Reviews
Fahrenheit 9/11
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | Michael Moore |
| Released: | July 29, 2004 |
| Grade: | A |
The most important film of the year, perhaps even the decade, has lived up to expectations. That sounds like a big statement to be making but I challenge anyone to find a film of equal stance. So far, the film has grossed over $100m in the United States to become the biggest documentary in cinema history. But it’s the subject of the documentary which is the key. In a country where interest in politics has been waning (the last election had the worst voter turn out ever), millions of Americans are being exposed to a secret government underworld which is best described as “shocking”. With current polls showing things neck and neck between current president George Bush and Democrat contender John Kerry, every ticket sold to a swing voter is pivotal.
The news and publicity surrounding the film has been strong. Ever since it won the lucrative Palm D’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, every journalist and his dog have had a say. Those against Fahrenheit 9/11 have slammed Moore for misleading the American public and attacked supporting film critics for letting their political views influence their reviews. Unfortunately, these articles have only spawned even more talk about the film and ironically, more people will go and see it. I ask the question again, how many films have generated such heated discussion in the past few years?
I suppose I should go on the record as saying I am anti-Bush and perhaps this is why I love the film so much. It’s important to note though that Fahrenheit 9/11 is not just about George W. Bush. He is the focus but the film looks heavily at the government as a whole, America’s political system and the war in Iraq. If you think politics are dull, think again.
From a documentary perspective, it’s near perfect. Filmmaker Michael Moore has gone to great lengths to make it as persuasive as possible based on factual information. He doesn’t speak often and impressively, Moore lets the footage and interviews do all the talking. George Bush comes off looking like a fool. One of the key scenes is footage of Bush on the morning of September 11, 2001 on learning the news that terrorists were attacking America. You have to see it to believe it. Also compelling are the many instances where politicians seem to contradict themselves. What Colin Powell said about Iraq in 2001 is rather different to his thoughts in 2003.
From a crew perspective, credit to film editor, ,for putting it all together. Moore was editing the film up right until its release date (to ensure the information was as current as possible) but the whole package looks very good and the order and timing of the scenes is well thought out. An example would be the humorous introduction. Lacing the whole film is a haunting film score from which also deserves praise.
My favourite part of the film is the topic of fear. Moore also explored this in his last film, Bowling For Columbine, but it’s just staggering how easily the government and the media can instil fear and paranoia in not just Americans, but citizens all over the world.
I stand up and applaud the work of Michael Moore and his film Fahrenheit 9/11. I’d even say it’s got a shot at being the first ever documentary to be nominated at the Oscars for best picture. This is huge stuff and it goes to show you can be both entertained and educated in a movie theatre.
Mean Girls
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | Mark S. Waters |
| Written by: | Rosalind Wiseman |
| Starring: | Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Lacey Chabert, Amanda Seyfried, Tim Meadows, Lizzy Caplan |
| Released: | June 24, 2004 |
| Grade: | A- |
Sure it’s the school holidays but Mean Girls will lure more than just interested teenagers into the movie theatre. Already, it’s one of the surprise hits of the year in the States. It opened with a huge $24m weekend back in early May and has grossed over $80m to date. Very impressive for a film costing just $17m and carrying few known stars.
The centre of the story is Cady Heron (Lohan), an American girl who has lived in Africa all her life and been home-schooled by her two parents. With her mother accepting a new job back home, Cady finds herself attending a real school for the very first time. Now in the 8th grade, she’s about to enter an unknown world where hormones are racing and bitchiness is at an all time high.
After a rough first day, Cady makes friends with Janis and Damien – two kids who are socially unpopular and often the subject of ridicule. Not long after though, she is approached by the three coolest girls in the school and offered a place into their friendship group. Regina, Gretchen and Karen are known as the “plastics” and their popularity earns them both the envy and the ire of almost every other student.
Seeing through the façade of these superficial girls, Cady, Janis and Damien come up with an idea to get revenge and expose them for the “mean girls” that they are. Cady will become their best friend, gain their trust and then expose their weaknesses and hidden secrets. It’s certainly not the maturest method and a series of surprising twists and turns take the film into a direction you may not expect.
Sure it’s entertainment but I love the underlying subtext here. It’s not a stereotypical scenario with definitive good girls and bad girls. There’s a lot of grey in the story and the characters are often dance around the fine line between good and evil. Let’s just say you may not always been cheering for the same character. Such scripts are very rare – particularly in the teen genre. The final scene is a doozy.
There are lessons in maturity but what won me over was the great comedy. Some of these characters are hilarious and the pick of the bunch is Tim Meadows (The Ladies Man) as the school principal. He’s one of the few sane characters in this crazy, mixed-up school and his one-liners sparkle (particularly at the school dance). I’ve thought about providing examples but you just have to see his lines in context to fully appreciate.
The casting of Lindsay Lohan in the leading role is somewhat ironic. Last Christmas, she was involved in a huge public feud with another teen actress, Hilary Duff. Both had dated the same young musician and when Lohan attended the premiere of Duff’s Cheaper By The Dozen, Duff’s mother tried to have Lohan evicted with cries of “Get her out!” The two have since made up on live television but I do find the whole situation very amusing.
