Jason Bourne (2016) Review

"Jesus Christ, that's Jason Bourne!"

Much like Ethan Hunt and James Bond, James Bourne is one of those never-ending entities that just keeps on going; an unstoppable movie force that execs have no problem resurrecting. Using his steely gaze and focused demeanour for good – sort of – Bourne is back in this new self-titled endeavour, searching for more truths from his past (at this point, how many more secrets can you realistically unearth?). Also back to save us from Jeremy Renner’s disappointing outing in The Bourne Legacy, is Matt Damon as he tries to redeem the Bourne franchise and deliver a contemporary action film of Rogue Nation standard. Needless to say, there’s a lot to accomplish this time around.

Check out this review over on WE MAKE MOVIES ON WEEKENDS. It's a great site and could really use some love! x Thank you :) Happy reading! 

Set a decade after his disappearance at the end of The Bourne Ultimatum, Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) returns with the help of Nikki Parsons (Julia Stiles), as he attempts to discover information about his past that has been brought to light. Unfortunately for Bourne, Operation Ironhand is attempting to hunt him down and exterminate, led by Robert Dewey (Tommy Lee Jones), the CIA Director, who has enlisted an asset to help (Vincent Cassel). Also starring is Alicia Vikander as Heather Lee, a CIA agent who is eager to bring Bourne in, instead of killing him.

What Bourne excels in is the fundamentals of its genre – breath-taking, thrilling action sequences – executed with precision in the hands of director Paul Greengrass and cinematographer Barry Ackroyd. The latter takes great care in transporting you to the heat of the action, with visceral, in-your-face shots that capture the agile and immediate nature of the scenes superbly. Whether it’s on the back of Bourne’s rickety motorcycle, in the swift movements of deadly falls or trailing behind an intense car chase, Ackroyd and Greengrass know how to assimilate an audience into the fabric of a movie. Without a doubt these action sequences – particularly the Athens Protest scene, and the ending Vegas chase – are the best feature of the film, and should be commended for their sublime execution. Truly, the locations and sets used rival Skyfall, with Jason Bourne showcases the alluring and mysterious destinations that make action and spy films so enthralling.

Fortunately, Matt Damon excels in his signature role as the cool-headed, dead-pan assassin who you can’t anticipate what he will do next. Regardless, Damon brings a sense of believability to a character whose feats are above all, ridiculous and mind-blowing, and in anyone else’s hands, Bourne would melt into a meagre puddle that is forgettable. One of the more promising characters from the original series also returns (Julia Stiles’ Nikki Parsons), although prepare yourself for her quick exit, and this is perhaps one of the more frustrating elements of the film. As a rare, complex character, she is reduced to a jerk-reactionary character that is used to fuel Bourne’s venture back into the world he so adamantly swore off entering again. It’s lazy at best, and a travesty at worst. 

The film attempts to compensate you by introducing another female counterpart – this time played by Alicia Vikander – Heather Lee, who admittedly, Vikander manages to make relatively interesting, but she’s not given much to work with. Aside from Bourne himself, the movie fails to introduce any solid characters that have more than an initial impact, although it does a rather impressive job at covering this up with explosive action, so you have to give them props for that.

While the plot itself is a little predictable, Jason Bourne tries its best to remain familiar to audiences with its classic musical score, and key stylistic elements, whilst also introducing itself as something fresh and invigorating, that isn’t simply a rehash of former Bourne outings. For the most part, the film succeeds in being engaging and different, while also maintaining its familiarity, although this does have a few moments of overlap.

In this particular ultimatum, Jason Bourne manages to reign supreme and regain his former identity (see what we did there), proving to be a compelling and relevant action hero amidst several competent competitors. You can rest easy and rely on Jason Bourne to fulfil your unsatisfied action cravings, despite a few expected flaws.  

Cinderella (2015) Review

"Have courage and be kind." 

In a kingdom where residents look like anthropomorphised quality street wrappers, there lives a girl who can’t seem to keep herself clean and suffers harrowing saw-style abuse. OK, so maybe we’ve over-dramatized it a little, but in case you haven’t guessed it already (and the title didn’t give it away), we’re talking about Kenneth Branagh’s 2015 Disney live-action reboot, Cinderella.

