A very interesting, low-budget, psychological, post-apocalyptic thriller starring Sam Rockwell and Kevin Spacey and directed by Duncan Jones, son of David Bowie (irrelevant point, as it happens!)
Nearing the end of his three year stint harvesting energy on the dark side of the Moon, Sam lives and works alone in a space station accompanied only by the slightly creepy, and in no way reminiscent of any other space odysseys electronic character, base robot.
We follow Sam's last few days on the job awaiting pick up from Earth until something extraordinary occurs rendering both Sam and his robotic pal at odds with both the ever nearing rescue team and each other. Yes, this is a riddle for I cannot divulge the rest of the plot without ruining the entire film.
The actual story is quite simple as are the sets and script but this does not belie the clarity and deftness of its presentation.
Jones is a superb director on all levels whilst Sam Rockwell is given the opportunity to outshine even himself. The use of Spacey's voice, within the context of an historical nod to space films of past is quite amazing. If you know anything about absolutely any other films set in outer space (many of which undeniably borrow from films such as 2001: A Space Odyssey) you will, by the end, have picked up on the reason why he was cast. Unsettled? Oh, yes!
This is a really beautiful film. Not one for guns and bombs and blood and guts but still requiring an element of thriller, mystery and action - choose 'Moon'. It also provides subtle but sympathetic characters, a great script and fabulous moon buggies which can only be described as one up from school-made space projects but lovely, nonetheless.
Actually, a film for the entire family. A bit of a tear jerker on the side with lots of love and laughs in between.
A must see of 2009.
(Pity I had to travel 20 miles to go and see it - my local mega multiplexes are seriously missing out on a potentially big hit of the year. More fool them for regurgitating the same, usual blockbusting crap.)
Viewed: 11th August 2009
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince ~~~
Penultimate book, 6th of 8 total films and possibly least interesting to date.
Everyone was much improved in the acting stakes (the kids, that is) but the story (yes, it's different to the book in areas - get over it!) is rather plodding with little or no emotional core.
I haven't the heart to discuss the story so I will instead mention that I would appreciate more Luna Lovegood in future films.
Yes, characters die. Yes, there's snogging. Yes, there's wicked magic involved. Everything looks wonderful. The FX are great, as usual. Jim Broadbent was smashing as the new Hogwart's teacher.
I can't wait until the last two instalments - let's hope they're not as dull as HP No. 6!
Viewed: 5th August 2009
Everyone was much improved in the acting stakes (the kids, that is) but the story (yes, it's different to the book in areas - get over it!) is rather plodding with little or no emotional core.
I haven't the heart to discuss the story so I will instead mention that I would appreciate more Luna Lovegood in future films.
Yes, characters die. Yes, there's snogging. Yes, there's wicked magic involved. Everything looks wonderful. The FX are great, as usual. Jim Broadbent was smashing as the new Hogwart's teacher.
I can't wait until the last two instalments - let's hope they're not as dull as HP No. 6!
Viewed: 5th August 2009
The Proposal ~~
Passable rom-com with Sandra Bullock.
Bullock is the uber up-tight, over-achieving boss of a publishing company. (Although I hate it when it's suggested that a successful woman in business is anything but pushy and aggressive and not in a nice, male-acceptable way...) She's told she's being deported back to Canada and whilst thinking on her feet claims all will be well because she's due to marry her assistant, ably played by Ryan Reynolds. Snazzy switch of the usual gender role portrayal! They do not get on at all (in fact he really rather despises her) but he accepts that his future in publishing depends on his agreement with the lie.
The beginning of the film scores highly for laughs but once Bullock and Reynolds head to Alaska to get married, the script, pace and use of a Grandma undermine the biting, bitchy and funnier start of the film. The star of the film from this point on for me was the use of a beautiful Alaskan town on the coast.
I don't feel the need to go on other than to say I am sure you can guess the outcome...
I really love Sandra Bullock but feel her talent is really beginning to miss out on the more meatier parts I know she could handle. What's wrong with more scripts and films for women. Women over 30, too!!??!! There are some great comediennes out there. Why do studios insist on over looking the talents of actresses like Bullock for less competent but younger women - or not even women at all - just men!!?
