Hugo - DM Review

I was a little late to the party on this one but Cineworld were showing again. On the evening I watched this, Hugo picked up 5 Oscars all for technical achievements and I can certainly see why. Although I still dislike the current 3D technology, this was by far the best exponent of it I have seen to date. But like the automaton that is the central plot device, this film was too clockwork and mechanical. It lacked emotional bite (not even schmaltzy emotion) and had no fun. If this was intended for children, it was far too long and serious. If it was intended for adults, it was too lightweight. 

Visually impressive but failed to hit the mark.

Score: 5/10

The Woman in the Fifth - DM Review

Filmed in a dream-like style, this movie floated along with no real impetus. There was nothing to engage my interest and I held no sympathy for the lead.

Kind of washed over me with no lasting impression.

Score: 4/10

The Muppets - MD Review

“It’s time to start the music…” yadder, yadder you get the drift. I recently caught up with the Muppet’s last big screen adventure Muppets From Space which was highly dubious to say the least. So, despite the overwhelmingly positive reviews of The Muppets, having been 8 years old when the Muppet Show started and having a lifelong affinity I went into this movie with some trepidation.

Essentially – it was a triumph. A full-bodied throwback to the early shows with loads of references to past glories but, hopefully, enough goofiness and originality to appeal to anyone. All the original characters were there (some just milling about in the background in that classic Muppet way) doing the same skits with the usual varying degrees of success.

Story wise – it’s a "road" / "48 hours to save the theatre" movie. A loose framework on which to hang the gags. And don’t worry if the odd gag misfires there’s another along in a minute.

To their credit the human leads play it straight and even Jack Black is watchable.

It was wonderful to see such essentially low-tech filmmaking being able to astound and entertain. Highlights included the Swedish Chef disposing of waste food, Miss Piggy leading a kidnap, 80’s robot (modem) and singing chickens.

And you have to check this out….

                                    

So, am I a Man or a Muppet? …….

                                           

…I’m happy to be both if the return is this much fun.

Score 8/10

Prey Alone

I had never seen this before. It's great

http://www.saintandmather.com/html/prey.htm

Young Adult - DM Review

Exactly the kind of comedy I like...dark with a flawed heroine, this was "laugh out loud" funny. Don't be put off by the thought that this is a "rom-com"...there is no romance in this comedy.
Charlize Theron is incredibly good in this role and a reminder that she is a great actress (validating her Oscar win a few years back). The character illustration and her flaws are mildly  sketched and hinted at throughout the film. The reason for her atrocious behaviour emerges in a later scene but I enjoyed the fact that this wasn't explicitly explored.


A cracking film


Score: 8/10

A Dangerous Method - DM Review

Yaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnn...what an utterly boring film. This did nothing for me. The subject matter held no interest for me, the plot ambled along with no drama and the acting was solid but nothing exciting. A cold fish of a film which contained nothing I could connect with.

Score: 3/10

This was my first Cronenberg film...I hope he has done better. Which of his previous works should I watch to redeem him?

Chronicle - DM Review

Unexpectedly and surprisingly good fun. A refreshing look at the human side of "superhuman". This film could have easily followed the route of conspiracy theory/alien invasion movies but the actual cause of the powers bestowed was never examined. And of this I was glad, as I was having too much fun to even care.
My only criticism is that the final showdown sequence, although genuinely pulse-raising and with absolutely enthralling special effects to start with, went on for too long. This seemed a little out of sync with the "low fi" feel of the rest of the film.

Super good fun

Score: 7/10

P.S - Why "Chronicle" as a title though?

Martha Marcy May Marlene - MD Review

Not the wife of Glengarry Glen Ross...

Elizabeth Olsen shines brightly amongst the dimness. I can understand the plaudits but for me this is an indie movie that tries to hard. The relentless cutting between now and recent past is jarring and consequently the narrative never gets the chance to settle. The 'cult' is too Manson-ic. Repeating actual activities of the Family but asking us to believe them in a contemporary setting was both lazy and distracting. And for all its disturbing imagery the key character of cult leader Patrick was not fleshed out enough to let us understand the omnipresent fear that Marcy was so concerned by.

