Up in the Air……Reitman on a Roll

Posted in Comedy, Drama, Entertainment, Film, Reviews, movies with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on February 2, 2010 by Adam Fay

Brace yourselves. I am about to commit film-discussion suicide, admitting to something that may lose me the respect of some film-junkie friends and have me forcibly removed from movie-geek circles the world over.

Here goes….I LIKED JUNO.

I realize this admission is equivalent to saying, “I eat babies” to some people. Sure, Juno has its loyal fans, but it also has its fervent haters; those people who go into a rage when it gets brought up and get all sweaty and tense when they talk about how much they despise the film. Hell hath no fury as a film geeks scorn for Juno.

I don’t know where it all went wrong for Jason Reitman’s 2007 sleeper hit. My memory of it was a sharp and funny little film with some great characters, dealing with some serious issues in a unique way. The cast was incredible: Ellen Page, Jason Bateman, J.K Simmons, Michael Cera. All fantastic. I can understand that Diablo Cody’s hip, smarmy dialogue may have sat awkwardly with some people. Heck, even I felt some of it ridiculous. Honest to blog! But did it really warrant such vitriol from those that found it so annoying?

Christ knows there are so many films spitting forth some seriously atrocious dialogue these days, can Cody’s hip Gen Y quips in Juno really be worse than some of the nonsense served up in say, the last Transformers movie?

I think there may have been more going on than just this anger at Cody’s dialogue. Personally, I think some people were threatened by Ellen Page’s forthright, intelligent, and resourceful young female character. I do wonder if the reaction would have been so harsh if the same words were spoken by a male lead. But hey, let’s save that loaded discussion for another day.

I digress…..for we are gathered here today to talk about Reitman’s followup to Juno, the quite splendid Up in the Air. This time, it is Reitman himself, along with fellow writer Sheldon Turner who takes charge of the dialogue and you can rest assured that Juno haters will find it a welcome relief.

Up In The Air is a film of its time, dealing with pertinent issues; company layoffs, big business downsizing, technology, and perhaps most importantly of all, human disconnection.

George Clooney, Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick are all in their best roles to date, with Clooney especially looking like he was born to play the part of the headstrong, smarmy, yet ultimately alienated traveling businessman. Clooney’s usual self assured swagger is chipped away for the first time on film, with a character that allows the actor to show some vulnerability instead of the finger-clicking Mr Slick type of Clooney character we are used to him playing. The results confirm what we all suspected to be true; this dude is a powerhouse actor.

Reitman gives us a portrait of real life without any forced manipulation, offering up a simple but important message with a gentle nudge instead of a dramatic slap in the face. He did the same thing in both Juno and his other film, Thank You For Smoking, balancing humor with some fairly serious subjects, serving up what looks like a token movie romance plot for example, but making it feel more genuine by mixing it with real-life relationship issues. Damn, that’s a rare treat in a film these days. It’s still a Hollywood film, which is fine, but it at least tries to pull reins on the schmaltz and artificial gloss.

This is an entertaining flick that doesn’t talk down to you. Dare I say, a dignified Hollywood film with its heart in the right place.

Highly recommended.

The Lovely Bones…..Kong-sized failure

Posted in Drama, Entertainment, Fantasy, Film, Reviews, movies with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 20, 2010 by Adam Fay

Peter Jackson has said that he made The Lovely Bones because he wanted to do a film his young daughter could watch. Hmm…If it were me, I probably would have chosen a movie about talking animals or dancing chipmunks. Call me old fashioned, but I think that might have gone over better than a story about the kidnapping, rape and murder of young children. (Somewhere in New Zealand right now there is a seriously damaged young Jackson daughter)

If Jacko’s intention was to impart knowledge onto his daughter, he succeeded in this only by constructing a feature length lesson in how NOT to make a film. The Lovely Bones is quite simply the biggest load of drivel my weary eyes have had to endure in a long time.

Riddled with cliche’s, brimming with ridiculously implausible scenes, stuffed full of empty, soulless sentimentality and bursting at the seams with dialogue that sounds like it was written by a room full of heavily retarded chimps after a four day acid binge, this is the kind of film that has you yelling obscenities at the screen throughout.

The problems are many, but the blame is laid out in a very simple two word explanation: Bad Filmmaking. An almost incomprehensible accusation when directed at the man who gave us the Rings trilogy, Heavenly Creatures, Bad taste, Meet The Feebles and Braindead.

Perhaps the signs were there in King Kong, Peter Jackson’s last directorial effort. What should have been a tight, awe-inspiring remake of a classic, became an overblown and ridiculously overlong dud. Unlike The Lovely Bones though, King Kong had a good movie hidden within it; nothing a pair of scissors and some sticky-tape couldn’t have fixed. Unfortunately, it would take a team of archeologists working around the clock to find anything worth salvaging in these “Lovely Bones”.

The annoying narration, the awfully overused CGI, the dubious casting….even Peter Jackson’s lame Hitchcockian cameo had me reaching for the Makers Mark in a frivolous attempt to dull the pain.

