Film Review: CLONE (2010) [a.k.a. WOMB]

Writer/Director: Benedek Fliegauf
Running time: 108 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Drama/Romance/Sci-Fi
UK Release date: 4^th May 2012 (Limited)

Watched on Sky+ Monday 19^th November 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

This is a film I didn’t know too much about but one that had an interesting premise. I do remember it being reviewed on TV quite a long time ago, but it can’t have registered that well because I can’t remember whether they said it was any good or not. So I went into this one with a very open mind and I’m quite glad I did because it’s one of those thought-provoking films that can be spoiled by too many preconceptions.

The pacing is very slow, almost hypnotically so at times, but it is beautifully shot, making great use of the panoramic beach locations. So what’s it all about? Well we meet Tommy and Rebecca when they are quite young; they strike up a friendship which is sealed with a kiss before Rebecca has to leave to live in Tokyo. Fast-forward a number of years and Rebecca (Eva Green – from Casino Royalle) is back from Japan and looking for Tommy (Matt Smith – the current Doctor Who). They more or less take up from where they left off and things seem to be progressing well when Tommy is suddenly killed in a road accident. Rebecca is understandably distraught and decides, with the permission of Tommy’s parents, Judith (Lesley Manville) and Ralph (Peter Wight), to have a clone of him made which she will carry in her womb… But there will be repercussions, some of which are quite surprising.

I know this is not a film that everyone will like; the slow pacing and the fact it’s about relationships will put many off. But if you’re prepared to be patient it does throw up some very interesting questions. I loved the way it was shot and the haunting score (by Max Richter) fitted the piece perfectly. I think the visuals would have had a little more impact on the big screen, but I still found it quite an impressive visual feast. On a dramatic level I did find it was a little too serious and a little levity here and there would have helped. Other than that I found it perfectly acceptable, although I freely admit it may not be to everyone’s taste.

SteelMonster’s verdict: RECOMMENDED

My score: 6.8/10

IMDb Score: 6.2/10 (based on 3,566 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1216520/

MetaScore: 48/100: (Based on 8 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 35/100 (based on 20 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 48/100 ‘Want to See’ (based on 1,885 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/womb/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Rebecca: Its over. I will always speak to you, and I don't mind if you don't say anything. Just because you went away, it doesn't mean you're not here anymore. Perhaps all I ever needed was this gift, the one you gave to me at the end.

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Trailer:

Film Review: CASINO ROYALE (2006)

Director: Martin Campbell
Writers: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade & Paul Haggis (screenplay): Ian Fleming (novel)
Running time: 139 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12

Genre: Action/Adventure/Thriller
UK Release date: 16^th November 2006

Watched on Sky+ Sunday 7^th October 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

In anticipation of the new Bond film ‘Skyfall’, out in a couple of weeks, I thought I’d take a look at the last two in the series, starting (of course) with Daniel Craig’s debut; Casino Royale. For the record, yes, I have seen it before and very much enjoyed it. It’s been quite a while since my first look so it will be interesting to see how it fairs. Here’s a very brief summary before I give you my thoughts.

Having lost his clients’ money in a scheme foiled by James Bond; financier to the criminal underworld, Le Chiffre, arranges a high-stakes poker game at the Casino Royale in Montenegro (not Monte Carlo as many mistakenly think). Of course Bond has a seat and he has a beautiful woman on his arm; Vesper Lynd, who represents the treasury who are staking Bond. His aim; to prevent Le Chiffre from wining and gaining back his reputation. There are many bluffs and counter bluffs but you know Bond will win out in the end… But at what cost? I’ll leave it there, the Spoiler Police will be pleased with me today as I’ve kept it particularly vague.

Very well made with, as ever, some great music supplied by David Arnold. There are also some great locations (as expected) and some quite breathtaking stunt work (hats off to those guys). I thought Daniel Craig was excellent as Bond; he really brings the character up to date and gives him a lot more edge; something that had been lacking in his more recent predecessors. Eva Green did an excellent job as Vesper Lynd; vulnerable when needed but also quite sassy at times. And now the bad guy; Mads Mikkelsen plays Le Chiffre with just the right amount of menace, nicely done! I will also give a mention to; Judi Dench as M, she was excellent as ever, Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter and Giancarlo Giannini as Rene Mathis.

There is quite a lot of action before things focus on the Casino; all of this is well done and features much of the stunt work in the film. I have to say it does appear to get a little lost once the main focus of the film is established. Once we do get there the scenes in and around the Casino are quite compelling and it is here that we actually get a feeling for how Daniel Craig portrays Bond. He has vulnerabilities that make him appear more human and this in turn gives the audience a chance to understand his motivations. I must admit I really enjoyed Craig’s portrayal and am looking forward to more of the same. As for the film as a whole; I very much enjoyed it. Very entertaining with everything we’ve come to expect from a Bond film, and more.

