African goals

Africa United (2010)

First time director Deborah Gardner-Paterson makes her début with this Africa based film. A diverse group of kids from Rwanda travel through Africa to try to get to the world cup.

What is really good about this film is the way it shows the issues Africa faces such as AIDs, war, prostitution and poverty through the eyes of children. There are a lot of serious issues involved but the fact that they are experienced by children who do not really understand then fully stops the film becoming too heavy, retaining a light comedic note but does not trivialise these important issues either. I am sure there must have been a temptation for the film to stray into sappy territory but it manages to stay clear of that mostly even if it offers few answers to the problems it highlights.

4/5 a unique look at the problems Africa faces.

Do directors dream of further recuts?

Blade Runner (1982)

Based on a story from Philip K. Dick this adaptation is directed by Ridley Scott and stars Harrison Ford. A man is charged with hunting down and killing a group of renegade replicants (robots that appear human) that have come to earth against the law.

As a piece of film making this is a stunning effort. The dirty lived in look of the future world has inspired many following films and was revolutionary at the time. Much of the films plot is influenced by film noir and a lot of the lighting in the film also echoes this. Visually the film is very impressive, the special effects work well and the whole concept of the world the film exists in is filled out perfectly on the screen.

When it comes to the content of the film it is suitably rich in theme even if the plot itself is a little sparse. The nature of humanity, mortality and how the artificial life forms fit into this are the main points of discussion. As mentioned previously the plot draws heavily on the ideas of film noir with a fatalistic protagonist, femme fatales and an antagonistic police captain which fits in well with the gritty-future look the film has.

5/5 it should be noted I watched the final cut version.

Planes, unoriginality and autmobiles

Due Date (2010)

This is a comedy road film from director Todd Phillips staring Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galiflanakis. Up tight man and wacky/annoying man that have just met take a road trip after being put on a no fly list.

There is not a lot of originality about this film which draws a lot of comparisons to Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987). What little content there is sticks to common formulas and provides little in the way of humour or mad cap incidents. While there are few positives in the film it is also hard to find any real negatives as the direction and performances are at least average even if they have little to work with.

3/5

Hang on, lads; I've got a great idea.

The Italian Job (1969)

Classic British cinema from director Peter Collinson today that stars Michael Caine, Noel Coward and Benny Hill. A gang of British thieves plan to steal a load of gold from Italy while the Mafia have other ideas.

This is not the best written or original heist film of all time, the characters are all fairly empty but the film more than makes up for that by having character itself. What the film does do is capture the quintessentially English nature of the period and the general view an island nation has to the rest of Europe. When it comes to the final car chase it borders on silly but is hilarious, iconic and part of what made the Mini Cooper a car that has stood the test of time. There are some great lines and it is the comedic nature of the film that helps carry off what otherwise would be an unremarkable film.

4/5

All change at the station

Brief Encounter (1945)

Before he turned to directing vast epics David Lean directed this adaptation of a Noel Coward play staring Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard. A married housewife and doctor have an affair after a chance meeting at a railway station.

There is something very British and reserved about this film, while it does reflect some of the attitudes of it's time it still captures human nature that is present even today. The restrictions placed on people by the class structure is clearly one of the under running themes as the more working class characters in the background get up to all sorts while the middle class main characters are expected to hold themselves to higher values. You can not also help but wonder if the film is an allegory for the situation homosexuals given Coward's sexuality and the laws of the time.

Probably the best part of the film is the subtle performances of the lead actors. I also think that the limitations placed on the film by the era it was produced in help make a better film as modern films on infidelity tend to become absorbed in the act rather than the circumstances and characters.

4/5

Route-ine

Route Irish (2011)

Director Ken Loach brings this thriller from frequent collaborator Paul Laverty to the big screen. Following the death of his best friend in Iraq a former private security contractor thinks there is something fishy going on.

