Film Review

Film & TV News

Jack O’Grady Film & TV Writer

The 92nd Academy Awards ceremony was a relatively staid affair until revitalised by Parasite’s victory in both Best Picture and Director categories. The dark satire about class warfare in modern Seoul became the first foreign language film to walk away with Hollywood’s top accolade. The South Korean thriller won two other Oscars; adding best original screenplay and international film to its impressive haul.

Joaquin Phoenix won his first Oscar for his performance as the psychotic villain, Joker. The Best Actress award was preordained, going to Renee Zellweger for her titular role in Judy.

Laura Dern, Brad Pitt, and Taika Waititi maintained their winning record, securing respective prizes for Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay. Meanwhile, Best Picture favourite, 1917 had to be content with wins in the sound mixing, cinematography and visual effects categories.

In honouring Parasite, voters interrupted Netflix’s ascension. Despite garnering twenty-four nominations, the streaming heavyweight left with only two statues. Academy voters remain uncomfortable with the studios’ strategy of mostly sidestepping cinemas in favour of online releases. Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman failed to convert any of its ten nominations for the streaming provider.

Netflix’s March release schedule is full of original series, movies and comedy specials. Mark Wahlberg will star as an ex-cop taking on Boston’s criminal underworld in the actionpacked thriller, Spenser Confidential. Later in the month, Jason Bateman returns for the highly anticipated third season of smash-hit drama Ozark.

In TV news, the Friends cast have announced that they are reuniting for a special episode of the sitcom, more than fifteen years after “The Last One Part 2”. The instalment will air on the HBO Max streaming platform in May and will include all the main characters from the much-adored TV

Film Review: Birds of Prey

Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn is an immensely chaotic and vibrant action comedy which will have you squirm and laugh simultaneously. The fabulous Margot Robbie displays an energy so unique and psychotic that you cannot tell if you love her or are terrified of her. Robbie brings a never before seen vulnerability to the character of Harley Quinn, leaving her role as one that is meant to “serve”, and establishes a much awaited agency to the character. She has finally broken up with “Mister J” and is determined to forge her own path in a Gotham where she is no longer protected by the Clown King of Crime. Robbie exhibits the power of Harley as a woman without boundaries, in an ecstatic series of insane scenes. The choreography in some of these action scenes is astounding; explosions of colour compliment Harley’s acrobatic fighting style beautifully. Harley is not to be toyed with in this new ferociously fantastic female action film.

When examining the entire cast the excellent Ewan McGregor portrays a distinctive Black Mask. The character itself has never had a truly interesting personality on paper. He is usually relegated to the bag of side villains within the DC comic universe. However, McGregor’s representation of ★ ★ ★ ★ Brendan O’Brien - Film & TV Writer Pictured Above: Margot Robbie in Birds of Prey

Black Mask is violent, volatile, and unstable. There is a stark contrast between Harley and Black Mask, with one embodying the film’s delightfully overbearing sense of fun, while the other acts as a counterbalance, a way to explore the dark side of city life. McGregor’s character is a source for the film’s unexpectedly sinister scenes. These sections pollute the tone of the movie, adding blotches of black to a film so colourful and humorous. This blended tone is to the film’s credit as through the addition of these twisted scenes the film lends itself a soberness that acts as a way to break up the constant comedy. The scenes are handled with care and do not offend, but still evoke in you an anxiety that leaves you twitching in your seat.

Cathy Yan, the director of Birds of Prey has done a stellar job in the creation of this truly unique comic-book movie. Yan has made the The director understands the unfairness that women of the modern world are forced to go through, and attempts to conquer it through the amazing tenacity and ferocity embodied by the Birds of Prey. “ “

decision that this is not a children’s movie and uses ominous segments to highlight the dangers surrounding women in a male dominated society. The film deals with issues women face in the workplace, on the street in day to day life, and while enjoying the nightlife of a city. Yan understands the unfairness that women of the modern world are forced to go through and attempts to conquer it through the amazing tenacity and ferocity embodied by the Birds of Prey.

Birds of Prey is an original and incredible all female action movie that highlights the need for more of these types of scripts to be developed in Hollywood. It is so refreshing to see a new take on the super hero “team-up” movie, and it is a relief to see DC improving their comic-book franchise. However, Birds of Prey is not a perfect film. The plot itself is quite bare, with no amazing storytelling to be found. There are inconsistencies in the action scenes, where some, to put it bluntly, are much worse than the wonderfully chaotic and funny choreographed scenes that are present for most of the film. The supporting cast struggles to compete with the two acting juggernauts that are Robbie and McGregor. Scenes where the two leads are missing have an immense dip in quality. Overall, this film is delightful. The comedic spirit of the film is infectious, making it a joy to watch. If you have nothing else going on this weekend and need a break for two hours, go and enjoy this visually vibrant and bombastic piece of film.

