Tuesday, September 23, 2008

RocknRolla

RockNRolla Title

  • Released Internationally on 05/09/08
  • Released in Malta by KRS on 01/10/08

In a nutshell
Guy Ritchie returns to what he does best – giving us a wild and witty look at the London criminal underworld.
Who’s in it?
Gerald Butler (previously in angry mode as the Phantom of the Opera and the king of Sparta), is One-Two, a small-time criminal who gets an opportunity to cash in on a large estate deal. Tom Wilkinson, one of the most talented and consistent actors around, is Lenny Cole, the leader of most of London’s underworld. Thandie Newton is sultry yet sophisticated as the best accountant in the business, and the one who has everyone’s head turning. However, it’s the relatively-unknown Mark Strong who gives what is probably the most impressive performance, as Cole’s right hand man. His stern looks are a cross between Andy Garcia and Dimitar Berbatov, and not for one second do you doubt that he means business. Plus a host of other new and not-so-new faces playing colourful minor characters.
“Keep the receipts , cos this ain’t the Mafia
All the elements that made Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch such respected hits are back in force here. The script, penned by Ritchie, is smart, funny and races forward, never letting our interest wane. The editing is also fast-paced, but not annoyingly so, and a number of action sequences are brilliantly done, as Ritchie intersperses the action with later or concurrent scenes, making for great viewing. Standouts include a golf-course summit intertwined with a piano-playing lecture on cigarette packaging, a carjack sequence and a nightclub fracas. The myriad of plot lines and connections between characters all come together again and again, leaving a few casualties on the way.
The characters
This is another area where Ritchie excels. He sprinkles his dark underworld with scores of fascinating characters, who thanks to their looks, quirks or actions manage to make an impression even during the briefest of screen-times. There’s two hilarious but scary Russian thugs who sport an impressive array of scars, and who have a rather high pain threshold. They work for a Russian billionaire who’s setting up shop in London, and who both in looks and in sporting interest seems to be a rather unflattering reference to real-life magnate Roman Abramovich. Tank, a hefty criminal who knows everything about the streets of London, has an extensive knowledge of art, and a soft-spot for British period dramas, which he watches in his SUV. And so on and so forth.
The real Rock N Rolla
The title refers to a type of junkie who wants to have everything in life – drugs, sex, glamour and fame. Which is why the film starts and ends with Johnny Quid, a drugged-up, rather pungent rocker who fears no one and also happens to be Lenny Cole’s step son. His whereabouts provide one of the many plotlines of this caper, and he ends the film with the promise of a sequel. Based on what I’ve seen here, I for one will be hoping it gets made.
Guy Ritchie is back. If you like your crime films stylish and snappy, with generous helpings of black humour, then you’ll love this.

Mark8

Trailer:


Tropic Thunder

Tropic Thunder


  • Released Internationally on 13/08/08
  • Released in Malta by KRS on 24/09/08


Preview (01/09/08)

In a nutshell

In this big-budget action-comedy, three actors with huge egos set out to make the most-expensive war movie ever made. But once they’re deep in the jungles of their exotic location, they realise that this isn’t your everyday movie production.

Why we’re hyped

This is the movie that managed to knock The Dark Knight off the top of the US box-office ladder after four weeks of impressive business. Boosted by a lot of good press for its comedic performances, this all-star cast and crazy concept seem to have resulted in the best comedy of the summer.

Who’s in it?

Ben Stiller (who also directed and co-wrote the script), stars as the biggest action-star alive, and as we’ve seen in his numerous comedies over the years, when he’s not playing a hapless loser (Meet the Parents, There’s Something About Mary), he’s wonderful at playing over-the-top characters to whom humility is a foreign concept (Dodgeball, Zoolander). Which is why he’s probably written this character for himself. Robert Downey Jr., fresh from another of this summer’s huge successes (Iron Man), plays the potentially controversial role of an Australian method actor who will do anything to get his parts right, including undergoing surgery to play a black soldier in the war movie they’re filming. The starring trio is rounded off by Jack Black, who also undergoes a change of look – he’s sporting a blonde crew-cut – to play a comedian who thinks he’s much funnier than he actually is. Amongst the minor roles we find Nick Nolte, Matthew McConaughey and an appearance by Tom Cruise that might surprise you.


