Five Great Racing Movies

Senna (2010 Dir: Asif Kapadia)

The life of Ayrton Senna was no ordinary thing and in 2010 British director Asif Kapadia finally shed light on one of F1's finest. Treading a fine line, Senna shows its subject as both hero and villain who although one of the finest drivers of his time was at times one of the most stubborn. Best of all, it goes deep into the Brazilians psyche and undercovers a deeply conflicted soul. Possibly the finest movie that motorsport will ever produce.

Rush (2013 Dir: Asif Kapadia)

Winner of this blog's Film of The Year in 2013, Ron Howard finally succeeded in bringing an excited F1 movie into the 21st century. Replaying the sheer drama and chaos that was the 1976 season, the battle between playboy James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and calculated Niki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl) was captivating. Effortlessly capturing the drivers vastly different persona's, it also brought forward the painfully recover of Lauda after his fiery crash at the Nurburgring. Live action racing has a front runner.

Le Mans (1971 Dir: Lee H Katzin)

Steve McQueen's love of Le Mans was well known throughout his life, so who better to star in a motion picture version. Story wise there is little other than McQueen looking his trademark cool self, but on the track is where the picture really sizzles. Driver Michael Delaney is still guilt-ridden over the death of a rival but the thriller of racing is still an addiction. Drawn into a battle with rival Erich Stahler, the pair of do battle on for the crown of sportscar racing.

Grand Prix (1966 Dir: John Frankenheimer)

Before Rush, this picture was considered the pinnacle of F1 films by director John Frankenheimer. Demonstrating the kamikaze feel of racing in the 1960's, star James Garner makes for an interesting centerpiece as American Pete Amon. A former star who is fading away, Amon has competition from world champion Jean-Pierre Sarti (Yves Montand) and recovering team Scott Stoddard (Brian Bedford). Featuring cameos from greats Stirling Moss, Juan Manual Fangio and Graham Hill, Garner was the real star as he did all his own driving which drew admiration for many drivers.

Days of Thunder (1990 Dir: Tony Scott)

Tom Cruise and Tony Scott's second outing together may have unimpressed critics, but the action on the track is still great. This may be Top Gun in a Chevrolet but together Cruise and Scott make you want to attempt Daytona on impulse. The early action scenes between hot shot rookie Cole Trickle and underhanded champ Rowdy Burns (Michael Rooker) set up the late drama. However, it is his rivalry with cocky new boy Russ Wheeler (Cary Elwes) that provides the real interest. Try watching the final Daytona 500 sequence with grinning from ear to ear.

2015: A Year in Review

It's been another fine year for film on Closer to the Edge which included a Rocky resurrection, Tom Cruise proving he is still top of his game in the action genre and Shakespeare being beautiful. The Fantastic Four boomed yet again and was even slated by its director and Terminator: Genisys taught us to basically ignore everything we learned. Despite these blips it was an otherwise great year, here are the highlights.

