The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Surprisingly enough, I had never seen this film until last night. To make up for this horrible mistake, a friend and I got the extended version and settled down for night of relaxation, empty deserts and a theme tune more catchy than Francisco Cervelli.

I will tell you now that I thought the film was utterly brilliant in every way possible so I wouldn't waste your time with animal related metaphors discussing the butchness of Clint Eastwood or how absurd the camera angle in the first scene was.

What I liked most about this film though, was the extended version bit. Now, I haven't seen the normal version, but I can't see what bits of the plot could be taken out and still tell the same story. Which brings me to the conclusion that to extend the playtime they decided to add random scenes of the desert and the band playing while Tuco took a beating. As absurd as this may be, the slow pace made the film for me. There was a sense of irrelevancy. As if the characters just happened to be there, without any purpose, just minding their own business.

And I like this. I like old films because they are not stupid in their insistence upon being epic. The final battle between the hero and anti hero in Dirty Harry consisted of a single punch in the face. What is wrong with that? Do you really have to go all Jean Claude Van Damme on my rear end and get shot, electrocuted, stabbed and strangled to make a good action film?

However, The Good, The Bad & The Ugly was epic in every way regardless of its subtleness and I'm going to regret going back into the world of cramming life-changing events into 120 minutes of screen time. I liked the old days - life was slow, people were random and there was a great abundance of horses.

44 Inch Chest

Long story short, it's a story of a wife who cheats on her husband. But then, as you do, the husband decides to kidnap the lover.

At first, I was quite annoyed to see the whole time warp thing again. If you have read any of my previous reviews, you would understand why this is. But then it got worse. I happened to watch The Departed again on the same day and as we all know, that film doesn't really shine with a simple plot. Its even more complicated than quantum-physics and nobody knows how that works. However, as complicated as the story line in The Departed may be, the one in 44 Inch Chest was even more so and even just plain weird. I was confused from the get-go.

It reminded me of an "arty film" with long, slow shots and scenes or composition planned more carefully than Lady GaGa's hair. Perfect example - the opening scene, which, by the way was gorgeous. If there is anything to take from the film, it is the dialogue. Yes, you can argue it's the only thing one possibly can take from a film where the action is situated in one room and one room only, but regardless, it was witty. Casual and witty indeed.

Apart from that, let's move on to something more interesting... like another film perhaps.

Invictus

I was really rather surprised when the film ended. The name in the credits after "directed by" left me asking myself whether something has happened to the man who can make such cinematic brilliance.

The film was good, but the thing is that it will never in a million years be as good as the real story, so it is sort of like comparing the aviation capabilities of a rocket and a rhino... on a loo. This is not meant in any way to take anything away from the film, because I enjoyed every minute of it and even now have an urge to go see it again.

Something I was dreading looking forward to seeing it was Matt Damon. Not because I have a particular dislike to his acting skills or that I find his appearance somewhat of a buzzkill. It's just that ever since Blood Diamond I am terrified of having hollywood what-nots having to play someone with a particular accent. What is wrong with having a South African play a South African? Why do we need to bring in a bloke who is of english, finnish, swedish and scottish decent, born in Massachusetts, to play a South African? It was better then Leo, but still sounded half russian,half umpaloompan from time to time.

Bearing that in mind, I thought Morgan Freeman didn't struggle with this, surprisingly. Then again, Mandela's speech is extremely... well... particular, so maybe it was easier for him. Then again, he did do a brilliant job and watching the Oscars the other night, I felt sorry for him sitting there, earning no hardware and not having to deliver a speech about all the people he wishes to thank. Although, I totally understand why he left with nothing and will thus not start one of my usual rants about everything that is wrong with the world.

Another thing I thoroughly enjoyed was the music. Especially in the final game in the stadium, it filled my heart with simple joy and made think about all the things that the western world misses out on. I know we boast 5 cars, 20,973,463 tvs and gadzillion internets per household, but do we know the joy of life?

One way or another, I am genuinely happy I saw this and like I said, I might just have to go see it again.

Valentine's Day

I finally found time to write the review to the film I had been waiting for with great expectations. Luckily for me and all those who are fed up with my complaining, they were met by what can perhaps be best described as a crossbreed between Love Actually and Love Happens. I will explain the reasons for that later.

