The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Blessed with the extraordinary gift of guiding the imaginations of others, Doctor Parnassus is cursed with a dark secret. An inveterate gambler, thousands of years ago he made a bet with the devil, Mr. Nick, in which he won immortality. Centuries later, on meeting his one true love, Dr. Parnassus made another deal with the devil, trading his immortality for youth, on condition that when his daughter reached her 16th birthday, she would become the property of Mr Nick.

Terry Gilliam has never had an easy ride with making films. 'Brazil' is famous for the director falling out with the film studio, and right up to his previous film 'The Brother Grimm' also had issues with the studio over the production of the film. With his come back film 'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus' the worse possible thing happened the death of the films lead, Heath Ledger. The director had a choice either abandon the picture or re-tweak, thankfully Gillam decided to carry on and finish the film, as he felt it is what Ledger would of wanted, the result is a dare I say it a better film, the film is enriched with what will now become legendary cameos of some of the biggest young actors around, Jonny Depp, Jude law and Colin Farrell.

The way the gap of Heath Ledger is created is every time Tony (Heath Ledger) enters the mirror into a fantasy world, one of the three actors takes his place, the new idea works very well, so much so that if you didn’t know of Ledgers death all would look normal.

The film will always be famous for the death of its lead, still Heath Ledgers swan song is not his greatest performance as people may hope, his legacy will be with his work in 'Brokeback Mountain' and 'The Dark Knight'. With The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Ledger is part of a good ensemble, including a fine performance from Christopher Plummer as Parnassus, also a great supporting role by Tom Waits as the devil, Waits hams his role up well, starring in a number of the most memorable scenes including, a cloud hoping scene, a mechanical Russian lady scene and a nice scene of Waits sun bathing is a murky river whilst smoking.

The films two young leads Lily Cole and Andrew Garland both hold their own against Ledger, Plummer and Waits. Also of course the added leads of Jonny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell, all three manage to take the spirit of Ledger brilliantly, but still adding each actors own acting style to the film. The Jonny Depp scene of Tony (Heath Ledger) talking about dead soles, that will never been forgotten is a very touching and poignant piece of script and acting. Overall these added scenes though the mirror and the fantasy world that Gilliam is famous for are highlights and really allow both director and actors run wild.

The film may not be Gillams best film, it follows the same floors as 'The Adventures of Baron Munchausen' had, with at times having too many ideas for one film to handle, and can get a bit messy with visuals and story.

Still the vision, passion, and originality of the film are second to none and you won't see anything like this in 2009.

Creation

The story of Charles Darwin and his master-work "The Origin of Species". Creation tells of a global revolution played out the confines of a small English village; a passionate marriage torn apart by the most dangerous idea in history; and a theory saved from extinction by the logic of a child.

Director Jon Amiel turns a strong mostly English cast, and an interesting subject matter of one of the most scientific publishing pieces in the modern era into a rather slow, run of the mile family melodrama. The performances are stale, Paul Bettany normally an interesting performer is average as Darwin never really showing the acting skills which we are normally use to. Real life wife Jennifer Connelly is also rather flat and un interesting, managing to have the same expression thoughout the whole film, and only really comes together when she is interacting with Charles emotionally.

In all what should have been a tight study of Charles Darwin’s thoughts and process into the development of "The Origins of Species" is a slow burning drama that never really sparks into life. Despite some visual flourishes the film should have stuck with its central theme.

Harry Brown

An elderly ex-serviceman and widower looks to avenge his best friend's murder by doling out his own form of justice.

Harry Brown opens with a truly striking first ten minutes, a giddy array of shaky mobile phone footage of a young English gang followed by an un-forgettable act of violence which will shock. Although this does not quite set the tone of the film it does gives a wake up call to youth city violence.

The film has a good supporting cast from its mainly young leads, a nasty group with the well structured police integration scene showing how far verbal violence can shake an audience with both fear and dread. Still this is the Michael Caine show. It is rare for Mr Caine to get leads now days, the actor is one of the most famous English actors and is truly wonderful in the title role.

