Tonester Blog

Under discussion:

The Professional  (1994)

Probably Leon - as this film is far better titled just about everywhere outside the States.

Although it's a favourite of mine, it's always hard to watch Leon without feeling a little sad. Not at the film itself, which although touching has never raised a tear, but at the sorry state of Luc Bessons career following this.

But we are not here to talk about Joan of Arc, we're here to talk about a man with a plant for a friend who just happens to be a hitman. Can you imagine pitching that to a Hollywood exec?

But Besson and his team carry it off, with style and panache. The New York the film portrays is bathed in golden light, contrasting with the dark underbelly of Oldman's corrupt cop. A cartoon of a villain, he somehow gets away with it, his standout "dance of death" a balletic tour-de-force.

Reno is fantastic - especially in his moments of stillness - and Portman too impresses considering her age and lack of acting experience. This is a dark role indeed for a debut, and she copes well.

Under discussion:

Millions  (2004)

Or - the one Adam and Sam got soooo wrong!

Danny Boyle makes a kids flick? It's this apparent paradox that movie snobs can't seem to get their heads around. With the exception of the genuinely weak "Life Less Ordinary", I've seen every one of Boyle's films in the cinema.

I caught this at the London Film Festival back in 2004, and found it so enthralling that I raved about it to anyone who would listen. It seemed inexplicable that it didn't get a wide release here in the UK... and then the distributors finally brought it out against "Revenge of the Sith"...

It's a very simple story, granted, but it's so beautifully shot and wonderfully acted - particularly by the two young leads - that it deserves to be more widely seen.

Like "Shawshank", I have hopes that word of mouth will rescue this film from obscurity. Like "Shawshank", it makes me blub like a baby, and could seriously be considered an "It's A Wonderful Life" for our generation.

But maybe it's a British thing.

Under discussion:

Hot Fuzz  (2007)

For many of us, the most amusing moments in life happen with our friends. We have an innate understanding of each others foibles and can get away with saying things that would earn a broken nose in the company of strangers.

So imagine three people - Pegg, Frost and director Wright who've managed to capture their friendship onscreen. First in the genius TV show "Spaced", and latterly in "Shaun of the Dead". With "Hot Fuzz", the magic shows no sign of disappearing any time soon.

All too many comedies have the best gags ruined in the trailer, but here, the little moments are amongst the funniest... and I'm thinking of the police station swearbox.

It's not perfect - there are more endings than "Return of the King" and a Peter Jackson cameo, but if you "get it" you will be gasping for breath most of the way through.