Viewed: 29th July 2009
Bullock is the uber up-tight, over-achieving boss of a publishing company. (Although I hate it when it's suggested that a successful woman in business is anything but pushy and aggressive and not in a nice, male-acceptable way...) She's told she's being deported back to Canada and whilst thinking on her feet claims all will be well because she's due to marry her assistant, ably played by Ryan Reynolds. Snazzy switch of the usual gender role portrayal! They do not get on at all (in fact he really rather despises her) but he accepts that his future in publishing depends on his agreement with the lie.
The beginning of the film scores highly for laughs but once Bullock and Reynolds head to Alaska to get married, the script, pace and use of a Grandma undermine the biting, bitchy and funnier start of the film. The star of the film from this point on for me was the use of a beautiful Alaskan town on the coast.
I don't feel the need to go on other than to say I am sure you can guess the outcome...
I really love Sandra Bullock but feel her talent is really beginning to miss out on the more meatier parts I know she could handle. What's wrong with more scripts and films for women. Women over 30, too!!??!! There are some great comediennes out there. Why do studios insist on over looking the talents of actresses like Bullock for less competent but younger women - or not even women at all - just men!!?
Viewed: 29th July 2009
Thursday, 16 July 2009
Bruno ~~
Passable but ultimately repetitive cringe-fest. Sacha Baron Cohen really is a talented guy but Bruno is far too OTT to sustain interest. In the few moments we are treated to a glimpse of Bruno's 'true' feelings (what feelings???) the audience gets an opportunity to bond with the leading character. When we're being exposed to the extreme but funny sexual fetishes and thoughts of the uber Austrian celeb-pop-trash TV host's antics, it is less funny than hard to swallow - I'm sure he'd have something to say about that.
More to come...
Viewed 15th July 09
More to come...
Viewed 15th July 09
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
Public Enemies ~~~
Michael Mann sure does like to blow things up and shoot things down.
Passable action-thriller chronicling the latter life of 'Robin Hood'-type American gangster John Dillinger and his not-so-merry band of hoodlums.
Neither Johnny Depp nor Christian Bale do anything to drag this rather lack-lustre adventure-romp film out of the doldrums. It's just such a dull-fest really and such a shame. This type of flick is usually right up my alley - men, cars, women, politics, violence, social comment, period drama etc etc but frankly, I'd rather watch the decade-plus old Mark Harmon version of Dillinger's story which in itself was flawed to say the least.
It doesn't help that Mann insists on using hand-held cameras or that it's filmed, I think, in digital - the format just doesn't work. It's hardly Bonnie and Clyde stylistically just plain headache inducing.
Marion Cotillard was totally under-used - either make it a love story or don't, whilst other random actors such as Giovanni Ribisi, Emilie de Ravin, Rory Cochrane and Billy Crudup - all very good at what they do - are whisked in and out before they're given half a chance to act at all. I loved the idea of Crudup being a young J. Edgar Hoover and of getting a view of the newly formed FBI etc but the opportunity seemed really wasted. Instead, Mann seemed to concentrate on the bravado of it all - very manly indeed...
Depp, gorgeous and talented Depp - please explain why I felt nothing? Were you meant to be portraying Dillinger as a gung-ho adventurer or a man caught up in the moment of living? I really couldn't tell and by the end, of what is a rather long film, I didn't care. Mr Mann, next time you want to make a film which potentially could appeal to a large audience, sort out the genre first. I don't mean to be prescriptive but with a biographical film like this, an audience generally appreciates some guidance as to the main themes of the story and the thoughts and FEELINGS of the main characters involved.
I will watch this again when it comes out on DVD firstly with the hope that I can watch it without feeling sea-sick and secondly to reappraise whether or not I missed the point of the film the first time around. It's not often I give a flick a second chance but what with the great cast, interesting characters and political/historical perspective I will allow it this time... be warned, Mr Mann, next time you might not be so lucky.
Viewed: 3rd July 09
Passable action-thriller chronicling the latter life of 'Robin Hood'-type American gangster John Dillinger and his not-so-merry band of hoodlums.
Neither Johnny Depp nor Christian Bale do anything to drag this rather lack-lustre adventure-romp film out of the doldrums. It's just such a dull-fest really and such a shame. This type of flick is usually right up my alley - men, cars, women, politics, violence, social comment, period drama etc etc but frankly, I'd rather watch the decade-plus old Mark Harmon version of Dillinger's story which in itself was flawed to say the least.
