Elizabeth Taylor In Memorium

Born in England in February 1932, the movie star with the impossibly violet eyes died on March 23rd 2011. Lauded as one of the greatest beauties the world has known, Elizabeth Taylor began her illustrious career with the film, 'There's one born every minute', but it was as the feisty Velvet Brown in 'National Velvet' that people began to take notice of her acting talent. Known for her tempestuous love life, racking up an impressive eight marriages to seven men, it's her passionate relationship with Richard Burton that we will remember most. Due to her larger than life romantic shenanigans, her perfumes and her tireless campaigning for AIDS, her talents as an actress are sometimes overlooked. Taylor received 2 Oscars, for her role as call girl Gloria in 'BUTTERFIELD 8' and for Martha in 'Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf?' playing opposite Burton.This role in particular showed her acting skills, as she stripped herself bare of make-up, the film was shot in black and white and was hardly flattering to either of these screen legends. Taylor became the first actress to receive $1 million dollars, in the title role of Cleopatra, remembered more for it's overblown costumes and '60s stylings than for the film itself. She starred with some of the greatest and most gorgeous men in Hollywood, James Dean, Montgomery Clift, Rock Hudson and of course, as Maggie the Cat with the one and only Paul Newman in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Suffering from ill health throughout her life, Elizabeth had four children, one of whom was adopted. Elizabeth Taylor truly lived the life of a Hollywood star and the world will be a little less glamorous without her in it.

Winter's Bone

What a beautiful, bleak movie this is. It's the story of Ree, who lives in a cabin with her depressed mute mother, and her much younger sister and brother. Her father is due in court for cooking crack, he's put the house up as collateral for bail, and he's disappeared. It's up to Ree to find him, or they lose the house. Every member of her kin folk that she goes to for information, aggressively turns her away. If her father is truly dead, as her Uncle Teardrop declares, she has to prove it. Jennifer Lawrence puts in a hugely powerful, yet vulnerable performance as Ree. Her love of her family is obvious, especially for her siblings. She actively tries to nurture them, even in the midst of this chaos and oppression. The pecking order of these families, is nothing short of horrific. I have never been to this area of America, nor experienced this life (thank goodness), but it felt so real and raw. The menace and twisted sense of loyalty that the families have for each other is palpable. And the women, blimey, don't mess with the women. This is not an easy film to watch, not by a long shot. I doubt if the subject matter is too exaggerated, right down to the cowardly corrupt sheriff. Though to be fair, you think, well what other choice did he have when dealing with people whose way of thinking is, quite frankly, this primitive? Put it this way, it doesn't make you want to rush out and buy property in Missouri. It also shows the very real hardhips that people like Ree have to face. The scene where she goes to find out about signing up for the Army is really poignant. There are some moments of real humanity. Some of the friendships are very touching as is the obvious deep bond to the country area that these people have been born into. WINTER'S BONE: Will chill you right down to yours. 7/10

