Film Review - La La Land (2016)

DVD Review - Only God Forgives

Genre:
Drama, thriller, arthouse
Distributor:
Lionsgate Films UK
Rating:
18
BD/DVD Release Date:
2nd December 2013 (UK)
Director:
Nicholas Winding Refn
Cast:
Ryan Gosling, Kristin Scott Thomas, Vithaya Pansringarm, Yayaying Rhatha Phongam
Buy Only God Forgives: [DVD] / [Blu-ray]

After edging closer to mainstream audiences with his 2011 feature Drive, Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn gives his new-found audience a square kick to the face as he returns to more ambiguous arthouse territory with Only God Forgives.

Only God Forgives, a tale of vengeance set in the Bangkok criminal underworld, follows Julian (Ryan Gosling) an American gym owner cum drug smuggler. After Julian’s brother is murdered for raping and murdering a 16 year-old Bangkok girl, Julian is ordered by his domineering mother (Kristin Scott Thomas) to avenge his brother’s death. He is soon entwined in a battle with Chang (Vithaya Pansringarm) – a corrupt retired police chief who runs the streets by his own laws.

Whilst Only God Forgives is stylistically reminiscent of Drive – seen through its neon-tinged aesthetic and dark red glows, thematically it feels closer to Refn’s brooding Norse epic, Valhalla Rising. Refn uses limited dialogue, places an emphasis on ambiguous dream-like sequences and further showcases his tendency for ultra-violence. This results in a truly striking combination of electric and mesmerising visuals with a broodingly intense yet mysteriously ambiguous narrative.

It is no surprise to see the director dedicates Only God Forgives to cult-Chilean filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky – his influence can be seen throughout the feature – as can the stylings of fellow avant-garde filmmakers David Lynch and Gaspar Noé. Walks down woosy corridors, visions of limbs being hacked off and unsettling karaoke numbers craft a surreal, nervous dreamlike atmosphere – resulting in us never truly anticipating the direction that Refn’s narrative is going to take.

Thematically Refn presents us with a lingering tale of vengeance and skewed justice – where the ‘good guys’ start and the ‘bad guys’ begin is never quite clear. Julian is a quiet type who never truly appears to commit to the vengeance that he seeks – he appears lost, drifting through this surreal hellish Bangkok underworld. Gosling brings a mesmerising intensity to the role of Julian – he showcases echoes of the troubled western hero and presents us with a dangerous unsettled quality.

The title seems most apparent in the character of Chang – the zen-like retired police chief is God – he dishes out the punishments that he sees fit and masterminds some of the most violent moments in the feature – queue one sequence involving spiked needles and ear-drums. Perhaps even more vile than Chang is Crystal, Julian’s velour track-suited, peroxide blonde mother who excuses her eldest son’s crimes (noting ‘well he must have had a reason’). Crystal’s desire for vengeance is showcased through her continual disappointment for Julian who she continually compares to his older brother (with echoes of incest coming through when Crystal even compares her son’s manhood). The usually loveable Scott Thomas is magnificent in this trashy, downright vile role.

Whilst many will be tired by the ambiguous nature of Only God Forgives, others will be mesmerised by Refn’s astounding visual style and poignant, intense, ultra-violent tale of vengeance in the Bangkok underworld.

★★★★☆

Andrew McArthur

This is a repost of The People's Movies cinema review

The Place Beyond The Pines Blu Ray Review

Rating: 15
DVD/BD Release Date: 12th August 2013 (UK)
Director: Derek Cianfrance
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Eva Mendes, Bradley Cooper, Ray Liotta
Buy The Place Beyond The Pines: [Blu-ray] or [DVD]
The Place Beyond The Pines is the latest film by Derek Cianfrance, who made the bonafide modern classic Blue Valentine a couple years ago. The Place Beyond The Pines like his previous film stars that actor of the moment Ryan Gosling. It also stars that actor who seems to have elevated himself out of being typecast as that guy from The Hangover films Bradley Cooper. It also has a very fine supporting cast with Eva Mendes (Gosling’s real-life girlfriend), Ray Liotta, Ben Mendelsohn (one of the finest actors working today) and Bruce Greenwood.

The film is starts with being about Luke Glanton (Ryan Gosling), a motorcycle stuntman who is working the fairs. He is currently in Altamont, New York and pays a visit to an ex-lover of his Romina (Eva Mendes) and finds out he the father of her son. He decides to stay out and provide for his son but Romina does want him in the kid’s life and she also has a new boyfriend anyway. He eventually gets a job as a mechanic work for a man called Robin (Ben Mendelsohn) and he is getting minimum wage and askes for more money and Robin reveals he use to rob banks and suggest he should do the same. They eventually become a bank robbing team with Robin as the getaway driver and Luke as the robber.

