Is this a spear which I see before me?

Throne of Blood (1957)

Inspired by Macbeth this Japanese film once again teams up director Akira Kurosawa and star Toshiro Mifune. In feudal Japan a Samurai is given a prophecy of his future success and is seduced by ambition.

Kurosawa provides an excellent back drop for the story in this film with moody buildings, foggy mountainsides and tangled forests for locations. When it comes to adapting the Macbeth I was disappointed that the corner stone relationship between Macbeth and his wife is not as rich in this version as it seems much of the sexual element of the piece is removed. Overall this is an atmospheric adaptation that is well worth watching even if it does not give you the full Shakespeare experience.

4/5

Heffalump

Water for Elephants (2011)

Based on the novel of the same name this film from director Francis Lawrence stars Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson and Christoph Waltz. A young vet runs away to join the circus and gets involved with the circus owner's wife.

It appears there are a few changes from the book, with two characters amalgamated but otherwise this seems to be a fairly faith adaptation. Hollywood has often mined the circus as a back drop for a good film but this film really fails to capture the magic of the circus or show any real spark between the lead characters. The plot itself ends up being a pretty average love triangle piece that marginalises the supporting characters.

3/5

Conspiring

The Conspirator (2011)

Directed by Robert Redford this historic drama stars James McAvoy, Robin Wright and Danny Huston. Following the assassination of president Lincoln a woman is placed on trial for having conspired with the assassins.

Clearly this film is made with current events at Guantanamo bay in mind and focuses on witch hunt nature of Mary Surratt's trial. As with many a film with a historical basis details have been changed and the film makers bias is pretty clear. Over all this is a well made film with good performances but as with other of Redford's films may be he lets his own politics dominate a little too much over a more even handed story.

3/5

A monster from below

Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

Directed by Jack Arnold this classic monster film from Universal stars Richard Carlson and Julia Adams. A team of scientists on the Amazon river are menaced by a monster that could be a giant scientific discovery.

So the special effects for this film are pretty terrible, the monster is a guy in a rubber suit and it's beyond obvious. As a horror film it is hard to find the film scary at all and it is never really explained why the monster wants to kill all the men and kidnap the female character. You also have to wonder about racism and sexism in the film as South American characters seem to be there largely to get killed why the only female character's job is to scream and be chased by the monster.

2/5

Cheap bottle of plonk

The Chateau Meroux (2011)

Directed by Bob Fugger this film stars Marla Sokoloff, some other people you have never heard of and Christopher Lloyd. A woman from the city inherits a struggling vineyard from her estranged father and a romantic comedy ensues.

There is nothing remotely interesting or original about this film and it is pretty much the definition of by the numbers. Christopher Lloyd has put in some genius comedic performances over his career but has absolutely nothing to work with here which is a real shame as that was about the only thing that could have saved this film. If you want to watch a film about wine making or a romantic comedy there are far better efforts out there.

2/5

The originals

Seven Samurai (1954)

Directed by Akira Kurosawa this highly influential samurai film has a large cast that includes frequent collaborator Toshiro Mifune. A farm village in historic Japan is harassed by bandits so they hire samurai to defend them.

Weighing in at just over 3 hours long this is a heavy weight in more ways than one but it largely lives up to it's reputation. The plot was the originator of several elements that are now common place in similar films, gathering the team and introducing the hero in an unrelated side plot. It is hard not to compare the film to The Magnificent Seven (1960) and maybe it does lack some of the cool that oozes from the remake but this is still a great film even if it might be a little on the long side, taking too long to get to the action.

5/5

rom-con-com

Cedar Rapids (2011)

Directed by Miguel Arteta this comedy stars Ed Helms, John C. Reilly, Anne Heche and Isiah Whitlock Jr. A small town insurance sales man goes to the big insurance conference for the first time in his life.

This is a fairly common quirky comedy about a middle aged man “coming of age” when put out of his comfort zone. There are gags but the film is not really consistently funny and the script does little to set it apart from other similar films. While there is not much that is new about this film it is still well made and does nothing to warrant a black mark against it's name.

3/5

No Edge

Jagged Edge (1985)

Richard Marquand directs this court room thriller which stars Glenn Close and Jeff Bridges. After sending the wrong man to jail while working as a prosecutor a lawyer tries to redeem herself by defending a man she feels is falsely accused.

