southport, Local Online News Community, Forums, Chats, For Sale, Classified, Offers, Film Reviews, Events, Motors Sale, Property For Sale Rent, Jobs, Hotels, Taxi, Restaurants, Pubs, Clubs, Pictures, Sports, Charities, Lost Found
  1. Published on: 06/12/2016 08:04 PMReported by: Film Critic
    We are now at the time of year when Oscar contenders are starting to show their cards.

    One film that is getting a surprising amount of notice in the awards race is 'A Monster Calls'. This was originally going to be released in the summer. But after the reviews it was getting in the film festivals, they pushed it back to the winter.

    It is not often to see a fantasy film be involved in getting major award nominations. But director J.A Bayona seems to have created something that is winning the critics over.
    Bayona has only just begun building his catalogue of directed feature films. However, he has done pretty well so far. I have yet to see 'The Orphanage', but I have heard good things, and I liked 'The Impossible' a lot more then I thought I would. With his next project being the sequel to Jurassic World, the film industry certainly has high hopes for him.

    First and foremost, I liked it. However, while it aims to be emotionally powerful, I think it was trying to be bigger and more profound then it actually is. I liked the story that it was going for and the general development of it all.
    The mix of CGI and live-action was really well done I thought. The construction and design of the monster character was great to see. It was like watching the Ent creatures from 'The Lord Of The Rings' all over again or Groot from Guardians Of The Galaxy. There were also some gorgeous segments of watercoloured animation imagery. They certainly reminded me of the story of the 'Deathly Hallows' segment in Harry Potter.
    There is one big tear-jerker that gives the film a big emotional punch. It almost got me bawling my eyes out.

    But I think the main reason not liking it as much, was that I could see where the movie was going and so I did not invest enough into the film to give a high rating. Also, there were moments that I felt the film was spoon-feeding us the emotions that we should be feeling at that point. Slight moments like that put me off.

    As for the performances, Lewis MacDougall was clearly the start that carries this film. The youngster was really good as the lead character, and he certainly had a powerful screen presence that showcased his talents.
    Felicity Jones did well what she had. However, I would have liked to see more moments on screen with MacDougall. Liam Neeson did some really good voice-work as the monster.
    Toby Kebbell was fine. But I also felt him to be a slightly odd choice of casting for a film like this.
    I was not sure what to make of Sigourney Weaver's character. I'm not sure if she was supposed to be British as they accent felt muddled to me.

    Don't forget, that I did like this. I wouldn't let my sniffy comments put you off seeing this. I would still highly recommend seeing this on the big screen. It is worth your money and I can definitely see it winning a lot of fans and become a big tear-jerker with many demographics. It is always nice to see a fantasy film work really well. If you liked films like Pan's Labyrinth, Bridge To Terabithia or either version of The BFG, then I think you will enjoy this as well.

    One thing I am torn on, is whether this should be suitable for kids. The story is coming from a child's point of view and has a lot of fantasy elements that would usually draw them in. But a lot of the content is heavy and emotional, and I think that might put off or scare the younger ones. I think mature kids would be more ideal on not only coping with this movie, but enjoying it.

    Rating: 7/10
     

  2. WANTED: YOUR NEWS AND STORIES FOR SOUTHPORT
    Email local news to us including image(s) southport@qlocal.co.uk
    Follow / Report to us on Twitter @SouthportQlocal
    Follow / Comment with us on Facebook qlocalsouthport

    Your Comments:



You are in: UK / Southport / North West
Find any Town in the UK, or Use UK map
Local Google MAP for Southport
Tide Predictions from NTSLF.ORG



User Control Panel

Not a Member? Sign Up!

