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Reviews
The Beautiful Lie (2006)
Exquisitely shot, great lead actress, just a little flimsy
I just watched this short on Joost and was stuck immediately by its similarities to "Lost in Translation". There are great moments, where nothing is said, we're just watching the lead actress and its all written on her face - How she's feeling, what she's thinking.
The cinematography in this short is absolutely first rate any time the camera is still. The only issues I had were with the hand-held stuff, which was just so close to the actors that its was a bit "bobby".
The lead actress in this film is absolutely extraordinarily talented. She reminded me quite a bit of Scarlett Johanssen. I would definitely tip her for great things (And I've predicted a few indie breakouts before :)) This short is definitely worth watching. I'd recommend it. I just thought that, in the end, the plot kind of petered out a bit. But otherwise, for the sheer gorgeousness of the images, its well worth it.
Casino Royale (2006)
Close to the books in place, but not close enough
Casino Royale starts brilliantly, very close to the books, where Bond is what he is - a ruthless killer with a heart of stone. After all I'd heard about this film being the best since the sixties and Daniel Craig being an equal to Sean Connery, I had my hopes high. The problems only came at the 1:45 - 2 hour mark, when the plot just ground to a halt. Suddenly, we went from action and excitement to a slow love story that killed the last half an hour, in my view.
If this movie had ended at 2 hours long, I would have called it the best Bond of all time. Instead, it'll have to just be in the top five. Its still a lot better than Bond has been for a long time, but it just felt like the script needed more work. There needed to be a clearer line through the movie of what was happening. Too often, writers think a confusing, twisting story is the same as an intelligent, twisting story. If it doesn't make sense, then the twists don't count.
Overall, I really enjoyed this film, I just felt it fell short of the hype. Daniel Craig is excellent, but in 'Layer Cake' is where his brilliance really shines.
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
Some nice ideas, but very badly executed.
Attack of the Clones starts out as all Star Wars movies should, in full on action mode. The first twenty minutes of the movie are a thrill ride that has you thinking, great, Lucas has recaptured what he did so well in the first three movies. Then, the engine of the movie sputters and dies in a slow monotonous drone of politics and romance. The movie drags for the next hour and a half until the end, at which stage I had given up hope.
To compare and contrast, the original movie had romance limited to a nod and a wink, with the occasional smile thrown in for good measure. The latest offering feels that a long-winded drone is more palatable.
So, you may have garnered that I didn't like the movie. I must say, it isn't the greatest movie I've seen, but it sure isn't the worst. At the very least, it beats Phantom Menace. However, overall, a mere passing grade for what could have been an honour roll student, D-.
Batoru rowaiaru (2000)
A modern look on the breakdown of society's boundaries in adverse conditions.
Battle Royale works on many levels as a film. Primarily, it is a study of the emotions and personalities of a class of Japanese students, as they are forced to combat each other gladitorially in a three day tournament. This, however, is not gore for gore's sake, but an emotional study of the real human beings subjected to this by the society they inhabit. It is by this society that the barriers each has built up are forced down. People are forced to kill or be killed. Some, cannot take this and take their own lives, others revel in it.
On another level, Battle Royale is a poignant study of societies facination with violence and corruption of innocence. The students, in their flawless uniforms, are a perfect reputation of innocence - or at least, perceived innocence. The speed at which they are corrupted and forced to violence is dramatic, showing, as 'Lord Of The Flies' did, that society's boundaries aren't as high as we think they are.
The film, for the most part, follows Nanahara Shuya's journey through this madness, in his battle to stay innocent, but to avoid dying. The fact that the end, he seems almost incorruptable, is a way for him to snub his nose at the organisation that put him in that situation and continue his life as he sees fit.
Overall, an excellent film, extremely well acted. Dramatically directed. A must see.