What is truly wonderful is the creation of the Harry Brown character from a loving old guy next door, including a highlighted tender scene of a one to one with a friend in his local pub after the death of his daughter, to transformation to a re-activated old solider to a killing machine, as Harry Brown takes vengeance for the death of a friend, out on the local young gang.

Violent, and a bit too much Hollywood styled 'Death Wish' in places Harry Brown' is still a thrilling, tough, and thought provoking British thriller. Well directed and a great central performance from its lead.

Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs

When Flint Lockwood's latest contraption accidentally destroys the town square and rockets up into the clouds, he thinks his inventing career is over. Then something amazing happens as delicious cheeseburgers start raining from the sky. His machine actually works! But when people greedily ask for more and more food, the machine starts to run amok, unleashing spaghetti tornadoes and giant meatballs that threaten the world!

'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs' is the wackiest animation of 2009. Where 'UP' won over with its big heart, and 'Coralline' with technique wonder, 'Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs' is just out there silliness, with great food destroying set pieces, a number of inspiring film in jokes and lovely visuals. Including a jelly and ice cream set of scenes which are just beautiful. Another plus are the inspiring set of voice overs including a standout from MR T as the local policemen.

'Cloudy' gets caught up too much with what’s visually on screen, sometimes hurting the story and characters at times, still the animated adventure is one of the most original and exciting and clever animated features to come out in a number of years.

Surrogates

People are living their lives remotely from the safety of their own homes via robotic surrogates, sexy, physically perfect mechanical representations of themselves. It’s an ideal world where crime, pain, fear and consequences don’t exist.

Director Jonathan Mostow follow up to I-Robot has a similar feel to his Will Smith Sc-Fi, with robots taking centre stage. The idea of surrogates replacing an alternative older more appearance, and social sensitive human society is a good one. Still the central story is tiresome, and the feeling of been there done that, is too evident. Surprising the films second side story of the Bruce Willies character Tom trying to get his wife to become more at peace with her human body over the robot surrogate, is touching and has more heart than the generic sc-fi formula story taking centre stage.

Surrogates is ok, and come alive with some well staged if to brief action set pieces. Still the pacing of the film is an issue, the film never really hitting full stride. Mostow has done much better in the Sc-Fi department before, with the far superior I-Robot.

Ben X

Ben is different and his life is a universe all unto itself. He has Asperger Syndrome, a mild form of autism that prevents normal communication, and while he is a courageous hero—Ben X—in the fantasy on-line gaming world that consumes him, in his daily life Ben is tormented by bullies and ignored by apathetic teachers.

The film makers of 'Ben X' have attempted to cover on film an important social illness, with a high style form of film making, which is although affective and reflective at times, lacks depth or interest in the long run.

The problems with this film are layed in the first half an hour, leaving the viewer thrust rated, the film keep building and building, including a film style of a too camera series of interviews, with some expressing emotional performances, all leading to a promised big reveal. But this reveal never delivers anything interesting in between. Once the big reveal in the film happens the film is flipped on its head and exposed with a completely unbelievable twist, everything before it is somehow is now underplayed and undermined.

Sex Drive

American teenager Ian brings his friends along on a road trip from Chicago toKnoxville to lose his virginity with a girl he met online.

Its hard to believe the 'American Pie' comedies began some 11 years ago. The legacy of these films are still going strong, for the teen market films in the naughtiest, 'Sex Drive' takes allot of its influences from these genre watermark pictures.

'Sex Drive’ is mostly crude and lewd, some of it works, and some of it is just childish rubbish, with the latter being in the higher bracket, with more misses and hits. Still when it hits it hits very well.

The standouts scenes mostly involve the doughnut costume, the final over the top scene is very funny and is worth the wait. Also worth nothing is a funny cameo from Seth Green as an Amish mechanic, also a funny side line character from James Marsden as lan's brother.

When this film is funny it is sniggering laugh out loud funny like a little school boy, when it is crude it is wince look away bad.

Death Sentence

Nick Hume (Kevin Bacon) is a mild-mannered executive with a perfect life, until one gruesome night he witnesses something that changes him forever. Transformed by grief, Hume eventually comes to the disturbing conclusion that no length is too great when protecting his family.

