I'm Not Harry Jenson: Movie Review
I'm Not Harry Jenson
Rating: 6/10
Cast: Gareth Reeves,Marshall Napier, Renato Bartolomei, Ian
Mune, Jinny Lee Story
Director: James Napier Robertson
A low budget noir thriller, I'm Not Harry Jenson tells the tale of best
selling crime novelist Stanley Merse (Gareth Reeves).
Merse has hit a bout of writer's block as he tries to pull together his
latest book about a killer, Harry Jenson. Despite the best attempts of a hooker
and his agent and with the possibility of quitting his latest book, at the
behest of his agent, Merse decides to take some time out to clear his mind.
He heads off on a hike in the bush with a gang of people he's never met
before - but things turn nasty when one of his fellow trampers ( Shortland Street's Ben
Mitchell) is found dead the next day - and Jenson's covered in blood.
Matters are made worse when another of the camping gang is found dead the
following dead - and when flashbacks start showing Merse he was at the scene, he
begins to question his sanity.
Has he crossed an unthinkable line and begun to live life as a murderer
rather than just writing about it?
I'm Not Harry Jenson is a decent noir thriller for a first time director -
shot entirely in Auckland's Waitakere Ranges, it uses the scenery brilliantly
with sweeping aerial shots and looks stunning on the screen - which is quite an
achievement given how tight the budget was for this film by director and writer
James Napier Robertson.
There's a suitable edge of paranoia rumbling through - with scenes of close
cut dialogue throughout - and it's convincingly carried off by Gareth Reeves
(last seen as Ryan ; along with Renato Bartolomei - in TV2's thriller The Cult -
don't forget you can watch the entire series here!) whose suitably edgy performance
means even he's questioning whether he did it or not. And Reeves works well
against Marissa (Jinny Lee Story) - their burgeoning friendship provides a
little spark and grounds the drama with a sense of humanity.
However, I have to admit that I could see the end coming and the denouement
would have worked a little better if perhaps one early scene had been cut from
the final mix - unfortunately that detracted from the film overall.
That said I'm Not Harry Jenson clearly marks a talent out in the form of
Robertson - he's got the best out of his cast and is bound for great things on
the New Zealand film circuit.
Friday, 29 January 2010
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Invictus: Movie Review
Invictus: Movie Review
Rating: 6/10
Cast: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon
Director: Clint Eastwood
This is a film some Kiwis may find difficult to watch.
Morgan Freeman stars as Nelson Mandela in the early nineties - recently freed and swept to power, Mandela's in his first term of office, fighting to heal a hurt and racially divided South Africa.
Realising the country was still at odds and desperately needing a healing, Mandela latched on to the South African rugby team, the Springboks, as the key to bringing them back together - but it's not an easy job for Mandela as he wryly notes at a test match, half the black population are cheering for the opposition rather than their national team because of what they represent.
However, the Boks are somewhat of a national laughing joke and haven't won a game in a long time. But Mandela meets with captain Francois Pienaar (a stoic Matt Damon) and rallies him to try and bring the team back from the brink of disaster to national treasure.
So the Boks begin to try and win over hearts and minds as they head to training camps with the public and look to improve their game.
And of course, it all comes to a head with the now infamous 1995 Rugby World Cup with its final which broke Kiwi hearts...
Invictus would make a good double bill with Goodbye Bafana which was released last year - that film concentrated on Mandela's friendship with a guard on Robben Island ahead of his release - Invictus then deals immediately with Mandela's rise to power.
Damon and Freeman are both good in their roles - although it has to be said Morgan Freeman is ever so slightly off in his portrayal of Mandela; while he looks quite close to the iconic man, he just manages to miss the vocal intonations of the man. For a man whose power came from his speeches and rallying, that just slightly detracts from Freeman's portrayal (although I do admit, he was born to play Mandela).
It's a witty, wry script with some very dry one liners and a nice relationship between Mandela's eternally loyal ANC bodyguards and the incoming white Secret Service providing much of the film's humour.
The film's central premise and story is a fair one - but I have to admit to feeling director Clint Eastwood could have been a little more subtle in some of his imagery (scenes when the Boks take the RWC focus on the trophy as a black hand, then a white hand take the cup - yes, it's symbolic, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd be clubbed with the subtlety). There's also some heavy handed moments when Pienaar visits Mandela's Robben Island cell.
