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Surveillance * * * 1/2

Posted in Crime, Mystery, thriller with tags 2008 on January 30, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Jennifer Chambers Lynch.
Screenplay: Jennifer Chambers Lynch, Kent Harper.
Starring: Julia Ormond, Bill Pullman, Pell James, Ryan Simpkins, Cheri Oteri, Michael Ironside, French Stewart, Kent Harper, Caroline Aaron, Gill Gayle, Hugh Dillon.

Jennifer Chambers Lynch (daughter of the great trancendental David Lynch) made her directorial debut in 1993 with “Boxing Helena”. That film received some scathing reviews and if my memory serves it was an absolute turkey. However, this second shot at directing is a vast improvement.

Hunting a vicious serial killer, FBI agents Hallaway (Bill Pullman) and Anderson (Julia Ormond) pitch up at a police station to question three survivors and the cops who saved them. But with the stories failing to match up, can anyone be trusted – and is anybody safe?

You can tell that Jennifer Lynch’s auteur filmmaker father has had a heavy influence on his daughter. She employs a similiar eerie atmosphere; similiar characters with odd, unexplained behaviour and similar small, remote american settings like “Twin Peaks”, or “Wild at Heart”. Although she’s still a far cry from the genius or intelligence of her father, she can be proud of what she’s crafted with this one. The performances are spot on from a cast that has obviously put their trust in their director and Lynch’s visual style complements the cast. It’s not without it’s flaws however, and sometimes verges on implausibility but I really liked it. Certainly not for all tastes but it’s very effective and disturbing feeling of dread lingers long after viewing it. The fact that it’s set in a deserted rural American town adds to the lonliness and fear from the characters and the audience.

In only her second film, it looks like Jennifer Lynch still has a bit to learn but with this unusual serial-killer thriller it looks like she may still have something to offer, despite living in her fathers shadow.

Mark Walker

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The Girl Who Played With Fire * * * *

Posted in Crime, Foreign Language, Mystery, thriller with tags 2009 on January 29, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Daniel Alfredson.
Screenplay: Jonas Frykberg.
Starring: Noomi Rapace, Michael Nyqvist, Lena Endre, Peter Andersson, Yohan Kylén, Yasmine Garbi, Paolo Roberto, Georgi Staykov, Mikael Spreitz, Per Oscarsson, Hans-Christian Thulin.

Second installments of a trilogy have a history of being just the midriff of the story. They tend to lack the essential elements of coherence. No real beginning and no real end is the common problem. This has a few snags like that but it’s still a solid enough follow up.

Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) returns to Sweden, becomes a suspect in three murders and goes on the run. Journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist) is sure Lisbeth is innocent, but realises she is being pursued by dangerous criminals who have a connection to her troubled past.

Not as gripping as the first, (which is mainly down to the investigation, it doesn’t have the hook the first one had). What it does have in it’s favour though, is the backstory of Lisbeth. We learn a bit more of her motivation and what her history has done to shape her character. Blomkvist doesn’t really contribute very much this time around, mainly just providing support and keeping the flag flying as a decent male character. This second installment is not afforded the same time as the first. It doesn’t develop the characters or story in the same way and as a result it seems rushed, as if director Daniel Alfredson was eager to get onto the third part. Like all middle segments, it’s stutters. Having a change of director can sometimes be a hindrance also, as is, the lack of any proper conclusion. However, it still grips and a major plus is having Lisbeth as the main focus this time, with Noomi Rapace once again a joy to watch, when handing out her form of tough justice on some unsavoury menfolk.

It was always going to be a hard task to emulate the first part, but the additional interesting characters add much more to the story in terms of Lisbeth’s history, preventing it from being just another mid-section.

Mark Walker

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The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest * * * *

Posted in Crime, Drama, Foreign Language, thriller with tags 2009 on January 29, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Daniel Alfredson.
Screenplay: Ulf Ryberg.
Starring: Michael Nyqvist, Noomi Rapace, Lena Endre, Annika Hallin, Jacob Ericksson, Sofia Ledarp, Anders Ahlbom Rosendahl, Mikael Spreitz, Georgi Staykov.

Stieg Larsson’s “Millenium trilogy” draws to a close with this third and final installment and after amassing a collective running time of nearly 7 hours, it still grips like a vice.

Outlaw hacker Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) awaits trial for attempted murder. Journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist) gathers evidence about her tragic past to help her case. A Swedish intelligence agency wants her silenced and her maniacal half-brother (Mikael Spreitz) wants her dead.

