Details

Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 21 December 2004

Each December, I love putting together my top 10 list for the year.  By seeing some 200 films in 365 days, I feel I’ve deserved my right to single out the 10 movies I consider the best of 2004.  There’s a sense of satisfaction too.  Hours and hours and hours of viewing summed up by 10 film titles.

When I look back at 2004, I’m surprised to find 4 documentaries making the exclusive list.  Looking for a reason as to why this is the case, I come back to a quality in filmmaking that has current appeal to me – realism.  The standard comedies, thrillers and romances emanating from Hollywood this year have not won me over.  Instead of letting the story dictate the ending, it seems as if the screenwriters are letting the ending (in most cases a far-fetched one) dictate the story.

Let me say straight out that The Motorcycle Diaries will feature in my top 10 of 2004.  It’s a magnificently uplifting film and I can remember walking away from the theatre with a real sense of pleasure.

In 1952, a 23-year-old named Ernesto Guevara de la Serna travelled with his best friend Alberto across Southern America.  For both, it was a journey they had long planned – the first time that either had left their home country.  Alberto left behind his job as a biochemist and Ernesto took leave from university where studying to become a doctor.  With a rusty motorbike and little cash, they set off.

The trip begins as one of adventure.  Ernesto and Alberto are out to meet people, see the sights and get laid.   As the journey continues though, their eyes are opened to troubles they knew nothing of.  Lowly farmers were being kicked off their own land by corrupt officials who were bribed by the rich.  Medical help was not available to those desperately in need.  Discrimination against native folk was rife.

Ernesto kept a journal throughout their expedition and it is from this which The Motorcycle Diaries is based.  The attraction of this story is perhaps the ultimate outcome.  Ernesto, soon to be known as “Che”, would become a leader in the Cuban Revolution.  The film does not at all look at this later part of his life.  It rightly focuses on the simple journey of two guys learning the lessons of life.  I couldn’t think of a more perfect tagline to describe Ernesto’s journey – “before he changed the world, the world changed him.”

The film has a grainy 50s style to it which is a deliberate decision of director Walter Salles.  It helps set the scene and you sense this isn’t a story which has been glossed up or Hollywood-ised.  Particularly striking was his finale – an array of black and white capturing some of the people Ernesto and Alberto meet along the way.  It all reminded me of another great foreign film Salles recently had a hand in.  Salles helped produce 2002’s City Of God which was nominated for four Academy Awards.

Great performances are delivered by Gael Garcia Bernal as Ernesto and by newcomer Rodrigo De la Serna as Alberto.  Having broken out with his role in the terrific road movie Y Tu Mama Tambien (see my top 10 of 2002) and the soon to be released Bad Education (from acclaimed director Pedro Almodovar), Bernal is a star to watch.

As the pick of this year’s Christmas releases, The Motorcycle Diaries is an inspiring exploration that you should not miss.

Details

Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 07 December 2004

A love of movies and a little luck can be all you need.  Australians James Wan and Leigh Whannell met at University in Melbourne and developed the idea for a low-budget thriller.  After Australian studios balked at the idea, these two inexperienced youngsters took their screenplay to the States on a budget of just over $1m, they have crafted a cult thriller.

Not only did James and Leigh sell their script, they sold their other talents as well.  James is the film’s director and Leigh is one of the lead actors.  It’s exciting to think that two unknown Australians can do so much with their very first film.  For any budding filmmaker (myself included), you’d love to be in their shoes.

Their film is set largely in one room.  Lawrence (Elwes) and Adam (Whannel) wake up and find themselves chained to the piping in a well-worn bathroom.  A dead body with a gun in his hand lies between them.  They have been kidnapped by a sick mad-man who has a unique way of selecting his victims.  Once his captive, he allows them to choose their own fate.  To live though, they will have to complete a challenging task before the clock runs down.

