Midnight In Paris

A hack Hollywood script writer (Owen Wilson) on vacation in Paris reflects on choosing money and easy writing over literature. As he wanders Paris, away from his fiancee he keeps finding himself transported back to the 20s when Paris was alive with the great artists of the century, all of whom he manages to bump into.

For a film meditating on missed opportunity and the elusive better time, always in the past, this is surprisingly playful upbeat fare from Woody Allen. Had he himself been playing this role in the golden age of his great film making days, our author would surely have been a much more mournful and tortured soul. But with Wilson you get instead a slightly dazed character, alive with optimism but wracked with Allen's trademark neurosis, a refreshing variation.

There is light and frivolous romance, moments of farce and dialogue that sparks throughout. Each 20's artist is dashed off as a charicature lending each one a great deal of humour while still revering their art. The films reflections on life and art are made simply without contrivance leaving it much like a good chocolate mousse, insubstantial but light, rich and satisfying.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

The British government recall a forcefully retired expert spy to uncover a mole at the head of the agency.

This is a brilliant film, artfully directed and wonderfully acted by the cream of British male actors and engaging from beginning to end. Yet not all will like it because it takes its time. There is very little action. Instead there are lingering shots of men thinking. Flashbacks recalling behaviour as much as incident. Sitting. Smoking. Drinking. As the film moves forward each detail is laid out plain as day. No trickery to try and cast then recast suspicion. It's all there for you to figure out, if your mind's as Sharp as that of George Smiley. A great who-is-it?

Gary Oldman is sensational as Smiley, his older frame and specs suggesting no danger but a cold stare and razor sharp manor giving away a lethal intelligence. Somehow, despite rarely indicating warmth to hose around him, he pulls the viewer into Smiley's world so you root for him all he same. 

It's sure to garner awards but massive box office takings show that people are more than happy to spend money on films that aren't young, dumb and full of bimbos.