Movie Reviews
Read on below for independent reviews of the best and worst of recent cinema releases and those new out on video.
Best & Worst (Recent & DVD)
About A Boy - fans expecting the depth and nuances of Hornby's book will of course be disappointed, but About A Boy is diverting enough entertainment and shows that Hugh Grant can survive a new hair style; 7/10.
AI - this futuristic tale of a robot boy gets seriously bogged down in a mishmash of genres, and the heavy-handed ladling of Spielberg sentiment. Avoid; 3/10.
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Amelie - a rare and revelatory cinematic experience. A deliciously observational and nostalgic work from director Jean-Pierre Jeunet (better known for the grotesquerie of Delicatessen and City of Lost Children), Amelie nevertheless manages to successfully eschew heavy-handed sentimentality or saccharine. From the opening hilarious narrative that introduces the main characters - along with their secret likes and dislikes - to the closing fade-out of Parisien streets ninety minutes later, Amelie barely puts a foot wrong; 9/10.
Croupier - an intriguingly dark thriller set in the murky underbelly of the gambling world. Clive Owen plays an aspiring novelist who becomes a croupier to 'get inside the characters' of his novel, but instead finds himself playing a dangerous game in the 'high stakes' world of gamblers and conmen (and women!); 8/10.
Dark World - This story of Czech pilots flying for the RAF during the Second World War tackles familiar themes of friendship, betrayal, and love, but manages to (for the most part) rise above the clichés of the genre. Moving, spectacularly shot, and a story well told; 8/10.
Enigma - telling the story of the secretive Bletchley Park organisation and its codebreaking role that gave the Allies such an important foothold over Nazi Germany during the Second World War, Enigma is an overdue antidote to the one-eyed American portrayals of their wartime contributions; 7/10.
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Gosford Park - a bleak weekend at a country pile in the 1930's, a cast of snobs, servants, and a bumbling detective - wryly observed by the lingering camera of Robert Altman - combine to make Gosford Park a fascinating, superior murder mystery. With an ensemble cast of stellar proportions, this is one for costume drama aficionados; 8/10.
Last Orders - The Brits continue to do intimate, bittersweet character studies better than anyone else, and Last Orders is one of the most affecting efforts yet. With a stellar cast that includes Michael Caine, Bob Hoskins, Ray Winstone, and Helen Mirren, it is a joy to watch these actors bring to life the creations of Booker Prize-winning author Graham Swift; 8/10.
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Lord of the Rings (Fellowship of the Ring) - widely lauded as the greatest fantasy epic in motion picture history, few fans of the genre will be disappointed. There are few greater challenges than adapting a well-loved novel for the big screen, but director and scriptwriter Peter Jackson has done a masterful job; 9/10.
Man Who Wasn't There - it is 1949, small town America - a black and white world peopled by characters who are many different shades of grey. Ed - the laconic barber who narrates this small town tale of infidelity, blackmail, and murder - is the ultimate man who wasn't there, lurking quietly in the background, barely raising a murmur, forever wreathed in clouds of cigarette smoke. But for all his observation that "he doesn't talk much", Ed's actions when he discovers his wife is having an affair with her boss set off a chain of events that have tragic consequences; 8/10.
Minority Report - a future vision of the world that isn't quite Blade Runner (this is Spielberg, after all), but thankfully isn't AI either. An interesting and exciting yarn; 8/10.
Monsoon Wedding - a humorous, engaging slice of life as an extended Indian family gathers for a wedding celebration. Unrequited love, dark secrets, and the interplay of three generations conspire to make this one wedding day you won't want to miss; 9/10.
Mulholland Drive - rave reviews have shown that a whole heap of style, a dash of lesbianism, and the obligatory cast of oddballs is enough to satisfy many. Like a shiny chocolate bar, Mulholland Drive is tempting enough, even enjoyable enough at the time, but ultimately devoid of lasting nutritional value; 6/10.
Oceans Eleven - despite the heavy-hitting cast and the glitz of Vegas, Ocean's Eleven never really generates any momentum or suspense. The amiable Clooney and Pitt do their best, but the story is wafer-thin and wearily predictable. Having said that, the movie is a pleasant enough way to while away an evening, just don't expect too many memorable performances or dramatic surprises; 6/10.
Star Wars (Attack of the Clones) - don't fall for the hype - this latest installment in the Star Wars series is only a slight improvement on the weak Phantom Menace, and only die-hard fans will be holding out for the DVD. Great effects and memorable imagery can't mask a convoluted plot, weak acting, leaden dialogue, and an unconvincing love story; 6/10.
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