Keith Leon's Film Reviews

⭐⭐⭐ 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 onli...

⭐⭐⭐ 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...

⭐⭐⭐ 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...

⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is a rambunctious action film starring Charlize Theron, as Lorraine Broughton an MI6 spy trying to uncover a "list" in 1989 cold war Berlin, while working with her colleague, an undercover James McAvoy, who has gone rogue. This is a film where style over substance outshines, but that's fine because the action is top notch. The plot doesn't quite add up but you are not really there for it, it's the epic fight scenes! This film was directed by David Leitch, he's mainly known as a stunt coordinator and did the John Wick film's, which are lovely and violent. Due to Leitch's action pedigree, I knew this film wouldn't disappoint. Charlize Theron is awesome in this, you feel every punch and face smash. There is one particular standout scene where the camera continually tracks a fight in a building, where she single handedly takes out 5 guys. It's brutal but so impressive, how they filmed it in one take and how utterly compellin...

⭐⭐⭐⭐ I am writing this review while I’m watching the new series of Strictly Come Dancing, which is very appropriate.  I had never seen this film beforehand. I wanted to know why this film is held in such admiration so much, and to see the inspiration for La La Land. Singin’ in the Rain is a true classic and an absolute feel good movie. I was surprised it was so funny and it genuinely is.  To be honest I am a bit hesitant when watching classic films, as the pace is slow compared to contemporary ones today. How wrong was I! The dancing is phenomenal and you watch in awe at how talented they are. The scene that stands out is when the main three stars are dancing in synchronisation up and down the stairs. The only misdemeanour and it’s a minor one, would be the elongated dance dream sequence, which was obviously an excuse for Gene Kelly to show off his dancing prowess - but it doesn’t move the plot along at all and it does drag...