Moon review
Apparently, Moon was made for 53p and a bag of marbles. Impressive.
Special effects comprise miniatures lacking weight and CGI simply lacking (although not completely absent) which is noticeable but doesn’t detract. For anyone interested in filmmaking it’s downright intriguing, in fact. On this level, the super-low budget flick is unavoidably reminiscent of sci-fi films from the 70’s but the tale is darker, better performed, and ultimately more engaging than most of them, or any other sci-fi film for that matter.
Although the attention heaped on the film has primarily focussed on the super-stretching of the microscopic budget, it’s worth mentioning that Sam Rockwell can be spotted sneakily slipping in a stunning performance–his very best to date and one of the most enjoyable acting performances of the year so far.
There are a few pacing peculiarities but it is hard to find significant fault with the film. A deeply original, atmospheric film inventively and stubbornly made, the British film industry would do well to continue making more films like Moon.
31st Jul 2009 | 1 Comment | Official site | On IMDb
Sunshine Cleaning review
American quirky low budget “little character films” can be real gems and although Sunshine Cleaning will inevitably be compared to the likes of Juno and Little Miss Sunshine, it isn’t quite as original or quirky or, ultimately, gem-like.
The writing is patchy; the pacing is okay but the interest of scenes and strength of dialogue in particular (which, at times, is great) take a dip in the middle of the film, where it seems to forget that it started off with strong comedic elements. The story is also quite formulaic and obvious; struggle → fight → success → downfall → rise from the ashes.
Amy Adams demonstrates yet again that she’s a good, although too-often doe-eyed, actor but Britain’s own Emily Blunt impresses more. Alan Arkin is only disappointing in so much that he pretty much reprises his kooky role from Little Miss Sunshine but to less effect. Joined by other notable performances from Steve Zahn, some kid, and the Art Garfunkel fan from Flight of the Conchords, the cast members work well together and are the highlight of an otherwise average film.
9th Jul 2009 | Comment
Public Enemies review
Real attention to detail has gone in to the design of Michael Mann’s eagerly anticipated Public Enemies and coupled with involving photography it conjures a brilliant, atmospheric picture of 1930s gangland Chicago.
The top-drawer cast doesn’t disappoint; Johnny Depp plays cool like no one else; seemingly effortlessly, and although, yet again, Christian Bale isn’t given much to get his teeth in to, he is well cast. Marion Cotillard is excellent—a real talent—and cements her position as one of the hottest actresses around.
But with a slice of history approach sidestepping a solid story structure, the tale is hastily told. Most problematic is the establishment of relationships. Bale’s character is, essentially, a supporting character, rather than a man of equal standing to Depp’s Dillinger and so largely fails to establish the two-sides of the same coin psychological battle that the film is clearly going for. As for Depp and Cotillard’s characters, so much of the film, and certainly the finale, hinges on their close bond but it just isn’t convincing enough.
The ingredients are very high quality but the final meal isn’t as fulfilling as it could have been.
7th Jul 2009 | Comment
Bruno review
Sacha Baron Cohen’s got balls. Big balls. That’s the key, and always has been, from Ali G to Borat to Brüno. His unflinching, uncompromising approach both to drama and especially in real-life situations has lead to some unique, hilarious moments that are sometimes brilliantly disguised to highlight the worst of the human condition.
There’s not a lot that can be said about his latest venture; everyone surely know what they’re getting by now. It’s very much like Borat; forget the story; there is one but it’s daft and exists only to hold the sketches and interviews together. Amongst many cheap gags are some staggering moments (are those interviews with the parents genuine?!) and truly side-splitting moments.
As a movie, it’s not brilliant, really, and the film snob in me is tempted to give it a 3/5. But although it’s still rough around the edges, it is a very enjoyable, very funny piece of entertainment.
3rd Jul 2009 | Comment
Best films of the next 6 months? opinion
Six months down, six to go. Here are the year’s forthcoming movies that I’m most eagerly anticipating, in order, naturally:
- Moon (Sam Rockwell in old-school style sci-fi). Coming this month.
- Cold Souls (Paul Giamatti, Charlie Kaufman-esque madness). As yet no release date.
- Shutter Island (interesting Scorsese project). Coming October.
- 9 (Impressive-looking sci-fi animation). Coming September.
- Avatar (nutso-budget James Cameron epic). Coming December.
- Up (well received latest from Pixar). Coming October.
- Where The Wild Things Are (Spike Jonze directs Maurice Sendak classic). Coming December.
- A Serious Man (Coen Brothers). Coming October, hopefully.
- Away We Go (Sam Mendes comedy). Coming September.
- G-Force (guinea pigs save the world. YEAH, baby). Coming this month. Can’t wait!
2nd Jul 2009 | 2 Comments
Best films of the past 6 months opinion
We’re at the half-way point of the year and these are my picks for the best films so far:
- Slumdog Millionaire
- Gran Torino
- Star Trek
- Revolutionary Road
- Timecrimes
- Let The Right One In
- The Good, The Bad, The Weird
- Rachel Getting Married
- The Reader
- Coraline
2nd Jul 2009 | 1 Comment
Doghouse review
Seriously, the British film industry is embarrassing. Zombie-flick Doghouse is right up there with The Boat That Rocked. Different style, but the same class.
I think I knew the guy who wrote this. He sat next to me in class, and it was for a week-long end-of-year project. It was “really cool” and “really funny;” everything a hyperactive teenager thinks is absolutely brilliant.
Joining the “it’s not really sexist” message, other noteworthy aspects are the fuck-continuity “atmospheric” lighting and the questionable effects, but let’s forgive them for the low budget. The acting, maybe, is good, although it’s hard to tell; the cast aren’t given much to work with.
I can only imagine that in the current cash-strapped climate, films like this have been built on a carefully devised commercial formula to hit the right buttons in a very specific target market. If that’s the case, then fair enough; however depressing it was to hear the audience chuckle along to the cheapest of jokes, it clearly does work on a base level. Eat my brains now.
1st Jul 2009 | Comment
Rudo & Cursi review
Rags-to-riches and battling brothers. It’s nothing new and nothing that hasn’t been done at least slightly better a number of times in the past. The story behind Rudo y Cursi isn’t helped by the attempt to cover so many life-changing events over the course of 100 minutes; it’s a difficult task but, again, one that has been achieved more convincingly in the past.
It’s great to see actors Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna together again after Y Tu Mamá También; the chemistry between them is brilliant. Bernal is as solid as ever, but doesn’t shine quite as brightly as he has in some of his other films. Luna, in fact, stands out more, thanks largely to his more interesting, more complex character.
This is a competent film with some commendable aspects (as well as the acting, the production design is worthy of note) but its predictable story is pedestrian, resulting in nothing more than an average film.
1st Jul 2009 | Comment
