Review: Jackie (UK Cert 15)

The assassination of John F. Kennedy is one of the defining moments of American history. Pablo Larrain's latest film Jackie is a character study of his wife, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, in the week after her husband's death. Whilst still in mourning, Jackie (Natalie Portman) invites a journalist (Billy Crudup) to interview her where she recounts the events of that fateful week.

At first I found Portman's performance a little mannered, the way she spoke a little discordant. It sounded wrong. However, having found footage of the real Jackie Kennedy (the 1961 White House tour is available to view online), it's a remarkable facsimile. The real First Lady had a very distinct way of talking which Portman successfully captures. But the performance goes beyond impersonation to embodiment as Jackie's tumultuous emotions- ranging from anger and sorrow to steely determination- play across her face. There are a lot of scenes with very little dialogue but you know exactly how she's feeling at any given time. One scene- when Jackie returns to the White House after the assassination, still wearing the blood-stained clothes- is particularly powerful.

Such is the power of Portman's performance, that other performances don't quite reach the same level. Crudup's reporter is really only there to ask questions and to prompt the story forwards (I do wonder whether this framing device was strictly necessary). Peter Sarsgaard is strong as Bobby Kennedy, attempting to support Jackie in her grief whilst managing his own and trying to ensure the Kennedy legacy. Greta Gerwig is good as Jackie's friend and confidante Nancy, whilst there's a surprising turn by John Hurt as an Irish priest who counsels Jackie in her darkest hours. 

Larrain mixes in real-life cinefootage with recreation to mostly good effect, although there are a couple of instances where this really jars (part of the funeral cortege, for example). The recreations, not only of the funeral procession but the assassination itself, are handled very well although the level of detail in the shooting may be too graphic for some people. The score- by Mica Levi- is also particularly strong.

Anchored by a very strong central performance, this is an absorbing study of a woman in crisis. It doesn't quite reach its full potential but is a strong drama nonetheless.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Tez

Review: Thor: The Dark World (UK Cert 12A)

The eighth entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the second film in Phase 2, Thor: The Dark World sees the titular god of thunder (Chris Hemsworth) facing a threat from the Dark Elves- led by Malekith The Accursed (Christopher Eccleston)- who seek to destroy the Nine Realms by using an ancient weapon called the Aether at a time known as the Convergence, when all the realms are aligned. In London, Dr Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) starts to investigate strange anomalies with the laws of physics. It's only a matter of time before the separated lovers are reunited but the path of true love doesn't run smooth with the fate of the Nine Realms resting on Thor's shoulders and a very credible threat to Jane's safety. Add into this the machinations of the imprisoned Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and you have an absolute rip-roarer of a film which meets the level set by Thor and occasionally exceeds it.

It's a film that's huge in scale, going from icy wastes to the opulent splendour of Asgard to a run-down factory in London- taking in vast desert worlds and, finally, absolutely wrecking Greenwich. Alan Taylor, no stranger to sprawling fantasy epics (having directed half a dozen episodes of Games Of Thrones), is a safe pair of hands in the director's chair. Whilst Kenneth Branagh brought an almost Shakespearean feel to the first Thor, Taylor brings the Game Of Thrones aesthetic to Thor: The Dark World, which is no bad thing.

Performance-wise (and this will come to no surprise to anyone who's seen either the first Thor or The Avengers), Tom Hiddleston steals the show. His performance as Loki is just superb- he's scheming, conniving, insidious and downright evil in places and yet is likeable and charismatic with it. But- with the possible exception of Natalie Portman (who looks like she's phoning it in on occasion)- the rest of the cast are strong. Chris Hemsworth seems right at home in the armour, giving a strong leading performance. Idris Elba gets more to do as the guardian Heimdall whilst Jaimie Alexander is great as warrior maiden Sif. Kat Dennings gets more of the comedy relief role as Darcy but she's good at it so it doesn't matter.

Christopher Eccleston is great as Malekith, but it does feel as if there's a lot of his story missing (or maybe left on the cutting-room floor). The focus of the film is definitely more on the romance between Thor and Jane, and the family politics of the ruling house of Asgard - the Dark Elves feel more like a plot device which is a shame because visually they look imposing and there are good actors beneath the prosthetics not having much to do.