A film like this lives or dies on it's plot and unfortunately the plot here is on the weak side as it relies on coincidence too much and strays too far beyond the realms of believability. The twists at the end just do not stack up in my opinion and having the lawyer fall in love with her client is probably the biggest cliché of the genre. About the only good thing in the film is the supporting role of the lawyer's investigator for which Robert Loggia got an Oscar nomination but that provides scant comfort.

2/5

The Big C

A Little Bit of Heaven (2011)

Directed by Nicole Kassell this film stars Kate Hudson, Gael Garcia Bernal and Kathy Bates. A successful young woman with no interest in getting married or starting a family gets cancer.

There are a number of problems with this film, the central one being that apparently there is nothing like a good dose of cancer to fix all your problems and make you conform to the way everyone else lives their lives. Relying on the same cliches and stock characters you see in many a similar film there is little originality in this film. When it comes to the protagonists illness the make up seemed decidedly patchy as well swinging from a look of terminal illness in one scene to nothing wrong with her in the next.

2/5

The Captain

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

 Marvel's hero comes to the big screen in this film from director Joe Johnston which stars Chris Evans, Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving and Hayley Atwell. Unable to enlist during the Second World War a young man signs up for an experimental procedure to create super soldiers.

 There are a few changes from the comics for this film but otherwise the film largely retains the right themes even if the details are slightly different. When it comes to the plot of this film it does seem a little bit like they are trying to cram in a lot so that they can skip on to the Avengers film but there are some good points such as the love interest in this film being much better fleshed out than in Thor (2011), for example. The special effects are pretty good, especially on the Chris Evans before he gets the super soldier serum and while Tommy Lee Jones does not have a large part in the film he seems to get away with all the best lines.

4/5

Love with confused kids

Love with the Proper Stranger (1963)

 Directed by Robert Mulligan this film which received five Oscar nominations stars Natalie Wood and Steve McQueen. A young girl seeks out a musician who got her pregnant from a one night stand to help her get an abortion.

This is a really mature film on a subject that is still relevant today even if abortions are now legally available in most placed. The script for the film is good and has some real character progression despite only covering a fairly short period of time in the story. Natalie Wood is excellent as the girl with an over bearing family and Steve McQueen provides a good counter point as the young man who really needs to grow up.

4/5

On a charge

7th Cavalry (1956)

Based on a story called “A Horse for Mrs. Custer” this Western from director Joseph H. Lewis stars Randolph Scott. After missing the Battle of the Little Big Horn an officer tries to repair his reputation by helping recover the bodies of his fallen comrades.

With a run time of only 75 minutes this film is short on both plot and action, probably in an attempt to knock out a quick Western on the cheap. There are some decent elements for the film to build on but it is really let down by a fairly weak last two thirds to the film. About the best thing you can say about this film is that the portrayal of the Indians is that it is fairly balanced unlike a lot of contemporary films.

2/5

Popeye and the drug bust

The French Connection (1971)

Based on the book of the same name this film from director William Friedkin stars Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider. A New York policeman lets nothing stand in his way as he tries to take down a large drug smuggling ring.

Based on real events the plot does stray into the realm of fiction in terms of character and events but retains a high level of realism through out. This film picked up five Oscars and it is not hard to see how it was a breath of fresh air due to realism while retaining one of the great car chases of cinema. Certainly this is one of the must see crime films of the 70s.

5/5

Invasion!

Went the Day Well? (1942)

Based on a short story by Graham Greene this film from Alberto Cavalcanti stars Leslie Banks and Basil Sydney. During the Second World War a small village in England is held hostage by Germans ahead of a planned invasion.

This is an interesting piece of British war time propaganda that captures both a snap shot of rural village life but also how people of the time considered invasion a very real threat. What is excellent about the film is that when it comes to the violence and action sequences it pulls no punches with serious consequences for the villagers who resist. Rather than being a scaremonger this film manages to walk the thin line between propaganda, boosting morale and realism.

4/5

Clowning around

Circus World (1964)

Also known as The Magnificent Showman this film from director Henry Hathaway stars John Wayne, Claudia Cardinale and Rita Hayworth. An American circus travels to Europe but suffers a disaster and has to rebuild.

This film is pretty rough around the edges and could have done with trimming down in the running time to start with. The plot is not bad but does appear to leave some loose ends with respect to the motivations of one of the side characters. Obviously the main draw here are the circus acts which are decent but nothing that will take your breath away.

2/5

Don't shoot

The Messenger (2009)

This low budget film from director Oren Moverman stars Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson and Samantha Morton. A soldier struggles to come to terms with having served in Iraq while having to notify next of kin when a soldier dies.