It doesn't help that Mann insists on using hand-held cameras or that it's filmed, I think, in digital - the format just doesn't work. It's hardly Bonnie and Clyde stylistically just plain headache inducing.
Marion Cotillard was totally under-used - either make it a love story or don't, whilst other random actors such as Giovanni Ribisi, Emilie de Ravin, Rory Cochrane and Billy Crudup - all very good at what they do - are whisked in and out before they're given half a chance to act at all. I loved the idea of Crudup being a young J. Edgar Hoover and of getting a view of the newly formed FBI etc but the opportunity seemed really wasted. Instead, Mann seemed to concentrate on the bravado of it all - very manly indeed...
Depp, gorgeous and talented Depp - please explain why I felt nothing? Were you meant to be portraying Dillinger as a gung-ho adventurer or a man caught up in the moment of living? I really couldn't tell and by the end, of what is a rather long film, I didn't care. Mr Mann, next time you want to make a film which potentially could appeal to a large audience, sort out the genre first. I don't mean to be prescriptive but with a biographical film like this, an audience generally appreciates some guidance as to the main themes of the story and the thoughts and FEELINGS of the main characters involved.
I will watch this again when it comes out on DVD firstly with the hope that I can watch it without feeling sea-sick and secondly to reappraise whether or not I missed the point of the film the first time around. It's not often I give a flick a second chance but what with the great cast, interesting characters and political/historical perspective I will allow it this time... be warned, Mr Mann, next time you might not be so lucky.
Viewed: 3rd July 09
Last Chance Harvey ~~~
Passable, romantic softie - but mainly because Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman know what they're doing and the character's are pretty much made for them. Otherwise, a rather forgettable and overtly sentimental bit of fluff.
Viewed 17/06/09
Viewed 17/06/09
Sunday, 14 June 2009
The Boat that Rocked ~~~
Likeable, passable semi-nostalgic comedy starring some of the best British and Irish comic talent today.
Viewed on 8th April 2009
Viewed on 8th April 2009
Sunday, 22 March 2009
Gran Torino ~~~
Actually, for what seemed to have been advertised as a 'serious drama', 'Gran Torino' turned out to be a very funny and touching film.
Despite being pretty clunky here and there - some of the acting, some of the story and some of the direction - all in all, it was a very enjoyable, Clint Eastwood directed film.
Clint plays recently widowed ex-Korean veteran Walt Kowalski, living in a rough neighbourhood in Detroit. His neighbours, a fatherless family of Koreans bring, through no fault of their own, trouble to his doorstep. With a family of his own to ultimately disappoint and annoy him, he slowly realises that the family next door mean more to him than his own kin. In parallel to the 'getting to know you' set up with the neighbours, where Walt slowly, and at first begrudgingly befriends and later rescues the son and daughter from a tough Korean gang of kids trying to initiate more members to their gang, the local 'padre' hangs around like a bad smell. Walt's wife had made it her dying wish for her husband to be taken into the church fold but the gruff old man at first insults then angers the young priest. With a mind to encouraging Walt to unburden his sins (primarily from the war), Walt battles on carrying a heavy soul. After many conversations and after finally getting to grips with his neighbours, he finally confesses all to the priest. However, the sins which burden him are not what we all may have thought. Family are, after all, one of the hardest things to accept.
I'm not sure if this is Clint's final foray into film in front of the camera but it certainly is one of his most heart-warming. Take almost any of his most famous on screen characters - silent gun-slinger, hard war veteran, tough cop, man of the world - and you will find elements all wrapped up in Walt. Clint may no longer be in his physical prime but he is in his element playing lost, angry, lonely Walt.
As mentioned, some elements of the film are a bit clunky but as a whole, the film is better for it. It's not a 'Hollywoodised' version of what could have been a less engaging film. The entire audience seemed to be swept away with the performance of Mr Eastwood. The humour too was unexpected. Although much of it was racist banter aimed at the other character's it was easy to get a sense of the world Walt was used to. Despite his hang-ups about the family next door, once taken in by the Korean community and in being able to assert himself as the man he saw himself as, Walt finally accepts both himself and those around him for what they really are. Which isn't bad. Much like the film.
