Some of the world's most famous magicians reside in Las Vegas. They are an interesting group who finally get a film made about them.
I'm not all that much of a fan of magic and magicians. It is not a form of entertainment that interests me all that much. While there is a little bit of fascination with 'how did they do it?', I generally do not watch magicians. Perhaps because they do not reveal their secrets is why I don't like them. Magicians themselves, though, seem like interesting characters. Most that I have seen have great big egos and think they are all Great. So a comedy about them seemed like a good idea for a comedy. The writers and director Don Scardino have made a very funny comedy about the world of Las Vegas magicians. With the cast involved you might be expecting a hugely funny film. I know many maybe disappointed by the lack of laughs but I was not. It is a great film that I had a lot of fun with. The plot is fairly predictable and you know where it is going but there are many funny moments that keep you interested.
Steve Carell is one of my favourite acotrs because he can do both comedy and drama. He is excellent here even if I was not all that fond of his character. I found his ego to be a bit too big to be realistic. I know comedy can be about exaggeration but this was too much. I'm pleased to see Steve Buschemi doing comedy as well. He makes a great straight man to all of Steve's craziness. Olivia Wilde is also very delightful and proves to be good at comedy. James Gandolfini was hilarious as the casino owner. I found his lack of interest in his son particularly funny. Alan Arkin once again proves how funny he can be as well. I am a huge fan of Jim Carrey and think he is one of the greatest comedic actors who ever lived. He is perfect as the crazy, stunt magician in this film. I enjoyed every moment he was on screen.
As long as you don't have too high expectations then you can get a great deal of enjoyment out of this film. just a lot of fun.
One of the most beloved films of all time is 'The Wizard Of Oz'. We've had a book and Broadway musical made of what happened before Dorothy arrived in Oz. But now we get a different type of prequel.
In 2009 Tim Burton made 'Alice In Wonderland'. It went on to make more than $1 billion dollars world wide. A motto in Hollywood is that 'when you're on to a good thing, stick to it'. As a result we've been getting films made from classic children's books in the hopes of hitting the jackpot again. The problem with that theory is that 'Alice In Wonderland' was one of those freak accidents that I don't think you can emulate again. But that will not stop Hollywood from trying.
Sam Raimi is one of my favorite directors. He made one of the best horror films of all time 'Evil Dead' and that was just his first effort. He also made of the best comic book/superhero films of all time, 'Spider-Man 2'. So I have a great deal of respect and admiration for him. But he has let me down with this film. 'Oz: The Great And Powerful' is a visually stunning film and a joy to look at. Even if Sam has copied the design style from Tim Burton and 'Alice In Wonderland'. Even the plot is slightly similar to 'Alice'. The biggest problem, though, is that Sam has not brought his usual sense of fun to the film. There is also no sense of urgency with the story. It seems to take its time and so becomes rather dull and boring. At over two hours it more than outstays its welcome. On the good side I thought the final confrontation was quite well done and some of the 3D effects looked really good.
One other aspect I think Sam got wrong was in some of the casting. James Franco makes a decent Oz but he lacks the fun which his character needs. In some ways that fits with the tone of the film but I would have liked his character more if he was more fun. There is some moments where the fun comes through but not enough. These moments are when he is doing a buddy routine with Zach Braff. I've missed Zach in movies and while we mostly hear his voice I was pleased to see him. Mila Kunis too lacks the fun too and she is supposed to be an evil character. I thought she was too nice to be evil. Rachel Weisz lacks the fun too. She is playing the role far too seriously. I know she does very little comedy so maybe she needs to do more in that respect. The one piece of casting perfection. The one piece of casting perfection is Michelle Williams. But then again Michelle is brilliant in everything she does. The only problem with her being in this film is that she would have been brilliant as Glinda in the inevitable 'Wicked' movie.
Further proof that the success of 'Alice In Wonderland' was a freak of nature that cannot be imitated easily.
We live in a society where pills and medication are used to fix all sorts of ailments. It is widely thought that we rely too heavily on them. This film explores that issue.
Steven Soderbergh has said that he is quitting film and moving into television. This disappoints me a lot as he is one of my favourite film directors. So while he will still be making movies, sadly we will not get to see them on the big screen. Steven worked previously with Scott Z. Burns on another medically minded thriller 'Contagion'. That film amplified our fears of disease to a doomsday scenario, this film takes a more intimate approach to our pill obsessed society. I have always been amused by the way that people are informed of the side effects of the medications they take. There are generally so many negative side effects that you would think that they'd out weigh the positives. One of the more interesting side effects that has come about in recent years and is usually associated with sleeping pills like Stilnox is sleep walking. It has been reported that people who took that drug have done things in their sleep they did not realize they were doing. That is a concept which Scott has used to great effect in this film. Another issue that the film explores is when doctors are paid or offered incentives by pharmaceutical corporations to give their patients certain medications. It is one of those things that is inevitable in our society as companies are prepared to do anything to make a profit. Steven has managed to bring these issues and a few others together to make a very entertaining thriller. I like the way Steven has an almost documentary like way that he films the movie so you feel like it has really happened. The film does take an interesting turn towards the end which did lessen the impact but in no way diminished my enjoyment of the film.
