Screenplays “Writing Movies”

Not so long ago I thought about the task of writing a screenplay, being amazed at the thought of potentially seeing my original idea flourish as a moving image on a big screen. Writing a screenplay isn’t a simple task though for many reasons, its time consuming, detailed and very precise.  I don’t know if many of you have ever written, or maybe you have written loads and it’s your profession however if you’ve ever considered the thought or idea I have one firm recommendation. Seeking help to write a film I somewhat ironically turned to a library, eventually picking Gotham Writers Workshop “Writing Movies”.  It has been credited as by far one of the best books and guides in writing screenplays; being half-way through so far it has helped me firmly map-out my ideas and has given a real structure and order in what to do. It’s simple reading, straight to the point and very laidback.

I am firmly focused and committed to my idea at the moment and hope that sticks, spending a lot of time on development I have possibly neglected the reviews so for that I apologise. However I couldn’t resist in sharing such a great find and one so useful. I was also wondering if anyone has written a screenplay? Also if they could share their tips or experience it would be useful and hopefully give me a further insight.

On a more different note I would also like to take this opportunity to say my thanks for such a successful month in terms of my blog. My highest ever views (more than half of what I achieved in the whole previous six months), likes, comments and posts published. Thanks for always commenting and sharing opinions, I do really appreciate it. – Liam

Inside Llewyn Davis (2014)

Genre: Drama, Music

Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

Writers: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

Starring: Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Justin Timberlake, John Goodman

Rating: ★★★★★

Inside Llewyn Davis is a film that I’ve been anticipating very much ever since I saw early advertisements and trailers and it lived right up to my expectation. Beautifully-crafted and with an inspiring story, the Coen brothers have created a reflective film that many will be able to relate to. Stunningly directed along with amazing performances from the entire all-star cast, Inside Llewyn Davis is in some ways a master-piece topped with a great soundtrack tipped to win Oscars.

Llewyn Davis (Oscar Isaac) is a young folk-singer trying to establish a career as a soloist; we follow his life for a week as he attempts to navigate the Greenwich Village folk scene of 1961 in the harsh cold winter. Llewyn is struggling, losing hope and is being eaten away at by all the negatives in his life that for him, seem to be growing. Homeless he sleeps and crashes on various couches, some are his friends some are just mutual strangers from the industry. In a week he finds himself in a lot of places, on a lot of couches and being stared at by a lot of strangers.

The only thing Llewyn seems to have is his music and with that he grasps so tightly that it seems he pushes away all other people and relationships.  As an audience we establish such deep sympathy for him, despite obviously having a tortured soul he is a man with good intentions however he always seems to bring bad-luck and sadness wherever he goes. An angry Carey Mulligan, playing June, a fellow musician, shouts, lectures and spits telling Llewyn that the only good thing he could ever do on this planet is to not reproduce, and that sums up how the character of Llewyn comes across.

Llewyn Davis represents a lot of people, “drifters” who try and make their mark on the world, at one point he crashes on the couch of Al Cody (Adam Driver) another folk singer and just like Llewyn he has the same box full of unsold albums hidden away. Inside Llewyn Davis isn’t just showing the hard-times folk singers had in 60’s America, or people of that era in general, but it delivers a strong message to everyone who has a passion in a competitive area and is struggling to make their mark having to choose between their passion and “existing”.

The film displays an all-star cast; John Goodman plays an engrossing drug addict who only dampens the motivation and spirits of Llewyn even more on a shared journey to Chicago. Justin Timberlake plays Jim, a folk singer and the partner of June, although Llewyn is involved in an awkward love triangle with pair, they are his only “real” friends. However there is no surprise in saying Oscar Isaac is the star performer, although maybe limited due to the Coen brother’s style; he captures a great display that really connects with the audience nevertheless.

The films biggest achievement however is how it’s been beautifully crafted; both the Coen brothers and cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel deserve huge plaudits. Every scene is flawless, from the very opening to the very end, each shot with talent and it looks like they spent time on every frame attempting to reach perfection. Inside Llewyn Davis has got the nomination for Best Cinematography and that is not at all surprising, however what was is the snub for The Best Picture.  The opening scene really sets the mark throughout, Llewyn is on stage singing and playing, being highlighted by an overhanging spotlight it only focuses on him and the music, perfectly executed it leaves you speechless. Many scenes are also remarkable with small elements standing out; the “car journey scene” as well as the “train journey scene” to pick my favourites, but the film in a whole is just inspiring in a number of ways.

