All That Glitters: Review of Gold

Gold

Director: Stephan Gaghan

By Alex Watson

Although it yearns to be this year's The Wolf of Wall Street, Stephen Gaghan cannot make Gold shine brightly. Matthew McConaughey's performance is very much what makes the film tick. Unfortunately, the movies relies a little too heavily on him for support. Years ago this might have been a thought provoking piece of cinema, nowadays it just feels like a run of the mill money drama.

Kenny Wells (Matthew McConaughey) is a prospector who is currently down to his last dime. Desperate to get rich, he flies to Indonesia on a whim where he meets mining legend Michael Acosta (Edgar Ramirez). Despite a tough start in the harsh jungle environment they miraculously strike Gold. As his name and wealth grows, Kenny soon becomes the focal point in a power struggle. With the feds also taking an interest will his luck hold out?

During the first act of Gold, you really get the impression that Kenny is the ultimate chancer. A boozed up and balding failure, Kenny attempts to keep his father company afloat selling speculative mining ventures using his outdated sales pitches. When he arrives in Indonesia the whole thing just feels like an exercise in futility. Although this sequence is key to setting up later events, Gaghan seems in a big rush to the important stuff. As the rain falls and Kenny struggles we never really get a good sense of precisely what is happening? When the big moment hits we merely shrug and say 'OK' to whatever is happening.

On the surface, Gaghan was the perfect choice to helm this project after directing Syriana and winning an Oscar for writing Traffic. Sadly he seems more interested in basking in McConaughey's glow that giving an insight into a intriguing industry. The later events feel like more like a formulaic rise and fall than a commentary on today's American market. While Kenny is raking in the dough and satisfying his nagging girlfriend (a thankless role for Bryce Dallas Howard), he also shows signs of greed (shock horror!). Big investors like Corey Stoll's Brian Woolf and Bruce Greenwood's Gold King Mark Hancock circle his fortune like a gull. His pride and refusal to allow his name to lose credibility are what will orchestrate his downfall.

The relationship between Kenny and Michael is integral to the success of Gold but yet Gaghan invests so little in it. Coming across as the wise and hard-working friends you would kill for, Michaels intentions are always a mystery.  Dipping in and out of proceedings his presences is missed whenever he is absent. Part of the issues of the story is that Gaghan seems to assume his audience is clued up on movies such as The Big Short. As a result, he dives headfirst into this story without giving us a chance to catch up. Although this tale of riches does have its moments, its lack of real drama and dilemma gives it a rather hollow feel. It feels like a movie made as a hail mary Oscar effort by its studio.

As mentioned Matthew McConaughey once more does his star credibility no harm and his efforts are sorely wasted. Injecting life into what is essentially a dull drama, McConaughey's Kenny Wells feels like a distant relation to Dallas Buyers Club's Ron Woodruff. Permanently sweaty and sauced up, Kenny Wells is the type of business man you move away from at parties. Edgar Ramirez also matches MM with a smartly downplayed turn. Michael Acosta is most definitely the smartest man in the room and knows it, he has nothing to prove and mend the fences Kenny breaks. Sadly Ramirez's performance hasn't nearly been the credit it deserves. One of the better supporting actors one day Oscar will take notice.

It feels surprising that Gold has been such a misfire when the hands making it were so skilled. It just proves that movies about wealth are not always a sure fire hit.

2014: A Year in Review

Another big year for film has come and gone, this year we saw 12 Years A Slave secure Oscar triumph, The Lego Movie remind us how 'Everything is Awesome' and the underwhelming effect of Godzilla returning on the big screen. We also lost two of the most loved figures in film in Philip Seymour Hoffman and Robin Williams, a void which will never truly be filled. Closer to the Edge also moved blog sites, but that is another story. 

So live and direct from Toronto, Ontario I give you my review of 2014!