Jude Law seems to be going from strength to strength with the choice of films he is making. He makes an effective hero here as you feel a great deal of sympathy for his character and the problems he is going through. Rooney Mara is quite good as the woman trouble, even when her condition changes in the second half of the film. Channing Tatum does not have all that much to do but is still an effective presence on screen. Catherine Zeta-Jones nicely plays the cold hearted bitch role really well.
It may lack some of the thrill that is usually associated with a Steven Soderbergh film, it is still a nice little thriller that proves to be very entertaining.
Once again we have a book that was widely thought to be impossible to make into a film. An epic story with epic themes.
Andy and Lana Wachowski made the hugely successful and influential sci-fi film 'The Matrix'. Sadly they have not managed to live up the success of that film, especially with its sequels. I think they are brilliant film makers but have not found the right material to work with. Tom Tykwer made the iconic film 'Run Lola Run'. He has had modest success since then. He made an adaptation of one of my favourite books 'Perfume: The Story Of A Murderer' into an excellent film. I think their teaming up to adapt 'Cloud Atlas' is a major achievement. It is amazing that the film got made. If you read movie news as much as I do you come to learn that major film studios like to play it safe. They do not like to take risks with films. It is perfectly natural to expect that when you are investing huge sums of money that you want a significant return on your investment. Which is why we are inundated with films based on books, comic books, and other familiar characters. The thinking is that the movie going public will go with what is safe and what they know. Which brings us to 'Cloud Atlas'. Although it is based on a popular book, it is a huge story that is hard to define with many characters. It would need a big budget to fully realize it. Even though Warner Brothers name is on the film there is a significant amount of the budget that came from international investors. So on the surface it would seem that this film should never have been made, but thankfully it was.
As mentioned above, most of the big budget films we get are based on comic books or other material. While not to detract from those films, they do not explore issues and themes like those in 'Cloud Atlas'. This film is an amazing achievement. I was totally blown away by how good the film is. Andy, Lana and Tom have made a huge epic film that is not only spectacular but clever and thought provoking as well. The film looks as many themes as issues as various plots play out over various times in history. I admit that it might seem too much to take in all at once but the directors have managed to make the film really entertaining as well. At no stage did I feel bored. I especially liked the way the film was edited and the way they cut betwen the different stories. I was able to keep up with what was going on at all times. Plus sometimes they edited between stories where the plotline had similar action going on in spectacular fashion. The film also looks visually stunning too. There is great use of special effects for many stories that help accentuate the plot. Also with some actors playing multiple roles there is a great of make-up on display. You would hardly recognize some of the actors in their various roles.
Speaking of actors, the directors have assembled an excellent team. Tom Hanks is his usual brilliant self. I particularly liked his futuristic/primitive storyline. Halle Berry is also excellent, especially in some of the roles where she is heavily made up. Ben Wishaw is sort of like the emotional core of the film with a storyline that is very heartbreaking. I'm still not a fan of Jim Sturgess. He is good here but not great enough for me to forgive him for past terrible roles. Doona Bae is brilliant in her major storyline and proves very sympathetic. Hugo Weaving is the master of disguise in this film with many minor roles where you would hardly recognize him. Susan Sarandon also has a small but effective presence. The biggest surprise for me was Hugh Grant. Hugh is mostly known for his light romantic comedy roles and on several occasions has threatened to retire. But then he comes along and does a film like this. He is simply brilliant. I think I was blown away because you just don't expect him to do a film like this. His different roles are brilliant and he is a real chameleon as you would hardly recognize him sometimes.
A film for those who think that all big budget films need to be mindless specticles. A brilliant piece of film making that needs to be seen on the big screen if you get the chance.
Mark Wahlberg is once again creating his own work by producing films for himself. This time he is going all noir.
Detectives being hired to do work for important people is a very popular plot that has been used in countless films since cinema was first created. They start off with a simple request and then spiral out of control with some big conspiracy. 'Broken City' has a plot which is quite predictable and you know just about where it is going at every point. It is also full of clichés and the characters are typical of what you expect from this type of film. Despite that I found myself enjoying this film. I suppose I did not have very high expectations and so did not expect greatness, so I ended up enjoying the film much more than I expected. Director Allen Hughes has managed to make the film quite entertaining even when the story is so clichéd and riddled with outrageous coincidences.
I think part of the entertainment factor does come down to the cast as well. Mark Wahlberg has played this type of character so many times before that I think he could be made an honorary cop. But he still does a good job of it. He manages to make his character interesting despite being so familiar. His character does make a few dumb moves but you still come to care for him. Russell Crowe seems to be having so much fun with this role and that fun seems to carry through in his performance. Some have been distracted by his overdosing on the spray tan but I think this added to the fun of his character. He does sometime walk a fine line by making his character come across as a bit ridiculous but he is still very good. Catherine Zeta-Jones does a good job but she has been lumbered with a character that does not do much. This may not have been her fault but she would have made an excellent femme fatal.
As long as you lower your expectations you should get a bit of fun out of this entertaining detective thriller.
There seems to be a common theme in documentaries at the moment of children that have come to no good. We've had children murdered, we now get one who just goes missing.
