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

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

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.