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Archive for the Drama Category

The Thin Red Line * * * * *

Posted in Drama, War with tags 1998 on January 28, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Terrence Malick.
Screenplay: Terrence Malick.
Starring: Sean Penn, Jim Caviezel, Nick Nolte, Elias Koteas, Ben Chaplin, Dash Mihok, Adrian Brody, John C. Reilly, John Cusack, Woody Harrelson, Jared Leto, Mirando Otto, Nick Stahl, Thomas Jane, John Savage, Kirk Acevado, Tim Blake Nelson, Mark Boone Junior, Don Harvey, Donal Logue, John Travolta, George Clooney.

After making “Badlands” in 1973 and “Days of Heaven” in 1978 (both to critical acclaim), Terrence Malick just disappeared from Hollywood but after 20 years and the masterpiece that is “The Thin Red Line”, it’s a real pleasure to have him back.

Based on the WWII novel of the same name by James Jones, the story isn’t linear but more fragmented and focusing on particular soldiers in the division of ‘Charlie Company’ and the struggle throughout their attempt to gain land against the Japanese at the island of Guadalcanal in 1943.

There is no main character, rather a collection of them, with their own personal philosophical ponderings and monologues on life, death, god, creation and the cruelty of nature which reflects their own struggle during the war and the brutality they have been thrust into. As Sean Penn’s weary Sgt. says: “What difference d’you think you can make? One man in all this madness?”, or Jim Caviezal’s ethereal Pvt: “Maybe all men got one big soul everybody’s a part of, all faces are the same man.” Even the likes of Gary Oldman, Viggo Mortensen and Mickey Rourke ended up on the cutting-room-floor and not getting a look-in with the impressive ensemble of actors. However, this is a film without any movie-stars, despite the names involved. John Travolta, John Cusack and George Clooney appear and disappear, reduced to mere cameo appearances and the likes of Adrian Brody and John C. Reilly hardly get a word to say. The cast alone shows the clout and attraction that Malick still has after being absent for decades. All these faces, among many others, coming and going all add to the confusion of war and several long, dialogue-free scenes, paint a dreamlike quality to the film. Malick is methodical in his direction but still very capable of handling explosive battle scenes and conveying the torture and terror of the soldiers’ suffering amongst the carnage, aided no end by John Toll’s gorgeous, visually striking cinematography.

This modern masterpiece was shamefully overlooked come award season and over-shadowed by “Saving Private Ryan” on it’s release – which is unfair, as they are very different films and this is just as good, if not better, than Spielberg’s take.

It’s a poetic war film, if that were ever possible. A rich, meditative and complete work of verbal and visual artistry. Simply superb.

Included in My Top Ten films.

Mark Walker

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The Crucible * * * *

Posted in Drama with tags 1996 on January 28, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Nicholas Hytner.
Screenplay: Arthur Miller.
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Winona Ryder, Joan Allen, Paul Scofield, Bruce Davison, Jeffrey Jones, Rob Campbell.

Who better to pen the script to a film version of the classic stage play, than the playwright himself, Arthur Miller?

Centered around the Salem Massachusetts witch trials of 1692, it tells the story of Abigail Williams (Winona Ryder), a young woman who is infatuated with local landowner John Proctor (Daniel Day-Lewis). They once had an illicit affair but when Proctor refuses any further contact, the jilted Abigail accuses Proctor’s wife Elizabeth (Joan Allen) of witchcraft, resulting in trials being held. Young Abigail is so convincing in her scornful lies, that it brings the whole town to ruin and under suspicion. With the arrival of Judge Danforth (Paul Scofield), determined to rid the town of evil forces, hangings of innocent people begin, prompting Proctor to face the lies he has told in order to save his friends and his wife.

Although loosely based on actual events it was also written by Miller as an allegory on Senator Joseph McCarthy and his “Communist witch hunts” of the 1950’s, that blacklisted artists and filmmakers for being “Un-American”. This included Miller’s one time friend and film director Elia Kazan, who went on to make “On the Waterfront” as a defence of his ‘naming names’ and a direct response to Miller’s play. It’s a powerful film with powerful performances. Not being overly keen on Winona Ryder, she is actually really good as the conniving and scorned Abigail. Joan Allen is absolutely solid as the seemingly stoic and reserved wife. Daniel Day-Lewis’ tormented Proctor is at first, slow-burning but once he realises the full extent of the injustices, his portrayal of a proud man torn apart by guilt is mesmerising, and the almost expressionless Paul Scofield seems to convey his character through his tone of voice, which is very powerful and, quite simply, a masterclass in acting.

It would make an interesting double bill with Kazan’s “On the Waterfront“. Both having entirely opposing messages and themes throughout and showing, quite clearly, what side of the fence they both sat on. Me?… I’m with Miller.

