THE NEW WAVE: ARTISTS YOU NEED TO KNOW IN 2016

I can't believe it's a week into March already, 2016 is breezing by with plenty of fresh new faces on the music scene. The last three months have seen artists fairly unknown make some big waves in the music world, with Annie Mac debuting Nao's newest single as her Hottest Record and Honne earning some regular radio exposure. If you ain't heard of these guys yet, who you been sleepin' on?!

1. HONNE

This London duo are finally, finally getting the exposure they deserve. Releasing their first single on iTunes last summer, their unique electro-soul sound simmered through East London, swiftly reaching the ears of some of the city's best DJ's. Since then, they have released three EP's, all laced with the flawless combination of deep, distinct vocals and complex, skin-tingling synth beats.

“Splitting their time between two home studios, the duo have delivered a plethora of breezy, hazily addictive tracks that veer between lust, love and all out romanticism.”

— Class Music

2. NAO

Described as 'neo soul' combined with '90s RnB', the arresting sounds of Nao have successfully leaked all across London. Two years separate her two bodies of work, with February dropping in the summer of 2015 to critical acclaim. With obvious 90s influences, her production is nostalgic and diaphanous, but it is her distinct vocals that make her music tick. With effortless instinct, Nao can charm with you with melodic, dulcet tones, then in an instant show off a powerful range that takes you back to the sounds of 90s greats. 

3. THE JAPANESE HOUSE

I first heard about The Japanese House through The 1975s effervescent frontman and Dirty Hit label-mate, Matty Healy, parading her music on twitter. I was instantly hooked. My first listen to the Clean EP put me on a natural high, feeling every beat, note and tiny detail of the masterful production. Amber Bain, the genius behind the music, has remained somewhat of an enigma until Zane Lowe showed her to the world, choosing her track Still as his last ever Hottest Record In The World.

“Vocals sound like they’re coming up from underground. Fragments of synth and outside noise circuit around. But with every song, somehow Bain lands on something pure, free of distraction.”

— DIY Mag

4. MURA MASA

Only 19 years of age, Alex Crossan is already considered as one of the front-runners of electro-pops next gen. Producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, his career as Mura Masa began on soundcloud, with an ever-growing audience latching onto his exotic, echoing beats. Two years later his page has 20m followers, with his sound becoming more addictive with every new release - definitely one to watch this year!

5. KAWALA

Still fairly unknown, this North-London duo reached my ears through the dulcet acoustics of Mahogany Sessions youtube channel. With a rough, barely rehearsed track titled Roads, Kawala completely sold me. Jim Higson's addictive, sedative vocals are so well complimented by the acoustic melodies of Daniel McCarthy on guitar. So far, they have about four tracks on youtube, leaving my desperately waiting for more. Until then, Roads will continue to grow in play-count on my iTunes...

It's The New Sound - Soundcloud Playlist:

SHARING THE VIEW, 02

Here's me, Sharing The View, for the second time. I hope you enjoy it!

Just click on the image to go straight through the video, and please don't hesitate to share if you like the collection, and to comment if you have any cool videos for me to watch! :) 

1. KAWALA - ROADS BY THE MAHOGANY SESSIONS

I'm a subscriber to the Mahogany Sessions channel on Youtube which features regular updates of young, relatively unknown artists performing their music in beautiful, tranquil nature settings. Recently, they posted a video of a London based band titled Kawala, who don't seem to have any music online elsewhere as of yet, but this song is really great! So give it a listen :)

 

2. WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IN? BY JACKSGAP

As you may already know, I'm a big fan of what JacksGap and what Jack and his unit represent and attempt to achieve. Two days ago they posted this video titled 'What Do You Believe In?'. It features a crop of beautiful, incredible human beings from our generation, openly speaking about what they believe in. This video is a positive video, that hopefully will help our generation realise what we can achieve and what kind of difference we can make.  

 

3. #PROUDTOLOVE BY YOUTUBE

This is a video that Youtube presented through a #ProudToLove campaign celebrating the acceptance of gay marriage in all 50 states of America. Despite all the negative events that have happened this year, I feel overwhelmingly proud to live at a time when the world has taken such a huge step closer to equality, and acceptance. This is such an incredible collection of videos by YouTube to celebrate this achievement and all the people that are now able to feel enlightened and liberated! #ProudToLove

 

4. MOVE BY STA TRAVEL AUSTRALIA

STA introduced a trilogy of videos way, way back by a trio of travellers and filmmakers. They were each titled with a different verb; MOVE, EAT, LEARN. Within the short time of the video you're taken through a journey that takes place in so many different cities, all decorated in wonderful, colourful and fruitful cultures. I stumbled upon this video again recently and loved it even more as my wanderlust is so strong at the moment, and the editing is just so perfect. I'd definitely recommend watching all three films in the short trilogy.

