Jim Cameron's first film in 14 years sees humans raping a moon and indigenous tribes fighting back. You can pretty much guess the rest.
While the story won't grab you or throw up any surprises, the visuals will astound. Pandora, aforementioned moon, is a wholly, brilliantly and beautifully rendered world. And while all of it is rendered, you accept this in the way you accept a cartoon so the unreality of it never jars.
Even the long running time didn't bother me and I watched from 11:30 pm to 2 am. It doesn't need to be that long but doesn't suffer for it.
A highly entertaining romp with plenty of spectacle that i'd recommend to anyone wanting to switch off for a while. The 3D is also exellent but I'm still not certain it's any more than a fun gimmick.
Monday 21 December 2009
Tuesday 1 December 2009
The Exterminating Angel
The second half of what became an unusual "Dinner Party Double Bill" sees a set of Spanish gentry inexplicably trapped in a single room of a mansion, the outside world powerless to enter.
At the moment I'm sure this starting point would be a launch into the paranormal. Bunuel however is more interested in the way these well heeled "better" elements behave when exposed to unjust imprisonment and depravation. Not well is the unsurprising answer as the initially sycophantic crowd round on each other by turns.
Surprisingly accessible from a member of the surrealist movement it shares Mike Leigh's healthy scepticism of people's better qualities generating a dark humour as the situation degrades. Fascinating.
Time to plan my next dinner party.
At the moment I'm sure this starting point would be a launch into the paranormal. Bunuel however is more interested in the way these well heeled "better" elements behave when exposed to unjust imprisonment and depravation. Not well is the unsurprising answer as the initially sycophantic crowd round on each other by turns.
Surprisingly accessible from a member of the surrealist movement it shares Mike Leigh's healthy scepticism of people's better qualities generating a dark humour as the situation degrades. Fascinating.
Time to plan my next dinner party.
Abigail's Party
A cocktail party set in British 70's suburbia see's Mike Leigh lampoon the British middle class and their hum drum aspirations with uncomfortable accuracy.
Significantly, while attire, decor and party snacks have moved on, the characters remain recognisable today so in spite of being 30 years old, it only dates superficially.
A witty incisive view of middle England which, thanks to characters who are regularly awful to each other, makes for the sort of uncomfortable viewing the Office has made so familiar.
Significantly, while attire, decor and party snacks have moved on, the characters remain recognisable today so in spite of being 30 years old, it only dates superficially.
A witty incisive view of middle England which, thanks to characters who are regularly awful to each other, makes for the sort of uncomfortable viewing the Office has made so familiar.
Tuesday 24 November 2009
Chopper
The embelushed, stylised, but at least partially true story of Mark "Chopper" Read.
Tales of psychopaths in prison and following their release are not uncommon but Chopper has stood out in recent years as one of the finer attempts. This comes down to the riveting central performance given by Eric Bana. Generally charismatic, the ease and subtlety with which he reveals paranoia and insecurity and the speed with which these switch to violent sociopathic behaviour is engrossing lending an element of pathos to a character we should by rights be wholly repulsed by.
The film is also shot through with moments of black comedy as a counterpoint to the violence.
Brief and entertaining.
Tales of psychopaths in prison and following their release are not uncommon but Chopper has stood out in recent years as one of the finer attempts. This comes down to the riveting central performance given by Eric Bana. Generally charismatic, the ease and subtlety with which he reveals paranoia and insecurity and the speed with which these switch to violent sociopathic behaviour is engrossing lending an element of pathos to a character we should by rights be wholly repulsed by.
The film is also shot through with moments of black comedy as a counterpoint to the violence.
Brief and entertaining.
Tuesday 17 November 2009
The Men Who Stare At Goats
A journalist heading to Iraq meets a jedi warrior who tells him all about a secret group in the US army studying psychic warfare.
Through a road trip in Iraq, events occurr giving our journalist chance to flashback to tales of psychic training he has been told. There is a great deal of humour in these tales, much coming from the playing straight of these credulous characters by some of Hollywoods finest, Clooney, Bridges, Spacey et al. What it doesn't really have is a narrative. For much of the film this doesn't matter but it results in a messy end that is deeply unsatisfying. The result was a film that I enjoyed but felt disappointed by. I did laugh a lot though.
