The Reader

Day three, film three. On the third day and the second attempt I saw 'The Reader' (the multiplex showing was sold out so we went to an independent cinema). With Kate Winslet winning the golden globe the other night expectation should be high. But Kermode and Empire both gave it average reviews. I my little world that makes things about even. Again.

First the bad things, of which there are a few. Firstly the pace, this is something that Empire and Kermode moaned about. On another day I might not have been so patient. Then there is the german accents. With half the cast being german this could be the reason for it. Still it's annoying. And it leads me to my final complaint. This is a film that is hoping to win awards, it's not some paint-by-numbers hollywood popcorn movie. So why does it treat it's audience like simpletons? The german accents certainly aren't required for the story. Given the subject matter we aren't going to forget where we are. A major plot point is a trail against former nazi death camp workers. A survivor testifies at the trial, so we know that she is Jewish. Later in the film we are in her apartment, and straight away there is a chanukah (jewish candle thing) in the middle of shot. Then she tells us about how her mother died in Israel. We get it, she is jewish. Again the dialog doesn't exactly give you a chance to forget.

Now on the the good. The story is fantastic, and Winslet is great. I mean they are both amazing. Really, really good. Even with the complains above I still loved this film. I could see how it could drag if you weren't in the mood. But if you are in the mood then it's worth every minute and certainly worth going to two cinemas to see it.

Che: Part One

Day two, film two. The day is tuesday, the film is Che: Part 1. Having not heard a review of this yet and with the Globes passing it by (Del Toro is superb) Che had less to live up to than Slumdog. On writing the last sentence I realised something. Che Guevara is the poster boy for a generation of wannabe marxists and the most famous none English speaking political Hero (he isn't my hero but I know a lot of people for who he is). So fair is fair I guess. Che and Slumdog follow a similar style of story telling. Che flicks between the big man's meeting with the UN and the revolutionary war in Cuba. Where as Slumdog switchs between the present day events surrounding the show and the life of the Slumdog himself. But were as Slumdog races out of the blocks at a million miles an hour and doesn't slow down, Che takes its time. Even during the fight scenes there is no rush to a climax.

The film is very much about the man and how he came to be respected and idolised the way he is. It shows how he was calm a capable whatever was thrown at him. Be it the UN, the war wounded, or gunfire and grenades. As I said Del Toro is brilliant, from the first minute he commands the screen and your attention. Want to watch part two as soon as soon as possible.

If you are willing to sit through two hours of war and all round hard times then it is certainly worth it. If you can't sit through that then go watch bride wars and don't bother complaining.

P.s. I'm watching the footie tomorrow so there won't be a film till thursday. I'm as sad as you.

Slumdog Millionaire

Day one, film one. The day is Monday, the film is Slumdog Millionaire. Given the Golden Globe results last night I was expecting a lot from Danny Boyles latest effort (also due to all the other praise that as been awarded to this film).I feel I should confess before we get started. I'm not the mans biggest fan, always struggle to care for his characters and struggle to stick with the plot all the way through. Feel that he doesn't build tension well, just starts off at quite a high level and sticks with it. I'm worn out 3/4 of the way through and checking my watch.

This is both my review of slumdog millionaire and all other Danny Boyle films (excluding 28 days later which is fantastic). Which makes me think I'm missing something. I really liked the start of the film with the kids, reminded me of City of God, the innocence of children conquering everything. But by the end I wasn't sat there wanting the happy ending, more waiting for it. Solid 7/10, fun but not fantastic.

Week of Films

This week I will be returning to edinburgh for the coming term. As such I will regain the ability to watch new films (at home the only cinema near by is a family cinema and as such can't show anything good). To celebrate this fact I will try to go to the cinema every night for a week. With films like The Reader, Slumdog Millionaire, Defiance, and Che: Part 1 showing this will not only be easy but it will also be enjoyable. Might try and report back after every film or just do a Kermode style sum up at the end of the week. This plan will either result in me giving up on films altogether or falling deeper into a anti-social addiction to award season films. Which one results in a win for society i'm not sure, but having an excuse to be anti-social does make things easier.