Visually, it's absolutely sublime so massive kudos to the CGI teams and the visual effects teams for some utterly sterling work. It's also genuinely funny in places (there's a great sight gag involving a drinks can). There's a frankly genius Avengers-related cameo (which is done very cleverly indeed) and the first of the mid-credits scenes nicely links to one of the upcoming Marvel releases. They also have left a few plot strands open for a third Thor movie if they want to. And since there doesn't seem to be anything coincidental or unplanned in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I would say a third outing is a pretty safe bet.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Tez

Comic Book Movie Round-Up #2: Thor: The Dark World

Our second comic book movie round-up is on the second movie from Marvel's Phase Two collection (the first being Iron Man 3). It is...

Thor: The Dark World

Director: Alan Taylor
Writer: Christopher Yost, Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely from a story by Don Payne
Provisional Release Date: October 30 2013 (UK); November 8 2013 (US)

What We Know: The title of the Thor sequel was announced at Comic-Con in July 2012

Disney and Marvel Studios released the full synopsis for the film in October 2012.

"Marvel's Thor: The Dark World continues the big-screen adventures of Thor, the Mighty Avenger, as he battles to save Earth and all the Nine Realms from a shadowy enemy that predates the universe itself. In the aftermath of Marvel's Thor and Marvel's The Avengers, Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos... but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all."

Who's In?: Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Anthony Hopkins (Odin), Natalie Portman (Jane Foster), Kat Dennings (Darcy), Jaimie Alexander (Sif), Ray Stevenson (Volstagg), Idris Elba (Heimdall), Stellan Skarsgard (Dr Erik Selvig) and Rene Russo (Frigga) all reprise their roles from Thor.

New cast members include erstwhile Doctor Who Christopher Eccleston as Malekith The Accursed (leader of the Dark Elves) and Lost's Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje plays the dual role of Algrim The Strong who then becomes Kurse. Zachary Levi will play Fandrel, taking over the role from Joshua Dallas. Richard Brake and Clive Russell have also been cast.

Chris O'Dowd (Bridesmaids) has revealed he has recorded a single scene for the film.

Alice Krige, perhaps best known as the Borg Queen in Star Trek: First Contact, has been cast in a supporting role, with rumours she will be playing Alflyse, Queen of the Dark Elves.

It has been rumoured that Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale) was to play Malekith but was unable to take the role due to commitments on the Hannibal TV show.

Alan Taylor took over as director after original director Patty Jenkins left the project over 'creative differences'.

Anything Else?: Back in September, it was reported that the Marvel character Doctor Strange would appear in the film as a colleague of Jane Foster. Joel Edgerton was lined up for the role, but no follow up reports have emerged. There are plans for a Doctor Strange movie afoot so we'll just have to see if he turns up.

It was reported back in October 2012 that Natalie Portman was 'coerced' into returning to do the film. It was stated by TG Daily that Portman had no wish to be involved once Patty Jenkins withdrew but Marvel Studios exercised their right. 

Filming began in September 2012, with battle scenes filmed in Surrey:

Chris Hemsworth with his stunt double

Christopher Eccleston as Malekith 

At the start of April 2013, Marvel Studios offered a preview of the Phase Two films which included concept art and stills from Thor: The Dark World:

V For Vendetta (2006)

'Remember, remember, the fifth of November,

Gunpowder, treason and plot...'

In 1605, Guy Fawkes and several others- including Robert Catesby and Thomas Winter- plotted to kill King James I by blowing up the Houses of Parliament. They failed. Fawkes was captured and tortured but jumped from the scaffold before he was hung.  So every November 5 here in the UK, we commemorate the failure of Fawkes' attempt at regicide by burning his effigy on a bonfire and setting off fireworks. It's an odd kind of celebration; we commemorate something that didn't happen, rather than something that did. Now, Fawkes is representative of a revolutionary anti-establishment movement.

Fitting then, that Alan Moore decided to use a Guy Fawkes mask for his hero V to wear in his comic-book series V For Vendetta (first published 1982-1985). In the comic book, V is a lone anarchist who seeks to bring down the totalitarian government of Britain using theatrical acts of destruction. Unsurprisingly, a film adaptation of the comic book was released in 2006, directed by James McTeigue.

Britain is ruled by the fascist Norsefire party, under the tyrannical High Chancellor Adam Sutler (John Hurt). One night, a young woman named Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman) is saved from an attack by the secret police by a masked vigilante named V (Hugo Weaving). V has an agenda: to topple the government. He destroys the Old Bailey and then, in an exhilarating speech, hacks into the emergency system to deliver a stark message to the people:




Performance-wise, the film is top-notch. Portman, gaining top billing, is great as Evey: her British accent very seldom slips and she captures the conflict within the character very well. It's difficult to gauge Weaving's performance as he is almost always masked but he imbues the character with a vocal intensity which is superb. The role should have been played by James Purefoy who dropped out of the project after finding it difficult performing behind the mask. Hurt gives a steely performance as High Chancellor Sutler, who- even when the character rants- steers clear of an easy performance as a tinpot dictator. 