A Revenge film at its heart, 'Death Sentence' is full on in action, violence and a number of intense performances. Kevin Bacon has always one of the most underrated actors though out his career, and is on good form here. Also a mention should go to a John Goodman in a very usual but effective piece of casing, and he almost steals the show from Bacon.

'Death Sentence' is a very grim film, still this is a well made picture, including an impressive and exciting well constructed foot chase and an impress developed opening act.

Comparisons are going to be made between this film and 'Death Wish' and more recently Jodie fosters 'Brave One', 'Death Sentence' is actually better than both of these films. 

Still the film strays from believability, and we have seen the final act of the film a dozen times before, shame director James Wan didn’t spice the film up a bit in this section and produce a more original slant on the ending. 

Overall a well made film that packs quite a wallop.

No Distance Left to Run

The emotional reunion of Blur is the subject of this celebratory music documentary. Inter cutting between a back history of the band and their come back 2009 tour.

The very nature of this type of documentary will split viewers you either like or dislike the band, but what is for sure is that the band was one of the most important British bands of the 90s and on that note an important musical documentary. The ups and downs of the band are well know so this is not a no holds bar piece, in some ways this is different from Metallica's 'Some Kind Of Monster, which is of a band following part, rather 'No Distance Left to Run' is more a reflection of a finished band and the ups and downs in their words.

Still this is a great insight into the band including great interviews, old and new, well edited and presented, with the old and new Blur, at times it feels like a well organised, approved doc, but this is only a small complaint.

The energy of the band is also impressive in 2009 and the comeback seems like they hadn’t even been away.

The Firm

Dom, a young wannabe football casual, who gets drawn into the charismatic but dangerous world of the firm's top boy, Bex. Accepted for his fast mouth and sense of humor, Dom soon becomes a member of the firm.

In 1988, The BBC made a TV short film which would define the football hooglism film genre and to this day still be the benchmark and best film depicting this type of movie. It would also be the main lead Gary Oldmans, career defining role.

There are a number of problems with 'The Firm' remake, mainly a poor script and a story that has been told over and over again in football films of this type, and in other movie drama in general. Young guy idolising violent man, then finds out quickly that he has made a mistake.

The acting is bad as a whole, and hits its worse with its lead Calum McNab playing Dominic, who struggles with the lead duties and a clunky script.
Paul Anderson, as Bex is one of the best of the bunch in the acting stakes, still Gary Oldman had such a presents in the original, Anderson doesn’t really compare. The real standout is Daniel Mays as the revival firm leader Yeti, the director gives him little screen time, but when he is on he laps up the roles and is a real menace.

The 80s fashion looks great, and there are some breathtaking tracksuits on show, also the soundtrack is suited well to the film. The movie is so deep in 80s nostalgia that sadly there is not really anytime given to developing anything else, like an engaging story or characters. Still 'The Firm' is a good looking picture. The script despite being bad does have some good, cockney ones liners.

The original 'The Firm' was an echo on football violence happening around the time of the film being made. The film also touched on a depressing Thatcherism state in the 80's. The original firm could been seen as well as a good documentation on football hooliganism, but also a period piece of the time and 80's Britain.

Nick Loves remake plays out like a parody of a number of similar genre type films made in the past ten years, and with it short length, nothing makes the film stand out from the other films of type. With Its lack of character, rather dreadful script and bad acting, the film finishes up as yet another dull football violence themed picture.

In The Loop

Big screen adaptation of BBC television satirical comedy 'The Thick of It'

Peter Capaldi as the demon politician 'Tucker' steals the show, the actor chews his way though the film brilliantly. The script is sharp and witty and Capaldi really goes to town with some great one lines. Another standout performance goes to the American general played by James Gandolfini who is on fine form, the scene in the children's room and the calculations being made on a Childs toys is funny, and the line "normally if no solider returns from a war, that normally means we have lost" is one of the best scenes in the film.

Sometimes TV shows are better left on the small screen and not developed and adapted for the big screen. 'In the loop' is an extremely well written film, with award nominations popping up throughout the year for adapted screenplay. Still the format for both the TV show and the Film is similar to another British TV show named 'Drop The Dead Donkey' replacing journalists with government officials. Both these shows relied on an up to date news format that changes from week to week, which as a feature can not be done.