You could pretty easily class this as a “coming home” film for the modern generation which does not necessarily comment on the conflicts themselves but the affect war in general has. There are some good performances from the cast and the script is well written but this is well trodden ground and does not offer anything especially new. What the film does best is stay clear of over sentimentality and show case the variety of responses to losing a loved on in war.

3/5

Punchy?

Sucker Punch (2011)

Director Zack Snyder brings some crazy action to the big screen with a cast including Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone and Carla Gugino. A young woman is sent to a mental hospital after being blamed for the death of her sister.

There is a lot of talk about this film being misogynistic but I think if anything it is shining a light on a misogynistic world rather than promoting those views itself. My real problems with the film come from the script which is really a confused mess rather than something deeper hidden in confusion. It does seem a bit like the plot is an excuse for some crazy over the top action sequences and those are not bad but do rely far too much on CGI for my personal taste. The film is probably worth watching once just to see some of those crazy action sequences but beyond that it is pretty disposable.

3/5

Good film on a bad day

Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)

Adapted from a short story by Howard Breslin this film from John Sturges sees Spencer Tracy and Robert Ryan face off. In 1945, a one armed man gets off a train in at a small rural community and walks into a lot of trouble.

The plot for this film is fairly simple but it is really well executed and has a subversive undertone to it. Having a supporting cast that includes Ernest Borgnine and Lee Marvin really helps as well as the good dialogue that embellishes the simplistic setting. What this film does well is combine elements of film noir and western genres to provide a unique thriller and a subtle look at some of the less favourable parts of American culture.

5/5

Fast and furious

Faster (2010)

Directed by George Tillman, Jr. this action film stars Swayne Johnson, Billy Boy Thornton and Carla Gugino. The day he is released from prison a man starts a rampage of revenge to get the people responsible for his brothers killing.

When it comes to revenge films they have been pretty much done to death and there is not a huge amount of originality on show here. The script tries to add some depth to the piece with some nods to the idea of redemption and religion but ultimately these are fair shallow efforts. What the film has going in it's favour is that it is fairly well made and keeps going at a brisk pace.

3/5

Worth watching

Rear Window (1954)

Based on the short story “It Had to Be Murder” Alfred Hitchcock directs James Stewart and Grace Kelly in this tale of suspense. A man stuck at home with a broken leg watches his neighbours from the window and is convinced he has witnessed a murder.

This is up there with the best of Hitchcock's work and contains plenty of well executed suspense as you would expect. There is some excellent camera work and the film never feels constrained by it's setting which is a common pitfall of similar films. The film also works contains some interesting depth by considering how the nature of the protagonist as a voyeur reflects on our own voyeuristic tendencies as an audience.

5/5

Cold hearted?

Ice Age (2002)

This animated adventure from directors Chris Wedge and Carlos Saldanha features the voice talent of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo and Denis Leary. After finding a human child a mammoth, sloth and smilodon attempt to return the child to his family.

Despite not being a Pixar film this film is up there with the best work of the genre masters in terms of providing a good story for kids with a few jokes for adults slipped in as well. The plot has a good family feel but does manage to sneak in a fair amount of off screen death and tragedy. About the complaint I have with the film is that none of the animation is especially impressive, the background/landscapes probably being the weak point.

4/5

Life is tragic

Life Is Beautiful (1997)

This Italian comedy is written, directed by as well as stars Roberto Benigni and is partially based on the real life experiences of his father, the film also features his wife Nicoletta Braschi. An Italian Jew falls in love, starts a family and has to survive being sent to a concentration camp.

This film has a comedic tone and has been accused by some of trivialising the holocaust but I would say that if anything the tragic moments are heightened by the contrast they give to the rest of the piece. About the only criticism I have of the film is that maybe the first half could do with shortening a little to get to the heart of the story which is the concentration camp portion. It is easy to see how this film won three Oscars and it is well worth a look.

4/5

Not illuminating

The Lamp (2011)

Based on the novel of the same name this film from director Tracy Trost stars Meredith Salenger and Jason London. Two years after the death of their son a couple are given three wishes to turn their lives around.

To sum this film up simply you could say that it is an overly sentimental pile of festering horse poo. The plot ignores the only interesting issue by saying bringing back the dead son is not possible as a wish and takes an extra 20 minutes at the end to fanny around before getting to mind numbingly obvious conclusion. Even if this piece was made for TV it would be bad, it also uses what Spike Lee refers to as a “Super-Duper Magical Negro” as a plot device which does not help either.

