New Zealand International Film Festival - latest reviews

New Zealand International Film Festival - latest reviews

As the festival heads into its final week in Auckland, here's a selection of my latest reviews from the Civic, Rialto and SkyCity.

On The Road - after a somewhat disastrous week for KStew and Rpatz after she was caught cheating on Robert Pattinson with Snow White director Rupert Sanders, it's a cinematic return to form for the actress who shows she can actually emote when it's needed in this adaptation of Jack Kerouac's renowned book. Sam Riley stars as Sal Paradise, KStew as Mary Lou and Garrett Hedlund as Dean Moriarty. After the death of his father, Sal, a fledgling but struggling writer, heads out across America with his friend Dean and hopes that the travelling will inspire his writing. And that's, erm pretty much it in this adaptation which is a sprawling, well acted, but emotionally detached road movie that pretty much encapsulates the feeling I imagine the book would have. I say imagine, because I've not touched Kerouac's tome so can't tell you if it's true to the tone or the feel or plot points (if they even exist). In terms of atmosphere, there's certainly plenty of hepcat hedonism and feeling of young pretentiousness afoot but I never really felt deeply engaged in these self absorbed poets/ writers as they shamble through a form of life. Kristen Stewart finally gets to really emote on the big screen and brings a bit of vibrancy to MaryLou and Riley impresses as Sal, who only really comes to life when others around him flourish. There's as much of a rambling freeform narrative here as there are beats in an ever lasting jazz piece and to be honest, it was a struggle to really care about these guys and the girl who's caught between the life on the road or the fiancee back at home, patiently waiting. Though cameos from Amy Adams, Viggo Mortensen and a brilliant Steve Buscemi liven up proceedings, if it weren't for the captivating performances of Sam Riley and Kristen Stewart, I would have demanded this ride pulled over mid way through and let me off.




Bear - a superb little short that perfectly companioned Sightseers, Bear is well worth seeing. It's about a couple and the male half of said couple isn't exactly in the best books as his other half heads off to do some mountain biking. To say any more would just destroy the surprises on what's one of the smartest and funniest shorts I've seen this festival.



Sightseers - the best black comedy you will see at the NZFF this year. As an ex-pat Midlander who's been forced to endure some caravan holidays, I can perfectly attest to what Ben Wheatley's brought to this killer film. Steve Oram and Alice Lowe play Chris and Tina, a pair of recent lovers who decide to escape Tina's stifling mother by heading away on a caravanning trip around the Yorkshire dales in the UK. But Chris is a veritable powder keg of anger, waiting to boil over...and as the mundane turns to murderous, the very dark humour is ratcheted up to 11. The thing is with Tina's slightly creepy attitude (scarred after her mum's dog died in a knitting needle accident that she caused) and Chris's bristling ginger beard of pure rage, SightSeers manages to be a spectacle which heartily amuses and equally horrifies - a radical dosage of ultra violence complements (and yet never overshadows) this apparently occasionally improvised mix; throw in some great banter (one scene sees Tina's mum shouting that her daughter was an accident) as well as a whole heap of phrases which are destined to become quotable (brown lipstick anyone?) and this is the perfect concoction of horror and humour. But what Wheatley's also managed to capture is the various personalities who inhabit caravan holidays - be they the annoying pedants, noisy neighbours or new age nutjobs, it's a perfect dichotomy of lives lived in middle England. Replete with great shots of the countryside and a cup so filled with black darkness that it runneth over, Sightseers is to be wholeheartedly recommended. This year's Natural Born Caravanners if you will.

New Zealand International Film Festival - Week One highlights

New Zealand International Film Festival - Week One highlights

Well, the first week of the New Zealand International Film Festival has nearly ended now and it's time to reflect back on what you should be making sure you see as the festival winds its way around the country.

There's been a heap of films to head to - and there's a stack of stuff ahead too.

But one thing I find when I watch films or people find I've been to see a lot, is they ask "What do you recommend?"

Every opinion's subjective of course, but my advice is not to listen to one critic - make sure you take in as many opinions as you can and views on the films and get out there and see something. Because to be honest, there's been more cinematic fare on this past week than there is actual time to view everything.

So far, though, to my mind, my highlights of what I've seen have been:

The Hunt - I was knocked sideways by this one and in a very good way. Mads Mikkelsen absolutely nailed the performance of a kindy teacher ostracised after a false accusation of child abuse - and the young girl actress Annika Wedderkopp (who plays Klara his accuser) was spot on too. But what's hit me most about this film is how much I'm still thinking about it. Trust me when I say that is a major thing for a critic - particularly at this time of the year when we gorge at the cinematic smorgasbord. (Or should that be DCP table?)
The Angels Share - Ken Loach comedy which centres on Robbie, a new dad on a last chance in Scotland and determined to change his ways. But, when all the odds seem stacked against him, he finds a salvation in whiskey. Thankfully, this is not a cue for trademark Loach miserabilism; rather a chance to cut loose and throw together a sweetly adorable heist movie with a bunch of first time actors. I saw this at a packed Civic and that certainly added to the atmosphere. Sometimes, a crowd (when not late, texting or talking) is a blessing in disguise.

