Solomon Unchained: Review of 12 Years A Slave

12 Years A Slave

Director: Steve McQueen

By Alex Watson

Steve McQueen will forever hold a place in history on this blog as it was his movie Shame that became the first ever movie reviewed here! Well this week I returned to the place where it all started, at the Cornerhouse cinema in Manchester to watch his new piece of cinema, 12 Years A Slave. Based on the true story Solomon Northrup, this again will make for tough yet compelling viewing!

Born a free man, Solomon Northrup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is a talented violin player living with his wife and children in Saratoga, New York. But when he approached by two ‘entertainers’ who lure him to Washington in the promise of a lucrative gig! Only he then finds himself drugged and sold into a life of slavery! Facing great hardship, Solomon must learn to think smart to stay alive, particularly when facing his cruel master Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender).

12 Years A Slave is movie that deserves the unanimously positive praise that has been heaped upon it, and in the hands of McQueen we are given a fascinating look a man literally stripped of his identity and cast into a terrifying new world! But those expecting an uplifting and rousing tale of the human spirit need to be prepared for a few shocks, as McQueen demonstrates the full barbarity of slave life, and for this no stone is left un-turned. In one particularly horrific scene, we see Solomon semi lynched and left to hang from a tree for several minutes while several people come and go!

The life of Solomon is a bruising tale and this is made obvious when he wakes up in shackles after being tricked by the two entertainers, shortly after this while protesting his freedom, he finds himself being slapped by a slave trader (Paul Giamatti) and told his name is now ‘Platt’. Life initially life is good under his first kindly master, Paul Ford (Benedict Cumberbatch), who seems to relish his knowledge and gives more duties to him. But when a ‘disagreement’ with racist carpenter Jimmy (Paul Dano) turns nasty, his life is thrown into turmoil!

From here, 12 Years A Slave is given a dramatic shake up by the introduction of the heinous ‘slave breaker’ Edwin Epps, a slave owner who sees it as his biblical right to flog his slaves, which in one disturbingly memorable scene is shown to us, and we view the bloody effects it has soon the human body! For this the head honcho takes pride in his work! Epps is a highly complex man, with a severe drinking problem and a fiery temper! But he seems to have immense compassion for slave girl Patsey (Lupita Nyong’o), which continually puts him at odds with his jealous wife (Sarah Paulson). Solomon soon learns that to survive this man, he must play dumb to stay alive!

In the midst of all the harsh realities, McQueen does inject occasional moments of beauty with such simple thing like shots of the surrounding New Orleans swamp lands. But ending given is wonderfully under played and McQueen opts for as less sentiment as possible and the intense close up on the pained expression of Solomon us worth more than any grandiose speech that could have been prepared!

Performance wise, Chiwetel Ejiofor is given a role that finally allows him to shine as a leading actor and after years of being capable supporting folly in movies like Inside Man and Love Actually, Ejiofor effortlessly carries the movie and becomes its emotional soul!

Michael Fassbender earns top honours in the supporting category and his role as monstrous slaver Epps is scene stealingly brilliant. But more skillfully, Fassbender gives the man a thinly veiled sense of humanity amidst his racist self hating. But its newcomer Lupita Nyong’o who really steals our hearts as the tormented Patsey who throughout shows an immense commitment to her role and seems odds on to be a favourite comes awards ! Also Brad Pitt crops up in a brief but very relevant appearance as Canadian abolitionist Saul.

It may some times be a tough sell, but 12 Years A Slave is one of the more fervidly emotional and real dramas we are likely to view in 2014 and thankfully in the hands of McQueen and Ejiofor, we are given a journey to remember- maybe see you again at the Cornerhouse Steve? Though I need a word about your reaction to my Hunger question!

Story of a Risky Idea: Review of Hitchcock

Hitchcock

Director: Sascha Gervasi

By Alex Watson

 

The legend of Alfred Hitchcock and his methods have become the stuff of Hollywood folklore, particularly his obsession with his leading ladies and his dislike of actors. This ground was covered previously in TV movie The Girl which documented his fixation on Tippi Hedren during filming The Birds.  But this year director Sashi Gervasi gives us another insight into Hitchcock’s passion project, Psycho- a risky story upon which he was willing to bet everything and in doing so brought us cinematic history, see the truth behind the myth in Hitchcock.