In case you’re not familiar with the plot of Cinderella, it is essentially a film about tragedy and love. The movie follows the titular character (Lily James) as her loving mother (Hayley Atwell) dies, which prompts her father (Ben Chaplin) to re-marry, to the overbearing Lady Tremaine (Cate Blanchett), who brings along her two daughters, Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera). Unfortunately, her father falls ill and dies on a voyage, leaving Ella with her cruel ‘family’. But fate is kind, and she soon meets Kit, a.k.a. The Prince (Richard Madden) and adventures ensue, with a little help from her Fairy Godmother (Helena Bonham Carter).

Needless to say, the film’s casting is impeccable, and Disney has found a true princess in Lily James, who sheds her Downton dress for an iconic and impressive ball gown, complete with impractical footwear. James illuminates the screen with her warmth and energy, emulating the kind and courageous darling she is portraying, whilst also proving to have sparkling chemistry with Richard Madden’s Prince Kit.

Not one to shy away from kooky characters, Helena Bonham Carter assumes the role of The Fairy Godmother, adding an extra sprinkle of glitter and comedy to a film that could have been a little too sickening, if it didn’t seem to be rather self-mocking, with injections of humour and loveable bizarreness (the Lizard footmen, in particular, as well as the whole carriage creation, come to mind). Also worth noting is Cate Blanchett, who tackles Lady Tremaine with vigour, whilst also trying to add dimension to a character whose raison d'être is cruelty and bad parentage.

Cinderella certainly doesn’t overlook the importance of aesthetic, and each carefully crafted costume is a delight to behold, whilst gorgeous colours and patterns unite with the heavily romanticized movie to give a sense of true magic and dreams, without being too sickly sweet. Everything is more grandiose and elaborate, from the set design to the hair and make-up, with the step-sisters, Anastasia and Drisella looking every inch excessive and striking. Patrick Doyle is also on hand to imagine an enchanting soundtrack that is every bit as regal as you'd expect, and featuring some bewitching vocals from James and company. 

Considering the plot of Cinderella is incredibly weak, Branagh & Weitz perform admirably in their quest to flesh out the rather dull tale, making monumental improvements on the 1950 animated classic, which benefits greatly from the live-action treatment. Whilst Cinderella may not be revolutionary by any means, as the second notable live-action Disney reboot of recent years (behind 2014’s Maleficent), it proves that there is substance and significance in Disney’s endeavour, whilst also providing a dazzling, family adventure with a moral message that all can enjoy.

Overall, Cinderella is liable to sweep you off your feet, provided you enjoy/can overlook the hazy romanticism that is intrinsic to its story. 

Maya Payne - The Lucky Ones [EP Review]

If you spend a significant amount of time lurking on Spotify, chances are you've probably already come across Maya Payne's music before - the young singer-songwriter from New Zealand topped the viral charts with addictive anthem 'If Only', which features on her debut EP, The Lucky Ones. This helped the 19-year old Christchurch resident garner international attention for her music, as she quickly discovered she had fans from all over the world listening to her tunes. If we had to describe Payne’s sound we'd say it's a bit of mix between Ellie Goulding and Tove Lo, with a splash of CHVRCHES and Halsey for good measure. But make no mistake, Payne is unlike anything you've heard before, as she combines her own unique sound with a pitch perfect voice. 

The Lucky Ones naturally opens with her first viral hit, 'If Only'. Coated in electro-goodness, it overwhelms your senses with hazy dance beats that give way to Payne's captivating vocals. Great for summer (and entirely seasonally appropriate), this one could easily be playing in an Ibiza nightclub on your next trip with the gang. As if you could have predicted what Payne would churn out to follow this, the singer makes a point to catch you off guard and prove that she is taking you on a musical journey. Lulling you into a false sense of security with her enchanting vocals, the singer drops the bass, triggering‘Self Defined’ to descend into a edgy, sassy, self-confident party that is effortlessly catchy and unashamedly addictive. Prepare to make this your new summer jam.

The third track from the EP is ‘Breathe Again’ which starts off by introducing you to waves of synth beats that provide a bewitching opening, with Payne displaying her darker, broodier side, lyrically. There's a bit of everything in here - hope, promise, pain, emotional vulnerability - all of which allow us to take a step further into Payne's world. “I give all my love/ I give all my love to you”, Payne echoes as we reach the triumphant chorus of next track, ‘Lucky Ones’ - the namesake title of the EP. Combining sickly sweet pop beats with a techno vibe, Payne’s ‘Allie-X’ style sound is dominant, bold and memorable; ‘Lucky Ones’ is certainly lucky for this young Kiwi.