 

5. STATE OF MIND BY ADY SULEIMAN

Ady Suleiman is a Nottingham native who is slowly breaking through to the mainstream. With a unique soulful and tongue and cheek sound, it's easy to find yourself nodding a long to a quick spoken word verse and then suddenly vibing to some crazy melodies in the chorus. I first saw him at Dot to Dot this year, and then a couple weekends ago supporting Chance The Rapper in Brixton Electric. Definitely go check him out. This is his latest single - State of Mind. 

CHICAGO'S FINEST: CHANCE THE RAPPER AND THE SOCIAL EXPERIMENT

I discovered Chi-Town native Chance The Rapper last summer on a dance choreography video by my favourite choreographer, Ian Eastwood. I didn't know much about Chance at this point, except that he was the "allsheneededwassome" guy on the Childish Gambino track The Worst Guys, but after watching Ian's choreo to Good Ass Intro (the first track on his mixtape, Acid Rap) I was hooked, and to say I’ve become somewhat of a disciple of Chance is an understatement.

Hailing from Chatham in Chicago Illinois, Chancelor Bennet first rose to prominence by performing at open mic nights hosted by YOUMedia, a city-funded youth center in Chance’s area that aimed to take kids off the streets and teach them how to, essentially, become creators.  He speaks on the organisation with deep appreciation discussing how "the majority of the dope, young artists that are in Chicago came out of that bitch. I came out of there, Vic Mensa, Nico (Donnie Trumpet) from Kids These Days" and expressing how through YOUMedia he was able to challenge his creativity and harness it, along with people from similar backgrounds, with similar aspirations. 

Chance perked ears with his release of his mixtape 10 Day which he wrote and recorded during a ten day suspension from high school. His sound was unique, and his vision was beyond his years. But it was mostly due to his second mix, Acid Rap, that Chance was recognised as major new talent. The mixtape has opened a lot of doors for Chance and allowed him to meet and work with a variety of big names in music, but despite these collaborations, and touring aggressively since the mixtapes release, Chance hasn't quite followed suit of a rapper on the come up. I read an article in Fader magazine recently titled 'Why Chance the Rapper Is Foregoing Solo Fame To Make Jazzy Songs With His Friends.' It discusses how Chance has the opportunity to promote himself and make it big, but instead, ops to create art with his friends and to help other artists in Chicago to find their beat. 

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Chance has started hosting his own Open Mic nights in Chicago (Labeling them ‘Open Mike’ nights, in honor of his fallen mentor Brother Mike) allowing young Chicago talents to come and showcase their art and make a name for themselves. Through this venture and by becoming an integral part of the Chi-Town community, Chance has helped bring attention to a lot of young artists trying to make an impact on the music scene. Using his new platform as a critically acclaimed artist, he's been able to promote other Chicago based creatives trying to make it...and some of them are really, really good. So I've put a little list of some of them for you to listen to!

Kehlani

This artist is going to blow.  Kehlani released her debut mixtape Cloud 19 in 2014 and her latest You Should Be Here just last month. Already developing a large community of online followers and local fans in Chicago, Kehlani's music is spreading a rapid rate. Her sound brings back the Pop RnB vibes we were hearing at the start of the millennium from the likes of Jo Jo, whilst maintaining spiritual themes and melodic rap that has been brought to the forefront by Jhené Aiko. It's rare for a young RnB artist to be able to present such a wise, experienced and full body of work. Definitely check out Kehlani's soundcloud for more music as her sound is really diverse. 

Towkio

Another Save Money member along with the likes of Chance, Nico and Vic, Towkio was given the heavy task of following in the footsteps of his squad members and after releasing his mixtape ‘Wav.Theory’ last month, it seems he’s succeeded. Towkio’s sound is rich with positive mantras, with the aim to ‘free the mind’. 

