Future Review of Films #2

Right 26 films in and I'm sure there are still many films I can think of to write about and enthuse. I have a few films in mind at the moment (Battle Royale, I'm Still Here, The Killer, Amelie, Rope plus many more)

I will try to write about films which aren't worthy of anyones time but I tend to avoid bad films so it may be a litttle hard but anyone who has a suggestion then feel free to leave me a message and I'll try to get round to watching it.

Here's to the next 26, thanks for reading and anyone wishing to contribute please let me know!

Films to be reviewed

Before Sunrise
Before Sunset
Exit Through the Gift Shop
Dead Man's Shoe
Amelie
Rope
I'm Still Here
The Killer

In Bruges (2008) with Trailer

Two hit men hide out in Bruge, awaiting further instructions after a job goes horribly wrong. That's it, that's the basic premise of this fabulous dark comedy where, Ray (played by the ever roguish Colin Farrell) and Ken (a wise and weary Brendan Gleeson) find the delights of Bruge among their encounters with the locals, fellow tourists, a film crew and a dwarf!

From first time writer and director Martin Mcdonagh, he creates and constructs an amusing tale of two guys, in a city where they've been told to lie low and enjoy what Bruge has to offer. The main laughs come from their differing opinions of Bruge, Ray who sees nothing but old deary and drab buildings where there is nothing for him to do, whereas Ken see the city as a vast historic city with loads of knowledge to be found and sights to be seen. They bicker and argue like a married couple (but with very funny and coarse language), as they wait for instructions from their boss Harry (played by a scene stealing Ralph Fiennes).

The film not only provides us with numerous laugh out loud moments but there are scenes of utter sadness and poignancy. Guilt racked from his botched job allows us to feel sympathy for Ray as he contemplates whether there is a hell and if he is destined to go there (or metaphor for what Bruge is for him, his own personal hell). The characters personalities traits drive the film forward, without it it would go nowhere and it's the exuberant nature of Colin Farrells cheeky Irish charm which gives the film most of it's laughs be it from his lack of tact, or his views on dwarfs (or midgets as he constant calls them) or from one of the more funnier scenes where he offends an overweight American family and they try to chase him round and round on the streets of Bruge. It's visually funny, as well brilliantly written.

The development of characters are fully fleshed out and believable and where the narrative is more driven by their actions and siutation. Not only was I initially impressed by Farrell and Gleeson, but Fiennes has such a ferocious snarl that he almost over acts in his part as their boss Harry. He is as foul mouthed as Farrell but is very funny in his performance as an angry man who has a code which he believes must be kept. A film about hit men in Bruge, you'd expect a lot more violence to go on but there is a lack of it though. It does sneakily show us the sights of Bruge without it getting bogged down or too informative like someones' hoilday video.

A pleasure and a joy to watch, this film did suprise me on first viewing. It's rare to find a film that is so difficult to indicate where it is heading and why, but yet so enjoyable to watch. The script wonderfully brings together the characters in a climatic finale that you could probably see coming but still very clever. A film with so many funny scenes and so many witty lines of exchanges (so many quotable lines, I just crack up thinking about it), a tightly directed and very well written film that it is probably the most entertaining film I have seen in a long while.

Technical Merit 4/5

Narrative 5/5

Acting 5/5

Entertainment 5/5

19/20

(500) Days of Summer (2009) with Trailer

An unconventional romantic comedy where the focus isn't completely on the romance but on the pitfalls and breakdown of a relationship viewed all from the male perspective. It's a story about "boy meets girl" but the films structure is completely shown at random. Instead of following a linear storyline the action jumps back and forth through the 500 day relationship that Tom Hanson (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel) have. The omniscient narrator sets out the background of each character and their own views on love. When Tom first sees Summer, he believes that she is the "one".

It's a refreshing and unique way to re-tell someones relationship. From the initial introduction to the their blossoming romance, it's an amusing look at how one's memory can only see or remember the good parts of a failing relationship. It's very touching yet not overly schmaltzy with plenty of humour. As Tom tries to woo Summer there are so many awkward and funny moments, and when Tom talks about Summer he tells his friends what he likes about her from her smile, hair birthmark, etc and when the relationship breaks down we see him reminisce it in a different way. The contrast is very funny.

Both Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel are very likable and play the parts in a very believable, genuine and authentic way. The chemistry between them comes across very well. The supporting players in the film provide the voice of reason for Tom as they try to put up with his constant obsession with Summer. Chloe Moretz plays his younger sister who also provides him with advice, has a head wiser than her age.

