Reviews
Body Of Lies
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | Ridley Scott |
| Written by: | William Monahan |
| Starring: | Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Mark Strong, Golshifteh Farahani, Ali Suliman, Simon McBurney |
| Released: | October 9, 2008 |
| Grade: | A- |
Body Of Lies is a fast-paced thriller which follows a CIA operative and the challenges he faces in tracking terrorist leaders in the Middle East. It’s based on the novel by David Ignatius, a journalist well researched on the topic having covered it for years in the The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post.
The essence of the story is best summed up by a quote from Ignatius himself – “The spy business is a lot like journalism. It’s about identifying people who know things, gaining their trust, and then getting them to cross a line and tell you things they might not want to initially.”
You’ll quickly understand how the system works when you see the film’s opening sequence. Roger Ferris (DiCaprio) is the one of the CIA’s leading agents in the Middle East. Through the help of his sources, he’s tracked down the member of a dangerous terrorist cell who is to be used in an upcoming suicide bombing. This guy doesn’t want to die and so has approached Ferris as his only option. He’ll reveal everything he knows about his group’s terrorist operations in return for safe passage to the United States so as to start a new life.
Ferris agrees to the deal and gets the information but his boss back home, Ed Hoffman (Crowe), doesn’t quite see it that way. Now that this guy has “spilled his guts”, he’s no longer any use. Hoffman has no intention of holding up the CIA’s end of the bargain and he gives Ferris the order to shoot him on site.
It may sound harsh but it highlights the fact that if you want to get results in this profession, you have to be prepared to act without a conscience. It also shows that if you trust the wrong person, you’re more than likely to end up dead.
This is a recurrent theme throughout what is a fairly solid film from director Ridley Scott (American Gangster, Black Hawk Down). The way it has been made reminded me of another recent Leonardo DiCaprio film, Blood Diamond. Instead of highlighting a serious issue by creating a serious drama, the filmmakers get their message across by creating an action-packed Hollywood blockbuster filled with large explosions and close shaves. This might deter more discerning filmgoers but it will definitely attract a wider audience.
The film is spread across a number of countries but given the limitations, most of the scenes were shot in Morocco. You won’t notice the difference… or maybe you will now because I’ve told you. This is a high quality production and Scott shows once again that he’s one of the world’s leading directors.
Leonardo DiCaprio delivers yet another terrific performance. Is there anything he can’t do? There are several scenes in the film where he speaks Arabic and he sure sounds believable. Russell Crowe’s role isn’t as juicy and it’s actually a little clichéd. He has a cocky attitude which I felt was over-the-top. There are several scenes where you see him put his job before his family and I thought these were overdone also.
The biggest highlight of the film for me was the performance of actor British Mark Strong as Hani Salaam, the head of the Jordanian General Intelligence Department. He shares several scenes with DiCaprio and comes across as a cool, calculating individual. You get a sense of his power from the way he speaks and the way he dresses. He’s a man who knows how to get results.
I enjoyed Body Of Lies but was a touch disappointed at the same time. Perhaps my expectations were too high given the calibre of the cast and crew. As interesting as the story is, there was a niggling feeling in the back of my head that I’d seen this kind of movie before. Some of the plot twists felt more formulaic than realistic.
Despite my trivial misgivings, let me finish on a positive note by saying that Body Of Lies is an adrenalin pumping movie that I’d happily watch again.
The Duchess
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | Saul Dibb |
| Written by: | Jeffrey Hatcher, Anders Thomas Jensen, Saul Dibb |
| Starring: | Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Charlotte Rampling, Dominic Cooper, Hayley Atwell, Simon McBurney |
| Released: | October 2, 2008 |
| Grade: | B+ |
I enjoy “period piece” movies. I speak of films which capture the essence of another era. They have wonderful sets, beautiful costumes and intricate storylines. The English know how to do it best. If I mention the words “love”, “tragedy” and “royalty”, then I could be describing any number of English period piece films. Examples over the last year include Atonement, Elizabeth: The Golden Age and The Other Boleyn Girl.
