Shape & shadow

Light Spill: Black-White-Gray (1930)

Directed by Laszlo Moholy-Nagy this is an experimental short film. Various objects and light are used to create shadows and patterns.

This is five minutes of various shapes and shadows shown on film with out a lot to connect them really. As entertaining as it is to see the images it was hard for me to discern anything beyond that in the construction of the film.

3/5

Not as bad as I feared, not as good as it could have been

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

Directed by J. J. Abrams this is the 7^th film in the Star Wars franchise and stars John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Harrison Ford and Oscar Isaac. Thirty years after the destruction of the second Death Star a storm trooper defects to the resistance and along with a young scavenger set out to return a droid with crucial information.

Blasting back onto our screens this film does a lot of things well enough but I am unconvinced it does anything good or great. While the original Star Wars were a synthesis of so many different sources this film is a synthesis of it's predecessors. Unlike Abrams terrible Star Trek reboot and Into Darkness (2013) in particular this film does a much better job of nodding back to the past without seeming to do so as a crutch or constantly reminding you it is an inferior version.

As enjoyable as this action adventure is I always felt like it was nibbling round the edges of being something great rather than achieving that itself. There is too much telling rather than showing when it comes to character which undercuts the dramatic impact of events disappointingly. It really does feel like there is a great story in there but there are too many questions about the characters that the script never addresses. Too often it felt like we were walking in on the second act of the story.

When it comes to the action the film is of a really good standard but again lacks some iconic set pieces probably because of the aforementioned problems with character. I also think that at times the film was too willing to go with an easy joke. No doubt I will watch this film again and I hope my views towards it soften to it over time as there is a lot to enjoy here.

4/5

Another slice of kung fu life

Return of the One-Armed Swordsman (1969)

Written & directed by Chang Cheh this sequel stars Jimmy Wang, Lisa Chiao, Lin Chia and Chung Wa. Eventually our hero is coaxed out of his peaceful life as a farmer to help young swordsmen get their masters back from eight bandit sword kings.

There is no real character development in this sequel and not much plot beyond the basics. What this film does best is move quickly from fight sequence to fight sequence with out getting bogged down between. Most of the action is of a decent standard although at times it is a little obvious where edits have been used to create a special effect.

3/5

Not crazy about these cars

Manufractur (1985)

Directed by Peter Tscherkassky this is a short film made from found footage. Women walk passed a parked car and some other cards drive around.

As an abstract piece I found this short film to be sadly impenetrable. Fitting in with the director's style of editing this is a fast paced jumble of images that are often distorted. While you can always make out what is going on on the screen it can be hard to draw any solid connections.

2/5

Error, error, error.

Robot Overlords (2014)

 Directed by Jon Wright this film stars Callan McAuliffe, Ben Kingsley, Gillian Anderson and Ella Hunt. Robots from space have taken over the planet and only a group of plucky kids can stop them by repeatedly electrocuting themselves with a car battery.

 Coming off like a rejected Doctor Who script this film is baffling in that it has both Kingsley and Anderson in it. The plot has no real depth and would be better suited to kids television rather than the big screen. I suppose the special effects are just about passable but nothing special for modern cinema.

 2/5

Not your average afternoon drive

Cop Car (2015)

Directed by Jon Watts this film stars Kevin Bacon, James Freedson-Jackson and Hays Wellford. Two ten year old boys discover a seemingly abandoned police car and take it on a joy ride, while a dirty cop chases them.

 I really enjoyed this coming of age film and it's the small details that really make the film. The plot is not necessarily revolutionary but it is a really good genre example. There are good performances from the cast and the film builds to a good climax.

 4/5

Island of no adventure

Lost & Found (2016)

 Directed by Joseph Itaya this film stars Justin Kelly, Benjamin Stockham and Celeste Desjardins. A 17 year old boy is sent to spend time with his uncle on an island for getting caught stealing beer, a treasure hunt ensues.

 This is a pretty simplistic film aimed at younger audiences that rams home it's message with no hint of subtlety. Nearly all the elements of the script are a bit ham fisted and Cary Elwes goes full ham as the villain. I suppose the kids do the best they can but really this is a pretty weak effort that was made on the cheap.

