35 rhums

A widower is cared for by his daughter, who also becomes a "step-wife" for him.

Sadly 35 Rhums is the definition of a dull film which does'nt really has anywhere to go. It’s not down to the performances which are fine, but the actors just don’t have anything to run with, which is down to a fragile slow script and blandly written characters. 


A pretentious piece of cinema, which highlights amount to a breaking down of a car, and a death of fat cat. Go figure. Pedestrian, mundane and not as clever as it thinks it is..

Monsters vs. Aliens

When a meteorite from outer space hits a young girl and turns her into a giant monster, she is taken to a secret government compound where she meets a ragtag group of monsters also rounded up over the years.

Good fun, good characters and the film zips along nicely. The homages to other SC-FI classics are worked in ok, everything from 'Dr Strangelove' to E.T. Still the body of the story is slightly auto pilot with other animated movies of this type, and there is nothing here that you have hav'nt seen before visually.

Big River Man

Following Strel as he attempts to cover 3,375 miles in what is being billed as the world's longest swim. Strel, who hails from Slovenia, previously completed record swims in the Danube, Mississippi and Yangzte rivers and holds several Guiness World Records.

This documentary can been seen similar to Hearts of Darkness the documentary which supported the film ‘Apololaypse Now’ as it depicts man against the elements of the rain forest, in ‘Big River Man’ the Amazon River.

A lot is lost with the narration of the son of the swimmer rather than the emotions of Strel. Still entertaining although, in experience can been seen in the making of the documentary with a theatrical approach over the more interesting doc approach this can been seen in a bombardment of music all the time and dramatic staged scenes which are not needed.

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

In Harlem, an overweight, illiterate teen who is pregnant with her second child is invited to enroll in an alternative school in hopes that her life can head in a new direction.

Well made drama from debut director Lee Daniels. The dream sequences are well integrated on screen with the horror which ignites them. Still this is standard story telling exercise, the real talking points are the performances.

When a performance is a source for acting, various award winning performances have defined the word of actor, recently Daniel Day Lewis in ‘There Will Be Blood’ and Jamie Fox ‘Ray’. 

In order to be accounted as a performance the person needs to show a difference in personality to display character. As great as Gabourey Sidbe is as the lead, the young girl on the streets of Harlem trying to find a voice, and build a life round her abusive mother and troubled school life. Without belittling the actress her performance is no better or worse than a performance from say the television show ‘The Wire’ from the street kids, an everyday person you will pass on the street. Strong but natural all the same and many young woman could adlib a performance such as this. Not taking anything away from the actress but her performance as well as a number of other performances in the film stretch the definition of acting. This is important as 90% of the film is subjected to the young lead, the title ‘Precious’ is the girls name, that you have to really feel for the character, which you do but its an everyday approach, the point i guess but can leave the viewer cold.

The real standout performance is from the mother played with real nasty menace from Mo’Nique the closing scene of her and a social worker is just as powerful as anything before it.

Overall a hard watch and a hard sell. The film is powerful but can be drawn out and could be seen as slightly exploitive, the abrupt ending also leaves the film with mixed messages.

Los cronocrímenes

Hector (Karra Elejalde) is relaxing on a lawn chair outside of his new country home, surveying the nearby hillside through a pair of binoculars, when he catches sight of what appears to be a nude woman amidst the trees.

The fun with time travelling films are the revaluations of events or objects that you remember at the beginning section of the film popping up again, a good example are the events in the film ‘Triangle’ or events from back to the future being played out again Back to the Future 2, but from different angles or scenarios. 

The problems with 'Time Crimes' are that, everything you see once the time travelling has happened is being played out and you know what will happen before it happens because of the restrictions of both the script and the performances, also a restriction to a number of small locations. Why does the lead ring himself when he knows he got a call from himself before? pretty dull time travelling repeats. The film does have an interesting premise being that you can play with time to your own ends, but is not well executed. The repeat double repeats as the film raps up are also not that exciting. 

Another issue is the lead character is not interesting enough and generally not liked, which is ok a bit more meat with his character could of improved the film for motivation,  for a complex style of movie such as the time travel genre.

Junebug

A dealer in outsider art threatens the equilibrium of her middle-class in-laws in North Carolina. Madeline is a go-getting art gallery owner from Chicago, recently married to George, a near-perfect Southern beau.