Through a road trip in Iraq, events occurr giving our journalist chance to flashback to tales of psychic training he has been told. There is a great deal of humour in these tales, much coming from the playing straight of these credulous characters by some of Hollywoods finest, Clooney, Bridges, Spacey et al. What it doesn't really have is a narrative. For much of the film this doesn't matter but it results in a messy end that is deeply unsatisfying. The result was a film that I enjoyed but felt disappointed by. I did laugh a lot though.
Thursday 5 November 2009
The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus
A centuries old monk has been gambling with the devil. As the time to collect nears, the travelling Imaginarium struggles to drum up some trade that provides the only hope of salvation.
As people pass through a magic mirror the imaginarium conjures up the contents of their imagination. Life through the mirror is a series of surreal dreamscapes. Others have bemoaned Gilliams switch from physical sets and cartoons to CG for their realisation but that rather misses the point. Since they are inherently imagined, being obviously unreal isn't a problem. For me they were the best part of the film and I wish more time had been spent there. Little is.
The story meanders and feels overlong but contains a moral core that turns it into a modern day fairy tale.
It is well known Heath Ledger died during filming and it is remarkable how naturallly the required changes, where different actors play his role when in the Imaginarium, fit into the tale. It should be noted though, that while Heath's character is prominent, it isnt his film. Christpher Plummer's Parnassus is the centre of the tale.
Far from Gilliam's best work, this still has a surplus of ideas. I think it's worth seeing on it's own merit but if not, it still dares to stand out in a world of endless sequels and should be commended for that.
As people pass through a magic mirror the imaginarium conjures up the contents of their imagination. Life through the mirror is a series of surreal dreamscapes. Others have bemoaned Gilliams switch from physical sets and cartoons to CG for their realisation but that rather misses the point. Since they are inherently imagined, being obviously unreal isn't a problem. For me they were the best part of the film and I wish more time had been spent there. Little is.
The story meanders and feels overlong but contains a moral core that turns it into a modern day fairy tale.
It is well known Heath Ledger died during filming and it is remarkable how naturallly the required changes, where different actors play his role when in the Imaginarium, fit into the tale. It should be noted though, that while Heath's character is prominent, it isnt his film. Christpher Plummer's Parnassus is the centre of the tale.
Far from Gilliam's best work, this still has a surplus of ideas. I think it's worth seeing on it's own merit but if not, it still dares to stand out in a world of endless sequels and should be commended for that.
Sunday 25 October 2009
Sleeping Beauty (Disney)
With the post modern likes of Shrek and Enchanted a regulsr feature of the cinematic landscape, I thought it would be interesting to go back and look at the classic animated fairytale that has inspired so many of them.
What is striking about these early films is their simplicity. Aimed squarely at children they aim to please adults only by telling timeworn stories well. They also have incredible pace barely pausing for breath as they whip along to the end in little over an hour. Little worry of fidgeting children there.
Saying they're simple isn't a put down though. Too many films get lost in overly elaborate plots (or no plot at all) and mistake technical wizadry for entertainment. Here you can see animation developing into a modern artform and the influences that would shape such films for the next 70 years and beyond.
The tale of the cursed princess doomed to sleep until true loves first kiss is indeed simple but is told with wit, charm and imagination.
As an aside, a friend who collects spinning wheels assures me they have never encompassed a needle on which to prick your finger. Not such a smart wicked witch.
What is striking about these early films is their simplicity. Aimed squarely at children they aim to please adults only by telling timeworn stories well. They also have incredible pace barely pausing for breath as they whip along to the end in little over an hour. Little worry of fidgeting children there.
Saying they're simple isn't a put down though. Too many films get lost in overly elaborate plots (or no plot at all) and mistake technical wizadry for entertainment. Here you can see animation developing into a modern artform and the influences that would shape such films for the next 70 years and beyond.
The tale of the cursed princess doomed to sleep until true loves first kiss is indeed simple but is told with wit, charm and imagination.
As an aside, a friend who collects spinning wheels assures me they have never encompassed a needle on which to prick your finger. Not such a smart wicked witch.
Friday 23 October 2009
Up
An old man floats his house from north to south America using helium balloons. A young scout joins him for the ride. They discover big birds, talking dogs and learn much about themselves.
