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.
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
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.
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