Despite being pretty clunky here and there - some of the acting, some of the story and some of the direction - all in all, it was a very enjoyable, Clint Eastwood directed film.
Clint plays recently widowed ex-Korean veteran Walt Kowalski, living in a rough neighbourhood in Detroit. His neighbours, a fatherless family of Koreans bring, through no fault of their own, trouble to his doorstep. With a family of his own to ultimately disappoint and annoy him, he slowly realises that the family next door mean more to him than his own kin. In parallel to the 'getting to know you' set up with the neighbours, where Walt slowly, and at first begrudgingly befriends and later rescues the son and daughter from a tough Korean gang of kids trying to initiate more members to their gang, the local 'padre' hangs around like a bad smell. Walt's wife had made it her dying wish for her husband to be taken into the church fold but the gruff old man at first insults then angers the young priest. With a mind to encouraging Walt to unburden his sins (primarily from the war), Walt battles on carrying a heavy soul. After many conversations and after finally getting to grips with his neighbours, he finally confesses all to the priest. However, the sins which burden him are not what we all may have thought. Family are, after all, one of the hardest things to accept.
I'm not sure if this is Clint's final foray into film in front of the camera but it certainly is one of his most heart-warming. Take almost any of his most famous on screen characters - silent gun-slinger, hard war veteran, tough cop, man of the world - and you will find elements all wrapped up in Walt. Clint may no longer be in his physical prime but he is in his element playing lost, angry, lonely Walt.
As mentioned, some elements of the film are a bit clunky but as a whole, the film is better for it. It's not a 'Hollywoodised' version of what could have been a less engaging film. The entire audience seemed to be swept away with the performance of Mr Eastwood. The humour too was unexpected. Although much of it was racist banter aimed at the other character's it was easy to get a sense of the world Walt was used to. Despite his hang-ups about the family next door, once taken in by the Korean community and in being able to assert himself as the man he saw himself as, Walt finally accepts both himself and those around him for what they really are. Which isn't bad. Much like the film.
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
Watchmen ~~~~
Let me begin by saying that this film totally overwhelmed me. In a good way.
Having not read the graphic novel, by the 'genius' Alan Moore, but knowing a little about the general idea - a society slowly turning against their super-heroes in an alternative universe to our own - I was intrigued to find out what all the hype was about.
It's a rough and ready, violent world where those in the masks and tights do their best to uphold some sense of order in a crumbling society. Unfortunately, the world is changing. Through clever editing and evocative flash-backs we are introduced to the original gang of heroes which included, amongst others, the lovely Silk Spectre, The Comedian, Mothman, Silhouette, Dr. Manhattan, Hooded Justice and Night Owl. We come to understand that many of the original Watchmen retired, eventually replaced by new men and women carrying on their character's mantles. Those, who themselves more recently gave up the job, included Silk Spectre II (daughter of former mentioned No. I) and Night Owl (the replacement.) Having left their alter-egos behind, a seemingly tragic event suddenly brings them together. The Comedian is murdered.
We are enveloped within this dark world with the help of Rorschach, a shady character, whose hidden face conceals a rage within. Through his film-noirish journal entry narration, we discover that things are not what they seem. Things are changing and a baddie must be punished.
I really don't want to give any of the story away. It is so beautifully revealed that to do so would be a great shame indeed. What I will say is that the cast is superb (no really big names and better for it (did you see 'The Spirit earlier this year? Shame on you, too)) as are the costumes, sound and direction. It really is a tight little film especially considering no one thought a success could be made in a live-action version of the now almost biblically revered graphic novel. The only down points were that some of the ageing make-up was a bit dodgy (ok for DVD?), it contained more graphic violence and sex than I had anticipated (but I'm a big girl now) and it ran over a little, just 20 minutes or so.
Rorschach was a superbly observed ultra-violent sadist yet, by the end of the film, the most sympathetic of all the characters. Both Silk Spectre I and II were gorgeous, kick-ass female super heroes gladly accepted within the fold to boost the otherwise pathetically female hero stable. Dr. Manhattan was, well blue and hung like a proverbial - the director of photography/special effects team were certainly able to frame a shot well, if you know what I mean?! And thank the casting stars for choosing such a lovely fella to play Night Owl II. Geek-chic is so in right now.
