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Reviews
Nil by Mouth (1997)
Domestic Abuse with Ray Winstone. Could there be scarier?
Quite a rare film in that Oldman concentrates almost solely on realism and spares little time for entertainment or humour.Not to the detriment of the film or Oldman's direction, Nil By Mouth is very much like a twisted Big Brother experience rather than a film to warm the heart.
The realism demonstrated is breathtaking. Winstone is terrifying, Burke downcast and even Big Mo is downtrodden in the face of Winstones violent nature.Whether Oldman himself has survived such an environment is a poignant question, to think people live their lives in such a way is an upsetting prospect.
Some have written that this film is depressing. Admittedly the themes of domestic abuse, alcoholism, the dim lighting, and lack of 'warm' moments make grim viewing, but it does not mean the film is not worth a watch (though at two hours it is a little over-wrought)
Probably one for film fans only, Oldman has made an auspicious debut. There is a personal nature to his film that suggests either a dynamic imagination or direct experience in childhood. I would like to think the former but the scripting and claustrophobic intensity of his direction and characterisation suggests differently.
As ever Winstone believable, and also a great soundtrack.
Transformers (2007)
blockbuster with standard plot template
michael bay has an impressive resume and does not disappoint with his latest big budget offering.
transformers is big, loud and total entertainment.
with eye-popping special effects, impressively enormous action set pieces its hard not to enjoy this action romp however, while not as robotic as the films cgi stars, the storyline as is formulaic as they come.
-geeky shia lebouef wins over girl of his dreams while saving the world and befriending giant robots-zzz.
when the film concentrates on its robotic stars and avoids the clichés of modern cinema, the pace is frenetic and action sequences riveting.
however, the confusion of which robot is fighting whom, and unnecessary fleshing out of the plot- i.e the ridiculous search for the spectacles in the parents house- let the film down.
in short popcorn entertainment that could have been yet more spectacular were it not for some aged screen writing!
Conspiracy Theory (1997)
nothing to be suspicious about
In short Conspiracy Theory is worth two hours of your day, but will not change your life. Having watched the film for the first time today despite its release in 1996, I was at different times of the film moved, intrigued, horrified and excited. Its that type of film,up and down, very difficult to pigeonhole and quite unlike most other films. One second its coolly original in its idea and narrative, the next typical romantic sub-plot (yawn.she'd never have fallen in love with him!and he'd never have survived! ) Part thriller, part action and all suspense, Director Richard Donner unravels his story at a monumental pace, the twists and turns are almost unrelenting and the majority of set-pieces are delivered well without the modern excesses of alternate camera style and hand-held takes- a dark, Kubrickesque wheelchair ride down and a funny hospital escape particular highlights.
While it could be argued that this film is dated when compared with other 90s films, it is a case of substance over style with this movie.
Yes, the gun fights and clichéd love angle are more Maverick than Seven or Kiss The Girls, and unfortunately Patrick Stewart is as wooden as Schwarznegger in a timber yard (underming the menace of what our governments could be up to)but for what it lacks in modern directing techniques,Conspiracy theory is undoubtedly watchable and entertaining! A factor sometimes forgotten in the psychological thriller/suspense genre (see The Black Dahlia, not a personal favourite) Reasons to see this film would be it unarguable originality (for those who have seen it name similar films that show the plight of the working man against a faceless government?!), the performance of Gibson which reminds us all of his talent in front of the camera (and without an agenda i.e Passion) and the themes of governmental control which are highly relevant in a modern context. Undoubtedly in the UK , the search for the elusive weapons of mass destruction alerted the people to the governments power to manipulate to get what they want.
If you like to think about your films, are a fan of Gibson and Roberts (note Gibson ad-libbed much of the script) and enjoy ideas exploring the balance of power, what shady governments could be getting up to , and the issue of who is policing the police, then this film is for you.
If you pull your hair out each time a hero manages to kill everyone, outsmart the smartest and still find time to woo the girls I'd suggest that you exercise caution and watch this film with something to bite down on.
In conclusion, as a film-fan who enjoys films which grip from start to end I recommend Conspiracy Theory as a good film to watch if you are not expecting a reinvention of the action sequence, a believably evil baddie or undoubtedly one where you can switch off and look at the pretty pictures. I feel it requires thought and deservedly so.