We Can Be Heroes: Avengers Assemble Review

Avengers Assemble

Director: Joss Whedon

By Alex Watson

The moment that director Joss Whedon announce that the Marvel series The Avengers would finally come to our screens, the screams of joy were deafening. Over the last two years we have seen many hints of what to expect with this film. We have seen the God of Thunder defend Asgard in Thor, jumped back in time to World War Two to see Captain America defeat evil German Scientists. And most notably we viewed the second outing of Tony Stark in Iron Man 2.

But so often with this much expectation upon it, a film like this often fails to deliver. Remember massive hype that surrounded The Matrix: Reloaded and how many believe it couldn’t possibly fail. But sadly the complex plot left many feeling disappointed and it wasn’t the masterpiece that was expected. Will Avengers Assemble meet a similar fate or will it stand out from the crowd?

Avengers Assemble sees the world come under threat when Asgard dark house Loki (Tom Hiddleston) returns to earth and wages war. In response to this crisis S.H.I.E.LD director Nick Fury (Samuel L Jackson) decides to call in the ultimate fighting team. On board come our heroes Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Captain America (Chris Evans) and the green rage machine, The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo). But with time running out will this band of misfits be able to save the world from Loki’s dominance?

Whedon’s film takes it time to get started. There is an explosive opening sequence where Loki crashes the S.H.I.E.L.D head quarters and literally tears the place apart. After that the film mainly focuses on the coming together of our heroes and them having to overcome their differences to work together. When the heavyweights assemble they are truly excellent together, some may have thought that having so many high priority characters in one film would be an impossible task.

Used to dealing with large ensemble casts, Whedon in Avengers Assemble balances each character perfectly. Each character’s persona never gets lost because of this; Tony Stark’s trademark wit is present along with the conflicted heroism of Captain America. But it’s The Hulk who perhaps stands out here and is given a far different treatment than previous versions. Here we see a misunderstood beast who knows how dangerous he is, but knows he is powerless to stop it from occurring.

When Avengers Assemble fires it really fires! The final battle sequence pushes the film into overdrive as New York is torn apart by Loki and friends. Normally in the Michael Bay universe this would be a golden chance to go for the standard deafening explosions! But Whedon breathlessly executes this sequence to bring us a new and exciting kind of battle that has our eyes glued to the screen as our heroes work in vain to prevent darkness from surrounding the world!

Although impressive and a guaranteed thrill ride, the story line in this film sometimes dips. As mentioned before, the film takes its time to get into gear. But it feels like a little too long and although the banter between characters is very funny, we can’t help but feel that we are waiting for something to come along. But during the finale, we are inclined to forgive the long build up as we get the perfect reward for our patience!

The impressive ensemble cast is lead by Robert Downey Jr with a great charismatic performance. His casting as Tony Stark was a revolution in previous films and here he doesn’t lose sight of the mark. His fabulous put downs on Thor provide many chuckles as he refers to him as ‘Point Break’. Chris Hemworth and Chris Evans showed previously in Thor and Captain America that they could play the hero and in Avengers Assemble they once again impress. But it’s Tom Hiddleston who dominants the screen with devilish delight as Loki. A big film always needs a good villain and Hiddleston is more than up for the task!

It appears that Avengers Assemble has been worth the long wait for both fans and movie lovers alike. The Marvel films of late have been of great quality and given us characters that we couldn’t wait to see banded together. Looks like DC Universe between get moving quickly because The Avengers could well tear them apart!

I Fought the Law: The Guard Review

New Cult Classic

The Guard (2011)

Director: John Michael McDonagh

By Alex Watson

Every year there is a comedic gem that always slips under our radar. We read rave reviews about it and we promise ourselves we’ll go and see it. But later we forget and just let it build cult status on DVD.  Last year there was such a film that did this, a film which gave us some many laughs we felt our stomachs might burst. From Irish director John Michael McDonagh we were given, The Guard. This film gave us a unique band of characters, and one of the most quotable films of recent years.

