Film Review: IN BRUGES (2008) – Re-visited

Writer/Director: Martin McDonagh
Running time: 107 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 18

Genre: Drama/Thriller/Comedy
UK Release date: 18^th April 2008

Watched on Sky+ Monday 24^th December 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

This is my third viewing of this film; I guess I must like it! Very darkly comic with more than a hint of tragedy underlying the narrative; with each viewing I get more out of it. I don’t know whether it’s Colin Farrell’s portrayal of the slightly dim witted hit man or Brendan Gleeson’s take on the world weary and more experienced practitioner of the art. But I find myself having great affection for these two characters despite the fact I really shouldn’t! But I digress, here’s a brief summary before I expand on my thoughts some more… I should say, for the record, that what follows is mostly my original review with a few tweaks and additions.

Two hit men, Ray and Ken have been sent to lie low in Bruges (Belgium, for those that don’t know where it is) by their boss, Harry, after a bungled hit. They check into their hotel only to find, to their dismay, that they will be sharing a room. This does not go down well, but it’s near Christmas and everywhere is fully booked. The two men are complete opposites, Ken is quite cultured and is happy to go sightseeing in the medieval city. Ray, on the other hand, is much younger and would be happier spending his time in a bar. Ken insists they do some culture and Ray acts like a bored teenager. That is until he discovers a film crew who have a dwarf in the cast, he is fascinated with Jimmy. There he also meets the mysterious Chloe, who he invites out on a date. That evening Harry calls and tells Ken the real purpose for their visit. I will leave my summary here so as not to enrage the spoiler police too much.

I think the Bruges tourist board will be very happy with this film; the medieval architecture comes across beautifully. The cinematography is great and the setting adds real atmosphere. Great performances all round, particularly from; Colin Farrell as Ray, Brendan Gleeson as Ken and Ralph Fiennes as Harry, all were excellent. Honourable mentions also go to; Clémence Poésy as Chloe and Jordan Prentice as Jimmy, both were also very good.

There are a lot of comic moments in this film, mainly in the form of the things Ray says and does. Few films make me laugh out loud, but this one did in more than a couple of places. The drama comes mainly in the final third and I found this put a much darker complexion on the comedic scenes that preceded it. I liked the ending; it seemed quite poetic in a way (sorry, no clues). Over all, a very enjoyable film with some laughs, excellent cinematography and some great performances…

SteelMonster’s verdict: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

My score: 8.3/10

IMDb Score: 8.0/10 (based on 188,049 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0780536/

MetaScore: 67/100: (Based on 34 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 82/100 (based on 160 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 85/100 ‘Liked it’ (based on 64,222 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/in_bruges/

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

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
WARNING: STRONG LANGUAGE
[first lines]
Ray: After I killed him, I dropped the gun in the Thames, washed the residue off me hands in the bathroom of a Burger King, and walked home to await instructions. Shortly thereafter the instructions came through - "Get the fuck out of London, you dumb fucks. Get to Bruges." I didn't even know where Bruges fucking was.
[pause]
Ray: It's in Belgium.

Ken: Coming up?
Ray: What's up there?
Ken: The view.
Ray: The view of what? The view of down here? I can see that down here.
Ken: Ray, you are about the worst tourist in the whole world.
Ray: Ken, I grew up in Dublin. I love Dublin. If I grew up on a farm, and was retarded, Bruges might impress me but I didn't, so it doesn't.

Ray: [reading Harry's profanity-ridden message] Geez, he's swears a lot, doesn't he?

Ray: [after Jimmy doesn't wave back to Ray] Little fucking cunt.

Ray: I saw your midget today. Little prick didn't even say hello.
Chloë: Well, he's on a lot of ketamine.
Ray: What's that?
Chloë: Um, horse tranquilizer.
Ray: Horse tranquilizer? Where'd he get that?
Chloë: I sold it to him.
Ray: You can't sell horse tranquilizers to a midget!

Ken: You from the States?
Jimmy: Yeah. But don't hold it against me.
Ken: I'll try not to... Just try not to say anything too loud or crass.

Marie: [to Ray and Harry] Why don't you both put your guns down, and go home?
Harry: Don't be stupid. This is the shootout.

