Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

7.9/10

Quite frankly, I didn't even want to use you guys, with your dip and velcro and all your gear bullshit. I wanted to drop a bomb. But people didn't believe in this lead enough to drop a bomb. So they're using you guys as canaries. And, in theory, if Bin Laden isn't there, you can sneak away and no one will be the wiser. But Bin Laden is there. And you're going to kill him for me. 

So, I gotta give it to you straight. When it comes to films, I shall always be nothing but pure raw honesty. 'Zero Dark Thirty' exhausted me. Lest I be misunderstood, not because it wasn't good. No nothing of the sort. I shall be more explanatory.

Given the fact that Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker, Point Break) is not really my cup of tea, I went into this film rather biased. Not against it, but I was very cautious when I sat down to watch this film. 

Having soaring at the Academy Awards back in 2010, Kathryn Bigelow returns with another highly-packed war/political drama/thriller. This time, her muse is Jessica Chastain, who literally gives a kick-ass performance through the ashes and the dust of the Middle East.

The story line? The story is about Maya, a CIA operative whose first experience is in the interrogation of prisoners following the Al Qaeda attacks against the U.S. on the 11th September 2001. She is a reluctant participant in extreme duress applied to the detainees, but believes that the truth may only be obtained through such tactics. For several years, she is single-minded in her pursuit of leads to uncover the whereabouts of Al Qaeda's leader, Osama Bin Laden. Finally, in 2011, it appears that her work will pay off, and a U.S. Navy SEAL team is sent to kill or capture Bin Laden. But only Maya is confident Bin Laden is where she says he is.

Let's start from Jessica Chaistain (The Help, The Tree of Life). Brilliant actress. Undoubtedly she did a fantastic job in this film. An extremely hard role to pull through, a role that really did show that she pushed herself to the limits to deliver. But deliver she did. The role of Maya, is quite intricate; socially withdrawn, obsessive, workaholic, persistent to find the truth but strong enough to kick ass when she needs to. She does not stop to catch the man responsible for so many global deaths, for her own peace of mind and to serve and protect her ethical duties. Jessica Chastain really outdid herself with this performance giving the role the humanity and the obsessive mannerisms needed to portray Maya.

In the two and a half hours of this film, Kathryn Bigelow guides her audience through a whole decade up until the capture of Bin Laden. It is a very torturous journey I will tell you this much. But a journey none the less. I cannot really describe this film as war or anti-wear because it is neither. What I can say is that this film is about psychological strength through the most inhuman political environments; war-zone. 

Considering Bigelow's previous film commendations, and having won the Best Director and Best Picture in the 2010 Academy Awards, we expect a lot out of this film. Although she does grant us an inside into Maya's obsessive and persistent nature, she does not really give us the satisfaction when she finally manages to achieve what she had been fighting for, for the past decade. The film slacks off somewhere in the middle, it drives a very slow up-hill mode and  does not give that high speed energy that one would expect. 

I cannot say it disappoints entirely, as it does speaks of a monumentous event in American history (at least) but its filmic pace is slow-beat and un-escalated. 

Cinematography rolls high with the camera viewing the war through soldiers' eyes and through unsteadiness. The war-zone is not even pleasing for the filmic iris, as it is raw, with little sentiment and lots of inhumane violence. 

Summing up, this is a strong film. It may not keep all viewers satisfied or enthusiastic enough, but it had a sizzling plot-line, by screen writer Mark Boal (The Hurt Locker, In the Valley of Elah) and an even more dynamic performances. Do give it a go if you're brave enough and you would like to get a slight insight on how the Bin Laden campaign went down. 

Arthur (2011)

Rating: 5.9/10

"We shouldn't get married... we have nothing in common. You love horses. I don't trust them. Their shoes are permanent. Who makes that kind of a commitment to a shoe?"

This is not one of the films I would normally recommend to any film junkie to sit down and watch, let alone watch it myself, but 'Arthur' left me in a surprise kind of mode, and I mean in a good way. Russell Brand may not be an actor but a comedian but with this one somehow he does seem to making it work. Acting alongside the Dame Helen Mirren, Brand somehow shines and truly seems to be challenging himself with this role.

The story is about Arthur; a rich, alcoholic playboy with no regards to his working life. After another drunken run-in with the law, his aloof mother has had enough and forces him to marry Susan, a proper business woman, or else he will lose his inheritance. Just as he's engaged to Susan, he meets Naomi, a free-spirited girl who Arthur thinks is perfect for him. Any attempts at holding down a job are fruitless, so Arthur has to decide, what is more important: love, or his mother's money. (www.imdb.com)

It is quite a tricky task to unite a Brit comedian with a thespian of Mirren's stature and background, but somehow the two of them seem to have all the chemistry this film and story need. With the quirky sense of humour and the outrageous crude jokes of Brand, the story takes on another level of form when things don't quite turn like a normal cliche comedy does nowadays.