The sound-track deserves the final mention, which plays an important role within this film. Without the score that is lyrically and acoustically remarkable, we wouldn’t have such a connection to Llweyn, it is due to the score that we encourage him and sympathise for him. Although heart-less and cold his music is the opposite, that alongside his relationship with a reoccurring cat, shows that Llewyn is “human” and can feel.

The Coen brother’s newest creation is one that I shall be re-watching time and time again due to its powerful, impacting and inspiring nature. Inside Llewyn Davis is in some ways a story about not giving up and holding onto your dreams and passions, that story has been executed to perfection and topped by amazing performances making it a master-piece that can’t be missed.

 

 

The Versatile Blogger Award

I’ve seen this award been posted a lot on my feed from bloggers who I in a way look up to and respect as they are amazing writers and have such great knowledge, with some actually writing about film for a living (a personal dream) I am very surprised and quite proud to be able to post this alongside them and say that my blog has been nominated too. Thanks very much to Lauren at MyKindOfMovie for the nomination, great posts and frequent friendly discussions.

So here are the rules:

• Thank the person who gave you this award and include a link to their blog.
• Nominate 15 bloggers that you’ve recently discovered or follow regularly for the Versatile Blogger Award including a link to their sites.
• Finally, tell the person who nominated you 7 things about yourself

Here are the 15 Bloggers I’m passing this Award onto! They are all so talented and friendly, all posting great reviews and film related news!

Terry Malloys Pigeon Coop

jjreviews

Dan The Man’s Movie Reviews

Hypersonic55

Movies of The Soul

The Popcorn Muncher

Vics Movie Den

Tim’s Film Reviews

Keith & the Movies

With a Friend Like Gary

Just Me Mike

Tall Glass of Film

Side Kick Reviews

Vinnieh

The Cinema Monster

So there are my 15 nominations I pass this award onto! So here follow the 7 Facts about Me!

1.) I am seventeen and take A2 Film Studies at college and it has been by far the most inspiring lesson I have ever  undergone!

2.) My favourite film of all time is Donnie Darko and despite the great films I constantly view I’m sure it will stay that way for ever! I can embarrassingly admit that I know more than half the script.

3.) Films that really scared me as a kid were The Ring, Signs and Jeepers Creepers

4.) My girlfriend is the most beautiful and wonderful person I have ever seen or met and our “cinema dates” usually consist of laughing at my loud and messy eating habits in quiet situations.

5.) I am currently on the verge of writing my own screen play.

6.) I have proudly watched all the LOTR films in a row (extended edition)

7.) My favourite directors are Stanley Kubrick, Nicholas Winding Refn and David Fincher!

Lone Survivor (2014)

Genre: Action, Biography, Drama, War

Director: Peter Berg

Writers: Peter Berg, Marcus Luttrell and Patrick Robinson (book)

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster

Rating:★★★★★

Lone Survivor is extremely entertaining and impacting bringing a much needed refreshing change to the genres taking up the new release spots in the cinemas at the moment. It came as a huge surprise to me that how this release can be so great and somewhat flawless even though the man behind the camera brought the shame of Battleship to Hollywood not so long ago. However it seems that Peter Berg has fully recovered and I hope that his newest film will get the credit it so deserves. Perfectly executed alongside great performances, The Lone survivor will most definitely be up there as one of the best films of the year, despite it still being early January.

The Lone Survivor is based and adapted from the real life failed mission “Operation Red Wings” which saw a team of four US Navy Seals attempt to kill notorious and dangerous Taliban leader Ahmad Shahd. Mark Wahlberg is Marcus Luttrell, the team’s leader and inspiration who we see alongside Danny Dietz (Emile Hirsch) racing back to the barracks attempting to break their record times in competition. Out of breathe and planning a forfeit Luttrell is soon interrupted and stopped, being told he must brief his team and set upon Operation Red Wing. Marcus Luttrell alongside Danny Dietz, Michael Murphy (Taylor Kitsch) Matt ‘Axe’ Axelson (Ben Foster) start their mission and set off to find and execute Ahmad Shahd.