All a bit ho-hum

Score 5/10

Carnage - DM Review

Oh dear...oh dear. Where to begin? Firstly with my own admissions. I have not seen the play nor knew anything of the plot before viewing...now having seen the film I don't want to either. I'm sure on stage, this is a great and uncomfortable watch but on the screen it lacked excitement and entertainment. Neither funny nor dramatic, this was a damp squib of a film.
What on paper should be a stonking cast truly disappointed me and I left underwhelmed. Proof that you can put as many Oscar winning actors as you like into a room, mix well and yet have no chemistry. They also prove that it is incredibly difficult to act convincingly drunk. I didn't believe any of them in their role or as couples and I felt removed from the film (as far as Polanski is from NYC).

If I want to watch an film adaptation of a play where people get drunk I would much rather watch the infinitely better "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"

Score: 3/10

PS - I didn't see Jodie Foster's "Beaver" (snigger) last year but heard it was not good. Controversial point...but has she been truly good in anything? I can only think of Silence of the Lambs.

Oscar Nominations

For all our assertions of 2011 being a great year for British films...what a disappointment. And no 'Drive' or 'Shame' to be seen. Of the nominated movies my favourite is The Descendents. And whilst I'm sure George is looking likely (and deserved) - recognition for Gary Oldman is overdue. Though he might have to wait for the long service award option...this year going to the 100% shoe-in that is Christopher Plumber. As for Meryl - pah.

Chronicle – MD Review

Blimey this was fun. Just when ‘found footage’ seemed to have hit the nadir (Paranormal 3) this reinvigorates the genre. Intelligent, funny and moving – three high-school students discover (via a presumed extra-terrestrial mishap) and share a superpower and react like… well three high-school students.

This is essential a teen staple about school hierarchy, popularity and alienation. But done with some great geekiness, humour and real pathos as we see that with great power come great personal responsibility; it’s not about saving others but whether we can ultimately save ourselves. With its knowing nods to comic book mythology, clever use of multi-perspective found footage and some cool SFX, Chronicle thankfully leaves the 3D to the characterisation.

It’s alienation courtesy of an alien nation. Great stuff

Score 8/10

Margin Call – MD Review

Not withstanding my major soft spot for producer and star Zachary Quinto I had a good time with Margin Call. There was something old fashioned about a movie ostensively played out on one set.  It was like Twelve Angry Men or Glengarry Glen Ross with lots of cracking actors knocking chunks out of each other - and Demi Moore.  Relevant, realistic and reckless it got the characterisation balanced so I was able to maintain my general antipathy to the whole business of corporate banking whilst investing something in some of the people I was watching. Ultimately it revisionist and undoubtedly won’t be recognised by the people it portrays, but a solid attempt to start unpacking and understanding some of the drivers of why we are where we are.

And ZQ is so hot.

Score 7/10

War Horse – MD Review

Bore Horse more like. This movie lacked everything the play had that made it so enchanting - innovation, imagination and heart. Bar a couple of wartime set-pieces Spielberg gives us a plodding, episodic and unengaging narrative with an intrusive score letting us know just when to 'feel'.  The adults were bland caricatures and the children just irritating. I cared more for the puppets on stage than for the real creatures on screen. Neigh.

Score 3/10

Haywire – MD Review

That Michael Fassbender can do no wrong is a given – his twenty minutes here being the highlight sequence of the movie – but there was a lot right elsewhere with Haywire too. Ostensively a dumb popcorn movie is beefed up by some brutal fight scenes, lots of double cross and a credible lead role supported by lots of thesps having fun. Whilst the narrative is haywire at times it’s done with passion, honesty and some smiles particularly where physical as well as person fallibilities are exposed.

Score 6/10  

The Darkest Hour (and a half) – MD Review

Intersting premise and setting. Cliched execution – though one unexpected death (albeit far too noble). Bit pants really.

Score 3/10

Like Crazy - DM Review

A pleasant film that lacked any bite or hooks for me to grab onto. The naturalistic approach to the acting and camera work pleased me but unlike last year's "Weekend" the result was not as appealing. I felt no sympathy for the protagonists and ultimately their fate but I felt that I didn't waste 90 minutes watching it.  


Distinctly average


Score: 5/10