Film Review | The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part II | * Some SPOILERS *

The rebellion is here. Snow’s end is coming. The Capitol will fall. 

This is war.

The Story

Katniss has one goal: kill Snow.

Her goal is tainted with lies and deceit; friends turn into enemies and enemies turn into allies. No one is safe and there’s no way to know what’s real and not real. Katniss, Gale, Peeta and the rest of Panem need to determine who is for them and who is against them.

Picking up where Part I finished, we see Katniss recovering physically and mentally from Peeta’s grasp – or more accurately, The Capitol’s grasp. Following Suzanne Collins’s book closely, this final instalment to The Hunger Games franchise has you at the edge of your seat from start to finish.

There are no surprises for those who’ve read the book. Director, Francis Lawrence, accurately portrays every aspect of Collins’s devastatingly dark finale. I cannot wait to have a Hunger-Games-Marathon when the DVD / Blu-ray box set comes out next year.

The Cast

Jennifer Lawrence closes this trilogy with the same prowess that she harnessed in the first film. Josh Hutcherson grew into his character and gave us the Peeta that we all know and love from the books. Donald Sutherland continued to captivate you as his icy, yet truthful portrayal of tyranny came falling graciously.

Liam Hemsworth, along with Sam Claflin both get two thumbs up for their incredible performances – and keeping their American accents well in-tact. It was nice to see Gale’s more emotional side in this film and Claflin gave Finnick a beautiful (*SPOILER ALERT* for non-readers) send-off with his incredible fight sequence, fighting “Capitol Mutts” powered by special effects – not to mention being waterlogged and underground.

Julianne Moore and Willow Shields also get honourable mentions for their incredible commitment to bringing iconic characters to life. (*ANOTHER Spoiler Alert*) Shields gave an incredible salute to her character as she gave the camera one last look of innocence to spoil the one connection that Gale and Katniss truly had – a promise to keep her family safe. Moore gave everything she had in order to become the new voice of autocracy. She gave a beautiful performance in order for Katniss to destroy all spectacles.

As a whole, the cast (including: Woody Harrelson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Elizabeth Banks, along with Paula Malcomson, Stanley Tucci, Jeffrey Wright and Jena Malone) all deserve ★★★★★ for their performances over the last four years. Their dedication to bringing this trilogy to life was incredible.

Overall, this ending is bittersweet for this film enthusiast. I have enjoyed watching every movie that they’ve produced for this franchise, but I am also glad that they were able to close the franchise with a proper goodbye. It’s not just a message about strength and having a voice, it’s also about learning from the past in order to prevent damage for the future – a message we all desperately need to hear.

sL Star Rating: ★★★★★
Next on sL: WRITING HIATUS

Hey Guys!

I'm heading off to the U.S.A. for the holidays, so I won't have anything for you until the New Year. But if you go to my YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/strictlyLeisure), I'm sure to have great adventures to share with you!

Merry Christmas and I'll see you in the New Year!

Love always,

sL xxx

Album Review | One Direction | Made In The A.M.

The highly anticipated fifth studio album from One Direction, Made In The A.M., has made its mark in the airwaves and the charts everywhere since its release on Friday, 13th November. With the announcement of their hiatus for 2016, it is evident that Made In The A.M. is One Direction’s gift to their loyal fans all around the globe before their well-earned break. Their fifth album is jam-packed with promises of their return as well as their gentle plea to have a moment to take a breather from touring and recording.

Hey Angel opens the album with a heavenly array of electric keys and a melodic chorus of, “Oooh, Oooh, Oooh”. It’s catchy from start to finish, leaving you ready for their first single, Drag Me Down. It only seems fitting that the next track talks about not being dragged down since the album starts all the way “up in the sky”. One Direction’s first single from this album carries the same devil-may-care attitude that rang throughout their third album, Midnight Memories. Their second single on the other hand, Perfect, sees their playful side come out a little more in this fifth album. Rumoured to be about T-Swizzle, this song shows a little bite as H-dog decides to return the lyrical favour and stand by the fact the sometimes the reckless guy is what every girl needs when curiosity hits. 