Its safe to say that Amy Adams, keeps the film afloat, the story is so mudane and uninteresting that every time she is on screen she is a breath of fresh air and a joy to watch.

The reasons for the flatness of the film is the fact that the dysfunctional family rountine has been seen before, and 'Junebug' plays like a mixture of ‘Meet the Parents’ and a second rate Wes Anderson film, a strange mix that does’nt really work.

There is plenty of heart trying to breakout of this film but a number of quirky scenes example a scene of a lead character flapping her hands whilst nail vanish is drying, and an inclusion of an odd ball painter in the location the south of America is just too weird. 

The stand out, tear jerky hospital scene staring you guessed it Amy will knock you for six and only highlights that Adams given the right role will knock everyone out of the park.

Life in Massena is as harsh and barren as the frigid landscape. In this bleak terrain, two hardened single mothers are trying to make lives for their children. 

The Sundance festival winner of 2008 and also oscar nominations for Melissa Leo and screenplay, a relatively small film was raised to great highs on release.

The acting is solid and Leo deserved her praise. Still the ordinary feel of the drama, and the everyday events surrounding family life would suit more a hard hitting drama, rather than a hard hitting thriller which the film has been pitched at and attempts to execute.

The film has a grounded style and is ultimately more suited as a TV film feel rather than the full cinema experience. 

4 Luni, 3 Saptamâni si 2 Zile

A drama set in Bucharest during the "golden" years of Communism, about the horrors of the Securitate, and the brutality and absurdness of its methods used.

The Golden Palm winner of 2007, the abortion narrative will strike cords but also shock and disgust.

The acting is first class, especially from Anamaria Marinca, as the friend of the girl having the termination.

Strangely the story never really vers away from the central story and the communism environment, apart from being mentioned on a few occasions it is never really addressed.

Still this is a finely made film.  Nice touches include beautifully framed opening and closing shots as well as good structured use of bathrooms to create atmosphere and portray emotion.

Although a film that will not be to everybody’s taste, this is without doubt a powerful film with strong ideals and ideas, well made and well acted.

Still for a film to be truly great there needs to be that connection with performance and story, still for a film that is so strong on trueness and realism for a subject matter of this type, this can leave the viewer shocked, but not moved if the characters don't connect enough with the viewer.

Aliens of the Deep

James Cameron takes audiences to the depths of the ocean to encounter some of the strangest life forms on Earth, while inviting us to imagine what future explorers may someday find on other planets.

Beautifully shot and there are moments of stunning cinematography, both the jelly fish scene and the octopus scenes are stunning.

Still there are issues here, James Cameron cannot resist a theatrical approach to the documentary, the build up to the dive is similar to the opening scenes of the film ‘Titanic’ and some of the dialogue is obviously staged and scripted, this is not Cameron’s fault he is a film maker at the end of the day, but this approach takes the edge of the realism off the film, and one cannot help but think there is a slight ego in Cameron's approach and reasons for making this documentary. 
The narrative of the documentary also goes off track, computer generated animation of space travel and exploration is interesting but nothing to do with what has come before, in investigating the earth’s seas. 
There is just not enough of the earth’s animals and too much time spent on off track storylines and the Earths crust.

A stunning visual feast, and the scenes of the Earths wild life is amazing but an attempt to expand the narrative of the documentary and the theatrical approval leaves the film in limbo somewhat.

The Road

From Cormac McCarthy, comes the highly anticipated big screen adaptation of the beloved, best-selling and Pulitzer Prize-winning novel.

Expectations were high for the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, and with a stella cast what could of gone wrong. ‘The Road’ is by no means a disaster, but as book adaptations go it is not as successful as one would have hoped. The issue is pacing and a number of check list ‘end of the world movie scenes', watching society collapse (check), never give up hope (check). These are all ok but the pace and mundane execution of a number of these scenes all seems to take along time to get there. The scenes of our leads dragging a trolley down an empty road is how you feel the film is dragging at time. A bit more tension and pace would of made all the difference one feels.

Still what really works is the chemistry between the father and son which is spot on, Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee are exceptional.  Kodi is a real star, a one to look out for in the future. The scenes of Mortensen and Smit-McPhee sharing a coke or eating dinner in candle lit are stunning and extremely heartfelt. This relationship between these two is the core of the film, the glue that keeps everything together. 
In conclusion whilst other assets of the movie could have been improved, the acting is faultless, also a worthy note is a wonderful cameo from Robert Duvall.

