No brain, still entertains

Big Bullet (1996)

Directed by Benny Chan this film stars Lau Ching-wan, Jordan Chan, Theresa Lee and Cheung Tat-ming. Following a shoot out gone wrong a hot headed police detective is sent to work in a unit of rejects.

While this film is thin on both plot and character development it does contain a suitable amount of action sequences. We may not be getting John Woo levels of direction here but there is enough action to keep the viewer entertained at least. If you can switch off your brain this is not too bad of a watch.

3/5

Action hackers

Blackhat (2015)

Directed by Michael Mann this film stars Chris Hemsworth, Tang Wei, Wang Leehom and Viola Davis. Chinese and American law enforcement work with a convicted hacker to investigate a cyber crime.

This film is show with Mann's recognisable style of using digital, hand held cameras for a level of realism. While the plot aims for realism it quickly stretches believability in terms of what the characters are allowed to do despite trying to state rooted in real jargon. Despite being well made I found the film a bit flat as it struggled to over come the problems common to any film where people sit at a computer a lot.

3/5

Flush with disappointment

Jupiter Ascending (2015)

Written & directed by The Wachowskis this film stars Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum, Sean Bean and Eddie Redmayne. A young woman stuck cleaning toilets finds out she is a space princess.

Disappointingly this film has so much unfulfilled potential, the characters completely lack depth and the themes are explored too little, too late. There is far too much emphasis on plot, too much telling over showing when it comes to back story/character and I found the protagonist far too passive. I was also not a huge fan of some of the special effects. It could well be that a three hour version of this story would have given room to solve a lot of the problems here.

2/5  

Musical magic

The Melomaniac (1903)

Directed by and staring George Melies this is a short film from the silent era. A band master uses telegraph lines to write music on.

Essentially this is a short built around using trick photography like many of Melies's early films. The plot is pretty simple and does not have much to it. Compared to other Melies films I have seen this is not the most impressive or entertaining but it does hold together.

3/5

Little honour

Honour (2014)

Written & directed by Shan Khan this film stars Aiysha Hart, Paddy Considine, Faraz Ayub and Harvey Virdi. A young British, Muslim woman's relationship with a non Pakistani man leads her family to plan an honour killing.

At times the plot of this film skirts cliché, especially in the characters, but is still a rare look into a closed community. The character of the bounty hunter is forced but I liked the use of a non linear narrative here. In the end this is a fairly middle of the road film with a decent, if not remarkable, delivery.

3/5

Fifty shades of shite

Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)

Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson this film based on the novel of the same name stars Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan. An inexperienced young woman beings a relationship with a billionaire who clearly wants different things to her.

As you might expect this is a pretty had film, the plot and dialogue are beyond weak at times. There is barely a surface level to this film which I suppose might not be too bad if the elements that were supposed to carry the film were not equally shallow and mostly reduced to montage sequences. It is hard to find anything positive about this film but some say it is better than the book even if I find that hard to imagine.

1/5

Origins of a master

The Sugarland Express (1974)

Directed by Steven Spielberg this film inspired by a true story stars Goldie Hawn, William Atherton, Michael Sacks and Ben Johnson. A young woman breaks her boyfriend out of prison and the kidnap a highway patrol officer while trying to get their baby back from the state.

This film is an early example of Spielberg's ability to handle comedy, drama and tragedy all in the same narrative without any feeling out of place. The plot sits somewhere between Dog Day Afternoon and Raising Arizona, with a very poignant ending. There are decent performances from most of the cast and while Goldie Hawn draws most of the attention I really enjoyed the more subtle performance from Ben Johnson.

4/5

Another trip down experimental lane

Film 2-3 (1944)

Directed by brothers John and James Whitney this is an experimental short film as part of their film exercises series. Different coloured shapes swirl and move around on the screen.

As pleasant as the visuals of this film are it does not really go anywhere beyond being swirly shapes. I could not find any deeper meaning but was still entertained at least for the brief run time of this film. Ultimately a little too abstract for my taste.

3/5

Of pigs and dogs

The King of Pigs (2011)

Directed by Yeon Sang-ho this animated film has voice acting from Yang Ik-June, Oh Jun-se and Kim Hye-na. A struggling ghost writer reconnects with an old friend from school, they go over the bullying they suffered and the boy that tried to protect them.

This film goes pretty far into the dark corners of the human experience as it explores some brutal bullying, issues of class in Korea and the response of those not mature enough to know what to do. The story is unsettling and depressing but a good watch. I liked the animation style but it is not that remarkable.

4/5

Fueling a crime war

Viva Riva! (2010)

Directed by Djo Tunda Wa Munga this film stars Patsha Bay, Manie Malone, Hoji Fortuna, Fabrice Kwizera and Marlene Longage. A Congolese man returns from Angola after 10 years away with a truck of stolen petrol during a fuel crisis.

The plot of this film is pretty standard genre fare that strays into exploitation territory but is a fun watch thanks to some slick execution. Seeing a crime story like this set in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a refreshing change and gives a slightly different perspective. Nodding at themes of the destructive nature of greed adds a little depth even if it is not a ground breaking idea.

