From there it only grew as we continued to share our love for all things film, television and pop culture, presenting entertainment in all its spicy goodness and to celebrate this milestone we wanted to celebrate seven of our favourite films from the last seven years.

This is a simple round up of some of our favourite films of the last seven years and ones which we reckon make for an awesome session of binge watching.

Check them out below:

The Great Gatsby – 2013

It all began for us in 2013 with Marvel Studios Iron Man 3, and after that we were off and running. An amazing variety of incredible cinema came our way that year and Baz Luhrman’s glittering and lavish adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s magnum opus, The Great Gatsby, certainly caught our eye. A gorgeous film to look at in every single frame and packing flawless performances from the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire and Joel Edgerton, The Great Gatsby is a film that makes your heart beat faster and you can’t be caught up in the glamour and emotion of it’s jazz age story.

Nightcrawler – 2014

We got serious in 2014 with our movie watching and one of the coolest, most original releases of that year was Dan Gillroy’s hard-edged anti-hero tale Nightcrawler. Chronicling the rise to power of Los Angeles stringer Lou Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal), Nightcrawler was the tale told from the villains perspective as this hungry, jackal of a character does anything to succeed in a modern capitalist society. From beginning to end, Nightcrawler had it’s audience on edge, and this is what we classify as utterly addictive viewing. Told with breathtaking originality and lightening speed, Nightcrawler was a film

The Hateful Eight – 2015

Quentin Tarantino’s eighth film was a very big deal and it certainly wasn’t what we were expecting. This western-mystery-horror-comedy-action-thriller was a complete backhander that took you by surprise at every turn and introduced to a group of the most despicable mercs, bounty killers, outlaws, liars, cheats, double-crossers and villains ever committed to the big screen! This was QT at his most outlandish and The Hateful Eight delivered one hell of a wallop when it came to the body count and blood splatter of the piece. Tarantino was firing on all cylinders with this one and The Hateful Eight certainly ranked up there as one of 2015’s most memorable releases.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople – 2016

Trust it to the good old vibes of Taika Waititi to give us all the feels with the instant cult classic that is Hunt for the Wilderpeople. A classic film bound by ‘kiwi as’ goodness, Hunt for the Wilderpeople is the perfect story of teenage delinquent Ricky Baker (Julian Dennison) and his ‘Uncle’ Hec (Sam Niell), who set off into the bush and embark on a strange, humorous and ultimately enjoyable journey together. Waititi gave this film a whole lot of heart and spirit, and everyone who saw it was sure to crack a smile.

Dunkirk – 2017

2017 was one definitely epic year for cinemas lovers, and it didn’t get much grander than Christopher Nolan’s wartime masterpiece Dunkirk. This gripping thrill ride of a blockbuster had your pulse pounding at every second as Nolan presented the story of the British Armed Forces desperate retreat from the shores of Dunkirk, France in 1940 as the Nazi war machine advanced on them with the single purpose of utterly annihilating more than 300,000 men. From land, air and sea this story was told, and with Nolan’s ambitious narrative, a breathtaking accurate sense of production design and costuming, a cast of Britain’s best, the magnificent cinematography of Hoyte van Hoytema and the pulse pounding score of Hans Zimmer led to one of the most exciting and visceral cinematic experiences of the decade.

First Man – 2018

Damian Chazelle had made a name for himself as a Hollywood whizz kid with amazing works like Whiplash and La La Land had made him a filmmaker to watch and his 2018 historical-space drama First Man was one incredible watch. Documenting the Apollo space program and the journey of astronaut Neill Armstrong (Ryan Gosling) to the lunar surface, First Man was a breathtaking piece of cinema and it certainly took audiences to the edge. Both the intense performance from Gosling and the force of Chazelle’s filmmaking where on full display here and the result was something truly magnificent.

Avengers: Endgame – 2019

2019 was a massive year for film fans, and when it came to blockbusters they certainly didn’t get much bigger than Avengers: Endgame, the culmination of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s ‘Infinity Saga’, and it made for one of the most awe-inspiring pieces of cinema ever committed to the big screen. Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) were all assembled for this one and they were ready to do whatever it took to restore hope and order back to the universe. The story was gripping, the visuals striking, the visual effects amazing and the emotion marvelous in a story that was testament to the power of the blockbuster and for these stories to resonate with audiences the world over, they truly don’t get any better than this.

There you go, seven films for seven years, and while 2020 is still very much up in the air with what awaits due to all the uncertainty that is going on in the world right now, we can still hold to the fact that cinema still reigns and that one day soon cinemas will be opened and we can all take in these bold technicolour masterpieces once more.

