THE ACT OF KILLING (DIRECTOR'S CUT) - FILM REVIEW

Release Date: 28^th June 2013

Age Certificate: 18

Running Time: 159 mins

Director: Joshua Oppenheimer

Writers: ----------------

Stars: Haji Anif, Syamsul Arifin, Sakhyan Asmara

Last night I went to watch The Act of Killing (Director’s Cut) at the ICA Cinema. I sat down in the room that only sat 45 people and let the weird, disturbing documentary unfold. This film isn’t for everyone and I don’t think it was for me unfortunately. 

A documentary that challenges former Indonesian death squad leaders to re-enact their real-life mass-killings in whichever cinematic genres they wish, including classic Hollywood crime scenarios and lavish musical numbers. 

The Act of Killing surprisingly revolves around killing and the consequences of killing. There’s not really anything else I can say about this film, it’s just troubling. There is something about it where you don’t know whether you should burst out laughing or be worried about how weird these killers are. 

The big downside to this film is that you don’t care whether these ‘gangsters’ are psychopathic or actually feel sorry for what they have done. Either way you look at it they have killed about 1000 people each. EACH! It’s just sick. And to add to it they are making a film about murdering. They can’t let go, their life is killing. 

Like I said I saw the director’s cut and things needed to be cut out and I’m glad they were for the theatrical release, there were shots in there that had no meaning and seemed to drag on for way too long. Another thing which is annoying me is the reviews this film is getting, look, don’t get me wrong I don’t mind sitting down watching a nearly three hour very slow foreign film, it’s just it didn’t make me feel anything like a documentary should. 

7.3/10

THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES FILM REVIEW

Release Date: 19th April 2013

Age Certificate: 15

Running Time: 140 mins

Director: Derek Cianfrance

Writers: Derek Cianfrance and Ben Coccio

Stars: Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper and Eva Mendes

The Place Beyond the Pines is a film of two halves, in the first it’s action packed, in the second more slow placed. 

In the first half it consists of Ryan Gosling, a man who has to provide for his lover and young child. To do so he turns to robbing banks. This puts him on a collision course with an ambitious rookie cop, played by Bradley Cooper, navigating a department ruled by a corrupt detective.

I believe that the first half of this film will intrigue the larger percentage of the audience. Partly, because of the bank heists, the way the shots are taken are done very well. The second half grinds to a halt; it takes a look at the rookie cop, Bradley Cooper’s characters way of life and how he deals with a moment that has changed his life which occurs about half way through the film. 

The way this film changes pace is fantastic, it isn’t for some people’s taste, I take that on board but it was defiantly mine. The direction of The Place Beyond the Pines is also very stylist, the motorbike rides are shot superbly, the high scenic shots of them are quite mesmerising. It gives you a sense of calm in a hectic story. 

Yes, the main reason why this film will sell tickets is because of Ryan and Bradley in the film. The director, Derek Cianfrance has collaborated with Ryan before in Blue Valentine, I haven’t seen it, but I hear it’s pretty good however fairly depressing. The Place Beyond the Pines also is not very cheery, it gets quite dark at the end and I didn’t think it was going to go as far as it did.

The Place Beyond the Pines brings excitement and a sophisticated second half, a good mix if you ask me.

It’s definitely worth a watch.

8.0/10

ONLY GOD FORGIVES FILM REVIEW

Release Date: 2nd August 2013 (UK)

Age Certificate: 18

Running Time: 88 mins

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn

Writers: Nicolas Winding Refn

Stars: Ryan Gosling, Kristin Scott Thomas and Vithaya Pansringram

There are only few films where it splits the film community in half. This year that film is Only God Forgives. Some say it’s a masterpiece where as others say it is the worst film they have ever seen. I couldn’t wait to have a look and make my own decision. 

Julian, played by Ryan Gosling, is a drug-smuggler thriving in Bangkok's criminal underworld. However, he sees his life get even more complicated when his mother, Crystal, played by Kristen Scott Thomas, compels him to find and kill whoever is responsible for his brother, Billy’s recent death. 

I’m going to say it; I loved Drive! I know almost everyone says that but it was just one of those films that bought a feeling you hadn’t felt before. The romance, the tension and the direction all bought something to the table. I sat down to watch Only God Forgives wanting to leave with that same feeling.  But when I had completed the film I didn’t know what feeling I had, perhaps it was one of confusion. I wasn’t confused about the concept of the film but it was the confusion of did I like it or not. 

Right from the bat this film looks amazing, I knew it would, the cinematographer is Larry Smith; I actually think he’s a genius. Only a few flicks in the history of film look as good as this. It’s that beautiful! Directing is also outstanding apart from his twisted visions. The soundtrack is mesmerising, just like Drive, Cliff Martinez collaborates with Winding Refn again.

The downside of Only God Forgives is that it is gratuitously violent; I mean there is an eye ball stabbing in this film! You don’t need that, it doesn’t bring anything to it. Some other scenes are a bit too graphic but as Nicolas Winding Refn said violence is his fetish. I mean his favourite film is The Texas Chainsaw Massacre ever since he was 14 for God’s sake! 

