatres, to get the full scope of what it is that you’re watching. You’ll also learn WHY is extremely thought-provoking, mentally draining while be enlightening and uplifting, and why we need more films such as this one.

Let’s handle this, shall we?

#WhatWorks:

“They Don’t Separate The Phases.” -Trent (played brilliantly by Bryce Romero whom I wish we saw more of!)

Here are a couple of really fantastic things that I need to pointe out right away:

This film is NOT a zombie flick. It’s NOT an action film (it does have action but NOT much).

Some really key stars in this film that must be immediately paid homage to? Well, the unassuming yet perfectly chosen scenery, the “couldn’t be more perfect” location, the luminescent cinematography, AND the MAKEUP.

In fact, I fully expect Oscar nom’s for makeup and cinematography as well as potential Oscar noms for both Schwarzenegger and Breslin. (Work with me here I promise I will explain!)

Maggie’s magic is in all of the above, and yet you’re reminded constantly throughout the film, that an improper casting could sink this ship before it gets a chance to swim. Thankfully, that’s not an issue here. As I’ve stated before, there can be no doubt this is Schwarzenegger’s finest performance, but why or even more pressing, HOW?

Maggie is the story of a Father’s limitless love for his daughter and the bond that they carry as reflected in everything they have endured together.

It is ALSO a brilliant and extremely thought-provoking film about END OF LIFE. I know what you’re thinking. But ‘wait, isn’t this a film about zombies?!?!’ It is absolutely essential and adamant that you understand that this film’s message, its moments, its premise, its aim, ultimately, is to get people talking about the END OF LIFE.

What do I mean by “end of life?”

Well in America at least, there are thousands upon thousands of discussions nearly every day held between family, doctors, nurses and other caregivers about a patient’s ability to make their own choices about how they want their life to end. There is a form several pages long called an Advanced Directive or Durable Medical POA which families sit through and often agonise over because no one wants to be the one to ‘pull the plug’ on a beloved family member. This form has created many a riff, many a chasm in households for a very long time.

Caregivers will often tell you that if your loved one could speak for themselves, they would not want to be hooked up to any life support for in some cases ANY length of time and you need to respect their wishes. This form is a way of ensuring what those wishes are, and how they are to be carried out.

One of the key concepts in Maggie is that we entrust our family members to make the right decisions about caring for us, even when we can’t care for or speak for ourselves. And just how difficult if they are indeed capable of making such decisions, is it for those decisions to be carried out. And Maggie literally slaps one in the face with just his difficult times like these can be for ALL of those around us, not just our immediate family.

Now, to touch upon the castings for Wade (Schwarzenegger) and Maugerite (Breslin). This film absolutely requires kinetic energy and synergy in chemistry in order to work. You absolutely MUST believe that Wade and Maggie are indeed a loving Father and his angst-ridden yet rudderless (understandable under the circumstances) teenage daughter.

It’s extremely uncanny how masterfully this relationship is portrayed. These two sell it so gut-wrenchingly well that you often find yourself attempting to counter their brilliance with, I know they aren’t Father and beloved daughter in real life but….

You are fed the angst, the sadness, the anger, and the inevitability so effortlessly that you are on keel with these characters from title sequence to wrap/credits. You feel what they feel, you see what they see. Their pain rips through you like an asteroid colliding with Earth. It’s indelible mark upon your spirit forever.

Another thing I have to pointe out (because I haven’t been able to think about little else since first screening this film), is the fact that the screenwriters clearly researched not only how a virus such as the necroambulist virus would wreak havoc on the human body, but they also paid keen attention to the fact that in the late 90s to early 2000s, disease protocol and medical advancements in this country would NOT have been able to stop such a virus.

There’s no computer tracking, they’re actually using rotary telephones to communicate (electricity seems to be minimally available), and there’s no acknowledgement of the scope of the virus and no way of knowing just how many people were infected and who patient ONE would be.

The symptoms that are shown in Maggie and others (like Trent), are almost EXACTLY how such a virus would affect the human body. I must admit I’m a wee bit awestruck by that attention to detail. From the pale skin to the necrotizing of the skin and limbs, to the decay of one’s eyesight or the infected wheezing heavily because the body is destroying its own tissue (in this case the LUNGS).

They even correctly show that the blood of an infected person would be darker than the non-infected person because the red blood cells are also necrotizing, causing the blood to become DE-oxygenated.

The devil is indeed in the details here and they have done their research and that in itself gives this phenomenal film just one of its 5 stars. I got more than a few chills screening it! Bravo!

Another wonderful but unfortunately short-lived gem in this masterpiece is the connection between both the infected Trent (Bryce Romero) and Maggie. As far as is known, Trent is the only other infected person in the film who still has a functioning brain and is in control of his own body. The younger the infected is, the faster the metabolism, and the faster the virus consumes the human body. So it was a welcome sight to see another infected that Maggie could not only relate to as his friend, but also see the anguish and inevitability that a parent or significant other must deal with watching the one they love fade away.

We are given a sense of the love and compassion that having such a caring but firm Father that Maggie has in Wade, and why the grey areas of life are such minefields. Trent helps to show that the humanity in the infected is still there, and if one is strong willed enough, that there needn’t be surrender.

Fighting until you’re no longer you is indeed possible, even if the others looking at you don’t understand that this is what you’re trying to do. Again, another end of life concept that this truly endearing, soul-stirring film does a brilliant job of making the centre of discussion.

