Sunday, October 21, 2007

Films of the Weekend

Movie name: Michael Clayton
Year of release: 2007
Director: Tony Gilroy
Stars: George Clooney, Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson, Sydney Pollack
Genre: Drama
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7

Synopsis:
"Michael Clayton" marks the directorial debut of Tony Gilroy, the celebrated screenwriter of the Bourne trilogy and also Taylor Hackford's Proof of Life. The film is very much a revision of much of the themes that were explored in the 70's - the conspiracy suspense thriller. The film uses a superb cast, with George Clooney excelling as a "fixer" with problems in his life and Tild Swinton as a woman with not many scruples.

Movie name: The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Year of release: 2007
Director: Andrew Dominik
Stars: Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck, Mary-Louise Parker, Paul Schneider, Sam Rockwell, Sam Shepard
Genre: Drama
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7

Synopsis:
After "Chopper", which revealed the talent of Eric Bana, Andrew Dominik returns with the troubled "The Assassination of Jesse James...", starring and produced by Brad Pitt. While the film is certainly beautiful to look at, there are definitely pacing problems and this is a film that would certainly benefit of a revised editing. Though Brad Pitt does a good job (and won an unexpected best actor award at the Venice Film Festival), the plaudits are mainly to Casey Affleck, who creates a seedy and volatile character in Robert Ford. The underrated Paul Schneider (known for his work with David Gordon Green) also shines in a small role. Another important note is the beautiful camera work from Roger Deakins - the photography is stunning and memorable.

Movie name: 30 Days of Night
Year of release: 2007
Director: David Slade
Stars: Josh Hartnett, Melissa George, Danny Huston, Ben Foster, Mark Boone Junior, Mark Rendall
Genre: Horror/Thriller
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 6

Synopsis:
David Slade best know thus far as the director of the underrated "Hard Candy", creates a gritty and suspenseful film with the graphic novel adaptation of "30 Days of Night". It's a film that walks a thin line between some grounded attempt at depicting a group of people isolated from everything and everyone, and the more "gorey" part associated with horror films. The film benefits from creepy performances by Danny Huston and Ben Foster, while Josh Hartnett as always proves to be a disappointing performer. All and all a film worth checking out.

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