Dancer in the Dark

Movie Name: Dancer in the Dark
Year of Release: 2000

Director: Lars Von Trier

Stars: Bjork, Catherine Deneuve, Peter Stormare, David Morse, Cara Seymour, Joel Grey, Jean-Marc Barr, Siobhan Fallon, Vladica Kostic, Udo Kier, Zeljko Ivanec

Genre: Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 9

Synopsis:

“Dancer in the Dark” won the Palm D’Or at Cannes in 2000, and continued to prove that Lars Von Trier is a brilliant filmmaker, willing to expand frontiers of genres and reshape concepts and ideas.

“Dancer in the Dark” premiered in Cannes in 2000, with a lot of expectation surrounding it, mainly due to the fact that Lars Von Trier has a tradition of always bringing great films to the Croisette (“Breaking the Waves” won the Special Jury Award in 1996, and “Europa” also won special mentions in 1991). The film had had some previous publicity in the media, mainly due to the fact that acclaimed singer Bjork was the main actress in the film, and also because of reputed clashes between her and the director. The film ended up winning two top honors at the festival, namely the Palm D’Or and the best actress award for Bjork (whose song, “I’ve seen it All”, from the soundtrack, was nominated for the Oscar for best original song).

The film revolves around the story of Selma, a Czech immigrant factory worker. She sublets a small trailer in the yard of an American family, in rural America of the 50’s (when the witch hunting for communists was in full bloom, which is noticeable as the story unravels). Selma is going blind, due to a genetic condition, and she knows her son, Gene, will suffer the same destiny if he does not get a specific surgery. She works the long hours in the factory, plus night shifts and also other spare jobs, so she can save all the money possible, even though her sight does not allow her to work anymore. Her only escape is her love of musicals – in her few spare hours she is also training for the lead part of a local presentation of “The Sound of Music”, and although she can’t see anymore, she attends matinees for Busby Berkeley films with her friend Cathy (played by Catherine Deneuve). The drama starts to unveil the moment that Bill, the police officer and also Selma’s landlord, steals her saved money, and she ends up having to kill him, mostly due to his own pressure. It’s a downward spiral for Selma from that point on, with her arrest and trial.

Lars Von Trier has created with “Dancer in the Dark” a film that oscillates between a harsh reality, and one where the musical numbers give it almost an otherworldly feel (and it’s not a coincidence that Busby Berkeley films are mentioned). Filmed with digital video (by Robby Muller, who also shot “Breaking the Waves”) and choreographed by Vincent Patterson, the film intersects bleak moments where Selma is desperate (for instance during her trial), with glorious musical numbers, meant to represent her escape from reality (this fact is beautifully illustrated in the number “I’ve seen it All”, where we, the audience, come to terms to the fact that Selma has lost all her sight).

The film ends up succeeding in being more than just a traditional musical, and that is due to Lars Von Trier’s ability to film stories that require a leap of faith. The same way we had to believe in Emily Watson’s character (Bess) in “Breaking the Waves”, and her ultimate sacrifice, Selma’s character requires the same belief from us – all her hardship, all her pain, are meant to equally save someone. Bjork ends up being the soul of the film in more than one sense – her performance is so terribly heartfelt and painfully real, that you can’t help being moved – she embodies all that mothers stand for, and in the musical numbers, her voice and sheer presence shine through.   Also responsible for the soundtrack (with the help of her usual collaborator, LFO’s Mark Bell), Bjork deservedly won praise and awards for the film. The rest of the supporting cast is equally top notch, from Catherine Deneuve (who crumbles her usual icy visage in the last moments of the film), to David Morse’s Bill (the police officer who has financial problems), Peter Stormare as the lovable Jeff and Cara Seymour’s Linda (the wife of Bill, who lives in the erroneous conviction that all is well in her household).

“Dancer in the Dark” is a film that ends up staying with you, not only for the sheer intensity and drama that presents to you, but above all because of the immense beauty and almost otherworldly moments that manages to put on screen – “just like a musical”.

Velvet Goldmine

Movie Name: Velvet Goldmine
Year of Release: 1998

Director: Todd Haynes

Stars: Christian Bale, Ewan McGregor, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Toni Collette, Eddie Izzard, Emily Woof, Janet McTeer, Michael Feast

Genre: Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 8

Synopsis:

In tackling the Glam Rock of the 1970’s, Todd Haynes elaborates a story that simultaneously celebrates the exuberance of rock music and the parallels that are created with the dawning of the androgyny / gay scene of our days. 

