A case study of the rise of an early oil tycoon in the south west of the US at the turn of the 20th century. Also an interesting exploration of a descent into madness, wonderfully realised, with a harrowing and intriguing performance in the academy award winning lead role, by one of my all time favourite actors, daniel day lewis. A similar feeling to Clockwork Orange. Loved it.
The Happening
This film does not work for me. Shyamalan seems to tackle some very interesting plots in the sci-fi/thriller genres, but each film he releases is worse than the last. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I there seems to be deficiences in cross-cultural understandings between the director and his audiences. The script is not exactly appalling in itslef but just doesn't seem to work within it's context or with these actors.
Taken
Good pace. Good effects. Great fight scenes. Not too many twists in this one. But it was worth it just to see Liam Neeson actually lose his cool and get angry, and not only angry but furious on a few occasions. And the action too was furious, and relentless. It actually had me squirming or calling out "ahhh" or "eeeewwhh" on a few occasions. This was Neeson in a very different role than I've seen before but he pulled it off. I knew he would though I didn't know how. He was very sly and calculated. Look out James Bond.Good movie. In a similar vein to Kiss of the Dragon. Im on a quest of rescue and I don't care how many people I have to mutilate to get there. Just you try to stop me.
Iron Man
I did not expect much from this movie despite many recommendations.I was surprised. Iron Man is probably one of the best films of 2008. It alludes the traps and conventions one would expect to find in the comic and action film genres. The casting of Robert Downey Junior for example is a stroke of genius. I got the impression that rather than make Downey work for the film, Favreau improvised, making the film work for Downey, and so it has his stamp on it, charismatic and very convincing.Following in the footsteps of the more recent batman films, there seems to be more emphasis on character development and the transformation of the hero. In this case it means Downey playing a type of autobiographic role as a billionaire playboy weapons developer named Tony Stark. Stark, after being witness to the attrocities of armed conflict with his own weapons, and coming to realize his own lack of prejudice or accountablility in the distribution of tools of death and destruction, begins a quest for redemption.I think it is very clever, the construction of a plot around forces which are both powerful and prevalent in the world today, these being terrorism and the American Military and Industrial Complex.I was also very pleased with the look of the film. There wasn't one point, while watching the film, that I thought 'that looked so fake'. The Iron man armour looks awesome and the action sequences are realistic. Very likeable.
The Mist
The plot was thin and the dialogue awful. The acting was barely held together Thomas Jane. The thing which kept me sitting through such crap for two hours was the promise made on the cover of a terrific twist at the end of the film. But I found the ending so incredibly stupid, it only added to my smuggness toward my roommate who hired the film, and cemented my contempt for hollywood studios which manufacture such hollow rubbish. The film did have some interesting explorations on the shortcomings of humans when confronted with hardship and fear, one example being blind faith, and a willingness to follow any promised for a solution. But I'm afriad that even Drayton's desire to control cannot explain his lunatic ebhaviour at the films conclusion. Sorry for the spoiler which I'm about to make..!!!!!!I mean really, what kind of person would shoot his own son?. No matter how dire the circumstances. Basic human instinct motivates survival, and these people were by no means done for. Just after shooting his accomplices, I turned to my friend and said 'don't you think that is absolutely ridiculous?. Noone would do that. Someone could come and rescue them.' My friend then proceeded to tell me that all their hope was lost. How rediculous that the whole group would resign their fate to unnecessary suicide at once. Surprise, Surprise. Moments later a rescue team arrives. Only then did my friend acknowledge my point. 20 minutes later my friend could not stop telling me how stupid that he thought it really was. Forgive me but this has got to be one of the dumbest moments in film ever.
Cloverfield
It wasn't without a gulp that i picked this movie off the shelf, and it was only after repeated rave reviews that I did so. I found the first 25 nimutes excruciating, watching a bunch of intoxicated adolescents dramatise petty relationship events into monumental stature. I almost turned it off several times, though I'm glad I didn't. It did become mildy interesting after the alien invasion, if only to see a film made in this style, with a first person camera view, where the narrator is someone involved in the events, even if he is incredibly annoying and utterly unlikeable.
A History of Violence
Really good action/drama. Viggo Mortensen...so hot right now. This is the first of a string of great roles he has done in a short period. For a long time I didn't know whether to believe him or not, whether or not beneath his calm, pleasing persona lurked another more sinister temperence. The drama the clash of the two worlds, that of the peaceful country lifestyle and the big city mob is stark, and the tension created in the most crucial encounters is palpable. Watch it.
