4 Halloween

1. Some Think Old 

 

The Thing (1982)

On any given day if I were asked to list my top ten movies of all time you might find some irregularities, one day I might include something I neglected in a previous list and vice versa. In the case of John Carpenter's Sci-fi Horror classic The Thing (1982) I'm fairly confident it would stand up to the inconsistencies of my list making abilities. The opening scene described by Carpenter as "Apocalyptic" in a DVD commentary is a lesson in tonal architecture and wizardry. Through a blanket of seemingly infinite snow and Ice we are witness to bizarre yet mesmerising chase involving an Alaskan Malamute and a Norwegian Helicopter, gun shots and explosions sporadically filing the sonic voids, it is eerie stuff.

The Thing's central theme is paranoia driven by the decaying predicament of our would be victims and heroes, who are a collection of US scientists stationed on an Antarctic base as they come to terms with a series of mysterious events, coupled with the impending doom of a conflict with a shape-shifting malevolent alien being, accelerated by the desolate nature of their surroundings.

One of the more ingenuous aspects of the film is the creative brilliance of Make-up and effects guru Rob Bottin who went on to be hot property following his work here moving on to the likes of RoboCop (1987) and Seven (1995). Bottin’s deranged depictions of death and mutation still hold their own against today’s CGI.
Kurt Russell's plays both hero and anti-hero in his role as R.J. "Mac" MacReady in arguably the best ever performance of his career, as he leads an all male supporting cast notably Wilford Brimley who plays spooked Doctor Blair and Keith David who reprises Mac's rival Alpha-male Childs.

Years after release and despite limited commercial success perhaps The Things most impressive feat is its legacy, seen as a hauntingly premonitory like warning of the AIDS epidemic that would sweep the world a couple of years later. The Things influence through an assembly of iconic scenes and set pieces would go on to influence a generation of films and film makers such as Alien 3 (1992), Species (1995), The Faculty (1998). Whilst being among others one of Quinten Tarantino's big influences using the all male cast ethos closely in his signature work Reservoir Dogs (1992).

9/10 

2. Some Think New

Paranormal Activity 2 (2010)

There is a pretty standard set up for Paranormal Activity 2, family moves into house – house may or may not be haunted – paranoid ethic nanny believes in demons  – house appears to have been burgled and so on. These are among the circumstances that directly and indirectly lead family figurehead Dan to invest in some home security cameras in an effort to get to the bottom of what is going on.

Naturally this allows the audience to participate in a voyeuristic viewing experience for much of the film. The rest of the story is told through the families persistent use of a hand held video camera particularly more intimate family and personal moments in a lost/found footage type plot structure. The cast is largely un-credited, assumedly to provide more credence to the notion of real life authenticity. In the main they don’t do too bad a job of playing the modern day family Dad Dan is the breadwinner, mom Kristi is the attentive mother and step mom to Martine, we also have as previously mentioned an “is she crazy is she not” Nanny , Baby boy Hunter and family Dog Abby.

The action relies on drawn out video sequences to build the suspense for the impending horror, which usually comes in the shape of jumpy scares out of moments of intense silence that are effective in delivering  some frights and thrills. There are however some badly misjudged segments of the film which may amuse rather than terrify as intended.

In closing this is a film for casual horror fans and or lovers of shaky camera work paired heavy breathing and footsteps which likely drew people to the predecessor and other films of similar look or feel. Not for everyone but decent none the less. 

7/10

 

3. Some Think Foreign   
  

Let The Right One In (2008)

Like it or not the rise and modernisation of the vampire genre through a recent glut of literature, prime time TV series and feature length cinematic conversions of both, have seen a somewhat de-mystification and counter demonisation of the Vampire. The likes of the Twilight Saga for example opting to focus more on moody teen angst rather than traditional horror concepts and ideologies.

Let the Right One In offers a darkly insightful representation of Vampirism tinged with pre adolescent confusion and fascination. The Story is quintessentially a tale of friendship between a bullied schoolboy Oskar who suffers for the pain of his innocence, and a genderless Vampire child Eli suffering an inner void prompted by a distinct lacking of innocence. By searching within each other both characters are able to emancipate feelings and emotions trapped within the confines of their own lives which despite appearing to being of similar age are deeply contrasting.

The story itself is a unique ensemble of thematic diversities taking on murder, revenge, subversion whilst countering with childhood innocence, loyalty and redemption. In directing the film Tomas Alfredson is masterful in his choice of low angled camera shots which helps create the child like perspective of our protagonists, yet also managing to hold genuine horror elements through shadowy lighting, jumpy suspense and clever use of symbolism.

The film is Swedish and subtitles but that should not deter anyone from seeing a fantastic piece of romance, horror and mystery. The story is easy to follow and the dialogue at no point pontificates or over indulges allowing the narrative to unfold naturally. Well worth the effort.