Before Todd Haynes tackled the glam rock of the 1970’s, he had created a name for himself with two independent films – “Poison” and “Safe”, the last one being the first film to really put Julianne Moore as a leading protagonist (in 1995 she also ended up doing the highly forgettable films  “Assassins” for Richard Donner, “Nine Months” for Chris Columbus and “Roommates” for Peter Yates). Though his previous efforts were met with positive reviews, and particularly “Poison” which placed him under the label of the “New Queer Cinema”, alongside such directors as Greg Araki (he recently directed “Mysterious Skin”), Tom Kalin (who directed the acclaimed “Swoon”) and Rose Troche (director of “Go fish”), “Velvet Gooldmine” proved out to be quite a challenge, not only by the sheer dimension of the events that it depicts, but also because the main person that it tried to emulate, didn’t want to be a part of the film – David Bowie himself (the title of the film is the name of one of Bowie’s songs). 

The film describes the eruption of the Glam Rock scene in London in the 70’s, focusing on it’s brightest star, Brian Slade. The film’s narrative is presented in the guise of Orson Welles’ masterpiece “Citizen Kane”, where a journalist investigates what happened to the central character, who is no longer present, but who still makes itself feel present. The character “Arthur”, played by the always wonderful Christian Bale, is a journalist, himself a part of the movement of the glam rock, as a fan, movement that acted as a catalyst in his teens, that allowed him to come forth with his  own sexuality. It’s upon his shoulders that the task of investigating the story falls. Todd Haynes creates analogies of the dandies that populate the story and the liberty that Glam Rock provides, with the legacy that Oscar Wilde has left (epitomized by his broach that goes from generation to generation). The “gay” condition here and it’s relation to the music, end up being synonymous of liberty and of the right to be different and artistic. Todd Haynes manages to create a sense of the wild and delirious world of rock and roll, with a great sense of humor (the whole posse that follows Brian Slade is a good example), something that Cameron Crowe also explored in “Almost Famous” – though his was a more autobiographical story.

Though the film has it’s shortcomings in the way it develops the story – the usual cliches are all there to see – rock and roll plus sex and drugs, the sheer energy that the film boasts – you just have to see the “video-clips” of Jonathan Rhys Meyers’ Brian Slade - and it’s incredible visuals are more than rewarding (the film ended up wining the award for “Best Artistic Contribution” at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival). Todd Haynes manages to create an accomplished sight of the swinging London of the 70’s, be it the underground clubs where Brian Slade/ Jonathan Rhys Meyers makes his debut, or the concerts where Kurt Wilde/Ewan McGregor (standing for a mix of Lou Reed/Iggy Pop) totally chews the scenery and spits it out. 

The actors are all amazing, starting by Ewan McGregor pre-Star Wars, edgy and with the remarkable presence and voice that he has showcased before and after (namely in films as Danny Boyle’s “Trainspotting” and Baz Luhrman’s “Moulin Rouge”), Jonathan Rhys Meyers, who even though this not being his film debut, made a huge ripple in the pond, and who has been more recently working with Woody Allen (“Match Point”) and winning Golden Globes for playing Elvis Presley (in the mini series “Elvis” directed by James Steven Sadwith). Both actors sang some of the songs that populate the film, some of them from Marc Bolan and T-Rex, others from Iggy Pop. The wonderful soundtrack includes the presence of such luminaries and classics as Brian Eno, Iggy Pop, Bryan Ferry, Roxy Music, and some of the songs ended up being revised by the specially created band “Venus in Furs”, led by Radiohead’s lead singer, Thom Yorke (though the film also boasts performances of Brian Molko’s Placebo and Donna Matthews from the band Elastica). The cast also boasts good performances of Toni Collette, as Mandy Slade (based on David Bowie’s first wife, Angie), the liberal and vivacious wife of Brian Slade – Collette more recently was seen in Curtis Hanson’s “In Her Shoes” and was nominated for an Oscar in M. Night Shymalan’s “The Six Sense”. Christian Bale who ends up being an outsider in the love triangle that the three other main characters form, gives the film it’s resonance, in the way that the audience sees his growing from teenager to adult and the way the Glam Rock movement epitomizes so much for himself and his generation. Bale who more recently played Batman in Christopher Nolan’s “Batman Begins” also boasts in his resume Steven Spielberg’s “Empire of the Sun” and Mary Harron’s “American Psycho”.

