Winchester 73 (1950)
This western is the first of five collaborations between director Anthony Mann and star James Stewart. Revenge is the name of the game as James Stewart hunts down a man while a rifle he wins in a shooting contest passes through the hands of several owners.
There are the usual genre themes in spades here with revenge, Indians on the war path and outsiders passing through towns. What is best about the film is the level of detail that is included to fit the story into a historical period, just after Custer's last stand but other than that it is fairly standard. One of the more unusual elements of the story is making a gun a character in it's own right as we follow it through several owners.
3/5 average western.
Thursday 30 June 2011
Wednesday 29 June 2011
Bogey
The Password is Courage (1962)
Dirk Bogarde stars in this WW2 POW story that claims to be based on a true story. A senior British NCO with a sense of humour and mischief makes trouble for the guards holding him prisoner.
This is a fairly entertaining film with a light hearted feel to it but is greatly over shadowed by the much better The Great Escape (1963). It seems that despite claiming a historical basis this film diverges greatly from the memoirs it is supposed to be based on (including stealing elements of the great escape) but even then it appears that the memoirs themselves may well be exaggerated at best. So this is a decent film but needs to be taken with a huge pinch of salt.
3/5
Dirk Bogarde stars in this WW2 POW story that claims to be based on a true story. A senior British NCO with a sense of humour and mischief makes trouble for the guards holding him prisoner.
This is a fairly entertaining film with a light hearted feel to it but is greatly over shadowed by the much better The Great Escape (1963). It seems that despite claiming a historical basis this film diverges greatly from the memoirs it is supposed to be based on (including stealing elements of the great escape) but even then it appears that the memoirs themselves may well be exaggerated at best. So this is a decent film but needs to be taken with a huge pinch of salt.
3/5
Tuesday 28 June 2011
So Jakes
The Two Jakes (1990)
After 25 years Chinatown (1974) finally got a sequel, this time directed by and staring Jack Nicholson with support from Harvey Keitel, Meg Tilly and Madeleine Stowe. 11 years have passed since the events of the first film and when a usual divorce case goes wrong the past comes back to haunt Jake.
Having dealt with corruption in the water business this time it is the oil business in a plot that is fairly similar to the original and literally retreads some of the same ground. It took a long time for this sequel to turn up and some of the elements that rely on knowledge of the original might be expecting a bit much from the audience given the gap between films. Unfortunately the most interesting character, that of the other Jake in the title, does not get enough screen time or exploration of the issues he is dealing with.
3/5 an average sequel.
After 25 years Chinatown (1974) finally got a sequel, this time directed by and staring Jack Nicholson with support from Harvey Keitel, Meg Tilly and Madeleine Stowe. 11 years have passed since the events of the first film and when a usual divorce case goes wrong the past comes back to haunt Jake.
Having dealt with corruption in the water business this time it is the oil business in a plot that is fairly similar to the original and literally retreads some of the same ground. It took a long time for this sequel to turn up and some of the elements that rely on knowledge of the original might be expecting a bit much from the audience given the gap between films. Unfortunately the most interesting character, that of the other Jake in the title, does not get enough screen time or exploration of the issues he is dealing with.
3/5 an average sequel.
Monday 27 June 2011
Water
Chinatown (1974)
Roman Polanski directs Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in this neo-noir film set in 1937 Los Angeles. A private detective gets more than he bargained for when investigating a water board executive's possible affair.
This film has a big reputation and but really does not stand out greatly from other genre efforts. What does stand out about the film is that it bucks the usual trend of the femme fatal with the supposed black widow turning out to be one of the few decent characters. The film does lack the cinematic qualities of other noir films which were heavily influenced by German expressionism.
4/5 a decent but not amazing genre piece.
Roman Polanski directs Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in this neo-noir film set in 1937 Los Angeles. A private detective gets more than he bargained for when investigating a water board executive's possible affair.
This film has a big reputation and but really does not stand out greatly from other genre efforts. What does stand out about the film is that it bucks the usual trend of the femme fatal with the supposed black widow turning out to be one of the few decent characters. The film does lack the cinematic qualities of other noir films which were heavily influenced by German expressionism.
4/5 a decent but not amazing genre piece.
Sunday 26 June 2011
Underground
Operation Crossbow (1965)
Sophia Loren gets top billing in this war time spy film despite barely being on screen with a cast that includes George Peppard and John Mills. The race is on to thwart the German V weapon program during the closing stages of World War 2.
While the film takes it's title from a historical operation it is highly fictionalised apart from three characters whom are largely supporting characters. Naturally an American character is drafted in to help sell the film over seas but the film does remain predominantly British which is nearly unheard of these days. Overall this is a decent film that is fairly well made even if slightly slow paced and not completely action filled. Given the star filled cast it is slightly disappointing how some of the actors have little to do.
3/5
Sophia Loren gets top billing in this war time spy film despite barely being on screen with a cast that includes George Peppard and John Mills. The race is on to thwart the German V weapon program during the closing stages of World War 2.
