Hurt Locker

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Now here’s a film I somehow knew was going to be good. And I watched it without knowing who’s in it, who’s directed it or anything. And then of course at the end it says Kathryn Bigelow. Nice. And the next review will be the ex-husband James Cameron‘s Avatar. So that’s how it is, a small family business over there in Hollywood. Well maybe these two aren’t exactly the Hollywood film maker type. Kathryn is not the kind of person to get stuck to one type of film, there’s Point Break and Strange Days (and about a dozen other films) and then there’s Hurt Locker. Well there’s two film makers with their films both having loads of Oscar nominations as well, but who will get the most Oscars? Oscar here, Oscar there, who cares. A precious little prize it is…

Imdb had some funny information saying the film was to star Colin Farrell, Willem Dafoe and Charlize Theron. While they’re all great, I’m glad it didn’t because the cast is just great. It works perfectly and I don’t remember any of them from any previous films either. Most of the actors appear to have a strong TV background, there’s even Evangeline Lilly from Lost.

Great script, amazing acting and powerful emotions at work here. Not quite as simple as a jack-in-a-box.

Hurt Locker
Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie keep the story together and the rest while ok, are just helping to move the story forwards. But Jeremy Renner is the star of this one. Anthony Mackie is one busy actor as well, but if you don’t know him too much, check out The Manchurian Candidate (Jonathan Demme’s and Denzel Washington’s version) and Million Dollar Baby. After Hurt Locker he was also in Eagle Eye and Notorious (playing Tupac Shakur). Jeremy Renner did one episode of House M.D. and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and 28 Weeks Later, and he also played Jeffrey Dahmer in Dahmer – I haven’t seen that and it might be unwatchable as most films about real serial killers are.

Enough facts and background, it’s pretty pointless anyway. As usual, not much to say about the story, I’m afraid the picture already says too much. Beautifully shot and directed, though I hear they wasted enough film on this one. Documentary style, they say. Locations look authentic, but then again, it’s actually right next door to Iraq. Best war film of the decade. Now then, go and watch Hurt Locker.

And bear in mind either Hurt Locker or Avatar will get loads of Oscars…

Lots of days of Summer

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500 Days of Summer

Are you looking for an off beat romantic comedy? If not, then maybe you’d better skip this one. It’s not your average Hollywood rom-com romantic romp. But otherwise you might actually find it pretty funny. And you might find you’re not the only one finding life on this planet confusing and difficult. But remember, it’s only a movie, it’s only a movie, it’s only a movie…

But it’s still just a romantic comedy, so don’t expect too much.

the imaginarium of terry gilliam and heath ledger

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Lily Cole

Only Terry Gilliam could come of with such a film. Only Terry Gilliam could come up with such visuals. Only Terry could have such a luck with actors – whether you think it’s good or bad luck. I don’t want to bring up any bad memories to anyone and we all miss Heath and we all think he was absolutely brilliant. But somehow The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus also works with the help of his friends, Jude Law, Johnny Depp and Colin Farrell.

Something about this film is really absurd, maybe it’s the way it looks, or maybe it is the way the characters behave and look, maybe it’s the whole setting and story of the film. But there’s some unforgettable things about it. Heath, and his friends are great, and so is Lily Cole who is absolutely Breathtaking as Valentina, Dr Parnassus’ daughter. See for yourself, Judge for yourself. I’m not going to bet you’ll like it, but I’m not a betting man like Dr Parnassus. Watch out for the magnificent portrayal of an immortal character by Tom Waits.

Pixar goes Up

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Ellie and Carl in Up

I’ve seen a few 3D movies in Cinemas since they started coming out. What I’ve unfortunately noticed that while concentrating on making the films look good in 3D, the film makers seem to have forgotten the story lines completely. In my opinion, that is. If you agree, then you’ll agree that is very sad. The beginning of Up is also very sad, but purely in a good way. When I first heard about Up, it was being shown in Cannes film festival, and what they said about it was that nevermind Quentin’s Basterds, Up had the whole audience in tears in the first five minutes. And I have to say the beginning of Up is amazing.

The whole film is good, even if the beginning has a particular style of a section that appealed to me more than the rest, and it’s absolutely amazing looking film with such a good feel to it that you shouldn’t miss it for the world. Of course 3D is great. But this one is great with or without 3D. So don’t worry, be happy. And watch it. Pixar and Disney know how it’s done.

Britain’s Got Talent – Katie Jarvis in a Fish Tank

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Fish Tank

Where do these people come from? I don’t know if I’d be writing about Fish Tank, if Katie Jarvis had not had a row with her boyfriend one day at Tilbury station. Because according to Times Online that’s how she was spotted for her role in Fish Tank. A small gem from London, this surprisingly 1.33 aspect ratio film offers some fresh performances and a little bit of a story as well, although the emphasis appears to be on emotions, performances, feelings and between the lines. And it might also not be the most attractive portrayal of London. But it might give you an idea what it’s like just outside west end. Katie is not the only one responsible of making Fish Tank watchable, but she’s the newcomer which makes her worth the extra mention. You might be interested to hear that Michael Fassbender is also playing a major role. And why would you be interested? Because Michael Fassbender’s also in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds. Surely you’ve heard of Quentin Tarantino? And of Inglorious Basterds? The two films may not be very similar but both worth seeing. And both should make you realise that American English is not the only language in the world.

