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Sunday, May 29, 2011The Hangover 2
I'm not normally in to this kind of film, but had a giggle with the first Hangover.
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This is another great rollercoaster ride with some hilarious twists and turns. The first film did such a great job of setting up the format that nothing shocks you completely, although the mainly male tweenage crowd in the cinema had me smiling at their reaction to some predictable misadventures with Thai lady boys. 3/5 Labels: Comedy, Film Movie, Review Friday, July 16, 2010Toy Story 3 (U)
From Disney Pixar:
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 Buzz and Woody are back in the third installment of this hugely successful digital franchise. In fact most of the team behind the original are back, which is why it seems to work so well. Time has moved on in Andy's house and he is now college age, so it's time to pack up the toys and leave home. Some might think this is something he probably should have done a few years ago - in real life I think psychologists would have made a lot of dollars out of him for his inability to leave his childhood behind! Anyway, it's decision time. It's college, the attic or the dump for the lot, but it proves a difficult choice for the lad. Woody is definitely coming with him, but the rest... By accident they all end up in the Sunnydays nursery, a place where toys can find a new life bringing happiness to an endless parade of children. But this potential toy utopia hides a dark fluffy purple secret! Unkrich and his team know these characters inside out and the new additions all come straight out of that factory. In fact you can't help but see the merchandising spin offs come rolling (or hopping) past. This is a fun adventure story with some pretty tough situations dealt with. Life changing choices, coping with the prospect of loss and facing the inevitable in a grown up way. In fact it felt very grown up. I was in a small preview cinema surrounded by hardened critics. I would like to see what the children make of it. I think there were maybe three or four laugh out loud moments, but it was a fun ride so I'd happily recommend it. 4/5 Directed by Lee Unkrich Produced by Darla K. Anderson, John Lasseter (Executive), Nicole Paradis Grindl (Associate). Written by Michael Arndt Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Ned Beatty, Don Rickles, Michael Keaton, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenburger, Estelle Harris, John Morris, Jodi Benson, Laurie Metcalf, Blake Clark. Music by Randy Newman Labels: Film Movie Wednesday, July 14, 2010Inception (12a)
 Christopher Nolan is back from the world of the Dark Night with his labour of love Inception. We are taken to a world where it's possible to share dreams. People can create imaginary worlds or cities that seem perfect in every way. However, in a world where you make anything up and put it into someone else's dream there's bound to be a bit of mischief. Dom Cobb (DiCaprio) is an Extractor. He spends his time tricking people in to giving him there secrets by using their dreams. However he has a dark secret that threatens to bring down his one last heist. With help from his partners in crime Gordon-Levitt, Page, Hardy and Roa, he hunts down Murphy an heir to a vast business empire. But will the plan work out or will his past throw a spanner into the works? Nolan provided an excellent thriller in Dark Knight and he has managed to surpass himself with Inception. Yes the plot can be hard to follow and has some gaping holes... But then don't all dreams? For me, the masterpiece is made by the effects. It makes The Matrix look dated, with reality bending details. The gravity defying scene with Gordon-Levitt are almost impossible to follow and demand pause and rewind (I can't wait till it's on DVD!). There are a few twists, but most don't surprise you, however right till the very end Nolan will have you wondering. I even liked the more grown up and filled out DiCaprio - which is unusual for me. Directed by Christopher Nolan Produced by Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas Written by Christopher Nolan Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Dileep Rao, Tom Berenger, Michael Caine. Music by Hans Zimmer Labels: Film Movie Friday, February 19, 2010Alice in Wonderland (Cert PG)
