Breaking Away: Review of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Director: Ben Stiller

By Alex Watson

Ben Stiller is a man who can be very funny when he wants to be, but other times him, and his now infamous angry outbursts, do not quite hit the mark. But one thing has always been clear with Stiller, he has far more to offer than he lets on and this year we could finally see a whole new side of him as he tackles what is perhaps his most ambitious effort yet, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Here we may well could meet a far more restrained and emotionally charged Stiller- but will this alienate his true fans?

Walter Mitty is a man who simply- just exists and is seemingly scared of truly embracing life, standing up to his new jerk boss Ted Hendricks (Adam Scott) and making a move on new accounts girl Cheryl (Kristen Wiig). His job at the legendary Life Magazine is now under threat due to downsizing and it doesn’t help that he has now lost a vital photo sent for the final issue from famous photographer Sean O’Connell (Sean Penn). His only option now is to find the photo- for this he will set off on a whirlwind adventure to find a picture that could be anywhere!

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is undoubtedly a career high for Ben Stiller and here he reveals what he is truly capable of bringing to us. Walter is a very blank canvass and Stiller uses this to full effect and gives us a compelling look at a man who is trying to find his own identity. To the untrained eye, he is your average (and very dull) forty year old who just stares blankly- but Walter’s life in his head sees him as a man who leaps from rooftops or fights baddie whilst falling. His early scenes as he fantasizes provide some laughs, but luckily Stiller never once lets the film stray into more comedic territory.

Many may feel that some elements of this movie are perhaps too fetched, particularly his spontaneous decision to fly to Greenland to find Sean and his resulting mishaps such as dropping from a helicopter into shark infested waters or getting numerous funny phones calls midway up the Himalayas from an eharmony agent (Patton Oswalt) . But if you suspend your disbelief and go with the ride, then it will prove to be a wonderful experience! Because Walter’s journey that is assured to bring smiles, because his eyes never leave the prize he is seeking and he is well aware that this adventure for the photo will not change his job, but will give him a better idea of himself and open his eyes to the world!

But the most refreshing element of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is the mature approach to emotion demonstrated by Ben Stiller and through his excellent direction (and aided by Stuart Dryburgh’s beautiful cinematography) he captures some beautiful moments on screen. One scene that is lovely in its simplicity is when Walter by coincidence meets Sean midway up a mountain and together the two watch a snow leopard creep onto a ledge- no picture is taken and we just enjoy ‘the moment’. This gives new life to the concept to phrase looking but seeing and in an age of Instagram and ‘selfies’ we learn to look closer at the pictures we see.

This being his first big movie effort, Stiller is more than up to the task of holding things together and he demonstrates a gentleness of storytelling that he has never been shown and as Walter’s journey is carried out, we feel lifted and probably have the urge to hop on the first plane we can find and think about the consequences later. Also, his romantic side story featuring Cheryl is one that is potent throughout and thankfully avoids any type of Schmaltzy sentiment and keeps thing on the right side of mushy.

Ben Stiller also rings in a best performance to boot as well- Jim Carrey, Sasha Baron Cohen and Owen Wilson were all announced in the main role previously, but you couldn’t have chosen better than Stiller who shows what an accomplished actor he could potentially be away from his comedic chops! Sean Penn also provides a very brief, but extremely memorable cameo appearance as the mysterious Sean O’ Connell, and his one scene has a very magic feel to it.

As the closest thing to the villain, Adam Scott makes a memorably revolting boss and throughout he continually mocks Walter citing him as a ‘Dream Machine’. Anyone stuck in the corporate world can probably relate to this and Scott carries it off with relish! Kristen Wiig also excels as the lovely Cheryl and, like her director, she could prove to be a great straight actress in future!

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a movie that will most likely divide people on whether it is as good as the campaign suggested, all I can say is go and find out for yourself and along the way lose yourself in this journey. If you do you will be rewarded with one the most wholehearted movies of 2013!

Rumble in the Jungle: Review of Predator

Classic from the Vault

Predator (1986) 

Director: John McTiernan 

By Alex Watson

Back in the late 1980’s John McTiernan would help shape one of the decades most iconic action films as Bruce Willis squared off against foreign baddies in the Nakatomi plaza in Die Hard. But in all truth, the dye had been previously when he brought a movie which combined the perfect mix of thrilling action and male testosterone in his 1986 classic Predator. Where a group of macho soldiers go hip against the ultimate enemy in the midst of a large jungle!

