Change Your Image
Jordan-thornell-7
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)
Stylish, obscene, hilarious and British
"Do you like thpy movieth?" lisps Samuel L Jackson's megalomaniac Valentine, to Colin Firths suited and booted (Oxfords, preferably) Harry Hart. "I find them all a little dramatic for my liking" he croons in the most perfect British accent, "give me a far-fetched theatrical plot any day". This one sentence explains everything you need to know about Kingsman; a gloriously over the top tribute, that takes huge risks due to its audacious attitude, and thankfully the risks pay off. From the director who made an 13 year old girl say THAT word in Kick Ass, it's not surprising that Kingsman is just as foul-mouthed and ultra-violent. With Vaughn's signature style of a comic book look and feel, he cranks up the coolness factor and puts you right in the middle of the action from start to finish. Vaughn directs with such enthusiasm and skill, it's hard not to love anything he does. Colin Firth is superb as the well groomed but deadly Harry Hart. He sheds his stiff, British exterior and embraces his new role, clearly having the time of his life. Firth's chemistry with Egerton is that of a father/son relationship and is truly lovely to watch. Taron Egerton is absolutely brilliant as the teen hooligan Eggsy. With his cheeky accent and potty mouth, he's perfectly cast and cements himself as a promising newcomer of 2015. Kingsman not only looks good, but is hugely entertaining, stylishly written, obscenely filthy, extremely funny and brilliantly British.
Please vote for me (Jordan Thornell) in Vue Cinema's film critic comp on their website!!!
12 Years a Slave (2013)
An outstanding piece of cinema
After the success of the western slavery, Django Unchained last year, 12 Years A Slave typically has a similar ring to it but it couldn't be more different. Based on the book, Steve McQueen directs a truly heartbreaking and honest side of slavery that shows the brutality of life back then. Even though Django was a massive hit including a lot of Oscar buzz, 12 Years A Slave is so painful and gritty it will be around for years to come.
If you thought Django was rough, maybe give this one a miss. Learned enough about slavery in History class? You haven't seen nothing. 12 Years A Slave is shocking. Beatings that will make you turn away and secret tears that will make your eyes water.
Absolutely outstanding performances from Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon and Lupita Nyong'o as his friend Patsey. 12 Years A Slave is a breakout role for both Chiwetel and Lupita (who just graduated film school!) which has put them on Hollywood's map and earned them endless award nods, including the prestigious Oscar. Michael Fassbender was perfectly cast as Edwin Epps, performing with such venom and cruelty. Along with Paul Dano's perfectly disgusting attitude and Brad Pitt's sad, understanding witness to the cruelty going on.
Absolutely outstanding, from Steve McQueen to every extra on screen. Deserving of every award it has and will win.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
An absolutely insane film - Leo's best work to date
The Wolf Of Wall Street is an incredible tale of a man who was destroyed by his own greed and ego. It's brutally honest and brave, captivating readers of Jordan Belfort's international best seller of the same name.
The Wolf of Wall Street is an insane almost-3-hour ride. Women's bodies are flashed and fondled in nearly every scene, drugs are sniffed off of every surface and swallowed in obscenely large quantities and the f-word is used 506 times (every 2.81 minutes to be exact) and now holds the record for the most swear words in a film. If that isn't exciting, I don't know what is!!! Even though it's 2 hours and 59 minutes, the film doesn't slow down for a second. Super fast and high paced (like the drugs they're taking) you don't realise the its been 3 hours until the credits are rolling.
Leonardo DiCaprio marks The Wolf Of Wall Street as the film of his career. Leo lived and breathed Jordan Belfort for 2 years which showed in the whole 3 hours - he is so into the role that it's hard to believe he's even acting. And the fact that Leo is nearly 40 is a shocker in itself, but he still looks as young as he did in his Titanic days, completely passing as young and youthful Belfort. Leo is a rare sort. He seems to stand the test of time and gets better and more experienced with age. TWOWS is Leo's 5th film with Martin Scorsese as the director and you can understand why. Their connection is clear through Leo's acting and you can just tell he has nailed Scorsese's vision to a tee.
Margot Robbie is stunning and perfectly cast as Naomi. Her Australian twang is disguised by a brilliant Brooklyn accent and fits the part of Jordan's snippy, confident wife . She does strip down to her birthday suit a few times, but not just to get her kit off. A lot of films use nudity to connect to the right audience, and most of the time girls are flashing their breasts for no apparent reason. Naomi uses her body to control Jordan, knowing that her assets will help get her own way. Nicely done.
The real Jordan Belfort dedicates his book of his life to his children, knowing that one day, he will have to explain how their father could have done the endless despicable things to their mother and others he loved. Martin obviously focuses on the craziness of Jordan's life but touches on his love for his wife and children every so often, showing the softer side to his incredible story.