Some of the elements to the story are quite gruesome and those a little squeamish should attend only under advisement.  I however, liked the approach taken.  These scenes are in the film for more than shock value and you’ll understand this when profiling the kidnapper.

After establishing a high level of interest and intrigue, the film’s finale is too unbelievable and spoils all the good work which precedes it.  It’s as if the story took the wrong fork in the road and ended up somewhere it should.  It just doesn’t work and a few other dissatisfied patrons in my cinema agreed.

Ending aside, one should see-Saw. 

Details

Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 15 December 2004

Seldom do I lose track of time in movies but Finding Neverland managed to sweep me away.  The film began and in the blink of an eye, the closing credits were rolling.  It isn’t an intricate story nor a complicated one.  In fact, you’d say it’s very predictable.  What it does have though, is a heart.  I seen this kind of story many-a-time before but director Marc Forster (Monster’s Ball) and screenwriter David Magee tell it with simplicity and elegance.  Audience members will leave with tissues in hand.

Finding Neverland is an account of how author James M. Barrie came to craft one of the most famous stories of the modern era – Peter Pan.  Before doing so though, Barrie (Depp) was struggling as a writer.  His last play, financed by the wealthy Charles Frohman (Hoffman), was poorly received by both the critics and the general public.  James’ marriage to wife Mary (Mitchell) was also in decline.  James avoided the growing distance between them by spending more time at the theatre or writing in the park.

It was there on a park bench where Barrie first met Sylvia Llewelyn Davies (Winslet), a widow with four young sons.  The two soon found comfort in each other’s friendships.  Barrie’s interaction with the children brought out his own “inner child” and with it the inspiration for a fantastical children’s tale.  For Sylvia, James’s fun-loving nature helped her children overcome the grief of a lost father.

Invariably, such a close friendship cannot continue without harm falling upon others.  A friend warns James that “you should be aware of what some people have been saying.”  The talk is that Barrie has been spending more time with Sylvia than with his own wife.  Sylvia’s exceedingly protective mother, Emma (Christie), strongly advises James to keep away.  The arrival of sad news though will only strengthen James and Sylvia’s bond as they fight to maintain their short glimpse of happiness. 

Finding Neverland is a very moving film played out by a wonderful cast.  The talented Johnny Depp is near perfect in the leading role.  Depp allows us to see two sides to James Barrie – one as a restrained artist filled with self doubt – the other as gifted playwright unafraid to be himself.  The ageless Julie Christie is equally impressive as Sylvia’s mother and I enjoyed her dialogue above the rest of the cast.

I can’t also pass without mentioning another top performance from a young actor.  Freddie Highmore may be only 12 years of age but will melt any audience member’s heart.  Funnily enough, Highmore and Depp have just completed a second film together – Depp plays Willy Wonka and Highmore plays Charlie Bucket in Tim Burton’s remake of Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory to be released next July.  Believe it or not, Depp and Highmore even share the same birthday!

It’s early in the Oscar chase but Finding Neverland is already generating some strong heat.  The National Board of Review kick started the award season by crowning it the year’s best film.  The plot development may be a touch conventional but Finding Neverland still leaves an emotional impression.

Details

Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 06 December 2004

You’d be hard pressed to find a 2004 release with more sex or coarse language than in Team America: World Police.  Surprising considering the film doesn’t feature any actors – just marionettes hanging from obviously visible strings.  Then again, what else would you expect from the creators of South Park?

Team America are a group of elite fighters who are saving the world from terrorism.  Their last mission saw them eliminate four Iraqis who had intended to detonate a weapon of mass destruction in central Paris.  Team America did inadvertently destroy the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre but the world is safe once again!

Unfortunately, their heroism isn’t been appreciated by all.  Hollywood actors and others (Michael Moore included) are speaking out against Team America as they believe the world’s disputes can be resolved without violence.  Alec Baldwin is head of the Film Actors Guild (F.A.G.) and has been invited by North Korean leader Kim Jong Il to speak at a major peace summit.  As they’ll soon learn though, you just can’t trust those North Koreans…

I am a big fan of American critic Roger Ebert who trashed this film in his review earlier this year.  In his own words – “I wasn’t offended by the movie’s content so much as by its nihilism.  It is neither for nor against the war on terrorism, just dedicated to ridiculing those who wage it and those who oppose it.”