The audience feels nothing for any of the characters; they are all heartless, cold and all murderers, apart from Crystal, Julian’s mother. She’s just a bitch.  Julian is a troubled child; it is possible there was forced incest between him and his mother. It’s not the typical motherly love. There is also another hidden truth that he has; all I’m going to say is that hands have a big role to play in the film. He urns for forgiveness.

Only God Forgives has hidden meanings and metaphors, mostly and probably all to do with God. I’m not going to say which character is supposed to represent God, but I’m sure you can work it out. It’s the man that is basically invincible and draws a sword from seemingly nowhere. 

I would be able to dive into this film describing meanings scene by scene but I don’t want to spoil too much. Even if one doesn’t enjoy the concept and story just go to admire the sheer beauty of the film. 

I will have to give Only God Forgives a massive complement; it’s a film that I have not seen the likes before. There should be more films that are more ’out there’ and shouldn’t worry what people expect of you. 

7.5/10 

Score could change (it’s one of those films)

DREDD FILM REVIEW

Release Date: 21st September 2012

Age Certificate: 18

Running Time: 95 mins

Director: Pete Travis

Writers: John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra

Stars: Karl Urban, Rachel Wood and Olivia Thirlby

Dredd hits Sky Movies this week, there never ever seems to be anything good on Sky Movies unfortunately. However, I wanted to see Dredd in cinemas last year for a laugh but couldn’t as it was an 18. 

Dredd is set in a violent, futuristic city where the police have the authority to act as judge, jury and executioner, a cop teams with a trainee to take down a gang that deals the reality-altering drug, SLO-MO.

At the beginning of the film Judge Dredd becomes enclosed in a block of flats run by a gang as they want him dead and buried. This is partly because he has just captured a gang member who has murdered. His mission is to survive and get to the top where the gang is based along with a rookie he has to assess. Yes, if you’re wondering why it sounds like The Raid, it’s because it does. It’s always a good road to go down if you want an all firing Judge Dredd film. 

SLO-MO does exactly what it says on the tin, it slows things down dramatically. This drug which is incorporated within the film allows the director, Pete Travis, to get some good slow motion shots without him being questioned too much. SLO-MO didn’t really need to be in the film but it just was because it looked cool. 

You’re not supposed to care for any of the characters really and the audience is supposed to sit there and think, 'Hey, that Dredd guy is pretty badass.’ And I’m not going to beat around the bush, you do think that. Karl Urban, does a pretty good job of putting in a good performance even though his mouth and stubble is only showing. 

Dredd is also not too long; at just 95 minutes it doesn’t try and overdo it with the action such as the likes of Man of Steel. Let’s be honest this Dredd couldn’t have done worse than the 1995 Judge Dredd, with Stallone. 

Good watch if you want to see some certificate 18 violence in close vicinity! 

7.0/10

TRANCE FILM REVIEW

Release Date: 27^th March 2013

Age Certificate: 15

Running Time: 101 mins

Director: Danny Boyle

Writers: Joe Ahearne and John Hodge

Stars: James McAvoy, Vincent Cassel and Rosario Dawson

Right off the bat, Danny Boyle is one of my favourite directors and produces some of my favourite films. Although he does not write scripts he certainly chooses the best ones. Trance will leave you thinking after you’ve left the cinema. The main question will be, ‘What the hell have I just seen?’

A fine art auctioneer, James McAvoy, mixed up with a gang joins forces with a hypnotherapist, Rosario Dawson, to recover a lost painting; he can’t remember where he placed. As boundaries between desire, reality and hypnotic suggestion begin to blur the stakes rise faster than anyone could have anticipated. Sounds exciting doesn’t it? Well it is. Trance takes so many twists and turns it’s like a maze and you don’t know where you’re going to end up. 

The thing I love about Danny Boyle is that he isn’t afraid to take on wacky scripts. For example he made Millions into an average story into a great film. His artistic angles and soundtracks all add to the thrill. Danny is charming in his own special way and is difficult to replicate.

As for the acting in Trance it’s great in money respects, Vincent Cassel is always great as the bad guy and James McAvoy is always growing. Good for him. I always fear with Rosario Dawson is type cast, to prove my point let’s list out some films she’s starred in: Sin City, Death Proof and Descent. Perhaps Danny Boyle just wanted to have a good time. If that was his goal he certainly did a good job seeing that the two are now dating!

The film however is not without flaws. The film so heavily relies on tricking the audience that it's actually very easy to get lost and unfortunately lose interest in the film. While I didn't particularly feel this way I can see why others would have. While I've always been fascinated by the idea of an unreliable narrator to tell your story, when you're switching between three perspectives trying to decide which one is reliable it can sometimes take too much focus away from your plot. 

Despite, this Trance is one hell of a watch, just don’t watch it with your grandma, don’t go down that road. Trance has high thrills, ties in all together but keeps you on the edge of your seat all of the way. However, not Danny’s best, but I still love him. Oh and Danny thanks for the Olympic Opening Ceremony it was without a doubt very British. 

7.5/10