While the film takes it's title from a historical operation it is highly fictionalised apart from three characters whom are largely supporting characters. Naturally an American character is drafted in to help sell the film over seas but the film does remain predominantly British which is nearly unheard of these days. Overall this is a decent film that is fairly well made even if slightly slow paced and not completely action filled. Given the star filled cast it is slightly disappointing how some of the actors have little to do.
3/5
Saturday 25 June 2011
A salt
Salt (2010)
Phillip Noyce directs Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber and Chiwetel Ejiofor in this spy thriller. After being released from a North Korean prison the question is raised, is a female CIA agent really a Russian sleeper agent?
You can pretty much throw the plot for this film away from the get go, it is completely ridiculous, at least thirty years too late, full of holes and the characters are not especially engaging. What the film hopes to survive on is the action sequences which are unremarkable and unoriginal at best. The direction is also average at best and adds very little to the action. Angelina Jolie does the run around action heroine thing well enough but that is about the best you can say about this film.
2/5 high budget, low content.
Phillip Noyce directs Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber and Chiwetel Ejiofor in this spy thriller. After being released from a North Korean prison the question is raised, is a female CIA agent really a Russian sleeper agent?
You can pretty much throw the plot for this film away from the get go, it is completely ridiculous, at least thirty years too late, full of holes and the characters are not especially engaging. What the film hopes to survive on is the action sequences which are unremarkable and unoriginal at best. The direction is also average at best and adds very little to the action. Angelina Jolie does the run around action heroine thing well enough but that is about the best you can say about this film.
2/5 high budget, low content.
Friday 24 June 2011
Something to fear
Gunpoint! (1955)
Alfred Weker directs Fred MacMurray in this western. When the local store owner shoots a member of a gang during a bank robbery the gang swear revenge.
There is a kernel of a decent idea for a film here but it was already made as High Noon (1952), this is a a version that is barely worth the comparison. Nearly everything in this film is of a low standard from the acting, cinematography to the dialogue which leaves very little room for praise. About the only thing I liked about the film was it's short run time but even then it managed to feel slow.
2/5 just watch High Noon instead.
Alfred Weker directs Fred MacMurray in this western. When the local store owner shoots a member of a gang during a bank robbery the gang swear revenge.
There is a kernel of a decent idea for a film here but it was already made as High Noon (1952), this is a a version that is barely worth the comparison. Nearly everything in this film is of a low standard from the acting, cinematography to the dialogue which leaves very little room for praise. About the only thing I liked about the film was it's short run time but even then it managed to feel slow.
2/5 just watch High Noon instead.
Thursday 23 June 2011
Stealing
The Thief of Bagdad (1940)
This British film is a remake of a 1920 silent film and stars Conrad Veidt, Sabu and John Justin. When the king is deposed by his evil advisor he has a young thief as his only friend and they set off to get this throne back.
There tons of bright colours on show in what must be one of the earliest colour films and the sets as well as most of the special effects are really impressive (the giant spider sequence is terrible though). In the original film the thief and the prince were the same character and the plot becomes weaker when they are split into two characters here as you are not really sure whose story is being told. The film does feel a little long and the plot is pretty simplistic.
3/5 fantasy adventure probably more for kids.
This British film is a remake of a 1920 silent film and stars Conrad Veidt, Sabu and John Justin. When the king is deposed by his evil advisor he has a young thief as his only friend and they set off to get this throne back.
There tons of bright colours on show in what must be one of the earliest colour films and the sets as well as most of the special effects are really impressive (the giant spider sequence is terrible though). In the original film the thief and the prince were the same character and the plot becomes weaker when they are split into two characters here as you are not really sure whose story is being told. The film does feel a little long and the plot is pretty simplistic.
3/5 fantasy adventure probably more for kids.
Wednesday 22 June 2011
37
Clerks (1994)
In 1993 prospective film maker Kevin Smith maxed out on credit card debt to shoot a film from a script he had written. We follow a day in the life of put upon convenience store clerk Dante as he deals with his love life, co-worker and customers.
Clerks is a really funny film and it deals with the hum drum existence largely ignored by cinema at the time. Dante and Randal provide two different and good lead characters around which to base the film and there is enough support from the myriad of odd balls that drop into the store. While this is obviously a low budget film it is also the most important aspect of the film, it showed a large number of people that actually you can go out and make a film if you really want to and this should be even easier (as well as cheaper) now thanks to advances in technology.
4/5 a good film and a challenge to all prospective film makers.
In 1993 prospective film maker Kevin Smith maxed out on credit card debt to shoot a film from a script he had written. We follow a day in the life of put upon convenience store clerk Dante as he deals with his love life, co-worker and customers.
Clerks is a really funny film and it deals with the hum drum existence largely ignored by cinema at the time. Dante and Randal provide two different and good lead characters around which to base the film and there is enough support from the myriad of odd balls that drop into the store. While this is obviously a low budget film it is also the most important aspect of the film, it showed a large number of people that actually you can go out and make a film if you really want to and this should be even easier (as well as cheaper) now thanks to advances in technology.