Review (23/09/08)

The greatest war movie(s) ever made

Tropic Thunder’s opening shot shows helicopters flying over the Vietnam jungle, and is very obviously intended to remind you of Apocalypse Now. They land, a breathtaking action sequence ensues, and within ten minutes Ben Stiller has paid not-too-subtle homage to Platoon and Saving Private Ryan. The references keep coming, and before long you will probably be reminiscing about Rambo and The Thin Red Line, or indeed any other war movie you may have watched. There’s even a direct musical reference to the Vietnam scenes from Forrest Gump. You don’t need to be Francis Ford Coppola to realise that this is the ultimate war movie satire.

Behind the scenes

But rather than make a simple movie spoof, which as we have seen recently is easier to mess up than pull off, Stiller has crafted a ‘film-within-a-film’ scenario where we get to see these big stars trying to make a great movie, trying to boost their career, and trying to get award recognition. The action goes back and forth between the dense jungles on set and the swanky Hollywood offices where the movie deals are dealt, and the result is a satisfying satire of the whole celebrity culture, rather than of those war movies they’re trying to emulate.

The stars are out

Apart from the all-star cast, the film is peppered with celebrity cameos which help add to the whole Hollywood aura, and at times it feels like we’re watching a movie special on E! Channel. The most extensive of these minor roles goes to Tom Cruise, who gets to play someone rather different from his usual characters, and although he overdoes it at times, it’s still fun to watch. Robert Downey Jr. is wonderful as the Australian method actor posing as a black soldier, as is Nick Nolte in the role of a brooding, scarred war-veteran whose story they are trying to turn into a blockbuster. Definitely original, and a fun concept to watch unfold, although I expected it to be funnier.


Mark7


Trailer:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/tropicthunder/ (High-Res Quicktime)


Sunday, September 21, 2008

Elegy

Elegy Title

 

  • Released Internationally on 08/08/08
  • Released in Malta by KRS on 04/11/08 as part of the International Film Festival

Preview (01/09/08)

In a nutshell

Based on Pulitzer-prize-winning American author Philip Roth’s book The Dying Animal, this is the tragic tale of a respected and cultured professor whose life begins to unravel when he embarks on an erotic relationship with a younger student of his.

Why we’re hyped

Serious dramas like this can be mesmerizing when the writing is good and the performances are top-notch, and with the array of talent in store here, this seems like a safe bet for a moving night out.

Who’s in it?

Ben Kingsley plays the professor, and Penélope Cruz proves to be his downfall as the reserved but beautiful student. Dennis Hopper, Patricia Clarkson and Peter Sarsgaard add to the stellar cast, and the film is weaved together by Spanish director Isabel Coixet.

 

Review (21/09/08)

A touch of class

Every so often a film comes along in which the mood, the performances and the narrative gel together so effortlessly that the result is a class act from the word go. Within minutes of starting, this film’s class was evident. Ben Kingsley’s delivery of the voiceover immediately draws us into his tragic tale, and the acting allows complex characters to be established and interesting within minutes of appearing on screen. The voiceover returns at key points in the film, and allows some of the powerful lines from Roth’s novel to be brought directly to the screen.

Streamlined

Much like the narration, the musical score is used sparingly but to great effect – this is a film that doesn’t require any tricks or bombast to hold our attention, because the story is the star. Much of the back-story and tangents from the novel have been omitted, so as not to divert us from the story of this troubled affair, and the thoughts it leaves in its wake.

"When you make love to a woman, you get revenge for all the things that defeated you in life."

The elderly, educated main character, cultural critic David Kepesh, has much to teach us about ageing, love, jealousy, independence and fatherhood, and there is a lot for us to ponder once we leave the theatre. But rather than being preachy, the film’s memorable lines are often spoken during squash matches between friends, or thought aloud as seduction is underway.