When a US Senator is abducted by a Guerilla force in South America after his planes crashes, Major Dutch Schaeffer (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is hired by old friend, CIA agent George Dillion (Carl Weather) to help recover him. As Dutch and his team are dropped deep into jungle territory, it becomes apparently this will be no ordinary job. Because above them lurking in the trees is an enemy like no other… The Predator!

Predator is one the most purely entertaining films of the 1980’s and perfectly mixes stunning action with sci-fi. The concept of humanity facing off against the ultimate enemy is one that is continuously gripping and McTiernan smartly delays showing us our villain until the films final act, but not once does the Predator’s lurking threat leave us and as we hearing his clicking  growl through his thermal heat sensor, we sit quietly worried in our seats!

The heroes we have given to us are some the toughest and most charismatic of the action genre. As we first view them we hear a great story from soldier Blain (Jesse Ventura) about how eating his tobacco will make you “A God damned Sexual Tyrannosaurus” but once in jungle land they are all manly business and with the help of their beloved rifle ‘Old Painless’ they execute a brutal raid on a guerrilla compound! But although it appears a normal job, our heroes can’t help shaking a suspicious feeling and Dillion’s elusive attitude makes them wonder!

But as events drag on, we come to love our heroes and their various quirks in battle such as Mac (Bill Duke) shaving his bald head with his knife and Hawkins (Shane Black) with his bad girlfriend jokes! But this makes it all the more gutting as our invisible friend makes his way through then one by one- the deaths involved are as gory as the movie deserves and adds fuel the burning anticipation of Arnie eventually seeing this creature up close, but as he stumbles across a mysterious green liquid, he comes to a crucial realisation “If it bleeds… We can kill it!”

The final showdown in Predator is truly one to remember as Schaeffer truly goes to war with his nemesis! Here is two fine warriors against one other and as the pair play hunt and survive in order to stay ahead! But when the Predator is finally unmasked, it is a horrific yet unforgettable sight, and us perfectly summed up by Schaeffer legendary line “My God, You’re Ugly Motherfucker!” After this finale, you won’t be disagreeing, but its final and smirking revenge conjures up a moment that is notable, let’s just say can imitate people well.

Arnold Schwarzenegger provides great movie muscles as Dutch and this one ranks as one of his most iconic and quotable roles (“Knock, Knock”). But its his on screen strength that drives the movie forward and then n the films final act, he makes it come alive. He also aided by a great squad including Bill Duke, Jesse Ventura and Sonny Landham, who each add something different to proceedings.

Carl Weathers also heightens our suspicions through as Dillion and the former Apollo Creed keeps us forever guessing as to what his really motives are and just what he has brought his ‘friend’ Dutch into?

Predator is one of those movies you can watch time and again and still be entranced by its action. John McTiernan along with special effects wizard Stan Winston have created action film for all time. Now turn the light off and watch the hunt begin- you god damned sexual tyrannosaurus!

2013: A Year in Review

Its been another fabulous year of film goodness as we saw the return of Tony Stark in Iron Man 3, had robots punching aliens in Pacific Rim and tragically we discovered that Baz Luhrmann’s version of The Great Gatsby fell tragically short of what its excellent trailer campaign promised! Also we saw the tragic passing of screen legend Peter O’Toole and James Gandofini.

But without further delay, here are my film highlights of 2013

Top 10 Films of 2013

1. Rush (USA/UK Dir: Ron Howard): Formula One fans all over world rejoiced with this movie and Ron Howard’s biopic of the thrilling 1976 F1 season gave us one of the great Motorsport films in recent memory! The legendary rivalry between Niki Lauda and James Hunt and was brought fantastically to life through excellent performances by Daniel Bruhl and Chris Hemsworth who each personified the men and their competitive spirit. With Ron Howard’s stunning direction we were given this years most heartfelt and pulse raising film.