LINKS:
Trailer:

Film Review: SKYFALL (2012)

Director: Sam Mendes
Writers: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, John Logan & Ian Fleming (Characters - Uncredited)
Running time: 143 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12A

Genre: Action/Adventure/Thriller
UK Release date: 26^th October 2012

Watched at the Picture House (K-town) Saturday 28^th October 2012.

-o0o-

When Bond came back with ‘Casino Royalle’ (2006) he came back with a bang; he then stumbled a bit in ‘Quantum of Solace’ (2008) but I’m very pleased to report he’s bang on form again with ‘Skyfall’. Putting Sam Mendes in charge has really worked and we have a coherent character led story that really delivers. I could see parts where some younger members of the audience were beginning to lose interest, but these were few and far between. Plenty of action to keep the explosion junkies happy as well as a nicely put together plot. Here’s a very brief (& spoiler-free) summary.

A hard drive is stolen containing the identities of many deep-cover agents around the world. Bond is immediately on the case; chasing down the thief in one of the best opening sequences I’ve seen to a Bond film (or any other film for that matter). Needless to say the bad guy gets away and Bond is missing (presumed dead). But when the MI6 building in London is attacked he decides to come out of retirement and help M track down whoever is behind it. What follows is an exciting and enthralling journey that strikes at the very core of Bond and in particular his relationship with M. It seems M has had a much larger bearing on Bond’s life than was ever revealed before. I will leave it there before I say too much… Wouldn’t want to be run over by a run-away train now would I.

Beautifully shot with much less reliance in gadgetry than has been customary in the past. It’s almost like they were keeping truer to the Bond that Ian Fleming wrote about; a man that relies more on his wits than on technology. All the performances were excellent (as ever) with Daniel Craig taking on the mantle of James Bond for a third time and gaining great plaudits on the way. Judi Dench does a great job as M; a role that this time requires great depth and she provides in spades! For the evil mastermind we have Javier Bardem who does such a great job as the Bond villain Silva; perfect for the role. Also worthy of note were Ralph Fiennes as Gareth Mallory; Naomie Harris as Eve; Bérénice Marlohe as Sévérine; Albert Finney as Kincade and not forgetting Ben Whishaw who did a great job as Q.

A film that brings Bond back to its roots with many old characters re-stated by the end; I’m certain it will please many long-standing fans like myself. The story does have quite a lot of emotional depth both for Bond and for M as they are forced to face their past. A highly enjoyable film that stretches all the emotions; everything from laughter to despair; I loved it! Well worth a look – It has my seal of approval, which, coming from a man who, if he used his middle name and mother’s maiden name would be called James Bond… Think on.

SteelMonster’s verdict: VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

My score: 9.4/10

IMDb Score: 8.5/10 (based on 14,362 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1074638/

MetaScore: 83/100: (Based on 10 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 94/100 (based on 63 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 91/100 ‘Liked it’ (based on 41,688 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/skyfall/

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

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Psychologist: I'm going to say a word, and I want you to say the first word that comes into your head. Country?
James Bond: England.
Psychologist: Gun?
James Bond: Shot.
Psychologist: Agent?
James Bond: Provocateur.
Psychologist: Murder?
James Bond: Employment.
Psychologist: Skyfall?
[pause when there is no answer]
Psychologist: Skyfall?
James Bond: Done.
[Walks out]

Q: I'm your new quartermaster.
James Bond: You must be joking.

James Bond: Everyone needs a hobby...
Raoul Silva: So what's yours?
James Bond: Resurrection.

Sévérine: What do you know?
James Bond: Well, it takes a certain type of women to wear a backless dress with a Beretta 70 strapped to her thigh.

Raoul Silva: England... Mi6... so old-fashioned!

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Site: http://www.007.com/skyfall/
Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Skyfall/459060174146573
Trailer:

Film Review: WALLACE AND GROMIT: THE CURSE OF THE WARE-RABBIT (2005)

Directors: Steve Box, Nick Park
Writers: Steve Box, Nick Park, Mark Burton, Bob Baker
Running time: 79 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): U

Genre: Animation/Comedy/Adventure
UK Release date: 14^th October 2005

Watched on Sky+ Monday 27^th August 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I first saw this one several years ago and I have to admit I wasn’t all that struck with it to be honest. A second look has totally changed my mind! I think Ardman hide so many little subtle jokes that it takes a few viewings to pick up on them. For a change I found it a comedy that made me laugh out loud (a very rare thing these days)! Here’s a very brief summary before I give you more of my thoughts.

