Summer2013


the quest for peace and solace. Baz Luhrmann (Romeo and Juliet, Moulin Rouge, Australia) presents Fitzgerald on steroids. Everything is speeded up from the roaring cars to the energetic and outlandish parties, all served with lashings of hard liquor.


The film did not receive a warm welcome at Cannes, notwithstanding that it does not stray too far from the story of the original novel. There is a strong performance by the rather intimidating figure of Joel Edgerton (warrior, zero dark thirty) who plays the incongruous and unfaithful Tom Buchanan. The film is best viewed in 3-D and showcases several songs by executive producer Jay-Z, which in places seem out of sync with the time in which the film is set.


Phil says 6.89/10


The Place Beyond the Pines


Bad boy circus motorcyclist, Luke, (one of Canada’s finest exports – Ryan Gosling) turns bank robber to provide money for his lover (Eva Mendez), and their new-born child. Pumped up rookie cop (Bradley Cooper) is prepared to do all he can to track Luke down and stop him. Corruption abounds and that ushers in a rather


scary Police Officer played by Ray Liotta, who never tires of playing the scary corrupt character.


Directed by Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine) in terms of cinematography and music this film is a giddying delight with parallels to Gosling’s finest hour Drive, which was cruelly robbed of the best screenplay Oscar. It is a long film (144 minutes), and at times it seems to be two short stories sewed together. However, I recommend it for the quality of the script, strong casting, sublime shots of New York State and the remarkable performance by upcoming star Emory Cohen.


Phil says: 7.82/10 Iron Man 3


You will know the drill by now. The first two super hero films are action roller coasters and the third instalment usually sees the hero looking inward reflecting upon his purpose and suffering from increasing anxiety. Iron Man 3 does not disappoint as Robert Downey Jr continues to fit into the role of Tony Stark like one of his many bespoke suits.


A strange terrorist, appropriately called the Mandarin, (Ben Kingsley) starts taking over the TV waves to


Liveryman to Chair Women Lawyers Division


One of the Company’s new Liverymen has become the fi rst Chairman of the Law Society’s Women Lawyers Division. Mary-Ann Wright of DWF LLP was elected as Chairman on 2nd July 2013 and is pictured below after being admitted to the Livery at Tallow Chandler’s Hall on 17th June 2013. The Women Lawyers Division supports and advises all women solicitors and will deliver a comprehensive program of events, opinions from industry experts, news articles, interviews, tailored training and other services. For more information contact womenlawyers@lawsociety.org.uk


City Solicitor • Issue 82 • 11


announce his plans to bring a new brand of terror attacks to the US. Cue scene in the White House – ‘sir you really have to see this’. Iron Man is coaxed into action to hunt him down. When they meet the Mandarin is far from what Tony Stark had anticipated.


Explosions galore, eye popping special effects, kidnappings, strange medical experiments, presidential intrigues; and the ever wonderful Sir Ben Kingsley, and the versatile Guy Pierce. What marks this film out is out the surprisingly deep vein of very British self-depreciating humour throughout.


What lets the film down are the frequent references to worm holes and ‘what happened in New York’ – references to the


Avengers


Assemble film, which might be lost on some viewers.


Spoiler alert – If you watch the film to the very end – after the lengthy trailers – you will see a short additional scene with Mark Ruffalo (who plays Hulk in the Avengers Assemble) that will leave you in no doubt that we can expect more from Tony et al in Avengers Assemble 2 which is expected in 2015.


Phil’s rating: 7.54/10


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