Mark Walker

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Broken Embraces * * * 1/2

Posted in Drama, Foreign Language, Mystery with tags 2009 on January 28, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Pedro Almodovar.
Screenplay: Pedro Almodovar.
Starring: Lluis Homar, Penelope Cruz, Blanco Portillo, Jose Luis Gomez, Tamar Novas, Angela Molina.

Director Pedro Almodovar yet again delivers what he does best. Another portrayal of human nature and the complexities of relationships.

Harry Caine (Lluis Homar) is a blind writer who, while being supported with his daily duties, agrees to help a young man with his idea for a book. In the process of helping him, he is forced to look back at his own life. Revealing that 14 years ago, he was in fact, renowned film director ‘Mateo Blanco’, who shared a passionate relationship with his leading actress ‘Lena’ (Penelope Cruz) that put both their lives in danger, and lead to tragedy and Harry’s blindness.

Almodovar returns with his muse, Penelope Cruz and his usual convoluted story arches as well as his eye for beautiful imagery. As ever, his direction is methodical and visually splendid and draws another fine performance from Cruz – who really seems to raise her game when working with him. It’s Lluis Homar who impresses most though. At just over two hours, it demands a level of commitment but, as ever, it’s rewarding. Teasingly, releasing pieces of the story bit by bit and delivering his usual dramatic revelations with ease.

It’s by no means his best but it’s another fine addition to Almodovar’s catalogue of high quality film making.

Mark Walker

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The Informant * * *

Posted in Comedy, Drama with tags 2009 on January 28, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Steven Soderbergh.
Screenplay: Scott Z. Burns.
Starring: Matt Damon, Scott Bakula, Thomas F. Wilson, Melanie Lynskey, Clancy Brown, Larry Clarke, Frank Welker.

Following the epic, political biopic “Che”, director Steven Soderbergh takes on another biopic, resulting in a strange little project for him and star Matt Damon.

Based on the real life events of Mark Whitacre (Damon), in the early 1990’s, who was the vice-president of agri-chemical firm ‘ADM’. Suffering from Bi-polar disorder and being highly convincing in his storytelling, he liaises with the FBI to root out a possible industrial spy in his workplace and then reveals that his employers are involved in a price-fixing cartel. The FBI take a massive interest and have Mark gathering evidence and wearing wires to bring his employers down. The problem is though, is that Whitacre also seems to be a compulsive liar and gradually reveals his own involvement in the embezzlement schemes.

A bizarre change of pace for Soderbergh and very unlike anything he has done before. As much as it was a fine attempt, I wasnt entirely convinced. I didn’t feel that the tone was right. I could see that Soderbergh was going for the absurdity in the situation but it could maybe have been a better film, had he played it straight and decided on some tension. However, given the facts, this story may have been difficult to take seriously. The whole film has the look of a comedy but with very few laughs. The overuse of dramatic music at sporadic moments is off-putting and after the first couple of times, with the novelty wearing off, it becomes intrusive and unnecessary. Damon is perfectly cast-against-type in the role of Whitacre, complete with dodgy ‘tache and hair-do. Despite being quite irritating, he’s highly entertaining and his recurrent voice-over throughout, is both humorous and informative. It’s a performance that’s worthy of attention and kept my interest until the end, which did seem a liitle far off at times.

Although interesting, it’s not an entirely succesful change of direction for Soderbergh, but it’s a terrific turn from Damon.

Mark Walker

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The Illusionist * * * 1/2

Posted in Animation, Comedy, Drama with tags 2010 on January 28, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Sylvain Chomet.
Screenplay: Sylvain Chomet.
Voices: Jean-Claude Donda, Eilidh Rankin, Duncan MacNeil, Tom Urie.

A few years ago there was “Paris, Je T’aime” and more recently “New York, I love you”, both films celebrating the culture and essence of these great cities. With this follow-up to his animated film “Belleville Rendez-vous”, French director Sylvain Chomet, could easily re-title this…”Edinburgh, Je T’aime”. It is a painstakingly hand-drawn animation of Scotland’s capital city (where Chomet now lives) and so vast in it’s detail that only someone who knows and loves the city could capture.

Based on an incomplete script by French comedian Jacques Tati, it tells the story of ‘The Great Tatischeff’, an illusionist who is scraping up a living by doing his magic tricks in the old music halls of France and England. His profession is not in demand anymore and he eventually travels to the Scottish islands for another rare paid job, where he meets a girl called Alice. She is amazed by his abilities and follows him to Edinburgh where they explore the wonders of the city together.

It’s such a treat to get hand-drawn animation these days and with “The Secret of Kells” also released, we have been treated to two fantastic animations in one year. However, on both occasions the stories have not been up to scratch. “The Illusionist” only lasts for approx 1hr 25mins but as it’s mainly dialogue free, it seems a lot longer. Don’t get me wrong, the animation is absolutely beautiful and the city of Edinburgh is hand painted to perfection that you could say that, the city itself, is the main character in this story but it’s hard to maintain your interest for the entire length of the film when there’s not a lot happening. Visuals can only work so long and it also doesn’t fully explain the motivation behind the two main characters. We are left as bewildered and meandering as them, with their French and Scots Gaelic language barriers. It’s a real shame, as I’d really like to give this film top marks but the narrative let’s it down. The hand-drawn animation is something to behold though, and it definitely deserves top marks in that department.