Also the concept works better in a forty minute episode, and ideas used in the film seem stretched for the movie which is almost two hours long.

A one off film although funny in places struggles to add depth to the characters, partly because of the films fast pace and leaves the movie slightly disjointed because of this.

The Last House on the Left

After kidnapping and brutally assaulting two young women, a gang led by a prison escapee unknowingly finds refuge at a vacation home belonging the parents of one of the victims.

The remake wagon carries on, and as other previous horror remakes 'The Last House on the Left' is high on style but misses the point of its original.

It can be seen as the only reason why this film exists is the fact the film is next in line with the horror catalogue of the 1970's. We have had remakes of 'Texas Chainsaw', 'The Hills Have Eyes', 'Friday 13th' 'Halloween' etc and both the 'A Nightmare On Elm Street' and 'Hellraiser' franchise are getting a remake too. With the exception of an ok 'The Hill Have Eyes' all the remakes have been terrible. 'The Last House' is ok, but again there is really no reason why this film has been remade at all.

'The Last House On The Left' remake is slickly made, technically a better made film compared to the ragged original. The performances are also ok. After the main assault and attack the film loses its way, what is left is an hour or so of standard revenge themes and various ultra violent deaths. Also far to many scenes of characters creeping around a blacked out house, or running about in the rain.

The original film had a meaning. The original was released at the time of the Vietnam War, and Watergate, the film was projecting messages of violence and how far on screen violence can or must go, and the film also had an art house following too.
The movie was terrible, gritty and badly made, BUT had a place in the developing 1970's horror genre, and is a watermark for this type of horror genre.

With all the problems of the original it had a point and that is the problem with the remake, what is the point outside just remaking another well know genre piece?. In the end the remake has the slightly less profound message of revenge is good.

The Proposal

On the verge of being deported and losing the high-powered job she lives for, the controlling Margaret announces she’s engaged to her unsuspecting, put-upon assistant Andrew.

The most successful off beat comedy of 2009.
I must admit I am not the demographic or target audience for the new Sandra Bullock romantic comedy, still as a wishy washy predictable comedys go this is a better effort.
The chemistry between both Bullock and Reynolds is there, and there are at least a couple of solid funny scenes, mostly played out by the films lead Bullock.

Still everyone has seen this all before and despite the always watch able Bullock giving a solid run and Reynolds also showing again that he is better at light comedy than drama. Again 'The Proposal' is what it is, a studio summer release to make money and not attempting to become the next 'Annie Hall'.

Bakjwi

A priest loses his faith, and a failed medical experiment turns him into a vampire.

Park Chan-Wook film was a nice alternative to the other supernatural films of 2009, and a complete u-turn to the most successful other vampire film of 09', 'Twilight'.

'Thirst' suffers from style over substance, to an extent that the story and screenplay gets itself in a muddle, and is not as strong as some of Wook's more solid films such as 'Old Boy'.

'Thirst' is strongest in what is on show visually. The film is a visual treat, with impressive style and showmanship. A stand out is an outstanding set of set pieces, including a closing act to the film which is beautifully done, using very little dialogue.

Good performances, and a visually flair makes 'Thirst' one of the more stand out foreign language films of 09'.

Sicko

Michael Moore's new documentary sets out to investigate the American healthcare system. Sticking to his tried-and-true one-man approach, Moore sheds light on the complicated medical affairs of individuals and local communities.

Michael Moore shows the U.S health service to be in a mess. With a number of scenes showing a failing in the health service due to greed from private company’s and soaring prices in health attention. 

An opening scene of a man when confronted with a large health bill, after an accident has the choice of only being able to replace one of his fingers out of two which have been amputated. A quite striking opening act, and sets the tone for the documentary.

Of course this is standard Michael Moore, which means that evidence is twisted to support his argument, check out the scene where Moore visits both London and Paris. The evidence is presented that these countries pay for the health service though taxes, but this is only briefly mentioned and skimmed over, and Moore pictures both countries getting everything for free. Also we have the big stunt in the climax of the documentary, where Michael Moore attempts to break into Guantanamo bay. Still the Cuba climax, does produce an off the cuff touching closing set of moments.