2. Blue is the Warmest Color (FR Dir: Abellatif Kechiche): After winning the Palme D’or at Cannes, the public curiosity was instantly raised and French director Adellatif Kechiche’s look at the relationship of lesbian couple Adele and Emma gave us this years greatest love story and perfectly captured the ups and downs of finding the perfect person! This movie may have made headlines for its graphic sexual content, but its powerful emotional core remains its most unforgettable element and with a star making turns from Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux, this a film that will shatter your heart!

3. Gravity (USA Dir: Alfonso Cuaron): Gravity may be topping almost every Best Film List on the planet right now, but it will have to settle for being number 3 on mine. But Alfonso Cuaron’s space disaster movie is still a film not to be missed and the tension level is continually set to chest tightening and the end result with stay with you long after the end credits. Sandra Bullock rings in a stunning central turn and as we view her face frozen with fear whilst drifting in space your blood is guaranteed to freeze in your veins!

4. Captain Phillips (UK/USA Dir: Paul Greengrass): The return of Paul Greengrass to the big screen shot was an event to remember and his film based on the hijacking of the Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates was an absolutely griping affair and was aided by an Oscar assured performance by Tom Hanks as Richard Phillips. The continuous game of psychological cat and mouse between Phillips and lead pirate Muse (Barkhad Abdi) added fantastic tension to events, particular the latter stages and delivered one of the real cinematic heroes of 2013!

5. Zero Dark Thirty (USA Dir: Kathryn Bigelow): The hunt for Osama Bin Laden  was another home run movie for Kathryn Bigelow and we witness the long and sometimes pain filled journey, it was hard to tear our eyes away. Jessica Chastain’s performance as fiercely committed CIA agent Maya was the driving force of the movie and she holds the screen with tremendous ferorcity! The climax hunt for their main target brought us one of the most electrifying sequences of this year and like the result of Bigalow’s film it keeps our eyes wide open.

6. Stoker (KR/USA) Dir : Park Chan Wook): Park Chan Wook’s English language debut was one of the most hauntingly beautiful films of this year. His tale of a family secrets and treachery was both captivating and incredibly nerve wracking. Mia Wasikowska gave a breakout turn as curious teen India was mesmerising as after the death of her father she becomes suspicious when her long lost uncle Charlie suddenly shows up. Western audiences waited a long time food Chan Wook to make the transition and it was truly worth the wait!

7. The Impossible (ESP Dir Juan Antonio Bayona): This year it was harder to find a bigger tear jerker than Juan Antonio Bayona’s film about the boxing day Tsunami. As we see a family torn apart by a wave of wreckage we yearn for the majority of the films running time for them to reunite and emotions are set to maximum. With a stunning turn by Naomi Watts and a career best from Ewan McGregor, then result is an affecting yet uplifting piece, but be prepared for this movie to leave emotional scars that won’t heal quickly!

8. A Hijacking (DK Dir: Tobias Lindholm): Somali pirates were one of the hot topics in 2013 and Tobias Lindholm’s documentation of a Danish ship being hijacked made for very chilling viewing. Switching between tense scenes involving the shipping company in Copenhagen and the ship mates held captive as sea, events get increasingly out of control, but it’s the events we cannot see that create the real nerves throughout! watching this together with Captain Phillips may just make your heart explode!

9. Stories We Tell (CAN Dir: Sarah Polley): One of Closer to the Edge’s favourite girls brought us this years finest documentary as she recounted her family history and through the many wonderous stories given, a mind blowing revelation about Polley’s childhood is brought forward- I will say no more here but lest to say, the result will stun you to the core! After watching this I assure you will be dying to research your family, but careful what you find!

10. Blue Jasmine (USA Dir: Woody Allen): A tour de force performance by Cate Blanchett is one of the many reasons to watch this excellent Woody Allen movie. As the former socialite, Blanchett is heart breaking and as a lady trying to rebuild her life after her wealthy husband (Alec Baldwin) is sent to jail. A modern tragedy this film is a unique mixture of immense charm and devastating blows as we grow to both love and hate Jasmine as her past is slowly revealed. A new Woody Allen classic, expect to see this among the Oscar nominee’s this year.

Best of The Rest

Man of Steel: Zack Synder’s Superman movie saw Kal El soar once again and Henry Cavill made for an excellent choice as Clark Kent! With the upcoming Superman/Batman movie, we have a whole new reason to get excited!

