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Reviews
One for the Road (2003)
a drunken mess
Somewhere inside this film is a half decent idea - that idea is in seeing how normal people cope with their mistakes, attitudes, frailties and personalities - this idea is a comedy. For the two minutes this idea is given an airing the film is entertaining.
Unfortunately the other 90 minutes are abysmal. The plot is truly appalling. Confusing, irrelevant and most importantly deafeningly boring. The acting is likewise pitiful, although the characters are so badly conceived, two dimensional and irritating that it's possible (although unlikely) that the cast has some talent.
Not surprisingly therefore given the quality of the script it won't be a shock to learn the overly artsy directing is of equally low standard. I've seen this film and its director compared to other British directors, notably Shane Meadows and Ken Loach. Those are two talented directors who have interesting stories to tell, unlike Cooke in every sense. Britain's have produced enough films of note that we don't have to accept rubbish like this. Dead Mans Shoes and Dog Soldiers have proved we have true class in the film making stakes - not to mention a certain C. Nolan. You would need to drink as much as the characters to believe that this is anything other than a shallow, worthless film.
21 Grams (2003)
a class effort
First things first - 21 grams is a superb film. Its not an easy film (which is fine) and while it may take around 15-20 minutes of confusion in order to realise the films relationships most will be able to easily back track and make sense of this period. However for a film which comes so highly rated I think it is only fair to write this review in a critical manner, and my main problem with the film is this: González Iñárritu loses his bottle.
There is a very noticeable difference between the first half of the film and the second. In the first half there is very little non-digetic music or even sound with long and violent scenes taking place in near silence - a technique seldom used but that Hitchcock illustrated can be worked with masterful effect. The camera was almost 'a person' pushing in between shoulders of on lookers, always at eye level and generally grainy and unclear. Also the amount of time shifting was massive.
All of these techniques worked brilliantly and so it was a shame to see a return to conventional sights and sounds and to a lesser extent timeframe in the second portion - although the last 10 minutes did return to the first halfs excellence.
But I am being overly critical. The film is a delight, clearly influenced by Memento and none the worse for it. The fact that there is no 'real time' (flashbacks or flashforwards?) is interesting and the performances from the entire cast are spot on. That said Del Toro steals the show despite Penn's accolades. An impressive film.
Human Nature (2001)
human nature says a film this bad would eventually be made
what rubbish. cliched, flawed and just plain not funny. I'm told this is for serious film watchers, trust me it is for noone. Why do they think that french people have whole conversations in english then say "merci"? Why do they think the people who have a completly different vocal range to chimps imitate them? Why do they think this film is funny when it is just plain ignorant? Why do they think we should all be laughing at jokes about a small penis and masterbation? Why do they think that people still care about Arquette taking her top off? This is a film that should never have been made or even concieved. I thought that Adaption was greatly overrated so i give this advice: if you didnt like Adaption - dont watch this. If you like adaption - dont watch this. Its only saving grace is that it is only 90 minutes long, meaning it streches over its recommened distance by a mere 2 hours. A truly awful film.
The Magdalene Sisters (2002)
provoking and thoughtful film
The first thing that needs to be said about this film is that the synopsis SHOULD BE COMPLETELY IGNORED. This is another sad example of distributors casting aside a wonderful film and marketing it as something completely different. The region 2 DVD labels this as an uplifting story about friends coming through all adversity. THIS IS RUBBISH - there is not one uplifting moment in the entire film, but in no way should this distract from what is an important (if not masterful) film. With the exception of a clever and original scene at a wedding at the beginning of the film Mullan's direction is far from inspired with clumsy camera angels and an apparent lack of confidence that means he needs to show us plot points twice when unneeded (key in Sister Bridgets room) and not well enough at others (second rape) but these minor flaws do not spoil a film carried by fine acting and an enormous story. The girls are far from perfect (as the synopsis would have you believe) and while institutionalisation way or way not have influenced behaviour some of (most noticeably Bridgette's) decisions are dubious to say the least. I would also dispute the films claim that Sister Bridget is "monsterous" - misguided and very, very wrong but it is important to remember that the nuns think they are doing for the best. This is a film which raises yet more questions about the Catholic church and from that respect it is a film that must be seen. However the music, dialogue and directorial imput is nothing special. The characters are believable - but as real people that is to be expected! If this had been a documentary, this way well have been a better piece of work but as that may not have been possible and for the sheer impact that the film provides this works fine, and should be watched not for the sake of enjoyment, but for the sake of education and information.
8/10
Ghoulies III: Ghoulies Go to College (1990)
do the words 'poor man's Gremlins' mean anything to you?
I don't really know why but I watched this with quite a sense of anticipation. Unfortunatly it was misplaced. Firstly this is not horror, it doesn't scare and (unless it was even worse than I gave it credit for - which is possible) doesn't try to. It's a trashy comedy and the fact I smiled once means I gave it a 2 not a 1. This film ripps of Gremlins in a truly special way, I can't claim to have ever seen a film which devotes its self more. Very, Very bad - avoid.