The Swirl World

Celebrating and Elevating Black Women - mind, body, soul and spirit!


Joyll’s Movie Review: Entourage (2015)

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Entourage movie Facebook cover

Let me start off by saying this review of Entourage (2015) is going to be rather short.

And for good reason!

#WhatWorks:

If you are NOT in any way familiar with the Entourage television series that this film hails from, thankfully even never having seen the show you are caught up to speed about the premise’s roots, who the players are and how they got here. Ari Gold, Vincent, E, Turtle, and Drama: Remember their names, because as crazy as they sound you will see them again.

This film is FUN. Plain and simple.

Between the interesting yet somewhat pedantic origins of the primary crew, to seeing all the beautiful people, fantastic scenery, and gorgeous luxury cars everywhere, to the many over the top moments that are a standard in the Entourage franchise, IT’S FUN.

The cameos of so many of Hollywood’s finest young and not so young, to the hilarious but at times awkward connection of the Father and son duo McCreadies played by Billy Bob Thornton and an interesting re-introduction of Hailey Joel Osment, it’s absolutely positively a BLAST.

This is the sort of film where there isn’t much to analyse (ok, maybe the accession and the hard crash heard round the world in Ari’s case) or find something that you connect to.

(Mind you there are those moments; you’re just not necessarily required to find meaning in them in order to enjoy the film). It’s SUMMER here in the U.S. and this is a summer film so going into the theatre with that type of expectations means no pressure on ANYONE.

#WhatDoesNotWork:

You cannot go into a film like this expecting some profound epiphany because it just isn’t going to happen. The beginning act is a little slow at times and a cacophony at other times. But there’s a method to the madness that makes it bearable.

For some reason I sort of feel like they thought it would be a good idea so put all the sex scenes from the entire run of the show into ONE film! At first it’s laughable, than it gets annoying. BUT, then again that is in line with how the original series flows so it’s not a break from the norm and not unexpected!

If you find yourself wanting to enjoy a film where you literally don’t have to think it through, this movie is an absolute bull’s-eye! And as was the case with Entourage the successful series, there’s absolutely NOTHING wrong with that!

Enjoy the moment, live life, and laugh for a few hours! Laughing is indeed a biological need despite what my dahling Athena from Tomorrowland says!

#SheCritiquesIt #WhatWorksWhatDoesNot

 

Joyll CambridgeOur Resident Movie Reviewer 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.

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook. 

 

Listen to the podcast on:

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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 of Entourage (2015) obtained from the movie’s official Facebook page. All rights reserved.

Joyll’s Movie Review: Ex Machina (2015)

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ex-machina

Ex Machina is the highly intriguing, well-researched, solidly constructed and acted, version of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the 21st century.

It’s sexually charged without being over the top. It also serves its purpose to get people actively talking about the ramifications of AI and the purposes it may or may NOT serve. The movie does a fantastic job with showcasing the ethical dilemma inherently a part of any discussions and potential achievement in AI – all the while giving one a solid look into the endless possibilities and the endless negative outcomes that may appear.

Ex Machina stars two of my favourite talents in Oscar Isaac (Inside Llewyn Davis and Star Wars) and Domhnall Gleeson (About Time and Unbroken) and a relative newcomer in Alicia Vikander.

As you can expect, there are no flailing parts to play in such a tightly wound film. You literally only see four characters for almost the entire film. As a result, no weak pointes, no incessant or wasted dialogue, every moment, every scene has a purpose.

#WhatDoesWork

Nathan (Oscar Isaac) is NOT your typical billionaire geek! In fact, he very much reminds you of someone who’s highly intelligent, yet stumbled upon this big idea (rather clumsily, in fact) and just happened to earn billions in the double digits because of it!

For example, he exercises CONSTANTLY in the film all the while drinking and cursing like a wayward sailor. And in a way, he is one. Why? Because he’s sitting on what may easily be one of the top 50 greatest discoveries in the 21st century and it’s really approached as just another day at the office. He’s a genius of course, but he has his own dark twisted fantasies going on that serve to remind us that it’s great at the top, but also extremely lonely.

Let me say this: I’m a bit blown away by the performance of Alicia Vikander (Ava) because I don’t really know much about her. But she’s brilliant and every single interaction with her literally gives you CHILLS. She literally obliterates the Turing Test and makes you FEEL that Ava is indeed the next peg in robotics or even human evolution. Every move Ava makes is calculated and blizzard like and yet there’s an implied softness that Alicia gives Ava, which creates such a Mariana Trench like depth. She pulls you into the deep and there’s no escape once you’ve truly hit the darkness.