Infinity changes things up a bit as the boys try to tackle with the heartache of cheating and still loving the person who’s done them wrong. It’s a powerful song that oozes with the emotion behind the lyrics. End of the Day takes another turn as the track turns up the playfulness in both the accompaniment and the melody. The lyrics are sweet and will get you dancing and head-banging for sure! If I Could Fly reals in the playfulness and really pulls the heartstrings as the accompaniment is stripped back completely. The lyrics are beautiful and the vocals are top notch! It’s definitely one of my favourites. Long Way Down slowly builds things up again, but retains the laid-back nature of the previous track. It unites the heavenly sounds of Hey Angel and the lyrical prowess of If I Could Fly and Infinity.

Never Enough is another one of my favourites as it ignites the inner child in me. It reminds me of The Lion King’s, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” and has me singing at the top of my lungs whenever it plays. Olivia continues this playfulness as it integrates lyrics from the classic 1971 film, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory to it’s over-the-top carefree sound. It is also “unfinished”, according to Harry, so we may see it as a comeback single in 2017. What A Feeling carries and enigmatic feel that reminds me of, C’mon, C’mon from, Take Me Home. A bit more of a dance–vibe, this track has you singing along as you sway along to the accompaniment.

Although Love You Goodbye is my favourite track on the album, I can’t help but think that the verses are too close to Timbaland’s, Apologize. Regardless of the similarities, I think the lyrics are well written and carry the most emotion in this album. 

I Want To Write You A Song is a beautiful stripped-back track that returns to the playful nature of tracks eight and nine. I love the guitar riff and the lyrics are again well weaved together to build a beautiful love song. History closes the album with their promise to return from their break. It sounds like Randy Newman’s classic, You’ve Got A Friend In Me, from Disney’s, Toy Story – and why not? It’s been a great five years and the boys are not saying “goodbye”, they’re saying, “see you in a bit”.

Deluxe Tracks

Temporary Fix – Catchy and well written, but not my cup of tea message wise. It sounds like an eighties classic that’s survived through the ages. Think, Rock Me and Midnight Memories mixed together with a bit of a nineties alternative vibe.

Walking In The Wind – Another one of my favourites! Simple, catchy and one that will get you moving from start to finish. It’s another great example of their growing writing abilities.

Wolves – Carries the same playfulness already embedded in this album as they talk about defending their girl’s honour. It’s simple and has you grooving and singing along.

A.M. – This title track is one of the best I’ve heard from One Direction. All hands on deck lyrically, it’s a great place to close the deluxe version as it tells their story from the very beginning. Whether they’re five or Four; touring or recording, they were Up All Night in order for fans to Take [Them] Home. All their Midnight Memories were Made In The A.M.

Star Rating: ★★★★★
Next on sL: The Hunger Games : Mockingjay Part II

Film Review | The Intern

Ben (Robert De Niro) was enjoying retirement, that is, until he realised that being retired meant having to fill his days with endless leisurely activities that lead to nowhere. When he se successfully applies for an internship as part of a company’s community outreach program, Ben meets Jules (Anne Harthaway), and overworked entrepreneur trying to find the balance with work, family and life in general.

The Story

Nancy Meyers has brought us many heart-felt films in the past. Films like, The Holiday, The Parent Trap, Something’s Gotta Give and It’s Compicated – simple stories with meaningful, heartfelt happy endings. The Intern is no different. In a world where online shopping has become the norm, we see Robert De Niro as down to earth and very observant Ben. Being a seventy-year-old senior intern at one of the fastest growing online clothing store, About The Fit, Ben not only has find his way through the technological advancement of our time, but also impart the lessons he’s learned over his lifetime.