 2/5

In ruins

The Two Faces of January (2014)

 Directed by Hossein Amini this film based on the novel of the same name stars Viggo Mortensen, Kristen Dunst and Oscar Isaac. 1962, an American working as a tour guide in Greece finds himself caught up with an American con man and his wife.

 There are some minor changes between novel and film but otherwise this seems to be a fairly faithful adaptation. The plot of this film while well crafted is not especially remarkable but does a decent job of looking at greed and jealousy. Some nice locations back up the good cast making this a decent watch.

 3/5

Wasting away

The Age of Adaline (2015)

Directed by Lee Toland Krieger this film stars Blake Lively, Michiel Huisman, Harrison Ford and Ellen Burtyn. Following a car accident a woman is stuck at the age of 29, unable to age and now over 100 years old.

Taking an interesting premise this film does not really go anywhere with it and the second half of the film in particular is depressingly predictable. The central romance is a typical Hollywood story of a man harassing a woman who says she isn't interested until she falls in love. Blake Lively gives a good performance but unfortunately that is not enough to carry the film.

2/5

Just another western

The Salvation (2014)

Directed by Kristian Levring this film stars Mads Mikkelsen, Eva Green, Jeffery Dean Morgan and Jonathan Pryce. Two brothers who served in the Danish army end up in conflict with a gang run by a former US army officer in the old West.

Nothing especially stands out about this film, it has little originality or much to say but is a fairly standard genre piece. In attempting to pay reverence to the classics of the genre the film ends up never becoming more than the sum of it's parts. South Africa does a surprisingly good job standing in as the shooting location and on a personal note seeing Eric Cantona in a small role was cool.

3/5

Out of nothing... nothing

The Arrival (1998)

Directed by Peter Tscherkassky this is first in a trilogy of experimental short films. Distorted images flicker across the screen as a train arrives at the station.

To me this film comes across as distortion for the sake of distortion leaving it hard to take anything from this film. As an exercise in technique it may be interesting but it left me cold. I do not think this sort of experimental film is for me.

2/5

To crime or not to crime

The Boxer from Shantung (1972)

Directed by Chang Cheh this film stars Chen Kuan-Tai, David Chiang, Cheng Yong Hip, Ching Li and Wang Ching. A fighter working as a manual labourer in Shanghai aspires to become a crime lord at a time when two rival gangs are at war.

The plot of this film would fit in well with any number of American gangster films but the Chinese setting at least brings a little freshness to the film. Otherwise this is a pretty unremarkable film that fills out it's story and fight requirements but not much more. None of the fight scenes stood out compared to other Shaw Brothers films but there are a couple of nice moments of tension thanks to the direction.

3/5

The lesser good

Spooks: The Greater Good (2015)

Directed by Bharat Nalluri this film based on the television show Spooks stars Peter Firth, Kit Harington, Elyes Gabel and Tuppence Middleton. During a prisoner transport operation MI5 lose a top priority terrorist suspect.

Essentially this is a modern, poor man's version of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (2011) with less brains and more action. The plot relentlessly hammers home the idea of a “tough man making hard decisions” as the only answer which is not really how the world works. Most of the performances and direction are alright but really there is not a lot to work with here.

2/5

Hitman problems

Kill List (2011)

Directed by Ben Wheatley this film stars Neil Maskell, Michael Smiley, MyAnna Buring and Emma Fryer. Two former soldiers that have become hitmen take on a job that ends up being much more than they bargained for.

While this is not a bad film I found it to be a little disappointing, it takes too long to get going and relies too much on unexplained genre tropes. Some will enjoy the ambiguity of the film but I found they left me too distanced from events. There are some decent performances and I suppose the film does hint at the theme of once you go down the path of violence you can not control where it will end.

3/5

Still now

Now! (1965)

Directed by Santiago Alvarez this film uses pictures and films combined with the music of Lena Horne. We see the injustices visited on African Americans during the Civil Rights Era.

Undoubtedly this is anti American propaganda from communist Cuba but it strikes the mark with it's criticism of race relations in America. The combination of images works well but does not combine as cohesively as say La Jetee (1962). While this is a good watch I am not sure it becomes more than the sum of it's parts.