What with the mystery of the first installment and the action of the second, now we are given the talky final act. The cover-up of all the past scandals and indescretions and justice handed out in legal forms. Daniel Alfredson once again takes the directorial reins after the Second film. This time though, he’s learned his lesson about pace. It’s not as rushed, preferring instead, the slow investigative pace from the first film. Once again, the hook isn’t as good but the tension builds slowly and assuredly as we learn the eventual fate of Lisbeth. Like the second also, Lisbeth and Blomkvist’s relationship is very distant. They share very little screen time and whenever they do, it is strained and awkward. Blomkvist’s love unrequited. Lisbeth is less active this time. She is mainly bed ridden and displays very little in her communication with everyone around her. This however, proves to be just another master stroke in her battle for survival. On the surface, it seems that Noomi Rapace has less to work with, now that her strong-willed character has been seriously wounded. Nevertheless, when you watch the ever so subtle facial expressions from her, as she tries to remain stoic, you realise how much of a wonderfully reserved performance she puts in. With less dialogue, it’s probably her finest display from all three films. Although this is an altogether more solid narrative than the second, some parts feel rushed and some questions are left unanswered. Still, it’s a very fine trilogy and the characters inhabit a world – although not altogether pleasant – that’s been a gruelling yet rewarding experience.

If the Americans (or director David Fincher to be precise) can capture half of the spirit of these films with his version of the trilogy, then hopefully, mature writing and exstensive filmmaking will become the norm.

Mark Walker

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Matchstick Men * * * 1/2

Posted in Crime, Drama, thriller with tags 2003 on January 29, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Ridley Scott.
Screenplay: Nicholas Griffin, Ted Griffin.
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell, Alison Lohman, Bruce Altman, Bruce McGill, Beth Grant, Jenny O’Hara, Steve Eastin, Sheila Kelley.

It’s hard to imagine after all his war and gladitorial carnage that the playful tone of this film belongs to director Ridley Scott. It’s a nice and very welcome change of pace for him.

Roy (Nicolas Cage) and Frank (Sam Rockwell) are a mismatched duo of low-level con men, considering that one is an obsessive-compulsive and the other a louche chancer. But their dysfunctional partnership and Roy’s teetering sanity face an even bigger challenge in the shape of his 14 year-old daughter Angela (Alison Lohman).

The con artist’s profession has always looked like a great way to make a living. Well, maybe that’s just the romanticism of Hollywood but nonetheless it still makes a great way for entertainment. Watching the inside plays and set-ups, feeling as if you’re part of it and privvy to hush-hush information is always an audience winner. You can also be sure of a few narrative curve balls here and there, before finally getting the rug pulled out from right under your unsuspecting feet. This is no exception. Ridley Scott wisely plays it very low-key from the get-go, leaving the film to play out in the more than capable hands of his actors and he’s rewarded with three excellent performances. Nicolas Cage is all tic-ridden and full of phobias and nervous energy. Sam Rockwell is his usual wise-ass sidekick, lending (as always) more than able support and Alison Lohman delivers a spot on portrayal of a naive teenager fascinated by her fathers profession. It’s through these performances that we become involved in the story. They’re believable characters and despite their swindling ways, they’re likeable.

Not normally the type of film that Ridley Scott has been turning his hand to of late but it’s still a finely crafted hustle and the performances are top-notch.

Mark Walker

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The Astronaut’s Wife *

Posted in Science Fiction, thriller with tags 1999 on January 29, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Rand Ravich.
Screenplay: Rand Ravich.
Starring: Johnny Depp, Charlize Theron, Joe Morton Clea DuVall, Donna Murphy, Samantha Egger, Nick Cassavetes, Gary Grubbs, Tom Noonan.

Johnny Depp is one of those actors who has consistantly made brave choices throughout his career. There are few actors like him and although some of his choices work better than others, this is one that I’m sure he’d rather forget.

Jillian (Charlize Theron) lovingly greets her space-rocketeer husband Spencer (Johnny Depp) home from a mission, but after a mishap she soon begins to suspect that Spencer is not the same man and fears she may have been impregnated by an alien.

