Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) film review

Year: 2016
Running Time: 133 minutes
Director: David Yates
Writer: J.K. Rowling
Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Colin Farrell, Ezra Miller, Samantha Morton

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is now showing in cinemas everywhere and is distributed by Warner Bros Pictures and Roadshow Films in Australia.

J.K. Rowling's new story that exists within her Harry Potter universe, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will undoubtedly delight fans of the wizarding world with it's originality and whimsical nature. However, despite it's lovely magical undertones, it is a much more mature film than the Harry Potter series and with that comes a new sense of intrigue and wonder.

1926, New York City. A young British wizard, Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) enters the city with a briefcase that looks deceptively normal to Muggles, but is filled with wondrous creatures that exist only to the knowledge the wizarding world. Some of the more mischievous creatures escape, which leads to Newt having chance encounters with No-Maj (the American word for non-magic folk), Jacob Kowalski (Dan Folger) and ex-Auror, Porpentina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston), who has been on his trail attempting to bring him to the Magical Council of the United States. However, there are more sinister things currently happening in New York as an invisible force is preying on No-Majs. The council believes Newt's creatures are behind this, so it is up to Newt, Jacob, Tina and her sister, Queenie (Alison Sudol) to find out what is really behind these deaths so to clear his name, save innocent people and keep New Yorkers unaware of the wizarding world. .

It goes without saying (as the masses of Harry Potter fans will already know) that Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is thankfully not a prequel or a sequel, but rather an extension of  the world in which Harry Potter years later exists. For this reason, the film will be instantly enjoyable for fans of the latter with its references to Hogwarts and the well known spells Harry, Hermione and Ron perform. However, even though these references will go over the heads of the few who haven't seen the Harry Potter films, there are not enough of them to deter people from seeing the film because they think they may not understand it.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is very much it's own film with an original screenplay by J.K. Rowling that takes small inspiration from her books, but ultimately could truly exist as a standalone film. However, it has just been announced that this film will be followed by another four films,  but this is not of any annoyance at all due to the fun, intriguing and nostalgic nature of what is now the first film in the new series. The four main characters, as touchingly portrayed by Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Folger and Alison Sudol, all have a great deal of uniqueness and character development, which makes the idea of more films involving the four of them rather exciting.

The only major fault of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them lies in the explanation of the newly introduced features of the wizarding world, such as the strange, but often very cute CGI creatures. Much of the information regarding their extraordinary features is held back until later in the scene where they are introduced and put on show, so that one is more confused than entertained about what is happening while it is happening. This feeling of confusion clouds over what should be being enjoyed.

Visually, the film is just stunning in every way. The production design of 1920's New York City teamed with the magic of the wizarding universe in which Newt's sanctuary for fantastic creatures exists makes for a world of tremendous beauty that is incredibly engaging on screen. At a time when so many filmmakers are tempted to prepare their films for 3D, this film proves how you can still have an experience of wonder in a high budget film without the need for 3D glasses. Colleen Atwood once again stuns with her amazing costume design and the musical score prepared by James Newton Howard is reminiscent of the previous David Yates/J.K. Rowling collaborations.

Again, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a more mature film than the Harry Potter's so calls for a more grown-up sense of magic and set of emotions. The last few scenes are particularly heartfelt and rather unexpectedly so with the way the characters engage with one another. Redmayne, Waterston, Folger and Sudol all give wonderful performances and are relatable and likable. With this more mature context, the film is not so much for younger audience members as for older audiences and is rather dark and menacing at times.

It is welcomed news that there is more to come for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Here is a marvellous start to a new film franchise and while there isn't much that is left unanswered, there is just enough questions remaining to make us look forward to the second film.

7.5/10

Oasis: Supersonic (2016) film review

Year: 2016
Running Time: 122 minutes
Director: Mat Whitecross
Cast: Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher, Paul Arthurs, Paul McGuigan, Tony McCarroll, Mark Coyle

Oasis: Supersonic was reviewed as part of the 2016 BBC First British Film Festival.

