Rush Review
The Plot:
Ron Howard re-creates the world of 1970s Formula One, dramatizing the electrifying rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda, both on and off the race track. It’s a fascinating portrait of two very different champions; one a playboy daredevil and the other a neurotic technical genius. Focusing on their fierce battle for the 1976 world championship and the near fatal events which made it infamous.
The Good:
Simply put, Rush is a 200mph thrill ride packed with adrenalin, passion and personality. Screenwriter Peter Morgan proved with Frost/Nixon and The Queen that he could expertly craft the real life story of iconic figures locked in intimate battles. With Rush, Morgan once again provides a well worded study in contrasts, sincerely dramatizing familiar characters in their public and private moments.
A flawless cast, led by a star-making turn from Daniel Bruhl as fiery tempered Austrian Niki Lauda and a predictably charismatic performance by Chris Hemsworth as James Hunt, helps ignite the engine of a great script. Bruhl does a remarkable job of mimicking Lauda, expertly channelling his instantly recognisable voice and wry angry humour. Hemsworth likewise may surprise some people with his competent posh English accent and ability to add subtle layers to his innate rugged charms.
Hans Zimmers pulsing soundtrack exquisitely compliments the deafening roar of supercharged engines. A convincing combination of archival footage, CGI magic and on board cameras also puts audiences right in the driving seat of vintage Formula One races. Director Ron Howard showcases astonishing cinematography and a dedicated eye for historical detail. Overall the film easily equals past efforts like Apollo 13 and arguable represents his finest work to date.
The Bad:
It’s hard to find fault with the superb ride Rush offer audiences. Ron Howard delivers a near perfect package of technically accomplished action, fuelled by wit and passion. You certainly don’t need to be an expert Formula One fanatic to enjoy great storytelling.
The harshest of historical critics may quibble over the extent to which the film sensationalises the rivalry of two men who were in truth actually more friends than bitter adversaries in real life. However given everything the film does right it’s only fair to forgive it a little Hollywood oversimplification. Reducing Hunt and Lauda to caricatures, the playboy and the perfectionist, is a deliberate choice to streamline the narrative and ramp up the tension.
The Ugly Truth:
Rush is easily one of the finest films on release this year and an obvious early contender in several Oscar categories. Excellent storytelling makes it just as accessible for the uninitiated as for dedicated racing fans.
Red Carpet video Interviews below from the Rush World Premiere in Leicester Square:
BFI London Film Festival 2013 Official Line Up
The programme for the 57th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express® launched today with BFI’s Head of Cinemas and Festivals, Clare Stewart returning for her second year with a rich and diverse programme of international films and events from both established and upcoming talent over a 12 day celebration of cinema.
The Festival will screen a total of 234 fiction and documentary features, including 22 World Premieres, 16 International Premieres, 29 European Premieres and 20 Archive films. There will also be screenings of 134 live action and animated shorts. A stellar line-up of directors, cast and crew are expected to take part in career interviews, master classes and other special events. The 57th BFI London Film Festival will run from 9-20 October 2013.
Taking place over 12 days, the Festival’s screenings are at venues across the capital, from the West End cinemas – Odeon West End, Vue West End, Odeon Leicester Square and a new addition this year the Cineworld Haymarket; central London venues – BFI Southbank; the ICA, Curzon Mayfair, and Ciné Lumière; and local cinemas – Ritzy Brixton, Hackney Picturehouse, Renoir, Everyman Screen on the Green and Rich Mix. Additional screenings and events will take place at the Curzon Chelsea, BFI London IMAX and Village Underground.
OPENING & CLOSING NIGHT GALAS
The Festival opens with the European Premiere of Paul Greengrass’ CAPTAIN PHILLIPS a high-stakes thriller based on true story of the 2009 hijacking of the U.S. container ship Maersk Alabama by a crew of Somali pirates with Tom Hanks playing the eponymous lead role.
The European Premiere of Disney’s SAVING MR. BANKS will close the festival, the film which tells the untold story of how Mary Poppins was brought to the big screen stars Emma Thompson as P.L. Travers, author of Mary Poppins and Tom Hanks as Walt Disney. Continuing the initiative from last year the Closing Night red carpet event and screening will be screened simultaneously to cinemas across the UK.
