Money, Money, Money: Review of All The Money in the World

All the Money in the World

Director: Ridley Scott

By Alex Watson

Before it was even released, All the Money in the World was met with a storm of controversy. After the numerous sex misconduct scandals against original star Kevin Spacey- Ridley Scott chose to cut him from the final release completely. His scenes were quickly reshot for $7.5 million to make the December 22 release date. Veteran Christopher Plummer (ironically Scott's original choice) stepped in only weeks before the movie dropped. The gamble has worked tremendously and Plummer is outstanding as J.Paul Getty and his presence dominates throughout.

In Rome, 1973 teenager John Paul Getty III (Charlie Plummer) is kidnapped by a radical group. They inform the boy's mother Gail Harris (Michelle Williams) that unless a ransom is paid, he will be killed. Lacking the funds she is forced to approach her wealthy former father-in-law J.Paul Getty (Christopher Plummer). Notorious for his penny pinching, Getty refuses to part with a dime and instead sends his negotiator Fletcher Chase (Mark Wahlberg) to secure his grandson's release.

As its title suggests All the Money in the World is a movie where money talks. A real-life Ebeneezer Scrooge, Getty's miser tendencies take centre stage. A man more content checking his stock ticker tape than negotiate his own grandson's release. He even has a phone box installed his lavish home where staff give change for its usage. Getty throughout finds a way to work this horrible scenario to both his financial and personal advantage. "To be a Getty is an extraordinary thing. Its like we're from another planet," says John Paul Getty III in voiceover and this couldn't be more accurate. When he is dumped into the van and taken away, Gail is thrust into every mother's worst nightmare. Family loyalty counts for nothing in this piece and the elder Getty is willing to let his own blood suffer than part with a penny.

Scott knows when to turn up the heat in this picture. The kidnapping of John Paul provides some unbearable tension. At first, his captors think this is a slam-dunk and the money will be quickly dispensed. But when days turn into months, their impatience grows more and more frightening. John Paul is being subjected to some horrific and life-changing violence all of which will have audience members looking away (particularly during the notable ear torture scene). This movie, however, feels weakest whenever Fletcher and Gail are on screen. It feels like it is trying to draw out a dramatic and engaging story but failing due to the lack of chemistry between leads. Part of the issue is that we are never sure what precisely Fletcher is supposed to be doing? We know he is ex-CIA and doesn't carry a gun because "It ruins the lining of your suit." Other than that we just know that he makes deals with people.  Character-wise he is only skin deep and is consigned to a mediocre role in events.

The plight of Gail Harris is what makes All the Money in the World so effective. A former Getty now removed, she finds herself on the outside looking in. Forced to try and make nice with the one man she despises, Gail is trying to remain strong in the face extreme adversity. She brings a strength and courage to this picture when it is badly needed. She knows the clock is always ticking and she is always attempting to make the money appear before her son is cut into small pieces. The side story of captor with a heart Cinquanda (Romain Duris) is also effective. Wanting to get rich quick but disgusted at the increasingly vile methods his comrades use to get money, Cinquanda is only potential ally John Paul has to get out.

A last minute replacement, Christopher Plummer was the perfect gamble as J.Paul Getty. Easily winning every scene he appears in, Plummer plays the old billionaire with such an ice cold chill. Although the cliche of him preferring objects to people is overstated, the film sags whenever the veteran Canadian is not onscreen. Already nominated for numerous awards, it's hard to imagine how Spacey could have better this turn. Michelle Williams is also impressive as the desperate Gail. Forced into a corner and "fighting an empire," Williams gives an honest portrayal of a mother who wants little else than her son back. Mark Wahlberg, unfortunately, is stuck in a meaningless part and Fletcher Chase requires little acting other than looking tough.

All the Money in the World is a picture which chillingly shows how sometimes, money comes second to those we love.

