Michael's Talk

The Escapist

Brian Cox, Steven Mackintosh and Liam Cunningham are just a few talents who star in this British prison Drama.

Set at a fairly slow pace, yet a high standard of acting that keeps your interest throughout. The flashbacks keep your mind focussed on the story at hand and this allows for a chance to get to know the characters individually.

There was an element here which I feel was risky and brave, in that some of the Actors cast for the roles of the characters were in some senses, out of their usual comfort zones, particularly in the case of Damien Lewis, who seems an unlikely choice to play the King of the prison and yet all the characters worked really well and it was a risk which paid off.

I would love to think that this one will be widely enjoyed and that, I will have to wait and see.

Gone Baby Gone

Ben Affleck works with brother Casey Affleck in his Directional debut Gone Baby Gone. This interesting Thriller gives a different angle of investigation for this theme and defintely triggers thoughts of real life cases with similar media attention.

Adapted from a novel, Ben Affleck managed to create an element of grittyness, with enjoyable performances from all of the main cast, especially Amy Ryan who was very convincing in her role.

One thing I did struggle with slightly was hearing Casey Affleck speak at times and I'm not sure whether this was down to him or his accent (something I've never found with an American film before).

A story which shines through the simplistic approach and does well to stay away from the Hollywood glamourisation.

Angels with Dirty Faces

Jimmy Cagney suited these roles so well and impressively they managed to pick a young ?Rocky? to look and sound just like him. A story with moralistic value of two young boys, whose lives are split in a moments notice, ultimately deciding each of their fates.

In my opinion one of the best ever film endings, which will leave you contemplating the outcome.

This always has been one of my personal favourites.

Sommersby

Based on the story "The Return of Martin Guerre" this is a beautifully and inticately woven tale that tests the strength of love and pride. A story with powerful emotions and a dilema which is a tragedy of it's time.

Richard Gere who is often criticised as an Actor gave no reason for criticism here and another good performance from Jodie Foster.

Tootsie

Tootsie represents a story of man?s vision through the eyes of a woman during the 80?s. What starts out as a way of gaining employment, soon becomes a woven web of deceipt. The film takes a playful jab at the U.S. ?Soap Opera? shows and whilst Hoffman pulls off his role as a woman, it?s his real character ?Michael? who is entertaining.

An enjoyable role from Jessica Lange too.

Shadow of a Doubt

A much underestimated and underrated Hitchcock Thriller, In fact this was Hitchcock?s favourite. Of course this appeals to my interest of Serial Killer films and it?s great to see an enjoyable early one.

The characters were all very developed here and the storyline is told from a unique perspective, in that it involves the Killer?s own family.

An enjoyable performance from X White and Joseph Cotton who are both new names for me.

4 STARS

Taken

This film takes a short while to find it?s direction, but at the exact point it does, it transforms into different film completely.

I would never have believed that Liam Neeson would be capable of pulling off this role, so I was not only impressed that he managed it, but even more impressed that he did it so well.. This was a super slick Action film with Assassin like qualities. Neeson?s relentless mission to protect his daughter with a take no prisoners is a fast tempo ? blink and you miss it ? Action packed film.

Mou gaan dou (Infernal Affairs)

A film I've been meaning to see for so long and at last I have. It has to be the first film I've watched where I like both the original and the remake (The Departed) equally.

The storyline here is a truly original and clever idea, increasing in tempo as the polt unfolds.

Capturing the Friedmans

It?s dvd cover describes this documentary as ?thought provoking?. Even the most open minded of people are probably thinking ?why?? this seems like an open and shut case.

As the documentary unfolds, you realise just how complicated the case actually is, how the family appears to show biased support to the family members accused of these unthinkable crimes, how they filmed themselves continuously through years as a family ? (in fact supplying most of the footage on this documentary), how the evidence is challenged and what in fact is or isn't true in connection with the case.

Questions pop into mind throughout the documentary, many are answered within the film, others have been answered in the very lengthly special features and of course there may be questions that will never be answered.

Before the Fall (Napola)

An intense Drama of powerful proportions. This is a film about ambition, conformity and above all, questioning beliefs. A film that cannot fail to make an impact on you.

The style of this film was an interesting perspective, aiming the storyline at the Cadet age group, which brought forward some interesting characters and led to some interesting training scenes.

