Demolition is a story of loss, love, heartbreak and self-realisation. Jake Gyllenhaal plays a man going through a crisis. Aided by the vending machine customer service representative he has been writing strangely heartfelt complaint letters to, and her transformational teenage son Chris, Davis (Jake Gyllenhaal) literally takes apart his entire life as he tries to understand what went wrong.

Gyllenhaal impresses me in this film. Now I’ll admit, I’m a big Gyllenhaal fan, but I’ll also admit he does produce a lot of similar performances. Yet in Demolition Gyllenhaal gives a little extra than his usual tough guy performance with genuine glimpses of love confusing and terror shining through. Intending to focus mainly on the relationship between Karen (Naomi Watts) and Gyllenhaal, for me, the show is stolen by the dynamic between the collapsing David and Karen’s teenage son Chris, who is struggling with his own identity. Together, through a mutual love of destruction, Davis and Chris find a bond that ultimately allows them both to discover who they are and how to go forward.

The music and direction delivered by Jean-Marc Valee (Dallas Buyers Club) for me are brilliant, and I like the way he pulls the film together with humour and a light-heartedness that is the polar opposite of the films subject matter. Nonetheless, Demolition does have its flaws. The ending and the realisation of Gyllenhaal’s character comes to quickly. Attempts to be profound end up in the usual Hollywood places.

A brilliant start with a great middle turns into an average end that wraps up quicker than I do in the cold. Having said that, I really like what Valee has delivered and was yet again impressed by Gyllenhaal, even is Waats gave a somewhat poor performance. I’d recommend Demolition to anyone who likes emotional tales and a good bit of fun!

Anyone who has seen The Commitments I’m sure will agree; it’s a classic! As wannabe band manager Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Atkins) tries to piece together a ragtag bunch of  Northsiders and bring soul to Dublin, we’re treated to the highs and lows of a bands’ early days. Alan Parker’s (Bugsy Malone and Fame) true to form directing creates a powerful stage for Roddy Doyle’s novel that has been beautifully crafted for the big screen by screenwriters Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais (The Likely Lads and Porridge).

The Commitments sparked a cluster of touring band films and still remains the basis off which many are built. Yet what makes The Commitments special is that the actors were chosen as much for their musical talent as their acting ability. Andrew Strong, who takes the limelight was only sixteen when The Commitments was made and certainly brings the soul to this films unbeatable soundtrack. A soundtrack that has gone on to lead the way for a highly successful musical of the same name.

The Commitments, though watched by many for it’s music and characters gave a homely and loving twist (albeit somewhat exaggerated) to the often desperate and damning portrayals of urban decay. By choosing to focus  on the hope and success of his characters rather than exclusively their struggles, Parker freed his characters of any constraints brought by their setting, but still managed to portray the truth of their situation. When Parker then combined the setting, the characters and the music, a simple but beautiful piece of film was born.

This 25th anniversary edition proved just how timeless The Commitments is. With the quality of blu-ray adding gusto to both the sound a picture, it could have been yesterday and many will be fooled into thinking this is a new release. The special features which include behind  the scenes documentaries, an unmissable music video and a brand new interview with Alan Parker are fantastic and although they may not be much interest for a first time viewer, long time fans will go nuts!

A modern re-telling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet set in the context of Brussels’ dark gangland; Black is a powerful and harrowing insight into the dungeons of European youth and gangland violence. After an unlikely meeting in the police station, star-crossed lovers Marvela (Martha Canga Antonio) and Marwan (Aboubbakr Benaihi) are forced apart as gang loyalty and duty take hold. As their gang affiliations become deeper the stakes rise until the final moment where their once separate lives collide.

Never shying away from the truth and brutality of the situation, Black is both beautiful and disturbing. Our two protagonists, although not likable at first, are soon entwined with the viewer and its hard not get behind the characters. Marvela in particular is hard not to feel a connection with, as she goes from insubordinate teen to victim with such poignancy that it would be difficult not to shed a tear. As Marvela realises both her mistakes and the number of lives she’s helped destroy, Martha Canga Antonio gives the performance of her life when it becomes her turn to take the fall. As I said before, with intensely violent scenes, without fear, Black gives us an open display of sexual violence that very few films choose to tackle. What could be a tricky subject, Black does this incredibly well.

It displays the horror of the events disturbing nature freely, but by focusing on the pain of the victim instead of the mind of the perpetrator Black is a brilliant commentary on the deepest problems in the poorest areas in Europe and how difficult it can be to oppose them.

The skill of writers and directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah in providing a flawless commentary is without question and so is the performance of Antonio who’s journey is unbelievably real. Yet, the most amazing part of Black is just how great a film it is overall. Everything about this film is fantastic and I was tempted to watch it again immediately after it concluded. Despite the increasing number of Romeo and Juliet-esque tales in existence Black manages to bring something different to the fray and creates a fantastic film that anyone and everyone should view.

BLACK is released in UK cinemas & on VOD from Friday 19th August and you should DEFINITELY watch it!

Dugma; this is the button you press before you send yourself to martyrdom. Dugma – The Button is a powerful and eye-opening documentary about a small group of Islamic fighters who have pledged themselves to martyrdom as they wait and prepare for their final mission. Featuring a British outsider and a Saudi who loves fried chicken, Dugma looks at the Syrian conflict from of the point of view of those who’ve chosen to give their lives for their ‘righteous cause’.

If there is direction Dugma it isn’t obvious. Only in very rare moments do we see the camera man lead the questions directly. This leads to an incredibly powerful form of story-telling that really feels like the diaries and tales of those involved. Never questioning these men on their task or their belief, their actions are never celebrated or condemned and for this I have to credit Paul Salahadin Refsdal and his team. The viewer themselves are truly allowed to form their own opinion of what we see. Not only this, but by not only focusing on their task at hand, but also both their personal life and their social life you really get a sense of the their lives and personalities as they wait for their final task.

Refsdal’s documentary is also crafted and directed wonderfully. With a mixture of picturesque landscape, music, singing and joy as well as sombre silent moments, at just under an hour Dugma is well-paced and thoughtful. It rarely gets boring despite having some slower moments and although viewers not interested in the topic or with strong views might shy away, Dugma is a MUST WATCH for those interested to learn more in the Syrian conflict. I would recommend this documentary to anyone.

As young lovers find themselves on the wrong end of a poltical coup in Chile, Colonia follows their tale as Daniel (Daniel Bruhl) is tortured for his participation in revolutionary events, to rescue him, the fiesty and determined Lena (Emma Watson) must embed herself into the religious cult assisting in his torture as old allies refuse their aid.

Despite being based on real events, Colonia is more of a romantic thriller than an investigation into the real events and characters involved in Colonia Dignidad, a religious cult led by a former Nazi, and was compicit with war crimes in Chile. Many reviews of Colonia might see this a negative, and in many ways, Florian Gallenberger has missed a chance here, but has instead chosen to create a love story intertwined with discovery.

Colonia could easily be separarated into 4 short films and one mid length feature, but not in a bad way (give me a second here). Gallenberger does a fantastic job of building the beauty of the initial revolution, only to destroy it instantly with the coup. The transfer to scenes as Colonia Dignidad, which are beatifully pieced together, giving a sense of vasst open land without losing the suffocation of the regime, are shocking and there is a stark difference in tone which I really enjoyed. The final part, which is your typical running from the bad guys scene, is probably the worst, needelessly overplayed and drawn out, but it does serve to display the true extent of the corruption involved in this story.

Emma Watson and Daniel Bruhl give their usual high level performance, but both fail to take it past what we expect and give that little bit more to make these roles special. Bruhl will forver be my favourite young revolutionary and Emma Watson plays a strong but delicate woman to perfection, really playing the only hero in this story. Credit really must go to Michael Nyqvist who plays cult leader Paul Schafer who gives a spine chillingly believable performance. Finaally, the scenes known only as ‘mens meetings’ are shockingly brutal. Credit for these must go to not only the director and Nyqvist but also the countless extras who partake in thescenes.

Overall, Colonia could be considered an average film with high level material. I personally found it exciting and enjoyable, but it doesn’t bring much new to the table. If you’re looking for something exciting and mildly provocative, but not so much so you’ll question life, then Colonia is an excellent choice.