The Way, Way Back: One of the more under rated summer movies, Nat Flax and Jim Rash brought us a movie that is impossible to dislike. An outstanding debut performance by Liam James put the impressive cap on this great movie about a very memorable families summer vacation.

Lincoln: Daniel Day-Lewis’s forceful performance as Abraham Lincoln deservedly won him a third best actor award in Steven Spielberg’s magnificent civil war biopic! With an all star cast including Tommy Lee Jones and Sally Field, this one one of the years mosrt acclaimed efforts!

In The House: Francois Ozon’s tale of obsession band lines being firmly crossed was one of the most underrated piece of European cinema this year, with a stand out performance by Fabrice Luchini as a teacher who becomes enthralled over a pupils writings about his friends family, but soon his interest will take both into dangerous places.

Male Star of The Year- Benedict Cumberbatch: After years of being a respected character actor in films such as Atonement and Starter for 10, Cumberbatch finally the big time this year and as villian John Harrison in Star Trek: Into Darkness he made 2013’s greatest villain and as Smaug the Dragon in the new hobbit movie, his voice alone made waves! With the return of Sherlock in 2014, next year promises to a big one for Benedict!

Female Star of The Year- Jessica Chastain: Bold and brilliant in Zero Dark Thirty and the main point of credibility in horror film Mama, Chastain is now firmly placed on the A List and it appears that we have a new superstar in waiting! Chastain has been touted as a talent previously and with her upcoming role as the tragic Miss Julie, we have all the more reason to get excited about this beautiful starlet!

Director of The Year: Sarah Polley: As mentioned previously, Sarah Polley is now firmly among this blogs favourite people and the Toronto native’s devastating documentary Stories We Tell was a simple yet masterful example of directing. Polley’s decision to go behind the camera has been a wise on be, but I hope soon that we see her in front of the camera as well- Watch out Hollywood, we have a new double threat!

Scene of The Year- Opening Sequence: Gravity: Cuaron’s opening scene in his excellent space disaster film was this years most stunning and with its one continuous take is a slow burning affair, but when the moment hits, carnage ensues! Never before has the opening 10 minutes of a movie been so memorable!

Finally I would like wish all my reader a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and thank you for your continued support of my writing! See you soon!

Unleash The Dragon: Review of The Hobbit : The Desolation of Smaug

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Director: Peter Jackson

By Alex Watson

 

So far Peter Jackson’s return to Middle-Earth has divided fans into two desperate categories, which are those who love it and those who feel they’ve seen it before. But its popularity cannot be denied as millions still flick to watch it! Even though it has been spread into three movies, the next chapter The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug promises to the mist exciting adventure yet as our heroes meet a nemesis who will send fear to the very core!

As Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) aids his dwarf friends led by Thorin (Richard Armitage) as they head to reclaim the old city of Erebor. But their journey will be perilous one as they encounter a cursed forest filled with giant spiders, escape an Elvin prison through rough water rapids and have to deal with the corrupt city Lake town led by a greedy Master (Stephen Fry). But their moist dangerous challenge will lie ahead of them in the face of infamous dragon Smug!

After the slightly rough start of the first film, thankfully The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug gets the Tolkein universe back on the rails and this one ride that is truly thrilling! From the very beginning where our group is chased by a gigantic man-bear, excitement levels are raised to maximum and this feeling rarely relents. But the main factor that makes this such a good film is the strength that our characters  to proceedings.

The Bilbo we see in this version is a much changed man from his adventure and is one emerges as stronger and smarter man and most of all- all real hero. With a or dwarf company, Thorin’s once stead fast loyalty to his quest is slowly beginning to fade and his intentions are becoming more dubious as he obsesses over a glowing white stone! We also have an interesting love triangle forming as new lady elf Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly) is caught between the affections of fellow elf with a bow Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and good looking dwarf Kili (Aiden Turner).

But by gas the most impressive factor of Jackson’s film comes from introduction of its magnificent dragon Smaug (voiced with great menace by Benedict Cumberbatch) who makes a strong case for villain of the year! From the second he enters, the hairs on our neck stand up as through his silky and husky tone, he plays a chilling game of cat and mouse with Bilbo. Looks like middle earth has a fascinating new creation on its hands.

