Movie Review #9 - The Conversation (1974)

Sounds like the water spins clockwise

After watching the documentary on John Cazale, I finally got around to watching The Conversation. It's the only Cazale film that I had not seen (he's excellent, of course), despite numerous friends and critics telling me it was amazing. They were right, it is amazing. I guess the main reason I had delayed watching the film was that it's directed by Coppola (!!!). No doubt he is a great filmmaker, but too often I find that his films are long and hard to sit through. The Godfather films are good, but overrated, and Apocalypse Now was very boring (granted, I've only seen the Redux). The Conversation, however, is a taut, enthralling, 2-hour long thriller.

Hackman's performance drives this film. He is fantastic as the structured and compulsive surveillance operator, slowly succumbing to moral qualms. It is an interesting counter to all the James Bond films that we've been watching. Here we are watching a real-life spy; alone and quiet, not boisterous and suave.

Similarly excellent is Harrison Ford. Before Han Solo and Indiana Jones would make him a superstar, Ford gives an excellent performance as the young man organising the surveillance for his boss.

A movie is technically great if you don't notice what the camera is doing, if you don't notice the music and sound effects playing, if you don't notice the cuts. It means you're completely absorbed in the story, and all the different filmmaking aspects are simply driving the story forward to help you engage with it.

I only pondered the technical aspects after the film was finished, because I was so absorbed whilst it was on. The most obvious, is the excellent sound design. It is thrilling watching Hackman play a tape, rewind it, play it again, rewind it, play it again, etc. just to determine what his targets are saying. Ultimately, because what is being said involves matters of life and death.

This is a slow film, yet it builds tension and paranoia at all times. I found it very reminiscent of Polanski; a master of psychological thrillers. Perhaps not as renowned as other films of its era, The Conversation is another demonstration of masterful filmmaking. The tension will kill you, if you give it the chance.

5 Stars

Movie Review #8 - Annie Hall (1977)

This wait is longer than watching lord of the rings

Whilst sitting at home the other night, we decided to put a movie on. Initially we were going to watch Seinfeld, but as I opened the cabinet, my eyes fell upon Annie Hall. I had seen it long ago, and remember it being very funny. I also remember Woody Allen being very neurotic, so it seemed like a good substitute for Jerry and co. On the DVD cover is a little sticker, marking the film as a Best Picture winner. Released in 1977, and up against Star Wars for the Academy Award, most doubted the quirky romantic comedy would beat the blockbuster space epic. Surprisingly, it did, on the back of a terrific screenplay by Allen and Brickman (which also won an Oscar) about the nature of relationships.

Annie Hall is a love story, narrated from the very neurotic, pessimistic viewpoint of Alvy Singer. It seems contradictory that somebody so whiny and annoying can be in a relationship with somebody as pretty as Diane Keaton, yet he is quite funny and appealing and a wounded puppy kind of way. The performances are pitch perfect and there are great scenes in which Allen and Keaton riff off each other. Surprisingly, and  continuing the Seinfeld comparison, Annie Hall is a movie that is seemingly about nothing. We go from different stages of a relationship, from it's conception to end (sound familiar?). What is so interesting about it, however, is the way this is done.

Annie Hall is a movie with so many different styles. It begins with Allen talking directly into the camera, documentary style, and then launches into the first flashback. It contains split screens, animation, characters talking directly to camera, and an inventive use of subtitles. Enjoyed (500) Days Of Summer? That is essentially an Annie Hall remake. Indeed this movie has been incredibly influential on so many movies, and is one of Allen's finest achievements. Granted I haven't seen many of his films, this is brilliant, inventive filmmaking, superior to most of his new films. I can also picture Alvy Singer claiming that I don't know anything I'm talking about.

4.5 Stars 

Movie Review #7 - I Knew It Was You (2009)

You know you've made it when the Simpsons reference you!

A colleague recently lent me this nice little documentary on John Cazale. Who the hell is that, you might ask? Well he's in Dog Day Afternoon, The Conversation, The Deer Hunter, The Godfather and The Godfather II. Not a bad CV! He was, the perfect supporting actor and the movies that he worked on won numerous Academy Awards.

