Super Late Film Review: The Spectacular Now

Miles Teller is doing really well. I’m not even trying to be smart. He’s doing really, really well. So is Shailene Woodley for that matter too. They’re both appearing in one of my most anticipated films of 2015, plus they’re just really good actors. So, when I decided to watch The Spectacular Now I expected good. Great even. What I got was a film that was out of this world AMAZING. The Spectacular Now was honest, intelligent and had me forgetting that I was watching two of the biggest young adult stars on the planet.

The film centres on party hard, verging on alcoholic high-school student Sutter Keely (Miles Teller) who’s life seems to be going pretty smoothly until his girlfriend, Cassidy (Brie Larson) dumps him. After a night of heavy drinking, Sutter is woken up by Amy Finicky (Shailene Woodley) as she goes through her paper rounds. The two quickly become good friends and then involved with each other. However, things start to slip as Sutter keeps up his no-plans hedonistic ways, and his seemingly careless façade starts to slip. After a serious accident, Sutter has to come to terms with who he is, who he wants to be and who means the most to him.

Directed by James Ponsoldt, each scene is nearly flawless. Realistic to a fault, the plot never sounded campy, or melodramatic and that’s very much due to the excellent talent displayed by each of the cast members. Both Teller and Woodley’s characters could have become caricatures of American Teen Angst but instead they played their characters true to life, and beautifully. I’d like to give a shout out to Kaitlyn Dever, who’s time on the screen was brief but who’s character, Krystal, was the best in-your-face best friend that I’ve seen in a long time. Perfectly annoying and maternally protective without descending into stereotyping (ugh).

Although there were some points where I was said to myself ‘hmm’, overall the film was great. If you haven’t seen it, I would highly suggest you borrow it out, or buy it. It’s definitely a film I would watch again if I could and I’m very much looking forward to watching Insurgent this weekend (review coming out soon). 

9/10

Get the Spectacular Now from Amazon: The Spectacular Now

How to Save Money at the Movies

In my last post, I lamented how expensive it was to go to the movies. Especially when there are good films coming out left, right and centre. It’s even more expensive when you you’re a student and earn next to nothing at a part time job. I’m not kidding when I say going to the movies can cost $30 per person. Per Person. Now imagine trying to catch a film every week. That’s $120 a month. What am I? A millionaire? (I’m not).

However, I do have a few tips on how you can save money at the cinemas, because I care for you guys (and your wallets). You can seriously cut down on movie prices and go in stress free.

Buy your tickets there

Buying tickets online is really convenient but it comes at a cost. Well, an extra cost. Yes, it’s only $1.20, but these things add up. Instead save your money and go to the cinemas about 30-45 minutes before the movie starts and get your tickets without stressing about lines

Become a cinebuzz member

You know the ads that show up before the movie starts, telling you about how you can get free movie tickets if you sign up for cinebuzz and you always tell yourself you will but you always forget? Is that just me? Well it’s easier than ever to sign up, just grab a card from the counter and activate it online. It’s really easy.

Cinebuzz is great. For every 6 movies you watch, you get a free one. Get enough points and you can go treat yourself to a Gold Class viewing, ooh la la.

Pay attention to events and promotions

Keep an eye out for events and promotions your cinema might be having. ‘Chicks at the Flicks’ is one that encourages you to attend in groups and get massive discounts off tickets. You don't necessarily have to be female either...

Also look out for the movie of the week, usually there is a discount on that film. 

Go with friends or family and split snacks

I find that what swallows up the most money is snacks. So if you must, go with a couple of friends or your siblings and split a bucket of popcorn and a big drink.

If you watch films alone, eat before you go 

If you watch films alone, don’t despair, have a big meal before you go and if you get thirsty just buy a water (the cheapest drink on the menu usually). That way you don’t feel the need to eat during the showing and you save lots of money.

Bring your own snacks

‘But I need to eat’ you say plaintively. It’s okay, I got you. I too like to snack for no reason. Sometimes I take my own snacks, like biscuits or chocolate into the cinema. I find that if I buy them at Woolies, it’s a lot cheaper than if I bought them at the cinema. Be careful though, some cinemas have rules against allowing outside food and drinks in. Sneak them in anyway.

Student discounts

It always shocks me when people don’t realise you can get discounts for being at school. It’s only around 10% but hey that’s better than nothing. Just take in your student card next time you go. Plus if you’re a student with a cinebuzz card you get even cheaper tickets on Mondays-Thursdays.

Don’t bother with 3D, V-Max or Gold Class

Really don’t. Like I said earlier, Gold Class is a treat, a splurge, a once in a long while kind of thing. Same goes with V-max. I’d suggest you don’t watch 3D anyway, since I think it ruins the experience (my opinion). Either way, all of these forms are a lot more expensive than standard movies and not really important. Keep that money in your pocket.

I'm really looking forward to watching Insurgent this week and finally getting around to Kingsmen. If you have any other tips, comment below or tweet me. I love to hear from you. 

Bissy

A bit of an update

I have been watching quite a few movies lately, those films being Birdman, Whiplash and Pulp Fiction which are such excellent movies it would seem a little bit silly of me to bother doing a Super Late Film Review (Though if you want one, just let me know in the comments). Pulp Fiction was full of excellent story telling, Whiplash made my heart beat 2/4/6 and Birdman made me question my existence (PLUS, it appeared to be shot in just 1 ish takes, which gives me some serious ‘Rope’ vibes). All in all, last weekend was really great. Unfortunately, I have a mountain of exams this coming week, so I may disappear for a bit. 

