Grace of Monaco: Movie Review

Grace of Monaco: Movie Review

Cast: Nicole Kidman, Tim Roth, Paz Vega, Milo Ventimiglia, Frank Langella
Director: Olivier Dahan

It begins with the words: "This is a fictional accountant inspired by real events" and ends with Nicole Kidman smiling enigmatically as Grace Kelly - everything else in between is somewhat of a muddled blur.

Roundly derided at the Cannes Film festival this year, Grace of Monaco is the story of one moment in Grace Kelly's life, where her personal choices and professional standing clashed, causing a crisis of identity and marriage - as well as threatening the future of Monaco.

When Hitchcock comes to Grace to offer her a role in Marnie, she's torn between taking the part and leaving her unhappy life behind in Monaco and the constitutional crisis facing the powers that be during a stand off between Prince Rainier III (A spiv-like Tim Roth) and French president Charles de Gaulle.

As the pressure ramps up on both sides, Grace finds herself in an interminable position.

In among the dazzling diamonds on show in Grace of Monaco, there is only wood on show from the humans.

To say Grace of Monaco is poorly acted is more of a reflection on a script that lacks anything, and delivery from most of its principal cast that would be scorned if it were an amateur performance. For the majority of the film, it feels like the actors are merely intoning their lines rather than breathing any form of life into them as the kitchen sink melodrama ramps up.

In amongst all of this is Nicole Kidman as Grace Kelly, for whom the camera inexplicably delivers soft focus every time it's on her. Dahan chooses to spend a lot of time in sharp close up of Kidman's eyes as Grace, a directorial flourish that begins to grate after its first few overuses. While Kidman tries her best with a script that's bereft of life, she's reduced to a series of poses and pouting moments that make Kelly look like a child stinging from criticism. The worst scene sees Kelly being trained by Derek Jacobi's Count with a series of cards that have emotions like "Regret" on them - it's a shame none of them had "Acting" written on them.

Inevitably, comparisons will be made with last year's Diana biopic, given that similar themes are explored - a contretemps of a loveless marriage and expectation of duty swirl around both of these women. Except Grace of Monaco should at least have some sparkle - and while the costumes bring the bling, the lifeless dull script and actors unfortunately under the direction of Dahan do not. None of them convince in their respective roles and feel so aloof and removed from proceedings, you even wonder why anyone of them signed up in the first place.

Regally bad, Grace of Monaco for once lives upto the hype that's surrounded it following its debut at Cannes. It's just a shame that the hype stinks to high heaven in this lump of coal, which for all the efforts of those involved, cannot be polished to anything near the standard of a diamond.

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The Pa Boys: DVD Review

The Pa Boys: DVD Review

Rating: M
Released by Vendetta

From the producer of such Kiwi cinematic luminaries as Eagle vs Shark and Boy comes this new feature. Set in contemporary Wellington, it's the story of a reggae band, The Pa Boys, who are made up of two mates, and a new flattie, Tau. Deciding to go on a pub tour "down north", the boys face the inevitable tensions of life on the road.

But for Danny (Fran Kora) it's a bigger issue - the appearance of the spiritually centred and in-touch-with-his-ancestors Tau (Matariki Whatarau) causes wider concerns, with his feeling of displacement coming to the fore.

And these worries and insecurities threaten to derail the band's easy musical rapport....

The Pa Boys has a relaxed and gently soulful vibe to it that's hard to deny - if you're expecting another Mt Zion style film, then you'll be in for a shock because Grace's put together a flick which addresses spiritual concerns and accepting your roots ahead of any major musical influence.

While Danny has a growing sense of resentment and alienation, the opposite can be said of Tau in this simply told story and the gentle push and pull helps propel it along. Occasionally, the movie drifts a little as its focus wanders and it can in the odd moment or two, feel like a Maori history lesson as Tau waxes lyrical about how the North island was fished up, but along with the strong use of the scenery and spiritually reflective tone of the movie, The Pa Boys is a measured movie which will strike a chord with some more than others.

The music scenes give an eclectic glimpse into the pub touring circuit and encapsulate the small town vibes and attitudes towards bands heading their way; and the music benefits from having an actual singer on duties.

The ensemble cast are solid with Danny (Kora) giving enough of a feeling of alienation and loss.

All in all, The Pa Boys is a solid debut from Grace; with a little more editing and potentially a little more story, it could have soared a little higher.