But there are moments which pull you in - the idea Mandela walks out of a meeting to find out how the game's going give that edge of characterization and subtlety that Eastwood does very well in all of his film. He also does the rugby scenes well - it's nothing original for sweeping aerial shots, slow mo sounds as the players meet in the scrum and the game unfolds. However, the fact you're right in the thick of the game,makes it thrilling watching for the non-rugby fan.
You can't be a NZ reviewer and not mention the final - while the talk of food poisoning and subsequent furore is glossed over, some AB fans may find the last 30 minutes of the 2hr 20 minute film a trifle hard to sit through as the loss comes into focus once again. Eastwood does a good job of recreating the final and the tension throughout the dying moments (and even the portrayal of the unstoppable Jonah Lomu is visually quite close to the man himself).
Overall, Invictus is a good film but I did leave kind of wishing Clint Eastwood had been a little less heavy handed during some aspects - because thanks to the performances of Damon and Freeman, this inspirational film could have soared a little higher than it actually does.
Rating: 6/10
Cast: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon
Director: Clint Eastwood
This is a film some Kiwis may find difficult to watch.
Morgan Freeman stars as Nelson Mandela in the early nineties - recently freed and swept to power, Mandela's in his first term of office, fighting to heal a hurt and racially divided South Africa.
Realising the country was still at odds and desperately needing a healing, Mandela latched on to the South African rugby team, the Springboks, as the key to bringing them back together - but it's not an easy job for Mandela as he wryly notes at a test match, half the black population are cheering for the opposition rather than their national team because of what they represent.
However, the Boks are somewhat of a national laughing joke and haven't won a game in a long time. But Mandela meets with captain Francois Pienaar (a stoic Matt Damon) and rallies him to try and bring the team back from the brink of disaster to national treasure.
So the Boks begin to try and win over hearts and minds as they head to training camps with the public and look to improve their game.
And of course, it all comes to a head with the now infamous 1995 Rugby World Cup with its final which broke Kiwi hearts...
Invictus would make a good double bill with Goodbye Bafana which was released last year - that film concentrated on Mandela's friendship with a guard on Robben Island ahead of his release - Invictus then deals immediately with Mandela's rise to power.
Damon and Freeman are both good in their roles - although it has to be said Morgan Freeman is ever so slightly off in his portrayal of Mandela; while he looks quite close to the iconic man, he just manages to miss the vocal intonations of the man. For a man whose power came from his speeches and rallying, that just slightly detracts from Freeman's portrayal (although I do admit, he was born to play Mandela).
It's a witty, wry script with some very dry one liners and a nice relationship between Mandela's eternally loyal ANC bodyguards and the incoming white Secret Service providing much of the film's humour.
The film's central premise and story is a fair one - but I have to admit to feeling director Clint Eastwood could have been a little more subtle in some of his imagery (scenes when the Boks take the RWC focus on the trophy as a black hand, then a white hand take the cup - yes, it's symbolic, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd be clubbed with the subtlety). There's also some heavy handed moments when Pienaar visits Mandela's Robben Island cell.
But there are moments which pull you in - the idea Mandela walks out of a meeting to find out how the game's going give that edge of characterization and subtlety that Eastwood does very well in all of his film. He also does the rugby scenes well - it's nothing original for sweeping aerial shots, slow mo sounds as the players meet in the scrum and the game unfolds. However, the fact you're right in the thick of the game,makes it thrilling watching for the non-rugby fan.
You can't be a NZ reviewer and not mention the final - while the talk of food poisoning and subsequent furore is glossed over, some AB fans may find the last 30 minutes of the 2hr 20 minute film a trifle hard to sit through as the loss comes into focus once again. Eastwood does a good job of recreating the final and the tension throughout the dying moments (and even the portrayal of the unstoppable Jonah Lomu is visually quite close to the man himself).
Overall, Invictus is a good film but I did leave kind of wishing Clint Eastwood had been a little less heavy handed during some aspects - because thanks to the performances of Damon and Freeman, this inspirational film could have soared a little higher than it actually does.
Friday, 22 January 2010
Dean Spanley: DVD Review
Dean Spanley: DVD Review
Dean Spanley
Released by Universal Home Entertainment
Rating: G
Cast: Peter O'Toole, Sam Neill, Jeremy Northam, Bryan Brown, Art Malik
Sometimes a film comes along which takes you completely by surprise.