‘Falling’, takes a turn away from the dance smash hits as Payne opts for an understated sound that highlights the heartbreak in her voice, backed up impressively by smooth piano chords that add to the solemn introverted atmosphere. It's not as commanding and dynamic as other songs in her arsenal, but it's still satisfying. Meanwhile, ‘We Are the Wild’ is, put simply, a highly energised, retro 80s song full of life and vibrancy – and it doesn’t try to be anything else. This is all about having fun and the true enjoyment of music, Troye Sivan style.  

Drawing the EP to a close, ‘Fragile X’, a song that details the singer’s vulnerability and struggles, ensures the venture end on a positive note. A self-reflective song detailing her journey from youth to now, it’s every bit as electric as you’d expect, and Payne doesn’t hold back, giving it everything and showing off the reversed beginnings of her experimental sound. Whilst The Lucky Ones might not hit every pleasurable note, there is an impressive amount of genuinely engaging music, elevated by Payne's strong and addictive vocals, that is highly commendable for a debut EP. Like select newcomers before her, she has produced a barrage of memorable material that doesn't just attract interest - it sustains it; particularly promising for the future.

Phoebe Ryan - New Music Spotlight

Today we're shining our music spotlight on singer-songwriter Phoebe Ryan. Whilst our last spotlight featured the kawaii metal band, BABYMETAL, we're heading back to the lands of electro-pop for this latest edition. Full name, Phoebe Holiday Ryan (practically screams star, doesn't it?) is a green-haired vocalist from New Jersey whose sultry, enchanting voice attracted attention in 2015, upon the release of her debut EP, Mine.

You need only listen to some of her luscious pop music to see why she's appealing; from the understated electro beats to breathy vocal delivery, this gal's infectious. Co-penning all tracks from her EP helped secure the attention of some famous celebs - T-Swizzle included - who praised its perfect construction and sound. Her sound is immaculately curated and ties together well as a package, 'Mine' and 'Dead' being the most notable examples.

Seeing as it's looking fairly likely Ryan will be releasing her debut album sometime this year - if the barrage of new tracks is anything to go by - it seems only fitting that she be this week's spotlight. But how does her new material differ and what type of sound is she going for in this hectic year? An impressionable one, that's for sure. First 2016 track, 'Chronic', is as heavy and resilient as you'd expect, a particular ear-catching gem that is effortlessly addictive and memorable, showcasing Ryan's vocal range as she flutters her way through another solid winner.

'Boyz n Poizn', her next offering, is pretty much self-explanatory and this one sounds surprisingly Lana Del Rey-esque, with Ryan detailing her escapades when it comes to partners and alcohol - but with a hazy and solemn sound. Every bit as dreamy as destructive, Ryan makes sure to mention that she "enjoys 'em/ destroys 'em", until she gets what she wants, while showing the vulnerable side to her songwriting in self-reflection.

Her most recent and relatively new release is the collaborative 'Dollar Bill', with Kid Ink, and the two sound better together than you'd probably think. The upbeat electro-pop is offset with Ink's rapping and makes for a more urban outing than anything Ryan has previously embarked on. 2016 Ryan music seems to focus on the vibrant - displaying a colourful sound that matches her equally striking hair colour, and it's a growth that really suits her aesthetic as well as her acoustic.

What Ryan has lined up to release next is a bit of a mystery, but safe to say that we're buzzing. If her present releases are anything to go by, it's set to be a big hit - and could secure even more attention for the singer and her music. You have to give the 25yr old props for smashing onto the music scene in a big way, and for having an intriguing element to her music that makes you just want to keep listening, earning her this week's first new music slot. We're anticipating big things.

The Top 10 Once Upon A Time Characters [TV]

Oncers, assemble! Yes, in this edition of Top 10 we are counting down the complex characters from ABC/Disney's Once Upon A Time, so get those extravagant costumes on and take a trip to Storybrooke - just remember to pack your trusty red leather jacket, this could be a bumpy ride. Naturally, there are about a billion (read: less than a billion) different characters from OUAT, so it's unfeasible for us to mention everyone, who has ever existed, but we will do a nice little 5 or 6 Honourable mentions at the end before you all grab your pitch forks.

