Thursday, 11 December 2008

All Around the World

Howdy!

            After watching a clip in class of Spartacus, I borrowed film from my pal to watch during the week and it’s an epic story of tragedy and triumph, which is really entertaining and compelling.  Directed by Stanley Kubrick, Spartacus is the story of the rebellious Thracian Spartacus, born and raised a slave who is sold to Gladiator trainer Batiatus.  After weeks of being trained to kill for the arena, Spartacus turns on his possessors and leads the other slaves in a rebellion.  As the rebels move from town to town, their numbers expand as escaped slaves join their ranks. Under the leadership of Spartacus, they make their way to southern Italy, where they hope to cross the sea and return to their homes.                                     Meanwhile, in Rome, the slave revolt has become a deciding factor in the power struggle between two senators: the republican Gracchus and the militarist Crassus each of whom sees the fortunes of the rebellion as the key to his own rise to power or humiliating defeat.  As the two statesmen attempt to hamper and manipulate the rebels for their own benefit, Spartacus and his followers press on towards freedom.

The film belongs to Stanley Kubrick, who handles scenes of intimacy superbly and his attention to detail illustrates the violence, brutality and corruption of both the masters and the slaves.  The acting is decent, Kirk Douglas gives a powerful portrait of a complex character that is inspirational yet gentle and kind, who grows over the course of the story.  Laurence Olivier was wonderfully subtle and layered performance as Crassus with Charles Laughton as a brilliant counterpart as his no-nonsense rival Gracchus.  Tony Curtis is also calm and collective as Antoninus, the slave who becomes Spartacus's right hand man and Peter Ustinov does a fine job as the sleazy Batiatus.  Jean Simmons plays Varinia, Spartacus love interest.                            

The movie is long (think 3 hours 20 mins), but it is worthwhile watching, especially the last decisive battle scene between the slave army and Roman legions. The orchestration of thousands of extras in the battle scenes was magnificently staged.  The extras playing the Roman legionnaires marched in formation so precisely and the whole formation moved very gracefully.  Compare that to ‘Troy’ or ‘Gladiator’, probably special effects would be used to capture the same scene.  Another scene, which is brilliant, is when the victorious Crassus, who wants to know who Spartacus is amongst the walking wounded, but one by one his army stand up and declare "I am Spartacus!"  That scene is just stands out for me and shows the commitment of the rebels towards Spartacus.                                     

The ending scene, where Varinia confronts Spartacus as he hangs on the cross is a passionate scene played with raw emotion.  Spartacus knows he's lost and even though his wife and son are free, everyone else is no better off than when he started.  Maybe even be worse off, but it's this final defeat that ultimately makes Spartacus stand out, it doesn't provide us with miracles; every victory is hard earned.   Like ‘Gladiator’, Spartacus is the courage of one man who defies the Roman Empire and it’s a film, which has stood the test of time and will for many years to come. 

 Cheers

Thursday, 4 December 2008

Slide Away

Howdy!

Over the weekend I rented out ‘Black Water’.  An Australian independent movie about a true story of a pregnant woman Gracie, her husband Adam and Gracie’s younger sister Lee, who embark upon tour into the Australian swamp for fishing. Their guide uses a small motorboat and takes the tourists along the river to a remote spot. When they stop, they are attacked by a huge crocodile that capsizes their boat and immediately kills the tour guide. The three survivors climb a tree and when they realise that help isn’t coming to rescue them, they decide to try to find a way out of their sheltered location. However, in the muddy water, the crocodile stalks the trio. 

I rented the movie because my pal told me ‘ it does for crocodiles, what Jaws did for sharks’.  Now, Jaws is my favourite film of all time, but to me ‘Black Water’ is Jaws 4.  It’s has no where near the suspense or drama Jaws offers.  It felt the film was very repetitive and predictable.  There was poor character development and I felt nothing for them when they were in danger.  I was voting for the croc. In Jaws, there plenty of character development that the audience can sympathies and empathies with them, but in ‘Black Water’ there isn’t any.  I thought the film might have an entertainment value, but it lacked drawing the audience into the situation.  The film to me was like Open Water or Rogue.  There isn’t a believability to it.  I know they’re true stories, but it’s the way it’s delivered on screen that fails.  I still think someone out there has to make a film on the USS Indianapolis, which I believe could be a good a film as Jaws.