They are very successful at the start but then the film takes a sudden swift and focuses on Bradley Cooper playing Avery Cross who is a cop. He is pronounced a hero after he kills a criminal by his fellow officers and the media. He is uneasy about the media attention and his fellow cops try to get him involved with police corruption. The story of Luke is integral to Avery’s story and also his son’s story later on.

The opening scene is a truly spellbinding long take of Ryan Gosling walking to a circus tent to perform a stunt. The film is full of great long takes thought out especially during the first half and the bank robbery scenes. Ryan Gosling gives his usual great too cool for school performance. However the real revelation is Bradley Cooper who shows why he was accepted into the very exclusive actor’s studio many years ago. Ray Liotta; who is seaming to be making a much welcome comeback and his fellow Killing Them Softly cast member Ben Mendelsohn who seams to be in anything good at the moment.

The story has been remarked on my many other critics as being very mythological and full of classic Greek Tragedy and it certainally does. The coincidences of the last act of the film as first may seem very far-fetched and contrived. This however isn’t necessarily the case if you think of classical storytelling and also the size of the small town the characters inhabit. I’ve seen the film twice now and I’m still not quite sure the last act fully works. It does however not ruin the film like some other endings do and also it doesn’t seem forced.

The film has been compared to The Godfather in story but this is lazy journalism. The film is about family and it’s consequences like that classic and both are films about crime but that’s where the comparisons end. The film reminds me more of films like Straight Time, Goodfellas (the director’s favourite film) or even the more recent Killing Them Softly cause the criminal characters are much more realistic than something as romantic as The Godfather.

The Place Beyond The Pines is one of the cinematic events of the year and should not be missed. The film is much more epic in tone and scope than Blue Valentine which is in turn becomes one of it’s flaws but there is very much to admire to make it a possible contender for my top 10 at the end of the year.

★★★★☆

Ian Schultz

Watch The New Uber-Cool UK Trailer For Only God Forgives

Is it Blackpool's illuminations after a face lift or something with more class? The latter of course, so do you wanna fight? If your cool enough, get those dukes in the air or you could just admire the new UK trailer for Only God Forgives instead!

Nicholas Winding Refn's uber-cool neon drenched thriller is only 4 weeks away and to get us in fighting order Lionsgate Films UK  and this new trailer provides that substance. It's style, hyper violent, atmospheric, very melancholic and senor Gosling is been slick as ever , a un-relentless S.O.B. The new Only God Forgives trailer might only be 90 seconds long packs a superficial punch delivering tone and more new footage but not in a manner to spoil the broth.

Ryan Gosling plays Julian a Thai Boxing club owner in Bangkok a front for his family's drug business who is forced by his mother to avenge the death of his brother. Julian has one problem the man he wants is chang a retired police man who is nicknamed the Angel of Vengeance.

Don't let negative American reviews get you down decide for yourselves, as The Playlist said, it's an experience you must enjoy by yourselves and if anyone disagrees ask them 'Wanna Fight?'

Only God Forgives arrives in UK&Ireland on 2nd August (USA 19th July) and stars Ryan Gosling, Kristen Scott Thomas, Yayaying Rhatha Phongam, Vithaya Pansringarm, Tom Burke and Byron Gibson.

Synopsis

Bangkok. Julian (Ryan Gosling) runs a Thai boxing club as a front for a drugs operation. He has everything he wants for and is respected in the criminal underworld though, deep inside, he feels empty.
When Julian’s brother murders a prostitute the police call on retired cop Chang – the Angel of Vengeance (Vithaya Pansringarm). Chang allows the father to kill his daughter’s murderer, then ‘restores order’ by chopping off the man’s right hand. Julian’s mother Jenna (Kristin Scott Thomas) – the head of a powerful criminal organization – arrives in Bangkok to collect her son’s body. She dispatches Julian to find his killers and ‘raise hell’.
Increasingly obsessed with the Angel of Vengeance, Julian challenges him to a boxing match, hoping that by defeating him he might find spiritual release… but Chang triumphs. A furious Jenna plots revenge and the stage is set for a bloody journey through betrayal and vengeance towards a final confrontation and the possibility of redemption.

Want A Beatdown? Well Just watch The New UK Trailer For Only God Forgives

With his dukes at the ready Ryan Gosling is ready to fight anyone who takes a dig at his new film Only God Forgives. Don't go for the beatdown just watch the UK trailer for the film instead!

