Rebellious Celluloid

Quantum of Solace (2008)

Kowalski76 — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:50:56 GMT

I have always felt that Casino Royale was the best book in Ian Fleming's 007 series, it featured a Bond who was noticeably different to that in the films that followed, a more human Bond. Daniel Craig captures the essence of Fleming's Bond better than any, including Connery for my money.

In Quantum of Solace agent 007 goes renegade in a raw story of revenge to find out who is behind the funding of the terrorist activities which caused his lover Vesper to take her own life. I'm ecstatic that the producers decided to make Quantum Of Solace the first direct sequel of a Bond film by picking up the action only a matter of hours after Casino Royale ended. And hope the series continues on this route.

I found the action engaging but over-edited in some sections of the film. QoS runs at a breakneck pace and is the shortest Bond at only 106 minutes. The strength of character Daniel Craig brings to the film, and extended screen-time given to Judi Dench made me want to stay with them long after the credits.

I especially enjoyed watching Bond and Camille (Olga Kurylenko) and their contrasting motivations of revenge. Bond struggling between a sense honour and duty too his employers and a desire to avenge Vesper's death, and Camille who is 100% hell-bent on revenge on the man who slayed her family.

I viewed the film with six friends and many opinions were thrown into the ring following the films climax. Amongst them... “The villains were weak”. This I can agree with. Environmentalist Dominic Greene (Mathieu Almaric) is less fearsome than the grim reality of his intended plans, but the Bond villains of old no longer have a place in this franchise. Mike Myers and Dr Evil put pay to that. 007's main enemy here is himself and his struggle to control his own actions.

“What happened to all the gadgetry?”. I won't deny that I would like to see more gadgetry. The producers seem to be more interested in product placement, on convincing you to buy the latest Sony Ericsson cellphone, than keeping the fanatics updated with the latest in the modern day spy's toolbox.

“I miss the cheesy one-liners of the Bond of old”. Daniel Craig is not Roger Moore, thank god. This is not the seventies or eighties. Bond is now a man of the naughties, there is no room for cheese in his fridge. Read Casino Royale and get back to me.

Quantum of Solace confirmed to me that 'Nobody Does It Better' than Daniel Craig. Secure a director for the next film who is equally talented and we'll have a winning combination.

Somers Town (2008)

Kowalski76 — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:48:02 GMT

Somers Town; the neighbourhood of London squeezed between the Euston, St. Pancras, and Kings Cross railway termini is the unlikely location and title of Brit director Shane Meadow's latest effort. I say 'unlikely' as it marks the first time Meadows has shot on location outside of his native East Midlands. It also marks his first film since the BAFTA winning 'This Is England'.

Sixteen year old runaway Tomo (Thomas Turgoose) arrives in London off the train from Nottingham to a beating from a trio of cockney kids which results in the loss of his bag and wallet.

Whilst contemplating his next move Tomo meets Polish immigrant Marek (Piotr Jagiello). The pair form a mutual appreciation society for the lovely Maria (Elisa Lasowski) a French girl who works at the local cafe and they turn their attention to earning some money to spend on wooing her, and finding some clothes and a roof for the potless homeless Tomo.

Granted this is not much of a plot but strong characterisation and Meadows wicked sense of humour made me wish I could hang with Marek and Tomo long after the films 70 minutes running time. The shy and withdrawn immigrant 'Marek' is the ying to the bare-faced cheekiness of Tomo's yang and together they make one of the more engrossing duos I've witnessed in recent years. Thomas Turgoose more than proves the praise he earned from his debut in This Is England was no fluke. He really is staking his claim as the most impressive British actor of his generation.

Almost completely shot in grainy black and white 8mm film, Somers Town has a look and feel that harkens back to the 1960's social-realism of Tony Richardson and Lindsay Anderson, and the more recent kitchen-sink brand of drama that has made the likes of Mike Leigh and Ken Loach so popular. The style and technique of Shane's craft is unashamedly cheap yet still manages to elevate the borough of Somers Town itself to a leading role. It's less of a departure from his East Midlands base than I initially expected. The fact that a film this effective can be shot in just ten days is inspiring.