A wonderful performance from Max Riemelt. This film is an instant favourite with me.

The Woodsman

Whilst taking on a theme that people usually unite together in hatred against, Kevin Bacon takes on the brave part in possibly his best performance of his career.

Not an easy subject to tackle, especially when we are seeing it from the flip side of the coin, yet the storyline is based on the power of suggestion as opposed to graphic content, yet still manages to create a psychological discomfort for the viewer.

Interesting Drama that will leave you questioning the moral dilemma throughout and the people?s views envolved.

Rory O'Shea Was Here (Inside I'm Dancing)

A theme that?s very rarely portrayed as natural as this film was able to, it dealt with the issue in hand in a realistic manner; whilst keeping a realistic sense of humour too, the extremities of the emotions allowed the storyline to flip in a moment?s notice, which created good Drama.

Brilliant performances from all envolved, James McAvoy?s character was truly infectious and really brought the rebel side out of the story and with regards to Steven Robinson, well I was just reminded of the great Daniel Day Lewis?s portrayal of Christie Brown in My Left Foot (co-incidence both films had Brenda Fricker in them??).

I have personal links to the theme of this film, but have rated it according to the film and not my personal feelings. This is life in the real world, with tears and laughter thrown in for realistic measure.

Rory O'Shea Was Here (Inside I'm Dancing)

A theme that?s very rarely portrayed as natural as this film was able to, it dealt with the issue in hand in a realistic manner; whilst keeping a realistic sense of humour too, the extremities of the emotions allowed the storyline to flip in a moment?s notice, which created good Drama.

Brilliant performances from all envolved, James McAvoy?s character was truly infectious and really brought the rebel side out of the story and with regards to Steven Robinson, well I was just reminded of the great Daniel Day Lewis?s portrayal of Christie Brown in My Left Foot (co-incidence both films had Brenda Fricker in them??).

I have personal links to the theme of this film, but have rated it according to the film and not my personal feelings. This is life in the real world, with tears and laughter thrown in for realistic measure.

I'm Not Scared

Tsotsi

A hard hitting film with an intense amount of violent behaviour and fear followed by (in complete contrast) an instinctive guide for love and survival.

The story itself isn?t by any means too complicated, but the emotions run from such extremes it?ll have you thinking with your heart and not your head.

This is certainly the type of film that stays with you for days after watching it. The music throughout is very fitting to the changing mood of the film. The special features show 3 different endings, if this interests you.

Whale Rider

Heard good things about this film and every word of it was true. Great storyline which gives the viewer some kind of insight into the culture and tradition of the group of Maori people in a coastal village in New Zealand.. A fantastic performance from Keisha Castle-Hughes..

This film totally held me from beginning to end and is very much about the storyline, one which is unique, full of emotion and not by any means a soft girly film, it?s a film of true spirit and loyalty and tradition.

The Honeymoon Killers

Based on the true story of Raymond Fernandez and Martha Beck (dubbed The Honeymoon Killers). Not every detail is completely accurate to the original story, however it appears to be a much more accurate portrayal than the later film released ?Lonely Hearts? (Salma Hayek and Jared Leto).

Shirley Stoler played her role well as she came across cold, calculating and insanely jealous.

The quality of film appears to look older than it actually is and has a worn look in parts, it seems this is down to the very low budget involved in making the film. Having said that, you get used to the quality pretty fast and the interesting storyline emerges and is an interesting journey of two obsessed lovers on the road on a murdering rampage. .

Single White Female

Assuming this to be a cheesy 80?s film worked to it?s advantage for me, as it was a much more serious and suspenseful film than I set to give it credit for.

Despite the well know storyline of this film, it entertained from start to finish and brought excitement right up to the grand finale.

White Heat

Worthy of all it?s praise, Cagney just has great presence on screen and of course the lovable rogue image suits him well.

As a storyline, this ticks many boxes for me, a Gangster story, Robbery, Undercover operation and is such a good base story for modern day films and tv Dramas.

An instant favourite!

Rope

Another great Hitchcock film! Shot mainly in one location, with what appeared to be seemless filming, the characters are well developed and the plot provides great suspense. The storyline also demonstrates a thin line between theory and practice.

A comical role for Jimmy Stewart and without a doubt one of Hitchcock?s best.