fun action

Posted : 1 week, 2 days ago on 6 May 2008 07:09 (A review of X-Men)

The idea of mutants and humans is great.

This film is obviously at a specific public that will enjoy such movies and soundtrack.
It's a fun trilogy - but as with most trilogies, the quality goes downhill.
The first X-Men was really enjoyable, while the next two were mediocre in quality; it shows even in the actors' performances.

In any case, it's fun, action-filled, and it's got a good cast. The movie is worth watching just for that.


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Less is more

Posted : 1 week, 2 days ago on 6 May 2008 12:16 (A review of Once)

Just like Before Sunrise, a new classic directed by Richard Linklater, Once is a magical film that through its narrative apparently simple, reaches a victory that escapes most films of the same genre, picturing with authenticity and feeling the precise instant in which two human beings find themselves in love for each other. The difference here is that when Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy were seduced by the long conversation they kept, here, is the music that puts "Guy" and "Girl" together, magnificently played by Glenm Hansard and Markéta Irglová, and the fact that we never hear their names of the two characters makes this newly discovered love even more universal, something that can be easily related by the audience.

Not exactly with his ego in the best of shapes since he was abandoned by his girlfriend, Guy divides his time between his father's small repair shop, in which he works fixing vacuum claners, and his presentations in the streets of Dublin when he sings for some extra change. That's when one of his compositions gets the attention of Girl, a simple Czech immigrant, who learned to play the piano with her father, and now lives of selling flowers and housekeeping. Music lovers, they quickly begin a strong connection between Guy's songs, who decides to make a demo CD with Girl's help.

Shot in only 17 days with a digital camera, Once has a simple photography, not too fancy, what gives a huge authenticity to the story. It also has several plans shot in the streets of the Irish capital, when the camera is placed in a distance not to catch the attention of the people passing by, who ignore the presence of the actors, the film ends up having a tone almost documental, something also brought up by its cuts, basically dry, resulting in sudden ellipsyses, yet, they are more than adequate to the language adopted by director John Carney.

The same way, though the frameworks and the camera movements aren't the most engenious, it's impossible top deny the effectiveness that serve the narrative. For example, the scene where the couple plays together for the first time in a music store: initially, the camera keep its distanceas Guy observes, fascinated, girl playing the piano. In this instant, the camera approaches the duo, also moving down together with Hansard, whon kneels by the girl, and it is right there, in this small and intimist travelling that we can notice that Guy begins to fall in love with Girl. From then on, they begin a song and shortly after all that, the picture becomes much more closed approaching each other even more (and it's simply perfect that the frsty verses that Hansard sings in this sequence are exactly: "I don't know you/but I want you all the more for that" that belongs to the music "Falling Slowly", end up becoming the symbol of that relationship, and heard again (properly) in the end of the film.

Besides, the logic that Carney places Hansard and Irglová's songs is impecable: though they appear in an organic way, being executed in front of the cameras by the two, the last seconds of each song fit as background for the action in the next sequence, as the characters are creating the soundtrack for their own lives, in a certain moment, this becomes particularly clear as we see Guy singing as he watches a video of his ex-girlfriend. There's also a touching dramatic irony in the fact that Girl lends her voice with so much sweetness to the songs that, ultimately, Guy made for his ex-girlfriend.

In her first acting job, young singer and composer Markéta Irglová gives a performance worthy of a veteran, showing with sentivity the insecurities of an immigrant that, win her early twnties has to support her mother and her daughter, the girl gradually reveals an unsuspected force that turns into the impulse that was missing for Guy to finally make come true his artistic vein. As an opposite to Guy's impulsiveness, Girl never loses her own responsabilities from sight, and it's heart breaking to see her diligently tidying up her house after a long day or even realize the way she brings Guy back to reality after being invited to go with him to London, needing for that, to make him only one question: "Can I take my mother?". the same way is revealing the way she reacts, offended, to the Guy's first tries to sleep with her. Clearly interested in him, Girl is not exactly offended with the cheap line, but with the implication that it brings: that he had underestimated her terribly.

Meanwhile, Hansard (with his worn out guitar, broken and with the strings hanging around) opens a window for Guy's romantic and kind nature, through his songs: giving himself with so much intensity to them, he seems to suffer a lot with each verse and his voice overloaded with feelings makes a perfect match to the apparent frailty and the charming sweetness of Girl's completes the harmonies of the songs. The chemestry between Hansard and Irglová is so beliaveble, making even more clear thanks to the naturality in which the couple comes up playing around the motorcycle or arguing about love frustrations. And if we consider the story between the two that begins and grows through the music is only natural that she sums up the fight she had with the father of her daughter when she reveals that he didn't apreciated her compositions.