Login or Register


Film Reviews, Last Cinema Movies, Movies, DVDs
southportsouthport News


Stats: Qlocal over 500,000 page views a month (google analytics)
southport Bathroom Suppliessouthport Bathroom Tapssouthport Bathroom Furnituresouthport Bathroom Showerssouthport Shower Enclosuressouthport Bathssouthport L Shaped Bathsouthport P Shaped Bathsouthport Wet Roomssouthport Bath Screenssouthport Bath Mixer Tapsouthport Bidet Tapssouthport Toilet Seatssouthport Sanitarywaresouthport Combined Toilet Basinsouthport Stovessouthport Wood Stovessouthport Home Stovessouthport Cooker Stovessouthport Enamel Stovessouthport Designer Stovessouthport Contemporary Stovessouthport Multi Fuel Stovessouthport Accounts Softwaresouthport Sage Softwaresouthport Sage Line 50southport Sage Line 200southport Pegasus Accountssouthport Access Accountssouthport Car Servicingsouthport MOTgsouthport Tyressouthport Car Batterysouthport Exhaustsouthport Journalist Jobssouthport Reporter Jobssouthport Writing Jobssouthport Freelance Writersouthport Self Employed Jobssouthport Franchise Businesssouthport Franchise Opportunitiessouthport Driving Schoolssouthport Driving Lessonssouthport Driving Testsouthport Driving Theory Testsouthport Driving Instruction, 0000 southport Driving Instructor, 0000 southport Insolvencysouthport Insolvency Servicesouthport Insolvency Servicessouthport Liquidation Servicesouthport Business Recoverysouthport Insolvency Practitionersouthport Bankruptcy Servicesouthport Winding Up Petitionsouthport Business Financesouthport Business Recoverysouthport Voluntary Arrangementsouthport Individual Voluntary Arrangementsouthport IVAsouthport Debt Advicesouthport Debt Managementsouthport Company Administrationsouthport Administrationsouthport Corporate Recoverysouthport Corporate Voluntary Arrangementsouthport CVAsouthport Corporate Insolvencysouthport Corporate Liquidationsouthport Members Voluntary Liquidationsouthport MVLsouthport Partnership Voluntary Arrangementsouthport PVAsouthport Tax Demandsouthport Invoice Financesouthport Bridging Financesouthport Voucherssouthport Dealssouthport Matalansouthport Firewoodsouthport Fire Woodsouthport Kiln Dried Hardwoodsouthport Logs For Salesouthport Log Suppliessouthport Logssouthport Firewood Logssouthport Seasoned Logssouthport Hardwood Logssouthport Firewood Supplierssouthport Firewood Log Supplierssouthport Firewood Dumpy Bagssouthport Firewood Cratessouthport Cheap Firewoodsouthport Homefire Logssouthport Cheap Firewood Logssouthport Kindle Conessouthport Pizza Oven Logssouthport Heating Oilsouthport Home Heating Oilsouthport Red Dieselsouthport White Dieselsouthport Keresenesouthport Commercial Fuelssouthport Calor Gassouthport Propane Gassouthport Butane Gassouthport Heating Gassouthport Horse Trainingsouthport Horse Trainersouthport Horse Whisperersouthport Equine Whisperersouthport Horse Whisperer Victoria Smithsouthport Rattan Garden Furnituresouthport Rattan Furnituresouthport Rattan Sofasouthport Rattan Dining Setsouthport Rattan Directsouthport Cheap Rattan Furnituresouthport Rattan Corner Sofassouthport Rattan Day Bedssouthport Rattan Sun Loungerssouthport Rattan Cube Setssouthport Rattan Bistro Setssouthport Chimeneassouthport Firepitssouthport Patio Heaterssouthport North West Bookkeeping Servicessouthport Bookkeeping Servicessouthport Bookkeepersouthport Self Assessmentsouthport Small Business Helpsouthport Card Payments Processingsouthport Credit Card Processingsouthport Merchant Servicessouthport Merchant Accountsouthport Merchant Paymentssouthport Card Machinessouthport Card Terminalssouthport Online Paymentssouthport Worldpaysouthport Bouncy Castlessouthport Bouncy Castle Hiresouthport Garden Trampolinessouthport Pramssouthport Pushchairssouthport Strollerssouthport Hauck Pramssouthport Huacksouthport Childrens Trampolinessouthport Baby Mobilessouthport Baby Activity Matssouthport Baby Bedroom Furnituresouthport Childrens Bedroom Furnituresouthport Hygiene Vendingsouthport Washroom Vendingsouthport Air Freshenerssouthport Air Caresouthport Aerosol Systemssouthport Gel Systemssouthport Water Savingsouthport Urinal Water Savingsouthport Eco Capssouthport Sensaflushsouthport Water Managementsouthport Urinal Dosingsouthport Urinal V Screenssouthport Legionella Risk Assessmentsouthport Legionaires Bacterialsouthport Odour Controlsouthport Odour Eliminationsouthport Odour Removalsouthport Airsterilsouthport Hand Caresouthport Hand Creamsouthport Hand Soapsouthport Hand Washingsouthport Hand Dryingsouthport Hand Dryerssouthport Electric Hand Dryerssouthport Fast Hand Dryerssouthport Commercial Hand Dryerssouthport Energy Efficient Hand Dryerssouthport Hand Dryer Rentalsouthport Hand Dryer Salessouthport Paper Towelssouthport Roller Towelssouthport Cotton Roller Towelssouthport Blue Roller Towelssouthport