Pan’s Labyrinth

Pan's Labyrinth is a wonderfully mythical tale set against the backdrop of fascist Spain, where innocence must grow up, challenge authority and fulfil her destiny.

Ofelia is forced to journey with her pregnant mother to live with her new father, a man she does not know or trust. Set in the hills of rural Spain her new ‘father’ is determined to destroy the last vestments of the Spanish resistance and shows his true colours early on as he beats to death an innocent farm boy.

With harshness and cruelty abounding, Ofelia withdrawals to a world of fantasy that only she can see.

But is it fantasy? [more]

The Illusionist

The problem with a movie like The Illusionist is that it was preceded by a movie called The Prestige. The Prestige entertained us with a fast moving story of two duelling magicians, trying to out do each other, whist paying each other back for a perceived wrong in their past.

Both The Prestige and The Illusionist are movies about magicians – showmen who use slight of hand and other optical tricks to wow the audience. But both movies are also very different.

Instead of a fast paced thriller, The Illusionist traveled the road of a character driven drama, where the viewer must be on the watch for signs of reality, because in essence, nothing is what it seems. [more]

Atonement

Atonement starts off as an average period piece drama, with the well to do Tallis family living the highlife despite the looming spectre of a war with Germany. Thrown in the mix is garden hand and semi adopted son, Robbie, who incidently, is in love with the eldest Tallis daughter, Cecilia.

Trouble is, the younger Tallis daughter, Briony, has a childish crush on Robbie, and doesn’t understand why her older sister should be the one to receive his love.

To get revenge on Robbie for loving her sister she blames a heinous crime on him, not realising what the outcome would be, and the budding relations ship between Robbie and Cecilia is brought to a grinding halt as Robbie is taken away and put in prison. [more]

The Descent

The Descent starts off looking like it’s going to be a very low budget affair, with some cheese and lots of predictability. But that’s just the start, a little bit of back history to set the scene.

Whilst not a big budget movie, The Descent’s director Neil Marshall has spent wisely putting the money into the most important shots, and crafting a tightly shot movie that manages to keep you freaked out and hugging the edge of your seat from the time things start to go wrong, right up until the credits roll.

Once we descend into the cave system, all thoughts of a budget slasher are gone, much like the hope of survival for the band of adventurous girls, who must now contend with more than just sub terrain dwelling creatures, but also paranoia, distrust and claustrophobia. [more]

Halo 3

Master Chief is back. It’s been a while, and to be honest I’ve never been a huge Halo fan, so I’m pretty much coming at Halo 3 as a novice.

Apparently the Covenant controls Earth, the all-consuming Flood has been unleashed and the fate if the galaxy hangs in the balance. An ancient secret, buried under the sand of Africa may hold the key to our salvation or our doom. Spartan 117, the Master Chief must uncover that secret and stop the forces that threaten us for one and for all. He is the last of his kind, a warrior born for combat, bred for war… and humanity’s only hope.

Humanity’s only hope? Sheesh, I’m not sure I’m up for that job description, but I guess I’ll give it a go.

Coming off the back of a long line of World War II shooters, jumping into the world of Halo was a bit of a culture shock – it took a while to get re adjusted and get to grips with the various monsters and the huge assortment of weaponry available to kill them.

Once I got into the swing of things however, the fun kicked in. Halo 3 is, it has to be said, is simply a first person shooter. It doesn’t try and be anything else, it doesn’t try to be original, it just does what it does, really, really well. What it lacks in interesting moves, such as peering round corners, the ability to go prone, etc, it makes up in straight forward game play that keeps the intensity tight, and shooting near constant and the addictive fun ramped up way past ten. [more]

Conversations With My Gardener

Going to a media screening at the Rialto is always a treat, you know that for a change you’re going to see a movie whose characters and storyline drive the experience and not the special effects budget. Conversations With My Gardener is no different.

A successful Parisian artist secedes to take time out from his hectic lifestyle and a marriage that is on the rocks by retreating to the home of his childhood. With his parents having died a few years ago, there is much work to do but he has little energy to do it. So the artist advertises for a gardener.