In 1994, thirteen year-old Nicholas Barclay disappeared from his home in Texas. Three years later he turned up in Spain. Or I should say a man turned up claiming to be Nicholas. How this amazing story played out is the subject of this fascinating documentary. It is probably hard to believe that a 23 year-old man was able to pass himself off as a 16 year-old boy but to me director Bart Layton makes it totally convincing. I'm going to reveal some spoilers here. The believability factor is in the way the family was willing to accept this man as their long lost son. When you realize why you can understand it better. You get the impression that the family had something to hide and letting this man into their lives would help keep the secret. But the fact that they thought they would get away with it is still mind boggling. Bart does a very good job of presenting interviews with all the major participants and towards the end you can see the Barclay family lying as they explain why they accepted this man as their son. The recreations that Bart does are also well done too.
I can understand how some people could find this story to be too weird to be true. But for me I found it fascinating and really well told.
The production company Working Title is famous for making some of the most successful romantic comedies. The tradition continues.
Dan Mazar is mostly known for being a writer with Sacha Baron Cohen on his various films. Now Dan is taking a gentler approach by making a romantic comedy. I don't think he was the right guy to make a film like this. I know that there has been a recent slate of more dirty and crude romantic comedies but there is a right way and a wrong way to doing that sort of thing. Dan has created a very good premise with a look at a married couple during their first year of marriage. There are some really nice moments but for some reason Dan has chosen to populate his film with some really obnoxious characters who completely ruin the film. The main characters are generally nice but occasionally come out with some really obnoxious stuff which ruins their character. Dan also writes write a few obvious jokes as well which makes the film seem clichéd. The only part I really enjoyed was the way the film ended.
Rafe Spall is starting to become a very popular actor. He seems more at home with comedy like here as his timing is quite good and he is rather funny. But as mentioned above there are a few out of character moments which ruin things. Rose Byrne does an excellent job as always and manages to keep her sweet character intact. Simon Baker also is quite charming and sweet but has one moment that ruins things when he goes overboard in his wooing of Rose's character. It was nice to see Anna Faris play a more subdued character. The brunette haircut makes her almost unrecognizable too. While Stephen Merchant is essentially playing the same character he has in all other films, for some reason he comes across as especially annoying here. That's largely because he seems totally oblivious to his obnoxious behavior.
It was bound to happen that not all Working Title romantic comedies were going to be gold. Not worth seeing unless you are really desperate.
In 2009 Lee Daniels made the hard hitting film 'Precious'. He returns with another hard hitting film but he's toned down the hard.
There is something about the state of Florida in America which seems to bring out lots of sleazy stories. Perhaps it is the heat. I know that many people will find this film weird and strange. But I do not think that is true. Lee Daniels used a story, that while weird and strange to us, seem perfectly normal to the characters that populate this film. These people are not the average citizens you see in your life, they are people with unusual fetishes and traits which you would not normally see. Which is what makes this film so good. We get a glimpse at a world we do not normally see. I agree these people are very unsavory but then that is the appeal. Lee is able to make this world feel real despite the dirtiness of it. Even the way he has filmed the movie with a grainy quality to the look of the film suits the dirty nature of the story and the characters. There also lots of serious themes and issues which Lee squeezes in there. The film is set in the 1960's which a period ripe to look at the impact of themes in society.
On the basis of 'Precious' Lee has managed to gather quite an impressive cast for his film. I have a great deal of respect for all the cast here as they play characters we have not seen them play before. Matthew McConaughey seems to be going from strength to strength as he plays really interesting characters. Ward is kind of a best of characters that Matthew has played before. I admire Nicole Kidman because she plays characters you don't normally expect her to. Nicole proves she can play high society as well as low society. I know she receives lots of criticism but I think she is an excellent actress. John Cusack is excellent as the weirdest character in the film. The one that impressed me the most was Zach Efron. I admire the fact that is trying to move away from the squeaky clean image he has. He does normally play it safe with a couple of romantic dramas, he then does the occasional independent film which proves he is more than just a pretty face.
Another film that will not appeal to everyone out there. If you like something a bit different then you will no doubt like this.
Director Peter Jackson has put his weight behind this documentary about three young men who were falsely accused of killing three boys.
Peter not only produced this film but he also became involved in the case to free these three guys. There are some real life crime cases that seem too hard to believe. In this case we have three men who are accused of a disturbing crime on some of the most flimsiest evidence but still managed to spend 20 years in jail. It is so incredibly baffling. There has been 3 films already made about this case called 'Paradise Lost', which I had heard of but I was not familiar with the details of this case. The mind boggles at how a justice system could have let a case like this get as far as it did. But it also boggles more when you consider that it took so long to rectify. And even then the outcome was not what you'd expect. Director Amy Berg has put together an excellent film that goes into a great deal of depth about the case. I could be said that there is a little bias with some of the information, but it looks to me like Amy and her team have done extensive research in this case. I do agree with some criticism that having Peter Jackson appear in the film does seem a bit pretentious.
A fascinating look at a true story that in some way seems too strange to be true. It may make you loose some faith in the legal system.
