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The Help (2011)
Tries to do too many things
The Help could have been so much more than the confused, contrived mess that it ended up being.
With whom are we supposed to connect? Should we care about the poor old maid, so brutally dismissed for inviting her daughter to visit? I certainly didn't.
Or the disillusioned writer, who eventually connected with a male friend, the result of which was neither here nor there? I certainly didn't.
The maid, who supposedly defecated in a pie that tasted so good it was worthy of two slices, was beaten by a man we'd never met, and had a daughter we barely knew? I certainly didn't.
It tried to be too many things and failed to be any. A shame
Wakolda (2013)
Glorification of Dr Death lacking suspense
The German Doctor (Wakolda) was a hurried yet largely dull film that relies heavily on the stunning landscapes offered by southern Argentina. Not only does it seem to glorify one of the most atrocious participants of the holicaust by the Nazis by making him out to be a anything but a psychopath, the 'metaphors underlying the whole film come across as weak and lazy. There is no suspense in discovering who the doctor truly is as the movie draws to a rushed and disappointing ending, leaving the viewer with the sense that this could have been so much more. 2 stars.
The Riot Club (2014)
Not to be taken seriously
If you're looking to this film in order to gain an accurate insight into the life of Britain's elite, you're going to be very disappointed. The Riot Club, although centring around a dark plot, is more of a voyeuristic film that laughs at British pomp (rather like an episode of Midsomer Murders) with the main idea being that rich people always seem to get their own way. Although many may try and interpret this film as highlighting underlying political issues, such as the gap between rich and poor, in reality it's just a short, easy-going, two hours of watching students getting drunk and smashing up a room. No double-meanings, hidden metaphors or anything that is particularly thought-provoking. It attempts to shock the audience, but if you're a rational-minded citizen of the UK, you won't be even slightly fazed by this film.
The Guest (2014)
Terrible film in terms of plot but very funny otherwise
Whether intentional or not, Wingard has done very well to create a film that makes no sense whatsoever yet has the audience laughing at the ridiculousness of the plot, characters and, to some extent, even the editing. From the description, it sounded as though it had the ingredients to be a decent thriller, but instead what I got from 'The Guest' was a bizarre mess of a film that had me laughing on several occasions. Favourite scenes (without spoiling the plot) are when he walks into the underage party carrying two barrels of beer for absolutely no reason, and when he storms into the Head Teacher (or Principal's) office with the mother after a few days of knowing the family. VERY unrealistic, but overall an enjoyable movie.
Would NOT recommend this to anyone though.