Bringning almost 20 songs (all of them very beautiful) Once is impecable to the last second, closing its narrative in an absolutely perfect way when it focuses the eye of a dreamer, who, without taking the heavy weight of a difficult reality off his back, the film can still find room for hope or at least for a sweet and sour melancoly that comes up as the result of all the unconsumed love between the main couple.

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A captivating biopic.

Posted : 1 week, 2 days ago on 6 May 2008 08:05 (A review of Control)

"Joy Division, you cunt!"

The band Joy Division managed to generate an astronomical fan base when they helped change the face of music during the 1970s. Control is a poignant, moving, emotive accolade to the life of an ill-fated rock-star named Ian Curtis (Riley) who was the lead singer of Joy Division.

Control is a film that delves deep down into the profoundly troubled life of Ian; a man who died far too young. Ian had a sincere fondness for rock-stars like David Bowie and Iggy Pop. The film's hypnotic opening scene introduces us to a 17-year-old Ian Curtis who is on his way home from school. Control traces the circumstances that initiated his career. He felt that youthfulness meant that he could do whatever he wanted. In this case he married at a tender young age and gained a daughter. When Ian joins a band made up of his mates they call themselves Joy Division. The band quickly becomes increasingly more successful. Ian is soon distracted from family commitments by a new love and the growing expectations of his band. This severe strain manifests itself in his physical condition. With epilepsy adding to his guilt and dejection, despondency holds a firm grip. Conceding to the burden on his shoulders, Ian's tortured soul consumes him.

Control is the feature debut of director Anton Corbijn who was obviously very committed and passionate about making a wholly accurate film. The cinematography was especially effective. People who grew up during that period will tell you that life was black & white. This was the atmosphere director Anton wanted to create, hence shooting the film in evocative, hypnotic black & white photography. The film's ambiance is captivating and mesmerising. The directing in particular never made the film seem like a staged production.

The title itself refers to Ian's troubled existence. The film is absolutely heart-wrenching as Ian believes he failed his wife as his marriage draws to a close, failed his daughter because he was never a good father, failed his band because his health condition forbid him to perform well, but most of all failed himself for destroying his fragile spirit - Ian lost control.

Sam Riley is a little known actor who proved accomplished with his display of acting skills portraying the principal character. He let the audience believe that he is actually this tragic iconic singer whose life was plagued with piles of concerns. Riley was especially haunting during the more tragic scenes. When he collapses on stage the audience's heart also collapses at the catastrophic sight. Riley is amazing. Samantha Morton plays the part of Ian's young wife Debbie. She held a strong love for Ian despite the things he did to jeopardise their marriage. During scenes that required tears and a realistic break down, both Sam Riley and Samantha Morton are exhilarating.

The soundtrack is quite electrifying at times. I thought the music was used sparingly, and it was a very wise choice on the part of the filmmakers. When some of the more poignant scenes are without music it creates an even more devastating impact on the viewer.

Control is a depressingly beautiful production. Although far too short, it is a tribute to the talented, enigmatic Ian Curtis and a fitting portrait for such a man. Ian used so much of his extraordinary ability during his fairly short life. The filmmakers sensitively approached the source material. No-one ever strikes a false note in this stimulating, stunning, incredibly heart-breaking experience. Control cannot be missed at any cost.

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very exelent endeed

Posted : 1 week, 3 days ago on 5 May 2008 08:51 (A review of Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure)

this movie is really good and funny time travel in a phone boost super funny all those ald people in the old days come to our time the movie is wasome if u are looking for a funny movie i recamend this one it cracked me up big time 9 out of 10 for me and it will proubly be the same with you

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A feast to the senses

Posted : 1 week, 3 days ago on 5 May 2008 06:48 (A review of The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford)

This film is a feast to the senses, I swear it's that well crafted I could smell it. Although Pitt gives an adequate performance the real stars here are Roger Deakins (cinematography), Nick Cave & Warren Ellis (music), and Casey Affleck as the creepy and highly annoying coward that is Robert Ford. One of my faves of 2007.

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Effective and chilling.

Posted : 1 week, 3 days ago on 5 May 2008 08:12 (A review of A Simple Plan)

"I wish somebody else had found that money."

Not only is A Simple Plan an absolutely brilliant, gripping psychological thriller but it is also an absorbing examination of human actions during times of desperation. The film is a thought-provoking and meaningful character study based on the popular novel by author Scott B. Smith (who also wrote the adapted screenplay).

I never expected A Simple Plan to be anything special, but decided to give it a shot after receiving a number of recommendations. As it turns out, this is a gripping thriller that you won't want to miss.