Set in the west of Ireland, The Guard follows unconventional policeman Sergeant Gerry Boyle (Brendan Gleeson) who is investigating a seemingly random murder. Very soon straight laced FBI agent Wendell Everett (Don Cheadle) arrives to investigate a drug smuggling ring and is paired with the apathetic and straight talking Boyle. Although they encounter a very difficult start, they eventually coming to a working arrangement and together they will bring the criminals to violent justice.

The Guard is one of the most funny and original comedies in a long time. Its humour is very dark but extremely hilarious. The buddy plot might seem similar to many people but its setting in the west of Ireland gives it a whole new edge. In this community McDonagh gives us plenty of zany personalities (including a youth who likes to pictures of dead people) and a different band of drug smuggling criminals who like to read philosophy rather than do drugs and sleep with women.

Its approach to this kind of film is very unusual and here we aren’t given the standard cliques such as over long shoot outs between cops and robbers. In The Guard we have policemen and criminals calmly sitting down and having a civil conversation whilst hinting at potential violence. While the usual elements are included such as gun fights and car chases, they are brought to us with air of humour. When one gangster is killed his last words are “Good Shot”.

McDonagh’s sharp dialogue in one of the films strongest features and provides many quotable lines. A key scene that shows this is when Boyle interrupts Everett’s briefing to inform him that he thought only Blacks and Mexicans were drugs dealers. As Everett reprimands him Boyle merely replies “I’m Irish, racism is part of my culture.” This kind of brutal comedy makes the film so memorable and we are left wide a wide grin as the credits roll.

Sergeant Boyle is one of the best character creations in recent cinema. We are given a very different kind of policeman; his casual approach to his duties provides many laughs. As the film opens we see him calmly observing a fatal car crash. Here he ticks off the dead victims and picks a tab of acid out a dead man’s pocket and places in his mouth! Boyle in many ways is just a big kid. A man who visits Disneyland alone and likes to spend his ‘days off’ with whores dressed in police attire. But yet he is a fantastic detective with an impressive insight into the human condition and dutiful son to his terminally ill mother. Also unlike his corrupt counterparts he has decided to cling onto what dignity his job still gives him and not turn his back on events.

Brendan Gleeson gives the film its comedic drive and delivers one of the best performances of his career. While typically a supporting man in major Hollywood films like Harry Potter and Kingdom of Heaven, his roles in films such as John Boorman’s The General have shown us what an adept leading man he can be. As Boyle he demonstrates this further and hopefully in the future, producers will open their eyes. He is joined by Don Cheadle in a solid supporting performance, as Wendell the disappointed look his face becomes a recurring joke as he has to tell locals he is isn’t from the behavioural science unit and just here to investigate drugs. Liam Cunningham and Mark Strong also do well as the villains, a pair of men who always squabble but yet the air of menace never leaves them.

The Guard was one of the top films from last year, yet it still remains under seen by  many cinema goers. Gleeson and McDonagh have the potential be a legendary pairing in the future and I simply can’t wait for their next piece. For pure entertainment I recommend you look at this, and I promise you that you will be quoting these lines until the end of time!

Music & Lyrics: Review of Marley

Marley

Director: Kevin MacDonald

By Alex Watson

Everywhere you go; it is guaranteed that you will see Bob Marley’s face on a t-shirt. His music and character has reached legendary status and has touched many different generations. Through his songs No Woman, No Cry, One Love and War helped bring the reggae music scene to worldwide attention and he is considered to be the Godfather of this sound. His premature death at 36 from Melanoma robbed the world of a true great who was at the peak of his talent.  But unlike his music, the man and his origins have new been fully documented. So now director Kevin MacDonald gives the full story behind the music, here we delve deep into Bob Marley’s past and we see the people, the events and the sounds that inspired his journey. No stone is left unturned in Marley.

In Marley we see Kevin MacDonald tell the full story of Bob Marley’s life, from his birth into utter poverty in St Anns, Jamaica and the difficult early years where he was shunned by members of the community for having a white father. We then s meeting and performance with the music group The Wailers in Kingston. In this we see the influence that his music had worldwide, through his American and European tours and how it helped play a role in ending civil unrest in Jamaica.  Also MacDonald interviews many of the important people in Marley’s life, from his family members, former lovers and the band mates who shared his life.