Boston Strong: Review of Patriots Day

Patriots Day

Director: Peter Berg

by Alex Watson

The devastation caused by the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing is brought painstakingly to life by Peter Berg. Patriots Day is a movie bolstered by an excellent cast who reflect the horrors witnessed and how a city attempts to rise again. Tobias Schliessler's jittery photography makes our nerves twitch even before the explosion hits. Director Peter Berg's pacing of the story and research of the 4-day manhunt that ensued is excellent. Boston Strong rings true in this picture and the courage displayed is a fitting tribute.

Sgt. Tommy Saunders (Mark Wahlberg) is positioned at the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon. When a series of explosions happen, he and the Boston Police are faced with a frightening scenario. Forced to surrender control to FBI agent Richard Deslauriers, Saunders along with Police Commissioner Ed Davis (John Goodman) search high and low for the culprit. Meanwhile, a series of unrelated characters such as Watertown Sergeant Jeffrey Pugliese (J.K Simmons), Chinese entrepreneur Dun Meng (Jimmy Yang) and MIT Security guard Sean Collier (Jake Picking) will find themselves facing life changing moments.

 From the first frame of Patriots Day, there is an eerie sense of dread lurking. Watching characters waking up bright and happy and going about their daily routines only intensifies the devastation. Tommy Saunders is a man who is working his way back into the good books of the Police, but agreeing to wear the 'clown vest' at the marathon. Situated mere yards away, Berg makes feel the full effect when the two pressure cooker bombs detonate. Saunders despite his leg injury has to act fast and he sees first hand how a peaceful day has turned into hell on earth. The bombs were placed at ground level, so many people have had their limbs blown clean off. Saunders and co are forced to take control quickly and it is in the moment we feel a strength setting in. We all know this moment is coming- the fact we sit powerless to prevent is what really shakes us. Seeing happy couples like Jessica Kensky (Rachel Brosnahan) and Patrick Downes (Christopher O'Shea) clinging to their lives is bound to hit the spot.

The aftermath is like a whirlwind and Berg rarely pauses for breath as the manhunt goes forward. Both Davis and Deslauriers bicker about whether or not to release pictures of their suspected subjects? One area where the movie both rises and falls in the depiction of bombers Tamerlan and Dzhokar Tsarnaev (Themo Melikidze and Alex Wolff). Presented as your ordinary pair of quarrelling brothers, Berg is careful not trespass into overblown and cliche territory. One of the harder aspects of this picture, it deserves credit for being so underplayed and the believability of the performances. The brothers are responsible for arguably the pictures most tense sequence when Dun Meng finds himself carjacked. This one act alone brings us further into their subconscious and their casual approach to more possible mayhem is utterly chilling. The women in this picture aren't given quite the same fair shake, Carol Saunders (Michelle Monaghan) is given little to work with other than look supportive. However, Melissa Benoist gets a powerful scene as Tamerlan's committed wife Katherine Russell.

We can feel their desperation setting in as the police cling to all possible clues. Pugliese emerges as pictures real hero as he heroically stands up to pipe bombs during an explosion filled final act. The ordinary officer pushed into the line of duty, not once does he flinch. Saunders is a character who is made out to be the main man of the piece when in reality he is devoted side character. Berg's praise and commitment in showing the courage and sacrifice of all Boston citizens make each character heroic. Security Guard Collier was murdered in his car for refusing to surrender his gun to the bombers. From the governor declaring marshal law to Dun Meng's display of impulsive bravery, every person is doing their bit.  Patriots Day is not just about a city recovering, it is a film about people standing up and being counted. David Gordon Green's companion piece 'Stronger' also debuts in 2017, it will be tough to raise Berg's efforts.

Mark Wahlberg might be first billed as Tommy Saunders but he is by no means the main star. While his impassioned performance might impress in some areas, in others he falls flat. Wahlberg is used to this type of brave role, but Tommy is not always likeable. His whining of Deslauriers taking charge makes out him out to be an insufferable brat. J.K Simmons provides excellent support as Pugliese and he ably defines his cool under pressure as he willing goes up against the brothers. Kevin Bacon and John Goodman are drastically underused as the respective head law figures. Alex Wolff and Themo Melikidze both measure their performances well as the Tsarnaev brothers. Wolff is particular is excellent as the younger more youthful obnoxious sibling.