4/5

Fuzzy film fare

Remedial Reading Comprehension (1970)

Directed by Owen Land under the name George Landow this is an experimental short film. A woman dreams of people filling up an auditorium to watch a film.

This is one of those films that at times just appears to be a real jumble of images and footage. I found it hard to pull out any deeper meaning from the confusing dream style sequence. Not doubt this film is famous for a reason but what that is eluded me.

2/5

Stuck in an distant orbit

Pluto (2012)

Written & directed by Shin Su-won this film stars Lee David, Sung Joon, Kim Kkot-bi and Jo Sung-ha. A transfer student at a highly competitive academic school in South Korea is suspected of the murder of one of his classmates.

Taking this issues of pressure on students, bullying and elitism in South Korea this Su-won spins out an dark thriller. Initially the non-linear nature of the film made things a little confusing but once the story gets going the plot twists and turns nicely. There are some decent performances but the script is the clear highlight here.

4/5

Criminals, crushes and crosses

Dedh Ishqiya (2014)

Directed by Abhishek Chaubey this film stars Naseeruddin Shah, Arshad Warsi, Madhuri Dixit and Huma Qureshi. Two thieves at odds over a stolen necklace get caught up in a poetry competition to win the hand (and estate) of a widowed noblewoman.

Despite this film being a sequel it works perfectly well as a stand alone and has no references to it's predecessor. The plot is not really a comedy as in it is not overly funny but the story is a bit reminiscent of themes commonly explored in Shakespeare's romantic comedies with many characters hiding who they really are. Not much stands out about this film but it is a solid effort that could have done with exploring it's comedic side a little more.

3/5

The muscles from Prussia

Sandow (1894)

Directed by William K.L. Dickson this short documentary features body builder Eugen Sandow. The subject of the film does a number of poses to show off his muscles.

There is not a lot to this film other than a short sequences of poses but I suppose the fluid movement of muscle may be appealing to some. It is hard to much about a this film as there is nothing in the way of narrative, it is just a short showcase. The camera does not even move and there is no real editing to speak of either.

2/5  

An unexpected turn of events

The Big Swallow (1901)

Directed by James Williamson this short film stars Sam Dalton. A man gives a speech as the camera zooms in on him and he promptly swallows the camera and camera man.

For an early short film this is pretty funny, it certainly raised a smile for me despite it's simple nature. There is not a huge amount to the plot but it is a funny moment making early use of cinematic magic. It is not a perfect special effect that the film hinges on but given the technology available it is well done.

3/5

Inherently bizarre

Inherent Vice (2014)

Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson this film based on the novel of the same name stars Joaquin Pheonix, Josh Brolin, Katherine Waterston and Owen Wilson. A stoner working as a PI is visited by a former girlfriend and drawn into a complex world of crime.

Sitting somewhere between being a satire of the LA neo noir and a stoner comedy this is certainly a unique film. The plot is so full of coincidence it is hard to take seriously but is entertaining through out even if too intricate and strays some from it's source material. There are plenty of hidden jokes through out the film that are worth watching out for and they certainly make this film entertaining.

4/5

Twisting Turing test

Ex Machina (2015)

Written & directed by Alex Garland this film stars Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, Oscar Isaac and Sonoya Mizuno. A computer programmer visiting his reclusive employer is invited to take part in a Turing test on an experimental android with an AI.

Taking a common sci-fi theme this film really runs with the idea and gives us a really complex story of manipulation. Beyond the obvious themes the script digs deeper into ideas of gender and social interaction. Both the special effects and performance of Vikander are impressive.

5/5

Cat, mouse and bicycle

Krazy Kat, Bugologist (1916)

Animated by Frank Moser this short is based on the cartoon strip by George Herriman. A cat goes on a bicycle ride with his best friend Ignatz the mouse.

There is not a huge amount to the plot of this short and it is not especially humorous. Compared to some of the other earlier animation I have seen the animation style is not that impressive either. The characters are a bit stop start in their movement and word balloons take a while to fill out as well.

2/5

A non-dilemma

The Enemy General (1960)

Directed by George Sherman this film stars Van Johnson, Jean-Pierre Aumont, Dany Carrel and John can Dreelen. An American OSS agent working with the French underground is ordered organise the escape of the Nazi general turned traitor who had his fiancée executed.

While this film sets up a nice dilemma for the protagonist it is something he never struggles with which means the film falls completely flat. There is something to work with in the set up here but this film never is anything more than a action film of B-movie quality. Stock footage is used here and there to try and spice things up but this is a bit of a limp effort really.

2/5

Drama on the cat walk

Fashion (2008)

Directed by Madhur Bhandarkar this film stars Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut, Mugdha Godse and Arjan Bajwa. A young woman dreams of becoming a supermodel but success goes to her head and her career comes off the rails.