This is a fairly standard thriller with few surprises along the way and covers much of the same ground that is common in a lot of Iraq war based films. Unfortunately neither the script nor the acting is especially good meaning this is on the weaker end of a fairly cluttered spectrum. Maybe for once Loach would have been better off working on a bigger budget with more established actors.

2/5

Number two

I Am Number Four (2011)

Director D J Caruso adapts the teen book of the same name with assistance from Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg that stars Alex Pettyfer and Dianna Agron. Aliens send kids with special powers to earth and they are hunted by bad aliens.

Why? Why, why, why did this film get made? The simple answer is every one wants a hit teen franchise to print money for them these days. Apart from the modern trend for fast cut and confusing action sequences the biggest problem this film has is that the plot is pretty empty. So little of the mythos of the world involved is revealed it is impossible to get invested in what is happening. It does not help that nearly all the characters are completely bland and devoid of personality as well.

2/5

A well used trail

Tracker (2010)

This British-New Zealand collaboration stars Ray Winstone and is directed by Ian Sharp. In 1903 a Boer veteran of the recent conflict looks to start a new life in New Zealand and tries to get some money by tracking down a Maori accused of murder.

As with all films shot in New Zealand the scenery in this film is stunning and is probably the best attribute the film has to offer by a long margin. The plot is not especially original, the usual elements in a slightly different setting and the script is not particularly strong. When it comes to the acting some of it is ropey to say the least, Ray Winstone's attempts at an Afrikaner are patchy at times but not the worst thing in the film.

3/5

Explosive

The Hurt Locker (2009)

Winner of six Oscars this film is directed by Kathryn Bigelow and stars Jeremy Renner. A bomb disposal unit in Iraq gets a new member after the previous team leader is killed in a bomb blast.

Films based on the war in Iraq have been a mixed bag so far to say the least and this is certainly the most realistic in terms of the conflict it depicts in the background even if the actions of the main characters stray into the realms of fantasy a fair amount. Putting worries about realism aside this is a tense film about characters who live their lives on the edge and in that respect is very well made. Certainly this is a good film, maybe the successor to The Deer Hunter (1978), but maybe not as good as all the praise it has received.

4/5

False reputations?

Easy A (2010)

This teen comedy stars Emma Stone and includes support from Amanda Bynes, Thomas Haden Church and Lisa Kudrow. A girl at high school lies and gets a reputation for sleeping around, she enjoys the attention she starts getting.

Female sexuality is a good starting point for a film and sadly how women are treated based on perceived sexuality is still a relevant issue but I am not sure this film ever really hits the nail on the head. Emma Stone is very good in the lead role and there are some good comedic moments but in the end it does feel like the film wasted a good opportunity to be something really good. The film has a number of references to John Hughes films and it is easy to see how it fits into that tradition of film making.

3/5 could have been much more

Magic

The Illusionist (2010)

This animated film is based on an unproduced script from 1956 by French mime, actor and director Jacques Tati. A struggling magician who meets a young girl who becomes enthralled by his act and runs away with him.

There is some controversy surrounding the origins of the script but whatever the case it is a sad piece about unappreciated artists and father/daughter relationships. Despite pretty much having no dialogue the film works really well and the melancholy nature of having a daughter figure grow up and leave the father seeps through the ending of the film. The animation is also excellent with 50s Scotland looking especially nice. This film is well worth a watch.

4/5

Pixar-lite?

Despicable Me (2010)

For once we have a computer animated kids film that is not from Pixar but Universal and stars the voice of Steve Carell. A villain plans to steal the moon after a rival one ups all the other world villains by stealing a pyramid.

There is not a huge amount of originality in the themes behind this film but it is still a very affective effort even if it probably steals a lot from Pixar. The “family good” message is pretty obvious and decidedly common in children's films but there is still plenty of humour to entertain even adult viewers. Probably the best part of the film are the villains little yellow minions that get up to various helpful/hindering actions, hopefully their origins get explored a bit if there is a sequel.

