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Depp, Bale and Wenham - No Enemies of Mine

June 15th 2008 18:03

I don’t know much about this film, due for release in 2009 – but I do know this: Public Enemies is off to a mighty fine start. The cast: Christian Bale, Johnny Depp, Marion Cotillard, David Wenham, Giovanni Ribisi, Channing Tatum, Stephen Dorff, Billy Crudup, John Ortiz and Leelee Sobieski.

Depp on set, sans stubble - Image courtesy of ninemsn.com.au

Although not the biggest fan of director Michael Mann – could have lived without most of his films, not that they were bad, per se, rather that they tend to generate ambivalence within me, and at times, boredom – am keen to see what he makes of this adaptation, (based on Public Enemies: America’s Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-43 by Bryan Burrough) admittedly, largely due to his leading lads.

Scene from the 'Public Enemies' set - Image courtesy of dotspotter.com

The film is set at the time of The Great Depression, and follows the FBI’s pursuit of John Dillinger (Depp) and his gang of nefarious bank robbers. Burrough has said that while the screenplay does not observe complete historical accuracy, he believes it’s about as close as Hollywood has ever tried to get.

Michaelie Clark

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May You Be In Heaven A Full Hour And Fifty-Seven Minutes...

May 26th 2008 18:03

Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead. There’s a lot to like about Sidney Lumet’s latest release, but the real kudos has to go to Kelly Masterson, for using such a perfectly apt Irish saying in the title to his screenplay. I knew nothing of the film before I saw it, but that title drew me right on in.

Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead stars Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Marisa Tomei and Albert Finney in a story of desperation and betrayal, all within the confines of one ostensibly loving family.

Finding himself in trouble after embezzling from his employer to finance his drug habit, Andy Hanson (Hoffman) devises a scheme that will solve all his problems. He convinces his brother, Hank (Hawke) to rob a jewellery store, fully insured, a family business – which belongs to their family. Hank, weak-willed, and facing debt after an acrimonious divorce, eventually agrees, but makes the ultimately fatal decision to involve a friend who doesn’t play by the brothers’ rules…

Amoral or unfortunate? Image courtesy of startribune.com

What follows is a downward spiral, as tragedy strikes and deceptions are uncovered. The Hanson brothers make a bad situation worse as they attempt to cover up their crimes.

Andy’s wife, Gina (Tomei), tries to understand her husband and his demons as best she can, between her scheduled Thursday afternoon rendezvous with his brother.

Hank and Andy’s father, Charles (Finney), questions the capriciousness of fate and the errors of his past, before exacting his revenge.

Albert Finney as Charles Hanson - Image courtesy of screenrush.co.uk

Together they are a band of imperfect beings, who fall prey to the follies of human nature, taking one side-step too many in the quest for something more, or less, or just something else.

Hoffman is almost menacing as Andy, hiding his vulnerability under a façade of cold conviction, his designer life-style and slicked-backed hair a convincing cover for the indignity of his reality. Hawke on the other hand, unkempt and pathetic in the role of Hank, is almost slack-jawed in his inability to cope with the situation he was equally unable to stay away from.

Finney, with his gruff drawl, plays Charles with a single-mindedness which is most credible in giving the impression that his supposedly lesser-loved son, Andy, resembles him closest. Tomei shines in her portrayal of Gina, showing off her sexuality as a successful modern day Qetesh.

Marisa Tomei in one of her more modest scenes - Image courtesy of popentertainment.com

Though the film has moments of repetition, as the scenes partially replay from each character’s perspective, it is far from tedious. Instead, it is an effective and unsentimental tale chronicling the decline of a dysfunctional family, in circumstances only the devil himself could have foreseen.

Michaelie Clark

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Yearning To 'Enter the Void'

May 25th 2008 18:33

At long last, inimitable French director Gaspar Noé has begun production of Enter the Void, his first feature production since his exigent, riveting Irréversible in 2002.

According to Variety, Noé has commenced filming in Tokyo on this, a film he describes as 'psychedelic', which is the most expensive work he has ever undertaken. The German-French Film Funding Commission has reportedly granted $700, 000 for Noé to execute the long-awaited, self-penned tale.

Gaspar Noé - Image courtesy of intermedio.net

Not a lot is known about the plot of the film, though various, somewhat contradictory, details have circled about, including that it is the story of two Westerners in Japan, that it involves drug-trafficking, and that it is some kind of adaptation of The Tibetan Book of the Dead.

Sara Stockbridge, Tiffany Limos and Takashi Miike are rumoured to star.