In a world where I grow increasingly frustrated with major studios spending such ludicrous amounts on films they dare only to make sequels, Pixar (still don't think of them as Disney) stand out like a lighthouse to show the way. With the exception of Toy Story, no sequels, just fabulous original stories that even when poor by their own standards, stand head and shoulders above all else. They produce blockbusters to look forward to by taking risks. The premise to this film didn't sound great. The trailers didn't enthuse me. But I went because it was Pixar and was rewarded with a fine film indeed.
I arrived at the cinema in a strop after a lousy day at work but less than2 hours later I was leaving feeling, pardon the pun, Up-lifted. Funny one moment, poignant the next this film is more epic in it's 96 minute run time than many of hollywoods bloated "epics".
If more studios were like Pixar, I wouldn't care so much about the lack of independent cinemas in Reading.
In a world where I grow increasingly frustrated with major studios spending such ludicrous amounts on films they dare only to make sequels, Pixar (still don't think of them as Disney) stand out like a lighthouse to show the way. With the exception of Toy Story, no sequels, just fabulous original stories that even when poor by their own standards, stand head and shoulders above all else. They produce blockbusters to look forward to by taking risks. The premise to this film didn't sound great. The trailers didn't enthuse me. But I went because it was Pixar and was rewarded with a fine film indeed.
I arrived at the cinema in a strop after a lousy day at work but less than2 hours later I was leaving feeling, pardon the pun, Up-lifted. Funny one moment, poignant the next this film is more epic in it's 96 minute run time than many of hollywoods bloated "epics".
If more studios were like Pixar, I wouldn't care so much about the lack of independent cinemas in Reading.
The Graduate
Benjamin Braddock, a graduate arrives home stressed about his future, has an affair with the wife of his dads business partner then ends it after falling for her daughter.
Watching a classic film for the first time is a risk thanks to the burden of expectation. Iconic films such as this, with many scenes being riffed on and paradied elsewhere even more so. From Airplane to The Simpsons and those cursed "100 best ..." a lot of the film was familiar. Fortunately this tale of aimless youth is strong enough to survive the lampooning and stand as more than a string of recognised clips.
This strength comes primarily from astute observations of human behaviour. Stifling parties to show off children and associated interrogations from family friends. Casual but piercing insults to defend against insults. Missing the obvious truth because of our own insecurities. Yet for every well drawn moment there is a bafflingly implausible one. Is this deliberate to keep the film light in tone. With a Simon and Garfunkel soundtrack it seems probable. It seemed charming to me but could just as easily wind you up.
Watching a classic film for the first time is a risk thanks to the burden of expectation. Iconic films such as this, with many scenes being riffed on and paradied elsewhere even more so. From Airplane to The Simpsons and those cursed "100 best ..." a lot of the film was familiar. Fortunately this tale of aimless youth is strong enough to survive the lampooning and stand as more than a string of recognised clips.
This strength comes primarily from astute observations of human behaviour. Stifling parties to show off children and associated interrogations from family friends. Casual but piercing insults to defend against insults. Missing the obvious truth because of our own insecurities. Yet for every well drawn moment there is a bafflingly implausible one. Is this deliberate to keep the film light in tone. With a Simon and Garfunkel soundtrack it seems probable. It seemed charming to me but could just as easily wind you up.
Monday 12 October 2009
Zombieland
Do you have the chops to survive the zombie apocalypse? If you've thought about this question (and I know a few who have) then this film is for you.
Little time is given over to the philosophical musings of a Romero zombie flick. This is more a cross of the splatter of video games like House Of The Dead and the geek tries to get laid tale of Superbad et al.
Our geek introduces us to his rules for survival with a reel of examples and then heads off on a road trip to find someone. Anyone.
There's little originality here but it's easy to warm to the characters and gay abandon with which zombies were dispatched kept me chuckling throughout. Zombie fans should enjoy.
Little time is given over to the philosophical musings of a Romero zombie flick. This is more a cross of the splatter of video games like House Of The Dead and the geek tries to get laid tale of Superbad et al.
Our geek introduces us to his rules for survival with a reel of examples and then heads off on a road trip to find someone. Anyone.
