Somewhere: Blu Ray Review
Somewhere
Rating: M
Released by Universal
After winning us
over with the Virgin Suicides and Lost in Translation, Sofia Coppolla returns
with this tale of a Hollywood bad boy spending his days in a hotel.
Stephen Dorff gives a brilliant turn as Johnny Marco,
who's living a life of excess as he works through a press junket and life
beyond. Disconnected from life and lacking any real emotional connection aside
from the obligatory few sexual liaisons, Marco's life is changed when he
receives an unexpected visit from his daughter, Cleo (played by another of the
prodigious Fanning clan).
Marco takes Cleo in and
out on the road to Italy with him as he does publicity for his new film and
picks up an award - but when he returns to America, he starts to realise that
he's lacking the emotional connection in his life.
Somewhere is trademark Coppolla all over - long, lingering shots
peppered with silent moments run rampant through this film (which isn't going to
be to everyone's taste). The director also wrote the story as well so it's very
much an arthouse passion project
The pair make a
likeable duo and thanks to Copolla's direction which sees plenty of shots
holding on people, places and events, it's a welcome relief from all the fast
paced and frenetic film making these days. Be warned - It won't be to everyone's
tastes though
Extras: Making of
Rating: 5/10
Thursday, 26 May 2011
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
In A Better World: DVD Review
In A Better World: DVD Review
In a Better World
Rating: R16
Released by Vendetta Film
Golden Globe and Oscar winner In a Better World opens in Africa with Mikael Persbrandt's Anton working as a doctor in a field hospital and dealing with the fall out of a warlord and combat.
Anton is the pacifist, preferring to take the moral high ground rather than strike the first blow - but it's more difficult for his son Elias back in Denmark. He's bullied by the school kids and a bit of a loner.
One day, new kid on the block, Christian defends him - and a friendship forms. But as the friendship grows, Christian, who's recently lost his mother to cancer and is full of anger plots revenge on those who would do him and his friends wrong.
And it all escalates with devastating consequences.
In a Better World is a powerhouse, slow burning drama.
With evocative cutaways (either in Africa or Denmark), there's a real brooding intensity throughout - and while Persbrandt is good as Anton, the film belongs to the kids - William Jøhnk Nielsen as Christian and Markus Rygaard as Elias.
Both bring a real intensity to their brooding - Nielsen's particularly subtle in his role as a kid who's experienced loss and grief and doesn't know where to channel it.
Expect to become quickly engrossed in this drama - it's multi-layered, subtle and deeply rewarding.
Extras: None
Rating: 7/10
In a Better World
Rating: R16
Released by Vendetta Film
Golden Globe and Oscar winner In a Better World opens in Africa with Mikael Persbrandt's Anton working as a doctor in a field hospital and dealing with the fall out of a warlord and combat.
Anton is the pacifist, preferring to take the moral high ground rather than strike the first blow - but it's more difficult for his son Elias back in Denmark. He's bullied by the school kids and a bit of a loner.
One day, new kid on the block, Christian defends him - and a friendship forms. But as the friendship grows, Christian, who's recently lost his mother to cancer and is full of anger plots revenge on those who would do him and his friends wrong.
And it all escalates with devastating consequences.
In a Better World is a powerhouse, slow burning drama.
With evocative cutaways (either in Africa or Denmark), there's a real brooding intensity throughout - and while Persbrandt is good as Anton, the film belongs to the kids - William Jøhnk Nielsen as Christian and Markus Rygaard as Elias.
Both bring a real intensity to their brooding - Nielsen's particularly subtle in his role as a kid who's experienced loss and grief and doesn't know where to channel it.
Expect to become quickly engrossed in this drama - it's multi-layered, subtle and deeply rewarding.
Extras: None
Rating: 7/10
The Dilemma: Blu Ray Review
The Dilemma: Blu Ray Review
The Dilemma
Rating: M
Released by Universal
In this dramedy from Ron Howard, Vince Vaughan is Ronny, whose best mate since college days is Kevin James' Nick. These two are tight and are probably one of the best definitions of bromance I've seen for a long time - they work together and party together.
Nick's married to Winona Ryder's Geneva and has been for years - but one day Nick sees Geneva in the arms of another man.