Cruz Control

The script calls for Cruz’s character to be a true ‘work of art’, and she manages with flying colours. Always prim and reserved, she helps us truly see what is driving Kingsley’s character to jealous obsession. She may be impressed by her teacher’s life of culture, but this is no awe-struck teenager, but rather yet another powerful woman for Cruz to add to her film résumé.

Full extras

Dennis Hopper is delightful as the sage but fun-loving old friend whom Kepesh frequently turns to for advice, Patricia Clarkson has a brief but memorable role as the other woman in the Kepesh’s life, and Peter Sarsgaard underlines some of Kepesh’s failures as the estranged son. The plot rarely sags, and the ending doesn’t disappoint. A quiet, reserved gem of a movie.

 

 Mark8

 

Trailer:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/elegy/ (High-res QuickTime)

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

The Strangers

Strangers Title2


  • Released Internationally on 29/05/08
  • Released in Malta by KRS on 08/10/08


In a nutshell

Young couple. Summer house in the middle of nowhere. Planned romantic night. Yeah right.

Oh! The horror!

Different people have different tastes. Anyone knows that. People who make things know it, and people who appreciate things know it. It’s what makes the world a varied place. It’s why we have menus, showrooms and remote controls. It’s why people with hairy cheeks often get married, and why you can still find white socks for sale. And of course, it’s why Hollywood churns out films by the dozen and why the world is sprinkled with cinema multiplexes.

Which brings me (finally) to horror films. Some are termed ‘thrillers’, some are gory, some contain creepy creatures while others use scary psychopaths; but ultimately they all aspire to keep you on the edge of your seat for as long as possible, and maybe even throw you off it a couple of times too. Which can all be quite fun, especially if you’re wolfing down microwave popcorn with friends, or sharing an armrest with a terrified but cute girl you asked out. But most importantly, there has to be a decent payoff in the end. You need something to make your ordeal worthwhile.

There is no such payoff here. Nothing. Just ninety minutes of terror, frights, unease and gore, just for the sake of it. Sure, the film has its moments – if you’re a thrill seeker who likes to be jolted then this might be just the ticket for you, but ultimately I was left wondering whether the rise in blood pressure was worth it. At the end of a rollercoaster ride you get the satisfaction, the view, the memories, and maybe the photo, but here the audience is left with nothing.

Inspirational stuff?

The film starts with the much-abused line ‘inspired by true events’. Where the inspiration ends and the extrapolation begins is hard to define, especially due to the nature of the ‘events’ in question – a planned romantic night for a young couple in a summer house, which loses some of its mood when uninvited guests come knocking.

Survival of the smartest

Assuming, however, that what we are seeing truly happened, then it appears that real-life young couples have learnt all the clichés from recent horror films, and are often as dim as the fictional victims. Which would explain why they insist on walking into rooms without switching on the lights, or getting separated at every opportunity, or walking right into obviously dangerous situations all alone. Which is naturally very convenient for a director intent of scaring us out of our wits.

Who’s in it?

Liv Tyler adds some respectability, and is quite convincingly terrified throughout, whereas Scott Speedman first gains our deepest sympathy after his romantic plans goes awry, but then opts for recklessness instead of chivalry.

Worth screaming about?

Don’t get me wrong – if you’re one of the (apparently numerous) fans of these fright-fests, then this could make you feel great. Many of the tense scenes are well constructed, and the terror is palpable and believable. But if you’re after a good film overall, and have enough palpitations as it is, I’d give this one a miss.


Mark4


Trailer:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/thestrangers/ (High-Res Quicktime)


Pineapple Express

Pineapple Express


  • Released Internationally on 06/08/08
  • Released in Malta by KRS on 17/09/08


Preview (01/09/08)

In a nutshell

The title refers to an allegedly potent strain of marijuana, and that should probably tell you all you need to know about the type of film you’re in for.

Why we’re hyped

Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen are behind yet another male-oriented adult comedy. After 40 Year-old Virgin, Knocked Up, Superbad and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, to name just a few, the writing/acting/directing/producing talents of these two individuals and their band of friends seem to be everywhere. Early feedback seems to indicate that this venture is up to their usual hilarious standards.

Who’s in it?