Eryn Allen Kane

Currently residing in Chicago but originally from Detroit, Michigan, Eryn Allen Kane takes influence from the soulful sounds of Arethla Franklin and others of that era. Kane has only released one official single, the powerful ‘Have Mercy’, with the rest of her solo releases being mainly covers. She has, however, contributed to Towkio, Chance The Rapper, Donnie Trumpet and most notably Prince’s latest projects, and has been labeled by Chance as “The first lady of the Social Experiment”

Noname Gypsy

Another Chicago Native, Fatimah Warner was, like Chance, a frequent YOUMedia Open Mic performer, mostly expressing her artistry through spoken word poetry, and later, rap. Noname and Chance befriended each other and not long later, she was featured on ‘Lost’, a track from Acid Rap that quickly became a favourite of mine and many other Chance fans. 

Meanwhile, Chance's latest project, which he's worked on with the collective he calls The Social Experiment, is titled Surf and is due for release any time now. Here is a little preview with the latest release from The Social Experiment. 

EX MACHINA: A REVIEW

Directed by Alex Garland. Starring Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, and Alica Vikander.

For the first time in his career Alex Garland takes center stage, promoting himself from novelist and scriptwriter to director, for the stylish, sleek, cerebral science fiction thriller Ex Machina. The film draws from some very old ideas, but Garland breathes fresh new life into this story, giving the classic sci-fi theme of man-plays-god an ingenious and modern spin.  

Our protagonist, Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson), is a geeky coder who works for software giant Bluebook, a search engine that provides for 95% of all online searches worldwide. After winning an in-house competition, he receives a ‘golden ticket’ for a weeks stay with the company’s reclusive CEO in his private Alaskan estate. Intelligent, arrogant and sardonic, Nathan (Oscar Isaac) can be considered as the most modern variation of the Dr. Frankenstein persona, a solitary scientist attempting to manipulate nature. He introduces Caleb to his latest project: a state-of-the-art robot named Ava (Alicia Vikander), fixed with a gentle human face that is the perfect depiction of feminine beauty, a frame, human in shape, with enough mechanics exposed to remind us that she is made out of wires and metal. Caleb is invited to participate in the ultimate stage of Ava’s testing, by undergoing ‘the Turing Test’, an experiment that determines whether a machine has the ability to exhibit intelligence comparable to, or indistinguishable from, a human. After slight hesitancy, he accepts.

What follows is a series of ‘sessions’ between the enthusiastic Caleb and the inquisitive cyborg, the first being very much centered on their fascination and curiosity towards each other, all the while being monitored by Nathan in a separate room. After the initial excitement expires, the conversations between the two becomes truly mesmeric, especially when it becomes apparent that Ava is very much conscious of what she is, the magnitude of her mental capacity, and the influence she has over Caleb. As these sessions progress, the challenging sci-fi is slowly traded for horror as the walls of Nathan’s confinement-style home gradually begin to cave in around Caleb. It becomes evident that there is more going on in this solitary facility than meets the eye. From this point onwards we are delivered a smart and sophisticated science fiction thriller, with every conversation and scene laced with tension, constantly building around the power play between the three central characters, stuck together in a claustrophobic environment, not sure whom to trust. All the while the tension and potential for violence is rapidly rising until, of course, it brims at the boil and the film reaches its unpredictable climax, and all truths are revealed. 

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The film is very dialogue-driven, which puts large responsibility on the performances of its cast, however, I felt as though the cast in question were near perfect, as well as the written characters themselves. Oscar Isaac’s presentation of the bullish, egotistical, tech-mogul was delivered with confidence and expertise, with a lot of the tension rooted early on within the film, spawning from his character. His smile, deliberately duplicitous, and his mind always seemingly conspiratorial, along side his abrasive nature and obvious physicality. His boxing regime, partnered with his constant alcoholism and sharp temper fueled a constant sense of foreboding in every scene he was in. At first glance Gleeson’s Caleb comes across as Nathan’s polar opposite. He is formal, polite and pure, “a good kid with a moral compass.” But its more so once his connection with Ava develops that his character really takes shape, and Gleeson takes the challenge well. He manages to make the transition from Caleb’s early passive and innocuous character, to someone who is demanding, questioning and defiant whilst still maintaining the morality of the character that becomes important within the films final third. 

