Saving Mr Banks

Also another favourite at the Oscars this year and also another tear-jerker - this 2013 biography-comedy-drama starring English Emma Thompson, American Tom Hanks, Irish Colin Farrell, American Paul Giamatti and American B.J. Novak to name a few was a movie that will change your view on Mary Poppins.  Writers Kelly Marcel and Sue Smith delved into the life of author P.L. Travers before her beloved book became a best-seller and also into the bizarre relationship she had with Walt Disney before her book became a bona-fide film. 

I’m not quite sure how much of this film is true but it gave viewers an inside look of P.L Traver’s idiosyncrasies’’ as well as why the story ‘Mary Poppins’ may have been her most passionate work. Emma Thompson wraps her heart and soul into this character splendidly. And gives us a hilarious look into the current and past perceptions of her mind. I was also taken aback by the phenomenal acting chops of usual bad-boy actor Colin Farrell on his remarkable transition into a loving but troubled father. Paul Giamatti also struck a chord with me - melding and committing to his role that was everything more than supporting but something much bigger.

Directed by John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side, Snow White and the Huntsman) this film was remarkably shot, casted, executed with a run-time of 125 minutes, 11 wins 56 other nominations and with an estimated budget of $35 million USD grossed an immense $83 million USD at the box-office. Viewers are reminded that family is really the most important relationships of all. 

Captain Phillips

“There’s got to be something other than being a fisherman or kidnapping people…”, “…Maybe in America, Irish, maybe in America.”

“I came too far, I can’t give up.”

One of my favourites for nominated Oscar films this year. Nominated for 6 Oscars, 68 other nominations and 16 wins. This true story that took place in 2009 and adapted into film in 2013 was thrilling from beginning till end. English Director Paul Greengrass fabulously captivated the beauty, terror, relief, and fear of all the characters. Tom Hanks gave a performance of a life-time (probably his best yet) and newcomer Barkhad Abdi native Somalian was a thing of beauty, strength, truth, and hope. 

This film touched me in so many wonderful ways, but what stood out the most for me was certainly the amount of effects caused by globalization, the desperation of human-kind, and the exquisite soundtrack for this movie. With a run-time of 134 minutes, I was not ready for this film to end. It was riveting, intense, and heart-poundingly good!

With a budget of $55 million USD this film grossed not only $107 million USD back, but also for Adbi’s first film, an Oscar nominating performance we’ll never forget. I felt myself feeling for both main characters, the villain and the hero, but more so the villain was the one that was most captivating and stole the show! He was a limo-driver, had a dream and Tom Hanks picked him as lead after seeing 700 other applicants.

‘JourneywithJair recommended’; makes for a nail-bitingly-fun night! :))

The Polar Express

“Sometimes the most real things in the world, are the things we can’t see…”

In the spirit of Christmas, here’s a lovely, heart-warming, animated, adventure film fit for the whole family. This is one to add to your in-home collection. Based on the novel by Chris Van Allsburg and adapted into screenplay by Robert Zemeckis and William Broyles Jr. and directed by Robert Zemeckis, even though they didn’t make back half of what they spent in production, they were nominated for 3 Oscars.

I will admit it wasn’t the most alluring special effects but it was a perfect story! Tom Hanks shone as multiple voices throughout and Leslie Zemeckis, Eddie Deezen, and Nona Gaye also joined in to paint this wonderful story of self-discovery. Your dreams never fade away and always take life when you believe! 

This fantasy film will open your eyes and your heart; it will make you laugh out loud and shed a tear or two. It reminds us that doubt leads us nowhere and that life takes flight when you are ready for the adventure!

Cloud Atlas

A tad confusing in the beginning but carefully relating the web of significant key characters, this drama-mystery-sci-fi-fantasy film with an estimated budget of $100 million USD, loads of special effects, make-up and extraordinary actors delivered every element of an effective and stirring story. With a talented team sharing writing and directing credits 2012’s ‘Cloud Atlas’ seems stronger than ever!

Based on a 2004 novel, ‘Cloud Atlas’ written by English David Mitchell and the screenplay adaptation and directing were done by Chicago siblings Lana and Andy Wachowski whom you may remember from ‘The Matrix’ as well as German Tom Tykwer whom you may recall from ‘Run Lola Run’ solidified this past-present-future masterpiece. Together with a band of actors that were exciting to identify throughout different time-periods this story tells how everything and everyone are connected and how each life impacts another.

Oscar winner Tom Hanks, Oscar winner Halle Berry, Golden Globe winner Hugh Grant, the handsome English Jim Sturgess whom you may remember from ‘Across the Universe’, bright-eyed South-Korean actress Doona Bae, Nigerian-born but British/Australian Hugo Weaving whom you may remember from ‘The Matrix’, the comical and charming English Jim Broadbent, Keith David, Susan Sarandon and English David Gyasi, just to name a few of recurring and moving characters within this never-ending story.

Rated R for violence, language, sexuality/nudity this film is not for the young or faint-hearted. Jam-packed with adventure, action, eternal romance and a remarkable soundtrack it is thought-provoking and stimulates the senses. Its message that there are no short trips or short-cuts in life, only loss and restoration; all of us a multitude of droplets in a vast ocean. A 'JourneywithJair' favourite! J

I’ll leave you with some lovely quotes from the film which keeps the audience on their toes throughout:

“A half-read book is a half-finished love affair.”

“Our lives are not our own. We are bound to others, past and present, and by each crime and every kindness, we birth our future.”

“Power, time, gravity, love. The forces that really kick ass are all invisible.”

“You say you’re depressed. All I see is resilience. You are allowed to feel messed up and inside out. It doesn't mean you’re defective – it just means you’re human.”

“Travel far enough, you meet yourself.”