Overall though, the film couldn’t decide what it wanted to be. Was it a murder mystery? An afterlife fantasy tale? A serial killer thriller? A family coming of age film? It had elements of all these, but none of them were explored convincingly.

The undeniably disturbing subtext, the manipulative afterlife sentimentality mixed with some truly cringe-worthy comic relief provided by Susan Sarandon’s painfully cliched drunk grandmother character gave the film a seriously schizophrenic tone. Viewers are left feeling creeped-out by Stanley Tucci’s child molesting character one minute, and expected to feel pity for Mark Wahlberg’s grieving (but oh-so ignorant to the bleeding obvious) father character the next.

And then there’s the dubious underlying message in the film that, from what I could gather, is somehow suggesting that this heartless child murderer is infact liberating his victims from a miserable world into a candy-colored utopia where things are just fine and dandy. Maybe I’m over-thinking it all, but it left me feeling a little unsettled as to what meaning we are to take from all this.

After all is said and done, there is one man who actually comes out as a winner in this mess. His name is Ryan Gosling. In his most ingenious career move to date, Gosling chose to pull out of his role in The Lovely Bones due to “creative differences” just before shooting started. He was quickly replaced by Mark Wahlberg (whose recent string of flops must have him contemplating calling up the Funky Bunch for a reunion tour). My hat goes off to Mr Gosling for having the foresight to jump from this sinking ship before it was too late. Genius.

To everyone else involved in The Lovely Bones, I can only shake my head and hope the stench eventually wears off.

BEST OF THE DECADE

Posted in Blogroll, Entertainment, Film, Reviews, movies with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 1, 2010 by Adam Fay

Every two-bit punk with an internet connection has been compiling their “Best of the Decade” lists lately. Why should they have all the fun? It’s my turn to get a little self-indulgent and lay my favorite films of the noughties on you all.

The preamble: I’ve rated my film choices from 1 to 100 for no other reason than I thought it would be a bit of fun. You and I both know that rating films in this way is ridiculous. Film moods change daily, I may adore something one day and be tired of it the next, I may find a film forgettable on my first viewing and praise it on my second. The fact is, every time I look back over my list, I want to change it around immediately. There’s no way I could ever be fully content with it.

All I could really go on is how I felt after watching the films I chose. Many lists I’ve seen have an air of pretension surrounding them, as if the author is terrified to leave out the token “critically acclaimed” films of the last ten years. To hell with those numbskulls. I tried to be as honest as I could without feeling obliged to include any highly regarded films. Sure, Little Miss Sunshine was a good film, but it just didn’t stand out for me…and hey, I know some may call it a sin not to include The Royal Tenenbaums, but frankly, I thought it was self-righteous trash.

Enough of my ramble. Enjoy the list, and be sure to let me know what you guys think.

1.28 days later (2002)

THE REASON: Zombie purists can argue all they want over whether Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later is a zombie film or a virus film. Who cares? It’s a modern horror classic either way. Essentially two films in one, the first half depicts a world on the brink, being overrun by disease carrying flesh eaters, while the second half exposes an even more frightening possibility of a world repopulated by gun-totting madmen.

28 Days Later may not top many other lists, but for me, it was the standout film of the decade that somehow managed to redefine a well-worn genre.


2.Oldboy (2003)

THE REASON: A killer premise, amazing performances and a knockout script combine to make Oldboy one of the most original and mind blowing cinematic events in recent memory. Even those who knew the story outline going into the movie could never have predicted the wild ride Chan-Wook Park takes them on. Oldboy was a powerhouse that left me speechless.

3.The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-03)

THE REASON: It was hard to keep the almighty trilogy away from the number one spot, and even harder to choose a favorite between them, hence they are combined as one (no way am I wasting three spaces on my list!). If I had to choose, I would nominate The Two Towers as the superior entry. Fellowship set up the story nicely and Return of the King was great, but suffered from a few too many endings. When all is said and done though, Peter Jackson served us up three killer epics that will be hard to top.


4.War of the Worlds (2005)

THE REASON:I was shocked at the backlash this film received. It may have taken some serious coin at the box office, but many people called it too dark and grim. To those people I simply say,  “Um, yeah?…So?”

I thought War of the Worlds was a near perfect blockbuster. A feast for the senses and such a great cinematic experience. Who says all blockbusters have to be neat and happy? Dark? Grim? You bet. Bring it on!

5.Shaun of the Dead (2004)

THE REASON:Nobody really saw a zombie comedy/spoof coming, and even when details of Shaun of the Dead were released, many expected a silly “Scary Movie” type film with dumb gags and cheesy pratfalls. Instead we were given an ingeniously clever and deliciously cool zombie film that not only had us rolling in the aisles, but charmed us with great characters and a kick-arse horror story.

6. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

THE REASON:Enough has been said about the genius of Charlie Kaufman, but I wasn’t sure whether another film could capture the surrealistic nature of his scripts as well as Being John Malkovich. Eternal Sunshine not only matched the brilliance of that film, but surpassed it by injecting elements of romance, heartbreak and grief. A one of a kind movie where all the elements melded together perfectly to create something both wildly unique and unashamedly touching.

7. The Host (2006)

THE REASON:The Host is more than just a monster movie, it’s an all encompassing  thrill-ride with great special effects, a tight story and some hilariously cheeky humor. Most of all though, The Host was just so damn entertaining.


8.Donnie Darko (2001)

THE REASON:Fans of cinema had their fingers crossed that Richard Kelly would became a director to be reckoned with after leaving us gobsmacked with Donnie Darko. Unfortunately, both Southland Tales and The Box disappointed, and the fear that Donnie could have been a one-off has become more and more clear. Alarm bells rang for me when the much anticipated director’s cut of Donnie Darko was released and somehow managed to diminish the impact of the original film. Regardless of all this negativity, Donnie Darko, in its original form is a masterpiece. A rare and risky film that shouldn’t have worked but somehow did.

9.Memento (2000)

THE REASON:To call Memento a cinematic mindfuck is the decades biggest understatement. This back-to-front thriller is captivating from the very first frame and holds the audience in a vice-like grip until the credits roll. Christopher Nolan proved himself to be a master director later in the decade, but even after his dalliances with the caped crusader, Memento still stands as his most compelling work.

10.Children of Men (2006)

THE REASON: I still can’t believe that Children of Men wasn’t a box office smash and an Oscar favorite. You won’t find a more intelligent and provoking science fiction film. Beyond that though, Children of Men was also technically impressive, with top notch cinematography and brilliant set design that created a dystopian world that felt all too real.


11.Pans Labyrinth (2006)

THE REASON:Part fantasy, part historical war drama and fully original, Pans Labyrinth was a breath of fresh air when it was released in 2006. What looked to be an innocent childrens fairytale on the surface turned out to be anything but, with some truly dark themes and brutal violence mixed in with a spectacular visual flair from the always interesting director, Guillermo del Toro.


12.Let the Right One In (2008)

THE REASON:Just as vampires were becoming the hula-hoops of the noughties thanks to the Twilight phenomenon, an unassuming little film comes out of Sweden and knocks the bloodsucking-immortal myth out of the park. Let the Right One In came from nowhere, blew our minds and left us frazzled, wondering what the hell just hit us. Quite possibly the best vampire film of all time and no doubt a film that may improve with age, prompting me to kick myself for not putting it higher on this list.


13. Requiem for a Dream (2000)

THE REASON:Anyone in the mood for one of the most harrowing and depressing films ever made? Requiem for a Dream is nothing if not original. A dark and desolate ride through the horrors of drug addiction that is not only one of the most compelling films of the decade, but perhaps also one of the most difficult to watch. Brilliant and brutal, but a work of art that is unmissable.


14. No Country for Old Men (2007)

THE REASON:A masterpiece from the Coen’s that hits all the right notes. Javier Bardem creates one the greatest villains put to celluloid, but he’s surrounded by an equally impressive cast with Josh Brolin, Tommy Lee Jones and even Woody Harrelson doing some of their best work. One of the most deserved Best Picture Oscar winners of the decade.


15.District 9 (2009)

THE REASON: It’s always difficult including a recently released film in a “Best Of” list like this, as it’s hard to tell if its impact will wear off over time, but District 9 was such an entertaining cinema experience that I just had to include it in the top 20. I rate Sharlto Copley’s performance as one of the best I’ve seen of late and if there was any justice in the world, he’d be at least nominated for a little gold statue come Oscar time. Overall though, this is my pick for the best film of 2009 and time will tell, but it could even rate very high on my list of all time favorites.


16. Punch-Drunk Love (2002)

THE REASON:I’ve never been much of an Adam Sandler fan. I always felt his brand of humor was pretty one-note, but after watching him in Punch Drunk Love I gained a ton of respect for the guy. His portrayal of small business owner Barry Egan was spot-on and added just the right touch to Paul Thomas Anderson’s most underrated film. This is a story with real heart and honesty, and one that stayed with me well after the credits rolled. Yet another that I felt was criminally overlooked by many.


17. Amores Perros (2000)

THE REASON:It took me more than one sitting to realize the genius of Amores Perros. While it is not the most easily digestible film, it is undoubtedly a powerful and ultimately unforgettable experience. Great characters and 150 minutes of riveting storytelling.


18. Almost Famous (2000)

THE REASON:I’m biased towards any movie about music, but Almost Famous is more than just that, it’s a film with alot of heart that has the ability to give me that warm glow inside every time I watch it. Sure, there’s some cheesy moments, but there’s also some very human ones that make up for them.


19. About Schmidt (2002)

THE REASON:About Schmidt had a strong impact on me, not only because it is one of my favorite Jack Nicholson performances, but also because I feel like I know people like Warren Schmidt. This is a sad, funny and ultimately inspiring movie from director-to-watch Alexander Payne, who has delivered other gems like Sideways and Election.