There is such a humanity that is reflected in Wade’s eyes that catches you off guard quite frequently, again causing one to question if that is indeed Arnold Schwarzenegger on-screen. He does such a marvelous job of conveying every emotion, every whim, every dire moment of desperation. Every other character that he interacts with seems to reflect back his energy all the while feeding off of it like a vampire. The scenes he’s not even in still carry his essence from scene to scene, act to act. It’s almost as if his soul is present on constant watch standing sentry, while his body has left in aura-like footprint.

This film is about family, it’s about the shades of grey, it’s about community and how easy it is for others to turn against each other in desperation. It’s ultimately one of the best in-direct discussions about End Of Life that I’ve ever seen on-screen.

One could say that may not have been the film’s ultimate aim, but I don’t believe so. The sharp thought pointes that you are stuck with from beginning to end simply must mean so much more than one initially feels. They have to, in order to appeal to a viewer’s sense of humanity and survival in utter chaos and sheer terror.

#WhatDoesNotWork

If this film has an Achilles heel, it’s Caroline (Joely Richardson). And no, it’s not an issue at the actor level. Not at all. You expect Caroline to be the vacillating source of dissension from the beginning. You see the level of commitment to what must be done, fading in her steps from onset. To be fair, she has a lot to lose. There are times when you feel like she’s been shoehorned into a moment, which would normally be a welcoming sight but they fall flat.

She’s written with quite a few uncharacteristic moments that certainly don’t support the unified narrative you’re feed from scene one. When she’s in scenes with Wade, he carries such a big stick that she nearly fades completely into the background; she doesn’t hold her own. She’s written to be weaker, unsupportive, etc.

I understand exactly WHY this was done, but you almost wish her moment of clarity and recognition, had happened sooner so that you can see not only dissension in the ranks, but genuine tension. Does it detract from the film? In my opinion, NO. But it doesn’t add value to it and I really believe it needed to in order to tell the story in the best light and path possible.

In Conclusion . . .

So many expertly placed pieces ultimately create such a beautifully constructed puzzle. Rarely do we get to see such a film. And it reminds me so very much that we need to see more of them! More films that leave their mark upon us in such a way that we won’t soon forget. More films that are worthy of such discussions and potentially a few arguments. More intelligent, thought-provoking, soul-stirring, mind-blowing, small pebble making huge waves types of films.

They stay with us because they are meant to. They reside within us, their marks forever seared into our skin, forever etched into our hearts. As human beings, we are indeed capable of great things. If we chose to accept that and go forward in that path, a film like Maggie is simply the tip of the phenomenal iceberg.

An absolute #MUSTSEE. A true 5-Star film.

#SheCritiquesIt #WhatWorksWhatDoesNot

 

Joyll CambridgeJoyll Cambridge hails from Manchester, United Kingdom and currently lives in New York, New York. She loves all things movies, fitness and swirling. To read Joyll’s personal blog at The Humanist Exec, click here.

Joyll is our Resident Movie Reviewer. Look for more movie reviews from Joyll!

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.

You can also follow us on Sound Cloud and listen to the show on Stitcher Radio. You can also hear us on PlayerFM!

Copyright ©2015 Michelle Matthews Calloway, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, The Swirl World Podcast™, The Swirl World Inspiration Daily™, Swirl Nation™, All rights reserved. Photo of Joyll Cambridge used with permission.

Movie poster from the movie “Maggie” obtained from “Maggie (film) POSTER” by Source. Licensed under Fair use via Wikipedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Maggie_(film)_POSTER.jpg#/media/File:Maggie_(film)_POSTER.jpg.  All rights reserved.

Joyll’s Movie Review: Furious 7 (2015)

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Furious 7gallery_01_main

Having screened this film THREE times since it’s opening, it’s not lost upon me that I finally see my way clear to review it objectively – on the very same opening weekend another massive blockbuster is set to take Furious 7’s BILLION $ crown (which I correctly predicted it would).

Having seen this film opening night and a few more times since then, you may ask WHY has it taken me so long to review a film I absolutely LOVE? Because with every earlier screening, I simply bawled like a 14-year-old being dumped by her boyfriend a few weeks before prom.

This film is such beautifully moving and fitting tribute to the late, great Paul Walker. My generation; we grew UP with The Fast and The Furious series.

The characters are legitimately people who so many of could relate too and empathise with in such a profound way. I didn’t feel as though I could be objective enough to pick this film apart and speak about what works, and of course what does not.

So without further ado, here’s to you Paul. I’m along with you for one last ride. See you at the finish line!

#WhatWorks:

Furious 7 literally opens up with a BANG, or maybe I should say SEVERAL bangs. Of course, with this series is there really any other way for it to open?

And while the bangs are expected what’s really brilliantly done is the immediate yet VERY strong connection that has been established between Hobbs (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) and Gisele (played by Gail Gadot). There is a chemistry there that is just slightly overly inappropriate in a GOOD way if you will.

Of course, almost instantaneously we also meet Deckerd Shaw (Jason Statham who is so good at being a villain, it’s well, SCARY). Shaw’s bang of an entrance serves basically to set the tone for this film. There are NO moments for mercy, and there’s absolutely NO turning back.

Now if you have seen the entire series (except Tokyo Drift, which I actually liked) you know that Dom and Letty are linked in love for life. There are so many warm moments throughout this film between the two of them, and then we find out that the issues that failed miserably in their attempts to break them apart are still driving a prominent wedge into their relationship.