There's little originality here but it's easy to warm to the characters and gay abandon with which zombies were dispatched kept me chuckling throughout. Zombie fans should enjoy.
The Eagle Has Landed
Michael Caine is a German officer leading a group of paratroopers on an audacious mission to snatch Winston Churchill from a country retreat.
Key to the plot is that Michael Caine speaks English without a German accent. Why all the other German officers do this is never explained.
A sympathetic light is cast on the Germans, shown to be honourable men but this grates with their intentions.
The tension necessary for these band of brother style films builds slowly but is released far too early on in exchange for an extended action sequence and is never quite recovered.
An interesting attempt at mixing some originality into the formulaic but not the classic I expected.
Key to the plot is that Michael Caine speaks English without a German accent. Why all the other German officers do this is never explained.
A sympathetic light is cast on the Germans, shown to be honourable men but this grates with their intentions.
The tension necessary for these band of brother style films builds slowly but is released far too early on in exchange for an extended action sequence and is never quite recovered.
An interesting attempt at mixing some originality into the formulaic but not the classic I expected.
Wednesday 7 October 2009
Creation
A biopic following Darwins struggles to put his thoughts and observations on evolution into the form of his revolutionary book, "On The Origin Of Species". It would be better titled Faith. There is little here about his early voyages on the Beagle, the genesis of his theory, nor much on the many years experimentation that followed gathering evidence to support it. Instead it shows the struggle of a man confronting his faith and all to aware that in writing his book he will confront the nations. Not only this but he is severely ill and heartbroken by the death of his eldest daughter Annie.
There is anunusual tone to the film. Where you might normally expect the completion of the book to be a triumph, here it is only a release from the bind that it has been, cathartic in completion but not celebrated. The tragedies in Darwin's life cast a a pall over the film that rarely lift and the majority of lighter moments come from the flashbacks to when Annie was alive.
Paul Bettany, as ever is excellent in a role where his character must change dramatically and frequently. So too is Jennifer Connelly as his wife, Emma who must be more reserved ad she tries to hold together a family while trying to support a husband directly confronting her own faith.
A good and interesting movie but not for those in low spirit.
There is anunusual tone to the film. Where you might normally expect the completion of the book to be a triumph, here it is only a release from the bind that it has been, cathartic in completion but not celebrated. The tragedies in Darwin's life cast a a pall over the film that rarely lift and the majority of lighter moments come from the flashbacks to when Annie was alive.
Paul Bettany, as ever is excellent in a role where his character must change dramatically and frequently. So too is Jennifer Connelly as his wife, Emma who must be more reserved ad she tries to hold together a family while trying to support a husband directly confronting her own faith.
A good and interesting movie but not for those in low spirit.
Tuesday 6 October 2009
9 Songs
A couple meet at a gig and go to 8 more, hence the title. It's real footage of real gigs although one is a Michael Nyman concert and I'm not sure he sings at all so it ought to have been called 8 Songs and a Tune.
The question the film poses is "When is a porno not a porno"? The answer of course is when it is an arty film. This is the most explicit film the BBFC have passed for general certification and explicit it certainly is. However, through the multitude of bedroom antics so clearly illustrated, a sense of the imbalance of the pair's relationship develops as man falls in love and woman uses him for sex. This use of sex scenes to progress the narrative and express the nature of a relationship is presumably what the BBFC are looking for when doling out the 18s and Xs. Ang Lee used similarly explicit scenes in Lust, Caution with great effect but also much protest. It also better illustrated the second quality presumably requsted for standard certification. The sex scenes aren't obviously titillating. In fact those in 9 Songs feel more like excerpts from a How To Make Love DVD.
So then, with a collection of gigs and shags developing characters and telling a story we must question whether I cared. Ultimately the answer is not really. A tale of making and breaking of a relationship told with tenderness was unexpected but lacked any real interest by focussing so much on how much sex could be got away with.
The question the film poses is "When is a porno not a porno"? The answer of course is when it is an arty film. This is the most explicit film the BBFC have passed for general certification and explicit it certainly is. However, through the multitude of bedroom antics so clearly illustrated, a sense of the imbalance of the pair's relationship develops as man falls in love and woman uses him for sex. This use of sex scenes to progress the narrative and express the nature of a relationship is presumably what the BBFC are looking for when doling out the 18s and Xs. Ang Lee used similarly explicit scenes in Lust, Caution with great effect but also much protest. It also better illustrated the second quality presumably requsted for standard certification. The sex scenes aren't obviously titillating. In fact those in 9 Songs feel more like excerpts from a How To Make Love DVD.