10: Prince Charming/David Nolan

Surprised? Josh Dallas' Prince Charming comes in at number 10, for a variety of reasons. Starting off in the earlier seasons as a pretty intriguing prince, this charming character caught our attention with his heroic deeds and testing moral choices. Unfortunately, this didn't seem to last, and after the whole Snow/Prince scenarios fizzled out around season 2/3, he became a bit of a cliche - even more so than usual. Seemingly taking everyone to task for their questionable choices, and yet doing some pretty shady deals himself, our love for Prince Charming faded quicker than Regina could crush a heart. Sorry David, we're just not that into you. 

9: Queen of Hearts/Cora Mills

The original dark queen, Barbara Hershey portrays this heartless lady with effortless finesse. Cold, calculated but undeniably complicated, Cora Mills knows what she wants and generally goes out and gets it. Adept at playing both villain and half-hero, you're never quite sure what side Cora generally is on and let's face it, although we can never quite forgive her for killing Daniel/generally being a controlling, homicidal mother, she is a captivating individual. Unfortunately now deceased, she did lead a remarkably elaborate life/death/life (?) and she will forever go down in OUAT history as the original evil queen. 

8: Baelfire/Neal Cassidy

We're noticing a sort of deceased theme here. Unlike Cora, Neal/Baelfire died all the way back in season 3 when the evil witch of the west rocked into town, and we're still not quite over it. Although his death was fairly inevitable, and the romance with Emma seemed to have run its course, he still holds a special place in our glowing red magical hearts since he is Henry's father, after all. And hey, when you've got the Dark One as your father, you deserve a bit of credit for lasting as long as you did. 

7: Snow White/Mary Margaret

Oh, Snow, you'd be so much higher up on our list if you hadn't fallen into such dull plot lines in recent series. Starting off as an all-round badass bandit from the woods, MC Snow was the character we'd all been waiting for. She was no docile damsel but still had all the heart and warmth you'd expect from a compassionate Disney character, and she rocked the Enchanted Forest. Forming a strained but loving relationship with her daughter, and making continual sacrifices, Mary Margaret was more than just your average character, but like David, Ginnifer Goodwin's character seemed to drop off the face of the earth once her on-screen (and real life) baby was born. Writers, what are you doing? Get it together. We can only hope her character is given more exciting storylines and scenarios in season 6. 

6: Henry

Ah, Mister Henry Potter. Er, Henry Mills. This poor troubled but remarkably intelligent adopted kid of the Mayor of Storybrooke certainly had a difficult time growing up with a (surprise, surprise) controlling mother, not to mention the fact he was living in a made-up land. That type of situation really damages a person, you know? But pulling through it, Jared S. Gilmore's character quickly proved to be the moral compass of the entire show, pulling many characters back to reality when it was clear they had lost the plot, and that on its own is commendable. Beloved side-kick of his Sheriff birth-mum, Henry is a versatile gem of a character that just keeps getting better with age. 

5: Belle

Ok, we dare you to say you didn't absolutely adore Emilie de Ravin's Belle when she first twirled onto the scene way back in season one. Go on, we'll wait. Chipped tea cups and beastly relations aside, Belle is quirky, kind, and defiant; not the type of person to let another in need down, or to follow her dreams. Hilariously funny and sweet, you have to give her credit for putting up with Rumple's bizarre dearie antics and actually managing to bring out a better person in him - even just for a short while. 

4: Captain Hook/Killian Jones

Killian Jones started off as one of those characters you weren't really sure would make it past season 2, but he has somehow managed to swash buckle his way through to season 6, and even earned the affections of Miss Swan herself - hold up, what? Yep, if you thought any previous OUAT pairings were weird, this one takes the cake, but it's grown on us a bit. Colin O'Donoghue does have a certain sense of charm and charisma about him, and hey, we can't help but love the old hand-less pirate a bit more as the seasons progress - eyeliner and all. Not to mention, the whole Rumple crocodile business was effortlessly hilarious and exceptionally dangerous at the same time - extra props for managing to be one of the only few people to almost manage to kill the Dark One. 

3: Emma Swan/ Dark Swan

Well, Emma was always going to be high up on the list. After winning our hearts playing the slightly twisted Doctor Cameron in HOUSE (seriously, that girl had issues), Jennifer Morrison turned her sights towards another TV series - OUAT - and we couldn't be happier. The perfect Emma Swan, Morrison has shown her light and dark sides as the character and has plenty of juicy storylines to keep us interested, not to mention perfect on-screen chemistry with her co-stars (Swan Queen, anyone?). Keep on slaying, gal. 

2: The Evil Queen/Regina Mills

Again, give us a reason not to adore Regina Mills. Yes, she is certainly a questionable human-being and by no means a perfect character, but Lana Parrilla injects a certain energy into the role that you wouldn't quite get from anyone else. Sassy, sarcastic and sultry, Regina knows how to play the game and usually comes out top - although recently she's turned her talents towards becoming the 'good guy', and it sort of works for her. Although, we're not quite ready to give up the Evil Queen just yet. It's just such a fun and ferocious character, and Parrilla milks it for all its worth. 

1: Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold

Now, I wonder who could manage to top all other Storybrooke inhabitants? Sickly, shiny skin, sporting more leather than can be good for a person, and dancing around like a pixie on acid, it can only be the deliciously deadly Rumplestiltskin, a.k.a. Mr Gold. The first person to make 'dearie' an unnerving come-back, Rumple knows how to manipulate, murder and scheme - and apparently love too - although we're not quite sure of his definition of the latter. Robert Carlyle clearly has great fun playing the character, and his infectious presence makes the mysterious Mr. Gold one of the favourites on the show. Although we may never look that fabulous, one can certainly dream. 

And there we have it! The Top 10 Once Upon A Time characters all neatly rounded up for your consumption. Although, as usual, if your fave hasn't made the list, check out our honourable mentions below for an extra slice of OUAT apple pie in your life.

6 Honourable Mentions: 

Ruby/ Red Riding Hood

Yes, because we couldn't quite narrow it down to 5, we've gone with an even six, and first up is the celestial Ruby, a.k.a Red Riding Hood, a.k.a The Wolf. This ferocious gal doesn't feature often enough in the show (and we could all use a bit more Meghan Ory in our lives), but her free-spirited and adventurous nature attracted our attention from the beginning. One of the few characters in the series shown to be bisexual, and in a relationship with another woman (Dorothy, although we were feeling a Mulan vibe!), Ruby is a unique character who deserves to be mentioned. Plus her friendship with Snow is adorable (snowby anyone?). 

Zelena

OK, let's pretext this with saying at first we weren't all that into Zelena. We liked the original plot with the Evil Queen and the sisterly connection, but then she just got more predictable and slightly annoying, but it's definitely gotten better as the show has progressed, and she's certainly a distinctive character. She's no Elphaba, but Rebecca Mader, you keep on doing you. 

Mulan 

Jamie Chung, sword-fighting, and she's the hero of China? Sign us up, please. Mulan is one of those characters who just has everything. Honour and talent with weaponry, Mulan is the Queen Bee of our hearts, and we love it when she pops up now and again - even if her failed romance with Aurora broke our hearts (can't we just leave Prince Phillip somewhere, pretty please?). We're still waiting for her to show up in season 6, so for now we'll have to make do with our other babes.

Merida 

There really aren't enough red-headed princesses, these days. But don't worry, Merida (Amy Manson) is here to correct that, and this wee lass has been involved in plenty of interesting scenarios with The Dark One, as well as committing several arrow escapades and participating in plenty of Scottish action - more than enough to capture our attention.

Maleficent

On paper, this is a real winner, and it works even better on-screen. Kristin Bauer van Straten as Maleficent? Damn, that is fiery as fuck. Not much needs to be said on this, but Kristin absolutely kills it as one of the infamous wicked fairies, but she's not completely heartless as demonstrated by her whole daughter storyline arc, and this featured one of the most emotional performances in the entire series (oh Snow & Charming, what were you thinking?). Needless to say, no one can slay this dragon.

Cruella

Cruella is like that sassy, extravagant Aunt you don't really know much about, but who makes a point of rocking up in her vintage car decked out in high-end pieces at almost every family occasion. But hey, we love her for it. Completely villainous, a little bit batty, and deliciously dastardly, Victoria Smurfit's Cruella is one of the greats.