In overlooking forests just outside a local village which Shahd and other Taliban members are operating in, perimeters are set and the team can only wait for further orders. Sleeping in the bushes at their posts the team are then intruded by a herd of goats accompanied by their farmers, Luttrell’s and his teams position and safety, along with the mission has been comprised, knowing that any option will eventually lead to combat they release the two farmers and scout back to higher ground. Desperately trying to reach their home base by radio for extraction their attempts fail leaving them off the grid and alone. It doesn’t take long until they are found and hunted down by firing Taliban members, Luttrell’s Navy Seals now have to put all their training into use as they are up against impossible odds but with skill, precision and pride the team won’t give up without a fight.

In simple terms and to the core Lone Survivor is just another American War film, however the impact and final product is very different and refreshing along with the way in which its been crafted. Peter Berg creates so many brutal and bloody scenes which have been crafted with excellence, the shot types and the quick pace cutting make for a tense and thrilling encounter whilst at times the long scenery shots are breath-taking. Each death is powerful as we see the full extent and gruesome consequence something many “action” films fail to achieve. The film has also been recently nominated for an Oscar due to its sound, which is truly amazing and definitely deserved, the mix between loud drones to soft melodies really reflect the scenes as well as the emotions.

The opening scenes of Lone Survivor establish the relationships between the team members in the typical “bro-mance” way, however as the film and story develops the relationships and bonds on show are really heart-felt and emotional. Many have claimed that Lone Survivor really does capture the true and realistic bonds that soldiers form with each-other resulting in a big family of brothers. The credit has to be given to the outstanding performances from Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster and the way in which they portray such emotional heart-breaking bonds. The horror of Lone Survivor though that makes it most impacting is that it’s based on a real-life true event which when reflected on leaves you speechless and even teary, especially following the credits which host tribute to the fallen Seals of Operation Red Wing.

Lone Survivor is really one of the best “war” films I have seen in recent years maybe dating back until Saving Private Ryan. It’s typically brutal and violent but it’s the emotional and crafting aspect of Peter Berg’s newest film that is truly flawless. Mark Wahlberg again displays a fine performance whilst the supporting cast is outstanding. Lone Survivor is sure to be a big hit as it is easily watchable, entertaining and action-packed making it a must-see upon release.

My Take on The Oscar Nominations

Oscar Nominations were released today after much wait, anticipation and speculation on which big releases could and should be accredited one of the most prestigious awards in the film industry. Here is the list of nominations with my own thoughts regarding who I think should and will take the award, applause and glory.

BEST PICTURE

12 Years a Slave, American Hustle, Captain Phillips, Dallas Buyers Club, Gravity, Her, Nebraska, Philomena, The Wolf of Wall Street.

12 Years a Slave should and probably will be accredited and named The Best Picture at the 86th Oscar Ceremony after stunning its audience and collecting much praise and plaudits.

BEST DIRECTOR

David O. Russell – American Hustle, Alfonso Cuaron – Gravity, Alexander Payne – Nebraska, Steve McQueen – 12 Years a Slave, Martin Scorsese – The Wolf of Wall Street

This should be a close contest between Alfonso Cuaron’s Gravity and Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave in my perspective as they were the two visual highlights out of the bunch. Cuaron behind one of the best visual experiences in cinematic history whilst McQueen refreshing and brilliant techniques captured so much in 12 Years a Slave.

BEST ACTOR

Christian Bale – American Hustle, Bruce Dern – Nebraska, Leonardo DiCaprio -The Wolf of Wall Street, Chiwetel Ejiofor – 12 Years a Slave, Matthew McConaughey – Dallas Buyers Club.

12 Years a Slave’s Ejiofor should deserve to win Best Actor however with the heaps of praise and success from McConaughey in Dallas Buyers Club It could be stolen away.

BEST ACTRESS

Amy Adams – American Hustle, Cate Blanchett – Blue Jasmine, Sandra Bullock – Gravity, Judi Dench – Philomena, Meryl Streep – August: Osage County

Amy Adams is the majority’s choice to take claim to the Best Actress award but giving the performance of her career in Gravity it would be much deserved if Sandra Bullock took the glory.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

American Hustle – Written by Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell, Blue Jasmine – Written by Woody Allen, Her – Written by Spike Jonze , Nebraska – Written by Bob Nelson, Dallas Buyers Club – Written by Craig Borten & Melisa Wallack

Spike Jonze’s Her, I hope will get named the Best Original Screenplay ahead of American Hustle after failing to amaze me and reach expectation.

