HonestMum’s Monthly Film Review

I know it’s hard to get to the cinema but by the time you’ve read this once a month, no doubt a lot of the movies will be available on DVD. Here’s my round up on what’s hot and what’s not. Go on, treat yourself to a fabulous film.

The Artist:

Stand out film of this year: unmissable, moving and made me clap out loud at the end of the screening. I hope it scoops up the Oscars it deserves, as this silent film will move you like no other. A love letter to the movies, it follows dashing George Valentin from star to fallen hero as talkies take over and the woman of his affections beats him at the box office. This film will make you weep with joy as the credits roll and you’ll immediately want to watch it again.

10/10

Warhorse:

Spielberg’s take on the epic tale of a brave horse fighting in the First World War will make you laugh (at a should be Oscar nominated Goose) and cry (particularly at the poignant scene where Warhorse gets trapped in wire in the middle of enemy lines forcing opponents to ceasefire and free him). In desperate need of editing, particularly at the start with an overly long set up and if I’d had my way, the removal of a few too many gratuitous and unnecessary scenes making it hard to see how it got a 12 certification. Passing the baton from character to character through the story was at times, baffling and I would have liked the focus to have been on the family who raised him, rather than following the book so strictly. Overall well worth a watch though, horse lovers or not. A history lesson with heart.

RATING 7/10

Hugo:

Scorsese does an about turn in his first try at making a movie for kids. No guns, gangsters or swearing in sight. Yes, it’s up for 13 Oscars and is visually beautiful but I’m unconvinced this film will truly excite children: its prime audience with it’s slow moving, history lesson in the founders of film.

RATING: 6/10

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked.

The third film which makes it a ‘threequel’ and there’s talk of a fourth. Yes really. If you can handle the former Michel Jackson on helium style voices then go forth as the laughs are worth it. And most importantly the kids viewing it at my screening were entertained throughout. There’s a lot more musical numbers in this one despite the fact the Chipmunks and Chippettes are indeed chipwrecked but they all grow as chipmunks and save the world. Or something. I’m sure Lady Gaga felt proud to hear her songs covered by the cuties too. Possibly.  I got through a whole box of sweet popcorn in that sitting. Well proud.

RATING : 6/10

The Iron Lady

Meryl Streep gives another performance of her life but sadly the film itself is not strong enough to support her. I feel the focus on her dementia was somewhat disrespectful to a woman still alive and the skirting of important political events left the audience wanting more. I’m sure she’ll pick up the Best Actress award at the Oscars and deservedly so-she is unflinchingly Maggie in the movie but I feel the film would have benefited from focusing on one particular event in her history like The Queen did, to have really pulled the emotional punches. Whatever you thought about The Iron Lady in reality, this is worth viewing for Streep alone.

RATING: 6.5/10

Descendants

George Clooney looks exactly like my Uncle so it’s always a strange thing watching him in action. Dry director Alexander Payne (Sideways) offers a sometimes laboured but gentle story of a man forced to seek out his dying wife’s lover so he can say goodbye to her. Like most great writing, the worst thing that can happen to the protagonist ends up being the best and it does, in this bitter sweet story. Matt King (George Clooney) goes on an emotional journey in which he tries to become a better father to his children and ultimately a changed man and there are moments of great humour but don’t watch if you feel down as it’s a pretty depressing 2 hours.

RATING: 7/10

Vicki Psarias – HonestMum

Vicki Psarias is the blogger Honest Mum. Psarias is an award winning writer/director winning the 30 Under 30 Square Mile London Talent Award, The Channel 4 4Talent Award for Best Filmmaker amongst many Best Director film festival awards from LA to India. Vicki features in the Guardian’s Courvoisier Future 500 and was highly commended at the Red Magazine Red Hot Women Awards for her writing and directing work. To read her blog, the honest and funny musings of a filmmaker and first time mother please go to: http://www.honestmum.com.

Her film website is www.vpsarias.co.uk. Vicki is former Editor of the Film & Festivals Magazine and currently reviews films for BBC Radio Leeds every Thursday from 11am.

Follow Vicki on Twitter @HonestMummy and @VickiFilm