A film which you try and explain to people the basic plot of and they look at you like you've lost the plot completely.
Dean Spanley is one of those films.
Based on the book by Lord Dunsany, this film from New Zealand director Toa Fraser (No 2) is based in London Edwardian times and centres around a cantankerous Fisk senior (played with impish irascibility by Peter O' Toole) and his relationship with his son Fisk Junior (Jeremy Northam)
Junior spends every Thursday with his father - out of a sense of family ritual rather than a desire to be with him; but each visit drives a wedge even further between the two.
One day Fisk junior suggests they attend a seminar on reincarnation from a Swami Nala Prash; however O'Toole's character dismisses the entire meeting as "poppycock"
Tucked away at the back of the audience, is Dean Spanley (played by Sam Neill) - his attendance piques Fisk Junior's curiosity and he decides to invite the Dean to dinner to further explore his beliefs.
But the Dean has to be tempted to attend with the promise of the provision of a bottle of a Hungarian wine known as Tokay - a wine only given out by Royal Assent.
The problem is that this Tokay, when imbibed by the Dean, sends him back to a former life - as a dog.
Astounded by what he's seen, Fisk Junior soon finds himself on a quest to secure more Tokay so that he can explore even deeper the reality of the Dean's former life.
Dean Spanley is one of those films which will be given the label of quirky - but to do so, is to simply dismiss its warmth and story.
Northam and Bryan Brown are good in their roles and O'Toole gives a sterling performance as usual - his eyes sparkle with a cheeky cantankerous fire.
But it's Sam Neill whose performance steals this film.
Initially, his Dean Spanley seems a little aloof and wary of the Fisks - but the more he imbibes the Tokay, it becomes clearer to the audience how much of Neill's performance is channeling that of a pooch.
From the jowly beard to the whimpering noises he makes when he first sniffs the wine, Neill embodies all the behaviours of a dog - but in a subtle and restrained way.
Dean Spanley is a tale of fathers and sons, dogs and their masters - of comradeship and relationships, this offbeat story will leave you with a whimsical grin on your face.
Unfortunately this disc is lacking on extras which is a real shame - but doesn't detract (too much) from the overall brilliance.
Rating: 8/10
Dean Spanley
Released by Universal Home Entertainment
Rating: G
Cast: Peter O'Toole, Sam Neill, Jeremy Northam, Bryan Brown, Art Malik
Sometimes a film comes along which takes you completely by surprise.
A film which you try and explain to people the basic plot of and they look at you like you've lost the plot completely.
Dean Spanley is one of those films.
Based on the book by Lord Dunsany, this film from New Zealand director Toa Fraser (No 2) is based in London Edwardian times and centres around a cantankerous Fisk senior (played with impish irascibility by Peter O' Toole) and his relationship with his son Fisk Junior (Jeremy Northam)
Junior spends every Thursday with his father - out of a sense of family ritual rather than a desire to be with him; but each visit drives a wedge even further between the two.
One day Fisk junior suggests they attend a seminar on reincarnation from a Swami Nala Prash; however O'Toole's character dismisses the entire meeting as "poppycock"
Tucked away at the back of the audience, is Dean Spanley (played by Sam Neill) - his attendance piques Fisk Junior's curiosity and he decides to invite the Dean to dinner to further explore his beliefs.
But the Dean has to be tempted to attend with the promise of the provision of a bottle of a Hungarian wine known as Tokay - a wine only given out by Royal Assent.
The problem is that this Tokay, when imbibed by the Dean, sends him back to a former life - as a dog.
Astounded by what he's seen, Fisk Junior soon finds himself on a quest to secure more Tokay so that he can explore even deeper the reality of the Dean's former life.
Dean Spanley is one of those films which will be given the label of quirky - but to do so, is to simply dismiss its warmth and story.
Northam and Bryan Brown are good in their roles and O'Toole gives a sterling performance as usual - his eyes sparkle with a cheeky cantankerous fire.
But it's Sam Neill whose performance steals this film.
Initially, his Dean Spanley seems a little aloof and wary of the Fisks - but the more he imbibes the Tokay, it becomes clearer to the audience how much of Neill's performance is channeling that of a pooch.