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

Before Midnight – Written by Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke, Captain Phillips – Screenplay by Billy Ray, Philomena – Screenplay by Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope, 12 Years a Slave – Screenplay by John Ridley, The Wolf of Wall Street – Screenplay by Terence Winter

12 Years a Slave absolutely amazed me, especially with its accurate adaptation, brutal realism and factual accuracy so this would be a strong shout for this award, however Captain Phillips was truly special so I wouldn’t be surprise if it stole the show here.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Lupita Nyong’o – 12 Years a Slave, Jennifer Lawrence – American Hustle, June Squibb – Nebraska, Julia Roberts – August: Osage County, Sally Hawkins – Blue Jasmine

Jennifer Lawrence although only playing a minor role stood out amongst others in American Hustle and should easily be credited as Best Supporting Actress.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Barkhad Abdi – Captain Phillips, Bradley Cooper – American Hustle, Michael Fassbender – 12 Years a Slave, Jonah Hill – The Wolf of Wall Street, Jared Leto – Dallas Buyers Club

Jared Leto apparently gave a wonderful performance in Dallas Buyers Club but I can’t see anyone accept Michael Fassbneder winning and deserving this award after his performance in 12 Years a Slave.

BEST ANIMATED FILM

The Croods, Despicable Me 2, Ernest & Celestine, Frozen, The Wind Rises

Frozen will most likely scoop The Best Animated Film award up after becoming a huge favourite, however I could see close competition from the great, Despicable Me 2.

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

The Grandmaster, Gravity, Inside Llewyn Davis, Nebraska, Prisoners

I could see best cinematography being between Inside Llewyn Davis and Gravity but I couldn’t say which way.

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

Michael Wilkinson – American Hustle, William Chang Suk Ping – The Grandmaster, Catherine Martin – The Great Gatsby, Michael O’Connor – The Invisible Woman, Patricia Norris – 12 Years a Slave

American Hustle really did show off its excellence in this department and it should surely be credited by picking up the Oscar for Best Costume Design.

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

The Act of Killing – Joshua Oppenheimer and Signe Byrge Sørensen, Cutie and the Boxer – Zachary Heinzerling and Lydia Dean Pilcher, Dirty Wars – Richard Rowley and Jeremy Scahill, The Square – Jehane Noujaim and Karim Amer, 20 Feet from Stardom – Nominees to be determined

The Act Killing is my favourite for this category.

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT

CaveDigger – Jeffrey Karoff, Facing Fear – Jason Cohen, Karama Has No Walls -Sara Ishaq , The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life – Malcolm Clarke and Nicholas Reed, Prison Terminal: The Last Days of Private Jack Hall – Edgar Barens

BEST FILM EDITING

American Hustle – Jay Cassidy, Crispin Struthers and Alan Baumgarten,  Captain Phillips – Christopher Rouse, Dallas Buyers Club-  John Mac McMurphy and Martin Pensa, Gravity – Alfonso Cuarón and Mark Sanger,  12 Years a Slave –  Joe Walker

Gravity should have this one firmly in their grasp!

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

The Broken Circle Breakdown – Belgium, The Great Beauty -Italy, The Hunt – Denmark, The Missing Picture – Cambodia,  Omar Palestine

It was a big surprise to not see Blue is the Warmest Colour given a nomination for this category.

BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING

Dallas Buyers Club – Adruitha Lee and Robin Mathews, Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa –  Stephen Prouty, The Lone Ranger –  Joel Harlow and Gloria Pasqua-Casny

Dallas Buyers Club would be my favourite for this award however again its a surprise to see American Hustle not getting nominated.

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

John Williams – The Book Thief, Steven Price –  Gravity,  William Butler and Owen Pallett –  Her,  Alexandre Desplat –  Philomena Thomas Newman – Saving Mr. Banks

Saving Mr Banks would be my favourite and a winner that would be much deserved.

