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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 18 August 2010

Over the past 30 years, Australian director Phillip Noyce has put together a very solid resume.  He’s made some emotive dramas (The Quiet American, Rabbit-Proof Fence) but he’s more widely known for his action-thrillers (Patriot Games, Clear & Present Danger).

There’s no question that Salt fits into the “action-thriller” genre.  It’s about a CIA agent named Evelyn Salt (Jolie) who is on the run from her colleagues.  They think she’s a Russian spy and that she plans to kill the Russian President when he visits New York City.  Salt must evade capture and find a way to clear her name.

I have to give credit to Phillip Noyce for the way in which the action scenes have been put together.  Let’s be honest, we all know that Salt will continue to evade her pursuers (otherwise the movie would over in 5 minutes).  I still found it suspenseful though thanks to the well designed chase sequences and speedy editing.  They’ve also come up with some creative escapes.  One of the more exciting moments involves Salt jumping from a freeway overpass onto a moving truck.  It’s pretty cool.

Sadly, the well choreographed action scenes mask the many weaknesses within the story.  When the closing credits started to roll, I was left with several unanswered questions.  I won’t give away any spoilers but I had trouble reconciling the very beginning of the tale.  What were the motives of the other Russian spy (named Orlov) in giving up valuable info on Salt to the CIA?  It didn’t make much sense when his true motivations were revealed later.

Angelina Jolie is not too bad as the film’s heroine – she’s rough, she’s tough.  That said, I’m still unconvinced as to how her character can defeat so many well-trained guys (I hope that doesn’t sound too sexist).  I guess my criticism could be refuted by using the good old “it’s just as action film” defence.  If you’re willing to subscribe to that theory, you’re likely to enjoy this fast-paced adventure.  If not, you'll need to find something else to watch.

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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 05 August 2010

If you walk into your local bookstore, you’re likely to find a section filled with autobiographies.  There are many celebrities with many stories to tell.  Have you ever wondered about the obvious question?  Did they really write these books themselves?  Or was it all the work of a “ghost writer”?

It must be a strange profession.  A “ghost writer” will pour their heart and soul into something that they will receive zero credit for.  They have to become intimate with their subject and get inside their head.  They need to encapsulate the life of the person with just the right amount of flattery.  Above all else, they’ve got to craft something that’s worth reading.

As the title suggests, this film centres on a ghost writer.  He is played by Ewan McGregor and in a nice twist, the character doesn’t have a name.  He is known simply as “the ghost”.  He has been asked to write the memoirs of Adam Lang (Brosnan), a former British Prime Minister who now lives on a quiet island off the East Coast of the United States.

From the moment he becomes involved with the project, The Ghost realises that something is amiss.  He learns that he wasn’t the first choice for the job.  A previous writer had already started work on the book but died under strange circumstances.  He was taking the ferry to the mainland but somehow he fell overboard.  His body was found washed up on the beach.  Was it an accident or was foul play involved?

Things become more complicated when a major news story breaks.  Adam Lang has been accused by a former minister of authorising illegal torture against suspected terrorists whilst Prime Minister.  It’s grabbed the attention of the International Criminal Court who are now looking for evidence of these suspected war crimes.

The media are going crazy.  Lang’s keeping quiet.  He’s well out of his depth but The Ghost can’t help himself.  He takes advantage of his closeness to Lang and starts searching the truth.

The Ghost Writer is based on the novel by Robert Harris which was first published in 2007.  Harris has admitted that former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was his inspiration for the story.  I guess he wanted to explore the possibility of a modern day leader being made accountable for a war gone wrong (such as Iraq).  He’s wrapped up this idea inside an equally interesting tale about an inquisitive ghost writer.  It all adds up to a smart, well-written political thriller.

Pierce Brosnan is an ideal fit for the Adam Lang role – distinguished and intimidating.  Ewan McGregor is also good as The Ghost.  Kim Cattrall and the underrated Olivia Williams leave their mark in important supporting roles.  I admit there are a few weaknesses in the plot but the strength of the performances elevates this beyond your normal Hollywood fare.

The film was still in post production when director Roman Polanski (The Pianist) was arrested in Switzerland in September 2009.  Thankfully, he was able to complete the film (as he was only placed under house arrest).  We’re all entitled to our own opinions regarding his past but Polanski deserves credit as a filmmaker.  The Ghost Writer proves that he’s as good as ever at the age of 77.