They’re literally trying to get re-acquainted with each other, with Letty’s still severe bout with amnesia. Vin Diesel does an extraordinary job of conveying the strength he’s had to use in order to weather this storm and be with Letty until the end, whatever that end may be.

Your heart has moments where it’s genuinely heavy because you can see him wanting Letty to be HIS Letty, and yet your heart is even heavier when you watch his heart visibly breaking when Letty’s eyes don’t reflect back at him in the way he desperately wants them to. As these two have aged through the series, you genuinely are pulling for them. Their chemistry and connected energy are matched by very few onscreen couples.

Brian O’Connor (Paul Walker) is trying desperately to settle down into married with kids life with Mia (Jordanna Brewster) and baby Jack, and he finds himself longing for certain parts of his past, all while clearly having eyes on the future.

It amazes me how Paul and Jordanna have forged such a strong bond that there really isn’t much effort needed to sell their bond as husband and wife on their way to a house with a white picket fence, football Mums, carpools, and 2.5 kids. Many people would consider that a happy life, a life without any unfulfilled wants or desires and yet…Bullets.

The battle between Dom and Shaw is one of such epic proportions that it spills over into other scenes. Depending on whom you ask, this can be a positive or a negative. I actually find it a positive because anything that gives me more access to seeing more of Jason Statham and Vin Diesel is a TRUE GIFT! :-))

Another really solid theme that carries well in F7 is the transformation and growth of Tej (Chris Ludacris Bridges) and Roaman (Tyrese Gibson).

Tej is not the same ole man geek. He’s still brilliant as ever but there is a new side that can only be described as osmosis of Alpha male-ism from hanging around Dom and Brian so much. Lol!

But you also see that the things that they’ve experienced and the people they’ve lost have rendered a great deal to shaping and encouraging Tej’s growth. There’s a humanity there that has always been just below the surface that we finally get to see in full bloom and it’s a true pleasure to watch.

Character growth through a series is ESSENTIAL and when screenwriters or show runners don’t know how to portray that on screen, we’re left with the dreaded hideous mess. That absolutely isn’t the case here at all and I’m overjoyed because of it. Roaman on the other hand, well there’s growth, but ultimately, Roaman is still Roaman and in this film, that’s ESSENTIAL and absolutely a blast to see!

One of the Achilles heels of the FF series has been that the writing hasn’t been strong enough to make the Alpha male that is Vin Diesel disappear into the screenplay. In my opinion, FINALLY we are carried through the film in Dom’s world because there is ACTUAL growth – actual movement; actual fluidity in motion.

Finally, the character traits that make Vin Diesel the only man whom could ever play Dom, are strong enough to remind us exactly WHY no other actor could ever play Dom. I think Vin Diesel’s BTS interview where he talks about the importance of them putting everything they had into this film (while Walker was still alive of course) so that if indeed it was the last film in the series, that it would be the best ever. Mission Accomplished!

Now, for the part I dread (or should):

#WhatDoesNOTWork:

Literally the only issue I could find with this film is there simply isn’t enough Dwayne Johnson in it. Why? Because he’s the Calvary, and we’ll always need more Calvary in our lives. He has a certain charisma to him as Hobbs that we don’t get to enjoy as much of, as we really should. Oh pooh! Have to figure out how to rectify this situation. :-))

The key reason that I was adamant about being able to review this film objectively was because I wanted to be able to step away and respect it for what it is and possibly rib it a bit for what it isn’t.

What it IS, is FOR PAUL, and that’s bloody brilliant enough for me. RIP Paul, we’ve grown up with you and this franchise, and trying to imagine it continuing without you in it just isn’t in my capabilities right now. Maybe later, maybe not. FOR PAUL.

#SheCritiquesIt #WhatWorksWhatDoesNot

Joyll CambridgeJoyll Cambridge hails from Manchester, United Kingdom and currently lives in New York, New York. She loves all things movies, fitness and swirling. To read Joyll’s personal blog at The Humanist Exec, click here.

Joyll is our Resident Movie Reviewer. Look for more movie reviews from Joyll!

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.

You can also follow us on Sound Cloud and listen to the show on Stitcher Radio. You can also hear us on PlayerFM!

Copyright ©2015 Michelle Matthews Calloway, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, The Swirl World Podcast™, The Swirl World Inspiration Daily™, Swirl Nation™, All rights reserved. Photo of Joyll Cambridge used with permission. Gallery photo from the movie “Furious 7” obtained from Furious7.com.  All rights reserved.

 

Movie Review: Chappie (2015)

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Chappie Movie Poster_

First let me say that almost THREE months ago to the day, I wasn’t sure if I would EVER be able to screen and review another film, but gratefully, I AM STILL HERE and still able to do what I love so here goes…..

Chappie is not your typical artificial intelligence story. In fact there are so many layers to the story that I recommend screening it only after you have taken a few deep breaths to relax and calm yourself so you can be prepared for what’s to come.

https://youtu.be/6CYYywePBz8

Let me first say I plan on seeing this film AGAIN IN IMAX. Why? Because it WORKS. And because not only is it a truly enjoyable cinematic experience but it GENUINELY makes you contemplate!

What Works:

Chappie is a happy accident of sorts. In other words he’s been planned but not exactly in the way that most people think. And because of that you consistently find yourself going back to points of reference earlier in the film because you are connecting development with consciousness, and learning with environment and emotion.