After the release of North by Northwest, Alfred Hitchcock (Anthony Hopkins) is revelling in critical acclaim and is swamped with lucrative job offers such as directing Casino Royale. But after reading Robert Bloch’s novel Psycho the great director is immediately drawn to its story of murder and demands this be his next project. Upon announcing this he is turned by Paramount and forced to mortgage his house to finance it. But among the pressure to get his film completed, his creative partnership with his wife Alma Raville (Helen Mirren) is also suffering due her lack of credit. But the events that follow will define a career!

Hitchcock is a more intriguing insight into the life of the great man and paints him in a more sympathetic light than the sexual monster he portrayed as in The Girl. Director Sasha Gervasi brings to light Hitchcock’s reliance on his partner Raville and how without her his creative streak abandoned him. Alma and Hitch are far from being a happily married couple and his addiction his leading ladies has caused a strain on their marriage and her being cast in the shadow doesn’t help either. But in the face of everything she will stand by him and help his vision be realized- Raville possessed a key for detail where other didn’t and this is well demonstrated by Gervasi!

What this film effectively shows is just how much of a gamble making Psycho was, the story of a man who digs up his dead mother and murders people while wearing her clothes caused widespread disgust when announced and many thought it would ruin his career. But Hitchcock was determined to have this movie scene and as we key a great insight into his determination to make it a success, by such controversial events as clever getting around the stern ratings board and his torturing of the cast and crew to bring the full shocks to life! Here we get some clever nods to the great scenes, such as angry Hitchcock angrily waving a knife at Janet Leigh (Scarlett Johansson) to get the right reaction and make the infamous shower scene memorable!

But what Hitchcock suffers from is a lack of psychological edge and apart from some references to well known obsessions we never truly get a true grasp on the man himself. It is a shame that Gervasi doesn’t grab this chance with both hands because during the making of is the perfect setting to allow his mania with proving his critics wrong to run wild and even though there are moments when his bulling nature is hinted at , we do not get a definitive portrait of the man. There is a rather daft diversion when Hitchcock has repeated imaginary conversations with Ed Gein (Michael Wincott) and recount their various conflicts. Although this fits in with the story it doesn’t feel compulsory to the film and at times gets in the way of the action!

The performances however are of a good quality and is led by Anthony Hopkins in a great turn as Alfred Hitchcock, not only does he look the part but his personification of the man’s perfectionist nature gives his performance an added bite and is a million miles away from the lecherous turn given by Toby Jones previously. But Helen Mirren steals the acting honours as ice cold Alma Raville and her strength elevates Hitchcock and through the constant frustration on her face she becomes the character we sympathize with most.

Scarlett Johansson also does well as Janet Leigh- a woman who is desperately trying to keep her head in the midst of Hitchcock’s madness! Jessica Biel and James D’Arcy are both underused as Vera Miles and Anthony Perkins, and we feel that more spotlight on the man who played Bates could have provided more interest.

It may not be the swansong we were hoping before but Hitchcock is still a very interesting watch and its subject provides great interest throughout. But whoever next steps into the shoes of playing Hitchcock will have a hard time matching Hopkins!

The American President: Review of Lincoln

Lincoln

Director: Steven Spielberg

By Alex Watson

Feels strange that in the history of cinema- there hasn’t yet been a film that fully documents what a drastic change Abraham Lincoln made to the United States. Yes we have seen him hunting vampires in last year’s god awful affair Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and tagging along with Keanu Reeves in Bill & Teds Excellent Adventure but there has yet to be a true biopic of his life and times. Well then what director is better to bring his story to the screen that another fellow icon- Steven Spielberg! The great man will proceed to show us how one many his controversial idea changed the future of a nation in his movie Lincoln!

The United States Civil War has been dragging on for over four years and many, with North and South still divided over slavery and President Abraham Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis) is growing weary from the constant strain of affairs and many soldiers have died for the cause. To abolish slavery for good, Lincoln proposes the 13^th Amendment which will end slavery altogether and from the moment it is announced reactions are mixed! But through fierce grit and determination, Lincoln vows to see the bill passed and end the war to save more lives from being taken!

Together Spielberg and Day-Lewis magnificently bring the tale of one of history’s greatest figures to life, Lincoln is a long affair and to some it may seem a lot wordier than it needs to be, but Spielberg nonetheless succeeds in bringing us a story that is truly gripping and he is assisted by a superb script by Tony Kushner which captures Lincoln’s fiery spirit and willpower to achieve the amendment passed, even if it means resorting to drastic means such as threatening and bribing the opposition, one great moment captures his hopes when he roars to his cabinet “I am the United States President clothed in immense power… go out there and procure me those votes!”