Stephen Rea and Rupert Graves make for an excellent pairing as police officers Eric Finch and Dominic Stone who investigate V's acts of terrorism (as Sutler calls them) but find their loyalties stretched when Norsefire's previous actions come to haunt them. Stephen Fry gives a lovely turn as Gordon Deitrich, a talk-show host whose interest in Evey is merely a front to hide his true desires; homosexuality is not tolerated in Norsefire's world. Which leads me on to a powerful performance by Natasha Wightman as Valerie, a relatively minor but important role as a young woman imprisoned by Norsefire for being a lesbian. 

The action set-pieces are directed with breathless skill by McTeigue (who cut his teeth on The Matrix trilogy); the early destruction of the Old Bailey is a pyrotechnical feast, especially, and- whilst the metaphor is slightly overplayed- the sequence with the dominos also looks fantastic. There's a pervading sense of dread that hangs over the film which is impressive; this futuristic dystopia seems all too easy to imagine coming to pass. 

The film is an excellent thriller and a damn fine adaptation of a seminal comic book, but it also has a more lasting legacy; the Guy Fawkes mask as portrayed in the film is now used as a symbol by hacker group Anonymous and has also been used by protesters during the Occupy protests and other political protests in the UK. Quite apt as one of V's bon mots is: 'People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people'.

So, this Fifth of November, take a seat and watch this film. One thing's for sure, it's one you'll remember.

Tez

Revisiting A Classic: The Star Wars Saga (Part One, Episodes I – III).

So, a movie marathon (the first for The Watchers)– and where better to start than the Star Wars saga itself? Some might say that the problem with a Star Wars marathon is that “there are too many of them” or that they “don’t like the look of this”? However, the main problem with doing a Star Wars marathon is the old debate of which order to watch the films in- original trilogy then prequels or vice versa?  Well, I’ve gone for the order of episodes as film maker George Lucas intended (well, for now- until he makes some new Director’s Supreme Edition).

So let’s begin, A Long Time Ago In A Galaxy Far Far Away……

Episode 1: The Phantom Menace.

The main problem with doing a Star Wars marathon is the order I’ve chosen is having to watch The Phantom Menace first- then again, it gets it out the way!

The opening of the movie is as ever impressive- you’re instantly into the universe of the saga. It sets the scene well with the Trade Federation blockade over Naboo and the invasion of the planet below. The film begins well, introducing a few important characters – namely Obi Wan Kenobi, even if Ewan McGregor’s performance within this film is wooden and flat to say the least.

Jar Jar Binks arrives in the film as the invasion begins and befriends our two Jedi Knights. The obvious debate- is he annoying or is he a great comedy relief? My opinion: by far the most annoying character to ever grace the saga and even (in some ways) cinema history. The excuse of the chance to create a fully generated main character in a “live-action” film for the first time was overused and the animators indulged and delivered unforgivable character quirks coupled with an annoying vocal performance by Ahmed Best. What you end up with is by far the most irritating character to grace the cinema screen. We’ll leave Jar Jar there, as we could rip apart his involvement within the film scene by scene – but I wont, as he just doesn’t deserve the mentions or my time. Forgive his creation? Never! Overlook him to enjoy the film? Of course!

Where the film can lack in characterisation and dialogue, it does evoke a real sense of universe. The landscapes and scope of the film is huge. For the time it came out (1999) nothing had been seen like it before and even now the general views of Naboo, Coruscant and Tatooine make you sink into a wider galaxy than the individual planets that the characters visit alone. Tatooine helps you re-immerse yourself into the universe after the gap between the two trilogies – it’s like you the audience are revisiting a familiar place yourself.

On Tatooine, we are introduced to the most important character of the saga – Anakin Skywalker. Unfortunately here he is played by the young Jake Lloyd, who has the screen presence of a door mat mixed with the essence of a wet dog! Seriously, between Jar Jar and Lloyd, this film struggles on so many levels. The child actor has an annoying way of speaking, walking and even breathing! So yeah the fact that he grows up to be Darth Vader is about as believable as George Lucas’s care for his fans!

