NZ Film Festival Reviews

NZ Film Festival Reviews 2012

The annual New Zealand International Film Festival gets underway in Auckland on July 19th and I've been lucky enough to get early access to six of the titles playing this year.

So, here's some potted reviews to maybe help you make some choices:

Undefeated - the winner of the best doco at the Oscars this year, this film could be simply described as a doco version of TV show Friday Night Lights in that it follows a college American football team who are the  underdogs and not likely to do big things. But one year, under the tutelage of Bill Courtney, a man who gives his all to the mainly black team (running them from place to place, offering sage advice on women - and aftershave to one - and helping them with school), everything came right for this team. It's about the team rather than the games and the film-makers wisely confine any of the on field action until crucial games at the end of the season by which point you're totally invested. Sure, you could argue that you can see what's coming as Bill looks after two of them in particular but what gets you out of the blind side is just how much you end up damn well caring towards the end.




The Ambassador - this guy's certainly got some balls. Mads Brugger, who'll be at the New Zealand International Film Festival this year, shows just how frighteningly easy it is to buy a diplomatic title and live the high life in countries where money talks and ethics walk. Over the course of the doco, you'll be astounded at how far he can get and how murky his world becomes as he enters the shadowy world of blood diamonds to show how far the corruption goes. But what becomes more and more apparent is how high up the chain of murky ethics goes up and how fragile it all is. It ends somewhat abruptly as the stakes become too high (which is a little frustrating) but as you watch this sharp-suited, cigar-smoking  guy get involved in chats that start with the phrase "This conversation we're about to have never happened", you'll be shocked how far he can go while blagging it. Hidden cameras catch some out but reality intrudes and invades as you realise just how high Mads set the bar for himself.



Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present - artsy farty docos sometimes try my patience to be honest. I get that these people are talented and have a vision for what they want to create. But sometimes, they're presented in a totally alienating way to those who're outside their community. So it was with a healthy scepticism that I approached this film about a Serbian performance artist who was building up to a 2010 performance at MoMA in New York. But what emerges is a surprisingly interesting and in part. utterly poignant piece about the effect an artist has on others. Her new piece, The Artist is Present, involved her sitting on a wooden chair for 8 hours a day with people spending time sat opposite her. People chose to queue for hours before to get their chance to sit opposite her - like some kind of rock god coming to town. Hardly any words are spoken and each encounter has a profoundly moving effect on both sides. Plus, when Marina's staring directly down the camera, you start to feel a part of it too - which is a peculiarly odd experience. A surprising film and one which will see you examine some of your own preconceptions about artists as a result.

Bert Stern, Original Madman - The last person to photograph Marilyn Monroe and pretty much everyone who was ever anyone, this doco takes a look at how Stern managed to revolutionise American advertising and how his trail blazed the way for those who followed. Using the traditional talking heads/ still photos format, this piece is a whirlwind of the globe trotting man, who had a rogue-ish way with women and as one describes him "terribly exciting with blue eyes," got many to fall for him. You begin to connect with the guy as his imprint over generations of advertising and celebrities starts to become more apparent. Interestingly, he was behind Lindsay Lohan's recent Marilyn inspired photoshoot - and you start to see what his appeal was. An intriguing portrait of a man unknown by many but who was severely blessed by talent and inspired many for generations to come.

Policeman - One of only two dramas I've managed to catch pre-festival, this 2011 Israeli drama is about a policeman in an elite counter terrorism unit and is as tightly wound as a spring about to snap. I'm loathe to reveal too much about this one except to say two storylines converge in a particularly violent physical and emotional outcome - it's a shock to the senses in parts which have been lulled into a false sense of security.



Monsieur Lahzar - This Canadian/French drama won an Oscar nod and features some of the strongest ever performances by child actors I've ever seen. It centres on a Bashir Lazhar, an Algerian immigrant and teacher, who comes to an elementary school after one of the teachers hangs herself in the classroom. Lazhar has his own demons as well with family killed in attacks back home. But gradually, Lazhar heals as do the children in his care. Enormously affecting, Monsieur Lazhar deals with grief, hope and offers a picture of healing which many will latch onto. The two child leads who play the kids who find the teacher hanged simply blow the adults off the screen and their simple, honest acting will resonate with many.


Keep checking back on this blog as there'll be reviews throughout the festival - and would love to hear what you've seen, rated or hated - or are looking forward to. Leave a comment below and see you at the festival!

Ted: Movie Review

Ted: Movie Review

Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Seth MacFarlane, Mila Kunis, Joel McHale, Giovanni Ribisi
Director: Seth MacFarlane

Let's face it - we've all done it.

