A Prophet: DVD Review
A Prophet
Released by Sony
Rating: R18
Winner of the Grand Jury
prize in 2009 at Cannes,A Prophet clearly deserves its accolades.
This is the tale of Malik, (Tahar Rahim) a 19 year old
French Arab sentenced to 6 years in jail.
Finding
himself in over his head initially, Malik is ordered to kill a Mafia informant
by the Mob inside the prison - or forfeit his own life.
With no choice, Malik carries out the crime and subsequently finds he
rises through thr ranks of the Mafia inside the jail. Pretty soon, Malik is a
pivotal part of life behind bars - but soon realizes that there will come a time
when he's leaving jail to embark on the next stage of his life.
A Prophet is a sophisticated, restrained and sensitive
drama with a wonderful central performance from Tahar Rahim.
It's deeply compelling, richly rewarding and gripping from beginning
to end.
This is a film to be treasured.
Extras: Deleted scenes, commentary
and rehearsal footage.
Rating:
8/10
Sunday, 27 February 2011
Saturday, 26 February 2011
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps: DVD Review
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps: DVD Review
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps
Rating: M
Released by Roadshow Entertainment
23 years since Gordon Gekko headed to prison at the end of Wall Street, he's back.
And in the meantime, the real financial world has seen major changes.
At the same time as Gekko exits jail, Shia LaBeouf's Jacob Moore is an investment banker who's looking into the death of his mentor Lewis Zabel (Frank Langella).
Moore begins to suspect Josh Brolin's Bretton James may have been involved - and he vows revenge.
And Gekko sees - and seizes - the opportunity to exert his power...
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps is a curious film - there are splashes of the usual Oliver Stone extravagance on the directing front but there's also flashes of genius too.
One particular trick sees Stone outlining the skylines of New York and London with the share market ups and downs; it's a clever visual touch which stands out - even if it is over used.
Sadly there's too little Michael Douglas and as a result, the film feels somewhat redundant in parts.
It's clear a financial expert's had a hand on the script. The problem is that it goes a little too far into financial speak and despite the drama's being there, it's as if Stone's unveiling yet another conspiracy (though this time it's factual) and the film suffers a little because of it.
But it's the treatment of Gekko which is the most disappointing - the character changes so much in the final reel that you almost feel cheated at the end.
Extras: Commentary by Oliver Stone and doco on the return of Gekko.
Rating: 5/10
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps
Rating: M
Released by Roadshow Entertainment
23 years since Gordon Gekko headed to prison at the end of Wall Street, he's back.
And in the meantime, the real financial world has seen major changes.
At the same time as Gekko exits jail, Shia LaBeouf's Jacob Moore is an investment banker who's looking into the death of his mentor Lewis Zabel (Frank Langella).
Moore begins to suspect Josh Brolin's Bretton James may have been involved - and he vows revenge.
And Gekko sees - and seizes - the opportunity to exert his power...
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps is a curious film - there are splashes of the usual Oliver Stone extravagance on the directing front but there's also flashes of genius too.
One particular trick sees Stone outlining the skylines of New York and London with the share market ups and downs; it's a clever visual touch which stands out - even if it is over used.
Sadly there's too little Michael Douglas and as a result, the film feels somewhat redundant in parts.
It's clear a financial expert's had a hand on the script. The problem is that it goes a little too far into financial speak and despite the drama's being there, it's as if Stone's unveiling yet another conspiracy (though this time it's factual) and the film suffers a little because of it.
But it's the treatment of Gekko which is the most disappointing - the character changes so much in the final reel that you almost feel cheated at the end.
Extras: Commentary by Oliver Stone and doco on the return of Gekko.
Rating: 5/10
Friday, 25 February 2011
The Runaways: DVD Review
The Runaways: DVD Review
The Runaways
Rating: R16
Released by Sony Home Entertainment
Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning leave their Twilight images behind in this tale of hedonism, hard rocking and harmonies.
Set in the 70s it's the true life coming of age tale of Joan Jett and Cherie Currie, how their rock and roll lives collided and they blazed the trail for women in rawk music.
But while Jett was always determined to be a rock star, Currie was more saddled with the problems of family life which seem to cause conflict within her - and unleash her inner demons.
This film belongs to Fanning as drug addled Currie and Michael Shannon as the maestro Kim Fowley who sees the potential of the female band-it's their relationship with everyone else which eclipses most of the film itself.
