Margin Call: Movie Review

Margin Call: Movie Review

Cast: Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Stanley Tucci, Zachary Quinto, Simon Baker, Demi Moore, Penn Badgeley

Director: J C Chandor

Prepare for a film about Wall Street that is not all flashy and style over substance.

Set in an investment bank, it begins with Eric Dale (the ever brilliant Stanley Tucci) being walked out of his office and made redundant. Right before he goes though, he passes a file to one of his employees, Peter Sullivan (Quinto) and says that he should take a look at it.

As Sullivan looks into the file, he finds that discovers that trading will soon exceed the historical volatility levels used by the firm to calculate risk. And furthermore, because of excessive leverage, if the firm's assets in mortgage backed securities decrease by 25%, the firm will suffer a loss greater than its market capitalization.

Suddenly, bosses from higher up above are called in and there are emergency meetings taking placeas the implications of what may transpire become clearer....

Margin Call was Oscar nominated for its screenplay - and it's easy to see why.

This is no flashy film about the excesses of Wall Street - it's a gritty and compelling (if occasinally difficult to follow) film which requires a modicum of intelligence and understanding to keep up with as the keyplayers see it through.

Thanks to a great ensemble cast, it shines; Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany and Stanley Tucci are the MVPs of the film with each giving their characters a human edge which takes them away from simply being flashy guys in flashy suits. It's suitably talky and tense as it plays out but every once in a while, those in charge of the screenplay remember not everyone is an economics expert and a character will urge them to explain it simply for them, which gives you a level of accessibility to the occasional banking technobabble which is necessary.

While some may feel it covers similar ground to last year's The Company Men, by focussing on the intricacies of the business side and the financial implications, it occasionally makes you feel a little distanced from the chracters but thanks to great acting all round, you're unable to tear your eyes away from what's transpiring. For those with an understanding of the intricacies of the banking system and the parallels with the global financial meltdown, it's a no brainer.

Margin Call is one of the more intelligent entries into this year's cinematic crop; the at times complex story won't be for everyone but for those who want to watch a film which takes you into the boardroom back and forth, Margin Call is definitely one of the most interesting dramas about Wall Street to emerge for years.

Rating:

Anil Desai: Comedy Festival Review

Anil Desai: Comedy Festival Review

Anil Desai’s A Night At The Movies

Well, of all the comedy shows, one with a movie title was always going to be the one I went to see after all the films I’ve seen over the years.

Anil Desai is a UK impressionist whose career went global thanks to his spot on impersonations of movie stars.

So for opening night, let’s just say a power cut at the venue, pouring rain and a crowd which seemed to want to derail him may not have been what he had in mind.

But thanks to boundless energy and enthusiasm, a lack of willingness to let anything get in the way, Anil emerged a nervy winner due to a combination of crowd banter, some mightily clever takes on some movie faves.

Anil reckons he’s seen about 1000 movies over the past 3 decades and is as informed as anyone to be able to talk about movie etiquette, movie sex, why he fell in love (with the films, not the person proffering the sex) and relationships – because of what he’s learnt on the silver screen.

And he’s right.

But his biggest problem on the night is dealing with the reticent audience – after pleading with the audience at the start to get involved and ditch the usual reluctance, he finds it hard to attract volunteers to the stage – which is baffling because he’s an affable guy, the show’s a fun one and there’s no reason to fear this guy with the microphone – he’s a consummate pro, a great entertainer and a good night out.

It’s a shame because it leads to some very funny moments – including live re-enactments of various film studio logos.

His Al Pacino / Jeff Goldblum / De Niro take on dealing with a relationship is effortlessly done as he switches from one persona to the next, leaving the crowd in spasms of contorted laughter as he nails each one’s tics and vocal skills to perfection.

The highlight of the show – despite one guy’s attempts to derail him – is a deck of cards which has movie names on; he chooses (after some co-ercing) to give those to a member of the audience and asks them to be shuffled and read out before launching into a string of impressions and details of how to do these characters. The list is enormous – and every single one of them is dead on.

But Tuesday in Auckland is a fickle night – and thanks to that audience member choosing to read out only his favourites, Anil’s time to shine is sabotaged. However, it’s a testament to how likeable Anil is that the crowd’s on his side and the dick is fired from the volunteer job.

Anil’s show is a great night of entertainment – if you’re even the most casual of movie watchers, you’ll love it. And if you’re not, you’ll still love it thanks to his combination of winning personality, great stage presence and easy going charm.

Brendhan Lovegrove: Comedy Festival Review

Brendhan Lovegrove - Bury Me Happy

There’s just something irrepressible about Mr Brendhan Lovegrove.

His caustic wit and straight to the point attitude has been tearing up the comedy scene for a long time – and he’s been brought to wider audiences thanks to the brilliance of comedy show A Night At The Classic (returning later this year we’re promised).