Wallace and Gromit have gone into the pest-control business. They are a humane company called Anti-Pesto who don’t actually kill the pests; they take them in and look after them. With the local Giant Vegetable Competition coming up at Tottington Hall they are working round the clock protecting all those precious entries. Even Lady Tottington herself is having trouble with the rabbits and Anti-Pesto are called in to deal with them much to the disgust of Lady Tottington’s suitor, Victor Quartermaine. It’s when Wallace decides to use his mind control machine to brainwash some bunnies into not liking vegetables any more that an accident brings about… (Dramatic Music)… The Ware-Rabbit! It terrorises the neighbourhood taking all the vegetables it can find! It gets so bad that the Giant Vegetable competition in under threat! Not to worry; Gromit is on the case!... I’ll leave it there or the Ware-Rabbit will be after me for letting the cat out of the bag (again).

Filmed in stop-motion, it is brilliantly animated with a really marvellous plot and the usual great musical themes that all Wallace & Gromit films have. All the performances were great; You couldn’t have a Wallace and Gromit film without the marvellous voice of Peter Sallis as Wallace (and Hutch in this one). Ralph Fiennes supplies the voice of the slippery Victor Quartermaine and Helena Bonham Carter is great as Lady Campanula Tottington. Also worthy of note were; Peter Kay as PC Mackintosh, Nicholas Smith had some of the best lines (IMO) as the Reverend Clement Hedges, Liz Smith as Mrs. Mulch, John Thomson as Mr. Windfall, Mark Gatiss as Miss Blight and Geraldine McEwan as Miss Thripp.

Full of subtle little jokes, but also at its heart a great plot that keeps the audience guessing. I must admit I really enjoyed this one; for me it had everything I would look for in a comedy; characters you actually care about, a plot, some really funny sight gags and a lot of more subtle comedy besides. I should also mention the quality of the performances as well; the comic timing was impeccable. Over all, probably the best comic film I’ve seen in a very long time… Well worth a look.

SteelMonster’s verdict: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

My Score: 8.8/10

IMDb Score: 7.7/10 (based on 57,298 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0312004/

MetaScore: 87/100: (Based on 38 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 95/100 (based on 173 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 72/100 ‘Liked it’ (based on 360,968 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/wallace_and_gromit_curse_of_the_wererabbit/

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Lady Tottington: [over the phone] It's a disaster. I have the most terrible rabbit problem. The competition's only days away. You simply have to do something.
Wallace: Certainly, M'um.
Wallace: [Aside, to Gromit] I think we're about to go up in the world, lad.
Wallace: [Back on phone] Just stay right where you are, Your Ladyship, and we'll be with you in an...
[hits the control panel and gets dragged up through the ceiling]
Wallace: Ahhhh!
Lady Tottington: In an hour? But I can't wait an hour. I have a major infestation. Hello? Hello?

Wallace: Burrowing bounders! They must be breeding like... well, rabbits.

Reverend Clement Hedges: This was no man. Does a man have teeth the size of axe blades? Or ears like terrible tombstones? By tampering with nature, forcing vegetables to swell far beyond their natural size, we have brought a terrible judgement upon ourselves.
[Ominous organ music plays]
PC McIntosh: [to the organ player] Hey, give over!
[Organ player stops]
PC McIntosh: You're mental.
Reverend Clement Hedges: And for our sins, a hideous creature has been sent to punish us all! Repent! Repent! Lest you, too, taste the wrath of... the Were-Rabbit!

Lord Victor Quartermaine: How on earth would those tiny-minded buffoons ever catch such a big rabbit?
Lady Tottington: Mr. Wallace?
Wallace: Um... with a big trap!
[Gromit slaps his face]
Mr. Crock: By Jove, he... he's got it!

[last lines]
Hutch the Rabbit: Cheeeeeeeese!

LINKS:
Official Site (UK): http://java.europe.yahoo.com/uk/uip/wallaceandgromit/index.html
Official Site (US): http://www.wandg.com/
Trailer:

Film Review: HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2 (2011)

Director: David Yates
Running time: 130 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12A

Genre: Adventure/Drama/Fantasy
UK Release date: 15^th July 2011

Watched at the cinema Saturday 30^th July 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Wishing to avoid the crowds I decided to wait a week before going to see this and, although it was showing in the smaller of my local cinema’s two screening rooms, it was still quite busy. I was surprised to find a good friend of mine there with his son and so I joined them on the front row (not a spot I’d usually choose, but I was surprised by the effect). Having already read the book after seeing ‘HP7: Part 1’ last year I knew we were in for a bit of a treat. Here’s a very brief summary before I give you my thoughts.