In the meantime we hope you all stay safe and well, and thank you once again for all your support for the SpicyPulp experience….here’s to what comes next.

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And now with the year winding down we’re ready to countdown our top 10 films of 2018:

10. Maui’s Hook

Heart-wrenching and powerful, this impressive documentary focuses on one of the most raw issues affecting contemporary society today: suicide. Clinical psychologist turned director Paora Joseph focuses his camera on an issue that has torn apart so many families and undertakes a hikoi wairua (spiritual journey) to help a group of six families to come to terms with their loss and find a sense of healing through a journey across New Zealand’s upper North Island. At every stage you are moved by the stories you witness and Joseph presents his film with a unique narrative and style that is all its own. We can’t think of more essential needed viewing than Maui’s Hook this year.

9. Mary Poppins Returns

If you were looking for a film that was practically perfect in everyway then you need not look further than Mary Poppins Returns. This big, bold and colourful musical entertained from its very first note and took audiences on a fantastic adventure courtesy of the world’s favourite nanny Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt). Emily Blunt proved herself to be an eloquent song bird, and was the perfect choice to channel the magical enthusiasm of Mary Poppins, and add in an amazing collection of songs and a great message about the power of family and you had a film that was sure to enchant the whole family.

8. BlackKklansman

They say truth is sometimes stranger than fiction, and it didn’t get much stranger than the incredible true life story of Detective Ron Stallwell in BlackKklansman. Director Spike Lee is a filmmaker who always likes to push the boundaries and he really pushed them here with a film that packed together a hysterical narrative with scathing political commentary. Stars John David Washington and Adam Driver made a great team as two mismatched police officers, and Topher Grace stole the show as a racist with delusions of grandeur. Add in a funkadelic score and great 1970s stylings and we had ourselves a truly remarkable piece of cinema with BlackKklansman.

7. Tully

Motherhood 2018 was the theme of Tully and director Jason Reitman and star Charlize Theron made incredible magic together on this one. On Theron’s part it was commitment over and above anything else she’s done before as she brought the pain, sorrows, struggles and joys out of Marlo Moreau, a mother caught up in modern life. Packing a thoroughly clever screenplay by Diablo Cody, Tully really took audiences for a ride and was a great piece of character exploration for Theron. Rising star Mackenzie Davis also made a great impression as night nurse Tully, and both she and Theron had great chemistry together. Unflinchingly raw and hysterically funny all at the same time, Tully was definitely a film to savor this year.

6. Upgrade

Things got intense with this full-on science-fiction ride of an artificial intelligence gone haywire in Upgrade, and it really delivered one hell of a snap along the way. Boasting one of the most original screenplays we’ve ever had the pleasure to witness, Upgrade was packed out with jagged twists that you could never see coming. Thrust into the middle of all of it was star Logan Marshall-Green as Grey Trace, a technophobe who gets in touch with his superior side thanks to the power of A.I. STEM. Delivering brutal action and captured with a masterful eye, Upgrade seriously got your adrenaline going.

5. Christopher Robin

It didn’t get more adorable this year than Disney’s Christopher Robin and this sweet tale of friendship and imagination most definitely warmed your heart. Featuring Ewan McGregor as a now grown Christopher Robin who has seemingly lost his way, the adult Christopher gets a chance to reconnect with his imagination and the joys of his life once again thanks to the belief and power of his friends Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, Kanga, Roo, Rabbit and Owl. The beauty of the Hundred Acre Woods shone through here and the film had a perfectly polished English countryside aesthetic. Beautiful and heartfelt at every turn, Christopher Robin was sure to fill your heart with joy and set your imagination free.

4. Ready Player One

If you wanted pure escapism then there was no better way to experience it than through director Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster adaptation of cult classic novel Ready Player One. This digital extravaganza was a thrill from beginning to end and its pop culture treasure hunt was certain to make any cinema fan’s mind sparkle with amazing references to everything we loved about the 1980s. With magnificent special effects and a hard charging soundtrack of powerful rock ballads, Ready Player One took us to a far away universe of digital imagination that truly made us go WOW!

3. A Star Is Born

The full breadth of love was felt by all with Bradley Cooper’s masterful epic re-telling of A Star Is Born, and all who watched it were sure to feel their emotions run high here. Every moment of this film was presented with perfection and star Lady Gaga gave the performance of a lifetime as sheltered singer-songwriter Alley, who through the love and trust of volatile rocker Jackson Maine (Cooper) is finally able to set her voice free. Narrative and character drove this cinematic experience, and with the addition of its rocking soundtrack you found yourself embraced in a film of extraordinary vision and soul.

