Top 5- Alan Rickman performances

Last week, at the age of 69, British acting legend Alan Rickman sadly passed away surrounded by his family and close friends. A titan of both stage and screen, Rickman will be remembered fondly by film fans throughout the world as one of the most versatile actors in cinema history. It is hard to argue that the Acton born star will leave a legacy that will endure for generations to come and, on that note, it is in tribute to this icon of the silver screen that I count down my personal favourite Alan Rickman performances of his phenomenal career.

5) The Sheriff of Nottingham- Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

First thing first; I really do not like this film. In my opinion the only good Hollywood adaption of the Robin Hood story was the Disney version starring a leotard-clad fox in the titular role. In saying that, Alan Rickman is a complete breath of fresh air as the villainous sheriff. Rickman's performance is so over-the-top and entertaining that he steals every scene he is in. In fact, before Rickman accepted the part, he demanded he have total control over how he was going to play the character, and thank God he did, as this is a classic case of an individual actor's performance being superior to the film. Admittedly not his most nuanced role, quotable lines such as "Cancel the kitchen scraps for lepers and orphans, no more merciful beheadings, and call off Christmas" manage to help place this firmly in my top 5.

4) Rasputin- Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny

This HBO made for TV movie won Rickman both an Emmy and a Golden Globe for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Mini-Series or Movie and his performance absolutely merited these accolades. If you haven't seen this hidden gem, give it a watch (the full thing is actually on YouTube) as it really is a very good film, also featuring Sir Ian McKellen as Tsar Nicholas II. Rickman is darkly captivating as the infamous Russian healer. His puts his classical training to great use in this complex and layered performance which shows us many sides to the infamous mystic without ever giving away his true motivations. Rickman has left us a performance just as nuanced as it is enigmatic and it is a travesty that it has been forgotten over the passage of time.

3) Alexander Dane- Galaxy Quest

This Tom Hank's fronted 1999 comedy is, unashamedly, my ultimate guilty player. The "Home Improvements" star features alongside Rickman and Sigourney Weaver in what is essentially a Star Trek spoof, the plot revolving around a group of TV actors who are recruited by a group of delusional aliens to help them save their race from destruction at the hands of an evil space warlord. Sounds ridiculous doesn't it? Well, to be honest it is, but that's part of Galaxy Quest's appeal. It is always self aware and never once tries to be something which it isn't, and the same could be said of Alan Rickman's performance. He plays Alexander Dane, a classically trained actor (like Rickman) who resents being remembered for his part in an old sci-fi adventure show, feeling that he has wasted his career. Rickman shows off his perfect comic timing as the uptight Dane and, while admittedly it may not be the most complex performance of his long career, it is his most entertaining by far. Just watch his introductory scene where he laments himself for what he has become, complaining that he used to play Richard the Third among other respectable roles, and you will immediately understand why this performance ranks so highly. It is Rickman at his most hilarious. 

2) Professor Severus Snape- Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

For me, Alan Rickman will always be synonymous with everyone's favourite/least favourite Potion's Master, Professor Severus Snape. In the eyes of a certain generation, for all intents and purposes, Alan Rickman WAS Snape. Bringing the character to life in a way no one else could, Rickman's Snape was such a rich and layered character, transforming from a detestable bully to a hated turncoat before the truth about him is finally revealed in the last act of the final film. Snape was a deeply flawed character who hated Harry almost as much as he loved his mother Lily, but never once did he falter from his mission to help protect "The Boy Who Lived".The Snape character was incredibly complex and Rickman, no stranger to such roles, played his part to a tee, showing off his dramatic and comedic chops whenever each were called upon throughout the franchise's decade long run. If I had to pick Alan Rickman's best outing as the former Death Eater, it would have to be the sixth instalment in the franchise, "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince". Rickman, knowing what's ahead for his character by this point, delivers a spell-bounding performance (pardon the pun). The scene where Snape kills Dumbledore in particular is heightened by the strength of Rickman's acting. His eyes, usually cold and full of resentment, show a glimmer of regret and sorrow as he slays the only man who ever trusted him. From a "rewatchability" standpoint, Half Blood Prince is the London born actor's best outing as his most famous character. While not number one on my list, Professor Snape will be the role for which many will remember Alan Rickman most fondly. Always.

1) Hans Gruber- Die Hard

The former theatre star's first ever cinematic role also proved to be, in my opinion, his most significant. Alan Rickman helped to revolutionise action movies with his role as Hans Gruber in the 1988's all time classic, "Die Hard". Never before had an action villain been so sophisticated but also so intimidating. Never before had an action villain been so mysterious, their motivations so clouded, their true personality hidden behind so much smoke and so many mirrors. Never before had an action movie villain been acted so extraordinary well. Alan Rickman's line delivery in Die Hard is stuff of legend. Not a word is wasted. He takes lines which could have sounded generic in the hands of a less competent actor and turns them into moments that will live on forever in the minds of film fans around the world. Gruber is cultured, egotistical, menacing and intelligent. Where action movie antagonists before him were uninteresting and dispensable, he is captivating and memorable. It is amazing to think that Alan Rickman almost turned down this part, but aren't we glad that he didn't? Alan Rickman raised the bar for what a movie villain should be, taking everything that had come before and turning it on its head. He truly redefined an entire genre, and that is a legacy that any man can be proud to leave behind.