The Hangover

Two days before his wedding, Doug and his three friends drive to Las Vegas for a blow-out bachelor party they'll never forget. But, in fact, when the three groomsmen wake up the next morning, they can't remember a thing. For some reason, they find a tiger in the bathroom and a six-month-old baby in the closet of their suite at Caesars Palace.

The film does have a few laughs but overall, another nail in the coffin of these endless lads go wild genre pieces. The inclusion of a cameo from Mike Tyson is a mystery, it brings nothing to the film. These adolescent comedies that are being produced by Hollywood are the norm at the moment, look at for the likes of both 'Role Model' and 'Sex Drive'. The sad thing is the group of guys in the film work well together, but the Las Vegas hedonist image has been done before but better.

The most overrated comedy and possibly film of 2009.

Gangster No 1

Chronicles the rise and fall of a prominent and particularly ruthless English gangster.

Director Paul McGuigans follow up to the surreal film 'The Acid House' is very much your standard rise and fall gangster film which have paved the genre for many years.

'Gangster No 1' is famous for Paul Bettany's debut performance but apart from a few impressive scenes involving the actor, the stand out being between Bettany and Eddie Marsan in Marsan's kitchen which is impressive.

Bettany doesn’t really have much to do. The best acting goes to the brilliant Eddie Marsan.

Overall 'Gangster No 1' is allot of style and very little originality, as well as the viewer never really caring for these nasty gangsters and other dull characters.

Iron Man 2

With the world now aware of his dual life as the armoured superhero Iron Man, billionaire inventor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) faces pressure from the government, the press, and the public to share his technology with the military.

The Marvel flagpole franchise fly’s in for yet another instalment. Picking up straight after the big reveal of Tony Stark as Iron Man, the series has new goddess and villains to step up to the plate. Allot of the material for the sequel is dark, a hero not wanting his powers, fighting with inner demons, standard comic book context, still the director moves towards the all out crash bang wallop action at times and only skims on the dark material which is a shame.

The best of the new villains is surprisly not Mickey Rourke who although fun relies too much on visual gags to give menace the real star is the ever fantastic Sam Rockwell who plays the corporate villain to a tee.

Still the film works on the chemistry between Robert Downey Jar. and Gwyneth Paltrow, which bounce off each others lines and create a number of the most entertaining scenes. Once the inevitable robots fighting robots scene takes centre stage the film switches to auto pilot.

A fun piece of popcorn no brain entertainment and sets up nicely for a possible final third film.

44 Inch Chest

The 44 Inch Chest story unfolds when a jealous husband and his friends kidnap his wife's young lover, seeking retribution for his wounded ego. The film is a darkly funny and confrontational drama about a wronged man trying to rebuild his self-respect, aided only by a motley crew of his old friends.

A character study rather than a fully rounded film as such. A great full English cast and strong performances pull the film though.

The story thread lacks any real drama or excitement, but the film is great at flexing its acting chops. John Hurt is especially grizzly and bad tempered, and Ian McShane is showing that he may of starting his film career late but is still a perfect character actor and sadly over looked.

The script is solid and also unpleasant, the film grabs its 18 certificate purely over the foul language.

Still and play visual set up of mostly using one location and great acting, is enough for its short running time and to see the best of British.

Mulholland Drive

Along Mulholland Drive nothing is what it seems. In the unreal universe ofLos Angeles, the city bares its schizophrenic nature, an uneasy blend of innocence and corruption, love and loneliness, beauty and depravity. A woman is left with amnesia following a car accident. An aspiring young actress finds her staying in her aunt's home

David Lynch's head f&ck of a movie, plays along his interest in Hollywoodand has a kind of 1950's feel to it, a homage as you will.

The story jumps around and as expected from a Lynch movie we have dwarfs, musical numbers and extreme close-ups a plenty, as well as Lynch's normal obsession with female characters. The two leads Naomi Watts and Ann Hill are particularly great. Both having that look in their eye of not quite knowing what will happen next, and what is going on, a piece of acting which is justified in a Lynch movie where pretty much anything could and does happen.

Naomi Watts Is the most interesting performance on show, her rather amateur performance at the beginning is enhanced to a more mature professional performance as the film progresses.