Yes The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is probably longer than it needs to be and there are several sequences that drag on for too long, but this is simply because Jackson wishes set things for a grand finale and things such as the introduction of Bard the Bowman (Luke Evans) may seem idle, but come part three this will all fit together. But we ste given a finale that makes our blood freeze in our veins and as we witness Bilbo’s face frozen in terror at the films abrupt ending, we wish part three would a hell of a lot sooner.

Martin Freeman is once again spot on as Bilbo and gradually it seems he is becoming more of a mainstream star and he captures a real sense of courage and Jackson has found the right man to lead this series. Richard Armitage is equally strong as Thorin and his sense of conflict is excellently drawn out as he struggles to maintain himself as they near Erebor!

But the real star us as man who never once appears in Benedict Cumberbatch whose voice as Smug brings us a living and figure breathing nightmare.

It is great to see Jackson back on form after a few missteps in between and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug will stand as one of this years finest blockbusters. Better hurry up with part three Peter, we’re all on edge!

 

The Thin Blue Line: Review of Serpico

Classic from the Vault

Serpico (1973)

Director: Sidney Lumet

By Alex Watson

When going to the cinema these days, you would demand your money back from a film if Al Pacino didn’t shout at deafening volumes in whatever picture he appears. This new trademark has both made and burdened his most recent efforts. But people how mesmerising he used to in his quieter moments as an actor how he was capable of conjuring so many different feelings without saying word. His talents were perfectly realized in Sidney Lumet tale of an honest cop drowning in a city of corruption in his 1973 effort Serpico.

Frank Serpico (Al Pacino) graduates a young man into the NYPD and proves to make an excellent young officer and quickly makes the rank of detective. But early on he is witness to a vast amount of bribery and corruption among his fellow cops and in disgust he refuses to join but is vilified for being honest. Disillusioned by this fact he will being a one man crusade to bring down corruption in the department, but his mission will come at great personal cost.

Serpico is a fascinating account of one mans struggle against the odds and through  the excellent direction of Lumet, we are given one of the truly great police dramas. Frank’s status an outsider is made clear from the beginning as we begin with an eye opening starting sequence as we see our hero gunned down in the line of duty by what appears to be a set up. The men in his department want him to stop talking and are not against using underhand tactics.

As a rookie Serpico lives by a strict code which he believes is the key to advancement and even refuses to accept free meals from deli owners. As he reaches a major breakthrough working undercover as a hot dog vendor, he gets his wish of promotion, but the proceeding scenes were he sees first hand that the cops in the NYPD he looks up are not so different from the criminals they put away set the tense feel of the film and before long he is met with more than just looks of distain.

Our hero is far from being perfect and this one of the more refreshing aspects of Serpico because his stand off alienates all meaningful relationships he has and prevents him from making true friends in high places. But his unshakable dedication to his moral values endears him to us and unlike his increasingly growing facial hair, he does once reconsider. As he ruffles feathers high up in City hall we can feel change is in the air. But Lumet’s ending my surprise some as we our hero almost broken by his experience but nonetheless victorious and the ending image of him sitting alone on a dock with only his shaggy dog for company is an everlasting moment and perfectly sums up the man himself.

But at the centre of this movie is Al Pacino’s powerhouse performance as Frank and through he gives one of his career best. Serpico is a character tailor made for Pacino and is able to magnificently channel his rogue like status and being the sole (albeit increasingly more violent) voice of opposition and with no other major players to steal his thunder, this is the Al show from the very first reel. A frequently early collaborator with the Sidney Lumet, this two succeed in bring us some of the most original and legendary cinema of the 1970’s.

If this movie isn’t yet lining your DVD collection, then I urge to add it ASAP because Serpico is one of the most exciting and heroic character driven movies you are likely to witness and through the sheer quality of Lumet and Pacino, this an experience you forget quickly. But more than anything, it will make you think conclusively about where your loyalties lie!