Strange as it may seem, Ebert’s major criticism was one of the film’s most appealing aspects, at least in my eye.  I love how the film doesn’t seem to take a side and instead pays everyone out.  America receives a pasting for its thinking that it’s the “leader” of the world.  Then again, Hollywood celebrities also get grilled for thinking their celebrity status gives them the right to impose their political views on others.  Corporation bashers (such as myself) also come under fire and I can’t say that North Korean president or Hans Blitz of the United Nations will be too pleased either.

I see this film as a straight-out comedy.  It's funny because it’s shocking.  Sure writers Trey Parker and Matt Stone have something to say but they’re not trying to sugar coat it or hide their messages behind a guise.  They want people to laugh and their objective is achieved.  They mix their puppet action with the most creative songs I have heard for some time.  The song “America – F***, yeah!” is a reverberating highlight but the montage tribute to montages and the number comparing Ben Affleck’s acting ability to that of the horrors of Pearl Harbour also are to be remembered.

Director Trey Parker voices no less than 10 characters which is a fair effort since I never realised this until well after the movie.  I guess they had trouble finding Hollywood celebrities to help out (which comes as no surprising considering).  Their “Thunderbirds”-like puppets are comical in their own right and a monumental effort has been put into recreating some famous landmarks (in plastic form).

Sure to immensely entertain or horribly offend, Team America: World Police is unique animation targeted at a disenchanted world.  It’s gold!

P.S.  “Matt Damon”

Details

Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 12 December 2004

Ocean’s Twelve is a lazy film that’s too cool for school.  Steven Soderbergh and his team have tried to create another slick crime caper but haven’t delivered.  If I had the time, I’d like to go back and watch it again to see if the conclusion makes sense.  I don’t think it does.  A far-fetched scenario is invented whereby our heroes can escape as the victors.  Excuse me for having a brain.

If you remember the previous film, 11 thieves robbed $160m from a casino.  Now, casino boss Terry Benedict (Garcia) has come after them.  Benedict visits each member of “Ocean’s 11” to give them a straight forward demand – the money must be returned, with interest, in 14 days.

The only way they’ll come up with the money is to pull off another huge job.  Knowing they’re too hot to work in America, they set off for Amsterdam to meet with a contact.  What Rusty (Pitt) doesn’t reveal to the other team members is that he has an old flame in Amsterdam (Zeta-Jones) who is out to get him.

As events start unfolding, an unexpected offer emerges.  One of the world’s great criminals, Francois Toulour (Vincent Cassel), wants to know if he’s better than Ocean’s group.  After meeting with Danny Ocean (Clooney) they agree on a test – the first to steal a famous Faberge egg from a security Italian museum will be the winner.  If Ocean’s 11 get their first, Toulour will pay the outstanding debt with Benedict.  And so it begins…

As disinterested as I became, there was one scene of enjoyment.  Danny’s wife Tess (Roberts) helps their quest by impersonating someone else.  This starts an hilarious escapade which explores an age-old question in movies regarding truth and fiction.  That’s all I’m willing to tell because the twist is handled so beautifully by the cast and the writers that it would be a shame to spoil.  In my sold out session, the audience well and truly enjoyed it.

For the rest of Ocean’s 12 though, it’s a matter of going through the motions.  I’m sure Clooney, Pitt and co had a great time filming all over the globe but I didn’t particularly enjoy watching them.  The introduction in which the crew are united is way too long.  The conclusion is silly and confusing.  The characters are not as funny nor as entertaining.

As I’ve said before, a crap movie with big name stars is still a crap movie.  It may take oodles at the box-office but few will remember the details of this film in years to come.