24 frames a second

Check out the new site!!!

2009-04-28T22:19:00.004+12:00

http://www.24framesasecond.com/

News on the March!

2009-04-14T22:09:00.000+12:00

Eastern Promises Sequel

For those that have not seen Eastern Promises; see it!! Now! For a sequel is on the way. I may be over-reaching a little based on recent reports but, dammit, I really want to see this happen! Cronenberg created such a rich, atmospheric, world in the first one, with an astonishing turn by Viggo Mortensen, that another trip into the Russian underworld would be most welcome!

Small disclaimer: the film is quite brutal, in an honest, non-titillating way; but brutal none-the-less. You have been warned.... but, seriously, still see it!

Raiders of the Lost Titans

The Hollywood remake machine keeps on chugging. This time it has it's eyes set on the Harry Hamlin (yes, the guy from L.A. Law) starring Clash of the Titans. I cannot comment on the original as I have never seen it; so, fan-boy hissy-fits of ruining the original film can apply elsewhere.

It could be a disaster in the making but it has a good cast lining up; Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Mads Mikkelson (After the Wedding, Casino Royale), and man of 2009 Sam Worthington (trust me, this guy is going to go all Leo on it once Avatar opens!)

The highlight is a script by Lawrence Kasdan; aka, the man that should have written the Star Wars prequels (yes, I am still sore about it!) With classic blockbusters such as Raiders and Empire under his belt, not to mention his own acclaimed dramas (The Accidental Tourist and Body Heat) this could really be something!

Trailer Round-up

The first Public Enemies trailer left me, frankly, a little concerned. Yes, yes, in context it isn't as great a concern as poverty or war, but fanboys are in need of a good Michael Mann hit. The synopsis promised Heat in prohibition times and the trailer promised a failure in the use of digital filmmaking to do period. Well, the second trailer is much better; with greater atmosphere and sense of character; and the use of digital cameras appears to give the period an immediacy that has never been seen before.

Fans of Office Space may have been a little disappointed with Mike Judge's follow-up, Idiocracy. While it did have some highlights, particularly the opening fertility sequence, it never reached the giddy zeitgeist of Office Space.

His next film, Extract, has a comedy cast to die for (well, maybe that is going too far; maybe a nasty paper cut with lemon juice, yeah, lots of lemon juice). Let's just hope it gets the advertising support it needs to get bums on seats come opening weekend; this guy really deserves a hit.

Moon

2009-04-10T13:22:00.004+12:00

I love intelligent sci-fi; particularly if it has a mean streak. Unfortunately, good sci-fi is particularly hard to find, so, it is with delight that I stumbled across the trailer for Moon!

Featuring the irresistible Sam Rockwell, as a lone astronaut on a 3 year mission to mine a precious energy source on the moon, it promises intelligent sci-fi oozing with menace. But don't take my word for it; check it out yourself:

Stop-Loss

2009-04-09T10:06:00.002+12:00

Opening with an impressive action sequence, Stop-Loss tells the tale of 3 childhood friends returning home from the Iraq War to try and resume a normal life. When complications ensue it pushes their friendships to breaking point.

Following up her 1999 film, Boys Don't Cry, Kimberley Pierce presents a well researched film that, on appearances, presents an honest look at the effect the Iraq War, together with the prevous US Administration, had/has on the boys sent to fight. Her use of hand-held cameras to evoke the home videos the soldiers shoot on tour gives the film a raw, immediate, aesthetic.

The cast is lead by an excellent Ryan Phillippe whose character, King, is haunted by the decisions he made in combat. A once by-the-book soldier he begins to question the system and the reason to fight. Rounding out the cast is Abbie Cornish, Tatum Channing, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Levitt is quickly becoming one of the more interesting actors of his generation. After a career-starting role in Third Rock from the Sun, he branched out into more challenging roles in such indie films as Mysterious Skin, Brick, and The Lookout; all strongly recommended. His turn in Stop-Loss continues his winning streak and his next film, 500 Days of Summer, could, if it hits, launch his career into another level.

Stop-Loss is a tight, focussed, film that comes highly recommended.

Star Trek reviews flood the internet...

2009-04-08T18:21:00.003+12:00

... and early word is very positive! And if the trekkies like it so much then the rest of us stand a chance as well.

It sounds like the most accessible Trek to date with a focus on action and emotion over sci-fi. No complaints here. We can find out how good it is for ourselves when the film hits Stardate 07/05/09.

Trailer Round-Up

2009-03-31T20:56:00.008+13:00

The first trailer for Where the Wild Things Are is online and it looks promising. There is not much substance on display, so it is hard to gauge the performances, but visually it is a sumptuous delight.