Chomet has delivered a deeply melancholy little film about the demise of vaudevillian entertaiment, in visually splendid style. Unfortunately, it lacks a narrative drive but like the protaganist in his profession, it has a few things up it’s sleeve.

Mark Walker

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The Town * * * *

Posted in Action, Drama, thriller with tags 2010 on January 28, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Ben Affleck.
Screenplay: Ben Affleck, Peter Craig, Aaron Stockard.
Starring: Ben Affleck, Jeremy Renner, Jon Hamm, Rebecca Hall, Blake Lively, Pete Postlethwaite, Chris Cooper, Titus Welliver, Slaine, Owen Burke.

After his excellent directorial debut “Gone Baby Gone”, Ben Affleck then had the pressure of fulfilling his potential with the tricky second feature syndrome but with “The Town” he proves that he’s no flash-in-the-pan behind the camera.

Based on the novel “Prince of Thieves” by Chuck Hogan, it follows professional thief Doug MacRay (Affleck) and his crew after a bank heist, where the bank manager, Claire Keesey (Rebecca Hall) may be a potential witness against them. Just to be sure, MacRay keeps tabs on her, resulting in them developing a romantic relationship and putting himself and his crew in even more danger. Meanwhile, MacRay’s hot-headed friend Jem (Jeremy Renner) shows his disapproval and F.B.I agent Adam Frawley (Jon Hamm) closes in on them.

The story is nothing new and has shades of Michael Mann’s “Heat” and Kathryn Bigelow’s “Point Break” coursing through it’s veins. However, Affleck still manages to make the film his own. He shows his knowledge of the neighbourhood with excellent use of Boston locations and employs a fine supporting cast. Jeremy Renner channels another wild man performance that got him a Oscar nomination for “The Hurt Locker” and Jon Hamm effortlessly crosses over from TV’s “Mad Men”, this time playing a ruthless and driven F.B.I agent, hot on the gangs heals. Affleck himself, is also really rather good. I’m not his biggest fan but he has a brooding, cold and calculated presence and next to Renner’s unpredictable hot-head, he never looks shaken or concerned by his friend’s dangerous behaviour. There’s no doubt that he’s in charge.
Much like “Gone Baby Gone”, Affleck shows his film to have substance. He gives his characters and actors time to establish themselves and you get the feeling that he’s not cutting corners. Its a solid piece of work and I shall watch with anticipation for the next time he’s calling the shots.

Its not as grand or as flamboyant as “Heat” but more a grittier look at the working-class criminal lifestyle.

Mark Walker

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Mr. Nobody * * * *

Posted in Drama, Fantasy, Science Fiction with tags 2009 on January 28, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Jaco Van Dormael.
Screenplay: Jaco Van Dormael.
Starring: Jared Leto, Sarah Polley, Diane Kruger, Rhys Ifans, Linh-Dan Pham, Natasha Little, Toby Regbo, Juno Temple, Daniel Mays.

Little known Belgian director Jaco Van Dormael – in only his third film in almost 20years – tackles the bigger conundrums of life, in the nature of existence, love and the life force surrounding us all.

It tells the story of ‘Nemo’ (Jared Leto) the only human being left on the planet, that will die naturally, in the year 2092. Now 118years old, he is on his deathbed and relaying his life story to a young journalist. He goes back to when he was a young boy and forced to choose between his parents when they got divorced. Not happy with being put in that position, he chose both. This resulted in opening up alternate realities and infinite possibilities as we follow Nemo through the numerous choices he made (and didn’t make) throughout his life.

Parts of the constantly changing realities are told from a childs eyes like Van Dormael’s superb debut “Toto the Hero” and full of visual flair and wonder. This is a highly creative European director making his craft more accessible to a wider audience. I just hope that a wider audience pays attention. The film is rich in it’s vibrancy and imagination and you dont get much more ambitious than tackling Chaos Theory, String Theory and the Butterfly Effect. Analysing the choices one makes in life and the eternal rippling effect it has; creating alternate realities and what could have beens; entropy and the randomness of our existence. Posing the question as to whether it matters in what we choose in life, as the other possibilities are just as valid and important.

I could quite easily give this five stars for it’s sheer beauty and ambition but as I drifted a little throughout, due to it being slightly overlong, I’ve decided on my current rating. That is, until such times as I see it again. Then again, maybe I’ve seen enough to formulate my opinion but only time will tell, and time after all, is relative.

If invested in, its very rewarding.

Mark Walker

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Funny Games * * * * 1/2

Posted in Crime, Drama, thriller with tags 2007 on January 28, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Michael Haneke.
Screenplay: Michael Haneke.
Starring: Naomi Watts, Michael Pitt, Brady Corbet, Tim Roth, Devon Gearhart.