Top Ten Films of 2015

1. Sicario (CAN/USA Dir: Denis Villeneuve): Tension personified from the very opening frame, Denis Villeneuve brought us 2015's most pulsating and heart-stopping thriller. Aided by Roger Deakin's stunning photograph of barren landscapes, Villeneuve sucks his audience into the dark underbelly of the drug cartel world. The lines between law and order are completely blurred and learn that in the place, there is no coming down on the right side. With star turns from Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, and a quietly threatening Benecio Del Toro, this picture is deserved of the top slot. Read Review. 
2. Mad Max: Fury Road (AUS/USA Dir: George Miller): After spending years in development hell, the wait for The Road Warrior's return was worth every minute. The tale of there and back again might have some on the fence, but when you look at the sheer adrenaline and pure thrills from each action sequence- they pay for the ticket price alone. Tom Hardy was a worthy replacement for Mel Gibson, but as Furiosa, this was Charlize Theron picture. Will there be a fifth installment for Max? At this point, we all hope so. Read Review
3. It Follows (USA Dir: David Robert Mitchell) Sporting one of cinema's most clever story ideas and an excellent advertising campaign, David Robert Mitchell delivered the best horror film in years. Its premise of a person being infected with an unknown entity through sex and having to pass it on to survive was chilling. Even more so was seeing star Maika Monroe being pursued by a variety of creepy individuals. The fear of the unknown ensured a tense ride was to follow and both Monroe and Mitchell emerged as real stars. This also taught you the think twice about who you hook up with! Read Review 
4. Amy (UK Dir Asif Kapadia): After delivering big with Senna, director Asif Kapadia did it again with his homage to one of music's lost talents. Conducting over 100 hours of interviews with Amy Winehouse's nearest and dearest, he succeeded in giving another portrait of the woman we saw stumbled about. Showing her a young woman who loved her music but was lead astray by those closest to her was heartbreaking. By the film's climax, you will have wished that she had stayed away from mulish father Mitch. Watcher her shambolic final gig in Belgrade is certain to bring a tear. Read Review.
5. Room (CAN/EIRE Dir Lenny Abrahamson): Winner of the big prize at the Toronto Film Festival, this picture ensured that Brie Larson has finally arrived in the big time. Adapting Emma Donaghue's beloved novel was never going to be easy, Lenny Abrahamson however, was the man for the task. Larson along with stunning newcomer Jacob Tremblay stole audience hearts at the mother/son duo. This tale of two people confined to a room was a rendering one, the movie's second half in outside world was a surreal but life changing one. Read Review.
6. Red Army (USA: Dir: Gabe Polsky): Reflecting one of hockey's greatest teams was a brutal yet entertaining one. Slava Fetisov made for a humorous yet pained commentator, the former Soviet skipper loved the game but hated the pressure. Under ruthless and widely loathed coach Viktor Tikhonov, players were constantly pushed to the limit for glory. The scene of watching this team dominate the ice with skills and precision were mesmerizing. Defecting to the USA however, brought a darker cloud over the movie as players had to deal with all whole new hostile society. Read review. 
7. Carol (USA Dir: Todd Haynes): This year's greatest and most forbidden love story, Todd Haynes has given us two award-worthy performances from Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. Set against the backdrop of the repressed 1950's this love is full of pained longing and unspoken words. There was more to this picture than two ladies in love and Haynes gave us a realistic impression of what people go through when picking up the pieces in life and having to forge their own identity. Rich in both story and characters, Haynes delivered one of his finest in years. Read Review.
8. Creed (USA Dir Ryan Coogler): Resurrecting the Rocky franchise was one of 2015 most pleasing surprises. Reuniting Fruitvale Station's Ryan Coogler and Michael B Jordan resulted in a stunning one-two punch. New Creed offspring Donnie has paved the way for an excellent new side project. A hungry and determined presence, he has our attention from the outset and Coogler emerges as a real talent behind the lens during the fight sequences. Sylvester Stallone was the real star and showed us the  Rocky from old and how good he can be out of the ring. Bring on the next episode. Read Review.
9. The Martian (USA Dir: Ridley Scott): Back in the sci-fi saddle again, Ridley Scott delivered his most enjoyable recent effort. Expertly walking the line between drama and comedy, this tale of Matt Damon stranded on Mars never fails to entertain. Character Mark Watney makes a funny yet adaptable lead and his constant use of brains is what keeps things afloat. What could have possibly been Interstellar type heaviness is dealt with the needed light touch thanks to the smart writing of Drew Goddard and a multi-talented cast. Read Review.
10. Wild Tales (ARG Dir: Damian Szifron): Possibly this year's strongest foreign film offering, Damian Szifron's six tales of revenge were a unique mix. An opening sequence to remember as all passengers of a plane to their horror realizes they all know the same man. 'The Bomb' sequence proved the most as Ricardo Darin takes out his frustrations out on a shady towing company. The most offbeat black comedy we will likely see in a long time, it would be fascinating to see Szifron get his hands on a Hollywood picture. Read Review 

Best of The Rest 

11. Macbeth (UK Dir: Justin Kurzel) A barnstorming, violent and hypnotic adaptation, Kurzel breathes new life into Shakespeare. With great lead turns by Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard, these two give Macbeth and Lady a wonderful human touch amidst the madness. DP Adam Arkapaw delivers some of 2015 most beautiful cinematography.

12. Crimson Peak (USA Dir Guillermo Del Toro): Mexican maestro Guillermo Del Toro delivered his strongest American offering yet. Suitably creepy along with being hauntingly lovely, Mia Wasikowska had her hands full with any number of vengeful spirits. Let's not forget the weird brother and sister combo of Tom Hiddleston and Jessica Chastain either.

13. Goodnight Mommy (AT Dir: Veronica Franz & Severin Fiala): Any person who has ever considered having children may want to reconsider. The eerie ambiance of the lakeside house is disturbing from the get-go as two twins believe their heavily bandaged mother (Susanne Wurst) is an imposter. A growing malice takes over in the movie's second half and things take a nasty turn. 