The connection between Deon (Chappie’s MAKER-and yes that’s in CAPS for a reason) played masterfully by Dev Patel of Slumdog Millionaire fame, and Chappie are a teacher and student paradigm. And these two sell that connection EMPHATICALLY well.

When we first meet Chappie, he is indeed A CHILD. As such, he has a Mum and a Dad. You literally have to think of Chappie and his relationship with his ‘parents’ played brilliantly by Ninja and Yolandi, as THAT of a HUMAN child with his parents. That is LITERALLY the way the relationship is SUPPOSED to play out. And it does, just NOT in the way that MOST parents choose to educate their children.

Let me just stop right here and say that Sharlto Copley is utterly MESMERISING as Chappie! You are drawn in from the beginning and he will NOT allow you to let go EVER. And because your connection as a viewer to Chappie is so strong, you empathise with him quite easily as you watch him, grow, learn, mature, endure, and FIGHT. And not just a physical fight but an internal metaphysical one.

Again, this film has MANY layers. The characters nearly all of them (well, except Vincent played by Hugh Jackman) have frequent internal battles with emotions and consciousness on a level most human beings simply cannot handle on such a scale.

What Does NOT Work:

Vincent (again played wonderfully solid by Hugh Jackman) is a character that no matter what he does in the beginning of the story, you don’t get the empathy necessary to genuinely CARE about what happens to him as a character. Literally from the VERY beginning there’s nothing redeeming, nothing that makes you want things to work for him in ANY WAY.

You literally DESPISE him from minute one and as such, he’s not the antagonist most will need to ensure they are on the right side, of history so to speak, as this film plays out. I have a feeling it comes down to editing for time because as such, Jackman’s performance is SOLID. He is a fantastic antagonist!!! But in comparison to Chappie, well there’s simply no comparison.

I absolutely DO NOT want you to think that makes Chappie ANY less of a fantastic film because it does NOT. There’s no way to assess this film other than an ABSOLUTE MUST SEE and if it’s playing IN IMAX where you are, I HIGHLY recommend it!!!

The cinematography is amazing, the robotics and animatronics are absolutely MIND-BLOWING and the interactions between Chappie and the “REAL” world will leave you with more than a few tears.

It’s amazing when you’re watching a film about robotics and you suddenly realize that the character whom is the most HUMAN, that you connect with on the deepest levels, is metal, plug and play, and UTTERLY cosmic in his footprint!

#SheCritiques #WhatWorksWhatDoesNot

Joyll CambridgeJoyll Cambridge hails from Manchester, United Kingdom and currently lives in New York, New York. She loves all things movies, fitness and swirling. To read Joyll’s personal blog at The Humanist Exec, click here.

Joyll joined our team as our Resident Movie Reviewer. Look for more movie reviews from Joyll!

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes.

You can also follow us on Sound Cloud and listen to the show on Stitcher Radio! 

Copyright ©2015  Michelle Matthews Calloway, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, The Swirl World Podcast™,  All rights reserved. Photo of Joyll Cambridge used with permission. Movie poster from the movie “Chappie” obtained from IMDB.

She Critiques-The Hobbit: Battle Of The Five Armies (2014)

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The Hobbit

 

The Hobbit: Battle Of The Five Armies

The Hobbit: Battle Of The Five Armies

I’ve literally just walked out of the theatre and simply had to get this out because while there are moments you want to shout to the mountaintops about, there are also a few moments where you cover your eyes with shame.

What Does NOT Work: nearly the entire first act. There’s no transition from scene to scene and some of the acting in the 1st act leaves you feeling like you’re looking at Monty Python instead of the inhabitants of Middle Earth.

The screenplay in this act is HIGHLY irregular and you find yourself shaking your head so much you might endure w bit of a migraine before it’s all over. Remember we’re still dealing with not only Smaug (Benedict Cumberbatch) wreaking havoc upon the people of Laketown and there’s that small matter of Gandalf (Sir Ian McKellen) being entrapped in the darkness by Sauron. I just don’t feel like these two important pieces of the puzzle were handled like they should have been. It felt campy UGGGH. I will say that Luke Evans does a masterful job in this act and leave it at that as I remind myself no spoilers for such a new film.

 

NOW…WHAT DOES WORK: Bard (Luke Evans) and his children have a connection that you feel throughout the entire film and their bond only seems to grow stronger as the film progresses. Bain (John Bell) is no longer a little boy but truly a man and you see these bits of the torch from his Father being passed to him and yet you still see the fear and thus the youth in him as it should be.

The connection between Bilbo (Martin Freeman) and Thorin (Richard Armitage) is tested repeatedly and seems to hold firm until that moment you realise much of an illusion outward appearances can create. No man among the dwarves has the will to counter Thorin and we again find ourselves owing a Baggins our lives and thus our loyalty in his fortitude.

Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and Tauriel (Evangiline Lily), at moments appear to tiptoe around each other until they nearly simultaneously come to the realisation that that is NOT the appropriate behaviour for the situation they find themselves in and an interesting segue, another branch if you will, sprouts and provides us with a testament of their faith, love, and loyalty that they have for each other although Tauriel’s heart clearly belongs to Kili. (The Dwarven Prince)

I have to stop here for a second because I must acknowledge something, Kili (Aidan Turner) and Tauriel are in a place so few find themselves willingly, but once there few people want to be anywhere else. Aiden Turner and Evangeline Lilly do such a superb job of bringing the viewer into that place with them and then almost immediately making you regret that you followed their tracks. And no, this is NOT to be taken as a negative critique. In fact it is the very opposite and once you see the film yourself, it will become quite clearly exactly what I mean.