20. Sexy Beast (2000)

THE REASON:Outright winner of my “Favorite Performance of the Decade” is Ben Kingsley in Sexy Beast. The movie itself is a great little crime thriller, but with Kingsley playing the ferocious and forthright Don Logan, his performance alone rises this film into something special.


21. Inglourious Basterds (2009)

THE REASON:Once again, choosing a film I watched only mere months ago is risky, but Tarantino really blew me away with Inglourious Basterds. I didn’t expect to like the film at all, but it turned out to be one of the most engrossing film experiences I’ve had in a long time. A classic in waiting.


22. Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)

THE REASON:From the very first chord strum of the song “Tear Me Down” in the opening scene of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, I was sold. Every scene and song that followed had me transfixed. Great movie and a killer soundtrack.


23. Kill Bill Vol. 1 (2003)

THE REASON:I anticipated Kill Bill more than any other film this decade and while it never could have lived up to my huge expectations, it was still an awesome movie experience filled with enough Tarantino-isms to keep any fan satisfied. Don’t bother looking for Volume 2 on my list though, it aint here. I know some people claim it the superior chapter, but it swayed too far into showy self-indulgence for me.


24.Gladiator (2000)

THE REASON:It’s been 10 years since its release, so it’s easy to forget just what an impact Gladiator had on the film world. It’s still a great movie to watch and really set the tone for so many similarly themed, yet inferior films that followed. It may not be my favorite Ridley Scott film of all time, but it’s certainly his best of the decade.


25. Battle Royale (2000)

THE REASON:I had a blast watching Battle Royale and refuse to accept the opinions of those that call it a brainless gore-fest. No way! This film has weight and a social conscience to boot. Anyone who didn’t see that on their first viewing is blind. But hey, if you want to look at it as mindless exploitation then go right ahead. Even from that angle it’s a super-cool flick.


26. The Dark Knight (2008)

THE REASON:Yep, Heath was great as the Joker, but it was the film itself that had me at hello. No big screen comic adaptation has ever been this ballsy and dark, with such brooding intensity and thrilling action. It was a damn near perfect night out.


27. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

THE REASON:Long, slow moving at times, but thoroughly engrossing from start to finish. You can keep that schmaltzy nonsense that was Benjamin Button, I’ll take Brad as the brooding, but charming gunslinger Jesse James any day of the week. Props also to Casey Affleck who was great in this and really came into his own as an actor this decade.



28. Waking Life (2001)

THE REASON:Behind the experimental aesthetics of Richard Linklater’s Waking Life, lies an engrossing meditation on life itself, or at least what it means to be alive. I fully realize that this is not to everyone’s taste, but I couldn’t get enough of this film. I wish there were more like it.


29.The Pianist (2002)

THE REASON:Just when we thought the holocaust film had become exhausted, Roman Polanski comes out with The Pianist and proves what a gifted film maker he truly is. I actually rate this film higher than Schindler’s List and believe it to be the best holocaust film ever made.


30.The Constant Gardener (2005)

THE REASON:If you haven’t watched The Constant Gardener, I strongly suggest you give it a go. For those who may have already seen it and dismissed it, I urge you to try watching it again. This film is extremely powerful, with great performances from both Rachel Wiesz and Ralph Fiennes. It’s a film that drifts from a romance to a gritty thriller without missing a beat. A real creeper that you need to let sink in over time.


31. Lost in Translation (2003)

THE REASON:Worth seeing for Bill Murray’s performance alone, Lost In Translation is an unique film experience that lingers with you for days. Not many films have captured that feeling of isolation and loneliness as well as this movie does, and served it with such truthful and real dialogue. A modern gem.


32. A History of Violence (2005)

THE REASON:It’s true, I’d pay to watch Viggo Mortenson sitting alone and staring at wet paint if I had to and I’d also happily watch David Cronenberg directing traffic. So it came as no surprise that I’d like A History of Violence. What I didn’t expect was how much I’d like it. One of my favorite actors being lead by one of my favorite directors, and both did such an effortlessly brilliant job.


33. The Wrestler (2008)

THE REASON:I’ve always had a soft spot for Mickey; Barfly and Angel Heart are two important films in my world, so it was great to see the guy get given a role like this. The magic of it of course, was that the film mirrored the life of its lead actor, which made it an even more potent drama. Aronofsky also proves himself to be one of the great directors going around today.


34. Best in Show (2000)

THE REASON:It’s fair to say that my list is pretty light on straightforward comedy films, but isn’t it also fair to say that there have been a severe lack of any decent straightforward comedy films in the past decade? Eh, maybe I’m too picky, but there’s simply not many movies that stand out as hilarious for me these days. They all seem to be trying so hard to push the envelope of good taste that it gets boring very quickly. Which is why Christopher Guest’s brilliant mockumentary on the participants of a dog show is head and shoulders above the rest. A classic that is always watchable.


35. Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

THE REASON:It takes a while to get under your skin, but if you allow Napolean Dynamite to sweep you up, you’ll be a fan for life. The first time you watch it, you’ll be slightly perplexed, the second time you’ll find yourself giggling, but by the third watch you’ll be addicted. Vote Pedro.


36.Revolutionary Road (2008)

THE REASON:A powerful observation on how dreams can so easily slip away, and how life happens while your busy making other plans. I found Sam Mendes’ Revolutionary Road heartbreaking and all too real, with stunning performances from Kate and Leo.


37.Dawn of the Dead (2004)

THE REASON:How can anyone not like a film that opens with Johnny Cash’s “When the Man Comes Around” set to vision of the world falling apart at the seams. Awesome. Sure, it’s a remake, but it’s a rarity amongst its kind; here’s a remake that stands on its own. George Romero’s 1978 classic may never be equaled, but Zack Snyder somehow pulled off the impossible and created a remake that actually feels like a worthy update.


38. REC (2007)

THE REASON:I love nothing more than having the Bejesus scared out of me. The only problem is that being so jaded to a good scare, it’s harder to find a film that can penetrate my thick skin. Every now and then though, a film like REC comes along and knocks my honky-arse to the floor, having me assume the fetal position crying for my mummy. While Quarantine was a decent American remake, there is still something more potent about the Spanish original.


39.Batman Begins (2005)

THE REASON:With all the hoopla over The Dark Knight, it’s easy to forget how good a film Batman Begins is. In many ways, it is an easier watch than The Dark Knight, offering up a less intense and relentlessly downbeat experience with some great fight scenes and killer action. Still one of the best origin stories out there too.


40. Bowling for Columbine (2002)

THE REASON:I’ve never bought into the backlash that Michael Moore received after Fahrenheit 9/11. I’ve been a big fan of the guy since his TV show, The Ugly Truth. Say what you want about him, right or wrong, good or bad, false or true; he shines a light on subjects we need some light shone on. Bowling for Columbine was a knockout doco from a man just trying to do some good in a crazy world.

41. Sin City (2005)

THE REASON:Perhaps the only comic book film (or graphic novel) that has actually captured the feeling what it’s like to read comic books. Sin City is one hell of a fun cinema ride that broke new ground in how to adapt a story to screen.


42. Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

THE REASON:Danny Boyle does it again with a film that made the world sit up and realize what a stunning director this guy actually is. Slumdog is entertaining  from start to finish and proves once more that a good, well made story can be a huge success without megastar names and blown-out budgets.


43. Brokeback Mountain (2005)

THE REASON:Before it became the punchline to every late night talk show hosts tired homosexual gags, Brokeback Mountain was a simple love story that just happened to be about two males. As time has passed, I think it’s fair to say that Ang Lee’s gentle masterpiece was easily robbed for Best Picture at the Oscar’s, but hey, it isn’t the first film to suffer that fate and it won’t be the last.


44. A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)

THE REASON:If he lived to do so, I get the feeling Kubrick may have  made his version alot different, but that can’t take anything away from what Speilberg did with A.I Artificial Intelligence. There’s something unique about this movie. It’s pacing is strange, it “feels” somehow synthetic. Most of all though, it is just plain sad. A sad and beautiful masterpiece.


45. A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)

THE REASON:Best watched without knowing anything about it, A Tale of Two Sisters is an intelligent Korean film that gets under your skin from the first frame. There’s some creepy moments and some nice twists, but unlike other films of its ilk (The Grudge, The Ring, Dark Water) it never takes the cheap way out, offering the viewer something more substantial than just simple scares.


46. There Will Be Blood (2007)

THE REASON:Daniel Day Lewis IS this film. Without his jaw dropping performance, I seriously doubt the film would have been half as good. Not many actors can carry a movie like this guy. With Paul Thomas Anderson behind the camera, There Will Be Blood was always going to be interesting, but the inclusion of Daniel Day Lewis made it unmissable. Props also to Jonny Greenwood’s unique score.


47. The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)

THE REASON:I wasn’t particularly blown away by the first two Bourne movies, but I finally understood what the fuss was about when I sat pinned to my chair throughout The Bourne Ultimatum. You won’t find an action film that is as exciting and well crafted.


48. The Proposition (2005)

THE REASON:A tough, gritty and violent Aussie western that oozes atmosphere. Nick Cave scripted this sleeper that too many people overlooked in 2005. A well-shot, brilliantly acted film that feels somewhat old-fashioned if it wasn’t for the blood and violence.


49 (500) Days of Summer (2009)

THE REASON:One of the first films bold enough to tweak with the idea of the romantic comedy, (500) Days of Summer feels like a breath of fresh air. Well written, with a great little cast, this was one of the surprises of the past year and a film that should grow in status over time.


50 Bubba Ho-tep (2002)

THE REASON:Elvis and JFK fighting an ancient Mummy in a retirement home? Bruce Campbell? Ossie Davis? Don Coscarelli? What the hell else do I need to say? Bubba Ho-Tep is an absolute blast!