Harry, Hermione and Ron are still on the trail of Lord Voldemort’s three remaining Horcruxes. To this end they convince Griphook to take them to Greengots to retrieve one from the vault of Bellatrix Lestrange. They manage to obtain it, but are discovered and have to escape by releasing the creature guarding the vaults. Voldermort knows they have the Horcrux but they press on. Harry has a feeling the next one is back at Hogwarts and so, risking everything, they return to the school. Severus Snape has been made headmaster and he rules the school with tight discipline. Neville Longbottom and many of the other pupils have started an underground resistance group and it is these who welcome the trio back to the school. Having removed Snape, they now have to find the remaining Horcruxes and the means to destroy them. It is a race against time because Voldemort’s forces are gathering outside and they mean to kill Harry Potter. I think that’s about all I can say without them Death Eater Spoiler Police coming after me.

The story follows on (not surprisingly) directly from Part 1; there is no “the story so far” bit at the beginning so if you haven’t seen Part 1 then it may all be a bit confusing. As far as performances go, they all did a great job; Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, Emma Watson as Hermione Granger. Special praise goes to Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort and Alan Rickman as Professor Severus Snape, I though both were excellent in their difficult roles. Also worthy of a mention were; Matthew Lewis as Neville Longbottom, Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy, Michael Gambon as Professor Albus Dumbledore, Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood and finally, Warwick Davis as Griphook / Professor Filius Flitwick.

There are some significant differences from the book, most of which are there to make the story flow better on screen. The only bit I was disappointed about was towards the end where Harry has a particularly stirring speech in the book; this was sadly missing from the film. On a technical level, I cannot fault it, the CGI and effects are all excellent, although much of the time it is very dark (I wouldn’t have liked to see it in 3D). Over all an excellent, and fitting, end to the franchise and one I’m happy to very highly recommend to you.

My score: 9.2/10

IMDb Score: 8.4/10 (68,140 votes when this review was written).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1201607/

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96/100 (256 reviews counted when this review was written).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/harry_potter_and_the_deathly_hallows_part_2/

LINKS:
Official Site: http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/harrypotterandthedeathlyhallows/mainsite/index.html
Trailer:

Film Review: CEMETERY JUNCTION (2010)

Co-Writers/Co-Directors: Ricky Gervais & Stephen Merchant
Running Time: 91 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Comedy/Drama
UK Release Date: 14th April 2010

Watched on Sky+ Sunday 17th April 2010.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Many people remember Ricky Gervais for his work on the TV show ‘The Office’. He also has a few movie roles under his belt. Now, I wasn’t a fan of ‘The Office’, but I did like the series he did called ‘Extras’ which also featured Steven Merchant. Why am I telling you this, you may ask, well, I watched this in the hope it would be a little more like ‘Extras’ than ‘The Office’… Fortunately it is. Unfortunately, although it’s good, it’s not all that great either. I’ll explain more after this brief summary (summary haters, and those that don’t wish to know about the plot, please pack you bags while I write the next paragraph).

Three friends, Freddie Taylor, Bruce Pearson and Snork (real name Dave), all live in a small village outside Reading called Cemetery Junction. Freddie has just got a job as an insurance salesman, he lives with his parents and his grandmother. Bruce works in a factory with Freddie’s father and lives with his dad. His mother having left when he was young and he is always getting into fights and ending up in the Police cells. Snork, well, we’re not told too much about Snork, apart from the fact that he’s a bit stupid and he works at the railway station. Freddie’s boss, Mr Kendrick, has a daughter, Julie, who is engaged to Freddie’s co-worker, Mike Ramsay. They went to school together many years ago and still have a bit of a rapport together. The story revolves around these characters and their ambitions, for one reason or another, to get out of the place they are in. Will they all make it? Or is there something, or someone, to keep them in Cemetery Junction? Guess I had better not say any more or I’ll be banged up in the cells with Bruce by the Spoiler Police.

