Family Business: Review of Logan Lucky

Logan Lucky

Director: Steven Soderbergh

By Alex Watson

When he's not in between movie retirements, Steven Soderbergh does remind us what a great director he is. Logan Lucky might not be his strongest outing, but it still showcases what great character's he is capable of creating. The plot might be a little confusing in places, but there is a method in what Soderbergh and writer Rebecca Blunt are doing. On fun alone, this picture makes for great viewing.

After losing his mining job, West Virginia native Jimmy (Channing Tatum) resorts to pulling off the ultimate heist. Bringing along his one armed brother Clyde and sister Mellie (Riley Keough), the trio plan to rob the Charlotte Motor Speedway during the Coca-Cola 600 Nascar race. However, for their job to be successful they must recruit the imprisoned explosives expert Joe Bang (Daniel Craig).

Soderbergh is selective in the information he gives to his audience. We know enough to keep us viewing and this allows the story to go along, but don't expect an inch more. Jimmy is a former college football star who is down on his luck- adored by his daughter and hated by his ex-wife (Katie Holmes) he is barely scraping by. The two brothers are a continual source of amusement, Clyde, in particular, has a sharp sense of humour that totally offsets his dimwit presentation. Only having one-arm after serving in Iraq, Clyde believes fully in the 'Logan Family Curse'. Joe Bang is the character that will stick in the memory longest. A hulking, bleach blonde lunatic, Bang is essential to the plan due to his experience blowing up bank vaults. Grumbling about having to eat 'fake salt' with his beloved boiled eggs, there is an impressive set of brains underneath that will prove vital.

The heist itself rumbles along a furious pace and we are continually having to stop and check our knowledge. Being rookie bank robbers, the family is constantly having to readjust the plan. Jimmy, fortunately, has insider knowledge but even he has not accounted for the little details. One humorous moment sees Bang and the brothers arguing over whether one of the money slots is 20 or 30 yards away? "We're dealin' with science here!" moans our blonde criminal. Soderbergh refuses to hit the breaks and even the smallest details could be so crucial to our knowledge. This is a mostly well-oiled machine and when it fires Logan Lucky becomes his best outing in some time. Unfortunately, it is his fast and furious approach to the story that lets this picture down somewhere.

One of the most frustrating aspects of this movie is that there is a number of minor characters who spring up to do absolutely nothing. What precisely was the point of Seth MacFarlane's unlikeable British millionaire? Except being brash and obnoxious, this character adds little. Likewise the excellent Sebastien Stan and Katherine Waterston who pop up in brief unexplained cameos and promptly disappear. There is a closing investigation with a heavily underused Hilary Swank which only runs out the clock rather than adding another dimension. Soderbergh, for the most part, has made a solid thriller but all these unnecessary extra's only confuse everyone.

Channing Tatum again proves that underneath that well-toned body lies an actor with a lot of talent. As Jimmy, he is the beefcake out to snag the big prize. Once again Tatum is able to appeal to the likable side of a character and his dopey smarts are a joy to behold. Adam Driver again is on dazzling form as loyal bro Clyde. Coming off as the idiot brother bartender, underneath there is bravery and wit in spades. One of the more watchable modern actors, Driver almost steals the film. Daniel Craig however, takes the acting honors and his Joe Bang is a mile away from 007. Few actors alive can mix charisma with sheer menace, but Craig carries it off effortlessly. It's a big reminder of what a great actor he is no matter what suit he puts on.

Logan Lucky is a movie that despite its shortcomings demonstrates why cinema is all the richer for having Steven Soderbergh.

Here Comes The Night: Review of It Comes at Night

It Comes at Night

Director: Trey Edward Shults

By Alex Watson

Trey Edward Shults keeps the suspense building in his picture It Comes at Night. The premise of a cabin deep in the woods might seem familiar, but Shults' use of the dark keeps us continually on edge. The notion of family and survival are the key ingredients to success, from this the movie develops a wonderful paranoid edge that keeps the lines of reality blurred.

After a highly contagious disease, ravages the nation, Paul (Joel Edgerton), Sarah (Carmen Ejogo) and their son Travis (Kelvin Harrison Jr) live in seclusion. Their lives are one of strict routine and they are always on guard. One day Paul catches survivor Will (Christopher Abbott) try to break into their home. After misunderstandings are cleared up, his wife Kim (Riley Keough) and their son are invited to live in their home. Soon a series of strange misadventures will threat to tear both families apart.

What is perhaps the most effective and scary part of It Comes at Night is what is not told to the audience. Opening on Paul and Sarah being forced to kill their sick and infected father, there are no news reports or explanations as to what the disease is or how it started? What is the mysterious unseen presence that may or may not lurk in the bushes? Is this what causes their dog Stanley to suddenly go berserk? Shults demonstrates a really smart approach to his direction by refusing his audience any straight up answers. His command of the horror is what will stick with audience members. Surrounded by endless lush green woods, there is no hope of escape. Never once yield to the urge to simply scare people, Shults gives such a subtle yet unnerving visuals that will haunt your dreams for quite a time.

Will and Kim are what really throws the cat among the pigeons and this where the movie's paranoia superbly kicks in. Like Paul and family, there are merely trying to survive. Believing in strength in numbers they slowly earn the trust of their hosts. Do they carry the disease? Are they trustworthy? All these questions surround their arrival and both sides cannot seem to shake their doubts. Shults is forever testing us on what we think we know. And every little moment seems to carry a variety of questions alongside it. Travis emerges one of the key characters as his sleepless nights often uncover some clues which could be essential. During his dreams, this is where Shults blurs the line between fantasy and reality. Is what he sees forboding? Or is this a terrible and haunting premonition that will lead to worse happening!

During It Comes at Night's final act the simmering tension boils over. Read as little as you can about this picture before going in- it will ensure the cold-blooded finale will leave you speechless. The front door is the only way in or out the property. Soon this becomes the focal point of tensions as sides become taken. Secretly we question whether Paul and Sarah's overworked minds are just playing tricks on them? Continually Will manages to placate the pair and explain his way out of mysterious situations but his real intentions are left in the air by Shult's. While the lack of explanation may be maddening to some fans, others will marvel at its ambiguity

Joel Edgerton is proving to be one of Hollywood's most effective actors and that trend continues as Paul. Both protector and interrogator, he is a man determined to keep his family safe no matter what it takes. Edgerton is mesmerising whenever he appears and is very much the movie's troubled conscience. Christopher Abbott is also strong as Will and gives his character a likeable yet immensely mistrustful feel. Kelvin Harrison Jr, however, is the one whom the audience will likely remember. A boy being forced into manhood early, Harrison's innocence that he brings to Travis is truly heartbreaking.

It Comes at Night is an experience that few will forget, excellently mixing scares with a post-apocalyptic feel- few horror pictures will beat Shult's effort anytime soon.