4/5 a good film and a challenge to all prospective film makers.
Tuesday 21 June 2011
Gunning
The Gunfighter (1950)
Gregory Peck stared in this black and white western after John Wayne had turned down the part. When you go around killing people you start to get a reputation and one gunfighter starts to realise his life is not all he wanted.
This film explores the usual western theme of an outsider who is set against the community he visits, this time time because of his reputation as one of the fastest guns in the west. The story is well told and there is the tension of a band of brothers out for revenge which keeps the plot moving along. Gregory Peck is maybe a bit too much of a nice guy to have ever been the type of outlaw the main character is supposed to have been in the past but otherwise it is very hard to find fault with this film.
4/5
Gregory Peck stared in this black and white western after John Wayne had turned down the part. When you go around killing people you start to get a reputation and one gunfighter starts to realise his life is not all he wanted.
This film explores the usual western theme of an outsider who is set against the community he visits, this time time because of his reputation as one of the fastest guns in the west. The story is well told and there is the tension of a band of brothers out for revenge which keeps the plot moving along. Gregory Peck is maybe a bit too much of a nice guy to have ever been the type of outlaw the main character is supposed to have been in the past but otherwise it is very hard to find fault with this film.
4/5
Monday 20 June 2011
India
Gandhi (1982)
This biographical film picked up 8 Oscars including one each for director Richard Attenborough and star Ben Kingsley. Starting out in South Africa Gandhi fights for equality and then home rule for India.
As the opening credits state you can not fit a whole persons life into a film but this film does a pretty good job of covering the main parts of Gandhi's work even if it does ignore his early life. It is easy to see why Ben Kingsley got his Oscar for his great portrayal of the title character and this is probably the stand out element of the film. There are some really great sequences that capture the landscape and life of people in India.
While this is a well made film and tells the story of a really interesting and important subject it maybe falls a little short in exploring some of the details that surround the story of Gandhi, such as how the independence movement became split and lead to the religious turmoil that followed partition.
4/5 a good film about a great man.
This biographical film picked up 8 Oscars including one each for director Richard Attenborough and star Ben Kingsley. Starting out in South Africa Gandhi fights for equality and then home rule for India.
As the opening credits state you can not fit a whole persons life into a film but this film does a pretty good job of covering the main parts of Gandhi's work even if it does ignore his early life. It is easy to see why Ben Kingsley got his Oscar for his great portrayal of the title character and this is probably the stand out element of the film. There are some really great sequences that capture the landscape and life of people in India.
While this is a well made film and tells the story of a really interesting and important subject it maybe falls a little short in exploring some of the details that surround the story of Gandhi, such as how the independence movement became split and lead to the religious turmoil that followed partition.
4/5 a good film about a great man.
Sunday 19 June 2011
Remember, remember
V for Vendetta (2006)
After completing the matrix trilogy the Wachowski brothers penned this adaptation starting Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving and Stephen Rea. Britain is in the grips of a fascist regime while one terrorists stands against the government.
Adapting works from one medium to another can be a contentious subject and no one more than Alan Moore, the writer of the original comic, is aware of this. The original comic looked at the British political landscape of the 1980s and the clash between authoritarianism and anarchy while the plot of the film has been changed to be more of an allegory of American politics following the war on terror. It is easy to see Moore's point of view that his work has been twisted to be something different and ultimately I do not think it was for the better.
As a stand alone piece of entertainment this is a decent film, it raises some interesting questions but unfortunately it does fall short. One of the main causalities in the transition to film was the much larger moral ambiguity applied to both sides in the comic and this does make the film a little more unbalanced. We also have the “eggy in a basket” problem, something which was very British centric has become slightly confused in it's Americanisation. I am also not sure the back story works coherently either thanks to the changes that have been made. In the end this is a decent film that could have been so much better.
3/5 entertaining and disappointing in equal measures.
After completing the matrix trilogy the Wachowski brothers penned this adaptation starting Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving and Stephen Rea. Britain is in the grips of a fascist regime while one terrorists stands against the government.
Adapting works from one medium to another can be a contentious subject and no one more than Alan Moore, the writer of the original comic, is aware of this. The original comic looked at the British political landscape of the 1980s and the clash between authoritarianism and anarchy while the plot of the film has been changed to be more of an allegory of American politics following the war on terror. It is easy to see Moore's point of view that his work has been twisted to be something different and ultimately I do not think it was for the better.
As a stand alone piece of entertainment this is a decent film, it raises some interesting questions but unfortunately it does fall short. One of the main causalities in the transition to film was the much larger moral ambiguity applied to both sides in the comic and this does make the film a little more unbalanced. We also have the “eggy in a basket” problem, something which was very British centric has become slightly confused in it's Americanisation. I am also not sure the back story works coherently either thanks to the changes that have been made. In the end this is a decent film that could have been so much better.