There are parts of the original story which, I have been informed, are not present in the film version. No matter, it all seemed to make perfect sense by the end and I was incredibly impressed with how it all came together regardless of the rather pedestrian ending. The feel and the look of the film was pretty wonderful - very noir, very 'this is how graphic novel films should look'.
I wasn't totally sold on the time/travel/space shifting of Dr. Manhattan or on his riddle-me-this type jibberings on how the future looks like its going to pan out, but I decided to let that ride. I wasn't too keen on the visit to Mars. Nevertheless, it all made sense in the end.
I was expecting this to be a bit hookie really but following on in the vein of 'V for Vendetta' (which I loved), I can now openly admit that, from a film viewer's point of view, I really do like (what others have interpreted to be) Alan Moore's scribblings. I am even considering borrowing some of his works from my fella's bookshelves... but I'll never give up the film!
Miss this, miss out on what could possibly one of 2009's better films.
Having not read the graphic novel, by the 'genius' Alan Moore, but knowing a little about the general idea - a society slowly turning against their super-heroes in an alternative universe to our own - I was intrigued to find out what all the hype was about.
It's a rough and ready, violent world where those in the masks and tights do their best to uphold some sense of order in a crumbling society. Unfortunately, the world is changing. Through clever editing and evocative flash-backs we are introduced to the original gang of heroes which included, amongst others, the lovely Silk Spectre, The Comedian, Mothman, Silhouette, Dr. Manhattan, Hooded Justice and Night Owl. We come to understand that many of the original Watchmen retired, eventually replaced by new men and women carrying on their character's mantles. Those, who themselves more recently gave up the job, included Silk Spectre II (daughter of former mentioned No. I) and Night Owl (the replacement.) Having left their alter-egos behind, a seemingly tragic event suddenly brings them together. The Comedian is murdered.
We are enveloped within this dark world with the help of Rorschach, a shady character, whose hidden face conceals a rage within. Through his film-noirish journal entry narration, we discover that things are not what they seem. Things are changing and a baddie must be punished.
I really don't want to give any of the story away. It is so beautifully revealed that to do so would be a great shame indeed. What I will say is that the cast is superb (no really big names and better for it (did you see 'The Spirit earlier this year? Shame on you, too)) as are the costumes, sound and direction. It really is a tight little film especially considering no one thought a success could be made in a live-action version of the now almost biblically revered graphic novel. The only down points were that some of the ageing make-up was a bit dodgy (ok for DVD?), it contained more graphic violence and sex than I had anticipated (but I'm a big girl now) and it ran over a little, just 20 minutes or so.
Rorschach was a superbly observed ultra-violent sadist yet, by the end of the film, the most sympathetic of all the characters. Both Silk Spectre I and II were gorgeous, kick-ass female super heroes gladly accepted within the fold to boost the otherwise pathetically female hero stable. Dr. Manhattan was, well blue and hung like a proverbial - the director of photography/special effects team were certainly able to frame a shot well, if you know what I mean?! And thank the casting stars for choosing such a lovely fella to play Night Owl II. Geek-chic is so in right now.
There are parts of the original story which, I have been informed, are not present in the film version. No matter, it all seemed to make perfect sense by the end and I was incredibly impressed with how it all came together regardless of the rather pedestrian ending. The feel and the look of the film was pretty wonderful - very noir, very 'this is how graphic novel films should look'.
I wasn't totally sold on the time/travel/space shifting of Dr. Manhattan or on his riddle-me-this type jibberings on how the future looks like its going to pan out, but I decided to let that ride. I wasn't too keen on the visit to Mars. Nevertheless, it all made sense in the end.
I was expecting this to be a bit hookie really but following on in the vein of 'V for Vendetta' (which I loved), I can now openly admit that, from a film viewer's point of view, I really do like (what others have interpreted to be) Alan Moore's scribblings. I am even considering borrowing some of his works from my fella's bookshelves... but I'll never give up the film!
Miss this, miss out on what could possibly one of 2009's better films.
Saturday, 7 March 2009
The International ~~~
A beautifully photographed thriller with the ever steady Clive Owen. Unfortunately, it's ultimately forgettable.