 In my mind he is the perfect person to take on Lewis Carroll. Tim Burton's dark genius is exactly the kind of magic that can turn the crackers world of Underland into a visual reality. When Disney announced it was bringing the classic up to date I did worry that it might end up all too sweet and sugary. Would a Burton/Disney combination actually do Mr Carroll justice? All in all I think they did. There was just enough macabre and absurdity to make you feel at home in a Burton movie and his humour was definitely showing through. However it was bright and colourful and oozing with details that you expect from the magic touch of Disney. The story and words that delighted so many children are still there so no fears on that front. Interestingly Burton has refused to let the film be shown alongside a 1903 version but I can't really see why. The freedom CGI brings to film makers allows their imagination to run free, a luxury not available a century a go. The casting works well. Depp is the perfect fit for the Hatter. Bonham Carter as the big headed Red Queen could have been made for the role (will she ever work without Burton again? Then again she has been in Potter Corp films) and I loved Stephen Fry as the Cheshire Cat. New comer Mia Wasikowska as Alice was good, although didn't look as scared/confused with the situations as one might expect. But I suppose it was 'all a dream'! One complaint I do have (and not for the first time) - the audio levels. I kept losing track of the dialogue and getting drowned out by the soundtrack. Maybe I'll wait for the DVD and pop the subtitles on. It will be interesting to see if the cinemas actually put the film on, as of the moment Odeon and Vue are threatening not to. They are worried a quicker move to DVD ruins their sales. I wonder though, the added bonus of 3D is definitely a big enough draw to the big screen to bolster bums on seats for the time being. 5/5 Labels: Film Movie Thursday, October 22, 2009Fantastic Mr Fox
 My favourite director is back and this time he has gone all stop motion.I think it takes a brave man to try and turn the huge and distinctive imagination of Roald Dahl in to something celluloid, especially when that person has such a distinctive style himself. The animators were all based in London and the voices are from all over. George Clooney taking the lead with Meryl Streep as Mrs Fox and then the Anderson usuals of Bill Murrey and Owen Wilson and a myriad of others appearing as well. The story is recognisable but souped up a bit. Mr Fox has settled down with his family, but wants just one more challenge and with his friend Kylie, sets off to rattle the cages of the local famers Boggis Bunce and Bean. They don't like that very much, so the battle is on. You can expect the usual slightly surreal and very casual approach to dialogue that is Andersons way, but the animation and the look and feel are very much what is expected from a Roald Dahl story. It took me a little while to realise that unlike any other version of a Roald Dahl, the language is very grown-up (ie fruity!) but its been done with just one word. Cus! It appears alot. I'm still undescided if that worked or not. Fantastic Mr Fox is a great evening 0ut. Cheeky, funny, beautifully stuck together and wonderfully comic in its timing. Wes Anderson is back on form and I reckon Roald Dahl would have been happy as well. Labels: Film Movie Thursday, April 23, 2009In the loop (cert 15)
 I have always been a big fan of Armando Iannucci. I can't say I always understand what he is going on about, but the results are normally funny but with a vague sense of horror as to how close to reality the events he is having a go at really are. In a format we are now very used to thanks to his BBC TV series 'The Thick of It' he hits the big screen running. We do see the return of a couple of characters from the TV series, not least the vile Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi) the Number 10 Enforcer. Tom Hollander is Simon Foster MP a rather naive minister at the department for International affairs who in a radio interview manages to suggest that a war might or might not be in the offing. It turns out that Number 10 and the White House are thinking of going to war in the middle east and just need to have the evidense that would convince the UN and various committees in to seeing their point of view. 'In the loop' is a rollercoaster of quick witted quips from Fosters aids and colleagues as they try to pick up the pieces of his ill thoughout comments to the press. It's not long before he is meeting with the Americans who are just as keen to use him in their plans with a great star turn from James Gandolfini as General Miller and The language is to say the least extreme, but unlike I love you man and other films it feels appropriate. Especially since some of the political types that have popped up in my life over the years are really not to dissimilar! This is a really enjoyable and yet terrifying glimpse in to the world of politics and for me is a refreshing reminder of the fun that was Yes Minister! 9/10 In the Loop - Official Website Labels: Film Movie State of Play (Cert 12a)