Given the similar themes which run through these stories, you might ask yourself whether it’s all a little repetitive. The answer to that question will vary depending on your tastes. I have some friends who will be yawning throughout the two hour duration. Others will soak it up and appreciate the small nuances that make this film slightly different from the others.
The Duchess is set in the 18th Century and recounts the life of Georgiana Spencer (played by Keira Knightley). At the age of 16, Georgiana married into royalty. His name was William Cavendish (played by Ralph Fiennes) and his title was the Duke of Devonshire. They lived together in the lavish Devonshire House and had a team of servants at their continual disposal.
It may sound like a dream existence but as you’d probably guess, it was anything but. Georgiana would soon learn that the marriage was one of convenience. The pair seldom spoke and their love life was non-existent. All that was required of the Duchess was to keep up appearances with the adoring public and to provide a male heir. The later requirement proved difficult and after the birth of two daughters, the Duke became increasingly frustrated.
Trapped in a loveless marriage and knowing that her husband was having numerous affairs, Georgiana found comfort in the arms of an old childhood friend. His name was Charles Grey (Cooper) and he was a young, ambitious politician trying to make his mark. They would have an affair of their own but keeping it a secret from the jealous Duke would not be an easy task.
I’ve mixed feelings about The Duchess. I like the story and the fact that certain relationships aren’t over simplified. Despite what I’ve said in my brief plot overview, it’s not all “black and white”. The Duke can be intolerable at times but there are scenes when he opens up and reveals a softer side. You may feel sympathetic towards Georgiana but there are moments which will leave you questioning her sensibility. Take for example her strange friendship with one of the Duke’s mistresses, Bess Foster (Atwell).
The biggest weakness of the film for me is that doesn’t seem to cover enough material. Having done more research on the internet, there’s a lot more to Georgiana than that which was depicted in the movie. Too much time is spent watching her drinking and socialising. I wanted to know more about her relationship with Charles Grey and their political aspirations.
There have already been a few raves about Keira Knightley’s performance and she’s certainly a chance at a second Academy Award nomination (having been nominated in 2006 for Pride & Prejudice). It is a terrific performance from Knightley but not to be overlooked is Ralph Fiennes who is equally as good. The Duchess is worth a look for their performances alone.
Angus, Thongs & Perfect Snogging
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | Gurinder Chadha |
| Written by: | Gurinder Chadha |
| Starring: | Georgia Groome, Eleanor Tomlinson, Aaron Johnson, Alan Davies, Karen Taylor, Tommy Bastow |
| Released: | September 18, 2008 |
| Grade: | B+ |
I heard someone describe this film as “Bridget Jones for teenagers” and I think it’s an apt description. Young girls will soak this up. They’ll enjoy watching the film’s hapless heroine try to win the heart of the hottest guy at school. It’s nothing new but there are a few fun elements to the story. They help elevate it above what we’d normally expect from a teen-orientated romantic comedy.
The tale is based on the novels written by Louise Rennison. The film’s catchy title is adapted from one of her book titles – “Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging”. The producers decided to change the title for the movie as they were worried that the term “full-frontal” might be a little too explicit. I’m not sure I agree but there you have it.
The central character is Georgia Nicolson (Groome). She’s a 14-year-old living in Eastbourne, a large coastal town in England. She’s going through all the trials and tribulations that you’d expect at that age. She’s starting to rebel against her parents, she’s starting to worry about her appearance and she’s starting to feel the effects of peer-pressure. Oh, and yes, she’s started to become interested in boys.
The guy she’s after is a newcomer to the school. His name is Robbie (Johnson). Georgia will face stiff competition however. It’s not just her that has their eyes on him. Her best friend Jas (Tomlinson) has set her own sights on Robbie’s brother. Nothing goes as planned of course. Georgia’s mother tries to help by giving her a copy of “Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus” but it only further adds to her problems.
Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (I still like saying that title) left be both giggling and cringing. Georgia’s immaturity keeps landing her into some ridiculous situations. The dialogue is very stiff but Georgia is a cool, likeable character. Some of the trendy phrases she uses with her friends are still stuck in my head. She learns some valuable lessons that many younger audience members will be able to relate to.
I don’t think this film will be for everyone but it should win over its target audience. It’s another feather in the cap of director Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham). She has a knack for creating feel-good cinema.
Journey To The Centre Of The Earth
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | Eric Brevig |
| Written by: | Michael D. Weiss, Jennifer Flackett, Martin Levin |
| Starring: | Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, Anita Briem, Seth Meyers, Jean Michel Pare, Jane Wheeler |
| Released: | September 25, 2008 |
| Grade: | B+ |
If you’re going to take your kids along to see Journey To The Centre Of The Earth this school holidays, you need to make sure you get to a 3D session. The small problem is that the 3D sessions are only available at three cinemas here in Brisbane. All the other cinemas are showing it in the regular 2D format.
I make this proclamation because you’ll find the movie far more entertaining with the extra dimension. In terms of the big screen, 3D technology has come a long way. A few years ago, I can remember wearing dodgy cardboard glasses that hurt your nose after about two minutes. Those days are behind us thankfully. When you see this movie, you’ll get a comfortable pair of glasses (they’re kind of like sunglasses) and you won’t even notice that you’re wearing them.
I had fun with the 3D format but I know that the kids in the audience enjoyed it even more. There’s a scene in the movie where small flowers are blown towards us. I could see dozens of young children reaching out with their hands trying to grab one. There’s another scene where a scary fish jumps out of the water and straight at the camera. It came as quite a shock and many screams could be heard.
This adventure movie is based on the famous novel of the same title written by Jules Verne. Professor Trevor Anderson (Fraser) and his nephew, Sean (Hutcherson), go on a trip to Iceland. Trevor’s lab had picked up some strange readings from a seismic sensor located near a major volcano. Escorted by a local guide named Hannah (Briem), they go in search of the sensor to find out more.
When they reach the top of the volcano, a freak storm hits. They take cover in a mountain cave but find themselves trapped when an avalanche blocks the exit. Their only option is descend further into the cave with the hope of finding another way out. As the title suggests, it’s the start of what will be an amazing journey. A fictional story is about to become a factual reality.
This film isn’t award worthy but it’s not too bad. Brendan Fraser (The Mummy) is certainly a lot better than he was in the recent Mummy sequel. Josh Hutcherson (Bridge To Terabithia) is great also and I think he’s currently the best actor in the business under the age of 18.
What I liked most about the film is that it doesn’t go too far with the whole action / fantasy element. There’s still time for character development and there are a few nice scenes where the characters have to face their past and deal with their emotions. This is a journey worth taking.
Waltz With Bashir
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | Ari Folman |
| Written by: | Ari Folman |
| Starring: | Ron Ben-Yishai, Ronny Dayag, Ari Folman, Dror Harazi, Yehezkel Lazarov, Mickey Leon |
| Released: | September 11, 2008 |
| Grade: | A- |
It was only a few weeks ago that I was writing about an amazing foreign language animated film called Persepolis. Well, guess what? I’ve seen another great foreign language animated film! It’s as if we’re creating a new genre! The film is called Waltz With Bashir. It won’t be rivalling The Dark Knight in terms of ticket sales but it is worthy of your time if you love quality cinema.
The film is based around the war between Israel and Lebanon which took place in 1982. After years of being bombed by the Lebanese, the Israeli government sent in their military. The plan was to seize control of the 40km security zone across the border. This would prevent the Lebanese from launching missiles which could reach Israeli soil.