Romulus, My Father
One of the best Australian films I've seen. The drama was very moving. Eric Bana was good as the honourable father of a young boy named Raimond. The spectrum of emotions shown by the young actor playing Raimond was wide and affecting, and was a great focal point for the transformation of the family unit. It also proved what a great young talent he is. A great exploration of father-son and mother-son relationships, presented by a series of defining moments in Raimond's childhood, where the considerations of both child and parent are equally prominent. Well worth it.
Zidane
This is not exactly what I expected. But that is not a bad thing. It can best be described as a psycho-analysis, and a moving portrait, of the greatest footballer of the past 2 decades. This is groundbreaking cinematography. Set amidst and over the period of a professional football match between Real Madrid and Villareal on 23 April 2005. The film takes the viewer into the mind of Zidane, as countless cameras capture his every play, movement, sigh, grunt, yell, and every other emotion, as he trudges about a pitch, over the course of the match. The soundtrack, composed entirely by minimalist group, Mogwai for the production, is perfect... mesmerizing. Watching Zidane for a while, and his lack of extraversion and emotion, I began to lose interest in watching him so intently. However, after watching the characters around him, I began to see the beauty of Zidane's mind. The pace at which he moves is consistent with that of the game, the pace of a mind always one step ahead of the game, but one look short of connection with the people around him. This is a sad depiction of a one man's humanity..his inner world. He is wretched, alone, untouchable, the conductor. The style of the film does become a bit much by the end of the 90 minutes, though to cut it at all short would be to undermine the purpose of the overall concept. Original. Great for anyone craving something completely different and, or in pursuit of an outlet for insight.
City of God
This film has style. Great editing, and an upbeat brazilian soundtrack give a great impression of the vibrancy of life in the slums of South America. The action however gives the viewer an idea about life's lack of assigned value. Shocking, and uncompromising in its portrayal of the drug wars in Rio. In Lord of the Flies fashion age proves no obstacle to barbarism and brutality when kids young as six or seven years are involved in armed conflict. Innocence has no currency on the streets of Cidade de Deus(City of God), where greed and lust for power reign supreme. Terrific direction. The violence might be a bit confronting and OTT for some people but a great film.
Fracture
This was a real surprise. I throughly enjoyed watching Ryan Gosling and Anthony Hopkins work off of each other. Hopkins was great as usual but but Gosling matched him all the way, and there is an obvious chemistry between him and Gosling. Both are good men and put their best foot forward, in the story, and in their portrayals of two refined opposing minds.The pace was good and the film was intelligently constructed.It might have been better considering the script was excellent I thought. But very absorbing and with some rewards at the end. Not at all predictable. It has my recommendation.
Pan's Labyrinth
I love this movie so much. I did not know what to expect at any point in viewing. It's beautiful, and fantastic appearance almost had me believe this could be children's film. That was until being uttelry shocked at several points by its graphic and diturbing violence. These moments seemed unnecessary at the time. But this is just another example of the film's use of contrasts between light and shadow, waxing and waning, dreaming and waking, which exemplify the duality of our own universes.Filled with messages and lessons, but just as many questions. At its best Pan's Labirynth shows us that power is an illusion and that innocence and our ability to dream are weapons capable of conquering the worst evil. Del Toro is a masterful director, with wonderul vision. His use of archetypes and mythologies as symbolism is commendable. Particularly his monsters, which act as obstacles to our young heroin in her quest to find meaning in a world which represses it. This is such a rich and wonderful peice of art, with many layers of meaning. It can be enjoyed by just about anyone. Do not miss this film.
Apocalypto
Mel Gibson has proved once again his ability to draw an audience into a world which has long past and is largely forgotten, but which is so tangible you forget what room your watching the film from. A great adventure story of a ancient South American forest dweller at odds with a superstitious bloodthirsty Mayan civilization. Blends history and myth in just the right amounts. A complimentary soundtrack and great cinematography.
Vanilla Sky
This film makes me believe. Hope. Strive. Love. Wonder. Dream. With an ambitious combination romance, philosophy and science-fiction, Cameron's existential love story explores a love which is made, lost, found, and found, and found. At the beginning of the film, the premise seems simple...conventional. Rich Playboy (Cruise) falls in love, eyes are opened and becomes orientated and responsible. But it doesn't take long to see that Vanilla Sky is anything but simple. Tom Cruise is at his career best in my opinion and should have recieved some consideration for an award I believe. It is even more impressive when viewing with hindsight having watched the film previously, and understanding the complexities of the scenarios in which he is creating himself. There is also real love on the screen. Tom and are enjoyable to watch. Penelope Cruz is just wonderful. The script is very good and the soundtrack is wonderful.This film is one that I watch repeatedly, and for me loses none of its appeal, though at the same time I would love to see it afresh. The whole movie feels like a dream. One that stops in its tracks and starts again in a new direction. You know that something has been lost, you've forgotten something, or you must have missed something, but you know its the same dream. This film is so much more than the sum of its parts. Watch it.