Ah, but this review isn’t going to generate into trashy tabloid journalism. I’m here to talk about Mean Girls and the news is all good. Director Mark Waters has put behind the horrors of 2001’s Head Over Heels (one of the worst films I have ever seen) and put a teen film on the market that warrants a look.
Shrek 2
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury, Conrad Vernon |
| Written by: | J. David Stern, Joe Stillman, David N. Weiss |
| Starring: | Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Julie Andrews, Antonio Banderas, John Cleese, Rupert Everett, Jennifer Saunders |
| Released: | June 17, 2004 |
| Grade: | B- |
Shrek was a smash hit and Shrek 2 is proving an even bigger smash hit. But I’ll stand out from the laughing crowd and proclaim at the sequel does not come close to matching the originality and hilarity of the original.
When we last left the story, Shrek (Myers) defeated a fire breathing dragon, rescued Princess Fiona (Diaz) looked to be living happily ever after. To open Shrek 2, we are treated to a boring musical montage of the happy couple living it up on their honeymoon. On their return, they are given an invitation. The King (Cleese) and Queen (Andrews) have asked Princess Fiona to bring her new husband to the palace so the whole Kingdom of Far Far Away can rejoice.
Unfortunately for the King and Queen, they expected Princess Fiona to marry the adoring Prince Charming (Everett) which would also break the spell and turn her back into a beautiful lady. Now, they find her married to an ogre and looking much like one herself. Their fury is matched by the Fairy Godmother (Saunders) who is the mother to the now upset Prince Charming. She demands that the King do something to “take care of” this hideous ogre so that the Prince can claim his rightful place alongside Fiona.
Once again, nothing is left to the unknown which much of the trailer giving away the above plot development and a few more which I won’t spoil. How can one be excited when knowing what’s going to happen next? Can’t trailer-makers leave a little more to the imagination? I’ve had this gripe about so many recent films/trailers but I’ll keep yammering on until someone listens.
Once quality I remember about Shrek was how the different layers of humour allowed both kids and adults to be equally entertained. Shrek 2 is aimed at a younger audience with little for adults to be enthused about. I chuckled two or three times but did find other audience members laughing much more. It could just be me.
The quality of animation is incredible and it’s one of the most realistic animations I’ve seen. Well chosen were new cast members John Cleese, Julie Andrews and Antonio Banderas (as a feisty feline). It’d be one of the biggest Hollywood casts of the year and kind of shame you don’t see them for real on the big screen. I’m not sure why but every major actor wants a big animated release credit on their resume. Can’t be the best money but maybe it’s something to show their kids (as opposed to their usual films which are littered with sex, language and violence).
The rumour going around is that there’s a Shrek 3 and a Shrek 4 in the works. I’d suspect this to be true considering how much money the first two films have reaped worldwide. Dreamworks now has my $10 from Shrek 2 and whilst I can’t take it back, I’ll think twice before shelling over more to see future instalments.
The Prince And Me
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | Martha Coolidge |
| Written by: | Jack Amiel, Michael Begler, Katherine Fugate |
| Starring: | Julia Stiles, Luke Mably, James Fox, Miranda Richardson, Ben Miller |
| Released: | June 24, 2004 |
| Grade: | B- |
The Prince And Me is the perfect film for teenage girls. I’m sure many have dreamed of falling in love with a wealthy prince and to have him reciprocate the feelings. I may not be fully in touch with the female race but correct me if I’m wrong here. Back in May, the Crown Prince of Denmark married an Australian commoner in Mary Donaldson and photos were splashed across the cover of every woman’s magazine.
Based on this, here’s a film with appeal. You may find it hard to believe but the film was written and made before the actual royal wedding which just took place in Denmark. In this fictitious film, Paige Morgan (Stiles) is a career girl studying hard at college in America. Eddie (Mably) is the current Prince of Denmark and attending the same college. The catch being that Eddie wants to get away from his family ties and has not told anyone in America of his royal status.
The two meet, fall in love, have a few differences and then boom, the Prince drops the bombshell. This moment doesn’t occur until one hour into the film but it’s what the audience has paid their money for. Up until this part, I found it all rather boring. Girls were swooning and I understand there needs to be character development but I couldn’t get into the swing of it (even with the alluring Julia Stiles in the leading role).
Once the secret has been revealed, the film changes its setting with the Prince and Paige heading to Denmark. Yep, there are more trials and tribulations but don’t worry girls, this dream won’t become a nightmare.
Guys, stay home and ladies, get in the queue. This may sound somewhat sexist but it’s reality of who this film has been made for.
Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | Alfonso Cuaron |
| Written by: | Steven Kloves |
| Starring: | Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Gary Oldman, David Thewlis, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane |
| Released: | June 10, 2004 |
| Grade: | A- |
There was only 12 months between the release of the first and second films but this time we’ve had to wait a little longer for our trip to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. With a new director at the helm the third Harry Potter film doesn’t disappoint. The depth of the story is evident on screen and it’s a clear cut-above most other family releases. Instead of yammering about a weak screenplay (as I usually do), I can praise the exciting storytelling and debate what subplots and characters have been left from the film.