The gardener who takes the job turns out to be an old school buddy – back in the day they were best mates, but things didn’t work out when they got expelled at that was the last they saw of each other.

There lives took radically different paths, the artist finding success and experiences, the gardener finding contentment in the simple things of life. [more]

Over There

When I read the synopsis for Over There I was thinking The Unit, but set in Iraq with a regular Army squad. Alas it was nothing like it.

Instead we get a series that is very hard to get into – the characters have no lovable traits to endear them to you until you’ve spent over half the season wondering why you’re still watching – had I been watching it weekly on TV, I wouldn’t have made it past week one or two. By the end of the season you do have an attachment to the characters, but even that isn’t enough to save the series from everything else that is wrong.

Unlike The Unit, where the wives left behind worked together as a team, looked after each other and made their own viable storyline, Over There’s spouses all have their own individual problems that create far too many differing stories lines and only creates a muddle of unnecessary distraction. [more]

Rally's Dead...

Mere days after Rally legend Colin McRae dies in a helicopter accident and the GPStore puts up a headline proclaiming Rally's Dead, long live SEGA Rally.

Is it me, or is that totally thoughtless and verging on bad taste?

Hannibal Rising

The real problem for Hannibal Rising is Silence of the Lambs, as with the sequel, Hannibal and the prequel, Red Dragon, all films that follow the screen character that is Hannibal Lecter will be compared to the 1991 original. As such, none have lived up to the Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins paring.

But Hannibal Rising has another problem, without Silence of the Lambs, it has no purpose. As a movie on it’s own it is a pointless waste of time. The viewer has to already know what Lecter will become.

As a study on the creation of a monster, it is of some interest, but the movie itself seems poorly executed, as if it is just a B-grade money grabber. One could almost assume that the studio that bank rolled the movie figured that they couldn’t compete with Silence, so why bother, just church out a quickie for profit and be done with it.

And that’s quite sad, because with a bit of refinement, more focus on certain scenes, and further exploration of the central themes and Rising could have rivaled even Silence. [more]

When Homicidal Gorillas Attack!

Stranger Than Fiction

Sheer genius. It’s been a while since a movie like this has come along, a movie that blows your mind in a kind of down to earth, matter of fact way. A comedy that isn’t laugh out loud funny, but very pleasing to watch, a comedy that makes you smile on the inside.

A story so outlandishly unique that most will call it stupid, but a select few will fall in love with it. A movie that will transport you back to other movies that have left you in a similar state of mind, such as the equally brilliant Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

But it is more than just a movie, it’s a timeless tale of mans desire to meet the person who is narrating his story, the person who created him. It’s about waking up to the possibility that there is another dimension to our lives, one in which the possibilities are endless. [more]

The Zombies Would Get Me, Apparently!

48%

Sophie Scholl

Sophie Scholl takes a look at the final days of White Rose activist Sophie Scholl. We don’t really get to see any background on who she is, and we don’t need to. Everything we need is shown to us over the last 6 days of her life.

With her fellow activists she strove to educate the German people of what was really going on around them, not just that Germany was going to loose the war, but that the atrocities propagated under nazism would bring world wide condemnation, and that the people needed to rise up and bring an end to the Nazi reign.

Of course, even the best-laid plans can go wrong, and Sophie and her brother are caught distributing pamphlets on campus, they are arrested and interrogated. It’s here that the movie really takes off, with a battle of whits between Sophie and her interrogator. Sophie is brave, sure of her convictions and able to stand firm with a passion that bewilders her captors.

With cunning use of simple music and a compelling script, the movie manages to keep the pace tight and the tension high. [more]

Pause.

Ok, so I've been way too busy with FilmGuide and watching DVDs, playing on my 360, going to movies and being a family man, that this blog has suffered. In fact some might claim that this blog has died. I'd prefer the term Paused. Just like when you need to go to the toilet during a DVD, you hit the pause button and go and do your thing. Well I'm doing my thing elsewhere and I'm pausing this blog, but don't despair, you can still read all my reviews, and some reviews by other people over at www.filmguide.co.nz... it's not the best looking site at the moment, but I'm working with a great guy (whose wife is due to give birth any day now) to make the site a little more pleasing on the eye.