3/5 entertaining and disappointing in equal measures.
Saturday 18 June 2011
Misses?
Wild Target (2010)
This British comedy stars Bill Nighy, Emily Blunt and Rupert Grint with cameos from Rupert Everett and Martin Freeman. A middle aged lonely hit man starts having a mid life crises and ends up involved with a couple of strays.
There are some really odd characters and some funny moments in this film but that is about all there is. The plot is fairly thin and not particularly believable but the film is bearable just about as there is enough comedy to fill the gaps. I do think the central characters pretty much deserve each other as they all seem pretty bonkers.
3/5 not exactly the height of British comedy.
This British comedy stars Bill Nighy, Emily Blunt and Rupert Grint with cameos from Rupert Everett and Martin Freeman. A middle aged lonely hit man starts having a mid life crises and ends up involved with a couple of strays.
There are some really odd characters and some funny moments in this film but that is about all there is. The plot is fairly thin and not particularly believable but the film is bearable just about as there is enough comedy to fill the gaps. I do think the central characters pretty much deserve each other as they all seem pretty bonkers.
3/5 not exactly the height of British comedy.
Friday 17 June 2011
In sight
Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon (1943)
This is the fourth film in the series of Holmes films starting Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. Holmes is on war duty again and this time it is saving a new bomb sight from the Nazi's and Moriarty.
Even with this film's short run time nearly half the film is over before the actual mystery starts which means the solution has to be worked through rather quickly and as a consequence is not especially interesting. There are a few coincidences which do not really improve the nature of the plot either really. In the end this is just another quick entry into the franchise.
3/5
This is the fourth film in the series of Holmes films starting Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. Holmes is on war duty again and this time it is saving a new bomb sight from the Nazi's and Moriarty.
Even with this film's short run time nearly half the film is over before the actual mystery starts which means the solution has to be worked through rather quickly and as a consequence is not especially interesting. There are a few coincidences which do not really improve the nature of the plot either really. In the end this is just another quick entry into the franchise.
3/5
Thursday 16 June 2011
An engima wrapped in...
Anastasia (1956)
Long before Disney had a bash at this story there was this film starting Ingrid Bergman and Yul Bryner. Some Russian émigrés in Paris want to pass off a troubled young woman as a Russian princess to claim the £10mil of the Tzar’s money sitting in the Bank of England.
This is a really good story with themes of identity that reflect both in the lead character but also in those Russians around her that have fled their homeland following the revolution, the story also nicely leaves in a level of ambiguity towards the identity of girl which keeps the audience and other characters guessing. The problem with this film is that it is very clearly a play that has been converted to the screen but is not very cinematic, throwing in some flashbacks for example could have helped break up the scenes of long dialogue.
4/5 a good story.
Long before Disney had a bash at this story there was this film starting Ingrid Bergman and Yul Bryner. Some Russian émigrés in Paris want to pass off a troubled young woman as a Russian princess to claim the £10mil of the Tzar’s money sitting in the Bank of England.
This is a really good story with themes of identity that reflect both in the lead character but also in those Russians around her that have fled their homeland following the revolution, the story also nicely leaves in a level of ambiguity towards the identity of girl which keeps the audience and other characters guessing. The problem with this film is that it is very clearly a play that has been converted to the screen but is not very cinematic, throwing in some flashbacks for example could have helped break up the scenes of long dialogue.
4/5 a good story.
Wednesday 15 June 2011
Chaps at sea
The Riddle of the Sands (1979)
Based on the book of the same name Michael York and Simon MacCorkindale star in this turn of the century naval espionage. Two chaps who know each other from Oxford try and find out what the evil Germans are up to off the coast of Hamburg.
The plot for this film provides an interesting snap shot into the pre World War One paranoia in Britain that was gradually growing based on increased German militarism but other than that it is not very impressive. There is little suspense or tension in the film and some of the German accents deployed are more suspect than the antagonists plots. In the end this is a fairly average “thriller” without many thrills really, probably a lot more cause for discussion at the time the novel was written in 1903.
3/5 average British sea going adventure with a distinct old world feel.
Based on the book of the same name Michael York and Simon MacCorkindale star in this turn of the century naval espionage. Two chaps who know each other from Oxford try and find out what the evil Germans are up to off the coast of Hamburg.
The plot for this film provides an interesting snap shot into the pre World War One paranoia in Britain that was gradually growing based on increased German militarism but other than that it is not very impressive. There is little suspense or tension in the film and some of the German accents deployed are more suspect than the antagonists plots. In the end this is a fairly average “thriller” without many thrills really, probably a lot more cause for discussion at the time the novel was written in 1903.
3/5 average British sea going adventure with a distinct old world feel.
Tuesday 14 June 2011
Not movie magic
The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010)
Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer team up to bring this film inspired by poem of the same name (and a section in Fantasia (1940)) which stars Nicolas Cage and Jay Baruchel. Only a physics student can take on the power of magic and become Merlin's true heir to defeat the bad guys.