…AND THE REST

51 Capturing the Friedmans (2003)

52 Gone Baby Gone (2007)

53 The Aviator (2004)

54 The Departed (2006)

55 Signs (2002)

56 Session 9 (2001)

57 Zodiac (2007)

58 Mullholland Drive (2001)

59 Head-On (Gegen die Wand) (2004)

60 The Descent (2005)

61 Not Quite Hollywood (2008)

62 Mean Girls (2004)

63 The Visitor (2007)

64 Sunshine (2007)

65 City of God (2003)

66 Y Tu Mama Tambien (2001)

67 Lantana (2001)

68 Million Dollar Baby (2004)

69 Mystic River (2003)

70 300 (2006)

71 The Devil’s Backbone (2001)

72 Insomnia (2002)

73 Star Trek (2009)

74 Walk the Line (2005)

75 In the Bedroom (2001)

76 Chopper (2000)

77 Adaptation (2002)

78 The Filth and the Fury (2000)

79 Cache (2005)

80 The Hurt Locker (2008)

81 Closer (2004)

82 Notes on a Scandal (2006)

83 Stranger Than Fiction (2006)

84 Look Both Ways (2005)

85 Into The Wild (2007)

86 The Lives of Others (2006)

87 Juno (2007)

88 Once (2006)

89 Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)

90 Sideways (2004)

91 About a Boy (2002)

92 Brick (2005)

93 The Others (2001)

94 In Bruges (2008)

95 Joe Strummer: The Future is Unwritten (2007)

96 The Painted Veil (2006)

97 The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005)

98 The Woodsman (2004)

99 Garden State (2004)

100 Shattered Glass (2003)

Avatar….whoa!

Posted in Action, Entertainment, Fantasy, Film, Reviews, Sci/Fi, movies with tags , , , , , , , on December 20, 2009 by Adam Fay

I think there should be two large boxes placed outside the cinema doors prior to every screening of Avatar. One box to drop your brain in before you enter, and the other your cynicism. This simple gesture would make things much easier for those wanting to get the most out of James Cameron’s latest blockbuster. Without your brain, you could sit back and take in the wonder of this incredible achievement in visual effects without letting the lack of story and character development distract you. And with your cynicism conveniently packed away in a box outside, you could watch the sappy spiritualism and environmental undercurrents of James Cameron’s script without shaking your head and feeling the slight urge to vomit.

Unfortunately, I chose to keep my brain and cynicism in place during Avatar. Luckily I have the ability to temporarily switch both of them off from time to time so I still managed to enjoy the film. Actually, let’s be honest here, I had a blast watching it! Who couldn’t? This is easily the most amazing cinematic achievement I’ve ever seen. For sheer spectacle value, it is incomparable.

That is not to say that beyond being delicious eye candy, Avatar lacks substance completely. It’s more accurate to simply say the film is “lacking”. There is enough of a story to keep you interested, and there is a few mildly interesting characters, but truly great films need more than that. We need to be inside the characters heads and swept up in their adventure. Avatar just doesn’t reach those heights well enough.

It was great seeing Sigourney Weaver back in a big budget film and I’d be more than happy to have her feature in all of Cameron’s films in the future.

Sam Worthington finally comes into his own in Avatar. His rapid ascent to the highest echelons of Hollywood blockbusters was always met with suspicion. People saw him as a rather beige choice as the new action superstar, but his laid back, everyman charm seems a nice fit here.

I’m happy to forgive Avatar for its shortcomings. This a landmark piece of cinema that is extremely difficult to dislike, and any problems it has in story or character development is more than made up for in other departments. I say just sit back, relax and drink it in. It’s one spectacular ride.

Precious…..Bleakness

Posted in Drama, Entertainment, Film, Reviews, movies with tags , , , , , , , on December 16, 2009 by Adam Fay

What could have so easily turned into an ultra-sentimental movie-of-the-week type deal, is actually one of the better films of the year. “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Saphire” (now there’s a title worthy of our modern sensibilities – include a plug for the book in the actual title of the film!) is by no means an easy watch. In fact, there’s scenes in this film that are downright uncomfortable to look at, but this confrontational element is what sets it apart from so many movies that deal with similar subjects.

Director Lee Daniels doesn’t hold back on the bleakness but he also successfully fills the story with a sense of optimism without forcing any morals or ideals down our throat. Instead, he lets the movie unravel at a steady pace, allowing the characters to breath and the audience to connect.

Precious would be a different film without the talents of its cast.  Gabourey Sidibe who plays Precious is faced with one of the more demanding roles in recent memory and she encompasses the character incredibly well. But it’s Mo’Nique’s performance as an abusive mother that really sets the movie on fire. She is amazing.

Kudos also to Mariah Carey who I’ve always seen as a self-conscious twat, obsessed with her appearance…but she strips the makeup off and gives a damn good performance as a sympathetic guidance councilor. Even Lenny Kravitz, who I’ve never seen act before, seems to fit right in snugly enough.

