Keith Leon's Film Reviews

⭐⭐⭐ 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...

⭐⭐⭐⭐ This film is directed by Sir Kenneth Branagh where he also plays the enigmatic and overtly eccentric Hercule Poirot - is this egotistical or impressive? The jury is out on this one. The film as a whole is a delight. I hadn't seen the original 1974 film with Albert Finney so I can't compare.  This version has definitely more bang for it's buck, taking you across the lavish European continent and sampling a taste of luxury and class aboard the Orient Express. The production value on this does show and makes the film better for it. This was a good romp, which had me grilled on who dunnit? The main bug I had with this was there are far too many characters and not all of them get a fair amount of air time. Johnny Depp and Josh Gad stood out for me as they had enough lines to act with. If there are future films, the razzmataz cast list might be a worthy promotional tool but I think that distracts at times and they should focus on the plot than spe...