FEATURING:
Scrooged
The Secrets in Their Eyes
Semi-Pro
Seven Pounds
Shutter Island
Shutter Island
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Scrooged
(1988)
Amusing for the most part, and lovely
Karen Allen's last significant film role for some considerable time. But Bill Murray's
speech at the end is so horrendous you think he must be taking the piss. Except
that he doesn't seem to be.
***
The Secret in Their Eyes
(2009)
Foreign language film Oscar winner. It's
a well-made thriller, but not of such quality that it would have been bestowed
with Academy accolades if it wasn't in Spanish.
The 30-year flashbacks to an old unsolved crime are well integrated with the modern day delving back into the case of the former criminal prosecutor, now writing a book on the case. But when the resolution comes it manages to be both consistent with the themes of the film and dissatisfying in the lack of effort needed to discover the truth. Engrossing, though.
The 30-year flashbacks to an old unsolved crime are well integrated with the modern day delving back into the case of the former criminal prosecutor, now writing a book on the case. But when the resolution comes it manages to be both consistent with the themes of the film and dissatisfying in the lack of effort needed to discover the truth. Engrossing, though.
****
Semi=Pro
(2008)
Okay, but Ferrell's been here before,
repeatedly, with comedy sports movies (which explains it bombing at the box
office, rather than being particularly deficient in comparison to them).
Good use of Woody Harrelson and the always watchable Will Arnett. Also nice to see Jackie Early Haley in a comedy part (since he's going to be typecast as psychos and molesters if no one gives him a break).
Good use of Woody Harrelson and the always watchable Will Arnett. Also nice to see Jackie Early Haley in a comedy part (since he's going to be typecast as psychos and molesters if no one gives him a break).
**1/2
Seven Pounds
(2008)
Good grief, this film stinks. A tale of a cowardly, manipulative tosspot whose self-serving arsehole-ish behaviour we are supposed
to identify with and even find noble.
It might have worked if it had chosen to investigate what an utterly screwed-up prick Will Smith's delusional god-complex character is, but instead it deluges us with treacly gloop at every opportunity. Still, we are rewarded with a line so bad it should be celebrated:
It might have worked if it had chosen to investigate what an utterly screwed-up prick Will Smith's delusional god-complex character is, but instead it deluges us with treacly gloop at every opportunity. Still, we are rewarded with a line so bad it should be celebrated:
“He's like a different dog with you around”
*
Shutter Island
(2010)
Watchable, and as
polished a production as you'd expect from Scorsese, but ultimately
dissatisfying through basing its plot around a "how many times have we
seen that before?" transparent twist. Always good to see Mark Ruffalo in
anything, though.
**1/2
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
(2010)
I was expecting the worst, but Cage is in
entertaining, as opposed to strictly-for-the-money, mode and Alfred Molina's
having a great time. You really wish the film didn't keep becoming distracted
by the "important" bits
with Jay Baruchel as it's frequently surprisingly inventive.
***