Money Never Sleeps: Review of The Counselor

Cormac McCarthy’s works are like gold dust in Hollywood at the moment ever since the clutch of Oscar’s that the Coen Brothers delivered for No Country For Old Men. But this week we turn to a very different McCarthy venture his first original screenplay, The Counselor. Aided by Ridley Scott and what is possibly this years stariest cast, this project has been red hot since day one! But will great novelist make such as good wordsmith on the big screen?

The Counselor (Michael Fassbender) lives a successful life as legal council to drug lord Reiner (Javier Bardem) and businessman Westray (Brad Pitt) and now after proposing to his perfect girlfriend Laura (Penelope Cruz) has life seems complete. But when he is tempted into being involved in a shady deal that could reap huge rewards, things quickly go array! And the Counsellor is soon left to face the consequences of his actions.

Sadly although it looks and seems fantastic on the surface, The Counselor doesn’t nail the landing we hoped for! The primary problem with this movie is the sheer lack of explanation throughout! Not once do we ever find out who the Counsellor is or how he has suddenly become involved with this various dodgy characters who each bob up momentarily without any kind of introduction. By neglecting to include any kind of back story we never get a chance to know or like our characters and this burdens the film significantly and many hopefuls will no doubt go home baffled!

McCarthy’s first movie script is one which has some of the most rich sounding dialogue we will hear in 2013, including an hilarious line where Reiner where describes his girlfriend Malkina (Cameron Diaz) and how her Vagina looks like a catfish! But director Ridley Scott seems to awe of the lush sounding words and seems make the movie fall back on it and as a result it challenges the audience to make up its own mind on the events witnessed, though it makes its rather abrupt ending a little hard to accept.

The consequences of choices are reminded to us throughout The Counselor and this is one area where the movie does raise its game, from the very moment our hero gets a call from Westray saying “We have a problem” a dark cloud comes over! From there things begin to get tense as Cartel members close. There is also a heavy emotional to this section and what is unseen proves to be most powerful, one death in particular is so shocking to us we never even witness as moment of it. If Scott movie had stuck more to this, this could have been one of the movies of the year.

Michael Fassbender leaves by far the biggest impression acting wise as his Counselor character is the most emotionally complex of the movie and Fassbender’s great performance gives a figure to feel for throughout. Javier Bardem again sounds impressive in McCarthy dialogue, but it is a shame that Reiner is under-developed and isn’t given the meaty material he deserves.

Same could be said of Brad Pitt who rings in an excellent supporting turn as Westray, but although his character is compelling, he is not given nearly enough to work with. Cameron Diaz mash make good eye candy as the suspicious Malkina, but she doesn’t feel nearly icy enough to convince properly.

In many waste it is a shame that The Counselor doesn’t quite meet expectations because it has by far the best team assembled this year, but it could just be a case of too many cooks spoil the broth! But Cormac McCarthy could one day produced a script to die for, just remember to explain events next time!

5 Great Movie Detectives

• Clarice Starling (Silence of the Lambs): From the very moment we meet Jodie Foster’s bright eyed FBI trainee, we know this no ordinary woman, particularly as for her first assignment her boss sends her to interview deranged man eater Hannibal Lector (Anthony Hopkins) but unlike other men before her Starling is able to keep her head at the height of Lector’s cunning mind games and as a result, an odd partnership is formed and through she gains a key insight into the mind of serial killer ‘Buffalo Bill’ and despite being over her head, Starling is able make the break through!
• Jakes Gittes (Chinatown): Based in the City of Angels, Private Detective Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson) makes a living by digging other people’s secrets. But when he stumbles across a huge scandal involving the cities water supply- he walks into a world of trouble. The most compelling aspect of Gittes character is iron like determination to reveal the truth, no matter how far he sticks his nose, which ironically leads to his noise being sliced! Even though his previous life as Assistant DA was scandal filled, Gittes in the face of immense threats and violence will get to the bottom of this, even though the final cost will be a life changing one!
• Rick Deckard (Bladerunner): Future cop Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) has been called back to duty when a group of escaped replicants who are wanted for murder come to earth. Initially a man who simply does his job ‘retiring’ replicants, things all change once Deckard experiences the infamous unicorn dream, which tears his world apart. This mental struggle and confusion is what sets Declare apart from our other characters as he must learn to shed his old self to truly become human and in Ridley Scott’s fascinating view of the future, this character is very potent.
• Lt.Ed Exley (LA Confidential): The newly minted detective of the LAPD has already made enemies among colleagues after snitching on two cops for drunkenly assaulting two days prisoners. But even after being hailed as hero for solving the ‘Night Owl Murders’ Exley (Guy Pearce) still feels suspicious and as he looks further into the cases a web of high up corruption is revealed. What makes Exley such a great cop is his fierce determination to set things right, even if it means bringing down the very case that made him and incurring the wrath of thug cop Bud White (Russell Crowe).
• Sam Spade (The Maltese Falcon): At the height of Film Noir, no one made a cooler Private Eye than Humphrey Bogart and as Sam Spade he was on top form! When Spade’s partner is killed whilst investigating, he is approached by a random woman for assistant locating a statue of a falcon, which in turn will see him come in contact with three equally keen men who also want ‘The Black Bird’ Spade and his old school method make Jim a blue print for many slick detectives that follow and mixed in with the sheet class of Bogart, we have a classic through and through!

