The Last Stand: Review of Avengers: Infinity War

Avengers: Infinity War

Directors: Joe and Anthony Russo

By Alex Watson

Marvel fans everywhere have been waiting for the day their heroes would square off against big bad Thanos. Well, Avengers: Infinity War is unlikely to disappoint. Throwing in everything but the kitchen sink for the ultimate showdown, directors Joe and Anthony Russo pull off one hell of a balancing act. While its conclusion may polarize viewers, no one can deny the sheer thrill levels of this instalment.

Overlord Thanos (voiced by Josh Brolin) is continuing his reign of terror while seeking the rest of the infinity stones. The Avengers are attempting to put a halt to his progress, but their efforts are proving futile. Not helped by the strained relations between Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) and Captain America (Chris Evans). Also, the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) seems to be suffering from severe performance anxiety.

From the first frame of Avengers: Infinity War the Russo Brothers shoot to thrill. The arrival of Thanos was forever teased in early instalments, but his first full outing is a major success. A hulking purple monster, this man is a pulverising force to be reckoned with. However, there is also a depth to him at key points which is surprising. Especially when examining his difficult relationship with adopted daughter Gamora (Zoe Saldana). Rather than beginning with an orgy of CGI, Infinity War war starts with a jolt as certain characters we know and love are... dealt with. In this instalment, our love is truly tested and there will be gut-wrenching moments. Thanos is a ruler whose madman tendencies are weirdly philosophical and his logic comes off as cold and calculated.

Our Avenger teams are broken up into several brilliantly formed factions. Stark and Dr Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) must not only contend with their own ego's but also with Peter Parker (Tom Holland),  Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), Drax (Dave Bautista) and the other Guardians. Thor forms a delightful and hilarious threesome with Rocket (Bradley Cooper) and Groot (Vin Diesel). Finally, the exiled warriors of Civil War Steve Rogers, Hulk, Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Bucky (Sebastian Stan), Falcon (Anthony Mackie) and the King himself T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) take up fighting residence in Wakanda.  The sheer quality of this cast alone could power this picture, but instead, each of these teams brings their own unique brand of charm. Thanos knows how each character ties into each group and this is where he emerges as a formidable opponent. Each time one of the squares off against him, it can mean potential ruin for the earth. Emotions run deep in this one and there will be many acts of sacrifice- prepare yourself for some hard moments.

The best aspect of Avengers: Infinity War is how the Russo's are able to make this such a fun ride. There are little moments throughout which are simply brilliant such as Thor and Quill attempting to one-up each other at family backstories. Also, several minor MCU characters make wonderful reappearances to leave no stone unturned. The third act is usually a problem is most Marvel movies, but this time the Russo Brothers brilliantly pull each character together for one hell of a finale. Making so much look so cool and effortless is not an easy task, but this time excitement levels are through the roof. However, then comes an ending which will likely floor its audience. I won't give away a sliver of information, but I will advise the audience to expect everything and be prepared for some tragic moments. Thanos is not considered the ultimate bad guy for nothing and squaring off against him will leave severe damage.

Josh Brolin's voice alone gives shivers down our spine whenever Thanos appears on screen. A thumping and unpredictable villain, his whole logic of splitting the universe in half is skewed. However, in the hands of Brolin he makes it look so compelling and underneath his exterior, we see a tortured soul. The rest of the cast, as usual, works wonderfully together. Having Downey Jr and Cumberbatch share screen time makes for some wonderful and egotistical petty squabbles. Chris Hemsworth has now given Thor such natural on screen humour that he wins each scene he appears in. Mark Ruffalo is also scene stealingly brilliant as Bruce Banner and his frustration and embarrassment at the Hulk not wanting to come out is consistently funny.

Avengers: Infinity War is the big get together Marvel fans have always wanted. On sheer enjoyment alone- this is unmissable.