And if you want some light relief, head over to my mate Mike's new blog, What's Up Mike?

The Simpsons Movie

Because of my role with FilmGuide I've been able to attend a number of media screenings of movies, the most recent of which was The Simpsons Movie.

The Simpsons Movie was an absolute ball, the funniest movie I have seen for some time. It starts off brilliantly, and keeps the odd ball laughs going for the entire movie, even throughout the closing credits. Yes, throughout. This isn't a lame movie like POTC that adds a cheesy scene at the end to 'reward' people who watch credits, it's a movie that continues through the entire credits. Go watch it today, and read Josh's review over at FilmGuide.

The down side with my working for FilmGuide of course is that I don't have as much time for this blog, but I promise to start regular posting again!

A Mighty Heart

Rating:
Duration: 100 mins.
Genre: Drama.
Actors: Angelina Jolie, Dan Futterman, Archie Panjabi, Will Patton, Irfan Khan, Sajid Hasan, Aly Khan, Denis O'Hare.
Director: Michael Winterbottom.
Release Date: Selected dates during the NZFF, general release 18 October 2007.

Synopsis
On January 23, 2002, Mariane Pearl's world changed forever. Her husband Daniel, South Asia bureau chief for the Wall Street Journal, was researching a story on shoe bomber Richard Reid. The story drew them to Karachi where a go-between had promised access to an elusive source. As Danny left for the meeting, he told Mariane he might be late for dinner. He never returned…

The Reality
Being the opening film for the 2007 New Zealand Film Festival, A Mighty Heart was never going to be an action spectacular, despite the lead role going to Hollywood darling, Angelina Jolie.

Rather it’s a taught drama, paced brilliantly by both Winterbottom’s directing and Jolie’s grasp on her characters strengths, stamina and emotional character.

In fact one could possibly say it’s Angelina Jolie’s best performance to date.

Of course without the story line and the ensemble of supporting cast Jolie’s acting would have been for nought.

Frustratingly confusing at times, the storyline becomes a jumble of flash backs, imaginations and repetitive actions by the Pakistani police, but rather than inhibit the story telling, it illuminates perfectly the tangled web of lies, confusion, pride and inability that plagued the various groups represented, in their dire attempts to find out who has kidnapped Daniel Pearl.

Visually the movie is a mishmash of authentic news footage, home video style flashbacks and on the run, shoot-from-the-hip filming. In any other movie, this would be jarringly unacceptable, but in A Mighty Heart it only adds to the realness and frustrations felt by Mariane Pearl as she struggles to keep her head above water.

A brilliant, powerful, through provoking movie.

Food for thought
In reality, it all boils down to religious conviction, if we got rid of religion, the world would be at peace, right?

Invincible

Rating: PG - Contains Low Level Offensive Language.
Duration: 100 mins.
Genre: Drama, Sports.
Actors: Greg Kinnear, Kevin Conway, Mark Wahlberg, Michael Nouri, Michael Rispoli, Elizabeth Banks, Kirk Acevedo.
Director: Ericson Core.
Release Date: Available Now.

Synopsis
Inspiring sports movie starring Mark Wahlberg as a Philadelphia Eagles fan who lost his wife and his teaching job. He decides one day to show up for an open tryout for his favourite NFL team, only to see his wildest dreams come true…

The Reality
The first thing I noticed whilst watching Invincible was the colour. Everything seemed to be infused with the colour yellow. Yellow, normally associated with cowardice, was the flavour of this true story of an underdog who over came everything thrown at him, to live the dream.

But cowardice is not the theme of the movie, nor is it what yellow conjures up in this instance. Yellow is the colour of age, of authenticity. It’s used to make the film feel like you’re watching something from the 70’s. Of course the imagery and sound is crisp and clean, but the colour alone keeps you grounded in the 70’s and gives the story a genuine feel.

Being based on a true story, the feel is an important factor, and this alone turned the movie from a ‘oh well, lets watch this one’ to a ‘hey, this is looking interesting’ kind of movie that took my attention for the entire 100 minute run time.