SteelMonster’s verdict: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

My score: 8.5/10

IMDb Score: 7.9/10 (based on 254,443 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0381061/

MetaScore: 81/100: (Based on 38 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 94/100 (based on 217 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 87/100 ‘Liked it’ (based on 602,204 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/casino_royale/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
James Bond: So you want me to be half-monk, half-hitman.
M: Any thug can kill. I need you to take your ego out of the equation.

Vesper Lynd: It doesn't bother you? Killing all those people?
James Bond: Well I wouldn't be very good at my job if it did.

James Bond: Dry Martini.
Bartender: Oui, monsieur.
James Bond: Wait... three measures of Gordon's; one of vodka; half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it over ice, and add a thin slice of lemon peel.
Bartender: Yes, sir.
Tomelli: You know, I'll have one of those.
Infante: So will I.
Bartender: Certainly.
Felix Leiter: My friend, bring me one as well, keep the fruit.
Le Chiffre: [annoyed] That's it? Hm? Anyone want to play poker now?
Felix Leiter: Someone's in a hurry.

Le Chiffre: [after striking Bond with a knotted rope] You know, I never understood all these elaborate tortures. It's the simplest thing... to cause more pain than a man can possibly endure.
[strikes Bond again, this time harder]
Le Chiffre: And of course, it's not only the immediate agony, but the knowledge... that if you do not yield soon enough... there will be little left to identify you as a man.
[drags up a stool, sits down next to Bond and slaps him on the cheek]
Le Chiffre: The only question remains: will you yield, in time?

M: You don't trust anyone, do you?
James Bond: No.
M: Then you've learned your lesson.

Mr. White: Hello?
James Bond: Mr. White? We need to talk.
Mr. White: Who is this?
[a shot rings out. White's leg is shattered. He drops to the ground in obvious pain and drags himself toward the house. He is stopped at the steps by the feet of a man in a suit. He looks up to see Bond with a cell phone in one hand and an assault weapon in the other]
James Bond: The name's Bond. James Bond.

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Site: http://www.007.com/
Trailer:

Film Review: FRANKLYN (2008)

Director: Gerald McMorrow
Running time: 95 mins (approx)
Certificate (UK): 15

UK Release Date: 27th February 2009

Watched on Sky+ Sunday 7th March 2010.

PLEASE NOTE: POSSIBLE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

This film tells a very complex, and at times, very confusing story. But if you stick with it until the end it all ties together quite neatly. It is a very ambitious film with some very clever plot twists and, what some may consider, quite disturbing imagery. It’s not one you can put on as moving wallpaper; you actually have to watch it to have a chance of understanding it.

The fates of four individuals are intertwined between the London of today and the futuristic world of Meanwhile City. In Meanwhile City, Jonathan Preest is preparing to commit a murder. We are told through flashback that he had tried and failed to save a girl from a mysterious character known as ‘The Individual’, and now he is about to exact retribution. To live in Meanwhile City you have to follow a religion, the problem for Jonathan Preest is that he does not have one. This puts him outside the law and is hence wanted by the police and their commander, Pastor Bone. Preest is captured and, after four years of imprisonment is released and commissioned to find ‘The Individual’ and kill him. Meanwhile, in present day London, Milo, whose engagement has ended not long before the wedding, is heartbroken and is trying to rekindle an old flame. Peter Esser is a broken man, searching for his son who has gone missing from a military hospital. Emilia Bryant is an art student who has a suicidal streak and her art projects are becoming more and more dangerous. All of them are linked to Preest and he holds the key to all of their problems. I think that’s enough of a synopsis, I don’t want to give too much away!

Although it’s a very complicated plot, I found this film quite enjoyable to watch. As I mentioned at the beginning, there are some quite disturbing scenes, and these are to do with Emilia’s story (sorry if that gives anything away). Some decent performances, particularly form Eva Green as Emilia Bryant, she had some great scenes and carried them off very convincingly. Honourable mentions also go to Ryan Phillippe as Jonathan Preest, Sam Riley as Milo, Bernard Hill as Peter Esser, James Faulkner as Pastor Bone and Stephen Walters as Wormsnakes.

This film seems to have borrowed from quite a few other films; I found some of the imagery from Meanwhile City reminiscent of the 1985 Terry Gilliam film Brazil. There were also hints of the 2001 Richard Kelly film Donnie Darko. But for all that, I found it quite enthralling, although I did wonder at times how it could possibly all tie together. Over all, it’s a film you have to concentrate on, but one that pays off in the end, personally I quite enjoyed it and I recommend it to you.

My score: 7.1/10

LINKS:
IMDb Site: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0893402/
Trailer: http://uk.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK/video/screenplay/vi1063125529/