Abraham Lincoln is not made out as a martyr figure by Spielberg and in the film his ideas are far from popular and public opinion is split down the middle and as he tells his long tales many roll their eyes in boredom. At the beginning of Lincoln we see him one fields of Gettysburg where a jaded black soldier (David Oyelowo) bitterly recites one of his speeches back to him which emphasises how he has to live up to his words! The Lincoln we see here is more resourceful and isn’t afraid to bend the rules.

But it’s the great team behind the president that provides some of Lincoln’s funnier moments, led by crusty old time speaker Thaddeus Stevens (Tommy Lee Jones) who has the ability to reduce the cocky speakers from the Democratic Party to shreds! Buts it’s the devious backroom trio of James Spader, John Harkes and Tim Blake Nelson who are hired to twist opposition arms into agreeing with bill that tickle the most ribs because they are routinely nearly murdered by prejudiced speakers on numerous occasions! But they make one of the most vital contributions as some their targets will eventually tip the balance!

As Abraham Lincoln, Daniel Day-Lewis is a simply fascinating presence and gives a performance so powerful that you would be a fool to bet against him for Best Actor at the Oscar’s this year! His strength keeps the film on course throughout but it’s his quieter moments that interest most as we see Lincoln almost humanely pondering the cost that has occurred long before the bill is proposed. Day-Lewis is one of the great actors of our generation and we have to conclude Spielberg has made the best choice possible for Lincoln!

Top support is also on offer from Sally Field as his long suffering wife Mary Todd Lincoln- a woman battling illness along with the pain of losing their eldest son years before, Field holds her own against Day-Lewis and brings us some of Lincoln’s most emotionally charged scenes. But it’s perhaps Tommy Lee Jones who steals the supporting honours as straight talking Thaddeus Stevens; his speeches which mockingly execute the opposition will leave us sniggering away in delight!

Lincoln will be among the best films of 2013 and we can safely assume that it will bring Oscar’s galore in this moments ceremony. Spielberg has done an excellent job of telling the story Abraham Lincoln and in doing so has brought us one the great performances in years gone by from Daniel Day-Lewis. Boy’s please get together soon because this is a combination that works!

Life During Wartime: Review of Les Miserables

Les Miserables

Director: Tom Hooper

By Alex Watson

It’s hard whenever you pay a visit to the west end in London not to spot a production of Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables, its tale of hardship, love and spiritual redemption during the French Revolution has captured hearts everywhere and had people humming its addictive songs for many years to come. There have been many versions film version of this musical, most recently in 1998 starring Liam Neeson, Geoffrey Rush and Uma Thurman. But none have truly been identified as an iconic adaption. This year director Tom Hooper after his heroics on The Kings Speech brings us his version of events, but will it be the one that stands out or just be seen as another failed attempt?

Convict Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) has been imprisoned for over 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread but has now been paroled, but upon release he find himself under the watchful eye of cynical Jalvert (Russell Crowe). Scorned by many upon release, Valjean becomes increasingly bitter until he is shown kindness by a priest and from there Valjean vows to start a new life! While becoming a better man he will come into contact with desperate mother Fantine (Anne Hathaway) and when he takes in her daughter Cosette (Amanda Seyfried), Valjean finds a new reason stay a free man.

Les Miserables will no doubt be one of the most stunning visual pieces of the year; from the very beginning as we see convicts of Toulon prison heaving a waterlogged ship in the pouring rain and heavy waves back to dry land and when ‘Look Down’ begins to play its hard not to be truly amazed! The set design is abundantly designed and brings the Revolution era to life- including a stunning final shot of Valjean, Fantine and the other resistance upon a barricade looking upon the royal palace!

The singing of dialogue will come as a surprise too many who have never seen the musical before, but through the live singing on show it adds to the films poignant feel and in many ways says more than normal voices ever could!

Valjean’s story is the force that carries the film along, when we first meet him he is a man who is looked by others as nothing but trouble, as he is first released he begs Jalvert to respect him as a human- only be dismissed mockingly by his jailer. His desperate turns almost animal when he ventures into the free world, but in Les Miserables most emotional scene, Valjean vows to re pay the faith shown in him and this gives the film its redemptive feel and from there he grows into a loving man.