Aiming to present a modern take on the old-school type thriller (think The Conversation, Flight of the Concord etc) with a little bit of Bourne added in, this varied paced thriller-chase movie just doesn't make the grade in any area.
Not a bad film, just one which fails to reach its actual potential. A good modern example of what I think the producers were aiming for is Casino Royale. Much better.
Clive Owen is a growing legend, always putting in a solid and interesting performance, but if he doesn't make it into a 'good' film in the next couple of years, I'll be very disappointed!
Aiming to present a modern take on the old-school type thriller (think The Conversation, Flight of the Concord etc) with a little bit of Bourne added in, this varied paced thriller-chase movie just doesn't make the grade in any area.
Not a bad film, just one which fails to reach its actual potential. A good modern example of what I think the producers were aiming for is Casino Royale. Much better.
Clive Owen is a growing legend, always putting in a solid and interesting performance, but if he doesn't make it into a 'good' film in the next couple of years, I'll be very disappointed!
Sunday, 1 March 2009
Apologies!
Apologies for the brevity of some of the reviews, I'm in the middle of revising for some exams. Normal service will resume in the summer.
Slumdog Millionaire ~~~1/2
Let me begin by confessing that I really didn't want to go and see this film. Shame on me, I should have realised that Danny Boyle could deliver both a gritty and funny film all at the same time.
The story, delivered in the style of a PARABLE, is pretty simple. Dev Patel's character wins the jackpot on India's 'Who Wants to be Millionaire' despite the pitiful and violent upbringing he's had to survive. How do we know this? Before he can go on to win the final prize, the cops take him in, torture him and get him to explain how he's known all the answers thus far. Let me tell you, it's been a grim and tough existence for this young lad growing up in Mumbai.
Through the explanations, the audience discovers how he knows the answers to the quiz show questions. On his quest to find his lost true love, Patel travels the country, often with his streetwise and manipulative older brother, to find the girl he loves.
Without giving anything further away, I can only commend this film, as the Academy Awards and Bafta did, for being a richly observed, very funny and heart-achingly wrenching film. The young actors who portrayed the main characters throughout were both gorgeous and immensely watchable whilst Dev Patel is bound to become a big star in the footsteps of Jamie Bell et al. A final mention must go to the music - modern, political and extremely fitting.
Whilst I recognise why the argument rages as to whether the slums of Mumbai are glamorised or not in this film, regardless of the answer, it's portrayed as both a city alive with possibility and tragedy all at the same time.
A greatly entertaining and visually stunning picture.
The story, delivered in the style of a PARABLE, is pretty simple. Dev Patel's character wins the jackpot on India's 'Who Wants to be Millionaire' despite the pitiful and violent upbringing he's had to survive. How do we know this? Before he can go on to win the final prize, the cops take him in, torture him and get him to explain how he's known all the answers thus far. Let me tell you, it's been a grim and tough existence for this young lad growing up in Mumbai.
Through the explanations, the audience discovers how he knows the answers to the quiz show questions. On his quest to find his lost true love, Patel travels the country, often with his streetwise and manipulative older brother, to find the girl he loves.
Without giving anything further away, I can only commend this film, as the Academy Awards and Bafta did, for being a richly observed, very funny and heart-achingly wrenching film. The young actors who portrayed the main characters throughout were both gorgeous and immensely watchable whilst Dev Patel is bound to become a big star in the footsteps of Jamie Bell et al. A final mention must go to the music - modern, political and extremely fitting.
Whilst I recognise why the argument rages as to whether the slums of Mumbai are glamorised or not in this film, regardless of the answer, it's portrayed as both a city alive with possibility and tragedy all at the same time.
A greatly entertaining and visually stunning picture.
Valkyrie ~~~
Tom Cruise star vehicle or more? Well, definitely more thanks to the solid and mostly British supporting cast with the likes of Tom Hollander, Kenneth Branagh, Eddie Izzard and Bill Nighy, amongst others.
A real 'Boys Own' adventure set in the Second World War where members of the German Army plot to take out Adolf Hitler. As you can imagine, secrets abound and violence ensues. Who do you trust when Hitler's the target?
