Garyswordz

Fantasy Sword And Sandals Tale Delivers, 30 April 2007

Author: gary-444 from United Kingdom

I was fortunate enough to study Ancient Greek at school, but was not familiar with Frank Miller’s cartoon books in general, or his work on this story in particular. I have to confess that I thoroughly enjoyed this imaginative take on a famous tale.

The Spartans were a legendary warrior state, and the battle of Thermopalae arguably one of the most famous ever. The fact that Herodotus faithfully recorded these events in some detail provides a firm base for a fantasy with two feet firmly placed in fact.

Boldly, the majority of the films almost two hour running time is indeed taken up by action sequences. As such, the blood and gore count is of Tarrantinoesque proportions – but it’s fantasy portrayal allows much more to be shown than might otherwise be acceptable.

Gerard Butler gives a Mel Gibson inspired “Braveheart” performance as King Leonidas and is ably supported by Lena Headley as his wife and Queen in what amounts to a cameo role. Don’t be put off by the snobbish put downs of some commentators – she has a role to ply and does it in caricature style. His opponent, Xerxes, is curiously played by a Julian Clary lookalike,Rodrigo Santoro,in comic book style.

The music and imagery coasts dangerously into “Gladiator” territory, but the battle set pieces are tremendous with the fantasy portrayal allowing maximum scope for dramatic license. And lets not forget that the Greeks loved a good story. Leonidas response to the Persians threat that they will block out the sun with their arrows -“Then we shall fight in the shade then” is stirring stuff and reflects a mock pompous script which is lively without taking itself too seriously.

Not as epic as “Gladiator”, or as Fantastical as “Lord of the Rings”, this film still scores within its own agenda – don’t let the purists from either the Historic or Comic Book factions put you off. Great story – well told.

Tight, Sharp. Yarn, 13 March 2007

Author: gary-444 from United Kingdom

This film has polarised opinion quite sharply, and has inevitably been compared and contrasted with “The Cave”, released at a similar time and with broadly similar themes. For me Neil Marshall has created an above average tale, which, whilst paying homage to the genre steers away from cliché.

The pretty much all female cast toys with the viewers stereo types. A girly, simpering whimpering band they are not. Dramatic tension between the characters is well developed ,and heroic deeds are just that, without the “macho” bravado that can bloat a Stallone style performance.

Stylistically, those familiar with “Dog Soldiers” will not be disappointed or surprised. The “b list” cast pull together in true egalitarian style to play their parts without trying to steal the show – sometimes less is more, and understated horror is often the best.

The transition from “cavers lost in a cave” to “cavers terrorised by strange things” is a bit “clunky”. But it is a tribute to the film that it would have worked as a straight caving accident drama.

At 99 minutes it just stays within its welcome – and has run its course. Non fans of the genre will not be converted. But fans will find this a welcome addition

Vigilante Makeover Fails To Deliver, 12 March 2007

Author: gary-444 from United Kingdom

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

I wanted this film to work. The much derided “Death Wish” of the Seventies struck a popular chord in the same way that “Falling Down ” did in the nineties – both owing big debts to the “Revenge” Western genre before them. The time is right for a 21st century makeover and update . For the first twenty minutes or so I was expectant. Good scene setting, interesting characters, punchy dialogue. Then the film implodes into a direction less, scarcely believable mess from which it never recovers.

Sean Bean is good but ultimately wilts under a poor script and little light and shade for his role. Although touted as a “lads” film there is an almost total lack of female interest to amuse and entertain. The action sequences are uniformly unbelievable, and the band of vigilantes fails utterly to convince. The wonderful Bob Hoskins performs what amounts to a hastily arranged bit part, whilst Danny Dyer continues his “Football Factory ” persona as the kid who hangs out with the hard lads and looks tough just to avoid them beating him up.

The risible finale is poorly conceived, clumsily executed and is closer to farce than Armageddon. An opportunity missed.

Passable Horror Yarn, 12 March 2007

Author: gary-444 from United Kingdom

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Caving dramas offer the same possibilities as those involving submarines – closed quarters, hidden dangers, claustrophobic tension and an alien environment.This is a frustrating film that almost gets it right, but ultimately suffers from uncertain direction and a poor sense of identity.

The basic plot is that a group of scientist / cavers explore an uncharted cave ,are confronted by supernatural creatures, and some of them escape.The challenge is how to flesh that out within the context of the setting.

Admirably, it tries to avoid the clichés of the genre.The gorgeous Lena Headley provides some female class to proceedings, but she doesn’t get her kit off and does not whimper and simper. Macho bravado is also well tempered whilst offering several scenes of “derring do”. But somehow it does not come off. As a caving and diving enthusiast I found myself bored in too many scenes.

