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Reviews
The Platform (2004)
waiting for a train
A sharply-dressed man waits for a train at a provincial, deserted train station. The surroundings are stark, desolate, adding to a sense of foreboding. But the music is lively, and the man's expressions are confident and exaggerated. However, his confidence is dented by something glimpsed from the corner of his eye.
This is a technically excellent short film that relies on a conceit often found in shorts, and even features like Twelve Monkeys and Logan's Run. At under 5 minutes it is very economical, but that also means there is no time for character development or interaction. All in all, amusing lite fare.
The Great Escape (1963)
an all-time great
Some films never get old. A group of Allied POWs decide they will stage a mass escape from their camp. The objective is not so much personal freedom. More than that, they plan to continue their mission as soldiers by disrupting the German war effort, even if it turns out to be a suicide mission.
Cue one of the best ensemble casts ever, with heavyweights of USA and UK cinema including Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson, Donald Pleasence, James Coburn James Coburn, David McCallum and Gordon Jackson all featured. Impressively, they don't all just appear but actually turn up, each character distinctive and expertly fleshed out by the actors plying their trade. Some of the escapees inevitably meet a grislier fate than others: people remember the comedy and the pathos, but there are quite cathartic moments here, too. The film also makes brave choices - Steve McQueen and Angus Lennie as a double act? I see a game of casting the remake is current. I hope it stays a game. Some films are timeless and defy comparison.
Big (1988)
growing up
Tom Hanks shines in this charming little comedy about a boy who wants to grow up too soon. He makes a wish at a fairground and wakes up in a middle-aged man's body. Rejected by his family and friends, he has to survive alone in the 'real' world.
The boy learns how tough the world can really be, and the adults around him learn to cherish the innocence of childhood. The value we place on work, romance and friendship are all considered here. One of those movies that makes you pause, slow down, and reflect on what it is you are actually getting out of life each and every day. Funny, touching, and with great performances, this movie, unlike its main character, never gets old.