Film Review- The Martian

Ridley Scott is one of the most iconic directors of modern cinema. He has been at the helm of some of the most critically acclaimed films of the past fifty years, with Alien, Gladiator and Blade Runner being just a few examples. In saying this, his last few projects have not been up to his usually high standards and have split the opinion of critics. 2012's Prometheus was considered a lacklustre continuation of the Alien franchise, while Exodus: God and Kings was universally panned by critics. So, with the release of his latest feature, many questioned whether the three time Oscar nominee had lost his ability to create a truly memorable cinematic masterpiece. These naysayers will now have to eat their words, as The Martian is a emphatic return to form for the acclaimed filmmaker. 

First things first, The Martian is a beautifully shot film. The special effects are nothing short of breathtaking, as would be expected from any Ridley Scott movie. The film's depiction of space lies perfectly on the line between science-fiction and reality. Watching it, you actually feel like you feel like you are in  outer space, and because of this these shots fill the viewer with a sense of wonder and awe. The use of 3D cameras really adds something to the film watching experience, as it did in Alfonso Cuaron's Gravity, and is not used needlessly, as is the case with many other big-budget Hollywood productions (take the recent reboot of Clash of the Titans or Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland as prime examples). The backdrop for the red planet was shot at Wadi Rum (also known as "The Valley of the Moon") in Jordan, which proves a truly convincing, almost unearthly filming location. Its vast spaces and and deep valleys truly helps transport the audience to Mars. The monotonous terrain, void of any form of vegetation, animal life or signs of civilisation really hammers home the idea of the stranded astronaut truly being alone on this planet and the terrifying implications that this brings. Location actually plays a huge part in the story-telling throughout the whole movie; from the frantic feel of the NASA headquarters to the calmness and serenity of Ares 3 spaceship, each location seems to take on a personality of its own, and this aids in keeping the film well-balanced and perfectly paced throughout its two and a half hour run time. Simply put, both the practical and special effects in this film are flawless.

However, all of these attempts to perfect every cinematographic element would be futile if not held together by a truly engaging story, and in this area The Martian also holds up strong. While the films advertising may have made many believe this was going to be a serious and gritty survival flick akin to films like 127 Hours, the tone is surprisingly light hearted. More than anything else, The Martian is a story about perseverance and the human spirit. It contains brilliantly witty dialogue and is surprisingly very funny. Essentially, the filmmakers take everything you thought this film was going to be and turn it on its head. And yes, while this more cheerful tone may mean that the more dramatic moments of the picture pack a bit less of a punch, it makes for a enjoyable watch and those two and half hours you sit in the theatre go by so quickly.

Now, you can have great visuals and have a great story, but unless you secure a great lead for your picture, it is more than likely to fall flat. Thank goodness then that Matt Damon is sublime in this movie. While the Good Will Hunting star is usually pretty solid in everything he does, this could potentially be his best performance to date and he is thoroughly deserving of his Oscar nomination. For a substantial portion of the film, Damon is alone on screen. He has the sole responsibility of carrying a fair portion of the movie on his shoulders, and while it might not be as dramatically heavy as say Tom Hank's role in Robert Zemmickis' Cast Away, Damon certainly shows off his charisma and impeccable comic timing, while also lacing in different emotional layers to his character. Matt Damon proves why he is one of the biggest leading men in Hollywood. And yet, while there is no show without Punch, it would be unfair not to give a mention to The Martian's stellar supporting cast, particularly the team at NASA, who fill what could have been relatively boring scenes on Earth with a certain energy and urgency that makes them just as fun to watch as some of the moments out in space. Jeff Daniels is perfectly cast as NASA director Teddy Sanders, convincingly portraying the part of a leader torn between protecting his job and public image and bringing Wattney home. Chiwetal Ejifor, Sean Bean and Benedict Wong are also standouts from "Earths" supporting cast, while Kirsten Wiig is impressive in a less comedy heavy role than the general audience would be used to seeing from the comedienne. The crew of Ares 3, which included Jessica Chastain, Kate Mara and Michael Peña, also did well in there respective roles, however it would have been good to see them get a bit more screen time.