True Grit

Remakes, don't you just love 'em? Generally, or course, no. In this case it's a no too, I adore them. This is a Cohen brother's film. It's a remake as we know of the John Wayne vehicle, but this sticks far more closely to the novel. Mattie Ross is a fourteen year old girl who's out to seek revenge for her father's murder at the hands of Tom Chaney. Mattie hires US Marshall Reuben 'Rooster' Cogburn (the inimitable Jeff Bridges)as she's heard of his true grit in such matters. Mattie has been warned off chasing Tom Chaney by LaBoeuf, (Matt Damon) a cocky and very proud Texas Ranger who is after Tom for his own reasons. After an underhand deal is made between Cogburn and LaBoeuf, the end result is that all three go in search of Tom Chaney and the leader of the gang, Lucky Ned Pepper. I am not a fan of Westerns, so what can I say about this film? Well, it's dang near perfect dagnabbit. The costumes and cinematography are breathtaking, transporting you to a time of difficulties and hardship. The script is tight, quirky and written in formal speaking style, which adds to the authenticity. It is also very funny in places, the gallows type of humour, obviously. It has all the Cohen brother's traits, but the style does not take over nor detract from the story. And the acting, oh the acting. Hailee Steinfeld is a revelation as Mattie. She is precocious without being irritating. She is smart without being cocky. She is overwhelmingly adorable, without being in the slightest bit cute. I hope this is not her finest hour. I have a feeling it won't be. What can you say about Sir Jeff of Bridges? He has the ability to show the worst possible of human traits, and yet still portray a sympathetic character that make you want to cry. Matt Damon's first venture into the Cohen brother's world is no less of a triumph. He plays the puffed up LaBoeuf with understated wit and pathos. Tom Chaney is played by Josh Brolin, the largeness of his face only rivalled by Javier Bardem. Tom is a thug who appears to have a low IQ and little compassion, but even he is not portrayed in a purely dark light. Barry Pepper plays Lucky Ned Pepper, again an excellent performance. I hope he didn't take method acting too far and really let his teeth decay to the foul extent they are in the film! This is truly a remarkable, magnificent film. If you can, do it justice by seeing it on the big screen. Is there any other way to see a movie? TRUE GRIT: Couldn't have picked a better title myself. 10/10.

The Fighter

One of my greatest joys in life is to go to a movie with fairly low expectations, and find myself totally engrossed in the film. I had a joyous day yesterday. I had heard that 'The Fighter' had great performances in it, but the film itself wasn't up to much. Most reviews have given it a 3 star grading. A Mark Wahlberg fan since 'Boogie Nights' (no, not for the last scene), I think he's a remarkably good actor, and totally admire his work ethic, and the fact that he could have spiralled down, instead choosing the harder road and has gone from strength to strength as an actor and producer. I also very much admire Christian Bale, though am more dubious as to his off screen character. He has the disciplined ability to physically inhabit the person he is portraying. I didn't have high hopes for the film though and absolutely detest boxing. It's the true story of Micky Ward (Wahlberg) who is a fighter in the shadow of his brother, local legend Dicky Eckland (Bale). Dicky is a legend in Lowell Massachusetts because he once fought, knocked down, but lost to Sugar Ray Leonard, although there seems to be some discrepancy as to whether Sugar Ray was punched out or slipped. Dicky has been riding the wave ever since. Dicky coaches Micky, and is mother is his manager (a claustraphobic matriarchal Melissa Leo). They do not always make the wisest choices for Micky, who is in a confidence crisis. Micky is aware of this, but is also bound by the love of his huge poor Catholic/ Boston/Irish family. Incidentally, why do Americans from Irish descent hundreds of years ago insist on calling themselves Irish? Anyway, the picture is even more clouded as Dicky is a crack addict and petty criminal who has been in and out of prison. He has the HBO cameras following him to document the toll this terrible drug takes on a person, which appeals to his showmanship character. Micky then meets Charlene, a down to earth bar tender (Amy Adams can do no wrong), and they fall in love. Charlene encourages Micky to seek alternative management, as the family is beginning to drag him down. It's a simple tale, but it's a really powerful one. The torment that Micky goes through is palpable. It really is heartbreaking, Dicky is an obviously talented athlete, with oodles of charm, but continues to choose the wrong path. Micky's family, a wall of indominatable sisters would make most men rung from the ring. It is clear that they all love each other very much, but are caught up in past hurts and their own narrow minded views. It is a real cracker of a film. I would recommend anyone to see it. Mark Wahlberg is outstanding as the quiet, yet powerful Micky and a selfless actor who lets Christian Bale shine as the gregarious and likeable junkie. Melissa Leo is brilliant as the overbearing Mother playing off against the quieter father, George, played by Jack McGee. Micky's actual trainer, Mickey O'Keefe, a Police Officer, plays himself, and is very good. The family dynamics are exaggerated, but ones that most of us who aren't siblingless orphans will recognise. The film has already scooped some Golden Globes, come Wednesday we will see whether it receives some much deserved Oscar nominations. THE FIGHTER: A knockout. 8.5/10