Legolas and Thraundil (Lee Pace), in a word or two, beautifully awkward. These two dance, they battle, the have an simultaneous epiphany and then they acquiesce. Is it beautiful? YES. Is it awkward? YES. But is it fulfilling in someway leaving you as the viewer satisfied? For me personally, initially, NO. But upon having time to genuinely consider how it plays out on screen and what comes next, I’m satisfied that all is resolved.

 

 

Joyll Cambridge

 

Joyll Cambridge hails from Manchester, United Kingdom and currently lives in New York, New York. She loves all things movies, fitness and swirling. To read Joyll’s personal blog at The Humanist Exec, click here.

Joyll joined our team as our Resident Movie Reviewer. To contact Joyll or request a review of a specific movie, email her at SheCritiques@TheSwirlWorld.com.

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes.

You can also follow us on Sound Cloud and listen to the show on Stitcher Radio! 

Copyright ©2014 Michelle Matthews Calloway, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, The Swirl World Podcast™, All rights reserved. Photo of Joyll Cambridge used with permission. Movie poster from the movie “The Hobbit: Battle Of The Five Armies” obtained from IMDB.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beyond The Lights-Extended Movie Review

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Beyond The Lights (2014)

Let’s file this under: Why on EARTH haven’t more people seen this film!!

Stop me if you’ve heard this one: Fantastic music, a solid screenplay, sexy smoldering performances by the leads, and a supporting cast that does EXACTLY what they’re supposed to and best of all MESSAGED received!

This is indeed the description belonging to the new Gina Prince-Bythewood film Beyond The Lights. Having screened this film several times because I always recruit someone else who wants to go see it based off my words alone, I can say without ANY hesitation that the latest time is just as enjoyable at the first! It puzzles me greatly why more people haven’t seen this film but I think after my latest screening I finally figured out WHY which I will get to in a moment.

 

Beyond The Lights MP

 

First the cast: The enigmatic up and coming superstar Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Charismatic Nate Parker, the treasure Minnie Driver, and the brilliantly seasoned Danny Glover. This cast is an absolute joy to watch and the chemistry between them that we’re seeing on screen is a GIFT that one should SAVOR. I for one am extremely proud of the performance of Nate Parker as a leading man. Having watched him mature from film to film (I think most of us remember him from The Great Debaters and The Secret Life Of Bees to the mastery that is Red Tails and in the suspense thriller Non-Stop) his growth very much on display as Kaz the hero police officer soon to be politician (a path that’s been very well seeded by his Father, endearingly played by Danny Glover) who is thrust into the wild world that is the music business. I’ve gushed about Gugu’s brilliant performance as Nino Jean over and over to as many people as I can but the truth is she makes it easy to do that, she’s such a constellation on screen that those around her can’t help but be drawn in and are forced to up their game and shine in their own way.

The premise is simple, Noni Jean (Mbatha-Raw) and her Momager (owned by Minnie Driver) have spent their entire lives trying to live out their dreams (err or maybe one living her dreams through the other) of being at the very top of the music business and have done pretty much whatever it takes to get there. Including quite a few things Noni doesn’t feel align with who she truly is. It comes to a head almost immediately in the film and this is when Noni and Kaz’s paths cross. Once they meet, you cannot imagine one without the other but there’s a reason FOR that. They’re not star-crossed lovers, they aren’t ying and yang. They’re literally like two halves of a very fractured globe.

 

 

Gina Prince-Bythewood does a marvelous job of showcasing what makes these two beautiful (internally and externally) people superstars in their own right. Kaz is indeed a stand up sort of guy and Noni Jean is indeed having taken a long walk on the wild side and yet they couldn’t be clearer mirrors of each other if they tried. And that is showcased so well on screen that you find yourself smiling, harking back to a time you remember when. Now make no mistake Noni Jean is no damsel in distress, she’s very much the epitome of strength and will but she needed that little, subtle push that we all need from time to time. A dose of reality if you will. It’s not difficult to see how she might have strayed, after all the music business is so very much about FANTASY and the one who has the IT factor at the moment. And that brings me to the point I mentioned earlier about why more people haven’t rushed to theatres and seen this gem of a film.

You see, this film does a brilliant job of showing you the hypocrisy and insanity that is the music business. The out of control songs, videos, the basically sex on a stick costumes, and the fire fanned by social media and the connection that ‘fans’ now have to their idols. See I think that far too many people are afraid of seeing the hellish cyclone the music business has become. People are afraid of seeing the naked truth about the people they idolize, the lives they lead, the constant sacrifices they make, and the humanity they give up in order to be the IT person of the moment. There’s a line in the film that I will paraphrase because I think it nails it right on the head. Noni Jean to Momager Macy Jean-“You know there would be times in photo shoots when they would ask me to take off more and more clothing and I would look to you to see if it was OK and it was ALWAYS OK!!!”

And THAT’S EXACTLY what this gem of a film does. It peels the layers of the music entertainment industry back and shows you just how insane it all really is, and just how so very DEEP the rabbit hole goes.

I absolutely recommend this film. It’s another #MUSTSEE that your commands attention from start to finish almost effortlessly!!!

