Departures: Movie Review
Rating: 6/10
Cast: Masahiro Motoki, Ryoko Hirosue, Tsutomu Yamazaki,
Kimiko Yo, Kazuko Yoshiyuki, Takashi Sasano
Director: Yojiro Takita
It won the Academy Award in 2009 for Best Foreign Language Film and has
resonated with many during its screenings at The New Zealand
International Film Festival this year.
Daigo Kobayashi (Masahiro Motoki) is by trade a cellist in a Tokyo orchestra,
complete with wife and generally happy lifestyle.
Until one day without any warning, the orchestra is dissolved and Kobayashi
finds himself in need of employment.
He answers an ad in the paper for helping with "assisting departures" (which
it turns out is helping prepare the dead and departed for encoffinment.)
With no other prospects Kobayashi takes the position - and starts to lie to
his family about what he does.
But the strain of what he does starts to take its toll on those around him -
while Daigo has no qualms about finding his job, there are those who urge him to
quit such a disgraceful career.
It's easy to see why Departures took him the Oscar - it has everything that
an Award winning film needs - from an emotional journey for the central
character which will resound with the audience to lushly shot scenery.
There's also a lot of poignancy in Daigo's job - dealing with death on a
daily basis and the stigma and taboo attached to it in Japanese culture, Daigo
is torn between a job he's clearly good at and a society which frowns on the
public acknowledgement of the effect of death.
And yet in places, to be honest, it feels a little manipulative as the viewer
is taken on Daigo's journey and the ultimate resolution of his plight - it's an
interesting tale but it seems to be designed to tug at your heart strings
throughout with the plot following an overly unsubtle approach - and scenes of
Daigo playing his cello at suitably odd moments.
That said, when the end comes round, it's an effective pay off to the
emotional investment you've put in over the last two hours.
Saturday, 29 August 2009
Friday, 28 August 2009
Fast and Furious: DVD Review
Fast and Furious: DVD Review
Fast And Furious
Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster
Rating: M
Universal Home Video
The fourth outing the Fast and the Furious franchise sees the original team which launched this cars and crime saga reunited.
By bringing back the original parts (see what the filmmakers did there) it was hoped that it would ignite the box office - which it duly did.
When a crime brings back fugitive ex con Dom Toretto (the ever monotonic Vin Diesel) finds himself once again pitted against agent Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker)
But in a twist, the pair have to unite forces to take on a common enemy - and both realize the only way to get revenge is behind the wheel.
It's clear watching Fast and Furious that a new franchise is being relaunched - from the opening scene where Dom and his gang hijack fuel tankers, you're thrown straight into the high octane action - and a series of spectacular stunts (as well as slow mo explosions).
The film itself doesn't really concern itself too much with dialogue - which is just as well as Diesel seems to limit most of his acting to guttural muttering and glowering from time to time. Walker lends himself to sullen and sulky as the agent trying to bring down the bad guys and get Toretto brought to justice - and he just manages to pull off the moral conflict he feels.
But the real star of this film is the stunts.
Coupled with the racing scenes, this has really seen the production values bumped well above what they used to be.
The opening scene is quite a nailbiter and thrusts you slap bang into the middle of Torreto's world - I can understand why this film was such a hit in the States (and its ambiguous ending lends itself perfectly to a potential - and inevitable - sequel)
Fast and Furious will be loved by those who enjoy the high octane world of cars, stunts and girls - it ticks all the right boxes for its core demographic. And the extras are reasonable for a one disc release, covering the usual ground of behind the scenes.
Anyone else outside the genre may be simply dazzled by some of the eye popping stunt racing - but feeling a little hollow when it comes to the actual story.
Extras: Available in a 1 disc or 2 disc set; the 1 disc has commentary from director Justin Lee, Driving school with Vin Diesel, Gag Reel and filming in Mexico
Rating: 6/10
Fast And Furious
Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster
Rating: M
Universal Home Video
The fourth outing the Fast and the Furious franchise sees the original team which launched this cars and crime saga reunited.
By bringing back the original parts (see what the filmmakers did there) it was hoped that it would ignite the box office - which it duly did.
When a crime brings back fugitive ex con Dom Toretto (the ever monotonic Vin Diesel) finds himself once again pitted against agent Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker)
But in a twist, the pair have to unite forces to take on a common enemy - and both realize the only way to get revenge is behind the wheel.
It's clear watching Fast and Furious that a new franchise is being relaunched - from the opening scene where Dom and his gang hijack fuel tankers, you're thrown straight into the high octane action - and a series of spectacular stunts (as well as slow mo explosions).
