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Phil Mercer |
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Thursday, March 29, 2007Film - The Lives of Others
I get invites to see films in preview on a fairly regularly basis and most are for indy or foreign productions. To start off with this frustrated me a little, but over the last couple of years I've come to recognise that some of the greatest cinema doesn't come directly from Hollywood.
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Das Leben der Anderen, is one of those films. Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck has managed to recreate an East Germany that those of us living on the West would never have experienced. Everything from the colour absorbing filming to the claustrophobic locations seems to give life to something I have only read about. Interestingly from what I hear, its a very honest recreation. As for the story itself. It sheds light on the fact that the East German government was almost more concerned that its own population shouldn't begin to fall out of line, than it was with international events. We follow a playwright (Dreyman) and his girlfriend as they carry out what they do best. However, when a GDR Minister falls for the girlfriend so tries to complicate Dreymans life. The Stasi officer Wiesler is tasked with the job of finding out as much information about the playwright as possible, with the aim of removing him from the way of the Minister. We follow Wiesler as he carries out what the Stasi did best. Through bugging and following him, he gets to learn everything about the man. But does he like what he sees. I wont tell you anymore. This is one of the best films I've seen in a long time. It is slow, but builds believable characters and creates a tension that has you wondering what will happen next. Labels: Film Wednesday, December 06, 2006Film - The Nativity Story
The Nativity Story is directed by Catherine Hardwicke and stars Keisha Castle-Hughes as Mary.
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This is one of those films that does exactly what it says on the tin. I think we all know the story of Mary and Joseph, the immaculate conception, "No room at the Inn" the Shepherds and the Wise Men. My problem is the film adds nothing to this. It really is just a dramatic presentation of well known tale. It does have good cinematography and the casting is very credible. In fact I'm sure plenty of time must have been spent in art galleries as some of the scenes look straight out of a Titian painting. It just lacks anything special. Now I'm not suggesting that they should have done something bizarre like have Gabriel turn up on a Harley. But surely it would have been possible to give us something to get our teeth in to. There was only a little bit of background building... a little bit on Mary and Josephs life before marriage, a few scenes building up the Wise Men and some time trying to make Herod look like a truly nasty man. Just not enough really. They did at least acknowledge the trouble Mary found herself in as a pregnant lady, in the first year of her marriage, having not done the deed with her husband. This could have become an interesting moment in the film. However, it just takes a dream for Joseph to see everything in perspective! I wonder how many of us would have done the same! This will be very useful for churches wanting to illustrate the Christmas story to its young members. As a cinematic event, it is very much a waste of time. I don't think I give anything away in saying that it ends with a baby being born! http://www.thenativitystory.com/ Labels: Film Wednesday, November 22, 2006Film - Scenes of a Sexual Nature
Set on Londons Hampstead Heath, Scenes of a Sexual Nature takes a snap shot of conversations between seven or so different couples enjoying a sunny day out in the open.
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For such a low budget film, it has a pretty good cast. I suppose the biggest drawer will be Ewan McGreggor, but for me I love Andrew Lincoln, Holly Aird and Adrian Lester, so it was great to see them. Beautiful scenes. The real star of the show, is the location. London has many lovely parks, my personal favourite is Greenwich. Hampstead Heath is north londons version of this. It has the views of the London skyline, it is much larger but also has something I don't really like so much... the infamous cruising grounds. Not something I think is necessary in todays age! The film doesn't flinch away from the men getting up to their naughtiness in the trees, in fact it makes a good joke of it with the Adrian Lester character. One thing the movie brought to my attention was the aparent sexual goings on for straight people as well. Dodgy accent of Tom Hardy Ewan McGreggor - a bit fay The old couple The divorse Soundtrack was very like Tales of the city. http://www.tinpanfilms.com Overall: 7/10 Comedy: 8/10 Cinematography: 8/10 Labels: Film Saturday, November 18, 2006Film - James Bond, Casino Royale
It's certainly had plenty of hype! In fact, I had been thinking that it probably had suffered from too much of it and could never live up to that kind of praise.
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I was pleasantly surprised. It must have all been a blessed relief for Daniel Craig who had been suffering abuse at the hands of pretty much everyone... Bond can't be Blonde! Can he. Well he makes a great one. With that body you can't really fail! The action is fantastic, Craig doing a lot of his own stunts. The plot line is a good one, as its been interesting to see 007 in development. Any film with Judi Dench is normally a good one anyway! I get frustrated with trails that give away most of the plot line, but with one exception most of the action teased is dispensed with early on. The only bit that ruins the atmosphere is the knowledge that the collapsing building in Venice is last. It means you realise what is happening early on. Men will spend a good portion of one scene with their legs crossed... I wont tell you what happened, but my eyes still water when I think of it! Let's just say its one of the best Bonds yet! James Bond, Casino Royale. Effects: 5 Action: 5 Plot: 3 Daniel Craig: 5 (phwaor!) http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/casinoroyale/site/ Labels: Film
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Copyright Phil Mercer 2010