It is not a cup of tea for everyone, I can well assure you this film will be passed on as quickly as it was made in Hollywood. The purpose it serves though is for a fun, entertaining time in for a dull Saturday to fill in the atmosphere with something funny. The direction is mundane and Jennifer Garner's role seems to be suffering, as well as is veteran actor Nick Nolte who seems to be doing this just for the sake of it.

Nonetheless, it serves for a good time. Slapstick jokes are there, too much luxury is there, humungous amounts of wasted money is there, unnecessary nudity is there, Upper East-Side of Manhattan is there, boy-meets-girl-and-falls-in-love-and-will-do-just-about-anything-to-get-her is there, boy-will-screw-things-up-and-see-the-error-of-his-way-when-it's-too-late is there, happy ending with a twist is there.

Generally speaking it won't harm to take a peak at this one. Do not expect any Hangover (2009)/Bridesmaids (2011) moments or even the slightest sympathy from the executive Hollywood producers, but expect a sense of 'what is really meaning full in life' kind of theme lurking in the background.

Hope you enjoy it (or not). Do report part back in case you will!

Arthur (2011)

50/50 (2011)

Rating: 7.3/10

"Adam: A tumor? 

 Dr. Ross: Yes. 

Adam: Me? 

Dr. Ross: Yes. 

Adam: That doesn't make any sense though. I mean... I don't smoke, I don't drink... I recycle..."

 It is a pleasant delight to stumble upon films that not only have brains put into them but lots of heart and love. '50/50' is just that! A film with heart.

It's inspired by a true story and it's a comedy that centers on a 27-year-old guy who learns of his cancer diagnosis, and his subsequent struggle to beat the disease. (www.imdb.com)

A story that seems to be quite popular nowadays, but with this one script-writer Will Reiser managed to put a lot of bittersweet moments in, just to spice things up. Given the fact that this is his first proper try out for a tragi-comedy, '50/50' is one of those films that will have you pop between laughs and tears. The very fact that Reiser managed  to establish 'cancer' as something so not bizarre to happen to a 27-year-old, makes you sit down and pay atttention; what in the world would a 27-year-old healthy (presumably) young man do if he found out he had cancer?

The answer comes in the main lead, who is none other than the Indie-actor favourite over the last decade, Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He might first popped through our screens from a mid 1990s TV Show about aliens ('3rd Rock from the Sun'), but over the years he has performed in a swirl of excellent indie films thus reaching a point of his life to be the young prince of the Indie Film Industry. In this film, he was both effortlessly funny and dramatically brilliant, that gave the viewer all these emotional stages to juggle through during the film. For me, this actor is heading to a thespian super-stardom.

Co-staring along-side the brilliant Gordon-Levitt, is the up-coming and Hollywood favourite comedian, Seth Rogen.  Since Rogen is seen in most films these days, I won't say his the most brilliant comedic out there, but he definitely grows on you both as an actor and as a comedian. He has that spark that makes you want to laugh and enjoy his jokes in every film he does. And '50/50' is no exclusion. He is the comedic relief, truth be told, but he does his part so very well, as the best friend of a cancer-patient, that he makes you feel his humane side as well. Look forward in seeing him excel in the near-future.

Of course the film would be altogether a nuisance without the presence of up-coming star-ladies Anna Kendrick and Bryce Dallas Howard, who are both serious and comedic actresses to come in a total completion of this fun-loving cast. But the real gem is Gordon-Levitt's on screen mother, Angelica Huston, who with her warmth and tenderness extends her love to every mother who's child has been struck with cancer of any form. She gives, as always a superb and touching performance, and makes her every on-screen second count.

This film is a small gem for me and recommend it to everyone. It is warm, and touching and has some really sweet, tender moments about family, friendship and above all about the hope to live.

Hope you get to enjoy it!

50/50 (2011)

Easy-A (2010)

Rating: 7.8/10 

"-Marianne: 'There's a higher power that will judge you for your indecency'. 

 -Olive Penderghast: 'Tom Cruise'?" 

This is one of the best surprise-comedies that have come in the last couple of years. Beyond all the cheese endings and the lame silicone blondes parading through, this film has wit, hard-core old-school humour that many mainstream comedies have forgotten these days.

The new-face on the block (of Hollywood that is), Emma Stone, has taken everyone by surprise when she first popped through our screens by this little tini-tiny role she did back in 2008 in Superbad. But with 'Easy-A' she shines. She is in all possible sense hilarious, sparkling not only her method of being a great comedian but also a dazzling beauty. She is a little rising-star who is slowly proving that she can layer a role so much that you just want to keep watching and layering out this girl.

In 'Easy-A' she gives her role so much depth with  the laughing-out-loud punch-lines that makes the viewer reminisce of the 1980s & 1990s comedies; straight-forward script, clear comedic lines, detailed plot and good chemistry of the casting.

All this is of course achieved by the brilliant conception of the script. Thanks to script-writer Bert V. Royal I was able to genuinely be entertained and laugh my heart out without finding the jokes too vulgar or too far-fetched, something which is evident nowadays in comedies. Royal, a new-comer to the writing skill gives a strong script with loads of reference to films from both the 1980s & the 1990s, thus giving this film a more 'spicy' feel to it. It shows it has a bit of 'wisdom' in it, instead of some sleazy 'sex' jokes.

This film does take place in high-school but is so much cleverer than a your average teenage flick. It's got brains, fast-pace, unexpected plot (with of course the exclusion of your usual romance at the end but without making it a total fake) and a hilarious cast that just won't let you be bored for a second.

Also worthy to mention some lovely acting from Stanley Tucci, Lisa Kudrow, Patricia Clarkson, Penn Badgley, Amanda Bynes, Thomas Hayden Church, Cam Gigandet, Dan Byrd and acting veteran but never forgotten Malcom McDowell.

In a few words the plot is this:"After a little white lie about losing her virginity gets out, a clean cut high school girl sees her life paralleling Hester Prynne's in "The Scarlet Letter," which she is currently studying in school - until she decides to use the rumor mill to advance her social and financial standing." (www.imdb.com)

Perfect flick with your mates and besties for a Saturday night. You will not regret it and at the end of it you will feel renewed from the fresh humour and the energetic acting of it.

Happy screening!

'Easy-A' (2010)

Black Swan (2010)

Rating: 6.2/10

"It's about a girl who gets turned into a swan and she needs love to break the spell, but her prince falls for the wrong girl so she kills herself."

'Black Swan' was not at all an Aronofsky masterpiece. This film had me greatly excited from the first few months of its hyped buzzing around and couldn't wait to get a screening of it. But boy did I regret it when I finally sat down to it.

Albeit my bias opinion, I will of course be an objective reviewer and start from the plot:

"A ballet dancer wins the lead in "Swan Lake" and is perfect for the role of the delicate White Swan - Princess Odette - but slowly loses her mind as she becomes more and more like Odile, the Black Swan." (www.imdb.com)

All's fine and well with the acting of the obsessive character of Nina, who's performed by Natalie Portman, whom I admire, but something in the story seems lacking. It is beyond me that all of the facts in the film were constructed against the theme of sexual repression and how suffocating this must have been for Portman's character. Don't get me wrong, I do not doubt Portman's abilities as an actress to express this frustration only the story got me very irritated in ways of pacing, rhythm and technique. In all honesty the scripting could have been handled in more subtle ways thus not making me feel so appalled by the unnecessary vulgarity and sexualism that was promoted in the film.

Aronofsky is many times hailed as an insane genius and I will grant him his past successes but not this time. This time he couldn't have made it more majorly expressive that he cared more about the spectacle and the selling of the film, rather than the story itself. Of course people will run to the film houses when they hear a one-on-one girl-on-girl action, something which in my opinion gave the film very bad credibility and execution. Was that the standard by which I was suppose to go and watch this film or by the acting, the directing, the light and the costume design?

Granted I will put a thumbs up for the music score and the costume design as these two department did an extraordinary job in their creation in both atmosphere and style. The always astounding music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky that designed the whole film through was a guilty delight to follow the week plot line, as well as the remarkable costumes being created for the grand finale of Swan Lake. These two factors simply elevated and promoted to a more quality level the whole film.

Be sure that Aronofsky and Portman, as well as Mila Kunis, have great things to offer in the business, everyone in their field of course, without this little filmic bedazzling endeavour deters from their quality as artists.

It would be wrong of me to suggestion a no-screening whatsoever of this film, and although quite negative towards the whole shenanigans spectacle I do encourage you to sit down to watch it. If nothing, you will the very least enjoy the music and the always handsome presence of Vincent Cassel.

Black Swan (2010)