Admittedly, I haven’t seen Michael Haneke’s 1998 original Austrian version, but then nor did many people, hence the reason he has made an almost scene-for-scene remake. This time hoping to reach it’s target audience.

While spending time at their holiday home, middle-class couple Ann and George Farber (Naomi Watts and Tim Roth) and their son Georgie (Devon Gearhart) are visited by a young stranger (Brady Corbet), who seemingly only wants to borrow some eggs. He is then joined by a friend (Michael Pitt) and together they physically and psychologically terrorise the family, giving them until the next day to somehow survive the torment.

Aimed at America and it’s ‘torture porn’ obsession with violence. It also exposes the gaping holes in society and the classes. Despite it containing very little on-screen physical violence, the psychological side to this film is exhaustive and leaves you feeling drained and disturbed. I’m curious as to how the original plays out but can it really be any better than this? This is frayed fingernail stuff with an outstanding performance from Naomi Watts. That gal can emote and expose her frailty better than any actress around at present. To capture a person writhing in pain, look no further than Tim Roth (see also Reservoir Dogs). However, I’ve never entirely been convinced by him in the past, and I’m still not. He seems to try very hard but doesn’t quite cut it for me and is completely outshone by everyone around him here, with Michael Pitt and Brady Corbet putting in astonishingly good shows as the evil young sociopaths. Director Michael Haneke shows the mark of a very fine film-maker at top of his game and confident in his abilities to remake his own film. It may not suit everyone and some people may even find it distasteful but thats the whole point and I for one, absolutely loved it. Sometimes, a film can sneak up on you without you having any preconceived ideas or expectations from it and really make an impact. Of recent times, this along with “Children of Men” is one of those films. I went into it expecting nothing and came out of it with everything.

It’s a deeply disturbing and haunting experience but a riveting and unconventional one, that stays with you long after it’s over.

Mark Walker

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The Matador * * 1/2

Posted in Comedy, Drama, thriller with tags 2005 on January 28, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Richard Shepard.
Screenplay: Richard Shepard.
Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Greg Kinnear, Hope Davis, Philip Baker Hall, Dylan Baker, Adam Scott.

I’m not quite sure why I even watched this film as I’m adverse to torturing myself, watching Pierce Brosnan. However, his role is very different from anything he’s done before so thought I’d give it a go.

Julian Noble (Brosnan) is a freelance hitman who is past his best and going through a mid-life crisis. Needless to say, this is starting to affect his duties and making his powerful and dangerous employers very nervous. He can still bump someone off with great skill but realises he wants more from life. When he meets travelling salesman Danny Wright (Greg Kinnear), an ordinary guy striving to make a living, a friendship grows between them. A friendship, that Julian has never had before but also doesn’t really know what to do with, considering there has been a lack of human contact throughout his life.

This is a film that relies on the opposites of it’s characters and for the most part it works. Brosnan falters on the odd occasion though and fails to deliver some very witty dialogue with the right tone, but on the whole, he puts in an enjoyable performance, from what is probably the finest role he’s ever had. The scene where he strolls through the hotel lobby in his winklepicker boots and speedos is priceless and shows the commitment he has for shuffling off the role of ‘007’. This particular scene is a standout and there are a few like it but overall it’s slightly uneven in tone, shifting from humour to pathos, not entirely convincingly and can’t quite decide what it wants to be.

Thanks to the two leads though, it’s kept ticking over nicely enough to keep you entertained.

Mark Walker

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The Social Network * * *

Posted in Biography, Drama with tags 2010 on January 28, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: David Fincher.
Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin.
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer, Max Minghella, Rooney Mara, Josh Pence, John Getz, Douglas Urbanski, Joseph Mazzello.

After the whimsical and slightly disappointing “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”, David Fincher attempts another change of direction. However, It’s yet again, a surprising and not entirely successful choice of film from him.

In an act of revenge after being dumped by his girlfriend, Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) hacks into all the local college computers and writes a scathing blog about her and exposes her to everyone. People seem to love it and the site becomes very popular, so Zuckerberg develops plans for a social network site called ‘The Facebook’, which becomes a near-overnight success. As ‘The Facebook’ grows Zuckerberg soon finds himself being the worlds youngest billionaire but drifts away from his best friend and business partner while infuriating a pair of jocks who claim he has stolen their idea, resulting in law suits and legal battles.

Fincher forte is doing dark and I suppose in some ways this is just that, considering it captures the egotistical and greed fuelled invention of the world wide, social networking site “Facebook”. It’s just that his trademark style, seems to be absent. This could quite easily have been directed by someone other than the man that brought us “Se7en” or “Fight Club” as it mostly deals with the legal wranglings of Zuckerberg’s monetary compensation to friends and colleagues who claim the site was their idea. It’s long and it’s talky, if your not paying attention to the almost constant flow of dialogue, the film will leave you behind.
The story is interesting enough but lacked any real depth and I don’t really think it merited a film about it, certainly not so soon after the events. The real life characters are not really a bunch of folk I’d enjoy spending time with either, even from the comfort of my own home. That being said, the solid direction from Fincher and fine performances, particularly Jesse Eisenberg as the confilcted genius Zuckerberg and surprisingly, Justin Timberlake as fast talking “Napster” inventor Sean Parker, keep it ticking along, all-be-it, with some slight buffering.

