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Side by Side 2012
Interesting documentary with super limited appeal. Outside of those with a super interest in the digital vs. film debate, whether your a film maker, theorist or fan, the appeal of this is insignificant. Even falling within those groups, for every bit of fascinating insight there was something else that was dry and lost my interest. This film will live on in media and film studies lectures, beyond that I fail to see who this film is for.
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The Great Gatsby 2013
The material speaks for itself, The Great Gatsby is one of the great American literary masterworks. F.Scott Fitzgerald could write about paint drying and through his wonderfully evocative writing it'd be fascinating to read. Baz Luhrman's adaptation is soft at best, his operatic tendencies are well suited to the party scenes, even if the musical choices are horrible. How can stripped back hip hop be justifiable in a post-war New York? It simply isn't. By the same token, the drama…
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A Hijacking 2012
Blimey. A Hijacking follows an industrial ship working in African seas that's kidnapped (off-screen) by Somalian pirates. The film is divided into two strands, the first is the hijacked ship dealing with the pirates day on day, and the second is the interrogation process where the companies CEO tries to negotiate his crews release. It's the second strand that is most notable and it's the action and inaction of that aspect of the movie that provides most of the nail…
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Star Trek Into Darkness 2013
Star Trek Into Darkness is entertaining and everyone nails their character, when they are actually given enough to do. Which is only really true of Kirk, Spock and Scotty, maybe Bones too. Benedict Cumberbatch also equips himself well as the antagonist. The problem is there isn't an awful lot to the film, and what little there is is plagued by the usual plot holes you'll find in a Lindelof script.
While it's true that its entertaining and furiously paced, the…
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Hellboy II: The Golden Army 2008
This material is perfectly matched to Del Toro's ethic, the world building and design is second to none. It's also better than the original because of the somber 'us and them' mentality that informs much of the film. It's entertaining and a comic book movie unique from all others, expect maybe (the wasted potential of) Spawn. But that's it, Hellboy II is an entertainment piece and the last Del Toro pic before his quiet patch is broken with Pacific Rim, and that's exactly why I watched the film, to stoke up anticipation.
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Fist of Legend 1994
The belt is mightier than the sword in one of Jet Li's greatest films. A remake of Bruce Lee's Fist of Fury, this is a case where the remake is better than the original. As strong as the fight sequences are, the originals are legendary. That doesn't make them bad, far from it. But what makes this better is the tone and characterization, the Japanese may be the bad guys but they are depicted with a less more nuance than…
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Razorback 1984
Its basically Jaws in the Australian outback, and that has legs. The setting is brilliantly utilized and the pig, although ropey, is used sparingly playing up the Jaws comparison. As an outright man vs. nature film, this would be a great ozploitation film thanks to the threat of the titular razorback. Its Quint, Jake Cullen (Bill Kerr) is the only character who makes an intriguing lead. Its when other characters are introduced that the stars start coming off. Those that…
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Cargo 2013
I was choking back the tears after this. To evoke such emotion in 7 minutes with next to no dialogue. That is the work of a masterful short film. Beautiful in all its simplicity, this director duo are a pair to keep an eye open for.
Watch here: vimeo.com/56629974
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Pontypool 2008
The zombie genre has long since left new and original ideas behind, instead opting for different settings and an escalation in gore - at best. Pontypool is one of the most effectively different, and genuinely creepy zombie films in far too long. Based in a radio station and using sound as a tool for infection, McHattie's reaction to eye witness accounts paints a vivid image of chaos with sound alone. Its a masterclass in understated escalation. With a great performance…
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Paprika 2006
The alleged inspiration behind Inception, all the two films share is a basic dream jumping premise. This is more notable as the last film from the late, great Satoishi Kon. The work of a mad genius. Thanks to the mcGuffin of the DC Mini it is hard to tell whether we are watching reality or dreams, Kon plays around with that unease like the pro he was. Although clearly the work of a intelligent film maker, Paprika is elusive, enigmatic,…
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The Bay 2012
A found footage film that will have most effect with hypochondriac's and people with OCD, not fitting those bills its neither here nor there. It wasn't scary, which is a shame because the ecologically inspired body horror was interesting and full of potential. This small town being eaten alive could make a great horror film, just not this one directed by Barry Levinson. Non-diegetic music plays far too big a role for a formulaic construct like found footage, he's in…
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Iron Man 3 2013
Took until the third movie before they finally perfected the iron man formula. Maybe fourth? This is thanks entirely to Shane Black, the marriage between his dialogue and Downey Jr's delivery of Black's dialogue is the perfect foundation for this third film in the franchise. Its effortlessly funny too. Ben Kingsley. And the spectacle is up there with the best of any superhero effort. Iron Man Three superbly carries on the tradition of named directors bringing their A-Game to superhero…