BEST SOUND EDITING

All Is Lost – Steve Boeddeker and Richard Hymns,  Captain Phillips – Oliver Tarney, Gravity –  Glenn Freemantle , The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug –  Brent Burge, Lone Survivor – Wylie Stateman

Captain Phillips has amazing score but I was very impressed by Lone Survivor it would be more than deserved if they were awarded Best Sound Editing.

BEST SOUND MIXING

Captain Phillips –  Chris Burdon, Mark Taylor, Mike Prestwood Smith and Chris Munro,  Gravity – Skip Lievsay, Niv Adiri, Christopher Benstead and Chris Munro, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug –  Christopher Boyes, Michael Hedges, Michael Semanick and Tony Johnson, Inside Llewyn Davis –  Skip Lievsay, Greg Orloff and Peter F. Kurland,  Lone Survivor – Andy Koyama, Beau Borders and David Brownlow

Again this for me would be between Captain Phillips and Lone Survivor.

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Gravity – Tim Webber, Chris Lawrence, Dave Shirk and Neil Corbould,  The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug – Joe Letteri, Eric Saindon, David Clayton and Eric Reynolds,  Iron Man 3 –  Christopher Townsend, Guy Williams, Erik Nash and Dan Sudick,  The Lone Ranger – Tim Alexander, Gary Brozenich, Edson Williams and John Frazier, Star Trek Into Darkness – Roger Guyett, Patrick Tubach, Ben Grossmann and Burt Dalton

I would like to see The Hobbit be accredited this award after the amazing appearance of Smaug however it would be no surprise to see Gravity make way with another victory.

I did miss out a few categories however these are the Oscar Nominations, there were a few shocks and surprises but I’m sure there will be plenty more upon ceremony night! I would appreciate it if you could comment below your thoughts and your favourites for the Oscars 2014.

Delivery Man (2013)

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Director: Ken Scott

Writers: Ken Scott, Martin Petit

Starring: Vince Vaughn, Cobie Smulders, Chris Pratt

Rating: ★★★½

Delivery Man finds itself with tough competition this January as many “Oscar-tipped” releases take all the headlines however this enjoyable comedy has its own shining elements that shouldn’t be overlooked. Starring Vince Vaughan it follows a funny inventive storyline that evolves into an even funnier and heartfelt comedy that’s easily watchable, fun and entertaining. Delivery Man isn’t anything special but it has enough gags and laughs to make it well worthwhile.

Vince Vaughn is David Wozniak a less than average man who works as a delivery driver at his family’s business the Brooklyn based Wozniak Meat Store. Irresponsible, unreliable and lazy David is wasting away his life and finds himself in over his head with debt and clutching at straws in his struggling relationship with “girlfriend” Emma (Cobie Smulders). However when he comes home to a surprising visitor his life gets turn upside down after being given unimaginable news that he is the biological father to 533 children. David might not be the best at delivering meat or even life itself but as he soon finds out he was very good at delivering quality sperm. As a young man David earned money as a sperm donor and a mix up at the clinic meant that his deposits fathered all 533 children that year, 20 years later 143 children have filed a court-case demanding the true identity of their father to be revealed.

David soon decides that he wants to turn his life around and be there for each and every one of his children. Given a file containing all 143 profiles he randomly one by one starts making up for a lot of last time and acts as their guardian angel. Not telling them he’s their father and the famous “Starbuck” donor he manages to bond special relationships. However as his debt crisis worsens and his relationship is put under more pressure David soon finds himself facing a number of dilemmas that could affect everything.

Delivery Man certainly has an eye-catching and entertaining storyline which meets expectation.  The plot throughout stays Interesting due to a number of twists and turns as David is faced with problem after problem. However the highlight of this comedy is the high maintenance of humour throughout with jokes and gags almost being constant. What is also great and most refreshing is how Delivery Man pauses to become more serious and heartfelt at times providing a great balance between the two. The main catalysts behind the laughs are David himself and his best friend/lawyer Brett (Chris Pratt) who together combines to make great comedy from physical to scripted.  Delivery Man also has a lot of heart to balance out that humour, mainly achieved by a well-written script. The relationships formed between David and his kids alongside the different characters and personalities met provide a wide range of emotions from being completely hilarious to quite heart-warming.

