Change Your Image
chris-pitcher
Reviews
The Emperor's Club (2002)
Yeah but no but yeah but... (spoilers)
There is a feel of easy class and privilege in this drama set in an (initially) all boys private school in the USA during the 1970's (I think). And this is no bad thing, it makes quite a change from the background mood that pervades most films from Hollywood at the moment rom. com./cop/super hero etc. The film is technically fine and a visual treat, given the limits of the setting.
What it all comes down to is the acting and the plot. I dare say this is true for every movie ever made but when young actors are involved and the plot is in constant danger of cliché it is even more true. Well, the acting seemed a little clunky on the part of the boys I have to say. Although I may be misinterpreting direction given to the actors to make them seem like 'young gentlemen' and thus not quite so casual with each other as boys usually are. Even so, it is not so bad that it interfered with my enjoyment of the film. Apart form that aspect the acting was very good. So...
The plot of this film is the interesting thing as far as I can see, I have genuinely mixed feelings about it. The start is not so good: As a new term begins all is sweetness and light until the late arrival of a new boy who is a trouble maker. Do you feel a yawn coming on? Guess what? After a few pranks and generally being a tosser the young rebel is finally encouraged to study and take part in the 'Mr Julius Caesar' competition. Yes, you can start yawning now. But wait - He doesn't win the 'Mr Julius Caesar' competition and remains a tosser. Well, this may not be exciting but it did avoid utter cliché death.
Then, there is a very lame fast forward twenty years. It seems as if the lad, now a man, wants to redeem himself at some re-match of the 'Mr Julius Caesar' competition. Ah, we think, now he really has turned into a good boy, it is safe to start yawning after all. But wait - He doesn't win the 'Mr Julius Caesar' competition and remains a tosser. Now, the very fact that I could use my cut and paste to put that line in indicates the problem. It avoids the cliché by using exactly the same trick as before - and it really is the same trick, not just the generalities. So that is a bit of a dead loss for me. On the other hand this is the whole point of the movie, a leopard never changes its spots. But we all know how much truth or falseness is contained in that notion and if we don't, then a work of fiction is not the best place to gain life experience. Now, there is another sub plot with a different pupil that is quite moving and some other things go on as well so it isn't a complete plot disaster by any means.
Overall, despite the misgivings I have over some of the plot, it is still a jolly pleasant, well made and enjoyable film, which is a rare enough event these days.
Fight Club (1999)
So good you'll watch it twice (at least).
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't this the best movie of all time? Now, it might be a little violent in places but that doesn't mean it can't be good too. All the violence is completely necessary to the plot and character development and in fact it gives an impression of containing far more violence than it really has - surely one sign of a good movie already.
The dialogue and the voice over is clever and witty e.g. "I still can't think of anything to say." "Ah, flashback humour." as the film catches up with itself and EN has a gun in his mouth.
The editing is all neat and slick.
The screen play and directing is outstanding. I was going to site an example or two but as I sit here, so many little scenes or parts of scenes suggest themselves that it impossible to pick one or two out, it's like trying to pick the best Beatles songs.
The acting is monumental. Brad Pitt is somewhat larger than life but in fact he *is* larger than life. Edward Norton is ideal and it is so right that he isn't a hunk of meat like just about every other leading man these days. HBC is perfect, you feel you know her so well, a total head case that you can't help being drawn to.
The plot is, needless to say, awesome. The film takes the novel, makes it it's own thing and then surpasses even the novel.
What more do you want from a film for goodness sake? Well, what you want are 'little touches' that are unique. Like the almost subliminal clips of Tyler flashing throughout the film; The 'oh well' look that Edward Norton gives after beating Blondy to a pulp; The way Brad Pitt's pants are almost down to his crotch in the soap shop; The fact that the act of destruction in which Robert Paulson dies is called "Operation Latte Thunder"; The line "I haven't been ufcked liked that since grade school."; The way Tyler (BP) throws things on the ground with such force all the time. I could go on.
Name me a better film and I'm pretty sure that I can say that, you may prefer it to Fight Club, but Fight Club is still a better film. I have a few films that I prefer over Fight Club but that is because they tweek my buttons in just the right way but Fight Club just is a really good film.
Did I mention that I think its quite good already?
The Dish (2000)
Over the moon
I'm sure that there are plenty of other comments about the plot and characters in this film so I won't repeat all that.
I just want to say two things:
1) That since I started renting and sometimes buying DVDs this has been one of the ones that has had, and stood up to repeated viewing.
2) The DVD extras are outstanding. I would buy the DVD for them alone.
wrt extras: NASA Footage of the flight; the JKF speech announcing the USA's intention to put a man on the moon; the famous landing radio link audio (so cool and collected that even today most people don't realise that the on-board computer of the Eagle crashed a couple of minutes before they were due to land but Houston just went ahead anyway and then they finally landed with about 30 seconds of fuel left after travelling 250,000 miles) and even the directors commentary over the NASA Footage is very interesting too.
Criminal (2004)
Something Familiar?
Being quite fond of heist/sting/caper movies this looked like it was well worth a hire at the local DVD store when it came out.
After about 5 minutes I was feeling very confused - I was sure had seen it before but it had only just been released. *light goes on over head* - This is very reminiscent of 9 Queens. Ten minutes later... *light goes on over head* - This is a Hollywood remake of 9 Queens. Maybe I'm the only person to watch the movie that didn't know it was remake.
And that, as they say, is that. If you have already seen 9 Queens then this won't hold any surprises for you. The acting, directing etc. etc. are all fine but then again, it was all fine (if not excellent) in 9 Queens. If you haven't seen 9 Queens then watch that instead because it is better.
It just makes me sad that when there are people struggling to get new interesting movies funded, that it is seen as more profitable to do a remake of a film that is only a few years old anyway. Of course we all know the reason for the remake; 9 Queens is not in English and requires that you read subtitles and the 15 to 25 year old American boys that are the prime target for this type of film can't read and chew popcorn at the same time.
If this film had been an original I would be inclined to give it 7 or 8 stars but because the best part of it (the plot) is lifted (and in the final credits it acknowledges 9 Queens) and also because I am really annoyed by pointless remakes - (Don't even mention Nikita!!) I can only summon up 2 stars. What a pointless way to use a great cast and the film making talent that was evidently available for this piece of work.
Garden State (2004)
Who let this get out of Hoolywood?
Every now and then something goes wrong with the Hollywood Film Filters and a good one gets through. This is one of them. A sure sign of a good film is the amount of trolling it attracts - and boy those trolls are giving this one a big thumbs up.
If you liked Pieces of April, The Station Agent or maybe even Ghost World then there is a good chance that this is for you. And while you are at it check out the British movie Heartlands.
Natalie Portman is great and plays a properly developed supporting role that could so easily have been just another pretty chick. The film has a lovely steady pace that doesn't feel rushed at all and yet it continues moving forward enough to keep your interest all the time.