Shortish & Not Too Sweet

Alice in Wonderland

The last time I saw a 3D movie I was unimpressed. No, it wasn't Avatar, I knew I wouldn't like that enough to warrant the effort. This was quite possibly decades ago. I can't even think what movie it was, but I remember blaming it on my glasses (and the ridiculous myopia that requires them). So, as I prepared to see Alice in Wonderland, I was ready to be disappointed, and also prepared visually. Contact lenses!

I don't wear contacts often any more (I wore then full-time for 8 years before switching back to spectacles), but last Sunday I was fresh (well, freshly showered) from walking Round the Bays (in a very respectable 93 minutes and 16 seconds) where I needed my contacts so I could wear my sunglasses. Quite fortuitous!

Anyway, as anyone who has seen a 3D movie lately knows, it's much better now! Even the previews for the other upcoming 3D movies were well done). Still, I couldn't help but wonder if, with all the effort that goes into the technical production, the story and acting would be as good. 

I'm not really sure it was, but in the end I don't think it mattered. It was good, and we all (two chicks in their thirties, and a 16 and 18 year old) thought so.  It's not the best movie I've seen all year, but I'm glad I made the effort.

I enjoyed the costuming (despite the remarkable elasticity of Alice's dress), it's visually stunning, the voices enchanting, and the story darker and more true to the original book than any animated fair we've been fed before. It's dark and quirky - just as you'd expect from Tim Burton. Tweedles Dum and Dee were fabulous, and along with the plucky Dormouse and the wild March Hare, my favourite characters by far.

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Alice in Wonderland is showing everywhere, in 2D, 3D and 3D IMAX. It's rated PG. Probably not suitable for little kiddies, but I don't have any, so who am I to judge? Make the effort to see it in 3D.

Law Abiding Citizen

The first time I saw the trailer for Law Abiding Citizen, I turned to my movie-going friend and said "Gotta see that one!" I love a dark violent film, especially one that hints at clever plotting and manipulation. It was the same for every following time, but soon I was also expressing a hope that Jamie Foxx's character was one that met a vengeful death.

Now, I'm sure he's a lovely guy, but the only reason I managed to sit through The Soloist (in which he also starred) was for the moments Robert Downey Jr was on the screen. I had no hope that Gerard Butler would serve as the same motivation this time around, if the film wasn't any good. I can't think of a single thing he's done that I've enjoyed either, and I doubted I could rely on him whipping off his shirt for some light entertainment. But, I needn't have worried, Mr Butler was excellent in this film - from his grieving father to his wickedly righteous and undoubtedly disturbed but clever self. I suppose Mr Foxx wasn't too bad, either.

Yes, you have to suspend belief a little, and you may have to forgive some aspects of the portrayal of the legal system and politics, but I really enjoyed this film. Way more than I enjoyed Shutter Island. It's got a great pace, and a hero who is deliciously villainous. That is, unless you think Jamie Foxx's character is the hero, in which case, I have to disagree... ;-)  

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Law Abiding Citizen is showing in cinemas all over New Zealand. It's R18, and it deserves that rating - the violence is meant to be disturbing. It also features Colm Meaney (who'll be familar to Star Trek fans) and that blond girl from Popular.

Crazy Heart

 The night before the Academy Awards, I went with a couple of friends to check out Jeff Bridges' nominated (and then winning) performance, Maggie Gyllenhaal and well, the music of Crazy Heart.

I loved it! Now I've always been a fan of the flawed hero, and Bridge's Bad Blake is definitely flawed.  It's a pleasure to watch him stumble through life, relationships and fly, just for a little while, when he's performing, and his pleasure in the light that Maggie Gyllenhaal's character brings. It really is an excellent, convincing, performance worthy of an award.

The music is great, and the way it is used to tell and enhance the story being told is brilliant. It's not a talent showcase, the songs and lyrics matter, and I appreciated that.

Leaving the theatre, myself and two friends, we were all talking about getting the soundtrack! The theme also won Best Original Song at the Oscars, and whilst it wasn't my favourite from the film, it's pretty darn good.

I'm not going to do a big review of this film, because I really do think you should go and watch it yourself!

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Crazy Heart is still playing in cinemas all over the place. It's rated M, and contains offensive language - but not a whole heck of a lot of it.

Shutter Island

I regularly go to the movies with a group of friends, who alas, number among them those that tend to jump and squeal during tense and "scary" moments. So, it was with a more stoic friend alone that I went along to see Shutter Island!