Top 10 Films of 2014

1. Nightcrawler (USA Dir: Dan Gilroy):
   
   
   Dark, dense and utterly pulsating, debut director Dan Gilroy has created 2014 most original and enticing work. With a mesmerising central turn from Jake Gyllenhaal as Lou, a man drawn deeper into the underworld of freelance crime journalism, this proved to be a shocking yet awe inspiring tale. As each step takes him further across the lines of morality, our viewing takes another shocking turn. One of the dark horse contenders for the awards and rightfully my film of 2014! Read Review

2. Whiplash (USA Dir: Damien Chazelle) 
   
   
   After wowing Sundance and taking the Audience Award, the boundaries of the teacher pushed to the limit in Damien Chazelle's riveting drama. Featuring a star making turn from Miles Teller and a frightening career best from J K Simmons, this film was both heart stopping and psychologically testing for all. As Teller's Andrew strives to be one of the great jazz musicians, the prize will come at the ultimate cost. Read Review

3. Birdman (ESP Dir: Alejandro G Iñárritu)
   
   
   The return of Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu provided one of 2014's most off beat dark comedies. Former caped crusader, Michael Keaton proved a surprise success as a former action star Riggan Thompson, who is floundering his way to attempted stage glory. The knives of the Boardway world are fully sharpened throughout and Iñárritu ignites this fine satire piece. Keaton's half naked spirit through Time Square is laugh guaranteed. Read Review.
   
   
4. Foxcatcher (USA Dir: Bennett Miller)
   
   
   The true story of real life brother wrestlers Mark & Dave Schultz was brought to fruition by Bennett Miller in a slow burning but explosive fashion. Steve Carrell was the stand out in a career high role as their unpredictable and schizophrenic coach John Du Pont. With great support from Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo, the tension rises to unbearable levels. What starts as a beautiful opportunity gradually becomes a nightmare! Read Review.
   
   
5. Boyhood (USA Dir: Richard Linklater)
   
   
   Richard Linklater's 12 year project was well worth the long wait and served as the most naturalistic and most moving experience of this year. A revelatory turn from star Eller Coltrane gave the films its beating heart and we was ably supported by Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette. Linklater undertook a huge gamble, but the time invested has produced the most refined and seasoned movie of his career. Read Review.
6. Nymphomaniac Volume 1 & 2 (DEN/FRA/DEU/BEL Dir Lars Von Trier) 
    
   When Lars Von Trier is in town, expect things to get shocking, Nymphomaniac Vol 1 & 2 was yet another fine example of his polarizing style. With more flesh on display than you would see in a life time of European cinema, the story of sex addict Joe (Charlotte Gainsbourg) was stunning yet nauseating experience. With a bold turn from British actress Stacy Martin, Von Trier has again shown himself to be the master of awkward cinema. Read Review.
   
   
7. Miss Julie (NOR Dir: Liv Ullmann) 
   
   
   Liv Ullmann's first effort behind the camera in 15 years was a sexually charged battle of social classes as Midsummer Eve in 1890 Ireland begins to heat up. Boasting a fascinating central performance from Jessica Chastain as the aforementioned Miss Julie, Ullmann ensured that our hearts were put through the wringer. Big questions of love, desire, status and happiness were firmly asked, but this is one place where reassuring answers are a forgotten dream! Read Review.
   
   
8. Wild (USA/CAN Dir: Jean-Marc Vallée') 
   
   
   The story of Cheryl Strayed's 1100 mile trek of the Pacific Coast Trail was an enthralling tale of redemption by French/Canadian Jean-Marc Vallée'. Reese Witherspoon in a career best role superbly conveys Strayed sense of anguish through the premature loss of her mother (Laura Dern) and her fierce desire to get life back on the rails after falling off due drug addiction and divorce. This was one long walk that had a stiff yet uplifting feel that cannot be beaten. Read Review.
   
