2010 | MARKED MOVIES

Archive for 2010

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans * * * *

Posted in Crime, Drama with tags 2010 on January 17, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Werner Herzog.
Screenplay: William M. Finkelstein.
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes, Val Kilmer, Fairuza Balk, Shawn Hatosy, Alvin “Xzibit” Joiner, Brad Dourif, Jennifer Coolidge, Tom Bower, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Irma P. Hall, Shea Whigham, Michael Shannon.

To remake Abel Ferrara’s raw and gritty 1992 film “Bad Lieutenant” that had one of cinema’s most daring performances from the brilliant Harvey Keitel would be foolish and unwise. In fact it would be lunacy. Thankfully director Werner Herzog and star Nicolas Cage are well aware of this and produce something altogether different (with a fair amount of their own brand of lunacy).

Set in New Orleans post hurricane Katrina, Lt. Terrance McDonogh (Cage) injures his back in an uncharacteristic moment of decency in helping a convict from drowning. This injury leads to a heavy reliance on drugs to get through each day but in his own words “Everythin’ I take is prescription…except the heroine”.
Lt. McDonogh is indeed a “bad” one. He shakes down the local gangsters and innocent nightclubbers just to get his next hit and also has gambling debts spiralling out of control. Meanwhile, he is trying to look after his prostitute girlfriend (Eva Mendes) and alcoholic fathers dog while investigating the execution style murder of a Senegelese family and having hallucinations of Iguanas and dancing spirits.

It is inevitable that comparisons will be made between Ferrara’s and Herzog’s films but aside from sharing the same title and having a corrupt cop as the protaganist, that’s as far as the comparison goes. Herzog goes for a more humorous approach which in turn relies heavily on a solid performance from his lead actor in order for it to work. Thankfully, Nicolas Cage does not disappoint. He is brilliantly over the top and yet subtle in other ways and delivers his best performance in a long time. Cage’s subtle moments of wincing and the stiffness in his movements, constantly remind you of the cronic pain his character is in. Not to mention his more outlandish behaviour when high on drugs. This is the Nic Cage of old and actually has you on his side, despite the fact that his character is one of the most unsympathetic he has played.

Wonderfully depraved viewing.

Mark Walker

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Inception * * * * *

Posted in Action, Mystery, Science Fiction with tags 2010 on January 14, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Christopher Nolan.
Screenplay: Christopher Nolan.
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Hardy, Marion Cottilard, Ellen Page, Michael Caine, Ken Watanbe, Cillian Murphy, Dileep Rao, Tom Beranger, Pete Postlethwaite, Lukas Haas.

Grandmaster extraordinaire Nolan, has managed to do it again. Not only has he used the teasingly elaborate and original approach of the great “Memento” but he has fused it with the bleak and inventive approach he used in “The Dark Knight”. Both styles when amalgamated, produce one of the most satisfying action, sci-fi thrillers for not only this year, but for many a year.

In a future corporate world, Dom Cobb (Leonardo Di Caprio) is an “extractor” – an agent capable of entering the sub-concious of another, through their dream state. His job consists of retrieving information from their dreams that they would not share as common knowledge. Being an agent a long time in the game, he also harbours secrets of his own that he wouldn’t like to be exposed but finds himself forced to complete a particular assignment that may grant him freedom from his own demons and allow him back into “reality”. The lines have become blurred in what Cobb knows and what he has exposed himself to for so many years, that telling the diffence between reality and dreaming has become increasingly difficult.