This little film has been getting good word of mouth. The trailer has been online for awhile but I imagine it has slipped under most peoples radar. There is no NZ release date set but I for one cannot wait for 500 Days of Summer.

The trailer for Judd Apatow's latest directorial effort, Funny People, has also been online for a few weeks. I dare you to watch it and not rewind it to watch Leslie Mann's Aussie-accented abuse of Eric Bana! "Lot's of people go to massage parlours... it doesn't mean I was gettin' a rub 'n tug. Oi!"

The Wrestler: Review

2009-03-29T21:16:00.005+13:00

Darren Aronofsky's last film, The Fountain, was a modern-day sci-fi parable of love and loss set against a kaleidoscope of Spanish conquistadors and outer space. It is a visual and spiritual feast of ideas that is well-worth the 90min running time. However, critically the film was divisive and audiences stayed away in droves. Add a tortured production, that saw the initial version of it scrapped to be resumed two years later with a lower budget, it is no surprise that Aronofsky followed that ambitious film with this low-key character study.

Playing an ageing wrestler, who only receives affection by having himself beaten to a pulp in-front of a screaming audience or by paying lap-dancers, Rourke's hulking figure is in almost every frame. And, it is his performance that makes the film worth-seeing. Some have said that his performance is perhaps less worthy as he is essentially playing himself; a broken down piece of meat actor playing a broken down piece of meat wrestler. This, of course, is an absurd idea. It is no easier playing a version of yourself than someone else entirely and surely it takes much more courage, insight, and humility to expose yourself on film as Rourke does here.

Aronfosky's direction in his past films has been very conscious. While the mark of his direction is still all over this film; note the use of the steadicam to mirror the images of Rourke heading to the wrestling ring with him heading to the deli counter; all visual tricks to entertain the audience have been discarded to watch the actors in a raw, almost uneditorial fashion. It does not make for an overly entertaining film but it does pay off in dividends by letting this unassuming story seep into viewers hearts as the final frames play.

I think this is what it must have been like to see a film in the seventies. Discerning adults, going to the movies, not for mind-numbing escape but, looking for something to stimulate the heart and fuel the late night conversation. If that was the film-makers goal then they have succeeded admirably!

No more Pumpkins!

2009-03-25T22:01:00.005+13:00

Moving away from the flicks for a moment let's turn our attention to its close sister, music!

I am glad that I got to see the Smashing Pumpkins when they played Wellington last year; the older tracks were spellbinding and even one new track, Superchrist, was excellent. And we will never see it again. The Pumpkins are no more. With Jimmy Chamberlain having officially left, Corgan by himself does not the Pumpkins make!

Often mentioned in the top five drummers of all time, Chamberlain's drumming was almost as important to the band as Corgan's song craft. As that has been somewhat lacking since 1998's Adore, any remnants of this once glorious band is dead. Oh, they are going ahead without Jimmy, so the band will remain in name, but any remaining heart is gone.

I hope Corgan proves me wrong and produces another epic as good as Siamese Dream, but with his talk of no more albums, and griping at the fans, this once shoe-gazing artist has become a cynical product factory.

happy-go-lucky

2009-03-21T08:01:00.001+13:00

Watching this gem it strikes me that I have not seen nearly enough Mike Leigh films! The man has a talent for evoking life on the screen and twisting it's messy complexities into a concise, meaningful, narrative.

Poppy (Sally Hawkins) is happy-go-lucky. After, somewhat gracefully, having her bicycle stolen she decides to learn to drive. Which brings her into Scott's world. Scott, a fastidious driving instructor, is too obsessed with all that is wrong with the world to enjoy any of it's beauty. In Hollywood this pairing would lead to a rambunctious romantic-comedy; Poppy learning that sometimes it pays to be "an adult", while Scott becomes a carefree lover of small children, cats, ducks, and fluffy bunnies!

Thank God for Mike Leigh! For in his hands this material is played for honest integrity. No formulas or audience polls here; just the sweet, brutal, truth.

His method of film-making is to deduce a loose plot and then have actors improvise scenes. Through many sessions he gathers material and then hones it into a workable screenplay. The results prove that there is method to his madness!

Essentially a character study capped with a charming life lesson, the movie is anchored by it's vivacious lead actress. Her Golden-Globe winning performance has you believing that if you ever happened to meet Sally Hawkins she would be exactly like Poppy. The supporting actors all provide terrific support for her.

So let's raise a glass to Mike Leigh for not selling out to Hollywood and here is to catching up with many more Mike Leigh films in the future!

Need a laugh?

2009-03-20T23:25:00.000+13:00

Before Sunset

2009-03-15T19:44:00.000+13:00

I am definitely a little late to this movie! A sequel to 1995's Before Sunrise, Before Sunset picks up with the characters nine years on.