After a much anticipated build up, I was unexpectedly disappointed by the opening half hour. The traditional scenes of Harry at the Dursley home were rushed and the subsequent reintroductions to the key characters were a little boring. The introduction of David Thewlis and Professor Lupin provides the kick start to the adventure and it never lets up. Whether you’ve read the novel or not, you’re sure to be enchanted.
On arrival back at Hogwarts for his third year of school, Harry once again finds himself the unwilling centre of attention. A notorious criminal, Sirius Black (Oldman), has become the first person to escape from the impenetrable Azkaban Prison. Twelve years ago, Black helped the evil Lord Voldemort to kill Harry’s parents and many suspect he will come after Harry to settle unfinished business. The school is now closely guarded by foul creatures known as Dementors. As writer J.K. Rowling so perfectly phrases it – “get too near a Dementor and every good feeling, every happy memory, will be sucked out of you”. They will not rest until they have found Sirius Black and drained his soul completely from him.
Those that have read the third book will know the fate of these characters but for those that haven’t, I won’t reveal the enjoyable twists which follow. I think many viewers will fall into the former category. Over 200 million copies of Rowling’s books have now been sold worldwide and the series has become the most widely read of the modern era. Let’s not forget the success of the first two films either which grossed more than $1.8b worldwide. When you analyse this big picture, it all comes back to amazing storytelling. There’s something about the mystical world of Harry Potter that has ensnared both kids and adults alike (myself included).
I admired the performance of young stars Daniel Radcliffe (as Harry) and Emma Watson (as Hermione). Radcliffe has improved dramatically over the three films and contrary to what others believe, I see a long and successful film career ahead. This may not be just in front of the camera. In interviews, Radcliffe has astutely expressed an appreciation for the works of director Alfonso Cuaron (A Little Princess, Y Tu Mama Tambien) and you can’t help but be impressed by a 14-year-old saying that.
Some cast members do fall by the wayside in Azkaban. Alan Rickman and Maggie Smith are seldom seen and Emma Thompson’s new role as Professor Trelawney is overdone. Michael Gambon tries his best to replace the late Richard Harris as Professor Dumbledore but he doesn’t quite have the same vagueness and secrecy.
I admit to expecting a little more from director Cuaron haven’t been such a huge fan of his last film, Y Tu Mama Tambien. I liked how he kept his camera continually on the move but I did hope for something a little more adventurous. You can’t fault most his crew with composer John Williams delivering another fantastic film score and three time Academy Award winning production designer Stuart Craig immaculately crafting each hall and corridor at Hogwarts.
It’s thumbs up for all three films in the Harry Potter series and already filming has commenced on the next movie, Harry Potter & The Goblet Of Fire. Slated for a November 2005 release, it will feature another new director in Mike Newell (Four Weddings & A Funeral). I’ll see there you there on opening night.
Touching The Void
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | Kevin Macdonald |
| Written by: | Joe Simpson |
| Starring: | Joe Simpson, Simon Yates, Nicholas Aaron, Brendan Mackey |
| Released: | June 24, 2004 |
| Grade: | A |
In 1985, friends Joe Simpson and Simon Yates tried to scale one of the highest mountains in Peru – the 21,000 foot Siula Grande. Others had attempted the climb previously but were unsuccessful. This only added to the attraction of the mountain for these two young English climbers. Their adventure has become a commonly told tale in mountaineering circles. Now, the story has been magically brought to life by Academy Award winning filmmaker Kevin Macdonald, and the two men themselves.
Touching The Void is an unconventional film in that it is part film and part documentary. It is narrated by both the real Joe Simpson and Simon Yates who often appear on screen. There is also the visual element – two actors, Nicholas Aaron and Brendan Mackey, play the younger Simpson and Yates as we watch the journey unfold.
Why this story is special is how amazingly against the odds their survival was. Just after starting their decent, Simpson fell and his leg was badly broken. You’ll cringe when you hear Simpson describe this horrible moment. At that altitude, such an event is usually a death sentence. It’s tough enough scaling the walls of rock and ice with two legs let alone one.
We obviously know that both live to tell the tale but how they did so, I will leave for you to discover. This story sounds very similar to a film I saw a few years ago called Vertical Limit which starred Chris O’Donnell. I wrote that film off as being commercialised and unrealistic. I’d think the same here too but that’s what makes it so special – this actually did happen and we’re hearing a first hand account of it all!
Partially funded by the National Geographic Channel, Touching The Void is beautifully filmed. There’s no bogus locations either – Macdonald and his crew went back to the actual Siula Grande to shoot the entire recreation of events. I know nothing of the two actors who play Simpson and Yates but they do such a fantastic job that you’ll think you’re watching the real thing. You feel right there with them.
Few films are this interesting and Touching The Void won the BAFTA Award earlier this year for best British film. The other nominees were Cold Mountain, Girl With A Pearl Earring, In This World and Love Actually. There’s some food for thought and another endorsement of just how good this film is. Dazzling stuff.