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Reviews
The Social Network (2010)
Fincher is still the king
Can David Fincher make a bad movie (well lets forget about Alien 3)? The Social Network is so amazing on so many levels. The story is captivating from the opening scene, the scene between Mark & Erica in the bar. Sparking dialogue that leaps off the screen- so many memorable lines in just the 1st scene alone. The narrative hurtles along at such a pace & doesn't really let up until about the last 10 minutes of the movie. This is definitely a movie to watch a few times. The acting is awesome- the 3 lead actors are just great & there are some excellent supports (notably Rooney Mara). It is incredible the way the leads are depicted, very flawed, often unlikeable people in so many ways. Aaron Sorkin has written a really impressive screenplay (got to get a nod at Acadamy Awards!!!!) & plays an exec in 1 scene. There are so many great scenes, the opening is outstanding & the scene where Mark Zuckerberg looks at Sean partying through the window is really impressive too. We just got home from seeing it- it opened today & i cant wait to go back. But Im a Fincher fan & even his worst movies (Panic Room, The Game) are excellent. His best (Fight Club, Seven, Benjamin Button, Zodiac) are amongst my all time faves & this is more in the Zodiac style. Fincher for best director or Nolan? Highly recommended & what i would call a 'must see'.
Shutter Island (2010)
Gripping thriller
The 2009 made but 2010 released Scorsese film Shutter Island was a very entertaining thriller in similar genre to his remake of Care Fear. This film is set up as a crime thriller with two marshalls (Leonardo DiCaprio & Mark Ruffalo) sent to an island that housing around 66 of the most dangerous criminally insane psychiatric patients. Their job is to investigate 1 missing female patient with the assistance (or not) of the hospital staff led by Ben Kingsley & Max Von Sydow. Suffice to say, things get much more complex with Leos character suffering from increasing migraines & some PTSD symptoms relating to the loss of his recently deceased wife (beautifully played by Michelle Williams) & his experience as a US soldier closing down a Nazi concentration camp. This is an absorbing complex film that is technically excellent as one would expect from Scorsese. The performances are really good although it is initially difficult to take Leo seriously. He looks like a little boy clothed form the dress up box. The plot twists are interesting & the music creates a foreboding sense of doom form the opening scene. There are some plot holes or areas left unexplained at the films end. It is lengthy at almost 2hrs 20 minutes but it is well paced. I had read many negative reviews prior to the screening & found Shutter Island an enjoyable if not completely satisfying experience.
It's Complicated (2009)
a surpising winner
I went to this film with fairly low expectations as I am not a Nancy Meyers fan but the draw card for me was Meryl Streep. The plan was to catch it on DVD at some stage but circumstances resulted in an unexpected trip to the cinema & Its Complicated was the best on offer. What an amazingly hilarious movie! Almost from the very start, most people in the cinema were roaring with laughter, literally! It was mostly an audience of over 30s & the laughter was so load & so constant that I am going to have to see it again as i missed out on a few chunks of dialogue- it was drowned out by people loving this film. Queen Meryl reigns- what cant this woman do- comedy,drama, musicals! The combo of Meryl Alex Baldwin & Steve Martin was spot on, all 3 were so good. Most of the killer lines went to John Krasinski as Meryls son in law to be. He doesn't miss any opportunity & showed his comedic talents. The story is pretty good & was entertaining all the way through. The 3 leads were not given lines, situations & were filmed suitable to their ages, & the supports were quality (such as Hunter Parrish from Weeds, Rita Wilson & Mary Kay Place). Highly recommended for anyone who wants a really long, really enjoyable laugh.
Bran Nue Dae (2009)
Its just not quite right
Bran Nue Day has its heart in the right place it just doesn't quite pull it off! Its basically a musical road movie but its just a bit too silly for my tastes. There are some good elements - it moves along nicely, there are some good performances (Jessica Mauboy for one, Ernie Dingo is OK too), reasonable songs, its bright & paints Australias Broome in an attractive light. Other parts really could have done with some work though. The Tom Budge character (he plays Missy Higgins hippie boyfriend) is a complete joke & Geoffrey Rushs character is over the top too. Some of the choreography & miming are so bad, characters pop in & out with little relevance & the finale is woeful. With all that it is a pretty reasonable excuse for a mindless popcorn movie, it thats what you are looking for, this is your film.