Kyoko (Sonoya Mizuno) is so brilliantly crafted it boggles my mind. WHY?!?! Because the woman conveys more emotion with hand gestures and facial expressions than most actors portray with FULL dialogue!!! She is introduced right in the middle of the second act and her connection and yet apprehension with Nathan cannot in any way be denied. It isn’t forced. It flows smoothly and effortlessly and again, and I cannot stress this enough, THE WOMAN DOES NOT SPEAK DURING THE ENTIRE FILM!

Then there is the connection between Caleb and Nathan. Two men, eerily similar in many ways (both child prodigies) and yet their paths could not be more different. And yet, you find a kinship of sorts similar to a mentor/mentored situation. In pretty much any other film you would say although these two have a lot in common, they couldn’t be more different but truthfully, they are intrinsically linked in that they both want something out of Ava, ones intentions a bit more insidious and self-serving than the other.

#WhatDoesNotWork

Nathan spends a lot of time attempting to be the anti-geek. Far too much that at times it feels forced. They are isolated throughout the entire film and yet you can easily see that this man has no shortage of ability to make friends and manipulate the situation to his betterment.

Even so, literally the only four people he seems to connect with are himself, Caleb, Ava, and Kyoko. You’re being given a window seat into the eccentrics of a dude-bro billionaire and yet there are many moments where you find his attempts to convey this archetype highly over the top and unnecessary.

The other thing that is a bit off-putting is that the relationship and the sessions between Ava and Caleb run a bit too short. They serve as kinks in the flow, more so than the establishing of a new relationship with a friend or rival. They connect, yes, but it’s rushed, something a unique film like this should not have to deal with.

Even with these issues, there can be no doubt that Ex Machina is a masterpiece of new territory and gigantic proportions without tripping and falling over one’s self. It’s an absolute #MUSTSEE and a true gem of a film that few have the pleasure of ever getting to see.

A vision for the future that begs the question, just because one CAN do something, does that mean that they SHOULD?!?!

#MustSee #SheCritiquesIt #WhatWorksWhatDoesNot

 

Joyll CambridgeOur Resident Movie Reviewer 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.

 

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 of Ex Machina obtained here. All rights reserved.

 

Joyll’s Movie Review: Child 44 (2015)

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child-44

You know, I couldn’t quite figure out WHY Child 44 was getting panned by other critics but exalted by everyday viewers. Honestly, upon screening the film, I still am not 100% certain, BUT I have some idea.

First let’s talk about what works (and indeed there is A LOT of that to be had) so let’s get to it shall we?

#WhatWorks:

Initially, I need to disclose something. I hadn’t read the book yet but upon hearing that Tom Hardy would star as Leo, there wasn’t any question that I would be seeing the film regardless of what I had to do in order to view it.

The theatre closest to us literally is ONLY showing Child 44 ONCE per day! As you can imagine that might make things a bit difficult, BUT, it does tend to create larger crowds mostly due to curiosity.

Leo is a Ukrainian orphan whose family was both killed in the siege that Russians had laid upon Ukraine called Holodomor. This was the genocide of the Ukrainian people by the USSR Russian government. They were literally STARVED to death and starved into submission.

As one can imagine, this experience had to weigh extremely heavy on a boy; that basically the only family he had DIED an extremely painful death from starvation rather than resort to cannibalism or other things.

Leo is taken in by a sympathetic Captain in the Russian army whom not only raises him, but indoctrinated him heavily into the machine that is Soviet Russia in the period between World Wars I and II.

Tom Hardy is absolutely SUBLIME in this film among so many others. He’s clearly read not only the script, but conducted much research on the genocide of these people. You can also tell he’s researched extensively into what his character’s language and mannerism would need to be in order to be convincing, and he does indeed do just that.

Throughout the film, there are quite a few times where you find yourself in a state of sadness because you’re watching him on-screen. You see the sadness behind his own eyes as he struggles to come to terms with what he has realised is truly going on in Stalin’s Russia. People are being hunted so much so that they are denouncing others left and right, whom haven’t ACTUALLY done anything, but simply expressed an opinion different from the doctrine of the Stalingrad Machine. FYI, Hardy’s Ukrainian accent is fantastic, I applaud his dialogue coach!!!

