Fly buzz

A Legy (1980)

Written and directed by Frenec Rofusz this is an Academy Award winning animated short film. From the point of view of a fly we buzz about a house.

This film is pretty much what it says, an impression of what it is like to be a fly buzzing about in it's day to day life. While this is a fairly well made film I would not say there is much remarkable or any great depth about it. The animation style is decent enough but did not do much for me.

3/5

A Tamil cinematic origin story

An American in Madras (2013)

Directed by Karan Bali this is a documentary on the American film maker Ellis R Dungan. An American heads to India just as cinema is making the transition to sound and becomes one of the pioneers of Tamil cinema.

This documentary is an interesting look at one of the more unexpected careers in cinema given how separate we imagine American and Indian film making to be. The documentary does a good job of collecting together relevant contributors and has moments of criticism as well as praise. While this may not be a particularly deep documentary it is certainly an interesting diversion for 80 minutes.

3/5

Missed the meadows

Miss Meadows (2014)

Written & directed by Karen Leigh Hopkins this film stars Katie Holmes and James Badge Dale. A prim substitute teacher who seems like she would be better off in the 1950s also kills criminals as a vigilante.

I have seen this film listed as both a drama and a thriller but it could also be a dark comedy, the problem is it fails to be none of these consistently. The film never hits a tone that it manages to carry all the way through, it is not funny enough to be a comedy but far to odd to be ever taken seriously. Katie Holmes is not too bad in the title role but much like the rest of the film I do not think she ever hits her stride either.

2/5

If you can take it you can make it.

Unbroken (2014)

Directed by Angelina Jolie this film based on a true story stars Jack O'Connell, Domhnall Gleeson and Miyavi. Louis Zamperini is the son of Italian immigrants to the US, he becomes an Olympic athlete then is captured by the Japanese during WW2.

There is not a lot that is unique or special about this survival/POW story, it covers a lot of familiar ground but does so well. While there maybe the odd element omitted it seems that this film largely sticks to historical facts. In the end this is a solid but not particularly special genre entry.

3/5

Gambling on a remake

The Gambler (2014)

Directed by Rupert Wyatt this film is a remake of the 1974 film of the same name and stars Mark Wahlberg. An English Literature professor has a gambling addiction coupled with a self destructive tendency.

There is plenty I enjoyed about this film, I thought it captured the protagonists dark side really well but was undercut by a disappointing love story that was unconvincing at best. Compared to the original it does seem this is a weaker effort even if it does a good job of showing some of the sickness of a gambling addiction. Most of the supporting cast are decent but the ending is a real let down in my opinion.

3/5

Voyage into Phalke and Benaras

Rangbhoomi (2013)

Directed by Kamal Swaroop this is a documentary presented by it's director and others. Searching for the life of Indian film pioneer Dabasaheb Phalke after he turned his back on cinema and became a recluse working in the theatre.

This is not a straight forward documentary, it uses portions of Phalke's autobiographical play of the same name as a starting point to explore the subjects later life. Mixing excerpts of the play with anecdotes from those living in Benaras is a little confusing at times but does manage to open up on the Phalke as well as the nature of art. No doubt this experimental effort will not be for all but is an interesting watch none the less.

4/5

Not as funny as it was contraversial

The Interview (2014)

Directed by Evan Goldberg and star Seth Rogen this film also features James Franco, Randall Park, Diana Bang and Lizzy Caplan. The host of an entertainment talk show scores an interview with the leader of North Korea and is tapped up by the CIA to kill him.

This is a film that knows what it is, not an overly intelligent satire but funny enough to keep you entertained. While there is nothing intelligent about he humour either it has it's moments and is some what more kind hearted that might appear on the surface. The performances are as you would expect from the stars but nothing remarkable.

3/5