Jalvert is another ever present throughout this and his dedication to law and capture of Valjean is steadfast, although the classic villain of the story, his confusion of the morals he keeps in the later stages gives him a more human feel as begins to realize that there is more to people than being cops or criminals! But its Fantine’s story that really pulls at our hearts as she is hit with constant bad luck and hardship while trying to provide for her child. Here we see a woman literally stripped down to her bare elements in life and whose dreams of love and happiness have long since faded and as Hathaway sings ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ tears are bound fall from people’s eyes!

Hugh Jackman makes good use of his stage past and rings in Les Miserables strongest and most touching performance and through his fantastic singing voice we hear and feel all of Valjeans frustrations, hopes and feelings and fully earns his Best Actor nomination at the Oscars. Not known previously for his ability for straight acting, Jackman show us another side to him which makes us excited for future performances!

Russell Crowe provides great presence as villain Jalvert and through his steely edge; Crowe personifies the man’s rigid nature and his inability to see between the lines of men! Anne Hathaway however, is the one who steals our hearts as the doomed Fantine. Through her brief role she gives a magnificent vulnerable performance and her appearance will be the lasting image in our minds as we leave the theatre!

Whether or not you’re a fan of the musical is not important because Les Miserables is a film worth discovering and through this a new hope for the original musicals on screen. Tom Hooper’s superb direction ensures that this film will be the most fondly remembered of Victor Hugo’s tale, so go see it and let your heart be pulled in several directions. Also I guarantee you will be singing ‘Look Down’ for days after this!

2012: A Year in Review

2012: A YEAR IN REVIEW

By Alex Watson

It has been an interesting year for film, and we have seen all kinds such as Tom Cruise belting out Bon Jovi in Rock of Ages and climb the Burj Khalifa single handed in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. We’ve also been witness to a magnificent viral campaign for Prometheus where the result didn’t properly match the hopes for Ridley Scott’s return to the Alien Universe and we’ve also delved into dark territory in Werner Herzog’s Into the Abyss. There was a sad end of one saga in Chris Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises and the triumphant beginning of another in Avengers Assemble. But overall there has been some magnificent viewing in 2012, here is my end of year review.

 

TOP 10 FILMS OF 2012

1.   Argo (USA/Dir: Ben Affleck): This year the former Bennifer truly shed his past and delivered us the most exciting and nerve jangling thriller of the year. Set against the backdrop of hostile 1979 Iran, this gave us the story of one man and his bold idea to make a fake movie so real, it would save the lives of six others. Thanks to Affleck’s stunning direction we had a movie with a heart and determined soul!
2.  The Raid (ID/Dir: Gareth Evans) The combination of Welsh director Gareth Evans and Indonesian martial arts star Iko Uwais gave us the most entertaining and pure thrilling action film of the year. When a team of cops in Jakarta become trapped in a drug lord controlled tower block, they discover all 30 floors are filled with blood thirsty killers, the adrenalin rush goes into overdrive and this never relents. We have a fascinating new pairing on our hands.
3.    Sightseers (UK/Dir: Ben Wheatley): Up and coming British director Ben Wheatley gives us the most raw and funny picture this year and through the brilliant naturalistic performances of star Steve Oram and Alice Lowe we were given the British equivalent of Badlands, just remember who you tick off when visit your next campsite- it can be fatal!
4.   The Imposter (USA/France Dir: Bart Layton): This film was 2012 most shocking documentary and we were given the story of a French con man who out of desperation pretended to be the missing teenager of an American family and was readily accepted! Watch it and let your jaw hang loose while this unbelievable tale is played out!
5.  Shame (UK/Dir: Steve McQueen): The first film ever reviewed on Closer to the Edge was also the most explicit and heartbreaking of the year. With great performances by Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan, director Steve McQueen gave us a powerful example of  a sex addict who is struggling with his compulsions and gradually his perfect world is coming apart.
6.  Silver Linings Playbook (USA/Dir: David O Russell); Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper both give charming performances in one of 2012 most offbeat comedies. David O Russell skilfully masterminds the theme of mental illness and gives us a brutally funny and also heart warming tale of two troubled folks who find love in the strangest possible circumstance!
7. 7.       Skyfall (UK/USA Dir: Sam Mendes): Of all the blockbuster’s filmed this year, Daniel Craig’s return as 007 was the most entertaining of them all and gave us some the year’s best action set pieces (including a thrilling opening ride through Istanbul). But of all the recent Bond film this one had the most emotionally driven core and we got to see Bond at the crossroads of life. With a great Baddie turn from Javier Bardem, this made for compulsive viewing.
8. Rust & Bone (FR/Dir: Jacques Audiard): One of the year’s top foreign films boasted a stunning central turn from Marion Cotillard as a woman whose live is changed forever and find solace in the most unlikely man possible. With top support from Matthias Schoenaerts and Jacques Audiard’s brilliant directing, we are given one of the years strongest films and contains a passionate love theme that pulls our heart strings hard.
9. Looper (USA/Dir: Rian Johnson): The hype about Rian Johnson’s follow up to Brick was one that was truly worth it, because the man has produced the most intelligent and thought provoking sci-film of this decade so far, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis excel as the junior and senior versions of the same man who are both trying to atone for past and future mistakes they have made. This will require numerous viewings to understand its concept and they will all be worth it because this one of cleverest films your likely to find.
10. The Master (USA/ Dir: P.T Anderson): After a long wait, PT Anderson finally made his return to the screen and along with him so did Joaquin Phoenix- and it was worth the wait! Anderson brings us one of the most stunning visual films of 2012 about a disturbed man trying to find his way, and ultimately falling into the wrong crowded. With superb performances by Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman, it was a welcome return for Anderson!