“Velvet Goldmine” is a film well worth watching – with the volume pulled way up, as it suggests. Though not entirely accomplished, it’s nonetheless a film that it’s daring, original and totally captivating, and for that alone, it deserves to find a wider audience than it did when it came out in the movie theaters.

Philomena

Movie Name: Philomena
Year of Release: 2013

Director: Stephen Frears

Stars: Judi Dench, Steve Coogan, Sophie Kennedy Clark, Anna Maxwell Martin, Mare Winningham, Barbara Jefford, Peter Hermann, Michelle Fairley

Genre: Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7

Synopsis:

Prolific director Stephen Frears is back with another small gem, following the little seen films that were "Tamara Drew" and "Lay the Favorite" (which were also met with different critical response).
"Philomena" follows the (true) story of Martin Sixsmith, a former BBC reporter going through a professional struggle, following his abrupt termination from a high profile career. He casually meets the daughter of Philomena, a lady in her 70s, who proceeds to tell him her life story. In the early 50s she had a child out of wedlock, while being taken care by nuns, and as a result, she was forced to work for them for the following 4 years. Her child was also taken from her and adopted by an American couple. After all these years, Philomena wants to know what happened to her son, and these seemingly different people embark on a quest that ultimately brings meaning and a new sense of peace to both (for different reasons).
Stephen Frears is a filmmaker who started his career on television. His best features always deal with a sense of realism, one that feels imminently truthful and close to the viewer. That has been the case with his features "My Beautiful Laundrette", "Prick Up Your Ears", "Dangerous Liaisons", "The Grifters", "The Snapper" and "Dirty Pretty Things". Though sometimes the match of his skills with the material isn't the most fortuitous, such as "Mary Reilly" or "Hero", his features always have a strong humane core. "Philomena" benefits from a screenplay (co-written by Steve Coogan), which adequately balances drama and humor, making the rhythm of the film feel effortless and fluid. It also helps that the two leads are great actors, who portray those characters superbly. This film doesn't try to be a condemnation of a time and of a mindset (for a closer look at the morality and brutality that is hinted here, Peter Mullan's "The Magdalene's Sisters" is the film to watch), it focuses instead on the journey of those two characters. A good film worth watching.

Out of the Furnace

Movie Name: Out of the Furnace
Year of Release: 2013

Director: Scott Cooper

Stars: Christian Bale, Woody Harrelson, Casey Affleck, Forest Whitaker, Willem Dafoe, Zoe Saldana, Sam Shepard, Tom Bower, Bobby Wolfe, Bingo O'Malley

Genre: Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 5

Synopsis:

Following the success of "Crazy Heart", director Scott Cooper has returned with a new feature, again with a fantastic cast. The film follows the story of brothers Russell and Rodney Baze, both of whom live in an industrial town, where the main employer is a mill. Rodney, the younger, has been deployed to war a few times, while Russell has stayed and worked in the mill, just like their father. Russell lives a quiet life, with the woman he loves, always looking out for his frail father and his brother, who has a difficult time adjusting to civilian life, after his war experiences. Rodney gets involved with underground fighting, whose menace escalates dramatically when he gets involved with some dangerous individuals.
"Out of the Furnace" is a film that ends up combining influences from features that were done in the 70s. It directly seems to have traces from Michael Cimino's "Deer Hunter" and a bit of Michael Winner's "Death Wish". The film is successful in building a bleak and claustrophobic small town environment, one that seems where time hasn't evolved for many years, and where people have few expectations and prospects in life. There is an attempt at defining the relationships of these characters, however, whereas some are underdeveloped (such as Zoe Saldana's), others fall into traditional traps (Casey Affleck's). Though finely acted by a very talented group of actors, the film can't help feeling trapped in a genre and style that has been explored before and in a much better way. A honorable attempt but not a very interesting development.