Some are calling this the unofficial sequel to Drive, the new trailer showcases Only God Forgives will be a neon lit fest of brutality and visual slickness. Its a much anticipated unholy alliance between Nicholas Winding Refn and man in demand Gosling, to many its a natural chemistry made in heaven. But the word from Cannes and the early American reviews is a mixed bag of nuts ironically it seems  the British reviews seems to be more favourable, so whatever your point of view this film has the makings to be another cult film in the making.

We do also have a rather awesome neon clad UK Quad poster that accompanies the trailer (see below), a big thanks to Lionsgate Films UK for sending us those visual delights. The question will be can Only God Forgives match the momentous levels of Drive? Find out on 2nd August(USA 19th July) when the film arrives in UK cinemas.

Only God Forgives stars Kristen Scott Thomas,  Yayaying Rhatha Phongam, Vithaya Pansringarm, Tom Burke and Byron Gibson.

Synopsis

Bangkok. Julian (Ryan Gosling) runs a Thai boxing club as a front for a drugs operation. He has everything he wants for and is respected in the criminal underworld though, deep inside, he feels empty.

When Julian's brother murders a prostitute the police call on retired cop Chang - the Angel of Vengeance (Vithaya Pansringarm). Chang allows the father to kill his daughter's murderer, then 'restores order' by chopping off the man's right hand. Julian's mother Jenna (Kristin Scott Thomas) - the head of a powerful criminal organization - arrives in Bangkok to collect her son's body. She dispatches Julian to find his killers and 'raise hell'.

Increasingly obsessed with the Angel of Vengeance, Julian challenges him to a boxing match, hoping that by defeating him he might find spiritual release… but Chang triumphs. A furious Jenna plots revenge and the stage is set for a bloody journey through betrayal and vengeance towards a final confrontation and the possibility of redemption.

source: Thepeoplesmovies

Another Slick Trailer For Only God Forgives Slides Online

Despite the mixed vibes from Cannes Film Festival Nicholas Winding Refn's Only God Forgives is still high on many cinephile's most anticipated films to see this year and tonight your appetite will be re-nourished with another slick trailer.

Here in UK we might be just over 2 months to go before this Neon drenched slow burning revenge thriller invades our visual palettes but over on the other side of the Atlantic it arrives next month hence the new trailer. Only God Forgives set in Thailand, Ryan Gosling plays Julian a Thai Boxing club owner in Bangkok a club that's serves a front for his families drug running. Even is Hunky dory until a ruthless bent cop murders his brother forcing Julian's acid tongued mother to appear and demand her son seek revenge for his dead brother.

Some of the footage has already been seen in previous trailers & clips but this has enough new brutal footage to make it worth your  2 minutes of your time. The dialogue is minimal the silence ferocious feels just as Savage and domineering of hat comes out of Kristen Scott Thomas lips and once again this shows she will be the film's resident scene stealer. The word from the street Only God Forgives is one of those unique experience you have to witness first hand to appreciate the visceral richness that will play in front of us. It's not perfect but it has the makings to be a cut classic in years to come.



Only God Forgives arrive in UK&Ireland on 2nd August 2013 (USA 19th July), the film also stars Yayaying Rhatha Phongam, Vithaya Pansringarm, Tom Burke and Byron Gibson.

source: Yahoo! (via The Peoples Movies)

Cannes 2013: Watch 3 More Clips And Sizzle Reel For Only God Forgives

You have to be living on Mars to know Nicholas Winding Refn's Only God Forgives to be one of 2013 eagerly awaited films and this Wednesday the film will finally make it's world premier at Cannes Film Festival. After Drive it's hoping the movie will justify the hype and deliver a film that's stylish,unscrupulous, intense violently brutal but could it scupper the film winning the Palme D'Or?

Tonight 3 new clips have arrived online delivering more new footage in the stylings of the previous trailers, clips but also show more promise that the film will live up to it's hype. First 2 clips Kristin Scott Thomas is the star of the show a certain to be in the running for Awards when the season arrives again. The first clip shows the public side of her anger with the second clip her rage demanding her son julien (Ryan Gosling) be a man and avenge his brother's death with Julien in the final short clip 'let's fight' Chang  the killer of his brother.

Over at The Playlist a sizzle reel apparently shown by Weinstein Company previewing the film. The Reel shows more new footage delivering a sense of family dynamic as Crystal (Scott Thomas) firing a a verbal assault on Julien's girlfriend, showing whose boss in their family.

