Sunday 28 March 2010
Triangle
I watched this like a week and bit ago but I've just got round to posting about it. (I've just not been in the mood recently for some reason)
Anyway, Triangle is the next film from writer/director Christopher Smith following Creep (some effective parts but doesn't quite hold together) and Severance (the same but suffering from added Danny Dyer).
It is fair to say that the trailers for the film do appear to give away the major twist of the film, however the tale still holds some surprises. Following Jess (Melissa George) as she reluctantly goes on a sailing trip leaving behind her young autistic son, the film opens with a group of guys and girls nervously flirting as they sail. However things soon take a turn for the sinister as the boat is overturned and refuse is sought on board a mysteriously abandoned ocean liner.
The film is structured in three overlapping parts each one replaying the same events but from a differing point of view. Each one filling in some of the details of what is happening as we go along. The first part is full of questions as to what is happening, the second contains the not so secret big secret and you think to yourself "oh, is that it?" but it's the third time through that truly takes the tale somewhere a little unexpected and adds a nice dark edge to proceedings.
Now, undoubtedly if you look too hard there are various holes in the narrative and things that don't quite make sense. This is most evident in a couple of moments that make for a really nice visual but don't quite follow the rules of the set-up. (And to say more is to spoil them sadly)
So overall I do quite like the film, it's nothing that special overall but it is a clever little supernatural thriller with some nice ideas in it (goes to show you can make a strong effort with a cast of about eight and essentially a series of corridors as a set). The sort of thing that will really mess with your head if you see it by chance late at night but in the harsh light of the middle of afternoon doesn't quite hold together.
Tho' Cube style one of it's big advantages is it never commits to making clear why all this is happening leaving it open for the imagination to run wild.
Anyway, Triangle is the next film from writer/director Christopher Smith following Creep (some effective parts but doesn't quite hold together) and Severance (the same but suffering from added Danny Dyer).
It is fair to say that the trailers for the film do appear to give away the major twist of the film, however the tale still holds some surprises. Following Jess (Melissa George) as she reluctantly goes on a sailing trip leaving behind her young autistic son, the film opens with a group of guys and girls nervously flirting as they sail. However things soon take a turn for the sinister as the boat is overturned and refuse is sought on board a mysteriously abandoned ocean liner.
The film is structured in three overlapping parts each one replaying the same events but from a differing point of view. Each one filling in some of the details of what is happening as we go along. The first part is full of questions as to what is happening, the second contains the not so secret big secret and you think to yourself "oh, is that it?" but it's the third time through that truly takes the tale somewhere a little unexpected and adds a nice dark edge to proceedings.
Now, undoubtedly if you look too hard there are various holes in the narrative and things that don't quite make sense. This is most evident in a couple of moments that make for a really nice visual but don't quite follow the rules of the set-up. (And to say more is to spoil them sadly)
So overall I do quite like the film, it's nothing that special overall but it is a clever little supernatural thriller with some nice ideas in it (goes to show you can make a strong effort with a cast of about eight and essentially a series of corridors as a set). The sort of thing that will really mess with your head if you see it by chance late at night but in the harsh light of the middle of afternoon doesn't quite hold together.
Tho' Cube style one of it's big advantages is it never commits to making clear why all this is happening leaving it open for the imagination to run wild.
Tuesday 16 March 2010
Sort of Trailer Of The Day : Predators
A peek at the forthcoming Predators. It's got a decent case and some decent ideas so could be good, or really rather rubbish and despite appearances here 'RR' is not the director, more the creative producer.
Just goes to prove Dylan should give his songs away more often;
Ol' Bob wrote this and gave it to Sheryl who does a fine take on the song, later Bob sang his own version which sounds beyond awful. Bob was right the first time.
E.R. : 2nd Year.
Well after a bit of a blitz recently progress through the entirety of ER has accelerated and I’m now nearing the end of the second season and it’s probably time for a quick look at some of the notable events.
In terms of the plotlines; Mark is getting divorced, Doug is having father issues after nearly losing his job, Susan is struggling to look after Susie alone, Peter has experienced the higher end of surgical medicine and isn’t sure he likes it, John continues to struggle to impress Peter and Carol has bought a house and is happily coupled up with Shep the paramedic.