Decent performances all round, although nobody was really stretched. Christian Cooke was ok as Freddie Taylor, Tom Hughes did a good job as the brooding Bruce Pearson and Jack Doolan provided the comic relief as Snork. Ralph Fiennes as Mr. Kendrick, Ricky Gervais as Mr. Taylor and Felicity Jones as Julie were all ok without being stretched too much. There were two notable performances though (IMO); I thought both Emily Watson as the downtrodden Mrs Kendrick and Steve Speirs as Sgt. Wyn Davies both did an excellent job.

I found the film, as a whole, a bit hit and miss. There were hints of the excellence shown in the writing of ‘Extras’, but it never really quite developed in the way I was expecting. It is set in the 1970’s and the moods, styles and the attitudes of the time are very well portrayed. Also the music is great with many hits from the period featuring. At the end of the day I guess it’s worth a look if you liked ‘Extras’, but if you’re an avid fan of ‘The Office’ maybe give this one a miss.

My Score: 6.3/10

LINKS:
(RT = Rotten Tomatoes)
IMDb Page: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1196204/
RT Page: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cemetery_junction/
Official Site: http://www.cemeteryjunction.co.uk/
Trailer:

Film Review: IN BRUGES (2008)

Writer/Director: Martin McDonagh
Running time: 107 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 18

Genre: Drama/Thriller/Comedy
UK Release date: 18th April 2008

Watched on Sky+ Sunday 20th March 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

This is, again, a film I have seen before and, again, I took more out of it on a second viewing. This one seems to cover all the bases; drama, romance, comedy, thrills; it’s got the lot to varying degrees. The first time I saw it, it was the comedy that stood out; this time I was more struck by the drama of it. But more of my thoughts later, here’s a brief summary first (summary haters and those that don’t wish to know anything about the plot please take a tour of Bruges while I write the next paragraph).

Two hit men, Ray and Ken have been sent to lie low in Bruges (Belgium, for those that don’t know where it is) by their boss, Harry, after a bungled hit. They check into their hotel only to find, to their dismay, that they will be sharing a room. This does not go down well, but it’s near Christmas and everywhere is fully booked. The two men are complete opposites, Ken is quite cultured and is happy to go sightseeing in the medieval city. Ray, on the other hand, is much younger and would be happier spending his time in a bar. Ken insists they do some culture and Ray acts like a bored teenager. That is until he discovers a film crew who have a dwarf in the cast, he is fascinated with Jimmy. There he also meets the mysterious Chloe, who he invites out on a date. That evening Harry calls and tells Ken the real purpose for their visit. I will leave my summary here so as not to enrage the spoiler police too much.

I think the Bruges tourist board will be very happy with this film; the medieval architecture comes across beautifully. The cinematography is great and the setting adds real atmosphere. Great performances all round, particularly from; Colin Farrell as Ray, Brendan Gleeson as Ken and Ralph Fiennes as Harry, all were excellent. Honourable mentions also go to; Clémence Poésy as Chloe and Jordan Prentice as Jimmy, both were very good.

As I said at the beginning, there is a lot of comedy in this film, it’s mainly in the things Ray says and does. Few films make me laugh out loud, but this one did in more than a couple of places. The drama comes mainly in the final third and I found it didn’t quite have the impact it might have done. I guess the comedy reduced the force of the dramatic conclusion, although by then the comedy is very, very dark. The ending, I felt, was a little bit of a let-down, I expected something much bigger. But over all, a very enjoyable film with some laughs, excellent cinematography and some great performances… Recommended.

My score: 8.1/10

LINKS:
(RT = Rotten Tomatoes)
IMDb Page: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0780536/
RT Page: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/in_bruges/
Trailer: http://uk.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi783417625/

Film Review: CLASH OF THE TITANS (2010)

Director: Louis Leterrier
Running time: 102 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12

Genre: Action/Adventure/Fantasy
UK release date 2nd April 2010

Watched on Sky+ Sunday 20th February 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

As this film was released in 3D I had no interest in seeing it when it was released, I’m not a fan of paying extra for something that adds very little to the film and usually gives me a headache. Although, I believe, it made a bit of money, it was not critically well received. Well, I don’t always agree with them, but on this occasion I’m here to tell you I have to agree with the critics. But more of my thoughts later, here’s a brief summary first (summary haters and those who don’t wish to know anything about the plot please fend off those giant scorpions while I write the next paragraph).

