Film Review | Deadpool

Following its comic book origins, Ryan Reynolds reprises his role as fast-talking, comedic, anti-hero, Wade Wilson (a.k.a. Deadpool). Wilson narrates the whole film as we see Marvel undo…or make sense of…Deadpool from its prequel, X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

We follow a story of a hit man going about his daily routine, falling in love and living a normal life as a thug in New Your City. Unfortunately, a common diagnosis forces him down the path of experimental treatments and voila, a mutant is created.

Only…it’s not that simple.

If people always hated Wade for his snide comments and well...his ability to never know when to shut up, then it stands to reason that so too would anyone treating him. His debatably loveable trait hits the wrong spot with one of his mad-scientists, which in turn encourages him to push Wade’s mutation to its full potential – immortality and really bad skin defects.

Stripped away from his good looks, Wade is now forced to hunt down Ajax (a.k.a. Francis) to turn the beast back into a beauty so that he can go back to his normal life, as well as avoid joining the X-Men at all cost.

The Story

As a whole, the story has you laughing from start to finish. Past and present intertwine in a comedic smashing of the forth-wall as Reynolds willingly invites you into the world of Deadpool, as well as openly comment on what happens beyond the screen.

He, along with the film’s writers, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, let loose with their poetic licence making several jabs at studio budgets, previous X-Men writing inconsistencies and openly name-dropping as many X-Men cast members as they can.

It’s a love-story wrapped in action, blood and inconceivable fight sequences. It’s worth every minute you’re holding your stomach due to laughter.

The Cast

Ryan Reynolds is just brilliant. He is much too comfortable in this character than any other I’ve seen him portray. He does not bring Deadpool to life, he is Deadpool. I am so glad he got his own film!

As brooding and hateable Ed Skrein is as Ajax / Francis, there are times I have no idea what he was saying! Although…that may have been on purpose, I do recall Reynolds making a side comment about it at the start of the film. Either way, I still think Skrein is a good villain for an anti-hero…however that works!

Although Stefan Kapicic brilliantly lends his voice to bring Colossus to life, he still did a great job! My favourite part is when he’s making a profound speech about what makes a hero and Deadpool completely ignores him, which then causes him to he throw up.

Brianna Hildebrand is a great young-mutant who also so happens to be a stereotypical teenager. As typical as her portrayal is in portraying teens for all generations, it was nice to see that she knew which side she was on and fulfilled the roles of being a face for the X-Men.

Morena Baccarin does an incredible job at keeping up with Reynolds as his leading lady. She’s just as funny and pulls your emotional heartstrings very well.

T.J. Miller is a great comedic side-kick as he deflects Reynold’s insults with matching sarcasm and useless advice.

Overall…Deadpool is too funny to miss. It’s a nice break before all the seriousness of X-Men: Apocalypse comes out. Go see it!

sL Star Rating: ★★★★

Next on sL: How To Be Single

Blog | Greetings One and All

Well, where do I even begin?!

Ummm...

Merry Christmas

Happy New Year

Happy 6th Birthday strictlyLeisure

and...

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Having a hiatus over the Christmas season really calls for a lot of catching up! As you guys know, if you follow me on Instagram, I've been in the USA. And, because I'm a teacher and school's already started here in Australia, catching up has been the last thing on my mind.

But before I officially "return" tomorrow and because I've got a little thinking spaces, I thought I'd take the time to say, "G'day," and, "Happy New Year" before I let you know what's coming up.

Well, 2016 starts with me and my besties celebrating Galentines at eVent Cinemas. We're going to see our bea, Ryan Reynolds, bring Deadpool to life and enjoy every bit of being single during this holiday.

I'm also keen to see...

I'm sure there are more, but these are the ones I'm really excited about!

I have seen...

and 

since I've been back. But I just wanted to enjoy being in Event Cinemas before I dissected anything.

Anyways...

I hope you had an amazing Christmas, a lovely end to 2015 and incredible beginning to 2016. I also wish you much love for Valentines Day.

Love always,

sL xxx

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