Wished that that childhood doll or toy would be with us forever and never leave our side.

In this cinematic debut from Family Guy/ American Dad creator, Seth MacFarlane, that actually comes true.

Mark Wahlberg stars as John Bennett, who as a lonely little boy wished his Teddy (given to him by his parents at Christmas) would be his best friend forever and come to life.

Due to a Christmas miracle (and a falling star, of course) John's wish is granted and Ted springs to life, a fully sentient, walking talking teddy bear. Initially famous, Ted (MacFarlane) is the star of the world but years pass and it all changes.

John's now a thirty-five year old man, living in Boston who still rooms with his now pot smoking, hard drinking, sexed up teddy bear.  Except, John's not fully a) realised his potential or b) lost the plot. Stuck in a dead end job, he's been dating the beautiful Lori (Kunis) for four years.

But Lori's looking for the next level of commitment - and one evening, after the pair return home from an anniversary dinner, they discover Ted's gone too far and Lori decides he needs to move out.

So, Ted and John's friendship which has endured over centuries is facing the biggest test of all - will John finally grow up and ditch the Teddy forever, despite having promised to be BFFs?


Watch an exclusive behind the scenes TED featurette. (NSFW)

This vulgar, R-rated comedy about a hedonistic bear and his unable to grow up owner from the creator of the consistently offensive Family Guy has been a massive hit in the States already - and it's easy to see why.

It's a boundary-pushing, potty-mouthed treat which you know you shouldn't laugh at because of its shock factor, but you just can't help yourself.

It's got MacFarlane's paw marks all over it; without a doubt, his trademark offensive, pop culture referencing , shock tactic humour is there right from the beginning. And by goodness, it's certainly unexpectedly and consistently funny throughout its running time despite the story of romance vs bromance which we've all seen before on the big screen.

The key to the success of this is a wickedly funny script and some great performances from Wahlberg, as the Bostonian man-child who can't resist the call of his furry friend and Kunis, who makes her long suffering girlfriend feel real rather than a one note bitchy character who simply wants her boyfriend's best friend out of the equation. Put in some hilarious cameos, some self referencing moments and you've got the recipe for one of the most unexpected hits of the year.

That's the thing with Ted - in amongst the shock factor, cartoony feel and Family Guy style random digressions, there's actually a great deal of heart in this story, which is swathed in whimsy and 80s nostalgia (You'll leave the cinema humming the Flash Gordon soundtrack).

MacFarlane's pulled together a story which works for the most part (a digressionary piece about Ted being kidnapped by a creepy stalker doesn't quite hit the mark) and a cast which gel well thanks to their realism.

Throw in a great performance from himself as the caustic, sarcastic and acerbic bear as well as some cool CGI as Ted the bear, and this film is one which will leave you in fits of laughter, frequent moments of appalled and with a warm and fuzzy - but slightly guilty - glow as you leave.


Rating: 

Controversial film heading to NZ Film Festival

Controversial film heading to NZ Film Festival

Details have just come in of a new addition to the NZ Film Festival which caused somewhat of a controversy this year at Sundance and lead to some heated Q&As and arguments.

Compliance, which is likely to provoke some people here too sounds like an interesting film. Festival director Bill Gosden says : "Craig Zobel’s polarising drama re-enacts and illuminates a vicious prank that took place repeatedly in a number of US fast-food chain stores. A middle-aged shop manager (Ann Dowd) takes a call from a police officer instructing her to detain a pretty young staff member accused of theft. During the course of a night various others are drawn into the methodical sexual humiliation of the young woman. As a study of the allure of fascism it’s akin to The Wave, but so disconcerting in its prolonged queasiness that it almost dares an audience to share the prankster’s view of his victims as fit subjects for manipulation - Chilling"

It's based on some true events in the States as well - so it should be an interesting addition to an already busy New Zealand International Film Festival for 2012

American Dad: Volume 7: DVD Review

American Dad: Volume 7: DVD Review

Rating: M
Released by 20th Century Fox

A three disc set with an alien exposing himself on the cover - and from the creator of Family Guy.

That should tell you all you need to know about the latest American Dad release. Collecting together 19 episodes of the series with three and a half hours of special features, this latest release will certainly appeal to the fans of the slightly wacky animated comedy.

It centres around Stan Smith, a huge jawed CIA agent, who's immensely patriotic and ever involved in some lunatic tales thanks to his family's antics too. Collecting together such lunacy as Stan on jury duty, the 100th episode, titles like Fartbreak Hotel and I Am The Walrus, this series is every bit as silly and amusing as you'd expect.