The documentary is a short (40 mins) tribute to his brief, but great career. Containing interviews with a plethora of film icons, including Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep, Francis Ford Coppola and Sidney Lumet, it outlines how much they respected and admired his amazing skill. These interviews are intercut with excerpts from his films, again demonstrating his enormous talent.

As a film, I Knew It Was You is hard to review. It's well-made, but not great documentary filmmaking. It seeks to do nothing other than recognise Cazale's skill, and it achieves this. It is great to see great cinema legends honour such a magnificent talent. It was a shame that Cazale passed away so young (cancer), because he would have amassed an impressive body of work. Go and watch his five films, and focus on Cazale; his expressions, his delivery, his body language. Acting at its finest.

3 Stars

Movie Review #6 - 007: Goldfinger (1964)

Bubbles

A few weeks ago, my girlfriend and I decided that we would watch a new 007 film once a week. For her, it introduced a sense of nostalgia, since she used to watch the films with her family. For me, it was a new experience. I had only ever seen one James Bond film (Shock, Horror!). Now we come to the third in the franchise, and to this point, the most enjoyable; Goldfinger

Godard reportedly said "all you need for a movie is a gun and a girl". Goldfinger is flowing with both, including a gold woman, and a golden gun. This is the film that Sean Connery seems truly relaxed in the role of the suave British spy. The jokes and one liners (shocking) fly thick and fast, and there is a cheeky charm to his delivery. He looks like he's having great fun with an assortment of women (who wouldn't?!), and he also really enjoys his Aston Martin.

The villain, Goldfinger himself, seems far more fleshed out than previous Bond villains. He is not a burly fighter or weapons expert, but rather a fat rich man who reminds me of Uter from The Simpsons. It is refreshing to see Bond pit his wits against a criminal mastermind, and not just slug it out blow for blow. Of course, he has his fights with the crazy henchman (Oddjob), and his frisbee hat. The girls, of course, are beautiful and flirtatious.

Even though I had not seen a James Bond film, you know what to expect. Guns, gadgets and girls. The premise of Goldfinger is that more is better and surprisingly it works, simply (take note Michael Bay), because it doesn't take itself to seriously. It knows that it is a ridiculous story, but the actors have fun. You enjoy taking a 2 hour ride with them. The film leaves you with warm, fun feeling, not shaken, but stirred.

4 Stars

Movie Review #5 - Brazil (1985)

It's not often I watch a film, consciously aware that I'm watching a masterpiece. Strangely though, this feeling often occurs when I watch science fiction films (consider Blade Runner, The Matrix, Alien, Phantom Menace). Well now I add another to the distinguished list. Gilliam's Brazil is an amazing feat of imaginative filmmaking, captivating from the opening frame.

I am actually at a loss as to how to explain the film, suffice to say that it is a complex mass of interweaving stories in a dystopian futuristic world. That is all I would say about the story. Don't read about the plot, just open your mind and enjoy the ride. Yes, it is complex, but it's linear; there is a distinct beginning, middle and end. The film is a dark, yet fantastically vibrant imagining of a corporate dictatorship. Paradoxical? Think of it as 1984, on LSD. Dark themes, with witty execution.

There is genius behind every single frame. It bursts with incredible production design (so many ducts!!), atmospheric music, and great sound design. Initially I thought the camera work was quite bland, but as the movie went on, I realised how it works perfectly (there are some excellent dolly shots). All the acting is superb, with even the tiniest roles perfectly cast. Indeed, every technical aspect of the film complements the brilliant storytelling present.

I haven't seen The Fisher King, which is apparently also very good, but this seems to be Gilliam's masterpiece. It doesn't have the slow moments that I have found with other his other films. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and 12 Monkeys (the other great ones I've seen) certainly have magical, zany moments, but they also have slow, dare I say, boring moments. They do not come together as perfectly as Brazil. I can do nothing but lavish praise on this film. Indeed, such was my annoyance that the rental DVD copy started skipping, I almost threw it across the room. I didn't want to be taken out of its magical world.

To lose an audience in gripping storytelling is what every filmmaker attempts. Gilliam succeeds with this film. I want to watch it again and again and again, and bask in its glory. I always thought Blade Runner was the sci-fi film of the 80s. This is as good. Go and watch it immediately. No Buttles.