The Special Child: Review of Carrie

Carrie

Director: Kimberley Pierce

By Alex Watson

Brian De Palma’s adaptation of Stephen Kings novel Carrie is an undisputed classic of the horror genre and the even today the telekinetic teen still has the ability to shock. There were sneers aplenty when it was announced that Boys Don’t Cry director Kimberley Pierce would undertake a re-imagining of this film. But can this tale stand up in the modern day and more vitally can new girl Chloe Grace Moretz emulate the same quality as Sissy Spacek?

Carrie White (Chloe Grace Moretz) is a shy high school outcast who is constantly tormented by her classmates due to her religious maniac mother Margaret (Julianne Moore). But very soon Carrie realizes that she has telekinetic powers that allow her to move things. When she is invited to prom, a cruel played by school bully Chris (Portia Doubleday) will force her to unleash her powers and give payback of the most brutal kind!

Kimberley Pierce’s new version of Carrie is by all account a decent try at putting a 21st century spin on Kings tale, but although it has its moments- it doesn’t really add anything different. Yes it in some cases its more faithful to the novel as we open on Margaret all alone giving birth and the raining stones are included for good measure, but these moments aside cannot give this movie a stand out feel.

The high school are one of more shocking aspects of the movie as we view the locker room scene being filmed on a camera phone and super bitch Chris posting the evil deed online! But the in many cases Pierce’s movie seems to want to get past these scenes as fast as possible to get to the end sequence. Because if this we never truly get to know our characters like in De Palma’s version and because of this a lot of memorable character traits get lost!

But what of our leading ladies? Well Carrie 2.0 is an interesting breed Through the immense cruelty that is piled on her it comes as no surprise that she snaps. Problem due to a slightly under cooked performance we never get the sense of fragility or lurking threat that was given to us so brilliantly before and this version of the troubled teen is harder to warm to as a result. The Margaret of this version is a more subtle and dialled down version than Piper Laurie’s crazed maniac of old, and in this version we see her puncture her skin repeatedly with sewing gear as penance for her sins. But this missing mania makes her character less memorable and the new Ms White doesn’t quite have the required threat onscreen.

But arguably the most talked about sequence in the new Carrie will be the ending prom sequence where Carrie’s anger comes full circle. Here the actions feels far too overblown and the murderous smile on Carrie’s face as she send people flying instantly makes us loose sympathy for her as she forms blood red eyes and beings floating in mid air. It is a shame that a talented director like Pierce has resorted to such measures but this sequence is one that is hard to top and in some ways, we miss De Palma’s use of split screen.

Chloe Grace Moretz tries her best as the new Carrie but despite some excellent work she simply cannot bring same heartbreaking quality that Sissy Spacek was able tho conjure up previously and on reflection, this may be been the wrong choice. Julianne Moore plays Margaret well and her new take is one of the films more memorable qualities, but it doesn’t feel quit as powerful as it should and because of this we come away with a slightly underwhelming feeling!

The new re-imagining of Carrie is one of the more superior horror remakes we have seen in recent times and it has enough not to tarnish the originals legacy, but it is also not a movie that will truly stand out on its own. By all accounts it is worth a look, but just remember, be nice to Carrie if you can because your actions will have consequences!