The gods live on mount Olympus and feed off the worship of the humans below. Unfortunately the humans are getting restless and don’t feel the love any more. The leader of the gods, Zeus, isn’t too happy about this and when his brother, Hades comes to him with a plan, he listens. Hades wants to teach the humans a lesson by releasing the Kraken, a giant sea monster, on them. Meanwhile back with the humans, a young man, a son of Zeus called Perseus is chosen to find a way to defeat the Kraken. A band of men go with him and one woman, Io, who proves to be of great help to Perseus. They must first find three witches who hold the secret to destroying the Kraken… I think you get the drift. There’s also the story of how the gods are trying to stab each other in the back going on, but I think there’s enough there to give you the gist.

This is a very well made film, you can tell they had a pretty large budget to make this one. There is quite a lot of CGI and it is all of high quality. The trouble is, it did tend to detract from the story by making the visuals more important and not progressing the story in places. Decent performances all round; Sam Worthington was good as Perseus, although I felt he was a little too subdued for the role. Liam Neeson donned the sparkly armour and did a good job as Zeus, Ralph Fiennes was the best of the bunch (IMO) as Hades, you got two for the price of one with Jason Flemyng as Calibos/Acrisius and Gemma Arterton did a decent job as Io.

I felt the plot was a little over complicated, there were lots of sub-plots going on and I could feel it getting a little confusing at times. Although the visuals were great, again, they didn’t really add a great deal (for me). Over all, although it’s not going to win any prises, it’s entertaining enough, a good one for a wet Sunday afternoon on the TV but I wouldn’t pay to see it in the cinema.

My score: 5.2/10

LINKS:
(RT = Rotten Tomatoes)
IMDb Page: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0800320/
RT Page: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/clash_of_the_titans_2010/
Official Site: http://clash-of-the-titans.warnerbros.com/dvd/
Trailer: http://uk.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2626946073/

Film Review: THE READER (2008)

Director: Stephen Daldry
Running time: 119 mins (approx)
Certificate (UK): 15

Watched on Sky+ Wednesday 20th January 2010.

PLEASE NOTE: POSSIBLE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

This is another film that has had critical acclaim, in particular for the performance of Kate Winslet, but more of that later. For the most part the story is told in flashback, but this does not distract the viewer because it is done in large sections. The story begins in Germany in 1958…

A teenage schoolboy, Michael Berg is heading home in the rain; he is feeling unwell and finds himself in the entrance to some flats. He has been sick and a woman, Hanna Schmitz, cleans him up and walks him home. A doctor is called and he is diagnosed with scarlet fever and consigned to bed for three months. He has not forgotten the woman who helped him and goes to see her with some flowers as a thank you. There is an instant attraction between the two and they end up in bed together. They continue to see each other and eventually Hanna persuades Michael to read for her. This becomes a regular thing, he would read to her and then they would make love. Then one day Hanna gets news at work that she is to be promoted from her job as a tram conductor and would have to work in the office. She is not pleased and ends up having a row with Michael. It’s his birthday as well. For reasons unknown at the time, when Michael has gone to his birthday party, she packs her bags and leaves. We now go forward in time to 1966 where Michael is now a law student in Berlin. He is in an advanced class and they are going to watch the trials of some Nazi war criminals. They take their places in the gallery and suddenly, as he’s sorting out his notebook, Michael hears a voice he remembers. It is Hanna, and she is one of the accused! I won’t say too much more, not wanting to be accused myself of giving away too many spoilers.

This is a really well made film drama, it’s not the kind of thing I’d usually watch, but I found it really compelling. A tremendous performance from Kate Winslet as Hanna Schmitz, I thought she played it perfectly. I also have to give praise to David Kross as the young Michael Berg and Ralph Fiennes as the older Michael Berg, both put in stellar performances.

Although it’s still a touchy subject matter, the Holocaust, I found it was handled very sensitively and fairly. I don’t want to say too much about it for fear of spoilers, but I found the ending quite touching. I think the only slight niggle I had was, towards the end there were a lot of long silences between dialogue which I did find slightly distracting. Apart from that, a really good romantic drama and I can recommend it to you.

My score: 7.8/10

LINKS:
IMDb Site: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0976051/
Official Site: http://www.thereader-movie.com/
Trailer: http://uk.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK/video/imdb/vi1750597657/