Abres Los Ojos
Inevitably, watching this film did ruin Vanilla sky for me to some extent, a film which I really loved before.. I hate that I'm compelled to compare two films, but in this case I feel I have little choice, as they are basically the same film, sometimes shot for shot. I only wish I was able to enjoy this film-the original- without preconceptions. ANyway...Although the American remake has a finer finish, with superb visuals, music, dialogue, and chemistry between the two lovers, this original has qualities all of it's own, and is a concept more fully realized and coherent. The unravelling of the plot and the pace in general I think is also much better managed in Abres Los Ojos. While Vanilla Sky always felt like a dream, this spanish film has a more visceral quality. I'm not sure which is more effective. Make up your own mind. I still thoroughly enjoyed this film though, despite the obvious lack of intrigue.
The New World
The beginning of The New World presents it's audience with the few moments preceeding the arrival of the British navy into the shores of what would be become known as the United States of America. Colin Farrel plays John Smith, an English captain who is captive and sentenced to be hung for mutinous stirrings aboard the ship. He is pardoned upon landing ashore when it becomes apparent to his superiors that his expertise is not expendable. The beautiful, pure and untainted landscapes are ravishly captured by Malick's masterful cinematography, particularly during Smith's scout up the river for an Indian chief, where he seems to take in the scenery like someone who born anew.
Following his capture by the native Algonquian tribe, Smith is saved from certain death only by the assertion of Pocahontas, the lovely Indian princess, who's intuition allows her vision of a possible unity and a small understanding preluding conflict and a futile resistance to the changing times.
Smith spends a small period of time learning the lifestyle of the native Indian. Shunned and exiled for his blasphemy among the English, he is honoured by the Indian for his dignity. The reflective voice-over which provides personal and emotional orientation to periods within the film has Smith talk admirably of a culture without the corruption of power, free from envy, jealousy and greed, but one holding to more simple but human values. Smith is wide-eyed like a child and seduced by the impetuous free spirit of Pocahontas. The two fall in love with one another and share what is a brief but truly innocent and beautiful affair. Very little dialogue is used in this section fo the film and in the film as a whole. But this is compensated for with a soundtrack comprising eery string and brass, and tribal, percussive arrangements, and with powewrful imagery.
Smith's return to the British settlement illuminates some hard truths. Smith again takes charge driven in part by some responsibility for his counrtymen and some an obligation he feels to act on his unique understanding of the events unfolding, but of which he feels powerless to control. The cutltural exchange between the Indians and the British eventually disentegrates to the point of armed conflict. After finding that Pocahontas had fled and warned Smith of their assault, Pocahontas' father banishes her from the tribe. Not long after this Smith flees the country for an opportunity to further his carrer.
At this point in the film the narrative switches it's focus solely onto Pocahontas, who is displaced and broken. The remainder of the film follows her journey, through her marriage to......, her move to England and her death by pneumonia.
The New World captivates it's audience like few other films, and immerses them in the painful, beautiful and shocking truths of several inner worlds. One of the optimistic possibility for a new world for civilized man, a chance to start afresh, while Europe faded. The others are more melancholy, one being thethat of the native indian, where the curtain of utopia is thrown back to reveal the new world which had been hidden from view but which now undeniably signalled their demise. The last is that of Pocahontas, and her unique journey
Mangal Pandey
I may have been generous with this rating but I have a soft spot for Bollywood films. And this is an epic. It is the story of an indian soldier for the east-india trading company, who, refuses blind obedience in defence of his core beliefs, and ultimately sparks a rebellion against India's foreign rule. The character of Manga, played charismatically by Aamir Khan, is multifaceted and is very well developed over the course of the film. The friendship which grows between Mangal and the commanding officer he rescues, Gordon, is genuine, but its turbulence also effectively symbolizes the growing tension between Mangal and the British. All these facets of the film compliment the plot perfectly by making Mangal's final resolve and ultimate sacrifice all the more poignant. Like most Indian films it has a surreal quality, with the usual trimmings, amazing visuals, and scenery, and gorgeous women singing. Not just for followers of Indian film. Very enjoyable.
Spirited Away
Being a massive fan of the anime genre, I was always going to be attracted to this film, but never could I have expected Spirited Away to provide for myself what it did.
This gem of a film by acclaimed animation director Hayao Miyazaki is one of those films that come around once in a blue moon that has the potential of sweeping audiences of all ages away on an unforgettable journey into a world beyond imagination.
The story follows a young girl named Chihiro, who stumbles upon a hidden world of fantasy filled with magic, intrigue, danger and strange creatures. Upon losing her parents, who are transformed into pigs, she must embark on a journey and search deep within herself for the strength to rescue her parents and herself.