9/10

 
4. Some Think Due

Released: 5 November 2010 

Let Me In (2010) 

Those who aren't tolerant to subtitles maybe interested in the American re-make of Let The Right One In (2008). Taking on the task is Cloverfield (2007) director Matt Reeves with Chloe Moretz from Kick-Ass (2010) and Kodi Smit-McPhee from last years The Road (2009). Despite the release date you can catch special Halloween previews this weekend.

4 The Weekend

1. Some Think Old

True Identity (1991) 

The comedic verve of Lenny Henry has flourished on both stage and television over 35 years for one of Britain’s most loved entertainment personalities. However Dudley’s finest son has never managed to translate his talent on to the big screen with much success.  One of Lenworth’s few attempts to break into Hollywood came in the 1991 release True Identity.

True Identity is a Comedy/Crime effort that owes much of it’s scope and design to Beverly Hills Cop (1984), which will generate comparisons for those who have seen White Chicks (2004). Henry plays a struggling actor who involuntarily ends up on the Hit List of a want away Mafia crime boss played expertly by Frank Langella. To avoid assassination Henry utilises the make-up prowess of a neighbour to turn himself into a white man, whilst teaming up with burned out FBI agent Houston (JT Walsh).

Lets get something straight True Identity isn't the greatest work you'll ever see, but somehow the film kind of pulls off something worth watching,  Henry's talent is obvious and with help from the supporting cast manages to get mileage out of the gags that do work, and the film delivers it’s message while hovering  around some potentially sensitive themes without ever taking itself too seriously.

6/10

2. Some Think New

RED (2010)

I really wanted to like RED, I couldn’t help but be excited by the legendary cast and the promise of laughs a plenty. Yet somehow for me it ended with a pretty devastating sense of disappointment and emptiness.

I’ll attempt to break down where it all went wrong by stating that the problems are in the main fundamental. Firstly the script is as unoriginal as it gets churning out tired old clichés and drab gags that tell themselves. Secondly the direction is confused and inconsistent,  director Robert Schwentke seems to try too hard to be the star of the show using distracting and overblown visuals meshed in with an unforgiving collection of load expensive gun fights. Further the film lacks the ability to find it’s audience, jumping  fidgetily between generic action comedy and stumbling occasionally into attempts of deeper and more contrite self-reflection.

The least irritating element of the film is the cast, who with all mentioned previously are left with the unenviable task of trying to make something of out of very little. Bruce Willis leads from the front as the former Black-ops agent  Frank Moses who endeavours to reunite his former crew (Mirren,Freeman and Malkovich) to help him solve an intricate plot he has unwittingly become part of, whilst dragging over-matched love interest Mary-Louise Parker along for the ride.

I can’t help but feel  that with such an illustrious cast and big budget that this was a wasted opportunity. RED isn’t half as terrible as it is disappointing yet it's just hard to shake the feeling that the cast had a much better time making it than I and many others will have watching it.

5/10

3. Some Think to Borrow 

 

My Sister's Keeper (2009)

Based on the 2004 novel by the same name, My Sister's Keeper is a superb drama Starring Cameron Diaz, Jason Patric and Alec Baldwin.  The film takes us through the turmoil of an American Family dealing with the pain of their Leukaemia stricken daughter Kate. Parents Sara and Brian (Diaz and Patric) through in vitro fertilization conceive a second daughter Anna to provide a genetic match for Kate to survive through bone marrow donation. Things take a turn however when Anna decides she no longer wants to be Kate’s walking Donor bank and sues her parents to gain medical emancipation and protection.

There is so much to like about this film, mostly the surprising performances from the cast and director. Starting with the latter Nick Cassavetes who previously tackled similar themes in John Q (2002) delivers a touching piece of work blending tear-jerking moments with run of the mill family orientated ups and downs. The Cast are near perfect Diaz and Patric are most convincing, whilst the maturity in which teenagers Abigail Breslin (Anna) and Sofia Vassilieva (Kate) afford their roles is nothing short of immersing.

9/10

4. Some Think Due

 The American (2010)

Director: Anton Corbijn
Release Date: 26 November 2010

Starring: George Clooney

Keep an eye out for trailers of George Clooney's new film the The American (2010), Directed by Dutchman Anton Corbijn with a predominantly European cast filmed mainly in Italy.

I've become a fan of Clooney's recent drama/thriller roles in particular the brilliant Michael Clayton (2007) and before that Syriana (2005). The American looks to be an interesting fusion of European cinematography and pace with Clooney working his Hollywood magic in front of the cameras.  

New: The Social Network (2010)

A few minutes into The Social Network we are presented with a fairly staggering piece of  irony that stuck with me for the rest of the film, and that is that the would be creator of the ultimate social networking tool would himself be a socially inept outcast eager to find acceptance and inclusion within the Harvard University elite. So in tracing the genesis of the Facebook The Social Network whilst wrestling with concepts of creation and inspiration finds the idea in it's simplest form early on, defining the subject in it's own necessity from the outset.