MacDonald’s documentary is a wonderfully crafted piece and in this we get an insightful look into the man behind the music. Like his excellent documentary Touching The Void this a film that truly matches its quality.  Through his interviews with his former friends and family it helps un-mask an unknown side to Bob Marley. In this we learn of the anger he felt when he was rejected by his father and it helped influenced some of his early recordings. His acceptance into the Rastafarian culture is also one of the key points of his background, because it gave his music a new spiritual side and would eventually pave the way for his music to make a major impact.

One of the more interesting points of Marley is the documentation of the civil unrest that broke out between supporters of the Jamaican Labour Party and People’s National Party. Bob Marley played a key role in helping stop the violence from escalating. But it wasn’t without great cost and through MacDonald we see the genuine horror of his friends and family as they recant when Marley was nearly killed by a gunman when he about to play a free concert to help his country!

This scenario caused Bob Marley to go into self imposed exile in London. This section breaks the originally peaceful view of Jamaica that is given to us and instead we see a country of the verge of breaking apart and one man’s efforts to bring back to normality. But there is an uplifting feel as Marley takes to the stage despite his injury and for a brief time his performance captivates a nation!

The music that is the real driver of the film; and as Marley progresses we witness first-hand how his sound brought people together. The concerts scenes demonstrate this as we see sell out crowds of both black and white people. His music brought people together no matter what the politics or religion involved and wherever he performed everyone felt his vibe on stage. Here MacDonald lets the lyrics speak for themselves and this allows the audience to sit back and be taken in by the legend himself.

Marley will no doubt be one of the top documentaries of 2012. Bob Marley is a true great of the music scene and in this we are given a story that the world needed to hear. Once again MacDonald comes out on top and right now he is one of the up and coming filmmakers in the world. For anyone who doesn’t know Bob Marley this is the place to start. No doubt the t-shirts will keep on selling for years to come.

A Mighty Heart: Cool Runnings Review

Classic from the Vault

Cool Runnings (1993)

Director: John Turteltaub

By Alex Watson

The Walt Disney films of old are some the classics are our childhoods. There have been some many moments that have made us cry, such as the tragic scene in Dumbo where his mother is taken away or the death of Bambi’s mother. But also there have been many magical moments in these films and from this a magic twinkle has been brought to the screen. In film such as The Lion King, Aladdin, The Jungle Book and Pinocchio we have been left with a happy heart and a song on our lips. But it wasn’t one of his best known classics that caught the public’s attentions in recent years. It was a true underdog story that charmed the audience and gave an unlikely brand of heroes. Cheers aplenty were found in 1993 classic, Cool Runnings.

Cool Runnings follows four men from the tiny island of Jamaica who compete for glory in the Bobsleigh event in the 1988 Winter Olympics. At the beginning of the film Derice Bannock (Leon) is denied along with other team mate Yul Brenner (Malik Yoba) after they are tripped by Junior Bevil (Rawle D Lewis) in 100m running heat for the Seoul Olympic Games. However, after Derice learns of retired Bobsledder Irving Blitzer, (John Candy) who is living in disgrace on the island after cheating at the 1972 Winter Games, he convinces him to take chance on the unlikely team. At first the world dismisses the Jamaicans as a joke, but very soon they show their true grit and before long they spring an unlikely surprise!

At the centre of this film we have a truly enthralling piece; the characters are all very charismatic and likeable. They all have their own problems in life but are determined to succeed. Through this we root the underdogs all the way. Derice we identify with most he is trying to emulate his own sprinting gold medallist dad. But when his chance at glory is ruined, he is quick thinking and comes up with a brilliant plan. He is the leader and drives the four men along.