Kill Your Darlings

Movie Name: Kill your Darlings
Year of Release: 2013

Director: John Krokidas

Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Dane DeHaan, Michael C. Hall, Jack Huston, Ben Foster, David Cross, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Elizabeth Olsen, John Cullum

Genre: Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7

Synopsis:

"Kill your Darlings" is the feature debut from John Krokidas. It follows the coming of age story of American poet Allen Ginsberg and his relationship with Lucien Carr. The film introduces us to Allen Ginsberg, as he's about to go to college, and leaving behind a family life that is in shambles (with his unstable mother and father who has checked out). Once in college, Allen comes across the charismatic Lucien Carr, who is involved with an individual by the name of David Kammerer. Allen becomes tangled in a literary circle that also includes Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs, which expands his notions of writing, of life and also of his own sexuality. In fact he becomes very affectionate towards Lucien Carr, who while trying to dismiss David's attentions, ends up dramatically changing the lives of everyone.
John Krokidas builds with "Kill your Darlings" a portrait/snapshot of the beat generation movement. The ghosts of the war, the exploration of sexuality for new artists, experimentation with drugs, the fluid movement of music, all permeating and influencing what would become the next generation of writers and artists. The film is successful in it's depiction of the insecurities of young Allen Ginsberg, his attempts at finding his own artistic voice, and ultimately at finding his own sense of self (including his sexuality). The relationship that Allen slowly builds with Lucien Carr is one of mutual exploration for both young men, though it's ultimate resolution reveals more about the prejudices of those times.  The acting is uniformly good, with Daniel Radcliffe creating a young and emotional Allen Ginsberg, while Dane DeHaan is more cerebral and aloof as Lucien. The supporting cast is equally good, with highlights going to Jennifer Jason Leigh and Michael C. Hall. A good film worth watching.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Movie Name: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Year of Release: 2013

Director: Francis Lawrence

Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jena Malone, Jeffrey Wright, Amanda Plummer, Sam Claflin, Lynn Cohen, Toby Jones, Patrick St. Esprit, Willow Shields

Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7

Synopsis:

The sequel to the highly successful "Hunger Games" is back, this time directed by the competent Francis Lawrence. The film picks up after the events of the first one: Katniss Everdeen has returned to her district after winning the games, and in the process she, alongside Peeta, have become symbols for all the people being oppressed by the regime led by President Snow. In order to silence these insurgencies that are starting to pop up, celebratory games are devised, where the participants are selected from all the winners from previous games. Katniss and Peeta once again get dragged to this mortal game, where they have to forge alliances to keep themselves alive, in what is a different game setting for all of them.
Francis Lawrence is a director who has tackled both comic book characters (in his debut "Constantine") and big literary successes (both "I Am Legend" and "Water for Elephants"). In tackling "Hunger Games: Catching Fire", Francis Lawrence decided to pick up what Gary Ross had done with the first film, and expand the canvas. He has benefited from a bigger budget, which definitely gives the film a more polished and sophisticated look. Where the film clearly moves forward is in the production values that it showcases - from the special effects, through production design and even costume design. The screenplay in itself is a progression when compared to the previous film - it's cleverly constructed and allows the characters to have further depth, as opposed to being scared and frantic. The film has a fantastic cast, and they make the action believable and entertaining. A good entertainment, worth watching.

Dallas Buyers Club

Movie Name: Dallas Buyers Club
Year of Release: 2013

Director: Jean-Marc Vallee

Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto, Steve Zahn, Denis O'Hare, Dallas Roberts, Kevin Rankin, Griffin Dunne, Michael O'Neill, J.D. Evermore

Genre: Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7

Synopsis:

Director Jean-Marc Vallee's "Dallas Buyers Club" follows the true story of Ron Woodroof, an electrician and rodeo bull rider, who in 1985 discovers he's been infected with HIV. Ron goes through the process of denial, and eventually comes to grips with the fact that this deadly disease is causing the demise of millions of people. Ron starts investigating ways to get on AZT trials, and finds out much to his dismay, that the medication is expensive and difficult to obtain. At the end of his wits, he decides to go to Mexico, where he finds alternative ways to battle the ailment with different drugs, not approved by the FDA. Upon his returns to the US, he starts providing people with these drugs, with the assistance of a young transvestite, by the name of Rayon.
The "Dallas Buyers Club" is a film that anchors itself on the fantastic work of the cast it has assembled and the poignant story of it's main lead. The homophobic Ron Woodroof, is charismatic and impulsive, but also holds on to his life with everything he has. His resilience and persistence is a testament to the capability of human beings to pursue life above all and against all obstacles. The film details his misadventures, since the time he discovers his diagnosis, but falters in giving some additional ground for it's supporting characters, namely Rayon and Dr. Eve Saks. Both Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto go through startling physical transformations (that are quite impressive), both creating characters that indelible and unforgettable in their own terms. Jennifer Garner ends up with the more grounded character, as does the talented Denis O'Hare, however their characters are simple sketches without much depth. An interesting film worth watching.