Punky and spunky, The Runaways is a hedonistic trip, fizzing with energy and humanity.
Extras: Commentary with Joan Jett, KStew and Dakota Fanning; featurette - nice touch on the commentary to keep the interest going. Blu ray offers exactly the same.
Rating: 7/10
The Runaways
Rating: R16
Released by Sony Home Entertainment
Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning leave their Twilight images behind in this tale of hedonism, hard rocking and harmonies.
Set in the 70s it's the true life coming of age tale of Joan Jett and Cherie Currie, how their rock and roll lives collided and they blazed the trail for women in rawk music.
But while Jett was always determined to be a rock star, Currie was more saddled with the problems of family life which seem to cause conflict within her - and unleash her inner demons.
This film belongs to Fanning as drug addled Currie and Michael Shannon as the maestro Kim Fowley who sees the potential of the female band-it's their relationship with everyone else which eclipses most of the film itself.
Punky and spunky, The Runaways is a hedonistic trip, fizzing with energy and humanity.
Extras: Commentary with Joan Jett, KStew and Dakota Fanning; featurette - nice touch on the commentary to keep the interest going. Blu ray offers exactly the same.
Rating: 7/10
The Sorcerer's Apprentice: DVD Review
The Sorcerer's Apprentice: DVD Review
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Released by Disney
Rating: PG
In the latest from Disney, Nicolas Cage stars as Balthazar Blake, a sorcerer who's fought his arch nemesis, Maxim Horvath (Alfred Molina complete with requisite English bad guy accent and goatee beard) throughout time - and since the time of Arthur and Merlin.
But Blake needs to find the Prime Merlinian, a sorcerer who has so much power that they can wield the power of Merlin and help vanquish Horvath.
Enter Jay Baruchel's Dave, a nerdy physics major who ten years ago met Blake, was told of his destiny and then watched Blake disappear into thin air.
However, when Blake reappears, Dave finds he is slap bang in the middle of Maxim's plans to use an ancient power to raise an army of the dead and take over the world&can Dave help Blake save the day?
The Sorcerer's Apprentice is a fresh, fun take on the world of sorcery and magic; it's fantastical family fun complete with its everyman central character played with humour and likeability by Jay Baruchel.
With some eye popping special effects (some of which hark back to the Mummy) and a script which is smart enough to throw cinematic nods to the older end of the audience (Star Wars and Indy are just two of them), the team behind this know how to keep all sections of the audience engaged.
Extras: A whole heap of behind the scenes stuff, deleted scenes and outtakes make this a reasonable, good looking package on Blu Ray.
Rating: 7/10
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Released by Disney
Rating: PG
In the latest from Disney, Nicolas Cage stars as Balthazar Blake, a sorcerer who's fought his arch nemesis, Maxim Horvath (Alfred Molina complete with requisite English bad guy accent and goatee beard) throughout time - and since the time of Arthur and Merlin.
But Blake needs to find the Prime Merlinian, a sorcerer who has so much power that they can wield the power of Merlin and help vanquish Horvath.
Enter Jay Baruchel's Dave, a nerdy physics major who ten years ago met Blake, was told of his destiny and then watched Blake disappear into thin air.
However, when Blake reappears, Dave finds he is slap bang in the middle of Maxim's plans to use an ancient power to raise an army of the dead and take over the world&can Dave help Blake save the day?
The Sorcerer's Apprentice is a fresh, fun take on the world of sorcery and magic; it's fantastical family fun complete with its everyman central character played with humour and likeability by Jay Baruchel.
With some eye popping special effects (some of which hark back to the Mummy) and a script which is smart enough to throw cinematic nods to the older end of the audience (Star Wars and Indy are just two of them), the team behind this know how to keep all sections of the audience engaged.
Extras: A whole heap of behind the scenes stuff, deleted scenes and outtakes make this a reasonable, good looking package on Blu Ray.
Rating: 7/10
Legends of The Guardians: DVD Review
Legends of The Guardians: DVD Review
Legend of The Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole
Rating: PG
Released by Roadshow Entertainment
In the latest animated fare to hit, Jim Sturgess plays Soren a young barn owl whose life is full of the tales of the Guardians of Ga'Hoole, who, legend says are there to protect the kingdom.
But his brother Kludd (True Blood's Ryan Kwanten) isn't so impressed and is a little jealous of the way their father spends more time with Soren.