First off, it’s hard trying to condense this film into words. Even when you see it, it’s hard to condense it into your mind. That being said, it’s the most enjoyable and challenging film I’ve seen in a while. The days of big budget action films with someone kicking around in a torn vest or bandana are gone. This has raised action films to a new level. We all thought “The Matrix” was where it`s at, but “Inception” has thrown down the guantlet. We demand films with intelligence and that`s what we get here. Not for a second are we allowed to turn off, scratch our nose, or fondle and kiss our other half in the darkened auditorium. As soon as this film starts, we are hooked and it doesn`t have mercy. Christopher Nolan`s warped and clever approach takes over and assembles a fine cast to contribute. Di Caprio reprises a similiar tormented role from his previous “Shutter Island” and does it, yet again, entirely convincingly. The film hinges on his shoulders and he manages to gain our trust, despite the fact that we are still not sure about him or his morals. There’s also great support from a fine ensemble cast, particularly Joseph Gordon-Levitt who effortlessly shows a different side to his acting chops and is commandingly able in some sublime action scenarios. “Memento” is one of my all time favourite films and I see this, in some ways, as “Memento” with money.

Overall, an absolute mind teasing, visual treat. Mr. Nolan, carry on sir! You treat your audience with respect and for our sakes, I hope you continue to do so.

Mark Walker

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Toy Story 3 * * * * *

Posted in Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Family with tags 2010 on January 14, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Lee Unkrich.
Screenplay: Michael Arndt.
Voices: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Ned Beatty, Michael Keaton, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, R. Lee Ermey, Estelle Harris, Jodi Benson, John Morris, Laurie Metcalf, Timothy Dalton, Bonnie Hunt, Richard Kind, Whoopi Goldberg.

This is most likely the last adventure we’ll have with our plastic and stuffed little friends. So, it’d be wise to lap it up and enjoy it as much as you can. Thankfully, that’s not very hard to do with this wonderfully adventurous final
installment.

This time around, Andy is now 17yrs old, meaning that his old and faithful toys Woody, Buzz, etc. are now relegated to an old box and have not been played with for years. During a clearout before Andy leaves for college, the gang are mistaken for a bag of trash and left for the dumpster. Having escaped this minor mishap, all but Woody agree to be donated to a children’s daycare centre, where they will be valued and adored by kids other than Andy. Once at the daycare centre though, all doesn’t turn out as planned. It is controlled and run like a prison by a jealousy fuelled and tyrannical bear who has been abandoned by his previous owner, leaving Woody to rescue his old chums from their incarceration.

Pixar, yet again, manage to balance their film perfectly for the audience. Like the previous films, it appeals to both adults and children, which is probably the hardest task it had in being successful again. Without taking away from the familiar ones, the story is fleshed out with additional joyous characters, namely, the inclusion of a shallow Barbie & a dark and scheming Ken, to hilarious results. There is also a wonderful little homage to “Cool Hand Luke” when the toys are told if they step out of line they’ll “spend a night in the box”. Visually, it’s outstanding. The animators have really excelled themselves and it should be seen in glorious Imax 3D, to fully appreciate it’s intricate beauty.

A wonderfully exciting treat for all and several of cinema’s best little characters will be sorely missed, but in the words of Randy Newman’s recurrent song…Toy Story’s “got a friend in me”.

Mark Walker

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Shrek Forever After * * * 1/2

Posted in Animation, Comedy, Family with tags 2010 on January 14, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Mike Mitchell.
Screenplay: Josh Klausner, Darren Lemke.
Voices: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Julie Andrews, Jon Hamm, John Cleese, Walt Dohrn, Mary Kay Place, Conrad Vernon, Larry King.

Everyone’s favourite rotund ogre returns in his final adventure in the land of Far Far Away, as Shrek goes fourth.

The story follows directly on from the third instalment where Shrek is now the married father of three little ogre’s. The problem being that Shrek doesn’t think he’s cut out for family life and starts to miss his previous life of being a swamp dwelling batchelor. It’s during this moment of reminiscence and weakness that he is approached by Rumpelstiltskin who seizes the opportunity to enter into a contract with Shrek, promising him his old life back. Unbeknownst to our green friend though, it changes everything and the land of Far Far Away becomes a dystopian land ruled by the tyrannical Mr. Stiltskin and everything Shrek had known, no longer exists. This being the case, the Shrekster has to set things right and enlist the help of his old and faithful friends.