The straight scientific and exploring motives for the expedition are soon ditched, never to return.A quasi historical / religious element floats in and out of the plotting pretty randomly. The rockfall / peril / risky escape scenes are inevitably chaotic and with everyone in wet suits immediate identification is difficult. And in the final reel the film reverts to a pretty routine “escape from disaster” format which switches plotting again.

To be fair, the supernatural monsters are very well done, and the attack scenes both frightening and compelling. But ultimately it forms part of several ingredients which should mix together, but somehow don’t.

This film was contemporaneous to the much derided “Descent” which also flirted with nasty things in uncharted caves. Ironically the less ambitious “Descent” probably works better because of its limitations and delivers more consistently on its fewer objectives.

Offering good production values, and a serviceable cast, this is by no means a bad movie. However despite its grand designs, it never really moves out of the mundane, apart from the monster scenes.

Light Inoffensive Entertainment, 11 March 2007

Author: gary-444 from United Kingdom

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

One of the better Hugh Grant films, this frothy romp entertains without hitting any great heights.The synopsis of the plot is ;fading Eighties pop star and tune smith chances upon a lyricist/assistant plant waterer,they write a hit song and fall in love. And ,err, that really is about it.

Grant and Barrymore never truly convince as a love match whilst offering solid performances. Grant does deliver a credible pastiche as a washed up fading pop star which teeters occasionally at parodying his own fragile status as an A list film star.

The opening “Eighties” video is great fun and well executed, and dare I say it, nostalgic! The music throughout is true to the vintage – and pretty passable. Grant and Barrymore are credited with singing their own songs. But the huge giveaway is that Martin fry , of eighties “ABC” fame is credited with “additional vocals”. I strongly suspect that he multi-tracked Grants vocals. Although Schlessinger, whose credentials I am unaware of, is credited with the music, i detect a strong Fry input into the end result.

At 104 minutes the film is probably 15 to 20 minutes overlong. A scene where Barrymore meets her ex lover in a restaurant fails badly and smacks of “filler”. Speaking of which her make up in the same scene looks as though it has been done by a thirteen year old further damaging a flawed set piece.

Two supporting characters, those of Barrymore’s film sister, and Cora, the Britney/Christina clone who commissions the song, excel and do much to assist a good, but limited , concept.

Desperately Disappointing, 24 February 2007

Author: gary-444 from United Kingdom

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

I went along to this movie with high expectations, but low preconceptions. i was sorely disappointed with what I saw. The premise of the film was fine – a spoof involving an over zealous City Cop unleashed into the strange ways of a quiet backwater village. However the fundamental problem is that it is not that funny. Combine this with an overlong 2 hour running time and you are in trouble. The golden rule of comedy films is that no matter how good the content, they don’t overrun 90 minutes. This one overshot by 30 minutes and was really a tight 45 minute idea.

The Director, Edgar Wright had a cross over cult hit with “Shaun of the Dead” – interestingly the remainder of his work has been more miss than hit. However on the strength of the success of “Shaun”, a pretty strong cast was assembled including Bilie Whitelaw, Bill Nighy and Timothy Dalton. Valliantly as they perform though, there is only so much that they can do with a pretty thin script.

Fot film aficionados there are references to other Cop Movies, and in jokes galore, with a pleasingly eclectic score to go with it. However the cod gore fest of some of the village “accidents” reprising “Shaun ” moments are really sub “Scary Movie ” stuff. And the Gonzo Police action scenes tire quickly.

Ironically the funniest moment for me was the most under stated. He goes into the village pub for the first time, empties it by clearing out all the under age drinkers, then orders a Cranberry Juice.

To be fair the 16 year olds in the Theatre thought the film was “mental” – and the plot is undeniably a good premise. But the execution is undisciplined and gratuitously slack hence my unusually low rating

Nice Idea – poorly executed, 23 February 2007

Author: gary-444 from United Kingdom

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

It is easy to dismiss this film as derivative, clichéd and formulaic. And there is some truth in these descriptions. Yet despite these negatives, there is a half decent film struggling to get out. The premise, that a group of young adults find themselves stranded in the water, with no apparent means of re boarding the yacht is fine.But the Director struggles, even more than the poor souls in the water, to overcome the conventions of the yarn to deliver an engaging story.

When you place all your cast in the water for pretty much 3/4 of the 94 minute running time,maintaining dramatic tension is tricky. Compelling characters, a strong unfolding story, and powerful dialogue can come to the rescue – but all are sadly absent here. Indeed some of the characters are so irritating that you find yourself hoping that they die early on. You genuinely fail to engage with them in being saved.

Overall the acting is routine and the scene setting first quarter of an hour is so laboured and forced that you are urging them to “get on with it”. Once in the water their options are so limited that the run in to the finale seems to take forever.

On the plus side there are some dramatic moments and the plot steers away from “sharks in the water” mode. Aqua phobia, and career misrepresentation provide some mild moments of tension, but the characters are not sufficiently well drawn, and the dialogue too routine, to really maximise the potential of the tale.

