January Film Highlights

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Jack Reacher (2012) Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike, Richard Jenkins, Werner Herzog, David Oyelowo, Robert Duvall. Dir: Christopher McQuarrie.

A sniper kills 5 at random, and in his defense, simply asks for a man called Jack Reacher. Reasonably entertaining, but not very original and with cheese around the edges. Reacher is a typical know-it-all jack-of-all trades hero, but not an especially engaging one. Still, there are decent suspense/action sequences.

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Murder By Decree (1979) Christopher Plummer, James Mason, David Hemmings, Susan Clark, Frank Finlay, Anthony Quayle, Donald Sutherland. Dir: Bob Clark.

Holmes and Watson are called to investigate Jack the Ripper. Holmes believing a psychic or getting over-emotional over a case? There are plenty of uncharacteristic elements, less an interpretation of Holmes, more a misunderstanding of what makes the character work. A wobbly series of clues, but looks very handsome.

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Life of Pi (2012) Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Tabu, Adil Hussain, Rafe Spall. Dir: Ang Lee.

When a boat carrying zoo animals sinks, a boy survivor is trapped on a lifeboat with a tiger. Simply gorgeous – proof that CGI and even 3D can be genuinely beautiful if used gracefully. An inspiring adaptation that has just the right balance of feel-good magic and darkness and danger.

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Magic (1978) Anthony Hopkins, Ann-Margret, Burgess Meredith, Ed Lauter, David Ogden Stiers. Dir: Richard Attenborough.

A ventriloquist rekindles and old romance and considers leaving showbiz, but what will his dummy think? The old mad ventriloquist/sinister dummy story; not desperately original, but it’s done well; the script is good, it’s briskly paced, well directed and scored. But the crowning touch is Hopkins, whose intensity is electrifying.

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The Impossible (2012) Ewan McGregor, Naomi Watts, Tom Holland, Samuel Joslin, Oaklee Pendergast. Dir: J.A. Bayona.

 

A holidaying family are caught up in the Asian tsunami and must fight for their survival. At its best when at its starkest, but when it attempts the life-affirming and melodramatic, it arteface is revealed. Tsunami sequences are terrifying, but does seem to suggest white tourists were worst affected.

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Eyes Wide Shut (1999) Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Sydney Pollack, Marie Richardson, Todd Field. Dir: Stanley Kubrick.

When his wife confesses to fantasising about other men, a doctor goes on a dark journey of sexual discovery. Kubrick’s last is refreshingly character focused, which makes his signature detail and grandeur rather unnecessary - a simple story lengthy and overblown. Certainly intriguing and seductive, if a touch anti-climactic.

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Rear Window (1954) James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Wendell Corey, Thelma Ritter, Raymond Burr. Dir: Alfred Hitchcock.

A wheel-chair bound photographer suspects a neighbour of murder after spying on him from his window. One of the Hitchcock’s best; a superbly staged suspense thriller, that delivers not just edge-of-the-seat entertainment but one that works on multiple levels, exploring voyeurism, commitment and the nature of cinema. Ingenious, near perfect.

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Slade Flame (1975) Noddy Holder, Dave Hill, Don Powell, Jim Lea, Tom Conti, Alan Lake. Dir: Richard Loncraine.

New band Flame could be huge, with the right management… Considering Slade were amongst the most up-beat 70s acts, this is surprisingly grim, taking place in shabby clubs and crumbling suburbs, the band pawns of moneymen with little affection for them beyond profitability. Rough, but interesting piece of its time.

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December Film Highlights

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Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011) Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Noomi Rapace, Jared Harris, Stephen Fry, Rachel McAdams, Paul Anderson. Dir: Guy Ritchie.

Holmes’ pits wits against Moriarty on the eve of Watson’s wedding. Occasionally veers close to nonsense but otherwise very witty action entertainment. Set pieces are stunning, but performers are the highlight. Law and Downey are an ideal double act and Harris perfect as their seething nemesis. Rapace, alas, deserved more.

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Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagan, Cyd Charisse. Dir: Gene Kelly, Stanley Donen.

A film star tires of his publicity invented romance with his leading lady, just as sound threatens their careers. Has its cake and eats it, managing to lampoon, celebrate and indulge in all Hollywood’s fantastical excess. Clever, funny, beautiful, and with astonishing dancing, it’s 100 minutes of pure cinematic joy.

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Why Worry? (1923) Harold Lloyd, Jobyna Ralston, John Aasen, Jim Mason. Dir:Fred Newmeyer, Sam Taylor.

A rich hypochondriac travels to a Mexican resort to relax, but unwittingly walks into a revolution. After the set-up the story never really goes anywhere, but it hardly matters. Mildly amusing at first, once Lloyd teams-up with the gentle giant it settles into a consistent stream of hilarity. Terrific fun.