All is Lost

Movie Name: All is Lost
Year of Release: 2013

Director: J.C. Chandor

Stars: Robert Redford

Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 8

Synopsis:

Director J.C. Chandor is back, after his impressive feature debut with "Margin Call". "All is Lost" follows the story of a man who is crossing the Indian Ocean on his own, and who wakes up one day to discover his yacht has collided with a shipping container dumped in the ocean. This resourceful man manages to patch the damage the best way possible, but his situation goes from bad to worse, when a storm of epic proportions hits him, destroying his ship beyond redemption. His only alternative is to seek refuge on a raft and salvage whatever food and water he has left. Through his resources and intelligence, the man manages to overcome further obstacles, in the hopes of reaching an area where he can be hopefully spotted by a ship.
"All is Lost" is a seemingly straightforward story - how a man of a certain age and experience survives at sea on his own. But beyond that it also becomes the story of a person coming to terms with the certainty of his own demise. The main character is put through so many obstacles, so much torment that by the end of the film, it's only understandable his state of mental and physical fatigue.
The film provides a great canvas for Robert Redford to play one of his rugged and stoic heroes. However unlike some of his previous efforts, this is an every day man trying to survive a battle that far surpasses his means. The cinematography from Frank G. DeMarco and Peter Zuccarini is stunning. A great film worth watching.

Thor: The Dark World

Movie Name: Thor: The Dark World
Year of Release: 2013

Director: Alan Taylor

Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Rene Russo, Christopher Eccleston, Jaimie Alexander, Zachary Levi, Ray Stevenson, Idris Elba, Kat Dennings, Stellan Skarsgard, Alice Krige

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 6

Synopsis:

Following the success of the first "Thor" and "The Avengers", the sequel to the Marvel comics hero is here. The film follows the aftermath of the events of the "The Avengers" storyline - Thor is establishing peace in multiple realms, missing his dearly beloved Jane Foster who is on Earth. Loki in the meantime, is a prisoner in Asgard, all the while an ancient race, the Dark Elves, are looming in the darkness, unbeknown to the heroes, waiting to unleash a deadly weapon and destroy the Universe. It's up to Thor, Jane and their friends on Earth, to stop this deadly foe and vanquish the imminent darkness.
The Marvel studios films are becoming like standard products every year, churning out films that promise more visual gimmickry, spectacle on a grandiose scale that are always topping each other out. This year already had the wonderful "Iron Man 3", directed by Shane Black and featuring a very inspired screenplay, which elevated the film to a different level. "Thor: The Dark World", doesn't benefit of the same kind of humor, and the character at certain times feels almost too serious for it's own good, but there's no doubt that this film, as most of the films coming out from Marvel, are very well assembled products that allow for a good amount of entertainment.  Are these films ultimately becoming more anonymous in terms of direction? The answer is yes - Alan Taylor, the director of "Thor", does not have the credits brought in by Kenneth Branagh for the previous Thor adventure, but he manages to give the film a more rugged and textured look. As entertainment goes, this is a film that allows for the viewer to enjoy the time being dazzled by the beautiful frames on display and artistry of the special effects. The actors are uniformly competent, but it's still puzzling why someone like Natalie Portman ends up playing parts that are so very underwritten. Entertaining.

La Vie D'Adele/Blue is the Warmest Color

Movie Name: La Vie D'Adele
Year of Release: 2013

Director: Abdellatif Kechiche

Stars: Adele Exarchopoulos, Lea Seydoux, Salim Kechiouche, Aurelien Recoing, Catherine Salee, Benjamin Siksou, Mona Walravens, Alma Jodorowsky

Genre: Drama, Romance

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 9

Synopsis:

"La Vie D'Adele" is this year's winner of the Palm D'Or and brings forward the talent of the director Abdellatif Kechiche, and the two main actresses, Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux, all three having shared that main award. The film follows the story of a young high school student, Adele, who is an average young girl, with dreams of becoming a teacher surrounded by children, whom she adores. Adele is also wrestling with her awakening feelings towards women, and those come rushing in when she meets the beautiful Emma (and her blue hair). Both girls start a friendship, Emma being an older art student who guides Adele, and that initial platonic friendship slowly becomes an amorous relationship.
"Blue is the Warmest Color" functions as an intimate portrait of the growth of a young woman into adulthood and into her own skin. Adele goes through the conflicts of understanding her own desire and where she wants to be in life, and the audience partakes in that intimate journey. Emma is the other side of this journey, a young woman who has understood her choices, and how she wants to live her life. Both these young women become involved in a relationship that is erotic, intimate, adult - they make their life visible to us, the audience, in a way that is almost voyeuristic. The two main actresses make this film utterly vivid, authentic and imminently realistic, and deserve all the praise they've been getting. A fantastic film worth watching.

