Rec 2 review
Shaky camera low budget Spanish horror about demonically possessed zombies quarantined in a block of flats. Pretty much ever horror film sounds ridiculous. And most of them are. But a few years ago Rec did pretty well with a decent concept built around a tiny budget that enhanced the scares rather than hindered them.
Rec 2 is more of the same and loses out on the strongest point of its predecessor—originality—but it makes up for it by offering a more intriguing story with interweaving plots and a nice twist at the end, especially nice for those familiar with the first film. For the most part you don’t need to be familiar with what has gone before (Rec 2 takes place straight after the events of Rec) although it does help and the final 20-minutes might seem to have come out of nowhere if you’re not. The filmmakers probably could have done a little more to make this more of a self-contained movie.
Following the grand horror tradition the film is still full of absurdities but if you can let them wash over you you’re left with a pretty good, certainly above-average, horror flick.
30th May 2010 | Comment | Official site | On IMDb
Bad Lieutenant review
It’s tough to figure out which is more baffling; why enigmatic phenomenon Werner Herzog chose to direct an action packed bad-cop crime drama or why a production company gave him $25 million to do it. But they did and although Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans is a little rough around the edges it is a hugely enjoyable, entertaining classic in the making.
For those familiar with Herzog and his work, it should come as no surprise that this isn’t a typical crime drama. It’s nuts, in fact. A riot. A joyride that is as insane as its lead character. From prolonged close-ups on iguanas to break dancing souls to elderly ladies aggressively threatened with a magnum it is as hilarious as it is dark.
Nicolas Cage puts in the most exhilarating acting performance of the year and his best since Adaptation. Following Kick-Ass, this is further evidence that he’s back in full force. But without Herzog Bad Lieutenant would still, probably, be run-of-the mill. He lives on another planet. And I want to visit.
27th May 2010 | Comment | Official site | On IMDb
Four Lions review
Chris Morris is a real talent with an impressive record in directing and especially writing for TV. Expectations for his first feature have been understandably high and initial reactions suggested that the expectations were, at the very least, met. I can’t possibly have seen the same Four Lions as everyone else.
The four central characters, and the scattering of support, for that matter, are the highlight; well formed, distinct and mostly interesting. But, beyond the tantalising concept of bumbling Islamic terrorists, there is a basic plot around which a story of little substance is wrapped. The film isn’t controversial and Morris agrees with that but it could and even should have been. That, Morris doesn’t agree with. But, surely, the subject of violent fundamentalism (associated with a particular religion or not) could have been pushed and explored further both for greater comic and thought provoking effect.
I can’t help but feel there is substantial deference for Morris and, accompanied by three other very well respected, very talented writers, Four Lions should, by all accounts, hit the mark. Instead, it’s a forgettable, lightweight, disappointing miss.
17th May 2010 | Comment | Official site | On IMDb
The Disappearance of Alice Creed review
One small set, a couple of modest locations and a grand total of three actors. The Disappearance of Alice Creed, a British thriller about the kidnapping and ransoming of a rich girl by two ex-cons, is a fine example of a minimal micro-budget movie that pushes hard to make the most out of tight practical restrictions.
Like most films, at the heart of its success is a cleverly written twist-laden script but the direction (by the same dude, J. Blakeson) is also impressive, successfully depicting tense situations in a claustrophobic environment. It’s worth mentioning that it’s well acted, too, which is quite essential given the tiny cast. Gemma Arterton steps out from her usual I-am-here-for-little-else-than-to-look-pretty roles and does a fine job. Crying. And screaming. And things.
Alice Creed isn’t groundbreaking by any means but it is a well made film, all the more impressive given the limitations involved.
10th May 2010 | Comment | Official site | On IMDb
The Milk of Sorrow review
A young woman with a potato lodged in her vagina loses her raped mother and cautiously approaches the everyday challenges of a life of poverty believing she was poisoned by breast milk as a child. Directed by Judd Apatow… no… wait…
Winner of the prestigious Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival, The Milk of Sorrow (or La Teta Asustada, literally “The Frightened Teat”) tackles some dark issues surrounding modern attitudes and repercussions to recent troubles in Andean Peru. It isn’t enjoyable but it is intriguing and there are, although they seem relatively insignificant, technical aspects to admire such as fine acting performances and strangely attractive brutal landscapes.
The provocative film left me uncomfortable and confused. Far from a negative, it was motivation to alleviate my ignorance and find out more about the troubled background behind the story.
