http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2382396/
A boy-story, with a young man finding an unlikely mentor and hero in a violent but compassionate ex-con. Nicolas Cage is surprisingly good in this title role (although much of the grunting and shouting in the dialogue seems perfectly in line with his most recent other roles) and there is good and believable chemistry between him and others. Tye Sheridan as the boy is excellent, but is potentially being typecast in the troubled-young-man-finds-unlikely-mentor role (see the excellent Mud (2012) and a similar pattern for his co-star from there). Overall, this film and story feel like well-worn territory, but this iteration is pretty good.
May 17, 2014
The Double (2013)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1825157/
Another doppelgänger tale, based on a different novel than "Enemy" but exploring some of the same territory, this film takes a black-comedy approach to the material and puts the malevolence of the 'evil' twin more explicitly in the face of the other half. Ultimately, the resolution becomes the same - they can't co-exist and so neither can survive. Jesse Eisenberg is excellent in both lead roles, moving quite seamlessly from schmuck to bastard and back again. The story elements involving the romance(s) felt derivative of Dead Ringers (1988) or even Roxanne (1987) (especially the restaurant scene with the hidden microphone), so didn't work as well for me. Overall, I enjoyed it and found the same level of existential uncertainty from both stories.
Another doppelgänger tale, based on a different novel than "Enemy" but exploring some of the same territory, this film takes a black-comedy approach to the material and puts the malevolence of the 'evil' twin more explicitly in the face of the other half. Ultimately, the resolution becomes the same - they can't co-exist and so neither can survive. Jesse Eisenberg is excellent in both lead roles, moving quite seamlessly from schmuck to bastard and back again. The story elements involving the romance(s) felt derivative of Dead Ringers (1988) or even Roxanne (1987) (especially the restaurant scene with the hidden microphone), so didn't work as well for me. Overall, I enjoyed it and found the same level of existential uncertainty from both stories.
Enemy (2013)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2316411/
Good creepy tale of doppelgänger-ism. Jake Gyllenhaal is brilliant as the two men sharing a face, with both the despair of one and the aggression of the other, and their mutual and individual existential angst, coming through clearly and believably. The spider symbolism throughout is interesting and disconcerting, adding a sense of malevolence and discomfort throughout. The film uses visual cues and clues well, creating an environment of otherness within the familiar landscapes.
Good creepy tale of doppelgänger-ism. Jake Gyllenhaal is brilliant as the two men sharing a face, with both the despair of one and the aggression of the other, and their mutual and individual existential angst, coming through clearly and believably. The spider symbolism throughout is interesting and disconcerting, adding a sense of malevolence and discomfort throughout. The film uses visual cues and clues well, creating an environment of otherness within the familiar landscapes.
The Bag Man (2014)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2212008/
Deserves to be buried in the titular bag and not heard from again. What were these people thinking when making this mess?
Deserves to be buried in the titular bag and not heard from again. What were these people thinking when making this mess?
Blue Ruin (2013)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2359024
A well-done violent vengeance story, with great performances, dialogue and filming. A few plot holes, but nothing to ruin it. An atypical ending caps off this atypical story well. A nice surprise and very enjoyable.
A well-done violent vengeance story, with great performances, dialogue and filming. A few plot holes, but nothing to ruin it. An atypical ending caps off this atypical story well. A nice surprise and very enjoyable.
Nut Job (2014)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1821658
A cute little tale about squirrels, nuts and capers with their other critter friends and a crew of bank robbers. Thankfully, it's not a musical.
A cute little tale about squirrels, nuts and capers with their other critter friends and a crew of bank robbers. Thankfully, it's not a musical.
May 11, 2014
A Patriotic Man (2013)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2343585
Interesting little tale about doping in sports. A man with a unique blood type is recruited to support his national ski team through regular transfusions to the star athlete. Things go awry, the man gets drunk and then beat-up (in the most surreal casting of all time: Canadian doping legend Ben Johnson as the cab driver), ultimately giving up his transfusion career.