Before Sunrise told the tale of two twenty-somethings (played by Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy) who meet on a train and spend one night together; mostly talking. I remember being fond of it but I cannot have liked it that much as I have never sought it out again! The sequel is the same two people walking around talking; although, with a little more life experience and reflection the characters have become more immediate and grounded.

I really do not have the heart to critique or dissect this film in any way. Let us just say that I loved it and you might too! If you have not done so I recommend that you watch Before Sunrise first. Let's hope if they make another one it is just as good!

News from the Front

2009-03-15T10:38:00.007+13:00

Up Shorts

Up-coming Pixar movie Up (see what I did there - pretty clever huh!) has some new promotional shorts online. You can find them here. This is still looking like a doozy!

More Tree of Life details emerge!

Empire Magazine stirred up a minor frenzy on the web last week when they published a small quote regarding effects in Terrence Malick's upcoming film Tree of Life. After much speculation they were kind enough to publish another snippet online to clarify:

"We’re just starting work on a project for Terrence Malick, which is actually 3 films. There’s going to be a 35mm release, a shorter IMAX version, and then they’re talking about another shorter 35mm version which isn’t quite the Imax version but not the feature length one either.""We’re animating dinosaurs, but it’s not Jurassic Park. The attempt is to treat it as if somehow a camera wound up in the middle of these periods when dinosaurs roamed the earth and creatures first started to emerge from the sea onto the land. The first mammals appearing. We’re doing a number of creatures all seriously scientifically based.""I think when it’s finished it’ll be something that’s referred to for years."

A little science goes a long way

Ever wonder why time-travellers in the Terminator series always jumped through time naked? Neither did I. The folks at CollegeHumour weren't quite so blase about it and, after many long hours of research, they have a solution; presented below in video, so you don't have to read any of those pesky scientific words.

Watchmen: Review

2009-03-07T16:10:00.012+13:00

If The Dark Knight was the thinking-man's blockbuster then Watchmen is a character film wrapped up in blockbuster clothing. Based on the worshipped Alan Moore graphic novel, Watchmen is set in an alternate reality, where Nixon is serving his fourth term as president, Russia is poised on the nuclear button, and several former costumed heroes are adjusting to life hiding in plain sight.

Played by a film stealing Jackie Earle Haley, Rorschach, who makes Batman look like a girl guide, plumbs the depths of his righteous, empty, humanity to investigate the murder of former costumed vigilante, The Comedian. Propelling the narrative, the murder mystery uncovers the costumed heroes past and deconstructs them into the fragile, twisted, human-beings that hide beneath their masks.

Along with Haley, Patrick Wilson also gives a nuanced performance as the nebbish, inadequate, Nite Owl. And fan's of Grey's Anatomy may be shocked to see Jeffrey Dean Morgan brilliantly chewing his way through rape and murder as the existentialist Comedian; Hollywood, please give this man his own movie!

With each character lovingly cared for by director Zach Snyder (Dawn of the Dead, 300) their stories resonate with emotional honesty. In fact, it is within the extended set-pieces, usually the lynchpin of the "Summer Blockbuster" that the film occasionally falls flat; an over-the-top sex-scene set to Leonard Cohen's magnificent Hallelujah being particularly grating.

However, these are minor quibbles. Like the narrative, the art design is wonderfully dense and is itself a character within the film; from the bold title colours, to the ridiculously-sublime costumes, and a set design that has you breathing in the scent of rain-drenched pavements, this film screams class.

The squeamish should be warned that the film does not pull any punches; with Dr Manhattan's giggle-inducing, Day-Glo blue, super schlong, and scenes of brutal violence, the film has definitely earned its R-rating. But, everyone else should get themselves along to the cinema and err, watch the Watchmen (Sorry, I couldn't help it).

Geek Week Round-Up

2009-03-03T22:28:00.004+13:00

Transformers vs Terminators: It's a robot smackdown!!

I think the Chinese may wish to revise their calendar and rename 2009 Year of the Robot.

An exciting new Terminator: Salvation trailer has gone up online. With more robot action than the latest Transformers trailer this is shaping-up nicely!

Find the trailer at Yahoo.

Who will be watching the Watchmen?

Well, if critics have their way not many will trot out to the cinemas this weekend for a dose of R-rated comic-book action. For, unfortunately, the reviews are not looking good. Not. Good. At all!

However, those in the geek community (I know some people) are close to raving about the film. Granted, this is the target audience, and they tend to get excited for all the wrong reasons, but there is still some hope...right?! Not a huge comic-book fan I will still make my way to the cinema on the weekend to have a look-see. Expect my review sometime over the weekend (I know you are hanging out for it!).

