Just a few words on this film I caught on the box the other night. Unstoppable is a 2010 American film inspired by true events involving a 'runaway train' after the engineer mistakenly left the controls to adjust a line switch. Denzel Washington and Chris Pine star as the two guys left with the responsibility of stopping the train after all previous attempts fail.
The film is a successful thrill ride, full of nail biting moments and non stop action. As usual with these big budget disaster movies there are scenes involving panic stricken officials, crashes, explosions and the underdog becoming the hero. It's sometimes cheesy, formulaic stuff, but it holds your attention right up to the 'will they or won't they' finale.
Wednesday 27 February 2013
Sunday 24 February 2013
Trishna ***
After sitting through the pretentious, boring drivel that was Broken Flowers last week, anything that I watch from now on has to be at least slightly more interesting. So in the usual search for something to watch on Netflix I stumbled across this relatively unknown Brit film shot in India, 2011's Trishna.
It's based on the story of Thomas Hardy's classic novel Tess of The D'Urbervilles, something I have not read but my sister revealed she has studied in her English class.
It tells the story of the film's lead Trishna (Freida Pinto) as she struggles to balance providing for her family and a new love interest, British businessman Jay Singh (Riz Ahmed)
After befriending Trishna on a night out, they reconnect again after Trisha and her father are involved in an accident crashing the family jeep. Jay in his bid to help and get closer to Trishna offers her work in his father's hotel as a maid, money she can send back to her struggling family. The story unfolds as Trishna must balance the love for her family, her own morality, and the love for Jay. It soon becomes clear that Jay is not all that he seems, leading to a dramatic and unexpected ending.
Most of what we see of Trishna shows us that she can be naive, probably influenced on a subconscious level by the manipulative Jay. Jay represents the disturbing aspect of society that still exists controlling and dominating women for their own gratification.
On a technical level the film is interesting, shots of bustling India are intercut with night life, and random shots of people who appear once and are not seen again for the rest of the film. The soundtrack is typical Bollywood and presents a traditional feel of mythical India, but this too is intercut with modern British dance music and in one unsettling scene in which Jay 'celebrates' their anniversary by forcing her to dance for him, the disturbing tones of UK trip-hop band Portishead.
The ending was probably the most powerful aspect of the film, leaving the audience shaken on how events have led Trishna to this point.
It's an interesting film, otherwise pretty unmemorable if not for the ending, and definitely a more satisfying watch than Broken Flowers, although that's not saying too much.
It's based on the story of Thomas Hardy's classic novel Tess of The D'Urbervilles, something I have not read but my sister revealed she has studied in her English class.
It tells the story of the film's lead Trishna (Freida Pinto) as she struggles to balance providing for her family and a new love interest, British businessman Jay Singh (Riz Ahmed)
After befriending Trishna on a night out, they reconnect again after Trisha and her father are involved in an accident crashing the family jeep. Jay in his bid to help and get closer to Trishna offers her work in his father's hotel as a maid, money she can send back to her struggling family. The story unfolds as Trishna must balance the love for her family, her own morality, and the love for Jay. It soon becomes clear that Jay is not all that he seems, leading to a dramatic and unexpected ending.
Most of what we see of Trishna shows us that she can be naive, probably influenced on a subconscious level by the manipulative Jay. Jay represents the disturbing aspect of society that still exists controlling and dominating women for their own gratification.
On a technical level the film is interesting, shots of bustling India are intercut with night life, and random shots of people who appear once and are not seen again for the rest of the film. The soundtrack is typical Bollywood and presents a traditional feel of mythical India, but this too is intercut with modern British dance music and in one unsettling scene in which Jay 'celebrates' their anniversary by forcing her to dance for him, the disturbing tones of UK trip-hop band Portishead.
The ending was probably the most powerful aspect of the film, leaving the audience shaken on how events have led Trishna to this point.
It's an interesting film, otherwise pretty unmemorable if not for the ending, and definitely a more satisfying watch than Broken Flowers, although that's not saying too much.
Thursday 21 February 2013
Thoughts on Derek
So last night was the fourth episode of Ricky Gervais's mockumentary drama set in a residential home. But has the series improved after the first couple of mediocre episodes? Thankfully it has.
With a plot that allows them a chance to escape the confines of the home, Derek and co head to the beach for a day trip. Ironically it is actually Kev and Dougie who steal the show this week. Kev finds a new hobby annoying the local crab population, and Dougie gets frustrated playing swingball with a pensioner.