Elsewhere we have the introduction of Laura Innes as the abrasive Kerry Weaver coming in as Mark’s second in command and Gloria Reuben joining the main cast full time as Jeannie begins a placement in the ER.
Stand out episode of the year and one of ER’s touchstones is ‘Hell and High Water’. Doug on the verge of losing his job after increasingly butting heads with all around him is sat in his car contemplating smoking a joint after a very bad day when a kid frantically knocks at his window in the pouring rain.
The kid’s brother has become trapped in a storm drain and the water levels are rising with his leg trapped. We follow Doug as he struggles to free the boy and then as he frantically fights to keep the boy alive after exposure as he is freed. Meanwhile a news chopper as got word of the events and begins to follow events culminating in Doug commandeering the chopper to take the boy to County, and it all gets reported live.
At the end of the day Doug’s gamble pays off and he is the hero of the moment but it’s the return of his own self belief that is critical. Dramatically paced from the opening minutes as we cut between Doug’s struggle and day to day life in the ER, ‘Hell and High Water’ is one of ER’s event episodes and as such is a breathless forty minutes of television.
We’re starting to see the softening of Peter Benton throughout the year in odd flashes as he sits with a patient, gently encourages John (albeit in his own style!) and shows concern over the conduct of those around him in fiddling results in a surgical study, eventually disappointed in himself that he wasn’t brave enough to pursue the issue.
But the emotional gut punch of the year is the death of Raul, Shep’s paramedic partner. Having grown to know and like the pair throughout the year it’s a real shaker to see Raul lying covered in 3rd degree burns after a brave rescue attempt instigated by Shep. More crushing is the exchange between Mark and Carol about breaking the news to Raul of the unlikelihood of his survival.
Mark :“Who’s going to tell Raul”
Carol : “He’s a fireman. He already knows”
As so often is the case in the series it’s the simple unshowy delivery of the exchange that really drives it home. If there is one thing the series does well it’s when established characters end up in the firing line and fighting for life.
In terms of the plotlines; Mark is getting divorced, Doug is having father issues after nearly losing his job, Susan is struggling to look after Susie alone, Peter has experienced the higher end of surgical medicine and isn’t sure he likes it, John continues to struggle to impress Peter and Carol has bought a house and is happily coupled up with Shep the paramedic.
Elsewhere we have the introduction of Laura Innes as the abrasive Kerry Weaver coming in as Mark’s second in command and Gloria Reuben joining the main cast full time as Jeannie begins a placement in the ER.
Stand out episode of the year and one of ER’s touchstones is ‘Hell and High Water’. Doug on the verge of losing his job after increasingly butting heads with all around him is sat in his car contemplating smoking a joint after a very bad day when a kid frantically knocks at his window in the pouring rain.
The kid’s brother has become trapped in a storm drain and the water levels are rising with his leg trapped. We follow Doug as he struggles to free the boy and then as he frantically fights to keep the boy alive after exposure as he is freed. Meanwhile a news chopper as got word of the events and begins to follow events culminating in Doug commandeering the chopper to take the boy to County, and it all gets reported live.
At the end of the day Doug’s gamble pays off and he is the hero of the moment but it’s the return of his own self belief that is critical. Dramatically paced from the opening minutes as we cut between Doug’s struggle and day to day life in the ER, ‘Hell and High Water’ is one of ER’s event episodes and as such is a breathless forty minutes of television.
We’re starting to see the softening of Peter Benton throughout the year in odd flashes as he sits with a patient, gently encourages John (albeit in his own style!) and shows concern over the conduct of those around him in fiddling results in a surgical study, eventually disappointed in himself that he wasn’t brave enough to pursue the issue.
But the emotional gut punch of the year is the death of Raul, Shep’s paramedic partner. Having grown to know and like the pair throughout the year it’s a real shaker to see Raul lying covered in 3rd degree burns after a brave rescue attempt instigated by Shep. More crushing is the exchange between Mark and Carol about breaking the news to Raul of the unlikelihood of his survival.
