It is rare for a film to settle itself so comfortably in the world of middle-aged women, and in this regard it seems fresh and appealing. That it intends to be a thriller and doesn’t quite hit its mark is unfortunate, but as a drama it works, while clever interaction between component pieces at script level means each weaves into an overall narrative that may surprise.
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Hoopla Factor: Continue reading Four of a Kind
The traditional journalist vs untrained (read: irresponsible, inexperienced and self-focussed) blogger theme may hold some elements of truth, but in a film seemingly so in love with journalism and so self-evidently inspired by films like All the President’s Men, it comes across as childish and petulant.
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Continue reading State of Play
Armin Mueller-Stahl is one of the bank’s key players, and whilst he is cast once again as the ‘European’ character (his accent is good enough for the entire continent, apparently) he brings a gravitas to his scenes that is astonishing.
Rating: Hoopla Factor: Continue reading The International
It’s supremely silly, but intriguing enough that the absurdity doesn’t really matter. In many ways, this film reminded me how science fiction can be fun. Proyas is a fantastic visionary, even if he isn’t too great at eliciting top notch dramatic performances from his stars.
Rating: Hoopla Factor: Continue reading Knowing
The editing is deliberately tacky – filled with wipes that come with their own sound effects – and the jazzy, funky soundtrack sounds like public domain music rather than written for the film. It’s really surprising how shoddy the production looks at times.
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Continue reading Ca$h
Eastwood seems to have spent many years making up for the right wing agenda set by films such as Dirty Harry, and Changeling is definitely a film that examines some of the more overt sexism prevalent back then.
Rating: Hoopla Factor: Continue reading Changeling
It is clear, however, that this is a man who wants to save Germany, rather than save those being murdered by the Nazi regime. He knows that once the Allies close in, there’ll be no hope of reaching a satisfactory truce from Germany’s perspective.
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Singer moves the film along at pace, ensuring the audience is enthralled with the question ‘what if?’ without really having time to consider its ramifications. The film works as a thriller, mostly when one is able to forget the actuality of this real-life story and be drawn into the hopes of the men involved.
Rating: Hoopla Factor: Continue reading Valkyrie
Langella in particular is wonderful, bringing shades to his role that may be unforeseen if one expects Nixon to be the political boogeyman. His use of his face – aided by lighting and camerawork that accentuates the recesses of his eyes – to allow Nixon a range of human expression and emotion is simply extraordinary.
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Continue reading Frost/Nixon
For many, Traitor will be just the latest in an ever-growing list of films dealing with the same basic topic, and it will fail to stand out enough to seem fresh. Although it probably could do with a trim in its early sections, it remains relatively enjoyable – perhaps for those living in a cave for the past few years it could even have something to say.
Rating: Hoopla Factor: Continue reading Traitor
Typical for modern films of this nature, the action scenes are filled with shaky handheld cinematography and rapid cuts that mean there often isn’t a single well-framed shot in the whole sequence (and if there is it lasts about a nanosecond before being replaced by one that isn’t). The usual arguments about building tension and audience immersion just won’t wash.
Rating: Hoopla Factor: Continue reading Eagle Eye