Balibo: Movie Review

Balibo: Movie Review

Rating: 7/10
Cast: Anthony LaPaglia, Oscar Isaac, Nathan Phillips, Damon Gameau, Gyton Grantley, Tom Wright

Director: Robert Connolly
The ever reliable Anthony LaPaglia stars as war journalist Roger East in Balibo - he's called to investigate the disappearance of five Australian journalists in the township of Balibo by Jose Ramos-Horta (Oscar Isaac).
The quintet was looking into the invasion of East Timor by Indonesian forces when they disappeared - and despite East's initial reluctance to get involved, Ramos-Horta piques his journalistic fancy. East's been promised the job of running the News agency in East Timor as the invasion got underway in 1975 - but he's more concerned about what actually happened to the journalists and why the Australian government - and the world - didn't seem to care.
However, as East heads closer into dangerous territory he soon realises the country's on tipping point and atrocities are being committed which no-one's being told about - can he get to the truth and survive?
Political thriller Balibo is, by turns heartbreaking, horrific and dramatic - the central story of the missing five is book ended by a journalist interviewing a girl who was in Balibo in 1975. He's trying to establish exactly what went on so that those whose lives were lost can get some form of justice. Throughout, the film is interspersed with footage of the journalists and their journey deeper into the heart of East Timor. By initially only using snippets of the journalists' actions, Connolly very cleverly pieces together a narrative framework which is rich in content and throws you right into the middle of the story.
LaPaglia is great as ever as war frazzled journalist East - his relationship with the young Ramos-Horta fizzles with initial mistrust - and even the viewer's not 100% sure if East is being given the truth by Isaac's character. The journalists themselves are well played - and their naivety going into the war zone is suddenly replaced by a very real fear of what they may actually face when confronted by the Indonesian troops. There's a smattering of humour as the journos realise they may have been beaten to the story by a rival network, but the ever encroaching menace and horror of their pursuit of the truth is overwhelming and on several occasions, you find your heart in your mouth. The ending is certainly guaranteed to leave you numb and sickened - but director Robert Connolly doesn't milk the situation for dramatic effect - he simply tells the story rather than tug on the heart strings.
Balibo manages to be a compelling political thriller without delivering an overtly political message - scenes of bodies being discovered massacred in a village are stripped of soundtrack so only the sobs of the characters convey the horrific situation.

Banned in Indonesia amid concerns the story's been skewed to an Australian audience and doesn't tell the truth about how the five journalists died, Balibo remains a deeply affecting and haunting film as the reality of what happened some thirty years ago comes to cinematic light.

Toy Story 1 and 2 3D: Movie Review

Toy Story 1 and 2 3D: Movie Review

Toy Story 1 and 2 3D
Rating: 9/10
Cast: Woody, Buzz, Mr Potato Head, Andy, Slinky Dog
Vocal cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Kelsey Grammer, Joan Cusack
"You are a sad, strange little man."
The claw, the aliens, Jesse, Prospector, Al's Toy Barn, Randy Newman's "You've Got A Friend in Me"; there's so much to remember and love from the Toy Story series.
With Toy Story 3D on its way this year and a brand new series of adventures for the gang just around the corner, it seems inevitable that the first 2 animated films are re-released in 3D to whet the appetite.
But before you scream cash in and protest, hold up just a minute.
The story of Tom Hanks' Woody, the lovable cowboy toy, so beloved by his owner and his friendship and rivalry with Tim Allen's space age toy Buzz Lightyear have thrilled generations of kids - both young and old.
Yet, Disney's pulled out the stops to make this double bill an experience rather than just a back to back screening of the 2 films - with a specially animated opening from the characters to a 10 minute intermission complete with trivia and extra scenes to keep the kids quiet, it's become more of an evening out at the movies.
What of the films themselves? The 3D honestly doesn't add too much to the world of Andy and his toys - it simply lends a level of depth to Pixar's animation that renders it more thrilling on the screen.
And while it's great to see Toy Story again, personally, it's Toy Story 2 which soars - I'd forgotten how close to tears the story of Woody finding his compadres Jesse, Bullseye and the Prospector brought me. There's humour aplenty in the first film but there's a confidence in Toy Story 2 that eclipses the animation and gives it a humanity which is hard to resist.

This is the perfect double bill ahead of the third episode this summer - I can't think of a better way to entertain all the family and to keep the big and little kids happy.

Shutter Island: Movie Review

Shutter Island: Movie Review

Rating: 8/10
Cast: Leonardo di Caprio, Ben Kingsley, Mark Ruffalo, Michelle Williams, Max von Sydow
Director: Martin Scorsese
Scorsese and di Caprio reteam for this spooky mystery thriller adapted from the book by Dennis Lehane (who wrote Mystic River), which was pushed back from last year amid rumours the film company didn't have the cash needed to promote it because of the recession.
Di Caprio stars as US Marshall Teddy Daniels who's sent to a mental asylum on Shutter Island to investigate the disappearance of an inmate who is believed to still be somewhere on the island.
However, along with his partner Chuck (Mark Ruffalo), he finds his investigation blocked at every turn by the doctors in charge of the facility (chiefly Ben Kingsley's Dr Cawley). And as the pair find themselves stranded on the island by a storm, Teddy starts to suffer from flashbacks to the murder of his wife (Michelle Williams) and unsure of exactly who to trust.
Spooky, creepy and full of generally unsettling images, Shutter Island manages to be both disturbing and a masterclass in film making. Once again Martin Scorsese's created a cinematic experience which is full of his trademark camera work and vision which builds a claustrophobic world where you're never quite sure what's going on. Along with a great use of soundtrack and silence, the overall atmosphere is one of menace and uncertainty.
Di Caprio's pretty damn good as the marshall who's struck by visions of his dead wife as he investigates the disappearance - and he starts to unravel the further in he looks into what goes on; equally the supporting cast of Mark Ruffalo and Ben Kingsley do well to keep the mystery going. And Michelle Williams is haunting as Teddy's wife who perished in a fire set by someone Teddy believes is in the asylum.
If you're a regular film goer, you may well spot what's going on - but I guarantee you you won't pick up 100% of what exactly is happening - and yes there's plenty to discuss about the film but unless you want spoilers, here is not the place.

Shutter Island is a moody, enigmatic return from Scorsese - and it's great to see him tackle something slightly different - and he brings to it echoes of the Shining and pulp B movies. It's quite a thrilling ride and while there are a few lulls and the film feels a little long at the end, Shutter Island is a film with a compelling mystery wrapped up in it which will keep you onboard until the credits roll.

Up: DVD Review

Up: DVD Review

Up
Released by Disney DVD
Rating: PG

Voice Cast: Edward Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai, Bob Peterson, Delroy Lindo, Jerome Ranft, John Ratzenberger

A Pixar film is always likely to have me excited - animation is one of the things I love - and I know with this animation studio that their animators have spent hours poring over every frame, ensuring every pixel is in place and every moment is perfectly crafted.

Up is the tale of Carl Fredericksen, who, in the twilight years of his life, after realizing he never followed his (and his wife Ellie's dream) of taking a trip to Paradise Falls in South America, decides to do something about it.

So with the bulldozers literally knocking at his door to make way for a development, Carl unveils a roof full of balloons and heads for the skies as he relocates for good.

The trouble is, just prior to his leaving, Carl was visited by Wilderness Explorer, Russell, who's trying to earn his final badge - for helping the elderly - and who was near the house when it took to the skies. With his unwanted companion, Carl and Russell head off for adventure - even if Carl doesn't want it.

Up is quite an adult tale - it's a yarn about accepting what's in your backyard and living life to the full; it has a winsome quality and has some truly touching moments. But none more than the first sequence which fully illustrates Carl's life with Ellie before the present day is just beautiful, emotionally stunning. Quite how a 3 minute sequence of animation can reduce this reviewer to near tears is a testament to the human touch these computer animators haven't lost.

But I didn't feel the resolute joy with the rest of Up that I have done with similar Pixar releases - whether it's because this story didn't resonate with me, I don't know; that said, I do love the fact that Carl loses his purpose in his life after the loss of Ellie - a rare quality for an animated film to portray - and by relocating and following what were his family's dreams, he rediscovers who exactly he is.

However, for every moment of minor misses, there are 1001 visually stunning moments on Up - and even more so on BluRay - and at the end of the day, when you're watching animation sometimes it's more than enough to simply look up and be impressed.

EXTRAS: As ever with Pixar films, you get the short which preceded the film in the cinemas, the winsome Partly Cloudy, alternate scenes, a chance to visit the real paradise falls and perhaps the best bit Dug's Special Mission, a spin off animation about the talking dog Dug seen in the film. It's a great package and continues to push the high limits of Disney DVD releases.

Rating: 8/10 

The Cove: DVD Review

The Cove: DVD Review

The Cove
Rating: M
Released by Madman Entertainment
Sometimes a film knocks you sideways in ways you couldn't imagine.

Following a relatively low key success on the festival front and in the arthouse cinemas, this National Geographic photographer Louie Psihoyos doco finally hits the DVD shelves.
The Cove is a remarkably restrained piece about the lengths gone to for the capture of dolphins to populate the world's dolphinariums. A group of activists decide enough is enough and set about exposing the lengths the Japanese will go to to capture young dolphins at a secret Cove in the west of the country. But as they try to get footage from the killing fields, they're blocked at every turn and have to resort to subterrean subterfuge to achieve their goal.
Granted, a film which says it is unashamedly activist is likely to make some think it'll be a stringing together of sensationalist emotional material aimed at turning you against the Japanese.
However, with such powerful footage and content, you won't help but feel the call to action as the final credits roll.
It "stars" former Flipper trainer Ric O'Barry who is now trying to stop the capture of dolphins in Japan for entertainment purposes - his eloquence and measured behaviour is a real jolt to the senses when you realise he spent 10 years training Flipper before realising what damage he'd done and how he'd condemned a species to a life inside and at our entertainment mercy.
This is heartbreaking viewing but not because of one disturbing scene which shows the Japanese at work in the cove - and quite frankly that scene needs to be seen because there really is no option for them to deny what they do.
It's a dose of reality in a thrilling piece of documentary making which is a kind of aquatic Mission Impossible. Just don't be surprised if you feel galvanized into action at the end.
Extras: Theatrical trailer, Outtakes and more hidden camera footage from the group's attempt to infiltrate, audio commentary with director Louie Psihoyos, study guide add to this release's essential film-making.

Rating: 8/10

Dead Snow: DVD Review

Dead Snow: DVD Review

Dead Snow
Rating: R16
Released by Madman Entertainment
Dead Snow (or Dod Sno to give it its foreign title) is a Norwegian delight.
It's the story of eight medical students who head off for a boozy weekend in a cabin in remote Norway for some snow, fun and sex.
However, their holiday's put on hold when a bunch of dead Nazi zombies attack - the undead are after some recently uncovered Nazi gold (quite how they'd spend it is a little beyond me).
To be honest though, Dead Snow isn't supposed to be rocket science - it simply does what it says on the tin - zombies, c'mon people what more do you need?

It's also a horror splatterfest which is quite humorous in plenty of places - it also covers every single horror cliche in the genre; the gang are a randy bunch - and movie nerds- and the ones who have sex are the first to be picked off (didn't they see Scream?).

There's a crazy man wandering the land warning of danger in them thar hills - yes, every single cliche is present and correct but in a throwback way and an acknowledgement of what's gone before in the genre.

The Nazi zombies themselves are a strange bunch with their motives only really present at the end - but films like this don't lend themselves to sustained analysis.

Dead Snow is tremendous fun, gore-tastic and black humour abound - and even odes to Evil Dead..can't fault it- check yr brain at the door(well the zombies would only want to eat it)

EXTRAS: Making of Dead Snow, Cast and crew at Sundance, Make up and special effects featurettes

Rating: 7/10

In The Loop: DVD Review

In The Loop: DVD Review

In The Loop
Rating: R13
Released by Madman Entertainment

Cast: Peter Capaldi, James Gandolfini, Tom Hollander, Anna Chlumsky, Chris Addison

A spin off from the critically acclaimed The Thick Of It, it's a tale of politics, foul mouths and hilarious misunderstandings with global consequences.

With the British Prime Minister and US president looking to go to war, there are the inevitable political splits - and the situation is made much worse by Secretary of State for International Development, Simon Foster (Tom Hollander). His comment that war is "unforeseeable" during an interview is picked up - and suddenly the entire world appears to be going to hell in a handcart.

Only to make matters worse, the UK's chief spin doctor Malcolm Tucker (a stunning bilious performance from Peter Capaldi whose anger seems to push him close to a stroke) latches onto Foster as he tries to limit the damage control.

In The Loop is a dizzying, hedonistic trip through the corridors of power - it's like the West Wing on foul mouthed speed. It's about British politics and the satire - and takes in Washington politics as well.

It's fast paced, intelligent, frenetic and full of endlessly quotable F word moments - Iannucci shows why he's the king of UK satire as he lampoons the reality of life behind the political curtain.

With a top notch ensemble cast, In The Loop is full of quality performances - but one simply towers above the rest.

It's quite simply Peter Capaldi's film - his turn as spin doctor Malcolm Tucker defies description - from the first moments when he tells Foster's new intern to go away in no uncertain terms, it's clear he's not a man who minces his words. However, thanks to the juxtaposition of an impending global war and the absurdity of constituency politics, director Iannucci's able to weave a tableaux which is fun, frantic and requires a certain level of intelligence to follow.

In The Loop is a vicious satire and a very funny expression of politics as well as the levels it's played on - from the very top to the very bottom with quibbling interns.

Extras: Audio commentary with Armando Iannucci and cast; deleted scenes; webisodes, trailers and interviews with stars and the director make a great addition to a brilliantly savage film

Rating: 8/10