Film Reviews by GI

This is a likeable comedy whodunnit that is disposable and needed a few more laughs but it's amusing and fun. All a bit silly and slightly camp it will probably appeal more to British audiences who will recognise the links to the comedies of yesteryear. Set in London in the early 1950s it's all about the murder of an American film director who is planning a screen version of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap play but contractually can only proceed with it once the theatrical run is over (and we all know it's still running today!). His grisly murder takes place backstage during performance of the play and his body dumped on stage. Alcoholic and cynical Inspector Stoppard (Sam Rockwell) along with his over enthusiastic rookie Constable Stalker (Sairose Ronan) are sent to investigate. There's some great comedy lines although they come much to infrequently and Rockwell and Ronan have a neat and funny charisma. The support cast is impressive although some of them needed more to do and funnier things to say including Reece Shearsmith, Ruth Wilson, David Oyelowo, Adrien Brody and Tim Key (who is hilarious as the self focused Police Commissioner). There are hints of Wes Anderson's style in the direction and style and overall this is an entertainment yet slightly underdone.

In many ways this is a companion piece to director Brian De Palma's earlier film Scarface (1983). The story of the life of a gangster and whilst the earlier film is a rise and fall story this is one about a criminal attempting to find redemption and live a normal life. Both feature a character from a minority group in American society in this case Puerto Rican. Carlito's Way is a more restrained affair than Scarface and Al Pacino plays the title character in a more relaxed almost lazy way. In many ways this makes the story quite unconvincing and De Palma, being at heart a genre filmmaker with his heart in the classics of the 40s and 50s, makes this too much a film noir or gangster film from those decades even down to the soundtrack and the romance built into the narrative. His camera positioning and the lighting are all highly reminiscent of classic period Hollywood. Carlito is a former drug dealer who gets early parole from a thirty years sentence and is determined to go straight. He has to get some money together first and so soon gets drawn back into the violent world of the New York drugs world. He's not helped by his coke addled and corrupt lawyer (Sean Penn) who drags him into a conflict with the mafia. There's not enough action and the story fails to really make you care for the characters one way of another. Well made but vaguely disappointing this is not on a par to many of De Palma's other films especially Scarface.

A disappointing follow up to the hugely successful A Fish Called Wanda (1988) bringing together the four key stars from that film and a host of other actors who appeared in it. Unfortunately the ingredients failed to recreate the magic and what we have here is a sort of Carry On formula with the ensemble comedy cast, slapstick set pieces and a plot where hopeless and daft characters win over a nasty guy. In short a small zoo in England staffed by a bunch of animal lovers is taken over by a huge corporation run by an unpleasant billionaire clearly based on Rupert Murdoch right down to the Australian accent. He's played by Kevin Kline who gets two roles this time around and also plays the boss' son. The zoo is losing money so closure is on the cards so the manager played by John Cleese and staff come up with various silly and zany schemes to save it assisted by Jamie Lee Curtis who runs around with a big cleavage and short skirt!. The real problem is it's just not that funny and it would have been better served as an extended Monty Python sketch, indeed Michael Palin simply plays an annoying , boring geek like he has dome many a time before in Python sketches. It's a shame but better writing and plot ideas may have produced comedy gold but it's not here I'm afraid.

Highly entertaining thriller adapted from a John Grisham novel. Brilliant cast and another example of Tom Cruise showing he's more than the big action hero. Here he plays a young freshly graduated lawyer, Mitch, who is head hunted by a small Memphis law firm who make him an offer he can't refuse. With his young wife, Abby (Jeanne Tripplehorn), they relocate to Memphis but when Mitch is contacted by the FBI alleging his firm is a money laundering front for the mob and they murder anyone who tries to leave Mitch finds his life is in turmoil. With a well scripted plot that rattles along at a superb pace this is nothing but a sharp and well made film ably directed by Sydney Pollack. The support cast of Gene Hackman, Hal Holbrook, Holly Hunter, David Straithairn, Ed Harris and the great Gary Busey just amplifies this as a marvellous thriller that never ceases to be great how ever many times you see it.

This recent adaptation of the beautiful English romantic novel by Thomas Hardy is simply a lovely film, wonderfully acted with the four main leads providing impassioned and yet restrained performances that reflects the emotional restrictions that society demanded in 1870s England. Carey Mulligan, perfect casting, plays independent Bathsheba who inherits a large farm in Dorset and is determined to make a success of it in what is a world dominated by men. She challenges the conventions of society where men have made all the rules and is admired and perhaps a little feared because of it. However she attracts the attention of three quite different men; Gabriel (Matthias Schoenaerts), a humble shepherd, William Boldwood (Martin Sheen) a rich farmer and the handsome soldier Troy (Tom Sturridge) who she marries almost on a whim. This is a film about the power of love, it's destructive nature as well as its nurturing and fulfilling place in human life. The film lovingly recreates rural life in the late 19th century south coast and it stops short of overplaying the characters flaws so for example it ensures that Troy isn't the total cad that has been his presentation in, for example, the 1967 film adaptation. In many ways though this is a story about Gabriel, the stalwart image of masculinity who holds the story together and provides the rock on which Bathsheba can choose, without necessity, to anchor her life. As a romantic period drama this is a solid, well told, beautifully shot film and will leave you with a feel good vibe.