So then, with a collection of gigs and shags developing characters and telling a story we must question whether I cared. Ultimately the answer is not really. A tale of making and breaking of a relationship told with tenderness was unexpected but lacked any real interest by focussing so much on how much sex could be got away with.
Monday 5 October 2009
District 9
Aliens stranded on earth are placed under their own apartheid in Johannesburg while a shifty corporation try to unwrap their technology. Trouble kicks off when an employee gets an alien infection and begins metamorphosis.
As an allegory on the injustice of apartheid, which this film obviously is at one level, District 9 is not very effective. The point is made so bluntly it can be registered and disregarded again long before any actual thought is required. It is much better as piece of sci-fi since key questions about the aliens, why are they here, why can't they leave etc are never answered.
It is at it's most effective when presented as an historical documentary using CCTV and archive news footage to build the story. Unfortunately it keeps dropping out of this whenever it needs to show things that would otherwise remain unseen.
In classic blockbuster style the last half hour is largely blowing things up with alien tech but this is fun to watch after an hour and a half being shown all this technology innert. The end, as with the film asks more questions than it answers and leaves the door open for a district 10 sequel. I for one would be happy to see it.
As an allegory on the injustice of apartheid, which this film obviously is at one level, District 9 is not very effective. The point is made so bluntly it can be registered and disregarded again long before any actual thought is required. It is much better as piece of sci-fi since key questions about the aliens, why are they here, why can't they leave etc are never answered.
It is at it's most effective when presented as an historical documentary using CCTV and archive news footage to build the story. Unfortunately it keeps dropping out of this whenever it needs to show things that would otherwise remain unseen.
In classic blockbuster style the last half hour is largely blowing things up with alien tech but this is fun to watch after an hour and a half being shown all this technology innert. The end, as with the film asks more questions than it answers and leaves the door open for a district 10 sequel. I for one would be happy to see it.
Tuesday 29 September 2009
Buffalo Soldiers
American soldiers stationed in West Germany run racquets and go wild to relieve their boredom.
There's a certain surreal quality to this film, especially the action sequences which suggest the film needn't be taken altogether seriously. This is important with a lot of the film seeming at least like an exaggerated reality which would be hard to buy served straight. It also means the film is more entertaining than introspective on the issue of bored soldiers. Jarhead annoyed me by seeming to have something to say on the subject but never actually saying it, at the end here, there is at least a pat message to round things off.
Although I enjoyed the film it didn't engage me very strongly. The highlight of the film for me was when I decided Mr Phoenix should marry his onscreen squeeze and take her name to become Joaquin Paquin.
There's a certain surreal quality to this film, especially the action sequences which suggest the film needn't be taken altogether seriously. This is important with a lot of the film seeming at least like an exaggerated reality which would be hard to buy served straight. It also means the film is more entertaining than introspective on the issue of bored soldiers. Jarhead annoyed me by seeming to have something to say on the subject but never actually saying it, at the end here, there is at least a pat message to round things off.
Although I enjoyed the film it didn't engage me very strongly. The highlight of the film for me was when I decided Mr Phoenix should marry his onscreen squeeze and take her name to become Joaquin Paquin.
Tuesday 1 September 2009
Spongebob Squarepants:The Movie
A sponge named Bob lives in Bikini Bottom frying food at the local burger joint dreaming of becoming manager. When he fails to secure the spot at the new franchise because of being a child he heads off on a hero's quest to prove it ain't so.
BBCs Blue Planet caught a mind boggling array of sea life in fabulous detail but David Atteborough kept from us important aspects of sea life behaviour. Most particularly that plankton are in fact megalomaniacal fiends. That's why so many things eat them. They have to be kept in check.
The good thing about a lot of the cartoons from Nickleodeon is their being squarely aimed at children, revelling in silliness. A silliness that those adults who still retain healthy levels of childishness can also revel in. Are you one of those? If you think Spongebob sounds cooler in French, in which he's called Bob Le Ponge Pantalon Carre then you probably are.