The Cabin In The Woods - This is another where the packed Civic helped stir up an atmosphere added to a great night out. Producer Joss Whedon's meta horror is certainly the most fun I've seen at the festival so far, adding in the right mix of gore and laughs to propel you through it. Kudos to Ant Timpson for fighting to get this one screened after it was heading direct to video.


Actually, Cabins and woods have been a recurring theme at my festival so far this year. I've been to four films at this point, which have had Cabins in woods - from the horror (of course), Your Sister's Sister, The Hunt and Die Wand, it seems to be the motif du fest.

The Wall (Die Wand) - in which The Lives of Others' Martina Gedeck stars as an unnamed woman, dropped off in a valley, and who finds herself trapped within by an invisible wall. The kicker - it appears everyone else has been frozen and she's trapped. Sparse, sombre and a tour de force one woman feminist performance, Die Wand, is a surprising piece of cinema which uses sound, its fantastic valley surroundings to maximum effect. A lack of resolution may frustrate some but the best films provoke discussion and this one certainly does that.

As for the Twitterverse. here's a round up of a few faves. Remember to use the hashtag #nzff when talking film and the conversations you can have will be continuous. 

- Daniel Rutledge (@DanielRutledge) of 3 News Online, reckons Cabin In The Woods - "amazing deconstruction of horror, + great horror itself, crazy fun at Civic" and Rebellion, which he says "packed an emotional punch"

- @Bridgetholland - "Diana Vreeland; The Eye Must Travel. Such a talented and original fashionista. Visually beautiful fim, great photos, audio"

- @jacobunny - "CABIN: funny, scary, way better than I'd expected | ROOM 237: fascinating meditation on obsession w/ a Kubrickian backdrop"

- @mimsycable -  "Had some really good cries at 'Marina Abramovic: The Artist is present' at the @NZFF - my top pick so far at the fest"

- @themyrka - " Caesar Must Die, just friggin' awesome and inspiring. A winner straight out of the blocks #nzff"


There's plenty still ahead too - with the likes of West of Memphis seeming to be a guaranteed hit, Klown and Holy Motors providing stimulation ahead. Plus Mads Brugger will be in town to discuss his doco The Ambassador. And I'm certainly looking forward to Studio Ghibli's latest, Up on Poppy Hill - every year their animations are just eye poppingly gorgeous on the big screen.

New Hobbit image

New Hobbit image

A brand new Hobbit image has surfaced courtesy of the totally awesome Empire film magazine.

Their latest issue in the UK is a preview of the Hobbit and inside the mag there's plenty of pics and chat with those involved in The Hobbit.

And their cover's a quite new image too...

The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey hits cinemas December 12th.

John Carter: Blu Ray Review

John Carter: Blu Ray Review

Rating: M
Released by Sony Home Entertainment and Disney

It's 100 years after the first appearance of John Carter in a series of books from Edgar Rice Burroughs- and I'm willing to bet most of you have never heard of him (or assume it's that bloke played by Noah Wyle in ER).

Taylor Kitsch (of Friday Night Lights fame) stars as John Carter, a Confederate captain, who's on a quest for gold back in the 1860s when we first meet him. But when he's cornered by Bryan Cranston's Civil War Captain and on the run, he finds himself transported to Mars (or Barsoom as the inhabitants call it) and thrust into the middle of a Civil war.

But not only that, Carter finds himself aligned initially with the Tharks, a 10 foot tall green skinned Martian race - and has to acclimatise fast.

However, it soon transpires there's a greater force at work here with the fighting being manipulated by a race of godlike beings, the Holy Therns, whose leader Matai Shang (the ever brilliant Mark Strong) is determined to stop at nothing to ensure their will is done...

What an odd curio this film is; there's little distinctive aside from the CGI - which I can recall as a stand out moment or definitive action sequence from the actual flick itself.

Let's start with some positives though; those definitely have to be thanks to the CGI. 

The world of Barsoom (or Mars as we know it) is stunningly well put together in its scope and grandeur. I really believe that a civilisation on Mars would look like that in all its grainy, desolate, sand-ridden architecture. After Avatar's world, it's probably the most beautifully realised creation in terms of backgrounds ever to grace our screens. The effort that's gone in to make it so plausible and immersive is extremely commendable.