There is not much in the way of originality in the plot of this film nor is there any content of real interest. Some of the special effects are decent enough but given that $150mil was spent on making this film you really would expect a little more bang for your buck. It is also really disappointing that two really good actresses like Monica Bellucci and Alice Krige are cast in the film but barely have any screen time. In the end this is not really a bad film as it is fairly well made but that is about the best you can say about it, there was some real promising premise here but it was just shoe horned into the same plot you have seen before.
3/5 unoriginal and uninspired, a Hollywood by the numbers film by the numbers.
Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer team up to bring this film inspired by poem of the same name (and a section in Fantasia (1940)) which stars Nicolas Cage and Jay Baruchel. Only a physics student can take on the power of magic and become Merlin's true heir to defeat the bad guys.
There is not much in the way of originality in the plot of this film nor is there any content of real interest. Some of the special effects are decent enough but given that $150mil was spent on making this film you really would expect a little more bang for your buck. It is also really disappointing that two really good actresses like Monica Bellucci and Alice Krige are cast in the film but barely have any screen time. In the end this is not really a bad film as it is fairly well made but that is about the best you can say about it, there was some real promising premise here but it was just shoe horned into the same plot you have seen before.
3/5 unoriginal and uninspired, a Hollywood by the numbers film by the numbers.
Monday 13 June 2011
No more paperwork!
Brazil (1985)
Dark comedy from the mind of Terry Gilliam today staring Jonathan Pryce, Kim Greist, Michael Palin, Robert De Niro, Bob Hoskins and Ian Holm. When a dead fly falls into a printer at the ministry of information it ends up causing mayhem.
Like most of Gilliam's films this should stand out as one of his cannon from a mile off with themes of imagination and a crazy back drop. The world that Brazil is set in is really great with a sort of retro-future look inspired by 40s film noir and bureaucracy gone crazy. There are also some great imagination sequences involving the hero trying to save his dream girl (who happens to be a lorry driver). It is no surprise that this film was nominated for an Oscar for best art direction.
The plot itself is a dystopian satire and works really well even if it does seem that the film stretches a little too long. There is more than one cut of this film, originally the studio tried to force a “happy ending” cut for release in the US which defeats the whole tone of the film really. It is also interesting how a lot of the films elements foreshadow problems that the director would be soon to encounter with Hollywood on this project and others.
5/5 classic Gilliam crazy.
Dark comedy from the mind of Terry Gilliam today staring Jonathan Pryce, Kim Greist, Michael Palin, Robert De Niro, Bob Hoskins and Ian Holm. When a dead fly falls into a printer at the ministry of information it ends up causing mayhem.
Like most of Gilliam's films this should stand out as one of his cannon from a mile off with themes of imagination and a crazy back drop. The world that Brazil is set in is really great with a sort of retro-future look inspired by 40s film noir and bureaucracy gone crazy. There are also some great imagination sequences involving the hero trying to save his dream girl (who happens to be a lorry driver). It is no surprise that this film was nominated for an Oscar for best art direction.
The plot itself is a dystopian satire and works really well even if it does seem that the film stretches a little too long. There is more than one cut of this film, originally the studio tried to force a “happy ending” cut for release in the US which defeats the whole tone of the film really. It is also interesting how a lot of the films elements foreshadow problems that the director would be soon to encounter with Hollywood on this project and others.
5/5 classic Gilliam crazy.
Sunday 12 June 2011
Nothing to fear
Batman Begins (2005)
In 2005 Christopher Nolan brought Batman back to the big screen with this darker reboot staring Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes and Gary Oldman. Young Bruce Wayne is haunted by his parents murder and looking for direction in the world.
Prior to this one of the most serious comic book characters had not really had a serious treatment but this film certainly broke the mould compared to previous efforts. The main theme of this film is fear, both it's affects on people and how it is used by criminals as a weapon. As always Nolan provides us with not only some good themes but also a good character story as Bruce Wayne struggles with his personal loss and fears.
First entries in comic book franchises are often problematic due to having to sandwich together both an origin and then get onto the main plot which usually leaves one obviously weaker than the other. Begins does suffer from this origin/plot dilemma slightly in that the opening sequence does seem to take a while before we get into the main plot but for the most part the film holds together well combining both elements to make a well rounded narrative.
4/5 the Batman we were all waiting for.
In 2005 Christopher Nolan brought Batman back to the big screen with this darker reboot staring Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes and Gary Oldman. Young Bruce Wayne is haunted by his parents murder and looking for direction in the world.
Prior to this one of the most serious comic book characters had not really had a serious treatment but this film certainly broke the mould compared to previous efforts. The main theme of this film is fear, both it's affects on people and how it is used by criminals as a weapon. As always Nolan provides us with not only some good themes but also a good character story as Bruce Wayne struggles with his personal loss and fears.