Raisa (played brilliantly by Noomi Rapace) and her connection to Leo, is solidified very early in the film, in fact only moments after the opening scene. Here at this table, is a dinner of SO many key players in this film and you feel that from the beginning. There is tension between Raisa and Leo yes, but there is also LOVE. These two are absolutely inter-connected “till death do us part” and that plays out so beautifully as the film progresses that when you get to the end of the film, you truly believe you haven’t wasted any energy pulling for and supporting them throughout! There are moments of regret, yes, but they are a minutia in comparison to the level of love and support that they give each other.

Excellent villains in Joel Kinnamon and Vincent Cassle, and then of course you have the Big Bad Wolf, whose name I won’t reveal for reasons you will no doubt notice when you screen the film. There is a well-played rivalry between Vasili (Kinnamon) and Leo and I have to admit I didn’t expect Kinnamon to be able to handle that as well as he did.

Brilliant addition of Gary Oldman whom is also a mentor to Tom Hardy and a key part of Leo’s ability to do what he knows in his heart is the right thing. Oldman provides a season talent and a leveling of the film which has many twists and turns and so many peaks and valleys you think you’re on a roller coaster. And that brings me to what does NOT work in this film.

#WhatDoesNOTWork

There’s far too many stories being told in this film at once!

If you’re like me and you attempted to count and STOPPED because your other hand was busy well…Anyway, the thing is, I almost feel like here should have been three films, a true trilogy indeed because there are at least 5 stories that are being told and they feel INCOMPLETE. And you want more.

You want a prequel to Leo being found and raised.

You want the story of how Leo and Raisa met and how over the years they have dealt with the very difficult times in their marriage, mostly but not always because of what he does for a living.

You want the story of why Leo and Vasili are at such odds (mind you, in a sense you know partly why but there’s not enough there to justify….).

You want the story of HOW Stalin’s government was able to keep the murders of 45 children quiet for SO long, and why only ONE man chose to no longer accept the status quo and do what could potentially see him and his beloved wife murdered by firing squad.

There’s SO MUCH more to this outstanding film that as much as it gives, as much as it does, it’s still lacking of effort. Nothing ever beats a failure but a try. And while Child 44 is definitely NOT a failure and an absolute #MUSTSEE, it’s something I wish had tried a bit harder, even with the potential failure ahead.

Courage in film is what drives so many filmmakers to take chances and do things that no one else can imagine them being able to do.

#SheCritiquesIt #WhatWorksWhatDoesNot

 

Joyll CambridgeOur Resident Movie Reviewer 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.

 

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 of Child 44 obtained here. All rights reserved.

 

 

Movie Review: Woman In Gold (2015)

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Woman in Gold new Poster

Right now as I’m attempting to construct this review, I’m bewildered as to how I’m going to sit here standing in a line in front of teenagers whom (like myself) are awaiting for us to be let into another theatre to see Furious 7.

Unlike me, they’re being loud, crass, and boisterous, and I’m having a bit of a cry because the film I’ve just seen is so masterfully constructed, that its images, dialogue, flow, mettle, and most importantly, its MESSAGE, will remain with me to the rest of my days.

https://youtu.be/geJeX6iIlO0

I will admit without trepidation that I literally spent the last 13 minutes of the film with tears water falling down my face. I’m sitting here now with my eyes blood shot and my heart beating far quicker than it should be.

I’ve been to Wien (Vienna), I’ve been to Auschwitz, I’ve been to Dachau, and I’ve lived many years (happily) in post-World War II Germany. The UK is my blood but Deutschland is my HEART. Most of the scenes that are subtitled in English, I did not need to read in order to understand nearly every word. And for that, I am grateful, and yet heartbroken for all that the Jewish people have endured for the last 70 years.

The Back Story

For those of you who are NOT familiar with the bittersweet story of Frau Maria Atlman, here’s a very quick history lesson.Maria was forced to flee Ostereich (Austria) when she was a young woman because she is Jewish and her family was wealthy. For that reason, the Nazis permanently stationed an SS soldier in their home because of such wealth.

They were NEVER alone and yet somehow they managed to escape BARELY with their lives. They fled first to Koln, (Cologne) then to the United Kingdom and then to the United States which at the time was deemed the ONLY safe haven for Jews in the world that was accessible.

Now, by now most of you all know my review format and how this works. It’s sort of a game of the dozens in #WhatWorks #WhatDoesNOTWork. This film is going to be very different from most of my other films in that the latter simply does not apply for me, and I suspect most other viewers if I am being honest (as most of you know I generally AM).