All in all, Martin Scorsese is a cinematic genius.
Delivery Man (2013)
Probably been done before but a nice watch
Vaughn plays a man who hasn't got much going for him, until he discovers he has 533 kids - something every man would shudder with fear if they were given that news! Vaughn's David is lovable in a sense that he is a big kid at heart. His girlfriend taints him as immature, which is something Vince has played numerous times before. Even though he is 43, Vaughn seems to play the same old schmuck again and again, but if it ain't broke don't fix it, right?
The back story that he owes thousands to some mob, is quite random and doesn't mix well with the main plot. On the other hand, the story of David watching out for these kids is touching; from saving one from an overdose to helping another catch his big break. It shows the loving bond between father and child, and will make women broody and men feeling all warm and fuzzy (possibly...).
At the end of the day, Vaughn is a hoot, bringing his obvious natural funniness to each scene. Chris Platt is brilliant as the overwhelmed- lawyer-best-friend-with-4-kids, and quite possibly gets the best part of the script. For me, Cobie Smudlers was slightly lacklustre. She doesn't suit her character at all, and just looks odd against Vaughn. It's probably best if she sticks to TV shows.
American Hustle (2013)
Possibly overrated, but a brilliant piece of cinema
With such a famous cast and with a screenplay that was #8 on the Blacklist, O'Russell certainly had his work cut out for him!
Flared jeans, slinky dresses, elaborate fur coats and wacky glasses launches you back to the 70's, with a backdrop of old school New Jersey and Brooklyn setting the scene. The accents are also on point - Lawrence's American twang and Amy Adams' British tease are brilliant.
With a cast including Batman, Katniss Everdeen and Hawkeye, the bar was certainly set high, but every single actor pulled their weight and transformed themselves into their characters. Literally for Christian Bale's overweight, crazy combovered Irving who packed on the pounds to get into character. All of the actors are as good as the rest, working with each other not to steal the scene or be better than the other. Bale and Adams are brilliantly compatible and Amy's sexiness is finally shown. Cooper is fantastic at getting right into the nitty, gritty part of his character and Lawrence is made for films. She moulds herself to any role, embracing and completely nailing everything she is attached to.
American Hustle is captivating, intelligent and oh so stylish to watch. Worth every nomination it gets.
Last Vegas (2013)
Vegas with a twist!
Last Vegas looks like the OAP version of The Hangover but it couldn't be more different. Sure, it's set in Vegas, has a crazy party and enough booze to last you a lifetime, but it is also filled with long lasting friendships and falling in love.
De Niro, Douglas, Freeman and Kline are a match made in heaven - clearly men get better with age. De Niro is the bitter old man, Freeman pops pills like they're candy, Kline is the sex obsessed young soul and Douglas is the eligible bachelor. The cast bounce off of each other with hilarious one-liners, showing their true friendship and chemistry. As for the girls, most of them are half naked, but Mary Steenburgen's appearance adds the shot of romance just when it's needed.
Even though it's set in Vegas, it's not the stereotypical version you usually see. Scenes vary from a dingy hotel bar, a packed night club, an enormous pool and a lavish penthouse. A refreshing take on Vegas.
All in all, just remember, never be afraid to get old (it looks like a lot of fun if you ask me!)
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
A breathtaking, inspiring piece of cinema
Daydreaming. We all do it, some more than others but Walter Mitty does it on a whole new scale.
After watching this, I realised that The Secret Life of Walter Mitty was originally a short story written in 1939 and was adapted into a film a few years later in 1947. A few directors have tried to get their hands on it since 1994 but it constantly fell through due to budgets, directors and actors pulling out. That's until Ben Stiller signed on.
Ben Stiller's lovable but lonely Walter is the heart of the story. Walter is lonely in a sense that he doesn't put himself out there, resulting in him going out of his comfort zone to find the missing photo. He looks on longingly day by day at Cheryl who waves in his direction but is actually waving at her friend behind him. He works on one of the lower floors of the building with one other colleague and only emerges for lunch or when the day is over, and gets hurled abuse from his new asshole boss. Ben Stiller nails Walter's vulnerability and all of this makes you hope he succeeds from the first 5 minutes.
The scenery is absolutely breathtaking. Filmed in Iceland, New York and California, Stiller's directing shows the true beauty of their landscapes.
Day-dreams full of romance, heroism, action and utter strangeness, and the perfect amount of wit from comedy queen Kristen Wigg, Walter Mitty is an inspiration. Powerful lessons throughout will make you think of life in a new light - "life shouldn't be taken for granted", "If you want to do something, do it" and "If you never try, you'll never know" are just a few that might just change your life like it did Walter's. A brilliant directorial debut for Stiller, and if Walter Mitty is anything to go by, expect big things in the future.