Let me start by saying that I'm not a big Leonardo Di Caprio fan, nor do I worship the ground upon which Martin Scorcese walks. And I hadn't read the book! I also love thrillers and horrors and big suspenseful cinematic moments. So, it was always going to take a lot for Shutter Island to impress me. 

I suppose I will concede that the "Well, that was lame," I muttered as the credits began to roll, was a little harsh. The movie wasn't bad. It had all of the right ingredients of a great movie, but for me, something was missing.

I did enjoy the "feel" of the film, as if it might have been made around the time it was set. And there is no denying the film is psychological. It was wasn't as thrilling as I like my thrillers to be! If you're not as picky as me, you may love it. If I were inclined towards star ratings, I'd probably give it 4 out of 5, anyway. It did try hard! It just could have been... better.

Dennis Lehane, who wrote the book that was adapted for the screen, also wrote Mystic River. I enjoyed that film much more, it's gripping and chilling in a way that Shutter Island was not. I do think I'll give Shutter Island novel a read to see if lack was in the movie or the inspiration.

And, in the interest of fairness, I am willing to accept the possibility that I was just grouchy that day - it was the afternoon after I'd sprained my ankle. As much as I love the space between the rows of seats at Hoyts Wairau, it's a quite literal pain when all you want is to be able to put my foot up on the back of the seat in front of you! 

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Shutter Island is rated R16 (containing violence, offensive language & content that may disturb - though apparently not enough for me), and showing all over the place. Find more information about the movie, including trailers and other (more glowing) reviews, at Flicks.

Mao's Last Dancer

Given the lack of updates here you could be forgiven for thinking I didn't get out and about very much in the second half of February. Thanks to a sprained ankle 10 days ago, that is somewhat true, but I was lucky enough to get in a couple of movies before being resigned to a boring period of R.I.C.E.

My first Film Talk session at Rialto Cinemas was for I'm Not Harry Jenson, early in the year. I really enjoyed the opportunity to lesson and question those involved with the film, so I jumped at the chance to attend the Film Talk session for Mao's Last Dancer on the 18th of February. 

No doubt because the session was held the day after the premiere here in Auckland (and a couple of weeks ahead of the general release), Rialto Newmarket managed to get the director and screenwriter to speak, and they, Bruce Beresford and Jan Sardi - both past Oscar nominees, were excellent! As was the film!

Who would enjoy the film? Well, it's probably not a blokey film (just as well I'm not a bloke). Unless you have an interest in ballet or Chinese political history, or just enjoy a well-told story with some heart. And a true story at that.

Largely in English but with enough Mandarin (minimally subtitled) to bring the appropriate cultural blend to a story the story of Li Cunxin. jan Sardi spoke of keeping the Mandarin to a minimum, and also the subtitling - just enough to tell the story.

I appreciated this, especially in the parts of the film where the actors/dancers told the story through their actions, their dancing. It was much more aesthetically pleasing, and did not detract/distract as much as being presented with every word might have done! You don't need to understand every word to understand the emotions.

And might I say, I appreciated the effort that went into this film much more after the talk - neither Beresford or Sardi speak Mandarin, and worked with translators during the writing and filming as required. Neither man had a knowledge of ballet (and whilst Beresford had directed operas before, this was much different).

Add in the fact that the movie was filled largely with real life dancers, rather than actors, and you have a very impressive production effort! Beresford commented that the lead actor - suggested from Li Cunxin, after a long search - was dancing with a Birmingham dance company, could have an acting career when his dancing days are over.

When asked what the challenges were in making the film, Beresford (an Australian) thought for a bit before revealing that it was worrying that he was making a pro-American film - "Who does that? Not even the Americans!". In reality, the film is very well balanced and sensitively handled. Both Sardi and Beresford commented on the challenges and benefits of making a film based on the lives of people who are still living! 

Anyway, now that the film is opening in  theatres across New Zealand, I'd definitely recommend you see it. I hope you have a giggle at a reference to Chairman Meow, like I did! ;-)

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Mao's Last Dancer opens 4 March, and is rated PG. Check your local cinema for session times. And if you get a chance to go to a Film Talk session, do!

Up In The Air & The Wolfman

I'm not the biggest George Clooney fan in the world, but I am a good friend who likes to watch movies, so I was happy to accompany a friend to Hoyts Wairau Park last week to watch Up In The Air. I had no idea what the film was about (though I gathered it was something to do with flying), but I'm open-minded, and you know, a half-way decent friend.