I was extremely ill-equipped for watching this film having seen the trailer and expecting a straightforward rom-com. Furthermore, I happened to read a review by Mick LaSalle for the San Francisco Chronicle where he makes the case for casting many A-listers as an intrusion of the film's "illusion of reality". Monsieur LaSalle, I thoroughly enjoyed your review, but that paragraph was a complete load of bull. They are actors and actresses, it's their job to remove themselves from the equation and become somebody else.

Speaking of which, looking at the acting through this prism, Jennifer Gardner redeemed herself in my eyes. Those of you who are acquainted with my history with the actress realize what a compliment this is. She escaped the role of the quirky type that suits her so well to deliver a part that was both heartwarming and serious.

I will try to refrain myself from focusing on the cast for too long since there were such good actors/actresses and funny roles, but I will mention two. Firstly, I believe I speak for the whole population of the world capable of appreciating beauty if I say there was a distinct lack of Jessica Alba in terms of screentime. Secondly, and take this with a pinch of salt because I do love the man, I thought Ashton Kutcher has really come to himself with the last films I have seen him in. I don't think Reed achieved the level of deliverance as Nikki in Spread, which - truth be told - wasn't really a film as much as a showcase of the actor's abilities. However, Kutcher's character was, to me, the embodiment of the essence of the film. (and it was cool to see him in the same piece with Topher Grace again)

The essence of the film is where the comparison with Love Happens comes into play. Love Happens was a film that had as much to do with love as a pelican has with an igloo. I thus suggest removing all of the film's claims for the name and add it as a subheading to Valentine's Day because that was what this film is about. It goes to show that you cannot plan love or relationships. You may find the most amazing person but it will not work out and you will be left heartbroken. But all of a sudden, when you least expect it, when you least try... love happens. You realize that the person you are truly comfortable to spend your life with is right there, standing next to you without you ever realizing.

At this point I remember something else Mr. LaSalle said. He claimed the film to be too fake, the people in it too nice and how this would jeopardize the reality of what you see. I agree that the conversations were too nice and it is difficult to find pleasant people like that in the real world. But this niceness is only a few words away from us. All we need to do to make it a reality is open our mouths an be kind to someone.

So when I think of the film as a whole I can't stop thinking about the actual day. Just like the film, the valentine's day is a bit fake, people try too hard, try to force things. Which makes it a bit unnatural. So would I say it is a rubbish film? No, because just like valentine's day, if you get the timing right, the mood right and have someone special to enjoy the occasion with, you will have a really good time.

Amelia

Right, so before any of you say anything, no, it's not Amélie and its not by the French.

Amelia is the story of Amelia Earhart, one of the most influential female pilots ever to walk the surface of our beloved earth. She was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic and the first woman to fly across the Atlantic solo.

I had trouble placing this film in my mind, which was torn when I was watching it. There was something about it that just made me want to leave, yet there was a lot to keep my eyes glued to the screen. It was one of those bittersweet moments in life where you are not entirely sure how or what to feel.

Looking at the cast on paper, I am surprised to realise in hindsight that I was bored for most of the film. Hilary Swank accompanied by Richard Gere and Ewan McGregor, who often seems to creep up in the films I see recently, should be more than enough to make my seat have hands all of a sudden. Hands that pin me down and slap me around every time I seem to lose focus. Yet this was not the case. Swank played a solid role. In fact, many times during Amelia, I was thinking to myself how good she was. I have seen her in Million Dollar Baby and P.S. I Love You, but somehow, as good as Million Dollar Baby was, I was more impressed with here in this.

At this point I can't stop pondering about what the sweet part in the bittersweet was. Why do I still struggle putting the film behind me and stop thinking about it. Normally, when I see a good role in a mediocre (read: rubbish) film, I think to myself: "what a waste of talent, C'mon son!!! get your crap together" and go back to feeding Mars bars to pelicans. This time, I cant.