The odd ball quality is strangely effective in creating some un expected comic moments also. 

Visually Lynch knows his stuff and the film looks great as well as some well staged creepy and beautiful shots.

The film will not be for everyone, and as with most of David Lynch's films the use of too many characters, odd plot lines can confuse and tire the film. 

As always with Lynch's movies Mulholland Drive is a unique piece of cinema and despite the oddness of it all, one of Lynchs most user friendly film in a while.

Whiteout

Carrie Stetko, the lone U.S. Marshal assigned to Antarctica, is investigating the continent’s first murder, which draws her into a shocking mystery. Now, with only three days until winter, Carrie must solve the crime before Antarctica is plunged into darkness and she is stranded with the killer.

'Whiteout' is a mixture of 'Cliffhanger' in story, and in visual style and atmosphere 'The Thing' but is never as good as either in story and visual. Once you have seen Kate Beckinsale's shower scene entrance you kind of know you are on to a low par or out right loser of a film.

Failures of the film are the over use of flashbacks, the film has flashbacks for the main story, flashbacks for back stories and even flashbacks for what the viewer has just seen. The stop start action is mis guided, mixing serial killer action and plot detective points.

The film is not bad in any real way, but with a story that would be suited for a Televison series as a hour episode for maybe CSI for example, the cast is wasted because of this.

'Whiteout' just comes and goes without any real event or impact.

Cat People

The Cat People originated way back in time, when humans sacrificed their women to Leopards, who mated with them. Cat People look similar to humans, but must mate with other Cat People. We follow brother and sister - who seem to be the only ones of their kind left.

Paul Schrader was an unusual choice to director this horror remake, his previous films had leant more towards drama over horror, and a remake of this genre type was not a usual move for this type of director. The remake is a more erotic take on the feline horror film.

The plus points are that Schrader brings a gothic visual edge from the impressive opening shots in the desert, and an impressive shot of a leopard silhouetted beside a leafless tree is great.

The minus points are that 'Cat People' is both slow and rather dull in places.

The cast including an expected odd performance from Malcolm McDowell are all good, and Nastassia as Irena does have a feline prowl about her which is both perfectly sexy and dangerous, but sadly, the lack of horror experience from the director shows, with a film which looks and feels prime horror falls flat in horror menace.

Haute Tension

Students Marie (Cecile de France) and Alex (Maiwenn Le Besco) have no idea of the horrors that await them when they head off to a remote country home to study for their upcoming exams. When night falls, a psychopathic stranger attacks, tying up Alex and taking her away. It's up to Marie to save her friend.

A cinematic frenzy when released back in 2004 for its strong violence, 'High Tension’ is an ok if somewhat tiresome French horror, there are too many hide and seek scenes to purely commit to high tension as such, and the twist which although well played out is to lose to really make sense and fully satisfy.

The film plods along at a gruesome pace. There are some nice touches, including a well structured prologue and 'Halloween' homage in the clothes room is well done.

'High Tension' is no doubt a well made genre piece, with nice shot structure and you get enough blood for your bucks and will please the hardcore gore fans. But we have seen this all before, and once you have the 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' scene in the closing ten minutes you know you have been dealt a cheap hand.

(500) Days of Summer

This is a story of boy meets girl, begins the wry, probing narrator of 500 DAYS OF SUMMER, and with that the film takes off at breakneck speed into a funny, true to life and unique dissection of the unruly and unpredictable year-and-a-half of one young man's no-holds-barred love affair.

The Rom Com has been littered with a fowl air for a number of years, actresses such as Jennifer Anderson and Jennifer Lopez role out these drab films year in year out, once in a while the mix will get it right, with a good convincing cast and a director with a strong visual style and solid funny, heartfelt script. '500 Days' is such a movie.

The tag line for the film is this is a film 'This is not love story' 'This is a story about love' which is the key, this is not your run of the mill Rom Com. Most people will be able relate the on-off relationship between the two leads Joseph Gorden-Levitt as Tom and Zooey Deschanel as Summer who are both realistic and convincing. The script is sharp and funny, and the film has a number of stylish flourishes to strengthen the film.

The film is not perfect, a narration is in one minute and gone the next, not really being consistent enough to warrant its inclusion, also sadly not enough of script is given to the Summer character. Still without doubt the best Rom Com of 2009.