Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Movie Review … Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Despite the long title, ‘Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri’ is anything but a long-winded movie.  It gets straight to the point which any well-written script should do. Taking its cue from the Coen Brother’s movies, ‘Three Billboards’ shares many similarities with their films.  It also shares a few of its cast including Frances McDormand who once again proves to be an excellent performer.  It’s always a pleasure watching a finely crafted film with ‘Three Billboards’ marking its cinematic territory with confidence.

When her daughter is brutally murdered, her mother Mildred (Frances McDormand) goes to pieces. Expecting the police to find the culprit, she patiently waits.  After months go by without a result, Mildred takes matters into her own hands.  Painting three huge signs, she directs her scorn at the local Chief of Police Willoughby (Woody Harrelson).  With his second in command Dixon (Sam Rockwell) on hand, Willoughby tries to placate an irate Mildred.  Events escalate between her and the local law enforcement as the chance to catch her daughter’s killer gradually fades.

‘Three Billboards’ makes a virtue of its unpredictability.  When you think you know how the story will go, it suddenly takes a sharp turn into the unknown into a more exciting area.  That’s the mark of a finely-tuned script, written by Director Martin McDonagh who also created the great movie ‘In Bruges’.  Not only does he deliver flawed, interesting characters and crackling dialogue, he effectively creates an atmosphere of foreboding tension over the small town in which they reside.  Despite surface appearances, there are no true ‘heroes’ or ‘villains’, just desperate but determined people facing the consequences of their actions.

The performances are first rate with McDormand’s tough as nails character running the gamut of emotions from guilt to rage. Rockwell and others are very solid in their roles.  ‘Three Billboards’ is more black comedy than serious drama but the performers keep things at an even keel without resorting to melodramatics.  The use of flashback and switched time-lines maintains interest and successfully gives the off-kilter feel McDonagh aims for.  ‘Three Billboards’ plays with traditional plot narratives and twists character perceptions making it compelling, enabling it to stand out amongst a sea of formulaic dross.

Everyone should be proud to be associated with ‘Three Billboards’ as it has its own unique story-telling edge.  That’s difficult to do with thousands of stories out there but its’ efforts in crafting something different is commendable.  Those choosing to move along with its occasionally peculiar techniques will be rewarded a fine viewing experience few can match.

 
Movie Review Rating out of 10:  8

Movie Review by Patrick Moore

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Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at movie releases in Australia.


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Movie Review … Pitch Perfect 3

Since 2011, the ‘Pitch Perfect’ series has been very popular. A simple tale of a group of female singers wanting to make it to the big-time has struck a chord with audiences.  Taking a leaf out of the current craze of countless TV singing and dancing shows, the combination of both delivers the goods for those wanting a fun musical comedy.  Returning for a third helping ‘Pitch Perfect 3’ aims to close the franchise with an aria of lyrical silliness before the final curtain.

Struggling to go on with their lives and work ‘real’ jobs, The Barden Bellas singing troupe feel lost.  When former member Aubrey (Anna Camp) plots to reunite the group for a European tour, her cohorts eagerly agree.  Among them are Becca (Anna Kendrick) and Pat ‘Fat’ Amy (Rebel Wilson).  Ready to battle it out with their voices, they hit various personal and professional obstacles.  Determined to win despite these hiccups, the ladies aim to band together to reach the high notes of victory.

‘Pitch Perfect 3’ plays like a comic-book superhero movie without the special powers.  It’s also without much substance as it loosely cobbles together a string of scenes without much depth. But you don’t see these films for that as they are meant to entertain providing a modicum of toe-tapping tunes.  It mostly succeeds even if the singing feels too slick and professional for these so-called amateur singers.  The story also groans under the weight of too many characters with several receiving short shrift.  Given the brief run-time, it may have been better to reduce the cast or a few of its many story-lines.

The franchise hasn’t been known for its acting with ‘Pitch Perfect 3’ having little of it. The women are there to look good while singing the auto-tuned heavy cover songs.  Only John Lithgow, as Pat’s father, stands out because of his truly appalling attempt at an Australian accent.  This gives a lot of unintentional humour and brightens up a rather pedestrian script.  Trish Sie’s direction comes alive during the well-staged song numbers with the lush cinematography wringing much from the European locales which successfully teases out their vibrant colours.

‘Pitch Perfect 3’ isn’t great but nor is it unwatchable.  If you want to see a bunch of ladies get up to musical hijinks then this is the film for you.  ‘Pitch Perfect 3’ is harmless fluff that at least isn’t boring with any bum notes vanishing before the melodic finale.

 
Movie Review Rating out of 10:  5

Movie Review by Patrick Moore

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Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at movie releases in Australia.

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Sunday, December 17, 2017

Movie Review … Star Wars: The Last Jedi

The ‘Star Wars’ movies need no introduction.  There is barely anyone on earth who either hasn’t seen or at least heard of the space saga since 1977.  It has generated a fortune for all involved with the franchise showing no signs of vanishing.  ‘The Last Jedi’ is the 8th installment in the series although there have been a few related films slotted in between.  Fans will lap this one up no matter the quality although there is no fear for anything approaching the awfulness of the dreaded prequels.  Fast, exciting and full of genuine awe, ‘The Last Jedi’ is a great addition to the enduring series.

After having finally found skilled Jedi warrior Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Rey (Daisy Ridley) is taken on a journey to become a Jedi herself.  She’ll need all the training she can get with the evil forces of dictatorial foe Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) closing in on the virtuous rebel army.  Aided by Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), Finn (John Boyega), Poe (Oscar Isaac) and others, Rey goes on an intergalactic adventure. Tackling the ways of the mysterious Force, her new abilities are needed to combat the power of the dark side.

One word describes ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ and that’s ‘courage’. Director Rian Johnson has gone out of the Star Wars comfort zone to generate something quite different.  There’s a new-found sense of genuine danger in the narrative with the ‘anything can happen’ feel ever present.  The cast do an amazing job in their roles, especially Ridley who makes Rey a strong heroine.  Whilst Hamill and the late Carrier Fisher are excellent as always, the focus is squarely on the new characters who hold their own against established ones.  This highlights the courageousness of Johnson’s direction as he presents a refreshing take on classic personas making events more watchable.

Although the longest film in the series, ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ moves fast.  The pacing never lets up from its opening moments with the action sequences superably realised.  This is a beautiful looking production with flawless CGI and the always fantastic John Williams providing a stirring musical score.  ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ truly embraces the epic expanses of the original premise with a story taking its time to breathe.  The surprises are genuine and add much to the tale without feeling gratuitous.  The script works on several levels but remembers to have that same light-hearted tone which appealed to audiences forty years ago.

‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ is one of the strongest entries in the series.  Consistently engaging and exciting, it utilises the big screen canvas very well.  The next chapter will have a lot to live up to as ‘The Last Jedi’ raises the standards by which future instalments will be judged.


Movie Review Rating out of 10:  9

Movie Review by Patrick Moore

Agree with Patrick's Movie Review? Then please use the comment box.

Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at movie releases in Australia.


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