Sure it’s predictable, and anyone with any knowledge of American Football probably knows the entire story, but it’s a great feel good movie that shows that nothing is impossible, so long as your give it your all, heart, body and soul.

It’s exactly what Mark Wahlberg seems to be doing as well as he creates a convincing figure in the role of Vince Papale, in what could have been just another play by the numbers Disney flick.

An inspirational tale for the whole family.

Food for thought
The only thing Vince’s wife left him was the phone and a note that proclaimed he’d never make anything of himself. It’s this note that Vince holds onto as he tries out, and makes the cut for the Eagles. But as well as spurring him on initially, it plays him like a cancerous disease, eating him alive on the inside. It’s not until he finally lets go of the note, and believes in himself that he is able to shine. Don’t hold on to cutting remarks from people who have no faith in you, instead focus on the one who created you, and believe in yourself.

Special Features (not reviewed)
• Becoming Invincible: The Story of Vince Papale
• Audio Commentaries

Shadowrun

Rating: R16 - Restricted to persons 16 years and over.
Console: Xbox 360

Initial thoughts
Microsoft’s Shadowrun sought to unite Xbox 360 console gamers with Microsoft Vista computer gamers in the first game to be able to be played by both different pieces of hardware in the same game. This in itself is an interesting feat and worthy achievement all on it’s own. However one could argue that it’s only self serving as in only unties Microsoft controlled players with, um, well, Microsoft controlled players. One could also argue that with something in the region of 7 Million online players, Xbox live doesn’t really need computer gamers invading its turf.

So just what is Shadowrun? Apparently it’s based on a 1989 pen-and-paper RPG and essentially has been given a Counter Strike makeover to bring it into the 21st century.

Sadly that just about sums it up.

After some training levels, that help you come to grips with some of the unique attributes you can give your character (walking through walls anyone?) it’s onto the game-play.

What? No single player campaign? Just the ability to play against (and with) bots? Now that’s not a very deep concept. With the enticing subject of an ongoing battle for control of some magical artefacts, I was expecting a campaign where my magical abilities depended on gaining control of the artefacts as the game progressed.

Sadly what could have been a fast paced single player game with on-line playability, shrunk into an online only game.

Now that I’ve played it a bit more
Fortunately I’ve got a one month trial on Xbox Live and was able to play online. It certainly shows it’s true colours online, and as such is a strong game with many unique features.

Graphically it’s impressive, though parents be warned – this is an adult game, as there is blood galore. It is after all a first person shooter at heart, and the name of the game is to destroy your opponent’s team in any manner possible.

Longevity
Sadly Shadowrun just didn’t cut it for me personally in the long run. I’ve played a fair bit of Call of Duty 3 since getting Xbox Live, and the ability to re-spawn means that the games are longer and there is less waiting around watching the games finish. Of course to be honest, I’d always choose a World War Two FPS shooter over anything futuristic, so with that in mind, I’ll say that Shadowrun is a great game to keep your skills sharp whilst you wait fro Halo 3 to hit the stores.

Flags of our Fathers

Rating: R15 - Depicts Graphic & Realistic War Scenes.
Duration: 132 mins.
Genre: War.
Actors: Jesse Bradford, Paul Walker, Ryan Phillippe, Neal McDonough, Jamie Bell, Robert Patrick, Adam Beach, John Benjamin Hickey, John Slattery.
Director: Clint Eastwood.
Release Date: Available Now.

Synopsis
Based on the book of the same name, Flags of our Fathers reconstructs the events that preceded and followed the infamous photograph taken on Iwo Jima that came to symbolize the U.S. troops' triumph and America's indestructible spirit.

The Reality
Flags of our Fathers is an interesting movie. Interesting as it does not sit happily in the standard war movie genre. In an approach that almost causes too much confusion for it’s own good, the story is told through a series of multi-level flash backs, from the training, to the assault on Iwo Jima, through the Seventh War Bond Tour right too the present day.

It’s certainly more of a movie for history buffs than straight out war movie fans, as a lot of the focus is on three individuals who are basically forced to become heroes and tour the US selling War Bonds.