4/5

Commanding achievement

The Ten Commandments (1956)

For his last film director Cecil B. DeMille directed a partial remake of his own earlier silent film of the same name which this time stars Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner and Anne Baxter. Moses grows up an Egyptian prince but finds out he is a Hebrew and is then charged with freeing his people from slavery by God.

Everything about this film encapsulates the word epic, from the cast of thousands, scope of the piece to the near 4 hour run time. The special effects still hold up for a large part with is very impressive given the limited technology and the integral part they play to the film. Some of the early sequences involving the building of the Egyptian city are especially impressive. About the only downside to the production of the film is that some of the acting is a little hammy, especially from Anne Baxter.

When it comes to the subject matter what you get here is a biblical story rather than maybe a more polished piece of entertainment. The narrative takes a meandering path that is not based solely on the bible but also on other sources such as information from the Qur'an. This is clearly an amazing achievement in film making but the content is not necessarily to everyone’s taste.

4/5

Questionable?

Executive Action (1973)

In his last film appearance Robert Ryan stars alongside Burt Lancaster in this quasi documentary thriller. A dramatization of how a conspiracy could have been behind the assassination of JFK.

This film is very much a “how it could have been done” rather than an effort to make accusations and it takes a fairly unemotional look at the subject matter. Drama and tension are marginalised for a more clinical approach and this does help give the film a more serious and realistic tone. While the film does not really look at any of the big questions that surround the assassination of JFK it is a decent watch.

3/5

Not Kevin's gate

Dances With Wolves (1990)

Kevin Costner makes his directorial début while staring along side Mary McDonnell in this western that picked up 6 Oscars. A US soldier goes out to live alone in Indian territory and makes friends with the Native Americans.

The plot and characters of this film are fairly simple but the film still manages to fill it's 3 hour run time without feeling slow or full of padding. Mainly what the film does is provide a good snap shot of a way of life that has since disappeared and some great shots of the landscape. Maybe taking it's cue from Stagecoach (1939) the most impressive sequences is the buffalo hunt which was achieved before the proliferation of CGI when film makers actually had to do stuff for real. The film may lack a little depth but Native Americans were long over due a fair portrayal in cinema.

4/5

Political gifts

Casino Jack (2010)

Based on a real life scandal this film stars Kevin Spacey and is directed by George Hickenlooper. The ego and greed of a lobbyist get the better of him and he ends up involved in various scams and crimes.

I suspect this film does not necessarily stick amazingly close to the facts as it runs under the “inspired by real events” tag but it seems that the more unbelievable elements of the story are the ones with the basis in real events. Given the serious nature of the content it is a bit of a shame that the film is more satirical than a serious look at corruption in politics but the film is still very watchable.

3/5

American International

The American (2010)

Dutch director Anton Corbijn helms this film from British writer Rowan Joffe that stars American George Clooney and Italian Violante Placido. An American hitman/gunsmith hangs out in Italy on one last job.

There is a strong influence from spaghetti westerns on this film, particularly that of Once Upon a Time in the West (which slightly spoils the ending when it is directly referenced in the film). While the plot maybe a smidgen on the thin side and not especially original this is a really well made film with some great cinematography. You have probably seen a number of similar films and this is a type that Hollywood churns out often to a good standard but very few look as good as this one does.

4/5

Film without a point

Man Without a Star (1955)

Kirk Douglas stars in this western that was one of the first films made by his own distribution company. An experienced drifter takes a young kid under his wing and gets caught in up a range war.

The major problem I have with this film is that it is based around the central topic of open range or wired off private land but really fails to pick a side. While the central character may eventually end up on the wire side it is completely against his personal belief that open range is better which he never changes. Some of the script and plot also clearly reflect a less mature period of story telling as well with an over simplistic nature that hits you in the face.