From the jowly beard to the whimpering noises he makes when he first sniffs the wine, Neill embodies all the behaviours of a dog - but in a subtle and restrained way.
Dean Spanley is a tale of fathers and sons, dogs and their masters - of comradeship and relationships, this offbeat story will leave you with a whimsical grin on your face.
Unfortunately this disc is lacking on extras which is a real shame - but doesn't detract (too much) from the overall brilliance.
Rating: 8/10
Thursday, 21 January 2010
Ice Age 3: DVD Review
Ice Age 3: DVD Review
Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Cast: John Leguizamo, Ray Romano, Denis Leary, Queen Latifah, Simon Pegg
Director: Carlos Saldana
They say the third time is the charm.
With Ice Age 3: Dawn Of the Dinosaurs, that's definitely the case.
After the events of Ice Age: The Meltdown, Manny the wooly mammoth (Ray Romano) is getting ready for fatherhood with Ellie (Queen Latifah) - and Sid (John Leguizamo) and Diego (Denis Leary) are trying to work out their place in this impending happy family.
Sid is pining for motherhood and Diego's unsure whether he's lost his edge - basically, the pair of them feel out of sorts with Manny's future.
So when Sid stumbles on some dinosaur eggs and adopts them, he inadvertently ends up in an underground world populated by dinosaurs and miles away from his friends.
Realising the danger their friend is in, Diego, Manny and pregnant Ellie head off to try and save him&.
Ice Age 3 is going to be the perfect entertainment for the impending school holidays - and while other third installments of an animated franchise have struggled to keep up the laughs and originality (Shrek 3, I'm looking at you), there's no such danger with this latest addition.
And the reason is because of the pure insanity of some of the side stories.
Granted, the quest to find Sid is not exactly the stuff of cinematic legend, but Ice Age 3 has two major things going for it.
The return of Scrat (and his beloved acorn) and the latest insane addition to the menagerie, Buck the weasel (voiced perfectly by Simon Pegg)
These two combine a wackiness and goofy unpredictability which brings much needed relief to the rather mundane central plot.
Scrat has this time got a female nemesis who messes with his acorn as well as his head - his slapstick antics are sc®attered throughout the film and inserted here and there seamlessly - and benefit from the less is more mentality.
But it's Simon Pegg's slightly damaged goods Buck the Weasel who gives the film a much needed boost of sheer hilarity - his character is imbued with a sadness (he's been living underground amongst the dinosaurs for years) but he plays off more of a sort of Apocalypse Now insanity.
The kids will love Ice Age 3 - it's best to enjoy the film in 3D (and it's being released so) and on the big screen - unlike other recent 3D offerings, none of the scenes are shoe horned in to demonstrate how cool the tech is - some may argue that if the animation's good enough, it shouldn't need 3D to boost it; but in this case, the 3D gives the animation a lush textured feel.
Ice Age 3 isn't on the broad spectrum of animated humourous outings like Toy Story - but it's 90 minutes of great family entertainment which will keep the little darlings quiet while the winter rain continues to pelt down.
Rating: 7/10
Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Cast: John Leguizamo, Ray Romano, Denis Leary, Queen Latifah, Simon Pegg
Director: Carlos Saldana
They say the third time is the charm.
With Ice Age 3: Dawn Of the Dinosaurs, that's definitely the case.
After the events of Ice Age: The Meltdown, Manny the wooly mammoth (Ray Romano) is getting ready for fatherhood with Ellie (Queen Latifah) - and Sid (John Leguizamo) and Diego (Denis Leary) are trying to work out their place in this impending happy family.
Sid is pining for motherhood and Diego's unsure whether he's lost his edge - basically, the pair of them feel out of sorts with Manny's future.
So when Sid stumbles on some dinosaur eggs and adopts them, he inadvertently ends up in an underground world populated by dinosaurs and miles away from his friends.
Realising the danger their friend is in, Diego, Manny and pregnant Ellie head off to try and save him&.
Ice Age 3 is going to be the perfect entertainment for the impending school holidays - and while other third installments of an animated franchise have struggled to keep up the laughs and originality (Shrek 3, I'm looking at you), there's no such danger with this latest addition.
And the reason is because of the pure insanity of some of the side stories.
Granted, the quest to find Sid is not exactly the stuff of cinematic legend, but Ice Age 3 has two major things going for it.