3/5

Trust and no trust

Son of a Gun (2014)

Written & directed by Julius Avery this film stars Benton Thwaites, Ewan McGregor and Alicia Vikander. A 19 year old is sent to prison for 6 months in Australia and falls in with the company of a well known armed robber.

While there is not a lot that is original about this tale of criminals, paranoia and double crossing this is a well made film. The action sequences are tense and the characters work well holding the film together. I enjoyed the directing and the performances, this is a really solid genre entry.

3/5

Wanna be a member?

Bimbo's Initiation (1931)

Directed by Dave Fleischer this cartoon has voice talent from Bill Murray (not that one) and Mae Questel. Our hero finds himself surrounded by mysterious robed figures that are rather insistent he join their secret organisation.

There is plenty of slapstick comedy in this short cartoon but not a whole lot more. While the finale reveal is a nice twist there is not much depth to this cartoon. The animation style is good but nothing special for the period it was made in.

3/5

Caravan killers

Sightseers (2012)

Directed by Ben Wheatley this film stars co-writers Alice Lowe and Steve Oram. A couple in their 30s head off on a caravan holiday round Yorkshire.

This film manages to capture both the kitsch nature of a caravan holiday in the UK as well as the murderous rage hidden below the polite British exterior. As a dark comedy this film does not provide constant laughs but is very funny in places. The characters give good performances and the film perfectly captures the tone it is going for.

4/5

Riddick gets a dog

Riddick (2013)

Directed by David Twohy this is the third film in the Riddick franchise and stars Vin Diesel, Matthew Nable, Jordi Molla and Katee Sackhoff. Our protagonist is left for dead on a planet and sets up a confrontation with bounty hunters to try to escape.

After the space opera style of the second film this is pretty much a retread of the first film as the series looks to get back on it's feet. The story is simplistic and the characters even more so leaving little to endear this film to viewers. Unfortunately there is a real lack of tension and it is hard to route for any of the characters.

2/5

The Fault in our Fault Lines

San Andreas (2015)

Directed by Brad Peyton this film stars Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino, Alexandra Daddario, Ioan Gruffudd and Paul Giamatti. Only the largest earthquake the world has ever seen and the death of millions can save one man's marriage.

There is barely a script for this film as it's paper thin plot and characters stumble through the land of complete CGI. Our hero completely ignores his responsibility as a first responder to go gallivanting around looking for his family rather than help anyone else. I also found there was far too much CGI in this film, you get the sense that the whole picture is actors in front of a green screen.

2/5

Simple sailors

Ghost of the China Sea (1958)

Directed by Fred F. Sears this film stars David Brian, Lynn Bernay, Jonathan Haze and Norman Wright. In 1941 in the Philippines an former army officer helps a rag tag group of civilians escape the on coming Japanese invasion.

Not especially subtle or complicated this is a basic action film that was clearly made on the cheap. The characters have little depth and there is a lot of telling rather than showing when it comes to their emotional development. There are some slightly suspect stereotypes a long the way but otherwise the film is not too badly made for its limitations.

2/5

Coincidence collision

Stretch (2014)

Directed by Joe Carnahan this film stars Patrick Wilson, Jessica Alba, Chris Pine and Ed Helms. In Hollywood a stretch limo driver needs $6000 to pay off an old gambling debt and has some crazy passengers.

There is not much profound about this film but it is wacky enough in places to keep you entertained. While the comedy is not consistent there are enough moments of humour to keep you interested. None of the performances stand but it is a decent enough made film.

3/5

Frankenstein's highschool film

Ashby (2015)

Written & directed by Tony McNamara this film stars Mickey Rourke, Nat Wolff, Emma Roberts and Sarah Silverman. After moving to a new area a 17 year old high school student befriends his dying neighbour and tries to get on the football team.

Patching together various familiar film elements this film never manages to be more than the sum of it's parts and ends up being a very average coming of age film. There is a lot of acting talent assembled in the main roles so it's somewhat of a disappointment, especially the marginal role that Emma Roberts has. Putting aside all the things this film is not what it does manage to be is a fairly decent distraction for 2 hours even if it's not more than that.