It's not a particularly cerebral film just a high quality, hold your breath and cheer for the goodies type picture. As mentioned, the cast is great (just a shame there are never enough roles for women in war films), the script wasn't too shoddy and the scenery and costumes were fantastic.
Are there any gripes to this film? No, not really. I suppose the only thing I could have done with a little more of was a slightly more definite time scale to everything. I didn't care about the minutes ticking by, I was more concerned with what blinking year and month it was. Nevertheless, I can't wait to see this romping WWII flick when it comes out on DVD.
As much as I want to hate Cruise, I just never can. He is truly a great actor and star and hats off to him for being able to rise above the hype to just get on with delivering another solid part. I particularly enjoyed the scenes in which the Brits had 'act-offs' with Cruise - who can enunciate and spit the furthest??? And who can argue with the eye-patch?
More please!
(Seen on 08/02/09)
A real 'Boys Own' adventure set in the Second World War where members of the German Army plot to take out Adolf Hitler. As you can imagine, secrets abound and violence ensues. Who do you trust when Hitler's the target?
It's not a particularly cerebral film just a high quality, hold your breath and cheer for the goodies type picture. As mentioned, the cast is great (just a shame there are never enough roles for women in war films), the script wasn't too shoddy and the scenery and costumes were fantastic.
Are there any gripes to this film? No, not really. I suppose the only thing I could have done with a little more of was a slightly more definite time scale to everything. I didn't care about the minutes ticking by, I was more concerned with what blinking year and month it was. Nevertheless, I can't wait to see this romping WWII flick when it comes out on DVD.
As much as I want to hate Cruise, I just never can. He is truly a great actor and star and hats off to him for being able to rise above the hype to just get on with delivering another solid part. I particularly enjoyed the scenes in which the Brits had 'act-offs' with Cruise - who can enunciate and spit the furthest??? And who can argue with the eye-patch?
More please!
(Seen on 08/02/09)
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
The Wrestler~~~~
Heart-wrenching, stomach turning and potentially star-making (again that is, with Mr Mickey Rourke!)
Wonderfully dark, docu-movie about a pro-wrestler ultimately fighting time.
On so many levels, this Aronofsky film is not to be missed.
Full review coming soon.
Wonderfully dark, docu-movie about a pro-wrestler ultimately fighting time.
On so many levels, this Aronofsky film is not to be missed.
Full review coming soon.
Saturday, 7 February 2009
Revolutionary Road ~~~~
A quite amazing look at the disintegration of relationships and the self. Winslet and Di Caprio work amazingly well together and are individually on fire! Uncomfortable at times, the film highlights the dangers of letting go of life and the one you love. I exited the cinema feeling that finally someone else understood the notion that it's better to be on the outside looking in rather than the other way around. There is hope but you have work at it; life, love, passion and happiness really require some work to get right.
More to come...
More to come...
Sunday, 1 February 2009
The Reader ~~~
Kate Winslet done good. Perhaps not Oscar worthy but she probably deserves one anyway.
This film just missed the mark for me but having seen it with a buddy of mine, it certainly gave us plenty to talk about afterwards.
Set in Germany in the 1950's, a teenage boy meets and falls in love with a local bus conductor who takes him in and begins an affair. Together they read, bathe, shag and read some more. It's all very nice and exciting but you know that ultimately it's doomed. That said, once the affair is over one does wonder how the two characters could possibly meet again. But ah ha, that's the plot twist!
Grown up to become a law student, said boy finally finds out what happened to his summer love and it's none too pretty nor romantic. We follow the story of what happens to Winslet's character and finally meet the man the boy grows up to be namely, Ralph Fiennes. We follow their relationship to its natural conclusion and I have to admit, it did make me cry. Like unrequited love, seeing two people parted then joined then parted again always makes me blub.
It really was a good story and the two leads were excellent, as was Fiennes later on, but something just didn't gel with me as a member of the audience. It seems to have tried to pick up on the minutiae of a love affair but follows that up with a blotting out of what's gone before once it moves on to its second half. Disjointed, absolutely and because of this, far less satisfactory as a film.
It would be interesting to view this film again having found out the plot twist to see whether it really does deliver what I think, first time, it missed.
Regardless of my griping, I would recommend anyone to see this film even just to give you the opportunity to see what your brain and heart tells you about this love affair. I also have to take my hat off to Kate for stripping down (again) and for continuing to be the 'brave' and watchable actress she is. Keep it up Kate!