 

Joyll CambridgeJoyll Cambridge hails from Manchester, United Kingdom and currently lives in New York, New York. She loves all things movies, fitness and swirling. To read Joyll’s personal blog at The Humanist Exec, click here.

Joyll joined our team as our resident movie reviewer. To contact Joyll or request a review, email her at SheCritiques@TheSwirlWorld.com.

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes.

You can also follow us on Sound Cloud and listen to the show on Stitcher Radio! 

Copyright ©2014 Michelle Matthews Calloway, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, The Swirl World Podcast™, All rights reserved. Photo of Joyll Cambridge used with permission. Movie poster from the movie “Beyond The Lights” obtained from IMDB.

Joyll’s Movie Review: Fury

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Fury_2014_poster

Let’s file this under: This film WILL indeed break your heart (and that’s ok, really it is).

I’ve had the true pleasure of seeing this film twice, and each time brought more tears – and in a way, more hope. Fury stars a phenomenal ensemble cast featuring Brad Pitt, Michael Penã, Shia LeBouf, Jon Bernthal and Logan Lerman.

Fury is the type of film that if you’re human, it will stay with you long after the curtain is drawn and I have to admit the cast is a big reason why.

http://youtu.be/-OGvZoIrXpg

Fury is the story of a tank unit in WWII who has been together a VERY long time because of the intelligence and skills of the group’s leader, Don “Wardaddy” Collier, played masterfully by Brad Pitt. The group has also lasted because of quite a bit of divine intervention helped along by Boyd “Bible” Swan, who is portrayed masterfully by Shia LeBouf.

The story focuses on WWII, specifically the period when the allies have surged into Germany and imminent surrender by the Germans is an “any day now” sort of event.

The film draws first blood immediately, and from the very beginning shows the harsh reality that is war. It reveals the decisions that those who fight are required to make in an instant because any sort of delay and a soldier or an entire platoon may not see the sun, their families, or the country they’re fighting to protect AGAIN.

A great portion of the first act centres on the introduction of Logan’s Lerman’s character Norman Ellison, an extremely young clerk typist who suddenly finds himself in the heart of the conflict that I’m almost certain he had thought to be a fairy tale or maybe even something that he role-played with his toy soldiers at home.

Wardaddy (as in top person in charge) realises that this charge he has been sent is far too young, far too green and far too saintly to be a member of Fury’s crew. Both Pitt and Lerman do a phenomenal job of the push-pull that is a huge part of this film.

Wardaddy has sadly seen it all, Norman not nearly enough, and there is the beautiful battle between the two of them that plays like a tug of war accompanied by a symphony. This plays through the film, and as a film goer you are grateful because it helps the film flow very strongly. It also allows it to stay true to its main premise, and it does so magnificently.

Jon Bernthal and Michael Penâ, two of my absolutely favourite, highly underrated actors, do an exceptional job of providing the film with comic relief. Now, I don’t mean that they make a mockery of their situation, what I’m implying is that their sense of humour and sense of connection is much-needed in such a time when people die daily, and thus hearts are broken daily. The ways that these two choose to cope, are not all that unusual in this type of scenario, and give us a much-needed realistic sense of how these soldiers deal with the everyday realities that they alone must face.

Now to my FAVOURITE character in this film. Bible, played brilliantly by Shia LeBouf. Bible is the Fury’s link to their Creator, but also their sense of duty and their sense of responsibility. Bible grounds them in a way only he can do. His faith is strong but even more so, his HUMANITY is unwavering. Humanity, in a WAR ZONE.

Bible doesn’t just throw bible verses at you, he speaks the words you need to hear to tether yourself to your humanism. He reminds you that above all else a little internal strength goes a LONG way towards preparing you for the horrors of war, and yet reminding you that you are indeed in hell on earth.

It’s ironic that Bible is the Fury’s primary large-caliber gunner, simply because of whom he is and what he believes. And you see the internal struggle which Shia nails so hard, it scares you at times. He delivers an absolutely brilliant performance that I hope we see from him again, because when he’s given the right material, he leaves you NO doubt who he is within the context of the story, and WHY he’s an integral part of it.

I don’t think I have enough adjectives to describe how much I really enjoyed him in this film, but I do know he’s a huge reason why I chose to screen the film twice. It’s just that powerful and moving of a performance.

Remember the name WARDADDY. Why? Because you would never want to meet a guy on the street with that sort of nickname. Is he lethal? Absolutely. Is he ruthless? Absolutely. Is he HUMAN? At times you find yourself wondering. I don’t think I’ve seen a performance like this from Pitt since his role in Se7en.

In a word, ETHEREAL. SUBLIME. MAGNIFICENT. Wardaddy is the only member of the Fury’s crew who speaks German fluently and this particular skill is used extremely well throughout the entire film. You find yourself wondering not only is he human, but is there anything Wardaddy is a failure at.

And no, I don’t mean he’s without flaws, but flaws and failures are two very different things and Mr. Pitt does a brilliant job of making those differences sing out loud. There is a humanity, a sense of calm that Wardaddy possesses and at first one might find it odd or out-of-place in such a setting, but Mr. Pitt not only makes it work, he does it in such a way that your very soul is warmed and yet burns from the ache you feel as he weaves in and out of the nuances of his character.

Fury is a masterpiece, an instant classic that despite all the sadness, the blood, the horrors, the soul-stirring heartbreak, leaves you with a sense of WILL, HOPE, and AWAKENING that very few films have the power to do.