3/5

Best forgotten

Amnesiac (2015)

Directed by Michael Polish this film also known as “Unconscious” stars Kate Bosworth, Wes Bentley and Shashawnee Hall. A man wakes up from a car accident with out any memory and a strange woman looks after him.

As a mystery this is not a very interesting film, there is not much that is mysterious about it and it never really got me interested. The final twist is also the least interesting turn that the film could have taken which does not help matters either. Kate Bosworth's performance as the antagonist is so flat that the film does not work at all.

2/5

To the letter

Love on the Wing (1938)

Directed by Norman McLaren this is a short animated film that was created as an advert for the postal service. A man and a woman carry out a relationship by sending each other letters.

Providing a slightly abstract style this film does a pretty good job of showing a romance through simple drawings on coloured backgrounds. There are a lot of weird and wonderful things going on in this surreal story but it is an entertaining watch. This may not be the most intricate style of animation but it certainly holds your attention.

3/5

"As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a Chinese gangster"

Revenge of the Green Dragons (2014)

Directed by Andrew Lau & Andrew Loo this film based on true events stars Justin Chon, Chuya Chang, Harry Shum, Jr. and Ray Liotta. Two young Chinese illegal immigrants to the US in the 1980s find themselves inducted into a street gang.

Taking a fairly familiar tale of immigrants and organised crime this film puts an unusual spin on it by setting it in a Chinese-America community. There is not a lot that is revolutionary about this film but it is a fairly good genre piece. The cast give good performances and the direction is decent as well.

3/5

Same Skynet, different day

Terminator Genisys (2015)

Directed by Alan Taylor this 5^th entry in the Terminator franchise stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney and Jason Clarke. Soldier of the future Kyle Reese is sent back in time to protect Sarah Conner, mother of the future leader of the resistance, only to find time already altered.

For the position they find themselves in this film does a pretty good job of scratching out a sequel that respects the original films while offering a slightly different spin on things. The plot is convoluted but given this is the 5^th film in a time travel franchise that is to be expected. This is not the best film in the franchise by a long stretch but it was better than expected in my opinion.

3/5

To fizzle

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

Written & directed by the Coen brothers this film stars Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, John Goodman and Justin Timberlake. During 1961 a struggling folk musician in New York stumbles from couch to couch as his career fails to take off.

This is a pretty melancholy look at the life of a failing artist with comedic moments of a dark tinge littered through out. I found the film a little bit gentle and uneventful for my tastes but it is still an enjoyable watch. Given the talent behind the film and on screen everything is well executed as you would expect with a muted colour palette that fits the story.

4/5

Czech out this western

Maly Western (1961)

Directed by Witold Giersz this is a short animated film. A cowboy pans for gold, collecting a sack full, and two other cowboys attempt to rob him.

Combining a simple animation style and a sense of humour is similar to the Looney Tunes style this is a pretty entertaining watch. While the comedy does not really advance into being a full on parody of the western genre it has it's funny moments. The simplistic animation style works well and stands the film apart from other animation out there.

3/5

Not top of the world

White Heat (1949)

Directed by Raoul Walsh this film stars James Cagney, Virginia Mayo, Edmond O'Brien, Margaret Wycherly and Steve Cochran. The leader of a criminal gang goes to prison and gets an undercover police officer for a cellmate.

Despite this film having a huge reputation I found it to be one of the more average of it's genre. There is plenty of action and drama but this feels very much like a film of it's era, especially in Cagney's performance of his character's psychotic episodes. It could be that gangster films rarely do much for me but I found this film to be a disappointment for such a “classic”.

3/5

Forced

In the Name of the Father (1993)

Directed by Jim Sheridan this film based on real events stars Daniel Day-Lewis, Pete Postlethwaite and Emma Thompson. A group of people are wrongly convicted for carrying out IRA bombings by police abusing their powers.

While this is an good watch on those suffering injustice unfortunately it seems that a number of elements of this story have been fictionalized. It is disappointing to see changes made to one of the major injustices carried out by the British legal system and would have been better to stick to the facts in my opinion. As you would expect there are good performances from the cast but I do not think this film ever becomes more than it's source material.

3/5