(Viewed on 31/01/09)
This film just missed the mark for me but having seen it with a buddy of mine, it certainly gave us plenty to talk about afterwards.
Set in Germany in the 1950's, a teenage boy meets and falls in love with a local bus conductor who takes him in and begins an affair. Together they read, bathe, shag and read some more. It's all very nice and exciting but you know that ultimately it's doomed. That said, once the affair is over one does wonder how the two characters could possibly meet again. But ah ha, that's the plot twist!
Grown up to become a law student, said boy finally finds out what happened to his summer love and it's none too pretty nor romantic. We follow the story of what happens to Winslet's character and finally meet the man the boy grows up to be namely, Ralph Fiennes. We follow their relationship to its natural conclusion and I have to admit, it did make me cry. Like unrequited love, seeing two people parted then joined then parted again always makes me blub.
It really was a good story and the two leads were excellent, as was Fiennes later on, but something just didn't gel with me as a member of the audience. It seems to have tried to pick up on the minutiae of a love affair but follows that up with a blotting out of what's gone before once it moves on to its second half. Disjointed, absolutely and because of this, far less satisfactory as a film.
It would be interesting to view this film again having found out the plot twist to see whether it really does deliver what I think, first time, it missed.
Regardless of my griping, I would recommend anyone to see this film even just to give you the opportunity to see what your brain and heart tells you about this love affair. I also have to take my hat off to Kate for stripping down (again) and for continuing to be the 'brave' and watchable actress she is. Keep it up Kate!
(Viewed on 31/01/09)
Defiance ~~~~
Satisfying, 'non-Hollywoody' WWII show of defiance.
Persecuted and mercilessly hunted by both Nazis' and local anti-Semites, the inhabitants of Belarussia's villages risk everything to strike out against their murderous oppressors and take refuge in the forests of their country.
Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber and Jamie Bell head up a solid and interesting cast of Jewish locals who not only try to save themselves, but make the choice to save others.
The spirit of camaraderie gets the better of the band of brothers whose family are ruthlessly murdered during the war. Each brother in turn has to accept what has happened on their own terms and, indeed, have to battle their own demons and, in the case of the two older brothers, each other.
Subtlety handled and brilliantly filmed and directed, what could have been turned into a melodramatic, OTT war flick actually turned out to be an evenly-keeled 'human' action drama.
Without giving any of the story away, this film will whisk you physically and emotionally into the forests of Eastern Europe where thousands of brave men and women risked their families and lives to ensure they outlive the brutal and murderous intentions of the Nazis' and their allies. A little known piece of unbelievable history is finally given the airing it deserves. It never ceases to amaze me how brave, selfless and courageous people can be in the face of unprecedented brutality. A really heart-warming and historically interesting film and one which I hope can be watched and enjoyed, particularly by a younger generation, whilst learning something new about both the determination and brutality of those alive during the war.
Persecuted and mercilessly hunted by both Nazis' and local anti-Semites, the inhabitants of Belarussia's villages risk everything to strike out against their murderous oppressors and take refuge in the forests of their country.
Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber and Jamie Bell head up a solid and interesting cast of Jewish locals who not only try to save themselves, but make the choice to save others.
The spirit of camaraderie gets the better of the band of brothers whose family are ruthlessly murdered during the war. Each brother in turn has to accept what has happened on their own terms and, indeed, have to battle their own demons and, in the case of the two older brothers, each other.
Subtlety handled and brilliantly filmed and directed, what could have been turned into a melodramatic, OTT war flick actually turned out to be an evenly-keeled 'human' action drama.
Without giving any of the story away, this film will whisk you physically and emotionally into the forests of Eastern Europe where thousands of brave men and women risked their families and lives to ensure they outlive the brutal and murderous intentions of the Nazis' and their allies. A little known piece of unbelievable history is finally given the airing it deserves. It never ceases to amaze me how brave, selfless and courageous people can be in the face of unprecedented brutality. A really heart-warming and historically interesting film and one which I hope can be watched and enjoyed, particularly by a younger generation, whilst learning something new about both the determination and brutality of those alive during the war.
Thursday, 8 January 2009
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