The downside is that most of the series of Derek has played out like a series of sketches woven together for 25 minutes. I'm not sure there's much of a story arc going on with any of the characters, yes we know the homes owner Hannah works incredibly hard, Kev is sex obsessed and Dougie just 'gets on with it', but none of the episodes have led to any narrative intrigue through cliff hangers or dramatic revelations. Why for example is Kev hanging around at an old people's home in the first place? Derek walks into work each morning but where is he living and what does he do outside of work?
Despite Gervais insisting Derek is 'one of the kindest and sweetest person he has created' most of what we have seen so far has been childish naivety, funny yes, but moments of sincere kindness are spread pretty thin.
Maybe in the next two episodes, things will come to some kind of conclusion and we can see how this group of mismatched characters came to be.
With a plot that allows them a chance to escape the confines of the home, Derek and co head to the beach for a day trip. Ironically it is actually Kev and Dougie who steal the show this week. Kev finds a new hobby annoying the local crab population, and Dougie gets frustrated playing swingball with a pensioner.
The downside is that most of the series of Derek has played out like a series of sketches woven together for 25 minutes. I'm not sure there's much of a story arc going on with any of the characters, yes we know the homes owner Hannah works incredibly hard, Kev is sex obsessed and Dougie just 'gets on with it', but none of the episodes have led to any narrative intrigue through cliff hangers or dramatic revelations. Why for example is Kev hanging around at an old people's home in the first place? Derek walks into work each morning but where is he living and what does he do outside of work?
Despite Gervais insisting Derek is 'one of the kindest and sweetest person he has created' most of what we have seen so far has been childish naivety, funny yes, but moments of sincere kindness are spread pretty thin.
Maybe in the next two episodes, things will come to some kind of conclusion and we can see how this group of mismatched characters came to be.
Wednesday 20 February 2013
Broken Flowers *
I have never been so bored by a movie in my entire life.
Sure I know of other slow, meandering movies, Gerry springs to mind (not one I'll be watching anytime soon), but this was just a painful experience. I'm not in any way criticizing slower paced films, I can enjoy them providing the events lead to a satisfying or surprising ending. The ending of Seven Pounds for example starring Will Smith is actually quite dramatic, and throughout that film I was curious where the story was heading. Not so with Broken Flowers. After 30 minutes I felt frustrated and bored, a similar feeling to waiting in a dentist waiting room.
This 'movie' follows the journey of Don Johnson (Bill Murray) as he receives a letter from a former girlfriend telling him he has a son who has left home and is now looking for him. Spurred on by his crime writer neighbor, Johnson goes on a trip to visit each of his previous girlfriends to uncover the truth.
We're introduced to Johnson sitting on the couch watching as his girlfriend has unsurprisingly has had enough and is leaving him. It becomes clear that Johnson is a depressive, down on his luck, fifty something, bored with his life. Murray plays him that way, but to stay quiet and miserable throughout most of the 106 minute running time can't require that much acting talent and commitment, can it? It's hard to like a character who has the personality of a mouse.
Some of the endless driving scenes actually reminded me of the beginning of Manos The Hands of Fate, pointless and not moving the story on in any way whatsoever. The four girlfriends we meet are on screen for probably about five minutes each, and mostly seem unsuspicious why a man they dated twenty years ago has turned up on their doorstep.
After watching I checked imdb and apparently each girlfriend represents each phase in a relationship. Fine but at least give them something interesting to say or do. I might get bashed for this review, after the majority appear to really like this film, but for me a film has to at least have one likeable character and try to hold my attention for its duration, otherwise it becomes meaningless. Broken Flowers tries to be understated and symbolic but leaves me feeling empty and confused.
P.S Oh yeah there is a full frontal nudity scene. Not really sure why that's in there, perhaps to try and wake up the sleeping audience.
Sure I know of other slow, meandering movies, Gerry springs to mind (not one I'll be watching anytime soon), but this was just a painful experience. I'm not in any way criticizing slower paced films, I can enjoy them providing the events lead to a satisfying or surprising ending. The ending of Seven Pounds for example starring Will Smith is actually quite dramatic, and throughout that film I was curious where the story was heading. Not so with Broken Flowers. After 30 minutes I felt frustrated and bored, a similar feeling to waiting in a dentist waiting room.