James Franco, who was all serious and annoying in the Spider-man trilogy, takes on a totally different role and hairstyle as the perpetually stoned Saul Silver, a weed dealer who gets involved in the aftermath of a nasty murder which was witnessed by his loyal friend and client, the equally stoned Dale Denton (Seth Rogen). David Gordon Green directs, Rogen co-wrote the script, and Apatow produces.


Review (16/09/08)

High as a kite

Whilst puffing on some of the titular greenery, Dale Denton witnesses a violent murder, involving a policewoman, and within hours him and his laid-back dope dealer are being chased by the murderer’s henchmen. Still, whilst grabbing essential items from the dealer’s house before dashing off, they grab enough foliage to keep them company throughout the demanding days to come, and manage to stride through death-defying stunts on the way.

Dynamic (but doped) duo

Rogen and Franco seem to be enjoying it here, and their characters are likeable enough to make their buddy-story heartfelt. Franco in particular is a joy to watch, since he plays the stress-free Saul with ease. Rogen more or less reprises the average-Joe role he had in Knocked Up, though this time the stress he’s facing is veered towards the end of life, not the beginning.

Identity crisis

It’s always an ambitious undertaking to attempt to make an ‘action-comedy’, and in this case the result ends up feeling a bit too short of laughs for a comedy, and a bit too funny for the action to be taken seriously. It was probably about thirty minutes into the film before I laughed-out-loud for the first time, although the humour does pile on more frequently in the second half.

Not for the faint of heart

Under the guise of a comedy, the filmmakers manage to literally get away with murder – this is quite probably the most graphically violent film you’ll see all year. But somehow the feet getting shot off, the stabbings, the blood spurts and all the rest seem diluted and toned down by the laughs in between.

Worth yelling about?

Fun film overall, with loads of action thrown in at the expense of the comedy, which isn’t up to Rogen’s and Apatow’s usual standards.


Mark6


Trailer:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/pineappleexpress/ (High-res QuickTime)


Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Step Brothers

Step Brothers

 

  • Released Internationally on 25/07/08
  • Released in Malta by KRS on 08/10/08

 

Preview (01/09/08)

In a nutshell

Two grown men, who still live at home with their single parent, are forced to move in together when their parents get married.

Why we’re hyped

Ridiculous concepts like this can either fall flat, or provide a barrage of laughs, based on who handles them. In the hands of the men mentioned below, this looks promising.

Who’s in it?

Will Ferrell can now boast a string of insane comedies perfectly suited to his bizarre humour, as well as a much-lauded ‘serious’ performance in 2006’s Stranger than Fiction. Here he teams up with John C. Reilly, who sparred with him in Talladega Nights, and they both look the part perfectly – bright-eyed mummy’s boys who just found a new best-friend, albeit roughly forty years old. The ubiquitous Judd Apatow produces, whilst Ferrell and Reilly themselves both contributed to the story and script. Adam McKay (Anchorman, Talladega Nights) directs.

 

Review (09/09/08)

The eyes have it

The promotional poster (see trailer link below) says most of what you need to know about this film. That child-like awe and playfulness is seen on their faces for most of the film. Ferrell and Reilly have crafted these characters themselves, and they dive into them with all the wide-eyed wonder one would expect from 40-year olds who still live like teenagers. The two play out the concept with great enthusiasm, and it’s hilarious to watch them go from teenage tantrum to geeky amazement as they sleepwalk through their direction-less lives. They fit the part so wonderfully, that it’s actually during the later scenes when they finally act grown up that they seem a bit awkward.

Fun plot, odd extras

Fun as the main concept may be, it was never going to last over ninety minutes. Unfortunately, the necessary padding doesn’t work as well as Ferrell and Reilly’s chemistry. The scenes with Ferrell’s successful brother and his wife tend to grate at times, as does the relationship with and between the two parents in question.

Moments of merriment

Fortunately, for every low-key gag or uncomfortable moment you have to sit through, there’s another of Ferrell and Reilly’s screwball scenes around the corner. Highlights include their multiple failed job interviews, their confrontation with the local (teenage) bullies, their foray into the music business, and especially their plots to stop the sale of their parents’ house. These two are a joy to watch.