A welcome return to form for the franchise, following the disappointing “Shrek the Third”. It uses a clever narrative device in the vain of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and allows the story to fall into an alternate reality and change everything that has gone before and with this being the premise, the Shrek tale is given more room for manoeuvre. The fact that Shrek has to re-acquaint himself with old chums, Donkey, Puss in Boots and Fiona is refreshing and works a treat. The only problem with the story is that Shrek himself as a character, is a little flat this time around and it is left up to the ever reliable and hilarious Donkey and a now over indulgent and obese Puss in Boots to provide the laughs. They are both great, if a little underused, as is a newly developed and hardened Gingerbread Man. The introduction of the odious and impish Rumpelstiltskin is also a welcome villian, as well as his accomplice the Pied Piper.

Back on form and as enjoyable as ever. It’s good to know that Shrek has went out on a high note.

Mark Walker

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Winter’s Bone * * *

Posted in Drama, Mystery with tags 2010 on January 12, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Debra Granik.
Screenplay: Debra Granik, Anne Rosellini.
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes, Sheryl Lee, Garret Dillahunt.

Being able to experience another culture or catch a glimpse of a person’s lifestyle without physical involvement is one of the wonders of cinema. Thank our lucky stars for celluloid then, as it allows us the luxury of paying a visit to the stark and violent backwoods of America and still able to walk away from it. It’s a place I’d rather not have to endure, as this film so vividly confirms.

Seventeen year-old Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence) sets out to track down her bail-jumping dad after he uses the family home to secure his bond. Failing to find him will mean that she, her mother and siblings will have to fend for themselves in the bitter Ozark woods. Overcoming her kin’s code of silence and threats of retribution and violence, she slowly uncovers the truth behind her father’s disappearance.

The lives of the characters in this film are as barren as the landscape. The environment is unkind which in turn manifests itself in the inhabitants. They are a product of their environment and this unsavoury bunch and their lawless community are perfectly captured by director Debra Granik and cinematographer Michael McDonough. Good performances too, by the Oscar nominated newcomer Jennifer Lawrence (who reminded me of a young Juliette Lewis) and John Hawkes (“From Dusk Till Dawn”) finally getting a role suited to his abilities. However, as much as I enjoyed this, I feel the critics have praised it just a bit too highly. In their numbers, they lapped this one up and I struggle to see why. It certainly looks the part and the performances are excellent but it’s a tad lethargic, considering the main character has a deadline to meet. Other than the novelty and voyueristic setting of a neo-noir in the desolate backwoods, It didn’t offer anything new and I must admit that I found myself drifting off a few times. It failed to hold my attention for its entirety, only occasionally jolting me back to attention with a few memorably powerful scenes.

A fine feel for the place and the people but having had very high expectations going into it, I can’t help but feel that I’ve been a victim of hype.

Mark Walker

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Never Let Me Go * * * *

Posted in Drama, Science Fiction with tags 2010 on January 12, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Mark Romanek.
Screenplay: Alex Garland.
Starring: Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, Keira Knightley, Sally Hawkins, Charlotte Rampling, Izzy Meikle-Small, Charlie Rowe, Ella Purnell,

Novelist Alex Garland (The Beach) seems to have become something of a science-fiction screenwriter these days, with “28 Days Later” and “Sunshine” already done and the forthcoming “Dredd” and “Halo” in the making. However, this adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s book is his most subtle sci-fi yet, and his most effective.

Kathy H. (Carey Mulligan) is a woman looking back on her life, from her childhood days at Hailsham boarding school with best friends Ruth (Keira Knightley) and Tommy (Andrew Garfield). Like all the other Hailsham pupils, the three have a very particular destiny – one which, together, they slowly grow to understand, and struggle to accept.

Science-fiction doesn’t come much bleaker when it addresses the nature of existence or the purpose in our lives. Especially when that purpose is to serve another, wholeheartedly, and to ones detriment. This excellently crafted drama brings reminders of George Orwell’s “1984” and Aldous Huxley’s “A Brave New World” in it’s depressingly bleak and hopeless, alternate time in history. It has an interesting and thought provoking premise and what makes good science fiction tick is it’s believability. This is a very plausible story in our modern age of genetic modification and it’s under-played to perfection. Director Mark Romanek focuses on the human/inhumane element of the story and any indication of an alternate time is subtly done. Helped no end with some gorgeous cinematography by Adam Kimmel and excellent performances from the three leads and their younger counterparts – who bear and uncanny resemblance to the older actors.