White Roller Towelssouthport Janitorial Suppliessouthport Janitorialsouthport Cleaning Suppliessouthport Cleaning Productssouthport Cleaning Equipmentsouthport Office Cleaningsouthport Home Cleaningsouthport Accountantssouthport Accountancysouthport Accountssouthport Auditssouthport Bookkeepingsouthport Management Accountssouthport VAT Returnssouthport Business Planningsouthport Cash Flow Planningsouthport Payrollsouthport Pension Reformsouthport Business Start Upsouthport Company Formationssouthport Tax Advicesouthport Tax Investigationsouthport Company Lawsouthport Outsource FDdsouthport Debt Recovery Helpsouthport CIS Subcontractor Servicesouthport Software Selectionsouthport Sage Accountssouthport Debt Recovery Servicessouthport Debt Recoverysouthport Debt Collectionsouthport Outsource Credit Controlsouthport Collection Agencysouthport Debt Collection Agencysouthport Commercial Canopysouthport Steel Canopysouthport Bike Shedssouthport Bike Storagesouthport Bicycle Storesouthport Bicycle Storagesouthport Bikes Storesouthport Bike Storesouthport Outdoor Canopysouthport Cycle Shelterssouthport Cycle Shedsouthport Cycle Storagesouthport Cycle Racksouthport Cycle Compoundsouthport Cycle Solutionssouthport Scooter Storagesouthport Scooter Sheltersouthport Canopiessouthport Canopysouthport Play Area Canopysouthport Entrance Canopiessouthport Entrance Canopysouthport Waiting Sheltersouthport Smoking Sheltersouthport Parent Waiting Sheltersouthport Parent Sheltersouthport Teen Sheltersouthport Nursery Canopysouthport School Canopysouthport Play Canopysouthport Envirolawnsouthport Astroturfsouthport Cheap Astroturfsouthport Artificial Grasssouthport Cheap Artificial Grasssouthport Astro Turfsouthport Artificial Lawnsouthport Fake Grasssouthport Fake Lawnsouthport Fire Stove Glasssouthport Heat Resistant Glasssouthport Fire Glasssouthport Stove Glasssouthport Fire Resistant Glasssouthport Replacement Stove Glasssouthport Glass For Stovessouthport Spill Kitssouthport Spill Control Kitssouthport Spill Kit Refillssouthport Spill Kit Refill GK6southport Chemical Spill Kitssouthport Oil Spill Kitssouthport Solar Panelssouthport Solar Panels Costsouthport Solar Heatingsouthport Solar PVsouthport Commercial Solarsouthport Photovoltaicsouthport Dust Matssouthport Entrance Matssouthport Reception Matssouthport Anti Fatigue Matssouthport Floor Matssouthport Logo Matssouthport Washroom Servicessouthport Principal Washroomssouthport Washrooms Suppliessouthport Washrooms Solutionssouthport Sanitary Disposalsouthport Sanitary Binssouthport Sani Binssouthport Lady Binssouthport Feminine Hygiene Unitssouthport Sanitary Waste Disposalsouthport Sanitary Wastesouthport Sanitary Unitssouthport Feminine Unitssouthport Hygiene Servicessouthport Sanitary Bin Suppliersouthport Sanitary Bin Rentalsouthport Sanitary Bin Rental Servicessouthport General Wastesouthport Trade Wastesouthport Commercial Wastesouthport Business Wastesouthport Waste Managementsouthport Waste Collectionsouthport Cardboard Wastesouthport Paper Wastesouthport Plastic Wastesouthport Glass Wastesouthport Biomass Wastesouthport Metal Wastesouthport Confidential Wastesouthport Confidential Waste Servicesouthport On Site Shreddingsouthport Off Site Shreddingsouthport One Off Shreddingsouthport Contract Shreddingsouthport Dental Wastesouthport Dental Waste Disposalsouthport Dental Waste Legislationsouthport Dental Waste Compliancesouthport Accupuncture Wastesouthport Accupuncture Waste Disposalsouthport Accupuncture Waste Collectionsouthport Tattoo Wastesouthport Tattoo Waste Disposalsouthport Sharps Binsouthport Sharps Collectionsouthport Hazardous Sharpssouthport Non Hazardous Sharpssouthport Cytotoxic Sharpssouthport Cytostatic Sharpssouthport Ink Blocksouthport Wet_Wastesouthport Tattoo Inksouthport Drug Destructionsouthport Drug Disposalsouthport Drug Denaturingsouthport Unwanted Drugssouthport Out Of Date Drugssouthport Pest Controlsouthport Rodent Controlsouthport Bird Controlsouthport Bird Proofingsouthport Guano Controlsouthport Pest Call Outsouthport Pest Preventionsouthport Pest Deterrentsouthport Nursery Wastesouthport Nappy Wastesouthport Nappy Binsouthport Nappy Disposalsouthport Nappy Wheelie Binsouthport Nursery Waste Disposalsouthport Nursery Waste Collectionsouthport Incontinence Padssouthport Offensive Wastesouthport Human Wastesouthport Nursing Home Wastesouthport Care Home Wastesouthport Hazardous Wastesouthport Infectous Wastesouthport Pharmaceutical Wastesouthport Medicinal Wastesouthport Medicine Wastesouthport Infection Controlsouthport Hand Sanitiserssouthport Clinical Waste Disposalsouthport Clinical Waste Managementsouthport Clinical Waste Policysouthport EA Registrationsouthport Hammockssouthport Garden Hammockssouthport Adult Hammockssouthport Childrens Hammockssouthport Baby Hammocks