So here goes.

#WhatWorks:

We all know that Ryan Reynolds (Schoenburg) is fantastic at being an arsehole on-screen. (This isn’t a critique, mind you!) In this film it’s necessary to COUNTER the quick-witted Maria (played so perfectly by Dame Helen Mirren).

It literally took about 5 minutes before me and the other theatre goers settled in and began to openly anticipate a bone chilling, stellar film all around literally from the beginning.

Maria is an iconic and stately woman. She commands attention and the entire space (in other words no one other than Mirren could have been cast because that is as it must be) in literally EVERY scene she’s in and you find yourself literally BREATHLESS awaiting her words, her thoughts, her will.

I admit, having known this story as a young adult (it’s actually talked about IN Germany because of the repercussions and how so many of the German people actually WANT to return as much art as they can), that I initially had my doubts about Reynolds being cast. I’m happy to admit, my doubts were unfounded.

Those of you whom know me, know how much of an intense fan I am of Daniel Brühl for his brilliant portrayal in the highly under-appreciated Ron Howard epic, RUSH. He and Helen actually played the largest part in my enthusiasm to screen and review this film. That, and of course, though seeing so many parts of Austria and being reminded of while my childhood was happy, the people who were there before unfortunately did NOT have such happy times.

Brühl with his dialogue and instant connections to everyone in this film, and the manner in which he chose to portray Hubertos, gave me such great joy and such satisfaction with him being the main draw to this film for me. There is no wasted dialogue, no wasted moments, no wasted positioning. I expected him to be great on-screen and he was but so much more than I had hoped for. There’s a scene where Maria hugs him tightly and I imagine them having to cut after that because the intensity of the scene and the link between the two of them clearly was not severed when the hug ceased. The emotion, the seizure of moment, is so strong; you as a film goer instantly regret NOT being at the receiving end of such a hug, although you appreciate the sentiment.

The Film’s Other Co-Star

The film’s other phenomenal co-star?!?! The country and Austria and the city of Vienna. There were so many moments where I began to cry tears a mixture of joy and sorrow, as I remembered just how much those places meant to me as a child.

There is a hearth in each place, a stone of stance if you will that had me longing to see those places again, and thankfully knowing that I will. I imagine what it must have been like for Maria returning to her embattled homeland in some eyes a traitor, not just for fleeing, but more so for fighting for JUSTICE for her family and far too many others.

And that, I think, is the GRANDEST message in this film: That no matter how long we’ve been fighting, the finish is just within our grasp, even if we can’t see clear to it. Disheartened, and broken, there can be NO giving up, as long as we are living out our humanity to our last days.

This film is an absolute #MUSTSEE and a true FIVE STAR film.

To my family and friends in Deutschland, I will indeed, see you all VERY soon, for home is indeed where the HEART rests.

#SheCritiquesIt #MustSee #WhatWorksWhatDoesNOTWork

 

Joyll CambridgeThe Swirl World’s Resident Movie Reviewer 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.

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. Photo of movie poster from the movie “Woman In Gold” obtained from Teaser-Trailer.com.

Movie Review: Black Or White (2015)

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First I must apologise in advance for what is going to be a slightly shorter review than my usual but this rainbeau diva needs some sleep and I want to get the out quickly!

Now, What Works:

Black or White stars Octavia Spencer (Grandmum WeWe), Kevin Costner (Poppa Anderson), Anthony MacKie (Brother of Grandmum WeWe), and a FAVOURITE new up and comer that also did a brilliant job with Selma, André Holland (As Eloise’s Father Reggie)! Then of course there is another young super star in Jillian who plays the core at the centre, Eloise.

The connection, the link between Eloise and her Poppa is tested when Eloise’s Grandmum (Carol) is suddenly killed in a horrific accident. You watch these two, their banter, their forced re-connection back and forward for nearly the entire film. And they both do a fantastic job of maintaining that bond despite all the obstacles that appear out of NOWHERE.

Let me just say Octavia Spencer’s version of Grandmum WeWe is a RIOT! She is the epitome of your stereotypical Grandmum BUT with exceptions like owning six businesses including a real estate company she runs from her garage.