First entries in comic book franchises are often problematic due to having to sandwich together both an origin and then get onto the main plot which usually leaves one obviously weaker than the other. Begins does suffer from this origin/plot dilemma slightly in that the opening sequence does seem to take a while before we get into the main plot but for the most part the film holds together well combining both elements to make a well rounded narrative.
4/5 the Batman we were all waiting for.
Saturday 11 June 2011
Welcome to the jungle
Predators (2010)
Based on a 15 year old script from Robert Rodriguez the Predator franchise gets another instalment, this time starring Adrien Brody and Alice Braga. A bunch of human killers are dropped on an alien planet and hunted down by a group of predators.
There are no prizes on offer for guessing anything that happens in this film, stock characters and plot all the way here. While there is no real originality here the film is fairly well made with a decent cast and good special effects. Sadly the action sequences do not do anything in particular to stand out or help raise the film above it's average material, similarly the direction does little to improve upon the basic ingredients giving little in the way of tension or suspense.
3/5 standard action film
Based on a 15 year old script from Robert Rodriguez the Predator franchise gets another instalment, this time starring Adrien Brody and Alice Braga. A bunch of human killers are dropped on an alien planet and hunted down by a group of predators.
There are no prizes on offer for guessing anything that happens in this film, stock characters and plot all the way here. While there is no real originality here the film is fairly well made with a decent cast and good special effects. Sadly the action sequences do not do anything in particular to stand out or help raise the film above it's average material, similarly the direction does little to improve upon the basic ingredients giving little in the way of tension or suspense.
3/5 standard action film
Friday 10 June 2011
Formula
This Gun for Hire (1942)
Based on a novel by Graham Greene this film noir stars Veronica Lake, Robert Preston and Alan Ladd. When the man that hired him tries to double cross a hit man it puts him on collision course with the police and his employers.
There is not too much originality in this war time picture but it is fairly well made and leaves the viewer with few complaints. Maybe the only criticism of the plot is that it does shift between characters a little too much, it might have been better if they had stuck to one point of view as the there may have been a bit more tension if the story was told from just the hit man's point of view. Otherwise this is a decent, if average effort.
3/5
Based on a novel by Graham Greene this film noir stars Veronica Lake, Robert Preston and Alan Ladd. When the man that hired him tries to double cross a hit man it puts him on collision course with the police and his employers.
There is not too much originality in this war time picture but it is fairly well made and leaves the viewer with few complaints. Maybe the only criticism of the plot is that it does shift between characters a little too much, it might have been better if they had stuck to one point of view as the there may have been a bit more tension if the story was told from just the hit man's point of view. Otherwise this is a decent, if average effort.
3/5
Thursday 9 June 2011
Nerds, nerds, nerds
Revenge of the Nerds (1984)
American college comedy that went on to spawn 3 sequels starring Robert Carradine and Anthony Edwards today with support from a large cast. Social misfits get picked on by jocks and their girlfriends so decide to fight back.
Treading pretty much the same ground as Animal House (1978) this is one of your typical college films with few surprises along the way. There are some funny moments and the obligatory nudity that fill out pretty much all the details you would expect as well as the standard “it's good to be a misfit” ending. You have probably seen this film done both better and worse elsewhere.
3/5 average 80s comedy.
American college comedy that went on to spawn 3 sequels starring Robert Carradine and Anthony Edwards today with support from a large cast. Social misfits get picked on by jocks and their girlfriends so decide to fight back.
Treading pretty much the same ground as Animal House (1978) this is one of your typical college films with few surprises along the way. There are some funny moments and the obligatory nudity that fill out pretty much all the details you would expect as well as the standard “it's good to be a misfit” ending. You have probably seen this film done both better and worse elsewhere.
3/5 average 80s comedy.
Wednesday 8 June 2011
Potty?
Grow Your Own (2007)
British comedy today with an large cast of television regulars including Omid Djalili and Olivia Colman. Immigrants with a troubled past are given allotments to help them worth through their issues, culture clash with the locals ensue.
This film is the type that we churn out in Britain these days, fairly light comedy with a simple message underneath. Lightweight is probably the best way to describe this film, it's not especially funny and the over arching plot involving a mobile phone company is pretty poor. What is good about this film is the characters of the immigrants and the struggles they face, unfortunately the serious issues are not really given enough depth or proper exploration given the nature of the film.
3/5 average cheap British comedy.
British comedy today with an large cast of television regulars including Omid Djalili and Olivia Colman. Immigrants with a troubled past are given allotments to help them worth through their issues, culture clash with the locals ensue.
This film is the type that we churn out in Britain these days, fairly light comedy with a simple message underneath. Lightweight is probably the best way to describe this film, it's not especially funny and the over arching plot involving a mobile phone company is pretty poor. What is good about this film is the characters of the immigrants and the struggles they face, unfortunately the serious issues are not really given enough depth or proper exploration given the nature of the film.
3/5 average cheap British comedy.