In some ways this is a tale of redemption for some of the men, particularly Irving. For years he has lived the shame of being caught cheating, and due to this he wants nothing to do with the four. But through this bunch of misfits, he rediscovers his love of the sport and is eventually welcomed back by community that shunned him, including his former coach Kurt (Raymond J Barry). In the end, he is finally at peace with himself.

But it’s the bobsleighing scenes in Cool Runnings that make us all want to stand up and cheer. At first they look a bunch of no hopers as they struggle to get around. But as they find their groove, they begin to look like genuine contenders. The heart is biggest in the film here and this demonstrated by a emotional final scene as they Jamaicans cross the line rapturous applause. As they are accepted by the greats of the sport, the hairs stand up on our neck!

The performances in Cool Runnings are also of a very good standard with Leon leading the way. Derice is everything a leader should be and through Leon’s charm we feel sure that he will lead them glory. Actor Doug E Doug steals the show in this as the dreadlocked Sanka. Although he is unconventional in his approach bobsledding, Sanka is instrumental in making the team pull together and showing the world that the Jamaicans mean business. The late John Candy is also memorable as Irving, at first he seems an unlikeable loser who has thrown his life away. But Candy sparks warmth that makes Irv feel wiser as the film goes on. One of the great comedians of years gone by, his presence is greatly missed.

Cool Runnings is a great Disney film and even today its delightful feel is still as fresh as it was before. This kind of underdog tale has been a regular feature on our screen, but Cool Runnings still holds a special place in our heart. I urge you to re-watch this film and rediscover an old gem. After this I guarantee you will be singing ‘Jamaica We Have a Bobsleigh Team’ for days after!

Norwegian Wood: Headhunters Review

Headhunters

Director: Morten Tyldum

By Alex Watson

The books of Norwegian writer Jo Nesbo are already best sellers worldwide. His series of detective novels that follow the exploits of Norwegian police officer Harry Hole are selling in their droves. The man is being touted as ‘the new Steig Larsson’ given the Scandinavian connection and amount of copies sold; you would have to agree presently. But it isn’t the exploits of Harry Hole that has brought his name to our screen. Today we turn to adaptation of his 2008 novel Headhunters.  Adaptations of these stories are the current cash cow in cinema these days because they always have a solid story to them. Will this film join the rank of such Scandinavian films as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo?

The story focuses on a man called Roger Brown (Aksel Hennie) who is a head-hunter that specialises in scouting applicants to fill various high profile roles. He has a luxurious life and a beautiful wife to boot as well. But on the side Brown is also involve in the theft of high profile art pieces. This is to cover the debt that he has accumulated to live his excessive lifestyle! Soon he comes into contact with Clas Gleve (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), who is a former CEO of a notorious GPS company. Roger approaches him about a position, but soon finds out that Clas has a priceless Rubens painting in his home.  Very soon Roger plans to steals the piece from him, only to discover that Clas is also a head-hunter- only a more dangerous kind than his used to!

Headhunters is a very glossy and slick thriller, from the opening moments of the film we see the picture postcard that is Roger’s life. His home is big, fancy and most surprisingly… he hates it! The beginning part is almost a step by step guide for viewers on succeeding in the art theft business. For a moment we are almost tempted throw in our day jobs. The turning point in the film is when Roger meets Clas Gleve. When he learns that Clas used to be a former special forces man who specialised in human tracking, the film takes a new turn altogether! From this point the sparkle dissolves and Headhunters turns into more a psychological thriller as Roger fights to stay one step ahead. As the twist keep on coming, director Tyldum keeps the audience guessing until the very end.

The two central characters are the element that gives the story its edge. In the early stages Roger isn’t a particular likeable character, he’s smug robber who is neurotic about his height, has a lifestyle he can’t afford and a wife that he believes will leave him! But as the story progresses, we begin to side with him as he chased across the country and his life is gradually torn apart. From the moment we see Clas we can tell he is everything Roger is not. He is handsome, successful and has all the criteria Roger feels his wife would leave him for. But underneath his smouldering looks Gleve isn’t a man to be trifled with and this part gives the story its true grit. As he lurks in the shadows, we wonder what his next move will be?