Lastly, Alicia Vikander brings a flawless performance as Ava. The Swedish born actress puts her ballerina training to good use as her every movement, every footstep and facial twitch seems to be delivered with pinpoint precision, not to mention her complete stillness at times. Her discipline within her role is superb and it’s difficult not to follow Caleb and find yourself fascinated by her. Engaging and captivating in her scenes, Vikander brings an element of humanity to her character, making us feel real emotions of sympathy, compassion and infatuation, which our vital to our engagement with the story. 

More impressive still is Alex Garland in his directorial debut. The intricacy of the story, and the precision in which it is told makes it feel as though Garland has been honing his craft for years. He is able to deliver a story that raises complicated philosophical questions on nature vs. nurture and the future of humanity, and, as the great Christopher Nolan has done in the past with films such as Interstellar (2014) and Inception (2010), he has managed to make them easily accessible and comprehensible whilst remaining utterly entertaining from the off. He seems to balance the meticulousness of Nolan’s work and the complexity of character and setting that almost feel Kubrickian, with his blend of low key naturalism and hi-tech stylization. Not to mention his ability to put the audience within the suspenseful drivers seat, through his use claustrophobic framing and lighting, as well as progressive soundtracks.  

The story continues science fiction cinemas experimentation with the notorious Frankenstein story, however adapting the seasoned tale to one that is sharper, darker, more thought provoking and ultra-contemporary. Despite searching endlessly for flaws I haven’t been able to find any, and am seldom left in complete awe of Garlands work. Ex Machina is a masterful science fiction thriller that draws fantastic performances from its three leads. A must watch.

9.0

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SHARING THE VIEW, 01

As someone interested in photography, film and music, I try my best to stay tuned with my favourite filmmakers, YouTubers, photographers or bloggers, and always find myself searching for creative inspiration online in my free time. I titled this series of posts 'Sharing The View' as they will become my own little way of sharing some of my favourite videos that I've come across that week, with you! I hope to do this as often as possible, so that I can share creative work that I really admire, in a hope that someone might appreciate and enjoy them as much as I did. 

So, this is me, Sharing The View...

 

1. SUPER 8 - TOKYO & NEW ORLEANS BY ADRIEN BLISS

This short film follows a group of young filmmakers on their trips through Tokyo and New Orleans, two very different places. What drew me to this particular film was the use of a Super 8 camera. There's a undeniable magic in film photography and filmmaking. Although you can't focus on so much detail and you can't capture the beauty of great landscapes, shooting in this style has a unique character. The other filmmakers versions of this adventure were beautiful, filmed stylishly, with smooth editing and some truly incredible shots, however, Adrian's Super 8 footage brings out adventure behind the camera. The candid, everyday, unspectacular moments that everyone forgets about until they watch it over on film, that hold just as much value. 

2. WATER BY MORGAN MAASSEN

Morgan Maassen is a filmmaker and photographer with a unique creative style. Most of his work is themed around surfing and skating, providing him with opportunities to film some of the best professionals in those categories. This particular film titled 'Water' is, for me, incredibly captivating. Maassen manages to capture the beauty of the underwater world like nothing I've seen before, turning waves into mountains and the sea into a galaxy. Featuring some truly gorgeous underwater camera work, this film is unique and special in so many ways. 

3. PHOTOGRAPH MUSIC VIDEO BY ED SHEERAN

Ed Sheeran released his new music video this week for the song titled 'Photograph', which is the fifth and final single from his award winning album 'X'. Until this point in his career, Ed's music videos have often been noticeably different, original, and usually wonderful. I watched this video and was smiling from the moment it began to the moment it ended. The video is so personal and so relatable, with footage from Sheeran's whole life leading up to this point. I love that it is purely home-footage, raw and real and so close-to-home. It is simple but brilliant and a real heart-warmer. 

4. LONDON NIGHT SKATE BY TIM KELLNER

I'm someone who has always wished I could skate. I've tried so many times and failed so many times. But regardless, it's still something I enjoy watching. There is so much that I love about skate culture and the attitude, the grittiness and the freedom involved in it. Tim Kellner, a youtuber and filmmaker documents a single night in London skating with his friends, passing through East London and Southbank. The film is simple and short but I enjoyed how Tim captured the culture through his point of view, through a first person view. In black and white, the grit and grind of the culture is heightened. Maybe I'll try and learn again... just once more.

5. VOLCANOES AND NATIONAL PARKS, IN THE PHILIPPINES BY JOSHUA COWAN

Joshua Cowan is part of the team that currently work on JacksGap, the incredible channel created by Jackson Harries, with his twin brother Finn. The channel has gone further than they both could have anticipated, which has in turn given them the opportunities to really grind their creative gears and develop some really brilliant work. At only 21, Josh really has a remarkable eye for filmmaking. I admire his editing style for being so unique and fresh and vibrant, against a lot of sleek and stylish slow mo that I've seen so much lately. Featuring Jack Harries himself as the subject, Josh introduces us to the Volcanoes and National Parks of the Philippines for a campaign run by STA Travel titled 'Reel Philippines'. The video tells a story and follows a traveller, with some truly gorgeous landscapes and really captivating camera work. This film massively developed my already existing sense of wanderlust. This is a place I can't wait to visit. Make sure you check out some of the other Reel Philippines videos, such as Beaches In The Philippines by Mollie Mills.

I hope you enjoyed the first post in the Sharing The View series. Please let me know what you thought of the films by commenting below! 

10 FILMS I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS YEAR

Every New Year comes with new hopes and aspirations, resolutions, dreams and big plans… as well as a lengthy list of newly announced movies that are going to be released that year. I remember heading back to University in January 2012 with a long list of films that I needed to make sure I saw. It featured the likes of Django Unchained, Avengers Assemble, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Dark Knight Rises and Silver Linings Playbook. The list was long, and by December that year I had made a brand new one, and did it all over again.

This year promises to be no different, with some exciting things happening within the movie industry.  There is a fresh lineup of new material from big directors, continued franchises and under-the-radar independents all set for release. Let me introduce you to some of the big films that should be on your radar for this year...

 

JURASSIC WORLD

Dir. Colin Trevorrow. Starring Chris Pratt and Judy Greer.

I remember being introduced to the world of Dinosaurs through watching the first Jurassic Park film on video when I was five, and then again through The Lost World a few years later. I became obsessed with the world that this franchise presented to me, filling my room with posters, toys and books. When Jurassic World was announced, I was skeptical. The third film was enjoyable, but it didn't have the same classic edge of the first two, and I feared this film would be the same, just another money-making addition to the once great franchise. The trailer changed my mind. The trailer takes the magic of the original films and makes it bigger. The tag-line 'The Park Is Now Open' suggests that this is made for lovers of the original films and the down-tempo re-curation of the classic theme tune adds to that, provoking the idea that this film takes quite a sinister twist on the children's classic. Finger's crossed that it does just that. JUN 12.

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THE HATEFUL EIGHT

Dir. Quentin Tarantino. Starring Channing Tatum and Samuel L. Jackson.

This is a film by Quentin Tarantino. And that is enough reason to be excited by it. The first time I watched a Tarantino movie was when my Dad sat me down to watch Pulp Fiction and it was like nothing I'd ever seen before. Although at one point this film was called off due to a leaked script, we've been lucky enough for it to be re-announced. The Western completes the “rewritten history” trilogy and features a plot that weaves racial tensions in post-Civil War Wyoming. So far this trilogy has provided us with Inglorious Bastards and Django Unchained, so I'm confident Tarantino won't disappoint with this closing episode. Despite the surprising casting of Channing Tatum... NOV 13.

SPECTRE

Dir. Sam Mendes. Starring Daniel Craig and Christoph Waltz.

Casino Royale remains one of my favourite action films to date, re-introducing one of Britain's most popular heroes of the genre. It maintained all of the franchises distinctive allures but modernised them, and Craig impressed with his sharper, rougher, grittier Bond. He worked his British charm once again with the acclaimed release of Skyfall in 2012 and I'm sure, with the talent of Christoph Waltz on board as his supposed adversary, we're onto another winner. Spectre refers to an ominous organisation that have a past with Bond and dark plans to destroy the MI5 for good. NOV 6.

TRUE STORY

Dir. Rupert Goold. Starring James Franco and Jonah Hill. 

Currently premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, True Story looks to be one of those rare indie films that bridges the Hollywood divide. The film stars Jonah Hill as a New York Times writer Michael Finkle, who suddenly comes to the knowledge that a Most Wanted List murderer Christian Longo (Franco) has been living out of the U.S. under his identity. The two develop an odd and disconcerting relationship that is set to spiral out of control as Longo's intentions become apparent. APR 10. 

THE REVENANT

Dir. Alejandro González Iñárritu. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy.

The first thing I saw about this film was a twitter picture a friend of mine uploaded commenting on Leo's scruffy new look. He stars as Hugh Glass, a frontiersmen who enacts revenge on those who left him for dead after a bear mauling. Ah, that must explain the scruffy look. The film, so far, seems like a classic revenge tale, however, with Leo at the helm, alongside Tom Hardy, I'm sure this will be one to watch. TBC.

AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON

Dir. Joss Whedon. Starring Robert Downey Jnr, Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson.

Okay. Where do we begin with Avengers: Age of Ultron. The first instalment to this much anticipated super-hero team up was pulled off well, with some laugh out loud gags, incredible fight choreographies, and strong action/hero genre spectaculars. There were however, quite a few negatives too. The film was very light-hearted and it felt that the heroes were never really under much serious pressure from their adversary Loki. Through the trailer of Age of Ultron, it seems that problem has been resolved. The introduction of the antagonist, Ultron, was truly sinister and surprisingly chilling, especially alongside the slowed down and eerie rendition of 'I've Got No Strings' from Disney's Pinocchio. The worlds favourite super-hero team seem to have met there match, and with the plotline being kept under wraps, this film has me thirsty to find out more. MAY 1.

THE SEA OF TREES

Dir. Gus Van Sant. Starring Matthew McConaughey and Naomi Watts.

Not too much light has been shed on this film as of yet. The title takes its name from a notorious suicide forest in Japan called Aokigahara. The Sea of Trees tells the story of an American looking to end his life, until he runs into a Japanese man, also in Aokigahara. The two form an unlikely bond and work to find their way out. The plot is intriguing, and with McConaughey's recent stand out performances with the likes of Dallas Buyers Club, Intersteller and True Detective it seems his acting potential is heading in a very good direction. I'm hoping for the film to be an intimate depiction of human vulnerability through a two-man cast with strong performances and a well-written script.  TBC.

PARTISAN

Dir. Ariel Kleiman. Starring Vincent Kassel and Jeremy Chabriel. 

When I first read of this film, I immediately rekindled with my appreciation for both Leon (1994) and Emperor of the Sun (1987). Both films feature young and brilliant characters that are living in very violent worlds, and through Kleinman's story we are re-introduced to that narrative, through Alexander. Playful, curious and naive, just like every other kid. Except he is also a trained assassin. Raised in a hidden paradise, Alexander has grown up seeing the world filtered through his father, Gregori. Vincent Cassell always delivers performances of an epic scale and I have enjoyed his work since first seeing him in the incredible French film La Haine. The film received a lot of positive hype at the recent Sundance Film Festival. JAN 25

MIDNIGHT SPECIAL

Dir. Jeff Nichols. Starring Michael Shannon, Kirsten Dunst, Joel Edgerton.

Midnight Special is an upcoming american science fiction film which was written and directed by Jeff Nichols. With Mud, Shotgun Stories and Take Shelterunder his belt, Nichols is being renowed as one of most promising and exciting new directors in Hollywood. More so though it's the unconventional plot that appealed to me, and the mystery around it. The film seems to follow similar tones of the chase film, which we've seen in No Country For Old Men and Catch Me If You Can, a popular genre of action films. The twist comes with the films sci-fi elements, as the plot is centered around a young boy who finds out his is supernaturally gifted and suddenly, being hunted. Along with the interesting story-line, the film is graced with performances from Michael Shannon and Joel Edgerton who in recent years have really impressed. NOV 25.

STAR WARS: EPISODE VII - THE FORCE AWAKENS

Dir. J. J. Abrams. Starring Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher.

As usual, Abrams has kept this film very quiet. Which, as usual, has got the world talking about it. Regardless, this is the seventh instalment to one of the most epic franchises in film history. We don't know much, but what we do know is that the saga's original heroes are back on board, that the film is set 30-or-so years after the Return of the Jedi, and that there is a new line of Sith who are entering the field of play. And they have a cool new lightsaber. Widely considered as the most anticipated film of the year. Stay tuned for updates on this film throughout the year. DEC 18.

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING: A REVIEW

Directed by James Mirch. Starring Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones.

Imagine being at the peak of your education. Imagine falling head over heels in love. Imagine being on the midst of greatness, endless possibilities ahead of you, then suddenly being told you have but two years left to live. 