  On a personal note, thank you Andy for the Q and A with Lord Attenborough.  It was an absolute pleasure to be in the crowd and hear his thoughts on his professional and personal life.  I’m sure I speak for the class that if Mr. Attenborough was still in the auditorium, we would all be there listening intensely.  I also read on movie websites that producers Thomas Schuhly and Mario Kassar have the rights to remaking Metropolis.  Don’t know how far along that is, but time to stop the remakes before it gets out of hand.       

Cheers

Don't look back in anger

Howdy!

Recently, I got the chance to watch ‘Max Payne’ with a few of the guys from Uni.  The film is a video game adaptation, which stars Mark Wahlberg as the title character. Most video game adaptations have been box office flops and this was the same.  The story revolves around a series of murders in New York City in which DEA agent Max Payne, whose family was killed as part of a conspiracy and an assassin / Mona Sax (Mila Kunis) who is out to avenge her sister's death. The police, the mob, and a ruthless corporation hunt the duo.

I’ve never played the game so I couldn’t say if it’s faithful, but I wasn’t a fan of the movie.  Portions of the movie didn’t make sense to me; I fell asleep during the middle and eventually left before the end.  I thought the director (John Moore) was trying to make it look like ’Sin City’ type film.  Dark, depressing, moody, film-noir(ish), but it just didn’t work for me.  Mark Wahlberg gave a poor performance.  With his family brutally murdered, you would expect to feel for his character, but you don’t.  The supporting cast are no better, again you don’t care for them even though they have suffered major tragedies.  There wasn’t a lot of action sequences and the storyline just didn’t flow.  There was no rhythm or suspense.  The script failed to deliver any mystery or surprise and as an audience it wasn’t compelling to watch.   

It was quite a disappointing movie to watch and I wouldn’t  recommend to anyone.

Cheers

Monday, 17 November 2008

Live Forever

Howdy! 

I got the chance to watch the Martin Scorsese crime thriller ‘ The Departed’ An American remake of the Hong Kong ‘Infernal Affairs’ franchise.  The film won four Academy awards including Best Picture and Best Director, deservingly so!  Personally, I thought it was up there with Scorsese’s best work, which has to include Goodfellas, Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, Casino etc…

The film centers’ on two just-graduated officers from Massachusetts State Police Academy following opposite sides of the law: William / Billy Costigan Jr. (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) is assigned to work undercover with the Irish mobster Frank Costello (played by jack Nicholson) in order to get evidence to ultimately arrest the mobster. DiCaprio’s true identity is only known by his superiors Dignam (Mark Wahlberg) and Oliver Queenan (Martin Sheen). The protégée of Costello, Colin Sullivan (played by Matt Damon), is promoted in the Massachusetts State Police and is the informer of Costello. Each man becomes deeply consumed by his double life, gathering information about the plans and counter-plans of the operations Costello is involved with.  Although, when it becomes clear to both the mob and the police that there's a mole in their midst, Billy and Colin are suddenly in danger of being caught and exposed to the enemy.  Each must race to uncover the identity of the other man / “rat” to save himself (the “rat” is Matt Damon if you want to know)

I have never seen the original ‘Infernal Affairs’ trilogy, so I couldn’t say if it follows the same adaptation.  Although I felt ‘The Departed’ was a suspenseful, gripping and edge of your seat crime thriller.  The monologue of Jack Nicholson at the beginning of the movie introducing the Irish/Catholic setting, were its low key lighting and you never see his face, but only hear his voice was a joy to watch and a great start.  I thought the cast was excellent.  DiCaprio, Damon and the ever-reliable Nicholson were on top-notch form.  The support cast of Wahlberg, Sheen, Baldwin and Winstone were great too, especially Wahlberg who is a scene-stealer, who portrays his role with great conviction and passion.   The intensity of the final 20 minutes has everything a finale could have.  Its fast paced, suspenseful, plots twists and practically everyone is killed off.  Never saw the lift scene coming!                                     

The cinematography is well crafted - the camera positions grasp the scene in its fullest while avoiding being generic.  The direction is pure Scorsese - the steady cam shots, the unexpected explosions of violence and the combination of humour and bloodshed.  The screenplay by Monahan is very good too. The dialogue is harsh, crisp and clever with an outstanding soundtrack, which includes The Rolling Stones ‘Gimme Shelter’.  Overall, the film is an exciting tale of deception and violence mixed with a strong cast. 