While being a work of beauty and a visual triumph, Spirited Away, in the tradition of The Never Ending Story and Alice In Wonderland, offers an escape from this world where everything has a spirit and anything is possible.
The Proposition
Written by the extremely talented singer/songwriter (poet), Nick Cave, The Proposition is the latest in a string of quality Australian dramas produced over the last year or two. But more than that, the film is an exploration of a genre of great potential and intrigue to which has not been done before, this being the Australian Western.
With a terrific Australian dominated cast including the likes of Guy Pearce, David Wenham and a surprisingly insightful script, The proposition is an Australian Epic. It involves a captured bushranger Charlie (Guy Pearce) being presented with a proposition, to kill his eldest brother and outlaw or suffer his younger brother being on the wrong end of a noose. Charlie must face this moral dilemma as well as the unforgiving Australian bush outback, all the while seeking retribution for his past sins, which he wears and suffers for.
The violence is as brutal as the setting in which the conflict unfolds, perfectly capturing the beautiful but all the same terrible early colonial Australian outback lifestyle with rich authenticity.
With themes such as redemption, betrayal, family, and courage riding a brilliantly delivered endearing script, ‘The Proposition’ truly is deserving of the praise ‘epic’ to which it has been given.
Last Days Review
Blake is a tired, troubled, disgruntled musician cracking under the forces surrounding him. Seeking solitude, Blake contemplates his life and searches desperately for an escape. On this premise acclaimed director Gus Van Sant attempts to provide an exclusive and insightful view into the last days of a suicidal musical genius, that may or may not be Kurt Cobain.
But rather than inspire interest this film, due largely to the reclusive behaviour of the lead character and the lack of conflict and development that ensues as a result, alienates the audience, failing to establish a personal connection between them and the lead.
The film has moments of boldness and in the way of film making, which may be expected from a director of the calibre and prominence as Van Sant, especially given the creative and experimental nature of the project. Last Days however failed to impress and I find ultimately presents us with little but what could be, and definitely resembles, the final days of any depressed youth, rather than distinctly that of a modern rock icon. Being based loosely on Cobain, I can only bring myself to recommend Last Days to die hard Nirvana fans.
Domino
Domino is beautiful, 20 something, priveledged, and from Beverly Hills. She is also tough talking, gritty, seemingly fearless, socially outcast, a bounty hunter and chainsmoker. So I guess she is not exactly the model young woman, but that’s by no means an accident but rather pure force of determination.
Regardless of the obvious natural talent she possesses, Domino and her two crewmates, including mentor Ed, played by Mickey Rourke, soon find themselves in a situation spiralling increasingly out of their control on a job involving carjackers when the FBI, mob and TV producers become involved. The carnage that follows makes for a near 2 hour hit of pure adrenalin accompanied by
more twists than a Chubby Checkers concert. Kira Knightley is terrific in the title role, convincing the audience she is not to be trifled with despite her physical vulnerability. The film looks amazing but could have been darker and lacks a sense of realism which undermines its appeal as a ‘true story’.
American Psycho
This film definitely won't be for everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed it.Disturbing, hilarious and provoking. It is a pitch black comedic satire on materialism, and yuppies, and which explores the darker side of the human mind and the delicate nature of humanity. It is also genuinely funny at many moments. This has to be Christian Bales yardstick performance. His Bateman is sweet, fragile, vain, volatile and believably insane.At times we can see Bateman's mind, not by what he says, which is mostly bullshit and proaganda, but by his behaviour, which is often erratic and completely inappropriate to the situation at hand.the film has a very slick and guarded tone throughout and is always consistent with a focus on surfaces, because this is the way in which Bateman views the world.A very unique approach to a horror film.
Once Upon A Time In America
Upon watching two things stuck oput in my mind, one was that I couldn't believe I had never even heard of this film, and the other was that they really don't make films like this anymore and they probably never will. This is what I call an epic. It has everything one could love about the movies. Friendship, romance, tragedy, adventure, betrayal.Five young Jewish boys living in New York in the 1920s have their destinies intertwined by a conscious choice of a life of crime. Each is a character with unique drives and temperances. The narrative is very complex, but most of the story consists of flashbacks, as an elderly Noodles (Deniro), ponders the decisions he and his friends made which determined the outcome of theirs, and his own lives.The acting is outstanding. James Woods and Rober DeNiro especially, are terrific. It is the realtionship between these two, the most dominating members of the group, which is the most interesting and important, and from which there is a tension which drives the film. Though this is only one aspect of OUaTiA. This is a film to be revisited, one that grows and grows in stature. It is very slow at times and its length will frustrate some and repel as well, but trust me, it is worth it.