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Play Time (1967) Jacques Tati, Barbara Dennek, Jacqueline Lecomte, Billy Kearns. Dir: Jacques Tati.

Monsieur Hulot gets lost in a high-tech modern metropolis. A satire about dehumanising urbanisation and technology. Sets and cinematography are stunning, each shot an intriguing visual puzzle, with gags scattered amongst the crowds. Frustratingly aimless in its unfolding, it’s more intellectual puzzle than comedy, which is a strength and weakness.

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My Week with Marilyn (2011) Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Kenneth Brannagh, Judi Dench, Emma Watson, Dougray Scott, Dominic Cooper. Zoe Wanamaker. Dir: Simon Curits.

While working with Olivier in London, an insecure Monroe befriends a studio assistant. Teary-eyed nostalgia painted with very broad strokes. Williams does a respectable Monroe, and Brannagh enjoys himself as Lawrence, but it's as subtle and obvious as Mills & Boon, with dialogue that’s so clunky it starts to hurt.

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Batman Forever (1995) Val Kilmer, Tommy Lee Jones, Jim Carrey, Nicole Kidman, Chris O'Donnell, Michael Gough. Dir: Joel Schumacher.

Batman fights Two-Face and Riddler, while an orphan becomes Robin. Unlike Burton’s movies, has a structured narrative focused on Batman – positives end there. Has the same schizophrenia, being part Frank Miller, part Adam West, but with added ADD. Jones and Carrey seem locked in a battle over who’s most awful.

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The Gorgon (1964) Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Richard Pasco, Barbara Shelley, Patrick Troughton. Dir: Terence Fisher.

A man is accused of being a serial killer, but unknown to the public, all the victims turn to stone. Having an enemy the characters can’t even look at is a narrative hurdle it can’t overcome. The monster isn’t even unnerving, and its unconvincing mythology seems made-up on the fly.

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The Deep Blue Sea (2011) Rachel Weisz, Tom Hiddleston, Simon Russell Beale. Dir: Terence Davies.

A woman attempts suicide when the romance with the man she left her husband for begins to wane. An elegant adaptation of Rattigan’s play, skilfully performed by a strong cast. But despite their talent and Davies’ natural grace, it’s too stately and modest in scope, well-mannered but feeling surprisingly in-substantial.

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January/February Films

DDDDDD – Exceptional and unparalleled
DDDDD – Excellent, a special film
DDDD – High Enjoyable, recommended
DDD – Worth watching, but unexceptional or flawed
DD – Bland, dull and average
D – Will give you cancer

Sherlock Holmes (2009) Robert Downey, Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong. Dir Guy Ritchie.

A more dynamic Holmes and Watson take on a sinister criminal who has come back from the dead. Turning Holmes into a comic book style character has worked before, and Ritchie’s film is undeniably fast moving smart and entertaining. The only thing missing is a decent mystery to solve.

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A Very Long Engagement (2004) Audrey Tautou, Gaspard Ulliel, Marion Cotillard, Dominique Pinon. Dir: Jean-Pierre Jeunet.

A girl refuses to believe her betrothed died in WW 1 and investigates what happened the day he disappeared. Handsome, romantic mystery thriller if a little too garishly shot. Funny and very charming, but is hard to follow and a little slow moving. Not quite a classic.

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Woman of the Year (1942) Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn, Fay Bainter, William Bendix. Dir: George Stevens.

A down to earth sports’ writer begins a relationship with a head strong diplomat’s daughter. The first Tracy/Hepburn film quickly establishes their trademark chemistry. Smart and funny, the adult romantic comedy is a dead art.

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Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll (2009) Andy Serkis, Naomie Harris, Ray Winstone, Olivia Williams. Dir: Mat Whitecross.

Flawed attempt to hammer the strands of Ian Dury’s life into a narrative. Focuses on his family life, but uses not entirely successful plot devices to bring his past and music career in. Doesn’t help that the Rock star rise and fall story is too familiar. Serkis is the highlight.

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Tokyo Story (1953) Chishu Ryu, Chieko Higashiyama, Setsuko Hara. Dir: Yasujiro Ozu.

An eldery couple visit their children in Tokyo, but they’re too busy to spend time with them. A gentle but deeply tragic film about the way the old replaces the new and how easily the past is devalued. Slow moving but leaves a lingering impression.

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Exotica (1994) Bruce Greenwood, Mia Kirshner, Elias Koteas, Sarah Polley. Dir: Atom Egoyan.

Damaged characters are linked by a strip club and a patron obsessed with a school girl dancer. Slow reveals cleverly disguise the true nature of this human drama, which is touching in places, but frustrating also. Some stories add little to the overall plot and some performances aren’t so impressive.