The soundtrack is a joy to listen to with music from an eclectic mix ranging from Regina Spektor to The Smiths to an enjoyable musical number where Tom performs a little dance on the streets to the Hall and Oates song "You Make My Dreams". Ladies, that's what we gentleman feel like doing when we have scored, believe you me (or that may just be me but what the hell...).

What I enjoyed most about this, is it's screenplay and the general feel and lightness to the overall film. A fantastic spin on the whole rom-com, where love is not the end product. A witty and often amusing dialogue which is equally sarcastic and heartwarming. It captures a relationship to a tee. There are moments of joy and moments of sadness (the split screen of expectations v reality is so heart crushing). The contrasting look at both sides of love feels truthful and not cliched. A point of view which isn't often seen in theses types of films/genres and one where I'd like to see more of. It's rare we know how the film ends right from the start and it explores the nature in the way the relationship start, form and breakdown but not remembered in those orders. A poignant and remarkably funny sweet picture that is OK for guys to like.

Technical Merit 4/5
Narrative 5/5
Acting 4.5/5
Entertainment 4.5/5

18/20

The Prestige (2006) with Trailer

A film about magicians, friendship, jealously and rivalry. It's very hard to sell this film and to try to explain it without giving too much of the (pardon the pun) 'magic' away. A tale of two magicians set in Victorian England where their friendship turns sour when an act they routinely perform goes horribly wrong. The pair part company and a rivalry ensues. A bitter feud emerges when they both try to outdo each other with an array of tricks and illusions. From the outset it may seem like this film is all about magic and the art of illusion, but it isn't.

Directed by Christopher Nolan, the film follows a similar structure to his previous effort Memento where the narrative doesn't start at A and follow on to B. Instead there is flashbacks and flash forwards, as the reveal and revelation is slowly bought forward. We embark on a merry-go-round where we are left guessing where it stops and where we get off, but the level of intrigue that it creates just keeps you wanting more. To truly enjoy, appreciate and most importantly understand the film, your attention is required from start to finish and focus must be retained throughout. It's not a film you can switch off and come back to.

From the off, we are given an explanation of the three part structure to every major trick, the pledge, the turn and the prestige. The prestige is the final reveal, the re-appearance from a disappearing act, making the impossible seem possible... What follows is a trail where the magician Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) accused of murdering his rival Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman). From there on in the story unfolds with Borden reading Angier's diary where the first flashback occurs and the start of complex twists and turns showing how they started out as friends and with the eventual fall out which turns them to bitter rivals, with Angier trying to uncover how Borden achieves his greatest magic trick 'the transported man' and out do him.

Funnily enough, this film so weirdly different and it's not what you'd expect. It set in Victorian England yet it never once feels like a period drama. Detail is key, as the focus is with the characters and never the background. Of course the costume and setting provides the backdrop for the story but the main theme is about obsession.

Both leads (Bale and Jackman) are on fine form and the supporting cast raises the bar. The performances are subtle and sublime, with the nuances and deliberate misdirection to mislead us into thinking who we see as the bad guy may not be the villain of the piece. That isn't to say that there is a villain but nothing is ever clear in this wonderfully realised screenplay.

Such an understated film with much to get your brain cells a work out, there's a lot to take in and you may not see everything the first time round but as the first lines mentions "are you watching closely?" and like any great magic trick, the film only allows the audience enough details to carefully reveal the smaller pieces of a puzzle where we, the audience have to fit together to see the bigger picture. Is what we see the real truth or is there something more otherworldly, supernatural or unexplainable. With elements of science fiction thrown in you wonder whether things can get any weirder but when the final act is revealed you may well feel cheated or left feeling a sense of wonderment and just like a magic trick, you think to yourself, how did they pull that off?

Technical Merit 5/5
Narrative 5/5
Acting 5/5
Entertainment 5/5

20/20

The Thing (1982) with Trailer

A delightful and charming story about a visitor from another world who lands on Earth and comes in contact with several humans whilst trying to find a way home....And this, is another film where an alien being, comes down and takes the form of several humans (and dogs) trying to disguise itself and avoid being found to then return home. How similar are ET and The Thing? Both are made in 1982, both are about alien visitors and both films show the obstacles faced in their plight to return home. Well, I suppose one film is more sickening than the other (I mean how much mush, sentimentality and sweetly sick story can one person take?) But enough about E.T, The Thing has become something of an underground classic during the heydays of VCR rentals, where it's outstanding scenes can be paused and rewound to be watched over and over again. Some of the scenes within the film are jaw-dropping and it's all done pre-CGI. It's amazing what could be done in those early days of creature animatronics.