One day while the pair are learning how to fly, they're captured by two minions of the evil MetalBeak - and the brothers find their allegiances split as they take opposing sides in a battle against the owls.
Beautiful, sumptuous kingdoms are brought to life by stunning use of CGI; the owls themselves are given such depth and detail that they stand out. The landscapes and scenery are so wonderful that you're drawn into the kingdom of Gahoole with ease.
Coupled with a soaring soundtrack that evocatively captures every mood (from learning to fly to the final attack), it's clear the film makers have spared no expense.
Narratively though, it's a little lacking with some parts of the story slightly muddy in places and it's only thanks to the fact it looks so good and is well animated, that it's a success.
Extras: The new Wile E Coyote short which was on in cinemas and a doco about how important owls are.
Rating: 7/10
Legend of The Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole
Rating: PG
Released by Roadshow Entertainment
In the latest animated fare to hit, Jim Sturgess plays Soren a young barn owl whose life is full of the tales of the Guardians of Ga'Hoole, who, legend says are there to protect the kingdom.
But his brother Kludd (True Blood's Ryan Kwanten) isn't so impressed and is a little jealous of the way their father spends more time with Soren.
One day while the pair are learning how to fly, they're captured by two minions of the evil MetalBeak - and the brothers find their allegiances split as they take opposing sides in a battle against the owls.
Beautiful, sumptuous kingdoms are brought to life by stunning use of CGI; the owls themselves are given such depth and detail that they stand out. The landscapes and scenery are so wonderful that you're drawn into the kingdom of Gahoole with ease.
Coupled with a soaring soundtrack that evocatively captures every mood (from learning to fly to the final attack), it's clear the film makers have spared no expense.
Narratively though, it's a little lacking with some parts of the story slightly muddy in places and it's only thanks to the fact it looks so good and is well animated, that it's a success.
Extras: The new Wile E Coyote short which was on in cinemas and a doco about how important owls are.
Rating: 7/10
Thursday, 24 February 2011
Curry Munchers: Movie Review
Curry Munchers: Movie Review
Curry Munchers
Rating: 4/10
Cast: Anand Naidu, Alison Titulaer, Ajay Vasisht, Leela Patel, Ben Mitchell, Rajeev Varma, Tarun Mohanbhai
Director: Cristobal Araus Lobos
A New Zealand film about love, hope and some curry is how those behind Curry Munchers are advertising it.
Anand Naidu (who wrote) stars as Sid, who's forced (along with his sister and mother) to follow his father to Auckland and ditch his life in Delhi.
But when Sid gets there, he finds the house they're living in is a disappointment - and life's not what he'd expected for the promised new country.
Sid ends up working at Sargeet, the local curry house - where he forms a friendship with maitre d' Mary (Titulaer) and the kitchen workers (Varma and Mohanbhai). Sid doesn't want his parents to know about the job - and he's not the only one hiding a secret. Sid's dad isn't actually working as an accountant - he's a forecourt attendant.
The problem is all of these secrets threaten to come to light when Sargeet enters into Cook Off New Zealand and suddenly Sid finds his loyalties torn in many directions.
Curry Munchers has an admirable heart and a nice idea about how migration actually affects those involved.
But the execution is fudged and the end result is bitterly disappointing and slightly amateur in places. Every twist is signposted early on and plays out as predictably as you'd expect. This is also the kind of script where people get hit by a door opening and end up knocked out - the, at times, over the top antics mean that the script heads more to the puerile and silly which would alienate a certain section of the audience.
It's a shame because Anand Naidu actually offers up an engagaing and affable performance as Sid - and the story is earnest in places but it can't quite decide whether to break away from its Indian roots and occasional silliness and because of that, it's likely to not find the wide audience it craves.
Curry Munchers
Rating: 4/10
Cast: Anand Naidu, Alison Titulaer, Ajay Vasisht, Leela Patel, Ben Mitchell, Rajeev Varma, Tarun Mohanbhai
Director: Cristobal Araus Lobos
A New Zealand film about love, hope and some curry is how those behind Curry Munchers are advertising it.
Anand Naidu (who wrote) stars as Sid, who's forced (along with his sister and mother) to follow his father to Auckland and ditch his life in Delhi.
But when Sid gets there, he finds the house they're living in is a disappointment - and life's not what he'd expected for the promised new country.