The problem as with all of Mr Moore's documentaries is they are always one sided and never attempt to get a balanced view for the content covered, which ultimately although entertaining, emotional and interesting, leaves an air of in complication.

Pour elle

Lise and Julien are married and lead a happy, quiet existence with their son, Oscar. But their lives are turned upside down one morning when the police come to their home to arrest Lisa for murder.

'Anything for Her' has a number of strong central performances from its two leads, Vincent Lindon and Diane Kruger.

The film has a strong engaging opening half and hour. But for some reason the film, kind of goes off the rails with a lack believability, and a second half full of lucky and un lucky turn of events, which is a shame for a film which has a such a well writen first half.

A Hollywood remake is on the way, with no doubt Nicolas Cage taking the lead, it is a type of role that he would take. Still if the remake keeps to the more solid opening half of this French thriller, could be a remake worth looking out for, for a change.

Chi Bi

Based on the true events during the Three Kingdoms period in Ancient China, in which specifically told in the title, The Battle of Red Cliffs.

Director John Woo has been most recently famous for his cross over Hollywood films rather than his original Asian cinema, from the impressive Face Off (his best Hollywood film to date), and the not so impressive 'Windtalkers' and 'Mission impossible 2'. Still his grass roots are with Asian cinema with such greats as 'A Better Tomorrow' and 'Hard Boiled'. The director is at heart an action film maker with plot and dialogue normally taking a back seat.

Red Cliff is right up there with the best work Woo he has done, although the dialogue is still clumpy as with many of his films. There are still loads of fun, impressive action sequences to entertain, and even horses being knocked over by warriors.
As well as the obvious dove sequence that John Woo puts into all of his films, in Red Cliff a carrier pigeon is replaced with a dove as the dove is sent across the river to a spy within the enemy camp, and what we see is a bird’s eye view of the approaching flooting armada, a fun standout scene.

There is a slight Déjà Vu with 'Red Cliff' as ever since' Couching Tiger Hidden Dragon', these types of films are being produced out of South East Asia all the time.

Still how could you not love a film that has a warrior knock over horses with his bare hands.

The Exorcist III

A particularly cruel and gruesome serial killer is at large in Georgetown. His murders, which involve torture, decapitation and the desecration of religious icons, is bad enough; but they also resemble those of the Gemini Killer. The killing in Georgetown, maybe connected to the exorcism of fifteen years previous.

The official sequel to the original Exorcist, with the writer, and for this instalment director William Peter Blatty having nothing to do with the fun but silly Exorcist 2.

The first thing to notice about the third instalment is the acting and Blattys script is solid and well written, a vast improvement from part 2.
Actor George C. Scott as the detective lead is great, and fellow actor Ed Flanders as his priest friend also puts in a nice performance.

The film has one great set piece, an intense horror sequence, which uses a static camera position to drive a five minute sequence before a violent act, a great use of horror timing, and as a whole very affective. Amongst the the very best horror scenes of the 90's.

Still the film is not as engaging, interesting nor as thrilling in comparison to the first film. The less said about the over-the-top ending the better. The studio were crying out for an exorcism and a big special effects closing act, and what remains is a slap dash mess of an ending, which brings comparisons to the ending of the Exorcist 2.

American Teen

'American Teen' follows the lives of five teenagers a jock, a popular girl, a heartthrob, an artsy girl and a geek in one small town in Indiana through their senior year of high school, all real.

The film is not a hard hitting account of teen life in America. General run of the mill falling outs between friends, pressure of one teenager to do well in his local basketball team, also pressure in the boy to get a college sponsorship, are what follows.

Out of all the Teenagers Hannah is the stand out as the girl who wants to move to Hollywood and make it big. A girl out of place in the drama of college boys and basketball life, she is the light at the end of the tunnel, and arguably the one teen you care about.

This is all pretty entertaining, but with rumours of a number of staged moments of the film the whole original idea can be lost. It is also noticeable that director Nanette Burstein plays out alot of the scenes as what seems to be scripted film drama, rather than the more off the cuff realistic drama.