2/5

Swenglish scares

Let Me In (2010)

Matt Reeves directs this remake of the Swedish film Let the Right One In (2008) which stars Chloe Grace Moretz. I have previously reviewed the original here: http://qedmoviereview.blogspot.com/2011/08/swedish-scares.html

There is not a lot of departure from the original in this remake which is both a strength and a weakness. While the film is really well made and retains the feel and tone of the original you do have to wonder why you would watch this version rather than the original, presumably the only reason is if you are too lazy to read subtitles. It is hard to find any real fault with this film and as such you could probably watch either version and not miss anything from the other.

4/5 same again

Getting noticed

Young Winston (1972)

This film is based on the early life of Winston Churchill and is directed by Richard Attenborough with Simon Ward in the lead role. As a young man Churchill seeks to make a name for himself after his father's fall from politics and his mother's loss of the family money.

While at the time Simon Ward was an unknown actor the cast for this film also includes Robert Shaw, Anne Bancroft, Ian Holm, John Mills and Anthony Hopkins. The film certainly provides plenty of action and adventure as well as covering the main events of Churchill's early life but it does seem to be more about covering these events rather than showing how they shaped the man. Some important events such as Lady Churchill losing the family fortune and Winston meeting his future wife are barely mentioned at all, let alone how they affected Churchill.

3/5 average biopic

Check out

Across the Hall (2009)

Director Alex Merkin expands his own earlier short film to feature length with this thriller starring Mike Vogel, Brittany Murphy and Danny Pino. A man who thinks his girlfriend is cheating on him calls his best friend to come to a hotel and help him confront the girl and her lover.

I was really impressed by this film, the non linear story telling may feel like a bit of a gimmick to start with but it really helps frame what could have been a fairly unoriginal plot. The way the plot is executed helps the many twists you would expect from a film of this type work. There is plenty of tension and atmosphere in the claustrophobic environment of the hotel. About the only let down is that the performances of the actors are fairly unremarkable.

4/5

The King

The Man Who Would Be King (1975)

Based on the Kipling short story of the same name this film is directed by John Huston and stars Sean Connery and Michael Caine. Two former British soldiers in India during the Victorian era plan to travel North and carve out their own kingdom.

Like much of Kipling's writing this piece is about Imperialism and the British Empire, particularly in India. The adventures of the two main characters act as a metaphor for differing British attitudes to Imperialism showing both the negative as well as the positive intentions of those involved. Both Caine and Connery give good performances full of personality and the film is very entertaining.

4/5 classic escapism.

Room Service

Somewhere (2010)

This is the fourth film from Sofia Coppola and stars Stephen Dorff and Elle Fanning. A film star lives in a hotel, sleeps with various attractive women and spends time with his daughter.

There are inevitable comparisons to be drawn with Lost in Translation (2003) as this film has a number of similar themes, loneliness and isolation. What is good about the film is the performance of Elle Fanning and the father/daughter relationship but otherwise the film does feel rather empty. While the film does draw a good character portrait it is pretty slim on development and resolution. In the end this is a watchable film but does feel very slow and repeats a lot of themes that Coppola did better in Lost in Translation.

3/5

Bright lights?

Skyline (2010)

Special effects specialists the brothers Strause direct this alien invasion film which stars Eric Balfour, Scottie Thompson, Brittany Daniel and Donald Faison. Some people are trapped in an apartment complex when aliens want to kill everyone.

The problem with this film is that it is pretty much just an advert for the directors special effects company. There is a distinct lack of plot and character on show here and while the visuals effects are nice they are unable to cover over the fairly obvious budget limitations the film is working under. What could have been a claustrophobic and intense film is ultimately nothing of the sort.

2/5

Comedy with two left feet

Dance Flick (2009)

The Wayans family pull another parody film off the production line, this time staring Shoshana Bush and Damon Wayans Jr. A girl from the suburbs ends up at an inner city school, some dancing happens.

I have not seen a lot of the films that this film sets out to parody which probably does not help matters but it does seem like someone forgot to include the funny here. There are a few funny moments but largely the parody elements included do not actually seem that funny and are just included for the sake of having a reason to make the film. Most of the “humour” included seems to come from the standard Wayans style of jokes and has little to do with the main subject matter.