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Cheap Thrills: DVD Review

Cheap Thrills: DVD Review

Rating: R18
Released by Madman Home Ent

In Evan Katz's grubby Cheap Thrills, it's Compliance's Pat Healy who's forced to debase himself for money to make ends meet. When Healy's Craig awakes one day, it's all a spiral to hell as debt catches up with him - a young baby, a nice wife and a good home all placed in jeopardy by the fact he can't pay the bills. 

An eviction notice and a downsizing later and Craig's in a bar, nursing a beer and some sorrows. Then he bumps into Vince, an old school friend not seen for 5 years and it starts to escalate into a simmering pot boiler of have-nots. 

When the duo meet Colin and Violet, (Sara Paxton and David Koechner) who have cash to splash on a series of silly dares, everything goes to hell in a handcart as social mores and moral depths are plumbed to see how far they'd go for cash. $50 to be the first to down a shot, $500 to hit a bouncer first - all seem like simple moments of what would you do mentality, but that's only the beginning. As the two old school friends begin to face off each other in a desperate game for one upmanship and money in the pocket.

Katz has a way of keeping the thrills going in the film as it spirals towards its inevitable nasty end - sure, you can see what's coming as Vince and Craig debase themselves for cash - and there's a degree of wondering what would you do for that amount of money if it came down to it. 

But the taut direction as the resentments boil over and the level of tension rises means you're never short of an engagement with this grubby lo-fi film. As a morality tale, it's a fascinating one - a tale of haves and have-nots facing off in an epic social battle. Healy makes his descent believable and a shock at the end packs a real punch - Katz is an expert at making you flip between sympathy and horror for Craig and you may be shocked at how you swing as the film plays out. 

Cheap Thrills may be lo-fi cinema in some ways, vulgar and depraved, but it's a sure sign that an indie can kick some punch and may make you question exactly how far you'd go if circumstance conspired against you. And to be honest, you may not like the answer to that....

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ZB Review - Xmen: Days of Future Past, Godzilla, Philomena and August Osage County

ZB Review - Xmen: Days of Future Past, Godzilla, Philomena and August Osage County

This week on Jack Tame, it was of monsters and humans.

We discussed X: Men: Days of Future Past, Godzilla, Philomena and August Osage County

Take a listen below:

http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/listen-on-demand/audio/355470433-darren-bevan--godzilla-and-x-men

Which Way Is The Front Line From Here? DVD Review

Which Way Is The Front Line From Here? DVD Review

Rating: M
Released by Madman Home Ent

Which Way Is The Front Line From Here? is an HBO doco looking at the tragically short life ofTim Hetherington, who many will know as being one half of the Oscar nominated doco,Restrepo. 

It sets out its stall early on with a shot of Tim saying that the "role of witnessing comes with strong responsibility" - and it's clear that Sebastian Junger's piece is a honest, heartfelt, but never mawkish tribute to his former colleague. Tim was a tall, grinning, white guy who clearly stood head and shoulders above his subjects, but who was never above them in respect and grace. 

This fascinating piece intersperses past footage of Tim, with some of his shots and contributions from those who knew him. As an insight into what goes through an embedded journo's psyche, it's fascinating; as a look at what makes a human, it's unmissable. Powerful footage from war zones sweeps in with comments from all sides - and there's a strong poignancy to the final words from Sebastian Junger and the last sequences which show Tim's untimely demise. 

As Sebastian reveals, a Vietnam vet told him: "The core truth about war is you’re guaranteed to lose your brothers – and now you know everything you need to know about war" after hearing the news of Tim's death. 

Those moments feel almost intrusive, tragic and utterly soul destroying as they're set to a shot of the sun in a clear blue sky - this is an incredibly moving piece which encapsulates the reason some rush into horrors while others run away.

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Mr Pip: Blu Ray Review

Mr Pip: Blu Ray Review

Rating: M
Released by Universal Home Ent

Based on Lloyd Jones' seminal novel, the film adaptation of Mr Pip arrives on the screen withGreat Expectations heaped upon it.

Set against the backdrop of civil war in Bougainville as power struggle for the copper mines manifests itself, it's the story of young Mathilda (Xzannjah) who lives on the island. When all the whites abandon the island to ensure their safety, one stays behind.

That is the enigmatic Mr Watts (Hugh Laurie) who decides to take on the tutelage of the children by reading to them Charles Dickens' Great Expectations. For Mathilda, it's a revelation, a chance to find sanctuary in the world of Pip and her own imagination. But Watts' plan to fire up the children's imaginations brings him into conflict with some of the parents.

However, they find they all have to put their differences aside when the civil war comes abruptly and violently into their village.