The Thing is directed by John Carpenter and is probably one of his best, but unfortunately it was not a hit. A remake of sorts (John Carpenter was hugely influenced by Howard Hawks) however this is an altogether different beast. Set in Antartica, an American expedition group are interrupted one day by gunshots from a far. A couple of Norwegians are firing at a husky from a helicopter. With sporadic gunfire, one of the American scientists takes a shot in the leg. Shots are fired in response and as a result the Norwegians are killed. The dog is taken in and held with the other dogs in the camp. Unbeknown to the American group, the Husky is not what he seems. Eventually the team set out to discover why the pair of Norwegian were shooting at the dog and what they find out is beyond their darkest nightmares.

The plot isn't anything original as the group is picked off one by one until there is one man standing (or in this case two), with it's remote location it's very similar to another classic sci-fi horror that is Alien....but where Alien only really has one complete genuine gross out moment, The Thing has so many that it's a wonder when you see the first gruesome transformation how they can top it... but they do. The whizkid at the time (Rob Bottin) deserves so much praise as his effects beat anything that modern special effects can bring to our screens. He was also only 21!

The central themes on what makes us human and the loss of identity is dealt with in vivid detail. As men in joining the tribe we gain a sense of belonging but as a result we lose personal identity. Paranoia and trust are tested to the limit. Characters start turning on each other, they begin shooting and eventually resort to tying up one another. In one of the films more lighter moments, they devise a test to see who is human and who is not, from this comes one of the most memorable and perfectly delivered lines. There is relief amongst all the bodily gore.

The technical achievements in this film is what makes it so watchable. The score by Ennio Morricone is a haunting yet deliberate heartbeat which is minimalistic yet menacing. One of the only films where Carpenter hasn't had an input on the scoring, but nevertheless Morricone's approach is very suited and matches and enhances the films eerie atmosphere.

There is a lack of character development within the film (that is the only flaw I can say), and it seems that Kurt Russell's character (MacReady) is the only one who is given enough personality for us to root for. The majority are unfortunately given the basic stock character traits, though the acting by all is well above average, there isn't enough depth to them.

With a tight a script, direction and amazing effects work by Rob Bottin's crew (never has intestinal and flesh mesh been so beautifully realised), it has still stood the test of time and is always a joy to watch. One of my all time favourite films. 

5/5 Technical Merit

4/5 Narrative

4/5 Acting

5/5 Entertainment

18/20

[REC] (2007) with trailer

A Spanish horror flick filled with numerous heart pounding scares and shocks. A film that needs to be seen on a big screen (either in the cinema or a massive plasma flat screen tv), sat in the dark, on your own with the volume turned up loud. It's a nerve shattering and terrifying experience.

The film starts off with a tv crew of two who are out on location reporting on the life of the local fire station during their night shift. Interviews are taken by our reporter Angela Vidal (played by Manuela Velasco) and her cameraman Pablo (played by the film's cinematographer Pablo Rosso) but boredom soon sets in. Luckily (for us the viewers) an emergency call comes through and the reporters follow the firemen to the location of the call to investigate and help with the reported emergency.

They arrive at an apartment block where all the residents have been woken by screams coming from an elderly woman's room. The police are on the scene and with the fire crew and the two reporters they go and seek out the commotion. What they find is the old woman (who is obviously not well) who proceeds to attack and bite one of the policemen. Here begins the start of events that spiral out of control. They find themselves quarantined and trapped in a building. Bodies start to pile up and an infection soon spreads throughout the residents and it becomes a race against time to find a way out.....

What I found utterly compelling about the whole film is the way it is set up. Everything is shown through one perspective (through the lens of the cameraman) and the action is unrelenting and extremely claustrophobic. Shaky camerawork adds tension, atmosphere and some dizziness. The idea is not new of course, it follows on from what Blair Witch Project first set out to achieve. A film where it tries to disguise itself as a documentary/reality tv.

The film succeeds on so many levels. We can only see what is right in front of the camera which can be so unsettling but you just can't take your eyes off the screen. You're left wondering what is lurking around the corner or what is behind them. With the right amount of lighting and sound effects it becomes so nerve wrecking and physically draining. The sound effects are superb as screams come flying towards you and the heavy breathing from behind and in front of the camera, building up more and more apprehension.

There are so many frightening moments within the film but it's the last 10 minutes which are the most terrifying where it becomes such a ferocious beast of a film. Night vision employed, the overall lack of awareness of surroundings and the incomplete visual and audio ratchets up the atmosphere to such unbearable heights you'll feel worn out by the time the credits roll. A rollicking ride which builds and builds and never lets up.

5/5 Technical merit

3/5 Acting

3.5/5 Story

5/5 Entertainment

16.5/20