Before I start, I have a confession to make which I know will effect the following review. I am a diehard Oasis fan. Normally when writing a review I try to avoid being bias at all costs because  I know I am not fooling anyone if I let my personal opinions about those involved in the film get in the way of writing a convincing review.

However, I'm willing to be honest about how much Oasis means to me for this review of Mat Whitecross' Oasis: Supersonic, because it is important for anyone who sees this film to understand how much it means to the Oasis faithful. Yet, the film is not just for fans of the Gallagher brothers. Supersonic explains the musical phenomenon that took place in the early 1990's and gives an honest and unapologetic view of the explosive feuds that often publicly occurred between the siblings and other members of the band.

Oasis: Supersonic looks specifically at the years between 1993-1996 when Oasis released their two biggest albums, "Definitely Maybe" and "(What's The Story) Morning Glory?", which led to them fast becoming one of the biggest British bands in history. Liam and Noel Gallagher, the boys from Manchester, quickly became household names not just because of their music, but also for their bad boy antics and intense sibling rivalry. The two brothers, along with others close to the phenomenon including their mother Peggy, narrate their way through the years with an insight into their music and personal lives that has never been heard before accompanied by unseen archival footage of the band before they reached the big time.

I first heard of Oasis and the infamous Gallagher brothers all the way back in 1995 when I had only just started high school, a daunting time for any young teenager. "Definitely Maybe" never took off the way it did in the United Kingdom in Australia, so the first song of theirs I heard was "Whatever". The song instantly made an impression on me as I listened to Liam sing about being yourself and not apologising for it, but it was when I heard "Morning Glory", "Wonderwall" and "Don't Look Back in Anger" all in a short space of time that I became a true fan. Of course, then I discovered "Definitely Maybe" and the song that still remains my favourite song to this day, "Live Forever".

As the Oasis machine gained momentum and the Gallagher brothers appeared more and more in the media because of their wild and seemingly untameable ways, I often had my friends and family express their distaste for my favourite band. Anyone who knows me will know that that just fuelled my passion for their music and made me like them even more. They even cancelled their 1996 tour to Australia which I had tickets for and I still remained an avid fan. After watching Supersonic, I am surprised they lasted until 2009...but I was absolutely distraught when I woke up that August morning to find out that they were no longer together. I had seen them live in concert three times as a band, with the final time being in Los Angeles in December 2008. However, I hated the idea of never seeing them live together ever again.

So why am I such a loyal Oasis fan?

I can pinpoint two reasons. On a personal level, I feel like Noel Gallagher has written the soundtrack to my life. Each album came out at a time where I could identify with the songs in relation to what was happening in my life at the time. Even now that new music has stopped being released, I can still listen back to their albums and find songs that somehow mean more to me now because it feels like the song was especially written for the situation I have found myself in ("Stop Crying Your Heart Out" is that song right now). It's such a special thing to be able to find some sort of peace and make life just a little bit easier in a song, particularly a song from your favourite band. That's what Oasis' music was about. When you look through their catalogue, one thing you notice is that there aren't any songs about life being depressing and things seeming hopeless. Noel Gallagher wrote songs about living life to the fullest and enjoying every moment of it. People responded to that and you can still see that even today with the way crowds will still sing "Don't Look Back in Anger" like the song has just saved their life.

I know I am only one of the many, many people out there who still loves Oasis for the reasons above. Since their split in 2009, there have been countless rumours about a reunion, but none that have any truth behind them. What Supersonic gives fans like me is the gift of hope. It's not only the fact that both the Gallagher brothers were executive producers on the film, but hearing Noel's final words in the film saying that he would go back and do it all again fills you with optimism that we may still see both brothers on stage together again. Of course, after watching Supersonic and seeing footage of their greatest concert at Knebworth, you are almost desperate for a sign that they could still come back, but the hope is really there. I can't speak for all Oasis fans around the world, but that was something I really didn't have much of before seeing Supersonic.