Strange Days: Review of Doctor Strange

Doctor Strange

Director: Scott Derrickson

By Alex Watson

While it may appear like Inception on acid at points, Doctor Strange is a thoroughly entertaining new Marvel adventure. With a stand out turn by the reliable Benedict Cumberbatch, this tale of sorcery is one that continually surprises us. Derrickson also has the psychedelic element down and over the course of the movie he drags his audiences to dimensions they couldn't possibly dream of. Watching this in 3D is worth the admission fee alone.

Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a cocky surgeon known for his magic hands and ability to perform risk operations. After suffering a major car accident, his hands are crushed and the nerves are damaged, leaving him unable to practice. Strange quickly runs out of money finding a cure, until he hears of a place in Nepal that can cure people. When he arrives he meets the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) who along with Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) introduce him to a form of mystic arts.

Doctor Strange starts like any other origin tale, he is an arrogant doctor that burns through his cash on fast cars, expensive watches and thinks the good times won't end. He has a love/hate relationship with fellow Doctor Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams) and she is possibly the one person who puts up with him. His car crash is an earth shattering one and Strange descends into near insanity trying to find a way to fix it. After being tipped off by a former patient, he heads to Kathmandu and looks for Kamar-Taj. Arriving here, the film begins to have fun with itself as Strange mocks the Ancient One and her beliefs. Moments later he is knocked out of his corporeal form and sucked into a dimension of vivid colours and crystals, this sequence is trippy to the core, especially when he arrives in a place where little hands start sprouting from his own hands. Arriving back to a smug smile from the Ancient One, you can literally feel his hand expand.

The principal threat comes from Kaecilius, a former student of Kamar-Taj who turned to the dark side of the arts. Seeking an alliance with a demonic force who promises eternal life, this where the story has its most fun. During these battles, we get some of the most awe-inspiring CG of 2016. Entire buildings change form, gateways to different locations are opened with the flick of a wrist and the possibilities are endless. A break from the Avengers norm, Derrickson seeks to give his audience a visual feast and we begin to question what we know of time and space. Big questions of the characters themselves also hang over the film, just how does The Ancient One keep her youthful appearance, will Strange be seduced by the prospect of eternal life? Although the story does drag in places, Derrickson is able to keep this picture on its toes.

Impressively for a third act, Doctor Strange is able to not to succumb to the typically overblown Marvel endings of late. Derrickson keeps things unpredictable during a Hong Kong set finale, where Strange attempts to go against what he has been taught to save the date. It also features one of the most unexpectedly hilarious sequences, keep a mental note of time loops during this movie it will come in handy. Strange is one character who you will grow to love despite his flaws because underneath his cocky exterior beats the heart of a true hero. This character in the wrong hands could have been a big mistake for Marvel, but Derrickson carries off with such finesse that it is hard to imagine this universe without him.

Benedict Cumberbatch shows his action hero chops and effectively carries off Strange's smug sense of humor. He succeeds admirably at building this character from the ground up during his recovery as he becomes a broken man in every sense of the word. Cumberbatch fits the character like a glove as he grows in confidence, so does his magical abilities. It will be fascinating to see what he does with more installments. Less fortunate are Rachel McAdams and Chiwetel Ejiofor, a great of great actors denied any kind of relevant screen time and given zero to do. Mads Mikkelsen also gets short changed as Kaecilius who is so underwritten that there is little threat to him. Mikkelsen is proven at playing villains and deserves better material.

Doctor Strange alongside  Captain America: Civil War is one of the stronger offerings Marvel will throw our way this year, this will be one piece that demands Blu-Ray purchase in future.

A Boston Tale: Review of Black Mass

Black Mass

Director: Scott Cooper

By Alex Watson

A powerful central performance from Johnny Depp brings Scott Cooper's picture, Black Mass to life. The reign of James 'Whitey' Bulger in South Boston was a long and brutal one. Not helped by the fact this man had free rein from the FBI. Cooper is gives a bold and bloody depiction of one of most notorious gangsters in US history. An intelligent script from Jez Butterworth and Mark Mallouk, breathes new life into this genre and goes to show that gangster influenced through other means than money and violence. 