Imagine Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada. Imagine she went ahead with the fashion industry and banded together with the troops from The Internship – that is what this movie is like. Although there’s no real connection with fashion world, there are some similarities with the quips that Vince Vaughn and Jared Stern had in their film. In saying that, the family dynamics that this film plays with does separate it from the office banter that is also built in this film. We see Hathaway struggle with the perks of “breaking the glass ceiling”, while keeping face in front of the stay-at-home-mums at her daughter’s school. We see her try to balance work-life and home-life as success leads to sacrifice after sacrifice.

Amongst all this, Meyer’s develops a great connection between experience and learning. We see Ben and Jules learn and teach one another, as well as depend on each other during tough times. Overall, I enjoyed the simplicity of the story and the dynamics it created between the characters.

The Cast

Robert De Niro is a sweet Ben. He brings a light-heartedness to the screen that makes you want to reach out and hug him. He is a friend, confidant, uncle and grandfather-like figure that everyone can relate with and aspire to. There is simplicity to his portrayal of a searching retired senior citizen that made him endearing. Just brilliant.

Anne Hathaway has a delicate balance of elegance and craze. Portraying a forgetful and overbearing micro-manager, Hathaway was able to add a dash of politeness to her passive-aggressive character. She balances De Niro’s simplicity very well and make audiences believe that though sh’s stressed, she means well – no matter who she’s dealing with.


Overall… the film was enjoyable and one that everyone can enjoy. It’s not just for the ladies, I do believe De Niro will have some of you men out there crying and writing down notes.


Star Rating: ★★★
Next on sL: One Direction: Made In The A.M.

Film Review | PAN

When you look up to the sky and notice the second star to the right gleams brighter than the rest of the heavenly beings you know there must be other signs of other life. You’ve heard of the tales of mermaids, pirates and Indians; you’ve even heard of the boy who would never grow old. But what if what you’ve heard is not all that there is? What if the story had another story? What if the story that you’ve always known wasn’t the beginning at all? What if the story you’ve always known is actually the middle?

The Story

PAN takes a turn from the classic story written by British playwright, J.M. Barrie. Unlike Finding Neverland, this new adaptation of the tale takes pleasure in using poetic licence to shed light to how Peter Pan became Peter Pan. Keeping the orphan theme, we begin with a desperate mother (Amanda Seyfried) trying to keep her son safe from “The War”. Using either of World Wars as a backdrop for another war that was being waged in a parallel universe – i.e. Neverland – we’re taken from our known world into the enchanted land where time is suspended and belief is the bedrock of your capabilities.

We see a young James Hook (Garrett Hedlund) struggling to find a way back to our world since he was enslaved by the evil (addition) of the fair, yet merciless Blackbeard (Hugh Jackman). We get a background story of how the lost boys happen to be in Neverland – both by choice and through slavery, as well as a feistier and ageless Tiger Lily (Rooney Mara).

Roles and Casting

Now the reason why I’m doing this section differently is because Jason Fuchs only uses Barrie’s characters and setting. He created his own story by reviving classic characters who’ve touched the lives of many children across the world.

Levi Miller is a sassy Pan. Miller completely captures Pan’s playfulness and childishness in this adaptation retaining Barrie’s magical touch. But Fuchs’s Pan also sees Miller portraying Peter’s identity crisis of being “just Peter” and “the one” they call “Pan”. Miller did a great job balancing child-like playfulness with the more mature emotions that come with attempting to understand honourable sacrifice rather than being defeated by reckless abandonment.

Garrett Hedlund had the heavier weight of attempting to create a fellow hero out of the iconic one-handed villain. Channelling his inner Indiana Jones, Hedlund creates a suave and over confident Hook who uses his charms and bravado to hide his cowardice. His role was to distract audiences from the old narrative to bring them into Fuchs’s “long before” notion. There are traces of the beloved villain, but it was interesting to see not just Fuchs’s recreation, but also Hedlund’s interpretation of Hook’s own identity crisis in a land where anything is possible through “thinking ‘happy thoughts’”.

The more interesting additions are Blackbeard and Tiger Lily.

Although Tiger Lily has always been part of the story, she’s always seen as Peter’s playmate and Wendy’s competition. In saying that, Fuchs’s portrayal sees Rooney Mara step up and be less of the damsel in distress that the Disney animation portrayed her to be, but rather depicted her as a warrior princess. Mara isn’t just a badass, she is also Pan’s guide to unlocking his potential. Poetic licence takes control as Mara and Hedlund share touching moments of “flirting”, extended gazing and awkward sentence finishing. In this tale, Tiger Lily and Hook seem more inclined to be attracted to one another than the suggested Tiger Lily and Pan combo that we’ve always known.

Blackbeard’s addition to the story was the most interesting rewrite in this film and Hugh Jackman is brilliant as always. But I thought the integration of the two myths was a little overdone. It’s not that Jackman wasn’t great – and I’m always proud of our Aussie representatives – but I’m a bookworm, which means I like sticking to the story as much as possible. I felt like the addition of Blackbeard was just an excuse to make this a pirate movie rather than a Peter Pan movie. By adding Blackbeard, Fuchs gave much of the plot to a character that isn’t even in the original story, meaning original characters had to give way to a single character who had to be weaved into the story. Like I said, I love Hugh Jackman, but you can’t name a movie “PAN” if it’s not even about Peter Pan. The majority of this film was about keeping a boy who “might be or might not be” Pan away from Blackbeard.

Special Effects

Regardless of what I think about the rewrite, I thought the creation of Neverland was amazing. From the ships to the crocodiles, the mermaids to the fairies, but what I loved the most was the memory tree and Mermaid Lagoon’s mystical waters. I loved that the lines in the stump of the tree and the bubbles animated the flashbacks. The special effects team get two thumbs up from me!

Music and Soundtrack

This department also gets a special mention for their addition of Nirvana’s, Smells Like Teen Spirit as a play on words for our first introduction in Neverland. The integration of popular culture for the sake of making a point was top notch! Well-done team!



Overall…it’s a good film, not the one you’re used to or remember, but it’s one that you will laugh at and appreciate. If you like the original story, watch this film with an open mind. If you’re looking for a new adventure, this is for you. No age limits, like J.M. Barrie intended, this film is for anyone wanting to escape to Neverland.


Star Rating: ★★★
Next on sL: The Intern

Film Review | The Scorch Trials

Thomas (Dylan O’Brien), Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), Minho (Ki Hong Lee) and the rest of the survivors from The Glade are final safe…or so they think. When an unbecoming Aris (Jacob Lofland), a fellow lab-rat from another maze trial, places his trust in Thomas, they uncover the truth: WCKD in in fact wicked.

The Story

Unlike the earlier instalment, The Scorch Trials is in fact merely based on Dashner’s best selling series. Although all of the elements appear in the film, T.S. Nowlin unravels the bones of Dashner’s skeleton and rearranges them suit viewers rather than readers. Although I think it’s a sacrilege to the book, the film lover in me tips her hat off to Nowlin in regards to his re-write to cater for the big screen.

Don’t worry Maze Runner Fans, all the bits and pieces that made The Scorch Trial great on the page is retained on the screen. My one disappointment is “the unknown” in regards to Newt’s and Brenda’s (Rosa Salazar) character development. The rewrite suggests different outcomes for both characters in relation to the original plot for each character in the book…but I’ll leave it for Nowlin to decide for The Death Cure. Again…I’m torn. I like the way the book pulled my heartstrings for Newt, but I also feel like the film gives an extra element to Brenda…even if it means removing some from Newt.

Overall, from start to finish, I was at the edge of my seat. It was like watching the first twenty minutes of World War Z on repeat – except ten-times better! My heart is literally still pounding.