1/5

Thunderous?

Thor (2011)

Marvel drops another one off this production line this time directed by Kenneth Branagh and staring Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman. Thor is exiled from Asgard to earth by his father Odin in the hope it will teach Thor some humility.

It seems this is one of those films where too many people signed on before there was a script as there are big problems in the middle portion of the film. The film hinges on Thor's change and his falling in love but neither feels earned and as such it really hamstrings the film. When it comes to the effects in the film it also seems that this is a case of another film where CGI has run wild and maybe realism has been over looked a little. Ultimately this seems like a film Marvel feels it has to get out the way to get to it's Avengers film and really could have done with some more thought being put into it as there is a lot of wasted talent and potential here.

3/5

Forgive and forget?

Life During Wartime (2009)

Directed by Todd Solondz this is a sequel to his own earlier film Happiness (1998) and stars Allison Janney, Ciaran Hinds and Shirley Henderson. Three sisters struggle with their lives as the ex-husband of one is released from jail.

Having not seen the previous film was not too much of a barrier to watching this film, given that the entire cast has been replaced it probably helps not having seen the original. I think this film would probably have been better if it picked one issue and focused on that as the the story of one sister and her family already dominates the short run time of the film anyway. What the film is mainly about is the idea of forgiveness but is a bit cluttered to have a clear message while lacking any of the comedy it claims to have.

2/5

The cheap French connection?

The Marseille Contract (1974)

Robert Parrish directs his final film in this British funded but French based thriller which stars Michael Caine, Anthony Quinn and James Mason. Following the murder of two of his agents an American DEA agent hires a British hitman to take out a French drug lord.

Running a little on the short side there is not a huge amount of plot to this film beyond the obvious which is a shame as there are some strings that were left undeveloped. It does look like this film was probably made on a low budget as the cinematography is not exactly stand out and production values do seem a little cheap. Having a French actor in the James Mason role as the drug lord may also of have helped but I suspect that most of the budget was spent on casting big names to try and get some sales in the American market.

2/5

Contained

Devil (2010)

Based on an idea from M. Night Shyamalan this low budget horror from director John Erick Dowdle stars a bunch of people you have not heard of. A group of strangers are trapped in a stuck elevator with an evil spirit, things do not end well for them.

About the best thing you could say about this film is that it is not bad. The direction and plot lack any real tension and rarely provide any scares. This is a film that probably needed fleshing out a bit more as it barely comes in at over an hours run time which is probably due to having too few people trapped in too smaller space which is more of a handicap then a useful gimmick.

3/5

Smarter than the average bear?

Yogi Bear (2010)

Based on the children's cartoon this film from director Eric Brevig uses the voice talents of Dan Aykroyd and Justin Timberlake and features actors Anna Faris and Tom Cavanagh. Joining forces are the picnic basket stealing bear and the park ranger to save Jellystone Park.

To bring the cartoon characters to life this film blends CGI and live action elements pretty well which is not that easy to achieve. The script is pretty average and does not really give the cast much to work with as it follows an unoriginal plot but does have the odd funny moment. What the film does manage at least is to capture the flavour of the Yogi bear character with out trying to transform it into some modern update.

3/5

Taken for a ride

The Millionaire Tour (2011)

Writer/director Inon Shampanier makes his directorial début with this crime piece which stars Dominic Monaghan and Rick Gomez. A cab driver and his passenger are taken hostage by a pair of crocks but there is more going on than appears at first.

Clearly this film was made on a budget and actually it could probably have gotten away with being made as a play as most of the action takes place in or around the taxi. The plot does enough to keep the viewer guessing with out tipping it's hand or ending with a number of holes. In the end this seems to be a decent crime thriller that has slipped under the radar.

3/5

Débutante

The Princess Diaries (2001)

Anne Hathaway made here big screen début in this adaptation of the novel of the same name from director Garry Marshall that also stars Julie Andrews. An American school girl finds out that she is the heir to the throne of a small European country.

The plot of this film is a pretty simple coming of age, wish fulfilment piece aimed at young girls with little real depth to it and covering the usual ground these films follow. I found the sound track to be particularly annoying as it seems to be random songs from the CD collection (remember when people had those?) of a young girl which I'm sure appeals to the target audience but no one else. Clearly the film is aimed at a very specific audience but it is not as badly made or cheesy as to bore those outside of the target audience.

3/5