IT's a slightly riskier season as well with some of the trademark edgy MacFarlane comedy creeping in to the mix - but that all adds to the feeling that American Dad is back on track and is a good solid cartoon with some outrageously silly moments.

Extras: I Love Patrick Stewart piece, American Dad at ComicCon, deleted scenes and audio commentaries on some episodes.

Rating:

Dexter: The Sixth Season DVD Review

Dexter: The Sixth Season DVD Review

Rating: R16
Released by Universal Home Entertainment

Finally, the season where Dexter is found out.

Only not until the very end.

This latest season of Michael C Hall's avenging angel killer sees Dexter facing off against the Doomsday Killer and finding religion to be a big part of the overall puzzle as a series of murders with a religious theme unfold.

As ever though, Dexter, at its heart is about the inner conflict of the main character - a guy who wants to be good but whose methods see him skirt ever deeper into the darkness.

It's all a bit gruesome but it's still very watchable and enjoyable thanks to Michael C Hall's acting - but it's at a cost as it does occasionally feel like it's treading water. A very impressive cast fleshes out an occasionally uneven storyline throughout the season but it's the final moments where Dexter's caught killing by his own sister which offers up a tantalising taste of what lies ahead and makes you remember why this series was so good and original when it began back in 2006.

Extras: Dissecting Dexter, guest stars and cast interviews


Rating:

Mad Riders: PS3 Review

Mad Riders: PS3 Review

Released by Ubisoft
Platform: PS3

Let's face it - we've all wanted to jump on an ATV quad bike and go blatting about without a care in the world, right?

Well, this latest racing title from Ubisoft certainly lets you do that by throwing you straight into the world of ATV racing and expecting you to keep up.

With just the bike and your wits, you're left against others to race away and hopefully win each course, building up points by hurtling through the air, collecting power ups, using the boost and performing a few stunts here and there.

And that's about it.

There are some 40 different races to take part in but there's little variation outside of that - sure, you build up points and experience by improving your position in the races and you also get access to other bikes, but there's little more on offer here than what you'd get in an arcade game simulator. You get to hurtle around tracks but only within the confines of the races - occasionally, hitting boundaries and vegetation stops you right in your tracks as well.

Don't get me wrong - it's graphically sound, playable and colourful but it's just lacking a little something in terms of long term engagement. There's quite the feel of the slog about this too - it takes a wee while to unlock the first alternative ATV bike and it may not seem like enough of a reward given the time you've put in to get enough XP to unlock it. Certainly, the same applies for the tracks too with it taking a lot to unlock each new race course.

Sadly, that hinders the fun of Mad Riders - while it's well presented, fast paced and requires relatively little thought, it does need a level of long term engagement which is out of kilter with what it proffers up in terms of reward.

Rating:

Babel Rising: PS3 Review

Babel Rising: PS3 Review

Released by Ubisoft
Platform: PS3

Ever wondered what kind of god you would be?

Sure, there's plenty of those kinds of games out there on the various formats where you help to build up worlds, create new lives and send an army off to war.

But what about one where you simply kill those trying to construct a tower using only the elements to pick off the would be heretics?

Well, that in a nutshell is what Babel Rising has to offer - a chance to kill everyone as they try and go about their daily business.

As the ant sized Babylonians try to build the tower, it's upto you to use earth, wind, fire and water to thwart their every attempt - and the more of them you kill, the closer you get to increasing your wrath-o-meter which then helps you unleash a super-powered version of the elemental takedowns.

It means you can unleash a massive boulder which then rolls from the top of the tower, squishing everything; or a major wind storm blowing everyone off their intended course of action - and it means you'll have some fun taking out the good guys for a change.

Babel Rising is quite a nice notion for a brief time waster - a series of mini games and challenges (such as killing 12 waves of workers or 40 priests) give it a brief endurability - but while it's fun initially to play and there's no more of a vicarious thrill than watching a whole horde of these little creatures being taken out by one massive blast, I'm not sure there's hours and hours of play with this title.

Graphically, it's nicely put together albeit very simplistic - but there are some troubles getting the camera to readjust and it can make for a tricky time trying to track down where all the builders have gone; particularly if they're over-running the ramparts with their rush to build.

Outside of the core MO of the game, there's a fair amount of repetition; a survival challenge is simply that and relies on you killing and destroying to stop the tower being built and a tournament challenge sees you performing different ways of killing the Babylonians without being overrun.

All in all, while Babel Rising is a nice concept, it seems to quickly run foul of itself by having nowhere else to go with the gameplay itself. Probably a short term title to play, it's good fun for a morning or so but anything long term may leave your god complex somewhat wanting.

Rating: