Thursday 27 November 2014

The Book of Eli

***
UK Release Date: January 15th 2010

A post-apocalyptic tale, in which a lone man fights his way across America in order to protect a sacred book that holds the secrets to saving humankind.

Director: The Hughes Brothers (From Hell, Menace II Society)

Starring: Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, Mila Kunis, Ray Stevenson

The Book of Eli looks good from the outside, but the inside is hollower than an Easter egg. There is no surprises here.

Denzel Washington stars in this post-apocalyptic action-thriller. Eli (Washington) is a lonesome traveller, going wherever the road takes him. His mission: bring the one and only copy of the Bible to safety, so it can be used for good rather than bad.

Surviving is the least of Eli's problems. He attracts unwanted attention, and that attention comes in the form of Carnegie (Oldman), a leader, or rather a dictator, of a small settlement. He's searching for the very same book, but intends to use it for avaricious purposes. The Book of Eli showcases the very core of good vs. bad.

Eli and Carnegie's intentions are different but both of their minds are set on using this book. There's a few messages here that can be interpreted a certain way depending on your beliefs. 

There are snippets of substance hidden in the wastelands of America. It's light and murky where it should be deep and meaningful. The CGI makes the locations dazzle, and the acting from the main three (Washington, Oldman and Mila Kunis) is top notch, but a weak plot and a below standard support overwhelm their efforts.

Other strengths come with hints of weaknesses. Eli wields a short sword and uses it only when necessary. He single-handedly takes on numerous foes at a time. The massacres are nearly as funny as Carnegie's temper.

The Book of Eli edges safely towards The Road and Fallout 3. It shows no originality, but it's still worth seeing for Washington and Oldman.      


Tuesday 25 November 2014

The Bone Collector

***
UK Release Date: January 14th 2000

A quadriplegic ex-homicide detective and his female partner try to track down a serial killer who is terrorizing New York City.

Director: Phillip Noyce (Salt, Sliver, Patriot Games)

Starring: Denzel Washington, Angelina Jolie, Queen Latifah, Michael Rooker

Before John Q and the highly successful Training Day came The Bone Collector, a thriller centred on a serial killer that leaves a human bone at every crime scene. Rookie cop Amelia Donaghy (Jolie) stumbles upon the first body and makes some quick, sensible decisions that lands her as the one and only forensics member on the case. She's aided by Denzel Washington's Lincoln Rhyme, who's fully paralysed apart from the use of his index finger. It's convenient but all he needs to help Jolie. 

There are two major factors that stop The Bone Collector from crumbling in to dust. The first is the cast. A quadraplegic and a newbie is a rare but effective pairing. Washington, as we're use to seeing, is sublime, putting drama and genuine emotion above anything else. His condition at times shadows the serious issues at hand. It's a difficult one because his acting prowess is stronger than the story itself. The same goes for Jolie, who takes the pressure of a lonesome rider perfectly. She teeters on the burden of her new job with its emotional upheaval. There's no surprise that she fast become one of the biggest A-listers in Hollywood.

The second factor is the crime scenes. They are laid out with utter finesse, with a lot of evidence to make the brain ache. Jolie's Donaghy and down-trodden music create suspense. The Bone Collector has us guessing until the end, but the ending spoils a consistent turnout. As an audience we like to work things out ourselves, but TBC spoons feeds us instead. We'd never had suspected the outcome when there are no motives to show in the first place. Besides that, it does have some great photography and camera work similar to Silence of the Lambs, so we're kept guessing until this pivotal moment.

Sunday 23 November 2014

2 Fast, 2 Furious

***
UK Release Date: June 20th 200 childhood friend Roman Pearce are re-united by the FBI to bring down a Miami drug exporter in exchange for clear records.

Director: John Singleton (Abduction, Four Brothers, Shaft)

Starring: Paul Walker, Tyrese Gibson, Eva Mendes, Cole Hauser, Ludacris, Devon Aoki

2 Fast, 2 Furious is the follow up to 2001's The Fast and the Furious. Essential characters are missing, Vin Diesel being the most extravagant. Dominic Toretto missing is felt considerably. A presence like his won't be easily replaced. Newcomer Tyrese Gibson has big shoes to fill, and fill them well he does.

Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster are also replaced with Eva Mendes and Devon Aoki, with the latter impressing considerably. Paul Walker has need of support, just as he did in the first film. His character is still under-developed. Gibson's Roman Pearce has an over-develop. We know Brian O'Connor reasonably well, but there is still a lot to learn about him. We weren't given the opportunity before. 

The plot is deeper this time round, but it's hard to focus on it when a sequel doesn't involve key players that we would have loved to have seen again. 2 Fast, 2 Furious would have suited better as a prequel than a sequel.  

If you're watching this for the action-packed, high adrenaline car races then you're in the right place. Expect more of the same mechanics, 'lightning speed' effects and very, very flashy cars. All the races fit in to the story well, whether it's Brian and Roman chasing down a package for drug lord Carter Verone (Hauser) or on the run from police, there's plenty to get excited about. 

Wednesday 19 November 2014

A Long Way Down

***
UK Release Date: March 21st 2014

Four people meet on New Year's Eve and form a surrogate family to help one another weather the difficulties of their lives.

Director: Pascal Chaumeil (A Perfect Plan, Heartbreaker)

Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Toni Collette, Imogen Poots, Aaron Paul

Four very different people wish to commit suicide on New Year's Eve at the exact same time and on top of the very same building. And that's the opening scene. The set-up may be ridiculous, but there's enough substance to the characters and their relationships to keep A Long Way Down interesting until the end.

They all have their motives, but it's their differences that bring them together and make them work so well. A disgraced news-reader, a single mum with a disabled son, a wealthy daughter with judgemental parents and an ex-musician with an ulterior motive are all undeveloped. Back-stories are glossed over and never fully explored.

Poots shines brightest with Aaron Paul's J.J. coming in at a close second. A Long Way Down is a comedy and a drama, switching from one to the other. Sometimes it's done gracefully, others disjointedly. Poot's Jess manages to lift the tone crass-fully, whenever it gets too dark. The humour in this film is all thanks to her blunt personality. 

Monday 17 November 2014

Ouija

**
UK Release Date: 31st October 2014

A group of friends must confront their most terrifying fears when they awaken the dark powers of an ancient spirit board.

Director: Stiles White

Starring: Olivia Cooke, Ana Coto, Daren Kagasoff, Bianca A. Santos, Douglas Smith

Many horror films these days reuse and recycle material. Some break familiarity, others play it safe. Ouija falls into the latter group. Unless this is the first horror film you've ever seen, which is highly unlikely, expect an abundance of clichés befall the characters we're introduced to. 

Spirit boards are a mysterious force not to be messed with. Circumstances lead a group of friends into playing with the unknown. Most of them are oblivious or stubborn about what they're doing before it's too late. 

The problem to begin with is we're placed in front of a bunch of people we have little connection to. The only character who's ballsy and has reason to use the board is Olivia Cooke's Laine. The others are one dimensional characters who'll follow Laine even though they know it's the wrong thing to do. It's almost worth joking about. Scooby-Doo's classic 'splitting-up' tactic springs to mind.

Frights are few and far between, and a twist that should come as a surprise is seen from afar. It's so blatantly obvious because we're led to believe everything is back to normal, when we know that's never the case in a horror film. Sorry to ruin it, but you're better off sticking a classic on repeat.

Sunday 16 November 2014

Fury

****
UK Release Date: October 22nd 2014

April, 1945. As the Allies make their final push in the European Theatre, a battle-hardened army sergeant named Wardaddy commands a Sherman tank and his five-man crew on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Out-numbered, out-gunned, and with a rookie soldier thrust into their platoon, Wardaddy and his men face overwhelming odds in their heroic attempts to strike at the heart of Nazi Germany.

Director: David Ayer (Sabotage, End of Watch)

Starring: Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Michael Pena, Jon Bernthal

War films are few and far between these days. Clint Eastwood's double entry Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima and this year's Lone Survivor are the ones worth mentioning that really stand out. Fury lives up to the great ones that'll immediately cross your mind. It's short in size and locations are limited but the effects are no less horrifying.
The message it shows us is very clear. No matter where the quintet go, every town, field and household has been effected by war. Disease is everywhere, and death is just as close. We can almost smell it. Just like them we're plunged in to very uncomfortable situations. 

The tank we come to know as Fury is characterised just as much as its owners. Slowly but surely it makes its move, outnumbered and outgunned, into enemy territory. Wardaddy (Pitt), the leader of the crew, relies on Fury with his life. Inside or out, there's no escaping the inevitable. It may be their home, butit's a claustrophobic one at that.