So, a new show called Bury Me Happy is a welcome sight on the comedy festival circuit for one of the seasoned pros.

But if you think he’s mellowing as time goes on, you’d be dead wrong (aside from one moment of sincerity at the end of the show).

A raucous crowd gave as good as they got on opening night at Auckland’s Loft at Q and Lovegrove lapped it up as he talked about jealousies over the success of the Conchords and the Nek Minnit guy, how people dislike things on Youtube, the Occupy movements and a smattering of (literal) toilet humour.

That’s the thing with Brendhan though – thanks to such a motormouth delivery, he can cover so much and with such sheer quick wit, you really do need to keep up.

But the rewards are plentiful – every zinger he dispensed last night hit the target, regardless of whether it was PC or otherwise. Nostalgic look backs at phones, worries over getting old and alcoholism all got a mention – and each one in a hysterically funny way and each one in a way which leaves you collapsed with laughter.

Brendhan’s an effortless pro and a consummate pro; he’s also the kind of guy that you can’t help but warm to even when he’s being as foul as he has a tendency to be; thanks to a cheeky grin and a glint in his eye, it’s pointless to be offended at him – even if you’re on the end of a barrage of comments.

It’s an intense show – and at the end, it’s also a slightly more personal one than I’m used to with Brendhan. Taking in his alcoholism, he recites the Rifleman’s Creed and how that relates to his life; but just when you think he’s about to get completely soppy, he heads so far in the other direction that the wrongfooting is just hilarious.

But with a dedication and explanation as to why he’s sobered up, comes a new Lovegrove; a Lovegrove who’s willing to bare his soul on the stage rather than hide behind a vitriolic veneer. It’s a poignant personal touch and a surprise from the mirth-master and rogeuish charmer, who’s simply blistering this year and once again, on fire. 

Brand new Amazing Spiderman stills unveiled

Brand new Amazing Spiderman stills unveiled

As the web gets closer to being unspun on the big screen, there's slowly being a bit more publicity unleashed for the upcoming Amazing Spiderman.

Today's seen the release of two new pictures of Andrew Garfield's Peter Parker and Emma Stone's Gwen Stacey - and they're pretty mean and moody.

It follows the release of the brand new Amazing Spiderman trailer last week.

The Amazing Spiderman hits cinemas on July 4th.

Cabin in the Woods gets NZ release date - of sorts

Cabin in the Woods gets NZ release date

Following on from the news yesterday of 3 titles from the upcoming New Zealand International Film Festival, there's been some very exciting news for Joss Whedon fans from this upcoming festival.

After it was revealed that Cabin in the Woods may have been going straight to DVD in Aus and NZ, there was an online petition started (whenever us geeks want anything achieved, we hit online) and the numbers grew.

Then last week, on Facebook, Roadshow Films NZ, the distributors for the film teased the fact there would be an announcement about the film this week.

And this morning, Ant Timpson of the Incredibly Strange Film Festival posted this news:

AN INCREDIBLY STRANGE RELEASE : 

"Horror fans of New Zealand. Listen the hell up! Joss Whedon's hotly anticipated CABIN IN THE WOODS was destined to home video only release. Then the fans rallied and demanded it to be released onto NZ screens. Today their pleas have been answered. CABIN IN THE WOODS will be now screening in the "Incredibly Strange' section of NZ Film Festival on our NZs most magnif...icent screens. Now you can witness the genre-bending greatness of the most acclaimed horror film in years up on the enormous Civic and Embassy screens. This will be your chance to prove to local distributors that you want to see these sorts of titles get a theatrical. If you don't turn up to see this, then don't be surprised if you never see another CABIN play on NZ screens. Lest We Forget."


Normally, I'd post a trailer, but I'm too worried that even the trailer would carry major spoilers, so search and decide for yourselves...

The New Zealand International Film Festival kicks off in July in Auckland - stay tuned for more.

First few New Zealand International Film festival titles unveiled

First few New Zealand International Film festival titles unveiled

It's nearly that time again with the long dark knights (sorry, erm, mean nights) drawing in...

And that can mean only one thing - The New Zealand International Film festival!

There's always a lot of secrecy around what's coming up but now, we've had some early confirmations of what's ahead.

Auckland's programme will be launched on June 27th after a launch the day before.

But, those crafty devils have unveiled a couple of early titles...

Marley

From director Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland).  Filled with insider tales to satisfy any true believer, and measured enough in its admiration of his unique power to make it essential viewing for the unconverted too, the long-awaited Marley (Bob Marley) is a masterful work of “authorised” biography. NZIFF is happy indeed to provide a fittingly giant screen for the New Zealand screenings. “Thoroughly researched and packed with phenomenal archival footage, it's a rousing tribute to a mesmerizing performer that forgoes blind hero worship…Onstage, Marley is transcendent, enraptured. The mood is mystical, never mellow. ” – Melissa Anderson, Village Voice“Marley is sure to become the definitive documentary on the much beloved King of reggae.” – Jordan Mintzer, Hollywood Reporter




Your Sister’s Sister

Writer/director Lynn Shelton follows her head-turning Humpday with another boundary-nudging relationship comedy.
In Your Sister’s Sister the emotional pivot is sibling rivalry. Straight Iris (Emily Blunt) and gay Hannah (Rosemarie DeWitt) are Seattle sisters with different, but equally unacknowledged, game plans for the same man, Jack (Mark Duplass).

It’s exactly a year since the death of his brother Tom, and Jack still feels he’s not coping. Iris, who was Tom’s ex, offers Jack the keys to her father’s island cabin (in the wooded paradise of Puget Sound) unaware perhaps that her sister is also there nursing a broken heart - and a plentiful supply of tequila.  Shelton delivers quick-witted banter, classic bedroom farce and a feel for authentic emotional dilemma with a pleasingly naturalistic touch. This film is great fun, and beautifully performed, with Duplass as the man in the middle underplaying his every blunder very deftly indeed.




Crazy Horse

“In the wonderful Crazy Horse, documentary filmmaking's greatest living master, Frederick Wiseman (La Danse, NZIFF2010), completes his trilogy on iconic French institutions…  sneaking into the private spaces of the legendary cabaret club the Crazy Horse. And in doing so, he's made the most entertaining film in his 40-plus-year career. Wiseman's dazzling romp follows ten amusing weeks of rehearsals and performances for the new show Désirs, staged by famed cinematographer Philippe Decouflé and a cast of memorably kooky characters who give it their all for art in the face of commercial restraints…Employing a wide array of gels, projections and effects (polka dots, leopard patterns), the eye-popping numbers at the Crazy Horse are drop-dead cinematic, at times approaching kaleidoscopic op art. Wiseman wisely lets scenes play out in long takes and the viewer's astonishment sinks in. He presents a sly analysis of how the Crazy Horse achieves the erotic without the vulgar and plays on the fantasies of the viewers, the dancers and the administration alike.” – Mark Peranson, Vancouver International Film Festival

Stay tuned to the blog - as soon as we hear any more titles, we'll let you know!

NZ International Film Festival runs:
Auckland, July 19 – August 5
Wellington, July 27 – August 12
Dunedin, July 27 – August 19
Christchurch, August 9 – 26
Further regional dates available at www.nzff.co.nz

David O'Doherty - Comedy Festival review

David O'Doherty - Comedy Festival review

It’s the first time in four years that Irish comedian David O’Doherty’s played a full show in Auckland – and to say the crowd is excited is massive understatement.

With gaffer tape spelling out his initials on the stage curtain, there was a decidedly lo-fi feel to the evening – but great expectations.

As the lights went down, a prolonged intro voiceover set the tone for the night – slightly rambling, utterly ludicrous and totally hilarious. 

Espousing such phrases as “Carpe D O’Diem” this Irish comedian is onto it from the moment it all kicks off.

He has a very simple plea as he plays the last date on his 3 month tour: “I hope you like it, that’s all”.

And by golly, David, we absolutely adored it.

Due to play only an hour and ending up nearing two hours, O’Doherty has a warmth of personality mixed in with a large dollop of insanity and some great story telling as he recounts how the show rose from the ashes of a doomed relationship.

Throw in some musical numbers on a very small keyboard, some pacing around the stage and some frankly hilarious observations and really, you’ve got one of the top shows of the festival.

His show takes in getting older, tackling fears, nostalgia, some terrifying visuals about how he copes with a break up (hint it involves video games, pants and pizza in a room with curtains drawn) and reaching outlandish conclusions about the very simple things in life.

O’Doherty has a quirkiness which renders him totally affable and a humility which is utterly engaging; he’s also got some of the smartest song lyrics I’ve heard this year which have a poignancy as well as an absurdly killer punchline. One section sees him dispensing tips for satisfying your lady and it’s at this point, everyone is in fits of laughter – such is O’Doherty’s hit rate you can’t help but lose your lunch laughing.

After realising, he’s gone a bit long, he cries that “From now on, it’s all killer, no filler” before telling us “Watch out, New Zealand, you’re about to get it in the North Island” and then finishes with a superbly brilliant rendition of his complaints song “My Beefs”.

A brief encore sees him back and when it ends, there really is the feeling he could have gone on all night. O’Doherty is a master craftsman, a raucous raconteur, a wordsmith of whimsy and a showman of utter style.

Please don’t leave it four years to come back again.

Watch David O'Doherty playing My Beefs 2011 here..