FEATURING:
Fast Five
Following
Four Lions
From Beyond the Grave
From Russia with Love
Frost/Nixon
Full Frontal
Fast Five
Following
Four Lions
From Beyond the Grave
From Russia with Love
Frost/Nixon
Full Frontal
Fast Five
(2011)
I've only seen two of the previous Fast
& Furious films, but this is far and away superior to those. Gravelly Vin
Diesel and ex-cop Paul Walker plan a heist in Rio with the massive Dwayne
Johnson in pursuit.
As expected, the characterisation is pure cardboard, but there's a spark to the direction and a bit of pep to the plotting. Far better than it has any right to be.
As expected, the characterisation is pure cardboard, but there's a spark to the direction and a bit of pep to the plotting. Far better than it has any right to be.
***1/2
Following
(1998)
S'alright, I suppose. But the acting is
strictly am-dram and while the idea is solid enough, it's also kind of
sub-Mamet.
**1/2
Four Lions
(2010)
Some very funny sequences, particularly
during the London Marathon finale. And almost every line uttered by the white
Muslim convert. But it's essentially a one-joke premise, and no matter how
cleverly Chris Morris dresses the film up he can't really disguise that.
***
From
Beyond the Grave
(1973)
Ian
Carmichael's story gets top marks ("There's
an elemental on your shoulder"), and David Warner gives his dramatic
weight. Only Ian Ogilvy's tale falls a bit flat, but it does have Lesley-Anne
Down. As a whole, the film is very effective at achieving a kind of '70s-gothic
tone.
***
From Russia with Love
(1963)
A massive step-up from Dr No, partly due to the quirky
characterisation and casting and partly down to a plot that becomes more
intriguing due to the addition of Smersh. If I've
a criticism, it's that the climax is really the fight with Red Grant 20 minutes
from the end (although there is a certain symmetry, since it's that long from
the beginning until Bond appears).
The action after that is well-staged, but lacks the personal touch of a real opponent (well, until Klebb turns up). Robert Shaw lends the piece weight, despite hardly speaking until they're aboard the Orient Express. The chess sequence at the beginning is great (and Vladek Sheybal's supporting turn is lovely; he has a face for spy movies).
The action after that is well-staged, but lacks the personal touch of a real opponent (well, until Klebb turns up). Robert Shaw lends the piece weight, despite hardly speaking until they're aboard the Orient Express. The chess sequence at the beginning is great (and Vladek Sheybal's supporting turn is lovely; he has a face for spy movies).
****
Frost/Nixon
(2008)
It's Ron Howard, America's most anonymous filmmaker! He's at least
better suited to character pieces, since his blandest-of-the-bland
approach to filmmaking allows the actors to come to the fore here.
That said, Michael Sheen is too smarmy to do a really good job as Frost; he's more Blair, and you forget how Frost was actually appealing in his dry delivery, rather than ingratiating. Good support from Oliver Platt and Sam Rockwell (in an untypical straight edged turn). Frank Langella rules, though.
That said, Michael Sheen is too smarmy to do a really good job as Frost; he's more Blair, and you forget how Frost was actually appealing in his dry delivery, rather than ingratiating. Good support from Oliver Platt and Sam Rockwell (in an untypical straight edged turn). Frank Langella rules, though.
***
Full Frontal
(2002)
Not totally without merit, but it's a willfully
inaccessible, experimental outing for Steven Soderbergh (he wanted to make a
film without a plot). This feels like a chance for stars to indulge themselves
and an increasingly mainstream director to claim that he hasn't lost his art.
What's really damaging is that none of the characterisations are particularly involving; Julia Roberts and Blair Underwood, who have the largest roles, are utterly bland. The best moment is Curb Your Enthusiasm's Jeff Garlin doing a Harvey Weinstein impression.
What's really damaging is that none of the characterisations are particularly involving; Julia Roberts and Blair Underwood, who have the largest roles, are utterly bland. The best moment is Curb Your Enthusiasm's Jeff Garlin doing a Harvey Weinstein impression.
**
Comments
Post a Comment