Alongside Wardaddy is 'Bible' (LaBeouf), 'Gordo' (Pena) and 'Coon-Ass (Bernthal). Norman (Lerman) joins them not through choice, but through a fatality. He's the newest member of their team, and the most rewarding. It's hands down one of Brad Pitt's best performances since Seven, but it doesn't stop the focus and attention surrounding Lerman. Norman proves to be the emotional attachment we need. We're just as new to war as he is. An incredibly intense moment sees Wardaddy forcing Norman to make his first kill 'He kills you or you kill him. It's simple math. You or him: pick.' he says. The truth hits home.

Thursday 13 November 2014

The Fast and the Furious

****
UK Release Date: September 14th 2001

Los Angeles police officer Brian O'Connor must decide where his loyalties really lie when he becomes enamored with the street racing world he has been sent undercover to destroy.

Director: Rob Cohen (Alex Cross, xXx, Dragonheart)

Starring: Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster

Who needs A-listers? It's a breath of fresh air to see relatively unknowns dominate an entire movie. The Fast and The Furious is an high adrenaline, turbo charged ride with an exciting cast, thrilling car races and solid action.

Even though Paul Walker's fame has risen due to TFatF, his undercover police officer Brian O'Connor is as bland as his blonde hair. Vin Diesel is easily the winner here. He sparked interest with cinema-goers with blah blah's Pitch Black. Dominic Toretto is a skulking, brooding mass of testosterone who exudes strength and leadership wherever he goes.

The attractive Jordana Brewster grabs the men's attention and the same goes for Walker and Diesel for the women. They're not just good looking, they're idols; someone we'd like to be or to be around if we had the guts to do it.

The Fast and the Furious has a very light plot, one that needs little thought process. You may see everything coming before it happens, but that doesn't stop it from being fun. The car racing scenes are very fast and very furious. You can almost smell the burnt rubber from the tyres. A fine mixture of CGI and stunt-work is all we need.

This film only takes its foot off the gas when we're pulled away to deal with some troublesome gangsters, but apart from that we're firmly in the passenger seat, waiting for the next ride.

Tuesday 11 November 2014

Nightcrawler

*****
UK Release Date: October 31st 2014

When Lou Bloom, a driven man desperate for work, muscles into the world of L.A. crime journalism, he blurs the line between observer and participant to become the star of his own story. Aiding him in his effort is Nina, a TV-news veteran.

Director: Dan Gilroy (writer of Real Steel and The Bourne Legacy)

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Bill Paxton, Rene Russo, Riz Ahmed

Everything happens at night. At least it does for Lou Bloom, Jake Gyllenhaal's creepy, solitary optimist. He's a cunning, daring thief who's determined to make a name for himself.

After witnessing a journalist (Paxton) filming a major traffic accident and being swiftly rejected when he offers free work, Bloom buys (or rather trades with stolen goods) a crappy digital camcorder and a police frequency unit and starts his journey. He records the footage of crimes on the streets of Los Angeles and sells it to Nina (Russo), a television broadcaster. She wants big ratings and he'll do anything to score big, even at the expense of others.

Bloom is an lonesome man similar to Drive's nameless driver. His actions and motives propel us deeper in to darkness. If it bleeds, it leads. The horrible crime scenes rake in the cash. It's true to say that the public love a decent story and a little painful to admit the most horrendous ones are the ones we'll come back to.

What makes Nightcrawler such an endearing and mesmerising watch is Gyllenhaal. He's absolutely stunning from start to finish. There's definitely a psychological instability controlling him and his actions, but nothing of the sort is mentioned by the writers. Bloom's drive and determination to be a boss of his own company is comical, maniacal and heartening all at once. 

For all its troubles and burdens, L.A is beautiful when lit up at night. The external settings are a complete contrast of Lou's night-crawling. The DoP has been thorough with his research because even the dankest, murkiest corners look half decent.

Dan Gilroy has no previous directing titles to his name. Having written the script for 2011's Real Steel and 2012's The Bourne Legacy, Gilroy has been given the green light for his directorial début, and what a scorcher it is. He can do this more often. With a tight, organised script with a string of fine actors (Riz Ahmed wistfully scores as jittery Rick, who's hired by Bloom) and a musical score that gets the blood pumping, Nightcrawler is the perfect thriller. 