The Pod Race: it’s like watching a futuristic version of the chariot race from Ben-Hur. Exciting, well-paced and just pure Star Wars. This scene manages to pick the film back up in quality and you almost forgive the drivel that got you to this point within the film.

The film builds into a much more rounded plot with the character arriving at Coruscant, the capital of the Republic – here we meet Yoda, Palpatine and of course Mace Windu (played by Samuel L Jackson). The scenes here show the back room bargains and politics of the universe – namely Palpatine’s puppetry skills in which leads him to become the President (this is who ‘the phantom menace’ is). The Jedi Council scene is intriguing in itself – giving us a look at the doubts and misgivings in training the young Anakin Skywalker and if he truly is the chosen one!

The final battle of the film is superb (as ever with these films!) – the usual cross between locations is used to great effect, where the action bounces from the fight between the Droid army and Jar Jar’s people, to the fight inside the palace, to the dogfight in space and of course the Jedi Vs Sith first encounter. Darth Maul (played by Ray Park) is a superb villain – the short screen time that he has is made up for by the sheer evil that is behind the eyes of the character. The light sabre fight is by far one of the greatest in the saga – you’re left breathless by trying to keep up with the action taking place, which comes at you from all angles.

So, all in all, the film is a mish-mash of good and bad. If we watch it for what it really is – a space adventure designed for the family to enjoy, and a stepping stone to a wider story.-then, yes, it does deliver. Leaving Jar Jar and Jake Lloyd’s acting aside, what we actually have is a film that has stood the test of time since the 1999 release- the effects look as fresh as they did then and the story (if a bit slow to get going) is a well thought out first chapter.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

After a quick shower and a fresh mug of coffee, we start again…

Episode 2: Attack Of The Clones

Originally released in 2002 and (unlike the others in the Saga) this one- and Episode III- were filmed at Fox Studios Sydney, Australia.

Within minutes of this film starting and the initial political intrigue scenes in Palpatine’s chambers, you know you’re in a more adult adventure. The saga is the story of Anakin Skywalker- The Phantom Menace was a film surrounding his childhood and the feel was a lot more childish in tone. With this one (Anakin is now eighteen and played by Hayden Christensen), we are in a dark toned universe, which is reinforced by the first third of the film being set on Coruscant – the capital planet. A planet that is one large endless city. We are treated to a Star Wars speeder/car chase through the depths of the citadel: fast paced, well edited and well performed by the actors (as they would have just seen green screens).

Already this small way into the film Ewan McGregor’s performance is what you expect from the actor of his calibre – the Obi Wan in this film is so much more rounded out and feels the same man as played by Alec Guinness in the later films of the saga.

The middle of the film is an interesting and somewhat strained affair. The middle of the film deals with Obi-Wan discovering a clone army being created for the republic – but the Jedi Council or senate know nothing of it being asked to be created. This is the interesting section which provides both a massive plot point – the clone troopers/storm troopers, which leads to becoming the army of the Empire. What’s nice is it’s very cleverly handled and under played and obviously a great nod for the fans when you first watch the film.

The strained affair I’m talking about is the romantic plot between Anakin and Padme, played by Natalie Portman.  The two characters are to fall deeply in love and as a fan we all know where ends – tragedy. But what’s strained is Christensen’s performance and the chemistry between the two actors is less than none, making it painful to watch the scenes- you’re literally thinking: where’s the fast forward button? Get to the action! (Which is a great shame).

The CGI in this film has not stood the test of time. It looks overly synthetic and there are obvious generated lighting effects. You can literally tell which scene was shot on green screen stage and which are shot in real lighting and real places. Also the CGI of characters is poorly handled; a lot of the animation of characters feels juddery and unnatural.

The major saving grace of the middle of the film is one character – well, two really! The Fetts are introduced: Jango and Boba Fett. The iconic characters added to the film could have easily been an easy trick to please fans – but what’s nice is how they are woven into the fabric of the plot. We learn that Jango is the subject that clones are cloned from and he is in fact in league with the dark side at work!

As the film nears its climax we have a few interesting scenes laid out for us- Christopher Lee as Count Dooku at a meeting with separatist leaders. What’s great is they are talking over plans of a new weapon- the Death Star. Of course, there is the tragic reunion between Anakin and his mother and then the vengeance he commits upon a village of Sand People. Slaying them all- men, women and children- this is his beginning to the dark side.  Most notable is the action scene with Anakin and Padme in the droid factory as they jump, fall and manage to survive a conveyer belt of obstacles!