Break out the Floyd and the reefer; here comes The Tree of Life!

Terrence Malick's latest film is due this year. The project has been shrouded in secrecy with little to go on but a few photos (above) and a brief synopsis (below).

We trace the evolution of an eleven-year-old boy in the Midwest, Jack, one of three brothers. At first all seems marvelous to the child. He sees as his mother does, with the eyes of his soul. She represents the way of love and mercy, where the father tries to teach his son the world’s way, of putting oneself first. Each parent contends for his allegiance, and Jack must reconcile their claims. The picture darkens as he has his first glimpses of sickness, suffering and death. The world, once a thing of glory, becomes a labyrinth.

Framing this story is that of adult Jack, a lost soul in a modern world, seeking to discover amid the changing scenes of time that which does not change: the eternal scheme of which we are a part. When he sees all that has gone into our world’s preparation, each thing appears a miracle — precious, incomparable. Jack, with his new understanding, is able to forgive his father and take his first steps on the path of life.

The story ends in hope, acknowledging the beauty and joy in all things, in the everyday and above all in the family — our first school — the only place that most of us learn the truth about the world and ourselves, or discover life’s single most important lesson, of unselfish love.

It sounds like a transcendent drama; small in character with only the ambition of it's themes to make it grandiose. Well, according to the latest reports this project requires CGI dinosaurs and Nasa shot IMAX images from space!

Ain't It Cool News has suggested that these latest revelations may be for an accompanying IMAX project that Malick releases alongside The Tree of Life. But with other rumoured sequences featuring a sleeping Minotaur, and the birth and death of the Universe, this is sounding like a real trip. Although the details are not yet clear, my excitement for this film has shot from an 11 to a 12! (Beat that Nigel Tufnel!)

Låt den rätte komma in: Review

2009-03-01T20:59:00.003+13:00

Horror films get a bad rap these days and deservedly so. With so-called "Torture Porn" flooding the cinemas it is disenchanting to see how twisted the idea of what constitutes horror has become.

Like sci-fi, horror is best when it is allegorical; it is in illuminating the horrors of everyday life that provides the greatest terror. Some great examples from the past are; David Cronenberg's The Fly, The Exorcist, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, John Carpenter's The Thing, and Frankenstein. Films such as the Saw franchise simply cannot compete with their overly-contrived traps and excessive gore.

Lately, good horror films seem to be made, primarily, by foreign film-makers (The Orphanage, Pans Labyrinth, The Others). With their preference to story and character over gimmicks and gore, they create a palpable atmosphere, with haunting images that resonate with audiences for days, not just a titillating moment.

Let The Right One In is just such a film. Focusing on the story of 12 year-old Oskar, a lonely boy, living in Stockholm in the early '80's, the subject matter is surprisingly adult. Young Oskar has developed an obsession with murder and dreams of killing the school bullies that torment him. So, it is unnerving when a young vampire, Eli, moves in next door. As they strike up a friendship, moral lines begin to blur as Eli's predatory nature empowers Oskar.

The cast are excellent with the young leads being particularly effective. With his gaunt body and hollow eyes it is not hard to believe that young Oskar is capable of murder; it is this unease that preys on the mind of the audience as events unfold.

The vampire elements are all present in the film but, in a testament to restraint, they are never brought to the forefront of the tale; always allowing the human element of the story to take precedence. It is this mixture of the fantastic and mundane that makes the film so alluring.

I imagine that most debate about the film will come from the final scenes. In films that weave the fantastic into the reality of normal life it can become difficult to tie all of the threads together. Often films go too far into either direction; either amping up into a caricature of a fantasy film, or crashing back down to earth and disowning its mythical elements in a cruel trick on the audience (see The Village; or rather, don't!). Let The Right One In does perhaps go a little too "Grand Guignol" than it needs to in its final frames but it is still an effective end to an already excellent film.

This is the one of the best films that I have seen in the past year. If subtitles do not scare you then seek this film out; it is bound to have you checking your closet and looking under your bed!

Valkyrie: Review

2009-03-01T15:29:00.001+13:00

Valkyrie is the tale of the eighth, and final, known attempt, by Germans, to assassinate Hitler. Directed by Bryan Singer (The Usual Suspects, Superman Returns) it stars Tom Cruise and a veritable smorgasbord of British acting talent.

It does Cruise well to return to a dramatic role, forgoing an out-and-out blockbuster that would be required to be carried by his waning star power. Seemingly more well known these days for his regular starring role in the tabloids, it is unlikely that Cruise could open a film with his name alone. Of course, in the current film market, not even the always reliable Will Smith can guarantee an opening. As Cruise grows older it will do him well to stretch his acting talent and leave event movies behind him; anyone that has seen the likes of Born on the Fourth of July, Magnolia, and Collateral, will know that he has talent to burn.