It wasn’t widely known but the Israeli Defence Minister, Ariel Sharon (who would later become the Israeli Prime Minister), had another plan. He pushed his troops further into Lebanon in an attempt to occupy Beirut, the capital city. He believed that if he could take control of the country and appoint a new President, they would no longer be a threat to Israel.
Director Ari Folman was an Israeli solider during that war. This film is his way of showing people the atrocities that took place. This may sound strange but the film is kind of like a documentary. Foleman obtained interviews with friends who fought alongside him in Beirut as well as others who were involved. These interviews make up most of the script.
Foleman then shot the film on video and had a team of animators transform it into what you see on screen. It took a month to draw just 4 minutes worth of animation. It sounds similar to the techniques used by director Richard Linklater when he made A Scanner Darkly in 2006.
Don’t let me put you off by thinking this a boring history lesson. There’s an interesting story being told against the backdrop of the Lebanon War. It centres around Foleman today and how he is struggling to remember the events from 25 years ago. His suppressed memories are jolted by an old friend who tells him about a strange dream. This starts Foleman on his quest to find out what part he actually played in the horrific war.
Waltz With Bashir took four years to make but it was well worth the effort.
Eagle Eye
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | DJ Caruso |
| Written by: | John Glenn, Travis Wright, Hillary Seitz, Dan McDermott |
| Starring: | Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, Billy Bob Thornton, Michael Chiklis, Ethan Embry |
| Released: | September 25, 2008 |
| Grade: | B+ |
Eagle Eye is a suspenseful thriller in which two ordinary people find themselves caught up in a major terrorist operation within the United States. It all begins when Jerry Shaw (LaBeouf) opens the front door of his apartment and learns that he has a delivery. In his living room are bags of dangerous chemicals and cartons filled with high-powered weaponry.
As he tries to comprehend what exactly is going on, Jerry receives a phone call. The female voice at the other end tells him that the FBI will be arriving at his apartment within the next minute to arrest him. Sure enough, the voice is right and he is taken into custody. Jerry still has no idea what is going on. He tries to explain to the FBI Agent Thomas Morgan (Thornton) that he’s been set up but as you’d expect, Morgan doesn’t believe him.
Granted his right to a telephone call, Jerry tries to find someone who can help him but on the other end of the line is the same female voice that warned him earlier. She simply tells him to lie down on the ground. An instant later, a crane smashes through the window. A neon sign across the street tells Jerry to jump from the window and with no other options, he does so.
While all this is going on, a single mother named Rachel Holloman (Monaghan) receives a strange phone call whilst out with her friends at a bar. A female voice tells her that she must do exactly what she is told or else her son’s life will be in danger. Rachel realises the gravity of the situation when a current image of her son (who is aboard a train travelling on a school excursion) is flashed up on a television screen across the street.
Rachel is told that there is a car parked around the corner with the keys in the ignition. She is given instructions as to where she must drive. When Rachel gets there, she finds Jerry Shaw. He’s just jumped out of the FBI office window and is looking to escape. These two have never met before but have been brought together for an unknown reason. They are given further instructions and told to continue or else there will be consequences…
Who is this voice on the phone? How is it that their every move is being watched? Why are strange events happening around them? Why have they in particular been dragged into this plan? These questions will be answered and for the most part, Eagle Eye is a decent thriller. It won’t win any awards for its realism but it is both gripping and suspenseful. It certainly held my attention for its two hour duration.
The film has been directed by D.J. Caruso, the guy responsible for last year’s popular teen thriller, Disturbia. Shia LaBeouf (Transformers) and Michelle Monaghan (The Heartbreak Kid) have been well cast and make a strong combination. They are two rising stars who should help boost the box-office. I was also a fan of the supporting cast with notables including Billy Bob Thornton, Michael Chiklis and Rosario Dawson.
Eagle Eye tries to make a few political points but above all else, it’s a film which has been made to entertain. It delivers on most counts and to use a popular term, it is best described as a “popcorn movie”. Sit back and enjoy the ride.