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The Silence of the Lambs (1990) Jody Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Ted Levine. Dir: Jonathan Demme.

An FBI recruit is sent to question an imprisoned psychopath who knows the identity of a serial killer. Slick and stylish thriller; it’s exciting, but implies more depth than is there. Scenes between Foster and Hopkins are few and don’t demonstrate the psychological impact on Clarice that Lector apparently has.

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The Men Who Stare At Goats (2009) George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey. Dir: Grant Heslov.

A jilted journalist goes to Iraq and meets an ex-soldier who claims to have psychic powers. A very funny film, but one without a point to it. It’s too aimless to be the satire it ought to be, and ends up just being a very pleasant distraction.

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Christmas in July (1940)Dick Powell, Ellen Drew, Raymond Walburn, Alexander Carr, William Demarest. Dir: Preston Sturges.

A man is tricked into thinking he’s won a competition and spends the prize money before discovering the truth. Brief, but smart comedy with top notch performances from a solid cast. As you’d except from Sturges, some of the lines are golden.

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More 50 Word Reviews

How to Murder Your Wife (1965) Jack Lemmon, Vira Lisi, Terry Thomas, Eddie Mayehoff, Claire Trevor. Dir: Richard Quinne
A sort of love letter to man’s right to be irresponsible and care free. Lemmon is a famous bachelor cartoonist until he gets drunk and marries a beautiful Italian dancer who doesn’t believe in divorce and doesn’t speak English. Not politically correct, but very funny. Support cast is excellent.
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Inside Man (2006) Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, Jodie Foster, Willem Defoe, Christopher Plummer. Dir: Spike LeeCunning Owen is robbing a bank, Washington is the negotiator trying to outwit him, but there’s more to it all than meets the eye. A great twisting suspense thriller marred only by a meandering final quarter which is hard to understand or swallow. Usual Lee race commentary doesn’t add anything.
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Sherlock Holmes & The Secret Weapon (1942) Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Lionel Atwill, Dennis Hoey. Dir: Roy William NeilHolmes goes up against Moriaty as he tries to steal secret weapon and sell it to the Nazi’s. Fun and well paced as usual, but Holmes as a secret agent is too hard to swallow. Cast on top form with Atwill and Hoey making good additions to the team.
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The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlowe, Sam Jaffe. Dir: Robert WiseAbsolute classic about intelligent alien with a message to deliver to mankind, but will we listen. Bag loads of charm and intelligence with strong special effects and something to say, few sci-fi films are this savvy and have dated this well.
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Under Fifty Word Film Reviews 2

DDDDDD – Exceptional and unparalleled.
DDDDD – Excellent, a special film.
DDDD – High Enjoyable, recommended.
DDD – Worth watching, but unexceptional or flawed.
DD – Bland, dull and average.
D – A cinematic turd.

Mad Love (1933) Peter Lorre, Colin Clive, Francis Drake Dir: Carl Freund.

Obsessive surgeon Lorre is in love with Drake. When her pianist husband Clive’s hands are destroyed in an accident, Lorre replaces them with the hands of a killer. Surprisingly dark even with censorship. Lorre’s performance and the expressionistic style of master cameraman Freund makes this a creepy and sinister classic.

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We Are Together (2007) Dir: Paul Taylor

Phrases like life affirming and genuinely touching are thrown about often, but you’d have to have a heart of titanium not to have your heart warmed by this documentary about a South African orphan’s choir, whose success may decide the future of the orphanage. You couldn’t write a script this poignant.

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Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror (1942) Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Henry Daniell, Evelyn Ankers. Dir: John Rawlins

Holmes and Watson are inexplicably transported to ww2 to fight the Nazi’s. It may be unsubtle propaganda, but a fast paced plot, an excellent cast and some stylish direction makes this still worthwhile. And Rathbone is just unstoppable…

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Under Fifty Word Film Reviews

DDDDDD – Exceptional and unparalleled.
DDDDD – Excellent, a special film.
DDDD – High Enjoyable, recommended.
DDD – Worth watching, but unexceptional or flawed.
DD – Bland, dull and average.
D – An insult to the eyes and ears.

The Devil Rides Out: 1968, Christopher Lee, Charles Gray, Paul Eddington. Dir: Terence Fisher
Daft story about devil worshippers is given bite thanks to the dynamic Lee as he tries to save two souls from the superbly evil Charles Gray. Great direction and fine set pieces bring in the thrills, although a low budget spider attack is inexcusably bad, but is easily overlooked.
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The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: 1939, Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, George Zucco. Dir: Alfred Werker
Holmes becomes a sort of boys' comic book hero in the 2nd Rathbone/Bruce film. The cast is first right; Rathbone, Bruce and villain Zucco are a delight to watch. Great fun, but it’s let down by script cuts that leave too much of the mystery unexplained.
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