Le Havre: Movie Review

Le Havre: Movie Review

Cast: Andre Wilms, Kati Outinen, Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Blondin Miguel
Director: Aki Kaurismaki

A winner of a Cannes prize in 2011, Le Havre is an oddball of a film.

It's the story of an aged shoeshiner, Marcel Marx, who lives in the port city of Le Havre. Marx lives a quieter life with his wife Arietty and his dog. His life is a simple one; it revolves around walking the dog, doing his job and visiting the local pub.

But when a group of illegal immigrants show up at the port at the same time as Marx's wife falls seriously ill, Marcel comes across an African young boy, who's a refugee who's escaped the police and the authorities at the port.

So, despite everything in his brain telling him otherwise, Marx decides to harbour the boy.

With the police and authorities closing in, it's not clear that Marcel and the boy will get away with their scheme...

Le Havre is a Finnish directed curio which is joyously simple both in style and story.

It's also incredibly old fashioned in its look and feel but it's also quite touching in many ways; Wilms has old school cinema appeal as an actor and also for the audience to get a hook in. With Kaurismaki's lingering camera holding on actors longer than their scenes, the feel of the flick does take a little while to get used to. But it's very rewarding once you sit back and let this film, saturated as it is with oddball moments, wash over you.

Le Havre is a reminder sometimes that simplistic film making is perhaps the hardest to achieve; it's a feelgood film which is fresh and different - a reminder that cinema going is a pleasant treat every time.

Rating:

ET Goes home - to Blu Ray

ET gets a Blu Ray release

As Universal Pictures celebrates 100 years, details are now out of the ET blu ray release - one of the most beloved films of all time has finally got a release date on the HD format - and details of what's contained within.

Here's what the release says:

"E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Academy Award®-winning director Steven Spielberg’s magical adventure, celebrates its 30th Anniversary with its first-ever release on Blu-ray™ on 31st October 2012.

Featuring an all-new, digitally re-mastered picture that delivers six times the resolution of DVD, as well as all-new 7.1 surround sound, the E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Anniversary Edition Blu-ray™ Combo Pack includes the 1982 theatrical movie, an all-new interview with director Steven Spielberg and “The E.T. Journals” which features an hour of never-before-seen footage from the set of the film.

The Blu-ray™ Combo Pack also includes a DVD and a Digital Copy of the film, offering fans a chance to relive the mystery, laughter and wonder of the iconic movie anytime, anywhere on the platform of their choice.  In 1982, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial became the biggest blockbuster of the year, debuting at No1. around the world.  Even today, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial remains one of the most successful and well-loved films of all time.

Nominated for nine Academy Awards® including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Writing and Best Screenplay, the film took home four statuettes for Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Effects Editing, Best Sound and Best Music for John Williams’ (Jaws) memorable score. The unforgettable cast includes the adorable Drew Barrymore (He’s Just Not That Into You, Charlie’s Angels), Henry Thomas (Dear John, Legends of the Fall), Dee Wallace (10, Sons and Daughters) and Peter Coyote (Law & Order: LA, Jagged Edge)."

What To Expect When You're Expecting: Movie Review

What To Expect When You're Expecting: Movie Review

Cast: Cameron Diaz, Matthew Morrison, Dennis Quaid, Elizabeth Banks, Anna Kendrick, Jennifer Lopez, Genesis Rodriguez, Chace Crawford, Rodrigo Santoro, Joe Manganiello, Chris Rock

Director: Kirk Jones

16 million people have bought the book of the pregnancy help guide, and it's been a perennial New York Times best seller, so perhaps it was inevitable Hollywood would come a-knocking.

It's the story of five Atlanta couples who're in various stages of life but with babies on the mind - either accidentally or deliberately; there's Cameron Diaz's fitness expert Jules, who's secretly sleeping with Matthew Morrison's Evan as they dance their way around a celebrity dance show; there's J-Lo's Holly, a photographer who's about to adopt an African baby with scared silly father to be Alex (Santoro); there's Elizabeth Banks' Wendy, an expert on babies and motherhood who's been unable to conceive despite trying with her hubbie Gary (Ben Falcone) and there's his competitive father Ramsey, who's about to give birth with his young trophy wife (and Wendy's nemesis) Skyler (Decker). Throw into that mix, youngster Rosie (Kendrick) who finds herself pregnant after a one night stand with Chace Crawford's Marco and the baby mix is complete.

But, as ever in life there are trials and tribulations ahead - some of them good, some of them bad.

You should know what to expect with What To Expect When You're Expecting; essentially, it's another one of those relatively asinine, bland Hollywood ensembles which pitches at all demographics and pulls in all kinds of big names.

While it's exactly what you'd think they'd conceive for this kind of film and may have you wishing it'd gestated for another 9 months or so, there are some parts which will appeal to those wanting a film which is cheesy as and predictable.