So, it is good to see that the film, as expected from Singer, tells its fascinating story well. It is a testament to all involved that a film with a known outcome can be so compelling. Cruise does well with the role, although, it is a little off putting trying to view Cruise, and the other well-known actors, as Nazis.

While not a must-see, the film is an entertaining history lesson. Those lacking an interest in history may find it an unfulfilling experience but if the subject matter interests you it is recommended.

The Oscar votes are in...

2009-02-23T23:00:00.004+13:00

...does anyone care?

For a full list of results look here.

This was one of the more predictable Oscars in recent memory with most, if not all, of the favourites winning. I am sure that debate will rage online for a few more days about the merits of the awards but that seems a little pointless.

For my two cents, it was great to see that, after all of the speculation, Heath Ledger did win for best supporting actor. It was an unhinged performance and, with his majestic turns in Brokeback Mountain and the smaller film Candy, it is a shame that we will not see how far he could have taken his talent. And, like many others I will now have to run out and catch-up with Slumdog Millionaire (I was planning to regardless of it's win - honest!).

In all of the post-Oscar excitement I did want to recommend another film which may get lost in the noise: Lat den ratte komma in (Let the Right One In) is showing at The Paramount in Wellington (sorry, not sure about further afield). It is a terrifically low-key, atmospheric, horror/drama that is a joy to experience on the big screen with an audience. I will write a full review later in the week but it really will be gone very quickly; it lasted about a week in Auckland! If you like horror, or just a good (foreign) flick, then check it out!

WTF! I want one of these!

2009-02-21T11:52:00.003+13:00

Find out more at Time.

Terrence Malick: Between the Narrative

2009-02-18T19:49:00.002+13:00

It started over ten years ago. I walked out of the screening of a film (I forget which one - probably with good reason!) and there it was; one of the most intriguing posters I have ever seen. Peering from a few blades of grass were a few familiar looking eyes. The title, however, was not familiar; this was particularly strange in that period of my life. I was intrigued! What plonker was making a WWII movie a few months after Saving Private Ryan?! Were they mad, or just stupid? Terrence Malick? Never heard of him; probably some MTV Video junkie with too much luck. Well, it shows what I knew!

It turns out that, along with the return of George Lucas (Star Wars: The Phantom Merchandising Opportunity) and Stanley Kubrick (Eyes Wide Shut) that year, there was another esteemed auteur returning to cinema. And, people seemed to be even more excited about him than the company he was keeping!

Terrence Malick made two of the finest films of the '70's (Badlands and Days of Heaven); which in my book is the finest period of film-making, full-stop. Then he up and disappeared. No explanation and no goodbyes; just gone! As the man never gives interviews we are still not entirely sure what he got up to in those years; one, unlikely, theory is that he was a hairdresser in Paris. However, the good news is that he is now back in the film-making business. After '98's The Thin Red Line he made The New World in '05 and has a new film, Tree of Life, due later this year.

Suffice to say, after the intrigue generated by many news articles, I was at the cinema for The Thin Red Line on opening night. I expected it to be good; never did I imagine that it would change my perception of what good cinema was forever!

I believe that the theme of my filmgoing life can be summed up by what happened at the end of the film. I sat, eyes wide, mouth wider, mesmerised. Behind me I heard an exodus the likes I have never seen in a cinema before, or perhaps since! Teenage boys fled, grown men proclaimed it "the worst film they had ever seen", and women wept (okay, I made that last one up!). Within the space of a minute I sat alone; well, almost alone; one other couple seemed awestruck as well. I loved the film, but the wider movie going audience did not seem taken by it at all.

For years after, if I mentioned The Thin Red Line, people would cringe and tell me how awful it was, and then talk about the wonders of Saving Private Ryan. Now, I agree that Saving Private Ryan is a terrific movie; it is technically brilliant, the script is tight with clearly delineated characters, and the action scenes are visceral with a good sense of geography. However, it is also very manipulative and one dimensional. The Nazis could have stepped straight-out of a comic book and the bookend scenes in the army graveyard are horrifically obvious. It is, essentially, a finely made boys on a mission movie, an A-Grade Dirty Dozen if you will, dressed up in Dad's finest tuxedo. It has one message: War Is Bad (mmm-kay!).