And I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed the film - enough to be mildly irritated when my friend talked to me during the film (like I said, I'm only a half-way decent friend). As someone with no intention of getting married, or having children, and a somewhat large collection of "loyalty" cards (if not the actual loyalty, or air miles of George's character), there were definitely aspects of the film I could relate to. 

Of course, the journey this film takes you on challenges those views a little (both through George's character and the female character whose name I can't recall), and I get that I'm meant to be reminded that goals mean nothing without love, and blah blah blah, but I'm glad to report that it wasn't a super cheerful, happy ending to this film, so that those of us that cling to our cynical life choices aren't completely broken down. But yes, this film is uplifting in an odd way (unless you've just lost your job in which case, you should avoid it like the plague).

Now, if you're morally opposed to product placement in films, then this isn't the film for you. There's a lot of it.  I believe it's been placed in the "comedy" box, but don't expect lots of laughs. Worth watching, I think.

Up In The Air has been open for a while, but check your local listings for session times. 

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Since we had seen the trailer for The Wolfman a few times, and were already at the cinema shortly before it was due to start, we decided to make it a double feature and check out Benicio Del Toro, Emily Blunt and Anthony Hopkins in this little werewolf film.

It's OK. I'm a fan of horror and thriller movies, and this is really neither. It's predictable, but quite darkly beautiful in the cinematography. While the ingredients are there for a good werewolf film, it is missing something. It is not engrossing, and honestly I didn't care about the characters, or whether I would soon see their entrails spread along the ground. 

There is a bit of gore, slashing and body parts flying, so if you're truly squeamish, this probably isn't the film for you.

I wouldn't rush to see The Wolfman at the cinema, but if you're a good friend and your pal wants to go, it has just opened, so it'll be around for a while. Check your local cinema for sessions.

French Film Festival

Continuing a wonderful ticket-winning spree, I was lucky enough to get a double pass to the opening of the French Film Festival on Wednesday night, thanks to Rialto Newmarket.

The premiere film was Korkoro. If unlike me, you actually have a command of French and don't recognise that word, don't worry, it's actually Romany. The film's French title is Liberté, and for the English speaking audience, that's Freedom.

Whilst this film wasn't on my "to see" list, who turns down the opportunity for free drinks and nibbles (thanks to one of the sponsors, Tefal), and a screening of a French Film that hasn't yet had its general release in France?! I dragged along a friend, and we enjoyed said nibbles and beverages, and the little goodie bags from the sponsors - thanks for the lip gloss, L'Oreal! And, of course, we enjoyed the film.

Based on true stories, and set in 1943 France, we meet a band of gypsies, who the war-time law decrees may no longer roam, followed by an orphaned boy, as well as the caring staff of the Town Hall, and the less than receptive members of the wider community.

This is not a film with a happy ending (remember this is Vichy France), but there are certainly triumphant moments, and wonderfully vibrant characters. There is music, and joy, as well as the dilemma that is the need to settle to be free, where previously freedom has meant movement, and the small ways we can fight back against injustice. I particularly enjoyed the performance of James Thiérrée, as Taloche. 

If you're in Auckland, and didn't make the opening of the festival, or last night's sold out session of Korkoro, then you've missed out for now. If you're in Wellington or Christchurch, you still have a chance, and I really do think you should take it!

The film I did want to see stars Vincent Lindon and Diane Kruger (who you will probably remember from those awful National Treasure movies, but don't judge her on those).

Anything For Her, or Pour Elle, is at its heart a love story, but in reality if really a prison-break drama. This made it much more palatable for this essentially single girl to see on Valentine's Day!

What would you do if the one you loved was imprisoned wrongfully, and all legal channels failed you? For Julien Auclert, the answer is everything he can. Anything For Her is like a believable Prison Break, but with characters you might actually care about.

You've still got an opporutnity to catch this film at all three of the centres hosting the film festival this week. And if you're a Vincent Lindon fan, you can also see him in the more recent, and rather different, Mademoiselle Chambon. I'm still thinking about that one!

Of course, the film festival features 18 films, so there's a really good chance that there's the perfect film for you. 

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Get all the information you need about the French Film Festival from their official site. If you're in Auckland, check out Rialto Newmarket! The festival runs until the 28th, but if you miss out of films, I'm sure you'll be able to find them on DVD.

Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief

Well, I just watched Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief  at a special preview screening hosted by View Auckland. You know what? It's actually quite good!