Michaelie Clark

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Movie Mamas

May 9th 2008 12:54

What are you planning to do with your mother this Mother’s Day (Sunday, 11th May)? Take her to a spa? Out for lunch? Shopping? To a shooting range? May I suggest: a bottle of wine, petit fours and a DVD or two? You can’t go wrong, especially with my carefully prepared selection guide. Simply find the category that best fits your mum, select one of the movies listed below, and give thanks for her maternal blessing.

Psycho
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Multiple Personalities - A Film Tutorial

May 5th 2008 18:33

Ever want to step outside yourself, into another person’s flip-flops? Ugg boots? Stilettos? Loafers with fringing? Possibly even Reebok Pumps, which I hear are making a comeback?

Maybe you do already. Maybe you’ve tripped over your own feet. Maybe you’ve stepped on everyone’s toes, or kicked them in the teeth. Maybe you’ve developed corns or contracted athlete’s foot. It seems the shoe won’t always fit, even if you fashion it yourself

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'Little Britain' Film A Big Rumour?

April 10th 2008 18:33

Word is that David Walliams and Matt Lucas will have Little Britain USA up and filming within the week – but what of the once planned Little Britain movie? Since 2006, there has been talk of film interest from the US, with the possibility of a TV series thrown in for good measure, but while it seems the American version of the show has come to fruition, the feature length production has not.

Matt Lucas as Daffydd Thomas: I'm the only gay in this village! Image courtesy of brightlightsfilm.com

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The Stunt Butt

April 1st 2008 17:33

Would you put your bum on the big screen? Would you voluntarily show millions of people your buttocks, at thirty times their actual size? If not, don’t worry: Brad Pitt won’t either. If so, have your derriere assume an attitude! There are opportunities aplenty for arse roles. With the right direction and some natural flair, your very own rear could have an illustrious career – as a stunt butt!

What stunts can this butt do? Image courtesy of rooshv.com

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Curious About 'Benjamin Button'

March 29th 2008 06:33

David Fincher’s adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ is intriguing me already. Due for release at the end of the year, the film stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett in a dark and unconventional love story.

Brad Pitt on the set - Image courtesy of worstpreviews.com

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Do You Swear By The 'F' Word?

March 10th 2008 18:33

I am a fan of the ‘F’ word. I’ll use it as a verb, a noun, or even as an adjective. It’s such a useful word, so simple yet so versatile, often even cathartic. Surprise, pain, sorrow, joy, anger – so many emotions can be expressed in that one utterance.

Bad language, or all to the good? Image courtesy of wordpress.com

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Big Screen Bling

February 28th 2008 19:33

Whether it’s the dazzling star of the show or giving a glittering supporting performance, one thing is for sure – bling has character all of its own.

Image courtesy of lovefromme.co.uk

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From The Page To The Screen

February 20th 2008 08:51

Making a book into a movie can be a funny business. While some film adaptations are spectacular, with a few even managing to surpass the original text, many are a disappointment and plenty completely lose sight of the work from which they are derived.

Below, in alphabetical order, are the top fifty film adaptations as judged by The Guardian. Which do you think made the transition safely? Which arrived the worse for wear? And which got hopelessly lost along the way

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I'm Not Scared... I'm Impressed

February 4th 2008 18:33

When trust and betrayal, survival and greed, courage and recklessness exist in the shadows of one another, how do you know whether you are trapped in the dark? Do you fear the consequences of your actions, or inactions? Do you cover your own eyes? Do you cut out another’s? Or do you wait, powerless, fearing the blinding salvation of light?

Giuseppe Cristiano as Michele - Image courtesy of abc.net.au

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The Real Deal

January 27th 2008 18:33

There are so many films based on actual events, inspired by true stories, etc, etc, ad nauseum, etc. Often it’s a load of bollocks – creative licence is used a smidge too creatively, events are ‘enhanced’ slightly for the sake of drama and happy endings, or history is just totally rewritten by Hollywood. But what sets quite a few of these films apart, whatever the take on the tale, is an utterly stunning portrayal of someone we all know.

Here are some of the instances where actors are truly keeping it real

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Pick Of The Chick Flicks

January 17th 2008 18:33

Many are quick to stick it to the chick flick. But! This most humble genre of filmographic entertainment serves many a noble purpose for millions of gals, and – to relieve the gender specificity – guys. Below are some I love, some I like, and some I’m not so keen on, but they all offer something: comforting catharsis, frivolous fun, light-hearted escapism, or easy-pleasing amusement.

Hugh Grant is a chick flick regular - Image courtesy of sponkit.com

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