This 'movie' follows the journey of Don Johnson (Bill Murray) as he receives a letter from a former girlfriend telling him he has a son who has left home and is now looking for him. Spurred on by his crime writer neighbor, Johnson goes on a trip to visit each of his previous girlfriends to uncover the truth.
We're introduced to Johnson sitting on the couch watching as his girlfriend has unsurprisingly has had enough and is leaving him. It becomes clear that Johnson is a depressive, down on his luck, fifty something, bored with his life. Murray plays him that way, but to stay quiet and miserable throughout most of the 106 minute running time can't require that much acting talent and commitment, can it? It's hard to like a character who has the personality of a mouse.
Some of the endless driving scenes actually reminded me of the beginning of Manos The Hands of Fate, pointless and not moving the story on in any way whatsoever. The four girlfriends we meet are on screen for probably about five minutes each, and mostly seem unsuspicious why a man they dated twenty years ago has turned up on their doorstep.
After watching I checked imdb and apparently each girlfriend represents each phase in a relationship. Fine but at least give them something interesting to say or do. I might get bashed for this review, after the majority appear to really like this film, but for me a film has to at least have one likeable character and try to hold my attention for its duration, otherwise it becomes meaningless. Broken Flowers tries to be understated and symbolic but leaves me feeling empty and confused.
P.S Oh yeah there is a full frontal nudity scene. Not really sure why that's in there, perhaps to try and wake up the sleeping audience.
There Will Be Blood *****
Hello and welcome to my new blog dedicated to providing my views on all that the film world has to offer.
Over the next few weeks (or until I find a job) I hope to vent some of my excitement, disappointment or anger at any film I have seen old or new. So onto my first review the 2007 gritty drama There Will Be Blood.
Starring Daniel Day Lewis as the psychotic Daniel Plainview, it tells the story of ambition, greed and corruption during Southern California's oil boom at the turn of the twentieth century.
In the opening we are introduced to Plainview a mineral prospector, who while drilling stumbles across oil. Seizing the opportunity Plainview starts a small drilling company which soon becomes profitable.
Hearing of his success he is approached by Paul Sunday who tells him of an oil deposit under his family's land. Plainview manages to buy the land and surrounding areas. In his quest for wealth Plainview must deal with onsite accidents, a man claiming to be his brother, and the interference of meddling local pastor Eli Sunday.
There Will Be Blood gained critical acclaim on its release, praising Daniel Day Lewis for his ruthless, menacing performance, and the striking cinematography and relentless soundtrack.
In Plainview's world no one can be trusted and justice is served by a sharp insult and the smash of his fist. One example is when pastor Eli approaches Plainview demanding his share of money that was promised for the church. Taking Eli by the collar he nearly suffocates him in oil, just one of many scenes where the vicious brutality of Plainview is shown.
A strong performance is also delivered by Paul Dano as pastor Eli, a religious man determined to drive out the inner demon that has overcome Daniel.
The ending is strange, unexpected and leaves the audience shaken. It's a film that is fearless but leaves plenty to be feared. Recommended.
Over the next few weeks (or until I find a job) I hope to vent some of my excitement, disappointment or anger at any film I have seen old or new. So onto my first review the 2007 gritty drama There Will Be Blood.
Starring Daniel Day Lewis as the psychotic Daniel Plainview, it tells the story of ambition, greed and corruption during Southern California's oil boom at the turn of the twentieth century.
In the opening we are introduced to Plainview a mineral prospector, who while drilling stumbles across oil. Seizing the opportunity Plainview starts a small drilling company which soon becomes profitable.
Hearing of his success he is approached by Paul Sunday who tells him of an oil deposit under his family's land. Plainview manages to buy the land and surrounding areas. In his quest for wealth Plainview must deal with onsite accidents, a man claiming to be his brother, and the interference of meddling local pastor Eli Sunday.
There Will Be Blood gained critical acclaim on its release, praising Daniel Day Lewis for his ruthless, menacing performance, and the striking cinematography and relentless soundtrack.
In Plainview's world no one can be trusted and justice is served by a sharp insult and the smash of his fist. One example is when pastor Eli approaches Plainview demanding his share of money that was promised for the church. Taking Eli by the collar he nearly suffocates him in oil, just one of many scenes where the vicious brutality of Plainview is shown.
A strong performance is also delivered by Paul Dano as pastor Eli, a religious man determined to drive out the inner demon that has overcome Daniel.
The ending is strange, unexpected and leaves the audience shaken. It's a film that is fearless but leaves plenty to be feared. Recommended.
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