I “like” it, but I wouldn’t “add as a friend”.

Mark Walker

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w Delta z (The Killing Gene) * *

Posted in Drama, Horror, Mystery, thriller with tags 2007 on January 28, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Tom Shankland.
Screenplay: Clive Bradley.
Starring: Stellan Skarsgard, Melissa George, Selma Blair, Tom Hardy, Sally Hawkins, Paul Kaye, Lauren Hood, Barbara Adair, Ashley Walters.

This film has, deceivingly, been pitched as “Saw” by way of “Se7en”. Firstly, it doesn’t have the originality of the first “Saw” installment and secondly, it is by no means, anywhere near as good as “Se7en”.

New York cops Eddie Argo (Stellan Skarsgard) and Helen Westcott (Melissa George) investigate a series of bizarre murders in which innocents are tortured in front of guilty loved ones who could (but don’t) volunteer to die in their place.

The fact that it’s a serial killer yarn is frankly, the only comparison that can be made with the films mentioned above. It has the atmosphere in abundance, looking very gritty and dangerous but all it achieves in doing, is reminding you that graphic violence in films is completely unnecessary, if the script is in place beforehand. Which this just doesn’t have. It strings us along with the old who-done-it? storyline but after half an hour of it’s nasty attitude and having a lack of identity with the characters, I couldn’t care less who done what, or why, when, or how. All I was aware of was that I couldn’t give a shit if any of them sneezed and their heads fell off. A shame really, as it uses a philsophical question as a good narrative tool. Asking “does altruism exist in nature?” In dealing with altruism it should have shown some of it’s own and saved us from this abusive assault. However, a short appearance from the very talented Tom Hardy and Stellan Skarsgard getting the lead role for a change, are plus points.

A film that really looks the part but leaves a rotten aftertaste and ultimately falls into torture-porn category.

Mark Walker

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Miami Vice * *

Posted in Action, Drama, thriller with tags 2006 on January 27, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Michael Mann.
Screenplay: Michael Mann.
Starring: Colin Farrell, Jamie Foxx, Ciaran Hinds, Gong Li, Barry Shabaka Henley, Justin Theroux, Naomie Harris, Luis Tosar, John Ortiz, Eddie Marsan, Isaach De Bankole, John Hawkes, Oleg Taktarov, Tom Towles, Tony Curran, Kristen Stewart.

Director Michael Mann does a retread and modern film version of his highly successful 1980’s television series and despite his calibre, this turns out to be just like all the other poor makeovers of hit TV shows.

Detectives Sonny Crockett (Colin Farrell) and Ricardo Tubbs (Jamie Foxx) work undercover investigating narcotics-smuggling in Florida. But when Crockett falls for the beautiful wife (Gong Li) of a powerful arms and drugs trafficker, and Tubbs’ loved ones come under threat, their personal and professional lives start to mesh together.

Much like “Heat” and “The Insider”, with similiar wonderful cinematography (complete with intense close-ups and methodical pace), giving the impression that we’re involved in the action. Problem is though, the action is not exciting enough. It’s too slow. Far too slow. This had real potential and from the beginning it looks like we’re going to be treated to another classic like the previous films mentioned but the normally reliable Michael Mann (especially in this genre) delivers a damp squib. Foxx and Farrell make a great Tubbs and Crocket, full of style and intensity but they’re left to basically wander around for over two hours, looking mean, tanned and brooding. The editing and camerawork are excellent in capturing the urban landscape of Miami but it’s not enough. It is without doubt, all style and no substance. All buck and no bang and definitely no bark OR bite. It took me three attempts to get through it, without falling asleep and that’s just not what you expect with the style and excitement of a usually on-form Michael Mann.

A massive let down. Mann can do much better than this, with the most impressive thing about it being how Farrell managed to get away with successfully sporting a mullet and handlebar ‘tashe. Not an easy combination and more impressive than the film itself.

Mark Walker

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In Bruges * * * 1/2

Posted in Comedy, Crime, Drama with tags 2008 on January 27, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Martin McDonagh.
Screenplay: Martin McDonagh.
Starring: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes, Clemence Poesy, Jordan Prentice, Jeremie Renier, Zeljko Ivanek, Thekla Rueten, Eric Godon, Matt Smith, Ciaran Hinds.

After winning an Oscar for his short film “Six Shooter”, director Martin McDonagh’s first feature length dares to combine a crime thriller with comedy and the results are surprisingly good.

Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson), are two Irish hitmen, laying low in the medieval Belgian town of ‘Bruges’ to evade the police after a botched job back home. While awaiting instructions from their furious boss Harry (Ralph Fiennes), they take in the sights of the town and Ken braces himself for bad news as Ray stuggles with his conscience.

It’s no easy task to mix genres and manage to pull it off but McDonagh has done an admirable job and that’s party due to the fact that he doesn’t seem to care who he offends, in order to wring out the laughs. The main source, being a lack of political correctness with Farrell’s character Ray and his opinion and choice of words when addressing the fact that Jimmy (Jordan Prentice) is a dwarf. He never seems to say the right thing, due to ignorance, but there’s no denying it provides the goods and Prentice is a good sport for being in on the joke. However, some of the jokes are strained and contrary to other opinions, I think Farrell struggles with the delivery of the humour at times and shows some signs of overacting. This is certainly not the case with Gleeson though. He’s as solid as usual and plays the straight-man to Farrell’s fool. The star of the show for me though, was Ralph Fiennes. It’s been said before but his performance is definitely reminiscent of Ben Kingsley in “Sexy Beast” but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. He’s foul mouthed, volatile and completely unhinged but it’s hilarious to watch and it looked like Fiennes had a lot of fun with the role. The town of Bruges itself, is also a character, looming around the actors, looking ominously gothic and steeped in history. Wisely, McDonagh chooses to use it well and give the audience a tour of it and Cinematographer Eigil Bryld deserves special mention for his work here, in capturing it’s medieval beauty.

An impressive and unexpected delight from all involved, with good chemistry from the actors and darkly comic, razor sharp dialogue. Worth visiting.

Mark Walker

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The Fox And The Child * * *

Posted in Drama, Family with tags 2007 on January 27, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Luc Jacquet.
Screenplay: Luc Jacquet, Eric Rognard.
Narrated by: Kate Winslet.
Starring: Bertille Noel-Bruneau, Isabelle Carre, Thomas Laliberte, Camille Lambert.

His previous film “March of The Penguins” was an impressive nature programme, on a par with David Attenborough. This time director Luc Jacquet attempts more of the same but combines the nature side with a fictional fairy-tale narrative.

It tells the very basic story of a little girl living ruraly who befriends a fox. At first, the relationship between them is obviously strained but they grow to trust one another and strike up a real heartfelt affinity.

Jacquet’s follow-up to his very successful first outing definitely has similair visual splendor and some very impressive interactive footage of the little girl and the fox. However, the story is whimsical and the little girl becomes quite frustrating in her stupidity in attempting to domesticate the wild animal. Kate Winslet’s VoiceOver is a tad on the twee side also and becomes too sugary sweet. The visuals are excellent though, with some stunning cinematography and beautiful landscapes and even if its not an entirely successful amalgamation, it’s still a fine attempt at one.

Childish but charming.

Mark Walker

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A Prophet * * * *

Posted in Crime, Drama, Foreign Language with tags 2009 on January 27, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Jacques Audiard.
Screenplay: Jacques Audiard, Thomas Binegain.
Starring: Tahir Rahim, Niels Arestrup, Adel Bencherif, Hichem Yacoubi, Reda Kateb, Jean-Philippe Ricci, Gilles Cohn, Antoine Basler.

Director Jacques Audiard’s last criminal outing was “The Beat That My Heart Skipped”, a remake of the 1978 film “Fingers”, about a petty hood who has dreams of being a concert pianist. This time he tackles the story of a petty hood trying to survive a French correctional facility.

Sent down for six years for an unspecified crime, illiterate French-Arab teen Malik El Djebena (Tahar Rahim) is initiated into the prison’s criminal underworld. A fast learner, he soon starts to plot his rapid ascendancy through the violent and brutal hierarchy of his fellow inmates to become a formidable player and slowly builds a criminal empire of his own.

This is an unrelenting and savage look at the French penal system and the visciousness involved in just getting through each day. Hardly ever off screen, it boasts an excellent and charismatic lead performance from Tahar Rahim as the young inauspicious protaganist. He’s entirely convincing in his tranformation and growth from nervous petty criminal to confident and brutal mastermind and is aided with fine support from Niels Arestrup as his menacing patriarchal boss. The problem I found with it though, was it’s length. At well over 2 hours, the rigourousness is relentless and despite it magnificently capturing the grim surroundings of the prison, it’s ultimately confined – for most of the film – like it’s characters and unable to offer anything new from it’s concrete hell, that hasn’t already been done before. I also struggled to see the point of Malik’s prophetic gift. It gave no explanation for his sporadic prophetic visions and added very little to the story – despite it also assuming the title of the film. It could quite easily have been left out altogether. However, these are minor gripes and I probably wouldn’t mention them if this film wasn’t being hailed as a masterpiece. It’s not, but it’s still a film of real quality and packed full of tense, dangerous and claustraphobic moments.

Despite feeling like I was doing a little time myself towards the end, this is still a very accomplished and ferocious crime film.