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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 11 August 2010

I’ve reviewed close to 3,000 films on my website but this week, I’ve got another Film Pie first.  I was lucky enough to score an interview with Academy Award nominee Patricia Clarkson, who has appeared in films such as The Green Mile, The Station Agent, Pieces Of April and Good Night & Good Luck.  It was a special opportunity so I thought I’d make the most of it.  For the very first time, I'm reviewing a film with one of its stars listening down the telephone line.  Here’s how it went (with 612ABC’s Spencer Howson offering a comment at the very end)…

Matt:  Do you actually read reviews yourself Patricia for the films that you’re in?

Patricia:   No.  I try not to so the fact that I have to listen to an oral review coming at me… (laughs).  It’s fine.

Matt:  Ok, we’ll keep it delicate.  In this film Cairo Time, you’re playing Juliette – she’s a magazine editor in her 50s, she’s gone to Cairo to meet up with her husband who has been working in Gaza for the UN.  When she gets to Cairo her husband has been delayed and she’s waiting in the hotel room on her own.  I must say it’s a beautiful hotel room.  Were you staying in something like that?

Patricia:   It’s somewhat similar.  Yes, we shot at the Shepherd’s Hotel and we stayed there.  We got a deal which is what we needed seeing as this was a small budget film.

Matt:  I loved that scene where you’re sitting out on the balcony for the first time admiring the view of Cairo.  It’s just a beautiful city.

Patricia:  Yes, it’s a breathtaking city.

Matt:  You’re couped up in the hotel room and your character is going a bit stir-crazy.  You step out onto the streets of Cairo to have a look around and I’ve never been to Egypt myself (it’s on my bucket list) but was that your first trip?  Have you been there before?

Patricia:  This was my first trip to the Middle East.  I must say that it delivered.  Cairo packs a punch in many, many ways… in unexpected ways.  It was a life changing experience for me this whole project.  Shooting this movie, being in Cairo, being the lead of this film and working every single day.  It was rigorous.  It was quite a journey.

Matt:  There’s a moment in the film where you’re walking and a group of guys are following you and they’re leering at you.  One of them even touches you.  You manage to escape by popping into a store and it’s quite a striking moment in the film.  Was it actually like that in Egypt?

Patricia:  There is an element of that absolutely.  It’s not overrun by fundamentalists but it’s a male driven society.  You do have to be careful as a Western-looking woman walking the streets with my blond hair.  I had to be careful and I had a fairly similar event happen about three days into Cairo.   I never went anywhere alone again.  It’s just in certain parts and certain sections, not everywhere in Cairo, just certain places.  They do love women of any age.

Matt:  In the film you strike up a friendship with one of your husband’s former colleagues – he’s an Egyptian local named Tariq.  You go out and see the sights and there’s something that develops between the two of you.  It’s not like a traditional Hollywood type relationship as in let’s kiss, off the bedroom, passionate love affair and that sort of stuff.  It’s a really subtle relationship.  How would you describe what happens between Juliette and Tariq?

Patricia:  It is restrained.  Not just because of their cultures and customs.  I think it’s restrained because of who they are as people and what is at stake.  I think they’re honourable people but very sexy!

Matt:  There’s a beautiful scene late in the film where you’re at the pyramids and the camera is looking up with the pyramids behind while you’re sitting on one of the great stones.  That must have been pretty surreal?

Patricia:  Yes and it’s real.  There’s no CGI in the film except for a little scene on a train but everything else in this film is exactly as it was.  When I was telling friends I was in Cairo they were asking if I’d seen the pyramids.  Did I see the pyramids?  I sat on the pyramids!  I hugged the pyramids!  Everything is very real and every location was a real location.  Nothing was created or modified and I think it’s an honourable part of the film. 

Matt:  Well I think it’s a really good film.  I was a worried at first when it was a little bit slow to start.  There’s a large focus on the city.  But the focus then turns to Juliette and by the final act of the film, I really enjoyed the interaction between Juliette and Tariq.  There’s not a lot of dialogue.  I’m giving this the thumbs up and will give it a B+.

Patricia:  Oh good.  Ok, ok.  (breathes sigh of relief)

Matt:  Does that mean you’re going to give it an A, Patricia?

Patricia:  Of course I give it an A (laughs).  But a thumbs up and a B+ is a very good thing.  I’m thrilled with that.

Spencer:  That must have been terrifying for you?  Like sitting there with the headmaster or something 

Patricia:  Yes, a little bit.  But it wasn’t as bad as I thought.  I survived it.  (laughs)

Matt:  Thanks Patricia.