Aksel Hennie is a compelling presence in Headhunters, at the beginning of the film he looks very confident in himself- despite his monetary troubles. But as the film progresses Hennie gives Roger a more vulnerable and humane feel and we feel him slowly begin to drown in the ensuing chase through the woods. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is both charming and ruthless as Clas, a very different kind of corporate suit. His coolness under pressure rips Roger to shreds in the duration of the film. The Game of Thrones star is one of the rising talents in Hollywood, and judging by his performance here we have another King of Cool on our hands and it may be sometime before he appears in this sort of film again.

Headhunters is both a fine thriller and a great character piece, although it may not hit the heights of Steig Larsson’s work, it is still worth a look. The one question that remains with this film is will it see the customary US adaptation in the near future? All I can say is they better choose wisely because the actors here will be hard to beat!

Spy Hard: Tinker, Tailor Soldier, Spy Review

New Cult Classic

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

Director: Tomas Alfredson

By Alex Watson

When people think of John Le Carre’s novel Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, we tend to think back the old BBC adaptation starring Alec Guinness as George Smiley. Overall it was an excellent adaptation and for many set the benchmark for the entire series that followed. The novel itself was considered a classic example of the spy espionage thriller. But when it was announced that Swedish director Tomas Alfredson was due to take on a cinematic re-make, many people had mixed feelings. But it appears that it was a gamble that was worth taking and in doing so we got a very different kind of spy thriller and the stand out British film of 2011.

Staying faithful to Le Carre’s story Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is set in London in the 1970’s and tells the story of George Smiley (Gary Oldman), a former agent in the Circus- a secret British Intelligence operation. Smiley and his counterpart Control (John Hurt) were sacked following an undercover operation that went wrong in Hungary. Smiley is soon recalled to active duty because it appears that there is a mole high up in the Circus personnel who is leaking information to the Soviets. Smiley is tasked with search for the mole which could be anyone of his former colleagues (Colin Firth, Toby Jones and Ciaran Hinds).

The principle strength of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is that it has an intelligence story which keeps us guessing all the way through. The film doesn’t rely on big chase sequences, gun fights or stunning women. The plot is allowed to drive itself forward as Smiley searches in vain for who the villain could be. The film is distinctly unglamorous to the eye and through Tomas Alfredson, we see a drab and grey world filled with craggy and tired old spies. With this shine taken away, the film is given a gritty edge to it and Alfredson was the perfect choice to bring this feeling across. In his previous film, Let the Right One In, we saw a real talent to cinema making his mark and in Tinker, Tailor Soldier, Spy he solidifies his new reputation.

The characterisation also stays in the same vein as Le Carre’s novel. Smiley in a lot of ways is a sad sack of a man; he is in a failing marriage to his wife Ann and has an obsession with his tricky soviet counterpart Karla. But his mind is one of true brilliance and in his quiet moments we see him carefully gluing the pieces of the mystery together. Karla looms heavily in the mind of Smiley, and through one brilliantly acted monologue by Oldman he recants his first meeting with his nemesis in Delhi and his fascination with the man his methods. Here we see the ghosts of Smileys past and his willingness to stop any more occurring.

Every aspect of the 1970’s is precisely presented in this Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy from a phone-box to cars and shirts of that era. Also the spirit of the cold war is ever present here it brings a frost chill to proceedings. Within the walls of The Circus everyone is a suspect and they we feel the sense that Smiley and co are working against the clock to find a spy who doesn’t to be found. The other higher ranking members of the circus are all presented with skeletons in their closets and in their own way are guilty of crimes. But whether any of them could be a traitor remains ambiguous throughout.