BBCs Blue Planet caught a mind boggling array of sea life in fabulous detail but David Atteborough kept from us important aspects of sea life behaviour. Most particularly that plankton are in fact megalomaniacal fiends. That's why so many things eat them. They have to be kept in check.
The good thing about a lot of the cartoons from Nickleodeon is their being squarely aimed at children, revelling in silliness. A silliness that those adults who still retain healthy levels of childishness can also revel in. Are you one of those? If you think Spongebob sounds cooler in French, in which he's called Bob Le Ponge Pantalon Carre then you probably are.
Tuesday 25 August 2009
Inglorious Basterds
A unit of Jewish American soldiers wage a guerilla campaign in Nazi occupied France while Goring puts on a premiere in Paris, his star tries to woo the venues owner, she plots to burn the place down with the high command there, the British plot to blow it up and a Nazi Officer tries to keep it safe.
The early synopsis of this film promised a Tarantino version of The Dirty Dozen. Such thoughts are swiftly dealt a blow when the film jumps from forming the group to Hitler cursing their success. No training montages here, nor any mad cap adventure sequences for the denouement.
Like most of his other work this film is primarily built upon long sequences of dialogue as the characters try to unravel one anothers motives. And in places this is Tarantino at his best. Time and again tension is steadily ratcheted up as we wait to see whether our Heroes can remain unmasked a little longer. This is also frequently done with great wit. But, like the latter Harry Potter books, the film is hugely flabby and in desperate need of an independent (or more restrained) editor. Many of the good scenes lose their impact by being over extended, tension simply slipping away to be replaced by impatience to move forward. Whole sections serve no purpose at all. It is this constant tapping of fingers that undid the film for me.
The standout part of the film is Michael Fassbender who is outstanding as the Nazi Security Officer nicknamed Jew Hunter. Nothing should appeal about this character at all. We frequently see him do shocking things and yet somehow, thanks to a brilliant actor, we are left sympathetic to him.
It isn't a terrible film but the good bits only serve to highlight that the film as a whole should be better. Less self indulgence next time please Quentin.
The early synopsis of this film promised a Tarantino version of The Dirty Dozen. Such thoughts are swiftly dealt a blow when the film jumps from forming the group to Hitler cursing their success. No training montages here, nor any mad cap adventure sequences for the denouement.
Like most of his other work this film is primarily built upon long sequences of dialogue as the characters try to unravel one anothers motives. And in places this is Tarantino at his best. Time and again tension is steadily ratcheted up as we wait to see whether our Heroes can remain unmasked a little longer. This is also frequently done with great wit. But, like the latter Harry Potter books, the film is hugely flabby and in desperate need of an independent (or more restrained) editor. Many of the good scenes lose their impact by being over extended, tension simply slipping away to be replaced by impatience to move forward. Whole sections serve no purpose at all. It is this constant tapping of fingers that undid the film for me.
The standout part of the film is Michael Fassbender who is outstanding as the Nazi Security Officer nicknamed Jew Hunter. Nothing should appeal about this character at all. We frequently see him do shocking things and yet somehow, thanks to a brilliant actor, we are left sympathetic to him.
It isn't a terrible film but the good bits only serve to highlight that the film as a whole should be better. Less self indulgence next time please Quentin.
A Map For Saturday
Brook Silva-Braga, a successful video editor in New York has an early life crisis and decides to trade in his job for a year hostelling around the world. While doing so he films himself and interviews those he meets and on return, edits the footage into this film. Which is really more a TV video diary than movie per se.
The film will likely hold interest to those who have tried back packing or are considering it. Its content focuses on the relationships formed in these environments and the sense of freedom engendered by doing just what you please with no thought for others.
What it isn't is a travelogue. The locations he visits are barely touched upon. This is a deliberate choice to focus on his point that these trips are about the people met more than the places gone but will frustrate those looking for better views and more insight on the locales he chooses to stop.
I did enjoy revisiting the back packing experience but be warned, it left me very dissatisfied I would be doing no travel of my own anytime soon. Interesting but not essential.
The film will likely hold interest to those who have tried back packing or are considering it. Its content focuses on the relationships formed in these environments and the sense of freedom engendered by doing just what you please with no thought for others.