The finale of this film lasts for over half an hour, starting with an amazing action sequence with our three heroes fighting it out gladiator-style in a giant arena against three large alien beasts, then the arrival of the purple light sabre and what follows is just geekgasm! Jedi battle on a scale never seen before! Twenty to thirty Jedi fighting outnumbered odds, with a showdown between Mace and Jango that’s just simplistic and sets up Boba for the rest of the saga- Mace swipes Jango’s head from his shoulders without breaking a sweat! A great way to show the power of a Jedi Master and the futility of this villain, Jango Fett.

Yoda arrives with the New Army of the Republic- the clone army- and the battle goes up a gear once again. Now not confined to the arena, a massive war field erupts. The finale ends with a light sabre dual between Obi-wan, Anakin and Count Dooku. Then Dooku goes against Yoda in what is either the most amazing fight ever or the most laughable. In some ways, I look at it as the first, but I feel as a fan I’m blinded. What this finale does is stamp this film as a Star Wars – this is what a blockbuster should be; all out brash (but with a decent plot) and helps you escape the world for a few hours.

This instalment brings us into the start of war with a bang, even if some of the effects don’t stand the test of time, and half the time you’re trying to figure out if this can be counted as a live-action film or a CGI film? All round good family fun with a hint of geekgasm!

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

So after a break here we go again…..

Episode 3: Revenge Of The Sith

Twenty minutes into the film and I can catch my breath! Of all the films in the saga, this is the one I have seen the least – this is probably only the fourth time I’ve watched it! I had completely forgot the flip that Lucas did with this film- this film begins as the others end. A twenty minute sequence where we join the characters in mid-battle: we have a dog fight between space ships and a whole armada of two fleets battling it out, with scope and scale never seen before in any of the films. There are two light-sabre duels, the death of Count Dooku and the rescue of Palpatine – you don’t have time to process any of this and then you realise you’re only twenty minutes into the film and its only just begun! Outstanding; just outstanding.

And then we have the core of the film that falls flat again. The core of the film is a love tragedy – a space opera Romeo and Juliet. What falls short, yet again, is the chemistry between Portman and Christensen. The dialogue doesn’t help them, mind – with insipid lines like ‘love has blinded you’. Pass me the sick bag – we need Harrison Ford to write the lines again – ‘I love you’; ‘I know’!

On the other hand, the reverse can be said for the relationship between Obi Wan and Anakin – the chemistry of a friendship gaining cracks and falling apart between Christensen and McGregor is very well portrayed and written. It’s obvious that Lucas has real issues with writing and directing the romantic plotlines. This can be said also for the scenes with Palpatine and Anakin – it’s wonderful in these scenes that, as a fan, you’re watching Young Vader and Palpatine. As the film progresses, so Anakin progress into Darth Vader- which is great as he becomes him without the costume to make the man.

The CGI in this film seems to have stood well with time, it still has a annoying unnatural synthetic feel, but it has improved since Episode II - this is not surprising as it came out in 2005 and less time has passed by. It’s also fresh seeing Coruscant in daylight more, which gives the setting a fresh perspective.

The Obi Wan vs General Grievous sequence is a fantastic action scene – but also forms a midpoint; a line is drawn in the sand right here – this is where the film itself starts to turn to the dark side of viewing. A dark cloud begins to overshadow the rest of this tragic dark tale! There is a choice – a choice for Anakin and, with the death of Mace Windu, the choice is made and, once made, there is no turning back (well, until the end of episode 6!!).

The fall of the Jedi is not an easy watch and nor should it be – Jedi after Jedi butchered to death, with the eerie scene where Anakin ignites his light-sabre to kill the children at the height of your thoughts. Leaving your imagination running wild with how he killed those children… it’s not surprising this is the only film in the saga to be given a rating of 12.

The finale of this film sees Obi Wan pitted in fierce combat against Anakin – or should I say Darth Vader- what can only be described as the greatest light-sabre duel of the entire saga. The speed at which the fight takes place is insane and a wonder to watch. The bittersweet victory for Obi Wan and the death of Padme as Vader rises from the ashes gives this film the weight the prequels deserve.

A film that is truly the dark film of the series – this is an amazing midpoint within a glorious saga. This film can be forgiven for its badly written romance – this is what Star Wars is about. Love, Tragedy, defiance and here the rebellion is born.

So ends my Marathon of the prequels …… To Be Continued with Episode IV: A New Hope.

Rating: 4 out 5 stars

Rhys