James 'Whitey' Bulger (Johnny Depp) rules South Boston with an iron fist and through the 70's and 80's it became his personal playground. While his brother Billy (Benedict Cumberbatch) became a state senator, Jimmy decided to keep things in the neighbour. Former child friend turned FBI agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton) has a big idea. After great bargaining he convinces Jimmy to become a FBI informant, which allows him to clear his rivals. However, soon the bodies begin to pile up and Bulger soon abuses his immunity from prosecution. Soon loyalties will be tested as the FBI begins to wise up. 

Black Mass is a film filled with all kinds of sharp turns and shocks. There is a heavy irony hanging over Bulger who with all his heart despises rats but yet he has become to biggest rat in the city. Bulger Throughout he is a nerving presences with his shaved head and piercing blue eyes. Cooper effectively nails his convoluted persona. At first he is the perfect gentleman, but the next moment he is putting a bullet through your skull. One dinner table scene sees him give a thinly veiled threat to a FBI agent for divulging his family secret for cooking steak and for rolling over so easily. In this moment his cold gaze is utterly terrifying as he says "Just saying... can get you buried real quick!" 

Bulger isn't made out as an out-and-out psychopath and Cooper invests wisely in bring forward the trauma of losing his young son. The key moment that perhaps breaks his spirit is when his young wife Lindsey (Dakota Johnson) vows to 'pull the plug' on their boy's life support. He is a man beloved by his community who despises the Italians and especially the British. One small but vital sub-plot sees him proudly selling arms to the IRA.  His brother Billy has in his eyes become one of the smug members of Cambridge, Mass. Throughout his older brothers actions are bane on his political career, but Billy takes no action because "Jimmy's business, is Jimmy's business." 

Connolly is a man who believes in the loyalty of the neighbourhood and is in awe of his former friend. There is a alpha-male feel all throughout between these two figures and at times Connolly feels like the little boy still sucking up to the school bully. All around the bureau there is a feeling this will be a costly expenditure. Bulger fails to see becoming an informant a betrayal because it is not ratting. Also it gives him his goal of finally being rid of the Costra Nostra in the north end. Soon it becomes clear to the FBI that his 'intel'  has been nothing more than smoke and mirrors. Connolly throughout is under the same delusion as Jimmy that everything will stay hidden. He still fails to see that his former friend has done nothing but play him and that he idolizes a man who has introduced drugs to kids all around his old neighbourhood. 

Johnny Depp gives an Oscar quality performance as Whitey Bulger in Black Mass. A gripping presence throughout Cooper's movie, Depp shows the type of menace he is capable of pulling off and as Bulger he provides a wonderful frosty chill. Depp also appears comfortable with handling the heavier portions and his handling of the grief and devastation that Bulger feels at the loss of his son is truly magnificent. Joel Edgerton also continues his fine run of form and as Connolly he gives a wonderfully macho performance. This manis almost the villain of the piece due to his willing protect of a real monster. Edgerton gives him a likeable arrogance where even the most pessimistic can respect his wish for advancement. 

Black Mass is one picture that we can at least expect to see in the acting categories come awards season. Johnny Depp may have had a couple of wobbling outings before, but this performance sees him climb right back on top! 

Alex's TIFF 2015 Picks

Soon the 40th annual, Toronto Film Festival will be upon us and again I am proud to be volunteering for this fine event This year I will be taking up residence at the Bell Lightbox Theatre, but I am hoping to provide as many live reviews as I can during the festival.