Monday 10 November 2014

John Q

***
UK Release Date: May 31st 2002

A down-on-his luck father, whose insurance won't cover his son's heart transplant, holds an emergency room hostage until the doctors agree to perform the operation.

i rector: Nick Cassavetes (The Other Woman, My Sister's Keeper, The Notebook)

Starring: Denzel Washington, Robert Duvall, James Woods, Anna Heche, Ray Liotta

Surprising and shock are words that come to mind after hearing that John Q, Denzel Washington's first film since Training Day, got slated by the critics. Whether they were swayed by the political upheaval or just didn't take to it, John Q still holds moments of grandeur.

Denzel Washington is as impressive as ever. He's the one true asset to this film. He goes to great lengths to save his son's life. Viewers, whether they have children or not, and especially lacking health insurance, will support him until the very end. 'Give a father no options and you give him no choice.'

Political debates and facts plague the script, as if John Q is a direct message to the government. Stereotypical supporting characters are also aplenty, with the good cop (Duvall), bad cop (Liotta) and the immoral chief of medicine (Woods) suffering for it. Try as they might, there's no crawling out of the pit the writers have put them in. 

It has its benefits too; John Q could change medical practice in America (similar to Obama's Obamacare). Director Nick Cassavetes spoke to New York Times after John Q's release and said 'This movie is splitting people along the lines of money. The people this doesn't affect find it to be an overly fantastic melodrama, but play this movie in a middle class or poor area and people get angry and are yelling at the screen. They get it.' John Q gives you heaps of questions to dissect, regardless of your background. Those viewing from outside the US can still feel the emotional attachment thanks to the sublime Washington.

At the heart of it, John Q is an entertaining, suspenseful watch addressing issues that will be talked about for years.

Thursday 6 November 2014

The Best of Me

**
UK Release Date: October 15th 2014

A pair of former high school sweethearts reunite after many years when they return to visit their small hometown.

Director: Michael Hoffman (Gambit, The Last Stamer Night's Dream)

Starring: James Marsden, Michelle Monaghan, Luke Bracey, Liana Liberato

Be aware, don't read on as it contains mild spoilers.

The Notebook is the most loved Nicholas Sparks book and adaptation.  It's a soppy work of art, but one that's deep and meaningful. Last year's Safe Haven was a little on the cheesy side. This year's The Best of Me is a large helping of cheese on toast.

Paul Walker was set to play the male lead, but he sadly passed away before production started. James Marsden was given the role and the replacement may have taken its toll on the overall presentation.

The story centres on Dawson (Marsden) and Amanda (Monaghan), from when they were first together as young lovers to being inexplicably forced together over 20 years later. Events drove them apart. Old feelings creep up that bring them closer. 

There's no faulting Marsden or Monaghan. They are swamped by the over-zealous scriptwriting, emphasising of emotion through music and a matter of an under-valued character, Young Dawson (Luke Bracey) looks nothing like the present day Dawson.

Lacking the originality that The Notebook brought to the table, The Best of Me bears no surprises. What we've seen in Sparks' previous adaptations we see in this one too. What would be surprising is a happy ending. 

Training Day

****
UK Release Date: February 1st 2002

On his first day on the job as a Los Angeles narcotics officer, a rookie cop goes on a 24-hour training course with a rogue detective who isn't what he appears.

Director: Antoine Fuqua (Bait)

Starring: Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke

Training Day defies the cop-buddy element by distancing rookie Jake Hoyt (Hawke) and narcotics veteran Alonzo Harris (Washington) from each other. Their partnership is no less enthralling, in fact, it's deeply engaging, with Ethan Hawke effortlessly manipulated and constantly pressurised by Washington and his bad ways, which goes to question, has he gone rogue or is he really showing Jake what it's like on the streets? 

There's little time to think it over; within minutes Hoyt has taken hallucinogenics, had a gun pointed to his head and roughed up a couple of the homeless. This is just a taster compared to what's to come for the rookie cop. The plot builds at a decent pace with plenty of action and suspense, neither of which take the focus off of the lead men.

Hoyt teeters on the edges of right and wrong. The good cop in him wants to play by the rules, but the devil on his shoulder (that being Harris) makes him far more interesting. As the day pans out, Hoyt bites off more than he could chew. 