A cerebral and melancholy film that’s beautifully executed in the struggle of it’s characters’ misfortunes and inevitable fate. Touching and heartbreakingly bleak.

Mark Walker

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Greenberg * * * *

Posted in Comedy, Drama with tags 2010 on January 12, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Noah Baumbach.
Screenplay: Noah Baumbach, Jennifer Jason Leigh.
Starring: Ben Stiller, Greta Gerwig, Rhys Ifans, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Chris Messina, Juno Temple, Jake Paltrow, Susan Traylor.

Dysfunctional families (and people) share a common theme throughout writer/director Noah Baumbach’s films. He focused on the dissolution of a relationship in “The Squid and The Whale”, a destructive neurosis in “Margot At The Wedding” and now the disintegration of a personality with “Greenberg”.

Following a nervous breakdown, New York carpenter Roger Greenberg (Ben Stiller) arrives in LA to look after his brothers family home and sickly dog. His path crosses with the family’s young assistant Florence (Greta Gerwig), and an awkward relationship develops. He also tries to rekindle old friendships from when he was an up-and-comer quite some time ago.

Baumbach focuses yet again on neurotic behaviour and the fragility of a person crumbling under the weight of his own expectation and ambition. I wouldn’t say that I’m all that keen on Ben Stiller but like Jack Black in “Margot at the Wedding”, he puts all his irritating and outrageous send-ups aside and concentrates on acting. No, he doesn’t get his dick caught in his zip or anything, but what he does do is show restraint and puts in a very nuanced and subtley brilliant dramatic performance. This director certainly knows how to get the best out of an actor and Stiller is not alone. Greta Gerwig is absolutely marvellous and produces one of the most natural and beautifully rich performances I’ve seen in a long time. This is an actress that deserves more attention. Rhys Ifans is also very endearing and adds depth and realism as Greenberg’s long suffering friend. It’s a trio of excellent performances, making the characters really come alive and Baumbach displays a talent for capturing the everyday perfectly, showing an affinity with Woody Allen in his sharp observations and neurotic characters.
Roger Greenberg as a character has a lot in common with Nicole Kidman’s Margot in their social awkwardness and almost natural ability to hurt someones feelings and despite Stiller’s excellent performance, that’s what hinders the film slightly. He’s a detestable, rude and egotistical man, that we are forced to spend a lot of time with, making it less enjoyable than the director’s previous outings to angst-ville.

Despite the irritatingly self-absorbed character and his very privileged lifestyle this is still another refined and assured character study from the very talented Noah Baumbach.

Mark Walker

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True Grit * * * * 1/2

Posted in Drama, Western with tags 2010 on January 12, 2012 by Mark Walker

Directors: Joel Coen & Ethan Coen.
Screenplay: Ethan Coen & Joel Coen.
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Hailee Steinfeld, Barry Pepper, Dakin Matthews, Paul Rae, Elizabeth Marvel.

Charles Portis’ novel “True Grit” was given the big screen treatment in 1969 with none other than ridiculously overrated actor John Wayne in the lead role. He unbelievably garnered himself an Academy Award for his (and our) trouble but with the Coen brothers and Jeff Bridges, we get an altogether more fulfilling and faithful adaptation this time around.

Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin) is a hired hand who kills a farmer and flees. The daughter of that farmer is an indomitable 14 year-old girl named Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld). She hires tough, one-eyed US Marshal and heavy-drinking reprobate Reuben J. ‘Rooster’ Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) to bring him in. Joined by Texas Ranger La Boeuf (Matt Damon), the odd posse head into Indian territory on their manhunt.