Patricia:  Thank-you so much guys.  You guys are fun!  Take care.

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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 04 August 2010

When I told people at work that I thought Step Up 3D “wasn’t too bad”, I received a few strange looks.  I can’t blame them.  I’d usually carve up such a film.  The plot is mindless and the dialogue is worse than an episode of The Bold & The Beautiful.  I don’t think it’ll be on the minds of Academy voters when filling out their ballot for best original screenplay.

It’s clear though that the filmmakers weren’t too concerned about the plot.  This is a 107 minute music video for those who love street dancing.  If that’s why you’re buying your ticket, you won’t be disappointed.  These dancers are very talented and you can sense the weeks of rehearsal time that have gone into each key scene.

I’ve been critical in recent months of 3D movies.  Too many studios seem to be “cashing in” on the 3D craze by adding the effects during post production.  Examples include Alice In Wonderland and Clash Of The Titans.  That’s not the case here.  Director John Chu has carefully planned each scene to milk all he can from the 3D format.  There’s a very cool scene involving a guy, a girl, an air vent and a slushie.

This will probably leave you cringing but I should spend one paragraph describing the storyline.  A guy named Luke (Malambri) owns an apartment which is home to a group of street dancers.  He’s behind on his mortgage payments and the bank is going to foreclose.  It turns out that the leader of a rival dance crew is first in line to buy it.  How can Luke get out of this situation?  He and his friends are going to win a huge street dancing contest with a $100,000 first prize.  They’ll be able to save the farm… I mean… the apartment!

I know it sounds bad but I still had fun.  It’s got creative dance moves, decent choreography and a solid soundtrack.  It didn’t inspire me to take up “krumping” but I was still impressed by what these dancers had to offer.

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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 10 August 2010

About half way through this film, I realised I had let my guard down.  I was having too much fun.  My critic’s hat had fallen off.  I wondered if I should be looking for flaws.  Were some jokes overdone?  Did they go too far with the fast-paced editing?  Who might not like a film such as this?

I quickly pushed those thoughts to the back of my mind.  This moment was not to be ruined.  Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World had tapped into my warped sense of humour and wasn’t letting go.  Laughing out loud and sitting in a packed cinema – it reminded me once again of why I love movies.

Many will already be familiar with the works of 36-year-old English director Edgar Wright.  He burst onto the scene with Shaun Of The Dead in 2004 and followed up with Hot Fuzz in 2007.  Both are spoof comedies and both developed a cult-like following.

With Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, Wright has taken on his most challenging assignment yet.  The film is based on the comic book series from Bryan Lee O’Malley which has a small, yet devoted fan base.  Wright’s dilemma is that he has to (1) satisfy the exceedingly high expectations of those who have read the books, whilst (2) making something commercial enough to lure the other 99.9% of the population.

Having left the cinema with a beaming smile on my face, I can safely declare that Wright had ticked both boxes.  I preface that comment by acknowledging that some will hate it.  There were a few walk-outs during the preview I attended.  I guess they weren’t amused by the funny video game references and Wright’s “attention-deficit” style of filmmaking (where a million things are happening at once).

As the title promises, the story centres on 23-year-old Scott Pilgrim.  He lives in a tiny apartment, he plays the guitar is a crummy band and he hasn’t had a girlfriend in over a year.  I realise Michael Cera (Superbad, Juno) has a very limited range as an actor but he’s the perfect person for this role.  With his breaking voice, awkward one-liners and dopey-looking facial expressions, Cera makes it look “cool” to be a “nerd”.

Scott’s eyes are transfixed on a girl by the name of Ramona Flowers (Winstead).  The only way he can win her heart is to defeat her seven evil “exes”.  They will each come after Scott and challenge him to a duel.  He must find their weaknesses, take them down and proceed to the next level.

If this sounds like an arcade game… then yes, you are right.  Please collect 1,000 bonus points.  Wright has used an arsenal of specials effects to construct a world which pays tribute to iconic video games.  You’ll realise this within seconds of seeing the Universal logo at the start.  It sets the tone for what is to follow – inspired visuals with creative editing.  The sound effects are great too.

I’ve already paid homage to Michael Cera but the whole cast is fantastic.  Kieran Culkin (Igby Goes Down) gets the most laughs as Scott’s gay flatmate.  Followers of Chris Evans, Brandon Routh and Jason Schwartzman will also have much to like. 

You should realise by now that this is MY kind of movie.  It’s cute, it’s funny and it’s original.  One of the year’s best!