The (Additional) Cast

O’Brien, Sangster, Lee, Dexter Darden (Frypan) and Alexander Flores (Winston) all get special mentions for their incredible reprisals. But I think we should give some special mentions to:

Jacob Lofland and Rosa Salazar for adding a few more dimensions to an already strong cast. Lofland was a brilliant Aris in his portrayal of a boy who simply knew too much for his own good. I loved that Lofland’s character was given a down-to-earth personality in contrast to the odd and weak character in the book. Salazar gave Brenda a very nonchalant, yet badass façade, which is very refreshing in contrast to Scodelario’s half-hearted portrayal of Teresa.

Giancarlo Esposito also gets a special mention for his believable portrayal of Brenda’s mentor and friend, Jorge (a.k.a “Horhay”). Esposito was menacing, yet endearing.

Cinematography

Much like the special effects in the first film, the cinematography in this film is top-notch. Each shot was perfectly calculated so that almost every scene had an eye-grabbing mise-en-scène to capture the action. I was literally saying, “What a great shot!” every ten minutes!

Overall...the film stands on its own. The book gives a bit more background information, but it is very different. So readers, don’t be too disappointed if it’s not the way you thought it would pan out. Take it as is and let The Scorch Trials thrill you like there’s no tomorrow. I recommend this film for thrill seekers and Dashner lovers.

Star Rating: ★★★★
Next on sL: Pan

Film Review | Fantastic Four

All Reed Richards (Mile Teller) wanted to do was make a difference. When he finally receives the chance to make a difference, the US government decides to give the glory to their people instead. Convinced by his colleague, Victor (Toby Kebbell), to “stick it to the man” and get ahead, Reed and the rest of his team decide to break the rules and make history.

The Story

This 2015 reboot of the Marvel franchise sees yet another origin story come to fruition. Moving away from 2005’s lighter take on the beloved comic book superheroes, this film leans towards the murkier side of story telling.

Instead of an intergalactic storm that alters human DNA, we have a completely separate world to play with altogether. Dealing with collegiate geniuses with their own quirky specialisations, this film plays with “bio-matter” and its potential to energise and rejuvenate our (apparently) dying planet.

Now, the story has a basic plot that simply outlines how these heroes become the Fantastic Four, so I can’t fault its premise based on its simplicity. What I can fault it on, on the other hand, is it’s lack in depth in regards to characterisation and missing “wow” factor.

Although I understand that this is an origin story, I wish the story had more depth into Doom’s lonely character. I didn’t believe that he was an outsider because the majority of the mid-section of this film has him part of the team rather than apart from the team. But…I think I’m getting way ahead of myself. In truth, I think the writing let the cast down.

The Cast

Miles Teller was an incredible choice as the leading mastermind behind the ingenuous invention that teleports people and things through to different dimensions. Where the writing faltered was in his ability to be the leader. Overshadowed by his father-like figure, Dr. Franklin Storm – a.k.a. Reg E. Cathey – Teller simply had no chance in really encompassing a leading role.

Kate Mara was believable in her role as Sue Storm, the adopted obedient daughter, but her character lacked depth beyond her ability to “follow patterns”. Her superhuman abilities of being able to be invisible and create force fields were rendered useless by her innate ability to hack into different computer systems.

Michael B. Jordan had a more rounded character as he took on Johnny Storm. He had it all – from daddy issues, to sibling issues and heck even loyalty issues. I think they used his super powers to its full capacity more so than anyone else’s in this film. So for that, I give the writers and Jordan two thumbs up for their redeeming factor with this particular character.

Jamie Bell needs to be given a pat on the back for his underdeveloped character. Although we see an abused child at the beginning of the film, this concept is never returned to as the film progresses. Instead Bell’s alter ego, “The Thing,” is somewhat underused as he was excused be a weapon for the US government…only after being slightly dejected by Teller’s character’s momentary abandonment of him – which again was ignored towards the end of the film.

