The films of January

I've decided that each month I'm going to do a quick round up of the films I've seen, hope you don't mind! I had planned to get this post up at the end of January but other posts took over so here it is now! Louis and I go as many Wednesdays as we can, he has his unlimited card then we get an Orange Wednesday code. Yay for free cinema! I'll say right off the bat, I am no expert film critic all I know is what I like and what I don't. 

So three films this month out of the 5 Wednesdays there were in January. 47 Ronin, Last Vegas and The Wolf of Wall Street. I enjoyed all three films but I'd have to say The Wolf Of Wall Street was definitely my favourite. I'll talk about them in order though so that'll be last.

I liked 47 Ronin, I haven't seen the previous two versions but now that I've seen this one I might give them a watch. As we all know, Keanu Reeves left his Ted 'Theodore' Logan days behind and has starred in fairly serious films, although Bill & Ted 3 is in the works (I'm hoping it turns out as fabulous as I want it to). Apart from Keanu, Rinko Kikuchi (Pacific Rim), Hiroyuki Sanada (The Wolverine), Tadanobu Asano (Ichi The Killer and Thor), Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (Mortal Kombat!) and Rick Genest (beautiful male model, this is his first full length film appearance) the rest of the cast was pretty much unknown to me. I only know the above actors for a couple big films that I've included in brackets but that's what I like about the film. It's not filled to the rafters with big name cast members that are immediately recognisable, leaving you more time to just watch the film and not constantly ask "Where do I know this person from?" or "Oh my god, it's him, he's awesome in blah blah blah." It's an ok if predictable plot although because I hadn't seen the originals or knew about the history of the story, I wasn't expecting the ending. Looking back on it, it does make sense but at the time I was caught a bit of guard! Overall I'd say it's a not bad film, maybe not spectacular but not downright awful either.

Last Vegas received a lot of "Is it just The Hangover for auld folk?" which I can safely say it's not! Sure they are set in the same city but how many other films are set in Vegas. Just put aside any notion of it being the same film and enjoy it. The cast is amazing - Michael Douglas, Robert DeNiro, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Kline and appearances from Mary Steenburgen and Joanna Gleason who I have confused for each other in the past! The plot is fun, four lads on a stag do in Vegas, oh and they're in their 60s. I thought the film was quite hilarious with Morgan Freeman being my favourite of the four. Kevin Kline is almost unrecognisable from his Wild Wild West stint, I've never been a huge Michael Douglas fan but he was ok in this. DeNiro as usual was on fine form. I cannot fault him ever. Despite laughing my way through most of the film, there were some serious (and quite heartbreaking) moments which I quite enjoyed being there if I'm honest. Those moments kept the plot alive for me and reminded me that this wasn't just a comedy.

The Wolf Of Wall Street. Where do I even begin? I haven't met or spoken to a person who doesn't like this film. It is fan-fucking-tastic, another masterpiece from Martin Scorsese. I'd say that Leonardo DiCaprio (*cough* Oscar *cough*), Jonah Hill and Margot Robbie are the three main players of this film but you also get some Matthew McConaughey, Kyle Chandler, Rob Reiner, Jon Berthnal, Jon Favreau, Joanna Lumley and the handsome wee Frenchy Jean Dujardin (I absolutely love saying his name). This is the fifth time Scorsese and DiCaprio have made a film together;Gangs Of New York, The Aviator, The Departed, Shutter Island and of course this film. Apart from The Aviator, I have seem them all and they are all bloody fantastic, the pair of them are probably one of the best duos I know for making cinematic masterpieces and The Wolf Of Wall Street is no different. It is a hefty 3 hours long but it never slows at any point. I wasn't left bored or wondering when it was going to end, I was just glued to the screen wondering what the hell could possibly top what I just saw. The fact that it was based on a true story left me kind of stunned, like holy hell man what a life! Some parts of the film I was laughing so much I actually thought I was going to piss myself which I thought worked really well with the seriousness of the crimes he was committing for a nice balace. I also only found out after seeing the film that the real life Jordan Belfort had a cameo in the movie at the end, introducing Leo as, well himself I suppose. Ok I think I've rambled on enough, all I can say to sum this up, is go see this film. It's fucking amazing!

I'll try and not make these posts this long in the future, I really enjoyed writing it but maybe not everyone will enjoy reading massive paragraphs on films.