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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 20 April 2000

Word comes in of an emergency assignment and within hours they’re shipping out with a highly classified mission plan.  Upon departure, they find they are intercepting a German U-boat (the U-571) who has been disabled but not destroyed.  On board is a top-secret typewriter that will reveal the German’s encrypted code that has prevented the U.S. from understanding their radio transmissions.

Putting the plan into action goes smoothly until another German submarine arrives and destroys the U.S. sub.  This leaves a handful of men stranded on the German U-571 with no knowledge of the submarine’s operations or technology.  They must somehow manoeuvre the U-boat back home whilst under the threat of the approaching Germans.

On a positive side, U-571 has some solid action scenes that feature some great sound effects, cinematography and direction.  However, it tires quickly and the film’s intentions are compromised by poor dialogue and disgracefully corny subject material.  At least the story doesn’t claim to be based on a true story (ala Erin Brockovich).

I would have much preferred to see a more realistic viewpoint of these heroes.  War movies are a staple of the American public’s cinema diet and it’s a tough ask to follow the recent acclaim for Saving Private Ryan and The Thin Red Line.  War films are about the passion and emotion of fighting for one’s country.  It is not about zany over-the-top action scenes.

So treat this film for what it is.  It’s just a simple action film with little story, little acting and little else.  U-571 is dedicated to the U.S. marines of World War II who fought and captured German intelligence material that helped win the war.  I’m sure those who actually were in the war would find this film one laugh after another.

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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 13 April 2000

Death is great subject for movies but doesn’t often get deserving treatment.  Final Destination revolves around the theory that death has a design in that it decides when it’s your time and there is nothing you can do to stop it.

There’s a great line during the movie when Alex (Sawa) talks to Clear (Larter) and talks about that one event that sets off the chain.  We’ve all thought about it and many of us have come very close and been none the wiser.  To use an obvious example, look at plane crashes.  Hundreds of people can die in an instant but what of that person who was running late and missed the plane?  It happens.

In Final Destination, a group of 40 students and 4 teachers set off on a high-school field trip to France.  Leading up to the flight, Alex is uncomfortable and upon boarding the plane has a graphic premonition that the plane will explode just after take off.  Freaking out, he gets into a fight with another student, Carter (Smith) and in all, 7 students and a teacher get removed from the flight.

Sure enough the plane goes down but those saved are far from thankful.  One by one, each is killed off in unusual circumstances.  Death had decided that it was their time and since they cheated the design it’s coming back to finish its work.

It’s probably a shame that such a good idea was turned into a teen thriller flick.  Screenwriter Glen Morgan takes the subject matter far too seriously to be acted by a young cast.  Devon Sawa was surprising good in his emotional leading role but the rest were unconvincing.  I would love to have seen this film with more accomplished actors and a better script.

The surprising plus was the direction of first-timer James Wong - it’s great!  His use of close ups, film editing and camera techniques really heighten the suspense.  All the death scenes are beautifully crafted.  You know they’re going to die but you just don’t know how and trust me, they come up with some pretty creative ways.

It’s certainly better than your average teen movie but again falls down with moronic dialogue.  It seems like I say this about every movie but people just don’t talk like this.  When Alex’s best friend Chad is killed, his first reaction is to tell Chad’s parents that it wasn’t his fault.  Why would you say something like that?  Beats me.

You’re not going to find Final Destination in an in-flight movie brochure so as long as you’re not flying anywhere soon, it’s worth a look.  It’s hard to believe but as far as the human race has advanced over the last 10,000 odd years, we’re still no closer to finding out what is on the other side.  But don’t worry, death will see you soon.

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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 13 April 2000

Topsy-Turvy is a look at the true story of William Gilbert (Broadbent) and Arthur Sullivan (Corduner) who together created musicals for the Savoy theatre.  Their previous creations included the HMS Pinafore and The Pirates of Penzance.  However the public is tiring of the familiarity that is encroaching their new works.  Their latest, has struggled at the box-office and Sullivan has had enough.

Sullivan is the composer and desires to create a grand opera where his music can truly shine rather than merely supporting words.  Gilbert is the writer who constantly relies on scripts with magic and worlds that are “topsy-turvy”.

Seemingly at the end of their successful career together, Gilbert attends a Japanese exhibition with his wife, which sets of a spark that would pen The Mikado, a comedic musical based on the lifestyle of the Japanese.  Sullivan is impressed and agrees to put music to the words and the rest is history...