I HIGHLY recommend that you head to a theatre near you and check this beauty of a film out, it will leave its mark on you, just as it did with me. #SheCritiques

Joyll CambridgeJoyll Cambridge hails from Manchester, United Kingdom and currently lives in New York, New York. She loves all things movies, fitness and swirling. To read Joyll’s personal blog at The Humanist Exec, click here.

Joyll joined our team as our Resident Movie Reviewer. Look for more movie reviews from Joyll!

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes.

You can also follow us on Sound Cloud and listen to the show on Stitcher Radio! 

Copyright ©2014  Michelle Matthews Calloway, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, The Swirl World Podcast™,  All rights reserved. Photo of Joyll Cambridge used with permission. Movie poster from the movie “Fury” obtained from Wikipedia.

Joyll’s Movie Review – Exodus: Gods and Kings

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Exodus: Gods and Kings | Official Trailer [HD] | 20th Century FOX (Screengrab)

I decided to literally start this review just moments after leaving the theatre because I feel it’s important to present a point of view that’s fresh and something that’s not just noise similar to what you’re receiving from so many of the other reviews.

First you will hear many critics downgrade Christian Bale’s portrayal of Moses. I disagree with that wholeheartedly. The material he was given in the screenplay is EXACTLY what he worked with and exactly what he handed us. So the failure of Exodus: Gods and Kings does not lie at his feet.

Problem #1: The people of Egypt and the people known as the Hebrews WERE NOT CAUCASIANS. Undoubtedly they were brown-skinned and in many places dark-skinned.

There are many people in the supporting cast of this film who show you EXACTLY what the people of Egypt and the people of Israel would have looked like. As a person who is closer in design to the people we SHOULD have been seeing in this film, I can’t deny that is initially a bit upsetting. However, I made it a point to leave my bias about that as far away from my screening as possible and I believe I have done just that.

This film suffers from three major issues that I believe are attributable to poor editing, poor casting, and a half-wit screenplay.

First, we are supposed to believe that Ramses and Moses were raised as Brothers. And although John Turturro as Seti does a decent job of building a bridge that shows you what their connection and camaraderie SHOULD look like, because there is VERY – and I MEAN VERY – little interaction between Moses and Ramses, it just doesn’t sell like it should.

And that’s problematic because you as a viewer NEED that relationship cemented in order to understand why it was EXTREMELY difficult for both Ramses and Moses to endure what follows.

This includes the exile of Moses, his first meeting with God, Ramses hunting of Moses, (a man he does not want to kill but feels he must kill to save face, as well as risk losing the undying obedience of the slaves), and the plagues.

One thing I should reiterate, I believe Joel Edgerton and Christian Bale did exactly what they were asked to do with what they were given. Consequently, do I think there were better actors that could have portrayed the characters better? NO. Skin colour ASIDE? NO.

The second issue? The absolute miscasting of Sigourney Weaver and the misuse of Sir Ben Kinglsey, a talent that just doesn’t get its due and is so ill-used it’s a travesty. And there’s a lot of that in this film. There are far too many instances of miscasting in supporting members that play key roles in the story but just don’t have the material necessary to make it what it has the potential to be.

The third issue? The film does entirely too many jumps from place to place and person to person. There is VERY little continuity from scene to scene, and worse still director Ridley Scott does a poor job of showing the passage of time as Moses ages. He literally ages and the rest of the film seems to stand still! And that’s tragic to say the least. If you don’t know the story this is highly problematic because you will get lost and find yourself at odds with what you’re seeing on-screen and how that relates to the timeline of events as the story has been told.

Now for the things that DO work:

This is a Ridley Scott film. Therefore the special effects and cinematography are indeed amazing as is the use of the terrain where the film was shot. A film this grand of a scale without a doubt requires that type of impact, otherwise the message doesn’t get received.

I also like Ridley’s interesting take on GOD and can see why he chose to portray Him in such a manner: you wouldn’t initially feel fear in His presence but when you do feel fear, there can be no doubt as to why and Who indeed is in control.

Again, I enjoyed both Christian and Joel’s performances and I cannot emphasis enough that they did the absolute best with what they were given. There is simply not enough of a connection established in the early stages of the movie that enables you to see the tremendous difficulty they face in going at odds with each other by the time the film is all over.

With that said, do I recommend a screening of this film?

ABSOLUTELY I do!

I think that if you go into the theatre with an open mind (and remember Ridley’s interpretation is slightly different than the original story) and not so lofty expectations, you should feel like the majority of the people who screened it with us did: somewhat satisfied and even more so, intrigued.

Also, I remind you to remember, this film is NOT a testament of faith, it is a display of the strength of will and the power of HOPE.

Joyll CambridgeJoyll Cambridge hails from Manchester, United Kingdom and currently lives in New York, New York. She loves all things movies, fitness and swirling. To read Joyll’s personal blog at The Humanist Exec, click here.

Joyll is joining The Swirl World team as our resident movie reviewer. Look for more movie reviews from Joyll!

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes.

You can also follow us on Sound Cloud and listen to the show on Stitcher Radio! 

Copyright ©2014  Michelle Matthews Calloway, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, The Swirl World Podcast™,  All rights reserved. Photo of Joyll Cambridge used with permission. Photo from the movie “Exodus: Gods and Kings” obtained from Entertainment Weekly.

Joyll’s Movie Review: The Equalizer

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The Equalizer_You know I often joke about if you haven’t done a certain something, then I don’t trust you.