Toby Kebbell was the most disappointing underdeveloped character altogether. What should have been the perfect counterpart for Teller’s lead, fell through as Kebbell’s antagonist was simply given a sloppy introduction and an abrupt ending. There was nothing scary about Kebbell’s ‘Doom’ – gory, yes, but not scary as his name suggests. What the writing missed in this character was the looming presence of hatred and resentment. Instead, we get an image of a lazy and resentful post-teen collage student.

Special and Visual Effects

These departments receive a dishonourable mention in regards to their lack of attention to detail. The graphics in this film were poorly executed as some – if not most – of the scenes with green screens and/or other graphics were obviously spotted. It was more distracting than awe-inspiring as the big screen only magnified their underdeveloped digital enhancements.

Overall, regardless of my disappointments, I didn’t mind this film. I’ll forgive its faults since it is a reboot and a re-origin of the Fantastic Four. But in future – please give your actors something to work with and get your special effects “on point”! And…what happened to the end-of-film preview scene?! C’mon!

Star Rating: ★★

Next on sL: Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials

Film Review | Ant-Man

Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) just wanted to ‘be the hero his daughter already knows he is,’ instead, his time in prison has landed him in a tough place – unemployment. After being kicked out of his own daughter’s birthday party for not pay– oh, wait, I mean playing his part as a parent, Scott decides he needs to get his head in the game – even if it means doing a job that will land him back in prison. Little does he know, he’s being watched.

The Story

Skewing minutely away from the original comic, the next instalment to Marvel’s Avengers ensemble sees Paul Rudd as the comedic and charming, Ant-Man. Changing the origin story to suit past, present and future storylines, we see an ex-conman trying to make an honest living. Swearing never set foot in another jail cell again, Lang sees himself at a dead end as his past taints his employment prospects – regardless of how much street-cred he may give to any workplace.

While Lang plays “who’ll employ me?!”, his story is overshadowed by the bigger up-hill battle that Michael Douglas’ character has to face – his own creation. Attempting to hide his advanced technology that shrinks bio-particles from the government, Hank Pym finds himself at odds with former protégé, Darren Cross (Corey Stoll). Slightly psychotic and delusional, Cross attempts to replicate the Pym Particle in order to capitalise his imitation in order to show Pym that he was, and is, worthy of his attention. In the mix of all of this, we also have a father-daughter complex where Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) is a double agent who feeds information from Cross back to her father, Hank. But back to Lang…

After allowing Scott to “rob” him – i.e. take his shrinking suit – Hank hires him to steal Darren’s replica, the Yellowjacket, before it gets into the hands of the wrong people.

As a whole I thought the combination of past Ant-Man and future Ant-Man, along with the allusions to the original comic storyline, worked great for this next instalment. The storyline was solid and fluid, as well as the perfect amount of comedic-charm that Marvel’s films always have.

The Cast

Michael Douglass was a brilliant mentor figure in this film. Bringing the seriousness to balance out Rudd’s comedic strand, Douglass brought the comic’s initial storyline to life.

Paul Rudd’s take on the ‘new’ Ant-Man was just as brilliant as Douglas’ seriousness. Although Rudd did bring much of the comic relief, he did have some great emotional moments in the film as well. He understood the importance of playing a father who would do anything for his daughter, as well as playing Marvel’s typical strong-type superhero. It’s nice to have another father figure join the Avengers, I’m glad to see Hawkeye has a friend!

Correy Stoll was another great balance to Rudd’s light-hearted take to a Marvel classic. He played the roll as a villain brilliantly and was an excellent mirror of what Pym could have been if circumstance were different.

Overall, Marvel fans who have not seen this film are missing out. The story, the cast, the graphics and the film as a whole will have you laughing and sitting at the edge of your seats. Go get your tickets at your local Event Cinemas today!

Star Rating: ★★★

Next on sL: Fantastic Four