I can see how this is a film that many will make it their life’s goal to despise. Before seeing it, I too was suspicious of it, especially with Oprah Winfrey’s name on the credits as a producer. I thought we were in for some forced sentimentality, over-the-top performances and some serious Oscar-bait, but don’t be fooled. Precious is a contender.

Inglourious Basterds….Scalp Fiction

Posted in Action, Drama, Entertainment, Film, Reviews, movies with tags , , , , , , , , , on December 1, 2009 by Adam Fay

I walked into the intentionally miss-spelt Inglourious Basterds with my shoulders hunched, expecting to be let down by Quentin Tarantino. Here was a man I once believed to be the second coming of Christ, but who almost put me to sleep in Death Proof – his heavy-handed homage to grind-house cinema. I felt like the guy was not playing to his full potential and in the process, letting down a generation of film lovers who were craving for more of his earlier Reservoir Dogs/Pulp Fiction originality.

I’m all for giving a generous nod to your influences, but it was beginning to look like Quentin was becoming so preoccupied with including endless nods and references to his favorite films within his own movies, that the line between his referencing and his own ideas blurred. His critics believed he had nothing original to say and was simply a movie-geek let loose with a camera.

Those detractors would likely walk out of Inglourious Basterds thinking the same thing. Once again, Tarantino is unafraid to wear his influences on his sleeve and creates what is essentially an old-fashioned spaghetti western in the shape of a WWII movie. The thing is…it works.

From the very first tension filled scene, Tarantino pulls you in and never lets you go. This is brilliant filmmaking, and a feast for the eyes and ears. In Death Proof, Quentin’s dialogue was too labored and bordered on tedious, but every word uttered in Inglourious Basterds is absolutely mesmerizing. Brick by brick they meld together to form a series of incredibly engaging scenes that sustain your attention throughout the movie. I had almost forgotten what a great writer Tarantino is. Sure, he can be self-indulgent at times, but the crafting of the scenes built around this dialogue is so meticulous and well structured, that you have to forgive him these indulgences.

And that’s what I’m beginning to understand about Quentin Tarantino. He is so damn passionate about films and film making that you can almost sense him sitting in the seat next to you, eagerly watching you for your reactions throughout his movies. His passion is infectious, and I’ve come to the conclusion that he is welcome to any over-the-top indulgences he wants to throw in, especially if he serves up such fun and entertaining romps like Inglourious Basterds.

Essentially this film feels like a series of long, drawn-out scenes, but don’t let that deter you, these scenes are so gripping and well-acted that you’ll be unable to look away. Christoph Waltz. playing the German Colonel Hans Landa pretty much steals the movie and should definitely start clearing his mantle for an Oscar. He’s one of the best movie villains in recent memory.

Put simply; this is some seriously good shit. Sorry to have ever doubted you Quentin.

Zombieland…..Corn of the Dead

Posted in Action, Comedy, Entertainment, Film, Horror, Reviews, movies with tags , , , , , , , , , on November 27, 2009 by Adam Fay

There’s a barrel of laughs to be had with Zombieland. It’s a film with just the right mix of absurdest humor, likable characters and kooky situations. Apart from a few lightweights who may squirm at the sight of severed limbs and leaking entrails, I can’t imagine a more fun and thrilling ride to be had at the multiplex.

Young Jesse Eisenberg once again proves he has a damn good agent, choosing another perfect role that he plays to precision, also confirming that Adventureland was not just a fluke for this up-and-comer. Woody Harrelson, who seems to drift in and out of films over the years, as if he simply works on his own terms, is also perfectly cast as the Twinkies-obsessed hick with kick-arse survival skills. Even more surprising is that Zombieland has a good enough story to keep us completely engaged in what happens to these guys. This could of so easily become a lame excuse to make fun of the whole zombie genre, but it actually turns out to be an engaging and pleasing ride. What’s more, Zombieland features one almighty star cameo that almost makes the film unmissable. Unlike many other reviews I’ve read, there’s no way I’d reveal who it is. The surprise is half the fun.

One thing I must say; For all the joy and laughs to be had with both Zombieland, and the even funnier Shaun of the Dead, let’s maybe pull the reins on zombie comedies for a while shall we? Let’s try not to rape and pillage this unique little sub-genre until it becomes tedious. In fact, I’m even tempted to ask for a ceasefire on ALL zombie films. I’ll happily take on board any new George Romero offering, only because the guy has earned it, but do we really need any other new zombie films? This is hard for me to say, being such a fan of the undead, but I’m beginning to think the genre is a tad exhausted.

Why don’t we agree to make Zombieland the rest-stop for all zombie-related movies for a while. Let’s re-fuel the engines and in a few years we can come back with something truly original.

…I live in hope.

Paranormal Activity….poltershite

Posted in Entertainment, Film, Horror, Reviews, Thriller, movies with tags , , , , , , on November 10, 2009 by Adam Fay

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I’ve rarely been as excited to see a film than I was with Paranormal Activity. I loved the trailer, the marketing campaign and the buzz surrounding it. I couldn’t wait for my intestines to be fried by this scream-fest.