The Coen brothers’ attention to detail is second to none and some would even say that a western is perfectly suited to their talents. They certainly take great delight in the period with their wonderful eye for detail and exagerrated jangling of spurs. As well as the usual Coens array of colourful characters, the main performances are uniformly excellent. Young Steinfeld is impressively confident amongst an experienced cast; Damon amuses with good comic relief; Barry Pepper is disgustingly bad to the core; Brolin (all be it brief) is dangerously dim-witted and Bridges chews up the screen more than he does his tobacco. His ‘Rooster Cogburn’ is like a cross between his previous laid-back stoner ‘The Dude’ from “The Big Lebowski” and his cantankerous drunk ‘Bad Blake’ from “Crazy Heart“. As much as it was highly unlikely, I would have loved to have seen Bridges make it two Oscars in a row to become only the third actor to do so after Spencer Tracy and Tom Hanks. After all, John Wayne got one and he’s not in the same league as Bridges. Sadly though, it wasn’t to be and the same goes for Roger Deakins who missed out on an award for his gorgeous cinematography. He consistantly plays a massive role in bringing the Coens’ visions to life and here he outdoes himself. An award for the man is long overdue.

A magnificent, beautifully crafted and gritty depiction of the wild-west that’s the best of it’s kind since…well, since the contemporary neo-western “No Country For Old Men” also by the mighty Coens with very sharp dialogue and a catalogue of great performances.

Mark Walker

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Morning Glory * *

Posted in Comedy with tags 2010 on January 12, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Roger Michell.
Screenplay: Aline Brosh McKenna.
Starring: Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton, Jeff Goldblum, Patrick Wilson, Ty Burrell, Patti D’Arbanville, John Pankow, Matt Malloy, Bruce Altman.

The magic of movies is a powerful thing, but unfortunately it can’t eradicate our screen heroes from aging. I suppose in some cases that’s not always neccesary. Certainly not when it’s actually quite enjoyable seeing “Indiana Jones” & “Han Solo” be a grumpy, cantankerous old man.

Fired from her local TV news station, passionate producer Becky Fuller (Rachel McAdams) gets hired by failing breakfast show ‘Daybreak’ to turn around its fortunes. Her bright idea is to pair current host Colleen Peck (Diane Keaton) with veteran respected newsman Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford), an ex war correspondent who believes he’s above the daytime television drivel, refusing to play along and clearly only in it for the money.

Breakfast-time television is all light-hearted enthusiasm with very little content and in keeping with that, this film follows that particular mood very closely. But then what do you expect from “Notting Hill” director Roger Michell? He knows the formula and sticks to it. What maintains your interest here is mainly the performances. McAdams does well in her first lead role. She’s highly appealing, carrying the film with sursprising ease. Keaton retreads similiar work from her Woody Allen days but is unfortunately reduced to nothing more than mere support with an underwritten character, but still delivers. Similarly, Jeff Goldblum looks like pitching in a good turn but is sadly left on the sidelines. Ford though, is an egotistical, snarling treat and is a real joy to watch. His sparring with Keaton is a particular highlight, which again is sadly nowhere near enough. It’s because of McAdams and Ford that the film holds a marginal interest and it’s also fun to see the inner workings of morning television shows. I wonder though, if our American friends are aware that across the Atlantic, “morning glory” means something altogether more suggestive here. In fact, this film could have been doing with some more risque humour. It begins with some, about an anchor (Ty Burrell) with a penchant for feet and granny porn, but after that it sadly falls into it’s comfortable little inoffensive niche.

Light-hearted and refreshing but it’s nothing new. However, there’s no denying Ford’s star power and his ability to raise mediocre material up a notch. It’s worth it just to see him being an egotistical, selfish asshole.

Mark Walker

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Let Me In * * * *

Posted in Horror with tags 2010 on January 10, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: Matt Reeves.
Screenplay: Matt Reeves, John Ajvide Lindqvist.
Starring: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Chloe Grace Moretz, Richard Jenkins, Elias Koteas, Cara Buono, Sasha Barrese.