Mark :“Who’s going to tell Raul”
Carol : “He’s a fireman. He already knows”
As so often is the case in the series it’s the simple unshowy delivery of the exchange that really drives it home. If there is one thing the series does well it’s when established characters end up in the firing line and fighting for life.
Thursday 11 March 2010
Trailer Of The Day : Lost In Translation
A quick return to the american indies with the trailer for Sofia Coppola's tale of lost souls in Japan.
Sunday 7 March 2010
First Lines : The Return
It's the sequel to the game the was shamelessly ripped from the pages of other people's blogs and sites. Yes, it's guess the work from the opening lines, only it's films rather than songs. Simply name the film from the opening line or exchange.
We have 15 for people to name and in there we have unashamedly easy ones and. some unashamedly hard ones. A couple of quick tips, in the list there are three outright comedies, two scripts from one Quentin Tarantino, six films that can be classed as science-fiction/fantasy, the oldest film on the list is twenty seven years and the newest from last year.
I will be surprised if all of them are guessed but also outraged if the easier ones don't go!
So get guessing.....
1. "Hello, my name is Marty DiBergi. I'm a filmmaker. This Is Spinal Tap
2. "A philosopher once asked are we human because we gaze at the stars or do we gaze
at the stars because we are human? Pointless really." Stardust
3. "In Jailhouse Rock he was everything rockabilly is about. I mean he is
rockabilly. Mean, surly, nasty, rude" True Romance
4. "Are we spinning yet? All right, nice. Chelios, how we doing baby?" Crank
5. "Three of a kind, let's do this."
"That's it, three guys?"
"Two guys on the roof. Every guy gets a share" The Dark Knight
6. "I've finished my play."
"Well done."
"Have you seen mummy?"
7. "Lock onto him R2. Master, General Grievous' ship is directly ahead." Revenge Of The Sith
8. "Way out west there was this fella. Fella I want to tell ya about. Fella by the
name of Jeff Lebowski" The Big Lebowski
9. "Your breakfast sir."
"Pork bellies. I have a feeling something exciting is going to happen in the pork
belly market this morning" Trading Places
10. "A story. A man fires a rifle for many years and he goes to war. And afterward
he turns the rifle in at the armoury and he believes he's finished with the
rifle" Jarhead
11. "Go back inside and shut the door. Julie get me some water for my wash up and
then get inside with your sisters" Inglourious Basterds
12. "Earth, birthplace of the human race. A species much like our own, capable of
great compassion and great violence. For in our quest to protect the humans a
deeper revelation dawns." Transformers 2 :Revenge Of The Fallen
13. "Brendon?"
"Emily"
"Yeah. How's things?"
"Status quo" Brick
14. "USS Kelvin, go for starfleet base" Star Trek
15. "I go nothing sir. No sign of Niobe or Ghost Nothing but blue pills" Matrix Revolutions
We have 15 for people to name and in there we have unashamedly easy ones and. some unashamedly hard ones. A couple of quick tips, in the list there are three outright comedies, two scripts from one Quentin Tarantino, six films that can be classed as science-fiction/fantasy, the oldest film on the list is twenty seven years and the newest from last year.
I will be surprised if all of them are guessed but also outraged if the easier ones don't go!
So get guessing.....
1. "Hello, my name is Marty DiBergi. I'm a filmmaker. This Is Spinal Tap
2. "A philosopher once asked are we human because we gaze at the stars or do we gaze
at the stars because we are human? Pointless really." Stardust
3. "In Jailhouse Rock he was everything rockabilly is about. I mean he is
rockabilly. Mean, surly, nasty, rude" True Romance
4. "Are we spinning yet? All right, nice. Chelios, how we doing baby?" Crank
5. "Three of a kind, let's do this."
"That's it, three guys?"
"Two guys on the roof. Every guy gets a share" The Dark Knight
6. "I've finished my play."
"Well done."
"Have you seen mummy?"
7. "Lock onto him R2. Master, General Grievous' ship is directly ahead." Revenge Of The Sith
8. "Way out west there was this fella. Fella I want to tell ya about. Fella by the
name of Jeff Lebowski" The Big Lebowski
9. "Your breakfast sir."