What it isn't is a travelogue. The locations he visits are barely touched upon. This is a deliberate choice to focus on his point that these trips are about the people met more than the places gone but will frustrate those looking for better views and more insight on the locales he chooses to stop.
I did enjoy revisiting the back packing experience but be warned, it left me very dissatisfied I would be doing no travel of my own anytime soon. Interesting but not essential.
Thursday 6 August 2009
633 Squadron
As my previous boss used to point out, part of the joy of being relatively uninitiated in the world of cinema is the huge back catalogue of classic films I have yet to discover (to the constant dismay of my cinephile friends). So I've started trying to log these films when they crop up so I can make an effort to broaden the scope of my viewing. I should also log why I thought I should watch them. I can't remember for 633 Squadron but it might be as simple as the classic theme tune.
The film follows a WW2 mosquito bomber squadron as they train for a tricky D-day preparation mission. There are special bombs and a long approach run up a fjord, burgeoning romance and country pub. It feels like so many other British war films you watch on a Sunday afternoon but this is no bad thing since I love them. They do though have this strange ability to rear load the film. We slowly get to know the characters without realising we care for them and then in 10 short minutes of action right at the end you get all the main action in one hit. As pilots are lost in what is very clearly the inspiration for Star Wars' Death Star Trench Run some emotion is finally dredged from these great sacrifices, but in a very stiff upper lip sort of way with no melodrama. If you like a classic war film tale of derring do, this will be for you.
The film follows a WW2 mosquito bomber squadron as they train for a tricky D-day preparation mission. There are special bombs and a long approach run up a fjord, burgeoning romance and country pub. It feels like so many other British war films you watch on a Sunday afternoon but this is no bad thing since I love them. They do though have this strange ability to rear load the film. We slowly get to know the characters without realising we care for them and then in 10 short minutes of action right at the end you get all the main action in one hit. As pilots are lost in what is very clearly the inspiration for Star Wars' Death Star Trench Run some emotion is finally dredged from these great sacrifices, but in a very stiff upper lip sort of way with no melodrama. If you like a classic war film tale of derring do, this will be for you.
Monday 3 August 2009
The Limey
On the face of it this is a classic British gangster film with Terrence Stamp playing Wilson, an ex-con lured to LA by a letter informing him of his daughters death. But it more than this. In very quickly laying out the revenge theme and setting up Wilson as something of an irresistable force, the need for convoluted heists is dispensed with and what unfolds instead is an intimate portrait of a man coming to terms with the consequences of his lifestyle and several terms in jail.
The script is efficient and combined with editing that often has a conversation played out over several locations gives the film a momentum that briskly gathers pace as it whips through it's 85 min runtime. But by keeping to a small cast and focusing on Wilson, brevity does not come at the expense of character development. Also, while clearly being informed by gangster films from both sides of the channel, it achieves a freshness and sense of originality I hadn't expected from the Such staple genre work. While the outcome is never in doubt it doesn't matter too much because getting there is so entertaining.
The script is efficient and combined with editing that often has a conversation played out over several locations gives the film a momentum that briskly gathers pace as it whips through it's 85 min runtime. But by keeping to a small cast and focusing on Wilson, brevity does not come at the expense of character development. Also, while clearly being informed by gangster films from both sides of the channel, it achieves a freshness and sense of originality I hadn't expected from the Such staple genre work. While the outcome is never in doubt it doesn't matter too much because getting there is so entertaining.
Eagle vs. Shark
Unlike the majority of vs. films, this one doesn't pitch mutated titular creatures against each other in a spectacular death match. Instead it is an indie comedy that sits well next to descriptions such as "quirky" and "offbeat". The shark is a never complaining, somewhat naive girl serving burgers waiting expectantly for Jarrod to come in. Jarrod, our Eagle, is focussed on a mission of revenge.
With two losers in the frame, themes of loss, desperation, eagerness to please and childhood hang ups come tumbling out. With Jarrod and Lily though, these episodes are tragically comical, largely thanks to Jared's unbelievable childishness.