Netflix Recommendations Crime Edition Ella Ryan Film & TV Writer

Don’t F**k with Cats ★ ★ ★ ★ Documentary Series

Diving into the world of online criminal catching, this intense documentary follows a group of vigilantes tracking down Luka Magnotta, a self-obsessed model turned cold-blooded killer. When things begin to escalate, those involved question whether they have been encouraging the crimes. The intrigue surrounding Magnotta has turned into viral notoriety, which is exactly what he craved. The horrifying raw footage of the suffocation of animals is stomach-turning, so this three-part series is definitely not for the faint of heart. The most interesting aspect of the online hunt is how the group uses tools that are accessible to everyone - namely Google Street View - to go beyond even the abilities of law enforcement. This incredible story encapsulates our own fascination with murder tales with the dangerous new twist of social media and internet fame. A must-see.

The Irishman ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Film

Nominated for 10 Oscars at this year’s ceremony, The Irishman injected new life (quite literally using CGI) into epic gangster dramas. Based on the non-fiction book I Heard You Paint Houses by Charles Brandt, Martin Scorsese packs the violent underpinnings of 50’s and 60’s American politics into a three and a half hour long movie. The use of flashbacks keeps you on your toes, and the main character Frank’s solemn narration of his life ensures that the story of the rise and fall of mob glamour does not leave your memory after you’ve finished watching. The production and costume design is detailed and never fails to place you right there in the action. The acting power of De Niro, Pacino, and Pesci contribute to Scorcese’s ode to his directorial roots, ensuring that this will be a unique masterpiece in his crime movie legacy.

You ★ ★ ★ ★ Series

Although I am yet to finish season 2 of the Netflix Original series You, I think I am somewhat qualified to weigh in on the slightly trashy thriller series that takes stalking to the next level. With smatterings of millennial culture and humour and some cringe-inducing moments reminiscent of Riverdale, You still doesn’t fail to draw you in by unknowingly allowing you to sympathise with, put simply, a psychopathic murderer.

Gerald’s Game ★ ★ ★ ★ Film

This uber-freaky psychological thriller sees a woman, Jessie, accidentally kill her husband while handcuffed to a bed in a remote cabin. The horror escalates when

Although plot developments are sometimes unrealistic and might urge you to give up, surprising twists and cliffhangers make it an addictive binge-worthy series. Showing the unnervingly tragic side to modern romance and social media, You has chalked up to be a riveting show that completely flips your expectations of how a cutesy New York relationship should go.

her mental state begins to decline, and she hallucinates her husband dishing out emotional abuse. The personal ordeal she suffers adds to the overall suspense of the film, and goes beyond the average horror/ thriller film by allowing the audience to truly connect with the main character. It explores the theme of misogyny in a relationship between a wife and husband while throwing us with supernatural elements, creating a paranoia fuelled nightmare setting. If you are not familiar with Stephen King adaptations, then this is a perfect introduction into the existential and emotional nature of his stories.

‘Colour-Blind’ Copperfield Breaks Ethnic Barriers

The latest of the ‘Personal’ Histories of David Copperfield may seem but one amongst the plethora of adaptations which have arisen ever since the very first publication of the serial novel in the mid-19th Century. However, Armando Iannucci’s latest retelling of the beloved story is arguably the most daring and, despite this film being made over a century and a half after Copperfield’s birth, the most relatable.

Iannucci retains every drop of the charm, realism and whimsy of Dickens’ tale of David Copperfield’s journey through life, all against the backdrop of a rapidly changing Victorian England. Despite the disparity between the London of today and that of Dickens’ era, the characters stand the test of time, reminding us that though centuries apart, fundamental human nature remains the same. Today’s conversations on mental health are significantly more open and advanced, however Dickens’ creation, Mr Dick, is thought as one of the first literary figures to suffer with mental health issues, such as they are known today. While a ‘Mr Dick sort’ may once have been rejected as being troublingly eccentric or simply mad Gemma Farrell - Film & TV Writer

Iannucci, the film’s director, has spoken of his insistence on ‘colourblind’ casting for the films characters - choosing actors fit for his vision, irrespective of race or ethnicity. “ “

for believing in his sudden acquisition of the mental troubles of Charles V, he is portrayed by both Dickens and Iannucci as a troubled soul but still fundamentally kind and goodnatured. Iannucci’s painting of mental suffering in the film is strikingly relatable to a 21st Century viewer, and proof once again of the undying, common humanity of the characters.

Arguably, however, the most significant aspect of the modern take on this classic lies in its casting. Iannucci has spoken of his insistence on colour-blind casting for the films characters - choosing actors fit for his vision, irrespective of race or ethnicity. The result is a wide and wonderfully diverse cast, including Benedict Wong, Rosalind Eleazar and (Mr Copperfield himself) Dev Patel, who is of Indian heritage. Speaking to The Guardian on his decision to undertake this color-blind approach, he wondered aloud “Why are we not doing this?”. As there are still questions of diversity in film, which just weeks ago hung heavy in the air at the BAFTAs, Iannucci’s quest to deliver a colourblind cast seems all the more significant. The wholly impressive ensemble performance is testament to the effectiveness of Iannucci’s vision. When you see ‘The Personal History of David Copperfield’, you begin to wonder how the characters were ever played by anyone else, reinforcing the question rightly articulated by Iannucci - it’s 2020, why are we not doing this?