Washington comfortably steals the show. Impeccable and mesmerising acting comes naturally to him. It's incredibly hard to dislike Harris. He oozes a charm and a cunning attitude that most villains and anti-heroes lack. 

Regardless of what happens to either character, Training Day is an explosive ride, and never stops for the climatic finale. Be aware, Training Day is not a film to watch if you're thinking of going on holiday to Los Angeles. Bad stuff happens, and even the good guys can be twisted easily.

Wednesday 5 November 2014

Shaun of the Dead

*****
UK Release Date: April 9th 2004

A man decides to turn his moribund life around by winning back his ex-girlfriend, reconciling his relationship with his mother, and dealing with an entire community that has returned from the dead to eat the living.

Director: Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, The World's End)

Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield, Lucy Davis, Dylan Moran, Bill Nighy, Penelope Wilton, Rafe Spall, Peter Serafinowicz

Shaun of the Dead is one of those rare occurrences in cinema. At first glance it looks like your typical zom-com, but underneath is panache and a relishing satire. Contained within is a layered structure waiting to be taken apart with every viewing. There's always something new that might have been missed before.

Set in the South London, SOTD couldn't be better located. The streets with their terraced houses along with the convenience shop and the now very popular Winchester pub, aren't your typical locations for a survival film. It beats being in New York or L.A.. That would be boring.

None of the characters slip in to the cliché spectrum. Featuring a huge roster of television and cinema talent, including the likes of Bill Nighy and Penelope Wilton, it's fundamental that everyone gets a shot, or two.

We're in for an equal balance of scares and laughs. The zombies are useless and slow, making fun of the ones seen in Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead.  Shaun (Pegg) and company use whatever comes to hand to defeat them, be it a cricket bat, laundry basket or some crap vinyls, but the funniest of the lot is Shaun and Ed's (Frost) bromance. A partnership exists that we'll want to see for years to come.

The most embarrassing and humourous aspects are what happens in the background. Shaun goes about his morning business as usual; stumbling and yawning his way in to the living room, listening to his bemoaning housemate (Peter Serafinowicz is gold) about a certain lodger. Whether he walks to the shop, or on the bus to work, everyone around Shaun gradually deteriorates. It's daunting how similar to life it really is. Shaun is completely oblivious, but we're aware of the humans and their transition.

Shaun of the Dead is easily one of the best zombie-comedies to ever grace our screens. Its hilarious even when it tries to be serious. Zombieland, which showcases American humour compared to SOTD's British, is the only film that comes close in terms of levels of entertainment in the last decade. 

Saturday 1 November 2014

Zombieland

*****
UK Release Date: October 7th 2009

A shy student trying to reach his family in Ohio, a gun-toting tough guy trying to find the last Twinkie, and a pair of sisters trying to get to an amusement park join forces to travel across a zombie-filled America.

Director: Ruben Fleischer

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin

Surely zombie films are starting to wear thin. Thankfully 2009's Zombieland has its own abundance of taste. It packs a lot for a film that clocks just under 90 minutes.

There's no living soul in the world, except Columbus (Eisenberg) an ungainly, gawky fellow and Tallahassee (Harrelson) whose obsession with finding Twinkies is half the reason why he's angry. Joining them are sisters Wichita (Stone) and Little Rock (Breslin). The quartet are mesmerising to a tee, and hold the story together well. Whether its smashing a shop to smithereens  or a montage of bickering in the car about past normalities you know you're in for a few laughs. 

In a world they call Zombieland where they're likely to end up as a 'human happy meal' you'd expect it to be swamped with the living dead. Well, it is and it isn't. The writers have centered the plot on the characters and the zombies are secondary to them. Zombieland is a solid, thrilling ride. Each of the four have their own motives, or final destination. In a world riddled with the infected, what are you to do... where are you to go?

Eisenberg demonstrates a few key rules before embarking on his journey. He takes us through some rules of survival, aided by random victims running for their lives. These aren't your typical zombies that usually appear in Shaun of the Dead or Romero's Dawn of the Dea. They're fast, and not to be taken lightly, just like Zombieland.

Eisenberg shines and Harrelson hits a personal best, but Stone and Breslin feel a little undertone. Last to mention but surely not the least is the film's cameo. Incredibly prestigious and highly famous, the cameo has become Zombieland's focal point. Not to ruin too much, it's probably the best cameo to ever appear on screen. Thankfully the rest of the film lives up to it.