"I don't want to be a product of my environment. I want my environment to be a product of me”. – Frank Costello

Cheers

bb_d_89597_0_TheDeparted.jpg

Monday, 10 November 2008

The Importance of being Idle

        For the 1st time, I watched the story about a mild-mannered, pleasant alcoholic James Stewart, whose best friend is a 'pooka' named Harvey - a giant 6-ft 3 and 1/2 inch tall rabbit.  A ‘Pooka’ is a fairy spirit that appears in animal form, always very large.  I loved every single moment of the film.  Directed by Henry Koster and adapted to the screen by Mary Chase, who wrote the Pulitzer Prize Play, is the story of Elwood P. Dowd sister Veta (played by Josephine Hull) trying to commit Elwood (James Stewart) in a mental institution, but comedy ensues, as Elwood and Harvey are the catalysts for mending his family feuds and blossoming a relationship.  James Stewart was a delight to watch.  A very simplistic character, yet always busy enjoying life to the fullest, whether that be in a bar meeting new people.  His character doesn’t have a bad bone in his body and to me ‘Harvey’ is Elwood’s way of escaping reality and all the responsibilities that make people miserable.

“I have a wonderful time, wherever I am, whomever I’m with” – Elwood P. Dow

The way Harvey was never shown was fantastic.  You imagine Harvey is there whenever James Stewart talks to an invisible space, but that’s what’s special about the narrative, it’s about believing in the moment.   The most beautiful scene was when Elwood explains how Harvey has enriched his life, though the people who are listening to the story doubt Harvey's existence, thus doubting Elwood's sanity.  The word of his speech, coupled with the delivery of his performance is so touching and true that the audience will be won over into believing and accepting Harvey is truly real.  Josephine Hull played Veta, Elwood's sister, who won a Best Supporting Actress award for her role and deservedly so.  Her facial expressions, gestures and dialect really enrich the film.  My favourite quote is when Mr. Wilson discovers what a ‘Pooka’ is and states:

“ A mischievous creature, very found of rum-pots, crack-pots and how are you Mr. Wilson?”

         His tone and expressions are so funny and good-natured is really a charming scene to watch.  The film is really heart-warming and sentimental, but it is a really enjoyable comedy that fills you with happiness.


Cheers

Tuesday, 4 November 2008

The Masterplan

Howdy
On Monday, I watched the new Sci-Fi channel drama Eli Stone, were Johnny Lee Miller playing the title character is an attorney of his girlfriend's dad successful law firm, who begins to have larger than life visions that compel him to do out-of-the-ordinary things. Eli suffers from a brain aneurysm that causes him to have these realistic hallucinations, which often relate to the plot of that episode. There is also hints that may lead Eli into being a modern day prophet. The hallucinations are usually based in the law firm, which makes it funny and embarrassing TV, they're also accompanied by George Michael songs sung by the other cast memebers. I really recommend the show, it feels a mix between a comedy musical meets Boson Legal.  I know it sounds weird, but it is really engaging.  Johnny Lee Miller from Trainspotting fame is excellent and the supporting cast around him make it compelling, especially Patti, who is Eli's P.A, who is very sarcastic and hilarious
Also, watched Dead Set and was really disappointed in it. The ending was predictable and I felt it just copied so many other zombie like movies.

Thursday, 30 October 2008

Half the World Away

Alrighty folks,

Been watching E4’s Dead Set, written by Charlie Brooker. Set in the Big Brother house, a zombie epidemic strands housemates and production staff, until the zombies break in and cause chaos. It’s basically Big Brother meets the 28 Days/Weeks Later franchise. The 1st episode was quite good, but I felt the rest of the episodes have been a let down. It could be to do with the running time of 30 minutes rather than an hour;(it seems to short to sum up what’s going to happen in the time) or maybe they're just too many remakes of the zombie franchise and it isn’t new anymore. It might improve on Thursday and Friday showing. Also, started watching the cult, legendary TV show ‘The Royle Family’, created by Caroline Ahrene and Craig Cash, it’s a simple sitcom portraying a working class Manchester family, which takes place in the Royle’s home, usually the living room and/or kitchen. The 4 seasons and the Christmas special all lead up to a special event for the Royle family, whether it is a wedding or pregnancy. The chemistry between the family is what makes the show. The banter of lead characters Jim, Barbara, Anthony, Denise, Dave and Norma (Nana) all make it a funny and realistic watch. The Royles often reflect the lives of most of the population. Finally, the theme tune is Half the World Away by one of the greatest bands ever - The manchester Rock n Roll stars OASIS