Patriots Day is a movie that exemplifies a cities struggle but also shows the gritty determination Boston showed trying to heal. Made with a lot of affection, if more blockbusters can show this type of heart it is a very good sign indeed.

Ocean of Oil: Review of Deepwater Horizon

Deepwater Horizon

Director: Peter Berg

By Alex Watson

As a director Peter Berg is able to convey disasters well, his previous effort Lone Survivor with Mark Wahlberg was a thrilling yet poignant tribute to man's instinct to survive the odds. His latest picture Deepwater Horizon chronicles the 2010 disaster which resulted in the biggest oil spill and the worst oil rig disaster in history. After original director J.C Chandor stood done, many wondered how precisely Berg would approach this subject? This picture full analyses how greed by big corporations and unsafe practices can result in things going array very quickly.

Mike Williams (Mark Wahlberg) is a Chief Electrician on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. When arriving with his superior Mr. Jimmy (Kurt Russell) and co-worker Andrea Fleytas (Gina Rodriguez), they realize that the contractors BP are massively behind schedule are trying to recoup lost time by sidestepping important measures for rig safety. Although their superiors assure them all is fine, their negligence will soon result in a disaster that will put all lives on the line.

The first hour of Deepwater Horizon is a finely tense affair and Berg ensures our anticipation and dread is cranked up to the max. The opening is a calm and blissful affair as we see Mike bonding with his wife Felicia (Kate Hudson) and his daughter. Out of the grizzled rig vets on screen, Mike is the only one we really get to know and seeing his family again becomes an important character strength. When the crew arrives on site, things begin to technical and Berg doesn't hold back on jargon such as blowout preventers, kill lines, and negative pressure tests.  Mr. Jimmy is highly suspect about the methods being used by his BP bosses and when he notices they are 43 days behind, his suspicions are confirmed. Every little creak and bump that we hear in the rig could be a potential hazard.

Donald Vindrie (John Malkovich) is an arrogant BP bigwig who acts as if he knows the drilling business like a second nature and his over confidence and shortsightedness are what derails events. He is the very face of corporate corruption that values the dollar over their worker's safety. The underwater pipes are heavily overloaded and could burst at any second. To master the tension, each shot we see of a negative pressure test and the gasket meter running in the red zone makes our hearts jump. Vindrie sternly refutes that the pipe is the problem, not the overloading, Mr. Jimmy can see a disaster brewing but is powerless to intervene due to the stubbornness of the people above him. All around us, we cannot tell whether the workers or the rig will blow first?

When the explosion occurs at first it is a horrifying mixture of mud and flames, but asides from a quick burst Deepwater Horizon is unable to make use of the needed action. Everything that can catch fire does and what starts as a minor explosion soon becomes a fiery tomb. There are some nervy moments watching Mike sulking around corridors of the wrecked rig looking for any survivors. Unfortunately, these moments are seldom seen and it leaves a dampener on what has been a great ride. Each time either Mike, Jimmy or anyone attempts to kill off the flames, we all know that saving this place is a foregone conclusion. For the final segment, it just feels like Berg is attempting to draw more minutes out when it should focus on the workers running for safety. Aside from this slight lapse, this is still a fine tribute to the bravery and courage that people demonstrate when things are on the line.

Mark Wahlberg proves to be Peter Berg's go to guy when he needs acting chops and as Mike Williams, he gives a fine performance of an every man faced with an impossible task. A likeable family man, Mike is the one look we get at workers off the rig and his quiet intensity is what sets him apart. Kurt Russell also makes for fine supporting fodder as Mr. Jimmy, his weary and frustrated manner with his BP superiors is what gives this picture some friction. His character might appear to be a typically cliched one, but Russell owns every minute of his screen time. Skilled at villainy, John Malkovich is perfectly oily (no pun intended) as Donald Vindrie. Coming across the kind of self-serving swine you always cross in corporate offices, Malkovich perfectly emphasizes the meddling forces at bay.

