Shit, man

Hitman: Agent 47 (2015)

Directed by Aleksander Bach this film based on the computer game series stars Rupert Friend, Hannah Ware, Zachary Quinto and Ciaran Hinds. A mysterious assassin helps protect a young woman looking for her father.

Missing either 30 minutes from the film or the script this story makes little sense instead it blusters through a bunch of action set pieces. I do not know why Hollywood can not make a decent film based on a video game but this is yet another failure in the category. I suppose Rupert Friend does his best as the emotionless title character but there is not much to praise here.

2/5

A modern day Loudun

Beyond the Hills (2012)

Written & directed by Cristian Mungiu this film based on real events stars Cosmina Stratan, Cristina Flutur and Valeriu Andriuta. Two young woman that grew up together in an orphanage are reunited when one goes to visit the other who is now living as a nun.

Taking a story of religious ignorance of mental health this is a low key but good film. The plot takes it's time to unfold and while initially appears to be the story of two people who can not reconcile their different wishes for each other it takes a darker turn. I enjoyed the film and the location shooting provides a great backdrop.

4/5

Swirls

Yantra (1957)

Directed by James Whitney this is an animated short film. We see a swirl of colours morphing and changing in an abstract animation.

No doubt there is skill in creating such patterns with hand animation and this film is entertaining. Beyond it's superficial level I did not find much more to this film but I did enjoy it at least. The version I saw of this film was not of the highest quality and I am not sure if that was the fault of the recording or the original.

3/5

The hollow dream of driving a Bombay taxi

Gaman (1978)

Directed by Muzaffar Ali this film stars Farooq Shaikh, Jalal Agha and Smita Patil. Unable to find work in his home village a man leaves his wife and mother behind to search for work in Bombay.

This is a story of the cycle of poverty and how even trading a rural life for an urban one offers no release. Slow moving at times the film still manages to cover a couple of years in the life of it's characters and the montage sections help indicate the passing of time. The direction and acting is decent, the songs used in the film were award winning but did not do much for me.

4/5

A voyage in the great outdoors

The Revenant (2015)

Directed by Alejandro G. Inarritu this film based on a novel based on real events stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson and Will Poulter. After his group is attacked by native Americans and he himself is mauled by a bear a man is left for dead in the wilderness.

Historical accuracy in terms of events and characters is thrown out of the window in this film even if it does try to be more accurate in other ways. When you get past what the film is not, it is an interesting tail of survival and revenge. There is some great camera work and landscape photography as well as impressive performances from the cast.

4/5

Wagner meets bugs bunny

What's Opera, Doc? (1957)

Directed by Chuck Jones this cartoon has voices from Mel Blanc and Arthur Q. Bryan. The demigod Siegfried (Elmer Fudd) goes rabbit hunting.

This is the classic parody of Wanger's operas and the cartoon does a great job of lampooning the style. The plot may not be especially deep but it provides a good stage for some silly behaviour. While the animation is on par with other Warner Brothers cartoons of the era the use of music stands it a bit above it's contemporaries.

4/5

Breaking the log jam

Las Acacias (2011)

Directed by Pablo Giorgelli this film stars German de Silva and Hebe Duarte. A trucker driving from Paraguay to Argentina has a woman and her baby as passengers.

This is a very simple, minimalist story that will not be to the taste of everyone. There is very little dialogue and little happens to the characters on their journey but the slowly warming relationship does have some charm to it. I enjoyed the film but did wish there was a bit more to it.

3/5

Three knocks and let him in

The Babadook (2014)

Written & directed by Jennifer Kent this film stars Essie Davies and Noah Wiseman. A widowed nurse struggles to raise her son who has a fear of monsters.

Exploring the long lasting effects of grief and the fears of being a bad parent the monster in this film provides a great metaphor for the film's themes. While a lot of familiar images and tropes of the genre are here the film twists them well enough to provide a fresh spin on things. I really enjoyed the direction that understands to hint rather than show and the performances of the young son.

5/5

Is love enough?

By the Sea (2015)

Directed, written by and staring Angelina Jolie Pitt this film also features Brad Pitt, Melanie Laurent and Miels Arestrup. An American married couple struggling with their marriage go on holiday in the south of France and spy on the newly weds staying next door.

While this film may be a bit slow moving for some I really enjoyed it. The plot very much focuses on the struggle of the older couple to deal with their issues but does so in a very human way. I enjoyed the performances and the film echoes an older art house feel.

4/5

Not your dad's dad's army

Dad's Army (2016)

Directed by Oliver Parker this film based on the television show of the same name stars Toby Jones, Bill Nighy and Catherine Zeta Jones. In 1944 members of a bungling squad in the home guard hunt for a Nazi spy.

Dad's Army while being a classic part of television history was never of earth shattering quality and neither is this reboot. Plodding along much like it's characters the film is not overly funny and at times never really captures the feel of the original. Michael Gambon is probably the best casting in this film but largely this film is unremarkable.