2. First Man

What is it to chase the impossible? That’s where director Damien Chazelle (La La Land, Whiplash) took us in this incredible true story of one man’s dream to push through the stars and reach the moon in First Man. With grand scope and incredible realism, Chazelle fully visualizes the incredible push it took to reach the moon and the toll that was exacted on those who set foot on it. Both Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy gave the performances of their lives as Neil Armstrong and his wife Janet, and the boundaries of their relationship were certainly pushed to the limit with this incredible tale. Bound by breathtaking visuals and the incredible willpower of the human spirit, First Man was a testament to the power of man’s endeavour to reach the extraordinary.

1. Mission: Impossible – Fallout

If you wanted blockbuster action than you need not look further than Mission: Impossible – Fallout and this colossal cinema experience was ready to give you the ride of your life! Tom Cruise once again returned to the role of intrepid superspy Ethan Hunt and this time it was go big or go home. With a narrative that cracked forward with a supercharged pace and action scenes which exploded with power, you found yourself pulled in every direction imaginable and the result was electrifying. And then there was the film’s epic third act extravaganza of a helicopter chase gone crazy which certainly left you needing a replacement adrenal gland after its wild thrills. To put it straight Mission: Impossible – Fallout was just AMAZING and this crazy rollercoaster of action was incredible to behold.

Images: Roadshow Films, Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, Walt Disney Pictures, Studio Canal, Mad Man Films

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That is where director Damien Chazelle takes us in First Man and it’s an ambitious and utterly magnificent piece of cinema.

The riveting story of NASA’s mission to land a man on the moon, focusing on Neil Armstrong and the years 1961-1969 and the sacrifices and personal cost—on Armstrong and on the nation to accomplish one of the most dangerous missions in history.

First Man is nothing short of an astonishing. Narrative, direction, casting, costuming, set decoration, special effects, visuals effects and musical score all come together to create an incredibly compelling piece of cinema that pulls your attention inwards and takes you on the journey of one man’s quest to be the best, reach the moon and touch the stars in the process.

From Whiplash to La La Land Damien Chazelle has shown that he has the makings of a modern age cinema autuer filmmaker and in my mind he solidifies that standing with First Man.

Grounding his film in deep emotion and themes of obsession and wonder, Chazelle chronicles one man’s single-minded pursuit for the stars, while also capturing the incredible bravery that was needed to the accomplish the mission. As a director Chazelle has already proven that he has a strong eye for detail and that is readily apparent here in First Man as he and his team painstakingly bring to life the realities of the 1960s space program and NASA when it was still a nuts and bolts organization. Everything has an emphasis on the practical rather than the aesthetic and you get a picture of just how intense the training regime was to put these men on the moon. The film’s detail is particularly amazing to behold and you definitely feel the claustrophobic confines that these astronauts experienced.

Ryan Gosling is an actor who never disappoints and here he gives another brilliant performance. His portrayal of Neil Armstrong is strikingly true to life and you get a vision of an uncompromising perfectionist and high-performance individual who was willing to do whatever it took to get to the moon. His commitment to the Moon Mission is all encompassing and this desire to reach the lunar surface separates him from all those around them.

In his personal life Armstrong was regarded as somewhat of a recluse and had a hard time interacting or relating to others and this is expertly captured here. Even with his wife Janet (Claire Foy), you feel a certain detachment from everything as his all-consuming desire for the Apollo mission pulls him away from everything in his life.

Gosling’s performance has a lot to do with what is not said and instead relies upon a sense of delayed reaction and repressed emotion and all of this creates a portrait of an obsessed genius who speaks with his actions, rather than with his voice. Make no mistake Armstrong was a hero of the highest order and his bravery borders on the extreme, but its interesting to see this portrait of a quiet achiever who does not ask for fame or glory, but simply wants to accomplish incredible things.

Standing beside Gosling and with a performance that in my opinion completely steals the entire movie is Claire Foy as Armstrong’s wife Janet and her performance is simply remarkable. Next to Gosling, Foy’s performance is the center piece of the movie and the one which really commands your attention. As the emotional core of the film you see in her the reaction of just how monumental this feat is and more importantly the cost that is brought to bare from the pursuit of lunar surface. At times you feel that Janet is the only sensible person in the entire room as she seems to grasp the bigger ramifications of the personal costs that these astronauts families have to suffer from their pursuit of solar glory.