It’s obvious that she likes Poppa Anderson (Kevin Costner) but she’s no doubt armed to the teeth when it comes to what should be done about Eloise after Carol’s untimely death. Octavia is nearly always fun to watch and her attitude towards her son (Holland) and his truly troubled life (which she wears blinders when it comes to him, CLEARLY) plays out SO well and you find yourself empathising with her as Eloise’ paternal GrandMum.

You also find yourself empathising with Reggie (Holland) as well just for being HER son. They come from a great family that has high expectations and is prosperous, and he’s so much more than your typical black sheep. He’s more like a BLACK HOLE coloured sheep, you can’t even SEE him!

There’s a foil in this film that most people aren’t expecting which I will NOT discuss here because it is a bit of a spoiler, but I will say this, there’s an excellent addition about 25% into the film that serves one purpose.

Eloise and Poppa Anderson are like mirrors in so many ways. and because of that reflection it’s very difficult for them to have a stressor in life and NOT have the other immediately feel that stressor and NOT be simultaneously affected by it.

They both have a tendency to wear their hearts on their sleeve and you realise from the beginning that one would indeed perish without the other. This foil has such a profound impact on the relationship of these two and the growth they both have to experience in order to begin to heal.

What Does Not Work:

Mostly semantics. Things like litigators do NOT handle family court cases. And the forced epiphanies from both Poppa Anderson and Reggie. They feel disingenuous and even contrived. The screenplay is a bit too formulaic at times. Too many moments are clearly set up as plot devices and with a bit more tweaking, said devices are redundant, irrelevant, and simply unnecessary.

With that in mind, I recommend my SWIRL Family see this film because it makes excellent use and reference of MANY of the situations (Clichés or not) that blended IR families go through. And THAT, I think, is the most awesome part of a good film.

It’s 2015, and there are far more swirl families like the one in Black Or White, it’s time to discuss these things and moved forward instead of letting socioeconomic differences break or provide a huge wedge in families such as these.

#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 “Black or White” obtained from Movie Newz.

 

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.

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!

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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: John Wick

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How many times do you screen a film and sit there afterwards thinking, “WOAH?!?!”

I see 100-150 films a year and honestly, it doesn’t happen as much as I would like it to. That isn’t the case with John Wick. You actually sit there as the credits are rolling and go, WOAH.

The thing that really sets this film apart from other hit man sagas is that you so identify with John (played extremely well by the PERFECT fit Mr. Keanu Reeves) that you not only empathize with his plight, you feel his hopelessness and his sadness in such a profound way that it takes you a few minutes after the film is over to find the energy to stand.

The film’s basic premise is a retired hit man who was the Russian mafia’s sharpest assassin and has found something so, so much more than he deserves in his beloved wife. He has walked away and found a life so much greater than the one he lived. The trouble is, he was so great at what he did that there are all these forces that seem to be conspiring to bring him back into that life no matter how hard he has tried to run from it.

The idiot savant son of his former boss does something so unspeakable at that absolute worst possible time, that while you’re screening it you find yourself in sync and saying the lines that are playing out even though you’ve not seen the film before. And no, this is NOT because the film is predictable, but because you see the chaos and fury that is coming and know that there isn’t a person alive powerful enough to stop it.

I have to say, I’m VERY proud of the performance Keanu put forth and pray there is a part two or that we see him in more films like this. When he is given brilliant material, we get to marvel at and enjoy his brilliance. It’s been there all this time and thankfully John Wick has a solid enough screenplay to showcase his performance in such an enjoyable way, that this film beckons for a second or even third screening.

John Wick is NOT your typical hit man/action fodder at all. In fact, it’s such a powerfully constructed enigmatic film, that you find yourself talking about it days later and reminding yourself that there’s nothing in the film, no scene, no characters that didn’t leave their mark on such a powder keg of a movie.

Even John Leguizamo, who’s in the film for all of ten minutes, gives such a strong performance in that short frame that you finding yourself wishing he were on the screen much longer. Not to mention a solid supporting stint from Willem Dafoe that leaves you wanting so much more and yet you’re oh so grateful for all he has put into his character Marcus already.

The film also has an excellent soundtrack that adds to the film’s mettle in such a way that it’s actually another actor and deserves SAG credits. It’s so critical and so well laid out and every song queues the next scene so extremely well, you find yourself floating along from scene to scene because of it!

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!

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Copyright © 2014  Michelle Matthews Calloway, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, The Swirl World Podcast™,  All rights reserved. Photo of Joyll Cambridge used with permission. Photo of Keanu Reeves from the movie John Wick obtained from this source.

 

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!

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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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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.