Interesting little tale about doping in sports. A man with a unique blood type is recruited to support his national ski team through regular transfusions to the star athlete. Things go awry, the man gets drunk and then beat-up (in the most surreal casting of all time: Canadian doping legend Ben Johnson as the cab driver), ultimately giving up his transfusion career.
Virus Fukatsu (1980)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080768/
Very well done movie for its time, and highly relevant today. A bioterrorism accident leads to devastation of mankind, stranding a small population of researchers and soldiers in Antarctica. These remaining humans set about repopulating and then have to deal with the mutual assured destruction of the leftover nuclear arsenals. Good stories and subplots amidst the general horrors of man on earth.
Very well done movie for its time, and highly relevant today. A bioterrorism accident leads to devastation of mankind, stranding a small population of researchers and soldiers in Antarctica. These remaining humans set about repopulating and then have to deal with the mutual assured destruction of the leftover nuclear arsenals. Good stories and subplots amidst the general horrors of man on earth.
How to Lose Friends and Alienate People (2008)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0455538
Mildly entertaining tale of a fish-out-of-water, in the same comedic vein of previous Simon Pegg movies, just without the zombies (oh wait, there is Megan Fox...). The story is loose and there is little empathy (or even like-ability) established for any of the characters, with few laughs to make the movie worthwhile.
Mildly entertaining tale of a fish-out-of-water, in the same comedic vein of previous Simon Pegg movies, just without the zombies (oh wait, there is Megan Fox...). The story is loose and there is little empathy (or even like-ability) established for any of the characters, with few laughs to make the movie worthwhile.
May 10, 2014
3 Days to Kill (2014)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2172934/
Kevin Costner is returning all over the place these day (see also Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit) as the wise, experienced and still active CIA agent. Here, he finds himself a hit-man pushed to retire, with a terminal illness and an estranged family. Offered a life-line with a hook (by the ridiculously attired Amber Heard), he juggles the classic spy work-life balance while trying to extend his life long enough for one last Christmas. Despite several lame and corny bits of dialogue with Ms Hear, the story is interesting, and the other leads well done. Welcome back, Mr. Costner, as I believe you've found the right niche.
Kevin Costner is returning all over the place these day (see also Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit) as the wise, experienced and still active CIA agent. Here, he finds himself a hit-man pushed to retire, with a terminal illness and an estranged family. Offered a life-line with a hook (by the ridiculously attired Amber Heard), he juggles the classic spy work-life balance while trying to extend his life long enough for one last Christmas. Despite several lame and corny bits of dialogue with Ms Hear, the story is interesting, and the other leads well done. Welcome back, Mr. Costner, as I believe you've found the right niche.
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1205537
Well done re-reboot of the Jack Ryan series. Chris Pine, already at the helm of the Star Trek reboot, does very well in the lead here, and the other main cast members are also well done; even Keira Knighley, not my favourite most of the time, manages not to annoy me. Also great to see are Kenneth Branagh (in front of and behind the camera) and Mikhail Barishnikov (uncredited so watch closely). The story is taut, believable and current, effectively bringing the characters and stories into the 21st century. Much like the Bourne series, this one looks to be enjoyable.
Well done re-reboot of the Jack Ryan series. Chris Pine, already at the helm of the Star Trek reboot, does very well in the lead here, and the other main cast members are also well done; even Keira Knighley, not my favourite most of the time, manages not to annoy me. Also great to see are Kenneth Branagh (in front of and behind the camera) and Mikhail Barishnikov (uncredited so watch closely). The story is taut, believable and current, effectively bringing the characters and stories into the 21st century. Much like the Bourne series, this one looks to be enjoyable.
Straightheads (2007)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0480011
AKA Closure. Violent and somewhat unrealistic story about revenge and recovery. Good performances undermined by bad dialogue and contrived situations.
Robocop (2014)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1234721
A decent remake. Where the original had a campy appeal, this new version is slick and actually somewhat believable, with update technology and much better acting.