Although this a career move Depp would rather forget, he can’t be entirely blamed for the end product. He’s not in it enough to make any major impact and whenever he is, he’s reduced to a few sinister, brooding facial expressions. Theron’s character is the main focus here and despite her attempts at depth, she can’t save the film from being mind-numbingly boring and uneventful. She also sports a short blonde hairdo to further fuel the comparisons with “Rosemary’s Baby” during her pregnant paranoia. This is one of those straight to DVD films that remind you why not all films deserve a mainstream release. It’s pretty dire to say the least and you’re more likely to find more suspense while waiting on a bus. Quite possibly the worst of Johnny Depp’s films.

Despite the lead actors involved, steer well clear of this stinker. Do yourself a favour and watch Roman Polanski’s aforementioned horror masterpiece instead. He’ll show you how it’s done.

Mark Walker

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The Tourist * *

Posted in Drama, Romance, thriller with tags 2010 on January 29, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck.
Screenplay: Julian Fellowes, Christopher McQuarrie, Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck.
Starring: Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Paul Bettany, Steven Berkoff, Rufus Sewell, Timothy Dalton, Christian De Sica.

If an English language ‘thriller’ directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, (the same man that done the superb Academy award winning German film “The Lives of Others”) appeals to you, then just hold your horses. This is not in the same style at all. This has a more lighthearted playful approach and a far cry from the tense and dramatic style he employed in his earlier directorial debut.

Elise (Angelina Jolie), girlfriend of international fugitive Alexander Pearce, picks up tourist Frank Tupelo (Johnny Depp) on a train from Paris to Venice. The plan is to persuade the police that Frank is Pierce with a new face, but the dupe also becomes a target for a murderous Russian gangster (Steven Berkoff).

This is an old fashioned thriller in a similiar vein as we are used to seeing Cary Grant in. It’s flamboyant, it’s lavishly shot in exquisite European locations and boasts our modern day Hollywood glam in the likes of Depp and Jolie. In short, it has everything to keep the movie-going public happy. So, why doesn’t it work? Well, for one, it’s a classic case of all style and no substance. Or maybe it’s, too many cooks spoil the broth… considering it has screenwriters Julian Fellowes “Gosford Park” and Christopher McQuarrie “The Usual Suspects” involved in the writing duties as well as the numerous people attached to it at one time or another – Tom Cruise and Charlize Theron were involved, as was Lasse Hallstrom for directing. Maybe this is why the whole thing is unsure of it’s itself and can’t quite decided on it tone. It’s a shame really, as I found myself enjoying it to begin with. Depp plays it just off-kilter enough to add some humour to the proceedings. Jolie adds the right amount of mystery that’s perfectly suited to her character and the art-direction and cinematography are vibrant and wonderful to look at. As the film goes on though, it gets less humourous, more incongruous and as a result ends rather ridiculously.

Grand in it’s scale yet very light in it’s content. It didn’t know whether it wanted to be a thriller or a romantic-comedy. It attempted both but succeeded at neither.

Mark Walker

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The Adjustment Bureau * * * 1/2

Posted in Romance, Science Fiction, thriller with tags 2011 on January 29, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: George Nolfi.
Screenplay: George Nolfi.
Starring: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Terence Stamp, Anthony Mackie, John Slattery, Jennifer Ehle, Jon Stewart.

Philip K. Dick was one of the best science fiction writers around with his strong themes of paranoia in plausible and bleak futuristic settings. Unfortunately, very few of his books translate well to the screen. “Blade Runner” and “A Scanner Darkly” are exceptions to this and although this latest may not quite be as good as those, it’s still a decent effort.

On election night, ambitious and driven politician David Norris (Matt Damon) has a chance meeting with dancer Elise (Emily Blunt). Falling in love at first sight, it inspires him to make the speech of his life. Months later, he encounters her again, but mysterious buttoned down businessmen in hats seem determined to keep them apart.

Science Fiction is one of the better genres for exploring popular existential themes; our perception of reality; pre-determination and freewill; our purpose in life, etc. These themes have been laboured over for generations; throughout our art, our storytelling and our philosophizing. Philip K. Dick himself was more of a philosopher who found science fiction as the genre that best suited his ideas and as a result you regularly find these themes coursing through his books. For the most part, first time director George Nolfi handles this material very well. He keeps a steady pace throughout and throws in enough intelligence to force you to constantly use your noodle. The premise is convincing, as is the chemistry between Damon and Blunt, leading the romantic relationship to become the driving force for the story. Everything is in place and the continual chase for answers makes for exciting viewing. However, when it comes to the big reveal, it falters. Despite the highly dramatic buildup, it fizzles out with no more than a few unsatisfying words to explain it’s convoluted plot.

