Review: Out Of The Furnace (2013)

Director: Scott Cooper.

Cast: Christian Bale, Casey Affleck, Woody Harrelson, Zoe Saldana, Forest Whitaker, Willem Dafoe.

Certificate: 15.

With only 2009’s CRAZY HEART to his name, Scott Cooper’s OUT OF THE FURNACE struggles to disguise its relatively green writer-director. What could have been an intelligent, tense revenge thriller unfortunately soon unravels as a redneck version of TAKEN; a paint by numbers and completely unremarkable affair that signposts any shock tactics from a mile off. However, with Ridley Scott and Leonardo DiCaprio (originally set to direct and star) onboard as producers, it’s hardly surprising it attracted such impressive talent.

After a tragic car accident puts Russell Baze (Christian Bale) behind bars, he returns to a place where everything is fundamentally the same, but inescapably different. His younger, Iraq-serving brother Rodney (Casey Affleck) seeks solace in physical bouts, while girlfriend Lena (Zoe Saldana) is far more standoffish than hoped. But Rodney’s addiction to the boxing ring is more than just a hobby as he finds himself sucked into a dangerous world of underground fighting, headed by the nefarious Harlan DeGroat (Woody Harrelson). When little bro mysteriously goes missing and local police chief Wesley (Forest Whitaker) is slow to act, Russell decides to take matters into his own hands.

The Hunger Games Super Bowl Spot According To Nadine

I can say by this point that I am excited by The Hunger Games. I love Jennifer Lawrence and I think both trailers and marketing have been very strong for the film. However, I have yet to read the books, so I don’t feel I can give a very fair appraisal of the Super Bowl Spot from a fan’s perspective. So, I’m letting Nadine (check out her blog here) give a closer analysis for all you lovers of the books – I’ve heard she’s a bit of a fan girl….! Check it out below:

2011 African American Film Critics Association Award Winners

Oh wow, they really do keep coming don’t they. However, this is a nice little selection of winners from the AAFCA, with a refreshing look on Best Actor and Best Director. And they still have time for Drive, so I’m happy. Check out the winners below:

The Great Trailer Debate – Week 4

It’s not a particularly strong week for trailers, with no huge releases touched upon. However, there’s a nice variation of genres and still a fair bit of intrigue. So, this week Nadine (check out her blog here) and I look at new trailers for Rampart (TRAILER OF THE WEEK), Beauty And The Beast 3D, W.E., The Woman In Black, The Vow and Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.

The Great Trailer Debate – Week 3

Nadine (check out her blog here) and I are spoiling you this week with rather a big selection to look at! There’s (deep breath) The Hunger Games (TRAILER OF THE WEEK!!!), Brave, Mirror Mirror, The Iron Lady, Gone, Carnage, Being Flynn, Titanic 3D, Shame, The Sitter, Happy Feet Two, The Deep Blue Sea and Pirates! A Band Of Misfits/In An Adventure With Scientists, depending on which country you’re from! So take a look and tweet or comment your opinions!

Review: Friends With Benefits (2011)

DIRECTOR: Will Gluck.

CAST: Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis, Patricia Clarkson, Jenna Elfman, Richard Jenkins, Woody Harrelson, Bryan Greenberg, Nolan Gould, Shaun White, Andy Samberg, Emma Stone.

SYNOPSIS: After Jamie (Kunis) headhunts Dylan (Timberlake) for a job at GQ Magazine, the two become best friends after she spends a lot of time showing LA boy Dylan around the Big Apple. The relationship soon becomes physical and they are left answering that eternal question – can bed buddies be best buddies?

After loving every second of 2010’s Easy A, Will Gluck’s Friends With Benefits had a lot to live up to. It may not be superior to the Emma Stone-starrer, but it sure as hell tries its hardest and for the most part this pays off. With some brilliant back-and-forth from the minute Dylan and Jamie are introduced, it’s clear that Gluck hasn’t lost his touch with recurring jokes on scientology, John Mayer, Harry Potter and the Hudson River plane landing hitting all the right notes.