Not so many years ago Ken Scott and Martin Petit teamed up to make Starbuck a critic’s choice “hit” which became a popular film but only for a limited audience. Ken Scott’s Delivery Man is his solo effort of an American remake with the hope that it becomes a well-known name. I have to admit I was slightly disappointed to discover this wasn’t a totally original story but knowing that it came from the same brains behind “Starbuck” is some consolation and his second shot should definitely be applauded. The story is great, originally hinted and rumoured to be similarly based on a real life case, however it’s unique and humorous providing great entertainment.

The real downside however to Delivery Man was the trailer and how it included the funniest scenes and gags meaning there was a lack of surprises and laugh-out-loud moments upon viewing leaving us with only a few gut-busting laughs. The combination of the great story, good acting and well written script however saves Delivery Man from falling into that group of failed comedies. Guaranteed laughs and an entertaining enjoyable watch Delivery Man shouldn’t be overlooked this January.

American Hustle (2014)

Genre: Crime, Drama

Director: David O. Russell

Writers: Eric Singer, David O. Russell

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence

Rating: ★★★★

American Hustle has made a huge impact on the film world and community earning itself respectful plaudits and nominations by the dozen. It certainly has one of the best and most-talented acting ensembles in which each give a refreshing and different performance. The story however is where I struggled mostly, but since reflecting the words brave and seemingly clever seem most fitting. American Hustle is enjoyable but nowhere near having special and faultless-like qualities as speculated and first hoped.

The film establishes itself in a world of con artists and corrupt business men following one in particular, the brilliant Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) who lives scamming the equally greedy, selling fake art along with owning a string of businesses he survives. Rosenfeld meets Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) a sly and lonely British woman who seduces her way into Irving’s world of cons and scandals. Later down the line they cross paths with a FBI agent, Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper) wild and deranged he leads them into danger and a world plagued with powerbrokers and mobsters as they attempt to pull off a big-time con.

Irving Rosenfeld’s struggling relationships with fling Sydney and scatty wife Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence) starts to cause problems with the con and things get far too dangerous than ever imagined. Political operator Carmine Polito then enters the frame and finds himself in-between the two corrupt worlds of cons and cops. As things develop in everyone’s lives the con looks to be exposed with its success lying in the shaky hands of Irving’s unstable Rosalyn.

American Hustle has a great introduction, but only for those that were hooked and intrigued by the concepts and world laid out in front of them. A great in-depth opening act really lets us know the characters, the plot and the plan but it doesn’t grab you as much as it should and could. You find yourself slightly bored awaiting action and consequently for some, you don’t take in the information and this is dangerous as American Hustle adopts a very interlinking plotline that you can easily lose yourself in. Once developed it gets much better, the action is brought forward and it sets up some tense scenes as the con leads our ensemble to mobsters and criminals. As I said the story didn’t grab me, not at the beginning and not enough during the middle, however it was the ending that shines. The con comes together appearing much clearer, a big plot twist is introduced and everything is wrapped up nicely making lots of sense and giving great closure. It is then when you appreciate the story, the con and the writing from duo Eric Singer and David O. Russell.

Where most praise however has been and should be directed at, is the casting ensemble that makes up American Hustle. Christian Bale shows once again how versatile and amazing he is, whilst the duo that made up award winning Silver Linings Playbook, Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence display yet another award winning performance. Amy Adams also makes a great statement for her talent and future career. I can easily see one of these brilliantly captured performances being rewarded and marked with an Oscar nomination or even the win come February’s ceremony.

David O. Russell should also be given credit for producing such a fine display and quality picture whilst plaudits should be directed in the pathway of the music department for the score too. However an obvious and much talked about success is those of the make-up department which transform the group completely surely leading them to Oscar and award glory.

I’ve seen a lot of five stars and special labels surrounding American Hustle but for me it doesn’t pitch that high. It tries to be too “sexy” and “clever” at times and this plays against my liking whilst it lacks a little action too. Nevertheless I believe it was entertaining and rather enjoyable, with great scenes and some funny scripted moments. American Hustle was boosted and saved by its all-star cast so credit to David O. Russell for picking some familiar faces as it paid off once again. Easily watchable, clever and funny American Hustle should be seen, especially to witness a great acting display.