Competent enough, and enjoyable enough, but never more than run of the mill.

Classy Drama Falls a Little Short, 18 February 2007

Author: gary-444 from United Kingdom

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

This classy melodrama glides between the sublime, and the unsatisfactory,but nonetheless deserves a viewing. At the centre of the film Judi Dench and Cate Blanchette battle it out like thespian queens as ageing dyke, and fallen wife and mother, respectively. Essentially an art -house film with big budget credentials, it probably just falls short of the finishing line because it can’t quite make up it’s mind what it is.

Essentially the tale of how a lonely spinster ensnares a fellow teacher having an affair with an under age boy, the film holds strong in it’s portrayal of School, with some particularly acerbic and witty observations on Education. Assisted by several marvellous cameos, the supporting cast ably assist the central duo with Bill Nighy and Julia Mackenzie in fine form.

The dialogue and acting are consistently excellent, if a little over reliant on Barbera’s, as played by Dench, voice overs.Frustratingly we never really get to grip with Sheba’s, as played by Blanchette,motivation for the affair. The much older husband and autistic son ultimately serve as fairly crude signposts which could have been more satisfyingly fleshed out.

The relatively tight hour and a half running time does feel longer, and the end signals the end of the “steam” of the narrative- which is fully underscored by a melodramatic Phillip Glass soundtrack which occasionally eschews all subtlety. Barbera’s closing scene attempting to ensnare her next victim seems contrived and very “Hollywood” with all the pace having left the story after Sheba’s final showdown with Barbara in her flat.

Some films are worthwhile despite their flaws, and “Notes On A Scandal” dwarfs much of todays contemporary output.

Uneasy Mix of the Brilliant and absurd, 13 February 2007

Author: gary-444 from United Kingdom

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

A friend who is a Lecturer in Film Studies had urged me to see this – I duly did, but with very mixed feelings afterwards.

On the positive side an impressive cast , led by a demonic, psychotic Ben Kingsley, seize an innovative, provocative script which is narrative driven, Pulp Fiction style.The strong London accents and vernacular will make this a struggle for non-native English speakers to understand. The crude, profane, mobster, Don Logan – brilliantly portrayed by Kingsley – dominates the proceedings, with an ugliness which borders on the unwatchable.

Ray Winstone as Gal, the “retired” crook being cajoled to do one last heist, seems to have built a career on gangster stereotypes since he exploded onto the screen as a borstal boy in “Scum”. He gives a comparatively sensitive, thoughtful, performance aided and abetted by Amanda Redman in a convincing cameo role as his wife. A mysterious pool boy, Enrique, flits in and out of proceedings leaving you guessing whether he is offering “other services” to the rich and indolent.

There are some tremendous set pieces between Winstone and Kingsley as Logan refuses to take “no” for an answer.And a scene where Logan decides that aeroplane’s no smoking policies don’t apply to him is a powerful tour de force.

On the negative side, the heist itself is poorly portrayed and ultimately becomes a bit of a mess. It is almost as if the Director realises that the dialogue alone isn’t going to hold the film and so throws in some bangs and drama for effect. Ian McShane has a bizarre cameo role as part of the London Team with a performance that teeters between comic and convincing.

Worth a look, but a million miles away from “Lock Stock” “Snatch” “Long Good Friday” etc, and for a British gangster double hander look no further than Terence Stamp in “The Hit”

Bold Action Movie With A Conscience, 30 January 2007

Author: gary-444 from United Kingdom

After Director Zwicks impressive “Last Samurai” this is an impressive attempt at interweaving a modern action film with difficult contemporary modern issues. De Caprio, taking the lead, comes of age in an all action, but thoughtful performance. Beautifully filmed, and eschewing the gratuitous African “Lion and Elephant” shots, the focus instead falls on the bloody civil war in Sierra Leone.

Although tales of the butchery have a wide currency, the chilling moments when victims are offered the alternative of “short sleeve” or “long sleeve ” amputation of limbs is gut wrenching. The chaos and mindlessness of the indigenous violence is skilfully juxtaposed with the amoral actions, and inactions, of the diamond trade. As a snapshot of the brutality of the Civil War, and the complicity, of the Diamond Trade this is a searing success.

Slightly less successful are the scenes of the mercenary forces.From “cinema verite” we career into “Rambo” territory. And although enjoyable in its own right the Big Action shoot em up sequences are not as effective as the smaller scale action scenes.

Hollywood does rear its ugly head at the end. The tale is powerfully told and graphically illustrated. Point made. The finale depicting a conference condemning the Diamond Trade and espousing the merits of “conflict free” diamonds is quite frankly an insult to the intelligence of the viewer, and reprises the quite dreadful “concentration camp motorcade” addendum to “Schindlers List”.

Nonetheless this film wins a lot more often than it loses, and neatly interweaves a conventional action movie with a modern morality tale. it scores above average in both genres