Foy’s performance is tinged by concern and restlessness as she sees the intensity that Neil suffers through and the tragedy that befalls so many on the quest for the moon. Like Gosling her performance is again rather physical in nature and not reliant on vast amounts of dialogue. And while the relationship they share is estranged at times you get a deep sense of the love they hold for each other and the extraordinary things they allow each other to do.

In terms of visual spectacle First Man ranks up their with some of the best cinematography you’ll see all year. Cinematographer Linus Sandgren captures the film with a focus on natural light and neutral colours and it highlights the varying settings from the warmth and comfort of the Armstrong’s home to the cold, mechanized world of a still burgeoning NASA to the beautiful vistas that exist between the atmosphere and the stratosphere. Sandgren also captures the intense claustrophobia of these early rockets and just exactly what it feels like to be strapped inside a tin can placed on top of 5,000 kilo-tonnes of fuel that at any moment could burst ablaze from the most rudimentary of faults.

When Armstrong does eventually feel the power of lift-off he is thrust forward into the sky with thunderous speed and you feel every moment of it. Chazelle truly captures the ferocity of spaceflight and you really experience the intensity that gripped these astronauts as they blasted forth into the unknown. These moments are particularly heavy to witness and I could feel just how immense the achievement of the Apollo missions were after seeing these scenes unfold up on screen. These men broke through the stratosphere and reached the moon and it is an astonishing feat to behold.

Music also plays a large part in Chazelle’s film’s and First Man is no exception. Composer Justin Hurwitz crafts a beautiful, if haunting score that captures the loneliness, isolation and dreamlike quality of the moon. This sound is both romantic and edgy all at the same time and this score really stands apart from others.

First Man is a monumental cinematic feat and just like the bold events of July 20, 1969 it exceeds in capturing the minds and hearts of audiences everywhere. Film’s like this are made to watched on the big screen and when you do see this extraordinary piece of cinema make sure you savor every second of it because it certainly is a rush.

Image: Universal Pictures

The post ‘First Man’ – Review appeared first on SpicyPulp.

Check out the astonishing new trailer below:

Here’s the official synopsis:

The riveting story of NASA’s mission to land a man on the moon, focusing on Neil Armstrong and the years 1961-1969 and the sacrifices and personal cost—on Armstrong and on the nation to accomplish one of the most dangerous missions in history.

The new trailer works hard to capture a portrait of Armstrong as both hero and man. Here we find an individual whose drive is limitless, but who begins to falter from the pressures placed upon him by this grand mission. Gosling’s performance here is subtle and silent and its more about his actions and what they speak rather than dialogue or long drawn out character development as he retains the quite strength of Armstrong’s military background and his quest to reach the moon.

Director Damien Chazelle places the audience on a tight rope of tension here with period perfect detail and a race against time. Every second of the trailer is a pulsating watch and both the victory of space flight and the crushing defeat of failure are weighed hand in hand.

Credit also needs to be given to Claire Foy for her committed performance as Armstrong’s first wife Janet Shearon who has to battle the fear that her husband may never come back from his mission, while also giving him the strength and encouragement to pursue his ambition to reach the moon.

First Man is a film packed out with courage and one which will be a tremendously inspiring watch when it arrives in cinemas on October 11.

The post Ryan Gosling reaches for the moon and beyond in new trailer for ‘First Man’ appeared first on SpicyPulp.

Here’s the synopsis:

The riveting story of NASA’s mission to land a man on the moon, focusing on Neil Armstrong and the years 1961-1969 and the sacrifices and personal cost—on Armstrong and on the nation to accomplish one of the most dangerous missions in history.

Sensational writer/director Damien Chazelle (La La Land) leads the charge on this very ambitious bio-drama which chronicles Armstrong’s single-minded pursuit to be the first man to walk on the moon, a feat he would accomplish on July 21, 1969. But before he could take those first steps would come years of grueling training and testing to enable both the space craft and the men who piloted it to reach the lunar surface and return home alive.

Gosling absolutely commits as Armstrong and channels both his unflinching professionalism and resolute courage, along with his disdain for public life and the press and the pressures that grow on him because of it. Even though he was without-a-doubt one of humanity’s greatest ever heroes Armstrong himself had a deep dislike of the celebrity that was thrust upon him by his mission and this film appears to address the psychological pressures that this placed on him.

Co-starring alongside Gosling are an all-star cast including Claire Foy, Corey Stoll, Kyle Chandler, Jason Clarke, Jon Bernthal and Pablo Schreiber, and Chazelle’s attention to detail in both the narrative and the era of the 1960s is absolutely spot on and will really ground an audience in the drama that will take place up on screen.

Get ready to reach for the stars when First Man touches down in cinemas on October 11.

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