AtonementKiera Knightley and James McEvoy star, in Oscar winning performances, as two doomed lovers torn apart by lies and war. Director Joe Wright proves here that Pride and Prejudice was no fluke as Atonement is well crafted, superbly photographed and with an intelligent script makes this film a total success and triumph.
Beginning in the summer of 1935 in an English Manor we are introduced to Briony, a precocious and over imaginative young writer. The film starts as she tries to understand the relationship between her older sister Cecilia (Knightley) and the housekeeper's son Robby (McEvoy). After a horrendous attack on their cousin, Briony's innocence, naivety and jealously leads her to put the blame on Robby who is immediately taken away to jail.
Cut to 1940 and Robby, who got the chance to join the army, is now an evacuee in Dunkirk. Cecilia is a nurse in London as is Briony. What follows is Briony trying to come to terms with what she has done and trying to make peace with her sister.
From the lush Countryside to the bleakness of the beaches of Dunkirk the photography is spellbinding. The direction is first rate with a stunning tracking shot of Dunkirk. Also the music and the use of the sound from the keys of the typewriter are used to perfect effect. The performances are first rate, notably Saoirse Ronan who plays the young Briony.
While the film does lull a bit during the middle, the performances carry the viewer through it.
A hugely enjoyable period/war drama, that's as ambitious as it is compassionate. A stunning achievement.
Run Fat Boy RunWhile it is not a bad effort, you just can't help but feel throughout the film that Simon Pegg is capable of so much more.
The film begins with Dennis (Pegg) running away from his pregnant fiancé Libby (Thandie Newton) on their wedding day. Five years later and Dennis, now working as a security guard in a Ladies clothes store, realises the mistake he's made especially when he learns of Libby's new boyfriend Whit (Hank Azaria).
Dennis, having never committed to or finished anything in his life, vows to run the London marathon to prove his love for Libby.
What follows is, for the most part, an enjoyable comedy but never has you laughing out loud, although it is a very good effort from director David Schwimmer. Dylan Moran as Gordon, Dennis best friend, steals the show. Another problem with the film was Hank Azaria playing the straight role, comedy gold could have been tapped there had Azaria been allowed to stretch himself.
Of course it’s formulaic with no real surprises but it is amiable with the feel good factor thrown in for good measure.
2 Days in ParisJulie Delpy writes, produces, directs and stars in a wonderfully witty, sharp, honest and realistic portrayal of a couple as they struggle to hold onto their relationship.
Coming from Venice, Marion (Delpy) and Jack (Adam Goldberg) stop off in Paris for 2 days. While there, Jack meets some of Marion’s ex boyfriends and delves into a world of melancholy and suspicion. As Jack gets more paranoid and neurotic, the film really takes off with some genuine laugh out loud moments while the more poignant moments are handled with a delicate touch that come across with great honestly and affection.
It is a pleasure to watch Julie Delpy, who so obviously has a real adoration of cinema, and the way she handles the film, from script to photography, but it is Adam Goldberg that steals the scenes. He is excellent as Jack and you really feel for him and understand what he is going through as his jealously mounts.
Delpy also handles the Parisian scenes fittingly, instead of showing us the postcard view of Paris, she shows the more realistic side of the City.
While it is no Before Sunrise/Sunset, 2 Days in Paris is a delightful, quirky comedy but with a real insight and observation on relationships.
3:10 To YumaFrom James Mangold, director of Walk the Line and the underrated Copland comes his latest offering, the tense and visceral remake of the 1957 Glen Ford classic. Does he do it justice? Yes indeed. Not only is the direction tight but with a character driven plot gives the ever brilliant Christian Bale a chance to show us all again why is one of the greatest actors of his generation. Russell Crowe eats the scenery up around him and plays wonderfully off Bale.
Ben Wade (Crowe) a vicious killer and outlaw has been captured and is set to be put on the 3:10 train to Yuma to face the noose. Volunteering for the treacherous journey is Dan Evans, a civil war veteran and now a poor rancher. As the posse venture to catch the train, all the time trying to evade Wade’s gang, the two protagonists start to learn about each other and it is here where the fine line between good and evil, right and wrong, becomes blurred.
Although set in the Wild West, the film comes across as a modern piece due mainly to the theme throughout and the use of a more contemporary soundtrack.
A well made and thoroughly engaging film.
SuperbadWhile Superbad has it’s genuinely funny moments, it’s no 40 Year Old Virgin or Knocked Up.
Three friends, Seth, Evan and Fogell are coming towards the end of high school and plan on going out with a bang (literally). When they are entrusted to buy the booze for a party the three head off to ensure nothing can stop them from their ultimate goal.
What follows is a genuinely amusing and often hilarious set of mishaps, the best of which revolves around Fogell and two boozer cops. The film falters though after the first hour as the jokes are few and far between and the grown up and coming of age messages tend to be a bit much but there are plenty of laugh out loud crude moments to keep it going. Like Virgin and Knocked Up before it, this is too long, some of those coming of age messages could have been trimmed and it would have been the better for it.
However for the most part, Superbad is a crude, smutty and enjoyable comedy.
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"This is not a good idea, it is an awesome idea"
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