To a lesser degree, the Tharks are a success as well - their four armed digitally realised gangliness makes you think of greener versions of the Prawns from the brilliant District 9. And dragonfly style craft which are used to traverse the wide masses of the world are visually impressive as well.


Likewise an inflated faced, 6 legged dog creature which befriends Carter is a welcome dose of funny; and is clearly honed from the workings of a guy who's crossed Pixar studios floors.

But this is sort of where John Carter runs into a little bit of trouble - visually, hands down, it's an ambitiously scaled, wonderfully realised space epic; but narratively it's a little wanting and doesn't keep the mind satiated with what it's offered to the eyes. Sure, it's a wonderfully put together mash up of several genres including sci-fi, pulpy comics, Western, Cowboys and Aliens to name but a few, but it's not enough.

Confused and confusing, its story isn't everything it could be. And unfortunately, in terms of scale for its action, nothing truly stands out. Sure, there are set pieces which look good but they're instantly forgettable the moment they're over. In many ways, by being a forerunner as well (as in written over 100 years ago), it's clear the action sequences have been already done on the big screen. It's an unfortunate failing that it doesn't offer up anything which you may not have seen before - a chase on the dragonfly riders is reminscent of pod racing in Star Wars is just one example.

Of the main cast, Taylor Kitsch does okay in his first multiplex lead; he's never really outstanding and never imbues Carter with one stand out moment from within the action; Mark Strong is reliably good as the manipulative deity and Dafoe brings some welcome humour to Tars Tarkus as he befriends Carter. Some will go googly-eyed over the kickass temperament of Lynn Collins' Dejah Thoris who starts off strong willed and goes weak in Carter's thrall.

Unfortunately though as the denouement rolled around, I'm sorry to say I wasn't emotionally invested in either the characters or their fates - and I certainly wasn't on the edge of my seat hoping there will be an immediate return to Basoom (as the 11 books suggest there would be a wealth of material for).

Don't get me wrong - John Carter is not a bad film; it offers up a suitably sized scoop of silly blockbuster fun (despite the humour which is there at the beginning quickly trailing off in favour of sci-fi pomposity) for a few hours. It's just not perhaps the sci-fi epic it could have been - and it's certainly - and unfortunately -not quite the start to a franchise you'd be hoping for.


Extras: 100 Years in the making, Audio commentary


Rating: 

Contraband: Blu Ray Review

Contraband: Blu Ray Review

Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Lukas Haas, Ben Foster, Kate Beckinsale, Giovanni Ribisi
Director: Baltasar Kormákur

A remake of a 2008 Icelandic film, which starred the director, Contraband is a heist film set on the seven seas and in Panama.

Wahlberg stars as Chris Farraday, a notorious smuggler, who's now retired from the trade. He's now a family man living the quiet life with his wife Kate (Beckinsale) and 2 kids and working in security alarms rather than hijinks on the waters.

But smuggling runs in the family - and when Kate's brother Andy messes up a deal for boss Tim Briggs (Ribisi), the debt proves to be high and the cost could be Andy's life. So, forced out of retirement for this last job, Farraday decides to head to Panama to call in on some old contacts and try to smuggle out millions of dollars in counterfeit bills.

However, (unsurprisingly), not everything goes to plan - and suddenly Chris is not only fighting for his life but his family's back home...

The idea of one last job for family or to settle a debt is nothing new to be honest - it's been used countless times before.

But Contraband doesn't seem to care as it straddles increasingly strained and preposterous ideas and one (predictable) betrayal after another; however, Wahlberg makes it watchable somehow - even if there is a relative lack of any suspense or real tension.


Ribisi channels feral (at times OTT leering) weasel as the unhinged lunatic Briggs who's trying to cash in the debt and threatens Chris' family with it for the rest of their lives; Wahlberg is solid if unspectacular as Chris, whose attempts to reign in the debt see him involved in a Pollock Panama heist.

Despite a dark grimy unwashed feel to the film, director Baltasar Kormákur Opts for countless swirling and unnecessary aerial shots to bridge the gap between the 'action'. The effect is irritating rather than dizzying and detracts by taking away from any tension which may have been created.

The problem is a real lack of emotional investment in the characters, their plights and resolutions. The often lumpy script doesn't help this either as the noose tightens around everyone's necks. Wahlberg looks suitably perplexed throughout and the pay off at the end (complete with twist) just doesn't feel rewarding enough.

Don't get me wrong; this is well put together, it just lacks a certain little something to make it either edge of your seat stuff or gripping. As it is, it's perfectly serviceable, relatively cliched and instantly forgettable the moment the lights go up.