Professor Stephen Hawking is one of the most famous and remarkable scientists of our time, and his tale is a miraculous one, full of hardship, love, perseverance and hope. James Marsh’s biopic about the Cambridge cosmologists tells the story in fine fashion, honouring the achievements of this great scientist, professional and personal. The film stars Eddie Redmayne (Les Miserables, My Week With Marilyn) as our renowned lead, and Felicity Jones (Like Crazy) as Jane Hawking. 

It is through Jane that we are given this charming version of Hawking’s trials and accomplishments, as the script by Anthony McCarten is adapted from her own memoir, Travelling To Infinity: My Life With Stephen. The candid account she delivers us is what provides the film with so much heart and relatability, and is also why love is such a prominent theme throughout. 

We are presented Hawking in his early twenties, as an awkward, jaunty doctoral student in 1963 Cambridge. In the opening scene of the film, he apprehensively introduces himself to a young Jane Wilde, a friendly soul preparing for a PhD in medieval poetry. They bond over their shared intellectual curiosity, and flirt about matters of religion and science, and as the night begins to die, a romance blossoms. Before long she has met his family, and accepted his invitation to the May ball, where the unlikely pair share their first kiss under the stars. Alas, as young Hawking’s life takes shape, being the top of his class and on the verge of scientific greatness, not to mention falling in love, the world around him suddenly comes crashing down as he plummets, crumpled and prone, onto Trinity Hall’s flagstones.

His formidable sickness strikes hard. The diagnosis: motor neurone disease, meaning his muscles will progressively waste and he most likely has only a couple of years to live. When Hawking asks whether his brain will still function, in a desperate plea for something positive, the doctor replies – oh yes, except no one will know what you’re thinking. Although Hawking seemingly gives up on himself, Jane battles his stubbornness fiercely, instilling a sense of hope, which in turn, sparks the determination and perseverance that Hawking is now renowned for. Accordingly, we are able to marvel at his personal and professional successes, which run in parallel to his physical decline.

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This is where the films greatest strengths become most apparent, as Redmayne’s character takes on his fierce physical regression that demands great dedication from the young actor. However, this is certainly a triumph for Redmayne, who is completely convincing in his physicality, and credible in his pain and struggle. But most of all, what I found most compelling about his performance, is how the actor expresses Stephen’s infectious personality (his jocularity, his aloofness, his stubbornness) so effectively, regardless of the physical state of the character. This is reflected through his tears when he and Jane silently recognize that their half a lifetime of love has come to an end, and as they mourn it, the scene hits home.

Beside him is Jones, who depicts a woman who dedicates so much to helping Hawking battle his disease, whilst raising three children and still trying to live her own life. The role demands tremendous emotion and grace, which Jones delivers naturally, especially in her personal battle of love vs. responsibility that comes near the end of her relationship with Hawking, through her growing feelings towards kind choirmaster, Jonathan. 

Addtionally, Benoît Delhomme’s cinematography is an imaginative and visually glorious feat, giving us the ultraviolet glow of a Cambridge May ball, the cosmic swirl of cream in a coffee cup. Not to mention the first-person perspective of the radiant fireplace through a hole in Hawking’s knitwear, that inspired one of his greatest breakthroughs.  In partnership with Marsh, Delhomme captures a certain sequence in the style of old-fashioned home recordings, while others are given a more traditional and polished cinematic look that impress without distracting from the story. 

Despite these admirations, it seems as though the film detracts away from Hawking’s point of view once the film begins to focus closely on Jane’s personal battles and inner heartaches. The film presents a close and rather sincere insight into the relationship between Hawking and his wife, yet at times it feels sanitized, and somewhat undramatic, given the circumstances. Did they never fight? Or disagree? Most of their dissimilarities are expressed in a polite spirit of wholly academic debate, or through silence. Furthermore, the film concentrates closely on its themes of love and romance, which at times draws away from Hawking’s personal trials, leaving some questions unanswered. Was he ever completely lost? Did he ever lose hope? How did he feel when Jane was slipping away from him?

Overall, the film delivers masterful performances that pull hard on the heartstrings of the viewer. Marsh provides us with a story thatworks best as a study of human vulnerability and love's way with us all, and as such, a handsomely mounted, slightly hollow picture by the end becomes a very affecting one. The Theory of Everything is inspiring, honest and moving. Brilliantly worded by The Guardians Catherine Shaord, it is ‘a universal story, extracted from a unique one.’  

8.0