14. Ex Machina (UK Dir: Alex Garland): Writer Alex Garland showed his directing credentials and gave us a thought provoking film on what is means to be human. Three-way tug of war between Domnhall Gleason and reclusive inventor Oscar Isaac for the affection of lady AI Ava was scintillating. With a star turn from Alicia Vikander, this movie proved a rare beast. 

15. Brooklyn (EIRE/CAN Dir: John Crowley): All movie tipping its hat to anyone who has ever moved to a strange new land, Crowley's film was a delight. Saoirse Ronan shone brightly as an Irish girl lost in homesickness in 1950's New York. Fitting into a new society is never easy, but sometimes life teaches us strangers are the best cure.

Male Star of 2015: Michael Fassbender

By far this year's stand-out figure, Fassbender has captured the screen with force in each of his efforts. Bold and stubborn in Steve Jobs, mysterious in Slow West and a mad wonder as Macbeth. Fassbender is now officially among the finest talents of today.

Female Star of 2015: Alicia Vikander

The Swedish beauty has been an effortlessly gracefully presence in each of her movies in 2015. An ambiguous but lovely robot in Ex Machina, a butt kicking vixen in The Man From UNCLE and now Oscar-tipped for the Danish Girl. This may have been a career year, but Vikander hasn't even got started.

Best Director: David Robert Mitchell: It Follows

Directing this year's most original work, Mitchell delivered a movie with such raw scares that it made walking down the road impossible. Showing a real eye for the fears of real people along with the spookiness of the unknown, Mitchell is a director with an exciting future ahead. 

Scene of the Year: Macbeth: Battle Scene

Justin Kurzel showed that battle sequences as almost be as entrancing as they can be savage. Cutting in and out of this slo-mo scene is simply glorious and the power of Adam Arkapaw's work is brought forward.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puV69CWPfP8

Born To Die: Review of Amy

Amy

Director: Asif Kapadia

By Alex Watson

Just like he did with his magnificent 2012 documentary, Senna, Asif Kapadia has once again created another haunting yet embracing film in Amy. Based upon two years of research, Kapadia lifts the hood and goes to work revealing the real Amy Winehouse. Her death in 2011 was both a shock which filled the music world with sadness as a true talented had literally wasted herself away.

Focusing on the final years of Amy Winehouse, this documentary digs deep into her upbringing and her strained relationship with her parents. To her early musical years and how she found immense joy performing in her beloved jazz clubs. Upon the release of her infamous soul album 'Back to Black' Winehouse found both her private life and drug addictions plastered all over the nations press. Her love of music is both the blessing and through a life less ordinary, a bright light of the music world will eventually burn out.

Kapadia's Amy plays out like a happy dream which gradually turns into a drug laced nightmare. The Winehouse the public knew was one who was the quintessential party animal know for her excesses. Kapadia instead presents to us a far different figure from what we were taught. Opting against going for a 'too young to die' approach, Kapadia focuses a girl who an ordinary Southgate girl for whom the fame machine perhaps got too big. The early scenes of a fresh faced and near innocent Winehouse crooning 'Moon River' is almost heart breaking. The early singer cared little for fame or fortune, she merely just wanted to sing. The career high such as winning Grammy awards and singing with her idol Tony Bennett are presented with a glowing warm feel which for a brief second radiates joy upon the film. 

Her family is one factor of Winehouse's life that is closely examined. Her father Mitch perhaps is one figure that comes off worse as he is presented as an eager businessman who neglected his daughter at her time of need.  It is the later period of her life and her marriage to Blake Fielder-Civil which causes the most ripples. Their relationship was one of both deep love and extreme addiction, which caused her loved ones to distance themselves. Although devoted to each other, the self destructive nature could only have one outcome. Kapadia doesn't hold back and throw his audience into the thick of the violence and drug abuse that would eventually make her life go spiralling out of control. Upon winning a Grammy, she remarks to her friend "This is no fun without drugs!"

Music is one the one presence in Winehouse's life that perhaps gave her some kind of comfort. Here her soul voice brought forward her joys, fears and memories to her audience. Rather than pin pointing what could have caused her downfall, Kapadia gives things a needed light touch. Presenting her fame as being at first a glorious run to gradually her live being continually splashed all over tabloids. Her love of singing became almost a job to which she grew apathetic towards and as the machine grew, so did the expectations. Witnessing her being thrown drunk and unconscious onto a plane for her tragic final gig in Belgrade is perhaps the final nail in the coffin.

Once more Asif Kapadia had succeed admirably in creating a great neutral and almost vibrant portrayal of a lost talent. Amy is a film that will grab at you early and most likely will make you want to purchase Frank and Back to Black by the film's close. However, we are also left with many 'if only...' questions in return.