This is an unusual film but it's so magical, heart warming and one of the few films that literally brings a tear to my eye every time I watch it. A film about life, its regrets and lost opportunities wrapped up in a gentle fantasy story that ranks alongside such classics as It's A Wonderful Life (1946) and Harvey (1950) (there's a small scene from this in the film). Even for a non-American the narrative focus on baseball matters not as this isn't a sports film despite that game playing a key part, as this is a story about getting a second chance to right wrongs. Kevin Costner is Ray who runs a small corn farm in Iowa with his wife, Karen (Amy Madigan) and their young daughter. When he keeps hearing a ghostly voice urging him to "build it and he will come" he is perplexed but it persists and Ray feels driven to plough over a cornfield and build a baseball pitch. This causes no end of financial trouble for Ray but something very magical happens. An unusual story and yet it works on every level from the reinforcing the strength of family, the idea to follow dreams and instincts in life and that ultimately there's more to life than one can possibly imagine. This is a real treat, a film to enjoy time and time again and hosts a stunning cast including Ray Liotta, James Earl Jones and Burt Lancaster in his last film. In short it's perfect.

A slow sexual awakening story, all soft focus and lingering camera shots usually on the naked body of star Patti D'Arbanville. Director David Hamilton shows his photographer roots here by shedding story for visuals. The film is certainly a beautiful one to look at, summer scenes and young nubile girls literally everywhere, indeed at times it borders on being uncomfortable to watch. The main trouble here is that whilst attempting to create a sensual atmosphere the film fails to make the sex scenes impactive preferring to paint rather than film and explore the narrative in a direct and enthralling way. The story, what there is, is of young Bilitis, a pupil in an all girl school where she has sexual encounters with some of the other girls, who goes to the home of her Aunt Melissa (Mona Kristensen) for the summer holidays. She witnesses Melissa's nasty husband Pierre routinely raping her, has a reluctant relationship with a young lad and effectively seduces Melissa. Overall it's boring, it's part of the short 70s wave of erotic films led by Emmanuelle (1974) so maybe of interest only if you can stay awake!

A provocative and at times uncomfortable drama thematically centred on the issue of belief and the consequences of rejecting it. Loosely based on a real story Ryan Gosling plays Danny, a member of a thuggish Nazi gang who dream of killing Jews. When he is recruited by a racist couple (Theresa Russell & Billy Zane), he not only begins a relationship with their daughter (Summer Pheonix) but is soon revealed as a jew himself by a journalist who has infiltrated the group. There's some disturbing scenes focused around extreme anti-semitism and other racist views and whilst Gosling is riveting as the conscience torn Danny, he's also a very unpleasant character with a story arc that is difficult to navigate. The flashbacks to his childhood where he questions the dogma he is taught in school and his visions of being a murdering nazi soldier during the Second World War are often a jarring and possibly cheap attempt at explaining why such people exist. This film has been applauded but it's a nasty story aiming to reveal the awful side of modern society.

Oh how I wish Tom Cruise still made films like this rather than endless hi-octane action films. This is a courtroom thriller that is script perfect and boasts top class performances not only from Cruise but Demi Moore, Kevin Pollack, Kevin Bacon, Kiefer Sutherland and, of course, Jack Nicholson, who is so memorable here the film is worth watching for his performance alone. But this is Cruise' film, he's excellent here as the laid back US Navy lawyer assigned to defend two marines accused of murdering a fellow soldier. He's cocky, clever and quick to realise that there's a cover up. Assisted by headstrong fellow lawyer played by Moore and his cynical friend played by Pollack they are up against the tough and influential Colonel Jessop (Nicholson). Director Rob Reiner directs this as a mystery thriller and it's in the courtroom where the truth is sought. There's twists and turns in the plot that will keep you guessing. This is a first class film and highly recommended if for some reason you've not seen it. It's a film you can see many times and not get tired of it. As courtroom dramas go this is difficult to beat.

Hilarious British RomCom based on the autobiographical novel by Nick Hornby who wrote the screenplay (the film story bears little resemblance to Hornby's diary like ode to a football fan). Set in the 1980s (with flashbacks to the 60s) it's all about a schoolteacher who is an obsessive fan of Arsenal football club, a passion that makes him popular with his pupils and their fathers. He coaches the school team, has a carefree everyday life except he despairs that Arsenal will ever win anything. Against the odds he begins a relationship with a frosty fellow teacher who is simply baffled by his football mania. When she falls pregnant he has to make some life changing decisions. This is thematically a film about gender conflicts and a conflict of priorities wrapped around a male/female divide. It's really very funny and ranks as one of the best of the British wave of romcoms from the 1990s. Colin Firth is great as the man/child with an 80s perm who loves nothing more than his student lifestyle with his best friend played hilariously by Mark Strong. They appear uninterested in sex or indeed women in general until Ruth Gemmell's sexually repressed woman appears and their blossoming love life is frustrated by the machismo obsession of Arsenal. Just when you think the film creates a complete separation over gender it opens up the divide to show the passion is for all. Everyone becomes caught up in the excitement of the team's big game. Anyway however you want to read the sexual politics on display here this is a very funny film, typically British in humour and style and brilliantly recreates school life in the 80s. A feel good film that needs rediscovering.