 A few years ago now the BBC produced a political / crime thriller called State of Play. Written by Paul Abbott and directed by David Yates. 6 years later and Universal Studios got there mits on to it and surprisingly managed to sub it down rather well from 6 hours to 2 and translate it across the pond. We welcome in an all star cast that take on familiar characters. The film is now set in Washington, D.C. and tells of Stephen Collins (Affleck), a fast-rising United States Congressman whose mistress (Maria Thayer), a former research assistant, is found dead in suspicious circumstances. During a probe into a series of seemingly unrelated murders, Cal McAffrey (Crowe), an investigative journalist and Collins' former friend, finds himself tasked with solving the case. By cutting the plot down a little, MacDonald has managed to keep the spirit of the original but give it a certain pace and also throw in a few very up to date comments as the film progresses. Russell Crowe very good although in his usual way, threw himself in to the role and got very chubby for it. An indication that most of the news print journalists I know have a rather sedentary life. The downfall is Ben Affleck who look the part (although feels a little young) of a congressman but failed to get me to feel sympathetic towards him at all. Producer - Andrew Hauptman Director - Kevin MacDonald Starring - Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren Robin Wright Penn, Jason Bateman, Jeff Daniels 6.5/10 Labels: Film Movie Thursday, March 26, 2009Knowing (Cert 15)
 SPOILER WARNING: Some plot details revealed later on in the review! Nicolas Cage is back in a SciFi - Horror - Disaster epic directed by Alex Proyas (i Robot). We start 50 years ago with a newly opened elementary school in Lexington, USA. The children celebrate by creating a time capsule and putting in pictures they have drawn of what they think life will be like in half a century. The quiet and reserved little Lucinda Embry is a bit different however and rather than a picture... she creates a long list of seemingly random numbers. Back in the present day and John Koestler (Nicolas Cage) is getting over the sudden death of his wife and trying to be a good father to his partially deaf son Caleb (Chandler Canterbury). When he attends a special school ceremony to open the time capsule left 50 years before, he gets a strange surprise. Caleb opens Lucinda Embry's bizarre sheet of paper covered in numbers. At the same time his hearing aid starts whispering at him. Back at home and after a night on the gin, Koestler notices a pattern in amongst the numbers. It seems that there is a sequence that lists the date and location of a disaster and the number of people who die. But what will he chose to do with this information, especially as there are still some disasters to come if the numbers are to be believed. And what is it with the strange men that seem to be following him and his son around? For the first two thirds of this film Proyas does a great job of building tension and confusion. Some of it is very obvious (like the soundtrack) but in the most part, the feeling of impending doom is well played. I for one was getting beginning to think I may be in for a few sleepless nights with the lights on the landing left on. But we soon find ourselves in the predictable world of aliens interfering with life on earth. I wouldn't have minded so much if it had been done in a new way, but we have seen it all before, whether it be the expected deaths of the Final Destination films, or the Close Encounters / ET style ending. Even the aliens look like everything we expect aliens to be! The film is very skillfully shot with stunning (and horrific) effects and it is well acted (Canterbury will be someone to watch in the future) but all in all it lacked the truly strong story line that we found in films like I Robot. 4/10 http://knowing-themovie.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowing_(film) Labels: Film Movie Wednesday, March 25, 2009Il Divo (Cert 15)
 Il Divo: La spettacolare vita di Giulio Andreotti - The spectacular life of Giulio Andreotti. This is one of those films that would have passed me by if it weren't for the recommendation of one of my friendly cinema managers. Once I had made certain that this film had nothing to do with a rather dire classicpop band I did my usual cursory glance at the plot. I can't say that my knowledge of Italian politics has any depth about it - aside from having heard of Berlosconi and The Mafia and even that hasn't sparked any real interest. So I set upon a movie of discovery - can Sorrentino's film Il Divo inspire me to learn some more about the modern remnants of the once all powerful ancient Roman empire? I very quickly realised that at least some back ground knowledge would have helped my enjoyment of the film. It took a lot of concentration and quick reading to try and keep up with who we were watching and why they were important. We are introduced to the various characters that made up the people that surround seven time Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti. We are also very quickly introduced to the rather grizzly end for many of them. The plot time line bounces around his return to power for a seventh time, the friends that got him there and in particular how the kidnap and death of Prime Minister Aldo Moro had affected Andreotti personally. Toni Servillo is wonderful as our focus. His portrayal of Andreotti is mesmerising. The Premier has the manarisms of a stylishly dressed Elmar Fudd with the addition of funny ears and a big hump back. There is something very dark, controlling and cold about this man, yet the lighter moments throughout the film are down to his dry ironic remarks. We follow Andreotti as he takes power, fails to become president and then faces various trails. There is no attempt to answer the questions - was he connected with the Mafia, but it does give an insight in to how difficult it must be to trust anyone in Italian politics. I'm not sure this film has inspired me to read up much more on how things work in Rome, but it is an enjoyable journey. The movie is well constructed with a real panash about it. I love the soundtrack and the clever use of labelling throughout. May be a second view would allow me to move my attention away from the subtitles a little more and let me take in the rest of the picture, but thats to be expected when your a monolinguist like me! 6/10 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Il_Divo_(film) Labels: Film Movie Friday, March 06, 2009The Young Victoria (Cert PG)