Who is Hallam Foe

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Hallam Foe

Hallam Foe is different. And I mean both the character and the film itself. It is beautiful and strange story. Brilliant performance by Jamie Bell. Billy Elliot, anyone? Now, don’t be expecting men in tights though. And it’s nothing like Billie Elliot, apart from just as, or even more, worth watching.  And while we’re still talking about Jamie Bell, have you heard of The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn? And who do you think might be one director that always seems to get the box office hit right? Steven Spielberg. And it would of course be Steven Spielberg that has directed the Tintin film. I’m not saying it’s any good, I’ve not even seen the trailer. But Hallam Foe and Jamie Bell’s performance as Hallam Foe and Billy Elliot were great.

On top of Jamie, there’s a fairly touching supporting role by Ciarán Hinds and a few others. This is a nice little indie gem. Quirky and disturbing, I read somewhere. I’d say so. From the word go.

Quentin Tarantino’s Inglorious Basterds’ language lessons

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Inglorious Basterds

Long awaited new Quentin Tarantino movie, Inglorious Basterds, is a true Tarantino movie, no compromises here. I’m sure it’s not a spoiler if I say that this film is not historically accurate. But considering it’s like a spaghetti western set in France, you should expect the unexpected. Quentin Tarantino may be well known for his dialogue, and now he has shown the world that he – unlike most Americans according to him – is not limited to English either, but can actually utilise the mixture of languages on many levels. So only this time you might have to read most of the dialogue.

Inglorious Basterds has plenty of unforgettable characters, and while well over the top, even Brad Pitt‘s character Lt. Aldo Raine counts as one.  Christoph Waltz, as jew hunter Hans Landa, however, seems to separate from the rest with his very cool performance. Other memorable ones include Eli Roth, Til Schweiger, Diane Kruger and Sylvester Groth, just to mention a few.

Inglorious Basterd’s is a little bit long, and somewhat self indulgent, but unlike a lot of the characters, you’ll survive the experience. But despite being a war movie, it’s not quite the same as Saving Private Ryan. There’s actually quite a lot of things happening apart from killing some nazi’s. Tarantino knows a thing or two about films. And a bit about film making as well.

There’s something wrong with Esther

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Orphan

For whatever reasons, the makers of Orphan apparently didn’t aim at originality of any kind. The look and feel of the movie somehow reminded me of lots of 70s and 80s horror films. I thought that was quite nice as I’d just been complaining that nobody does decent horror films anymore. But when the whole story turns out to be something completely different, and the plot itself is almost straight out of some real horror classic(s), you’ll wish there’d be something worth watching. And there is: I thought some of the child actors’ performances were easily reason enough to go and see this film. Especially those of
Aryana Engineer and Isabelle Fuhrman were amazing really. Despite some serious twists in the storyline. From the grown ups Vera Farmiga delivers a solid performance as well.

If I’d know what director Jaume Collet-Serra had done before Orphan, I’d have given this a miss, but luckily I didn’t. A decent, stylish horror film, though full of cliches and too long. Enjoyed it nonetheless.

Terminator beyond salvation

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Christian Bale as John Connor in Terminator Salvation

I’m actually a big fan of  McG. Why? Because he has a cool name? No, it’s because of Charlie’s Angels films which I think are really cool. Can’t a movie just be entertaining? No? Maybe it’s just me. Oh well, not that many sexy ladies in Terminator Salvation though. And not quite as funny either. But definitely at least as much action and explosions. I think Terminator Salvation is great for a computer game. And it was entertaining enough. For some reason I thought Christian Bale would be playing the main character. But in all honesty, Sam Worthington did ok. And at least there were a couple of other interesting supporting roles – Anton Yelchin from Charlie Bartlett, Moon Bloodgood, Charlie’s angel… no wait, not really Charlie’s angel, and even Helena Bonham Carter.

McG has already proved he can do action movies, so there’s no confusion there, and no disappointment either. The machines are bad and meaner than ever. The story itself doesn’t seem very balanced, somehow it doesn’t work properly, with the good guys fighting such a faceless enemy. Well, maybe it has a face, but not much of a soul. It’s really all over the place and maybe that’s the problem. And the acting is a little bit on the stiff side, and then again a bit melodramatic at times. Maybe McG should stick to some simpler stuff.

Funny enough, there’s even a couple of catchy pieces of dialogue here and there.

Still, it’s enjoyable, and most of all solid action. And Christian Bale never really has done a shitty film, has he? Are you about to say there’s first time for everything? How about the cameo, is it supposed to still be a surprise? I guess not. You’ll see. Made me smile, I didn’t know.

Drag Me To Hell

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Bruce Campbell wouldn’t be dragged to hell very easily. How about Alison Lohman? Alison Lohman is definitely better looking than Bruce Campbell, but obviously Bruce is not completely talentless either.

Drag Me To Hell - Alison Lohman

Sam Raimi is probably better known for all the Spider-Man movies, but Drag Me To Hell is is closer in style to his earlier works, the ones he really should be famous for, The Evil Dead and Evil Dead II. Both Evil Dead films, or even all three of them, are somewhat classics.

Drag Me To Hell may not become a classic as such, but it is definitely entertaining. The cast is very good, especially Alison Lohman is just perfect, Justin Long, Lorna Raver and David Paymer are very good and the rest are ok as well.

Everything is polished, funny, scary as hell. It’s like reading a comic book really.So funny.

Nothing complicated here, no surprises that should surprise anyone for real. There is a story and the script has a very solid structure. It’s just very simple. And fun. Unpredictable? No. But so what.