This is a period tragicomedy with lashings of political and personal intrigue, lusty sex and very sweaty. Jane Austen it ain't! Set in the 17th Century court of Queen Anne it follows the rivalry between two women for the Queen's affections and the ability to influence her, all told in a razor sharp script that is hilariously funny. Olivia Colman, in an award winning performance, is the depressed, ailing Queen who is prone to puerile outbursts and grieves for the seventeen children she has lost in childbirth. She is controlled by Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz), who is also her secret lover, and who ensures the Queen makes laws and decisions that benefit her and her husband. Her influence causes much consternation to Harley (Nicholas Hoult), the Leader of the Opposition. But things begin to change when Sarah's cousin Abigail (Emma Stone) arrives at court. Fallen on hard times Lady Sarah soon warms to her until she quickly realises Abigail has ambitions to usurp her. They gradually become bitter enemies. Shot and told in director Yorgos Lanthimos' absurdity style utilising weird camera lens and angles you soon find yourself engaged in the intrigues and bizarreness of the times, full of ridiculous costumes and carnivalesque characters. This is a film that defies expectation and keeps you unsettled and yet highly entertained. It's a joy.

The Coen Brothers sheer skill at subverting cinema is never more evidenced than with this. Here the American crime thriller is taken in directions completely unexpected, from the locations, the characters and the plot twists this is a modern masterpiece and arguably one of the most perfect films you can get to see. Darkly funny, shockingly violent and cleverly scripted this film sends you in directions you least expect starting from the opening pre credits claim that it's based on a true story to the characters that appear clever but are inept and the ones who act almost clownish but are on the ball. The plot involves Jerry (William H. Macy), a hapless car salesman who has embezzled money from the company owned by his wealthy father in law (Harve Presnell). Before his crimes are discovered Jerry comes up with an audacious plan to have his wife kidnapped, get her dad to pay the ransom and use it to pay back the money he's stolen. He recruits two incompetent men (Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare) to carry this out. But everything goes awry very quickly and heavily pregnant local cop Marge (Frances McDormand) is on the case. Set in the heavy winter of Minnesota and North Dakota and with the locals speaking in their Scandinavian influenced accents this is a thriller like no other, even the title bears little significance to the story (The Coen just liked the title apparently) but it's a tightly scripted plot that will have you laughing, gasping and riveted throughout. A must see film and possibly the Coen best.

Adapted from Thomas Hardy's celebrated 19th century novel this is a period romance that has a remarkably authentic recreation of rural England of the 1860s. Director John Schlesinger uses the environment and the seasons as a representation of the emotions of the characters, and this is a story about passion and love that leads to tragedy. Julie Christie, her beauty emphasised by a soft focus, is Bathsheba, a headstrong and independent young woman who unexpectedly inherits a large farm in Dorset. Her determination to run the farm in the patriarchal world is tempered with her occasional tendency to flimsy. These contradictory elements to her nature cause problems when she has to deal with three men who covet her as a wife; lowly but honest shepherd Gabriel (Alan Bates), the stern rich farmer Boldwood (Peter Finch) and the handsome and exciting soldier Troy (Terence Stamp). Bathsheba's naïveté in the ways of men and their passions drives the narrative here in this clever, intricate and compelling drama. A really beautiful film and with wonderful performances by the four main actors aided by the cast of British support actors as the locals. There's comedy, heartache and joy in this film. It's a real classic and worthy of rediscovery and definitely a film to savour time and time again.

Like John Wayne and John Ford, James Stewart had a filmmaking relationship with director Anthony Mann and they made a series of westerns together in the 1950s. This one has the usual Stewart characterisation of a hero with a dark edge. The Far Country is marked by the location filming in the snowy north on the edge of a glacier and the cinematography is quite amazing. But overall this is a standard western in the classic mould, hugely popular in the day but a little dated even though still revered today. Stewart is the no nonsense cattleman who is heading into Canada to go gold prospecting, the cattle he intends to use to fund this are stolen by a corrupt lawman (John McIntire) which sets the path towards violence. There's a couple of love interests and Walter Brennan is the sidekick playing a role he perfected in many other westerns. An interesting example of the Mann/Stewart western.

What at first seems to be another routine stalker thriller actually switches gear into a rather watchable and engrossing survivalist story. A remake of a Swedish film this keeps the tension at the right level and while there are predictable angles to the narrative it still manages to feel original in many ways. Jules Willcox plays Jessica who is grieving over the death of her husband and heads off on a road trip where she finds herself stalked by a weirdo in an SUV. So far this is all clichéd stuff but when she is kidnapped Jessica soon manages to escape the clutches of the man (Marc Menchaca) and runs into the wilderness and forests pursued by him. Constantly taunted she finds the resolve to turn the tables. This brief synopsis could apply to a few similar films but this one has an edge to it that makes for a taut little thriller. It's definitely worth checking out because as small indie films go this isn't half bad.