12 Years A Slave
In 1841, Soloman Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), was living in New York with his family a “free” black man. Living a quiet life as a carpenter and fiddle player, He is soon charmed by 2 men into a lucrative touring job with a circus. After a night of celebration he finds himself chained up and being prepared to be sold into slavery. Northup is sold to the benevolent plantation owner, William Ford (Benedict Cumberbatch), however Northup still spends the next 12 years fighting the racial tension of the other bigoted white folk in New Orleans until the day he is set free to return home.
12 Years a Slave is a British/American historical adaptation of the autobiography of Solomon Northup’s life as a slave and his fight against the prejudices’ of 19th century America. With a whole host of stars such as Brad Pitt, Cumberbatch and the brilliant Michael Fassbender we have a pretty epic, heart wrenching, and powerful horror story to truly get our teeth into. The shining star is definitely Ejiofor in the lead role; he pulls off his performance so effortlessly.
SEE IF YOU LIKED: The Color Purple, The Help.
The Railway Man
During World War II, Eric Lomax (Colin Firth) was a British officer who was captured by the Japanese, sent to a POW camp, forced to work on the Thai-Burma Railway and tortured. Years later Lomax still suffers from the psychological trauma of this experience, affecting his blossoming love with Patti (Nicole Kidman), there is only one thing they can do, confront his captors in an attempt to let go of the bitterness and hate that consumes him.
Here we have another adaptation of a bestselling autobiography; however, something tells me that even with a cast of Firth, Kidman and Jeremy Irvine nothing is going to bring this film to life, it has absolutely no boom or excitement about it whatsoever, even the story is lacking in interest. The visuals and artful camera shots are probably this bore fest’s only saving grace. Just typing this roundup is actually making me yawn.
SEE IF YOU LIKED: To End All Wars, In Tranzit.
Delivery Man
David Wozniak (Vince Vaughn) is just a normal, yet no hapless delivery man, working for the family butchers and with a pregnant girlfriend who is looking for just a little commitment from her boyfriend. When one day, after returning home from work, a lawyer from a sperm bank (where years earlier when at college, David made a small deposit of his own) tells him he has actually fathered 533 children, 142 of which have joined together to bring a lawsuit to find out the identity of their real father. Intrigued by who these children are, he takes time out to try to get to know each & everyone, making a big impact on his life.
Inspired by the hit Canadian comedy “Starbuck” Delivery Man does have a kind of charm and the likeability factor about it. As Vince Vaughn films go this is actually rather watchable as a chick flick as it oozes sentimentality and heart-tugging throughout. This is by no means your normal fast talking pathetic comedy you would associate with the likes of Vaughn and while he may seem a little out of his comfort zone, Chris Pratt as his friend and lawyer by far has the funniest supporting role.
SEE IF YOU LIKED: The Switch, About A Boy.
MY PICK OF THE WEEK: 12 YEARS A SLAVE.
By Zehra Phelan