Keith Leon's Film Reviews

⭐⭐⭐⭐ This film is fast paced and talkative and that is an understatement, as this is an Aaron Sorkin film and what we have come to expect from him (i.e. West Wing and The Social Network),  in this case, this is his directorial debut too.  It stars Jessica Chastain as Molly Bloom, an ex-Olympic skier who had a freak accident and ends up working in LA as a waitress and PA, despite her over-bearing father's huge disapproval. As a PA, she finds herself organising a poker game for her bullish boss, which she discovers she has a surprising knack for. Molly soon evolves the games, making them bigger and better and eventually the most exclusive poker game in the world with a $250k buy in, where A-list movie stars and possible Russian mafia played... ...and this is where everything catches up with Molly. She gets arrested by the FBI because of her close encounters with the Russian mob and Molly (Jessica Chastain) hires a lawyer, Idris Elba to defend her and prove that even if she was reckl

⭐⭐⭐ I had very low expectations for this film,, but it it surprise me, it was pretty enjoyable in parts. Zack Snyder directed this, he also directed Batman vs. Superman which is an horrendous film, it was so bad, I should have walked out of the cinema. That doesn't mean I didn't feel dissapointed in some parts. This film has become the superhero cliché, loud, crashy-bangy with lots of CGI explosions, however I was impressed with some of the character development, especially Ben Affleck as Batman, I think he's a really good dark knight and one of the best Bruce Wayne's. He develops the most in this film as he's the conductor of the group. He is also human compared to the other literal superheroes - Affleck is beefed up but still is vulnerable, hence the reason for all the gadgets, tanks and body armour. Henry Cavill was again rubbish as Superman, he's so wooden as an actor - luckily he's not really in the film much! Lord knows why they CGI'd out his m

⭐⭐⭐ This film starts as it means to go on, with the foot on the throttle. The first scene opens with Van Halen's Jump , where we meet Parzival, the avatar of Wade Watts who is plugged into the OASIS, an online virtual reality world where you do what you want and be who you want. Hence why he's at the race start line, driving a Delorian from Back to the Future and his avatar has silver/blue hair. He, along with everyone would rather live in the VR world than the dilapidated and dingy real one. This film is based on the book of the same name by Ernest Cline - I really enjoyed the book, it was so written by a nerd of the 1980s who was obsessed with arcade games and films. I didn't get all the references but it was fun, unique and bonkers. I'm not sure it was really filmable to be honest, as there is alot to cover in 2 plus hours. Too much perhaps. The premise of the film / book is that James Halliday, the creator of the OASIS (VR world) has died and started an online t

⭐⭐⭐ An Indian jail scribe from Agra is sent off to England (mainly because he's tall) to present Queen Victoria with a coin (mohur) in honour of her golden jubilee. There begins a relationship like no other and the two become kindred spirits. Abdul teaches her Urdu and Hindi, introducing her to curry, which was a daily item on the royal menu - and eventually he becomes her highly decorated secretary. The Queen became so enamoured with all things indian, she had The Durbar Room in Osborne House created in an Indian style, with a peacock throne and Abdul's portrait hangs there too. All this hugely displeases the Queen's son, Bertie and her household at Osborne House. I did think that perhaps Queen Victoria had lost the plot slightly, knowing Abdul wouldn't be warmly received yet mollycoddled him anyway. Not a huge amount happens in this film as the main focus is on the relationship between the two protagonists, which is very sweet and sincere. Judi Dench plays  cantank

⭐⭐⭐ This film looks at the last year (2016) of the Obama Presidency and follows three key players: Secretary of State - John Kerry, Ben Rhodes - Deputy National Security Advisor and Samantha Power - United States Ambassador to the United Nations, as they navigate through a hectic foreign policy and diplomatic schedule. It was bitter sweet seeing Obama in Office and it's 2018, I almost thought Trump hadn't become his successor but I dream, sadly. The staff couldn't believe it either, there is a poignant scene where Ben Rhodes is sitting outside The West Wing when Trump has just won, he is litteraly lost for words. As we all were. Throughout his tenure Obama did have a difficult time: fighting two wars, dealing with an awful financial burden - did American citizens think he didn't do enough? Did he cause Trump's success? I wonder if Obama's staff thought this too..it is a sobering thought. This film did feel like a greatest hits of the Democrats foreign policy

⭐⭐⭐⭐ I am not normally a horror fan but I had heard such amazing things about this independent film that I was intrigued. I am glad I watched it. I thought it was more a psychological thriller with horror elements. 'Get Out' is about an African American called Chris played so well by the Brit, Daniel Kaluyaa. Chris is visiting his white girlfriend's (Rose) parents for the first time. Like any guy meeting the parents, you're nervous, but Chris is extra cautious as he's a black guy in America (so sadly he's always nervous as racism is still very much previlant). Chris is there a matter of minutes before he notices very weird and uncomfortable things, mainly that Rose's parents have black servants, a gardener and house-keeper. If Rose's parents say 'they would have voted for Obama a third term' why then have black staff? (It feels like 60's segregated America). These are the things grappling with Chris and we the audience are questioning the