 

Mark6

 

Trailer:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/stepbrothers/ (High-res QuickTime)

 

The Duchess

Duchess

 

  • Released Internationally on 05/09/08
  • Released in Malta by KRS on 10/09/08

 

Preview (01/09/08)

In a nutshell

A biopic about the 18th century English aristocrat, Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, who was a fashion icon and popular public figure in her time, but who also led quite a scandalous life.

Why we’re hyped

This is a British as it gets. Every so often we’re treated to lavish period films about, made by and starring British people, and they remain unique and special in their own way. And although this Duchess may not be as renowned as, say, Elizabeth, her story seems to be just as entertaining. Comparisons to the late Princess Diana are also sure to spring to mind, because besides the many obvious similarities, Georgiana’s maiden surname was Spencer, and Diana was a descendant of the same family.

Who’s in it?

Keira Knightley plays the title character, and this could very well be her career-defining role. We’ve seen her shine in period pieces before, and this time the spotlight will be very much on her. Another very talented Brit, Ralph Fiennes, plays William Cavendish, who marries the Duchess, and Charlotte Rampling plays Lady Spencer, her mum. The script was based on the biography by Amanda Foreman, and relative newcomer Saul Dibb directs.

Review (09/09/08)

Why bother?

Past events usually retain their interest either if they were major milestones that changed the course of history, or if the issues at hand are still relevant today. Important as she may have been in her time, the Duchess of Devonshire was hardly a landmark figure in history, and I for one had never heard of her before this film was in the pipeline. But from the word go, her story is captivating, and very relevant to our times. If this account is anything to go by, than despite superficial changes in protocol and conduct, affairs of the heart have remained very much the same through the centuries, and painful family decisions have had to be taken, much like what society is facing today.

Headstrong

Keira Knightley makes the role of the duchess her own, and is fortunate not to have to impersonate anyone since we don’t have much footage of Georgiana around nowadays. She breathes a lot of life, and the full range of emotions into her character, and will probably win audiences over just like the duchess did in her lifetime. Georgiana is presented as a fun-loving, strong-minded woman despite the restraints imposed upon her by the era in which she lived, and her popularity is entirely believable. But back home, her marriage is in ruins, and step by step we see her stumble through an emotional rollercoaster, before being faced with heart-wrenching decisions.

Not Voldemort, but close

Driving her to despair is her humourless husband the Duke, played with grim determination by Ralph Fiennes, who ironically gets many of the film’s best lines thanks to his deadpan delivery. His relationship with Georgiana, and with the third wheel in their marriage, Lady Foster, is compelling to watch. One can only hope that certain conversations that are heard here died along with our ancestors, but with all the striking similarities to Lady Diana’s life, one has to wonder what is said in the corridors of Buckingham Palace.

Lavish

Technically, the film is wonderful, with locations, costumes, hairstyles, lighting and music as lavish as one would expect from such a rich period piece. The acting is convincing throughout, aided by a tight and unwavering screenplay that enthrals us with the ten years that shaped the duchess’ life. It’s a good story, well told.

 

Mark8

 

Trailer:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount_vantage/theduchess/ (High-res QuickTime)

 

Monday, September 08, 2008

Bangkok Dangerous

Bangkok Dangerous

 

  • Released Internationally on 22/08/08
  • Released in Malta by KRS on 10/09/08

 

In a nutshell

A freelance hitman decides it’s time to hang up his rifle and settle down, but he accepts one last assignment - four targets, in one city – so as to further improve his retirement package. His job is in Bangkok and as expected, it’s dangerous.

Who’s in it?

Nicolas Cage once again carries a whole film on his shoulders as the assassin in question. Cage’s production company bought the re-make rights to the 1999 version of the film, which was directed by Hong Kong directorial duo the Pang Brothers (who also gave us The Eye). They returned to direct this English-language remake, and their 1999 script was tinkered with by a certain Jason Richman.

Cover version, now with vocals

The original film featured a deaf-mute hitman in the main role, which I imagine provided an interesting slant on the much-overdone lone assassin theme. However, the powers that be decided that Cage would be wasted if he kept his mouth shut for 90 minutes, so we now have a hired gun in full command of all his senses, which leaves him with little novelty compared to the countless other similar films we’ve seen over the years. And most of them were on their supposedly-last assignment too.