Well, here is one of those times when I’m not joking. If you haven’t seen Denzel Washington in The Equalizer, I.DON’T.TRUST.YOU.

Why?!?! Because it’s honestly one of the best films of the year and easily a Top 10 Performance for Denzel – and that’s saying A LOT!

The premise is simple: Washington is a retired CIA operative who’s trying all too hard not to be a fish out of water in the dredges of Boston. Over a series of nights when he can’t sleep, he encounters a young and enigmatic Chloe-Grace Moritz aka Alena.

You can see the immediate connection between the two and when a bad thing happens to a young and alone Alena, you can even see the smoke coming from Robert McCall’s (Washington) head as he sets forth on a harrowing journey of revenge and redemption.

McCall is highly adept at utilizing whatever he has around him to snuff the lives out of the Russian mobsters that have inflicted pain not only upon Alena, but the everyday citizens of the city of Boston. The crazy thing? Once he starts on his impetuous, adrenaline-fueled journey, there can be no doubt that he will NOT stop until all is right and I do mean ALL.

McCall is a reluctant hero and yet you couldn’t imagine someone more at home and at ease with the choices he is forced to make to have PEACE – “Brick by Brick, Dollar by Dollar, BODY BY BODY.”

This movie is an absolute masterpiece and one that if you’re breathing, you definitely will want to view more than once, because it’s that exhilarating and endearing. McCall is truly a hero we ALL can identify with – reluctant or not.

Joyll CambridgeJoyll Cambridge hails from Manchester, United Kingdom and currently lives in New York, New York. She loves all things movies, fitness and swirling.

Look for more movie reviews from Joyll!

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes.

You can also follow us on Sound Cloud and listen to the podcast on Stitcher Radio! 

Copyright © 2014  Michelle Matthews Calloway, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, The Swirl World Podcast™,  All rights reserved. Photo of Joyll Cambridge used with permission. Movie poster from the movie “The Equalizer” obtained from IMDB.com.

Joyll’s Movie Review: Beyond The Lights

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Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Nate Parker are a perfectly matched pair in Beyond The Lights, a wonderful film about a girl LOST in the hypocrisy that is fame.

It’s a powerful portrayal and showcases the fragility of life. It also reveals truly how outward appearances can and usually are deceiving. I only wish they had talked in greater detail about mental health and showcased this young superstar getting the help she so desperately needs.

The movie is a moving portrayal of the dangerous web that is today’s music business and gives a glimpse of the true internal struggle young and exploited musicians make simply because they have VERY little control over their own lives.

The theme is Nina Simone’s Blackbird, flightless and broken, and it indeed fits the mettle of the film every step of the way. An absolute MUST see!

Joyll CambridgeJoyll Cambridge hails from Manchester, United Kingdom and currently lives in New York, New York. She loves all things movies, fitness and swirling.

Look for more movie reviews from Joyll!

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes.

You can also follow us on Sound Cloud and listen to the show on Stitcher Radio! 

Copyright © 2014  Michelle Matthews Calloway, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, The Swirl World Podcast™,  All rights reserved. Photo of Joyll Cambridge used with permission. YouTube Video is the official movie trailer of the film Beyond The Lights and is the property of Vevo.

Joyll Reviews The Movie Whiplash

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Whiplash2

Have you seen the movie Whiplash starring Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons?

The Swirl World’s movie buff Joyll Cambridge saw the movie on November 15 and shares with us her review:

Whiplash is an incredible portrayal of the dynamic that is student and teacher. The movie does a masterful job of showcasing just how far we will go to live our dreams.

Miles Teller’s absolutely phenomenal performance as young Andrew, a guy who’s pretty much never wanted to do anything else in life except be a master drummer, is so powerful, enigmatic and brutal that it leaves you sweating and breathless many times throughout the film.

It’s truly a “no guts, no glory” type of story and yet there is such a humanity to his portrayal that you find yourself moving to the beat right along with him more times than you can count.

The movie shows you that those who want to live their dreams not only sacrifice so much, but endure such a battle and struggle that few are strong enough to fight and even fewer strong enough to ACTUALLY win.

I expect golden globe nominations for Miles along with him being on the long list for Oscar 2015. There are very few weak legs in the film and you find yourself feeling so exhilarated by it, that when you finally catch your breath, you almost can’t believe what a cinematic achievement you’ve just seen.

J.K Simmons’ brilliantly brutal tongue in cheek portrayal of Fletcher gives you such a jolt to the heart that you find yourself literally wanting to jump into the screen and go toe to toe with him. No doubt he is a bully, but not just any ordinary playground bully.

He’s so much more than the layman can handle and yet he’s managed to zero in on the maestro that is young Andrew and make him his target for better, or for worse.

I give it an easy 4.5 out of 5 stars and a definite absolute MUST SEE, in fact MUST NOT MISS for any film goer looking to be challenged and to question your views of those in the spotlight.

BRAVO Miles! BRAAA-VO!!!!

Joyll CambridgeJoyll Cambridge hails from Manchester, United Kingdom and currently lives in New York, New York. She loves all things movies, fitness and swirling.

Look for more movie reviews from our Joyll!

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes.

You can also follow us on Sound Cloud and listen to the show on Stitcher Radio! 

Copyright © 2014  Michelle Matthews Calloway, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, The Swirl World Podcast™,  All rights reserved. Photo of Joyll Cambridge used with permission. Photo from the movie “Whiplash” obtained from IMDB.com.