I was a bit worried that it'd be a bit cheesy, with the young male lead having a hair cut rather like that kid in High School Musical, and the references I've seen in the media to this franchise being the "new Harry Potter". Now, it's not that I hold all that is Harry Potter dear, but that I have studiously avoided those books, movies, and didn't relish being tricked into delving in the world of teenage wizards. And thankfully, I wasn't!

I'm not sure why I appreciated a story about Greek gods and mythology more than the idea of wizardry (or those bloody elves and hobbits), but I did. It was clever, the sound effects were fantastic, and in amongst (surprisingly bloodless) battles and beheadings, and a trip to Las Vegas, and Hell, it is witty and actually rather charming. I probably won't rush out and read the books, but I will not mock my friends who do!

Yes, it starts out with a boy who doesn't fit in, with an absentee father, but don't expect any real life-lessons from this one. On the surface, sure, it's about fighting for what you believe in, loyalty, betrayal, war, and all that jazz. But once discovering his heritage and powers, things do come pretty easy for Percy and his mates. But that's OK. This is not deep meaningful cinema - it's an entertaining, non-challenging way to spend a couple of hours (perhaps with your kids, if you're that way inclined), and maybe kick-start or revive an interest in Classics.

There were a number of younger kids at the screening, and this surprised me - it's pretty intense in places (and probably not one for those with snake phobias), but there were no screams or audible tears, so I guess it wasn't traumatic!

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Percy Jackson opens in New Zealand on February 11. Check your local cinema for session times and ratings. For more details about sessions, the case, and for other reviews, check out View Auckland's page for the film.

I'm Not Harry Jenson

 The last couple of times I've headed to the cinema running a little behind schedule, I've been saved by first a fire alarm, and then some other technical issue resulting in a delay that meant I didn't miss out. Upon hearing that much of Auckland was without power this afternoon, shortly before I was to leave home yet again in a hurry, I began to wonder if I was cursed (or blessed). Luckily, my dash to the ferry and bus were not in vain, and the movie was running.

And if there's a movie worth travelling thourgh peak hour traffic on a bus, it might just be I'm Not Harry Jenson.

I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that this is the best New Zealand film I can remember seeing. Surely, I have a crap memory, and I can't recall the last NZ film I saw, but I'm sure it was popular and well-received. And yes, I enjoyed this so much more than Avatar!

I went along to the Film Talk session held at the Rialto in Newmarket, a discussion/chat (led by Toa Fraser) with the writer/director/producers, and actors. I don't know much about film-making, but hearing their stories was very interesting.

One of the actors was Cameron Rhodes, who I (first and) last saw on stage at the Herald in Silo Theatre's production of Loot, as the rather obnoxious and somewhat larger than life (as are all the characters in that play) Truscott. He was excellent in this film, as Rick, and I hear he got pipped at the post for a Qantas award by Peter O'Toole (winning, funnily enough, for Toa Fraser's Dean Spanley).

It was definitely a standout performance by Gareth Reeves, as Stanley, a writer haunted by his subject matter and deadlines. 

I didn't know much about the film before I went, apart from it being the subject of an innovative marketing campaign, and having a low budget. The size of the budget was not visible in the quality of the film, at least not to this average film-goer. It features quality actors (Ian Mune, people), and is richly shot. It is beautiful (and a little bloody), and not scenic in the cheesy "lets offer tours of the film set, and show off how pretty NZ is" of some big-budget hype-fests. There are picturesque moments as the characters hike through the bush, but these are not wasted moments, and are a counterpoint to a gritty storyline and what seemed to me to be good honest people (well, obvious character and plot points aside).

We were told during the talk afterwards that there was an issue with the sound due to some conversion process for the sound system used in cinemas (compared to the film festival release), which disappointed the producer, but I wouldn't have guessed there was an issue. A little bit of "double talk" or echo in one scene actually fit OK with the contemplative moments! Still, I'm sure they'll work that one out in time for the general cinema release in a couple of days - and that'll give me a reason to go again! 

Now, I'm not one to tell anyone to support something just because it's kiwi-made (as anyone familiar with my aversion to those NZ marked books in the library can attest). Quality is what matters, and for that reason I'll tell you to go and see I'm Not Harry Jensen. It's good!

Take your friends, or tell them to see it at their local cinema. But yeah, it's a good kiwi film, a good film in general, with twists and turns, characters you can relate to, and dislike, and well, a little murder. You should see it.