Pub argument about The Dark Oscar Winner

I think I was one of the few people that didn't feel infinite sympathy for Heath Ledger upon the announcement of his suicide last year. It isn't that I didn't like him as a person or respect him as an actor, in fact I quite liked him, it is that suicide is irresponsible, specially for a father. That might seem cold but it is still a crime and many religions agree that you shouldn't take your own life. And this is where the Oscar talk comes in. Ledger's Joker was fantastic, ten times Jack Nicholson's camp performance. I'm not saying Ledger will only get nominated/win because he died. I'm saying that people will talk about his (or not) nomination/win because he died. And this makes it hard for me to fish out who is serious and who is a sheep.

If you haven't guessed by now the topic of Ledger and the Oscars came up at the pub the other night. As did the question "So if not Ledger, then who?" Which caused me a few problems. All I could come up with was Brendan Gleeson - In Bruges and Phillip Seymour Hoffman - Charlie Wilson's War. I didn't do very well (Hoffman got that nomination last year). I did much better with why I couldn't.

It was friday night when we talked about this and as such I hadn't had chance to watch any of this weeks films. Including "The Reader". Add "The Wrestler", "Che: Part One", "Milk", "Frost/Nixon", "Revolutionary Road", and "The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button". Also "In Doubt" (But not "Changeling" as I was very disappointed with it) as the Globes have Hoffman down as in a supporting role. This list is not only Oscar fodder but also yet to be released in the UK. This is the problem with talking about Oscars now, it's way too early.

Back to the Golden Globes and I have another problem. Ledgers competition. Two of the other nominees are for tropic thunder. That is they believe that five of the films on the list above have nothing to offer in terms of supporting men to compete with tropic thunder. There is a reason that the Globes are before then Oscars, publicity. Hopefully this year they can have another purpose, giving the Ledger sheep the token offering they require.

Movie Mash Ups.

Just flicked through a few of these shoe based movie mash ups. Some are a bit crap, some genius. Anyway, if you're got a few minutes it's worth a look.

Empire Jan 09: What I've learnt.

Off the front cover there were four things that got me excited. Firstly, Public Enemies. Looks great, like a good untouchables (I know that will annoy some people, sorry). However I never was sure how much the 30's setting of the untouchables put me off it as a film (Sean Connery and De Niro put me off a lot that is for sure). I'm certain that this will not be anything like heat, but not in a bad way. It will be good. Bloody good. Hopefully it will be more about the characters and the story than the time and the place. Films that define places and eras and don't care about being interesting wind me up no end.

Frost/Nixon. Still as excited. It looks amazing. It looks like detail to the truth is important. Not as important as displaying a spectacle, which is what the interview was (so I've read, not being alive and all). Couldn't be better timing box office wise too. With everyone talking US politics this should make a killing, which makes me happy.

Wolverine. Well, yeah. Still excited but not desperate. If someone offered me a copy of Frost/Nixon or Public Enemies right now I'd tear their hand off (the same applies to Doubt and benjamin button to lesser extents). I'm just more than happy to wait for the release to crawl around. I know it will be good just it's not going to change my life. In any way. At all.

Ghostbusters. It might happen, is the BIG news. Nothing worth blogging about let alone putting on the front page.

Is it just me or can the Dark Knight be put to bed already. It has been released on DVD now, why am I still reading about it? Is it's empire's new star wars (which has a massive article on Holiday Special AND an half page bit Clone Wars. Get over it!)? It's not going to win any oscars. It was good, but not godfather good. Gets seven pages. WTF? And Hugh Jackman. He gets a million pages thanks to Wolverine and Australia (which I couldn't be less excited about). A little diversity goes a long way. I enjoy reading empire in several little sessions before bed, but I don't want to have to read a bit about Hugh every night. Nor do I want a Hugh-fest one night either. He is not that interesting (yet).

Back on the positives and oscars are on their way. I take the awards quiet seriously, they affirm my opinions (head grows even bigger). And the oscar candidates look good. The Wrestle, Doubt, Revolutionary Road, Frost/Nixon, Che, Benjamin Button, The Reader and Changeling (which I've still not seen, see the post 'flu'). With all these films heading to the cinema in the next 3 months I'm a happy chappy. The Golden globe noms are out. Britain has a good showing. In Bruges has three.

Lesbian Vampire Killers looks terrible but the teenage boy in me will make me watch it. That and the fact it will give me the chance to have a good debate (read argument) with my feminist, vegan friend who will find it degrading.