Tuesday 7 June 2011
Heart of the matter
Solitary Man (2009)
Despite boasting a cast that includes Michael Douglas, Jenna Fischer, Susan Sarandon, Danny DeVito and Jesse Eisenberg as well as the writing team behind Rounders (1998) this film made no great shakes at the box office. When a car sales man finds out he may have something wrong with his heart he spends six years destroying his life and banging every woman he can talk into bed.
Given all the talent involved here this film is not especially remarkable, a man faces his own mortality and eventually has to decide what is important to him. There is nothing revolutionary in the plot or the execution of the film which does everything you would expect it to without dipping into sentimentality. Everything about this film smacks average which ends up being more of a disappointment than it should be really.
3/5
Despite boasting a cast that includes Michael Douglas, Jenna Fischer, Susan Sarandon, Danny DeVito and Jesse Eisenberg as well as the writing team behind Rounders (1998) this film made no great shakes at the box office. When a car sales man finds out he may have something wrong with his heart he spends six years destroying his life and banging every woman he can talk into bed.
Given all the talent involved here this film is not especially remarkable, a man faces his own mortality and eventually has to decide what is important to him. There is nothing revolutionary in the plot or the execution of the film which does everything you would expect it to without dipping into sentimentality. Everything about this film smacks average which ends up being more of a disappointment than it should be really.
3/5
Monday 6 June 2011
No meat
Ca$h (2010)
Sean Bean and Chris Hemsworth (Thor) star in this independent crime film and as it's an American film you can probably guess that Sean Bean is the bad guy. Robbers throw away a suitcase containing the proceeds from a robbery, it is found by a young couple and one of the robber's twin brother hunts down the cash.
There is a good idea for a film in here looking at how greed affects people and the tension of the bad guy trying to get his money back. Unfortunately the script for this film is pretty terrible from the dialogue to the fact that the couple actually have no personality at all so I could not care less what happens to them. The performances of the cast are not too bad considering what they have to work with but that is about the best you can say about this film.
2/5 good idea, shame about everything else.
Sean Bean and Chris Hemsworth (Thor) star in this independent crime film and as it's an American film you can probably guess that Sean Bean is the bad guy. Robbers throw away a suitcase containing the proceeds from a robbery, it is found by a young couple and one of the robber's twin brother hunts down the cash.
There is a good idea for a film in here looking at how greed affects people and the tension of the bad guy trying to get his money back. Unfortunately the script for this film is pretty terrible from the dialogue to the fact that the couple actually have no personality at all so I could not care less what happens to them. The performances of the cast are not too bad considering what they have to work with but that is about the best you can say about this film.
2/5 good idea, shame about everything else.
Sunday 5 June 2011
Gamble
Ocean's 11 (1960)
Before George Clooney and chums there was Sinatra and the Rat Pack who made the original heist film of the same name. Five casinos in Las Vegas are the target of a group of WW2 veterans in this crime caper.
After seeing this original it is hard to see why anyone decided to make a remake as the film it self is fairly bland at best. With a run time of over two hours the film feels too long, a lot of time is spent on getting the gang together when actually most of them do not really have unique characters and the heist itself is not especially tense. There are some funny moments and interplay between the main characters but this only just about papers over the cracks of a distinctly average plot and execution of the film.
3/5 not really worth looking out.
Before George Clooney and chums there was Sinatra and the Rat Pack who made the original heist film of the same name. Five casinos in Las Vegas are the target of a group of WW2 veterans in this crime caper.
After seeing this original it is hard to see why anyone decided to make a remake as the film it self is fairly bland at best. With a run time of over two hours the film feels too long, a lot of time is spent on getting the gang together when actually most of them do not really have unique characters and the heist itself is not especially tense. There are some funny moments and interplay between the main characters but this only just about papers over the cracks of a distinctly average plot and execution of the film.
3/5 not really worth looking out.
Saturday 4 June 2011
Life
The Secret in Their Eyes (2009)
This Argentinian crime thriller won an Oscar for best foreign language film and is the second highest grossing film in it's home country. Now retired after a career working for the prosecutor’s office a writer goes over one of his old cases in an attempt to deal with his past.
What this film deals with is not just the main characters past but also the past of a nation as it looks back at crime and punishment under some of the unsavoury past governments that rules Argentina. There is a lot going on with a more general look at the effects of crime on those affected by the case as well as a side plot of unrequited love. The plot works really well although there is the odd moment that strays pretty close to cliché even if the characters themselves acknowledge it.
Overall the film is very well made and there are good performances from the cast. One thing that does stand out is the long take during the football match sequence which is really worth looking out for. Having to work with the same actors playing characters at different ages could have been a problem but the make up department seems to have done a good job here as well.
5/5 a non English language film that is really worth seeking out.
This Argentinian crime thriller won an Oscar for best foreign language film and is the second highest grossing film in it's home country. Now retired after a career working for the prosecutor’s office a writer goes over one of his old cases in an attempt to deal with his past.