 Written by Oscar winning Julian Fellows (Gosford Park) Directed by Canadian Jean-Marc Vallee (C.R.A.Z.Y) and produced by such alumni as Martin Scorsese and Sarah, Duchess of York! The young Princess Victoria (Emily Blunt) is about to ascend to the throne, but she is under age and under pressure. Her mother, the Duchess of Kent wants her advisor Conroy (Mark Strong) wants to be her Regent. The Prime Ministers and opposition MP's are courting her favour and Her Uncle, King Leopold of Belgian wants closer links with England for security, so wants her to marry his son Prince Albert (Rupert Friend). We watch as Victoria takes the throne and tries to establish herself as an individual, making mistakes along the way and trying to work who to trust. Aside from some technical troubles where I watched it (subtitles in the wrong place and dodgy sound) this is an enjoyable story. It just doesn't seem to be up to the big screen standard - probably should have been a telly movie and nothing more. One of the problems is bad editing with a lot of jumps in the plot line. The film feels unfinished (but how do you fit the life of Victoria in to one film?) with a damp squib of an ending. It was interesting to learn about some of the troubles that such a young Queen had to deal with. The push and pull of politics and European royal family dealings and is an interesting look at feminism in one way and how Victoria needed a male influence in her life. Rupert Friend plays Prince Albert (Oxfordshire born actor who is dating Kiera Knightley, he also appeared in The Libertine). Emily Blunt as Victoria, Also stars Miranda Richardson, Paul Bettany and Jim Broadbent. The acting is all pretty good stuff with a few dodgy accents that you can forgive as it's a good reminder of how international our monarchy has been! Ultimately I was disappointed really, knowing that Fellows is capable of writing something as good as Gosford Park its a shame he couldn't do it again. The film was shot on location around the county with Blenheim Palace standing in for a newly finished (without its famous frontage) Buckingham Palace. Labels: Film Movie Thursday, February 19, 2009Vicky Cristina Barcelona (Cert 12a)
 Woody Allens latest film takes him to Spain in his fourth overseas production in a row (he has done a few here in the UK!). Once again he is working with Scarlett Johansson plus Rebecca Hall, Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz. Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Johansson) are staying in Barcelona for the summer. Vicky, a straight laced practical person engaged to the reliable yet dull Doug, is studying a masters in Catalan. She has brought along Cristina, recently heart broken, so that she can find a new direction in her life. They are staying with friends Judy and Mark, who invite them out to an art exhibition launch. The brooding and sexy Jaun Antonio Gonzalo soons captures the eye of Cristina, but is quickly warned off by Judy. Aparently his last relationship with the beautiful Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz) came to a fiery end when one tried to stab the other! Later that evening, Jaun Antonio finally introduces himself to Vicky and Cristina by making a bold proposition. They should fly with him to see the city of Oviedo. They should go in an hour, and when they get there they will all make love. A rather stunned Vicky is quick to put him down but following her need for passion Cristina takes him up on the offer. It doesn't take long and they are both off on a little aeroplane. Upon there return to Barcelona and on Dougs attempt at sponteniaity (turning up so that he and Vicky can get married!) Cristina and Juan Antonio finally start to fall in love... only to have his crazy ex wife turn up. But will Juan Antonio pick one over the other and what of his night of passion with Vicky? Wood Allen has once again proven that he is the king of improvised dialogue with some fantastic characters that help some up passion and neurotisism. We see the over shrinked and analysed americans struggling to deal with the messy raw emotion of the Spanish. Javier Bardem is just smoldering with sexuality and Penelope Cruz is terrifying to a shy person like me! Great fun. 8/10 http://vickycristina-movie.com/ Labels: Film Movie, oscar 2009 Thursday, February 12, 2009Bolt 3D (Cert PG)
 This is the latest CGI outing for Disney and they have taken on the new 3D format. And what a difference some slightly out dated glasses can make to a medium. Bolt (John Travolta) is the cutest dog you've ever met. He makes Lassey look ugly. He is also a dog with a difference. He is a super hero. He can run incredibly fast, smash through walls with his forehead, blow up bad guys with his lazer eyes and flatten an attacking army with his bark. Well at least that is what he thinks. He has been fighting the enemy of his 'person' Penny (Miley Ray Cyrus – Hanah Montana) and her father for as long as he can remember, but on one occasion while he is trying to track her down he ends up trapped in a box full of styrofoam chips and couriered to the other side of the country. Bolt is actually a dog starring as the hero hound of a series called Bolt. But he has no idea. It is like the Truman show of the pet world. Once lost in the world of New York he is soon starting a road trip home to Hollywood with the help of a cat called Mittens (Susie Essman – Curb your enthusiasm) and a hamster called Rhino who slowly help Bolt come to terms with the fact that he's not that super after all. This is another one of those well scripted cartoons that hits two levels... the slap stick fun for the kids and the wonderful dialogue and observations for the grownups. I'd never thought I'd hear discombobulated in a cartoon! Rhino (Mark Walton) steals the show as the geek couch potatoe Hamster with his hamster ball. It's worth saying that 3D is definately the format for this kind of thing. All of the classic CGI's could really use it to bring some extra life to the format. I get movie sick fairly easily (don't mention the Bourne Supremacy!!!) so it was a releif that I survived this without a single twist of the tummy. It takes a short time to get used to the different focus points on the big screen. But the action scenes just look amazing! 4/5 http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/bolt/ Labels: Film Movie Thursday, February 05, 2009The curious case of Benjamin Button (cert 12a)
( 0 ) commentsDoubt (Cert 15)
 Shanley takes this critically acclaimed off-broadway production on to cellulite with an all star oscar nominated cast. Philip Seymour Hoffman is Father Flynn Catholic Priest in the Bronx. It is 1964 and times are changing. His school has just taken on its first black student Donald Miller and father Flynn is trying to change the very strict life that the principle Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Meryl Streep) has created and enforced through fear and discipline. Father Flynn introduces us to theme of Doubt early on. A sermon suggests that even as troubling as it is, it can also be unifying. However it seems that doubt is riddled throughout the staff of St Nicholas and soon Sister James (Amy Adams) is consulting her boss on a concern that Father Flynn has been paying the young Donald Miller a bit to much attention. Sister Aloysius begins a crusade, without a shred of evidence, so find out the truth behind Father Flynn and have him removed from the school. Meryl Streep deserves her Oscar nomination for Best Actress as she shows her incredible ability to take on a roll. Sister Aloysius is a light year away from the bubbly character we witnessed in Mama Mia. She terrorises her way around the school, although not without a few witty lines and hilarious 'hard stares!' For me personally, Seymour Hoffman is also excellent as the challenged Father Flynn. If there is one thing you are guaranteed to feel as you leave the cinema, its an overwhelming feeling of Doubt. Excellent. 5/5 Directed by John Patrick Shanley Produced by Scott Rudin Written by John Patrick Shanley Starring Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Viola Davis Music by Howard Shore, Distributed by Miramax Films http://www.doubt-themovie.com/ Labels: Film Movie, oscar 2009 Friday, January 16, 2009Frost / Nixon (Cert 15)
 Written by Peter Morgan Starring Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Kevin Bacon, Oliver Platt, Sam Rockwell, Matthew Macfadyen, Toby Jones, Andy Milder, Rebecca Hall Music by Hans Zimmer Sir David Frost is such an institution that you can forget that his career had to begin somewhere and at some point he was a naive and eager pup broadcaster. In fact this film picks him up when he has already had the success in the UK of The Frost Report and various other entertainment shows as well as a chat show in Oz and an abortive series in the states. For Nixon, this is the moment of his downfall and the addition of the word Watergate to the language of politics and journalism. We see him after resigning and as is helicoptered away from the white house to a kind of exile in California. He does not take his forced retirement well and is looking for ways of setting the record straight and getting back in to the game of politics. Strangely the major US networks aren't that interested in hearing his message, but its at about this time that David Frost has a mad idea. He would interview Nixon. With help from his friend and producer John Birt (Matthew MacFadyen) - who will end up as a DG for the BBC! - he begins a slow waltz with the Agent for Nixon and after cash has changed hands (a small sum of $200,000) the process begins. Nixon, the old political war horse prepares himself for what he thinks is going to be a walk over. Frost, trying to hold down the finances of this multimillion pound project as well as live up to the expectations of a nation wanting to see Nixon brought to his knees. The result of this incredible punt is well known and will forever be Frosts greatest acheivement. Martin Sheen as David Frost manages to get across his manorisms and distinctive voice and Frank Langella as Nixon pulls off a real likeness, you can see why both were chosen for the roles (Right from the original stage play). We never see any real footage from the programmes and the style is like a documentary put together in the early eightees. There is a lighter side, with some of the dialogue really sparkling. As to its accuracy. I guess its in the same league as The Queen not least as its written by the same person. Will we really know what was said, probably not, but they certainly make what is in effect a story of making an interview, compelling watching. 9/10 Martin Sheen once again proving he is great at the biographical roles. Labels: Film Movie, oscar 2009 Thursday, January 15, 2009Milk (Cert 15)
 This is the story of Harvey Milk, a gay rights campaigner based in San Francisco and the first openly gay man to be voted in to political office in California, USA. I have to point out, once again, my ignorance of a person who has been influential in how the world is today. As a gay man I really should know more about those who fought the system over the years and lost in some cases, and won in others. That said, this film does a great job in filling in my blanks. Milk is one of the winners who paid the ultimate price. We follow him as he records his memoirs with a certain knowledge that all isn't going to end well. In fact we are very quickly informed that he is to be assisinated together with the Mayor of San Fransisco on the 27th November 1978. Very quickly we flash back to 1970 and Milk (Sean Penn) meeting his partner Scott Smith (James Franco) and deciding that he needed something to change in his life, they up sticks to San Fransico to set up a Camera shop. Castro Camera was based in the heart of an area called Eureka Valley, a place soon to become legendary in gay society and lovingly known as The Castro. However when Milk moved in, all was not well. This is an Irish Catholic working class neighbourhood and the locals don't take kindly to having these homosexuals finding a home there. We follow Milk as he decides to do something about the gay bashing and bigotry by using his business skills and fast developing political skills to protest and fight back.As with all people who become so dedicated to a passion, it affects his personal and family life, but as history shows, for Milk there is eventually a success but inevitably also his death, which bizarelly seems to be over petty personal issues rather than any particular homophobia. This is a very powerful docu-drama with a great cast and slick use of original news footage. It does worry me that Milk seems to be the perfect saint throughout, with little to fault him aside from his inability to see how his political career is affecting the people he loves most. We knew whats coming all the way through but the Story is compelling and for me personally a very touching insight into an important part of gay history. It's a real shame that the lessons of history don't seem up have been learnt for the Americans. Just as the film was released in the states, a vote on proposition 8 was being carried out (at the same time as the presidential elections). This would have confirmed that gay marriage was possible in California. It was passed and as a result, only marriage between a mixed sex couple is allowed. Two steps forward (v0ting in a black president) and one step back (gay rights still have a way to go!). The film has been nominated for 8 Oscars, the question is, can it beat the likes of Brad Pitts blockbuster Bejamin Button or the ever popular Slumdog Millionaire. I hope so. Directed by Gus Van Sant Written by Dustin Lance Black Starring: Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, Diego Luna, James Franco, Lucas Grabeel 9/10 Official website: http://www.filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/film/milk/ Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk_(film) Labels: Film Movie, oscar 2009 Saturday, January 10, 2009Slumdog Millionaire (Cert 15)
 Director(s): Danny Boyle Cast: Mia Drake, Imran Hasnee, Faezeh Jalali, Anil Kapoor, Dev Patel, Freida Pinto This is really Oscar winning stuff. Just look at the number of awards it has already won!!! Danny Boyle is back with another reinvention of himself. We have seen his shocking take on the world of drug infested Scotland in Trainspotting, a fantastic version of a horror movie with 28 Days Later and one of the best British Sci-Fi' Sunshine. However, none of these really match up to the wonderful and award winning Slumdog Millionaire. Jamal (Dev Patel) is our Slumdog. A young man who was born to the squalid slums of Bombay (as it was known). Somehow he has made it on to the hugely successful “Who wants to be a Millionaire?” and is just one question away from winning a stonking 20,000,000 rand. But the producer and police can't believe he could possibly have made it that far without cheating, so we watch as they torture him in to confessing to how he was doing it. By way of explanation Jamal takes them through the programme question by question retelling his life story and how it lead him to an answer for each one. The story is harrowing, from grovelling for his next meal, to bullying from his older brother, race attacks between Hindu's and Muslims, Grooming for begging on the streets, to finding his loved one. Jamal is always on the run and yet seems to develop an amazing sense of humanity and compassion as he goes. Danny Boyle has managed to give us an insight in to what life in the slums of Mumbai is like. It's not a pretty sight yet at the same time the film is full of vibrancy and colour. Boyle never shies away from pulling punches, and when we need to be shown something horrible, we don't need much imagination. With the help of a wonderful soundtrack and what seems a really well mixed production team at no point did it feel like this was very much a westerners take on Indian society. It is true that India does not come out of it well... but the most important character will always have a place in your heart. 10/10 Definitely worth all those awards it keeps winning. Other sites: Official site: http://www.slumdogmillionairemovie.co.uk/ Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slumdog_Millionaire Labels: Film Movie, oscar 2009 Role Models (Cert 15)
 Danny (Paul Rudd) and Wheeler (Sean William Scott) are both sales men for an energy drink company called Minotuar. They spend their days driving around LA in a big truck shaped like Minotaur, going to schools and trying to teach the kids about the dangers of drugs (wheeler is dressed as a Minotaur!). Danny is a pretty miserable chap - he doesn't really get very much joy out of anything. Which is why its surprising he even has a girlfriend (Beth). He is a bit like me, and finds some of the ordinary things get at him... even ordering coffee is annoying - why do they call a big cup of black coffee and Venti Americano or whatever!!! Beth (Elizabeth Banks) is finally ground down by his negative attitude... And when under pressure from both her and Wheeler (who has an annoyingly positive approach to life!) he finally flips on the way to his next appointment and bursts in on Beth and asks her to marry him! She says no! This leads him to a disasterous line of events which includes shouting at a load of school children telling them drugs are great and Minotuar drink is bad and then having a run in with the traffic warden just about to cart his van away and then crash it into the school's statue of a horse! In order to avoid a jail sentence, they are sent to do community service at a local project that links an adult (A Big!) with a child who is in need of some love (A little!) Wheeler is paired with Ronnie (Bobbe J Thomson) a nightmare black kid with a serious attitude and gutter mouth problem! Danny is paired with Augie Farks (Christopher Mintz-Plasse - Super Bad) a teenager super nerd with an unhealthy obsession for Role Play. The film follows them as the Bigs try to save themselves from jail, but eventually find a connection with there Littles! But is it enough to keep them from messing up and heading to the clink. I have to say the language is appauling, some of it makes sense, but most of it just isn't necessary. However the situation are handled wonderfully. The slap stick is nothing new, but well done. There are times when you think: Did they really just say that? Especially the interaction between Wheeler and Ronnie. Its aimed at teenage boys and young men... but is funny enough that anyone can get caught up in it. Ones to watch: Bobbe J Thomson is great and Jane Lynch as the ex druggy woman running Sturdy Wings is fantastic. 7/10 From Wikipedia: Directed by David Wain Produced by Luke GreenfieldMary Parent Written by David Wain, Timothy Dowling, Paul Rudd, Ken Marino Starring Paul Rudd, Seann William Scott, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Bobb'e J. Thompson, Elizabeth Banks, Jane Lynch. Labels: Film Movie Thursday, July 24, 2008The Dark Knight (Cert 12a)
 We've been waiting for this one for a little while. Yes it is another super hero movie. But it is Batman and does have a great pedigree, so there is no need to get bored with them just yet. Christopher Nolan is back in the directors chair after a successful reinvention of the Batman franchise last time out. Also back are the main cast, Christian Bale as the broody one, Michael Caine as Alfred his butler. The police officer, Lieutenant Gordon ( Gary Oldman) and his old friend Lucius Fox ( Morgan Freeman) are also back. Bare with me, as its a complicated one this time: We pick up the plot not long after the last film. Bruce Waynes mansion is still under construction, so he is living in his penthouse in the heart of Gotham city and the batcave is hidden under containers in the docks. First up, a bank raid, which we soon find out is the cunning plan of the Joker (Heath Ledger) but its not an ordinary high street type of bank, this one is under the control of a local Mafia. This leads to a meeting of two gangs who are intent on killing each other... and to our surprise it seems that everyone is trying to look like Batman. It's not long before the hooded wonder shows up and soon has the bad guys on the run, or as in our old foe, the Scarecrow, tied up. But what are the gangs to do about all this money, and where to bank it? A Chinese mob accountant decides its safest in Hong Kong and he does a runner with it. The Joker offers to find a solution to all the bad guys woes, deal with Batman and life would get back to normal. The new D.A. a perfect looking Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckart) is proving to be the Hero Gotham needs. Someone who doesn't hide in the shadows like a vigilante! So will he and Batman be able to handle the chaos created by the Joker and will the beautiful Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal) chose the perfect DA or the broody Bruce Wayne? Christopher Nolan has once again crafted a great movie. Its suitably dark for Batman, with little sign of hope throughout, and when a glimmer appears, its soon snuffed out. The gadgets are still great (Morgan Freeman is almost Q!), the suit sexy, and the bad guys scary. Heath Ledger is great as the nuts Joker, but also when Two Face appears we really are left with a horror to behold. There is so much detail in his effects that I wonder if its a step too far! I wondered if all the praise going around for Ledger at the Premier the other day was just being polite after his passing away earlier this year, but he really does create an amazing (and horrible) character. Proving it to be a real shame that we wont be seeing any more (with one exception) of his talents. There were some nice touches, Michael Caines witty remarks. The great use of soundtrack, especially when the Joker is on screen. Even the slightly drained of colour cinematography. Did you know: Some scene were filmed using an IMAX camera, so it would be popping to your local one to see if the bangs are even bigger still! All of the studio work was carried out at Pinewood, but the majority of external shots are in Chicago. Can you spot Battersea Power station in the background at one point. Only real flaw is its length... 152 minutes... it feels just a little bit long. 5/5 http://thedarkknight.warnerbros.com/ Labels: Film Movie, oscar 2009 Thursday, July 10, 2008Mamma Mia! (Cert PG)
 The making of this film was just a matter of time! The West End stage musical based on the songs of ABBA has now been a massive hit all over the world, so Benny and Björn were bound to move it to celluloid as well! Set on a Greek island, we follow Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) as she approaches her wedding day. She lives on the island with her mother Donna (Meryl Streep) a retired pop singer who now owns a run down guest house accessible only by boat. Sophie has a problem with her special day, who will give her away? She doesn't know who her father is, and she confides in her recently arrived bridesmaids that after reading her mothers diary she thinned it down to three potential men. Will it be Sam (Pierce Brosnan) an architect living in New York. The British banker Harry (Colin Firth) or the slightly hippy Swedish novelist Bill (Stellan Skarsgård). Pretending to be her mother, she has invited Sam, Harry and Bill to the wedding expecting to work out who was her Dad, the moment she set eyes on him! Of course, things don't go to plan, and with the help of Donna's friends Tanya (Christine Baranski) and Rosie (Julie Walters) we are taken on a chaotic sing-along to the special day. I went to see this film on its opening night, in a cinema filled to the brim with ladies of a certain age in groups and occasional husbands / boyfriends / gay men sprinkled among them. They loved it and so did I. There were times when the choice of song was a little tenuous and you could tell liberties were being taken with the plot line and dialogue in order to get to the singing. But you can't go wrong with a good bit of Abba, so it is a guaranteed success. The cast is an interesting choice. Considering this is a musical, I didn't really think of Meryl Streep, Colin Firth and Julie Walters as great singers. They do scrape through. Not quite as well as Nicole and Ewan in Moulin Rouge, but nonetheless its not to excruciating! However Pierce Brosnan's attempts were really hard to get over. Julie Walters makes a wonderful Rosie, with some of the best lines and comic scenarios and I can't help but be a little disappointed with the glossed over treatment of Colin Firths Harry later in the plot. All in all a great evening entertainment for the girls! Directed by Phyllida Lloyd Produced by Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Benny Anderson and Björn Ulvaeus. Universal Pictures. 7/10 http://www.mammamiamovie.com/ Labels: Film Movie
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Copyright Phil Mercer 2010