| Issue #33, November 10, 2006 |
Dave Evans’ MINI – MOVIE REVIEWS
Casino Royale
There’s been widespread and cruel consternation over the casting of Daniel Craig as the classic British spy so it’s pleasing to see him succeed so spectacularly on his first outing. His is a grittier but nonetheless glamorous James Bond, and the chases, the fights and the flirtations are very much on form. Eva Green (The Dreamers) makes a refreshingly bright love interest and Mads Mikkelsen (of the astonishing After the Wedding) is delightfully villainous.
Fast Food Nation
Richard Linklater is an acquired taste and this will certainly make few converts. Adapted from Eric Schlosser’s best-selling McDonalds expose, this is a multi-stranded assessment of American fast food culture. There are interesting roles here (in particular Luis Guzman and Greg Kinnear) but the whole thing feels smugly disconnected and disaffected. Linklater wouldn’t have it any other way. Viewers might.
For Your Consideration
Christopher Guest returns with another behind-the-scenes ensemble comedy, this time turning his attention to awards season in the film industry. This might not be quite as consistently sharp as Best in Show but there’s plenty to amuse here from a phenomenally diverse cast. Ricky Gervais and Catherine O’Hara stand out as does Jennifer Coolidge, an actress always at the top of her game.
Happy Feet
Now CGI may well be the bane of any summer but it’s been a couple of weeks now and this is almost adorable. A tale of singing and dancing penguins – need I say more? The animation is seamless and the story of a young penguin (voiced by Robin Williams) finding himself in a world that is sweet without being saccharine. Great voices are provided by Hugo Weaving, Miriam Margolyes, Nicole Kidman and the late Steve Irwin.
The Return
Sarah Michelle Gellar is unusually engaging here as saleswoman Joanna Mills, haunted by vivid nightmares of the murder of an unknown young woman. Heading to the dead girl’s hometown, Joanna’s life begins to unravel and she finds herself becoming the next target. Sharp, claustrophobic and creepy, it’s a shame that this comes just too late for Halloween – it deserves an audience.
A Good Year
For someone who takes himself so seriously, Russell Crowe seems to have made an odd choice with this, his only film release of the year. A twee and grating story of an Englishman played by Crowe, who inherits a vineyard in France. Over the course of the film he finds love, acceptance and the true and natural pleasure of rural life. I found myself feeling nauseous.
Stranger Than Fiction
A peculiar meta-fiction from the director of Monster’s Ball, this sees Will Ferrell playing an IRS auditor who suddenly discovers he is a character in a novel. His attempts to change his fate are odd and endearing and it’s a pleasure to see Ferrell leave behind the gurning and hijinks to play a sweetly affecting Willy Loman-type. Fabulous support is provided by Dustin Hoffman, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and the ever-lovely Emma Thompson.
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazahkstan
Sacha Baron Cohen (of “Ali G” fame) returns with arguably his most broadly offensive satirical tool: Borat, a Kazahkstani talking head on report in the US. This is vicious and impressive comedy, allowing room for belly laughs as well as the more uncomfortable humor which comes from Cohen’s skewering of the most absurd aspect of America.
Flushed Away
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the cinema, after a summer awash with talking bears and dancing cows, bam! The return of CGI, just in time for Christmas. This actually isn’t that bad fare, coming from the Aardman studios (those responsible for Wallace and Gromit etc.) and telling the story of a posh house mouse (voiced by Hugh Jackman) who finds himself flushed into the sewers.
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
It’s that special time of year when cheap has-been comedians don their red and white pointed hats and take on the mantle of Santa in the futile hope of becoming the hero of children far and wide. Tim Allen is more persistent than most as shown in this, his third starring role in this flaccid series facing off against Martin Short’s equally lame Jack Frost. Seasonal? Yes. Anything other than crass, heartless and exploitative? No.
Running With Scissors
Based on Augusten Burroughs’ best-selling comic memoir, this is quirky and interesting family fare with excellent performances all round. There’s something wrong with the pacing of the narrative and this leads to an odd rhythm. That said, Annette Bening is phenomenal as Augusten’s mother while Joseph Cross plays the boy himself with guts and glory.
The Departed
Martin Scorsese’s on familiar territory here with this epic tale of the battle between the police and the Irish mafia in Boston. It’s all very Boys Own Adventure with a strong line in honor and justice, mouthed out by a cast boasting Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Martin Sheen and Matt Damon to name but a few. Not for everyone but very polished for what it is.
 |