What this film deals with is not just the main characters past but also the past of a nation as it looks back at crime and punishment under some of the unsavoury past governments that rules Argentina. There is a lot going on with a more general look at the effects of crime on those affected by the case as well as a side plot of unrequited love. The plot works really well although there is the odd moment that strays pretty close to cliché even if the characters themselves acknowledge it.
Overall the film is very well made and there are good performances from the cast. One thing that does stand out is the long take during the football match sequence which is really worth looking out for. Having to work with the same actors playing characters at different ages could have been a problem but the make up department seems to have done a good job here as well.
5/5 a non English language film that is really worth seeking out.
Friday 3 June 2011
Burning belief
The Wicker Man (1973)
Today we have a British cult classic staring Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee and Britt Ekland. When a young girl goes missing from a pagan community living on a remote Scottish island a policeman from the main land comes in to investigate.
It is hard to pigeon hole this film, it is often listed as a horror film but does not really belong in that genre. The film is more of a mystery involving the game between the locals and the outsider policeman as well as a culture clash between the local paganism and the policeman's devout Christianity. It is really interesting to see the culture clash that would presumably have been acted out nearly a thousand years previously when Christianity came to England but in a modern setting.
What is also important to note is that there is more than one cut of this film knocking about and the longer ones make much more sense and fill in some blanks from the original release. The ending of the film is one of the best in British cinema and certainly has some striking images. There are also some really good performances from the cast although there are some question marks over how much of Britt Eklands performance is actually her own as her dialogue and singing were dubbed while some of her dancing is a body double.
4/5 miles better than the American remake.
Today we have a British cult classic staring Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee and Britt Ekland. When a young girl goes missing from a pagan community living on a remote Scottish island a policeman from the main land comes in to investigate.
It is hard to pigeon hole this film, it is often listed as a horror film but does not really belong in that genre. The film is more of a mystery involving the game between the locals and the outsider policeman as well as a culture clash between the local paganism and the policeman's devout Christianity. It is really interesting to see the culture clash that would presumably have been acted out nearly a thousand years previously when Christianity came to England but in a modern setting.
What is also important to note is that there is more than one cut of this film knocking about and the longer ones make much more sense and fill in some blanks from the original release. The ending of the film is one of the best in British cinema and certainly has some striking images. There are also some really good performances from the cast although there are some question marks over how much of Britt Eklands performance is actually her own as her dialogue and singing were dubbed while some of her dancing is a body double.
4/5 miles better than the American remake.
Thursday 2 June 2011
Stone and sand
Beau Geste (1939)
Gary Cooper stars as the title character in this second adaptation of the novel by the same name which was originally adapted as a silent film. Three orphan brothers are adopted by a wealthy woman whose husband is rarely present and gambles away the family money, one of them steals the only remaining of item belonging to the family so all three run away to join the French Foreign Legion.
For what is supposed to be an adventure film not a huge amount of the nearly 2 hour run time involves that much action. The plot is not very complicated thematically, the final explanation of why the jewel was stolen feels fairly cheap and seems to be merely a quick after thought. You get the clear sense that this is a story and film from a simpler time, which is interesting considering it was published not that long after the horrors of the first world war.
3/5 average boys adventure film.
Gary Cooper stars as the title character in this second adaptation of the novel by the same name which was originally adapted as a silent film. Three orphan brothers are adopted by a wealthy woman whose husband is rarely present and gambles away the family money, one of them steals the only remaining of item belonging to the family so all three run away to join the French Foreign Legion.
For what is supposed to be an adventure film not a huge amount of the nearly 2 hour run time involves that much action. The plot is not very complicated thematically, the final explanation of why the jewel was stolen feels fairly cheap and seems to be merely a quick after thought. You get the clear sense that this is a story and film from a simpler time, which is interesting considering it was published not that long after the horrors of the first world war.
3/5 average boys adventure film.
Wednesday 1 June 2011
Bottle
The Lost Weekend (1945)
After making Double Indemnity (1944) director Billy Wilder made this winner of 4 Oscars in part due to his experience working with Raymond Chandler on Double Indemnity. A struggling alcoholic writer goes on a drinking binge during a long weekend.
This film is a great study of addiction, degeneracy and what drives the addict. Essentially the whole film hinges on the main character who is really well written although I do think his girlfriend is slightly less well written as I am not exactly sure why she sticks by him. As a character study this is a very good film but it probably falls short on being a great film as it is constrained by being a character study.
4/5 one of the best films on alcoholism of all time.
After making Double Indemnity (1944) director Billy Wilder made this winner of 4 Oscars in part due to his experience working with Raymond Chandler on Double Indemnity. A struggling alcoholic writer goes on a drinking binge during a long weekend.
This film is a great study of addiction, degeneracy and what drives the addict. Essentially the whole film hinges on the main character who is really well written although I do think his girlfriend is slightly less well written as I am not exactly sure why she sticks by him. As a character study this is a very good film but it probably falls short on being a great film as it is constrained by being a character study.
4/5 one of the best films on alcoholism of all time.
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