#93: Letters From Iwo Jima (2006) August 23, 2007
Posted by badblokebob in : Drama, Clint Eastwood, War, 2000s, adaptations, 4 stars, true stories, 2007 , add a comment2006 | Clint Eastwood | 135 mins | DVD | 15 / R
Companion to Flags of Our Fathers, and widely considered the better of the two, showing the same battle from the Japanese perspective.
Letters focuses on the human angle, getting to know the characters as they prepare for battle (the Americans don’t arrive for almost an hour) and through flashbacks. The film aims to humanise ‘The Enemy’ but only succeeds in showing that there were some good people in a society of old-fashioned ideas; the obsession with pointless suicide over genuine use of men may be true, but still seems savage and unpractical (probably more a flaw of the real military attitude than of the film, then). No character who follows this is a good guy; likable ones survive or are Westernised. The Americans we see are a mix too (one shoots captured soldiers for no reason, for example), but this feels like a hollow attempt to depict the filmmakers’ countrymen equally rather than genuinely aiding the concept of the Japanese as good guys.
The action sequences and cinematography owe a lot to Saving Private Ryan — desaturation is becoming a war film cliche; that said, it works here, fitting the bland sandy environment and emphasising bursts of colour from blood and flames.
A mixed film then, the value of which lies not in presenting a view of war, humanity or Japanese culture, but in providing a view (or, indeed, half a view) of this one particular battle.
I’ll share my thoughts on the first half of this pair when LoveFilm decide to send it to me.
#83: The Sign of Four (1983) August 20, 2007
Posted by badblokebob in : Animation, adaptations, 3 stars, 1980s, Mystery, 2007, Sherlock Holmes , add a comment1983 | Ian Mackenzie & Alex Nicholas | 49 mins | DVD | U
A slightly unusual one to review, this — it’s a 49-minute animated Sherlock Holmes adaptation from the ’80s, one of four in this particular series. But, as best I can tell from IMDb, it’s not specifically TV-based, and it does feature the voice of Peter O’Toole. Vocally he makes for a good Holmes, though the character design could be a little better. I can’t recall the original story well enough to comment on this as an adaptation, but it’s a decent mystery that’s well explained. The animation is not bad; certainly no worse than most kids’ TV animation from the ’80s and ’90s, and better than the flat Flash-animated stuff of today. A solid production.
#77: Educating Rita (1983) August 6, 2007
Posted by badblokebob in : Comedy, Drama, 5 stars, adaptations, 1980s, British films, 2007 , add a comment1983 | Lewis Gilbert | 106 mins | TV | 15 / PG
Julie Walters makes her big screen debut opposite Michael Caine in this British comedy drama about a 26-year-old University student and her disenchanted drink-sodden tutor, adapted by Willy Russell from his own play and directed by the man behind Alfie and three Bond films. For a comedy drama (which usually fail to do either successfully) it’s genuinely very funny, but maintains an appropriate weight in the dramatic moments. The script is full of great lines, beautifully delivered by the two leads; Walters is especially excellent. If you haven’t seen it it might not be what you expect, but that’s no bad thing. Recommended.
#76: Brief Encounter (1945)
Posted by badblokebob in : Drama, Romance, 5 stars, 1940s, British films, David Lean, 2007 , add a comment1945 | David Lean | 83 mins | DVD | PG
Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard star in the classic romantic drama from highly acclaimed writer Noel Coward and highly acclaimed director David Lean. The central character’s relationship is, famously, a very British affair — all awkwardly repressed emotions, discussion of the weather, fear of society’s opinions, stolen passionate kisses, guilt, indecision, true love and endless cups of tea. The witty screenplay, direction, and lead and supporting performances are all excellent. Undoubtedly and deservedly a true British classic.
#75: Confetti (2006)
Posted by badblokebob in : Documentary, Comedy, Romance, 2000s, 3 stars, British films, 2007 , add a comment2006 | Debbie Isitt | 96 mins | TV | 15 / R
Largely improvised Britcom, shot in a documentary style, about three couples trying to win a most original wedding competition. It starts out quite poorly, with unlikable characters and an irritating style, but things do improve and a number of the characters do grow on you (some do, deliberately, remain horrid). My favourites are the pair of camp wedding planners — you don’t get much more stereotypical, but they’re lovable and amusing from the off. Fittingly, the weddings at the end are probably the best bits.
#74: The Departed (2006)
Posted by badblokebob in : Thriller, Martin Scorsese, Crime, 2000s, 4 stars, 2007, remakes , add a comment2006 | Martin Scorsese | 145 mins | DVD | 18 / R
An all-star cast lead Scorsese’s Oscar-winning remake of Hong Kong action thriller Infernal Affairs. It’s an unusual yet striking mix of elements: cops vs. robbers thriller, gangster drama, relationships of those who protect/threaten us drama, and several more. It winds up with an unusual feel for structure and pace, though is never less than stylish. Having not seen many of Scorsese’s earlier films it’s hard for me to say if this is up to standard, as many say it is; but I still believe Greengrass’ United 93 was more deserving of the Best Director nods. As I did earlier this year with The Prestige, my rating errs on the side of caution.
#73: Night Watch (2004)
Posted by badblokebob in : Horror, Action, Fantasy, adaptations, 4 stars, world cinema, 2007 , add a comment2004 | Timur Bekmambetov | 110 mins | DVD | 15 / R
Urban action fantasy from Russia; the first part of a trilogy (though, apparently, film two wraps the plot up and film three will be made in the US, looking at a different part of the story). It makes for a pretty entertaining tale, with a neat ending that both concludes this film’s plot and leaves everything wide open for what’s to come. It also has some very snazzy subtitles (sadly only available on the two-disc DVD; I won’t waste too much space ranting about how crap the one-disc is here). If you don’t like Films With Subtitles, this one might surprise you.