Only God Forgives will make its world premier at Cannes Wednesday 22nd May with the UK release date 2nd August.

Clips (NSFW):

Sizzle Reel:


Only God Forgives (Solo Dio perdona) - Estratto... by SpaggyPalermo

source: Ropesofsilicon

Give People What They Want In New Only God Forgives Clips

Here comes the pain in the shape of Ryan Gosling in 3 new clips for Cannes bound Only God Forgives. The new clips continue the momentum of what we've seen before, that Nicholas Winding Refn's new film will emulate Drive, likely to outdo it. Neon clad striking visuals, hyper violent, intense to the core Only God Forgive looks like it'll provide us with that substance with the expected Solid Gosling performance thing look extra spicy with Kristin Scott Thomas performance who looks like she'll the scene a few time. In these clips we do see her shine in her moment, acid tongued, intimidating, menacing urging her boy (Gosling) to seek revenge of his dead brother.

Only God Forgives has no confirmed UK release date just yet but in a few weeks at Cannes Film Festival (22nd May) things may change. USA  release date is 19th July 2013.


Only God Forgives (Solo Dio perdona) - Estratto... by SpaggyPalermo


Only God Forgives (Solo Dio perdona) - Estratto... by SpaggyPalermo


Only God Forgives (Solo Dio perdona) - Estratto... by SpaggyPalermo

source:Collider

2 New Only God Forgives Trailers Show Why This Is A Must See Film

Just as news broke that Nicholas Winding Refn's Only God Forgives is officially heading To 66th Cannes International Film Festival hot on the heels is not one but two very intense New Trailers for your visual pleasure!

Both are international trailers with the latter we believe is the Festival if not a general French trailer  which delivers a little more of the plot which showcases Kristin Scott Thomas is one bitch of a matriarch domineering powerhouse. Whilst the brilliant first (red band) trailer captured the visual beauty and brutality of the film this trailer delivers more dialogue most of all new footage including more of 'the Devil' aka The Angel of Vengeance, played by Vithaya Pansringarm. If you are looking for a little more the stylization the Scandinavian trailer will provide a bit more substance and you'll probably want to sing more than pick a fight!

Ryan Gosling stars as Julian a owner of a Thai Boxing club in Bangkok which also happens to be the centre of his family's drugs smuggling operation. Things get complicated when his mother (Thomas) arrives in town demanding he avenges his brother's death killed by a legendary cop known locally as The Angel of Vengeance (Pansringarm), a move that will cost Julian dearly.

Did someone say this will be most anticipated film of 2013? If you adored Drive hell Yeah! No UK date yet to be confirmed but the French will see it first 22nd May whilst 19th July USA, Only God Forgives also stars Tom Burke, Byron Gibson.

French Trailer



Scandinavian Trailer



Poster



source: Thefilmstage via Thepeoplesmovies

Nicholas Winding Refn's Only God Forgives To Screen At Cannes Film Festival

Nicolas Winding Refn’s hotly-anticipated ONLY GOD FORGIVES, confirmed to screen in Competition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, will open across the UK and Ireland in summer 2013, through Icon Film Distribution and Lionsgate.

Bangkok. Julian (Ryan Gosling) runs a Thai boxing club as a front for a drugs operation. He has everything he wants for and is respected in the criminal underworld though, deep inside, he feels empty.
When Julian’s brother murders a prostitute the police call on retired cop Chang - the Angel of Vengeance (Vithaya Pansringarm). Chang allows the father to kill his daughter’s murderer, then ‘restores order’ by chopping off the man’s right hand. Julian’s mother Jenna (Kristin Scott Thomas) - the head of a powerful criminal organization - arrives in Bangkok to collect her son’s body. She dispatches Julian to find his killers and ‘raise hell’.
Increasingly obsessed with the Angel of Vengeance, Julian challenges him to a boxing match, hoping that by defeating him he might find spiritual release… but Chang triumphs. A furious Jenna plots revenge and the stage is set for a bloody journey through betrayal and vengeance towards a final confrontation and the possibility of redemption.

ONLY GOD FORGIVES is directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, who won Best Director at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival for the international box office smash Drive. The film reunites Refn with Drive star Ryan Gosling (The Place Beyond The Pines, Gangster Squad) and also features Kristin Scott Thomas (In The House, The English Patient), Vithaya Pansringarm (The Hangover Part II), Tom Burke (Donkey Punch) and Thai pop star Yayaying. The film’s score is by award-winning Drive composer Cliff Martinez (Spring Breakers, Contagion).