The film talks about a soul that wishes to roam free. Take the silver bird and fly it into the sunset for as long as it will carry her. With everything else out of her mind but her destination. It is a swansong to the roaming hearts that feel imprisonment where there is comfort, struggle where there is safety. The trouble with these hearts often is though, that they forget where their home is. I live by "home is where the heart is" so I guess for Miss Earhart, home was in the cockpit of the silver bird. And who am I to judge such a heart? My question though, is what happens when you lose sight of your home... and your destination?

The Boys Are Back

What happens when with a blink of an eye everything in your life changes? When the woman you love is like water slipping through your fingers and there is nothing you can do about it? When you have to explain to your little son why mummy is dying? When you don't know how to comfort him because you have never been around?

When this happens to Joe Warr (Clive Owen), his whole life changes along with every relationship he has with his close ones. How do you solve problems in a child's head when understanding anything going on in there is like explaining the physics behind an airplane to a geko? Joe adopts a simple rule: "Just say yes."

This is a heartwarming story of fathers and sons and the unity that forms when life decides to challenge us. It reinforces my view of of whatever works (no quote to Woody Allen's last film intended) because often there is no right or wrong in life. It's just... whatever works. When your kid needs to turn your house into a pool, not that I am saying this is good parenting, let him.

Major kudos to Scott Hicks, who to me, as unprofessional as my view may be, is completely unknown. He managed to direct this to a standard that shuts me up and that really is good, because I have verbal diarrhea which will now be aimed at the cast, the poor things. I appreciated Clive Owen with the understanding that most of his role involved saying nothing and looking as miserable as a basset-hound witnessing his food being stolen. Having said that, often it is what is left unsaid that tells a million words and being quiet the real difficulty. I feel the story made the acting, which is never too much to an actor's credit. However, the best actor, much like the best design, is invisible. Pick your route to go down, one way or the other the lead was solid and he deserves credit.

The film was well paced to preserve the underlying taste of sadness and the personal tragedy of those involved while depicting them dealing with their sorrow. It also makes me think of the roles we play in life and in other peoples' lives. How prepared are we to adapt a new role, but more importantly, how willing are we to let the role change us? Owen's character said that saying yes is more difficult than saying no and that because saying yes means we need to change something in ourselves. We need to make an effort.

I definitely recommend this, time and money well spent.

More Than A Game

When I am about to watch a film, I am normally well aware of what I am about to watch. And so I thought this time. I couldn't be further from the truth. Again. Luckily, what I saw was better than what I expected.

I was expecting the story of a bunch of angry kids from a tough neighborhood, playing ball, being rubbish, getting amazing at it, getting cocky, being slapped around by the coach and then missing a last second shot to go down in history, leaving the viewer heartbroken for these boys. So yes, I was expecting to see Coach Carter again.

But this is not a story about basketball, it's a story about people. About relationships and friendship. I was expecting LeBron James to do all the talking and could not have been happier when I found the story being revealed from the perspective of the coach, Dru Joyce II. I was charmed by the line at the end as well, downplaying the role of the superstar in the film. Quote: "Lebron found seasonal work in Cleveland". Understatement of the year.

Another aspect of this film, that I found intriguing and somewhat unlike your typical sports-cinderella story was the humbleness of these people. Call me on this one if you think I am wrong, and I am ignoring the whole Hummer business at this point, but listening to them talk about a life that most of us would see as utopian in a bad way, and still making it sound as the most natural thing in life is what stuns me. I think this is where the balance in the world lies, because some of the players in the NBA get paid sums we would not be able to comprehend. So should a person who has not seen what it is like to own nothing in life be in that position... I would imagine them being the most unpleasant person in the world.

Now, then. Back to the Humvee incident. For a 17-year old "boy" (a word only used because of the relative value of the number, as mentally and physically, the 17-year-old LeBron was more of a man than most 30 year olds) to be on the cover of the SI and still be a part of a team? Unbelievable? I think so. All the attention he got while he was still at school and remained focused on his team and friends. Wow, that is all I can say - wow. I read an article on his pregame routine the other day and I find it interesting that every gameday, he still listens to the song the listened to together as the fab-five and his best friend from the group gets a handshake before any of his teammates once the names have been called out in the arena.

This goes to show that it truly is a film about relationships and things that are more than a game of basketball. However, if this world sports superstar is not someone you take interest in, there is no point in you watching the film. If the opposite is the case, you would be stupid not to.