SPONSOR GALAS
Among the other highly anticipated Galas are the previously announced American Express Gala of Stephen Frears’ PHILOMENA, the true story of one woman’s search for her lost son, starring Judi Dench and Steve Coogan. The Accenture Gala is the European Premiere of Steve McQueen’s 12 YEARS A SLAVE starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch and Brad Pitt. The American Airlines Gala is Alfonso Cuarón’s 3D sci-fi thriller GRAVITY starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. The Centrepiece Gala supported by the Mayor of London is the Coen Brothers’ INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS starring Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan and Justin Timberlake which is set in the Greenwich Village folk scene of the early 1960’s, the film took home the Grand Prix at Cannes earlier in the year. The May Fair Hotel Gala is the European Premiere of Jason Reitman’s literary adaptation LABOR DAY starring Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin. The Festival Gala is the European Premiere of Ralph Fiennes’ second directorial feature THE INVISIBLE WOMAN staring Fiennes as Charles Dickens, Felicity Jones, Kristin Scott Thomas and Tom Hollander.
STRAND GALAS
The nine programme strands are each headlined with a gala, they are: the Love Gala, Abdellatif Kechiche’s BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOUR; the Debate Gala, Kelly Reichardt’s NIGHT MOVES; the Dare Gala, Alain Guiraudie’s STRANGER BY THE LAKE; the Laugh Gala, Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s DON JON; the Thrill Gala, Ivan Sen’s MYSTERY ROAD; the Cult Gala, Jim Jarmusch’s ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE; the Journey Gala, Alexander Payne’s road-trip NEBRASKA; the Sonic Gala, Lukas Moodysson’s WE ARE THE BEST!; and the Family Gala is Juan José Campanella’s FOOSBALL 3D. In addition to which the previously announced Archive Gala is the World Premiere of the BFI National Archive restoration of THE EPIC OF EVEREST.
FILM GUESTS
Key talent due to attend the Festival’s gala screenings include: Paul Greengrass, Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi, Faysal Ahmed, Barry Ackroyd, John Lee Hancock, Emma Thompson, Alison Owen, Stephen Frears, Judi Dench and Steve Coogan, Steve McQueen, Chiwetel Eijofor, Alfonso Cuaron, David Heyman, Sandra Bullock, Joel & Ethan Coen, Carey Mulligan, Oscar Isaac, Ralph Feinnes, Abdellatif Kechiche, Lea Seydoux, Adele Excharchopoulos, Alain Guiraudie, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Alexander Payne, Lukas Moodysson.
Additional talent attending for films in competition include: Catherine Breillat, Isabelle Huppert, Richard Ayoade, Yasmin Paige, Craig Roberts, Noah Taylor, Pawel Pawlikowski, Hirokazu Kore-Eda, Ahmad Abdalla, Clio Barnard, David Mackenzie, Jonathan Glazer, Jim Wilson, Jessica Oreck, Frederick Wiseman, Zachary Heinzerling, Mark Cousins, Nicolas Philibert, Greg Barker, Matt Wolf, Daniel Radcliffe, Michalis Konstantatos, Fabio Grassadonia, Antonio Piazza, Rob Brown and Vivian Qu.
The Festival will announce its complete guest line-up in early October.
Formula 1 Stars At Rush Premiere
Real Life Formula 1 racing stars Jenson Button, Sergio Pérez and David Coulthard were among the celebrity guest racing down the red carpet last night at the World Premiere of Rush in London’s Leicester Square. Starring Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl, the new film from acclaimed director Ron Howard documents the explosive rivalry between former F1 world champions James Hunt and Niki Lauda.
We spoke to the real life racing stars about what motivates them to race, the current championship battle and what makes the rivalry between Hunt and Lauda so iconic. Videos below:
Jenson Button talks about the passion to destroy competition on the track:
David Colthard talks about the changing sport of racing:
Sergio Perez shares his proudest F1 moments:
Benedict Cumberbatch Fun Facts
In celebration of the release of Star Trek Into Darkness on DVD and Blu-ray today here’s some fun and fascinating facts about Benedict Cumberbatch aka John Harrison. Lots of surprising and impressive stats on the Sherlock star.
James Spader is Avengers Ultron Villain
Marvel has officially announced that the villainous role of Ultron in aptly named Avengers sequel Age of Ultron will in fact be played by James Spader. Best know for Stargate, Secretary and his long running television role as quick witted lawyer Alan Shore on Boston legal, Spader will be lending at least his menacing vocal tones to the robotic villain.
It’s a piece of surprising casting news that should definitely get Marvel fans talking. Of course Spader has a tough act to follow, taking over from firm fan favorite Tom Hiddleston. Hiddleston played mischievous bad guy Loki in the first Avengers film, but it has already been confirmed that he won’t be playing any part in the Avengers sequel, following his forthcoming return in Thor sequel The Dark World.