Deepwater Horizon is a fine disaster piece and firmly demonstrates the heroics taken on what has become one of the worst disasters this century.

Thunderbuddies: Review of Ted 2

Ted 2

Director: Seth MacFarlane

By Alex Watson

Although Seth MacFarlane tries his hardest to recreate the same volume of belly laughs as the original, Ted 2 just doesn't hit the same heights as before. This off-the-wall buddy vehicle still has its charms, but feels a little overly long for what it needs to be. At the centre, the concept is a simple and effective one. A toy bear wants love and to be recognized as human but is denied on both counts. This idea sadly just isn't enough to sustain interest for an entire movie. Despite its best efforts, Macfarlane seems to rely too heavily on the potty mouth humour.

One year on from events from the previous movie, Ted (Seth MacFarlane) has married his sweetheart Tami-Lynn (Jessica Barth) while John's (Mark Wahlberg) marriage has ended in divorce. Immediately the newlyweds are on the rocks and propose having a child to safe their marriage. But any attempts at adopting a child are denied because Ted is not legally recognized as a person by the government. To help gain his rights, the pair enlist the help of newbie lawyer Samantha L Jackson (Amanda Seyfried) to aid their cause.

Ted 2 does have its merits and to MacFarlane's credit he does address some important character issues. John is still recovering from his marriage being dissolved and has little else to do other than smoke pot with his friend. The pair are like a couple of highschoolers still stuck in a time warp. Ted maybe fighting for his rights, but the question remains has he done enough the truly earn them? Watching them head for trial is one area where the movie falls down because although there are laughs such as the pair watching the whipping scene in TV's Roots and Ted saying "That's just like me!" but otherwise it just feels misguided. Ted is like the relative at dinner whom you always wince whenever he talks. Watching him on the stand has that effect as he angrily bursts at the judge "This is just like what you did to the fags!"

The introduction of fellow pot smoking lawyer Samantha is a nice touch but doesn't really add anything new to proceedings. She is basically the polar opposite of everything John's ex wasn't and smokes from a bong shaped like a penis. On a humour level, MacFarlane does provide his usual brand of borderline shocking humour. One scene the gang decides the only way to cheer themselves up is to make sad suggestions at an improv show. Here we get Charlie Hebdo, Robin Williams and 9/11 thrown into the mix, judge for yourself whether to laugh. Also we see re-emergence the of creepy teddy stalker Donny (Giovanni Ribisi- doing what he does best).

Funny cameos also succeed in injecting the film with the zany humor it needs. Watch for a great appearance by Liam Neeson, who could have thought Trix cereal could be hilarious? Tom Brady also stands out in a brief but sidesplitting cameo. Worth its weight purely for code the Boston Police have for the crime. Morgan Freeman plays.... well Morgan Freeman renamed. As a franchise, this movie is most likely going in the right direction and a successful run at the box will definitely see a third round. But Seth MacFarlane has to really think hard about the direction he wants to take this. Because laughs aside, this comedy series is already showing signs of fatigue. Ted and John despite being bad boy 'thunder buddy's' have little else aside of their debauchery. With a few workings, the next installment could be more fitting.

Mark Wahlberg does succeed as John and with his native Boston wit, he handles the foul and crude humor with ease. There may be many people on the fence about the former Marky Mark, but you cannot deny he has presence. Wahlberg is one of the principle reasons this movie has its charm and this guy loves to poke fun at his roots. Seth MacFarlane as a voice only still bounces off his counterpart well. Sounding almost like Family Guy's Peter Griffin, Ted may be an awkward cuddly toy, but is still one who can deliver the laughs.

Chances are that Ted will be definitely be back for a third installment. It's just a shame that Ted 2 doesn't quite build on the promise of what could have been.

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.