Here are my picks for this year's festival 

Demolition

Dir: Jean-Marc Vallee  

Chosen as the opening night film for the festival, this one for French-Canadian director, Jean-Marc Vallee already has awards potential about it. When successful investment banker Davis (Jake Gyllenhaal) loses his wife in a car crash, his world begins to fall apart. With an actor like Gyllenhaal abroad, you know this story will be a hard hitting one. Also with support from the likes of Chris Cooper and Naomi Watts- this could be a festival highlight. Closer to the Edge's Best Director of 2014, Vallee is on a fine run of form and it looks like it will continue here!

The Martain  

Dir: Ridley Scott

Ridley Scott again returns to the sci-fi genre and has brought with him one of the finest casts of 2015! Astronaut Mark Whatney (Matt Damon) is left behind and presumed dead after a disastrous mission to Mars. With limited supplies and little chance of survival, his only choice is to beam a signal back to earth. A cast also including Jessica Chastain, Kate Mara, Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor and surprisingly Kristen Wiig, Sir Ridley promises one of the big rides of this year.

Freeheld 

Dir: Peter Sollett

Promising to be one the festival's rollarcoaster emotional rides, this effort from director Peter Sollett looks interesting. When New Jersey police detective Laurel (Julianne Moore) is diagnosed with cancer, she and her domestic partner Stacie struggle to secure her benefits to pay her for treatment.  Featuring a pair a great pairing of Julianne Moore and Ellen Page, this is one story that is likely to capture our hearts.

Legend 

Dir: Brian Helgeland

Tom Hardy is always has a fierce presence on screen, so just imagine the effect having him play two characters at once! Based on the story on notorious London mobsters, Ronnie and Reggie Kray (Both Tom Hardy) this film recounts the terror they beset upon the criminal underworld in the 1950s and 60s. Expect things to get heated and for Tom Hardy to be likely excellent twice over. The Krays were a formidable force, expect the film to follow suit!  

Black Mass

Dir: Scott Cooper

In what could be one of the performances of 2015, Johnny Depp is infamous Boston mobster Whitey Bulger. Documenting his rise to becoming the most famous criminal in US history, director Scott Cooper has surrounded this film with a fine cast including Benedict Cumberbatch, Dakota Johnson, Joel Egerton and Kevin Bacon. Depp looks like he could be providing us with a career best turn here, expect Toronto audiences to go wild.

The Last Battle: Review of The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies

The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies

Director: Peter Jackson

By Alex Watson

So finally Peter Jackson's return to Middle Earth comes full circle, The Hobbit Trilogy has encountered a decent reception upon its release, but maybe less positive than the beloved Lord of the Rings saga. Jackson has still been able to conjure up the same old magic as before though such as the hair raising introduction of Smaug the Dragon. He will be sure to make Tolkein proud though with this final installment in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. 

As Smaug the Dragon (Benedict Cumberbatch) reigns havoc upon the town of Laketown, a small band of survivors led by Bard (Luke Evans) make for the mountains of Erebor in search of shelter. Meanwhile Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) is growing concerned with Thorin's (Richard Armitage) dark obsession over a precious king stone. All the while a surge of Orcs descend upon the mountain for a battle that will decide the fate of all!

The finale to Jackson's six part Middle Earth series is one that will no doubt please fans. The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies wraps things up in a more convenient way than that the multiple endings of Return of the King. Events are given a major kick start as Smaug reigns a fiery death upon Lake Town, cue utter chaos where only an act of sheer heroism by Bard will save the day! Unlike other episodes, Jackson through good editing has stripped this one down to the necessary content and there is no dragging feeling or any sense he is looking to draw things about because he can.

Loyalty and brotherhood are the key focuses of Five Armies, Thorin's increasing insanity is the element that really keeps the story on its toes. The once steadfast and beloved leader has descended into a stir crazy man who under the dragons influence is beginning to suspect his fellow dwarf men.  Bard's story though is the one that captures our heart, as he is a simple man pushed into being a De-facto leader. Through his courage to save his family and his desire to regain the lives of other villagers, we find the movies sympathetic and compassionate voice. A well shot bargaining conversation through the Erebor gate with Thorin demonstrates his heroism and his opponent's unwillingness to budge.

