DALLAS BUYERS CLUB - film

When I saw this, I didn't realise it was 'inspired by real events'. In fact, the only reason I rushed to see it on the preview weekend before general release is that I saw the trailer for it one solitary time and thought, 'that looks fantastic'. So there I was and so it was. 

I've mentioned in a previous blog post that I've not been much of a Matthew McConaughey fan but as the lead in this, he's just superb. I'm definitely a fan now! This article about Matthew and this film rang true when it mentioned some of his early stuff such as 'How to lose a guy in 10 days'. God, I hated that movie and I think it set me on a path to unfairly hating him.

In this he plays a Texan womanising electrician Ron Woodroof who is diagnosed with HIV in 1985 when treatments were nowhere near as advanced as they are now. He's given a very grim diagnosis but sets about researching and tracking down treatments, regardless of whether they're approved and where they come from. It's such a compelling story, you get totally hooked on him and what will become of him.

Jared Leto was a great choice to play transgender Rayon who becomes Ron's business partner - he's excellent in this too.

Matthew McConaughey won the Golden Globe for best actor in a dramatic motion picture a few weeks back and is nominated for best actor at the Oscars also. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he took the double, he's brilliant in this.

Read this five star review in the UK Daily Mail if you need further convincing or want a little more background to the story and film.

Trailer here.

12 YEARS A SLAVE - film

This is an excellent film. Really, really great. 

It's an adaptation of a memoir written in 1853 by Solomon Northup, a free black man from New York who is kidnapped and sold into slavery where he stayed in obviously awful, awful circumstances for 12 years.

So, if you get the sense this isn't a thigh-slapping good time, you're right.

Perhaps don't go if you're feeling depressed and would like a film that puts a spring in your step but otherwise, I can highly recommend this one. It's been nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars with good reason.

Trailer here.