The film itself doesn't really concern itself too much with dialogue - which is just as well as Diesel seems to limit most of his acting to guttural muttering and glowering from time to time. Walker lends himself to sullen and sulky as the agent trying to bring down the bad guys and get Toretto brought to justice - and he just manages to pull off the moral conflict he feels.
But the real star of this film is the stunts.
Coupled with the racing scenes, this has really seen the production values bumped well above what they used to be.
The opening scene is quite a nailbiter and thrusts you slap bang into the middle of Torreto's world - I can understand why this film was such a hit in the States (and its ambiguous ending lends itself perfectly to a potential - and inevitable - sequel)
Fast and Furious will be loved by those who enjoy the high octane world of cars, stunts and girls - it ticks all the right boxes for its core demographic. And the extras are reasonable for a one disc release, covering the usual ground of behind the scenes.
Anyone else outside the genre may be simply dazzled by some of the eye popping stunt racing - but feeling a little hollow when it comes to the actual story.
Extras: Available in a 1 disc or 2 disc set; the 1 disc has commentary from director Justin Lee, Driving school with Vin Diesel, Gag Reel and filming in Mexico
Rating: 6/10
Thursday, 27 August 2009
24: Redemption: DVD Review
24: Redemption: DVD Review
24: Redemption
20th Century Fox/ RoadshowRating: M
Bridging the gap between Day 6 and Day 7, 24: Redemption sees Kiefer Sutherland's Jack Bauer thrown back into the action - despite his attempts to stay out of the terrorism game which has cost him so dearly.
At the end of Day 6, Jack was left a broken man after finding his family involved in a plot against the US Government.
As 24: Redemption opens, Bauer is in the African nation of Sangala, working as a missionary and wanted by the US government for questioning over his torture methods of dealing with suspects.
However, Bauer's quest for inner peace is torn apart when a ruthless warlord begins drafting innocent children into his army.
Against that backdrop, a new female US president Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones) is being sworn into the White House - and pretty soon, as the situation in Africa escalates, it becomes clear to the President elect that this will form the first crisis of her new reign.
24: Redemption follows the tradition of prequels for the TV series - although this is the first full length film to be released (all the other prequels have been just moments long)
It also comes hot on the heels of a season which was critically panned and badly received by fans who felt Day 6's threats and personal connections to Jack Bauer reached an all time low.
Couple that in with the writer's strike in America which stopped Day 7 (the seventh series) from being filmed, and it's clear those involved had a lot to prove.
The events still unfold in real time (this time over 2 hours) but 24 Redemption suffers from a condensed timeline.
Whereas the show's plotting allows the storylines to breathe over the course of 24 episodes, 24: Redemption suffers by comparison as it races to get it all in over 2 hours.
Granted, there are still some of the thrills and absurdities you've come to expect of the show, but a lot of this telemovie feels like a set up for the new season (which was probably inevitable) with new characters being introduced and new threats unveiled.
Extras:
- The Making of 24: Redemption
- Blood Never Dry
- Child soldiers in Africa
- 24 Season 6 in four minutes
- 24 Season 7 sneak peek
- Deleted scenes
Rating 6/10
24: Redemption
20th Century Fox/ RoadshowRating: M
Bridging the gap between Day 6 and Day 7, 24: Redemption sees Kiefer Sutherland's Jack Bauer thrown back into the action - despite his attempts to stay out of the terrorism game which has cost him so dearly.
At the end of Day 6, Jack was left a broken man after finding his family involved in a plot against the US Government.
As 24: Redemption opens, Bauer is in the African nation of Sangala, working as a missionary and wanted by the US government for questioning over his torture methods of dealing with suspects.
However, Bauer's quest for inner peace is torn apart when a ruthless warlord begins drafting innocent children into his army.
Against that backdrop, a new female US president Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones) is being sworn into the White House - and pretty soon, as the situation in Africa escalates, it becomes clear to the President elect that this will form the first crisis of her new reign.
24: Redemption follows the tradition of prequels for the TV series - although this is the first full length film to be released (all the other prequels have been just moments long)
It also comes hot on the heels of a season which was critically panned and badly received by fans who felt Day 6's threats and personal connections to Jack Bauer reached an all time low.
Couple that in with the writer's strike in America which stopped Day 7 (the seventh series) from being filmed, and it's clear those involved had a lot to prove.
The events still unfold in real time (this time over 2 hours) but 24 Redemption suffers from a condensed timeline.
Whereas the show's plotting allows the storylines to breathe over the course of 24 episodes, 24: Redemption suffers by comparison as it races to get it all in over 2 hours.