In this installment, there are missteps in The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies such as an underwhelming three way battle when veterans Gandalf (Ian McKellen), Galadriel (Cate Blanchett) and Elrond (Hugo Weaving) do combat with the Nazgul. By rights this should have been a standout scene, but in a heartbeat it is gone to quickly! Plus although this a well paced final part, it never fully realizes its potential and feels a little too confined to the shadows throughout. This brooding sense of inner conflict aids the film in some parts but in others it simply delays the action.

But we are richly rewarded with a stunning final battle sequence as the Elk mounted Elf, Thranduil (Lee Pace) along with foul mouthed dwarf Dain (Billy Connolly) do battle with a sea of orcs against Erebor. However, it is the moment that Thorin emerges from the gates to lead the charge that really breathes life into this affair. There is also a heavy emotional undercurrent to this battle which was seldom seen in Return of the King and lives and bonds are shaken forever through a single blade. It is the kind of finale, only a director like Jackson could deliver.

Martin Freeman has proven to be an inspired piece of casting as Bilbo Baggins and has grown into the role magnificently. It is the way he portrays the Hobbit's humbleness and quiet bravery that adds layers to this character. More impressively, the cracks in Bilbo's character are beginning to show through. Jackson is subtle with his hints, but through Freeman, these give a powerful indicator what is to come. Five Armies though belongs to Richard Armitage as Thorin, a true presence in this series, this movie he plays both hero and villain to perfection. His finest moment comes from a stunning hallucinatory sequence against the golden floor of Erebor as the Dwarf leader finally clues into what is causing his new lust for his treasure!

The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies is perhaps not as memorable as many would have hoped, but Jackson has still succeeded in giving JRR Tolkein's Middle Earth a fine send off! Farewell everyone, it has been an experience.

Coded Messages: Review of The Imitation Game

The Imitation Game

Director: Morten Tyldum

By Alex Watson

Alan Turing was a man who undoubtedly played a key role in the outcome of World War 2 and his risky but legendary code cracking machine, not only broke the notorious Enigma machine, but saved over 14 millions lives. Sadly his recognition was marred by his conviction for being homosexual (still a crime in the 1950's) which led to his suicide in 1954! This year, after his stunning movie Headhunters, Norwegian director, Morten Tyldum bring us a stirring portrayal of a unique mind in The Imitation Game. 

As the German's march across Europe, the cryptologists of Bletchley Park have struggled to crack their remarkably tough code machine, Enigma. Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch) and a team of other code breakers however have an idea that may just win the war, but it will test the patience of the Allies.

Winner of the Viewers Choice Award at this year's Toronto Internation Film Festival, The Imitation Game is a spectacular and well paced film by Morten Tyldum. The most impressive element to this movie, is how Tyldum is able to recreate the sheer tension and against the clock feel of Turing's idea. His superiors at Bletchley want nothing more than to get him off the grounds, but despite some missteps, eventually this man's standoffish personality and continually ticking mind will strike gold and sway the direction of the war.

Aided by an excellent script from first time writer, Graham Moore, Tyldum effortlessly enraptures his audience with a multilayer puzzle throughout the movie. Interweaving between four periods including Turing's arrest in 1951 for his offense, his time serving at Hut 8 in Bletchley Park during the war and his tough upbringing at public school which saw him routinely bullied and experience a forbidden love. These stories contribute to the mystery of Turing himself and we find ourselves asking what makes him such "an odd duck".

Turing as a man is not an easy one to like and his rather bizarre and introverted persona immediately cause friction. Early on we see him in what is perhaps one of most hilarious and raw job interviews you will ever see. Instantly he dismisses his capable co-workers including Hugh Alexander (Matthew Goode) as inconsequential, leading Commander Dennison (Charles Dance) to remark "Popular at school were you?" But in between the numerous crosswords and unbreakable codes is a man of sheer genius and his steadfastness to his speculative idea hooks us throughout.