Supersonic is a lot of fun and very funny in parts, provided you understand Noel's dark, sarcastic sense of humour. One of the great things about the film is that even though both Liam and Noel were involved in the making of it, it doesn't sugar coat anything they did or said, nor do they try to defend themselves or make excuses. It is an extremely honest and well-made film about a band who had everything happen just a little too quickly, but lasted a lot longer than anybody ever thought they would in the circumstances.

Mat Whitecross has truly given Oasis fans something to believe in once again with Supersonic. Not only for Oasis fans, it is a wonderful study of the British music scene in the early 1990's, a time before the internet and other technological advances took over.

Hacksaw Ridge (2016) film review

Year: 2016
Running Time: 138 minutes
Director: Mel Gibson
Writers: Robert Schenkkan and Andrew Knight
Cast: Andrew Garfield, Teresa Palmer, Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffiths, Vince Vaughn, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, Luke Pegler

Hackshaw Ridge is now showing in cinemas everywhere and is distributed in Australia by Icon Film Distribution.

Mel Gibson's Hacksaw Ridge is frightfully graphic, violent and confronting, but ultimately life-changing in the most beautiful of ways and an absolute triumph in filmmaking.

Hacksaw Ridge is the story of the unlikely American World War II hero, medic Desmond Doss (brilliantly poratrayed by Andrew Garfield). Doss was a man, who because of his strong religious beliefs, refused to carry firearms during the war much to the disgrace of his superiors and fellow soldiers. However, despite being unarmed he was able to single-handedly save 75 men during the Battle of Okinawa and become the first Conscientious Objector to be awarded the Medal of Honour.

The story of Desmond Doss is truly incredible in itself, but the screenplay written by Robert Schenkken and Andrew Knight along with Andrew Garfield's inspired performance give greater depth, understanding and respect to the character and his heroics. Doss was not a traditional war hero by any means in that he would not go into war with any type of weapon because as a Seventh Day Adventist he believed that thou shalt not kill. It is a beautiful thing how strong in his faith Doss was and how his faith was what gave him the strength to carry all the men he saved to safety on his own. The understanding of his character and his beliefs are strengthened for us in the way the film shows us his past and the events leading up to his enlistment. The superb character development allows one to feel close to and empathize with Doss and whether you agree with his beliefs or not, you still understand and respect them which is a thought that is more than relevant in everyday life.

Andrew Garfield completely shines as Doss and is so far the role of his career. He gives a performance which is wonderfully restrained in the right parts and is incredibly moving and intense when it also should be. He completely embodies the role of Doss and makes him likable, relatable and into the hero who always has the audience on his side wanting to cheer for him.

While it is loving towards the character of Desmond Doss, Hacksaw Ridge is still an astonishingly brutal, but realistic piece of war cinema. The Battle of Okinawa is terrifying in every sense of the word as it is accompanied by a sense of dread and suspense formed by the horrifyingly graphic visuals and the implication of sudden and random bloody death. It requires a great amount of will power not to look away at all throughout the final third of the film as it is so incredibly confronting and graphic. It is hard to call any of these visuals anything pleasant, but the cinematography by Simon Duggan is truly exquisite. From the opening scene, the film is beautifully shot and entrancing with it's slow motion shots and spectacular war-torn landscapes.

Despite it's hard edge, Hacksaw Ridge is also rather romantic thanks to the beautiful chemistry between Garfield and Teresa Palmer, who plays Doss' wife, Dorothea. The two resonate whenever they are on screen together and it is the type of old-fashioned love many people only dream about now. Hacksaw Ridge is also a career high for Palmer, as it is to date the best performance of her career. Just like Garfield, she is likable and incredibly sweet and sensitive. Hugo Weaving and Rachel Griffiths, who play Tom and Bertha Doss also give tremendous performances.

Hacksaw Ridge is the best war film to have been released in years. It is gritty, unforgiving and relentless, but at the same time inspirational, moving and entrancing.

9/10