   
9. Snowpiercer (KR Dir: Bong Joon-ho) 
   
   
   Boon Jong-ho may have experienced a Harvey Weinstein style nightmare getting his arctic apocalypse drama to the screen, but it was worth the waiting. One of the more unique movies of the year, Joon-ho combines stunning visuals mixed with brutal yet ravishing violence. The gradually building animosity between classes on the big train soon reaches boiling point. When the battle begins, our eyes go wild with shock. Read Review.
   
   
10. Dallas Buyers Club (USA/CAN Dir Jean-Marc Vallée') 
    
    
    The second part of our Vallée' double bill gave us only the resurrection of Matthew McConaughey but one of 2014 most memorable characters. The exploits of AIDS patient Ron Woodroof gave us a real anti-hero who refuses to quit after his life changing diagnosis. His efforts to help people prolong life are ones that bring tears to our eyes. Ron may not be the most pleasant of men, but his heart is in the right place. Read Review.

Best of the Rest

11. The Grand Budapest Hotel 
    
    
    Through some excellent set design and memorable turn from Ralph Fiennes as concierge Gustave M, Wes Anderson brought us one of the most well designed and easy humored pieces of the year. His trademark quirk present as usual, there were also signs of a more mature and refined Anderson breaking through in future. Read Review.
    
    
12. Starred Up (UK Dir: David MacKenzie)
    
    
    Jack O'Connell's hypnotically savage Eric lit up this grim prison drama from director David MacKenzie. One of the best pieces of British cinema this year, MacKenzie succeeds in bringing forth the horrors of British prison life. Watching Eric's hysterically laughter at hurting his first victim is assured to make you squirm. Read Review.
    
    
13. Guardians of the Galaxy (USA Dir: James Gunn) 
    
    
    By far one of Marvel's most fun and original efforts of years gone by, James Gunn helped put the smiles back on fans faces with a fast paced yet hilarious ride. Armed with the best soundtrack of the year and a winning performance by Chris Pratt, the next installment already has us waiting in anticipation. Read Review.
    
    
14. The Wolf of Wall Street (USA Dir: Martin Scorsese) 
    
    
    Few would have predicted that Martin Scorsese could do funny, well his look at the drug fueled life of Wall Street Jordan Belfort proved doubters wrong. It have alienated Academy voters with its overly time and over use of drugs and sex, but with a magnificent performance from old faithful, Leonardo DiCaprio, this ranks as Marty's best 21 century effort!  Read Review.
    
    
15. Blue Ruin (USA: Dir Jeremy Saulnier)
    
    
    Jeremy Saulnier's indie effort may have flown under the radar, but his tale of revenge is an effort destined for cult status. With an impassioned turn from little known actor Macon Blair, Saulnier gave us the perfect everyman to convey his tale. A director to watch in future, this man ensured that anxiety was cranked up the max and the unexpected was forever there. Read Review.

Male Star of the Year: Matthew McConaughey 

Few people would have predicted that Matthew McConaughey would be the main man of 2014! Many have frowned his past romantic comedy efforts and considered him a lost cause. Well an Oscar win later, McConaughey was the one laughing and along with starring in this years best TV in True Detective, he would end the year anchoring Christopher Nolan's heavyweight effort, Interstellar. We are now in the presence of a man who is becoming one of the actors of his generation! Just keep him away from Kate Hudson please.

Female Star of the Year: Julianne Moore 

Through her devastatingly brilliant turns in Maps to the Stars (which won her Best Actress at Cannes) and Still Alice, Julianne Moore has shown how she is one of the most underrated talents today. One more a contender for prizes, Moore has had one of the finest years of her career and still provides an alluring presence on screen (look how she lit up Mockingjay in limited screen time). Fast becoming one of this blogs favourite girl, Julianne is the deserved winner of this category.

Director: Jean-Marc Vallée' Wild/ Dallas Buyers Club) 

Montreal native Vallée' has had his star being on the rise for years since 2005's CRAZY. This year would see his impact on the industry imprinted as he gave us the one/two punch of Wild and Dallas Buyers Club. Sporting a real eye for human emotion, his ability to highlight real people's strives makes for absorbing viewing and we should hopefully see this name on prize lists for years to come. 

Scene of the Year: Jordan Belfort Paralysed on Quaalude's 

Scorsese's ability to do comedy was never better demonstrated than when Jordan Belfort finds out the exact effect of the ancient Quaalude's he has ingested. What starts as a simple phone call quickly descends into something far more shocking and hysterical. Prepare the stitching kit, it will come in handy after seeing this. 

Finally I want to extend a massive thanks to all my readers in over 98 Countries who yearly listen to my rambling about film. Without you guys I am nothing, like Roger Ebert once said "I'll see you at the Movies!" 

Top 5 Modern TV Opening Sequences

Breaking Bad

Lasting less than 20 seconds, the title sequence to Breaking Bad is a masterclass in short and effective. The moment we see the swirling yellow smoke, the dark music that follows has set the tone for five seasons of unmissable TV!

True Detective

By far 2014's best opening credits work. Designed by studio Elastic, this unforgettable imagery becomes more apparent as the series deepens. Accurately foreshadowing the events, people and life changing experiences that will later effect detectives Rust Kohle (Mattthew McConaughey) and Martin Hart (Woody Harrelson). All the while it simultaneously capturing the mythical feel of a Louisiana land where it seems God has long since departed in the gritty drama. 


Damages

Sound-tracked to 'When I Am Through With You' by VLA, the legal world that is ruled with an iron fist by Patty Hewes (Glenn Close) comes to life. Fitting in some the pillars of the legal world including 'The Glory of Commerce' and 'Civic Fame' above the Manhattan Municipal Building, it shows in the world of the law, the administration of justice can be a dangerous thing. It also fits in with Patty's persona because when she is through with you "there won't be anything left"

House of Cards

Spanning the playground of politician Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey, the shows tense and some times audacious tone comes full circle. At first seeming just random locations such at the Capitol Building, Nationals Park and the Kennedy Centre. But apparently if you look deeper there is more meaning to it, read this fine article by Phil Edwards to understand further! Either way it is an eye grabbing start to the Netflix drama!

Boardwalk Empire 

Set against 'Straight Up and Down' by Brian Jonestown Massacre, we have one of HBO's finest efforts of recent times. Witnessing Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi) standing on a beach, suddenly we see thousands of whiskey bottles wash ashore. His profitable but occasionally underhanded enterprise is brought forward instantly and the corrupt theme of Martin Scorsese and Mark Wahlberg's excellent five seasons is set in stone.

Through Space & Time: Review of Interstellar

Interstellar

Director: Christopher Nolan

By Alex Watson

When a Chris Nolan films rolls around you can always guarantee one thing for sure, this will be no ordinary experience. Continually over the past decade, the British visionary has made our minds bend in more ways than one. But his plots are always a closely guarded secret and when unveiled to us we are forever left either amazed or dumbfounded by what we have witnessed! This week he tackles space exploration and a mission that may just save the human race. Prepare for all kinds of theories, calculations and inspiring visuals in Interstellar.


In the future, the earth is slowly dying due to a lack of food resources, so to save its existence former astronaut Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) along with Dr Amelia Brand (Anne Hathaway) and Boyle (Wes Bentley) are sent through the universe on a deep space mission. Through this they must navigate a worm hole that may or may not lead them to a system that can sustain the survival of the human race.

Interstellar again proves that Christopher Nolan is a director at the top of his game and this proves to be an eye opening and thought provoking look at not only what exists in the universe, but humanities instinct for survival. As we open on the dusty and deprived earth, we view humanity virtually forced down onto its knees. Cooper proves to be one of Nolan's strongest leads as we see him as a conflicted former pilot who is being forced into playing reluctant hero on a mission that may not see him return! The emotional depth of Cooper gives his early relationship with his 10 year old daughter Murph (Mackenzie Foy) gives the film a beating heart and as watch him drive away teary eyed- we pray for his safe return.

Although slow starting, midway through the film smartly shifts into overdrive and the visual presented to us are remarkable. The impressive CG by Hoyte Van Hoytema show us the great unknown which includes a planet surrounded by gigantic rolling waves, which will play a key role in the events of the mission! But perhaps the smartest element to this whole equation is that the universe is filled with unknown dangers and even the slightest error could result in several years being lost! Tough decisions allow the characters to reveal their true colours and at points battle of wills surface, often to heart stopping effect. Professor Brand's (Michael Caine) quoting of 'Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night' by Dylan Thomas effectively sums up the human spirit and its determination.

But the centre of Interstellar is all about the relationship between father and daughter. Murph is a no ordinary child and Cooper has encouraged her all her life to think outside the box. As older Murph (Jessica Chastain) appears, her initial anger and betrayal him leaving transcends into love and desire to see her father again and this gives her brains she never knew. However it is watching Cooper's pain filled face as he watches the 20 years of un-viewed messages from his children that hit home with such a hard and raw agony.

Even though Nolan's film is a visual masterpiece, its content and ideas may prove to be too heavy going for fair weather film fans. Never one to shy away from smart film making, Christopher and Jonathan Nolan give us a script that is so packed full of physics and morality that it feels as if we are being given a lecture rather than cinematic piece. The final act will firmly divide viewers as we cross through the dimensions of space, black holes to arriving into a destination that will surprise along with frustrating many. But unlike his other pieces, this proves to be Nolan's most heart pouring and genuine pieces.

Matthew McConaughey is an excellent lead choice and after his brillance in Dallas Buyers Club, he shows that he anchored a blockbuster well. Demonstrating a great human touch to his character, Cooper goes down as one of the more emotionally real characters of 2014 and is played with such potent power that he appeals to us from a very early stage. Anne Hathaway is also impressive as the smart yet soulful Dr Brand. But it is Jessica Chastain who firmly claims the supporting ranks with a brief yet impressive turn as the older Murph that captures our hearts.

Interstellar is an impressive and bold blockbuster, but the weight of its own intellect makes the film crumble slightly and we are left afterwards with our minds still traveling at light speed! But it is no less impressive and on a visual scale this is unlikely to be beaten in 2014. Christopher Nolan is a director who will always be challenging his audience, best to start reading for our next encounter!

Three Movie Picks for November

Interstellar (Director Christopher Nolan) 

Chris Nolan's long awaited return to the screen post Dark Knight Rises has been one of great speculation throughout 2014 and through a series of cleverly planned trailers, we have only glimpses of a plot. Starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain, we have learned that the story concerns an environmentally destroyed earth and a group astronauts having to navigate a worm hole in space to save it from total destruction. Nolan has yet to put a foot wrong and this looks likely to continue his fine run of form.

Release Date: November 7

Foxcatcher (Director: Bennett Miller) 

After grabbing serious attention at the Cannes Film Festival this year, Moneyball director Bennett Miller returns with a movie that has some serious awards contention. Based on the tragic story of Olympic wrestler Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) and his notorious relationship with his paranoid coach John Du Pont (Steve Carrell), this movie has proved to be an intense and captivating ride for critics. Featuring possible career best turns by Carrell and Tatum, this could well start making an appearance on award lists soon.

Release Date: November 14

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part One (Director Francis Lawrence)

Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is back on screen Hunger Games fans and she is aiming to make folks in the capital Panem sweat after the events of Catching Fire! So far this franchise has proven to be one of the most exciting and well made of years gone by and has found admirers in both teen and adult markets! Although some may be annoyed that the final story is split over two parts, no one can deny that watching Katniss and her band of followers slowly breaking down walls will be electric to watch!

Release Date: November 21