BEST OF THE REST

• The Dark Knight Rises (USA/UK Dir: Christopher Nolan) The finale of Chris Nolan’s Batman saga was a truly worth one and featured Christian Bale at his very best and also gave him a tough test in Tom Hardy’s hard as nails villain Bane. The thrilling battle of Gotham finale presented us a blood pumping last act! I wish the best of luck for the next man who is brave enough to reboot this series!
• Marley (UK Dir: Kevin MacDonald): A fascinating view of the life of one of music’s best loved stars, Bob Marley. Your knowledge of the man is regardless because we are given a brilliant account of his hard up bringing in Kingston, Jamaica and his rapid rise to top of music. If you’re not singing ‘No woman, No Cry’ by the end credits then hang your head in shame!
• Avenger’s Assemble (USA/ Dir: Joss Whedon): Another of the yea’rs most entertaining films and a pure fanboy’s delight as Marvel’s finest came to together to stop the tyrannical evil of Tom Hiddleston’s Loki, Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans and Mark Ruffalo among others made an awesome team- come back soon fellas!
• The Hunger Games (USA /Dir: Gary Ross): Jennifer Lawrence shines in the Gary Ross’ adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ beloved children’s novel. Be warned- Twilight this film isn’t and the theme of a society desensitized to violence as kids from different districts fight for survival is as shocking as it is entertaining. This is probably the closest we’ll get to a western Battle Royale.
• Anna Karenina (UK / Dir: Joe Wright): The adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s 864 page novel could have been one of years hardest viewings. But instead we are given a visual stunning and heart rendering film, with a star turn from Keira Knightley as the doomed Anna as she sets tongues wagging in Imperial Russia as her sordid affair with Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Vronsky plays out.

 

MALE STAR OF THE YEAR- TOM HARDY: This year the British actor took centre stage and delivered us a series of memorable turns in This Means War, Lawless and became Bruce Wayne’s biggest problem in The Dark Knight Rises. With his roughish charm, Hardy is an actor of multiple talents and has a presence of screen that is undeniable, it would seem we have a new star in waiting.

FEMALE STAR OF THE YEAR-JENNIFER LAWRENCE: With her stunning and tough performance in The Hunger Games and her bizarre yet endearing turn in Silver Linings Playbook are evidence enough that this woman is the most exciting young female talent in film today and this year she has stolen our hearts. No doubt the awards season will see her name mentioned numerous times and in future this will be a name to get used because Lawrence is going to be a woman to beat!

DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR- GARETH EVANS (THE RAID): The Welshman grabbed our attention for all the right reasons with his breathtaking execution of Indonesian film The Raid and his skilful handling of proceedings gave us one of martial arts’ future classics. His next film can’t come soon enough and you have to wonder what him and star Iko Uwais are capable of next?

Scene of the Year- Stephanie Connects with her Killer Whale (Rust & Bone): The simplest yet heart rendering moment of 2012 came as Marion Cotillard gestured to an orca whale. Action here spoke loudest of all and the longing for Stephanie to return to her former life broke our hearts in two!

I’ve Been Everywhere: Review of On the Road

On the Road

Director: Walter Salles

By Alex Watson

Jack Kerouac’s novel On the Road has personified the ‘beat generation’ and its depiction of living free in the age of Jazz  has inspired a whole wave of artists such as singers Bob Dylan and Jim Morrison and notably novelist Hunter S Thompson.  But in today’s popular culture how will Kerouac’s novel translate onto the big screen, and can The Motorcycle Diary’s director Walter Salles bring a generation back to life again?

The plot follows budding novelist Sal Paradise (Sam Riley) who at a time of his life where he feels lost meets wandering soul Dean Moriarty (Garrett Hedlund) and his teenage wife Mary Lou (Kristen Stewart), together they will embark on a cross country trek across the United States which will teach them all many lessons about life, music, love and most of all, friendship!

On The Road is one of the most beautifully shot films of the years and Salles’ lavish direction eye once again provides us with some stunning road scenery, but more than anything it is his representation of the 1940’s jazz scene that impresses most because Salles here doesn’t attempt to water down any elements and we have a first-hand look at how casual sex and drug use became a normal thing in people’s lives.

Through these showings we see a group of young people trying to expand their minds by tripping on Benzedrine and smoking pot which initially provides great fun, but you can feel the repercussion coming and very soon the party comes to a juddering halt as lines are crossed and relationships become increasingly complicated!

The portrayal of the friend of Sal and Dean is the part that keeps us hooked because here you have two men who might as well be brothers and seem to have a great time together. But Dean is the very definition of a party animal and will simply wander from place to place to find his next good time, even if it means leaving you behind! This includes skipping out on Mary Lou and his other wife Camille (Kirsten Dunst) because there are other women who are wilder and he will return to them when he fancies

As the pair travels across The US and sometimes beyond, you get the vibe that Sal is becoming both Dean’s compulsive need and his burden, this is exemplified when he asks Sal to take him Mexico to continue the party then promptly abandons him in a hospital when he is sick because the situation simply doesn’t interest him!

Although is an excellently portrayed film, you get the feeling that this adaptation has perhaps taken too long to come to the screen and as a result the slickness that should have been there gets lost in translation. Because of this delay, the feel of Kerouac’s novel will be probably lost on the younger generation who will feel this is an overlong road movie!

This would have been a perfect picture in the 1970’s at the hands of Hal Ashby or Robert Altman but although Salles gives us a wonderfully acted and solid picture, it’s probably not going keep On the Road die hard’s truly happy.

Sal Riley’s excellent performance drives the film forward and through his narration it adds suaveness to him, Riley’s talent was evidence in Anton Corbin’s Joy Division film Control and it seems that this man is destined for big things. Garrett Hedlund brings the charisma of Dean to life through a slick and smooth turn, already an established name through films like Tron: Legacy, Hedlund proves he’s an able actor without the special effects.

Kristen Stewart is a good choice as Mary Lou and does well in the part, although she doesn’t spend a little too much of her screen time taking her clothes off (which will no doubt excite male admirers), in a cameo appearance Viggo Mortensen is outstanding as Old Bull Lee, a morphine addict who the boys visit, in his brief time on screen, Mortensen makes his presence felt and you can only wish there was more of him in it!

In spite of Salles’ best efforts, this adaptation of Kerouac’s On the Road is probably not going to be among the nominees at the end of year award ceremonies (though Riley probably deserves a nominated), a visual pleasure and a pacy story line cannot make up for this feeling somewhat incomplete, like the novel itself- time will show if this sticks in the memory.

Might & Magic: Excalibur Review

Classic from the Vault

Excalibur (1981)

Director: John Boorman

By Alex Watson

The legend of King Arthur and the knights of the roundtable have already been shown to us in a variety of different forms, with extremely varied results. For instance we have had laughs aplenty in Monty Python’s The Holy Grail (including some very rude Frenchmen), had Clive Owen and Keira Knightley’s bland offering of the tale in Antoine Fuqua’s King Arthur and more recently the disappointing TV adaptation Camelot starring Eva Green. But none of them have been more weird and wonderful than director John Boorman’s lavish adaptation, Excalibur. A film which took the legend to the next level and left many shocked.

Boorman’s version begins showing the reign of the brutish King Uther (Gabriel Byrne) who is at war with his rival Gorlois (Corin Redgrave). After Uther is given the magic sword Excalibur by sorcerer Merlin (Nicol Williamson) and war is briefly halted. But soon Uther is murdered by his enemies- before death he impales his magic into a rock and proclaims who ever pull’s it out will become king! Years later his son Arthur (Nigel Terry) becomes that man and reigns over Britain with Guinevere (Cherie Lunghi), but very soon his sorceress sister, Morgana (Helen Mirren) will bring his kingdom to ruins!

Excalibur is a very different kind of Arthurian legend because even though the usual reference such as the sword in the stone and The Lady of the Lake are present, it has a very mystic and supernatural air that surrounds it. This effect gives the film a dream like quality which is captured in a series of lush cinematography by Alex Thomson. Also unlike its predecessor’s Boorman’s film chooses to focus more on the blood spilt and the effects of sorcerery in this classic tale. In doing so it gets rid of any sentiment attached to the tale and shows how even the tightest bonds are tested.

Within the walls of Camelot is where the film really begins to fire because we show Arthur’s love for Guinevere tested by her budding attraction to handsome knight Lancelot (Nicholas Clay) which shall lead to an affair with devastating consequences. It is also within this walls were Morgana weaves her magic and quickly makes mincemeat of Merlin’s plan to destroy her in an epic and chest tightening showdown (I guarantee you will speaking the charm of making for days after).

Beyond the glorious sets and the fabulous photography there lays a dark cloud hanging over head and in Excalibur’s final act the feel of the film descends into a very different place. Under the influence of Morgana we see a kingdom decimated and from there things become a bit confusing in terms of story. But things are re-deemed with a thrilling and energetic final battle between Arthur and his bastard son Mordred where it will literally be the last man standing!

But the real stand out of Boorman’s film is the presence of Merlin, played with relish by Nicol Williamson (who died earlier this year). From the very beginning Merlin’s presence has an effect and his magic causes as many problems as it solves. Merlin played as both clairvoyant and con man and although nurturing to Arthur, his deeds will come to haunt him when he meet Morgana!

Nigel Terry gives a solid performance as the brave yet naive Arthur, whose heroics and trust in faith will shape the fortunes of all. He is matched by Nicholas Clay who gives a sexual charged performance as Lancelot, a man whose allegiance to Arthur will soon come under great strain. But its Helen Mirren who has the most presences as the serpent like Morgana! Her lusts of power lingers heavily her eyes as she lurks in the background watching her brother. Through Mirren she is given an ice cold feel and this carried across well in Excalibur’s latter stages.

Although this version may split viewers as the whether it is really a good telling of a true legend, this really is worth a view. Boorman’s Excalibur is one of the most visual stunning and surreal films you are ever likely to watch and with its great cast (watch from early performances from Patrick Stewart and Liam Neeson) it makes it an exhilarating drama. But be warned there will no one farting in the knights general direction in this movie!

Hearts On Fire: Review of Anna Karenina

Anna Karenina

Director: Joe Wright

By Alex Watson

Is Joe Wright the new generation of British film makers? Many seem to think so and based on his recent stunning efforts Atonement and Hanna the argument is solid. His real strength is his ability to produce films that are not only beautifully shot, but have stories that capture our hearts. So now we turn to his most ambitious movie yet, an adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s 864 page novel Anna Karenina. Will this effort be vintage Wright? Or will one of literatures most doomed romance be his un-doing?

Set in Imperial Russia in 1874, Anna Karenina (Keira Knightley) is involved in a passionless yet content marriage to state official Alexei Karenin (Jude Law). Then into her world comes dashing Calvary officer Count Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and very soon the two begin an affair which sends shockwaves through polite society. Although Anna is bound to her husband by god, she cannot deny true happiness with her lover.

So far this is Wright most accomplished picture and it is interesting that rather than showing Tolstoy’s novel straight, he has chosen to keep the bulk of the action to within an old Russian theatre and only occasionally strays into the outside world. This paves the way for some stunning set pieces, such as civil servants stamping papers in unison, a thrilling horse race and a truly beautiful ballroom scene where as Anna and Vronsky seductively dance- eyeballs widen all around! This restriction adds to the impressive feel of Anna Karenina and ensures that it will not be remembered as just another costume drama.

Whether or not you have read Tolstoy’s novel is irrelevant and Joe Wright isn’t setting out to simply to please the die-hard fans. Delivering the story page by page, would have been a task impossible even for him! So instead he simply wants to show the audiences a love story for the ages, however this area where his film falls down slightly. The central romance between Vronsky and Anna doesn’t quite grab at the heart like it should do and for large periods we are just counting the seconds for something wrong to emerge.

The real romance that gives a flutter to our hearts in the secondary romance between Levin (Domhnall Gleeson) and Kitty (Alicia Vikander), a pair from very different sides of society. After a painful refusal proposal by Kitty in the early stages, things feel over for the pair. But after a cruel heart break Kitty soon realizes where her heart lies. Cue a very tender scene where the pair spell out their love to each other using lettered blocks.

Wright’s muse Keira Knightley gives an impressive central performance as Anna and engages us throughout the film. She also gives Anna a layer of emotional complexion which gives an edge to her performance. Jude Law is quietly brilliant as Anna’s dull statesman husband, Karenin, this character is so often the forgotten man in this kind of drama. But in the hands of Law he gives him a haunted quality and his presence sticks to Anna throughout!

Aaron Taylor-Johnson looks the part of Vronsky and at first excels, but as the pieces wears on his involvement grows less interesting and we in fact yearn for Anna to leave him! Excellent support is given by Domnhall Gleeson and Alicia Vikander and the young lovers Levin and Kitty.

But it’s Joe Wright who is the real star of the film, with his stunning style he gives us many memorable images over the course of Anna Karenina and brings Imperial Russia truly to life. The move to shoot within the confines of a theatre may have been a bold one, but it has been a gamble worth taking. There is no doubt now that this man is the leading director in Britain, where it will take him next is anyone’s guess. I hope you are as excited as me!

Four Score and Seven Crucifixes Ago: Abraham Lincoln- Vampire Hunter Review

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Director: Timur Bekmambetov

By Alex Watson

Historical re-jigging in films is something that has very varied results. For instance we have seen a world where the Nazi’s triumphed in HBO TV Movie Fatherland, but on the flip side we have also seen a violently over the top end to World War 2 in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglorious Basterds. Changing a nations history can bring about some scary thought as to what potential horrors it could have unleashed? This week we focus on  Kazakh director Timur Bekmambetov’s adaptation of Seth Grahame’s fictional account of the one truly great American leaders and his secret dark past in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.   

The film follows the young Lincoln (Benjamin Walker) from his youth where he witness he mother murdered by a vampire Jack Barts (Martin Csokas). Soon into his adult years Lincoln after a failed attempt to kill Barts is taken under the tutorship of the mysterious Henry Sturgess (Dominic Cooper) where he begins to learn his craft of killing vampires! Vampires are the king of the slave trade in America and are run by the devious Adam (Rufus Sewell). This fact will inspire Lincoln to not only avenge his mother’s death but to become the most powerful in the United States!

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter may have appeared to be a sound idea of paper, but overall it just feels mediocre. The idea that one of the great presidents was simply trying to stop the vamps from taking over could well have given the film a much needed comic edge. Instead it seems to be trying to present itself as a straight thriller which given its subject matter makes the film fall flat!

If Bekmambetov and producer Tim Burton had stayed with the scenes of the younger Lincoln doing battle with the blood suckers this would have made a very offbeat and quirky film. But their messy approach to intertwining his slaying with his run for office is just filled with cliques and makes it feel like a radical history lesson for bored high school students!

But the real disappointment behind this film is the poor direction of Bekmambetov! After the one-two punch of the brilliant Russian vampire film Night Watch, to his gloriously pompous action flick Wanted. Bekmambetov has made himself out to be the new hot director from across the pond. But here due to very poor visual effects and laughable script, he takes a giant step back.  The initial signs for this film were good and it he seemed exactly right man for the job. But during the film we find ourselves crying out for his slick yet overloaded style. But in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter it appears he left it back at home and we left to reflect on what could have been!

Physically Benjamin Walker looks the part of Abraham Lincoln and single handed Walker raises the film from B movie hell. His later scenes and the elderly Lincoln genuinely impress and he brings a new heart to the screen and it at least makes it seem like more than an impersonation. Dominic Cooper is also impressive as his mentor Henry, through his bitter sardonic teaching Cooper gives a sense of mystery to his character and we wonder what his vendetta against Vampires comes from?

As the villain, Rufus Sewell is given little to do except look broody and speak with soft menace. Sewell’s talent as an actor has been obvious for years but it seems like he is permanently stuck in the rent- a- baddie side show roles. Hopefully one day he will get a role with the bite he deserves.

So it seems bending history isn’t always fun, Bekmamtov should have given us one of the daftest and funniest films of the year! Maybe when Wanted 2 is finally released he will be redeemed! You can only wonder what is next in line for alternative history, Winston Churchill: Mummy Slayer perhaps. The film world waits!