Granted, there are still some of the thrills and absurdities you've come to expect of the show, but a lot of this telemovie feels like a set up for the new season (which was probably inevitable) with new characters being introduced and new threats unveiled.
Extras:
- The Making of 24: Redemption
- Blood Never Dry
- Child soldiers in Africa
- 24 Season 6 in four minutes
- 24 Season 7 sneak peek
- Deleted scenes
Rating 6/10
Boosh Special Edition: DVD Review
Boosh Special Edition: DVD Review
Boosh Special Edition
Starring: Julian Barratt, Noel Fielding
Roadshow Entertainment/ BBC
Rating M
Collecting together the three television series and a wealth of extras, over a seven disc set, Boosh Special Edition is perhaps the most definitive collection the fans could want.
The comedy sees the collected escapades of Vince Noir (Noel Fielding) and Howard Moon (Julian Barratt) as they negotiate the slightly strange, incredibly surreal world they live in.
In Series 1, they're a pair of inept zookeepers at the Zooniverse - during their time there, they end up looking for a missing diamond in the Arctic, trying to get out of limbo and generally trying to get out of countless scrapes.
Series 2 and 3 see the duo move away from the Zooniverse Universe (yes I do realize how this all sounds when it's written down) as they shared a flat with a shaman and worked in a shop.
It's an absurdist comedy to be frank - and while the first series is very, very funny - if you're prepared to let it all go with the madness and surreal nature of it all, the final two don't see them reach the dizzying heights of everything that's gone before.
That said, this is a gorgeous set with a seventh disc containing a whole raft of extras.
But the one glaring omission which would have made this perfect is the live show which has been released on DVD over here.
However, with over 14 hours of entertainment, this set is one for the fans to treasure.
Extras: An absolutely definitive collection (far too numerous to list here but including Q&As, cinema trailers, outtakes) There's around 150 minutes of stuff exclusive to this collection including the unreleased "A Journey Through Time and Space" documentary where Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt tell the story behind The Mighty Boosh in their own words; Noel's very own illustrations grace the out-of-this world packaging, booklet and collector's cards are enclosed in the collection
Rating 7/10
Boosh Special Edition
Starring: Julian Barratt, Noel Fielding
Roadshow Entertainment/ BBC
Rating M
Collecting together the three television series and a wealth of extras, over a seven disc set, Boosh Special Edition is perhaps the most definitive collection the fans could want.
The comedy sees the collected escapades of Vince Noir (Noel Fielding) and Howard Moon (Julian Barratt) as they negotiate the slightly strange, incredibly surreal world they live in.
In Series 1, they're a pair of inept zookeepers at the Zooniverse - during their time there, they end up looking for a missing diamond in the Arctic, trying to get out of limbo and generally trying to get out of countless scrapes.
Series 2 and 3 see the duo move away from the Zooniverse Universe (yes I do realize how this all sounds when it's written down) as they shared a flat with a shaman and worked in a shop.
It's an absurdist comedy to be frank - and while the first series is very, very funny - if you're prepared to let it all go with the madness and surreal nature of it all, the final two don't see them reach the dizzying heights of everything that's gone before.
That said, this is a gorgeous set with a seventh disc containing a whole raft of extras.
But the one glaring omission which would have made this perfect is the live show which has been released on DVD over here.
However, with over 14 hours of entertainment, this set is one for the fans to treasure.
Extras: An absolutely definitive collection (far too numerous to list here but including Q&As, cinema trailers, outtakes) There's around 150 minutes of stuff exclusive to this collection including the unreleased "A Journey Through Time and Space" documentary where Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt tell the story behind The Mighty Boosh in their own words; Noel's very own illustrations grace the out-of-this world packaging, booklet and collector's cards are enclosed in the collection
Rating 7/10
Dr Who: Image of The Fendahl: DVD Review
Dr Who: Image of The Fendahl: DVD Review
Doctor Who - Image of The Fendahl
Starring: Tom Baker, Louise Jameson
Roadshow Entertainment/ BBC
Rating PG
As the new series of the TimeLord continues to grow in strength and audience numbers, the BBC continues to release serials from the classic series which ran non stop from 1963 to 1989 before its revival for the 21st century.
This one from 1977 sees fan's favourite Tom Baker, he of the toothy grin and multi coloured scarf, confronted by the eerie goings on at Fetch Priory.
There, a band of scientists have discovered an ancient human skull - and it's being used by Professor Fendelman in his Time Scanner experiments.