Stay tuned we'll bring you news on the line up today when we get it. Whilst we wait have another look at the Red Band Trailer For Only God Forgives here.

Wanna Fight? Watch First Red Band Trailer For Only God Forgives

When you ask anyone what film they are really looking forward too, you'd expect to say one of expensive blockbusters? No! Only God Forgives the follow up film to the cult hit Drive from Nicholas Winding Refn and Ryan Gosling, watch the first red band trailer if not Ryan wants a fight!

Only God Forgives tells the tale of Julian (Gosling) a man living in exile in Thailand, running a Thai boxing club as cover for his family's drugs operation. When his mother is killed he seeks revenge and his trailer guides him to the one man ho knows everything, ex-cop better known as the Angel of Vengeance an act the will cost Julian very dearly.

Only God Forgives is a reunion cinephiles especially fans of their previous effort have been waiting for. The trailer shows this film does possess the visual style of Drive even the brutality, sexual tension too and with Gosling saying very few words apart for 'Want A Fight' delivers a cold atmosphere to the affray too and our answer is Yes Ryan. What more can you ask for in a film?

Only God Forgives doesn't have a confirmed UK&Irish release date, with the film to make its world premier at Cannes Film Festival , so hopefully then we can expect a release date. The film also co-stars Kristin Scott-Thomas,Tom Burke, Rathar Phongam and Vithaya Pansringarm

Synopsis

Julian (Gosling) lives in exile in Bangkok where he runs a Thai boxing club as a front for the family’s drugs smuggling operation. When Julian’s brother Billy is killed their mother, Jenna (Kristen Scott Thomas), arrives in the city. She wants revenge and forces Julian to find the killer. Julian’s contacts in the criminal underworld lead him directly to The Angel of Vengeance, a retired police officer who knows everything and who is both Judge and Punisher. Jenna demands that Julian kill The Angel of Vengeance, an act that will cost him dearly.

source:  Yahoo

The Place Beyond The Pines Review

Following the exceptional Blue Valentine, Derek Cianfrance is reteamed with leading man Ryan Gosling for The Place Beyond the Pines. The ambition in Cianfrance's sprawling 140 minute drama cannot be denied, despite waning slightly in its conclusion.

Pines sees a motorcycle rider (Gosling)  taking part in a series of bank robberies as a means of providing for his lover (Eva Mendes) and their child. The consequences of these robberies are further explored through the story of an ambitious rookie cop (Bradley Cooper), attempting to escape the corruption of his department.

Cianfrance and Ben Coccio's narrative is split into three clear sections - the first dealing with Gosling's character, the second with Cooper's and the third with their respective families. Given this structure, a  slightly disjointed feel  in the narrative is almost inevitable - most noticeably between the latter two segments.

The opening segment is by far the strongest - sticking with a simple premise, exploring how far someone would go in order to make amends and provide for their loved ones. This simple plot allows Cianfrance to focus on exploring some interesting character dynamics between Gosling and Mendes' characters. Gosling is exceptional as the well-intentioned motorcyclist attempting to do good (albeit in a completely wrong manner), proving exactly why he is one of this generation's much loved movie stars. The segment also features some truly electrifying, high-octane bank robbery sequences, shot with a clear sense of authenticity.

This is followed by the Cooper-lead segment, which also proves of some interest.  Here Cianfrance tackles a man caught between his morals and pressure by his corrupt peers, allowing Cooper to give a rich, emotionally-charged performance.  A menacing turn from the sensational Ray Liotta adds some further gravitas to this chapter. Here Cianfrance discusses similar themes to the previous segment, with Cooper's character feeling a sense of pressure to provide for his family and meet the expectations of his peers.

By the final segment, the runtime begins to feel slightly bloated and the subtle power of Cianfrance's screenplay loses its sharpness. This segment relies on far too many narrative coincidences, which hampers the previous authentic style of Pines and tries too hard to make connections with the prior stories.  Despite this dip in quality, the film remains beautifully shot with Sean Bobbit capturing the sheer spectacle of the Pined American exterior.

Pines is an ambitious watch, tackling simple yet powerful themes in an authentic and engaging style, despite being  slightly hampered by the overbearing final chapter. Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper are magnificent, both exploring the various limits one can be pushed to, and the consequences of these limits.

Andrew McArthur

★★★½☆

Stars: Ryan Gosling, Eva Mendes, Bradley Cooper, Rose Byrne , Ray Liotta
Director: Derek Cianfrance
Certificate: 15 (UK)
Release: 12th April 2013 (UK), 24th February 2013 (Glasgow Film Festival)

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