That throws him into a moral quandary - should he tell his best buddy and risk their friendship and business partnership falling apart? Or should he keep quiet?
It's a mixed bag - some painstakingly raw honest moments are well done and the drama is good too. But with a two hour running time and not enough funny, you may feel in a bit of a quandary yourself about whether this film is good or not.
Vaughan is okay as the suitably downbeat Ronny whose world falls apart amid suspicion and mistrust - and Winona Ryder (who appears to be undergoing something of a cinematic comeback this year) certainly gives her all as the morally challenged wife.
The main quartet are realistic and genuinely well acted to be believable and Ron Howard brings an assured eye to the direction yet The Dilemma lacks that certain kind of pizzazz and oomph which it needs to keep it moving along.
Extras: Alternate ending, deleted scenes, gag reel and a doco
Rating: 5/10
The Dilemma
Rating: M
Released by Universal
In this dramedy from Ron Howard, Vince Vaughan is Ronny, whose best mate since college days is Kevin James' Nick. These two are tight and are probably one of the best definitions of bromance I've seen for a long time - they work together and party together.
Nick's married to Winona Ryder's Geneva and has been for years - but one day Nick sees Geneva in the arms of another man.
That throws him into a moral quandary - should he tell his best buddy and risk their friendship and business partnership falling apart? Or should he keep quiet?
It's a mixed bag - some painstakingly raw honest moments are well done and the drama is good too. But with a two hour running time and not enough funny, you may feel in a bit of a quandary yourself about whether this film is good or not.
Vaughan is okay as the suitably downbeat Ronny whose world falls apart amid suspicion and mistrust - and Winona Ryder (who appears to be undergoing something of a cinematic comeback this year) certainly gives her all as the morally challenged wife.
The main quartet are realistic and genuinely well acted to be believable and Ron Howard brings an assured eye to the direction yet The Dilemma lacks that certain kind of pizzazz and oomph which it needs to keep it moving along.
Extras: Alternate ending, deleted scenes, gag reel and a doco
Rating: 5/10
The Hopes and Dreams of Gazza Snell: DVD Review
The Hopes and Dreams of Gazza Snell: DVD Review
The Hopes and dreams of Gazza Snell
Rating: M
Released by Vendetta Films
Set in East Auckland's Howick, The Hopes and Dreams of Gazza Snell is the story of William McInnes' manchild Gazza Snell, whose world is falling apart with a failing business.
All he's obsessed with is getting his eldest son to Milan for a karting championship in Milan.
However, when his youngest is seriously injured in a crash, Gazza loses all touch with the horrifying reality of what lies ahead - and instead becomes insistent on focussing solely on the karting.
That causes the family rift to widen.
The Hopes and Dreams of Gazza Snell is a feelgood Kiwi battler kind of treat- despite the initial beginnings there's plenty of warmth in this tale of a suburban dad; thanks to good solid performances from McInnes and Robyn Malcolm as his desperate housewife, it succeeds - even with its sentimental ending.
It's thanks to the everyman feel of the film that it becomes a winner - the universal tale of Gazza needing to grow up is clearly based on a degree of reality.
There's also a lot of honesty on display in this film - in the performances, the writing and the direction - it's an unashamedly crowd pleasing film which is easily identifiable to many of us.
Extras: Trailer, Video, bloopers, deleted scenes, interviews and commentary
Rating: 8/10
The Hopes and dreams of Gazza Snell
Rating: M
Released by Vendetta Films
Set in East Auckland's Howick, The Hopes and Dreams of Gazza Snell is the story of William McInnes' manchild Gazza Snell, whose world is falling apart with a failing business.
All he's obsessed with is getting his eldest son to Milan for a karting championship in Milan.
However, when his youngest is seriously injured in a crash, Gazza loses all touch with the horrifying reality of what lies ahead - and instead becomes insistent on focussing solely on the karting.
That causes the family rift to widen.
The Hopes and Dreams of Gazza Snell is a feelgood Kiwi battler kind of treat- despite the initial beginnings there's plenty of warmth in this tale of a suburban dad; thanks to good solid performances from McInnes and Robyn Malcolm as his desperate housewife, it succeeds - even with its sentimental ending.
It's thanks to the everyman feel of the film that it becomes a winner - the universal tale of Gazza needing to grow up is clearly based on a degree of reality.
There's also a lot of honesty on display in this film - in the performances, the writing and the direction - it's an unashamedly crowd pleasing film which is easily identifiable to many of us.
Extras: Trailer, Video, bloopers, deleted scenes, interviews and commentary
Rating: 8/10
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Burlesque: Blu Ray review
Burlesque: Blu Ray review
Burlesque
Rating: M
Released by Sony
Christina Aguilera (and her warbling pipes) stars as Ali, a small town American girl with a great voice who dreams of making it big in LA. (There's the first cliché for you.)
So, after quitting her crummy job in a bar, she heads to the city of lights and stumbles across the Burlesque Lounge, a failing but stomping club run by Cher's Tess with a little help from Stanley Tucci's stage manager Sean.
Talking her way into a bartending job there, she strikes up a friendship with the bar manager Jake (Twilight's Cam Gigandet) and manages to find her way onto the stage - but not without making an enemy out of Kristen Bell's Nikki.
However, unless Tess can find a way to keep the club afloat, Ali's time in the spotlight may be brief.
Burlesque is essentially a series of extended music videos - broken up by some clichéd plot and some, at times, frankly awful (and unintentionally funny) dialogue.
Aguilera acquits herself brilliantly in the singing portion of the film but brings little extra in terms of acting to the role of Ali; Cher is lacking any real emotional depth (and facial movement) as Tess - so the two leads are a mixed bag.
At the end of the day, the overlong Burlesque is about the spectacle more than anything else - while the club scenes and songs rock the joint, they certainly do little (with one exception) to capture the sexiness and seductive tease of Burlesque.
Extras: Entire song performances commentary, bloopers and alternate opening; plus the blu ray throws in featurettes on the music, dancing and cast
Rating: 5/10
Burlesque
Rating: M
Released by Sony
Christina Aguilera (and her warbling pipes) stars as Ali, a small town American girl with a great voice who dreams of making it big in LA. (There's the first cliché for you.)
So, after quitting her crummy job in a bar, she heads to the city of lights and stumbles across the Burlesque Lounge, a failing but stomping club run by Cher's Tess with a little help from Stanley Tucci's stage manager Sean.
Talking her way into a bartending job there, she strikes up a friendship with the bar manager Jake (Twilight's Cam Gigandet) and manages to find her way onto the stage - but not without making an enemy out of Kristen Bell's Nikki.
However, unless Tess can find a way to keep the club afloat, Ali's time in the spotlight may be brief.
Burlesque is essentially a series of extended music videos - broken up by some clichéd plot and some, at times, frankly awful (and unintentionally funny) dialogue.
Aguilera acquits herself brilliantly in the singing portion of the film but brings little extra in terms of acting to the role of Ali; Cher is lacking any real emotional depth (and facial movement) as Tess - so the two leads are a mixed bag.
At the end of the day, the overlong Burlesque is about the spectacle more than anything else - while the club scenes and songs rock the joint, they certainly do little (with one exception) to capture the sexiness and seductive tease of Burlesque.
Extras: Entire song performances commentary, bloopers and alternate opening; plus the blu ray throws in featurettes on the music, dancing and cast
Rating: 5/10
Monday, 23 May 2011
Dr Who: Mara Tales: DVD Review
Dr Who: Mara Tales: DVD Review
Dr Who - Mara Tales
Rating: G
Released by BBC and Roadshow
Peter Davison stars in these two classic Who tales which have been fan favourites for a long time.
In Kinda and Snakedance, companion Tegan (Janet Fielding) and Davison's fifth doctor take the spotlight as they take on the forces of pure evil, the Mara which infests Tegan's mind and threatens the universe.
The sequel Snakedance sees the Mara reborn again and on the verge of once again destroying both Tegan and the creature's homeworld Manussa.
Quite simply this is classic Who at its best - and worst thanks to budgetary confines; a brilliantly realized concept is crippled by the fact its main effect looks like a snake made from cardboard; but with the release of these DVDs and the steps made in technology, you'll be able to see how it should have been done - thanks to a re-envisioning.
The stories are well written and acted too - concepts of faith, Buddhism and belief in good and evil are all explored and given life; and Snakedance sees the very first acting job of Martin Clunes.