However, as the archaeologists continue to probe deeper into the skull's history, a chain of events is set in motion which could see the end of mankind (again - will we never learn) unless the good Doctor intervenes.
Sometimes, even the most passionate of fans find it difficult to defend the cause - and unfortunately Image of The Fendahl is not of the finest serials from the show's pantheon of entries which scared so many generations silly back when special effects were nothing more than an odd looking creature painted in a funny colour.
The 4 part series is nothing to write home about - there are some interesting performances from the supporting cast (including various members of Coronation Street and Eastenders before they made it big) but all in all, the story bears an uncanny resemblance to the Quatermass and The Pit Stories.
However, it's the extras which make these monthly releases of interest - this time with some stunning restoration and some genuinely informative Production notes (and amusing commentary from the ever eccentric Tom Baker), this disc is rescued from oblivion.
Just.
Extras: Commentary - With actors Tom Baker, Louise Jameson, Wanda Ventham and Edward Arthur. After Image - cast and crew look back at the making of the story. Deleted & Extended Scenes, Trailers; Photo Gallery, Coming Soon, Easter Egg, Radio Times Listings, Programme subtitles and Subtitle Production Notes
Rating 5/10
Doctor Who - Image of The Fendahl
Starring: Tom Baker, Louise Jameson
Roadshow Entertainment/ BBC
Rating PG
As the new series of the TimeLord continues to grow in strength and audience numbers, the BBC continues to release serials from the classic series which ran non stop from 1963 to 1989 before its revival for the 21st century.
This one from 1977 sees fan's favourite Tom Baker, he of the toothy grin and multi coloured scarf, confronted by the eerie goings on at Fetch Priory.
There, a band of scientists have discovered an ancient human skull - and it's being used by Professor Fendelman in his Time Scanner experiments.
However, as the archaeologists continue to probe deeper into the skull's history, a chain of events is set in motion which could see the end of mankind (again - will we never learn) unless the good Doctor intervenes.
Sometimes, even the most passionate of fans find it difficult to defend the cause - and unfortunately Image of The Fendahl is not of the finest serials from the show's pantheon of entries which scared so many generations silly back when special effects were nothing more than an odd looking creature painted in a funny colour.
The 4 part series is nothing to write home about - there are some interesting performances from the supporting cast (including various members of Coronation Street and Eastenders before they made it big) but all in all, the story bears an uncanny resemblance to the Quatermass and The Pit Stories.
However, it's the extras which make these monthly releases of interest - this time with some stunning restoration and some genuinely informative Production notes (and amusing commentary from the ever eccentric Tom Baker), this disc is rescued from oblivion.
Just.
Extras: Commentary - With actors Tom Baker, Louise Jameson, Wanda Ventham and Edward Arthur. After Image - cast and crew look back at the making of the story. Deleted & Extended Scenes, Trailers; Photo Gallery, Coming Soon, Easter Egg, Radio Times Listings, Programme subtitles and Subtitle Production Notes
Rating 5/10
Pan's Labyrinth/ Mongol: DVD Review
Pan's Labyrinth/ Mongol: DVD Review
Pan's Labyrinth/ Mongol
Starring: Ivana Baquero, Sergi Lopez, Tadanobu Asano
Roadshow Entertainment
Rating 16
Two of the very finest films of the last few years get a luxurious three disc release in this "Academy Award Collector's Edition".
Pan's Labyrinth by Guillermo del Toro is the tale of Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) who against a backdrop of fascist Spain is sent to the countryside with her mother as they begin a new life.
But Ofelia's new life with her step father, the military Vidal (Sergi Lopez) is anything but idyllic - and as she struggles to fit in, she finds an escape through a mysterious faun, Pan, who believes her to be the long lost princess of a magical kingdom.
Mongol is the tale of Genghis Khan - the young Khan who had a mammoth destiny ahead of him - as well as personal tumult.
Nine year old Temudgin sets off with his father to search for a wife - but his destiny is brought sharply into focus when his enemies steal his bride to be.
Both of these films are masterpieces (a word so rarely bandied around) and are firmly deserving of the box set treatment - both engross you and envelop you in a world which it's a pleasure to be immersed in.
It's an interesting pairing but what they both have in common is the humanity of the central characters - Ofelia's quest is natural for one surrounded by so much violence; and young Temudgin's life shows the human side of the man seen by many as one of the most violent the world ever saw.
Both are essential viewing and are timeless - every time I watch them, despite knowing the plots, outcomes and twists, I am agog with wonder.
Recommended without a shadow of a doubt.