Mark Walker

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127 Hours * * * 1/2

Posted in Adventure, Biography, Drama with tags 2010 on January 26, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Danny Boyle.
Screenplay: Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy.
Starring: James Franco, Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara, Clemence Poesy, Kate Burton, Lizzy Caplan, Sean A. Bott, Treat Williams.

After bagging a surprising best director Oscar for “Slumdog Millionaire”, Danny Boyle’s next project was always going to gather some anticipation. Wisely, Boyle didn’t go for anything too big but he could maybe have set his sights just a little higher than this.

Based on the true story of professional adventurer Aron Ralston (James Franco) who, while hiking in the mountains of Utah, falls into a crevice, where his right arm is crushed and trapped by a boulder. Faced with impending death, Ralston slowly realises he needs to make some difficult choices.

During our introduction to Ralston, riding through the desert on a bicycle, there is no mistaking that he is a thrill seeker with infectious enthusiasm and Boyle’s kinetic, energised direction does well to capture this. It has the same vibrancy shown in “Trainspotting” and “Slumdog Millionaire” and the same eye for the landscape as “The Beach”. Using a mixture of Aron’s video diaries and his fantasies and memories we live through the daily torment and ordeal with him, as well as hallucinations and desperation taking hold. Again, good narrative devices used by Boyle. Franco puts in a good one man show, going through a mixture of emotions; from shock through anger and disillusionment to the eventual acceptance of his predicament. A remarkable true story of one mans determination to survive at any cost and Boyle does well to keep the film flowing despite it being contained in the one place for an hour and a half. However, as much as this is impressively done, it’s also somewhat hollow and uneventful. I won’t give anything away but if you’re aware of the story about Ralston, it’s almost like treading water until your told what you already know. This gives it an air of vacuousness and serves no other purpose than being a warning about going out to play by yourself.

This is a film with loads of talent involved. Franco’s performance is captivating and Boyle’s direction is flawless but although I can’t criticise, I also can’t sing too many praises either.

Mark Walker

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Black Swan * * * *

Posted in Drama, Mystery, thriller with tags 2010 on January 26, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Darren Aronofsky.
Screenplay: Mark Heyman, Andres Heinz, John McLaughlin.
Starring: Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, Barbara Hershey, Mila Kunis, Winona Ryder, Benjamin Millepied, Ksenia Solo, Janet Montgomery, Sebastian Stan, Mark Morgolis, Tina Sloan.

Director Darren Aronofsky follows up the sweaty gyms and rings of 2008’s “The Wrestler” with another bleak character study. This time focusing on the dance halls, stages and equally competetive nature of Ballet.

Fragile dancer Nina (Natalie Portman) lives a sheltered, ballet-obsessed life with her over-protective, ex-ballerina mother (Barbara Hershey). When Nina is promoted to prima for a new production of Swan Lake, her director, Thomas (Vincent Cassel), urges her to explore her dark side so that she can better embody the dual role of the Swan Queen and the Black Swan. This, combined with her concern over the ambitions of a new arrival at the company, Lily (Mila Kunis), pushes Nina towards breaking point.

Ballet has always been something I have found to be impressive but not entirely appealing or dramatic. That is, until now, with this very dark and gripping psychological horror. Comparisons with Aronofsky’s “The Wrestler” will no doubt be made, as both films focus on the struggle of their protanganists’ chosen careers. What is also comparable is the tour de force performances from both lead actors. Like Mickey Rourke in “The Wrestler”, Natalie Portman’s Oscar winning performance is nothing short of superb. At first, childlike and innocent before transforming into a ruthlessly dark woman, combining commited ambition and fragility with ease. The most obvious tool in conveying conflict within a person is their own reflection and Aronofsky’s use of mirrors here, is excellent. Never overused, just lurking in the backround, exposing the frailty and duality in the character and also deliberately blurring the line between fantasy and reality. His direction is flawless, keeping us close to the action throughout, with very close camerawork and drawing fantastic performances from all his actors. Vincent Cassel oozes confidence and charisma and Barbara Hershey as the controlling mother is especially good and eerily sinister. The ballet scenes are fantastically shot, allowing the tension and melodrama of the plot to unfold – as it rightly should – on stage and delivers a visually splendid punch at just the right time.

Another triumph by Aronofsky and very reflective of Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” and Portman’s character… dark yet beautiful.

Mark Walker

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Leaves Of Grass * 1/2

Posted in Comedy, Drama with tags 2009 on January 26, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Tim Blake Nelson.
Screenplay: Tim Blake Nelson.
Starring: Edward Norton, Susan Sarandon, Keri Russell, Tim Blake Nelson, Josh Pais, Melanie Lynskey, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Ty Burrell, Steve Earle, Richard Dreyfuss.

The last time Edward Norton shifted between characters, showing his range, was in his film debut “Primal Fear”, gathering him an Oscar nomination and catapulting him to stardom. Here, he does similiar work, but the result this time, is a very mixed bag.

Bill Kincaid (Norton) is a respected philosophy professor, who has also been invited to join a law firm using his philosophical teachings. Before that happens though, he recieves a call informing him that his twin brother Brady (Norton again) has been killed. Lured back to his hometown of Oklahoma, Bill soons realises that Brady is alive and well and that he’s been fooled into his brothers involvement with growing marijuana and taking on a local criminal (Richard Dreyfuss).

Maybe working with the Coen brothers (on “O Brother Where Art Thou?”) has lead director/writer/actor Tim Blake Nelson into a false sense of security in his talents and delusions of granduer. It seems as though it’s the Coens’ effortless, genre blending skills he’s trying to emulate here but he simply doesn’t have their finesse. This is an uneven mish-mash of ideas with gaping holes in the plot and extreme changes in tone, shifting from a humourous approach to downright nasty and violent. It doesn’t get the balance right at all and might well have worked better had it decided what it wanted to be. Instead, it meanders, playing unsuccessfully with genres and only marginally keeping your interest with the impressive actors on screen. A real shame despite the talent involved. Norton and Susan Sarandon (who plays his mother) are two of my favourites. Nelson is always good support and also seems to have a good grasp of philosophy, but this time around I can only assume that the studio got their hands on this one, cutting it to shreds. Otherwise, it’s been a big mistake by all involved.

Its fairly appealling to watch Norton play off himself but he’s been much better before and the script seriously let’s his efforts down. A philosophical, hydroponic mess.

Mark Walker

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Stone * * 1/2

Posted in Drama with tags 2010 on January 26, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: John Curran.
Screenplay: Angus MacLauchlan.
Starring: Robert DeNiro, Edward Norton, Milla Jovovich, Francis Conroy, Enver Gjokaj, Pepper Binkley.

It’s a real shame that the great Robert DeNiro is starting to show his age, as their are very few roles out there that seem to suit him anymore. That’s not to say that he’s not good in this. He is, but I couldn’t help wondering what he could have done with Edward Norton’s role when he was in his prime.

Jack Mabry (DeNiro) is a parole officer in a state prison who is handed the case of Gerald “Stone” Creeson (Edward Norton), a prisoner who has served 8years for arson and the death of his grandparents. With the decision now left with Mabry as to whether he is for suitable release, Creeson convinces his wife (Milla Jovovich), on the outside, to seduce and manipulate the parole officer and hopefully aide his freedom.

It’s a pleasure to watch two of the finest actors of their generation put in great performances. However, the material they have at their disposal, sadly, isn’t up to standard. It starts very promising, shapes up to a fine menage-a-trois thriller midway, then suddenly goes flat and never really recovers. It tries, but once it decends into spirituality it loses itself. The two leads make the most of it and it’s excellent to see them sparring again after “The Score” – their first collaboration in 2001- which, for that matter, was also disappointing.

It has it’s moments but ultimately it’s a wasted opportunity, with two masterful actors who are the only ones keeping this from sinking like a ‘stone’.

Mark Walker

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Valhalla Rising * 1/2

Posted in Action, Drama, History with tags 2009 on January 26, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn.
Screenplay: Nicolas Winding Refn, Roy Jacobsen.
Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Maarten Stevenson, Gary Lewis, Alexander Morton, Stewart Porter, Gary McCormack, Gordon Brown, Andrew Flanagan, Jamie Sives, Ewan Stewart.

Director Nicolas Winding Refn has gained a bit of a cult following after his previous film “Bronson”, about Britain’s most notorious and violent prisoner. Now he gives another portrayal of a violent prisoner, in this art-house, ethnographic, dreamlike film.

A thousand years ago, ‘One-Eye’ (Mads Mikkelsen), an enigmatic, mute warrior-slave, is freed from captivity and falls in with a party of Christian Vikings who set out for the Holy Land but cross the wrong sea, reaching a vast, overwhelming land with potentially hostile inhabitants.

This is a film that’s guaranteed to split audiences as it’s definitely not for all tastes. It’s a spiritual Viking film with a ghostly atmosphere permeating throughout and sudden bursts of graphic violence. It also has a highly effective meditative pace an ethereal feel but I struggled to find anything meaningful and seriously considered whether any of the actors knew what was going on either. They looked just as lost and bewildered as I did. Yes, it has shades of Werner Herzog and Terrence Malick but it’s not quite as accessible as those directors. Winding Refn certainly makes it look the part though. The cinematography is gorgeous with wonderfully captured Scottish landscapes and every frame is a work of art but it left me feeling like I do about ‘modern art’, which is… Blah – pompous and pretentious claptrap. What I found most intriguing was how the actors could walk around the Scottish highlands, battling the elements without as much as a decent raincoat on. That’s not an easy thing to do… I’m impressed.

There’s no denying it’s hallucinatory beauty and must admit that it lingered long after it finished, but really, for me, it’s Valhalla Shmalhalla.

Mark Walker