The Thin Red Line, while also technically brilliant, plays a different tune. And this is where, I believe, the bulk of the movie audience gets off the train. The film is not about a narrative, or characters, it is about war itself. And not the idea of war that has permeated the public conscious for the past few millennia; with horror intermingling with thoughts of glory and brotherhood. It takes a step back and asks from where does war come. As Man, the bringers of war, partake in it, and as Man is hewn from nature, what is it in nature that gives rise to such horrific acts. Why do strangers, men with no personal grudges, travel so far to kill each other? Where does all of the hatred come from?

To raise such high-minded questions and then provide a succinct answer would be somewhat presumptuous. Malick instead offers thoughts, moods, and ideas, and lets the audience make up it's own mind. Ambiguity can be a wonderful tool when handled correctly; provided, of course, that the audience is open to it.

Most filmgoers appear to want an easy entertainment and not be challenged at the movies. Fair enough, I feel that way sometimes too; hence my eager anticipation of the bound-to-be-mindless Transformers 2. However, most films that I connect with and revisit, year-in, year-out, are films that challenge me; whether it be through narrative structure, subject matter, or ambiguity. To truly appreciate a Terrence Malick film you need to squeeze in-between the narrative and bathe in all of the complexity that is there to be found.

If I was asked who my favourite director was I would have to say Malick. There are others that I admire, yet, no one, to my mind, has a body of work as consistently brilliant, or that I connect with as much on a personal level, as him.

I am sure that I will revisit his individual films as I carry on through my blog journey. The point of this blog is that if you have never taken the time to journey into the head of Terrence Malick, and if you love all that the medium of film can offer, I really think that you should take the time to do so.

Transformers 2: Here. Comes. The Noise!

2009-02-17T18:15:00.007+13:00

The new Transformers 2 trailer is online. Not giving away much in plot it does promise more robots, more explosions, and more Shia La Beouf. So, no surprises then.

Sub-woofers will be growling in pain from 25th June 2009, at a cinema near you!

Gran Torino: Review

2009-02-15T21:43:00.008+13:00

I am glad that the first review on my recently christened blog will be a positive one!

Early rumour regarding Gran Torino suggested that this would be the final Dirty Harry film. Despite denials from the filmmakers, the trailer suggested that if not Dirty Harry in name, maybe Dirty Harry in nature?! It promised a grizzled old war vet coming out of retirement to kick-ass one more time. As much fun as that sounds, I am pleased to report that the film has more depth, humour, and surprises in store than would initially appear.

Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, a Korean-War vet whose wife has recently died. Alienated from his family he spends his days tending his house, cleaning his prized '72 Gran Torino, and being appalled at the number of gooks and spooks (his words, not mine) living in his once fine neighbourhood. The man doesn't speak, he growls, and he generally does not have anything nice to say. It is only a matter of time before a lifetime of rage and bile comes spilling out.

The film is a little clunky in parts, particularly in the opening scenes while characters are being introduced. And the supporting characters are reportedly played, largely, by non-actors. While this works in the film's favour for the most part the actors do show their limitations on a few occasions. However, Eastwood's performance, not to mention his understated direction, hold the film together. Once the final act rolls into view any minor quibbles are long forgotten.

It is Eastwood's performance that makes this film worth seeing. In what he claims is his last acting role he does not disappoint. Bringing all of his cool action-hero swagger, and melding it with the fine craggy depths of his best acting roles, he creates a character both genuine and entertaining (it would have been nice to see him nominated in Brad Pitt's place at the Oscars this year). Add to that a script that refuses to take the obvious route and I cannot think of a better way for him to retire from acting.

You will likely see better films this year, but it will be difficult to find one that is as engaging and, frankly, as entertaining, as Gran Torino.

Highly recommended.

Inglorious Basterds has a teaser!

2009-02-15T20:51:00.006+13:00

Tarantino's last film, Death Proof, was certainly entertaining but it felt like Quentin was on auto-pilot to do a quickie flick with his friend Robert Rodriguez, as part of their Grindhouse double-bill. With Basterds in various stages of writing since at least 2001, it should see him stretching his talents to their full capacity once more. Online script reviews have praised Basterds as Tarantino's best yet; the only hope is that he hasn't rushed production to meet his crazy target of putting the film into competition at Cannes this year (he started filming in mid October '08 and Cannes is 3 months away!)

The trailer does not give much away in terms of plot, but it certainly gets the blood pumping! Find it at YouTube or in glorious HD Quicktime.

And yes, that is Neal Schweiber shooting a ridiculously large machine gun!

Upcoming Flicks!

2009-02-06T11:59:00.005+13:00

A new year brings with it a fresh batch of films to get excited about. In the past, I have often worked myself into a fever of anticipation for an upcoming film to find myself bitterly disappointed. So, I find that it is best to go into a film knowing as little as possible with the hope of being pleasantly surprised. Of course, monkey think does not necessarily mean monkey do! (I am the monkey; in case you were wondering).