Great Expectations

Movie Name: Great Expectations
Year of Release: 2012

Director: Mike Newell

Stars: Jeremy Irvine, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Holliday Grainger, Robbie Coltrane, Toby Irvine, Sally Hawkins, Jason Flemyng, David Walliams, Olly Alexander, Ewen Bremner, Ben Lloyd-Hughes

Genre: Drama, Romance

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7

Synopsis:

Prolific and eclectic director Mike Newell is back, after his big budget extravaganza that was "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time". His latest feature is an adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic, that has seen quite a few iconic adaptations, the latest of which was directed by Alfonso Cuaron in 1998 and featured Ethan Hawke, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anne Bancroft and Robert De Niro. The film follows the story of young Pip, an orphan under the care of his older sister. Pip on one of his excursions to visit his parents graves in the cemetery, comes across a convicted criminal on the run, who threatens and begs Pip for help. Pip acquiesces, though the criminal is shackled again the following day. Pip also starts visiting the eccentric Ms. Havisham, a rich recluse lady living close by, who has an adopted daughter by the name of Estella. Pip develops strong affections for her, and as the years pass by, Pip continues to learn his trade as blacksmith, until he receives the news he has received an inheritance.
"Great Expectations" is a novel that has had quite a large number of adaptations, the most iconic being the 1946 one, directed by David Lean, featuring John Mills, Alec Guinness and Finlay Currie. Mike Newell is a director who has always transitioned between different genres with a certain ease, and also without much distinction in his style and perspective (he started his career working in television for many years). This adaptation is faithful to the novel and aims to portray with a certain degree of realism the streets of London in the early 19th century. The director succeeds in bringing verisimilitude to what is on screen, and much of that comes from the stunning production design, cinematography and superb casting. Though there's no genial vision behind this adaptation, the film is nonetheless engaging and an interesting interpretation of a classic novel. The actors are wonderful, in particular Helena Bonham Carter (spot on casting) and the always phenomenal Ralph Fiennes. A film worth watching.

Ender's Game

Movie Name: Ender's Game
Year of Release: 2013

Director: Gavin Hood

Stars: Asa Butterfield, Harrison Ford, Hailee Steinfeld, Abigail Breslin, Viola Davis, Ben Kingsley, Aramis Knight, Suraj Partha, Moises Arias, Nonso Anozie, Khylin Rambo, Conor Carroll

Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 6

Synopsis:

Following the abysmal reviews that greeted Gavin Hood's previous directorial effort, "X-Men Origins: Wolverine", the director went to television, and finally has returned to the big screen with an adaptation of the novel "Ender's Game".
The film follows the story of Ender, the main hero, a teenage boy who is being trained to be a commander of Earth's forces in the battle against alien invasions. Earth has been invaded previously, and fearing another attack from alien creatures, young boys and girls are being trained from a young age to develop skills on how to battle these creatures. Ender is a young boy who is possessed of amazing skills and intelligence, and that propels him to the top of his classes (also making him a target for bullies). He catches the eye of Colonel Graff, who sees in him the salvation of the Planet and who decides to groom him in that direction.
"Ender's Game" is a step forward for Gavin Hood - though far from a perfect feature, it's a well executed and visually stupendous film. The film, as has been the case with the director's previous directorial outings, falters in the dramatic tissue that brings the feature to life. There is a certain stiffness in the way the characters are brought to life and how their interaction exists (within the cliches that are created). In the end, the film functions as a showcase for fantastic visual effects - watching those young boys and girls playing with lives (digital ones) as if they are playing with video games, is one of the philosophical question that it poses (without many answers in the aftermath). The film allows for some good work from actors such as Harrison Ford, Viola Davis, Ben Kingsley and Asa Butterfield, who all manage not to be bypassed by the overwhelming panoply of visual effects. The cinematography from Donald McAlpine and the music from Steve Jablonsky are equally memorable. A film worth watching.