The ink had barely dried on the film-critics’ acclamations of the Swedish horror film “Let the Right One In” in 1998 before Hollywood had stepped in for their take on the novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist. Remakes are not normally a good idea but “Cloverfield” director Matt Reeves makes a surprising exception to that rule.

Owen (Kodi Smit-Mcphee) is a lonely boy, who’s living with his mother in an apartment complex in snowy Los Alamos, New Mexico. His parents have separated, and his unhappiness is magnified by the fact that he’s been targeted by a school bully. One night, in the courtyard outside his apartment, he meets his new neighbour Abby (Chloe Moretz), a sullen, mysterious 12-year-old girl who tells him she can’t be his friend. Before long she goes back on her word because it turns out that she’s lonely, too. The big difference is that she’s a vampire who needs fresh blood to survive.

Those who have seen the original may think this version unnecessary. It certainly sticks very closely to its predecessor; from the lonely isolated setting, to the gloomy, eerie atmostphere and strikingly powerful and horrific images. Surprisingly for a remake though, it has ironed out the creases the original seemed to suffer from. I’d have to have a reappraisal of “Let the Right One In” but my first impression was that, although beautifully crafted it was quite lethargic. This time, Reeves cranks up the pace – without rushing it – and cranks up the gore – without being gratuitous. The CGI effects may be a little overused for some tastes but I found that they worked well. The two young leads deliver sensitive, believable performances, with the ever reliable but underused Elias Koteas and especially Richard Jenkins, lending good support. The only problem with the film is, having already seen the original, you know what’s coming next and it lessons the impact. Otherwise, it’s a fantastic and deliberately paced horror/love story.
A good remake should always add to what went before and this certainly does that. An excellent example of how it should be done. If you’ve not seen the original then you’re in for even more of a treat.

Bravo, Mr. Reeves, you’ve silenced many naysayers, myself included.

Mark Walker

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Animal Kingdom * * *

Posted in Crime, Drama with tags 2010 on January 10, 2012 by Mark Walker

Director: David Michod
Screenplay: David Michod.
Starring: James Frecheville, Joel Edgerton, Guy Pearce, Ben Mendelsohn, Jacki Weaver, Luke Ford, Sullivan Stapleton, Mirrah Foulkes, Josh Helman, Justin Rosniak.

Anyone that’s familiar with the Australian television show “Neighbours” will know what I mean when I refer to this as the underbelly of ‘Ramsey Street’. I’m not a fan of said television show and I’m not entirely convinced by the praise this film has critically received either.

After the accidental death of his heroin addicted mother, 17 year-old Joshua ‘J’ Cody (James Frecheville) goes to live with his grandmother, ‘Smurf’ (Jacki Weaver), and her criminal sons, Craig (Sullivan Stapleton) and Darren (Luke Ford). The sudden arrival of their fugitive older brother, Pope (Ben Mendelsohn), gets the attention of the local cops, kick-starting a turf war that sees ‘J’ forced to fight for his survival.

As the film opens we get a decent introduction to the stoical nature of young ‘J’ as he shows a real lack of compassion, sitting on the couch watching TV, next to his deceased mother. This persona is no different from most of the characters throughout the film. The majority of them are devoid of any morals and the actors portraying them put in fantastic performances, particularly Mendelsohn as the unstable uncle and especially Weaver as the wicked-witch like matriarch. Despite the performances though, I still stuggled to see what all the fuss was about. Much like “Winter’s Bone” from the same year, this has been subject to critics clambering over each other to applaud it’s gritty dramatic nature. I found several things to enjoy; the performances and low-key style in which it’s shot being the notable ones but it’s certainly nothing groundbreaking. Being loosely based on fact, there’s a definite feeling of realism but as mentioned earlier, it reminded me of an extended episode of “Neighbours” – with the gloves off – and I pretty much avoid Australian television whenever possible.

Not a bad film, in fact it’s very good in places but it’s been overpraised somewhat. There’s no faulting the flawless performances though and it’ll be interesting to see what writer/director David Michod comes up with next.

Mark Walker