While The Martian is a very high quality film, it does do a few things wrong. As mentioned previously, the lighthearted tone does come at the expense of some of the films more serious moments. You never feel that NASA won't rescue Wattney, and that is an issue purely because it makes the more dramatic moments lose the emotion they may have otherwise evoked. Also, the film is littered with a selection of minor and supporting characters that it can be hard to keep up. For example, Donald Glover's character is completely unnecessary, while the inclusion of the CNSA swallows up restricted screen time that would have been better used investing in the more major supporting characters. As a result, a romance between Kate Mara and Sebastian Stan seems to come completely out of left field, and other characters don't get the full development that they probably deserved.

These minor problems aside, The Martian really is a great film. The visuals are absolutely breathtaking at times and the acting is very strong throughout, particularly Matt Damon's portrayal of our lead protagonist. He shows off his skill as both a comedic and dramatic actor, and puts himself back on the map, after a few disappointing post-Bourne years. Overall, the film is great fun and very uplifting, with a brilliant soundtrack that will have you humming along in your seat. It is enjoyable, entertaining and funny, and is by far one of the best movies of 2015.

Score: 8.6/10

 

Film Review- The Hateful Eight

The Hateful Eight is the eighth film released by acclaimed filmmaker Quentin Tarantino. Starring the likes of Samuel L Jackson and Kurt Russell, the western flick, set a few years after the American Civil War, follows 8 strangers who are forced to take refuge in Minnie's Haberdashery to escape a snowstorm. However, not everything is as it seems and as we learn more about each individual character, passions begin to run high.

In many ways, it's a wonder Tarantino's second western ever found its way to the big screen. After the screenplay was leaked online in January 2014, the enigmatic director questioned whether he would make the film at all. However, after a successful live reading of the script in April of that year, a decision was made to go ahead with production. 

While not the most exciting entry in the Tennessee native's filmography, The Hateful Eight is extremely strong in several key areas, including the impressive performances given by every member of its large ensemble cast. The actors in this movie all play their respective characters to a tee, and their delivery of Tarantino's signature dialogue is music to the ears of any film fan. Samuel L Jackson in particular gives a possible career best performance as Major Marquis Warren, a war veteran turned bounty hunter. Not since Pulp Fiction has the former Oscar nominee been this compelling to watch on screen and, while part of the credit has to go down to Tarantino's ability to effectively write layered and complex characters with ease, Jackson's charisma and energy makes this a very memorable outing for the legendary actor. Kurt Russell is also a standout as John "The Hangman" Ruth, a bounty hunter famous for bringing outlaws in alive rather than dead. While not necessarily a nuanced performance in any sense of the word, Russell's on-the-nose style of acting meshes perfectly with the loudmouthed Ruth's brash and opinionated attitude, resulting in a very respectable and natural showing from the 80s action star. The film also features breakout performances from Walton Goggins (who you may recognise from his small role in Tarantino's other western flick "Django Unchained") and Jennifer Jason Leigh, the latter of whom has received a massive amount of critical recognition and acclaim since the film's release for her role as the outlaw Daisy Domergue.

In saying this, the cast are not the only stars of the show as the cinematography in this film is stunning. Filmed using 65mm film reels and shown in a widescreen format, The Hateful Eight looks like a throwback to the "golden age" western films of the 50s and 60s, albeit with superior colour and clarity in its finished result. You have to applaud Tarantino and cinematographer Robert Richardson's decision to film The Hateful Eight in this classic format, as it really does give the film a very unique and authentic look. On top of this, the film's score, composed by Ennio Morricone, is absolutely spot on and it's use of dissonance throughout perfectly conveys to the audience the growing conflict between the eight strangers.

Yet this is far from a perfect film. To be completely honest, The Hateful Eight can at times be really quite boring, in the sense that it does not produce nearly enough action or standout moments to justify its two hour plus run time. The film's last two "chapters" in particular are extremely slow-burning and badly paced, leaving the general viewer impassive and uninterested by the time the story reaches a conclusion.  The general plot is also familiar, and there is definitely a sense that Tarantino is beginning to waver in his ability to breath new life into a genre while still staying true to that its main themes and cinematic style. There are points in The Hateful Eight where it is less of a western and more like Reservoir Dogs in the snow, which, unfortunately, makes it feel like a rehashing of Tarantino's earlier work. I can't help but think it would have worked out better if he had tried his hand at another genre (possibly a horror) rather than make another western film so soon after Django, which was both more entertaining and easier to watch.

In conclusion, The Hateful Eight is a very decent movie. The acting is stellar, the cinematography is breathtaking and the score is a masterful example of storytelling with music. As is to be expected from any Quentin Tarantino movie, it has a script filled with well-crafted dialogue, interesting characters and quotable lines, while also finding time to squeeze in some of his trademarked over-the-top ultra-violence. In saying this, you probably won't want to go back for second helpings due to its excessively long run time and rather dry plot. Simply put, The Hateful Eight is a good movie however it just doesn't quite match the high standards that the most popular filmmaker of this generation has set himself and, when all is said and done, it won't be remembered as his finest work.

Score: 7.4/10