5 Stars

Movie Review #4 - Paul

Going to drink your brains and steal your knowledge

The American road movie, immortalised by such greats as Easy Rider, Thelma and Louise, Roadtrip (?!), etc. has now been given the Simon Pegg/Nick Frost treatment. I must confess, I was a little sceptical to go and see this movie (no Edgar Wright?!), as the trailer made it seem a little lacklustre. When it was announced that Pegg and Frost were going to be at the cinema introducing an advanced screening of the film, I knew I should go. After all, these are the creators of two of the finest comedies of last 10 years. 

The story is really basic, which slightly hinders the film. The beauty of seeing Shaun of the Dead for the first time is that you have no idea what is going to happen. With this film, you can guess everything from the opening scene. What holds this movie together, however, is the joy of watching Pegg and Frost riff off each other. The running joke is that they are a gay couple, and there is never any doubt that they are the best of friends, on and off screen. The one-liners fly thick and fast, and the geek references and loveable homages fill almost every frame.

The film does, however, seem a little flat in parts. It certainly feels like the two have tried to 'Americanise' their humour. It is less subtle, and a lot of the jokes become cringeworthy, certainly the ones involving the incompetent law enforcement. Also, I found it very bizarre that Paul, the scrawniest alien ever, was voiced by Seth Rogan. I understand that it was probably an intentional casting joke, but Kung Fu Panda did that. Seth Rogan sounds like he should be the voice of a bear, not ET.

Paul is good fun whilst it lasts. It is nowhere near the calibre of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, but is enjoyable, nonetheless. Go and see it with some mates, have a laugh and enjoy some well written comedy. I'm sure that after you see it, you will want to find that Darwin t-shirt.

3.5 Stars

Movie Review #3 - The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Houston, we have a problem

I am not a fan of horror movies. I was petrified when Pinocchio’s friends turned into donkeys, and I don’t think I ever really adjusted to the horror genre. Call me a wuss, that’s fine. BUT, how can any self-respecting film lover disregard a genre that is so popular? Therefore, it would be remiss of me to not watch some of horrors most popular and well known films. 
This is one.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a film I first watched only a couple of years ago. I found it deeply unsettling, although sadistically brilliant. When a friend decided to put it on, on a nice and calm Sunday night (we had just watched Fantasia!!), I was a little dubious. I was quickly sucked in.

The film starts with a slab of text describing that it is based on true events, blah, blah, blah, etc. It is not. Whenever it starts, I always expect a Law & Order voiceover introducing it. “In 1970s Texas, 5 teenagers went on a road trip. These are their stories.” DUN DUN. But cheesy text aside, the film launches straight into it, picking up with 5 teenagers picking up a hillbilly on the middle of a highway. Bad move, but then again, they probably didn’t see Deliverance.

Soon after they ditch the whackjob, they come across 'The House'. And what a house it is, complete with animal heads, feathers, and furniture made out of bones. Human looking bones. As expected, the occupant is less than friendly, wielding a nasty chainsaw and wearing a lovely mask made out of skin. And so the teenagers meet their deaths, except for one poor soul who gets tortured for about 30 minutes. Watching somebody scream almost nonstop for 20 minutes is very, very, very unsettling. Combined with the extreme close-ups of her eyes, and the maniacal laughs of her captures, this part of the film is hard to watch. And so it should be, which is why Massacre has influenced the slasher genre so much.

It is an impressive feat. A film made for around $300, 000, that went on to gross over $30 million in the US. It is certainly one of the most successful independent films of all time, and has inspired many imitators. What is so great about the movie, however, is that the budget actually limited what they could show. Much of the violence is implied, most likely because they couldn’t afford to make it look incredibly realistic. This really helps the movie, because, yes it is very violent, but only because you can imagine the chainsaw cutting through the helpless kids. Ouch.

Watch Wolf Creek, Nightmare on Elm St, Friday the 13th, Saw, Hostel, etc. All of these films have been influenced by Massacre. It is a very powerful film, violent and scary, and well worth watching for any aspiring low budget filmmaker. The script is not great, but the idea and execution are, and sometimes that is all you need to announce your name. The sad thing is I’m sure that if you mention the Texas Chainsaw Massacre to most teenagers, they will think you are talking about a Jessica Biel film. Skip the remake, and watch this, it will give you yet another reason to avoid redneck America.

4.5 Stars