"Pork bellies. I have a feeling something exciting is going to happen in the pork
belly market this morning" Trading Places
10. "A story. A man fires a rifle for many years and he goes to war. And afterward
he turns the rifle in at the armoury and he believes he's finished with the
rifle" Jarhead
11. "Go back inside and shut the door. Julie get me some water for my wash up and
then get inside with your sisters" Inglourious Basterds
12. "Earth, birthplace of the human race. A species much like our own, capable of
great compassion and great violence. For in our quest to protect the humans a
deeper revelation dawns." Transformers 2 :Revenge Of The Fallen
13. "Brendon?"
"Emily"
"Yeah. How's things?"
"Status quo" Brick
14. "USS Kelvin, go for starfleet base" Star Trek
15. "I go nothing sir. No sign of Niobe or Ghost Nothing but blue pills" Matrix Revolutions
Saturday 6 March 2010
Trailer Of The Day: Shutter Island
Scorese teams up with DiCaprio again to bring you this adaptation of Dennis Lehane's messed up thriller.
Jennifer's Body
Jennifer's Body generated a lot of pre-release on two fronts. It was the second script from Diablo Cody after Juno and of course it stars Megan Fox, she who stares out from so many glossy magazines.
However once released the fuss quickly died down since the film itself is distinctly very average. This is mostly because it's not sure what it wants to be. Is it a dark school satire a la Heathers? Is it a creature feature? Is it a stalk and slash? Is even maybe a rom-com?
Well it never quite makes it's mind up and that's mainly down to the Cody's screenplay which flits from one thing to another without ever quite picking a tone and this time around a lot of the 'cool' teenspeak fells a little forced. (And J.K. Simmons' teacher feels like a rip from Mean Girl's headmaster) Another key problem is we never ger a real feel for the character of Jennifer her self so when she does go evil it's pretty hard to tell the difference or relate at all to Needy's friendship with her.
A problem not helped by Megan Fox's performance. Ok she's not really given a lot to work with but she comes across very flat and never really conveys the menace or sexual aura that it you feel she's supposed to. Nor does she seem to have a real knack for comic timing here either. So the jury is very much out on if she can hack it away from supporting giant fighting robots and Shia to carve out a real career of her own.
On the other hand as Needy the dowdy best friend Amanda Seyfried puts in a likeable performance following up her work in Mamma Mia!, Big Love on TV and of course from being a 'Mean Girl' herself. With a couple of films lined up for release this year ('Chloe' with Julianne Moore and Liam Nielson is up first) it seems she's the more likely one to break out and really get some momentum this year.
It also has to be said that director Karyn Kusama's direction is competent rather than dynamic and she fails to coach performances out of the cast the really work the script in the way Jason Reitmen did so well with Juno (but then he did have the advantage of both Micheal Cera and Ellen Page).
The film did however raise a smile in one or two plays thanks to the odd spot of banter hitting the mark and the concept of an indie band literally selling their soul to the devil for success deserves some points.
Overall it's a bit of a mish mash that ends up as nothing in particular, quickly losing momentum from initially interesting set-up in the first few minutes and in the end gives us no real idea of how well Cody and Fox can develop their careers from here, tho' as mentioned Seyfried still manages to stand out
Tuesday 2 March 2010
American Indie; The hits of Sundance
A quick look at a few films that really drew the attention at Sundance this year.
Buried : Ryan Reynolds in a box. That's it.
The Runaways ; Kristen Stewart continues to show there is more to her bow (grumpy as she is going by that Bafta appearance) than Twilight
The Killer Inside Me ; the one film this year to get outraged responses from some corners due to it's unflinching approach. No trailer here but an article from the Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/feb/19/michael-winterbottom-defends-violent-film
Buried : Ryan Reynolds in a box. That's it.
The Runaways ; Kristen Stewart continues to show there is more to her bow (grumpy as she is going by that Bafta appearance) than Twilight
The Killer Inside Me ; the one film this year to get outraged responses from some corners due to it's unflinching approach. No trailer here but an article from the Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/feb/19/michael-winterbottom-defends-violent-film
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