2/5

A legend let down

Mary Kom (2014)

Directed by Omung Kumar this film based on a true story stars Priyanka Chopra, Darshan Kumar and Sunil Thapa. A young woman from Manipur takes up boxing and becomes a national hero in India.

Taking a deeply fascinating story this film unfortunately adds in so many of the usual cliches and fictions that it is a real disappointment. There are still parts of the film you can enjoy but the film never properly tackles the character problem (the protagonists anger/stubbornness) or the world problem (corrupt sports federation) either. While I really like Priyanka Chopra as an actress and she gives a decent performance I also think not casting an actress of Tibeto-Burman decent is a bit questionable given some of the views in Indian society.

2/5

A puddy cat

Tweetie Pie (1947)

Directed by Friz Freleng this animated film has voice acting from Mel Blanc and Bea Benaderet. Cat meets bird, cat attempts to eat bird but has his plans thwarted repeatedly by the bird and human intervention.

This is a classic slapstick cartoon with plenty of gags that make up for the simple plot. There is plenty to laugh at and some hints of the surreal cartoon comedy of the era without going over the top. The animation is decent but not above anything else of the period.

4/5

Trying to squeeze blood from a stone

The Squeeze (2015)

Written & directed by Terry Jastrow this film claiming to be based on a true story stars Jeremy Sumpter, Jillian Murray, Christopher McDonald and Katherine LaNasa. A young golfer from a small town falls under the sway of a professional gambler.

It is hard to find anything to praise about this film as it has paper thin characters and a dire script. Little makes sense in terms of how the characters act and some points are so cheesy as to make you want to pull your own hair out. The claims of being based on a true story are more than dubious to say the least.

1/5

Canadian captain, my captain

Monsieur Lazhar (2011)

Direcred by Philippe Falardeu this film stars Mohamed Said Fellag, Sophie Nelisse, Emilien Neron and Danielle Proulx. In Montreal an immigrant takes over a class of elementary students whose previous teacher hung herself in their classroom.

There is plenty of scope for this film to fall into over the top melodrama but it handles it's subject matter sensitively. Managing to explore the problems of both the pupils and the immigrant teacher the film does a good job of looking at modern student/teacher relationships in difficult times. The cast, both young and old, give good performances as well.

4/5

Colliding with the dream

Concussion (2015)

Written & directed by Peter Landesman this film based on real events stars Will Smith, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Alec Baldwin. An African immigrant working as a pathologist in Pittsburgh takes on the NFL over the risks of degenerative brain injuries to it's players.

Not necessarily completely accurate this film gives a general idea of the struggle to get the NFL to admit the risks it's players are under. I enjoyed the way the film expands it's subject matter to encompass the American dream in general even if it does push a little to fair in it's conspiracy claims against the NFL. As always Will Smith gives a good performance in the lead role but I would have liked to have seen a bit more of the victims presented in the film.

3/5

Shape and Synth

Synchromy (1971)

Directed by Norman McLaren this animated short film continues the director's exploration of the medium. Colours shapes move to a synthetic sound track.

As with many experimental shorts that are out there this is a good mix of animation and sound. The images fit the sounds well and work as a visualization for what we are hearing. While you would not call this outstanding for what it is it is a good short film.

3/5

The colonel knows best

The Double (2013)

Directed by Richard Ayoade this film based on the novella of the same name stars Jesse Eisenberg and Mia Wasikowska. A timid and downtrodden office worker meets his much more confident double.

Taking Dostoyevsky and pairing it with a Terry Gilliam style world provides a great adaptation filled to the brim interesting content everywhere you look. I really enjoyed the exploration of identity but would have liked to have seen a little more uncertainty in the reliability of the protagonist. It is hard to pick faults with this film as it is an excellently directed and acted adaptation that I would highly recommend.

5/5

Dude, where's my sister's wedding present

Mere Dad Ki Maruti (2013)

Directed by Ashima Chibber this film stars Saqib Saleem, Rhea Chakraborty and Ram Kapoor. A young man borrows that car that is supposed to be a gift for his sister's impending wedding but losses it.

As comedies go this film has the occasional funny moment but is not consistently funny through out. The protagonist is hard to sympathise with given his immature attitude and there is the odd homophobic and transphobic comment in the script which do not help matters either. All in all this is kind of a sub par effort with not much to praise.

2/5

Dreams of pizza

The Crow's Egg (2015)

Written & directed by M. Manikandan this film stars J. Vignesh, V Ramesh and Iyshwarya Rajesh. When a new pizza place opens up next to the slum they live in two young boys become obsessed with trying pizza.

It is hard for me not to compare this film to The Bicycle Thief (1948) as it captures a tale of poverty and coming of age against a world that is uncaring and corrupt. I really enjoyed the plot which is not a sentimental feel good affair and instead manages to gently introduce the viewer to the exploitations the boys face even if they are unaware of it. There are some really good performances from the two central young cast members too.

