So here's the conclusion to the previous entry, containing the rest of what I meant to include.
Warrior
Warrior is a mixed martial arts film about two estranged brothers with an alcoholic father who both enter the same multi million dollar tournament. I've written a bit about my thoughts on this one elsewhere, so allow me to take a moment and make use of ctrl+c followed by ctrl+v....
In response to Mr. Ben Hobson's positive review of the film I said
"..... It started out well introducing the characters but got progressively worse as it went on. What I didn't like about it;
- The relationship between the brothers wasn't developed in any great depth, certainly not enough for me to care about the end. I think there was one brief confrontation between them before the ending.
- The dialogue was pretty weak.
- I disagree with you regarding the cheese. The whole last hour or so which comprised of the tournament was rife with cheesiness and cliche. From the completely unsubtle way the commentators narrated the story and gave us vital information, to the annoying music stirring up cheap sentimentality, to the crowds reactions to the fights, slowly warming to the protagonists.
- For that matter, the entire way they developed the characters was about as subtle as a sledgehammer.
- SPOILERS - The way the tournament was set up and played out was extremely unbelieveable. As if a washed up UFC fighter and a no name would gain entry to a major tournament worth $5,000,000. The fact that the washed up fighter then beat the Russian fighter who was unbeaten and at the top of his game without us (the viewer) seeing his journey through intense training was pretty unsatisfying."
However, on a more positive note what I did like about the film were the performances, particularly Tom Hardy. His relationship with his alcoholic father, played by Nick Nolte is quite nice, and there's a brilliant scene between them that almost single handily redeems the film. But it doesn't. This isn't any better than average.
**1/2 out of *****
Shame
The second film from British director Steve McQueen (so no, not the Steve McQueen you're thinking of) paints the portrait of a man named Brandon, played by Michael Fassbender. On the outside Brandon appears to be a confident, successful guy having it all together with a respectable job, nice apartment and living a comfortable life. This is the image he presents to those around him and no one suspects any different. On the inside, however, he's a man who's completely lost his way, living hollow existence as a slave to his sex and pornography addiction.
When his sister, played by Carey Mulligan shows up at his apartment to stay carrying the same amount of baggage as Brandon, and possibly more, it throws more than a simple spanner in the works. Through a number of confrontations between the two we begin to learn that their childhood was not a Rosy one, and it has inevitably damaged them both, but is the damage irreparable?
As far as I'm aware this is the first film to take a serious look a sex and pornography addiction and the destructive effect it can have on a person's humanity, and it's powerful one at that. From the goose bump inducing score, to the brilliant performance of Michael Fassbender to the subtle, somewhat ambiguous journey into the depths of Brandon's soul that is none the less extremely deep and, I'll admit, a little tear jerking. I have to be honest and say I was extremely moved by this very raw, very honest, yet extremely stylish look at what happens to men when they lose their way.
It's s tough film to recommend due to it's graphic nature, so some research into the content is suggested by yours truly before choosing to watch it. It's a touch uneven, with the last 20 minutes or so packing the most punch, where as earlier the film feels like it looses momentum occasionally. But that's nit picking, this was an otherwise amazing, powerful experience.
****1/2 out of *****
My Week With Marilyn
I don't really feel like talking about this one much, so I wont. In short, good movie, not great. If you have any interest in Marilyn Monroe you'll probably like it, but even if you don't the story about her brief fling with a guy working on her first British film, who wasn't anyone particularly noteworthy for that matter, is fairly engaging. Michelle Williams is fantastic as Marilyn and could have carried a script written by a fourth grader anyway.
***1/2 out of *****
Carnage
Roman Polanski's latest (yes he's still making movies) is set pretty much entirely in one apartment and the adjoining corridor. Jodie Foster and John C Reilly play the residents of said apartment, and are playing host to Kate Winslet and Christoph Waltz, who's son has hit their hosts son in the head with a stick. The two couples meet to discuss the matter, and although the meeting at first appears as if it will be brief a number of incidents keep stopping Kate and Christoph from leaving. What ensues are numerous conflicts, resolutions, shifting loyalties and clashes of over differing values as the two couples learn more about each other than the wanted or needed to.
The concept of Carnage was probably more interesting than the execution, and it may have worked better as a play. I am a fan of all four actors, however, and what is interesting to watch is how their characters a developed over such a short period of time (79 minutes) in a confined space. Watching four adults begin proceedings in a civil meeting and slowly degenerate into a childish, chaotic mess is also somewhat amusing, while at the same having perhaps a few too many doses of reality to instead be rather alarming. Again, a good, but not great film that you can probably skip at the cinema but well worth checking out on DVD.
***1/2 out of *****
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