The return of Scrat (and his beloved acorn) and the latest insane addition to the menagerie, Buck the weasel (voiced perfectly by Simon Pegg)
These two combine a wackiness and goofy unpredictability which brings much needed relief to the rather mundane central plot.
Scrat has this time got a female nemesis who messes with his acorn as well as his head - his slapstick antics are sc®attered throughout the film and inserted here and there seamlessly - and benefit from the less is more mentality.
But it's Simon Pegg's slightly damaged goods Buck the Weasel who gives the film a much needed boost of sheer hilarity - his character is imbued with a sadness (he's been living underground amongst the dinosaurs for years) but he plays off more of a sort of Apocalypse Now insanity.
The kids will love Ice Age 3 - it's best to enjoy the film in 3D (and it's being released so) and on the big screen - unlike other recent 3D offerings, none of the scenes are shoe horned in to demonstrate how cool the tech is - some may argue that if the animation's good enough, it shouldn't need 3D to boost it; but in this case, the 3D gives the animation a lush textured feel.
Ice Age 3 isn't on the broad spectrum of animated humourous outings like Toy Story - but it's 90 minutes of great family entertainment which will keep the little darlings quiet while the winter rain continues to pelt down.
Rating: 7/10
A Film With Me In It: DVD Review
A Film With Me In It: DVD Review
A Film With Me In It
Cast: Dylan Moran, Mark Doherty, Keith Allen, David O Doherty
Director: Ian Fitzgibbon
Mark (Mark Doherty) isn't doing too well.
An out of work actor who's trying to write a film with his mate Pierce (Dylan Moran), Mark just can't seem to get any luck whatsoever.
His girlfriend is about to walk out on him because of the ramshackle accommodation they live in; his landlord wants he - and his wheelchair bound brother (David O Doherty) evicted -so all in all, Mark is really struggling to get by.
Then one fateful day, his life is completely changed when everyone around him (except Pierce) is killed in a series of unfortunate, unplanned mishaps in his flat.
As Mark struggles to cope trapped in the flat with a plethora of dead bodies, Pierce convinces him there is a way out of it - which doesn't involve either of them going to the police and confessing what happened&..
A Film With Me In It tries for pitch black humour - and somehow ends up being just a little bit dull - and far too contrived to feel much sympathy for Mark.
Moran's Pierce isn't intended to be a nice character - and his matter of fact bullying of Mark who just wants to go to the police doesn't make you feel any kind of sympathy for Pierce and just makes you wish Mark would stand upto him.
The problem with this film is that the contrived incidents - while they're hinted at in the beginning of the film - seem far too wacky and coincidental to be believable - although I'm guessing those who were involved would say that's actually the point.
At times, it throws up echoes of Shallow Grave but there's no real urgency to the pair when faced with a growing body count - and consequently you don't end up willing them to succeed in their quest to avoid jail.
While it ends up being pitch black dark farce towards the end, A Film With Me In It is a curio - it feels overlong despite its brief running time and is a disappointment given the comic caliber of those involved.
In the end it's a film which has missed potential and a melodrama which fails to have any real heart in it - if you had felt more for the characters and their plight, chances are you'd have been a little more sucked into their world instead of feeling like those who'd died got off lightly.
Rating 3/10
A Film With Me In It
Cast: Dylan Moran, Mark Doherty, Keith Allen, David O Doherty
Director: Ian Fitzgibbon
Mark (Mark Doherty) isn't doing too well.
An out of work actor who's trying to write a film with his mate Pierce (Dylan Moran), Mark just can't seem to get any luck whatsoever.
His girlfriend is about to walk out on him because of the ramshackle accommodation they live in; his landlord wants he - and his wheelchair bound brother (David O Doherty) evicted -so all in all, Mark is really struggling to get by.
Then one fateful day, his life is completely changed when everyone around him (except Pierce) is killed in a series of unfortunate, unplanned mishaps in his flat.
As Mark struggles to cope trapped in the flat with a plethora of dead bodies, Pierce convinces him there is a way out of it - which doesn't involve either of them going to the police and confessing what happened&..
A Film With Me In It tries for pitch black humour - and somehow ends up being just a little bit dull - and far too contrived to feel much sympathy for Mark.
Moran's Pierce isn't intended to be a nice character - and his matter of fact bullying of Mark who just wants to go to the police doesn't make you feel any kind of sympathy for Pierce and just makes you wish Mark would stand upto him.
The problem with this film is that the contrived incidents - while they're hinted at in the beginning of the film - seem far too wacky and coincidental to be believable - although I'm guessing those who were involved would say that's actually the point.
At times, it throws up echoes of Shallow Grave but there's no real urgency to the pair when faced with a growing body count - and consequently you don't end up willing them to succeed in their quest to avoid jail.
While it ends up being pitch black dark farce towards the end, A Film With Me In It is a curio - it feels overlong despite its brief running time and is a disappointment given the comic caliber of those involved.
In the end it's a film which has missed potential and a melodrama which fails to have any real heart in it - if you had felt more for the characters and their plight, chances are you'd have been a little more sucked into their world instead of feeling like those who'd died got off lightly.
Rating 3/10
Rachel Getting Married: DVD Review
Rachel Getting Married: DVD Review
Rachel Getting Married
Cast: Anne Hathaway, Bill Irwin, Sebastian Stan, Rosemarie DeWitt
Director: Jonathan Demme
Can there be anything worse than an enforced family gathering?
Well, if it's a wedding then sometimes, although it's supposed to be a happy occasion, there can be one or two problems.
Throw in a dysfunctional family and a girl fresh out of rehab, and it's heading for "memorable" (read: disastrous)
Hathaway is stunning as Kym, the sister of the titular Rachel (DeWitt) who shows up back at home days before the actual ceremony.
Straight out of rehab for drugs, she's the flashpoint for some long buried family tensions to resurface as the happy day grows closer.
This film saw Hathaway nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress - and based on this performance, she was robbed by Kate Winslet's taking of the statue.
Her Kym is everything a screwed up, rehab character should be - her acting in this elevates her beyond the Princess Diaries most will remember her for - it's subtle, nuanced and mesmerizing.
In one particular scene, called to the family table to celebrate her sister's wedding rather than sing her sister's praises, Kym actually seizes the moment to bring out her 12 steps programme.
The direction by Demme (The Silence of The Lambs) isn't intrusive - it's all about observation and that lends itself to a documentary style feel.
Rachel Getting Married shows Hathaway's risen well above the teen fodder - and based on this performance, coupled with the right material, she's got a stellar career ahead of her.
Extras: Commentary with Producer Neda Armian, Screenwriter Jenny Lumet and Editor Tim Squyres, Commentary with Actress Rosemarie DeWitt, A Look Behind the Scenes of Rachel Getting Married, The Wedding Band, Cast and Crew Q&A at the Jacob Burns Center, Deleted Scenes
Rating: 6/10
Rachel Getting Married
Cast: Anne Hathaway, Bill Irwin, Sebastian Stan, Rosemarie DeWitt
Director: Jonathan Demme
Can there be anything worse than an enforced family gathering?
Well, if it's a wedding then sometimes, although it's supposed to be a happy occasion, there can be one or two problems.
Throw in a dysfunctional family and a girl fresh out of rehab, and it's heading for "memorable" (read: disastrous)
Hathaway is stunning as Kym, the sister of the titular Rachel (DeWitt) who shows up back at home days before the actual ceremony.
Straight out of rehab for drugs, she's the flashpoint for some long buried family tensions to resurface as the happy day grows closer.
This film saw Hathaway nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress - and based on this performance, she was robbed by Kate Winslet's taking of the statue.
Her Kym is everything a screwed up, rehab character should be - her acting in this elevates her beyond the Princess Diaries most will remember her for - it's subtle, nuanced and mesmerizing.
In one particular scene, called to the family table to celebrate her sister's wedding rather than sing her sister's praises, Kym actually seizes the moment to bring out her 12 steps programme.
The direction by Demme (The Silence of The Lambs) isn't intrusive - it's all about observation and that lends itself to a documentary style feel.
Rachel Getting Married shows Hathaway's risen well above the teen fodder - and based on this performance, coupled with the right material, she's got a stellar career ahead of her.
Extras: Commentary with Producer Neda Armian, Screenwriter Jenny Lumet and Editor Tim Squyres, Commentary with Actress Rosemarie DeWitt, A Look Behind the Scenes of Rachel Getting Married, The Wedding Band, Cast and Crew Q&A at the Jacob Burns Center, Deleted Scenes
Rating: 6/10
The Escapist: DVD Review
The Escapist: DVD Review
The Escapist
Released by Vendetta Films
Rating: M
Cast: Brian Cox, Liam Cunnigham, Dominic Cooper, Damian Lewis, Joseph Fiennes, Steven Macintosh
The Escapist is one of the latest entrants to the prison break genre - and is one of those films which will have you debating long after the credits have rolled.
Even if you saw it in the cinema, you'll still be looking for the clues to help piece together the puzzle.
Brian Cox is Frank, a lifer, who, on hearing his only daughter is ill after a drugs overdose, decides now is the time to get out. But he can't do it on his own - so he pulls together a gang of associates (a small trusted group) to help him pull off his own prison break. And just when it looks like it's about to come together, the plan could unravel any moment thanks to the arrival of Frank's new cellmate (Dominic Cooper) who inadvertently picks up the attention of one of the meanest inmates.
The Escapist is a pretty gripping piece of cinema - thanks 100% to its lead. Cox is compelling as Frank,a weary man who's determined to serve out his sentence but whose desire to leave is all too real once he realizes the danger his daughter is in. Scenes involving his character towards the end are just heartbreaking and gut wrenching and Cox conveys more of that because of the lines on his face than any piece of dialogue could ever manage.
There are some great character turns in this film - Band of Brothers fave Damian Lewis is brilliant as Rizza - rumour has it he wore women's underwear to perfect the walk Rizza has; Steven Macintosh is just creepy as Tony who menaces Dominic Cooper's James Lacey. Director Rupert Wyatt does a sterling job - you see (spoiler) the break out intercut with scenes from the prison and it takes a little time to piece together the chronology of events.
The soundtrack is a little much at times - the music is perfect, but somehow in the final mix, someone cranked it up to 11 and it's a little piercing during certain key scenes - even if it does get the adrenaline pumping.
The Escapist ultimately may be viewed by some as just another prison flick but as far as I'm concerned it's a slightly superior intelligent drama which you'll find yourself completely engrossed in by the end.
Extras: A Making of the Escapist Behind the Scenes featurette, Story Board Comparison, Audio Commentary and Original Theatrical Trailer make a reasonable package for a good film
Rating: 8/10
The Escapist
Released by Vendetta Films
Rating: M
Cast: Brian Cox, Liam Cunnigham, Dominic Cooper, Damian Lewis, Joseph Fiennes, Steven Macintosh
The Escapist is one of the latest entrants to the prison break genre - and is one of those films which will have you debating long after the credits have rolled.
Even if you saw it in the cinema, you'll still be looking for the clues to help piece together the puzzle.
Brian Cox is Frank, a lifer, who, on hearing his only daughter is ill after a drugs overdose, decides now is the time to get out. But he can't do it on his own - so he pulls together a gang of associates (a small trusted group) to help him pull off his own prison break. And just when it looks like it's about to come together, the plan could unravel any moment thanks to the arrival of Frank's new cellmate (Dominic Cooper) who inadvertently picks up the attention of one of the meanest inmates.
The Escapist is a pretty gripping piece of cinema - thanks 100% to its lead. Cox is compelling as Frank,a weary man who's determined to serve out his sentence but whose desire to leave is all too real once he realizes the danger his daughter is in. Scenes involving his character towards the end are just heartbreaking and gut wrenching and Cox conveys more of that because of the lines on his face than any piece of dialogue could ever manage.
There are some great character turns in this film - Band of Brothers fave Damian Lewis is brilliant as Rizza - rumour has it he wore women's underwear to perfect the walk Rizza has; Steven Macintosh is just creepy as Tony who menaces Dominic Cooper's James Lacey. Director Rupert Wyatt does a sterling job - you see (spoiler) the break out intercut with scenes from the prison and it takes a little time to piece together the chronology of events.
The soundtrack is a little much at times - the music is perfect, but somehow in the final mix, someone cranked it up to 11 and it's a little piercing during certain key scenes - even if it does get the adrenaline pumping.
The Escapist ultimately may be viewed by some as just another prison flick but as far as I'm concerned it's a slightly superior intelligent drama which you'll find yourself completely engrossed in by the end.
Extras: A Making of the Escapist Behind the Scenes featurette, Story Board Comparison, Audio Commentary and Original Theatrical Trailer make a reasonable package for a good film
Rating: 8/10
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