An elaborate and gripping, romantic Sci-fi thriller that boasts fine performances, a quick tempo, style and assured direction. It’s just a shame that the finale is underwhelming.

Mark Walker

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Limitless * * 1/2

Posted in Science Fiction, thriller with tags 2011 on January 28, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Neil Burger.
Screenplay: Leslie Dixon.
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Robert DeNiro, Abbie Cornish, Anna Friel, Andrew Howard, Johnny Whitworth, Robert John Burke.

I greatly enjoyed director Neil Burger’s 2006 dark magician film “The Illusionist” and was interested in seeing him tackle this modern sci-fi/thriller. However, he could have been doing with a little more magic this time round as this doesn’t entirely satisfy.

Eddie Morra (Bradley Cooper) is a struggling writer desperately trying to get a book published. When a chance meeting with his ex-brother in law occurs he is offered a pill to cure all his ills. It’s NZT, a drug that let’s you access 100% of your brain instead of the usual 20%. Within seconds Eddie doesn’t “have delusions of granduer, he has a recipe for it” and his life takes off in ways he never imagined. The higher Eddie gets though, the harder he falls as the drug supply starts to dry up and things begin to turn nasty.

I enjoy a good science fiction yarn but despite the very interesting premise in this one, there’s just too many plot holes for it all to really click. It’s a half-decent little film, with a difference, but it struggles to work out what genre it wants to belong to and despite it’s promising, kinetic introduction, the fast pace then slows and it stumbles over the finishing line. It’s also shot in a way to try and capture the experience of the drug that Eddie is on which is effective at first but soon grows tiresome and starts to look like Tony Scott has got his hands on this one with his brand of in-your-face directing. Cooper does a fine job in his first major leading role but DeNiro is completely wasted. He seems to be have the same casting agent as Nicolas Cage these days. His film choices are questionable at best and I wonder if he has a hefty tax bill to pay off. This type of quality from DeNiro will just not do, it’s about time he got back in league with Scorsese.

Marginally entertaining and stylishly done but it could have been a little tighter and much like the after effects of drug taking, it feels a bit sloppy.

Mark Walker

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Phone Booth * * * 1/2

Posted in Mystery, thriller with tags 2002 on January 28, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Joel Schumacher.
Screenplay: Larry Cohen.
Starring: Colin Farrell, Kiefer Sutherland, Forest Whitaker, Katie Holmes, Radha Mitchell, Josh Pais.

I’m not a massive fan of Joel Schumacher. He’s a very frustrating director, who only occasionally delivers the goods. His limited talents are better served when working with a low budget and you don’t get much lower than practically a whole film set inside a phone box. It works though, thanks to a brilliant performance from Colin Farrell.

Stu Shepard (Farrell) is an arrogant, swindling, talent agent who talks the talk and walks the walk. At least, that’s what he thinks. Unbeknownst to him, is that somebody, somewhere (voiced by Keifer Sutherland) has been following his movements each day and decides to make him pay for his lies and deceit by holding him hostage in a telephone booth and systematically revealing to him, everything he knows and intends to expose.

Filmed in real time and never straying from the confines of the claustrophic phone box (with the exception of a few split-screen moments), Schumacher manages to crank up the tension with ease. It’s a simple idea but highly effective, which is in part to an absolutely fantastic Colin Farrell, channeling a tense DeNiro-like performance, full of amorality and disregard to eventual sensitivity and redemption. It’s a hard task for Farrell, considering he’s never off screen but he nails it and delivers one of his finest screen moments. There is also fine support in Forest Whitaker as the detective on the scene and Keifer Sutherland’s creepy monotone voice is a character in itself.

This film has it’s critics but there’s no denying the grip it has on you and the fine acting delivered from a very basic premise.

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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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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Frozen * * 1/2

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

Director: Adam Green.
Screenplay: Adam Green.
Starring: Kevin Zegers, Shawn Ashmore, Emma Bell, Ed Ackerman.

Considering this is a film that has three relatively unknown actors, on screen with nowhere else to go for almost the entire 90mins running time, it’s surprising gripping.

After a day skiing in the mountains, Dan (Kevin Zegers), Joe (Shawn Ashmore) and Parker (Emma Bell) are the last ones on the ski-lift at the end of the day. Unknowingly, the staff believe everyone to have left, and switch off the lift, leaving them stranded 100 feet in the air and the mountain closed for the weekend. No-one will find them for days, and wolves gather below, leaving them fighting for their lives in the freezing cold and facing some very stark decisions to make.