Firstly, the Dudes Group, which proffers up a male point of view courtesy of Chris Rock and a trio of other dads, is actually funny and amusing. Along with a kid from the group which is accident prone, there's some laughs to be had. There'll probably be some men in the audience who'll be nodding their heads in agreement with their situations - if they're unfortunate enough to be dragged along to this.

Secondly, the cast is all relatively talented and brings a reasonable performance to the table; but especially watchable is Elizabeth Banks' character who, while going through an entirely predictable character arc as she becomes a mess of pregnancy hormones, manages to light up the screen with her turn.

The problem with What To Expect When You're Expecting is, I suspect,  more one of managing your own expectations.

If you want to see a film where life's problems are brought up and then summarily dismissed in a montage of moments or a quick trite solution then this is the film for you; it espouses such life lessons as "Pregnancy's not as dreamy as you've always imagined it to be" and "Becoming a parent can be quite scary, but is ultimately worth it" as it saunters on its way through a formula to its inevitably sentimental end.

Personally, though this film was so condescending and bland with such predictable humour, it made me want to grab the nearest umbilical cord and throttle it.

Rating:

Rec 3 - Genesis: Movie Review

Rec 3 - Genesis: Movie Review

Cast: Leticia Dolera, Diego Martin
Director: Paco Plaza

You're cordially invited to the wedding of Koldo and Clara in this third outing for the Rec series, a horror franchise where an infection leads to serious zombie action.

In this latest one, which runs parallel to the first film Rec, the action is all largely set at a wedding and begins by being captured on handheld cameras. Just as soon as Koldo and Clara celebrate their union, they find their uncle acting a little strange after being bitten by a dog.

Later on at the reception, things take a turn for the worse when said uncle starts attacking and biting people and pretty soon, the Infected are on the rise and Koldo and Clara are parted. But Koldo's determined to save his new bride (Till death us do part, remember?) and sets out to try and ensure she's alive.

Rec 3: Genesis is a different beast to the other two films, because it's set more in daylight than the darkness of the first outing. It gives it a different feel and needs the director to work scares a little more cautiously rather than relying on the odd jolts and shocks here and there (although there are a fair few of those throughout).

They've gone more for a comedy gore outing this time round - with there being a very large sprinkling of humour dashed throughout - be it a running gag where the children's entertainer is called John Sponge to avoid copyright issues with a certain Mr Squarepants or having the bride seething "This is supposed to be my special day" and revving up a chainsaw, the whole thing has a slightly OTT feel at times.

But that doesn't mean they've skipped on the gore and violence. Not in the slightest - beheadings, death by car jack, death by stick mixer - they're all thrown in for gory as effect - although they're played largely for laughs more than anything. However, there's one truly horrific moment as well - a scene where a busload of guests is overrun by the Infected is nothing short of disturbing.

The two leads are fairly disposable but relatively likeable and the rest of the guests barely get much of a look in for characterisation etc but at the end of the day, they're just meat to be slaughtered as they try to escape the viral outbreak. The film scores extra points for subtly referencing what's going on in the first film - indicating everything's tied.

As ever, there's the defying stupidity of the trapped and the lack of real logic (one sequence sees them trapped in a kitchen and trying to escape to the sewers but dropping a pen knife and being unable to loose the screws from a grill - why not use a knife from the kitchen area?? Whereas another sequence sees the infected stopped by religious readings and demons being reflected in mirrors) but Rec 3 Genesis is an over the top film of extremes; both extreme gore, kills and action, it's a reasonably solid entry to the franchise which will give bloodhungry punters exactly what they want but won't win over any new fans to the series.

Rating:

The Hunter: Blu Ray Review

The Hunter: Blu Ray Review

Rating: M
Released by Madman Home Entertainment

Based on the 1999 novel by Julia Leigh, Willem Dafoe stars with our very own Sam Neill.

Dafoe is mercenary Martin, who's sent to Australia to try and track down a Tasmanian Tiger by a shadowy company. Believed extinct for years, there's a possibility one exists in the wilds after a couple of sightings and this biotech company, Red Leaf, is determined to get their hands on it.

However, when he heads to Aussie, he ends up lodging with a woman and her two children - unbeknownst to him, her partner was also tracking the tiger and went missing months ago.

Gradually, Martin starts to bond with the family and adopt a slightly more open approach to life - but the company who sent him over are desperate to get results and will stop at nothing to ensure success.

The Hunter is a revelation; an underplayed, slow burning, beautifully shot piece of cinema, it's a thoroughly engrossing watch. From Dafoe's gradual defrosting to the Sam Neill's guilty menace, it's just well put together fare that takes all the time it needs to tell a good story.

Of course, it helps that the cinematography is so lushly put on screen as Martin ends out in the wilderness - and there's a real emotional pull to the ending of this eco thriller which is hard to deny.

Extras: Commentary and scenes

Rating:

Tower Heist: Blu Ray Review

Tower Heist: Blu Ray Review

Rating: M
Released by Universal Home Entertainment

Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy star in this movie from Brett Ratner.