Hank Mitchell (Paxton) is just your average hard-working American male struggling to put food on the table. He is a man who obeys the law and wouldn't be capable of anything terrible. His wife (Fonda) is pregnant with their first child. In the film we follow Hank, his brother Jacob (Thornton) and a redneck named Lou (Briscoe). Their lives are suddenly changed when a walk through snow-covered terrain in a Nature Reserve results in them stumbling across a cache of money roughly adding up to $4.4 million. Questions are soon raised about whether to keep the money or just turn it into the police. In the end they come to a compromise: Hank will hold onto the money securely and safely until it is clear that it will be safe to split between them. If the authorities begin searching for the money, the men will immediately burn it to avoid suspicion. It would seem like the three men have developed a simple plan; however loyalties begin to blur as human nature and greed jeopardises their friendship. For the rest of the film's duration we examine the consequences of the actions of the characters; one seemingly simple plan that ends in tragedy and digs them in a lot deeper.

The film works on a basic premise that sounds like your average drama. A Simple Plan is far from your usual conventional thriller. Instead it steers away from the clichés and takes us for a drive into unfamiliar territory. The film isn't at all predictable, and it presents us with a compelling set of events.

Not only is the film extremely original and unpredictable, but the premise and the moral predicament of finding a sack of money is something we can all relate to. If you found a large stash of money, would you keep it? It helps the audience get into the mind of the characters. All of the three protagonists are in a financial struggle and hence are in desperate need of funds to keep them going. The film hits home because it is an accurate display of what human nature can cause one to do in times of despondency. The worst in humans is always brought out by voracity and greediness.

A Simple Plan is incredibly atmospheric. The opening few shots firmly establish the isolation and drab nature of the winter; a snow-covered landscape that hides many things. And of course recognition must go to composer Danny Elfman. His score was superb. The main theme especially sent a chill down my spine. With such great visuals and a fantastic score on top it was difficult to find yourself bored.

Raimi's direction for this film also gave the audience a sense of seclusion while surrounded by a landscape enclosed with snow.

Bill Paxton is fantastic in the lead role. At the beginning he helped us get engaged with his character - he's just your average mild-mannered family man who always tries to do what he thinks is best. Paxton is backed up by the equally superb Billy Bob Thornton. An Oscar nomination was thrown into Thornton's path for his superb character execution. He was always strong and emotional. It was easy for his poignant portrayal to bring a tear to your eye. His final few moments on screen are his highest point in the movie, though.

The script is well-written and surprisingly unconventional. The ending was something I certainly didn't expect. Unfortunately the film is sometimes quite stupid, which is the only drawback.

A Simple Plan cannot be missed at any cost. This thriller is effective, chilling and atmospheric. Do yourself a favour and rent it without hesitation.

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Exceptional period piece.

Posted : 1 week, 3 days ago on 5 May 2008 05:04 (A review of From Hell)

""From Hell". Well at least they got the address right."

Jack the Ripper was a distinguished serial killer from the late 1800s. There are only a limited number of historians who haven't heard of his reputation and the iniquitous crimes he committed.

When I first heard of Jack the Ripper I was fascinated and wanted to learn more. Naturally, viewing a film about him was the best thing to do. I was therefore excited when I heard that a film was to be made about the crimes Ripper committed before the beginning of the 20th century.

Movies that are based around true events tread a difficult path. The choice is to either make a movie as authentic as possible, or to use the rough idea as the basis for an otherwise better story. The Hughes Brothers opted for the latter option; basing their film on the graphic novels created by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell. From Hell is one of the most visually striking films I've ever seen. In this day and age we see graphic novels transplanted onto film that create such films as Sin City and 300. I found From Hell to be a lot more realistic and enthralling than the two aforementioned films (based on graphic novels by Frank Miller).

From Hell is a film that does not concentrate on Jack the Ripper himself. Instead he takes a sideline position with the film taking the form of a whodunit murder mystery thriller with his identity kept a secret. In this film we focus on the man assigned to solve the murders - an inspector from London named Frederick Abberline (Depp). These murders are of course linked to Jack the Ripper who is called as such by the London public.

Abberline, who is still mourning the loss of his wife, begins investigating the murders of street-walking prostitutes found dead and butchered. A hooker named Mary Kelly (Graham) and her depressing group of girlfriend prostitutes appear to be the target as Jack the Ripper begins killing them one by one.

Overall I found the plot, the script and the characters to be quite pragmatic; however the main strength of From Hell is found in its visuals. The whole production seems like a genuine slice of life from the 19th century. The production design is elegant and accurate; using precise dexterity to replicate the grimy streets of Victorian-Era London. The classy atmosphere can be attributed to the production designer, the cinematographer and the directors. As a result of all these elements, the film is moody and quite terrifying at times. It was a shame that the film's pacing was slowed dramatically during its mid section. This is one of the film's very limited flaws.

The performances, with the exception of Heather Graham, are all brilliant. Johnny Depp was nothing short of outstanding. Because he plays an English inspector it's a perfect companion piece for Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow (I could feel a bit of Burton inspirational in the visuals). Depp nailed his role; he was exhilarating and wholly believable. That accent of Depp's in particular never felt contrived.

Heather Graham is a good actress...but as a street-walking whore she fails miserably. Her accent sounds fake and her posture is completely unsuitable. This is an example of gross miscasting. It was delightful to see someone like Ian Holm making an appearance. I am fond of his acting and was not disappointed. He delivers a stimulating performance during the darker, more foreboding scenes. Robbie Coltrane is yet another serviceable addition to an already stellar cast.

From Hell is a skilfully executed, brilliant addition to the horror genre. The film showcases a clever script and a wonderful cast; however it's the extravagant 19th century production design that makes this essential viewing. From Hell is a visually astounding film that really holds up and remains to be amazing after multiple viewings.

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Charming and entertaining.

Posted : 1 week, 3 days ago on 5 May 2008 01:53 (A review of The American President)

"Lewis, we've had presidents who were beloved, who couldn't find a coherent sentence with two hands and a flashlight. People don't drink the sand because they're thirsty. They drink the sand because they don't know the difference."

The American President is a memorable, sweet, charming romantic comedy/drama that is wonderfully appealing and entertaining. Because the film was never a massive hit it was vastly overlooked. This isn't the kind of movie that would receive a high status at the box office and become a record-breaking smash hit. Instead the film relies on the appeal of the talent involved; in this case we have director Rob Reiner (most famous for films like Stand by Me, A Few Good Men, When Harry Met Sally and The Princess Bride) in addition to a host of delightful cast members.

It's a shame that the film was so overlooked because honestly, The American President is a whole lot better than the blockbuster twaddle produced quite persistently of late.

The President of the United States, Andrew Shepherd (Douglas), is a widower concerned with his popularity levels as an election approaches. The environmentalists are concerned with changes in emissions of green house gases. But the environmentalist group doesn't have adequate experience to efficiently battle the issue politically, instead hiring a smart political lobbyist named Sydney Ellen Wade (Bening) to make a mark on the White House. After Sydney first meets the President during a meeting, the two grow increasingly fond of each other. This results in a relationship that subsequently forms scandals that jeopardise Andrew's popularity level with an election that is growing closer by the days.

More than anything else, I was incredibly impressed with the actors that are featured in this film; with Douglas leading the cast in an immensely charismatic performance. I found Douglas appealing and a fantastic U.S. Presidential figure. (I wonder how the White House looked upon his portrayal when the film was first released...) If Douglas was running for president, he'd have my vote. Annette Bening was another wonderful addition to the cast. She makes a perfect companion for Douglas. She's sophisticated and smart, with a very subtle appeal.

The script is very intelligently written and showcases some very intriguing characters. The dialogue was taut and interesting even though it appears that nothing really significant ever happens.

The score for the film is also a great touch; utilising very triumphant, patriotic music during key scenes. The cherry on top is the very talented directing from veteran filmmaker Rob Reiner. As a result of this prize-winning combination I found every second of the movie highly engrossing. One of my only complaints would be the ending that felt a tad incomplete.

The American President is a fantastic comedy/drama. In a nutshell: the film is heart-warming, fun and light-hearted. As a consequence the film scores as an extremely entertaining experience.

I found it interesting that Douglas' portrayal of the President is nice, caring and honourable in addition to taking a strong stance against lying. Jesus, if only!

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It's a Robert Downey Jr show

Posted : 1 week, 4 days ago on 4 May 2008 02:28 (A review of Iron Man)

Robert Downey Jr is one of the best actors in Hollywood today. He completely convincing in his role as Tony Stark/Iron Man. The rest of the cast is excellent as well, no weak spots.

The movie is engrossing from start to finish. They seem to have taken a few cues from Batman Begins and tried very hard to make the action and the technology believable (I do mean believable, not realistic, it's based on a comic book after all). For the most part, everyone follows the rules of physics. The only thing about the movie that really bothered me was how Iron Monger managed to master his suit instantly, while it took Tony Stark several weeks (months?) to do the same. Still, this was about the only false move the writers made.

Doesn't set the gold standard for superhero or comic book movies (that is still Batman Begins), but it's a damn good movie regardless.

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A Great Film.

Posted : 1 week, 4 days ago on 4 May 2008 01:46 (A review of Iron Man)

Iron Man, is a great action/adventure film, with loads of comedy involved. Robert Downey Jr. was hilarious, and He really made the film great. I thought this film was great.

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