Jared is played by Jermaine Clement who you may recognise from Flight of the Conchords. His character here is like a distillation of that characters desperation and child-like stupidity infused with some anger management issues. I spent half the film wodering what he'd be like if he grew up and the other half wodering what I'd be like if I still clung to childhood grievances. Maybe I should do some hard core kung-Fu training and use facebook to look up a nemesis or Two? Perhaps that would improve my prospects?
Lily is a character to root for. She may be a bit simple but she's a "good" person that you insinctively feel deserves better than life has given her. When all she asks for is Jarrod you can't help but feel that it's a small ask. So it's great that Jarrod thinks so much of himself he doesn't doesn't respond with excited gratitude.
Like a lot of indie comedies, this isn't gut bustingly funny. More mirthful generally but a satisfying watch with a good laugh or two along the way.
With two losers in the frame, themes of loss, desperation, eagerness to please and childhood hang ups come tumbling out. With Jarrod and Lily though, these episodes are tragically comical, largely thanks to Jared's unbelievable childishness.
Jared is played by Jermaine Clement who you may recognise from Flight of the Conchords. His character here is like a distillation of that characters desperation and child-like stupidity infused with some anger management issues. I spent half the film wodering what he'd be like if he grew up and the other half wodering what I'd be like if I still clung to childhood grievances. Maybe I should do some hard core kung-Fu training and use facebook to look up a nemesis or Two? Perhaps that would improve my prospects?
Lily is a character to root for. She may be a bit simple but she's a "good" person that you insinctively feel deserves better than life has given her. When all she asks for is Jarrod you can't help but feel that it's a small ask. So it's great that Jarrod thinks so much of himself he doesn't doesn't respond with excited gratitude.
Like a lot of indie comedies, this isn't gut bustingly funny. More mirthful generally but a satisfying watch with a good laugh or two along the way.
Saturday 25 July 2009
Deuce Bigelow:Male Gigolo
I must confess I expected to be wholly unamused by this tale of man-whoring convinced it would be nothing but a litany of cheap gags cracked at the expense of people who can't get a date. Which it is. However, the film was redeemed by it's "man-pimp" who was refreshingly un-PC at every turn. This isn't a good film but it made me chuckle. If you've grown out of toilet humour then there's nothing here for you. But think how much poorer your life is for lacking appreciation of a well timed fart.
Moon
This is a cracking little film harking back to all the best tradition in sci-fi. Cheap effects and small budgets disguised by big ideas. Yet sci-fi remains a genre mocked and maligned by much of the populace. Why is it so unfasionable to enjoy something just because it's set on the moon?
Geeks of course are the problem. The champions of sci-fi are people nobody wants to listen to. Social outcasts. They each find a little corner of the sci-fi kingdom to call their own then preach the Gospel according to Whedon/Abrams/Whoever. Many preach as fundamentalists (how can you like Tenant after you've seen Baker?) and most take solace in the fact they know someone geekier. This is like a chimpanzee claiming to be human because a gorilla is more ape.
People are scared by fundamentalism. The geeks should not rave about this film, they should just say it is good.
It is good.
Geeks of course are the problem. The champions of sci-fi are people nobody wants to listen to. Social outcasts. They each find a little corner of the sci-fi kingdom to call their own then preach the Gospel according to Whedon/Abrams/Whoever. Many preach as fundamentalists (how can you like Tenant after you've seen Baker?) and most take solace in the fact they know someone geekier. This is like a chimpanzee claiming to be human because a gorilla is more ape.
People are scared by fundamentalism. The geeks should not rave about this film, they should just say it is good.
It is good.
Wednesday 15 July 2009
The Machinist
So this is a film that seems to be developing a bit of a cult reputation, largely thanks , so far as I can tell, to Christian Bale starving himself. Rumour has it he consumed 1 apple and 1 cup of coffee a day to losr weight. If you believe the Hollywood actors guild there's thousands of actors who'd be happy to work for food so it seems ironic to pay a fortune for a well fed one to starve themself. I blame lazy casting staff who'd rather pick a name off the a-list than do their job. Anyway, the film felt like it was trying hard to be part Memento(post it notes everywhere), part Fight Club (without the fighting), part Phillip K Dick(reality/surreality issues) without really nailing the best part of any of them. I was gripped by our hungry actor but didn't really care about the character. Not terrible, not great.
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