4/5

Not che

Camino (2015)

Directed by Josh C. Waller this film stars Zoe Ball, Nacho Vigalondo and Francisco Barreiro. A photo journalist heads to Colombia to travel with a rebel leader and his squad of soldiers.

There is not a huge amount of plot to this chase film but what there is works pretty well for motivating the action. Vigalondo does not really convince as a charismatic rebel leader which is partly due to the script and does take away from the film some. I enjoyed the action sequences and there are a couple of nice moments that make good use of Zoe Ball's talents.

3/5

Despite my falling interest

Despite the Falling Snow (2016)

Written & directed by Shamin Sarif this film based on a novel by Sarif stars Rebecca Ferguson, Charles Dance, Sam Reid and Oliver Jackson. The niece of a man who defected from the Soviet Union during the cold war returns to Russia in 1992 to out what happened to her missing aunt.

At times this film threatens to go somewhere interesting but always ends up disappointing. In my opinion the short run time means the characters are never fully explored and there are too many contradictions in the plot. The cast do their best but this project was made from a flawed, predicatble script.

2/5

The snoot shoot

Rooty Toot Toot (1951)

Directed by John Hubley this animated film has voice acting from Thurl Ravenscoft and Annette Warren. A woman named Frankie stands trial for shooting her man Johnny in a bar.

This is a fun little court room comedy with some enjoyable music. Lampooning the noir genre this is not the best parody you will ever see but will hold your attention for the full 7 minute run time. Even if the plot is not overly interesting this is still a well made short.

3/5

Not a total joy

Joy (2015)

Written & directed by David O. Russell this film inspired by real events stars Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Edgar Ramirez and Bradley Cooper. A single mother who has to support her whole family dreams of breaking out of her hand to mouth life style by being an inventor.

Mixing in plenty of fiction this is not exactly a factual tale and it is none too subtle either at times, the opening acts themselves are especially heavy handed. Creating a slightly off beat world this film hints at Wes Anderson territory at times with a touch of David Lynch, no doubt amplified by the presence of Isabella Rossellini. While I enjoyed parts of the film and the cast I do not think this os Russell's best work so far.

3/5

Turns out marriage after all

O Kadhal Kanmani (2015)

Written & directed by Mani Ratman this film stars Dulquer Salmaan, Nithya Menen, Prakash Raj and Leela Samson. A young Tamil couple adverse to marriage decide to have a short affair and go against convention by living together.

Seeking to go against the traditional values this film is some what disappointing in heading to a conclusion where the lovers inevitably get married anyway. While I enjoyed the film it is not an especially interesting romance and never explains why the male character is so against marriage. The execution of the film is decent but does not stand out apart from the cool anime style introduction.

3/5

That's jazz folks

The Old Man of the Mountain (1933)

Directed by Dave Fleischer this film has voices & singing from Mae Questel, Cob Calloway and Bonnie Poe. Betty Boop has a run in with the old man of the mountain.

Fairly raunchy for it's time and using jazz heavily this film was controversial in it's day but will not offend modern audiences. Certainly the film is entertaining and more than a little suggestive. I enjoyed the cartoon but it is not overly remarkable.

3/5

Fails to arc

Cub (2014)

Directed b Jonas Govaerts this film stars Maurice Luijten, Stef Aerts, Evelien Bosmans and Tits De Voogdt. Belgian cub scouts go camping in the woods and run into something nasty.

With a pretty decent set up this is an average horror film that unfortunately never really explores it's own back story enough to give the film real weight. There are decent enough scares but the protagonist characters are not exactly always ones you want to root for. With some more work this could have been a really interesting coming of age horror film but it does not really get there.

2/5

Face off/many faces on

Eyes Without a Face (1960)

Directed by Georges Franju this film stars Pierre Brasseur, Edith Scob and Alida Valli. A medical professor abandons ethics in attempts to get his daughter a face transplant.

This should be a pretty average b-movie but the solid direction elevates the film. Showing how to achieve as much as possible on a limited budget this film does an excellent job of hinting at rather than showing it's more macabre elements. Stuck behind a mask for most of the film Edith Scob gives a good performance as the haunted and haunting daughter of the protagonist.

4/5

Failure to help

Excision (2012)

Written and directed by Richard Bates Jr. this film stars AnnaLynne McCord, Traci Lords, Ariel Winter and Roger Bart. An 18 year old girl with strange obsessions struggles to fit in at school as well as deal with her over bearing mother and younger sisters illness.

Taking a look into some seriously messed up stuff this is an exploration of a misfits dark fantasies that are fairly unique compared to what we have seen on screen before. While the plot does shock and go in unusual directions it does not seem especially deep. There are good performances from the cast and the direction is adequate.

3/5