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Reviews
Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005)
Ahh, Senor Clooney, how I love thee!
I've long been a fan of the Cloon-ster's directorial work, because although he's only made one film prior to this, it was really, really excellent. "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind", if you don't know; a superb additional to anyone's collection, with a great re-watchability value. In keeping with Edward R. Murrow's respect for honesty in a reporter, I should say that it was with that in mind that I sat down to watch "Good Night and Good Luck".
I must admit that, although I had a vague idea of what went on in the communist witch-hunt which the film is about, the first thing that pops into my mind when I hear the name McCarthy is the line in "Dazed and Confused" about "Neo-McCarthy-ism". But it turns out, that was a good thing, because not only did I enjoy Clooney's second film as an engaging dramatic work, it also became suspense-driven as I was drawn in, gripped to know what would/did happen to Murrow, Friendly and the CBS News team.
The film is a combination of dramatisation and archive footage, and Clooney manages to mix the two interchangeably, so much so that if you don't think about it, there's really no way to tell what's acting and what's reality. "The Junior Senator from Wisconsin", as Murrow frequently describes Senator McCarthy, is just as much a living, breathing character in the film, despite only appearing (as himself) in real archive footage.
Plus, y'know, as well as great performances by David Strathairn and Clooney, it has Frank Langella, Robert Downey Jr and Jeff Daniels in "character roles", all of whom are outstanding.
The film also looks incredible; no surprise there, since Clooney's first film was gorgeous too, but even so, the stark black and white never looked better than it does here. The 50's environment photographs so well, and when you see the TV studio lighting playing with Murrow's cigarette smoke as it curls upwards towards the rafters, you'll swear cinema's never looked better.
Despite everything I've said, it's not a pants-wetting seat-gripping roller-coaster ride of entertainment, but it also doesn't aim to be. In his final address to his colleagues, Murrow notes that if television is used strictly for entertainment rather than education, being nothing more than wires and lights in a box, then it would be better it didn't exist at all, yet Clooney illustrates here how well the two functions of the media can combine, for in setting out to make an historically accurate dramatisation of the war waged on fear by Murrow and his team, he's created a story which not only educates and enlightens, but also manages to engage and entertain.
See it.
20 Funerals (2004)
Great film - well worth checking out!
### BEWARE - MILD SPOILERS ###
I just finished watching an early screener copy of this film by Anghus Houvouras. It stars DJ Naylor as one of four cops who, following the killing of a guy in their department, go vigilante, and work their way up the criminal food chain of the city, taking out gangsters and lowlifes as necessary. After all, there's nothing that can't be solved by 20 Funerals.
The film has a slightly weak opening sequence where we see the cop killed, followed by an overly long credit sequence. It sets up the premise of the film okay, but interweaving the credits with a more tense, intimate scene for the undercover bust and eventual murder would have boosted the opening up a notch.
Luckily, once their pal is dead and buried, it soon picks up, thanks to some great acting by all four leads, with particular props going to DJ Naylor and Mark Mench. DJ effortlessly portrays the conflicted hero/anti-hero, torn between doing the right thing, and doing the right thing. Herein lies the film's real strength: what could have simple been entertaining pulp violence is supported by a tight script, good performances, and (most importantly) and plot and characters to care about, and that sustain our interest. Retribution for murdering a cop seems justified, and when Chase (Naylor) slams down a wad of evidence against each and every target we don't question the validity of their mission. But as one soon-to-be-victim pleads for his life, petrified with fear and asking for a second chance, for the sake of his wife and kids, the morality of their quest is suddenly in doubt. And far from ignoring such issues, the situation creates doubts within the team. We watch with avid interest as these issues drive some of the characters to empathise with their victims (breaking one of the main rules of their mission - "We don't let it get personal") and others to beyond rationality.
It is here that Mark Mench really shines, stealing the show from even the fantastic DJ Naylor, with an enthusiasm and depraved maniacism reminiscent of Dogma's Jason Lee. By his most fanatical scene, his Detective Keitel has undergone a complete character arc, either changed by what's happened or simple freed by their success to unleash his inner demons.
Inevitably, given the structure of the film, it struggles to find an ending to match the brilliance of what has come before, but the twist in the final moments satisfies none the less, and overall the movie works very well. Great visuals, a cool soundtrack, some killer lines, and some hilarious moments make for a highly entertaining film.
Well worth checking out when it hits DVD on June 7th 2005.
Kisses and Caroms (2006)
A hilarious little indie film!
I stumbled across this film at a friend's house one night, and wasn't that eager to watch it since it's not usually my type of film, but I am very pleased I did. Kisses and Caroms is a hilarious indie film which packs the jokes in thick and fast, but also has rounded, believable characters and a truly enjoyable plot. As something of an indie film-maker myself, it's exciting to see a film like Kisses and Caroms, because it manages to use it's indie status to it's advantage - free of studio interference, Vince Rocca has crafted an outrageously funny film which could never have come out of Hollywood, whilst still not falling into the traditional pitfalls and clichés of independent film. The characters DON'T endlessly monologue in a desperate "trying to be Linklater" way, there's no "trying to be Tarantino, Rodriguez or Smith". Instead Kisses and Caroms is a sex comedy which doesn't try to be anything more, but although it doesn't aim to be any kind of higher-art, the film leaves you happy and inspired, and to me, that's more important than anything.
If you get a chance to see this film, take it - you won't regret it.
Alias: The Lost Episode (2002)
The greatest short film I've ever seen
I've watched this short nearly 50 times, it's the greatest short I've ever been lucky enough to watch, and I watch a lot of shorts. It gets funnier and funnier every time. Those who are fans of Alias will love it, it's so spot on with the character likenesses etc, those who hate Alias will love it because of the way it picks on the plot devices etc, and those who have never seen Alias will still like it, because it's a solid comedy even without knowing the ins and outs of the show.
The special effects are really well done, the characters are well-acted, the plot is spot on, the locations, the jokes, the editing, cinematography, everything about this short is absolutely perfect.
The comedy is not just "laugh out loud" funny, but "struggling for air trying to breathe from laughing too hard" funny.
Do yourself a favor, look this up on google and watch it now!
Look Around You (2002)
Quite simply "brilliant".
With the United States churning out more garbage per minute than ever before by way of TV and cinema, this debut from Robert Popper and Peter Serafinowicz is a refreshing change.
Some might call it the greatest show of the last few years. Others might say the greatest show of the decade. I would say this is the funniest show ever to air on BBC2. Ever.
Eight ten-minute episodes in the style of the Open University programs we all know and love serve as nostalgic reminders of 'the way things were', sticking to the dean-pan formula to provide constant entertainment and never-ceasing hilarity.
Popper and Serafinowicz, who will no doubt continue to flourish, provide excellent comic timing, with this perfect parody.
With a second series in the works, things can only get better!
10/10, *****/*****, fabuloso!
------------------------------------------------------ Review by Sam Baron.