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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 26 July 2009

This final year in the life of John Dillinger is the subject of Michael Mann’s new film.  It may be set in the midst of the Great Depression but Mann didn’t want it to feel like a period piece.  With the help of cinematographer Dante Spinotti (L.A. Confidential), Mann has shot the movie using the latest in digital cameras.  It gives the film a crisp, fresh look.

I’ve always held Michael Mann in high regard.  He knows how to bring a story to life and previous credits include Heat, The Insider and Collateral.  Much research went into this project.  He wanted to retell the Dillinger story as accurately as possible.  This included a detailed review of files in the FBI archives.  He also created 114 different sets and shot several scenes in the exact same location where actual events took place.

John Dillinger (played in the film by Johnny Depp) may have been the most wanted man in the United States but many people saw him as a hero.  His dictum was never to rob from ordinary people – he just wanted to punish the banks and the government for their roles in the lead up to the Great Depression.  You’ll learn pretty quickly that Dillinger was a guy who lived for today and not for tomorrow.  He knew his escapades would not last and he wanted to make the most of his notoriety.

What I found more interesting that Dillinger’s escapades was the chase by the authorities to capture him.  The newly formed FBI was using their best men to hunt down Dillinger and his crew.  Leading the chase was a young agent out to impress by the name of Melvin Purvis (played by Christian Bale).  Equal waiting is given in the film to the stories of both Dillinger and Purvis.

I didn’t realise it before seeing Public Enemies but the 1930s were a curious era in law enforcement.  Outlaws such as Dillinger could now use cars to escape.  They also had huge machine guns which could fire a seemingly endless stream of bullets… not too accurately I might add.  To try to peg back the upper hand, the authorities used the latest forensic techniques, such as fingerprinting.

There are some great shoot-outs in this film to appease the action fans.  It’s reminiscent of Michael Mann’s work in Heat, except that the guns are about 60 years older.  Johnny Depp is solid in the leading role but it was the supporting players who grabbed my attention.  Christian Bale is terrific as Mevlin Purvis as is French actress Marion Cotillard (La Vie En Rose) who plays Dillinger’s girlfriend, Billie Frechette.

Clocking in at just under two and a half hours, Public Enemies makes for good viewing and is a refreshing change from the special effects laden sequels which are currently clogging up our multiplexes.

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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 14 July 2009

On a sunny morning in July 2005, I lined up outside the Victoria Palace Theatre in London for tickets to see Billy Elliot: The Musical.  I arrived at 8:30am and had to wait three and a half hours for the ticket counter to open.

The time flew by however because in my hands was a copy of the recently released Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince.  Totally engrossed, I read each page quicker than the last, anxiously waiting to find out what was in store for Harry and his friends.

Last night, I saw the cinematic adaptation of this book.  Let’s just say that my level of excitement was not even close to that which I experienced four years ago.  Something major has been lost in translating J.K. Rowling’s sixth Harry Potter book to the big screen.

There’s a noticeable lack of action, a lack of suspense.  Some characters are woefully underdeveloped and too much emphasis is placed on the story’s romantic elements.  This is the worst film in the series to date.

In this much darker adventure, Harry (Radcliffe) and his fellow students have returned to Hogwarts School with trepidation.  The evil Lord Voldemort has returned (see the fifth film for more information) and wizarding world are bracing themselves for another attack.  Nowhere is safe.

The school’s headmaster, Professor Dumbledore (Gambon), knows that Voldemort’s power is increasing.  He must be stopped before it is too late.  Dumbledore reluctantly asks for Harry’s help and provides information on how Voldemort came to be.  As a child, Voldemort was one of Hogwart’s most gifted students but there was always something different about him.  He had an insatiable thirst for the dark arts.

Dumbledore believes that the key to destroying Voldemort lies with an old friend, Professor Horace Slughorn (Broadbent).  He has invited the Professor to teach potions at Hogwarts this year… not because he is a great teacher but because Dumbledore seeks something from him.  Harry will be instrumental in Dumbledore’s plan.

As a backdrop to this main storyline, there are number of light-hearted, romantic subplots.  Love maybe in the air but Cupid’s arrows seem to be off the mark.  Harry likes Ginny but is too afraid to admit it.  The same goes for Ron and Hermoine who both find themselves entangled with a not-so-perfect match.

I wasn’t bored by Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince but I think that these movies have lost their sparkle.  Director David Yates, who also made the last film, hasn’t left much of a signature.  There’s nothing new, nothing fresh.  Nicholas Hooper’s film score is dull and the special effects were anything but.  Scenes were included for reasons unbeknown to me.  Why even show the Quidditch match?

As disenchanted as I felt, there are elements of the film to enjoy.  The underrated Jim Broadbent (Iris, Topsy-Turvy) is terrific as Professor Slughorn.  Daniel Radcliffe has a humorous few moments after drinking a special tonic which brings good luck.  It was good to see him liven up and it took the edge off the otherwise depressing story.

The final book, Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows, will be split into two movies – one released in 2010 and the other in 2011.  I’m disappointed to hear that director David Yates will be at the helm for both flicks.  Hopefully he will lift his game or else this much anticipated series will slip away into antiquity.