The platonic relationship between Alan and his real life co-worker Joan Clarke (Keira Knightley) is one that adds that a real human feel to this man. His real sexual preference is also one that increases the pressure and as he stills in the police station recounting his story to a detective (Rory Kinnear), he asks him how he wishes to judge him, a hero or a criminal? Turing was not pardoned for his crime until 2013, which to this day still feels unjust.

Behind the success of The Imitation Game is the man himself, Benedict Cumberbatch who is finally given the role of a lifetime, and delivers on a big scale. Expertly mirroring Turing's burning desire to prove this theory correct, Cumberbatch proves that is a big contender for awards through his continually troubled and intense gaze that projects not only his current sufferings but the ones from his past as well. After years of people waiting for the man to hit mainstream success, Benedict Cumberbatch has finally arrived and it is magnificent to see!

I am saddened that The Imitation Game was not released in time for my top 10 for 2014, because it would have placed highly. Morten Tyldum demonstrates that the hype surrounding him and star Cumberbatch is to be believed. Alan Turing was a man of his time because as we are reminded "Sometimes it is the people no one imagines anything of who do the things that no one can imagine."

Top 5 Benedict Cumberbatch Performances

After his movie, The Imitation Game won both mass critical acclaim and the Viewers Choice award at the Toronto International Film Festival, it now appears that the career of Benedict Cumberbatch has gone big time. Winner of Closer to the Edge's 2013 Male Star of the Year, the path to fame hasn't been a straight forward one. After solid appearances in movie such as Starter for 10 and TV's Small Island, he was very much a supporting player. But after some careful choices, B.C has now stepped into the limelight and as a result we now have one of the hottest British talents for some time! Here's a reminder of the roles that pushed him towards success.

Sherlock 

For the last three seasons, we have been glued to our TV screen for this version of Sherlock Holmes. Impressively bordering between brilliance and utter insanity as the famed 'consulting detective', Cumberbatch gives a great portrayal of a man who among his constantly ticking mind is barely keeping a lid on a dark and convoluted persona. But its the suaveness that he brings to the role that makes him so memorable and with it he brings a sense of humor that is truly unique and in places, makes him seem human! This would pave the way to B.C's path to glory.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy 

In one of his more recent supporting roles, Cumberbatch shone brightly as Peter Guillam in Tomas Alfredsson's adaptation of John Le Carre's book. A less showy role than he is accustom to, but his impact was still felt greatly and Guillam proves to be key to operation. But its his secrecy about himself that provides some of the real tension and he comes across a man whose fear is ever increasing in the spy world, but he is willing to stand by his word to make the breakthrough needed.
 

Star Trek: Into Darkness 

As fallen Star Fleet officer John Harrison, Benedict was one of last years most memorable villains. Conjuring up a great sense of lurking menace, this man is a force to be reckoned with and one of the most slippery captives you ever wish to keep locked up! Constantly throughout JJ Abrams movie he foils Kirk and friends. But it was Cumberbatch's brilliant and emotionally powerful acting during the movies well known reveal that cemented his place among the rising elite.

The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug 

Here is proof that Cumberbatch doesn't need to be presence for his force to be felt! His voice alone brings to life the mythical Smaug the Dragon. Through his rasping and deep tones, he creates a magnificent unease and this contributes to Smaug having a more rounded yet greedy personality that is seldom seen in Blockbusters and has been one of the highlights of Peter Jackson' return to Middle Earth.

Atonement 

In a earlier and smaller role, Cumberbatch demonstrated his potential ability as the charmingand creepy Chocolate entrepreneur Paul Marshall. Restricted to just one key scene, Cumberbatch takes the opportunity with both hands and delivers a charismatic yet ominous appearance that gives a key indicator of the role he will play in the life changing events later on.