Mr Pip is a surprisingly powerful piece given its rather small scale intimate feel.

Laurie, replete in crumpled white suit, brings a low-key nuanced presence and haunting subtle sadness to the last remaining white man on the island, trying to inspire the children and distract them from the horrors knocking at their very doorstep. There's a distracted melancholy to his performance which is only lifted when he brings some comic overtones to the acting out of Dickens' world.

First time actress Xzannjah also has a wide-eyed innocence to Mathilda, whose solace in her imaginary world with Pip is a stark contrast to the world around her. Thanks to bright, visually bold colourful costuming of Pip's world, the difference couldn't be more pointed or striking as the maudlin tone plays out. The first half of the film feels almost light, choppy and jaunty as the kids and the village adjust to Watts' ways and the community starts to fracture (and ultimately heal itself) amid the world around it.

And mark my words, Mr Pip packs a power that is hard to deny - and even harder not to be moved or horrified with as the realities and atrocities of civil war come painfully to Mathilda and Mr Watts' world. It's mournful to say the least and the wailing and gnashing which follows one incident is haunting, evocative and heart-in-mouth horrifying - despite somehow managing to be moving.

But it's the ending of Mr Pip which impresses - there's a dignified power, emotional punch and rich resonance offered by the dénouement which will move you more than you'd expect. Amid the harrowing and horrific, director Andrew Adamson has crafted something which has a quiet dignity and a way of creeping up on you, gnawing at your soul long after you've turned it off

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Extras: Interviews with director and Hugh Laurie

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues: Blu Ray Review

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues: Blu Ray Review

Rating: M
Released by Universal Home Entertainment

Nearly a decade ago, a small cult began to grow with the launch of the movie, Anchorman - The Legend of Rob Burgundy. Now, Will Ferrell returns as Ron Burgundy in the second Anchorman film - Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.

After the success of the 1970s, things are looking good for Ron and Veronica (Christina Applegate) - but when she's promoted to lead anchor ahead of him, the narcissistic Ron hits rock bottom - until an opportunity comes to him to be part of a 24 hours new channel, the Global News Network.

However, Ron's got problems as the rest of the Channel 4 news team are no longer working in news. But this is Ron Burgundy and he's never been troubled by anything. So, he sets out to get the gang back together and take the world of news by storm. Again.

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues had promise.

The first was a creative flash in the pan, a veritable souffle of ridiculousness and long lasting catch phrases guaranteeing it a place in the pantheon of the comedy films.

This sequel, is to be frank, a patchy and disappointing affair. It starts off promisingly with the over-the-top nature kicking in and the stupidity on display for all to see. The idiotic lines come thick and fast as the parody starts to hit home. And there are hints of satire around too, a sly mocking of the softer news formats and weaker news agenda of current times, the lack of integrity of reporters as they try to fill 24 hours of news, a dig at an Australian owner of a media empire and the idiocy of racial and sexual stereotypes. They all have real potential for the film to hit it out of the park (or Whammy, if you're Champ) throughout.

Yet, scenes go on without real punchlines, a series of skits that are loosely narratively hung together and end in gibberish after proffering a few smiles before blustering quickly into the next one. It's almost as if they were a gaggle of comedy moments that worked better on paper and in the rehearsal room than on the big screen.

Nowhere is this more blatantly apparent than in a final out-of-leftfield fight sequence that sees Ron and the team confronted by groups of news anchors from different stations - and proves a chance to pack in more celebrity cameos than you could shake a teleprompter at and be self-indulgent rather than add to the story or prove fodder for some quality quick fire gags.

Don't get me wrong though - Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues offers some laugh out loud moments - mainly at socially awkward Steve Carell's Brick Tamland, who spouts such absurdisms at odd moments that it's impossible to fall prey to this idiot savant who is more idiot than savant. To be honest though, he's a real highlight in this - despite a romance with his female double (played by Kristen Wiig) not quite hitting the creative mark.

Overall, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues seems to be a case of getting the band back together for the band more than for anybody else. A once-over of the script could have helped and certainly a bit more editing would have tightened the comically weak structure - an entire sequence with Ron raising a shark as part of his character's growth would have been better off left as a deleted scene.

It's frustrating though as the satire is there in the wings, waiting and with a sharpening, it could have been so much more. If you're a fan of the first Anchorman movie or are willing to leave your brain at the door and get pre-loaded, you'll have some laughs. Everyone else may wonder what all the fuss is about as some of the barbs and laughs hit their target, while others miss.

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