April 30, 2014
A Three-fer: the Paradise Lost trilogy (1996-2012)
Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills (1996) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117293/
Paradise Lost 2: Revelations http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0239894/
Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2028530/
These excellent documentaries cover the West Memphis Three saga - three boys convicted (wrongly, as it turns out) for the murders of three other boys in 1993. The first and third films are the best, but the entire series is worth watching to get to know the people involved in the story.
The first film is extraordinary for its access to the people and material - unprecedented footage from the crime scene, the families, the courtroom and the suspects, including the lawyers conferences and meetings with their clients. Like any documentary film, it is not without bias, but it makes a compelling case for the defence.
The second film is necessary but not as compelling, ostensibly covering one of the many appeal hearings (but lacking the extraordinary access afforded to the first film) and taking the opportunity to revisit the scenes and some of the families. This instalment focuses too much IMHO on the one outspoken father, but covers some interesting interactions between him and the activist group working to free the boys.
The third film is perhaps the best (and if you only watch one, this should be it). This film covers the nearly 20-year history of the crime and the case, and catches up once more with the key players in the story. The filming is slicker than the first two - likely HBO at last realized they were on to something - and the access to people and locations, including the courtrooms, it back, providing the drama that was missing in the second film. The film concludes this story well, with the unfortunate acknowledgement that the case remains unsolved.
An interesting element that these films touch on but obviously can't investigate on their own is the influence of the film making on the events themselves. It is clear in all films that many of the people spoke and acted differently than they perhaps might have if there were no cameras on them. Would any of this have been different without the presence and investigations of the filmmakers? Clearly the films played a significant role in raising questions about and interest in the case; the activist groups point directly to their viewing of the first film as their impetus for getting involved. The question of, does study of an event change that event, is something that will likely continue.
Paradise Lost 2: Revelations http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0239894/
Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2028530/
These excellent documentaries cover the West Memphis Three saga - three boys convicted (wrongly, as it turns out) for the murders of three other boys in 1993. The first and third films are the best, but the entire series is worth watching to get to know the people involved in the story.
The first film is extraordinary for its access to the people and material - unprecedented footage from the crime scene, the families, the courtroom and the suspects, including the lawyers conferences and meetings with their clients. Like any documentary film, it is not without bias, but it makes a compelling case for the defence.
The second film is necessary but not as compelling, ostensibly covering one of the many appeal hearings (but lacking the extraordinary access afforded to the first film) and taking the opportunity to revisit the scenes and some of the families. This instalment focuses too much IMHO on the one outspoken father, but covers some interesting interactions between him and the activist group working to free the boys.
The third film is perhaps the best (and if you only watch one, this should be it). This film covers the nearly 20-year history of the crime and the case, and catches up once more with the key players in the story. The filming is slicker than the first two - likely HBO at last realized they were on to something - and the access to people and locations, including the courtrooms, it back, providing the drama that was missing in the second film. The film concludes this story well, with the unfortunate acknowledgement that the case remains unsolved.
An interesting element that these films touch on but obviously can't investigate on their own is the influence of the film making on the events themselves. It is clear in all films that many of the people spoke and acted differently than they perhaps might have if there were no cameras on them. Would any of this have been different without the presence and investigations of the filmmakers? Clearly the films played a significant role in raising questions about and interest in the case; the activist groups point directly to their viewing of the first film as their impetus for getting involved. The question of, does study of an event change that event, is something that will likely continue.
April 19, 2014
The Railway Man (2013)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2058107/
This was a good story given short shrift in this film. The male performances were all very good, and they did a great job casting the characters to match their real-life counterparts; however, I did feel Nicole Kidman was very weak in the role of Patti. The story and message of reconciliation are poignant, but the time period is much better represented in Empire of the Sun (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092965/) and the theme of reconciliation more completely told in Five Minutes of Heaven (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1238291/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_32).
This was a good story given short shrift in this film. The male performances were all very good, and they did a great job casting the characters to match their real-life counterparts; however, I did feel Nicole Kidman was very weak in the role of Patti. The story and message of reconciliation are poignant, but the time period is much better represented in Empire of the Sun (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092965/) and the theme of reconciliation more completely told in Five Minutes of Heaven (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1238291/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_32).
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