Review - Her

Spike Jonze's latest offering, in it's very simplest form, is a story of love and loss, but if there's one thing Her certainly isn't, it's simple.

The film is set in the not too distant future, Joaquin Phoenix plays Theodore Twombly, a writer for BeautifulHandwrittenLetters.com. Theodore's world, as is everyone's in this age, is entirely technology dominated. Although Theodore spends much of the beginning of the film fanaticising about his ex-wife Catherine (Rooney Mara) he is alone most of the time. Even his friend Amy (Amy Adams) doesn't see him very often, and his other human interaction is limited. It is around this time we meet the most up to date operating systems OS1. OS1 is a Siri-esque operating system that learns, adapts, has intuition and grows emotionally. Theodore's selected OS is Samantha (Scarlett Johansson) and from here on out, Theodore's feelings find him blurring the lines between what's really real and what isn't.

At first Samantha is simply helpful, but as she grows and becomes more aware, so does her relationship with Theodore and once romantic acts begin to be played out, everything feels very unnerving. Even as you see Theodore with other humans, he's never as at ease with them as he is with his OS. There are so many layers to the film, so many things it could be saying, possibly a commentary on people's relationships with technology, or people's relationships with each other. Essays could easily be written about the messages in Her.

Purely on face value though, it is a beautiful film. Soft lighting, gorgeous colours, great camera angles, but it's not a film to really be taken on face value alone. It is certainly thought provoking, a film that will cause differences of opinion and that is by no means a bad thing. I think personally, what was so unsettling, is that out if every A.I film I've seen, Her is certainly the most realistic, and that idea of what society could potentially become is quite scary! 

It is definitely not a film for everyone but it's definitely a great film to go and see, I do highly recommend it. 

Music Monday

This Monday I'm full of cold, so I'm going for some chilled out slower songs this week! 

Books From Boxes - Maximo Park

October Trees - Ron Pope

Lady Killer - The Horrible Crowes

The Boat - Chuck Ragan

I Remember A Rooftop - Alkaline Trio

Ad of the Week

This week, I'm going for another trailer. This time for Locke. I picked it because for once it's a trailer that really gives nothing away. I know the basic plot of the film, which stars Tom Hardy as Ivan Locke. I know that it's a thriller, and set in real-time film, following Locke on a 90-minute drive, and the only other stars in the film (including Ruth Wilson and Olivia Coleman) are just voices you hear on the phone. The trailer tells you nothing more than that, in fact, without that knowledge the trailer tells you very little at all, and yet it intrigues, I know I definitely want to know what's going on!

As a film, it looks really interesting, it's really not often you see a film with only one actor, even if there are others, they're only on the phone. I can't wait to see it!

12 Years A Slave

I decided not to do a review of 12 Years A Slave because I was a little late to the party and since it won the BAFTA for Best Film, you don't need me to tell you it's good. I just thought I'd write my own feelings about the film, and yes, there will be spoilers but it's been a book for over 100 years, so, y'know...

Going in I knew it was going to be tough, but you need that sometimes, a film that moves you and draws you in, and it does just that. Chiwetel Ejiofor was outstanding as the lead, and now I can say he did deserve the BAFTA for Best Actor. I think it must be so hard for every actor in the film, from those portraying the slave owners to those portraying the slaves. Michael Fassbender's Edwin Epps was absolutely evil, it's hard to believe that people like that existed. Some of the slave owners, particularly Benedict Cumberbatch as Ford, showed glimpses of humanity, but still, they were slave owners.

The hardest scenes to stomach came near the end, at one point I was nearly moved to tears, and I know other people have cried watching it. So far I've been praising Lupita Nyong'o for looking beautiful at awards shows, but I have to praise her very strongly for her role as Patsey, she acted the hell out of it. There is a sort of happy ending though, all thanks to Brad Pitt, but I use happy quite loosely. Solomon makes it home to his family, discovers he is now a grandfather, but all the other slaves are left behind still suffering, I just wanted him to take Patsey with him when he left!

Definitely go and see it if it's still on where you are, it's very powerful, and now I'll be more of a trustworthy source when it comes to the Oscars if it wins, and I hope it does well!

Music Monday

These weeks seem to be coming round FAR too quickly! This week I'm quite enjoying some more lively music, so here's my Monday playlist for this week-

Running Away - Friendly Fires

My Number - Foals

Of The Night - Bastille

Zimbabwe - New Navy

Alone Together - Fall Out Boy

My BAFTAs Blog

Last night was my favourite awards show. I know it's not the biggest but I like it because it celebrates British cinema as well as international. I'd been waiting all day for it, I even went out and got some popcorn and some chocolate!

Stephen Fry did a great job hosting as he does every year. That's another thing I love about it, the British sense of humour, and Tinie Tempah high-fiving Prince William (although Prince William didn't look so thrilled).

The big winner of the night was Gravity, I think it came as a surprise to most. I read why it was nominated for Outstanding British Film due to the most of the people in production being British and all the effects were made here, which I suppose is fair. I think everyone expected 12 Years A Slave to be a runaway winner though, I definitely expected Steve McQueen to get Best Director.

I was happy to see Cate Blanchett get best actress, I haven't seen Blue Jasmine yet but it's on my list for when it's out on DVD. I think people were also surprised that Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years A Slave) didn't get Supporting Actress, especially when Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips) won Supporting Actor, I was sure they would celebrate such great performances from new actors, but instead Jennifer Lawrence won it, but I'm sure she's a worthy winner, especially after getting the Oscar last year she clearly is very talented.

Don't mind me sneaking a picture of Tom Hardy in here, any excuse.

I don't think anyone was surprised to see Chiwetel Ejiofor get Best Actor, and even though I know a lot of people were rooting for Leonardo DiCaprio , I think Ejiofor deserved it, it can't be easy placing yourself in the shoes of a man who went through so much suffering.

As for the fashion-side of things, I have to admit my favourites were two that the "fashion police" might not really enjoy. I loved Angelina Jolie's tux, and Ruth Wilson's glamorous suit. As for dresses, I did like Cate Blanchett in Alexander McQueen, and as always Lupita Nyong'o looked stunning in her bright green dress.

Next up, the big one! I'll try watch the Oscars this year, but might not be able to stay up for the livestream!

What I'm Watching

1. Babylon

Babylon was on last Sunday on Channel 4 (you can catch it on 4OD if you missed it). It was a one off cop comedy drama that's being made into a series later in the year. I found it really entertaining!

2. Top Gear

OK, it's not for everyone, and I don't drive so I don't know very much about cars, but Sundays are dull and Top Gear isn't the worst way you could spend an hour!

3. Scandimania

I'm quite fascinated by Scandinavia, so Scandimania is a good show for me! I'm not a big Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall fan, but I can look past that to learn more about Scandinavia.

4. The BAFTAs

They're finally here! Tonight, BBC1, 9pm. I'll be posting a blog about them tomorrow. Very excited!