So, with no further to-do here are my thoughts on some of this years upcoming flicks. Some of which I have my eye on and some that Hollywood hopes we have our eyes on!

Watchmen

I am genuinely excited and apprehensive about this one. The trailer is great and early word from test screenings have been very positive. However, after the uneven remake of Dawn of the Dead, and the exciting but shallow 300, I still need convincing that Zach Snyder has the ability to handle such a complicated plot. Thankfully it is not a long wait...

Star Trek

Despite appearances I am not, underlined and bolded (in retrospect I guess I could have saved some time and actually underlined and bolded the word; not to mention the time taken to write this comment...) a trekkie. Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan is a classic, and a few of the other movies are entertaining enough, but the bulk of Trek is lost on me. If nothing else it does not look boring, so if Abrams and Co have concocted a good story it might work. Big might though!

Wolverine

Sorry, X-Men Origins: Wolverine. This had promise; director of the effective Tsotsi, Hugh Jackman, Liev Schrieber as the bad guy; but with talk of studio interference and an ineffective trailer this will likely be as much fun as root canal.

Terminator Salvation

From McG, director of Charlie's Angels and, wait for it, Charlie's Angels 2: Full Throttle, comes another Terminator sequel. It should blow, right?! Is it just me or is down beginning to feel like up, and did I just see a cat and a dog making out? This actually looks good! McG (hard to take him seriously isn't it!) is making all of the right noises, Jonathan Nolan (The Dark Knight and The Prestige) did a rewrite, and it has Batman in it. Batman! This could still go pear-shaped but, fingers-crossed, this could almost erase the memory of T3.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Transformers was simultaneously awesome and awful. The awful was everything that Michael Bay appeared to bring to it; excessive slomo's, lingering shots of the military, and not a lot of sense. The awesome was robots! Big robots; beating the living shit out of each other! The sequel promises more awesome!

Fanboys

This looks pretty awful but I am intrigued by the concept. Some buddies try to sneak into Skywalker Ranch to show their friend, who is dying of cancer, Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace, before its release. It's a comedy.

So, let me get this right; they overcome many obstacles (they must do or it will be a short film) and then, presumably, see the film, see how god-awful it is, and then their good friend dies, bitterly disappointed. Sounds like a laff-riot!

Drag Me to Hell

Sam Raimi (Spiderman 3) goes back to his roots with a balls-to-the-wall horror-comedy! Could be fun.

Scott Pilgrim vs the World

New Edgar Wright starring Michael Cera. See me? I'm over there waiting in line!

I Love You Phillip Morris

Jim Carrey is one of the most under-rated actors today. He is incredible in Man on the Moon, The Truman Show, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Unfortunately, his studio comedies tend to be overly homogenised vehicles for product placement. So, it is with great joy that I see him in a comedy that promises to stretch his repertoire a little! I will save you the plot summary as the trailer sums it up nicely. From the writers behind Bad Santa, this could be a winner!

I Love You, Man

Segel and Rudd. In a comedy. Do you want a map? Go see it!

Funny People

Judd Apatow has a solid reputation and track record. Early word says that this is a step-up from Knocked Up and that he goes a bit James L. Woods on it. It has Seth Rogen in it so I'm in.

And for those of you that have not yet seen Rogen in Freaks and Geeks, or, frankly, seen Freaks and Geeks at all, stop reading and go and find a copy. Now. Off you go!

Observe and Report

I don't know much about this one but it is Rogen doing a serious comedy. It has been described, in various places, as a funny Taxi Driver (if Travis Bickle was a security guard). Sounds good to me!

The new Pixar flick is directed by the team behind Monsters Inc. Starring an adventuring, crime-fighting, pensioner, who always manages to have tea at three o'clock, it looks like a winner.

Where the Wild Things Are

I cannot possibly see how this book can be made into a feature-length film. Thankfully, Spike Jonze has a much better imagination than me. Hopes are high. The studio may have demanded some re-shoots. It is a gamble but I am hoping, not betting, that Spike delivers.

Inglourious Basterds

Tarantino's "men on a mission" WW2 picture promises great things. The most of which is seeing Freaks and Geeks' Samm Levine playing a Nazi-killing Jewish soldier. You've seen Freaks and Geeks, right?

Avatar

James Cameron, doing sci-fi, in 3D. I am not sold on 3D yet, but if anyone can do it, Jimmy can. If this does anything but huge business I will be very surprised. Of course, I said that about Titanic too....

I have saved the most intriguing release for last. Unfortunately, it is not out this year so we have to wait until 2011! Is it wrong to wish two years of your life away to see a movie now? Like, right now!

Behold, the Power of the Dark Crystal!