Halloween Wallpapers!

Halloween is upon us, and with that comes a different type of candy - visual eye candy. Check it here!

The Counselor

Movie Name: The Counselor
Year of Release: 2013

Director: Ridley Scott

Stars: Michael Fassbender, Penelope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Javier Bardem, Brad Pitt, Rosie Perez, Bruno Ganz, Dean Norris, Goran Visnjic, Natalie Dormer, John Leguizamo, Edgar Ramirez

Genre: Drama, Crime, Thriller

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 4

Synopsis:

Ridley Scott's prolific career continues, as the director returns a year later after "Prometheus" debuted to tepid reviews, with "The Counselor", the first screenplay written for the screen by acclaimed writer Cormac McCarthy. The film follows the story of a "Counselor" (whose name we never know), who is entangled with some shady businesses. He's engaged to the beautiful Laura (who's unaware of his dealings) and has a business partner by the name of Reiner. Reiner is himself involved in a series of businesses, and has a "dangerous" partner by the name of Malkina, who is a woman who has seen and done everything. When the Counselor gets involved in a drug business, he gets some instructions from Westray, a seasoned professional in the field. Everything seems to be on track, until things take a turn for the worse.

Ridley Scott has had a career punctuated by uneven films and subjects - his best features such as "Alien", "Blade Runner" and "Thelma and Louise" always had strong screenplays and visuals, the latter something that has always defined the work of this director. "The Counselor" however fails to achieve the interesting results that his latest features have garnered - the core of the problems lie within the screenplay. There's an array of characters, apparently doing very bad things for no specific purpose, but the surprising element to it, is the verbiage with which these so called criminals discuss the nature of evil, of duplicity, of love, women and so forth. The connection between what the characters are suppose to do or aspire to do, and their actions is non-existent - all of this is smothered in monologues/dialogues that feel awkward (and interminable). Whereas Quentin Tarantino creates films where the sound of his own words can extend a bit too long, those are still engaging and pertinent with the overall scenario he creates - in "The Counselor" that continuity is non-existent. The supporting female characters are severely underwritten - Penelope Cruz has barely nothing to do, whereas Cameron Diaz's evil Malkina, is borderline a comical one (which she emphasizes by wearing too much eye makeup and uneven haircut). It's painful to see the talented Michael Fassbender trying to give dimension to his Counselor, in what is a central character without a sense of urgency or fear. Brad Pitt and Javier Bardem create interesting, yet brief characters. For all the beauty on display in this film, it's surprisingly hollow and devoid of character. Avoid.

12 Years a Slave

Movie Name: 12 Years a Slave
Year of Release: 2013

Director: Steve McQueen

Stars: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Sarah Paulson, Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Lupita Nyong'o, Paul Giamatti, Bryan Batt, Scoot McNairy, Adepero Oduye, J.D. Evermore, Alfre Woodard, Garret Dillahunt, Rob Steinberg, Taran Killam

Genre: Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 9

Synopsis:

Following the fantastic "Shame", director Steve McQueen is back, with another great film, which focuses it's attention on slavery. "12 Years a Slave" follows the true story of Solomon Northup, a liberated african-american man living in Saratoga, NY with his wife and two children, in the mid 19th century. Following a job offer in Washington, DC, Solomon finds himself kidnapped and sold as a slave in Georgia. Solomon's ordeal, escalates from bad to worse, when he ends up working in a plantation owned by the monstrous Edwin Epps. His only hope is that through some communication with his family in NY, he may end up being liberated.
Steve McQueen is an artist/filmmaker who does not shy away from the monstrosity of human nature. That was present in "Shame" and again makes it's appearance in "12 Years a Slave". The brutality, savagery and humiliation endured by people is depicted in the film in all it's revolting majesty. Unlike other shows and films that tackled slavery as a subject, this film focuses on a man with education, who at the time had to endure punishments and humiliations, in order to regain his liberty (and ultimately survive). The odyssey of Solomon is a testament to the capability of human beings to be resilient in the face or horror and brutality. This is a film that is both graphical in the depiction of the brutality, but also lyrical in the approach that it does to each person's dream of being free. The cast is stupendous, but highlights go to Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Sarah Paulson, Lupita Nyong'o and Brad Pitt. The stunning cinematography from Sean Bobbitt should also be highlighted. A wonderful film worth watching!