If you like films where the characters are faced with life or death decisions to make, causing you to question yourself in a similiar situation then there’s plenty to enjoy from this low-budget shocker. It’s been said several times already but it really is like 2003’s “Open Water”. Not flashy in the slightest and the premise is very simple, which is what helps it work. Tension is built slowly and effectively by B-movie, horror director Adam Green and the three very promising young leads deliver the goods, amounting to a surprisingly enjoyable and tension filled hour and a half.

If you ask me, the best piece of advice the three youngsters could have been given in their predicament would have been…’Don’t eat yellow snow’.

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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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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Payback * * * *

Posted in Crime, Film-Noir, thriller with tags 1999 on January 26, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Brian Helgeland.
Screenplay: Brian Helgeland.
Starring: Mel Gibson, Gregg Henry, Maria Bello, Deborah Kara Unger, Lucy Liu, David Paymer, John Glover, Bill Duke, Jack Conley, Freddy Rodriguez, William Devane, James Coburn, Kris Kristofferson.

“L.A. Confidential” screenwriter Brian Helgeland makes his directorial debut with this remake of John Boorman’s “Point Blank”. The commanding presence of Lee Marvin may be gone but this time we get an uncompromising, bad-ass Mel Gibson taking centre stage.

Armed robber Porter (Gibson), is double-crossed, shot in the back and left for dead by his ambitious partner Resnick (Gregg Henry) and junkie wife (Deborah Kara Unger), who also take $70,000 from him. Once the bullets are removed and he’s fighting fit again, he chases down a parade of low lives in a violent bid to get even and grab his share of the loot.

We are introduced to Porter during the opening credits as he steals from a homeless man, doesn’t tip his waitress, and basically just shows a mean-spirited disregard for everyone around him. He’s a deliciously nasty character and probably Gibson’s finest role to date. This is a gritty modern noir with everything you could possibly want. It has the voice-over, an anti-hero, arch enemies, femme fatales and also a sense of humour. Not to mention having a great seventies feel to it, and boasting three prominent seventies actors in William Devane, Kris Kristofferson & James Coburn as the crime lord’s Porter is out to get. Despite all this though, it seems everything I liked about this film was (surprisingly) the studio’s doing. Helgeland was sacked during the making of the film and as a result, he released his director’s cut at a later date. One of these studio additions is a wonderful monochromatic look with the colour desaturated, adding further weight to a Film-Noir. I haven’t seen Helgeland’s cut yet but I doubt it’ll change my opinion of this version and I never thought I’d find myself saying I like what a studio has done to a film. All the performances are delightfully sleazy or menacing with the highlights being Gregg Henry who lends some excellent support as Porter’s sleazy double-crossing partner and Gibson has never been better. Like a cross between the ruthlessness of his “Mad Max” and the craziness of his “Lethal Weapon” characters.

It may leave a bad taste for some but I found this to be an uncompromising and highly enjoyable guilty pleasure.

Mark Walker

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In The Electric Mist * *

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

Director: Bertrand Tavernier.
Screenplay: Jerzy Kromolowski, Mary Olson-Kromolowski.
Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, John Goodman, Kelly MacDonald, Peter Sarsgaard, Mary Steenburgen, Ned Beatty, James Gammon, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Levon Helm, Buddy Guy, John Sayles, Justina Machado, Julio Cedillo, Gary Grubbs.

Author James Lee Burke has been dishing out justice in numerous crime novels over the years but justice has never been done in a decent film adaptation of his work, and with this latest offering from director Bertrand Tavernier it looks like we’ll have to wait a while longer.

Recovering-alcoholic Louisana detective Dave Robicheaux (Tommy Lee Jones) is trying to solve a series of murders when the corpse of a black man killed forty years ago surfaces in a nearby marsh. Robicheaux remembers the man’s apparent disappearance but endevours to find out what really happened, implacating the local law enforcement and corrupt businessman ‘Baby Feet’ Balboni (John Goodman), while having visions of dead confederate soldiers, giving him advice.

A fine cast, a fine director and based on the novel of a fine crime writer still wasn’t enough to prevent this murder mystery from being flat and uneventful. Those unfamiliar with James Lee Burke’s character of Dave Robicheaux (Alec Baldwin last played him in “Heaven’s Prisoners”) may be a little puzzled as to his behaviour throughout. I wasn’t looking for Tavernier to labour the point but a little more of a back story on Robicheaux would have been beneficial, regardless of Jones putting in a typically good performance with what he had to work with. Goodman also does his best with the under-developed villian of the show and fine supporting actors are wasted in small and thankless roles. The major problem though, is the pace. It’s just too slow. I can cope fine with slow-burning murder mysteries. In fact I prefer them, but they have to have interesting characters and decent plot developments to keep it going. This has neither. It doesn’t even make good use of it’s excellent deep south setting or elaborate on it’s mystical undertones. The images of dead Confederates, who appear to Robicheaux, could have been omitted completely. Although, I imagine in the book they play a far bigger part. This film had so much potential but nothing seemed to gel or flow. The pace was all wrong; the majority of actors had nothing to do; there were several gaping plot holes and unexplained events, and the ending was rushed with a very lazy epilogue tacked on. Apparently the film went through some post production issues and went straight to DVD on it release. Now I can see why.

Slow and disappointing, considering the talent involved.

Mark Walker

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28 Weeks Later * * *

Posted in Horror, thriller with tags 2007 on January 25, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo.
Screenplay: Rowan Joffe, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, Enrique Lopez Lavigne, Jesus Olmo.
Starring: Robert Carlyle, Jeremy Renner, Harold Perrineau Jr, Rose Byrne, Catherine McCormack, Idris Elba, Imogen Poots, Mackintosh Muggleton, Amanda Walker.

Sequels to successful films are very rarely ever as good as the original but with Danny Boyle involved as a producer, this manages to retain the success and similiar style he had with his first installment “28 Days Later”.

Six months have passed since the outbreak of the rage virus and Britain has now been emptied. There’s nobody there. It’s completely dead. Now the American army occupy the cities and have plans to start bringing the country back from it’s infestation. But, of course, something goes wrong…

As story arcs go, this film is pretty unconventional, where instead of our protaganist Don (Robert Carlyle), being heroic and macho, he is actually quite sensitive and cowardly, and that’s only the opening scene. Things get much worse. Right from the beginning, we are thrust into some unbearable kinetic excitement and Spanish director Juan Carlos Fresnidillo does a fantastic job with his handheld camerawork. A highly effective technique in placing us closer to the action. Carlyle delivers a good performance in what is a very underwritten role, but then zombie flicks dont normally spend a lot of time on characterisation. I just wish someone would give Carlyle a role that best fits this great actor’s talents. Despite the underwritten roles though, the cast still make you care enough for them which is at least something considering there are gaping plot holes which are laughable at times. However, there’s no denying some first-class action and suspense set pieces, namely the opening chase scene and the darkened train tunnel with only a night vision scope as our means of seeing anything.

Visceral and exciting, the way a zombie film should be, and a fine second installment in what is being touted as a possible trilogy.

Mark Walker

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The Day The Earth Stood Still (x)

Posted in Science Fiction, thriller with tags 2008 on January 25, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Scott Derrickson.
Screenplay: David Scarpa.
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly, Kathy Bates, Jon Hamm, Jaden Smith, John Cleese, Kyle Chandler, James Hong, Robert Knepper, John Rothman.

Science-Fiction is normally a genre that has excitement, scares, great visuals and innovative ideas. Not something that is tedious, uninteresting and excruciatingly boring.

Astrobiologist Helen (Jennifer Connelly) is whisked away to help the government when strange goings-on herald an alien landing. The giant sphere that settles in New York’s Central Park carries an alien, Klaatu (Keanu Reeves) who comes to save the Earth – but perhaps not humanity…

The original was done in the 1950’s so a big-budget Hollywood remake was always likely to happen before long. Unfortunately, it wasn’t long enough. When will they ever learn that classics are better left alone? On very rare occasions a good remake can happen, just not on this occasion. Not only is it very far from a decent retread but it’s very far from being a decent film altogether. It has a tired ecological message of how we are destroying our world, which has been done better many times before. Reeves is passable in a suitably undemanding and disconnected role. Connelly is wasted and way above this, Kathy Bates and Jon Hamm have nothing to do and young Jaden Smith (son of Will) is an irritating little shit. Ain’t nepotism a bitch?

If we lived in a world that consistantly churned out stinkers like this, we SHOULD be eradicated as a species.

Mark Walker