'Deadpool' - Review

Director: Tim Miller
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein, T.J Miller, Gina Carano.
Release Date (UK): February 10

Unless you've been living under a rock, Fox's Deadpool is on everyone's radar due to the film's amazing marketing campaign (arguably the best and most effective ever). Thankfully, the film lives up to all of the hype and positive expectation as it is thoroughly entertaining from start to finish.

Deadpool sees mercenary Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) meet and fall in love with Vanessa Carlysle (Morena Baccarin) at a local bar. However, after collapsing, he is diagnosed with terminal cancer and distances himself from Vanessa to protect her. Wade is approached by a recruiter from a top-secret program who offers him an experimental cure for his cancer; the results leave him with a scarred and disfigured physical appearance but with the ability to self-heal, and Wade goes off on a violence fueled search for the man (Ajax, played by Ed Skrein) who triggered the transformation.

The creative team behind Deadpool deliver exactly what they had promised plus much more and have truly made a film for the fans as many were left disappointed with the treatment of the Merc with the Mouth in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. The essence of Deadpool is captured perfectly within the film; it's rude, crude, hilarious, violent and packed with action - also, when you take into account the film's budget of $60 million (half of what most superhero flicks are given), the quality and high standard achieved is even more impressive.

Ryan Reynolds has discussed extensively the rocky road and 11 year process of getting Deadpool made and his abundant passion for the project is all there in his performance. Reynolds embodies the persona of Deadpool like a second skin and proves that he was born to play the role. Morena Baccarin is equally impressive as Vanessa, the girlfriend of Wade Wilson, and the chemistry between the two characters is palpable; Vanessa is the perfect match for the erratic and wise-cracking Wade. However, every character Reynolds as Deadpool interacts with on screen is the perfect enabler of comedy, particularly T.J Miller's Weasel, Wade's best friend, whose presence is guaranteed to make you laugh and his rapport with Wade is something special. Ed Skrein does a fine job as Ajax (AKA Francis), Deadpool's nemesis, although arguably he doesn't bring anything new or original to the landscape of villains produced by the superhero genre.

Due to the fierce commitment of each and every actor, the vast majority of jokes lands and therefore the film is funnier than most straight comedies. The references to other Marvel properties (primarily the X-Men franchise) are laced expertly throughout, allowing the audience to feel that Deadpool co-exists with other mutants (Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead feature within the narrative, who are fellow mutants residing at Professor X's mansion) but also beholds his own unique tone and story within the universe. Although the tone is predominantly comedic, the film maintains a lot of heart, as at its core, it is a love story masked by violence-fueled revenge and endless one liners.

The film particularly excels during its action sequences which are phenomenally handled and are extremely visceral and graphic. The stunts are incredible and Deadpool's flips and mid-air twists are hypnotic - you could watch them for hours on end. Although, because the action scenes are so thrilling, the flashbacks where Deadpool's origin is explored are less compelling in comparison, leaving you itching to return to the more exhilarating aspects the film has to offer.

Overall, Deadpool is one of the most unique superhero films to come along in years and its astounding success is sure to pave the way for other films of the genre and enable them to take greater risks and skew a slightly more mature audience.

'Spotlight' - Review

Director: Tom McCarthy
Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, John Slattery, Stanley Tucci.
Release Date (UK): January 29

Despite not having a single explosion or heavily choreographed fight sequence, Spotlight proves to be equally thrilling to any action film you may have seen this past year.

Spotlight follows The Boston Globe's investigative unit (called Spotlight) as they attempt to delve into and gather information about the cases of widespread child sex abuse in Boston by numerous Roman Catholic Priests. However, the team are unprepared for what their investigating reveals as they are made aware of the severity of the situation.

Many films claim to have an ensemble cast, but Spotlight can truth
fully boast one - and the cast they have assembled is phenomenal. Every single performance blends seamlessly together and ultimately creates the sense of collaboration and teamwork that the team Spotlight affects. Whilst Keaton is authoritative as the leader of the coverage and McAdams is personable as the team's sole female reporter, Mark Ruffalo arguably gives the standout performance. Ruffalo clearly makes some strong and definitive character choices that feel noticeably absent from the other actors performances and he once again proves he is one of the most consistent and reliable talents in Hollywood. The film also resists the temptation to explore each individual character's personal life and keeps the focus solely on the investigation. However, further credit goes to the actors as the audience still feel fully connected to the characters despite knowing so little about them.

This feeling of attachment is also attributed to the writing, as the character and story development is expertly crafted. Initially, Spotlight are reluctant to investigate the scandal and we witness them go through the motions of reporting as they would do any other case. However, as the investigation continues, each member of the team becomes emotionally involved to such a degree that it affects their personal life and views on the Catholic Church.

As previously mentioned, McCarthy keeps the focus and attention narrowed, with the emphasis clearly placed on the victims of the abuse. Spotlight doesn't have the characters pump their fists into the air or indulge in jubilation when they uncover information crucial to their search, and they don't receive pats on the back from their superiors. Although the achievements made by the Spotlight team were incredible, the team are never glorified or viewed as heroes; but they provide those who have had their voices squashed an opportunity to speak out. The film's ending is also fitting and appropriate as it begins to show the aftermath of Spotlight's reporting, but it also hints that their work is far from over.

Unsurprisingly, Spotlight is a serious contender in this year's awards race and rightfully so as it is arguably one of the most important films of the past few years.

'Tangerine' - Review

Director: Sean S. Baker
Cast: Kitana Kiki Rodriguez, Mya Taylor, Karren Karaguilan, Mickey O'Hagan, James Ransone.

Tangerine hasn't been given a wide release in cinemas, so chances of finding it in your local cinema are slim. However, I urge you to try and watch it in any way you can as it is simply a joy to behold.

The film's opening line "Merry Christmas Eve, bitch!" perfectly encapsulates the tone and humour for the rest of the picture, as Sin - Dee Rella, a transgender prostitute recently released from prison, is informed by her best friend Alexandra that her pimp boyfriend has cheated on her. Sin - Dee then proceeds to strut around the streets of L.A in search of answers whilst Alexandra attempts to attract a crowd to her showcase.

The charm and likability of Tangerine can largely be attributed to the performance of the cast. Consisting of relative resulted in the absence of preconceptions; every actor gave an incredible performance and played their roles with realistic and uncontrived humour and surprising emotional notes. Rodriguez is hilarious as the recently released from prison and vengeful Sin - Dee and Taylor is wholly personable and understated as her level-headed best friend. Their partnership on screen feels incredibly authentic and their rapport is dynamic to watch.

It's no secret that Hollywood has a problem embracing diversity, but Tangerine wholeheartedly celebrates it. Director Sean S. Baker takes a completely non-judgmental approach to the narrative surrounding the transgender and sex-worker community and therefore allows the audience to become oblivious to the social conditions of the characters and become engrossed and engaged with them.

The writer/director also captures the city of L.A in a way previously unseen before on screen. The conceptions of L.A being superficial and stylistic are eradicated as the genuine connection between Sin - Dee and Alexandra gives the city some much needed heart. Additionally, the city almost becomes a character in its own right as it facilitates the legitimate characters behaviour and allows them to be whoever they want to be.

Overall, Tangerine is a film filled with electric energy and originality. The fact that the film was shot entirely on an iPhone was an inspired choice and says to aspiring filmmakers everywhere that a strong vision and desire to tell stories is all they need.