deviljoker Reviews

Fracture (2007)

average

[6/10 · 12 August 2007]

With "Fallen" and "Primal Fear" on his resume I expected more of Gregory Hoblin. The film looked good visually and the leads (Hopkins and Gosling) were outstanding. That is all that kept me watching.

The plot was barely worthy of an hour TV episode on a crime show. The pacing was very poor and there was very little tension created. T I Hopkins' touch of Irish accent worked well to suggest a hint of madness. He did a very good job of developing the character of Crawford without much help from the script. His expressions, use of accent and movement from playing dumb, at his first hearing, to later behaving like a well schooled lawyer was entertaining to watch. The different acts that Crawford put on left you feeling as if something was not quite right, in a sociopathic way perhaps. Hopkins said that it was his idea to do the accent, based on a the psychotic overtones he could get out of it. Id have to say that it worked a treat. And he succeeded in creating a psychopath with out drawing on, or hinting at Hannibal Lectar. Very well done pity the story was so poor.

Zodiac (2007)

two thumbs up

[9/10 · 24 July 2007]

A lot of films based on actual events can loose their rhythm. Zodiac is an exception.

The late sixties early seventies periods of the film are captured perfectly. It is easy for film makers to overdo it and become close to fancy dress especially when dealing with the seventies. Comedies like "Starsky and Hutch" do this deliberately to good effect, but I shudder when it happens in more serious work.

Zodiac grabs hold of you from the opening scene. It is well paced and takes you into the world of the main characters. There isn't a way to have made this movie better.

There is a feeling of frustration and failure among the characters toward the middle of the movie and for the audience this is palpable.

What happens after this dampening of action and mood, is an acceleration of emotion that had me gripping the arms of my chair, truly on the edge, willing Graysmith on to whatever outcome the film has for us. I was pleading for closure, such was Gylenhaals performance. Garofalo,Edwards and Downey Jr. all had stand out performances. Edwards underplayed his role to perfection and Downey Jrs casting was a masterstroke as a downward spiraling talent. His role brought rich texture and contrast to the cast. The acting/direction was seamless. A very well rounded smooth, real production. This movie is a real gem.

The Number 23 (2007)

should have been better

[6/10 · 22 July 2007]

This movie promised a lot and did not deliver.

I really like Jim Carrey, especially the depth he is capable of displaying. The "Majestic" and "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" are examples of his talent outside of the over the top comedy he is best known for.

The acting in this movie is spot on, so too is the production. The camera work, editing and direction is terrific. I also like the basis for the plot. The 23 enigma and all that goes with it is good material in my opinion.

The plot was not good enough. It wasn't the screenplay as such, it was the plot itself. This took a lot away from what should have been a truly great movie. Eternal Sunshine, Identity and Usual Suspects are all films I will remember as great in this genre. This should have been the best of them but it is the worst.

It wouldn't have taken much to make this movie great. It was ruined by flaws in the twisting plot.