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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 22 July 2009

Set in the early 20^th Century, Lea de Lonval (Pfeiffer) is a retired courtesan living in Paris.  She has a comfortable lifestyle and she spends most of her days socialising with friends.  One such acquaintance is Madame Peloux (Bates), a formal rival in the courtesan business.

Madame Peloux has a 19-year-old son named Chéri (Friend), who up until this point has lived a life of debauchery.  Chéri has always had a soft spot for Lea and after spending some time together, the pair find themselves in a relationship.

Yes, there is a huge age difference but neither seems to care.  They are an ideal fit.  Chéri draws on Lea’s maturity and easy-going nature.  Lea draws on Chéri’s youth and exuberance.  In all they would spend six very happy years together.

Unfortunately, it is something that cannot last and this is where the dramatic elements of the film take hold.  Madame Peloux has arranged for Chéri to be married.  She has found a suitably wealthy candidate and the wheels are in motion.

Neither Lea nor Chéri wish to be parted but neither has the courage to stand up and fight.  Lea tries to convince herself that this was inevitable.  Chéri was always going to leave her eventually and find a much younger someone with whom he could start a family.  Chéri doesn’t want to upset his overbearing mother and goes along with the arrangement to keep her satisfied.

What will become of this divided duo?  Can they bury their grief and move on with their lives?  Or will their bond be too difficult to break?  I don’t want to reveal too much but let me say that the final scene in this film is the best ending to a film I’ve seen all year.  It’s bold, it’s risky and it’s shocking.  I loved it.

Where has Michelle Pfeiffer been of late?  According to the Internet Movie Database, this is only her 8^th film in the past 10 years.  You’d think that someone of her talent would have landed more roles.  Perhaps she’s been choosy with her projects?  When you see her in Chéri you’ll be reminded about how enchanting she can be.  Kathy Bates also deserves a tick as Madame Peloux.

This is wonderful film headed by two experienced guys who know how to tell a good story.  Stephens Frears directed The Queen, Mrs Henderson Presents and High Fidelity.  Christopher Hampton adapted the screenplays for Atonement and The Quiet American.  Together, they have crafted a sumptuous cinematic feast.

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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 09 July 2009

Things are about to change however.  Her latest tour, which she thinks will be her last, will turn out to be a wild adventure.  Central to it all is an elderly man named Irv (Dreyfuss) who gives Georgia some much needed advice.  He tells her to lighten up and start appreciating the greatness of life.  It gets even better for Georgia when she starts falling in love with her new, young bus driver (Georgoulis).

I didn’t think I’d be a huge fan of this movie but it’s heart-warming and sentimental.  Sure it’s corny in places but Nia Vardalos (who we all remember from My Big Fat Greek Wedding) is a likeable heroine.  I wanted her to find the happiness that she deserved.

Richard Dreyfuss (Mr. Holland’s Opus, The American President) was my favourite of the large cast.  Dreyfuss is a wonderful actor and it’s a shame we don’t see him in more films these days.  He and Vardalos share some nice moments together.

Released in the same week as new Harry Potter movie, My Life In Ruins won’t be the most popular flick at the box-office but it’s good to see a decent alternative to those not interested in wizards and muggles.

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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 18 July 2009

Christine Brown (Lohman) is a sweet, young girl who works as a bank loan officer.  She is keeping a very close eye on the vacant Assistant Manager’s desk.  It’s down to Christine and her compatriot to see who will earn the much valued promotion.  She’s doing whatever she can to impress the boss.

She will be put to the test when a hideous old lady walks up to her desk.  Her name is Sylvia Ganush (Raver) and she pleads to be given an extension on her mortgage payments.  She has owned the home for 30 years and has only fallen behind due to recent illness.  Christine is sympathetic but she denies Sylvia’s request.  She doesn’t want to be seen as being soft.

Now, it starts to get interesting.  Sylvia places a curse on Christine and leaves her with an ominous warning – “soon it will be you who comes begging to me.”  I’ll have to use that line when I next speak with my own bank.

It turns out that Sylvia does have the ability to conjure up an evil spirit.  Christine is soon visited by nasty paranormal being which leaves her well and truly shaken up.  Unable to call the Ghostbusters, she relies on a local fortune teller for advice.  He believes that the devil will be coming for her soul in three days time.  She must find a way to fend off satin before it’s too late.

For the horror genre, Drag Me To Hell offers everything that you’re looking for.  It has moments which will leave you jumping, moments that will leave you squirming and moments that will leave you chuckling.  One of its strongest attributes is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Sam Raimi also deserves credit for both his direction and his screenplay.  This is another positive on his strong resume which includes The Evil Dead, A Simple Plan and the Spider-Man trilogy.  With the help of cinematographer Peter Deming (Mulholland Dr.), he has created some particularly memorable scenes.  One in particular involves Christine looking at a floating handkerchief while waiting in the car park.  That’s all I can say.

I’ve sung the praises of Alison Lohman before in films such as Matchstick Men and White Oleander.  It’s hard to believe that she turns 30 years of age this September – she looks much younger.  She’s terrific in this film which sees her go through the full gamut of emotions.  Lohman was only cast in the role after Juno’s Ellen Page had to withdraw due to a scheduling conflict.

I can’t finish up without mentioning Loran Raver’s small part as the ghastly Sylvia Ganush.  What a memorable character.  If I have nightmares tonight, then she’s the reason!