Stiller is Josh, the building manager of a New York luxury apartment; he's the opposite to Alan Alda's Arthur Shaw; a good loyal man who's the working man whereas Shaw is the building owner,a man who has it all.

One day, Shaw is arrested by the FBI and Tea Leoni's agent Denham, suspected of running a Ponzi scheme and confined to the top floor of the building. When the full extent of what Shaw's done becomes evident, the group heads to see him and realised they've all been conned into giving him money and the best years of their lives, they set out to get their cash back.

But they have one secret weapon - Eddie Murphy's Slide, a petty criminal who could help them make some cash.

Tower Heist starts off in somewhat of a pedestrian manner; don't get me wrong it's likeable enough and Stiller and Alda are solid enough players. After a while, it becomes a classic crime caper with some reasonable touches. And most of those are due to Eddie Murphy who makes a real return to form as a wise cracking individual, sassy criminal. He works well with Stiller and the pair make a good partnership.

Stick with Tower Heist; it takes a wee while to get going and while it's not ground breaking in terms of story, it's certainly disposable watchable enough fare for a winter's night.

Extras: Alternate endings, deleted scenes, gag reels and feature commentary plus the Blu Ray adds some exclusive featurettes including a behind the scenes look

Rating:

Short film Festival finalists revealed

Details of the New Zealand International Film Festival Best Short Film finalists revealed.

As the NZ International Film Festival gears it for its annual blitz on the cinema going public, we're getting more details of what lies ahead for the some of the programme.

Here's the latest info:

FINALISTS FOR NEW ZEALAND’S BEST ANNOUNCED

Six short films have been selected as the finalists in the inaugural NZIFF New Zealand’s Best Short Film Competition.

Guest selector and international filmmaker Roger Donaldson selected the six finalists from a shortlist of twelve. Festival programmers Bill Gosden and Michael McDonnell viewed 109 submissions to prepare the shortlist.

“All films show a very high standard of cinematography and production values. I am really impressed by the quality of the acting. New Zealand is obviously creating a large pool of very talented people to draw on. I feel honoured to be part of the process of helping choose the final programme.” says Guest Selector Roger Donaldson.

The New Zealand’s Best programme will as part of the 2012 NZIFF and audiences will be asked to choose a winner by rating all six. A jury of three will select the winners of the $5000 Madman Entertainment Jury Prize and the $3000 Friends of the Civic Award. The winner of the Audience vote in Auckland and Wellington takes away 25% of the box office from the Festival screenings.

The finalists are:

43,000 Feet

NZ 2012. Director: Campbell Hooper Producers: Heather Lee, Amber Easby Screenplay: Matthew Harris. 9 mins

With several minutes before he hits the ground, a falling man reflects on his past and his immediate future.

“Great photography. Very original framing and concept.” – Roger Donaldson

Ellen Is Leaving

NZ 2012. Director: Michelle Savill Producers: Michelle Savill, Desray Armstrong Screenplay: Martha Hardy-Ward. 15 mins

Ellen is cool. She is recycling stuff before she heads overseas.

“I love how original it feels. The details of the travel pack put a real smile on my face. ” – Roger Donaldson

Home

NZ 2012. Director: Thomas Gleeson Producers: Thomas Gleeson, Pip Walls. 11 mins

We watch a house take a road trip.

“A beautifully photographed minimalist documentary.” – Roger Donaldson

Lambs

NZ 2012. Director/Screenplay: Sam Kelly Producer: Tom Hern. 15 mins

“Really captures a tough uncompromising world in a very compelling way. I loved the central character’s heroism. It reminded me of Once Were Warriors in the best possible way.” – Roger Donaldson

Milk & Honey

NZ 2012. Director/Screenplay: Marina Alofagia McCartney Producers: Angela Hicks, Marina Alofagia McCartney. 14 mins

This brief drama recalls the notorious dawn raids on Pasifika families.

“I lived in Ponsonby in the 70s and remember the events portrayed in this film. Very poignant.” – Roger Donaldson

Night Shift

NZ 2012. Director/Screenplay: Zia Mandviwalla Producers: Chelsea Winstanley, Matt Noonan. 14 mins

An airport cleaner has reason to keep to herself.

“I love this story – it feels so real and packs a real wallop.” – Roger Donaldson

The Festival will begin in Auckland (19 July – August 5) and open simultaneously in Wellington and Dunedin a week later (27 July – August 12), then in Christchurch (9 - 26 August). Further regional dates are being advised on the website as they are confirmed.

The Festival have already announced nine films including Peter Jackson-produced documentary West of Memphis, Joss Whedon’s The Cabin in the Woods, Bob Marley documentary Marley, and Lynn Sheldon’s Your Sister’s Sister (starring Emily Blunt) for the Festival from July.

Festival programmes will be available online and around town from June 26 in Auckland, and June 29 in Wellington.