…and then I watched it.

…and I waited.

…and waited.

…and waited.

…then the credits rolled.

What the fuck? Talk about one almighty wasted opportunity. The premise was rock solid, the slow burn tension was building nicely and then nothing happened. It kept building and building without any hint of a payoff. Many may argue that the ending was the big payoff, but for me, I was over the whole thing by then. There was nothing to keep me creeped out enough to care about the ending. It takes more than a lame-arse Exorcist style subplot to get my juices flowing. Geez, give me a break guys. Is that the best you could come up with?

Technically speaking, I have no complaints. The film was incredibly well made given its minuscule budget. Like I said, everything was in place to make this one of the most terrifying cinematic experiences of all time but it was all tease with no follow-through. What a damn shame.

To compare Paranormal Activity to The Blair Witch Project is like comparing Led Zeppelin to Nickelback. One is so ridiculously superior to the other that it is almost comical. Blair Witch began by building similar tension to Paranormal Activity but it managed to litter its plot with some genuinely gut-wrenching moments; the shaking tent, the missing camera guy, the piles of stones, the severed finger….unlike Paranormal Activity it didn’t simply rely on its shock finale.

The tragedy is that with a few simple tweaks, Paranormal Activity could have included more of these moments without having to increase its budget at all. Instead it chose the minimalist route and gave us the tiniest of morsels in an attempt to keep us interested. From where I sat, it failed miserably doing this. A moving door, a few footsteps…meh! So what?

Paranormal Activity is the biggest letdown in years.

Moon….Sam Rocks Well

Posted in Entertainment, Film, Reviews, Sci/Fi with tags , , , , , , on November 9, 2009 by Adam Fay

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Moon is a curious beast that came from nowhere and turns out to be one hell of a brilliant science fiction mindfuck. First time director Duncan Jones has created a nifty little film that may well go down as a sci-fi classic. It tells the story of Sam Bell, a lunar-miner approaching the end of his 3 year contract in a very lonely outpost on the moon. With only artificial intelligence to keep him company in the form of a robot named Gerty, Sam is keen to get back to his wife and daughter. To reveal much more would be a sin, as Moon is best enjoyed going in completely blind.

I wasn’t going to mention it, as it really isn’t relevant, but director Duncan Jones is actually more popularly known as Zowie Bowie, son of David Bowie. Sorry Duncan, I know you probably wanted to keep that under wraps and make your own mark in the world outside of daddy’s shadow. I applaud the guy for trying to hide his famous name, and I hate myself for being yet another nerdy blogshit artist to reveal his true identity. Out of respect, I’ll do my best to keep the rest of this review “Bowie-free” from here on in….what I will say is that “Moon” is a cracking little Space Oddity involving a Man Who Sold the World to live like a Spider From Mars in outer space. Sam Rockwell becomes Under Pressure when he notices some bizarre Ch-Ch-Changes taking place which force him to Rebel, Rebel against All the Young Dudes at Ground Control.

Damn, I couldn’t resist.

Sam Rockwell. Well, this is a one man show all the way and very few actors would be able to convey the depth of emotion and inner struggle that Rockwell does so well in this. There is an online petition doing the rounds that is asking for Rockwell to be nominated for an Oscar for this role. Consider my name added to that petition. After watching this great, thought provoking Sci-Fi, I’m sure you’ll also want to add yours.

Surrogates…..Sci-Fi Bruce Let Loose.

Posted in Action, Entertainment, Reviews, Sci/Fi, movies with tags , , , , , on October 21, 2009 by Adam Fay

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Look, I know it isn’t a perfect film. I can see it has its flaws, but I’ll be damned if I didn’t have a blast watching Surrogates. Films like this, that have such rich Sc-fi narratives, are approached with such caution these days. Many viewers go into them with knives out and end up dismissing them as being ridiculous based on their premise. The same problem occurs with many horror films. 90 per cent of them are discarded as inferior rip-offs of classic works, and it’s true that a film like Surrogates does “borrow” ideas from other sci-fi films and books from the past, but it delivers these borrowed ideas in such an entertaining package that it’s difficult to dismiss it as mere junk without giving it a chance.

And that is the key with Surrogates, you’ve got to go into the thing with an open mind. Don’t think too much about it, and you will get the most out of it.

For me, I get a kick out of watching Bruce Willis in anything. It’s my belief, that of all the big-name actors of the last 20 years, time will show Bruce Willis the most respect. His career will be looked back on as one of the more diverse and interesting compared to other actors of his generation. Die Hard, Pulp Fiction, The Sixth Sense, Twelve Monkeys….that’s a pretty intense resume right there. Sure, he’s done some duds, but he’s always been worth watching, and more importantly he is very rarely boring.

Surrogates throws up some really cool action and some even cooler sci-fi concepts. While it may not be overly memorable, it is 90 minutes of pure entertainment that I would recommend to anyone looking for some good old fashioned cinematic escapism.