Core to the film are relatively routine thematic dynamics such as greed, betrayal and of course friendship, those who are familiar with Director David Fincher's previous works such as Seven (1995) and Zodiac (2004) will recognise Fincher's look at the inner workings and purpose of his characters relationships, as well as the speed in which those relationships come and go in way reminiscent of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008). 

The Narrative of the film is constructed cleverly through the use of two depositions which effectively provide a running commentary of two stories. Both depositions feature our central character Mark Zuckerburg (Jesse Eisenberg) as he attempts to stave off those claiming credit for the invention that would go on to define him "The Facebook". The first sees Zuckerburg headhunted to be chief programmer for ambitious entrepreneurs and athlete twins Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss  (Armie Hammer) and their associate Divya Narendra (Max Minghella). The trio ask Zuckerberg to help them build a Social Networking Website called "Harvard Connection" one of many notions suggested as a potential forerunner for the Facebook concept, the similarity of the sites leads the twins and Narendra to press for legal charges after Facebook explodes in popularity.

The second and more interesting of the depositions focuses on the creation and rise of Facebook, as well as the relationship of co-founders Mark Zuckerburg and  Eduardo Saverin played by Andrew Garfield. It is here we are also introduced to Justin Timberlake's smooth talking portrayal of Sean Parker who attempts to muscle in on the Facebook frenzy. As mentioned earlier the inner workings, nature and strength of the relationships are inspected by Fincher and the cast here.

So what did I like? Well the cast does a sound job with the nicely calculated script. Eisenberg and Garfield are the highlights for me, both manage to bring conviction and whit to their roles. In addition those who indulge in Facebook themselves will enjoy seeing how the site along with many of it's intricacies were conceived, also there is much to relate within the film's references to how the site has impacted peoples lives and created new social behaviours.

On the flip side the subject matter is ultimately more captivating than it's subjects, who for the most part are reflective of over privileged American youth culture. The climax of the movie is pretty unremarkable and lacks any true climactic tension. With that said it's not enough to detract from what is a solid project, guided by fine work from all involved which should be a largely inclusive viewing experience for movie goers and Facebook lovers a like.

Go see it
7/10

Some Think New: Mr Nice (2010)

Do you ever think what is the true difference between the criminally inclined and the everyday/work a day types like you and me? Mr Nice like most films which wrap themselves around criminals and criminal lifestyles, takes you to the point where you have taken the tour of the criminal psyche and you end up at your own self designated STOP sign. What I was reminded of by this film is that the point at which I stop caring for the criminal, or no long feel I could live the life is my own such plateau.

Howard Marks is the central character and career criminal played effortlessly by Rhys Ifans, a welsh school boy turned big city student and pothead. We see Marks transformation through a series of off beat scenes in which director Bernard Rose reflects on Marks' humble, dull yet honest origins. Then our protagonist through a combination youthful substance experimentation and a fateful convergence of circumstances is established as an international Drug smuggler.

We are gradually introduced to a plethora of interesting characters that vary from casual love interests to drug dealing allies, who materialise as Ifans travels deeper into Marks' world of dope, dealing and debauchery. Amongst the group are fine supporting efforts notably from David Thewlis who delivers the hilariously cranky IRA terrorist turned middle man Jim. Chloë Sevigny convinces as the overly supportive wife and mother Judy and Omid Djalili sparkles intermittently as the Pakistani pusher Saleem Malik.

The film journeys through the tumultuous times of sex, drugs, betrayal, greed, prison and pot which Marks and his merry men navigate their way through against a lush backdrop of 70's pastiche. The central themes (a part from the obvious pro pot messages) of trust and loyalty feeds the relationships between the characters and their own motives which is heightened by superb cast.

Final bit of credit must go to director Bernard Rose who delivers a mesh of crass humour, abstract visuals whilst capturing authentic human emotions and behaviours. Best British film of year to date.

8/10

Welcome

Those who know David Reid will know he is one those outspoken types, you know the ones who eaves drop a conversation, one who likes the sound of his own voice, one who has a lot to say for himself, values his opinion above most and enjoys watching sucky films...

This is how my loving wife would introduce my maiden blogging voyage, and to be honest I am not going argue too much, but I would like to say this I love debate and love Cinema, I love sharing ideas and thoughts with all other like minded people. However if I post something negative about a film I am not suggesting you dont watch it in fact the opposite I would love for you to see any of the movies I talk about and would be interested if you feel the same or not.

"Some Think" will be a blog in which I will share my views with you about my own movie going and watching experiences including news, reviews of new and not so new releases.

I Hope you will not only enjoy reading but interact with this Blog also.

Happy Reading!!!