We get to see just how these three men became the focus of the whole country, and how the war, combined with this instant hero-dom, along with their own value systems, plagued each of them in different ways.

The movie shows how a culture celebrates the heroes (living) whilst not wanting anything to do with those that payed the ultimate price.

By the end of the movie, the confusing layers of flashbacks have all but been forgotten as we have gotten used to the technique and realise their necessity. We are left now to dwell on the events that took place, and reflect on their meaning in the fresh light of what we have seen.

Visually Flags is spectacular, far better than Saving Private Ryan, and just as gruesomely realistic, whilst being desolate and uninspiring at the same time – though only because the landscape of Iwo Jima was desolate and moonscape like.

As a complete package, it has its flaws, but despite it’s very different approach, will sit amongst the top ten war movies of all time.

Food for thought
Do you fight for your life or for the truth?

Special Features (not reviewed)
• An Introduction by Clint Eastwood
• Words on the Page - Clint Eastwood along with screenwriters Paul Haggis, William Broyles and writer James Bradley discuss the creation of the book and the adaptation of the script, along with the challenges and victories each possessed.
• Six Brave Men - Clint Eastwood and the key cast members introduce us to the real- life characters portrayed in the film; including their roles in the historic events and their relationships to one another.
• The Making of an Epic - Led by Clint Eastwood, we take an inside look at the creation of the film with many of the key players involve d, including the production design with Henry Bumstead; the photography with Tom Stern; editorial with Joel Cox; and the rest of the team that brought this epic film together.
• Raising the Flag - Clint Eastwood and key cast members discuss reenacting the historic flag-raising on Iwo Jima.
• Visual Effects - The visual effects team (including visual effects supervisor Michael Owens, and Julian Levi and Mathew Butler of Digital Domain) discusses the approach and creation of the “invisible” digital effects in the film, including before and after examples, as well as the various steps taken to realize them.
• Looking into the Past - A documentary, real- life look at the battle, the two flag raisings at Iwo Jima and the resulting bond tour, using historical footage and newsreels.
• Theatrical Trailer

Life on Mars

Rating: R16 - Contains Violence, Offensive Language & Sex Scenes.
Duration: 600 mins.
Genre: Television, Drama.
Actors: Philip Glenister, John Simm, Dean Andrews, Noreen Kershaw, Marshall Lancaster, Tony Marshall, Liz White.
Release Date: Available Now.

Synopsis
Remember the 1970s? Sam Tyler doesn't - he was only four at the time. Smart, savvy, sharp-suited detective Sam is at the top of his game. Then, after a near-fatal car accident, Sam finds himself mysteriously transported back to 1973…

The Reality
Trust the British to inject some much needed originality into the Television Cop Drama genre, and they’ve done it in style with Life On mars.

Struggling to accept that he has been mysteriously transported back to the early seventies, Sam quickly alienates himself to everyone but a lowly female cop. I say lowly because this is the seventies, and females were still relegated to the ‘nice bot of skirt’ mentality.

Figuring that he may as well get the job done while he figures out how to get back to his life in the naughties, Sam causes even more friction at work with his new fangled approach, and insistence on doing things right, for putting the truth ahead of forced confessions.

But his style, honesty and fresh approach starts to be seen as valuable to his new boss, who takes him under his wing, as they fight crime, the old fashioned way, finishing everyday at the local pub.

There’s much to love about Life on Mars, there’s the nostalgic look back at the seventies, a time when the PC brigade hadn’t sucked all the fun out of life, a time where there was still hope for the world. There are the lovable characters, an oddball assortment, that as individuals would drive you crazy, but together seem to just click.

Then there’s the storyline, as Sam’s old life keeps intersecting with his new life, and as he learns to accept where he is, and make the most of it.

Roll on season two.

Food for thought
It’s only through honest work that the truth comes to light.

Special Features (not reviewed)
• Take a Look at the Lawman: A 60-minute documentary covering the making of the programme
• Get Sykes: A 30-minute interview with the production designer
• Outtakes reel
• The Music of Life on Mars
• Audio commentaries on all episodes with cast and crew