Extras: See how stunts and effects were done, commentary, deleted scenes, making of


Rating: 

Headhunters: DVD Review

Headhunters: DVD Review

Rating: R16
Released by Vendetta Films

There seems to be just something about the Scandanavian and Norwegian region which breeds thrillers with a slightly skewed take on the world. And that continues with the Headhunters Movie.

It's the world which brought us Stieg Larsson and of course, the superb TV series, The Killing. The latest from top author Jo Nesbo stars Aksel Hennie (whom you may remember from Max Manus) as Roger Brown, a seemingly together guy who has it all; a beautiful blonde wife who adores him, a top headhunting job which sees him one of the leading within his industry - and a multi million dollar house.

And yet - he's living beyond his means and stealing art on the side to make ends meet.

At a gallery opening, he's introduced to Clas Greve (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau from Game of Thrones), a potentially perfect candidate for a new job but also who has one of the most sough after paintings in the modern art world.

Naturally, with creditors snapping at his heels, Brown can't resist - however, his greed gets the better of him and soon he finds himself in way deeper than he thought - and potentially fatally out of his depth. Classy, sleeky put togeher and slyly funny in places, Headhunters is a truly fresh piece of film in a genre which has essentially become crowded and cluttered with unoriginality.

There's deceit and paranoia in spades here as Brown suspects everyone and as the web weaves itself tighter - but despite taut direction, the script doesn't allow itself to get too overtly serious with moments of bizarre humour thrown in completely unexpectedly.

Hennie is great at keeping us grounded as the plot spirals a little into lunacy with a well rounded performance which is plausible and compellingly watchable throughout. Headhunters is, at every turn, not what you'd think it is - it's a refreshingly good and smartly put together intense Nordic crime flick which is a welcome treat thanks to unexpected twists and turns.

And it also has one of the worst toilet scenes since Slumdog Millionaire and Trainspotting...

Extras: Featurette behind the scenes

Rating:

21 Jump Street: Blu Ray Review

21 Jump Street: Blu Ray Review

Rating: M
Released by Sony Home Entertainment

Here comes the most pleasant surprise of the movie year.

In theory, it shouldn't work - a revamp of an 80s action TV show which was from Stephen J "A Team" Cannell and starred Johnny Depp. 


But this Hollywood remake and update is surprisingly great, ever so slightly silly entertainment, self knowing and yet respectful and as a result, ends up being a really good night out on the small screen.

Hill stars as Morton Schmidt, a former high school loner and misfit who ends up partnering with his high school jock nemesis Greg Jenko (Tatum) when they end up in police academy after finishing their school years.

The two realise each other has a way of helping them graduate academy - Schmidt can help with the book smarts to the somewhat dim Jenko and Jenko can help Schmidt with his lack of fitness and confidence.

When they end up graduating, they're assigned to park patrol despite their dreams of achieving greatness, they find themselves kicked out of even that menial job after messing up an arrest.

So, due to their youthful looks, their boss sends them off to join the 21 Jump Street division, run by Ice Cube's Captain Dickson. That team is responsible for dealing with crime among teenagers and in schools...

Their first assignment - go back to high school and stop a synthetic drug from spreading from campus to campus by finding the supplier.

But it seems both of the pair, working undercover, have a score to settle from their old days...

Smart, self mocking and yet reverential, 21 Jump Street is a raucously riotous action comedy film which doesn't skimp on the R Rated behaviour and language but certainly brings the funny.

Mixing a mocking of the genre with a knowing nostalgic look at 80s action films (one chase sequence sees Hill opining that two potential explosions don't actually occur - which of course is a poke at any explosion in any of the 80s shows penned by Canning which always ended in gargantuan fireballs) and a lot of genuinely laugh out loud funny moments, 21 Jump Street provides plenty of brain in neutral entertainment.

Tatum and Hill work well together - they've got the great chemistry of a bromance and a smart clever script to help them along in the adventure. And both play their stereotype very well - in fact, Tatum manages to throw in the best performance I've seen from him in ages - it's nice to see him step outside of the romantic drama rut he's got into. Likewise, Hill has a very funny deadpan way of delivering the lines and riffs well on his insecurity and the story. With the pair playing it serious for for laughs, it works exceptionally well.

There's also a brilliant shoot out sequence at the end which is notable for what happens rather than the explosions - but I don't want to spoil that in any way shape or form.

All in all, 21 Jump Street, which ends on the definite promise of a very welcome sequel, is good entertainment coupled with a dollop of obligatory R rated moments. But, it's also great fun and respectful of the show it sprang from - it's definitely worth your time and you may be surprised how much you actually enjoy it.

Extras: Commentary, Back to school doco, 20 deleted scenes, gag reel, JDepp on set, and more - a great package


Rating: