Movie Review: Sex Drive

SEX DRIVE
Main Players: Josh Zuckerman, Amanda Crew, Clark Duke, et al.
Calling the shots: Sean Anders
Running time: 109mins
What's it about? A teenager meets a chick online. He is promised his wildest desires if he can drive cross country and reach her in time. So, with his two best friends in tow, he steals his jerk of a brother's car and sets out on his journey to lose his virginity, once and for all. Que the hilarious escapades of a horny teenager.

What did I think? It's a big welcome back to the days of 'American Pie'. What was once a dead genre, replaced nowadays by more smarter, mature comedies (such as 'Superbad', etc.), is back in full force with this one.

If you're anything like me or aged anywhere close to me you'll be groaning through out this film. It literally makes you feel "too old for this shit". That's not to say, it's a total lost cause. There are moments of hilarity but it seems a lot less mature and you're almost embarassed for laughing along with it. The more subtle scenes are absolutely funny (see the Armish folk, led by Seth Green).

The mostly unknown cast do a decent job with the material but then again, it wouldn't have been that hard. James Marsden plays against type as the jerk/jock brother and he is actually pretty funny. Seth Green as I mentioned before is great with his sarcasm/non-sarcasm act, you can never really tell with what his saying. There are some other veteran actors lending a hand and probably making it more watchable.

It's a completely dumb movie. But that's what it's meant to be. It does pretty well on the laughter factor, but it is clearly targeted at a particular age group and it shows it.

40%

Movie Review: Quantum of Solace

QUANTUM OF SOLACE
Main Players: Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalric, et al.
Calling the shots: Marc Forster
Running time: 106mins
What's it about? James Bond is back! Picking up right where it left off in ‘Casino Royale’, a grief-stricken and vengeful Bond is on the hunt for the organization behind the death of his love. The man to catch Bond’s attention is Dominic Greene, an environmentalist with sinister plans to take control of a country’s water supply.

What did I think? Before anything happens in this movie, the hype (and how much you care) will determine how much you enjoy this movie. Having said that; my first reaction coming out was one of disappointment. But then you let it sink in and you can really appreciate the movie for what it is.

Gone are the days of previous Bond films when it seemed to take the piss and it was more or less a fun vanity movie. Ever since Daniel Craig has taken over in ‘Casino Royale’, it has become more serious and “real”, so to speak. This one is no different. It might not be quite as action-packed as the first, but it is definitely more brutal and intense. It reminded me of “Bourne Ultimatum” in terms of its feel and action.

There are some dramatic scenes that are handled well and therefore doesn’t at all feel out of place. The credit has to go the director, who’s most recent movie before this was ‘The Kite Runner’.

After being voted the best Bond ever, Daniel Craig plays Bond like the gritty action hero that he should be. Olga Kurylenko, not your typical Bond girl, brings a strong fiery presence to the screen. What’s better is that both are hot! Mathieu Amalric, plays the villain as best he can with what he is given (which is not much, possibly the most unremarkable villain ever).

It has points taken off for not including the famous “Bond, James Bond” line and the gun shot to the screen sequence which is relegated to the end. For Bond fans it’s a must, but for those that aren’t it’s still a very good action movie.

80%

Movie Review: Mirrors

MIRRORS
Main Players: Kiefer Sutherland, Paula Patton, Amy Smart, et al.
Calling the shots: Alexandre Aja
Running time: 110mins
What's it about? A cop forced into retirement after a mishap, takes a job as a night watchman at an abandoned and burned down department store. He soon realizes that the mirrors in the department store aren’t what they seem and his predecessors have all died because of them. Can he reveal the true behind the mirrors before it’s too late for him and his family?

What did I think? Hollywood has a habit of churning out Asian horror remakes and often not very good ones. Having said that, this remake of a Korean horror movie is not bad, if not particularly good either.

I suppose that’s not saying much because personally, I haven’t seen the original so I have nothing to base my opinions. But with Alexandre Aja (‘The Hills Have Eyes’, ‘High Tension’) behind the lens you are at least guaranteed some horror violence, and in that regard he won’t disappoint. It’s not as violent as his previous films, but the violence is definitely there. Turn away if you’re squeamish in the opening scene and Amy Smart’s bathroom scene (sounds like a contradiction but trust me).

The other surprising aspect of this is that the reason behind the happening is not like your usual Asian horror (a bit vague, but don’t want to give it away). It also has some decent chills and might make you think twice before staring too long into a mirror again. It does become a bit of an action movie in the final act, but it is handled fairly well.

It’s hard to see Kiefer Sutherland out of his “Jack Bauer” character but he does just what he needs to, as does the rest of the cast, and the child actors proving to be the creepiest as always.

The ending you’ll see coming but it isn’t any less creepy and it is well executed that you’ll probably appreciate it. Not the best horror but for a remake it’s passable.

50%

Movie Review: Lemon Tree

ETZ LIMON (LEMON TREE)
Main players: Hiam Abbass, Ali Suliman, Rona Lipaz-Michael, et al.
Calling the shots: Eran Riklis
Running time: 106mins
What's it about? When the defence minister moves in next door and is advised that the lemon grove owed by a widow is a security risk, she must do what ever it takes to protect the lemon grove, that has been in her family for generations, from being chopped down. With the help of a local lawyer she goes up against the government to stand up for her rights and her lemon grove.

What did I think? Based on a true story, this has more of a political agenda then I would have liked, but it still is a well made drama. The emotion of the situation is present through out the film and it also touches on other issues, such as the forbidden love-relationship between the widow and her lawyer, and the overall pointless-ness of it all.

There is also an unspoken bond between the two female leads. The widow and the defence minister's wife (who sympathises with her). They never have a conversation in the movie, but the connection is as strong as anything else and the credit there has to go to the actors. They all seem to invest emotionally into their roles and it shows with each performance as great as the next.

Story wise, it moves along quite smoothly. No particular peaks or troughs. Some of the subplots are well handled (the love-relationship) but at certain points poorly handled. The light that shines on them as they share a forbidden kiss is all too tacky. The message would have been loud and clear with out it.

It's not a great film but it is good. The ending is rather sad and finishes with a lingering image that speaks volumes about the real life situation in that area.

60%

Movie Review: The Grocer's Son

LE FILS DE L'ÉPICIER (THE GROCER'S SON)

Main Players: Nicolas Cazalé, Clotilde Hesme, Daniel Duval, et al

Calling the shots: Eric Guirado

Running time: 96mins

What's it about? A thirty-something son of a grocer, struggling with life and stuck in a dead-end job, reluctantly returns to his home-country town to help run his parents' Grocery store after his father has a heart attack. With his friend (and potential love-interest) in tow, the town he left becomes his oasis and he rediscovers what life should be about.

What did I think? Trust the French. A lot of French made films have a certain charm, a certain magic to it that is undeniable. This one is no different and it has a very calming effect. You watch and you let it just take you away, it really is pure magic.

The cast of characters that appear in the film are all wonderful, if somewhat cliched, but you don't really care. Think about all the eldery people you can think that might live in a sleepy little country town and they will appear. The grumpy, the deaf, the senial. It's done so beautifully you are enchanted by everyone. The lead characters do a good job as well. The character of Claire is central to the whole change that is brought upon the movie and Antoine goes from an arse to a likeable young man.

The other major star of this film is the picture-esque scenery. It is always present but never overshot. Combined with the soundtrack it has that soothing/calming effect I was referring to earlier. And because the film doesn't rely too heavily on it, it works well each time their is a long take.

As with any film though, something needs to happen and the issues that lay beneath the characters are very real and well handled. The broken family, unacquainted love, a marriage falling apart. It detracts from the charm of the film, but all play a vital role in making the movie what it is.

It's a wonderful movie to just watch and relax. If anything else, it will make you think about life and what you should be doing with it. And for a movie to do that, it take something special.

70%

Movie Review: Traitor

TRAITOR
Main Players: Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Saïd Taghmaoui, et al.
Calling the shots: Jeffrey Nachmanoff
Running time: 114mins
What's it about? Samir Horn (Cheadle) is a Sudan-raised American. He’s just been imprisoned for selling illegal weapons to suspected terrorists. The FBI is curious about him, but when he and a group of terrorists escape and start to plot their next attack, they go into overdrive. But nothing is what it seems…which side is he really on?

What did I think? So soon after ‘Body of Lies’ comes another “anti-terrorism” movie. This one is different, in that we see the set up from both sides of the field, FBI and the terrorists, as we struggle to figure out which side Horn really is on. This absolutely works for the film. From the trailers it is indicated that he is on the FBI side, but as the story unfolds you question that at certain junctures and the intrigue rolls on.

It is masterfully handled by the director, but unfortunate as it is, the pace of the film has been sacrificed for good story telling as the film tends to feel overly long and fairly slow at certain points.

In comes Don Cheadle to save the day really. He’s performance is terrific and everything the film promises to deliver is essentially conveyed through him. Indeed “the truth is complicated” and it’s his performance that keeps us guessing. Guy Pearce is back from oblivion and as good as he is; he is completely overshadowed by Cheadle and to that extent, seemed very much underutilized. Jeff Daniels, more known for his comedic roles, has an important but short lived role that doesn’t even get a chance to flourish.

It’s definitely not the best in it’s genre but it is solid. The intrigue is there and it will keep you interested through out. But it’s slow pace can potentially undo all the hard work. The ending is well handled and staged, and would have had a “wow” effect to it, had it not been for the unintentional laughter it raised in the theatre.

60%

Movie Review: RocknRolla

ROCKNROLLA
Main Players: Gerard Butler, Mark Strong, Tom Wilkinson, et al.
Calling the shots: Guy Ritchie
Running time: 114mins
What's it about? Theirs are a few storylines here, but all you need to know is there’s a loan shark, his most loyal henchman, bunch of “touch guys”, an always drugged up rocker, some badass Russian and a “lucky painting”. Oh and an accountant. Yep it’s your regular Guy Ritchie British comedy/crime romp.

What did I think? Fans of Guy Ritchie rejoice! After blowing you away with ‘Lock Stock…’ and ‘Snatch’ and stinking up the cinemas with ‘Swept Away’ (starring his, now, ex-wife Madonna) and ‘Revolver’ (unreleased in Australia), his back to form with RocknRolla.

It definitely has his personal touch to it, especially in terms of the story and how it is constructed. There are so many characters and side-plots introduced that it almost becomes overload. But in true Guy Ritchie style, it all somehow comes together and makes sense, giving us an enjoyable ride in the process. It’s a double-edged sword because they could have made separate movies involving each character.

There’s a cool visual style to it as well. The grainy feel to it and the camera work during the chase scene between One-Two (the name of one of the characters) and the Russians are unique and all together exciting (and funny).

The actors in this are fantastic as well. Every character is well cast in their roles and do terrific jobs bring them to life. Mark Strong as Archie is awesome and so it Toby Kebbell as Johnny Quid. Even the token Americans (Jeremy Piven and Ludacris) play a vital part in it all.

It’s somewhere between both his two first movies; the feel and crime aspect of ‘Lock Stock…’ and the funny, mass character involvement of ‘Snatch’. It’s not as high paced as I’d hoped but still definitely a fun ride to be had. It stalled slightly towards the end but not enough for you to care because of what’s come before.

70%