Once again, the extras are superlative and commentaries, deleted scenes and some great behind the scenes docos show why this pair of stories have an enduring appeal.
Sure, some will get lost in the fact it's 80s Dr Who - but fans will truly adore this set which has been a long time coming.
Rating: 7/10
Dr Who - Mara Tales
Rating: G
Released by BBC and Roadshow
Peter Davison stars in these two classic Who tales which have been fan favourites for a long time.
In Kinda and Snakedance, companion Tegan (Janet Fielding) and Davison's fifth doctor take the spotlight as they take on the forces of pure evil, the Mara which infests Tegan's mind and threatens the universe.
The sequel Snakedance sees the Mara reborn again and on the verge of once again destroying both Tegan and the creature's homeworld Manussa.
Quite simply this is classic Who at its best - and worst thanks to budgetary confines; a brilliantly realized concept is crippled by the fact its main effect looks like a snake made from cardboard; but with the release of these DVDs and the steps made in technology, you'll be able to see how it should have been done - thanks to a re-envisioning.
The stories are well written and acted too - concepts of faith, Buddhism and belief in good and evil are all explored and given life; and Snakedance sees the very first acting job of Martin Clunes.
Once again, the extras are superlative and commentaries, deleted scenes and some great behind the scenes docos show why this pair of stories have an enduring appeal.
Sure, some will get lost in the fact it's 80s Dr Who - but fans will truly adore this set which has been a long time coming.
Rating: 7/10
Friday, 20 May 2011
Made In Dagenham: DVD Review
Made In Dagenham: DVD Review
Made In Dagenham
Rating: M
Released by Universal
From the director of Calendar Girls comes a new UK film with a cast that reads like a Who's Who of Brit talent.
It's 1960s Britain, where Ford is at the height of its power - pumping out thousands of cars daily to the world.
But in the town of Dagenham, where one of the company's major plants is housed, trouble's a-brewing.
Well, specifically, in the machinist section of the plant populated by some 187 women, who are downgraded to a lower unskilled band and not happy - and in one of them, shy and quiet Rita O'Grady (a wonderful Sally Hawkins) they find the voice to complain to the management at Head Office.
It's fair to say that Made in Dagenham is crowd pleasing in the extreme; with the usual kind of humour that pioneered the mold with The Full Monty, this Brit flick sings in terms of soundtrack, dry humorous moments and some great performances.
Every actor turns in solid performances - but it's Sally Hawkins who really impresses in this role of the mousey, put upon Rita whose voice rises up when it's most needed. She's the emotional centre of the film and she succeeds because she's never showy and immensely watchable.
Sure, it's predictable in places - and you can see where the cracks will come dramatically (which may irritate the purists who feel that it's UK film making by numbers in terms of script, jokes and direction) but if the formula ain't broke, then I guess you don't need to fix it.
Extras: Commentary with director, deleted scenes, outtakes, doco and trailer - a reasonable bunch
Rating: 6/10
Made In Dagenham
Rating: M
Released by Universal
From the director of Calendar Girls comes a new UK film with a cast that reads like a Who's Who of Brit talent.
It's 1960s Britain, where Ford is at the height of its power - pumping out thousands of cars daily to the world.
But in the town of Dagenham, where one of the company's major plants is housed, trouble's a-brewing.
Well, specifically, in the machinist section of the plant populated by some 187 women, who are downgraded to a lower unskilled band and not happy - and in one of them, shy and quiet Rita O'Grady (a wonderful Sally Hawkins) they find the voice to complain to the management at Head Office.
It's fair to say that Made in Dagenham is crowd pleasing in the extreme; with the usual kind of humour that pioneered the mold with The Full Monty, this Brit flick sings in terms of soundtrack, dry humorous moments and some great performances.
Every actor turns in solid performances - but it's Sally Hawkins who really impresses in this role of the mousey, put upon Rita whose voice rises up when it's most needed. She's the emotional centre of the film and she succeeds because she's never showy and immensely watchable.
Sure, it's predictable in places - and you can see where the cracks will come dramatically (which may irritate the purists who feel that it's UK film making by numbers in terms of script, jokes and direction) but if the formula ain't broke, then I guess you don't need to fix it.
Extras: Commentary with director, deleted scenes, outtakes, doco and trailer - a reasonable bunch
Rating: 6/10
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