2/5

KKKKKHHHHHHHHAAAANNNNNNNNNN

My Name is Khan (2010)

This Bollywood film is directed by Karan Johar and stars Shahrukh Khan and Kajol. A Muslim man with Asperger's syndrome moves from India to the US and has to deal with the changing attitudes of Americans to Muslims in the post 9/11 era.

Before we even really get to the content this film has problems. Either the film is about an hour too long or is two films jammed together. The first 1/3-1/2 of the film is a romantic comedy in the style of Adam (2009) and the second half is more of a Muslim version of Forest Gump (1994) set in the last 10 years. While the first part of the film is well executed it probably should have been vastly shortened given that the meat of the film is all in the second half.

What the majority of the film is about is western misconceptions and fear of Islam in the modern era. While the film does not get overly preachy it does stray into melodramatic territory on occasion. It is interesting to see a different point of view on the topic but it is a real shame there are very few positive western/white/Christian characters in a film and while the message may be that there are only good and bad people, people are not divided by religion I do wonder if the film missed some of it's own message.

3/5 an interesting if flawed film

Fishing

Alamar (2009)

This Mexican film is set in Banco Chinchorro, a coral reef off the coast of Mexico. A young boy spends some time living with his father and grandfather,who are fishermen, shortly before he is due to move to Italy with his mother.

What this film does excellently is capture a snapshot of a way of life that has probably changed very little for hundreds of years. There is some great scenery and the film definitely captures the way the family co-exist with their environment. On the down side the film really lacks a plot and comes across more as a documentary than a dramatic piece, the characters also lack a strong personality to make up for this. Maybe this project would have been better executed as a pure documentary than a quasi piece of fiction, either way the short run time and exotic locations make the film watchable.

3/5

Needs to grow up

Cyrus (2010)

Brothers Jay and Mark Duplass write and direct this comedy-drama staring John C. Reilly, Jonah Hill and Marisa Tomei. A divorcee meets a single mother but their relationship falls foul of the woman's 21 year old son.

There are elements of this film that are good but I am not sure it really knows what it wants to be. I thought the relationship between the main characters provided a good base but the comedic elements were not pushed far enough to be a full comedy. The wobbly faux-amateur camera work was just annoying and seemed pretty pointless. In the end despite the positive elements this film just feels like wasted potential.

2/5

Sea dog

The Sea Wolves (1980)

From the same team that made The Wild Geese (1978) this war film stars Gregory Peck, Roger Moore, David Niven, Trevor Howard, Barbara Kellerman and Patrick Macnee. An ageing group of soldiers look to do their part in WW2.

The plot for this film may seem fairly unrealistic but it is based on real events of a British attack on a German ship in a neutral harbour during WW2. Despite the large and interesting cast this film has a number of problems and those mostly stem from the script which takes far too long to get going, offers little in the way of personality and generally wastes the talent available. There seems to be a lot of pandering to perceived audience expectations as Roger Moore's character for example is nothing more than a second rate James Bond.

2/5

Incidental?

Yangtse Incident (1957)

Based on real life events this film from director Michael Anderson stars Richard Todd and has a cast including William Hartnell. In 1949 China is in a state of civil war and a British ship is attacked on the Yangtse river.

This film is similar to a number of other black and white war films made in Britain during the period in that it sticks largely to the facts and does not get overly involved in the characters or their back story. There are some moments of tension but for the most part the film is more documentary and less cinematic, overall it is a watchable if unremarkable effort.

3/5

Robbing in the hood

The Town (2010)

For his second film as a director Ben Affleck returns to Boston and crime with a cast including himself, Jon Hamm and Rebecca Hall. The net is closing in on a gang of robbers while one of them wants to break free from his life of crime.

There is not a huge amount that is original about this adaptation but it is very well executed. All of the action sequences are decent and there is a good amount of suspense through the film. While the character relationships are pretty common to many films in the genre they hold up well enough and provide a decent foundation for the film.

4/5 slick crime drama