Extras - Mongol - The Making of Mongol; Pan's Labyrinth - director's commentary, Featurettes, Director's Notebook
Rating: 9/10
Pan's Labyrinth/ Mongol
Starring: Ivana Baquero, Sergi Lopez, Tadanobu Asano
Roadshow Entertainment
Rating 16
Two of the very finest films of the last few years get a luxurious three disc release in this "Academy Award Collector's Edition".
Pan's Labyrinth by Guillermo del Toro is the tale of Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) who against a backdrop of fascist Spain is sent to the countryside with her mother as they begin a new life.
But Ofelia's new life with her step father, the military Vidal (Sergi Lopez) is anything but idyllic - and as she struggles to fit in, she finds an escape through a mysterious faun, Pan, who believes her to be the long lost princess of a magical kingdom.
Mongol is the tale of Genghis Khan - the young Khan who had a mammoth destiny ahead of him - as well as personal tumult.
Nine year old Temudgin sets off with his father to search for a wife - but his destiny is brought sharply into focus when his enemies steal his bride to be.
Both of these films are masterpieces (a word so rarely bandied around) and are firmly deserving of the box set treatment - both engross you and envelop you in a world which it's a pleasure to be immersed in.
It's an interesting pairing but what they both have in common is the humanity of the central characters - Ofelia's quest is natural for one surrounded by so much violence; and young Temudgin's life shows the human side of the man seen by many as one of the most violent the world ever saw.
Both are essential viewing and are timeless - every time I watch them, despite knowing the plots, outcomes and twists, I am agog with wonder.
Recommended without a shadow of a doubt.
Extras - Mongol - The Making of Mongol; Pan's Labyrinth - director's commentary, Featurettes, Director's Notebook
Rating: 9/10
Taken: DVD Review
Taken: DVD Review
Taken
Roadshow Entertainment
Rating: M
Liam Neeson stars as an extremely paranoid former US spy Bryan Mills who's now estranged from his family - after they were driven away from him by his commitment to his work.
When Mills' daughter Kim (played by Lost's Maggie Grace) asks for his permission to head to Europe on a trip, his paranoia's ramped up even further.
And things get even worse when she's kidnapped while on the phone to him from France.
He vows he will find her and sets about tracking down the gang who stole her and wreaking furious vengeance upon them.
If the only decent thing you can say about a film - be it on the big screen or the small - is that it's mercifully short, then you know it's not a classic by any stretch of the imagination.
Taken is mercifully short.
Actually that's probably a little harsh - this apparent thriller from Luc Besson will appeal to those who love the cranked up car chases, pointless scenes of violence and breakneck paced fights.
My real problem with Taken is the lack of plausibility - while the sub plot of the daughter being kidnapped and getting addicted to drugs to be sold off is vaguely believable, the fact Neeson lapses into cold committed spy mode again just didn't convince me at all as he rushes to France to track her down.
I can just about buy the fact parents do anything for their children - but that Neeson manages to circumvent the globe and wreak havoc just didn't strike any chords with me.
Thankfully this appears to be a one off film rather than launching Bryan Mills as a spy action hero a la Bourne and Bond
Extras:
- Six Inside Action scenes
- Le Making of
- Avant Premier
Rating: 4/10
Taken
Roadshow Entertainment
Rating: M
Liam Neeson stars as an extremely paranoid former US spy Bryan Mills who's now estranged from his family - after they were driven away from him by his commitment to his work.
When Mills' daughter Kim (played by Lost's Maggie Grace) asks for his permission to head to Europe on a trip, his paranoia's ramped up even further.
And things get even worse when she's kidnapped while on the phone to him from France.
He vows he will find her and sets about tracking down the gang who stole her and wreaking furious vengeance upon them.
If the only decent thing you can say about a film - be it on the big screen or the small - is that it's mercifully short, then you know it's not a classic by any stretch of the imagination.
Taken is mercifully short.
Actually that's probably a little harsh - this apparent thriller from Luc Besson will appeal to those who love the cranked up car chases, pointless scenes of violence and breakneck paced fights.
My real problem with Taken is the lack of plausibility - while the sub plot of the daughter being kidnapped and getting addicted to drugs to be sold off is vaguely believable, the fact Neeson lapses into cold committed spy mode again just didn't convince me at all as he rushes to France to track her down.
I can just about buy the fact parents do anything for their children - but that Neeson manages to circumvent the globe and wreak havoc just didn't strike any chords with me.
Thankfully this appears to be a one off film rather than launching Bryan Mills as a spy action hero a la Bourne and Bond
Extras:
- Six Inside Action scenes
- Le Making of
- Avant Premier
Rating: 4/10
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