Sid ends up working at Sargeet, the local curry house - where he forms a friendship with maitre d' Mary (Titulaer) and the kitchen workers (Varma and Mohanbhai). Sid doesn't want his parents to know about the job - and he's not the only one hiding a secret. Sid's dad isn't actually working as an accountant - he's a forecourt attendant.
The problem is all of these secrets threaten to come to light when Sargeet enters into Cook Off New Zealand and suddenly Sid finds his loyalties torn in many directions.
Curry Munchers has an admirable heart and a nice idea about how migration actually affects those involved.
But the execution is fudged and the end result is bitterly disappointing and slightly amateur in places. Every twist is signposted early on and plays out as predictably as you'd expect. This is also the kind of script where people get hit by a door opening and end up knocked out - the, at times, over the top antics mean that the script heads more to the puerile and silly which would alienate a certain section of the audience.
It's a shame because Anand Naidu actually offers up an engagaing and affable performance as Sid - and the story is earnest in places but it can't quite decide whether to break away from its Indian roots and occasional silliness and because of that, it's likely to not find the wide audience it craves.
Conviction: Movie Review
Conviction: Movie Review
Conviction
Rating: 4/10
Cast: Hilary Swank, Sam Rockwell, Minnie Driver, Peter Gallagher, Melissa Leo
Director: Tony Goldwyn
Hilary Swank stars as Betty Ann Waters in this film which is based on a true story.
Waters is a drop out who's formed a close bond with her brother Kenny (the ever great Sam Rockwell) as they've been shunted from foster home to foster home in their childhoods.
But when Kenny's arrested for murder by Nancy Taylor (Melissa Leo)- and convicted two years after the crime's been committed- Betty Ann feels her life ripped from her.
So, she resolves to put herself through law school with the sole aim of doing whatever it takes to exonerate her brother.
Spurred on by her friend Abra (Driver), Waters contacts the Innocence project, determined to use DNA evidence to get her brother out of jail, despite overwhelming evidence.
Conviction would work better as a TV movie, rather than a big screen outing.
All involved give great performances and it seems unfair to diminish the true story nature of this, but the problem is the film offers nothing new or original to many other similar stories of their ilk.
Granted, it's made perfectly adequately and sees the main duo of Swank and Rockwell acquit themselves decently - but the emotional core of the film appears to have gone AWOL from script to screen.
The moments where you'd expect your heart to leap are curiously flat and presented in a very matter of fact way; and some of the most potentially engaging drama (Waters' marriage falling apart being one) takes place off screen, robbing you of any real involvement. That and the fact that it's not explored that this woman's spent her entire life trying to save her brother and it's cost her everything and you just feel nothing but detachment from what transpires in front of you.
At the end of the day, Conviction has plenty of its own title in it, but it really could have done with a little more courage of its convictions to have soared above the usual fare.
Conviction
Rating: 4/10
Cast: Hilary Swank, Sam Rockwell, Minnie Driver, Peter Gallagher, Melissa Leo
Director: Tony Goldwyn
Hilary Swank stars as Betty Ann Waters in this film which is based on a true story.
Waters is a drop out who's formed a close bond with her brother Kenny (the ever great Sam Rockwell) as they've been shunted from foster home to foster home in their childhoods.
But when Kenny's arrested for murder by Nancy Taylor (Melissa Leo)- and convicted two years after the crime's been committed- Betty Ann feels her life ripped from her.
So, she resolves to put herself through law school with the sole aim of doing whatever it takes to exonerate her brother.
Spurred on by her friend Abra (Driver), Waters contacts the Innocence project, determined to use DNA evidence to get her brother out of jail, despite overwhelming evidence.
Conviction would work better as a TV movie, rather than a big screen outing.
All involved give great performances and it seems unfair to diminish the true story nature of this, but the problem is the film offers nothing new or original to many other similar stories of their ilk.
Granted, it's made perfectly adequately and sees the main duo of Swank and Rockwell acquit themselves decently - but the emotional core of the film appears to have gone AWOL from script to screen.
The moments where you'd expect your heart to leap are curiously flat and presented in a very matter of fact way; and some of the most potentially engaging drama (Waters' marriage falling apart being one) takes place off screen, robbing you of any real involvement. That and the fact that it's not explored that this woman's spent her entire life trying to save her brother and it's cost her everything and you just feel nothing but detachment from what transpires in front of you.
At the end of the day, Conviction has plenty of its own title in it, but it really could have done with a little more courage of its convictions to have soared above the usual fare.
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