The Oscars, or: An excuse for Tim to groan about rich, popular, folk desperately swanning about trying to get richer and more popular!

2009-02-03T21:06:00.013+13:00

Okay. As you have probably guessed, I need to get something off my chest. So you may want to step back a little; maybe a little more!

I used to be obsessed with the Oscars. Even after I began to realise that the best film almost never won, and that the show itself was kinda naff, I still made sure that I would be home in time to catch the start. Not to mention spending the day trying to avoid any spoilers!

Well, that day has long gone! I will probably still tune in, in the hope that this year the Academy gets it right, but any enthusiasm has long since ebbed away. And with this years nominees they have little chance of getting it right; well, maybe in the smaller categories.

By my count, the last time the best film of the year actually won the best film Oscar was 1992 for Clint Eastwood's magnificent Unforgiven! Last year the Academy came close to redeeming themselves. Alas, while No Country for Old Men is a classic, and certainly much better than the usual dreck that wins (Crash, anyone? Sorry, this may be a recurring theme; and quiet in the cheap seats; you know who you are!), it is no There Will Be Blood; a film, that I feel, will be remembered alongside the likes of Casablanca and The Godfather Part 2; it has a gravity and a focus of vision that is rare in any period of film-making, but, particularly so in films showing in today's multiplexes.

This year's best picture nominees are all fairly predictable. Feel good entertainment about someone overcoming all odds? Check. Bio of someone fighting against all odds? Check (times two). Nazis? Check. The big shock was no nomination for either of the well-received popular entertainments of last year; namely, Wall-E and The Dark Knight. Benjamin Button, the film with the most nominations, is the type of film that the Academy usually supports; a sentimental, yet epic plot, with over-arching themes that never quite gels as well as its technical prowess, or intentions, would have you believe.

Now, admittedly, four of this years nominees have been quite well received, with the other being commended on its best-intentions and acting etc, but with so many great independent and foreign films released each year, isn't it the film industry's role to seek out and commend the truly deserving films? Sure, they may end up being an already successful film, but it would be refreshing to see some thought going into the nominations instead of the Academy going through the same usual motions.

Anyway, my recommendation this year, as the red carpets roll out, is to head down to your local video store and take a chance on a film. This one would do very nicely! Or, if you are really daring, try to track this one down.

My blog project!

2009-02-01T23:46:00.015+13:00

Let it begin!

For some time now I have planned to set-up my own website. But, as I currently have neither the time, nor the inclination, this humble blog will have to suffice. It will come as no surprise to anyone that knows me that the bulk of the content will be focused on film.

I have been in-love (obsessed?!) with the flicks since my parents took me to Peter Pan when I was about 3. It was a confusing, terrifying, and, ultimately, magical experience.

At first I was not too discerning in my viewing choices and, although I took forever to pick a video at the video store, I always ended up with some trashy live-action Disney film. My Dad's recommendation to rent some crappy looking old film called Star Wars always landed on deaf ears; and he recommended it, exasperated with waiting for me to decide, without fail, every time!

Then, one Friday in 1984, my world, and my little six-year old brain, exploded! I am not sure how many times I had been to the cinema by this point, but, looking back, I believe it was only the second time. My Dad took the afternoon off work and we ventured to Hoyts Manners Mall. A smattering of folk sat in the theatre with us; the lights dimmed, trumpets blared, and yellow lettering blasted onto the screen: Star Wars, Return of the Jedi! It was glorious! And, I can assure you, that on the next trip to the video store we rented Star Wars!

My tastes have evolved since then but the allure of the flicks is still strong with this one. (Whoa, just how geeky am I?) My opinions have also grown stronger; when people ask me for my opinion on a film they usually regret it! So, over the years I have avoided, or softened, my criticism of some films. The Lord of the Rings? Ummm, yeah, nice scenery, and errrr, the costumes were good? The Matrix sequels? Well, I didn't have to pay for parking, so that was a plus?! Errr.... Crash? (The non-Cronenberg one). Now, I do try to be polite but I do have to draw the line somewhere! Crash was more manipulative than bad Spielberg (or good Spielberg, if we are being honest) and it had as much insight into race relations as these guys! However, I have to confess, as much as I can be considered a snob, I do have my own guilty pleasures. For example, The Blues Brothers. Good flick? Not really. Do I like it? Yes, I most certainly do! How can you not like this?

So, if anyone bothers to read my blathering, I welcome comments and would love the blog to be able to generate some healthy debate. But, if nothing else, it will be interesting to look back on my writing in a few years and see just how unenlightened my current 30 year old self is!

Anyhoo, as Superman once said: Up, up, and away! (I guess that settles it! Big geek!)