Meadows has built a career on portraying the working classes with good humour whilst maintaining a certain grit and determination that comes with a life spent on Britain's council estates and back-streets. This Is England depicted an England in dissaray with racial harmony, but with this outing the coin is flipped showing a multi-cultural society where people of all nationalities and backgrounds can live side-by-side, and truly bond as one.

Already sitting pretty amongst my favourite films of the year the only thing that could possibly demote it is the believability of the relationship between the two boys and their muse, Maria.

My guess is a release overseas will most likely be limited to very few theatres, if you get the chance to see this film, grab it. It's only an hour-ten of your life, that's 70 minutes you won't regret. At least half of that you'll spend laughing out loud. Who doesn't like laughing? Anyone?

In Bruges (2008)

Kowalski76 — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 22:46:02 GMT

Martin Mcdonagh on his debut makes a great case for more playwrights stepping into film. He and the cast handle the dark themes of guilt and atonement with as much ease as the films many comedic moments. There are a few belly laughs to be had from Colin Farrell's dialogue alone. In Bruges is guaranteed to offend some people, you may be one of those people but the film really doesn't care. It just keeps on entertaining until the credits roll. One of my favourites of 2008 so far.

Son of Rambow (2007)

Kowalski76 — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:36:55 GMT

A film about cinema lovers for lovers of cinema.

Son of Rambow captures the heart and soul of the eighties almost perfectly. Although there's things that feel foreign to the decade, Brethren for one. I can't say I ever met such people in my time on this small island. I'd forgotten how magical it was to imagine as a child, to create imaginary worlds. Thanks to Carter and Will I got to relive my youth a little. If you're looking for escape, for a light-hearted fun-packed film Son of Rambow may just be that film.

Naked (1993)

Kowalski76 — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:35:15 GMT

A relentlessly brutal early-nineties odyssey that is so real you can almost smell the stench of London's underbelly in each cell. David Thewlis is amazing as the anti-hero, Johnny. So much so I'll probably see him as this character no matter whom he plays on future watches. Johnny's rants are worth the rental fee alone.

I'm Not There (2007)

Kowalski76 — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:26:31 GMT

'I'm Not There' is a poetic but less than revealing biopic. You don't need to be fanatical about Bob Dylan to like it. It doesn't tell anything the average fan doesn't know already. The hook is in the stylistic and innovative way it is executed and how the actors capture the various cells of Dylan's life. I wanted to dismiss the film early on but it hooked me before I could shrug it off as profound mundanity.

Director, Todd Haynes turns the film on it's head as if it's written by the subject himself, as if each of the six cells are Dylan's own fantastical view of himself. It doesn't always work, sometimes it feels just too odd and quirky for its own good, but regardless of this you just can't help but love it.

Stand-out's for me are Cate Blanchett as folk-gone-rock traitor Bob and one I totally unexpected from thirteen-year-old Marcus Carl Franklin, the kid really done got the blues. Dylan has always said there is no point to his music 'It Just Is'.

Tthe same goes for Haynes film. He has created a new genre with I'm Not There... long live the bioddity!

The Savages (2007)

Kowalski76 — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:08:32 GMT

The Savages subtle brand of humour and thoughtfulness make for a deeply funny superbly acted film. I haven't seen Tamara Jenkins directorial debut 'Slums of Beverly Hills' but if it's half this good I won't leave it long. Hoffman and Linney work brilliantly together, it was a pleasure to watch them tackle the complexities of the subject matter.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

Kowalski76 — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:59:42 GMT

This film is a feast to the senses, I swear it's that well crafted I could smell it. Although Pitt gives an adequate performance the real stars here are Roger Deakins (cinematography), Nick Cave & Warren Ellis (music), and Casey Affleck as the creepy and highly annoying coward that is Robert Ford. One of my faves of 2007.

El Violin (2006)

Kowalski76 — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:07:21 GMT

It's not hard to see why Francisco Vargas' feature length debut earned an official selection at Cannes. El Violin is an honest and brutal depiction of corruption in the Mexican peasant fields. Hollywood should look beyond the border and take note.

Michael Clayton (2007)

Kowalski76 — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:01:42 GMT

At last! A thriller with a plot that hasn't been diluted for wide release multiplex audiences. Its a little dry in places but the plot becomes more elaborate by virtue of the timeline of events, which is cleverly done . One of Clooney's better performances.