Weird

To retain some of the original concept, a new subplot is crafted involving a deaf-mute female interest, which plays out rather awkwardly, and ends up adding very little to the story, besides being quite unconvincing. It’s nearly as weird as Cage’s haircut, which is once again altered conspicuously, presumably to distinguish his character from the numerous similar characters he’s played in the past.

Brand Thailand

If the mention of Thailand conjures up mental images of idyllic beaches for you, then this film won’t have you phoning your travel agent in a hurry. Hardly any scenes unfold in daylight, and apart from a brief prologue in Prague, the entire film immerses us in a dark and bleak Bangkok underworld. And this is no classy, Blade Runner-type noir environment. It’s just dank and depressing.

Worth it for the action?

Amongst the few redeeming features are a couple of decently-orchestrated action sequences, including a memorable chase through Bangkok’s floating market that owes much to Roger Moore and his Bond escapades in ‘The Man With The Golden Gun’. In the end, there’s very little here that’s original, and most of it is gloomy and forgettable.

 

Mark4

 

Trailer:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/bangkokdangerous/ (High-res QuickTime)

 

Sunday, September 07, 2008

Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Hellboy

 

  • Released Internationally on 10/07/08
  • Released in Malta by KRS on 10/09/08

 

Preview (01/09/08)

In a nutshell

Hellboy is the government’s secret-weapon – a cigar-munching, down-to-earth demon who’s big on brawn and quite efficient at battling anything nasty or paranormal. He made the jump from comic-books to the big screen in 2004, and based on that film’s financial and critical success, he’s back for a much-anticipated sequel.

Why we’re hyped

Visionary director Guillermo Del Toro was given the chance to direct the original Hellboy film after the success of his Blade II. He proved his love for the subject matter by creating a visually impressive and fun comic-book film, which was successful despite being much lesser-known than other comic-book heroes. Since then, he turned in the equally stunning Pan’s Labyrinth two years ago. And based on his short but impressive CV, he’s now been picked by Peter Jackson to direct the two eagerly-awaited Hobbit films. In the meantime, Golden Army promises to be bigger, better and just as fun as its predecessor.

Who’s in it?

Ron Perlman reprises his role as the title character, although he’s quite unrecognizable under the make-up. Selma Blair and Doug Jones return as his partners at the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defence, and John Hurt returns in a brief role as Hellboy’s adoptive father.

 

Review (07/09/08)

Tried and tested

Since the first film was so well received, the basic formula is preserved for this sequel, and once again Del Toro manages to craft it into an enjoyable action film with lots of creatures to feast our eyes on. As he has shown on more than one occasion, he loves fantasy creatures, and along with the main protagonists, we are now introduced to a host of new ones – from the impressively designed evil henchman Mr. Wink, with his detachable metal fist, to the eerie angel of death and his wonderful peripheral vision. Not to mention the Golden Army itself, of course, which holds up pretty well in storage and can sweep the battlefield when called upon.

Not just a monster showroom

Despite the creatures of Del Toro’s world taking centre stage, they’re not playing out a vapid plot or merely acting as accessories. These creatures form the essence of Del Toro’s contemporary fairytale, and their interaction with everyday city scenarios and present-day news items is one of the reasons why Hellboy is so fresh and original. In between battling ogres and elves in the underworld, Hellboy is having problems with his girlfriend, and also clashing with the Washington authorities over his sightings by news crews and video clips on YouTube. And to top it all, there’s a wonderful buddy moment when Hellboy and his spindly aquatic sidekick Abe down a few beers to the tune of Barry Manilow.

Much to look forward too

The Hellboy comics are sure to be full of further material should another sequel be planned, but the film’s ending leaves us unsure whether we’ll be joining this motley crew again anytime soon. In the meantime, this highly entertaining sequel should serve as a good appetiser for Del Toro’s upcoming trip to Middle-Earth.

 

Mark7

 

Trailer:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/hellboy2thegoldenarmy/ (High-res QuickTime)