Topsy-Turvy is a wonderful look behind the scenes of a theatrical production.  Set in the late 1800s, all the characters are incredibly played and it makes for highly intriguing viewing.  All the players have little nuances to them and as the film progresses, a little more of each is revealed.

Nothing more can be said about the incredible sets, makeup and costumes - no stone has been left unturned.  The script is phenomenal and deserves the Oscar nomination it receives.  The story is not enhanced for comedic effect but rather plays as it really was.  The language and dialogue are beautifully crafted and echo the era in which it is set.

Not to be missed, Topsy-Turvy is a triumph and another feather in the hat of Mike Leigh.  Sure it’s over two and a half hours but the time is not wasted.  A rarity is modern cinema, a screenplay that can actually go the distance.

Details

Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 06 April 2000

The story is set in 2020 when a group of international astronauts travel to Mars for exploration and research.  When a group go missing on the surface (led by Don Cheadle), another crew is set out after them (led by Tim Robbins and Gary Sinese).  They have their trials and tribulations along the way and upon reaching the surface, lo and behold, they discover the secret of the universe - in that all life started on Mars.  Wow!

Brian De Palma is losing all credibility as a director with this film stinking like his previous two - Mission: Impossible and Snake Eyes.  The special effects are ordinary.  In today’s modern age, when seeing films like The Phantom Menace and The Matrix, I can’t understand how the production company could be satisfied with these visual images.  It looks like something from an 80s TV movie.

No one in the cast is funny or interesting and the dialogue is shocking.  I can’t think what Sinese and Robbins were thinking to sign on to this movie - I thought much better of them.

I will not waste additional time describing the agony I endured sitting through two hours of total crap.  I would prefer to spend the time having teeth extracted than to sit through Mission To Mars a second time.  I have now witnessed a movie which sets a benchmark for bad movies to come - one that will live long into the history books.  You have been warned...

Details

Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 13 April 2000

In trying to slip away from her romantic tag, Roberts takes on the role of Erin Brockovich.  Based on a true story, Erin has been through several jobs, two husbands and has little to show for it except for two kids.  When injured in a car accident she thinks her life may have turned for the better when she hires lawyer Ed Masry with the hope of a big payout.  Upon losing, Brockovich reaches breaking point and frustrated with her lawyer, promptly shows up at his office and says she’s not leaving until he employs her to make up for his broken promises.

It is here where she finds her calling.  Given the small job of filing some workpapers regarding a real-estate claim, she takes it upon herself to investigate further.  What she would uncover was a massive conspiracy from American electrical company PG&E.  They had knowledge that runoff from their machines was contaminating the water supply of a small Californian town but had concealed the information for over two decades.

Julia Roberts has never been nominated for Academy Award and it is roles like this that will start her on the road to critical admiration.  She is superb in her portrayal and shows a character with determination and spark.  Albert Finney (playing Ed Masry) outshines Roberts with his wonderful performance and has the greatest line in the film when he talks of the value of PG&E to both Roberts and an opposition lawyer.

The rest of the cast is great too (including In The Company Of Men’s Aaron Eckhart).  Thomas Newman continues his run of successful scores with some beautiful music suiting the film perfectly.  Steven Soderbergh (Out Of Sight) gives the movie an interesting, upbeat flavour with his direction.  It’s quick, jerky and focuses on characters rather than courtroom scenes and other legal matters.

Despite having all the ingredients, the life of Erin Brockovich isn’t that interesting or inspiring.  Again the story has been dazzled up to meet Hollywood standards and it’s really hard to buy.  A similar story was told in last year’s A Civil Action about a man and a law firm who risk everything to bring to trial a firm who was found polluting a river.  This is basically the same movie except you replace John Travolta with Julia Roberts and add a few more laughs.

This film touches on some interesting points but doesn’t dig below the surface.  There’s a moment in a meeting with the townsfolk where one asks - if we win, how do we divide the money between us?  A very good question that is never answered.  With over 600 people bringing an action against PG&E, you’d think there’d be many who weren’t happy with the judgment but you wouldn’t know looking at this film.  Erin Brockovich is made out to be a saint who has the ability to solve everyone’s problems with her charisma.

Surely though there must be more interesting people out there to make movies about.  Modern day movies always like to focus on people who hit bottom and then claw their way to the top (ala The Hurricane).  I enjoy uplifting stories as much as anyone, but why do they have to be portrayed like gods?  I guess I was warned though by the opening line of the movie - “This movie is based on a true story”.  It’s the new Hollywood disclaimer.