Subtlety is not really the speciality of this film which is kind of a paint by numbers look at the fashion world. All the excesses and abuses you would expect are present but the film never goes deep enough and relies a little too much on stereotypes. There is a lot of glitz and glamour but maybe a few too many montages despite the decent performances from the cast.

3/5

Early animation to Cuban music

A Colour Box (1935)

Directed by Len Lye this is an animated short film. Various colours and shapes dance around to Cuban music.

This is another of those films that is noted for it's place in history rather than it's outstanding quality. As an animated film it is decent but the animation does not always fit the music as well or as in as clear a progression as other shots of this type that I have seen. No doubt there is some skill involved in making such a film but I have seen more interesting efforts.

3/5

Walking to discovery

Wild (2014)

Directed by Jean-Marc Vallee this film based on a true story stars Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern and Thomas Sadoski. Following her divorce a woman sets off alone on a 1,100 mile trek along the Pacific Crest Trail.

What this film does really well is capture the experience of hiking in the wild, travelling alone and particularly showing a female perspective on the experience. The script manages to seamlessly flit between the trip and the protagonists back story weaving together a complete picture of her life to that point. A little too much of the camera work is focused on the protagonist rather than the landscape for my liking but that is just personal taste, otherwise this is a really well made film.

4/5

American disappointment

American Sniper (2014)

Directed by Clint Eastwood this film based on a true story stars Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller. A man from Texas becomes a Navy SEAL sniper and serves several tours in Iraq.

This film ends up being a bit of a disappointment as it always seems like it is going to focus on the psychological affects of war and the poor treatment of veterans but it never gets there. To much is focused on the war sections which are sadly changed to suit simplistic Hollywood norms. As always Clint Eastwood delivers a steady hand of direction but the script for this film keeps it average.

3/5

Sporting aspirations

Kai Po Che! (2013)

Directed by Abnishek Kapoor this film based on the novel “The 3 Mistakes of My Life” stars Sushant Singh Rajput, Asif Basra, Rajkummar Rao and Amrita Puri. Three friends open a sporting shop and academy for kids.

A lot of this film strays into cliché territory and some of the montages are a little overly sentimental but there is still some interesting stuff in this film. While the base story is somewhat less interesting the back drop does hint at the divides that still exist in Indian society along religious/political/class lines. The film is pretty well made even if it is a little over the top in places, it does not help matters that the film starts with a flash forward that pretty much takes away all suspense.

3/5

Cheese exposed

The Unclean World (1903)

Directed by Percy Stow this film also known as “Cheese Mites” stars Cecil M. Hepworth. A professor eating his lunch examines some cheese with a magnifying glass.

There is not much to this short film and it is essentially just two shots so there is not really a story. For the age of the film the image quality is decent but both shots probably last too long. No doubt there is a reason this is a well known early film but it's hard to find much in it.

2/5

An awkward fit

Side Effects (2013)

Directed by Steven Soderbergh this film stars Jude Law, Rooney Mara, Cahterine Zeta-Jones and Channing Tatum. A young woman struggling with depression starts taking medication but suffers from side effects.

What starts out as an interesting exploration of psychological treatment and big pharma has a second half of a thriller that undercuts it's earlier work in my opinion. While the film works out fairly well I am not sure that it ever fulfils it's potential. There are good performances from the cast but not a huge amount that stands out.

3/5

Like someone telling a story

Like Someone in Love (2012)

Directed by Abbas Kiarostami this film stars Rin Takanashi, Ryo Kase and Tadashi Okuno. A student working as an escort struggles to keep her profession hidden from her family and her boyfriend.

This film pushes the idea of narrative ambiguity to the maximum which is a little frustrating at times, leaving the viewer not much to go on. While the film does not feel long to me at times it felt empty but it does end up being an interesting film about characters who never really communicate properly with each other. Most interesting is the fact that this is a Japanese film directed by an Iranian, not something you see very often.

3/5

Booze for all

Whiskey Galore (1949)

Directed by Alexander Mackendrick this film based on the novel of the same name stars Basil Radford, Bruce Seton, Joan Greenwood and Wylie Watson. Durring WW2 a small island in Scotland finds itself without whiskey till a large cargo ship full of whiskey hits the rocks near by.

This is a pretty basic comedy with the standard anti establishment British humour. Nothing much surprises and for a film with such a classic reputation the characters are on the thin side. The locations are nice but really not a lot stands out about this film sadly.

3/5

Nuns facing guns

Conspiracy of Hearts (1960)

Directed by Ralph Thomas this film stars Lilli Palmer, Sylvia Syms, Yvonne Mitchell and Ronald Lewis. During the Second World War nuns in Italy attempt to smuggle Jewish children from a concentration camp to safety but things become more dangerous when a German officer takes command of the area.

While this film has a fairly simple plot and safe take on it's subject matter it inevitably has some heart breaking moments. With a bit more depth this could have been a really excellent film but falls just short, still being a good watch. Most of the cast give good performances although it's clear most are British rather than the nationalities they are supposed to be portraying.

3/5