To keep you all excited, I will be doing a lot more TV reviews. I just finished watching Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt; Shameless (US) is drawing to a close plus the end is in sight for The Originals and The Vampire Diaries, so expect series reviews on all of those. I am also unveiling a new blog series that I am titling ‘Bissy Gives Australian Television a GO’. It’s no secret to most who know me that I’m very critical of Australian TV (sorry). I did, however, really enjoy Please Like Me (created by Josh Thomas) and I’ve noticed that some shows are (potentially) really interesting, so I’m giving it a go (hence the name). I think the only way Australian television can get really good is if we support it. Check back for updates and recommendations.

The trailer for Paper Trains is up and I was kind of like ‘ehhh’ but I’ll watch it anyway. For you guys. My wallet is crying (reminds me, going to the cinemas in my teeny tiny town in like buying lobster).

And finally, Netflix is almost here! I can feel it. I can smell it. I can imagine the television marathons. I just hope that it's as good as I’ve been lead to believe because it sounds beautiful.

Postscript: I JUST watched The Spectacular Now so expect a full Super Late Film Review.

Have a lovely weekend,

Bissy.

If you have any film suggestions or films you want reviewed, comment below or message me on twitter 

Super Late Film Reviews- Atonement

Earlier this week someone suggested I (finally) watch Atonement so I figured, what the hey, I can finally get it off my to-watch list. Plus there’s no such thing as too much Keira Knightley, right? Right?

If you were born at the wrong time (like me) or just born under a rock (like me), Atonement (dir. By Joe Right) is the story of young lovers Cecilia Tallis (Keira Knightley) and Robbie Turner(James McAvoy) whose relationship and lives are torn apart by a lie naively constructed by Cecilia’s younger sister, Briony (Saoirse Ronan). Spanning a period of four years, the story is told beautifully complete with dreamy and whimsical visuals and honest perspective through the use of non-linear timelines.

I’ll be honest with you Atonement really surprised me. I expected the story to unfold very differently, with a beaten down Robbie overcoming all manner of obstacles to eventually make it back to his lovely Cecilia, and thus thwarting the evil scheming of Briony. The film completely rose past and smashed those expectations and showed me is was a far better film than I thought, one full of suggestions, symbolism and nuances.

Take Briony who, by all accounts, should have been seen as the main antagonist of the film. Except, one can’t help but feel sorry for her, beginning to end. Far more intelligent than her age would suggest, Briony felt extremely isolated from those close to her age and was desperate to gain the admiration of those she believed her peers (namely Robbie). Every scene of Briony’s early adolescence is rife with dreamy imagery and playful innocence, a constructed world of Briony’s fanciful imagination. Briony worked hard to ensure that the world fit her imagined view o telling lies to herself and others to the detriment of Robbie and Cecilia’s happiness.

Even Keira Knightley’s Cecilia surprised me to no end. While I expected a perfect ‘English rose’ polite and charming, what I got was a mildly short-tempered, often haughty, wealthy young woman whose saving grace was her passion, intelligence and fierce intuition (she was still quite charming though). Cecilia’s relationship with her sister was never forced, a beautifully quiet bond that was painful to see dissolve throughout the course of the film. In fact, Cecilia’s relationships with her brother and her mother was also very apparent, although both were in the film for a minimal amount of time. It was that that made me taking a liking to her, and it also made me realise that this wasn’t a film about blame, it was simply telling a story.

I couldn’t talk about this film without mentioning Robbie. Educated, humble but thoroughly working class, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out he’s infatuated with Cecelia. As a ward of her father, he is indebted to the family but still holds his own insecurities. With every interaction he has with Cecilia, it’s evident he doesn’t believe he holds a candle to her. As I was watching the film I couldn’t help think about the effects of classism on a person’s psyche. I mean, you can have the best education in the world (Robbie went to a private school), the best opportunities in the world and still believe you are inferior. A few other films come to mind when I think of that, perhaps I’ll write a post on that. 

Back to Atonement: I do think what really stood out to me was how beautiful the film was. I thought I was prepared for some pretty good scenes but I was blown away by the sheer magnificence of the visuals. Atonement was full of pastels and florals that It spoke of girlish childishness. Even the scenes of war-wracked soldiers had it’s own beauty and symbolism. What really took the cake though, was the use of different perspectives throughout the film. Nothing was exactly as it seemed, there was always deeper meaning and Atonement showed us just that without even giving the characters lines that differed from the apparent norm. It did what good movies do best: it did not tell, it showed.

Music throughout the film matched the visuals and the plot to a tee (I have just discovered that the score earned an Oscar, yes). From the beautiful operas of the love stricken Robbie, to the discordant piano playing as their lives fall to shamble, the music always maintained it’s own level ethereal beauty.

This was a movie of highlights. Every actor involved performed beautifully, especially Saoirse Ronan, Keira Knightly and James McAvoy. One of my favourite scenes occurred as Briony escaped into the wilderness, through a tunnel of lovely flowers, her blue dress and blonde hair reminding me of Alice falling into Wonderland. And how could I neglect to mention the excellent long take that showed the full extent that the war had on soldiers and their resilience. I love Atonement, I cried and marvelled like a little baby and I can only hope that someday I’d be able to make a film just like it.

Rating: 10/10

Have you got any thoughts on the film? Or perhaps a suggestion for another review. Let me know!