The film also boasts a stellar cast and is led by Gary Oldman in a spectacular performance. Through Oldman he brings Smileys quiet yet brilliant nature to life. His understanding of Smileys body simple gestures elevates his performance further and we hear the gears of Smiley mind working!  For this performance he was finally reward with an Oscar nod for Best Actor. He is joined in the acting ranks by Colin Firth as the arrogant Bill Haydon; Firth perfectly portrays his slimy nature and his willingness to get ahead by any means at all. There are also fine supporting turns by rising stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Peter Guillam and Tom Hardy as troubled agent Ricky Tarr. The two men even in their most troubled moments,  keep their heads and bring the task to its resolution.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is one the best thrillers to hit our screens in recent years. It might feel low key and slow boiling to the un-trained eye, but those who watch this will be reward with a nail biting story that will keep you asking questions until the film frame. Even after that more question will come to as you consider what has just been. Gary Oldman and Tomas Alfredson bring this piece to life and I hope they work together again soon.

Crime and Punishment: Review of Into The Abyss

Into The Abyss

Director: Werner Herzog

By Alex Watson

When going to see a Werner Herzog film the audience should be prepared for anything. Over the last three decades the German director has not only baffled us with his films such as Heart of Glass and Stroszek, but also shocked us with tales of on-set tension in Fitzcarraldo and threats of death whilst making Aguirre: the Wrath of God (both starring Klaus Kinski) to finally tugging at our heart strings with his documentary Grizzly Man. Herzog is one of the more unique directors in the world today and he is never afraid to tackle a subject, no matter how controversial. In his new film he returns to documentary and poses some difficult questions on the subject of death and accuracy of the legal system in new film, Into the Abyss.

Into the Abyss shows Herzog travelling to Conroe, Texas to examine a triple homicide that occurred in 2001 when young men Michael Perry and Jason Burkett were convicted for brutally murdered a 50 year old woman and two young men in order to steal a car! In this film Herzog speaks to people on both sides of the event, from the families of the deceased, to the men inside the system that not only convicted them but eventually kill one of them, to finally the killers themselves. But all the while asking the big question, why do people kill and why does the law feel compelled to do the same thing?

Herzog’s film stays away from the usual shock doc clique’s and delivers us a haunting depiction of people who have paid a terrible price with their lives at the cost of murder.  As we meet the men for the first they come across as almost likeable. In Herzog’s conversations with Michael Perry (who was executed in July 2010), we see a man who is more or less still a boy. But in a few short days after his interview his life will be terminated.

Another surprising element is the absence of Herzog from the screen. In his previous efforts we have always seen him interact with the camera and at times seen the effect the subject has on himself. For instance in Grizzly Man when the viewer saw first-hand how disturbed the man was when he listened to the tape of Timothy Treadwell’s death. But with Into the Abyss, Herzog takes a back seat to proceedings and lets the images speak of themselves.

Into the Abyss treads a fine line and Herzog’s never portrays the men as neither guilty nor innocent.  He leaves the big questions to the audience themselves and here we ask ourselves what any man’s breaking point can be?

All the way through there is a haunting feeling hovering over the film.  As we see the killers sat behind the glass in jail we see men who have been stripped of a life before it has really begun. In one interview, Herzog speaks to Burkett’s father who has spent a life incarcerated. Here he reveals that he gave a testimony at his son’s murder trial and in doing so might have spared his son from Death Row.   His life behind bars has alienated him from the world and as a result, he has never truly known his family. So this one gesture meant so much to the man and through his tears we see his regrets in life.

The most fascinating element of the Into the Abyss is Herzog’s interactions with the men within the system itself. This segment will leave the audience with a heavy heart as we see men who are troubled by the ghosts of dead inmates and in some ways are struggling to cope.

A prominent example of the emotional struggle faced is when Herzog interviews a former captain of a Death House (the last place a convict spends before being executed). The man talks of a female prisoner who simply thanked him for his kindness. After this he experienced a minor break down and was unable to do this job anymore. The Death House graveyard shows us grave stones with contain no names, just numbers. We are shown that some prisoners upon death are just statistic of the state rather than people.

Into the Abyss is one of the more powerful messages of the year because it asks intelligent questions on the accuracy of the capital punishment system and if taking a life for a life is really the answer we seek. Herzog is a great director and although this might not hits the emotional height of Grizzly Man, it’s certainly another interesting and ghostly picture.